.
**WARNING: THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS THEMES OF SUICIDE AND MAY BE TRIGGERING TO SOME READERS**
BEC STEVENS
releases visceral rendition of
“JAMES’ SONG”
penned by
a lost loved one
.
.
Today, Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Bec Stevens has released “James’ Song,” a poignant tribute to a loved one who is no longer with us. The track is taken from Bec’s highly anticipated upcoming album, BIG WORRY, set to be released on March 17th, 2023, via Damaged Record Co.
“James’ Song” is a moving eulogy to a loved one who has passed away. Written by James McKenzie, who tragically took his own life in late 2019, the song holds a very special place in the heart of Bec Stevens. Bec received the song from James as a voice message recorded on his phone. Upon re-listening after James’ passing, Bec discovered a deeper and inescapably harder meaning in the lyrics.
Despite the song’s pain, Bec is grateful for the chance to keep James’ memory alive with the help of their beloved friend Tye Richo and James’ Brother Marcus McKenzie, who lend their harmonies to the track as well as a choir of Becs friends featuring artists like Eaglemont, Suzi, Queenie, Leo and members of Melbourne bands CLOWNS and Steel Wheels who also feature on many other songs on the upcoming album. “I’m so grateful to have so many people I love singing with me on this song. When I first heard us all singing together, it felt like a big supportive hug, like all of these people were carrying me through it and holding my hand,” Bec said.
You will also find an original snippet of James’ actual vocal singing, the final line of the song, which Bec and Producer Jonathon Tooke were able to attach from an old recording of James.
“James’ Song” serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of losing a loved one to suicide.
LISTEN TO “JAMES’ SONG” HERE
.
.
”This song is not mine, but in many ways, it’s all I have left. James sent me this song after the last time I saw him. A shitty little voice memo he recorded on his phone. It hurt to listen then, but for different reasons. In 2019 when I got the call that he had taken his own life, I was utterly shattered. I wanted to feel close to him, so I found the last song he had sent me, and I listened again; I heard it differently this time. Hearing the line “and I can’t help but think that this might be the last time we speak”…A feeling I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to explain.
Despite the pain this song evokes for me, I am grateful for it.
Recording and releasing this song felt important to me for many reasons; this is my way of keeping his memory alive. I have lost a lot of people in my life, almost all to suicide; I have an overwhelming fear of forgetting them. Especially James. Not only was he a beautiful, hilarious and kind human, but He was also an incredible musician and writer. Due to his anxiety and nerves, only a handful of very lucky people got to experience his songs. I am very grateful to his family for giving me their love and support to share a little piece of him on this album.
The importance of this song can’t be overstated, but its essence boils down to making sure I keep telling his story in a way to keep him alive. To keep the conversation around mental health alive.
Community care is more than a one off day a year where we check in with each other.
Having frank conversations about mental health more consistently and without judgement is the way we sew into the fabric of society the de-stigmatisation of normalising and supporting people with mental health issues.”
Bec offers an inside look at the making of her highly anticipated new album, BIG WORRY, out on 17th March 2023.“You don’t have to be a longtime fan to know that I pour my heart and soul into my music, and this album is no exception. I’ve always been very open and honest in my songwriting, and this record is something that I am truly proud of from start to finish – which is a feeling I’ve never experienced before. I cover a lot of ground on this record, and I had a lot of support from so many people that I’m incredibly grateful for. In fact, I even moved states to work on this album. I never thought I’d be able to work with another person on my music, let alone release an entire album, but here we are.”
.
BIG WORRY
drops on 17th March 2023
PRE-ORDER ALBUM HERE
.
Follow BEC STEVENS
Instagram – Facebook – Twitter
YouTube – Spotify – Unearthed
.
AMNPLIFY – DB
CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE NEWS
My nickname is “The Amnplifier”. Why? Because around here my focus is on being a conduit for providing greater outcomes that people come here for. My day to day “work” is living in the moment, and I love helping others concentrate on finding their connection to themselves through their experiences.
Why start a music environment? The truth is I love music, I love writing, and I love life. I work with musicians every day, and I feel certain that I will be until they put me in the ground. I have been managing people in businesses of some sort for over thirty five years so along the way I have developed some “wisdom” from my regular and constant “observations”.
Amnplify your experience. That is what we want you to do here, and if you want to let me know why you do, or don’t, shoot me a message on Facebook.
Hope you enjoy yourself here and find something that hits you somewhere.
