Liking everything about this new track, JT!

mew/ woo/so cool/bang it/folkN/ great track

Nice Early Music resonance on the banjo sound

Beautiful song, fantastic performance! Kind of magic, man!!! 🍀

Fantastic vocal track..captivating & mesmerizing..perfectly executed..great guitar work..excellent mix & recording production..brilliantly done!

"Death Defying" is a song by the Australian rock band Hoodoo Gurus. It was released in 1987 on their album "Blow Your Cool!" and was also released as a single that same year. The song was written by the band's lead vocalist, Dave Faulkner

The lyrics to "Death Defying" were inspired by Faulkner's experiences living in Sydney and spending time near the ocean. The song explores themes of mortality, risk-taking, and the transformative power of experiences that push us to our limits. Faulkner has said that the song was also influenced by his interest in philosophy and existentialism, particularly the ideas of Jean-Paul Sartre

"Death Defying" was a moderate commercial success for Hoodoo Gurus, reaching number 30 on the Australian singles chart. The song has since become a fan favorite and is often included in the band's live performances. It has also been covered by several other artists, including the Swedish band The Wannadies and the US band Gin Blossoms

The lyrics of "Death Defying" explore similar themes of human freedom, risk-taking, and the search for meaning in a world that can seem chaotic and unpredictable. The line "If there's one thing that I've learned / It's the point of no return" can be interpreted as reflecting Sartre's idea of the existential choice, the moment when an individual is faced with a decision that will determine the course of their life

Similarly, the lyrics "All my friends are dead or they're dying / And our laughter turns into crying" can be seen as reflecting the fundamental existential condition of mortality and the idea that life is ultimately fleeting and impermanent. Sartre believed that the awareness of our own mortality is one of the key factors that drives us to create meaning in our lives

Finally, the idea of the ocean in the song can be a symbol for the absurdity and unpredictability of the world, which is a central theme in Sartre's philosophy. Sartre believed that the universe is indifferent to human existence and that we must create our own meaning in the face of this absurdity 

Existential metaphors in "Death Defying" by Hoodoo Gurus:

"Ever since the world began" - the idea of the world beginning is a fundamental existential concept that speaks to our search for meaning and purpose

"Men have sailed to foreign lands" - the journey to unknown territories can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience and our quest for knowledge

"And the fortune that they've found / Are now buried in the ground" - the idea that material wealth is ultimately fleeting and impermanent is a common existential theme

"Some would say the ocean roars / As it stumbles to the shore" - the ocean can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition, with its turbulent and unpredictable nature

"But to me, it only sings / Of the sorrow that it brings" - the ocean's song can be interpreted as a metaphor for the melancholy and sadness that is a part of life

"All my friends are dead or they're dying" - the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death are central existential concepts

"And our laughter turns into crying" - the idea that joy and sorrow are intertwined and that one can quickly turn into the other is a common existential theme

"Well, I barely learned to swim / Just enough to save my skin" - the idea of learning to swim can be seen as a metaphor for the process of adapting to new challenges and situations

"And my harbor is my home" - the idea of the harbor as a safe haven or refuge can be interpreted as a metaphor for the need for security and stability in life

"If there's one thing that I've learned / It's the point of no return" - the concept of the point of no return speaks to the idea that our choices can have irreversible consequences

"And if that's to be our fate / Now's no time to hesitate" - the idea that we must take action and seize the moment is a common existential theme - carpe some diem

JTS

DEATH DEFYING

Death Defying

JTSunrise: A Seattle Music Odyssey

**JTSunrise** was born in Chicago, IL (the City of Blues) in 1968. JT grew up on a rural horse farm at Cuba Township near Fox River Grove, along the C&NW tracks, about an hour by train outside the city. Summer nights before the internet were for sleeping outside and watching stars, singing and playing guitar to his girlfriends, and hitching trains from his backyard. Anywhere JT went, he had his acoustic guitar slung around his back. JT also learned bass and banjo, and started a folk band in high school, playing house parties and school concerts and busking the commuter train station in Barrington, IL.

His teenage years took him around the world and to Tempe, AZ in 1987, (age 19) where he lived in the same building (and jammed often) with Spiral Stairs, a seminal guitarist who would later form the band Pavement. JT played acoustic sets at the legendary Sun Club. During this time, Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms (JT’s Zia/Tower record store clerk friend) did his sound.

Seattle Music Era

Arriving in Seattle in 1992 with his Tempe barista girlfriend PJ (now wife), JT immersed himself in a city alive with music innovation. This was to become known as a time when Seattle bands reshaped the musical landscape. Amidst the scene, JTSunrise carved a niche and performed shows, blending busking music with the amplified Seattle sound, his Tempe-styled lyrical command, and the soul of Chicago street blues.

His performances became the background of Seattle’s music venues, from the intimate setting of **Art Bar** to the historic **OK Hotel**, where grunge legends made history. He captivated audiences at **Sit & Spin**, a venue combining a laundromat with a bar and live music, and found a true home at the **Lake Union Pub**, a legendary punk dive bar that embraced him as their own. Each chord, each lyric, carried the weight of personal experience.

Musical Influences and Style

JTSunrise draws from icons like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Billy Bragg, alongside bands he admired in Tempe such as Gin Blossoms and Dead Hot Workshop. The bands at the Sun Club and Long Wongs in Tempe, AZ shaped his sound and approach. These influences, coupled with the music scene in 1990s Seattle (including Elise Sauer, Obe-Wan Kenobe, and everyone to ever perform at the Lake Union Pub), molded his blend of folk, punk, country blues, and acoustic pop.

Signature Songs and Contributions

Among his many contributions to the musical landscape, a few songs stand out:
- **"Saint James Infirmary"**: A haunting rendition of the classic blues ballad.
- **"Biscuit Roller Blues"**: A soulful, gritty track that showcases his blues roots.
- **"Kevin Song"**: A heartfelt, melodic piece that resonates deeply with listeners.
- **"Cure For Pain"**: A Morphine song that explores themes of struggle and redemption.
- **"Mama Tried"**: A tribute to Merle Haggard, blending acoustic blues with heartfelt emotion.
- **"O Danny Boy"**: A timeless ballad, rendered with sincerity and grace.
- **"Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain"**: A fusion of folk and rock, capturing the essence of his musical influences.

Prolific Output

JTSunrise has a substantial discography on SoundCloud, with over 60 tracks available. This includes a mix of original songs, raw covers, and collaborations with other artists. His music spans genres like folk, bluegrass and country blues, cowboy country, and 90s acoustic rock, reflecting his diverse influences.

Commitment to Seattle’s Artistic Community

JTSunrise’s influence extends beyond music. His commitment to authentic Seattle art is evident in his participation and support of local artists and musicians. As of 2024 he remains a licensed Pike Place Market busker, a role that allows him to share handmade music directly with the community any time, creating intimate, memorable experiences for locals and visitors.

Thanks everyone for support! Search for Art and Videos by #JTSUNRISE on all interweb media @JTSunriseMusic

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