{"title":"The Barne Society","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"the-national-trust","title":"The National Trust","description":"\u003cp\u003eAlex Rex, the project of acclaimed musician and former Trembling Bells bandleader Alex Neilson, releases his fourth and final studio album, \u003cem\u003eThe National Trust. \u003c\/em\u003eWritten in the wake of the sudden death of his younger brother, Alastair, the album is a poignant reflection on loss, love, and renewal, deeply rooted in the landscape of Carbeth—a cabin community in the Scottish countryside that Alastair called home. For Neilson, the cabin became both a physical and emotional project, a symbol of restoration and reconnection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"For the first four years after Alastair died, his cabin lay empty and exposed to the remorseless Scottish weather. It came to look like a rotten tooth in a beautiful mouth. Cladding was dropping off its veneer, the ashen baubles of dead wasps nests clung to the rafters, all his possessions were just as he'd left them but eaten by mice, moths and time. Ashtrays still carried the crushed centimetres of his old tab ends. The cabins are so joyfully animated by their host's specific personality and this one looked like a haunted house. Guilt, unrealised hopes and encroaching nature yoked together in a wandering sadness. Combined with the fact that I didn't know the right way round to hold a hammer made the project of its restoration seem hopeless.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeilson, however, gradually began chipping away at the task, determined to transform the cabin into something he hoped would resemble “a National Trust site occupied by a psychopath,” with a little help from some friends, including Lavinia Blackwall and Marco Rea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e“They poured love into the cabin and helped restore Alastair's original vision. The project also helped restore my relationship with Lavinia which had fractured after Trembling Bells broke up in 2017. Alongside long-term Rex lieutenant Rory Haye, we applied the same intensity of dedication that we did in renovating the cabin, into creating \u003cem\u003eThe National Trust\u003c\/em\u003e.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with Neilson’s previous albums, the recording process was intentionally unpolished, with songs presented in the studio with no rehearsals and captured in just a few takes. This raw, immediate approach amplifies the emotional weight of the album, which Neilson describes as being at a “personal apex of sour self-reflection, mock misanthropy, and self-exposure.” Longtime collaborators Lavinia Blackwall, Marco Rea, and Rory Haye return, alongside guest musicians like Jill O’Sullivan (Jill Lorean) and Trembling Bells guitarist Mike Hastings, to bring Neilson’s vision to life. The result is a deeply personal and multifaceted work, blending acid wit with haunting introspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe songs on \u003cem\u003eThe National Trust\u003c\/em\u003e traverse a wide emotional and thematic range. The title track opens the album with a sharp and confessional edge, exploring love, loathing, and cultural critique with Neilson’s signature wit. “Boss Morris” pays tribute to the all-female Morris dancing troupe that reinvents British folk with vibrant energy, while “Two Kinds of Song” turns self-referential humour into an avalanche of remorse, culminating in the unforgettable chorus: “I’ve got two kinds of song. Which one will it be; one where I hate myself or one where you hate me?” Elsewhere, tracks like “Psychic Rome” draw from the decadence and hysteria of ancient Rome, while “The Coward in the Tower” breaks new ground as the only song Neilson has composed on an instrument before recording.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith \u003cem\u003eThe National Trust\u003c\/em\u003e, Neilson closes a significant chapter of his career, blending masterful musicianship with deeply personal storytelling. Known for his collaborations with artists such as Bonnie \"Prince\" Billy, Shirley Collins, and Current 93, as well as his decade-long tenure leading the psych-folk outfit Trembling Bells, Neilson has long been celebrated for his eclectic and uncompromising vision. This final album serves as a fitting culmination of his journey as Alex Rex, capturing the essence of his artistry while offering a profound exploration of loss, renewal, and the enduring power of love.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Barne Society","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51422913790283,"sku":"R0925-5640","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/TBS15LP_AlexRex-TheNationalTrust-LP.jpg?v=1741683803"},{"product_id":"the-making","title":"The Making","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLavinia Blackwall, the celebrated voice behind Trembling Bells, is set to release her highly anticipated new album \u003cem\u003eThe Making\u003c\/em\u003e via The Barne Society. A rich tapestry of folk, rock, and psych-power pop, the album showcases Blackwall’s unparalleled vocal prowess and evocative songwriting, further cementing her reputation as one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music. A classically trained soprano, Blackwall first gained recognition as the lead singer of Trembling Bells, a Glasgow-based psych-folk outfit known for their ambitious blending of folk traditions with rock and baroque influences. Over the course of seven albums with the band, she honed her signature vocal style - often compared to Fairport Convention’s Sandy Denny - and collaborated with legends such as Bonnie Prince Billy and Mike Heron of The Incredible String Band. Stepping out as a solo artist, Blackwall released her debut album \u003cem\u003eMuggington Lane End\u003c\/em\u003e in 2020, which was met with widespread acclaim for its lush arrangements and intricate songwriting. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFollowing the success of \u003cem\u003eMuggington Lane End\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eThe Making\u003c\/em\u003e is a deeply personal collection of songs that have evolved over time, shaped by both hardship and joy. Written over a four-year period and recorded at The Barne Studio, the album reflects Blackwall’s journey through personal loss, artistic exploration, and renewed creative energy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA key factor in The Making’s distinctive sound is the intricate production work by Marco Rea, who has been instrumental in bringing Blackwall’s vision to life. Marco’s production really shaped this album, says Blackwall. His attention to detail, combined with contributions from incredible musicians like Laura J Martin on flute and recorder, and Ross McRae and Richard Merchant on brass, has made this a truly collaborative effort. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe pair worked on the album in their studio between other artists’ projects, chipping away at it little by little before enlisting the help of producer friend Thomas McKay, who helped spur them on. It had almost become a bit of a refrain, jokes Blackwall. We must get back in the studio and finish the album, and over these last couple of months, we finally did. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe songs on The Making are varied in feel because they were written across such a long period, Blackwall explains. Some tracks, like Morning to Remember, have a distinct Kinks influence, while others like The Art of Leaving bring in elements of Northern Soul and Stealers Wheel. There are also folk-inspired moments, dreamy soundscapes, and classic songwriting influences throughout. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis diversity in sound is reflected in the album’s overarching themes, which explore self-discovery, mental resilience, and the power of shaping one’s own destiny. The title track, The Making, encapsulates this ethos, celebrating the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. Meanwhile, songs like We All Get Lost and Keep Me Away From the Dark tackle emotional struggles with both introspection and hope. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the album’s most poignant moments comes in My Hopes Are Mine, featuring stunning backing vocals from Maggie Reilly best known for Moonlight Shadow, her duet with Mike Oldfield. The track serves as Blackwall’s reflection on the dissolution of Trembling Bells. Rather than dwelling in regret, the song is an affirmation of personal agency and creative independence, marking a turning point in Blackwall’s artistic journey. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSimilarly introspective, The Art of Leaving is a powerful meditation on addiction and escape. Exploring the cyclical nature of dependency and the difficult process of breaking free, the song is one of the album’s rawest moments, laying bare the struggles of letting go and seeking a new path. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElsewhere on the album, Scarlett Fever, a striking piano and recorder ballad, stands apart as a unique collaboration with Blackwall’s former history teacher, John Plowright, who wrote the lyrics and tasked Blackwall with setting it to music. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith influences spanning from Jefferson Airplane to Weyes Blood, The Making is a testament to Blackwall’s ability to weave together diverse musical inspirations into a cohesive and compelling body of work with songwriting at its centre.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Barne Society","offers":[{"title":"LP - Black","offer_id":51513028608331,"sku":"R2284-9522","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/unnamed-2025-03-25T123919.287.jpg?v=1742906382"},{"product_id":"amendment","title":"Amendment","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘A Collaboration Across Hemispheres’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe emerging electronic and experimental musical duo April Four announce the release of their long-awaited Debut Album, titled \u003cem\u003eAmendment\u003c\/em\u003e - Set for release on Marco Rea’s hip Scottish-based label, Barne Society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis album showcases their unique blend of ambient textures, hypnotic rhythms, dreamlike soundscapes and emotive storytelling, offering listeners an immersive auditory experience that transcends traditional genre boundaries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir music has been compared in online blogs and social media groups to the atmospheric grandeur of Massive Attack, the emotional sweep of M83, and the experimental textures of Nicolas Jaar, yet their sound remains distinctly their own. The music is equally suited for late-night reflection and underground niche dancefloors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApril Four consists of Lucia Morales Urcola (Lu), based in Santiago, Chile, South America, and Brian Edward Docherty (Doc), residing in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, who collaborate across hemispheres. Their partnership began in 2017 with a serendipitous brief meeting that led to the creation of a single-track song. They parted ways and lost touch. Still, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted a reconnection, leading to a prolific and inspired period of writing and recording despite the 7,000-mile distance between them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey used digital platforms to explore themes of isolation, connection, and transformation, blending electronic and acoustic elements to create introspective tracks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Barne Society","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":53112938758475,"sku":"R1662-9770","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/TBS26_AprilFour-Amendment-1CD.webp?v=1754391332"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/the-barne-society.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}