Uncompromised Visions with Blakey
There’s always something so majick about an artist when they write and produce their own material. It’s a level of control over their art some artists are rarely afforded, yet it always yields brilliant results. It’s an uncompromised vision, as close to the artist as a person can get, and what music lover wouldn’t want that? Blakey is just such an artist.
Image Credit: Nick Ilott
In a world where the word ‘genre’ matters less and less, Blakey is no exception. Hailing from London, Blakey has received placements on Spotify’s New Music Friday and has had his music featured on Netflix and Love Island (U.K.). Shazam is a useful tool for finding out what music is playing over speakers when it isn’t immediately obvious – it’s been used over 50,000 times in the case of Blakey’s music, showing just how impactful his writing can be. Let’s take a look at some of his 2020 output.
Released in April, ‘Confidant’ features a music video shot on an iPhone in a spacious hall with Blakey at a keyboard performing the track. Despite the apparent simplicity of this song, there’s a lot to absorb here. Firstly, Blakey’s range is more than it appears to be, his lower register is soothing and perfectly suited to the lyrics he’s written. In a switch that lower range jumps to falsetto without forcing the listener to retreat, maintaining that smooth delivery without the ear-splitting onslaught some vocalists are tempted into. Blakey’s piano playing serves the song, chord based and entirely supportive of the lyric. And what about the lyric? It’s imparted to the listener in such a way that I can’t help but believe Blakey when he sings it - ‘Hate seeing you sad, got a trickle down your cheek, take my hand, let it trickle down me instead. Just call me The Confidant.’ You almost feel as if you’re there in that moment.
‘Fire’ is something entirely different from Confidant, immediately more upbeat but still featuring Blakey’s great voice – this time with a little more edge. There are even adlibs and backing vocals, while the marimba theme maintains a constant presence. The beat is more active, punchy and bouncing on the balls of its feet, evoking a throw-back to the sound of garage in the new millennium. Repeated lyrical phrases in both the verses and the choruses almost give it the sound of being a sampled vocal, though it most certainly isn’t. The lyric video by Tobias Lever is a creative interpretation of Blakey’s words, moving at the pace of the track and allowing the listener to step inside Blakey’s world for a moment. Fire is a track that warrants repeat listening.
Blakey’s latest single ‘If I Go’ was released towards the end of October and sonically sounds like a combination of Confidant and Fire. It has both the air of the former and pacey production of the latter without it being too similar to one or the other. As well as this, Blakey utilises his falsetto to great effect in If I Go, more so than he has done before. I love the moment where he briefly hums the melody which might not come off well for all singers, but it’s effortless for Blakey. In terms of the instrumentation, it’s more of an electronic production without piano or guitar, but shows variety by not overdoing the drum sound to compensate for the keyboard lines. The star of the show is always Blakey’s voice and lyric - his expertise in his own production choices serve the song well. The mark of a producer with great things to come.
1. 'If I Go' is your new single, what inspired the lyrical content here?
It’s a story of a memory of somebody who used to be close to me.
2. Your music is all self-produced, would you take us through your creative process for this single?
I tend to start with the melodies and the chords. I’ll jam them out and scat out sounds that fit a feeling. Certain words will pop out and I’ll go from there. It’s often like the meaning of the song is the last thing to come out. It's like I am a beacon or receptor and I’m searching for the frequency of the meaning. If that makes any sense.
3. Could there be a music video for 'If I Go'?
I hope there will be soon! It was all planned but had to get cancelled for reasons out of my control. I’ve got an idea of being in water and singing backwards in it for half the vid. Hopefully I can do it in early December if lockdown ends.
4. Since gigs have been almost impossible for most of this year, what was the last gig you played and what was that like?
The last gig I played was at Thousand Island Islington. Seems like a lifetime ago - I had The Great Escape and Glasto booked in this year! Hopefully next.
5. During lockdown, have you had time to create more music for future releases?
It's been a truly depressing time for everyone, including musicians. It's hard to write about stuff if you’re not really experiencing life the way it's meant to be experienced. I pulled on previous pre lockdown memories and future dreams.
6. Your music is a melting pot of styles, who inspired you to make music in your formative years?
If I'm honest, when I was a teenager I really wanted to get with this girl at school. I was in love with her and I was a fat kid. I thought if I made music that would be cool and she’d be into me - it never happened. But that initial catalyst made me realise how much I loved making music. And so it became an obsession. I thank ‘Lu’ for that.
7. As your own music is self-produced, is there an artist you'd be keen to helm the production for?
You know what, at the moment I am just focused on Blakey. It takes enough out of me doing all the work for the project that I don't have the energy to focus production endeavours elsewhere. I do do some work for SoundBetter which is cool on the singing side.
8. With several singles released this year, is there more coming in 2021? Or perhaps something bigger?
DEBUT ALBUM!
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Follow Blakey on facebook and instagram @blakey.ldn and on twitter @blakey_ldn.
