News Mrch 08

'Sup homies, hope your Feb went well, mine was a month of Mondays man, another hectic one, from recording an E.P. in three hours! to catch a deadline, to covering Bjork, gate crashing parties, stages, workshops, acceptances, rejections, I grumble, but deep down, would not have it any other way. The beautiful Struggle.So.. the formula, four news items, and YouTube link.

TRESPASS / TAWIAH / PUMA / GIGS / MAC

TRESPASS: I attract freaks. This is as factual as the statement 'water is wet'. It is necessarily true. I'm trap myself in conversation with some pretty... kaleidoscopic people. I always find something in common (which says a thing about me), forget the strangeness, chat as if we go way back and reflect on the bus. So far I have documented three such incidents. The first is as a poem in my first collection 'Dustbin Diaries' currently playing on myspace page. Second, I turned to a short story, recently moulded into a ballad (poetic form) called 'The Ballad of Abdul Hafiz', the third, took place in Camden before the Remedy/Bjork show. It involved a war veteran called 'Ron', the M.P. Diane Abbot, and a pint, I tell you, a PINT! of hot coffee. I can't give away the gist because the entire incident will be published in the next Issue of Tresspass Magazine, available from 1st April. Where to buy? check out: Trespassmagazine.co.uk p.s. if you went in search of my Time Out article / interview, it was put back, but I've been assured it is coming out this week.

TAWIAH: As well as word work, I am a graphic artist, design for the poetry community, music industry, illustration and commissioned portraiture, installations here and there. One of my recent clients is also a good friend, singer by the name of Tawiah. She is quite incredible. Has toured the world with Mark Ronson - who is everywhere at the moment, she holds it up for West Africa and is one of the most charismatic live performers I have seen. Her E.P. called 'In Jodi's Bedroom' just came out, the lead song is called 'Every Step'. The song begins simple, with a driving rhythm, then her voice drops like smoke, builds, layer by layer till it becomes an epic wall of psychedelia, drums, and all that good stuff then suddenly cliffs off, and ends with the starting simplicity. But listen for yourself, 30 sec samples on itunes. The E.P. is available from HMV, Virgin, iTUNES etc and I designed the cover.

PUMA: Following on from the news above, Tawiah is sponsored by PUMA, and the good folks there got all hot and bothered when they saw the cover I created, and reproduced it on t-shirts! Basically, PUMA made limited edition runs of my design. I ran down to her management offices and secured some of them -

// Womens - White - size 10 x 2 / size 12 x 1 } // Mens - Red - size XL x 1 / L x 2 } // Mens - white - size M x 3 }

This is what they look like: ttshirt And I am giving them away to you guys, FREE! (I'm that nice). All you gotta do is mail back detailing which you want and come get it at my next show. Simple. First come first serve.

GIGS: Quite A few this month, So I will just list the next five: March 5th - WORD // 8pm - Bambu, 21 Welford Road, Leicester, LE2 7AD // March 7th - PERFORMANCE + Q&A // 7 pm - Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA // March 10th - NIGHT VISION // 7:30pm - Media Center, Northumberland Street, Huddersfield // March 11th - LDN WORD FEST // 8 pm - Cargo, 83 Rivington St, London, EC2A 3AY // March 15th - RADIO SHOW // 6.30 Life FM - 103.6 or from www.lifefm.org.uk // More events on myspace.com/phaze05 and the tour page of this website.

YOUTUBE: UNIQLO I am an Apple Mac head, I cherish these things, I mean, I look at PCs in contempt. I have a lil 12 inch powerbook I call 'Virginia' and in Motown - Mrs Jones style, 'we got a thiiinng, going on'. We have a healthy symbiotic relationship. This year Apple released the Mac Book Air and it is a stunning machine, I lust after that thing. So much so that I refuse to watch its adverts online on Virginia, because she'll get jealous and I'll have spend nights convincing her that she is the only one for me. The Mac Air is equivalent to a 'younger blonde woman' with a ridiculously thin waist, and big.... hard drives. It seems like others share some resentment towards the new Mac and made parodies of it's iconic - fits-in-an-envelope advert. This months YouTube offering comprises of four clips each under 90 seconds, beginning with the original ad, they are hilarious.

1) - original.

2)

3)

4)

Yeah!

A week on Holiday

Title is not what it seems... So I am hanging out in Dulwich, ACTUALLY hanging out on Dulwich. Don't get me wrong, I love south london, love the people, the vibrancy, but I never ever hang out here. Most of my chill out times are spent across the river in houses or backstage things. Anyway, hanging out with C Bailey (you don't know who she is), and we are complaining about the week disappearing, 'where did the week go?'

then Bailey asks, 'where will you go if you were a week?' brilliant concept right? so I say... 'probably go to New Zealand, hang out there for a while, just stay low, you know'

but Bailey meant IN TIME... so I say, prolly go to the prehistoric, nestle in with the boys in April, see what the dinosaurs were like... but it gets more interesting, say if you were that week and you traveled back with everything that happens in you, and they still happen, how would it play out?

e.g. if I was the week when Bush won the election, and I traveled back in time, would I let a T-Rex bite his head off? what would be the repercussions? and what would be the voice of the week? would it be an old man's? a kid, a teenager? what accent?

now imagine writing a monologue as a week, talking about what happens in you, in time, then time traveling...

hmmmn, my pen itches...

just need the time now!

News Feb 08

What the hell happened to January, month went faster than Greased Lightening on Speed. Anyway, down to business, thanks to those who wrote back with comments from the first mail out, really appreciate the words of encouragement. Remember the formula? Four News Items and one Youtube. TIME OUT / LYNK REACH / ONETASTE / SHOWS / UNIQLO

TIME OUT: 30 years ago, Legendary Poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson's record - Dread Beat an' Blood was released to critical acclaim, an album of political poetry buttressed by the powerful beats of reggae. To commemorate the anniversary, there is to be an event at the Barbican on 9th of March, featuring Jean Binta Breeze and Dennis Bovel. At about the same time, Penned in the Margin's London Word Festival, (20th of Feb to 14 March) will be in full swing, where yours truly and a host of other word warriors such as Saul Williams and Anthony Joseph, will be performing. For the next few months, there will be verses in the air...

Yesterday Morning (04/02) I sped into Brixton to meet Linton and interviewer: Tamara Gausi, for a discussion on the coming month, London and a touch of Politics. Later that night, the questions were posed to Saul and the article up will be featured in Time Out Magazine on the 18th February's Issue. Look out for it. During the photo shoot, I was wearing my favourite scarf. (Thanks Kim)

LYNK REACH: Lynk Reach is a charity dedicated to providing opportunities for young people, they run the London Teenage Poetry SLAM. Created by Jacob Sam-La Rose, it is a performance poetry competition across six secondary schools, where poets are stationed to generate work in schools, culminating in a dazzling final at Stratford Theatre, riddled with tears of joy, pain and all that life stuff... It is truly a magnificent thing to behold. Last Year, I worked with poet: Charlie Dark at Kidbrooke Secondary in South London, and met the most amazing kids. A bristling Jamaican girl told an amazing story of arriving in London alone, identifying a father she had never known from birth, only by the song he sang, in an airport. One kid, asked to describe a noise played to him wrote: 'It is the after sound of a bee's heart humming'... just casually pulled it out of nowhere... nuts.

This year's Slam is about to commence and I will be stationed in The Lammas Secondary School in Leyton, with Poet Coach - Nick Makoha. I will keep you posted as it goes...

ONETASTE: Aaaaaaaaaand Were BACK! I imagine you've heard of the Collective. Last Year, an article published in the London Paper on Live Lit talked about the top ten shows, and the three that I co-organise / Graphic Guru / and occasionally read at, all made the list, NewBlood at the poetry café (20th of Feb, come) was 6th, Poejazzi (PiP, PiP!) was 2nd, ONETASTE was 1st! Last year was incredible for us, over 100 shows, scattered across the UK, a tour of the summer festival circuit, front pages, releases, our own festival, a sell-out jazz café event, and we began this year in style. Again, the 250 sitter sold-out-event on Sunday gone in Balham, saw the word works of: Roger Robinson - reading dazzling short stories, Excentral Tempest the lady rapping like a beautiful battering ram, singers, the naturally, talented MADness of Mark Hole, new to Onetaste - John Kenzie, and our very own, Jamie Woon (nuff siad). for a taste, check out: http://www.Onetaste.co.uk

SHOWS: FLOETICS / REMEDY My first reading/performance of '08 was at the PlayBar in Oldstreet on the 27th of Jan, a laid back affair, really nice way to start the year. Feb begins with two babies in quick succession. First is in Brighton on Wednesday at 'FLOETICS' on 6/02/08 - 8pm // Venue: Redroaster Coffee House - St James Street, Brighton // Wallet Damage - £2.50 and the second is on Thursday, in London at 'REMEDY' 7/02/08 - 8 pm // Venue: Oh! Bar, 111-113 Camden High Street, London, East NW1 JN// Free before 9, £5 after//

At the 'OH! BAR' I will be working with a Live band. A poem of mine 'Candy Coated Unicorns and Comverse All Stars' has been adapted to a jazz version of Bjork's 'Come to Me', and 'Older', written for a beautiful acoustic guitar arrangement, will be revisited. Have to say I am terribly exited about both shows, especially the live Bjorkage. To listen to both poems before the show, stop by: http://www.myspace.com/phaze05

YOUTUBE: UNIQLO I am by no means the best dressed male poet. The titled is passed back and forth between a certain Tim Wells who moonlights as a stockbroker and David J, whose style is only outdone by his verbal gymnastics. However I do get a fair few nods and words of encouragement complimenting, my choice of colour, attire etc. I have three sisters, (I learnt the heard way). But today I reveal to you my formulas, 1) I stick to five colours, mix and match, 2) H&M and Uniqlo. I am found somewhere between these fine establishments.

I am affiliated with a dance collective called Avant Garde. They don't let me dance (!*?&ards, kidding! u kno I luv u) instead only want me for my word and graphic skillz. I have spent time watching incredible dancers, summersaults, holds, tenses and well toned bodies doing things mine can't, so I know a little about street dance and its cross over with ballet.

Putting these topics together, you'll understand why I wasn't half exited when I watched this clip. This month's youtube offering is an add campaign from Uniqlo. Sit back and Jaw drop.

Keep warm, Stay Cool... Inua x

Only As Old As You Feel

So, I was racing for New Cross Station to Embankment to meet a recent infatuation of mine (might as well be honest). I slid through the rain, bought the £2.30 ticket from the train station, jump in when it comes and ride it all the way to Charing Cross, but I over hear a conversation by three older women. I sat listening and smiling a little as the talked of the weather, the hospital, etc then I heard and whipped out my note pad laughing, had to write it down. 'you know, you are only as young as you feel Margaret, it is all in the head, because my walking stick reminds me that I am not as fit as I used to be, but without it, I still think I'm in my seventies!'

priceless.

I am gonna remember to say that in the future, when I rock a walking stick shaped like a pen, on a monorail in future London.

For those who went to the event at the Foundry, I apologise on behalf of the organisers; it was running about two hours late, and I had to go before it eventually kicked off.

stay cool. Inua x ---

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Highlight of the 7 days surrounding the 25th & the 1st, apart from food friends and general madness, was making my household watch the hour long Doctor Who special on Christmas Day, the Ice cream party on New Years Eve and the party on New Year's Day where, I was at some point, in a room full of musicians, pretty much singing backing vocals for a trio singing 'I'm every woman'. Surreal!

New Year Resolution include maintaining my mailing list, sending out something once a month and regularly updating this blog/news section of my website, I really didn't let you guys know enough of what I was up to, that will change starting now.

Five News Items:

TWOFIVE/ Stratford Residency/ DayDream/ Indiefeed / Hitchcock

A&S TWO FIVE One of the stages I graced in December was Cargo's in East London at an event hosted by Apples & Snakes (the reputable promoters / producers / possey / people). They've been going strong, pushing boundaries and opening doors to bigger platforms for 25 solid years. The event was a celebration and launch of a poetry album produced to commemorate the years, featuring poets they had worked with. I was commissioned to collaborate on a poem-song with Yemisi Blake, Jay Bernard and Joe Coehlo. The event was a sold out massive success and the album will be out in March on Vinyl, CD and will be downloadable from itunes.

STRATFORD THEATRE I was recently appointed a writer / performer in residence at Stratford Theater, in a project called 'Spoke Lab'. Spoke Lab is an exciting coming together of artists, who, along with Roger Robinson (Writing Coach) and Dawn Reid (Associate Director at Theatre Royal Stratford East), want to explore the art forms of Live Literature & Theatre and see how the two might collide and inspire. It is a year long residency and there is a possibility of a Collaborative Showcase at the end of the residency. Other writers include: Nick Makoha, Jasmine Cooray, Ebele and Sifundo. spokelab

DAYDREAM They say power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is my first taste of it. Daydream is a graphic art magazine published quarterly. I was published in the first two issues, featured as a Graphic and Word artist - the first time I was featured in both lights - (this year I strive to do more of that). But I was recently appointed Poetry Editor for the Mag - insert manic laghter - and the first issue out under my editorship features the work of Zean Edwards, Jasmin Cooray, Jay Bernard and BrotherMan. The magazines are visually stunning and the poems stand their ground against their thousand-worded counterparts. Daydream also hold regular graffiti battles where street artists live-paint to a given brief, the audience screaming and a sound meter determine who wins, its is fascinating watching these sometimes 7 by 7 foot canvases unfold... Daydream

INDIEFEED If you log into Itunes and search for poetry, Indiefeed should crop up. In February, it will get it's one millionth download, which is pretty good going for a poetry show don't you think? On the 24th of Dec, amongst all the madness of that period, I was featured on the show, the poem 'The Truth' was put out there for the world. If interested in poetry from around the world, I strongly suggest you subscribe to them: link to my show: Myshow link to the indefeed website: indiefeed

YOUTUBE: HITCHCOCK Alfred Hitchcock was a genius. This is a fact as undeniable as sunlight. The fact that movies such as The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds are still dropped in conversation as some the greatest movies ever, are testaments to his talent. In this incredible ten minute clip, Martin Scorsese (another genius dude) makes a movie of Alfred's - that was never made. Confused? Click, sit back and watch: Hitchcock/Scorsese

That's all folks!

Again, Happy New Year. I wish 2008 to as productive a year for you, as I intend to make it for me. Please stop by the website for much more regular news and events. ---

HASTINGS WORKSHOP

HASTINGS WORKSHOP 08/11 On Thursday the 8th of November, I was tired. My nose was filled with more mucus than a thing filled with a lot of mucus and the weekdays before were spent designing for Apples & Snakes and for the Oneatste Festival - clothing, books, desktop wallpapers etc. I was excited about going to Hastings, but my bones acted otherwise. Mind over mattering, I persevered, rolled out of bed, onto a bus, into a Clapham Junction Train Station, into Hastings and into the friendly face of Jennifer, my first contact of the day.

A quick lunch later, I was at The Grove school teaching a group of gifted kids poetry. We only had an hour, so we warmed up with a couple of games, I read a couple of poems and we got into the process of writing. I have a little poem that deals with identity through objects, we broke down its construction and I had the young ‘uns write about themselves. Have to say I was wowed by what was written. A girl wrote about her father tending to her wounds, one of the Daniels wrote about silence, and a girl who asked to be called ‘Dave’ wrote about her family.

After The workshop the teachers told me they were astounded ‘Dave’ wrote in the first place, and could not believe it when she read her work. Poetry Power.

The next day, the workshop was at Hastings Museum, we pretty much sat and talked about ourselves for two hours. The writing exercise was more about generating ideas and using imagination than about writing Poetry specifically.

PERFORMANCE. 09/11

That Friday night, I walked into the green room of the venue - The Sussex Hall, White Rock Theatre - to a home-cooked meal of rice and peas. (They know how to treat poets in Hastings). I helped myself, and made a set list until I was called to the stage. I read five poems and stepped off to a roaring applause. The audience were warm, friendly and they listened to the surreal metaphysical trips I deal with in my work. I stepped off the stage feeling a lot better about poetry than I have in months.

Linton Kwesi Johnson came on… and was… Linton Kwesi Johnson. The Style, the confidence, the experience, the philosophy, the history and culture flowed effortlessly from him. The Audience at points began applauding at the mere mention of poems like “Sonny’s Letter” and “Five Nights of Bleeding”. I met some ladies who had last seen Linton read thirty years ago. My parents hadn’t even met then. Imagine.

I think one of the successes of the night was the contrast. Me, of Hip Hop and Metaphor, Linton of Reggae and Reality. Afterwards we shared a drink in the hotel bar and Linton told me of Nigerian poets I am ashamed I never knew of. I have been doing my homework since.

Hastings and the people I met there helped me realise that London stifles the nomad in me. This coming year I want to travel, read and teach more outside of London.

I could not resist taking some photos. These are of the Museum, and the sea front. Check 'em out.

Stay Cool. But keep Warm Inua x

Steve Biko

Today I read at Islington Council's black history month end celebration.I was not as prepared as I should have been, hadn't found out who was reading, what was being read or who I was reading to. Just sorta turned up in the blind faith all would be okay. I power walked down Upper street to the town hall and ran the flight of stairs into the main chamber were the event was to be held. A swarm of kids stood fidgeting surrounded by seated adults. I panicked. My work never goes down well with kids, it demands too much attention...

The children turned out to be a choir. Their's was the opening slot of the event. They sang songs I imagine a teacher thought were suited to a Black history events, one about drinking coconut juice and the hit single Disney song from the lion king 'in the jungle'. Ahhh. The sound of stereotype from the mouths of children. but alas, as the saying goes..."Ours is not to question why; ours is just to do or die." Scratch that, I am supposed to. Right? but I won't.

The kids left shortly after their rendition and the real event began. A friend of mine took the stage next and sang a couple of gospel songs, followed by an Education Consultant and a History Major from SOAS who was to me the most interesting and lively of the lot, but I have to say, the most astonishing presence was that of Nkosinathi Biko, the wife of Steve Biko and his son.

(I reiterate, I had no idea who would be present) If you do not know who Biko is/was, fear not. I did not until about a year ago. A year before that I was given a T-shirt with his face on it and the slogan : I write what I like. I wore the t-shirt for a while, just revelling in its beige colour and its bounce of light on hot days... Until someone said to me:

'I have read that book'. 'huh?'I said 'Your t-shirt I have read it' 'yeah, good wasn't it?' I replied

Before googling the name to find out what the hell we was speaking of.

Steve Biko was an anti-arpethide activist in South Africa, a student leader who was murdered in police custody. He founded the Black Conscious Movement. He was a writer. While living, his writings and activism attempted to empower blacks, and he was famous for his slogan "black is beautiful", which he described as meaning: "man, you are okay as you are, begin to look upon yourself as a human being"empower blacks, us, me.

I was speechless, stood up to clap and wondered if those around me knew who was before us, what sacrifice had been made, what effect it had in South Africa and subsequently, the world. This has an ending seeped in ant climax, as I could not hear the speech well enough, and before I could make my way to introduce myself, they had gone...

All I have is a t-shirt that has become more real to me than ever. This is the global climate, where legacies, people become fashionable, worn for no reason, save style. And I am guilty of such. I wonder how many have donned a Che Guevara shirt without knowing of the man, of his work.

This has no moral, or conclusions, just me... pondering in type.

Inua

The Universe expands left. No1.

Last week I saw a Hawaii - Born Chinese performance poet,make love to a cabbage and give birth to a brussel sprout.

-no explanation save a name - Stacey Makishi.

The Universe expands Left.

Inua x

PiP featured on TIMES

YEah, A couple of weeks ago, Josh, Musa and I hit the streets and recorded some poems for the Times Online newspaper! - Check it out now!! Click here

NALD

For all you Literature Developers Out there, this may be of interest. I am attending for the full three day going ons, it will be brilliant.

Reading List, Ross Sutherland and Tolkien

Wha blow,So in my last post, I spoke about my reading list, it has all gone to plan and I have not been disappointed once by my choice of books. Lover's Liar's Conjurers and Thieves' was an absolute delight to read, so much so that I will name-check it something I will write soon ish - after the other epic stuff in the process. I am writing a verse to be dropped in a hip hop track, yes people, my first actual foray into that world is on a track called "Rubbish", stranger than fiction I tell you. After that I am working on a three part story with my PiP possey, you will find out more of that in the future, I will publicise that sh*t, believe.

One book I read not on the list has not been published yet. I caught a sneaky peek at it on fellow Gen Txt Tourer - Joe Dunthorne, It is the manuscript of one Ross Sutherland, member of the UK's Aisle 16 crew, (Poetry Boyband, the lead singer is Luke Wright). Now, I was told once, that in the group, Ross was the 'writer' the most talented wielder of words and a hastily sent e-mail to him asking for the manuscript, and a reply with the book in tow, led to me reading all if it in two hours (spread over two days) and realising the rumour was true. The book was COOL. Just steady deftly handled trips into the known and pushing it into the unknown, subject matters from Pac Man to a delicate look at Ikea, an exploration of Swear Words, to a X-Ray'd Love poem called Second Opinion. My favourite has to be 'When Paperboys Roam the Earth' I sent this in response:

'When Paperboys roam the Earth' This was quite vivid for me. I mean, I was never a paper boy, but I wished i was. I had a feeling there was a magic to it, it is ALL here. First line - Perfect.

"your scrappy Reeboks are the first to break the frost"

The first stanza is cinematic, I can see the boy poised at the top of the street, one foot on the pedal, second on the road, the camera begin with a close up of the Reebok, zooms out and travels up past his back, shoulders, head, then goes to the rows of houses picking up "the debris of play things"...

Look out for it, I really hope it is picked up by a publisher. The next few books: 'The Fire People' and anthology of Contemporary Black British Poetr edited by Lemn Sissay, // On the Edge of an Island by Jean Binta Breeze // Shakespeare's As You Like It, and occasional dabbles in John Milton's Every man's Poetry collection // after this will be The Silmarillion, Tolkien's epic novel on the history of middle earth. I read the first 3/4 when I was tour. It inspired so many poems and ideas that i had to stop reading it. 1)because I did not have the time to write the poems 2)I did not want it to end.

Yes, I am a nerd. So what? I journeyed into a park to take a swift arty photograph of the book in its context. Here it is.

Silmarillion.

speak soon. Inua x