THE STORY BEGINS

The idea for Emperor In Exile began on an extended dog walk in Bath during the pandemic, with a chance discovery by the banks of the River Avon — in a quiet overgrown area some intriguing Rastafarian graffiti marked the years Haile Selassie was exiled to the city. 

The graffitied words read:

"From 1936 to 1941 Haile Selassie Walked This Path”

IRIE-KA!

From that moment grew the inspiration for a roots reggae album. Emperor In Exile is a concept work inspired by the years Haile Selassie lived in Bath between 1936 and 1941. 

Through a collaboration of artists, the album tells a powerful story of exile, resistance and return, connecting a little-known chapter of Bath’s history with themes that continue to resonate today.

Writing Starts

The original music and words are created by Alan Seviour and Mark Archer who have researched and written the songs, combining historical insight with a shared passion for music and storytelling. 

They have drawn together a formidable group of performing artists, writers and sound engineers for this unique music project.

thanks & praises

£7,700 RAISED - 170 SUPPORTERS - 2 MONTHS

The project has been made possible through the support of our community. In just two months, we raised £7,700 through a crowdfunding campaign, with 170 pledges from supporters who believed in bringing this story to life. 

Thank you to everyone who supported the project from the beginning. 

The album is due for release in Summer 2026 on limited edition vinyl - pre-release album orders are available from the 1st April.

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