Hen Hoose Presents 'The Twelve': Twelve Voices, Six Days, One Island Album Experiment

The Hen Hoose initiative, spearheaded by Tamara Schlesinger of MALKA, has unveiled its latest venture: the album titled The Twelve. This release transcends a mere collection of tracks; it functions as a profound musical experiment where the process, structure, and underlying values hold as much weight as the final sonic output.

This ambitious project brought together twelve artists who identify as women or non-binary, spanning various musical genres and generations. The creation took place during an intense, week-long residency at Black Bay Studio. This studio is renowned as one of Europe's most remote recording locations, situated on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.

The Island as an Instrument

The choice of this isolated location was integral to the artistic concept. Black Bay Studio, established in 2017 within a repurposed fish processing plant, offers more than just an acoustic environment; it imposes a necessary regime of isolation. Here, the typical pressures of urban life, algorithmic demands, and industrial haste simply do not exist. The environment strips everything back, leaving only the collaborators, the sound, and the passage of time.

The sheer remoteness of the island acts as a natural filter. This setting allows the music to shed external noise, returning the focus to a state of pure, unadulterated presence. It forces an immediacy that is often lost in conventional studio settings.

Speed as a Measure of Honesty

The production timeline was deliberately compressed. The participating artists worked in shifts, managing to complete nine distinct compositions in just three days, with the entire project wrapped up within a single week. This rapid pace was not about racing against a clock; rather, it fostered a deep trust in the immediate moment. When there is no luxury of endless revisions, the internal critic tends to fall silent.

Consequently, the music captures a genuine 'here and now' state, preserving the imprint of a live, shared event. The resulting album functions less as a polished product and more as a tangible document of a collective experience.

Collective Over Hierarchy

Hen Hoose initially formed in 2020 as a direct response to the documented gender imbalance within the Scottish music sector. What began as a small project during lockdown quickly matured into a robust platform. Crucially, every stage of production—from initial songwriting to final mastering—is handled exclusively by women and non-binary individuals.

The mission of Hen Hoose extends far beyond producing records. Its broader aims include vital mentorship programs, specialized audio production workshops, actively supporting emerging talent in technical roles, and curating industry events. This constitutes an alternative infrastructure where the focus shifts away from individual ego toward shared, collective authorship.

The Voices of 'The Twelve'

The roster for The Twelve features a diverse group of creators, including Susan Bear, Inge Thomson, SHEARS, Francis McKee, AMUNDA, Jhana Gabriel, Jill Lorean, Karis Crosbie, Rae Aggs, MALKA, Emma Pollock, and Carla J. Easton. Among these artists are individuals whose work has graced Hollywood films and Netflix series, alongside recipients and nominees of significant music awards. However, within this specific project, professional standing takes a backseat. The emphasis is placed squarely on the collaborative 'how' rather than the individual 'who'.

From 'Equaliser' to 'The Twelve'

Hen Hoose’s debut album, Equaliser, previously earned a nomination for the Scottish Album of the Year Award and established the core philosophy of the collective. The Twelve represents the next logical progression, deepening the exploration of the joy found in shared performance. It demonstrates that achieving equality in music is not merely a slogan but a tangible, working practice.

The project received its premiere presentation at the Celtic Connections festival, where it was celebrated not just as an album, but as a significant cultural statement. It successfully added the frequency of collective creation to the global soundscape. This is music devoid of a central seat of power, yet intensely focused. Where competition is absent, true alignment takes its place.

Ultimately, The Twelve does not strive for volume; its ambition lies in authenticity. Perhaps this is how the future sounds today—when numerous distinct voices coalesce into a single, shared breath.