Our weekly festival, every Tuesday at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden through the summertime with one-man electronic improviser Roscius, alternative folk string-duo Fran & Flora and compelling guitar-vocal duo Kitchman/Schmidt.
ROSCIUS
Niche live performer, DIY producer and composer roscius has spent the last couple of years building a unique reputation around the underground music world. He released his debut vinyl wmd#1 in a London Art gallery in 2015 whilst an artist painted the sleeves in real time during the show. Since then, eps and singles have been premiered on Clash Music, Xlr8r, he has performed in renowned museums from St Petersburg (RU) to Bern (SWZ) via Paris (FR), in festivals such as Glastonbury (UK), Amsterdam Dance Event (NL), Clockenflap (HK), FOST summit (NYC), Afro Banana Republic (Cyprus), collaborated with Hermès Foundation, Nissan, Bose Soundsystem, Eristoff, Trax Magazine, remixed artists such as The 2 Bears (Southern Fried Records), Pouvoir Magique, Loya (Mawimbi), Calypso Rose (Because Music), and played on Rinse Fm, NTS, Le Mellotron, Netil, Cercle and Radio Nova.
Combining lyric-less vocals, percussion and piano live sampling, roscius “creates a unique and absorbing soundscape, genuinely innovative and emotional”. Touring around the globe enabled him to collect dozens of handmade music instruments, as well as countless sounds and samples that he records himself and edits in his humble home studio of south east london. From political speeches and demonstrations in Beirut to a Japanese lullaby sang by a sushi girl in Tokyo, the sounds of a night train between Moscow and Samara, or subwoofers of youngsters listening to trap in Bow - it’s all about taking a musical photography of a peculiar place, in a particular moment. Sort of an audio diary.
Just like one would play with electronic machines, roscius triggers his West African bongos, South American shakers, Asian gongs, Armenian tambourins and a small keyboard bought in a second hand market of Berlin, in order to create his very own organic musical and cinematic journey, sailing from acoustic deep house to groovy minimal, from techno to afrobeat, from jazz inspired chords to hip-hop rhythmical bridges. Imagine Nina Simone meets KinK... No actually, try to figure out what a boat trip with Four Tet, Björk Orlando Julius and Matthew Herbert would sound like...
FRAN & FLORA
Described as ‘London’s best kept secret’ and ‘fiercely passionate’, (Max Reinhardt, BBC Radio 3 Late Junction), string duo Fran & Flora is one of the most innovative emerging ensembles in the UK. Their outstanding musicianship combined with compelling arrangements have led to their selection as BBC Music Introducing Artists 2018 and rave reviews. Violinist Flora Curzon and folk/experimental cellist Francesca Ter-Berg captivate their audiences with exquisite, soulful tunes from across Eastern Europe which they have learnt from many great masters of the Klezmer and Roma traditions. Delicately navigating the question of authenticity the duo have spent years developing a sound which is simultaneously reverent to the traditions they have been studying and deeply personal. Fran & Flora embarked on this musical journey together following many years collaborating with groundbreaking artists including Talvin Singh (Mercury Prize Winner), Sam Lee & Friends (BBC Folk Award winner), Hejira, Dunajska Kapelye, the London Klezmer Quartet, Cosmo Sheldrake and Frank London(Klezmatics, US).
KITCHMAN/SCHMIDT
Two compelling improvisers emerging from London’s jazz scene, James Kitchman (UK) & Sylvia Schmidt (DE) are an accomplished guitar-vocal duo. Originally drawn together by the richness and variety of the jazz tradition, they have recently explored more diverse sources of inspiration, including Anglo-American folk ballads of the Appalachian mountains. Their sound embraces the dynamic tension between forces of preservation and transformation, creating a space in which the haunting beauty of nostalgia and irresistibility of change intersect. The debut album As Long As Songbirds Sing is due for release in Summer 2019.
ABOUT THIS EVENT
Since our first season in 2013, our event at Dalston Eastern Curve Garden has always inspired audiences in a unique and thrilling way. This season of events captures the essence of a weekend rural festival in the centre of Dalston on a Tuesday evening.
The phenomenal surrounds of the garden combine with delicious pizzas from David Latto, and a supreme and ever-evolving roster of acts, to create a magical atmosphere which brings people together in a friendly and welcoming space.
It's a community of music-lovers joining to celebrate the warm months in a carefree and supportive atmosphere, with a compelling live soundtrack.
TICKETS
£8 Advance
£11 Door
PLEASE NOTE that this is an outdoor concert which will go ahead regardless of the weather. Please bring appropriate clothing, including waterproofs if rain is forecast.