Warmth of the Ages release/Podcast/Sharing Spaces/Blogs and playlist shoutouts/School visit with Christa Awad/Relaxation/
The chairs were in a semi circle, Big Red Machine’s: playing through Max’s speaker – there’s a couple of tracks on a playlist I have called “Who I’m listening to right now” one with Robin Pecknold from Fleet Foxes and one with Taylor Swift. (BRM is a collaborative project between Adam Dressner of The National and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver) We laid copies of the album out not the table and lit a candle. This was the second night of two London dates at the Westminster Quaker house. This room, has meant a lot to me over the year. I’ve been here for Quaker meetings, Wake Up London gatherings, activist events, life drawing, gigs where friends and I from some of these above groups laid out mats and cushions put a chair at the front and sang songs like it was the most important thing in the world, it was.
I released my first record here a few years also, along with Max (piano) and Tom (horn) Manu (vocals) who is here tonight. Warmth of the Ages, has been being written for a while a couple of years, journeys to friends to collect cello (Naomi) where we ate breakfast in her back yarden – yard and garden, after I spent a night on the night bus to Middlesborough and set up in her front room to record Listen To Women and This Skin. Or hanging the mic from the wooden ladder in our big shared house in Peckham, sat on the step while Martha played the clarinet so honestly; I just felt it would sit right.
Setting up this evening, I’v got these moments in my heart; it Is just like that for me, being with a record over a few years – gathering together the sounds.
It’s stormy tonight; those who’ve travelled into the Quaker House, I’m hugely grateful for. The feeling is communal. Support for the shows came from Francois (their first gig), Eli Carvajal, Manu and Theo, Nayar Collective and Monica Max West.
Appreciation for the Crowdfunder for 3 organisations that have been close to my heart were collected for. Downloads and physical copies will be sent out in the next few day
Much appreciation to all.
The album is live now on streaming platforms exc Amazon because of their treatment of staff and avoidance of taxes. A small act of resistance there. It is also available Physical or Digital by filling out the form on the page.
Podcast/live takes
Alongside the album release is the Warmth of the Ages Podcast/live takes series, a collection of conversations with people engaged in the subjects of the songs and a live play of the song in a relevant location. Going to publish one a month. The first in the series is for Green of Grasses, a song about the mass trespass action of 1932 that lead the way for right to road in England. My conversation in this first one is with the wonderful Caroline Lucas, former leader of the Green Party in the UK, MEP (European Parliament) and author. We talk nature connection, poetry, activism and more.
Sharing space
I love songs because I love stories – of people’s lives of hopes, joys, struggles and resilience. My sharing pages are an attempt to collect some of m y listeners stories for sharing with us all. In a moment where freedoms are under threat I want to hear you. Come and visit the page and see where you could contribute.
Radio, blogs and playlists
Thanks to all who have listened to and shared Warmth of the Ages so far- a few shout outs here, Okay Alright, Narc Magazine, Daily Dose of Indie, BBC Introducing, Home Stage Folk, Brum Radio, KOWS FM
Appreciated.
Schools project.
Myself and the wonderful Christa Awad had a different kind of gig this month – well an 8 gig tour actually to 240 year 2’s, 3’s and 4’s. In primary School in England. We were invited to come in as part of the school’s mental health week and taught them some meditation and mindfulness alongside a song, a story and some art work.
Much love to the school and if you are a teacher also or similarly, an artist who could re share our content you would be so welcome to do that.
Relaxation
Closing this journal post with a relaxation recorded for you including song “Body” from the record.
Take care
Joe Holtaway 