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Independent artist Skylar Gudasz has released her deeply reflective new track “Atoll”, from her forthcoming album COUNTRY (out August 9th on Perseids Records). “Atoll” is a prime example of Skylar’s ability to bring light to something dark through her meditative and melodic style. You can watch the lyric video made by her brother, filmmaker Jason Gudasz,  for “Atoll” HERE. For more insight on the song, read Magnet Magazine’s premiere HERE.

On “Atoll,” Skylar reflects on a historical manipulation and its consequences, which lies in stark contrast to her upbringing in a Quaker tradition of pacifism. The song was sparked when she came across some old U.S. military propaganda films around nuclear and thermonuclear weapon testing in the Marshall Islands between 1946-1958. “It was chilling to watch the behind the scenes of the making of the propaganda film, having the military ‘actors’ pose Marshall Islanders and making them do take after take agreeing to leave their atoll for the ‘good of mankind,’” Skylar says. She addresses how language and art can be used to sanitize or justify violence and control people. The songs implies the stark reality that these injustices are not merely metaphors but harsh realities. Once she was aware of what had taken place, the song itself emerged almost on its own. Recorded in one take, featuring lush, layered vocals and ethereal instrumental accompaniment, “Atoll” encapsulates the essence of what she felt and what needed to be said. 

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COUNTRY came to be after Skylar immersed herself into reconnecting with nature, particularly the ocean. The entire album is an enthralling listening experience that should be heard from beginning to end, featuring vivid and cinematic lyrical imagery with finely crafted arrangements. On COUNTRY, Skylar looks at country not as a genre, but as the literal and figurative concept of place and feeling both, of which aren’t defined by borders. The album was produced by Skylar and Ari Picker. COUNTRY follows her acclaimed 2020 sophomore release Cinema, which garnered a four-star review from MOJO. COUNTRY further solidifies Skylar’s reputation. The Bitter Southerner even dubbed her “…the Joni Mitchell the South never had.”

Pre-order COUNTRY on limited edition “Watercolor” marble or black vinyl and CD today.  

Skylar Gudasz 2024 US Tour Dates

August 8 – Carolina Beach, NC – Ocean Grill andamp; Tiki Bar

August 9 – Durham, NC – Bull City Records – In Store

September 19 – Rodanthe, NC – Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station

October 3 – Athens, GA – Flicker Theatre 

October 6 – Nashville, TN – The 5 Spot

October 11 – Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom

November 1 – Washington, D.C. – Georgetown Friday Music Series