Author: Caroline Jaine

Meditation teacher. Artist. Author

I Am Kloot Let it All In

I Am Kloot won’t go away.  They are beginning to dominate my shuffle and I wondered whether another album was going to tip things over the edge.  However their performance last night  Islington Assembly Hall has inspired me to rush to pre-order their latest album, Let it All In.

At first glance there was nothing different about the Kloot set: Pete Jobson lovingly embraced his bass, Andy Hargreaves effortlessly stroked the drums, and John Bramwell, his foot on a beer crate, throbbed to his own melody and quipped about drink and disaster.  But there was something that made everything and everyone in the band better last night.

The trio have been tenaciously playing together for years – through gritted teeth and record-label let-downs they have carried on.  Their last album, Sky at Night, was produced by Guy Garvey and Craig Potter from fellow northern band Elbow.  As a result the Mercury nominated work was laced with Elbow strings and whilst it remains one of my favourite albums ever, it felt over-orchestrated, perhaps too smoothed out and true Kloot grit softened.   However, with Potter and Garvey’s hand less obvious, last night Kloot revealed who they really are. Nestled amongst classics like To You, From Your Favourite Sky, and No Fear of Falling their new songs felt like they belonged. Without giving too much away, the set included intimate guitar moments and edgy big sounds, that even Bramwell confessed “scared the shit out of me”. There were more songs about the night and cloudy skies, bullets, television and love, but whilst both lyrics and melodies take you by the hand and lead you perilously close to cliché, there is genius in how Kloot flip to reveal the dark swirl of their uneasy underbelly.   Kloot forces your face into sadness, anger and fear at tranquil moments when you least expect it – and it is thrilling. Listening to Kloot was once described as having shards of glass in the candyfloss.  Last night the candy and the glass was in everyone’s mouth.  Closing the show with Twist was the icing (and the blood) on the cake.

It’s as if Bramwell has finally grown into his dad’s coat – the one he has been eying on the coat rack for decades.  It fits perfectly now and it has a credibility and a history that much of the music world lacks. These are songs meant to be delivered by a gravely 40-something, greying Mancunian.  The London crowd roared their support when the Mancunian uttered, “Fuck the X-Factor”.  But it’s not about not being popular, its about not being mainstream. You can be one without the other. Part of the motivation behind Askance is a response to a world full of vacuous, meaningless drivel inspired by money rather than talent.  The X-Factor ethos permeates art, literature and music.  But we also live in a world better connected than ever before, where creative excellence can more easily be shared. There are not many “unsuccessful” bands that could sell out on a Tuesday night to such an enthusiastic crowd.  Kloot, your time has come, let it all in.

You can pre-order Let It All In now on www.iamkloot.com  

(Photograph of John Bramwell by Caroline Jaine, 2012)

A Different Way of Looking at the World

Standing outside Cambridge railway station at seven in the morning seemed like a good idea the night before over a glass of wine.  When the alarm bell sneaked into my dreams and I dressed in darkness my enthusiasm waned a little.

Askance Publishing was set up over a year ago.  It has been an interesting journey – one I never expected and one which I fell into almost by chance. Having a father as a brilliant writer has been the main catalyst for making Askance work.  His talents are unsigned by the mainstream publishing world – not through rejection but choice.  Last year he told me he simply doesn’t have the time to spend months sending manuscripts to publishers.  We knew there were other writers out there who felt the same and were put off.  My father’s first novel sold well over 1000 copies without any mainstream backing and when he approached me with ideas for a second I was ready to help.  Between us we had design, layout, proof reading, editing and marketing experience and what we didn’t know we learned. My father was always someone to approach things differently, and it was an idea of his that took me to Cambridge train station this morning.

18 months since Askance began and we have worked with over 20 writers and artists from all over the world. We have looked at a wide range of work from poetry, travel stories to conceptual art. Some we have published, to others we have offered developmental advice and as I write there are people putting pen to paper or wrestling with layout software.  For some we were putting their work into print for the first time, but not for all.  We chose the slogan, “a different way of looking at the world” to echo our interest in promoting non-predictable writing and art, but also to challenge the arduous publishing process and making it a pleasurable process for all concerned –  even if it involves waking early on cold November mornings.

Most inspiring for me is the community that Askance appears to have inadvertently generated.  At the launch of Positional Vertigo last week, seven authors attended.  It was a real joy to see them excited with the project, swapping contact details and even embarking on an impromptu reading – suggested by one of the visitors at the event.  We have also made friends with local businesses (like the pub!) and charities. We are small enough for this to still feel like a family and broad enough for that not to be too stifling.

This morning was fresh and as golden light crept into the sky, my dad handed me a wad of carefully crafted booklets each bearing the words, The Subtle Thief of Youth accompanied a picture of a ghostly looking girl.  His idea was to share the first chapter of his new mystery novel with commuters.  Free literature.  If they liked it they might buy the whole book or come along to the launch on Tuesday – or come and hear him talk at Waterstones, Plurabelles or one of the other events we have organised.  At the very least they might be entertained. My enthusiasm was quick to return and donning my Subtle Thief t-shirt, I began the task of handing them out.

I hope those who took the first chapter of The Subtle Thief of Youth on their journey today not only enjoyed the read and the suggestion of murder so early in the day, but also appreciated that Askance is not about mainstream mass marketing – it is about a love of words and a wish to share them.  It has a different way of looking at the world – just like my father.If you missed us at the train station, but would like to download your free first chapter click here

Launch of Positional Vertigo

On 6th November seven of the 16 authors gathered with friends and supporters for the launch of the Askance 2013 short story anthology, Positional Vertigo, at The Hopbine in Cambridge.  Presentations were made to the winner and runners up of the 2012 short story competition, and an impromptu reading session was instigated by a friend of one of the authors.  Askance would like to thank all that came to celebrate and all that contributed to the book.  Look out for the 2013 competition!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Askance blogging

This space is for writers who want to share their words on the Askance platform.  We are interested in relevant art and book reviews, and articles about publishing and writing.  We cannot make payment for anything written, but we can share it with a wide network.  Articles not much longer than 500 words are better.  Images are good too (we especially like black and white ones).  Please submit full proof-read articles to Askance for consideration.

We are specifically seeking reviews for the Cambridge wide “Text & Context” exhibition taking place in October 2012.  Please visit the website at http://www.textandcontextcambridge.co.uk for more information.