Home Is where’s ‘Hunting Season’ Explores Southern Decay adn Trans Resilience
Home Is where’s latest album, *Hunting Season*, released in 2024, offers a poignant exploration of southern decay and the resilience of trans individuals facing adversity.The album serves as both a critique of societal issues and a personal reflection on the band members’ experiences, particularly in Florida, where increasingly hostile legislation has impacted their lives.
A Sonic Exploration of Dixie Decay
The album showcases the band’s signature blend of emo and Southern rock, with tracks like “Artificial Grass” painting vivid pictures of a lonesome, abandoned Southeast. Tilley Komorny’s inventive guitar work complements MacDonald’s narrative style, which offers a raw and unfiltered outlook on the region. However, the album’s momentum briefly plateaus with a series of songs that, while individually compelling, share a similar tempo and rhythm.
Did you Know? According to a 2023 report by the National Center for Transgender Equality,transgender individuals in the South face disproportionately high rates of discrimination and violence.
Finding Hope in honky tonks and Noise Odysseys
The album regains its stride with “Everyone Won the Lotto,” a slower, more introspective track that examines the impact of company towns on the South. The use of “lotto” instead of “lottery” underscores the limited and often temporary nature of the economic relief these towns offer. From this point forward, *Hunting Season* delivers a series of standout tracks, including the band’s prettiest song (“Shenandoah”), a honky-tonk anthem (“mechanical Bull”), and a Southern rock mini-opera (“Milk & Diesel”). “Roll Tide” stands out as a 10-minute noise odyssey, drawing comparisons to Animal Collective with a Southern twist.
A Love Letter to an Alternate Country
The album concludes with “drive-By Mooning,” a love song to the band members themselves, reinforcing their emo roots and band motto (“home is where forever”). *Hunting Season* also functions as a love letter to a place that has not always been accepting. Both MacDonald and Komorny ultimately left Florida,citing concerns over the state’s anti-trans legislation. The band debuted many of these songs at the Liberation Weekend festival in Washington,D.C., organized in response to anti-trans legislation across the country.
Ultimately,*Hunting Season* is more than just an alt-country album; it’s a yearning for an alternate country where the unique and marvelous aspects of their home are protected and celebrated.
Key Tracks from ‘Hunting Season’
| Track Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Artificial Grass | A vivid portrayal of the lonesome, abandoned Southeast. |
| Everyone Won the Lotto | An introspective look at the impact of company towns. |
| Shenandoah | Described as the band’s prettiest song to date. |
| Roll Tide | A 10-minute noise odyssey with Animal collective influences. |
| Drive-By Mooning | A love song to the band members, reinforcing their emo roots. |
Pro Tip: Listen to “Roll Tide” with headphones to fully appreciate the intricate layers of sound and noise.
The Band’s Response to Anti-Trans Legislation
Home Is Where’s decision to debut many of the songs from *Hunting Season* at the liberation Weekend festival underscores their commitment to activism and advocacy for trans rights. The festival, organized in response to anti-trans legislation, provided a platform for the band to share their experiences and connect with other members of the LGBTQ+ community.
What are your favorite tracks from “Hunting Season,” and how do they resonate with your own experiences?
How do you think music can be used as a tool for social change and advocacy?
The Evolution of Alt-Country and Emo
Alt-country emerged in the 1990s as a reaction against the commercialization of mainstream country music, incorporating elements of punk rock, indie rock, and folk. Bands like Uncle Tupelo and Whiskeytown paved the way for a new generation of artists who embraced a more raw and authentic sound. Emo,which originated in the 1980s,gained mainstream popularity in the early 2000s with bands like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy. Home Is Where blends these genres, creating a unique and emotionally resonant sound.
The rise of anti-trans legislation in recent years has sparked a wave of activism and advocacy within the music community. Many artists are using their platforms to raise awareness, support LGBTQ+ organizations, and challenge discriminatory laws.Home Is Where’s *Hunting Season* is a powerful example of how music can be used to amplify marginalized voices and promote social justice.
Frequently Asked Questions About home Is Where and ‘Hunting Season’
- What genre is Home Is Where?
- Home Is Where blends elements of emo, Southern rock, and noise rock.
- Where is Home Is Where from?
- The band members have roots in Florida, though they have as relocated.
- What inspired ‘hunting Season’?
- The album is inspired by the band members’ experiences in the South,particularly the challenges faced by trans individuals.
- Where can I buy ‘Hunting Season’?
- You can purchase ‘hunting Season’ from Rough Trade and other music retailers.
- what is liberation Weekend?
- Liberation Weekend is a festival organized in response to anti-trans legislation, where Home Is where debuted many of the songs from ‘Hunting Season’.
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