JUDE FLANNERY – “QUIET BY YOUR SIDE”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE
Ever since arriving in New York City in 1992, Jude Flannery has been writing original music from bedroom and basement spaces. His songwriting focuses on simple structures with blues inspired extensions and gritty, heartfelt vocals. His lyrics express a desire to connect while acknowledging the space in between where our differences lie. Central to his songwriting, Flannery relies on collaboration with other musicians to help challenge his own ideas to be better. Over his time in New York from 1995 through 2019, Flannery has been singer and / or guitarist for bands Closer, Knocked Out Loaded, Qatsi and Frozen Falls. The most recent album he released was with Frozen Falls, I Promise You Pyramids, released in the Fall of 2017. A move to Philadelphia in 2019 began a collaboration that helped create Quiet By Your Side. This album marks Flannery’s solo debut but continues the themes he has explored in his music from the beginning.
Quiet By Your Side is Philadelphia-based artist Jude Flannery’s solo debut. The album explores the themes of connection and expectation. Joined by primary collaborators Matt Barrick (The Walkmen, Muzz) on drums / percussion and Quentin Stoltzfus (Mazarin, Light Heat) on bass and guitar, the record has a psychedelic folk rock vibe. Additional collaborators include Robbie Bennett (The War on Drugs) on keyboards, Keir Neuringer (The Irreversible Entanglements) on saxophone, Zena Kay on pedal steel, and Annie Nero on backing vocals. The overall mix is warm and dynamic, a credit to the craft and production contributions of Barrick, who recorded and mixed the record, and Stoltzfus, who mastered the record at Philadelphia’s Silent Partner recording studio.
Speaking on the record’s first single, “Quiet By Your Side,” Flannery wrote:
“I wanted to write a song about what it means to be comfortable. For me, that is the ability to quiet my mind. The more I thought about this song, it also feels like my relationship with music – it’s always nearby, it moves me and lulls me into a state of listening calm. It’s funny but I think that ended up happening when we recorded the song as well – we immediately felt what the song needed and just played it. I started with the acoustic guitar and vocals and Quentin laid down the bass line from the control room as I was recording it. Matt added drums on top of that in what seemed like a single take and Robbie’s keys filled in the rest quickly.”
On its accompanying music video, he continued:
“Directed by Philadelphia based artist Marc Zajack, the video utilizes found footage that collages imagery from 50 years ago. Intimate in nature at times, these home movies are moments lived that emphasize the human experience and the memories and relationships built over time. Exploring the nostalgia around these everyday moments celebrate the timeless feeling of comfort and connection, which is something that’s also celebrated in this song.”
Jude Flannery
Quiet By Your Side
(Independent)
Release Date: September 20, 2022
Artist Links
SPILL MUSIC PREMIERE: BITTER CALM – “SALT”
SPILL VIDEO PREMIERE: BOULDER FIELDS – “MEASURES”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: THE MUFFINS’ MARTHA JOHNSON SETS THE PACE FOR WORLD PARKINSON’S MONTH WITH “SLOW EMOTION”
SPILL NEW MUSIC: THE DIRTY NIL – “TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART”
