‘Just Let Me Go’ is the first taste of what to expect from the forthcoming album, with the single being premiered on Double J and featured on The Music with an exclusive ‘behind the scenes’ take from the making of the track. Rolling guitar riffs, the unmistakable vocals of Vika and Linda Bull swim with Darren’s distinct vocal as he sings a tale of loving those that will inevitably do you no good.

“I started writing ‘Just Let Me Go’ for a film but decided to hold onto it for myself. Basically, it’s a story of falling for someone when you know you shouldn’t. Deep down, you know they are going to hurt you but you can’t help yourself. I wanted to go for a dirty, old sound for this song, something that trudges along, both pushing a wheelbarrow of possibility but dragging a chain of history” said Darren.

Co-produced by Davey Lane (You Am I) and recorded straight to tape, in full takes, to capture evolution in the music, the error and the brilliance, finally bought together in the mix by inimitable producer Steve Schram (Paul Kelly, San Cisco, Cat Empire).

Searching for the perfect co-producer, Middleton teamed up with Davey Lane to help navigate the album in a new direction, touching on the purpose of making music to connect, to build and share bridges.

Enlisting an all-star Aussie line-up including Vika and Linda Bull and Kelly Lane on backing vocals, with Graeme Pogson (The Bamboos), Luke Hodgson (Meg Mac), Xani Kolac and Louis Macklin (JET) handling the rhythm of the album, Tides is a lot grittier than past releases with a sound that is organically shaped and reminiscent of a different era.
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Looking at the gap between memory and reality, Isn’t It A Pity neatly shifts between mellow verses and a glorious chorus driven by a gritty soul groove. The idea of renewal and forward motion is captured in the final verse: “Now all your fabled advice rings of emptiness and studied lines…But I have resolved to erase all the bitterness and venom in my veins’.

“I was listening to Bobby Blue Bland’s ‘Ain’t No Love In The Heart Of The City’, Bernard explains, “and I loved the way the Philly strings gave it a lot more melody and power without making it beefy. When we recorded it we were deliberately trying to keep it from rocking too much so we replaced what were horns, with strings and it did the trick. Clare Bowditch helped on the weird minory backing vocals which helps it all sound big, without being heavy. It was a bit of an arm wrestle this song, but I love where it ended up.”

Produced by Nick DiDia and recorded at La Cueva studio (located near Byron Bay), Isn’t It A Pity also features his band The Black Fins: Salliana Campbell providing fiddle, Matt Engelbrecht on bass, Andrew Morris laying down guitar and Declan Kelly on drums and a special guest appearance by good friend Clare Bowditch who provides backing vocals.
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