The Irrepressibles

The Irrepressibles

How did the group get together?
Jamie: Well, originally we were five - it all began at university in 2002. We made some releases, collaborated with many artists, did some fantastical shows and then it ended. On the reputation of the old group and the interest of people in the project, I founded what became an orchestra of 10. That then became 11 with sound artist William Turner-Duffin. We're a varied bunch of playful misfits.

You describe yourself as 'baroque shock'. What sums up your sound?
Jamie: Someone else described us as that, I think in some review. We've been described as everything from 'utterly disturbing' to 'incredibly moving'. We often get reviewers that are completely scathing about everything we do, then give us four and a half out of five. We're like nothing you've heard or seen before I can say assuredly. And if you have they've probably been influenced by us.

What is it that makes you so irrepressible?
Jamie: My attitude to creating things - no commercial, historical or cultural restrictions! The music and work is instinctive, playful and sincerely emotional. The arrangements and style of the current music is just
what is coming through me now.
Jordan: The fact that we're still going strong despite setbacks over the years. A 10-piece ensemble is always going to be difficult to manage and yet we're more committed than ever, producing even more groundbreaking shows. I mean, the fact that we, an unsigned band, have had an entire floating stage built on a lake for us at one of Britain's largest music festivals [Latitude] is testament to the faith people have in our strength and commitment to pull shows together (and the music of course!).

'All musical performance can't help but be theatre. I believe it's pretentious when it pretends that it's not'

There is a significant theatrical aspect to your work. Do you come from drama backgrounds?
Jamie: It's play! We create new visions to surround our music in performance, on film, or in photography, to give it a landscape to live in. All musical performance can't help but be theatre. I believe it's pretentious when it pretends that it's not, bands in jeans and T-shirts keeping it 'real' [feigns falling asleep].
Jordan: Most of us probably have a secret diva inside, and with some of us it's less hidden than in others! We have many friends in the theatre world and their advice is always invaluable. There's an inherent theatre to performing music anyway, (which a musical training sometimes suppresses) but Jamie makes sure it's always at the forefront of our performances.

You are currently appealing for donations to fund your debut album. How far away from the target amount of £10,000 are you?
Jamie: We've had some incredible donations and many people are giving online but we're still not quite there yet sadly. We still need your help!

Your music has a slightly unsettling component to it. If you were asked to produce a warning sticker for your debut album, what would it read?
Jordan: SUITABLE FOR ALL. I don't think there's anything wrong with unsettling people. It's like fairy tales by Wilde or Grimm or Andersen. They're meant for children and yet there's always such a dark undertone. People love an emotional rollercoaster and boy do we have one!
Jamie: Monkeys of all ages and walks of life like our music, so far. Some monkeys will invariably not like it but this doesn't concern me. All good music should challenge in some way otherwise it's just 'anti-modernist' light entertainment. This music doesn't just have to appeal to the highbrow crowd me thinks, though a lot of the avant-garde is the beginning of new ideas. Music should be the precursor to a new era.

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