During this time she was very much involved in the London music scene and worked alongside Charles Hayward (The Heat) for a stint and was also picked up by The Orb’s Alex Patterson who produced a version of her song ‘Tiny Snatch of Daylight’.

Continuing on with her tuneful edification, Lyndsey continued to conduct musical experimentation and also begun to play the bass guitar. Further inspired, by a Juana Molina concert, she purchased herself a loop station. This enabled he to find a perfect blend for live improvisations, pre-recorded sounds and songs.

Currently she’s involved in the solo project under her own name and is also part of accordion-acoustic driven duo ‘Wooden Dresses’ which has involved collaborations with Sheila Chipperfield (ex Elastica), Rae Spoon and Cindy Wonderful (Scream Club).

From acoustic to accosted Lyndsey provides those all inspiring Poll 13 answers.

The album I live my life by…
Belle & Sebastian, Tiger Milk

The song I wish I had written…
Party GAMES by Lal Waterson & Oliver Knight

The song I’m glad I didn’t write…
The Birdie Song

If I could stalk one celebrity rock star…
PJ Harvey

If I could resurrect one rock star it would be…
Freddie Mercury

Celebrity Death Match Opponent…
Kid Rock

My best gig ever…
Pixies in Bristol ‘89ish

If I could get one band to cover one song…
Iron & Wine sings ‘I see a darkness’ [Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy]

If I could wipe a music genre off the face of the earth…
Christian Rock

The first record I ever bought…
Ottawan, Disco

On my ipod/mp3/walkman device right now…
La Roux, Bulletproof

Superpower I wish I had…
flying

Does your musical style influence your underwear?
no

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More info: www.lyndseycockwell.com

You can pick them up here!

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More info: http://www.rueroyalemusic.com

1. What would you say is the most important theme in your work?
The most important theme in my work would have to be love. I hate to sound corny, or even too girly, but there are so many different avenues of love and I find it working itself into each of my pieces. Whether it’s a protective love of something, or love of cake, it’s the most important theme.

2. What’s most inspiring to your working process?
I would have to say music. The way a song might make me feel, or a lyric that stands out to me. Music is a huge inspiration and without it I would suffer greatly – in my work and in my life.

3. Have you any strange talents that influence the work you produce or the way you produce it?
Um….strange talents? It’s not really a strange talent per se, but the way I think is a little odd at times (which might be true for a lot of creative people), and that aids in making my work a little different. I wish I had a strange talent though, I wish I could bend in half and smoke with my foot.

4. Which artist of the past would you resurrect to collaborate with and why?
I would chose Andy Warhol – even though I’m not his biggest fan. I think I would love the ridiculousness of his scene and antics, and I could learn a few things about marketing from him as well. Plus I love a man in a white wig.

5. Do you think your work is understood or misinterpreted and why?
For the most part, I feel my work is probably misinterpreted, because of it’s happy sugary appearance. My work is emotionally driven, it can be very dark and sad in my approach, but it kind of hides itself behind my characters – strawberries, ice creams, candies and such. So in that way, it might be misinterpreted. It’s a huge compliment to me, when someone see’s passed the smiley rabbits and see’s the true me.

6. If you could decorate one place in the world what would it be and how would you do it?
Dang, at this point in my life, I’d like to decorate a home for my family and myself to live in. To paint and incorporate weird things and make it warm and liveable and unique. I know that isn’t very impressive or artistically grand, but my body’s itching for it!!! I love those decorating magazines, my favourite was Home Companion before it was cancelled.

7. What to date has been your ‘cherry on the cake’ moment and what was it that got you there?
A “cherry on the cake moment”…hmmm. I have to say all of it. My life at this point. Having solo shows, having a book, people supporting me, asking me if I’m ‘Brandi Milne’. It’s an unbelievable life, one I never really thought I’d achieve. My work is my blessing, and I can’t thank people enough for their love and kindness supporting it.

8. What we ask everyone! Does your artistic style influence your underwear?
Yessss!!! This is a wonderful question, thanks for asking! Cute underwear is kinda hard to find, but I will hunt for it throughout the land if I have to!!! Polka dots, stripes, candy colours, lace, print, fabric, cut – it all has to come together in perfection for me. I love it! That’s one of my favourite questions, good job!

More info: www.brandimilne.com

The latest release ‘Revisitation’ comes as a double CD compilation album celebrating 20 years contribution to floor stomping. It contains many classic early tracks such as ‘Gulf Breeze’. I write that longing to dig out the old vinyl!

In 2008 Joie Hinton left the band leaving Pepler to continue the legacy as a solo project. Merv graces UPFRONT with a response to the all important Q10.

1. How did you get started?
My fire’s were lit when I used to spend school lunchtimes in the music room playing around on a Korg MS 10..loads of silly wobbling sounds not unlike the early Dr Who episodes! Eat Static started after I met Joie and we discovered we shared the same passion for silly synth noises and acid..

2. What ingredients do you need to mix together to produce the recipe of your sound?
Take a good dollop of bass, sprinkle with acidic herbs, a pinch of humour, season with lashings of foreign spices..

3. Did your first gig make you hungry for more?
In a way, though it was pretty difficult getting all those analogue synths to behave and stay in tune amongst the sweaty punters..I remember one of the Atari computers crashing once and having to play the bass drum and bass live! Mixmaster Morris was on hand to mix some weirdness over the top to ease the pain..funny, a punter said afterwards it was the best gig he had seen us do…and he had been to over 20..

4. What’s the biggest ‘cock up’ to date?
Well the last answer was a pretty bad one… prob the worst was when we flew to Australia to play at a solar eclipse in the desert… we had no working visa’s and we got ditched to immigration by a rival promoter… we got there and spent 2 hours in prison before being sent straight back home… they did give us a bowl of cornflakes mind!

5. What is it that inspires you to make your music/sound?
I still always feel like a kid in a sweet shop when I start a tune… so many possibilities to explore..I guess I am influenced by the old and new..my childhood definitely comes through as my favourite shows were the bleep soaked Sci-Fi series’ of the early 70’s..plus some punkiness of the early 80’s,the dark edge… and also modern day stuff… I listen to so many types of music… mainly world, middle eastern, African..

6. What would be the icing on the cake?
Finishing interviews? Oh, a lorry turning up at my house with all the old glorious analogue synths that were around when I was a mere child… maybe delivered by Joanna Lumley, in a red lotus soft top, holding an ice cold Mojito!

7. How will you be remembered? (what will make you vintage?)
After 20 years (yes, it’s my 20th THIS year!) I think I am already qualifying for vintage!

Probably remembered as ”That mad bastard that refused to stop playing childish silly dance music and get a proper job..” but he made a lot of people smile..”

8. Describe your music as if it were a fine wine.
Full bodied, deep red, the dark stone fruit flavours of techno given extra complexity by underlying flavours of acidicness, yet soft leading to a whole experience on the palate..drink at maximum sweaty temperature..

9. AfterMint! Does your musical style influence your underwear?
Not lately, but maybe the one’s my mother in law buys would..

10. Digestive! What do you know about Luxembourg?
Ginger nut! Oh does that place REALLY exist? I have driven round it, through it, over it, next to it…and still never noticed..

More info: www.eatstatic.co.uk

Currently he works both solely and in collaboration with fellow artist and good friend Rutger Termohlen. They’ve worked on a number of projects – sharing a vision on life and work – which as resulted in canvasses about daily life that question the society we live in.

Colin also has the pleasure of being the first of the UPFRONT’s new A8 [Artists Eight] questionnaire…

1. What would you say is the most important theme in your work?
Trying to give things and situations that I do and don’t understand a place in my work. Things like human and animal behaviour (they’re quite similar). Our information generation, references to my childhood also. Basically everything that surrounds me every day.

2. What’s most inspiring to your working process?
The moments when things go wrong in a process just when you didn’t suspect it so you have to adapt to the situation you are in. All my thoughts have to ‘fit’ while working on paintings and installations.

3. Have you any strange talents that influence the work you produce or the way you produce it?
It seems that I always talk to myself while I’m working… to me it’s not that strange but for 99% of the people I know it is…

4. Which artist of the past would you resurrect to collaborate with and why?
My grandfather who passed away years ago, he taught me how to draw birds, he was really good at it because he had many tropical species. Think it would made him proud if he could see what I’m doing now.

5. Do you think your art is understood or misinterpreted and why?
Basically most people understand the work, because the situations I paint reflect on many people, it’s only how you interpret it of course, but that’s different for each one.

6. If you could decorate one place in the world what would it be and how would you do it?
Maybe paint all the ugly huge skyscrapers in big cities around the world because the pollute my view! Paint them like huge forests for example, so nature fights-back on the concrete, would be a life-lasting project but why not.

7. What to date has been your ‘cherry on the cake’ moment and what was it that got you there?
Hard question because I’m always looking forward, but there are some moments of course that are very satisfying like the exhibitions we did in Paris, Berlin, N.Y.C. and here in the Netherlands of course, the people who you meet and the friendships that grow out of it. Last year I was involved in making a video clip for DJ Funkerman feat. I-fan and we had to paint almost every part in that video, crazy to do but to see your work moving is so nice. All things that you dreamed of as a little kid coming true.

8. What we ask everyone! Does your artistic style influence your underwear?
Ha-ha, I reverse the question, once I painted the pattern from my boxer shorts on a canvas, so the underwear inspires the style I guess…

More info: www.collinvandersluijs.com | www.flickr.com/photos/collinvandersluijs

‘Shelly’, along with their kick drum, shakers and guitar resulted from a decision to jack in the ‘normal’ life and become a full-time band. Married couple Ruth & Brookln Dekker moved out, sold up and hit the road. That was back just in March 2008. They forged forward scheduling a 20 date European tour which boasted sell out concerts in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

Brookln, the ‘US’ component of the duo, grew up in St Louis whilst Ruth, the UK element, heralds from the Midlands county Staffordshire. They met when Ruth was state-side, later marrying and setting up home in Chicago. Their name ‘Rue Royale’ comes from a road in the Chicago suburbs.

The first fruits of their labour was in the form of their 2006 EP, ‘The Search For Where to Go’, and has since been followed up by their debut album at the start of 2008 – the self titled Rue Royale. If you are lucky you may still be able to get a handmade/hand stitched copy from their website. (BUY THE CD HERE BEFORE IT SELLS OUT)

Tour dates, which have seen them previously play in the historic Sturmglocke squat site in Hanover to an intimate house show in rural Yorkshire, Rue Royale have shows up until December. Catch them in a town near you soon!

Here Brookln tells all on the UPFRONT Q10 interview.

1.How did you get started?
In 2005/2006 I was in a rock ‘n roll band in Chicago called Trevorside and the band was coming to an end. After rehearsal one night I came home to Ruth and was venting about it all and we ended up writing a song together (Even In The Darkness). It was the first time we had ever tried writing together and we really liked the tune. We recorded a quick demo of it and sent it around to our friends and everyone seemed to be quite positive about it and encouraged us to continue writing together. We did and in about a month’s time we had 5 songs written for our first recording together ‘The Search For Where To Go’ EP.

2.What ingredients do you need to mix together to produce the recipe of your sound? 
Well, when we started writing our first batch of songs together we lived in a flat in Chicago with a grumpy (I’m being kind:)) upstairs neighbour. She was hateful to us often and so in an effort not to disturb her, when we played music, we did so very quietly. We also found that getting the mood right in the room with some candles and little light was inspiring and ushered us into a creative space. Hence the ‘candle-lit, hushed sound’ of Rue Royale. Funny thing is, we don’t live anywhere near that crazy neighbour anymore but we still have had to rehearse/write with the ‘hushed’ sound as last year we sold all of our stuff and moved in with friends and family so that we could afford to tour more and focus on the band full time. So living in other people’s home we still find ourselves whisper-rehearsing.

3.Did your first gig make you hungry for more?
Our first gig was hands down our worst performance ever. In fact, I was so discouraged that I said I wouldn’t play another show. Fortunately, I had already had a second show booked and wanted to honour that. The second show was a huge leap forward and therefore we decided to march on…

4.What’s the biggest ‘cock up’ to date?
They are countless and too many to rate best or worst. I screw up all the time. I think that’s part of the charm of our band. We don’t pretend to be anything we are not. We’re a family and a band. Therefore we are very comfortable with each other and are more free to try new things. Unfortunately most of those end up as ‘cock-ups’

5.What is it that inspires you to make your music/sound?
I’m not sure if it’s inspiration or necessity. What I mean is that when I’m not making music or being creative I tend to get a bit down and depressed. It’s just something I have to do. As far as lyrics go, we tend to draw on past experience and inner monologues. You know, like questions we all have about life and stuff. We’re not really trying to change the world, maybe just bring attention to the beauty that’s already there, even if the beauty is in unanswered questions.

6.What would be the icing on the cake?
Being in a band with best friend and lover is icing and cake:)

7.How will you be remembered? (what will make you vintage?)
That’s a funny question. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of it before in the context of our band. I’d like to think people will appreciate our honesty and hope. We are what we are whether it sells records or not.

8.Describe your music as if it were a fine wine.
Like a deep velvety robe, with suppleness, grace and charm, that stands alone.

9.AfterMint! Does your musical style influence your underwear?
Not at all. My mood and the amount of walking I’m planning to do in a given day do.

10. Digestive! What do you know about Luxembourg?
Regretfully, I don’t know much about Luxembourg. We’ve played in Luxembourg City twice and Differdange once. I do know this: Luxembourg is a gorgeous country with an interesting history (dating back to Roman times, right?) and we’re looking forward to going back to play/visit (and hopefully learn more about the country) this autumn. Anyone want to give us a tour when we’re there?

More info www.rueroyalemusic.com | www.myspace.com/rueroyale

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NEXT GIGS

27 Aug – NBI, Berlin [DE]
28 Aug – Hasenschaukel, Hamburg [DE]
29 Aug – Motoki Wohnzimmer, Köln [DE]
30 Aug – Hafen 2, Offenbach [DE]
31 Aug – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Leeuwarden [NL]
01 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Zwolle [NL]
02 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Deventer [NL]
03 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Amersfoort [NL]
04 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Rotterdam [NL]
05 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Westland [NL]
06 Sep – Media Art Festival, Leeuwarden [NL]
07 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Amsterdam [NL]
08 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Leiden [NL]
09 Sep – House Show w/ The Black Atlantic, Enschede [NL]
10 Sep – Exhaus, Trier [DE]
11 Sep – Autre Part, Differdange [LU]
13 Sep – Kinky Star, Gent [BE]
14 Sep – Drugstore, Lille [FR]
19 Sep – Incubate, Tilburg [NL]
20 Sep -  Het Podium, Lazy Sunday Live Hoogeveen [NL]
01 Oct – Platform (@ the Old Post Office) Shrewsbury [UK]
04 Oct – Katie Fitzgerald’s Stourbridge [UK]
18 Oct – The Robin Hood Sherwood [UK]
21 Oct – Harpurs Cellar Bar, Bedford [UK]
25 Oct -  Lee Rosy’s Tea, Nottingham [UK]
16 Dec – Lee Rosy’s Tea, Nottingham [UK]

Truely inspiring work. Find out more www.rezaart.com

By 2008 Peter was in Wales, UK recording his first full album ‘Dust, Doors & Debts’. His music has best been described as ‘Grunge Folk’ – raw emotive vocals laid over acoustic guitar. 2009 he has so far released the EP ‘Veer’ and has a number of tour dates in Europe and the US from September. UPFRONT caught up with him on the Q10

1.How did you get started?
I started as a solo singer songwriter, in May of 2005 with my first EP release, ‘A Year Worth Forgetting’. After having been in numerous bands in Boston during my years at Berklee, I decided honestly to not have to deal with ego in other singers. I felt that if I could handle all duties, meaning lyrics, vocals, guitar, composition, and performance why not go solo. This way I can only blame myself for the outcome, and doing so became a singer by default. I was always a songwriter, first and foremost, and I fee in that capacity lies my strength as a communicator.

2.What ingredients do you need to mix together to produce the recipe of your sound?
Environment, mood, some rifts which lead to answers through songs to questions in my life. My Martin guitar, perhaps the ocean, or woods, and solitude. Thinking of the past, as I write my future.

3.Did your first gig make you hungry for more?
Ironically my first gig, was the start of my first NW Tour. I literally played my first show ever as a solo artist on May 26th of 2005, in Berkeley California, than got in my car and toured all the way to Seattle. Yes it made me hungry for non stop touring, and thankfully is still with me today, as far as a hunger and need to live it as much as possible on the road.

4.What’s the biggest ‘cock up’ to date?
I assume “Cock Up” means screw up ? hoping. To stay in the realms of political correctness of course.

Usually musically speaking I don’t really screw up honestly. As for other parts of my career, well…..I would have to say financially and planning touring and releases, and things of that nature, have led on occasion to mishaps along the way. I would never say a blatant “cock up” happened, however plans changed, people came and went, and so did record labels, managers, booking firms, and fans. All part of learning what is and is not important in the music business. Words are used so often by companies to inflate what they do, or don’t do usually that they seem to prey on a musicians sensitivity in their own careers professionally. I feel this is the crux of most mishaps I have had to endure in my 4 year time frame as a solo artist.

5.What is it that inspires you to make your music/sound?
A need to be heard, when in the past I was never allowed to speak my mind. I don’t do this through words, literally I do this through the entire song subject and what it is trying to get across to the listener. I think pain, loss, expectation, selfless-ness, and of course improvement are the factors that go into my song writing.

6.What would be the icing on the cake?
I would not have to book a single show, worry about distribution, press, or radio help, and mostly I would have touring cycles set 6 months out, where I would not have time to worry about finances since at that level everything would be handled by companies. I am getting real close to attaining all of this, I feel its all within my grasp this coming year in 2010 with this upcoming sophomore full length release that will be internationally released in conjunction by 3 separate record labels. The US, UK, and Europe will all have a taste of my music this coming year.

7.How will you be remembered? (what will make you vintage?
Personally, I don’t sit back and wait for anyone to do things on my behalf both in my personal life, and professional career. I assume I will be remembered for my DIY mentality, and for one way or another getting it done time in and time again regardless of what pitfalls I had to step over.

Musically, I hope to be remembered as something completely individual, original, and genuine. I hope that one day underground songwriters on the indie level as I am, are given a fair shot to compete on the world stage musically. Its my wish and hope that the music lives on of course, and its my hope that someday, regardless if its in 10 years from today, or 100 years from today, that I will be an influence and importance to a niche group of people who look at music in a deeper, harder light than that of the masses of this world.

8.Describe your music as if it were a fine wine.
I used to work in a Wine company in SF, lets see what I remember…..

A smooth red wine like a Merlot with hints of nut flavour to add grit to a otherwise perfect aftertaste.

9.AfterMint! Does your musical style influence your underwear?
No comment. I don’t wear any!

10.Digestive! What do you know about Luxembourg?
I know that its strong enough financially to be its own entity, I also know its got really nice people who live there, as I do have some fans in that area of Europe. I know its positioning perfectly between France, Germany, Brussels, and the Netherlands. I also know that one day it would be great to do some shows there.

Find out more: http://peterkasen.wordpress.com & www.myspace.com/petermatthewkasen

Utterly awesome project from Bang-yao Liu [senior project at Savannah College of Art & Design].

“Where my idea comes from is that every time when I am busy, I feel that I am not fighting with my works, I am fighting with those post-it notes and deadline. I manipulating the post-it notes to do pixel-like stop motion and there are some interactions between real actor and post-its.”

Directed by Bang-yao Liu
Music by Röyksopp (http://royksopp.com)
Sound design by Shaun Burdick
Actor: Chun-yao Huang