I met had the pleasure of meeting with two Russian artists earlier this year, who came along to my Kentish Town Exhibition and then came round mine for tea and a chat … here’s the interview below … and many thanks to them for taking the time to seek me out and put this together.

Dave Wise is someone I’ve had the pleasure of working with many times over the last few years. As well as directing the music video ‘World’s End’, co-directing ‘Devil’s Son’, he has also invited me to contribute to a number of his documentaries, such as his moving film about the last days of Theatre Royal in Chatham.

I had heard from Dave that he planned to embark on a 6 week live-in on Darnet Island during the summer of 2012 – a section of abandoned land in the Medway River – living off little more than the bare essentials, during which he would document his time there.

With Dave’s permission I’ve posted the documentary (see above). Entitled ‘Otherness; forty five days on the Isle Of Beauty’, it’s something I really recommend you find a moment to sit down and watch.

Though not actively involved in the project, ‘Where The Crow Flies’ from my album Waiting For The Post-Man was kindly chosen by Dave to feature in his film.

Find out more about this intriguing and inspiring individual HERE.

In 2004, whilst walking with my Lady Haze in Victoria Gardens, I got drawn toward a strange black n white bird, and this Magpie and its meet with me impressed so much upon my mind it gave way to an array of curious obsessions and creative strangeness, including the name Lupen Crook.

So, albeit a minute or so extract from a gig last year, I figured it worth sharing. I hope you enjoy!

Photographer Sara Norling took some video footage Friday Night … here’s one of the videos below, some more can be found on YOUTUBE if you type in Lupen Crook / Non League Extreme. Many thanks to her and all of you who came out, with special thanks to those who travelled from afar to make the show.

Don’t know about you, but when I poke my head above water and take a glimpse of what’s going on in the wider world, there comes a time when shivers, aches and cramps in the front of my brain trace outlines around me. As much as I might like to ignore it all, that wider world does occasionally worm it’s wicked way in, and the results are songs like this … TREASONS TO BE BEAUTIFUL.

Here’s the video I made, a scrappy animation, a labour of love, loathsome truth telling. It amused and confused me in equal measures. Please share it around by any means necessary, and if you feel inspired, please encourage others to do the same.

Keep well, in hell or elsewhere. Love and true lust, your broken artist, Lupen Crook