"I always dreamed of making an album like this," says Brooke Aved, a staple of the Austin, TX singer-songwriter scene, "And I just wasn't going settle for anything less than perfection."
Great Escape – Aved's new full-length triumph, is an impeccable sonic odyssey, melding traditional melodic ingenuity with futuristic aural flare. Acoustic guitars lay the foundation for high-voltage bass and synthesized soundscapes, with Aved's ever-flawless vocals soaring well beyond the stratosphere. Called "roots-electro" or "fiendish-acid-folk," the resulting sound is at once contemporary and cutting-edge.
"Some songs have lived in my repertoire for more than 10 years" states Aved. "For me it was imperative that the record be a rebirth of sorts so that even my long time fans would feel like they were hearing the tracks for the first time."
Great Escape marks Aved's first foray into the electronic world, a step that was not taken lightly. With famed producer Stephen Miller of Millasound Studios at the helm, Aved took four years to assidously configure 10 acoustic songs into works of electronic art. Long compared to far ranging stars such as Joni Mitchell and Sheryl Crow, Aved is now best matched to personal hero Sarah McLachlan, whose pop songs have often been successfully retooled into dancefloor favorites.
An astute observer of life, Aved mines personal experience to craft the album's lyrical themes, fashioning vignettes that delve deeply into transition, romance, heartbreak, healing, and forgiveness. From the palpable pulse of "Diluted," to the luscious "Sweet Invitation," to the climactic title track, Great Escape is, at its core, a revealing emotional narrative. Peel away the layers of galvanized melodic swing and sweet musical alchemy, and you get a panoramic view of a talented songbird still learning how to fly.
"We are shaped by our experiences, both good and bad," says Aved. "Throughout my life, writing music has been my lightning rod, allowing me the freedom to create closure and gain perspective. It is truly my great escape."
