MOGWAI: If The Stars Had A Sound; see the film at Raindance 21/6

Peter Anderson • Jun 20, 2024

Blazing Griffin, Adler Entertainment, Rock Action Records and Screen Scotland present MOGWAI: If The Stars Had A Sound, which will be screening at Raindance Film Festival on 21st June 2024. Nominated for Best Documentary Feature at Raindance Film Festival, MOGWAI: If The Stars Had A Sound is an exciting feature documentary following the independent Scottish band Mogwai from their inception to the present day.


Mogwai are a Scottish rock and electronic band, formed in 1995 in Glasgow. The band consists of Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals), Barry Burns (guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals), Dominic Aitchison (bass guitar) and Martin Bulloch (drums). Former members include John Cummings (guitar, bass guitar, drums, keyboard) and Brendan O’Hare (keyboards, guitar). Since 1997, the band have released ten studio albums, with 2021’s As The Love Continues being a commercial and critical success, amassing a Mercury Prize nomination and winning the Scottish Album of the Year award.

They have also released multiple EPs and contributed the score to projects for Amazon Prime and Apple TV+. The documentary was filmed and directed by Antony Crook and produced by Kyrie MacTavish (Super Special, Anna and the Apocalypse), with funding from The National Lottery through Screen Scotland. Over 25 years and 10 studio albums - using brute sonic force mixed with subtlety and grace - Mogwai have defined their own musical genre and built a loyal following by staying true to their sound and true to their roots.


The film takes us on a journey from their very beginnings, in the mid 1990s, to the band writing and rehearsing their tenth studio album in their hometown of Glasgow, Scotland in 2020 - a record made during lockdown. While at first seemingly impossible to make, they ultimately made history with it. Antony Crook, acclaimed photographer and director, and long term Mogwai collaborator punctuates the film with moments of live performance and pre-recorded tracks capturing the essence of Mogwai’s near 30-year career.


Mogwai: If The Stars Had A Sound is an intimate glimpse into the band's Glasgow roots, creative process, and the impact its music has made on its fans. This screening is just one of a number in the coming days:


Raindance Film Festival with Q&A, 21st June

Find out more here

 

Scottish Premiere with Q&A
Glasgow Film Theatre, 28th June

Find out more here
 

Screening with Introduction
Glasgow Film Theatre, 30th June

Find out more here


 

Jessica Wilde at Glastonbury & Album Launch @ Lower Third 17/7

By Peter Anderson • 27 Jun, 2024
“ Such an incredibly multi-talented artist, every time we see her name in our inbox we get very excited! ” - Jess Iszatt BBC Radio 1 Singer, songwriter, rapper and producer Jessica Wilde has released her highly anticipated, soul touching, empowering and thought- provoking sophomore album ‘Teach Me How To Love’, with the amazing Afronaut Zu featuring on the title track. In her recent interview with Carrie and David Grant on BBC Radio London she said: “ The phase now is really feeling a lot more self-love, love for life and really wanting to uplift people with my music and spread the frequency of love” . Wilde fully utilizes her authentic expression through this powerful and truly unique body of work, where she bares her vulnerability on a personal journey of deep inner healing and an exploration of love for self, others, life and God. Authentically expressed though her soul searing, raw, raspy and heart hitting singing which Jess fuses with her sharp-witted rap & spoken word with undeniable South London grit. Wilde, now four years sober, has openly shared her experience, from her debut project (2023) where each of the songs were like confessional diary entries, laying out brutally honest lyrics in her unique and original Wilde way, taking us on a ride of life through addiction, toxic relationships, escapism to a place of self-empowerment, self-love and living sober. Her new album ‘Teach Me How To Love’ reflects all the inner work she has committed to that has brought her out of the darkest times of her life. Wilde has ventured on a spiritual path which took her on a transformational solo adventure from the concrete jungle to the Amazon Jungle and which gave the seeds of inspiration for this new chapter of her musical expression to take fruit. The new album project features some of Wilde’s close friends and incredible artists in their own right Josh Barry (Nile Rodgers, Gorgon City), Zoe Kyrpi (Black Coffee, David Lazarus), James Newman (writer of Rudimental’s Brit award winning song ‘Waiting All Night’ with Ella Eyre) and Afronaut Zu who’s raw and husky vocals are heard on the title track ‘Teach Me How To Love’. Zu is also a part of Steam Down Jazz collective and Rudimental. Wilde not only penned the tunes of the album but also co-produced it with producer and right hand man Tom Maine (Wu-lu, Ego Ella May). This summer is set to be Jamm packed, with Wilde hitting the stages of Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Camp Wild Fire and Soul Town festival where she’s opening the main stage for legends Earth, Wind and Fire. Not only is the festival season popping off, but Wilde is also set to headline Lower Third on 17 th July for her album launch show, in collaboration with soul pioneering platform ‘Global Soul’ and Wilde’s very own PxSSY PWR platform. ‘PxSSY PWR’ is a platform Wilde created as a response to the disparity between support for male artists compared to female artists. The residency at Hootananny Brixton has become a hub and major platform for some of the most exciting underground female, non-binary and queer artists, including sold out shows with the likes of Etta Bond, IYAMAH, Zoe Kypri and Tamaraebi to name a few. ‘Teach Me How To Love’ is out now via Absolute Label Services. Jessica Wilde launches ‘Teach Me How To Love’ on 17 th July at The Lower Third, London. For more information visit: https://www.instagram.com/iamjessicawilde/ Images (c) Jamal Haddad 

‘CHOKESLAM’ A Solo Comedy Show by Tegan Verheul

By Peter Anderson • 26 Jun, 2024
A knockout solo show about one woman’s love of pro wrestling. Returning to the Fringe by popular demand, 'Chokeslam' is a testament to Tegan Verheul's mastery in physical storytelling. With minimal set and props, Verheul's commanding presence transforms an intimate stage into a grand arena, engaging the imagination of her audience in a powerful way. Whether you're a hardcore wrestling aficionado or a newcomer to the world of body slams, you're in for an enthralling experience. Last year's run was a smash hit, resonating with a diverse crowd and garnering rave reviews for its universal appeal and Verheul's dynamic performance. I caught up with Tegan to find what her audiences could look forward to, and what she was looking forward to at the Fringe in 2024. It seems her love of acting, and maybe her love of herself, leave Wrestling an entertaining third place! " I’ve been an entertainer since birth, I think. I always knew I wanted to be an actor, and grew up in a family where comedy was a love language so I’ve always been driven to make people laugh. " I went to a special fine arts school in Canada as a child and have been in comedy, theatre, and film ever since. It’s what makes me come alive, and I truly believe it’s my calling and the best thing I can do for the planet. I was never going to be a scientist or a doctor, but if I can bring joy to people through my performance then I’m happy with that." "I’ve always dreamed of performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, and got my first taste of it last year bringing a play called ‘Artist/Muse’ to Assembly with WWWC (Wednesday Women Writing Collective), the creative collective I co-founded. I co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced the show and while I’m very proud of it, I realised in the leadup that I needed to perform as well. I’m an actor and entertainer first, a narcissist second, and a producer/writer/director third, so I’m glad this year my focus will be spending time onstage." So, where did the idea for the show come from, happiness & joy are not words we associate with Pro-Wrestling? " I started this show as an exercise in drama school a few years back when we were asked to write about something we were passionate about. I love wrestling – watching it makes my heart feel like it’s going to explode, and seeing it live is one of the few things that gets me to jump out of my seat and scream." " I love getting invested in the storylines and characters, and have so much respect for wrestlers putting their bodies on the line for our entertainment. Wrestling really has gotten me through a lot—heartbreak, hard times, big life changes—and it’s brought my friends and I closer. I hope to be able to give that to others now through ‘Chokeslam’. So, what can your audiences look forward to? " Audiences can look forward to getting REVVED UP! Whether you’re a devoted wrestling fan or have never seen a single suplex, this show is all about getting you excited about sports entertainment’s greatest matches and most-loved characters. It was so heart-warming hearing from audience members who have either never watched wrestling or used to watch it as kids that seeing 'Chokeslam’ made them WANT to get into it. I talk a lot about the Attitude Era, which holds a lot of nostalgia for people and has relatable themes in terms of love and disappointment and redemption, so I think audiences will be surprised at how much they’re moved by the show as well. "I’d love to tour this show through the UK and around the world. I’ve been lucky enough to start appearing on YouTube on shows like Wrestletalk, partsFUNknown, and No Rolls Barred, and have been touched by the support that fans have shown for both me and my show. It would be so nice to tour it around and meet the lovely humans who have helped make it happen! I’m looking forward to doing more stand-up gigs as well in and around London, and creating more content that makes people laugh." Following her recent theatrical triumph with the dark comedy 'Surrogates', Tegan Verheul's compelling blend of comedy and commentary cements her status as a fan favourite and a multi-faceted entertainer. Chokeslam will be performed at 5:50pm at Assembly George Square from 31st July - 25th August 2024 Tickets available HERE For more information on The Wednesday Women’s Writing Collective please go to wwwc.uk
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