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

First Allotments Tapes review in from the wonderful @acloserlisten.bsky.social - acloserlisten.com/2026/01/30/b...

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

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

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*.

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.

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.

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!

Still have a few copies of my Elkwort album from earlier this year left on vinyl and CD if anyone is looking for stocking fillers. Also 30% off owt on my Bandcamp for December with the code december25… #folk #folklore #wyrd#experimentalmusic #experimentalmusician #bandcampfriday

30% off my entire Bandcamp discography with the code december25.. have a rummage. Still got a few physical copies of Elkwort knocking about too.. benmcelroy.bandcamp.com

Delighted to have been offered some funding from EFDSS to get some new equipment bits… and create a slightly easier to set up, more robust live set… this will enable me to play in lots of fields and noisy spaces… so if you put on gigs in fields and noisy spaces get in touch!

Gig Announcement. My first show of 2026 will be a hometown one, at one of my favourite spaces By Our Hands @wemakeourway . I’ve played with Boci before in Birmingham, she was ace. Looking forward to playing with Sophie (Strange Loop) from faves Haiku Salut. Information is in all the usual places

whitelabrecs.com/blog/b/vote-... Couple more days to vote on this and my nearly 10 year old debut is on the list…

Tour goodies! Thanks to all who came along to the Autumn shows and the artists I had the pleasure to share a stage with. And of course the promoters who make touring like this possible. One or two surprises coming up before the year is out, then see you down the allotment in January!

Just wanted to share a bit of exciting news from Whitelabrecs who released my first album Bird-Stone way back in 2016. To celebrate the labels 10 year anniversary they are releasing some albums on vinyl and asking people to vote on their faves, Bird Stone is on the list! 1/2

Thank you to everyone who came out to see me on my autumn tour dates, and to the various promoters and musicians who made it all come together. There is some new music coming from me soon, and a very exciting new project to share...

Last call for the last show of the tour! Come to Zapato Tap on Sunday to see things like this... Filmed in Derbyshire with Ben Wigley, supported by Help Musicians. Extract from Last Years Ghost, available NOW on Bandcamp

Popped into the fabulous Running Circle Records here in Notts to see if they’d sold any of my records and they had! I've restocked both Beacons Of The Wilderness and Elkwort … do pop in for a browse if you’re down that way.

Last gig of the tour for me on SUNDAY, 2nd November. It's been great to get out and about this autumn. I'll be rounding off at Zapato Tap in Marsden, for a show with Sun Drawings. Thanks to Red Deer Club for having me.

I really enjoyed playing with Frankie Archer recently, a great mix of authentic North East songs and fun electronics! I'm supporting Me Lost Me TOMORROW night in Sheffield, still time to grab a ticket and get down there...

Last reminder, live stream at 8pm Uk time this evening. Would be lovely if you can join me. benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/merch/post-t...

What a treat it is to see these brilliant sketches documenting my recent gig at The Grove Nottingham. I'm back out on the road this week at Bishops House in Sheffield. Still a few tickets but they won't be there for long... Thanks to Grace Joyram and Izzy Thomlison for the drawings

Excerpt from MIRRORLAND, filmed in Derbyshire with Benjamin Wigley, supported by Help Musicians, Visit my website for the full video, where there are also tickets for the last couple of tour dates. Next up for me is Bishops House on 24th October, supporting Me Lost Me.

Strange type of mushroom, I think. Can anyone help identify?

Tomorrow night I continue my tour with a hometown show at The Grove in Nottingham. Thanks to Folkrooms for inviting me. Looking forward to seeing Frankie Archer. There will be tickets on the door or you can book via bemcelrory.co.uk

Friday at 12- It was so lovely doing the last live stream that I'm doing another... this time for the (UK) lunch crowd... Whether its proper sit down meal or a meal deal in the car... come join me- audio only so can tune in on headphones/in the car etc.. benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/merch/live-a...

Some pics from my Hereford gig last week, and a lovely review from Jude Rogers on her always excellent Substack. You should sign up if you haven't already. Next for me is 8th October in Nottingham at The Grove, supporting Frankie Archer for Folkroom. There's still time to grab a ticket,

Next up for me is a very special hometown gig, supporting Frankie Archer at The Grove here in Nottingham. Thank you to The Folkroom for inviting me, hoping to see lots of friends in the crowd.

TOMORROW NIGHT! I continue the tour with my stop at The Jam Factory in Hereford. Thanks to the Weirdshire gang for inviting me. There's still time to get tickets, links in all the usual places.

In lieu of TONIGHT'S now cancelled London gig, I’ll be doing a little Bandcamp livestream, followed by a listening/viewing party of Widdeshins & Deosil and a couple of other things.. and I’ll be on the chat to discuss them 7PM

One week to go until I'm in Jam Factory in Hereford with good friends Weirdshire. Really looking forward to being back. All the links for this and the other tour dates are here benmcelroy.co.uk

Due to unforeseen circumstances my show at Green Note, Camden has been cancelled. All ticket holders will be refunded and we are working to reschedule.

The final video in my series supported by Help Musicians, filmed with Benjamin Wigley in Derbyshire MIRRORLAND… inspired by Naomi Kleins (as ever) on point and fascinating/terrifying/bleakly hopeful book Doppelgänger. Watch the whole film here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4sn...

Another offering to the great petrol headed god… Amazing how nature moves in so quickly, the smell of smoke still in the air and the back seats have already been ‘colonised’ by a couple of poo bags.

Less than two weeks until the tour kicks off in Sowerby Bridge! You can find all the information and links on my website or via the link in my bio. Really excited to take ELKWORT out on the road benmcelroy.co.uk

One of my favourite things about gigging is getting to share a stage with some fantastic other artists.. like these folks who I'll be playing with on my tour in just a few weeks now... 21/09 Andrew Metheven 24/09 Mit Hiss 08/10 Frankie Archer 24/10 Me Lost Me 02/11 Sun Drawings benmcelroy.co.uk

NEW RELEASE. Out today for Bandcamp Friday, WRENS IN THE WALL is a new live LP featuring tracks recorded at a disused quarry in Derbyshire, and Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre in Glasgow. Listen closely for the wrens nesting in the walls on the first three songs... Thanks @helpmusicians.bsky.social

Stones ‘n’ bones ‘n’ stuff in trees - a bit of a break from all the tour planning! A Neolithic stone circle and a tiny bit of family fun tresspassing to get there.

NEW VIDEO. Some stills from my new live performance video for Last Years Ghosts, filmed with Benjamin Wigley and supported by @helpmusicians.bsky.social You can watch the full version here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc7n... I'll be touring from late September if you'd like to see more of me live!

Snippet from the new live performance video for my track 53.1608° N, 1.6297° W Filmed in Derbyshire with Benjamin Wigley supported by @helpmusicians.bsky.social this was a real privilege to be involved in. Visit my website for full video and tickets for my upcoming tour

It's Bandcamp Friday today. I'm down to single figures stock of Elkwort, so don't hang about. Here are some nice things people have said about the album

Some stills from my edit of the live film with Benjamin Wigley. slowly chopping and editing my way through the footage. Thanks to Help Musicians for making this happen- playing music in this beautiful space an absolute privilege! Check my links to see which other spaces I'm playing in this year

Excited to announce a little run of dates I’ll be doing in the autumn. Some old faves and some new’uns. Tickets and information from benmcelory.co.uk

Filming day Monday- out again to Derbyshire to shoot some more film with Benjamin Wiggley absolute pleasure and amazing to be able to be making sound out in the wild. Thanks to @helpmusicians.bsky.social for making this happen … more to come. #derbyshire #ruins #livemusic #filmmaker

What a lovely thing Echo Festival Lanercost was! Privilege to play in such a space. The other acts were wonderfully varied. Thanks Helen for booking me and being so welcoming. And thanks Steve the soundy for reminding me to take a moment to breathe after setting up! Good to remember