// Daniel McDonagh // Smoke Fairies

Daniel McDonagh's album is out today; the first recording session was at the tail end of my experience with long covid, a fun experience involving waking up every morning feeling like I'd been run over by a tank and feeling that way all day. I was a bit apprehensive about the session 'cos I thought I might just have to lie on the floor for the whole thing. It was fine though, and I think it actually helped. Give the album a listen.

Smoke Fairies release the latest track off their forthcoming EP, featuring some of my viola drones. Oh, and there's also a gig coming up at Omeara.

I also keep forgetting to share this playlist of stuff I'm currently listening to. Time happens, and time is feeling very unusual at the moment. #ToriesOut #ToriesOut #ToriesOut

In Pursuit of Spring

I played some reverb drenched guitar on the latest track by builder poet Daniel Mcdonagh, it's the last offering before the album comes out:

From Daniel's IG:

"There are certain writers who reconfigure you aesthetically. They help you see the world anew. Cormac McCarthy being my first literary love affair. The other formative writer is word-hoarder, outdoorsman and scholar Rob g Macfarlane

Not only is his own writing of the highest order and importance he introduced me to such luminaries as Nan Shepherd, J. A. Baker, John Muir, Roger Deakin, Eric Ravilious and Barry Lopez. But most relevant to this tune is poet Edward Thomas.

Thomas’s poetry so beautifully encapsulates what England means to him (and to me!) Thomas suffered from severe bouts of depression and recurrent psychological breakdowns, feeling creatively repressed by the endless reviews and ill-paid commissions he had to do to support himself and his family. The countryside around him became for him respite from his depression. His many walks content for his marvellous poetry.

This song explores that, borrows as it's name a title of Thomas' own work and, I sincerely hope, honours his legacy."

Shattercones hit the studio

After a few failed attempts due to lockdown regulations and rubbish employers we finally made it into the studio to do some new recordings, more on that later but there are some photos of the back of my head over on Instagram. Felt good to be back at it making an unholy racket. 

Shattercones - Oppenheimer EP

Oppenheimer, the debut EP by new outfit Shattercones is out now! 

Available for streaming and to purchase on Bandcamp.

Artwork by Serge Najjar.