Name: Defender by The Agency...
Duration: 4 min 14 s
Description: Forthcoming single 28/08/2020 from the new album In the Haunted Woods 23/10/2020

Wrote this for my daughter, Sophie, who is barely a month old. Managed to get down a quick demo recorded in the madness of being a new, first-time father. Will have the full, longer version out later this year. Enjoy!

To The Moon (Demo)

Good Times for a Change

That's Not a Lie

Between

Ghosts of the library

My favorite authors have died, and the bookstore in my neighborhood has gone out of business.
These are tough times for paper media.
Like records and CDs, they will eventually disappear.

Ghosts of the library.
They make such ominous prophecies.

We can find the knowledge we need by searching, and there are plenty of videos and comics.
Everything is converted into data and delivered to us immediately. 

Ghosts of the library.
They say, “What are you complaining about?”

A place where forgotten stories are kept.
They live quietly there, unknown to anyone.

Eventually, there will be no more authors, and novels will be written by AI.
We'll be able to read a wonderful story with a theme we like and a happy ending.

Ghosts of the library.
They disappeared behind the bookshelves.

Ghosts of the library

A nocturne that unfolds in a romantic and mysterious atmosphere through the use of melodic variation.

Nocturne In G Sharp Minor

Lost New Wave Instrumental

the tribe is waiting for the return of Otumbo ;)

check out part I and II

Waitin' for Otumbo - Part III

Inspired by one of Alex's early dates with his future wife.

CYCLING IN THE GATINEAUS
Copyright 2025 O'Brien/Whitfield 
Music by Paul Francis Whitfield, SOCAN
Lyrics by Alex O'Brien, SOCAN
All Rights Reserved

Produced and Performed by Paul Francis Whitfield
All instruments by Paul Francis Whitfield

Cycling in the autumn hills
So in love girl what a thrill
Dinner talk at the Old Mill
Your beauty made the time stand still

Cycling in the Gatineaus
Cycling in the Gatineaus

Up and down the rolling road
Dark hair flowing in the wind
Everywhere the Maples glowed
Our new life that did begin

Man, that guy could really ride
I peddled hard to prove myself
At the top I nearly died

But you laughed
And fed me ginger-ale
Yes you laughed
Said I looked so pale
Oh you laughed, yes you laughed
I knew that we would never fail

Cycling in the Gatineaus
Cycling in the Gatineaus
Cycling in the Gatineaus (see the deer, two deer)
Cycling (look at the deer) in the Gatineaus

Cycling in the Gatineaus-Featuring Paul Francis Whitfield

Dia agus na cruinne = God and the Universe in Irish


Inspired by my Grandfather, Bill Stapleton. A true genius in many realms of thinking.... Including poetry. Thanks Papa

Tuning 432Hz A and Capo 2

For this one I'll choose a golden ratio nugget to project. So, if you notice in the pic of a random bit of wood on my studio desk.... A tree knot of a branch and when a GR curve is offered the edge of the curve meets the annual ring of the tree when centred on the knot... A subtle nature symmetry or whatever... The golden ratio fascinates me so I love including it in my tunes wherever possible as we find it in so many amazing places shapes and physical things across the world and beyond!

According to ze i-n-t-e-r-n-e-t...
"The golden ratio is the precise point at which the modified heat of a black hole goes from positive to negative, and it is part of the equation for the lower constraint on black hole entropy. The golden ratio is the relationship between the loop quantum gravity parameter and black hole entropy."

https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=124651#:~:text=The%20golden%20ratio%20is%20the%20precise%20point%20at%20which%20the,parameter%20and%20black%20hole%20entropy.
Thats a good read. Pinches of salt all round but sure it's all good stuff...

Roots - /// Gmaj7 // D/A // F#m // E/B /// 
Lyrics

Ahoo ha! 

They say it started with a blast
Our universe in distant past
I search the sky I search the trees
But only laughing beauties tease
Oh! God who wrought this mighty task
What size are You? I fondly ask
A galaxy infinity
What proof of your ability!

So feeble is my understanding
Of Thee and the stars so long expanding
Oh! fury of this recondite
When will this mystery come to light
Why wonder at a galaxy
When we as yet don’t know the bee
How could it be that from one bang
Alone all natures music rang 

It’s Papa!
Ahoo ha
Pass into the future
It's Papa!
Ahoo ha
Passing to be future 

What mysteries do we tread upon
When daisy heads we trample on
Alas no greater is the deed
That you can make a star or seed
Oh! cruel short chain of lexicon
Can’t I express this God an’ sun
To look into the deep devide
And tell what secrecy it hides 

To see the way the skies obey
Or ponder over Saturn’s Rhea
To marvel at the sun on fire
Or look to Mars revolving mire
Or see the Moon’s majestic eye
As she protects the starry sky
If I could but explain a tree
Then I could solve this mystery
Waiting answer will not be long
God will tell me when I’m gone


It’s Papa!
Ahoo ha
Pass it to the future
“I’ve got Mum safe an' sound” 

It’s Papa!
Ahoo ha
Passed to the future 

There there sons
and our little girls
Greetings from heaven
You’ve all turned out so well
You give this planet the good warmth
Truth, heart and hope
It’s really that simple
Just love and be one” 

Hey Nana
Hey Papa
Ah hu ha
Passing to the future
Ah ha ha ha
Hey Nana
Hey Papa
Ah hu ha
Passed into the future
Ah ha ha ha

Notes (this is from the original behind the track... just me in this version)
This song is built on a poem written in 1969 by my Grandad, Bill Stapleton. He used to say Ahoo Ha and his kids used to say it too after he passed away. He setup the very first recording studio in Ireland in the 1940's and travelled the country recording trad musicians. He went on to have great success setting up film studios meaning he pioneered two industries on the emerald isle. He was a true genius and way ahead of his time. He is still inspiring us 40 years after his death. When making the song I decided to bring in my Nana also to pay homage to her. she was a wonderful pianist and gave me my first few lessons. I've incorporated as many of their children and grandchildren into the song saying Ahoo Ha as I could so we end up with three generations of his blood relatives included in the piece ♾️
The mere mortal words I added are imagining what he would say to his kids from heaven!

🧓🏼Dia agus na Cruinne

Newly remastered version of Ride On from 2015 ep STONE

Ride On (Remastered)

Forthcoming single 28/08/2020 from the new album In the Haunted Woods 23/10/2020

Defender

Introducing The Agency… and “Harbour Song”
The Agency: Weaving Dark Tales Through Dystopian Soundscapes
The Agency… is an alt/indie rock collective renowned for their ability to captivate listeners with haunting melodies, introspective lyrics, and cinematic soundscapes. Since their inception, they have distinguished themselves with a unique blend of indie rock, post-rock, and folk elements, crafting musical experiences that transport audiences to eerie, otherworldly realms. Their previous releases, Of Ghosts and In the Haunted Woods, illustrate the band’s fearless exploration of the supernatural, emotional depth, and the human condition. With a penchant for weaving dark tales through dystopian soundscapes, The Agency… continues to push the boundaries of their genre, creating evocative and immersive music that resonates on a profound level.
Formation and Early Days
Formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, The Agency… emerged from the vision of vocalist and songwriter Steven K Driver. With the addition of Steve Beyer (guitar), Garry Cosgrove (drums), Andy Ludbrook (bass), and Scott Wall (piano), Driver's vision was fully realised, and The Agency… began to take shape. The collective developed a distinctive sound that merges dystopian electric soundscapes with folk lyrics and gothic themes, finding moments of light within narratives of misanthropy and existential confusion.
The band’s lineup has included notable contributors such as Fraser Smith (Little Man Tate/Shed Seven) and DJ/Producer Aaron McClelland (aka Fonzerelli), alongside various stars from Newcastle’s vibrant music scene. Initially playing local gigs, The Agency… quickly gained recognition for their ability to craft immersive musical experiences, with their performances ranging from intimate duos to expansive ensembles, including a choir.
A Haunting Sound
The Agency…'s music stands out for its narrative-driven approach, with each album taking the listener on a journey through haunted landscapes—both literal and metaphorical. Of Ghosts, offered a poignant blend of introspection and eerie folk lore, with tracks like "She" and "Jack and Spade” standing out for their melancholic tones and cinematic storytelling. The album drew comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave.
In the Haunted Woods, proved a darker and more expansive follow-up that deepened the band’s exploration of the human condition. The album features standout tracks like "Numb" and "Defender," continuing their tradition of blending rich storytelling with moody, textured soundscapes. In the Haunted Woods cemented The Agency…’s place as a band unafraid to dive into complex emotional and sonic territory, creating music that lingers long after the final note.
"Harbour Song"
On November 1, 2024, The Agency… will release "Harbour Song," the debut single from their highly anticipated upcoming album. This captivating track features a call-and-response waltz with the evocative voices of Elise Shields and Rosa Thomas from The Samphires, Edinburgh and Newcastle’s best-kept musical secret. Their contributions, alongside Driver's rich baritone vocals, create a mesmerizing blend that embodies the spirit of the myth of Hero and Leander, leaving its denouement open to interpretation.
The Agency…’s distinctive soundscape is brought to life with Ludbrook and Malcolm Jackson’s atmospheric production, which enhances the melancholic melodies and intricate instrumentation. Driver's narrative craftsmanship shines through in the track, which reflects influences from iconic duets like Nancy and Lee and modern echoes such as Campbell and Lanegan. "Harbour Song" offers unique sonic twists and showcases the emerging talent of The Samphires, promising to captivate listeners with its rich gothic allure and evocative storytelling, inviting them to experience its haunting beauty time and again. 
Alongside the single, the band is also releasing Jackson’s, under the name of Linguistic Spermy Dervlish, heavy industrial "Undercurrent Remix," providing a darker, more intense interpretation of the track.
Present and Future
In conjunction with the release of “Harbour Song,” The Agency… will embark on a U.K. tour, bringing their immersive live experience to fans across the country. The tour includes performances at The Hope and Anchor in London on October 31, SOCA Live in Birmingham on November 1, and the Folklore Rooms in Brighton on November 3.
The touring lineup features Driver (guitar and vocals), Andy Ludbrook (bass), Scott Wall (piano), Ben Anderson (guitar), Andrew Carr (drums—formerly with Bonehead), and Martin Thompson (guitar—Meiosis). The band will also collaborate with other musicians, including Steve Beyer, on a new album slated for release in 2025.

Defender

The Agency...

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