Blogs
The Bloodmoon Prohecy - A Novel of the Silures - Interview With Author Bee Richards
By Ceri Shaw, 2021-06-03
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Beryl: Thank you very much Ceri for interviewing me.
AmeriCymru: How would you describe The Bloodmoon Prophecy?
Beryl: The novel was inspired by the hills around Port Talbot. From where I live I can see two burial mounds outlined against the sky. Port Talbot is heavily industrialised and I had an epiphany moment when I realised that the romans had been here in their struggle to subdue the local tribe the Siliurians. I started researching and found traces of many prehistoric tracks and dwellings, burials and a late roman gravestone. There are circles and other sites that have not been excavated but go way back. Some of the Welsh placenames are said to have commemorated battles between the local tribes and the Romans.
It is with this in mind that I undertook to write The Bloodmoon Prophecy, using the historical locations as my muse. Gradually a story of Celtic magic, aggression, conflict and honour let itself be known to me. The two women involved in telling the story live 2,000 years apart. I still don’t know if it is magic or real. I leave you, the reader to decide.
AmeriCymru: What can you tell us about the ancient Welsh Tribe, the Silures?
Beryl: Wales has an ancient history and culture which will compares more than favourably with world culture. It took the Romans 25 years to finally subdue the Silurians who occupied mountainous territories in the Southwest of Wales They were considered as the most hostile and brave tribe, They were fearless in battle, but did not have the discipline, training or equipment of the Romans which was their ultimate downfall. The Silurian launch of Guerilla tactics confused the Romans, which was a qiick onslaught and an even quicker disappearance into the hills, initially confused them. Ultimately, they were outnumbered and when Caractacus was captured their resistance broke down. They inhabited the hilltops and farmed, raised cattle and made weapons out of a new metal called iron. The Silurians were not just an isolated confederation of tribes. The lived in a complex, highly organised and sophisticated society. Women had substantial rights. If they got divorced they took whatever dowry they brought to a marriage plus the profit it had earned. There was a complex religious system headed by the Druids, who were responsible for negotiating between fights between the clans (there were a few), law making, bardic traditions and healing. They were volatile, intelligent and creative, and on occasions violent. The ultimate discipline and tactics and superior numbers of the Romans defeated them. Certain elements of the Celtic tribes were Romanised but the larger and remote populations hardly ever altered their lifestyle. Trade with the Romans and the taxes which they extracted did not subdue their identity and culture.
AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little aboiut your previous novel - Golconda?
Beryl: Golconda one of my previous novels was a story of Welsh Copper and the world wide trade which it stimulated. Wicca and the plight of the Indentured Servants which were used before slavery is highlighted. Port Talbot is known for its heavy industry, steel, formerly coal and its huge deep water harbour. The Silurians seem to have occupied the flat tops and the hilltops. The coastal plain was heavily forested. The Romans seemed initially to have arrived from the East. They built a fort at Caerleon and subsequently went inland with forts established at strategic points. Scapula invaded at various points through what is now the Welsh Borders and the Marches finally subduing the Welsh. The river Neath was used to establish a fort named Nidum, the estuary being tidal was ideal for landing supplies etc.,
AmeriCymru: You write historical fantasy fiction. What inspired your interest in history? Would you agree with R.S. Thomas that it is not possible to ".... live in the present, at least not in Wales?"
Beryl: It is the unlikely background to my upbringing in the industrial town of Port Talbot. My father introduced me to my love of history, taking me around the Abbey here, telling me tales of Margam Castle and the early Christian stones found in the tiny museum at Margam. At nine years old I was hooked! I owe him a debt which I could never repay.
I have always been interested in writing and coupled with my historical research it seemed to be natural to combine both in a novel. BLOODMOON is the first of a trilogy. I am busy beavering away on the second in the Series THE CARACTACUS CODE. As usual I am planning the book, but sometimes the characters do something totally unexpected, and the plot takes another twist. Typical of my screwy imagination!
R.S Thomas said “it is not possible to live in the present. At least not in Wales.” This is a statement to which I am in total agreement. We are surround by castles, hillforts and legends stretching back into the mists of time. Coupled with my fascination for locked boxes, enigmas and my Welsh cultural heritage it is sheer pleasure for me to write about such things. There is not a lot known about the early Silurian/Romano period. The mountains to the east of Port Talbot have been well excavated by the Glamorgan and Gwent Archaeological Trust, but not the area around Port Talbot. There was an attempt in the thirties. For me the landscape tells its own story, which of course if a figment of my imagination.so fascinate me. I consulted old maps and any books which I could find on the subject, which led me down a magical personal path of fascination which has stimulated my writing juices and have introduced me to the works of Wilson and Blackett, a controversial pair who have discovered a rich source of the legends and forgotten sources of old Welsh history, which academics seem to refute. This is not an argument I want to enter into, but this is a fascinating source of material and legends and is followed by a lot of colourful people, which as you know Ceri, also fascinate me. My head is full of the mysticism and legends of these people.
AmeriCymru: Where can our readers purchase 'The Bloodmoon Prophecy' online?
Beryl: The Bloodmoon Prophecy can be purchased on Amazon.
AmeriCymru: What's next for Bee Richards? Any new titles in the works?
Beryl: Currently I am working on the sequel to Bloodmoon with the working title of The Caractacus Code which I hope to bring out later this year. Ceri I thank you for your time and interest. Speak to you soon.
Artist: SYBS
Single Title: 'Llygaid'
Release Date: 04.06.21
Format: Digital Single
Label: Libertino
Location: Cardiff, Swansea, London, Europe
Social Tags: @SYBSband @Libertinorecs @Beastpruk
‘Llygaid’ is an exhilarating change of pace for a band whose adrenaline fulled anthems have made them one of Wales’ most exciting acts. Here Osian (Singer / Guitarist) and the band take us down a more reflective, jangly and at times bucolic and beautifully melancholic road.....plus it has Tubular Bells on it, an EXTRA reason to love it unconditionally!!
Osian explains the background to ‘Llygaid’:
“I wrote this song during my first year of Uni, and was definitely a change of pace for me writing wise. A lot of the songs I was writing at the time where very dancey and energetic so it felt good to do a song that was more inward looking, and the lyrics definitely reflect this and generally encapsulate those last few weeks of my first year in uni.
It’s really weird listening back to this one because we recorded the final bits and bobs literally a day before I went home for lockdown, a little over a year ago, which makes it even more nostalgic to me. Hopefully I’ll get to make some more memories playing this song live very soon!”
'Llygaid' will be released via Libertino Records on Friday 04.06.21
SYBS Online:
https://twitter.com/SYBSband
https://www.facebook.com/SYBSband/
https://www.instagram.com/sybsband/?hl=en
https://www.libertinorecords.com
Craig Charles is bringing his legendary Funk & Soul Club party to Feeder: The Homecoming at Newport’s Tredegar Park on Friday 9th July 2021. The last remaining tickets are on general sale right now from www.newport-events.com . Support for the homecoming will come from special guests The Magic Gang and Welsh bands Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard and Tom Auton and the Bottle Breakers.
Yes, the legendary actor, comedian, musician, poet and presenter; Craig Charles is a man of many talents. Having played with many bands, Charles has a good ear for the best tunes and in 2012 formed The Craig Charles Funk And Soul Club. Broadcasting for 10 years on BBC 6 Music with their prime time Saturday night slot, Craig Charles has gone from strength to strength, becoming a commanding figure and DJ in the UK funk and soul scene.
Currently live every Saturday Night for 3 hours between 6pm and 9pm on one of the nation’s most loved music radio stations, has garnered Craig global support as one of the UK’s foremost Funk and Soul DJ, commentator and promoter of new music.
Event organiser Mark Hopkins says, “We’re delighted that this will be one of the first major outdoor events in Wales and we wanted to make the party even bigger! Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club does exactly that, big tunes to get everyone moving. The show was originally going to be extra special with Feeder playing a hometown show and it’s going to be even more special with this now being one of the first live outdoor events in Wales.”
Headlining will be Feeder, led by Grant Nicholas leads from the front, alongside bass player and comrade Taka Hirose. The British rock mainstays are responsible for some of the biggest British indie rock hits in the past twenty years. With 8 top #10 studio albums and 20 top #40 UK, the band are responsible for such anthems, ‘Just the Way I'm Feeling’, ‘Tumble and Fall’, ‘Just a Day’, ‘Feeling a Moment’ and the widely loved ‘Buck Rodgers’.
Since forming in 1994, Feeder have released ten studio albums, spanning early albums like Echo Park to Comfort of Sound and Renegades. The Welsh rock band's ninth album All Bright Electric came out in 2016 and the band released their most recent album Tallulah in 2019, which was met with critical acclaim. The album peaked at No. 4 on the UK Album Charts on release and was supported with singles 'Fear of Flying', 'Youth', 'Daily Habit' and 'Blue Sky Blue'
Feeder have come full circle. More than two decades after their first show the band are reinvigorated, tapping into the essential, primal energy that first inspired them.
Support for this huge event come from very special guests Brighton indie band The Magic Gang, whose second album ‘Death of a Party’ received critical and fan adoration worldwide; NME hailed it as ‘A timeless and genre-blurring record’. The line-up also sees two Welsh artists performing, first up is retro rock outfit Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, who have received prestigious air play from BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac, Jack Saunders and Huw Stephens and disco-infused blues rock from Tom Auton & the Bottle Breakers who has just released his latest single 9 til 9.
Feeder,
The Magic Gang,
The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
Tom Auton & the Bottle Breakers
will perform at Tredegar Park, Newport on Friday 9th July 2021. Tickets are on sale now from
It is always a pleasure to welcome a new single from Tom Auton and the Bottle Breakers and their latest offering '9 til 9' is no exception. Following the success of their previous single 'Victim of the Groove' the band have released yet another high energy masterpiece laced with grinding bass and heavy blues riffs. To hear a sample (or purchase) click the Spotify link above. AmeriCymru spoke to Tom about the band, the single and his future plans.
AmeriCymru: Hi Tom and many thanks for agreeing to this interview. Care to tell us a little about your new single '9 til 9’ ?
Hello! No problem at all, thanks for having me. Sure thing. So 9 Til 9 is about a 12 hour day that I spent overanalysing a song I had written. I spent that entire day trying to change it to fit someone else’s idea of ’the perfect song’.
The next day I realised how stupid I was. I came to the realisation that I shouldn’t change who I am to please someone else.
AmeriCymru: Care to tell us a little about your previous single - 'Victim of the Groove’?
Sure. Victim of the Groove was the start of a new sound for me. Production wise it was really heavy, heavier than anything I’d made before.. Then I had to contrast the production with my vocal melody, to keep it commercially appealing. I tracked the bass guitar 9 times to make up that huge sound that you’re hit with, in the first few seconds. I’d say it was one of my best productions to date.
AmeriCymru: What can you tell us about your band The Bottle Breakers? What is the current line up and what is its history?
Josh Stock - Bass
I started writing and performing music from he age of 12 and I was making very different music to the music I am making now. It used to be very ’singer songwriter/ Ed Sheeran rip off’ stuff. Which has its place, but it’s just not what I’m into anymore.
As I progressed, musically, I started falling back in love with rock music and when I was 16 I got a band behind me to start playing the songs with me at gigs. At that time, there was no name for the band, it was just ’Tom Auton’.
Eventually, around 2 years ago, I felt it was a good idea to give the guys a band name.
AmeriCymru: Who are you currently listening to? Any recommendations?
Currently loving the new Royal Blood record! You can hear their influence a lot in my music.
AmeriCymru: What's next for Tom Auton? Any new tours or recordings in the works?
There’s a shed load of new songs that will be coming out in 2022, I’m currently applying for funding so we can do all the tracks up properly at a great studio in Cardiff, Longwave Studios.
We have a few tour dates in the works for 2022 but nothing confirmed yet. Venues seem to have a massive backlog of bookings coming their way at the moment so I’ll let you know as soon as we have something set in stone!
‘PAYDAY’ is the relentless first single from Minas’s debut album “All My Love Has Failed Me”
By Ceri Shaw, 2021-05-27
‘Payday’ incorporates a clash of punk and electronica that James Minas as a producer has crafted over the course of three years alongside his band (bassist Bob Williams and drummer Greg Davies). It’s a skewed sideways track with a simplistic yet aggressive bass and drum combination sitting unrelentingly under a strung out, spitting vocal performance.
Taking influence from the DIY punk of Shellac and experimental electronica from Burial, Minas has combined a wide lineage of influence, as well as considering new sounds and messages from the likes of Slowthai and Sleaford Mods. This combination, plus further strong inspiration from The Prodigy and Deftones, makes up a musical, lyrical and thematic basis on which Minas has threaded through stories both grounded in his own reality and conjured up to reflect the state of society.
‘Payday’ digs into frustration and angst with a crooked grin attached. Self deprecating humour describes an almost idle boredom marked by depravity and desperation. Its chorus speaks to the title “I get paid Friday, trust me I am good for it” Minas howls over the increasing noise of his band. (...continues)
The last year has been Minas’s most prolific, releasing two singles ‘ Drinker ’ and “ Burner ” (both with forward thinking music videos and playlisted by Dummy magazine) as well as the EP ‘ Nudge ’, written, recorded and released in a span of a couple of months in lockdown. Minas was also granted BBC Horizons Launchpad funding in cooperation with the Arts Council Of Wales. This has afforded him the opportunity to create a unique recorded live show during a time where his charged, manic, crowd-fueled sets aren’t possible. Set within the walls of a circus rehearsal space in what was once a Cardiff chapel, the three piece band played through the album to no one. The show is set to be released with the album later this year.
Social Media - @minassound - Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
LYRICS
I was dragging my ass across the floor like a dog, mate.
You got like 4 and I’ll pay you later? Mate?
He was like “you’ve had 6 off me this week bruv!” Mate!
Ha this tolerance mate it’s gone up init.
Though…
...
I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday.
Trust me I am good for it.
Trust me I am good for it.
I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday.
Trust me I am good for it.
Trust me I am good for it.
...
My housemates staying in his room,
We’re blasting tunes, I mix up codeine in the kitchen while he munches his noodles.
My parents were punks and I’m being youthful,
What is this revelation, we’re all stuck on phones, you’ll get run over,
I used to break shit to fix things.
...
I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday.
Trust me I am good for it.
Trust me I am good for it.
I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday, I get paid Friday.
Trust me I am good for it.
Trust me I am good for it.
viA fAntAsticA shares video for insistent robot pop earworm 'Row Town(Roath)' inspired by Cardiff communities
By Ceri Shaw, 2021-05-26
Wales is the first country in the world to have a continuous footpath stretching along its entire coastline – 870 miles or 1,400 km long. Weatherman Walking: The Welsh Coast contains 15 guided walks along the Wales Coast Path, each between 4 and 8 miles. They cover a good geographical spread of the coastal path around Wales, with walks in Pembrokeshire, the Llŷn Peninsula, Anglesey, Gower, Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Denbighshire and Ceredigion. [Full list of walks to be found below].
“I am so lucky to present a programme like Weatherman Walking . Not only do I visit many beautiful places but I also get to meet and work with lots of wonderful and talented people! Wales is such as beautiful country and each area has something unique to offer – from the light of Anglesey to the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline, each section is full of history, myths and the wildlife. I hope you enjoy the book and the walks featured!” said Derek Brockway.
“This is the first time I have worked with ‘Derek the Weather’ and it’s been an absolute joy. His passion for Wales and walking has been infectious, and it’s been wonderful to see the great affection the Welsh public has for him,” says Julia Foot, the Series Producer of Weatherman Walking: The Welsh Coast for BBC Wales. “I have personally walked every one of the walks in this book, often with locals or path rangers who have given me a real understanding of the particular identity of that section of Coast Path, including the wildlife, history and secrets they hold. These people have helped bring the various coastal stretches to life, so they are no longer just 2D sections of an OS maps.”
Each walk has its own chapter and includes an OS route map and essential information for walkers as well as directions. Most walks can be paired, meaning that they can either be done separately or as one long continuous hike. Each chapter presents lots of interesting information about the landmarks that can be seen on each walk, as well as about unusual local activities or people that Derek came across in the related episode.
Derek Brockway
Derek Brockway was born in Barry, South Wales and has been passionately interested in the weather ever since he was a young boy. A qualified meteorologist, he was employed by the Met Office for 20 years and became the main weather forecaster for BBC Wales in 1997. He now presents a number of radio and television programmes, including Derek's Welsh Weather and Weatherman Walking . His leisure activities include walking, squash, skiing and leaning Welsh.
Julia Foot
Julia Foot has worked for the BBC for over 20 years as a researcher, Assistant Producer, Director and now Series Producer, and on a whole range of programmes, including with Ray Mears, DIY SOS , and for Comic Relief. In 2018 Julia was nominated for a BAFTA for an Antiques Roadshow special that she produced about the Holocaust.
List of walks
Where the walks are paired, they can be done together as one longer walk if preferred.
Abereiddy to Whitesands (Pembrokeshire)
Abersoch to Llanbedrog (Llŷn Peninsula)
Llanbedrog to Pwllheli (Llŷn Peninsula)
Beaumaris to Trwyn Du (Anglesey)
Trwyn Du to Red Wharf Bay (Anglesey)
Fall Bay to Port Eynon (Gower)
Port Eynon to Oxwich Bay (Gower)
Porthcawl to Merthyr Mawr (Glamorgan Heritage Coast)
Merthyr Mawr to Southerndown (Glamorgan Heritage Coast)
Saundersfoot to Amroth (Pembrokeshire)
Amroth to Pendine Sands (Pembrokeshire/Carmarthenshire)
Talacre to Prestatyn (Flintshire/Denbighshire)
Prestatyn to Rhyl (Denbighshire)
Ynyslas to Borth (Ceredigion)
Borth to Aberystwyth (Ceredigion)
‘Tom Auton has arrived and isn’t going anywhere but up.’ - New Sound Wales
‘Everything Tom touches turns to Gold!’ - David Owens, South Wales Echo
‘Tom’s a one-man wonder’ - Rock Coven
Tom Auton follows up to the much-adored Victim of the Groove, with a brand new single 9 til 9 which is OUT on Friday 28 May 2021 on all major streaming/download platforms.
Sonically, Tom delivers with another slab of thicc filthy bass to gurn your face, high energy and heavy blues riffs; all woven with Tom’s signature disco groove woven throughout to make your feet want to dance and take you to giddying heights. 9 til 9 was recorded at Longwave Studios, Cardiff, produced and mixed by ‘one-man wonder’ Tom himself, and mastered by Eddie Al-Shakarchi aka Ed Boogie (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Boy Azooga) . Following on from the success of previous single Victim of the Groove, 2021 is shaping up to be a big year for Tom, with his first show back being with legendary Welsh indie-rockers band Feeder. Tom will open the huge outdoor show at Tredegar Park, Newport on Friday 9 July with his band The Bottlebreakers. Tickets are available HERE . The Cardiff based musician and his band also paid homage to one of their inspirations Royal Blood with their cover of Typhoons, which gained a seal of approval from Royal Blood themselves!
9 til 9 delves even deeper into Tom’s experience and struggles of being a self-releasing indie artist, the creative process and the theme of mental reliance.
“The Lyric ‘9 Til 9’ refers to a full 12 hour day that I spent analysing a song I had written. Trying to make it fit someone else’s idea of “the perfect song.”
“This song is about rejection and how I deal with it. For me, getting turned down from an opportunity or a job, and not getting feedback as to what you did wrong, sends me falling into an over analytical pit of ‘what did I do wrong’. So I wrote 9 Til 9 to rid my mind all of these questions that I conjure after getting turned down.” explains Tom.
Tom tells the story of ripping himself apart to gain approval from an unforgiving music industry with lyrics ‘now I’ve changed my clothes can I breathe your air?’ but rather than dwell for too long he channels this negative energy into his music and works around the clock to create his fresh sounding and incredibly catchy disco infused blues-rock anthems.
As Tom puts it “It can consume me to the point of wanting to change who I am, It’s a bit dark and gloomy, but I find writing about it makes for some really aggressive riffs. Every song of mine is born from anger and frustration, at things that have gone wrong in my life. The songs highlight the internal conflict I face with myself daily.
” In spite of lock downs hitting the music industry hard, Tom is living the true rock and roll dream; producing his own rock and blues records at the age of 21 from his own studio ‘The Syncopation Station’ (his parent’s living room). Tom’s produces and co-writes with a number of artists including Dan Owen, John Adams, Amber Leigh Irish and The Voice’s Chanel Yates & Jake O’Neil.
“Producing gave me the chance to make the most out of a bad situation and throw myself into my production work. I’ve been working 6 days a week since the start of lock down, mostly over zoom, on a plethora of new music from the artists that I work with. This has definitely helped to keep me sane.” says Tom.
Pre-Global pandemic, Tom was receiving critical success on his previous records with Mother Mary being added to one of the most prestigious playlists on Spotify All New Rock, BBC Introducing’s Adam Walton calling him “An Incredible Talent” and David Owens, South Wales Echo claiming “Everything Tom touches turns to Gold”
9 til 9 will be released on Friday 28 May on all major streaming/download platforms.
‘THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SMILE’ WALES’ BIGGEST FESTIVAL PROMOTERS ANNOUNCE EVOLUTION: ESCAPE RECORDS
The team behind Wales’ biggest events and festivals, including Inside Out and Colour Clash , have announced a major evolution for the company. Having previously operated as Climax Live, the launch of Escape Records is a huge development that sees the brand new record label, as well as all their existing festivals and club nights, fall under one exciting new brand. On top of this, there are bold plans firmly in motion for a brand new sure-to-be historic and much larger addition to their festival portfolio next year. Escape Records, then, is very much set to change the game in Wales and beyond.
This newest project from the team has already begun to pop up in various forms. You may have noticed a Batman-style light projecting a giant smiley face onto historic landmarks in major cities across Wales over the past few days? If you have, now you know why. This is the first of a number of inventive activations from the Escape Records team which you’ll see in the hills, streets and even clubs in the coming weeks and months, so keep your eyes and ears close to the ground.
Escape Records will officially launch on 17th May with the official launch party taking place one month later on 20/21 June, subject to all restrictions being lifted.
The Escape team has undoubtedly established themselves as the leading event promoters in Wales over recent years, launching and firmly establishing four festivals across the country; Inside Out, Colour Clash, Party At The Park and Escape, each with capacities ranging from 5000 to 20,000 people, with a huge new game-changing festival all set to be unveiled soon.
The collective have always strived to surround themselves and work with an array of amazing and creative people that are the heartbeat of what the brand stands for. Escape Records was very much a vision for the future, but after the enforced 2020 fallow year because of the pandemic, it now takes centre stage, as bold new challenges await whilst the team work on some very special new projects to be announced very soon.
Says Mark Hopkins, Director of Escape Records, “Our mantra is trust and love the process. This means we’ve had an incredible ride, with many knocks along the way, but we have learned from them all and improved each time and are now ready to take things to the next level. When this journey began, it was based in music and partying and the wider cultural impact in truth was not at the forefront of our minds. Fast forward 15 years and sadly the carefree attitude of youth is starting to escape us, but this space is now filled with a more meaningful purpose. The creation of our academy to support and bring through the next generation of music talent in South Wales, our range of charitable and project work most recently supporting the building of a home in Cambodia. Giving back in all its forms to our community, the industry further afield and making sure we embody that in all that we do.”
The launch of Escape Records is the first chapter in an exciting new story. Sign up here to keep up to date with all announcements and developments as the story unfolds.
...
SOCIALS
ABOUT ESCAPE RECORDS
The Escape Records team has roots that are deeply woven into the nightclub scene of Cardiff and the surrounding cities. Starting as students working for various other event companies, the team's passions were ignited and skills honed. As soon as they graduated from university, it was clear that working for corporate companies in the city was never going to work so together they formed their own small business. These young and creative minds paired with a determined work ethic led to huge early steps and major successes.
From the very smallest of spaces to the 3000 capacity venues of Greyfriars Road, the journey has been unique and enriching. Always determined to take a passion for music outside of four walls and into the open air, this manifested first in Newport through the creation of the Party At The Park and Colour Clash events. Immediately offering something new and different, the music community welcomed these parties with open arms and so Inside Out in Cardiff quickly followed, making an instant impact and achieving consistent growth and success since its inception in 2015. Escape in Swansea has since followed, with the team taking over the reins of the legacy brand in 2020 after a nine-year hiatus, breathing new life into one of the country’s most loved events, heavily credited for driving the emergence of dance music and the culture which went with it across the late 90s and beyond.
He'd never heard of replacement theory
but he was still sitting there
cowled in a no good hoodie
a cheap light grey like his complexion
he who used to receive final demands
by lowering a bucket from an upstairs window
unhinged by losing the family farm
to irresistible forces
to inevitability
those were the days
narrow old men trying to get the most
out of their narrow old tractors
slim and puny workhorses
when compared to the monsters
that superseded them
but still running on an idea
of efficiency through regular oiling
the treadmill of inheritance
the hoped-for success of repetition
their pinched sunned faces
squint at the diminishing returns
their loosening holdings
with sloping ploughed fields
whose pious furrows end in
mists that could conceal sea
sky a rainbow’s terminus
or Gawain’s green chapel
he won't budge until the undertaker
is booked and his pockets gone through
loss adjusted to nought
a vacated shell colonised
by curious new creatures
a beast among other beasts
brittle flinty had
