International goth community united once more for Bat Conservation:
The Eden House (UK), Bloody Dead And Sexy (Germany), Gitane Demone (USA) and Red Sun Revival (UK) just a few to lend their names to third and final ‘For The Bats’ fundraiser
Halloween is almost upon us, and musicians from all corners of the globe’s gothic, post-punk, deathrock and darkwave communities have once again rallied together to support Bat rescue, rehabilitation and conservation. Leading names like The Eden House, The Danse Society, Red Sun Revival and Bloody Dead And Sexy (feat. Gitane Demone) spearhead a cast of twenty-five bands and recording artists on ‘For The Bats Volume III’; the final installment of the successful fundraising compilation series, with all proceeds paid directly to the Bat Conservation Trust (www.bats.org.uk).
Since the movement’s inception, bats have been an enduring symbol of the gothic and deathrock music scenes. They adorn landmark début record sleeves from Bauhaus and Christian Death, while London’s Batcave nightclub in Soho became a thriving hub of the early eighties subculture. Rob Leydon, frontman for popular UK gothic rock outfit Red Sun Revival, and a member of both The Eden House and Soulscape, observes:
“Since 1979, when Peter Murphy of Bauhaus sang “The bats have left the bell-tower” on arguably the first recognisable goth hit, ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’, bats have remained the flying mammal of choice for countless goth lyricists throughout the three and a half decades that followed. These fantastic winged creatures are surely emblematic of the alternative scene and its eerie black-clad devotees.”
But they are also more than just a symbol, says ‘For The Bats’ curator Candy Durant.
“They are beautiful animals, often misunderstood to be vermin or pests when in reality, they are very important to the balance of the Earth’s delicate ecology. They spread seeds for reforestation and help to control insect populations that would otherwise overrun crops in their billions.”
Support for environmental causes and animal welfare is widespread throughout the goth community, with many adherents also embracing Pagan philosophies in their outlook on the living world. Several of the compilation’s featured artists were immediately on board out of their love for animals. Mel Draper, founding member of Californian-based Soulscape remarks:
“I’ve yet to meet a goth who doesn't have a fondness for bats and cats, and these days most of the goths I know are either vegan or vegetarian, which I think is a fairly good indicator that we’re a scene with a real affection for animals in general.”
Alongside established names from the US, UK and Europe, ‘For The Bats’ also brings together artists from some of the farthest reaches of the Earth. Bands like Alaskan duo Cliff and Ivy, Australia’s Sounds Like Winter, and Disjecta Membra from New Zealand all hold a very specific enthusiasm for bats; particularly those species unique to their respective regions.
“There are seven known species of bats in Alaska”, says Ivy Silence of Cliff and Ivy. “What are they doing here? Mostly feasting on giant mosquitos. People study how they hibernate in extreme cold to learn more about how mammals survive it.”
For some, the connection with bats also has cultural and spiritual dimensions.
“Bats are New Zealand’s only native land mammals, known as Pekapeka”, says Michel Rowland of Disjecta Membra. “My family have a strong ancestral tradition with Tā Moko, customary Māori tattoo. According to legend, Pekapeka are guides who aided humanity to navigate the underworld, Rarohenga, thence to retrieve the art of Tā Moko from a supernatural people called Tūrehu. There are markings found in Moko signifying bats for this reason.”
For remote, lesser-known or newly established bands, involvement with the popular compilation series alongside some of the scene’s bigger names has also had the added benefit of greater exposure to an international audience, as Sounds Like Winter frontman Ant Bannister notes.
“Since we appeared on the second Bats comp the sudden exposure to other bands and new fans has supercharged the progress of our relatively new band. Must be positive Bat karma!”
Just released (20 October) in time for Halloween, the album is available exclusively from http://forthebats.bandcamp.com for just $9 US. The download comes with a 26-page pdf booklet containing bat artwork and band photos, along with information on the charity and each of the twenty-five songs and featured artists.
BodyBeats productions is happy to announce to you all that there will be a second edition of the Black Easter festival.
Here are the first confirmed names for the 2016 Edition!
The young and fresh Belgian Celtic/Folk artist ELVYA DULCIMER, The German Medieval formation HEKATE, the British experimental industrial cult band of Martin Bowes, ATTRITION and last but not least... The legendary Neo-Classical band from Sheffield, UK... IN THE NURSERY!
Early Bird Tickets will be available online within the next week.
'Ixcanul' by Jayro Bustamante wins Grand Prix for Best Film at the 42nd Film Fest Gent
On Wednesday 21 October, the international jury of Film Fest Gent, led by jury president Sir Alan Parker, announced the winners of the different competitions. 'Ixcanul' by Jayro Bustamante won the Grand Prix for Best Film. The Georges Delerue Award for Best Soundtrack went to Johnnie Burn for the soundtrack of 'The Lobster' by Yorgos Lanthimos. The winners of the different short film competitions were also revealed.
This year’s international jury consisted of jury president Sir Alan Parker, Marjane Satrapi, Caroline Strubbe, Boyd van Hoeij and Franco Lolli.
1. OFFICIAL COMPETITION
- Grand Prix for Best Film: IXCANUL by Jayro Bustamante (Guatemala/France, 2015)
Belgian distributor: Cinéart
This prize is worth €43,500 in total, which is split into a cash distribution grant of €20,000 as support of the film's release in Flanders and Brussels (in at least five movie theaters), and a media return of €23,500.
Motivation of the jury: "We were moved by the unconditional love of a mother for a daughter and the honesty and grace of the filmmaking."
- Georges Delerue Award for Best Sound Design: THE LOBSTER by Yorgos Lanthimos (Greece - United Kingdom - Ireland - The Netherlands - France, 2015).
Belgian distributor: Imagine Film Distribution
This prize is worth €21,500 in total. It consists of a distribution grant worth €10,000 and a media return worth €11,500.
Motivation of the jury: "For the creative, eclectic and imaginative use of music and sound design".
2. AWARD FOR BEST BELGIAN STUDENT SHORT
- National Lottery Award for Best Belgian Student Short: FLOR DE MIL COLORES by Karen Vazques (KASK). The winner receives the National Lottery Award for Best Belgian Student Short, worth €2,000. This film was chosen by a professional jury, with as members Ely Dagher, Amira Daoudi, Charlotte De Bruyne, Emmy Oost and Mathias Sercu and presided by Dirk Van Extergem.
Motivation of the jury: "This film called for our attention on different levels. In an intelligent way, the director takes us with her into a world of dualities: claustrophobia and freedom, desperation and hope, visual style and content."
- ACE Image Factory Public Choice Award: DRÔLE D'OISEAU by Anouk Fortunier (LUCA School of Arts)
Last Sunday, the ACE Image Factory Public Choice Award was announced, which consists of a grading session worth €6,500 at the audiovisual post production house ACE Image Factory for a next film project.
3. EUROPEAN SHORT FILM AWARD
- Ghent nomintation for the EFA qualifying round: LE MUR by Samuel Lampaert (Belgium, 2015)
This prize nominates its winner for the Prize for Best European Short of the European Film Academy 2015-2016. The winner will be announced in December 2016.
Motivation of the jury: "The award for best short goes to a full-fledged film with a humoristic tone."
4. EXPLORE ZONE TRAIL
- Explore Award 2015: SLEEPING GIANT by Andrew Cividino (Canada, 2015)
No Belgian distributor yet. The Explore Award was conferred on Tuesday 20 October by the youth jury that gives out a publicity campaign for the film on various media outlets: Studio Brussel, Knack and De Morgen.
The winners of the Port of Ghent Public Choice Award and the Canvas Audience Award will be announced on Monday 26 October.
Film Fest Gent's 42nd edition runs until 24 October. All information at www.filmfestival.be.
“Coordenadas Suicidas” (Suicidal Coordinates) is the main single, probably the most danceable theme on the album, a contrast to the lyrics, that aims to delve into the irrational impulses that lead the human soul to choose the wrong ways, even knowing that destiny holds tragic end.
On the 26th of October 2015 the first full CD by Soul Embrace called 'Good Morning to Myself' will be released worldwide on Starman Records. Meanwhile have fun with their first single from this upcoming CD called 'Tarantino Cool'
