ach, it’s yourself, sit down!

been a busy few weeks at daryl harkin global industries hq, so sorry if you were trying to get my attention.

firstly, some news that i’ve ended my almost 3 year tenure on the road with messrs barry and dominic kirwan. wasn’t an easy thing to do but too many personal and professional commitments meant something had to give. the lads, the rest of the band and crew are all mates and i’ll be keeping in touch and staying involved as much as time will allow me. they’re the best in the world and it weighs heavy on my heart that i won’t be travelling the length and breadth of the country in that van sharing stories, jokes and smells week-in-week-out.

nextly, we’ve just wrapped up on a project for a brand new artist called Arrows, and I can’t wait to see the fruits of our labour in a virtual music shop display soon. they’re a great bunch of ladies with a cool story. if american country is your bag you’ll dig it. i’ll share more details of the release as i get ‘em. i produced, co-wrote and mixed on this one.

thirdly, i had the opportunity in mid-may to go and work on a cruise of alaska. what an absolute spectacle. absolutely beautiful scenery - like another planet. completely breath-taking views in any direction at any time of day, and i’m very lucky to have experienced it. i was hoping to see an orca or two but the height of the wildlife spotting was a glimpse of a mountain goat by the shoreline and a bambi-legged banjo player on the lido deck.

fourthly, shortly after landing back i got to go and see one of my first loves in concert again. alice in chains in my beloved belfast. the gig was in the telegraph building which probably isn’t the most conventional location for a concert but the industrial backdrop and brickwork were really effective for giving it an underground grunge-y feel. i don’t get to as many gigs as i like (as a punter) so should’ve taken more pictures. support came in the form of local band wynona bleach who kicked my ass and continue to kick my ass all day.

finally, the trip to alaska gave me something of a travel bug. myself and herself are taking ourselves off to amsterdam for a five-skinner of inspiration. maybe look at some windmills, i dunno. any recommendations of things to do while we’re there, riff it out in the comments.

i’ve got a few more interesting projects coming up, but as always i’m looking for new acts to work with. if you think that’s you, gizza shout.

all the best

daryl

"adieu", arrows, alaska, alice, amsterdam