Aotearoa’s dynamic musical force, Neil MacLeod, has released his EP, ‘I Need A Battle’. This project encapsulates a confronting, expansive, and intense journey over seven powerful tracks, each woven with the intricate threads of personal growth and artistic evolution.
MacLeod’s journey with ‘I Need A Battle’ didn’t begin with a singular moment of inspiration. Instead, it was an organic process born out of sporadic yet intense creative bursts amidst a busy schedule. The turning point came with the creation of the title track, a piece so profoundly impactful that it became the cornerstone of the entire project. “The songs came together over many years in between intense periods of production and mixing work. It was also a time of intense personal growth. When I wrote the song ‘I Need a Battle,’ it moved me so much that I decided to build the next record around it. I’m certain that the song revealed itself to me so that I could learn from it.” MacLeod recounts.
In a bid to immerse himself fully in the music, MacLeod spent a week mixing the EP at Bigpop's Drake Street Studios, away from the everyday distractions of Wellington. “I slept at the studio for multiple nights on the couch – I essentially lived in the world of the music,”. This period of intense focus allowed him to shape the EP into a cohesive and impactful body of work, embodying the raw and unfiltered essence of his vision.
‘I Need A Battle’ delves into a myriad of themes, each track contributing to a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences. “There are themes of fear, obsession, dreams, sadness, and anger… but to be simple about it, ‘I Need a Battle’ is a reminder to confront the things that scare us. It’s not a new idea, but it’s one that humans seem to need constant reminding of, myself included. I’m confronting things when I write these songs and I hope that they can help others to do the same,” MacLeod elaborates.
To expand the universe of 'I Need a Battle' even further, Macleod collaborated with director Oscar Keys on a short film by the same name. “The idea for creating a piece like 'I Need A Battle' was born not long after meeting each other. Working together quickly revealed to be very synergistic, which is really rare.” Keys reflects. As co-directors, MacLeod and Keys were able to explore the themes of the EP whilst being sure to leave space for audience interpretation. “I Need A Battle (the film) is not trying to be prescriptive about how the music should be imagined, and to this note, it’s purposefully open-ended," Keys states.
Filming was the result of extensive planning from both MacLeod and Keys. “We had done so much work in the lead up to filming, and so on the day, with Neil being the only actor, there was really very little for me to dissect,” Keys explains. The dedication of the crew and MacLeod’s commitment to the role added depth to the project. “I think there is always this interplay or exchange between performers and people behind the camera, and I think it’s a good sign when you can feel this vibe while filming,” Keys adds.
The EP showcases the collaborative efforts of several talented musicians. Sam Thompson contributed to the writing on ‘Tunnel Vision’ and ‘Never Over,’ while Leonardo Coghini added his piano skills to ‘I Need a Battle’ and ‘Coda.’ Salina Fisher brought her violin expertise to ‘Coda,’ enhancing its emotional depth. The EP was ultimately mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer Ryan Schwabe, ensuring a striking and cohesive finish.
‘I Need A Battle’ releases via Aotearoa, New Zealand’s independent label Particle Records on Friday, 23rd August, promising a profound experience for listeners. Through MacLeod’s evocative music and the accompanying short film, the EP invites audiences to confront their emotions and embrace their battles.