Devon-based writer, musician and shedworker Mark Brend’s debut novel, Undercliff, has just been published. Set in the early 70s, it follows Martyn Hope as he gets involved in what might well be a perfectly harmless – if a little cranky – post-hippie community called the Olive Grove. Or might not. As Mark explains, it’s a good shed read.
"Most of the action takes place on a stretch of coast between Sidmouth and Beer, where there are areas of undercliff," he explains. "These are coastal landslips, between beaches and cliff, which often become densely vegetated. All along the coast there are chalets and caravans for rent in areas of undercliff, on clifftops and, at Branscombe, on the beach itself. Without giving too much away, Martyn finds himself in this environment, and it’s not always the idyllic refuge it might seem."
The book will be accompanied by some incidental music due for release in the summer, written and recorded by Fariña, a three-piece band of shedworkers comprising Mark, Matt Gale and Cliff Glanfield.
"The book was almost entirely written in my 10 by 8 insulated, double-glazed shed," says Mark. "It was built about 10 years ago for £5k, and is maturing nicely. As well as serving as my writing room, office and retreat it’s also my recording studio. The Undercliff music was written and recorded here, and also at Matt’s and Cliff’s sheds. We worked separately, swopped files and then convened at Matt’s a few times to put it all together."
The music will be released in a month or so, but until then there’s a taster and promo video below:
You can buy the book in all good bookshops and online here. -------------------------------------------------
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