Inside ‘Discount Hearts’: Indie Alt Rockers The Color Blew Opens Up About Their Newest Release
In the realm of Indie Alternative Rock, The Color Blew stands as a deep and perceptive presence, proudly positioned amidst a sea of commercially driven music that tends to be overproduced. Their sonic landscape serves as a refreshing alternative, where talent and passion seamlessly intertwine with depth and meaning – a sanctuary free from the constraints of conventional musical expectations. Discerning audiences often find themselves immersed in moments of profound listening, captivated by the artful sound and impassioned performances, blissfully oblivious to the world around them.
The quartet comprises Liaan Horton, the soulful voice and rhythmic prowess behind the microphone; Marius Cronje, laying down the foundation on bass guitar; Timothy James Lotter, weaving intricate melodies on lead guitar; and Armando Santos, the heartbeat of the ensemble on drums.
We caught up with them ahead of the release of their newest singe, Discount Hearts this Friday, 05 July 2024.
The Color Blew, your new single ‘Discount Hearts’ explores themes of self-worth and emotional compromise. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and how it reflects your current musical direction?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): Creatively, this song is part of our new cycle of songs, which we kicked off with ‘Love in Space’ last year. It’s a different era for us where we immensely enjoyed writing these songs as jams that evolved into moments captured as songs. I think the song is yet again a raw moment reflecting our fragile humanity and our basic craving for mutual acceptance and affection.
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): Recently, we have put sincerity at the forefront of our music and gone in a simpler, more emotionally heavy direction. We place more emphasis on the songs as a whole, rather than just the sum of their parts.
Liaan, as the vocalist, lyricist, and even producer, ‘Discount Hearts’ features poignant lyrics that explore heartbreak and infatuation. How do you balance personal introspection with creating a narrative that listeners can connect with universally?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I try to be real … I focus on one thing at a time. I’ve learned that forcing things never works out too well … in this band, I am allowed to be a singer because I am surrounded by incredible musicians… they create the tapestry, and the lyrics, melody, or magic come if the universe wills it so. I don’t think, I just feel in that space … and what comes out, comes out – no filters, just emotion and the collective energy that’s fed to me by these incredible humans I get to share a band with. Recording, mixing, and mastering are a whole different ball game where I must sometimes try and take a pragmatic external approach … it’s all a balancing act but super rewarding and worth every second.
Marius, the band’s bassist, ‘Discount Hearts’ showcases a powerful backbeat. How do you approach creating rhythmic foundations that complement the band’s lyrical and melodic elements, especially in a song that explores such emotional depth?
The Color Blew (Marius Cronje): We tend to write the music first, which allows us to capture the feel of a specific moment in time. Between Tim, Armando, and myself, we tend to play off each other, and that understanding of where your piece is in a song subconsciously dictates what either the bassline or guitar riff / lick, and even the drum fill, will be.
Timothy, your lead guitar work in ‘Discount Hearts’ is described as weaving intricate melodies. How do you approach adding layers of musical complexity to a track that balances raw energy with introspective moments?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): For this song, I very much took the less-is-more approach. I believe strongly in playing for the song and that every note can trigger the feeling that you’re trying to get across. The atmosphere and emotional impact are the most important parts of what a guitar does in any musical setting.
Armando, as the drummer, you’re the heartbeat of the ensemble. How did you approach capturing the emotional essence of ‘Discount Hearts’ through your drumming style, and what role do you feel rhythm plays in conveying the song’s message?
The Color Blew (Armando Santos): ‘Discount Hearts’ is a canvas of emotions painted with rhythm. As the drummer, my approach during our initial creative process is similar for all our songs. It originates and comes from within by listening to “feel” the vibe which I can then express, channelling passion around the kit to deliver what is best suitable for the song. The rhythm, my compass and like a pulse, carried the weight of reflection, longing, joy, or heartache.
Looking back at your musical journey since forming in 2014, how has The Color Blew evolved, both musically and personally? In what ways does ‘Discount Hearts’ mark a new chapter for the band?
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): As much as it’s been a journey of music, it’s been a journey of us as friends and brothers. Through our experiences of gigging, touring, getting through the pandemic, as well as our own personal endeavors, we collectively arrived where we are now and this chapter is us, sharing our journey through our music.
The Color Blew, your music is celebrated for its authenticity and depth. How do you balance maintaining your artistic integrity while also resonating with a broad audience, especially with a single as emotionally charged as ‘Discount Hearts’?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I think we just try to be real… we don’t consider what the song might or might not do, we go where it takes us… I believe good art challenges you—it makes you feel uncomfortable sometimes and excites you when you need it most. Whether that’s good or bad is up to your interpretation… our music and what we are is 100% emotion… it took time to get here but we plan on staying a while.
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): Anything we create is done without any preconceived notions and is purely trying to capture our own voices and experiences as accurately as possible. So, if we’re sincere about what we create, we believe it will reach the right audience.
‘Discount Hearts’ will be released on July 5th. What are your hopes and expectations for how this single will be received by your fans and new listeners alike?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I hope they feel what we felt writing, recording, and playing it. Pure passion, excitement, and a bit uncomfortable at times. It asks questions, it’s introspective, but extroverted at the same time … it’s all of us!
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): The song means a lot to us, and we only hope that everyone enjoys listening to it as much as we enjoyed making it!
Looking ahead, what can fans anticipate from The Color Blew in terms of future releases and live performances? How does ‘Discount Hearts’ set the stage for what’s next for the band?
The Color Blew (Liaan Horton): I think we are laser-focused on releasing music and content regularly over the next couple of years. The world of music has changed and so have we, I would like to think. I want us to connect in ways not possible before with our audience, inviting them into our lives and sharing the creation process more openly … that is the goal for me in the future.
The Color Blew (Timothy Lotter): We will be releasing a music video for ‘Discount Hearts’ and expect to release two more singles before the year is out!
Stream the new single Discount Hearts by The Color Blew, available on all platforms Friday 5 July here.
Connect with The Color Blew on social media:
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More about The Color Blew:
Since their inception in 2014, The Color Blew has been a stalwart presence in the South African music scene, boasting a collective band experience exceeding 65 years. The quartet comprises Liaan Horton, the soulful voice and rhythmic prowess behind the microphone; Marius Cronje, laying down the foundation on bass guitar; Timothy James Lotter, weaving intricate melodies on lead guitar; and Armando Santos, the heartbeat of the ensemble on drums.
Hailing from the East Rand of Gauteng, South Africa, The Color Blew finds their creative sanctuary in Springs, where they diligently craft, record, and produce their music in their private studio. Their commitment to excellence is unwavering, whether in the studio or under the spotlight, embodying consummate professionalism on every occasion.
Attempting to pigeonhole their sound into a single sub-genre of Rock would be akin to restricting a painter to a single-color palette. Broadly categorized as Alternative Rock, their music transcends boundaries, drawing heavily from the raw energy of Grunge and Punk, as showcased in their debut album ‘The Canvas.’ The evolution of their sonic palette is evident in their newer releases, where the vibrant hues of Jazz and African beats converge with meaningful lyrics, exemplified in their sophomore album ‘Light Switch.’
In 2022, The Color Blew paid homage to the legendary Queen and David Bowie with their rendition of ‘Under Pressure,’ earning a place on the SA Top 40 and various international indie charts. The subsequent year saw the release of ‘Love in Space’, a musical odyssey that propelled them to new heights, securing chart positions with both local and international radio stations. This success underscored the band’s versatility, demonstrating their mastery across a spectrum of genres.
As the calendar turns to 2024, The Color Blew stands on the cusp of a new musical chapter, eagerly anticipating the release of fresh compositions that continue to define their brand of Indie Alternative Rock. On Friday 5 July the new single ‘Discount Hearts’ will be released.
With unwavering passion and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of South African music, The Color Blew remains a dynamic force, etching an indelible mark on the ever-expanding canvas of their musical journey.
