The new record is recorded, ready for mixing…
We visited The Big Pink on our way out of town, where Dylan recorded with The Band.
A band gaff in the country, like we had in 1996….
Homeward bound, after 3 weeks in the US. It was great to be back, friends old and new
Bell X1 are here in upstate New York making a record, just finished a week @dreamlandrecordingstudio .
It’s been a very heightened, intense, and beautiful session - with Glenn never far from our heads and hearts.
He would have loved this place! So many cool instruments...
His love of the gear was not (just) in a nerdy, technical way but because it gave expression to what he had to say. His joy and satisfaction in the quality of a kick drum sound or how a synth patch broke up was a lovely thing to be around, and infectious.
We’ve been working with @kaufyismynamo and @djamesgoodwin , who have brought such brilliance and care to the record.
I am thankful for the ongoing musical tethering with Dave and Dom. There are so many beautiful moments captured between us all, and we’ve been very much there for each other in this tender moment.
Now... the blossoms are in bloom, and a gopher in the garden across the street.
And I still can’t get over the size of the apples.
I had the kind of fun with @bellx1 the last few nights that came with a warning label in the ‘90s. Cheers lads. Thanks for the memories. #thisonesforyou #irishartscenter #NYC #dowrystrings #lintroller
Today is Daffodil Day, the @irishcancersociety annual fundraiser.
This day last year we released the video for Spacewalk, and Glenn cycled from Dublin to Galway for the charity.
The song is an attempt to speak to our love and admiration for Glenn, who left us 16 days ago.
The untethered, surreal, out-of-body experience of being with and making music with him throughout his illness.
And how he stayed his brilliant, kind and funny self.
Playing this song with him. So strange, but beautiful that we did.
Thanks again @annaeijsbouts for the vid
Our friend and collaborator Glenn Keating left us this morning.
Just like that. A rupture, and an outrage...
How awful to be writing these words.
The intermittent prick of tears, the screen all blurry... and we're back.
I saw him last Friday.
We had Tunnocks Teacakes, and I brought him the Brian Eno book about What Art Does.
Of course, Glenn knew more than most about what art does.
Having enjoyed the cut of him from afar for some time, we called Glenn when Bell X1 were somewhat stuck with our record "Arms".
Sure, he played some sweet synths and recorded some drumming with us but it was his calm, encouraging, thoughtful presence and careful unpicking of some knots that was the main thing. As Dave said, a Swiss army knife of luminous gifts.
And funny. Jesus, Glenn was a funny man...
Playing bass with HousePlants he brought all kinds of special sauce, all of them funky... in the gentle thrust of his left shoulder.
And I'd often look around to see him laughing with Sinead during a gig... "Grow Up!" I'd say... Oh the pure giddy joy we had.
Glenn always had time for other people, and left everyone feeling seen.
To walk anywhere with him was to be late, as he'd always do the stop-and-chats... I think people liked to bask in his essential goodness. Though as he'd say - bit much??
I don't think so, there is much evidence Glenn.
His 6 year journey with cancer was something he wrote and talked about, in the interests of raising awareness and money for cancer charities.
In all that time, he remained his kind and funny self, through all kinds of treatments and discomfort.
He continued to play music throughout, was very good at it, and hard as it was at times I know it nourished his soul.
I will especially miss the road trips and the room-sharing on HousePlants shows. I knew we were kin when we'd both want to turn on the hotel room telly no matter how late we got back, and watch Judge Rinder, Naked Attraction or 24 Hours in A&E... like Bert and Ernie in our little beds.
And then maybe a little Saturday Kitchen after breakfast.
As painful as this is, I will take the riches he brought into our lives and hold them, let them continue to infuse. Love ya G
