5 minute read or listen (including image descriptions)
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Palestine • Gigs & Performances • Warmth of the Ages • Press & Reviews • Looking Ahead
I’m writing this post in my note book from an old graveyard in Newcastle— just a short walk from home. Fye’s in his sling beside me, drifting off under chestnut and hawthorn trees. It’s a calm, shady haven during this bright summer, filled with graves from the 1850s—just like where I currently live.
One grave in particular draws me every time: Corsair (1845), a child (8 months) from a traveling Native American troupe who performed here and passed away in this city. Each time I visit, I walk a circle around his grave, wondering about his short life and sense of belonging—or lack thereof. Corsair’s story has begun to seep into my writing. I feel my music will one day hold that testament—to land, dislocation, colonialism and return.
Here’s the journal.
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Palestine
Like so many of you, I’ve felt sick to my stomach witnessing the violence in Gaza and the failure of global leadership to intervene. It looks like orchestrated ethnic cleansing, cloaked in claims of “historical” or “religious” rights. To me, these are walls built on racism, power, and entitlement.
I’ve tried to place my music where it might be of use. With Artists Supporting Palestine, I helped facilitate space for solidarity. In June, I co-ran an open mic at the closing of the Gaza Gaza Gaza exhibition in London. “The Stars Taught Me To Read” — a setting of Mahmoud Darwish’s poetry — was recorded in the exhibition before the event -mourning, place, and resistance.
Alongside Jean McEwen, I’ll be hosting a Grief and Action Circle on September 16th. If you’re drawn to grieving creatively and acting meaningfully, we’d love you to join us—more here:
https://tally.so/r/wd4bVD <<< link to sign up.
I also recorded an acoustic EP for the Zaynab project, supporting orphans in Gaza. Since Fye’s birth, I’ve been writing toward a new record; three songs—about generations and intertwining lives—found their place here. It’s available for £5, with all proceeds going to Zaynab.
Lastly: Death to the IDF. This song, following from So Hard to See It All, interrogates militarism and how cultural narratives of military offence become normalised. It was being played widely—until my account was suspended a few weeks ago. To my 1,500 monthly listeners: I’m sorry if you couldn’t find me. I see it as an invitation to rebuild wisely, beyond censorship. I believe in songwriting, I believe in growing, and I believe in making space for all voices. Please watch this space. The song is a mixture of reaction and contemplation – I’d love your thoughts in the YT comments. It’s likely I’ll re write/rename the chorus – thoughts welcome.
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Gigs & Performances
Among other gigs recently, i’m grateful to the Newcastle Fringe Festival- I performed this year—sharing space and stage with the Syrian poet Christa Awad. Her poem A Kingdom to Reclaim opens the video and there’s more coming between us in the months ahead.
Thank you to everyone who joined us that day. Your presence brought the poetry and song alive.
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Warmth of the Ages – Album & Podcast Updates
While Warmth of the Ages isn’t on Spotify or YouTube at the moment, you can still hear it on Bandcamp and SoundCloud. For the fullest experience—acoustic versions, the full album, the podcast series, notes and photos—fill out [this form] and buy direct.
Since the year began, the podcast has featured one guest per month exploring themes from the songs—Former Green Lead Caroline Lucas talks right to Roam, conversations on migrant justice with Ugandan Migrant Justice advocate Joseph Mpanga, Housing with Grenfell survivor and activist Emma Louise O’Connor (thanks to Justice 4 Grenfell for setting that up) and reflections on birth/death and the life of buddhist Joanna Macy, who recently passed away, with singer and activist Betsy Rose
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Press & Reviews
A heartfelt thank you to Mystic Sons, Folk and Honey, and A Song in the Life for reviewing the record. Your thoughtful reflections have emotionally resonated and helped bring this work to wider ears. Thank you for that.
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Looking Ahead
So what’s next? I’m working with a new distributor, and Warmth of the Ages, More The Love That’s Given and Songs of Plum Village will be more widely available again soon.
It’s had me reflect though…
In the last five years, listeners have streamed my songs over half a million-plus times and downloaded around 500 times—bringing in around £3,000. It’s supported me and I’ve been able to share that with some causes, yes (grateful for it)—yet I feel a new way to do it is possible. I’m thinking deeply about better ways for music to sustain artists and fuel social change more soon…
And here’s a tagline I’ll be using more for the campaign: “Support Artists Direct and Fund Change.” Here’s my first video – love your thoughts on it.
Upcoming gigs:
A few upcoming dates more on my events page
EIAB Plum Village Centre Trust Your Artist Retreat, (Germany): annual arts retreat with mindfulness, activism, songwriting, poetry, painting, and community — alongside Larissa Mazbouh.
Online gig for the Hibernation Sessions in December.
Appearance on the Bury Me in New Jersey podcast—stay tuned for that.
Thanks for reading, listening, and being present. The next chapters in music, creativity, and community are unfolding—and I’m honoured to share them with you.
Leave you with a relaxation recording
Joe Holtaway 