Oli Morris ft: Stevie Toddler - Henry’s Turtle (Single)
“Henry’s Turtle” is the new single from California-born, Bristol-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Oli Morris, taken from his upcoming EP “A Brief Return to Solitude” (Out Friday 27th October). Inspired by a hectic and challenging touring schedule, which led to a period of burnout and mental volatility, the track takes the listener on a flowing journey through tension and release.
“Henry’s my middle name. My friends used to say I acted like a turtle when I had slow days… This was significant to this track because at the time I felt very out of control in a lot of situations. It was coming out of that phase where I was able to regain control of my own actions and decisions”.
Harmonic hypnosis comes in the form of vocals from fellow Bristolian, bassist, and vocalist Stevie Toddler. Utilising the space in the track between instrumentation and the voice of Oli’s saxophone, her vocals thread the musicality of the track together, creating a moment to reflect, consider and let go. “The melody for this track came first”, Oli explains, “I had a topline I wanted to use for years but couldn’t find the right context. The lyrics took a while to write as I wanted to make sure they appropriately reflected what I’d been through”. Totalling 30-50 live performances during the summer of 2021, Oli Morris found himself in an incredibly exhausting and toxic environment that he had to take a step back from. “Henry’s Turtle” reflects this time as a journey to finding a sense of peace and contentment, with oneself and that around you.
These themes are echoed across “A Brief Return to Solitude”, as Oli Morris explores trauma, regret, and recovery. He passes on the lessons he has learnt over these periods of growth to the listener, weaving together an emotionally honest and cathartic picture of self-reflection. The EP features offerings from Chrissie Huntley and Tomppa Coates (vocals), Sam Fox (bass), Ollie Grant (drums) and Snazzback-member Eli Jitsuto (guitar).
Oli Morris began writing lyrics at a young age; striving to make pop music but thwarted by not knowing how to play the guitar. By the time he learnt – around age fourteen –he became fascinated by Radiohead and particularly ‘Kid A’, allowing it’s sound and influence to let him into a world of music he’d never experienced before. His influences went on to extend to Slum Village, Jamiexx, Gorillaz and Madlib. Having picked up the saxophone after being discharged from the hospital at a young age, the instrument became his favourable and most consistent way of expressing himself, as demonstrated throughout this project.
Oli has collaborated with the likes of Emeli Sandé, Slowe, The Lion and the Wolf, Kios, received support from Somewhere Soul, Tina Edwards, Worm Discs, Adam Crowther (BBC Introducing Bristol) and Dan Alani and performed live at Bestival, SWX and Boomtown, alongside appearances at O2 venues in Islington, Bristol, and Oxford.