I released my second album, The No Testament, ten years ago this month.

Around the time that I was writing the album, I became increasingly interested in American spirituals, gospel, and in particular, the shapenote hymn singing tradition. I’d go to Sacred Harp singings as often as possible. The intensity of the sound just knocked me out. I began exploring the idea of combining the style and feel of these hymns with lyrics that were relevant to me and the people I know on an everyday level; in a sense, I wrote my own hymns. This idea of the secular hymn gave rise to some of the songs on the album, including Dreams Are Made Of Money.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEwi7Un7is0\[/embed\]

I’ve long been fascinated by how common themes recur in everything from myths to songs, films, fables and parables. Carl Jung saw the Collective Unconscious as the source of all this, a deep-seated set of instincts and beliefs held by all people, inherited from the past collective experience of humanity. My paraphrase: people are all made of the same stuff, so they tell similar stories.

Writing songs and making albums is a way to be a part of this sprawling, endless conversation about what it feels like to be alive. It feels like a great privilege. Even on the difficult days, I know that I have something to contribute to the conversation, however small, however many people have said similar things.

If you were to ask me how an old song about chimney sweep fits into all that, I’d have to admit I’ve no clue. But many of you seemed to enjoy listening to it as much as Sam Sweeney and I enjoyed playing it on the telly.

[embed]https://vimeo.com/152406671\[/embed\]

To celebrate the album’s anniversary, for the whole month of August, I’ll sign all Bandcamp CD orders of The No Testament and include a free copy of Live At The Union Chapel EP (featuring songs from The No Testament).