Two decades since... and how does it feel?

20 years ago I wrote this track and recorded it in Bangor University.

Lidamotes

The players on it are awesome:

Vocals: Betsan Williams
Guitars: Dave Taylor
Cello: Huw McGregor
Drum/bass programming: Gary Stubbs
Intro performer: Bronwen Price

It was ostensibly for a college project and therefore the live parts were recorded in Bangor University Studio in early 1999. Huw and me were on the postgrad course together - and he brought his cello (aka 'the orchestra in the box') to proceedings. What a beautiful job he did, too.

When I walked into the studio though, I saw he had also brought a good friend of his to check out the recording and generally geek out about ribbon mics. I said hello and didn't think much of it at the time. I was kinda stressed about the session (but with performers of that calibre I had no reason to be, of course).

A year and a half later, I had just started my university course at LIPA, feeling very out of place, out of depth and out of space. Coming down the corridor, just by the bogs, was a familiar figure. I swallowed my nerves a little there too. It was time to try and get to grips with this new adventure in Liverpool.

"Hi," I ventured. The chap smiled. He was a big chap. You'd be intimidated, but he had a completely open face and gentle vibe. It's hard to describe.
"Hello again," he said.
"You're Huw's mate, aren't you," I asked.
He nodded and held out his hand.

I smiled and shook it willingly. Maybe I had found a friend?

"My name's Jon," he said.

My life was never the same. RIP my brother.