Get to Know Blunden: Independent Rock Trio blending Blues and Funk, Releases Their Latest Track 'Stained'
- Jodie Erica
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Milton Keynes band Blunden is back with their latest release, Stained, a track that’s all about reflection, heartbreak, and, ultimately, freedom! With raw, honest lyrics and an atmospheric Get to Know Blunden: Independent Rock Trio blending Blues and Funk, Releases Their Latest Track 'Stained'sound, the song totally captures that emotional rollercoaster of letting go while dealing with the messy aftermath of the past.
"Through nights and days, I’ve been scrambling my brain, who knew, it’s not the pain, the games get played and they’re not for you." From the first line, Stained hits hard, reminding us that it’s not always the pain that hurts the most, but those emotional games that just keep coming. It’s like that quiet frustration we all know, but also that moment of clarity when the fog starts to lift. Yep, we relate!
Musically, the track has this perfect blend of melancholy and optimism, like you're finally shedding the weight of someone’s presence and stepping into your own freedom. The chorus hits you right in the feels: "I’ve been going on my way, I’ll never be the same, thoughts of you had me stained, now we’re free from all the rain." It’s that emotional release from carrying something heavy for too long, and now it’s lifted. A weight off your shoulders. Beautifully cathartic!
The instrumentation is a vibe. Moody, reverb-drenched guitars, a steady drum pulse, and those lush, haunting vocals all build the track’s emotional story. It starts out introspective, like you're lost in your head, and then it slowly swells into something more powerful, a sonic transformation that mirrors the journey of emotional growth.
For me, Stained is about breaking free from the past, from toxic cycles, and from the person who once consumed your thoughts. It’s reflective, but also super empowering. It’s the kind of track that sticks with you long after it ends. That’s the feeling I get when I listen.
Blunden is carving out their place in the music scene with this emotionally charged anthem. And honestly, it’s a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to embrace those scars and keep walking stronger.
Stream Stained: Spotify - Apple Music
Get To Know: Blunden
Is there a story behind Stained? What inspired the track?
Dan: It’s about the rise and fall of the Blunden dynasty in 1755, though the lyrics don’t make that entirely clear.
Adam: Inspired by Black Dog by Led Zeppelin, the riff was written first, and the entire track was built around it. It took about an hour to get the main riff in a place where I was happy. Lyrically, the song explores the nature of human relationships, the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s about memories and how they shift over time, just like relationships do.
What vibe or message do you want people to take from it?
Dan: It’s less about the message and more about offering something fresh and different, dynamic but not confusing, and definitely not mainstream.
Adam: Dan nailed this. Music is personal, and people can take whatever they want from it. I wrote Stained from my perspective, but listeners can find their own meaning in it. That’s the beauty of music.
Any gigs, new music, or fun stuff coming up?
Adam: We’ve got two small tours planned for 2025, one will follow the release of our four singles (next one drops April 4th, with the last two in May). Then, in July, we’re putting out an EP that represents where we are musically right now. The four singles are the journey to the EP, so there’s plenty of gigs, music, and even a couple of videos in the works!
For someone who’s yet to hear Blunden, how would you describe your sound?
Dan: You’re in for a ride. We have a sound, but we flick between genres depending on how we write, produce, record, and mix. Since we do everything ourselves and everyone has input, you get a diverse mix, a bit of funk, soul, rock, and everything in between.
Adam: Yup, strap yourself in for the unexpected. We go from rock to heavy breakdowns, funk, and even orchestral endings. We don’t fit neatly into genre boxes, and we love playing with that.
What’s one thing about Blunden that might surprise new listeners?
We won an MK Inspiration Award last year.
Joel is the older brother, and Dan is even older.
Dan hates this question. (No further input from Dan.)
What’s a fun fact about each band member that listeners might not know?
Dan used to work as a food photographer and has a background in photography.
Dan is married with three kids and still manages a career in music.
Dan owns a music studio that runs events, records, and teaches.
Dan can play other instruments but chose bass. ;)
We’re all working musicians outside the band—music is our life.
Both Adam and Joel were on TV as kids with Richard Hammond.
Joel owns and runs The Drum Cupboard.
Adam & Joel have an additional brother who has nothing to do with music.
How do you each contribute to the band’s creative process, and what role does each member play?
Adam: We don’t have fixed roles; it’s a collaborative effort and a family vibe. We each put in what we can, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on our strengths and availability. We support each other and collectively find the 100% needed to keep the band alive.
What’s been the most unexpected or rewarding moment in your career so far?
Adam: Playing with Highfade several times has been great, winning an award, and performing on the Silverstone Woodlands Main Stage.
Blunden are proving themselves as a band that refuses to be boxed in, blending genres and influences to create something uniquely their own. With Stained marking another evolution in their sound, they’re definitely one to watch. They’ve already followed it up with their latest single Sinners, and with more music, an EP, and tour dates on the horizon, big things are coming!
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