Hello Again!!

So today, i thought i'd tell you a bit about the history of 'Warpsichord'. I'm trying to think of the best way to phrase it, how to describe the thinking behind it in an eloquent manner, trawling through all my old emails in an effort to be factually correct, but insteaaaaaad i think what will do is just bibble on for a bit and hope that it makes sense.

Warpsichord began its conception at the beginning of 2007, but it wasn't Warpsichord yet. I submitted a track to a label called Smalltown America in what was supposed to be a massive label maildrop. In the end, STA were the only label i submitted to. I began a dialogue with Andrew Ferris from STA who was very encouraging about the track and was kind enough to include it on Public Service Broadcast 9, a regular compilation the label released. The track was called 'Love Is A Terrible Thing' and was taken from my third collection of songs (unreleased, of course) called 'I Do My Own Stunts'.

Shortly after this i began speaking to Daniel Fawcett from STA about releasing an album of my songs. I was far too excited at this point to give any thought to what would be on this album, flabbergasted by the oppurtunity, and i dawdled for quite a while in its execution. You know, its like i was so overwhelmed by the possibility that it could actually happen that i couldn't quite organise my thoughts properly. I had just finished, as i say, my third collection of songs and therefore had a good wealth of songs that were ready or nearing ready that i could have included, but once i got myself sorted i decided that i had to do right by this offer.

I mean, this might be the only time i ever get to do this. It has to be right. Which is terrifying.

So i decided that all of the songs for the album had to be new. They had to be written specifically for this project to give them a familial cohesion. And I didn't want my first official release to be a compilation. Not that anyone would realise if it was, for the other albums live in my room and the rooms of friends. But i would know.

I decided quite early on that this album should contain mainly samples of orchestral instruments. It was just something that was tickling me at the time since i did the Peaches cover, which you might have heard? I think it might still be up on the ART SCARE myspace. I wanted to make an album full of contrasts and contradictions. Orchestral instruments which didnt sound QUITE RIGHT, or married with other incongruous instrumentation. Huge Ampitheatre timpani's with a shitty little stylophone dancing on top, heavily distorted brass with electro beats and a xylophone bought from Tiger, Harpsichords and string enesembles with skittery glitch rythmns fitting underneath. I can't remember what else, but you'll hear it if you buy the album or look at my myspace (which i hope you will do).

And i set to work.

They came really slowly at first. But two by two they came, and eventually i had a handful of brothers which i could sift through rather than trying to finish them to order. It was quite interesting actually, the way they were born. In two's. Disgusting reflections of each other like a wrong mirror. I hope that i get to keep creating in that fashion because its really fun to work on two completely differing pieces and alternate.

And i noticed once i had finished the writing process that this was a really colourful collection. It wasn't what i had orginally conceived at all and it took me by surprise. For example: this album contains the first love song i have ever written (eugh)

Actually, not (eugh) at all. Its lovely to be able to write a song like that. And there's never been a more appropriate time.

In reality, all but two of the songs on this record were created specifically for it. The two oldies were from my first ever attempt at album making and were completely re-recorded and re-orchestrated and in part, re-written to fit in with the others. They were adopted. I want to include them on this because they are two that have always excited me in their frivolity and glee. Written while i was first learning how to write songs and how not to, it makes sense that they are here when i say hello to the world.

I think thats probably about enough for tonight. My hair looks funny in a kind of hitler-youth fashion because i didn't DO it today and i think i'm wearing the top that i had my hair cut in, because there are unexplained little pokey things in my neck. I really hope they are hairs and not monsters. 

You hear a lot of stories about that.

So now that i've told you a bit, not a lot, but a bit about how Warpsichord was conceived, i think i'll break it down a bit and tell you about the songs individually. Probably do a song a day, so you know all about them by the time it drops.

But in conclusion; What is Warpsichord?

Warpsichord is Science Fiction.

More soon.

xxxxxx