Savagekind’s second EP showcases once more the immutable connection between poetry and music

The second EP by Savagekind, is yet another powerful demonstration of the immutable - and compelling - connection between poetry and music.

Titled Forgotten at Birth and released through The Good Times Co, the six track recording features the words of poet Jay Savage put to music by previous collaborators, Neill Solomon and Jim Neversink, along with rising newcomer Lily Isobel and electronic music specialist, Strange Onion. 

The EP was mastered and produced by South African Music Awards-nominated producer Matthew Fink (Nakhane; Shadowclub; Sannie Fox; Jim Neversink; The Medicine Dolls) and follows on from Savagekind’s debut EP, Sung Words which was released in 2023 and marked the start of this unusual and compelling music and words adventure.

A notable feature of Forgotten at Birth is the second version of Savage’s poem, “1-23” here expressed with plaintive beauty by Lily Isobel. Contrasted with Neversink’s cinematic take on the poem on Sung Words, it reveals the ability of lyrics and poems to move into thrillingly wide-ranging sonic terrain. 

Copenhagen-based Neversink worked closely with Savagekind to add new dimensions to “Anchor” and “Catch”, the two tracks that open and close the EP. Unlike “Again”, the spoken word piece that featured on Sung Words, this time around Neversink has underpinned Savage’s spoken word with music that never intrudes, that always elevates the potency of the poet’s words.

Neversink himself contributes the wonderful, ramshackle “The Ballad of John and Otis” that showcases why the acclaimed solo artist is regarded as an exceptional guitar player, among his many musical gifts.

“I found the process of working on the second Savagekind EP particularly rewarding on account that an unforced duality existed for me,” shares Neversink. “One, the opportunity to take my time and layer my contributions for the two Neill Solomon compositions and explore scapes while recording - not in a laboured manner, more a fanciful exploratory mission trying out new settings, techniques, tones and phrasing - this set up a sharp juxtaposition for the second method (immediacy) which I used for Anchor and Catch as well as my contribution to Stange Onion’s Dimly. I tried to work off impulse and forced myself to rush and not overthink things.” 

Neversink pays tribute to Savage’s poems, saying “without his words there are no songs”. “I am proud of him for staying up at crazy hours doubting and debating himself, whether to use a certain word or skip the last line completely. And then changing his mind about his choice days (nights) later.”

For Solomon, “Collaborating with Jay Savage is a continuously unfolding journey, deeply rooted in our friendship and shared creative spirit. On Savagekind Forgotten at Birth, the track Pablo in the Rain - co-written by Jay and myself - reveals rain-soaked memories and echoes the storytelling power of Jay Savage, capturing the essence of our connection. A true gift.”

Savage’s poem, “Dimly" was brought to life by Strange Onion - real name Derek Marsden, a studio hobbyist from Johannesburg, South Africa who has been making electronic music for almost 30 years. “Working with Jay's poems inspired me to a level of creativity I had not experienced since my Hangdog days in the '90s. Jay's words are heartfelt streams of consciousness that touch the soul on many levels, and the level of musicianship in the accompaniment of these tracks makes for engaging listening, invoking a reflective state of mind and a deep sense of humanity.
Forgotten At Birth features a new collaborator to the broad Savagekind community of artists, by the name of Alister McDirty who has produced three videos to accompany the EP (for ”Anchor”, “Dimly” and “Catch”). His singular visual style was found to perfectly complement the songs.  Little is known about McDirty: he claims only that he is a fan of the music who, after hearing Sung Words as well as early versions of Forgotten At Birth which were leaked online, wanted to “try out” some ideas. An elusive figure, his professional experience is vast but “not relevant”, he says - and his highest achievement was being named  “runner up at the Imaginary Image Awards”.