Could you tell us a little bit about your self and what you specialise in?…
I’m a DJ and artist. I play mainly house although I don’t like the whole idea of putting music rigidly into genres – if something works in your set, it works.
My artwork is mainly digital nowadays. I used to draw and paint a lot more than I do. The work I produce at the moment is mainly created using Photoshop and Illustrator. I also work as a web developer which is great for my art and music because it means I’m able to create websites myself to promote any projects I’m involved in.
If you had to give 3 words to sum up your art what would they be ?…
Disturbing cosmic bubblegum. My friend also suggested ‘disturbing cosmic horror’ and ‘disturbing cosmic simulcra’ which I like.
Does living in Leeds inspire your art and if so how ?…
Living in Leeds is very inspirational because it’s such a vibrant city and there’s so much great stuff going on here. A lot of the people I know are actively pursuing some kind of creative project. In my house two of us are DJs and our two other housemates are in a band together. I’m also working on some tie-dyed and printed clothing (to be sold on the badornament site) with my friend Esther who lives across the road – and it’s generally inspiring to be around people who are passionate about things.
As far as where the actual ideas for the artwork I create come from, it’s quite weird – but I have absolutely no idea! I just suddenly get an image in my mind and I have to create it.
You have a passion for house music and clubbing, does this passion also influence your art ?…
I think it definitely does. I think that the kind of artwork I create goes very well with the music I’m into. I also think that a visual aspect is very important when it comes to putting together an event. I’ve always had visuals at the nights I’ve put on. These are created by my friend Lucy Mager – flamingflamingoproductions.co.uk – and we work closely together to choose images and clips that go with the sound and we’ve also used my artwork as part of the video montages.
Would you say that Leeds has a healthy art/cultural scene ?…
I think Leeds has a great art/cultural scene. There’s so much good stuff going on in the city. It’s a wonderful place to be if you’re into art and music.
How about living in Meanwood ?… The area has been quite up and coming for a while now. Do you feel this is a good part of town for young/creative people ?…
Meanwood is great. I have a lot of friends here – just on the street I live and in the wider area. It’s not too far from town and there’s also a lot of green area – the Meanwood Valley Trail is lovely.
Can you tell us about badornament ?…
The original badornament was started years ago when I first started putting on events as a young kid. We organised all-ages events with bands in one room and DJs in another and had a website that promoted art and music. This was in Grimsby and Cleethorpes where I used to live. That fell by the wayside as I got older and got involved in other nights and when I moved to Leeds I started thinking about starting up something that promotes music and art rather than just promoting house nights and I decided that a new badornament was the way to go.
Can you tell us about your launch party @ Arrosti on Friday 28th March ?…
The launch party on Friday will combine an exhibition of the artwork and clothing featured on our site (as well as some new stuff) and some great music.
Nigel (Perseus Traxx), who is headlining, makes some awesome stuff and he’ll be playing a live set using synths and drum machines. Also playing will be Charlie Nicholls (Occupy Yourself) who is the promoter behind Feed The Love in Leeds, Andy Moody, who is a resident at Better Days in Cleethorpes, Chris Kitchen who is based in Leeds is one of the promoters behind Hogsozzle – https://hogsozzle.com/ – which is a brilliant small festival, and I’ll be playing back to back with Peter Wallace-Armstrong, who is from my hometown.
The artwork will be provided by myself and various other people including another friend from Meanwood and Penny Wood, who is also an amazing and well-respected tattoo artist. You can check out her work on her facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/crayon.permanentmarker?fref=ts – and she’ll have a gallery on our site soon as well. There’s also a guy called Marko who I met through James at Arrosti. He creates some very interesting paintings and models and his work is on display and for sale at Arrosti all the time.
There will also be a three course buffet meal cooked by James, the chef at Arrosti, which I’m really looking forward to – the food there is excellent.
Why did you choose Arrosti as a venue ?…
I chose Arrosti because I wanted to organise an intimate launch party for what we’re doing rather than to put on a big club night and it’s a good space for what I was after and everyone there is really friendly and into promoting art and creative endeavours. Also the food is amazing and and I wanted to put on an event that included a meal – it’s an important part of the night.
Any other plans for the future ?…
I’ll be working on more artwork, promoting badornament and some music production… and there’ll be more events to come soon as well…
