Premiere: Brookhouse Reframes National Identity On Debut Single “American Sounds”
In the lead-up to the Fourth of July, the concept of what it means to be American hangs heavily over our nation. We eagerly await the holiday, ready to relax with grilled food and cold drinks, taking in fireworks alongside a playlist almost certain to feature a Bruce Springsteen song, despite its counterintuitive message. Meanwhile, we wear shorts, shirts, and tank tops emblazoned with altered versions of the American flag, often unaware that such modifications violate the Flag Code, actions that arguably deserve more criticism than acts like kneeling during the anthem, which the Flag Code does not even address.
Such topics exist purely to divide us, an irony in a country whose very name begins with “United.” We often forget that the American identity is fundamentally rooted in immigration, the force that has continuously enriched our land with new flavors, traditions, and ideas, infusing every corner of our culture with the vitality and perspective needed to grow, adapt, and thrive. Immigration is the real American story with freedoms for all enshrined as the true American Dream. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, right? Not conditional upon where you came from, how you got here, or what you look like.
That American story unfolds in “American Sounds,” the debut single from Brookhouse, the recording name of Richmond-based, genre-blending songwriter Alex Foster. The song explores the struggle of fractured identity amid the promise of a new life, caught between the pressures of forced assimilation and a fragile connection to one’s heritage. Released on Friday, July 4th, the single’s timing coincides not only with Independence Day but also marks a personal milestone: the 60th anniversary of Foster’s family fleeing Cuba as refugees in 1965. This sharp, insightful track serves as the lead single for the forthcoming American Sounds EP, set to drop this fall, offering a preview of the record’s expansive and deeply personal sound. Today, The Auricular is proud to premiere this song with an exclusive stream below alongside insights into its creation, themes, and impact.
“Will I ever be one of them?” That haunting query anchors the lyrical plight of “American Sounds.” Delivered with a congenial croon at the onset and a soaring lift later, it captures the sense of perpetual otherness that many immigrants and first-generation Americans feel in a country that preaches unity but often practices exclusion. In another moment, Foster speaks directly to the unspoken hierarchies and shifting expectations that define the immigrant experience, as precarious a predicament as there can be in todays’ world (“Now you’re new in town\ Pretty soon you’re bound\ To see the rules aren’t written down\ And they don’t apply them equally”). The reality of bias distorts the promise of opportunity here, with any semblance of belonging ultimately coming at the cost of identity.
The song’s title is pulled from a particularly striking lyric: “You worked so hard to pronounce\ All these new American sounds\ Preferring blending in to standing out.” In just a few lines, the notion of assimilation is reduced to its rawest form: changing how you speak just to survive. That quiet sacrifice becomes the emotional and thematic core of the track: the pursuit of sounding “American,” which only reveals the fragility of an identity that hinges on exclusion. In this context, “American” isn’t a fixed ideal, but a moving target, one that has historically shifted to exclude Italians, the Irish, and countless others, according to the biases of the moment.
Later in the song, Foster addresses the fear of full detachment, assimilating so completely that you deny your own past (“I fear there may come a day\ Where you won’t hesitate\ In fact you’ll proudly state\ I’m not one of them\ No no no”). It’s a desperate plea that’s quickly followed up on with a cautionary tale for all to follow: “I know it hurts to remember how\ You arrived praying on the prow\ But it’s worse to forget\ For all of those who haven’t crossed yet\ Don’t you forget.” Here, Foster shies away from personal documentation and speaks to a broader diaspora, reminding them that while forgetting your roots may make you comfortable, it dishonors the journey of those who came before… and those who are still fighting to arrive.
“I believe that wherever you live, that place is actively changing you, every day,” Foster said. “That process is often invisible, and it can make you forget where you came from. Holding on to your heritage takes effort. But some change is good. So there’s a yin and yang element. But I think it needs to be a conscious process.” It’s a sentiment that captures the tension at the heart of “American Sounds”: the ongoing negotiation between self-preservation and self-evolution, and the urgent need to stay grounded in one’s origins even as you adapt to survive.
To tell this complex story, Foster builds his narrative in a truly eclectic landscape. A relaxed bossa nova rhythm lays the foundation, while twangy guitars, jazzy upright bass, and a spirited fiddle add vibrant layers of color. Blending an ambiguous Latin vibe with familiar folk elements, the song flawlessly captures its many moving parts, especially when swirling, wayward parts converge on shared stopping points or rhythmic pauses that emphasize key lyrics in the song. It’s a melting pot of sounds as diverse as the identities it represents, a blend of global influences that reflects not just the immigrant experience but American culture itself. Yet, that very culture often turns against its defining feature, like an obstinate ouroboros devouring itself not in pursuit of rebirth, but in a slow march toward erasure, something “American Sounds” boldly and unapologetically rejects.
To bring this sound and story to life, Foster assembled a standout ensemble: Brad Rogers on bass, Betsy Podsiadlo on fiddle, Mike Hofmeister on drums, and Curtis Fye on percussion, all recorded at Richmond’s renowned Spacebomb Studios with Fye also serving as engineer. With mixing and mastering handled by Dan-O Deckelman, the track came together seamlessly, capturing its sprawling sonic palette with layered nuance. “One of the most interesting things about this song is how different people label it based on their own background,” Foster explains. “Some describe it as funky, or jazzy, or Latin-sounding, or bossa nova, or a Dave Matthews song. Everyone latches onto something different.” Yet despite this diversity of interpretation, the finished track stands as a clear, confident statement from Brookhouse, a rousing musical thesis on the meaning of American identity, whether in 2025 or 1965.
Musically, the song reflects the collective spirit that drives Foster’s songwriting. Ideas come from from his vision but are expanded and elevated by the trusted community around him. Each performer brings their own story to the table, adding layers of texture and meaning that enrich the track’s emotional depth. It’s a process grounded in collaboration, where individual backgrounds shape the final sound. In this way, the creation of “American Sounds” mirrors its message: a singular expression made stronger by the voices that join it.
“American Sounds” is the official debut single from Brookhouse, following a quiet introduction to his sound earlier this year with Brookhouse At Anyfolk, a memorable three-song set recorded by Chip Hale at Väsen Brewery in February. While anticipation builds for the full American Sounds EP arriving this fall, Brookhouse is set to celebrate the single’s release with a full-band performance at Gallery5 this Saturday, coinciding with the exact 60th anniversary of his family’s departure from Cuba. Later this month, he’ll return to the stage for a more intimate set at Plan 9 Records as part of a special showcase presented by The Auricular.
With his debut single, Brookhouse offers plenty to celebrate, but leaves listeners with even more to consider. What does it mean to be American in the first place? It’s not a question with easy answers, and “American Sounds” doesn’t pretend to offer them. Instead, it urges reflection, remembrance, and, most importantly, empathy. Compassion for your fellow human, no matter where they come from or what they look like, because it’s their hands beside yours building this country and upholding the enduring contract that has carried it to such heights. No single man, no wishful emperor, has ever defined that story. It has always been a chorus, made stronger by the different voices that dare to sing, just as brilliantly as Brookhouse on “American Sounds.”
“American Sounds” is set for release on Friday, July 4th, and is available now for pre-save at this link. Brookhouse will celebrate this release with a special concert on Saturday, July 5th at Gallery5 joined by Theocles and Dietz And The Dilemmas. Find full details on the event in the flyer below. To keep up with the journey leading to the American Sounds EP this fall, be sure to follow Brookhouse on social media and bookmark the official website.
