Today August 17, Detroit-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Bobby Emmett is pleased to release his new single “See No Evil.” The track debuted today at Rock And Roll Globe and can be shared at YouTube and is on all digital platforms for any playlist shares.
“See No Evil” is a three minute track which plants a flag right in the eye of those control agents, false prophets, and bottom-feeding-leaders gaming us for their angles. It rattles that brass with a fuzzed out Lennon Plastic Ono early Funkadelic Detroit lean..gimme some grease…pulling back the curtain on corrupt control freaks, snake oil salesmen, and Grey Aliens in disguise. The song features JT Cure from Chris Stapleton’s band on bass, Chris St Hilaire from The London Souls and also The Black Keys touring percussionist on drums, and Bobby on vocals, guitar, and mellotron.
On the track Bobby Emmett says:
I wrote this song at a point where I didn’t have much in my life. I walked everywhere at the time. When I was walking at night, I was writing songs, melodies, chords, and arrangements in my head. I was listening to quite a bit of Plastic Ono era Lennon at that time. It really influenced this song, and the upcoming record for me…just the sounds, vibes, and emotions. It brought out truthful feelings for me in a time of not needing much. I spent hours tracking down the right amps , guitars, synths just to create an atmosphere to support the song. JT Cure would come by in the early stages and lay the most inspiring bass parts over the tracks. That’s how it all began.
Bobby Emmett has played his way through Nashville in the last decade as an in-demand session player, recently returning to his roots in Detroit. Earning his seat at the producer’s table, with a Grammy and Emmy win, and nomination as a producer for the rock album of the year (for Sturgill Simpson’s Sound & Fury). He spent the better part of eight years playing keys for Sturgill Simpson. They met at the beginning of his career when Emmett was convinced by producer Dave Cobb to come to Nashville, crash at his house, and play on up-and-coming artist Sturgill Simpson’s debut record. He spent years touring with Simpson’s band, bringing his Detroit rock and soul roots with him. They won a Grammy for best country record in 2017. Emmett continued with Sturgill and the band up until 2020, when the pandemic put the axe on their biggest tour yet for the album Sound And Fury.
Emmett has rode his organ across the globe and also the Saturday Night Live stage, as well as recorded with Alice Cooper, John Prine, Lucinda Williams, “Cowboy” Jack Clement, Kurt Vile, John Brannon and Easy Action, Shooter Jennings, The Arcs (Dan Auerbach), Bombino, The Sights, and Rodriguez, amongst others. In his hometown he continues to dip his fuzz in that good old Detroit grease, soaking his songs in the sounds that grew up around him – Motown, The Stooges, with a healthy dose of Plastic Ono and early Funkadelic. His genre bending balancing act of tight production with loose groove passion is on full display with his new record, and bleeding on the keys like only he can do.
Emmett’s latest single, “See No Evil,” layers hook on top of hook with his undeniable style that was previously heard on others’ releases. The energy you hear on this record is the sound of someone getting his turn in the spotlight. A place he has earned, all his own.