Divergence is the latest EP from Brisbane composer and producer Sepia Blue – a solo project from Brisbane’s Tom Beith (a former Elbury bassist and the major creative force behind studio project Soul Wide Open – along with a host of other creative collabs). As Sepia Blue, Tom has been incredibly prolific, releasing 13 EPs in just under two years!  All are available on Bandcamp and well worth a listen!  

Opener Echoes of the Sun combines a mid-tempo groove on the bass with a violin line and a joyful, cascading synth melody. An uplifting combination of sounds but tinged with a slight sadness – a good match for the yearning lyrics (“Shall I wish upon a star? My hopes and dreams rest where you are”). The synth/bass groove brought The Cure’s Close To Me immediately to mind and I was very happy with where we were at! 

Sepia Blue tunes are often bass-driven, with layers of synth woven around. On Divergence, this approach is refreshed with a range of orchestral instruments. These organic sounds (strings and horns and the like), add variety and expression and it’s a great development for the project.

Classical compositional techniques are deftly applied throughout – an example in Echoes being the reappearance of the synth theme (on delay-soaked violins) later in the song. This is more than just “texture” – expressive melodies and themes rise and fall, lurking and circling. Diverse instrumentation draws these additions out into the open and gives them their own space.

Track 2 Sertraline is more sombre – ominous, shifting synths and a brittle, glassy glockenspiel are walled in by looping piano arpeggios and strained strings. The result is bleak and tense – a sort of “everyday despair”. The strings lend an R.E.M. flavour (Automatic For The People era) which is a great place for a sombre song to land. 

Track 3 Eras pairs odd step-downs in the brass section against an Eastern-flavoured theme. The tom rolls through the chorus section are a nice addition, injecting rhythmic energy, and these perhaps highlight some future opportunities in diversifying the drum part (tuned percussion, perhaps?!).

Closer Ocean of Dreams is a bit of a surprise – opening with a simple guitar two-chord progression that would not be out of place on Nirvana Unplugged. Vocals – in lyrics and melody – also fit this mood, and it’s a pleasure really! Tom released a Nirvana cover a few years back (possibly under Soul Wide Open), so this is clearly an influence that he has been happy to own. This time around, the addition of orchestral counterpoint transforms the song into something new and different. 

I have not managed to keep up with the pace of the Sepia Blue catalogue but have been inspired to play catch-up over the next little while and track the development of this unique and engaging artist. Check out Divergence and get on board!