When Words Collide on iPlayer + download

Last night's BBC Radio 1Xtra documentary, "When Words Collide, was a truly epic look at hiphop, poetry and education. Made by sound recordist and documentarian Nick Taylor, this programme featured the words and work of such luminaries as Chuck D, KRS One, TY, Mystro, Akala, Mos Def and Dels from the hiphop camp, and Kate Tempest, Angry Sam, Mark Grist, Deanna Rodger, Scroobius Pip, Polar Bear, Kat Francois and many more.

Stand out contributions came from Kate and Akala, whose linking of hiphop and poetry through time was enough to have a spoken word performer and hip hop head like me shouting, "Tell DEM!" at my laptop screen!

The show, presented by Nihil, is available to listen back on iPlayer

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Download link

Big props to everyone who contributed and especially to Nick for doing the damn thang!

peaCe

WORDAMOUTH presents REAL TALK @ The Bedroom Bar. 19/10/2011.

That's right, we are back at a new venue in Old Street in East London. Featuring at this first night is Resonators singer and live-loop solo artist Bunty Loopings with her unbelievable one-woman beat-box, loop pedal extravaganza and superpoetstorytellaractors Katie Bonna and Richard marsh with...

DUET

a scratch performance by Richard Marsh and Katie Bonna

Duet is a brand-new piece, so at the time of writing we can'’t give you a synopsis of the story. But you can probably expect tales of the world's least romantic, most romantic stag and hen dos, festivals, lonely Christmas dinners and too many coats. A wry, warm, real romance told in a hopeful, heartfelt way.

...You'd be Bonkers to miss it!!

peaCe

WORDAMOUTH IS BACK!!

More details soon, but after a long summer break WORDAMOUTH is back at a new venue in Old Street, bringing midweek party poetry vibes to all comers. Come and join us at the newly refurbished Bedroom Bar (63 Rivington Street) for the best in spoken word, storytelling, MCing, beatboxing, freestyling...you name it, we've got it! All backed by sick DJs spinning hiphop and eclectic breaks from beyond the crate. Simply put: WORDAMOUTH IS BACK!!*

*Start talking!!

SGP2011

Check out my Saturday afternoon set at Secret Garden Party. The Valley Of The Antics stage hosted me and Angry Sam last year and were good enough to have us back to open the show this year. Big up Theo for hooking us up.

My stand out performances of the weekend were:

Blondie's flawless vocals

The Resonators Sunday morning set

Stanton Warriors dutty DJ set

Switch & Khalil @ Wormfood on Saturday night

and much, much more.

SGP may be less of a secret than a few years ago but it's still a hell of a good festival. Can't wait for next year!!

curious & Angry Sam in today's Guardian...

It is only a couple of weeks since myself and Angry Sam hosted The Guardian for a school poetry slam. Following slam conventions, the poets performed poems from the Year 9 anthology for the judgement of an audience of 300 teenagers. Blake and Wordsworth battled it out with Kate Tempest and Linton Kwesi Johnson; with Kwesi taking top honours!! There was also a performance from a year 9 student who won the school's London Poetry competition with a poignant and image-laden piece of highly-crafted writing. One for the future, surely!

--> Big thanks to Judy and Richard from The Guradian for supporting this event and producing this article.

peaCe

Getting down Saturday night...

Out of Step at Mascara Bar in North London went off last night. There was a good turn out to see Angry Sam host and perform. His blend of wry wit and insightful critique was well delivered and received. Cat Brogan was the only female in the trio and repped her causes hard. Politics both geopolitical and sexual defined her set and her performance was sassy and assured. It was good to share stage time with such good poets and friends and to rock the spot with just a microphone (and an ipod for the breaks!!)...

...After that it was off to hear DJ MK, A-Cyde and Chris P Cuts rip the set at The Alibi in Dalston for the second of the new season of Gullyvers. This trendy late night spot attracts the local eclectro-punk set; throwback hip-hoppers and all the other weird and wonderful sub-groups that make up this exciting scene. The true music heads get a treat from the 3 DJs spinning music that is as eclectic as the fashions of those who dance to it. However, this is a hip-hop night and cutting, mixing and creativity abound in each set as the genre lists lengthen and the movements continue. Everyone has a good time; the door is free; the drinks are cheap and the dancefloor is sweaty (like a dancefloor should be!).

So that's two reasons why Dalston's trending right now. If you're in London and don't know Dalston, check it out because there's a lot of hot shit going down there right now. To find out what's on in N16, check out www.N16mag.com for info on events as well as restaurants, bars and other local info. peaCe

OPEN/WIDE - 30/04/2011

I say:

Here is the flyer so you know it must be happening!! After last month's top drawer performances, anticipation of another hot open mic night is high amongst the WORDAMOUTH familia! Charlie Dupre was a stand out last month and ripped a 10 minute set at Favela Chic the following week, warming up for Polar Bear and SessioN NoisseS, as well as booking himself a spot in the summer slam final to win a days recording at Alaska Studio. S0, if you fancy doing the same, come down on Saturday 30th April and do a piece or two.

OPEN/WIDE is not a slam event! There are no points, judges or eliminations. Simply email to book a spot or turn up early to sign up on the night. There are NO time limits; NO rules banning props, instruments, singing, rapping, nudity etc; and definitely NO clap-o-meters !! Just an open mic, a friendly and participative audience; an intimate venue; A great DJ; the cheapest drinks in town; free cake; and hopefully, YOU!

Following the events, selected artists will be contacted for gigs at other WORDAMOUTH events and one performer will be invited to the summer slam final to win a days recording at Alaska Studios - Easy!!

Be there; do that!!

peaCe

OPEN / WIDE @ Alaska 26.03.2011

I say:

WORDAMOUTH opens the mic at a new venue with hosts Angry Sam and curious. OPEN/WIDE offers open mic spots without the restrictions of some other nights - props, beats, instruments, collaborations, freestyles are all welcome on the WORDAMOUTH mic. The focus is on developing talent through access and feedback from a creative and diverse audience.
A hive of poetic and musical talent Alaska Studios is an exciting venue to be associated with. Come down and spit/sing/rap/recite or just have a drink and cheer like a crazy fool; the choice is always yours.
DJ sets from curious and guest DJs complete the picture.

OPEN/WIDE is not a slam BUT we will be inviting acts to perform at our other night FreeStyles @ Favela Chic on 12th April featuring Polar Bear and Session Noisses.

Entry is £5

Hope to see you there.

email: poetcurious@gmail.com to reserve an open mic spot or sign up on the night. LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE.

WORDAMOUTH presents FreeStyles @ Favela Chic 8/3/2011

Wordamouth returns to Favela Chic for the second FreeStyles event. This time round it Johnny 'Fluffpunk' Seagrave, Dean Atta and Paul Cree supplying the lyrical content with Bobby Gandolf from The Worm and Anarkali Elektra bringing the party vibes until 1 am, all hosted by myself and Angry Sam. The restaurant is open from 6pm and you can reserve a table via the Favela website (www.favelachic.com).

This is top drawer poets and live DJs in a top London venue for FREE! Tell EVERYBODY!!

Hope to see you there. peaCe

Wordamouth 2011 - Welcome back!

Wordamouth kicks back off for 2011 at the first of two exciting new venues. FreeStyles at Favela Chic retains the high standard of performance and revelry that it brought to the Live Room. Hosted by myself and Angry Sam, FreeStyles showcases the best in Spoken Word poetry for a creative and conscious audience. Favela Chic is one of the hottest venues in the capital and Wordamouth are taking full advantage of its support for poetry.

The first event at Favela is on 8th February (flyer above) and features HKB FiNN, Cole Salewicz (The Savage Nomads) and Anna Le (Sage and Time). The event is partly sponsored by ethical clothing company Statemeant who are supplying me with clothing in return for props! Check 'em out and buy a T-shirt!

There is no open mic at this event, but fear not - Wordamouth sparks up at another new venue at the end of March that will offer a larger, brighter spotlight to the poetry scenes emergent laureates. Alaska Studios is the venue and Waterloo the area. A 2min walk from 'the Imax', Alaska offers a warm welcome to a plethora of creative talent. Wordamouth is proud to be part of the roster. More news on that later...

Dates:

8/2/2011 - Wordamouth presents FreeStyles @ Favela Chic, 8-1am, Free Entry.

poets: HKB FiNN, Cole Salewicz, Anna le

DJs: curious, Billy, Anarkali Elektra

8/3/2011 - Wordamouth presents FreeStyles @ Favela Chic, 8-1am, Free Entry.

Poets: Johnny 'Fluffypunk' Seagrove + support

Djs: curious + guests

26/3/2011 - Wordamouth @ Alaska, 8-Midnight, £5/4 - OPEN MIC

Poets: tbc

Djs: curious + guests

12/4/2011 - Wordamouth presents FreeStyles @ Favela Chic, 8-1am, Free Entry.

Poets: Sessions and the Bear (Polar Bear, Session Noisses)

Djs: curious, Session Noisses + guests

Double Slam Champ - curious

BBRRAAAP! curious adds another title to his name claiming a spot in the 2011 London Slam Finals.

Monday night saw the Green Note Cafe in Camden play host to a small but perfectly formed audience for Hammer&Tongue's final foray of 2010. The numbers may have been reduced but the vibes were big, fat and heavy in the place. World Slam champion and Yuke/Glok rockers Ian & Brad from Canada repped the North Americas hard with their folk/rap/poetry combos. Sick flows, deep content and a healthy splash of irreverence made this a hit with all that braved the 'Canadian' climate to reach.

Also, Captain of the Rant (Paul Case) rocked a tight and, dare I say, romantic set of poems that warmed the cockles of even the most cynical slam goers. Add to this mix, Michelle Madsen, Sophia Blackwell and a fine selection of slammers and December's Hammer&Tongue may have just sneaked the 'poetry jam of the year' award in the home straight.

Big shout to Angry Sam, Michelle Madsen, Sophia Blackwell and the Green Note crew for housing, hosting, 'promoting' and performing at, the best poetry night in London and bringing the art to the (mostly middle class, academic, affluent) masses.

NEWS: H&T National Finals featuring curious will be held in January at a London venue. More info when it exists...peaCe

The poet with the golden gun...

Last night's Bang Said The Gun went down with a small crowd of lyrical gun-slingers waging a war of metaphor and a killing spree of simile.

The limelight was shared by some of the capital's hottest emerging stand-up poets. Angry Sam dropped a hot 10 minute set, touching on the hot topics of the moment with a skilful blend of critique and comedy. Anna Le brought some swagger to her performance building towards an epic 'Jimi' piece - very sweet and honest performance from a young, talented lyricist.

Other notables were Kate Modern's sexy diatribes about debauched liaisons and a nameless slammers pop at Facebook abusers. However, the slam could only have one winner, and as you can see from my photo at the top of the page, the trophy came home to North Weezy making it a 2 in 2 average on the slam circuit - BANGBANG indeed.

If you want to see what all the fuss is about, come and see me drop a 10minute set next Thursday, where alongside myself, Chris 'Ventriloquist' Redmond and the sassy Selena Godden will be making the free entry seem very cheap.

Thanks to Dan for hosting a top night and to all the slammer - who got murked - Bbbrrraaappp!

I feel like slammin' tonight...

Easy people, I'm going down to check my man Angry Sam, out and to try and merk the slam. If you're in town tonight, come look us up...peaCe

Poets in a Pogo

So this was the line up at Pogo Cafe last night. Check them out here then come see them perform live some time...

Angry Sam kicked things off and played host for the night:

After my set, Hackney legend Tim Wells brought some cockney colour to proceedings:

Heavyweight transcendentalist Yap killed it - see him (and Angry Sam) at Hammer&Tongue at the Green Note on Parkway in Camden on 7th June:


Fashionable and late was microphone pugilist David J who dropped his ever-evolving style of lyrical gum-running - sick!

All this talent, performing for free, because people need help and support. Yet, they can still put on a free night of poetry, dub vibes and home-cooked curry.

What you gonna do to help?