The Message Tapes

The new LP ‘Nature Recordings’ is out.

Vinyl only – 150 hand-numbered copies from The Great Pop Supplement (GPS63). Guest appearances by The Owl Service’s Steven Collins and P.G. Six. Artwork by Dom Martin. Contains ‘The Man Who Invented Himself’, ‘Lillian, I Love You’, ‘Dawn Rain / Grissom Aloft’, ‘The Archaeologist’ over side 1, and ‘The Eighth Tower’ (parts i-iv) over side 2.

It’s available for pre-order now from Rough Trade, Piccadilly Records, Norman Records, Heyday Mail-order, Rhythm Online, Boa Melody Bar, Phonica Records, Tormentosa and others – or direct from me. Email adamleonard@hotmail.com if you want one – they’re a tenner each (BUY).

Adam Leonard: Thoughts Upon Application

In a future rock and roll hall of anonymity, he will be a byword for quiet and tidy exploration … striding across the symbolic alien conifers – myopically planted by an eco-quango to reduce creative erosion and soften the artistic landscape – of nu-folk, modern acoustica, progressive electronics, post punk prose and popular sonics. He does not “take in” his surroundings, nor feel compelled to compose poetry and assemble music by some unseen elemental urge – his approach is experimental, inquisitive, probing. He is a social vivisectionist at the height of his powers. Fair play.

These works are the latest batch of results from an ongoing examination into the human psyche; into ‘the soul’, if that’s what gets you through the night, honey. But cast your dream-catchers and crystal healing methodology manuals aside; the imaginary emporium of Adam Leonard’s mind is more of an industrial trade counter than a new age boutique. You can queue up and pass your scribbled note of the heart’s desires to the vendor, dressed in Arkwrightian brown overalls, who will scurry off into a labyrinthine maze of dump bins and steel shelving for your dreams and fantasies. Inevitably something will be out of stock, but never fear – come back next week and A B Leonard and Co will have it in. On the counter are some thoughts on death, marked up at £3.99 with a florescent star. Impulse emotion vending. Do you want a VAT receipt for that, mate?

For Adam I have prepared the following poem:

Under the clock – the AC clock –
to the left of the bins;
Across from the charity collector and the instant salvation,
but opposite the gents – quite clean for a gents –
and next to the scales,
beside the bucket of Grade II listed rainwater …
I am temporarily alone in good company.

I hope that you enjoy this record as much as I enjoyed being edited out of it.

Yours,
Gareth Davies.