Dead Rat Orchestra, Lisa Knapp and filmmaker James Holcombe to bring hanging back to Norwich for live film/soundtrack event

The Dead Rat Orchestra (DRO) take the concept of the live film score to a new level as they tour their acclaimed score to James Holcombe’s Tyburnia around the country. They will be joined by groundbreaking singer Lisa Knapp, one of the UK’s finest interpreters of song, and Holcombe, who will perform the film live. Using multiple projectors and screens, Norwich Arts Centre on 27 July.

The band release a special edition of their score featuring the original album packaged with a new text and cuttings of the film stock used in the creation of Tyburnia (Antigen Records) on 13 July. London’s Serpentine Gallery will also be publishing a book, On Tyburnia, detailing Holcombe’s unique and highly researched approach to creating the film.

‘brilliantly conceived, meticulously researched and compellingly delivered … challenges and coerces the listener to both muse on the past and consider the present state of power, punishment and dissent.’ Froots Magazine

Shot on 8mm and 16mm film and using hand processing and historic chemical techniques Tyburnia is both visually and thematically engrossing, demonstrating how, despite the gallows having long since vanished, we still stand in the shadow of it’s punitive ideology. Now for this unique live presentation Holcombe will be utilising 6 film projectors and three screens, physically manipulating, distorting and occasionally destroying the film live, to create unique performances in each location. In addition each event will be introduced by a regional historian adding further context.

For over 700 years there was a site of execution at Tyburn in London (now internationally famous as Speakers Corner in Hyde Park). Those who fell foul of political, religious and judicial reforms enacted by the state were executed for public entertainment and instruction. These executions chart a history of the UK, illustrating the twists and turns of monarchical and political whimsy, church and state, and the birth of capitalism. In the current climate of enforced austerity and social reform, Tyburnia explores the parallels between contemporary and historical notions of crime in relation to business and property, the spectacular nature of punishment, and the state’s use of the body as a site for political control.

DRO have seized this opportunity to breath new life back into some very peculiar and rare folk songs. With their gritty, rough hewn interpretations and dextrous multi-instrumentalism, the three-piece have created an evocative soundtrack featuring songs composed by, or for, those condemned to ‘dance the Tyburn jig’. Many of these broadside ballads have become a staple of folk music, but here, presented in close association to their original context, their power and resonance can be truly appreciated in a new light. DRO have also crafted contemporary versions of long forgotten songs in the luridly descriptive ‘thieves cant’ (a secret language used by thieves, beggars and hustlers of various disciplines).

Daniel Merrill of Dead Rat Orchestra said ‘Tyburnia is one of the most challenging and important projects we have undertaken. We’ve been working on it for three years, and it keeps getting more intense. The addition of Lisa’s voice and musicality opens up new avenues of song for us to enable us to really do justice to James’ extraordinary film’.

Lisa Knapp added ‘I’m thrilled to be asked to join DRO for these live soundtrack performances. I think people will be surprised how much the film and these old songs resonate with the current economic climate’

See a short sample video of Tyburnia from the Spill Festival here:

DEAD RAT ORCHESTRA : JAMES HOLCOMBE – Tyburnia from Pacitti Company on Vimeo.

‘(DRO) subverts the stolid conservatism that has come to be associated with much of today’s folk music and reconstruct it from the ground up.’ The Quietus

One of the UK’s most innovative ensembles, The Dead Rat Orchestra’s music has been performed, installed and experienced across Europe, North America and the Middle East. Their soundtracks have featured on BBC Television and at Tate Modern. They have toured internationally with artists as diverse as Martin Carthy, Godspeed You Black Emperor!, Pere Ubu, Silver Mount Zion, Eric Chenaux, Silver Apples and Baby Dee. They have composed works for the London Contemporary Orchestra, Britten Sinfonia and the Ukranian Conservertoire. Acutely haunting, occasionally brutal and raucously joyous, their music always attempts to enchant and entrance, be it emotionally or physically.

Lisa Knapp’s new album ‘Till April is Dead – A Garland of May’ has received rave reviews (‘overflowing with warmth, light and waywardness’ ★★★★★ The Guardian) and recently entered the top 40 Independent Albums chart.

James Holcombe’s work has been exhibited throughout the UK and Europe including the Serpentine Gallery, Tate Modern and festivals and artist run spaces worldwide.

www.deadratorchestra.co.uk www.jamesholcombe.net  www.lisaknapp.co.uk