We often hear about how the pandemic has ignited the fire of creativity and artistry in many people. But what about the contrary? The Bicycats – music moniker of visionary and songwriter Zachary Bernstein – did exactly that, taking a break from music and just exploring life as he went. One day, he recounts cycling to work and suddenly feeling the urge to write. A few weeks later, he had a whole plethora of songs in his hands. What’s the lesson here, you might ask? nothing particularly majestic, just the realisation by Bernstein that art is – for many of us out there – not a commercial endeavour, but rather a need for self-expression, a welcome refuge from the stress and chaos of our daily life.
The Bicycats embodies exactly that: Zachary is not looking for international recognition, but just for personal growth. Now, it just happens that this effort results in a fantastic track, better than many others done for industry purposes. ‘Long Game’ showcases everything the Californian talent has to offer, in the form of psychedelic folk, gooey and textured sound matter, and introspective lyricism.
Explaining the process behind ‘Long Game’, The Bicycats explains: “This is a song for struggling artists who may never find “success,” but still create their art because they simply can’t help themselves. The music was built upon a highly warped keyboard sound that’s both ethereal and sassy.”
Recommended! Discover ‘Long Game’ on Spotify: