Simon Bookish

Leo Chadburn (also known by the nom de guerre "Simon Bookish") is a classically-trained composer (Guildhall School of Music and Drama, 1997-2001), who has become one of the most versatile and unpredictable musicians currently working in London. He is both a pop vocalist and experimental improviser, besides working as a remixer, and solo performance/live artist.

As Simon Bookish, he has made two albums for the London-based label Use Your Teeth; UNFAIR FUNFAIR (2006) - an abrasive and energetic sequence of songs whose subjects range from Euripides and Richard the Third to the invention of the Guillotine - and TRAINWRECK/RAINCHECK ( due Autumn 2006) - a 'surreal electronic radio play' combining sound design and spoken word, concerning vibrant images of transportation.

He has released singles on the German label Tomlab and through Playlouder recordings and has been asked to provide remixes for Franz Ferdinand, The Organ and Grizzly Bear. Leo is also credited with guest appearances on albums by Max de Wardener, Leafcutter John, Patrick Wolf and Saint Etienne.

Simon Bookish has presented over 50 solo performances since 2003. Venues have included the Whitechapel Art Gallery, Dover Street Market (comme des garcons store), Transition Film Lounge (Berlin), Nastyfest 2004 (Leeds), Capri Art Festival 2004, the Redgate Gallery, the Africa Centre, and the Vortex Jazz Club. His music has been broadcast on BBC Radio One and XFM, and he has presented shows on London's Resonance FM.

Leo is currently a member of the folk/experimental musician Leafcutter John's live band (as vocalist). Performances in 2005/6 have included shows in Aarhus (Denmark) and Berlin, with shows in Poland and Geneva confirmed for late Summer 2006. John and Leo, together with Seb Rochford (drummer with innovative jazz ensemble Polar Bear) and Mandy Drummond have also performed a live improvised set for BBC Radio Three's innovative show "Mixing it". (July 2006).

In 2001, he was a member of the 'Sound City' ensemble, which presented new work by director Heiner Goebbels as part of LIFT'01 at the Almeida Theatre.

He has also presented one-off performances and exhibitions, such as "MOISTURE and FUNERAL" (a spoken word and computer projection piece commissioned by the TwoSee Boutique, 2006), "Simon Bookish and C Loopseend present Fear of Music" (a deconstruction of the work of Talking Heads at Limehouse Town Hall, 2004) and contributed a piece to the sound art show "Off The Record" (Mus?e d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, 2004).


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