If you were not aware, THE GARDENING CLUB is a progressive rock band infused with plenty of other styles and influences, founded by Martin Springett, and have released five albums: The Gardening Club, The Riddle, Boy On A Bike, The Blue Door, and now Another Country.

Based in Toronto Ontario and Victoria BC, Martin was actually born in the UK but moved with his family to Canada in 1965.

In 1969 in Vancouver he recorded an album of settings of Tolkien’s poems from Lord Of The Rings and the Hobbit but alas, Christopher Tolkien did not allow the record to be released.

Martin played in bands and toured in Canada and the US but returned to England in 1971 to seek a record deal. He toured in Europe with a band called GATEWAY DRIVER, based in Hanover, who played with SOFT MACHINE. Upon returning to Canada, a move to Toronto meant entering a new musical landscape and a Vancouver pal, Don GEPPERT, now a respected engineer in the Toronto music scene, worked with Martin on his LP The Gardening Club.

Originally released in 1983, this record was the right album at the wrong time,Martin has since said. Reissued in 2017 by Gonzo Multimedia with an additional five studio tracks complementing the original twelve tracks.

After the rerelease of The Gardening Club as an expanded CD, there was new interest in Martin’s music. Things slowed down somewhat as Martin had a heart operation and six months of rehab, but this close call fired up his desire to create new music.

Reconnecting with guitarist/producer Norm MACPHERSON, a pal from his young years in Victoria BC, the pair started work on The Riddle, the rather late follow up to the original album.

Originally just a home recording, for their own enjoyment, the album grew in depth and complexity as Norm and Martin discovered a musical synergy that surprised them both and led to many a joyful day in the studio. Local players were brought in to add more intriguing sounds, and Martin was convinced it should be released.

Norm’s brilliant production/engineering and arrangement skills were a revelation to Martin, and this partnership has resulted in the release of four subsequent THE GARDENING CLUB albums.

During the pandemic, Martin’s good friends, Kevin LALIBERTE and Drew BIRSTON, guitarist and bassist for SULTANS OF STRING were, like so many musicians at that time, out of work with no touring or recording going on. As Martin had longed to work with these two amazing players, he took this opportunity to ask them if they would like to work on a project tentatively called The Blue Door with him.

Two years in the making, Martin Springett and The Gardening Club now return with a fifth, this time 9 track limited edition album entitled Another Country (October 11th, 2024 via Melodic Revolution Records).

1. A Zephyr of Sound (1:06)
2. Small Town Boy (3:34)
3. Tricksters (6:32)
4. Hotel Nostalgia / Enigma 1 (6:04)
5. Spellbound (5:53)
6. Friendship (4:34)
7. Only Connect (4:32)
8. Mr. Forster Reflects (8:05)
9. Another Country (16:44)

This most wondrously sculpted, wholly impassioned new recording opens on the rousing A Zephyr of Sound and then brings us the beautifully free flowing Small Town Boy, the Prog-AOR of Tricksters and the languishing, yet rhythmical pop sensibilities that drive Hotel Nostalgia / Enigma 1.

Along next is the melodious Spellbound which is in turn backed seamlessly by the Prog-folk instrumentations within Friendship, the atmospherically-charged Only Connect, the set rounding out on the veritably glistening, synth-guitar artwork of Mr. Forster Reflects, closing on the dutifully fluctuating, Prog-lite masterpiece Another Country.

About This Album:
The original title of the album was, The Enigma Of Arrival. I had been in thrall of this name after seeing De Chirico’s painting when I was at art school many years ago. Essentially, I thought the title would allow us to travel to as many disparate places as we would like to go, musically and thematically.

Over the two years it took to complete the album though, the focus changed from a male protagonist to female, at least that’s where I knew I wanted our journey to take us, and with the addition of a soaring soprano we have arrived at a new place with a new sound.

As Steve says, we have come full circle on this particular journey, and it’s a great place to be, and start the next journey from. Everyone in the band has responded beautifully to all the emotions running through these songs. I am amazed to be in such company - Martin Springett.

Martin creates all the art for THE GARDENING CLUB releases and has also provided the covers for Kev Rowland’s books, The Progressive Underground.

Official Stairway Press Book+CD Purchase Link

Official Jayde Design Book+CD Purchase Link

www.gardeningclubmusicandart.ca