Live version of The Doffing Mistress (Takes a Stroll). Scotton Drive EP Launch Event @ Airton Friends’ Meeting House. April 2019.
Full playlist of the performances from the whole evening is available on You Tube here: scottondriveeplaunch
I decided to hold an event to mark the launch of my Scotton Drive EP. I hunted down the wonderful 17th Century Airton Friends’ Meeting House and Barn in Malhamdale, Yorkshire. A beautiful, simple and intimate space with wooden paneling and benches decked with local sheepwool seaters. I wanted a small space that invited and celebrated listening, solice and the quiet.
Rather than just perform solo, I wanted to use the opportunity to try out some new collaborations. So, I invited composer and cellist Laura Reid, vocalist and musician Astrid Walker and musician Julian Walker to join me. I wanted to create new versions of the pieces on the EP which allowed each artist to add their voice to the originals, so taking them in a new direction. Alongside our collaborative pieces, they each performed solo and in duets. The sound flowed through traditional songs, to dreamscapes, summer soundscapes and tales of the sea to a piece on soliloquy. Combining acoustic, mechanical and digital instruments: music boxes, cello, electronics, live sampling, voice, dulcimer, guitar and resonator.
A beautiful, memorable early evening in the Yorkshire Dales among an audience of 30 people and a wonderful and low key way to mark the launch of the EP.
With huge thanks to the performers for having the interest and openness to take part; to Simon and everyone at Airton Friends’ Meeting House for enabling this event to take place; to Mark Flood for the sound and light, and Ernie Wood Music and Pictures (and his team and Andy Fretwell) for the films.
This was made possible with the support of the Arts Council England through its Developing Your Creative Practice Award Scheme.