One of the beautiful-bizarre-folk songs, Ric Birtill’s inaugural mini album, "The Preston" has released on 11 June of this year. The Preston EP is based on and inspired by life in Preston, Lancashire, England were he grew up. It features 5 songs about religion, romance, employment, agoraphobia and alcohol - dependence.
After he decided to make a solo carrier-all his other projects weither it be Dollymops (Punk/Hardcore/New wave) or Changing Horses (Folk duo)-now he is back with another folk-indie-spirit songs.
The main difference-between all singles that have been released before with his bands and his solo’s-is his sharp cynical observations, tempered with a reasonable amount of self-depreciating humor. “I aim to make music that is different and refreshing, yet influenced by everyday life.”, Ric said.
He had always written songs that were either cryptic metaphors or based on personal emotional train wrecks. With this solo project, he is writing from a new perspective, a literal perspective, influenced by day to day, seemingly mundane things.
“Such as the track ‘A pub for every day of the year’; that track is about the relationship between an alcoholic and his/her drink. I also have a few songs in the wing ready to come out that are about Car Parks and day jobs. So its a more gritty, real and very northern way of writing.”, told this about-things-songs writer.
Under his own label-Friargate Records-and recorded at DB Studios and Sims Studio at Lincoln, the EP is already getting great reviews since he uploaded it to band-camp as a free download. It has received very generous donations from people who do not feel comfortable ‘getting something this good for free’.
“Friargate Records named after Friargate, a street in Preston where I used to squat above a shop called Rags in a dirty room with no heating, electricity and no bed! This is where I wrote most of the songs from the EP. Preston is a rough, grim and depressing place, but its also interesting and fun.”, said Ric in his gracious.
Eccentric Scent
Ric Birtill always has unusual ways to introduce his music to public. He is unique and creative man, both on stage or even behind the stage. Both in his performing or even in writing songs.
In each song he has made in The Preston EP, he wrapped it in more heavy folk atmosphere but different beat, bizarre sound, and colorful tone. A brilliant who have a billion idea to make such a chic music.
In ‘Envy’ for example, he’s crafted a tender and often forlorn eco-treatise with that kind of slowly guitar cadency elaborates with the lyric. But gleeful in the middle of the end.
