Transmission #009: Weird Walk
20-04-09Transmission #009 is a playlist by esoteric folklore fans Weird Walk.
We first heard about Weird Walk through their self-published zine about the folklore and myths of Britain.
Us being named Albion (after what is widely recognised to be the oldest known name for Britain), a mutual appreciation of the ancient stories of our islands was clear.
So, we got in touch to see if we could collaborate on something, and the result is #009 in our Transmissions series and its accompanying stories.
First though, we asked Alex, Owen and James of Weird Walk to tell us a little bit about how it all began.
“Weird Walk started as three friends going for a long walk along the Wessex Ridgeway without the correct footwear. We walked all day and stayed at pubs each night. For something so simple it was a transformative experience.
We’d always had an interest in folklore, archaeology and all things ‘hauntological’, walking was the missing piece of the puzzle. Whether traversing the chalk paths of the South Downs, or the shifting landscape of the Black Mountains, we want to not just stretch the legs, but also get thinking and talking and creating around the land and its history, both real and imagined.
So far we have channelled this into small press publishing, producing our Weird Walk zines (and all sorts of daft stickers.) Future plans include apparel collaborations, various musical explorations, curating events, and of course making more zines.”
Listen to Transmission #009: Weird Walk, below.
Justin Hopper & Sharron Kraus With The Belbury Poly – Chanctonbury Rings (Intro)
A couple of years ago we walked a good chunk of the South Downs Way and soaked up the vibes atop the magical Chanctonbury Hill that Justin Hopper speaks of in this piece. Justin wrote about the South Downs for us in issue one of Weird Walk – it’s a strange, beautiful area for walking and cycling. When this is all over, we’ll be out there again.
Julian Cope – These Things I Know
The Archdrude himself. Cope is a local legend around by us, and we love exploring the same sites that he holds dear, walking around Fyfield Down, Avebury and Hackpen Hill. He’s a true inspiration to Weird Walk; as well as being a great musician, his deep knowledge of prehistory and esoteric art is something to behold.
Stonehenge Men – Big Feet
Stonehenge looms large in the world of Weird Walk. We can’t get enough of this Neolithic enigma and its surrounding landscape. In issue two we plotted a history of Stonehenge in rock ‘n’ roll and, in doing so, discovered that Joe Meek spent time as a radar mechanic just down the road from Avebury. Maybe this got his megalithic thinking going and fed into the creation of this rocking chugger in his home studio.
The Eccentronic Research Council – Another Witch Is Dead (Trad.)
Here’s one guaranteed to keep your legs moving to its slow, mesmeric pulse while Maxine Peake intones tales of the witch trials of Northern England. Try it while ascending the winding terror that is the road from Hebden Bridge to Pendle Hill. At least that’s the way Google Maps took us.
Badge Époque Ensemble – Zealous Child
Canadian prog funk of the highest order. This is ideal lounging about in fields music; especially effective when zoning out beneath one of Avebury’s stones after pints at the Red Lion. Also works in your garden.
Donovan – Skip-A-Long Sam
We’ve been vibing on some Donovan ahead of issue three. He’s not as respected as some of his contemporaries, but his late Sixities stuff is ideal tuneage for a spring cycle or ramble. This song also has a fantastically strange mix from the early days of stereo. Nearly everything happens in the right speaker which makes you lean right as you walk. Weird.
Mellow Candle – Heaven Heath
More research for issue three, here. This is just an absolutely cracking acid folk number that has been bouncing on the WW stereo for ages.
Albion Country Band – Cheshire Rounds/The Old Lancashire Hornpipe
Couldn’t really leave out the Albion Country Band in a playlist for Albion, could we? Ashley Hutchings and co blaze through traditional folk tunes on their Battle of the Field LP and this stomper is a real favourite. English folk dance has been getting more attention of late – we featured the fantastic all female Morris side Boss Morris in issue two of Weird Walk. Morris on!
John Martyn – Spencer the Rover
There’s a lot of wandering and wondering in traditional folk songs, as you might expect. Spencer is a case in point, and John Martyn’s version is an absolute heartbreaker. It’s well worth a listen while catching your breath at the top of a conquered hill.
Kali Malone – Spectacle of Ritual
One thing about hanging around megaliths so much is that it gives you a massive dose of temporal perspective. As our recent Magic Circle zine says of Stonehenge, “Deep time can truly be felt when stood within the circle.” This sense of deep time can be heard in the blissful, monolithic music of American composer Kali Malone, whose longform organ reveries perfectly complement a post-hike or bike sunset at the stones. We’ll be back!
