NEWS

As Justin gradually winds down Front & Follow, The Doomed Bird of Providence are moving over their Bandcamp music to their own page. The first one to be added is the first EP, released in 2009.

The EP originally came about through idea’s Mark had after reading The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes and listening to a lot of Jacques Brel. It was originally released as a very small run cd (30-40 copies) on Laily Recordings. It was later put out, digitally only, on Front & Follow.

Two of the songs (Dorothy Handland, Brothers We will Be) took their inspiration from The Fatal Shore. Bells in the Dead of Night came from an old book of Australian ghosts stories and Letter from Van Dieman’s Land came from another old book that explained (in a very far fetched way) the Red Barn Murder.

All available now for your listening pleasure over at https://thedoomedbirdofprovidence.bandcamp.com/album/the-doomed-bird-of-providence

Paul was a remarkable and unique figure. Together with his partner, Emma Blackwood, he produced a huge amount of art and events. The Doomed Bird of Providence were included in a bunch of Punkvert events early on and had our first ever release on a compilation by their label, Ex Gratia Recordings. We always appreciated the support and encouragement Paul and Emma gave us.

This wonderful write up by Emma gives you a picture of this remarkable person.

Love to his family.

https://www.punkvert.tv/blog/blog/candiflp-blackwood-a-unique-life

After some delay the cd version of Rumbling Clouds of War Hover Over Us is now available.

As with the digital release, whatever money you send goes to Médecins Sans Frontières.

To purchase, head over to

https://thedoomedbirdofprovidence.bandcamp.com/album/rumbling-clouds-of-war-hover-over-us
Thanks for your support and take care,
The Doomed Bird of Providence

 

Rumbling Clouds of War Hover over Us is the new release from The Doomed Bird of Providence.  Covering the difficult journey Wladislaw Kluzek took across Europe after the invasion of Poland in 1939.  The EP title comes from his own words; recollections he had of this journey:

“I found myself serving my National service. The rumbling clouds of war hovering over us. Being an average 22 yr old I’d started to count the weeks towards the day the army would have me no more and I would return home, being young and free. “

A set of animations covering the journey can be watched on this playlist.

 

Purchase to EP at 10to1records.bandcamp.com 

Thanks for your support.  Keep safe!

 

This is the final part of the Rumbling Clouds of War story which covers the journey of Władysław Kluzek as he moved across Europe.  He managed to survive the 1939 invasion of Poland only to be interned in a camp. After this he moved across Europe to find himself in France around May 1940 where he came under French command.  At this point he engaged in fighting again.  After this he was transferred to the United Kingdom and arrived late June 1940 at which point he came under British command.  It was in Scotland that he eventually met his future wife and emigrated to Australia to become a farmer.

This project was an exploration of my imaginings and research about my Grandfather.  He died many years ago.  He didn’t talk much about this time and as I did some research, I think it started to make sense as to why.  The story isn’t particular exceptional.  Lots of civilians and military people must have made their way across Europe during this time.  And most I suspect were subjected in some way to the horrors of war.  I know Władysław was.  So this is a reflection on what that must have felt like for him and all those others that made it through or didn’t.  There was, for my Grandfather, a life beyond World War II.  For many others there wasn’t.

I didn’t anticipate releasing this during a major global crisis but I also didn’t see any point in delaying it more than it had been already.  All I can think of is that we will all be on the other side of this at some point. I genuinely hope that you reading this are OK and that your loved ones are also.

Mark Kluzek

Part 3 of 4 animations looking at the journey of Władysław Kluzek  during WWII.

Having escaped an internment camp, Władysław heads towards Budapest.  On his journey he crosses the frozen Danube.

Part 2 of 4 animations looking at the journey of Władysław Kluzek  during WWII.

Germany invade Poland.  Władysław is caught with his regiment in Poland as it is invaded and faces the horrors of war. He escapes from an internment camp and moves towards Budapest.

Part 1 of 4 animations looking at the journey of Władysław Kluzek  during WWII.

The start of the Second World War. Władysław is called for National Service and leaves his home to join the Polish Army.

What a time to release something. I hope you are all well and for those who have continued to follow/listen to the band I’d like to send out a very genuine thank you.

Stay safe!

The Doomed Bird of Providence will be releasing an EP (cd/digital) in about a month’s time. It is a real departure from the previous release (Burrowed Into the Soft Sky). It is based on the story of Władysław Kluzek, a Polish soldier who crossed across Europe through the harshest conditions during WWII. Władysław is Mark Kluzek’s Grandfather.

Preceding the release four animations depicting parts of Władysław’s story will be released weekly up until the release date. The first animation will come out Monday 23/3/20.

More news soon!