THE HOURGLASS TRILOGY
A SERIES OF 3 DIGITAL SINGLES (PLUS VIDEOS)
1: LEAVE IT IN THE GROUND: RELEASED 18th MAY
2: SISTER ATLAS: RELEASE 8th JUNE
3: EMERGENCY LULLABY (WASTING TIME): RELEASE 29th JUNE
When Merry Hell started thinking about a new album and the writers brought their fresh ideas to the band, it was a surprise that 3 of them, Virginia Kettle, Bob Kettle and Neil McCartney had each written songs that gave voice to concerns about the environmental impact and the climate emergency. Each has a different voice but all have that positive, joyful Merry Hell feel. As is true of their previous releases, they are neither strident nor condemnatory. The Band do not preach, they seek to ask questions of themselves and encourage others to do the same. The new songs are strong and the messages are united. Looking at their own behaviours and how they can make positive changes for the benefit of all, whilst holding up the mirror of truth to those who place profits and gain above the common good. Merry Hell have decided to release the songs as The Hourglass Trilogy, reflecting the widely held belief that the time for action is now, hopefully before it is too late. The series will also serve as a taster for the bands next album "Emergency Lullabies", currently approaching completion.
There will also be a video accompanying each of the singles. The tracks and videos are being released individually, 3 weeks apart, as downloads or to stream because they felt that pressing a CD of only 3 songs would be counter to the ideas represented by this project.
Merry Hell are not eco warriors, they are not perfect, most of the band have cars and are all still learning how to be more thoughtful about their behaviour. However, whilst they recognize both otheir own actions and shortcomings, they applaud and salute those individuals and groups who, by their actions and words, inspire them to individual and collective action. Their bravery in the face of political and indeed physical threat on an industrial scale is an example to us all.
Finally, the band applauds their own children, who are, in many cases, far more aware, active and engaged than we are and should have been.
Enjoy the music. Listen to the words, make up your own minds and let us all take the actions we believe to be right.
Merry Hell hopes that you are all just as excited as they are at the release of the first brand new music since the critically acclaimed "Bloodlines" album in 2016.
The video for "Leave It In The Ground" premiered immediately after midnight on Monday 18th May when the download became available. The song was written by fiddle player, Neil McCartney. Coming from a family with mining connections and growing up in an area with a long but declining mining tradition, he is well aware of both the human and environmental impacts of extracting fossil fuels. His song looks at the use of cleaner and safer energy as both a way forward and a means of honouring the sacrifices of the past.
Neil does have form as a songwriter, being responsible for 'Home Again' a top 3 hit for his old band - The Big Geraniums - in their native Ireland. Neil has once again put together the videos for the trilogy, two of which were filmed at the bands old stomping ground, The Old Courts in Wigan, just before the lockdown commenced.
A reminder that Virginia's new solo album, "No Place Like Tomorrow", will soon be available from the Merry Hell shop and will eventually appear on Amazon following the official release.
Damian Liptrop
WEBSITE: www.merryhell.co.uk
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