Debut single from The Easter Parade

Based in Northamptonshire in the UK, Matt Steven is a singer-songwriter and producer now stepping out as The Easter Parade, after spending over a decade forging his sonic vision in quiet reflection. Working from his studio called Indigo Scala, he’s been preparing a long-anticipated comeback to the music scene.

Having been absent from new releases in recent years, this return is being fully crystallised in his upcoming EP, Raindrops on the Lens. The Easter Parade’s music feels like a journey through time, filled with a nostalgia that’s cinematic and wrapped in a sound that’s truly enduring. Inspired by vintage black-and-white film aesthetics and a personal collection of old photographs, Matt seeks to forge a timeless musical experience.

Taking cues from artists such as Ron Sexsmith, Salvador Sobral, Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Matt Berninger, he creates a folk-tinged indie rock sound full of warm organic instrumentation and compelling vocals and with this blend, The Easter Parade arrives as an exciting new voice in the singer-songwriter scene. The first taste of this project comes with the debut single titled “Sing Our Kids to Sleep,” a track layered with the subtle complexity and orchestration that perfectly distils Matt’s style.

Mostly recorded over the summer at his studio, “Sing Our Kids to Sleep” is a gently powerful indie rock anthem full of delicate ebb and flow. To bring this song to life, Matt collaborated with the acclaimed Betania Hernández String Quartet, adding an instrumental shine that beautifully complements his own melancholic vocal melodies. The track was mastered by Pete Maher, a leading figure in the music industry whose work with global stars such as Katy Perry and U2 speaks to the level of quality and refinement The Easter Parade aspires to.

Brought in by an intimate piano intro, the soft notes underpin his emotive vocal leads which drift above to cast spellbinding melodies carrying poignant lyricism. With the arrangement building with muted guitar plucks and gentle bass textures, the airy touch of strings glide alongside his voice to craft a truly charming and immersive soundscape that deftly balances emotion with a subtly uplifting tone.

The crash of drums ushers in a burst of energy with the march of rhythm driving the full band sound into an epic finale brimming with stacks of layered vocals and emphatic instrumentation. It’s a superb song that marks a spectacular entrance for this thrilling new project and we can’t wait to see what the upcoming EP has in store.

Commenting on the project, Matt shares, “After a long break, I’m excited to share something new with the Easter Parade. It’s a project that reflects both where I’ve been and where I’m headed, and I hope people find something in it that resonates with them. The intention of the project is not to make a grand statement, but to offer an honest collection of music shaped by time and experience.”

Listen to Sing Our Kids to Sleep below

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