David J Haskins
David J Haskins of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets renown will be releasing a new album, The Mother Tree, in tandem with a book of poetry titled Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer. The album was recorded at Ear Gallery Music in Los Angeles, produced by David, and featuring himself on vocals and harmonica, members of the group RAQIA and percussion ace Brad Dutz. Both album and book are being released June 6 with The Mother Tree being issued on 12” LP vinyl, digital download and streaming platforms by Erototox Decodings while Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer will be published by Fonograph Media.
The acclaimed musician, poet, and cultural icon, better known as David J, created these two intimate, deeply personal and evocative works primarily in tribute to his mother. Haskins’ decision to release these projects using his surname (which his brother and bandmate in Bauhaus and Love and Rockets has used all along) underscores their deep familial and emotional significance to him. He calls The Mother Tree and Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer “my most personal work yet.”
The Mother Tree is a poignant five-track album featuring David reciting his poetry to the accompaniment of lush, dramatic, atmospheric music, showcasing his multidimensional musical artistry. The bulk of the title piece was composed over the course of 3 days, in a remote part of Massachusetts where he was living in 1997, this following the passing of his mother, Joan Nancy. “Incantation To Herne” written while he was still living in his hometown of Northampton, England back in 1995, a time when he had immersed himself in the study of magick and folklore. “Elegy To Beale Street” during a trip to Memphis, scouting recording studios in 1990. “Saviour In The City” was penned in New York City around the same time, inspired by a vision of Jesus visiting the city in modern times, contemplating how he’d be received.
The Mother Tree was recorded in early 2020, just before and then half a year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with David recruiting members of RAQIA who’d he seen perform live in LA the preceding December: Gregory Allison (violin), and Tad Piecka (guitar), Jon Bernstein (piano). The first piece tracked was the title piece, “The Mother Tree” with everyone playing together live which set a precedent for the following session in June when four other cuts were completed. Percussionist, Brad Dutz was added for this second round. This creative activity providing a much-needed emotional lift to all involved.
Rhapsody, Threnody & Prayer is a book of his poetry collected over the course of many years. The poems encompass a large array of experiences, places, relationships, infatuations and obsessions. Love found and love lost. They include tributes to departed cultural icons like Ian Curtis, Kurt Cobain, Mark Linkous, Jeff Buckley, and Jack Kerouac.
Taken together, this album and book illuminate Haskins’ enduring legacy as both a musician and a poet possessed of a uniquely sensual, visceral, sometimes surreal and often nostalgic vision. The songs and poems thread together vivid imagery, raw emotions, and intimate storytelling, giving audiences a glimpse into his personal and creative journeys over the decades.