NEWS: MARTY WILLSON-PIPER Releasing “Archaeological Dig – Volume 1” May 9th, 2025

We are excited to finally share to you this beautiful re-imagined version “Tristesse” from the forthcoming album, Archaeological Dig – Volume 1 to be released on May 9th, 2025 (In Deep Music/Schoolkids) the first in a planned trilogy of releases where Willson-Piper re-records over 30 songs from his extensive catalog.

Available only in physical format, on CD and LP, you can now preorder Volume 1 Now

This re-imagined collection features ten songs from different time periods, played with strings, acoustics, piano, and keyboards while still incorporating bass, drums, and multi-layered vocals.

The album revisits material from his solo career—including selections from In Reflection (1987), which also will receive a Record Store Day 2025 reissue, and Art Attack (1988)—as well as songs from his tenure with The Church, drawing from landmark albums like Heyday (1985) and Starfish (1988). Included in Volume 1 are fan favorites like “Tristesse,” originally featured on Heyday (1985), and “Spark,” from the platinum-selling Starfish (1988).

These songs highlight the diversity of Willson-Piper’s catalog and showcase his evocative songwriting and signature guitar work.

This is also part of Willson-Piper’s new “In Deep Music” label in conjunction with Schoolkids Records, in which he has worked with for the last 17 years.

Available on Vinyl and CD, preorder here now!

Marty Willson-Piper is an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter best known as a longtime member of the Australian band The Church (1980–2013). With a career spanning over 45 years, he has contributed to a wide range of musical projects, including his solo work, collaborations with All About Eve and The Saints, and his own band, Noctorum.

In 2025, Willson-Piper launched Archaeological Dig – Volume 1, the first in a planned trilogy of releases where he re-records over 30 songs from his extensive catalog. This re-imagined collection features ten songs from different time periods, played with strings, acoustics, piano, and keyboards while still incorporating bass, drums, and multi-layered vocals. The album revisits material from his solo career—including selections from In Reflection (1987), which also received a Record Store Day 2025 reissue, and Art Attack (1988)—as well as songs from his tenure with The Church, drawing from landmark albums like Heyday (1985) and Starfish (1988).

Included in Volume 1 are fan favorites like “Tristesse,” originally featured on Heyday (1985), and “Spark,” from the platinum-selling Starfish (1988). These songs highlight the diversity of Willson-Piper’s catalog and showcase his evocative songwriting and signature guitar work.

Adding to the album’s distinctive presentation, the cover art for Archaeological Dig features a themed sci-fi illustration, with each of the three volumes depicting Willson-Piper in a different setting alongside UFOs. The release is available across all planets and throughout the galaxy via the In Deep boutique label in conjunction with Schoolkids Records.

Blending psychedelic rock, folk, and alternative influences, Willson-Piper’s music remains deeply atmospheric and introspective. Beyond his recording career, he is also an avid vinyl collector, music historian, and passionate champion of independent artistry.

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