August 2010:
Although David Kilminster is very busy with preparing the tour with
Roger Waters he will appear on Heathers Findlay solo EP.
They already peformed live with some covers, own songs and an acoustic version of "Heroes Never Die". A recording were some Mostly Autumn fans would die for, i guess.
NEWS June 2010:
Hello Again!
Firstly I'd like to say a huge thank you to all of you who have found me here! It's great to see so many of you already using the forum and signing my mailing list too!!
Farewell Mostly Autumn
As many of you may already know my final performance as front-woman with rock band Mostly Autumn took place on 2nd of April this year and was filmed for a now soon to be released DVD.
I hope the film captures the true spirit of what was a thoroughly emotion drenched evening, super charged, in my opinion, with some of the band's
most energetic performances to date. Last week took me to Fairview studio's where I sat in on the mixing sessions for the audio with Bryan Josh
and John Spence and the audio alone stands up to being some of the best ever captured during my time with MA and I'm sure the visual aspect,
which none of us have yet seen will only enhance this further. Keep an eye on www.mostly-autumn.com for news on its' release date.
Off Radar
I've been somewhat quiet publically for a month or two, but since having announced my plans to depart from Mostly Autumn my feet have barely touched the ground! Alongside working very hard on writing for my new solo venture, I have also been involved with some very exciting side projects too...!
Simon Snaize
For many years now I have worked on and off musically with my dear singer, song-writing, guitarist friend Simon Snaize.
Simon moved to the USA for quite some time though we always sought each other out upon his return and so have both contributed in the past to each other's demo's and noodles over the years. This time Simon came back long enough to put together a couple of albums...
The second of which, Simon has asked me to sing on and we are due to begin the sessions for which very soon. The album is an eclectic collection of songs with a very tight and beautiful concept which should take the listener on a journey through shades of very English folk a la Nick Drake and Sandy Denny, through almost Bluegrassy Americana, to Classical waltz type pieces with even the odd Tango thrown in! It's possible you may get to hear the odd drum bash, or whistle toot upon which too as Simon is interested in adding some of what each contributor has to offer. Nice. An album I can't wait to hear!
Maidu
Back in February I was approached by producer Tzfat who invited me to collaborate with him and 20 year old Rob McAndrews for an album the pair are working on and is due for release in March next year under the project title Maidu. Back in February I wrote lyrics for and sang on the as yet untitled track which is due for release as Maidu's first single on 4th October this year.
Maidu can be described as being somewhat akin to similar artists Eskmo and Flying Lotus with the addition of melody - hence my involvement, and are
being loosely termed as belonging to the Dubstep genre although being more 'glitchy, tripped out music infused with dub'.
Working with Maidu gave me a real chance to experience a totally different style of music as a writer and performer. As you know I love so many
different types of music and am always willing to explore new avenues, so on hearing the track and being given the brief, I happily accepted!
Click here, for a little taster. More info as I get it...
Liam Davison
Closer to home, Liam Davison, long term member of Mostly Autumn and dear friend has asked me to collaborate with him on his forthcoming album
A Treasure Of well Set Jewels.
Liam asked me to write lyrics for and sing on album track 'Once In A Lifetime' which is a beautiful piece with a gorgeous concept. I accepted Liam's offer and recorded a guide vocal for which a couple of weeks ago now and am due to record the final version during the album sessions sometime in the next month or so. Working with Liam was so effortless and the collaboration came together very quickly, the album is to be recorded at Fairview with John Spence so I am expecting it to all be as comfy as a pair of old slippers. (If I were to ever wear any that is!)
Rock-a-bye Baby!
On a personal note, I am over the moon to share with you the news that Ian, Harlan and I are expecting baby Findlay-Loftus number two, who is due on Oct 28th :)
Me!
So, on to the fully 'Moi' bit! As you already know the main thing I've been doing this year is writing and writing and recording demos and writing some more!
I am happy to report that I have come up with a lot of material that I am really and truly happy with. My musical relationship with
Chris Johnson has effortlessly gelled into being a wonderful partnership of unspoken wavelengths and relentless creativity regardless of whatever
the angle, genre or flavour of my new material has so far been. To this end and testament to Chris's limitless talents behind the mixing desk,
and with each instrument, noise, effect, or idea he has so far thrown at the material, I have asked him on board to co-produce my project.
Given that the new material has differed so very much from track to track I have decided at this point, rather than try to squeeze and mould a
collection of very different sounding songs on to one album and expect them to live happily ever after for album's sake, I am going to release
a series of EP's compiling of around 4 or 5 tracks each. Each EP will then have its' own feel entirely. From artwork; format; personnel to
of course content! This I find to be a really fresh and invigorating way to work; a way that allows me to push outside of the usual boundaries
a bit and to get excited over lots of different feels and special formats and all in a relatively short space of time too.
So, the first EP is likely (although not definitely) to be called Phoenix. Its' character is dark, quirky, bohemian, rocky and very vibey!
Oh, and did I say rocky? Well, that too!! I am still a tidsy bit undecided as to who I will be asking on board in the rhythm section department
at the minute, although I am thoroughly excited to announce that guitarist Dave Kilminster will be joining us for EP number 1! For those of you
that don't know him, he is a bit of a guitar-hero/god/meister! And fortunately, friend too so we probably won't have to gold-plate the
studio bathroom taps... this time! :) Seriously though I first met Dave many years ago through Anne-Marie Helder,
furthermore, on stumbling upon him (not literally you understand) at the Roger Waters after-show in Malta 2006, we became very good friends and have come to realise we have a lot of
common ground in terms of musical tastes and indeed sense of humour so I can't wait to get jamming! The sessions with Dave are to take place
before his departure for the forthcoming, all new RW tour which begins in late August this year.
I plan to see 'EP number 1' released sometime in September. More updates soon!
Time to love you and leave you...
Thanks so much for being so supportive and for your patience through my silent moments too!
Take care all and see you soon!
Love,
Heather xxx
April 2010:
Heather is in the the studio recording her solo album together with Chris Johnson.
Chris played in Mostly Autumn too and has just released his
albumm the Fabric.
Chec out her website for more inf; www.heatherfindlay.co.uk/.
Born on 7 March.
Artist, painting, singing, percussion, bodran, whistles and guitar.
After Bryan Josh formed his Mostly Autumn and his girl friend Heidie Woodrop left the band, Heather joined.
Mostly Autumn became one of the established Brittish Prog- Rock bands.
In 2010 Heather went solo.
She here below for her statement and Bryans answer.
Heather has always been open to working with other artists, both live and on record. She made several live appearances throughout 2002 with Damien Wilson
and then in 2003 Arjen Lucassen invited her to sing and collaborate with him on his Ayreon release “The Human Equation”. This album featured a
multitude of singers, each playing a different part in Lucassen’s tale of a road accident victim whose emotions battle amongst themselves within him while he is
in a coma in hospital. Heather’s part was that of “Love” and was one that perfectly suited the warmth of her voice. However, it is the tracks “Day Eleven: Love” and
“Day Thirteen: Sign” that are her standout contributions. The former features Heather singing in an uncharacteristic yet spookily Kate Bush-like
style while the latter song has her singing with a far more familiar, warm, soft romantic quality to her voice. Arjen’s faith in Heather’s abilities
was further endorsed by him asking her to write to the lyrics for both of these songs, something he rarely trusts to others.
Heather also sang on, and wrote the words for “August Fire”, an acoustic track that was originally recorded for (but eventually wasn’t included on) “The Human Equation” and was released on Ayreon’s single “Come Back To Me” in 2005.
Heather still found time to make a couple more guest
appearances, the first with Uriah Heep at their Magician’s
Birthday Party (sharing lead vocals on “Love In Silence” and then joining in on backing vocals on “Lady In Black”) and the second with
John Wetton at the Mean Fiddler.
She likes to make some art for the Mostly Autumn sleeves. An her illustration for the
song “Hanging Tree” of Ritchie Blackmore, was included in the
sleeve of “The Fires at Midnight”.
You can buy and see her artwork at this sot.
The albums that feature Heathers voice include:
Let it Ride - Shed Seven, (vocals on "In a hole”)
Ascension – Gabriel,
Delicate Flame of Desire - Karnataka, John BoBo Bollenberg ('02),
Julia Jenkins - Shine, see above, Arjen Lucassen (2004) (With an interview). Arjen about her +
Love a clip.
She is also the co-writer and singer of the song "August Fire", recorded by Iain at the Bat Cave.
She also plays bodran on this track. The song was released on the
single "Come Back To Me" of Ayreon ('05).
Uriah Heep DVD or SCAD release from teh annual Magician's Birthday Party.
Rob McAndrews / Maidu (2010) [ Click here, for a little taster. ]
Liam Davison - Mostly Autumn second guitarist is working on a solo album called A Treasure Of well Set Jewels
release date Autumn 2010.
Dear friends of Mostly Autumn,
Although it breaks my heart, I am here to tell you that I have decided to step out of the Mostly Autumn fold.
Life within the Mostly Autumn embrace has offered me the opportunity to explore myriad other avenues of creativity over the years alongside my role within the band. Not least the ultimate experience in creativity for me - becoming a Mother.
I am sometimes baffled at the realisation that here I am with my 15 month old son, Harlan - without a doubt, through the toughest trials of bringing a healthy little baby boy into the world of toddling and early boyhood already, whilst still presenting myself to you as a performer of the stage and record.
At times, I too had my doubts! But whilst thinking,
‘’Why not? Why cannot two dreams co-exist hand in hand?’’, along pondered upon challenge presented itself to me to which, I rose and fulfilled. Of this I am very proud.For not even one moment of executing which did I feel that Harlan had slipped rank from my number one spot. Nor do I feel that my performance within Mostly Autumn faltered. On the contrary in fact, I believe the fire within me, the one which ignites zeal, fuels creativity and makes dreams prosper, burned even brighter.
‘’So... maybe it’s time? Maybe the next challenge is to branch out?’’
Over years gone by the one major thing for me, that has been left unattended on the back burner has been to branch out as a solo performer. It was never something I had even imagined to be an all encompassing venture.
‘’It’ll be fine. I’ll just fit it in around everything else’’ I thought.
‘’After all, amongst dabbling as an illustrator; forming a duo with Angela and having guested with numerous other bands and artists; I’ve lived in another country; I’ve travelled, I’ve become a Mum... Yeah, I can do this!’’
-Another year passes by, and another one...
That is until I brought that very prospect to the fore and gave it a stir. Or should I say, until it brought itself there! Niggling away, increasingly over the last few years it is fair to say that never has the pull been stronger towards this very day.
You see, Heather Findlay is now Heather Findlay-Loftus. One unit of which = Heather Findlay + Ian + Harlan.
At this point in time I can’t see a formula that allows Mostly Autumn to be part of the HF equation.Not only for my own sake but for the sake of Mostly Autumn as well, which as you know requires 110% dedication.
So, for now at least, I just cannot imagine having the time and energy it would take to tame and tailor the passion I have to pour into my own musical ventures alongside co-nurturing Mostly Autumn and giving to it all the love, care and attention that it so richly deserves. The timing I feel is right. I have not yet become involved in the new Mostly Autumn record and there are no shows imminently pending. It is a new year and a new decade to boot.
Although there are flutters of excitement, it is not without wistfulness, sorrow and indeed a certain amount of trepidation that I hereby step out alone to follow my own dreams. Mostly Autumn has been my life for over 13 years now.It is a warm blanket of security. It is unlike any other band I have worked with. It is a family. It emanates a certain magic that pulls you in. For life, I imagine...
I can only hope to succeed in capturing some of that magic to take with me. Even a fraction of which I know, will go a very long way...
Mostly Autumn – Bryan’s dream - will always remain a very special part of me and I wish for every success to befall it in times to come.
I have made some wonderful memories and shared some of the best times of my life so far with Mostly Autumn and its’ members both past and present. Many of which have become and I hope will remain some of my closest friends.
You too are part of that family. You already know that none of it is possible without your presence and support.I wish to thank you for being there throughout.I wish for you the happiest of times ahead on your journey with Mostly Autumn and I hereby invite you along with me to embark upon the Heather Findlay journey which starts here.
I am underway creating an album which I will be putting out this year.
It will be a ‘full band’ project – the exact line up of musicians for which is still to be decided upon but, as soon as there is news I’ll make sure it reaches you.
There are one or two other projects bubbling away also, about which I will be regularly updating you as and when I am at liberty to do so.
You can keep tabs on me by joining my emailing list. To do so please drop me a line on heatherfindlaymusic@googlemail.comwhereby all news updates and info will reach you first.
Please visit my website www.heatherfindlay.net to check in on album progress and general news updates (if not yet live - it is coming soon). I hope to make this a multi-media experience by way of video and photo diary updates and audio samples as and when they arrive.
At the moment the site is still in the embryonic stages of construction but, will be developing fast.
For now I bid you a very fond farewell.
Into the unknown I go...
With love and very best of wishes you all,
Heather Findlay x
Dear friends
Knowing you have all just read Heather’s announcement, I can join you all wholeheartedly in the sadness and heartbreak we feel at her departure.
It has been a journey that will be so very close to my heart for the rest of my life, and on reflection, I wouldn’t change a second of it.We grew together, moved together and we rocked the hearts and emotions of people all over the world together.Those memories will always remain.
Personally I am so very proud of what Heather has achieved, the force she has become, and because of this I know that she has to follow her heart and destiny – there can be no other way.
As my father often said “Nothing stays the same, son” – and as we grow, these words mean more than we could have imagined.
Mostly Autumn will not be the same, but just as something passes, something begins...and it is with sincere pleasure that I can announce that Olivia Sparnenn has agreed to take on the role, and I sincerely hope we can all embrace a new future, a new decade, with a glow in our hearts for the past.
However, we feel we cannot let her go quietly, so I would like to announce that there is to be a farewell concert for Heather to be held at the Assembly Rooms, Leamington Spa on Friday April 2nd 2010. Let’s send her off in style...
And lastly – on other matters, as you may be aware, we are working on a new album, which is to be released in the spring, entitled..
Maidu