Here’s the second video instalment of the Chasing Dragons single release (due 17th October). This is an acoustic version of the song recorded live by Jim Riley at Ranscombe Studios, Rochester.
Many thanks to Hg and Dave Wise for coming along to film the session.
You can download this version, and the others, before the official release date by clicking HERE.
Love and luck, CroOK.
x
Here’s the first of the videos that I’ve made, this one accompanying the original album version of Chasing Dragons, which you can download HERE.
This video is an adventure into the wonderful world of stop-frame animation. Using Hg’s camera and Jenny hardcore’s tripod, plus a crash course in how to make a camera work, I set up base in my back room and documented the step by step creation of a painting – a portrait of The MRS – entitled “Puzzled Peace”.
With windows papered over, less natural daylight and fresh air, it took 4 days to complete the process of painting and photographing the piece. Not the most healthy of environments for sure, but after a further 2 days of editing I’m pleased with the result given this was my first attempt. Much respect to all those who do this stop frame madness full time – it was truly exhausting! However, by the end so satisfying to see my artwork come to life – a long held ambition of mine. Something I’ll be developing in the future.
If you enjoy this song, and the video, please do share with your friends and enemies alike … far and wide!
Always curious, Lupen Crook.
xxx
My next single, Chasing Dragons, goes on general release on Monday 17th October via iTunes and Amazon. However, cuz we can and we wanna, and by way of a thank-you for your support and interest – whether you’re a long-term reader or newly curious – if you’re reading this, you can download it today!
Download HERE!
You’ll probably recognise this as a track from my recent fourth album, Waiting for the Post-Man. In addition to the original version, the single is backed with two entirely different versions of the song, plus a great remix. They’ve been getting bits of early radio play, which is splendid news.
The acoustic version was recorded by Jim Riley at Ranscombe Studios back in July. It’s essentially the song as played at gigs. That same day I recorded several other songs … you may have already seen Knives n Pliers (from my first album) and others are in the pipeline.
The sunlight version was recorded by Greg Webster at Sunlight Studios at the end of August. It features guest appearances from Wolfgang Riot on bass and Chris Garth of Up-C Down-C on drums. It was pretty much a first take recording, all live in the room, warts and all – much fun. Many thanks to Greg, Wolfgang Riot and Chris Garth for throwing themselves into this.
The menace remix by Kids Unique is like some 5am chemical comedown on a beach in Ibiza, or maybe Margate? Many thanks owed to Dan Lawrence of Kids Unique for this lovely interpretation. If you already haven’t, check out Medway’s Kids Unique, they’re fucking brilliant.
This single is a download, however, because I know some of you like to have and to hold, we’ve got a very limited number of promo CDs available for sale here. If ya want one, snap it up quick before they go. There are only a handful available, first come first served.
Over the last few weeks I’ve been busy creating individual videos for each track and will be “releasing” one a week up to the general release date, starting tomorrow with the main video for the original version of the song.
I hope you like this little bundle, all and any support you can lend is truly appreciated.
Yours, seeking serpents in the sky,
Lupen Crook x x x
PS – don’t forget that I’m touring from Wednesday onwards. London and Guildford this week, full details here on the site. Be great to see ya.
Six week holidays coming to their close, tying ties and shining shoes for the new terms of engagement … i’ve got a nice little run of shows up and down the country booked up during the fresh weeks of this season. These will be acoustic solo performances and I’ll be playing material from the current album ‘Waiting For The Post-Man’ plus some dusted down treasures from my previous releases. Can’t wait to get out there, I’m really looking forward to crossing as many paths as possible.
Come the end of September, around the time these gigs kick off, I’ll also be giving the song CHASING DRAGONS, taken from my album ‘Waiting For The Post-Man’, a big push. It will be released as a digital bundle available from this site or via itunes, and will be presented alongside some alternative versions and remixes of the song, plus a few videos no doubt. Any and all the support you can give to this track would be really appreciated. This song always felt like the sound of summer suns and campfires giving their final farewell to the grounds on which they’d set alight, so I figured it would make a fitting song to release during the crossover of seasons.
In the back rooms, and after a month or so of shifting the shape of words and collecting curious thoughts through the hole in my head, I’ve finally firmed up my plans to start work on my new album. The songs are in place, and I’ll be heading into the studio soon. I’ll keep you updated as I go along. Feel free to send me any glowing orange thoughts, whatever triangles you wish to spare.
This Autumn will also see two exhibitions of my artwork – a group exhibition at Bardens Boudoir in London and a solo show at the Deaf Cat Cafe in Rochester. More details will follow about these. Dates of all my gigs and exhibitions can be found in the performance listing on this site which is regularly updated.
Before myself and Hg really ramp up the Chasing Dragons stuff, I thought I’d give this acoustic version of Knives and Pliers an airing. This song is from my first album, ‘Accidents Occur Whilst Sleeping’ and is one of the tracks I’ll be playing out during the tour. This version was recorded during a recent session at Jim Riley’s, Ranscombe Studios, which was kindly filmed by Hg and Dave Wise. Enjoy and share as you wish. xxx
Well, whilst London has been burning, being brought near to its knees by the lost and loathing of our Dysunited Kingdom, I have been making a video in the garden with Matilda Kilda. This is for the song MANTRA 29 taken from my new album, ‘WAITING FOR THE POST-MAN‘.
Limited edition physical copies of the album are available here, or else my preferred download outlet can be found here, though it’s available on iTUNES for those who fancy using that as well.
Or perhaps this is more appropriate …
This weekend I head over to Wales, where I’ll be performing Friday evening at THE WORKHOUSE FESTIVAL, in Llanfyllin.
Next Tuesday (16th) I’ll be back in London to support BAXTER DURY at The Slaughtered Lamb.
All the best, with civil unrest, Lupen Crook.
Last Saturday I headed to Medway where Beast Reality Presented its second official night to mark the release of ‘Waiting For The Post-Man‘. I was really excited about this one, we’d put together a cracking line-up and the The Barge is a beautiful setting. The night exceeded our expectations …. thanks so very much for everyone who came out to support us, and to BOAT OF GARTEN, THE SANS PAREIL and WOLF HOWARD for putting in amazing performances on the night.
Quote of the night has to go to Wolf Howard, who had us all hanging on his every word - “I’m terribly sorry about my language, I realise there are some children here in the pub tonight. This next one’s called ‘Cunt’…”
Sara Norling kindly donated the footage for this video which I’ve edited into a little snap-shot of the evenings proceedings. Below are a set of photos also taken by the wonderful Sara Norling and a shot from photographer Phil Dillon at the top of this post. Many thanks to them both for documenting the evening.
Also ….. The Slaughtered Lamb, which held my London Album Launch night in June, have invited me back to support BAXTER DURY on the 16th August. Should be a great gig for those of you around London or anyone who fancies the trip into the City. Lots more gigs soon to be announced and other pretty exciting stuff happening.
xxx
All the best. Lupen Crook.
Myself and Hg headed up to Sheffield a few weeks ago for the TRAMLINES festival – it was fucking ace … the whole city was seething with enthusiasm and support for the 600+ bands and artists that were performing around the city.
I played a number of times, from guerilla style busking sets outside various places around the city, as well more conventional venues such as the RIVERSIDE CAFE and SOYO. All were really well received, so many thanks for the support from those who caught my performances.
For me, the most memorable was the intimate and surreal Buskers’ Bus Session, which travelled around the city over the whole weekend. Shown above is a version of ‘Hardest Way Home’ filmed by Hg, live from the Bus.
Much thanks to Foz from BIG DOG STUDIOS, who came out on it for the whole weekend, and was kind enough to let us rest our dizzy heads on his studio floor once again. Couldn’t have done it without him.
xxx
Crook.
Hey there.
Time has been flying, spinning plates and all – lots of gigs coming up throughout the year which will be announced shortly on the website … and from the past couple of gigs I’ve played its finally starting to feel like me and my tattered 8 string are at home with each other on stage. Got some stuff coming for you this week, but I’ll start with this ….
A few weeks back I received a phone call from director John Bland, of OEM films, who’d given Dorothy what she deserved late last year. An excited Mr Bland instructed me to make some ‘expressive box-heads’ with whatever I could find, and meet him the very next day for what turned out to be a pretty surreal, thoroughly enjoyable day of filming. His concept and the footage captured was inspired by and made to aid the song Lunacy, taken from my new album, ‘WAITING FOR THE POST-MAN‘.
I received the final cut just the other day … so here it is …. enjoy, share, spread far and wide …
Hope all is well in hell and far beyond, more news coming soon about various bits and pieces, all the best and keep in touch ….
xxx
Lupen Crook
Hey all, I’m heading down to Canterbury this weekend for the Lounge On The Farm festival. I’m a late addition to the bill, so you might not have seen me on the official listings. However, I am set to perform an acoustic set Sunday morning, around midday, on the Farm Folk Stage.
If you’re about, pop by and I’ll tend to your hangovers with some bitter sweet sing-alongs!
Meanwhile, this week I was featured in the WOW Medway magazine. They reviewed my new album ‘Waiting For The Post-Man‘ and also featured a review I wrote, giving my thoughts on the debut album by Medway’s Hip-Hop quartet Kids Unique.
If you’re not in reach of Medway, you can read WOW Medway online by clicking HERE.
Keep it surreal. CroOK.
xxx
Hey all, first off thanks so much for all your support with the new record. I hope those of you who’ve received your copies are enjoying it. Those who are still waiting, fear not, it’s on route to you – but a whisper away.
A quick reminder that orders for the hand-crafted versions of the CD digi-pack will stop this Thursday, so get your orders in before then if you want to be the proud owners of part of this very limited edition collection. Standard CDs are now available in Sound and Vision (music emporium) in Chatham. We’ll be dropping some copies into Rough Trade stores in London over the next week or so as well as the Deaf Cat Café in Rochester.
For those of you in reach of London, if you didn’t already know, I’m playing my first headliner of the year, a solo acoustic set at The Slaughtered Lamb this Wednesday night, 29th June. Joined by Jack Cheshire, and Dave Pickett from The Flowing, gonna be a great night – I would love you to join me. If you use Facebook, details can be found here Slaughtered Lamb Gig. You can purchase tickets here ……www.wegottickets.co.uk.
As well, here’s a few words from me about the new album and life in general, an interview I gave to DESOLATION MUSIC … Lupen Crook Interview.
Hope you all had a great weekend, Glastonbury bound or not. I had my own festival of sorts, less the mud and presence of U2 … the result was these two lo-fi home music videos that Matilda Kilda kindly assisted with (see below).
Enjoy. Keep in touch. CroOK.
