Palaye Royale, Season of the Witch | COVERS

In the 14^th  edition of COVERS (2024), Palaye Royale delivers a compelling rendition of “Season of the Witch,” originally performed by Donovan.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 14^th edition of COVERS (2024), Palaye Royale delivers a compelling rendition of “Season of the Witch”, originally performed by Donovan.  

“You’ve got to pick up every stitch.” Indeed! Las Vegas art rock band Palaye Royale tackle a rock classic – “Season of the Witch”.  “Season of the Witch” was written and originally performed by Donovan (Donovan Leitch).  Leitch’s version exemplifies the psychedelia of the 1960s. As for the Palaye Royale cover, it appears as the fourth track on their EP, Sextape, which was released in December 2023.  Remington Leith and company ensure their rendition of “Season of the Witch” is distinct from the original. Producing the shorter, Palaye Royale rendition are Dave Green and Mattius.

The sound of the “Season of the Witch” in Palaye Royale’s hands is darker – more foreboding.  The sound effects during the intro are enigmatic, setting the tone for a witching experience.  The harmonized, ‘choral’ vocals, mixed in the background, serve as a fabulous preface to Remington’s lead (“Must be the season of the witch”). Consistent, rhythm guitars serve as the primary accompaniment for the nuanced lead vocals of Remington, which are mixed into the background.  Even with a sense of poise and restraint, Leith’s lead possesses a cool energy.  Expectedly, the band ups the ante in the passionate chorus and then settles things down. That said, the second verse expands the instrumentation, and eventually, Remington brings grittier, more overt vocals.  You buy what he’s selling as he invests in the memorable lyrics:

“When I look over my shoulder

What do you think I see?

Some other cat lookin’ over

Over his shoulder at me

And he’s strange, sure, he’s strange.”

All told, Palaye Royale makes a compelling, engaging cover of  “Season of the Witch”.  It thrives thanks to leaning further into the dark themes.  The vocals and production don’t hurt either.

Palaye Royale // Sextape (EP) // Sumerian // 2023

Palaye Royale, Season of the Witch: Covers No. 14 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Sumerian; Andrea Piacquadio, cottonbro studio, MART PRODUCTION, Matteo Milan from Pexels; MR1313, OpenClipart-Vectors, Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay]