Berlin’s own Alexander Donat, the mastermind behind Fir Cone Children, has been delighting us annually with his unique blend of shoegaze, punk, and indie rock. Each album serves as a vibrant snapshot of his daughters’ imaginative escapades, capturing the essence of youthful exuberance. From the playful narratives in Waterslide at 7am to the introspective tones of Jig of Glee, Donat’s musical journey has been both dynamic and heartfelt. I feel honoured and excited to once again be premiering a first glimpse of their next musical steps.
Now, as we gear up for the release of his latest album, Gearshifting, the lead single ‘Your Voice’ offers us a deeply personal and heart warming peek into this new chapter. Donat gives us this insight.
“The song is about my daughter’s first performance on a stage, singing a song from Olivia Rodrigo. While I often sing Fir Cone Children songs from my daughters’ perspectives, here the lyrics are told from my angle, and it’s happening almost in real time: the nervous feeling in the beginning, the moment everything fits, the joy, tears, and an overall feeling of love. It ends with “Come into my arms, don’t ever let me go”. Fascinating to see that the love for music and performing songs on stage is passed on just like that.”
From the very first note, ‘Your Voice’ envelops you in a lush soundscape of shimmering guitars and pulsating rhythms. The track opens with a gentle, reverb-soaked riff that gradually builds, mirroring the quiet anticipation of a stage before the curtain rises. Donat’s vocals come in, tinged with nervous excitement—this time, not as the voice of his daughters, but as a father watching from the wings, experiencing the thrill and anxiety of seeing his child take the spotlight.
Lyrically, the song paints a vivid picture of this moment. As Donat told us the song is inspired by his daughter’s first-ever stage performance, singing an Olivia Rodrigo song, Donat captures everything in real time: the initial butterflies, the way everything locks into place, and the pure, tear-inducing joy that follows. Lines like “Come into my arms, don’t ever let me go” carry a weight that any parent or performer can feel—the unbreakable connection between love, music, and the thrill of self-expression.
Sonically, ‘Your Voice’ sits at the perfect intersection of dreamy and driving. The chorus bursts open with infectious energy, fuzzy guitars crashing over urgent percussion, echoing the soaring confidence of a child finding their voice. The wobbly guitars are a particular favourite of mine.
‘Your Voice’ is not just another great Fir Cone Children track—it’s a moment, frozen in time. It’s the sound of legacy, of love for music passing seamlessly from father to daughter, of watching the next generation step into the light with the same passion that fuelled everything before. There is a real maturity to this song structure which can only come from a Dad.
As we anticipate the full release of Gearshifting, ‘Your Voice’ assures us that the journey ahead is one worth embarking on. So let ‘Your Voice’ be the soundtrack to your day. Let it remind you of the moment you realised music was in your bones. And most importantly—turn it up, and let it carry you away. Oh, what a life!
‘Your Voice’ is streaming now and will be available as part of the new album over on the Blackjack Illvminist Bandcamp page as of April 18 2025.
You can follow Fir Cone Children on social media here….
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