My London: Alberteen’s Ade Berry

With new album, Miss World, inspired by the varied histories, atmospheres and locations of London, Kent and the South East Coast, it’s safe to say Alberteen are fans of London town. Despite being from Nottinghamshire… As the BBC6 Music favourites prepare to release their second album, we take a stroll through Victoria Park seeking inspiration and London’s finest wanders with playwright and Alberteen’s bassist, Ade Berry.
What is your favourite area of London, and why?
Victoria Park where I live. It’s beautiful, I can run, cycle, get on a boat, see nature, and is on the cusp of every other part of London I love

What would your perfect London day out involve?
A walk down the canal to Limehouse, stare longingly up and down the Thames, jump on a Clipper, get wet from the spray when it speeds up, hop off at Embankment, explore the back streets of Mayfair and Bloomsbury on one of my ‘secret London’ walks and end up eating oysters in Soho before jumping on a bike home.

What would your perfect London night out involve?
Lying down on a big circular concrete table on Fenchurch Avenue on a Sunday night staring up at the Lloyds building. Try it. It’s free and the most amazing thing to do

Where in London do you feel most creative, and why?
A place called Stour Space in Hackney Wick, on the jetty outside, around 9am with a book and a really strong coffee

Where in London have you never been, but have always wanted to go?
There are very few places. Oh I know – Aeronaut in Acton. Many of my friends perform circus there. Looks like a hedonist’s dream.

Who is your favourite Londoner, and why?
Got to be Bowie. My inspiration, hero, icon. And he’s got a great Laaahndan voice

What do you think is London’s best kept secret?
That would be telling. But I discovered an open gate leading to some steps in Wapping the other day.  They went all the way down to the river’s edge and the waves were crashing very dramatically over my feet. Apparently they used to drown people there.

Which song, book or film do you think best encapsulates London?
Book (and film) – The London Nobody Knows. Song – Brompton Oratory by Nick Cave

What do you miss most about London when you’re away?
Everything. All of it. But I’ll say the river, because it leads me to everywhere I want to be. A taxi driver once told me I was a ‘naturalised Londoner’ which I took as a huge compliment.

Where do you go in London to relax?
Vicky Park, rowing a boat under the pagoda

What would you recommend everyone in London do at least once?
Buy a day pass on the Thames Clipper

What projects do you have in the pipeline?
The new Alberteen album Miss World – I write and play bass- and a festival I am producing in North London called Postcards.

Miss World is now available on Rhythm & Noir.