QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Music, like colour, or a cloud, is neither intelligent nor unintelligent - it just is. The chord, the simplest building block for even the tritest, silliest chart song, is a beautiful, perfect, mysterious thing,” - Nick Hornby
We love this description, partially because Hornby himself has spent entire books trying to describe that which he says, is indescribable. It’s festival season, as eleventy billion people stand in fields or enormodomes to commune with the artist (many of whom, rehearse and record here) and fellow fans, we say, this is not the time for over-thinking, but is the time for loving that beautiful, perfect and mysterious thing we call music.
26TH ANNUAL PIANO WEEK, AUG 5TH - 9TH
Just three spaces remaining for this intensive five-day course, made up of four days of intensive tuition and rehearsal in jazz, blues, Latin jazz and funk styles. On the fifth day you make your own trio recording in Studio A (on a beautiful grand piano that’s been played by Nina Simone, Dave Brubeck, McCoy Tyner, amongst many other greats). The tutors who guide you into getting your chosen song into the best, recording-ready sound include Nikki Yeoh, Tim Richards, Dian Gasper and John Crawford, each focusing on a different aspect of playing. On recording day, Nikki Yeoh will be with you in the studio, making sure you get your best take, backed up by the dream rhythm section of Dominic Howles on bass and Mark Mondesir on drums.
£395 for the week including all tuition, recording and mixing. For more info, call Michele now on 07722376643 or email michele@premiseseducation.org
GLASTO PREMISES’ PEOPLE
So many bands who frequent The Premises played Glasto last weekend, and did we feel like proud parents, sort of, particularly in the case of the extremely talented Olivia Dean, who rocked up to our caff the other day in what looked like a very fetching pair of jimjams? Indeed we did. Big props to The Last Dinner Party, Little Simz, Michael Kiwanuka, Fontaines DC, Dexys, James, Damon Albarn, Barry Can't Swim, Billie Marten, The Waeve, James Blake, Laura Mvula and the aforementioned Olivia Dean.
We knew you when you were “this big.”
WHO’S BEEN IN STUDIO A?
Jazz composer, pianist and presenter Andrea Vicari was up in studio A in June, laying down tracks for her third, as yet untitled album, which is jazz fusion with funk and New York Grooves. Vicari has been coming to The Premises since the early 90s, so is clearly a happy customer.
We wanted to know how much the muse hits her within these hallowed walls, and how much comes fully formed...
“All of the tunes were written before we came to the studio. However, as much as it is improvised, you could say a certain amount is created in the studio.”
What is your favourite part of the writing and recording process?
“Being alone by a piano and when the writing is natural, is the best part of writing. I like recording when the piano is good and the engineer friendly (like Neil). I like it when the first take of every tune is down so you can relax on take 2. We only did two takes on most of the tunes and sometimes just one take. You could say it’s very much a live album.”
Ever get writer’s block?
“I have rather the opposite of writer’s block. In that I can’t stop writing. It means I have so much material I don’t know which ones to focus on!”
The jazz scene in the UK seems healthier than ever, even more so for women. Do you find this to be the case?
“There are many players who are really talented and the college pathway has encouraged more people to play jazz, and the education route has addressed the gender imbalance to a certain extent. I’m encouraged that those starting out have some support now.
Tomorrow’s Warriors have helped raise the profile of women in jazz”.
To find out more about Andrea’s projects and upcoming gigs: http://www.andreavicari.com
'ROUND MIDNIGHT
Five nights a week on BBC Radio 3, Soweto Kinch presents this dreamy slice of the most eclectic and adventurous music you're likely to hear anywhere. Live in-studio sessions (recorded here in Studio A) have already featured the mighty Shabaka and upcoming is a new session by Leeds based alto sax composer Jasmine Myra. 'Round Midnight goes out every Monday to Friday for one hour from 11.30pm. Produced by our good friends and Premises regulars Folded Wing. Not to be missed! All episodes available here.
PERHAPS CONTRAPTION
Premises’ own Christo Squier, a man of many talents and facets, will be performing with Perhaps Contraption at The National Theatre on Sunday, 14th July, in a new show called The Journey.
Show times are at 1pm and 4 pm and it’s outdoors, family friendly and free.
Here’s what they say:
“Prepare to embark on a journey. Let’s weave and howl. Let each movement tell a story. Let’s come together and celebrate the power of community, of daring to build extraordinary things…Award-winning experimental brass band Perhaps Contraption along with Deaf & BSL poet Zoë McWhinney will be leading the way. The performance combines an original progressive pop score with Visual Vernacular; a unique blend of physical theatre, signed poetry and mime. Expect a curious, jubilant parade, replete with intricate rhythms, expressive motions, and a healthy dose of hope."
Here's what we say: Be there or be square.
WHO’S BEEN IN?
Amongst other luminaries, this last month we welcomed..Holly Riva, Glass Animals, Palmist Band, Art Terry, Guildhall School, Sylvie, Objection Denied, Bat for Lashes, Emeli Sande, Kingslandites, Everyone Says Hi, London Voice Academy, Sleep Clinic, Passing Ships, The Bristows, Chinchilla, Elephant Kind, CSX Pistols, Springfield Quartet, Alfie Whitbread, Tomorrow’s Warriors, Roo Panes, Cassius Harper, Lurine Cato, Vasily, A Guy Called Gerald, Blue Violet, Emma Smith, Everminds, The Last Dinner Party, Moonshine Heavies, Jay Prince, Folded Wing, Shivanova, Aine Deane, Jermaine Whyte, Business As Usual, Tanita Tikaram, Glory Choir, Blue Lab Beats, Reme, The Dirty Tree, Celina Rollon, The Thin Men, Nick Mulvey, Celeste, Neville Malcolm, Kawala, Ashkenazi, Seb Rochford, Shae Universe, Patti Smith, Rasia Project, Chris Jungle, Nieve Ella, Grace Carter, Poppy Adjudha, The Waeve, Dexys, PP Arnold, The Cover Up, Fossils, Adewale, and many, many more.
AND FINALLY...
