Orlando Weeks, Former Maccabees Frontman, Releases Debut Solo Single “Safe In Sound”
March 3, 2020
WATCH THE NEW VIDEO: https://OrlandoWeeks.lnk.to/SafeInSoundVideo
LISTEN: HERE
THE FADER: https://www.thefader.com/2020/02/26/orlando-weeks-safe-in-sound
Former Maccabees frontman Orlando Weeks today shares his long-awaited debut solo single ‘Safe In Sound’, which provides the first taste of his forthcoming solo debut which will follow later this year. It represents Orlando’s first project since he wrote and illustrated the critically acclaimed alternative festive tale ‘The Gritterman’ (published by Penguin) in 2017, along with an accompanying soundtrack.
‘Safe In Sound’ was written early in 2018 as Orlando Weeks and his partner anticipated the birth of their son. The musician found himself drawn towards documenting the anticipation, excitement and anxiety of their new arrival. His swirling, almost ethereal vocals capture the emotions of the experience: a “slow endless passage” of what’s to come with the tender acceptance, “I would wait forever to hear that sound you’ll make.”
Sonically ‘Safe In Sound’ echoes that sense of anticipation. Nervy, jazz-infused rhythms underpin Orlando’s swirling vocal harmonies, while a warm-hearted production introduces unconventional flourishes of brass and piano. Co-produced by Orlando with Nic Nell, the track, and forthcoming album, echoes the adventurous scope of Talk Talk with the intimacy and emotional resonance of The Blue Nile.
‘Safe In Sound’ was written after Orlando found himself irresistibly drawn to documenting his experiences in the months leading up to the birth of his son.
As he explains:
“I was witness to this momentous event in our lives and didn’t want that to go unmarked in the work that I do. I found that writing was a way to anchor moments and cement feelings that we were sharing.
Throughout that dazzling year, with its steady march towards our son’s arrival, I felt grateful to the discipline of working on music for the semblance of structure that it gave me. Musically I wanted to make something that stretched me, something with beauty and intensity.”
Having played a run of intimate sold-out shows last year, Orlando will follow the release of ‘Safe In Sound’ by playing the following headline tour with a full band:
MARCH
5th – Liverpool, Arts Club
6th – Leeds, City Varieties
7th – Manchester, Stoller Hall
8th – Glasgow, St. Luke’s
10th – Norwich, Arts Centre
11th – London, Earth
12th – Brighton, St. Bartholomew’s
13th – Bristol, St. George’s
Orlando Weeks first came to prominence as frontman of The Maccabees. After debuting in 2005, they became one of the most influential British bands of the era , winning Best British Band at the NME Awards as well as the prestigious Ivor Novello for Best Contemporary Song. The Maccabees split at the height of their powers, with their fourth album ‘Marks To Prove It’ going to #1 before they departed with three sold-out nights at Alexandra Palace.