The State of The Marsh (2026)

Well, amazingly it's July now. We are more than half way through 2026 and I have no fucking idea where the time went. That said, it seemed like a good time to go over where things are at with The Marsh and the various and sundry projects contained within. With the year half over, a big website change and the impending closure of Syrup Moose Records, it seemed like an appropriate time.

Syrup Moose Records

I'll start with that last thing actually, Syrup Moose Records. As many of you know, I made the decision to close SMR at the end of 2026. I have some releases remaining for the year, and some outstanding orders to get through, and then that's all she wrote. It has been a privilege to work with the artists that I have worked with; and while there are some folks who are not particularly fond of me or the label, I hope at the very least I've given some of you exposure to music you may otherwise have never heard. That was always the point. To bring smaller projects to a new audience, and to release works that - at the very least - were not made by secret Nazis to the forefront.

In terms of what is left to do for SMR before the moose returns to the ether, here's what you can expect:

So that's that explained and dealt with. That is where things are at with Syrup Moose Records. It has been a pleasure and a challenge, and there is no denying that the label has given me some lasting relationships and some positive memories, as well as a number of negative ones. It's bittersweet to say good bye, but that's where we are.

Music

At present, I have three musical projects - a despairtronica (and probably my main project) MEGAFAUNA, a cozy dungeon-synth project called Grumm Trencher, and a doomernoise project called VNRL. All of them had releases (or have upcoming) releases in 2026 which has been very exciting. I'm certainly not going to be rich off of them, but they've been deeply meaningful to me and I hope you'll check them out.

MEGAFAUNA
This year saw (and will see) the release of:

After - a compilation of miscellaneous singles
Birdsong - a live performance from Midsummer Music Fest in Smithers BC
MEGAFAUNA - self titled LP releasing in September 2026.

I also contributed to Facets, a remix album of the exceptional Spectrum by Am I In Trouble?, as well as released a remix of "After Image" by Voidscan, a remix of "Dumbest Girl Alive" by 100 Gecs, and contributed a score for the game jam game Night of the Masks by Clipthru.

Those are the announced projects. Through the rest of 2026 I do have some other things planned that have not been formally announced, so please keep your eyes open. One thing I will say is that the collaboration I mentioned above with Shift+CTRL will also be a MEGAFAUNA collab project, but that's about all I'll say on that for now.

Grumm Trencher
The first full length record from Grumm Trencher, The Bat and the Hellebore, released this year. I was also lucky enough to have a remix of one of the tracks done by Voidscan, the remix is included as a bonus track on the album.

VNRL
Another debut-full length record, The Power That, When Wielded, Corrupts

There's every chance I'm forgetting something in their but that is a snapshot of my musical out put this year.

Some shorter updates for you:

Syrup Moose Radio

While Syrup Moose RECORDS may be going away, Syrup Moose Radio appears to be here to stay. Having just posted the 116th episode, I have no plans to make any changes regarding SMRadio. I love making this show, and I hope you all enjoy listening to it. I'm also very excited to share that SMRadio won a national award from the NCRA for "Syndicated Radio Show" and was also nominated for "Breaking Barriers" and "Current Affairs of Magazine" - NEXT YEAR CRABO's! NEXT YEAR! . I am quite fond of the new radio page here on the website, so please do go and check it out: https://themarsh.ca/syrup-moose-radio/

Zines

2026 saw the launch of the first The Marsh Zine; SKULK. Started to showcase the arts and culture of the Skeena-Bulkley Valley. The first issue has been released, and the reception was quite positive. So positive, in fact, that the Prince Rupert Archives have requested copies of zine to preserve them in perpetuity which is so cool and exciting. What I didn't expect was that this one zine would turn into two zines, and then GLYPH was born. This zine made in collaboration with Cloud City Apparel to celebrate the arts and culture of the Alberni Valley - which is where I grew up. The first issue of GLYPH is coming soon, as is the second issue of SKULK. You can have a look at all of the information about both zines here: https://themarsh.ca/zines/

Holy Forest Design

Things are a bit quiet here, but it does seem as good a time as any to remind you about this project. Check out more about Holy Forest Design here: holyforestdesign.art

What Even Is This?

I decided that I would cease posting on WEIT - the tumblr blog will remain, but I won't be adding to it anymore.

So that's it, for now.

This new site is still a work in progress, and so there may be some spots to iron out - but I do hope that you like it, and that you'll explore it a little bit. Also, if you have any thoughts, ideas, requests, or whatever else, please feel free to reach out to me at brendan@themarsh.ca.

Take care of yourselves, take care of each other.