Whilst joining a big Brazilian family and navigating a new culture and language, Kiwi Alt-folk artist Tom Lee-Richards releases 'Human,' a song about being out of his depth. Recorded in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil with acclaimed producer Leonardo Marques the song features a team of accomplished brazilian artists in their own right: Bernardo Bauer (Bass, BVs), Felipe D'Angelo (Keys, BVs), Pedro Hamdan (Drums), Matheus Felix (Violin) and Fabio Ogata (French horn).
In the accompanying music video, 'Human' is given a face or rather helmet as the story follows the stumbling journey of a 1930s Deep Sea Diver. Sourced and edited by Tom the video continues his passion for marrying music and image as seen in the last 'Out of the Oddness' collaboration with NZ filmmakers Phoebe Mackenzie and Emily Berryman as well as the MTV Upload favourite 'Beside You' and 'Madness' featured in the Auckland International Film Festival.
Human is the 1st single from the upcoming E.P 'Spinning for Shape' which is more open and live sounding than his last album collab with producer Pip Norman (Jarryd James). The new E.P hums with warmth and harmony distinctive of his Brazilian collaborator's home state Minas Gerais. Oscillating synth and sliding, blooping progressive bass make the e.p an almost psychedelic experience yet this 1st track Human has the lyrical lucidity of a confession.
In it's honesty, Human feels like an invitation for you and your faults and begins the E.P's larger story of immersion as Tom dives deeper into this New Zealand, Brazilian relationship. After flying through the pandemic Tom is now home living in NZ however his follow up singles will introduce more forms of Kiwi Brazilian collaboration.
Listen to ‘Human’ through Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp or Apple Music