Sand – “Sicilienne”

Sand – “Sicilienne” – Single Review

Freakin’ spectacular!

For the record, we had no reason to believe it wouldn’t be.

While it has certainly been a while since we last featured Sand on our pages – over five years in fact – you know a project like this would never be caught sitting still.  Whether it’s preparing new material, practicing, or finding inspiration, it’s safe to say that the musical mind of Suki Kuehn probably never really rests for all that long.  Just because Sand hasn’t appeared here on our site doesn’t mean that it hasn’t been plenty active – in fact, Kuehn’s Progressive/Jazz project released the album Catfish In The Birdhouse back in 2023 in case you missed it.  Quality music takes time y’all…that’s the honest truth.

Since we’re talking about time-related things though…check out this gnarly tidbit of information I’ve got for you about Sand’s new single “Sicilienne,” because I don’t think I can recall ever having run into this situation before.  How often am I going to get a cover that comes from a song that was created back in the 1800s?  Secondly, how AMAZING is that?  “Sicilienne” was originally written and composed by Gabriel Urbain Fauré back in 1893.  Astounding!  I know plenty of artists and bands that have scoured the archives looking for the perfect song to cover, but I don’t think anyone went all the way back past the prior century…I mean…I feel like I’d remember that.  Sand might be starting a trend with the release of this updated version of Fauré’s “Sicilienne,” because believe me when I tell ya, there are going to be a lot of people listening to this single that had no idea that the music of the 1800s could be so completely badass!  No joke folks, “Sicilienne” is one of the easiest songs to like that you’ll hear this year without exceptions.  That means YOU over there, the person that thinks they’re resistant to all-things-Jazz – buckle up friend-o, because a track as incredibly strong, innovative, and interesting as this is will change your mind.

Like I said at the start – we KNOW how capable Sand is when it comes to entertaining you from having heard the music they made on A Handful Of Sand back in 2020, but I’ll be entirely honest with you and tell you directly that, “Sicilienne” blew away even the wildest expectations I could have had.  From the outright exceptional musicianship, to the fact that everything you hear is performed by Kuehn and expands the instrumentation far beyond the signature sound of his work on the cello, to the stunning clarity in the production provided in part by his longtime cohort Ruby Rendrag, there’s simply no stone left unturned here when it comes to the attention to detail.  “Sicilienne” is truly as engaging as music can possibly get if you’re asking me…I must have listened to this song dozens and dozens of times since I got my hands on a pre-release copy weeks ago, and I’ve been absolutely fascinated by it every single time I’ve heard it.  Kuehn is just so impressively precise & intricate in his performance on every instrument involved, and the way he’s got every element interacting with each other as he plays this song is nothing short of an award-worthy effort.  The depth in the quality and texture is extraordinary, truly.  From the robust nature of the low-end vibes of the bass and cello combined, to the punch in the drums, or the accent vibes like the organ in behind it all, the sound selection itself is more than enough to retain your attention.  When you combine the sonic smarts of Kuehn & Rendrag with the proficiency you’ll find in the musicianship…I mean…this is what it sounds like when knowledge, talent, and craft are doled out through your speakers in equal measure.  “Sicilienne” isn’t just some tune from the olden days anymore – Sand has got this sounding as lively, vibrant, and relevant as if it were just written yesterday.

But Jer @ SBS, you say…you’re not a Jazz aficionado – and we all know that…so how can we trust your opinion on this?  Great question!  First and foremost, I invite you to never take my words as the Gospel truth – go LISTEN to this song for yourself, and you’ll realize right away I’ve told you nothing but what is objectively TRUE as true can be.  Secondly – did you LISTEN to the last podcast we did?  Check out the latest episode of This Is Just My Life Now, The Podcast, and you’ll realize that we played a band called Oavette on there, who makes a sound that is remarkably similar to the awesomeness you’ll hear from Sand.  Coincidence?  I think not!  These projects/bands are right on the cutting edge, I’m tellin’ ya.  I’ve always told you that the best of the best in ANY genre should, and WILL, capture your interest every time if you keep an open mind towards all kinds of music…so again, believe me when I tell you that Sand is amongst the most exciting names to be found in any corner of the independent scene…or the mainstream too for that matter.  You’ll listen to “Sicilienne” and want to stand up and CHEER by the time it’s finished…it’s really that amazing.  I’m not saying you should start doing the wave in your own home by yourself as you’re listening, but a standing individual ovation of appreciation is by no means out of the question.  How often can you really say that every single note and tone you heard in a song resonated with you?  How often do you really feel like everything you hear in a tune was exciting, lively, and inspired as this is?  That right there is the difference of the Kuehn effect…not only is the talent by all accounts ridiculously INSANE when it comes right down to it, but so too are the instincts for how to go about using it.  The purpose, passion, intention, and conviction is present & accounted for in every note the dude plays…and I’m tellin’ ya truthfully, it’ll blow your mind.

Beyond all that good stuff, I also think this is a wonderful learning moment as well.  Many of us will learn about Gabriel Urbain Fauré from what Sand has done with “Sicilienne” – and again, when was the last time you went back and willingly checked out something from the 1800s?  This is one of those full circle type of music moments where you realize how relevant the past can be in the present day when it’s approached the right way.  This is the kind of song that teaches us something as much as it entertains us, and c’mon y’all…it is SO RARE for that kind of combination to land so effectively as what you’ll hear in this single.  “Sicilienne” is a brilliant reminder that great music has been around for so much longer than any of us have been, and that thanks to the most dedicated among us like Kuehn, those amazing moments in time have no expiry date.  The insight it takes to make this song we hear from Sand from what it once was when Fauré recorded it so very long ago…like…it’s genuinely extraordinary.  To go back & listen to what “Sicilienne” used to sound like and hear what it’s become…I am continually impressed and truthfully left in awe.  It was a beautiful melody when Fauré wrote it, and Sand came along to revisit and revamp the whole thing into this kickass rhythm and groove…it’s like two totally different songs, but ones that share entirely common DNA to make them as inspired and irresistible as they are.  Maybe it’s a case of absence makes the heart grow fonder…I can’t say for sure.  I know after listening to this single, it feels like it’s been way too long since I last listened to Sand – but I know for a fact that after having heard “Sicilienne” for myself & having a frame of reference for comparison, this is Sand at its absolute best.  I’m now as addicted to this cover as much as I’m addicted to oxygen…I don’t just want it, I NEED it.

Find out more about Sand from the official website at:  https://sandtronics.threadless.com

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