John Edge Feat. Blackmill - The Decrees - Segers
John Edge Feat. Blackmill - Emerald City.Background - Blackmill’s Robbie Card is one of the pioneers of melodic dub-step. After reaching number one on Hype Machine with his remix of 'Your Song' by Ellie Goulding a few years back, and (fast forward to today) has since got over 500,000 single sales under his belt, 250,000 album sales as well as 70 million streams (and growing).
With a vast cult following, this enigmatic producer is back again! This time the Watford-born dub-step prince dabbles in a whole different sonic spectrum than before, and having teamed up with his long-time friend and fellow Scottish musician John Edge, he enters into the Americana indie folk genre.
“Emerald City” is the fruit of their collaboration. Opening softly with the eerie Fleet Foxes-like harmonies, the track immediately brings nostalgia and melancholy into play. There’s a slight country-ish twang to Edge’s way of singing, which topped with Blackmill’s powerful usage of space within the instrumentations, “Emerald City” sounds like a goose-bump-winner. If, however, you press play and the instant splendour of sound doesn’t lift your spirits right away, please just wait ‘til the chorus kicks in. Its spine and ear-tingling Hozier-like soaring vocal harmonies are there to hit and move just the right spot of any music lover, you included!
When talking about “Emerald City”, the Inverness-based musician Edge says: ‘Since reality is never what it seems, it feels very much like a quest to me to actually find what is true. I can’t help but write about the big questions.’
Robbie aka Blackmill also talks about his new venture. The producer says: ‘Well for a long time I always wanted to work on acoustic music, making sneaky tracks now and again but they always got over shadowed by my electronic work. I actually intend to do more, in fact quite a few melodies were first made on the guitar and then later turned into songs. 'Relentless' was one I can name of the top of my head. I did make a reggae track as well which was mostly done acoustically.
So when John asked me if I'd help produce his first Acoustic/Electronic E.P I was on board in a flash. I got started straight away and was inspired to make it a big one. Apparently it was originally supposed to be light acoustic song, well I most certainly flipped that pancake. Pretty much every weekend John would pop round and we'd work away, you could even say it got a bit emotional at times! But simply put, the love to create was there with us both during those months, which I think reflects 'Emerald City' and the E.P perfectly, hopefully you do too. Facebook here.
'Emerald City' is a refined folk song where the vocals are passionate and a perfect fit for the genre. It's was the musical arrangement that had me intrigued. The electronic elements are totally in sync with the style, subtly adding richness and depth and blending into the whole piece beautifully.
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Background - Scotland's The Decrees have announced they will release their new single 'Sons of Rage', comprised of two tracks, the other one being 'West Sierra'. Hailing from Fife, Scotland, The Decrees are a no-holds barred Rock 'n' Roll band possessing high-octane energy from the punk realm. They mix different blends of genres in their songs but still retain a raw and provocative take on music that is reminiscent of a bygone age.
'Sons of Rage' was recorded by Michael Brennan, Jr. of The Substation (Mogwai, Snow Patrol, Super Furry Animals, Loop, Primal Scream) and mastered by Pete Maher (U2, The Pixies, Jack White, The Rolling Stones, Lana Del Rey).
The band was formed in early 2016. Their line up comprises of vocalist Lewis Akers, bassist Caitlin Petrie, guitarist Callum Bell and drummer Kieran Bell. Since their formation, The Decrees have become quite popular locally and are now becoming better known on the national scene.
In April of this year, The Decrees released their debut four-track EP 'Screams From Suburbia', offering a musical account of the everyday experiences of the monotony of modernity. This release blends full-throttle rock music with catchy choruses and beats.
'Sons of Rage' was one of the first songs the band wrote after forming, retaining their trademark sound while weaving in an infectious Celtic rock melody. This beckons to the forgotten past, to the band's Scottish roots, affectionately nestled in the band's collective psyche. This follows in the same vein of such Celtic-folk tunes as 'The Gael', steadily imparting strong and re-occurring themes and melodies, and coupled with the strong, driving and near-primal beats throughout. The music follows and compliments the triumphalism embedded in the lyrics.
This is a significant release for the band as it shows a more emotive side of their music, transmitting a massive dose of positive energy while also resonating with deeper musical inspirations. Bandcamp here, Facebook here.
Feisty and determined rock'n'roll simmers throughout 'Sons of Rage' and 'West Sierra'. They are two potent and energised songs that are musically tight and passionately delivered with plenty of hooks that dig very deep.
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Segers - Call Out Loud.Background - Segers shares new single and video for Call Out Loud; November 15 launch. Bearing raw emotions of jealousy, loneliness and fear, Perth's Segers delivers an edgy slice of indie-rock with her latest single, Call Out Loud. This intriguing juxtaposition of sweet melody and bitter emotion creates a lulling mood that is at once both uplifting and melancholic – highlighting the power that comes from pairing a carefully crafted song with a natural, uninhibited voice.
Co-written and produced by Eskimo Joe's Joel Quartermain, Call Out Loud is a humble song that rises to greatness. There is no wall of guitar, no symphonic orchestra... just simple hooks layered so as to rise and fall with Seger's effortlessly beautiful voice. The end result speaks for itself – a song you can't help but want to play over and over again.
Following on from her charming single The Wandering, Call Out Loud quite naturally finds Segers stepping into her own as a singer and songwriter. As a talented multi-instrumentalist, there is a broad spectrum of ideas that Segers can execute with fluidity and ease. Within a handful of minutes, Call Out Loud displays everything this exciting new voice has to share... and the boundless potential that lays in front of her.
Stacey-Ann Pietersen's debut EP Little Lines (under the moniker of Segers) forged the path that she is now on – introducing the world to a musical force of equal parts talent and humility. Part of the new generation of Australian artists who brandish both the skill and determination to earn their place in the public consciousness, Segers has the potential to be a true breakthrough – bridging the gap between honest rock songwriting and big radio-friendly pop hooks. With an immediate and positive response from radio including Double J rotation, Call Out Loud brings Segers one step closer to this monumental achievement. Website here, Facebook here.
Indie pop with a powerful and upbeat yet soulful vibe makes 'Call Out Loud' standout from the word go. Add in the melody and excellent production and the song soars even higher!
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