セバらしいブログ: The Official Blog of "Seba Rashii"

Music Review//Mango Shank - The Hungry Monsters Musical Feast

2012-02-01T09:54:00.001Z

Some music comes to you via radio. Some music is thrown at you from the stage of a smoky club in the middle of some far flung city. Other music however is found in Probe Records on a rainy day when a bit of water on the head can't sway me from discoveries that are literally mind blowing.

Music Review//Mango Shank - The Hungry Monsters Musical Feast.

Anybody wishing to slam a definition on work such as this will have a hard job because in the best possible way it defies definition. Each of the five tracks are instrumental, with the odd scream or sinister laughter included for good measure. The DIY aesthetic of the best experimental music is present and correct and despite the odds, I really enjoyed the crazy mix this selction of songs offers.

The spirit of early Kraftwerk is perhaps one that should be acknowledged here, with one track reminiscent of Ruckzuck from their first album. (Obscure references here we come!) The track the generously titled Post Feast Trotts is a seven minute long frenetic jam with violins, satanic cackling, crowd screaming and out of tune guitars mixing up to make a curiously beguiling potion.

Another track Feast, Feast, Feast opens with a haunted house like organ bar as muffled voices add brilliant atmosphere and subtle drum loops create a good beat. The whole track could soundtrack some Mexican western where the villain just happens to be a vampire and is genuinely fascinating listening.

It's fair to say that anybody seeking a listen that won't fade into the background should check out any Mango Shank.

Review by Seba.

Gig Flashback//Sleigh Bells

2012-01-30T22:00:00.000Z

Sound City has a lot of bands you may have never heard ofbefore and in that there is great potential and great risk. I pondered thatthought as I made my way to the gig I'm about to review.

Gig Flashback//Sleigh Bells at The Shipping Forecast

There is always asense, at least, of anticipation of discovering the band who you'll maybe endup playing incessantly on your medium of choice for weeks and months to comewhen you go and that feeling may well have been placed very well for thisgig, in which I saw Brooklyn, New York duo Sleigh Bells make a room full ofpeoples ears bleed like never before. Metaphorically of course!

Anyone coming to this gig expecting seasonal jingles would behighly disappointed. In fact, they'd be more off than any assumption evershould be! Described by various sources as a mix of Karen O and Kate Bush,singer of the duo Alison Klauss may have screamed - very literally at somepoints in the show!- and danced around madly like a Babushka era Kate Bush butin other aspects she is a mixture of the madness of early PJ Harvey, Karen O'srock style and a lot of nervous energy.

If I had to attach a genre to thisshow, it's be Industrial Metal with a rock twist and even if the sheer noisemade by just two people almost made it impossible to make out what was going onat times, like some Dalian nightmare, it was a fantastic, if brief show at justthirty minutes. For a first time experience, this was an excellent one thatwill be glued to my earlobes for at least another six years! It's brevity wasit's genius in the end, and I'm not sure that anyone could've survived ninetyminutes of Sleigh Bells Noise Rock without going insane in a very good way,which makes it a shame that the much shouted for encore never came.

We also shouldn't forget to mention that the other side ofthe duo, Derek E Miller, who dealt out the ear bleeds via sharp riffs and madethe energy of this short set something to remember for weeks to come. It mighthave been difficult to make out much of what was going on vocally at times, butthis was easily one of the more unique shows on a sound filled night inLiverpool.

Review by Seba.

Art Review//Erotic Art Exhibition 2012 at The Gallery Liverpool

2012-01-29T22:47:00.002Z

Art has always been subjective and this is especially the case for that notoriously borderline tendency prone genre that is erotic art. Having been to last years show and enjoying it I had high hopes for this years show but were they dashed like words into the wind or proven undeniably? It's time to find out.

Art Review// Erotic Art Exhibition 2012.

In title this is an 'erotic' art exhibition but just how erotic it actually is depends on your definition of the word.

Yes, it's the second erotic art exhibition at excellent venue The Gallery and after the success of last years show high expectations were had. Unfortunately - despite the presence of some excellent work - the entertainment for the evening verged on the side of the circus attraction rather than a comment on how affecting and inspiring the human body can be in art.

Only the transgender dancer's shibari performance shone in it's own right, with some genuinely graceful moments of physicality during the routine. And from an artistic point of view the live body casting was an interesting look at the process of creation but somehow the way it was presented made it a voyeuristic event rather than a true demonstration of talent.

Where the previous show was an imperfect mix of the genuinely beautiful, the sensual and the borderline this show all too often tipped it's hat towards the seedy and - although many people present were open minded- sometimes downright indecent. Of course, as I said previously this in no way denigrates the artists work but as my companion and I progressed around the gallery, past myriad body casting from Len Gifford, ornamental works gracing the ceiling and much more besides we commented how our interpretation of erotic was mostly at odds with the work on display.

There was a notable abundance of photographic work, much of it playing with the idea of erotic over many variations until shock value seemed to take over. Highlights included Gregory Brown's 'Entwined' an elegantly shot image of a man and woman entwined together. The black and white setting added a touch of elegance that would be absent were the image shot in colour.

Another highlight from the same artist includes the refreshing 'Oops Upside' in which a nude poses in a handstand on a curved chaise langue. The fact that the models skin tone is almost deathly pale adds a natural feel to the image, in stark contrast to the often tanned bodies that fill images like this.

A refreshing start then but some other pieces in the gallery leave you cold in their emotionless style that you would expect to be a lot more warmer in the erotic sense. That said though, there is more goodness in the form of Len Gifford's ever adventurous metal sculptures that despite the potential for them to go over the theoretical top are entertaining in themselves.

Also, Robert Babylon's work impresses, especially 'UV Spider Legs'. Another photographer whose work impresses sporadically is Roderick McDonald whose monochrome pieces are impressive, especially the subtle 'Ariadne' although the image 'Safe' of a pregnant woman's stomach bound in rope is perhaps crossing many peoples ideas of taste despite the context it's presented in.

There are many more pieces on show of course but I shall leave it for the viewer to judge whether the line has been crossed or merely chalked a little bit further forward.

Review by Seba.

See also: Erotic Art Exhibition 2011

Off The Cuff//Inspiration - Our One True Connection.

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000Z

Whilst going through the archives recently we dug up an article that may or may not have some relevance to our readers. Feeling uninspired or in the middle of a bout of creators block? This may be of some help...

Inspiration - Our One True Connection

There is one thing that connects all creators, no matter what the object of their thought, and that is inspiration. As artists, it's our one true connection. Every artist is different and it is only fair that that their work should be unique too. The thing that makes this possible is the random nature of inspiration and how it affects people. The wiring of our brains make it possible for everything and anything to become a piece of the invisible energy known as "inspiration".

But there are times when we, as artists or creators, run out of inspiration. The fact is, modern life , for all it's modern concessions to convenience and freedom, can be constricting on the creative mind. Of course, it is mostly about how you channel your creative energies that makes the journey worthwhile and that can make a loss of inspiration all the more painful. If you can imagine a world without art, you can imagine just how much we need inspiration. The fact is, we are all creators here and that in itself adds value to our lives. But quite often, people ask themselves how can I keep up my creativity and not get bored? I know this, because I have asked that same question of myself on many occasions. Below I present some suggestions, just suggestions, I should add as there are many more ways to once again broaden ones vision and start creating like never before.

1. Travel.

There's an expression that travel broadens the mind, and it is very true. In fact the only reason I started painting was because I went to an exhibition whilst I was living in Tokyo and realized that there must be more to life than merely visiting an exhibition or gallery. How about making the pieces of work that could one day be seen in a gallery? That's how I started, and for many years I painted, drew, and imagined until I couldn't anymore and moved onto writing and occasional painted work. I still have the work I did then, and it is, to me at least, amazing. I can remember where and what made me create every piece, and that is the best thing about inspiration, it makes really good memories.

2. Take a good walk.

In my opinion, television is the biggest stifler of creativity. That's not to say that there is no creativity there, simply that watching it too much is a bad road to go down. I love to walk, and that's where I get a lot of my ideas from. When there were no cars, no motorized forms of transportation, people made a different kind of art. Perhaps more considered and localized in it's internal motivations. Still, though, it was undoubtedly art. Being in a place where you feel comfortable, doing something you feel good at doing is the ultimate in inspiration. Oftentimes, you can walk to somewhere like that very easily. It could be a small cafe off the beaten track, a park bench in the sunshine, an abandoned site that retains it's magic. In my experience, the more you go places that make you feel balanced inside, the better your art will be. Try it, you'll be surprised at the results.

3. Music.

It is no accident that music and art go hand in hand. The act of making music is the direct equivalent of putting brush strokes on a blank canvas. Many musicians also paint, however successfully they are deemed to be at it. It can also take you to places you couldn't normally go to easily via playing a simple disc, vinyl or MP3 file. When I do anything creative, I listen to music whilst I'm doing it. As I write this piece, I'm listening to some relaxing Jazz that oozes the power of inspiration and helps me write even better. Whatever your creative pursuit, music can help you get the proverbial mojo back.

4. Visit an art gallery.

It sound obvious, but creativity and inspiration have their own shrines in the forms of art galleries. All art came from inspiration and all art exists to be appreciated and give inspiration. Put all this together and it makes sense that the best place you could go is a gallery. It could be any gallery, official or unofficial, known or not so well known. A gallery could save your life, in a way.

5. Immerse yourself.

Take a course, spend some time doing something you wouldn't normally do, take some time for yourself to do something you enjoy. Study and personal time can seem like things that don't match, but in creative pursuits you can do nothing better than to enhance your powers. However you immerse yourself, you're bound to come out of it with a better knowledge of the avenue you pursued.

There are many more ways, personal to all our inner selves, that can aid the flow of the mystic inspiration, and whatever helps you to work is your key to more sustained ideas. Inspiration may well be our only true connection, but we should always remember that it is others art or work that has influenced us and we have an unspoken duty to do the same for our fellow creators.

What keeps you inspired? Let us know via the comments or e-mail.

Text by Seba. Image (c)Scattershot Photography 2011

Music Review//The Portico Quartet

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000Z

The cover of this self-titled album from much admired alternative jazz group The Portico Quartet gives a clue as to the much anticipated contents. A stylized collage of the bands name, it's letters joined together to produce an unreadable equation, it sets just the right visual mood for an album that is made up of a fusion of genres and this makes the album a captivating listen indeed.

Music Review//The Portico Quartet

Jazz often has a self-indulgent reputation, perhaps unfairly, but anybody expecting a barrage of vaguely synced horns will find much to dislodge that idea here. The band is reputed to sound 'like nothing you've heard before' and that is not a lie. It's as if someone has taken the structural concepts of long form jazz and thrown them into outer space to intermingle with the transmissions from Earth. There are certainly jazz ideas here but they are mixed with swirling beats, films score atmospherics and drums as ice cool as anything.

The best way to enjoy this work is in the evening, perhaps in semi-contemplative darkness. That is because this is music that will make reach into your own inner depths to discover something. In the case of many who hear this it will be a love of this deceptively quiet but atmospheric record. Highlights include the haunting Ruins, with a drum line and synth that could soundtrack any long dark evening of the soul perfectly. The haunting point when the drums and swirling keys linger in the mix is impressive as to be staggeringly beautiful. Music rarely moves a listener in this way and there are many more examples of this on the album.

The opening timpani drums of Rubidium are perfect and as the song develops the bass strains, static effects and sax come together to make almost an aural force field of emotion and it is genuinely impressive. When the track morphs into controlled drums and bass effects it brings a new rawness to the song if there was a moment to describe their sound best, this is perhaps it. This is not just one man blowing his horn, although there is nothing wrong what with that whatsoever, this is an urban dreamscape of the future put to music.

I don't to say it too much, this is an impressive album you must hear.

Released on 30th January on Real World Records.

Review by Seba.

A version of this piece appears on Catalyst Media.

Coming Soon//Threshold 2012

2012-01-25T11:20:00.001Z

Something is in the air and it seems the plucky underdogs have returned with a festival in The Baltic Triangle!

Coming Soon//Threshold 2012.

Were you at Threshold 2011? If you were - and we definitely were! - You'll know that it was a whirlwind of activity, flitting from band to band, stage to stage, beverage to beverage, lift to lift, gallery to gallery and much more besides. I'd go as far to say that if you weren't there you missed something special. Following the closure of last years venue CUC there was some uncertainty as to whether this years festival would go ahead but like the hardworking people they are, the organisers persevered and now the festival is taking place at multiple venues across the Baltic Triangle.

Highlights are sure to be many and if you haven't got plans that weekend- or even if you have - come on down and join in the fun! Tickets are still available and are must haves! The festival will kick off with an opening ceremony outside CUC at 5pm and from there anything could happen. To see the line up for all three exciting days check out the festivals Tumblr page.

In the meantime, here's how we covered last years festival:

"With the stretch of the expansive Contemporary Urban Centre filled with creativity of all kinds, it was akin to a game of Creative Roulette to pick the right place to be at the right time for those cultural epiphanies..."
(From review of Stealing Sheep at Threshold 2011)

"If time can truly fly, to use the old adage, it must surely have done so during the almost non-stop - except for a rather distracting fire alarm apparently caused by a smoke machine! - weekend of art, culture, film, music and much more that was this years Threshold Festival."
(From Scattershot Photography at Threshold 2011)

Look out for our reports from Liverpool's most exciting grassroots festival in February when Threshold will invade us with a chorus of passion and creativity!

Music Review// All We Are

2012-01-25T10:10:00.000Z

There is some music that jumps out at you from the speakers and instantly overwhelms you to the point of wanting to crawl under the nearest solid object for protection. But in the case the debut EP from Liverpool band All We Are it almost creeps up behind you, bewitching you with it's lo-fi qualities and multi layered harmonies.

Music Review//All We Are

Said harmonies open up the EP on I Fantasise, a mellow yet propulsive melancholic ode to loneliness that revels in it's multi-layered production yet hits it's best when the guitar and voice stand side by side in the mix. Second track Tunnels follows in this same bewitching mix of harmonies and understated backing but is different enough to make you wish this was a whole album rather than an EP.

The highlight though has to be the third track Come Back Safe, opening with a voice and guitar strum that becomes a country-esque chorus wishing a certain unknown someone to 'come back safe' whatever they do. A song like this could easily become over wrought but the band make sure it never goes over the edge. The almost painful longing of the chorus comes through via the instrumentation chiefly, no mean feat on any song and the understated vocals are perfect.

Sooner or Later ends the E.P. and the excellence is still there. Taken as a whole All We Are's debut E.P. is astonishingly unlike an E.P. from a band formed just under a year ago and may we hope that they continue to do so.

All We Are will be performing at Liverpool's Threshold Festival at the Baltic Triangle. Make sure you check them out live and get hold of this excellent EP!

Review by Seba.

An Empty Seat On The Busy Train

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000Z

I was recently reminded of something that hasn't happened to me in a very long time. Here in the UK I don't use public transport that often, because I usually work close to home but in Tokyo I had multiple jobs on the go so used trains a lot.

Getting a seat on the train in Tokyo at peak hours is sometimes something akin to a Formula 1 Rally in that ten people rush for every available seat and inevitably only one person wins, leaving nine unfortunate others who have to stand up for an hour and a half of their journey home.

Japan//An Empty Seat On The Busy Train.

Here comes the contentious bit, one that perhaps justifiably gets many in a rage but has never personally happened to me. There is a theory that when a "foreigner" sits down on the train and there's an empty seat next to them, no-one will sit next to them point blank. I say theory because it's never actually happened to me or anybody that I knew at anytime I've ever been in Japan.

In general - not to be patronising here by the way - it's the newbies who exude a sense of, well, newness that attract this phenomenon. There's a certain way of acting that makes you seem new or look like a traveller somewhere and that's what causes this odd phenomenon in the first place to my mind. And it's not unique to Japan by any means.

OK, maybe there are some people who just look genuinely scary and weird who even I would avoid sitting next to on the train for reasons of not wanting to catch anything, (like a dirty look or a disease, perhaps) but I think most people who use the public transport in Tokyo do have other things in their minds than "ooh that's a foreigner, sit somewhere else." Especially in these days of enlightenment when race is apparently not that much of an issue. (Well, to most anyway, but that's another post entirely!)

I always found that a little give and take is necessary to alleviate these issues. There's a reason why people - commuters - decide not to sit somewhere and when I commute I exercise the basic human right of choosing where to sit. If I see alcoholics, obvious drug addicts or plain weirdos who make the hair on the back of my neck rise I sit as far as possible away from them. Everybody does it, it's nature.

Perhaps the only reason people notice these things so much in Japan is that they have a greater awareness of being different than at home. Racism is not always the answer, although there are some pretty odd idea'd people out there. The only thought that would pass through my head if someone elected not to sit by me on the train in Tokyo when they saw my white face is "More fool you". I've had plenty of normal conversations with Japanese people on the trains in Tokyo in Japanese, quite an event as they will usually, out of politeness - because not everybody speaks Japanese! - speak in English to you. It's not true that no Japanese person will always not sit next to the obvious foreigner on the train.

This does get people very angry sometimes, and I've seen perfectly sane people crack over being not sat next to on the train for no reason at all. Racism is bad, sure, but put yourself in their shoes and think what you'd do in that situation. Social psychology has explanations for this and whilst some Japanese do indeed dislike foreigners, it's the news media and Right Wing groups that promote that attitude the most. Stereotypes are plain harmless stereotypes, but don't confuse them with out and out racism. Even if the stereotypes are a bit on the squirm in your seat side. Everywhere has them, they just become more pronounced when you're the subject of the stereotype.

Also remember that many Japanese are scared of foreigners in case they talk to them and they can't answer back in English. That's it! In most cases they're just plain scared of you and too shy so don't get too offended too much over shyness. Put it this way, it's the only time you'll scare off a member of the yakuza in your whole life so enjoy it!

Remember there is also the myth disproving story of the English teacher in rural Japan who got himself free train rides everyday by getting paid to bring custom to the local train line by chatting in English to the interested commuters on his way to work. A true story, by the way. Not going happen in Tokyo though I fear as the Yamanote line has enough problems with sardine can style commuting as it is!

But remember that although it can be annoying to be talked to by strangers on the train and ran away from, it's a miracle that it even happens in the city where trains are silent and super busy in general, like the London Underground of the UK.

I've made friends through such meetings and can be amenable to the odd train parlance once in a while. And I'll tell you honestly that there isn't that much of a difference between that person with the briefcase sat opposite you sleeping and yourself.

Words by Seba.

http://seba-rashii.blogspot.com/

Music Interview//Stealing Sheep.

2012-01-24T10:13:00.000Z

Unless you've been locked in a space station this past year you will probably have heard the name Stealing Sheep on the tip of many a music fans tongue. If not from one of the words of mouth you'll have read about them or seen them play. Indeed there is buzz about the band Stealing Sheep and it's not just from their humor inflected appellation this buzz comes. The buzz come from the fact they make unique, ear catching music that has charmed many a music fan and all the music critics that the city can muster!

Interview//Stealing Sheep

It seems like a long time since they came storming onto the Liverpool scene with their Psychedelic inspired folk but it is in fact a little over a year and a half. Having seen them in performance many times I wonder how the band happened?

Did Stealing Sheep come from a happy accident or an intent tomake a band?'The idea to make a bandwith Emily and Lucy was intentional. We had seen each other play in otherprojects and thought all our styles could mesh together well. We startedplaying together as strangers and knew each other musically before we knew eachother as people and it seems the closer we get, the more intuitive the musicbecomes...'

As evidenced perhaps by the continuing popularity of the bands EPs The Mountain Dogs and I Am The Rain there is a certain anticipation for the album that many may know they have been recording. But can too anticipation somehow lessen the impact of an album? I ask Becky: 'I suppose there is a lotof hype surrounding the kudos of ‘DEBUT’ albums but we don’t really see it likethat. An album to us is like a more indulgent and exploratory space to makemusic. If people liked the first two 7’s they should see the full LP like thenext chapter to these stories, songs, ideas, sounds and concepts'

The band have gone along way ina comparatively short time from Liverpool scene mainstays to nationwide tours.In fact, it seems that you're hardly ever not touring! Do you ever want to takea break or is playing live like water, so to speak, for Stealing Sheep?'Liverpool is the perfectbase for bands to cultivate their sound in the small and interesting scene thatexists here but it’s so important to tap into other cities around the world andget glimpses of what’s going on elsewhere. Live shows give us a good rush and helpsimprove our music'.

The Liverpool music scene is onthe surface quite male dominated. Recently there have been more femalefronted/girl bands appearing. Music fans generally enjoy the music regardlessbut do you think that Stealing Sheep have caused a sea change or is just anatural development?

'We have definitely sharedmost of our bills with blokes throughout most of our gigs this year but theredoes seem to be more girl bands cropping up on a national level, bands likeWarpaint, Peggy Sue and Mountain Man are giving credibility to the ‘girl band’formula and it’s no longer a shameful label that conjures up images of bustysex kittens with pretty voices. As for Liverpool it has a wealth of excellentfemale musicians, bands like The Long Finger Bandits, The Worry Dolls and TheStaves have actually inspired us rather than the other way around.'

Finally to one question that can get answers as fun and wild as you can imagine. What is the best thing about being in a band?

'Writing a killer song!' And with so many of them already under their belt it's no surprise that their 'tick list' for the future includes such delights as 'creative music videos, conceptual albums, films, festivals, tours of North America and Japan, Later... with Jools Holland and collaborations with Animal Collective, Bjork and Snoop Dog' If you put it that way, let the future commence!

Look out for a pre-album mini-album from the band soon. In the meantime, catch them around Liverpool soon and you won't regret it.

Interview and text by Seba. This article also appears online at Catalyst Media.

Music Review//Tokyo Jihen - Color Bars

2012-01-20T17:49:00.001Z

The final EP from Tokyo Jihen brings a curtain closing moment for the band and if you were expecting the average send off then you obviously haven't been listening to the bands last few albums...

Music Review Special//東京事変-Color Bars

The only complaint one could make about this release is that it acts as a closure to a band whose material has been excellent to good with more than a few slip ups along the way and the final act could go either way. So does Color Bars fall flat on it's face or make you drop everything to frantically call up every one you know to tell them to listen?

The answer to that question is quite a hard one to answer in many ways because this is in fact possibly the most unique of all their albums. This is perhaps a symptom of the album consisting of one song each from the members of the band and as a result there are some very odd moments to be had. It all starts out well Jihen-ishly enough with the lead single 今夜はから騒ぎ/Konya wa Karasawagi which sounds like a better received off cut from the Variety album on which the instrumental flourishes and vocal production impress as per usual.

But from the second track it gets a bit spooky, with the unusually titled and very different 怪ホラーダスト/Kai Horror Dust on which we find the vocals of Izawa rather than Shiina Ringo and perhaps it's a bit hard on the ears at first but it grows on you with an atmospheric key board break impressing. Time Capsule is next and it's a slower paced Kameda Seiji piece which is perhaps not typical of the bands sound although not bad for that. The best of the album is saved for the interestingly named sa_i_ta where the disco element seen on previous albums comes into full and ear pleasing effect.

Final track Honto No Tokoro - the first contribution in song writing terms from drummer Hata Toshiki and last for the bands as a whole - is perhaps the most interesting yet also the strangest choice for a final track. His voice is occasionally on just the right side of grating but the music behind it more than makes up for that with some nice twists. After a few listens you do get used to the fact it's not Shiina Ringo on vocals and if you wanted to hear a Shiina Ringo composition end the final release proper of Tokyo Jihen then you may be weeping in your sake for some time!

Never the less Color Bars is an interesting album and there are signs of potential for future work that may never take place. At least, under this name and formation anyway...

Review by Seba.

Music Review//The Happy Problem - Head Case

2012-01-18T23:02:00.000Z

Problems are rarely happy but in this case it's a sure fire exception. This album from the New York City based band fronted by the former folk singer Samantha Shaber shows few signs of her former genre and instead concentrates on turning the volume right up to loud.

Music Review//The Happy Problem - Head Case

With most of the tracks taking a indie punk approach - the latter bringing the biggest thrills by far for this writer! - this is an album that is brilliantly diverse. There are are Gogol Bordello-esque touches on lead single Matador and if the lyrics sometimes seem to take on a life of their own it's because they are incredibly well written and sung, perhaps unusually for music of this genre.

Other highlights among many include the folk inspired Seaweed, the understated but perfectly cool Coldfish and Lost, with a pulsating chorus worthy of repeated listen as a message that you can jump from folk to punk perfectly credibly! There are also some unexpected covers of a certain Madonna's Material Girl that arguably works better than the original and an effective cover of the ever relevant Downtown.

But forget about well the well executed covers, it's the originals that stand out here and that is just one reason why this album really does excite like few albums do on their first listen. Less of a problem and definitely more of a must listen!

Review by Seba. This article also appears on Verbicide.com.

Scattershot Photography at Occupy Liverpool

2012-01-16T18:06:00.001Z

Liverpool's Occupy camp officially commenced at eleven am on the 26th November 2011 at the foot of the Wellington Monument in Liverpool's city center. Notably proximate to the offices of Unite, the ever busy Lime Street Station and the Walker Art Gallery it was indeed a visible manifestation of the UK branch of the movement that began in London in 2011.

The intemperate location ultimately lead to a relocation for the Winter period but at the beginning of the occupation we visited the camp to get a better idea of what the movement is all about. This is a preview of a series of articles following the movement that will appear throughout 2012.

Music Review//Deep Dark Robot - 8 Songs About A Girl

2012-01-15T12:12:00.000Z

Some things just pass you by in the eternal rush of living and this album from Deep Dark Robot is one those things. Originally released in March 2011 this the long awaited return of Linda Perry to the studio in her own voice rather than producer-song writer mode and quite frankly, it rocks!

Music Review//Deep Dark Robot - 8 Songs About A Girl

The album opens with a fine voiced Perry on I'm Coming For You! which rocks like the best of her solo work. The screams and rough edged guitar work make for a thrilling re-entry into her music and it gets better as the album continues. No One Wakes Me Up Like You is a bluesy-acoustic song that builds up to a frenetic chorus and surprise at the last moment when the song fades and returns with the thrash infused declaration 'come on baby give me what I want!' delivered in the traditional Perry style voice.

The percussive Can't Getcha Outta My Mind literally won't leave your mind after a few listens and if you've seen her play guitar live then you'll hear the brilliantly raw live sound here. The raw sound is found across the album and considering it's only eight songs long it's tempting to say that you want more when it's finished. A prime example of this is the brilliantly titled It Fucking Hurts, expletive very necessary once you've heard the songs emotional core.

The album ends on a sonic high with the brilliantly titled Fuck You, Stupid Bitch and if there were more songs like this being made the music world would be a better place! The garage rock backing and Perry's high pitched vocals make the title even more brilliant than it is on first read of the sleeve and it's chorus is something you will almost certainly never hear on commercial radio.

So is it a worthy comeback for one of the music scenes most productive but deceptively under the radar artists? The answer to that is a definite yes. It may not be a perfect album by any means but there's lots to love and that can go a long way in a world full of unworthy sounds.

Words by Seba.

Music Review//Ani diFranco - Which Side Are You On?

2012-01-14T09:00:00.000Z

It's been almost four years since Ani diFranco's last album was released and it's now 2012, and the year is greeted with the release of her newest album Which Side Are You On?

Music Review//Ani diFranco - Which Side Are You On?

If you saw diFranco live at anytime over the past few years she'll probably have played one of the songs on this album and the best thing about their incarnation on record is that you may recognize the words and the insightful voice behind them but the music has changed almost unrecognizably from it's live setting. The opening chords of opener Life Boat are enhanced here by tinkly background noises and pensive additional guitar songs. You could say that the line where she says ' you can smell me coming down the street' is apt as it aural equivalent.

Other songs that impressed live and add more of the wow factor on record include the self-evident If yr Not which benefits from an improv jazz inspired backing and lyrics that are as plain spoken and meaningful as ever. Same goes for the political but humourous J wrapped in golden production that brings added edge to the deeply political words.

The title track, a brittle guitar and voice combo in it's live setting is equally as powerful on record and incredibly on message with the times we are in. The addition of pulsating marching drums and brass adds an urgency that is genuinely inspiring. Perhaps if we saw this song on the performed over the world news people would have a better idea of exactly which side they were on.

There is much to recommend Which Side Are You On? and the lush production, tour honed songs and refreshed voice of Ani di Franco are three among many.

Review by Seba.

Art Feature//Art in Hidden Places

2012-01-13T10:00:00.001Z

In a city as renowned for its people as its culture there's an inevitability that therewill be many forms of creativity thrown into the melting pot. Many millions ofpeople flock to Liverpool for its unique collection of galleries, arts venues,constant roll of festivals and cultural events. Of course, that is allexcellent news but beneath the silky veil of high end galleries and wine soakedopen parties there are art forms rarely seen in galleries this side of thecountry. One such form is visible clearly in Liverpool and despite thediscussions in both public lead and media forums as to its 'art' status StreetArt is one form that exists in our city to much enjoyment and positive reactionfrom creators and admirers alike.

Art Feature//Art in Hidden Places

Indeed,as with any other creative outlet, it's entirely in the eyes of the beholder ifit is 'art' but for many people out there it is an enjoyable and viable artform. Take a walk down Newington, just off Bold Street and try not to be takenaback at the revolving mural that graces the side of the building that housesEgg Cafe or even notice how, following public reaction to plans to cover up thevintage Banksy piece on Berry Street, it was preserved. (Sadly, the building itexists on is not in such an excellent state of affairs...) It is one of themost photographed places in Liverpool and rightly so. Countless other examplesare all around us as we walk the streets and even passing us on the morningtrain on occasion.

One artist whose work you may have seen aroundLiverpool, most notably in a well trodden location that shall be a mystery fornow, is Psychonautes, whose pieces are spiritually powerful and instantly eyecatching posters and murals that impress the viewer duly. I asked Psychonautes if, as I noted previously,the perception of street art has changed in recent times: ‘Indeed.Street art is more tolerated nowadays than it was before. It is obvious whenlooking at the new galleries dedicated to it, and at the growing number ofexhibitions hosted by internationally recognised museums, where street art wasout of the question a few years ago, such as the Grand Palais in Paris. ’ Thatbeing the case, how can street art change the world in either a major or minor way?‘It makes people think, and sometimes become more tolerant. This is not onlythe case with street art, but with art in general.’

So how about the positiveimpact on society as a whole? ‘Firstly,it triggers a reaction in the people who see it, an interrogation aboutthemselves and society. Also, it makes the streets more colorful and joyful,which is in some cases strongly needed today. And, as an artist, it allows meto talk to people I would never have met otherwise. For instance, many oldpeople come and talk to me because they want to understand what I do, and whatmy approach is.’ Indeed the power of artis thus and that leaves the question of which city that the artist has visitedhas the best scene: ‘I'd say London because the scene moves very quickly there.There are many people, many things happen. For my part, I prefer smallercities, like Cork or Liverpool, where the artists know each other, and don't goover your pieces without asking beforehand…’

Indeedthe scene in Liverpool is small but concentrated and if you study the walls of the city you’ll see many names thatrecur often as opposed to the larger scenes where the act of painting canbecome almost competitive in some ways and names become lost in the myriad ofcolour and styles. It’s perhaps connected to the localised community inLiverpool where a creative person is never far away. Despite the legalambiguity that surrounds many pieces, not to mention the risks that artiststake when working on the streets, people do enjoy looking at them.

Arguablystreet art is, by name and nature, the only non-classical art form thatnon-gallery visiting people will see and perhaps not even notice itssignificance. It's often said that the so-called clinical white walls of manygalleries scare potential visitors away whilst street art recently gets peopletalking more excitedly than perhaps any other form. It has many thousands of books and magazines in many languages theworld over devoted to it and despite its natural, perhaps expected, tendency tovanish at the hand of graffiti removal teams it's loss can be felt as much asany classical work on occasion.

Butstreet art being on the street means it is a reward of kinds. A good piece ofstreet art, be it a mural, a paste up, a stencil piece, a sticker, knitwear(!)or anything else beyond can make your day that little bit brighter. Often it’s possible to see people with theircamera out, looking at an intriguing piece of art on the street and in thatmoment it’s achieved its raison d’etre and more. As I said previously, perhapsthis is the way to be seen by many more pairs of eyes than most pieces of artwill ever have gaze upon them. In thatsense there is much positivity; the artist gets his or her work seen and thepassersby enjoy the streets in ways that are not usually encouraged to. Indeed,look past the criticisms and the positive essence of all art is seen.

Tuckedaway on the second floor of Grand Central, on Renshaw Street is a venue calledZap Graffiti. Promoting graffiti as a positive art form, the venue aims to ‘createand develop graffiti as an art form as much as possible, share experiences, anddevelop the scene from the roots working with kids and all the way up' andamongst the many activities you can participate in at the venue there is includedmural workshops, a one to one graffiti class where you can create your ownbanner and various activities up and down the country.

Witha steady flow of visitors to the venue, it is a joy to behold possibly thebrightest walls of anywhere in the city, filled with creativity like nowhereelse in the area. The constant smell of fresh paint is central to the vibe ofkeeping the movement going with constant workshops and visiting artists withthe golden rule being to make your work better than what was there before.

Ofcourse, Zap Graffiti is a place where graffiti, or street art as it’s alsoknown, is par for the course and wholly positive. It’s no tagging rule – Thatis, painting a symbol or name as opposed to a piece of art – ensures that thespace remains exciting and colourful but the streets are a completely differentmatter. There are some legal walls that can be used by strict permission, butmost street art, however brilliant it is, can be classed as an illegal act andcan get those who practise it into trouble. You know that of course but itneeds to be said and this article seeks not to encourage illegal acts but tocelebrate the creativity of those artists who make the streets a brighter andmore interesting place through their excellent work.

Shouldyou inspiration be piqued, please pop into Zap Graffiti and enquire about aclass. And remember that the next time you see a great piece of street art itmay not be there for long so enjoy it whilst you can! Liverpool has a greatscene for art and street art; graffiti - or whatever you wish to call it – isan important part of that!

Perhapsthe last word should go to Psychonautes who beautifully encapsulates the ideaof street art thus: ‘It's a way to question people who then become more interestedin art. The more colourful the streets are the better!’

Wordsand Interview by Seba. This article appears in issue seven of Object of Dreams Magazine.

Music Review//Soil & 'Pimp' Sessions - Magnetic Soil

2012-01-12T23:01:00.001Z

If you've ever been party to an album from Japan's legendary Death Jazz pioneers Soil & "Pimp" Sessions then you'll know that the one thing you can expect is surprises. Whilst previous album "6" found them dabbling in some comparatively traditional but still ice cool sounds, the wonderfully titled Magnetic Soil finds them opening with the appetizingly enigmatic Sexual Hungry.

Music Review//Soil &"Pimp" Sessions - Magnetic Soil

The sitar styled opening takes you away momentarily from the mental image of six guys flailing around with instruments and it's refreshing one that fades soon as the familiar funk jazz comes into play. The rest of the album does little to be different and that is what is something to be thankful for. I'm not against change, but Soil & "Pimps" know a good groove when they hear it and stick to it.

There are numerous highlights on the album including the frankly exciting Jazzman in the Rave that brings an electro groove and Death Jazz styling together for something as irresistible as their best. The subtle reggae styling of Moon at Noon is a perfectly mellow companion to whatever it is you take at noon or any other time of day that you happen to enjoy music and the same could be said equally for Do Re Mi as well. In fact the sheer joy of listening to the album evokes the thrill of opening a record (or even a CD if you've gone entirely digital) and how often does music make you smile like an idiot on hearing it?

It sounds perhaps an odd statement but there is truth in it. The sheer joy coming from the music on Magnetic Soil is enough to recommend it to not just the jazz heads, who have no doubt already taken heed, but anyone who ever thought that jazz was not for them.

So why not take a listen?

Reviewed by Seba.

Music Review//The Cathy Santonies - Rock N Roll Belongs To Everyone

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000Z

Clocking in at just over six minutes this is an EP that could easily get lost in the aural spectrum of an average day. However, it's more likely to invade your mind with at least one it's deliciously brief songs!

Music Review//The Cathy Santonies - Rock N Roll Belongs To Everyone.

With the guitars set to cock rocking femme-punk all the way it's an energetic dirty-riff filled ride that never lets your ear go unless it happens to be bleeding out from the reverb.

 Perhaps the most effective trcak is the short and less-than sweetly sweet Girl-O-Matic a one and a half minute crunching riff on which the titular Santoni growls over a propulsive backing of layered guitars that fizzles out as aggressively as it began.

Be assured that if it's sweet and quiet you're after here, you ain't getting it! This is a deadly treat for all those who love their punk to crackle viciously rather than burn out.

Reviewed by Seba.

Archive//Ikemen Bank: The Economising Tool That Loves You

2012-01-09T14:00:00.000Z

Dear Readers,

I'm quite frankly scared. I feel as if the ceiling of the world has collapsed and I'm currently buried under a huge cumuli nimbus of sorrow, madness and loneliness. Sound weird to you? Well, you ain't seen nothing yet! As is customary on a Sunday morning I surf the web updating myself on the goings on in my former living place, Japan. This morning I found some stuff that was genuinely interesting, and also quite scary as well. By far the scariest, though still entirely harmless, was the discovery of a new kind of piggy bank on the market.

Archive//Ikemen Bank: The Economising Tool That Really Loves You! 

 Quite how I missed this when it came out, I don't know, but I'm quite relieved to have discovered it now. See, psychologically speaking it takes the connection between rough economic times, hard work and romance to a new and bizarre level. Whoever invented the Ikemen Bank is a genius who deserves a big slap in the face for such audacity in conning innocent Japanese females of a gullible variety from their hard earned cash. A very hard and forceful slap at that!

To explain, the Ikemen bank is a talking money box that helps you save everyday by putting five hundred yen, (roughly three pounds in the current economy), in the box and having a handsome, and somehow masculine guy tell you he loves you from an LCD screen. Confused? You damn well should be! Thing is, this item is selling by the ton and has now become a keitai novel, (a book that one can download to your mobile if you so desire...), and soon a movie! Now, there must be something wrong with the world when a talking boyfriend piggy bank can inspire such  madness. There's nothing genuinely wrong with the concept to my mind. It's just a bit odd, to say the least. And, in the Japanese sense of marketing it makes perfect sense. 

Women of a certain age are always on the look out for love and love is a big business in Japan. Factor in the obsession, and I mean obsession, with saving money for those rainy days to come when no-one wants you anymore and you're onto  a winner. It says that you can save up to fifty thousand yen in the box before it's all full. And, in an age where it's seen as odd to have savings, for many reasons, ( Never taught to save, no money anyway etc), it can only be a good thing.

Trying to block from my mind the odd comments I found on the website from users I can heartily recommend any of my readers who understand Japanese to take a look as this is a very Japanese object that in it's usefulness could  outweigh the obviously sexist nature of the concept behind it. Man equals money. Well, in Japan that's still the case. So in the concept of it's culture that's all normal, one could say. Still, think about it! Would you save more money if a kind, sexy guy or girl was seducing from an LCD screen each morning?

I sense a court case pending...

Anyway, here's the link to the website! Yay! A clue: Click the excitable looking explosions where it says "CLICK!!!!" and you'll see either the promotional trailer utilising foreign talent , as I was once in Japan, who obviously tried very hard to look enthusiastic, and the Ikemen himself, who'll say some nice things. I'm not sure which "type" he's meant to be though, there's five types of LCD guy apparently...

Don't get too excited...

Seba. 

http://seba-rashii.blogspot.com/
イケメン = ikemen = cool guy, handsome guy, good looking guy etc

Highlights/Low Lights: 2011

2011-12-31T02:00:00.000Z

This time of year there are so many people looking back on what has gone by whilst simultaneously planning the last few weeks of the year. There are so many reasons to rush about in a seasonal haze and and besides the obvious (unless your name is Scrooge) gift collecting, cupboard filling and endless parties it's important not to forget that there is are still lots of culture and music happening. And what better way to celebrate this than a chat with some creative people of various disciplines about their thoughts on this past year? I pestered a large number of people and got some great responses. You can see mine towards the end... 

Stealing Sheep:

Highs//We loved our European tour with our fave local band All We Are, it was a really good journey and great gigs, supporting Emmy the Great for her UK tour was mega too! Really enjoyed releasing our first Japanese album with Cocoheart and signing to Heavenly. Hearing our record on 12" was a particular highlight and childhood dream, all in all it's been a great year!

Lows//we were invited on to Jools Holland but couldn't do it because we had already confirmed a show in London however we really enjoyed the gig and hopefully we'll be invited again. 

Resolution//Always be friendly and don't be greedy!

Mashemon:

Highs//Getting Andy Fernihough into the band, doing some great gigs in Next To Nowhere and our final gig of the year in Mello Mello. Lots of songs written, some recorded and released into the wild. 2011 was great. 

Lows//Unfortunately they were numerous and wide ranging from the political to the personal. 2011 was shit.

Resolution//I'll be boring and say be kinder and take control of your life. Not sure quite what that entails so if I find out I'll tell you next year. 

Anna di Scala:

Highs//My biggest exhibition I've had in Liverpool; my paint works rocketed up in price; I got contacts and commisions - more so than I thought I would!
 
Lows//Being honest, I've been on a high all year. One thing has lead to anotherand I've never stopped being honest! I've been doing sketches in between to keep me going so theres been no downs - evyhthing has gone up!

Resolution//To love everyone! If everyone loved everybody it'd be a lot easier...

Kevin Paton:

Highs//High for me has been several fold. I always try to make sure life is progressing and that i take the time to appreciate it.Watching my two beautiful daughters blossoming into amazing young people is an on going blessing that makes life so fabulous.In work I have been doing regular sessions in Alderhey hospital. It's astory telling and music project developed by drama therapist LouiseHickey. In itself it's a great project but for me the results we'vebeen getting with music as a healing tool has been mind blowing andvery rewarding.

Lows//The lows I don't like to dwell on but it has been a tough year. As withmany people the recession has bitten into my work so money is tight andfinding paid gigs is definitely getting harder. I've spent large chunksof this year renovating the house we live in which is both incrediblyrewarding to have created a great living and working space but alsotakes me to the limits of my stamina, skills and resolve. It also seemsto be an endless task that may never end which is a depressing thoughtif I allow myself to go there.

The world has arrived at a crucial place where things could get a wholelot worse and it is a place of our own making. The planet has finiteresources and cannot maintain our growing thirst for more. So manythings we chase after we don't need and often doesn't bring ushappiness when we have it. These hard times may be the catalyst we needto reassess what we hunger for and why, what brings us true contentmentand what is expensive diversions that truth. 

to try and believe in myself more. I've always struggled with selfdoubt. It's can be a strength when it makes me work harder to be thebest I can be. More often it stops my dreams from being realised. So2012 is the year I accept my greatness and invite the world to enjoy myachievements.

Kepi Ghoulie:

"Hello! It's Kepi writing with the highs and lows of 2011 for me!Well, I have adventures every day, so here are a few: I got to make anew record, one of the best of my career I think: "I Bleed Rock n Roll"on Asian Man records! And I got to play with one of my all timeheroes David Johansen, and I got to play bass for Chixdiggit's 20thAnniversary tour across Canada, and I got to make TWO new records withVic Ruggiero and and and.... :)A low point was getting my phone and wallet stolen, but even that hadgood parts: It was at a Frustrators/Phenomenauts show that rocked, andIt forced me to get an I-phone... Oh yeah, my entire house got floodedwhile I was on the east coast, but again, I lost very little and wasrecording with Vic Ruggiero, so who cares?"

Resolution//Let's rock and have thebest 2012 ever!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Seba:

Highs//All manner of highs including seeing the show from Ani diFranco at The Lowry, being teased by Courtney Pine at The Capstone, co-organising Smiles For Japan at CUC, an invasion by Dismembered Empire, wondering around said venue endlessly during Threshold 2011, the sheer amount of good music that crossed my ears in the last quarter of the year, the excellent Killing 2 and much more besides!

Lows//Natural disasters across the world especially that of Japan, the loss of so many facets of Liverpool's creative scene including Art in Liverpool, CUC and Object of Dreams Magazine especially. Our gradual regression to Victorian times under Mr Cameron has especialy worried me but overall the lows have been few and the highs abundant.

Resolution//I could make many and break twice as much as that in a half day but some basic resolutions include eat healthily, never give up on what you desire and create often whatever it is that you create. 

Interview Special//Art in Liverpool.com

2011-12-30T09:00:00.000Z

If you've ever been to the opening of an art exhibition in Liverpool you might have met the team behind Art in Liverpool.com. Indeed, it's an open secret on the Liverpool art scene that if you don't see Ian and Minako Jackson at an exhibition you start to wonder why! In my many visits to various galleries around the city I have met them many times and there is always a smile on their faces as they enjoy the exhibits. But many were saddened when they announced that the website would updated less often after seven years of activity and to celebrate the seven years tireless work they have done for the art scene in Liverpool, I met them for a chat in the relaxing surroundings of Mello Mello. 

Interview Special//Art in Liverpool.com

Before this interview the last time I had seen Ian and Minako Jackson was at the event in Stanhope Street's The Gallery celebrating their work and judging by the numbers of artists, Gallerists, art writers and friends that were there it's clear that their work is appreciated. I thus begin by asking how the idea for the website came about all those years ago. 'I was always into art, I went to galleries as a kid, but I worked in computing. After I retired I was looking for things to do so I was going to galleries and after a while I realised that not much of the information was on the web apart from the biggies like The Tate of The Walker. I thought it was a good idea to find out what was going on and make a listings website to help people find out about art galleries in Liverpool' 

The website began in 2004, and seven years is a long time for a website to be around. Had they always planned to slow down after this period? 'Maybe if (Art in Liverpool) had been funded by public or private means then it could continue with other people but given the length of time and I'm now approaching my sixties it's time to slow a bit. I had in the back of my mind to do Art in Liverpool for ten years but in order to do the jib properly you need to be in the centre and I can't envisage myself living in the centre forever either but really it felt like now is the time...' Minako adds 'Also there's loads more social media now promoting the scene so all the galleries can publicize themselves now to a degree.' 

Indeed, in the wake of Art in Liverpool many more listings sites have appeared and continue to appear but as the original listings site, how do they think it's affected the arts scene in Liverpool?;'I think it's helped in publicity terms. Not just locally but nationally as well, we get lots of enquiries from outside Liverpool as well. Apparently the scene was somewhat fragmented before and now theres a lot more communication and collaboration between artists, galleries even the Big Seven...'

With so much of the scene covered on Art in Liverpool over the years, there is much to experience in looking at the site. But what have been their highlights of the years? 'The opening of the first Liverpool Art Prize, in 2008, which was held at CUC. It had just opened then and it was a mega job going around the venue in hard hats seeing of we'd ready on time. The whole arts scene were there and it was a great show!' Minako is in agreement wholeheartedly and is smiling as always when I ask if there has been any change to the arts scene from their unique perspective over the years;'Definitely with initiatives like Light Night and Long Night helping to bring together the art community, it's really helped!' Ian adds 'There's also the thing were people say Liverpool is not really a place where you can sell art and it probably is still difficult but it has improved a bit. Ceri Hand Gallery, despite being in a location outside town does very well as well as The Gallery and Dot Art, which began around the same time as us. One of my aims was to help artists make a living, get them to stay in Liverpool. With less funding you can't rely on it so many more workshops and shows are appearing where the artists are putting lots of work into them and doing well as a result too.' 

One of the most important legacies of Art in Liverpool is the Liverpool Art Prize: 'In 2007 the Turner Prize came to Liverpool and I started thinking about the many artists in Liverpool. Someone suggested that we do our own alternative to The Turner Prize and Liverpool is big enough to have it's own art prize. It's the fifth one next year and nominations are open now!'

Of course we all know Art in Liverpool and what it does but what  about how it affected the lives of it's creators? 'It has taken up all our time! But it's been fun and we've been to so many events and met incredible artists. We're very shy people, certainly I'm not sociable at all and it helped us get to know many people. We've been to press nights, met Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Yoko Ono gave us her half eaten pack of Fishermen's Friend, which we still have! We chatted to Tracey Emin and Peter Blake, The Chapman Brothers...' 'Neil Buchanan too!' adds Minako with a laugh. 'We could have gone out every night, lived on canapes and wine... but you can only do that so long! We're Vegans anyway!' 

Finally I ask what the future holds now that art in Liverpool is resting.'We'll be taking things slower; relax more, keep the website going but less blogs - spend less time on the computer! We're just going to see what turns up basically!' I'm sure we'll all look forward to those occasional blogs and wish Ian and Minako all the best whatever they do!

Interview and text by Seba. Image by Billy Wilson.

This article also appears at Catalyst Media.

Off The Cuff//Purple Boxing

2011-12-26T10:00:00.000Z

Some readers may have noticed that there have been a few Purple Hand posts recently on this blog and I only recently discovered that the culprits were a secretive group called The Purple Hand. They have means to do many things and in hindsight I support their cause.

Off The Cuff//Purple Boxing

Of course, there may be a real equivalent to The Purple Hand in our world but the group come from the mind of Dismembered Empire, a group of actors in Liverpool who created an alternative reality where the monarchy have been overthrown and The Directorate control the people. This is the very Directorate who did take into custody an artist and arrest me for promoting culture on this very site. Thankfully I am free now and am able to write this for you on Boxing Day, the day after a very cold Christmas at the hands of The Directorate. Thankfully, my parallel self was saved by The Purple Hand and I am eternally grateful.

Those who were present at Liverpool's 3345 on the 8th of this month may have observed the group in performance mode during the opening of Anna Di Scala and Izzy's exhibition Garden of Life and it was a success, with the characters interacting well with the outside world. This inspired the invasion of the site and many thanks to those who rescued me from the clutches of The Directorate.

Please enjoy a peaceful Boxing Day and enjoy all the culture you wish on this day of rest!

Seba.

Invasion//The Purple Hand Wish You A Merry Crystalmas.

2011-12-25T02:00:00.000Z

Crystalmas- that time of the year when we’ll gather thefamily together, exchange the gifts we’ve been making for each other and enjoya proper festive feast. This month, as the nights get darker, we’ll light afire against the cold and tell stories about the past, and watch the Crystals glow.

Or will we? Perhaps, instead, we’ll turn on every light wecan and march down to the Tunnels with our shovels on our shoulders to spendthe twenty-four hours of- fanfare, please- ILLUMINATION DAY hacking away at whateverit is the Directorate tell us to hack, with Executive’s Sinister’s artfullyannoying voice ringing in our ears. Maybethere won’t be any fires or feasts this Crystalmas, and the only gifts will beDirectorate engineered mass-produced rubbish. Maybe you won’t be celebratingwith your family because most of them have become ‘Unlocateable’.

I never knew the world before the Directorate controlledpractically everything in it, but even I have one memory of Crystalmas- and aproper one at that. Me and my sister, my Jessamine whom I miss every day,sitting huddled in our house, lighting our last candle and watching the flamegleam on the Crystal.And it didn’t matter that we were cold and starving, because the light of thatlittle candle was brighter than all the lights of Illumination Day.

That’s what I’m thinking of today and even if you do have tobreak your backs in the Tunnels, I hope you’ll be remembering your own storieswith me. The Directorate may think they can wipe them out, but if we keep Crystalmasalive in our hearts, where the Edisonian electrics can’t get to it, then I knowthose stories will live on - and so they’ll never have a hold on us completely.Merry Crystalmas, citizens, one and all!

Amelia Brimagem

(transcribed by Tobias Renshaw)

And So It's Christmas...

2011-12-24T01:00:00.000Z

Out Now//The Cubical - The Golden Rule

2011-12-22T06:00:00.000Z

As Christmas singles go, quality can vary greatly between the twee and the fantastic but for this years seasonal times The Cubical have released a single that is more towards the latter edge of the sword.

Out Now//The Cubical - The Golden Rule

With all profits going towards CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably, it's well worth buying a copy.

Head over to the bands Bandcamp page to purchase the single:

http://thecubical.bandcamp.com/

Invasion//A Message From The Directorate on Illumination Day.

2011-12-21T13:31:00.000Z

This is a message to all readers of this webpage. The Owner of this site has been detained and will be subject to Directorate control until he ceases his celebration of such illegal activities. In the meantime please accept our greeting on Illumination Day. Punishment will ensue for all those failing to acknowledge the benevolent invitation from The Directorate below. Please remember if you not with us you are against us.

Illumination Day Greetings

Greetings citizens of the Empire.The Arch Orator, Arch Motivator and all Executive Directoram would like to takethis opportunity to wish you all a Happy and Productive Illumination Day. Wewould like to remind our citizens of the work dictat that is in place. You willwork a full twenty-four hours after which, out of the goodness of our hearts, wehave given you a very generous fifteen minute break to toast to theDirectorate, you will then resume normal work service for the duration of thefollowing day.

We would also like to remind all citizens that any allegiance to the purplehand factions will be seen as treacherous activity and it will be viewed as anact of treason. Those celebrating that disregarded festival, Crystalmas, will be severely punished andinevitably reoriented. We take this opportunity to remember Edison and histriumphs and not to loiter in the fantasy of Cr_st_lm_s. Bear in mind citizens, there isonly one path and that is the path of the Directorate. Any other way isworthless and meaningless and will undoubtedly end in turmoil.

We would also like to extend the mighty wings of the Directorate to the outercolonies and even beyond the Empire. We ask you to acknowledge Illumination Dayfrom your homes, in your place of work, we ask you remember and celebrate thework of Edison as being the sole creator of the lightbulb and discovering themighty power of Electricity. As a true gesture of our goodwill, we areoffering, for a limited time only, free indenturship for one family member,providing you bring the rest of your family to join our wonderful family, hereas part of the Directorate Empire.

Wishing you a productive,wonderful Illumination Day

Kind and courteous regards

Sir A. Houlihan Lodge Esq.

The Light Always shines on theDirectorate Empire, Now you can too.

http://dismemberedempire.org.uk/directorate/

Book Review//Banksy Myths And Legends

2011-12-20T03:00:00.000Z

Some things are inevitable and one of those things seems to be books about street art's mysterious painter Banksy. There are many books about street art that use the name Banksy to pull in the pounds and attention of the less than hard core graf fan and this one almost meets that fate.

Book Review//Banksy Myths and Legends

I say almost because it's from the illustrious hands of Carpet Bombing Culture, who are just Post Modern enough about their subjects that they get away with being quite obvious on occasion. The back cover states that the book contains 'The Truth, The whole truth and everything but the truth' and that's why I love it. When it comes down to it, Banksy is just another artist on the streets but the mystery that surrounds him is enough to drag the art into the public conciousness easily enough. How else did I find this book about him?

Now you may that I'm a band wagon jumper, posting this just to coincide with the recent discovery of two pieces in Liverpool, but to that I say 'Bah! Humbug!' and sip my coffee mysteriously. This book is actually quite entertaining and includes some good images of his work, as well as being better than the standard street art book in taking the work perhaps a bit too seriously. For that alone I recommend this book to all of you.

Seba.

Street Art Hunt// Banksy in Liverpool

2011-12-19T16:23:00.001Z

There is always the fear of art being underwhelming and with that thought in the back of my mind I set off to find the new Banksy piece that has caught the attention many a publication since it's appearance. 

Street Art Hunt//Banksy in Liverpool 

I found myself in the business district of Liverpool on a characteristically dark evening, with a near full moon gazing down at me. I was armed with a newspaper cutting of the image I was seeking and a small map of the area. Although I am from Liverpool, being a creative person and not as rich as many in this area I only occasionally venture into the business district and thus I wasn't sure of my way around but the way was easy with a map and soon I found myself at Rumford Street, the site of the art.

Now when a piece of art becomes a noted event on a national or even international basis you start to ask yourself if it is really as good as it is made out to be. After all the addition of a few thousand miles and the name Banksy can make even the most  unnotable piece look like a masterpiece to many eyes. Luckily, it wasn't a disappointment and genuinely did make a difference to an otherwise drab wall in the back end of the city centre. 

Consisting of an intricately sketched war plane billowing a heart shaped smog trail it's a classic piece of Banksy work and to my eyes looks to be genuine. But isn't the guessing half the fun with a street art piece?  Soon after it was painted it seems one of the Robboites came along and painted a lovingly done 'Banksy 4 Robbo' tag by the piece for effect. What effect, apart from being rather idiotic, is unclear but street art can expect to be painted over by vandals even if it's Banksy so what can you do? 

Taken as part of the surviving Banksy pieces in Liverpool it's a welcome addition to the walls of the city.  

Words and Image by Seba.

Music//The Best of 2011 - The Songs

2011-12-18T09:00:00.000Z

David Lynch//Strange and Unproductive Thinking:

A bizarre seven minute mantra like song where drum loops and bass form a background to Lynch musing on such propositions as dental hygeine, tooth decay and human existence. Perhaps one of the highlights of Crazy Clown Time it's a wonderfully experimental distraction from your life and if you love monologues then you'll love this.

P.J. Harvey//The Glorious Land:

An inspiring song, urgent yet serene. Possibly the highlight from an album that many artists would not have produced, this is an important song in many ways.

Mashemon//Guts

As a taster for Mashemon's upcoming second album, this is a real treat. If you got a hold of a physical copy you're lucky indeed!

Dan Andriano in The Emergency Room//Hurricane Season

This slow paced treat of a song from Dan Andriano could easily sountrack the wintry scenes that we see now...

Moby//Victoria Lucas

An instrumental treat from Destroyed, this could soundtrack the darkest or lightest moments of your life and be equally as effective...

Greg Holden//Hell and Back

A nice slice of of indie from Greg Holden with an inspiring message for the masses who enjoyed his shows over the year.

Bjork: Thunderbolt

One of the moire energetic tracks from Biophilia this, along with Crystalline is highly reccomended!

Daniel Isaiah//Candlemaker Row

The wonderfully named Mr Isaiah released a song worthy of much more attention this year so see what you think...

Kate Bush//Wild Man

One of her second album of 2011's highlights, Wild Man is a winter scene invoking piece of aural art well worth a listen.

Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx//I'll Take Care of You

The last single from Gil Scott-Heron in his lifetime, this remix of I'll Take Care of You is true to the sprit of his ever precient muse.

The rest of the list speak for themselves so until next year comes with more excellent music enjoy 2011!

Archive//Last Christmas

2011-12-17T01:00:00.000Z

The time is approximately 10 pm on a frosty Christmas Eve evening. Now, as has become my habit recently I’m looking out the window of my apartment seeking an answer of some kind only to see addicts waiting for their “man”. It’s empty as the night when, about twenty minutes later, by which time I have graduated to making a cup of tea and yawning sleepily, I see blue lights flashing outside and an ambulance and some policemen in their deliciously yellow jackets like canaries. 

Archive//It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Xmas. 

This, to my mind is the first really Christmassy thing to happen so far. Christmas in England, as some of you may know well, is all about alcohol, domestic and casual violence and a good throwing up session on the corner of the pub. And that’s even before the Queen has waffled away for those i5 long minutes about whatever it is Gordon’s got her to waffle about. (Credit crunch? No way, the Corgi’s would be the first to go at Windsor land…) 

I’m not a big miserable pessimist before you say it, I’m simply a realistic window voyeur. It has to be said, that a window never lies. I’ve looked through a good many of them for various reasons and can verify emphatically that they never lie. I saw the blood on that poor mans head quite clearly from voyeuristic ledge, and the pained expression on his face. If I was him, I’d be very depressed by now, Imagine spending Christmas Eve /day in a bloody bandage in a hospital with no choice but to accept it? Head injuries are very obviously not an attractive thing. The one saving grace is that red is a Christmas color. (Before you scoff there, would you want green blood?!) . You could wear a Santa hat and effectively mask the injury quite well. You couldn’t do that at Easter could you? No way, a Santa hat can mask a multitude of crimes, yet a rabbit costume will only make you look silly. Very silly indeed!

Unfortunately, real life continues at Christmas too. And despite the rather bizarre events that occur around this time of year, it all still carries on regardless. Life is not a video game we can pause and just reload later, after all. And Christmas is the same. To be honest, I prefer the days after Christmas to the main event. They are like a post orgasmic chill of activity for the sheer sake of actually doing something not related to eating, sleeping or glaring. But, for now I guess I’ll have to wait for the chill to come. What will happen in the coming days? The one thing’s for certain, it will definitely involve a kettle!

Yours seasonally,

Seba. 

Music Review//Nothington - Borrowed Time

2011-12-16T01:00:00.000Z

Listening to Nothington's latest album Borrowed Time there is an underlying darkness that seems to pervade every song. And the impassioned thrash that opens the album sets off a constant strain that continues right through to the end of the album.

Music Review//Nothington - Borrowed Time

Taken as a whole I found the album somewhat overwhelming, with the doom like atmosphere lingering in the background grating on occasion. But taken in chunks I enjoyed the songs much more. There is usually one or two moments of respite on albums such as this one to break up the noise but there is barely a pause for breath nor genuinely quiet moment throughout the eleven tracks.

The closest it comes to to this is on Hopeless, with the bass and drums momentarily out of the mix for the guitar and vocal intro. For that reason and the line 'stay up every night, my enemy is the morning light' it's one of the highlights along with the impressive urgency of To Hold On and Don't Have To Wait , which would make a perfect driving song.

If you enjoy the constant adrenaline pumping thrash of doom laden rock such as this you'll love Borrowed Time. But if you prefer your doom in portions break up the listen and you'll find much to enjoy.

Review by Seba. Originally published on Verbicide.

Art Review//Notes Towards A Supreme Fiction

2011-12-15T06:00:00.000Z

Technological issues have prevented us from getting this to you sooner, but as one of the last shows at CUC and from Ceri Hand in Liverpool it's worth noting and remembering!

Notes Towards A Supreme Fiction, perhaps the final artexhibition to grace Liverpool’s CUC before it’s unfortunate closure is asurprising one. Housed on the fifth floor of the vast building in a quietcorner this is collection that shouts out for attention, if not merely just forthe names involved.

Art Review//Notes Towards A Supreme Fiction 

There are pieces from, amongst many others, BridgetRiley,David Hockney, Henri Matisse and Damien Hurst. On first entering thespace the juxtaposition between so many different visual styles of art is somewhat strange but after awalk around the space you become accustomed to what is in fact a show well worth your time. 

It seems almost ungrateful to pick favorites from a show that includes work from such celebrated artists, with work rarely seen on this side of the country but there are some noteworthy pieces. One that caught the eye easily was the traditional (by the artists standard) work fron Damien Hirst, a series of Butterfly inspired prints entitled Psalm Print, with 'Domine,ne in furore, being a particular highlight. Another artist making a rare appearance was Bridget Riley, whose work is well known but looks almost plain in actual sight. That said, the influence of the artist is vast and the pieces shown here, including recent work 'Red,red, blue' are impressive enough to warrant a second, third and foruth glance.

Othwe notable pieces include Pablo Picasso's 'Femme nue devant une statue (Bloch 139)', which is wondefully understated yet passionate piece of erotic art.In a similar vein, subject wise at least, we find Henri Matisse's 'Figure endormie, chale sur les, 1929', an impressive lithograph from the artist that says it all when you see it's £18,500 selling price. Yayoi Kusuma's metallic screenprint 'Flowers 1' is also a worthy piece.

But with so many other artists work on show here, head on down to CUC, enjoy the show and pay your respects to avenue that has given much to Liverpool's creative scene and beyond. 

Review by Seba. 

Interview//It Ain't Human - The Cubical in Conversation

2011-12-14T13:14:00.001Z

If you have ears that appreciate unique sounds, you're sure to love the new album from The Cubical. Named after a song from the album, It Ain't Human is perhaps the beginning of a statement of intent. Quite frankly, it ain't human not to love this band, or indeed, this record! With eleven excellent songs to enjoy, the bands trademark raucous sound is all present and correct, with the addition of a plethora of instruments including a Marxaphone.

Interview//It Ain't Human - The Cubical in Conversation

Alex Gavaghan from the band explained:'We actually got quite a few (instruments) onto It Ain't Human. I played Marxaphone on the album which was good fun. If you can find another album released this year that features a marxaphone I'll give you a marxaphone! Producer hero Keith Thompson played the dog. We had mandolins, djmebes, banjos, xyplophones, belts, all kinds of stuff. Due to a typo I also played "Piano Hammond" which sounds quite exciting but doesn't actually exist. I'd love to get a Gospel choir in at some point, and a pedal steeler although we may go electro for the next album with moogs and synths and modules. I reckon I could knock out a decent solo on a Frond Permangenator, I could see Dan with a Keytar and Percy in a headband looking violently mysterious. We wrote a song called Computerish a while back, a classic in the waiting. Either that or my vision of an album made entirely of animal noises could come to fruition. I might keep that for my solo project though which is called 'Alex Gavaghan'.

Having listened to the album countless times since it entered my possession I can certainly point out many personal favorites but how about the Alex's key tracks? 'The Myth Of Willie McGrath I think is a real achievement. We've had that one in the can, man, for ages and have always wanted a New Orleans jazz funeral brass section on it to so it could really live up to it's potential which I think it has. I'll plug the two brass guys involved because they're great guys and an utter joy to work with... James Blow on trumpet and Simeon Scheuber on trombone, amazing instinctive musicians. Willie McGrath is pretty complex but they nailed it in one short session. It was almost orgasmic hearing the brass after imagining it for so long. In fact, I want it played at my funeral if my next of kin is reading. Something New I like, again probably because of the brass and it's at that point in the album that you start to think "this is a fucking good album". Rag Time Army because it's in E minor and everybody knows that that's the best chord...I like them all really!'

I couldn't agree more on that point but the journey from idea to recording to the fans hands is a long one as many musicians reading this will know:'It always takes so long to get everything prepared for a release, not the writing, that's easy, but all the other stuff involved.. mixing, pressing, promo, arguing about artwork...it's a right royal pain in the arse but rewarding when every thing's finished and out there. The reviews thus far have all been amazing so that helps keep The Cubical happy.'Says Alex and that includes the filming of videos as well. Have a look online and you'll find an excellent video for opener Dirty Shame so I had to ask Alex about it's inception:'The inspiration is an amazing video of a song called Prisencolinensinainciusol by Adriano Celentano, an Italian comedian / musician. It's a satire on what English is supposed to sound like to non English speakers but it's sang in pure gibberish. Loads of sexy 60s dancers and whatnot. We loved it and thought we could pay homage to it with our own lo-fi version. They said it could not be done so we did it. I think we pulled it off considering the budget (or lack of ) we had. We filmed it at Dolphin Dance Studio in Liverpool. The girls, and one or two lads, were great and worked really hard to choreograph the routines. The mime artist, who people seem to think is me but is actually local toerag Andy Smillie, was just a piece of absurdity we inserted. It was Dan's vision. He has good vision.'

But despite the album just hitting your favourite record store there are rumours of a third album in the making. I enquire if this is true and what it will entail:'We recorded it in 12 hours at Lightning Recorders Studio in Berlin in September. It was done in an old reel to reel four track studio so more or less completely live with one or two overdubs where possible. It was a completely different approach to It Ain't Human for which we took our time with extra instruments and the like. The songs are pretty raw and straight forward. There are a few real singles in there which I think might surprise a few people. It was great fun to record and really suited the way we set up and sound. The album was written to order really. We had loads of old songs knocking about which we could've used but due to our Northern work ethic we decided to write an entirely new album. We ended up using two or three older tracks but the rest are brand new. Just got the first mixes through at the weekend actually. Sounds great, loads of reverb and tremelo guitars. Like a Quentin Tarentino wet dream!'

Being in a band is seen as a dream for many and everybody has a different reason for living the dream. Thus I ask what the best aspect of being in The Cubical is: 'We get to travel the world and get paid for it. We've met some truly wonderful people over the past five or six years who've helped us out immeasurably. Without these people fighting our corner and spreading the word we wouldn't have had the opportunities that we've had'.

Perhaps the last word on the excellence of The Cubical is thus:

'We'll just keep on going and see where it takes us. We think we're good enough to eek out some kind of financial future with it all and we'll continue to work hard to that end. Whenever I see my Nan she says, " are you still doing yer music?" Yes, I'm still doing me music and I think that's were we'll be for the foreseeable future.. still doing our music. We're a bit like warts.. ugly, hard to get rid of, but very infectious.'

Interview and words by Seba. Image by Julie Naglestad.

This artticle appears in Object of Dreams issue seven.

Coming Soon//Ani diFranco - Which Side Are You On?

2011-12-13T12:00:00.000Z

Coming Soon//Ani diFranco - Which Side Are You On?

The last time Ani diFranco released an album was 2008 and that album was Red Letter Year. Fast forward to 2012 and it's time for the long awaited new album.

Entitled 'Which Side Are You On?' it features many songs that may be familiar to anybody whose seen her live in the last few years including 'J', If Yr Not' and the now traditional show finale and title track Which Side Are You On? Many fans will be rubbing their hands together in anticipation and on January 17th the album is released as usual on Righteous Babe.

Track List: Life Boat/Unworry/Which Side Are You On?/Splinter/
Promiscuity/Albacore/J/If Yr Not/Hearse/Mariachi/Amendment/Zoo

Short samples are streaming at the Righteous Babe homepage. In the mean time enjoy a teaser of the album below:

Off The Cuff//Dissin' and Missin'

2011-12-11T12:00:00.000Z

There is something that we are all guilty of. And that is differing tastes in music. It's not crime but it causes forums and the like to light up like fireworks and You Tube to be a trolling paradise.

Off The Cuff//Dissin' and Missin':

Whilst I'm not saying there should be a punishment for daring to have a different opinion to other people, I'm suggesting that we should all be respectful of others choices of aural stimulation. (Yes, aural.) Of course, it's still a truth that there are some things that are simply unforgivable when it comes to music taste. All of these unforgivable's are only so because there are people who actually like them and if their very mention makes you shiver so forcefully your whole world is threatened with an emotional earthquake, you know you should definitely avoid them. Of course, only people who listen to artists such as Mariah Carey, Steps, Another Direction and the like understand their appeal, and that's how it should remain in my opinion.

Once the secrets are revealed, who knows what could happen to the world? Let's let the marketeers decide their fate I say. But that out of the way we'll get onto some of the albums people point evil fingers at and say "J'accuse" more than often. But should the verbal handcuffs be taken off them? Only the listener can decide, and here are some that this listener likes and can't understand why others dislike them.

Lou Reed & Metallica: Lulu:

You may have noticed that this album appears in my Best of 2011 list and that is for a reason. For the moment, I'm only one person and I like it! It is true to say that this isn't for everybody and I have to admit that the work of Metallica had never crossed my ears before this and Lou Reed's work is amongst my favorite. If you dislike metal, riffs and Lou Reed's style of singing than you won't be up for this sado masochistic party and that's fine but if you do get past the door there's some good songs here, decidedly not in the vein that most people hear everyday. It's loud but it also has it's quiet moments as well and it's fitting that one of rock's pioneers should make another work that makes people really angry and appreciative simultaneously.

Moby: Animal Rights

Moby, although not many people know this, started out in hard core punk bands before he became the genre hopping music creator he is known as these days. To those aware of this fact, Animal Rights should be no surprise. If you came expecting music a la Play or 18, you'll be disappointed. The reason is that Animal Rights is record of two polar extremes. On the one hand it has vast, organic moments of ambiance but on the other hand, we have thrash metal workouts and tortured screaming that would make the average metal fan smile like a child. But, in all fairness, if you dislike an all out assault on your senses and a message that pulls no punches, this record probably isn't for you. If you're ready for an earthy combination of emotional aggression and soothing synth' then you should track down the US release of the album which is longer and more balanced in it's arrangement.

The Cranberries: To The Faithful Departed.

Like the above album, To The Faithful Departed was a sudden step away from what The Cranberries were known for into an almost indie-metal style that succeeds more often than it falls flat on it's face. Dolores O'Riordan wasn't known for being shy, still isn't I'd imagine, and here we have an O'Riordan penned dominated track list and a metal approach to the music from both performance and production points of view. In short, it's a lot to take in. On first listen, you'll be throughly confused and want to switch it off, but after a few listens the good points reveal themselves soon enough. On tracks such as Forever Yellow Skies, The Rebels and Salvation there is enough rough flair to make an entertaining listen, but the rest of the album is dedicated to mourning the loss of those departed from this world and in that it shoots itself in the foot. I love misery like I love a cup of tea, but not everyone will listen to it all the way through. Of course, this makes the album rather left field and it is as quirky and stylized as it challenging to listen to for the uninitiated.

Miles Davis: Bitches Brew.

Jazz can divide a room of people who are in agreement about everything under the sun. Jazz can also confuse, befuddle and enlighten those lacking it's sounds. When Miles Davis released Bitches Brew, Jazz became arguably even more of an acquired taste, in perception at least. The music on Bitches Brew is almost random in it's arrangement and on first listen, you'd be forgiven for throwing the disc across the room if you weren't in the right frame of mind. Make no mistake this is not an easy listen, and if you get through the whole album you will have experienced music that was designed to be a bitch to get through that also happens to be complete genius, Miles Davis at the height of his powers. Many a classicist fan of Jazz would argue that this, and follow up On The Corner, are just avant garde noise, but they'd be wrong.

The Velvet Underground: Squeeze

What's that I hear you say? There is no album called Squeeze by The Velvet Underground! Well, in fact there is. No one admits to it's existence and it isn't regarded as part of the sacred collection of albums that influenced so many when so few were actually sold. The only place you can find this album is on You Tube, where some diligent completists have decided to post the tracks up for all the world who may care to listen. The rumors would have that it's terrible, one of the worst records ever made and when I listened to it, I had to disagree. The reason for that is simply because it is passable, not the terrible mess it's been hinted at being. The fact may be that had this been released in another name, i.e. Doug Yule, who is the only actual player on the album, history may have been kinder to it. The use of the Velvet Underground name has only ensured that it is more well known than it would be otherwise and it's alleged "infamy". In no slight to Yule, Lou Reed's absence is a real problem here when it says Velvet Underground.

There we have it, some records that could be loved or hated, even pitied perhaps. All that remains to be said is that there is an ear for every record, no matter how many people dislike it.

Seba.

Scattershot Photography presents Recent Trips.

2011-12-10T12:00:00.000Z

Sometimes it's fun to ride the wind, not caring for a particular theme or destination but seeing where coincidence takes you. In a change from recent escapades from this scattershot bunch this time it's general look at whats happened recently, including some excerpts from the projects that are being worked on now...

Scattershot Photography presents 'Recent Trips'

It's Bold Street and it's almost Christmas!

The Lantern Parade was a highlight of November.

A man was sitting with a large bottle of whiskey beneath this.

Mashemon's last show of the year at Mello Mello.

Occupy Liverpool arrived. More on this soon!

Guess who has a new office? Not me...

Large Reindeer? Check. Wind? Check.

Article//..The Beautiful Silence.

2011-12-09T16:00:00.000Z

Earlier this year, in 2011 that is, there many predictions and paranoid ramblings about whether it would snow this year. For hundreds of years the prospect of a white Christmas thrilled many millions of people young and old and it still thrills me. And for their grumbling, most people I know as well! If there was ever an excuse to sit back and relax, certain that there is not much else useful or work related you can be doing besides making bountiful mugs of warm tea and watching whatever movie takes your fancy then a cold, white Christmas is the time to do it. Any other time of year I'd be giving my computer nervous glances, thinking of deadlines coming up and edging my way off the sofa to meet them with defiant yet bleary eyes.

It's Snowing... or Why We Should Appreciate the Beautiful Silence.

Yet this year I've decided to plan ahead and write everything that needs to be said before the last two weeks of the year when I will make like a sloth when ever possible if they could drink hot coffee perched upside down. In previous years cabin fever has had me itching to do something, anything to stave off the impending doom. If the world ended on Christmas Day it would be ironic because the countries perhaps most prepared to deal with it would be half asleep and wouldn't notice for the glitter and turkey bones lining their table. Of course, realistically it's not likely to happen but that's what it feels like to many.

The streets full of people just the day before are empty, a lonely car traversing the distance to anywhere is like a mirage and it's one of the few occasions one can use the majority of the nations road as a rambling excursion. (Not the motorways, obviously!) Those not possessed of their own transport have the best excuse of anybody to relax and, although it depends where you live, you can enjoy the brilliant feeling of being trapped temporarily at home. If you have a park near by, all the better. It might be full of very seasonal looking persons but that's what happens at Christmas so it's best to just get on with it and enjoy the weather like everyone else. The beautiful solitude is appreciated much longer after it's gone and normal life takes hold once more so I never turn down the chance to experience it.

And if it's snowing, all the better! Wind blows things away, the sun can warm things up but it's not felt physically. Snow can be touched, thrown, scrunched up, trod on, ran through with child like abandonment, it can be black or white depending on how polluted your area is, makes a noise and makes most people feel quite romantic somehow. Unlike the sun or the wind it can be felt in all ways with most of the senses and that is what it special for me. With my ever by side camera I have taken many pictures of snowy landscapes and they never lose their beauty. And when something of such visual beauty manages to stop us in our tracks collectively it both a sad and a happy occurrence.

Sad because we still haven't worked out to deal with it after so many millions of years, although we're getting there and happy because we're all forced to stop and contemplate the world we live in for how ever long we're delayed on our journey. I'm aware as I write this that it may well not snow this year but the idea still stands that we should appreciate the gift rather than worry overly about it's appearance when Winter is meant to be cold and a symptom of cold weather is snow...

P.S. If it's not snowing yet, it'll probably be incredibly cold. and if it isn't cold then it's Armageddon all over again.

Words and Image by Seba.

Music Review//Moby - Destroyed (Deluxe)

2011-12-07T10:00:00.000Z

The end of the year brings with it much merriment and joy but with that comes the prospect of quiet times towards the end when you can (hopefully) sit back and consider in a not too serious manner what has gone by these last few months. One record that may help you do this is Moby's latest release, the somewhat deceptively titled 'Destroyed'.

Music Review//Moby - Destroyed (Deluxe Edition)

The original release was a one disc, but still excellent collection that impressed me but this Deluxe Edition is even more impressive,including a second disc of new recordings and a further DVD with videos, insightful interviews and more.

The main album is the usual, rarely faltering excellence we've come to expect from the artist, including fifteen tracks inspired by the stillness of cities at two am and it's this aspect that makes it a worthwhile project. There is a sadness running through the album and it's counterbalanced by the almost uplifting surface vibes on many occasions.

The cocoon like sound of many of the songs is a comforting factor here and songs such as The Low Hum, with it's soothing vocals, Be The One, which is almost mantra like in it's repetition and Lie Down in Darkness, with it's string driven metaphor of loneliness. There is some hope present though in the form of the strangely lifting instrumental Victoria Lucas and The Right Thing, both are which are highlights on an addictive album, that uses the psyche rather than the ears to bring enjoyment.

But Disc 2 begins somewhat differently with a psycho-country riff mixed with beats and a blues like vocal. Perhaps the closest to electro country you'll ever hear, The Poison Tree is ultimately a successfully experiment in genre mixing. This is followed by the retro sounding and upbeat sound of Sandpaper and another experimental track The Unden der Linden, with a trip-hop backing and multi-layered vocal that are honey on an already well made offering. Elsewhere on the disc Fortitude offers a refined sound similar to Moby's work circa 1991 and still sounds as timeless as the best of his work. Closer Slow is a similar proposal, offering deftly syncopated beats and atmospheric moonbeams of sound that take the song to another level of enjoyment.

As a whole then, Destroyed is a worthy album, despite what some fans may consider as poor sales tactics. But It has to said that it really would be silly to turn down music as enlightening and occasionally haunting as that which is offered on Destroyed Deluxe. Enjoy this at your leisure, and don't be fooled into think that the small hours hold no beauty.

Review by Seba.

Article//From The Ashes

2011-12-06T16:00:00.000Z

I recently visited my family and found myself irresistiblydrawn to the ever packed, bent from the weight of its contents bookshelf. Aswith many families in Liverpool, over a couple of generations objects from manytrips, adventures and more besides have amassed to form a fascinating glimpseinto the past of a city justifiably known for its greatness. 

From The Ashes.

Aerial View of Liverpool Sea Front from 1948. Image by Wright Aviation.

Many firsts have come from our city, including developmentsof an artistic, revolutionary, architectural and technical nature and it’s nowonder when you consider our history and ever forward thinking mind set. Therealways seems to be a voice somewhere questioning the plans for the city’sfuture. Of course, in the face of the cuts levied on Liverpool this is onlynatural and if no-one questioned it then we wouldn’t be the city we know welive in. 

It was interesting then to find on the shelf a touristguidebook to the city from 1948 that opened my eyes to howthings have changed much in the time since yet remained the same.  Normally a book that is over sixty years oldhas been battered beyond readability and weathered by the many hands that crackit’s spine over the years but this one was in almost perfect condition, it’spages holding fascinating images and information that might surprise the modernresident of Liverpool! 

Indeed, I was riveted for days and sat for hours lookingat the photographs of the city, some parts gone completely and some stillvisible to the eye. Further books have revealed images of such well trodstreets like Bold Street in tougher times, Church Street when it wasn’tpedestrianised  and had traffic runningup and down it’s ever buzzing centre, even the site of the building thatcurrently houses Primark being completely empty! 

On the cover is amonochrome aerial shot of the city encompassing many sights familiar to ustoday including the docks, the Liver Bird buildings, the Church and a notableabsence due to not existing yet of the Cathedral!  (Main image)

Perhaps even more noticeable to the eye is theabsence of the modern structures that now form Liverpool One, instead theirplace is filled with the original warehouses that served the docks so well.Some readers may remember the streets that used to be on the site of LiverpoolOne and the transformation for those old enough to even vaguely remember isastonishing and perhaps controversial to many people.  Liverpool is ever changing though and that isall part of the nature of a place as vibrant as the one we live. 

On reading the by comparison to modern versions extremely textheavy guide I was struck with exactly the same feeling as visitors must getfrom the guide books published today. That is, Liverpool as a busy, ever developingcity with much to do and say for itself. That isn’t me aggrandizing Liverpoolby the way, it’s merely a fact many will attest to the veracity of. 

Arguably, it’s ever truer today! For example,in the same way we boast of Liverpool One’s high living or our ever thriving,despite numerous cuts, art and music scene, the 1948 guide shouts out tovisitors and less Central locals alike that ‘We’re the best!’ The back page isan advertisement for the then great and now sadly resting in peacethat is Lewis’s proclaiming it to be ‘the shape of things to come…’ 

Numeroushotels and restaurants advertise within and the staples of the businesscommunity at the time including domestic goods, confectionery, insurance andengineering fill its pages in the same way the bars, clubs and galleries dotoday.  One page even shouts out in bigcapitals, ‘LIVERPOOL AT THE HUB OF THE WORLD MARKETS!’

Of course, that was 1948 and still today, in 2011 we emphasize business and being the best butculture has become a bigger draw and as back then, shopping too! On the surfacethere is much to celebrate about Liverpool itself and, in order to ensure wecontinue to grow we should embrace some change whilst fighting, like we havealways done, what we feel is wrong for our home.

Words and Images by Seba except 1948 image taken from the Liverpool Guide Book 1948. Photo by Wright Aviation Ltd.   

This article appears in Object of Dreams issue 6.  