Involvement:
- Writing
- Engineering/Programming
- Performance
- Mixing
- Design/Artwork
- Photography
- Video Production
WRITING, ENGINEERING, PERFORMANCE, AND PROGRAMMING
The Royal Ritual is David Lawrie’s own musical project, conceived not long before the COVID-19 pandemic, with the debut album MARTYRS being produced throughout various lockdown measures. With the exception of some outsourced drum programming and co-writing on “Nothing On The Other Side” and “Martyrs (single),” the whole album was crafted, performed, engineered, and performed by David throughout 2020.
MIXING
This was the final project to be mixed at Ishikawa before the main HQ moved from Northern California to Northern England. Once mixed, the studio equipment was packed up and put into storage, before being shipped over to England in 2021.
DESIGN, ARTWORK, AND PHOTOGRAPHY
Under his HARUKO guise, David designed the TRR logo, as well as shooting self-portraiture during mandatory self-isolation. The album artwork was designed around these two elements, with the digital version being purely graphical, and the CD/Vinyl versions containing photography.
VIDEO PRODUCTION AND THE RUN-UP TO RELEASE
The first single, “Pews In A Pandemic” (with a B-side of a cover of Phildel’s “Glide Dog”) was released in September of 2021. This first video was created in the same period of mandatory self-isolation as the previously mentioned self-portraits. From there there was a canon of other single/video releases up to and also after the eventual release of the full album in May of 2022. All videos were created by HARUKO (but please see credits for other personnel involved).
Working with William at Moon Coil Media, PR campaigns were undertaken for each single release, as well as a larger campaign for the album.
crowdfunding and release
After digital and limited edition USB releases for the singles, a multitude of formats was planned for the album – including CD in 6panel digifile packaging, and a heavyweight vinyl in gatefold sleeve.
A successful crowdfunding campaign brought this independent release to life, and it was met with great critical acclaim – even finding its way onto the first round Grammy ballot that year.