Riddy Arman - Riddy Arman (LP) [VINYL]

Riddy Arman opens her debut album from La Honda Records with a song called "Spirits, Angels, Or Lies" inspired by the true story of her father's passing. In the lyrics, she examines the human tendency to interpret the unknown. The story she weaves details the final moments and visual hallucinations experienced when Johnny Cash visited her father on his deathbed. Long time fans of Arman will recognize the song from her viral performance video, shot by Western AF in a Montana rail link box car, where the world was introduced to her distinct, sultry lope. Not too long after the unexpected success of her Western AF session, Arman began an intensive six-day recording session at Mississippi Studios in Portland, Oregon. Hopeful, and longing to capture the essence of deeply personal stories from her life, she teamed up with producer Bronson Tew and tracked nine songs. "Recording these songs brought me back to the times that inspired them, but instead of reliving the pain, the studio magic empowered me to overcome it," Arman says of her experience. The first song she wrote for the record, "Half a Heart Keychain," started off as a slow and somber breakup tune. With the help of Tew, the track morphed into a triumphant and transformative anthem for women. Moving forward from some of life's most painful moments is in many ways the thread that ties each song together. Songwriting became part of Arman's dialog with life, translating the experiences in not only lyrics, but also performance. "Most people would try to find a therapist, but at the time that wasn't something that I had access to, so I just started playing music because it was cathartic," she explains. "It's very, very meditative for me. " While tracks like "Half a Heart Keychain" and "Too Late to Write a Love Song" allowed Arman to heal, her debut LP is far from just a breakup album. Her songs are rooted in the poetic imagery of country life, from the beauty of its simplicity to the isolation and loneliness that can often overtake its inhabitants. "Old Maid's Draw" is a song about the landscape where Arman has worked and the mythologized area locals refer to by the tale of a woman who lived alone in the early settling days of Montana. "Problems Of My Own" is rooted in classic country songwriting, exploring the darkness that can lurk within family life. With simple references to classic scenes, such as bacon frying in cast iron pans, the song explores the urge to escape painful surroundings. Arman's take on Kris Kristofferson's beloved classic "Help Me Make It Through The Night" fits perfectly alongside her originals, with her aching vocals at center stage. "Barbed Wire" was written during her time working as a ranch hand and wisely recalls the seclusion and longing that can come while living on the range. "A lot of folks distract themselves with work. It is a common trait of cowboys and ranchers alike," Arman says.