S – Z OF MAIN EASTNOR ARTISTS

(pic: Steve Cobby of Fila Brazillia)

SLOVO
It all started when he badgered his mum’n'dad for an electric guitar at 13. Quite a few years later, Dave Randall became a member of the Mercury Prize nominated outfit Faithless, touring most of the world and enjoying the big time. The politically engaged and socially aware musician’s solo project slovo, however, is his own statement of a world gone mad. Recorded in Gaza, New York and London and featuring contributions from the likes of Kirsty Hawkshaw and Emiliana Torrini, in his own words ‘nommo’ is ?born of the belief that resistance is fertile?.

STEVE COBBY (FILA BRAZILLIA)
Steve is, of course, one half of the ridiculously funky duo Fila Brazillia. Seven albums, a skipful of singles (all on Pork) and some 60 remixes later Steve had also released albums with Simeon Lister as Heights of Abraham which later led to them setting up 23 Records together. The Big Chill holds a special place in Steve’s heart, what with the live debut of Fila at Enchanted Garden in ’99 – their first show anywhere with a band. Expect wondrous downtempo grooves.

TALVIN SINGH – AN EVENING OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC
London-born Talvin Singh was inspired to play tabla as a young boy sat on his grandmother’s knees. It seems his future as tabla virtuoso colliding with Western urban futurist music was already fixed, but the extent to which Talvin has influenced the path British-Indian music cannot be underestimated. With his weekly ’90s club Anokha where intense Indian classical music met the gritty technology of jungle and with his remarkable Mercury-winning debut album ‘OK’ in ’99, his rise has been unstoppable. A Big Chill regular, Talvin’s show, where he’ll concentrate on his ‘classical’ side, should be pretty darn special.

THE B*E*N*T FIELD REHABILITATION UNIT
Feelin a bit worse for wear? Then take yourself off to the B*E*N*T Field Rehabilitation Unit (Clinic For The Tediously Sane) where you’ll be given a swift prognosis and subsequently ‘cured’ by Bent music and Bent refreshment. Now, you may be thinking Carry On Doctors And Nurses here but – with the B*E*N*T Hospital Radio featuring round-the-clock DJs and a couple of video screens providing the latest in B*E*N*T entertainment – the result might be slightly more sophisticated.

THE CINEMATIC ORCHESTRA PRESENT ‘MAN WITH THE MOVIE CAMERA’
Set up while Jay Swinscoe was still an employee at Ninja Tune, The Cinematic Orchestra has grown to become a byword for stunning modern day jazz soundscapes. Their appearance at The Big Chill this year is a truly ambitious live performance of Cinematic’s soundtrack to Dziga Vertov’s 1929 black and white classic documentary of Russian every day life ‘Man With A Movie Camera’ (reviewed on bigchill.net), which Swinscoe was originally commissioned to write for the Portuguese city of Porto while European City of Culture in 2001. Stunning isn’t the word.

TOM MIDDLETON (COSMOS AV SET)
Whether jacking Chillers in Naxos wearing a pink wig or blissing them out with his Amba project featuring a 40-piece choir at Islington’s Union Chapel, Tom Middleton’s appearances at The Big Chill are forever memorable. Kicking off with Global Communication (with Mark Pritchard) and The Jedi Knights (‘Feel The Funk’) over a decade ago, Tom Middleton’s musical prowess is unquestionable. In fact, you can blame him for The Big Chill’s outdoor existence if you like – Global Communication’s ambient-house LP ’76:14′ was one of the inspirations for the festival. With current solo project Cosmos, Tom has mastered yet another musical route – where deep, organic, hypnotic grooves hold fort.

TREVA WHATEVA
Recently signed to Ninja Tune (debut album due end of 2003), after stints on Tru-Thoughts and Skint, Big Chill’s oft-invited Treva Whateva’s journey to full-time music involved working at record shops including Fat City, just a few stints DJing alongside a fresh-faced Mr Scruff, and some class singles released here and there (the ‘Long Time Female Friend’ EP and ‘Singalong/Dedicated’ spring to mind). Meantime, you can tune into his radio shows with the Scruffster on Key 103 where their wobbly eclectic musical minds can talk jelly and pie to their hearts’ and their audience’s delight. Another grin-fuelled night guaranteed.

TRUBY TRIO
The Trio was founded in 1997 by Rainer Truby, Roland Appel & Christian Prommer. Some of the first to blend Brazil, Latin and Disco music together, they practically created a new dance genre. And, as with so many artists at Eastnor, they all carry many strings to their bow . Amongst other things, Chris and Roland are famous for their Fauna Flash releases while Rainer’s world-bound DJing slots are legendary. He was last with us at Larmer Tree in ’98 – we welcome him back warmly with Trio for some funky Sunday grooves.

TY
From unknown MC to an artist of international reputation, Ty released his debut album ‘Awkward’ on Big Dada to a great response last year – with its emotional soulful feel. Since then he’s supported Mos Def and Talib Kweli on tour as well appearing with Damon Albarn on afrobeat drummer Tony Allen’s forthcoming new album. Ty stresses he’s not a poet, but he’s long been involved in the spoken word/poetry scene – and was involved in the mid-90s Ghetto Grammar organisation. Expect a complex, soulful inspirational take on the hip hop blueprint.

ULRICH SCHNAUSS
The first taste of the sublime Schnauss for many Chillers came on the final CD of Tom Middleton’s ‘Sound of the Cosmos’ trilogy. Since which Ulrich has garnered a rapidly growing band of followers – due to his powerful, anthemic compositions on debut ‘Far Away Trains Passing By’ and recent long-player ‘A Strangely Isolated Place’ (review on www.bigchill.net). His first Big Chill set at Eastnor last year stunned the audience into submission to his music – and his moving electronic compositions are due to repeat the feat this year. Warning: your pleasure zones may overload.

UPSTAIRS SOUNDSYSTEM: POM LIVE & BUZZ ROZWELL
As head of visual design at Upstairs Recordings (and head honcho of Atmosphere Design) Buzz Roswell has always found a way to express himself in contemporary music, art, and culture, blending his unique visual style with the sounds of modern music. His lush, flowing eclectic sets were witnessed by lucky Naxos Festival goers last year. At Eastnor he’s joined by Jon O’Neil (who DJ’d with Pete Lawrence on a tour of the west ciast), whose live POM show draws influences from such varied producers as Larry Heard, LTJ Bukem, Brian Eno, Rodney Jerkins and The Neptunes.

VERITY SHARP AND FIONA TALKINGTON (RADIO 3 LATE JUNCTION)
Cult listening for Chillers – Verity and Fiona are behind Radio 3′s excellent ‘Late Junction’ programme. The show is an eclectic showcase of the latest classical and modern music – with Verity taking up the experimental baton and Fiona the more traditional aspect (although both are as open to new sounds as the other).

ZERO DB
Crashing on to the scene with now classic tunes ‘Come Party’ and ‘Click’, Zero dB have built up their name as razor sharp producers and remixers on a latin-jazz-leftfield-broken-beat tip. Able to get a dance floor up and at it – but going for far longer than is strictly necessary – Zero dB’s relatively short set at Eastnor will surely be leaving you begging for more. Their remix album ‘Reconstruction’ (reviewed on www.bigchill.net) is out now on Fluid Ounce with a follow up album due early next year.

A – E of main Eastnor artists

Full line-up

Tags: album, classical, debut, eastnor, live, music, radio, show, steve, year

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F – L OF MAIN EASTNOR ARTISTS

(pic: London Elektricity)

FINGATHING
Put a genius scratch DJ together with a ridiculously talented double-bass player and what do you get? When Peter Parker (who’s been DJing since the age of 9) met Sneaky (who trained as a classical double bassist) there was no looking back. These Mancunian Superheroes (with their superhero cartoon artwork) have since released two infectious long-players – The Main Event and Superhero Music – on Mark Rae’s Grand Central label. And you can be sure that their quirky, humorous mix of hip hop cut’n'paste mixed with slap-and-tickle bass is equally irresistible on the dancefloor.

FLIPSIDE
It was Ibiza that did it. Even though one of them is Swedish and the other’s Danish. You see, last year Flipside’s debut EP filtered its way up the island’s cafe charts much like good coffee, being lapped up again and again at sunsets around the island. Recently the duo – Klaus Bau (electronics) and Sebastian Lilja (guitar) released their extreme-chill album on Danish label Loadstar Records (reviewed on bigchill.net). Their live set at The Summer Chill was a beautifully ambient gem. Expect more fluid melancholy than you can shake a stick at.

FLOEX
Taking electronica, jazz and modern contemporary music as his starting points, Czech artist Floex (aka Tomas Dvorak) creates a unique sound – combining wooden blocks and chimes with delicate electronica. Featuring Tomas on clarinet and keyboard, Ridina Ahmedova on vocals, Petr Tichy on double bass and Radek Bures on drums, the Floex Band is flying the flag for a new and modern East European sound.

FRAGILE STATE
Topping the Big Chill (and Robert Owens’ and Blues & Soul’s) album chart of 2002, Fragile State’s album ‘The Facts and The Dreams’ is best described as ‘timeless’ and ‘weightless’. Theirs is a unification of Hammond organ, jazz and downtempo sonicscaping, a coup for the Bar de Lune label and a combination which went down rather well with Chillers at a recent Cargo event. And with the esteemed US Giant Step team pushing them Stateside, their future’s looking peachy. A ‘don’t miss’, for sure.

FRANCOIS K – DEEP SPACE NYC/WAVE MUSIC
Francois Kevorkian’s's mark on house music is indelible. Having moved to New York from France in 1975 he ended up DJing during the nascent days of disco, becoming an in-demand remixer and producer on both sides of the Atlantic as well as setting up major recording studio Axis Studios – used by the likes of Madonna and Dee-Lite. In ’94 he set up Wave Music – with a view to turning out stylish but lasting music. Meantime he’s also started up Deep Space – a regular NYC night on a dubby vibe, following his years with Body & Soul. A distinguished and unique talent who we’re very pleased to welcome to rural Herefordshire.

FRED DEAKIN (LEMON JELLY)
?Fred has not achieved his usual high standards this term, and will need to put in a lot more effort if he is to have any chance of passing his GCSEs later in the year. Particularly worrying is his habit of wasting all his homework time in the school music room, up to his elbows in dusty vinyl. If this behaviour continues I will have to seriously consider holding him back for an extra year with our remedial tutor Mr Franglen. D minus – must try harder.? A complete lie, of course. Now go dance your cotton socks off.

FREDDY FRESH
When it comes to breakbeat, Frederico Schmidt has been there, done that, including DJing for Prince and performing in over 25 countries. Sometimes boxed in with the UK’s much maligned ‘big beat’ scene, Freddie’s sound is infinitely more diverse (he doesn’t own one of the world’s largest synthesizer collections in the world for nowt), if always with a capital F for funky. From his involvement in the evolution of hip hop in 80s South Bronx to his latest releases via his 7? label Howlin’ and Against The Grain, Freddie’s take on Electro, Latin, Disco and Hip Hop is always, well, Fresh.

HAVEN4
Take four people with music and ideas, a random thread on the Big Chill Forum, add one pub in Stroud Green, London N4, pour in mates with decent PA systems, room dressers and live visual mixing artists and you end up with a heady recipe for an extended Sunday lunch. Garnish with friends, relaxing sounds, walls of moving images and a long session of socialising, celebration and dance. More than just the music, HaveN4 brings rampant eclecticism and a steady turnover of new guests to the mix. Bring a cushion.

HEXSTATIC
Apart from looking great in drag and sharing an unrivalled talent for tequila slamming, the Hexstatic duo do a great line in audio-visual entertainment. In fact, the thought of a Big Chill without a blast of Hexstatic cut-up video collage is almost unthinkable. Whether creating mind-blowing synchronised visuals for Coldcut or collaborating with the likes of David Byrne, Stuart Warren Hill and Robin Brunson take audio-visual development to new and often humorous heights.

HINT
His music has spawned the term ‘rural beat’ not least because his studio is a portakabin set in the middle of the deepest Sussex countryside. It wasn’t always like this, of course. Jonathan James was initially Leicester-based, slaving away in a record shop, saving up for his first sampler. It was only when Bristol hack Joe90 (see Bombay Cocktail Bar listings) was brought to tears by Hint’s first efforts, that it was obvious that more would – and could – take the Hint, including Deep Water Recordings and, now, Hombre. Fusing jazz, electronica, guitars and mellow hip hop, his debut album ‘Portakabin Fever’ has all the makings of an all time classic, finally released this summer after some months of DJ support from Pete Lawrence, Joe 90 and others.

HORSE
?Bagpipes are just as important as samplers, and computers are just as useful as guitars, they all have their own sound?. And it’s from this modern British music scene standpoint Paul James and Mark Hawkins create their mash of drone, jazz, electronica and traditional musics. A collision of bygone Western cultures with modern Japanese technology if you will. Live, Paul and Mark are joined by jazz piano virtuoso Huw Warren, the czar of the bass guitar Victor Nicholls and drum monster Kenny Stone.

HOWIE B
Howie once said his vice as ‘licking bottoms’ (well, he’s not that tall you know). It’s just this kind of rough’n'ready Scottish humour which sets Howie apart from the crowd. Not to mention his credentials as a consummate producer and collaborator (Bjork, U2, Tricky) and as owner of Pussyfoot – an electronic label as cheeky and talent-packed as the man himself. Diversity is this man’s middle name. His latest project Skelf saw Howie B producing some downright filthy funk from the bare minimum of machines – and we’re pleased to have him back for his third Big Chill performance.

JAGA JAZZIST
Something of a musical phenomenon in Norway since they started nine years ago, this 10-piece instrumental band (including everything from trumpets, trombone, electric guitar, tuba, bass, vibraphone, electronics and more) is regarded as one of the most innovative to come out of Scandinavia. As all members involved in other, diverse musical projects, Jaga Jazzist know no boundaries – and are influenced by all and sundry, from Norwegian metal band Motorpsycho to Miles Davis. Pete Lawrence saw them at The Spitz last year and was blown away. Prepare to be as well.

JIMI TENOR
Probably Finland’s most colourful, camp export, Jim Tenor is a rare creature – a consummate jazz musician who understands irony and a shiny pop personality who creates instant hits without cliches. Having done everything from working as an official souvenir photographer at the top of the Empire State Building to banging on empty oil drums with his industrial group Shamans, Jimi Tenor was signed to Warp when Steve Beckett of the label spotted him stroking a piece of meat on stage. But of course. He played at The Big Chill’s Forum collaboration ‘Eyeball’ back in ’95, so this return is long overdue. Expect stunning music wrapped up in pure cabaret.

JOBY TALBOT
Like so many of this year’s Big Chill artists, Joby Talbot is part of the new generation of composers that has vast experience in a wide variety of musical styles. So while he might have trained at the Guildhall School of Music where he specialised in String Quartet writing, he’s also succeeded in pop, having co-written many of Divine Comedy’s songs with front man Neil Hannon. His percussion concerto Incandescence was performed by none other than Evelyn Glennie while he’s also written a new score to the Alfred Hitchcock’s silent ‘The Lodger’.

JOHN PEEL
There’s not much we can say about John Peel that you (probably) don’t know already. A veritable cultural institution, the man’s still – nearly forty years on from joining Radio 1 in ’67 – at the forefront of discovering and giving exposure to new music in the UK, whether punk, reggae, hip-hop or jungle. He recently branched out into the world of talk shows with his wry look at UK population’s hidden lives with Radio 4′s Home Truths. Needless to say, his appearance at The Big Chill is one that Pete Lawrence has been eyeing for quite a while now, and has been hotly anticipated by Big Chillers. Exclusive interview due on site soon…

LAURA B
Having learned all about engineering and production while working with Arthur Baker and The Pet Shop Boys, the inimitable, beautiful and oh-so-very French Laura B released gorgeous music on Law & Auder compilations before performing widely on the UK experimental electronica circuit. Her work with Alucidnation (Sanctuary: Friday) as Survival of The Slowest (see MediaMix listings) wowed Chillers lucky enough to be in Naxos for the Festival – as well as those who caught them touring with Big Chill Recordings earlier this year. Her first Big Chill Recordings release is imminent.

LIGHTNING HEAD SOUND & VISION
Having spent most of the 90s honing his writing and studio production skills with Rockers HiFi, this is Glyn ‘Bigga’ Bush’s latest project – in which he fuses funky fresh reggae riddims, Brazilian beats and Nu Yorican flavours into a joyful soundclash of dub, salsa and batucada. Comes omplete with former Rockers HiFi MC Farda P, optical and lyrical flavours fromKingstontoHavana and sound of the sambatucada from Studio Don – plus augmented by specially commissioned visuals and live VJ action from Chill regulars Schmooz.
SANCTUARY: SATURDAY

LITHIUM PROJECT
Jazz, electronica, Detroit. It’s all there in Lithium Project’s organic string-washed sound, which is underpinned by tight beats and feisty funk basslines. The Lithium Project orchestrators, Jason Farrall and Kenny Clarke cut their teeth on various projects including remixing Inner City and Jocelyn Brown. But it’s with the Lithium Project live – along with keyboardist Dove and bassist Rajaneesh Dwiviedi – where they really come into their own.
SANCTUARY: FRIDAY

LOL HAMMOND
An original DRUM club resident, one of London’s seminal house clubs, Lol has since dabbled in film scoring and music production throwing in the odd cameo film appearance (most recently ‘SW9′ which was set in his stomping ground Brixton). As a well-loved Big Chill resident DJ – it’s not for nothing his appearance at Eastnor last year was greeted by crowds bearing huge banners spelling out ‘The Hammond Organ’) – his sets this weekend (he also DJs in the Bombay Sapphire bar) is bound to be, as he would exclaim, ?A CORKER!?. His ‘All This Is Bliss’ LP with its standout, must-hear ‘Baby Piano’ track is out now on Big Chill Recordings.

LONDON ELEKTRICITY
Now fronted by Tony Colman, London Elektricity is a by-word for real music in drum’n'bass. Making their mark with the epic ‘Song In The Key Of Knife’, Tony Colman and Chris Goss first threw together their ‘Elektric productions in 1996. Founders and backbone of Hospital Records, their talent for creating stunningly soulful drum’n'bass constantly pushes drum’n'bass to its limits. After several previous Big Chill DJ sets, they are now going live, joined by legendary vocalist Robert Owen. Can anything stop them?

From M – R of main Eastnor artists

Full line-up

Tags: electronica, jazz, live, mark, music, project, released, sound, year

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A – E OF MAIN EASTNOR ARTISTS

(pic: Chungking)

A GUY CALLED GERALD
There’s no doubt that Gerald Simpson is one of the UK’s most important modern music figures. His influence is international – whether through his groundbreaking ‘Voodoo Ray’ responsible for kickstarting acid house or his recent work pushing forth the drum’n'bass scene. What’s for certain is that with his innovative mind he has spawned genres and generations of music culture and could yet do so again. A first at The Big Chill (apart from his low key Big Chill FM show last year at Eastnor).

AJ
While AJ’s world-music credentials are second to none – he set up the first ever world-music show ‘Worldwide’ on Bristol’s GWR back in the mid-80s, made the pre-show tapes for Pete Gabriel’s Secret World Tour, co-programmed WOMAD a number of years and recently produced Ananda Shankar and State of Bengal’s touring and recording work – his sets for The Big Chill wrap up more genres than you can shake a stick at. Having DJ’d at every Big Chill (practically) including the legendary Black Mountains Gala) the past two years have seen him collaborate with Jony Easterby for an audio-visual special. A Big Chill without this man isn’t really a Big Chill.

AJ KWAME (THE RUNAWAYS)
Originally a member of trip hop innovators RPM, AJ Kwame split off with band mate Joe Two Grand to become The Runaways – whose turntable innovation on the ultra-cool Ultimate Dilemma label brought the fun(k) back into hip hop simultaneously as it brought a cinematic abstract musicality to the genre. As for your AJ Kwame DJ set – which have become a regular Big Chill favourite – expect anything from ragga to drum’n'bass, looped, twisted, cut and scratched to within an inch of its life.

ALUCIDNATION
Bruce Bickerton’s sets have a curious power. If humans were cats, Alucidnation would make us purr. His ambient songs (often falsetto) bring most Chillers to a literal standstill, whether stretched out on sun loungers at Naxos or closing The Winter Chill at the end of 2002, not to mention during the recent Big Chill Recordings UK-wide tour. A classical upbringing and a love of 70s pop, German electronica, rock and dub informs his quirky music which Bruce accompanies with his own visuals. His debut album on Big Chill Recordings is due soon, following two EPs. But don’t wait until then to experience Alucidnation.

AMY WINEHOUSE
Born and raised in North London, Amy Winehouse – at just 19 – is musically wise beyond her years. She sounds on the one hand like a 40s jazz singer, but she’s taken her love of jazz and soul and added an infusion of fresh perspective with forefront beats and lyrics. Forget about torch themes from yesteryear – Amy is about living in the real world of Gucci bags, Diesel underwear, high heels, breast implants, weed after school, cheating airhead honeys, runaway crushes, and the multiple complexities of male-female relations in the 2000s. Don’t miss.

ANOTHER FINE DAY
Like so many great discoveries, Tom Green had no idea that his one-off experiment in ambient for ‘post-club chilling’ in 1994 would lead to more albums and a succession of festival appearances, including – of course – The Black Mountains Gala which kickstarted his traditional Sunday slot at The Big Chill. Having produced bands such as The Orb and Baka Beyond, Tom’s sound draws on Eno-esque soundscapes and as well as English folk songs, African music and even acid jazz. Lie back, and think of England, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, New York, Japan, China…

BEMBE SEGUE
Singer, composer, producer, DJ, poet, arranger – Bembe Segue started off as a vinyl junkie at 14, worked prolifically with West London broken beat dons IG Culture and Dego before taking her own music out live 18 months ago. With influences ranging from Brazilian and Afro Cuban beats through hip hop to 60s folk twisted to her unique style, Bembe can take you on one compelling musical journey. Be sure to hitch a ride.

BOOZOO BAJOU
The electronic/world music project of Nurnberg, Boozoo Bajou is Germany’s Peter Heider and Florian Seyberth, producers/remixers who appeared on the international downtempo, nu-jazz scene with a remix of ″Chocolate Elvis″ by Richard Dorfmeister’s Tosca (as featured on Quango’s Space Jazz). The Boozoo aesthetic combines soulful slow-motion beats with intense, atmospheric electronics and a dash of traditional instrumentation and global texture. Don’t miss the new mix CD ‘Juke Joint’ on Stereo Deluxe – it’s one of the year’s best.

BOOMCLICK
Rui Teimao, Sam Johnson and Paul Burnley are proof of the power of the web as a force to be reckoned with on the independent scene. Gigging, rocking club nights and creating their unique ‘full fat laid back’ brand of live dance music is second nature to the Boomclick boys – and their full-length album is due on Sunday Best recordings (single ‘Follow Love’ out soon). But their ability to fuel their own fanbase via music forums such as UK-Dance and The Big Chill’s Forum is unprecedented. The traditional split between performer and audience is irrelevant where Boomclick is concerned. Just go witness their set this year to find out why.

BREAKING BREAD
It’s a London ‘ting – but the Breaking Bread crew will appeal to everybody who like their hip hop, funk and beats baked fresh. As well as running monthly club sessions London-wide – where their filthy block rockin’ beats are joined by live breakdancing, beatboxing, graffiti and MCing – they’re now a record label issuing the sought after 7″s – the ‘Sevens Series’. Performing at Big Chill will be the label owners Rob Life and Skeg alongside their MC Kope.

BUGZ IN THE ATTIC
A frighteningly talented collective of producers, musicians and DJs (including Orin ‘Afronaught’ Walters, Paul ‘Seiji’ Dolby, Kaidi Tatham, Daz-I-Kue, Alex Phountzi and Scott Clifford make up the Bugz in the Attic crew. Running their own label BitaSweet Records and studio, The BitaSuite, as well as a production company (not to mention their work with IG Culture’s Co-Op club and Co-Operation label), their influence world wide with their soulful broken sound (often dubbed the ‘west London’ sound) is unrivalled.

BUSSETTI
It all started with a few jams back in Brixton early 2001. A year later this electro-acoustic-jazz outfit earned a ‘pick of the day’ recommendation from Time Out. And once they met Nicky Fatback (of London label and sound system Toast) – who added scratching and sampling to the Bussetti mix – their rosy future was sealed (not least because Fatback’s also been able to design their logos, flyers, cover artwork and website). Kieran Hebden (Four Tet/Fridge) remixed their first single, Quinton Scott of Strut Records is a massive fan, Music Week playlisted them and Pete Lawrence booked them on the strength of one demo. Recommendation indeed.

CATSKILLS
No formula, style or genre represents Catskills – as far as they’re concerned they’re simply there to release underground talent from their home turfs (London and Brighton) and abroad with the emphasis on experimentation, artistic freedom and artist diversity. As they put it ″It’s all about the Head Nod Factor ™, if it’s got it then we’ll spin it ’til it breaks our necks″. And with Bushy and Hardkandy at the helm, you can rest assured you’ll be spinning too.

CENTRE EDGE
Master of the beatless mix, Gidon Z Cohen aka Centre Edge’s sets were inevitably going to become a Big Chill Festival must hear. Which is pretty impressive considering his ″world debut″ was two years ago at Naxos 2001. Considering himself curating (rather than DJing) a journey through his own extensive record collection (half by artists most have never heard of), you’re as likely to hear Bach next to Brian Eno as you are Sigur Ros next to Steve Reich: with a belief that music should be dark and ugly as well beautiful and uplifting. A member of the chilled Haven4 Collective as well as party experts SoxaN, Centre Edge fair straddles continents of sound with ease.

CLIVE CRASKE & HORSELESSPAUL
If you’ve been listening to Big Chill FM you’ll already have heard Clive in a more abstract way. For the past six years the man’s made a radio station actually happen at Big Chill Festivals – employing his skills learnt from decades of DJ and radio experience with Cable Radio and Radio Avalon (Glastonbury). Fretless bass-player Horseless Paul (also a radio head) joins Clive for some summery vibes.

CHUNGKING
Front lady Jessie Banks wasn’t part of the original plan (until boyfriend Sean Hennessey overheard her singing one day). And then, while the band were slaving away for nowt in Brighton on antiquated equipment, the lovers broke up just to make things a bit more difficult. But Chungking – a three piece featuring mutual mate James Stephenson – hung in there, for the love of their music. And love it you will too – real songs, sweeping melodies, raw emotions – all wrapped up inside gorgeous laidback beats.

DIFFERENT DRUMMER SOUND SYSTEM
They celebrated their 10th anniversary this year with a CD compiled by none other than dub expert Richard Dorfmeister (see bigchill.net for AJ’s retrospective feature). A collective of DJs, musicians and vocalists, Different Drummer was founded in 1992 by Richard ‘DJ Dick’ Whittingham and Glyn ‘Bigga’ Bush and has since proved to be a lasting yet innovative label – pushing the likes of Neotropic and Original Rockers (now Rockers Hi-Fi) in the early days and the likes of Noiseshaper, Mighty Math and Elementz today. They say ″Your source for chilled grooves and beyond″. We say, ″Couldn’t agree more″.

DJ DEREK
He’s already an institution in his home town of Bristol, where this white sixty-year-old ex-accountant has become one of the black community’s most prominent reggae and ska DJs, resident at the legendary Star And Garter pub. And DJ Derek is rapidly becoming an institution at the The Big Chill too, and his appearances with us have prompted an explosion of bookings elsewhere, including Shoreditch’s 333 Club. With his skilled Jamaican patois which seems at odds with his penchant for real ale, cardigans and ties, he cuts an unusual figure. But no one can argue with his incredible and uplifting selection of ska, rocksteady, dub and bluebeat. A unique and loved talent.

DUBTRIBE SOUND SYSTEM
Since 1993 Moonbeam and Sunshine along with sit-in percussionists from all over the world have come together in an attempt to – in their own words – ″incite change, restore faith and have a party at the same time″. They perform their music live and on the fly – creating an unstoppable and infectious energy for spirit and mind.

ECHO
After wowing audiences at Eastnor last year, Echo headlined The Spring Chill at Cargo – and wowed them some more. A female string quartet, the band create cinematic, textured beats, ambient electronica and layered melodies. Featured on Tom Middleton’s imminent Cosmos album, Echo’s position as a chilled and experimental yet ultimately accessible outfit is assured. Let’s put it like this – you’ll hear this Echo more than twice…

F – L of main Eastnor artists

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The Big Chill’s survival kit for camping under the stars in style…

ESSENTIALS

Tent
Pegs
Mallet
Sleeping bag or duvet
Groundsheet
Pillows
Foam mat
Blanket
Bog roll
Swiss army knife (and/or Swiss army pen knife)
Wash bag (with toothpaste)
Towel
Refuse Bags
Clothes
Waterproof jacket, eg ‘Kag in a Bag’ (or poncho, perhaps)
Warm / walking boots
Plastic glasses
Bottle opener
Lighter (bring two, you’re bound to lose one)
Large water container
Small water bottle
Warm pullover
Radio for listening to Big Chill FM
Suntan cream
Sunglasses (bring a cheap pair if you’re prone to losing them)
Hat
Insect repellant
Ear plugs & eye mask (if you’re a light sleeper)
Condoms (if you’re not)
Map
Wet Wipes/Baby Wipes
Money/Cash Card

EXTRAS

Gazebo
Folding table & chairs
Cold box
Gas stove
Pans
Plates/ bowls/ cups / cutlery
Dish cloth, tea towels
Washing-up liquid (biodegradable please)
Scourer
Medical kit (inc. Resolve)
Emergency wellies
Gaffa tape
A book or two
Camera (with film)
Frisbee, football etc
Flip flops
Drawing pad / paper
A pack of cards
Compass
Washing line
Inflatible armchair
Torch (with spare batteries and bulbs)
CDRs of your music
Something comfortable to sit on during the day
Instant hand wash (try Superdrug)
Facial spray mist
Angel wings
Fleecy blanket
Fold-up wheelbarrow

IF YOU HAVE KIDS

Toys
Dressing-up box inc. wigs, tutus and wings
Skipping ropes, batons, boules
Bubble machine
Water squirters
Swing-ball
Musical instruments
Spacehoppers

FINAL CHECK

Don’t forget your ticket… or your mates.

[Many thanks to the Purple People on The Forum for additional suggestions.]

Eastnor Festival FAQ

Tags: bottle, bring, warm, wash, water, wings

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