OUR KIND - HEJIRA
This week we tracked down Rahel Debebe-Dessalegne, one part of 'undefinable' band Hejira. Their new EP 'Name Surname' was released on Elgo Records in April and we have had the euphoric sound on repeat ever since. We talk friendship, unity & Einstein...
Describe your Sound/ Mostly our music is like an Idiosyncratic Dreamscape so we tend to struggle to place it in any specific genre. I guess thats because we've taken on many mixed guises over the years as we have many different influences from jazz, hip hop, classical, rock and RnB. If you find a way to describe our music, let me know ;-?. Listen here >
What is your ultimate inspiration/ My band mates Sam Beste and Alex Reeve of Hejira, I love them! They inspire me in every aspect of life and art so yeah I would say the hejira boys are my ultimate inspiration. I am so lucky to have a group of friends that I can talk to for hours about music, art, literature and our life experiences and the fact that this extends to making music at the end of it all is just an added bonus, so yeah we share so much and ultimately they inspire me.
What is your mantra/ We. are. all. one.
Describe your working environment/ I split my time in many different work spaces but The Arboretum - otherwise known as the hejira studio is one of my fave spots. It's in an unsuspected old warehouse in south london. It's small and modest and has a lot of natural light, beautiful plants, tape machines and a really old but gorgeous piano. We've made this space our own little creative box to retreat to and I love coming together with hejira to write and record in there.
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ My rings. The one of my fourth finger I picked out at a music festival last year, from a tribe of Bedouins from Mali. The tribes-man who sold it too me had the best authentic headpiece and outfit on and the selection of jewellery was incredibly beautiful. Once I picked out the ring he even offered to adjust the size so that it would fit by bashing it with some tools whilst holding it in-between his feet. (quite extraordinary but bizarre). The other ring on my index finger, my boyfriend saw that I liked it when we were in an antiques shop and he brought it for me as a surprise gift a week later. I wear very little jewellery day to day but if ever i forget my rings my fingers feel naked! I love collecting vintage silver jewellery from Ethiopia, the styles are so unique and yet to be discovered by jewellery lovers here.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ I was trolling on Youtube as you do and ended up listening to one of those Tiny desk NPR live sessions and this young american Jazz musician Christian Scott was playing with his band (I think you'll appreciate his jewellery bling game actually). They totally blew my mind! Half way through his set he starts talking about a difficult experience he had being pulled over by some cops and confronted with racist and physical abuse. He talks about how he channeled his anger and frustration into one of his compositions and then they play it and I was moved. Music is so powerful, I love when art can poke and provoke. It meant a lot for me to see these young black kids playing their hearts out and owning what they do For me this is something that needs to be seen and shared it's so empowering and inspiring and the way Christian articulated his music really connected with me so yeah, I DIG THIS. Watch here >
Second thing was during my morning guided meditation. 5 mins in, the teacher quoted Einstein
"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle, The other is as though everything is.”
I think this quote quantifies how I've wanted to look at the world from a very young age so having someone articulate it so beautifully was like a breath of fresh air, a wonderful reminder before you kick start your day. I find it very challenging to meditate but of late I have committed to it every morning for about 3 months. It's been an incredible tool for me, sometimes it sucks, sometimes it rocks, much like life!
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/
PJ harvey - Let England Shake (The whole A side is on repeat on my record player)
CREDITS: Photography: Packard Stevens / Art Direction: Cleo Loxaire / Styling: Leah Jennings / Hair & Make Up: Rebekah Lidstone
Check Hejira out > www.hejira.info / instagram: @hejira_info
OUR KIND - J C CAMPBELL
We have serious imagination envy when it comes to Jennifer C Campbell and her sculptural paintings. KIND caught up with the artist this week to talk about her work and influences. This weekend is your last chance to see Jenny's work exhibited in 'Miami Vice' at Transition Gallery (near Broadway Market). Open Friday 29th July and Saturday 30th July 12-6pm.
Describe your discipline/ My paintings are slithers of substance. Their crude structures provide a resistance to gravity. The works remain flat but physical and the exterior world infiltrates their territory. They use colour to prevent themselves from spilling into dispersion. As a group they map a restless persona, showing off and shape shifting.
What is your ultimate inspiration/ Drawing is always the starting point. To draw a thing is to absorb it and own it. The task is endless, like shopping. Each time i draw an object, i make a temporary bridge, between my self and my landscape. My paintings are drawings that have been bulked out. Paint is like stage make-up. Paint is gaudy icing on a bland cake.
What is your mantra/ Colour and line, colour and line, colour and line, redefine.
Describe your working environment/ I have all my drawings pinned up on the wall, so that i can keep my eye on them. And then one drawing finds its moment to jump out at me, it is temporarily THE ONE, the starting point for a transformation into a more physical and painterly existence. I have an array of materials to hand, as well as paints of difference colours and textures, mixed and stored in jam jars.
Which piece of jewellery can you not live without?/ I found a plastic tube bracelet in the park last week, it has rainbow fluid and glitter inside of it, it is my current gem of choice.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ I am currently reading 'The Edible Woman' By Margaret Atwood, it is excellent.
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/ I have been humming invented tunes, made up of fragments of well known pop songs, whilst cycling around London.
Website : www.jennifercarolinecampbell.co.uk I Instagram : @jennifer_caroline_campbell
WANDERING KIND
where we....
Wandered / The streets exploring the old town and hidden passages.
Ate / Time out Market / Oysters & Salmon Tar Tar with Crushed Wasabi Peas / Padron Peppers EVERYWHERE.
Drank / Caipirinhas at Brownie Bar/ Summer Sangria with red berries at the Time out Market / Vinho Verde - dirt cheap and delicious from the supermercado.
Danced / To 90's Classics in a concrete jungle at Park Bar
What left its mark / The cloudless blue sky / The delicious seafood / The buzzing atmosphere.
KIND X OLIVIA ASPINALL
(photographed by @nataliedinham and styled by @harrietgoddard)
Olivia Aspinall is a UK based surface designer with a wicked eye for colour and creating Jesmonite surfaces that look good enough to eat! SERIOUSLY!
We collaborated with Olivia whilst shooting our debut collection and caught up with her to find out what makes her tick.
Describe your work/ I describe myself as surface designer. I created hand-crafted surfaces with a focus on colour and pattern. Currently most of my work is made from a material called Jesmonite, which is a casting material. I create moulds, cast surfaces and then sand these back to reveal the design.
What one thing can you not start your day without/ A cup of tea.
Describe your work environment/ My studio has two halves. One space that I try to keep tidy, for research, inspiration and sending emails. The other half is a workshop, where all the messier work happens. Mixing colours, creating samples, building new works etc.
What most inspires you/ I take a very hand on approach to designing. I learn through doing and making, so I think I get most inspired when I am using new materials or exploring new techniques.
What is the most thought provoking thing your saw/heard/read in the last week/ Sea of Hull by Spencer Tunick. Lots of naked people painted blue in celebration of the sea! A welcome distraction from all the more serious news we are currently hearing. See it here >
What song(s) are you listening to on repeat at the moment/ I am currently obsessed with Christine and the Queens album Chaleur Humaine. I love her dancing. Watch here >
Check out Olivia's website www.olivia-aspinall.com and follow her on instagram @olivia_aspinall.