24 May 2018 - 0 Comments

Following the success of their single Brightside, which was hand-picked to feature on the Spotify Alternative Tracks playlist last year, Running Stitch have just released their EP of the same name.

Running Stitch started as the solo project of singer/songwriter Aletta Ashdown. Evoking some of the best female artists and female-led bands of previous eras, reviewer Ania Glowacz said of Running Stitch’s debut EP It’s On: "A low-key PJ Harvey, or Cat Power reference wouldn't be too far off” (Ania Glowacz, NZ Musician), and the gruntier songs even bring to mind the likes of Elastica. 

Following the 2015 release of It’s On, Aletta wanted to round out her already substantial sound, so she recruited Kayne Wilkinson on drums and Gavin Botica on bass.

Wilkinson has drummed for The Rusksand Hooster (both bands were well known in Christchurch in particular), and toured both locally and internationally, including supporting Zed, PanAmand Eight, and Australian bands Grinspoon, Shutterspeedand Screamfeeder.

Botica has gigged with the likes of Semi Lemon Kola and the Hallelujah Picassos; eventually moving to other side of the glass to production work, eventually running York Street’s Mastering studio until it’s untimely demise in early 2000.  He was also a DJ on 95bFM for a number of years.

The songs on the Brightside EP cover a range of themes, from the philosophical to the upbeat – with a dose of good old-fashioned escapism thrown in for good measure.

Hunted: Medieval fantasies (like fairy tales) can be a way of working through feelings of uneasiness or uncertainty. The heroine in this tale is being hunted - but what exactly is she running from?

Move: One for the music lovers (and aren’t we all?) You hear a new song which takes you on a sensory and emotional journey; even better if it has a rhythmic chorus and you shake off the shackles and dance!

The Wait: Every musician becomes disillusioned sometimes. You still have a deep desire to make music, but sometimes you can get a bit lost.  Are you still waiting for a “big break”?

Brightside: Daily life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, and social media can be an escape route - or a form of inspiration. “Pick up the phone to see the light.” The real world can be exciting – and dangerous. You could spin out in a fast car; you could pick up an unpredictable hitchhiker; who knows what might cross your path? 

With the exception of Brightside, which was tracked by Karl Apao of Soundkard Productions, the EP was recorded, mixed and produced at Aletta’s home studio in Woodhill. Her husband Adrian Ashdown (former member of Superturtle and current member of The Phil Edwards Band) was engineer and producer, as well as providing accompanying guitar and synth on some tracks. 

Recording without having to watch the clock provided Running Stitch with the freedom to experiment, and throw around ideas until each song found its own unique niche within the EP. The Brightside EP was mastered in Nashville Steve Carrao of Sage Audio.

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