Australia’s hardest working production duo Set Mo (Nick Drabble & Stu Turner) have spent the past year working relentlessly, composing and writing songs inspired by their travels and personal experiences. Having spent time in studios across London, Amsterdam, Berlin and Australia, teaming up with the likes of Touch Sensitive, Happiness is Wealth, AJ Wright (Cloud Control), Asta and Julian Hamilton (The Presets), the duo have released their mammoth 16-track debut album “Surrender.”
Where many artists would opt to take a break to complete their work, often shutting themselves away, Set Mo approached the writing process in a completely new way. Their plan to write whilst touring and travelling, punctuating the writing process with special locations to draw inspiration.
Having had the original idea to release a new track every month throughout 2018, they stuck to their guns, committed to writing and composing a diverse volume of work. Despite their touring and show schedule around their own successful sell out club brand Stamina Sessions, they managed to deliver every time. In spite of the challenges this presented, they were inspired to name their album ‘Surrender’ after the notion of “truly surrendering to your art.”
The result is a sublime album of Electronica, Vocal House, Deep House and Breakbeat featuring a plethora of vocalists from around the world. With influences from the UK house sound, 90’s rave and even Brian Eno. In addition to the tracks they have released over the year they have presented five new exclusives. Surrender is a solid listen wherever you are, with tracks that translate on the dance floor, national radio and streaming playlists alike.
“It was a wild ride traveling around the world and working with so many amazing people on writing this music. From London, Berlin and Amsterdam to country NSW and the Adelaide Hills. These destinations really influenced the sounds on our album. We grew musically, as producers and as people during this journey.”—Set Mo
Set Mo planned their release year meticulously, kicking off with the adrenaline-inducing single “Nightmares,” featuring Scott Quinn, created whilst in London. As well as a deep Breakbeat feel the track was inspired by the darker feelings of anxiety that was reflected in a special video. Next to be released was “Unity,” written in a Berlin hotel room, a nod to the 90s electronic club scene. Followed by “Near,” the track shows the duo’s undeniable flair for delivering feel-good house grooves featuring the sultry vocals of Asta.
The journey continued with ‘Communicate’, written during a ten-day writing trip off the grid in Australia, then ‘Fault Lines’ the result of an Amsterdam trip, continuing the feel-good vibe.
“It feels surreal and amazing to have finished our first album. We’re incredibly proud of it – ‘Surrender’ is a collection of our most personal and diverse songs we’ve ever written.” Set Mo
Other key moments include “Wish You Were Here,” with an infectious top line co-written by Julian Hamilton of The Presets. “Down The Line” featuring Cloud Control’s AJ Wright, which includes Set Mo’s signature rolling bass and skipping beats. “Stuck,” written in the same London studio where the duo wrote their gold certified single “White Dress.” “Afterglow,” a club-worthy track featuring the vocals of Thandi Phoenix. The final track of the series “Surrender,” features a spoken word sample from legendary British record producer Brian Eno, invoking the powerful idea behind surrendering to one’s art.
The 5 new songs included add further context to the boy’s year long story with the soft and gentle “Counter Human Emotion Ft. Woodes”. Laid-back track “Bergamot” features uplifting synths, creating a perfect reflection of an Australian sunset. “I’ll Be There Ft. Happiness is Wealth” is a deep and atmospheric track, featuring powerful vocals throughout. “You Don’t Know Why” contains dreamy percussion and emotive keys, and the final new addition is ‘Woodburn’, driven by percussion, including spine-tingling piano chords and enticing vocal samples, making it a powerful closing track.
All together this is a very diverse album showing the breadth and depth of Set Mo’s production skills. Set Mo remain an outstanding product of the vibrant Australian House scene, which has produced some of the biggest stand out artists and releases of late. With Set Mo tipped to be the next break out act of the Southern Hemisphere becoming recognised names in the world Electronic Music landscape. Look out for their live show coming in 2019.
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