By Keith Walsh
Minimalist pop beats and lovely vocals carry the new tune from the international electronica trio SilverScene. Comprised of Adam Collier (synths, programming, vocals), Brian Belknap (vocals) and Marie Williamson (vocals, lyrics), SilverScene are working on their debut album to be titled Walking Through Shadows and this is the second single, after “Heart,” from January.
Collier and Belknap are located in Southern California, where they also perform and record as Blaklight. Williamson is from London, England, and also performs with Agency-V, Numana State, and AfterDark. For this single the three artists collaborated virtually on “Dark Skies” in its single form and two remixes. The gorgeous video, created by Williamson features mostly black and white images, for a unique look that’s true to the band’s name and suggests interesting possibilities for future themes involving allusions to classic film.
Collier’s track is reminiscent of the music he loves. In an email exchange I asked him about his influences and more.
Synthbeat: There’s a definite European sound on ‘Dark Skies’. How can you explain this, also considering Marie’s influences? (But it’s also in the instrument sounds and chord changes, and Brian’s harmonies.)
Adam Collier: I’m not conscious of that. My favorite artists have all been from Europe. I have always gravitated to that feel, and their passion and intensity comes out in lyrics, melody, and music.
Synthbeat: What do you think of so called American electronic music of 2023, the kind that’s on KIIS FM all day long?
Adam Collier: Commercial radio is so bad. I don’t listen to it if I don’t have to. The songs that are mainstream have no depth. I think that it’s because most artists don’t write their own songs or if they do, they have producers helping them. In my opinion, it takes all of the emotion out of the writing.
Synthbeat; Would you ever intentionally write and record a hit single? Why or why not?
Adam Collier: I don’t think that I can intentionally do that. I write music straight from emotion. I either feel the music or I don’t. When I try to conform, it sounds so disingenuous. If I can’t feel anything from it, what’s the point?
(Collier also creates music for Beautiful Crisis, while Belknap is a member of Mind Machine.)
SilverScene On Bandcamp
SilverScene On Spotify
SilverScene Links
BlakLight Linktree
SilverScene’s Debut Single ‘Heart’ On Synthbeat (Q & A)
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