The Destroyers’ debut album Out of Babel (2009) won a whole raft of plaudits from music critics. Songlines chose it for their Top of the World compilation, no doubt after tearing off their work chinos and carousing around the office to the Pogues-meets-oom-pah whirlwind whipped up by this sturdy bunch of rabble rousers.

Around the corner in the land of the cool (otherwise known as The Line of Best Fit), the band were deemed “so wonderfully chaotic and fun that it’s difficult to not love them”. This same reviewer did wonder, however, if they would be able to follow up with a second album to match or better the first.

Well, in the words of Lefty from Donny Brascoe, “Don’ worry abadit!” Hole in the Universe is due out this Spring, and judging by how leaked tracks from the album were received on the UK festival circuit this summer, it is going to be stonking.

Crafted with the same unstoppable energy and high level musicality as their first album, and recorded at Magic Garden Studios with Gavin Monaghan – a producer whose sensitivity and attention to detail has sat well with musicians from Joe Strummer to Grace Jones, Hole in the Universe carries timely messages that will chime with all those keener to laugh in the face of adversity than to indulge in po-faced mumbling.

Just like their debut album, it’s a self released work, funded by the 15 hard grafting musicians who make up this, frankly, enormous band. Just as it should be, you may say, and I’m inclined to agree – who wants a record deal these days, right?

There are just a few more finishing touches to deal with, however, before Hole in the Universe is ready to be lifted piping hot from the oven and sent out into the world, and the great news is, it’s already selling like hot cakes, thanks to the band’s Pledge campaign, which means fans can pre order their copy of the album, and a whole host of other goodies, to help towards production.

There are lots of one off things such as lyric sheets, hats, VIP gig tickets, Hurdy Gurdy lessons, and even a part in the band’s new video.

Each pledge comes with a download of the album when it’s ready, and free updates exclusive to pledgers, things such as live videos and bonus tracks.

Pledges start from only £8 for the download of the album. No money comes out of the pledger’s account until the pledge target is reached (and if it’s not reached by the deadline 15th JANUARY!!!! then nobody pays anything).

The album is then manufactured and sent straight out as soon as it’s ready, along with any other goodies ordered, all the sparklier because it’s accompanied by the warming knowledge that YOU helped us to release it.

After the target is reached Awards for Young Musicians- a great charity that helps talented young musicians in challenging circumstances with the cost of music tuition and instruments – will receive a percentage of the funds raised.

The kookier amongst you may be interested to know that you can also purchase a piece of fiddle player Louis Robinson’s beard, as part of your pledge. Yuck. Still, it takes all sorts ey?

Steampunk Funk is on Saturday February 25th at Bar 78 (Formerly Medicine Bar), Custard Factory, Gibb Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4AA. Doors open at 10pm, tickets are £10 in advance from Ticketsellers, Zen (Digbeth and Moseley branches) and on the door.

The sense of adventure, reinvention and mind expanding experimentation bound up in Steampunk makes life more fun – why not rediscover your playfulness and become your Steampunk alter ego for the night at Steampuunk Funk?

That’s why Steampunk Funk are launching the Steampunk King and Queen Competition.

Reinvent yourself in Steampunk fashion – this could involve an original costume and character, but don’t let your imagination stop there!

For example, you may want to invent a new mode of transport, customise your bike or even steampunk your car – the possibilities are endless!

All you have to do is turn up to Steampunk Funk in costume. You will receive special treats in recognition of your awesome inventiveness, and you are in with a chance of being crowned Steampunk King or Queen.

These will be decided by a panel of judges and public vote, and will win luscious prizes including a special photoshoot with Forgotten Vintage.

This independent vintage and retro charity shop is in the gorgeous Great Western Arcade, and supports the ongoing work of SIFA Fireside and Reach The People – two charities dedicated to supporting vulnerable and excluded people in and around Birmingham. All registered entrants to Steampunk King and Queen get a 10% discount at Forgotten Vintage, just take along your special entrant code and flash it at the cash desk!

So what are you waiting for? Steampunk Funk is on Saturday February 25th, at 78 Bar, Custard Factory, Digbeth, where you’ll also be treated to the raucous entertainments of can can troupe Red Hot Frilly Kickers, sophisticated showmanship from Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer, custom DJ sets from Bugswings (Boogie Dave and Adamn Noise), vintage instant-ish photography from Dan Burwood, as well as a whole host of Steampunk delights. Doors open at 10pm, tickets are £10, buy them online at Ticketsellers, or on the door.

Steampunk Heart Linocut by Momoma

Just type steampunk into a search engine and you will see that all over the world, creative individuals are taking the steampunk aesthetic as inspiration to reimagine how they interact with the world – the results are truly surprising, beautiful, disturbing and dreamlike.

Check out this ongoing Steampunk Pirate project in Portland, Oregon, for a great example of people coming together to create en masse.

Steampunk is a genre of science fiction and fantasy that includes social or technological aspects of the 19th century (the steam) usually with some deconstruction or re imagining of, or rebellion against parts of it (the punk).

Steampunk philosophy is a combination between the maker ideals of creativity and self-reliance and the Victorian optimistic view of the future.

People have “steampunk’d” everything from computers, desks, telephone, watches and guitars to cars, motorcycles and whole houses. This aesthetic carries over into personal style, with both clothing and jewellery being made in a steampunk fashion. The clothes are neo Victorian, with added technological bits or hints of a more adventurous life. Take a peak at this handmade collection from British designer Kato at Steampunk Couture.

We will be running Steampunk Funk and related Steampunk events throughout 2012, and the more makers and imaginers who get involved, the better.

If you’d like to participate in Steampunk Funk, as a musician, performance artist, fire eater or anything else your heart desires, just email us at info@professionalincredibles.com, and we’ll go from there! You may have jewellery or gadgets to sell, or a unique Steampunk service to provide. We look forward to hearing from you

After a very successful launch of STEAMPUNK FUNK, we will be holding the 2nd Steampunk Extravaganza on 25th February so put it in your steamfunkin diaries!

Featuring the incredible and outrageous cancanners The Red Hot Frilly Kickers, Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer, Bugswings and some more theatrical tricks and frolics up our frilly sleaves!

STEAMPUNK FUNK, 25TH FEB, 78 BAR, CUSTARD FACTORY, BIRMINGHAM, 10pm-3.30am, £10 entry.

Check this dude out!

Tibetan Bowls & Harmonic Overtoning – Jerry DesVoignes

First up, Sonic Asylum! Yes, we’re back with yet more sonic shenanigans to aid your woes.
Throat singing from Jonny Marks, sonic performance by Mahutt, whisky drenched dusty jazz from Honeyfeet, live art, cake, drinks, a bass heavy dj set from Bassnote and of course The Musery!

Ive just had to purchase a Balinese Diagnostic Bell! WTF I hear you say?! Yeh, I know, kick me if I start wearing tie-dye! More on that soon…

Lastly, my wicked 16yr old cousin has just sent me his newly pressed single by his band The Gentry Underground. They’ve got a real old school garage band/rockabilly sound, they’ve had their records pressed on super cool coloured vinyl and to top it off they’ve included instructions on how to listen to the music – aahh me cous is reppin the family prescriptions…
LISTEN TO THIS RECORD AT A LOUD VOLUME! ENSURE YOU ARE IN COMPLETE DARKNESS BEFORE PITTING THE NEEDLE IN THE GROOVE.

Ta Ta for now peops!

Dan Burwood is the last person to advertise his experience or achievements as a fine art and documentary photographer, but his rich body of work speaks volumes for itself. Spanning over a decade , it explores both at respectful distance and in intimate detail the lives and contexts of communities, from his doorstep in Balsall Heath to the minority Christian population of Syria’s desert mountains, from travelling magicians on Cuba’s highroads to the elders and youngsters of Aston.

Considering the artist’s keen focus on people in space, the symbols and signifiers repeated around human function in places seemingly unrelated, perhaps Dan’s participation in EC Arts’ 48Sheet is appropriate.

One of 100 artists to be selected from across the region to produce work for a series of billboards that will appear throughout Birmingham during 2012, and subsequently featured in Asia’s largest art market, the Gwangzhou Triennial in China, Dan asked for his piece to go up in Highgate, just around the corner from where he has lived and worked for the past decade.

JCDecaux’s billboards serve to expose brands and ventures across the world to public attention, bastions of a globalised consumer culture with their steel feet firmly planted in the midst of infinitely diverse and complex human life. As they point out, “293 million people in 3,400 of the world’s largest cities see our advertising structures every day”.

Such highly visible images are designed to evoke reaction, so it will be great to see how passers by double take at the unexpected use of a space they think they have defined, during 48sheet’s presence next year.

]]> http://professionalincredibles.com/2011/11/15/dan-burwood-wins-48sheet-international-commission/feed/ 0 http://professionalincredibles.com/2011/11/15/sonic-asylum-returns-december-2nd-at-the-edge-in-digbeth/ http://professionalincredibles.com/2011/11/15/sonic-asylum-returns-december-2nd-at-the-edge-in-digbeth/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:16:23 +0000 Professional Incredibles http://professionalincredibles.com/?p=754

FRICTION ARTS & PROFESSIONAL INCREDIBLES

presents:

SONIC ASYLUM
Sonic sanctuary for music asylum seekers.

Yes Yes! We’re back! We’ve been away a long time and now we’ve got some special treats to see you through the icy months…

Deacon Martin
‘The man they couldn’t corrupt’

Jonny Marks
Throat Singer Extraordinaire

Mahmutt
A unique multi-instrumental sonic experience

Honeyfeet
Manchester based, Whisky drenched, foot tapping, rhythm blues jazz

Bassnote DJ Set
Beats & Basslines to soothe and energise

Plus…
Sonic interactions and sounds to mess with ya minds, drinks, cake, live art and resident Dr Soesmix & her Musery.

Ya mums not here now kid!

Friday 2nd December
8pm-12
@ The Edge, 79-81 Cheapside, Digbeth
£3 entry

First 20 people in get a signed copy of attached flyer by artist Krystian Garstkowiak.

TOUMANI DIABATÉ PLUS SUPPORT REVERÉ (ACOUSTIC)

7.30PM FRIDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2011

TOWN HALL BIRMINGHAM

£21.50 [20% DISCOUNT FOR FULL AND PART TIME STUDENTS]

BOX OFFICE: 0121 780 3333

For more information and to book tickets, click here

Toumani Diabaté, one of the most important musicians in Africa, is to give a performance in the intimate surroundings of Town Hall Birmingham on 4 November 2011 as part of an eagerly awaited UK tour.

The Malian artist is renowned for playing the 21-string harp-like African kora, a tradition which has been in his family for over seventy generations, and is responsible for bringing this instrument to audiences around the world.

Toumani Diabaté has collaborated with Blur frontman Damon Albarn, Icelandic singer Bjork, US bluesman Taj Mahal amongst others and recently celebrated his second Grammy Award for the critically acclaimed album Ali and Toumani produced with fellow Malian musician Ali Farka Touré.

“He is a genius of African music, the finest living exponent of the kora.”  The Guardian

“The kind of musician who appears once in a generation.”  Charlie Gillett

Toumani Diabaté (kora)

Fode Kouyate (drums)

Fanta Mandy Kouyate (guitar)

Mohamed Koita (bass)

The Musery is a music surgery run by Dr Soesmix at her mobile drop in clinic. Patients are prescribed a personalised setlist to aid any ailment. Whether you’re suffering from asthma, fatigue or a touch of gowt, an appointment at the Musery will provide a variety of sonic medicinal fixes from a tincture of techno to a swap of swing! The Musery can come to any party, festival, rave or barmitzvah!