We were delighted recently to welcome Hawick singer-songwriter Miwa Nagato-Apthorp and her producer partner Seán Dowd to Texthouse’s sound booth studio to record three new songs. Miwa is currently musician-in-residence with Hawick-based Alchemy Film and Arts, and has been writing songs inspired by local stories and land use. Her residency is part of the Scotland-wide Dandelion project, itself part of Unboxed, a UK-wide creative celebration.

Miwa’s lyrics were inspired by the Borders ‘bondagers’, the hard-working female farm workers who were hired annually at Kelso Corn Exchange during the 19th and early 20th centuries. As Texthouse is based in that very building, it seemed highly appropriate to record the songs here!

Bondagers were once a unique aspect of South East Scotland and Northumberland farming life. They were hired by local ploughmen as part of their team each year. The number of bondagers declined when their labour was replaced by farming machinery in the early 20th century.

Texthouse’s recording facilities are ideal for voice artists, singers and musicians who don’t need a full studio set-up. For Miwa’s visit, Texthouse provided the sound booth, audio equipment and studio set-up, while producer Seán oversaw the recording of the songs, which also featured guitar and shruti box accompaniment.

Currently underway throughout Scotland, Dandelion is a creative event of growing, music and community, following the arc of the growing season. Miwa’s new work will have its first live performance at a Dandelion harvest event in Hawick during September.

If you’re interesting in knowing more about our voiceover, podcast, interview or recording facilities, get in touch!