Lorenzo Guevarra, having embraced the artistic spirit with renewed vigour, has unveiled his latest reflective offering, ‘Côtes du Rhône’. Released today, the new single marks a significant point for the Lorenzo, being the first piece crafted since his self-proclaimed "surrender to the will of the arts." Drawing inspiration from the raw authenticity of Leonard Cohen and the intense energy of Jim Morrison, Lorenzo paints a vivid picture of internal turmoil, aided by the rich sonic palette available at Manly Beach’s Rooftop Studio.
A deeply immersive piece, the instrumentation on ‘Côtes du Rhône’ is key to its atmosphere, featuring the warm tones of a Godin nylon-string guitar, the dreamy textures of a Fender Rhodes, and the soulful depth of a Hammond B3 organ. Co-produced with Tom Southey, known for his cinematic touch on projects like ‘Into the Sea’ and ‘Run River’, the track takes on Southey’s signature grand scale, amplifying the drama of a troubled soul’s weekend in solitary confinement.
The genesis of ‘Côtes du Rhône’ is a unique tale, adding to the personal nature of the piece. Written shortly after Lorenzo's return from Montréal, the title itself comes from a bottle of red wine, a thoughtful gift from a friend. As Lorenzo poetically suggests, the song was almost waiting for him at the bottom of that bottle. The reality, however, was a struggle with the urge to "drunk-dial" a former flame, wanting to share tales of his experiences in French-speaking Québec.
Fortunately, his newly acquired Godin guitar intervened, becoming the vessel for his emotional outpouring. Just as wine is poured into a glass, Lorenzo channelled his inner conflict into the instrument, and "Côtes du Rhône" was born.
While Lorenzo candidly admits his previous single was a “carry job” by Tom Southey, ‘Côtes du Rhône’ represents a shift in both focus, style, and control. Taking the “majority stake in the enterprise,” Lorenzo proudly offers listeners an intimate glimpse into what he fondly calls the "tortured troubadour’s (rainy) Sunday evening."
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