Born in Catalonia to a British mother, trained in Performance Art, and a Thai father, working in a hospice in the slums of Bangkok, Uma’s upbringing of travel and diversity in encounters has inspired chords of empathy; the affinity to those around her bleeds naturally into her music.
Although initially classically trained in violin from the age of four years old, Uma has found innovation in various genres and performers, citing Joni Mitchell, Buika, Ella Fitzgerald, Nico, Macy Gray, Bebel Gilberto, Shakira and Florence and the Machine. “I was surrounded with a lot of jazz and bossa nova at home and through my studies of violin, also spent a lot of time studying classical music. Later on, becoming more exposed to the likes of pop, I realised how much I enjoyed the fluidity of genres and sounds.”
Her BA in Music saw her continue perusing what came naturally to her, and aspiring to create with like-minded, young talent, Uma set up music residency “Can Obert” in her house in Spain with Luke Bower (Lucy Lu). Over twenty-five young artists and musicians, including Alice Bloomfield, Max Pope, Amy May Ellis and Nilüfer Yanya collaborated to create over twenty songs in a week, continuing for numerous years and becoming more experimental.
She released the debut EP ‘Bel-li’ earlier this year, a combination of classical arrangements, Spanish guitar and folk-pop, “all about home and falling into a great love. Late night bowls of spaghetti in your belly. Endless summers watching the sunset from my roof.”
Uma’s current collaboration with Lucy Lu began when he flew to Spain at the beginning of the pandemic: “it was the first time in years we had the time and space to write together. Learning to share a creative space has been a real lesson in loving someone, being honest and having a sense of humour.”
Newest offering ‘Bring Me The Mountain’ shows the duo combining their distinct vocals and creating a blend of delicate, yearning pop with subtle strokes of percussion, “there’s definitely an exploration of acoustic and electronic sounds,” Uma explains, “I think that is a result of the balance of Luke’s style and my own.”
“The track is about being seen when you are in pain and vulnerable,” she continues, “it’s about the people who help you out of that and the people who stand by and watch.” It’s a dreamy listen that feels at once comforting yet urgent.
“Uma brings a sense of clarity to the writing process along with a playfulness. Because of the relationship we have, I can talk about subjects I wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing with anyone else,” says Luke. “Working together, the music develops in a natural yet unpredictable way.”
‘Bring Me the Mountain’ is an extension into the warm sonic world that Uma creates, drenched in humanity and vulnerability.
lyrics
You can trace the scars on my outlines
I know that you can read them like a street sign
Couldn’t even swim in the red tide
As you sat by me on the bath side
Couldn’t believe it
The days and the ways we received it
In the weeks introspective
Didn’t think you could confess it
Bring me the mountain
Before the end of the world
Bring me the mir and the incense
Covered in gold
Tell me a story
Show me your dark
Give me a hand down
Your eyes looking up
Tell me a story
Before the end of the world
Could they see when I was inside out?
Did she listen when you preached?
Wash away your doubt
Holy water, little did she know
You’d let the ocean take its toll
You want the words to come
Spilling like a stream
Cut the blood from the rust
As it gushes out of me
Is there pleasure in the pain
Even if it’s agony?
You could trust there was love
If you only had
Bring me the mountain
Before the end of the world
Bring me the mir and the incense
Covered in gold
Tell me a story
Show me your dark
Give me a hand down
Your eyes looking up
Tell me a story
Bring me the mountain
Before the end of the world
Oh if we had a penny
For every lie that you told
It’s alright (it’s alright)
If you’re not fine (if you’re not fine)
It’s alright (it’s alright)
Life’s too short to run away
I want to stay with
Life’s too short to run away
I want to stay with
credits
released October 19, 2020
Performed by : Uma , Lucy Lu
Written by: Uma Bunnag Blacker, Luke Bower
Mixed & Produced by: Uma Bunnag Blacker, Luke Bower
Engineer : Luke Bower
Mastering: Kevin Tuffy
Artwork & Photography: Denys Blacker
Lyricist: Uma Bunnag Blacker, Luke Bower
Press Pics: Denys Blacker, Ay Mama Studio
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