Single Focus: Quintessential Doll

Answered by: Steph Linsdell.

Single title? Beautiful Violence.

What's the song about? It references Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid and Slavic folklore Rusalka. It's about the violence of heartbreak and revenge.

How long did it take to write/record? The melody came to me pretty quickly. I spent about a year working on the song's production, though. As a self-taught producer, I'm really proud of the quality of the production I've achieved. 

Is this track from a forthcoming release/existing release? This track is a taste of what's to come from my forthcoming EP. Beautiful Violence is a deliberate shift in my sonic direction compared to my earlier material. It's darker and more aggressive. 

What was inspiring you during the song's writing and recording? I was reading a lot of gothic literature. I wanted to use poetic language to tell the story. I think poetry is as important as the music in creating a certain mood for a song.

We'll like this song if we like... Songs that are haunting yet aggressive with syncopated beats and cool harmonies. 

Do you play it differently live? The live version has a longer intro because I start with live looping some haunting vocals and violin parts. I then pick up my guitar and sing while triggering samples. 

When and where is your launch/next gig? 20 May, The Triffid.

Website link for more info?: www.facebook.com/quintessentialdoll