Using a Church Built in 1551 as Natural Reverb for Our Song “Roots”

Some recordings are shaped as much by their surroundings as they are by the musicians performing them.

As work on Roots developed, we began looking for a space whose acoustic character would complement the music. Rather than adding reverberation digitally during the mixing process, we wanted to capture a natural sense of depth and resonance that belonged to a real place.

That search led us to a church first built in 1551.

Working alongside vocalist Abi D'Arcy, we recorded within the building, allowing its remarkable acoustic to become part of the performance itself. Every note travelled differently through the space, creating subtle reflections and a natural reverberation that couldn't be recreated artificially. The building wasn't simply where the recording took place; its acoustic became woven into the character of the piece.

For Das Spezial, projects like this reflect an ongoing interest in the relationship between sound, place and listening. Every environment leaves its own imprint on music, and by recording in carefully chosen locations we're able to preserve something unique to that moment and that space.

The accompanying film documents part of the recording process and offers an insight into how architecture can influence not only the sound of a piece, but the way it is experienced.

Our thanks to everyone who helped make the session possible, and especially to Abi D'Arcy for bringing such sensitivity and depth to the recording.

Roots is available now on all major streaming platforms.