DROP OF THE MONTH: #06

“breathe for you” - Solomon Crook

Raised in the Coromandel, alternative artist Solomon Crook has released his heart-wrenching sophomore single in collaboration with Neil McLeod and Devin Abrams (Pacific Heights). The brilliant writing & production allows for the vulnerable track to switch seamlessly between delicacy & intensity, while showcasing Crook’s out-of-this-world vocal ability.

Congrats on your new track - it’s a beautiful masterpiece. Where did you get the initial idea and inspiration for the song?

Solomon Crook: Over the summer of 2020 I set up my studio in Opoutere on the Coromandel (where I grew up) to write and create. The initial spark for this song came from a guitar loop I was playing around with, which ended up being the basis of the chorus idea. 

Can you tell us about the meaning behind the track?

Solomon Crook: At this time there were loved ones in my life suffering. I wanted to write a song for them, to say “I am here, I know you can get through this”. Reflecting on the idea of breathe, something that is so natural to us yet so powerful; this song was me saying “let me hold the weight of this, you don’t have to breathe alone”.

What lyrics from the song do you connect to the most and why?

Solomon Crook: “I’ll breathe for you, if you ask me to” - this line for me captures the essence of the song, holding space for someone, the willingness to do anything for someone to help them.

“Kisses that break through the violence” - this lyric reflects the moments of pain I was seeing my loved ones in, but also seeing the beauty beneath the surface reaction, knowing they had it in them to break through.

We absolutely love those lines too! What were some of your main highlights working on the song?

Solomon Crook: The main highlight was booking out an Air Bnb an hour out of Wellington for a few days, and having my friends come stay to work on the track, a lot of my friends feature instrumentally in some way on this track. It was a lovely collaborative time.

Lastly, would you rather have the ability to breathe underwater or walk on water?

Solomon Crook: Definitely breathe under water, I think being able to swim around with fishes and explore the depths would be so amazing!

Thanks so much Solomon! Make sure to keep up with him on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify or Apple Music.