PREVIEWS

Image: Cait

MUSIC

CAIT RELEASES NEW EP, SOMETHING LIKE THAT

Words: Maria Winter

This month sees the release of a new EP from talented Blyth-based songwriter Cait, entitled Something Like That.

Currently based between her North East roots and a small coastal town in South Africa, Cait’s music often reflects her inspirations from both locations. Having independently released her brilliant debut EP Ocean Hearted during the first lockdown, Cait’s soft, acoustic sound has received acclaim from the likes of BBC Introducing in the North East, and her new EP demonstrates a musical delicacy through elegant guitar and vocals.

The six song EP is the perfect illustration of Cait’s signature sound, with the title track setting the tone. The thematic content often relates to nature, and Cait’s ability to capture the listener’s attention both melodically and lyrically is profound, highlighting her storytelling talent. The corresponding music video to the track Binary Star also fits perfectly with the musical serenity; set on a beach, it depicts an affectionate relationship between two lovers.

Something Like That provides the perfect escape during the current circumstances, so if you’re looking for something harmonious and relaxing to whisk you away, this EP is for you. Cait releases Something Like That on 4th March www.caitmusic.bandcamp.com

MUSIC

GREY TAPES @ THE GLOBE ONLINE

Words: Laura Doyle

Live music – what a thing, right? Just as it was starting to feel like a distant memory, folks like the good people at The Globe in Newcastle nail a provisional plan to see us through the desolate time. They’re hosting Newcastle’s beat maker and producer collective Grey Tapes in the most economically minded way: a livestream beamed directly into your homes.

Electronic music has an unusual reputation in this game, with too many people thinking that it’s just a bunch of people essentially pressing play so that they can mime along to their pre-recorded beats. This presumption is really damaging, because it erases the hard work that actually often goes into electronic performances. Grey Tapes are even more live than most other electronic artists, completely doing away with any kind of backing track. Any sound you hear Grey Tapes make is fresh off the line, manufactured for that performance and that performance alone. So while it isn’t ideal that you’re unable to witness their experimental sounds face to face, you can at least settle in for the night in the knowledge that you’re experiencing an evening of unique and wholly original music.

Grey Tapes perform a livestream gig via The Globe online on Saturday 27th March www.greytapesuk.bandcamp.com

Grey Tapes by Darren Jelly O’Kane

ART & LIT

MORGAN BLACK @ ESTON ARTS CENTRE ONLINE

Words: Maria Winter

Throughout March, Eston Arts Centre will be premiering Solstice – a new film by Morgan Black, via their social media pages.

Morgan Black is a gender nonconforming artist, whose experience includes performance, digital video, drawing, sound/music and written and spoken narrative. Featured in print by the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, their work demonstrates incredible talent and effortlessness. Morgan Black is also a prominent activist for LGBTQIA+ causes, as well as one of the founding members for Dundee-based art collective the Queer Dot, which strengthens queer voices through online and public shows.

Talking about Solstice, Morgan Black writes: “The film focuses on the poetic mythological interpretations of winter and, specifically, the Solstice – which is the turning point of the year in many cultures and societies. Channelling the works of Robert Graves, the film explores the relationship between landscape, natural cycles, nature, and human interpretations of, and relationships with, these themes.”

Drawing inspiration from Graves’ lunar cults and scholars of mythology Joseph Campbell and Jane Harrison, along with philosopher Eugene Thacker’s ‘world in itself’ thoughts, dark ecology and black metal music.

Solstice by Morgan Black will be premiered on Eston Arts Centre’s social media pages from 1st-31st March www.facebook.com/estonartscentre www.instagram.com/estonartscentre

Dressed Like Wolves

MUSIC

DRESSED LIKE WOLVES/NEL UNLIT RELEASE SPLIT 7”

Words: Laura Doyle

Teesside buddies Dressed Like Wolves and Nel Unlit have teamed up to release their new singles together as a split 7”.

This release switches things up quite a bit from Nel Unlit’s usual fantasy neo-folk work, creating intricate soundscapes for Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel Sandman. A first for the collaborative nine-piece, Nel Unlit has delved into the autobiographical with this love letter to partners everywhere in the emotional Six Nights. A smidgen of a capella and bright acoustics make for a truly moving spectacle of feelings.

Dressed Like Wolves meanwhile are getting in on this gratitude inspired action with their own companion single, Big Pool, recorded as part of a campaign to help out live music venues which have suffered since the pandemic, namely Middlesbrough’s Westgarth Social Club (where I got a free Jammy Dodger on the door the first time I went there, true fact). The unsuspecting pub has been the site of many a Teesside band cutting their teeth on its compact stage. Big Pool adds to the nostalgia for those simple, communal times with gentle indie beats best suited to the breaks between bands spent by the bar. Both tracks are doing their own thing, but both are a love letter in their own way; that’s why this move makes total sense.

Dressed Like Wolves/Nel Unlit release Six Nights/Big Pool on 26th March www.nelunlit.wordspress.com www.dressedlikewolves.bandcamp.com

COMEDY

FELT NOWT COMEDY SHOWS

Words: Cameron Wright

With the pandemic posing a burden to multiple industries, comedy is no exception. With comedians losing the opportunity to perform, the Community Interest Company Felt Nowt are pushing all their profits directly back into the industry.

Dedicated to serving the comedy scene in the region, the company was born out of a need to serve and endorse the world of local comedy. By providing the finest comedy talent across the North East, Felt Nowt aims to elevate spirits while simultaneously nurturing the art form, and shows are delivered from a proper stage with professional lighting and sound.

Every month they present an array of solo stand-up sets, with March’s delights coming from comics such as John Scott and Carl Hutchinson (both Friday 5th) and Nicola Mantalios and Neil Harris (both Friday 19th). Their Felt Now Friday events showcase the works of four unique comedians and a host for just a tenner for a household ticket, with this month seeing sets from Andy Fury, George Zach, Kelly Edgar and Raul Kohli (Friday 5th) and Lee Kyle, Sean Turner, Sam Mayes and Steffen Peddie (Friday 19th), all presided over by MC Hal Branson. Felt Nowt are constantly working to provide an array of distinct comedy experiences to their audience, while supporting the arts and providing a space for comedians to grow.

With new events and comedians constantly scheduling concerts and sets, check out their website for updates and tickets. www.feltnowt.co.uk

MUSIC

UNITY FESTIVAL

Words: Claire Dupree

Newcastle-based Skimstone Arts, who lead the charge for inclusive arts practice and social action in the region, have put together an intergenerational and international line-up for their online UNITY festival which runs from Friday 5th-Sunday 7th March. Comprising of free online live music, storytelling and workshops, an array of talent will take part. F

riday night hosts Claire Webster Saaremets and Kema Sikazwe (aka rapper Kema Kay) will launch the festival on their very own internet radio station, where audiences can hear more about what’s coming up over the weekend. Newcastle rapper Kay Greyson will bring her fusion of modern hip-hop to the main stage as Saturday’s night headliner and on Sunday night, British Nigerian jazz-folk-soul singer-songwriter and guitarist Bumi Thomas takes on headline duties.

The music ‘tent’ is also the place to be for learning new skills. Try out everything from family friendly rhythm workshops with David Stickman Higgins and a special songwriting workshop with Skimstone Arts’ musicians Liz Corney and Quinn Green, to learning the art of African dance techniques with Nii Kwarty Owoo. There’s even the opportunity to work with rapper Kema Sikazwe and aspiring young performer Daniel to get a taste for freestyle rap or to join in a live virtual sing-a-long with Bethany Elen Coyle.

In the Chill Out space, festival goers can be immersed in shared stories, nature and fantasy. UNITY Festival events take place via Zoom. Visit the Skimstone Arts website for details on how to join www.skimstonearts.org.uk

Bumi Thomas by Amoroso Films

ART & LIT

3RDWAVE

Words: Jonathan Coll

The Collective Studio is an initiative which aims to give artists in the North East the inspiration, resource and support with which to flourish. It’s part of a collaboration between The NewBridge Project and Newcastle University and its Institute for Creative Arts Practice, and has been producing some fantastic work in difficult circumstances.

A new three-stage workshop and exhibition programme entitled 3rdWAVE brings together the cohorts from the third and fourth year of the project, with the aim of injecting new ideas and concepts into last year’s work. This follows the successful launch of SCRAMBLE in Middlesbrough, which took place in March last year.

This year’s edition was also initially planned as a real life exhibition, before COVID unfortunately curtailed those plans. The pandemic has not, however, dented any of the artists enthusiasm, and the pieces that mark the start of 2021 are every bit as creative and ambitious. Will Stockwell has produced an innovative way to display the artwork which links the third and fourth years of the project. The first wave of the site allows the artists to reflect on last year’s work, the second offers their response and the third wave displays some entirely new concepts, all tied up with a surfer-styled graphics making for an enjoyable meander across the sites and some varied work to enjoy.

3rdWAVE is available to view online now www.3rdwave.cargo.site

MUSIC

LOS COYOTE MEN @ THE GLOBE ONLINE

Words: Maria Winter

Trashy garage-punk band Los Coyote Men will bring their irrepressible energy (and iconic Mexican wrestling masks) to a livestreamed gig at The Globe, Newcastle on Saturday 20th March, where good music, good entertainment and an overall good time is the order of the day. The Globe’s livestreams have become a real lifeline for regional musicians, as they continue to showcase a variety of alternative music and arts events every week.

Los Coyote Men have been producing music and touring for over 20 years, gaining an immense following for their incredibly unique, garage-punk sound. Likening themselves to bands such as The Cramps and The Sonics, this band will not disappoint with their energetic on-stage presence. With years of experience under their belts, Los Coyote Men will no doubt take this livestreamed set-up and give the audience a night to remember – unlikely to allow the format to restrict their style, their take on a virtual performance is certain to be memorable.

In their own words… “You want more evil than Knievel? Check my ass that’s a tail swingin’ from it!” We couldn’t put it better ourselves! Los Coyote Men perform a livestreamed show via The Globe Online on Saturday 20th March www.theglobenewcastle.bar

Los Coyote Men

MUSIC

SHAKK RELEASES NEW SINGLE, LOOSE ENDS

Words: Jonathan Coll

Middlesbrough-based rapper Shakk returns with his forthcoming single Loose Ends, which drops on 19th March, and comes from having used a challenging year as the inspiration for some of his best work yet.

The forthcoming single maintains the same sort of intensity, flow and lyricism as last year’s single Toxic Rick, while keeping the ideas and subject matter completely fresh. The beat was produced by Versus, and there are ambitious plans in the works for visuals to accompany the track as soon as COVID restrictions allow.

Hip-hop and grime are at their absolute best when they’re sincere, and Shakk has always used his own lived experience as the basis for his lyrics. He’s drawn on an introspective period spent in lockdown and used the experience to become the best rapper he can be. “Even though 2020 was a strong year for me as an artist you could say that I still had a chip on my shoulder entering 2021 with a feeling of something to prove and I believe this track reflects that attitude accurately.” He says of the song. He’s also spoken of his ambition to take his musical projects to the biggest stages, and is definitely one to keep an eye on as live events begin to pick back up.

Shakk releases Loose Ends on 19th March www.facebook.com/shakkmusic

Shakk by Kraken Cinematic

ART & LIT

THE LIVING ARCHIVE @ THE AUXILIARY ONLINE

Words: Claire Dupree

In our increasingly online world it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd and be visible to audiences. Nick John Williams, a Middlesbroughbased sound designer and artist, has come up with a way to help artists cut through the noise with The Living Archive.

Designed as an “elegant solution for small and medium-sized organisations who want to engage audiences online with their digital archives, media libraries and collections”, The Living Archive is an easy-to-use platform which can be used to connect with audiences, share digital content and create new channels of engagement.

Studio holders at Middlesbrough creative hub The Auxiliary have been working with the platform to create a unique digital exhibition of their creative practices and experiences.

“Together we have reimagined the way in which projects may be documented online as we present sketches, notebooks, works-in-progress and experiments, alongside finished artworks to give the audience a greater understanding, not only of the artist and their work, but of the rigour, playfulness, virtuosity and seriousness from which great artworks emerge.” Nick John Williams explains. “The studio holders and artists in residence will continue to upload content throughout the duration of the exhibition, creating a living document of their art practices for audiences to explore.”

The Living Archive will go live on Monday 1st March and will run for the whole month www.theauxiliary.co.uk/living-archive

COMEDY

DALISO CHAPONDA @ ARC ONLINE

Words: Cameron Wright

By the time Daliso Chaponda rose to fame through 2017’s Britain’s Got Talent, he was already a seasoned veteran, having spent years honing his observations and sharpening his quips. Incessant touring and the meticulously crafted material helped shoot Daliso into the nation’s hearts and he has maintained his place there for years. The Malawian comedian turned Golden Buzzer contestant has been climbing the ladder, delivering his brand of warm and charming self-deprecation. With his slew of tours, his Citizen of Nowhere series on BBC Radio 4 and an appearance on 2020’s Royal Variety Performance, Daliso has become a welcome name into the conversation of British comedy.

With the drastic changes of 2020, Daliso’s world was dramatically affected. Shaping an hour of cutting satire, he’s now ready to showcase his Apocalypse Not Now tour, which takes in Stockton’s ARC on Saturday 6th March. This online event will show Daliso’s fire through his slick, polished set which follows the politics and confusion we are all affected by. The Covid-safe experience can bring Daliso’s daring observations into your home, offering an essential respite, much-needed solace and a few laughs into the bargain.

Daliso Chaponda performs via ARC Online on Saturday 6th March www.arconline.co.uk

Daliso Chaponda

ART & LIT

LET US EAT CAKE @ PBVARTS

Words: Beverley Knight

To honour International Women’s Day, creators Slutmouth (aka Bettie Hope) and Wild Lamb (aka Paige Livingstone), felt the urge to pool their forward-thinking ideas to curate their punchy exhibition Let Us Eat Cake, which will debut at new online space PBVArts from Monday 8th March.

Local, national and international female-identifying artists of a working class background are in their team, with the art upholding a booming voice demanding not just to be heard, but to be listened to with intent and respect. Bettie explains: “We are excited to introduce and showcase some fantastic female creatives from the North East and beyond. There’s wonderful momentum up here, and we aim to show the North for what it truly is: a powerhouse full of creatives!”

Paige adds: “Growing up working class and being female in one of the most deprived areas in the UK will, if nothing else, toughen you up and sharpen your wit, and that’s something that I see reflected a lot in my work and also the work of my favourite local artists.” This collaborative curatorial debut will shine a light on the next generation of young, emerging talent from the region, with empowerment at the core of the dynamic artists involved.

Let Us Eat Cake takes place at PBVArts from Monday 8th March for four weeks www.pineappleblack.co.uk

ART & LIT

1:3 @ WETDOVETAIL ONLINE

Words: Damian Robinson

Blurring the lines between everyday functionality and corporate communication tools, 3D artwork, like street art before it (and pop art before that), often makes interesting statements by taking everyday icons and transforming them before our eyes.

Looking to promote such works, WetDoveTail, an online digital space which launches this month, will host virtual gallery events with artists from across the North East. Opening during the first lockdown, WetDoveTail’s projects have mushroomed out since; expanding to include experimental films and the 1:1 exhibition; the collective’s first funded exhibition in their digital space. Often striking artistic gold by finding interesting variances between the shades of software normality we take for granted, 1:1 was both moving and challenging; presenting work that was fluid and, on occasion, able to be interacted with.

Preparing to dazzle with artists who submitted work during a recent online open call, WetDoveTail’s next exhibition, 1:3, will continue in the digital vein and feature the work of 25-30 artists across a variety of mediums from video and performance-based creations as well as 2D and 3D works – proving again that the pop art form is often the most effective way of holding a mirror up to ourselves and demanding that we ask the big questions.

1:3 is online now at WetDoveTail’s online space www.wetdovetail.com

WETDovetail

FILM

ROUTE A66: NORTHERN VALHALLA

Words: Claire Dupree

According to Norse mythology, Valhalla is a sumptuous hall home to slain warriors presided over by Odin. The concept of a ‘Northern Valhalla’ may suggest fearless folk dining on never-ending parmos instead of slaughtered boar, but for artists Gordon Dalton and S Mark Gubb, creators of this intriguingly titled new film project, the inference is clear: along this stretch of road lies a place of mythic qualities.

Route A66: Northern Valhalla is part road trip, part discovery of identity; following the A66 from east to west, the film will talk to people on the route about their hopes and fears for the future, with the aim of creating an archive of emotions and opinions. The artistic duo are old hands at crafting accessible and inclusive work which take reference from popular culture, politics and “a sense of the impossible”, and Route 66: Northern Valhalla will include exhibitions, collaborations and two special and highly visible public events.

In order to make this project a reality, they’re looking for people who live along the route to take part. Collaborators so far include Minecraft YouTubers, mountain bikers, lorry drivers, up and coming MCs and skateboarders, as well as ‘lord of the logos’ Christophe Szpadgel, who has created logos for just about every black metal band out there, and has made a suitably striking logo for the film.

Dalton and Gubb explain more about the project: “We are keen to meet, in real life, or online, as many people as possible to answer some questions, but mainly just to say ‘hi, how are you today?’ We are keen to chat to people with varied interests and opinions. Life along the A66 isn’t just a glossy, touristy drone film of our best bits, and it isn’t some boring film you’d see in a gallery. You see a much better reflection of current life on TikTok, and it’s funny, opinionated, diverse and immediate.”

To get involved with Route A66: Northern Valhalla find them on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok www.instagram.com/northernvalhalla66

ART & LIT

NORTHERN WRITERS STUDIO EVENTS

Words: Maria Winter

Northern Writers Studio bring writers together through workshops and events to provide encouragement to those with literary endeavours. They have some great opportunities for newcomers and experienced writers alike, whether you’re looking to develop your writing abilities, or just want to try something new.

Every month they work with a Northern writer to deliver an inspiring workshop and on Wednesday 17th March they are collaborating with the brilliant novelist, performer and storyteller Sarah Dobbs. The workshop will introduce writers to methods used to create work for performance, using these methods to reconsider approaches to prose.

There is also a spoken word event on Wednesday 10th March in aid of East End Women, hosted by Bridget Hamilton and Sarah Davy from Northern Writers Studio itself. With open mic slots available, this is an event worth taking part in.

If you’re looking for something more regular, Northern Writers Studio meet every Friday and Sunday at 10am for their Write-In sessions. These free sessions bring writers together (via Zoom) to participate in a relaxed, communal writing experience. Whether you’re writing fiction, non-fiction, or planning submissions – everyone is welcome. www.northernwritersstudio.co.uk

MUSIC

CRAIG CLARK RELEASES NEW SINGLE, IDAHO

Words: Laura Doyle

A lot of people have taken 2021 as a fresh start. It’s not simply been about ambitious New Year resolutions that have slowly eroded away over the first couple months, but there’s instead been a genuine drive by many to just get over the last few hurdles before we’re home free.

With this newfound optimism also comes musicians’ plans to make this year better than the last, and that means good organisation and structure. The epitome of this is Newcastle singer-songwriter Craig Clark’s tentative release schedule which, fingers crossed, will see him through the year on a stable note. Idaho is the first of four releases, which comes this month to ease us into the new year’s ventures with deep, rich indie folk sounds.

Inspiration can come from the most simple of experiences sometimes, and Idaho found its roots in the concept of a mind-clearing drive. For those of us without licenses, a similar feeling might be found in a bracing walk, a meditative session, or some other focussed hobby – whatever helps you clear your head and work through life’s most troublesome problems. After a year of being cooped up and swamped in stress and uncertainty, this compact dose of escapism is a breath of fresh air.

Craig Clark releases Idaho on 5th March www.craigclarkmusic.co.uk

Craig Clark by Natalie Pilkington