Halfway Sieben lists

Hi all 🙂

Well, I reckon I’m about halfway through my LOCKDOWN SIEBEN project as of now. I’d planned #LS100 videos- be they individual songs, or concerts. lately I’ve been branching out into some ‘making of’ videos for your amusement. (Hopefully!) I’m up to #LS51. Including one proper one made by Chris Ogden at Long Chalk Media, in which many of you star! And of course the 22 concerts, each Friday since May 1st have been such a major part of this, and so special and precious to me. The whole project has allowed me to develop and grow my craft at super-speed under the warm light of your kind engagement with it; to re-engage myself and integrate my older material, and re-explore it and a whole new soundscape with Kev! And an utterly lovely community has formed around it. Here’s my first list, of the videos and concerts so far:

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VIDEO SERIES
#0 SONG – LOVE’S PROMISE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utGa3AUPuT8
#1 SONG – HERE IS THE NEWS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Usr4o6XRY54
#2 SONG – ENZOSONBENZOS –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC91nZ9qMU0
#3 CONCERT 1 – 1^st May 2020 – 2020 VISION ALBUM LAUNCH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_DyZlqjljk
#4 SONG – Northern Lights
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0LPkZzUFEw
#5 SONG – Transmission(ish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDF4n3iV46k
#6 SONG – Black Moon, Rise Again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G61nKAEfgw
#7 SONG – Death tape Updated For 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yZl4-MHCcU
#8 CONCERT 2 – 8^th May 2020
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QM7DM6jDhlY&t=1940s
#9 SONG – Hillfort Mindset
https://youtu.be/DciYV9yTPc4
#10 SONG – Coldbloods
https://youtu.be/btlKx1yhdkw
#11 SONG The Sun
https://youtu.be/zTeD0p8ilaY
#12 SONG – Crumbs
https://youtu.be/XOmFWnSiJqI
#13 CONCERT 3 – 15^th May 2020
https://youtu.be/t3UHlHVgr3g
#14 SONG – Donald
https://youtu.be/dqtyn9sqRKA
#15 SONG – Kickstart The Empire!
https://youtu.be/6zK6wwU7l0M
#16 SONG – Love Must Wax Cold
https://youtu.be/rETVm2QHpK4
#17 SONG – Minack Theatre
https://youtu.be/BnECAGQtU88
#18 CONCERT 4 – 22^nd May 2020 – LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 1 NIGHT
https://youtu.be/AcLJu8SxGE4
#19 CONCERT 5 – 29^th May 2020
https://youtu.be/rxRbbUrXZIg
#20 SONG – Heroes (David Bowie cover)
https://youtu.be/Jt6w56J99CE
#21 SONG – Second Witchwords Heroes
https://youtu.be/MwbLNQL1LQo
#22 CONCERT 6 – 5^th June 2020 – LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 2 NIGHT
https://youtu.be/ED4zTvRhjEE
#23 SONG – Ogham the Spirit
https://youtu.be/ncobrbSVSqA
#24 SONG – Written in Fire
https://youtu.be/kbJ652AJqY8
#25 CONCERT 7 – 12^th June 2020
https://youtu.be/ktgYs4TeYv8
#26 SONG – I Saw a Face
https://youtu.be/7bw5deKN8Tg
#27 CONCERT 8 – 19^th June 2020
https://youtu.be/WbgeBwxpoxQ
#28 CONCERT 9 21^st June – SUMMER SOLSTICE Special
https://youtu.be/oz1b7YI5SIs
#29 POPUP SIEBEN Youtube MINI concert 24^th June 2020
https://youtu.be/OIGJpgHdoF8
#30 CONCERT 10 – 26^th June 2020 – LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 3 NIGHT
https://youtu.be/nnJF_kZWibo
#31 POPUP SIEBEN Ogham On The Hill – HINDRHEIMR TASTER taster) https://youtu.be/dekVAJA2L4o
#32POPUP SIEBEN Berylsinperil – BLACKPOOL MUSIC FESTIVAL TASTER
https://youtu.be/jllXT59MMH0
#33 CONCERT 11 – 3^rd July 2020 – BLACKPOOL MUSIC FESTIVAL (UK)
#34 CONCERT 12 – 4^th July 2020 – CELEBRATA HINDRHEIMR (NO)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pl4JKgV-rYI&t=14s
#35 SONG – Rite For The Unfulfilled
https://youtu.be/gLA6Bqz4QS8
#36 CONCERT 13 – 10^th July 2020 – WHO’S BEEN DIGGING? – CONOR NUTT!
https://youtu.be/VnQysQ4WaVc
#37 CONCERT 14 – 17^th July 2020 – SEX & WILDFLOWERS NIGHT
https://youtu.be/Pr0gxRyqJhs
#38 CONCERT 15 – 24th July 2020 – LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 4 NIGHT
https://youtu.be/mB-ijHzQhXE
#39 POPUP SOUNDCHECK SIEBEN – 27^th July 2020 – KULT 41, BONN (DE)
https://youtu.be/xwjgMqyyWKo
#40 CONCERT 16 – 31^st July 2020 – FEATURING ANDY WHITEHOUSE
https://youtu.be/-LqRmBvDMhA
#41 CONCERT 17 – 1^st Aug 2020 – KULT 41, BONN (DE)
https://youtu.be/CeZntfjLsYA
#42 SONG – Oh Yes, There Will Be Blood!
https://youtu.be/yFM9nsdQUV4
#43 CONCERT 18 – 7^th Aug 2020 – KEV’S FRESH BUM BATTERIES
https://youtu.be/mBLsFa0Atdw
#44 Forget Me Not
https://youtu.be/wmFWoShza6Q
#45 OFFICIAL LS VIDEO Come and Ride in the Cult Of Light – Long Chalk Media
https://youtu.be/_qeB5yvEPv4
#46 CONCERT 19 – 14th Aug 2020 WE WILL BE ALRIGHT WITH THE UPSTAIRS HOOVER https://youtu.be/iR42Tp-abD0
#47 CONCERT 20 – 21^st Aug 2020 FEATURING RHIANNON SCUTT
https://youtu.be/V6LFNBc-UZ8
#48 CONCERT 21 ATTACK OF THE 8FT KEV
https://youtu.be/16sotTB5_GU
#49 Some thoughts on looping Floating
https://youtu.be/u5e54cJt16o
#50 The making of the Almost Home project
https://youtu.be/XqL8L4rTwG4
#51 CONCERT 22 VOLUME 5 NIGHT
https://youtu.be/sbiLkcIE0ls

COMPILATIONS:
Lullaby – The Cure Compilation
Crumbs – Left Folk BLM Compilation
Here Is The News – Paul Bower 2.5minutes compilation.
The Old Magic – CINYF

IDENTS:
Eclectica

I’ve also been busy (as you’ve all noticed, thanks so much for all the orders) with merch: T shirts, badges, 2020 VISON CDs (made possible by you all buying the LS Volumes), the LOCKDOWN SIEBEN 5 VOLUMES to date, and currently silkscreen prints and very limited edition vinyl.

This has been an absolute artisan project from the start, reflected in its nature by both the price and the short run produced. It started from a facebook post where I asked if anyone would like an exclusive vinyl. ALL FIFTEEN COPIES WERE SNAPPED UP STRAIGHT AWAY.

Apologies if you missed out. Though you haven’t seen the price yet! There really could only be so many made. Making more would have made the process somewhat cheaper overall, but not so special, I decided in the end. This was entirely about getting some fantastic and skilled artisans to show off their craft. Jon Downing at Doitthissen Records, lathe cut each 2020 VISION album on to 2 x 10″ 180gm clear vinyl disks with his lathe. He has to do it in real time, and listen each time, so I guess he’s pretty fed up with the album by now 😉 Next, Martin Bedford (who does all my artwork) designed the image and how the layers would work for the silkscreen printing. Rupert and Dan at APG Works, a lovely little gallery and workshop in the centre of Sheffield, then set about making the screens and printing each layer:

15 white card vinyl sleeves were printed, and ten prints on Somerset Velvet 280gsm, Radiant White paper, with torn edges. 10″ four colour print. An amazing old-school process, and they really are looking so beautiful and feel so nice on thick fluffy archive paper. There are still six of these left, in my shop. The vinyl is finished, but I’m waiting on the labels and inserts. It’s beautifully minimal, and a testament to the amazing design and sensibilities of Martin Bedford. I will write 2020 VISION on the front, we both will sign it in pencil. That’s it. A card insert inside, simple labels, a CD copy, and some wooden Ogham ‘strengtheners’ I made from plywood, and have spent the last few weeks nipping down to the cellar to jigsaw an Ogham shape in wood, then take it outside to be sprayed:

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN has also brought about the Who’s Been Digging In The Garden, George? section, where I get the chance to show you some of the wonderful artists that Sheffield has, nestled in it’s beautifully hairy underbelly. First up we had Andy Whitehouse, then Rhiannon Scutt come play beautiful sets for us. Andy very kindly opened his Almost Home project up to our LOCKDOWN SIEBEN Facebook group (feel free to join, anyone), and we made a track together. See video 50 for the making of this, and hear many of the wonderful contributions.

We’ll release this sometime soon, with all profits going to ASSIST charity in Sheffield 😀 Up coming up soon for these nights will be a couple of bands. First off the fabulous fast and furious two-piece that are Yo Dynamo at this Friday’s concert. Same time and place each Friday, in case you don’t know: Sieben page, facebook, 8pm UK time. Next month will see Duck come play for you all, too – love this band, and this will be just glorious. fact is I’ve never got to see them play live as I’ve always been gigging when they are, so this is a double-win for me 😉

What seemed an impossible task in normal times actually became doable due to the pandemic. Being asked to make short video initially in April 2020, has morphed beyond belief. I’ve learned many new skills with broadcasting, sound, and indeed looping. The regular concerts with scientifically (no less) comparable measures of the sound and broadcast, what works best, what I can improve, has improved my live sound immeasurably. (Sorry, Science, I let you down at the end, there 😉 ) That in turn has prompted me to try new looping equipment that means I can build the sounds quicker and better. Which meant I was happy recording simply live, raw and direct into your ears. The LOCKDOWN SIEBEN volumes have been such a pleasure for me to create. A mic, a Kev, and two loop lines into the recorder. No studio trickery, just aim for a great live take with character. No problem if the cat comes in and yowls, or Kev does an untimely screech. It’s all in there, all part of its character 🙂

Thus the idea of a 10 Volume LOCKDOWN SIEBEN release. I made these PAY WHAT YOU LIKE, so people can have them during the pandemic whether they pay or not. Many nice sales with this, thank you, and some people are using it as a tip jar for each concert, some are taking for free as they will be buy the CD boxset, some are just taking them 🙂 By April or so, 2021, this will be ready. Pretty much the better half of my entire back catalogue recorded afresh, sounding better than I could have dreamed. They all, (for me, at least) surpass the original album versions. Even from the newer albums. The songs together are more a whole, too. An Ogham track does not sound out of place with a 2020 VISION track in the Lockdown series.

They have the raw, live power I’ve never quite been able to capture before. I’ve never been so ‘on my game’ due to the pandemic and so much being cancelled, so much I wasn’t able to do. Such is life. I’ve completed five of the ten Volumes so far. Here’s what’s complete:

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 1 (& live concert set 22nd May 2020)
23 The Sun (OGHAM) INDEX CARD #LS11
11 Enzosonbenzos (2020) INDEX CARD #LS2
38 Virgin In The Green (S&W) INDEX CARD
24 Sleep, Clara Bow (EDS) INDEX CARD
39 A Firebug Nature (EDS) INDEX CARD
3 Coldbloods (CR) INDEX CARD #LS10
28 Black Moon, Rise Again (OM) INDEX CARD #LS6
40 Ogham The Blood (OGHAM) INDEX CARD
9 Kickstart The Empire! (KICK) INDEX CARD #LS15
81 (The Temptations – Papa Was A Rolling Stone)

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 2 (& live concert set 29th May 2020)
41 Millenia (HBF) INDEX CARD
33 Ogham Inside the Night (OGHAM) INDEX CARD
6 Here Is the News (CR) INDEX CARD #LS1 +COMPILATION ALBUM
36 Old Magic (deep) (OM)
42 Easy Prey (HBF) INDEX CARD
10 Who Whips (KICK) INDEX CARD
35 Jigsaw Chainsaw (EDS) INDEX CARD
26 We Wait For Them (SWBF) INDEX CARD
17 Come And Ride In The Cult Of Light (2020) INDEX CARD OFFICIAL VIDEO #LS45
84 (Bauhaus – Bela Lugosi’s Dead)

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 3 (& live concert set 26 June 2020)
27 Hillfort Mindset (OM) #LS9 INDEX CARD
45 I Saw A Face (NLTA) #LS26 INDEX CARD
46 The Spirit (OGHAM) #LS23
34 Vonnegut (NLTA)
47 Second Witchwords (FTSE) #LS21
32 Love Must Wax Cold (HBF) #LS16
16 Berylsinperil (2020) INDEX CARD #LS32
48 Ready For Rebellion (OM) INDEX CARD
2 You Want Some? (CR) INDEX CARD
83 (JD – Transmission/Walked In Line) INDEX CARD #LS5

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 4 (& live concert set 24^th July 2020)
52 Spring Snowdrop (S&W) INDEX CARD
57 A High Broad Field (HBF)
56 Modron (OM) INDEX CARD
68 Rite for the Unfulfilled (DR) #LS35
13 Death Tape Updated for 2020 (2020) INDEX CARD #LS7
8 The Overlords Are Back (CR)
51 Written in Fire (EDS) #LS24
67 Barry The Astonishing (7JK) INDEX CARD
49 Missolonghi Sky (DR) INDEX CARD
23 The Sundolin* (OGHAM) INDEX CARD
80 (Kylie -Can’t Get You)

LOCKDOWN SIEBEN VOLUME 5 (& live concert set 4^th Sept 2020)
30 Minack Theatre (SWBF) INDEX CARD #LS17
75 Barley (FTSE) INDEX CARD
73 Oh Yes, There Will Be Blood (FILM) INDEX CARD #LS42
63 Loki Rides Again (S&W) INDEX CARD
4 Ignore the Apocalypse (CR) INDEX CARD
50 Floating (NLTA) INDEX CARD
59 Build You A Song (SWBF) INDEX CARD
18 Anubis (HELL) INDEX CARD
70 Peterson’s Seat (OSC) INDEX CARD
86 (Cabaret Voltaire) Voice Of America/Damage Is Done) INDEX CARD

Obviously, the second half of this list is TOP SECRET! I have all songs pencilled in, though still 14 more you haven’t heard yet to learn and drop in. I’m drip feeding one per concert for the next 14 weeks. And no doubt some surprises along the way, I’m going wherever you’re talking me on this. You’ve all been the driver, the wonderful force in this. Being at the concerts, creating a fabulous vibe, sharing, buying, downloading, welcoming the other artists, riding with my silliness, contributing, your ideas, kindnesses to each other, sending gifts, sending love, entering into the spirit. An absolute gift for an artist, which this artist will always cherish.

Thank you 😀

Matt Howden – Sept 2020
LOCKDOWN SIEBEN IS DUE TO RUN UNTIL MARCH 2021

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