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@cgutteridge This Tuesday, I’m going to see Lust For Life: Celebrating Iggy Pop and Trainspotting at #VFringe17
Have you bought yours yet? Hurry! We overheard people buying tickets to Ventnor International Festival earlier...
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@Miri_Green IT’S FRINGE TIME!!! #vfringe17
Tuesday 8th August 2017
Issue no.22
F i lm Sp o t t i ng by Matt Hitt
I
t’s begun! As you may be aware, our little town has become quite the miniature metropolis. If you’ve just arrived, settle in to your accommodation, have a beverage and light snack, then on with the show! There’s already a lot going on around town, from art on the Plaza to an old-school warehouse gig, not to mention the first night of shenanigans down at the Observatory. Tonight also sees some exciting things going on in the world of cinema. Looking at a film in a new context can be an eye-opening experience; perhaps finding a new meaning in a familiar tale or noticing things that you’d missed time and time again. There are two such offerings on the bill tonight, both very different experiences to be had. It’s been over 20 years since the release of Danny Boyle’s seminal film, Trainspotting, and at the Ventnor Fringe there is now an excuse to celebrate. By happy coincidence, 2017 also marks the 70th year of Iggy Pop, who’s song Lust for Life is put front and centre of the the film’s exhilarating opening scene. Not only does his music feature but Iggy Pop becomes a character in his own right, never seen yet is omnipresent as a symbol of irrepressible hedonism - pivotal life choices are made around the very idea of him. Tonight will see a screening of both the original Trainspotting and last year’s sequel. In the interlude Iggy Pop’s enthusiasm and ‘Lust for Life’ will be kept alive by Olly Fry and the Three Stooges who will be playing Iggy Pop’s tunes. All the while the walls will be adorned with never-before-seen
Image by Tobias Penner
photo portraits of him displayed by Ventnor Arts Club. If the exploits of Renton and Iggy aren’t quite your thing, or you have little ones in tow, The Adventures of Prince Achmed could be just the thing for you. Made in 1926 by pioneering German director Lotte Reiniger, this is the oldest surviving animated film in the world. The film follows the tale of Prince Achmed
Childhood by Catriona Macaulay
T
he first memory I had as a child was of something I thought could have been a dream – nah I’m only joking; I’m reviewing Childhood THE BAND. Playing this Friday at Ventnor Winter Gardens is the London-based band Childhood. Though listening to their back catalogue, you could be forgiven for thinking these guys were from a seaside town, not too dissimilar from dear Ventnor here. The band were welcomed to the scene
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back in 2012 with their single Blue Velvet, and were admired as the revivalists of modern guitar music. Such notoriety for a young band meant that Childhood had to either continue in this fashion, or fall by the wayside. In 2014 they released their album, Lacuna, which did not disappoint. The album showed off more of what critics had grown to love from Childhood, presenting exciting exploratory guitar on catchy synth indie-pop tracks.
from One Thousand and One Nights, and it has all that you could ask for: sorcery, adventure, demons and a flying horse! Musician Chris Davies gives the film new life with a new score that will be performed live on what can only be described as a spectacular array of world instruments, from the classical guitar to a bowed psaltery and a crystal singing bowl. The film itself is silent, so unrestricted by language, Davies Their latest album Universal High boast a Motown soul sound, a surprising turn around given their first album (Lacuna) featured indie-poppsychedelia. The latest album asserts crisp funky guitar riffs, the appearance of falsetto vocals whilst maintaining a soft undercurrent of that familiar psychedelic surfer guitar we’ve come to know and love. Too Old for My Tears has got to be the dance track of the summer; not the title you’d imagine for an up-beat summer anthem, but it’ll really get you up and wanting to dance. If you’re wondering which song you’re thinking of when the chorus plays “But oh baby” – It’s Ronan Keating, ‘Life is a Rollercoaster’ (you’re welcome, because we know that woulda’ been playing on your mind. And for all you nay-sayers, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of Ronan). This fast-paced song is like a blend of ‘Black and White Town’ by Doves crossed with Julian Casablacas-esque vocals. It’s an eclectic album - the more you listen, the more you unlock. It’s been a while since I’ve heard an album like it. Something new resonates with you with every play, whether it’s the bass-line, various guitar accompaniments or varying vocal styles, it’s just an astute collection of songs. My most exciting encounter with the album was the title track, embracing similar sounds to that of Connan Mockasin, minus the obscure and down-right weird lyricism. Childhood have taken several traditional music genres, amalgamated them into their own, and it’s that what a great album should be. The bands new image emanates the classic swinging flared corduroys, bushy side-burned beatnik boys. This definately is a must see for any music fanatics this week. Whether you’ve given them a listen already or would prefer to be pleasantly surprised, a live set is always the true measure of a band.
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creates new atmospheres and sound worlds for Price Achmed’s journey. After a history of touring with bands, Chris Davies eventually found himself in the world of visual theatre where his strengths and interests lay in creating atmosphere with sound. His work with Prince Achmed is has brought a new life to the oldest animation and promises to be a brilliant family night out. OR... if neither of those floats ones boat I’ll try something completely different. If film isn’t your thing, how about a little jazz? Nick Page is one of the country’s leading jazz guitarists and this evening at Trinity Church he will be performing his ‘Isle of Wight Suite’, a set of twelve original jazz compositions inspired by his favourite places on the Island. He will be joined by his quintet for what promises to be an excellent evening in a wonderfully atmospheric venue. Described by Alan Skidmore (saxophonist) as “an undiscovered gem of the British jazz scene”, Nick is a Ventnor resident and it’ll be a marvellous show on his home turf. Whichever direction your evening heads in, be sure to have fun, enjoy yourself, and settle in for the week. It’s going to be a hoot and a half. Lust For Life: Celebrating Iggy Pop and Trainspotting: 19:30 @ Ventnor Arts Club The Adventures of Prince Achmed: 19:30 @ Parkside The Isle of Wight Suite: 19:30 @ Holy Trinity Church
Miss R eid's Lonely Hearts Club H
ello darlings, how have you been? Oh, how I have missed you! Are your hearts open? Are your romance receptors active? Are your love muscles flexing? Because love is ready! It will not wait! No! Do you want to know what love is? Do you want me to show you? IT WOULD BE MY PLEASURE. Send your written love requests to the Media Room, aka The Fun Room at the Ventnor Exchange. Let’s get it on Ventnor Fringe. Let’s get it on.
Spelling B C
ongratulations to Mari Macooley for winning our first Ventnor Fringe Spelling Contest. ‘Begining’ – Often mistaken for the word ‘beginning’ was used as yesterday’s byline. ‘Begining’ was a word commonly used in medieval Scotland to describe a particularly alluring person. Close Mhairi Macaulay, but no cigar.
Email: media@vfringe.co.uk
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Fringe Review
Issue no.22
Interview
Sophie Honeybour ne by Catriona Macaulay Our first creative character interview this week is with Sophie Honeybourne, owner and artist behind Honeybourne Jewellery, with our very own Editorin-Chief, Catriona Macaulay. So to start things off - how long have you been making jewellery? I think it’s over 20 years now, which is really scary! I started when I was 18 alongside studying for my degree in 3D design and during my first year I realised I wasn’t getting taught enough. I wanted to specialize in jewellery so I trained at Theodosia in Newport for 7 years. I had the apprenticeship at the same time as doing my degree. Where did you do your degree? I studied at Portsmouth and then did a final two years at the Royal College, followed by a Masters specialising in jewellery. I didn’t know until I was in my second year that jewellery was what I wanted to go into, because I was more fine art based with a love for sculpture, but I struggled with the idea of how to make a living out of art. But then jewellery put it all together; I could make pieces of art for the body. Well they are like little sculptures when you look at them… Yeah well, making anything in miniature was a real challenge. I saw a Japanese jewellery exhibition and it just completely sent me down the jewellery path. In this country we have such a rich history in jewellerymaking. But at the same time, we’ve got set ways for ‘this is how you enamel’ or ‘this is how you make rings’ whereas the Japanese jewellery exhibition just opened up a whole new possibility that jewellery could be used as sculpture for the body. Have you ever been to Japan? No, but I’d love to go! It’s just so out of our comfort zone, it seems like everyone I know that has been says that it’s just so different to our culture. When did Honeybourne Jewellery come to life? I graduation from the Royal College and I made my End of Year Exhibition and sold nearly the whole lot which was really a shock.
“Have you got your Honeybourne?”. Is this something that you’ve realized? Thank you, yeah I think working for Theodosia helped. My studies didn’t give you any help in business experience or how to deal with real-life customers or clients. So to have a mix of the two, working for Theodosia with customers and having to design and make for them rather than just being taught at uni. I’ve been able to make 16th birthday presents, then graduation gifts and in some cases, their engagement and wedding rings then their christening gifts, and it’s been beautiful. You actually see people grow through jewellery. It can be a celebration, it’s a real marked point through their lives and a real honour to do that. Are all these documented on your social media? We have a bespoke archive (on the website) and each piece has a little text about what the customer wanted, what we discussed and what the piece became. We actually just added a subsection on the website about the remembrance pieces, and that’s been really beautiful. So, if people have lost a loved one we can incorporate hair and ashes into the piece so that it’s not just celebrating the good times but also marking really important life moments. That’s been in the last two years and we’ve been working really closely with clients and customer and making something that means the world to them. How many commissions do you tend to get through a week? It can really vary, I’d say in a day - there are three of us now - we can do from 5-10 commissions and in the really busy times like Christmas we work 10-12 hours daily to keep up with demand. It can be anything, from really tiny to a massive wedding piece and everything in-between, and each one needs attention and time. Do you work with any other companies? When I was on my own I used to exhibit at about 20 galleries around the country and a few major exhibitions but because of the success of the shop which is unbelievable - I always imagined some little open workshop that people could come in and see what I did and they might leave with a pair of earrings - and we were totally blown away by how successful it became.
We’ve worked with Charnwood, I made a miniature wood-burning stove and we’re about to possibly work with another island company but we’re still working on it at the moment so, quite exciting. Can we ask who it is? I can’t say right now. You’ll have to keep watching our page.
We’ve done a few collaborations with Sherlockology, which was the fansite for Sherlock Holmes. We made a piece for Steven Moffat and his wife Sue Vertue (directors of Sherlock and Doctor Who) and we stocked their online shop. We’ve done some work for Rockkins, a friend of mine who makes beautiful silk scarves, that was the Kate Moss piece that we made.
What is your take on The Ventnor Fringe? We love the Fringe. I can remember when I got my first email from Jack and he said, ‘Hi, my name is Jack, and I’m at university. We’re looking for unusual spaces and we’d love to use the archway’ and I immediately just said ‘yes definitely, whatever you like; we’ll give you cables, use our electricity’ and we’ve just supported it from day one. It’s so wonderful to see people so passionate coming together, not to mention the unusual and creative people it brings to Ventnor. Just to see that was like ‘Go Jack, go!’ and to see it growing a growing has been amazing. To have Ventnor Exchange as our neighbours is great and we’re wholeheartedly behind it.
Into the Chalkpits
in 2016 was a real eye opener for me it really was the birth place of a lot of my visions of an Isle of Wight music scene. So yeah, I’m really excited to embrace Vtown once again.
How many pieces did you have in your exhibition? It was probably nearly 20 or 25, and from that I gained lots of interest from exhibitions and galleries so it just snowballed! I imagined I’d go traveling or do something in-between, but literally a week after finishing, I graduated, came home and set up in my mum’s shed and started making. Every time I sold some jewellery I bought another tool, so all of these tools are 20 years old [gestures towards her work bench filled with sculpting tools]. It has become a right of passage for people to have a Honeybourne piece; when people graduate, finish Sixth Form or get married - it’s very much,
by Laura Clare Reid
C
halkpit Records was founded by Silas Gregory, a Commercial Music degree student, who, frustrated by the lack of guidance, support and professional performance opportunities for young musicians, decided to ruddy well do something about it. Silas has created professionally-executed gigs across the Island in a variety of venues – theatres, basements and festival stages, allowing young musicians from the Island and the South Coast to really showcase their music. Proper sound engineering, slick lighting and attention to detail set the Chalkpit gigs apart. The acts represented are diverse, keeping the bill eclectic; always selecting artists that complement each other, so the evening retains a common feel and a vibe that the audience can fully immerse themselves in. Since May 2016, Chalkpit has released two EPs, six singles, has put on 15 shows and represented 60 acts. Not bad. Having attended Chalkpit evenings and being a musician myself, I am impressed by what is happening. The acts I have seen are given the space to be themselves, to explore the music they want to make and be paid for doing so. That’s right! Paid to play original material! Profits go back into the acts
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and the label, with is entirely self-funded. Silas has also tapped into a market that has been left out of the live music scene on the Island for years; 16-18 year olds. With most venues not wanting to take the risk of opening up to under 18s, the Chalkpit nights are loyally attended by an increasing number of teens. The energy they bring to gigs is incredible. They are not jaded, nor concerned about who else is in the audience and being seen at the right gig. They are there for the music, joyfully singing along to the chorus, buying merch and creating well attended mosh pits at the drop of a hat. Live music on the Island has a chance. Young musicians have a chance. And this makes me very happy. But let me allow Silas Gregory to illuminate you… How are you? I’m great, thank you! Excited for yet another magical year at the Fringe Festival. Why have you come back to Fringe? The Fringe is fantastic, it draws so many like-minded people together under one umbrella. I’ve seen some wicked stuff over the years. It’s a beautiful place to grow and develop your artistic flow. Our debut show
Rubbleclub #2 is featuring… … some of the most exciting new acts to hit the Isle of Wight and South Coast. Headlining is Sleep Well, comprised of Josh Mobaraki and Hester Chambers. Sleep Well offer a refreshing new sound with Josh’s raw vocals racing us through, all the while complimented by the delicate vocals of Hester in a combination that somehow gels perfectly. Supporting is Brighton-based ambient indie rock band Submariner, who have had an exciting summer with sell-out shows and performances at Common People 2017 and Victorious Festival in Portsmouth. Opening the evening will be local indie sweetheart Goo Lagoon with his lo-fi indie pop band backing. Describe what Chalkpit Records is bringing to the music scene. Chalkpit Records was really about allowing people to fall in love with new and exciting music again. I feel like we are almost brainwashed to like pop music, it’s anywhere and everywhere we go, and for us it’s about breaking that cycle. We want to boast about the freshest sounds from the Island and South Coast because really they are the future. The Island is now home to some of my favorite bands and it excites me
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Is there anything on the program that you’re really looking forward to this year? We’re going to see the Parrots and Childhood, so that’s going to be really exciting. I loved last year, seeing Stealing Sheep was brilliant, because I’ve loved them for absolute years so it’s so lovely to see that one amazing band and then find loads of little bits around the Fringe and Rex [Sophie’s son] likes to wonder around. Will you be taking Rex along to any of the kidfriendly events this year? Yes! Rex loved Seska, he was brilliant. Rex was sat with his mouth hanging open, he’d never seen anything like it so we’ll definitely be going back to see him. Thank you to Sophie for speaking to us, you can find the Honeybourne Jewellery website at www.honeybournejewellery.com
to see these artists grow off the chalky Coasts. Tell us what we can expect from Rubbleclub #2! Firstly, we welcome you to the club, congrats you’re one of the lucky ones. It is a pleasure to have you in our company for the evening and we hope we can teach you a few things about live music. We want you to walk away knowing you have just witnessed some of the leading acts to break the shores of the UK and in a few years’ time will most definitely be going on to bigger and better things. Finish this sentence “Come to Rubble Club if you….” ... want to come with us now on a journey through time and space! If you love live music and want to discover and experience truly exciting and vibrant sounds, then head to the Warehouse tonight. Darlings, I will see you there.
A big thank you to Ventnor Town Council for their support and printing this year’s Fringe Review.
Email: media@vfringe.co.uk