If variety is the spice of life, tomorrow night looks set to blow taste buds clean off. From 8pm, Leeds’ very own Union Music Library is staging a takeover of Fuse Art Space, located in nearby Bradford. The radical line-up features experimental goodness from both sides of the Atlantic; with cross-continental drone music and twisted, alternative blues, it makes Wharf Chambers look like Tiger Tiger.
We caught up with UML’s Daoud Al Janabi to talk synth, sister acts and spinal relocation…
So Daoud, tomorrow’s line-up is pretty diverse. How did this gig come together?
I’ve been a fan of Carla Bozulich’s since she released her last album Boy, so I let the world know by “liking” her Facebook. She posted about bookings for a European tour, and with a probing email that very quickly turned into this show. Then it was just finding local talent which fitted Carla’s shows.
And why Fuse Art Space?
Fuse is a brilliant little venue/art space/record store in the middle of Bradford’s shopping district, that’s also completely accessible. The volunteers have a genuine passion for what they do, and there are always exhibitions running. It’s pretty cool watching a band of Tuvan throat singers or a modular synth wizard surrounded by art work!
UML is serious about promoting underground, local talent. Does that explain the presence of Bradford synth looper, Errant Gray?
In part, yeah! We always try to put on the underground and local, usually at our Strange Parade nights at Wharf Chambers. I also recently caught him playing at Fuse, at an event he runs called Vanguard Party. His set was really ace, so I was keen to get him involved.
It’s great to see improvisatory music and noise art getting a nod, with the addition of CABLES. Can you tell us a bit about them?
CABLES is a collaboration between Leeds’ experimental stalwarts, Marlo Eggplant and Joanne. Marlo runs Ladyz in Noyz, promoting female noise artists in a male-dominated genre. As friends and fans, we reached out, and she suggested a sister love story with live-coding connoisseur Joanne. This is their first performance together; we’re looking at a world debut!
Los Angeles headliner Carla Bozulich is a diverse musician, poet, a collaborative force and renowned for her performance art. What exactly should we expect tomorrow?
Frankly, I’m not entirely sure. Carla’s known for never doing the same show twice, though in our email exchanges she mentioned something about “spinal relocation”… What I can promise is an intense performance and assuredness of vision, a performance I have no doubt will be amazing.
Finally, what would you say to anyone on the fence about coming?
I went to a show at Fuse last week and briefly spoke to the headliner, John Chantler. When I mentioned I’d never seen Carla before, he told me she is one of the all-time great performers. He didn’t seem like the sort of guy to take that lightly.
Don’t miss out; you can grab tickets on the door, or buy advance here:
http://www.wegottickets.com/sct/vVRdVXHusS
For more info, check out UML’s Facebook event:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1671045966553639/
Words by Sam Corcoran