Profiles

It was after reading a series of articles in the newspapers that Ros Brady felt the need to write a song about the work of Patrick Holden.

Ros, a singer-songwriter from Dartington, had an affinity with the land even before learning about Patrick, the director of the Soil Association which campaigns for organic food and farming.

She contacted Patrick and visited him at his farm in Wales, and told him of her idea of writing a song about his work.

Patrick Holden gave recorded interviews to Ros

"I did recorded interviews and spent time on his farm in order to be able to echo his experience of his life and work and what I perceived to be his feelings and motivations," said Ros.

"And I really wanted this song to work, I really want to get these ideas out there."

The song is called The Law of Return, an agricultural term referring to returning nutrients to the soil by natural methods.

Ros presented two draft versions to Patrick in November 2008, and tweaked the track a little bit before issuing the final version.

"I was very surprised and relieved when Patrick thought a song like this should avoid being eco-missionary stuff and perhaps a subtle approach would be more effective.

"I realised then that the more beautiful I can make it, the more folks might listen and on re-listening perhaps delve a bit deeper. The last thing I wanted was a worthy song that you'd switch off to, the moment you heard it."

"Ros has done the song very cleverly and has avoided that. I think she has caught something - the humanity, the frailty of the issues, so it's a fusion."

For Ros, this song puts into words and music the way she feels about unsustainable farming methods and the loss of natural habitat.

"Working with ideas from the natural world has been part of my world. I realised that stuff needed saying and I didn't see anyone else out there doing it.

"Travelling around the country I get to see how depleted the countryside is, in terms of biodiversity, in other parts of England."

Ros says the song also reflects her own personal journey. She moved to Devon in 1996, at a time when she was ill.

Ros with Simon Barron

"When I moved here, I started spending time in the countryside to get well, so it seems such a personal experience - it's come right out of a very deep personal journey that I've been on."

The Law of Return will feature on a new album which Ros is releasing in the spring of 2009.

Ros is best known as the Brady half of the Barron Brady folk duo (Simon Barron is her partner), but is currently working on more solo projects.

The upcoming album continues the theme of the natural world: "I'm writing other songs which will go alongside The Law of Return," said Ros.

"I've always worked with farmers, such as Jack Connabeer who's a real Devonian with rural roots. We've written a couple of songs together.

"And I've written songs with the owners of an orchard here, Eddie and Sheila Guy.

"I am passionate about the land, and I want these songs to reflect that."

You can listen to The Law of Return by clicking onto the audio link (MP3).

And you can find out more about Barron Brady by visiting their website, which is linked on the top right of this page.