Strummerville will be showing at the ICA as part of a double bill.
Supersonic Sound is a great film about the life and heritage of Don Letts.
“Strummerville is a documentary where Grammy winner Don Letts demonstrates how Joe Strummer’s DIY attitude is manifesting itself through a charity which helps aspiring musicians; and Superstonic is about Don Letts and the musical/cultural history of bass in Britain. From Kingston to London, New York to Rio, Dub to Dubstep; bass has had a resounding impact on musicians and music lovers alike.”
Strummerville + Superstonic Sound with Q&A @ ICA, London
6, 9, 14 Oct 2010
[more info]
Excerpt:
“Don Letts, the documentary-maker, DJ, former member of Big Audio Dynamite and an old mate of The Sex Pistols and The CLash, doesn’t do apethy. He has made a short film to highlight the efforts of young bands that are still carrying the flame of Joe Strummer, thanks to backing from the charity Strummerville, set up in memory of the punk visionary and supported by friends including Damien Hirst and Billy Bragg. Bands such as The Riff Raff and Nimmo & The Gauntletts have benefited from Strummerville’s network of live events and rehearsal spaces. The otherwise exasperated Letts found himself ‘really encouraged by the project’.”
More info: www.skyarts.co.uk/video/strummerville
Excerpt:
“The afterlife of Joe Strummer is proving to be surprisingly rich. A blockbuster biography, a Julien Temple documentary, a string of tribute records, a limited-edition Strummer Telecaster and a Great Western loco bearing his name are all part of a wider sense that Strummer’s life and work remain an inspirational example. As Billy Bragg puts it here: “He’s not a legend but a legacy.”
Don Letts’ film supplies a snapshot portrait of Strummer’s life and times, including plenty of great home movie footage, and weaves this biographical material into Strummerville’s work. Several of the young acts that have been given a helping hand had only a vague (or no) notion of what Joe Strummer achieved, but all are quick to grasp that authenticity is at the centre of his output. “He was a man of the people,” says Alex Thomson of The Riff Raff, one of the hopefuls helped by Strummerville. “We’re trying to keep the fire burning.”
So far names like Shooting Star Poets and Nimmo And The Gauntletts remain on the fringes, but one senses that Strummerville, as alt.Fame college, will help deliver a breakthrough soon enough. “It’s about making bands stand on their own feet,” says one of the Gauntletts.
Produced by musician and film director Don Letts, Strummerville charts the work of a new music foundation inspired by The Clash’s late lead singer Joe Strummer.
Following his death in 2002, the charity was set up in the spirit of his name the following year to create opportunities for people through music that have the will but not the funds to further their creative talents.
The documentary is spliced with previously unseen footage of the iconoclastic bellwhether in concert and at home; comments on man from the likes of Damien Hirst and Billy Bragg, and their relationship with the charity; and interviews with those who have been affected by his work. A touching tribute to the man of the people.
Excerpt:
“Given that it is a documentary about the innovative music charity set up by Clash frontman Joe Strummer’s friends in the aftermath of his untimely death in 2002, it’s hard to think of an individual more suited to the task of directing it than Don Letts. This pioneer of punk/reggae fusion was pivotal member of the punk community, a close associate of The Clash, and a member of Mick Jones’ post-Clash band Big Audio Dynamite. Letts went on to direct Westway to the World, the cornerstone film documentary on the subject of The Clash.
Whilst his pedigree is unquestionable and his ensuing direction of Strummerville cannot be faulted, this is neither a film about Strummer nor The Clash. Instead, it is the briskly but efficiently told story of Strummer’s namesake charity, which has grown quickly from its inception in 2003 to greatly increase its remit; beginning with a vague intention to carry on Strummer’s legacy and DIY ethic, the charity has stumbled into vital relationships with other organisations and into the provision of free support and near-free studio time to artists in desperate need of a step up. Avoiding the term “bands” is wise here as before long, Strummerville demonstrates the surprising breadth of musical styles it has supported in its short but productive existence so far.”
Excerpt:
“Letts said of his film, ‘In a cultural climate that feels like punk never happened, Strummerville (the film) serves as a timely reminder of a way forward. It worked back then and it can work again.’ To see Joe’s ethos in practice leaves you with a lump in your throat. As he said ‘Everybody has a story to tell,’ and this film explains how his organization helps a new generation tell theirs.”
This film is a available on DVD exclusively from our website, click here for more info
Excerpt:
“Strummerville is an organisation I have a lot of love for. Joe Strummer was a hero of mine. His death affected me greatly and I wanted to do something to pay my own tribute and conceived and delivered Charlie Don’t Surf: A Cinematic Tribute To Joe Strummer. It took place at the Curzon Soho in London in 2005 and celebrated the film work of Joe, as actor and composer. The event was staged in association with Strummerville, the charity set up in his name following his death. When I heard that Don Letts had a made of film of the work they were doing, I knew I had to spread the good word.
Trish Whelan, director of the charity explained how the film came about:
“I guess [it] came about when Don saw so much good stuff going on around the charity and he got a real sense of the work we are trying to do here. He was the perfect person to tie it all in. He was so close to Joe for all those years and has such a great handle on good music and I really feel he managed to tap into the essence of Joe and the real essence of how we work here”.
Strummerville helps young, aspiring, struggling musicians get the basics to succeed. They help supply places to rehearse, places to record, exposure, advice and support and as with everything surrounding Joe’s life, the pool of talent to draw from is extensive and special.”
Strummerville Campfire @ Glastonbury – June 24th / 25th / 26th / 27th
Strummerville will be kicking off this year’s festival tour at their natural home, Glastonbury festival. They will be lighting the campfire (the biggest campfire at Glastonbury) Thursday night and keep it burning till Monday morning.
Situated in the unfair ground field in the exact same spot where Joe Strummer used to have his fire, the Strummerville campfire sessions will start at midnight every night and will run until 3am. Confirmed acoustic performances from bands include a mixture of Strummerville supported bands and bands who are fans of Joe Strummer himself, such as: The Drums, I Blame Coco, Beans on Toast, Handshake, Sound of Rum, Ali Love, Lissie, Fionn Regan, Frank Turner, Depot, Nat Jenkins and many, many more (some who can’t be announced!).
In true Strummerville spirit, no times will be announced for any performance, the best way to find out is to swing by and say hi during the day to find out who’s playing that night, rest your feet on our many sofas, grab a tea from the cafe or take part in our drumming workshops.
For Joe Strummer, the idea of a “campfire” – any loose assembly of people bonded by the rising flames and the advancing dawn – became an art form in itself.
We’re here to provide warmth, encourage conversation, listen to amazing music and generally spread the love. Everybody’s welcome.
Strummerville 2010 Campfire dates include:
Glastonbury: 24th – 27th June
Lounge On The Farm: 9th – 11th July
Secret Garden: 22nd – 23rd July
Endorse It In Dorset – 6th -8th August
AVAILABLE NOW: The new Film about Strummerville, entitled Strummerville, directed by legend Don Letts – “In a cultural climate that feels like punk never happened Strummerville (the film) serves as a timely reminder of a way forward. It worked back then and it can work again – and man it needs to!” – Don Letts
‘Strummerville’ – Joe Strummer’s political spirit of punk, transcending generations.
To watch the trailer and buy the film – Click Here
Links:
http://www.strummerville.com/strummerville-campfire-at-glastonbury-festival-2010/
http://www.facebook.com/Strummerville
http://www.myspace.com/strummervillelondon
Excerpt:
“In addition to the brilliant music that Strummer made, the movie also showcases some of the young acts that have benefitted from Strummerville’s work — the best of whom are The Riff Raff, Nimmo And The Gauntletts, Smokey Angle Shades and Beans On Toast (who drew two lines underneath my left eye when I saw him at the South By Southwest Music Festival in March).
Strummerville is also affiliated with and supports other like-minded organizations, two of which get special attention in the film. Camden Calling is a non-profit outfit that uses music to help homeless and vulnerable people in the trendy London, England neighbourhood of Camden. The Bragg-founded Jail Guitar Doors, named after a 1978 Clash song, is an initiative which aims to provide instruments to prison inmates to help rehabilitate them.”
We were honoured when Don Letts wanted to make a film about us, and here it is …
“In a cultural climate that feels like punk never happened Strummerville serves as a timely reminder of a way forward. It worked back then and it can work again – and man it needs to!” – Don Letts.
£10 plus shipping
PAL / REGION 2 – Click Here to Buy Now
NTSC / REGION 1 – Click Here to Buy Now
Loads of love,
Strummerville x
Please note:
This DVD is PAL / REGION 2 as per map below
NTSC / REGION 1 DVDs (ie US territory)
However this DVD will play on all multi-region DVD players
“Strummerville is the brand new film produced by musician and film director Don Letts. Inspired by the late Clash lead singer Joe Strummer, Strummerville charts the work of a new music foundation of the same name, which creates opportunities for people through music. In the film we are introduced to various aspiring musicians, but the most interesting aspect was the work the charity has done to reach out to Liverpool youths, such as previous Redtop featured artist Shooting Star Poets and also prison inmates, both providing arguably the film’s most touching moments. You don’t need to know who Joe Strummer was or know who The Clash were to enjoy this film; it’s funny (wait to you see female Camden rapper Dekay) and you may even spot the Roundhouse studios’ as one of the opportunities that the Strummerville charity can give access to.”
We wanted to share this video with you, made by el Parlante Amrillo. It features Don Letts talking about his new film ‘Strummerville‘.
Here’s what el Parlante Amarillo had to say on their website:
“The leader of the legendary band The Clash, Joe Strummer, not only made history as a musician and visionary, but that still leaves a mark on new generations of artists through Strummerville. Don Letts made a documentary about the Foundation, and with it brings us closer to punk Strummer’s legacy.”
