During the winter months of 2006, despite the learning curve, Alan managed to compile some new material and by the Spring began to look towards finding some kind of vocal contributions.


It was by google-ing 'Blues singer/songwriter' that he came across Joe Richardson, a Delta bluesman and guitarist based in Austin, Texas.  Joe’s immediate appeal came from his distinctive vocal tone and stripped-back style but upon closer inspection, the dark mood and accompanying subject-matter seemed tailor-made for Recoil.  Alan e-mailed Joe directly and received an enthusiastic - if somewhat surprised - response.


Says Alan "That's when the internet really comes into its own.  There is no way I could have known about Joe without the help of a search engine.  I listened to hundreds of singers this way but it was Joe's voice that leapt out of the speakers.  He sounded exactly like the person I'd been hearing in my mind when I started working on the music.  The thing was, I almost didn't send the mail!  When I saw his pictures on his web site, I thought he probably wouldn't be interested in what I was doing and might be sort of grumpy or stuck in his ways.  How wrong I was and how glad I am now that I did press the 'send' button."


Says Joe "I was sitting at the computer one day when an e-mail popped up.  It was from Alan Wilder - very brief, stating that he liked my song writing and singing and wondered if I would be interested in a collaboration. I had heard of his name but couldn’t remember from where.  When I heard the music I thought "Wow"!  I've been accused of leaning too much toward the darker side of things so I thought it might be a cool collaboration."