Ben McElroy

Creating a sound archive, why? Tales of collecting and cataloguing sounds in the field and beyond

Had a chat with Mat at Sonic Tapestries about the allotments, field recordings and more…

sonictapestries.substack.com/p/creating-a...

Thanks for the spin @stuartmaconie.bsky.social (And for pronouncing my name right!)… and can’t believe I’d never heard of Agitation Free before!

Ben McElroy -folk based experiments -drone based droning -maker of ‘shivering seabeds of sound’ (The Guardian, no less!)

benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/music

…all pre 2025 merch name your price over at Bandcamp today!

#bandcampfriday #merchtable #vinyl #experimental

As we leave January behind and say hello to February and the slow march back to spring, we also say goodbye to Val’s plot at 326 (for now) and head across the site (still on the hunger hills, somewhere in the hundreds) to meet with musician and gardener Steno...

I’ve been thinking about writing a series about running a cassette label, but I never managed to sit down and shape my thoughts and experience into words. I’ve always wanted to share how I’ve been running the label since 2013.

Allotment Tapes #1 is out today on Bandcamp!

This is the first of a monthly series and this one features artist and gardener Val Turton at her plot/studio 326 Space.

Links in bio, subscribe via Bandcamp for monthly releases and bonus material.

#allotments #gardening #newmusic #bandcamp

Ben McElroy ~ Allotment Tapes New Year’s resolutions are notoriously difficult to keep; most don’t last through Easter.  In like manner, many artists have tackled year-long projects over the years, with varying degr…

First Allotments Tapes review in from the wonderful @acloserlisten.bsky.social -

acloserlisten.com/2026/01/30/b...

Allotment Tapes #1 - A Different Stillness (with Val Turton) Listening Party Join me down in the plot for an exclusive listen to the first Allotment Tape, plus a space to chat, ask me questions etc (warning- I'm no gardening expert!)... ...It's just twenty minutes long... bring a flask and a comfy chair... look forward to seeing you. Ben

The listening party for the first Allotment Tapes starts at 7.30... head on over and get yourself cosy. :)

benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/live/allotme...

#listeningparty #bandcamp #newmusic #allotments #nottingham

Thanks.. still partying on! 🤪

TOMORROW - LISTENING PARTY for Allotment Tapes #1 - A Different Stillness (with Val Turton)
7.30pm via Bandcamp

Join me down in the plot for an exclusive listen to the first Allotment Tape, plus a space to chat, ask me questions etc
It's just twenty minutes long. Bring a flask and a comfy chair...

I brought my viola with me to @326artspace, mainly as a bit of a comforter- I always feel a bit weird going anywhere without an instrument! It sat in it's case for most of the afternoon, but Val was curious so I got it out of its case and had a play...

I just love this space... lots of stories

Beautiful stuff... haven't listened to those guys for ages- thanks for reminding me!

I know some very respected (in the world of experimental folk) musicians who expect to make a loss from touring…

Wow! But yeah the money is very tight- especially for a band. I remember (naively) being surprised that members of Pavement had to get jobs after the band split.. I guess you can’t live off the royalties of 5 old albums (no matter how ‘seminal’ they were).

Is that what he did? I’ll admit I’d never heard of the guy but that’s a pretty punk move!

good on him... though I get the desire for patronage too... not an easy life otherwise.

I think, generally, I'd agree!

That idea goes way back I think… if you wanted to stay the comfort of a court, do whatever the king/queen/etc wants you to… if you want to speak though truth then it’s the life of a wandering vagabond do you!

The first Allotment Tapes will be out on 30th January and there is a Bandcamp Listening party on 28th Jan at 7.30- Uk time. Come along, bring a flask and get cozy for an exclusive listen to the first one.

benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/merch/allotm...

On Saturday night it's my first show of 2026! On familiar soil at We Make Our Way in Notts, with a brilliant line up. *This show is now SOLD OUT, contact organisers for wait list*.

January’s instalment visits artist and gardener Val Turton at 326 Art Soace who has very kindly invited me to share her space for the project, as she shares her wisdom on the space.

Her plot is both a permaculture garden and art space.

Thanks to @zakiasewell.bsky.social at @bbc6music.bsky.social for giving Allotment Tapes their first airing on national radio last night! If you missed it you can listen back to Dreamtime on @bbcsounds.bsky.social - it’s a lovely show all round with some amazing Brazilian music and more.

Allotment Tapes #1 - A Different Stillness (with Val Turton), by Ben McElroy 4 track album

First one is up for pre-order with a track to listen to and a video to watch…

benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/album/allotm...

Happy 2026 all! For my New Years resolution I will be spending the year making a monthly series exploring St. Anns Allotment in Nottingham through field recordings, conversations and film/music..

‘The Path Only The Rain Acknowledges,’ the title track from mine and Elinor Rowlands ep, released on Sonido Polifonico…

… if you missed it during all the Christmas stuff… it’s still here, usual places and I believe there are a few copies left of the super limited, red vinyl 10 inch.

I got that one (in my head anyway)! Was pretty pleased with myself- the only other one I got was Charlie Watts aaages ago.

The Path Only The Rain Acknowledges, by Ben McElroy & Elinor Rowlands 3 track album

Buy the record at Sonido Polifonico but listen here: benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/album/the-pa...

The path only the rain acknowledges, by : Ben McElroy and Elinor Rowlands 0 track album

The first batch of ‘The Path Only The Rain Acknowledges’ are packed up and ready to be sent out… thanks to all who have supported so far.

super limited (37 copies total) hand made 10 inch lathe cuts … festive red vinyl…

sonidopolifonico.bandcamp.com/album/the-path-only-the-rain-acknowledges

Delighted to announce ‘The Path Only The Rain Acknowledges,’ my collaboration with Elinor Rowlands is now out on very limited edition (37 copies in all), beautifully hand compiled, 10 inch red vinyl on Sonido Polifonico. Contact them if you want to grab one! They look amazing, thank you Paul!