The Way Back From Here

by Andy Watts

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My new record, sounding amazing on glorious 12" vinyl.

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1.	A Strange Beginning 05:40	buy track
2.	An Unsure Thing 05:22	buy track
3.	The Way Back From Here 07:25	buy track
4.	Out Of Season 04:31	buy track
5.	Exit Strategy 04:18	buy track
6.	Working As Intended 06:17	buy track

about

Like many artists during the pandemic, I was looking for something more to do with my time indoors than just my usual technique and improvisation practice. I’ve always loved effects pedals, so started building a small collection of sounds and improvising with them via an external microphone through my production setup. For many years I have practised trumpet with a drone in the background, as I find this gives me a centre from which to explore, so it seemed natural to continue this approach with my effects pedals!

Over the course of 2021 and 2022 I expanded on this concept, also spending a lot of time at the piano, developing melodic themes, and thinking about how I might build a recorded project from it. I’ve always been fascinated by 20th century composers like Steve Reich and John Cage, and the way they develop powerful compositions from elements that might at first seem insignificant. I’ve tried to take a similar approach with this album, dealing with small thematic blocks, and developing them into something much bigger.

The result is my next release, that I’m calling “The Way Back From Here”. I felt quite lost during the 18 months without regular gigs, and I was searching for a way back into the craft that I love, while also trying to take something positive from the whole experience. I had been given the opportunity to experiment with sounds with no audience present, and the space to develop things on my own. This is not always a possibility in the incredibly fast-moving world of the modern music industry, so I’m actually very grateful in some ways for the enforced slow down that gave me time to find some new ways of playing.
On the album I tried to channel the feelings of uncertainty and frustration that I was experiencing, combined with a sense of acceptance from my meditation practice, and a hope for eventual triumph.

I’m absolutely delighted with how the album has turned out, and incredibly grateful to my collaborators Filippo Galli, Joe Edwards and Richie Sweet for playing, and Giles Barrett (Lightship 95) for his ever-musical approach to the mix. Frank Merritt (Carvery Studios) has provided the final mastering sheen that really brings the album to life for me, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone!

credits

released February 23, 2024

Andy Watts - Cornet, Effects, Bass, Production
Filippo Galli - Drums
Joe Edwards - Guitar (Track 1)
Richie Sweet - Percussion (Track 3)
Mixed by Giles Barrett @ Lightship 95
Mastered and cut by Frank Merritt @ The Carvery

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about

Andy Watts London, UK

Hi! I'm Andy, a London trumpet player and composer, probably best known as the trumpet side of the horn section in London Afrobeat Collective.
I'm also very active on the London jazz scene, and you can find all my solo releases here.
Thanks for stopping by! ... more