Wednesday 24 March 2010

MANDI LENNARD'S PRESS DAY!

Tucked away in her east end basement Mandi Lennard swings open her doors for a preview session. She looks after Roksanda Illinic... the creator this amazing piece below.
Er these stylish Barbies....
Gareth Pugh... I had a query on who would be wearing this chain draped frock first.

And the world of Melissa jelly shoes.... some of them designed by Westwood.

Friday 19 March 2010

SIBLING KNITWEAR COLLECTION 4

Sibling Knitwear are so inventive and for their latest collection have a gander at this video! Soundscore from Spider And The Flies, that's Rhys Webb and Tom Furse from the Horrors...

Tuesday 16 March 2010

'RETROSPECTRE' by MAT COLLISHAW

Get ye down to the BFI Gallery... I was wondering around thinking about seeing a film and then noticed artist Collishaw's installation! Tis indeed a wonderful vision and I quote, 'The real is stylised and re-framed in order to convey further meaning and to create a fairytale-like world where good and evil, sacred and profane, love and violence merge'.
And here's a clip of a film that inspired Mat with his endevour...

Saturday 13 March 2010

ANDERS CLAUSEN

First solo exhibition in London for Artist Anders Clausen... 'A file rather than a text?' Anders considers the mundane within the tools of computer formats, enlarging and examining layout within the boundaries of a screen and it's possibilities...
By collage in the most modern of mediums his art considers glimpses of a personal/impersonal nature. The customising of texture - 'wall paper' edits, direction, suggestion and decision.
Clausen's execution allows the viewer to zoom in on detail, explicitly mounted on aluminium the austere sterility is beguiling. Upon closer inspection something of human nature peeks through.
Dominic Eichler describes Clausen's work, 'Each formal scheme overlays others. Something else-lets admit it that most collages don't look like collages anymore they are much to sneaky, beyond doubt-that's what we want isn't it, not the past and not more realness but far, far less?'



Hotel Gallery-77a Greenfield Road, E1
Exhibition on until 27th March.

Friday 12 March 2010

NITZER EBB LIVE

‘We can’t disguise the fact that we’re very energetic people’ Nitzer Ebb

Formed in the mid 80’s Nitzer Ebb seemingly took a lead from DAF with a Teutonic –robotic-hypnotic style of sequenced electronica. But don’t put them too much in the same bracket, oh no… DAF emerged from Germany, Nitzer Ebb hail from Chelmsford! Into the foray with inspiring rants ‘Let Your Body Learn’, ‘Join In The Chant’ tracks that have become so ingrained on dance floors and are cited often as seminal. DJ/ producer Tom Stephan says ‘When I first discovered Nitzer Ebb it was like finding the sound I had always been looking for. Stripped back, raw, aggressive and sexy! No fluff, just beats. They've been a big influence.’ Members Bon Harris and Douglas McCarthy have a somewhat universal appeal recently supporting Depeche Mode and currently on their own tour armed with ‘In Order’, ‘Catalogue’ and ‘Compilation’ a B-sides, remixes and rarities box collection on Mute Records.

I recently caught up with producer Adam Sky and was curious on his take; he remembered a gig in 1988 with Diskord Datkord his band with Jonny Slut,

‘We were supporting Nitzer Ebb at the Camden Palace 1988, but that same summer they were part of the soundtrack to my first set in Ibiza at Glory’s after-hours... ‘Guns, guns, bombs, bombs, fire, fire, fire’, then I sold my soul for acid house.’ He adds,Funnily enough I am now on the same label as them in Hamburg, Major Records’… Where, Adam tells me he has recently rerecorded his 80’s hit ‘Killer’ with Nina Hagen on vocals. Look out for that one! It seems the fans of Nitzer Ebb are wide and reaching, DJ The Lovely Jon Jo from Hot Boy Dancing Spot references them regularly.

Industrial Complex’ is the new album of Ebb outpourings; with a track listing that includes ‘Once You Say’ featuring Martin Gore of said Depeche Mode and soundtrack from Saw1V ‘Never Know’. Time for a fan fact… They actually split in ’95 but reformed in 2006 and have never looked back. I caught them last year at London’s Cosey club and really, the sound they make is absolutely timeless. Cosey returns on the Saturday 27th March at the ICA a night featuring Fixmer McCarthy - alter project of Ebb Member Douglas, along with Factory Floor and Eve Black/Eve White. Notching up the gigs Nitzer played once again in London last week and squared up with classics fast and furiously… And if you don’t get to see them live I suggest you get the archive set for a thorough going over!

Recent gig at the o2 in Islington saw Nitzer Ebb with all the energy of previous years... i think it's true to say they've managed to retain the sparks of their initial vision both in sound and image.

Photo's of Douglas McCarthy by PJ/excerpts from QX Revoltage column