Bridging the gap from fear to hope. Two friends document their pandemic story, in a musical collaboration and celebration of community. Beyond The Fear is now available as a digital release with all proceeds to Breast Cancer Now. www.justgiving.com/team/Beyond-Fear
“There were days when all I could see was loss, in my family, my relationship, my job. And in that first time when everything shut down the only thing that made sense was to walk. And as the days turned into weeks and months what was fixed began to shift; what had seemed safe felt like a straitjacket. I stopped wanting to go back and started to think what life could be like, beyond the fear.”
Breast Cancer Now is a UK charity providing world-class research and life- changing care for people affected by breast cancer. The coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on the diagnosis, treatment, care and experiences of people living with breast cancer. Aimee (who works for the charity) and Naadia, have been friends since childhood and ‘Beyond Fear’ became their way of staying connected and raising vital funds for Breast Cancer Now.
Inspired by Erland Cooper’s, ‘A Nightingale Sings Outside Our Window’ Aimee began recording sounds on her daily walks, which Naadia turned into musical ‘scenes’, painting a picture of a year filled with uncertainty, isolation, anxiety, community and hope.
Sounds include: wind in the trees outside Aimee’s window; her neighbours clapping for the NHS; solitary drips of water on a deserted Sheffield street and the birds singing, with a plane overhead. Naadia added music to each ‘scene’ and wrote a folk melody to represent the themes of community and fellowship. The piece opens with Aimee’s spoken word reflections on a challenging year and builds into a collaborative finale. Naadia invited her family, friends, colleagues and pupils, to record the folk theme which she wove into a joyful celebration of hope.
released April 10, 2021
Credits:
Naadia Sheriff piano keyboards accordion
Aimee Hilton spoken word audio clips
Dave Manington guitar bass sound engineering
Jonathan Taylor whistle
Sophie Alloway Drums.
Also featuring
Liz Berry violin
James Manington violin
Damon Robb flute piccolo
Harrison Robb alto sax
Fliss Gorst tenor sax
Emilia Muzzi Hall viola
Ruth Wills recorder
Daniel Seed drums
Lara Eidi vocals
cover art Dominique Golden