In The Absence Of Light EP

Whilst locked down we looked up. Dreaming of faraway landscapes and spaces in the distance. We researched planets and solar systems, and found inspiration in a dreamlike journey into the unknown a shimmering darkness twisting around mythology and science but vastly shrouded in the unknown. These journeys we then reflected upon from our more grounded space, midpandemic, trapped between four walls. All writing sessions via video link. Time delays and interference all added to the energy within this project.I started writing last year with Jim Sclavunos Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Sonic Youth Grinderman. I have known Jim for many years, and we had previously worked together in my studio in Camden. When lockdown came into place, we decided to do some virtual writing sessions, embracing technology and the newfound time that we both had on our hands due to not being able to tour. We would get together on a video call at midday and just keep the session running until we had a song. Glenn Kerrigan, my longtime collaborator, was also on hand to help us conjure up a sound from the outer edge of the universe. It was in one of our first virtual writing sessions that we wrote lsquoIn the Absence of Lightrsquo we found all the mythology and science so fascinating there was just so much to write about we decided to start on the outer edge of the universe and hoped by the time we reached the sun the pandemic might be over and we might also have a body of work to show for our time spent together. rdquoIN THE ABSENCE OF LIGHTStarting from the outermost edge of our solar system, this track is inspired by Planet X officially know as Eris the Greek goddess of discord. One of the moons that orbits Eris is named for the goddess lsquo daughter Dysnomia who herself was a daemon of lawlessness. The lyrics are a conversation between mother and daughter Dysnomia had no ldquofatherrdquo she emerged solely from the chaotic entity that is Eris.SATURN 9Known as the ldquoeccentricrdquo planet, Saturn uniquely has multiple rings as well as 62 confirmed moons, of which 9 are still waiting to be officially named. The Roman God, Saturns mythological reign has been depicted as a golden age of plenty and peace, whereas Cronus, Saturns counterpart in Greek mythology was a titan who castrated his father Uranus and ate his own children.SHADOWSThis was written about the planet Jupiter and her 79 moons, but most especially its largest moon Ganymede, over which is often casts a large shadow. Jupiter, Roman king of the gods, abducted Ganymede, ldquothe most beautiful of all mortalsrdquo to be his cup bearer in Olympus, home of the gods.Ganymede is the only moon with its own magnetic field and there is evidence of a hidden underground oceanLOOKING FOR A GODThis was inspired by the planet Pluto and its moon Charon.Unlike a typical moon, Charon spins together with Pluto in a double planet system that shares the same orbital axis. Pluto was the Roman god of the underworld and Charon the ferryman whose duty it was to guide souls of the newly dead across the river Styx into Plutorsquos afterlife domain