Temme Scott
One Foot In
Temme Scott is an LA based singer-songwriter with two LP’s and a host of singles to her name. If you’re a fan or Tori Amos and Sara Bareilles, you should put her in your favorites. She has the ability to tell a relatable story with a great hook, use common phrases and surprise you with her instrumentation and arrangements. She’s got a greater mastery of her craft than most artists I’ve encountered with two records. I’m willing to bet it’s because of the time spent gigging in her home town of Baltimore as well as her studies (and performances) abroad that enabled her to take her time and narrow in on a sound. That, plus playing residencies in LA is bound to help - and you don’t get those unless you’ve got some serious game. We think she does, here’s our review of her latest release, “One Foot In.”
Track starts softly with a piano riff, simple drum beat and a heavy droning tone in the back from some keys. Mood is heavy and dark from the start, matching the lyrics. I’m struck by the fact the key is D flat - very few contemporary writers use it (most notably Sara Bareilles). For my readers that aren’t musicians, the key signature of the song is primarily due to what the singer is most comfortable with (obviously), but choosing one with a lot of flats (or sharps) can make it more difficult to perform live for those on guitar and bass because it’s not a commonly used key. But, the result is that it instantly portrays a tone, especially when performed in a minor (sad) key, that is heavier and darker. It’s a great trick to employ that keeps your music sounding fresh. You don’t want every song you perform (or release) to be in the same key - you run the risk of repeating yourself. So, kudos to Temme for choosing this key - she could have easily gotten lazy and chosen D minor or C minor, but this is a wonderful and welcome change.
The melody holds tight to the piano riff, giving us a feel of tightly wound and tightly held emotions. It’s a broken hearted lyric, and she’s done a great job of matching the music to the mood of the text. Absolutely love the change in melody and chord progression on the six line - that is an expected surprise - damn that’s cool. When the chorus hits, she switches over to an acoustic based riff with no drums (at the start) and a very intimate lyrical performance. Absolutely adore how the feel opens up to a major key while she’s pouring her heart out, and, still incorporates the melody as we’ve switch to the relative major. That’s a beautiful chorus - the arrangement is painfully simple keeping the focus where it should be.
With the second verse there’s just the right amount of uptick in performance from the bass and guitar. We’re a little darker and heavier now with some added notes as she takes us back into the pain of this situation. The lyrics are stunning - it’s so hard to deal with someone you love that doesn’t love you, and all the challenges of what is left unsaid, and she’s nailed it. With the second chorus the drums join her right away and that’s fine with us. The melody is stuck in our head and we love the added texture. Interestingly, she rides the chorus out to the end with no bridge - but if you take the lyrics in their full context - the song doesn’t need it. She’s said everything she can (or couldn’t, if you read a particular side of it). Lastly, I have to say how much I love the acoustic guitar tone - raw and in the pocket. It’s not a pristine tone from a million dollar studio, but it matches perfectly. It reminds me of Patty Griffin’s trailblazing solo record - rumor has it most of that was cut in a bathroom as a demo - and it’s beautiful and perfect.
This track hits you like a brick, for a host of reasons. Lyrically, most of us have been in this situation. Vocally, the performance is gut wrenching. She’s got exceptional falsetto and a grit to her register that is perfect for songs like this. Sonically, it’s simple but very thick. That bass tone, and the key tones add a huge weight - as heavy as the lyrics. Rhythmically, the electronic pattern is like a heart beat, and it’s matched quite well with the acoustic patterns in the choruses and ride out. The mix is quite good. Put it all together and you’ve got one hell of a heartbreaking song that could bring her a great deal of attention. Well done, Temme.
Make sure you scroll down to check out here socials and other tracks. “July” is a favorite - a beautiful ballad at the start that has a massive change up in feel and tone about halfway through that’s awesome. “Steering Clear” has incredible lyrics, an intricate melody and fabulous production that expands the overall palate of her sound - shows a great depth to her work. Reading up on her socials, you’ll get the backstory to her unique name and catch some great live performances (like The Troubadour). Put her in your rotation of liked artists and songs, we think she’s going to be around for a long time.
Check it out now!