GR Direct - Sony - Save up to £500
Saturday 26 July 2025
 16.2°C   SW Moderate Breeze
Ocean Kinetics - The Engineering Experts

Arts / Merrifield and friends to team up for ambitious ‘sound noir’ album release

Jeff Merrifield. Photo: Dave Hammond.

AN AMBITIOUS improvised music project which will culminate in the release of an album influenced by horror-fantasy fiction is in the works.

The project will also fulfil something of a long-held dream of local jazz stalwart Jeff Merrifield, who has been involved in music circles for decades but has not actually released anything under his own name.

But now, at the age of 81, that is set to change.

A crowdfunder for Merrifield’s project has already reached more than £900, although it has a total goal of £9,000.

It will explore H P Lovecraft’s Cthulhu Mythos stories and bring together a host of musicians, and well as two “Lovecraft aficionados” – Scottish writer William Meikle and filmmaker Richard Stanley.

Stanley’s last feature film was an adaptation of Lovecraft’s Color Out of Space, starring Nicholas Cage.

The aim is to create “accessible and atmospheric” improvised music.

Another notable point is that it will be a rare local release which will be pressed on vinyl.

It will use 180-gram Ecovin, instead of PVC vinyl, which is said to reduce the carbon footprint by 91 per cent.

The album will be made by Merrifield and Shetland based percussionist Renzo Spiteri, with guest appearances local musician Norman Willmore, Corrie Dick, Irish singer Christine Tobin, Phil Robson, Steve Kettley and Raymond MacDonald, a professor of improvised music.

Local artist Dirk Robertson is also providing artwork, while there will be a 12-page booklet.

In addition to the music there could also be gigs and a horror writing workshop.

Merrifield was the former team leader of Shetland Jazz and World Sounds group, while he continues with present a show on BBC Radio Shetland.

“At my age,” Merrifield says, “after a lifetime of putting on jazz and world music gigs and workshops, I think that I’m due a bit of unadulterated do-it-yourself promotion, aren’t I?”

Become a member of Shetland News

 

“This has the makings of an exciting project.

“Not just for me, but for Shetland. It could become a new genre, sound noir. Exploring fantasy and horror through writing and improvising.”

In addition to people being able to pledge money in advance towards the project, Merrifield is also looking for companies and small businesses interested in sponsoring the project.

Become a member of Shetland News

Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.

If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.

 

Sign up
for our Newsletters

Stay in the loop with newsletters tailored to your interests. Whether you're looking for daily updates, weekly highlights, or updates on jobs or property, you can choose exactly what you want to receive.

Advertisement 
Advertisement 
Advertisement 

JavaScript Required

We're sorry, but Shetland News isn't fully functional without JavaScript enabled.
Head over to the help page for instructions on how to enable JavaScript on your browser.

Interested in Notifications?

Get notifications from Shetland News for important and breaking news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have you considered becoming a member of Shetland News?

  • Removal of third-party ads;
  • Bookmark posts to read later;
  • Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
  • Hide membership messages;
  • Comments open for discussion.