Experimental songwriter Joshua Burnside has announced he will be releasing his latest EP, 'Late Afternoon In The Meadow (1887)', on November 18th 2022. His first new music of the year comes ahead of his biggest headline show to date - The Ulster Hall, Belfast on December 23rd, with support from Lemoncello. Alongside this announcement, Joshua will release the titular track from the EP on September 16th.
‘Late Afternoon…’ is the story of a life without opportunity, following a character lost in the labyrinth cul-de-sacs of working-class Belfast, caught between mountain and motorway. The motorway in question is the Westlink, a ‘river of concrete' that is as much a barrier to progress and movement for the citizens of Belfast as the peace walls. A solid, grey, sheer monument to the division found in the city, it plays the main stage as Burnside narrates an unfortunately familiar story of declining mental health amidst economic strife.
'Late Afternoon...' paints a bleak picture of the city, but also presents a warmer frame, and hope for the future. Featuring Burnside's trademark penchant for looping found sounds, ancient recordings and experimental production together with the traditions of Irish folk and alternative music, the track captures the beauty and turmoil of the songwriter's home.
"Belfast was redesigned for military, social and economic reasons during the late end of the century. It was rebuilt to suit a car-driving suburban middle class, which is why the centre is mostly encircled by car parks, empty buildings, empty land and motorways twisting and rising above or below you. It is sadly apt then, that people wishing to take their own life, often choose the Westlink as the place to do it, jumping from the bridges that cross it. This song is about someone at the end of their tether. And if you are feeling this way, then I dedicate this song to you.
I wrote this one after returning from the south of France. I’m normally glad to be home, but it was a particularly grey and blustery day. On days like this, the city can feel like a very bleak place, and so I wrote a very bleak song. But there is hope in it too, hope for a kinder society, a life that is softer on the soul. Belfast seldom resembles a french impressionist painting, but it is my home and it has its own beauty." - Joshua Burnside
lyrics
I saw a man jump off the Clifton Street Bridge
On to the Westlink
Harder than a cliff edge
Oh man, Oh man
The way he fell
Like a sack of spuds
A ringing bell
Down a stone well
Oh man, Oh man
The way he fell
Like a sack of spuds
A ringing bell
Down a stone well
This river of concrete cut the
City in two
So you never knew me and
I never knew you
But I can't imagine why
Anyone would do that
Tell me brother why
Why'd you do that
No I can't imagine why
Anyone would do that
Tell me brother why
Where were you going
Somewhere warmer
Kinder
Softer on the soul
Like the Mothers hand
The honeycomb
Skies of Pissarro
Later afternoon in the Meadow
1887
Well they assured us all once
It could
Only get better
But I'm not sure now
Not so sure
But I'll you pal he said
If you'd care to listen
As he stood up and climbed into the
back of my Nissan
And we reversed down the Motorway
Got off at the Falls
Drove up Black Mountain
As he told me it all
He said I've been feeling
Low Low Low
For a
Long time now
I owe owe owe
Money to the wrong people
My life's just something that's been
Happening to me
Used to play for Cliftonville
'Til I
Wrecked my knee
Started working for my uncle
Started hanging 'round the bars
You know I really thought
That I'd
Be somewhere else by now
Somewhere warmer
Kinder
Softer on the soul
Like the Mothers hand
The honeycomb
Skies of Pissarro
Later afternoon in the Meadow
1887
Well they assured us all once
that it could
Only get better
Get warmer
Kinder
Softer on the soul
Like the Mothers hand
The honeycomb
Skies of Pissarro
Later afternoon in the Meadow
1887
Well they assured us
I was sure
that it could
Only get better
Joshua Burnside was born in Northern Ireland, where he draws inspiration from the beauty, the ugliness and the rich musical and literary heritage of an often tormented corner of the world.
A gorgeous journey through a kaleidoscopic array of sonic approaches melted together that feels old and new at the same time. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 5, 2024
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