Maps, The Strange Death of Liberal England, Caribou, Ulrich Schnauss & Sonic Cathedral DJ's.. How's That for a Line Up?

So much happening down here! What I feel I must explain in this little edition is the sheer amount of what's going on in the music department and everywhere else in this contemporary outlet.. My diary can't nearly afford me to see everything that's going on down here, and there have already been things like last Saturday's psychedelic 'Our Technicolor Dream' that I have had to miss. Gutting. It would be hard not to want to interview people and take pictures at 'a night of light shows, avantgarde theatre, Q and A's with the leading lights of the London Underground and a range of bands both old and new'. This weekend I won't be able to catch both parts of the 'ATH-LDN sonic voyage showcasing some of the most innovative musicians, sound artists, producers, performers & Djs working in Greece today'. Gutting again. Anyway, my point is simply this; even if you could easily deny yourself Psychedelia or a night with the most up to date European visuals and beats, or even if it's that you only like hot new bands thank you very much, there is a big chance that whatever it is you do like musically will come up at some stage in the not too distant future at the ICA; quality, variety and volume are seemingly, amazingly, intertwined.

Ok enough; enough of that. Let's talk about when I was there, at the Maps with Support night on Monday. The Maps gig was a chilled out, friendly affair with some quality musicians to please the crowds ears.. We were spoilt for DJ' s with Sonic Cathedral Dj's,
and Ulrich Schnauss on the decks in the bar,

and Canadian Caribou pumping out a very decent selection of records indeed on the main stage. This stuff was particularly up my alley so I felt very honored to wait for Strange Death and Maps with as classy an interlude soundtrack as this.

The Strange Death of Liberal England (yes it is a mouthful) provided an energetic, musical and epic sounding set that gave those smart enough to realise that often the best things happen in the warm up, a very happy half an hour. May I introduce you to the band...

On lead vocals, Adam Woolway,

Andrew Wright singing it OUT

Andrew Summerly with Will Charlton


Will,

Kelly Jones
Will and Adam in syncarama

Mr. John Earls on Planet Sound said that their eerie silent placards

are an odd move when the sounds they are making are so 'joyfully noisy'. I'd agree there are a few contradictions going on stage with this lot, changing of instruments, swapping of roles and all sorts of sound twists, but that is what gives this band their edge and charm and I like most things that make people think a little outside of the box. Maybe it will be ideas like these that will give them some staying power in what, as discussed with the band before the gig, can be a dog eat dog world in the sometimes fickle music industry..Here they are doing a little warm up singing before the gig...


All in all a group to keep and eye out for; now
signed to Fantastic Plastic Records they have already been playing 2000+venue gigs in Europe and there is talk of Reading, The Great Escape Festival, Brighton and all sorts else...Check out their myspace, http://www.myspace.com/tsdole

And then there was Maps..

Maps were a chilled crew, Jamie and other band members let me take pictures of them just moments before going on stage, I like that attitude..




Tongues out to you too Jamie...

This talented young songwriter/music producer
and his committed live band members Ben, Phil, Matt and Andy ,

played a slick set that gave the sold out audience what they wanted..

It felt as though I blinked and it was over with this music that you sort of melt into, but a good gig it was all the same..
I'm sure that ex-members Drew and Craig would have been proud of the boys on stage.. After chatting with these two about Craig's likeness to Jack Dee, Hello? One must agree...me being a sponge and various other particularly UN-muso things, (a girl should have SOME fun after all) I did talk a little business regarding Drew's role as visuals and video artist for the band these days...Judging by the graphics from the latest album cover,'We Can Create', he might just have the eye for artwork. Here is the man himself,
please check out his website www.redwhiteproductions.co.uk for news and information about the creative Drew and what he can do for you! I'm worried that I took down that website wrong so Drew, if you're reading this - let me know what's up with that please...
I would recommend you not to miss Ben, Phil, Matt and Andy with James at future gigs all posted on their myspace, www.myspace.com/mapsmusic..And I distinctly remember seeing them available on ITunes the last time I looked...

And to finish, the man that engineered the monday's soundz, the ICA's main man Rich..

Sorry honey I could not resist but to put this mischievous portrait in.. You were a crucial part of the evening after all. Big up the ICA technical crew! Salut!

Jack Penate gives the ICA a party..

It was a mutual hats off to Jack Penate at his gig last Wednesday. It was this young mans first time to the venue and he told the crowds it was his favourite gig yet! O.K, so we might all exaggerate and embellish truths when we are excitable and running on adrenaline fuelled energy, but it certainly was an excellent show. It all began with a very cool support line up.. First up was Adele from London. This lady has a HUGE voice, it's really wonderful and strong, and after a few teething problems with a few of her new chords..

her set was fabulous, she speaks the truth and I would definatly recommend people to watch this space.. www.myspace.com/adelelondon


Next up Late of the Pier with their makeshift instruments (that's pretty popular these days it seems) and 'music to have asthma to' (you can't breathe with the thrill of it?) These boys thrashed around and had some good stuff going on with their sound and rhythm. I appreciated the way they slickly bounced in an out of what seemed like improvised jamming moments. I liked it.. and this dark side of the moon picture I took of the little cheeky one by the name of Jack (I think!) - all looking artistic, abstract and a bit crazy which I'm guessing might be there intention..



And that was all before Jack came on.. And of course he pulled it out of the bag in a big way too. He had a large backdrop on stage revealing the quirky, bright graphics from his latest Album Cover Spit and Stars, which in it's colourful slighty absurdist nature mirrored his act, and his mannerisms on stage.



Jack's myspace title reads "Living With No Reason, Dwarfed, Alone, Imprisoned" and while ok yes, he is not Shaquille O'Neal, his voice, his music and his moves certainly compensate.. and as for the 'no reason, alone imprisoned' stuff, well I just don't believe him. He was certainly not alone on Wednesday and there was surely reason.
If you haven't heard Jack before go onto his myspace www.myspace.com/jackpenate and have a listen - he has all sorts of gigs going on this summer if you didn't catch him this last time... Will these future gigs be recorded live? Will you get
bubbles? a crowd surge onto the stage? celebrity guests? free badges and posters? I'd like to think only the ICA can provide such fun packed escapades (!) but you should check him out anyway.
Bonus pics.. A peek at Late of the Pier and Jack backstage.. enjoy!



For more pictures of all the gigs check out www.speyerdesign.com under bands and gigs for artists and parties and events if you were in the crowds....

Pat and Trevor - Visionary nights and Magical Music

This night will really speak for itself through the pictures I took - so much colour and cool going on I didn't know when to stop... But as I like to ramble I would like quickly to mention a few of my highlights from that evening.. and don't worry if all these pictures and words leave you feeling frustrated that you missed such an event; Pat and Trevor is back with a vengeance on the 12th of May to support Au Revoir Simone so it's all good, more musical mayhem this way a comin'...

I enjoyed meeting Jimmy Jules and Jack; the brains behind the Pat and Trevor phenomenon. Whether it was their enthusiasm, their musical and artistic talent or Jimmy's hair that got me most excited, it doesn't really matter.. these boys are in it to win it and provided a night to be proud of.. In a time when Pink Floyd covers pronounce again that 'we don't need no education' these boys take a newer, fresher approach where school is obviously doing something right.. They are all studying at the London College of Communication in Illustration or Interactive Design and it would be hard to ignore the influence that these passions take on their musical escapades. The Pat and Trevor night is as much about music as it is live arts - an interactive experience of sound and vision and all power to them for joining the two so well. While waiting for the venue to fill up, at no point did I drag my heels..
I was either caught investigating possibly the coolest toy/lighting piece/antique memorabilia I have ever seen. Not only a wonderful little piece in its own right, it created a cunning effect as it was projected onto the stage area window..The projected image changed depending on which on-toy camera was used for the live feed. Hard to describe, but visually entertaining on all accounts..


And just as you turned your head while marvelling at this, within a few feet of each other were two screens that not only projected an image of yourself as you walked by (a large scale re-creation of the experience you have when you enter into Curry's on the high street, seeing yourself but hunting for the how, where?..) Well this was that, but it also doubled up as a screen throwing out silhouettes of various performers as they stood behind it and danced and moved ..



There were shoes in the hall but not any old shoes, looooong shoes; pink lights flooding the hallway,
wigwams and old school exercise bikes..And that's before we start on the music..

In the Dj booth we were graced with the mixed genre selections on The Holy Triangles. These boys refused to be musically labelled but I distinctly remember a Led Zep track playing alongside some hip hop and punk - eclecticism clearly key here.. I can't find their pictures! I'll have to post them with next one.. as a preview to...
the next chance you have to see these boys play. Their Crystal Vision night hits the ICA in the not too distant future.Keep up to pace with this lot through their myspace.com/theholytriangles..........



In the DJ box we also had the Coconut Twins giving it a little cha cha with their gold chains.. definitely respecting their style,
but visually my eyes were tiring after the spectacle that was Yoko Ohno! and Dandi Wind. Yoko and Dandi took full pride in making the most of the space flying here there and everywhere.. Dandi wearing feathers and Yoko dashing, darting, downright demolishing the space..he is representing 'all the colours of the rambo' after all..It was all quite the vision..




Couldn't resist to show you his take home outfit too - full brownie points for this universal number..


Dandi's entire act impressed me much - as it clearly did this promiscuous bystander,

So much fun...
I couldn't get enough of all the fabulous expressions Dandi pops out from somewhere deep in that big person little package gig.. but here are a few of my favourites..and hello? Hot outfits.







I think that's about it.. Just remember not to miss the next one ladies and gents - who knows what will be up next time.............

If you were one of the many beauties there that night - patience please my people's blog IS on it's way.. And it will be worth the wait. Full marks to much of the dressing from that night - when was the last time I saw a beehive this impressive? Outside of an ITV 50's drama, that's a negative.


www.myspace.com/dandiwind
www.myspace.com/patandtrevor
www.myspace.com/yokoohno
www.myspace.com/coconuttwins

Illustrated London Noise - noodling nights @ The ICA

ok so a rap rendition of this particular blog edition would be totally out of place, that's for sure.. You do not come to Illustrated London noise for the latest, well anything much, or for fresh 'soundz', or street talk and blunt realities - this is all about peace, love and vinyl.
While the debate over MP3's over good old fashion records rallies rife amongst all he Dj's of this world - you can bet which camp these guys sit in. So much so in fact that it is actually a far superior music purchase the longer you have hunted for it... and an easy access quick-find album just aint cool. The obscure twisted colors of a downright dusty, rare and rude vinyl would definately take priority over a digital file downloaded on beatport; 'what's that!' I can almost hear the illustrated crew cry unabashedly. So, in respect to these boys who love their vinyl on the inside and out, I guess here is a good time for me to throw in some pics of the album covers being projected up on the ICA bar walls last friday - shown as compliments to the eclectic array of records being played alongside them - a kind of show and tell of vintage vinyl...



Illustrated London Noise stemmed out of a group of people with a common interest in an online organisation called VINYL VULTURES http://www.vinylvulture.co.uk/ 'A site for those of us who measure space and time by vinyl'.. This is a great site if vinyl is your thang, but frustrated by the restrictions of this shared obsession in the online format, a group called Brillo formulated, and to this day they meet in the pub for a chance to discuss and display their latest favourite finds whenever they can.. But it doesn't end there... This Brillo thing, while a lovely past time for these vultures of vinyl still fell short in it's capacity to share this joy with the rest of the world which is where DJ Steve steps in.
Here he is, showing us how to DJ?!

Steve felt it was a shame to keep all these delicious vinyl discoveries to themselves and voila! The Illustrated London Noise was born. The idea being that nights are put on to showcase the weird and wonderful collections, and their owners, with a different theme each time to keep the DJ's of choice on their toes.. Friday nights theme was 'noodling', an opportunity for each DJ to wander wistfully through their choice of records for the night..hmmm, well 'on their toes' did sound a bit uptight for this laid back bunch... In the past they have done, amongst others, 'All for One', the first one back in August, and there was a tv/film night which sounded pretty cool. I do like the sound of the next one, 'Cover Ups', at the ICA on May 11th.. Definataly the most contemporary thing about The London Noise choices to date, what with the Mark Ronsens of this world fuelling a 'versions: virus or virtous?' debate across the music tides.. Anyway, I digress, here are some pictures of the Dj's involved on friday..Check out DJ Eager Beaver before and during his set..


DJ Jazz aka Richard..
And more of the master Steve..

Clearly appreciated by this Tiny Dancer..

And this was not all going on that night.. In edition to the playing of well loved records there was a live act in keeping with the noodling theme - a group called Padukah, with it's members based in London Bristol and Coventry.

Enjoy these pictures of Aaron on flute and clarinet,


Koshel on the Sitar, what a beautiful instrument, some beautiful percussion,

and Ian on the guitar and vocals...


and doing a beautiful clockwork orangeesque pose for me in the bar...

And to finish a rather lovely picture of Aaron with his brother and musician father Geoff - a nice bit of family to finish what was a night enjoyed by a family of music lovers.. Aaw, what a happy ending.

DIRTY CANVAS @ THE ICA

Dirty Canvas





well i don't know why..

but I couldn't resist but to pen down the grime night
In a rhyme to see how hard it is to write script tight
Correctly, like the boys of the boy better know crew
Their quality freestyles that have influenced me to
Think about this music, the poetry and semantics
The eloquence and rhythm, the spoken gymnastics
All about pushing the word on the street With a proud hat
Unafraid to tell you Just where there heads’ at
This is talk with meaning, MC’s play talking heads,
Wearing crowns for their talents and mentally led
by Communication opinionated
But respected by their fans
So honoured on Saturday to see those taking the stand
Amongst others, (they actually came!), JME, 22 and Frisco
Turning the bar into an I C grime disco
Where it isn’t about moves or dancing; it’s getting close
Finding the mike and the lyrics you don’t know,
Coming to hear the big cats tell the masses
Practising ears to these issues not plastic
This is about on the street what really goes down
Not just repeating some commercial r and b sound
No talk of nothing, for cheap cash but no soul
This is a sound trying to get on and fix the hole
Left by a genre fuelled by bling, cash and crap chat,
And while that’s not to say there wasn’t none of that here
I think from the pictures that’s something that’s clear
This is a musical freestyle that covers new ground
A raw sound that hasn’t gone straight for the slick pound
And while it hasn’t taken over my music collection
I’ve added some of the reignaissance album To my selection,
And there is definately other talent from that night worth checking out too
Like Herdy some Essentials, the DJ’s and their crews
And the Goldilock sistas 2 girls representing the ladies
A bit more rehearsed and a little less shady
And a bunch of other ‘namz’, All liking the frame
And that’s the end of my griming - before it gets even more lame…

Ok phew, well that was fun but maybe I'll leave it to the professionals in future..Doesn't sound too different to the birthday rap my sister composed for me on my 11th birthday which perhaps isn't the best sign. Anyway, the night certainly left an impression on me and if you haven't been to a dirty canvas night I would advise.. here are some pictures, I've got a little more practise with this media!

First up the Herdy boys - a range from throughout the evening...

Rince,
This is a boy with some serious cred, he's got three names anyway so he must have something going on, born Ymen Wolverine in Plaistow he soon established himself on the scene with the title of trim monkey becoming renowned for his high pitched sounds that got him noticed.. definately one to be watched or so I'm told.. you may well be seeing him at in the upper circles shortly.

Taz, DJ, London

Andy, MC, Glasgow and his crew....






Cos no-one said you can't have any fun at this gig,

Goldielocks and Kelly, 21, South East London
www.myspace.com/goldielocksmusic
www.myspace.com/jacksonKiD


And then for the real key players,or playaz depending on whose reading.. I really like these pics of Cell22 with Frisco, Frisco in the Ed Hardy army print t, taking me back to my westside L.a days, but that's for another day.. These two work together with another crew called TMT....



And JME himself...
And moments on the mike for Essentials members, DM and other crews



Below are some links given to me by people there and taken from the back of the 'reignassance' label album 'words on the street' which features many of the artists involved on Saturday..It's a good double CD and an effective way of checking out the sounds of the key players at the moment. I saw that Kanye West has produced a couple of the tracks so it looks like things are moving above ground a little bit..

http://www.myspace.com/dirtycanvas
http://www.myspace.com/friscotmt
http://www.myspace.com/jmeserious
http://www.myspace.com/skepta
http://www.myspace.com/randomimpulse1
http://www.myspace.com/reignassanserecords
http://www.myspace.com/elnegromusic
This one for some vintage ICA dirty canvas video footage..
vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=127
492874
I would also like to give a special mention to those who wore clothing in support of the music they believe in - that includes of course Boy Better Know, here advertised by JJ, a resident DJ with Dirty Canvas,

Dirty Canvas represented here by DJ Magic another resident of the Canvas clan;
The Hazardous Crew, nice pic!

and Alwayz Recording..smooooth


A big thank you to Raj Kapone and David who were helping out that night..I wouldn't have been without their pearls of wisdom so thanks for that.. Check out Raj giving it large with JJ to the sounds of DJ Magic for Dirty Canvas..

A shout out to a man by the name of Mindie who gets a special mention for sporting such a hot pose,

and introducing me to some lovely friends and influential people including DM; a mighty privilege. Check out the website www.mindie.co.uk www.myspace.com/mindie_spread it and www.myspace.com/elnegromusic

Alrighty that's about it - I will be updating the blog again with any more info and digging I get up to, and if you were one of the public at the gig - make sure you check out ThePeople'sICA blog - official address up by the weekend I promise..Heaps of good interviews with some of you -and an array of delightful pictures, daaaghlings.

TINY DANCERS + support SLOWCLUB and BOBBY COOK

The night of the Tiny Dancers. What a way to kick off my voyage into the wonders of ICA music land. It was musical, happy, exciting, and even while trying to remember to switch my camera on, get interviews, shoot movie footage and collect a bunch of stuff to remember the night with, I actually enjoyed myself very much. If you were one of the lucky people there in the audience or in the trendy bar area, then you may well be in my PEOPLE'S ICA blog which is to be found at.. well it WILL be found at a blog address coming to you soon..Alrighty..beware I'm a waffler, but I will try to watch that in this blog. First up for the archive is... drumroll please for..

SLOWCLUB. Yey, Slowclub, we like you.
First supporting act of the night and perfectly in keeping with the sparkly sounds of the Tiny Dancers (who visited them on stage for some extra maraca magic); these two were brilliant. You certainly wouldn't know they've been together for less than a year.. I mean, I surely couldn't come up with such a jubilant combination of melodies, rythms and makeshift sounds in that much time, or at all, clearly. Lets hope that there first visit to the ICA will not be the last..
Pretty in pink, here are some Seventies inspired pictures of Rebecca during her set.. Sorry about the ones I took of you afterwards Charles - I know it can't be much fun having someone snapping at you backstage after your performance workout, but then, you did say the frown was your natural expression, so now the fans know it! For more details on this peachy pair, check out, www.myspace.com/slowclub.





And then it was Bobby Cook rocking out for the fans.. This lot raised the energy levels a treat, and judging by the animated focus on Mr Cooks face, I'd predict this won't be the last you'll be seeing of him and his crew. Check out http://www.myspace.com/bobbycookmusic for more information.. Plus there latest album 'Gone So Far' is available for download on ITUNES right about now.. I'm chasing these boys up for a wee ICA style interview so watch this space for that little addition..






And last but not least The TINY DANCERS themselves..
I really enjoyed this hippy happy set. Full of catchy songs to captivate the audience these boys all played together as a real band. The unity shown on stage was by no means lost on everyone else and having had SLOWCLUB joining them, the audience then joined them and then they joined the audience and.. well that's alot of joining.





What I'm trying to say is, not only was their music hot, their personalities rocked it too and the gig was about good times... Polaroid and pants included...


They even had good things to give us like badges.. and signed a TD flyer for us too.. Thank you !



But but but, please do not be misconstruing happy for silly - these dancers are musical indeed and I really applauded David Kay for his transformation into a front man with that certain something else... I like the picture of David I caught just before the gig. A charming almost vulnerable young one - who then transformed himself into a serious performer where 'Tiny' bore no meaning. >
The last one's very Bowieesque.. Reminds me of The Secret Public exhibition that is on at the ICA right now which I managed to wiggle my way into that night.. Worth a look if you're passing through town - even if it's just to have SOUL LOVE being played at you by Bowie, one of my all time favourites actually.. But now I'm getting sidetracked.. where was I? Basically, big applauds to David, and
..the whole Tiny crew..
In order we had the Tiny Dez, sing loud sing proud!...
The Tiny Ev..
The Tiny Moz... and an even smilier Moz...

And last but not least, The Tiny Glover..
Got some good ones of all of you.. And the posing by the graffitti wont go forgotten on this blog boys, the kind of thing that warrants a westside 'pose out, man'..


Good luck and may it be a hippy happy summer of festivals and love for all of you !