Jakob - cello
Jessica - hurdy-gurdy, vocals, mandolin, melodeon
We are based in South London.
Influences
Folk music from the UK, France, Iceland, Eastern Europe and places we dreamed about once; Whirling Pope Joan (and anything else involving Nigel Eaton), Björk, Norbert Pignol, Radiohead, The Cocteau Twins, The Silly Sisters, Blue Nile, seal noises, drone-based music from anywhere, rooms with nice acoustics, myths, legends and fairytales.
Sounds Like
Comments after Offline gig:
’Spine tingling’
’Absolutely beautiful’
’Amazing’
’A voice like an angel. Moving and brilliant - and this is from a long-term folkophobe. Beautiful.’
’Salt and Blue made me go all funny and a bit tearful in parts. That sound is bizarre but beautiful.’
’WOW what a truly amazing voice.’
’Absolutely blown away by Salt & Blue. I’d never heard a hurdy gurdy before, like some magical musical knitting machine or something, really moving, and combined with the cello, just so brilliant, so evocative of nature and earthy goodness and felt kind of timeless.’
’Brought a tear to my eye. What a wonderful voice!!!!’
"WHEN the sea is everywhere
from horizon to horizon ..
when the salt and blue
fill a circle of horizons ..
I swear again how I know
the sea is older than anything else
and the sea younger than anything else."
from "North Atlantic", Carl Sandburg, 1922
South London duo Salt & Blue are multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Jessica, described by Nigel Eaton as “one of the best hurdy-gurdy players in Britain, with a superb driving style”, and the uniquely haunting cellist Jakob. Together they have been described as spine-tingling and hypnotic.
Salt & Blue’s inspiration derives from many sources: Jessica’s love of traditional music from England, France and Eastern Europe; Jakob’s Icelandic heritage, and the passion that both of them have for all forms of contemporary music. Taking its cue from the hurdy-gurdy, their music is primarily drone-based, and explores both traditional and original material, with unconventional use of instruments and voice.
Currently they are nearing completion of their first album.
If you would like to be added to the mailing list for gig news etc, please send a message.
....FRIZZ RECORDS is proud to announce our fourth LP release...
LEILA ADU has been described as 'A Nina Simone for the Noughties', and her two acclaimed albums infuse a broadly 'art-rock' approach with elements of torch song, speakeasy blues, avant garde jazz, gamelan, post-rock textures, and a David Lynch style dreamlike b-movie melodrama. As her website has it, exploring the "dissonant edges of familiar forms", but with that kind of 'dissonance' that they once accused Thelonious Monk or Debussy of, the kind that soon betrays it's own compelling melodic and harmonic logic to the attentive listener...
'Dark Joan', Leila's third album as a solo artist, was recorded in Chicago with the legendary Steve Albini (PJ Harvey, Joanna Newsome, Nirvana, Pixies), and Albini's genius has been to strip her sound back to it's essence, and hold it's most distinctive qualities up to the light. It doesn't hurt that this is by far Leila's most powerful set of songs to date, and if anything we are lead even deeper into her world by the pictures painted with just piano (or in some cases harpsichord or a grime-encrusted electric piano) and that voice...
Capable of anything from delicate heartbreaking purity to a fearsome dramatic power, her powers are seemingly limitless, yet unlike most other singers of her calibre, never does she resort to melodrama or show-boating, or any kind of pastiche, instead she employs her resources fully in the expression of her distinctive musical vision and the deep well-spring of her imagination. Nothing ever sounds as though it could have not been sung...
Club Integral @ Whitechapel Gallery, 18th December 2009.
Featuring music from Lotus Pedals, Nobodies, MayMing, Boycott Coca-Cola Experience and Jack Shirt. + DJ Chris Cornetto and projections from Jaime Rory Lucy of Rucksack Cinema
Lotus Pedals: - "Gorgeous live music from the supremely strange Lotus Pedals, who remained on stage throughout the show...shambolic, bold and beautiful...offers truly unique rewards." Beccy Smith - British Theatre Guide.
....FRIZZ RECORDS is proud to announce our third LP release...
"Anutha Kinda Brotha" is the debut LP from underground legend ART TERRY. Since moving to the UK from his native Los Angeles in the early 90s, Mr Terry has established himself as one of London's characters.
Describing Art's sound to the uninitiated usually involves debunking some of the stereotypes of what the 'typical' black Californian might play. Despite his jazz training, and coming of age to the sounds of classic soul and funk, these styles are only a part of his musical vision. His fascination with folk styles, classical music, punk rock, pure pop, easy listening, musical theatre and the European avant garde have taken him on different paths from most...
The result is an orchestral pop record full of sonic inventiveness, whether it's the blend of Shuggie Otis's 60s California and Sun Ra's ancient Egypt on 'Bible', Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons leading a mariachi band on 'Escort', or the Walt Disney music box orchestra of 'Miss Dominatrix', but whilst this is very much a sonic feast, we shouldn't overlook Art's extraordinary lyrical adeptness, and the distinctive character this brings to the proceedings, with a knack for unique and colourful imagery, and how like a great short story writer he is able to paint an engaging picture whilst keeping back from casting judgement on his characters, always leaving open ends for the listener to tie; giving us the feeling that however far astray someone might have gone, there is always sympathy and human feeling for them in Art's mind...
....FRIZZ RECORDS is proud to announce our second official LP release...
"Modern Mediaeval" is the third LP from singer-songwriter DAVID GARSIDE, and the first to receive the full Frizz Records vinyl treatment. It’s also clearly the most fully-realised statement of his distinctive vision so far…
It’s an easy route to locate David in the tradition of his ‘classic’ influences (McCartney, Nick Drake, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, The Beach Boys, Love, Talking Heads, Peter Gabriel, Dexy’s…), but there are few songwriters working today that have absorbed these influences so fully, and arrived at a mature style as David has…
This is ’singer-songwriter’ music in the sense that it’s focus is on song-craft and the unfolding of the lyrical vision of a single individual, but if so then it’s definitely at the sophisticated end of the scale (’progressive’ if that term isn’t too loaded…), filed alongside ‘Bryter Layter’, ‘The Hissing Of Summer Lawns’, ‘Pretzel Logic’ or ‘Surf’s Up’...another FRIZZ RECORDS instant classic!
"Modern Mediaeval" can be downloaded from the iTunes Store
The album is also available on heavyweight vinyl LP, or on Digipack CD from www.FrizzRecords.com & all good retailers
....FRIZZ RECORDS is proud to announce our first official LP release...
"It's Not The Wand, It's The Magic" is the debut release from AUGUST, the London based band centred around the songwriting partnership between vocalist VEDINA MOSE and multi-instrumentalist / producer RAPHAEL MANN (MR HUDSON / JOY JOSEPH / ART TERRY), with master drummer CLEAN CUT MARK and clarinetist / vocalist MAREE CHOIE completing the core line-up, and a supporting cast including ART TERRY (keyboards), SHOHEI KAWAMOTO (AKA Japanese producer Baraki, Bass clarinet, soprano sax and flute), and KAI HOFFMAN (French horn)
Always an act that juggled a diverse set of influences, the album has been compared to artists as diverse as KATE BUSH, PRINCE, DE LA SOUL, SLY STONE, MADLIB, SERGE GAINSBOURG and THE DELFONICS, for its concoction of wild experimentation and traditional song craft, organic production and futuristic electronic touches, funk bass & drums and jazz & orchestral references, infectious melodies and lyrical flights of fancy...with nods towards classic soul, JB funk, Studio One, 60s pop, psychedelia, left field hip hop, new wave, doo wop, tropicalia, high life, & avant garde jazz, without any song ever fitting squarely into any of those categories...new music, basically...and an instant classic!
"It's Not The Wand, It's The Magic" can be downloaded now from the iTunes Store
The album is also available on heavyweight vinyl LP in a sumptuous gatefold sleeve, or on Digipack CD from www.FrizzRecords.com & all good retailers
The deXter Bentley Hello GoodBye Show returns to the airwaves on Resonance 104.4 FM this Saturday 5th September between noon and 1.30pm. Today's broadcast is in conjunction with PESTIVAL * With contributions from the Mosquito expert Dr. James Logan, an essay from the author Tim Burrows (on the subject of insects in rock and pop), plus live music from the London based alt/art duo Plug, who will debut new insect related material especially written for Hello GoodBye.
* PESTIVAL is a festival celebrating insects in art, and the art of being an insect. Pestival 2009 runs from 3rd-6th September @ The Southbank Centre and is jam-packed with insect-inspired talks and debates, as well as comedy, music, walks, workshops, installations and experiments. For further information, please visit: http://pestival.org
Mercurius Company are presenting a celebration of Purcell's 350th Anniversary, in a fully staged performance of some of his most inspired music, including excerpts from operas and incidental works. With period instruments, costumes and dance.
This is a totally independently produced and funded. Let's show all that despite economic uncertainty, financial crisis and turmoil there are people who still dare to dream and produce something exciting and inspiring.
Tune in and turn on. Episode 18 features the long awaited return of Ben Folke Thomas, from his hidden island lair to continue his evil plans to take over the world, an interview with, performance by, exclusive album track play, and give away, by noir-folkists 'Juniper Leaf', and many more goodly musical gifts to be bestowed upon you dear listener by the noble Lantern Players.
Listen and subscribe for FREE with iTunes. Click the banner above, or...
Tune in to episode 12 of the Lantern Society Radio Hour, featuring the creme de la creme of the capital's most comely crooners. Stunning live performances beautifully captured for your listening pleasure, at London's Finest Folk Club, The Lantern Society.
And, why not join us for the next Lantern Society - Thursday 18th June.
The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, London. EC1R 3BL
THE BACK TO WAX REVUE Tom Rodwell, Madame Pamita, the Borough Cat VS the Vulcan Cylinder Record Co.
*** Wed May 20 - The George Tavern, 373 Commercial Road, Stepney, London E1 0LA - 8pm £6 / £4 concessions *** Sun May 24 - The Luminaire, 311 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JR 7.30pm £10 door / £8 adv from www.wegottickets.co.uk
Weep not for the CD! Presenting the Back to Wax Revue, live onstage primitivist soundclash featuring genuine wax cylinder recording sessions. Witness performers battle with the original medium of recorded sound, Edison's wax cylinder, state of the art circa 1877. Ponder how recording mediums affect music; what changes in in the midst of form and content?
FEAT: Tom Rodwell (NZ) - gospel-blues primitivist Madame Pamita (LA) w/ K. Boogie - the world's foremost euphonious prognosticatrix Borough Cat (London) - London's doe-eyed dude of dolorum VS The Vulcan Cylinder Record Co. of Sheffield, UK - one of only two studios in the world with the capacity to acoustically record cylinders in the Edison fashion, Vulcan is also the world's only cylinder pressing plant and label.
Hello Salt and Blue. This is our first headline London show for a very long time, to celebrate finishing our new album which will be out later this year. So come on down and have a good time with us.
...and of course don't forget London's Finest Folk Club, The next Lantern Society - Thursday 7th May at the Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, EC1R 3BL. Neartest tube Farringdon.
Hello Salt and Blue. The new episode of The Lantern Society Radio Hour is now on the air. As recorded at London's Finest Folk Club on 16th april 2009. Click the banner below to subscribe for free at iTunes, or simply use the player to tune in.
....
And do come along to the next installment of the Lantern Society at The Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, on Thursday 7th May.
Upcoming shows: 15-17 May - Wood Festival, Braziers Park, Oxfordshire. BUY TICKETS
18th May - Spectacle Records Presents: Your New Favourite Bands at Catch Bar, 22 Kingsland Road. Shoreditch, London. HEADLINE SHOW.
hello there, i wanted to compliment you on your music, i have been having your Goblin Waltz on my space for 2 weeks now and it still doesn't bore me (i get bored rather quickly :)) Keep it up!
2nd APRIL – ‘MY MISTRESS'S SONGBOOK’ LAUNCH. The offical launch of 'My Mistress's Songbook' at the Lantern Society, Betsey Trotwood, Farringdon Rd, London EC1R 3BL. Full band set, with Shouting in the Woods. Advance numbered copies of the album available on the night.
18th APRIL – ‘MY MISTRESS'S SONGBOOK’ LAUNCH in Kent At the Mundy Bois Road, Pluckley, Kent. Full band set, with Shouting in the Woods, and guests. Copies of the album available on the night.
Open Session, in The Grosvenor SW9, this Thursday, 5th March, 20:00 The Grosvenor 17 Sidney Road Stockwell SW9
free
We normally rehearse on a Thursday, at Mike’s house. But as there’s no gigs on in the pub that night, we thought we’d commandeer it for a good old, round the table session! So bring your instruments & tell your mates!
CLUB INTEGRAL PRESENTS - HEXA / BENJAMIN BRUNEL / THE NOBODIES/THE BOYCOTT COCA-COLA EXPERIENCE
Club Integral present two concerts featuring Hexa from Manhattan, NYC on 20th and 22nd February at The Canterbury Arms in Brixton and Cafe Oto in Dalston
20th February: Club Integral 8:30 PM Friday 20th February 2009 Featuring irrepressible, adrenalized garage-band paeans from New York's finest - Hexa; mournful ballads about relationship breakup, with laughs, from the Nobodies; and agit-prop blues from Boycott Coca-Cola Experience. Entry: £5 before 9pm and £7 after 9pm. Canterbury Arms, Canterbury Crescent, Brixton, London SW9 7QD. (two minutes from Brixton tube)
22nd February: Club Integral @ Cafe Oto 8:00 PM Sunday 22nd February 2009 Hexa play an acoustic set. Singer/composer Benjamin Brunel plays a piano set of his caustic and original songs. Arch miserablists The Nobodies perform tragic cheap tavern songs about love. Entry £5 before 9.00 PM £7 after. Cafe Oto, 18-22 Ashwin Street, Dalston, London E8
CLUB INTEGRAL on Friday 30th January 2009 - 8.00 PM until late. At THE CANTERBURY ARMS, Canterbury Crescent, Brixton SW9 - two minutes from Brixton tube station.
Entry: £5 before 9.00 PM, £7.00 after.
Featuring music from: Trumpet and beats duo LOOP ELLINGTON Avant-garde wayfarers KOBAYASHI Australian folk chansonniers THE DOOMED BIRD OF PROVIDENCE. + a special guest to be announced.
With projections from JAIME RORY LUCY of RUCKSACK CINEMA DJs CHRIS CORNETTO and KARINA TOWSEND (Chalkwell Ladies).
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