Photo by Gretchen Williams

Astute readers will recall that we named Gold Dust‘s self-titled debut LP one of our favorite local releases of 2o21. Taking a break from the din of his other projects–namely the beloved shoegaze outfit Kindling–Gold Dust’s sole member Stephen Pierce revealed himself to be one hell of a folkie. An avid collector of private press and mainstream folk, Americana, and psych rock records both domestic and international, it was only a matter of time before Pierce took a crack at a sound he’s long admired. While the heads always knew there was perfect pop beneath Kindling’s headrush of noise, it’s a minor revelation to hear Pierce’s excellent voice crystal clear for the first time. Especially when doubled into a Young-ian chorus.

Gold Dust‘s bucolic sway sounds like the perfect accompaniment for a stroll (or maybe a trail run) through the endless green hills of Western Massachusetts, so we’re pleased to premiere a new video for “Run Into Clouds” that features Pierce doing just that, but you know, with an acoustic guitar in his hands. 

Pierce had this to say about the song:

“Sometimes when you get to the top of a mountain, you’re looking out at a blanket of clouds: Nothing below, no cars, no valley, just other peaks popping through in the distance, a radio tower or two, maybe one of those ungodly cell phone things disguised to look like a tree. Sometimes, that’s freeing, in a way – It’s just you and the place you’re standing – all the heartache, responsibilities, obligations, and other anchors of reality – those stay down below. I’ve got really into trail running these last few years – There’s a mountain that rises over Easthampton that I find myself on top of most days, up a rutty trail and across the cliffs and back down and back home. I’m really grateful for the view, looking out over the cliffsides, especially on those shitty days into fog or clouds; the way you rise above cloud cover on those rainy days. It’s like the earth below has vanished or I’ve come out on the other side of some distinctly different reality, however temporary it may be.”

Gold Dust is out now. You can grab it on vinyl, cassette, CD, or digital right here.