Yestreen

 I’m very excited because tomorrow is a very special day for me, the release date for my first album, Yestreen.  

 It’s been a long time since it’s conception. I first decided to make an album at the end of 2006, but then spent 2007 & 2008 experimenting with musical forms and working out how I wanted the album to sound.   It was at the beginning of 2009 that I formed Bearcraft, within 6 months I had my album planned; two singles, eight album tracks, and a satellite, (the Longest Frontier).   I’m so lucky to have the wonderful and lovely Jessica Akerman giving each release it’s own visual identity based on Yestreen’s themes.   

The Werewolf

I sent the final mixdown of the album to Hottwerk records at the beginning of 2010, and the last eight months have been all about the waiting.   

It’s amazing how long these things take. I thought the album would be out in summer 2007, if you want to make something great, sometimes that means taking your time.  I’m really proud of the album, and I am cheered on by the good reviews it has received, such as this and this.The two wilderness years have already been spent, so I’m expecting the follow-up will spend shorter in the womb. The title track of the next release is already recorded, and those who have heard it love it.

Dark Night

If, for whatever reason, I don’t release any other music, I won’t mind. I’m really excited to have Yestreen out there, and although there is so more I want to say, so much more music to be made, Yestreen is a little gem I’ll always be satisfied to have made.   

Yestreen

  Oh, and you can buy it from here or get free tracks from here, here and here.

So I’m trying to complete this album. It’s been two years since I stepped off the wonderfully inspiring Scritti Politti tour and decided to spend 6 months recording an album. Two years has passed and although I’m closer to reaching my goal it still remains 6 months away.

With over 26 songs recorded and another 15 or so demoed, grabbing a select few is proving a difficult task. Deciding when a track is finished is even more difficult. “The Omega Point” for example, was “completed” a year ago, but listening to it now, I could probably re-record the drums, maybe the vocals too. Plus the guitar sound could be better and the bass could be recorded without the fizz which distresses my Jessica so much. So should I rerecord the whole track? Or just admit it’s not perfect.

One of the reasons I need to hurry up is that I fear cataclysm, and the longer I leave it the more chance it has of occurring. I worry that the album in progress, sitting on two external disk drives, could be destroyed in a combination of fire, stupidity or theft. I worry I may rise in the night to disturb burglars, rummaging through my belongings looking for that which is worthless to them but priceless to me. Last night when I should have been sleeping it occurred to me what a wonderfully English thing disturbing a burglar is, as if a polite homeowner is interrupting and even traumatising a master thief. “I’m sorry for disturbing you. Would you like me to turn down my terrified screaming?”