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The
Lauren Neko
Chapter 3
Stylish 速evolution
Photographed by
Jason Joyce
#TheZineUK - Stage n Street Style
Much appreciation;
Interactive publications. Please click the pages for music, videos and more. http://issuu.com/thezineuk
Bruno Wizard, Deborah Walker, Eugene Ankomah, Danny De Freitas, Grant Baines, Griff Gurnstar, Heather Minx Ferguson, Jamie Kelly, John Cierach, John McCullagh, KitMonsters, Lone Wolf Management, Nicky Kaur, Number3London Crew, Paul Irwin, Pete at Artful Noise, Wordmanger Mash and all the playing class friends everywhere.
Chapter 003 created By (alphabetically) Words, Deeds, Style Ben Dodd (Fashion Editor), Chenaii A. Madhoo (Arts Editor), Dizzy Spell (Music Editor), Destiny Madhoo, Gavin Black, Caffy St Luce
And Photography Daniela Fleckenstein, Duncan Stafford, Jason Joyce, Rupert Hitchcox. With thanks to; Keira Cullinane, Polly Harvey, Robert Gershinson and Stefon Grant. http://facebook.com/thezineuk http://twitter.com/thezineuk
The Zine started with belief in the seeds of stars in November 2013. Revolution means, simply, turning around. We can do that. Time travel to 2012 is not possible but our song and dance one human race have been touched by the super moons of 2014. There is positivity in creativity. Lots of collaborating via our breadline online poundland glamour party. The independent venues of these green and (still mostly) pleasant lands we are based in, are a heritage trail treasure that brought us together. Cover image: up and coming independent multi talent; Lauren Neko photographed, winter 2014 by Jason Joyce at Number3London. In this issue, read the interview article by Gavin Black. Views are individually, with love.
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November 2014 snapshot;
Jean Genie’s Massive Hugs, a bringer of sunshine to the universe, pictured by the River Thames of London. (Loving the new hat just found a short walk away in Deptford Market). Musician, DJ, radio presenter/producer, live events creator and promoter, ArtBeat activist, Panda Power queen, industry scout, writer and one of the many female inspirations driving #TheZineUK ongoing arts/music world story.
power of 3 supermoon year ®evolution I first met Bruno Wizard of The Homosexuals, enigmatic original art punk charisma, a few years ago at Jean Genie’s Panda Power! musician socials. Subject of the internationally and increasingly acclaimed film ‘The Heart Of Bruno Wizard’ He was at Playhard (rock n roll club where she is a resident DJ) with her, when Sham 69 played live at Dingwalls 40th anniversary show in 2013. This summer he called into Number3London to perform a birthday gig for her. The debut acoustic set of The Homosexuals’ songs. Bruno is an inspiring theme in this issue, I love how the threads of this story are coming together. It’s Chapter 3 and part of the creative community lounge that Number3London has become even tho not fully operational, if all goes to plan, until 2015. 3 is the magic number. Next, we are now of interest to various future collaborations, so it may well be true. You could not make up the story of #TheZineUK team and the artists that are part of this story. (Caffy)
Chapter 3 This being a real(ish) story, our expanding team have been up to very much in various places with many people since Chapter 2.
3 It makes sense to connect this issue with one of the spaces that we have socialised and created in. Pictured; Chris and Robin of up and coming alt-pop band, elephants and castles at Deptford X art festival, (October 2014). They had just finished christening the newly built stage with its debut public live performance. In fine style. More about all of the above further in this issue, but for now, welcome to our yellow brick road of musical passions. @TheZineUK
Theatre Poets Parties MCs DJs Art Music Film Film Community Activism and Clothes Swaps
@Number3London - a work in progress - August 2014
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YES At time of writing, ‘The Holy Bible’ album 20th anniversary tour is set to end 2014 - a great year of rock and ‘Futurology’. Continuing on from the Manics flavoured Chapter 2, more this issue, plus a forthcoming #MSPdoc ‘The Holy Bible My Testament’ #THBTestament interviewees include the Manic’s biographer and friend, Simon Price, as well as The Zine’s own Dizzy Spell.
Early 2014, one of Art’s most influential inspirations, Eugene Ankomah, visited a south London warehouse space and saw much potential in it’s wavelength. In summer, a premiere of his new work was projected exclusively when the gallery-come-community hub, Number3London, invited the public to come and hang out for a sneak preview of the gallery and venue. This “make and do” ideas factory in Deptford is bringing the day dreamers, performers, locals and creative industries together as it develops. There is no limit to the imagination of Eugene Ankomah, a work of art in his own right and #StageStyle epitomised. Image taken by Stefon Grant.
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"If you have the ability to see a better, fairer future whatever the context - then you possess a vision. Actually fighting to make that a reality, makes one a potential revolutionary. When you start affecting change, your revolution is on its way�. Eugene Ankomah #UrbanAuthorityChic Photographed by Stefon Grant
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Fashion Spring & Summer 2015
David Longshaw
Little Shilpa
Tramps In Disguise
David Longshaw Having been, earmarked as a "Designer to Watch" by Elle and Italian Vogue, David manages to combine an edginess in his construction with stunning hand drawn illustrations, which adorn his creations. Each collection showcases whimsical stories that act as the foundation and inspiration from which he creates his range, every season. He also produces comic strips for key fashion magazines, including Uk and Italian Vogue, amongst others. (more images over the page)
Collections can be viewed and bought at: http://davidlongshaw.co.uk
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David Longshaw
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Little Shilpa
The distillation of east meets west.
a DIY/punk ethos with layered and folded denim dresses, tops plus stunning headpieces and masks, championed and worn by none other than Lady Gaga. The brand has also collaborated with leading fashion designers including Boudicca and Unconditional. In 2009 she took part in ‘Headonism,’ curated by Stephen Jones as part of London Fashion Week. This Mumbai based designer has, additionally, had millinery pieces featured in Vogue, Another Man, Crash and Vogue Homme Japan.
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Tramp In Disguise
Having achieved a BA hons in textile design and an MA specializing in knitwear, Sini Moilanan has already been showcased at London and Paris fashion weeks, since launching her first collection at Vauxhall Fashion Scout. With a humorous and unique take on fabrics and construction, she manages to create a classic range with a distinct edge, utilising self designed prints, woven fabrics and knits.
http://trampindisguise.com/
Straight Outta Creekside… A travelling circus of artbeat uniqulture (The Zine included) is calling in at an other wordly space for love, peace and imaginations a short walk from the planet’s zone of time in Greenwich.
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The images on the following pages were taken on Thursday September 18th 2014 in Number3London. Some candid, behind the scenes shots of a live music recording, video shoot….
The widely recommended (and national media acclaimed) alternative rock band, Bad For Lazarus, their special guests, and crew - as well as the vibes of a video making day are captured, splendidly by photographer, Keira Cullinane.
#TheZineUK Images Š Keira Cullinane
Q Magazine sum these musicians succintly; “Casually boasting ex members of Nine Inch Nails, UNKLE and The Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, Bad For Lazarus provide an adrenalin shot straight into rock’s heart.”. In these pictrures they are making a live track for ‘7 Minute Itch’ from their debut album ‘Life’s A Carnival, Bang! Bang! Bang! a highlight of 2014 tthat is winning exceptional praise. The song features the sweet vocals of Liela Moss of The Duke Spirit. The video features Liela (and Duke Spirit’s Toby Butler) and is a taster of the full on BFL live experience. #TheZineUK Images © Keira Cullinane
#TheZineUK Images Š Keira Cullinane
#TheZineUK Images Š Keira Cullinane
#TheZineUK Images © Keira Cullinane From the video shoot in Deptford, I (Caffy) travel six or so miles to Central London for Rocklands Uniqulture event No 9 which The Zine is very much part of. (Incidentally, Bad For Lazarus headlined Uniqulture 5 (Rocklands stage at Camden Crawl Festival, Mid Summer’s Midnight). These buzzing new artists n audience nights are fun, music scouting, socials. Yet again, the line up is a total CORKER. . .
LOVE the people that call in at Number3London - that’s Griff above at the Bad For Lazarus shoot. He inspired a reaction outbreak of positivity on facebook recently by saying; “When we put on all the big Raves in the late 80's to mid 90's we had millions of people gurning and loving each other no deaths,stopped footy violence and bought all the different classes and races together as one. Art and visuals was as important as the music in our culture I know we were all chemically coshed to love each other but it worked! The mess this world is in , world leaders should be more like the Party pioneers. We created a wonderful culture where Love and fun competed. Thats got to be a good thing, right?”
https://facebook.com/BadforLazarus @badforlazarus1 * @dukespirit https://facebook.com/keira.anee *
Thursday September 18th 2014 Uniqulture 9 at The Alleycat This is the basement bar of Regent House studios, home to some of the 60s most legendary recordings including The Kinks, Rolling Stones and Black Sabbath. It is the perfect spot for a newer wave of big song crafting ring leaders. There is a LOTof love in the house for the
multi talented founder of Clit Rock who is also an in demand DJ. “Wonderful performer, lovely woman, fantastic stage presence, incredible live� . (Mike of Goodsoul Promotions) talking about Dana in this impromptu video clip made before the show http://youtu.be/alRqyvxagmU snapshot; feisty blues rocker, Dana Jade, takes to the stage with her (very cool) band. (continued)
@CLIT_ROCK
18th September
( , continued) Next up on stage, Mourning Birds play a defining set. A fanastic thrill, emerging tonight with epic musicality and new confidence. Having just recorded their debut album with Rhys Downing and performing more than their 15-20 minutes of blues explosion chaos. With even more sharp songs in their arsenal now, Kent’s hottest rock trio are genuinely blistering. In the top snap shot, is counter culture icon, Bruno Wizard of The Homosexuals. His first time catching Mourning Birds, followed by headliners, deux furieuses, he is blown away and saying so, with energy. It also turns out that Bruno is one of the first friends Dana Jade found when she arrived from Trinidad to bless London. The following month, Bruno is on stage as The Underground Man for this evening’s compere, Dizzy Spell, who is also the artist director of Enola Theatre Prouctions then, a few days after that, The Homosexuals join deux furieuses at their ‘Can We Talk About This?’ single launch. The underground are uniting. Our tapestry weaves on… @KitMonsters
A Wizard And A Dizzy Spell
Devastatingly mind blowing.
deux furieuses
That was autumn 2014 live shows and their download single release for 'Can We Talk About This?'. Poetic venting with a huge sound that defies labelling, wins allies and erupts on stage.
Left to right; Ros and Vas on Tin Pan Alley, Central London Thursday September 18 2014
#TheZineUK ŠDaniela Fleckenstein
A trio of formidable women (deux furieuses and photographer, Daniela Fleckenstein) created this pre-gig image of new rock vanguard. ®Evolutionary by nature, deux furiuses are the sound of channeled vitriol that is capable of thrilling even the computer game age. Ros (vocals and guitars) and Vas (drums and vocals) are the maximum impact sensation of equality’s rage. Reviews of positivity are pouring in and some include comparisons to a female version of early Manics at their articulate best, while Little Indie Blogs describes them, aptly, as “Royal Blood for the thinking listener” . Alternative Tracks agrees, saying that they are “making Royal Blood look like pussycats." Under radar is where its really at and the small the medium venues are responsible for a lot of those waves. deux furieuses make a remarkable impression. They did it again at The Alleycat, a few hours after these pictures were taken. Like they were scorching Reading Festival with the musical equivalent of a blow torch. The gigs proving that hard hitting beats, words, riffs and ideas still sound fresh and dangerous. Especially in our apathetic zombie filled, auto tuned world.
It wouldn’t have been easy to follow Dana Jade and Mourning Birds but deux furieuses pulled it off with panache, completing a classic bill. Personally, I felt that on bigger stages is where tonight’s line up belonged. We were lucky to catch them together in a basement bar. It was a seminal moment in 21st century rock n roll. deux furieuses followed this gig by wowing audiences in Russia and Scotland too, before returning to London for their single launch party for ‘Can We Talk About This?’ at the end of October. We stand by The Zine’s "2014's most powerful lyrics” (see Chapter 2) claim for that anthem. Fast forward to the 28th of October, The Macbeth was actually buzzing with the hive of grass roots industry in the room. The fans got noisier with every deux furieuses song as enjoyment spread like wildfire. It wasn’t just the russian themed vodka n pickles party we making us like that. It was the intensity crackling on stage. We were ELATED. 2014 started new adventures on the threatened emerging artists circuit. Simultaneously, key bands and art activist audiences, reignited it as the place to meet like minded instigators. (continued/)
For music, independent thought, education, women’s rights and more, you need deux furieuses in your musical life. It’s not po-faced though, this is all underpinned with the song crafting to make getting involved a (4)real experience of love and shows a great night out. Modest and calm, but driven, deux furieuses know what they want, from representation and recognition, to their on stage set up. Respect and admiration are earned, and due. Hurry up 2015! There is an album recorded with Rob Ellis best known for also working with PJ Harvey. It already sounds huge and dynamic - from demos on line and their excellent live acoustic session preview on the Joyzine Radio show). With fantastic reactions from fans and reviews from media already, deux furieuses are poised. In every sense. https://www.facebook.com/deuxfurieuses http://fleckensteinphotography.com/ The last word, comes from Bruno Wizard, who, a few days after his theatre performance for Enola Production (further on in this issue) summed up what is happening with the following on 29th October;
What an amazing night at The Macbeth last night ..The scene of deux furieuses single launch...I first saw df a few weeks back at a show set up by Minxy McNaughty and Dizzy Spell... i knew nothing of df but I do know of Minxy and Dizzy's gift for sniffing out relevant artists and conscious souls. (Suffice to say Jean 'Genie' Graham had a hand in all of this as well xx)... Halfway through deux furieuses’ first song I was blown away and felt like I was a teenager again not only revelling in the sound but just completely oblivious to everything other than FEELING INCREDIBLE ..i felt so good I started to wonder if I had been spiked with a new kind of LSD called UPC ... Underground Pop Culture ....Anyways I was HONOURED when Ros asked The Homosexuals to play at their single launch and i immediately asked if my friend Brownie Promise could open the show because she is an incredible upcoming talent and gognisant being in her own right The whole evening was such an incredible buzz and HISTORY WAS MADE LAST NIGHT FOLKS.... I have more than a passing acquaintance with "historic cultural events" these past forty years and boy did I get my head "kicked in " last night ! Haha ..Unfortunately my drummer Ben Harris ( My Rock) was taken violently ill half an hour before showtime so we started the show without a drummer UNTIL the wildly talented Peter Jones Drummer. got up on stage and filled in for the last half of the set..Peter had just arrived back in London after touring America with his wonderful band Turbogeist ... and then with the style leaders and movers and shakers in the audience it was all In all an epic groundbreaking evening... In late 1977 I went to see Talking Heads first gig in London at the Rock Garden and I had exactly the same U.P.C feeling of being spiked ..So much so that I went to their very next show to determine if what I had experienced matched the reality of what I had seen. ....WATCH THIS SPACE you U.P.C FREAKS Blessings Bruno
September 24th 2014. New Cross Inn is mobbed with adoring fans for the darkly delicious, voodoo blues of Guadalupe Plata. More used to seeing the Spanish trio at large venues and festivals, fans get really close for what proves to be a jaw dropping moment in music. By the end of their set, many of these people were writhing on chairs and tables. This band are a live experience to say the very least. Award winners, (European Band Of The Year and Album Of The Year), they recently played the UK and USA for the first time then were due to record a new album in London (December) before playing another show to complete their trip.
September 26th - SLAM (South London Art Map) Fridays last week of the month. Number3London joins the map of galleries. Additionally, it is one of the venue’s for the Deptford X contemporary art festival which ran until October 5th. A chance to meet or just hang out somewhere a bit different.
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Thursday October 2nd October
Eighteen Nightmares At The Lux call into Number3London to create a monsterously brilliant video… Image © Robert Gerkinshon http://www.eighteennightmaresatthelux.com/
Saturday 4th October
Their afrobeat-tingled indie single, ‘Fashanu’ is one of alternative pop’s underground hits of 2014. It has taken on legs of its own as national and independent media hear and support it with plays and great articles. Justin Fashanu's story is an inspiration. He was the first black footballer to command a one million pound transfer fee and the first one (of only two) English professional footballers to be openly gay. His tale ended in tragedy, but the song has brought new attention to his legacy.
Music n Football - UTD. Left to right, Chris Anderson and Robin Spencer of elephants and castles - a band as a performance installation at Deptford X Art Festival. This is the first live performance on the newly built #No3Ldn stage completed a few hours before Eighteen Nightmares At The Lux started filming their video two days earlier. e&c give an awesome and well received acoustic performance that got them some new friends right there and then.
It is fitting that elephants and castles are in Deptford, where the first black footballer to play for England; Benjamin Odeje was a local schoolboy in 1971 - six years before the player most history books record (Laurie Cunningham) and made his debut against Northern Ireland in front of 70,000 fans, helping England to a 1-0 win. elephants and castles, named after the nearby locality where they met, returned to Number3London at the start of November (with drummer, Adam Lucas and director, Patrick Steele) to create a new video for 2015. Here’s hoping that it is another well deserved Back of The Net for them. https://facebook.com/elephantsandcastles
A short walk away from Number 3, a few hours later on Saturday 4 October, space punx and uniqulture faves,
CuT are setting up to play a very cool show at Amersham Arms‌
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YouTube search
No Manifesto - Official Trailer
Lauren Neko Beats and independence; the force is strong in this one.
Interview: Gavin Black Images : Jason Joyce Styling : Ben Dodd Hair / Make Up : Danny DeFreitas
When walking onto the set of Lauren Neko's photo shoot I was confronted by an organised, detailed and meticulous shoot. Her photographer, Jason Joyce. has worked with the ‘who's who’ of music, film and fashion, with a most recent subject being Pharell Williams on the other side of the shutters. ‘Neko’, which means cat in Japanese, (and yes that is her real name) has also previously worked with Vogue Magazine featured hair and make up artist, Danny De Freitas. The Zine’s insatiably egdy stylist, Ben Dodd. Together, they are 'The ‘Dream Team’, and made the most of the industrial warehouse space that is Number3London. Picture New York warehouse meets Parisian art gallery, with a little bit of 1980s Hacienda. The space and its sparse fixtures perfectly suit Lauren's cosmopolitan style. She is simultaneously futuristic while mixing in a portrait of the 1950's pin-up girl, power in monochrome and a touch of street style grit. This, all coupled with some amazing lighting effects made for a really interesting shoot, both visually and creatively. #TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
Fashion isn't her primary concern; this lady is all about the music, hard work and some more hard work just for good measure. Positioning herself against the current slew of female ‘DJs that are ‘getting it all out on stage like half nakedstrippers’ . Lauren correctly says ‘it devalues all women and particularly those women who work hard on their musical craft in the industry. There are respected artists like DJs Nina Kravitz, Maya Jane Coles, and vocalists such as Alison Goldfrapp and Roisin Murphy (Moloko) who have earned reputation without diminishing their value through poor body presentation choices. Needless to say, Lauren Neko is not a fan of over commercialised EDM culture, particularly when the music is just ‘waiting for the drop.’ At home in Australia she suffers from having to “listen to ‘Melbourne Bounce’ and EDM ‘noise’”. She rolls l her eyes when she says it’s a reflection of how commercialised the Australian and American dance music scene has become. Lauren knows however, that this only adds fuel to her passion and strengthens the power of the underground movement. (continued/)
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
Whilst having an online web chat at the time of writing this, Lauren is at Amsterdam Dance Event (“ADE” is the planet's biggest international club festival) promoting her music and her (self created) record label, Turn the Night. Dedicated to bringing back the soul and culture of more traditional sounding dance music, Turn The Night seeks to find undiscovered talent by hosting regular remix competitions. It means the fans also get the opportunity to vote on what they really want to hear. Not long after this conversation, Lauren will be off to Bristol to keep working on more broken beat sounds. This city was Lauren’s home for a good two years. During this time she also worked with Mercury Music prize winner Roni Size. Lauren has a huge amount of affection towards the traditional ‘Bristol Sound’ of Trip-Hop, low slung Break Beat and deep, intelligent, vocal Drum and Bass. Complementing her love for the broken beat UK sound, she is an avid lover of early Deep and Acid 90’s House, Tech and a touch of Techno. Lauren has supported DJ Pierre, sung both with Russell Morgan from K-Klass and at Hed Kandi in Ibiza. House releases have seen her team up with hot shot Nicky Romero and her first ever release found it’s way onto Ministry of Sound compilation ‘Housexy’. It’s worth checking out some of her other underground House releases as well as the music on her label. (continued/) #TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
Of course, with tastes like these, she was off to see Derrick May (innovator universally acknowledged as the definitive techno producer) and John Digweed (another of the world's favourite club scene DJs and more) at ADE. Lauren cites producers such as Liam Howlett of The Prodigy), Basement Jaxx, Massive Attack and Carl Cox as some of her influences and part of the reason she fell in love with electronic music in the 90's. Vocal influences include Connie Mitchell (Sneaky Sound System), the late Melanie Thornton (La Bouche) as well as the many sampled vocals used throughout the Soul and Disco inspired House of the late 80’s and early 90’s. (Neko also has a bit of an alternative and metal chick lurking away somewhere inside...) No one trick pony, this lady has worked as a music journalist and content editor for In The Mix and DJ Mag Australia for the best part of seven years. She has, additionally, studied hard, completing Diplomas in Vocal Jazz and Sound Engineering. Lauren has almost finished a Masters in Arts Management so that she can ensure career longevity outside of the studio and help support other artists in their musical endeavours. 2015 will see Lauren with a busy international release schedule and I expect she will be clocking up a few more air miles to grace our stages and clubs. Future releases include tracks with Roni Size, Daddy Freddy, and on her label with Frilla (Frillbeats) and Shane Blitz (Blitz Recordings, Nerd Records). I found Lauren very warm, humble, delicate and occasionally fragile. Her voice is subtle, velvety and pleasurable to listen to. She is a great lyricist and she has a credible ear when it comes to quality music. Simultaneously she has an amazing brain in terms of her knowledge of the music industry and is tenacious in pursing fresh and exciting sounds.
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
I believe you will be hearing about this very talented girl, her label, her music and the sounds she is championing alongside the producers she supports - both on and off her label. If you want generic EDM paraded by a half naked girl, I suggest you look somewhere else. If you are looking to hear melodic broken beats, quality house music and cool vocals – all packaged with articulate, intelligent and tasteful style, then look no further than Lauren Neko. For a deeper insight tune into @LaurenNeko www.turnthenight.com More images from this shoot, further on in this chapter of The Zine.
Article by Gavin Black http://facebook.com/djgavinblack Jack's House TV. DJ, artist scout, freelance journalist and remixer.
@jasonjoycePIX http://jasonjoyce.com/blog/
@DANNY_DEFREITAS http://www.dannydefreitas.com/home
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John McCullagh Images; Duncan Stafford http://duncanstaffordphotography.com/
John McCullagh is a musician, composer, singer (and rising star) from Doncaster in the North of England. I'd met him briefly at a book launch last year (for his 359 Records label boss, Alan McGee) and found him personable, so The Zine were intrigued to catch up and find out more. I mean, how do you get connected from there? Aside from The Leopard (a regularly recommended venue), are there many places to hone your skills in Doncaster? JM: “The Leopard’s great yeah, played there a few times. There’s a good few venues in Doncaster. Social Bar is good, Vintage Rockbar. I’m sure there’s others too. They're the only ones I've played, but they're great at giving you a chance to get playing and get your music heard.” John not only got heard, but his disarming folk rock pricked ears up in the right places and he has since been constantly touring and recording to perfect his craft. His skills brought him to the attention of influential music industry connectors including John Power, Duncan Stafford (who took these pictures, recently in Liverpool) and Heather Ferguson (featured further in this issue), who made the recent video, Box Of Tricks.
“McGee seen me doing a gig a couple of year back in Rotherham in some pub and he invited me down to Liverpool for a gig he had on, so it’s really all gone from there. Heather came through knowing Alan and stuff, so when the time came to do a video he recommended her. Duncan has been around since very early, he did some photos at a place in Sheffield I played and we’ve had a great friendship since. And I just got to know John (Power) through my manager Jamie Kelly. I went down to London and we wrote some songs together, it was a great experience and he’s a great friend now.” In October, 2014, with a full band and ambitious sound, John McCullagh And The Escorts released 'Box Of Tricks'. The classic artwork for this first release with a full band (photography, again, by Duncan) visually straddles the 20th and 21st century, complementing a guitar sound tinted with The Byrds, harmonica and statement of fact lyrics. ‘Box Of Tricks’ is a Dylanesque tune with an infectiously sing along chorus.
The 359 copies, released on Alan McGee's 359 label, shifted at an encouraging rate and the single raised the bar of what has been a great year. The video for ‘Box Of Tricks’, by Heather Ferguson, is a short film about a youthful, musical gang enjoying themselves. What better way to round off the story so far, than in front of bigger audiences. With solo shows under his belt, at time of writing, these recently taken photos are of John in Liverpool. They capture a moment before his next adventures. With his backing band, he hits the road with one of the city's musical heritage bands, Cast (whose admirers include one Noel Gallagher). Some of the tour is sold out in advance and, set to win some friends at these shows, John McCullagh is a genuine “Special Guest” due, in no small part, to John Power (Cast, The La's) co writing and producing Box Of Tricks. It would be an understatement to say that this teenage troubadour is off to a strong start. He has, additiionally, already played shows with respected names such as The Strypes, The Enemy, Reverend And The Makers, Richard Hawley and Alabama 3. These experiences must surely have helped take him beyond being yet another young English singer and song writer, with the usual comparisons that attention brings.
There is a little Johnny Cash and Paul Weller in there but John McCullagh's own sound is what becomes stronger with every step. Who are the artists that inspired you to become one yourself, originally? “I don’t know really, I listen to a lot of music like anyone. Bob Dylan has always been there from the start and he made me really want to do something. Other people like Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Neil Young. All very individual people and I adore their music. When you’re into something you sort of copy or imitate without realising or really meaning to. And hopefully you can just get your own thing going from your influences.” And since picking up a guitar, what have been some of your favourite moments so far? “Since picking up a guitar? Learning how to play the solo on Highway Star by Deep Purple was a big thing for me haha. But in terms of my own career, supporting Richard Hawley and the like was incredible. Also I support Babyshambles a couple of times, Pete’s a really nice guy. I recorded my song with Alabama 3. Wrote and recorded with John Power. So it’s been amazing really when I sit and think about it. Just great experiences.”
What plans do you have in place for 2015? “My new record Newborn Cry will be coming out early next year. I have a tour coming up for March and April so will be playing all around England again. Hopefully get back into the studio to work on some more stuff I've written.” The final question is from our photographer, Duncan! If you were a cartoon character which one would you be ;) “Ah that’s a tough one…I’d say Mr Burns from the Simpsons. He’s a cool cat in he?” Like any British talent, with credible potential, this is only the start of the story. Watch this (exciting) space; https://facebook.com/JohnMcCullaghOfficial
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Early Morning Rebel Early Morning Rebel are an L.A based music trio whose profile was raised through song placement on the TV series Greys' Anatomy. It got them noticed by the fashion world and provided them with exclusive single launch platforms via Nylon Guys and Esquire magazines. This led to invitations to play at New York, London and Milan fashion week.
(continued/)
(/continued)
Early Morning Rebel were inspired, off the back of this, to create their own clothing collection. They initially began with men’s wear, then launched their women;s wear collection at London Fashion Week in September 2014. The men's collection comprises of two jackets, woven button up shirt, cut T-shirts and branded bags including a leather backpack and leather tote.
A fuller range of images, pieces and music can be found at http://earlymorningrebel.com/
13th October 2014
Lauren Neko https://soundcloud.com/laurenneko Photoshoot with
Jason Joyce http://jasonjoyce.com/blog/ Styling by
Ben Dodd of The Zine.
Hair and make up by Danny DeFreitas http://www.dannydefreitas.com/
Prior to the interview with Gavin Black in this issue, in a very creative photo session, Lauren wears clothes from Top Shop (white jacket by Marks & Spencer) and her long white dress was made, on the spot, by Ben.
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
#TheZineUK © Jason Joyce
Uniqulture 10
Thursday 23rd October 2014
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The Zine UK returned to The Alleycat in Soho, Central London for an Artful Expo of live music with an emphasis on song crafting; Bad Wolf, Son Of A Lumberjack, Nina Baker, Jean Genie’s Massive Hugs, James Fisher and a happy third birthday to the artist/promoter speed dating site, BandWagon, via which, most of this great bill was created. Pictured;
Jean Genie’s Masssive Hugs Set to create for recordings in 2015 of her classic pop loveliness. https://facebook.com/jeangeniesmassivehugs
Image by : Polly Harvey, Polstar Photography
http://bandwagongigs.com
http://polstarphotography.smugmug.com/
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23rd October 2014 Son Of A Lumberjack Soaring, alternative rock from The Midlands, live on Tin Pan Alley. New recordings on the way from S.O.A.L., very worth investigating. https://facebook.com/SonofaLumberjack
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Nina Baker Uniqulture’s travelling circus is a friendly music people social and scouting session. Another of the recommended composer /performer talents of 23rd October was this new classic pop star turn. Not long on the public music scene,Nina’s way with a tune, engaging charm and magical luck has found her having the most amazing adventures for a musician, that includes playing with a galaxy of star turns. She impressed both BBC Introducing Masterclass and MTV’s Brand New in 2013. This year her debut, ‘Single Bed’ won ‘Best Song’ in the Best Of British Unsigned Awards. She was also runner up in the ‘Best Female’ category. The follow-up single 'Bruising' also received extensive global airplay including BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music. Her self written, funded and produced debut album, ‘Quite Frankly’, is a multi genre fusion of well crafted, bitter sweet sounds. Produced by high profile names, It is a world class body of work made, partly, in Wales, the Land Of Song. Her hard work is paying off. At time of writing Nina is about to support Foxes before heading to USA. A lovely lady with a lot of talent and promise, here is wishing her the very best of luck because, Nina Baker is here to give independent music a great name. http://ninabakermusic.co.uk/
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Bad Wolf are one of the bands integral to the uniqulture road show. They never leave a gig without new admirers. This was the case, again, when they headlined The Alleycat on Denmark Street. You only need to stream or download their debut albm, ‘False Conscience’, for the reason why. Grand, ambitious rock and alternative pop songs. Want to see a band enjoying their show as much as the people on the dance floor? Then look out for live appearances in 2015.
#TheZineUK Š Polly Harvey
http://ukbadwolf.bandcamp.com/
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Snapshot :
LOVE for
Heather Minx Ferguson
A massive heart/creative talent/entertainment industry connector at work (video shoot at Number3London on the morning of 15th November 2014) . From this issue alone she also discovered Bad Wolf (they of the awesome debut album ‘False Conscience’ among many more great recommendations and is a respected talent scout. Heather made the video for ‘Box Of Tricks’ by John McCullagh and The Escorts that Duncan Stafford did the photography for. Heather threw the book launch party for Alan McGee’s “Creation Stories: Riots, Raves And Running A Label” (a cross between a riot and a rave, in its own right)
She created ‘Meet Me In The Keith Moon Bar’ a short film about the closure of London Astoria. It precedes the #SaveOurVenues campaign so vital now and helped to inspired the rock n roll club, Playhard, which, among much else, helped get up and coming bands festivals slots this year, without booking agents. This is all only the tip of Heather’s iceberg. Respect for one very rock n roll lady. Oh, and, watch @playhardgigs space.
Talking of music on the screen, the teen years of the 21st century is giving us some corkers that we can truly relate to. The Svengali movie, starring Jonny Owen and Vicky McClure, with cameos from many well known faces including Alan McGee and Carl Barat, has proved a popular counter culture favourite among a brace of home grown film and documentary with a passion for music. http://svengalimovie.com/
Further to the article by Sarah Pemberton in The Zine Chapter 1, TryLifeTV episode 2 is on line now. We first met Paul and Nicky TryLife at Amersham Arms in New Cross (while TheZine was being imagined at ArtBeat shows). It is awesome to see the results of their passions going from strength to global strength. Alongside the iconic Lewisham NHS Hospital, some of this South East London located episode are club scenes featuring the words, music and beats of J-Kas, Floodliners and The Hotelles. Made by and for young people TryLife fuses entertainment with education through digital interaction. The most complicated drama ever made. http://trylife.tv/
Amersham Arms is also where Carl Barat auditioned his new band, The Jackals. They will play live there on New Year’s Eve for the massive This Feeling Club (that the previously mentioned Heather Ferguson introduced a lot of us to). Sounds like a perfect way to round off 2014, because 2015 looks set to be a key year for rocking, rolling and raving on the big screen.
A big hit in the national and international media in advance of release, and already screened at the main festivals from LA to Cannes, the previously mentioned Heart Of Bruno Wizard has got a UK release for January. The amazing true story of the anti establishment punk legend’s rollercoaster journey, mixes blasts from the past with a future full of surprising twists and turns. Director Elisabeth Rasussen, a Norwegian film director based between London and the Norwegian Arctic Circle, and her team, have made something that resonates with the highly interesting times in which we live. Trailer and more; http://heartofbrunowizard.com/ (Music On Screen - continued/…)
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Music On Screen #StageStyle - These Animal Men
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Top: These Animal Men set for a twitter chat with fans via Flawed Is Beautiful, 2014. Below, Ed of
S*M*A*S*H 1994 / 2014.
The “system� shows no sign of improving. We will always need bands like these and movements like this. https://facebook.com/flawedisbeautiful
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Flawed Is Beautiful currently in production for a 2015 release, is about S*M*A*S*H, These Animal Men and the New Wave of New Wave - the lively, inflammatory precursor music scene to “Britpop�. Both iincited music fans in towns that most others couldnt be arsed to travel to (Supergrass and Shed 7 being but two bands who paid them a nod of respect). A punkful of double trouble, they caused outrage and carnage (with style). Wired for destruction from day one, but still provoking reactions to this day. And great feedback from fans. https://www.facebook.com/flawedisbeautiful
Above; director, Adam Foley sets up to shoot for the Flawed Is Beautiful documentary in the office at Number3London where Bruno Wizard played an iimpromptu gig this summer. Below; Boag of These Animal Men being interviewd, Summer 2014.
Talking of 1994/2014 time travelled rebellion, South Wales film makers, Barefoot Rascals of South Wales are making The Holy Bible My Testament - a documentary about Manic Street Preachers fans and the influence of this album, for early 2015 release. The Holy Bible was released in 1994 but, as I write this, is due to be played live for the first time on a 20th anniversary tour. The Manics are another theme running through all the chapters so far of this reality non-TV story of ours. Some of The Zine team (Dizzy and Caffy) are involved in this documentary, as interviewees. http://barefootrascals.com/
Yeah! Music on screens. Every size. The fantastically tuned and timed Youngers (Channel 4) deservedly won Best TV Drama Award at the recent 2014 MVSA (Movie Video And Screen Awards) Black International Film Festival. http://vtelevision.co.uk/biff/mvsa.html Actually, Youngers is also based in South East London. The creativity of that area is under threat of greedy developers looking to “gentrify” London’s most creative quarter. Unfortunately for such condoned twattery, it is actually the poor people that create the most. They need their down to earth places so that they can live with less stress and hone their talents. Entertainment is eternally a successful economic boost. Move us plebs on and you kill the goose that lays the golden egg. Right NOW we can remain passionate about arts and community. DIY Documenting tells other sides of history/herstory. All the ways we can film, video and exhibit these days is often purchased at the supermarket We are all potential broadcasters, but it is those with the genuine gifts for creating, editing and presenting, that we must respect for giving us a wider choice of new media. SBTV being a great example. http://sbtv.co.uk/
However entertainment is perceived and consumed today, it will be different tomorrow. Eccentricity is an electric energy. Maybe this ain’t Hollywood, but these tiny British Isles got their own style (Jollygood?). Another new film, with music weaved in, caught my attention, accidentally. I was googling trains from London to Chatham for a mid November, out of town, rock n roll adventure (more about that further on) I came across Kent’s modernist pop combo, Len Price 3, who caught my ear with the infectious and timeless sound of Swing Like A Monkey, then held my attention on youtube long enough to find out that it is to be a track on a forthcoming movie, Pubmonkey. Another new British independent due for 2015 release, it’s a darkly comic drama shot in South London and Medway. It’s about a drunken shoe sales man, and Frank Sinatra fan, who entertains low-lifes for free drinks. Lots of us probably know somebody like that, or is it just me and co.? The London screening, with Len Price 3 playing live, is on January 16th at Amersham Arms. Trailer and more at https://facebook.com/pubmonkey.film At time of writing, more video/film/tv news is coming in for people mentioned in this issue. A real life music movement of pictures. Coming to a screen near you, soon.
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Saturday 25th October A dramatic day.
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In every sense. The amazing (and previously mentioned in this issue) premiere for its second episode.
TryLife drama had the most fantastic
TryLife TV is made by a young cast and crew, this episode in South East London. Today, they are at that part of the world’s famous South Bank for the screening premiere at the National Film Theatre’s British Film Institute. The Zine Team are faces among the crowd in this picture taken from the stage of The British Film Instittute by our own Rupert Hitchcox. He was official cast and crew photographer for the day. Nice one Ru. Massive congratulations to the extended TryLife family. Their interactive on line drama is a huge success with superlative heavy feedback and the vibe is spreading around the globe like educational wildfire. That takes huge talent and makes the future look bright. Get involved and direct your own personal episode at http://www.trylife.tv/
Its a short #SELondon train hop from the screening in Waterloo, to Deptford. A short walk from the station to Number3London for more interactive, immersive theatre (continued)…
TryLife TV premiere 25th October 2014 at National Film Theatre’s British Film Institution, London South Bank. #TheZineUK Image © Rupert Hitchcox
THE INSTALLATION THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
The Underground Man’s Dystopian Disco A weekend in London, Saturday night with not much spare cash in your pocket, yet having a need to socialize and leave the familiarity of your own front room. A need to engage with the rest of the world. Being invited to an alternative theatre play, in up-and-coming Deptford seemed just right: It offered a promise to scratch that itch with theatre of the immersive kind.
Picture; The Underground Man’s Secret Bunker, taken in London, 2024. Report and images by Daniela Fleckenstein http://fleckensteinphotography.com
#TheZineUK Š Daniela Fleckenstein
#TheZineUK Š Daniela Fleckenstein
(…/continued) This was an innovative creation by Enola Theatre Productions, making use of a format whereby there is no rigid audience format, blurring boundaries of theatre, installation, performance and art. Modern theatre and dance as seen on the continent for a number of years, has taken hold in the UK. This young, home bred company. offer an experience that will leave you with impressive food for thought, long beyond the play's duration. Many creative people appreciate the authenticity of places like this part of South East London. The night was the complete package. It started at a meeting point (Deptford Bridge DLR station) and kept fuelling your Imagination as you were asked to enter the narrative of this play: “...London, 2024. To escape the dystopian rule of the United European Government (formerly the UN) and the constant threat of war with Russia and the Middle East, the dumbing down of their fellow citizens...’’ We, the audience, are invited to imagine being citizens of that future. Following the Guide from Enola Theatre group from the station to The Underground Man's Secret Bunker. A short walk through some gritty urban warehouse scenery made it easy to imagine, but also to experience with body and soul.
(…/continued)
I was completely involved, allowing the narrative to play out, curious as to what might happen, next. We arrived at The Bunker. The installation of a squat like scene, central to this experience. Projections and sounds set a dark and unsettling scene as reality started to unravel: “... four girls have followed their charismatic leader to an underground bunker to create their own pure microsociety...’’ But hold on, who am I in this play? I am part of it. Characters mingled with, and talked to me, creating true engagement. All performers of Enola Productions, are trained in method acting and offered a brilliant performance, staying in character throughout conversations. . . #TheZineUK © Daniela Fleckenstein
What were their motivations? The underground man, played by Bruno Wizard, made the experience and its impact complete. Bruno is a multi talented musician who became an underground punk legend for his art since the late 70‘s, is the leader of this movement. He added impact to the situation with an unmissable performance. His profile in our current conscious, is being raised through a biographical movie, 'The Heart of Bruno Wizard', highly praised by the international media and screened at many high profile festivals, Cannes included. It is due for UK screenings in 2015. Bruno seamlessly authenticates this surreal event. My own experience escalated as he approached me; now I was somewhere, tucked away from society, battling a fight with conflicts of love, fear, trust and anger. The success of this immersion is it's conviction giving you the tools to react and voice opinions that may leak out into other realms of your life – either as your personal reality, or as a possible alternative? The ethos of Enola Productions is to create working class theatre affordable and accessible, enriching the cultural understanding of participants, opposed to a more traditional theatre audience.. This creates a pool of resources. Enola is a cause to support and nurture.
#TheZineUK Š Daniela Fleckenstein
I may just have been invited for one night to join the fight for a possible future through theatre, but new potential was created as old memories were evoked, leaving me pondering my own perspective. Am I watching or participating? Is it a play or reality? Can I, and do I, form my roles and opinions or am I part of a dormant audience? This is theatre as art as an installation that (still) keeps on giving.
Image - New Art Riot: The Underground Man and some of his society on stage at his secret bunker, London 2014.
Dostoevsky's nihilistic novel of one man's dystopia, vividly modernised in a multimedia makeshift theatre with 3D audience immersion, dark poetry and a damning review of the 21st Century. Minimalist but diverse it starred Bruno Wizard of The Homosexuals, and the new, fresh talents of Jagoda Puczko, Naomi Nnedi and Christie Peto. The one night only performance was to experiment with fully immersive theatre in the vein of Enola’s European counterparts that magnetised an interesting collective discussing revolution on a stage for several hours. Politics, alienation and despair created situationist art performance that definitely (and defiantly) started something.
http://www.enolaproductions.co.uk/
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A peep from the venue of Number3London to the gallery (art by Matt Sargent of Deptford Army / Little Nan’s Bar a.k.a. Dex Lutha He is also responsible for some rather smart remixing of more local heroes, just over the page‌
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Too Many T’s If Too Many T’s don’t entertain you, to the point of your cheeks aching from grinning, check your pulse…
#StageStyle by THTC
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Its only proper that Too Many T’s are being likened to “the UK Beastie Boys”. In the last couple of years they’ve been growing in popularity, everywhere, with old school hip hop vibes and feisty fresh flows. Funshine personified, the demand for their energetic engagement keeps growing. Seriously, treat yourselves. Get a free copy of their latest offering;
Running Wild EP
an instant free download that wouldn’t be out of place on vinyl. The
http://toomanyts.com/
Too Many T’s sound 20th and 21st Century wicked. Damn, they look effortlessly cool as well. Too Many T’s wear THTC Currently ranked the UK’s most ethical menswear brand, The award winning THTC is ranked the UK’s most ethical menswear brand.
Politically correct, eco friendly and soaked in urban music and disenchanted youth culture, this is community clothiing. THTC isn the vanguard of bringing hemp into the realm of credible, urban street-wear and their goods are certified by The Fair Wear Foundation. Pix; (and next page) Its all about the T’s! http://shop.thtc.co.uk/
T’s in THTC Ts
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Number3London Autumn 2014 - Above - artists at work * (Lauren Neko being styled by Ben Dodd and Danny DeFreitas for the Jason Joyce shoot. * Musicians in the Gallery; Storm The Palace and Supermoon played live at Deptford X contemporary art festival. Dizzy Spell (Enola Productions)m and Jimmy Johnson (CuT), 24 October, setting up The Underground Man’s Dystopian Disco. Below; a party.
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Strictly Loving. Community n DIY Stage Style all over the place. Conscience, courtesy Ževolution epitomised locally in music bars. Lovely people all over the world, share the joy of a new arts cottage industry circuit that notices potential. Musical Ambition Reality Situationism; uniqulture yellow brick road from Tin Pan Alley in January to Number3London. Space. Ceilings laid back high. Art space with mystery lovely blurred friends made from stardust like all of the one race - Human. These Orb Girls in the gallery are twinkling‌
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Artful Month Snapshots;
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a friday
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music, immersed
theatre, preparing
Remember, Remember, rebel in November. ‘They Shall This was a roaring applause for the entire bill, which was better than many a trendy London show, even before the Not Pass’ say some good people of Medway on Saturday 15 November, and stood up against fascism. band I'd travelled to see, Mourning Birds, started their chaotic gutter punk. So although, a few days later, the rich people’s divide and conquer campaign worked in Rochester and Strood elections, there is also some good news. Kent has a brace of new music keeping the Rolling Stones legacy alive. Hope is born from good times. That night, after a video shoot, I travelled (adventuring is a hobby), from South East London to Chatham, for some. On arriving through the doors at The Alexandra, yards from the station, I'd shook the hands of three friendly strangers before my first hair of the dog pint, then had a properly large experience, courtesy of the noisy fun crowd. Some of whom were taking turns to play live. First off, the vivacious Lorin Jane Forster, an Entertainer with presence. The night keeps gearing up, as The Only Sun repped folky britrock in a lively manner. With conviction. Next up are Bexx, a full on hard hitting and promising new rock band with raw dynamics and some great hooks.
Last Autumn, not yet a year old, they excited the feck out of me with their debut single 'Oh Yeh!' (30 Nov 2013 via local label, The Preservation Society Presents) and haven't stopped doing so, since. I never know how their gigs are gonna go, but this trio (and their extending crew) are star potential etc, but its not all about that.
They’re driven by music obsession, and it is infectious. We're here for a booze n bands crash bang wallop, and we get one. Mourning Birds are a phenomenal new rock band. Their sound is seriously filthy, clever chemisty. Punked. Worthy of the record deal that got their debut album released in Japan a few days after this Saturday night out that included a stag do and human mic stand in the mix. The following weekend, I’m rocking with another trio I’ve got a soft spot for and heartily recommend. Bad Wolf’s last gig of 2014 - a really decibelled treat of a (last minute become headliners) set at Sebright Arms. We sing and roar along. The set is cut short. We shout fervently and repeatedly for more. The night puts their support, Big Mouse Tree House, on more radar).
South London Art Map, group show ‘An Image Is No Substiture For Anything’ Private view at Number3London Friday 28 November 2014.
“Well, at least I'm not going to get rat-arsed like last Friday”, I tell myself, but Bad Wolf like to party. So I start feeling human again by the Saturday afternoon. Again. This weekend though, there's this issue to finish before what happens next. Starts with these pictures (cont/…)
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This page; Inspirational art activists, Venice Allen, Karen Barnes and Sarah Bear at the launch of "Made In Deptford� collective art show, Undercurrents Gallery at The Birds Nest. It is wicked and inclusive and runs until 27th December. Next page; Ben of The Zine and Jimmy of CuT. Must be a Friday night! Some friends in Chapters 1 to 3 of The Zine are connecting and making future. You are all invited to the party. On and off line. Caffy (30th November)
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Life in the Unreported Underground Under Radar World
5th November 2014 Dizzy Spell, Lidl Jesus and Ben Dodd.
Central London.