Melbourne indie musician Rich Webb's newest release, 'Blue Wildflowers', is brimming with heart and soul as he explores the fragility of relationships and how all aspects of love need to be nurtured by all parties involved.
A steady, measured, almost hushed rhythm and a gleaming, noodling guitar throughout fosters a glowing warmth as Rich meanders through alt country, indie folk tones as he ruminates on past encounters turning sour and the role the individual plays in bearing responsibility for undesired outcomes.With vocals that carry a pained yet honest perspective of past actions that unfurled differently to what was planned, 'Blue Wildflowers' is an apology song penned from a personal standpoint but offering a universal message for a broader audience.
"It's in many ways an apology song – to a few people broadly, but one lovely person in particular that I didn't treat as well as I should have done," begins Rich.
"Not saying on any level that everything was my fault – that's not true and never can be – but when beautiful things turn sour for whatever reason, you have a responsibility as part of it.
"It takes two to make something work and grow – you both need to nurture what you have. And I could have done a lot of things better and been more careful and protective of the relationship and love we had."
Ahead of the song's release on Tuesday (8 November), scenestr is ecstatic to premiere 'Blue Wildflowers' today. Enjoy.
The third single from his forthcoming album, 'RIGHT!' (due 9 December), 'Blue Wildflowers' influences clearly heart a number of musicians Rich himself holds in high esteem: Sparklehorse, Bob Dylan, Patty Griffin, Silver Jews, John Prine, and Vic Chesnutt.
"I wanted to say sorry for that," continues Rich detailing the song's lyrical origins, "for being so careless and reckless with something as delicate and pure as that kind of rare love.
"More broadly also, I have tended to be a bit like that through much of my life too and I also wanted to get this song down – like a tattoo or something – to try and remind me not to behave like that in the future.
"So I won't forget and f... up again, or something like that. To remind me to appreciate the moment and the great things I have in my life, and to think more before jumping off a cliff in search of something else."
Rich Webb launches 'RIGHT!' At The Union Hotel (Melbourne) 10 December.
"The album launch will be the record, played like it was written – and with joy and energy of getting it all together.
"I will be playing with a cracking band including Matt Dixon on guitar and Jim Carden on drums, both of whom are on the record, and Alics Gate-Eastley on bass, plus a few special guests too. It's going to be great fun."
