A Tiding Of Magpies

A Tiding of Magpies is a collaborative exploration in sound by Oz Hardwick and Andrew Backhouse. Based on the border between Yorkshire and the Otherworld, we mine the rich interface between Nature, Folklore and Technology in order to craft visionary music that awakens the sleeper within.

One’s for sorrow, but two is a different story,
chattering welcomes to the unexpected, high
on branch and gable, blood turning to wine
beneath tale-telling tongues. A brace of witchbirds
flying to the sun, peeling layers from onions
deep in ragged pockets: I defy thee, I defy thee,
but don’t try me. Dress your best and come aboard,
I’ll raise my hat, spit three times, and together
we’ll ride to steal silver from the gallows.

— Oz Hardwick