If you’ve had the opportunity to swing by London’s majestic Somerset House this summer, perhaps you may have caught the stunning exhibition currently running there: Daydreaming with Stanley Kubrick. A collection of contemporary artworks inspired by the legendary film-maker that brought 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange and The Shining to the big screen, it is curated by Mo’Wax and UNKLE founder, James Lavelle.
Although the exhibition itself runs until August 24th, this weekend will see an extra special audio visual event take place as Lavelle brings UNKLE:REDUX to perform in the historic courtyard as part of the venue’s Summer Series.
A collaboration with composer Philip Sheppard, who’s worked with Lavelle since the 2003 UNKLE album, ‘Never Never Land’, UNKLE:REDUX features musical contributions from the likes of The Duke Spirit’s Liela Moss, Eska, YSÉE and Dorian Lutz, and visual accompaniments from (among others) Nathan Coley, Samantha Morton, Tupac Martir, and Kubrick himself. The event will premiere material from the outfit’s forthcoming album – their first since 2010’s ‘Where Did The Night Fall’.
Support on Sunday comes from Jocelyn Pook with Manickam Yogeswaren, who will be recreating the soundtrack of Kubrick’s 1999 Tom Cruise-starring erotic drama, Eyes Wide Shut.
Ahead of this feast for the senses, we’re excited to reveal that UNKLE will be releasing a brand new track. The gospel-infused ‘Cowboys or Indians’, which is taken from said promised LP, will be available from tomorrow on iTunes, but can be heard exclusively here.
Speaking to Clash about the new track, Lavelle told us: “Right back since the beginning I’ve always wanted to make a record that comes from a soul background. For some reason it never happened, so I’ve gone right back to the beginning, like Massive Attack’s ‘Blue Lines’ or Smith & Mighty, and I wanted to give sound system records a modern twist. It’s a nod to my childhood.”
“‘Cowboys ir Indians’ was recorded in Berlin, London and Somerset,” he continues. “London is incredibly important to me. I wanted to make a record that is an ode to the past with a foot in modern London. This track comes from more of my hip-hop roots than my most recent records, going back to a similar process to ‘Psyence Fiction’. It’s a love letter to London and the music it’s influenced by.”
“The track looks back to the way I grew up with records as a teenager. When I grew up I was exposed to sound systems, hip-hop, post punk, and acid house. I’ve tried to combine these influences in a modern way, working with young artists such as Elliott Power, YSÉE and Mïnk. Their inspirations have made this record more contemporary. Elliott Power is very English; he’s not a rapper that’s trying to be American. He brings that British multi-cultural feel to the music.”
UNKLE:REDUX (with support from Jocelyn Pook with Manickam Yogeswaren) takes place this Sunday (July 17th) as part of Summer Series at Somerset House with American Express®. For more info, check out the Somerset House website.
