That’s right! I’m in the studio… by which I mean my house, because you all know I roll DIY 
In the "studio"
I’ve made a tentative approach to writing about musical work in progress, because creating music is, for me, an intensely personal and solitary experience.
The last thing I need is to be told the demo I’ve just posted sounds crap… goodbye motivation!
Another issue of sharing work in progress is that you can end up going in a different musical direction, either shelving or binning the demo you’ve already punted out.
This is the case with A Land That’s Ours, a demo track I included in episode number 1 of the Arran Arctic Podcast series (you can download the demo by signing up to the AA mailing list and visiting the Fans Only area of the website).
Although folk were genuinely supportive and encouraging of the track (thank you!!!), A Land That’s Ours just didn’t fit with the direction I’ve ended up taking with my recent recordings (it’s been shelved, not disposed of!).
This brings me to the new music I’ve been “in the studio” recording…
The lengths I travel to get the right quality of sound!
I’m very excited to announce there will be a new Arran Arctic album as a result of my recent work – just don’t ask me when it will be ready! Originally I had thought the recordings might provide me with a mini-album, but gosh darn it, I just couldn’t let it be.
I was trying to keep it secret, but I think I’ve let it slip on social media that the main instrument I’ve been composing / recording on is a 19 string clarsach (or small harp).
I love the sound of harps and, although I would’ve liked to sit behind a full concert sized beast, secretly pretending I was Joanna Newsom, the AA budget (£0) can only stretch so far…
Someone's been taking full advantage of my empty instrument cases...
I had a few wobbles about the general sound of the album (what, no guitars?!), but some good advice from my pals on Facebook steadied my hand – thanks guys
To say any more would be reckless, so I’ll just say that things are going well. Rest assured, I will let you know as soon as there is something to show for my labours.
Thanks for listening.
Arran xoxo
