She burps between songs, treat website often forgets the words, more about and sings about wet dreams and peanut butter (Skippy, the crunchy one) – sort of a young Kimya Dawson suffused with Parisian prowess. Soko headlined at the Borderline this Friday for an evening of folk/anti-folk? put on by Platforms Magazine. The Melodica, Melody and Me were there to support – I know the words to all their songs by now but more on them later, their Christmas party on the 22nd of December is a date to keep – as were Jay Jay Pistolet and Planet Earth. She commanded most of them to the stage at various points throughout the set to join in, saying flamboyantly, “um, they’ve never played this before but they’ll pick it up” (repeat out loud in a French accent), and though rough round the edges, it seemed to work, and that’s all part of the charm anyway, no?
You wouldn’t want her to drive your car (not that I have one), but there is something irresistible about her chaotic demure: the more child-like her deliverance, the more charming and hilarious her quirky and brazen lyrics (I’m thinking of “My Wet Dreams” here). She commanded silence and rapturous applause, and her name is surely carved into the hearts of the somewhat young crowd that gathered to the 15 + event.
I found myself humming “I will never love you more” on the bike-ride home, the place where all good songs are mulled over. She’s playing tomorrow night (if you read this now). Expect to leave a small piece of your heart behind.
As the congregation of indie-nerd-folk-checked-shirt-bearded types flocked into the church pews hidden from the bustle of London’s West End, dosage echoes and chattering excitement rang through the nave. Behind a gilded wooden screen, I could see Andrew Bird, wrapped up in wax jacket and scarf, stretching and performing breathing exercises that bring back painful memories of my grade six singing teacher’s living room…
Self entitled ‘multi-instrumentalist’, Chicago based singer-songwriter and classically trained violinist, Bird is the ultimate in US hippy offspring. Musically trained in the Suzuki method from the age of four, Bird makes you want to pack your unborn children with rice cakes and shovel them off to the nearest music school.
He treats us to a spiritual injection of vocal, violin and guitar looped and tangled together, wrapping you up in a smooth melodic blanket. The unforgiving church acoustics are not for the faint at heart. But Bird effortlessly maintains musical perfection throughout the performance. What he lacks as a guitarist he more than makes up for as violinist, vocalist, lyricist and all round musical prodigy.
New album heavy, with only two “oldies”- ‘Armchair Apocrypha’s’ ‘Plasticities’ and the glorious ‘Scythian Empires’, there’s much to be excited about in forthcoming album ‘Noble Beast’, particularly the soulful and reflective ‘Effigy’ and the harmonious ‘Natural Disaster’. A more contemplative Andrew Bird, with the notable absence of infamous ‘Dr Strings’, he had the audience in rapture. Indeed, the deliciously raw cover of ‘Some of These Days’ rang from the altar as though he was making his way back to some celestial home.
If you fancy a lump in your throat, ethereal wonder, and sheer disappointment that you will never EVER be this talented…sit back…and enjoy the Andrew Bird experience.
vinspired.com
Calling All Ethical Fashion Designers!
“For all budding designers out there, the chance has come for your finest handiwork to be unveiled to the public with the world’s first ‘virtual wardrobe’ for re-worked recycled clothes at vinspired.com/fashion.
Selected items uploaded to the Virtual Wardrobe will go down the catwalk in a London fashion event. The show will take place on World Aids Day in front of a judging panel headed by Ben de Lisi and hosted by Miquita Oliver…”
The Fashion Favours project aims to highlight the issues surrounding throwaway fashion and change the image of volunteering while raising money for charity.
For more information visit www.fashionfavours.com
dress pictured above: ‘Beautiful Heritage Dress’ /London Fashion Favours Workshop
Christmas Arts, Craft & Design Fair in Stokey
Abney Public Hall, 73a Stoke Newington Church Street, N16 OAS
www.abneypublichall.co.uk
Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th November
Handmade and Organic Christmas Treats!
for more info e-mail: info@oggleverything.com
website: www.oggleverything.com
Entry is free!
Festive Green Fayre
National Waterfront Museum, Maritime Quarter, Swansea, SA1 3RD
Sunday 30 Nov 2008
Time: 10am – 4pm, Entry is free!
There will be 50 stalls offering recycled, fairtrade, organic, and renewable energy products, local handmade gifts, green books and much much more! Another opportunity to purchase some unique Christmas gifts!
Also at the event will be information and campaign stalls where you can find out about recycling in your area and volunteer with local conservation groups!
This year the Fayre will also host the launch of the latest Undercurrents production, “On The Push – A Surfers Guide To Climate Change” (for more info visit www.undercurrents.org). On the Push is an inspiring story about how Anne Gallagher, an ordinary surfer girl from Wales, learns about the serious threat of climate change and how a surfer can help protect the marine environment. Film showings will be held throughout the day.
Contacts: Hannah Adkins, The Environment Centre, Swansea. 01792 480200
e-mail: info@environmentcentre.org.uk
www.environmentcentre.org.uk
Christmas Without Cruelty Fair
Sunday 30th November 2008, 10am -5pm
Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX
The Christmas Without Cruelty Fair will be a fun day out for all the family, with more than 85 stands selling animal-friendly and ethically produced Christmas gifts, plus a Children’s workshop and Press-Ups Competition. All profits to charities, campaign groups and ethical trader who are tying to make a positive-difference in the world. Goods on sale include vegan chocolates, cruelty-free toiletries and cosmetics, non-leather shoes and boots, cards and gifts.
An auction with all the goodies pictured above is also taking place at the Fair. These include a pair of Stella McCartney Sunglasses in a signed case and a dress and signed book by Marie Helvin.
for more info e-mail: mary@animalaid.co.uk
www.animalaid.org.uk
Categories ,Animal Aid, ,Competition, ,Craft, ,Earth, ,Event, ,Fair, ,Fashion, ,Listings
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