Song picture
Redbreast
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Dark TV Detective theme, Clickers Club Feb 16
indie beatles guitars pixies wildhearts clash cardiacs
Artist picture
Trash-pop, guitar rock and melodic miscellany.
Not so much a band as a bloke with a guitar and a laptop, The Smivets deliver a genre-bending blend of pop, rock, punk, prog and many other monosyllables.
Song Info
Genre
Beats • Beats General
Charts
#40,493 today Peak #816
#20,129 in subgenre Peak #75
Author
Steve Smith
Rights
Steve Smith
Uploaded
February 24, 2016
Track Files
MP3
MP3 3.9 MB • 160 kbps • 3:23
Story behind the song
Intended to be a theme for a "Nordic Noir" style detective thriller - the title is from a Jo Nesbø novel, it grew into more of a late 60s style, with more than a nod to the Persuaders and On Her Majesty's Secret Service but hey ho. Features heavy usage of the rather unusual smivolydian scale. This rarely heard melodic structure can be tricky to master, but not if you use my easy to follow guide: Firstly, before even approaching your instrument, you need to be in the correct psychological state or "zone" to be able to perform it with the necessary nuance. I find the best method, especially when facing a tight deadline, is to spend most of the day arseing about instead of actually working on the piece. Then, when you are comfortably beyond the point when you have anything like enough time left, hack the tune together in a jittery panic - sweaty fingers and a hysterical adrenaline buzz will set you up nicely for the next stage: the performance. It is important to rehearse - I usually like to allow a good two minutes. Even though this will eat perilously into the precious remaining time, it is time well spent and will be just enough to confirm you have absolutely no idea how to play the thing at all. Now press record. Instantly you are pitched headlong into the unfamiliar tune with the kind of inner calm normally associated with walking a high wire in a force 9 gale, lunging desperately for each note under the merciless jackboot of the click track. Sometimes you will hit the right note. Sometimes you will hit the one next to it. In all honesty it quickly becomes a bit of a blur, but it will be over soon enough and then there you have it - instead of your boring intended pentatonic, an eerily strange smivolydian melody. If only it was in the right key.
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Musan Dera
Mar 10, 2016
Wow, that melody is fantastic, with all turns and movements, at that same time unusual and recognizable. More and more elements get added and around 2:10 there is a clever break, violins. Continuing at 2:25 with the theme. This is real filmscore stuff with the mood out of the 60's or 70's. Suspense is everywhere!!!!!! Could be the beginning tune of a very exiting detective. Great!!! Enjoyed it very much!!! Extra stars for Melody!!!
Swampman And The Machine
Mar 06, 2016
Very different would work great in a suspense movie
Drumnjon
Mar 06, 2016
BRILLIANT SCORE TRACK MATERIAL HERE SETH! I LOVE THE SUSPENSE! JON:)
Michael Bennett
Mar 01, 2016
Misleading title...lol...great song though, maybe one of your best and especially liked the clav sounds!
Gone4
Mar 01, 2016
Wonderful moving mysterious track with such interesting instrumentation..you are a such a clever musician..(gotto say at first I missed your vocals but this track makes up for it)
Pinecats
Feb 29, 2016
Enjoyed reading about your recording process... but I ain't buyin' it for a minute. Even tho your are one of the most creative and brilliant folks on this site, I think this piece was far more thought out than you allude to dear sir... The instrumentation, the arrangement, the darkness and suspense, the imagery it all evokes...just great stuff Steve. Even the little avatar is excellent! You never disappoint. Easily one the best of the challenge. Bravo!
Dollar Bill and the Unmentionables
Feb 28, 2016
Cool scale and it's good to read about your "process" - now we know. Now we know. Right out of the gate the sound and melody are perfect for the theme. And then that psycho ending. Creepy, mysterious, and tons of fun. Steve you are a true original.
spinaceto
Feb 28, 2016
Steve, my applause to you, this tune impressed me the most yesterday evening!!! The dark timbre of the tune is magic, well chosen Clavinet or Harpsichord: perfect for the intention, fine break at 2:10 with cello and acoustic piano. And about the "Smivolydian Scale".... LOL, great story, big big smile on my face reading that!!! ;) ;)
Carlo D'Anna
Feb 28, 2016
Great musicianship and super production! A real great theme as well! Awesomely accomplished!!
Alan L Cole
Feb 27, 2016
I agree, "Redbreast" is brilliant! The harpsichord is a very cool idea. The track is beautifully scored. Something different from you for me Steve. Loved reading the "About the song" notes - made me smile as it hit close to home. It's a great track Steve - bravo Maestro!
FusionFall Project
Feb 27, 2016
Brilliant Smivolydian interpretation maestro, you have made an exceptional track here Steve, simply BRILLIANT!
Bob Forbes
Feb 27, 2016
Chilling, yet catchy melody line, nice breaks in between with the strings and piano. Cool stuff Steve ;)
Rodrica Rudge
Feb 27, 2016
This is excellent stuff! I like the darkness and edginess of this track. It has a 60's/70's vibe to it, yet somehow it is also very contemporary. That riff will stay in my head for months! Brilliantly composed...and the write-up under the info "about this track" made me laugh out loud, lol, fantastic!