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Escaping the standard performance venues, Essex quartet The Milk and dubstep star Benga today joined acclaimed ‘cellist and film composer Phillip Sheppard for a musical performance on board The Gatwick Express. The artists teamed up for individual interpretations of Sheppard's work in the most unlikely of places, onboard a moving train.
Phillip spoke to the train passengers about how the idea came about, saying: ‘It’s nice to get involved in something that is arty and conceptual, it’s unusual these days with commercial ventures people often do something someone else has done.’ Venturing into an idea that may seem obscure to some has reached out to those passengers who travel regularly or long distances and tests their changing emotions depending on the scenery, cityscape and arrival.
The artist continued to say ‘I’ve always been obsessed with transport and sending music into somewhere it shouldn’t or doesn’t normally go. Recently I’ve just finished re-working the national anthems for the medal ceremonies (at this year’s Olympics).’ Phillip described the reasons why people plug in and listen to their music as a ‘form of escapism which is important when escaping from a city. It’s a time to be creativity and to also avoid talking to strangers next to us. When writing this piece I tried to pick up the rhythms of the tracks providing a 3/6/12 score challenging both Benga and The Milk in destructing it and re-creating it to their own.’
The middle part of the track was moulded by the very talented The Milk - who can be described as Amy Winehouse and Chase and Status’ love child. The band are masters of smooth and captivating motown vocals with the low guitar sounds that pump the track into a dynamic force. A slight resemblance to a Harry Potter soundtrack including creepy wind instruments and sudden blasts of soul form the quartet’s interpretation.
We spoke to The Milk about what they were currently up to after their short set. ‘Our UK tour at the moment," they told us. "Beach break at the weekend, Isle of white and T in the park festivals, as well as the new single ‘Every Time We Fight’ released on Monday (25th) and promoting the album that is due for release on the 3rd of September." They describe the music as a "shared love of motown that has spread out to hip hop, all these flavours pokes their head out on the album."
The Milk joked about how they got their band name. "Before we got signed we used a band generator and Kenny cornflake and the milk came up. We used The Milk and got a fan base so it made it hard to change it and then we had a year to come up with something but it wasn’t long enough time!’ The Milk also revealed their dream tour. ‘We’d love to have supported James Brown in the mid 1960’s, gone on tour with The Stones in the 60’s/70’s, and today touring with Jay Z would be a dream.’
Benga’s interpretation of the soundtrack to Gatwick is a fierce, lively and intense series of drum and bass beats meeting the power of dubstep. Benga had this to say about his experience creating the track: "I was more than happy when I was asked to be involved in this project, it's something new to me and I enjoy covering new ground. I use the Gatwick Express all the time living South of London so it's going to be good seeing my face everywhere."
Customers will be able to download a track free only when they buy their tickets online from www.gatwickexpress.com . Once downloaded the customer can then transfer the track to their mobile device, put on their headphones and simply press play as the train leaves Victoria Station.
