Vicar from Essex releases single thought up during MRI scan
Reverend Matthew Simpkins used the sounds of the machine in the song
Last updated 25th Mar 2023
A vicar from Essex who is currently receiving treatment for stage four skin cancer has just released a new single conceived during an MRI scan.
Reverend Matthew Simpkins, who wrote the song alongside his band Pissabed Prophet, incorporated the sounds of the machine into the music.
He explained how it came about: "I thought, well I have a choice, I'm either going to lose it now or I'm going to try and enjoy the experience, listen to the sounds, and treat them musically.
"I thought, what would I do if I was with my friends, trying to write a song with these sounds, and I did."
Matthew also hopes the song will provide some comfort to people: "The song really is about going through times where we have to submit ourselves to what is happening to us.
"You can't fight against an MRI machine, it's not particularly pleasant but you need it to get better. So what I'm trying to do is make people feel a little less nervous about the scans."
The track, Spooling, is being released by Suffolk-based Antigen Records.
The band is also releasing an album in May and has plans to get the music out there with a number of gigs in Essex, London, and Suffolk over the coming months.