Local Musician Launches 13-Track Concept Album After 30-Year Dream

Local musician and DJ Gary Hawkins has unveiled his new 13-track concept album, Distant World. The project has been described as a “labour of love” and the culmination of a 30-year dream.

The album, created in collaboration with musical partner Leo Clarke under the name “Hawkins Clarke,” has been entirely self-funded and supported by friends and family and took two years to record, mix, and master.

Due to the duo living in different locations—Gary in Huntingdonshire and Leo in London—much of the work was done remotely. Gary recorded production in his garden “shed,” while Leo contributed vocals and instrumental parts from his home studio.

Gary, who performs as DJ Shed74, told Your Voice on Black Cat Radio:

“I met Leo five years ago, and we immediately realised we shared a passion for music. I’m not a traditional musician, but I can program computers and synths, while Leo is an incredible guitarist, bassist, and vocalist. Our first track, Home From Home, set the tone for the rest of the album.”

Reflecting on the process, Gary admitted he had been so busy with mixing, mastering, vinyl production, and marketing that he only recently had the chance to enjoy the final product. “It was only when the vinyl arrived that I could relax and fall back in love with the music,” he said. “We’re very proud of what we’ve achieved and are already working on ideas for our next project.”

Distant World is a concept album telling the story of a man from the American mid-west whose life is transformed after an early encounter with a UFO, or UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena). The album spans multiple genres, including synth-pop, classical, techno, drum and bass, and ambient.

The artwork reflects the duo’s playful approach, featuring a lone plant on the front cover, while the back shows a chimpanzee and a lion in space helmets—symbolising Gary and Leo respectively. “We weren’t happy with our faces on the cover, and we thought it would be fun,” Gary explained. “We were inspired by iconic albums that avoid traditional band photos, like The Beatles’ White Album or Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd.”

Distant World is out now via Bandcamp.