Having counted through my song book, it seems 13 songs have appeared from inside my head throughout the last year - that's more than 1 a month (just!) and it seems pretty amazing to me that they sit complete, ready for recording etc. I've found myself more and more comfortable with what I do and the ways that do it for, the simplicity of sound, the discovery of a pulse as opposed to tempo... What had meant to be a Christmas spent recording and fine-tuning the EP became 2 weeks of sick bed attendance and sledging as the "extreme" weather conditions that blanketed England brought with it the well known flu pandemic in its aftermath = one sick family. But even as the clock ticked out on my return trip north, I was able to spend some time with my brother Owain from Spokes, in their rehearsal room - deconstructing each section to one of the new tracks.
The EP itself, is another brand new adventure. Having spent the majority of my year writing, rehearsing and performing as much as possible - I have neglected all that lies in wait in recording. The songs it seems are almost rewritten in the studio, the necessity to everything simultaneously is removed somewhat - the chance to split, layer and arrange... My head boggles at the thought, but I know in my head and heart the songs will decide on how to be treated. This goes for the recording process itself too - whether to follow in the footsteps of Fence Record majors like Rozi Plain with lo-fi feelings and the tangible roughness to the recordings, or in turn the likes of Patrick Watson, crafting these beautifully layered, complex songs... Who knows - as I said before, the songs will decide.
..Having postponed due to sickness, the new recording dates look set for just under a month away - at the end of January. Another journey north, this time I hope not in vain.
Much love and for now, adieu.
P.S. Click here for another sneek-peek at the forthcoming Other Kinds EP
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