I'm trying a different approach. 

I found a program offered here in the UK for creatives that helps them work on a pet project while earning a master's at the same time. I've applied. 

Today I wrote up the proposal for the project I want to do. Many of you know I work with traditional instruments in a rather non-traditional way. My proposal is that I double down on that idea and expand it. There is a strong folk tradition here- similar but different from what I was exposed to and working with in the States. What I'm wanting to do is continue and get better with the application of instruments in unique ways, but also take the traditional stories and apply modern themes to them. These can include anything dealing with the LGBTQIA+ experience as well as the neurodivergent experience. I'd been sitting on this as a concept for a while, mulling it over as to whether or not it would be useful or even desirable to others in the way that it is to me. 

Hopefully they'll like my idea and will move to the next stage of working with me. Fingers crossed. 

I'm looking forward to it, should this pan out, as this is likely to also help me get past some of the more tech based issues I've struggled with over the years. 

In the meantime, I'm getting better with my mandolin, lovingly named the Mandalorian. Yes, I'm that nerd, hadn't you noticed? ;) I'm also working on some guitar stuff on my own and trying to let stories inspire me- so lots of reading. 

One more thing:

If there is a story you'd like to see me interpret with the aforementioned lenses and write up a thing for it, please let me know. So many stories to choose from, the choosing part is a little on the overwhelming side. 

Thanks for your continued support and keep each other safe. 

Musically yours,

The Wylde Bard

I have assimilated into an adorable bit of local culture over the past few weeks. 

Morris Dancing. 

Yep, you read that right. More accurately, I'm playing instruments for their dancing, but all the same. 

My loving Otter and I joined up with the Red Cuthbert group near us and are engaging in this very bouncy, stick whacking style known as Border Morris. True to the name, their colours are red and black and frankly, I couldn't be more happy with it. 

I joined them this past weekend for an official Wassail of a new apple orchard in Irchester. It was interesting. We had two melodeon players, a drummer, and me on a little Mandolin (It's my Mandalorian… LOL) There was dancing, lovely cake, and blessings a-plenty for the young trees. 

This kind of playing is a little different than what I'm used to, but I like it. I've made some amazing connections with folks already in my short time as part of the group and I look forward to expanding on that as we go. 

Today I'm working some more mandolin music as well as seeing how this laptop needs to be set up in order to record music on it. Otter and I recently worked together to create a peaceful spot in the apartment for us to work in when we need quiet to focus so it's time to utilize said space. rubs hands together in bouncy anticipation

One step at a time, one day at a time. 

It is official. 

I was able to go through the hoops finally to both update everything on my Band Camp page with my music, and remove it from Spotify. 

Though that's been done, it seems it can take up to 30 days for the Spotify bit to take full effect. In the meantime, my links on the site have been updated to redirect my fans and fam to the BC page so everyone can still have access to the music. 

It feels good to get things rolling again, not going to lie. I have missed the feeling of accomplishment that I get from doing good updates, planning out new songs, and getting to share them with everyone. I have a few in the wings, as it were, but I'm also playing with some new writing approaches that I think will make some amazing pieces. 

In that spirit of writing, I am asking my fans and fam for some input. We all love stories, but I want to know what are some of your favourite stories that you would love to see put to song? Let's build this next batch together, audience and musician!

I know it's been a while since I've updated my site, or made entries to here and on Patreon. My apologies to my fans and fam. I've had a whopper of a year helping my partner with some heavy family events. The passing of my mother-in-law hit hard and carried with it a multitude of challenges that required my full attention and focus. So thank you all for your patience during that troubled time. 

Now I'm back, with time, tech, and the full support of my honey to continue on my own path. 

For those who haven't heard, I've changed locations. Yes, I moved across the pond to the lovely country of Great Britain. It's an interesting place and has its own sense of folk music and style. In the spirit of this, I've obtained a mandolin of my own to add to my repertoire of odd string instruments. Though the start here has been relatively slow due to the aforementioned challenges, I can feel the momentum building up again. Thanks to some folk workshops, I'll be learning some cool tricks over the next few weeks which I look forward to using in my writing and recording. I've a list of festivals to work with, and will be starting my personal foray into the world of Morris Dancing this very Thursday. I have to laugh at that bit as it reminds me of a line from a piece by Professor Elemental titled “I'm British." “Unapologetic Morris dancer? You must mean me!” (If you've never heard of him, he's hilarious and quirky. Highly recommend!) 

In addition to this, I've taken up some collaboration projects that should be an interesting blend. Each of these has a different flavour and a unique challenge to working on them. "Challenge Accepted!" I say. Once they've been approved and released, I'll be sure to let everyone know. I can't wait! Working with other musicians has always been one of my favourite parts of all the festivals and events I've been to. 

Now for the serious bit…

I know that most of my fans and fam are in the States right now, which is, dare I say it, in quite the state of its own. Things are rough, scary, and not going well in a big way. I have confidence the people of our communities will rise up together to care for each other, the Earth, and do what's needed to get through this shadow period. 

+I grew up hearing the phrase “Age of Aquarius” and it being referred to as a great time of peace for humanity. As an Aquarius myself, I just want to remind folks that our ruling planet, Uranus, doesn't just carry with it a humanitarian vibe but also one of upheaval. After all, you have to remove that which isn't serving humanity to replace it with something that does. This is that upheaval time. Use it wisely. Connect with each other, share with each other, and most of all work together. Hand in hand we can rise above this. I know that in my heart.

 So breathe, family, use your skills and resources to take this scary time and transmute it into the loving existence that we all really want to see in the world. 

I do love the smell of coffee in the morning! 

And the sound of music being written.

The muse had me for sure, today. I've spent hours on the guitar, until my fingers were sore. But oh did I manage something I think is going to end up awesome!

I wrote a song on guitar that is now awaiting words. I even did the hard part of writing a proper bridge and fluffing up the transition between sections- something I've had a challenge doing for years. 

That song writing workshop I had been at last year has been stewing in my brain ever since and I guess today was just the day for something to click. 

Yay clicky things occurring!

Next phase: listen to it over and over until the words spill out. 

I might have also written something melodic that'll get translated to harp sometime in the near future. 

I've been loving it here in the UK, but I must say, I do miss my forged family at home. So consider this as some spectral huggles and care being sent your way. Stay safe. Stay wylde. 

It's live on both BandLab and Spotify! “Deception” can be streamed online now for your listening pleasure!

It was such an easy process, I think I will do the next few like this as i go for releasing singles. 

The only issue I had was that I entered my name differently by accident and so it doesn't show up under my usual list. Instead of it being under Morganthe Wylde, it's just under Morganthe. To be honest, I am not sure what changes that will do to my numbers or how I promote my work but I'm thinking it might be best to see if I can correct it. 

The logo is still the same so at least it's easy to identify. 

Ah the technical issues I have sometimes when trying to do things. Alas.

I'm just glad it's published though and I hope folks enjoy it. 

https://open.spotify.com/track/3royXYU28gObLoRxCleOZq?si=UvDah5RmSiOanuYGMPb2aA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A2DZDV0H9OwpFZubchE7lZ9

I officially released "Deception" on BandLab today! (It'll take a few days for their processing.)

I thought I'd try their process for releasing singles and see how it feels before I do the recordings for the next few pieces. 

So excited. I'll post a proper link when they're done processing it.

In the meantime I've gotten a new guitar. It's smaller and easier for me to work with. I love its sound and how it feels. The other, cheaper one i picked up needs re-stringing and will be set to drop to D tuning for some changes in my writing process. 

It's odd how this is coming about, but I'm enjoying it and looking forward to more.

Oh and I'm setting up another method for folks to support the wylde bard…more on that later. 

I’ve been sitting on these words for a while. Originally written in 2016 for the Bernie Sanders movement, I was surprised to read them again the other day and find how they’re still relevant to today. When words age well, I guess. 

In addition, I think I may have found the music for them in some of the new strumming techniques I’ve been working on. While learning, I was also putting together a simple, but effective chord progression that I rather like. I’ve hummed out the basic rhythms together and they do seem to fit. The next step will be writing out the bridge- a long time challenge of mine I’ve been trying to overcome. In the meantime, enjoy this tidbit of what I have:

“Power to the people”

Chorus (at end of chorus use LINE 1 in the first run-through and then line 2 through the second and so on and so forth)

I know there is more destined to be

Than a nation subdued by drugs and TV 

You have to wake up

(Shake up)

Fight to be free 

[The power it rests with you and with me (power to the people)]

1. The force of change begins with "We"

2. The voice of change begins with "We"

3. The fight for change begins with "We"

4. A better life begins with “We”

verses:

V1: Day by day we slave away

One job, two jobs, a third on the way

To an existence defined by a broken clock

(Tick tock)

Words of fear, control, and shock

V2: Tow the line, too afraid to let go

Of this way of life and the status quo

Ignoring facts from voices so loud

Media blackouts for record crowds 

(chorus line 2)

V3: Us or them, the illusion of choice

Stripping away the strength of our voice

Distractions, infractions, incarceration for all

only United can we stand tall

(chorus line 3)

(chorus line 4)

I’m trying a new thing where I begin each day writing a little something. Sometimes this will be poetry, sometimes it’ll just be a stream of consciousness. 

Today it was poetry that looks like it could be lyrics. They’re substantially darker and more angry in tone than I usually do, but considering the state of the world and especially my country, it’s not surprising that this would be the subject matter. Some of my followers on BlueSky seemed interested in reading these, and since they’re too long to post there directly, I’ve decided to post them here and then share the link. Pardon the subject matter and some of the emotion behind it. Oh and there isn’t a working title to it yet as I’m not really sure what to do with them. They don’t have the usual cadence or vibe of my standard work and so I’m a little nervous of what kind of style they would produce as a song. 

“We need your silence

Oh do be quiet

Through your acquiescence 

Will your needs be provided

Of course you can’t speak

Talk back or have an opinion

Because anything you say

Might be used against us

It doesn’t matter if your lives are broken

Rights are violated

Find yourself choking

So fall in line with our crowd

Don’t be so outspoken, opinionated,  or loud
 

Your lives don’t matter

So long as we’re paid

Your words are shattered

Like they were never said

Don’t read the names

Of the dearly departed

We’re not listening,

And it’s only just started.
 

Hundreds of thousands and who knows how many more

We’ll take what we want and continue this “war”

We’re comfortable and safe and that’s what we want

So we allowed ourselves to be bribed and bought
 

You can’t fight us

You can’t win

We have all the cards

And we wont deal you in

Don’t try to fight us

You know you can’t win

We have all the chips

We won’t deal you in

The oppressed are the oppressors when they speak about

The oppression that’s happened, and they point it out

That no matter who’s in power the structure doesn’t change

The names and letters might be different but the suffering stays the same

Red or blue

Take your pill

Don’t think outside this choice

Or you’ll face a different hell

Blue or Red

The result is the same

Swallow your voice

The only change is in the name.”

Normally when I write something of this nature, which isn’t often but does happen, I keep it to myself. I have a few other song lyric sets that I’ve been holding onto for a few years now that are political in nature, too. It may be time to start letting people see those. I would appreciate some feedback from folks on here. There is a comment option and I will get notifications for any comments made. Thanks in advance, dear fans, and fam. Stay safe, and look out for each other.

After the whole RV fiasco I had to take some time away from things to gather resources, get my head on straight, and get set up for another go. Things haven’t been the easiest and sadly I’ve had to pause everything I wanted. However, I have made community around myself, found some amazing friends and family, and have found a new direction. 

Still music, of course. That won’t ever go away. It draws me in like no other and I gladly welcome the Call. 

I’m no longer in the States. I’ve moved. Far, Far Away. 

Within the short time of being here, though, I’ve managed to make friends, and have begun the process of networking within the local community for gigs and collaborations. The folk scene out here is super active and seems genuinely interested in my different approach to the genre. 

This whole transition has been mind blowing, as the last couple of years have been. I sincerely appreciate the patience of my fans, my friends, and my community as I’ve shifted gears and worked hard to make this happen. It wasn’t easy, this move. It was completely worth it though. 

Prior to leaving the states I did get the amazing opportunity to attend a week long workshop with the talented and skilled Tret Fure. An accomplished folk singer/songwriter, she ran quite the “boot camp” for us musicians to learn better writing techniques both lyrically and musically. It was a great week and I have new pieces that have come from that. I’m still getting settled where I am and am still waiting for my stuff to arrive from the States, but when it happens, and possibly beforehand if I can work out the how of it, I will be officially recording these new songs to share with my peoples. In the meantime, I’m working to learn new things on the harp as that’s the only instrument I was able to take with me directly on the flight here. 

I’m also working on my iPad to devise a way to use digital resources to expand what my music includes. I’m not sure how this will translate yet to live performances, but I’m hoping it will translate well into recorded pieces for folks to listen to anywhere they are. It’s a fun process, but carries with it a rather large learning curve for me as I’m very much a traditionalist in some ways when it comes to instrumentation. There’s just something to be said for having the actual instrument in your hands versus using a digital system to create the sounds one has in mind. 

I’m hoping that in the new environment I can work more consistently on my dreams and really make them happen. So far it seems like that might very well be the case and I can put my focus where I want it to go. Music. Community. Sharing. Connections. 

I will soon have updated pictures to use online, as my physical style and branding are shifting as well and I’m super excited to share that with you all as well. 

In the meantime, know that you’re not alone in this crazy world, no matter what else is going on in world or local news. I can see things being dark out there still, with quite possibly even darker things yet to come. But together we can not only survive it all, we can thrive through it. Hand in hand, we got this. 

So stay tuned for more updates, as there will be more and more frequently shared here. Much love and laughter to everyone. 

And again, all my gratitude for your support.