Midland's "Fourteen Gears" Performance: A Blend Of Old-School Swagger And New Beginnings

Midland exude old-school swagger in a new performance of "Fourteen Gears," a song from their 2019 album Let It Roll. The "Adobe House Version" of the fan favorite leads the soundtrack for a new documentary from the country trio.

"Fourteen Gears (Adobe House Version)" maintains the smooth, retro stylings of the studio version, showcasing the songwriting talents of Midland's Jess Carson and Mark Wystrach alongside David Garza. This rendition strips the melody back to its bare essentials, placing emphasis on the trio's signature harmonies. Notably, it also features contributions from two backup singers, who are cousins of Midland member Cameron Duddy.

The video for this track was a true collaboration and an expression of friendship. Duddy shares, "This video was a labor of love. All our friends showed up to throw in. You’d be surprised what you can get done with a case of Pacifico and a bottle of tequila. Also sorry about your car, Collin."

"Fourteen Gears (Adobe House Version)" is one of twelve tracks featured on the soundtrack for Midland: The Sonic Ranch. This documentary aims to share the trio's "origin story," akin to a superhero narrative. Carson and Wystrach had previously played music with Duddy separately, but it was at Duddy's 2013 wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, that they decided to collaborate.

When Carson and Wystrach booked time at El Paso's Sonic Ranch studio, they were technically just a duo. Duddy, known for directing successful music videos like Bruno Mars' "24K Magic" and "Uptown Funk," tagged along for fun. By the end of the session, they had formed Midland, and Duddy had taken on the role of bassist.

Wystrach reflects on their beginnings, stating, “Midland was not so much a band as an experiment fueled by an assortment of spirits, but mostly tequila, and the possibilities painted in our imaginations. We had no record label or manager, and we had never played a show together. These recordings capture three friends, at a live-in studio in the desert, trying to make a dream come true."

In 2016, Midland signed with Big Machine Label Group, and their debut single "Drinkin' Problem" soared to become a Top 5 country radio hit. Their first album, On the Rocks, released in 2017, peaked at No. 2 on the country album charts.

The documentary Midland: The Sonic Ranch, directed by Duddy and Brian Loschiavo, is set to premiere on Friday, March 19, via CMT Music, PlutoTV's CMT Equal Play, and MTV Live at 8 PM ET, with a subsequent airing on CMT Australia on March 21. The soundtrack, which is also set to release on the same day, is available for pre-order now.

Despite being off the road for the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Midland has several shows lined up for late March and early April. Their cleverly titled "Back to the Minors" tour will take them to five Texas baseball stadiums, followed by three shows at Fort Worth's renowned honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas. For more information, fans can visit MidlandOfficial.com.

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