Autumn has arrived here in Wellington. Shorter days and cool nights. Not too cold to stop me from having a swim on March 1st in Wellington’s eastern bays. What a way to welcome Autumn; looking back at the sparkling city, suspended in the chill water, listening to the handsome voice of Charley Crockett. It’s been a big Autumn already – an unplugged show at Flying Nun Records, my brother arriving from Portland, a debut single release (more details below), my best mate arriving from Los Angeles, and the amazing CubaDupa fest in Wellington. Music and friends. It doesn’t get much better.
This edition marks the official release of our debut single, Stop Myself, straight from Mox Box Studio and The Grid Studio. I’m also sharing 4 albums; two smooth singin’ country boys, one wizard of sound design and one master of whistling. Read to the end for 5 never before heard voice memo demos that showcase the early stages of the Stop Myself.
I’m very excited to announce that our debut single, Stop Myself, is available now on all streaming platforms! If you are looking to support the music head over to Bandcamp and purchase the digital copy. Another good way to support the music is to subscribe to this newsletter →
Vocals, Guitar, Slide: Sig Wilder
Vocals & Artwork: Mads Taylor
Piano, Keys, Organ: Philip Daniel
Bass, Guitars, Keys, Drums: Philip Zach
Mixing: Philip Zach at The Grid Studio
Mastering: Josh at Downbeat Mastering
Co-written by Sig Wilder & Ruby Leonard
Many thanks also to Kei Heke, Adrianna Miranda, Ella Davies, Floyd Graham, Ella Salome and Zech Campbell for helping this song along it's journey.
The Man From Waco by Charley Crockett
I’m new to the Charley Crockett bandwagon however it wasn’t long before I consumed his entire catalogue. Not because it’s small, in fact since 2015 he has released 11 studio albums, but because I’m obsessed. From Classic Blues to Americana Singer-Songwriter to Country this man has expanded my love and appreciation for the southern song. Big thanks to Song Chest Radio for introducing me to this wonderful artist with his track Wreck Me off his 2020 release Welcome To The Hard Times. If country isn’t your thing don’t look past Charley - give his record Lil G.L.'s Blue Bonanza a swing. It’s a honky tonkin’ good time.
Top tracks: I’m Just a Clown, Odessa, Cowboy Candy & Trinity River
Mirage by Molly Lewis
Never ever have I enjoying whistling so much. Molly Lewis takes it to the next level. Prepare to be entranced in her dream-like soundscapes and island-time motifs. I came upon Molly Lewis’s track Balcony for Two from her debut album, The Forgotten Edge, on a Spotify playlist in 2017 while traveling the through the western United States. It’s taken a few years but I have finally dived into the cerulean sea of Molly.
Top tracks: the entire record, but I particularly like Nature Boy.
Vincent Neil Emerson by Vincent Neil Emerson
When I was young I often claimed that country music was the worst genre of music. What a fool I was. Now years later I’m creating country music myself — although perhaps Americana better suits. I’m far from creating in the same ballpark of talent as someone like Vincent Neil Emerson, but a boy can dream. This album is full of beautiful storytelling and heart mending vocalizing. Not sure how I came across Vincent but I’m glad I did.
Top tracks: Texas Moon, The Ballad of the Choctaw-Apache, High on Gettin’ By
See-Through by Patricia Wolf
The beguiling music video for Springtime In Croatia, the stand out track off See-Through, takes me back to circa 2005 and the iTunes visualizer. Which was the closest a sheltered Catholic kid could get to feeling high as a kite. Also makes me think of the incredible deluxe set of music videos for Bon Iver’s self titled album. I used to watch those until I would fall asleep. They work wonderfully as elaborate music video length visualizers. A perfect companion to the music. In See-Though Patricia Wolf creates lush soundscapes interweaving birdsong and synth. This album will likely be responsible for me purchasing a field recording device in the near future.
Top tracks: Woodland Encounter, The Flâneur, Springtime In Croatia
Writing for Stop Myself began in late 2019. Below there are 5 demos that show how the lyrics, instrumentation, and feeling have changed over time.
May 9 2022 - studio version V1
In April 2022 I spent a wonderful week recording with Philip Zach at The Grid Studio. We managed to record 10 tracks. It wasn’t long after he sent me this mix for Stop Myself. Not too far off from the final version.
May 25 2022 - studio version V1 home studio edit1
Now it was time to start making a few edits and adding bits here and there. I extended the outro, added bvs, and adjusted a few bits. The minute of silence at the end was an accident not a stylistic choice…
April 14 2022 - studio ready voice memo demo
This is the demo I took with me to the studio. All studio versions evolved from here.
July 19 2021 - the “searching for lyrics” demo
This is an early demo in which I was trying to find some lyrics - some of which have made it to the final version. You can also hear me trying to figure out that guitar lick.
December 14 2020 - the oldest demo I can find of Stop Myself
In it’s very early days I took Stop Myself for a trip across Melbourne to visit my good friend Ella Salome. We developed a chorus for the song which did not make it to the final version. The final version has formed into something wonderful yet part of me loves this version most.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the new single. Share it around!!
until next time,
Sig