Music influenced by the Solent’s coastline, wildlife and communities is returning to the places where it all began this November, as Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Richard Walters takes Songs from the Solent on a special series of live performances and family events.
Created during Richard’s Artist Residency with the Solent Seascape Project, Songs from the Solent grew out of time spent exploring the region’s wilder coastal places and meeting the people who live, work and play along its shores. The resulting eight original songs combine music, spoken word, local voices and natural soundscapes recorded around the Solent.
Back where it began
Now, as part of the second phase of Richard’s artist residency, the music is coming back to the places that inspired it, with performances across the region in Ryde (Department), Chichester and Calshot.
It gives audiences the opportunity to not only hear music about the seascape but to experience it within the places and communities that helped shape it, with funds raised helping vital coastal habitat restoration work.
Richard Walters said,
“I’m so excited to play these songs in a few of the places that inspired the music, and to chat about the process. I think for the audience, it’s a really fascinating insight into the creative aspect of the residency and I can’t wait to sing these tracks again!”
Louise MacCallum, Solent Project Manager at Blue Marine Foundation, said,
“I’m super excited to be joining Richard as he plays the Songs from the Solent across our region. I hope that the people we meet along the way feel a deeper connection to nature through Richard’s beautiful music.”
Jeremy Irons among the album’s voices
The Songs from the Solent album is not just inspired by local habitats and people but it also features local voices and musicians, including Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons (who was born in Cowes), as well as members of Chichester’s Big Notes Choir.
Renowned artist Angela Harding also created an illustrated map connecting the songs with the locations that inspired them. Released at the beginning of the year, the album is available to download and stream with 25% of all sales going to the Solent Seascape Project.
About the Solent Seascape Project
The Solent Seascape Project is a five-year partnership of 10 organisations led by Blue Marine Foundation, restoring and reconnecting key marine habitats across the Solent, including seagrass, native oyster reefs, saltmarsh and seabird nesting sites, for the benefit of both wildlife and local communities.
The project is supported by East Head Impact and the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme, managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and funded by Arcadia.
Find out more by visiting the Solent Seascape website.
Songs from the Solent: November dates
Tuesday 17 November | Department, Ryde, Isle of Wight
- 7pm to 10pm | £10
- Book tickets for Ryde
Friday 20 November | Havana, Chichester
- 8pm to 11.45pm | £10
- Book tickets for Chichester
Saturday 21 November | Calshot Castle
- 3pm to 6pm | £4 per person
- A family afternoon featuring marine-themed lantern decorating, a lantern procession along the beach and a live performance of Songs from the Solent inside the castle. Tickets include a complimentary hot chocolate. Suitable for ages six and over.
- Book tickets for Calshot
News shared by Rebecca on behalf of the Solent Seascape Project. Ed
