Duncan Sumpner, artist and teacher from Oughtibridge in Sheffield is Songs of Green Pheasant since 2005, when his self-titled debut album was released on FatCat. And since then, he has carved out a little space in the most hidden part of our hearts, with his fragile and ambitious songs that search for poetry in the noise and chaos of life. In the following couple of years, Songs Of Green Pheasant had two more records on FatCat: Aerial Days (2006) and Gyllyng Street (2007). Then, after a five year’s hiatus, Sumpner and his project returned with Soft Wounds, via Rusted Rail, “micro-Independent record label” based in Galway, Ireland. After self releasing two mini albums in 2015, he took another five year’s hiatus, until he released When The Weather Clears, out again via Rusted Rail on December 2020 (and reprinted a couple of times since). We had to wait four more years to have a new double A-sided digital single Have Patience/Street of Mirrors, two epic songs that paved the way for the 2025 release of the album Sings The Passing, another step forward in the musical evolution of Songs of Green Pheasant. The album sleeve features a sumptuous surrealist artwork by Sumpner himself.

Sean Armstrong is a singer/recorder/player who fits into the barking grooves in the floorboards; sits on the ground, surrounded by a web of cables, and dreams that it is swept away. Armstrong recorded his first song (the song was about squirrels) at 5 years old, and could never lose a fascination with the magic of music. Sean lives in Berlin with long term musical collaborator Rachel Taylor aka Rocky Lorelei. Together they started Rehberge Records, a small tape label named after their favourite park, and play as Slipper. Armstrong’s first solo record on Rehberge, The Technical Times, was out in 2022 and in April 2025 we had the oppotunity and honour to host the world premiere of the title track from his new album, Velvet Ever After which is out now on cassette/online. And it’s magnificent. The best thing you’re going to listen to in 2025. His high-pitched, thin and melodic voice is a caress and his guitar is a balm. Think about a (more) demure and psychedelic version of Nick Drake, living secluded in Laurel Canyon.

Austin TX via Montreal psychedelic supergroup MIEN current line-up is Alex Maas (The Black Angels), Rishi Dhir (Elephant Stone), John-Mark Lapham (The Earlies) and Robb Kidd (Golden Dawn Arkestra). Since their inception, MIEN has been a confluence of diverse musical influences and shared histories. The seeds of this collaboration were planted back in 2004 when Rishi Dhir, known for his work with Elephant Stone, crossed paths with Alex Maas of The Black Angels during a serendipitous encounter at SXSW. This meeting sparked a friendship and a series of collaborations. Around the same time, Rishi met John Mark Lapham of The Earlies, whose electronic and production expertise would become a cornerstone of MIEN’s sound. Robb Kidd (Alex Maas, Golden Dawn Arkestra) joined the band on drums in 2018. These connections eventually led to the formation of MIEN, a band that seamlessly blends their varied musical backgrounds into a unique sonic tapestry. Building upon the foundations of their critically acclaimed 2018 self-titled debut while venturing into uncharted territories, their long-awaited second album MIIEN marks a bold new chapter for a band whose alchemical approach to music has redefined the boundaries of psychedelia and pushes the group’s collaborative and exploratory ethos to thrilling new heights.