Excavations by Warren Schoenbright

Purchase and listen at -

https://vacantfulfilment.bandcamp.com/album/excavations

Excavations was conceived in Egremont on the west coast of Cumbria. We completed a week-long residency at the Florence Arts Centre which is situated on the site of a now defunct Haematite mine. The crumbling machinery once used to excavate inordinate amounts of red rock now stands silently on the site like listless guardians of a space that demands industry – creative or otherwise.

The piece of music we made in response to the area purposefully shuns the picturesque in favour conjuring an uncompromising fever-dream in which the machinery has somehow spluttered back to life and is once again churning out its industrial din.

Misshapen metal balls, once the ammunition of giant metal chambers in which rocks were crushed, are strewn across the site. It is a place turgid with the indelible memory of thousands of working men and women who once fuelled the major industries of big cities.
When it rains in Egremont the puddles shimmer blood-red and will do forever.

With Excavations we have attempted to express our deep admiration for The Florence Arts Centre, The Florence Mines, Egremont and the people with whom we spoke and collaborated. Special thanks must go to Paul, Craig and Lee for their support and allowing us to express ourselves fully.

All money donated for the download and purchase of Excavations will go to The Florence Arts Centre which is sadly facing closure.

Material written at Florence Mines.
Recorded and mastered by Wayne Adams at Bear bites horse.

Credits

released February 5, 2018