This is the first time I’ve written an album knowing for sure that some of the songs will be performed live, and that they’ll probably be performed in a certain way; myself with a guitar. Previous Wolcensmen records were not written with a view to performing live, or were written to be recreated live with a full band. This knowledge does make a difference to my writing approach, for I know more than ever that the songs must stand strong in a simplified, stripped-down form. They cannot hide behind grand orchestrations and layers.
Last night I performed a song from the forthcoming album in front of an intimate audience of 40, and it went down well, I think. I’d taken a break from writing and demoing, to rehearse for that concert, so writing resumes tomorrow.