We Speak Music
Shannon Smith- “I’m Gonna Change”
Following the success of his debut single, “Dance The Night Away,” which claimed the #1 spot on the Australian AIR charts, Shannon Smith is now set to release his poignant sophomore release, “I’m Gonna Change.”
“I’m Gonna Change” takes listeners on a musical journey that diverges sharply from Smith’s earlier upbeat hit. This track delves into the raw emotions of a man grappling with the fear of losing love. Smith’s introspective lyrics, “I am tryin’ / I am dyin’ / In myself / When I’ve done wrong,” lay bare the complexities of personal redemption and the desperate promises of reform made to salvage a relationship.
Steeped in the rich tradition of Western Australian folk-rock, the song draws parallels to the evocative soundscapes of Cruel Guards-era The Panics and echoes the spirit of The Waifs during their London endeavours. The song seamlessly shifts Smith’s focus, demonstrating a surefooted evolution in his musical journey.
As Smith pledges to change and move beyond past mistakes, “I’m Gonna Change” unfolds in an orchestrally epic fashion, signalling that these lyrics are not empty promises but rather the foundation for a transformative journey. This gripping release leaves listeners eagerly anticipating future chapters in Shannon Smith’s evolving musical narrative.

We Speak Music
Christian Balvig releases gorgeous new album ‘Find And You Will Seek’ in collaboration with Ensemble Hermes.
Acclaimed composer and arranger Christian Balvig is known for his work with an array of artists and bands like Jade, Efterklang, Lowly, When Saints Go Machine and Mew, as well as his work with some of the most acclaimed orchestras like Royal Northern Sinfonia (BBC Proms), The Royal Danish Orchestra, Copenhagen Phil, London Contemporary Orchestra, The Danish Radio Broadcast Orchestra and The Norwegian Wind Ensemble.
The cinematic sound on his new album might echo Balvig’s work in the world of film and TV music. Scoring the 2025 Oscar shortlisted short movie ‘Eternal Father’ and the Danish hit series ‘Cry Wolf’ (Ulven Kommer), which has been shown on television in more than 30 countries around the globe, including Channel 4 in the UK. He was also nominated for a Harpa award for ‘Best score’ last year at the Berlinale for ‘The Son and the Moon (Min Arv Bor I Dig)’.
Balvig’s new album, ‘Find And You Will Seek’, backed by Danish string group Ensemble Hermes, grew organically out of this background of experiences and is music that appeals to listeners seeking original, immersive music with space for reflection and contemplation.
‘Find And You Will Seek’ is a collection of chamber works that explore the combination of piano and strings in new ways. Recent single ‘The BirdSuite II – Praesentia’ is part of a 3-part Suite running throughout the record, written and performed on a custom made “Keybird” piano, which is an una-corda (one string pr note) piano that gives a more subtle and intimate sound. On top of it is a lush and emotional string ensemble arrangement with Ensemble Hermes in multiple layers fluctuating in and out of the keybird piano.
Balvig’s second single from the record is ‘What Happened To The World’, an ultra transparent neo-classical inspired piece, with slow melodic structures, a simple chord progression and emotional performance starting with a floating viola solo. It is written from the feeling that the world sometimes goes backwards, and you feel left on the platform wanting to take the train in a different direction.
From film music inspired pieces to experimental chamber music over piano concerto inspired movements, to more neo-classical productions with almost orchestral sounding dubs of strings, ‘Find And You Will Seek’ flows with emotions and lush sound worlds, always with a tangible organic texture.
Find Christian Balvig and Ensemble Hermes on tour in Denmark:
27.5 Ansgars Kirke (Odense)
28.5 Folkegaarden Festival (Aalborg)
29.5 Gnisten (Ry)
30.5 Musikhuset (Aarhus)
1.6 Basement (Copenhagen)

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