Derry Live List Magazine August Edition

august

4 music

Plus

#MusicCity #DerryLive

hi!

We might not be getting the weather for summer but one thing’s for certain, we’re fairly getting a stunning amount of events this month to make up for it.

With a month full of festivals and live music, you will be spoilt for choice on what to attend and we also have an action packed August edition to keep you occupied too.

With two festivals taking place this month - the Maiden City Music Festival and the City of Derry Guitar festival - it simply confirms the fact that we do love a festival here in Derry.

We also have the all-time top-ranking female DJs in the world ‘Nervo’ come to town with Club MTV this month. The event will take over Ebrington Square for what is sure to be another stomping gig to remember.

In this edition we have interviews from some of the hottest local talent too.

These guys are causing quite a stir across the water, The Clameens, Rainy Boy Sleep and Luke McLaughlin from The Turning have all been doing very well for themselves this year in particular.

With The Clameens signing to Gary Powell’s label ’25 hour convenience store’, Rainy Boy Sleep playing Glastonbury for the 4th time in a row and The Turning gaining momentum on the UK music scene, it just reinforces how special this city of ours is and why we are called ‘Music City’.

LINEUP

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august 2015

Preview

CLUB MTV pages 16 & 17

Ed

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Theatre

LA TRAVIATA pages 30 & 31

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Contents

Interview

THE CLAMEENS

4,5,6 & 7 The Clameens interview 8,9,10 & 11 Stendhal Festival 2015 preview and schedule 12,13 & 14 Rainy Boy Sleep nterview 15 This month’s Pub and Club highlights 16 & 17 Club MTV preview 18,19,20 & 21 Luke McLaughlin interview 22,23 Maiden City Festival preview 24,25 City of Derry Guitar Festival preview 26,27 Curtis Eller’s American Circus preview 28,29 This month’s music listings 30,31 La Travita preview 32,33 #Contempo preview 34,35 Art & Theatre listings 36,37 George Doherty interview 38,39 Temple Photographic Exhibition preview

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

pages 4,5,6 & 7

Interview

RAINY BOY SLEEP pages 12,13 & 14

Interview

LUKE McLAUGHLIN: THE TURNING pages 18,19,20 & 21

Preview

MAIDEN CITY FESTIVAL pages 22 & 23

Preview

STENDHAL FESTIVAL pages 8,9,10 & 11

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~interview~

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techno & van with

the clameens t he Clameens have been steadily rising within the music scene for quite some time now and show no signs of stopping any time soon.

The four piece from Derry were signed to Gary Powell’s ’25 Hour Convenience Store’ record label in May of this year having grabbed the attention of music lovers right across the UK and Ireland.

Best known as drummer of iconic rock bands ‘The Libertines’ and the ’Dirty Pretty Things’, Powell formed the small independent label in 2010 along with music industry guru Wayne Clarke with the aim of “serving up something fresh to music lovers tired of being dished out music they didn’t ask for by a record business that didn’t understand them”.

Their music has been infectious wherever they go, whether it be BBC Radio 1, 6 Music or appearing on Other Voices and were selected as one of MTV’s Unsigned bands of 2014.

Their gigs to date are equally as impressive having supported such acts as The Strypes, Professor Green and Pete Doherty, as well as appearing the 2014 The Great Escape Festival, Liverpool SoundCity, MTV Crashes and Electric Picnic.

With an EP due for release soon, we thought it was a perfect opportunity to check in with the guys and get the low down of what’s been happening, and what’s still to come...

How did you come to be signed by 25 Hour Convenience Store?

Well it’s actually a very strange story. We have been working on the contract a very long while; we have been chatting with the label for ages. I think some people think the days of a shifty old A&R guy coming to your gig and signing the band in the toilets of a shitty bathroom are gone.

It takes a lot of meetings and working on finding the best deal for the band. Luckily enough we have Mark (Holden) our manager who has been with us from the start. Mark was instrumental in securing the contract for us. Finding the best deal for us was so important for him. We have a great team of people around the band and especially with the label. They are a great house to be a part off and they are growing each day.

We just work on writing as many good songs as we can for them. But to answer your question how did it come about It involved a taxi journey with Mark in Belfast from a hotel to bar, with a very lovely lady who is now working closely with the band. Fate as one would say.

It must be pretty insightful to have Gary Powell as your boss, a guy who’s got insider knowledge of the industry having been in two of the most iconic bands in recent decades…

Gary is amazing, he is a true rockstar and a gentleman. He has been in this game a long time his knowledge is so valuable to us, creatively and on ...continued on next page

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a business sense. He would regularly call us on a weekly basis through his busy schedule. He finds time for his bands. Gone are the days when the artist can actually call up the Label boss and talk about some business or creative input to the band, but in our case we can.

When will the new EP be out and have you a title for it yet?

The EP will be released in September 11th and we’re really, really buzzed about it. We have shows to be announced too and some tour dates so we are excited about the lot. The EP is titled after our lead single “TECHNO” What would you say have been the main influence for the EP? This is a great question. We had many previous approaches to predeceasing EP demos for example we would collectively listen to influence of many other artists. When coming to the developing process of this EP we actually were inspired about what was happening within the band personally rather than listening to a track from Nirvana and going what that guitar sound etc etc. But we wrote and were inspired by each other. We had some

personal issues in the band and we had a line-up change too. It was a period that actually made us stronger and in this period we actually became better writers and musicians. If anything else, in this EP you can actually hear the influence of ourselves if that makes any sense. It’s a strong EP, we talk about things we see around us and we wrote about things what was happening to us.

You are due to perform for the BBC as part of Van Morrison’s 70th birthday celebrations on the eve of Cyprus Hill show later this month, how much are you looking forward to that gig?”

Yes, really looking forward to this show. To be a part of the celebration of the king of the Irish song book Van Morrison is amazing. We were contacted about the show a few weeks ago and the gig is been held in Vans Hotel with special guests performing some of the Catalogue from Van Morrison’s bounty of hits. It’s an honour for us really to be a part of it.

You have been flat out gigging, but what’s been your favourite gig this year so far?

We have been busy enough over the last 3 years. We have had some stomper shows and some of the worst venues we have played have turned out to be the best shows. Highlight this year was Liverpool Sound City.

We filled the tent and went completely mad on stage. The crowd was amazing! We had so many technical problems on stage but it made the show. Ethan our guitarist stood on an AMP mid set and slipped off breaking his Jack. He called Mark, our manager, and we saw him run through the crowd to the side of the stage and literally swiping an entire back line of drum gear and flight cases off the side stage, pulling cables from this box to get Ethan a jack lead. Hilarious Any other NI or Derry gigs planned?

We do but it’s a secret! Keep an eye for this on our Socials. It will be a special night indeed.

So you can keep posted with what’s happening with the band via facebook. com/TheClameens, or @theclameens and with the new EP ’Techno’ due for release on September 11th, it seems the guys won’t be taking their foot off the gas anytime soon.

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Stendhal

Irelands ‘best small festival’ is back...

Irish artist Declan O’Rourke

O

ver the years, the Stendhal Festival of Art has steadily become Northern Ireland’s brightest star on the festival calendar and was rightly acknowledged when it was voted as ‘Ireland’s Best Small Festival’ at the annual Irish Festival Awards for two years running in 2013 and 2014.

The festival has continued to grow and blossom, catching the eye and mind of music and art lovers alike throughout the country with many people returning year on year to this festival with a difference.

A true community event with an emphasis on celebrating the creativity of artists and helping develop innovation, the weekend long adventure truly is a festival of art, from music to poetry, comedy to craft, every art form is celebrated and embraced.

With a history of looking to Derry for musical talent to take to the Stendhal stage, this year sees Rosborough, Lady J, Making Monsters, Paddy Nash, Tecknopeasant and Ryan Vail join the distinguished list of local artists. Last year saw The Undertones rock it out in the picturesque surroundings of Ballymully

Cottage Farm.

Paddy Nash, head honcho of Paddy Nash and the Happy Enchiladas is a festival regular “it just gets better each year in terms of set-up and lineup” he said. “I would say to anyone in Derry that likes music and a bit of craic and that hasn’t been down to Limavady for Stendhal yet, you don’t know what you’re missing.”

Another regular to Stendhal is Glenn Rosborough who has appeared in some capacity every year since it began in 2011, whether it be solo shows or as part of his previous bands ‘Intermission’ or ‘Wyldling’.

Now performing under the name ‘Rosborough’, Glenn will be welcomed back yet again to keep the run alive.

“Stendhal, for me, is the highlight of the year,” he said. “I have never played another festival with such a fun and friendly atmosphere. It’s a great champion of the arts, friend of the community and it holds a very special place in my heart.”

One performance in particular which will certainly go down a storm will be Stendhal debutant Ryan Vail who will be joined by Ciaran Lavery ...continued on next page

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Donovon will headlining the festival this year

Ciaran Lavery & Ryan Vail will be performing ‘Sea Legs’

Rosborough

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Festival regular Paddy Nash and Happy Enchiladas will return this year

to perform their collaboration album, ‘Sea Legs’ which has been earning rave reviews across the country.

“I’m really looking forward to playing at this year’s Stendhal festival with Ciaran Lavery performing our “Sea Legs” project. We don’t do a large amount of gigs together so they are always special” said Ryan.

“The project has a close connection to the North West so it will be great to play in the area for the first time in an outdoor setting. We played last month at the Body and Soul festival in Meath and I’ve been told the forest there has a similar feel to the forest area at Stendhal, so it should be a great gig.”

Headlining Stendhal this year will

be two time Hall of Fame inductee Donovan. In what will be his only Northern Irish performance during his 50th anniversary celebrations, he is really looking forward to his first Stendhal appearance.

“I’ve heard some lovely things about Stendhal,” he said, “I believe it is a very family orientated event and that it has been winning awards as it has grown over the past several years, so I’m very happy to come along and be a part of it.”

Speaking about his connection with Ireland, he said “I have Irish heritage, so I’ve always felt a kinship with the Irish.

Both my grannies were Irish, my first name is an Irish surname and Irish music has played a part in

influencing how I write my music, so you could say that Ireland has always been somewhat of a special place for me.”

Continuing its work with local music organisations, Stendhal welcomes Belfast’s ‘Oh Yeah’ Centre to the festival for the first time as they will join forces with The Nerve Centre in showcasing the best upand-coming talent in the country when taking over the new Keady Corner Stage.

But the Stendhal festival doesn’t just consist of music and art. The varied list of events is incredible, from burlesque to film, from comedy to craft, Stendhal truly is a festival with a difference with something for everyone.

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Robyn G Shields Kerbdog

Fatherson

Comedy with Sara Pascoe

Making Monsters

~interview~

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Under the ‘Spotlight’ with

rainy boy sleep ince being snapped up by Universal records in March of last year, Rainy Boy Sleep has continued his monumental rise within the UK and Irish music scene grabbing the attention of fans and industry insiders alike.

It’s been a busy few years for the Lifford lad, with his hard work and beautiful song writing paying off.

Playing Glastonbury again this year for what was his fourth time in a row, he’s become quite a regular at one of the most famous festivals in the world, while he will also be returning to his old stomping ground Stendhal this month too.

August also sees the release of his latest project ‘Spotlight’ which is a collaboration with Limerick rap artist MC Lynchy, a fascinating musical direction to take and one we are very much looking forward to hearing.

With a forthcoming tour with the Hot House Flowers and the release of his debut album ‘Waiting Games’ later this year, the momentum just keeps going for Rainy Boy Sleep. We caught up with him to chat about all things music… and festivals.

s

So you were back at Glastonbury this year where you played the John Peel stage and also filled in for Texas too… how much did you enjoy that?

It was probably the best weekend of my entire life. The best thing about Glasto is just embracing the freedom

of it all and immersing yourself in the vibe. Who cares if your battery has 3% left - you’ll survive without - worry about that nonsense when you get home.

Both my gigs were such a great buzz, both in very different ways. The John Peel was probably the biggest crowd I’ve played to - it was packed!

The next morning I woke up -having partied a bit - and got the word that I’d be filling in for Texas, so all systems go again. It was lovely to come back and play The Acoustic Stage too - I feel like I’m part of the family up there at this stage! I played that set on my own since Reuben got a flight home the night before, and that allowed for a really different dynamic. I got to play a few covers and a few brand new tracks so I was well pleased that I had the chance to play a completely different set.

Next up for you is Stendhal where you’ve also been a regular over the years. From an artist’s perspective, what do you think makes the festival so unique?

The best thing about Stendhal is the whole community working at it. They work so hard all year round making sure that the festival is as quirky and kitsch as possible. The weekend is always what they’re talking about - they’re so dedicated to it, which is a very inspiring thing to see.

Another cool thing is that you have to go explore the site - there are so

many cool wee nooks and crannies that you’d otherwise miss if you don’t. And they always have a very interesting line-up too - they dare to be different!

You’ll be hitting the road with the Hot House Flowers come October.

What’s the best thing about touring with such an established act?

It’s always interesting to watch a band like them to see how they handle life on the road - I’m always trying to learn from it. The venues are going to be awesome as well. Bigger dressing rooms, bigger stages, bigger audiences - it’s the next level. I can’t wait!

Musical talent from the North West has always been exceptional, but it seems to be phenomenal at the moment with artists like yourself, SOAK and The Clameens (to name a few) gaining huge following across the water, why do you think it’s such a hot bed compared to everywhere else in the UK and Ireland?

I think it’s brilliant that we’re so far out of the way yet creating the strongest collection of bands and musicians per capita probably anywhere at the minute. Bands like Ports, Strength and Wood Burning Savages are also doing great things. There definitely must be something in the water. Or maybe it’s the sound of the water? ...continued on next page

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You are signed to Universal Ireland.

How much freedom have they allowed in regards to recording?

I signed to them with a finished album in my pocket so I’ve had 100% artistic freedom.

What would you say are your main influences when writing and recording?

I’d say just capturing that moment in time in terms of writing. Whatever’s going on in your head at the specific time takes over. Obviously you’ve got your record collection and movies and books which do sway the direction a particular way, but the thing that’s weighing most heavily on my mind is the thing that’s going to be the subject of the song.

Recording is a bit different in the sense that you really have to sit down and study albums. Figure out the typical techniques and ways in which the production sets the song off. Production is a bit more like painting in that respect - all the layers and washes and strokes of the brush.

Which do you enjoy most, recording or performing?

You can’t have one without the other being an original artist, so I might have to have to say both. They’re both such different processes. I suppose the primal root of music is the live performance, so maybe I’d lean a little more that way.

So what’s being released next by Rainy Boy Sleep?

There’s a collaboration with MC Lynchy coming out in August. It’s a song called “Spotlight” which we wrote together. It’s something completely different to anything I’ve released to date, so it’ll be a bit of a curveball to what listeners might be expecting. I’m really looking forward to it!

You can keep up-to-date with what’s happening with Rainy Boy Sleep via the usual socials facebook.com/ RainyBoySleep and @RainyBoySleep.

There you will also be kept informed about this month’s new release ‘Spotlight’, his collaboration with MC Lynchy.

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HIGHLIGHTS: CLUB NITES THIS MONTH JIKA JIKA! PRESENTS

NICOLE MOUDABER @ THE BUNKER

Saturday, 29 August - 7pm Tickets: £14 (1st Release) After years as a promoter – first in her native Lebanon, then in London – Nicole burst onto the scene when in 2009 Carl Cox, a close friend and mentor, tipped off DJ Mag calling her “the most underrated DJ.”

JIKA JIKA! PRESENTS

CLUB MTV DJ SPECIAL

MARSHALL JEFFERSON THE GODFATHER OF HOUSE

@ VENUE 2.0

The story of house music will vary depending on who’s telling it. Some DJs, producers, clubs and records will always pop up in any proper conversations because the shadow of their influence looms large over everything that has come since.

Pretty much there from day

Her shows have constantly sold out across the world with fans snapping up tickets to see her spin at festivals including Time Warp, Electric Daisy Carnival, and Monegros.

She’s also become a byword for marathon sets at Output and Montreal’s Stereo Club, among others. “I played for nine hours and they said they’d never seen such an atmosphere.

That means more to me than money.” Nicole said at the time.

This month sees Nicole Moudaber bring her records to a venue that is fast becoming iconic in Derry - The Bunker

@ EBRINGTON

Saturday, 01 August - 10pm Tickets: £10 one, no matter who you ask, was Chicago’s Marshall Jefferson. Few men have been as instrumental in the development of Chicago house music since the 1980s as him, because he has had a hand in everything from deep house to acid house to ghetto house.

Saturday, 15 August - 4pm Tickets: £24.50 The guys of MTV are back with a host of incredible DJs who will be taking over Ebrington this month with the sound of their beats.

A full day o music, being headlined by the all-time top-ranking female DJs in the world - Nervo.

IN THE PUBS & CLUBS: RIVER INN / SILVER STREET

MONDAY The Monday Club with Dj B.M.C at Silver Street. Over 21s from 9.30pm. Admission free WEDNESDAY Funkeoke with DJ Skoop at Silver Street. Karaoke with a funky twist. Admission free THURSDAY :Open Mic Night with Kev Rotherham in the River Inn Cellar Bar from 10pm. Over 21. Admission is free FRIDAY Live music SATURDAY Live Music with Kevin Rotherham at The River Inn Cellar Bar Over 23’s, free admission. DJ and Live Music in Silver Street.w

GRANNY ANNIES

MONDAY - The Monday Club with live music from 8.30pm. Free entry TUESDAY - Karaoke Competition with £1000. 8 heats, 2semi finals,1 final from 10pm, free entry WEDNESDAY - Live Music Jam Night THURSDAY - Live Music from 8pm.

Free Admission FRIDAY - Live Music from 6pm, with DJ upstairs from 10.30pm. Free Admission SATURDAY - Live Music from 6pm, with DJ upstairs from 10.30pm. Free Admission SUNDAY - Live Music from 4pm. Free Admission

BENNIGANS BAR

MONDAY - Open Mic Night TUESDAY - Bennigans Introducing: Night of local musicians.

Admission:Free Time:10pm FRIDAY - Original Fridays Admission:Free Time:10.30pm SATURDAY - Jazz legend Gay McIntyre every saturday afternoon, 5-7pm.

Free entry. Saturday night Live Music: Admission:Free Time:10.30pm SUNDAY - Jazz at Bennigans, includes complimentary food. Admission:£5 Time:9pm >> For a full weekly schedule o whats on in our pubs and clubs, check out our website www.derrylivelist.com

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RETURN TO EBRINGTON F

ollowing on from last year’s successful MTV Crashes event, the guys are back this month for a one off Club MTV special in Ebrington Square. Square.

Headlining this year’s event in front of 13,000 dance fans will be Nervo. Sister’s Mim and Liv Nervo are the all-time top-ranking female DJs in the world and No. 21 on DJ Magazine’s influential 2014 ‘Top 100 DJs’ poll.

The sisters career really took off when in 2009 they co-wrote and produced with David Guetta and Kelly Rowland the global hit ‘When Love Takes Over’ which was ranked by Billboard as the No.1 dance/pop collaboration of all time. They were also involved in several other songs for major artists such as Kesha, Kylie Minogue and Armin van Buuren.

But it was with their own writing and recording where their passion really lay “we’ve worked so hard in our industry behind the scenes.

To step out and be releasing records in our own name is a whole different energy, a whole different world. It really is addictive and so rewarding” says Liv. With a large fan base constantly growing, the sisters have been regulars at some of the most well respected festivals and venues throughout the world.

One fan in particular has

recently made the headlines in the form of Simon Cowell. The X-Factor boss has been rumoured to be considering snapping up the Aussie duo for starring roles on his new reality talent show Ultimate DJ. Joining the electronic dance music first-sisters will be Swedish duo Galantis who are made up of Christian ‘Bloodshy’ Karlsson from Mike Snow and Linus Eklöw aka ‘Style of Eye’.

The guys had international success with their single ‘Runaway’ which debuted on October 2014.

The track which was taken from their debut album ‘Pharmacy,’ shot to the top of Spotify’s Global and US Viral charts while also becoming a Top 10 Spotify track in the Netherlands, Belgium and Finland.

Nottingham DJ Philip George will be joining the line-up also.

The 21-year-old landed a No.2 on the UK chart with his debut single ‘Wish You Were Mine’ earlier this year earning him the title of UK’s biggest new DJ. Tickets for the Ebrington show are still available, but be warned, it is expected to be close to a sell-out. >> Club MTV featuring Nervo, Galantis, Philip George, Rewire & Varski is at Ebrington Square on Saturday 15th August at 4pm, with tickets pried at £24.50

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From left - David Bardon, Ruben Kenton-Harris, Louis Gilbert & Luke McLaughlin

19 ~interview~

Luke McLaughlin s

itting down to a latte and chocolate eclair – the bun, not the sweet – I caught up with Luke McLaughlin, front man of London based band ‘The Turning’ while he was taking a short time out from his busy touring schedule.

The guys have been on the road for months now, travelling the length and breadth of England and Northern Ireland, as well as making their way across to France and Belgium.

They have also managed to find the time to release a fantastic new video for their single ‘Groundhog Day’ which was shot in Derry by award winning documentary filmmaker and director Paul Brown.

Luke gave me the low down of what’s been happening with the band…

With the rest of the band based in London, how did you guys get together?

I met a guy called Robert Stevenson who was a manager based in London, and at that time I was in a Classic Rock band called ‘The Reverb’ but I was also a singer songwriter too. He asked me to send him some stuff and he liked it. He asked me if I would play a gig in Dublin, which I did.

Then he asked me to come over to London to play.

He already knew the rest of the guys in the band, and they were looking for a singer so he asked them to come along and hear me play. The

rest of the band are all from London, they actually all grew up together.

They guys liked me and asked me to join them and it all kicked off from there.

We released the EP really quickly.

Our first single, Magazine Street, was actually written on the first day we met.

The video for your single ‘Groundhog Day’ was released last month and has a great narrative running through it. Tell us a bit about it…

A really close friend of mine, Paul Brown, made the video and he’s great. We were playing in Derry at the time and Paul had said he would love to do a video for us and that he would love to do it in Derry.

When people see it they say to me ‘this is your day-to-day life’ - Frankie Ramsey’s, playing snooker, going to the bar... the only thing it missed out was going to the Brandywell!

It was a bit new and a lot different from our earlier videos which were just of us playing. It’s something a lot of young bands aren’t doing anymore, actual music videos.

So when did you first start out in music, and what were you’re influences growing up, and the influences of the band?

The first proper gig I ever played was when I was 10 or 11, in the summer before First Year and was in ...continued on next page

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~interview~

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the Craft Village. I had just won the Roaring Meg busking competition for my age group.

I grew up on The Undertones, as most people in Derry probably are.

I still love The Undertones and actually supported them too. I never lost the punk influence growing up and got quite into Pop/Punk when I was about 12 or 13. Once I hit 14 I started listening to Stone Roses, Oasis and The Jam. I still listen to a lot of 90’s Manchester music.

The rest of the band are all quite different. Our drummer (Ruben Kenton-Harris) is big into Ska. His

dad is actually in a Ska band and has played with a lot of big well known musicians within the Ska/Raggae scene. Dave (Bardon) is Beatles on the head. He’s obsessed. Louis is into the same stuff as me. It can all cause a bit of friction, but it’s a good friction.

With the rest of the guys based in London and you based over here, how does writing and recording come about?

Usually we write separately, then when we come into practice it all comes together. Maybe we change

a few bits and pieces here and there though. David would be the main writer and the drummer has only just started writing but he is fantastic.

All of us would write songs really, except for Louis. He doesn’t write at the minute, but I know he could.

He can fairly chat enough so he just needs to sit down and put it on paper! It’s good because it makes it less likely we’d have a dry spell.

Your gig list for the past few months has been immense...you guys fairly get around!

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It’s tiring. The novelty wears off in the first fifteen minutes of the first day! Our tour manager John Heard is also our driver and in his van there’s six seats in the front, all the gear goes in the back, but on-top there’s a compartment with a double bed. I slept the whole way from London to Paris, Paris to Belgium and then back to London.

But it’s something you never think you would get a chance to do. I was in more countries last year than I have ever been in my whole life. So it’s a mad experience, especially being from Derry.

But it’s getting more common.

Look at The Clameens who are close pals of mine. They were in London a few weeks ago. Bridie, SOAK, as well is doing absolutely amazing.

She’s just back from America and also Glastonbury. It’s starting to really kick off. The talent in this city is second to none. I know a lot of people would say that about their own city, but I used to go to Bennigans Bar during the original Open Mic Night on a Monday and you would have The Clameens, SOAK, Paddy Nash, Rozza (Kevin Rotherham), Little Bear- some incredible people.

I don’t care what anyone says, you wouldn’t get that anywhere else.

There’s also a sense of unity in Derry too in the music scene, everyone are really good friends.

What are the future recording plans with the band?

We have three tunes ready to go and a re-record of a song from the first EP. So they’ll be out soon. Our musical direction is kind of changing at the minute as there’s probably more of an indie influence with the band so you might find that with the new music.

22 music music

#MusicCity #MusicCity#DerryLive #DerryLive

Thursday city of derry guitar festival Saturday 1st August 20th - S Saturday 1st -- Saturday 8th The will Wiktoria Szubelak is considThefestival festival willbring bring lots ered toevents be oneincluding of the finest lotsofof events including dance, music, and Polish guitarist dance,classical music,tours tours and of talks all time talks

maiden city festival is back for it’s its 18th year year

23

Sunday 23rd August

y

A celebration of guitar & chord T Live music from Amy Gardiner

he Maiden City Festival returns this month and will be bigger than ever.

Organised by the Apprentice of Derry Guitar BoysheofCity Derry, the week longFestival festiis back this month what will val has an action packedfor schedule 13th instalment. and be willits feature over 100 different Spreadacross over 4the days, the festival live events city, including offers music lovers thehistory, chancetours to see music, dance, living concerts from International and exhibitions.

With over renowned 40,000 guitarists from around the world people expected to attend, the as well aswill thecome very best city alive of in local what talent. will be It also provides to it’s18th year andthe willopportunity have over 350 participate in master and workperformers across classes eight days. shops and is suitable for all players Launching the programme lastand composers of all levels, ability and age. month governor of the Apprentice In association withCo-Director the North West Boys and Festival Jim Regional, thesaid: festival makes full use Brownlee “We’re delighted ofto the facilities on offer and befantastic launching the festival’s 18th willprogramme. be housed in the Foyle building on campus.

Withmusic, a philosophy underThrough dance, of theatre standing the guitar andcelebrate promoting the and pageant we will diversity of itsheritage music and Protestant andartists, cultureallby within a relaxed and informal bringing the old city back toatmoslife. phere.

The week-long programme has The opening will and provide something forconcert everyone, we the opportunity see the man who look forward totowelcoming both has been described

by Classical Guitar returning and first-time visitors to Magazine, the city.”UK as “one of the great communicators of the guitar world”.

Speaking about how imporCarlos Bonell has recorded more than tant the festival is to the city, Jim twenty albums played in over forty Brownlee alsoand said: “the Maiden countries with concert City Festival, since itsappearances inception ranging from intimate recitals to concertos with symphony orchestras.

His most recent album Magical Mystery Guitar Tour went to number one on the UK iTunes classical album charts in 2012 and is inspired by his association with Sir Paul McCartney.

Also joining Carlos for the Opening Concert will be Alberto Grollo, an Italian composer and guitarist who has been a regular at various festivals and events around the world such as the European Issoudun Guitar Festival in France, the International Festival of

T

nearly 20 years ago, has done more than any other initiative to tell the story of the Siege and the Planter history of Londonderry.

Nashville, andhas thebeen International The festival not only Film of Venice a few. a Festival very positive step to in name regards to Friday continues musical community relations the in the city, momentum with Wiktoria Szubelak, a Polbut has also become an economic ish classical andasMartin generator for guitarist the city too manyHarley playing slide bluesthe guitar, to perform in travel from across UK and the GalaofConcert.

Republic Ireland to participate. is considered to be The Wiktoria festival animates the city forone of the finest classical guitarist of all tourists andPolish visitors.” time and was the Polish Highlights of the finalist festivalof include editionBites, of thewhen Eurovision Contest Culture over 40 of the for Young Musicians.

She has also played country’s most talented young with Maestro Wojciech Rajski and the musicians will fill the various cafes Polish Radio at the Witold throughout theOrchestra city with music.

Lutoslawski Concert Studio A new addition to the pro- in Warsaw.

Saturday sees isthe ‘World Stage Solo gramme this year The Mountjoy Performance’ Zapala Challenge, whichbyis Declan boat race on on acoustic and classical guitar, and Amir the River Foyle, emulating the path JohnbyHaddad with flamenco guitar. taken the Mountjoy when breakDeclan is also a regular on the festiing the Siege in 1689. val scene various countries With eightplaying actioninpacked days throughout the world and he has also full of a wide variety of events, received 5 star reviews there is something for all for themany familyof his solo including ‘Fusion and is performances sure to be another successClassical & Percussive fulGuitar: week for The Maiden City Guitar’ and ‘Guitar Multiverse’.

Festival.

Declan Zapala a German-Spanish You can log on toisour website for guitarist is said a flamenco full list of what’s onand during theto be noted for his rich chord voicings, which festival. have a clear Moorish and Arabic influence.

The following night sees the festival brought to a close by a free to attend event, the Student Gala which will consist of solo and ensemble performances by the students.

The City of Derry Guitar Festival is a fantastic event in the City’s musical calendar and for those of you who do not want to miss a note, a Festival Pass is available to purchase for £30 letting The ‘Siege Tales on theduring you catch every performance the festival. Walls’ is always a big hit

22 music

#MusicCity #DerryLive

city of derry guitar festival Thursday 20th - S Wiktoria Szubelak is considered to be one of the finest Polish classical guitarist of all time

23

Sunday 23rd August

A celebration of guitar & chord T

he City of Derry Guitar Festival is back this month for what will be its 13th instalment.

Spread over 4 days, the festival offers music lovers the chance to see concerts from International renowned guitarists from around the world as well as the very best of local talent.

It also provides the opportunity to participate in master classes and workshops and is suitable for all players and composers of all levels, ability and age.

In association with the North West Regional, the festival makes full use of the fantastic facilities on offer and will be housed in the Foyle building on campus. With a philosophy of understanding the guitar and promoting the diversity of its music and artists, all within a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

The opening concert will provide the opportunity to see the man who has been described by Classical Guitar Magazine, UK as “one of the great communicators of the guitar world”.

Carlos Bonell has recorded more than twenty albums and played in over forty countries with concert appearances ranging from intimate recitals to concertos with symphony orchestras.

His most recent album Magical Mystery Guitar Tour went to number one on the UK iTunes classical album charts in 2012 and is inspired by his association with Sir Paul McCartney.

Also joining Carlos for the Opening Concert will be Alberto Grollo, an Italian composer and guitarist who has been a regular at various festivals and events around the world such as the European Issoudun Guitar Festival in France, the International Festival of

Nashville, and the International Film Festival of Venice to name a few.

Friday continues the musical momentum with Wiktoria Szubelak, a Polish classical guitarist and Martin Harley playing slide blues guitar, to perform in the Gala Concert.

Wiktoria is considered to be one of the finest Polish classical guitarist of all time and was the finalist of the Polish edition of the Eurovision Contest for Young Musicians. She has also played with Maestro Wojciech Rajski and the Polish Radio Orchestra at the Witold Lutoslawski Concert Studio in Warsaw.

Saturday sees the ‘World Stage Solo Performance’ by Declan Zapala on acoustic and classical guitar, and Amir John Haddad with flamenco guitar.

Declan is also a regular on the festival scene playing in various countries throughout the world and he has also received 5 star reviews for many of his solo performances including ‘Fusion Guitar: Classical & Percussive Guitar’ and ‘Guitar Multiverse’.

Declan Zapala is a German-Spanish flamenco guitarist and is said to be noted for his rich chord voicings, which have a clear Moorish and Arabic influence.

The following night sees the festival brought to a close by a free to attend event, the Student Gala which will consist of solo and ensemble performances by the students.

The City of Derry Guitar Festival is a fantastic event in the City’s musical calendar and for those of you who do not want to miss a note, a Festival Pass is available to purchase for £30 letting you catch every performance during the festival.

26 music

>> Photo by Alex Maness

#MusicCity #DerryLive

27

curtis eller’s

AMERICAN CIRCUS C

urtis Eller’s American Circus show has been touring extensively since March, taking in the sights of the US before hitting the UK and Ireland and will not take a breather until the end of August when they will play the Festival of Folk Arts in Budapest, Hungary.

Born in Detroit, Curtis Eller started out in show business at the age of 7 as a juggler and acrobat when his father ran the Hiller Old Tyme Circus in Detroit, Michigan. But it wasn’t until later in life that he took up his favoured instrument, the banjo.

Setting off for New York, Eller found himself heavily touring the local scene from bars to burlesque halls, and it was there where he earned the title of New York’s ‘angriest yodelling banjo player’.

His current band ‘American Circus’ were formed when Eller uprooted to North Carolina and assembled a band to create

and perform music with a difference, “inelegant rock and roll outfit specializing in banjo music for funerals, gospel tunes for atheists and novelty dance fads for amputee” as the man himself puts it.

His music has that old time feel about it and is influenced greatly from the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s while also drawing inspiration from American history. The high energy performances are as physical as they are musical, and he has gained a following throughout the world.

Sandinos has been known as Derry’s very own bohemian pub so Curtis Eller and his American Circus band should feel at home and the audience will be in for a treat, an energetic yet intimate performance in Sandino’s Back Bar. >> You can catch Curtis Eller’s American Circus on Friday 7th August in Sandinos Back Bar at 9.30pm, with tickets priced at £7

28 music

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Curtis Eller’s American Circus

Sandinos (Back Bar)

Jive Aces in Concert City Hotel

Saturday, 08 August Tickets:£10 Time:9.30pm

Friday, 07 August

Admission:£7 Time:9.30pm

Lady J Album Castle Bar

Saturday, 01 August Admission:£10 Time:9pm

Album launch with support from Rosborough and Kellz Bellz. Admission to the event also includes the album to take home.

Eller’s numerous compositions describe a dreamlike vision of American history where all points in time have collapsed into one. Past recordings have seen a ghastly parade of historical luminaries, from Abraham Lincoln and Buster Keaton to Amelia Earhart and Joe Louis, sharing the spotlight with a host of Civil War generals and corrupt 19th century politicians.

Club MTV DJ Special Ebrington

Saturday, 15 August Time:4pm Tickets:£24.50

Club MTV returns to Ebrington this month for what is sure to be another great day of music.

Headlining the event are electronic dance music’s first sisters - Mim and

The Jive Aces are always a very popular group when they visit the hotel as part of the City Of Derry Jazz Festival and now they have included the hotel as a venue on their Summer tou Liv Nervo of NERVO - the all-time, top-ranking female DJs in the world and No. 21 on DJ Magazine’s influential 2014 ‘Top 100 DJs’ poll.

Also on the bill are Galantis, the Swedish electronic music production and songwriting duo consisting of Christian “Bloodshy” Karlsson, and Linus Eklöw aka Style of Eye Philip George who landed a No.2 on the UK chart with his debut single ‘Wish You Were Mine’ earlier this year will also be performing.

Ulster Youth Jazz Supper Club: Voice & Verse Orchestra Summer Encore Brasserie, Millennium Forum Friday, 14 August

Time: 9pm Tickets: £25

Concert

The Guildhall Friday, 21 August

Time:7pm Tickets:£13/ £6 conc

The Ulster Youth Orchestra, Northern Ireland’s acclaimed national youth orchestra, plays colourful music by Liszt and a romantic and heroic vision of Lough Neagh by Stanford.

Young local organist Donal McCann, bringing the Guildhall Organ to life, joins the UYO for the popular Organ Symphony by Saint-Saëns. A spectacular ending to a great evening.

Live Jazz Music at the Encore Brasserie with Voice & Verse. Price includes live jazz music and a three course meal with wine.

#Contempo

Millennium Forum Saturday, 22 August Time:8pm Tickets:£14

Following their recent success on Britain’s Got Talent, Innova Irish Dance Company presents a fresh version of their sell-out debut show. ‘Contempo’ celebrates Irish dancing in all its diversity, incorporating a mix of traditional, modern and alternative pieces enlivened with Innova’s unique twist.

The 45 strong cast will once again collaborate with hugely popular Celtic Italian band, The SIDH. It’s new, it’s exciting, it’s contemporary. It’s Irish dancing but not as you might know it!

Jazz Supper Club: Mark Bradley Encore Brasserie, Millennium Forum Friday, 28 August

Time: 9pm Tickets: £25

Live Jazz Music at the Encore Brasserie with Mark Bradley. Price includes live jazz music and a three course meal with wine.

Blue Street Preachers

Waterside Theatre Saturday, 29 August

The Wolfe Tone in concert

Tickets:£8.50 Time:8pm

plus support

Millennium Forum Saturday, 29 August Time:8pm Tickets:£21

The legendary Wolfe Tones have recently celebrated an unbelievable 50th Anniversary Year.

One of Ireland’s most iconic and best loved groups, they return to perform some of their greatest hits as well as material taken from their extensive career.

Blues Street Preachers are a collective of musicians that play and who are inspired mainly by the pre war or prohibition era blues of the 1920’s and 30s.

Artists like Big Bill Broonzy, Casey Bill Weldon, Blind Willie McTell and Robert Johnson. Their set features a variety of styles, from down home and up tempo blues through to ragtime and hokum styles and featuring the odd gospel number.

Metallitia Masons

Friday, 14 August Time:10pm

Metallitia is an Irish Metallica tribute band and make a return to Masons this month.

Formed by lifelong friends who have a mutual appreciation for all things Metal-

lica.Over the years this band has gone from strength to strength,appearing on some of irelands premier stages and leaving people begging for more.

Having been on the road for a number of years now the Metallitia lads still show no signs of stopping. The gigs are more furious and heartfelt than ever before and it ain’t slowing down anytime soon. Also showcasing some of their blistering original material this is certainly a band to watch out for in the future.

gigs to look out for next month

Connla

Culturlann Ui Chanáin Friday, 11 September Time:8pm

29

Ciaran Lavery & Marc O’Reill

Culturlann Ui Chanáin Thursday, 17 September

The Strypes Nerve Centre

Wednesday, 23 September Admission:£16.50 Time:8pm

Time:8pm

Connla are an exciting new band with strong traditional roots as well as influences from across the globe. Their sensitive and innovative arrangements of traditional and modern folk songs and tunes have earned them praise across the folk community.

It’s been an incredible year for Co. Antrim singer-songwriter Ciaran Lavery.

Already he has wracked up an incredible 14 million plays on Spotify of his debut album and EP. He won much critical acclaim for the release of the Sea Legs mini album, a collaborative album with Derry-based electronic artist Ryan Vail, he has sold out two headline shows in London, and played a raft of summer festivals across the UK, Europe and Ireland including Glastonbury and Cambridge Folk Festival.

The Strypes return to the Nerve Centre to celebrate the release of their new album ‘Little Victories’.

Since June 2011, the band have been launching their explosive R&B assault on the clubs and festivals around the world viciously hammering out a no-nonsense blues repertoire including originals from their debut album ‘Snapshot’ and reworking’s of rhythm and blues classics by Bo Diddley, Nick Lowe, and Dr. Feelgood

30 theatre,dance & verbal arts

#DerryLive #LoveTheArts

31 Giuseppe Verdi’s

La Traviata V

erdi’s operatic masterpiece ‘La Traviata’ will make its way to the Millennium Forum this month in a collaboration between North West Opera and Spark Opera.

‘The Fallen Woman’ still remains one of the most popular operas to this day and is based on ‘La dame aux Camélias’, a play created in 1852 and adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas.

Founder of Donegal based North West Opera, Ann Jennings, an internationally renowned soprano, has joined forces with Kate Guelke, founder of Belfastbased Spark Opera and a fantastic directorial talent, to bring this incredible piece to the Forum.

Both Jennings and Guelke have an aim of making high quality live opera accessible and affordable to all and both believe opera is for everyone. “People listen to opera all the time without realising it. Operatic works have been plundered by TV, film and advertising because

they are powerful pieces of music” says Jennings.

The opera is staged in three acts telling the tragic story of Violetta and Alfredo and is performed by a cast of internationally acclaimed singers with an 80 strong chorus and live orchestra.

Originally the opera was titled Violetta, after the main character and was first performed 1853 at the La Fenice opera house in Venice and has become one of the most performed operas in the world.

Ann Jennings playing the role of Violetta will be joined be internationally acclaimed Welsh tenor Stephen Mullan as Alfredo. Joining the strong line up will be Paul Martin who will play the role of Gaston, Icelandic baritone Hrólfur Saemundsson as Germont and the role of Annina will be performed by Katie Patton.

>> You can see La Traviata at the Millennium Forum between Friday 7th and Saturday 8th August. The show takes place at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £15

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#Contempo Spark Opera & North West Opera present:

33

#

Contempo is the latest instalment from Northern Irish contemporary Irish Dancing group, ‘Innova’.

Innova Irish Dancing Company first came to the nation’s attention during Simon Cowell’s hit TV talent show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ last year when they wowed the judges with an incredible performance.

The fifteen strong group aged between 15 and 23 years of age made it to the final three within the semifinals before being eliminated by a public vote.

The Portstewart group aim to teach

and promote traditional Irish Dance with an innovative twist so audiences can fall in love with Irish dancing and appreciate the enjoyment that it can bring. Their philosophy is to bring energy, vibrance, youth and a fresh approach to Irish Dance while creating strong friendships along the way.

The group will present a fresh version of the same show which wows the BGT judges, this time with a 45 strong cast and will collaborate with ‘The SIDH’, the popular Celtic Italian band.

The SIDH have themselves amassed a huge following due to their

innovative approach to Celtic music and can boast of impressive collaborations with internationally renowned artists such as Paddy Maloney from The Chieftains, Carlos Nunez and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.

Energetic and original, #Contempo is sure to be breath taking and thrilling as the Innova Irish Dancing Company perform their diverse mix of traditional dance with a modern and alternative twist. >> You can catch #Contempo at the Millennium Forum on Saturday 28th August at 8pm, with tickets priced at £15.

34 theatre,dance & verbal arts

#DerryLive #LoveTheArts

shows to look out for over the next few months...

La Traviata

Millennium Forum

Fri, 07 August - Sat, 08 August Tickets:from £14.50 Time:7.30pm

#Contempo

Millennium Forum Saturday, 22 August

Funny Bones - An Imbecile’s Guide to First Aid (The Studio) Millennium Forum Tuesday, 08 September

Tickets: £13/£11 Time:7.30pm

Time:8pm Tickets:£14

The intensely passionate and tragic, ‘La Traviata’ (The Fallen Woman) remains one of the most popular operas of all time! It is heartbreaking and simply unforgettable, appealing directlyto the emotions; it is an opera beloved by every generation.

Violetta, a glamorous Parisian courtesan with a scandalous past, falls in love with a young admirer, Alfredo.

Violetta chooses love over moneyand leaves her past behind herfleeing to the countryside to live with her new lover.

Following their recent success on Britain’s Got Talent, Innova Irish Dance Company presents a fresh version of their sell-out debut show. ‘Contempo’ celebrates Irish dancing in all its diversity, incorporating a mix of traditional, modern and alternative pieces enlivened with Innova’s unique twist.

The 45 strong cast will once again collaborate with hugely popular Celtic Italian band, The SIDH. It’s new, it’s exciting, it’s contemporary. It’s Irish dancing but not as you might know it!

Join Tony Sutcliffe in this hilarious new comedy show based on his experiences of over 20 years as a first aid trainer.

You will be invited into a world of medical mayhem and mirth, with Tony trying to impart his vast but somewhat suspect knowledge of subjects ranging from CPR to childbirth.

Using accounts from real-life training courses and with help from audience volunteers he ploughs through the first aid manual like a bull in an operating theatre.

50 Shades of Red, White & Blue Millennium Forum Thursday, 24 September Tickets:from £12.50 Time:8pm

Her Facebook postings had Northern Ireland in fits of laughter last summer.

It all started as a joke when Leesa Harker wrote a Belfast-based spoof

Invasion Derry

Millennium Forum

Sat, 12 Sep - Sun, 13 September Tickets:£6.50 Time: 9am - 5:30pm

INVASION comes to the North West.

Ireland’s premier Star Wars costuming club, The Emerald Garrison, will be Invading Derry for the first time.

It includes a line-up of talks, and fun interactive activities as well as the Emerald Garrison’s hugely popular props and replicas. Visitors of all ages will love meeting and posing

with over 40 costumed characters including legions of Storm Troopers, Jedi Knights, Bounty Hunters, Clone Troopers, Darth Vader, Wookies and many, many more.

Fans have the opportunity to meet actors from the original movies during Lecture Theatre talks and signings. Please note that the actors charge a fee for photographs and autographs.

of Fifty Shades of Grey. Very soon it went viral and had 29,000 followers!

Fifty Shades of Red, White and Blue tells the story of loveable Maggie Muff and her search for love, featuring laugh-out-loud characters such as big Sally Ann, Sinead the Greener and of course, the mysterious Mr Red White and Blue himself.

35 art exhibitions & projects coming up #DerryLive #LoveTheArts

Temple: Photography by Matthew Andrews Hillcrest House, Thurs 06 - Fri 14 Aug

£:Free Entry Time:10am-4pm

Following the success of the Temple project earlier this year, Hillcrest House and Artichoke are celebrating the event with an exhibition of photographs by Matthew Andrews.

Irishman Lost AKA Pete Irvine:

The Presence of Absence Photographic Exhibition The Playhouse

Tues, 04 Aug - Fri, 28 Aug

A Many Splintered Thing Exhibition The Void

art

Andrews is a photographer established in the commercial and cultural sectors known for his emotive work and unobtrusive, intuitive approach. He trained at Saint Martin’s School of Art and first established a studio in Spitalfields in 1992. He is based in London and Brighton and works regularly with Artichoke.

Temple was a radical cross-community arts project, conceived and produced by Artichoke, that set out to demonstrate the transformative power of the arts. It was supported

by Arts Council of Northern Ireland and a raft of partners, sponsors and individual donors.

Without

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company

Sat 18th July - Sat 8th Aug £:Free Entry

Sat, 18 July - 12 Sept £:Free Entry

£:Free Entry

This is a culmination of work from the past decade, featuring 80+ framed urban decay shots from locations across Ireland north and south.

Void is delighted to present its first group photographic exhibition, ‘A Many Splintered Thing’. The show is curated

by Gregory McCartney and Susanne Stich, and features selected works by Bieke Depoorter, Irina Popova, Jana Romanova and Nadia Sablin.

Employing a documentary aesthetic and revealing aspect of their subjects’ everyday lives, the photographs on show scrutinise notion of home, family and love from four distinct perspectives.

Around 500 people were involved in filming WITHOUT during April 2013 including cyclists, tea-dancers, skateboarders, dancers, and hundreds of local primary school children.

Many thousands of local people watched the work being filmed around the city from Bishop Street to the Guildhall, from Ebrington to Creggan.

Supported by Culture Company 2013, DCAL, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Arts Council England. Produced by Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company in association with Rosemary Lee Projects and ArtsAdmin.

36 art

#LoveTheArts #DerryLive

George Doherty with “Sight of An Omphalos Table” at Studies. Social Basement Gallery 2015.

george

doherty ~interview~

37

i

t has been well documented that the Arts within Northern Ireland have had it tough of late with the various cuts in the Arts budget proving detrimental to a lot of groups and organisations throughout the country.

It seems art must take a back seat in a lot of people’s eyes in this tough economic climate, but should it?

I met up with local artist and one of the founding members of ‘The Social Studios and Gallery’ to delve into what had drawn him to carve out a career in sculpture and also to find out his take on the current art scene get an insight as to what the future holds for ‘The Social’ now it looks set to close the doors on its Shipquay Street location this month.

You studied Sculpture in Belfast from 1979-84, but what was it that first made you want to focus on that medium?

I liked to make things. There was a shed once in the backyard, I was given old magazines that showed how to make things from wood and use rudimentary mechanics. I got a hammer, a saw, a drill, some bits and a square with thousands of Embassy Coupons that my aunt gave me. I went to the shed and made a big fort that I painted grey. I sold the grey fort years later to buy a bus ticket to the Fleadh that was taking place in Listowel that year.

What was it that enticed you to uproot to London when you had finished your course?

Money and art or the lack of it, I thought Oh dear, did I follow my heart?

Having moved back home to Derry in 2009, did you notice much change in the local Arts scene while you were away?

When I came back to Derry I was surprised by how much it had not changed. It was like the spy game from ‘Kim’. In the film, Errol Flynn tries to trick Sabu (Kim the street boy.) Objects newly revealed on the tray had been shuffled around, some were missing and other things had appeared. It is an attempt by Flynn to lever his authority into Kim’s world

view, corrupt the values - represented in the movie by the old priest - that Kim used to make sense of his immediate surroundings.

So what now was I to make of this new game? What did these changes mean? Some places I recognised, others were memories that surfaced in conversation to make some point or other about the “good old days” or the “bad times” ahead. The new game seemed more defensive, the mind set was anxious, artists were deliberating about their audience, it was as if they had stepped back from their canvas and not recognised what they had painted.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on a series of sculptures called Replacements. I may be warding off anxiety? Conceptually they are a boon. I am at Replacement. Number Forty-Six. I may be levelling out!

Are you planning to exhibit soon?

Showing Art is as big a problem as making an art object. A show is the disappearing side of the work of art.

Making sculpture is as big as problem as having an exhibition, I do worry sometimes about how my art is going to be seen.

On a happier note, I may have some work in the RUA Annual Show in Belfast in November, but I will have to wait to see how the second round of selection goes.

It’s been well documented how the drastic cuts in the Arts Budget have been affecting many individuals and organisations, but do you think we are feeling it more so than most in the North West?

Cuts are bad, services are stopped and opportunities are closed down.

There is no easy way. Arts are being squeezed everywhere, nothing is escaping the cuts or the inevitable baggage of the accompanying rational. I do not feel we are especially hard done by in the Northwest and thinking like that will only deflect the strength the Art Community, for which we are weaker apart. Artists from the Northwest must show their work anywhere they can, artists from all over the world must be able

to show their works in the Northwest- this is what we need and want.

With the ‘Social Studios and Gallery’ fighting closure, as one of the founding artists, what do you think lies in store for the future of the local arts scene?

Artists need support from their community, private or public investment in arts and artists is not new and despite what is being said artists are not going to go way. Artists are the bedrock on which arts funding is based. Artists I have spoken with have no intention of giving up on the local arts scene no matter how difficult the path has become. Art is future-proof.

What about the future of yourself and artists like you who have called the ‘Social Studios and Gallery’ home?

Artists who have found a space to show at Social are continuously looking for ways to introduce their work to the public. The Social Studios and Gallery exists only with the support of artists in Derry. If the Social fails, we may have been beaten by logistics not by lack of commitment to the idea a gallery for new art that is being made locally and nationally.

Is there anything the people of Derry can do, anyone they can raise the issue with to help the ‘Social Studios and Gallery’ stay open?

We would like to stay at Shipquay Street but unfortunately it is not possible. We were aware our tenure there was always up for negotiation.

But if any of your readers can offer or know of any kind of space that can be taken on short or long term basis then please get in touch and let us know. We are open to any kind of offer.

George and his fellow artists at the Social Studios and Gallery would appreciate any suggestions on possible gallery space for future exhibitions and would also welcome any questions about the issues addressed in the interview or general interest questions about Social.

You can get in touch by emailing: george@socialstudiosgallery.com

#LoveTheArts #DerryLive

BY

David Best

temple

38 art

“A p h o t o g r a p h extraordina

~ Photogra

39

hic celebration of the ary Temple project”

aphy by Matthew Andrews ~

F

ollowing on from the huge success of David Best’s Temple Project which happened in March of this year, Artichoke who helped fund and organise the event are celebrating with a photographic exhibition which will be held in Hillcrest House this month.

The photographs which were taken

by Matthew Andrews, who works regularly with Artichoke, and who was tasked with documenting the event.

Artichoke brought ‘Burning Man’ legend David Best and his crew to Derry to create a structure that would tower over the city and with help from the people of Derry who volunteered their services, with people learning new skills, a 75ft high structure was created.

The most impressive piece of sculpture Derry has ever seen was created and just like in Nevada, it was set alight.

During the week it was open to the public, more than 60,000 people visited and left behind personal messages, mementoes and symbols of peace in The Temple, while a further 15,000 people watched as the wooden structure was burned to the ground on the night of 21st March.

The exhibition will be based in Hillcrest House. Geraldine O’Donnell, community representative at the Hill-

crest Trust said: “following on from the success of Temple, we at Hillcrest Trust are delighted that Artichoke are once again coming back to the Top of the Hill for the opening of the photographic exhibition by Matthew Andrews.

The exhibition will showcase the extraordinary event that was held in our community and celebrates the success of the Temple project. We look forward to residents and some of the many visitors who came to visit Temple returning to relive their experience.”

While Artichoke Director Helen Marriage agrees “the Temple project set out to create a shared space that welcomed everyone. And it succeeded. We were overwhelmed by how the people of this city responded to Temple and made it their own with their contributions.

Standing on Top of the Hill on the night of the burn, it struck me that together with the local community we could make something really special here, something permanent, that would continue this process of transformation that Temple began. It’s something I want to start to explore with people here.”

You can see the exhibition from Thursday 6th August and it will run until Friday 14th August at Hillcrest House at Jasmine Court.