“Seasons” signals a hazy, heartfelt evolution for Victoria indie rockers Blush.
Victoria-based indie rock band Blush. are easing into a new chapter with “Seasons,” a dreamy, 90s-influenced single and video that sets the tone for their upcoming sophomore EP Into The Grey, out May 1. Built on hazy textures, laid-back grooves, and a soft, immersive atmosphere, the track feels both reflective and deeply rooted in the band’s origins. We caught up with Blush. vocalist and guitarist Anton Wilson to talk about the looping, dream-like feeling behind “Seasons,” reconnecting with the band’s roots, and what listeners can expect from Into The Grey.
“Seasons” feels intentionally dreamy and unhurried. What headspace were you in when you wrote it, and how did you know this was the right song to introduce the next chapter for the band?
It was a moment of reflection. I start writing most of our music on my acoustic guitar at home – when I brought it to the band it held a special spot where we didn’t want to add too much noise. We didn’t think too hard on why this would be a great introduction for the next chapter honestly, it just felt right.
You’ve said “‘Seasons’ feels like a dream that just keeps looping.” Can you talk a little more about that idea – both lyrically and sonically – and how it shaped the final version of the track?
Yeah definitely. There’s this floaty theme of repetition throughout the rhythms, breaks, and lyrics. Lyrically, It’s like you’re replaying a conversation in your head. The words slightly change but nothing really resolves. Sonically, it’s mirrored – there isn’t this big climax it just circles back around. The song just gives me this hit of nostalgia that feels like a recurring dream and the final track came together in what felt very organic.
The song leans heavily into hazy, 90s-influenced textures while still feeling very current. What artists, records, or sounds were quietly influencing you during the making of “Seasons”?
In this vein, we’re all fans of some similar bands/sounds. To name a few: Elliot Smith, Alex G, Big Thief, Radiohead, Slow Pulp, etc. – So maybe it’s that blend of era’s that brings a little influence our way.
The video mirrors the song with its soft focus visuals and dream-like pacing. How did the visual concept come together, and what feeling did you want viewers to walk away with after watching it?
The video is actually a fun compilation put together from our trip to play at Sled Island last year. Rosie has this little old handheld cam from when she was a kid that was easy and fun to take around with us. I just tried my best to make the footage fit the theme and feeling of the song. If you watch the video I’d love to know what it makes you feel – for us it’s just a memory.
You’ve described “Seasons” as a song that speaks strongly to your roots as a band. In what ways does this track reconnect you with how Blush. first started writing and playing together?
Well, Blush. started as a friendship project. We all worked together. Eric and I started jamming with our acoustic guitars often – we soon found out Renata could play piano and Rosie could play the fiddle, so we decided to get together for a couple jams. It was very stripped back but became a regular gathering. Seasons reconnects us with that stripped back energy. Since then, we found out Eric was the best drummer, a bass guitar and a fiddles both have 4 strings, and that synths are alien sounds dressed as pianos.
Your upcoming sophomore EP In The Grey arrives May 1 and is described as capturing the band at both your loudest and most restrained. How does “Seasons” fit into the broader emotional and sonic arc of the EP?
I don’t want to give away too much, but.. Seasons feels like a sonic reprieve in the whole picture of In the Grey. We live on this foggy island a couple hours off the coast of BC, and our EP is a just record of time and place.
After releasing your 2024 EP Still Wet, what felt most important for you to explore or evolve on In The Grey – and how do you feel this new EP represents where Blush. are right now as a band? And what can listeners expect?
Still Wet was an amazing ‘live off the floor’ experience very early on in our time as a band, and it definitely jump-started our project. We actually recorded that EP months before we played our first show together thanks to an emerging artist program through Barnhouse Sound. In the Grey is our first proper multi-day studio record, and it came after a couple years of playing and writing together. It felt important to timestamp these songs and our progress as a group, while also pointing towards where we are headed next. Colin at The Hive took great care of us. He created a really safe, supportive space for us to get these ideas out and helped us produce an EP we’re genuinely excited about. Expect a wide variety of Blush.