Not just a touring band, Baka Beyond have a unique relationship with their inspiration – the Baka Pygmies of Cameroon – sending royalties to help their development projects, and even touring with Baka musicians.

Baka Beyond was founded in 1992 after British musicians Martin Cradick and Su Hart had visited the Baka Pygmies of the Cameroon rainforests after seeing a TV documentary. So inspired were they by their magical rhythms and melodies that they recorded an album “Spirit of the Forest” under the name Baka Beyond which pushed them into worldwide recognition.

In order to make sure that the Baka get their fair return for their compositions they also founded the charity, “Global Music Exchange”. So started this very positive African – European collaboration.

Since these early beginnings when the term “world music” barely existed, Baka Beyond has evolved into a multicultural, dynamic live stage show and album sales top a quarter of a million copies. Band members hail from Brittany, Cameroon, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Congo and Ghana as well as Britain. Each musician brings their own influence and talent to the music creating a unique spectacle and honoring a lesson learned from the Baka people, “everyone is to be listened to”.

Baka Beyond’s years of touring have paid off. The energy of their thoroughly uplifting and seamless blend of African rhythm and Celtic melody defies anybody to sit still. They recently headlined Edmonton Folk Festival and wowed the 15,000 strong crowd, most of whom were new to the magic of Baka Beyond.

The band digitally released their new album ‘Kisumani’ in Spring 2012 and there will be a ‘physical’ release in the Summer.

For selected shows the band will be joined on vocals by Molara, Fela Kuti’s niece and the original voice of dub dance pioneers, Zion Train. Ghanaian percussionist, Nii Tagoe provides the rhythm section along with Tim Robinson and Congolese bass player Kibisingo Douglas (of Kanda Bongo Man). All of this is very much tied together by the energy of Paddy le Mercier ‘s Bretagne fiddle and Martin Cradick’s hypnotic guitar, recently described as sounding like ‘Jerry Garcia after a long trip in West Africa’.

Baka Beyond Interview, Martin Cradick from the Band:

1. What are your earliest memories of getting bitten by the music bug?

Although I had piano lessons at the age of 8 or 9, I wasn’t really enthusiastic about music until hearing someone play guitar and sing a song around a campfire when I was on holiday aged 12. I got a cheap classical guitar and started teaching myself for a year until I had classical guitar lessons at school. After Grade 5 (at age around 15) the pieces got more intellectual and boring to my ears and I gave up formal lessons and started playing electric guitar in bands.

2.Was your family background musical in any way?

The only music played at home was Christmas Carols at christmas time. Apart from that my Mum would constantly hum “busy bee” tunes while doing the housework. I don’t think she was ware of it and it is probably responsible for my affinity to improvised tunes that doodle on and on without going anywhere – “as directionless as a runaway shopping trolly” as one reviewer once said! I found that there were quite a lot of people who actually liked that sort of music!
My grandmother’s sister (who I never met, was a concert pianist in Australia, and the first woman to write a piece of music for a brass band apparently, and her mother was trained as a concert pianist but damaged her hand before she could take it up as a career. So I suppose there is some musical ability in my genes.

3. What were you original influences and how have they changed over time?

When I first started playing guitar my elder sister was going out with someone in a progressive rock band so I heard the records she had – Genesis, Yes, Camel etc. The first album I bought was Aladdin Sane ny David Bowie, but it was the music of Can that actually influenced me most at that time – the philosophy that great music comes by accident from improvisation.
After that it was mostly live music that influenced me. I saw (and jammed with) a reggae band at Stonehenge Free Festival (probably about 1979/1980) and I realised that if you mixed improvisation with music that people danced to it made it more accessible.

I was busking in Paris on my 21st birthday and heard Fela Cuti. The first time I had heard African music and it had an immediate resonance with me.

Travelling to South America in 1988, and hearing the bands at the Baranquilla Carnival in Columbia was influential. None of them had a drum kit, but they all had all the parts of the drum kit played by different people creating a totally different feel.

At the time I was co-running a music club in Oxford (The Madhatter’s Club). It had recently been closed down due to neighbour’s complaints, and being the last music venue in town (the council having already closed all the others down) we kicked up a huge fuss and eventually were allowed to stay open and even get support from the council. People who know the Oxford music scene now wouldn’t recognise that kind of attitude from the council who now can’t do enough to help live music. We had to really fight to set the ground for that.

The biggest influence has of course been Su’s and my visit to the Baka in 1992. (I’ve been going ever since – every year at least once now since 2000, and a few times before then). That is the influence that gives the sound to our current band. Not necessarily totally in the sound we produce, but in the spirit of the music. All grooving together to create a positive vibe.

4. Have you ever been to the Isle Of Wight?

Yes.

5. Tell us about your live sound?

African based rhythms underlying a mixture of Celtic, African and improvised melodies. Dance/Trance music with a positive vibe and many influences from traditional music in Africa and Celtic fringes of Europe.

6. How has your sound changed over the years?

It shifts and changes quite organically, depending to a certain extent on which musicians are playing as we try to make a space for each person’s style. The albums have mainly been studio based and end up being quite a different entity to the live show. This year we are going back to a more “traditional Baka Beyond sound” with pretty much the lineup of 2000 – Eleanor has joined us this summer again on vocals after a gap of 12 years.

7. What have been the high points of your career?

Probably playing to 20,000 people on a saturday night on the main stage at Edmonton Festival in Canada (view on youtube Here) Also bringing 7 Baka musicians over from Cameroon to tour with us in 2012.

8. And the low-points?

Spending most of last year recording a new album and then having to shelve it due to the band members all falling out. Partly due to me trying to learn not to be a control freak and failing dismally. We live and learn and as Jimmy Cliff says, “you’ve gotta walk and don’t look back”

9. What about the present day set up?

Back to “traditional Baka Beyond”. Drums, African percussion, positive vibes and highly danceable rhythms (but you can just lie back and let it all take you away, if that’s what you prefer).

10. Thoughts on today’s music scene?

I’ve been spending a lot of time in Africa recently and to be honest am not that in touch with what’s current as far as radio etc is concerned. I’ve always been far more interested in live music, and that seems really exciting at the moment. What I find really striking is that so many young bands seem to be playing music very similar to the music bands I was in in the early ’80s were playing, although at the time most bands we knew then thought we were crazy and hopelessly out of touch!

11. What’s in the pipeline for the future?

I’ve just finished mixing and mastering an album I recorded in Cameroon in February. Its a follow up to Baka Gbiné’s album “Gati Bongo” (tThe title track of which has just been selected to be on a new Zumba Dance video game!). The Baka musicians have formed a really tight rhythm section and the music sounds great. I would like to help them tour in the Cameroon next year and then come to Europe in 2014.

 12. What can we expect for your WOWFest 2012 Show?

Energetic infectious rhythms, beautiful harmonies, dancing feet and happy faces all around you.

Websites

Baka Beyond
Myspace
Facebook
Twitter
Youtube

Husband and Wife duo, Holly and David are back, bringing their brand of insanity into your homes, onto your radios and through your favourite venues.

Gearing up for yet more shows, more shouting, more laughing, probably some crying and definitely more drinking The Lovely Eggs have delivered their catchiest bout of dementia yet. ‘Food’ encapsulates everything that is exciting about punk rock, douses it in psychedelic, freak out refrains then tosses petrol on it and sets it on fire. An ode to masticating together, chowing down and gorging ourselves in the most disgraceful manner

‘Food’ is yet another reason The Lovely Eggs should be crawling around in everyone’s ears. From their distinctive fuzzed out guitar sound to the breakneck drums and Holly’s individual vocal delivery ‘Food’ is a joyous romp through the joys of sharing. Be it dreams, food or going slightly off the rails. Taking the mundane and twisting it on it’s head, finding something to shout about in the ordinary.

The Lovely Eggs are a rallying point for anyone that sees life for what it is. A mess. A wonderful, car crash of experiences, greeting each new chance with a cheeky grin, a sneer and a big fuck you to the pricks. With new single ‘Food’ The Lovely Eggs deliver yet more of the lunacy that makes them so compelling, fun and essential, tuck in.

 ‘In Watermelon Sugar’ the second track or (B-Side if you get the limited edition 7 inch) shows The Lovely Eggs at a more relaxed pace with a chime-type riff and gentle vocals mingling into a sunday morning type hangover cure. A 21st Century Velvets, that are in touch with their roots and their deep sense of colourful humour. They really can augment their current sound into all sorts of new areas in the future.

A new ‘FOOD’ video by art-cool director, Casey Raymond captures the pych pop-punk pop-art culture to perfection as they really are an audio-visual band and deserve their own TV Channel or Show at the very least, they really could be Morecombes’ answer to the Goodies meets the Monkies! Their astute use of art, slapstick, props, models, tints, colour, scale  and choppy edits added with their psych-mod retro cool makes for a refreshingly upbeat digestible punkoid experience all around. Catch them live near to you soon!

‘Food’ b/w ‘In Watermelon Sugar’ is released on May 14th 2012 through Cherryade Records.

The Lovely Eggs hit the road in support of ‘Food’ this moth.

The Lovely Eggs UK Tour Dates:

UK Food Tour Dates:
Thurs May 3rd: Central Bar, Newcastle
Fri May 4th: Fish Tank, Durham
Sat May 5th: The Grand, Clitheroe
Sun May 6th: Sounds From The Other City Festival, Salford
Mon May 7th: The Continental, Preston (matinee performance!)
Tues May 8th: Fibbers, Yorks
Weds May 9th: Nice ‘N’ Sleazy, Glasgow
Thurs May 10th: The Other Door, Edinburgh
Fri May 11th: The Adelphi, Hull
Sat May 12th: The Sound House, Leicester
Sun May 13th: The Labour Club, Northampton
Mon May 14th: Port Mahon, Oxford (Single Launch Party!)
Tues May 15th: The Cornerhouse, Cambridge
Weds May 16th: The Green Door Store, Brighton
Thurs May 17th: The Old Queen’s Head, London (FREE GIG!)
Fri May 18th: The Croft, Bristol
Sat May 19th: Buffalo Bar, Cardiff

On Friday expect to hear an acoustic orientated night with hints of folk and country. Saturday steps up to an Indie rock night with a very exciting new band at the top of the bill, and on Sunday to finish the weekend there is a full on Psychedelia night. It’s a great place to discover something new and enjoy the already excellent WOWfest vibe – created by headline acts such as UB40, Heaven 17 and Madeleine Peyroux, and top DJs including Paul Oakenfold, Danny Rampling and Bez from The Happy Mondays.

The team behind Shaved Fish are three island musician amigos Charlie Harris, James Thorpe and Shaun Barker. The trio have used their time and resources wisely to book some excellent music.

Charlie is a current university student, studying Music Management and Studio production, alongside juggling a few musical projects and producing artists and bands. Born and raised on the Isle of Wight he entered the music scene at the age of 13, playing in bands and attending local gigs, soaking up what the island has to offer. With a good knowledge of new and fresh music, along with a love for music from previous decades, it is his goal to create an exciting line-up for the Shaved Fish Stage.

James is a self confessed music snob, with a primitive vintage studio set up in the top floor of his Ventnor house and co-running a label under the name Red Squirrel with Shaun and Charlie, he is certainly a man to know if you’re in the island scene. James, along with the other two, entered music through playing in a band and live performance, but has followed his interests and ended up in the field of production and recording. His connection to the network of Isle of Wight musicians has proved valuable in the booking of some great music from the island.

Shaun and James come as a pair – it’s rare you’ll find them creating music more than 10 feet from each other. As teenagers playing in band together for 8 years and attending the same schools, their interests are naturally fairly mutual. Shaun’s involvement in music is, like the others, in production and engineering music and co-running the studio with James, his input into the music made is vital to the Red Squirrel sound.

For these three island lads, this is great personal development in their chosen industry. Not only have they had full control over the musical programming of the Shaved Fish, they also have to organise the whole show. They are doing this with the guidance of the older members of the team but they have met the job full on with energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment. Instead of running competitions like many other festivals, they did email auditions with MP3s and made a selection from thousands of applicants off the island and on the island. The line up is their choice of high quality emerging and current sounds from psychedelia, Indie, jazz to shoegazing and we are pleased to see they chose The Shutes, Pale Seas, JC & Angelina, Raff, Faber, Wos, Kris and Kaf alongside Hugh Verey (founder of Wight Salads now retired).

The Shutes: are a widely anticipated 4 piece Alternative Indie Surf band from the Isle of Wight, whose catchy riffs get mass audiences going in their home turf. Recently touring in Europe, The Shutes have released their new EP “Echo of Love” which will be part of their set on the Shaved Fish Stage at WOWfest 2012. The Shutes feature Rob Potter on bass, Chris Jones on drums, Michael Champion on vocals/guitar and David Champion on guitar.

Pale Seas: from Southampton, is a young band tinged with Americana folk jarred with English self-deprication and an intimate nocturnal sound to melt any heart.

Island born brother and sister, JC & Angelina, are well known on the island circuit and to festivals and clubs far afield. Their recordings are original material.

Experience the unique sounds of the Shaved Fish at WOWfest, which runs from 17th – 19th August. 2012. Tickets are available, still promotionally priced at £99 for adult weekenders, from www.wowfest.co.uk.

WOWfest is proud to partner the following charities: Oxfam, Solar Aid, Building Schools for Africa, Sustrans, Vegfam and the IW NHS Juba project.

Location:
WOWfest Global Party is under St Martin’s Down, off the A3020 Shanklin Road (between Canteen Road and Apse Manor Road) on the Isle of Wight. Nearby are Shanklin (walking distance), Ventnor (reasonable walking distance), Godshill. From the top of the festival fields you have magnificent views across the rural landscape of the Isle of Wight to the white cliffs of Sandown Bay and across to the Spinaker Tower in Portsmouth on the mainland.

Festival timings:
Car Parks open for anyone arriving earlier than expected – 10am Thursday 16th August
Campers gates open – from Thursday 16th August 2012 at Midday.
Non-campers gates open – from Friday 17th August 2012 at 9am.
Departure time – Monday 21st August 2012 by 2pm at the latest.
Markets open from Thursday 16th August 2012.
Late refreshments available.
Bars open 10am – 2am
Live Music until Midnight
Cabaret, Burlesque, Acoustic, Comedy until 2am
WOW Club Nights until 2.30am (2am on Sunday)

Ticket Prices:
Adult Weekender – introductory early birds ONLY £99
Islander Adult Weekender – £120
Adult Weekender – Full Price £140
Student Weekender – 13 to 17 yr olds £95
Student Weekender – 13-17 yr olds introductory early bird £85
Young Weekender – 12 yrs & under (limited numbers) FREE
Adult Camping Pass £20
Student Camping Pass (accompanied 13-17 yr olds) FREE
Young Camping Pass (accompanied 12s & under) FREE
Car Parking Weekend Permit £30
Car Parking Day Permit £15
Day tickets – (limited numbers) £75
Day tickets – 12 yrs & under (limited numbers) FREE

WOWfest Partners
WOWFest@Eyeplug.net, Breeze FM, Jack FM, Carlsberg UK (Tuborg brand), Kawai Pianos, Southern Vectis Buses, Hovertravel, Best Parties Ever, The Music Shop IOW, Sustrans, with others to be announced. Also working in support of the Eco-Island Partnership and:

SolarAid (charity number 1115960)
Building Schools for Africa (charity number 1127661)
IW NHS Juba hospital project (charity number 1123754)
Vegfam (Charity number 232208)
OXFAM GB

01. What are your earliest memories of music?

I can’t remember anything specific, but I have vague memories of hearing music in my Dad’s car when he would take us places – things like Mike Oldfield and The Police that have remained massive influences on me to this day. Steeleye Span and Clannad not so much…

02. Do you come from a musical family at all?

My mum used to be a music teacher so she taught me some chords on the guitar when I was very young. My brothers and sister are all musical as well (drums, trumpet, flute, singing), so it definitely runs in the family.

03. Who are your major influences and inspirations and who do you despise?

Right now, Peter Gabriel is my biggest influence. Both in terms of music but also the variety of projects he has worked on and the quality he has maintained throughout his career. He is an artist I aspire to be like. In terms of biggest influences on my guitar playing style – it all comes from literally hours of playing along to my favourite albums and almost religiously studying the guitarists of those bands. People like John Frusciante, Tom Morello and Mike Einziger – those are my 3 biggest guitar influences.

I think the music you listen to when you’re growing up and the penny drops and you start actually discovering the music you like instead of what everyone else is listening to is massively important, and for me it changed who I was and everything I wanted to be.

So when I first heard Rage Against The Machine, or the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Incubus, it kind of blew my mind you know. The first time I saw the Chili Peppers live, I was 16 and it literally changed my life. I saw John Fruscicante playing and literally thought – that is what I want to do. I still love all those bands very dearly and their music has helped me throughout all aspects of my life.

I despise… Maybe bands or artists who seemingly have not worked hard to get where they are, or manufactured bands producing music that is very obvious. A lot of what is played on the radio – whilst the majority is very good and you can understand why it is being played, sometimes you hear a song and it’s just like – ‘are you serious?!’ Those acts I’m not too fond of.

04. What drives you to make music in the way that you do today?

I am a creative person so to have this outlet is in many ways a joy. I have a way in which I can communicate my view of the world to the rest of the world. (Whether or not they choose to listen is another matter entirely… )

At the same time I do feel like I am pursuing something with the sound and ambition of the projects that has the potential to be unique and groundbreaking. I feel like I am finding new ways to make interesting sounds on the guitar and I think I have something to say that hasn’t been said before. If I didn’t I wouldn’t do it. And you have to have this kind of self belief because it is not easy, and without it I would not be able to pursue it, because it is madness. I just have a general feeling that this is what I am best at in my life and that I should pursue it no matter what. Time will tell whether or not this was a naive assumption.

05. What can someone who has never seen you live before expect from your live shows?

Fire. Danger. Dancing girls. Guitar theatrics and classic comedy. In that order.

06. What is your song crafting process? What types of themes and subjects do you deal with?

I am pretty much always writing, however 95% of this will be stuff that I never use, but what I am doing subconsciously is learning what sounds good where, what works and what doesn’t etc. Then every so often I’ll hit a few notes in an interesting or different way and then I’ll know instantly that that is an idea I need to pursue. So straightaway I’ll record it just into my iphone or whatever so it’s not lost in the ether. Then I will keep playing, crafting and chipping away until a song emerges. The process can be sometimes very quick or sometimes very slow. There is now rhyme or reason to it. It’s never the same but it is that constant search that keeps me going. It’s basically like a big jigsaw; working out what needs to go where, and sometimes when you can connect a new part you’ve just come up with to an idea you’ve had for years it’s the best thing ever. Like it was always meant to be or something. It’s basically like connecting the dots.

07. How did your music evolved since you first began playing?

It’s become more structured I suppose. I mean it always was, but at the start I think you follow a very rigid verse, chorus, verse, chorus, break, chorus, chorus structure and nowawdays my songs are not at all like that. Some are very simple and come are very complicated structure wise. I think in general it has just evolved across the board – notes, chords, time signatures, musicality, ambition – as my understanding of the guitar and music in general has grown.

08. What has been your biggest challenge as an artist? Were you been able to overcome this? If so, how?

The biggest challenge I have as an artist (in my opinion) is that the music I make is instrumental. Therefore it is immediately harder for an audience to find, take on and appreciate because there are no words. However, I also feel that some of the most famous and well known music we all know is instrumental so from that respect it doesn’t bother me. But I do think that these challenges that come from being different and out there and not having words while they are at times overwhelming and daunting, they also give me enough ambition to try and overcome people’s pre conceived notions about instrumental music and what an instrumental album will be and sound like.

09. Do you play any covers? If you could pick any song, which would you like to cover most and why?

I don’t live, but I do in private and am always toying with the idea. I worked out a version of ‘Breakin a Sweat’ by Skrillex recently that I think worked pretty well… If I could pick any song I’d probably choose Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel. I think that’s just a genius genius song. I don’t think I could play it in public though as I don’t think anything could even come close to the original. Although the best cover I think I’ve ever heard is the Ryan Adams cover of Wonderwall – which you’d think would be an untouchable song to try and cover but he did a amazing job. Also Hurt by Johnny Cash. You listen to a song you’ve heard a million times and you know ever lyric and they make it sound brand new. Incredible.

10. Where did you envisage yourself being in five years time?

Hopefully scoring movies, with a couple more albums on my shelf.

11. Who would you most like to record with?

Red Hot Chili Peppers. I am inspired by their music and think they have an incredible work ethic. I’d love to jam with them – Josh Klinghoffer is basically living my dream right now.

12. What should we be expecting from you in the near future? Please feel free to plug your Album?

I’ve just released a new album called Throw The Sun Into The Sea, and it comes with a short film for every song. You can check it all out on this site www.throwthesun.com. If you like instrumental music, music in general or sunshine then you should go check it out. It might just be right up your street. I’ll be out and about playing gigs across London and further afield to promote it. So that is my focus for right now. I’m always working on new songs but I have just spent literally 9 months on Throw The Sun, so now I need a little creative break before I attempt my next project – but I have a few ideas in mind…

Links:
Website: www.robjohnsonmusic.com
Music: www.throwthesun.com
Rob Johnson on Facebook

Currently he’s contributing with his illustrations and articles to The New Untouchables (which promotes 21st Century Modernist & Sixties Inspired Underground Music Culture with an International Mindset) ’NUTsMag‘ and Eyeplug Magazine.

01. What first inspired you to veer towards the world of Art, Design and Illustration?

I think women (aunts, cousins, acquaintances, some girls and women around…) must have been one of the main sources of inspiration, so far. Along with late 60s-mid 70s TV shows like UFO, Space:1999 and Doctor Who (the Tom Baker one), since I was seriously impressed by the design of furnishings and environments.

02. What are some of your early reference points and how have they grown or changed over time?

My reference points have always been quite diverse. When I was a child, it was basically my father’s pictures of models, actresses and landscapes from the 60s and 70s. A few years after, when I was in my early teens, it was comics. I became a very good comic strips reader and collector, focusing my imagination on the 1965-1975 graphic style, you know, the likes of Crepax, Peellaert, Forest, Moebius, Rostagno, Maroto, Pazienza. In my late teens it was fine arts and illustration: Alphonse Mucha, John Waterhouse, William Morris, the Preraphaelites, the whole Art Nouveau phenomenon, Art Déco, Bauhaus, Op-Art…

03. What form does your modern work tend to take?

Well, I love drawing 60s-style pin ups! The female characters I draw are always sexy and sweet at the same time, and never too explicit – I think eroticism is an imaginative issue, not a blatant one. I have my wife and a lot of friends and acquaintances who – sometimes unconsciously – inspired me.

04. What sort of themes, mediums and techniques do you employ?

The main theme has always been the 60s-early 70s, since I was 19. You can’t really stop me being fascinated by that period, can you? My favourite media are pigment ink pens and ProMarker and Pantone markers, which I only use on Letraset  marker paper. I never used a computer for my illustrations, nor I ever used Photoshop for colouring. I’m an old school cat.

05. What has been the re-action and feedback so far to what you try to do?

Honestly, I have a few thousand fans from all over the world, but a good 60% of them are from English-speaking countries (UK, USA, Canada, Australia). The funny and amazing thing is that many of them are from outside the International Mod-60s Scene.

06. Have you managed to exhibit  or publish your work so far, and if so how and where?

I was lucky enough to have quite a few exhibitions around (three in London, one in Spain, 4 in Italy) and I published my first illustration back in 1994, for an Italian literary magazine. There are also a few books of mine around, the latest one, “Midnight To Six” is having a great success, both with public and critics.

07. What other factors come into play whilst in the process of creating a new piece?

It just depends on how I feel in that precise moment. Inspiration and music play a fundamental role, though. Usually I listen to some slow, sweet hammond organ stuff. Things like 60s-70s  library music, 60s easy listening in general…

08. How do you spread the word about what you do and who you are, as an Artist?

Usually I do this through facebook and my own website. But I also like to know new people and meeting friends and  keeping them updated about what I do.

09. Have you collaborated on other Art based projects, if so who with and what was the outcome?

I tried  to join other project with other people, but I think that like mindness should be an important factor to make people work well together.          

10. Who else do you rate from the world of Art, Design and Illustration both past present and future?

I’d say US illustrators Peter Max and Bob Peak and Spanish Luis Roca and Esteban Maroto, Italian designers Joe Colombo and Anna Castelli Ferrieri for the past times, for now and the future there’s a great choice of very good artists, I can only remember a few names, but I like their artwork: Steven Millington, Marty Street and Kristian Hughes from UK, Alex Barbarroja and Marcos Torres from Spain, Sam Paglia from Italy and a few others from both sides of the sea.

11. Does your work ever get you into trouble at all?

Well, it happened sometimes. For example, I had a MySpace profile blocked four years ago, because of the naked women I showed in my illustrations. They didn’t like my illustrations, so I didn’t like being on MySpace. As a result of them blocking my art, I’m not using MySpace since then.

12. What are your future plans?

It just depends on what the future will bring me. You know, if I have the chance of doing something interesting, I’ll just do it.

Links:

Website: www.maxgalli.net
Website (commissions): www.maxgalli.webs.com
Max Galli on Facebook

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WOWfest is thrilled to announce the UK exclusive appearance of Madeleine Peyroux, on her much awaited return European tour, in August. Headlining the Blue Angel stage on Sunday night this American bohemian, once discovered busking on the streets of Paris, has a voice likened to the late great Billy Holiday. With self penned soul searching lyrics delivered in husky tones of a jazz/folk style, the lady who left us with “Careless Love” five years ago, returns with two more albums under her belt and stronger than ever.

WOWfest has the greatest reggae line up of this season and how appropriate that there is also a stage, at this brightest new festival, to revive the mood of the British modern Jazz era of 1950s London clubs, around Carnaby Street, growing at the same time as sounds from the Caribbean were integrating into UK musical culture around the same haunts as jazzfather Johnny Dankworth.

The WOWfest Blue Angel Stage revives the spirit of the great island jazz festivals, but with an extra pinch of WOW. During the day escape into the eclectic world that is jazz – from ’40s swing to bebop and modern fusions, plus the most unexpected – to night time burlesque and comedic cabaret with all the ingredients of turn of the century France or pre-war Berlin. In Das Kabaret see one of the most respected and admired performers in the world of burlesque, LouLou D’vil, along with the King of Comedy Magic, Christian Lee and legendary street performer, Chris Lynam, among others to whip up a froth of expectation and much laughter.

The Blue Angel stage boasts enigmatic renditions from the UK’s hottest vocal harmony group, The Overtones, with songs from their platinum selling album ‘Good Ol’ Fashioned Love’. Influenced by classics artists like Amy Winehouse, Duffy and the Drifters, their unique doo-wop vocal harmonies will be sure to keep audiences spellbound.

Gregg Kofi Brown makes a first time appearance on the festival isle. Gregg has been a member of the world class African pioneers OSIBISA for over 22 years and has travelled all over the world promoting the music of Ghana. His music is an addictive fusion of funky afro-rhythms, jazz and conscience-laden lyrics.

And anticipated to be making a return to the Isle of Wight is DJ Perry Louis & his JazzCotech Dancers or “Red Box Perry” and “those brilliant dancers” as they became affectionately known at IW Jazz Festivals. They’ll be occupying the Blue Angel during the weekend with their own style of Old Skool Jazz, Street Dance and DJ Perry’s enviable collection of over 10,000 vinyls covering all those great genres that have their musical roots in Africa.

Performing on the Blue Angel stage is London born singer, writer and multi-instrumentalist Joe Cang who has toured, recorded and written with Ian Drury, Scritti Politti, K.T. Tunstall, Desmond Dekker, Hall and Oates,Marianne Faithfull, Hugh Masakela, Leona Lewis and Aswad – with whom he wrote the million seller hit “Shine”. Joe’s band includes some of the cream of London’s musicians and they are currently playing throughout Europe their unique blend of new classic jazz with a strong hint of blues.

From Ronnie Scotts to Milan and finally to the Isle of Wight’s WOWfest, ex Communard Sarah Jane Morris is one artist that really lets you “Leave your preconceptions at home,” as one London critic said of the sensual singer-songwriter. Sarah straddles rock, blues, jazz and soul with a goosebump-raising four octave range that rumbles from the heels of her size eight shoes to the tips of her flame-red mane. Famed for her association with the Communards in the mid-80s, Sarah has always attracted as much attention for her politics as for her soul-driven, seismic voice.

Other artists gracing the Blue Angel are distinctive Dominican jazz guitarist Cameron Pierre, the Shez Raja Collective, the London Gospel Community Choir, award winning Dennis Rollins – the most exciting British trombonist of our times – and Dixie chicks Larkin Poe, the precociously talented young women who recently took America by storm.

Tickets are available, still promotionally priced at £99 for adult weekenders, from www.wowfest.co.uk. Follow us on Twitter: #WOWfestIOW and Facebook: WOWfest. To receive WOWfest Newsletters, send your email address to enquiries@wowfest.co.uk.

Talisman were one of the UK’s top Roots Reggae bands in the later 70′s and early 80′s.The band’s prowess earned them support slots with acts as diverse as Burning Spear, The Clash and The Rolling Stones. They have reformed with the original line up after 30 years apart to support the re-release of their classic roots single ‘Dole Age’ on a brand new album ‘Dole Age – The 1981 Reggae Collection’. One of Bristol’s finest live acts are back and ready to party once again.

Originally formed in 1977 Talisman were consummate performers constantly vying for the title of one of the country’s most popular live reggae bands. They toured the UK building up a loyal following and leaving memories of gigs that are still discussed to this day.

Until now the only way to hear Talisman has been to track down their two difficult to find singles from 1981, or their two later LPs, “Takin’ The Strain” from 1984 and “Jam Rock” From 1990. Now after nearly thirty years Bristol Archive Records have lovingly compiled this CD of the band at their peak in 1981. Not only does the CD contain the band’s two original 7” singles, but also eight carefully selected live cuts from classic shows at Glastonbury Festival and other infamous shows.

Hot on the heels of the critically acclaimed ‘The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978- 1983’ Bristol Archive Records release ‘Dole Age – The 1981 Reggae Collection’ celebrated at their first Bristol show for 20 years at The Fleece in Bristol on 27th May 2011.

March 2012 sees the band re-release their first album “Takin’ the Strain”, originally release in 1984, as a CD (Deluxe Edition) and Digital Download. The nine tracks showcase variety and even include a soul tune, the Deluxe Edition also includes five live bonus tracks.

Talisman Interview, with Dennison from the Band:

1. What are your earliest memories of getting bitten by the music bug?

At the age of 15 I saw a guy at school playing  Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ on a acoustic guitar. I thought to myself ….I can do that.

2.Was your family background musical in any way?

In church I could hear the tones of my mother’s voice when she sang.

3. What were you original influences and how have they changed over time?

• Listening to the radio at an early age in the Caribbean, mainly Country and Western from the US. I was hooked by the harmonies.
•   In short, I have found my singing voice.

4. Have you ever been to the Isle Of Wight?

No.

5. Tell us about your live sound?

Roots and Culture for the mind, laced with humour.

6. How has your sound changed over the years?

We know what we’re doin’ now.

7. What have been the highpoint’s of your career?

Receiving messages from people saying how Talisman helped to shape their lives.

8. And the low-points?

The band breaking up too early.

9. What about the present day set up?

A more mature and seasoned approach to our musical direction.

10. Thoughts on today’s music scene?

There are good some messengers out there.

11. What’s in the pipeline for the future?

New music.

12. What can we expect for your WOWFest 2012 Show?

Good music…Good vibes.

Websites

Talisman
Facebook
Myspace

Their debut album “Black Roots” released in 1983 was a highly acclaimed debut for Black Roots and saw them make their mark immediately on the national music scene. Their second album “The Frontline” included the title track “The Frontline” which had been composed at the request of BBC TV for a new television comedy series of the same name. Black Roots’ fourth album “All Day All Night” was produced by Mad Professor. The album “Live Power” was recorded at a gig at the Moles Club in Bath on 22 September 1988, which came about after fans asked for a live album, seeking to capture the power and strength of Black Roots’ tight, vibrant and entertaining stage performance.

In 1991 Black Roots and Neil Fraser released “Dub Factor: The Mad Professor Mixes” along with Black Steel and the horn section from the All Day All Night album. The tenth and final album “Dub Factor 3: Dub Judah & Mad Professor Mixes” released in 1995 finally brought the curtain down on Bristol’s finest exponents of reggae and without doubt, one of Britain’s best loved performing bands of the Eighties.

“If anyone tells you that there is no such thing as good British reggae, first tell them that they are a herbert and then listen to Black Roots.” – John Peel

Black Roots Interview, with Jabulani from the Band:

1. What are your earliest memories of getting bitten by the music bug?

My earliest memory was listening to a radio competition on RGA in Jamaica in the 60’s with artists such as the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals and so on.

2.Was your family background musical in any way?

No, only singing in church.

3. What were you original influences and how have they changed over time?

My original influences were by the Wailers and Burning Spear and over the years it’s more or less the same because I’m a roots man at heart.

4. Have you ever been to the Isle Of Wight?

I’ve never been but I would like to because I’ve heard that they will have a great festival this summer

5. Tell us about your live sound?

Our sound is a mixture of roots, melodic, spiritual and uplifting.

6. How has your sound changed over the years?

From militants to middle age spiritual fulfillment.

7. What have been the highpoint’s of your career?

Touring Europe with UB40 in the late 80′s.

8. And the low-points?

When we had a break.

9. What about the present day set up?

The 6 original members and 5 new additions that complete the jigsaw.

10. Thoughts on today’s music scene?

Very computerised without the sense of human feel.

11. What’s in the pipeline for the future?

We have a new album coming out in September and a tour coming to promote the album in the new year.

12. What can we expect for your WOWfest 2012 Show?

You will see Black Roots in a new rock reggae style with reggae at its heights, the way reggae should be played.

Websites

Black Roots
Facebook
Myspace

Take a beautiful and fantastic singer, add a world class horn section and some pumping backing tracks. Throw in some electro swing, some R & B, a bit of camp disco, a dollop of drum and bass a smidge of dubstep, add some brilliant hooky pop songs and there you have Kitten and The Hip.

One year ago, Ashley Slater met Kitten Quinn. Ashley was an ex pop star (Freak Power) and Kitten was a beautiful and intelligent singer songwriter. They wrote songs together, they hung out, and they mischiefed. But mostly, they wrote great songs together.

In February, they were having a chat, and Kitten advised Ashley not to worry about something. ‘Don’t You Worry’ was born the next day. A demo was sent to Carl Hanaghan, head of A & R at HedKandi records in London. Less than half an hour later, the phone rang at Kitten HQ, the deal was made, the record was signed and the ball of yarn started rolling.

The single was release in September and has already created a significant noise on the Electro Swing scene. Another of Kitten’s tracks ‘By My Side’ has been signed to ‘Bart and Baker present Electro Swing 4’, which was released November 7th 2011 on Wagram Paris.

Live, they are a quintet, with Kitten singing and Ashley and three brass monkeys playing horns. Kitten is a natural onstage, at once mesmerising and seductive.

It’s a party with class, so don’t forget your ass!

Websites

www.kittenandthehip.com
www.soundcloud.com/kittenandthehip
www.facebook.com/pages/Kitten-and-The-Hip/117407775008512

Best known as singer, toaster and composer with The Specials, and as one of the founding members of Fun Boy 3, Neville Staple is credited with changing the face of pop music not only once but twice.

Catch his show these days, and you’ll get a mix of old favourites from The Specials/Fun Boy three back catalogue plus choice solo releases.

Neville’s first involvement with The Specials was when they were still called The Coventry Automatics. He initially joined as their roadie but at a gig supporting The Clash, Neville took to the stage and never looked back. For a while, The Clash’s manager Bernard Rhodes managed The Specials. Neville used to toast of Bernie, “Bernie Rhodes knows. Don’t argue” at the beginning of the Specials hit single “Gangsters”.

When The Specials split up, Neville departed with Terry Hall and Lynval Golding, to form Fun Boy Three. They had a string of chart hits, some in collaboration with the all- female trio Bananarama.

It was officially confirmed on the 7 April 2008 that the Specials were to reform, and on the 6 September 2008, six members of the band performed on the Main Stage at the Bestival billed as the ‘Surprise Act’. By December 2008, the band had announced 2009 tour dates to celebrate their 30th anniversary. Throughout 2010 the band played many festival dates and toured the USA in the early autumn. After which Neville returned to the UK with a string of dates with his own incredibly tight band. 2011 saw Neville play various festivals including Glastonbury and Beatherder, also supporting Madness.

Neville’s autobiography, THE ORIGINAL RUDE BOY, was published by Aurum Press in the UK in May 2009.

Websites

www.nevillestaple.co.uk
www.myspace.com/nevillestaplefromthespecials
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