“trying to find, some peace of mind
one glass of wine with some old friends of mine.”
Thursday and Friday nights had been a literal rollercoaster… went down to Brighton to see The Hat’s new show ‘The Raven’ on Thursday. The whole 24 hours after arriving in Brighton were mindblowing. Everything was fireworks and synchronicity, The Hat’s show was incredible, amazing, and incredibly amazingly inspiring. (Trust me, repition works)
As if some Cinderella fairytale, my carriage turned back into a pumpkin some time on Friday. Ended up sleeping rough and feeling shot. I woke up Saturday singing melancholy songs in a tired voice wile wandering down the North Laines of Brighton. Met up with Dannii to head back to London and we missed the first train. The plan was to have an action packed posse day, and then have a mad freestyle jam on Brick Lane that nite into morning. I thought perhaps bed would be a wiser choice.
Went out to Surbiton to check the ever angelic musings of Jono McCleary for his album launch. The music was perfect for my mood; cellos, violins, picked guitar, and velvet vocals. I was meeting up with some OneTaste posse (Abi, Hendicott, Fluff, Dannii), Anthony (organizer of Let Music Speak- the crazy fest we are playing Saturday) and new found friend Peter Verney. Peter and I had been chatting over the internet for a time about our mutual fascination of the relationship between social action, culture, and music. Peter is involved in a festival in North Africa, that enshallah, we hope to see some of the OneTaste Posse at next March. (Wealthy donors, feel free to drop a line at <dannii@onetaste.co.uk>)
By the time we were supposed to be getting ready to go out to Brick Lane to do a crazy OneTaste Improv -all- night-let’s-everybody-go-nuts-kinda-thing, I was dead on my feet. I grabbed a seat with Peter, Fluff, Anthony, Abi, and Hendicott– and the conversation took off, as is to be expected with such a collection of random nutters. The topics changed with the breeze, but the re-occuring theme (for me) was music and community. Peter was discussing how other English or American artists he’d brought over hadn’t quite grasped the spirit of improvisation the way he had hoped. This was why he was so hoping to see OneTaste in Africa.
I related, and as the conversation got livelier and livelier, so did I. After all this talk, I couldn’t wait to hit Brick Lane and get down. And get down we did.
The jam was amazing– hard to put it into words– but the drum crew was in full effect (Hendicott, Dunc, Lil Dave). Some lovely female energy with great vocals from Stac, Tanya, and Abi. Jay on keys, Timpson on guitar, and at one point… do I have this right?… was i screaming Hendrix’s Foxy Lady, cracking voiced, at the top of my lungs and range? After the posse had flexed, we opened it up a bit. Highlight- some girl named Sarah?- what a voice. Random nutters, in and out all nite.
We rocked Brick Lane, so Big Up all the OneTasters who came down- and Massive Thanks to all the random folks who just rocked up and rocked out.
The conversation Peter and I had earlier in the evening kept ringing in my ears. Improvisation is a mad magic. How sweet it is to start a show with no pre-conceived notions or ideas, and play from 10 pm- 3 am?!
Hush now, for somethings are better left unsaid.
OneTaste Posse- rocked it Brick Lane Saturday- ya heard!?
So when we’re back again, just tell a friend.
Big love to all who came down and went nuts.
Big Up- Joe Driscoll- aka Colonel Buendia-
Thanx you so much for Saturday! I came from south london to meet some friends in 1001 bar, and for some reason me friend and I couldn’t get in… for the best because we had a fantastic time seeing guys!! when is the next jam?? I want to Know!!!
Fantastic energy, fantastic musician and great idea!
Heeeey!
Never jammed like that before. It was beautiful
Hope everyone’s alright!
Much love
Sarah
xxx
Trust OT to mix it all up delightfully - two quite different and completely complementary musical events in one memorable day. Jono’s launch set was a sublime and contemplative way to start the reassembling of the energies, and then…
after a bit more wine than I’m used to, in company I instinctively feel at home with, it all gathers momentum. Joe’s caught it so neatly in his description, all I really want to add is a memory of him conjuring up “Bare Necessities” from the Jungle Book and working it into the proceedings. Meanwhile I’m happy to shimmy on the sidelines, with the odd minor technical task here and there, joining in on cigarette lighter and beer bottle percussion.
Just to clarify what I meant about Kartong festival: I’ve seen white folk performing a well-rehearsed piece of Sabar drummming there, which served well as a tribute and certainly delighted the villagers. (Credit to Pete Borshik who brought them over and helps organise the festival.) But..But… But I’m itching to let Kartong see something of our own making, full-blooded and uninhibited - and the drive and spontaneity of what OT folk can do is my idea of a contribution to the proceedings. Not only that, but I’ve a hunch Joe and whoever else can make it will get a special African buzz from it, too. Hence the invitation.
Love and cuddles
PV