Slow Wade from Delve by Underwards
The underpinning feature of Slow Wade is the constant, angular but ambling melody on trumpet, voice and bass. Gradually improvised guitar and drums creep in, building to an erratic frenzy that hits a climax when a new trumpet melody enters, sailing over it all, and the piece gradually calms to a close. Slow Wade is about exactly what its title says, but also, in Ellen’s words, “it’s reminiscent of the kind of mental self-regulation that I seek, and mostly find, when I get out into nature.”
Ellen recounts; “Sometimes when I feel stressed or burnt out I like to take day trips out of the city, and explore. Wandering around Gerringong on NSW's South Coast in late 2017 I found a lovely rocky ocean pool and as I waded lazily through the water a string of notes came to me which I whistled in time with my footsteps. Recording this into my phone, I later developed it into this sketch for Underwards. I think what it has developed into through several performances is reminiscent of the kind of mental self-regulation and calming that I seek, and mostly find, when I get out into nature.”
