Umphrey’s McGee – “Easter in Quarantine”
Umphrey’s McGee released a new track this morning dubbed “Easter in Quarantine” in lieu of the upcoming holiday. Written by Jake Cinninger & Brendan Bayliss, “Easter in Quarantine” was laid down, mixed, and mastered in a two week period through the former portion of Quarantine. Like many artists, makers, and creators throughout this period, UM members used this new song as a “Haunting, moody reflection that encapsulates the zeitgeist of this surreal experience we’re all having” via press release.
UM Manager, Kevin Browning laid out the first time he heard “Easter in Quarantine”: “Gazing out the window on a chilly, gray day and what lands in my inbox but an unknown track titled ‘Easter in Quarantine’…The heartbeat of the kick drum and somber piano melody immediately gave me chills. Sparse and emotive, it perfectly captured the mood that morning.” What comes next is a Hammond organ that creeps in the picture shortly before the percussion and before Bayliss begins his first lyrics: “Empty pockets, frozen feet. Noone’s walking down the street.”
“Jake had set the mood, the vibe was there, and the subject matter was all too apparent in the moment,” says Browning. “And as Brendan does, he perfectly channeled the sentiments that we’re all experiencing during these bizarre times.”
The song’s refrain of “looking for a way to wait it out”, and “looking for a way to make it out alive” gives way to an uplifting tag, promising “I’ll see you when I see you, on the other side.” The song closes with something atypical for Umphrey’s McGee, a saxophone solo. Played by Jake Cinninger—along with the rest of the instrumentation on “Easter In Quarantine”—the outro leaves listeners with maybe a little more hope than they started the song with.
“It is said a lot right now and it’s as true as ever: We are all in this together. The feelings of missing one another, of longing for more human connection, are palpable in all of us. We have constructed lives by building a community together, it’s what we know. This pause of unknown length in the middle of that is a new reality which resonates with each of us now,” says the band in a collective statement. “Music has always been an irreplaceable part of us, and it’s the way we will continue to get through it, together. And we here at Umphrey’s can’t wait to see you on the other side of this crazy moment in history.”
With bassist Ryan Stasik living in Charleston, both his groups, Umphrey’s McGee and Doom Flamingo, have constructed solid digs in Charleston. From beginning The Woodlands Festival, to the epic “Baysik” performances at The Windjammer, appearances at Trondossa and headlining shows at multiple Charleston venues, the Umphrey’s McGee family is here to stay. Keep up on their socials and Extra Chill for their next announcements and your first chance to see “Easter in Quarantine” live!