Only Love

Hey there Zoo Freaks, let's settle into those beanbag chairs and let the soul-stirrin' groove of "Only Love" by Brass Camel wrap around us like a warm cosmic blanket from their self-titled debut album Brass. This track's a real beauty, blendin' thoughtful lyrics with layered instrumentation that builds into somethin' hopeful and upliftin', remindin' us that in tryin' times the one thing we've always got is love conquerin' all. Diggin' into the band's own words and the buzz around the release, the lyrics were co-written by Daniel Sveinson and Adam Wawzonek, with lines like "How many tears have been shed? How many wars have been fought? Too often we forget the one thing that we've got" comin' straight from that place of reflection on life's hardships and the power of connection. It feels like one of those songs that emerged naturally during the band's early sessions, capturin' that effortless flow of realizin' love is the answer when hopefulness and despair walk the line together.

Picture this cosmic creation story, freaks: the whole Brass album marked the band's first full statement under the shortened name, and "Only Love" sits right there as a highlight that showcases their blend of prog-funk with soulful reflection, turnin' personal and universal questions into grooves that make you feel connected. Fans on social media lit up when the record dropped, one post callin' it a smooth, layered track that perfectly captures the relaxed yet intricate vibe the band brings, another sharin' how the message of love conquerin' all with your back to the wall hits different in tough times. The guys have been tourin' hard across Canada, bringin' that live-off-the-floor energy to stages everywhere, and "Only Love" quickly became one of those songs that feels even better live, with the crowd singin' along to its hopeful call. Trivia nugget here – the lyrics were a collaboration that added an extra layer of depth to the album, showin' how the band was hittin' their stride after those early duo days and lineup evolutions, turnin' complex ideas into somethin' natural and invitin' that resonates deep.

More groovy layers from the vaults, Zoo Crew: the album Brass was recorded with that signature spontaneous spark at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver, and "Only Love" stands out as one of the tracks that highlights their eclectic fusion of prog ambition, R&B soul, jazz flair, and straight-up rock energy. Social feeds keep buzzin' with folks sharin' how it hits different on repeat listens, with the guitars and rhythms creatin' a soundscape that's perfect for both chill vibes and deeper dives into life's big questions. The band reflected on the process as a thrill after buildin' momentum through tours and smaller releases, welcomin' new listeners aboard the "camel train" and keepin' that independent hustle alive. It's that kind of honest, adventurous rock energy that Brass Camel delivers so well, turnin' influences from a wide palette into somethin' uniquely their own that keeps the groove flowin' free and full of heart.

Shiftin' gears to how these Vancouver rockers got their start, Brass Camel sprouted back in late July 2017 when guitarist-vocalist Daniel Sveinson – a gifted young player from Surrey who'd been in bands since age ten – decided to step up after losin' a close friend who was the singer in his previous group. He recorded a solo prog-funk album and sang lead for the first time, then teamed up with bassist Curtis Arsenault after an impromptu jam where Curtis joined on bass for Rush's "La Villa Strangiato." They started as Daniel James' Brass Camel and released an eleven-track self-titled debut under that name before evolvin' into the full band we know today. Those early days were pure exploration, freaks – they honed their craft in the vibrant Vancouver music scene, drawin' from a wide palette of influences while keepin' things unpredictable and alive, goin' through incarnations from four-piece to even twelve-piece with horns and backup singers before settlin' on a five-piece by late 2019.

By 2018 they'd expanded the lineup, addin' more members to create that free-for-all chemistry that blends prog complexity with funk grooves and classic rock punch. The pandemic hit right as things were rampin' up, but it gave 'em time to write their debut album Brass, which dropped in late 2022 after recordin' at Afterlife Studios in Vancouver. Drummer Wyatt Gilson joined in 2021, keyboardist Dylan Lammie and Aubrey Ellefson came on board in late 2022, and the current lineup locked in through heavy tourin' – three shows in 2022, forty-five in 2023, nearly eighty in 2024, includin' national Canadian tours and big festivals. They've clocked thousands of kilometers on the road, playin' coast-to-coast and even headlinin' spots like Vancouver's Commodore Ballroom and Toronto's Longboat Hall. Daniel Sveinson serves as the key songwriter and one of the guitarists, often wieldin' double-neck axes that add to the visual and sonic spectacle. Their sound mashes genres with laser-focused musicianship, influencin' a new wave of listeners who crave that blend of prog ambition, R&B soul, jazz flair, and straight-up rock energy.

Their journey wove through steady growth and creative risks, with the self-titled Brass album markin' a clear step forward as the first full statement under the shortened name, cementin' their unified sound after accumulatin' all those stage hours. Fans in the circles swap stories of catchin' early gigs or hearin' the debut, how the eclectic fusion won 'em over instantly and kept 'em comin' back for more as the band evolved without losin' that original fire. It's that same spirit you hear echoin' in tracks like "Only Love" – roots in those 2017 duo jams but reachin' out with thunderous energy and eclectic heart, turnin' life's hopeful lines into grooves that make you feel connected and alive.

If this only-love groove's got you hooked, swing by the official hub at Brass Camel's official website where the full story of Brass and all the latest vibes unfold. Connect on the official Facebook and Instagram. While you're ridin' this wave, tune into THE ZOO for more eternal spins that keep the rock spirit flowin' free – we're all about spreadin' peace, love, and those adventurous grooves, Zoo Freaks!

Wrappin' this cosmic ride with a warm glow, "Only Love" ain't just a track – it's Brass Camel's hopeful gem from the debut album Brass that reminds us love conquers all in tryin' times, born from collaborative lyrics by Daniel Sveinson and Adam Wawzonek poured into a song that blends prog-funk with soulful reflection. From Daniel Sveinson formin' the band as Daniel James' Brass Camel in 2017 in Vancouver to expandin' into a full band and droppin' their self-titled debut full of eclectic fire, their path shows what happens when passionate musicians chase the muse with hustle, creativity, and open ears. Fans keep sharin' how the tunes lift spirits and spark connections, remindin' us rock's eternal when it's real, reflective, and reachin' out. Yeah, keep the volume high, the spirit free, and let the good grooves flow forever, peace and rock on to you all.