The view from Nevis
It is with tears that I write, for the second time, “Under a clock tower, no explanation”. The Clock tower in question is a real location – directly above the old court house in Charlestown on the stunning Island of Nevis. It is the 2nd time of writing because... the 1st was as a draft lyric for what would become our song “Hiding History” (a forthcoming track on DTM's 2nd album). We wrote it at the start of 2023 after our families spent a week's holiday in Nevis – in fact, the last time that Eric and I were in the same place at the same time!
“Hiding History” was recorded and mixed in Boston, Bristol & London – fittingly, three cities scarred by slave sugar and Rum. Now I’m back on the Island (for a Barron family vacation) and the cues come flooding back. “We’re all players” is another lyric. Oh yes we are. Even Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis into a slave owning family in the mid 1750s. The exact year of his birth is not known.
What is known is that this beautiful Caribbean Island still bears the wounds of its past, as does the neighbouring island of St Kitts which is busier, more bustling and has a crazy railway that we took through the former plantations. The system is of a narrow 2’6” gauge (narrow gauge is cheaper to build) and was designed to strangle the last drops of the disappearing sugar trade out of the Island.
Reformed slave ship captain and clergyman John Newton gave thanks for a safe passage to the Leeward Islands and penned the song “Amazing Grace” to celebrate his salvation in 1772. Incredibly, Newton’s church is just down the hill from where we disembarked the plantation tour train. Two disparate worlds in the same place. It is difficult to comprehend. This ride back into history was a deeply moving experience in so many ways. Scars take a long time to heal.
The view from London
“Like Minded People” was released on Bandcamp some time ago but continues its long gestation period. We still are tinkering with the “final” mix, trying to get it more Muumuulicious! If you haven't yet heard it, it's a song for the internet/social media/Tic Toc and all that malarkey generation. Eric’s dad (who is most assuredly from a different generation) likes our newest mix - which is praise indeed. When we're of like mind on the “final final” version, we'll re-post it on Bandcamp and release the video on ditchthemuumuu.com.
But wait – there's more! As happens in our transatlantic collaboration experience, I received several lyrical ideas and an unconnected instrumental piece that Eric wrote several years ago as a backing track for a friend's exercise class. I have since welded those 2 thoughts together as a lyric and sent them “Back at ya pal!” in a semi autobiographical ditty entitled “Conquer the World 2 Ears at a Time”. Why is it laced with heavy American cowboy imagery and musical motifs? Who knows (best ask Eric ) but for me, it sums up the pioneering spirit of DTM“. Men gotta do, what men gotta do!” “Ye Hah!” As is our wont, we'll release it on Bandcamp as a single when we're done. Stay tuned!
Tim
Feb/March 2024 Nevis & London
Feb/March 2024 Nevis & London