Shadows & Colour An album by Brian Brody Featuring Brian Brody on Voice, Harmonium and E-bow. Michael MacLannan on Piano & Bill Blackmore on Trumpet Shadows & Colour by Dublin singer-songwriter Brian Brody is a departure from his usual acoustic guitar style – seven songs designed to showcase his writing for two particular instruments, harmonium and piano. This follow-up to Brian’s 2012 debut Set In Stone shares some familiar themes of hope through hard times, positivity and renewed strength. The song ‘Home’ is about finding happiness in his abode in the Wicklow Mountains. Alberto Lora filmed the accompanying video in the idyllic setting – having lugged his harmonium into the great outdoors, Brian sings a soaring song to the wilds of the surrounding countryside in a tribute to this place where he has found a new peace and purpose. ‘Seek And You’ll Find’ is about “overcoming your fear and venturing out in the world, no matter how dark life gets” while on ‘Ronanstown’, Brian pays homage to the place of his youth. While reflecting on some tough times in the past, he acknowledges these experiences have made him who he is today. The song’s trumpet line reinforces these sentiments with an almost-echo of The Beach Boys’ God Only Knows. Brian describes ‘No Strength Left Inside’ as “one of the most difficult songs I’ve ever had to write emotionally”, as it deals with “two separate occasions in my life that left me without strength amid feelings of loss and sheer helplessness”. Other tracks include ‘I’, a poem of acceptance, ‘Stay’, an homage to hope and ‘1887’ – an instrumental piece named for the year his beloved Harmonium Organ was made. Brian Brody is known for his powerful performances, both solo and with bands such as Black Cabaret and The Pale, while 2013’s passionate live interpretation of Scott Walker’s classic album Scott 4 in The Grand Social is an indicator of a key influence on him as a songwriter and vocalist.