It’s Thursday. The past two weeks have been long and tough for many. I’ve taken solace in downtempo, lyrical and richly instrumental pieces from lesser-known artists I’d like to share with you today.
Will Heggadon
Heggadon, from Bath, UK, just released independent EP Desolate Pages (currently listening, standout track so far is “Nothing More”). Here’s “lost” from 2020 album falling up, which impressed me with an incredibly searing lyric right out of the gate and instrumentals and drum beat that are comforting and intimate:
Have you ever wasted time
Holding onto games that control your mind
Siiga
American Songwriter published this article on Scottish artist Siiga (Richard Macintyre) before 2020 album Gemini Rising was released (boutique Denver record label Mod y Vi).
The Isle of Skye in Scotland, where singer/songwriter Siiga grew up, is a small island that is engulfed in beautiful landscapes. The atmosphere of Skye has been extremely influential in Siiga’s music because nature is where most of his inspiration has stemmed from. […] Siiga is a self-taught musician who writes, plays and records primarily all of his own songs, but instead of developing the songs using the standard pen to paper method, he looks to colors, the moonlight and the memories of the landscape around him to guide him in channeling the music.
“Sleep Fast”, the first track, features a strong piano backing and a near-overwhelming (and indeed, atmospheric) orchestral sound. It’s near-overwhelming in the best way possible, ebbs and flows like a oceanic current, and has surround-sound immersive quality that gives you that particular feeling in your stomach.
The Haunted Youth
Joachim Liebens, 28, from Hasselt, Belgium of The Haunted Youth cites shoegaze (Slowdive), dream pop (Beach House), and indie rock (Current Joys) as influences. “Coming Home”, released with Belgium-based Mayway Records last year, makes this clear, the track closest to pop in this post. The refrain becomes a sort of mantra:
Would you wanna go to a place like home?
Don't you really think about it?
Enjoy and take care!