Chris Short feat. SJ Talbot - Flint & Steel (single)
Chris Short started singing on the open mic scene in Dublin in 2017 and he’s gone from strength to strength ever since. He has previously received support form the likes of RTÉ Radio, IMRO and The Vinyl District to name a few. Chris has worked closely in the studio with Beardfire Music - the label behind the likes of RUNAH, Martin McDonnell, KTG, Zoe Clarke, Kayli Sousa, Lauran Beth and who’s development work includes Patricia Lalor and William Franklyn Miller. Higher was produced by David Virgin, Rohan Healy and Al Quiff at Beardfire Studio, Dublin - a father and sons production team who, in their collective six decades of musical experience, have worked with the likes of Nick Cave, INXS, Leslie Dowdall (In TuaNua), Mary Black, The Cruel Sea, Cat Power, Billy Bragg and Lloyd Cole, to name but a few. Flint & Steel is the third single to be taken from Chris’ forthcoming EP, Somewhere, due for release in June 2021.
The single oozes delicacy as cascading folk sensibilities and twinkling shimmers of electronica are able to soar meticulously throughout. The two vocals compliment each other effortlessly, sounding akin to the likes of The Lumineers or Of Monsters and Men as a result. Talking about the single, Chris explains, “flint on its own doesn’t do much - and steel the same - but if you strike them together sparks fly. So much has to be in place to create the perfect environment, very similar to when two people come together and either connect or not. I also talk about the flip side were getting close to someone is great, but it has the potential to hurt when it goes wrong. Sometimes we take the risk and it pays off, sometimes we don’t allow something more than a one-night stand, as the song goes, ‘and no one gets hurt’.”
How will this story portrayed in the song end? Up to the listener to decide. Anything is possible, life has a great sense of humour and you never know what's around the corner. From the lyrics you may get the impression that it better stay the way it is so "no one gets hurt" but the matters of the heart are pretty unpredictable.
"Love, without love
who's to say it isn't love
If it's for forever or just for tonight"