A brief exploration (emphasis on brief) of the unsettled countryside that I may well return to at a later date…it’s a ramble rather than any structured insight, aimed at introducing some sounds, visions and points of reference that have heavily influenced me. I also aimed to encourage further exploration by those new to hauntology which sounds far worse than it is. For those already deeply entrenched, most of these references will be pretty well-known.
Last year, Ghost Box released a spoken word and music project by writer Justin Hopper and folk musician Sharron Kraus titled Chanctonbury Rings. For those unfamiliar with this landmark, the ring is a prehistoric iron age hill fort atop Chanctonbury Hill on the South Downs. The area has long been associated with supernatural forces, something that ties in well to hauntology, a term coined by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1993 book Spectres of Marx referring to the return or persistence of elements from the past…some describe the experience of such places as an unsettledness. Far from being something to run from, such places attract many, myself included. When I do go out on these jaunts, I often bring an old film camera, black and white film, and occasionally a field-recorder. While my wife finds some of my images quite haunting, I’m deeply drawn to them. Maybe I’m clinging desperately to the past…
In 2017, Justin Hopper published his book The Old Weird Albion (publ. Penned in the Margins), a poetical, autobiographical and psychogeographical account of his experiences at Chanctonbury Ring on the West Sussex Downs.
Justin Hopper traces memories, myths and forgotten histories from Winchester to Beachy Head, joining New Age eccentrics and accidental visionaries on the hunt for crop circles, ancient chalk figures and eerie suburbs: the ruins of prehistoric pasts and utopian futures. Hopper casts himself as the outsider – an American initiate searching for an English heritage – and mixes doubt with desire in pursuit of mystical encounters in the Downs.
The resulting musical project is described as blending of folk, electronic music, poetry, prose and environmental sound. Interestingly this is one area where folk and electronic music often frequent…although the electronic music I’m talking about is often (although not always) experimental and psychedelic.
Kraus’s electro-acoustic soundscapes and songs interweave with Hopper’s rich, intimate narration. Musically it moves effortlessly from the traditional to the avant-garde with Belbury Poly contributing music and production throughout and bookending the work with a memorable theme tune.
Around the Folk Radio office, are many books and recordings relating to this sub-cultural exploration picked up along the way ranging from George Ewart Evans’ ‘The Pattern Under the plough’ to in-depth studies by the likes of Stephen Prince’s exceptional ‘A Year in the Country’ (see the website here). Add to this books by Alan Garner, Susan Cooper, old TV series’ such as The Owl Service… and not forgetting The Wicker Man and The Moon and the Sledgehammer.
As mentioned, there’s a rich crossover of folk and electronic music in this broad church that all has something of an underground feel to it, with albums often released in very small numbers, played at small festivals and news distributed via small mailing lists. Artists that spring to mind include Sproatly Smith, The Owl Service, The Rowan Amber Mill, United Bible Studies, Michael Tanner, Jon Brooks, Sharron Kraus, Vic Mars, The Hardy Tree…go and explore the labels: Clay Pipe Music, Ghost Box and Reverb Worship for more discoveries.
Also, take a listen to Frances Castle’s beginner’s guide to her label Clay Pipe Music:
Followed by Sproatly Smith’s mix for the month of May from last year…
That’s your brief ramble over…
till next time.
Photos Copyright: Alex Gallacher