‘Overpass’ is one of those songs that instantly makes you smile; that kind of slightly upturned lift that comes from appreciating the small things in life. It’s that sense of coming home that North Carolina-based songwriter Dustin Goldklang, aka Little Champion, infuses into his latest single, one of the many that emerged from a moment of realisation in 2021. Before we dive into the music, let’s explore this artist’s journey a little. Previously Goldklang cut his teeth throughout his early 20s on the DIY folk-punk circuit as Dustin and the Furniture. However a step back from the scene gave him time to reflect during which the importance of making songs became reaffirmed as one of his life’s passions.
For his new project, Little Champion, this artist has gathered together a milieu of genres, from NYC’s anti-folk to the Pacific North-West indie-pop to DIY pop-punk to mainstream pop. The result is a sound that distinctly American but framed in a quirky, atypical approach that balances out humour and melancholy with subtle finesse. It’s clear that Goldklang‘s years in music have given him that edge that only trial and error can bring. He effortlessly navigates vivid imagery, atypical metaphors and introspective wonderings between the buoyant verses and uplifting choruses.
The whole track centres around the line “sunlight’s peeking in over the overpass, home feels closer than it ever has,” conveying that idea of brighter days ahead, especially after coming through some personal difficulties. Despite the self-doubt, Little Champion keeps his eye fixed to the horizon, a perseverance that has led him back to making music.
If ‘Overpass’ has captured your heart as much as it has ours, then you’ll be happy to know that the track will be part of an upcoming album from Little Champion exploring the theme of places.
You can listen to ‘Overpass’ in our Shades of Pop playlist.
Follow Little Champion:
UNRECORDED 