The Australian indie scene has been mourning the death of Crow‘s founding member Peter Archer last week following news earlier this year that the band was back together and releasing a new album, accompanied by the single ‘You Can’t turn Away’ (reviewed by us here).
The band made the sad announcement through their socials:
Peter Archer, our long-time comrade, passed away on 14 May. Our deepest sympathy and love to his family and friends.
A founding C R O W member, Peter’s indelible creativity was at once intuitive and adventurous.
From the lilting frailty of Paper Eyes, to the sun-drenched lyricism of Railhead, the roaring insistence of Never Said, or the stumbling splendour of Ravine, and so many other songs, the beauty, scope and originality of Peter’s work is undeniable.
His humour, generosity and kindness imbued everything we shared. Being alongside him in “white knuckle” moments was hypnotic – think the searing dirge of Buddah Salute, or the deep rumbling coda of Rabbits. Without end.
Peter, we will carry the torch of your unique legacy, always. Buoyed by the one desire to see you again.
With eternal love, your brothers in song: Peter, Jim and Andy
Today a new single, ‘Skyline’ has been released on schedule, and according, to the remaining band members it is just what Archer wanted. Archer wrote and sung on the track which adds a poignancy to the release. Drummer Andy Marks says of the track:
The track glimmers with sun-drenched guitar, refracted by soaring vocals. Here is a version of what the song is about, as told to me by Archie over a beer during our recent Melb trip. Feeling lucky I asked him about it. It’s a beautiful story.
‘Skyline is a recollection of a casual job. Days were spent deep in the bush, marking trees for removal. The protagonist is happily disconnected from technology, yet creating waypoints that will eventually carve corridors for power-lines.
Skyline revels in being disconnected from unyielding change. Instead, it embraces millennial shifts that “glide” in their “easy… own time”.‘
Indeed the song coasts along on jangling guitars and an arching riff, filled with a melancholy air and glorious harmonies. The poetic lyrics capture a sense of memory and nostalgia that has a particular Australian outback blush – capturing nature and the bleached white sunshine of the outdoors:
Drive to the Skyline
Along the road that lays the border like a brown snake in the sun
There’s a hardwood forest endless as if whitey never came
And the blackened, hollow messmate still proud despite the flame
The delivery is raw and emotive, Archer’s vocals yearning and his passing adds a whole level to the song – lyrics reflecting on the past with nostalgia and warmth. The accompanying video captures the band performing joyously and the bright Australian sunshine and wild beautiful landscapes:
The single is available now here and the new album ‘Hold Sway’ will be out on 10 July through the inimitable Cheersquad Record & Tapes and you can pre-order through the link below:
Vale Peter Archer.
Feature Photograph: Billy J Burke
