Rhyal Knight – “Little Hands” (audio) (premiere)

Rhyal Knight’s brand of Americana takes its influences from an idiosyncratic blend of retro soul, nuanced jazz, and subtle folk and funk overtones. You can feel as much in the brooding, understated groove in “Little Hands”.

“Little Hands” is the latest single from off of the recent Athens, Georgia transfer’s newest EP, In Quotation. Produced by David Barbe (Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter), the track is decorated with a gelid, bluesy touch that pervades its just over four-minute runtime.

Knight says, “the little hands of solitude and trust can be comforting when they aren’t squeezing the blood right out of your heart. I keep my circles small and love my close ones dearly, but am not quick to let you in for long. This was the idea for the focus of the song when I set out writing the lyrics. Generally, I create the music and hum out different melodies until I find the right fit, and this one was no different, except that the words were flowing immediately while I was feeling out the groove of the song.”

“It was in the mastering process that you could hear the influence of Chase Park Transductions. I must give credit for the signature reverb and overall breath given to these tracks to Barbe’s team. I will be beginning the recording process of an LP back at Chase Park at the end of October, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the whole process begin and end with the signature of Barbe’s touch. I have since relocated to Athens, been able to spend some time in the studio and around Barbe. His nonstop hardworking attitude is both impressive and inspiring — a true maverick in American music.”