Holyground Records

This is an interview with Mike by Andy. It was recorded by Pete for Wakefield Music Collective's website and for a month it was broadcast continuously on a loop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortly after recording with Holyground in the 1970s, Brian emigrated to Australia. We asked him to contribute to the podcasts and he recorded his contribution in the form of answers to questions that Pete later edited in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the Bretton concert Chris Coombs, Pete Taylor, Nick Dew and Margaret Duke recorded and played live as Quizzinglass. Mike started to write new lyrics with Pete Howells of 'Blue Epitaph' writing the music. Mike, Chris and Pete continued to work on a new album to be called 'In and Out of Time' which was nearly completed before Mike's untimely death in 2011. Sadly few of the tracks could be...

When Bretton Hall finally closed its doors in 2007 it was felt that the past association with students should be celebrated. A concert in Music Block was arranged on the 5th May, the final weekend, with musicians coming across the world to take part in a Holyground concert. A CD and DVD of the event was released. Tracks played : Kirkgate Blues - Mike Levon, Chris Coombs, Pete Taylor, Nick Dew, Cli...

A new control room was built enabling a permanent set-up for the equipment. A retrospective series of CDs were released called 'The Works' including 'Electrotype', Bill Nelson's early recordings. Chris Coombs' 'Up to McGills' CD was released as a singer-songwriter album. 'Joint' was released featuring many musician friends of Holyground over the years. Tracks played: 'Nothing Rhymes with Lonely' -...

1999 release was a limited edition with a poster with words and credits. The 2006 release was with a booklet instead of poster. '67 Skies' is nearly 20 minutes long. It reflects personal memories, the past, the present and the future and possibility of change. Track played: '67 Skies' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike, Chris Coombs and Pete Taylor were collaborating on writing new songs, based on ancestry and where you come from and on Time. Mike was investing in new equipment, and using Midi. Other musicians, including classical musicians were involved. Tracks played: 'The Hiding Places' 'Desperate Manoeuvres' 'Silence on the Wires' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The collectability of Holyground records led to many albums being re-released, first as vinyl then as CDs, at first licensed through Magic Mixture, then through Kissing Spell. New music was being recorded with Pete Taylor, Chris Coombs and Steve Channing. Loose Routes CDs were released. Tracks played: snatch of 'Tears on the Console', 'Save the Big Jam Roll', from Gagalactyca, 
'Snowcloud' - Skybi...

Mike was recording Lazy Days, a Leeds-based band and continuing to record Steve Channing. They collaborated for a new album 'Tears on the Console'. Mike moved out of Cass Yard, and joined a group of independent producers at Aim Studio in Doncaster for a short time. Tracks played: 'Wait for Me' - Lazy Days, 
'Tears on the Console', snatch of 'Play it Like a Band', 'Peach of a Love' - Steve Channing...

'Legend of the Kingfisher' was recorded by Gygafo, a well-known Leeds-based band, memories of recording by band member Eddie Stringer. 'Ode' by Blue Epitaph, was recorded and released, memories of recording it by Pete Howells and Jim Gordon. Mike was experimenting with effects, including a new phaser. Tracks played: ' Solid Man Song' and 'Waiting for the Rain' - Gygafo 'I Never met You' and 'Diane...

'Jumble Lane' was released, recorded by Bretton students. Bill Nelson with Global Village were recording regularly and 'Northern Dream' was released. Holyground's reputation grew and many bands paid to record. Part of another Holyground album 'Gagalactyca' was recorded. Tracks played: 'Preserve' and 'Blues for Joanne' from 'Jumble Lane' Keep Your Feathers Fine - Bill Nelson Cold, Tired and Hungry...

Mike and Brian Calvert's songs are on the first side of this album with songs by Chris Coombs. The second side is 'Thundermother', an established rock group from Preston. The album came with a booklet and poster designed by Dave Wood. Tracks played: Fourth Coming - Brian Calvert Tomorrow Buffalo - Chris Coombs Someday - Thundermother Windows of Limited Time/Astral Navigator - Brian Calvert Hosted...

Holyground was established at 5 Cass Yard, with a bedroom used as a studio. Brian Calvert, and Chris Coombs were involved as song-writers, and Dave Wood with art work and liaising with bands. Mike was writing lyrics and experimenting with production techniques. A-Austr was released as a concept album. Tracks played: Grail Search - Chris Coombs Essex Queen - Brian Calvert It's Alright, What did you...

A 12 inch album was recorded at Moodies Bar, where many students met at the regular folk club. 'No 9 Bread Street', a mixture of folk songs and original material, was the first record to be released on the Holyground label, which was established in this period. Tracks played: 'Travelling People' - Kev Slater 'Beautiful Strangers - Jane Westlake 'Stroke Two' - Chris Coombs 'College Girl' - Piers Jo...

The background to recordings that Mike Levon made at Bretton Hall. These were mainly folk-based, but also included some original tracks. Three 7 inch vinyl records were produced and one 12 inch. Tracks played: 'Lowlands' - Jenny Tarren 'Wild Mountain Thyme' - Dave Nuttall and others 'Babe Don't Drag Me down' - Bob Hart Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.