Harper Mayo is the portmanteau of Benjamin Harper and Laura Mayo – two talented Nashville folks with their own individual projects that sound great when they sign together. “Hey Ollie!” is only their third release in as many years but it’s a annual tradition we have come to look forward to. Today’s premiere is further evidence that a larger collection of works from these two would be a delight.
Releasing a track in December is a bold move given the general public’s focus on Best Of lists and Christmas music but, fortunately, “Hey Ollie!” comes in strong with enough power on its own to earn your focus from any outside distraction. The track is layered with rich harmonies, sharp gang vocals and too many flourishes to recount. There’s a great balance of of syrupy power pop and melancholy yearning pouring out of this one; a favorite combo here at We Own This Town.
While the track is musically quite gripping, it would be a mistake not to mention that it seems the lyrics are about Oliver Plunkett, a Catholic Archbishop that had a rather controversial life before his death in 1681. A life that resulted in being canonised as a Saint in 1975. Look, I’m not a religious person but if you can write a song about a Catholic Archibishop that’s that catchy and inspires reading a small tome of text about the exile, trial, execution and sainthood of a priest? Well, you definitely got something special going on there.
Let’s not let the Archibishop theory overshadow the music itself. The band has not told me what the song is about, I’m just pulling strings together based on lyrics and Google searches. What I know for certain is that spending time with Harper Mayo is time well spent.