Not From Above!
(Unbound Books, 2019)
Back in the ‘before times’, I’d been working on an album loosely titled ‘Not from above’ – based on a slightly musical theatre-y song about a bunch of guys chasing up a hill, pursuing an idealised image of a woman. Ahem.
In parallel, I’d begun writing some short fiction and the title felt nicely parodic of self-help or spiritual books that I used to be in charge of stocking at Waterstones in Richmond, for a year after university. All hail the musicians who run with the wolves! The general idea – what if all the #inspo we need was contained in strange things that happen every day – was a good container for a range of mad tales that the book ended up being. Extracts of a central Asian dictator’s increasingly wilful mandatory life guide. Acts of immersive theatre that become increasingly fatal. Surreal awards ceremonies.
So, in a tough economy for books and music, why not hoik the two together into one slightly unwieldy crowdfunding project! 👉 Book and vinyl EP still available from my Bandcamp.
The album of the book of the same name.
Twelve songs of solid, slightly over-wordy chamberpop. Some great players and contributors. It canters, it rattles, it soars. You can learn more, buy the EP 12”, book or get a download via my Bandcamp page.
The paperback. Was never a fan of the cover, truth be told.
Poor Edmund.
12" EP - a limited edition release for backers of the project. Multi-format experience ahoy!
Launch night at the Horse Hospital, London.
My good friends Nick and Laurie helped me do a radio play style re-enactment at the Not From Above! launch party. Frustrated am-dram antics and soundfx ensued. 🎭
The illustrations in the book were sourced from the British Library's amazing 1,000,000 strong image bank of random scans, performed by robot. Some real gems in there.
My good friends Nick and Laurie helped me do a radio play style re-enactment at the Not From Above! launch party. Frustrated am-dram antics and soundfx ensued. 🎭
Launch party at the Horse Hospital, June 2019. We did a radio play style version of one of the book's darker, sillier tales.
The insanely talented Joe Thompson - London's finest pianist – played on Not From Above the LP. Total jazz sparkle...
Some of my good friends from ChapsChoir - who added some manly oompf to the title song.