Dope Lemon is the ultimate fun, chill, summer vibe we all need right now.  Most of the greater United States is cold right now, the way I understand it, and if you don’t exist in one of those chilly weather patterns, their sound will set the tone for the warmth you’re experiencing.

Led primarily by Australian indie/folk-ish singer and former skate kid Angus Stone since 2016, Dope Lemon has released three albums, Honey Bones, Smooth Big Cat, and most recently last year, Rose Pink Cadillac, in addition to an EP labeled Hounds Tooth.

They just suggest unadulterated party time, be it with the salt and pepper and/or peaches and cream.  For me, that looks like sitting around a campfire with homies in the middle of nowhere, caveman grooving in the flames and the star shadows with snackies and Fireball and grass and laughs and lawn chair snuggles beneath tartan patterned flannel blankets.  It could also be the soundtrack of my oasis under the wee hours moon, gentle waves splashing, clothes left on the seashore to solo float out at world’s end, like in “Marinade” on Honey Bones.  “…She wanted the tide to come up and drag her away/So that when she’s dreamin’/She can watch the treeline fall away…”  All of it gives me a great sense of peace. 

The video for “Marinade” is the epitome of love bridged through what seems like an unlikely attraction between two kids and connection through an adventurous spirit.  Friends first and wilderness, train tracks, Davy Crockett hats, dorky glasses, and even a 7” suitcase player.  That’s how it starts, right?  Two people bonded over innocent stolen glances and an understanding of the wild frontier.  Just kids fallin’ in love…

And how do you like that for a transition?  “Kids Fallin’ in Love” is a principal track off Dope Lemon’s latest, Rose Pink Cadillac.  The official video for this song highlights a lot of the aforementioned hippy dippy activity in my dope peaceful places.  RPC also features the song “Stingray Pete” which is the dusty banjo story of an always riding gun slinging Eastwood-esque cowboy only Stone himself could portray.  To say this album in particular covers a lot of stylistic ground is an understatement. Somehow the clash of kitschy classic car, spaghetti western, and beach love eargasms itself into a delightful little lemon baby of sweetness and story. 

If you can get your hands on any or all their albums and want this sort of energy in your life, don’t hesitate.  My heart is full of gratitude because just yesterday I was gifted copies of both Hounds Tooth and Smooth Big Cat, hand delivered to my arms by a long-lost friend fresh off the boat direct from Aussie.  The records are cool, his hug was better, and I’m carrying that warmth with me in the future days ahead, both through the virtue of touch and likewise, comfort of sound. 

@siliconeandvinyl