We've been following some of the emerging artists who are performing in DaDaFest International 2018 as they prepare for their events.
Destination Sound is a platform for new music celebrating the talent and creativity of Disabled musicians. The concert at the Bluecoat on 28 Novemer is curated by Ben Lunn and features compositions by Ben Lunn, Siobhan Dyson, Lucy Hale, Rylan Gleave, Sonia Allori, Kris Halpin and Claire Johnston.
Ben guides us through the journey the composers are on in preparation for their performances. Make a cup of tea and get comfy because there is a lot of great insight into the composers below.
Here's what Ben says...
“I was given the fortune of curating an event in collaboration with DaDaFest and Drake Music to celebrate disabled composers and musicians. This was a real joy mostly because there has never really been anything like this.
Let’s use this as a chance to briefly introduce some of the composers involved."
Read this interview with Ben on Disability Arts Online and watch this video of his work.
Rylan Gleeve
Rylan is a truly exciting and dynamic person whose music is full of such intent and promise that it is hard not to moved or stunned by it. He has performed as a sign performer and has been involved in the metal band Ashenspire for a number of years now.
Sonia Allori
Another collaborator of Drake Music and Drake Music Scotland, Sonia Allori is a truly sincere composer and therapist. Her music can be beautiful, it can be silly and hilarious, it can also just fill you with joy.
Read Ben's interview with Sonia where she talks about, amongst other things, her composition, ‘Last Tango in Liverpool’ a tango interrupted by a fragment of melody from a well-known Beatles song and also about being bipolar. Interview_with_Sonia_Allori.pdf
Lucy Hale
Lucy is a Drake Music Associate Artist and her music has a broad reach and includes multiple areas of fascination. There is a wonderful fluidity in her work, which always seems to bring the most out of the materials she is using.
Read Ben's interview with Lucy Interview_with_Lucy_Hale.pdf
Siobhan Dyson
Siobhan is bubbly, curious, and full of cheek and wit. Currently on an Erasmus exchange in Rekjavik, Siobhan’s music is full of intrigue and sheer enjoyment of making music. She is fascinated by the world around her and that ultimately feeds her music making, leading it to wonderful new locations.
Read Ben's interview with Siobhan Interview_with_Siobhan_Dyson.pdf
Listen to one of Siobhan's tracks
Kris Halpin
Kris Halpin, the man with the gloves. The dynamic rocker has energy and pzazz oozing out of every part of him. His sets are intriguing, colour, and full of oomph. Having toured most of Britain showing many what he can do with the magical MiMu gloves, Kris will show off more of his talents.
Gaskell Quartet
Read Ben's interview with Gunda from the Gaskell Quartet Interview_with_Gunda_from_Gaskell-Quartet.pdf
Claire Johnston
Claire has a richness and warmth in her music which is both highly nostalgic and moving. Utilising iPads and other pieces of technology to tap into new sounds filled with fascination. Her work is fun, but never naive, joyous and heartfelt.
Join Ben and all of the Drake Music emerging artists at the Bluecoat on Wednesday 28 November. Get tickets here www.thebluecoat.org.uk/events/view/events/3897