Still is the serene new single from Scottish-Italian singer-songwriter Adriana Spina, coming Friday, 4 September.
A notable departure from Adriana’s signature guitar-driven sound Still has the quality of an enchanting contemporary lullaby. The gentle single showcases her irresistible vocals, which are simply paired with synth and bird song.
Still is the result of a quiet moment of contemplation and promise – Adriana was inspired by the stillness of lockdown at dawn and the sense of hope that comes just before daybreak.
Adriana was also struck by the unique palate of colours in the sky only found during those ‘wee hours’, and this light and shade can be felt throughout the single.
Challenged by fellow songwriters in her Sunday Songwriting Facebook Group to write a haiku – a short form poem from Japan consisting of three short lines that do not rhyme – Adriana penned the words: “Daylight is creeping; Birdsong is my lullaby; Another night gone”.
The group was then set the task of writing a song based on their haikus which contained no more than 20 words and incorporated ‘found sound’ from their surroundings.
Adriana wrote and recorded Still at home, over the space of a couple of days, using exactly 20 words. Her vocals were recorded at 3am to capture the serenity of that particular time of night and she recorded the bird song from her back garden. The result is spellbinding.
Joining Adriana on the track is producer Mark Freegard whose additional synth, mixing and programming has breathed even more magic into the track. Adriana was introduced to Mark through acclaimed songwriter, singer and producer Boo Hewerdine who also helped guide the creative process.
Adriana said: “Having put recording plans for my third album on hold due to the current pandemic, I wanted to use the space to maintain some creative momentum and delve into new writing approaches. I never expected this song to come from my little haiku, but when I wrote Still it felt like something just clicked and the track had a life wider than my home recording. Mark then took it to an even more special place. It was fantastic to work with both him and Boo to bring it all together.
“I regularly find myself in my garden at dawn with my dog and love watching the light creep back into the sky. At no time is that stillness more intense than in the small hours and this is what I sought to capture. The writing and recording happened all at once – I wrote and recorded the verse before the chorus was written, it was a new and really organic process for me.
“Despite being a significant stylistic departure for me, Still evokes a very specific time which I wanted to share. I hope my fans like it as much as I do.”
Often hard to categorise, Adriana Spina’s sound is fiercely independent, having worked for over a decade to craft her blend of acoustic, Americana, folk and country, which is encapsulated in her 2017 studio album Let Out The Dark.
Adriana supported Joan Armatrading on the Scottish dates of her most recent world tour, culminating in a storming performance at Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. She has shared stages with many high-profile artists, having also opened for Sheryl Crow, Paolo Nutini, Eddi Reader and Dar Williams.
Still is available to download and stream on Friday, 4 September.
For more information, interview or live session requests please contact Hannah Innes E: hannah@hannahinnes.co.uk, M: 07790 813 712, W: www.hannahinnes.co.uk or Corrie Campbell E: corrie@hannahinnes.co.uk, M: 07900 981 073
For more information please go to www.adrianaspina.com
Facebook: @adrianaspinamusic
Twitter: @adrianamusic
Instagram: @adrianasingssongs
