The Burning That Stayed

Melbourne's Reetoxa turns a decade of love, a pandemic breakdown, and a Budapest orchestra into something that feels impossibly fragile and completely alive.

There exists an oft-unrecognized form of pain that creates chaos in a person's life through the gradual accumulation of many different nuances. Within this definition of pain are the various relationships, some of which were very meaningful, that died quickly either through time or tragic events.

Unfortunately, Jason McKee has experienced this kind of pain acutely and globally across every aspect of his life. As an example – during the lockdown, when most of the world was subject to quarantine, Jason was writing ten songs a day, living off of a croissant and cigarettes and functioning on only as much sleep as was necessary to remain upright. According to Jason, he ended up spending six weeks in a hospital as a result of his pain. Within that time frame, Jason experienced what he called an "embodied" experience of a song, which took the form of a small, warm burning sensation that traveled along his spine.

"The love keeps burning while laying still."

Jason McKee, Reetoxa

The track "Love Keeps Burning Still" sounds like it could have been made in complete chaos, which is what makes it so disorienting. The piano and string arrangement has such an intimate and tender vibe, as if someone took years perfecting something they may only confess to once.

The piece also exists in a space that is equal parts classical restraint and profound emotional vulnerability; the same place where the majority of people have their 3 AM confessions. An independent artist from South Melbourne taking that creative risk and actually delivering a successful result is something that people have difficulty believing. When some of McKee's friends first heard the song while gathered together in Lorne, located on the Great Ocean Road, that's pretty much what happened!

The list of musicians involved with the record is a virtual who's who of Australia's best and brightest. On bass guitar is Kit Riley, Guitarist James Ryan, and drummer Peter Marin make up the rhythm section; they do not need any further introduction as they are well known musicians in this country.

Jessica McPherson-Riley was brought into this project for the duet by Kit Riley, who, again, is another one of Australia's most celebrated and acclaimed musicians. Terry Hart, on piano is another respected member of the Australian musical community; he recently returned from tour in the USA's west coast. Finally, the producer of the album, Simon Moro, met McKee after three decades of writing songs alone; working with a collaborator usually results in changes in the work produced.

Along with all these outstanding artists there is a big irony in this song but one that McKee does not avoid: it is his addiction to creating music that destroyed his marriage but it is that same addiction that created this tribute to his wife and now the subject of this amazing song. This song is written with a level of honesty that makes it incredible rather than completely trying to resolve the irony that is naturally there.

"Love Keeps Burning Still" is the centrepiece of the soon to be released dual disc album; the contrast of the gentle tones in this song juxtaposed against all of the other songs on the album is no doubt intentional.