“When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her
opinion, she's a bitch.”
― Bette Davis
[edited: 16 March]
On 10 March 2016, between 8 to
9pm (a Clear Spot slot), I, the Lizardz Vox, was going to receive David Tovey
on Resonance 104.4fm. But last night, the show was cancelled[1].
We were going to talk about him
sleeping rough, homelessness in general (65000 homeless people in UK for 650000
empty houses) and his fashion show. In between talks, I was going to play some
new tracks and mention the artists’ gigs.
We were going to give a proper
definition of homelessness: from sleeping in the street to sleeping in the car
to couch surfing (mainly students who can’t afford the rents) to displaced
families.
The first track I was going to
play was Autrenoir’s Terpsichore. A plunge into
the deep of the ocean... dark, magnificent. Autrenoir is the alliance of cinematographic techno Mondkopf and metal / post-hardcore
background Extreme Precautions on In Paradisum label. A first album is
set for release for the second half of 2016. If you are impatient... hear them
at Village
Underground on 19 March (London EC2A 3PQ)
Also planned on the turntable was
(for some minutes):
Matt Elliott’ Wings and Crown
from his soon to be released album The
Calm Before on Ici D’Ailleurs
label (8 April): a folk contemplation on tragic path. Here is a teaser on The Calm Before.
I first saw Matt as Third Eye Foundation
in a minuscule and packed place by Highbury
and Islington’ tube (something named “Down Under”?) – I called him the Joy Division of dark electro... back in
the mid 90’s. Hear him at The Laughing Bell 25 March.
The (Hypothetical) Prophets’ Back
to the Burner from soon to be (re)released Around The World (originally released in 1982) album on InFiné: cut-up sounds, nonchalant voice
projection on Cold War backdrop punched with satirical lyrics, subliminal mechanical
sex from French/British duo Szajner and
Beer.
Invención,
for magnetic tape (1967) by Peruvian born composer Argentinean based Edgar Valcarcel. 10 years ago, I was living
in Peru and got friend with Luis
Alvarado. He handed me over an experimental music compilation from Latin
America (1948-1979) that I took with me to Wire
mag in London and hoping to play it at Resonance.
Since then, Pogus
published his treasure Tensions At The
Vanguard New Music From Peru (1948 - 1979). I never kept a copy, but
the New York based label has just sent me a whole package. Following my tips
about Resonance and Wire, Luis has been able to have his tracks played /
written a few times. (Artwork by my friend José Ignacio Iturburu on
Invencion...).
Smash
/ Hush from Kyoka’ SH album on Raster Noton coming out 25 March. The ultra experimental mental EP
has four tracks but the lucky ones like me got the six from Japan... Keep your
eyes shut and feel the bumps. If you are lucky to be in Berlin on 10 & 11 March,
you can celebrate RN’s 20th
anniversary @ White Circle.
On 15 of April comes out a jewel
from a far away/ so close planet: The
Limiñanas give birth to an enigmatic and hypnotic album named Malamore on Because Music, A cinematic ballad in between 60’s sounds, Gainsbourg or Suicide. Sometimes phlegmatic, sometimes on speed, sometimes on a
Harley Davidson, sometimes on a slow silver bus... but it also feels like
listening to it upside down, feet nailed up to the ceiling and shaking it all.
Here, a special guest for Garden Of Love, Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order). They are touring in France
right now, catch them @ L’Ubu
if you can, 19 March. For us in London, let’s start some incantations to be... In
the Mood for Malamore.
Impuros Fanáticos by Fumaça
Preta is out 8 April on Soundway
Records. A total insane opus located between a devil salsa, festive punk
and opium-like flamenco... a dementia cocktail for the fiestas au bout de la nuit. Here is La
Trampa. Hear them @
The Lexington on 22
April.
Warriors of urban sounds “lost”
in some jungle, South African rapper Tumi
& French Chinese Man will play
their Alabama3-like melodies from The Journey, 27 May @ The
Forum. They released their album a few months back on Chinese Man Records. Here is Better
That Way to feel the vibe.
Ending the prog with Autrenoir’s Nuit. A spiral of
frictions... reaching out for tension – 19 March. Village Underground.
Big thanks for support, trust, patience: L’Ubu team in Rennes (big
up); Because Music; ChineseMan Rec; Bureau Export; Soundway Rec; Guillaume
& Paul @ In Paradisum; Pogus; Raster Noton.
A last one for the road... Lou Doillon for album Lay
Low, already out. She’ll play Bush Hall on 27 April. Born
too late for soundtracking in David
Lynch’s Blue Velvet or Young at Heart... she is in many ways Chris Isaak’s alter ego with a soupçon of Amy Winehouse.
New addition: French saxophonist Bertrand Gauguet and the great pianist John Tilbury plays @ Cafe Oto
on 30 March.
I was going to advice:
To view Professor Green’s Hidden and Homeless on BBC (two weeks left to watch
it);
To march for the homeless on 15 April;
To read some stories on
homelessness and understand figures in The Guardian: On Thursday 10 March, the Guardian will be
liveblogging the homelessness crisis through the night, following people as
they attempt to bed down for the night around the country;
Counterpoints Arts: creative arts by and about refugees and migrants
in the UK – book 3 Dec 2016;
New addition via former Creation
label’s boss Alan McGee on
homelessness: music bands to perform in September for Crisis Charity.
Also advising on
exhibitions I was going to strongly recommend:
John Akomfrah @ Lisson Gallery = until 12 March (3
films of about 40 minutes each – The
Airport is a must);
Black Georgians @ Black Cultural Archives = until 4
June; Check Power of Voice
celebrating International Women’s Month;
Visit Ben
Eine latest work: M.E.S.M.E.R.I.S.I.N.G
in Green Dragon, 64 High St, Croydon CR0 9XN.
Next year celebrates Andy Warhol’s death, but see him
already in Gagosian
Where is My Mind? The Work of Vaughn Oliver and The
Pixies in Greenwich: till
8 April
Excellent exhibition @ V&A: Paul Strand:
Photography and Film for the 20th Century from
19 March to 3 July 2016. My favourite are the ones in Scotland for their
landscapes and Ghana for his portraiture of people. He also intensively
photographed France (where he lived for 26 years until his death), New York
where he was from and Mexico. It’s a very intense and large exhibition with
camera models + 2 films. A MUST SEE.
To come soon
near you:
CIRCUS FEST 2016: 4 to 24 April. Highlights:
Race Horse
Company: Super Sunday
(UK Premiere); Barely
Methodical Troupe: Kin; workshops, street arts and talks
such as Salon: Circus and Class (Thursday
14 April, 8pm) - Circus was traditionally
seen as a form of mass entertainment for the working classes.
Monday 4 – Sunday 24 April - THE ROLLING STONES UNVEIL THEIR FIRST
EVER MAJOR INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT SAATCHI GALLERY: from 6
April till 4 September
You Say You Want a Revolution? Records and Rebels
1966 - 70 @ V&A: 10 September 2016 – 26 February 2017
Philippe Parreno for the Turbine
Hall @ Tate Modern, opening on 4 October 2016.
I was going to thank David Tovey
for his precious insight and sign off on Nuit
from Autrenoir...
lizardzvox@gmail.com - Mid
Winter’s tale on Resonance: https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/clear-spot-the-lizardz-vox-15th-january-2016/
