The Being Afraid is a new hardware only project launched chiefly to reduce Jamie’s out-of-control screentime. It also introduces sonic constraints not present in the infinite possibilities of a Digital Audio Workstation, whilst simultaneously providing a freedom to work fast and improvise that the digital workspace takes away with its potential for endless post-recording adjustments.

The plan is to create a recording environment to work within and to put together as many pieces as feels right, group them together into 30-40 minute length collections and to record them in one take semi-improvised sessions. Field recordings are used extensively, mostly taken on mental health walks around Barry, Cardiff and Barnsley.

The current set up involved an Elektron Model;:Samples with the L/R signals split between an OBNE Minim and a Zoom Multistomp as well as tape loops in a TASCAM Portastudio 4-track (run through a Walrus Slo) and a Walkman into a Joyo Analogue Delay.

Work-in-progress have been planned since November – a Twitch page was set up and left to gather dust almost immediately – keep an eye on the VFOS Bluesky/Instagram for a time when he feels in the right headspace to have another go.