begin (again)

“We thought of life by analogy with a journey, a pilgrimage, which had a serious purpose at the end, and the thing was to get to that end, success or whatever it is, maybe heaven after you’re dead.

But we missed the point the whole way along. It was a musical thing and you were supposed to sing or to dance while the music was being played.”

Alan Watts

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It's taken over five years since my last album 'FIDRA' to get here. At times, I have been foolish enough to frame this as 'lost' time at the expense of all the ups and downs found in the fast flowing current that's brought me to this point.

A lot has happen that has helped me learn about myself through work, play, adventure & study. I've also engaged in learning to get a masters degree, become part of a mountain bike community & latterly founded a new one. I’ve been fortunate enough to find love and build a relationship with someone to do life with. The last few years have been big swings with house moves, new family additions and adventures.

These markers in time aren’t excuses but acknowledge that nothing has been wasted. There's gratitude to be found in the journey with joy along the way.

I know putting music on the back-burner was necessary and there have been many false starts before this point. Things feel different this time. I see the beautiful photographs produced by Liam Boath for FIDRA and see an anxious worried 30-something burdened by the belief that an imagined end point will arrive, where I'll be granted with external validation and success in figuring it all out.

I now understand this is false fiction.

Music always was and still is a thing that brings me joy. While I'm here, I plan to spend my time filled with things that bring joy, wonder and value to myself & others.

This feels like a healthier way to power my creativity and music.

I'm excited to share more of this with you soon.

For now here’s FIDRA (live acoustic) part 1:

Stewart