SPEAK! is a new collaborative project by Birmingham based songwriter and producer Jake Parsons. It’s a product of a childhood growing up on Stevie Wonder, Jackie Wilson and Aretha Franklin, a later discovery of UK Hip Hop artists such as Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, Little Simz and Loyle Carner, and covers just about everything in between. SPEAK! is underpinned by collaboration. With a wide range of artists featuring across the project, Jake often takes the backseat acting as a producer just as frequently as fronting the songs himself.
On Wednesday 11th September, SPEAK! makes its recording debut with WAKING UP, before celebrating the release with a debut gig, performing as a 10-piece live band on Friday 13th September.
Jake dissects the track:
“WAKING UP is about trying to find a partner in a chronically online world. It’s about the inherent conflict of glamorising an “old-fashioned”, sweep-you-off-your-feet love affair, but actually realising you might not be ready once that happens. Maybe we’re better off just switching off and waking up…
It’s one of those songs that’s been in the locker for a few years but never quite found its place. Really when I think about it, it was the genesis of SPEAK! and represents everything I’m trying to do with the project going forward. Me and Andy (Scarpello) – the singer on the record – have worked together on each other’s music for years and he really pushes me to get the best out of every song. I grew up with Max (Maczee P), starting our first childhood band together. It’s been incredible to watch his progression as an artist from afar, and then witness his passion and work rate first-hand when creating this tune together – the man re-wrote his verse 3 times!”