<![CDATA[Deaf Fret]]>

<![CDATA[Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.comhttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!onU8!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F61711162-2913-4a3f-bd1a-34db475090e9_1080x1080.pngDeaf Frethttps://substack.deaf-fret.comSubstackFri, 12 Jun 2026 11:51:37 GMT<![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-fa3https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-fa3Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:41:06 GMTIt’s often the things that we aren’t good at that force us to be inventive or look for solutions.

With this in mind, I posted this week about the way those of us who aren’t too much in love with their own singing voice might be able to turn that to an advantage of sorts.

Most real singers look at a microphone as an opportunity whereas there is that cohort that looks at one with mistrust and a wonder as to how it’s going to let them down this time.

This video might be for them…plus I get to talk about ‘Hide and Seek’, out on Deaf Fret:

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-fbehttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-fbeThu, 04 Jun 2026 09:19:26 GMTSo, here at Deaf Fret it has been another busy week.

Nothing unusual there.

DECLAN has completed the recordings, biographical information and photos for his first release once it all up and published Deaf Fret will mention it here for sure.

Sam Macdonald - frankly, a genuinely brilliant songwriter - is now liaising with drummer Martin Griffith to begin a new 6 song project to be produced by Deaf Fret.

Will know more by this post next week.

Meanwhile, Deaf Fret Director, Ross Merrin, was asked by Authority Magazine to make a video for ‘Five Things…’ he wish he’d been told before striking out on his own and forming Deaf Fret.

I think I can speak for Ross (because I am Ross) when I say he wouldn’t have had it any other way in truth but you can see what the incredibly handsome, sophisticated and humble man says here:

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]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-69ehttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-69eThu, 28 May 2026 09:53:42 GMTIt was mentioned last week that it is sometimes rewarding to return to old work.

It is not in the place of new work (there’s always more of that for sure!) but, instead, a reminder of good times, good people and work well done.

We revisited Terence Charles’s ‘The Maker Made’ last week and - in the interests of ‘why the hell not?’ DF delved further back this week to TC’s first release…so far back as to be still releasing under the name ‘James McFadden’.

There are new releases due from Sam Macdonald, DECLAN and a video recorded last week for Ross Merrin’s next release but, for this week, enjoy this classic.

Typical Terence Charles - catchy but not sugary, musically grounded and topped by that incredible voice:

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-d56https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-d56Thu, 21 May 2026 09:13:55 GMTDeaf Fret is always moving forward - this is no bold claim to uniqueness, merely how it is, how life is.

But we are always thinking we should stop and smell the roses once in a while, right? So this week, we would like to introduce a track that Deaf Fret worked on a few years ago from the extraordinary Terence Charles.

Prog Magazine described this as ‘a gorgeously mournful Bond theme’ and that pretty much gets it bang on.

Deaf Fret produced this, mixed it, recorded it and arranged the strings so it’s fair to say Deaf Fret is a fan - and DF doubts you wouldn’t be if you listen to this and watch the fantastic video shot by Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight, long-time collaborator of Terence and Deaf Fret.

Throw in the unique presence of singer-songwriter Ebony Buckle and you’ve got yourself a hell of a video.

And one that’s worth the revisit Deaf Fret did this week.

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]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-c7dhttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-c7dThu, 14 May 2026 10:37:53 GMTA week away from Ross Merrin filming the video for the title track his new EP ‘The Damage Done’ with Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight.

(He is also mastering 3 tracks for the EP release after that - provisionally titled ‘Sweet Nothings’).

DECLAN has chosen the takes for the imminent release of his first EP - keep an eye here.

Sam Macdonald released the 4th track from the recent sessions with Deaf Fret this week.

‘The Truth Ain’t Yours to Hide’ is typical of Sam’s songs - full of energy and a capacity to ear-worm its way into your head, stay there and be very welcome.

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-301https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-301Thu, 07 May 2026 10:03:41 GMTThis week at Deaf Fret has involved continuing recording with DECLAN, someone in your future that brings incredibly heartfelt and personal tunes to the table.

Deaf Fret is now in discussion with two new poets which is a space to keep an eye on too.

This is all in addition to the ongoing releases by singer-songwriter Sam Macdonald, of which there are 2 to come from the first recording sessions at Deaf Fret and 5 to come from those that are in the diary.

Lots of future at Deaf Fret I’d say.

Not mention the vast catalogue of Terence Charles songs and videos that are on schedule of release across 2026.

And a reminder, a return to the writing focus.

Ross Merrin was lucky enough to be interviewed by Hannah Murray at Talk Radio Europe about his debut novel ‘How Beats the Original Heart’, snippets of which can be seen here:

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-3f1https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-3f1Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:02:57 GMTDeaf Fret has been recording two talented songwriters this week, both of which will have been mentioned here before.

Sam Macdonald brought a very unusual song to be demoed early in the week - typically, great lyrics, but with an Eastern European waltzy twist.

Quite something to look forward to being completed - as usual, it is catchy as hell.

DECLAN recorded 3 songs this week. Deeply personal songs, hauntingly performed and part of a five song release through Deaf Fret sometime in the near future.

Ross Merrin continues to complain about the wet weather in making his most recent video but, fortunately, more people are listening to the song than his complaining.

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]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-1ebhttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-1ebThu, 23 Apr 2026 09:36:44 GMTHaving waiting in line for a long time, the video for Ross Merrin’s ‘Say It Ain’t So’ is finally released.

The third song from the ‘Hide and Seek’ EP completes the releases from that set of tunes.

On to ‘The Damage Done’ EP - the studio is booked in late May to film the video for the title song and it will be another collaboration with Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight…so it won’t be anything other than top notch.

The singer known as DECLAN is recording more of his songs with Deaf Fret next week, Sam Macdonald is still demoing 5 new tracks with two from his previous sessions yet to be released (they will be imminently).

A new poet is in discussion with Deaf Fret about filming their work for release - these poems will cover several decades and act as a verbal history of this poet’s experience of London so Deaf Fret is keen to bring this kind of time-piece to an audience.

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-8dbhttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-8dbThu, 16 Apr 2026 10:00:33 GMTMostly this week has been about preparing for future releases at Deaf Fret.

Declan, mentioned not for the first time (sorry to tease so…), has finished two of five releases, mixed and mastered.

But you’re going to have to wait…

Sam Macdonald has finished the last two of the Deaf Fret produced songs from his first sessions - both absolute crackers - and has recorded demos of the first first two of the next sessions.

But you’re going to have to wait…

Ross Merrin has booked a date to film the video for The Damage Done, the title track of his next 3 song EP and is half-way through the edit of his second novel.

But you’re going to have to wait…

Ross has also lined up the release of a video for the last song from his previous EP (keep up at the back, it’s not that complicated to follow all this), Say It Ain’t So.

That EP had this as title track:

But you’re going to have to wait…

But not for as long as the others because it will get posted next week.

DF

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]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-fd7https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-fd7Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:23:45 GMTDeaf Fret spent the last week working mostly with songwriters.

The artist about to make some debut releases, known as DECLAN, has demoed several tracks which are being developed and explored before the final recordings are completed and released.

Sam Macdonald, regularly mentioned here, is working on many new songs - Deaf Fret wonders when he isn’t..?!

All of his output is of a very high calibre - be sure to check that this is no fib…he has posted a home-made video to accompany how most recent song ‘It Ain’t Real’ which is linked below.

Ross Merrin continues with the second draft of his second book, provisionally titled ‘Echo Debt’ - this joins ‘How Beats the Original Heart’ as another in the trilogy known as ‘Moments of Tiny Violence’.

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-0d6https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-0d6Thu, 02 Apr 2026 10:14:22 GMTMore music-orientated for Deaf Fret this week.

New songs are being demo-ed by Sam Macdonald who has worked with Deaf Fret for a while and, it’s fair to say, carries a very high standard into every song he writes.

Even the quick takes of the new songs stand out with their combination of energy and melody.

Ross Merrin’s EP ‘Hide and Seek’ reaches the end of its release cycle with the video for the third song, ‘Say It Ain’t So’, due for imminent release but, ahead of that, a quick look back at the creative process of the title track and lead single was posted here:

With the full video here:

Next week - more about ‘Say It Ain’t So’, ‘Hide and Seek’ video insights, Sam Macdonald, Terence Charles and, well, who knows what might happen in the next 7 days..?

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-517https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-517Thu, 26 Mar 2026 10:56:54 GMTIn Deaf Fret terms, it’s been a relatively quiet week - but that’s only in comparison to Deaf Fret’s normal.

The first recording session with Declan is now booked and ready to go, with the choice of songs now confirmed.

Social media posts relating to the making of Ross Merrin’s ‘Hide and Seek’ video are now ready to post - thanks Rob at Crystal Spotlight and, of course, Miles at Crystal Spotlight for filming it and ‘going there’ with it.

Ross Merrin also continues with the edit of his second novel and the mastering of 3 new tracks.

Sam Macdonald’s ongoing brilliant song-writing is being supported with the mastering of ‘Who’s to Blame’ and the final mix of ‘The Truth Ain’t Yours to Hide’ - you’ll hear more about them here for sure.

His latest release, ‘It Ain’t Real’ can be found on Spotify….

…and is sampled with images of his recent trip to Brazil here:

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-e7dhttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-e7dThu, 19 Mar 2026 11:17:46 GMTAnother week and another selection of creative activities and projects at Deaf Fret.

A new artist, known for now as Declan, has brought his very real and authentic original songs over here for some input from Deaf Fret. A very complete act already so Deaf Fret is looking to help where possible, if only to bring him to a wider audience.

Terence Charles tunes will continue to be promoted - his back catalogue is comparable to any and will be hosted on the Deaf Fret YouTube channel- ongoing.

Ross Merrin is starting on the mastering of a new 3 song EP as well as the first edit of his second novel.

Margaux Valarche releases another brilliantly wry poem - again on the Deaf Fret YouTube channel.

It can be seen here:

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-4d7https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fret-4d7Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:23:43 GMTDeaf Fret had a typical week in support of creatives.

New song ‘The Truth Ain’t Yours to Hide’ is now mixed and mastered for singer-songwriter Sam Macdonald.

The song for release after that, ‘Who’s to Blame’ is mixed ready for mastering and a new composition (provisionally title ‘Through Your Eyes’) has been demoed in the Deaf Fret studio - one to look forward to for sure.

Deaf Fret is due to release Margaux Valarche’s third poetry video in the next two weeks and is also in the video pre-production stage of Ross Merrin’s next single (‘The Damage Done’) with Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight.

The video for another Deaf Fret artist, Terence Charles, is worth visiting - an incredible live performance of his song ‘Crossing Over’, captured by renowned cameraman Charlie Grainger and Deaf Fret’s mobile studio.

]]><![CDATA[A Week in the Day of Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-frethttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/a-week-in-the-day-of-deaf-fretThu, 05 Mar 2026 11:26:51 GMTDeaf Fret is always at work and the last week has been typical.

Deaf Fret has been completing the video for the third release from Ross Merrin’s ‘Hide and Seek’ EP, the song, ‘Say it Ain’t So’.

This will be released imminently with the usual quality assistance - this time in the edit - from Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight.

The Deaf Fret produced song ‘It Ain’t Real’ by Sam Macdonald was released this week with a playful post from Sam (see below).

Preparation for Margaux Valarche’s third poetry video is complete and this will also be released imminently.

]]><![CDATA[New Video by Ross Merrin in Edit Stage]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/new-video-by-ross-merrin-in-edithttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/new-video-by-ross-merrin-in-editTue, 13 Jan 2026 10:35:58 GMTDeaf Fret has started editing a new video with Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight.

It will be the third and final release from the Hide and Seek EP and continues the long-standing and creatively rewarding relationship Deaf Fret has with Crystal Spotlight - Miles and his brother Rob are never front of camera but make us all look very good indeed with the incredible things they do for Deaf Fret, Steven Wilson, Dream Theater and so on.

So, a shout-out to them on this post.

https://crystalspotlight.com/

]]><![CDATA[Looking Forward to 2026]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/looking-forward-to-2026https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/looking-forward-to-2026Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:08:16 GMTSo much to look forward to in 2026 - even without any new projects, there is enough pending for Deaf Fret to have another busy year in several creative areas.

New new recordings from the singers and songwriters, videos for same made by skilled, imaginative film-makers, more poetry, new acts to be introduced through Deaf Fret.

Always with an eye on the art not the market - crazy I know but…

https://www.youtube.com/@Deaf-Fret

]]><![CDATA[Terence Charles Channels Adele and Oasis]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/terence-charles-channels-adele-andhttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/terence-charles-channels-adele-andThu, 18 Dec 2025 16:10:59 GMTAside from the fantastic performance, don’t miss the ‘found footage behind the scenes’ after the take has been confirmed as ‘in the can’.

Good times for those of us who worked on this and hopefully fun for you too.

]]><![CDATA[More Terence Charles from Deaf Fret]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/more-terence-charles-from-deaf-frethttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/more-terence-charles-from-deaf-fretFri, 12 Dec 2025 12:12:43 GMTTerence Charles channels a folk melody and a traditional styling through a driving rock filter to create this wonderful, hooky tune.

Deaf Fret is always reaching new heights with the artists it is lucky enough to be working with and this is a great example of that.

Building a wall and tearing it down again on the hottest day of the year was captured perfectly by Miles Skarin at Crystal Spotlight in this unique video.

]]><![CDATA[Another Fantastic Terence Charles Tune]]>https://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/another-fantastic-terence-charleshttps://substack.deaf-fret.com/p/another-fantastic-terence-charlesTue, 09 Dec 2025 16:05:24 GMTDeaf Fret has been working with Terence Charles for a few years now and it is never anything other than entirely rewarding and deeply satisfying creatively.

In contrast to ‘The Maker Made’, for example, here is another example of how Terence Charles holds your attention regardless of the size of the production.

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