We wrote about old man of the woods back in September, the recording project of Richmond-based songwriter and producer Miranda Elliott. Debut EP dissolve displayed real depth and nuance, its style governed not so much by aesthetic preferences but inclinations more practical and intuitive. In our review, we described how “the release shares some of the strategies of fungal life” from which the act draws its name, the songs offering up confusion and pain in order to create a product more useful and meaningful. “Through the music these emotions are processed into something life-giving,” we wrote, “what Elliott calls ‘that alchemy of shit into sustenance.’ As we concluded:
The music of old man of the woods […] is a forest of its own. One often still and quiet, mournful in the way woods can be, but quietly powerful too. Because the systems of life and consumption within the natural world are different to those of our own, and within the lonely forest and its constant regrowth lies a humble secret. A comfort, a humble triumph over death.
Since we wrote about the record, old man of the woods has teamed up with Totally Real Records to release the EP on cassette. The first run of silver glitter tapes sold out in days, but there is now a second run. To celebrate the release, old man of the woods reimagined one of its tracks, switching out the synths of opener ‘made your bed’ in favour of piano. “The original felt much more defiant,” Elliott explains. “This feels like open windows and curtains blowing in the breeze and wondering where the time went.” So what previously felt confrontational is now rendered intangible and strange, an echo of a previous thought or action left to float high up around an empty room.
We’re delighted to be able to share the track today, so grab your headphones and dissolve with old man of the woods.
