B-Side Guys

Silence can nurture as much as it can stagnate. After thirteen years away from recording, Liverpool’s Secret Garden Gathering emerges from their extended hiatus not with the cautious steps of a band testing waters, but with the confidence of musicians who have used time wisely. Their forthcoming EP “Is-Y-Deri”—Welsh for “Beneath the Oak”—captures the band in their most authentic form: live, unvarnished, and recorded in a freezing cottage deep in the Welsh mountains during early 2025.

Set for release July 4th, this five-track collection spans just 21 minutes yet feels expansive in emotional scope, documenting both old and new material with what the band describes as “warmth and intimacy of a band who have grown together and are comfortable in their collective skins.” The six-piece lineup—Lorna on vocals, Dave and Adam on guitars, Matthew on keys, Jay on drums, and Darren on bass—has clearly used their time away to deepen rather than abandon their musical chemistry.

The decision to record live reflects artistic confidence that can only come from genuine creative development. Between 2008 and 2012, Secret Garden Gathering built cult following across the Merseyside music scene through support slots with respected acts like Low Anthem, Lanterns on the Lake, Wave Pictures, Big Deal, and Jane Weaver. These experiences clearly influenced their understanding of how songs translate from studio to stage, knowledge they’ve applied to “Is-Y-Deri” by capturing performances that prioritize emotional authenticity over technical perfection.

Opening track “Talking Numb3rs” establishes the EP’s intimate atmosphere through arrangements that benefit from the cottage recording environment. The natural acoustics and remote setting create sonic warmth that modern studios often struggle to replicate, while the live format allows spontaneous interactions between band members that enhance rather than distract from the songs’ emotional cores.

“Fallen Leaves” continues this organic approach through seasonal imagery that perfectly complements the Welsh mountain setting. The track demonstrates how Secret Garden Gathering’s “dream rock” aesthetic has evolved during their hiatus—maintaining the atmospheric qualities that originally distinguished them while incorporating maturity that comes from lived experience and artistic reflection.

“<From> [The] (Shire) {with} Love” provides the collection’s most intriguing title, its unconventional punctuation suggesting layered meaning within seemingly simple declaration. The song’s pastoral imagery and gentle arrangements create perfect soundtrack for the rural recording environment while addressing universal themes of connection and belonging that transcend geographic specificity.

“Hiding Out” explores themes of retreat and sanctuary that resonate particularly strongly given the band’s own extended absence from the music scene. Rather than defensive justification for their hiatus, the track celebrates the value of stepping away from public scrutiny to focus on internal development. The live recording format enhances this message by demonstrating how creative growth often requires privacy and patience.

Closing track “You are the Darkness after my Dawn” provides haunting conclusion through its examination of aftermath and consequence. The song’s title suggests complex relationship between illumination and shadow, hope and disappointment, creation and destruction. The live performance captures emotional nuances that might be lost in more polished studio environment, creating intimate confession that feels both personal and universal.

Throughout “Is-Y-Deri,” the band demonstrates why their return feels significant rather than nostalgic. This isn’t music attempting to recreate past glories but rather natural evolution of artistic vision that has been allowed to develop without external pressure. The mountain cottage setting provides perfect metaphor for the band’s approach—remote from industry expectations but rich in natural beauty and creative possibility.

The EP’s brief runtime proves ideal for its concentrated emotional content, creating complete artistic statement without overstaying welcome. Each track serves distinct purpose within larger narrative about return, renewal, and artistic authenticity, proving that effective comebacks require genuine creative reasons rather than mere commercial motivation.

As Secret Garden Gathering prepares for full album release within the year, “Is-Y-Deri” provides compelling evidence that their extended hiatus has enhanced rather than diminished their creative capabilities. The EP stands as testament to the value of artistic patience and the importance of recording music that prioritizes emotional truth over market calculation.

For band that built cult following through grassroots dedication rather than industry machinery, this live EP represents perfect reintroduction—intimate, authentic, and completely committed to the artistic vision that originally attracted devoted listeners. The Welsh mountains may seem distant from Liverpool’s music scene, but Secret Garden Gathering has proven that some journeys lead exactly where they need to go.