How to describe Matt Whistler? We could play it really straight and say he’s an artist. Or a performance artist. We could say he’s a comedian. When I asked him he said “Say I’m a modern day Charlie Chaplin. An eco clown. A walking artwork.” It might just be easier to say “all of the above”. A mischievious comedian with a creative free spirit. But if you scratch the surface there’s a serious message about the environment and waste.
“It pains me to walk past things that have been discarded. I just look at them and thing “What can we do with that?” (We met Matt outside Objet D’ials during the last / worst days of the bin strike and someone had left a huge pile of flattened cardboard boxes next to the throbbing pile of bin bags.
During our chat, he’d created a gallery exhibition of them, a sculpture, there was an idea to line the pavement with the cardboard and slogans and… Did any of it happen? Some of it, maybe all of it, maybe none. It doesn’t matter. There’ll be another idea along in a second. Talking to Matt is like talking to the little silver ball inside a pinball machine.
Matt’s recent projects have ranged from painting an old locomotive near Glastonbury, an exhibition of his dot-based work (“I don’t know what happened but I broke through to the other side and I haven’t stopped doing dots since”), a cafe in the Marina (“I went for a coffee there and just thought ‘Hold on a minute, there’s a canvas here. There’s a cafe in a really nice area next to the sea’…”) and a project involving painting – breathing new life into – the covers of hundreds of albums he found in a skip.
But it’s as his latest creation Artist Dotty that there’s most fun. An oversize character in a whose looks nod in the direction of Leigh Bowery but who, like so much of Matt’s work, treads the line between absurdist and message. Dotty has a habit of appearing where you least expect him. Right now you’ll find him on the back of a series of jackets in “Objet D’ials”.
Is Dotty a classic absurdist device to created to highlight the madness of our society – in this case, waste and the environment – or a very strange bloke in a green screen onesie? “Let’s say an eco clown whose job it is to make people look, laugh and maybe think.”
There are few things we here at Whistler Towers like more than a bit of jazz in the evening. And maybe some really really good food. And maybe some splendid drinks. So imagine our delight when we tripped all the way over there in Kemp Town (or Kemptown – you choose) to The Bronze, where on the first Thursday of every month, they feature live jazz. The nght we went down we saw the very fine One Hat Trio (pictured) – Eddie Myer, Lol Thomas and Luke Rattenbury – who “play classic guitar trio hard bop with echoes of Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell and Pat Martino, with added Afro-Cuban rhythm”. (nicked that from their Facebook page – you might have guessed). And I guess that’s probably true. They’re very good and very cool. They’ve got a residency at The Brunswick, too.
Your Gull About Town has written about the food at The Bronze before and I’m not surprised. The “slow and low smokehouse” serves up locally sourced smoked food at its finest. Chef David has the best smile and greeting and… Oh, come on. Good food, fine drink and kicking jazz. What’s not to like?
One of the things we’ve missed most this past year has been going out and seeing people do extraordinary things, things that we couldn’t imagine doing ourselves. Whether that’s playing an instrument, performing some act of athletic wonder or somesuch. If what you’ve most missed has been virtuoso acrobatics – vaulting somersaults, breath-taking trapeze and daredevil balances on the highwire, well, are you in luck.
Passagers is “an intoxicating mix of dance, physical theatre, acrobatics, circus skills and original music” performed by Canadian troupe The 7 Fingers that sounds just extraordinary.
Trapeze is a fantastic motif for our times – taking a leap off into the air, a leap from holding on to something into space and on to something new. “Passagers was originally designed as an ode to travel – departure versus arrival, chance versus choice, familiar versus foreign, confinement versus border-crossing” says 7 Fingers co-founder Shana Carroll. “Those themes have taken on a new meaning for all of us recently, with the very idea of departing or arriving feeling like a distant dream.” Themes that, in our strange new world, have taken on very new and very real meanings.
It’s on at The Dome on 30 September and 1 October.
Tickets range from £10 (restricted view) to £23.50. Family tickets and concessions available.
“It might sound glib, but I wrote it because I think Brighton is so special.” Daren Kay tells Katrin Johannessen why
‘The Brightonians’ is the debut novel of former advertising copywriter, Daren Kay. It tells the story of a social group in Brighton uncovering a mystery of the past, sparked by an old letter found in a hymn book at the funeral of iconic former (fictional) mayor Grace Davidson. It spans multiple decades and different generations of mostly queer people.
It was important to Kay, that the novel included different generations, as there can sometimes be a disconnect within the queer community between age groups.
“As a younger gay man, I learned a lot from older queer people and I think it’d be great to foster that intergenerational communication again, which is why in the novel I wanted to make sure there was a full spread.”
“What I really felt was important is I think a lot of queer history has been erased, it’s been forgotten, it’s been purposefully left to one side and so I wanted to do my little bit to make queer history interesting to another generation.”
Not only is there a spread over generations, but the characters also come from different parts of the UK and have different accents, Polari is also represented.
“It was largely a reflection. There isn’t anyone that is based on anyone that I know, but I would say that the characters are a mixture of a couple of people and lots of the characters have bits of me. I think Brighton is a melting pot. It might not be the most multicultural place, but I do think it is a melting pot. One thing I will say about Brighton is you very rarely meet people in Brighton from Brighton.”
Although the social scene is shown as quite competitive and perhaps even cynical at points, there is a definite sense of community throughout the book. Kay himself has experienced how the LGBT community has come together during times of struggle, such has the HIV crisis and the introduction of Clause 28.
“I was in my early twenties when that happened. My experience in Birmingham and Sheffield was that there was a separatism until that happened. I think the HIV crisis and Clause 28 brought lesbians and gay men together for the first time in a big, big way.
“I know from historian Alf Le Flohic, who is quite known in Brighton for his knowledge of queer history, he lived in Brighton in the ‘80s and he said that the lesbian community was very supportive of gay men during the crisis. So, it’s been solid for a long, long time. Particularly with older people. I think age is a great leveller.
“I’ll be really blunt, I think sometimes the different communities within our community spend too much time arguing with each-other, when we have a common enemy, which is quite obvious out there.”
Kay replaced the security of his job in advertising and started freelancing and following his passion for writing, resulting in the ‘The Brightonians’.
“I wrote it for me. As a copy writer, I went into advertising because I loved writing and as you go further up the ladder you get more and more removed from the reason you went into the job in the first place. So, when I left that job, I rediscovered my love of writing through this book.
“The other thing I wrote it for was Brighton. It might sound glib, but I wrote it because I think Brighton is so special. I just find it such an incredible place and I wanted to capture what I love about Brighton. That amazing concentration of some quite unusual people.”
In the novel one of the characters at one point ‘plays the Brighton card’, when she uses her love of Brighton to score social points.
“I’ve invented that, but I do think it exists. I think I have played the ‘Brighton card’. I’ve gone even further and played the ‘Kemptown card.”
“I think the proximity of Brighton to London is one of the things, that has made it so unique. I lived in London for 25 years and I find Brighton even more sociable than London. I think the geography of it, because it is quite small or concentrated people are much happier to do things.” Kay said.
Brighton is more than setting in the book and through a fantastical seagull it gets a chance to speak for itself.
“Brighton is so much a part of the book, I needed a way for Brighton to speak, so Charles de Gull basically became the voice. I’ve referred to seagulls in interviews as nature’s CCTV, because they’re just always there. For people who write, they are just always watching us. It seemed like the most obvious vehicle for Brighton to have a voice. What I liked about the seagull is that in my head the seagull has been there for 200 years, so it’s almost like a fantastical seagull really.
“Brighton has always been a really significant town on the south coast, because of its proximity to France and London. But Brighton in most people’s heads didn’t really become a place of any interest until the 1750s, when Dr. Russell recommended our seawater as this great sort of cure for everything, and people started to come down. So, I wanted Charles de Gull to have existed since that time. So, he allows me to set the scene and say this is a town, which has always been a centre of liberal thinking and artists.”
The people in Brighton might like to complain about the seagulls, maybe especially when having their food stolen by a shifty one, but they still have a special status in town.
“It’s weird. The book cover was designed by my friend Sarah Arnett. In her work, she has lots of birds, but she’s never done a seagull. It’s a very divisive thing in Brighton. It depends on if you’re being shat on, I suppose.”
His next novel is already in progress and it’s called ‘The Brightonians Under Siege’ and is about the last year and Covid.
“One of the things I wanted to capture and celebrate was the social scene and parties and what I sometimes call ‘competitive partying’ that I see in Brighton and now to suddenly have that stopped I think it’s really fascinating.
I do think that when people read this book still on the ends of lockdown, they will feel nostalgic for those fancy-dress parties and for being able to meet up with people and having a gin and tonic.”
The Brightonians will be released on April 23rd.
Anyone who signs up to www.darenkay.com before 30.04.21 will be entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a porcelain mug featuring the cover design by Sarah Arnett
The book is available to order now at Waterstones, Book Depository & Foyles:
I’ve been a big fan of this Brighton band since they started a few years ago, and we’ve done some superb gigs together at The Prince Albert, Hotel Pelirocco, two landmark gigs at the Concorde and the 100 Club in London supporting punk legends Sham 69. They also played the new band stage at Rebellion and have toured Germany.
You have just released your second album, Great Expectations. How long did it take to record, where did you record it and what’s your connection with Germany?
Char – We recorded the album in Horsham at Ignite studios it was very cold, we did nine songs there then we did three songs at Russell Church’s Sea Side Studios. The tracks were mastered at Gatehouse studios. We didn’t have time to record a song called Outsiders which is shame because it’s a rip off another song I really love.
Leon – We had plenty of time Char, me and Loz just decided it was out. Did you not get the memo?
Char – We work with Time for Action records that are based in Germany – it’s just a shame we can’t tour and get out to Germany, they treat us really well out there.
What is the main inspiration behind your songwriting?
Char – On this album lyrically I was inspired by a lot of the uncertainty and repetitiveness you start to notice in the people around you once you get past 25. I feel compared to the first album it’s a lot more pessimistic. But I’ve been told we sound a lot more vulnerable at parts.
Leon – I think with this album I wanted it to sound bigger than the rest, but when it came to the writing I wanted it to be as honest and raw as possible. The first album we wrote songs based around characters mostly with some self-reflection, but this time I wanted it to feel personal and more relatable.
When & how did the band form?
Char – I met Loz in a bar called PR6 he was playing Blink with his mate Harry. Then I met Leon at the Jurys Out open mic night – he was wearing a Libertines T shirt.
Leon – No comment. I prefer to keep this shrouded in mystery
Who’s your biggest influence & why?
Char – The Clash of course. So many reasons but for now I’ll say because they are the best band that there ever was.
Leon – Well this is a big one, what does one look for in ones influences? Raw talent, musical prowess, cutting truthful lyrics? I dunno. I like a catchy tune, I’m well into Polka at the minute – it’s the next punk take it from me.
You met Mick Jones (from the Clash) when he was in Brighton in 2015, what did he say?
Char – He said ‘Nice set boys. You’ll be hearing from my lawyers’. He was beyond cool and had a lot of time for creepy fans like me.
Leon – He didn’t speak to me. I saw Matt Cardle at Westfield once. That was pretty cool.
What’s been your favourite gig you’ve played so far?
Char – That’s really hard. Playing Concorde 2 with Sham was amazing. Our first gig in Germany was incredible, but all the gigs we played at 12 Bar in Soho hold a special place in my heart. I miss that place, but right now I’d be happy to play a gig at a bus stop.
Leon – I do love the Concorde 2 gigs, but we’ve done some great gigs at the Albert over the years, they can be very sweaty and lively. It was also the first stage we ever graced so it has a special place among the many venues we’ve played.
Where do you see live music going, post lockdown?
Char – Going to be a big hit I think which is bad because it wasn’t getting much support before, maybe people will want to go out more after being caged for a year.
Leon – I think there’s a lot of DIY stuff coming out now so I’m hoping the decline of the stadium show will give space for small grass roots venues to make a comeback. Instead of going to see old bastards headline the Brighton Centre, maybe people will watch a new band down the street.
What’s your fave film?
1.Star Wars (empire)
2.Toy Story
3.Rocky 1
4.Clockwork Orange
5.Batman 1989
6.The Fly
7.Drop Dead Fred
8.One Flew Over The Cuckoo Nest
9.On The Beat
10.Overboard
How are you keeping busy in the lockdown?
Char – Writing a lot and Leon has taught me how to record demos at home, so we’re just trying to get all the ideas down ready for when we can practice again. Got a lot of new songs between us, over 20.
Leon – I’ve been reading them books.
Any other contemporary bands you like, especially in Brighton ?
Char – Teenage Waitress I’m all over at the moment, The Lathums, Bite The Buffalo, and I’m loving the new Strokes album. And my mate I was in a band with at school recently showed me Cloud Nothings.
Leon – I’ve been getting into the new post punk thing, bands like Squids, Sports Club and Yak, there’s also some cool stuff coming out of Australia like the Chats and Viagra Boys
And what are your plans for 2021?
Char -Get the new songs together and ready to record. But also we were planning to record a new single so we will be getting that together ASAP I would like to get that out this year, all depends on when we can get back in a practice room together again.
Leon – Shake my tail feather, I just wanna go dancing.
If you could play anywhere in the world where would it be?
Char – New York!
Leon – San Francisco all the way.
Any advice for a band starting out right now?
Char – Write, rehearse, gig, record.
Leon – Don’t do it, get a trade or learn how to code or something.
Where can we buy the album?
Char – The physical copies of the album have sold out, but it’s still up on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and a load of other streaming sites I’ve never heard of. Actually, we did a few Dirt Royal bundles with the album, t-shirts and previous singles and stuff. There might be one or two still available at www.pipandpine.com…. quick go now
This is what life looks like right now. Sometimes we sit at the dining table. Sometimes we sit on the sofa. Sometimes, because we’re wild and crazy guys, we go from the table to the sofa.
Wouldn’t it be nice to go out somewhere? To do something other than say “What’s on Netflix?” Well… as chance would have it, those nice folk at The Dome are putting on a series of talks with famous people, writers and TV personalities, people like Mel Giedroyc and Stacey Dooley, Joanna Lumley and Julia Quinn, writer of Bridgerton.
OK. It’s a live stream. You’ll still be on the sofa. But if you put your coat on, it’ll feel like you’re going out – and that’s a start.
What do you feel when you see a statue to some historical figure you’ve kinda heard of but don’t really know anything about? Do you think… “It’s just there. It’s always been there, so let it be there”? Do you think… “Who is that? I’m going to find out about that right now. Now, where’s my Wikipedia…?” Do you think… “Whoever it is, it means nothing to me. I wish there was something there I could feel something positive about”.
Well… strangely enough now we’ve got a chance to say what we think about public art in our city. We’re not talking about private exhibitions, shows, gigs, festivals, that’s one thing, But what about the art that’s out there in the public spaces. Statues. Outdoor installations. Spaces in parks. How do we, as a city, feel about that stuff? We saw last year, particularly in Bristol, that historic statues can be… problematic. How do we deal with those subjects and feelings? Remember the Mary Wollstonecraft sculpture that was unveiled in London in November?
Brighton’s an arty city, a creative city. It’s one of the reasons we’re here. The public art should reflect that – and now’s a chance to make that happen.
The Brighton based arts charity Lighthouse has launched an online public survey and series of short films under the banner “Let’s Talk Public Art” to encourage us to say what we think about public art in the city.
“Public art can provoke intensely divided public opinion, as we have seen recently with historic statues being removed because of their connections to slavery. These short films feature discussion points such as heritage, inclusion, sustainability and wellbeing so we can delve into how people feel about public art” says Alli Beddoes, Lighthouse CEO & Artistic Director.
https://youtu.be/vOdgSpyqJoM
Films:
Places & Spaces with Matt Adams – Blast Theory and Atif Choudhury – Diversity & Ability An exploration of what and where the spaces and places can be for public art. It should be more than standalone works in the public realm, they should be integral to the ways in which we experience and understand our city.
A Green City with Ami Rae – Onca Gallery and Claire Potter – Claire Potter Design What doers it mean to be green – and can you green the city through public art. Brighton & Hove aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 – how can public art support this?
Wellbeing with Elsa Monteith – Writer & Artist and Emma Frankland – Artist What does public art mean for our sense of identity and belonging? How can it help us connect and care?
Heritage with Judith Ricketts, Artist and E J Scott, Historian & Curator What is a successful piece of artwork that celebrates heritage in our city? How can public art hold onto the past without erasing it but use it to be informed and carve out a better future for the next generation?
Connectivity & Community with Amartey Golding – Artist and Bobby Brown – Music Producer & Careworker, Hangleton & Knoll A film discussion of the ways commissioning public art can connect to community groups in the city.
There’s an event – online, natch – called Let’s Talk Public Art – Digital Campfire(10am to 12 noon, Fri 5 February) which might be interesting. To join, take part in the survey, watch the films or register for the event visit: lighthouse.org.uk/events/lets-talk-about-public-art
Do you remember “going out”? No, me neither. Still, the Dome is re-opening its doors for a series of seasonal events, including a production of A Christmas Carol narrated by Killing Eve and Succession actor Harriet Walter.
Live stream events also continue, with best-selling children’s author Michael Morpurgo bringing the festive spirit into people’s homes with an afternoon of Christmas storytelling.Other events feature names such as Dawn French, Benamin Zephaniah and Liza Tarbuck.
