A new five-track EP is exploring experiences of the Scottish criminal justice system and in particular, those recovering from drug and alcohol-related harm.
Oblivion and Beyond has been created by Vox Liminis, an arts and community organisation working with people affected by the criminal justice system, to create a collection of songs that convey strength, resilience and compassion.
Released in reaction to the rise of the number of drug-related deaths in Scotland, the music was created through Distant Voices research project, by celebrated Scottish songwriters and those recovering from substance problems.
The Distant Voices project is as a collaboration between Vox Liminis, the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research and the Universities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and the West of Scotland, as a way of exploring crime, punishment and reintegration through song-writing and other forms of creative expression.
Currently, alcohol related harms in Scotland continue to be amongst the highest in Western and Central Europe, and experienced most by people living in high socioeconomic deprivation.
In 2018, 1,187 people died nationally from drug use; the most deaths since records began in 1996.
Scotland has the highest rate of drug related deaths in the EU – three times the UK rate.
The music of Oblivion and Beyond aims to create a resource for a deeper public conversation about these issues, communicating personal experiences that are both personal and universal.
© Sandy ButlerFor recovering participant, Gus Bear, who is now a support worker, getting involved in the project allowed him to process his journey from addiction to recovery.
“It brought back a lot of feelings and emotions, and what a dark place I was in at the time, and how life has changed. [Also] that there is life after addiction. And that addiction doesn’t define me,” he said.
“I hope it gives people hope, and that no matter where you are or how far you think you’ve fallen there’s always a chance to come back.”
Gus helped to write the song White Horses on the EP, which is about finding increased strength through human connections.
“[It is] a reminder to everyone else that change is possible – that people do get better, there is change possible and hope in there,” he said.
“White Horses is about the new life opening up and people getting better, a reminder that there is hope. ”
The EP tracks were co-written by musicians Donna Maciocia, Fiskur, Martha Ffion, Raukarna and Jill Lorean with participants in workshops taking place in communities and in prisons.
Both the musicians and people with lived experience of recovery also performed on the tracks.
Alison Urie, director of Vox Liminis and co-founder of the Distant Voices project said: “We team up some of Scotland’s best songwriters with people who’ve experienced the criminal justice system from lots of different angles.
“Together we write and record songs that express and challenge the ways we think and feel about crime, punishment and reintegration.
“From academic conferences around the world, to radio play and music festivals, these songs have become a means to support change, and open up dialogue.”
Oblivion and Beyond EP will be released online on October 4, with launch shows in Inverness and Thurso.
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