INTERVIEW: Comfort - Art without Apology | Spoken Word Artist

Short. Sharp. Facts!

Name: Comfort | Art without Apology
Birthplace: Middlesex
Lives: East London
Poetry Debut: An art exhibition by Naptali, a Jamaican artist/painter, Brixton, July 2007
Awards: Word4Word Slam Winner – August 2009; recently published (Mini Me) in current issue of Ninety-Nine Magazine (the No.1 for Black Achievers) and published (Unsatisfied) in Juice Magazine in 2008.


Q&A

ONiT! is excited to see that you're on the line up for Love…Sex…Sensuality…, the forthcoming celebration of all things sensual. We’d love to hear your answers on the following:


Can you tell us how you got involved in this exciting new show?
The promoter contacted me with a view to getting involved and I snapped up the opportunity.


How long have you been performing Poetry/Spoken Word?
I’ve been performing spoken word for nearly three years now and I can’t believe it’s gone so quickly!


Who would you cite as your influences?
They vary really, but if we’re specifically talking about Poets, then I’d have to say FLOetic Lara – she is very inspiring, talented and the fact that can she can spit poetry AND sing… She’s just too much! LOL Kat Francois (the host on the night) is also a massive inspiration to me – personable, hardworking and always pushing herself that extra mile, which makes me want to do more, be better and excel. My earliest influence has to be my Mum! She has always written poems, in greeting cards, on paper, wherever. Mum can write a poem in a few minutes and brighten up your day for hours.


How would you describe your style as a Performance Artist?
I’d describe my style as Art without Apology. It’s direct, it’s honest, and sometimes harsh; the kind of stuff that people think, but wouldn’t necessarily say out loud. I’m not afraid to speak my mind and so I do so, unapologetically.


In order to fully love and appreciate the love of another, we know that you must first love yourself. How would you define self-love? For me, I would define self love as appreciating yourself, your quirks, your idiosyncrasies, listening to your body and responding to it accordingly; if you’re tired, sleep! If you feel run down, take time! If you’re hungry, eat! Sounds silly, but I think at lot of us get caught up in the rat race and neglect ourselves without a second thought and sadly, I’m one of those people, way too often.


What can the audience expect from you on the night?
The audience can expect unwavering, expressive honesty; about love, sex and maybe even a little sensuality :)


Is there a particular piece you are looking forward to performing at Love…Sex…Sensuality…?
I may perform a new erotic piece, just because I can. It’s not often you get the opportunity on the stage to be so free, so I’m looking forward to utilising that freedom.


What poem/film/song says 'Love...Sex...Sensuality…' to you? Hmmmm, Poem/song – Jill Scott’s ‘He Loves Me’ Lyzel in E Flat. That song is emosh! It encapsulates all of those emotions in one. I can’t think of a film though….nope, definitely can’t think of a film.


Complete these sentences:

Love is...all consuming, all encompassing, unconditional and often irrational

Sex is...the best de-stressor on the market!

Sensuality is...being sat between your mans legs as he gives you a head/scalp massage…ooohhhh weeeee!


What other performances/projects do you have coming up?
I’m working on a few events of my own with ONiT! over the coming months, so keep your eye out for our logo :)

*Join Comfort as she's interviewed by Curtis Walker on the Colourful Life radio show, Today (Tuesday 6th April) at 16:00 GMT. Log on via: http://www.colourfulradio.com or on DAB Radio*

You can see and hear Comfort | Art without Apology perform live, at Love…Sex…Sensuality… on Saturday 24th April.

Tickets: Limited early bird tickets available now at the following outlets, priced £8, £10 thereafter

Online: http://www.accessuktickets.co.uk

Supertone Records (Brixton) 020 7737 7761 | Everbody’s Music (Tottenham) 020 8802 0146 | Maestro Records (Peckham) 020 7635 7299 | Dub Vendor (Clapham) 020 7233 3757 | Hawkeye Records (Harlesden) 020 8961 0866

Further info: 07984 628 070

Press/Media info: 07790 443 834 | 07958 327 811 | onitpr@yahoo.co.uk