Solent Seascape Artist in Residence Richard Walters unveils Songs from the Solent – A Musical Tribute to Nature and Community
We’re excited to announce that we’ve launched Songs from the Solent, a new album by Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Richard Walters, created as part of his Artist Residency with the project. Songs from the Solent is a unique musical celebration of the region’s habitats, wildlife, and communities, inspired by the environments the project is working to protect,
Available to stream and download now, the album features eight original songs influenced by the sounds of the seascape and voices of the Solent, with proceeds going towards vital restoration of these threatened habitats.
Through music, Songs from the Solent aims to raise awareness of the environmental challenges facing the region while building a deeper, emotional bond between people and place.
Solent Project Manager, Louise MacCallum said, “The Songs for the Solent have given me the opportunity to look at this beautiful seascape we are working to restore through such a wonderful new artistic lens. I feel excited for new members of the Solent community to discover the work we are doing through the power of music.”
“I hope the songs I’ve written shine a light on parts of the coastline it’s easy to overlook, I hope they make people think about this seascape and why we must give it our care and attention, and I really hope it inspires people to spend time exploring the area,” added Walters.
The album brings together a rich tapestry of local Solent talent, including painters, choirs, and musicians, alongside internationally acclaimed contributors.
Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons,who was born on the shores of the Solent at Cowes on the Isle of Wight, lends his distinctive voice to Lanterns Part 1, one of the album’s centrepiece tracks. Isle of Wight artist Trudie Wilson lists the paints made of natural pigments she uses in the song Wight Paint, and members of Big Notes Choir from Chichester sing on Salt Forests, inspired by the tiny wonders of saltmarsh worlds.
Richard said, “To be awarded this residency has been a real gift, an excuse to get out there and dig a little deeper, to meet the people that play their part in Solent communities, to tell their stories and give voice to the silent elements in need of our support. The work the Solent Seascape Project does is remarkable and I’m very happy to play a small part in amplifying their message.”
To gain inspiration for the songs, Richard met with local groups and communities to find out what makes the Solent and its habitats special to them. It saw him chatting with a group of sea swimmers who shared the wellbeing benefits of their weekly dip (Sea Sisters) and heading to the top of Spinnaker Tower to find out what the view meant to visitors (Long View). Their responses have been woven together with field recordings gathered at sites the project is working to restore.
Adding a visual dimension to the release, renowned linocut artist Angela Hardinghas created a bespoke map of the Solent. The map highlights the locations that inspired each song, allowing listeners to connect the music directly with the places that shaped it.
Below is the interactive map. Click on the names and images for each song to hear them. As a bonus, there are two clickable areas for Lanterns at Hurst Castle.
“It has been a great delight to work on this special map of the Solent Seascape Project for Richard Walters. It is loosely based on an old sea chart — with wild winds pushing the terns to their rafts, and Richard sailing out to sea in a small boat, cat and guitar, dodging sea monsters as he goes. I hope it is a map to be enjoyed and raise awareness of the important conservation work being done by the Solent Seascape Project,” said Angela.
Watch the music video for Rafts:
Listen and download Songs from the Solent :
25% of all sales go to the Solent Seascape Project
A free live performance will take place at the Square Tower, Portsmouth, on 11 February with tickets available shortly.
This scheme is supported by the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme (ELSP), funded by Arcadia. The ELSP are keen to apply collaborative, transdisciplinary arts practice to celebrate the distinctiveness of the land- and seascape restoration projects (including SSP) that are supported by the ELSP, including their communities, as well as to provide a better understanding of the hopes, ambitions and opportunities that come with nature restoration at scale.
The Solent Seascape Project Partners are
The Solent Seascape Project is supported by East Head Impact and the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP), managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and funded by Arcadia.
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