Casa Del Sol celebrate the beauty of life in an ugly world with their stirring new single and lyric video Love In A Time Of War — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
A deeply personal song written decades ago by frontman John “Mad Johnny” Modell, Love In A Time Of War reminds us that even when the world seems dark, you can always look to the light. With lightly crunching guitars, warmly glowing gospel organ and an thumpy tom-tom backbeat, the muscular and majestic track hits the sweet spot between vintage West Coast folk troubadourism, soulfully earnest heartland roots and gritty East Coast street-rock. Over this musical map of his homeland — and as the song slowly but surely builds and arcs upward into a powerful psychedelic-swirled opus — Modell pointedly and poetically reflects on fatherhood, intolerance, greed, misinformation and more:
“How could they bring a child into this scene?
How can the pious really be so mean?
What’s going on when true love turns all green?
Gangsters are heroes and everything′s in between?
But it’s not that way, not here today
Now you don′t see things in that same old way
Do you, do you, do you?
I’ve seen love in a time of war
Brotherhood with bones knocking on the door
Good and evil sharing the same spotlight
When something’s wrong then how come we still got right?”
Complemented by a symbolic and cinematic video that artfully sets Modell’s lyrics against a panoply of striking vintage footage, Love In A Time Of War — taken from the socially conscious San Francisco band’s recent debut album Strange Angels — offers a moving meditation on love, resilience, and the coexistence of beauty and turmoil in the world.
Not bad for a song written three decades ago. Penned on the day his first son Dylan was born, Modell recalls the moment with crystal clarity: “His birth was difficult — he was a 10-pounder — but after the smoke cleared, I knew I had witnessed something miraculous. By that point in my life, I had become a bit cynical after learning how the world works. But there I was, seeing life begin in front of me. Afterwards, I ran across the street to get some food for his mom, still covered in blood, and in that moment of contrast — between this deli, where life carried on as usual, and the miracle I had just witnessed — the song literally downloaded into my head. I had to run to a payphone and sing it into my answering machine so I wouldn’t forget it.”
Casa Del Sol revived and recorded the song on Dylan’s 30th birthday — with Dylan present in the studio — giving it an unexpected full-circle moment. What began as a reflection on witnessing both darkness and light in the same breath took on new meaning in today’s world. As Modell watched organizations like José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen risk their lives to provide food and aid to those affected by war and natural disasters, he was reminded of the song’s core message: Even in the midst of turmoil, love and resilience endure.
This song arrives amid a wave of activity for Casa Del Sol. The band, comprised of Modell, drummer Wally Ingram (Sheryl Crow, Jackson Browne, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh), bassist Mike DiPirro (Bill Kreutzmann, Albany Project), and keyboardist Mighty Dave Pellicciaro (Jackmormons, Materialized), have been gaining momentum following the release of Strange Angels. The record, an immersive “turn on, tune in, drop out” listening experience, has been celebrated for its introspective themes and dynamic sonic explorations.
While Modell spent years navigating both the music industry and his family’s sports legacy — he helped launch the Baltimore Ravens while simultaneously running his own music and media company — he has always believed in the power of art. “The best art is always made in times of turmoil,” he says. “This song is as relevant today as it was the day it arrived.”
Watch the video for Love In A Time Of War above, listen to Strange Angels below, and visit Casa Del Sol on their website, Facebook and Instagram.
