Cradle of Fire – The Album

Back in May 2024, when the Cradle of Fire project first started, most of the team headed up to Sheffield, to do some recording with musicologist and composer Kim Cunio.

You can read about our first trip and check the Music and Sounds pages for progressions on that journey. Carolyn read poems, Heather Lee and Kim sang, and so, spontaneously, did one of the Kelham Island Museum volunteers.

Track 10 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, Weir Soundscape, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Kim explored instruments and soundscapes from engines, through cannons to weirs. Diana gathered information and inspiration, as well as visuals for the film.

Track 4 ‘Cradle of Fire’ – The Album, Tristesse, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Seven months later, with the film now launched and the project shutting down, Diana is finalising a report for Arts Council England detailing how their R&D funding was applied. Before that is sent off, we wanted to release one last exciting outcome: the impressive and immersive body of work created by Kim for Cradle of Fire – The Album.

Track 21 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, Dreadnought Bell, artwork by Diana Scarborough

“Is it possible to make an album on site, taking inspiration from place, history and people in real time? Listen to the release and judge for yourself.”

The content is distinct from the Cradle of Fire film‘s soundtrack, although there is some crossover: track samples, as well as bells, melodies, scrapings (you read that right) and intriguing noises that resonate from one to the other. Here too we have opera, poetry sung and spoken, harmonic chanting, religious incantations, readings from books belonging to the old industrial site manager, and medieval meanderings, all laced with the beats of industry, machine and man.

Kim, who masterminded all the tracks, has explored a surprising variety of melodies, rhythms and techniques, blending in humour and a compelling touch of mischief. He gives us creaking doors, plays coaxes an untuned piano into relinquishing an atmospheric tune, and turns his hand to a bit of water pulsing. Have a listen and let us know what you think.

He was living in Australia when he started the project. Kim is now based in New Zealand, where he is a Professor, and Head of School at Te Kōkī, The New Zealand School of Music, within Te Wāhanga Aronui Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Reflecting on his time with us, Kim said, “I cannot believe the project is finished. Cradle of Fire has followed me since we had our incredible time on site, through a whole lot of travels in 2024, in Germany, Iceland, India and New Zealand, where I am now, as I write this.

Track 12 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, The Hymnal that was Left on the Manager’s Piano, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Despite all this moving I can say that the project and its people are still in my heart, and also with Heather. The difficulties of industrial life in the UK are too rarely heard in the colonies that seek to move beyond those legacies; it is sobering to realise that so many people had such a hard time as progress marched forward. In this case the dignity, the energy and the sweetness remain, with soundscapes and people. Thank you to Diana and all the team, especially those in Sheffield, for the chance to be involved in such a project, with additional thanks to the Arts Council England for making this a priority in difficult times.”

Track 17 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, The Blacksmith Song, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Cradle of Fire – The Album is available in its entirety, or track by track, on our newly launched Bandcamp page. We’re offering it for free but we’d love you to make a donation if you can, to support a multitude of extra expenses, including setting up and running this website. Perhaps you will also consider following and sharing one or more of our social media pages to swell the numbers as we add up our final totals?

Track 5 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, Forge and Necklace, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Our biggest thanks go to Kim, for climbing on board so enthusiastically and composing a landscape of sounds and songs beyond our wildest imagination. Thanks too to Heather for ad libbing so exquisitely, and all those who helped to create these sounds. More cheers to Carolyn for sharing her wondrous Sheffield and Vulcan-inspired poetry. Most of these recordings were made in the wild, outside and in the museums that we worked with, notably Kelham Island and Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet. Thanks to Diana for pulling it all together and the album’s fiery artwork.

Last but not least thank you, readers, watchers, listeners. Check back soon for closing chapters from team members!

Track 8 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, Lava and Quakes, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Blog by Emma Boden with Kim Cunio

Track 20 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, Water in the Moat, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Cover image ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’ – released 28 12 24, artwork by Diana Scarborough

Track 3 ‘Cradle of Fire – The Album’, Big Don – Soundscape, artwork by Diana Scarborough