Callum Brown
The Big Sheep
Brighton musician Callum Brown releases his second album Robin’s Nest at the end of January. It follows his time fronting the post-punk group Indigo Riot, although the solo work occupies very different territory. Callum has moved into a quieter and more reflective style, focusing on memories, family life and the awkward time between childhood and adulthood.
A lot of the new album deals with grief and memory, but Callum doesn’t approach it in a direct way. Instead, he writes around the edges of those experiences. Some tracks describe rooms, walks, farm buildings, or small details from domestic life. Others look at the confusion of growing up and the strange feeling of returning to old places that no longer belong to you. It is a record that is in between folk, spoken word and something a little looser, with improvised vocal takes and a focus on staying true to the origins of the song and painting a picture lyrically over sticking to any particular song structure which really helps to define Callum's music.
A lot of the new album deals with grief and memory, but Callum doesn’t approach it in a direct way. Instead, he writes around the edges of those experiences. Some tracks describe rooms, walks, farm buildings, or small details from domestic life. Others look at the confusion of growing up and the strange feeling of returning to old places that no longer belong to you. It is a record that is in between folk, spoken word and something a little looser, with improvised vocal takes and a focus on staying true to the origins of the song and painting a picture lyrically over sticking to any particular song structure which really helps to define Callum's music.
Film is a clear influence here, and Callum mentions Bergman and Fellini when talking about the imagery. There are also references to British folk music and the darker corners of singer-songwriting. Brenda Wootton is an important reference point in terms of tone. Listeners who know Joanna Newsom or Bill Callahan will probably recognise the same interest in language and structure.
The single The Big Sheep is a great introduction to that style of writing, it will have your toes tapping and ears twitching to hear more as Callum takes you on a journey starting with imagery of early morning dew fall and feeling of the rising sun on your face, Callum's clever writing creates a picture in your mind that is so vivid you could almost be there hearing the church bells ringing for yourself. Callum's vocals combined with the nice acoustic guitar work add a warmth to the song that fits perfectly with the lyrics.
Based on this track I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. Speaking of which, Robin’s Nest is out on 30th of January. Callum Brown plays a release show at The Folklore Rooms in Brighton on 6th of February.
The single The Big Sheep is a great introduction to that style of writing, it will have your toes tapping and ears twitching to hear more as Callum takes you on a journey starting with imagery of early morning dew fall and feeling of the rising sun on your face, Callum's clever writing creates a picture in your mind that is so vivid you could almost be there hearing the church bells ringing for yourself. Callum's vocals combined with the nice acoustic guitar work add a warmth to the song that fits perfectly with the lyrics.
Based on this track I can't wait to hear the rest of the album. Speaking of which, Robin’s Nest is out on 30th of January. Callum Brown plays a release show at The Folklore Rooms in Brighton on 6th of February.