Julian and I are self-releasing our latest The Slowest Lift album called ‘Plutonic Shine’. It’s available on pre-order at the moment so click on our bandcamp link above to purchase one. The record is due a vinyl release later on this year so keep your eyes open for that. There are 2 tracks you can hear now and the rest will be up on the 2nd August which gives us time to dub the tapes.

I’m still obsessed with The Slowest Lift and constantly blown away by what can be artistically achieved through working with another human on a project like this. I couldn’t do this without Julian, it’s so unique to our collaboration and that’s really a special thing to have going on. I encourage new collaborations constantly so I hope this is inspiring to read, find a like minded friend to make something new happen, it’s a wild process.

New incoming… 19th July

Last time I saw Bong play with Bridget Hayden the lads from Bad Guys were crowd surfing and that’s quite impressive when the music is really slow –

Bong with Bridget Hayden

Stoner Doom legends Bong will be joined by Bridget Hayden, this is a rare chance to see them play together! If you caught their collaboration at Supernormal a couple of years ago then you’ll know this is not to be missed! Bong will be bringing their own brand of heavy droned out doom with Bridget bringing her signature feedback infused fuzzy blues guitar and haunting vocals.

Sat Nav Tod

A new collaboration from Roy Claire Potter and Sophie Cooper, exploring themes around travel and place through improvised trombone and spoken word.

Tickets- https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Oldham/Golden-Lion-Hotel/Bong-with-Bridget-Hayden-Sat-Nav-Tod/13569515/

I wanted to wait until all the shows were available until I posted about my great friend Alannah Chance’s amazing achievement called New Weird Britain which is a 4 episode documentary series on BBC Radio 4. Alannah has worked really hard on this series which involved doing a ton of research into the UK DIY and contemporary music scenes today. The shows are only half an hour each so obviously not everything can be covered but I think these shows do a fantastic job capturing a bit about what’s happening out and about. I hope people listening will be encouraged to do a bit of research themselves after hearing them and will perhaps do something like visit us at Tor Festival in Todmorden, our little corner of this weird island, which is discussed in the second episode. Anyway, great job Alannah, keep at it!

Click hear to listen to all the shows. 

click on the link to buy tickets!! #VisitTodmorden! 

I’ve just released new EP which you can listen to on my bandcamp page. It’s short because I had some 3 inch CDRs to use and there are now only 4 of these left so if you want one please buy it via my Bandcamp page 🙂 It’s guitar and vocal improvisations, recorded at home. Very lo fi! Hope you enjoy. 3inch has a little lino print made by Jake Blanchard and that’s worth the fiver alone.

http://soundandmusic.org/projects/meet-2019s-composer-curators

Jake and I were selected to take part in this year’s Composer Curator programme with Sound and Music. This means they’ll be supporting us in new programming in Todmorden where we’ll be working with schools to showcase traditional instruments from places in the EU. They will also be supporting us in this year’s Tor Festival.

Big thanks to the team at SAM for this opportunity! We were in London last week meeting all the participants in the programme and it was so good to meet other people doing interesting creative things from across the country.

Tod folk fest is upon us! That first year encountering the drunk harpist jamming in The Wetherspoons beer garden image will never leave me.. nor will the distant sounds of Morris Dancer bells haunting the air throughout the valley. I have massive respect for Esther, Ruthie and the rest of the team for putting this fine event on year after year so good luck and hope it goes well you lot.

We’re providing a pop up Tod Folk Fest event this Sunday in Tor Beers inside the Golden Lion. It starts at 5.30pm and will feature Alison Cooper aka Magpahi with a full band I believe so that’s exciting.. plus the lovely Rebecca Lee and Marie Thompson are coming all the way from Nottingham to provide us with some flute and oboe processed sounds. Is it folk though? I don’t mind if you don’t mind.

See you there my darlings x

Facebook event page –

https://www.facebook.com/events/2335293103422112/