Adrian Shaw | Interview | New Album, ‘A Dark Reflections’
Adrian Shaw, the legendary bassist known for his work with UK underground stalwarts like Rustic Hinge, Magic Muscle, Hawkwind, and Bevis Frond is back with ‘A Dark Reflection,’ an album that hums with the gritty intensity that has always been at the heart of his music.
‘A Dark Reflection’ brings back that primal, gnarly edge we loved in Magic Muscle. His basslines are thick and commanding, hitting you with force, while the melodies drift above like restless spirits—ethereal, haunting, and impossible to shake off.
From the opening track, it’s clear Shaw isn’t interested in nostalgia or merely repeating the past. While there are echoes of sounds he helped define with Magic Muscle, and later Hawkwind—where he played his part on iconic albums like ‘Quark: Strangeness And Charm’ and PXR5—this record is anything but a rehash.
The creation of ‘A Dark Reflection’ began in the isolation of lockdown, where Shaw’s need for a creative outlet led him to record tracks purely for his own pleasure. What started as a personal endeavor soon blossomed into a full-blown album, encouraged by his old friend Nick Saloman, who heard something worth sharing. Shaw continued to record, eventually shaping a collection of songs, refined with input from trusted collaborators like Bari Watts, who helped to steer the album into its final form.
‘A Dark Reflection’ is a haunting dive into Shaw’s past and present, where his personal history and introspective reflections collide. The music unfolds like a kind of therapy, confronting past experiences and letting them breathe through the tracks. The album’s cover, an excerpt from a Gustav Klimt painting, perfectly captures this reflective, melancholic vibe—inviting us on a journey through loss, time, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
“I feel this one is probably a summation of my life in a way”
It’s wonderful to have you back! Could you share some insights into the process behind your latest album, ‘A Dark Reflection’?
Adrian Shaw: I started recording ‘A Dark Reflection’ during the COVID lockdown, as there wasn’t much else I could do. Live concerts were impossible, and I’ve always enjoyed the process of writing and recording. After the lockdown ended, I had to stop performing live for family reasons, but I was able to continue recording. I was really just doing it for my own pleasure until I played what I had for my old friend, Nick Saloman. He liked what he heard and asked what I planned to do with the tracks. When I told him I hadn’t made any plans, he suggested releasing them as an album on Blue Matter Records, the label he runs with his friend Gary Urwin. I kept recording until I had more than enough for an album, with input from Bari Watts, who has a great ear and was someone I could run my ideas past.
The album is a collection of songs that largely reflect on my past experiences and some current observations. Nick and Bari both contribute to the album, showcasing their usual guitar virtuosity.
This is, I believe, my seventh solo album and, at my age, possibly my last. But if life has taught me anything, it’s that it’s full of surprises—so you never know…
You started this album during lockdown with no real intention of sharing it. What changed for you when Nick suggested putting it out there? Did it shift how you saw or heard these songs yourself?
Nothing really changed, but it did spur me on to continue until I had enough songs for an album.
Your music always has this haunting, reflective quality—especially given this album’s title, ‘A Dark Reflection.’ When you look at your past through these songs, is there a specific moment or feeling that surprised you when it surfaced?
As usual, I write about past experiences, people I’ve known, and circumstances both ancient and recent. I guess, in a way, it’s a kind of therapy.
Tell me about the cover artwork.
Nick came up with the cover artwork. It’s a detail from a Gustav Klimt painting, if memory serves, and it seems to fit the feel of the album rather well.
You mentioned Bari Watts as a sounding board with a “great ear.” Did he ever push you in a direction that felt a little too revealing?
No, Bari was just supportive and encouraging. Apart from being a great guitarist, he’s also an experienced recording engineer. You can never have too many ears on a project.
With all the years behind you and the future so uncertain, did you feel any need to create something final or definitive with this album? Or are you in a place where each project just speaks to the moment you’re in?
Yes, I think I was aware that I might not ever release another album, and I feel this one is probably a summation of my life in a way. With so many old friends and bandmates dropping off their perches, it makes you realize time is of the essence!
Blue Matter Records is known for its bold releases—did working with Nick and Gary’s label bring out any sounds or ideas you wouldn’t have pursued otherwise? What sort of impression do you hope ‘A Dark Reflection’ will leave in their catalog and on listeners?
I don’t think so. I just write about whatever comes to mind, and fortunately, Nick and Gary seemed to think that this album fit in well with Blue Matter’s remit.
What currently occupies your life?
For the last few years, my wife has become very ill, and I’m now her full-time carer. This has precluded me from gigging and recording, so I’m on domestic duties and haven’t picked up a guitar in months. Not how I had intended to spend my senior years, but life has a way of surprising you. I’ve had a great life and have no complaints.
Klemen Breznikar
Blue Matter Records Official Website / Facebook / Instagram
Adrian Shaw talks about Magic Muscle, Hawkwind and The Bevis Frond …
Adrian Shaw talks about Magic Muscle, Hawkwind and The Bevis Frond …
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