The stunning video to Matthew Herbert's new single, Leipzig, is out now! You can watch it exclusively on the NME website.
The video was styled by Rowdy Superstar, choreographed by Barbara Panther and directed by Margaret Salmon.
And it reveals a side to Herbert which you may not have seen. And that's before he starts singing...
Leipzig is released on 29 March.
ONE ONE, the first part of Matthew Herbert's ONE Trilogy, is out on 12 April.
Watch the video on nme.com now
Recently there has been some media attention around One Pig, the third part of the "One" Trilogy by Matthew Herbert, (to be released on Accidental in September 2010). It will use sampled sounds from the life of a pig reared at a Farm in Kent, slaughtered, and then eaten. Matthew described his thoughts on the project at the outset -
“I wanted to record one human life and make that into a record but it soon became clear that following someone from the cradle to the grave is too difficult. Pigs are animals which humans totally rely on in many different ways, yet systematically abuse, so I felt this would be an excellent representation of a modern life.”
Matthew has also responded to animal rights group PETA in a statement online -
“I'm puzzled and disappointed by PETA's assertions about one pig because this project is in part about dealing head on with the conditions and realities of a modern food industry. As I eat meat, I would have thought PETA would have been pleased that I am confronting the consequences of that choice. Unlike most industrial pig farms, my pig was kept in excellent conditions but was always grown by the farmer for slaughter. My desire to listen in to that entire cycle and represent it as music is not, and never was intended to be cynically repackaged purely as entertainment.”
For more information on the journey of the pig visit thisisapig.blogspot.com
For more information on a project inspired by this album visit www.seeyourfood.org
This year Matthew Herbert will be releasing a trilogy of albums on Accidental.
The first is One One, which Matthew has written, performed, recorded and produced entirely by himself, to be released in April. One One features Matthew singing for the first time. The result is his most intimate and “honest” musical production since he first performed live at Wishmountain in 1995, using only a pepper pot as an instrument.
The second in the series is One Club, being released in June 2010. The samples used for the album were recorded in their entirety at the Robert Johnson club in Frankfurt, Germany, in September 2009. Matthew turned the microphones on the audience - recording dancing, kissing, laughter, mobile phone rings and a plethora of sounds. He even recorded private conversations and sounds from the toilets.
The One Trilogy concludes with One Pig, released in September 2010, which will use sampled sounds from the life of a pig reared at a Farm in Kent, slaughtered, and then eaten. Initially Matthew had wanted to record one human life but due to the difficulty of that he chose a pig instead - "Pigs are animals which humans totally rely on in many different ways, yet systematically abuse, so I felt this would be an excellent representation of a modern life.”
iTunes has chosen The Invisible as its Album of the Year! The award, made by the editorial team at iTunes UK, rounds off an amazing year for the band in which they've also been named the Mercury Prize judges as an Album of the Year, toured to adoring fans throughout Europe and U.S. and sold out three shows in London during Dec. Blimey!
And if you haven't yet sampled the delights of this stunning album, you can buy it on iTunes.
Accidental Records has been described by Observer journalist Paul Morley as "the label of the century so far". The piece, focussing on work of label boss Matthew Herbert also proclaims his impact in resisting conformity and striving for quality and originality.
Read the rest of the Matthew Herbert interview and article.
Matthew Herbert is set to make musical history this weekend when he partners with legendary auctioneer Simon de Pury to create an improvised "sound bed" for the an auction of art works and artifacts themed around music.
De Pury - owner and Chief Auctioneer of Phillps de Pury & Company - will lead proceedings at the auction house's MUSIC sale, which comprises four main elements: art and design by contemporary artists that has a reference to music; art by contemporary musicians; portraits of contemporary musicians by top photographers; and a unique selection of music memorabilia.
During the second half of the sale, Herbert will use both the sale items and the bidding process itself as stimuli for an improvisation which will in turn be recorded and sold.
The auction takes place on Saturday 21 November at 5pm.
The lots are currently being exhibited at the company's London showroom:
Phillips de Pury & Company, Howick Place
London
SW1P 1BB
Tel: +44 20 7318 4010
The plaudits are now flooding in after another landmark performance by The Matthew Herbert Big Band with Eska and The Goldsmiths Vocal Ensemble.
This week's show at the Barbican, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of The British Council, has already been described as 'spine-tingling' by The Evening Standard. We'll share other reviews as they come in.
We'd like to thank The British Council for hosting us, Serious for all their work in making the show happen and the other performers on the night.
The Matthew Herbert Big Band plays London's Barbican Hall tonight in a sell-out show to mark the 75th Anniversary of The British Council.
Reprising last year's landmark performance at the London Jazz Festival, the band will be joined onstage by the 75-strong Goldsmiths Vocal Ensemble, to perform material from the album There's Me And There's You.
The show has completely sold out, but there are likely to be just a few tickets available at the last minute for those who fancy taking their chances.
For an insight into the Ensemble's preparations for the performance, check out this piece in The Times. Journalist Ed Potton has joined the Ensemble and written about the experience of working with this amazing group.
Congratulations to The Invisible, whose show-stopping rendition of London Girl was acknowledged as one of the stand-out performances at last night's Mercury Music Prize awards. They might not have won the award but they certainly won a host of new fans.
And just to keep all of their fans happy, there are some lovely new photos up on the Accidental Website. What do the photos look like?
The Invisible have been nominated for the 2009 Barclarycard Mercury Prize! This makes their stunning debut officially one the Albums of the Year.
The Matthew Herbert-produced record has already been hailed by critics and fans alike. Great to see it getting the credit it deserves.
Not heard it yet? Buy it from our shop or iTunes now!
