Saturday Night at The Howff with Loki, Karine Polwart and Jigsawtiger

howff /haʊf/. A favourite meeting place or haunt, especially a pub.

This week at the Howff, we welcome Jigsawtiger, Karine Polwart and Loki.

The multi-award winning Karine Polwart – folk singer, storyteller, author, theatre-maker and musician extraordinaire – has just released a brand new BIG collaboration project. Together with the wonders of Oi Musica and the Soundhouse Choir, Polwart has released Enough is Enough, a call to creative arms composed with the express purpose of inviting choirs, street bands and community groups to learn it in the hopes of making a musical response to the UN Climate Change Conference (to be held in Glasgow in November of 2021). Over the pulsating oscillations of many voices raised in unison, the video poses the question, ‘If planet Earth could talk to us now, what might she say?’ and Polwart’s tentative and tender lyrics respond in plaintive tone : ‘I gave you all I have, but you always want more.’ 

You can learn more about Enough is Enough and how to get involved here.

Star of Scottish hip-hop, and Orwell prize winner Darren McGarvey, otherwise known as Loki, has just dropped his latest music video / short film, I W!$H ! W^$ D£AD, upon us from a great height. It merges two pieces, Wish I Was Dead and the spoken-word Don’t Jump, which both implore the listener to push through the mental health or drug addiction issues that might be darkly clouding their vision. The words are eloquent and driving, full of searching spirit, evidencing Loki’s adept lyricism and intelligence. It was released on the 19th of November, which also happens to be International Men’s Day (you know, that day that ignorant contrarians insist ought to exist annually every International Women’s Day) and whether this was coincidence or not, both music and video fearlessly tackle many of the urgent issues – depression, suicide and drug abuse – facing men today. Featuring gorgeous cinematography from Tommy Slack, who manages to make Glasgow’s imposing skies look lit by UV light, I W!$H ! W^$ D£AD is a dexterous collaboration and a powerful piece of art.

You can hear more from Loki and support his work at his website here. If you are suicidal, PLEASE contact Samaritans NOW at 116 123.

Glaswegian producer, performer and DJ Jigsawtiger is due to release her debut EP, VOIDS, in early 2021, but in the meantime she has dropped her first single, Bones. Pounding synth and industrial beats introduce this stompy-pop banger, merging with a soulful melody redolent of early 2000s chart toppers. Her soulful vocals combined with the track’s rugged, electronic backing create a dance landscape that is a tribute to the city that raised her. Bones is self-produced and is an interesting introduction into the world of Jigsawtiger. I look forward to hearing more!

You can hear more from Jigsawtiger and support her work at her website here.

 

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  1. Peter says:

    Thanks, great new piece from LOKI

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