EVENT: Style & Substance All Female Talent Showcase

Sistova Productions presents Style & Substance London's No.1 All Female Talent Showcase Tuesday 2nd August | 7:30pm * Click Flyer * Sistova Productions presents Style & Substance A Live Music Showcase bringing together and celebrating emerging female talent in the arts, in aid of raising awareness of charities that support women. Join your host, Dionne Reid and DJ Carmen Leigh in aid of charity, Ovarian Cancer UK Performances by: Michaela Coel | Cleo Sol | Moy Moy Indigo Williams | Kay Young | KGS Kaana Ellie & The Remedies and You! for a chance to share your talent, put your name on the Open Mic list on the night (first come, first served) Venue The Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX Closest Transport Links Liverpool Street/Shoreditch High Street Entry: £6 on guest list before 8pm | £8 at the door Guest List: Email names to guestlist@sistova.com *Exclusive Artist Interviews* Click on artist names above to read their exclusive featured interviews SISTOVA A Sisterhood Inspiring a Sense of Togetherness, giving Opportunities and Voicing Ambition

EVENT: Poetry in the Park | Sunday 31 July

Partnas in Rhyme Presents The Return Of Poetry in the Park Sunday 31st July 2011 2pm til Late Hey Peeps, We hope you're all well and having a great weekend. Just to update you all on the return of annual event, Poetry in the Park, brought to you by Partnas in Rhyme. The event will take place tomorrow from 2pm, in Hyde Park. You'll find PiR about 3 minutes walk from 'Speakers Corner' - the Marble Arch end of the Park. The best way to locate them will be to walk up from Marble Arch Underground station and follow the strategically placed Paw Prints :) which will lead you as close as possible - Cumberland Gate Entrance, Hyde Park, just past Tour Bus Stop 'W'. For those who have asked, children are very much welcome - as long as they are capable of sitting through performances without too much disruption. WEATHER CHECK The weather is set to be dry with a temperature of 22 degrees, so at this point, it's definitely going ahead. HOWEVER, if it rains later than 8pm tonight, or at any time on Sunday 31st July, please assume that the event is cancelled. The event will not be held in the rain. PERFORMERS The advance performers list is now closed, but you're welcome to put your name down on arrival. Places are first come, first served and subject to availability. FOOD & DRINK Everyone is encouraged to bring their own food and drinks - we'll bring some bits and pieces too, and hopefully, everyone will be in a sharing mood :) So all that's left to say is, tell a friend to bring a friend and let's jam! See you on Sunday!

INTERVIEW: Kaana Ellie

short.

sharp.

facts.

Name:

Kaana Ellie

Repping:

Music as Remedy

Birthplace:

Camden

Lives:

Tottenham

Awards/Accomplishments:

Head of Music, Media and Performing Arts projects for young people in Haringey, before the government decided the kids weren't important.

Q&A

Describe Kanna Ellie in 5 words…

“Lickle but Talawa”, Powerful, Energetic and Wild

What’s your favourite guilty pleasure?

Eating custard creams in bed.

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

[Laughs] "Chicken" comes before the word Egg [laughs] I’m so smart!

If you were a fruit what fruit would you be and why?

Passion Fruit, not sure why but it sounded sexy.

Since it’s supposed to be “Summer”, what’s your favourite thing to do in the park?

Swim and Eat.

ONiT! Is very excited about your upcoming performance at Style and Substance next week. With such an amazing line up of artists, what are you planning to do to wow the crowd?

I'm gonna take off my six inch heels and shake what my father gave me [laughs], the saddest thing about this interview is I actually find myself amusing [laughs]. Really though, I plan to wow the crowd with good music, alongside my band.

Ah yes, we know you regularly perform live with your 7 piece band, The Remedies. Can we expect to see them at Style and Substance too?

The band are out there playing hard with other artists but for Style and Substance they will be coming back home, back to the beginning, to play with their big Sister - they are amazing. We have good energy and write great songs together. . I have missed them, so the answer to your question is YES!

Wicked! You have such a powerful soulful voice - do you do anything to vocally prepare for a show?

I shut up my mouth, look miserable and pray. It helps me preserve energy for the stage and the show, where I let it all out.

Do you have other any pre-performance rituals?

No not really. I always go to the toilet before the show and do a number 2, then pray. Strange place to pray but it works.

[Laughs] OK! Who are your greatest influences?

The Remedies, my fans, family and love.

Is there an artist or performance that you’ve recently seen that blew you away?

I did not like Rihanna until I saw her pop style on X Factor.

Let’s pretend I’ve just given you £6,000 for you spend on a dream holiday. Where would you go and how would you spend it all?

I'd go to Tanzania, where my mum was born, to sing and live like the Queen!

What’s been your best or worst performance experience so far?

My worst performance was when I forgot my lyrics on stage at a charity event like Amy Winehouse*. The worst thing was, I was sober.

Will we be hearing any material from your new album Now or Never at the show?

My God yeah, It’s all I've got [laughs] and the album is finally due to drop this year.

So, all that said, where can we find you performing next?

I'll be performing at Style & Substance on Tuesday 2nd August at Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, LONDON EC2A 3JX (Full info)

When and where can fans get a copy of your new album?

The album will be available in September, via iTunes, Amazon and http://kaanaellie.bandcamp.com

Lastly, where can we find you outside of the stage?

You can find me in North London, the sunny side of Tottenham. Alternatively, you can be cheap and Facebook or Tweet me via 'Kaanaellie'.

EDITORS NOTE: This interview was produced before the passing of Amy Winehouse - no disrespect is intended to her or her family.

Words: Shorntay Allen

Video: Courtesy of d'nyce (Soul-of-the-UK Live)

INTERVIEW: Moy Moy Artist

short.

sharp.

facts.

Name:
Moya Morris aka MoyMoy Artist

Repping:UK/JA

Birthplace:
East London

Lives:
Essex

Artist Debut:
Moy Moy -Let Me Go: Tha Mixtape

Awards/Accomplishments:
Midlands tour - performed in Sheffield, Kent, Nottingham, Leeds, Birmingham, West Bromwich as well as London shows.
Radio play on Choice FM and BBC Radio 1xtra.
Travelled to South of France and Italy to make music.
Over 50,000 views in 3months on 'Put Ina Di Work' on YouTube.



Q&A


What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Aaarrrrr I don’t know!!! You need a chicken to make the egg, and an egg to make a chicken. I need to google it ;-).

What’s your favourite guilty pleasure?
White chocolate.


If you were a fruit, which would you be and why?
Strawberries- they are presentable, yet exotic!


Since it’s supposed to be “Summer”, what’s your favourite thing to do in the park?
Look up to the sky and gain inspiration for my music.


Describe Moy Moy in 5 words….
Hip-Hop artist with dancehall vibes.


Where does your dancehall influence come from?
Both of my parents are from Jamaica - my mum born was on the island, and my dad born here in the UK, but both of his parents were born in Jamaica. Reggae has been a prominent genre of music played in my household from a young age, and I like to represent for my family in my work.





ONiT! Is very excited about your upcoming performance at Style and Substance next week. With such an amazing line up of artists, what are you planning to do to wow the crowd?
You’ll just have to wait and see I’m afraid. I always give a taster of unheard material when I’m live, so hopefully the audience will enjoy.

We love your current mix-tape 'Let Me Go' - can we expect to hear you perform any tracks from it at Style and Substance?
Yeah, without a shadow of a doubt - and I’m touched that you’re feeling my stuff, thank you.


Only talking the truth out here! Where does your dancehall influence come from?
Both of my parents are from Jamaica- my mum born on the island, and my dad born here in the UK, but both of his parents born in Jamaica. Reggae has been a prominent genre of music played in my household from a young age, and I like to represent for my family in my work.


How did it feel when you first heard your music played on radio stations such as Choice FM and BBC 1xtra?
Euphoric - it makes the hard work worth it when you hear your own music played and you feel appreciated by others. Anticipating that radio play makes my music reach wider audiences and gives me the motivation to continue. Any reward for your efforts always feels great!

Do you feel it’s harder or easier for female rappers like yourself to become established in the industry as opposed to male rappers?
Both. It’s easier because of the ratio to male rappers. There are not many female rappers, so it’s easier to get attention in terms of competition. It’s more difficult because females can get bitchy. Haters slandering you can have more of an effect on a female than a male in this industry.


Do you have any pre-performance rituals?
Ermmm… [I] feel sick!! I get so nervous before performing it’s unreal; I think I’m getting good at hiding it though [laughs]. But seriously, my pre-performance ritual is prayer; I ask for His guidance and for Him to give me the confidence to take the stage. He never lets me down.


Who are your greatest influences?
Buju Banton, Lauryn Hill, Drake, Lily Allen, Tinie Tempah.


Is there an artist or performance that you’ve recently seen that blew you away?
Drake and Jessie J gave performances that really impressed me. Their energy, stage presence and clarity were on point. What really made me smile was the diversity in the audience. When you touch people of all kinds, you must be doing something right.

What inspires you to write?
Two things: the beat, and my life. I am an observational artist so everything I see, hear or do is embedded in my lyrics somehow, in some way. I just play the beat and whatever comes to my head first, I write it down. A word or phrase in that first line may make me think of something else- so I’ll write that down too. I’ll gain an idea of concept by the fourth line, and gear it towards a conclusion by the end.


Let’s pretend I’ve just given you £6,000 for you spend on a dream holiday. Where would you go and how would you spend it all?
Fiji! It just seems so beautiful. I would spend the money on an all-inclusive treat-me-like-a-queen package. Cos one day I’ll want to go waterskiing, the next day I’ll want to be getting my hair and nails done [laughs]


What’s been your best performance experience so far?
I think the best has been Notting Hill Carnival. The crowd was so big, and so hyped up over what I was doing it was overwhelming. I love music and the feeling it brings when I write and record; but performing makes me feel like I’m on cloud nine. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

So, all that said, where can we find you performing next?

I'll be performing at Style & Substance on Tuesday 2nd August at Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, LONDON EC2A 3JX (Full info)

Lastly, where can we find you outside of the stage?

Web | Twitter | Facebook | Reverbnation | Soundcloud

Words by: Shorntay Allen

INTERVIEW: Indigo Williams

short.

sharp.

facts.

Name: Indigo

Repping: Love

Birthplace: Nigeria

Lives: London

Poetry Debut: Early 2010 at The Roundhouse

Q&A

Describe Indigo Williams in 5 words…

Loving, introspective, spiritual, passionate, reclusive.

What’s your favourite guilty pleasure?

Keeping up with the Kardashians *she bows her head in shame*

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

The chicken. It probably evolved from something else and became a chicken that laid an egg.

If you were a fruit what fruit would you be and why?

A strawberry, because they’re my favourite

Since it’s supposed to be “Summer”, what’s your favourite thing to do in the park?

Listen.

ONiT! Is very excited about your upcoming performance at Style and Substance next month. With such an amazing line up of artists, what are you planning to do to wow the crowd?

Lol this is a funny question. I don’t really think about wowing the crowd, I just hope to share something that touches, moves or simply connects with someone.

Will we be hearing any poetry from your current EP “Growing Pains” at the show?

Oooo you’ll have to wait and see.

We know you’ve performed at some MAJOR events such as The Big Chill Festival and the iTunes Festival. Are there any other major events/festivals/shows that you are hoping to ambush with your talent (other than Style and Substance of course!)?

“Ambush with my talent,” hahaha you’re great I like you. To be honest my train of thought hasn’t been on performance. I’ve been investing a lot of time working on my page work and just studying the craft, to improve in general. It is possible to be gifted but lack skill and so performing isn’t hard, wowing people isn’t hard but neither of the two are things that rank highly on my priority list. Performing anywhere is always an honour; I think there is something beautifully powerful about strangers opening themselves up to you and so standing on a stage is somewhat of a sacred act for me.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals?

Going over my lines in my head [laughs] and breathing!

Who are your greatest influences?

Oh lord, we could be here forever. Li Young Lee is currently the person who has majorly impacted my whole approach to poetry and art in general. He has the most unique and esoteric approach to his work. I can relate deeply to that, he was the first poet for me where I could see myself in his work and his attitude to art. My drive to write comes from my drive to understand things; I am always trying to understand myself, humanity and the universe. Life is my greatest influence.

Is there an artist or performance that you’ve recently seen that blew you away?

Warsan Shire and I have a lot of respect for Kayo Chingonyi.

Let’s pretend I’ve just given you £6,000 for you spend on a dream holiday. Where would you go and how would you spend it all?

OH IF ONLY! A trip across Asia with my mum and close friends.

What’s been your best or worst performance experience so far?

I tend to black out during performances so generally I don’t remember them. But the best....the best is never on the stage, it's always after when someone reaches out to say they connected with you. I can’t think of a particular performance, I can only think of particular people. To answer the question though, I guess I’ll say, my debut performance at the Roundhouse, the energy was amazing.

My worst is always when I don’t mean what I say in that moment, which is everything I’m not. For some time, I felt this way, which is why I stopped performing and took a hiatus to just sit down and listen.

Describe your performance style…?

I don’t know. It’s changing so I don’t know.

So, all that said, where can we find you performing next?

I'll be performing at Style & Substance on Tuesday 2nd August at Queen of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road, LONDON EC2A 3JX (Full info)

Lastly, where can we find you outside of the stage?

READ MY BLOG...not that I’m begging - nah, I’m totally begging and it’s fine, read my blog!! LOOOL

Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Words by: Shorntay Allen

NEWS: ONiT! to Represent Critically Acclaimed Artist, Beyonder

ONiT! To Represent Critically Acclaimed Artist, Beyonder

Following the launch of its new Artist Booking Services to Performing Artists in May, ONiT! PR are pleased to announce their appointment to represent critically acclaimed Poet, Multi-Media artist and Educator, Robert ‘Beyonder’ Asare.

Talented and well versed in technology, as well as the spoken word, Beyonder, a former Business Systems Analyst, began his creative journey into performance poetry in 1999. Since then, he has gone on to win five poetry slams, had his acclaimed short-film, Digitalis feature in various film festivals – including the Raindance Festival, in which it was nominated as Best Short on DV - and has had his work featured by the BBC, Royal Festival Hall, Channel 4, the Tate Modern and V&A Museums.

Beyonder says “It's exciting for me to be in the ONiT! PR stable right at the beginning of their journey - an agency that is clearly going places, with talented creative professionals at the helm, with similar ambitions to my own. I am glad to have them on my team.”

ONiT! PR Founder, Sidel Stewart, is delighted to be working with such a stellar, established artist, “The prospect of working with Beyonder, assisting in raising his visibility and facilitating his creative journey in the UK, is both an exciting and proud achievement for the company. We’re looking forward to building a lasting relationship.”

Beyonder is available for bookings, ranging from Spoken Word based performances, to multi-media and creatively enthused workshops with young people or adults alike.

-ENDS-

For full information on Beyonder, visit: http://www.onitpr.co.uk/robert-beyonder-asare

Photography by Sloetry

EVENT: Dionne Reid performs @ Something for Sunday

Something For Sunday is London’s newly formed, live music & comedy night out.

The forthnightly event aims to showcase the UK's finest unsigned musical artists, in addition to well respected, headlining comedians.

This Sunday's line-up includes the high-flying Dionne Reid.

Fresh from festival stages 'BBC Introducing' at Glastonbury and 'Urban Development' at Lovebox, Dionne will deliver another stellar acoustic set, accompanied by her live band.

Also on the bill this Sunday 17th July, Something for Sunday has the following artists gracing the stage:

Richard Blackwood

Lee 'Littleman' Vassell

Heshima Thompson

Ola the Poet

Preeda Sharp

Carmen Leigh

Something for Sunday

Doors: Open at 19:30, with the show kicking off at 20:00 (until 22:30)

Venue: Concrete - below Pizza East, 56 Shoreditch High Street, London, E1 6JJ (on the corner of Bethnal Green Road)

Entry: Ladies: £5.00 | Gents: £10.00

Further information: http:://www.somethingforsunday.co.uk

Photography by: Alicia Smikle-Little @ www.creativejunkie.co.uk

INTERVIEW: Kat Francois

Short.

Sharp.

Facts

Name:

Kat Fancois

Repping:

West London

Birthplace:

On the stairs of our old house, in Fulham!

Lives:

After travelling all over London, I am back in West again.

Poetry Debut:

WAC, otherwise known as Weekend Arts College.

Accomplishments:

BBC 3 Slam Champion and World Slam Poetry Champion

Q&A

Describe Kat Francois in 5 words:

• Gemini

• Energetic

• Confident

• Hard-working

• Crazy

What was your fave cartoon as a child?

Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats!

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

The egg for me, as I eat eggs but not chickens.

Favourite day of the week?

Saturday, because it’s the day I can lie in.

ONiT! is really excited about your upcoming show Kat's Got Your Tongue at the Theatre Royal on the 10th and 11th of July. What can the audience expect to see/hear/or even smell at the show?

Hopefully they won’t smell my sweat as I run around the stage. They will see more of Grenadian Granny, one of my characters who has a new TV show, and they will see the new characters I have created. They will experience my straight stand up - just me, Kat, chatting, doing my thing. The show is a high energy experience, fu

ll of fun and laughter, so audience members who are asthmatic should bring their inhalers, and ladies who have weak muscles downstairs, should wear their Tenna’s!

Haha – duly noted! You’ve got such a wide scope of talents under your belt, from poetry to hosting to stand up comedy to playwright AND educator! Which out of these talents do you enjoy utilising the most?

I love everything I do and feel blessed that I have the opportunity to express them all. At the moment comedy is the most exciting, because it’s new,

fresh and challenging and takes me out of my normal circles and my comfort zone. As a performer I always like to be pushed and comedy does that for me.

We know you've recently finished touring the nation as part of Spoken Word All Stars (a spoken word theatre show produced by Apples & Snakes). How was it and will you be taking anything from that experience to put into your new show?

The show was amazing as it enabled me to work closely with some great artist's over a long period of time, and this is not something that happens often. El Crisis, Oneness (both poets), and Jason Yard (Musician), were part of the core group and I loved working with them all. Being able to support the other poets with backing vocals, and entwine poems was exciting, and since no one’s ears bled when I sang, I shall be taking that skill into Kat's Got Your Tongue.

Who or what inspires Ms Francois?

Life. The ups, the downs, the in-betweens, the sad bits, the happy bits, the messed up bits. I am also inspired by some everyday people around me, who every day remind that life is to be lived to the fullest and never squandered.

Do you have any pre-performance rituals that you do before a show?

Yes I lock myself in a toilet and release my bowls, whilst clutching my belly as it cramps! Yep I get

real nervous and my stomach reacts by playing up, luckily this is a solo show so there is no one to offend and I can, doo-doo to my heart’s content.

Oh jeeze, erm, thanks for that visual! [Laughs] ahem, moving on... Who are your greatest influences?

The strong women in my life who have raised me, or had a hand in raising me. Comedy wise, Richard Pryor, to me, he is unique in his ability to turn the appalling into the hilarious. Poetry wise, it has to be Maya Angelou and her poem 'Still I Rise', which is my life anthem. I also loved Louise Bennett, a Jamaican personality who was a poet, singer and a TV presenter; she was a real character and a real inspiration.

Is there an artist or performance that you’ve recently seen that blew you away?

David J who is the most sublime performance poet ever. He performed at the Leaders of the Old Skool show on Sunday 3rd July, which I had the pleasure of hosting. He is a phenomenal performer - I can’t even think like him, let alone write like him. He is the kind of performer who makes you think, “Maybe it’s time to put down the pen and retire..!"

Don’t even say those words out loud! Next question, if you were stranded in the harsh wilderness (sorry - no lush desert island round here), what three items would you want to have with you and why?

A book, I will need something to read or I’ll just die. Vaseline for dry lips and dry legs - I’d just die if my lips or leg’s were dry, and a charged phone so I could call someone to come and get me.

Hahaha you’re actually killing me! What’s been your best & worst performance experience so far?

Early on when I started poetry, I took part in a slam and crashed and burned - forgetting all my words, embarrassing! Best experience, winning the BBC 3 Slam.

Finish the sentence: In 5 years time I hope to be.....

Big not physically, although if I continue to yam the way I do that could be a possibility... I want big shows, the 02, Wembley, I want the T.V programme, the DVD, the live shows all over the world. That’s it I want to take over the WORLD, I can see it now 'KAT GOES GLOBAL WITH THE MIAOW TOUR.'

“MIAOW?!” *wipes laughter tears away* If you were a fruit what fruit would you be and why?

I would be a banana. It’s such a yellow, happy and vibrant fruit and I love them.

When are you next on the

stage?

You can see my full length comedy show, Kat's Got Your Tongue, on Sunday 10th and Monday 11th July on the main stage at the Theatre Royal Stratford East. For tickets use this link: http://tinyurl.com/5uvybbj or alternatively, contact the box office on: 020 8534 0310 | Tickets: £12 /£10 Concessions. Don't miss it!

Outside of the stage, where can we find you?

Twitter: @katfrancois

Facebook: www.facebook.com/katfrancoisartist

Web: www.katfrancois.com

Words by: Shorntay Allen

Photography by: Sloetry (c) 2010