This Silence Copyright 2024 by Mike Dampf & Becky Sora
Bass: David Leadbitter/ Flute: Becky Sora/ Photo: Becky Sora

There's many ways I failed you
there's many tears been cried
last year is best forgotten, you know why
but a fat, pink moon is rising over old Ashbridges Bay
and white swans are descending from the sky

We are just out walking
guess there's not much left to say
that first night's gently closing New Years day
that first star's us starting over
that still water is my love
that promise is a truth I won't betray

and this silence holds the three words
I won't need to say

Hmmm

This Silence

"You don't sound like anyone else," said Danny Thompson - renowned bass player for Nick Drake and Joe Strummer - about English musician Conil.

The GRAMMY-winning engineer for Tom Waits and Elvis Costello, Tchad Blake said: "Strange Part of the Country is an awesome album! I still listen to it."

Fleetwood Mac legend Peter Green liked Conil's music so much he stopped by Conil’s house to record with him. They recorded a version of Conil's homage to the jazz greats "Round Midnight". 

Strange Part of the Country never conformed to any current trends and has remained timeless. Now, people are discovering this album and it is becoming an all-time favourite. 

When the album was released in the UK, it received some amazing press. Britain's biggest selling music monthly Q magazine gave it: "Four stars - Q Recommends". Blues Matters magazine wrote: "One of the most original artists out there". In the next issue, Blues Matters put him on the front cover.

Conil left London after Strange Part of the Country was released and has spent the last ten years living in the United States and Europe - including New Orleans, New York City, and Berlin.

Writing songs and kitchen party playing with my many musical friends ... pretty much sums it up.