Earlier this year, the world was blessed with ‘Place for Me’, the standout debut single from BLVIKIE. The track opens with brooding layers of thrumming bass and waves of hypnotic guitar, which lure you in and coax you into a false sense of peace before the composition explodes.
One would be forgiven for thinking this track is the result of a group of well-seasoned musicians, rather it is the product of one man- Josh Blaikie, a multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter from Livingstone, Scotland. The entirely independent nature of this piece, from concept to release, has birthed the full expression of the artist’s style and assures us that what you hear is absolutely what you get with BLVIKIE.
‘Place For Me’ has a mesmerising quality that draws the listener in, inviting them to part-take in the story that the Livingstone songwriter is trying to share. While there is an obvious brutality on the surface that speaks to the frustration and despair felt when you are uprooted and experiencing isolation, the song is rooted in hope and overcoming hardship. This duality is reflected in the composition, which ebbs and flows from sections of intense and noisy expression to more melodic and rhythmic choruses.
Despite this being Josh’s first release under BLVIKIE, he has displayed an apt ability to write and produce work that captures not just the curiosity of the listener but engages the emotional depth of the heart also. While this is only the beginning for this undoubtedly talented artist, it is clear that there are years of craftsmanship under his belt that are now coming to surface.
You can find out more about BLVIKIE’s future work below.