‘How’ve You Been?’ is a series of new compositions on the recently developed ‘Lindsay System’ Scottish smallpipes. The work explores the transition between the sounds of the South Atlantic to Scotland, following two years of effective isolation. Several of the works will be accompanied by film, which includes field recordings, limited dialogue and some in-the-field performances, all of which will be interwoven with a live soundtrack performed on the new pipes.
During Donald's two years on Ascension, he has been focused on researching and extending the design further, both in terms of its physical form and functional performance, and in terms of its repertoire and technique. During the same period, early prototypes of the new design have been installed in the National Piping Centre's Museum of Piping, while in late 2020 his duet album with Richard Youngs titled "History of Sleep" was released on Good Energy Records, enjoying widespread airplay across BBC Radio, and critical acclaim in the press.
