MY FAVOURITE BAND 27 May 2009

This is a picture of what I believe to be the best band in Britain.
They are called Chrome Hoof.

Chrome Hoof are an experimental Orchestra from London who formed roughly around the year 2000 by Milo and Leo Smee (of veteran metallers Cathedral).

They are beloved of bands like the Kalxons, Test Isicles and Andrew Weatherall, performed at Jarvis Cocker’s meltdown and have been on a BBC Introducing,’ for Giles Peterson

I would describe there style as a hybrid of Death Metal, Disco Thrash and Full on Pagan Prog-Outs. It’s as 21st C as they look.

There’s nothing quite like them in the UK. Their furious energy and totally original sound set them apart from the rest of the indie pansies and back patting ‘Wire,’ reading gentry.

People often mock there outfits, or try to seek some sort of superficiality, but I think there ritualistic attire serves to heighten the drama and message of Chrome Hoof.

On June 5th they will be collaborate on a performance with artist, Marcus Coates, in The Coronet in Elephant and Castle. The performance promises ‘

A highly anticipated collision of artist/shapeshifter Marcus Coates and the thunder, rock and disco of the mighty Chrome Hoof is a fanciful and fantastic proposition.

Add to this cauldron the raw sexual energy of Wildbirds and Peacedrums supported by a 20 piece drum circle and an explosive evening of infinite possibilities and happenings are on the cards.

I’m looking forward to it!

Until then,
Bishi
x

It’s the gift of Sound and Vision. It’s Performance and It’s Art you MOR F***ers.

TRAFALGAR SQ 11 May 2009

I had the pleasure and privilege of performing in Trafalgar square for the celebrations of St. George’s day. I shared the bill with the likes of Eliza Carthy and Seth Lakemen.

It was the first outing I had with my fabulous dancers DRA, all from Middlesex Uni.

This beautiful outfit was made by Cult Couturier, Ziad Ghanem.

I always wanted a dress with distressed and asymmetric Indian flags in a Hans Hoffman/Pop Art Style Fashion.

After a woman in India had a fit about offensive my idea was, I knew it was my only option to create one.

On seeing Ziad Ghanem’s ‘Made in Britain’ Collection, I knew this would be a perfect moment to collaborate, meshing the two flags and reflect my own cultural status as an honorary Indian Brit.

This is the look of Post Colonial Pop.

All in all…It was a great day!

Thanks to Paula Harrowing for these beautiful live shots!

SAM SELVON- Father of Black British Lit 17 April 2009

Sam Selvon,

Sam Selvon , [1923-1994] has been dubbed the father of Black Literature in England.

Born in Trinidad of half Scottish descent, he first came to London in the late 1950s.

He was the writer of many novels including:‘Moses Ascending’, ‘Eldorado West One’ and ‘A Brighter Sun’.

However, he shot to fame with his rap novel, The Lonely Londoners,’ in 1956.

It was based loosely on the autobiographical experiences of his own and his acquaintances of Afro-Carribean and West Indian origin, immigrating to London in the 50s. They were formally known as ‘The Windrush Generation.’

The squalid bedsits, cramming as many as possible up the harrow road; the look of terror from the white mass at the sight of a black face, and the warmth of a makeshift dancehall jiving to the sounds of Lord Kitcherner, all cohabit this isolated and smog filled world.

The novel also reveals the fear of the English as a ‘white nation,’ from a dying Empire.
Selvon is pictured on the left in the line up below:

Imagine the a novel, which would be the Literature equivalent to Honest Jon’s rather fabulous set of compilations ‘London is the Place for Me.’

There’s a tenderness, naivety and sense of hope with a feeling of being an outsider and a harsh reality from a Society petrified by a wave of change.

I’ve been inspired by this novel. I seem to find my own lineage and a feeling of detachment, 50 years later as the daughter of Indian immigrants in the capital.

Although my parents were from a separate continent, with different traditions and languages; a recognition of solitude and cultural separation echo both in their stories and Selvon’s narrative.

The album, Albion Voice is an attempt to capture this immigrant voice in the C21st which has served as integral part of English culture from Chaucer to contemporary writers like Zadie Smith.

Apart from all my A-Level style musings, It’s a bloody good read!

Bishi
xxxx