San Francisco artist Adam Brookes of Dangermaker shares a first listen to his sophisticated and synth-studded single “Piece of Mind”. Featured on Brookes’ own upcoming debut solo album; “Mind” encapsulates the connection between the fragments of thoughts, perspectives and the endless pursuit of inner peace and tranquility. Inspired by the constant shifts and tides of change that define the intricate and ever-evolving identity/identities of SF at large — Adam focuses the audio lens inward to shine a light on the musings about life in a city that is in the throes of technocratic upheavals, myriad capitalist interests, civil/human rights demonstrations and the drive toward creative, artistic innovation.

“Piece of Mind” recalls the busy hustle and bustle of city life in SF as seen from time-elapsed photography. From the towering ziggurats of Salesforce to the sinking hubris of the Millennium Tower — Adam Brookes brings the audience into the Bay-side metropolis of dreams and tech hegemony. Utilizing a style tailored after 80s iconic electro tones and the like; the track’s own titular world play ponders ideas of where one fits in as a piece or a part of San Francisco’s complicated puzzle whilst wanting and desiring a greater peace of mind and spirit. The keys rhythmically punctuate the acts and arts of motion, where the constant movements of industry and human habitation can be heard in a state of perpetual flux. “Piece of Mind” is an anthem for everyone, Bay Area-based or otherwise, who is striving to make sense of their world and environments that are in the imperfect tenses of clamor, confusion and an evolution that can be hard to gauge (or fully comprehend).

In Adam’s own words on the new track with thoughts on inspirations:

Much of the new music I'm writing lately seems to be directly affected by the experience of living in an ever-changing place like San Francisco and feeling a little like a fish out of water, even though I've lived in the city for 20 years now and put down roots with my family. I don't always mind that feeling, it can be inspiring actually, but also isolating and challenge your sense of self. “Piece of Mind” is a song I first started writing a few years ago and went through several iterations on, first inspired more out of anger & frustration and eventually isolation & anxiety over a feeling of not belonging as much. The fact that it happened around the time that I walked away from Dangermaker is probably not coincidence either. Originally it was a more hard-hitting guitar rock song, which evolved into something more electro pop as I drew on influences like Depeche Mode and New Order and more contemporary bands like The War on Drugs for my solo project, somewhere where pop meets rock meets electronic music. I am aware that piece of mind and peace of mind are two different things, although in my life lately one often leads to another, hence the song title. I have a piece of mind to give if you want to hear it, but peace of mind still eludes me sometimes... 

Catch Adam Brookes live on the following dates:

February 26 i San Francisco, CA at  Noise Pop @ Brick & Mortar

March 12 in San Francisco, CA at Neck of the Woods

April 23 in San Francisco, CA at Rickshaw Stop