Credit: Travis Gillett
"Melanie Radford is a force ... between her infectious stage presence and her explosive playing, she’s a bassist that even the least musically inclined concertgoers take note of." - Bass Magazine
Bassist and vocalist Melanie Radford (Built to Spill, Blood Lemon) has announced her debut solo album For the Sake of Stillness due out June 26 via Jealous Butcher Records. The new collection is an inventive reimagining of lush ambient folk delivered with her singular touch. It was recorded during and in-between tours, coming together over a stretch of 2 years as a centering practice and statement of self. Constantly in motion from touring with Built to Spill, Melanie felt a deep need to make music that felt quiet, warm, grounded. She began collecting field recordings during her travels, going for long walks alone through cities, natural spaces, and neighborhoods. With these audio recordings as the foundation, Melanie built out melodies and rhythms, always keeping her bass and vocals at the heart of the music.
Lead single “Hangin’ On” opens with an irresistible bassline melody, cinematically joined by lush strings as the vocals crash in and flow out in comforting waves. The song was recorded in an empty living room, just Melanie with an electric and upright bass and cello accompaniment from friend Lori Goldston (Earth, Nirvana), giving it a delicate, intimate quality. It presents two scenarios of quiet doubt, and searching: looking for the spark or the assurance that things will be okay in unsure times. Searching for honesty in oneself or in a trusted person, to hold on to.
Watch + Share: “Hangin’ On” Video
For the Sake of Stillness is part meditation, part love poem, part hymn. All those small moments that make up the real, ongoing process of falling in love: with your life, with sound, with yourself, with the people that surround you. The music is quiet, dreamy, steady and self-assured. There's a rhythmic heartbeat and little flares of exuberance throughout the album: small moments of magic and awe everywhere. It's propelled by melodic bass lines, musical minimalism, poetic lyricism, and Melanie's powerful, haunting voice, which is the twin and complement to her bass.
The tracks on For the Sake of Stillness are filled with contributions from friends: Lê Almeida (Oruã, Built to Spill) on drums and guitar, Jim Roth (Built to Spill) on synth, pedal steel and added vocals, Lori Goldston (Earth, Nirvana) with cello arrangements, and Cacá Amaral (QMAR, Firefriend) with additional drums.
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