Mendocino Memories: King Cedar’s EP Takes Us on a Journey Through Sound and Solitude
Sifting through the deluge of emails, social media messages, and track uploads can be both a joy and a chore. It’s wonderful to see artists and bands trust us enough to share their music, hoping we’ll take a moment to listen and review. For those reading this and wondering if we actually listen – we do, it’s just a matter of finding the time! That’s how we stumbled across King Cedar, an artist hailing from Bangor, Ireland. Yes, the same place that birthed Snow Patrol and Two Door Cinema Club. Must be something in the water out there, right? (Might be worth a visit just to find out)
My first instinct was to dive into the links, as you do – social media, Bandcamp, Spotify – the usual deep dive. But it wasn’t the music that grabbed me first; it was the artwork. I’m a sucker for visuals, whether it’s a photograph, a painting, or album art – anything that makes your brain tick. King Cedar’s latest release, a four-track EP titled Mendocino, had a cover that caught my eye immediately. It’s an evocative piece created by Ricky Drew A Piccy (@rickydrewapiccy) aka Richard Kerrigan, a fusion artist from Bangor. Seriously, what are they drinking in Bangor? I need some of it. Ricky’s digital and photographic style sets a vivid, solitary scene that feels like a walk through nature on a lone path – and maybe that’s something for me to discuss with a therapist one day. The cover art, inspired by the natural beauty of Mendocino, California, drew me in and set the stage perfectly for what I hoped would be an equally compelling musical experience.
King Cedar - Mendocino EP Artwork Cover by Richard Kerrigan
And that’s the thing – artwork matters. It sets the tone and pulls you into the mood, giving you a taste of what’s to come. It makes you want to press play, and so, with a fresh cup of coffee in hand, I did just that. I sat back and carved out 15 minutes to soak in the sounds of Mendocino.
The EP kicks off with 'An Explanation re: Love', clocking in at 5 minutes and 4 seconds. It opens with a mix of radio noise and soundscapes before fading into King Cedar’s soothing vocals: “Goodnight, I'd like to leave beside the woman I've become.” The gentle guitar sets the scene, and by 1 minute 11 seconds, the drums join in, guiding us through a song about love, with the chorus:
“So if you'll wait and see,
The world might just believe, in love,
For someone like me,
Who lost the feeling long ago.”
Next up is 'At Least God's Having Fun', an indie-alt-folk track that leans into a country vibe, with guitar, drums, and lyrics like: “Life is hard, but you're gonna get through it. Whether you like it or not.” It’s a song that invites you to embrace every moment, no matter how tough life gets.
The EP then picks up the pace with 'A Long Life Quiet'. The upbeat rhythm and reflective chorus, “And we'll let our lives alone, 'til the closing of the night, And we'll hide away in song, 'cause it's a long life quiet,” capture a sense of serene escapism. It’s a track that feels like a peaceful retreat from the noise of the world.
Finally, we reach the title track, 'Mendocino', with the line: “So take me back, to the rolling hills of Mendocino.” Even though I’ve been to California, I never made it as far as Mendocino, but listening to this track transports you straight there. It conjures images of endless beaches, rolling waves, and the awe-inspiring natural beauty that defines the place. That’s the true magic of this EP – it takes you to places you haven’t been before. Give it a spin; it’s worth the trip.
King Cedar says of the EP: “Four songs that have been cluttering my thoughts over the years.”
It’s a beautiful listen, reflecting the quiet introspection and raw authenticity of an artist who’s put his heart and soul into every note.
