Jo is an improvising vocalist who grew up in Basildon.. What even is that? Musicians and non-musicians will get together and improvise with voice, sound, objects, instruments. Performing with no rehearsal or planned outcome. Performances can last around 20 minutes, or hours with groups. Catching vibes, catching sounds, and responding to the energy in the room. Setting up spaces with a freedom to fail, and making participants feel comfortable to express themselves naturally. Jo attended a sound art course, and was exposed to improvised vocalists. It is a very inclusive means of expression, the barrier to entry does not exist, no skills are required. Karaoke with the universe. Discovering new facets to your voice during improvisation. There are improvised vocal groups you can attend and join in with. Jo started learning at a short experimental sound art course. Art is making something with artistic intention. Jo learned to capture and make sound with that intention - the course gave Jo the permission they’d been waiting for to make art. Then the artistic journey led to TOMA (The Other MA) in Southend. TOMA is run by Emma Edmonson and provides an alternative to traditional art school with a more financially accessible format. Big up TOMA - they teach artistic practice, but also about applications for funding to build a career in art. Jo encourages people to respond how they want during performances - laughter can be a great sound. Dealing with mixed feedback, and keeping the artist intention pure. Jo occasionally performs in masks and made bee wings from CDs. Big ups to Faradina Afifi. Making up improvised languages. Improvising and doing someone that no person has ever done before. Big up Fraser Merrick (previous guest!) Nick really doesn’t like unexpected participatory vocal improvisation. Derek Bailey’s Channel 4 show about improvisation around the world is a good archive of worldwide sounds. Every voice is unique, and the sounds we can make are there to be played with. Skronk in Deptford is a fun place to go and improvise. Chelmsford chronicle has declared that ‘Sangita Mittra is a creative expert’ - official.
Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna
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