This Trick is not to be Mist

Science tells us that our ability to remember the past and our ability to imagine the future are deeply intertwined.

Cork songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Trick Mist’s second full-length, ‘The Hedge Maze and The Spade’, sees him remember and imagine in equal measure.

Catapulted into a period of forced introspection after the death of his 96 year old grandmother with whom he shared a remarkably close relationship, Trick Mist (real name Gavin Murray) says his new album's initial impulse was a quest to explore and understand this relationship as it passed into a new phase.

“I was always wrecking her head asking her about things in her life and old ways of living,” he recalls.

“She was always very insightful about what felt like another world to me. When she died, I thought I need to continue the exploration and figure out what lessons can I take from our experience together and how can I implement them into my future. In the face of big challenges like the climate crisis, maybe we can learn something from older generations.”

Enter the labyrinth and not surprisingly the route is not straightforward. Down the rabbit hole of memory, this inner journey sees Murray enter unconscious spaces where he navigates through themes of love, loss, wonder, spirituality and childhood, ultimately emerging from the depths with a sharpened sense of appreciation and a respect for wisdom and nature. “Quite a trek”, often surreal, sometimes familiar but always hopeful.

Sonically, the album is strikingly ambient and mediative and sees more use of space and melody. His trademark experimentalism is plain to see in organic-sample laden electronic productions but also finds new expression lyrically and in the more traditional realm of folk singing. Oddity and accessibility share a harmonious platform.

‘The Hedge Maze and The Spade’ is a layered tapestry, a therapeutic space, a travel log of an inner journey with many universal truths along the way.

To date, Trick Mist has released 2 full-length albums via Pizza Pizza Records. His music has amassed significant acclaim with coverage from many sources including The Irish Times, RTÉ, Nialler9, The Thin Air, RTÉ 2FM, RTÉ RnaG, Piccadilly Records, and Amazing Radio.

Live, his shows are an intense, dramatic and ambient affair. Performances at Other Voices, Electric Picnic, Output Belfast, and supporting Just Mustard on their sold out UK and Ireland tour in 2021 have cemented his reputation as an unusual and compelling live performer.

Trick Mist will play Coughlan’s on Douglas Street this Sunday with support from HowlBux.