The Leeds Cross stands in Leeds Minster. A sign in the minster itself describes the cross: 

“The pieces making up the cross were found built into the medieval structure during demolition of the church in 1838. The cross would originally have stood outside the church, together with other crosses, and may have served as a grave marker. It dates to the tenth century A.D., and is carved in the Anglian style. The wheel-head originally belonged to another cross, although the shaft would have had a similar top. All the crosses from Leeds appear to have been produced in one workshop, and also have artistic links with other pieces from Wharfedale, such as the Collingham, Otley and Ilkley crosses. 

The upper tiers show several probably Christian figures, the angel and patron possibly copied from Irish manuscript art. At the bottom of the main faces are figures from Germanic mythology. One panel shows Weland the Smith, who was captured by Nithad, hamstrung, and forced to work as a smith. In revenge Weland murdered Nithad’s two sons and made their skulls into cups which he presented to their father, and then made Nithad’s daughter, Beaduhild, pregnant. Weland escaped by means of a flying machine, which is here shown strapped around him. He is shown surrounded by the tools of his trade and reaching up to seize a female figure, possibly Beaduhild or a Valkyrie, by the hair and skirt. The juxtaposition of Christian and pagan iconography indicates the mixed nature of tenth-century society, although the figure of Weland was sometimes employed to represent Elijah who ascended to heaven in a fiery chariot.”

I recorded violinist and composer, James Gerrard, playing On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at. This Yorkshire folk song is based upon the hymn Cranbook; just like the Leeds Cross, it is simultaneously Christian and non-Christian. I also recorded James reading a sign describing the various sections of the cross, and combined these with recordings of bells, birds, and footsteps, all captured either in the minster itself or directly outside. I have attempted to replicate the cross’s beautiful, confusing, fragmentary character, and was inspired by its iconography, both Christian and non-Christian.

Originally From Another Cross

East London born Hip-Hop enthusiast and scratch DJ, Maj Duckworth cut his teeth in the clubs and bars of Leeds, running nights and cutting and scratching. 

Eventually returning to London and securing a residency in Camden, he has gone on to DJ at multiple venues across the UK from 1000 + capacity venues like the Clapham Grand, to the RumShack at Glastonbury Festival.

His passion for music covers the range of genres Soul, Funk and Rock’n’Roll to R&B, Hip Hop, Disco and classic Original Samples. 

It’s this musical inspiration that lead to him producing and presenting his weekly radio show on Hip-Hop’s Original Samples and the stories that go with them, “Sample Nation” 

First launched on Whitechapel AM, later moving to Community Station, London Fields Radio and now landing safely in it’s spiritual home, the Internationally recognized, Itch FM

A composer of Brass Band, Concert Band, choir and orch. Still studying with OCA and developing interests. 

‘Vels d’Èter’ is available on Bandcamp 🖤
20-track album, released in September 2023 by Outer Reaches @outerreaches2018

Glass Isle is the alias of the artist Zuleika AvTes. Working primarily with sound, she integrates experimental electronic music and field recordings with resonance patterns, abstract frequencies and elements of chance, exploring ideas of transience and liminality; sound as a form of ‘sigil’. Her work encompasses concepts of memory, time, the unconscious and Jungian archetypes.

The first line-up was Zuleika AvTes and Natalie Williams. The duo recorded their debut album together and in 2015 it was released by Mordant Music  @mordant-music. 
‘Vels d’Èter’ is the first solo release by Zuleika AvTes as Glass Isle, recorded in London between 2015 and 2022.

Thanks for reading my profile. I'm a pianist, composer, and educator, living in south-west France. Living in a quiet region surrounded by limestone plateaus, oak forests and river valleys has inspired me to create spacious music that will hopefully resonate with the listener who is looking for a quieter listening experience. More than anything, experiences of love and loss have influenced the emotional content of my music. Reflection on the intensity of these emotions has directed me to find a sound that tries to echo feelings of joy, nostalgia, melancholy, hope and longing.

Originally From Another Cross

Ben Gaunt