Saturday, January 6, 2018

2017 into 2018 action

It was a busy end to 2017 and it's a busy start to 2018 - loads of action!

December started with an experimental outing at Corsica Studios playing bassoon with effects in an improv set with Gnod (R&D), John Doran, Sam Barton, Mark Pilkington and Mark Dicker. It was psychedelic and immensely fun.

Shortly after that, I guested on soprano sax with Daniel O'Sullivan's band, Dream Lion Ensemble at Servant Jazz Quarters, filling in for an injured Alex Ward. Such beautiful music - it was a priviledge to be a part of it and I hope I did Alex justice! You can find Daniel's album here - it's super lovely... https://dosullivan.bandcamp.com/album/veld

I was also super chuffed that VÄLVĒ track, 'lights', was voted at #18 in The Quietus's top 50 tracks of the year - what an honour!

2018 starts off pretty excitingly too. First up, Knifeworld are doing a double set giant show at The Lexington on the 20th. We're rehearsing up over two and a half hours worth of material, some of which has never been performed live before. An endurance test!

Next comes a VÄLVĒ show in Tufnel Park as a trio once more, supporting Ciara Clifford. January then ends with a spot of bassoon guesting with Mally Harpaz in Kings Cross. Mally will be supporting the glorious Jack Cheshire band. It's the first of two nights I'm putting on at Westminster Kingsway College theatre, the second of which sees Charles Hayward's Data Quack with Alex Ward in support. I'm rather excited as Data Quack at The Albany in Deptford was one of the best gigs of 2017 - my tiny mind was completely blown!

Then the big comes up in February - Knifeworld are off to play Cruise To The Edge, setting sail from Florida to Belize City and Mexico Costa Maya! 3 sets. 3 countries. Potentially some dolphin sightings. Most exciting!