Birmingham (UK) multi-award winning independent artist and trailblazer Rebecca Downes announces the release of her sixth studio album, A Storm Is Coming, on October 31 released through her own label, Mad Hat Records. Over the past decade she has taken blues and rock music in an exciting and innovative direction whilst retaining the authenticity of its roots with passion and integrity.
Rebecca explains: “The anticipation of the release of a new album creates a maelstrom of feelings. There’s a huge sense of satisfaction in having completed all the work, but significant trepidation about how it will be received. I am first and foremost a songwriter (who is lucky enough to have a wonderful co-songwriter). Writing songs, creating music and releasing original tracks is part of the fabric of what we are. Once again, the new music is very much the product of our creative process taking us where it went, rather than us trying to replicate a formula. And while there is definitely a lot of focus on relationships in the songs, the lyrics also have a wider resonance in these difficult times.”
Co-writer, multi-instrumentalist, and backing vocalist Steve Birkett continues: “The challenge is to be able to keep creating original music in an age where music is in the background, most people consume it via streaming and, as a consequence, revenue from music sales per se is limited. We have followed a particular path with this album that we believe will be sustainable in the current environment, but the acid test will be in how it is received. So, the next few weeks will be dominated by nervous anticipation, but I believe this music has the scope to take us to a wider audience.”
Rebecca and Steve continue their observations and add the context on each of the 10 tracks.
The title track with its dramatic introduction, poetic lyrics, haunting harmonies, and piercing vocals in a succession of crescendos sets the scene perfectly. “Think I lost my faith/ And I don’t feel safe/ What else will it take/ To save this now/ Think I lost my mind/And I just can’t hide/ What I felt inside/ Is spilling out.”
“The song is about people watching terrible things happen in the world, taking it for a small amount of time and then rising up. The people are ‘the storm.’ They can be oppressed for so long, but then they will rise up.”
The atmospheric “Falling Into You” increases the pace and intensity with lots of spectacular background effects. The repetition of the elongated ‘oooohs’ in the chorus is a clever and effective lyrical device which Rebecca uses to reinforce a message or to communicate the start of a dramatic event.
“If you are going to fall for someone, it is going to be this person, despite the red flags. And vice versa – if they feel the need to be loved, you are there for them.”
“Hold The Reins” has Rebecca pleading for changes with an urgency bordering on desperation, with manic lead guitar licks and Ablard’s dynamic drumming in overdrive. “The song is a metaphorical call to arms. Sometimes in life you can be too comfortable until it’s too late, and the song is about the need to take control in the face of the rise of authoritarianism.”
Another epic, the slow burning “These Days” is interspersed with soaring vocals and scintillating strings. Rebecca’s timing, expression and intonation are exceptional and yet unsurprising given her kudos as a vocal coach and university teacher preparing students for their future creative careers. “Some days I try so hard to understand/Some days I don’t know, don’t know who I am/And all this time, this time wasted/Caring what they thought/Has left me strung out and now/I will not be bought/These days.”
She shares that it’s a song “about struggling to comprehend the world around you and keep your head above water through emotional turmoil, whilst trying to maintain your own dignity and identity. It asks ‘where has the love gone?”
“Tear Me Up” highlights Rebecca’s amazing versatility both stylistically and in her vocal range whilst maintaining the album’s overall vibe. “This is a song about reaching the point where you have taken so much that you don’t care what happens to you anymore. It’s almost a defense mechanism; you can’t be hurt any more than you have already, so you have reached a point of strength.”
The reflective and introspective “Waiting For The Morning” is the ultimate blues ballad on steroids, Steve Birkett complementing Rebecca’s impeccable vocal delivery. “Tomorrow can’t come quick enough. You have a night to go through and your anticipation of the next day is so great, you cannot wait for the day to arrive.”
“Never Gonna Take You Back” is another classic, captivating and upbeat performance despite its downbeat theme. “A post breakup song, and that no matter what that person now says or does, you are never going back to them.”
The melancholic “Bitter Taste” is an emotional roller coaster dripping with the blues from start to finish. The musical chemistry between Steve and Rebecca is palpable, their harmonies breathtaking. “It’s a song about the inner struggle to try and keep believing in yourself even when you feel that you have failed. You need to swim against the tide, and keep going through the turmoil that surrounds you.”
“Let You Down Slow” is another master class from a singer at the top of her game, an all round accomplished and spirited performer with an incredible sense of rhythm. “This is a break-up song where you want to cause as little pain as possible to the other person because you do have feelings for them, but the relationship is going nowhere and has to end.”
Rebecca Downes, alongside Birkett and Ablard, proves in the sensational finale with Darville and Peterson on Hammond and bass respectively that not only has she “Hit The Ground Running,” her ultimate destination is also likely to be of galactic proportions. “This song is about being in a relationship but knowing they’re not ‘the one’ and you know that you’re anticipating the moment when you leave.”
It is hard to believe that on the first nine tracks of this album Birkett plays all of the instruments except drums, a phenomenal feat of musicianship, arrangement, recording, and mastering. With their wealth of creativity and resilience, Downes and Birkett are inspiring and empowering a generation of talented but often impecunious musicians striving for success on limited resources.
All tracks written by Steve Birkett and Rebecca Downes
Rebecca Downes – Lead vocals
Steve Birkett – Backing vocals, guitars, bass, Hammond and keys on the first nine tracks plus guitars and keys on the final track, “Hit The Ground Running”
Neil Ablard – drums
Nigel Darvill and James Peterson, Hammond and bass respectively on the final track only
Producer: Steve Birkett
Co-producers Steve Birkett Junior and Gavin Monaghan
Mixed and Mastered by Steve Birkett Junior and Gavin Monaghan
The launch of this album is at the prestigious 100 Club in London on 28th October. The album will be available as a CD (6-panel digi-pack), an 180g transparent/red splatter vinyl and on all streaming platforms. Pre-order here.
