Hailing from Motherwell in Scotland, the ensemble known as A Sudden Burst of Colour has spent a decade crafting a unique sonic identity. Their music is a stunning fusion of atmospheric textures and energetic rock elements that come alive with electrifying presence during their live performances.
Following on from their 2020 EP, Transgressor/Decoder, the trio ventured into a new musical sphere with their single “Pulsator,” revealing a more electronic-influenced sound with nods to dance music. Now they return to unveil the latest chapter in their musical evolution with their brand new single titled “Vertigo Season,” a thrilling instrumental cut that fuses rock and electronic elements to create an expansive sound.
Opened by airy clean guitar notes that flow through a soft atmosphere of stretching reverb, an intricately shuffling beat joins to slowly push the song forward. As the song progresses, delicate synth flourishes throughout as the energy picks up, crafting a truly immersive and transportive listening experience.
Injecting subtly energising rhythm with pulsing bass notes and fluttering lead guitar touches across the song’s stunning 5 minute composition. It’s a breathtaking display of their musical imagination and a superb example of their instrumental panache to bring it to life.
“Vertigo Season” offers a remarkable example of how the band continues to innovate within their genre. It’s a song full of twists and turns, threading a piece of music that holds the power to both invigorate and induce a trance state.
A Sudden Burst of Colour has exciting plans lined up for the near future as they continue to release compelling music and dazzle crowds at their live shows. We caught up with A Sudden Burst of Colour to find out more about their musical journey so far, their new single “Vertigo Season” and what they’ve got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with A Sudden Burst of Colour below.
How did you get together as a band?
We’re just a few hometown friends who decided to jam together, and here we are.
Which artists do you draw most inspiration from today?
Our music tastes are always changing, and each of us has our own unique preferences. Lately, there have been a few albums that have really grabbed our attention. “Orbs” by Anthony Naples, for one, is an absolute gem. The atmosphere on that album is something else. Itâs unlike anything I’ve heard before.
âIn Rainbows” by Radiohead has also found its way back into our playlists recently. Our guitarist, Callum, has always said that once you truly get into Radiohead, everything changes. And you know what? He was right.
And then there’s “Extra Time” by AMTRAC, another belter that’s had a permanent spot in our rotation since its release.
It’s funny how sometimes we don’t even realise how much our influences shape our songwriting until a track has been out months, if not years! Every now and then, we’ll listen back and have a chuckle, thinking, “Ha, that sounds a bit too much like insert favourite band”
How else do you find inspiration for your music?
We typically draw inspiration from our moods. It can be something as ordinary as our local football team winning, which puts us in a good mood and might result in a track with a more positive and pop-structured sound. Conversely, it can be something more profound in someone’s personal life that steers us in a melancholic and serious direction.
Additionally, the weather plays a role; it’s often grey here. Without falling into clichĂ©s, I guess we try to create music that’s rich in colour. We’ve mentioned it before, and we’ll say it again, but we don’t consciously attempt to seek inspiration or intentionally write music in a certain genre. Things simply tend to unfold, and we follow where it leads us.
What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?
That’s for the listener to determine. What has always drawn us to music with a focus on instrumentation, rather than vocals, is that every listener can interpret a track’s mood or energy differently.
How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?
We’ve certainly begun incorporating more electronic elements as our musical tastes have evolved. In our earlier days, we were drawn to heavier sequences with an emphasis on crescendos and climaxes. Now, some of these elements step aside to make room for intricacy, space, groove, and melody.
In general, we listen to a lot of house, techno, and electronica, and naturally, these influences have found their way into our music over time. Even if it’s something as straightforward as a 4/4 drum rhythm, we’ve undeniably drawn inspiration from traditional ‘dance’ structures.
However, don’t get me wrong, we still have a deep appreciation for heavier music. The shift away from it on ‘Vertigo Season’ wasn’t intentional; it’s simply the direction our creativity led us. To be honest, we never have a pre-conceived idea of how we want a track to sound. We go with the flow of the sounds that naturally emanate from our instruments.
Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?
There are just too many to choose from. Bonobo, Jacques Greene, Max Cooper, Tycho and Jon Hopkins are some of the names that come to mind when we think of great producers
How did you find making your new single âVertigo Seasonâ?
It was an absolute joy, for the most part. It was one of the first tracks we created after the initial COVID-19 lockdown in Scotland, which also coincided with a former band member departing. It felt great to get back into the same room and create music together. A few weeks later, ‘Vertigo Season’ was born.
Regarding the recording process, we tracked it in various rehearsal rooms and living spaces. Admittedly, the logistics can sometimes be challenging, but for us to keep the band independently operational, we need to make it sustainable. Especially in today’s cost of living crisis, keeping as much in-house as possible is crucial.
As for the mixing, this track practically mixed itself, and that’s always a great feeling. It instilled confidence that the song had gone well. If we ever find ourselves in a situation where it feels like weâre mixing a single element, or section, for hours on end, it’s a clear sign that something in the earlier stages of the process has gone awry
What message did you want to get across with this release?
Nothing more than saying, “We are back.” It’s like a rebirth, in a way.
What artist have you been listening to most recently?
Weâre all different, but a few artists who have been on repeat are: Anthony Naples, Wunderhorse, Pretty Girl, Bully, Kelly Lee Owens, Recondite & The War on Drugs.
Whatâs the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?
We hope that people can connect with our music and feel some sort of emotion, whether it’s happiness, sadness, or whatever it may be.
We often hear from people who use our music as a focus aid, and that’s pretty cool. There’s something unique about music that can either provide a pleasant background ambiance or take center stage when you choose to delve into its every nook and cranny.
Whatâs been your favourite live performance so far?
Honestly, itâs far too hard to choose, and the vast majority are fun. Sometimes a gig with 20 people who are totally into it can be more rewarding than the bigger festival gigs where most of the crowd people are waiting on a vocal starting. Weâve been out of the live loop since the pandemic, but Itâs something weâre working on getting back to.
Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?
Don’t overthink it; in fact, actively try to underthink it. Just run with the music that flows from your instruments. If a track isnât working, try and take something out before attempting to add more.
From a technical and more practical standpoint, strive to attain at least a basic level of recording competence (if you can afford it!). It will end up saving you a ton of money in the long run, particularly when it comes to pre-production.
Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2023?
You will find out very soon.
Listen to Vertigo Season below
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