29-year-old Inkfetish, aka Tom Blackford, has been decorating London for many years, making his work some of the most recognisable on London streets; in fact chances are that if you haven’t been aware of who he is until now, you’ll still recognise his work.

I’ve admired Inkfetish’s work since moving to London almost five years ago. With an individual style and the bold use of slap-you-in-the-face colours, his work is intriguing, distinctive, and done with such panache and flair that it’s almost intoxicating. A self-confessed perfectionist, this shines through in each piece, as does his passion, and this talent has not gone unnoticed. He’s worked with many multi-national companies including Nike, MTV and EA Games, and his work has become highly covetable.

Alice (above), his most recent piece, was created as part of a live paint for Whitecross Street Party: Rise of the Non-Conformists, which took place in East London at the weekend, and is quite possibly one of my favourite pieces to date. We had a brief chat with him before he took out the spray cans.

How long have you been painting for?

‘Seriously for about seven years.’

Describe your style…

‘A subversive mixture of Japanese and American pop/sub culture.’

Who or what influences you?

‘Art in general, comics, anime, graffiti, horror movies, dreams, the list goes on…’

Where’s your favourite London hotspot?

‘Forbidden Planet store for shopping, I can spend hours in there.’

Where’s the best area to paint?

‘Anywhere hassle free. I’m easily distracted so being in a quiet space works for me.’

What are the best and worst aspects of living in London?

‘I like the vibrancy and diversity of London and the fact that everything’s so accessible. On the flip-side, I think it’s a difficult place to support yourself as an artist without any other means of income due to the high cost of living; but then again that could be seen as a motivating factor.’

Describe your perfect London day…

‘Painting a wall with my talented crew (40 Hit Kombo) on a hot summer day with a few beers, followed by a movie in the evening with a special lady. It’s the little things…’

Where can we see your work?

‘On the street if you’re lucky enough. I’ve currently got some new paintings available from Guest Basset on Whitecross Street. Failing any of these real life experiences you can view a bunch of stuff online via my site: www.inkfetish.co.uk.’

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

Urban Artist Inkfetish

Sophie Wu, actress and one half of the comedy duo Time Cats with Emily Beecham, has a very unique look coupled with a slightly eccentric humour that never fails to please. 

Sophie’s level-headed attitude to acting also helps her stay grounded. She seems to take it all in her stride, calmly accepting the ups and downs of her rollercoaster career and staying positive.

Since finishing drama school she has made a whole host of appearances on TV, the stage and the silver screen and has worked hard to build up her name in the industry. She played a schoolgirl in Simon Stephen’s play Punk Rock, which went on to receive fantastic reviews in the Guardian. She also worked alongside Julia Roberts’ niece Emma Roberts in the chick flick Wild Child and more recently played a supporting part in the blockbuster film Kick-Ass.

Are you from London originally?

‘No, I am from the misty hills of Scotland! In fact I am a delightful mix of Scot and Chinese.’

When did you first move to London and what were you doing at the time?

‘I moved to London straight after I left school to study at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.’

What do you like about being an actress in London?

‘I like meeting lots of different people, I like the amazing amount of brilliant theatre on offer and having lots of other actors you can moan to!’

What was your drama school experience like?

‘Drama school was brilliant! Lots of mental, emotionally unstable people thrown together in a melting pot. But joking aside, it really was the best three years of my life. I learnt an incredible amount, made lifelong friends and met my one and only comedy partner, Emily Beecham!’

Where do you live in London?

‘I live in the leafy, bohemian, woodland village of Muswell Hill. I love it there. It is so relaxing to come home to and there are lots of nice coffee shops and my fave shop of all time, Art for Arts Sake, nearby. It’s great for craft items and birthday cards. There is also a Marks & Spencer’s just opposite my house, which is extremely handy. I am always in there buying apple turnovers and prawns.’

What are you most proud of?

‘I am most proud of not having a breakdown throughout my short but rollercoaster time as an actor.’

What would you rather not have to watch yourself in again and why?

‘I would rather burn my eyeballs out than watch myself play a 15-year-old Chinese prostitute in Hotel Babylon. I did a hideously bad Chinese accent and I looked like an absolute moron too.’

What is one thing you would recommend everyone do in London at least once?

‘I would recommend going to Mudchute farm to stroke pigs and have a lovely lunch in the cafe thereafter  – but wash your hands. I would also recommend bathing in Crouch End lido. It’s glorious on a boiling hot summer’s day.’

What would your ideal night out in London involve?

‘Gorging myself on Chinese food then drinking myself into oblivion in Soho, then getting a night bus home and having peanut butter on toast when I get in. Then listening to my Michael Palin audio book to lull me to sleep.’

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

Actress Sophie Wu

Clare O’Connell isn’t so different to most other 22-year-old London girls I’ve met. She’s pretty, fashionable and popular, and with a degree in Latin and a host of A-levels and GSCE’s to boot, isn’t exactly stupid either.

But on walking into her self-styled home bakery, I immediately see what sets her apart. Jars of colourful, sparkling sprinkles and toppings adorn the shelves and a butter-sweet smell invades my nostrils. Willy Wonka eat your heart out – cake on a stick has hit our shores.

Success has come quickly for Clare and her creations. And although these POPS have been around less than a year, cake-making has become serious business in the O’Connell household. With the national press and glossies vying for a piece of the action, and a recent coup in the form of stocking for Harvey Nicks, she has enlisted her mum’s expertise in a stalwart effort to build up the POP empire, and cope with the mounting orders.

When and why did you start to experiment in the kitchen?

‘As a Swiss-Irish family we have always celebrated meal times. My mum, and recently passed grandma, really set the bar in terms of what you can accomplish in the kitchen with a little hard work and TLC. I suppose it’s something I’ve always been around and the interest – and talent – developed from there.

‘After leaving uni in 2009, I knew I wanted to start my own business, and there was a sneaking suspicion it would be food related. The recession was well under way though, and I needed some experience under my belt, so I set to work at various catering outlets.’

Why baking, and POPs in particular?

‘I love all types of cookery, but baking seems to come most naturally. The creative side of it really excites me. Not just the flavours, but the textures and designs that are involved. The POP was borne out of a lot of research and experimenting. POPs are fun, innovative and aesthetically pleasing. Everyone has a smile on their face when they see them.’

What’s your inspiration?

‘Everything and anything can inspire me. But usually it’ll be something in the fashion world, other people’s blogs, popstars and celebrities, books and London-based WAH Nails.’

Who would you most like to make POPs for then?

‘Definitely someone slightly eccentric and who can think out of the box. So; Elton John or MIA or Lady Gaga.’

What makes a really good POP?

‘It’s all about the perfect colour combination and intricate decoration. Of course they can be ordered as bespoke options also, which is a great choice if the client has a particular interest or passion.’

POP versus cupcake. Who would win and why?

‘POPs of course – portion control on a stick. What more could you want. They’re less messy, not too filling, and look super-cute when you hold them!’

What does the future hold for POPs and the bakery?

‘It’s all about evolving and constantly experimenting with designs on the POPs, and mum and I working ever harder to build a strong business. I hope for consistency at Harvey Nichols, and of course, to make a financially viable business in the long-term.’

Where do you live in London and why?

‘West Hampstead, NW2, with my parents, both sisters, and Jack Russell, Frankie. We grew up here with our parents. I want to stay with my roots as it’s a family business, and while it’s in the development stage, moving out to pay rent isn’t really going to happen.’

What would you recommend everyone in London do at least once?

‘Go swimming in Hampstead Ponds, it’s invigorating.’

What is your favourite London eatery?

‘In terms of serving the best cakes and coffees; Cocomaya in W2.’

Where in London would you most like your POPs to be sold?

‘Harvey Nichols was my top choice, and I was over the moon to get this gig. I would ultimately aspire to have my very own POP bakery located somewhere fun and young like Portobello Road.’

How would you design a typical ‘London’ POP?

‘London has a big place in my heart so the collection wouldn’t be complete without a telephone box POP.’

POPs range from £2-£3.

www.popbakery.co.uk
www.popbakery.blogspot.com
twitter.com/POPbakery

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

POP Tart Clare O’Connell

Grammy-nominated breakbeat DJ and producer Adam Freeland recently stepped down from the decks to focus on his band Freeland. This month he shifts focus back to the turntables with his first solo release since 2007’s Hate EP with How to Fake Your Own Life, returning  to electronic form with his signature big room bass and analogue synths in this Étienne de Crécy collaboration. But despite his latest solo effort Freeland denies any break from the band: ‘I just wanted to do some more club-based stuff for my DJ sets. The band stuff is becoming increasingly psychedelic and droney.’

Do you prefer to play solo or live with the band? 

‘I like both at different times for different reasons. When the band are all on form and we are on a festival stage or in the right environment it’s very power delivering. But as a DJ I love not being fixed to a track list and just being able to play new music and freestyle it. It’s not so easy to freestyle with four people.’

Tell us about How to Fake Your Own Life and the inspiration behind it…  

‘I really like the loose feeling DFA sound, but most doesn’t quite have the balls for the bigger crowds I play to. So it’s got that live drums feel but with heavy production for the dancefloor and a monster hooky riff reminiscent of early Daft Punk. In a super digital scene I’m trying to go the other way and get more organic with my sound while riding that line which works in a big soundsystem environment.’

Who inspires you creatively?   

‘That’s no short answer but this week inspirers on my mind are: Stefan Sagmeister, Ernst Haeckel, David Lynch, Rumi, the Dewaele Brothers, Nick Cave, David Sylvian, Eno, Walter Gibbons, Jonny Greenwood, Siriusmo. Generally artists that come as stuff from a leftfield, psychedelic angle or have a core truth or message underlying their work, and also artists that understand subtlety and dynamics.’

What do you love most about London?

‘I love the multiculture mash-up, the abundance of good music, the edge, art, food, buzz and parks.’

What would your ideal night out in London involve?   

‘A good matinee film or play in the West End followed by some Prosecco and a picnic with friends on the top of Primrose Hill, if it’s a sunny summer evening, a walk to a good pub for some more food and good wine then Iggy and the Stooges at a smaller Camden venue. Maybe play a set myself at Fabric later on.’

Who is the most exciting DJ in the world right now?   

‘DJ Garth from Greyhound records, ex-Wicked crew. He and Harvey made their name in the early ‘90s doing the Tonka parties in London and Brighton and Harvey was an original resident at the Ministry of Sound and is the one who went on to being more famous. But the lesser-known Garth is my hero. I have heard him play a couple of times this year and it’s just mind-blowing every time. He calls his style cosmic disco, but for me he perfectly mashes up psych rock and deep disco and house in a way like no other.’

Any summer festival plans for 2010? 

‘I’ve already done quite a few but coming up are Secret Garden – which is always one of my faves – Jellyfest, Solfest, various in Europe and maybe Burning Man.’

Any other projects in the pipeline?      

‘I’m always working on perfecting that ultimate live/club sound. I’ve done some production for Devo. I’m working on mixes for an album to be released by the Charity Bottle Top. I’m putting an ambient drone album out as an alter ego and working on building a self-sustained design and arts village in a very special spot.’

How to Fake Your Own Life is released today.

www.myspace.com/adamfreelandmusic

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

Adam Freeland on Faking It

Emily Beecham exudes an energy that stands out when you meet her. She’s wacky with a vulnerability that is only hinted at every so often, but is just enough to make you realise how much she is aware of everything around her.

I met Emily when she was in the Edinburgh festival fringe with her friend and fellow actress Sophie Wu. They were performing in a group called the Time Cats and their show was quite something. The performance had no holds barred and has since been likened to a cross between French and Saunders and The Mighty Boosh in The Telegraph no less.

Where do you live in London?

‘I live in Muswell Hill and I love it because it doesn’t really feel like London. Highgate Woods is there and it is quite literally on a hill so you can see for miles around.’

Are you from London originally?

‘No, I grew up in Manchester until I was 13 then moved to Hertfordshire. I still visit my parents there now, its very peaceful. It’s not far from London too so I visit my family there regularly.’

When did you first move to London?

‘I was 18 and was doing a degree course at LAMDA drama school. It was a three year course in Barons Court, west London. I was on the same course as Sophie Wu, who I started my company Time Cats with during my final year.’

What was your drama school experience like?

‘It was pretty full on. There were extremely long days and there was a lot of pressure but it was a really creative environment to be in. It really helped you learn and gain confidence in a place where it didn’t matter if you made mistakes.’

What do you like about being a London-based actress?

‘There’s excellent theatre. Some of the best in the world. There’s also lots of art house cinemas which is great because it’s really quite hard to find those sorts of films elsewhere.’

What are you most proud of?

‘Probably a lead in a film with Brenda Blethyn. She’s a really good actress to work with. And The Street which is written by Jimi McGovern. He tells a lot of different people’s stories about subjects which don’t normally get highlighted much on TV. They’re always really unique.’

What would you rather not have to watch yourself in again?

‘Probably…sex scenes. They still make me cringe a little. Especially if I know my family are watching it! But I’m getting over that.’

What one thing would you recommend everyone do in London at least once?

‘Borough Market with it’s amazing food. Columbia Road market is great on a sunny Sunday morning. London aquarium on the Southbank is a personal fave. They had fish inside a car. Pretty surreal!’

What would your ideal night out in London involve?

‘Probably a pub with my close friends. Or a cheesy night out in Hoxton. There’s just so much to do so I rarely do the same thing twice. I went to a Secret Cinema recently which was very interesting. They showed Blade Runner and we got to hold snakes. Though, not everyone’s ideal I know.  But I thought it was fun!’

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

Actress Emily Beecham

Caravan opened in February this year by first-time restaurant owner Miles Kirby along with three other friends. 

Miles dived into the crowded London restaurant scene at the end of this winter and seems to have surfaced with a smile on his face.  The restaurant is situated on Exmouth Market, a part-pedestrianised street little known by tourists and frequented by those working and living in the area. 

The two front walls of the building are made of floor-to-ceiling glass, quite telling if the place is dead. Though seeing as it’s usually busy there’s no problem there. The place has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere, with oodles of small plates on offer to snack on and a huge coffee roasting machine in the basement. 
 
Are you from London originally?
 
‘No, we’re all (four owners) from Wellington, New Zealand. We all worked together in a restaurant around 15 years ago. I wouldn’t say we had plans to set up a restaurant together but it just made sense – we’ve come full circle really!’ 

When did you move to London ?
 
‘In 2001, after spending a year in the Netherlands. You get a working visa as a birth right, and there’s a cut-off point for that. I was fast approaching it so thought I’d make the move.’
 
Where do you live in London ?
 
‘I live in Barnsbury, between the Caledonian Road and Liverpool Road. I live on a really quiet road with a church at the end, there’s no through traffic. I lived there by myself for two years and a friend’s just recently moved in with me.’
 
What made you decide to set up a restaurant?
 
‘I’d been a chef for 15 years. The industry is such that if you don’t end up setting up by yourself you end up working for someone else and you’re never going to get the praise that you really deserve. Even as a head chef you work your arse off and someone always takes the credit. It’s something you have to do or you’re just going to have a mediocre existence. As a chef, it’s important to express yourself and grow.’
 
Why Exmouth Market?
 
‘We looked about for a year-and-a-half for a suitable site. We knew what our concept was. We wanted to roast coffee in a restaurant environment so we stayed true to what we wanted to do. We looked at literally hundreds of places! We heard this site was up for sale and were all really excited – I used to cycle past it every night on my way home from work. I love it round here – everyone is so friendly. There’s a small town feeling. It’s great, but when there’s no one around its nice if you live here but not so good if you’re trying to run a business.’
 
What are the difficulties in setting up a new business in London?
 
‘There was so much legal work going back and forth, maybe there wouldn’t be so much in Wellington. I know people who have set places up on a hand shake there. I think people are probably more self-protecting here which is a good thing as it protects us too.’

What was the hardest thing you had to over-come while setting up caravan?

‘Nothing went majorly wrong although there were many hiccups on the way. As a chef, I am not really accustomed to hanging around on a building site and felt a little like a fish out of water for most of the time. We were lucky to have a great team of friends and builders, headed up by Chris Ammermann my business partner, that helped to take the pain away. Having said all of this, about an hour out from opening, we realized the under floor heating had been plumbed incorrectly and was turning the place into a giant fridge in the heart of a cold London winter. Great!’

What would you recommend everyone do in London at least once?

‘Get a band together with your best friends and play a gig in a London pub. Rock on YOKOMONO the best band in the world.’

What would your ideal night out in London involve?

‘Dinner on the robata at Roka, seeing the Pixies at Brixton Academy then back to mine for drinks and records. Post night out recovery would be brunch at The Tapa Room then a day bed in the sun at Shoreditch house. Yes!’

How does London life differ to life in Wellington, and what do you miss most about home?

‘Life in Wellington was a lot more relaxed, I was quite a bit younger when I lived there last and far less career-minded I suppose. For these reasons I had a lot more time to enjoy things that I subsequently miss – my family, particularly my nephews and nieces, driving and of course regular visits to nearby beaches. I also miss really good Malaysian food.’

What do you miss most about London when you’re away? 

‘When not in London, I miss Caravan coffee.’

Caravan
11-13 Exmouth Market
Clerkenwell
EC1R 4QD

Twl: 020 7833 8115

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Miles of the Caravan

Islington-based Russian artist Rinat Shingareev’s pop-iconographic works could brighten up the dullest of London days. The colourful portraits, in vibrant colour, reveal modern-day icons like Tiger Woods, Prince Charles, George W Bush and Silvio Berlusconi in bemusing poses. Yet despite their somewhat ambiguous, seemingly political subject matter, all of Shingareev’s works inspire warmth and fun.

‘I always start with the idea that my art should bring only positive emotions. I invite you to look at these unapproachable personalities from a different point of view, one which reveals their human qualities. I have nothing but respect for the personalities in my paintings and I do not render political beliefs through my work.’

Where do you live and why?

‘I’ve lived in many places, but during this period of my life I’m living in London. London is one of the most interesting cities in the world. It has a long history and the latest technological advances, and I am very pleased to receive the energy of this beautiful city to create new paintings.

‘Travel is an important part of my life. I love discovering new places and meeting new people. Wherever I am, I must feel the atmosphere of the city. Each new city is like a muse that inspires me and my art.’

Where did you study and how would you describe your work?

‘My art education career began in Russia. I finished fine arts school where I took a multitude of courses, from interior design to web design. Later on, I continued my education in Italy where I finished with an honors at the Fine Art Academy.’

How do you choose the personalities you paint?

‘I did not choose the personalities for my works, but only comment on everything that happens around me. I describe people of my time in my works. What you see around you is something very interesting, bright, actual and particular.’

Who would you like to paint that you have not painted yet?

‘When I finish my paintings I never know what will be my next piece. Ideas for new works come to me very quickly and spontaneously. I would like to paint a lot of personalities, one of which is Madonna. Who knows, maybe during my stay in London I can make it happen.’

What living artist do you most admire?

‘There are a lot of talented living artists, and I would like to highlight the work of artist Banksy. Contemporary art is so interesting and varied that I am sometimes amazed by the variety of artistic techniques and images.’

How does London inspire you creatively?

‘London is a great place for inspiration with lots of art galleries. London has a magical atmosphere, which permeates every atom, filling you with new emotions. This city is created for brilliant ideas and brilliant works. I am sure that each artist can find in London something new for themselves.’

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

Artist Rinat Shingareev

What does it mean to be a man?

In today’s society, men can no longer fall back on the stereotypes of previous ages gone by. Trying to define what masculinity entails is a tricky proposition without resorting to the hoary old clichés of excessive drinking and getting behind the wheel of a fast car.

One artist is attempting to probe the question of masculinity and to distill the essence of what it is to be a man. In his new exhibition, Who’s The Man?, Rudy del Begeonne has collected 1,000 words and phrases that are used to describe men. Ranging from the complimentary to the derogatory, each of the terms are hand-painted onto panels which are collated together into a single work, and are next month showing at the Future Gallery in Covent Garden.

What was the inspiration for the piece?

‘The piece first came about whilst actually trying to create a similar piece about women. I was interested in the whole housewife/virgin/goddess/whore way in which we try to define women. But as I was going through the initial process, I began to feel a bit rude. I felt that I didn’t have the right to do it and so I thought I would turn the gaze around and concentrate on men.

‘I began to think about all the things that as a man I could be and that I didn’t want to be. And the whole question of trying to define masculinity is a much more interesting one in today’s environment, given that a lot of women are now the main breadwinners and men can no longer define themselves in the way that previous generations used to.’

How did you go about putting it together?

‘It has been five years in the making. The first year was spent just collecting words. I trawled through a thesaurus, I took a lot of words and phrases from song titles, and I went through the Internet Movie Database looking for films that related to terms for men. In the end, I had about two to three thousand terms.

‘I then started painting them onto tiles and assembling the piece. The idea behind the piece is that there are patterns with each one related to the panel next to it. There’s a lot of word association going on and the idea is that you can go through it in a number of different ways, reading top to bottom and left to right or just try to find whatever it is you are looking for. I have had a number of people in as it has been in the process of being put together, and each time someone looks at it, they find that there is something else that jumps out at them.’

How long have you lived in London?

‘I was born in south-east London but when I was a child, my mum bought my dad a decomissioned double decker bus for £15. So we ended up travelling around Europe. We would stay in one place for a couple of years and then move on. Eventually we returned and I ended up moving back to London to come and study.’

Where did you study?

‘I trained at the Slade School of Fine Art. I then did a masters at the University of Middlesex and I was one of the first people to do a new course integrating computing in design. We were taught how to do stuff like C++ programming and I very much enjoyed the course. It was very far removed from the wishy-washy art world and you could model all kinds of things, like cloud patterns and simulating plant growth.

‘From there, I moved into a lot of design work as it was the time of the first web boom. But after a period of freelancing, I wanted to get back to what I enjoyed and this piece has enabled me to go back to why I enjoyed making art.’

The piece took five years to complete. How do you go about sustaining an interest in a project for such a long time?

‘It has been tricky. I normally have a scattergun approach to my work and I often get bored after three or four months of doing the same thing. But with this piece, I found that I kept coming back to it and being able to spend time with it made me remember why I love creating. I also got a lot of positive feedback from people who came to see me whilst I was in the middle of putting the piece together. I found that it really had a great resonance with a lot of people, especially gay men and mothers of young boys, people who have given a lot of thought to the notion of masculinity. I have had people in tears after spending time with the piece so that sort of reaction inspired me to keep going.’

What have you got planned next?

‘The great thing about this piece is that it is very versatile and I’ll be developing it in a number of ways. I’m working on putting together some of the panels as sets and I’ve been getting a lot of orders for limited editions. There’s one for a property owner that my wife and myself know quite well. I’m putting together a personal print so what he’ll end up with is a portrait in words.’

What are the best and worst aspects of living in London?

‘The major downside to living in London is the expense, and I have friends who keep telling me I should live in other places like Berlin. But there’s something about London that gets to me. I think it is the potential of the place. You never know you are going to meet when you step outside or who you might end up bumping into in somewhere like a cafe.’

Who’s the Man runs from 3 to 8 June, 2010, at:

The Future Gallery
5 Newport Street
Covent Garden
WC2H 7HY

www.mrwoowoo.com

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

Artist Rudy de Belgeonne

British-born interior designer and founder of Shabby Chic, Rachel Ashwell, has a soft spot for Blighty’s quirky ways and dapper designs.

Having spent the last 20 years building her ever-expanding brand of fresh yet homely interiors in the US, including a string of stores, six bestselling books and a hit TV show, she’s come to London.

Her personal mix of laid-back Malibu beach life with British individuality and charm reflects everything she does, so it seems fitting that London’s style outpost and antiques epicentre was where Shabby Chic migrated – Notting Hill.

What made you decide to bring Shabby Chic here?

‘A lovely little jewel of a store in Notting Hill became available so the timing seemed to be perfect.’

How are you finding living and working in Notting Hill?

‘I love, love, love living in Notting Hill. The mixture of the neighbourhood feelings and the hustle and bustle of Portobello Road antiques market satisfy my many interests.’

Do you ever peek into people’s windows to see how they’ve fixed up the place?

‘I’m not really a peeker into other people’s homes. But I do love to see curtain treatments and shutters and imagine lots of happy families.’

Where are the best places to find inspiration and treasures?

‘Flea markets, movies and magazines are my places of inspiration. But it’s also to do with how I am open to seeing, editing and experiencing what I see.’

What makes a home stylish?

‘A stylish home to me has an authentic point of view. I like iconic pieces and personal pieces, in my case inspirational art with words, religious or royal themes.’

How personal is your work?

‘My stores and designs are a soulful, authentic, truthful reflection of me and my lifestyle and values.’

What makes a house a home?

‘Having something inviting and welcoming at every corner – and that doesn’t necessarily take years of gathering and personal clutter. Personal photos, fresh flowers to show recent living, soft music and the smell of home cooking are all things to me that create “home”.’

Which is your favourite room at home?

‘My favourite room is my bedroom. It’s rather minimal but luxurious. There are always fresh flowers, even if it’s just a fresh rosebud. And abundantly lovely bedding makes it a perfect place to begin and end my day.’

Which pieces of furniture are most worth investing in?

‘A sofa and lighting to me are anchors of furnishing that are worth investing the most. In time they should become heirlooms so quality and classic shapes should be considered. Over time, fabrics and lampshades can be tweaked or changed creating different flavours.’

What makes something catch your eye in a flea market or antique shop?

‘I’m always on the lookout for my palette of pastels, ivory, white, or smoky shades of grey in wonderful authentic paint. Unless I’m looking for a specific piece or purpose, it’s the paint that catches my eye.’

Are you a hoarder?

‘The only thing I hoard is tat – I’m just like my mum! Tat to me is scruffy laces, scraps old velvet and fabrics rumpled into a few drawers.’

Who inspires you?

‘I get inspired by the unsung heroes – people who I meet at flea markets who put their heart and soul into their products and their presentation. They’re always unique and heartfelt.’

www.shabbychic.com
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London DJ and producer Hervé, aka Joshua Harvey, first came to the dance world’s attention in 2007 following a string of releases with Dubsided recordings. He has since established his own label, Cheap Thrills, discovering electronic talents Fake Blood and Jack Beats along the way. 

‘Jack Beats and Fake Blood are pretty well known,’ says Hervé. ‘Our new signing Franzy Scanner, he just remixed Zombies to amazing effect for me. It’s very interesting. He makes weird music somewhere between house, techno and broken beat orchestral. We call it “Haunted House” for a laugh.’

Hervé’s new album, Ghetto Bass 2, mixes 34 tracks over two CDs and is released this month, while a second project, The Count & Sinden, is in the pipeline and goes on sale through Domino Records in the summer.

Where do you live and why?

‘Harlesden. I wanted to buy a house with a garden.’

How would you describe your sound?

‘Enjoyable and hip-shaking. It’s music to dance to.’

Tell us about your record label, Cheap Thrills, and some of the talent you have signed to it…

‘Reset! are a very cool bunch of guys from Milan. There’s four of them, they are a great collective. They are starting their album soon and we have some mighty tunes in the pipeline for summer. One particular tune I helped them finish could be big. Keep your ears peeled! They have just remixed Blaze It, one of my Hervé exclusives that I did for Ghetto Bass 2. Mine is a kind of a nu-jungle thing, and they have twisted it up into a fireball 4/4 power. It’s a hip-shaker for sure.

‘Mighty Mouse are some disco cosmonaughts. They are managed by the same team as Aeroplane so you can get an idea of where they are coming from. Go check out their remix of The Glamours’ cover of Robot Rock. It’s great to listen to.

‘Detboi is releasing his nine-track EP on Cheap Thrills at the end of May and we are just starting to promote two big tracks from it. It’s kinda weird because one is an uplifting African chanting dub-step tune called Voices in Heaven and the second is a really great jacking disco tune. We don’t do things the easy way! The rest of the album is really great disco, house, UK funk, techno and ragga music. This will be his second release on the label and I also chose him to be on my collaboration project Machines Don’t Care Volume 1.’

What can we expect from Ghetto Bass 2?

‘The same kind of template as the first one but with new styles and sounds plus five exclusive Hervé tracks. It’s bigger and better, and a lot more loveable than most mix CDs and its 2 discs!’

Who inspires you creatively?

‘My family, girlfriend, friends past and present.’

What do you love and loathe most about London?

‘I love the restaurants and the amazing multicultural aspect of London. I loathe the cost of properties. It’s so tough for people to get a home, even rent is crazy!’

What would your ideal night out in London involve?

‘My family, my girlfriend, my friends, good wine, great food and a lot of Rolling Stones!’

London’s best club?

‘I really enjoy playing at The Coronet. The soundsystem is flipping awesome. The last time I was there and switched to dubstep towards the end of my set the bass just made it feel like the whole place had turned to jelly. Brilliant. It was like a rock gig. I have a great video of me dropping my summer Hervé single Together and the whole place went ape shit. Really fantastic.’

Who do you think is the most exciting DJ in the world right now?

‘Errm, not sure to be honest. I’m more into the music than the person playing it. There are a lot of DJs with big egos and little talent that kinda put you off the whole DJ thing. Some of these people walk around like they cured cancer, its truly pathetic.’

Any summer festival plans for 2010?

‘Yeah, gettin on the trains of Europe! I think Global Gathering UK wise and loads more. I’m not sure exactly all of them…I need to speak to my agent to find out.’

What projects do you have in the pipeline?

‘The Count & Sinden album plus singles and the Hervé album plus singles. Listen out for my new tune Together. Plus Voodoo Chilli and Speakerjunk singles and new tracks with Fatboy Slim. I’ve been working with Tom Staar on some bits recently too, I think he’s good. Loadsa great stuff on the label!’

Ghetto Bass 2 is released on May 17, 2010
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Download Hervé at: iTunes, Beatport and Amazon.

This post is from The London Word and should not be republished elsewhere without prior permission. Please check out our site for more great stories and features.

DJ Hervé Q&A