Here’s the latest single from London-based singer songwriter Dave Burn. “Violent Animals” features atmospheric, low, flowing, finger-picked chords and a timelessly tuneful vocal from Burn. But behind Burn’s smooth voice and easy melody hides a forceful, lyrical aggression: “Sit on my own humming while the world around me dies // Horses won’t stop running and the fighters shall rise…Kind of guy who don’t do well, away from home one mile // Nodded and mmmm’d I did till, my patience turned to bile // Take the piss, I couldn’t resist // Now he’s screaming at me like a child.”
The accompanying video, filmed and directed by Simon Waldock of Clipstone Productions, captures the brooding atmosphere of the song. Under grey skies and surrounded by a beautiful but bleak landscape, Burn wanders, delivering his moody song.
Burn was a founding member of ahab and currently contributes regularly to Orphan Colours, while also performing with the excellent Kirsten Adamson as The Marriage. His well-received debut solo record, “Arizona”, was released in 2017, named for a place where Burn has deep family ties, having spent a great deal of time there with his grandfather. Those huge skies, and dramatic, rugged landscapes would go on to influence his atmospheric songwriting. “Violent Animals” was originally a song for The Marriage but, as it developed, it became increasingly linked to Burn and he decided to release it solo. It’s the second single from his forthcoming live EP, which combines new and old songs recorded in a variety of locations. Check out the gently powerful repetition of: “We’re violent animals,” at the end of this finely-crafted song.
