Having already established themselves with a breadth of warm and riveting releases these last few years, UK-based Canadian artist Bliss Carmxn is now looking to cement their vibrant legacy to date with the release of their long-awaited debut EP 'Hold My Hand And I'll Hold Yours'.
Featuring the previously shared efforts 'Big Enough', 'Hey Oh Hey' and 'Hear', this new four-track collection makes for a wonderfully rich and shimmering listen. Filled with broad and emotive electro-folk textures, a soaring atmosphere, and their own stellar vocals at the helm, 'Hold My Hand And I'll Hold Yours' continues their vibrant ascent to date.
So with the new EP available to stream now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has been inspiring them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
The piano and guitar are close seconds, but it might be the organ. My dad played, and I’d be able to sneak into our empty neighbourhood church on a weeknight, turn on the pipe organ and have basically an analogue synth meets live action DAW at my fingertips (foottips). It was a piano, an organ, horns, flute, woodwinds, strings, bass, and so much more with a fully embodied multi-keyboard experience for hands and feet. I never learned to play professionally, but playing around with it as a kid was like a taste of sonic freedom, and layers of experimentation.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was an eclectic kid; drawn to rhythm and arrangement first, lyrics second. I loved pop music from Latin America and 00s pop, musicals of all kinds (especially the Disney kind), folk, disco, classical and country music from around the world. Eventually I got introduced to artists like Young Marble Giants, Arthur Russell, Thom Yorke, Bjork all who left a lasting impression.
What was the first album you remember owning?
Mother’s Milk by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Human Being by Robyn.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I write music in two ways. Either I improvise at the piano until a kind of vibe, melody, or progression that comes through. A top line usually comes in then, and generic lyrics that cast an energy on the track. Or I’m singing while walking or cycling and something just comes out. Twice though, I’ve woken myself up singing, and had to grab the phone to record a memo before falling back to sleep.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
I’ve been listening to a lot of the London-based artists Austel, Yodashe and Fox Gunn, the wildly tender album ‘Who Will You Love’ by The Dengie Hundred With Gemma Blackshaw. And I’m loving Charlotte Cardin, Adrianne Lenker, Ravyn Lenae, Sevdaliza, Slayyyter, CMAT, Soma Jobarteh, and Sofía Martín right now.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Carlotte Cardin, Orville Peck or Caroline Polachek.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The ability to make something out of basically nothing, using just my body, voice, or instruments. And the community – meeting and finding people to work with, collaborate with, play with, share with. That’s been a blessing.
And what is the most frustrating part?
Probably that I will write more songs than I’ll ever have time to record or share with others.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
The world is big and there is an audience for everything, so keep going.
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Bliss Carmxn's debut EP 'Hold My Hand And I'll Hold Yours' is available to stream now. Listen to it in the player below.