about
During a hot night in August 2016, Delphine and I went to Alsager as part of our UK tour. I’d been really looking forward to this leg of the tour as Alsager is only up the road from Stoke on Trent where I’m from and so to visit and perform there felt quite special. I picked up my Auntie Shelagh and my mother, Gina, then travelled over to the gig.
The venue had recently been renovated and closed for some time, in all honestly I think the guy who booked the show had forgotten it was even happening so it’s just as well Shelagh and Gina were there because aside from them and a good lad who’d travelled over from Stoke on the bus there was no audience.
There were some other folks there however, my old friends Stuart, Andy, Joincey, Kelly and Mika – the other band! I think they were going to perform as Asymptotem. It felt weird though, they’d perform for us, we’d perform for them? I saw my mum check her watch once or twice. I suggested that we performed together as a large group so that’s what happened.
An hour long improvisation was carried out in a small basement lit by a blue bulb and this release is the mostly unedited version of that gig. Stuart recorded and mastered it for us so cheers Stu.
Music aside, for various personal reasons, it was an emotional evening and I think you can hear that in the piece. Aside from Delphine, I’ve known these people since being a teenager, my family were there, it was near Stoke. Normally I’m happy to let these events be given to the universe but I’m glad this got recorded, a time to remember. Hope you enjoy. (In case you’re wondering, Shelagh and Gina loved it.)
- Sophie Cooper
credits
released June 7, 2017
CLOUDS ONCE BEFORE MOLTEN ROCK
- an ensemble improvisation by Stuart Arnot / Sophie Cooper / Delphine Dora / Andy Jarvis / Kelly Jayne Jones / Joincey / Mike de Oliveira
Live in Alsager (August 2016)
Players :
Stuart Arnot - trumpet, walkman
Sophie Cooper - trombone, electronics, vocals
Delphine Dora - vocals, computer, MIDI keyboard, percussions, electronics
Andy Jarvis - violin, percussion, vocals, tapes
Kelly Jayne Jones - flute, singing bowls, rocks
Joincey - snare drums, bells, dictaphone
Mika de Oliveira - cello, percussion, koto, flute, vocals
Artwork : Dovile Simonyte
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