Tina Mali puts us in mind of a modern day Kate Bush. Kate Bush, but with a Eastern feel to the Her melodic style and atmospheric music. Ballad Of…are giving you a sneaky peak of one of her videos on here and some of her latest shots. She is definitely keeping us mesmorized and hooked.
David McNulty and Michael Watts.
Valerio Plessi
Shots by Simon Warren
This week, we met Bethany Consentino front lady and general ideas person behind the Californian stoner surf band. You may, like us, have seen them tour with Cali play mates Vivian Girls earlier this year. They have new album Crazy For You out on Wichita this week. Sunny sun sun sun sun sun. And you’ll most likely have bopped your head to the single ‘Make You Mine’. This is her:
And this is what happened:
Ballad: How’s it going?
Bethany Consentino: Pretty good, how are you?
B: Pretty rough to be honest, flying by the seat of my pants…
BC: Me too, I was in 4 different countries this weekend, 5 even!
B: Yeah?
BC: Italy, Portugal, England and Sweden and Denmark. Just gigging for the album
B: And how have those been going?
BC: Portugal was crazy, it was a festival in the middle of the woods, kids just camped out in tents and stuff in the middle of nature, and we didn’t go on til 3am. We didn’t really expect anyone to stay and watch us, because we barely want to be awake at 3 in the morning and thought that no one would watch us, but then a couple of thousand people there watching us and singing along to everything, and we all sort of looked at each other afterwards and were like ‘did that really happen?’ So Portugal was a really awesome experience
B: People in Europe seem pretty laid backed…
BC: I know! people in Europe are really up for staying up late, all hours of the night. Because then we played in Sweden and we played at 2.30 in the morning and people showed up to the show were like ‘ah you already played, how come you’re not staying?!’ – because its 4am in the morning and we need to go to sleep
B: We don’t work on that time scale, it’s the same in the UK everything plays really early and we go home at 10pm – Primavera though, we’d be up til 7am on the beach
BC: Yeah – a country full of ragers, Mr Ragers!
B: Ok, here’s a generic question for you. How would describe your sound/music to someone who’s never heard you?
BC: Pop. Pop music inspired by love, everyday life and California. Its pretty much pop music, I don’t think its any of this other shit that everyone wants to call it, I think it’s just straight forward pop music.
B: Yeah, do you feel about the whole new lo-fi thing, I mean, 2 years ago there was none of this stuff? Or has it always been a Californian thing?
BC: For me, I don’t really know why this music has taken off. I just think, to be honest with you, bands see other bands do well in a certain type of music and they attempt to make their own kind of version of that music. Which in a way is cool because it means that bands are inspiring each other to do other things. For me though, it just really stemmed from my move back to California and being back somewhere where it was beachy and sunny and all the stuff I talk about California being like and it’s also inspired by the music that I listened to when I lived in New York that reminded me of home. I wanted to make a band that sounded like that and I also wanted to make a band that allowed people that were stuck in the middle of nowhere to feel that they were a part of warm summer fun in Los Angeles
B: How long where you in New York?
BC: About 9 months
B: And you just didn’t like it?
BC: No
B: What was it that you weren’t so keen on?
BC: It’s messy, it’s dirty, it’s loud, it’s huge, it’s crowded… I could go on forever there’s just a lot of things about it that didn’t mesh well with me. I think when you’re a west coast person you are very laid back, people form California are very laid back - it’s loud and messy and crowded up there as well but in a different way, I think California has a lot of neurotic people but more relaxed neurotic people and New York there is a very intense neurosis. …I’m not used to cold weather and rain and snow and all that – as winey and complainy as it sounds, I just didn’t enjoy being in that kind of weather. I was in New York talking to my friends and family in LA and ‘oh its 80 degrees here and the sun is out and its January’ and I was like, oh it 12 degrees and freezing and you cant open my front door because there’s snow blocking it. Once that started I was like ‘I’m over this’.
B: Yeah, weather can dictate your life.
BC: New York is an awesome place to visit, we’re there all the time, it’s the starting point for tours on the east coast and it’s the place you go to before Europe and all that shit, it’s fun to visit but there’s a really very small period of time in New York when the weather is really nice, so you’re almost never there when that’s happening. We were just there before we came here, it was just the most humid, all of us were just miserable because it was so humid you cant enjoy yourself because your body is just so uncomfortable. But there are really great things about New York too, really amazing culture, music and art…
B: … you must’ve been inspired by the music there?
BC: …yeah, and there’s great food, there’s a lot of good stuff about it but I’d much rather visit than to ever live there again.
B: What is it that makes you write songs when you get up in the morning?
BC: Yeah pretty much that. I don’t ever sit and wait for something to inspire me, I just wake up one day and I’m like ‘oh ok I hear something in my head’ and I’m gonna work on it. Or in the middle of the day I’ll hear something and run to my room and pick up the guitar and try to work on something. I’m a true believer in just following natural feelings as far as music goes, I don’t try to pre plan anything out, I never force myself tow write - I write a lot, but I never wake up and say ok, you’ haven’t written in a long time you have to do it today. I believe that it’s something I do when I truly feel inspired to do it.
B: What kind of music are you listening to at the moment?
BC: I mostly only listen to rap
B: Anything in particular?
BC: I like Drake and I really like the new Big Boi record…
B: That’s done well actually, that record
BC: Yeah, its really good. There are a couple of songs that don’t really stand on their own but for the most past that whole record is really great. I think that I listen to so much surf music and 50′s and 60′s pop when I’m sort of looking for inspiration that when I’m on tour and when I’m just in my house I’m most of the time listening to music that has absolutely no connection to the music I make. Cos you kinda get sick of the stuff that you’re always listening to.
B: Well… if you don’t eat the same thing every day…
BC: Yeah that’s right, I just listen to a variety of different things but right now I’m mostly listening to rap, r n b and stuff
B: You’ve been in bands before. How did this musical project come about?
BC: I moved away and then I started a band when I got home, and the band was really inspired to the music I listened to in New York that made me feel closer to home. Stuff like Beach Boys and Ronnettes and that old surfy, sunny, happy pop music and I wanted to make a band that sounded like that and make a band that would make people in random part of the world where there was no sun or beach kinda feel like they were a part of that. I had worked with Bob before in a previous band, and we got on really well, and I knew that Bob was a fan of the Beach Boys and the Beatles - all the simple pop music that I was drawing inspiration form. So I just ask if he wanted to be part of it, I wrote a bunch of songs and sent them to him and it all went from there. Bob is the guy that fills everything out and make things sound bigger, if it was just me, it’d just be power chords!
….as in, liking the band Women. The Calgary musical drama group, well lo-fi melody art rock – that’s right, they’ve been doing that shit for ages - have a new album called Public Strain out on the 23rd August. And hell, it’s wormed it’s way onto our extensive ‘To Buy Hit List’. Contrary to their name, these are four chaps delighting your ears. The label are describing it thus:
‘On their self-titled debut, Women embraced sonic brashness that deeper examination revealed to be tinted with sly pop melody. With Public Strain the band have honed a sound truthful to that reverb drenched noise while allowing the pop sensibilities to surface into clearer focus.’ Spot on we think.
They continue with this:
‘This exact balance of delicate and dense is a pervasive thread throughout the album, reflecting the contradiction of the band’s environment buried in urban sprawl framed by prairie landscape.’
Basically there’s influences from Krautrock as well as pop-like song-crafting (yes, a new verb). They are good at weaving together what at first seem like opposing syles, whilst making pop songs worth the repeat!
WOMEN
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Don’t bother googling them (if you hear me) just go to this link here —-> EYESORE BY WOMEN …and get yourself a free track from the forthcoming Public Strain - you can thank the folks at Jagjaguwar for that! (and me a little too).
You should be doubly please now, because they are also touring the UK at the end of this month (apologies to foreign readers, fully expect an extended tour however). Check out the info below:
August 30 Sheffield, DiS @ Harley 8pm, £6 adv
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/85572
August 31 Cardiff, Globe 7.30pm, £8 adv
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/83301
September 1 London, Cargo 7.30pm, £7.50
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/82921
September 2 Manchester, Deaf Institute 7.30pm, £8 adv
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/83491
September 3 Leeds, Brudenell Social Club 7.30pm, £6.50 adv
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/82964
September 4 Glasgow, Captain’s Rest
http://www.pclpresents.com/
September 5 Newcastle, Cluny 8pm, £7 adv
http://www.get-involved.net/events/10-09-05-women
September 6 Brighton, The Hope 7.30pm, £7.50 adv
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/83355
If you’re in London and what you’re looking for tonight it a beautifully alternative folk/pop fusion then head down to The Haggerston on Kingsland Road and have a listen to Bluebird. You can also catch him at Little London Field next weekend. Deal.
I am only now emerging from an intensive recovery session post Latitude. Still coughing up the dust, mildly sun burnt and finally realising that saying l’atitude (instead of attitude) is actually just not funny. Here I am.
The first thing that needs to be pointed out about this festival is the location – I got a ride there, but as I understand it, we were in Suffolk – which is one of those places that (in my world and so I expect yours too) only exist on TV: woodland, lake with lakeside grazing, grassy knolls – it’s the utopia the Animal’s Of Farthing Wood dreamt about.
A winning event of the weekend was inadvertently stumbling into the arena (can’t remember why we did) early and finding ourselves faced with Tom Jones. It felt like a coo because we knew he was doing the Thursday evening but had heard that only 400 people were allowed to watch. Oh me, how pointless. He seemingly enjoyed it so much that he resurfaced for another showing, displaying the fruits of his latest records Praise and Blame where, at last, the man has ditched his …whatever he was trying to do before – no purple suits, no sex bomb, no bad beard dye jobs and no attempt at pop music. Instead its back to his beginnings with a gospel bluesy rock n roll album, which is great news. OK, it’s a bit preachy – but for god’s sake, the guy was friends with Elvis!!!
For new bands we caught scotsmen Mitchell Museum doing a shit-hot set. Frankie and the Heartstrings were the dipping hats of the newbie stage and the ethereal doo wop of Spectrals was a perfect afternoon gig. Then there was School of Seven Bells shone out their earnest alt pop, Jamie Lidell aka the white, British, middle class Stevie Wonder,pissed on everyone’s performing bonfire (again) and I am still trying to work out how Gabriela of Rodrigo y Gabriela does that thing with her hand (…on the guitar, stupid).
There were 7 year olds body popping – this brings out conflicting feelings of ‘wow’, ‘how cute’ and ‘how does that tiny body have infinitely more talent than me – I irrationally hate them’. There was Swan Lake – as well as some giant white babies who danced in the dark (you need to see this, there’s no way to explain). Blake Morrison read his poetry, and I missed all the comedy because I couldn’t get near the tent for the crowds. At night though, that tent had the most sublime pop music – I had forgotten how many tunes Whitney has.
My only regret is losing the power of thought and speech by about 9am Sunday morning. I apologise for that.
Also the sheep are multi-coloured. Attention to detail is important hey.
“I got my secret weapon… Boy I can sing!”
Hello Music Lovers!
I’m very excited to share with you my new top play list singer: the lovely and gorgeous Ji Nilsson. A Jazz / Pop / Folk musician, originally from Stockholm, Sweden, blessed with a “sugar and spice” lovely melodic voice that seems to come from another decade.
First thing that came to my head while I was hearing Ji for the first time was…”Wow! This is definitely a Broadway star from the 40´s, and this song sounds just like the hit song of her golden stage years”…but reality isn’t that so. Ji is actually a 2010 star, an unsigned label artist with a an angelic dreamy vintage Mezzo voice range, influenced by “Love, Walt Disney, Jazz from the 30′s and 40′s, cabarets, Swedish folk music and pop”.
I had the pleasure of getting in touch with this 23 year old young lady, who’s also a songwriter, and I have say I fell even more “in love” with her work and her delightful personality!
As Ji told me herself: “I’ve been writing music since I was little, but more seriously since I was maybe 13 or 14. I’ve always loved old fashioned jazz, there’s something special with the melodies from that time, they sound so precise and thought, I love that.”
But it’s not only the melodies…Ji’s lyrics and writing skills also won my heart, they have always been her a way of self-expression, and as a musician with a sentimental heart, this is something I can really relate to. Ji says: “the lyrics are very important to me. I love playing with words and telling a story with my songs. They are mostly about love one way or another, they are often quite humorous, but sometimes also very sad and cryable, I’m a true romantic!”
The music industry might be cruel for real talented musicians that choose quality instead of “Image and pop dance moves” but, luckily times are a changing, and we have MySpace, YouTube (and other online platforms) were we are able to discovers true real musical beauties like Ji.
Besides this unfair side of music world, it seems that a bright future lies in wait! “I want to release an album or an EP this year or in 2011, on my own or with help from a record company, time will tell… I have a lot of songs, enough for two albums even! I also plan to play a lot of live gigs during the fall, mostly in Sweden for now but if I get the opportunity to go abroad I definitely will.”
Ji biggest dream? “go on a tour all over the world!” and I´m sure she doesn’t mind that I had that a sweet dream, having the power to show people that Music is life, and not just a “hobby” like going to the gym! Music breathes love, stories and feelings and is an extension of who composes it.
My favourites songs:
“Secreat Weapon” – a Disneyfied cabaret song with a jazz background melody with the power to make you dream high, and leave behind the dark clouds of your mind.
“The one you love” -It brings me to tears… so emotional.
“I won’t dance” – a perfect vintage dancing floor jingle, with blues and “twist” rhythms.
Check her myspace: http://www.myspace.com/josefinanilsson
lots of Music and much love,
Jo (Joana Lourenço) x
http://barefootinlibertyprint.blogspot.com/
It was like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life…having always been slightly scared of Glastonbury and the negative effect it would have on every other festival, and ensuring that my June forever more would be Glasto prep, and my July would be Glasto recovery; 2010, the 40th anniversary is the year I gave in to temptation and, as expected I will never look back…
Me and Lex (Illustrator and Make Up Artist extraordinaire) rose to the challenge of the daily blog, and that took so much out of us that we are a while late with our round up… (ahem, yep)
So here goes, top 10 moments, what we did, what we saw and what we missed…
10. Timing… it seemed to be on our side, as far as can be expected! If you ignore the difference in our ‘want to see’ v ‘saw’ list, then we did pretty well! We had a 3 song rule at Stevie Wonder – once he had done our top 3, we would scarper to Empire of the Sun…and we caught their final song – it was worth missing Happy Birthday! I also managed to blag a lift either way, (Thanks Laura & Dave for rescuing me from the coach!) All down to perfect timing!
9. Bumping into Jarvis Cocker at The Park…that’s the stuff legends are made from.
8. Weather – we couldn’t have asked for better, it was beautiful blue skies the entire time, which bode well with fretting about hair and soggy socks. I’d hate to say it was too hot, but…well, it was. It didn’t sit well with the early morning hang over’s and lie – ins, but I would choose it over the alternative! We did spend most of Saturday shade hopping, but thankfully we made friends with Brolly Pete, he comes with his own shade.
7. Its tired and old and it’s on everyone’s list and the first thing out of everyone’s mouth when they return from Worthy Farm in a smug, knowing kind of way, but the Glastonbury atmosphere is like nothing I have ever witnessed. I don’t know why, and I can’t figure it out…if you know, please tell me…but everyone is happy, smiling, helpful, thoughtful, kind and caring. Makes you want to throw up, but in that environment you can’t help but beam your socks off, all the time, and it’s lovely…there is none of that tension I have experienced at other festivals…sorry, but the smiley – ness of Glastonbury has made my top 10 also.
6. Two Little Boys – Rolf Harris, the nicest cutest man ever, he was a perfect way to kick start a beautiful weekend. Two Little Boys has always choked me up. Always, even when I was little and singing it on car journeys, I can’t do the “Dyyyying” without my voice cracking, and I got all goose bumpy and emotional when Rolf sang it. He was such a great entertainer too, everyone’s Grandad and such a cheeky boy! A childhood dream I didn’t know I had ticked off.
5. Tent Music. Yes Tent Music. The nature of Glastonbury is such that I could sit in my tent and watch bands. It is an amazing experience having only been to festivals where you walk for an hour and are them man handled before you get to see a stage. I was able to watch two stages from my little temporary home. It helped on the rougher days!
4. Food. It was amazing. Chilli, Potatos, Creps, Curry, Vegitable Curry, Vegan Curry, Waffles, Nachos, Falafal, Mezze, Ice Cream, Larger & Lime Ice Lollys (multiple daily) the list is endless. In fact, I wish I’d blogged every dish, it doesn’t look as impressive written down…but believe me!
3. Shangri-La – like a mental club roller coaster, it was impossible to get off!! I’m ashamed to say its where I could be found every night…I only passed through the other areas, but it was so amazing and had so much energy that I couldn’t stay away (I found it hard at 5 on Sunday morning when I was at Club Dada to tear myself away for the last minute lift…but I managed. Phew!)
2. Bombay Bicycle Club were amazing. Their finale should not be missed.
1. Ummm Stevie. No questions. Stevie Frikkin Wonder stole the show. Master Blaster was sickening, Superstitious, Sir Duke…that was the 3 song rule but we got to see the lot, and we even got to see Little Stevie…curious..?
Thursday – Who We Saw
Two Door Cinema Club * Boy George – couldn’t hear, couldn’t see, but we were distracted by boys in drag, so not to worry (aye, Glasto, get more screens!!)
Friday – Who We Saw
Rolf Harris * Jesca Hoop * Napolean In Rags * Bombay Bicycle Club * Thom Yorke (you will gasp but we didn’t stay…we were told the surprise was The Strokes. It wasn’t, I got all sad for missing Florence and Hot Chip when I don’t even like Radiohead. Ah well) * Snoop Dogg (* blush * he was very seductive with his lady talk! Dizzy was dancing away off stage and Tinie Tempah came on with him and they did Pass Out so that was a clash for Saturday I could avoid) * Vampire Weekend * Gorillaz – That line up was incredible, and I thought that the entire production was flipping beautiful.
Thursday – Who We Missed, The ones that break our hearts (This is painful, I may cry)
Hot Chip (caught some as Tent Music, but I’m a bit bitter – I HEART THEM LIVE!!) * Florence and the Machine * The Stranglers * Ellie Goulding * Nouvelle Vague * Good Shoes * Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly * Bunny Come (Ballad Faves)
Saturday – Shade Hopping Day – Who We Saw
Frankie & The Heartstrings * Kelis * Wild Beasts – Amazing voice live * Delphic … rated them muchly, very very good live * Foals – AMAZING – If you haven’t already, go see. * The Cribs * The Correspondents * Twilight Players
And Saturday’s Heart Breakers…
Seasick Steve * Imogen Heap * I Blame Coco (tooooo early) * Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel * Pulled Apart By Horses – I will live to regret this, and Camille will be very mad :S – don’t miss out, go see them now.
Sunday – Who We Saw
Frightened Rabbit * Grizzly Bear * The Temper Trap * We Are Scientists ( LOVE LOVE LOVE these boys, go see them live, their shit chat is beyond compare) * MGMT (Tent Music) * Faithless (seeing how moved Maxi Jazz was was incredible) * Stevie Wonder * Empire Of The Sun
Sunday’s ones that got away
Ray Davies * The Drums 
(I got it as Tent Music, but it was a bit patchy)* Toots & the Maytals * The Bees * Gomez
Same time, same place next year…see you there x
I am not one for ‘cute’ things, but there is something cute about Harlem even though they’re actually more fallen off the trail, rough around the edges garage band types. I think it’s the combination of the all the boys Coomers, Curtis and Jose, singing the songs together and laid back sun-time aura thing, occasionally kitted in Hawaiian shirts as demonstrated here…
and then lyrics that sting like ‘If I could be your darling, you’ve gotta start falling for all the bullshit I give you’ in Be Your Baby, or even Gay Human Bones a favourite – seems to be about good ideas (ooo) and being alone (awww) and playing basketball (alright then). In fact, this is an absolute favourite song on the album so I’ve dug out the (pretty strange) video here:
…I think there’s a woman in this video that we will all think that we’ve met, once or twice.
Also for the record, they’re from Austin, Texas – which I hear is a very nice part of the world.
They’re 2nd album Hippies is out on Matador and is neat as fuck. God knows why more people don’t own it. Here is Harlem pretending to be some hippies…
LATITUDE ANNOUNCES THE LEGENDARY TOM JONES
FOR A VERY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE ON THURSDAY AT MIDNIGHT
IN THE WOODS
~ TOM JONES ~
Latitude is absolutely delighted to announce that the legendary Tom Jones is set to appear at this year’s Latitude Festival with a special performance on Thursday July 15th. The appearance with his band will see Tom performing songs from his forthcoming album ‘Praise & Blame’ at midnight In The Woods.
This landmark album comes in the singer’s 70th year, a glowing achievement in what has been a ground-breaking, unpredictable roller-coaster of a 45-year career. The songs from ‘Praise & Blame’ (released 26th July on Island Records), are from a repertoire that includes American traditional, gospel and country, seeing Tom going back to his roots and creating a truly evocative musical work, aided and abetted by producer/musician Ethan Johns.
Tom Jones says of ‘Praise & Blame’: “It’s food for thought, it’s real, it’s natural, and in that sense it’s truly me.”
This performance by Tom Jones will quite possibly be blowing the leaves off the trees when he takes to the secluded and magical stage In The Woods at midnight….
Warming up for Tom Jones are Les Clochards who began in 2005 when accordionist Karen Cleave and singer Ian Nixon decided that the chanson tradition is a deeper, wider seam than many had realised, linking Jacques Brel to Southern Soul via Gene Vincent. Fellow travellers and drinking partners Peter Momtchiloff, Gary Neville and Dean Ryan joined along the route, as French standards gave way to imperfectly beautiful original compositions. Their first LP ‘Sweet Tableaux’ was released on Big Red Sky Records in July 2009, following two well-received singles, and has attracted excellent reviews. That’s because it’s really, really good.
PLUS MORE MUSIC & ARTS ADDITIONS
THE WORD ARENA~ David Ford ~
SUNRISE ARENA
~ The Lost Levels ~ I Blame Coco ~ Gentleman’s Dub Club ~
THE LAKE STAGE
~ Boycott Monday ~ Clare Maguire ~ Spectrals ~
~ The Quails ~ Aaron Wright ~
FILM & MUSIC
~ Steve Mason ~
COMEDY AT LATITUDE
~ Stephen K Amos ~
~ Kevin Eldon ~ Dominic Holland ~
THEATRE AT LATITUDE
~ Box Of Tricks: True Love Waits ~
PANDORAS PLAYGROUND
~ Dance East ~ Enterplay ~
~ After The Beep ~ Advice Booth ~ School Sports Day ~
~ We are Words and Pictures ~ Famous Last Words ~
~ Mimi Poskitt ~ Scrabble Sunday ~ (ex)sighting ~
LITERARY SALON
~ Write To Play with Sir Peter Hall and Thea Sharrock ~
POETRY ARENA
~ Matt Abbott ~ The Fake Thackrays ~
DJs
~ John Rostron ~ DJ Felson ~ Jen Long ~
Latitude Festival returns for an incredible 5th Edition on 15-18th July 2010 set in the beautiful countryside of Henham Park Estate on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast.
Unlike any other festival, Latitude has built its sterling reputation as a brave and pioneering event with a line-up like no other. In the beautiful Suffolk countryside, Latitude provides only the very best of music, theatre, comedy, literature, film, poetry, dance, art, fashion and cabaret for an exceptional three days and nights of heady indulgence and scintillating entertainment. Four arenas are dedicated to an exciting selection of musical talent from emerging bands, international stars and homegrown heroes, whilst the arts onsite command no less than thirteen arenas and areas providing something for everybody, no matter what your preferences. Latitude continues to be the complete summer weekend vacation.
~ THE WORD ARENA ~
Inside the deceptively large canopy that comprises The Word Arena will be an amazing set of alternative artists crossing genre boundaries seamlessly. You’ll discover a host of fresh and exciting acts from across the spectrum. The Word Arena is bound to satiate both the esoteric music fan and the casual passer-by as they enjoy these introductions to their new favourite sounds.
Eastbourne songwriter David Ford meshes folk compositions with a thoroughly modern touch. Somehow managing to leap from harmonica-fuelled blues to menacing, gravel-voiced mantras, his latest album Let The Hard Times Roll shows a man in complete control of his musical destiny. Having graduated from indie-hopefuls Easyworld mid last decade, The Word Stage welcomes the mature and powerful gravitas of Mr Ford.
~ SUNRISE ARENA ~
A deliciously unexpected treat awaits the audience within the fragrant woods on the other side of the lake. The Sunrise Arena is host to a splendid foray of new acts and is the place to discover tomorrow’s stars today.
Norwich-based indie collective The Lost Levels streamline alternately slinky and chunky riffs with the impeccable sheen of wailing synths. With songs tightly structured with piano interludes and time changes, there’s not time or room to lose interest. With huge support from local BBC Radio and their current single ‘Training’ garnering attention, it won’t be long before these songsmiths have snatched achievements and progressed far beyond the early stages.
Being the daughter of a world famous musician, in this case Sting, Coco Sumner – AKA I Blame Coco – only means she has to work that bit harder. The opposite of workshy, this nineteen year old has already been an actress and model and began working on her music at fifteen. The result is ‘The Constant’ an album of unabashed electronic pop. Her voice is incredibly familiar as recent singles ‘Caesar’ and ‘Self Machine’ have proved, but she’s a confident and future star in her own right, wielding choruses of impressive magnitude.
Specialising in a blend of dub, ska and roots reggae, The Gentleman’s Dub Club have been overwhelming audiences since 2006. Arising from Leeds, this nine piece keep authenticity and refreshing melodies at the forefront of what they do. They’ve already supported exceptional acts like Roots Manuva and The Streets as well as playing at various UK festivals and a previous slot at Latitude. An excellent addition to the Sunrise Arena.
~ LAKE STAGE ~
curated by Huw Stephens
A few metres away from the crystal waters of Latitude’s core landscape feature, The Lake Stage provides tantalisingly early glimpses of Huw Stephens’ freshest tips. Latitude audiences are treated to a full parade of diverse and exhilarating bands about to be splashed across magazines up and down the country.
Boycott Monday are fairly modest though their chiming, percussive indie tunes are anything but. Stripped back to the mere essentials – guitar, bass, drums, vocals – their streamlined, choppy songs are all geared towards pushing the melodic simplicity of their voices and instruments. They succeed at this, bringing to mind immediately the sublime indie-pop of South London’s Good Shoes.
Birmingham singer Clare Maguire has had a long journey relative to our 22 years, but this Universal-signed pop singer has been the subject of a huge bidding war as well as being compared to Amy Winehouse and Duffy by The Guardian. Having cited Howlin’ Wolf and Rosetta Tharpe as influences, the bluesy tinge to her incredible voice has the edge over hundreds of wannabe divas. She’s been developing, away from hype, and Latitude are pleased to have her perform on the eclectic Lake Stage.
Spectrals strip surf twang from its roots and implants it into a shadowy, echoing cavern that warps and distorts the upbeat into the weird and unsettling. With the off-hand drawl that accompanies it, their leering, potent sound urges further investigation, a willingness to indulge with them rather than just sit back. They are set to release a new 7″ with on-the-pulse label Moshi Moshi so this may well be your best chance to see them.
Teignmouth quartet The Quails have already made a name for themselves with support slots at Muse’s homecoming shows – the arena rock behemoths also come from Teignmouth – and with The Kooks. Their second album ‘Master Of Imperfection’ has just been released and is a great demonstration of their indie rock chops. Come see what those headliners saw in this young ensemble.
Aaron Wright has spent the last couple of years building on a growing reputation as a charismatic singer/songwriter. He is joined by his band The Aprils who have helped give his act a fuller sound which has gone done well in a number of capacity crowds in London lately. In the studio Aaron has recently finished recording his debut album with the help of Francis MacDonald (Teenage Fanclub) as producer and some guest appearances from the members of bands such as Latitude headliners Belle and Sebastian and Camera Obscura so with such illustrious backing, things are looking up for Aaron Wright and the Aprils. With Aaron’s musical influences firmly rooted with the likes of Dylan and Neil Young his lyrical charm sets him apart from his contemporaries.
`~ FILM & MUSIC ARENA~
A heady mix of visual and aural pleasure, the Film & Music Arena is home to some of the festival’s most mesmerising performances. Bringing together the worlds of alternative cinema and music, the arena will showcase a jam-packed programme of award-winning films, documentaries and shorts with Q&A sessions and discussions alongside musical treats and thrilling visuals. Ex-Beta Band songwriter Steve Mason has just released his collaboration with renowned pop producer Richard X, ‘Boys Outside’. Following critical acclaim for the dreamy, shimmering pop that adorns the new record, Steve Mason has already made a significant leap from his King Biscuit Time and Black Affair alter egos. He will be performing a very special set at the Film & Music Arena which promises to be unmissable.
~ COMEDY AT LATITUDE ~
One of the festival’s most enduring and prestigious fixtures, the Comedy Arena, sees a huge and varied bill of comic splendour. Vastly lauded by all who spend time within its bosom, you’re likely to have to hold back some energy in preparation as you’ll be expelling it in laughter and mirth for the duration of your visit.
The wickedly sharp observations of Stephen K. Amos has seen audiences all across the country rolling in the aisles in either hysterics and even, at times, outrage. With each whistle stop tour upon racism, homophobia, pop culture – including documentaries on the two former topics – his bright and charming ripostes to everything around him have garnered him a respectable following. Having performed every year at the Edinburgh Fringe since 2003, and a regular at London’s Comedy Store, his reputation is bolstered by his eagerness to perform. He released his long awaited debut live DVD – Find the Funny – late last year. He’s made many TV appearances from Live At The Apollo to Children In Need. He returns to the Latitude Comedy Arena as one of the most popular rising performers.
Kevin Eldon is probably the most familiar face in comedy television. He’s appeared in shows such as Spaced, Fist of Fun, With Richard Not Judy, Big Train and Black Books in the role of quirky and extremely memorable characters. His most recent role was as a police sniper in Chris Morris’ ‘Four Lions’. Verging on the dark and disturbing but without veering away from hilarity, Kevin’s comic acting roles should give us a good indication of the brilliance in store for those attending and paying attention.
From winning the Perrier Best Newcomer Award back in 1993 Dominic Holland has elevated his comic voice onto radio, stages across the country and TV with the likes of Have I Got News For You. Described as “a comedian who makes you feel glad to be alive” by The Guardian, Dominic has gradually become a renowned author on top of his comedy persona. This multi-faceted talent is one of our best kept secrets and the Comedy Arena is proud to reveal him to a new batch of potential fans.
~ THEATRE AT LATITUDE ~
Unique and very special Outdoor Theatre can be found throughout the Latitude site, on the banks of the lake and deep within the forest. Taking inspiration from the beautiful countryside in which it is set, performances vary from beat-boxing to classical orchestra and from musicals to Shakespeare.
Box of Tricks presents the world première of ‘True Love Waits’ by Kenneth Emson, Evan Placey and Marcelo Dos Santos. “I can’t talk about these things with anyone else. You’re my priest.” Daniel is a convicted murderer on Death Row. Alice is his neurotic girlfriend. Charlie is a 15-year-old girl from Reading. Judith, a God-fearing mother. They all write to Daniel. They all need Daniel. But will true love wait? An explosive comic drama for three voices, ‘True Love Waits’ fuses monologue and movement to tell the story of three ‘pen pals’ approaching personal crises. As they write to Daniel, separate lives begin to interweave and collide, and events take a darker turn. A unique commission from three of the hottest talents from the Royal Court’s Young Writers’ Programme, this is a darkly comic journey through three women’s lives and their obsession with a serial killer.
~ PANDORA’S PLAYGROUND ~
Whilst Latitude’s extensive line-up is an incredible assortment of riches that can keep you entertained all weekend, there is also a treasure trove of unexpected pleasures that lie through the festival’s magical woods and beyond. Pandora’s Playground is where anything and everything can happen. A mini festival of its own, this quirky corner of the Latitude site features side shows, games, interactive art, dance troupes, theatre and an all night disco shed. This is the place for pure, unadulterated playtime in all its childish and fun-filled glory.
Try out a new dance style with DanceEast who will be running dance class taster sessions throughout the weekend, including Tango and Belly Dancing, Hip Hop, Mum’s and Daughter’s workshops, Lah-di-dah (a mass participatory 1920/30s themed exercise class), and much more. On Saturday join in with the Lah-di-dah classes led by three super female instructors, it’s a mass 1920’s workout that will get you in tip top shape for summer! Follow the ladies as their clipped British tones guide you through moves including ‘high tea’, ‘the penguin’ and ‘chased by a bee’. Complete the actions in unison with your chums to create a delightful spectacle of health and vitality. Jolly good show! Based on post-war outdoors keep fit, flappers and Buzby Berkley dance numbers, this is an interactive performance where you create the performance! Lah-di-dah is produced by Jen Walke and Hannah Kerr, producers of participatory arts events with a vintage twist, and performed by The Beaux Belles. DanceEast brings opportunities to dance to everyone across East Anglia, promoting dance as a pastime for fun and fitness for everybody. DanceEast also brings world-class dance to the East of England, presenting an eclectic programme of performances at the Jerwood DanceHouse and Snape Maltings Concert Hall.
EnterPlay will be in The Faraway Forest each day bringing a new story to the Latitude audience. Friday offers Echo, an experiential narrative that leads players on an aural journey through the nighttime Forest. Those who unlock the clues may find a secret midnight speakeasy… Saturday’s Segue pits teams against each other to lead a dancer on a trans-Forest journey, armed only with fragments of a score and a willing musician. Can you get through all the checkpoints and back home first? And Sunday rounds off with Necropolis, transforming the Forest into a cemetery and players into long-lost heirs competing to prove their inheritance rights to the Macabre family fortune. EnterPlay creates bespoke interactive events combining games, music, and dance, for theatres and festivals around the world.
In unexpected places an old red K6 phone box is appearing, lost and no longer sure of its purpose in society it seeks out those still needing to leave a message, who have something left unsaid, who want to get out of the rain or hide inside and shut the door for a little while. After the Beep is made by interactive arts trio Invisible Flock, you are invited to step inside the box, keep him company, leave a message, stay a while and think about what happens after the beep.
A regular stall on the Brick Lane market before being shut down by the council, The Advice Booth has travelled by invitation to Shunt, Forest Fringe, Art Art Art, Amnesty International and others. Providing a typed out receipt/prescription and a lollipop to soothe the pain, any question is on the table and they will do their best to advise. The Advice Booth has attracted the attention of Current TV, the Londonist and the Evening Standard, and has so far consulted with over 400 people and counting. Any problems you have whilst in the middle of the field, this is the place for you to go.
Think back to the halcyon, summer, school days of your youth, when you could still touch your toes, Neighbours welcomed you home on the BBC, Wagon Wheels were your lunch box treat and your days were spent glueing glitter to card, making rose petal perfume and learning your times table. Do you remember the culmination of the year’s hard slog? Yes, that’s right, the Annual School Sports Day….loved by those with a hint of athleticism and a mum who could balance an egg on a spoon whilst navigating an obstacle course in a floaty 1970s maxi number and hated by those with the sporting skills of a slug. And a dad who couldn’t walk in those ridiculous flares he used to wear, let alone win a 3 legged race in them. So, if you were a winner, come along and relive your former glories and if you were, well, a loser, come along, kick some sports day ass and finally stow those childhood memories of defeat away into your He-man packed lunch box for good. Giant egg and spoon races, sack races, 6-legged race, Tommy Toss and more…. AMAZING prizes for the winners…..They’ll be under the tree opposite Pandora’s on Friday 11am – 3pm if you want to sign up to guarantee your spot or turn up on the day and play. Don’t forget…If you don’t bring your PE kit, you’re doing it in your underwear! 16+
Come and join some of the UK’s finest small press illustrators and help create a unique comic to celebrate Latitude 2010. Drop in to polish up on your drawing skills, relax and take inspiration from our library of ‘zines and comics or help fill pages with colourful characters, tall tales and fantasy lands while we spin a yarn in the Suffolk sun. We Are Words + Pictures are a group of illustrators and writers creating comics throughout the UK. Since 2008 they have worked with the ICA’s Comica Festival, Brick Lane Market and comedians Josie Long and Robin Ince.
An automatic gameshow-cum-cult induction ceremony, ingeniously built into an innocuous looking caravan. Famous Last Words explores the desire for success by inviting you to take part in the gameshow that will change your life. Can you make your way from befuddled contestant to confident host in only fifteen minutes? Do you want to succeed? The answer is yes, of course you do. Just look for the caravan in Pandora’s Playground. Famous Last Words takes in one contestant every three minutes, so bring a friend. And £3 cash. Greg McLaren is a theatre artist. He created and performed the hit show How To Build A Time Machine and has collaborated with Rotozaza, Signal to Noise and Mapping 4D.
Mimi Poskitt has been producing documentary-plays with her and Ben Freedman’s production company Look Left Look Right since 2005. This has resulted in the pioneering works like the recent ‘Counted?’, about the nation’s voting habits and experiences, and their first critically acclaimed work ‘Yesterday Was A Weird Day’ about the 7th July London bombings. With a specially created show for Latitude, the result should be entertaining, informative and extremely striking.
Everyone knows the best board game in the world is Scrabble. Not only can you pit your vocabulary and word-making skills against someone else, you can have a pint, a bite to eat and a bit of a lounge about in the sun while you do it. Perfect. That’s why in Pandora’s Playground, you’ll find Scrabble Sunday. They’ll provide lovely boards (from 50’s ones to 80’s ones, from swivelly ones to inflatable ones), a referee (with official Scrabble dictionary of course) to rule on any arguments, some comfy blankets and maybe even an opponent. Prizes will be awarded to those who come up with extra special words. All you have to do is bring your brain. Be there and be square. Be there AND be square, get it?
(ex)sighting In 1980 something occurred in Rendlesham forest not far from the Latitude site, still unexplained the UFO sighting has stirred many into telling their story and catapulting the mystery into the annuals of history. A night-time spectacle of sound and AV lighting, (ex)sightings brings together fantastic visuals with stirring movement and a dark soundscape. As dusk turns to evening, unsuspecting festival goers will be treated to an orb lurking in the darker realms of Pandora’s Playground, a glowing, captivating and curious happening that will undoubtedly leave you with a worrying sense of the unknown..
~ LITERARY SALON ~
New to last year’s festival, the Literary Salon is the noisy little sister of the Literary Arena that encourages you to get involved. A hub of interactive workshops, open discussions and wideranging debates all ready to get stuck into – it is a place to air your opinions, learn a brand new skill, discover new and exciting things and explore your inner most interests.
Sir Peter Hall joins the Write To Play initiative bringing his skills to an eager learning audience. Hall is the legendary theatre director who established the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1960, directed the National Theatre from 1973 until 1988 and in 2004 opened The Rose theatre in Kingston-Upon-Thames. He’s played a huge part in defending arts subsidies for the UK and his pedigree speaks for itself. He will be interviewed about his incredible life as a pioneering man in theatre by and Thea Sharrock an award-winning theatre director who was once Sir Hall’s protégé. With the invaluable experience, innovation and knowledge between the two esteemed guests, attendees can expect a valuable insight into the art of plays, playwriting and translation from script to stage. Whether it be for your own project or just to enhance your understanding of the theatre you love, this is a unique opportunity to learn and be inspired. Everyone should take full advantage of this experience.
~ POETRY ARENA ~
Over the past four years, the Poetry Arena at Latitude has grown into one of Europe’s leading poetry events in its own right, boasting the hottest slam poets, spoken word, storytelling, comedy sketches, rappers and much, much more. The Poetry Arena lures in passers by with comfy bean-bags and cushions which entice you to stay all day transfixed by the magnificence of the raconteurs on stage. Laugh, cry and become enlightened in Latitude’s now famous Poetry Arena.
21 year-old Matt Abbott began performing spoken word at the tender age of 17. Spontaneous occupation of the microphone led to bookings, and before long he had several regular compère slots throughout Yorkshire. Using the stage name of Skint & Demoralised, his peculiar style often made an impression and in May 2008 he began writing songs with Sheffield producer MiNI dOG. Within 6 months, demos of their songs were played by Steve Lamacq and Colin Murray on BBC Radio 1 and within 9 months they’d signed a deal with Mercury Records at Universal. Their debut album ‘Love, And Other Catastrophes’ was recorded in New York City with soul legends The Dap-Kings (Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson) and RAK Studios in London over the summer of 2008. Despite travelling to New York, playing Glastonbury and being played on day-time Radio 1, Abbott cites the highlight of his career as supporting John Cooper Clarke in York in main 2009. “JCC was the reason that I started writing performance poetry. The man changed my life, and I genuinely believe that he’s the greatest lyricist/poet of all time. I can’t wait to see him again at Latitude.” Currently riding high and his sharp, witty and lyrical poetry will continue to build a dedicated following.
John Watterson and Paul Thompson are The Fake Thackrays, they have been performing the songs of Jake Thackray for many years in venues across the UK. They are joined by Alex Watterson on bass. Jake was a singer-songwriter from Yorkshire, whose songs are painfully funny, sad, tragic, rude, irreverent, incisive and happy, and often enough all these things at the same time. Like all great poets, Jake Thackray’s words are beautifully chosen and assembled with the skill of a real craftsman. Here was a man who knew how to use the English language, whose rhymes defied the rules yet worked perfectly. Come see what you think! ~ DJs ~
~ The Lake Stage ~
Presenting the veritable cream of disc-spinners throughout the day, The Lake Stage will host a variety of DJs across the weekend.
DJ Felson continues to make waves as one of Wales’ premier DJs. He can often be seen spinning discs for Huw Stephens’ Introducing nights both in and out of Wales.
Jen Long is a prominent writer and DJ on Radio 1 Wales. She wrote extensively for the sadly-departed Kruger Magazine and contributes to the BBC Introducing blog. As a constant fixture on the Welsh music scene, her record skills are second-to-none.
John Rostron is a Cardiff-based promoter who puts on nights around Wales under the Swn banner, which is also the name of the new annual festival he co-programmes with The Lake Stage’s own Huw Stephens. He also occasionally puts out records on his very own My Kung Fu label.
Other musical highlights over the weekend include Obelisk Arena headliners Florence + the Machine, Belle and Sebastian and Vampire Weekend as well as The National, The xx, Empire Of The Sun, Laura Marling, Frank Turner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Spoon, Crystal Castles and Mumford & Sons amongst so many other.
Elsewhere throughout the weekend, festival goers can enjoy the comedy stylings of Emo Philips, Phill Jupitus & Friends Improv Show, Richard Herring; literary musings from the ever-popular Robin Ince’s Book Club with Kevin Eldon, Jo Neary, Robyn Hitchcock, Josie Long & Gavin Osborn; leftfield poetry from Eddie Argos; and dramatic performances courtesy of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Opera House and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse in association with Paines Plough.
It really is a place like no other; an intimate world away from reality that encourages you to be all that you’ve ever wanted to be whilst indulging in the spirit of exploration and discovery.
~ TICKET INFORMATION ~
ALL WEEKEND AND DAY TICKETS ARE NOW SOLD OUT
