QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“He who sings frightens away his ills.”
Migel de Cervantes
Ah, if only it were that simple, that even those of us not blessed with pretty pipes, or even those of us, (and I name no names) entering the realm of the tone deaf, could defeat all that ails us by singing along to you lovely lot who are actually talented—then life would be, healthier! For the time being, I must be content with scaring domestic pets, small and large children and neighbours. And so we turn to all things August, and some things September, at Premises.
PIANO WEEK
As always, this year’s Piano Week, run by Nikki Yeoh, with Tim Richards, Dian Gasper and John Crawford, was a triumph, with participants working hard at playing hard and on the Friday, making some ace recordings of some of the jazz and blues classics. Though it’s been going for 26 years now, Piano Week never gets old, and the steady progress of our returners is evident, as is that of people trying it for the first time. The standard of playing was particularly high this year, with our students taking the tunes to parts unknown with the help of mega rhythm section Dominic Howles and Mark Mondesir. One happy player who came to our live performance course as well, Kevin Huby, who recorded a cracking version of Autumn Leaves, is already excited about the next course. He says, rather modestly, we think, “I am very much at the start of my jazz journey and haven’t performed music of any sort in public for 8 years The Premises courses have really helped to boost my confidence and now I am hoping to get involved in some local jazz jam sessions.”
Keep reading the newsletter for updates on our next course, but meanwhile, have a listen to Nick M’s lovely take on Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise.
OCTOBER HALF-TERM VOICE JAM!
Yes, we know the kids are just starting school again but never too early to think about half term activities! As ever we are holding our Voice Jam, a singing and recording activity for secondary students in Hackney, Tower Hamlets and beyond. This is for young people who enjoy singing and would like to experience singing in a group and recording two songs in our super recording studio.
Hackney born and bred choir leader and recording artist Clive Brown has been leading this project at The Premises for over 25 years. All that is required is a desire to sing and good self-discipline to work with a group in a professional recording studio All participants should be willing to try out all parts of the harmonies. The course is four days, Oct 28th-31st with the first three running from 14:00- 18:00 and the fourth day, recording day, from 11:00-17:00, with a “wrap” party after the recording, including Hackney’s finest fast food and a jam session on the mics. It’s all FREE! Located at The Premises on Hackney Rd, of course. To sign up, scan the QR code above or go direct to this form. Or for more info or questions, please email: michele@premiseseducation.org
MARQUE GILMORE DRUM ‘n’ BASS SHOWCASE
Live Drum‘n’Bass pioneer Marque Gilmore rocked up at Premises Studio 1 on Aug 24th to play a live set that blew us all away on a cellular level. Speed, skill, energy and precision are the hallmarks of his craft, but more than that, he spreads love and good vibes. Our gobs were well and truly smacked by a banging version of John Denver’s Country Roads and a great guest spot by MC Ricko. At least two of us (combined age of 144) were converted to the genre by this small and special gig, and went pulsating out into the night, heads still bobbing, ears still exploding.
GOOD IDEA: SHAME WE DIDN’T POST THE RIGHT LINK!
Last month we posted about Asher One Two, a recording artist who proposed an idea that we post a song and get the opinions on said song, by other Premises artists. One artist, one track, once a month. Simple. Except the link to the actual track didn’t work.
So here we go again, Asher’s ‘80s indie pop with a John Hughes movie sorta vibe. You can see more of his stuff here: www.asheronetwo.com and listen to the song, featuring guitarist Rob Luft, here.
Do write in (michele@premiseseducation.org) and tell us whatchathink. AND, if you have a song you want other Premises people to hear, send it to us.
WHO’S BEEN IN STUDIO A?
There’s a kind of buzz about Buzzz, a band and movement from the early ‘80s which has piqued the interest of filmmaker Shean Roberts of Tehillah productions, in collaboration with Dreambox and Alphastandard. They’ve started filming a documentary about the Buzzz scene and are interested in talking to people who were there at the time, vibing on their blend of pop, reggae and soul that came to be known as Buzzz Rock. You may remember their funky version of Hit The Road, Jack, but they went well beyond that. Shean says, “By recounting their journey from rapid success to obstacles faced, we hope to honour the band’s heritage and amazing musical effect. It’s a tale of passion and promise, even if success wasn’t fully realised.” Absolutely a story that will resonate with many recording artists, we reckon. Photo below: Filming Tesley Francis Jr in Studio A
THE THE!
The The, who have been going since 1979, are about to embark on a world tour and have been here for five weeks, working hard on a looong set. They stuck to a strict rehearsal schedule, punctuated only by healthy eats breaks at Premises Café (see photo below).
The band’s lodestar, frontman and composer Matt Johnson has done enough world tours and has been in the business long enough to see the big picture, from the well-deserved standpoint of having sold out many of the tour dates already. As he’s about to dash off to a radio interview, he gives the lowdown on the state of the business now:
So what is better now, and what is worse now?
Matt Johnson: The good thing is that there is more independence for artists, more freedom if they are not tied into contracts, but the other side is that it’s much harder for younger bands to make a living, and many need another job to make ends meet.
And as Matt leaps up and out, long term bass player James Eller and keyboardist and harmonica DC Collard talk about the practicalities of word touring.
James: Matt is very self-disciplined and we do a lot of preparation, having pared down the set list, which will include the new LP in its entirety and then for the second half, we play the older songs. It’s funny. I am about to get my pension and I am still playing, with some people asking, “Are you in The The?” which is great. And Matt surrounds himself with good people, so it feels like a family.
DC Collard: “There have been fans who have been following The The since the beginning, and they bring their kids to the gigs now, so we have seen those kids grow up. I think the following is so strong because the songs never age, and Matt has his own style and always has done.”
We’re honoured they rehearsed the tour here, for you couldn’t meet a more affable and enthusiastic group of musicians.
WHO’S BEEN IN?
Amongst other luminaries, during August we welcomed…Emeli Sande, The The, Elephant Kind, Luca Pachetti, Octahawk, Moonshine Heavies, Patchwork, London Voice Academy, House Gospel Choir, Folded Wing, Luna Marie, Nikki Yeoh, Naked Brunch, Omar Puente, Miles Kane, Dissolved Girl, Jazmin Bean, Fossils, Bransfield, Kelvin Ghann, Glory Choir, Miraculous Mule, Lulu, Attawalpa, Vasiliy, Irene Taylor Trust, Nubya Garcia, Springfield Quartet, Nia Smith, Kawala, Cassie Kinoshi, Heuristics, Sienna Spiro, Russia Neuman, Poppy Ajudha, Sovereigns, Lazy Habits, Miriam Jackson, Eliza, Nieve Ella, Weil Things, G- Flip, Sad Night Dynamite, Nath Brooks, Naked Brunch, Bryce Parker, Melvitto, Kofi Olimide, Marque Gilmore, Snow Poet, The Darklings, Benjamin Gregory, Jocelyn Brown, Amanda Whittington, MidTown Funk, Triggerfish, Cymande, Vula Malinga, Marc Almond and many many more…
'ROUND MIDNIGHT: EMMA RAWICZ IN SESSION!
Don't miss this Friday's edition of 'Round Midnight on BBC Radio 3 when Soweto Kinch's special guest will be ace saxophonist and composer Emma Rawicz, with an exclusive session recorded right here, in Studio A. And if you do miss it, the whole programme, produced by Folded Wing, will also be available on BBC Sounds here.
AND FINALLY...
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