Song of the Day: Blitzen Trapper – Heaven and Earth

photo by Todd Roeth

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Each and every Friday we offer songs by local artists. Today’s featured selection, chosen by Midday Show Host Cheryl Waters, is “Heaven and Earth” by Blitzen Trapper from their fifth full-length release Destroyer of the Void available on Sub Pop Records.

Portland ensemble Blitzen Trapper have been afloat between heaven and earth since their 2007 release, Wild Mountain Nation, skyrocketed them into the stratosphere earning them much critical acclaim along with an enviable spot on the Sub Pop roster. Their debut with that label, Furr, took fans deeper into the mythical world of Eric Earley, whose epic story drenched lyrics brought to life a cast of characters who’s lives flitted between the fantastic and the real. Their latest effort, Destroyer of the Void, expands upon the world created in Furr as Blitzen Trapper delve deeper into Earley’s psyche. Today’s song is a simple but effortlessly beautiful ballad with Earley’s lyrics accompanied by a sparse piano medley and subtle strings. The result is quite different than what we’ve heard on past efforts and shows both maturity and grace. There are currently no upcoming Seattle dates listed on the band’s here.

In the meantime, here’s Blitzen Trapper performing “Furr” live at the KEXP studios: