When a debut author with a background in the glory days of the UK DJ scene creates not just a brand-new work of fiction, but also combines this with an original album of songs, you have to sit up and take note. A cutting edge QR code download credit card and CD are also fully integrated into the limited first edition hardback book format, try this QR creator.
This is exactly what Autolemy has done with his novel Say Goodbye, and the result is rather ground-breaking, bringing together a sensory revolution for the readers’ eyes and ears.
Based in the 1970s, Say Goodbye is the first such book in a planned trilogy following six-going-on-seven-year-old Lee Walker. A mischievous sort, Lee discovers his mother’s infidelity leading to a devastating series of events that see his family tear apart and the young boy cast to a children’s home. Lee’s adventure takes him to Belgium, where he must rely on his wits to survive a strange new world full of KGB operatives, secret underworlds, and an MI6 operative with a curious connection to Lee…
As author and artist behind Say Anything’s accompanying album Autolemy describes it thus:
“‘A lot of propaganda is force-fed to the younger generations about mental health and how convincing yourself that every little bump in life is a big issue. However, mental resilience is hugely underrated, and it is the people with the resilience and fortitude who will always prevail. This is just one of the key themes of the book, and whilst at times Lee does stop to self-reflect; this is just one of a number of tools he utilises to reconcile what has happened and how he must move forward. When there is nothing or no one left, self-sufficiency is the only programming he has to rely on.
“Another theme that permeates through the book is how simple acts of kindness can change a person’s life or perception of life.”
The Say Goodbye experience is only one half of what the reader gets drawn into. The album contains fifteen original tracks and six instrumentals all written and produced by Autolemy.
Say Goodbye in its CD format may be considered a concept album. The music featured taking the form instrumentals akin to film scores and the kosmische musik of groups like Tangerine Dream, the new wave elements of hit-period Ultravox, and the progressive pop sounds of modern acts like the Downes Braide Association.
Autolemy draws upon his expansive knowledge of the way music genres can be moulded, to create a pastiche of beauty giving a nod to classic seventies disco-funk, dance as well as nineties classic beats and orchestral arrangements that reflect the many eras of influence he spent at the top of his game. Having left school in the mid ‘80s, he turned to the world of serious vinyl and mix tapes, selling his music in local record shops and then in turn becoming part of the legendary DMC DJ Label.
Now, you can visit the world of espionage like never before through the lens of a child, and through Autolemy’s genre spanning accompanying album. Say Goodbye will be available digitally and physically everywhere as of 23rd April.
