Indie Folk from Brandes

Hailing from Telford in the UK, Brandes is the musical alter ego of Peter Bradley, a man of many talents, including author, former Labour MP and now a singer-songwriter. With a deep well of life experiences to draw from, Bradley channels his reflections into music, crafting songs that shine with emotional depth.

Influenced by iconic Canadian artists like Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, Brandes made his musical debut just last month with the single “Please Don’t Call.” This track introduced listeners to his meaningful songwriting and indie folk sound, while offering the first taste of his upcoming debut album The Distance Between Dreams, set for release early next year.

Brandes’ latest offering, his brand new sophomore single titled “Like A Dagger,” is the second window into his forthcoming album. The song, written by Bradley himself, explores the painful ending of a doomed affair, where regret and sorrow linger long after the relationship has crumbled.

The influence of Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell echo in this track, both in its lyrical content and its musical execution, making it a poignant piece that invites listeners to confront their own past heartaches. “Like A Dagger” is a stark and intimate folk outing that draws its power from its simplicity. The song’s arrangement, featuring acoustic and electric guitars, serves as a fitting backdrop for the raw, confessional lyrics.

Produced by Jonny Amos at The Song Lab in Birmingham, who also adds acoustic guitar, while Brandes takes the reins on electric. The music, composed by Dale Fewtrell, complements the lyrics beautifully, offering an engaging arrangement that flows from the laid back acoustic guitar tones and lilting rhythmic sway capped by the hushed vocal delivery of Brandes.

With picture painting lyricism and a timeless sound, delicate electric guitar touches add atmosphere to the song via elegant lead notes. It’s a truly charming slice of the artist’s unique storytelling songwriting and performance panache that continues to build the excitement for his first full-length record release next year.

Commenting on the single, Brandes shares, “Many of my songs are in some way autobiographical and this is one of them. Each verse captures a snapshot of the gradual disintegration of a relationship, not so much through a lack of love or commitment but because of life’s circumstances. I’ve tried to achieve a clarity and honesty about how it felt then and what it means now and my hope is that individual listeners will find a point of contact which helps them to engage with their own experiences and emotions.”

Listen to Like A Dagger below