A new single from Blake Rave comes through as warm, incredibly honest, and the type of song that you find you can instantly relate to so becoming attached to the character and Persona of the single is not difficult whatsoever and it all gets delivered with this almost welcoming performance that feels like an inner monologue in your own head.
"Home" comes from a genuine life experience and you can tell because that heart is in every second of this release which makes you feel even closer to Blake after the song is over almost like you've been sitting and talking with a friend.
I think the beauty in the song is exactly that.
Taking something that is almost universal like falling in love and going through life with that partner still feeling that love but also the stresses of everyday life and how you go through that together.
A lot of the intricacies in this track are things that a lot of us feel or have felt before and part of the wonderment of listening to a song like this is that you're hearing a way that all of it is articulated out in the open.
That's the hard part. Being able to express or even articulate how you feel and taking those emotions and putting them outward from inside.
Musically, this song takes a blend of a classic folk style and brings it into a newer platform.
I get little hints of Bob Dylan or Nick Drake here and there and I love that.
Hearing songs that are so personal and that put out so much lush character is deepening and it makes you think and it makes you feel which is something that we need more of in music.
I want to hear songs that I can feel something from and Blake Rave has given me that and more with this release.
The music video is also quite beautiful and showcases visuals for the things that are happening throughout the song So watching this you also get a feel for Blake's presence as an artist and as a person which is outstanding.
I feel like this song was cathartic for him to create and get off of his chest, even the beautiful parts that aren't about the inner and outer struggles.
The parts about falling in love and remembering every detail of his first meeting that partner.
Everything about this song is so graceful and it's got a certain level of class to it in a way.
It is very easy to get engulfed in this track and then washed away with it and I feel like Blake is most certainly an artist to be looking out for and paying attention to in the near future because I have a great feeling whatever he releases next is going to be just as personal and just as lush.
With the release of such a wonderfully woven single, we wanted to have a sit down with Blake Rave to find out how the song came about and what pushed him to make it, and what might be coming up next for the artist.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: Okay, let's start with "Home"! This track touching and honest with a heartfelt character to it!! How did this release come about?
Thank you, I wrote the song 'Home' at the height of the pandemic. I was walking home from the cornershop and it started downpouring outside. I ducked under an awning to stay dry and let the rain subside; the beat of the raindrops inspired the song... It was a dance song, actually. I came up with the first couple lines and was singing on the street. I didn't have my phone with me, so I rushed up to my apartment. By the time I wrote down what I remembered and got to my guitar, the dance song I'd heard in my head had morphed into the melancholy pandemic love song that it is today. I was recording on my phone and I stopped mid-verse and said "Oh no, it's a sad song!" I'd had plans to record my followup album, but Covid shut that down. That led me to seek out remote production and I ended up connecting with a company based out of London. I did two singles with them, at which point the CEO of the recording company offered me a "deal." Eventually, I made my way to the UK to record my second album.
Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you as an artist?
I've always been a writer and I've always been surrounded by and inspired by music. I knew I wanted to write songs. I received a guitar as a birthday gift and slowly started teaching myself. One night I went to an open mic to support a friend, and to my surprise, she made me get on stage. It was absolutely terrible! Afterward, I thought to myself, "It could never be worse than tonight..." Because of that moment, I don't get stage fright or anxiety before I perform. It actually pushed me to play more.
Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?Â
I'm mostly inspired by my emotions. Writing is my therapy, and since I've never been good at communicating my emotions, writing songs has been the key to my sanity.
Buzz Slayers: This release has some great approaches to it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically?
I grew up assuming that the person singing the song was also the person who wrote it. I can't remember when I found out that's not usually the case, but it did inspire me to seek out singer/songwriters. My biggest musical influence is Jewel. Something about her really connected to me on an emotional level. Aside from the fact that she does write all of her own songs, I was always in admiration that she could hold an audience captive with just her voice and her guitar. Some other influences include Palo Nutini, Brandi Carlile and Matchbox Twenty.
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?Â
That's a loaded question! I'm a full time musician. When I'm not writing, rehearsing or playing shows, I am on my laptop doing all the admin-type stuff that I would rather not be doing. I try to get out and see live shows as often as possible. I'm always looking to connect with other musicians. I do enjoy athletics; I joined the Sioux Falls LGBT softball league, and after playing a season with them, decided to start my own team (The Dirty Secrets). I used to enjoy rock climbing, but haven't done that for ages. Basically, my mind is flooded with music, and even when I am doing other things, I'm still thinking about music in some capacity.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
Somehow, I got sucked into pop music... I think all the sad acoustic stuff I used to listen to just took a toll and I needed to change my state of mind. Right now I'm listening to Red Wine Supernova by Chappell Roan on repeat. Haha -Also Hot Mess by Zoe Clark. I don't typically fall in love with an artist, I tend to just fall for specific songs.
Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
I am gigging in London at the moment. I've been working with a couple booking agencies as well as seeking out opportunities on my own. I'm looking at a couple other European cities, which seems like it will be happening sooner than expected, so that is very exciting. My next show in the US will be in April, which I am hoping I'll be able to turn into a tour and get up to Canada as well.
Do you record these at a big studio or do you have a home studio set-up?
I've done the big studios; I've done the home recording. I don't mind recording in a home studio, as long as I'm not doing everything on my own. It's too frustrating and overwhelming for me to have to be the engineer and the producer, as well as the performer. I'm way too right-brained and I'm not technologically proficient. I did get an Associates degree in Audio/Video Communication Arts, but my passion is really just writing the songs.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
I'm so glad you asked! Going back to what's in my headphones right now... Fans can expect to hear a different sound after my current album is fully released. I've never liked labels, but I'd say my current genre is somewhere between Indie Rock and Alt Americana. If you listen to my 2023 Pride dance anthem 'Love Is Love' and then listen to the new single 'Home' and imagine that they have a baby: that is where I plan to go sonically with my music. I've got a lot of ideas and a lot of content. I've also been experimenting with midi and electronic production. I'm confident that fans of my music will be pleasantly surprised by what's to come. Regardless of the instrumentation, I believe my songs will always sound authentic.Â
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thank you! Thanks for listening online, adding me to your playlists and sharing with your friends. Thanks for supporting live music by coming to see my shows and buying my merch. Thank you for encouraging me to continue on by sharing your stories of how my music has impacted you and how you relate to my songs. This is a tough business and it is easy to get discouraged and want to walk away; you all keep me grounded and keep me motivated! Cheers!