Diamond Shake drops his new video for the track titled ‘Birdsong’ off of his ‘From Method to Madness‘ album. Matthew Hitchens, aka Diamond Shake, is a musician that is constantly amazing me in many ways. Since the time I had the pleasure of interviewing him last September, I’ve gotten to know his method behind the madness behind the music and have become as appreciative of his music as much as I am a fan.
With the video for ‘Birdsong’, he again teams up with the mega-talented animator Dominique Bloink, who is another person who never ceases to impress me. This symbiant relationship between these two artists is one that I hope lasts a lifetime because their talents really have a beautiful habit of blending well and even feeding off each other. ‘Birdsong’ is just more evidence of that. I think their arts will grow together for many years to come.
The song is a solid hook-filled piece of dreamscape that lends its own style to the ear in a way that is both comforting and inspiring. While not trying to be a dominant audio in the room, the song still grabs your attention with a beautiful piece of music supporting Matthew’s subtly emotional vocals that gives meaning to the madness.
About Diamond Shake
As discussions on mental health, addiction, and immigration in America gain more prominent, nuanced coverage on cable news, Diamond Shake mastermind Matthew Hitchens has lived at the epicenter of all three hot button issues for the past fifteen years.
Growing up in London and playing in bands through his teens, Hitchens moved to Los Angeles seven years ago to pursue a music career for himself. After a few failed projects, missed auditions, personal struggles, and a particularly bad visa experience, he decided to stop relying on other people and make the album that faced his demons head-on.
“It’s all about my mental health problems like depression, anxiety, anger, low self-esteem, and addiction,” Hitchens says of From Method To Madness, his debut as Diamond Shake. “Each song is about a different one of those issues while also telling the story of making and releasing the album, ultimately ending in failure.”
Dour as that might seem, the resulting album (out November 15th) hits cinematic and ambitious heights in its heaviness. “Let It Die” opens the album with a psych blues stomp, flowing out into a cinematic, string-laden outro. The second single “Into The Fire” lives up to its title, galloping directly into the crucible of his vices and struggles with alt-rock aplomb. From Method To Madness similarly aims for the rafters throughout its 10 songs, making every chorus a standout like Hitchens’ life depends on it.
For most artists, that’s a bit of tired hyperbole. For all the visa struggles, addictions, and hardships Hitchens endured to get here, it’s just reality.
LINKS:
http://www.diamondshake.com
https://www.instagram.com/thediamondshake
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUT0cqzCanrCsAlqgaZRqhQ
http://www.soundcloud.com/diamond-shake
