WATCH: Bands In Transit Communion Special @ Hackney City Farm – Monument Valley, Kyla La Grange, Bear's Den, Alessi's Ark
By: Samuel Smith
[PIC: Communion founders Ben Lovett and Kevin Jones chat to John Kennedy at Hackney City Farm]
Communion is a renowned London based music collective founded by Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons), Kevin Jones (Cherbourg, Bear’s Den) and producer Ian Grimble. Described in this piece by John Kennedy as “a musical night, a record label, and a community”, As well as providing a platform for early performances from the likes of Adele and Laura Marling and releasing records from Marcus Foster, Matthew & The Atlas and Matt Corby, perhaps its biggest success has been in cultivating a community of like minded and extremely musically talented individuals. We filmed four of their bands performing at the inner-city hideaway Hackney City Farm, you can see the whole episode below featuring the charm of downbeat storyteller Monument Valley, Kyla La Grange, Bear's Den and Alessi's Ark as well as an interview with founding members Ben and Kevin.
Since the wrapping up of his previous outfit (the widely renowned Cherbourg), singer songwriter Andrew Davie chose to collaborate once more forming Bear’s Den with Kevin Jones and Chris Maas. Writing as wholesome and melodious songs as we’ve come to expect from these gentlemen – these boys have the tunes to suggest they’ve earned the right to wear those extremely cool sunglasses.
Taking influence from the melancholy of Cat Power and Elliot Smith, Kyla La Grange’s unique and arresting voice delivers songs that plumb the very depths of her soul. Despite being a new face on the scene, Grange has been penning songs since the tender age of five, and comes to us as a fully formed, extremely exciting proposition. Watch her perform while surrounded by ducks right here:
We also filmed fellow Communion artist Ben Howard performing at The Great Escape festival, which you can watch by clicking on the link.
Artists in this article: Kyla La Grange, Bear's Den, Alessi's Ark, Monument Valley