Manchester-based Caulbearers present their new single ‘Burst Through The Borders’, influenced by modern, urban existence and celebrating the sacred in the everyday and the supposedly mundane. The fantastic single cover artwork was created by James Roper.
Caulbearers are a Manchester-based collective of musicians, formed in 2007 and led by Damien Mahoney, with contributors hailing from around the UK and Europe. A DIY ethic has coursed through the band’s work, including releases, design, production and much of the recording process. This hybrid ensemble is known for blending diverse musical styles and fusing them together on stage, weaving nu jazz and folk with elements of hip-hop, funk, dub, soul and afrobeat.
Written in 2017, the song’s lyrics for ‘Burst Through The Borders’ were inspired by timeless texts by authors such as Idries Shah, Kahlil Gibran and Neil Douglas-Klotz whilst simultaneously dreaming of a beautiful revolution occurring in the markets, pubs, boardrooms, hospitals and schools of our towns and cities.
“As a species, we have so many difficult challenges to find solutions for, that it can feel overwhelming to know where and how to start. I wanted to write something that had a total faith in the possibility of change, in the ability to transcend the complexities of our modern lives with simplicity. The song imagines this energy of love flooding through the world and transforming the institutions and purposes of our societies and our lives. By its nature, it dismantles the barriers that cause hardship for so many and the borders that separate us from each other. I wanted to write something that included everyone and everything. I was imagining this powerful force, reaching and filling up all these places and the people in them, leaving no one behind,” says Damien Mahoney.
Mixed by Seadna Mcphail (Badly Drawn Boy, Jah Wobble, Everything Everything, I Am Kloot, Happy Mondays) and mastered by Jim Spencer (New Order, Johnny Marr, Charlatans, Factory Floor) at Eve Mastering in Greater Manchester, this track features numerous renowned musicians. Among them are drummer Howard Jacobs (808 State, Beth Gibbons, Homelife, Toolshed), guitarist Anton Hunter (Beats and Pieces Big Band, Article XI), cellist Stefan Skrimshire, bassist Nicholas Malin, and additional acoustic guitar by Andrew Mucha. Ruth Blake joins Damien Mahoney on vocals, while acclaimed composer and polyrhythmic pioneer Edward Chilvers contributes piano.
Along with the A-side, Caulbearers presents a stunning b-side – ‘Solid Supposed’ featuring Ruth Blake, whose latest single ‘Brave Ships’ was produced by Damien Mahoney. Not long ago, Caulbearers also released the single ‘Over Comes A Cloud’, which marked the beginning of a blossoming relation with Blake.
“This song is concerned with the macro and the micro of our experience: The wider, universal picture and the tiniest detail, with a gaze of love and compassion for all and a much needed sense of humour for the cosmic joke that we find ourselves part of. Out of states of difficulty and uncertainty sometimes come the more positive songs! The words can be the healing themselves, a reminder of a way out or through; that all is not lost, that transformation and renewal are possible,” says Damien Mahoney.
Caulbearers’ music and sound is influenced by an eclectic range of artists, including Bill Laswell, Toots & The Maytals, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Curtis Mayfield, Talking Heads, Andy Weatherall, Brian Eno, Lee Scratch Perry and The Specials.
‘Burst Through The Borders’ can be pre-ordered from all digital platforms including Bandcamp and Apple Music and will be released on April, 29th 2021.
CREDITS
Written, produced & edited by Damien Mahoney
Rhythm and guitar tracks recorded at Airtight Studios in Manchester
Vocal & instrument recording by Damien Mahoney at his Padded Cell studio
Mixed by Seadna Mcphail
Mastered by Jim Spencer at Eve Mastering in Greater Manchester
Video directed by James Stirzaker & Damien Mahoney
Filmed by Elizabeth Murphy, Damien Mahoney, James Stirzaker, Elia Santini, Richard Smith and Amii Priestley
Video editing & post-production by James Stirzaker
Single cover artwork by James Roper
Photos by Jan Schoof. Collages by James Stirzaker
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