Introducing – The Golden Hour

Back in October we hit the road in the Gorilla Perfumes tour bus and made beautiful music and words happen all over the UK’s favourite cities. We furthermore cannot be held accountable for the brief and slight olfactory improvements made in those cities. It was an incredible ride, and for those of you who missed us we present a brief video journey across the island. All the films were done by Luke Flemming on our Golden Hour ‘Infused & Bemused Tour’.

Golden Hour – Manchester – Billy Liar

Golden Hour – London – Robin Grey and Collisions Dance

Golden Hour – Edinburgh – Inspace

Golden Hour – Leeds – Robin Grey and Collisions Dance

Golden Hour – Oxford – Garance Lewis

Golden Hour – Sheffield – Hailey Beavis

Golden Hour – Brighton – Hannah Moulette / Ruth Skipper

Golden Hour – Stirling – Andy McKay

Golden Hour – Newcastle – Billy Liar and Ryan Van Winkle

Golden Hour – Stirling – Lake Montgomery

Buy The Forest / Buy Books

If you’ve been following the Save The Forest campaign, you know that the premises at 3 Bristo Place is up for sale. This means costly relocation, closure or The FOREST buys the building. Everyone can help the cause and I’ll hope you’ll consider buying one of these fine anthologies from Forest Publications. All proceeds will go directly to buying or relocating The Forest and you’ll get a lovely anthology of the finest new writing, and great music! Support this worthwhile cause. See below for all the details of go directly to Forest Publication’s on-line store to make a purchase!

The Golden Hour Book (and CD) Vol. II

IS THE GOLDEN HOUR BOOK SUITABLE FOR YOU?

If you enjoy words, the answer is ‘yes’. If you enjoy sounds, the answer is ‘yes’. Even if you have not answered ‘yes’, the answer is still ‘yes’. For The Golden Hour Book Volume II is not just a book: it is also a natural resource that may save your life. Its pages will burn without being consumed. It keeps tigers away.

The accompanying CD is equally essential: it can be used as a plate, or better still, sharpened and thrown like a shuriken into the throat of your enemy. Even if the end approaches, there is still the consolation of the words and sounds within — fine poems, stories, and songs from over three dozen poets, writers and musicians — all of which are guaranteed to take your mind off things.

‘There is genuine wit, deep feeling and real entertainment in this most enjoyable volume. Light-hearted and serious by turns, The Golden Hour Book Volume II contains some of the best and freshest new writing I have come across for quite a while.’

– Ron Butlin, Edinburgh Makar

Words From

• Ericka Duffy, When We Were Broke
• Andrew Philip, The Melody at Night, With You; The Berlin Jar; Watergaw
• Jane Griffiths, Lessons From My First Giraffe, Laws of Physics, St Stephen Place
• Spencer Thompson, Pancake, Am I a Bastard?
• Julia Boll, A House in Disorder
• Gloria Dawson, Lapse, A La Fin Tu Es Las
• Benjamin Morris, What I Like in Fights, The Apricot Pit, Hitchin
• Jason Morton, The Basics of Time Travel
• Kapka Kassabova, Buenos Aires: When I Return
• Alan Gillis, Anglican, Sifting Through
• Kona Macphee, Leprosy, fen train
• Phil Harrison, The Birds, Like
• Nick Holdstock, A Golden Bowl
• Aiko Harman, Lunch, Dragon Sculpting
• Russell Jones, The Electric, How to Kill a Blackbird, B. 1984
• Robert Alan Jamieson, The Commissioners Investigate
• Jane Flett, Flamingos
• Claire Askew, Flash; Dreaming My Mother: Tynefield, Penrith, 1974
• Ryan Van Winkle, Open the Connections, She Says; Waiting for the Ocean; The Apartment
• Lindsay Bower, What it’s Like When You’re Older

Music From

• Billy Liar, It Starts Here
• Vadoinmessico, Cave
• Mat Riviere, FYH
• Tuberians, Tuberians Have Landed
• Bob Hilary & The Massive Mellow, Hear Mi
• The Black Diamond Express, Jack
• Asazi Space Funk Explosion, Syababona
• Kevin Molloy, Goddess Of The Rain
• Sarazin Blake, India Or Spain
• Skeleton Bob, Love Song
• Diddley Squat, Camel Song
• Robin Grey, Women
• Mammoth, Sunshine
• Groaner & Heid, Massive Genius
• Jonny Berliner, Kneeling Down
• Poor Edward, Children Of Little Or No Importance
• Francois & The Atlas Mountains, I’m So Glad I Met You
• Chandra, Malaika
• Jack Richold, Lady Of The Calico
• Withered Hand, Takeaway Food

Reviews

“The CD sounds like that tent you find in the middle of the madness of one of the larger festivals. You know the tent, the one where you have no idea who any of the people on the stage are, but you find yourself staying there all day just to see who’s on next. With over 20 contributors, including the likes of Billy Liar, Withered hand, Skeleton Bob, Johnny Berliner, Chandra and The Black Diamond Express amongst others, I can almost guarantee that your new favourite song is contained within, waiting to be discovered.

‘When we Were Broke’ by Ericka Duffy is possibly one of the most beautiful and true stories I have ever read. It’s been a long time since a story has made me choke up. Other highlights, which are hard to pick out from a book made up of highlights, include ‘The Birds, Like’ by Phil Harrison, a wickedly captivating tale told from the point of view of a frustrated bully, and the poem ‘Lunch’ by Aiko Harman, if only because it mentions peanut butter, which in my world is a condiment. All in all this collection is a superb little package that you will return to over and over, highly recommended. ” – Unpeeled.com, Nov 2009

National Post

“A very impressive literary and music anthology. A dinky little paperback packed with stories and poetry, most of which are very good indeed, and a 20 track CD full of bands I have never heard of but also mostly splendid. (****)” – Scott Pack, Dec 2009

The Beat Surrender, 18 Dec 2009

“An eclectic, experimental, gently explosive treasure trove that brings together some of the creative combustions which light up the Forest Cafe.” – Edinburgh Evening News, 2 Jan 2010

“Reviewing this collection is like trying to herd cats into a sack — beautiful cats, strangely furred rippling, not quite tamed. It is a bold and commendable venture: to give voice to a number of (relatively) unknown artists although many of the writers have been short-listed for or won prizes. The Forest is to be applauded for the originality of this project. There is simply too much to cram into this review …. Best thing to do: buy a copy. Invite some friends round. Open some bottles. Host your own Golden Hour. Dance to poetry. Then do it again next week.” – Northwords Now, Autumn 2009

This month’s Golden Hour is proud to feature a selection of the the most exquisite musicians and the finest verbal alchemists.

Robin Grey avec ukelele

WHEN: Wednesday March 18th, 8pm
COST: FREE
ALCOHOL: BYOB, but pay your corkage

Readings:
Rosie Etherington – Prose and poetry from beyond the fold.

Lawrie Clapton – A savage youth, a beautiful new voice, a ruiner of many fine parties.

Robin J. Thompson – Killer on the Road.
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Ericka Duffy – releasing her new chapbook, The Succubus!

Music:
Billy Liar – Acoustic infectious punk. Billy Liar back on his home turf! Lucky us.

Robin Grey – He colours in his songs about love and life with guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, piano, double bass, organ, percussion toys, and any other instruments he can afford.

John Langan —  Insanely enjoyable, charismatic and eclectic   singer-songwriter whose style is rooted in traditional Celtic music. A joyful and relentless spectacle.