Endangered Species 1998 (Castles in Space Subscription Library)

 

 

In what appears to have become an annual event, the second Castles in Space Subscription Library album based upon a set of Royal Mail stamps has arrived.

This time, the inspiration is taken from The Endangered Species Presentation Pack, which was pack number 284, issued in January 1998.

I contacted the artists in Autumn 2021 and gave them only the image of the stamp for which they were to compose a piece for. I’m in awe of what they have produced for this album and acknowledge their intellect and great ability in interpreting nothing more than an image, beautiful though the images are, into these wonderful, interpretive pieces.

Please download the album which includes the PDF file of the accompanying booklet. We were down to the wire this time, so the physical booklet will be issued to subscribers early in the new year.

Colin Morrison, Biggleswade, December 17th, 2021
Released December 17, 2021

Were you Scarred for life?

A few weeks back the Scarred for life CD was released. All (and I mean all) proceeds went to Cancer Research. It sold out almost instantly, but the good news is that more copies will be available in January 2020. I had the the priviledge of being invited to contribute a track to this mighty compilation. The idea was simple, all artists had to contribute a track that was in some way inspired by the "terrifying televisual sounds of our childhoods" The idea was concived by Kev (Soulless Party, Black Meadow) Oyston, Colin (Castles in Space) Morrison and Stephen (Scarred for Life Book) Brotherstone. My track Words from the Wireless was inspired by the 1972 ATV series Escape into Night which in turn was based on Catherine Storr's book Mariane Dreams.

There are so many artists/musicians that I like, admire and have listened to, who have contributed to this project; the list is vast and quite staggering.
A tip of the hat and a thank you to you all.

Scarred for life CD and Digi available from here.

There was a certain something about watching television in the 70s and 80s. The static crackle when you switched on your set. The faint smell of ozone as it slowly warmed up. The chunky buttons (including such flights of fancy as 'BBC3' and 'ITV2"). And, of course, the
programmes themselves. Whether it was HTV's seminal Folk Horror tinged children's classics 'Sky' or Children of the Stones, BBC1's fiercely intelligent 'adult-show-for-kids' 'The Changes' or ITV's everyday tale of alien possession, 'Chocky', the era was bursting with inventive, unforgettable and yes, terrifying shows. The only thing more memorable than the actual programmes were their theme tunes. The unique talents of Paddy Kingsland, Sidney Saget, Eric Wetherell, John Hyde and many more were responsible for the atmospheric, eerie soundscapes which formed the aural backdrop to our favourite shows. Which is where Kev Oyston (The Soulless Party) and Colin Morrison (Castles in Space) come in. They've corralled the best of today's innovative electronic musicians, and together they've created 'Scarred For Life: The Album', a collection of new music inspired by the terrifying televisual sounds of our childhoods.

All proceeds for this album will go to aid Cancer Research UK, a charity which is close to the hearts of some of our artists, one of whom is currently undergoing treatment for cancer.

Enjoy. And remember: DO have nightmares. They're good for you.

-Stephen Brotherstone & Dave Laurence, co-authors 'Scarred For Life Volume One: the 1970's'. September 2019.