our version of ‘jesus is a rochdale girl’ by Elbow

this is a long time gig staple of ours, and the original track is just stunning ... hopefully we've done it justice // all sounds heard on the track are made / recorded / edited by us (mostly in our bedrooms)

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TMC x

jesus is a rochdale girl

This is my first true experiment with composing graphic scores, and I was so lucky to have the amazing Joanna Ward and Bella Dalliston to perform it with me. The score varies from scatterings of notes and gestures of paint to specific textual instructions and inquiries into personal experiences and emotions. It was such a great experience to be able to put it together and actually have it performed, and I hope it can be performed in so many different ways in the future. The score can be performed as a whole, or as any combination of the movements, and by any three performers. If you want to ask more about the piece or how the score came together please just get in touch! Performed by Joanna Ward (piano, voice), Bella Dalliston (voice, amplified voice) and myself (vibraphone, voice) in Jesus College Chapel as part of the Alternative Lessons & Carols concert organised by The Mermaid Café on 26.11.18.

1. how has a person important to you made you feel today?

recorded january 2019

all parts written, played, recorded, produced :

edan umrigar

except for the saxophone, which was played by:

nacho mañá

with thanks to myles eastwood

– beachen

19.3.2019

come in – come out

Sideways Knowing Glance is the debut single from London based experimental pop duo the mermaid café, out on the 10th of July 2020.

The track emerged from improvisation and experimentation using voices with loop pedals; through collaborative development, it’s grown into a 10 minute dream-pop cloud of honeyed vocals, rich and complex textures, glitchy synthesis, and intricate, intimate storytelling.

Whilst the song has been in gestation for a long time, this release was predominantly recorded and mixed whilst in lockdown in Newcastle. Whilst remaining honest to the mermaid cafe’s roots in DIY and intuitive music making, this single represents a turn towards pristine post-production shimmer in their sound.

This release is the culmination of two years of the mermaid café performing, writing, and improvising together, developing their songwriting practice. the mermaid café represents exciting, fresh collaborative thinking, bringing together many layers of artistic influence: both Ruari and Joanna do work ranging across songwriting, experimental and contemporary classical composition, multi-instrumental and vocal performance, research, activism, and visual art. Joanna is currently studying Composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, and Ruari is working as a freelance musician and writer.

This track was mastered by Jeremy Warmsley, and the group has worked with graphic designer Emily Tonkinson-Sharp to develop the cover art and merch for this release.

All music & mixing by the mermaid café
Lyrics by Ruari Paterson-Achenbach
Master by Jeremy Warmsley
Artwork by Emily Tonkinson-Sharp

'Paper Thin', Lianne La Havas - COVER

Milly Atkinson

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