Reviews
The Sputnik II Memorial Session
* * * *
Three Weeks review
Rich in significance, weirdly other worldly, and inspired by UFOs and space odysseys, Sarah Ingliss [sic], the thereminist (I'll come back to that), performed barefoot, which I'm beginning to think is a signifier for musical brilliance. The band played a mixture of well known songs, like John Barry's 'Diamonds Are Forever' and Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love', and their own compositions to a backdrop of repetitive visual images projected on to a wall. Jenny Ingliss sang to the accompaniment of guitar by Ben Kypreos and Mike Blow and the eerie sounds produced by the aformentioned theremin, which is played without being touched. Two antennas protrude from it controlling pitch and volume, requiring precision and perfect pitch. After the interlude a wired up plastic baby (Clara) on a stand with a wire taped to its arm mechanically played the theremin while Sarah rang hand bells with a guest performer. Sarah is a technical magician and I get the impression the more you dig music the more you'll dig this collective.
[SLA, Three Weeks review]
Senster - A Cabaret of Acoustic Curiosities
* * * * *
Brace yourself for the death noise - also featuring a theremin, musical saw and talking seal - this show packs a sonic punch. Described as a 'cabaret of acoustic curiosities', Senster is part lecture, part concert and part performance art, drawing the audience into surreal other worlds of sound. Did you know, for example, that fish are irresistibly drawn to the sound of Barry White's voice, or that low bass infra frequencies are often detected at the site of hauntings? The evening climaxes with the administration of this infamous frequency or death noise through a giant tube that spans the room. Witness it if you dare. Spine-tingling fun is guaranteed. [FH Three Weeks review]
SPACEDOG PERFORMANCE IN ATTERS' OTHER WORLD
I saw them at the Komedia last year. Maths teacher on acid.
[EH, Brighton, Flickr Comment]
THE HAUNT, BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE, (May 2006)
* * * * Shortisted for best show of the Brighton Festival, 2006
Reader, I’m spooked! Really, as I write this my hand is visibly shaking as I reach out for my skinny latte. About an hour ago, I embarked on Spacedog’s ghostly audio tour, which is conducted by a dead Victorian woman, who guided me through alleys tucked away in the North Laines. The eerie tinkling music did an impressive job of making me feel strangely alone in a bustling Saturday crowd. It all culminated with lonely me in a pitch-black basement; uncommunicative strangers taking my hand, my reflection slowly morphing into that of the dead woman’s, and flashes of red curtains, a distant noise, irrational thoughts of ghouls, maybe a slight panic – and suddenly, a tiny voice right in my ear - ‘it’s over now…’ Aargh! Three Weeks review