Spotlight On... Andrew Wasylyk
Ahead of releasing Truant in Gossamer, the latest single from Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls, we shine a spotlight on Andrew Wasylyk
Originally commissioned by the National Galleries of Scotland as a response to an exhibition (The World's Edge) by American contemporary photographer Thomas Joshua Cooper, Andrew Mitchell, aka Andrew Wasylyk, created several pieces of music. Travelling to Inchcolm Island in the Firth of Forth with Cooper to learn about the photographer's practice, music which scored The World's Edge can now be found on Wasylyk's latest studio album, Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls.
Recently awarded the title of our Album of the Month, Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls is due for general release on 25 November via Clay Pipe Music. Before then, we're delighted to bring you a first listen to the album's closing track, Truant in Gossamer, which you can listen to in the above YouTube player (click here if it's not displaying correctly), alongside beautiful visuals created by Tommy Perman. In honour of the single's release, we catch up with Mitchell (and Perman) to shine a spotlight on Andrew Wasylyk.
Image: Andrew Wasylyk by Andy Martin
How did the original commission come about?
The National Galleries of Scotland generously asked if I might be interested in creating some music to accompany an exhibition by American contemporary landscape photographer, Thomas Joshua Cooper. The idea being a soundtrack that might work as a response and evocation of Thomas's Atlantic Basin images. Unbeknown to me, this work became the seeds of what would eventually grow into Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls.
What was the process like for creating music in response to an exhibition?
Regrettably, at the time, I wasn't too familiar with Thomas's art. However, the images in The World's Edge exhibition were immediately evocative and extremely beautiful. Much like the rest of TJC's work. It also made the prospect of reacting to them, musically, less daunting. For me, it was interesting trying to arrive at a place that would hopefully augment what was already in the room, but still provide a sense of contrast. Ultimately, I didn't want to impose too much.
On the record you work with other musicians, most notably Alabaster DePlume. How did these collaborations come about?
I've been a fan of Alabaster DePlume's [real name: Gus Fairbairn] work and ethos for a while now. His new LP, GOLD – Go Forward In the Courage of Your Love, is a thing of rare beauty. Chanced my luck and contacted Gus to ask if he might be be willing to play on a long-winded, 16-minute idea I was exploring. I'm so grateful for the contribution, the tenor saxophone transformed the piece.
Similarly, Pete Harvey does so much great work out there, including with his wonderful group, Modern Studies. I was fortunate to have Pete arrange strings on The Paralian (2019) and Fugititve Light and Themes of Consolation (2020). Trumpeter Rachel Simpson is another musician I collaborate with on a regular basis. Rachel's performed on most of my records and features on Hearing the Water... She's the real deal.
Today, we’re sharing the album’s closing track, Truant in Gossamer, a beautifully serene and calming composition. Can you tell us more about this song and why it closes out the record?
There's a dark, dream-like thread running through this song. Memories slip in and out of focus, absent from your daily life. For me, it felt like an appropriate finish line, that left the door just enough ajar.
And there’s a beautiful accompanying video from Tommy Perman, who you’ve worked with a lot in the past. Can you (or Tommy) tell us more about the video?
Tommy Perman: Andrew contacted me in April this year to ask if I’d be up for making some films to accompany his new album. We chatted over an approach and I assembled some kit for the project – a collection of unconventional lenses and devices for bending and distorting light. I’ve taken this decidedly-wonky camera equipment around with me for much of this year as I’ve explored Angus, Clackmannanshire, Fife and Perth & Kinross searching for unusual perspectives. I love looking through a camera lens. I find it peaceful and I often disappear into my own wee world.
Image: Tommy Perman's Wonky Camera Gear by Tommy Perman
Beyond the new single, and the album which is due to follow later in the month, what does the rest of 2022 have in store for you?
December, I'm due to be out on tour with a wonderful eight-piece group performing songs from Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls. Particularly looking forward to CCA, Glasgow on 16 December as we have Susan Bear opening, who we're all a fan of. Plans are also afoot to perform some of these new pieces at a special piano and strings show at the National Portrait Gallery early next year.
Hearing the Water Before Seeing the Falls is released on 25 Nov via Clay Pipe Music; Andrew Wasylyk plays V&A, Dundee, 6 Dec; Headrow House, Leeds, 7 Dec; Abbeydale Picture House, Sheffield, 8 Dec; St. Matthias Church, London, 9 Dec; Halle St. Michaels, Manchester, 10 Dec; Philharmonic Small Room, Liverpool, 11 Dec; CCA, Glasgow, 16 Dec