Jonathan Meades has specially recorded a number of reading from his books Pompey, Museum Without Walls and An Encyclopaedia Of Myself for a forthcoming album, entitled Pedigree Mongrel. Combined with the lush soundscapes of Mordant Music, the release is intended as both a retrospective of Meades’ writing, as well as a new, standalone work from the esteemed writer and journalist.
The album brings together the various elements that have characterised much of Meades’ work, including his interests in history, architecture and topography. Pedigree Mongrel is described as a "darkly comic journey through the landscapes of the very different narratives, as Meades alternates between his roles as presenter and performer". Mordant Music’s previous work, meanwhile, includes a collaboration with the independent label Test Centre on Chris Petit’s Museum Of Loneliness. The album will receive a vinyl-only release of 500 copies (which will include a digital download), with 15 special edition copies available, which include signed and numbered booklets of extracts from Meades’ own notebooks. Pre-order the release here. Pedigree Mongrel will be launched at the London Review Bookshop on April 9 and will feature a talk and readings from Meades, followed by a Q&A and signing session. You can also catch Test Centre and Meades talking about the making of the record in a one-hour radio show on Resonance FM at 8 pm on March 30.
