summer in the uk, music festival-wise is pretty top notch. there r s**t-loadsa outdoor vibes for every kinda person, regardless of genre-preferences. i’ve personally made it my mission to hit as many festivals as possible whenever i happen to be in the british isles during its (so-called) summer.

… the thing is, its pretty hard to keep up with the sheer quantities of these outdoor parties. new ones spring up every year during the season, whether they are off the back of some other bigger festival or they’ve sprung outta someone’s vivid imagination.

increasingly fighting for our attention, promoters have had to get very creative when devising their promotion strategy as of course, there’s no party without the people.

so this takes me to ware, hertfordshire – where standon calling is situated. championing the new ’boutique festival’ genre, it essentially is a garden party that has spiralled outta control. still under 10 years old, standon calling has been able to attract some major artists in the music game. however, rather than settle for mere music, they have taken things one step further by attempting to engage all of our senses.

each year, a theme is set… previous themes have included ‘japanese culture‘ where harajuku girls, camp-fire watching sumo wrestlers, wasabi pods and yakuza gangsters surprised the unsuspecting crowd. this year however, its ‘apollo 11‘. nasa space camps have been erected on the site, there have been promises of telescopic star-gazing, interactive heliocentric performances and secret stages. galileo’s space observatory and CERN’s extra-terrestrial team of will also be present. in short, the entire weekend will pay homage to space and all its intergalactic psychedelia.

to top it off, music’s flag-bearers of all thing cosmic: sun ra’s arkestra are set to headline the event. femi kuti and his positive force, ladytron, N.A.S.A plus the whip will also be presenting their own interpretations of music from beyond our hemisphere.

the festival uses local suppliers, no corporate sponsors, is ethical, green and even gives some of their earnings to charity… u can’t get better than that – do we need another excuse…?

oh yeah.. + there’s a swimming pool.

get details here

If you haven’t been listening to our radio show, you might not know that LA’s favourite beat chemist TAKE is hitting the UK as part of his european tour. Even better, he’s dropping a live set at Heads High (Jul 3rd) to mark the beginning of summer. Those of you that know, we’ll see you there. For those of you thinking what the f*ck is this dude on about, listen and learn.

An influential figure on the much hyped LA scene since day one, TAKE has consistently pushed the boundaries of that off-kilter boom-bap in fresh directions. Co-founder of the legendary beat showcase session ‘Sketchbook’, TAKE (aka Sweatson Klank) has been shamelessly droppin audio science from way back when. That tradition continues to this day with new material for the All City, Poobah and Dublab labels, an as yet unsigned full lengther and a fresh mix for Mary Ann Hobb’s BreezeBlock. Describing his music as a journey down dust covered roads of bit-crushed melodies, molested jazz samples and walls of bass, we recommend you TAKE (sorry) the opportunity to check out his live show while he’s this side of the water.

In the meantime, the Duke sat down and broke some bread with the man with an all important seven questions on life, inspiration and mid-century modern furniture:

Who is TAKE?
TAKE is the music that comes out of the young man they also call Sweatson Klank. Contrary to what the name implies.. it doesn’t mean to take things as in to take and receive. Rather, the music is my Take on things.. its just music and creative impulses flowing through my filter…my take.

When TAKE wakes each day, what inspires him to do what he does?
I guess im very inspired by my surroundings..Shapes, sounds, shades of sunlight, textures, the city around me, nature, the ocean, food, architecture, pretty much everything plays a part in art… Sounds silly but if you break it down to the bare essence thats what it really is.

What is important to TAKE? How does his music reflect it?
Its important to be happy. Thats got to be #1. After that, (which is a full time job sometimes)comes friends, music, art, food, nature. I’de have to say, im really into food..love to cook, and break bread with friends around a good meal.

What does TAKE think about the digital world in which we all spend so much time? How does he feel it has affected the quality and longevity of the planet’s creative output?
Well thats a tough question. Part of me loves the digital age alot. Everything right there at the touch of a button. So much information. If you want to learn, its alot easier these days to obtain information. I like that. But in another light, im trying to spend less time in front of the computer these days. I feel like life happens outside. True experiences and life lessons happen in the real world. Too many people living their life on the Internet in my opinion. As for the longevity aspect of what we as artists and musicians do. I suppose only the future can tell. But its hard to think of things preserved in the same way these days. Thats why, its always a plus when a release or project gets documented and released on vinyl. It will be around forever, in a tangible form. I like that too.

How does TAKE get down when not creating sound?
If im not creating sound, then im probably out and about in the city or taking a trip to the nearest park or woods. Trying to find balance and peace of mind. I may be cooking, or digging thru thrift stores for anything vintage. Records, clothes, and especially mid century modern furniture.

What is TAKE listening to right now? What was he listening to when he was 10 and what will he be listening to when he’s 100?
Lately, Im listening to all my favorite beat producers during the day, and jazz at night..lol…just a funny habit. Always jazz at night. Coltrane, Elvin Jones, Bobby Hutcherson, and many more.. 60’s stuff really. Also, I really listen to alot of experimental electronic and synthesizer music from the 70’s.. Thats stuff is my favorite. Just incredibly inspiring for me. When I was 10 I was listening to Micheal Jackson and Madonna, Hall and Oats, and Eurythmics..lol.. When i’m a hundred I imagine ill be listening to the waves.

What is TAKE here to do?
Take is here to make you smile.

Take pt.2 from ldtn on Vimeo.