Let’s get one thing straight, Shorty aren’t an all singing all dancing group of (let’s be politically correct here) ‘vertically-challenged people’. Neither are they a girl band who named themselves so, out of devotion to 50 Cent and that infamous line from the song In Da Club. Far from that, Shorty are, with the exception of two band members, well over six foot tall and are, with the exception of vocalist Celeste, male. Shorty was just an aptly ironic name for a band whose members are often referred to as ‘trees’. As for 50 Cent and the reference to ‘fine women’ Shorty were around long before that. What the band Shorty can be referred to however, is a seven- piece hip hop/funk collective that thrive on the live scene who have already been establishing themselves as a force in UK hip hop to be reckoned with.

The beginnings of Shorty started in Leeds when bassist Dan French met guitarist Jim Reynolds and drummer Charlie Taylor at university. Later on in London, DJ Hudge along with MCs Ducane and Cisco filled in the gaps while vocalist Celeste completed the picture when they found her singing at a friend’s party. So what happens when you throw seven strong minded people together and ask them to produce a sound? The good news is, Shorty landed on the right side of the term ‘mish-mash’.

With seven people who are all massively into music, how does a band find their sound? Shorty have taken in a varied range of influences; from Led Zeppelin to Gangstarr, from Stevie Wonder and Lauryn Hill to A Tribe Called Quest and Fela Kuti. These influences have thus contributed to their producing a sound that can’t quite be placed into a genre as such. Celeste agrees that “it is a fantastic thing although it can be difficult to explain sometimes”. The reason it is a fantastic thing is because, Shorty have found a way to ‘smash it all down and mix it up’ and produce something that appeals. “When you look at people’s influences these days you find that they like a bit of rock and they like a bit of hip hop but they also might like a bit of jazz and a bit of soul. There aren’t necessarily too many bands that mix them all together. They find it refreshing as music genres aren’t so defined anymore. It appeals to a much broader section of people,” say the band.

Their sound is further emphasised by their lyrics which broach anything that needs calling to attention. The majority of lyrics are written by Cisco, DuCane and Celeste who say that their songs, “come from experiences or things in a particular moment that spark a creative process.” Shorty’s songwriting process is as organic as sitting in Celeste’s flat, looking out a window and finding inspiration from an average Brixton street nut.

So does a band that so evidently know what it takes to produce good music ever think of using it as a tool to perhaps get political? Shorty acknowledge that “there are people who do the political thing really well and they should be commended, but we don’t want to jump on the bandwagon and do the political thing, just for the sake of doing politics.” They like to consider themselves more of a party band. That is not to say however, that they would ever sway in the direction of so many hip hop type bands that have started to jump into that other bandwagon of superficiality.

The superficiality here refers to the notion of sex, ‘bling’ and videos that feature ‘wall to wall ass shaking’ which more often than not, gets clumped into the urban culture scene. Shorty realise that they inevitably are representative of this scene and stress that they want no part of the trivial side of things. Says Celeste, “It’s a shame because there’s a whole generation of kids that are ‘plonked’ in front of MTV and there’s a whole generation growing up on this sort of degradation. It breeds ignorance and the more cynical that this generation gets, the more sex and porn that they have to sell to drag people in. There’s no aspect of our music that ever goes there and there never can be.” Shorty would rather stick to making quality music that is “slightly quirky and appeal to different people’s sense of humour.”

With attitude and their feet firmly stuck to the gravel, Shorty have been carving themselves a niche in the UK urban/hip hop scene. They’ve been dubbed the next big thing and have collected themselves the Diesel-U-Music Award for Hip Hop back in 2002. The band have worked with UK heavyweight producers, Blackbeard and have toured in Europe which included a Roots Manuva after show. Shorty reckon they would do well in the US as their brand of sound that blends different sorts of music has more of a niche there. However, for now, they are setting their sights on home ground. “There is a lot of talent and good music that hasn’t been given the chance and hopefully, we’ll be seen as a breath of fresh air,” says Hudge.

In the pipeline, is a mixed tape that they are in the process of producing for online release which will feature the best of five or six tracks that could sum up their sound and Shorty hope to be seen at the festivals of 2006. In the nearer future, they will be playing Cargo on 8th March 2006.

This band is set to make an impact. A tall order but one Shorty aren’t afraid to take on.

Cargo
83 Rivington St
Kingsland Viaduct
Shoreditch
London EC2A 3AY
www.cargo-london.com
www.shortyonline.co.uk

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The exquisite alchemy which takes place when music and visuals fuse has long been an underground phenomenon, inspired by early experimental film and developed through the nightclub and alternative art worlds.From acts who make both music and images, or who create live cinema, through to audio-synched visual mixes and animations, Optronica explores the growing sectors of live media and electronic music culture where performing and recording with both visuals and music are fast becoming the norm.

Optronica showcases both established and emerging talent, opening a new window on this blossoming genre of the arts and providing audiences with a rare opportunity to experience live experimental work in a cinema environment. Showing world premiere of Plaid (warp) & Bob Jaroc’s Greedy Baby UK premiere of DJ Spooky’s solo film remix Rebirth of a Nation AV spectacular from electronic music pioneer Karl Bartos and Addictive TV live on the roof of the National Theatre.

Highlights:
The Addictive TV guys (the organisers/curators of the festival), will be performing their new AV show at the festival, up on the roof of the National Theatre with huge projections on the side of the building that you’ll be able to see across the Thames.

The Plaid & Bob Jaroc’s new AV show – Plaid & Bob Jaroc will open the festival on Wednesday 20th July at the London IMAX cinema.

www.optronica.org

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‘Catalyst’ is a collaborative mix media project based around poems by London writer and visual artist Cat Miranda aka Cat Catalyst. Cat’s poetry explores spiritual and humanist concepts, embracing emotion and looking for a deeper meaning.

Choreographer Briar Adams creates the movement and composer Danbob Clarke contributes electronic beats, with lyrics by director Cat Miranda.

In addition to Cat Catalysts poetry, there are special guest appearances from active poets David J, Tim Wells, Ramshackle Event, Salina Saliva, Baden, Pom Pom Poets and more.

Rhythm Factory
16-18 Whitechapel Road
London E1 1EW
020 7375 3774

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The Wired Women of Spitalfields festival will start with a day of free entertainment and activities in Old Spitalfields Market. Featuring live music on a free stage, an art installation in a disused shop unit, a jumble sale, knitting circles, puppets, a tombola, a treasure trove, a 50s gramophone DJ,’shop window’ art installation and a theremin workshop, it will be a great day out and an important event for the market. A Bagpuss-inspired window shop installation will be on display at the currently deserted shop. That’s all topped off in the Spitz Venue with an extraordinary night of live music, DJs, VJs and film screenings.

Free in daytime
Tickets for night-time event in the Spitz. £8 adv.

With performances from:
Angie Reed, Cranes, Piney Gir, Anat Ben-David, Motormark, Funsize Lions, Ten Minutes With My Dad, Radical Cheerleaders, Ninki V, Japanese Intelligence
Mind Control and Venus Fly Trap

Plus DJ sets from:
Val, Craft, Two Birds, The Schla La Las, Ninja Jen, Gemma, Anna Schulte

Not to mention:
VJs, an art installation, film screenings, a jumble sale, a knitting circle,a tombola, crafts with Ninja Jen (including “how to needlepoint”), a theremin workshop and general zapping till late at night…

12pm – 6pm
Free events in Old Spitalfields Market with live music from: Cranes + Funsize Lions + Ninki V + Japanese Intelligence Mind Control

5pm – 2am
Music, DJs, VJs and films in the Spitz venue with live music from: Angie Reed + Anat Ben-David (Chicks on Speed) + Piney Gir (Truck) +
Motormark + Ten Minutes With My Dad + Radical Cheerleaders + Venus Fly Trap

A comprehensive list of activities can be collected on the day from the Spitz terrace from 11am.

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