Hoxton Hall
Hoxton Hall, still an active community resource
Address	130 Hoxton Street
City	Hackney, London
Coordinates	51°31′54″N 0°04′49″W / 51.5318°N 0.0802°W / 51.5318; -0.0802Coordinates: 51°31′54″N 0°04′49″W / 51.5318°N 0.0802°W / 51.5318; -0.0802
Designation	Grade II*
Architect	James Mortimer
Owned by	Hoxton Community Trust
Capacity	120
Type	Community and touring performance
Opened	1863
Years active	1863–1871
Previous names	Mortimer's Hall Hoxton Hall Dancing Academy MacDonald's Music hall Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Mission
Current use	Community centre and performance space
www.hoxtonhall.co.uk

Hoxton Hall is a community centre and performance space in Hoxton, at 130 Hoxton Street, in the London Borough of Hackney.

A grade II* listed building, the theatre was first built as a Music hall in 1863, as MacDonald's Music hall. It is an unrestored example of the saloon-style. In the theatre, an iron-railed, two tier galleried auditorium rises on three sides, supported on cast iron columns, above a small, high, multi-tiered stage. It survives, largely in its original form, as for many years it was used as a Quaker meeting house.

The music hall lost its performance licence in 1871, due to complaints by the police; it was sold, and the new owners applied for a licence in 1876, but were again rejected. William Isaac Palmer (1824–1893) purchased it on behalf of the Blue Ribbon Gospel Temperance Mission in 1879. Palmer was an heir to the Huntley and Palmer biscuit family and spent much of his fortune on charity. On Palmer's death, the hall passed to the Bedford Institute, a Quaker organisation dedicated to running adult schools and alleviating the results of poverty.

Today, the hall is used as a community centre and performance space, predominantly for youth groups.

Notable recent performances[link]

• On invitation from Lisa Goldman, artistic director of award winning theatre company The Red Room, Leo Asemota created video installations and a portfolio of photographic portraits of Hoxton residents for the site-specific production Hoxton Story which opened at Hoxton Hall, to performances on September 10, 2005
• Robert Newman filmed a television programme entitled A History of Oil for More4, at the Hoxton Hall (later released on DVD). A mixture of stand-up comedy and introductory lecture on geopolitics and peak oil, in the show, based on his touring show, Apocalypso Now Newman argues that twentieth-century Western foreign policy, including World War I, should be seen as a continuous struggle by the West to control Middle Eastern oil. The peak oil projection is based on Richard Heinberg's book The Party's Over: Oil, War, and the Fate of Industrial Societies.

References[link]

• Guide to British Theatres 1750-1950, John Earl and Michael Sell pp. 118–9 (Theatres Trust, 2000) ISBN 0-7136-5688-3

External links[link]

• Olive Yarrow's Memories of Hoxton Hall
• Hackney Theatre Partnership
• Hoxton Hall official site
• Theatres Trust database entry
• Related documents dating from 1863 held at the University of East London's East London Theatre Archive

This article about a specific theatre building is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Coordinates: 51°32′04″N 0°04′27″W / 51.534557°N 0.074279°W / 51.534557; -0.074279

Hoxton
Hoxton  Hoxton shown within Greater London
OS grid reference	TQ335835
- Charing Cross	2.7 mi (4.3 km)  SW
Civil parish	St John the Baptist, Hoxton
London borough	Hackney
Ceremonial county	Greater London
Region	London
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	LONDON
Postcode district	N1
Dialling code	020
Police	Metropolitan
Fire	London
Ambulance	London
EU Parliament	London
UK Parliament	Hackney South and Shoreditch
London Assembly	North East
List of places: UK • England • London

Hoxton is an area in the London Borough of Hackney, immediately north of the financial district of the City of London. The area of Hoxton is bordered by Regent's Canal on the north side, Wharf Road and City Road to the west, Old Street to the south, and Kingsland Road to the east.

Hoxton is also a ward, electing three councillors to the borough council. It forms part of the Hackney South and Shoreditch constituency.

Historical Hoxton[link]

Origins[link]

"Hogesdon" is first recorded in the Domesday Book, meaning an Anglo-Saxon farm (or "fortified enclosure") belonging to Hoch, or Hocq.^[1] Little is recorded of the origins of the settlement, though there was Roman activity around Ermine Street, which ran to the east of the area from the 1st century. In medieval times, Hoxton formed a rural part of Shoreditch parish.^[2] It achieved independent ecclesiastical status in 1826 with the founding of its own parish church^[3] dedicated to St John the Baptist, though civil jurisdiction was still invested in the Shoreditch vestry. The Worshipful Company of Haberdashers remains patron of the advowson of the parish of St John's Hoxton^[4].

In 1415, the Lord Mayor of London "caused the wall of the City to be broken towards Moorfields, and built the postern called Moorgate, for the ease of the citizens to walk that way upon causeways towards Islington and Hoxton"^[1] – at that time, still marshy areas. The residents responded by harassing walkers to protect their fields. A century later, the hedges and ditches were destroyed, by order of the City, to enable City dwellers to take their leisure in Hoxton.^[1]

Tudor Hoxton[link]

By Tudor times many moated manor houses existed to provide ambassadors and courtiers country air close to the City. This included many Catholics, attracted by the house of the Portuguese ambassador,^[5] who, in his private chapel,^[6] celebrated the masses forbidden in a Protestant country.^[7] One such resident was Sir Thomas Tresham, who was imprisoned here by Elizabeth I of England for harbouring Catholic priests. The open fields to the north and west were used for archery practice,^[8] and on 22 September 1598 the playwright Ben Jonson fought a fatal duel in Hoxton Fields, killing actor Gabriel Spencer. Jonson was able to prove his literacy, thereby claiming benefit of clergy to escape a hanging.

Hoxton contained public gardens that were a popular resort from the crowded city streets on holidays, and are reputed to have gained their name of Pimlico from the publican, Ben Pimlico,^[9] and his particular brew.

Have at thee, then, my merrie boyes, and beg for old Ben Pimlico’s nut-brown ale.^[10]

The gardens appear to have been situated near Hoxton Street, known at that time, as Pimlico Path. The modern area of Pimlico derives its name from its former use in Hoxton.

Gunpowder, treason and a letter[link]

On 26 October 1605 Hoxton achieved notoriety, when a letter arrived at the home of local resident William Parker, Lord Monteagle warning him not to attend the Parliament summoned by James I to convene on 5 November, because "yet I say they shall receive a terrible blow, the Parliament, and yet they shall not see who hurts them". The letter may have been sent by his brother-in-law Francis Tresham, or he may have written it himself, to curry favour. The letter was read aloud at supper, in front of the company of prominent Catholics, and then he brought it personally to Robert Cecil at Whitehall. While the conspirators were alerted, by the public reading, to the existence of the letter they persevered with their plot as their gunpowder remained undiscovered. William Parker accompanied Thomas Howard, the Lord Chamberlain, in his visit to the undercroft of parliament, where Guy Fawkes was found in the early hours of 5 November.^[11] Most of the conspirators fled on the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, but Francis Tresham was arrested a few days later at his house in Hoxton. A commemorative plaque is attached to modern flats on the site of Parker's house in Hoxton Street.

Almshouses and madhouses[link]

By the end of the 17th century the estates were being broken up. Many of the existing large houses were used as mad houses^{[citation needed]}, with almshouses being built on the land between by City benefactors and guilds. Askes Almshouses^[12] were built on Pitfield Street in 1689 from an endowment by Robert Aske for 20 poor haberdashers and a school for 20 children of freemen. Hoxton House, for example, became a private asylum in 1695. It was owned by the Miles family, and expanded rapidly into the surrounding streets being described by Coleridge as the Hoxton madhouse.^[13] Here fee-paying 'gentle and middle class' people took their exercise in the extensive grounds between Pitfield Street and Kingsland Road;^[14] including the poet Charles Lamb.^[15] Over 500 pauper lunatics resided in closed wards,^[16] and it remained the Naval Lunatic Asylum until 1818.^[13] The asylum closed in 1911; and the only remains are by Hackney Community College, where a part of the house was incorporated into the school that replaced it in 1921. At this time Hoxton Square and Charles Square were laid out, forming a fashionable area. Non-conformist sects were attracted to the area, freed from the restrictions of the City.^[1] Hoxton Market, founded in 1687, was a once thriving market that lost its status to neighbouring markets such as those at Bethnal Green and Dalston. Student flats have now been built on much of the site, and a small square remains^{[citation needed]}.

Victorian era and 20th century[link]

Hoxton Hall, still an active community resource

In the Victorian era the railways made travelling to distant suburbs easier, and this combined with infill building and industrialisation to drive away the wealthier classes, leaving Hoxton a concentration of the poor with many slums. The area became a centre for the furniture trade.^[1]

Charles Booth in Life and Labour of the People in London of 1902 gave the following description:

The character of the whole locality is working-class. Poverty is everywhere, with a considerable admixture of the very poor and vicious ... Large numbers have been and are still being displaced by the encroachment of warehouses and factories ... Hoxton is known for its costers and Curtain criminals, for its furniture trade ... No servants are kept except in the main Road shopping streets and in a few remaining middle class squares in the west.^[1]

LBH heritage plaque, now attached to modern flats

In Hoxton Street, a plaque marks the location of the Britannia Theatre. This evolved from the former Pimlico tea gardens, a tavern and a saloon, into a 3,000-seat theatre, designed by Finch Hill. Together with the nearby Pollock's Toy Museum, it was destroyed in Second World War bombing. Hoxton Hall, also in Hoxton Street, which survives as a community centre, began life in 1863 as a 'saloon style' music hall. It remains largely in its original form, as for many years it was used as a Quaker meeting house. There was also the 1870 Varieties Music Hall (by C. J. Phipps) in nearby Pitfield Street, this became a cinema in 1910, closing in 1941. Since 2003 the site has remained empty, but in 2008 it was gutted and prepared for a refurb. Local opposition to the design has resulted in the project being put on hold, so it now remains empty and "For Sale".

In the former Vestry of St Leonard Shoreditch Electric Light Station, just to the north of Hoxton Market, is based The Circus Space. Inside, the "Generating Chamber" and "Combustion Chamber" provide facilities for circus training and production. The building was constructed by the Vestry in 1895 to burn local rubbish and generate electricity. It also provided steam to heat the public baths. This replaced an earlier facility providing gas-light, located in Shoreditch.

Gainsborough Studios were located in a former power station, in Poole Street, by the Regents Canal. The film studios operated here from 1924 to 1951.^[17] An historical plaque is attached to the building, a modern apartment block, that occupies the site since the studios' demolition in 2002. The plaque reads

London Borough of Hackney

The Gainsborough Film Studios 1924–1949

Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Balcon, Ivor Novello, Gracie Fields, "The Lady Vanishes", "The Wicked Lady" worked and were filmed here

With a new found popularity, parts of Hoxton have been gentrified, this has inevitably aroused hostility among some local residents, who believe they are being priced out of the area. Much of Hoxton, however, remains deprived with council housing dominating the landscape.

Hoxton Square. The White Cube Gallery is in the background to the right. (January 2006)

Today[link]

Hoxton and Shoreditch are often deliberately or unwittingly confused. The two districts have a historical link as part of the same manor, and in the 19th century both formed part of the Metropolitan Borough of Shoreditch. This was subsumed into the London Borough of Hackney in 1965, but old street signs bearing the name are still to be found throughout the area.

Manufacturing developments in the years after the Second World War meant that many of the small industries that characterised Hoxton moved out. By the early 1980s, these industrial lofts and buildings came to be occupied by young artists as inexpensive live/work spaces, while exhibitions, raves and clubs occupied former office and retail space at the beginning of the 1990s. During this time Joshua Compston established his Factual Nonsense gallery on Charlotte Road in Shoreditch and organised art fetes in Hoxton Square. Their presence gradually drew other creative industries into the area, especially magazines, design firms, and dot-coms.

By the end of the 20th century, the southern half of Hoxton had become a vibrant arts and entertainment district boasting a large number of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and art galleries. In this period, the new Hoxton residents could be identified by their obscurely fashionable (or "ironically" unfashionable) clothes and their hair (the so-called "Hoxton Fin", as exemplified by Fran Healy of Travis). The excesses and fashion-centricity of Hoxton and Shoreditch denizens have been satirised in the satirical magazine Shoreditch Twat, on the TVGoHome website, and in the sitcom Nathan Barley. This fashionable area is centred on Hoxton Square, a small park bordered mainly by former industrial buildings as well as the elegant parish church of St John's.

The northern half of the district, however, consists largely of council housing estates and new build private residences. Residents are typically older and the unemployment and crime rates, with the exceptions of drug offences, robbery and theft, are relatively high compared to the rest of the borough.^[18] Hoxton Street Market is the focal point of this end of the district. The market sells a wide range of household goods during the week and specialises in independent fashion, art and design products on Saturdays. Nearby is the Geffrye Museum.

As property developers moved in to cash in on the area's trendy image prices have risen steeply since the early years of the 21st century. Many galleries have, as a result, moved to nearby Shoreditch, or have relocated further afield to cheaper districts such as London Fields or Bethnal Green. In response, the local council formed a not-for-profit corporation, Shoreditch Our Way (ShOW), to buy local buildings and lease them out as community facilities and housing. The extension of the East London Line (completed in 2010), has provided the local rail access which was lost when the line from Broad Street closed to services.

People with Hoxton links[link]

• Frank Chapple, union leader, was born and raised in Hoxton. He was ennobled as Lord Chapple of Hoxton in 1985 by Margaret Thatcher.
• Charles Bradlaugh was born in Hoxton.
• Peter Dean, who played Pete Beale in EastEnders from 1985 to 1993, was born at Hoxton in 1939.
• Jason Donovan, actor and singer, lived in Hoxton whilst appearing in numerous West End shows.
• Alfred Hitchcock began his career at the Gainsborough Studios
• Reggie & Ronnie Kray – East End gangsters born in Stene Street Hoxton (1933)
• Marie Lloyd – Music hall star, was born Matilda Alice Victoria Wood here on 12 February 1870. The eldest of nine children. She, and her sisters longed to go on the stage, and haunted the local Royal Eagle Tavern, Music hall, on City Road (where their father also worked, as a waiter). Seven of her siblings went onto professional stage careers, adopting the surname Lloyd, apart from Daisy, who had a successful career as Daisy Wood.
• Lenny McLean, actor, bouncer, bare-knuckle boxer and 'hardest man in Britain' was born here
• Jamie Oliver opened the original Fifteen restaurant in Hoxton in 2002
• James Parkinson (physician and researcher on Parkinson's Disease, was a resident of Hoxton Square)
• Jason Pierce, of the band Spaceman 3 and Spiritualized lives in Hoxton.
• Abraham Rees, (editor and Unitarian minister was a tutor at Hoxton Academy)
• George Sewell, renowned TV actor was born in Hoxton.
• Mary Wollstonecraft (social reformer, writer, mother of Mary Shelley, born and lived early years here)
• Hoxton Tom McCourt, influential in the late 1970s and early 1980s mod and oi/punk scenes and founder of the band, the 4-Skins
• Post-war variety star comedian Charlie Smithers was born in Hoxton.
• The Stage newspaper columnist Tommy Kane was born in bygone Harman Street Hoxton on 24 March 1933. In his column headed "Raising Kane", which ran from 1965 to 1981, he featured many unknowns who became famous. Amongst these were Charlie Smithers, Lennie Peters, Mike Reid, Grace Kennedy, Carol Lee Scott (Grotbags), Michael Barrymore, and Ray Donn, who became famed for his successful Publand Variety Shows from 1966 to 1980.

Education[link]

Transport[link]

Neighbouring areas of London

	Islington	De Beauvoir Town	Kingsland
	Clerkenwell		Haggerston
		Hoxton    East
	St Luke's	Old Street	Shoreditch

Districts within the London Borough of Hackney.

Nearest stations

Hoxton is a National Rail station on the East London Line of the London Overground network. To the south-west of the district, the nearest London Underground station is Old Street on the Northern Line. The station is also a stop on National Rail's Northern City Line, operated by First Capital Connect.

References and notes[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Hoxton

• Hoxton Hall Unique Grade II* listed building Victorian Music hall – now used for community arts
• Where have all the cool people gone? The Guardian 2003-11-21
• www.stjohnshoxton.org.uk

v t e London Borough of Hackney Districts Dalston De Beauvoir Town Finsbury Park Hackney Central Hackney Downs Hackney Marshes Hackney Wick Haggerston Homerton Hoxton Kingsland Lea Bridge London Fields Lower Clapton Manor House Newington Green Shacklewell Shoreditch South Hackney Stamford Hill Stoke Newington Upper Clapton Attractions Arcola Theatre Geffrye Museum Hackney Empire Hackney Museum Hoxton Hall Sutton House (NT) Transition Gallery Victoria Miro Gallery White Cube Street markets Broadway Market Kingsland Waste Ridley Road Market Constituencies Hackney South and Shoreditch Hackney North and Stoke Newington Tubes and rail station Clapton railway station Dalston Junction railway station Dalston Kingsland railway station Hackney Central railway station Hackney Downs railway station Hackney Wick railway station Haggerston railway station Homerton railway station Hoxton railway station London Fields railway station Old Street Rectory Road railway station Shoreditch High Street railway station Stamford Hill railway station Stoke Newington railway station Other topics People Public art Schools Parks and open spaces in Hackney

Cold Specks is the stage name of Al Spx, a Canadian singer-songwriter based in London.^[1] Her musical style has been described as doom soul and shows the influence of American deep south gospel with a strong goth streak.^[2]. She is signed with Mute Records since the beginning of 2012. Members of her band include Pete Roberts, Thomas Greene, Tom Havelock, Chris Cundy, Sarah Jones, Jim Anderson, Rob Ellis, Marley Ellis, Terry Edwards, and Ben Christophers.

Cold Specks appeared on Series 39, Episode 7 of Later with Jools Holland.^[3] Her debut single "Holland" was released on October 17, 2011,^[4] and she worked on tracks with producer Rob Ellis. She released her debut album, I Predict a Graceful Expulsion, on May 21, 2012 on Mute Records.

Discography[link]

Albums[link]

• 2012: I Predict a Graceful Expulsion #86 CAN^[5]

Singles[link]

• 2011: "Holland"

References[link]

Citations

Roxanne performing at The Royal Festival Hall, London

Roxanne Emery (born 4 October 1984, in Southampton, England) is a London based singer-songwriter.^[1]

Early life[link]

Roxanne was born in Southampton, England. She attended Brookfield Community School and Itchen College before going to Warwick University to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Roxanne worked at an investment bank for three years after graduating from University.

Music career[link]

Roxanne performed her first gig in March 2009 and was soon spotted by award-winning manager Anne Barrett,^[2] credited with masterminding the launch of Natalie Imbruglia. Roxanne was signed by De Angelis Records in January 2010, however the label ceased operations in January 2011. Roxanne now releases through LATE Records, her own imprint.

On the 6th June 2011, Roxanne Emery released her debut EP titled "An Introduction to Roxanne Emery" on LATE Records. It charted at number 54 on the iTunes pop chart. Roxanne's next release will be her debut artist album, expected for release in 2012.^[3]

On the 6th September 2011, an acoustic recording of her original song "LATE" was uploaded to youtube. Within hours the video went viral, and became the #1 – Top Favorited and Rated video in the UK, and #3 Top Favorited globally. ^[4]

Touring[link]

Roxanne played 8 dates on the 'Northern Lights' world tour with her brother. Venues included The House of Blues (Chicago), Music Box (LA) and Space (Ibiza).

Roxanne supported Joe McElderry on his 19 date UK tour in November 2011 which included playing at The Royal Festival Hall, London. Following fantastic public reaction to her performances, Roxanne has been asked to support Matt Cardle on his 23-date UK tour in March 2012^[5].

MTV[link]

Roxanne's unreleased track 'All That I Am' was chosen to feature as the closing track in the season finale of MTV's hit show Awkward which aired in the US September 2011.^[6]

Roxanne's track 'Turn Back' from her debut EP was chosen to be featured in MTV's hit show The Real World which aired in the US in December 2011.^[7]

Dance Music[link]

Roxanne is the sister of the UK's 'no.1 DJ' ^[8] Gareth Emery. Her vocals feature on the club anthem "A Day That Fades" by chart topping dance act Cosmic Gate. The track received support from Judge Jules and was played on Radio 1.^[9] The track also received support and radio play from world no.2 DJ Armin Van Buuren.^[10] as well as being included on Ministry of Sound's Ibiza Annual 2008.^[11]Roxanne also wrote and featured on Gareth Emery's debut artist album "Northern Lights", which charted at Number 1 on the US iTunes Dance Chart.

Personal Life[link]

Roxanne grew up in Southampton. She lost her Mum to cancer when was 22 years old ^[12]. Her record label, LATE Records, is named after her mother, Linda Angela Teresa Emery.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Roxanne Emery on Myspace
• http://www.facebook.com/roxanneemerymusic

Anna Calvi
Background information
Born	1982 (age 29–30) London, England, United Kingdom
Genres	Alternative,[1] indie rock[1]
Occupations	Singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, violin, bass, piano, sitar,
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Domino
Associated acts	The Invisible, Arctic Monkeys, Brian Eno, Nick Cave, Alice & The Cool Dudes
Website	www.annacalvi.com

Anna Calvi is an English musician who plays in the band of the same name. On 6 December 2010, Calvi was announced as a nominee for the BBC's Sound of 2011 poll.^[2] Her debut album Anna Calvi was released in the UK on 17 January 2011,^[3] where it debuted at number 40 on 23 January.^[4] The album was subsequently nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize in 2011^[5] and the BRIT Awards in 2012.^[6]

History[link]

Formation and early years[link]

Anna Calvi was born in Twickenham,^[7] in 1982 and spent most of her first three years of life in hospital. "The way I dealt with that was to create my own world. And that's what my relationship with music is – a world of my own creation that I escape into. I was always a dreamer. The early things stick with you," she later remembered.^[8] Anna Calvi grew up being exposed to a multitude of genres of music by her music-loving Italian father; this eclectic array ranged from Captain Beefheart to The Rolling Stones to Maria Callas, combined with an early understanding of classical music, "I was so taken by the sound. Whenever I saw an instrument I would get so excited and my heart would beat really fast".^[9] Calvi first picked up the violin at 6, and guitar at 8.^[10] "Something would take me over whenever I'd seen an electric guitar," she later recalled. By the age of 10 she was using a double cassette karaoke machine to overdub her playing.^[7] All the while, attracted "to the impressionistic element of the music", she came to be much influenced by 20th century composers Messiaen, Ravel, and Debussy, the feel of which she would try to recreate on the guitar, an instrument she was compelled to learn on discovering Django Reinhardt and Jimi Hendrix at the age of 13.^[8]

After leaving school, she originally intended to study art, but instead opted for a degree in music.^[11] A spell studying music at Southampton University further strengthened her resolve to become a songwriter, although singing was not something that Calvi explored until reaching her mid-twenties. "I had a phobia about it until five years ago. I wouldn't sing in school or even in the shower. I had this emotional block about hearing my voice. So the guitar became my voice when I was a teenager, it was how I could express myself."^[9] Striving to find her own voice, Calvi said she locked herself in a room for long periods of time, singing along to records by Edith Piaf and Nina Simone.^[7] Calvi formed several bands including Cheap Hotel,^[12] which released one download-only single, New York, which did not chart. Calvi then went on to meet multi-instrumentalist Mally Harpaz and drummer Daniel Maiden-Wood, who now form her intimate band set-up.

At an early gig, Calvi caught the attention of Bill Ryder-Jones who urged Laurence Bell of Domino Records to sign her.^[8] Early support also came from renowned music legend Brian Eno, who heard about Calvi through a friend. He has since become her unofficial mentor describing her during a BBC 6 Music interview as, "the biggest thing since Patti Smith."^[13]

In the autumn of 2009, Calvi recorded a series of filmed Attic Sessions that were uploaded onto YouTube including a cover of Leonard Cohen's Joan of Arc, Elvis Presley's Surrender, TV on the Radio's Wolf Like Me and David Bowie's Sound & Vision.^[14]

Calvi played guitar on the track The Prizefighter and the Heiress on Johnny Flynn's album Been Listening.^[15][16] In October 2009, she also supported Flynn on tour.^[17]

In 2010, Calvi supported Interpol on their UK tour and label-mates the Arctic Monkeys at the Royal Albert Hall.^[18] Nick Cave also invited her to support Grinderman across Europe in October 2010.^[19]

On 11 October 2010, Calvi released debut single Jezebel, a 1951 song originally written by Wayne Shanklin and made famous by Frankie Laine and French chanteuse Edith Piaf. Both Jezebel and the B-side Moulinette were recorded by Rob Ellis, and released on limited edition 7" and digital download.^[20] Live versions of both Jezebel and Moulinette were filmed at The Luminaire venue in London by Emma Nathan, who also created the vinyl artwork, and used as promo for the single.^[21]

Debut album[link]

Anna Calvi was released^[18] in the UK and Europe through Domino Records to critical acclaim on 17 January 2011. It entered the official UK charts at number 40.^[22] The album achieved success across Europe, charting at 17 in France, 33 in Austria, 40 in Switzerland, 55 in Sweden and 70 in Germany.^[23] Calvi co-produced the album with long-term PJ Harvey collaborator Rob Ellis.^[24] Brian Eno sang backing vocals on Desire and Suzanne & I.^[25] Dave Okumu from the band The Invisible sang backing vocals on the song No More Words. The artwork for the album was created by long-term collaborator Emma Nathan.^[26] "I see music quite visually and I like to create atmospheres... I like to try and create a whole world in the space of a song"^[27] Calvi stated of writing the album, while discussing in an interview with the Telegraph, "'I imagine the different instruments as colours, and so it feels like painting. I need music to come from a really emotional place. With my music I do like to hypnotise people and take them somewhere else. I like to slowly draw people into a world."^[9]

NME gave the album 9 out of 10 stating, "this self-titled collection of 10 songs is perhaps the first great record of 2011."^[28] NME described it as "sumptuous, seductive and a bit scary, this velvety debut will stalk your dreams."^[28] Uncut magazine said, "This isn't just a great debut. It's a fearless rejection of current pop trends, fashioning a benchmark of intensity and originality that the rest of this year's albums will struggle to match."^[29] The Observer described it as a "gutsy and sonorous start"^[30] and The Fly magazine called it an "arresting, sparse and darkly captivating listen."^[31] The Evening Standard said "the raw talent is undeniable: 2011 is Calvi’s for the taking"^[32] while the Independent on Sunday claimed that for "serious lovers of music, Calvi is one to watch."^[33] The album was Rough Trade's album of the month in January, described as an "astonishingly confident, expressive and powerful record."^[34]

Calvi launched the album to sold out show at the intimate Hoxton Hall in London on 27 January 2011.^[35] As part of the album promotion, Calvi performed several times on French TV including a performance of Desire on Le Grand Journal, and Blackout and Desire on ARTE.^[36][37] In France, according to Q magazine, Calvi "has become an overnight star, the album debuting in the Top 20 and the Parisian fashionistas taking her to their hearts."^[7]

The album was released in USA, Australia, and Japan on 1 March 2011.^[38] Calvi performed on the first show of Series 38 of Later... with Jools Holland that was broadcast on 5 and 9 April 2011.^[39] She performed Blackout and Desire. Calvi performed 5 songs on the TV show "Live From Abbey Road" broadcast on Channel 4 on 22 June 2011.^[40] Calvi also performed on Late Night with David Letterman on 27 July 2011.^[41]

Domino Records released Blackout as the first single taken from the album on 21 March 2011 : it featured a cover of Elvis Presley's Surrender as the B-side.^[42] Blackout was debuted on Pitchfork in the US.^[43] "Blackout" was eventually added to BBC Radio 1's playlist in January 2012. Desire was released as the second single from the album on 20 June 2011.^[44] The single featured a cover of Leonard Cohen's Joan of Arc as the B-side.^[45] Suzanne & I was the third single from the album and was released on 12 September 2011. The B-side was Baby It's You.^[46] Calvi debuted Wolf Like Me a cover of TV On The Radio on Stereogum.^[47] The album was shortlisted for the prestigious 2011 Mercury Prize.^[5]

In January 2012, Calvi was awarded the European Border Breakers Award. To be eligible for the awards, the artists must have enjoyed border-breaking success with their first international release in Europe between 1 August 2010 and 31 July 2011. The winners are selected by music market analyst Nielsen Music Control on the basis of record sales and broadcast frequency and according to votes by European Broadcasting Union (EBU) radio stations and festivals participating in the European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP).^[48]

On 20 February 2012, Calvi released a French version of Jezebel with Wolf Like Me (TV On The Radio cover) as the B-side.^[49]

Calvi covered Beyonce's "Naughty Girl" for BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge in February 2012.^[50]

Calvi was nominated in the Best British Breakthrough category at the BRIT Awards 2012.^[51] Calvi attended the event but did not perform.^[52]

Live shows[link]

Calvi performing at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire on 1 November 2011

Calvi is known for her intense guitar playing and seductive live performance.^[35] She has said that she tries to create the sounds of other instruments through her guitar. Visually, Calvi nods to the world of flamenco in her stage outfits. However, rather than wearing the traditional frilly dress, she opts for the high trousers and blouse of a male dancer.^[35]

Following her album release show at Hoxton Hall in London, Calvi won over critics with her "performance of superb self-possession and dramatic timing.^[53] The Independent called her a "strumming seductress" who was "born to be heard in person" playing "with every ounce of passion."^[54]

Anna Calvi sold out all of the performances on her debut European tour, which started in February 2011.^[55] She first visited the USA in March.^[56] Calvi's show at Le Petit Trianon in Paris on 22 April was broadcast live on the website of ARTE.^[57] She headlined the NME tour in May.^[58] Calvi was chosen by Ray Davies of The Kinks to co-headline the Meltdown Festival 2011.^[59] Calvi continued touring Europe throughout Autumn 2011 which was filmed and released as a 2 part series called "Somewhere Along The Line".^[60] Calvi's Shepherds Bush Empire show sold out weeks in advance.^[61]

In March 2012, Anna Calvi was invited to play at BBC 6 Music's tenth birthday celebrations. The band's performance at London's Southbank Centre was broadcast live via the radio station, and made available to view online by the BBC.^[62]

Style and influences[link]

Calvi is always seen performing with a Fender Telecaster guitar (90s US) and uses a vintage red Vox AC30 amp both live and in the studio.^[63] Calvi is a virtuoso guitarist^[64] – although her first instrument is the violin of which she has a university degree in. Calvi also imagines playing guitar as an orchestra^[65] and is noted for her particular style of playing which involves hitting the strings in a circular motion, rather than strumming up and down.^[66] The result has been described by Q as "the prodigious wash of sound that recall Ennio Morricone, Duane Eddy, even Jimi Hendrix in its fluidity."^[7]

Calvi has been compared to other female singers PJ Harvey and Siouxsie.^[67]

Calvi's style has been described as dark, romantic, atmospheric pop.^[68] The singer has stated that the powers of lust are an inspiration and her performances are deliberately sexually charged.^[69] Calvi has cited Nina Simone, Maria Callas, the rock of Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones, the blues of Captain Beefheart, the stage performances of Nick Cave, David Bowie and Scott Walker as well as classical composers Carlo Gesualdo,^[70] Messiaen, Ravel and Debussy as among her influences.^[8]

Calvi has stated that the films of Gus Van Sant and Wong Kar-Wai and David Lynch have also influenced her music. She has admiration for "people that make beautiful films where the cinematography tells the story" and tries to do the same in her own work.^[71]

Fashion[link]

On 1 December 2010, Calvi performed at the Colette showcase in Paris as part of The Room Of Curiosities exhibition by Thomas Erber.^[72] Calvi was invited to play at the Gucci dinner, hosted by Vogue during the 2011 Haute Couture Paris fashion week.^[73] Since then Frida Giannini, creative director at Gucci has chosen outfits for Calvi to wear during the May 2011 US tour.^[74] Calvi also opened the new Gucci Sydney store on 30 November 2011.^[75]

The fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has said he is a fan of her music,^[76] and has photographed Calvi for the Maison Michel Fall Winter 2011 lookbook.^[7][77] Sir Paul Smith photographed Calvi for the cover of L'Express Styles.^[78] Calvi was invited on the Chanel table for the Amfar charity event at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Singles[link]

Awards and nominations[link]

References[link]