Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared on the Ann Arbor District Library’s Pulp blog.

“One Track Mind” features a Washtenaw County artist or band discussing one song from their latest release.

Standout Track: No. 3, “West Park,” from Rik Strange, aka Erika Marlisa. The Ann Arbor singer-songwriter’s debut release, Angelclown, is a five-track EP that explores relationships. On “West Park,” Strange feels hopeful about a new partner and contemplates the direction of her life. At the time, she was living in a house on Huron [Street] that borders the park. Strange often took morning walks in West Park during the fall to process her fear and self-doubt. “This song was my attempt to instead lean into abundance, and yes, to attempt to approach a new love from that same place, instead of getting caught up in what it might become or what might go wrong. Ultimately, at the time, I wasn’t very good at that, and the relationship didn’t last, but that’s another song! That’s what I love about songwriting, the archival effect. Things change, but West Park preserves the whimsical feeling, place, and time—it’s nice there!”

Musical Motivation: Strange gravitates toward a dreamy sound for her songs. She takes a modern approach to the singer-songwriter genre, incorporating more textured production elements akin to those found in the dark, atmospheric music of Youth Lagoon. “That sound definitely made sense for ‘West Park,’ as the setting is kind of this dreamscape mentality: walking around on a beautiful day [and] noticing and being delighted by all the little things.” It includes collaborations with several local musicians, including Pajamas’ Nick Orr on guitar, Liam Gallegos on bass, and Graham Low on drums; Stormy Chromer/Ma Baker’s Jordan Smith on keys; and Fundamental Sound Co.’s Taylor Greenshields on percussion. “All the musicians involved picked up on that tone and delivered, not at all to my surprise. Nick gives it just enough bounciness, while Jordan keeps it a little contemplative, and Taylor intuitively sprinkles in some percussion for even more texture.”

Tree Town Titles: Four of the five tracks on Angelclown are partially named after local events and places. The opener, “Babe Island,” is a nod to the defunct Babe Island Fest from 2019. “Far House” is after a co-op/DIY music venue known for hosting local shows, and “Argiero’s Café” references the former Argiero’s Italian Restaurant in Kerrytown. “I like giving little nods; I think they’re fun for those [who] recognize them; and for those [who] don’t, I think the names still have a certain literary element to them: ‘Far House’ for a song about feeling dissociative.”