Between Hello and Goodbye: the Secret World of Sarah Records
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Press Release: For immediate release Between Hello and Goodbye: The Secret World of Sarah Records Over the May bank holiday Arnolfini presents Between Hello and Goodbye: The Secret World of Sarah Records, a weekender celebrating the legacy of cult 90s Bristol Record Label Sarah Records from Friday 2 – Sunday 5 May 2014. This event forms part of the Bristol Art Weekender - a four-day programme celebrating art across Bristol. Over the weekend Arnolfini will be presenting an exhibition of Sarah memorabilia including original artwork, sleeves, posters and fanzines, plus additional themed walks and activities. On Saturday evening the new documentary about the label My Secret World will be previewed during a concert programme featuring performances by bands from the label: The Orchids, Secret Shine, Amelia and Rob (ex-Heavenly). Sarah Records first operated from a telephone-free basement at the top of Blackboy Hill and then from a house overlooking Bedminster station, releasing 100 7" pop singles between 1987 and 1995. Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes, the label's young founders, then took out adverts in the music press headed 'A Day For Destroying Things' announcing that the label was over and that they didn't do encores. Since then, Sarah has acquired almost legendary status around the world, and is now the subject of both a documentary - My Secret World - The Story Of Sarah Records by filmmaker Lucy Dawkins - and a book, Popkiss: the Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records (forthcoming from Bloomsbury). My Secret World is the first feature length documentary to explore this legendary, influential and often misunderstood label. As well as displaying a healthy DIY punk attitude, the idiosyncratic label saw its productions as something of a love letter to its home city, featuring photos of Bristol on the centre labels of its singles, naming its compilations after local places, and giving away postcards that formed a jigsaw of Temple Meads station. Exhibition Friday 2 May - Monday 5 May, 11am - 6pm, free Concerts and ScreeninG Saturday 3 May, 7.30pm, £18 / £16 concs (price includes ticket to Clare Wadd & Matt Haynes: In Conversation) Performances from The Orchids, Secret Shine, and Amelia and Rob (ex-Heavenly) will follow a preview screening of My Secret World, plus an afterparty from 12pm. Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes: In Conversation Saturday 3 May, 5.30pm, £3 (free to ticket holders for Saturday night concert) In conversation with Sarah Records founders Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes. Sarah Records: Bristol Walks Saturday 3 May 1pm, Sunday 4 May 11am, Monday 5 May 11am, (leavinG from Arnolfini foyer), free just turn up As part of the exhibition Sarah Records label co-founder Clare Wadd will be leading themed City Walks in conjunction with local Ramblers, Brunel Walking Group. The walks will take in some of the locations, which gave the label’s releases their names, and are a perfect opportunity to explore Bristol. The walks run for about an hour and a half (covering 3 – 4 miles). Part of Bristol Art Weekender Four-days celebrating art across the city 2-5 May 2014 www.bristolartweekender.co.uk Join the conversation @ArnolfiniArts #SarahBristol -ENDS – Notes for Editors Secret Shine Secret Shine emerged from the late eighties/early nineties shoegaze scene. Releases on the cult label Sarah followed, most notably the single Loveblind and album Untouched. After a long lay off in 1996, the band reformed again in 2004 before tragedy struck in 2005 after the untimely death of drummer Tim Morris. After recording a tribute record to Tim, the band remained active releasing a number of EPs and the long player 'All of the Stars' in 2008 and 'The Beginning and the End' in early 2012, as well as numerous shows in USA and Europe. A new single and album are due in 2014/15. The Orchids The Orchids is an enigmatic five piece band, formed in the Glasgow suburb Penilee in 1986. Their first six singles and three albums were met with widespread critical acclaim. They graduated from the gentle lo-fi craft of their first album, Lyceum, in 1989 through to the ground breaking and progressive sounds of their third, aptly titled, StrivinG For The Lazy Perfection in 1994 with “sixth member” Ian Carmichael of One Dove at the studio controls. The group split up in 1995, playing their final gig at the Sarah Records farewell party. The Orchids reformed in 2004, and have since released LPs Good to Be a Stranger (2007) and The Lost Star (2011). Amelia and Rob (ex-Heavenly) Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey have been in indie bands together since 1986, including Talulah Gosh (1986-88), Heavenly (1989-96), Marine Research (1997-99) and Tender Trap (2000 onwards). Heavenly recorded their first three albums for Sarah Records, with the fourth coming out after the demise of the label. Heavenly was brought to an end by the early death of Mathew (aged 25) in 1996. The remaining members went on to form Marine Research (1997-99), with new drummer DJ Downfall. Since 2000, Rob and Amelia have been in Tender Trap with DJ Downfall, Katrina Dixon and Emily Bennett. Tender Trap is currently on a hiatus, so Amelia and Rob will be trying out some brand new songs at the Arnolfini as a duo. My Secret World - The Story Of Sarah Records A new feature length documentary digging into the label's history. Directed by Lucy Dawkins, the film features interviews with Wadd and Haynes, plus former Sarah band members and music critics. Interview with Director Lucy Dawkins here. About the Bristol Art Weekender Bristol Art Weekender Four-days celebrating art across the city Friday 2 – Monday 5 May Discover the work of leading artists. Seek the unexpected. Go behind the scenes and meet the artists. Get lost in the city. Taking place over the bank holiday weekend, the inaugural Bristol Art Weekender offers the chance to explore Bristol’s flourishing art scene. Involving over 130 artists, the Weekender’s ambitious FREE programme showcases art exhibitions of international acclaim, Bristol’s emerging artistic talent, one-off performances and site-specific installations in unexpected locations. Visit bristolartweekender.co.uk and download a copy of the full Weekender programme. Share your Weekender tweets and pics online #baw2014 The weekend will also see the launch of Bristol Art Map which can be found online at www.bristolartmap.com or on Twitter @BrisArtMap Admission and booking details FREE entry to exhibitions, installations and studios excluding RWA (free ‘open gallery’ event on Bank Holiday Monday tbc). Some events may be ticketed. About Arnolfini Arnolfini is one of Europe’s leading centres for the contemporary arts, presenting innovative, experimental work in the visual arts, performance, dance, film, music and events, accompanied by a programme of educational activities. Five exhibition spaces, a theatre/cinema auditorium, Reading Room and Light/Dark Studios are housed in the Grade II listed, fully accessible building. The converted warehouse also contains one of the country’s best arts bookshops as well as a Café Bar serving the best in local and seasonal produce. Arnolfini is a registered charity, core funded by Arts Council England and in receipt of regular funding from Bristol City Council. Open: Tuesday – Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 11am - 6pm Admission: Free www.arnolfini.org.uk @ArnolfiniArts For more information and images contact: Rob Webster, Marketing and Communications Manager T: 0117 917 2315 E: [email protected] A selection of images is available and downloadable from www.arnolfini.org.uk .