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Amelia’s Magazine | Climate Camp at Glastonbury 2010: Line up information

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? In 2009, try for the first time, for sale Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop

Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, illness at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

In 2010 Climate Camp is targeting the Royal Bank of Scotland, which has been bailed out with £50 billion of public money that is now being used to finance the extraction of fossil fuels across the world, with no regard for climate change or the destruction of communities that it causes. We will be camping near the RBS global headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, between 19th-25th August, but in the meantime to find out more about why we decided to focus on RBS this year come along and take a look at our exhibition at Glastonbury, then pick up a copy of our Never Mind The Bankers newspaper to peruse over a cup of tea or share with friends. We will be running DIY screenprinting workshops where you can learn how to screenprint your clothing with an anti RBS slogan. Simply bring your own or print onto one of our tshirts or bags. A great activity for kids! There will also be a chance to take part in Tripod Training: Tripods are used to blockade and secure a space on a direct action protest; come find out how to put them up and climb them safely. Good fun, and no previous experience or skills required.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training

Tripod Training.

Then of course there is our fabulous music, poetry and comedy line up, put together by yours truly. Read on to find out who will be gracing our Tripod Stage…. Pyramid Stage eat your heart out, this is where the real talent is.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

When I wrote up about the Climate Camp presence at Glastonbury in 2009 in my blog I talked about my hope that my band Green Kite Midnight would be able to play as the Climate Camp house band in 2010, so I’m very excited to report that we will be doing daily gigs this year. Five years ago I co-founded the barndance troupe Cutashine out of a desire to make traditional collective dancing more fun: after all, what’s better than a dance where you get to meet other people and really work up a sweat?

With Cutashine I played at gigs all over Glastonbury for several years, then left to start Green Kite Midnight through my contacts in Climate Camp; a band that supports and plays at direct action protests. Our first gig was at the Climate Camp in Bishopsgate during the G20 in April last year, we played to 800 people at the Blackheath Climate Camp in August 2009, and more recently we went on a 10 day solidarity bike ride together to play gigs to support the struggle against the Shell gas pipeline at Rossport in Ireland. With myself as emcee (I’m a gobby shite, so turn your mind away from those boring barn dances you might have attended as a child) we can teach anyone how to barn dance, so please come and join us.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Anna Log

My Luminaries, photography by James Dean White.

On Thursday we kick off four days of renewably powered music with a fabulous folky female. Anna Log – singer with pop folk band We Aeronauts – will be doing a solo set accompanied by her trusty uke. After our first ceilidh Glastonbury Emerging Talent winners My Luminaries round the evening off with a special semi-acoustic set of their epic indie rock.

Kirsty Almeida

Danny and the Champions of the World

On Friday Kirsty Almeida opens for us with her bass heavy soulful Bayou blues, then we’re pleased to welcome the epic musical dreamscapes of Newislands, described as Pink Floyd meets Depeche Mode. After that it’s time for some other Climate Camp regulars, Danny Chivers, Claire Fauset and Merrick, to grace the stage with their “triple-headed tag team political poetry extravaganza”. They’re all friends of mine that I’ve seen perform before so I highly recommend their set, which will be repeated on Sunday afternoon. As a closer we have the country-tinged big band folk of Danny and the Champions of the World.

Kyla la Grange

Patch William

The Federals

Dry the River

To kick the day off on Saturday we welcome an exclusive Glastonbury appearance from a talented newcomer with a stunning voice; Kyla La Grange creates soaring melodies and is nearing completion of her debut album. Then comes Patch William – the dreamy lovechild of Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix, who are followed by the scuzzy rock sound of York boys The Federals, described as a cross between the White Stripes and The Beatles. Then, time for a very special guest. Following my interview with Robin Ince a few weeks he very kindly promised to come by and do us a *special secret set* which will be a must see for all comedy fans at the festival. Tell all your friends! And come on by for a very intimate set from this well known comedian. Dry the River end the day with their beautiful melodic folk, singing songs of religion, history and community to rival those of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

Pete the Temp

Pete Lawrie

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Robinson

On Sunday we’ve got another packed day to end the festival. Pete the Temp returns to wow us with his comedic eco-political music and spoken word, then we look forward to hearing the bittersweet gospel blues of latecomer Pete Lawrie, who confirmed just as our flyer had gone to print. I am particularly pleased to welcome Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. the official moniker of singer songwriter Sam Duckworth. He will be showcasing music from his new album due for release later this year, and I’ve got a soft spot for him because he appeared in the print version of Amelia’s Magazine. Robinson will play a gypsy cajun folk set before we round off the festival with our GRAND RAFFLE. If you see our outreach team out and about please give generously to support Climate Camp and come along to our grand prize giving, which will be hosted by the inimitable Danny Chivers.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us… and bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here.

For a map and full timing information for all bands and workshops see this listings page.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Tuesday June 22nd, 2010 5:47 pm

Categories ,Anna Log, ,blues, ,Climate Camp, ,Danny and the Champions of the World, ,Danny Chivers, ,Depeche Mode, ,Direct Action, ,diy, ,Dry the River, ,Fleet Foxes, ,folk, ,g20, ,Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., ,glastonbury, ,Green Fields, ,Green Kite Midnight, ,Jimi Hendrix, ,Kirsty Almeida, ,Kyla la Grange, ,Mumford and Sons, ,Newislands, ,Nick Cave, ,Patch William, ,Pete Lawrie, ,Pete the Temp, ,Pink Floyd, ,Pyramid Stage, ,RBS, ,Robin Ince, ,Robinson, ,Rossport, ,screenprinting, ,Shangri La, ,Shell, ,soul, ,the beatles, ,The Federals, ,Tripod Stage, ,Tripod Training, ,twitter, ,We Aeronauts, ,White Stripes

Amelia’s Magazine | Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit at Shepherd’s Bush Empire: Live Review

Johnny Flynn by Jennifer Oliver
Illustration by Jennifer Oliver

“Hello! Erm…Welcome!” says Johnny Flynn as he takes to the stage for this homecoming show, and the Sussex Wit’s biggest ever headline gig. This is definitely the politest gig I’ve ever been to. The air of restraint is only reinforced by the fact that, due to the Shepherd’s Bush Empire’s cloakroom having reached it’s maximum capacity of bags, I am forced to carry a Marks & Spencer carrier bag for the entire gig.

However Amelia’s Magazine favourite Mr Flynn is nothing if not a captivating performer, and the whole crowd is mesmerised as he starts the gig with the low-key Lost and Found, a highlight from second album Been Listening. One thing that’s immediately obvious is how good his band are. They’ve been on the road pretty much non-stop since the summer festivals and it shows. During a blistering Been Listening, they chug away like vintage-era The Band, adding a real live punch to the powerful honesty of Johnny’s voice and guitar.

Johnny Flynn by Graham Cheal
Illustration by Graham Cheal, from photograph by Lauren Keogh

So much so, that when they play the afro-beatish single Kentucky Pill sans its main trumpet riff, it’s hardly noticeable. And this is the order of the day – although the live renditions often differ considerably from the recorded versions, Johnny and the Wit always do justice to the songs, in true troubadour style. On the magnificent Hong Kong Cemetery, Johnny switches between a trumpet in the choruses and a guitar in the verses. Later the horn section parts of Cold Bread are approximated with a flute. Throughout the night Johnny will also play the mandolin, banjo and the fiddle.

“This is my sister Lily, she just got here”, he says, signalling the first of two guest appearances, as his younger sibling takes the stage to sing backing vocals. “Now we have ginger symmetry”, he jokes, standing flanked by Lily, and the equally raven-haired keyboard player James Mathe, who later admits “We need to work on our banter”.

Then Johnny whips out, like, an electric guitar! Is this going to be his Bob Dylan “Judas” moment? Not quite, but he does inform us “You can bop to this one if you like”, before breaking out into an almost calypso-tinged version of the lovelorn Churlish May, which does indeed get the crowd moving.

Johnny Flynn by Dee Andrews
Illustration by Dee Andrews, from photograph by Lauren Keogh

The more traditionally folky songs from debut album A Larum generally receive the biggest responses, with stomping singles Leftovers and The Box provoking medium-scale hoedowns. But the most enduring moment comes from an unexpected guest appearance from old friend Laura Marling. The crowd, which up to this point has been pretty reserved, goes bananas. Delicate and pale, the almost ghostly spectre of Marling adds to a haunting rendition of The Water, Johnny’s paean to H2O.

I’m actually surprised at how many people are here, but as I look around the sold-out Empire, it’s clear that Flynn has a strong and adoring fanbase. During a rare quiet moment a girl behind me shouts “I love you Johnny!” – a couple of seconds of silence pass and then the man next to her shouts “I love you as well, Johnny!”

Flynn, playing in front of a patchwork backdrop based on the trees from the cover of Been Listening, ends the set with a breathless version of the banjo-led Eyeless in Holloway. After only a couple of minutes he returns to the stage with Lily, saying “Did we do that right – the going off and coming back on bit?” It’s this kind of bafflement with the rituals and clichés of rock and roll that makes his approach so endearing.

Johnny Flynn 2 by Graham Cheal
Illustration by Graham Cheal

After a tender and stripped down duet with Lily on Amazon, the rest of the band come back on. “We’re gonna play one more, and then everything else happens…like life and stuff”, he says, before ending with rapturous fan favourite Tickle Me Pink. I leave the venue, Marks & Spencer bag in hand, feeling like I’ve witnessed something truthful and blessedly untainted by cynicism.

When the folk resurgence started a few years ago, Johnny Flynn seemed like the boy most likely to. However in terms of sales, he has since been outstripped by the world-beating sound of Marling and the ubiquitous Mumford and Sons. But while Marling and Mumford may have the arena tours and Mercury nominations, it’s clear from tonight that Johnny still has the heart and soul, and vitally, the sense of humour.

Written by Rob Harris on Monday December 13th, 2010 3:25 pm

Categories ,Bob Dylan, ,Dee Andrews, ,folk, ,Graham Cheal, ,James Mathe, ,Jennifer Oliver, ,Johnny Flynn, ,Laura Marling, ,Lauren Keogh, ,Mumford and Sons, ,Shepherd’s Bush Empire, ,Sussex Wit, ,The Band

Amelia’s Magazine | Ones To Watch: Jonquil

Amelia’s Magazine likes folk music, visit this site drugs and Jonquil are deliciously, timeless folk music. Yet they are also indescribable and I like not to be able to pin point a band’s genre. It could be said, they are folk music because of the tradition of group harmonies, the rich depth of sound created through the carefully crafted relationship between instrument and voice. Furthermore, the entire band appears to be multi-instrumental

This autumn witnesses Oxford-based, Jonquil begin another of their massive European tours of whimsical venues beginning last night in the Macbeth pub, London. They return to Camden’s Proud Gallery on October 24th, miss your second chance to see this band at your peril because as any supporter will tell you there is nothing more enjoyable, inclusive or liable to start a smile on your face than a Jonquil performance.

Jonquil are six; Kit Monteith plays the drums providing the ever-rhythmic backbone to their songs, Jody Prewitt is on guitar, Hugo Manuel provides the voice for the majority of the songs with the rest of the band contributing to choruses and introductions, Ben Rimmer, Robin McDiarmid, Sam Scott and Hugo Manuel juggle instruments throughout the gig. Swapping from guitar to keyboard to double bass to flute and the accordion with only the occasional hiccup, which by the time this usually happens, the crowd are so enamored with the music that a misplaced flute is the least of anyone troubles.

This autumn sees the showcase of new songs composed for the eagerly awaited second album (Lions was released in 2007 and Whistle Low an EP in 2006). The new songs see an increased presence of the entire band’s individual voices, whilst Hugo’s remain centre stage. The added depth of sound provided by the variety of voice increases its instrumental presence rather than functioning as ornamentation. The voices of Jonquil complete their harmonious sound, it is this attribute which makes a Jonquil gig so special, as a viewer you feel enveloped in their creativity and part of their imaginary world conjured by the lyrics of each song.

Moreover, rather fantastically Jonquil started a blog where you can find Kit musing on their recording and practice sessions as well as the lead up to their current tour. It is refreshing to be let into the everyday life of a band and how they essentially function in order to produce songs. The blog is really lovely to read and I look forward to it being updated throughout their up and coming tour.

You can find Jonquil on their myspace www.myspace.com/jonquiluk, which they have recently updated with new songs whilst retaining a known crowd favourite: Lions.

Written by Sally Mumby-Croft on Wednesday September 9th, 2009 5:02 pm

Categories ,folk, ,johnny flynn, ,jonquil, ,mumford and sons, ,noah and the whale

Amelia’s Magazine | Album Review: The Magic Lantern – A World In A Grain Of Sand

Much of The Magic Lantern’s A World In A Grain Of Sand reminded me of the folk music coming out of London three of four years ago, sildenafil before the Mumfords came along and popularised the genre and made it synonymous with banjos, dosage harmonies and big anthemic choruses. I know this music still exists, here but it seems everyone has sort of forgotten about it. Brilliant artists like Johnny Flynn, Emmy The Great, and Lightspeed Champion – they are more about stripped back, folksy ditties, accompanied by traditional, acoustic instruments and usually, crucially, only one voice. It’s reminiscent of what we get here with The Magic Lantern’s latest offering and it’s really lovely to hear again.

The Magic Lantern by Steve Campion

Any fan of the bands I’ve already mentioned will love the albums two opening tracks Somebody Told Me and Cut From Stone, which are sweetly sung, largely guitar-led tracks. The rest of the album, however, is perhaps not quite so easy to listen to because this is quite an involved album, and it might even take a couple of listens before you understand how it fits together as whole. I almost wanted to turn all the lights off, sit down and simply listen.

The Magic Lantern by Claire Kearns

As the title of the album suggests there is something rather other worldly about The Magic Lantern and in particular Jamie Doe’s songwriting. These are ballads, in the very traditional sense of the word in that they are stories set to music and they require a bit more than just half your attention. The use of a whole myriad of instruments and some unusual and exotic sounding rhythms help add to the other worldly feel too, of course.

The Magic Lantern by Vanessa Lovegrove

Clearly this is a band with many many influences, like Doe sings in Shine A Light On, which is clearly, unbelievably, reggae-influenced, “don’t just believe me, write your own song”. Songs like Guilty Hearts, are moody, dark even – “It’s the quiet ones who tell the biggest lies”, Doe sings.

The Magic Lantern by Kiran Patel

But there are some moments when you wonder whether The Magic Lantern couldn’t have benefited from being a bit more concise with some of the tracks. Some of the solos that feature on this album are a little on the indulgent side, the two minute outro on The Ship That Washed Away, for example.

The Magic Lantern by Natalie Hughes

From the sounds of it The Magic Lantern are certainly a group of formidable musicians, which made me feel aware throughout the album that I would be much better off seeing them live.

The Magic Lantern by Emma Carlisle

Written by Emma Barlow on Friday July 29th, 2011 11:08 am

Categories ,A World In A Grain Of Sand, ,acoustic, ,album, ,album review, ,Chameber music, ,Emmy the Great, ,folk, ,Folk Scene, ,guitars, ,Indie, ,Jamie Doe, ,Johnny Flynn, ,Johnny Flynn and the Sussex Wit, ,Lightspeed Champion, ,live music, ,london, ,Mumford and Sons, ,New music, ,Nu Folk, ,review, ,Songwriting, ,The Magic Lantern

Amelia’s Magazine | Latitude Festival 2010: Sunday Music Review

jonsi birgisson by jenny costello
Latitude 2010-Mumford and sons by AMELIA GREGORY
Photography by Amelia Gregory.

Sunday afternoon belonged to Mumford and Sons – it was an absolutely glorious summer afternoon and it felt like the whole festival had turned out to see the current darlings of the indie folk crossover scene.

Latitude 2010-Mumford and sons by AMELIA GREGORY

Mumford and Sons by Fritha Strickland.

I haven’t seen them live before and was massively impressed by lead singer Marcus Mumford, visit this site who appears to be able to play every instrument under the sun.

Latitude 2010-Kirstin Hersh by Amelia gregory

I decided to see Kirstin Hersh after a tip off from Robin Ince (in this interview) but I guess you would need to be a serious Throwing Muses fan to enjoy her particular brand of melancholic guitar grunge. She didn’t really float my boat…. ohmigod I’ve just had the dawning realisation: Robin Ince was a grunge kid!

Latitude 2010-rodrigo y gabriela by Amelia gregory

Rodrigo y Gabriela by Sine Skau.

I first discovered Rodrigo y Gabriela at Latitude in 2007, and this year they brought they virtuoso guitar playing to the main stage. Although it dwarfed their tiny figures they more than held their own and no doubt converted a whole new batch of fans with their awesome musicianship. To watch those calloused hands up close is something else.

jonsi birgisson by jenny costello
Jónsi by Jenny Costello.

In order to miss the traffic our last stop of the day was Sigur Ros front man Jónsi, playing in the Word Arena. Once again showcasing a popular propensity for the wearing of tribal influenced regalia, Jónsi created a falsetto wall of sound that was the perfect end to a pretty damn near perfect festival. Just gorgeous.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Thursday July 22nd, 2010 2:10 pm

Categories ,Fritha Strickland, ,Jenny Costello, ,Jonsi, ,Kirstin Hersh, ,Latitude Festival, ,Marcus Mumford, ,Mumford and Sons, ,rodrigo y gabriela, ,sigur ros, ,Sine Skau, ,Throwing Muses

Amelia’s Magazine | Music Listings: 19th – 25th October

Last week the high-rollers were flashing their cash at Frieze, about it but there’s also space in the art world for those of us who aren’t Russian oligarchs. If you love the idea of owning original art but don’t have the in depth knowledge necessary to spend thousands of pounds on something, rx the Affordable Art Fair is a brilliant place to go: new artists from 120 galleries will be displayed and prices start at just £50.

October 22-25
Battersea Park

Carlos Garaicoa – The Point, unhealthy the Line and the Plan

Brand new gallery East Central is holding a free-to-enter exhibition of Cuban artist Carlos Garaicoa’s manipulated photographs. Garaicoa hails from Havana and his work seeks to shed light on the now fading idealistic glory of the city’s buildings, sometimes by contrasting them with American icons like the Empire State Building, or implanting words into views of the city (one sinister message can be seen above). Politics doesn’t sit lightly on Garaicoa’s work, it is an integral part of its message: images of the Pentagon and Cuba’s intelligence buildings drive this home.

Matthew Brannon – Nevertheless

Sculptor Matthew Brannon’s large-scale “I know now no one won” work at the Approach Gallery takes the form of an exquisitely formulated stage set for a play to be performed aboard an ocean liner. A trained graphic designer, Brannon uses the language of shapes and objects against a crisp white background to make his sense known – some works also make use of this skill, with bits and pieces of text shedding light on the artist’s intent. Happily, he also created and crafted each of the objects himself, proving himself a man of many talents.

The Museum Of Everything

Witness the birth of a brand new museum that promises to be London’s first ever space for artists to work outside our modern community. ‘Exhibition #1’ features the whole spectrum of art with over two hundred drawings, paintings, sculptures and installations from these “untrained, unintentional and unseen creators”. Amongst others are Calvin and Ruby Black, a husband & wife team who will exhibit hundreds of figures made from recycled materials. Painter, potter and dancer Ann Stokes is inspired by ballet and presents creations including animals, tableware & trees of birds. There’s free admission and a free shuttle for all visitors to and from Frieze.

October 14th-December 23rd

Drawing The Line: Political Cartooning In An Inoffensive Age

This event will see speakers such as Dave Brown, Martin Rowson and Sarnath Banerjee among others, discussing the rights and wrongs of political cartoons past and present. In an age when anyone who so much as utters an un-PC comment is condemned, do we need cartoonists who are willing to take a chance on good taste in order to make sense of the world we live in? This and other questions will be answered in this Thursday evening.

October 22nd DACS, 33 Great Sutton St, London

Mr Almos’ Big Pen Ship – The Rag Factory

This Thursday will see the opening of an illustration exhibition that showcases the art of thirteen (magical) illustrators such as George Mellor, Ali Campbell, Chris Martin (not that one) and Matthew Hams. Set in the Rag Factory off Brick Lane, this is worth a look if you appreciate illustration that’s quite charming, a little bit fantastical and very curious. Expect an eclectic cross of styles.

October 22 -26th The Rag Factory.

Last week the high-rollers were flashing their cash at Frieze, approved but there’s also space in the art world for those of us who aren’t Russian oligarchs. If you love the idea of owning original art but don’t have the in depth knowledge necessary to spend thousands of pounds on something, advice the Affordable Art Fair is a brilliant place to go: new artists from 120 galleries will be displayed and prices start at just £50.

October 22-25
Battersea Park

Carlos Garaicoa – The Point, more about the Line and the Plan

Matthew Brannon – Nevertheless

The Museum Of Everything

October 14th-December 23rd

Drawing The Line: Political Cartooning In An Inoffensive Age

October 22nd DACS, 33 Great Sutton St, London

Mr Almos’ Big Pen Ship – The Rag Factory

October 22 -26th The Rag Factory.

Last week the high-rollers were flashing their cash at Frieze, help but there’s also space in the art world for those of us who aren’t Russian oligarchs. If you love the idea of owning original art but don’t have the in depth knowledge necessary to spend thousands of pounds on something, the Affordable Art Fair is a brilliant place to go: new artists from 120 galleries will be displayed and prices start at just £50.

October 22-25
Battersea Park

Carlos Garaicoa – The Point, the Line and the Plan

Matthew Brannon – Nevertheless

The Museum Of Everything

October 14th-December 23rd

Drawing The Line: Political Cartooning In An Inoffensive Age

October 22nd DACS, 33 Great Sutton St, London

Mr Almos’ Big Pen Ship – The Rag Factory

October 22 -26th The Rag Factory.

Last week the high-rollers were flashing their cash at Frieze, drug but there’s also space in the art world for those of us who aren’t Russian oligarchs. If you love the idea of owning original art but don’t have the in depth knowledge necessary to spend thousands of pounds on something, the Affordable Art Fair is a brilliant place to go: new artists from 120 galleries will be displayed and prices start at just £50.

October 22-25
Battersea Park

Carlos Garaicoa – The Point, the Line and the Plan

Matthew Brannon – Nevertheless

The Museum Of Everything

October 14th-December 23rd

Drawing The Line: Political Cartooning In An Inoffensive Age

October 22nd DACS, 33 Great Sutton St, London

Mr Almos’ Big Pen Ship – The Rag Factory

October 22 -26th The Rag Factory.

We have been gathering, shop preparing, joining with hundreds of others and almost ready to swoop for the most exciting mass action of the year.

Illustrations by Michael Maitland

Coal power is the biggest source of carbon emissions, with over 200,000 people dying each year from climate change alone, the government still isn’t taking it seriously. With only a one seventh of the amount bankers received in their bonus packages being put towards green stimulus projects shows we need to take action into our own hands to get the government to do more.

The Great Climate Swoop is happening this Saturday the 17th and 18th October; the plan is to take over Ratcliffe-on-soar coal-fired power station for at least 24 hours. There has already been a wave of international protests against coal power stations this year from Australia (an action we covered at Amelias magazine) to Denmark and we aim to make our action even bigger and better.

With the recent back out by E.ON on creating two new coal power stations at Kingsnorth, as well as the end to plans for a 3^rd runway at Heathrow which were coincidentally both venues for past Climate Camp shows that we can really make change.

It is an exciting time to be involved in activism with the climate change issue really heating up it is time to get involved and be part of the movement.

With a group of volunteers spending months working hard for the swoop to be an success, the plan is in place and it is sure to be an engaging action that will spurn many new activists as well as pushing the debate on for no coal power. Maps are available to download and a text message service has been set up to keep everyone informed about what’s happening on the day.

Local neighborhoods meet up regularly and have organized a range of activist cut-price buses from around the country to descend to Nottingham at the end of the week. There really is no excuse not to be there.

The action has been split into four blocs, and each offers different objectives to suit every activist. FOOTSTEPS TO THE FUTURE will get to the main gate and create a vision of a better future, TAKE THE POWER BACK mission is to get to the control room and take back the power, FALSE SOLUTIONS will go to the coal pile and expose the false solutions and CAPITALISM IS CRISIS is the decentralized bloc which means affinity groups can take there own actions. The power station is going to be inundated with young and old, students, weathered activists and all in between to show we want to kick start massive transition to a low carbon future and we don’t see coal power as relevant in today’s world.

If you’ve left sorting out transport with your local group too late, don’t worry just get to Nottingham train station for 10am this Saturday and join the hundreds of protesters there ready to swoop. There will also be bike blogs setting off from Leeds on the 15th, and Sheffield on the 16th and Nottingham on the 17th all leaving from the train stations at 10am, the critical mass will even have boom pedal powered tunes to spur you on and bloc any of those high vis vehicles on the day.
We have been gathering, viagra order preparing, viagra joining with hundreds of others and almost ready to swoop for the most exciting mass action of the year.

Illustrations by Michael Maitland

Coal power is the biggest source of carbon emissions, see with over 200,000 people dying each year from climate change alone, the government still isn’t taking it seriously. With only a one seventh of the amount bankers received in their bonus packages being put towards green stimulus projects shows we need to take action into our own hands to get the government to do more.

It is an exciting time to be involved in activism with the climate change issue really heating up it is time to get involved and be part of the movement.

If you’ve left sorting out transport with your local group too late, don’t worry just get to Nottingham train station for 10am this Saturday and join the hundreds of protesters there ready to swoop. There will also be bike blogs setting off from Leeds on the 15th, and Sheffield on the 16th and Nottingham on the 17th all leaving from the train stations at 10am, the critical mass will even have boom pedal powered tunes to spur you on and bloc any of those high vis vehicles on the day.
Read to the bottom to find out exclusive details about a really exciting competition!

Monday 19th October, viagra approved Smoke Fairies, cost The Borderline

Having recently been on tour with Richard Hawley, these bewitching girls settle back in London to headline their own show at The Borderline. Their sultry vocals and penchant for slide guitar will seriously turn you on.

Tuesday 20th October, Alaska In Winter, The Macbeth

We’ll be chatting to this New Mexico chap who’s friends with Zach “Beirut” Condon and A Hawk And A Hacksaw and now spends his time in Berlin making really great electro pop. An extra reason to attend is that proceeds from the gig go to Wateraid.

Wednesday 21st October, Dizzee Rascal and the Heritage Orchestra, Roundhouse

Seems a bizarre entrant into the Electric Proms schedule, but after Amelia’s Magazine saw his Glasto 09 performance we have no doubt that this talented MC can rise to the challenge. Micachu and Efterklang have done it recently so now Dizzee gets his chance to perform against an orchestral backing.

Thursday 22nd October, Ballad Of Britain, Cecil Sharpe House

What would a gigging week be without a handsome dose of folk? Well, we won’t give you the option. Join the finest singers – including Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys, the U2 of folk (in a good way), Martin Carthy and longtime collaborator and personal idol, Norma Waterson – from the field recordings on Will Hodgkinson’s acclaimed travelogue The Ballad Of Britain come together for a unique concert that shows just how rich, various and creative the British folk experience can be.

Friday 23rd October, Juliette Lewis, Shepherd’s Bush Empire

There’s not many Hollywood actors that have switched to music and enjoyed the longevity that Lewis has. We put it down to her leather clad style, and sweat drenched, shrieking to rival Karen O performance. That’s not a bad triumvirate of reasons to check this gig out.

Saturday 24th October, Paloma Faith, The Forum

Wile away the woes of the plunging temperature with actress, burlesque dancer and general East End scenester turned quirky retro diva, Faith, performing tracks from her soulful debut album alongside Amelia’s Magazine folk troupe faves, Mumford & Sons. Not to be missed.

Sunday 25th October, Tinariwen, Koko

The moment you’ve been waiting for, Amelia’s Magazine is proud to present an exclusive opportunity to see desert blue Mali collective, Tinariwen at this gig. Not only will you and a friend attend the gig, but you can also go down early to the Koko show to watch the band sound-check, meet the band post sound-check, have photos taken with them, and watch a couple of the set’s songs from the side of the stage. Follow us on twitter to find out how to enter the competition.

Written by Katie Weatherall on Monday October 19th, 2009 3:24 pm

Categories ,A Hawk and A Hacksaw, ,alaska in winter, ,beirut, ,dizzee rascal, ,efterklang, ,gig, ,Gruff Rhys, ,juliette lewis, ,karen o, ,listings, ,martin carthy, ,micachu, ,Mumford and Sons, ,paloma faith, ,richard hawley, ,smoke fairies, ,Super Furry Animals, ,tinariwen

Amelia’s Magazine | Music Listings: 24th August – 30th August

Having spearheaded the new London folk scene with their debut album, there medical Noah and the Whale are back with their hands full up, releasing a new single, album and film out this summer. We talk school plays, Daisy Lowe, weddings, gardening, Werner Herzog in the studio with the effortlessly charming frontman, Charlie Fink.

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Photos by Katie Weatherall

Amelia’s Mag: You’ve got a whole host of new releases coming up – single, album, film – how are you feeling about it all, happy/nervous/excited?

Charlie Fink: All of the above… I dunno, we did the album so long ago… From the last album, I realised the only satisfying feeling you’re going to get is the feeling you get when you’ve finished it and you think it’s good, that’s the best it gets. Reading a review of somebody else saying it’s good is good to show off to your mum, but it doesn’t really mean anything. Likewise, if there’s something you believe in and someone says it’s bad, you’re still going to believe in it.

AM: And the live shows must add another dimension to that?

CF: Yeah. What I’m excited about really is that this record realises us as a band more than the previous one. So that’s going to be really exciting to go out and play that live to people.

AM: And is there anything in particular that has done this or has it been the natural progression of the band?

CF: It’s a million small things, from us playing together more, us growing up, learning our trade a bit better, from what happens in lives and the records you listen to. I very much try to rely as much as I can on instinct and satisfying myself. And this is not a selfish thing because the only way you can supply something worthwhile to somebody else, is if you’re totally satisfied with it yourself. Doing the right things for us and hoping that’ll transfer to the audience.

AM: Was there anything in particular you were listening to whilst making the record?

CF: The things I’m listening to now are different from the things I was listening to when I wrote the record. When I first started the record, I was listening to ‘Spirit of Eden’ by Talk Talk, which is a different sounding record to what we did. Nick Cave, lots by Wilco…

AM: So tell me about the film, ‘The First Days Of Spring’, that accompanies the album (of the same name)… which came first?

CF: The first thing was the idea of a film where the background and the pace was defined by an album. But it totally overtook my whole life. It’s one of those things you start for a certain reason and then you keep going for different reasons. The inspiration was sort of how people don’t really listen to albums anymore, they listen to songs. We wanted to try making an all emersive record where the film puts people into it. We’re not dictating that this should be the only way people listen to music, we just wanted to offer something alternative. On a lot of records these days, you don’t feel like the unity of the album gives it more strength than each individual song. Whereas with this record, the whole thing is worth more than the individual parts. That’s how I see it anyway.

The First Days Of Spring Teaser from charlie fink on Vimeo.

There’s this quote from I think W. G. Collingwood that says, ‘art is dead, amusement is all that’s left.’ I like the idea that this project, in the best possible way, is commercially and in lots of other ways pointless. It’s a length that doesn’t exist. It’s not a short film or a feature, it’s 15 minutes and the nature of it is that it’s entirely led by its soundtrack. It’s created for the sake of becoming something that I thought was beautiful.

AM: And Daisy Lowe stars in it, how was that?

CF: She’s an incredibly nice and intelligent person. I met with her in New York when we were mixing the album and I told her I was doing this film… She was immediately interested. And her gave her the record as one whole track which is how I originally wanted it to be released. Just one track on iTunes that had to be listened to as a whole and not just dipped into. She sent me an email two weeks later, because she’s obviously a very busy person. With her listening to the album, a kind of live feed of what she thought of it. Making a film and having her was really good because she kept me motivated and passionate. She genuinely really took to this project. The whole cast as well, everyone really supported it and it was a pleasure to make. I had to fight to get it made and understood. It’s one of those things that people either passionately disagree with or agree with. From thinking it’s absurdly pretentious or beautiful. Fortunately all the people working on the film were passionate people.

AM: So is film making something you want to continue with?

CF: Yeah, definitely! At some point I’d like to make a more conventional film. The thing that really stuck with me about making a film was surround sound. When you’re mixing a film, you’re mixing the sound in surround because you’re mixing for cinemas. You realise the potential of having five speakers around you as opposed to just two in front of you. The complexity of what you can do is vast. So I’d love to something with that. If you record in surround sound you need to hear it in surround sound, so maybe some kind of installation… Then another film after that…

AM: You’ve been put into a folk bracket with your first album, is that something you’re ok with?

CF: I like folk music, I listen to folk music but then every folk artist I like denies they’re folk. It’s one of those things, it doesn’t really matter. We played last year at the Cambridge Folk Festival and I felt really proud to be a part of that. It’s a real music lovers festival. That was a really proud moment so I can’t be that bothered.

AM: I recently sang your first single, ‘5 Years Time’, at a wedding, do you ever imagine the direction your songs may go after you write them?

CF: Wow. That’s really funny. I’ve had a few stories like that actually. It’s touching but it’s not what I’d imagine.

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AM: Do you write songs in that way? Some bands set out to write a love song, dance song etc…

CF: I can’t really remember how I write… I was writing last night but… do you drive?

AM: I just recently failed my test.

CF: Perfect! Well, you know when you start driving you have to think through everything – put my foot on the clutch, take it off the clutch etc. Then when you’ve been doing it a while, you just do all those things without even knowing you’ve done them. That’s how it feels with songwriting, I can’t really remember doing it. It just happens how it happens. Or like gardening… you’ve just gotta chop through and it’ll come.

AM: Is being in a band everything you imagined it to be?

CF: For me it’s more about being creative. I do some production for people, the band, the writing and now the film. I just love what I do and just keep doing it. I follow it wherever it goes. The capacity I have for doing what I do is enough to make it feel precious.

AM: So are there any untapped creative pursuits left for you?

CF: At the moment what I’m doing feels right. I never had any ambitions to paint. I don’t have that skill. I think film and music have always been the two things that have touched me the most.

AM: So how about acting?

CF: I did once at school when I was 13. I played the chancellor in a play the teacher wrote called ‘Suspense and a Dragon Called Norris.’ Which had rapturous reactions from my mum. I don’t think I could do that either. When you direct though you need to understand how acting works. It’s a really fascinating thing but I don’t I’d be any good at it.

AM: Do you prefer the full creative potential a director has?

CF: The best directors are the ones that build a character. Building a character is as important as understanding it. It needs major input from both the director and the actor. You can’t just give an actor the script and expect it to be exactly right. You need to be there to create the little details. The way they eat, the way they smoke… That’s an important skill.

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At this point, Charlie asks me about a note I’d made on my reporter’s pad, which was actually a reminder about a friend’s birthday present. Which draws the conservation to a close as we recite our favourite Werner Herzog films. Turns out, he shares the same taste in film directors as my friend.

Monday 24th August
Mumford and Sons
The Borderline, more about London

UK’s answer to Fleet Foxes, online Mumford and Sons, visit this celebrate their music video to the first single off their debut album in North London tonight.

Tuesday 25th August
Wilco
The Troxy, London

If Charlie from Noah and the Whale tells us he likes Wilco, then we like Wilco. It’s as simple as that. It’s time to get educated.

Wednesday 26th August
The Hot Rats
The Old Blue Last, London

Otherwise known as half of Supergrass plus hot shot Radiohead producer, The Hot Rats get their kicks taking pop classics by, amongst others, The Beatles and The Kinks and infusing their own alt-rock psychedelica – worth a gander.

The%2BHot%2BRats%2BCool%2BHat.jpg

Thursday 27th August
KILL IT KID
Madam Jo Jos, London

Their blend of durge blues, barndance and freestyle frenzy jazz blues make KILL IT KID a gem to behold in a live setting.

kill%20it%20kid.jpg

Friday 28th August
Swanton Bombs
Old Blue Last, London

If you like your indie adorned in Mod and brimming with angularity, then Swanton Bombs will be pushing the trigger on your buttons.

swanton%20bombs.jpg

Saturday 29th August
South East in East Festival – Teenagers In Tokyo, Tronik Youth, Ali Love, Publicist
Vibe Bar, London

It’s all about South East London – full stop. In this cunning event, it up sticks to East London, where synth-pop Gossip descendents, Teenagers In Tokyo headline a night of New X Rave.

Sunday 30th August
The Gladstone Open Mic Night
The Gladstone, London

As it’s Bank Holiday Weekend and all the bands are at Reading/Leeds Festival, London is starved of big gigs. No fear, The Glad is here – A little known drinking hole in Borough that continually serves up a plethora of folkey talent… and pies!

Written by Katie Weatherall on Monday August 24th, 2009 8:46 am

Categories ,folk, ,gossip, ,kill it kid, ,Mumford and Sons, ,Noah and the Whale, ,Nu-rave, ,pop, ,punk, ,radiohead, ,rock, ,supergrass, ,swanton bombs, ,the beatles, ,the hot rats, ,the kinks

Amelia’s Magazine | An interview with singer songwriter Kyla La Grange

Eco Luxe Showroom Hipstamatic

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, sickness just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, generic I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw what waited for me.

Inevitably, there were a few brands and designers showcasing work that didn’t really float my boat, but I also saw some beautifully crafted clothes that really excited me. Here are just a few of my favourites.

I was excited to see that Fashion Conscience, my favourite ethical online retailer, had a stand. I quickly got chatting to their PR rep about how to encourage more mainstream use of ethical design principals and how to close the gap between the high end ethical and the affordable everyday ethical. Fashion Conscience, in my humble opinion, are beginning to fill this gap, but there is still some way to go. The Fashion Conscience stall was showcasing the work of two of my favourite labels, ReLuxe and Fair+True:

Reluxe oozes cool. The designs are fresh, colourful, relaxed and crucially AFFORDABLE. They use recycled fabrics which means many garments are completely unique, or in limited supply due to the limitations of the fabric. I have fallen in love with this slightly bonkers neon striped skirt and am just waiting for pay day to purchase it (don’t beat me to it!) Brands like Reluxe and Fair+True (below) make me excited and hopeful that ethical businesses CAN make it in to the middle market mainstream, can be affordable and can have mass appeal. YES.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair+True are a brand new Fairtrade company that also make lovely, brightly coloured sporty brights that I would love to wear. All pieces are fairly made in the UK or Africa or created from sustainable and organic fabrics. LOVE.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

I hadn’t heard of Lowie and I’m most disappointed by this because I loved their stuff. Their AW 2011 clothing and hand knitted accessories were brightly coloured and gorgeous. I adored their Turkish socks, ear muffs, cloche hats and cardigans. Their SS 2011 collection was also beautiful with some really interesting shapes and details.

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

I liked the moody colours, tailoring and detailing of HEMYCA‘s clothes. Their focus is on fine tailoring, with an emphasis on the waist, which I always love. Ethically, HEMYCA has an ‘Organic Tailoring’ range and manufactures all their garments in London, promoting local businesses and cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions.

Hemyca Dress.

I briefly saw Sanyukta Shrestha’s wedding accessories and dresses. However, it wasn’t until I saw models wearing the dresses online after the event that I truly appreciated their beauty. In fact I had a mouth a-gape, heart a-flutter moment when I saw this floor length, pleated dress with low cut back. It’s made from 100% organic silk and organic fair traded cotton sateen. If I could get married again (to the same man, I hasten to add!) it would be in this dress. Oh my. Head. Over. Heels.

Sanyukta Shrestha Wedding Dress illustration by Fritha Strickland

I always expected to be impressed by Esthetica and Eco Luxe, but I didn’t expect to be blown away, but I was. I left both the show rooms with my brain whirring, a bag stuffed full of promo material, a camera full of more images than I knew what to do with and having talked at a million miles an hour to so many interesting and inspiring people. Eco Luxe has doubled in size since last year in what I assume is a reflection of the increasing acceptance and awareness of ethical design. As ethical design and shopping with conscience become more mainstream, I hope that ethical clothing designers wont be sectioned off in their own separate rooms. Instead they will be showcasing alongside all the other London Fashion Week designers; proving that fashion with a conscience is not the exception, but the norm. One day indeed.

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, doctor just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, page I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw what waited for me.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW2011 preview Hemyca .

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, recipe just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw what waited for me.

I was excited to see that Fashion Conscience, my favourite ethical online retailer, had a stand. I got chatting to their PR rep about how to encourage more mainstream use of ethical design principals and how to close the gap between the high end ethical and the affordable everyday ethical. Fashion Conscience, in my humble opinion, are beginning to fill this gap, but there is still some way to go. The Fashion Conscience stall was showcasing the work of two of my favourite labels, ReLuxe and Fair+True:

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW 2011 preview. Hemyca

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, viagra just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw what waited for me.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW 2011 preview. Hemyca

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, sildenafil just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw what waited for me.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW 2011 preview. Hemyca

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, order just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, viagra approved I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw what waited for me.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW 2011 preview. Hemyca

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, cost just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw the stalls.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW 2011 preview. Hemyca

Fair+True and Reluxe illustration by Andrea Kearney

The EcoLuxe exhibition was held at the ultra chic One Aldwych Hotel, sickness just across the road from Somerset House. Fresh from Esthetica, I wondered if the designers holed up over at One Aldwych would be able to compete with the level of talent I’d witnessed over at Somerset House, but my questions were quickly forgotten as I descended the staircase at the hotel and saw the stalls.

Knitted Skirt by Reluxe. Photo via Fashion Conscience.

Fair + True illustration by Fritha Strickland

Turkish socks by Lowie. Illustration by Faye West

AW 2011 preview. Hemyca

A couple of weeks ago I met with angsty new folk popstrel Kyla La Grange at her management offices in central London. Her slight figure was easily missed as I walked through to the glass walled meeting room, dosage but I greeted her warmly when she came through to join me. Kyla la Grange performed on my hastily assembled Climate Camp (RIP) stage at Glastonbury last summer, gamely playing a beautiful semi-acoustic set in the sweltering summer heat. Today she releases her first official single – the anthemic Walk Through Walls – so let’s find out a bit more about this intriguing new musician…

Kyla La Grange at Glastonbury 2010 on the Climate Camp stage. Photography by Amelia Gregory.

Kyla La Grange by Rukmunal Hakim/YesGo Illustration.

She may look very young but don’t be fooled by Kyla’s youthful exterior – she’s actually a 24 year old Cambridge University graduate. It wasn’t until her uni years that she finally found the guts to make music, performing at an open mic acoustic night called Songs in the Dark. “It was a good place to cut my teeth.” The process was very organic. She met other musicians, formed a few bands and played in some Battle of the Bands competitions. “Basically it was all very low pressure.” She loved studying philosophy, and admits that she misses the academic stimulation. “Being at Cambridge was like living in a magical piece of history… but I am incredibly grateful to be making music now.”

Kyla La Grange by Rebecca Strickson.

When the outside world of work beckoned she found herself working long hours in a high end bar, making it hard to go into the studio every morning and be creative. That and the odd bit of secretarial work kept her afloat until she was discovered by management company ATC via Rollo of Faithless fame, who discovered her songs on Myspace. She is eager to emulate the likes of Mumford and Sons and do things her own way, without the controlling hand of a label. “ATC let their artists go away and get on with it. They don’t view me purely as a money making machine; they are in it for the long haul. But I don’t anticipate selling a lot of records, ever,” she blithely tells me.

Kyla La Grange at Glastonbury 2010. Photography by Amelia Gregory.

The last year has been devoted to the creation of her debut album which so far hosts “too many songs” including the luscious Vampire Smile, a darkly beautiful blast of longing. But she’s in no rush. “The album will come out as and when it’s finished; the worst thing I could do would be to rush its release.” She expects it will finally see the light of day in early 2012.

Vampire Smile.

All Kyla’s influences come from “sad music”. Having been introduced to Cat Power by a former boyfriend, You Are Free is a constant presence in her life alongside Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen. But she also likes a lot of modern bands – Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Yeasayer, Matthew And The Atlas, Marcus Foster, Alex Winston and Band of Horses. “I only write because I’m often quite sad…” she tells me. “I don’t think I’d write if I was a genuinely happy person.” In the age old tradition of the angst-ridden artist, writing music has become Kyla’s best form of catharsis, “like running into a big open field and screaming until you feel better.” It’s as if she feels an unstoppable need to release her feelings out into the open.

Kyla la Grange by Gemma Smith.

I wonder what has prompted such a downbeat personality. “Some people just have a default mode,” she explains. “They wake up and feel a bit black inside.” She admits that this is something she has battled for a long time but insists that her mood is not affected by the outside world… she just tends to feel down most of the time. “Most people fall into one of two camps – they are either upbeat or see life from behind a big grey cloud. Everyone is a product of their genes and their experiences when they are young.” But she is absolutely clear that she doesn’t blame her parents for the way she has turned out. “Even though I wasn’t a very happy child my parents were both fantastic.” Her parents had been involved in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa before settling in Watford, and she felt very different from everyone else at her school. “Kids can be vicious.” They were massive music fans, between them inspiring her to listen to many different genres. “Dad loved folk, blues and country. Mum loved classical, rock and indie.” She now lives between Stockwell and Vauxhall. “I like the mix of people and place, the beautiful old squares next to housing estates… it’s unpretentious.”

Just click here to hear Walk Through Walls.

I wonder if such a sensitive personality will still be able to write songs from the heart if she becomes famous. She has thought about this. “I don’t think the drive to write songs will be lessened just because people like them,” she says, “it’s not the only reason I write. I think all the best artists write primarily to get something out of the experience and I want to convey raw honest emotion because that makes the most meaningful music.”

Kyla La Grange in February 2011. Photography by Amelia Gregory.

It comes as no surprise that lyrics are hugely important to Kyla, although she likes the odd “non-sensical song by The Beatles.” She can’t really describe her writing process, although it is the part she loves the most. “It’s such a strange, solitary thing. You get so swept up in what you’re feeling, engrossed in emotion.” She can’t tell me what comes first, melody or lyric. “They tend to come together.”

Kyla doesn’t want to be pigeon-holed into any musical movement, so it’s no surprise to find that she lists herself as Black Metal/Children/Grindcore on Myspace. “There have been so many genres flung at me but I never think about what I belong to – the songs just come out.” I think she has a kind of dark indie pop sensibility that is all her own, and not fitting in to any musical clique suits her well. “I suppose my music is a bit all over the place, like me.” She gets thoroughly annoyed by the suggestion that women must fit into any type of separate musical category. “Music is not a sport so why do there need to be different categories and awards?”

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.vimeo.com/20743952" rel="noopener">http://www.vimeo.com/20743952</a>
Kyla La Grange performing on the Climate Camp stage at Glastonbury.

I ask her whether she is in general quite a solitary person, although I think I already know the answer. “Definitely. I’m not terribly good with people and I much prefer talking one to one. Groups of people are scary.” But she has grown accustomed to working with her band of four and she’s easy and down to earth when talking to me, even if an overwhelming undertow of sadness never quite leaves the room.

You can access a free download for Walk Through Walls from SoundCloud right here. The official launch party is at Notting Hill Arts Club tomorrow night, Tuesday 8th March, with the brilliant Daughter providing a support set and DJing from the Maccabees. After that she’s off to SXSW in Austin, Texas to play the Neon Gold show and she’s sure to be playing some festivals in the UK this summer. Make sure you catch Kyla La Grange soon, before she hits the big time.

You can read my review of Kyla’s performance at Glastonbury last summer here.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Monday March 7th, 2011 6:33 pm

Categories ,Alex Winston, ,Anna Casey, ,ATC, ,austin, ,Band of Horses, ,Bright Eyes, ,Cambridge University, ,Cat Power, ,Climate Camp, ,Daughter, ,elliott smith, ,Faithless, ,Gemma Smith, ,glastonbury, ,Indie, ,Joni Mitchell, ,Kyla la Grange, ,leonard cohen, ,Maccabees, ,Marcus Foster, ,Matthew And The Atlas, ,Mumford and Sons, ,Neon Gold, ,noir, ,notting hill arts club, ,pop, ,Rebecca Strickson, ,Rollo, ,Rukmunal Hakim, ,Songs in the Dark, ,SoundCloud, ,South Africa, ,Stockwell, ,sxsw, ,texas, ,Vampire Smile, ,vauxhall, ,Walk Through Walls, ,Watford, ,Yeasayer, ,YesGo Illustration

Amelia’s Magazine | An interview with Lupen Crook about new album British Folk Tales

Lupen Crook by Chris Brake.

Outsider artist and musical savant Lupen Crook returns with his 5th self produced album, created for only £600 at home in Camden. I first came across him some years ago when I introduced Lupen Crook to the world via the print pages of Amelia’s Magazine: alongside his unique talent I admired in him the DIY ethos that chimed so well with my own. Since then he’s remained on the fringes, a place he inhabits well: here his idiosyncratic take on life is able to manifest in acerbic, angry but always exciting songs that walk the space somewhere between folk, indie and grunge. Lead single Treasons To Be Beautiful is an anthemic refrain about the state of the UK today. It kicks off new album British Folk Tales with a brilliant animated video that showcases the collaged artwork that Lupen has become equally well known for. Despite his occasional pessimism life is looking pretty good for Crook.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful

Your current single Treasons to be Beautiful features some of your inimitable artwork – can you describe your artistic process in creating a video such as this?
I’m not trained at anything, and my experience in video making is by far the thing I have the least experience in. There’s always a risk in everything that it could go a little sideways, but then it’s the trying and finding out for myself that appeals to me more than the result. I enjoy trying to communicate things, and this animation is basically a visual extension of the lyrics. Felt tip pens and patience for the most part, and not worrying too much about the things I don’t have, instead using my limited experience and the little resources I have as best I can.

lupen-crook
What kind of art and music training do you have?
Well, nothing in terms of education. I can’t write or read music. I couldn’t tell you what paint stroke or technique I use when I paint. I’m a person who just does things, sometimes stubbornly and with little thought to whether or not I am capable. It’s not that I can write songs or paint pictures, it’s that I’m compelled to do so. I guess my training has been the experience of what I’ve done, and continue to do. There’s not much I know other than what I’ve found out by myself.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful

What inspired Treasons to be Beautiful?
The dreadful fucking corruption that exists, and worse still the cheap knock off versions of events that are so blatantly paraded around right in front of us, though it comes from such a great height it seems a wasted energy to worry about it for the most part. If I do get drawn into it, for all my efforts I end up paranoid, anxious, full of self loathing and despair. There’s a very real danger of growing hateful and bitter with this world. Thankfully, I have been working on avoiding the negative, am training myself to cope with these symptoms of living, not by ignoring the bigger picture, but by reducing it, and doing my best to ensure it doesn’t enter into my personal space, or my mind. Blissful ignorance is a dangerous illusion, but on the flip side if you look too close, your eyes will burn. It’s about moderating the things you allow into your reality.

Lupen Crook British Folk Tales
Your new album comes out on a proper label – what was the decision behind this?
Self releasing was a learning curve. Of all the things I learnt, I learnt that I do not enjoy the selling, or the business stuff that has to be considered when self-releasing. Some people are brilliant at these things, they are as enthusiastic about selling records as I am making them, and it’s those people that should be selling music, not me. At the start of 2012 I made a decision to be positively selfish toward the things I wanted to do, and avoid anything that was in the slightest bit opposed to that. I like creating things. I like ideas. I like painting, I like writing, and I like music. Luckily this label, and Neil Burrows in particular, approached me, and were enthusiastic about releasing the album. They stick to their side of the fence, I stick to mine. We meet in the middle for a catch up, but otherwise I just get on tending to my side. So far, it’s working.

Lupen Crook by Fran Marchesi.

Why British Folk Tales?
Ha, it sounds like a fucking Mumford and Sons record doesn’t it? But it’s not, obviously. Well, the truth is my last few albums have, for want of a better word, been almost conceptual, in the sense the songs have had this very strong theme and message running through them. This time, it felt more like just a collection of songs. Of course, there are themes that run through the songs, because themes run through me, but it felt quite a relief not to be dealing with something that was trying to define itself, to solve something bigger and beyond the actual music. That’s not to say I feel anything less for these songs, but there was less of an overall ‘thing’ to contend with. The title itself, I fell in love with very early on. I love that it’s so simple, and almost traditional, and so non-crooked. It amused me, but also it just felt right. The trouble was, as the album progressed, it started to feel very wrong. Throughout the whole recording process, I referred to the album as ‘illogica‘, but after the album was finished, I randomly stumbled upon that old photograph in a box of other stuff, and suddenly it all made sense.

lupen-crook
What is the folk tale that has touched you the most?
My friend Bob Loveday, who played Violin on the album, compared something that’s been happening in my life to this tale … A man and goes out to work, in the hope of providing for his family. Their fields are dry and nothing grows. The future is bleak. He is gone for months and months, maybe even years. He tries his hand at everything. He mines for gold, oil, whatever else you can mine for. But he finds nothing. No luck. He has failed. And so, with nothing more to do, no hope or choice, he returns to his family a broken man. One night, sitting outside in his back garden, looking out upon the dry and lifeless field on which his dilapidated house stands, he kicks the ground. Under the moonlight, he sees a slight flicker of light from the dark dirt at his feet. He reaches down, and there he finds a diamond, and then another, and so on. This story really struck a chord with me. In essence a story about home and family and what’s really important. I love that this bloke had gone around the world searching for something that all the time was right there, under his nose, where he least expected it to be.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful
lupen-crook treasons to be beautiful
Are you hopeful or fearful for the future, or maybe a bit of both… and where do you think we are heading?
We? I can’t answer that. Where I am heading is nowhere beyond my next idea. Along the way, I’ll be keeping an eye on myself, cleanse a little more of the rotten guilt that weighs on my mind. Self awareness to an extent, but not self obsession. Awareness of my surroundings, but realising that my surroundings are an illusion, and a changeable one, changeable by myself and everything else in the world.

Lupen Crook album launch party
What were the main things going through your mind when you made this album?
Probably that this was the last Lupen Crook album I would be making for a while.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful

Who were your cohorts and collaborators?
I didn’t work with a band. I invited my friend Chris Garth to play drums and we both laid down the album in 2 days, basically live – vocals, guitar and drums. Other than that, I done it all in-house. A few people came round and played some stuff, very improvised. Tom Langridge, John Whitaker and Bob Loveday all visited my flat. I pretty much made them a coffee and asked if they’d have a go at playing something over whatever it was I was working on at the time. Sometimes I’d just let them jam stuff out and then edit it later, rather than work on actual parts for the songs. It was a way of keeping things natural, even if the structures were set.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful
At the end of Treasons to be Beautiful you seem to float off with your family – how much has being a dad at a reasonably young age informed your work?
Yeah, my crooked family. They allow me to be the way I am. We’ll float off one day.

What is the best bit about being a dad?
Laughing.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful
Are you still based in Kent? What is the music scene like down there nowadays?
No. I live in North London. We moved up here and I left the wicked side of myself back there. I left him walking the length of Dirty Mile. We speak sometimes, now and again. But no, I like my sanctuary in the chaos of this capital. Strange, but in all the madness of Camden, I feel peaceful and able to concentrate my efforts on the things that need most. I do visit Medway though, and there’s plenty going on. The last few years have seen a real effort by artists and musicians to promote what they do and what’s happening, which is great, the stuff happening is really worth checking out.

Lupen Crook festival-of-light
Lupen Crook, Festival of Light.

Any bands we should be looking out for from down that way?
Loads. A lot you can see, a lot more you would never hear about unless you saw it for yourself. The 2nd November gig I’ve put on in Rochester goes some way to celebrating this, but for sure there’s a whole load more to Medway. That said, it’ll be great and no doubt a little crazy getting 8 of my favourite bands in a building for one night only. I’ve also made these punk style booklets, hand-made fanzine type things, which I’m distributing with the help of a few independent shops in the lead up to the gig. I was lucky to get contributions from a few great artists, including Wolf Howard, Scott Jason Smith, and Wolfgang Riot. Not to mention the bands that have agreed to come together and play on the night. Come along, find out for yourself.

Lupen Crook murder-by-medway-council-2009
Lupen Crook, Murder by Medway Council, 2009

What do you hope for in the coming year?
I’ve got an exhibition that opens on January 10th in Kentish Town. A brilliantly original gallery called Flaxon Ptootch. I’ll be showing new paintings alongside artist Joni Belaruski, which I’m really excited about. Other than that, I’ve got some writing I might try to publish, and other musical things in the pipeline, but nothing set in stone. Open waters, which is exactly how I want it.

Lupen Crook treasons to be beautiful

British Folk Tales is released on 29th October 2012 via license from Crook’s own Beast Reality label to UK Indie label The Preservation Society Presents. Alongside CD, Vinyl and Download, the new album is presented as a Limited Edition vinyl with hand-painted sleeve art created by Lupen Crook. Available via indie stores and mail order from The Preservation Society Presents. website.

Written by Amelia Gregory on Sunday October 28th, 2012 7:38 pm

Categories ,Beast Reality, ,Bob Loveday, ,British Folk Tales, ,camden, ,Chris Brake, ,Chris Garth, ,Dirty Mile, ,Festival of Light, ,Flaxon Ptootch, ,Fran Marchesi, ,illogica, ,John Whitaker, ,Joni Belaruski, ,kent, ,Lupen Crook, ,Medway, ,Mumford and Sons, ,Murder by Medway Council, ,Neil Burrows, ,Rochester, ,Scott Jason Smith, ,The Preservation Society Presents, ,Tom Langridge, ,Treasons to be Beautiful, ,Wolf Howard, ,Wolfgang Riot

Amelia’s Magazine | Festival Preview: the Eden Sessions

kyla la grange
Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? Last year, this web for the first time, Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop

Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training

Tripod Training.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Kirsty Almeida

My Luminaries

On Thursday Kirsty Almeida opens for us with her bass heavy soulful Bayou blues; a very exciting start to four days of renewably powered music. She is followed by another folky female. Anna Log – singer with pop folk band We Aeronauts – will be doing a solo set accompanied by her trusty uke. Glastonbury Emerging Talent winners My Luminaries round the evening off with a special semi-acoustic set of their epic indie rock.

Danny and the Champions of the World

On Friday we’re pleased to welcome the epic musical dreamscapes of Newislands, described as Pink Floyd meets Depeche Mode. Then it’s time for some other Climate Camp regulars, Danny Chivers, Claire Fauset and Merrick, to grace the stage with their “triple-headed tag team political poetry extravaganza”. They’re all friends of mine that I’ve seen perform before so I highly recommend their set, which will be repeated on Sunday afternoon. As a closer we have the country-tinged big band folk of Danny and the Champions of the World.

Patch William

Dry the River

To kick the day off on Saturday we welcome Patch William – the dreamy lovechild of Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix. They are followed by the scuzzy rock sound of York boys The Federals, described as a cross between the White Stripes and The Beatles. Then, time for a very special guest. Following my interview with Robin Ince a few weeks he very kindly promised to come by and do us a special secret set, which will be a must see for all comedy fans at the festival. Tell all your friends! And come on by for a very intimate set from this well known comedian. Dry the River end the day with their beautiful melodic folk, singing songs of religion, history and community to rival those of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

Pete the Temp

Pete Lawrie

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us! And bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here:

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? Last year, stomach for the first time, shop Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop

Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, cure at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training

Tripod Training.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Kirsty Almeida

My Luminaries

Danny and the Champions of the World

Kyla la Grange

Patch William

Dry the River

To kick the day off on Saturday we welcome an exclusive Glastonbury appearance from talented newcomer Kyla La Grange, who creates soaring melodies with her stunning voice. Then comes Patch William – the dreamy lovechild of Nick Drake and Jimi Hendrix, who are followed by the scuzzy rock sound of York boys The Federals, described as a cross between the White Stripes and The Beatles. Then, time for a very special guest. Following my interview with Robin Ince a few weeks he very kindly promised to come by and do us a special secret set, which will be a must see for all comedy fans at the festival. Tell all your friends! And come on by for a very intimate set from this well known comedian. Dry the River end the day with their beautiful melodic folk, singing songs of religion, history and community to rival those of Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons.

Pete the Temp

Pete Lawrie

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us! And bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here:

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp
Can it really be a year since the last Glastonbury? Last year, medicine for the first time, Climate Camp was given it’s very own space in the Dragon Field just above the Craft Field as you wend your way down to Shangri La. This year we’re back to once again educate and entertain festival goers at our beautiful site only a few minutes walk from the Old Railway Line.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Climate Camp workshop

Glastonbury-June-2009-First Aid Kit
Workshops, at play, and First Aid Kit playing at the Climate Camp Tripod Stage in 2009.

Glastonbury-June-2009-tripod training

Tripod Training.

Green-Kite-Midnight
Green Kite Midnight.

And now for the rest of our fabulous line-up:

Kirsty Almeida

My Luminaries

Danny and the Champions of the World

Kyla la Grange

Patch William

Dry the River

Pete the Temp

Pete Lawrie

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Glastonbury-June-2009-Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers
The Grand Raffle presented by Danny Chivers in 2009.

Don’t forget to follow myself and Climate Camp on twitter to find out how the festival is going; we can always live in hope that 3G reception will be better than it was last year! But most of all, don’t forget to come and visit us! And bring your friends along with you. I will of course write up a full report on my return. For a reminder of what to expect read my blog from last year here:

There are some places on this planet that I can’t believe I haven’t been to yet. On this occasion I’m not talking about far flung exotic hideaways, page but bio-domes. One of the most advanced bio-domes on this earth, viagra to be exact. This accolade goes to the Eden Project in Cornwall, home to tropical and mediterranean environments; a hub of creative and sustainable activities. But wait, this is the music section, so why am I harping on about a greenhouse? The answer lies in a series of one day music festivals, otherwise known as the Eden Sessions, spanning across the last week of June and onto the second week of July that take place nestled within the greenery of the Project. The calibre of singers and bands who play at Eden surpass expectation, and seriously rival big name festivals.

Florence and the Machine performing at 2009 Eden Session

Now running for nine years, the Eden Sessions hit the ground running in 2002 with performances from Pulp, Spiritualized, Doves and Beth Orton and continued strong over the next few years, giving us headliners such as Air, Supergrass, Primal Scream, Goldfrapp, Vampire Weekend, Florence and the Machine and Kasabian. Given the setting, it is only natural (in all senses of the word) that there would be an active and encouraged link between the performances and the environmental ethos that Eden is built on. The organisers are keen to encourage audiences to think about the actions that they can take to modify their impact upon the environment, adding that all profits from the Eden Sessions go towards supporting their educational charity and programmes.

Mumford & Sons, performing at this years Eden Sessions.

This year was due to open on June 24th with a much anticipated performance by Vampire Weekend and Broken Bells, but unfortunately, both bands cancelled very close to the time of their gig (a reason has not been given). Nonetheless, the other nights have so much to offer that hopefully everyone will forget this little blip of a cancellation. While tickets for Jack Johnson/Mojave 3 and Doves/Mumford & Sons have sold out (but we will be down to cover the Doves night, so expect full coverage!) there are still tickets and special offers available for the night of Mika/Diana Vickers (playing on Sunday, 27th June) and Calvin Harris, Annie Mac, Audio Bullys and Zero 7 (DJs) who are all performing on Saturday 3rd July. Check the website for the listed offers. What’s extra special about the Session ticket is that it gives you access to the Eden Project on both the day and the day after, which conveniently gives you an excuse for a thorough exploration of the domes when you come down for the gigs. The setting is glorious; the acts will be phenomenal and the West Country cider will be on hand throughout. So really, is there any reason not to go?

The Eden Project at night

Written by Cari Steel on Tuesday June 22nd, 2010 6:37 pm

Categories ,Air, ,Annie Mac, ,Audio Bullys, ,broken bells, ,Calvin Harris, ,Cornwall, ,doves, ,Eden Project, ,festival, ,Florence and The Machine, ,goldfrapp, ,Greenhouse, ,Mumford and Sons, ,pulp, ,Spiritualized, ,Vampire Weekend, ,Zero 7

Amelia’s Magazine | Climate Camp at Glastonbury 2010: Line up information

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