Its been a little while since I've been able to update the journal, but I am pleased to announce the latest collaborative work between my wife and I and a new addition to the Sanguinearts clan in the shape of baby Isaac: 8lbs 15oz, born 02:43 15 December 2007, currently sleeping on my lap.
Duncan Ward did a breath-taking performance as New Low at The Gluerooms in New Cross on 28 November in support of the 4th Harmonic Records compilation on which he features: Our Pheromones Are All Loose (he also produced the artwork). I'm just uploading a video of it from my phone to YouTube, and there will be more detail on our main website: www.sanguinearts.org.uk shortly.
My Bloody Valentine are reported to have reformed and are planning new material, according to recent interviews with Kevin Shields. After the success of Grinderman, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds will release their next album Dig, Lazarus, Dig!! on 3 March 2008.
M.I.A plays Elephant & Castle's The Coronet this Thursday 20 December.
At the Serpentine there is an interesting looking exhibition of the light works of Anthony McCall, until 3 February 2008.
Pascale Marthine Tayou's exhibition 'Plastik Diagnostik' of his amazing sculptures is at the Milton Keynes Gallery until 13 January 2008.
Richard Learoyd's beautiful 'Portraits, Nudes and Objects' is at Union Ewer Street until 2 March 2008.
Coming up in January:
Pet Shop Boys play a live score to Eisenstein's celebrated 1925 silent film Battleship Potempkin at the Barbican Friday 11 Jan.
Guitar and laptop experimentalist Elliott Sharp will perform with the man who really has turned Turntablism into a Fine Art - Christian Marclay, at the Lumiere 31 Jan 7.30pm. There is also a free CD from UK composers and artists Open Source and films by no.w.here collective. £6 from ticketweb, £8 on the door.
Some forward dates:
Bloc Weekend at Pontins in Norfolk 14-16 March 2008, featuring Boxcutter, Monolake, Kode9 and Spaceape, and Skull Disco.
70s English Folk supergroup Pentangle are reforming for an anniversary gig at the Royal Festival Hall on 29 June 2008.
ATP vs Pitchfork at Camber Sands 9-11 May 2008, featuring Meat Puppets, Sebadoh, Wooden Shjips, and Hot Chip; ATP at Minehead 16-18 May 2008 curated by Explosions in the Sky (Texan post-rock) featuring Dinsaur Jr, And You Will Know Us by the Trail of the Dead.
And I am officially no longer a Wire subscriber, although I reserve the right to buy it when I like... amongst other things. Take from that what you will. Reading books is good. One final word from South London's dubstep new voice Burial:
'I used to get taken away to the middle of nowhere, by the sea. I loved it out there, because when its dark, there's none of this ambient light London thing. We used to have to walk back and hold hands and use a lighter. See the light, see where you were and then you'd walk on, and the image of where you'd just been would still be on your retina.'
saneman
Once again Ben, congratulations to yourself and to Rachael, and I hope your first Xmas with Isaac was enjoyed by all.
I had hoped to be writing about my visit to Milan here but rather typically I messed things up and so didn't manage to go in the end.
I've just taken a look at Duncan's performance. Would've been great to come up and see that, but maybe next time eh? What with Keith doing his music now, I feel like I ought to be doing something as well.
You mention this years ATP festivals. I was talking about this the other day - I think my brother plans to go to the Pitchfork one at Camber Sands. I'd love to go again, but there isn't really anything in the line up that interests me to be honest. I used to rather like Glass Candy, but from what I can make out they've gone a bit disco now. This would normally be a good thing, but it's not really what they do best, in my opinion.
Oh, and from your mention of 'Debstep' I'm reminded of a record I saw recently by Venetian Snares. I can't remember the title, but it was described as 'doomstep' which caught my attention I have to say. Ring any bells with you?
Hope you're well mate. Take care.