Folie à Deux present Tristram, Laish & Kristin McClement - 26 February 2011

After the wonderful success of our last collaboration with Utrophia, we are proud to announce a series of Alternative-Folk music evenings to be held in Utrophia's cosy and intimate barn space. The first gig of 2011 begins 26 February from 19.00 - 23.00 with performances by some of the most exciting and experimental folk bands around: Laish (Willkommen Collective), Tristram (Broken Sounds) and Kristin McClement (Willkommen Collective). Once again the night will be a joyous evening with mulled wine, cider and beer! To read more about these exciting bands please see below.

Tristram are a four-piece London-based band comprising members from Peggy Sue and the Mariner's Children led by Tristram Bawtree. Whilst rooted in folk their sound incorporates more powerful and complex instrumentation inspired by their love of post rock and post punk bands such as Silver Mt Zion/Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Joy Division. Think the vocal tone of Nick Drake, with lyrics that take a side ways appoach to universal themes, underpinned by dramatic bursts of experimental arrangement incorporating guitar, cello, base, drums and harmonium. In Autumn 2010 Tristram released their EP 'Accidents and Artifices' on Broken Sound (Forest Fire, Peggy Sue and Rachael Dadd) receiving love from Pitchfork and a rave review in the Guardian's Band of the Day 'as good as anything we've heard this year'. Tristram are a rare kind in that possess a sense of old world drama and romance yet can speak to the contemporary world - a hypnotic mixture of the familiar and the unexpected 'buoyed by a rare grace' (Clash) - not to be missed. Watch them perform 'Rhyme and Reason' here.

http://www.myspace.com/tristramsongs

Laish (Willkommen Collective) are the Brighton-based five piece folk band, led by Daniel Green who - a multi-talented man - also plays drums for Sons of Noel & Adrian and occasionally lends to his talents to the likes of Laura Marling, Alessi's Ark and The Leisure Society. Laish play genuine, home-baked, DIY yet modern folk, instrumentally layering finger-

picking guitar with violin, melodica, rumbling bass, rattling drums with female vocals and harmonies (and occasional whistling). Green's lyrics - letters to friends and lovers or stories about imagined characters - are reflections of moments in time, refreshingly 'honest and soulful' (NME), melancholic,

inspiring, humorous and reassuring ('Some how it will all be okay' - Speak the Mantra) Laish have recently released their
self-titled debut album demonstrating 'pure musicianship most could only hope to accomplish' (Blue Walrus). 2010 saw them tour the UK and Europe, as well as support Grizzly Bear and Beach House at the Round House. This February they hit the road again for a joint-headline tour of the UK with Tristram. Utrophia is their only London stop. Watch them perform 'Happy Accident' here.

http://www.myspace.com/laishmusic

Kristin McClement (Willkommen Collective) are the Brighton-based three-piece led Kristin and with band members from Peggy Sue, Mariner's Children and Tristram (Becca Mears on cello and Tom Heathers on drums). Kristin in an enchanting wanderer with a nylon guitar at the heart of her songs, who sings of folklore and the curiosities of a wild and yearning world, accompanied by soaring cello and eclectic percussion. Her soft and spellbinding voice has been perfectly described as the 'aural equivalent of one of these remarkable slow motion films of a bird in flight.' Inspired by poetry (Dylan Thomas and Ted Hughes) as well as visual artists (Edvard Munch and Dan Eldon's journals) can perhaps explain why her lyrics are so emotionally and visually sensitive, beautiful, dramatic and mysterious, transporting the listeners minds and imaginations to new heights. Kristin has supported the likes of Alessi's Ark ('Her music is something so special') and various bands from the Willkommen Collective including Sons of Noel and Adrian, The Leisure Society and Pete Roe. Watch her perform 'Kestrel Kite' here.
http://www.myspace.com/kristinmcclement

Next door there will also be the opportunity to view the art exhibition Floorwork until 9pm displaying the work of Philippa Johnson who - focusing on surface and texture and highlighting the beauty of every day objects - will be transforming Utrophia's gallery space by weaving an intricately patterned rug out of adhesive tape.



Entry is £4. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
Utrophia Project Space
136 Tanner's Hill, SE8 4QD
020 8691 8409

Folie à Deux: The End of the Beginning

Yesterday evening the doors closed on Folie à Deux’s first ever exhibition. Three weeks, three sales and 186 visitors later, it was everything we dreamed it would be – and more. Although we felt a tinge of sadness taking the works down, the overriding emotion was one of satisfaction in a job well done – and a huge sense of excitement about our future dreams and projects…

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in making the exhibition possible: all of the artists and performers, everyone at Utrophia, everybody who came along to see the show, Zannah and Madeleine for their sterling service invigilating in near-Arctic conditions, Jane for social media guidance… we simply couldn’t have done it without your support and enthusiasm.

For now, we are taking a short breather, but we will be back soon with news of an exciting project that we hope you will all want to get involved with – so keep an eye on this blog, befriend us on Facebook if you haven’t already done so, and sign up to follow us on Twitter (FaDgallery).

See you soon for more adventures.

Chris  – Clara

Giulia Ricci and Judith Lyons discuss their work at Utrophia

Over the next two Sundays Giulia Ricci and Judith Lyons will be discussing their work with us at Utrophia Project Space. The discussions will be free and informal with accompanying tea and cake. Here are the details below. We hope you can make it!


The Tactility of Order: Giulia Ricci in Conversation with co-curator Clara Cowan

Sunday 21 November 2010, 15.00, Utrophia Project Space

Giulia and Clara will discuss her interest in ordering systems, what influences lie behind her use of patterns and why she loves to do Sudoku before falling asleep.Currently featured on the front-cover of a-n Magazine and on show at the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art, Giulia Ricci was also shortlisted for the Jerwood Drawing Prize in the summer 2010. Ricci is fascinated by patterns and their systems which she explores through various repetitive processes, primarily drawing on paper. She is also interested in various aspects of science and mathematics such as chaos theory, but her work is also intimately bound up with, and born of her experiences, background and cultural reference points. These include not only the famous mosaics of her home town of Ravenna, but also the rural patchwork of fields in the countryside of Emilia-Romagna where she grew up - what she calls the 'man-made geometry of the landscape'.

The Art of Cameraless Photography: Judith Lyons in Conversation with co-curator Christopher Adams

Sunday 28 November 2010, 15.00, Utrophia Project Space

Judith Lyons and Chris will be discussing the art and history of cameraless photography, the technical ingenuity of these pieces and the influences behind her work.

Currently leading cameraless photography workshops for Shadow Catchers: Cameraless Photography exhibition at the V&A, Judith Lyons is also on show at the Rich Mix in Shoreditch as a part of Photomonth and in the summer gained a four page article in Amateur Photography Magazine. Lyon's cameraless photographs come from two series where she takes plant and flower specimens as her subject matter. Her series A Different Nature comprises images of plant components that have been deliberately deconstructed, recombined and further transformed using inks and dyes. Creating hybirds that are unnatural and botanically flawed, they raise questions about contemporary society's relationship with the natural world and the increasing genetic modification of plant species.

Folie à Deux opening night: I have this strange kind of feeling and I just can’t place it

Seven months to the day from when the idea of Folie à Deux first occurred to us, we’re pleased to report that Thursday’s private view was a roaring success. Capacity crowd, amazing food, great music, a barnstorming performance from Mauricio Velasierra and his band – and three works sold. We couldn’t have wished for more, and before anything else we want to thank everyone involved in making it such a great evening: the artists, performers, Madeleine our DJ, Jane for hleping with social media, Keith Roberts for his sterling service in helping us to hang the works, everybody at Utrophia for their help and amenability, and everyone who came to support us and entered into the spirit of Folie à Deux. You all played a part in making it a memorable – and for us, emotional – night. It’s been quite a journey…

Giulia Ricci and friend

Mauricio Velasierra and his band

 








Kicking off at 7pm, the evening wound down around 10.30. It was great to have a focal point to the evening, provided by Mauricio’s ‘edible soundscapes’ experiment in which cubes of spiced melon, delicious and fiery rice and potato balls, and popping candy ice cream were interpreted musically. 

'Edible soundscapes' kicks off

Guests enjoying popping candy ice cream

  
 

The week leading up to the opening was lots of hard work – we were down at the gallery after work every evening painting and cleaning the space, and unpacking and placing the works, with only nosebags of Bombay mix attached to our faces to keep us going! As the works arrived, it quickly became clear that the exhibition was going to be something really special and, whilst all very different, our feeling that there was some indefinable thread connecting all the pieces on some level proved to be correct.

If you haven’t made it down yet, hope to see you there soon. If you have, please spread the word. And don’t forget to check out the accompanying events by keeping up to date with news on our Facebook page – we have a free folk evening coming up on 20 November; Giulia Ricci will be talking about her work with Clara on 21 November, and Judith Lyons with Chris the following Saturday. We’ll also be open late on the final Friday of the show (27 November) as part of South London’s monthly art trail ‘Last Fridays’ – so see you then if not before…

Chris and Clara

Countdown to opening night of 'I have a strange kind of feeling and I just can't place it'.

Monday night before the big opening, it's freezing in London but we are hard at work applying a last coat of paint to the exhibition space and getting ready to hang the artists works.

There has been significant coverage in various art blogs , and press most notably Giulia Ricci is featured on the front page of A-N magazine .

Hope everyone can make it on Thursday night, the doors will open at 7.30pm and we hope to have a fun filled evening of art and music. We look forward to seeing you all there. 


If you are looking for a pre-opening drink or snack there is the Amersham Arms, easy to spot with the massive Take Courage neon sign out front right by New Cross Station and the Royal Albert pub also on the way to Tanners Hill.

Other nearby stations include Deptford Bridge, St John's and  New Cross Gate, if you need any hints or tips on getting to South London just ask us on the Facebook page. Take Courage North Londoners its not as scary down south as you might think .


Cheers 


xxx

Night of music during 'I have this strange kind of feeling' at Utrophia

Folie à Deux will be bringing to you a spectacular evening of music, with some of the most up-and-coming and talented young folk musicians around. The performance will take place on 20 November from 19.00 - 23.00 at Utrophia Project Space. This gig will run alongside and be complementary to our exhibition 'I have this stange kind of feeling and I just can't place it... ' and is central to Folie à Deux's vision to create opportunities for exciting young artists to showcase their work. Of course there will be the obligatory beer, mulled wine and other seasonal goodies. Here's a little sneak preview of the music line-up for you to enjoy!

Dear Winesburg

Dear Winesburg
A London-based folk four-piece, pair the deft finger-style playing of singer-songwriter Chris Kreinczes with the violin of Emma Kraemer (Peggy Sue, Mariners Children) backed in rabble-rousing-style on double bass, accordion and drums, as well as mandolin, clarinet and harmonica. They evoke contemporaries Noah and The Whale and Mumford & Sons but with a lyrical intensity that harks back to the protest singers of the 60s and the roots of the folk tradition, as well as song writing that echoes the Greenwich Village-era Dylan and the Lake Poets. Kreinczes' voice is mature and timeless, and with instrumental arrangements that build, surge and simmer, 'every fluttering violin note to every guitar delicately plucked shows off musicianship that is heavily accomplished' For Folks Sake. Their acclaimed debut record 'Dark Water' produced by Mike Pela (Stephen Stills, Fairport Convention) was released earlier this year.
www.myspace.com/dearwinesburg

Amber States
This North London folk four-piece are highly involved in the music enterprise You Choose Jamboree and have performed alongside the likes of Portico Quartet and Moulettes. Whilst relatively new to the folk scene they have performed in venues such as Ronnie Scott's and Proud Galleries over the last year, and their debut single 'Son of a Gun' featured on BBC 6 Music Tom Robinson. With lead singer Gavin Bell's smokey voice, and banjo, cello, guitars and drums they create a harmoniously addictive sound with 'catchy hooks, dreamy melodies, exhilerating builds and toe tapping rhythms' (Amelia's Magazine). Listen to 'Morning Sun' and 'Fall from Grace' by watching their beautiful videos shot in Abney Cemetery, where their sound changes from a delicate guitar strumming into an emotional layering of instruments, making your heart swell. This talented, goodlooking and charming bunch have a bright future ahead.
www.myspace.com/amberstatestheband

Benedict Rubinstein, front man of The Mariner's Children

Mariner's Children 

Benedict Rubinstein is the front man of the Brighton seven piece Alt-Folk band The Mariner's Children (Broken Sound Records) who are made up of friends' band members Laura Marling, Peggy Sue, Sons of Noel & Adrian and Alessi's Ark. Their sound sees an alliance with the immense instrumentation of Arcade Fire yet whose subtleties have been compared to the likes of Iron & Wine and Bonnie Prince Bill. On this rare and special occasion, Benedict will be performing solo (possibly with one other band member), presenting a stripped down version of their songs. Lyrically, he artfully constructs heart-breaking, often hair-raising confessional tales that are visually rich and evocative, and intimately bound up with the surging wildness of nature (in human kind and the natural world). Benedict's voice is soft, distinctive and unique, just listen to 'Waltz for a Sleeping Lover' - his lightest, most delicate and sparse solo song - as well as the bands new song 'Golden Pine' to really understand. In the last month The Mariner's Children have received rave reviews from The Guardian, NME, The Independent and Blue Walrus, if you haven't heard of them already here's your chance. The EP New Moore Island is out 1 November.
www.myspace.com/marinerschildren.com

Photos of the artists work

Sorry we haven't blogged for a while we have been super busy trying to put the show together and handing out flyers at the Deptford X festival. We thought that you might want to see a bit more of the artists work and get a better idea of how the show will look, so we have uploaded some photos for your viewing pleasure.

Keith Roberts, The Clearing, 2006

Judith Lyons, from 'A Different Nature', 2009

Nina Mankin, Magdalena and Her  Circus of  Horrors, 2009

Nina Royle, Amber Room, 2009

Nina Mankin, Emanuel's Opiate, 2009

Giulia Ricci, Untitled, 2010

Giulia Ricci, Untitled, 2010

Nina Mankin, Vitacup, Take Four Times Daily for Mental Wellbeing, 2010

Keith Roberts, Original Crossing, 2008

Judith Lyons, From 'A Different Nature', 2009