The first album in the ambitious quest to record original songs for each national park features music by legendary artists Ry Cooder, Animal Collective, and Rising Appalachia — rallying around the one thing we can all agree on, Our National Parks: places of wonder.
National Parks, United States (August 20, 2024) - "The National Park Album" is a unique collection of 15 original songs from a diverse set of talented and accomplished artists, with each track retelling histories and stories of parks that have captivated us throughout our lives. A hymn to an America of no division, this album not only showcases the stunning landscapes that define our nation, but also highlights the shared experiences and emotions that these natural wonders inspire in all of us.
Spearheaded by Fredrik Colting, a writer in awe of the unique concept of our National Parks, sets out on a cultural mission to capture the original meaning of all the U.S. national parks — wild, beautiful places that connect us with nature and our true selves.
Two things that unite us as humans are our love for music and nature. I wanted to be part of creating an album that celebrated this connection in a time when we should be reminded of what unites us, rather than what divides us.”
- Fredrik Colting
Volume I is a collection of 15 original songs with each telling of fascinating park histories, from the visual spectacle of the Yosemite Firefall, the humble source of the Grand Canyon, to the harrowing 37 days of survival of Truman Everts in Yellowstone.
The "National Park Album" is available for streaming on all platforms on August 20, 2024. 100% of profits go to support the parks. Limited edition vinyl sets can be purchased at Urban Outfitters, Huckberry, The Parks Project and thenationalparkalbum.com.
Artists & National Parks:
Lead by Fredrick Colting
In support of/ Supported by:
- The National Park Service
- National Park Stores across the U.S.
- The Parks Project
- Huckberry
- REI
- Trader Joes
- David Karsten Daniels - America's Best Idea
- Jessica Allossery - The Edge of the Sea
- Joseph Denatale - A Drop Of Water
- Stefanie Joyce - The Bird
- Jacob Montague and John Brazell - Desert Eyes
- Lynz - Roadrunner
- Animal Collective - Congaree
- James Worton - Hyperion
- Rising Appalachia - Wisdom of the Smoke
- Josh Gold feat Crushboys - StoneFace
- Jeff Kightly - 37 Days in Wonderland
- Jerry Popei - The Promised Land
- Allison Preisinger - God's Land
- Matt Griffith - As Long As It Is Wild
- Ry Cooder - Lava Beds
The Stories:
America’s Best Idea (The National Parks)
Artist: David Karsten Daniels
Artist: David Karsten Daniels
The US National Parks have often been referred to as “America’s Best Idea” and they came about in a time when people increasingly were living in big cities, with hectic lives and busy minds. Heading into nature to heal from this daily bombardment of stresses carries an even greater weight today.
The Edge of the Sea (Acadia)
Artist: Jessica Allossery
Artist: Jessica Allossery
Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park sits on the edge of the wild sea. This most Eastern point on the US mainland is where the day begins, quite literally, claiming the first official daylight.
A Drop of Water (Grand Canyon)
Artist: Joseph DeNatale
Artist: Joseph DeNatale
It’s crazy to think that what begins as a drop of water in La Poudre Pass has, over thousands of years, carved the gigantic Grand Canyon.
Lady Bird (Rocky Mountain)
Artist: Stefanie Joyce
Artist: Stefanie Joyce
Lady Isabella Bird was a trailblazing female explorer who traveled the world in search of adventure. In Colorado National Park, she hired local guide “Mountain Jim” to help her climb Long’s Peak. He was a ruffian and a killer, his face pockmarked from a fight with a bear, but he quoted poetry and Lady Bird fell in love.
Desert Eyes (Arches)
Artist: Jacob Montague & John Brazell
Artist: Jacob Montague & John Brazell
Sandstone arches dot the landscape as if creations in a Dali painting. These desert eyes are created from degrading rock over thousands of years and will eventually be destroyed by the same natural forces. This song is about this eternal yin/yang we see in nature, and within ourselves.
Roadrunner (Joshua Tree)
Artist: Lynz
Artist: Lynz
A Joshua Tree experiences from the view of a Roadrunner.
Congaree
Artist: Animal Collective
Hyperion (Redwood)
Artist: James Worton
Artist: James Worton
This is the tale about the actual tallest tree in the world. These giant redwood trees are an astonishing several thousands of years old and have literally seen the birth of America, standing tall and silent like wise, noble giants.
The Wisdom of the Smoke (Great Smoky Mountain)
Artist: Rising Appalachia
Artist: Rising Appalachia
Inspired by the Appalachian culture this song begins with an old tale about the native Americans in the region and how they foresaw the coming persecution. According to legend a mountain opened up and offered to keep them safe inside. While half of the tribe hesitated and remained outside, the other half accepted the shelter. Ever since you can hear their laughter through the mountain.
Stone Face (Bryce Canyon)
Artist: Josh Gold ft. Crushboys
Artist: Josh Gold ft. Crushboys
The Paiute people who occupied Bryce Canyon as early as 1200 A.D., considered the hoodoo rock towers to be the petrified remains of ancient beings that were turned into rocks by the Coyote, as a way to pay for their sins.
37 Days in Wonderland (Yellowstone)
Artist: Jeff Kightly
Artist: Jeff Kightly
Based on the true story of Truman Everts who was part of the first Presidential expedition sent to explore “Wonderland” as Yellowstone was called back then. He strayed from the pack and was suddenly lost and survived 37 days before being found, starving, burnt by geysers, and barely alive. Today, a plant that kept him alive bears his name.
The Promised Land (Zion)
Artist: Jerry Popei
Artist: Jerry Popei
Zion is like a Garden of Eden situated amid a harsh, desert landscape. The first Westerners that arrived there had to travel through this hot desert and when they entered the valley, nearly dead from dehydration, with streams and lush grass and trees, they named it Zion after the promised land in the Bible.
Gods’ Land (Olympic)
Artist: Allison Preisinger
Artist: Allison Preisinger
One thing about our National Parks, besides their grandeur and beauty, is the peril of visiting. Every year people venture into the wilderness of the parks, never to return. Olympic National Park history is filled with these mysterious disappearances, perhaps, as this song explores, due to the fickleness of the Gods.
As Long as It Is Wild (Yosemite)
Artist: Matt Griffith
Artist: Matt Griffith
Based on the writings of John Muir, AKA "The Father of Our National Parks," it begins with a description of the Firefall, which is what the waterfall looks like a day once every couple of years when the sun hits it just right and makes it radiate like glowing embers. Back in the 60s, the resort hotel in the park wanted a way to recreate this every night and dumped a barrel of glowing coals over the ledge of the mountain, creating a similar visual spectacle – “Let the fire fall!”
Lava Beds (Lava Beds)
Artist: Ry Cooder
Artist: Ry Cooder
Entering another world is as easy as getting out of your Tesla and stepping into one of the many extraordinary lava tubes. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with more than 800 caves that burrow towards the center of the earth.