william reid

Put a series of songs from 2018 into the album they were meant to be in. Clearing the decks. Cracking on, 2018 was ages ago.

More days in the life of independent music. Always grateful.

O Great Jah + 3am Kiss Remix Out Friday 13 Feb New from GiT (@wearegit ) wearegit.com

This magnificent, wonderful, slinky epic of a record was made by my friends Pete, Neil and Jorje (and a bit of Ed): Escapologists back in the heady days of the early 2000s Nottingham scene we all dabbled in. It was always one of my favourites from that time, and hearing the songs again after all these years has been just the best thing. Pete dropped me a line and asked to help get it out on digital services so of course I jumped at the chance. We all used to kick about in Nottingham playing in bands, learning how to record and doing shit jobs to support our passions. Back then I was playing in burning man or sweetbriar or whatever it was called, and looked up to this band hugely. We played on stages and recorded in rooms together many times. We had some great times on tour in Germany, when Nick joined the band and they took me as their 'tour manager' (basically did the merch and told them the sound check sounded good). Every show was incredible. Later, when i moved to london and we set up records records records, we put out their next record Fireworks, which is also a great album (Typist to Telephonist!!) and somehow, inexplicably managed to work despite the loss of Jorje's incendiary drumming. Pete, as some of you will know, set up First Love studio in Nottingham before relocating to the Hebrides and his most majestic space @black_bay_studio 'A Mistake' from this record is the best song to come out of the Nottingham scene at that time. There I said it. Please discuss. Pete, Neil and Nick have all gone on to do lots of amazing music since then but for now, here you are: In Free Motion by Escapologists. Out now, 20 years later and the world is just a bit of a better place for it. find it here escapologists.lnk.to/infreemotion

We made this album a very long time ago and for a bunch of reasons (@olichance explains it much better) decided to re-release it, this time with a new title and a much more accurate artist name. I guess it was the first album I recorded, and definitely the first release on Records Records Records, which is how I ended up at state51 doing what I do. So it’s a special one! Clare Evans @clare.evans.painter painted the portrait for the new artwork. She’s exhibiting it in Margate, where you can also see a special performance by Oli tomorrow. I can’t play because I’ve got the flu 🥴 I’m very proud of this record. It still sounds great. It was done on an ancient PC with Cubase SX and i had a little help from Pete Fletcher (now of @black_bay_studio ) with the mixes. Loads of friends helped with the playing instruments and arrangements including @melinda_bronstein @thelikefarmer @tomgorbutt1 @bowlofchalk @shonlerock , and people whose instagrams I don’t know and probably should. The gorgeous piano was tracked at Maida Vale when I used to work at there. ‘I Don’t Mind’ featuring Jackie Big Time’s dolorous French horn was missing on the original release for some reason, so we’ve included it. You can find it online by searching ‘Oli chance been waiting’. Thanks to Darren @firstcutvinylrecords for so helpfully sorting a few lathe cuts for Saturday. You’re a legend! I guess that means it’s time to make that difficult second album then.

Here’s some stuff I did at state51 recently

A few sights, sounds and smells from the wonderful world of @state51

Here’s a little New Orleans dump. Worst pics for you, best ones in my head. Missing y’allready 😔

We just spoke to about a million US record store owners and it was GREAT. See you next year New Orleans

ugly ozo launch was a blast last night - great bunch of playlists in the morning, then session, show, ltd lathes, bbq, burn-your-own CDs, great vibes, great crew Delighted to welcome @rex.recs to the @state51 family and congratulations to @uglyozo on the fantastic single 🍾🍾🍾 🍾🍾

Sticky Pleasure 13!!! Come and make collage Next Wednesday- 21st May 6.30 -10pm state51 (Just off brick lane) E2 6EX Bring stuff to cut if you can

Last week I became a human drum stand for @valentina_magaletti at the roundhouse. I have duly dubbed this character A Shadow of A Man.