Indie rocker Iain T. McKelvey is back after a year’s absence with his new evocative single ‘Midnight Song’, and we are humbled to bring you an early listen.
‘Midnight Song’ as a hint of an alt country twang with its crystalline guitars and McKelvey’s velvet, yearning tones, augmented by delicate harmonies and an indelible melody. Threaded throughout is a self-deprecatory sense of humour delivered in a melancholy blush. The tone is reflective and the subject matter reflects the local environment and the drowning of sorrows(the inner Sydney suburb of Camperdown and a brown paper bag).
McKelvey says the lyrics:
…looks inwards and is about having to accept your own damaging behaviour and have a conversation with yourself in order to better yourself and rebuild relationships. It is defiant, reflective and upbeat in its mood and references an iconic Newtown park where more than a few have battled existentialism over a cheese platter.
The track seemingly takes you on an epic journey of self-discovery:
It turns out I’m not done with the self-reflection. Creating this song has been an incredibly cathartic experience. I think periods of looking inwards are both healthy and necessary. It can feel incredibly isolating during moments of change. Sometimes you don’t even get to choose where or when that happens. Sitting alone in a park while it’s raining is a pretty good place to start.
The result is something that feels deeply personal that reflects the vicissitudes of life, with a wry twinkle in the eye:
Lovely stuff. ‘Midnight Song’ is out tomorrow (Wednesday, 14 May) and can be pre-saved here.
Feature Photograph: Thea Elder
