Just because we haven’t been shouting about it doesn’t mean Dan and I haven’t been working hard like two diligent little ants. We have been dealing with changes of scenery, tedious business planning and lots of new to-do’s, so time has not exactly been to spare. One of the most exciting fruits of the labour will – eventually – be the Ever Anew album.
We are taking our sweet time with this one, and we are nowhere close to a release date. Sorry. However, I can tell you that there’s some very cool sounds coming out of the HandsDown studio these days, and there are so many ideas I can’t wait to share! The one track we have already put out there did get some sweet feedback, and I can only hope you will like the next ones as much.
My favourite track off the album right now is called Clockwork. It’s a working title, but I’m starting to think it’s a keeper. I love the instrumental. Like anything out of the HandsDown studio it has a real vibe, a special little something. It even has Dan playing the violin! I honestly don’t think there’s an instrument that boy can’t teach himself. The bastard.
(Dan himself would insist on pointing out that he isn’t a violinist just yet. But I say it’s just a matter of time, so I won’t bother.)
After spending a few weeks getting to know the track, the lyrics came tumbling over the last couple of days – just in time for a weekend of vocal demoing before returning to Norway. And just so I’ve explained myself here too: I am off working as a music teacher at my old high school in Jevnaker for a few months, and this little pearl of beauty is where I’m calling home these days. A big ol’ house in the woods to myself, built by my grandad, right between two pairs of aunts and uncles and a waterfall. Not too shabby for Audrey.
Anyway, Clockwork. The sound is different – ever anew – and still a bit of a throwback to the past. I rap on this one. The subject however points to a less fun corner of the past. It describes the frustration of being stuck in a circle, waiting for something to shake you out of your misery. Clinging to dreams that are starting to feel like the wrong fit, with no plans other than the blueprints for a ridiculous castle on a cloud. Realising you aren’t getting anywhere and that there’s a choice to be made: either find out what you actually want and go get it, or settle in that random thing you happened to stumble into after dropping out of college four years ago. Luckily in my case, I stumbled again and ended up in Liverpool.
Although I am really enjoying good old Norway with all the exciting new stuff (including teaching a bunch of 14 year olds about alternative music and lunching with my old maths teacher), coming back to Liverpool for Easter has been a real inspiration. Taking a step back from all the sudden changes of late was nice (and needed), and for a precious little week I have retreated to the only “normal” I’ve known for years· There’s been long, creative nights, lazy days, rendezvous’s with nears and dears and basking in Liverpool sun. It’s been nice.
Although the abundance of awesome food I am within walking distance of right now does make me grin stupidly, the best part of this Holiday is still that this time I get to take Dan with me when I go. For a while. We’re setting up a mini studio in the quiet little house in the woods, so we can keep working on the album. I am sure the surroundings will inspire.
…What with the trolls and all.
<—– Say no more…
Further down the line, who knows. It’s like the map in Baldur’s Gate, where the path keeps revealing itself as you move along. The immediate plans are many. Dan will be producing a few different artists, and keep writing for Screen Robot. I will keep teaching One Direction-fans about real music for another couple of month, then go on to teach songwriting and “artistery” to the young and promising over the summer. The eventual goal is still Amsterdam. I know some think that is just another castle in the sky, but stranger things have happened.
We’ll see.
Have a good Easter!
Audrey
_________________
Links:
Hands Down Music Production
Ever Anew on Twitter
Soundcloud: Flashes (free download)
Peter Guy (The Liverpool Echo) about ‘Flashes’
Screen Robot: ‘The ten greatest movie hedonists’ by Dan Drumm
Ever Anew 