Kiro Heck has become one of my favorite songwriters in Philadelphia. On a blissfully rainy night in July of 2017, I huddled in the peaceful, dim light of The Pharmacy. Chad Snyder who records under the moniker Kiro Heck had invited me to come see him play some songs by himself with an acoustic guitar. While I’d heard Snyder play in other band formations, I’d never heard his voice and songs shine quite like they did that night. He has a gentle way of turning uncomfortable realities into a soothing sway, and does this exceptionally well on his new single “Stillness.”
Produced by Joe Michelini from American Trappist with slide guitar played by Max Kulicke from Carroll, “Stillness” is the definition of yearning and made clear in the song’s push and pull. Tension builds as the climbing melody and claustrophobic images of the lyrics close in on an incredibly relatable feeling of constant anxiety. But just as the song reaches an almost breaking point, a sweet release of slide guitar meanders along a sturdy rhythm section as if the twangy, grounding voice of reason.
Snyder describes the illusory concept behind the track as follows:
When I first wrote ‘Stillness’, I was thinking of a peaceful place. It was a feeling I was trying hard to get back to, even when I knew it might not be there anymore. Now I see that place less like an escape and more like a retreat from reality altogether. It’s a fine line, and I want to make sure I’m on the right side of it.
“Stillness” will be on all streaming services this Friday, April 12th. Kiro Heck’s new album, A Pound of Feathers, comes out May 24th and you can preorder it here. Catch Kiro Heck live in South Philly on April 12th.
Photo by Rebecca Aronow
