Hidden Mantra began as a passion project during the 2020 COVID lockdowns. No live music, no social gatherings — but plenty of people stuck at home making music without boundaries. The circumstances pushed a lot of artists into experimental, unconstrained territory, and what was coming out was genuinely interesting; different from anything that would typically land on a larger label.
At the same time, something else was happening. Conversations were forming — between myself and artists both locally and from thousands of miles away — full of shared music, half-baked theories, and enthusiastically debated conspiracy theories. Respectful, joyful, and a lot more meaningful than most of what was passing for ‘communication’ at the time.
After several months, the plunge was taken. The first release was Yellow 6 – Min/Max, made possible by the generosity of Jon Atwood. A fully DIY cassette and CD combo — duplication, artwork, assembly, all of it — hence the small run. But it was the start, and there was already more music waiting, held quietly under verbal agreement with artists who had, by then, become friends. There’s something special about being trusted with music before the world hears it.
So — Hidden Mantra was born. The hidden being that creative pulse most people share but rarely speak about; the persistent, quietly nagging self-doubt that comes with making something. The mantra being the feeling the music gave me — the buzz, the energy, the wake-up call. Intriguing, a little ambiguous. Not unlike the music itself.
Hidden Mantra is run by Paul, who also makes music under the same name. He’s not much for social media these days — but you can reach him at paul@hidden-mantra.co.uk