Meet The Artist: Recreations

RECREATIONS (Sam Duckworth, formerly Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.) recently released his first full-length album, Baby Boomers 2, a self-produced collection full of wide-eyed, big-dreaming, conscientious pop songs.

Recreations may be a new moniker for Sam, but his work ethic and refusal to stick to a template in either influence or sound is not just familiar but oh-so welcome. Falling half way between Get Cape..and his experiments, Recreations is the product of two years of investigation. Fans of GC.WC.F. will recognise his distinct lyrical sound, but in his own words Recreations is "more heart on sleeve, bolder, more direct, and a little bit more emo."

Andy Howells recently put questions to Sam ahead of his Le Pub show on May 14.

How did Recreations start - did you plan to end Get Cape. to reinvent as Recreations or was it a decision that was made after you finished as GC.WC.F.?
It felt to me that the Get Cape. name had reached its limitations, certainly felt like a product of a bygone era. It's important to me as a somewhat political musician, to stay as current as possible. I started to see 'nostalgia' creep in on posters and it was at this point that I decided that it was time for a new moniker. Get Cape. Served me well, but having to explain the name to people on a regular basis, coupled with the desire for anew beginning lead me to think of a new name. I had the recreations name before the end of Get Cape.. and the plan was always to transition into it, regardless of the sonic direction of the project. I had always planned to continue playing the older songs from my catalogue, but I liked the idea of being able to give these a twist following whichever direction Recreations took.

How would you describe your music?
I generally tend to describe it as Eclectic. The backbone certainly comes from a more "clubby" space, be it hip hop, house or jungle, whilst the songwriting is very much folk. Folktronica was a thing for a while, but was typified by a more lofi sound and Recreations has a very strong, subby bottom end, so doesn't really fit. I believe in 2016, partly due to the vast volume of music on offer, that music is becoming genre-less. I've always been into the idea of mixing things up and thankfully this has always been accepted by people who listen to my music. The commonality between the tracks is usually the finger style guitar and the delivery of my vocal.

Who are your musical inspirations?
My musical influences are very much eclectic like the sound I try to fuse together. I grew up as a punk, playing diy shows and working with a community that was very much focused on the idea of being yourself, taking risks, all whilst sticking together. Similar scenes exist in different sonic spaces, be it Drum and Bass or Indie or House. I tend to gravitate towards musical communities where expression is the key driving force over commercial success. As much as I love the idea that this is my job, at times it feels more like a calling. Shy Fx has been a big influence, certainly in terms of how to carve out longevity and move with the times. Billy Bragg has been great at teaching me how to stand tall in the wind tunnel of political music. I think that I am blessed to be surrounded by inspiring people, there's very much an undercurrent of change within British independent music as the last days of the old guard grind to a halt. I find more inspiration in the thought that "anything's possible" than anything else. To be surrounded by people who subscribe to the same ideology is both refreshing and uplifting.

Can you tell us about your current release?
Baby Boomers 2 is certainly my most focused record to date. In many ways it feels like a continuance of the writing style I have previously used but by having a new beginning its allowed me to be a little more defined in the sonic pallet. Lyrically, the album is about the gap between the "Millenials" and the "Baby Boomers."
Those that used to be called Gen X'ers, and the clunky titled "pre millennials." I think there is a massive social divide inside a traditional generation gap, mostly in regards the time social media and mobile tech was adopted by the user. Specifically, did this happen pre or post puberty. I feel that social media has had more of an influence on young people than any single factor since the second world war. Having been 20 when this boom really started, I often meet people who had social media in secondary school and feel a much larger communication divide than I expected. The traits of the millennials that are attributed to people around my age do not feel applicable, yet I also don't feel like a product of the Gen X era.
The reason for Baby Boomers 2, is due to a repeat in the social conditions of the first Baby Boom, vast wealth increase, mass reproduction but also the conditions of the downward curve. I feel like, similarly, this generation has a massive class gap between parents and children, certainly in the inner cities. Many working class parents found their property almost tripling in value and its not uncommon to find children of working class parents with the disposable income and opportunity of the upper classes. As a result there is a generation in flux. There seems to be a rise in social anthropological thinking along these lines, but its complexities have made it difficult to translate into "big marketing" and thus we have become a terminology-less generation.
Why Baby Boomers 2? I thought it was funny, but certainly comes from a place of connectivity between the songs.

What's been your live show highlight so far?
There have been so many, for that I feel very blessed. One of my favourites was the Amazing Grace Glastonbury show. The idea was to make a 1 hour long, live mixtape, using at least 5 different artists and 5 different genres. We had Billy Bragg, Kate Nash, Jehst, Riz Mc, Rumour Cubes, Sweet Billy Pilgrim and Myself rotating instruments and positions whilst keeping the flow of the show intact. We pooled resources to have 2 sets of drums, a horn section, a string section and a constant narrative without breaking the musical flow. It took about 2 months to put together, required 37 passes and 3 vehicles, which in a festival that size was a challenge in itself. The fact it went so well fills me with great pride. I also loved being a part of Africa Express. Reworking Felas classic "Water no get enemy" into a live Jungle song with Flea, Shy Fx, The Gorillaz, Kano, Bashy and my get cape band was a really fun thing to do.
I'm a big fan of stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to push myself as far as possible with the limitations feeling like shackles that need to come off.

What can we expect from your forthcoming Newport Gig?
Newport feels a bit like a second home to me. I met my partner in Newport and spent 18 months committing up for weekends. I have a lot of love and respect for Sam, Matt and all those involved with Le Pub. It's a hub of musical community that is very much outward looking. They spend a great deal of time working on causes greater than just "having a good time."
I feel like Newport is an incredibly underrated place, lots of enthusiastic and creative minds. As a result I imagine this is going to feel like a hometown show. Lots of fun and lots of energy. I've spent a long time building this live show. It was a dream of mine at the very beginning to be able to play multiple instruments and to loop and effect my voice and instruments without having to break stride in the song. Thankfully the technology has caught up and I'm able to bring a one man show that has visuals and a dynamic that makes it feel more like a show than an acoustic gig. This is the closest I've been able to replicate my imagination into a physical entity and its going to be lovely sharing it with my friend in Newport.

What can we expect from you in the future?
Without trying to sound too cliche, I just want to play! Now I am confident in both the portability and tangibility of this show, I want to play everywhere and anywhere. I am very committed to both the sound and the subject matter of this record and am determined to bring it to anywhere that is willing. I am of a firm belief that the most exciting places in the UK are outside of the major cities, that the fringes have the creative room to breathe and develop ideas. Newport will always feel like a musical second home, as long as Le Pub is still there, so I hope this will be the first in a new love affair between Recreations and Newport.

• A version of this Q&A appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement, The Guide on May 13, 2016.
• For further details on Recreations visit his official website.

Meet The Artist: Hattie Briggs

Hattie Briggs is a Gloucestershire based singer-songwriter and BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Nominee 2014. The 22 year-old quit Oxford University in the 2nd year of her Russian degree to concentrate on her musical career in January 2014. Since then, her music has been played on TV, on BBC Radio 1, 2 and 6Music as well as many regional BBC radio stations. She released her debut album ‘Red & Gold’ last year. The album includes a cover of Eva Cassidy’s version of ‘Fields Of Gold’, produced by Eva's brother, Dan Cassidy, who also plays a violin solo on the record.

​Hattie released her debut EP ‘My Shepherd’s Hut’ in November 2013, and has subsequently had 5 singles in the iTunes singer-songwriter chart, including ‘Pull Me Down’ that reached number 19, and ’Old Eyes’, that features jazz musician Alec Dankworth.

Inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, Hattie recorded her debut album at Monnow Valley Studios, and it was produced by Waterman (Joss Stone/Uriah Heep/Emma Ballantine). 2016 already promises to be an exciting year for Hattie, her currentUK tour sees her play Ten Feet Tall, Cardiff this evening (May 6) she recently answered questions from Andy Howells.

How did you get into playing music?
I remember singing along to my parents CDs in the car and at home from a very young age. It was something that came naturally to me and I never really thought about it as a skill. When I was 5 I started learning the recorder and later moved on to the guitar and the cello. I can't remember a time when music wasn't a big part of my life, but things became more focused when I started writing my own songs at 17. From then on it became an addiction and something that I can't turn off.

How would you describe your sound?
It's a fusion of folk, pop, americana and quite a few other genres as my influences are pretty broad ranging. My recordings are very immersive, warm and full of rich instrumentation.

Who are your music inspirations?
Primarily the singer-songwriters I grew up listening to - James Taylor, Eva Cassidy, The Beatles, Elton John, K D Lang, Joni Mitchell, but more recently First Aid Kit, James Blake, Katie Melua, The Weepies, The Civil Wars, David Gray and loads of others.

What can people expect from your forthcoming show?
I'll be playing as a trio so there'll be lots of harmonies along with cello and extra guitar. We'll be performing songs from my debut album "Red & Gold" as well as newer songs from my forthcoming album "Young Runaway". I play guitar, uke and keys so there'll be a good mix of upbeat numbers and slower more chilled out tunes.

Can you tell us about your current release?
My second studio album "Young Runaway" comes out on July 8th and has a definite summery feel to it. It has more of a pop/americana vibe than my first album but is still very much in the "singer-songwriter" genre. It's much more upbeat and percussion driven than "Red & Gold", which had more of a contemplative folky vibe.

Who are you currently listening to?
The Weepies, Lewis & Leigh, Hozier, John Smith, Seafret, Adam Holmes...

Where can people find out more about your music?
By visiting my website www.hattiebriggs.co.uk

• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on May 6, 2016

David Troughton Discusses Bringing Goodnight Mr Tom To The Stage

This year will mark the 35th anniversary of the modern classic Goodnight Mister Tom and next week Michelle Magorian’s wonderfully uplifting tale will be brought gloriously to life in a magical stage adaptation, in Cardiff from Tuesday May 10 – Saturday May 14 at the New Theatre.

Set during the dangerous build up to the Second World War, Goodnight Mister Tom follows young William Beech, who is evacuated to the idyllic English countryside and forges a remarkable and heart-warming friendship with the elderly recluse, Tom Oakley.

Author Michelle Magorian was inspired to write Goodnight Mister Tom after hearing her mother’s tales about her time as a nurse in the war. Published in 1981, it has been translated into 11 languages and won awards in the UK, America and Australia.

Adapted for the stage by David Wood OBE, Goodnight Mr Tom stars David Troughton, best known for his roles in A Very Peculiar Practice, Doctor Who and recently Tony Archer in The Archers on BBC Radio 4. Andy Howells recently chatted to David about Goodnight Mr Tom and his career.

How did you get involved with the stage version of Goodnight Mr Tom?
I was asked to do it by Angus Jackson, the director, I thought about it, as it was a part I always wanted to play, so I said “Yes”.

How does the stage version compare to the TV film we all know and love which starred John Thaw?
Very different. Film and television are poles apart it’s a completely theatrical adaptation which is brilliant by David Wood. It’s a fast moving roller-coaster of emotions. I thought the film concentrated on Mr Tom, that’s how they did it, the stage version is about the children which is good.

How did you become familiar with the story?
When I first read it to my children in the 80s after it first came out. They had it read to them at school, so it’s been with us for a long time.

You’ve been an actor for many years yourself, were you a child actor?
I did one show when I was about eleven; it was an Armchair Theatre on ITV (The Tin Whistle Man). The scriptwriter Ken Taylor got me that and then I did a couple of things with my father (Patrick Troughton), in Doctor Who.

Did your father encourage you to be an actor?
(Laughs) No, not at all! I think you follow in your fathers footsteps a lot of the time, I think its in my genes to be an actor, two of my sons have become actors, my nephews an actor, my brothers an actor and my wife an actress.

What are your memories of appearing in Doctor Who with your father?
I was an extra in a story where he played two parts, The Doctor and a ruthless Mexican dictator (The Enemy of The World). They just found those episodes and you can see me in it. It’s a long time ago. I’ve been an actor for over 45 years I should get a medal for longevity! Playing different parts is the secret, not doing the same thing all the time.

You also returned to Doctor Who a few years later playing King Peladon opposite Jon Pertwee, what was that like?
It was lovely, he was such a welcoming man, very funny, but he took it very seriously which you have to. People take the rip out of Doctor Who sometimes but you’ve got to play it for truth.

Was there ever a role you were particularly keen to get?
When you read a script, you know you want to do the part; I really felt that with A Very Peculiar Practice (in which David starred alongside Graham Crowden and Peter Davison) and the role of Bob Buzzard. There was a lot of laughter because they were very funny scripts. As I say, you play it for all its worth and truth, it doesn’t stop you having a laugh because what’s the point of doing it unless you enjoy it.

You also had a contrasting role in New Tricks in which you played a bad guy. Was that fun to play?
Baddies are always good to play and you hope they are the most unlike you! I was termed as a character actor. You don’t get so much of that now because people cast to type, you’ve got to be the person; you’ve got to look like them. Gone are the days, like what my father did for television that you could put on a wig or a beard. People don’t do that now which is unfortunate.

And of course, even though you are very much your own actor, you have helped keep the torch burning for your fathers association with Doctor Who.
When he was doing it, it was just another children’s show, he was the first person to take over the character on screen but it wasn’t the big mammoth giant it is now.

You even stepped into your father’s role of the second Doctor opposite Tom Baker a few years ago in an audio adventure?
I did, they were a bit tentative in asking me and then I read the script, it wasn’t the actual Doctor. I was playing a robot version of him, that was alright (laughs), it was once removed. I’ve read stories that have had my father in it, so I have to imitate him a bit. I do love it, reading books, radio; you don’t have to learn the lines. I think he’d laugh at what I was doing really!

You last appeared in Doctor Who opposite David Tennant some years back, would you like to be in it again?
I’d love too!

Back on to Goodnight Mr Tom, how long are you continuing and what will you be doing afterwards?
After Cardiff, we finish at the end of May in Newcastle, I’ll have a little break and then I’ll go back to the RSC to play Gloucester in King Lear. It seems to be the year of Lear’s there’s about four of them knocking about and I’ll be in one of them!

Are there any roles you still haven’t played you’d like to have a go at?
Shakespeare-wise Falstaff or Prospero and any series that goes as long as Downton Abbey and be assured of seven months work a year and then I can retire.

• Goodnight Mr Tom runs at Cardiff’s New Theatre from May 10 –14. To purchase tickets please visit newtheatrecardiff.co.uk or call 02920 878 889.
• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appears in The South Wales Argus entertainment section The Guide on May 6, 2016

Meet Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker

To win the Best Duo category at the 2015 BBC Folk Awards is quite an achievement at any stage of an artists’ career. But just two years prior to this accolade Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker were virtually unknown on the folk scene. So their success is quite remarkable.

Now signed to Rough Trade Records, Josienne and Ben are currently touring extensively in the UK and are set to play Acapela Studio, Pentrych, Cardiff on May 7.

Although Ben Walker (who grew up in Worcestershire) studied classical guitar from childhood and Josienne Clarke (from West Sussex) is a classical music degree dropout, both are keen to stress that they’re “bog standard comprehensive school kids” who didn’t benefit from a conservatoire education. The elegance and sophistication of their music comes entirely from their own discipline, rigour and craft. To emphasise the point, Josienne has been known to quip: “We’re not posh, just pretentious!” Their  album Nothing Can Bring Back The Hour was a hugely ambitious, uncompromised realisation of everything Josienne and Ben had planned when they met six years ago.

After their ovation-stirring rendition of The Banks of The Sweet Primroses at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards last year, 6 Music DJ Cerys Matthews fell in love with the music of Josienne and Ben and invited them to appear in the National Theatre’s production of Our Country's Good. The play, which ran from August to October 2015 at the Olivier Theatre, also featured two of Josienne and Ben’s original compositions. Andy Howells recently put questions to the pair.

How did you both get into music?
Ben - I started playing classical guitar when I was 7 but got into electric guitar and guitar bands in general in my teens. When I met Josienne I started listening to people like Martin Simpson, Pierre Bensusan, John Reborn, and Nick Jones and this has really influenced my approach and style of playing.
Josienne - I sang at school, in choirs and school productions. As I got older I got interested in song writing and although I tried classical singing, I didn’t enjoy it.

Ultimately you both decided to collaborate what was the story behind that?
Josienne - Ben was playing electric guitar in and Indie band. A mutual friend of ours was the sound engineer for their record. Ben went over to pick up the audio files and had a go on his Martin acoustic guitar. He said ‘If you can play acoustic guitar like that, what are you doing playing in that band?’ He knew I was looking for a guitarist and introduced us and here we are - 6 years on.

How do you find working together as opposed to working as solo artists?
Ben - I’ve never worked as a solo artist so I couldn’t say!
Josienne - I’ve never really been comfortable playing guitar on stage so having Ben with me means I can concentrate on my favourite bit - the singing.

How have things changed since you won the BBC Folk Award?
Josienne - It’s helped us in that bookings have gone up and more people have heard of us. Actually, I think performing on the night (which was broadcast live on Radio 2 and on the iPlayer) probably helped more than winning the award itself because lots of people tell us that’s where they first saw us play.

Whats been your best live experience?
Josienne - Playing Stage 2 at Cambridge Folk Festival last year in front of several thousand people was really special.

Can you tell us about your latest album?
Josienne - Nothing Can Bring Back The Hour came out in October 2014 and we’ve just finished recording our new album which is coming out on Rough Trade Records this autumn. We’re really excited about that and spent a week in Rockfield Studios in Wales with a great bunch of musicians. We’re really excited about that.

What can people expect from your forthcoming Cardiff show?
Josienne - It will be just Ben and I, playing songs from all of our albums and a few new ones too.

What else will you be doing this year – anywhere we can look out for you?
Josienne - we’re touring the UK in May and June. We’re playing a few festivals including Ely, Towersey, Boom Town Fair and End of The Road. We will be back out again in the autumn when the album comes out.

Where can people find out more about you and your music?
www.josienneandben.com twitter @josienneandben facebook - Josienne Clarke and Ben Walker
Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/FEMLLG for booking details

• A version of this Q&A by Andy Howells appeared in The South Wales Argus entertainment supplement The Guide on April 29, 2016

Centrestage Cymru Present Singin' In The Rain - Matthew Bryant Interview

Centrestage Cymru return to the stage of Newport’s Dolman Theatre this week to present their latest show Singin’ In The Rain. 

The cast are currently putting the finishing touches to their show and today we take a final sneak peek at rehearsals by viewing video of the cast and chorus at work on the show.

Today's video features Matthew Bryant who plays Cosmo Brown, a role originally played by Donald O'Connor on the big screen version of Singin' in The Rain.

Book tickets to see Singin' In The Rain at between April 27-30 at The Dolman Theatre website.

Centrestage Cymru Present Singin' In The Rain - Ciara Doyle Interview

Centrestage Cymru return to the stage of Newport’s Dolman Theatre this week to present their latest show Singin’ In The Rain. 

The cast are currently putting the finishing touches to their show and today we continue our sneak peek at rehearsals by viewing  video featuring the cast working on the show.

Today's video features Ciara Doyle who discusses been a member of the chorus and her role as the interviewer.

Centrestage Cymru's presentation of Singin' In The Rain runs at The Dolman Theatre from April 27-30. Visit the official website to book tickets. Check back tomorrow to see the final video in this series.

Centrestage Cymru Present Singin' In The Rain : Rebecca Hartland Interview

Centrestage Cymru return to the stage of Newport’s Dolman Theatre this week to present their latest show Singin’ In The Rain.

The cast are currently putting the finishing touches to their show and today we continue our sneak peek at rehearsals by viewing video featuring the cast at work on the show.

Today's video features Rebecca Hartland who plays the role of Zelda.

Centrestage Cymru's presentation of Singin' In The Rain runs at The Dolman Theatre, Newport from April 27-30. Visit The Dolman Theatre Website to order tickets. Check back tomorrow for another interview.