An idea first mooted by guitarist and producer Bryan Day, Size of a Planet is an album created in lockdown by a diverse collective of 20 Sheffield musicians, vocalists and producers, inspired by an online musical version of the old ‘pass it on’ parlour game. Originally launched as small DIY project to keep a group of friends musically active during lockdown, it is now a 20-track album that is slowly being released on streaming platforms over the coming months. Exposed spoke to group member and singer-songwriter Steve Edwards to find out more about this unique undertaking.
Could you tell us what inspired this fairly novel way of making music?
This album worked on the basis of the old fold-down paper game ‘pass it on’. To create the album, each musician would form a musical idea, record something – whether this be singing, drums or strings – and then pass it on to the next person via email. The next musician would then add their bit to the recording. This process was repeated until everyone involved had added their individual idea to the piece.
This project is all about how we created and recorded the music. Its very ‘viva Sheffield!’; we’re very proud to be from this city. It is a group of friends from here who instead of sitting about in lockdown, got together produced a 20-track album, creating something positive to come out of the pandemic.
With studios out of bounds, how did you adapt to this more DIY way of working?
Normally I would go out to the studio to work. I don’t have a studio at home, so I didn’t really have any recording gear with me in lockdown. Believe it or not, when I was singing or playing the
guitar, I actually just recorded it into my phone. I got a stack of books, put my phone on it and put a duvet over my head to record – a proper Blue Peter moment! So yeah – headphones over one ear, listening to what someone had sent me, singing into my phone; I’d then take that recording and pass it on to the next person over email.
The latest song released from the album was ‘Higher Low’. Could you talk us a bit through that single?
That one was my initial idea. I remember watching this programme about rave culture on BBC4, talking about how all the music was made. It just made me think about those kinds of days. People were so still and quiet in lockdown; I missed the feeling of being connected through music. It’s Sheffield soul: sit back, relax and find a higher stream of consciousness – forget all your worries!
With it being made during such a significant time in world history, were there any particular messages or recurring themes you were trying to get through in the album?
We tried not to be too literal. We wanted to write songs that could be standalone songs, released at any time during any period but at the same time a snapshot of lockdown; something we could look back on in a few years. The whole project is made up of lots of different genres of music: soul, hip-hop and some psychedelic sounds – it’s all a mixed bag.
We’re already looking forward to the next single, which should be out by the time this magazine hits the streets. What can we expect?
I think the next one coming out is called ‘Space and Time’, and that’s Jody Wildgoose’s one.
Another we are going to be working on is called ‘Drone Hike’, which John Watterson was the originator of. Right at the beginning of lockdown there was a lot of controversy about people going on walks in the Peak Districts and police were sending out drones and filming people. There’s the inspiration for that one. The song itself sounds like a 70s car cop show theme tune.
What’s the next step for Size of a Planet?
We’re releasing a song almost every week. ‘Higher Low’ is our third and we’re going to release another on in a couple of weeks’ time. The plan now is to try and do an album launch gig around November time. I think it will tie the project off nicely. Hopefully by then, we’ll be at the dying end of the pandemic.
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