"Tarantula March"

A new song out today, timely with the current migration of male tarantula on deserts of the American southwest.

Hal Cannon

Sep 9, 2022

The Facts

It’s happening right now in the American southwest. Male tarantulas are out by the thousands creeping through the desert looking for love. Sore footed, all eight, they travel up to fifty miles suited up, properly beige and furry, making their bid. They don’t know it now but female Tarantula are notoriously picky. Unfortunately, if Mr. T. does not have the right stuff, she is likely to kill and eat him. It’s a rough life out there on the desert of life.

The Video

I’ve warned you that this Cannon can get LOOSE, so today we release an amusing little romp or more exactly, a march with its accompanying music video. Within the song there is a brief rap where I outline the natural history of the tarantula’s march and tie it to the human condition, particularly the ancient folk dance called the tarantella. Back in the day, it was thought that the tarantula sting caused a hysteria that could be cured by dancing frantically, thus the tarantella.

The video was created by Dan Whitaker who is always full of surprises. I asked for something a bit psychedelic but was not prepared for this rendition which rocks between fun and creepy. Don’t mind the crawlies and remember the image projected on the mature me is actually a hand-colored selfie of the sixteen-year-old me. Hats off Mr. Dan.

Nothin’ Lastin’

“Tarantula March,” is the final taste of what is to come on my Nothin’ Lastin’ album which arrives on October 7th via Okehdokee Records. In spirit “Tarantula March” serves as the dark counterpoint to the most recent single “Silver Dove” (August 9th), which offers a bright prayer of hope for future generations. Before that we released the single “Thirty-Six Miles” (June 14th), followed by “Don’t Look Back” (July 12th).

Nothin’ Lastin’ is now available for 12” vinyl, CD and download for pre-order here.

video by Dan Whitaker - Kukaloris Films

Hal Cannon – lead vocals, banjo, cello banjo, guitar, xylophone, glockenspiel, slide guitar;

Charlotte Bell – oboe;

Eli Wrankle – violin;

Greg Istock – organ, double bass, percussion;

Dave Tate – electric bass