Two years ago, whilst working out how to release Monastic Love Songs into the world, I began recording demos of songs for a companion album - one which would take the same approach as that album: love songs to a community. In this case, the songs would be for the community I landed into after my return from the Buddhist monastery in Canada; a guardianship in North London. A guardianship is a property, to quote a song on this record, where "you pay a little less rent to fill up a vacant property" - it used to be a very affordable, rough and ready and at times risky way to live in this expensive city. Living in an old police station and paying 150 a month but your room is a former cell. Usually this is whilst owners and developers work out how and when to squeeze big money out of the premises, and in the meantime fill it with people who don't get renter's rights, paying below market rates and "guarding" against squatting.
In my case, I was sharing a former care home with 60+ people, three floors of 1960's brick in Walthamstow. Initially I took a room there because it was all I could afford after my monking year, and I was trying to get back on my feet. I thought I would endure it and bounce out of there after a couple of months, but I began to love it. Then the pandemic etc etc - so our lockdown was, depending on your perspective: a heaven of in-house concerts, ping pong tournaments, shared meals and support for those isolating or suffering other effects of lockdown; or; a Covid-prone hell of dozens of people sharing an industrial kitchen, toilets, and shower rooms in various states of disrepair. It has been knocked down now, to be replaced with "affordable" homes.
The songs are not that much about Covid or lockdown, but many were written and recorded then. I had a moment where I realised that I was once again living in a large institution with people I didn't choose to live with, following a routine, making unexpected friendships, avoiding others,.. This is the not-so-celibate twin of Monastic Love Songs, where all kinds of particular affections and confusions appear. The "demos" became the record. Most songs are built from drum machine and double tracked guitars, which were then augmented between lockdowns by Robin Lane Roberts (keys) and Simon Drinkwater (guitars/vocals), both members of my old band Red River Dialect. Ed Sanders, also of RRD, guest on fiddle for one song, as does Joe Atkinson, guardianship fellow, on spanish guitar on another.
credits
released October 28, 2022
David John Morris: guitars, vocals, cuatro, hand percussion
Simon Drinkwater: electric guitars (1, 2, 4), whistle (5) and backing vocals (1)
Robin Lane-Roberts: Keys (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8)
Edd Sanders: Fiddle (6)
Joe Atkinson: Spanish guitar (3)
Recorded by DJM in Walthamstow, Frome, Shepperton, Crystal Palace and Kingston. Mixed by Jimmy Robertson, mastered by Chuck Johnson
supported by 20 fans who also own “Wyld Love Songs”
Very much in love with these new tracks and can’t wait to hear the full album, my appreciation is overflowing so shall splurge onto social media very soon. Just many many many thanks for these songs that speak and connect so strongly. 🙏 Satyin
supported by 20 fans who also own “Wyld Love Songs”
Front Row may be my favorite RRD song, blast it in the car on the regular. Always figured Bill Callahan was an inspiration, fun to hear it confirmed in this tune. G Norton
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