Octopus, an evening of improvised & arranged musical pieces,
curated by South African drummer / percussionist Craig 'Cigar' Tamlin
(Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band, Club Mu, Afracadabra, Damo
Suzuki, Now, Rebecca Clossure .....). Craig, who has been been involved
in all kinds of musical projects ranging from avant pop, free
improvisation, afro-caribbean voodoo funk technology, electro, Dub
....brings together OCTOPUS, with an all star line up of world
musicians, starting the evening with all 8 artists, moving on with
various improv pieces where anything can happen.....duos, trios,
quartet etc.... by the end of the show merging back into 8...
Links to all the goodies...
Join the Facebook group - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=82065235094
Become a friend on MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/adjoseph
Read the blog - http://spasmband.blogspot.com/
Follow on Twitter- http://twitter.com/spasmband
View the tour photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdheadsontour/
Watch the videos - http://www.youtube.com/ajosephspasmband
Live @ Run Ar Puns - Châteaulin, France - 25th April 2009
The Uk Album launch for Bird Head Son takes place at Cargo, London on March 5th. Details below -
BIRD HEAD SON UK ALBUM LAUNCH
Voodoo funk party in London!
'Backed by squawking free-jazz and supercharged percussion, the Trinidadian poet and academic struts, bawls and howls his way through his latest works – part Voodoo priest, part prize-fighter. If his magic-realist rants are hard to follow, there's something of the modern urban Rimbaud in this album's visionary energy.' - THE TELEGRAPH
'Album of the year candidate! Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band are magnificent and Bird Head Son is where pathways meet; there won’t be many better albums this year so highly recommended. ' - FLY GLOBAL MUSIC
Kartel are offering a special deal on this show. For purchasing tickets you also get the chance to pre-order the new album ‘BIRD HEAD SON’, for the very special price of only £5! (normal price £9.99 in store)
Pre-order your tickets from: Kartel Box Office/Shop - http://karteltickets.trinitystreetdirect.com/litetickets/ticketselection.asp?type=6
£8 adv
Remaining dates for this month include the following -
March 20th - L’Astolabe, France
Some live action from last month in Dijon at the La Vapeur, Generique Festival
Finally for those who have never experienced the Live Spasm here's a link to last month's live TV performance on France 3 - Ce soir ou Jamais
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - Robberman - live on France TV 3
The Bird Head Son tour is truly up and running. Last month saw the Spasm Band Play two live radio dates in France at Radio France Inter. The shows in question were Le Pont des Artistes on 21st Jan & Musiques du Monde (photo from session below) on 23rd Jan, as well as playing a gig at Le Confort Moderne in Poitiers on 22nd Jan. This month we have shows on the following dates - extra special mention for the date on the 13th February alongside Saul Williams - not to be missed!
9th Feb 2009 - UK release of the album Bird Head Son
http://www.shook.fm/content/2009/01/anthony-joseph-the-spasm-band-bird-head-son/
12th Feb 2009 - La Vapeur - Génériq Festival - Dijon
http://www.generiq-festival.com/
13th Feb 2009 - Sons d’hiver Festival - Creteil - double header with Saul Williams
http://sonsdhiver.org/
14th Feb 2009 - Le Cylindre - Génériq festival - Besançon
Anthony Joseph and the Spasm band at RFI with Melissa Laveaux
L-R: CraigTamlin / Andrew John / Paul Brett / Melissa Laveaux / Antoine Rajon (manager)
Paul Zimmerman / Christian Arcucci/ Anthony Joseph / Colin Webster
The New Album released 20th Jan 09'
The Roundhouse, London - December 4th 2008
La Cité - Trans Musicales, Rennes - December 6th 2008
Quick update on forthcoming gigs and the new Anthony Joseph & the Spasm Band album Bird Head Son -
Bird Head Son released on 13 Jan 2009 France
Confirmed Dates -
04 Dec 2008 - The Roundhouse, London - The Spasm Band support New Zealand's Fat Freddy’s Drop
at the start of our Bird Head Son European tour.
06 Dec 2008 - Transmusicales de Rennes - Playing with Anthony Joseph & the Spasm Band
and special guest Joe Bowie on the final day of this prestigious festival now in it’s 30th year.
14 Dec 2008 - Cargo, London - Playing with Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band
opening for Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80
15 Dec 2008 - Cargo, London - Playing with Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band
opening for Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80
Photo by Maya Photography October 2008
Some pics from my recent travels with Anthony Joseph And The Spasm Band that saw us performing in Cape Town, South Africa at the Pan African Space Station Festival.
2nd October 2008 @ The Assembly
4th October @ Mowbray Town Hall
Three Things -
Firstly - The new Spasm Band album Bird Head Son is now scheduled for release in the New Year - Jan 2009 and will be coming out on Naive Records who are based in Paris, France.
Secondly - I will be heading off to Cape Town to play at the Pan African Space Station with the rest of the band the first week in October. More details below...
Between October 1- 4, PASS plays host to genre-busting music outfits from global Africa dedicated to exploring new musical territory. Participating artists include the Lagos-Accra based Afrobeat fanfare Ayetoro; famed drummer Cindy Blackman and her quartet (US); Trinidadian jazz-poet Anthony Joseph and his Spasm Band; Dub poet Bebson de la rue and his band Tryonix (DRC); Bangui-born afro-soul-beat bassist and singer Bibi Tanga together with trail-blazing French DJ/producer, Le Professeur Inlassable; LA based hip-hop funk scientists Science Feline and a number of progressive South African artists, including Carlo Mombelliand his Prisoners of Strange (Jhb), Blk Jks (Jhb), Madala Kunene (Durban) and the Cape Town based collaborative Goematronics project.
They'll all be playing at disparate venues across Cape Town that both affirm and disrupt the musical geography of the city – from Langa's Guga S'thebe and the Assembly in District Six, to Mowbray's Town Hall, The Kimberley Hotel in the CBD and the Slave Church on Long Street.
More info as it comes... Check on my Myspace page for further info and dates.
http://www.myspace.com/musicreational
Thirdly - Wednesday, 3rd September, PLEASE SUPPORT!!!!!!.... A New Music Evening - OCTOPUS (formerly Club Mu), LIVE at Cafe Oto.
Compositions and Improvisations will performed live from 8.30pm - onwards.....
The Players:
Craig Tamlin - drums/percussion
Andrew John- electric bass
Shura Greenberg - double bass
Shabaka Hutchings - bass clarinet
James Marsh - alto sax
Illi Adato - percussion
Leee Knight - guitar
Tom Challenger - tenor sax
Gareth Wilkins - synth/keys
LIBERATION MUSIC!!!!!!! Spirit & Light X
Cafe Oto
18 - 22 Ashwin street
Dalston
London
E8 3DL
The next two months will be quieter affairs. The new album "Bird Head Son" by Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band is due out sometime in November 2008, whereas the new EP "La Diablesse" is out now! A collection of duets that I recorded with Anthony should be out in August/September this year also.
In the meantime catch up with band via these illuminating video clips below -
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band Live, France, March 2008 - "Dream On Corbeau Mountain" from the new Bird Head Son album recorded in Studio de Meudon (please scroll down to 2nd video)
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band feat. Joe Bowie FMM Sines 08 - Festival Musicas Do Mundo, Sines, Portugal July 23rd, 2008
Here are a selection of photos -
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band feat. Joe Bowie FMM Sines 08 - Official photos from the Sines Festival
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band feat. Joe Bowie FMM Sines 08 - A mixture of personal & official photos from my own collection (you will need a mypsace login to see these)
Listen to some new music -
"Language" - a piece recorded on July 31st 2008 during the Duet sessions with Anthony Joseph
This month I will be playing at the FMM Sines festival in Portugal on the 23rd and
recording an album of duets with Anthony Joseph on the 31st. I get the chance to
play double bass for this date - it's gonna be a very heavy ocassion and promises
to produce some inspired music as it will be totally improvised.
And finally here are some photos from our recent performance
at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark, July 4th 2008.
This month sees the release of Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band's limited edition 12"
entitled "La Diablese" - taken from their forthcoming album "Bird Head Son"
scheduled for release October 2008. "La Diablese" features Keziah Jones (guitar) and
Joe Bowie (trombone), and will be on the French independent label Heavenly Sweetness -
It's the second single release from the band following on from "Spirit Lash" in 2006.
Also take a moment to check out some brand new video footage of the Spasm Band
live in the studio performing/recording "Dream On Corbeau Mountain" which will also
be featured on the new album "Bird Head Son".
You'll find it in the Video section of the site - it's hot, hot, hot!
Finally Another date for your calendars:
Anthony Joseph And The Spasm Band will play a rare London date at The Mau Mau Bar
on Saturday July 5th - the day after returning from playing at the Roskilde Festival in Denmark.
April was a quiet month for the band having just finished recording the new Spasm band album.
May started off with a gig at Jamm in Brixton, London on the 4th which was a Sunday. We had a couple of excellent guests playing with the band in another expanded line-up at the Components night.
Anthony Joseph - voice/poet
Andrew John - bass
Colin Webster - sax/flute
Adrian Owusu - guitar
Paul Zimmerman - Djembe/Conga
Paul Brett - percussion
Craig Tamlin - percussion
Jason Yarde - baritone sax
Shabaka Hutchins - bass clarinet
Then on May 11th we played at the Art-Rock Festival in Saint Brieuc, France with our regular lineup - it had been quite a while since we last played as a five-piece.
Anthony Joseph - voice/poet
Andrew John - bass
Colin Webster - sax/flute
Paul Zimmerman - Djembe/Conga
Paul Brett - percussion
Other than that we've now heard some of the mastered tracks from our recording sessions in March and by all accounts the new album is gonna be huge and well worth waiting for when it comes out later this year sometime in October with contributions from Keziah Jones on guitar, Joe Bowie on trombone and David Neerman on vibes.
Finally - make a note in your diaries for our next performances which will be in July.
July 4th - Roskilde Festival (Denmark)
July 23rd - FMM Sines Festival (Portugal)
This is a busy month with a decent gig at Cargo in London followed by the recording of the new album in Paris. We will have a few surprise guest recording with us and I'm really looking forward to it. It's gonna be a killer album full of Voodoo Funk!
Cargo gig is 11th March
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band (with guest performers)
Onstage 10 pm
Anthony Joseph - Poet
Andrew John - Bass
Colin Webster - Sax, Flute
Paul Zimmerman - Djembe, Congas
Paul Brett - Percussion
Keziah Jones (Guest) - Guitar
Adrian Owusu (Guest) - Guitar
Craig Tamlin (Guest) - Percussion
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band - New Album will be recorded the last week of March in Paris, France - more to follow
Still writing new material with the rest of the band but we have a low key gig this month - the first of the year to be exact at Bar Latina, which is situated in Tottenham, North London - we don't expect a big turnout but it's a chance to perform some of the new material we've been writing. Adrian Owus will be added to the usual line-up to play guitar.
Anthony Joseph & The Spasm band @ Bar Latina
12th February 2008
Anthony Joseph - Poet
Andrew John - Bass
Colin Webster - Sax/Flute
Paul Zimmerman - Djembe/Congas
Paul Brett - Percussion
Adrian Owus - Guitar
November 2007
I, along with the rest of the band will now be getting in the zone to start writing our 2nd album. We plan to record it the first few weeks in February 2008 in Paris, France.
Hi All. Trying to keep on top of things as ever and for those of you who haven't checked out my Myspace site please do feel free toi drop by and say HI.
More dates that I played recently and I have a nice gig in Paris in November which promises to be pretty cool.
Until then...
29/9/2007 01:00 PM - Colourful Radio @ www.colourfulradio.com/
http://www.colourfulradio.com/
Worldwide Web,
UK
Cost:N/A
Description:AJ & The Spasm Band play a live session on www.colourfulradio.com/ 1.15 - 2pm
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01/10/2007 08:00 PM - CLUB MU @ Utrophia Art Space
Utrophia Art Space, Unit 102, 49 Greenwich High Road
London, SE10 8JL
UK
Cost:£3
Description:I will be conducting and not playing at this months Club MU - Invited musicians, spontaneous concepts inspired by ideas and culture.
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10/10/2007 08:00 PM - Nancy Jazz Pulsations
Nancy
Nancy,
FR
Cost:N/A
Description:The Spasm Band play at Nancy Jazz Pulsations
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19/10/2007 08:00 PM - Jazzebre Festival
Perpignan, France,
FR
Cost:N/A
Description:Spasm Band continue the journey..
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13/11/2007 08:00 PM - New Morning
7-9, rue des Petites Ecuries Paris, France
Paris,
FR
Cost:tbc
Description:Playing with The Spasm Band at New Morning 7-9, rue des Petites Ecuries Paris, France. Paris Metro: Château d’Eau
Hey It's been a very long time. Here's a summary of what I've been up to - Touring!!
All Shows
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16 Feb 2007, 20:00 - Amnesty International Launch Party
Islington
London,
Description: Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band at Amnesty International.
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24 Feb 2007, 20:00 - AJ & The Spasm Band live at Hoxton Lab
Hoxton Lab, 39a Hoxton Sq
London,
Description: myspace.com/KUNGADRED presents A night of celebration of Rooted music Spoken word, Blues, funk-folk, sweet song and artistic impression at HOXTON LAB. www.myspace.com/hoxtonlab (off Old Street, tube exit 2) 39a Hoxton Sq N1 Anthony Joseph and the spasm band - more than spoken word, Lacey Adigwu soul songstress, Tom Rodwell - Real rythmn and blues, The Brohims deep funk and soul, Xlani - acoustic Xhlosa singer, with artists popping in for jam and visual artists showing work around the space. Music provided by Danny Tommazz of Playas possee - ecclectic world beats This a FREE event but we would apppreciate a donation for "Hearts to Africa". Giving love always to those who set the path info 07745018394 kungadred@hotmail.co.uk
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15 Mar 2007, 20:00 - Vaulx En Velin Jazz Festival
Vaulx En velin
Lyon, France,
Description: Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band live at the legendary Vaulx En Velin Jazz Festival in Lyon. More info soon! www.avaulxjazz.com
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23 Mar 2007, 23:00 - Bol de Funk Festival
Marseille, France
Description: The Spasm Band played at the legendary Bol De Funk Festival in Marseille. More info soon. http://www.boldefunk.org/
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29 Mar 2007, 20:00 - Blue Note Jazz Festival
7/9 rue des Petites Ecuries
Paris, France, 75010
Description: Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band played at the Bose Blue Note Jazz Festival in Paris supporting Terry Callier
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03 May 2007, 20:00 - Contact Theatre
Contact Theatre, Devas Street, Manchester, M15 6JA
Manchester, M15 6JA
Description: Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band Contact Theatre, Devas Street, Manchester M15 6JA www.contact-theatre.org
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09 May 2007, 20:00 - Kuumba
20-23 Hepburn Road, St Paul’s
Bristol, BS2 8UD
Description: Anthony Joseph and the Spasm Band live at Kuumba, 20-23 Hepburn Road, St Paul’s, Bristol BS2 8UD
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11 May 2007, 20:00 - The Spasm Band album launch at Paradiso
Weteringschans 6-8, NH, 1000
Amsterdam, Holland,
Description: Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band album launch, with Antibalas. see www.kindred-spirits.nl
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30 May 2007, 20:00 - Tribu Festival
Dijon, France
Description: Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band played at the Tribu Festival http://tribufestival.free.fr/site/
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02 Jun 2007, 20:00 - The Poetry Cafe
22 Betterton Street, london
London, WC2H 9BX
Description: Performing in collaboration with spoken word performer Olumide.
07 Jun 2007, 20:00 - Whitechappel Art Gallery
Whitechappel Art Gallery, London,
London, E1 7QX
Description: The Spasm Band live at Salt Margins poetry and performance event.
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16 Jun 2007, 20:00 - Jazz au Chellah
Rabat, Morocco
Description: Anthony Joseph & The Spasm Band played at the legendary Jazz au Chellah Festival in Rabat, Morocco.
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21 Jun 2007, 20:00 - The Spitz, London
The Spitz, 109 Commercial Street. Old Spitafields Market. London. E1 6BG
London, E1 6BG
Description: The Spasm Band played a rare London date to celebrae the release of our debut album on Kindred Spirits. Tickets available from - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/17348
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23 Jun 2007, 20:00 - Armenistis, Chalkidiki,Greece,
Description: The Spasm Band played on Ikaria, bring your suntan balm and non-drip pommade! Armenistis is a small sea-side settlement in the northern part of Ikaria west of Evdilos and just past Gialiskari.
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30 Jun 2007, 20:00 - Les Eurockeennes Festival
Belfort, France
Description: The spasm band play at Les Eurockeennes Festival,
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07 Jul 2007, 20:00 - Festival Cabaret Remixé
Paris,
Description: A festival in paris, Supporting Neneh Cherry.
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Upcoming Gigs
15 Jul 2007, 20:00 - North Sea Jazz Festival, Nehterlands
Description: Spasm Band get down at the North Sea Jazz Fest!
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28 Jul 2007, 20:00 - Standon Calling Festival
Standon
Hertfordshire
Description: The Spasm Band return to this great little festival in a beautiful field deep in hertfordshire - 2006 was amazing, 2007 will be the same! see http://www.standon-calling.com/
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07 Sep 2007, 20:00 - Festival de Jazz de la Villette
Paris
Description: The Spasm Band Play another Festival in Paris
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Will try and stay on top of things a little better from now on. See you soon.
