Radio Drive – “Cast Out Your Light” – a plea for positive influences

Radio Drive, the Alternative Pop Rock band fronted by the talented Kevin Gullickson, has earned numerous accolades for its exceptional music. Through this powerhouse project, Kevin has garnered international recognition for his outstanding musical creations. Radio Drive’s songs have been played on radio stations worldwide, alongside major artists, and has topped indie charts. Moreover, the band has received rave reviews, and has been featured in web zines, podcasts, and radio shows. The versatility of Kevin’s music has resulted in its use in popular television shows, such as those aired on NBC, Animal Planet, National Geographic, Comedy Central, Fox Channels, History Channel, Spike TV, and Discovery Channel in the USA, as well as in TV programs worldwide. Over the years, Radio Drive have collaborated with a plethora of extraordinary producers and mixing engineers who have garnered awards and nominations that run from the Academy Awards to the Grammys. Among them, Chris Garcia, Stuart Epps, Robert L. Smith, Brendan Dekora, and Steve “Mr. Mig” Migliore. Radio Drive’s latest single, “Cast Out Your Light,” released in February 2023 via 12 Story Records, is yet another testament to Kevin’s musical and performance prowess, as well as the production quality of his releases.

The lyrics to “Cast Out Your Light” can be interpreted in two impacting ways. It is a call to action to spread positivity and be a force for good in the world. The metaphor of “casting out your light” is powerful and underscores the idea that positivity is something that can be actively shared and grown. The song reminds us of the importance of human connection, the potential for growth and improvement, and the responsibility that comes with being a positive influence in others’ lives. However at it’s core, one can sense a powerful underlying spiritual aura, which could mean that through the song, Radio Drive is actually speaking to a higher power above us.

Built on a lusciously layered arrangement that builds from simple acoustic guitar and piano motifs, before transitioning into dynamic swells of rich orchestration, crunchy guitars and slamming drums, “Cast Out Your Light” convey a message of hope, inspiration, and human connection. The repeated phrase “cast out your light” is a metaphor for shining one’s positive energy and influence onto others, lifting them up and helping them grow.

Kevin’s voice is poignant and controlled on the first two lines of the opening verse, “Cast out your light, into the fire / Cast out your light, higher and higher,” suggesting that the act of spreading positivity can be a challenging task, but it’s worth striving for. The more one puts forth effort to share their light, the more it will grow and flourish. The third line, “The more that you show, the more that we grow,” reinforces the idea that positive energy is contagious and can spread quickly from one person to the next. The fourth line, “Cast out your light, for you inspire,” acknowledges the power of a positive role model and the effect they can have on others.

Moving forward, the song continues to describe the act of sharing one’s light with others, and how this can bring people closer together and create a sense of community. “Cast out your light, deep in the hollow / Cast out your light, brighter tomorrow / All that we can be, when you are with me,” sings Kevin, as he highlights the potential for growth and improvement when we have positive influences in our lives. The “hollow” is likely a metaphor for a place of darkness or emptiness, but by shining one’s light; they can illuminate it and bring about a brighter future. As the song continues, the vocals rise to elevated tones, unpacking all of Kevin’s skillset and potency.

The phrases, “Cast out your light, disperse the darkness / Cast out your light, lift up the helpless,” speaks to the responsibility that comes with being a positive influence in others’ lives. It’s important to recognize when someone needs help and actively choose to reach out and offer support. The final lines of the song, “Cast out your light and save me / Cast out your light and save me,” reinforce the message that spreading positivity can have a profound impact on those around us. Once again, one can sense a deep spirituality in Kevin Gullickson’s plea, that indicates “Cast Out Your Light” may actually be a callout for help from a higher power. This may change the object of the song, but not the subject, and the uplifting positivity and sense of community it emits.

With such incredible talent, and a relentless passion for creating extraordinary music that strives to change the world, Radio Drive is undoubtedly a band to keep an eye on in the ever-changing landscape of the music industry. I urge you to sit down with “Cast Out Your Light,” work your way through lyric sheet, and unravel your own interpretation of the meaning and message in this song.