It’s been over half a year since we last visited South Britain’s Karamelien with the release of the single ‘Wait For Me’. At that time, frontwoman (and primary songwriter) Léanie Kaleido had just suffered the loss of her father Top Topham (original founding guitarist of The Yardbirds). Today we catch up with Karamelien, bringing you their new single ‘Living With The Moon’. One thing is clear – what we wrote then is just as true today – quote “To say Kaleido is a great songwriter would be an understatement. In this touching piano ballad, she offers pure pop perfection”.
The new single is also the title track from their forthcoming album by the same name. An energetic, upbeat, guitar-driven track that celebrates the rewarding path of learning to live with mental health challenges, accepting them, and feeling the freedom of just ‘going with the flow.
A poignant but cheeky track, it is wistful while also being full of a f*ck-you attitude. It’s about finding triumph through adversity. But most of all, it’s a great singalong indie pop anthem with a hook that may invade your brain and stay there for days. For folks who are primarily interested in sound over content, you will be pleased to hear that this track falls into the mind-category of Echobelly, Dido and Cat Power.
“I wrote this song after a year of counselling for depression and anxiety, linked to menopause and not helped by Covid-enforced inactivity and unease. On our final session, my amazing counsellor Jude, who I have kept in touch with, described the acceptance of good and bad days as ‘like living with the moon’. I told her that would make a great song title and promised her I’d write it – and I did!” says Léanie Kaleido.
“So, the lyrics are a thank you to myself for getting the help I needed at the time, a finger to the armchair critics and the toxic people who didn’t help, and a willing surrender to the lunar power over us all. It’s about the feeling of freedom you get when you stop worrying so much about what everyone else thinks and learn to accept your weaknesses and discover your hidden strengths.”
Based in East Grinstead, Karamelien is singer-songwriter Léanie Kaleido and guitarist Mark Foster – two long-time friends, whose music has forged an even stronger bond between them.
Earlier, the duo released the single ‘Wait For Me’ featuring piano, mixing and production by Chris Mars (A Flock of Seagulls, Damian Wilson) and two tracks produced by RIDE’s Mark Gardener at OX4 Sound Studio – ‘Lionhearts’ and the epic ‘Ascension Heights’, which features a guitar sample from Léanie’s late father Top Topham (original founding guitarist of The Yardbirds). This particular song also features bassist Mo Pleasure (Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson) and involved Paul Statham (Dido, Simple Minds, Kylie Minogue).
As of September 1, the ‘Living With The Moon’ single will be available on Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. The full album will be released on October 27.
CREDITS
Written by Léanie Kaleido
Léanie Kaleido – vocals, piano, keys, Rhodes, tenor electric guitar, guitaret, string arrangements, electronic bass
Mark Foster – guitars, theremin
Lee Pomeroy – bass
Produced by Ian Caple Recording
Mastered by Jon Astley
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
ALBUM TRACK LIST
1. Living with the Moon
2. Ascension Heights
3. Digital Imogen
4. Lionhearts
5. Wait for Me
6. Ghost of Love
7. Do You Really Wanna Go?
8. Sewing at Sea
9. Sewing at Sea reprise
Keep up with Karamelian
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