BRODIE MILNER Reveals Politically-Charged New Single ‘Comedy’ Out Now
“Absolutely loving this” - Gemma Bradley, BBC R1
“Lyricist of the week...outstanding” - Tom Robinson, BBC 6music
“It’s got the drama, got the dynamics…it’s a big tune” - Phil Taggart’s Slacker Podcast
“Brodie’s got his own edge…really inspiring” - Emily Pilbeam (BBC Introducing)
“Vital music with an important message” - Charlie Ashcroft (Amazing Radio)
“A meaty and witty slice of observational guitar pop” - Analogue Trash
BRODIE MILNER Reveals Politically-Charged New Single ‘Comedy’ Released 12th April 2023
Stream and share - https://ffm.to/comedy
Hull Lo-Fi Songwriter Announces Details of Debut EP Tragicomedy Released 26th May 2023
April 2023 London + York + Hull Live Dates On Sale
w/ Cruush, The Ocelots, Lilies in my brain + more
Hotly-tipped new Hull-based lo-fi songwriter Brodie Milner is pleased to reveal his new single ‘Comedy’, set for release on 12th April 2023.
The track is the latest to be taken from his forthcoming debut EP, Tragicomedy, set for release on 26th May 2023.
Part political takedown, part social observation, commenting on the track Milner says: “The dire state of British politics is almost matched by the commentary on it—280 characters at a time of quickly digestible ‘food for thought’, all empty calories. Our narrator here is guilty of the above, reducing the life-threatening and reprehensible to an ill-conceived joke. Mother nature is thinking of ending things…”
Recorded at Crooked Room Studios on the outskirts of York, forthcoming new EP Tragicomedy was produced, engineered, and mixed by Isaac McInnis and co-produced by Bradley Blackwell, and mastered by Kevin Tuffy at Manmade Mastering. Tragicomedy also features original cover artwork by Stewart Baxter (LIFE) and Brodie Milner.
The EP’s pacily-moreish lead single ‘Hedonist’ was released earlier this year and received a rush of radio support from Gemma Bradley on BBC R1, BBC 6music DJs including Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson, was track of the week on BBC introducing with Alan Raw, picked up spins from Shell Zenner and Charlie Ashcroft at Amazing Radio, and landed on Spotify’s official melomania playlist.
A thoughtful and accomplished songwriter, Brodie Milner wears his songs like an ill-fitted suit. Combining intelligent lyricism with intricate melodies, his music feels nuanced, evocative, and a bit too sad for a summer party. Listeners can expect to hear influences from the likes of Ben Howard, Fionn Regan, Bob Dylan, and some novelists you’ve probably heard of.
Following the release of his early standalone singles over the past 2 years, gigs to date include support slots with BC Camplight, Katy J Pearson, and Seafret, alongside festival appearances at Live at Leeds, Humber Street Sesh, and Tramlines.
Further live dates and new music will be revealed over the coming months.
Debut EP Tragicomedy is released 26th May 2023
Live Dates:
13.04.23 - London - Strongroom (w/ Lilies in my brain + Organ Morgan)
14.04.23 - York - 45 Vinyl (w/ The Ocelots)
15.04.23 - Hull - Social (w/ Cruush + Marnie Glum)
Tragicomedy EP tracklist:
1. hedonist
2. comedy
3. ididntevenwanttocometoyourparty
4. tragedy (in three parts)
Brodie Milner online:
https://twitter.com/BrodieMilner
https://brodiemilnermusic.bandcamp.com
https://www.tiktok.com/@brodiemilnermusic
https://www.instagram.com/brodiemilnermusic
https://www.facebook.com/brodiemilnermusic
More about Tragicomedy:
“With my first three single releases—‘Acheron’ (2020), ‘Philomela’ (2020), and ‘An Open Letter’ (2021)—I played with some thematic continuity, especially in regards to the lyrics, which were all centred around Greek myths,” explains Milner of his forthcoming debut’s genesis. “However, they still felt like separate pieces of work. I came to the EP looking to make a more consistent body of work that felt like each song was part of a larger narrative. The result was a collection of characters who were all tragic in some ways, and all (darkly) comedic in others.”
In keeping with the EP’s Grecian themes of tragedy and comedy, the visual element of Milner’s work reflects his interest in the classics, the history of drama, and Italian street theatre in particular.
“I like to see each character on the EP as the same clown in different makeup,” he explains of the concept behind the single and EP artwork. “As such, it only felt right that the artwork was as theatrical as the narrative. I collaborated with Stew Baxter (drummer in fellow Hull outfit LIFE) on the visuals, and after convincing a local theatre to let us mess around with the stage and lights, we had free reign to get the concept down.”
The ‘clown’ has become a symbol of contention in pop culture of recent years, and for good reason. Hordes of incels brandishing Todd Phillips’ interpretation of the Joker on t-shirts and profile icons has set a very specific precedent. Milner’s clown is nothing like that one.
“I took influence from Italian street theatre and the Commedia dell’Arte character, Zanni—an erratic trickster who could be as sharp as they were dimwitted,” he continues. “I took the Zanni mask and combined it with a classic Pierrot clown outfit, a figure known for their comedic mischief. I actually had to get most of the costume specially made to get the character just right. A big thanks to Daisy Allen for helping me bring the clown to life. This patchworked clown, coupled with an empty theatre and no one to entertain, felt like a perfect representation of the two sides of ‘Tragicomedy’.”
