After what has been a 2018 of relative silence It gives me great pleasure to announce a couple of shows for next month.
Both will be pretty different With one being acoustic and the other being more loop based and electronic.
The first of which is happening In South End. An Event organised by a great guy called Chris Davidson who puts together bi-annual charity night for a personal cause.
@ Twenty One. Unit 21, Pier Approach, Western Esplanade
Southend-on-Sea SS1 2EH
The second of the 2 shows sees me sharing the billing once again with a personal inspiration in the form of Haco who on tour from Japan:
@ Club 85, 74 Whinbush Rd, Hitchin SG5 1PZ, United Kingdom +44 1462 434801
Also on the line up is Tarnovski (Gurun Gurun) On tour from the Czech Rep.
Live music from about 7.30pm
“There are no hard and irrefutable surfaces, and throughout Haco’s dream-led ventures into space and sun and snow, reality never comes to curb the fantastical forms of what might be.” – ATTN:Magazine
“My view is ‘no borders’ when it comes to sounds for creating new music. I want to open my ears and find the rhythm and tone for all of the sounds in my life.” – Haco
Japanese singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and sound artist,
Haco is a composer, vocalist, electroacoustic performer, sound artist, and a founding member of After Dinner (1981-1991) and Hoahio. She has created numerous recordings both as a producer and engineer based in Kobe. In her live performances, she uses voice and self- programmed electronics as an organic method. With her “howling pot” performances, which make creative use of feedback, and “Stereo Bugscope,” which captured oscillating sounds emitted by the circuitry of an electronic device, she had developed a new genre of art.
Haco will be bringing new songs from her seventh album Qoosui (Someone Good/Room 40). She uses voice and self-programmed electronics as an ‘organic method’ in her performance, accompanied by video images shot and edited with Mariko Tajiri. Qoosui has won critical acclaim from music and art magazines and has been played on numerous radio programs in Europe, North and South America, Oceania, and Japan.
It’s been over 3 years since I last released something new.
However 3 albums were made available for the first time by other artists who had asked me to contribute to their work.
Zero Call
November 26th saw the 1st full length album of Electro group from Italy ‘Zero Call‘. We had collaborated back in 2012 with a track called ‘This College Year’. https://stuartoconnor.bandcamp.com/track/this-college-year-feat-zero-call
On stage in Rome with Andrea of Zero Call in 2014 Performing ‘This College Year’.
Now as 2015 wraps up it’s a pleasure to share this new collaboration.
The song is called ‘Vertebrae’ and was recorded early in 2015.
It is taken from the album ‘Soft Power’. Released through Future City Records.
It can be bought in it’s entirety from these links digitally but hold off if you’re a physical music fan because it will see the light of day in a couple of weeks on 12″ Vinyl.
I had discovered Haco’s music around the time I became professional. It became a soundtrack to my earliest touring memories and in 2010 I was lucky enough to collaborate with her at a concert in Kobe.
Onstage with ‘Haco’ @ Varit Livehouse Kobe Japan, back in 2010.
This led to a distance collaboration where she reworked and sampled four of my songs into her own album ‘Secret Garden’ Released through Nuovo Immigrato Label. Earlier this year she returned to the UK and we performed tracks from the record.
This is one of the tracks from Secret Garden with a beautiful video by Karen Vanderborght.
Stevie Jones and the Wildfires
Also 2015 saw the release of a long awaited album by UK group Stevie Jones and the Wildfires. I have known Stevie through years of gigging and he remains one of the hardest working musicians. I stopped by in the studio with him and his band back in 2014. Completion of the album occurred in 2015 and it saw it’s release back in October.
In the studio with Stevie recording parts to his song ‘Instant World’
His album is called ‘Stratigraphic Heart’ and I play on 2 tracks either on guitar or chimes.
As for my solo work I did re-release 2 albums which had sold out in 2013. They were parts 1 & 3 of the 4 album project – ‘Go Forth Bright Scenic‘.
The Electronic album ‘Go’ was originally on a USB Pen stick and is now out on CD and the more singer acoustic ‘Bright’ was originally released on tape cassette but now also sees the light of day on CD.
‘GO forth bright scenic’ CD Re-release cover.‘go forth Bright scenic’ CD Re-release cover
Get in touch to find out how to order these or you can download them from here: https://stuartoconnor.bandcamp.com/
So a song that started as a lazy free session with my friend Ollie in Brighton went from having no explicit plan and ended up being released 2 years later on my ‘Bright’ album in 2012.
I then began touring the material and when on the road in New Zealand I had the chance to rehearse for a couple of days. I took this as an opportunity to attempt to make ‘Ons’ a part of the live set through the use of live looping. 3 days later I Debuted ‘Ons’ live at a show in Auckland. Ons went onto be performed in Asia and Europe.
When I returned to the UK this live video was made:
In 2014 I received a message from a musician I respect and admire very deeply. Her name is ‘Haco’ and she had contacted me to request that I send the sound files for ‘Ons’ to her so she can work them into her own music.
Haco – whose music has been an inspiration for many years.
About 18 months later I received further correspondence from Haco, She had finished her new album ‘Secret Garden’ and wanted to released ‘Ons’ with her on vocals. Renamed ‘Whitening Shadows’.
In 2015 Haco toured the UK and we performed the song together.
Onstage With Haco in the UK.
I found it wonderful to think back on the journey the recording had made from Brighton out to Australiasia and then into collaboration in Japan. But the travel did not stop there.
The filmmaker Karen Vanderborght who is based in Toronto had contacted ‘Haco’ expressing a desire to make a video to the song.
And so here it is:
So from 2010 to 2015 and from Brighton to Toronto via Asia what started as an off the cuff jam session has sprouted wings.
Maybe this is not the end of the journey for the Ons. But I must remember it all started with my good friend Ollie.
Haco has returned to the UK for the 1st time since 2009. This has re-ignited a collaboration that first started in Japan 5 years back.
This Sunday we will share a billing for the 1st time since our 2010 performance in Kobe, Japan. But despite being located on different continents this has not halted progress on collaboration.
The show back in 2010 was a 35 min improvisation which went on to be released on Vinyl LP in 2012.
Released in 2012. The red LP documents our performance 2 years prior. Still available to order from here
Between then and now I released some solo material of which 4 songs were sampled by ‘Haco‘ when she was working on her new album ‘Secret Garden’.
Haco’s new album ‘Secret Garden’ will be released officially later in 2015. (Although advance tour copies are available on this European Trip)
So the collaboration continues moving from a live environment to studio. But the truth be told I am not even beginning to emphasise the extent of influence her music had on me. It was being a big fan of her work that inspired me to venture to tour Japan for the 1st time back in 2009 and to have met her at all was a honour. So to be collaborating is beyond any expectation.
Being on the road solo for the last 18 months has made me really appreciate the joys of sharing the stage with other players.
Back in the UK I have been fortunate enough to work with such a wonderful cast of musicians who have made the live experience a joy and have made my records sound the way I`ve always hoped. This is no more evident than on my latest long player `Good Times With Evil` where we rehearsed and honed the songs intensely for days before recording the bulk of the record live in one day (Mostly in one take).
To hear me with these guys you can check this vid out here
However my budget dictates that my tours abroad must be solo and so it give me great pleasure to be able to send some Kudos to some of the great players I`ve had the pleasure to share a stage with here in Japan.
Graham Taylor - Tenor Sax
Graham was born in Oxfordshire UK and has travelled round the world playing professionally for years now. We first met in Chiba Bar Toppers where he introduced me to the awesome Japanese Jazz combo Soil & Pimp Sessions. His playing style is wonderfully expressive and It`s truly been a pleasure to share a stage with him on multiple occasions.
Eiji Hayashi (Tony) - Keys
Eiji (Tony) was attending shows for a while before word got to me how accomplished he was as a keys player. He bought a copy of my 3rd album and a week later turned up to a show with score sheets he had notated from the record. He speaks very little English and I very little Japanese. But that matters little as the understanding is their in the music.
Adam Erdossy (Front Centre) - Baritone Sax, Drums
It aaaaallllllll started with Adam. Back in 09 on only the second day of my first tour of Japan I attended an open mic night in Shibuya Tokyo where I put out an open invitation to any drummers in the building to jump on stage and get involved. Adam rose to the challenge and later I discovered he also plays Baritone Sax. So we`ve shared a stage many times since then.
Shinya Asakura - Sitar
The Story with Shinya dates right back to 2007 in New Zealand. My first tour outside of the UK and I`m booked into a cafe in Auckland called 121. Shinya is working there and so prior to the show we spend the day hanging out drinking too much coffee and enjoying many musical tangents. Then we never meet again. Cut to 3 years later and the first show of my 3rd Japan tour and who should be opening with a solo Sitar performance. The world works in mysterious ways and to meet Shinya again by chance warranted the sharing of a stage for sure.
Haco - Voice, Koas Pad, Many Crazy Out of My Understanding Sounds
Where to begin??!?. I`ve been a fan of Haco`s music for years and in late 2010 I was lucky enough to meet her and to play with her. We performed an improvisation show together creating 35 mins of ambience and psychedelic crazyness. One of the most affirming moments in my musical journey.
Eric Gebow - Drums, Omnichord, Glockenspiel, Effects
Eric has been drumming for years and has many wonderful stories of his times kerouacing around the US with his many musical projects. He has toured with and shared the studio with Gary Newman and members of Wilco and American Music Club to name a few. His style is unique and original as he dabbles with modern effects and geeks out over pre-war vintage drum sets. He is currently collaborating with Callum`s Whisky Tales and they are nearly finished with their debut album.
Yasushi Kita - Shamisen
One half of NolenNiu-de-Ossi Yasushi is a master of both guitar and Shamisen. I had the pleasure of collaboration with these guys at the 2010 Kansai Music Conference. Since then we have played many times together in Kansai and I hope to one day see them come to the UK.
Toruko Nolen - Accordion, Piano
The other half of NolenNiu-de-Ossi Toruko plays and sings with such character you can`t help but smile and relish the music. The perfect ying to the yang of Yasushi`s vocal and playing style. One of my favourite moments of performing last year was to play an impromptu street performance in Osaka with these guys. Legends!!!
Daniel Karras - Drums
Always thrown in the deep end when we`ve performed together. Daniel is a member of Sorcha and the Sinners and Remedy’s Library and is one of the most tastful musicians I`ve ever heard. Respectful and communicative without words it`s no surprise that of all 4 acts who played the last show I did. All wanted Daniel in to accompany.
You Cross - Tenor Sax
A member of the dub/ska/jazz band Riddimates You is so flamboyant with the Sax it`s just stupid. His live energy is as such that the audiences have been worked to a frenzy by You whilst I`m happy to hold it down and grin.
Yusuke Sugii - Drums
Touring in Kansai I played a venue in Osaka called Socio. The support band for the night were frankly terrible until they brought on a special guest. looking like the coolest mutha on the planet Yusuke sauntered onto the stage and turned the whole show around. I invited him to join me for my set and haven`t looked back. Everytime I visit Kansai I hope to jam with one of the most exciting and unpredictable drummers I have ever met.
Callum Grant - Guitar
Chief Songsmith behind Callum`s Whisky Tales. Callum Grant has become a great friend during my trips to Tokyo and to see his music grow and evolve has been a pleasure. During this tour we`ve finally had the chance to share a stage and to hear him adding inventive riffs and melodies to my songs has been a joy. Whisky`s a plenty to boot.
Robin Dupuy - Cello
Originally from Strasbourg France but currently living in Tokyo Robin was invited by super cool Music Cafe at night and Pet Salon during the day called Cafe Mignon to come and accompany me. He is a wonderfully accomplished player who worked has worked with many artists over the years. Check out his stuff here.
Shouichi Tomomori - Guitar, Omnichord, Flute.
Shouichi is one half of the partnership who own Cafe Mignon in Tokyo. The cafe itself does so much to help rescue and re-house animals effected by the Tsunami last march. Shouichi himself is a wonderful musician who has been professional for many years now and can be found on random videos performing in arenas as a session player from many different popular Japanese artists. He stunned me with his ability and stunned even more when I discovered he has done his homework and nailed the full structures of the songs. Plus like many Japanese musicians. He`s ridiculously modest.
Steve Marcotte - Bass Guitar
Steve has been a friend and fellow music enthusiast for sometime and unfortunately it was only in my most recent tour that we finally shared a stage. Despite minimal rehearsal and the last min addition of songs he`d never had the heads up on. He was still solid as a rock. And why not when you realise how much experience he has playing with bands in the US and Japan. It really was one of my favourite Japan moments to share a stage with Steve, Graham and Eiji as we forgot the script and strayed into wonderful and simple spontaneous jamming.
Naomi Hirata - Chimes
So whilst on tour in Kobe I arrive to play a cafe show to discover they have no PA. There fore no Loop Station usage. Naomi stepped up to the challenge of playing the chimes for `Map of Shibuya`. She did a great job too 🙂
Stuart O'Connor 