One of the British folk scenes most talented and enigmatic artist’s, Mary Hampton, performs at Café des Artistes popular monthly music night, A Quiet Night Inn. Heavily influenced by turn-of-the-century European chamber music, and drawing from both the traditional folk cannon, and her own works, Hampton’s sets always exhibit a subtle dynamic tension. Her charismatic presence and the quality of her artistic output has drawn plaudits from many quarters – The Guardian, “Hampton is a rare talent…refreshingly original.” The Telegraph, “Songs, which recline with shimmering sensuality in various shady cloaks of weirdness…fragility, desolation and humour.”
The evening sees co-support in the brilliantly eccentric form of Crayola Lectern. Led by Chris Anderson, the group’s songs gently articulate the travails of the ‘everyman.’ Simultaneously amusing, and yet quietly profound, it’s an artistic narrative that is perfectly expressed in their well received album ‘The Fall and Rise Of….’ Uncut Magazine, ‘An exquisitely eccentric debut album. 8/10’. The Quietus. “A warm, reflective and deeply human record. From Worthing, with love.”
The night is drawn to a close in the upbeat form of arguably Brighton’s most charismatic live band, Clowns. Fronted by the impeccably dressed Miles Heathfield, who prowls the stage like some neo-dictator, the band’s music expresses a taut muscularity, combining all the swagger of 80’s psychobilly, with punk sensibilities. The unrelenting hypnotic intensity to their performances, snares the audience, never letting go until the last note is dropped. Brighton Music Blog – “The floor was wiped clean with the night’s headliners Clowns, who provided a masterclass on showmanship.”
“The line up is a real coup for A Quiet Night Inn. We wanted to bring a trio of bands together who were all plowing unique musical furrows, and we’ve been luckily enough to secure three wonderful acts who do just that”, said Jacob Richardson, Café des Artistes’s Musical Programmer.
Venue: Café des Artistes
Where: Units 10 & 11 Phoenix Place, Lewes, BN7 2QJ
When: Friday 5th September 2014
Time: 8.00pm – till late
Entrance Fee: £5 (on the door)
About Café des Artistes:
Established in 2007, Café des Artistes is a unique arts space in the heart of the Phoenix Industrial Estate. Behind the door to this once derelict warehouse lies a wonderland for the creatively inclined. The Lewes based arts centre always look to bring a dynamic energy and experimental approach to their artistic output – seeking to bring art to the people, and people to the art. The centre runs a regular performance programme – from music to theatre – a variety of workshops, gallery exhibitions, and café & bar. It also has a number of artist studios, and provides a home for two theatre companies.
Article by Matthew Geraghty
Café des Artistes 
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