The fourth Agent Starling album is released today, and it’s a belter.
‘Surrealista Enigma Musica’ features real instruments—hurdy-gurdy, bass, violin—interwoven with hypnotic drones, vocal harmonies, spoken words, found sounds, and manipulated electronic tones.
Watch the official video for the title track here:
Agent Starling is Quentin Budworth (hurdy-gurdy), Lou Duffy-Howard (voices, bass, and programming), and Dexter Duffy-Howard (violin).
‘Surrealista Enigma Musica’ follows previous acclaimed releases ‘Clandestine’, ‘Constellation of Birds’, the debut album ‘European Howl’, and the winter EP ‘The Northern Lights’.
With twelve new original tracks—a mix of instrumentals, tunes, songs, and spoken word—the album is deeply influenced by musical traditions from across Europe. Its themes explore magic, mysteries, myths, and dreams of a greener, peaceful world.
The melodies are inspired by traditional chants and refrains, with rhythms constructed from beats and field recordings to create rolling, hypnotic patterns. The resulting mix is an unusual modern sound; a complex, compelling musical counterpoint full of catchy tunes with indie, folk, and dance sensibilities, all with an experimental edge. Here you will find a nod to Hildegard von Bingen, spell-casting, and a love of the drone that is both compelling and otherworldly.
What the Papers Say:
“Experimental hurdy-gurdy on duo’s impressive debut. European Howl is a complex, immersive and at times disorienting listening experience.” — Tony Gillam, SONGLINES
“Sounding like the musical offspring of Sufjan Stevens and Steve Reich” — Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
“Compelling, demanding and progressive, Agent Starling fuse a range of cross-cultural folk-based sounds and moods. The album challenges and stretches boundaries… I absolutely love it when musicians dare to tread forth where many would turn on their heels and run.” — John Reed, Fatea Magazine
“I doubt very much that you will hear anything quite like this anywhere else in current music… Truly wondrous.” — Neil March, Trust the Doc
The fourth Agent Starling will be released today , and it’s a belter
‘Surrealista Enigma Musica’ features real instruments, hurdy-gurdy, bass, violin, hypnotic drones, vocal harmonies & spoken words, interwoven with found sounds and manipulated electronic tones.
Agent Starling is Quentin Budworth, hurdy-gurdy; Lou Duffy-Howard, voices, bass, and programming; and Dexter Duffy-Howard, violin.
Fourth album ‘Surrealista Enigma Musica’ released on Friday, March 4th 2026 follows previous albums ‘Clandestine’, ‘Constellation of Birds’, debut album ‘European Howl’ and winter EP ‘The Northern Lights’.
With twelve new original tracks, a mix of instrumentals, tunes, songs and spoken word, the album is influenced by musical traditions from nations across Europe. Its themes are magic, mysteries, myths and dreams of a greener, peaceful world in the future.
The melodies are inspired by traditional chants and refrains, with rhythms constructed from beats and field recordings to create rolling patterns. The resulting mix is an unusual modern sound; a complex, compelling musical counterpoint full of catchy tunes with indie, folk and dance sensibilities, all with an experimental edge. Here you will find a nod to Hildegard von Bingen, spell-casting, and a love of the drone and musical experimentation that is compelling, hypnotic, and otherworldly.
What the Papers Say:
“Experimental hurdy-gurdy on duo’s impressive debut. European Howl is a complex, immersive and at times disorienting listening experience.” (Tony Gillam, SONGLINES)
“Sounding like the musical offspring of Sufjan Stevens and Steve Reich” (Tom Robinson BBC 6 Music)
“Compelling, demanding and progressive, Agent Starling fuse a range of cross-cultural folk-based sounds and moods. The album challenges and stretches boundaries, and occasionally – in a good way – feels slightly unhinged, but I absolutely love it when musicians dare to tread forth where many would turn on their heels and run.” (John Reed Fatea Magazine)
“I doubt very much that you will hear anything quite like this anywhere else in current music… Truly wondrous.” (Neil March Trust the Doc Website)
“Surrealista Enigma Musica is a wonderful unique album full of mystery and esoteric beauty, with deep rich production (get the CD if you have a player).” Steve Morantz”
Our good friends Agent Starling have a new album out. Head over to their Bandcamp for an early listen to this mesmerising masterpiece. ” Beat Filter PR”
“Surrealista Enigma Musica is experimental and is remarkably good. It will be featured album for the next few months.” Bob Osborne Different Noises 130
The winter solstice brings a unique rhythm to a musician’s life. As the days grow shorter and the fire crackles, we are often gifted that rare commodity: time. Time to unwind, time to reflect, and most importantly, time to reconnect with our instruments.
If you are a hurdy-gurdy player—whether you are just finding your “sea legs” with the crank or you are a seasoned veteran—this holiday season offers the perfect opportunity for a technical and creative “tune-up.” But we aren’t just talking about applying fresh cotton or tightening the trompette. We are talking about a tune-up for your musical mind.
This year, true hurdy-gurdy Christmas inspiration comes in the form of a resource that feels less like a textbook and more like a late-night gathering of the world’s best players. It is called “The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy: Field Notes On Playing” by Quentin Budworth.
If you are looking for an expert hurdy-gurdy book to guide your winter practice, here is why this collection of field notes belongs on your music stand.
The Antidote to Musical Isolation
Let’s be honest: the hurdy-gurdy can be a solitary path. Unless you live in specific pockets of Central France, Northern Spain, or Hungary, you might be the only player in your town. The isolation can lead to a plateau in skills, where we stop challenging our own techniques.
Budworth’s book addresses this head-on. It acts as a bridge to the wider community, compiling the distilled knowledge, pedagogy, and personal theories of 32 renowned players from across the globe.
We are talking about insights from heavyweights like Matthias Loibner, Patrick Bouffard, Michalina Malisz, German Diaz, and Steve Tyler. Instead of one teacher’s rigid dogma, you get a kaleidoscope of perspectives. It covers everything from the physics of the wheel to the social context of being a drone musician in the 21st century.
Theory, Pedagogy, and “The Secret Life”
What makes this book unique is that it doesn’t just give you sheet music; it teaches you how to think like a player. Here is how it adds depth to your practice:
Rethinking the Drone: One of the recurring themes in the “Field Notes” is the relationship between the player and the drone. The book explores how different experts visualize their sound—some see it as a vocal line, others as a rhythmic engine. It challenges you to stop “cranking a handle” and start “bowing a continuous circle.”
Pedagogy for the Self-Taught: Since so many of us are autodidacts, we often miss the “how” of learning. The book offers specific strategies on how to structure practice, how to listen to your own playing, and how to overcome technical walls.
Social Context: Budworth includes fascinating chapters on where the instrument fits in society. It connects the modern player to a lineage of beggars, courtiers, and avant-garde performers, helping you understand the weight and history of the instrument in your lap.
A Guide for Your Holiday Practice Sessions
As you plan your holiday downtime, you can use “The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy” to structure a practice regimen that breaks old habits.
1. The “Sound Design” Session: Use the expert interviews to focus purely on tone. Spend a session adjusting your pressure and speed based on the descriptions in the book. Can you achieve the vocal quality described by the masters?
2. The “Rhythmic Reset”: Dive into the sections on the coup de poignet (wrist stroke). The book reveals how different cultures approach rhythm—from the strict dance beats of the Bourbonnais to the fluid styles of contemporary folk. Use the holidays to deconstruct your rhythm and rebuild it with greater intent.
An Ethical Gift: Buying Direct from the Artist
In an era of generic online shopping, there is something grounding about purchasing independent art directly from the source. Quentin Budworth is a champion of the independent creative spirit. In a move that aligns perfectly with the folk tradition, he has made the book available directly to the community.
There is no corporate markup here. When you buy this book, your money goes to the researcher and artist who created it.
The Investment:
USA: $35
UK: £24.99
Europe: €35
(Shipping is calculated upon inquiry based on your location).
How to Order Your Copy
To secure a copy for yourself or as a thoughtful gift for a loved one, the process is personal and simple:
Include your postal address and the number of copies you wish to purchase.
Await the reply: Quentin will respond with the total cost including shipping and payment details (typically PayPal or Bank Transfer).
Final Thoughts
This Christmas, don’t just practice your mistakes. Practice with purpose. Let the collective wisdom of 32 masters guide your hand. “The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy” is more than a book; it is a mentorship in paperback form.
Grab a copy, pour a glass of something warm, and let’s get that wheel spinning.
The turkey has been carved, the pie has been demolished, and the house is finally quieting down.
For many of us, the holidays are a time to pause and reflect on what we are grateful for. This year, alongside family and health, I’m finding myself incredibly grateful for the music—and the community of players—that keeps this ancient instrument alive.
But why should the feasting stop at the dinner table?
If you are looking to feed your creativity this long weekend, I have something special for you. The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy: Field Notes on Playing is more than just a method book; it’s a gathering of wisdom.
Think of it as inviting over 30 of the world’s best players to your table to share their secrets. From the nitty-gritty of technique to the philosophy of sound, this book is packed with the kind of “insider knowledge” that usually takes years to learn on your own.
A Special Thanksgiving Treat 🦃
Email: quentinbudworth@yahoo.com to order your copy
Don’t let your playing get cold this winter. Grab a slice of wisdom, curl up on the sofa, and discover the secret life of your instrument.
Eat, drink, and be cranberry!
Happy Thanksgiving, [Your Name/Quentin]
Meet Quentin Budworth, a musician living on Skye He is a multi-instrumentalist, a highly skilled performer and composer, specialising in the hurdy-gurdy.
Quentin Budworth Musician 