pick·le

[ˈpik(ə)l]

noun

pickle (noun) · pickles (plural noun)

NORTH AMERICAN ENGLISH
a small cucumber preserved in vinegar, brine, or a similar solution.

fruit or vegetables preserved in vinegar or brine and used as a relish.

the liquid used to preserve food or other perishable items.

an acid solution for cleaning metal objects.

informal
a difficult or messy situation:
"I am in a pickle"


“Pickle” is Van Goat’s wiliest song yet, a swing punk fever dream complete with gigantic riffs descending like a staircase to hell, a freaky elevator music B-section, and yelled assurances that yes indeed, “Everything will be just fine.”

The song was written in a car while practicing breathing exercises at 1 am driving to Dunigan Gas and Food at the crossroads of the 505 and 5. Vocalist and trombone player Lindsay Alexis says of the song: “There’s a special kind of absurdity you slip into when trying to reason with someone that keeps sending an argument in circles. The song was an exercise in poking fun at someone pushing you over the edge - as a way to sort of defang the offender, to chemically negate the toxic after-effects, and maintain some semblance of sanity.”

“Pickle” features high octane performances from its five members. Bassist Derek Burle is all over the neck, drummer Taylor Moxon circles the drum kit like a hyena with its eye on a tasty morsel. Keyboardist Ben Einstein alternates between blazing farfisa organs and tinkly little bells, and guitar player Aidan Ward attacks the freaky B-section, finding notes previously unheard by human ears.

The song was recorded in Ben’s old basement with Chris Nishimoto (Jazz Mafia, Futurelics, My Evergreen Soul), mixed by Chris Hughes (Lazer Beam, Jeff Saltzman, Jack Douglas), and mastered by Piper Payne (Geographer, Janice Ian, Victor Wooten).

The single artwork draws inspiration from the baseball definition of the word pickle - a situation where a baserunner is caught between two bases and faces the potential of being tagged out by the defending team. 

Van Goat will be releasing the single “Pickle” on July 11th 2025.

Pickle

"Mixing Swing, Surf, Punk, and Pineapples into a magical concoction." 
- I Heart SF Bands