The song ‘Double A Side 2 (Akaroa / Erica And The Stars)’ by Reetoxa lies in an interesting position between personal songwriting and extensive production. Although Jason Mckee is drawing on his own deep personal experiences, the final result goes beyond a simple account of his own life; memory, loss, imagination and recovery influence the creative process and give the EP a reflective character which becomes more obvious as the ideas in it develop.
The way the project relates to its setting is especially noteworthy. McKee first became connected with Akaroa as a result of a surprising dream and that link stayed unresolved until he made a subsequent trip to the New Zealand town, which then brought the song back to him. This odd pathway establishes a fascinating link between memory and the actual location. In other parts, the imagery involving Erica and the stars takes the project into a more imaginative atmosphere, and this contrast contributes to the overall depth of the presentation.
Giving these ideas their full scope is something that production does. The band’s recording sessions were held at The Avenue Recording Studio in Cheltenham, Victoria, and the orchestral work was carried out in Budapest. Simon Moro was in charge of production, mixing and mastering, and Luke Crouch acted as engineer. The fact that James Ryan, Peter Martin, Kit Riley, Terry HarT, Jessica Mcpherson-Riley and the Budapest Orchestra are involved means that there is a large creative group surrounding Mckee’s songwriting.
The impression that remains with the listener is that this project is not just another item in a list. It shows an artist who has turned experiences which could have had a negative impact on him into a constructive and creative outlet. “Double A Side 2” displays ambition, vulnerability, and a strong conviction about the ability of songwriting to bring about transformation. As a result of the project, Reetoxa has developed a well-defined artistic identity and a body of work based on experiences which could not have been made up.
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