Lettie and David Baron “Fairy Tale”
UK vocalist Lettie and Woodstock-based producer, composer David Baron shares their otherworldly second single “Fairy Tale” from upcoming record Endless Climb, slated for Nov. 11. The lyrics of “Fairy Tale” comes from poet Miroslav Holub’s poem of the same title. Collected in The Rattle Bag, the poem revolves around one man’s solitude and ownership of his house, his view, and his journey, from a place of realism, tapping into the realm of fairy tale and fantasy. It was written during a time of political unrest and censorship in Czechoslovakia. Though depressive and somber in nature, Lettie and David Baron’s sonic adaptation aims to soften the somberness.
Poised piano chords humbly laid down the dim-colored surrounding for Lettie’s feathery, poignant voice to draw listeners into a different time and space. The narrative follows the protagonist as he builds his house with his own hands, folding a piece of sky, wrapping his garden and house, taking them on the road. Classic piano backdrop with a touch of filmic atmosphere. With soft harmony and breathtaking backing vocal, the song produces an illusive, dreamful feel. Marching into alternative rock, the frizzy-edged percussion and synth pads in contrast with that conservatory piano paint a world where classical and modern avant garde battles in contrast.
The Lana Del Ray-esque immersive vibe appeals to listeners with emotional urgency, aching for a deeper connection. The recurring seems to the theme in the song. From the piano chords that tap and press in a hypnotic pace to the everlasting melodic bridge after the first through of the poem. The retro, almost “stuck” in nostalgia feeling is touchingly essential to the song.
In Holub’s work, he challenges the traditional structured poem with free verse, leaning towards prose rather than poetry writing. Lettie and Baron’s “Fairy Tale” also brings that liberating aspect into their music. Their music builds on narrative with spontaneity and intuition rather than putting together a song. David Baron builds nuanced sonics around Lettie’s beautifully atmospheric vocal, creating a subtle yet epic cinematic experience. It ends on single piano notes, which seems perfect to that tender, poetic space.
