Brighton-based harpist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emma Gatrill has released her new album ‘Come Swim’ via Willkommen Records.
A dazzling display of cosmic folk marrying Gatrill’s intricate harp playing with subtle electronic elements, her third album arrives alongside single ‘Dance With Me’, an adventurous and playful composition that explores themes of escapism and freeing yourself from the norm; a sentiment echoed by the album’s title.
Since her last release, 2017’s acclaimed ‘Cocoon’, Gatrill has steadily earned her place as one of UK music’s best-kept secrets. From singing on Nick Cave & Warren Ellis’ film soundtrack ‘Wind River’, to playing a remarkable range of instruments for others (including Lucy Rose, Broken Social Scene, Samantha Crain, David Thomas Broughton and more), Emma has distilled this wealth of experience into creating a captivating sound entirely of her own; a logical progression that culminates in the fervent beauty and wonder of ‘Come Swim’.
Aided by co-producer and partner Marcus Hamblett (James Holden, Nadine Shah, The Staves), though ‘Come Swim’ was produced and recorded at home (or Bear Mountain Studios, as the credits have it), Gatrill was able to call on a truly impressive cast of collaborators for the album. Along with Hamblett, guests include Conor O’Brien (Villagers), Rozi Plain and Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), Mark Lockheart (Polar Bear, Radiohead’s Kid A), Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Bas Jan), Thom Mills (Skinny Lister), and Rachael Dadd.
Come Swim represents a huge step forward and a new way of writing for Gatrill, who asked a host of different drummers for loops and beats, both acoustic and electric, in order to approach songwriting from an entirely different direction. Out of her comfort zone, the work began in earnest and, free of any familiar writing process, the songs came surprisingly quickly. Working alongside Hamblett, the arrangements were fleshed out, recorded and ready to go before the project was turned upside down. Having planned to release the album, tour it and give the record the chance it deserved, Emma found out she was pregnant.
Stopped in her tracks, Gatrill ended up sitting on the project for nine months but, upon returning to it, she found a strangely prescient lyrical thread throughout. Though written before well she discovered she was pregnant, opening track ‘Seed’ speaks to the tough times we find ourselves in by suggesting ways we can all make a difference whilst ‘Out Of The Dark’ chooses faith in humanity over pessimism and ‘Juna’ (written for a friend’s child) offers a place of precious sanctuary.
‘Come Swim’ retains the sense of ethereal beauty that defined Gatrill’s previous work but adds a sense of innovation and sonic mischief that sets it apart. From fluttering electronica and sawing strings to the infectious clash of Afrobeat and New Orleans horns; a joyous, anything-goes approach to making music pervades. These eleven songs represent the flourishing of a distinctive talent and the start of a new chapter as Emma tells us, whether we’re content to tread water or bracing ourselves for a plunge, “the overall motto is just to do your best, you’re gonna be OK. Everything’s gonna be OK.”
Emma acknowledges the generous support of the PRS Foundation and Help Musicians UK, who made the recording and release of this album possible.
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Emma Gatrill on ‘Come Swim ’:
“From quite early on, I decided that I like the idea of, ‘Come listen to the songs, come swim in the ideas.’ I love the sense of freedom you get when you’re swimming, and you’re floating. The water’s holding you up, a bit like the idea that a song or music can keep you up rather than sinking into the chaos of the world that’s around you… I like the idea that you could go and dance to it rather than just sit at home and wallow.”
