Still waters run deep, but so do those torn apart by rogue waves, summoned by a single siren's song, one capable of capsizing even the mightiest ships.
I couldn't shake that thought while chatting with Alice Strider of the Knee-Hi's outside the Empty Bottle before their show, wondering how she remained dry after surfacing from the sea.
We had just wrapped up a pre-show portrait session when I asked about her songwriting process. Discussing new material, she touched on the technical aspects of blending guitar and keys with her vocals. Their latest track, A Better Way, had become my constant companion, looping through every commute, walk, and editing session, so I mentioned how much I loved her sound on it, particularly the playful, melodic synths and the introspective lyrics that had been on my mind.
That's when she told me about the song's evolution. Originally titled The Devil Inside, the name shifted to A Better Way to soften the darker connotations of the first. Alice explained that the song grapples with the duality of human nature, how people aren't purely good or evil but carry both within them, working through internal conflicts in different situations. It's deeply introspective, drawn from her own experiences and emotions, ones that still surfaced in her voice and expression as she spoke. She reflected on how her past had shaped her and how, even in the depths of turmoil, hope, kindness, and understanding can emerge when faced with a choice.
Later, as the opening riffs of A Better Way hummed to life on stage, a chill ran through me. My camera hands wavered, seeking an anchor as Alice stepped to the mic. When she opened her mouth to sing those first words, I finally understood why sailors used to follow that sound straight into the sea.