Wigan folk-rockers unveil new songs about climate change

The project came about after three members of the band, singer and guitarist Virginia Kettle, banjo and mandolin player Bob Kettle and violinist Neil McCartney, found they had all separately penned songs about the state of the planet and the damage being done to the environment.

Leave It In The Ground, written by fiddle player Neil, is about cleaner and safer energy and reflects on his own family’s history in mining and the long decline of the coal industry in his home region.

And the other two tracks, Sister Atlas and Emergency Lullaby (Wasting Time), will be out next month.

Merry Hell say the aim is to get people thinking about the issue, saying it is something that has been occupying the band members’ minds in recent times.

They have also been inspired by the efforts of the younger generation to campaign for a more eco-friendly society.

The band’s manager Damian Liptrot said: “We are neither strident nor condemnatory. We do not preach,we seek to ask questions of ourselves and encourage others to do the same.

“The new songs are strong and the messages are united. Let us look at our own behaviours and how we can make positive changes for the benefit of all, whilst we hold up the mirror of truth to those who place profits and gain above the common good.

“We are not eco-warriors, we are not perfect, most of us have cars and we are all still learning how to be more thoughtful about our behaviour.

“However, we applaud and salute those individuals and groups who, by their actions and words, inspire us to individual and collective action.

“Their bravery in the face of political and indeed physical threat on an industrial scale is an example to us all. Let us support them the best we can.

“Finally, we applaud our own children, who are, in many cases, far more aware, active and engaged than we are and should have been.”

The songs are being released as downloads three weeks apart as it was felt pressing physical copies of CD for just a trio of songs would run counter to the environmental spirit of the Hourglass Trilogy.

The project takes its name from the idea that scientists have said time is running out for the future of the planet and the climate crisis must be acted upon extremely quickly.

Videos are also being released to accompany the songs, which serve as a taster for Merry Hell’s next full-length album Emergency Lullabies, expected to be out later this year.

Leave It In The Ground by Merry Hell is out now, with the other songs in the trilogy, Sister Atlas and Emergency Lullaby (Wasting Time) being released on June 8 and 29 respectively.

For more information about the band, visit www.merryhell.co.uk