Today sees the release of Josh Geffin‘s new single, ‘Hold On To The Light’, which is also the title track of his forthcoming EP, funded and released in association with Help Musicians, out on 1 July 2022 via Pear O’Legs Records.
Speaking about the track, the London-based singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer says: “It was January 2021, ‘Lockdown 3’, pretty bleak, and one of the things that helped me stay positive was going for long walks. One morning on the seafront near Brighton, I saw etched into the seawall in big rough lettering: ‘no matter how dark it gets, hold on to the light’. At that moment, it was just what I needed to see. Later, picking on my guitar, I started singing those words and a song emerged. It’s a conversation with a loved one, but it’s also a call to hope at a time of huge upheaval and uncertainty.”
The accompanying video is set in the stunning landscape of Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and sees Geffin emerging from a bed of leaves to walk through the landscape, following a stop-frame animated path of leaves to unite with his ‘other self’ floating in a quarry lake. It was directed by Welsh Writer/Director and BAFTA Brit to Watch Brynach Day.
The song is filled with delicate nuances, the mantra-like chorus, warm harmonies, and the intricate dance between Henry Horrell’s violin and Geffin’s intricate guitar playing. The arrangements bring a journey-like feel, accentuated by the video. Those subtle changes and movements blend well with Geffin’s calming vocals that carry an air of melancholy and brightness, calling to mind Nick Drake and Bert Jansch.
Recorded remotely, with mixing and additional production by Grammy-nominated Sonny Johns (Ali Farka Toure), the song features vocals from Victoria Hume (championed by Lauren Laverne), percussion from Karl Penney (Lou Rhodes) and synth from Barney Keen.
‘Hold On To The Light’ is out now via Pear O’Legs Records.
Tour Dates
9th July – Speakeasy, Hereford
10th July – Canteen, Bristol
12th July – The Musician, Leicester
15th July – Fish Factory, Falmouth
20th July – Folklore Rooms, Brighton
1st July – The Harrison, London (EP Launch)
8th July – Lost Arc, Rhayader, Wales