Dele Sosimi

Dele Sosimi stands out as one of the most active musicians presently on the Afrobeat scene worldwide. Here he talks about duty to Afrobeat, relentless performances and his latest CD.

His tutor and guru was one of the world’s most feted and controversial music icon - Fela Kuti, also known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti or simply  Fela - before his family, bandmates and friends and indeed the world was rocked by his passing on August 2, 1997, from  Kaposi's sarcoma which was brought on by AIDS. Nonetheless, this loyalist, representative and artist - Bamidele Olatunbosun Sosimi, known as Dele Sosimi, from teenage keyboard player for Fela Kuti's Egypt 80 to bandleader for his son Femi Kuti's Positive ensemble, was tutored and raised in Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s shadow and worked and travel around extensively with Fela around the world at the pinnacle of early 70s Afrobeat fever.  Picked by Fela to join his band at a somewhat tender age, he was still a young man when sharing Fela’s Glastonbury stage in 1984. But be that as it may, Dele Sosimi - born in Hackney, East London, raised in his native Nigeria from the age of four, refutes to slow down.  He is here and now one of the leading forces/important voices of Afrobeat holding fort the Afrobeat music on the Afrobeat scene internationally.

After Fela’s passing in 1997, Dele went on to concentrate on his solo career and, with meticulous endurance, sliced out his own Afrobeat trophy in London, where he now dwells. Totally, this Nigerian-British boy is done admirably well.  Sosimi has helped define the sound alongside some of its most iconic figures – he is an inspiration to many.  Check this out:   Vocalist? Tick.  Keyboard player? Tick.  Producer and Afrobeat giant? Tick.   And the founder of his own orchestra? Tick. In addition more recently he was the Musical Director & Afrobeat Music Consultant for the award winning musical FELA! Currently on a global tour. And what’s more?  Sosimi is an Afrobeat Composer, Producer, Musician, educator and instructor (via London School of Afrobeat) as a Visiting Lecturer at London Metropolitan University, Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance - the UK's only conservatoire of music and contemporary dance and Cardiff University.

Once again an experience awaits with another marathon session (four-hour-non-stop) of keeping Afrobeat, the music, spirit & legacy of Fela Anikulapo Kuti alive in London at The Forge, Camden, UK

Saturday 28 November 2015.  The Dele Sosimi Afrobeat Orchestra are a gang that must be seen live in all its astounding fierceness. Dele is returning to London for his third Album lunch gig ‘You No Fit Touch Am,’ a 7-track collection of compositions – his third solo album and his first for 10 years that is immersed in socio-political messages and showcase classic 1970s Lagos song writing.  “You No Fit Touch Am” was recorded in London with a crew of long time players and producer Nostalgia 77 (Tru Thoughts) presenting a 21st century clarity to the mix. There's no silly compromises to the music here though, just a thoroughly modern sense of energy in the mix with an aptly heavyweight bass charisma.

Dele Sosimi: Afrobeat Vibration is my way of keeping Afrobeat music alive and accessible to Afrobeat music lovers and musicians in the UK bi-monthly, are creation of the spirit and ambiance of Fela's Afrika Shrine.

Why are you staging a four-hour-non-stop musical marathon? Why 4 hour non-stop and why the chosen venue? Can you really keep this up? 

Dele Sosimi: I stage it because it is a duty that must be done by me as an ambassador of the genre and culture. It is an experience hence it is 4 hours nonstop as we take you on a journey based on the repertoire selection for the night. We initially used the New Empowering Church in Hackney till November 2014 when the lease expired. Since then we used the Forge in Camden once before moving to Shapes in Hackney Wick May 24th 2015. We chose Shapes because it had the ambience size and potential for a late license till 5am. The importance! People or musicians who did not have the opportunity to listen to live afrobeat now have a regular bi-monthly platform that we have kept going for 7 years - last Saturday of January, March, May, July, September and November which is usually the anniversary month. We cover a wide range of Felas Classics and original new compositions featuring a wide range of guests and young musicians who have either attended one of my Afrobeat masterclasses or workshops. This year we are celebrating the 7th year of keeping it going.

Could you reveal names of guest stars contributing to this extravaganza on Friday November 28th? And what should fans expect?

Dele Sosimi: We never know who will turn up until the night itself bit we have had Tony Allen, PA Fatai Rolling Dollar, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Afrikan Boy, Breis, Shingai, Byron Wallen, to name a few.

Fans should expect to be delightfully Afrobeaten up.

You have a new album out - third album -”You No Fit Touch Am”. Tell us more about this album - and why the title; "You No Fit Touch Am?"? 

Dele Sosimi: Release earlier this year by WahWah45s on the 24th of May, the literal meaning is “You cannot touch it”.  On a conceptual level "the thing is too cool", "too tasty to be messed with", "you can't even come close", "and it is beyond you". "The jam just baaad", "don't look at it with common eye" with regards to what I do, what we do, the experience we provide, the spirit of music. Identity my 2nd Album was released 10 years ago, and I had made up my mind the third Album would have to wait for the right conditions, right record label at the right time with an offering of a clear development of the Afrobeat idiom, an important restatement of what Afrobeat is about, in the current scene where the term is used quite indiscriminately (and unfortunately confused with the rather more superficial “Afrobeats”). I strongly believe this is now the case.  Suffice to say its taken 10 years but once the record deal was in place from recording, production to release nine months as most of the songs had been written years ago. 

What is your message here?

Dele Sosimi: It depends on which angle you look at it from. Spiritually be open, tolerant and aware, appreciative and humble. Musically, there is a jewel of infinity contained here that will most likely be missed by many, who lack the ability to see the greatness in small things. On the other hand, beauty will be discovered and found here by many. Mainly the message draws attention to the state of things worldwide today with songs like "Na My Turn" (Elections worldwide with special attention on so called democracy in Africa pre and post elections) ~  “E go betta” (Despite facing abject poverty the admirable spirit of resilience and resolve to carry on and soldier on with the song of hope for a better tomorrow)~ “We siddon we dey look” – (Ferguson incidents, Boko Haram, ISIS and most recently Xenophobia) “Where We Want Be” (The intolerance prevalent in world society with the message being bring love back BIG TIME!) “Sanctuary”- (In line with Fela’s “Music is the weapon of the future” message. In this case music being the Sanctuary where you recharge your batteries to keep on) and “You No Fit Touch Am” as earlier indicated.

What drives Dele Sosimi?

Dele Sosimi: Breath, life, love and family drives Dele.

Dele Sosimi

Saturday 28 November 2015 
Shapes, London, UK
Shapes, 117 Wallis rd. Hackney Wick E9 5LN
Cost of Tickets: £10 Adv. £12 Otd

Tuesday 09 February 2016 
Kings Place, London, UK

A Digital Suicide by Liam Scully | The book launch preview at Matt's Gallery

Private life has certainly become public life and private life has become art; Tracey Emin gave us her bed, and now Scully gives us every poke, post and private message of his online life. Come, and look on sadistically at an act of public execution for the new epoch; the “digital suicide” of Liam Scully.

A heavy online-liver from 2008-2013, Scully decided to delete social media and eliminate his online presence. When committing this deed of “digital suicide”, Facebook offers the opportunity to download all your data; even that thought deleted. You can relapse and return to as you once were, or scan through every sordid detail of your online past.

Post-Snowden, Scully has taken ownership in reclaiming his online self and spent a year artistically documenting this data to publish to the public. Every page of meta-data has been printed onto pink thermal electrocardiograph paper and every photograph has been recorded in drawings, collages, marks, rubs, spillages and stains. The digital has become as permanent on paper as it is online; provoking fascination, sensational gratification, and concern. Their vulnerable, chunkily-crafted beauty has been bound in five large-scale, limited edition books which will be on display on Friday 13th November (1830-2100); as well ‘In loving memory’, a limited edition obituary-book by friend and art writer Elizabet Homersham. 

Friday 13th November, 1830 – 2100 @ X MARKS THE BÖKSHOP, Matt’s Gallery, 42-44 Copperfield Road, London, E3 4RR

The Decline of Conscience by Nick JS Thompson

If there is one word to describe ROOMS, it is as a creative platform; whether that takes form as an online art website, or a print magazine. We are not limited to the confines of media, because we believe art should have no limits at all. With that in mind, we are proud to announce the start of our exhibition programme, introducing the first exhibition on the list: ‘The Decline of Conscience' by Nick JS Thompson.

Co-curated with visual artist Benjamin Murphy, ‘The Decline of Conscience’ shines a light on the amazing work of Nick JS Thompson. The documentary photographer, with an interest in communities and the effect they have on their surroundings, has spent the last 3 years in the dark spaces of Heygate Estate in Elephant and Castle, South London. Confronted with vandalism, dilapidation and even cruel events such as animal sacrifices, this empty building is the perfect example of one of the biggest problems London is dealing with today. Having been empty for 7 years and now finally regenerated, only a wretched 3 per cent of the building can be used for social housing. This photo series makes gentrification real in the most antagonizing way, playing with the idea that morality might not be a necessity anymore in our society. 

The exhibition will be running from the 19th till the 25th of November, in the Hundred Years Gallery.

Nick JS Thompson

Benjamin Murphy

The Decline of Conscience by Nick JS Thompson | facebook event

Mr. Gresty : A brander in its most innovative interpretation

A brander by nature, an illustrator by heart, a curator by interest; but for everyone else just Mr. Gresty.

Being a designer for a multitude of companies, what makes you want to work with a brand?

A lot of my design work is branding start-up companies. I especially enjoy this area. Seeing the client’s excitement and enthusiasm towards my ideas and their new brand. I love working together on something like that, something new and fresh.

How would you describe your design identity and how does it show in your work for other companies?

I love to work with vibrant and positive colours and I always use a sense of humour and simple shapes in my work. In most cases my clients have seen other projects of mine and ask me to do my thing for them.

Tell us about the process of becoming the multitasking artist you are today.

I can’t let myself run out of things to do, if I do I feel lost. My system consists of working on all the commissioned projects first and then filling the gaps with all those personal projects. The variety of work keeps me stimulated.

You are a graphic designer, an illustrator, an author, a curator... How did you get involved with such a variety of work?

If I have an idea that in my opinion is worth trying, I’ll give it a go. As I work for myself and don’t have employees, I have the time and space to experiment. All those job titles share a characteristic; they are all creative solutions to a problem.

Many people say this is the future of the creative industry, the more you can do the higher you will get. Do you believe this is true?

I think that in the commercial world this could look good on a CV but on the other hand you can come across as a jack-of-all-trades, master of none. Some creatives will evolve their style and move on to the thing that they’re passionate about and pick up skills along the way. I believe I am one of those last creatives.

Working with typography a lot, what is your favourite font?

I don’t have one. Helvetica? No I don’t have one.

Is there a creative you are dying to work with?

I’ve never thought about it. To be honest I prefer to work on my own, but I am open to offers!

When did curating become a part of your career? What is it that attracts you to the field and what is the craziest idea you have ever had for an event?

In 2010, I started screen-printing and enjoyed it very much in Uni. I was in a bar in Clapton, Hackney, soon after speaking to the owner about the art on his walls, he said if I was interested I could put my work up! I said yes. At this point I had only created two typographic screen-prints. After a few solid weeks of printing lots of ideas from my sketchbook, I hung my first solo exhibition. Five years later and I’m getting ready to hang my 22nd exhibition. With the mixed exhibitions I enjoy seeing the variety of creative solutions to the same brief and like seeing my name in the line-up with artist who I admire.
The most creative and challenging exhibition was Whisper, based on the old game ‘Chinese Whispers’. I illustrated the first piece and gave it a title, I passed that title to the next artist and told them they could change the title slightly and that new title was their brief, then I passed their title to the next artist and so on!

You have been curating LHR exhibitions for the past two years. In your opinion, what is special about this 15th edition?

The 15th LHR Exhibition – The Things I Think About, When I Think About Thinking, has been the most open brief yet. I had been thinking about the mainstream media  and that if something is bland and non-threatening it does well. I have created a small handful of pieces over the last few years that I am happy with and others that I’m personally not keen on; I have noticed that these last ones sell really well and my favourite pieces not so much. So the brief was for the artists to submit their very own favourite personal piece, not following trends or public demand.

The LHR exhibitions have taken place in bars, the entrance doesn’t cost a penny and is open for everyone and the artists are as free as can be in the work they deliver. All these elements make for an experience that is everything but your everyday gallery stroll. What inspired you to create these events?

I wanted to be able to hang a collection of work, where lots of people would see it, hear about the artists and wouldn’t have to pay to see it. At the same time I wanted it to be available to purchase and when a piece sells for that artist to be able to keep 100% of the money. I don’t think a bar is the best environment for art but it helps me achieve the issue of cost. All it takes is some time and life is long, I have lots of free time!

The Things I Think About, When I Think About Thinking

November 6 - January 31, 2016 at The Hanbury

Line-up: Mr Gresty, Claire E Hind, Ian Viggars, Freya Faulkner, Shona Read, Emma Russell, VJ Von Art, Lee Bromfield, James Dawe, Jake Townsend, Wiktor Malinowski, Dan Buckley, Dan Huglife, Jeff Knowles, Dylan White, Simon Fitzmaurice, Steven Quinn, Ricky Byrne, Stina Jones, Silvia Carrus, Julian Kerr, Nathan James Page III, Sean Gall, Josh Bond, James Morley, Craig Keenan and Raiph Vaughan.

This is the 15th LHR exhibition and sadly my last. I will keep you posted.

LHR Exhibition curated by Mr Gresty. 2013 - 2015
gresty@mrgresty.com

POSTmatter Talks – Fashion’s future perspectives in a digital age

Fascinated by the conjunction of the digital and physical world, POSTmatter voices talent that intertwines both realms and pushes boundaries to do so. From the 20th of November on, the creative studio will allow you a sneak peak into their mind-set by hosting three talks treating the evolution and disruption of fashion through technology and digitalization, taken place at London College of Fashion.

1.    Reinventing craft and design in the digital age

The first presentation is an introduction to POSTmatter’s means and believes as an online magazine and creative based studio, presenting the link between the talks and their vision. The conversation will continue discussing how new machine-based tools, computer-led software and emergent materials changed traditional craftsmanship and allowed for incredible innovation in the field of fashion.

2.    Through the screen: new ways of seeing

The digital age has slipped into every layer in the fashion industry. ‘Through the screen: new ways of seeing, will talk about how digitalism changed fashion within mainstream audience, covering trends from emojis to photoshop and artists that have vowed to disrupt these tendencies.

3.    Designing and dressing future identities

The rise of social media has had benefits and equal amount negative influence on society. The last topic of POSTmatter will treat this issue and talk about the rising opportunity to distantiate ourselves from our body and to become a different version of ourselves in the online world.

The talks will take place at the Fashion Space Gallery on the 20th, 23th and 26th of November. If you want to take part and expand your view on the future of fashion you can book your place here:

 Reinventing Craft and Design in the Digital Age

 Through the Screen: new ways of seeing

 Designing and Dressing Future Identities 

HOO HAs - Yankee... The EP Launch

Yes you read that right. There is a new band in the undesiccate puddle that is London and they’ve put their money on the name: HOO HAs. Celebrating their new EP, ‘Yankee’, the band is inviting you all to their launch party.

As unapologetic their name appears, as equally insolent is their new sound. Yankee’s penetrance causes the song to be stuck with you for weeks, leaving your head spinning from the dynamic guitar sounds and the raw voice welding over them. Mixing up punk rock with an old school blues feel, Yankee echoes innovation in an effortless and straight-out-of-the-heart kind of way. As for the message behind the tune, the band describes it as a battle between the self and society. “Some say we are a product of our society – touching on moral and political frustrations too. Like we haven’t heard enough. Where do you live?”

If the boys blew you away with their music, there is no other option but for you to head over to Dalston tonight, as HOO HAs is hosting their first single launch party at The Victoria. The doors open at 19:30, and you will be welcomed with beats from Mystery Jets, Desert Planes, La Horse, and the band I’ve just been going on and on about (how could you not). 

HOO HAs debut single out on Lost in the Manor Records - Oct 30th Launch show @ The Dalston Vic 27th Oct, Free Entry

HOO HAs' 'Yankee' Single Launch at The Victoria

+ (Jack) Mystery Jets DJ Set - Support from Desert Planes + La Horse

27 October |  Doors - 7.30pm (Live Room)

Facebook event

HOO HAs

Frieze Talks 2015

This Frieze London edition broaches some of the most interesting and thought provoking topics, discussing interactions between art, politics, design and environment in 8 inspiring talks. 

Here are some of our must-visit highlights:

Image via www.seancollymore.com       

Image via  uk.blouinartinfo.com

http://www.londonischanging.org

Image via www.seancollymore.com      

If you believe art has the ability to comprise political power you should definitely listen to installation and performance artist Tania Bruguera. Having dealt with detention from her own country, she takes the stage to talk about her politically motivated practice and her belief that if it is to be political, art must have consequences.

In an era where anyone can do anything, what happens when artists no longer have the financial tools to express their creativity? Justin Simons OBE, head of Culture at the Greater London Authority leads this discussion, addressing London’s redevelopment and rising costs of real estate and how it puts pressure on the city’s artists.

Fashion lovers will leave the art fair more than satisfied, having the opportunity to listen to renowned fashion designer and activist Vivienne Westwood about her changing relationship between art and her practice, addressing a.o.i. her commitment to environmental and social activism. As for rising talent, Frieze has selected Anicka Yi to talk about her ambition to make art a sensorial experience, going back and forward with Darian Leader, psychoanalyst and author of e.g. ‘Stealing the Mona Lisa’.

Other personalities providing contemporary art fans with food for thought are Fionna Banner, Emily King, Metahaven, Justin McGuirk, Viv Albertine, Gregor Muir and Adrian Searle.

 Frieze

Overture: Idris Khan’s figurative translation of language

London based artist Idris Khan exhibits in New York this September with some ambitious and exciting new work. Khan uses photography and digital images in his work but does not consider himself a photographer. He repeatedly layers these images, often text, to create a new piece, which is distanced from the original through the process of abstraction.

One of his more known work involved scanning every page of the Qur’an and layering the text into an image, bringing a figurative element to the writing while remaining almost readable.

Khan’s work reaches for a new perspective or a re-appropriation of an already existing visual cultural significance; he explores and interrogates language by working with text in this way. His work simultaneously addresses society’s shift on how photography as a medium is used. Khan has previously encountered the work of two German photographers and closely duplicated their photos, giving the new images new context and meaning. With the widespread use of smart phones as a photographic instrument documenting culture, the question of amateur/professional continues and images are easily available for hijack.

In his upcoming exhibition there is set to be a large-scale sculpture using panes of glass to overlap layers of text, casting an image onto the gallery wall. Khan will be exhibiting a wall drawing derived from what is cast by the glass, adding a performative element to an already complex multimedia body of work.

Overture Is opening at Sean Kelly Gallery, New York on 10 September 2015 running until 24 October 2015.

Idris Khan at Sean Kelly Gallery

NOS PRIMAVERA SOUND 15. Are you coming?

Just as summer is about to start, NOS Primavera Sound is preparing to kick off the Portuguese festival season. Whilst less well-known than its cousin in Barcelona, NOS Primavera Sound manages a delicate balancing act of mainstream and alternative, distinguishing itself by variety of style. As well as a wide selection of internationally established artists, the festival boasts a significant representation of up-and-coming talent, from Portugal and abroad. With a lineup including acts ranging from Ariel Pink, Viet Cong and FKA Twigs to Patti Smith to Mac DeMarco to Jungle and Caribou, NOS Primavera Sound promises something for everyone.

Nestled by the Porto seaside, Parque da Cidade creates the ideal framework for the festival. Within the city, yet by the coast and with easy access and scenic surroundings the park itself is one of the main attractions of the event. Apart from the main stage and the Super Bock stage, All Tomorrow’s Parties commissions a stage responsible for the more experimental programming, in various musical styles and the Pitchfork stage, commissioned by Pitchfork Media will bring some of the emerging names of international alternative music.

Compared to many of its European competitors, NOS Primavera Sound, which runs for three days, promises great value at a relatively low price allowing for a great mix of people to gather together under the southern sun, sharing music and summer vibes. We are certainly excited to pack our bags and head off to NOS Primavera Sound 15.

All images via ©  NOS Primavera Sound

When: 4-6 June 2015

Where: Porto, Portugal

Digital Graffiti Festival 2015 at Alys Beach

In two weeks, for three nights only, Alys Beach, Florida, will be opening its white washed walls to a hive of groundbreaking art, colour and digitally infused magic, for the Eighth Annual Digital Graffiti Festival, in one of our favourite and uniquely exciting venues. 

Digital Graffiti is the world’s first projection arts festival that provides artists from around the globe with an opportunity to use the latest design, aviation and projection technologies to display their art works simultaneously, wrapping the architecture of Alys beach with entirely new ways of experiencing the arts, devoid of any institutional restrains. This is a festival that stands out for its accessibility to all and exclusivity of a space promising a unique and intimate, multi-sensory experience that will challenge you to reconsider the different ways in which public spaces can be used. Digital Graffiti stays well and true to the view that our streets are one of the largest gallery’s in the world and does so in a way that will leave you dazzled and razzled and coming back for more.  

DG curator Brett Phares explains, “The works shown at this year’s festival will challenge how digital art is perceived. As technology progresses and becomes more accessible, we’re seeing artists softening their edges, with work appearing to be hand-drawn or painted. Viewers will second guess what they’re seeing, especially as it interacts with the architecture of Alys Beach.”

This year Phares will be kicking off the programme with an insider’s view to some of the selected finalists for the DG2015. Among them, our super talented, good friend and writer of ROOMS Jesc Bunyard will be exhibiting her work, skillfully using C-Type photograms to explore the interactions between colour, music and its audience. These talks will be closely followed by a vibrant and vivid demonstration of exhibitions, installations, an awards ceremony and a not-to-be-missed finale at the Caliza Pool. Prizes will be awarded by a panel of five judges including special guest, Robert Seidel, winner of the ‘Best of Show’ at Digital Graffiti’s inaugural festival in, and will select a Best of Show and award four honourable mentions. Among them, Brett Phares will also select a Curator’s Choice Award and a total of $10,000 will be awarded to the winners to help them further their artistic careers. 

Digital Graffiti at Alys Beach | June 4 – 6 

All images © Digital Graffiti

The Outdoor Cinema presents films under the Shoreditch stars

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We’ve all heard of your Secret Cinema, Hot tub cinema, Pillow cinema and all the other assortment of companies showcasing your beloved movies in remarkable spaces. 

Now as the summer season is approaching, The Outdoor Cinema Company promises to be the new edition in line of al fresco stargazing cinema watching, dubbing themselves as ‘The best Outdoor Film experience in the UK.’

The concept works similarly to the rest, remaining tight-lipped about the program of films that will be screened in the aim of surprising viewers. The films will be screened at night to the backdrop of the glistening stars promising to offer a dynamic and enchanting cinematic experience. The company has organized its UK tour stopping and setting up cinemas in multiple cities and towns from Bristol to Bradford to Lincolnshire and London. 

The London event will take place on the 5th June and tickets will be made available when registering at The Outdoor cinema website and information about films will be divulged at a later date. 

But for now, if the idea of paying in excessive amount for tickets to watch a film seems like an unappealing prospect. Recently, The Secret Cinema defended its £75 ticket price tag for their latest Star Wars installment. The next logical step would be to register and sign up for more feasible options like The Outdoor Cinema and experience a refreshing approach of viewing movies.

 Register and Sign up for tickets and further information: The Outdoor Cinema Company

 Image taken from Outdoor cinema instagram