Burris Perform Miraculous Romanticism on "Who I'm Thinking Of"

By Kier Nicoll

Burris are a soul and folk-revivalist band, now based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are of the tradition of music from that area, that includes the origins of jazz and Zydeco and the gritty south-sound. Made of founder Christopher Burris Hochkeppel and a rotation cast of collaborators, they have a deep sound of the Americana. Ringing of the folklorique, with broadly-strummed chords, "Who I'm Thinking Of," leaves much up to the imagination of what this romantic piece is about. The sounds of the song, about the titular "You My Love,  Are Who I'm Thinking Of," is a simple but compelling addition to the romance lexicon. You my dear, terms of endearment. Christopher Burris Hochkeppel sings of pain and joy, side by side. Imagining his love out under the stars, with eyes like fireflies in jars. The poetry is beautiful and soulful, as emotions spill out through the loping rhythm of the band's instrumentation. The song starts sparsely and then the band kicks in about two minutes in, giving the songtrack a dynamic and evolving feeling, as the perceptions of the singer are played out over its duration. The song, overall, has a wash of sound that is complemented by the affections the singer has for his subject. The music video is beautiful, following the intended object of attention, through the swamp-trees and old buildings of what looks like Louisiana. It is a doting song, with the intended love-interest, being a huge part of what drives the music. We follow the gestures of love - from holding hands, to gazing into star-struck eyes - throughout. Watching a live-recording of the song, one is impressed with the band's precision with the music - especially the vocal harmonies - as folk performers. It is a large and full sound, for a band that uses minimal notation on guitar, stand-up bass, accordion, violin, and three singers, to convey their message of love. Speaking of the song, Chris Hochkeppel, describes it as coming from a situation of emotional pain over past partners that he and a friend had shared. So it is not all for the affectation of love but also for its pains, miseries and losses. The winds of romance sweep through this song, as it arrives to sooth the ears and heart of the listener. He says it is "a song that feels like a warm blanket at first, but at second listen is the sound of a heartbreaking love letter." Burris worked with legendary producer/engineer Chris Finney for the song and for the release of their upcoming album, Over You. Ranging from an acoustic act, to a six-piece rock band, they can be found, playing around New Orleans and have been at French Quarter Fest, Festival International, Bethlehem's Musikfest, Northgate Fest, Live After Five and more. Members of Burris have shared the stage with George Porter Jr., Rebirth Brass Band, Snarky Puppy, FORQ, The Revivalists, Louisiana’s Leroux, Grace Potter, GIVERS and many more. Look for "Who I'm Thinking Of," on SoundCloud, and their video for the song, online.