Rubblebucket’s irresistible new single, “Stella The Begonia” is out now and it’s a funky love song to a plant. This is a song about finding strength and love in our beautiful interconnection, especially in the face of pain and uncertainty.
The song masterfully ties together so many influences into a beautiful simplicity. The song starts with a drone and rhythm ace drum machine ala the band Suicide and dances between a psychedelic groove, Stereolab-esque tropicalia and New Orleans marching band style horns.
“Stella and its parent plant, Edgar, have been with members of Rubblebucket nearly since the band’s inception. ‘Stella The Begonia’ is a tribute to and celebration of the fifteenth anniversary of Rubblebucket.”
“Taking care of Stella over the years, watching it turn to face the sun, holding the light in the mornings, bending and striving to keep living has inspired a heightening of my own desire to be alive and helped me through times of loneliness.”
A lot of this new single’s strength lies in its familiarity, and yet, somehow it’s difficult to precisely place it. Of Montreal or Dr. Dog maybe come to mind, and certainly this is RIYL the respective projects of Rubblebucket’s co-front-persons Alex Toth (Tōth) or Kalmia Traver (Kalbells). But Rubblebucket just have such a strong personality. They’ve spent 15 years twisting and turning it and dressing it up differently on each release, masterfully so, but that personality shines through. And it’s full of humor and a kind of joy and lightness that is infectious and memorable. “Stella The Begonia” is, after all, a groovy and explosive love song to a plant.
Are you vibing with “Stella The Begonia”?
