Backstory:
Untimely Approval is a band that was formed in the quiet town of Pine Creek, Montana, in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The group consists of four childhood friends—lead vocalist and guitarist James Cooper, drummer Oliver Thompson, bassist Samuel Perry, and keyboardist Elliot Mitchell. They spent their summers exploring the untouched wilderness around their hometown and their winters huddled around a fireplace creating music to escape the cold. Their shared experiences, struggles, and dreams translated into evocative lyrics and haunting melodies.
The band name, Untimely Approval, came about as a reaction to their first performance at a local bar when they were still in high school. The crowd was initially hostile, but by the end of the night, the boys had won them over. That delayed acceptance, or “untimely approval,” became a symbolic representation of their journey, a reminder of their humble beginnings, and an inspiration for their resolve to make music that moves, challenges, and surprises their audiences.
Music Genre:
Untimely Approval’s music falls under the broad umbrella of Alternative Rock, with elements of Indie Folk and Blues Rock incorporated into their sound. Their lyrics are poignant and reflective, centered around themes of love, loss, growing up, and the longing for escape and adventure.
Song Title:
“Mountains in the Rearview”
Full Song Lyrics:
(Verse 1)
Driving down this dusty road,
With the mountains in our rearview,
Chasing dreams and shooting stars,
In the land where the sky’s always blue.
(Chorus)
Mountains in the rearview and hearts in the front seat,
Burning desires under the summer heat,
We’ve got a long way to go, but that’s alright,
We’ve got the moon above, guiding us through the night.
(Verse 2)
We left our homes in pursuit of more,
Trading comfort for uncertainty,
With hopes like lanterns guiding our path,
Into the depths of the great unknown.
(Chorus)
Mountains in the rearview and hearts in the front seat,
Promises whispered on a lover’s beat,
We’ve got a long way to go, but we’re holding tight,
We’ve got each other’s dreams, lighting up the night.
(Bridge)
Sometimes we stumble, sometimes we fall,
But we rise again, standing tall,
For the mountains in the rearview, they taught us this,
That the journey matters, not just the bliss.
(Chorus)
Mountains in the rearview and hearts in the front seat,
With the taste of freedom, oh so sweet,
We’ve got a long way to go, but it’s worth the fight,
We’ve got the open road, and a future so bright.
Suggested Chord Progression:
The song follows a simple and repetitive chord progression that underscores its reflective and nostalgic mood: G – D – Em – C.