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New Single “Spinning Blades” Released as Collaboration with FM Collective and Ken Stringfellow (Posies, REM, Big Star)

written by Hemlock Pop November 22, 2020

About fifteen years ago, I wrote a little sketch of a song that was a simple piano-based ballad about a struggling couple. It was abandoned and forgotten, and I barely gave it a second thought. Fast-forward to 2019/2020… My friend, Mike Lucero, of FM Collective (a non-profit in which most proceeds go to support Grammy’s MusiCares) contacted me and asked if I had any piano-based material to perhaps produce a single under the FM Collective umbrella. After a few head-scratches, I remembered the aforementioned track, “Spinning Blades”, found it on the old hard drive, and started messing with it again. Trivia: the title/hook/imagery “spinning blades” actually came from watching an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 (I think it may have been the episode where they rip on the creepy, hilariously bad 70’s flick, “The Touch of Satan“) where Mike Nelson says “walk into the spinning blades, it’s nice!”

Mike Lucero, Ira Merrill (Hemlock Pop), and Ken Stringfellow

We contacted another friend, Ken Stringfellow (Posies, REM, Big Star), to produce the track and had no idea how much the song would transform within the aura of his relentless, creative madness. I sent him the original demo, and it eventually went from tender, piano ballad to a shiny pop anthem reminiscent of Todd Rundgren, Steely Dan, Carly Simon, and Elvis Costello while still sounding very modern (someday I’ll record the original ballad version to mirror against). He also added a distinct, simple background hook. We brought in Colin Richey (Macklemore, Cloud Nothings, Portugal. The Man, Hey Marseilles) to commandeer the drums, and between the four of us, knocked out all the instrumentation and vocals — couldn’t be more pleased with the result.

The song can be found/attained in all the usual online places and streaming services (Spotify, etc.) and you can also grab it from my little online label, OrangePants Records. Enjoy!

New Single “Spinning Blades” Released as Collaboration with FM Collective and Ken Stringfellow (Posies, REM, Big Star) was last modified: November 22nd, 2020 by Hemlock Pop
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About Hemlock Pop

About Hemlock Pop

Pop + Poison

Ira Merrill (aka Hemlock Pop) is a singer / songwriter / recording artist / band geek and computer programmer currently residing in Seattle. He releases albums, performs live and pursues licensing original songs and production music to TV, film, video games, and more. He is the owner and curator of OrangePants Records which features his current and past musical endeavors, and music from his talented friends. Someday he will write a real bio.

“Something About Ruby” Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bN-GX6bJsUY

Listen To “Something About Ruby”

https://www.hemlockpop.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/04-Something-About-Ruby.wav

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  • New Single “Spinning Blades” Released as Collaboration with FM Collective and Ken Stringfellow (Posies, REM, Big Star)
  • Hemlock Pop Show Coming Up January 4, 2020
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  • Hemlock Pop & Brian Kerrigan – “Destroyer”
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