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Writer's pictureSTAFF

A Heartfelt Journey: horsebread’s “cant” Captivates with Raw Emotion and Authenticity


horsebread  - The Cage, a music blog powered by Cage Riot
Photo provided by horsebread

By: Staff

horsebread's release, “cant,” is a captivating testament to excellence and unrestrained artistic expression.


Amazing acoustic guitars open the track with grit and forcefulness, but also played gently with a classical quality when the song's message and maestro feels it necessitates. We can already tell this artist duo plays how they feel and the heart rather than by a “book” or structure to fulfill someone's financial endeavor. 


The vocals are already unmistakably iconic and this vocalist is absolutely a treasure. With an authentic delivery we absorb the deep emotion and message from the heart. It’s like a river flowing over us with lyrics full of pain and energy. Not one second is left unfulfilled without music or vocals. 


“You don't believe in me”


This lyrical statement feels like the true meaning of the combined words of this entire song. Each phrasing of words we string together has meaning but sometimes the sum of all those words amounts to a meaning much as a group of trees is no longer one, but a forest. 


The pain of empty hearts that don’t deliver love when we need it because we aren't trusted or believed in… is a pain that can be felt when told in this way. The beauty of this is that the massive vocals, beautiful musical arrangement, and powerful lyrics when all summed up describe absolute emptiness. 


“You don't believe in me, don’t believe in anything anymore”


Not since I learned that the grouping of all the colors in the wheel when spun creates white, or no color to our eyes has a message been so powerful. The amount of pain and heartache delivered is incredible. I can tell that this is a true life experience because no one could share this emotion without having lived it first, which makes the essence even more agonizing to listen to. Agonizing because someone else had to suffer so much for us to experience this amazing performance.


What further makes it outstanding is that the elements are basic. No grand display of synths or technical layering. Just amazing music and singing creating a beautiful message.


Thank you so much to the production team for leaving the realness of this song in the track. Outstanding job.


This song deserves to and will undoubtedly receive incredible acclaim from fans and anyone who hears it.


For once I suggest you follow the flock.


You can find this on any major platform and see below for links to take you straight to some of the profiles. Make sure to playlist, stream, and share horsebread’s “cant”.




Powerful Quote about this artist:


“Messages from the future it sounds like, an elastic synth and beats that replicate that lead. Add in a Beach Boys/Animal Collective giddy vocal line and ‘Should Be’ really does come across as the kind of company we need to be keeping. Not least because horsebread continually stir the pot, I mean this could be summer and the season for standing on our own two feet and having a ball of a time while we are it. Yep, there is a twinkle in the eye all over ‘Should Be’ and for that we are accept their invitation to gorge on a few minutes of rapture from this Nashville duo. KH “



Wait, there's more! 


We caught up with this exciting and emerging artist, for:

“The Cage” Music Blog, to talk about music and learn more about them.


Here’s how it went:



Begin Interview


Hello horsebread, we’re thrilled to have you for this interview. We've enjoyed diving into your music and learning about your work, but we're eager to discover even more about you personally and professionally.



Is there a story behind how you chose your artist name?

So horsebread was once considered to be a very low quality form of bread BUT sustained life during times of famine and drought. NOW it’s rather rare and more specialized and sought after... AKA a thing to be desired. We felt like its a true beauty for ashes sentiment and identified with it pretty quickly.


How long have you been making music together?

We've been writing music together in different groups and projects since we were 16 for over a decade... horsebread is our last/first real attempt at making something legitimate together.


Can you tell the fans something they might not know about you and why you create music?

We started music in a homeschool band playing trumpet and saxophone while trading Pokémon cards on the side.


Was there always a desire to create music, or did you have an event in your life that made you realize this is what you want to do as a profession and a duo?


We have been hobbyists for a while, but somewhere dormant the dream always lived... We got together last year tracking this song/record and decided we're going for one last concerted effort at making this work and sustain itself.


What emotion do you feel inspires your writing process the most, ie sadness, worry, happiness etc.?

Pain, poverty, and a ridiculous and illogical tenacity and determination that seems borderline insane but is too much fun to ignore, lol.


Can you walk us through your songwriting process and where the inspiration comes from for this latest project?

Typically, it starts with a melody with Sam and then he writes a simple chord structure. Other times it starts with a weird rhythmical riff and then we write around that. Other times we just jam and morph it into something.


Can you describe to us the theme for your artwork and what was the inspiration and intention for the observer to absorb from it?

Our theme is taking something with a negative origin and seeing it evolve into something beautiful. For Sam, he felt like horses stole his childhood and resented them growing up. After his mother’s passing, he adopted her love for them and abandoned his hatred for it, allowing it to transform into a bittersweet new idea for him / horsebread.



What instrument do you use as the foundation to start your musical creations with?

Guitar, bass, vocal, or weird sound.



What instruments do you play? Which is your favorite?

Sam, vocals & guitar. Andrew, bass & piano/synth.


What instrument do you not play, but wish you could conquer?

Sam wishes he could be a concert pianist. Andrew wishes he could sing like Celine Dion.


Where do you create your music, i.e. in a home recording studio or with a producer? How do you finalize your finished work, ie self-mixed/mastered or another source?

We recently renovated Sam's garage into a home studio, and we record on random laptops a lot.



What was the most challenging part of bringing this project to life, from the initial idea *to the final recording?

The most challenging part is always TIME. Getting time together to write and track is tricky during our busy lives.


Is any part of your music's message or your personal purpose you feel fans should know more about? If so, what is that element, and why is it so important to you?

It's about art, not success. Success makes art easier to create but maybe less good. Art should always be the main motivator.



What has been the most motivating force in creating your music?

Simply put, passion... it’s the only thing we feel such a drive for.


What part of the music-making process is the most stressful, ie the creation, the actual release date, etc?

The mixing phase... seeing how what you tracked is initially perceived by an outside opinion.


Which of your already released songs is the most important to you, or had the most impact on your life or career and can you tell us why?

"Unicorn" is our most important track as it truly conveys sonically and lyrically something new/interesting.


If there was one thing you could change about the music industry, what would it be?

The value placed on algorithms.


Where do you see your sound and artistry heading in the future? Are there any exciting new directions you're exploring?

We're excited to be writing some more rock and roll stuff WHILST bringing our experimental electronic niche along for the ride.


We read this song was influenced by the emotional feelings, “I can’t do this anymore”? Can you tell us why this happened and how you found the strength to continue?

This song is kind of about the solidarity that comes from not being able to continue anymore... so it’s almost like you've gotten so tired of admitting defeat that it’s understood you’re defeated but still not giving up.


What is your favorite song to cover?

"God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys (only using a vocal looper though).


What is your favorite quote?

"We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be." - Kurt Vonnegut


Most people love or hate social media—where do you land?

Social media is just fine, lol, but spyware is evil.


If you could go on any late-night talk show, which would it be? And based on present life, what would be the topic of discussion?

Steve Colbert, and probably something like comparing something geopolitically to which burrito would be the best decision the night of and the worst decision the morning after.


What is your favorite method of connecting with fans?

Playing a show for them, or seeing them respond after streaming a track of ours.


When you reach the stage where you have the admiration and respect of other world-known artists, what band or artist would you love to call and say, “Let’s go on tour together”?

We got some rankings: Big Dog "Radiohead," Mid Dog "Young the Giant," Lil Dog "Veax."

What is the most inspirational thing a fan, or anyone, has told or shown you about your music?

Someone saying they’ve been waiting for a song like ours since Bon Iver's 22 A Million and can’t stop listening to it.



End Interview




Check out this latest release and listen to more of horsebread on Spotify & YouTube.
















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