Still Blue – Brushstrokes (Official Video): Dublin based risers Still Blue release the melancholic, elegant and beautiful new single ‘Brushstrokes’ (August 30th). The track marks yet another milestone in the band’s rapid growth following their two TV appearances on The Late Late Show and Virgin Media TV, Still Blue are back with the first of a string of new releases due through mid to late 2024.
Having made a name for their indie tendencies, the new single ‘Brushstrokes’ leans into a more organic soundpallet, bringing with it an emotive indie-folk musicality. Built around warming acoustic guitar tones, the track brings layers of atmospheric, well placed electric guitar, understated drums, understated piano and swelling strings to capture a floating backdrop for the soaring lead vocals and rich harmonies.
A reflective and introspective track penned by the band’s frontwoman and songwriter Nicole Lyons, ‘Brushstrokes’ displays some of the most mature and attuned musicality from Still Blue so far. “It was one of those songs that just flowed. I wasn’t really sure what I was writing about until I let the song rest and came back to it a few months later. I wasn’t ready to accept what I was writing. I think a lot of times in relationships we want to ignore that ugly side and only choose to see the good. But that’s not love. ‘Brushstrokes’ is a track about seeing a relationship for what it is and not what you want it to be.
We were lucky to record the track in Black Mountain Studios with Alex Borwick. It felt fitting to record ‘Brushstrokes’ there in the peace and quiet. Alex really helped bring the song to life in the studio. We were also buzzing to have Kait Cullen-Verhauz back playing cello on one of our songs too. It always feels special working with such talented musicians and having the space to try out random ideas. In the end, most of those silly ‘what if we did this?’ moments end up in the track anyway and they’re what makes this song feel as close and warm as it does.”
Having garnered acclaim across the likes of Hot Press, RTE 2FM (named rising stars 2023, performed live in Studio 8) and Nialler9, Still Blue have seen their music gain placements across editorial playlists including Spotify’s Alternative Ireland and Fresh New Finds UK & IE. Still Blue have also made a name for themselves as a live band, opening for a number of major acts, including The Academic at the Olympia Theatre, Sorcha Richardson at the Roisin Dubh, and Milk. at The Academy, as well as appearing on stages of significant Irish festivals including Forbidden Fruit, Indiependence, Other Voices, and All Together Now.
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A milestone in their career was their television debut, performing ‘Honeysuckle Daydream’ on ‘The Late Late Show’, a moment which saw the band massively build upon their already feverish fanbase.
