Blog, Projects & Gigs
May / June 2015
Work for my duo show with Andy Coates continues at a pace. We're assembling publicity material and are both very excited about it. It'll be at Artsmith Live from August 1st to August 15th. The exhibition will consist of constructed sculptures, free-standing and relief, assemblages and collages. They are made from wood, metal, plastics and a variety of objects, carefully chosen from urban, rural, and coastal sites as well as from junk stalls, charity shops, skips etc. The objects have their own resonances and histories, but the juxtaposition of different types produces a magic, where each participant celebrates the other.
The exhibition will open and close with a music performance. Have a look at my upcoming gigs. The closure one will feature some amazing national and international stars, including Derby's very own and special Corey Mwamba.
Juxtavoices will be featured on BBC, Radio 3 in the next few weeks. Myself and Geraldine Monk will be talking about Juxtavoices. I'll announce the actual date shortly.
I'm busy working on the next stage of 'Alchemy / Schmalchemy' with Geoff Bright and Gillian Whiteley ready for a performance at Manchester Metropolitan University in July.
Meanwhile 'Orchestra of The Upper Atmosphere' are busy with rehearsing for upcoming gigs and 'Engine Room Favourites' have their new CD out on Discus, 'Bad Tidings From Slackwater Drag'.
I'm also in a new band along with Alan Jenkins and 3 other fine musicians. It's 'Dr Schwitters and The Gathering Brow', performing at the closure of Alan's show at Artsmith on May 15th.
Work has begun on a project I'm involved with on the subject of Frida Kahlo and women artists in general. It's with some fine musicians from the Leeds and London scene, led by Philomena Campus and Laura Cole.
February 2015
The gong wassail at Loughborough campus went really well last week, with a good uptake of students and a great final performance.
The 2nd album of Engine Room Favourites has been released on February 16th. It's 'Black Tidings from Slackwater Drag'. There'll be a gig later in the year to celebrate, probably up in Leeds.
I'm in a new band, 'Not One Direction', with Alan Jenkins (bass clarinet), Lorin Halsall (double bass), Kate Hall, (guitar and other instruments) and myself on percussion and electronics.
Orchestra of The Upper Atmosphere have been getting rave reviews of the 2nd album from all over, so we must have done something right.
I'm working hard on a series of assemblages for my duo show.
December 2014
I will be exhibiting at The Old Station Gallery, Rowsley in January 2015.This will be part of a printmaking exhibition called 'Off The Press'. The opening is on Saturday January 10th from 2-30pm to 5pm. The exhibition runs through to Sunday February 15th. I will be showing some prints, but also some assemblages.
On January 29th I will be playing with WHM and guests. My old chum Corey Mwamba, from Derby will be on vibes and also guest Mick Beck on bassoon and saxes. Of course my regular collaboration in WHM too, Herve Perez saxes and Matt Harling on saxes and home-made instruments. This is at OTT, Sheffield at 8pm.
On February 29th I will be running a workshop, followed by a gong performance with the participants in the grounds of Loughborough University. This is a collaboration with artist Anne-Marie Culhane from Cornwall. This is a wassail, celebrated around and on fruit trees. These were planted as a 'fruit route' as part of Anne-Marie's ongoing project on several sites.
November 2014
The last ERF gig of 2014 will take place on Thursday next, Nov 27th in Liverpool. It's at View Two Gallery, 23, Mathew Street, L26RE, 8pm.
I will be playing with Alan Jenkins, Kate Hall and Pandora Johnson at the opening of Banks Mill Christmas show on Friday next, Nov. 28th, starting at 5pm.
My granddaughter, Eva went with me to her first ever live gig last Tuesday. She loved it. She's just turned seven. Start 'em early I say. This was down to the highly imaginative 'Family Album' series of gigs organised by Corey Mwamba. Brilliant!
October 2014
Engine Room Favourites have just completed a recording for the second album, under the direction of Martin Archer.This was up at Yellowarch recording studios in Sheffield. It was an amazingly inspired and productive time and will most definitely lead to an exciting album.I found it very inspiring to work with such talented and experienced musicians.On Sunday,October 19th we are playing at The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle-on-Tyne at 8pm.
The Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere now have fully completed the second album, which is released on October 24th.The launch will be at an OUA gig at Burngreave Chapel, Sheffield at 8pm on Friday the 25th October.