Crooked Lake - "Halloween of '93"

After the dissolution of his longtime band Cicada Radio, Michael Keefe wanted to mellow out a bit. Keefe’s new project, Crooked Lake, was a chance for him to tone things down and explore more meditative sonics. Unlike the rip-roaring sound of Cicada Radio, Crooked Lake felt more intimate and introspective on their 2019 self-titled debut EP, which saw Keefe leaning into acoustic guitars, serene atmospheres, and a more personal lyrical bent. Keefe continues to search inward on his latest collection of songs, I Have Become A Ghost, and he’s especially forthright in his exploration on “Halloween of ‘93.”

“Halloween of ‘93” recounts the inevitable life changes that accompany the slow crawl of time. Reflecting on the past, and how it’s different from the present, can feel somber in a way that’s akin to grief. Keefe delicately parses out these feelings: “Forget the pain of passing time, that’s why I had to leave it behind. Never felt as lonely as I do tonight. That’s why I leave it behind.” He provides a hazy backdrop of acoustic guitars, echoing backing vocals, and a calming ambiance to soundtrack his ruminations on years gone by.

Listen to the track below!

You can stream “Halloween of ‘93” along with the rest of the songs on I Have Become A Ghost via Spotify. The album is also available to purchase on Bandcamp.