The Self Help Group - Tillie's Dream

BBE Music presents ’Tillie’s Dream’, a delightful alternative folk song by Brighton collective ‘The Self Help Group’, accompanied by a soul-stirring, downtempo remix from Sumsuch.

Formed by songwriter Mark Bruce in 2009, The Self Help Group made waves across the folk and alt-country world with debut album ‘Not Waving But Drowning’, described as “Absolutely Wonderful” by Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2.

‘Tillie’s Dream’ never made it onto an album, but Sumsuch heard The Self Help Group perform it at a live show and it immediately stood out to him. “I loved the song just as it was, but right then and there a different version popped into my head, virtually fully-formed; something that’s never happened to me before. I begged Mark for the parts and got to work right away”.

Big drums and warm, rolling synths dominate Sumsuch’s remix, juxtaposing the delicate vocals and ukuleles of the original version. His is a complete reinterpretation of the track, changing the chord progression altogether and showing flashes of Flaming Lips- esque alternative Indie alongside his usual soulful sonic palette.

Mark Bruce wrote ‘Tillie’s Dream’ in appreciation of a beloved mural in Asbury Park, New Jersey (known as Tillie), which was demolished in 2004. Summoning up images of faded seaside grandeur, it’s is a sweetly wistful and powerfully evocative folk piece, ending with a truly infectious vocal refrain.

Release Date: April 10th 2020
Format: Digital EP