I first met Phil Roberts on the earthtone9 forums around the year 2000. We became friendly, meeting at various gigs around the country, before having the ridiculous idea of moving from our respective home towns at the opposite ends of the country to Nottingham, with no jobs, money or real plan. Unbelievably, we actually did it and Boulty came too, and I think that if we hadn't then all our lives would have been very much different.

I lived with Phil between 2002-03 and while our friendship drifted a long time ago, I look back on those times with fondness - while Phil could be sharp and acerbic, he was loyal, generous and helpful. He had a wicked, sarcastic sense of humour, a strong moral compass and an innate talent for music, technology and crafting.

Since his passing I've read some of his social media posts, where he seemed incredibly switched on to politics and railed against injustice, ran his own printing business and got into fitness, which he most certainly didn't do when I knew him.

Over the last few years I had the urge to attempt to reconnect with him. However, I never quite had the courage to do so, which is a source of deep regret for me. I wish we could have known each other better later in life. All I have left of him are memories of hazy, drunken nights out, gigs and arguments about the housework!

Oh, and this unfinished album that he worked so hard on. I had some ideas for songs before we moved in together, but my recording knowledge was essentially non-existent at the time. He took my ideas and fleshed them out into (almost) complete songs, and I'm still proud of the results nearly 20 years later. Most of them don't have vocals as I was not a confident singer at the time - if you listen to the tracks that do, you'll understand why!

I always said I'd finish these, re-record them and release them properly, but in light of recent events I don't think anyone else should play Phil's parts on these songs, as his bass sounds immense and his drum programming was astounding. So this was, is, and now forever will be Loci.

Thank you, Phil. You will be missed. x

---

This release is available free to everyone to download and stream forever, no strings (or personal information) attached. However, if you would like to contribute, all revenue is going to the Save Our SOAN fundraiser. Phil helped build this place and spent many an hour here, and it's vital that we keep the place running during these horrendous times for live musicians. Or you can download for free and donate direct, it's up to you!

www.gofundme.com/f/save-soan-studios