The eponymous title track to their up-coming EP due out in early May, Tether is the work of Kirikiriroa-based Rachel Hope Peary and Nicholas Joseph Walsh, collectively known as Big Sigh. What I like about this track is the fearlessness and creativity to produce a number and lead with it without the intent of commercial radio as a destination.

Allow me to elaborate…

Tether is six minutes and seventeen seconds long. It’s an ethereal vocal performance from both artists, lead by Rachel and with an unexpectedly yet successfully added second vocal from Nicholas that’s less BV and more an alt lead vocal. The concept could be exemplified by referring to the twin vocal of If I Fell from the early days of the Beatles – but I’m not comparing these tracks, just explaining the vibe of the twin vocal presence. Did I explain it well? I shall hope so.

The vocal is top range soprano from Rachel, delivered in a semi-breathy way that retains a full-throatedness. Nice. Nicholas adds a tenor/alto vocal, and all is undertowed with a constant harmonium buzz courtesy of Rachel. We have some extremely gentle guitars, percussion and piano by Nicholas, and Indian Harp – Swarmandal – from Rachel. Recording took place in Roundhead, produced by De Stevens. It’s organic and feels alive, yet it’s low tempo and very easy to become a mantra for someone who needs to anchor.

From the EPK:

“I wrote this song as a mantra for myself to drop into when I got overwhelmed,” notes Hope Peary. “It is short and repeats so that I can sing it repeatedly as an anchor of sorts. It evolved from a dream I had of myself as a tree that sat beside a river, its roots in the earth, steady and grounded while also stretching up, its leaves dancing in the wind. It’s a reminder that I am always connected to all things, and to feel that in connection to earth, water, wind, sound.”

Now that the song has been shared Hope Peary reflects “I feel tender and grateful. The song is something that feels alive to me, so the recording needed to reflect that. It’s a mantra that I use regularly in my practice, so it’s precious and vulnerable to share.”

This is not a song intended for commercial radio and TV land. That’s a great thing to do, in my opinion. We need to conceive of the fact that music sits in all things we do. This is a song for meditation, for yoga, for a peaceful re-centre of one’s day. I seriously commend a band for pushing the message that music does not necessarily always mean TV and charts. Functionality can be good, and can be worthwhile.

Kudos to Big Sigh for this, and I hope the EP is a big success. Great release!