IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

Back in 2020, Thomas LaVine got his first feature on Indie Music Center. He was curious enough to read other articles and discover new artists. That’s how he came across a feature on Luna Keller and bam: instant connection with that unique voice. As luck would have it, he had been searching for months for a female voice to complete his folk ballad “By The Coast”. That’s how one of the first IMC Family gems was born, and to this day, it remains one of the most beautiful indie songs ever released.

The two artists quickly became friends, and it was only natural that Luna would end up in Thomas’s little garden shed turned studio when she visited the US in 2024. Today, we’re excited to share the result of that “In Real Life” meeting, and we’re so glad a small miracle came out of it. I have to admit, I had to look up what the word “Phlox” meant. Here in Europe, it’s not a common word at all, and I had never heard of it. So if, like me, you’re not too familiar with North American landscapes, here’s the answer: it’s a flower that grows a lot over there. Mystery solved.

So is this a song about an American flower? Not exactly, even if there are plenty of references to it in the lyrics. Is it another song about water, just like most of Thomas' repertoire? Nope. Crazy, right? This new song is more about living in the moment, instead of always chasing the best this, the best that, and running after a version of happiness that might not even exist. Life moves fast, and we often forget to just live. This gorgeous ballad is a gentle reminder, with warm harmonies and a summery vibe. Bonus points for the vinyl crackle at the end.

Once again, the LaVine + Keller combo works like a charm, even though it already proved itself five years ago. This North Carolina guy and this German wonder have created something magical once again, and our ears are in for a treat. That's what happens when two of your favorite artists of all time release something together. And if we have to wait five more years for another timeless gem, so be it. We’ll take it.

Their take on "Phlox"

"Writing in person with Thomas felt really joyful to me, he's not just a good friend but also one of my favourite artists, so there was a foundation of understanding each other's approach already. One thing Thomas and I always connected over was our love for deep philosophical conversations and our tendency to overthink - "Phlox" is like a grounding reminder that not everything needs a deeper meaning or answer" - Luna Keller

"It was a joy to write with Luna. I don’t do a ton of collaborations, and I feel like when I get the opportunity to really connect and write like this, it really is a gift. Writing with someone else may mean you do not always walk the same part of the path you typically do. You challenge each other, and in this case, I feel there was a lot of mutual respect and admiration for the talents that each writer possessed. I think we were just trying to amplify that in each other, so it was a highlight for me. Luna is a true artist. 10/10 would do again." - Thomas LaVine

Reach out to Thomas LaVine

Reach out to Luna Keller

Lyrics

There's a valley where the wildflowers grow
all the longing takes me back
there's a sorrow in the undertone
of a slowly fading past
broken pieces coloured glass

Smell the meadow phlox there so you know
the scent of southern air down where they grow
whisky never tasted good to me
but if that's what you'll have that's what I'll drink

Sink my feet into the shallow shore
if I walk will it get deep?
it might pull me in the undertow
maybe that's just what I need
when it's dark can I go back?

Smell the meadow phlox there so I know
the scent of southern air down where they grow
whisky never tasted good to me
but if that's what you'll have that's what I'll drink

Smell the meadow phlox there so you know
the scent of southern air before you go

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