[verb]swish, spoken word artist

2010 Dates

verbs — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:40:11 +0000

19 Feb: Leeds University

19 March: Kingston University

27-30 August: Greenbelt Festival

OnWords & UpWords, Fri 6th Nov

verbs — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:56:47 +0000

Hey peeps,

It has been a little while. Hope you’re well?

Tickets are now on sale for the final OnWords and UpWords show of 2009. This show is close to my heart – but more about that in the video update next week, where you can find out why this gig is especially swish.

So don’t miss November’s show, it features singer/songwriter/producer and esteemed brother, Gavin Holligan aka Hollerzz. (picture below)

“We’re coming–We’re coming to the start of something! /
We’re running–we’re running to the edge of nothing. ” – Gavin Holligan

These are the opening lines from Gavin’s break-out new single, Faith to fly.
The track took Gavin soaring into the London finals for the Metro’s Online & Ontour competition this month, and next he’ll be touching down at OnWords & UpWords.

Listen/Dance/Sing-along to his single, Faith to Fly here.

Gavin has worked behind the boards producing and playing for the likes of
Shola Ama, Duffy, Gloria Gaynor, Daniel Bedingfield, and a string of other international acts.

He’s also the musical genius behind my forthcoming debut album. Coming sooner than you think!

Alumni of OnWords & UpWords now include singers/writers: Abimaro, Mercy, Anna Omak, Bianca Rose, Sh’maya, Jon Mann Smith and Homecut;
Plus I’ll be annoucing more special guests next week for November’s O&U.

All you need to do right now is get yourself a ticket for a fiver:

WHAT: OnWords & UpWords

WHEN: FRIDAY November 6th, Doors 7.30pm, Showtime: soon after

WHERE: The Horse Bar, 124 Westminster Bridge Road.

Lambeth North is your nearest tube, or a short walk from Waterloo Station

OnWord!
[verb]swish

OnWords & UpWords, Fri Sept 4th

verbs — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 14:32:48 +0000

John Mann Smith – http://www.myspace.com/jonmannsmith

[verb]swish – http://www.myspace.com/theverbswish.com

Bianca Rose – http://www.myspace.com/biancarose

Anna Omak – http://www.myspace.com/annaomak

In the line-up this time we have lovely singer/songwriter Bianca Rose, the outer londonium, audio-astronaut that is John Mann Smith the jaw-dropping tones of Ms Anna Omak, who I am actually listening to right now! Think goosebumps and close-your-eyes awesomeness.

Each is an incredible writer and personal inspiration. A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of being invited to perform at Bianca’s packed EP launch, where she rocked the joint with her acoustic charm and tales set in the capital. I met Jon on tour with PAUSE a couple of years back. The man has more pedals than the tour de France and is a sonic genius. Anna has a voice full of warm mystique and smoky serenity, not to mention her skills as a drummer and on guitar.

Date: Friday 4th September
Doors: 7pm
Showtime: 8pm
Place: Horse Bar, 124 Westminster Bridge Road
Nearest station: Lambeth North (Turn right, cross the street and you can’t miss it, big red facade)

£5 ADVANCED TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE, CLICK BELOW TO GET YOURS WHILE THEY LAST. (Sold out last time)

Onword!

verbs — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:51:28 +0000

The first OnWords & UpWords was dope.

Pictures are up on Facebook here

And Soulculture.co.uk wrote a nice review about it, too.

Next one is on September 4th.

OnWord!

[v]s

Deets for one -off reading

verbs — Tue, 12 May 2009 10:10:42 +0000

I’ll be giving a one-off reading at this event next Sunday 17th May. Swing down if you can…

Magnum Opus @ Ascension Balham Hill
Type: Music/arts – Concert
Date: 17 May 2009
Time: 18:00 – 20:00
Location: Ascension Balham Hill
Street: Malwood Rd
Town/City: London, United Kingdom
Phone: 02086758626
Email: gayle@ascensionbalhamhill.org.uk

Artist or Creative, a distinction

verbs — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:03:10 +0000

We are all creative.
We are all artists potentially, but clearly not everyone is an artist.
Artists are no ‘better’ than creatives, but they have a great privilege
Artists are no worse, but they bear a huge responsibility
Creatives can get away with just expression, creative energy if you like
Artists add value with craft and unique expression.
Artists are not subject to creatives (more on this in weeks to come), but they must render subjects creatively. A “Fresh look, and a fresh listen’ was how Frost put it.
Creatives and would-be artists ought not to make [inflated] subjects of artists, to quote Oscar Wilde, “Be Yourself, because everyone else is taken’

Thats my attempt at a distinction, what do you reckon?

Gigs that bleed integrity

verbs — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:48:15 +0000

I just finished working on an intensive week-long project with poet, Sh’maya, called Nabokov’s Present Tense. It was a great sell-out show and a dope collaboration process. You can read the text from our set here.

It reminded me of why I write and perform, and why I choose not to play every gig that gets thrown my way. Sometimes I say I’m busy, which–whilst true, is not always my motivation for declining. Let me explain– actually better still — if you listen to Michael Port’s audio stream at thinkbigrevolution.com, “You Are Like You market” , you’ll understand why.

Nabokov are ebulient and daring promoters with artistic integrity; it’s a shame that they are something of a rarity in the local london arts scene. In my experience most are, to use our vernacular, ‘on a hype ting‘. The down-to-earthness (humanity) of so many gigs, in so many scenes, is sucked out in favour of an unrealistic, unwarranted, don’t-miss-this hype. Nobody is fooled, and the scenes reflects that.

What makes a show is the people who come. If all the people stay at home, they will still be people. If only the artists show up, it will be a rehearsal. The people make the show. Why the human-factor, community aspect is ignored or downplayed in so much local gig marketing is beyond me, surely it’s the collective soul the very show ought to embody?

I haven’t given up hope, I know there are some great promoters out there, and I hope to connect with over the next few months. If your one of them, holler – lets talk… lets grow a show.

Picture by hurting bombz

Shrug.

verbs — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 19:07:44 +0000

Check out my latest blog, shrug.when.ignorance.sparks.hearsay on my other site, or not… see if I care.

Deborah 13

verbs — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:41:09 +0000

We’re subjected to all sorts of extremes on a daily basis : consumerism, sexualisation of media, terrorism. Some would argue that 13 year-old, Deborah Draper is just another example of the religious variety. My question is, is she? Or is she just commendably consistent? More so than those who critique her, with weak counter arguments, intellectual dishonesty, and dismissive hand-waving. It’s on Iplayer till Tuesday. let me know what you think…

Roots residency on Fallon show

verbs — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:59:46 +0000

Just great, Mr Woss, take note…