Lankum's Radie Peat weighs up "two extremes" of relationship on haunting debut solo single, 'Still I Love Him'

On a drizzly Dublin morning, Radie Peat, the vocalist of the critically acclaimed Irish folk band Lankum, sat amidst the misty veil that shrouds the city, her thoughts consumed by the complexities of love. It was here, amidst the grey skies, that Peat found the inspiration for her debut solo single, "Still I Love Him," a haunting reworking of a traditional love song that explores the darker, more turbulent aspects of romance.

Peat's interpretation of the song is a masterclass in subtlety, with the vocalist opting for an indirect approach that eschews explicitness in favor of nuance and emotional depth. "I like indirect," she explains. "I don't like being too explicit and I wanted the freedom to make decisions around my voice without having to explain myself." This approach is evident in the song's arrangement, which Peat crafted in collaboration with close friend and musical companion John Francis Flynn.

Flynn's discovery of the rare version of the song in the Irish Traditional Music Archives was the catalyst for Peat's solo project. He shared the song with Peat, who then built upon it with an intricate vocal arrangement, harmonies, and subtle tonal contrasts. The result is a song that defies easy categorization, veering between the somber and the romantic, the dark and the expansive.

For Peat, the song represents the two extremes that can exist when we experience love. "There has to be great love to go through that suffering," she notes. "I wanted the chorus brimming and gushing with romance represented in the vocals and instrumentally with the strings." This dichotomy is reflected in the song's arrangement, which juxtaposes minor chords and somber tones with a more expansive, romantic chorus.

Peat's decision to tackle this traditional song was a deliberate one, driven by her desire to explore the complexities of love. "I was trying to show the two sides of the coin here," she explains. "I was trying to get across the two extremes that can exist when we are experiencing love." This approach is characteristic of Peat's songwriting style, which often grapples with the darker aspects of human experience.

The song's themes are underscored by Peat's vocals, which convey a sense of vulnerability and intimacy. Her delivery is marked by a subtlety that belies the emotional depth of the song, which is both haunting and beautiful. The arrangement, too, is noteworthy, with Flynn's contribution adding a layer of depth and complexity to the song.

Peat's solo debut is a significant moment in her career, marking a departure from her work with Lankum. The band's Mercury Prize and Ivor Novello-nominated fourth studio album, "False Lankum," was released in 2023 to widespread acclaim, and the live album "Live In Dublin" followed last year. Lankum's music has also reached new audiences on screen, with songs like "Katie Cruel" and "The Granite Gaze" appearing in Netflix's House Of Guinness.

In addition to her solo single, Peat has also announced a small run of live dates in the UK, Ireland, and Europe. A pre-sale will begin on Thursday, July 9, at 10am, before general sale starts on Friday, July 10, at 10am. The tour will see Peat perform at venues like London's Union Chapel, Dublin's Vicar Street, and Amsterdam's Paradiso.

Peat's solo debut is a significant moment in her career, marking a new chapter in her artistic journey. With "Still I Love Him," she has created a song that is both haunting and beautiful, a nuanced exploration of the complexities of love. As she embarks on her solo tour, Peat is poised to captivate audiences with her unique voice and perspective.

As a writer, I am drawn to Peat's willingness to explore the darker aspects of love, and her commitment to creating music that is both beautiful and haunting. With "Still I Love Him," she has created a song that will resonate with listeners long after the music has faded away. And as she takes to the stage, her voice soaring above the crowd, it is clear that this is a solo debut that will be remembered for years to come.