Alistair The Optimist
The album ‘Alistair The Optimist’ was recorded after drummer Alistair Banks had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Alistair and his friends wanted to write and record a collection of songs under the banner 'Alistair The Optimist' as part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of his disease and charity the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The album was written during the summer of 2011 and recorded over three days in August 2011 at Cross Leaze Studio near Bath.
The band wanted to record a mainly live and acoustic album, which reflected the rural and folk influences of the area in which it was created.
Acclaimed Canadian singer-songwriter Kathryn Calder, also a member of the New Pornographers, kindly provided guest vocals on a number of the tracks.
The songs on 'Alistair The Optimist' tell stories about personal loss, hardship and struggle as well as hope, love and survival - in many ways the themes could be interpreted to represent Alistair's own journey as he lives with motor neurone disease.
The album also captures a moment in time when his weakening muscles still allowed him to play drums, just, something he is no longer able to do.