Budgee is the project of Canadian-born, Glasgow-based, songwriter Celine Brooks and Scottish musician Gareth Dickson (guitarist in Vashti Bunyan’s touring setup for over a decade, and a mainstay of Taylor Deupree's New York-based ambient label 12k). Budgee’s collaboration merges ethereal guitar soundscapes with alt-folk arrangements for a lyrical blend that is both rhythmic and atmospheric. Budgee’s first EP, Pell-Mell, was recorded by Ben Seal (bassist and occasional producer of Eliza Carthy), for release October 27th 2023.
When Budgee’s duo Celine Brooks and Gareth Dickson ended their eight-year romantic relationship, their EP Pell-Mell began to write itself.
Wrestling with the conventions of the classic break-up album, Pell-Mell sorts through the chaos and refuses to let go of the still warm embers of a dying fire.
Pell-Mell is five bittersweet dialogues about reframing and cultivating intimate love without the obligation for the traditional trappings of romance or family. Antagonistically combining seductive melodic arrangements with unsentimental lyrical candour, the EP takes on the form of simmering conflict. Acoustic guitar riffs mimic ambient soundscapes, with muted strings attenuating across a range of ethereal filters. But just as Pell-Mell ripples with hazy, illusory romanticism, so too the accompanying vocals drip with acidic self-awareness and delivered with unnerving sweetness.
Pell-Mell is Budgee’s first truly collaborative release. While previous tracks have featured individually authored components, this new EP is the clear-sighted confluence of an elusive experimental style with rhythmic pop delivery. It is the first of two EPs that reflect not only on a shared loss but also on an ongoing exchange about entwined futures and enduring affection.
“The whole time we were together we never collaborated. It took us breaking up to be able to relax enough to be together musically,” says Budgee. “Our break-up was at odds with a traditional falling out. With it, new growth suddenly became possible.”
"There's a sincerity and Warmth found across the record, as alt-folk and America indebted instrumental parts twinkle and shuffle beneath Brooks' gorgeous vocals, calling to mind the likes of Mazzy Star's Hope Sandoval or Katy J Pearson" - The Skinny
"Song of the year" - Raging Bull (producer for Roddy Hart Show BBC scotland)
Gareth Dickson
“an artist of real originality... haunting” The Wire Magazine“ethereal, hazy melancholy”
- 4 stars Mojo Magazine
“Dickson’s music creeps in to some deeper unconsciousness or otherworldly space... some kind of waking dream” Decoder Magazine
“Where Dickson excels is with his unique use of the guitar as a sound making body. A glorious object in which to explore rich landscapes and acoustic ambience. This is beautiful music, music in the act of levitation, a ghostly presence; almost tangible but never within reach.” Mark Harwood, Fire Records.
Based around the acoustic guitar, Gareth Dickson’s songs employ analogue delay and reverb in an attempt to recreate something of the feel of ambient/electro as well as referencing some of the well known fingerpickers of the past. Sometimes entirely instrumental, sometimes with sparing vocals, always with the idea of exploring and finding new possibilities for an age old instrument. Melodically deriving some of their substance from a deep and long standing love of classical music, but in rawness owing not a little to the
delta blues. Dickson has toured extensively as Vashti Bunyan’s guitarist and collaborator since 2006 when she heard his music and asked him to accompany her. He has also recorded and toured as a solo artist with Juana Molina. Along the
way he has worked with many well respected pioneering musicians from his own generation and previous, including Devendra Banhart, Coco Rosie, Max Richter, David Byrne and Joe Boyd (producer of Nick Drake, The Incredible
String Band etc).
His first full-length release, Collected Recordings (2009, Drifting Falling)made the top 10 in a number of best of year lists. Since then he has released three further studio albums and a live recording, each being met with real critical acclaim from the most respected publications in music.
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