The Process of performing live has become ever more complicated as the journey has continued.
I used to simply have one set up. Guitar/ Vocal
That was it!
But first came the loop station and then all manor of instruments followed.
Please find below 2 vids from both ends of the spectrum both recorded during my last international tour in 2015.
One track is taken from double LP called ‘Time Lost Tradition’ which can be ordered here: http://goforthbrightscenic.bigcartel.com/product/go-fourth-bright-scenic-2×12-lp
After the release of 4 albums combined called ‘Go Forth Bright Scenic‘ back in 2012 it’s understandable that one should be out of material.
That was always kinda the point for me. To draw a line under things and to start again.
This was after feeling that maybe as a solo artist I was risking feeling stale and so to shake things up following the release of ‘Go Forth Bright Scenic‘ was the best way to go forward, so to speak. And by shaking things up I really don’t mean much more than to really take my time with new material and to be a bit more calculated with the process of songwriting.
In the past I was simply writing songs as and when they came to my head. The real art (for me) was the urgency with which I would wake myself up (Ideas often came when falling asleep) or pull the tour van over; or stop whatever it was I was doing to fully focus on getting an idea documented.
This time however I wanted to go about things with a different approach. At first I thought it could be seeking inspiration elsewhere and so I attempted to broaden my taste and started digesting music less familiar and often much more discordant to my ears than previously digested hoping that somehow the influence may shift my subconscious to produce something new. But this didn’t seem to work as new ideas simply did not come. Also compounded by the fact I was on the road for nearly a year and songs just didn’t materialise at all.
Eventually 18 months later I decided to take a plunge and invest in some new equipment. I begun by going against all my musical morals and bought a sampler.
Importing Samples from laptop splicing sessions to enable me to compose away from a screen.
I had taken to some intense laptop time and as a result had developed some sounds which I knew would just never be able to be reproduced live. So with this in mind I took to breaking my rule of (never using pre recorded sounds in a live context). It took 8 years to get to this point but I felt quite confident that this was the right thing to do.
So I set up my live rig (Looper, guitar, mic, Chimes set) and would rehearse on a daily basis recording almost everything with little or no aim or direction. The Sampler would be run through the looper and it would be simply added to the layers I normally use. The music naturally begun to become more electronic than ever before.
Next I added to the mix two effects pedals. But instead of running them through the guitar I connected them to the mic that was already a part of the loop station set up.
The DD6 by Boss and the Vintage XP-100 Whammy Wah by Digitech were both there as back ups to my normal set up for guitar. So to have them with me was a natural progression and I knew how to use them. The DD6 gave options of messing with delays of various kinds including the super sweet backwards sound and the hold option for Glitch style time shifts. The XP-100 offered pick shifting and harmonising joy. Perfect to mess with the voice and the chimes set.
This has been a part of my live set for a few years now. To further manipulate can only be good fun 🙂
So then that was it. I messed around and listened back and then tried to hone what I had. Hours of indulgence (which I had little trouble with) 😉
Over time I was beginning to find a sense of structure in what was coming and eventually 4 new compositions found there way into the live setlist. Then it was time to return to the the road. My European tour would last 5 months and would take me through UK, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Czech Rep, Austria, Italy (where I am as I type), Switzerland & France tolling about 100 shows. This enabled me ample opportunity to play these songs live and to hope to evolve them with each show.
Then came additional purchases whilst on the road:
A shaker from the Netherlands (Kinda sounds like christmas bells)
Despite it having a very christmas reindeer sound I invested guided by the inspiration of John Stanier of the band Battles who managed to integrate a very similar sounding device into a far from Christmas sounding song.
A Music Box from Krakow – Poland
The final acquisition from the road came when playing in Kracow. I wandered through a market to find this cute little music box for sale. It plays a traditional Polish tune and when I hold it to the mic and put on the effects pedals it creates a wonderful and unique atmosphere.
Thus far the new bits are rarely being utilised within the new songs but are helping to create sounds refreshing to me and in good time I hope it will become a unique addition to the new material.
Anyway for anyone who made it this far into rambles here is a new live version of a tune recorded at the end of last month out in Pszczyna – Poland. I hope you enjoy 🙂
9 Tracks which were self produced and recorded throughout 2008 – 2012.
1. Clean Code
2. Normal Scheme of Things
3. One Schizophrenic
4. MENO
5. Organic (Like the Plague)
6. Time Lost Tradition / Bright Scenic Reprise
7. Eternally Grateful / The Penny Drop
8. Conversations
9. Your Guitar (Tsukinohi)
The Album was released physically as a Double Gatefold 12" LP Limited to 444 copies.
The second disc is a live collaboration (unique to this format) recorded in Japan between Stuart and one of his favourite musicians Haco. The concert was recorded in Kobe at the live music venue ‘Varit’ on 30th September 2010. The concert was on the whole completely free and improvised however a part of one of Haco’s songs ‘Less than Lovers, More than Friends’ is performed. The concert lasted just under 35 mins and is separated across the two sides of the LP.
To come to Japan and have the chance of performing with Haco was like a surreal dream coming true. For me personally it really affirmed my role as a musician and to have the complete concert put to vinyl represented how special the experience was.
Haco - Live Collaboration from JapanAdditional artwork was added to the Gatefold layout which taken by Rob Mchale - Rob took the cover artwork for the 3 pervious albums.
Also recorded as a part of this album was my first cover version to be released. A track originally written and performed by Mogura Ka Maigo (The Lost Mole). I fell in love with the melody of the piece (Tsukinohi) when I saw Mogura Ka Maigo live in Tokyo. I wanted to recreate my own version of the song to work with lyrics I had in mind.
Mogura Ka Maigo (with mole costume - Welcome to Japan)
Also aside from this being the first album to involve a cover version it is also the first album to involve a sample.
I built a song around a sample from the song ‘Closed Captioned’ written by the Washington D.C. Post Hardcore band ‘Fugazi’. I emailed the band sometime back and they were decent enough to give me a response clearing me to sample the track granted that they hear it first. After I sent them a copy of my tune ‘One Schizophrenic’ I was lucky enough to get the go ahead and I believe it to be one of the more immediate tracks on what is otherwise a more obscure and challenging listens.
Fugazi - A Decent Sample from a Decent Band
A special mention must go out to Rachel Steadman who worked into the piece a wonderful wall of string parts that I believe really add a special intensity to the music.
Rachel Steadman - A Wonderful Talent
I must also give special shout outs to Nick Hall Lazzerini for the mixing and John Mercer for the mastering.
Nick Hall Lazzerini devoted many hours to help me mix and finish this album
I had not worked with neither John nor Nick since the recording of my 1st album ‘Autonomous Debut’ in 2006.
John Mercer - Took on the Mastering for the album.
It was a pleasure to have them both involved in the project. As ‘Autonomous Debut’ was also self produced this felt like the ideal bringing together of minds reuniting to finish an album.
13 Tracks which focus very much upon the Singer/Songwriter side of music.
1. Ace Cloned
2. Slow Start
3. Ons
4. Compromise
5. She is your Microscope
6. Bold Bright
7. That Cough You Gave Me
8. Contact Approved
9. Probably
10. Modern Life
11. Success Aint What They Teach / Bright Scenic Reprise
12. Navigate (Feat Craig Harris)
13. All Suspense
The Album was released physically as a Tape Cassette Limited to 44 copies.
The album has been released on ‘Tape Cassette’ and also includes material on side B that cannot be found anywhere else. This includes a performance by Stuart of the song ‘Recordeddirecttothiscassette’ which
has been recorded through a boom box cassette recorder to each of the individual 44 tapes in order to make each cassette unique. The song has been recorded 44 times in 44 different locations with various
musicians in attendance for each performance.
go forth BRIGHT scenic Tape Cassette ReleaseCraig Harris
The Album is a Result of many various recording sessions on and off the road between 2006 and 2012. Concluded by Craig Harris in 2012. Bringing these songs to Craig was a nerve racking experience for me as I knew the material was in varying states of completion. I knew I would need help to salvage the album and to get it finished; and so when Craig suggested a collaboration that would lead to the song ‘Navigate’. I realised that there was a good connection and level of respect between us both that could work well in the future.
10 Tracks which focus very much upon the Band ensemble side of music.
1. Lac Encode
2. Squeaky Doors
3. Default: Escape
4. World Is Plenty
5. Varit
6. You Know What You Are
7. Resonate
8. When You Go Home
9. Note That Says / Bright Scenic Reprise
10. 1-2-Seppuku (Feat. NolenNiu-de-Ossi)
The Album was released physically as a CD Limited to 444 copies.
Included in this are 4 additional tracks which are available uniquely to this format and will not be available as a part of the download release. These include demo’s from the sessions and a live track taken from the bands first ever live show back in 2008.
go FORTH bright scenic CD release
As mentioned before this album draws upon the solid collaboration with the band of musicians.
These players have been so supportive of my music over the last 4 years and sharing a stage with them live is something I relish whenever the opportunity is there.
The members of the band are:
Dave Smale - Keys, Backing Vocals
I first met Dave when we both became members of the band ‘PhoenixDown’. Despite sharing opposite ends of the stage it was clear a musical connection was there to be built upon. He guested on my first album ‘Autonomous Debut’ prior to there being a band and has contributed consistently fantastic musicianship on every album since then. Truth be told I cannot imagine these songs without Dave’s unique take on the situation. A truly lyrical player.
Leon Camfield - Drums, Electronic Percussives, Backing Vocals
Leon and myself have worked together since 1998. His musical intellect and depth of detail has proved essential towards the development of the songs. His professionalism in the studio and consistent playing has worked to ensure these songs on the ‘Forth’ album have taken shape well. He is in demand as a session player and is progressively minded.
Riad Abji - Double Bass, Backing Vocals
I started working with Riad in 2007 between album 1 and 2. I true gent and a natural on almost any instrument. This new collection of songs has seen Riad contribute as a writer as well as a player.
Riad can also be found as a member of many other projects. The essential backbone to the band unit.
Vicky Flint - Trumpet, Flugelhorn and backing Vocals
Vicky’s involvement in my music came from randomly over hearing her playing whilst jamming with Dave back in 2008. Through the walls of her house we were astounded is she practiced freely from the floor above. A quick ring on the doorbell and the rest is history. On this new album ‘Forth’ Vicky excels herself. a truly great talent who finds her way through the most complex of arrangements. Some of her big band recording have left me purely baffled. Yet for her it seems completely natural. She possesses a very progressive approach to music and has embarked upon a very psychedelic approach in recent times.
12 Tracks which focus very much upon the electronic side of music.
1. Laced Once
2. Bright Scenic
3. A Watchful Eye
4. Stored in the Bottom Drawer
5. Alaskan Sky
6. Still MIA
7. Suburban Sway (Feat Harlequin Knights)
8. This College Year (Feat Zero Call)
9. As Stubborn as a Sandfly
10. Could This Be Sadness?
11. Dumb Mathematics (Feat Shamanic Technology)
12. Klingending
The Album was released physically as a USB Pen drive Limited to 44 copies.
Also included as a part of this unique release is an additional reworking of the tune ‘You Know The Score’ A song originally released in 2008 on Stuart’s ‘Distance from here’ Album. This song has been completely re-recorded for this release.
Also included is 4 sets of 10 photos taken by wonderfully gifted photographers Stuart met over the last 6 years of touring.
And finally there is also an additional 4 albums of secret material which can only be found on these 44 copies.
The pen drive is presented in a unique storage pouch. This has been hand made in Japan out of the same material used to make Kimono's.Produced and Mixed by Chris Hollis (www.chrishollis.co.uk)
So the new songs are pretty much finished from the perspective of recording and I’m now into the mixing phase of things.
Here’s a shout to all of the wonderful musicians who have devoted time energy and talent to making these songs whole.
Vicky Flint - Trumpet / Flugelhorn and pure positive vibes
The meeting of Vicky came from a random overhearing of her playing through the walls during a random recording session. Her playing was clearly so good and so lyrical that I knocked on her door and asked her to contribute to what was at the time my 2nd record. Since then she has gone from strength to strength not only as a player but also with the use of effects and even getting involved vocally at the live shows
She also plays in a host of other groups and you can learn more about her here: http://www.vickyflint.co.uk/
Dave Smale - Keys, Piano and a touch of mystery
Dave has been working with me since day 1. We met when I was a member of the group PhoenixDown and Dave joined. He has a remarkable way of fitting into a composition no matter how busy or sparse it sounds and during the recording of Album 3 ‘Good Times With Evil’ Dave excelled playing faultlessly and everything in one take. Recording this new batch of songs has seen him take his technique to a whole new level.
Riad Abji - Double Bass, Cello and a Ruler in the Land of Low
Riad would always take the modest route of describing himself as a “Jack of all trades and a master of none”. Frankly this is not true. The guy is a master of all trades and makes me feel like a jack of the very few trades I possess. I have taken to calling him the king of the low end because he always rocks all shows with his Double Bass skills and on this coming record, songs that he has created himself have become intertwined in the process. Not surprising really when the guys CV shows collaborations with Ninja Tune artists like Woob and Max and Harvey. Here’s to hearing more Abji Masterpieces in good time.
Drums, Electronic and Acoustic Percussives, an Ability to Nail Everything in no More Than 2 Takes
14 bloody years I’ve been sharing a stage with this man. It’s been a pleasure to see this man evolve from an Indie kid to a prog mastermind. No time signature to weird and no weirdness too unsexy. Leon joining the live fray just as work begun on album 3 ‘Good Times With Evil’ was the perfect shift to take the music forward. The combination of players made for the perfect gelling of simple and tasteful and complex and indulgent. Recording Album 4 pretty much started with Leon nailing 18 drum tracks in 1 session. A prolific start to set the tone.
Yasushi Kita - Shamisen and the Coolest dressed man in Japan
One half of NolenNiu-de-Ossi Yasushi is a master of both Guitar and Shamisen. I had the pleasure of collaboration with these guys at the 2010 Kansai Music Conference. Since then we have shared many billings together and with technology being what it is I was able to ask for a collaboration with them whilst I’m back in the UK and they are in Japan. The results have had me so excited as it feels like the flavour of Japan is finally influencing my music as much as it has influenced my life.
Toruko Nolen - Accordion and the Monk Connection
The other half of NolenNiu-de-Ossi Toruko plays and sings with such character you can`t help but smile and relish the music when you see her live. Toruko has contributed some amazing accordion which references back to an ancient Japanese classical style Gagaku (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagaku ).
Roger Pride - Tenor Sax/ Clarinet and a History on the London Jazz Scene.
I feel lucky that back in 05 when I begun work on my debut record, I was fortunate enough to be able call upon Roger who is a family friend to contribute some Tenor Sax and Clarinet to the record. He has been playing with Jazz big band ‘The Blue Notes’ for over 25 years amount other projects. He has since played on all 3 of my records and his involvement in the 4th has been a joy. It seems no matter what material is presented. He manages to contribute significant and interesting parts. Yet no matter what he plays he is convinced he is out of his depth. How wrong can one person be?
Eric Gebow - Omnichord and a Wealth of Influence
I met Eric whilst touring in Japan back in 09. He was in the Japanese capital performing as a member of the musical/physical theatre show ‘The Blue Man Group’. Eric has been drumming for years, he has toured with and shared the studio with Gary Newman and members of Wilco and American Music Club to name a few. I was lucky enough to share a stage with Eric a handful of times during tours. His style is unique and original as he dabbles with modern effects and plays on pre-war vintage drum sets. He is currently collaborating with Callum`s Whisky Tales who have released a wonderful debut record. I was intrigued to hear he plays an instrument called the Omnichord. I knew the sound of it from records by bands such as ‘The Phoenix Foundation’. But eric’s contribution to my new material has been exceptional.
Chris Hollis - Drums, Percussion, Electronic beats, Synth and Probably a Hundred Other Sounds I've Yet to Notice
Chris Hollis is not only a skilled an accomplished multi talented musician and writer. But he also a great producer who has worked with me on my 2nd and 3rd albums. Musically he has contributed on multiple tracks and has helped hone some of the material in refreshing and unexpected directions.
He is also a member of multiple bands and more information about his sound services can be found here: http://chrishollis.co.uk/
Ollie George - Bass, Keys, Electronic Drums, Ukulele, Harp and a Strong Sense of Spontaneity
Ollie is another man due production credits amongst the new material. I came to know Ollie some years back but it was only since touring the UK and touring through Ollie’s hometown of Brighton that has given us the chance to work together musically. Working with him has been a pleasure as his openness to random sounds and ideas has resulted in productive and prolific sessions which I feel create and hone material that neither of us would create as individuals.
Ollie also plays bass for Indie/Electro band ‘Holland’ who are well worth a browse and can be heard here: http://www.facebook.com/thisisholland
Joel Mcdermott - Mandolin and a diverse folk perspective
When I first went full time with music I took to playing many open mic nights. I was lucky enough to hear Joel playing in St Albans as a part of a duo with another very accomplished musician called ‘Clive Batkin’. I purchased their album and to this day it remains one of the most listened to long players on my iTunes. To have Joel involved is my new recordings is a wonderful full circle for me from the days of folk clubs and open mic nights back in 2005/6.
Joel has recently relocated to Cornwall and is regularly working the live circuit in the South West of England. His website is http://www.hahastudios.co.uk/ and I strongly recommend anyone who is interested should pick up a copy of his Album with Clive Batkin uniquely called ‘G Force Trousers’ . Acoustic Instrumental lushness.
Chris Hare - Keys, Synth, Electronic Beats and a Shamanic Awareness
Chris Hare is a musical wizard creating ambient and ethereal masterpieces under the guise of Shamanic Technology who signed to Herb Records. Now regularly touring it has been a pleasure to be able to record 2 songs with Chris (1 of which was released as the secret track on my second album ‘The Distance From Here’ called ‘Misfit Theatre’).
To hear Shamanic Technology please click hear: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shamanic-Technology/159179610769750
Julia Bell - Vocals and a Wonderful Connection to the Past
I have shared a stage with Julia numerous times since 2000 when she joined My Pet Junkie also with Leon Camfield mentioned earlier in the Article. To hear Leon, Julia and myself blasting out some prog rock please check out this video.
Julia has been a supportive and wonderful presence for my music and I’m deeply grateful for her musical input once again on my new songs.
Francesco Federici - Electronic Drums, Analog Synth and love for Zombies
I met Francesco when touring out in Italy and connected with him immediately as we shared massive enthusiasm for music and also Zombies. Francesco is also a member of band the Daggers and electro Duo Zerocall with whom I have had a great time collaborating.
To hear more of Zero call please check them out here: http://www.facebook.com/zerocallband
Andrea Possiedi - Analog Synth and the One Armed Dance Moves
Andrea is the other half of the band Zerocall and is also one 6th of the group The Daggers. He is also an intensely motivated musician and very passionate about analog Synth. A true joy to meet him touring in Italy and also to see him touring hear in the UK.
James Harrison - Piano/Treatments and the Knowledge of PI that will Astound us all.
James Harrison has been a musical Compadre from as long back as 1996. Finally after years of sharing stages with various bands it’s a pleasure to finally collaborate with him on the song ‘All Suspense’. James is a multi-instrumentalist who can swim in any musical deep end. He can also remember the numerical sequence to the number Pi to a ridiculous degree. Also don’t ever try and beat him at chess. You will only lose…..and cry.
James or Jim or Harry or Ebo Harrison also plays in many projects including the wonderful Phoenixdown.
Rachel Steadman - Violin, Viola and the Maker of Mighty Mean Salads
Thank goodness for the wonderful talents of Rachel. I truly and instinctively skilled player who has carved a living as a classical musician for years. She has worked wonders on all 3 of my previous records and her contribution to new material has been simply exceptional. What has also been wonderful has been to see how over time she has relaxed further into the approach of improvisation and off script spontaneity when approaching new material which has produced phenomenal results.
Rachel is also a member of the band Piefinger who have just released a new album. You can hear them here:
Ollie Friend - Electric Guitar and the 3 Beer Friend
Ollie originally was living in the small Devonshire town of ‘Totnes’ when I met him touring through back in 2006. We stayed mates and when he relocated to Brighton I had the fortune of having him into play guitar on a track. He is now playing with a band called ‘Kings Mews’ and they can be heard here:
Craig Harris - Guitar, Keys, Electronic Beats and an Indepth knowledge of Lifes Inversions
Craig has been an active musician on the hertfordshire scene for many years now playing in a number of bands aswell as solo, He is also regularly involved in theatre productions contributing from a musical angle. A collaboration came about for a song called ‘Navigate’ and led to craig contributing to a whole host of tunes. The man has an in-depth knowledge of music in almost every genre and possibly, just quite possibly out geeks me.
To hear more of Craigs music check out his sound cloud page here: http://soundcloud.com/craigharrismusic
Owen Stephen - Vocals, Bass and the Strive to Revive the Term 'Rack Off''
Owen has been Bass player for ‘The October Game’ since their formation some years back. He is also an accomplished solo performer and more recently has been picked up for some world touring action as a member of Darren Hayes (Savage Garden) live touring band. Working with Owen is something we’ve both been trying to fit into our schedules for many years now and having finally got him involved I’m truly pleased with what he has brought to the table.
Marcus Harley originally hails from the Northwest of England. However I met him on the Island of Jersey when I was touring there last year. He joined me as an impromptu guest where he free styled a rap over one of my tunes. From there we took to sharing the stage on a regular basis and even embarked on a 12 date tour playing 12 venues in just one day. The connection was clearly there but it wasn’t until Marcus recently came to London to record some of his solo material that I was able to get him in the studio to contribute vocals to what was an instrumental track called ‘Suburban Sway’.
Joe Davin - Accordion, Autoharp and it all Goes Back to a Lightning Bolt Mosh Pit.
Joe is another one of those deeply talented and hugely supportive musicians that every music scene needs. We had shared many gig billings over the years but it wasn’t until we bumped into each other amongst the carnage of a ‘Lightning Bolt’ Mosh pit; that I think we realised quite how much we musically had in common. This lead to collaborations with myself guesting as guitarist in his band ‘The Otters/The Astronauts’ aswell as other projects ‘Midnight Moth’ and ‘The Helldrake Collective’. Joe’s inclusion amongst my solo work is truly overdue and it’s finally a pleasure to have him involved.
To hear Joe’s band The Astronauts please click here: http://www.facebook.com/TheAstronautsBand
Nick Hall Lazzerini - Bass/Treatments/ Vocals and the Ultimate Hark Back to the Past
You’ve been there since day one man. DAY FUCKING ONE!!!!!!. That’s what I would be saying to Nick during a poignant scene in a hollywood epic. However it is all true. I picked up guitar and struggled at the first hurdle. Then Nick picked up guitar and excelled at it. It was only from learning what he was playing that helped me evolve what I was doing. So it’s a pleasure to once again be working with him some 16 years down the line.
Nick is also a musician in many other bands including the aforementioned Phoenixdown.
Amy Lazzerini - Flute/Vocals and the Ability to stay Awake Hours After she Intended
During recording with Nick he mentioned that his wife Amy played the Flute and immediately I had a couple of songs in mind that could benefit from a spot of flute action. Amy stepped up and has delivered wonderful parts that compliment the songs. Amy is also a very active musician and teacher and aswell as playing in a multitude of bands she (with Nick) runs the Dan Tien performing arts school.
Check their page out here: http://thedantien.co.uk/
Dennis White - Electronic Drums, Textures, Programming and a Masterful Technique
Dennis is another one of those creative multitalented types that knows how to push things forward. I was astounded when I first heard him playing as a member of ‘the Otters’. The kind of drummer who nails every part with the kind of intensity rarely heard. His own projects take on a more electronic feel and his musical reputation has taken him to far off lands to perform and record.
One of his many projects can be heard here: http://soundcloud.com/thermalbear
Haco - Voice, Contact Microphone and Years of Inspiration
OK so a bit of cheat here because Haco’s involvement is not strictly on the record, more so with the bonus material that will come with some physical copies of the record.
Her music has been a massive inspiration to me for many years now, and back in 2010 I was lucky enough to share a stage with her amidst a tour of Japan. We collaborated and improvised and I relished the experience greatly. When I listened to the recording back many months later I was overjoyed with the results and after seeking approval from Haco it will see release in the near future.
In the meantime she has released another record herself called ‘Forever and Ever’.
I strongly recommend it!
More info about her can be found here: http://www.hacohaco.net/haco/home.html
OK so I’m sorry I have not posted in a VERY long time.
Since I’ve been off the road I have been playing very little and otherwise have been fully focussed on making new music.
Riad Abji (Double Bass) and myself - Working on new material. - Photo taken by Vicky Flint
Over the last few months I have been travelling to the houses of some of the most wonderful musicians I know in order to work with them on the structure and details of many new compositions.
Riad Abji (Double Bass) and Vicky Flint (Trumpet-Flugelhorn) have worked tirelessly with me over this time to help the songs gain a sense of structure and direction.
Note Taking During the Recording Process Became Essential as Recordings have Become More Complex.
Also for many months now I have been working closely with Dave Smale.
Dave Smale - Keys and Synth
Dave has worked with me on all 3 previous records and it has been a pleasure to once again collaborate with him on material.
Especially as his awesome cat ‘Alfie’ seems determined to get in on the action.
Alfie Distracting the Recording Process
So as the months have moved by I have slowly been working to bring this material to a logical point. It’s sort of driven me mental at times but I think it’s all starting to make sense now.
More news will follow. I promise it won’t be long now 🙂
Stuart O'Connor 