Oh lord, we’re heading down the Drummond-hole again.
Pity your poor, diligent and bow-spined scribe, friends. He scrivens and drafts, he rattles and hums, forcing the vibrations of his over-clocked imagination down to the tips of his fingers and into his magical glass scrying-plate, trusting in energies and magicks he only dimly understands to transmit these electrical functions into a form which makes some sort of—if not sense than at least, legibility.
It’s a rough game, but one your pal needs to stay on top of. Because he never knows when the boss will fire off a demand for some writing, usually stacked on top of a giant info-dump which needs to be transcribed, translated from the Dominic into English, sifted and reformed into something readable.
Enclosed for your approval, then, the latest update from Dom-world. A tale of art and concept, underpasses and over-reactions and as ever, a bit of promo. An attempt has been made to channel the following into a logical flow—but let’s face it, logic has little hold here. Stick with us, it’ll all fall into place at the end.
You know how it goes. You wait an age for a bus and then three turn up at once. Well, to an extent, that’s how the interview process for Lanner has gone. Nothing for months and then WHAM.
docoDom tells us more in his own inimitable style…
‘Monday July 15th 2024, London town, downstairs at the Taschen book store on the King’s Road. Two cameras hired, the other three from my arsenal that are always ready to go. I go through the usual pre-shoot prep—questions written, memory cards emptied, batteries charged, props assembled. Lucas is my assistant for this one. It will end up being a shorter day than the one I had with Wik for the Daniel Poole interview.
‘The docoMobile gets packed and I head to London. An hour or so to set up the cameras should suffice. Lucas is on time, he picks up some milk on the way as they seem a little low at the Taschen store. Manager Andre greets me and I start bringing the equipment in. This space at Taschen was provided courtesy of Josie and a director at Taschen, this director being based in Belgium. No fee is required. I offer a token gesture to Josie and the director. There seems to be no need for this. I buy a book after we have finished. I hope that’s enough.
‘We are left alone to get on with what turns out to be an over 2 hour chat on camera with Tom Middleton, Paul Nicholson, designer of the Aphex logo and Mixmaster Morris, long time DJ and tunesmith of the acid house scene. Paul and Morris are here due to Tom’s suggestion. All I had aimed for was an interview with Mr. Middleton. Bonus.
‘Paul is first to arrive, the ice is quickly broken, helped as Paul and I have already had an hour and a half chat on the phone. Browsing the large-format books at Taschen help us all to settle in. Morris arrives, then Tom. The three of them start talking. They chat about a contemporary of theirs who is understood to be remixing most of if not all of the Joy Division back catalogue. Nice work if you can get it. I continue to tweak the camera set up, check audio recording levels. Lucas gets on the Betamax. I clap the clapperboard and away we go.
L-R: Morris, Paul, some doco bloke, Tom.
‘I do not so much interview Paul, Tom and Morris as direct them a little to confirm any details. I do my best to add something to the conversation but they hit their stride and I just go with the flow. Obviously these three know their onions. The chat goes so smoothly that Lucas can be spared to top up the parking. As the conversation is ongoing the Betamax deck takes a little spill but keeps recording. They built them tough back in the day. I leave my seat to check the Z7 is capturing Tom’s voice well.
‘It seems that the three of them could have kept going for another hour or even more. But I feel aware of not pushing things too much with Taschen and Tom had said to me before the shoot that he had an hour and a half window for the interview. We get to what feels like some kind of end point. I ask the three of them to say Richard D James, Aphex Twin on camera. We end up with a sung, harmonised version of this. It’s quite possibly one of the best things I have ever got out of one of these encounters.
‘I can’t stop myself from filming the glorious Ferrari book by Taschen. It went onto the market at £6000 and £10,000 a pop, all editions sold now. There’s a link between this book and Richard—R&S records who signed RDJ with his track Digeridoo use the Ferrari prancing black horse as their logo.
‘Lucas dutifully helps me pack up and load the car. We are done. We say our goodbyes and head back to Bristol. I stop to take a photo of Hitchcock’s blue plaque on the Cromwell Road, not far from where my father lived in the 80s. I have that post-shoot warm feeling. Just hoping that it all looks and sounds as I expect. Now for some editing and a possible screening of this longer version at the Portobello Film Festival this summer.
‘Come on Richard, do something on camera for this film!’
Amen to that. Good work Dom and Lucas, let’s see what we can get together for Portobello.
Meanwhile, the marketing department for Lanner keeps on pushing. Take a look at these cool new stickers, fresh from the printers! Ask nicely and we might be able to get one to you if you promise to use it wisely.
Making a film is hard. At the high end it is a wildly expensive, horribly convoluted process involving the sort of logistical heavy lifting comparable to a military campaign. It takes years to organise, shoot and post-produce a movie that the idle viewer may have on in the background while you’re scrolling the ‘grams. Personally, I don’t know why anyone does it.
At the other end of the scale, the space that doco occupies, things are no less difficult. Documentary film-making is significantly cheaper and less resource intensive—you can make award winning movies with a couple of people, a camera and a cheap editing package on your home computer. What becomes more of a factor is time. Chasing leads, getting people to talk on camera—it’s a grind. You blink, another year’s gone and the project is maybe one interview further along.
All of which leads me on to this affirmation—yes, we are still working on Lanner. Our time has not been spent idly, or without reward. Allow me to offer you a quick nose around the last 24 months in Lanner-world.
An interview was carried out with musician and DJ Ali Wade (no relation, although he has a brother who lives very close to the doco-dome in Bristol). His music is very influenced by the work of our elusive main subject, but he makes bangers flavoured with his own special blend of spice. More context here: https://frequencydomain.bandcamp.com/
Meanwhile, doco has been to Richard D. James’ home county, chasing a whisper of a home location for our pal and checking out the Bowgie Inn, where he first rattled the rafters with his homebrew electrical chaos generators. The pub is still vibrating faintly. If you go for a pint (and you should, it’s a lovely place) put your palm to the stone walls and feel the thrum and whisper of electronic ghost emissions. One of the folk who was present at these sessions, Tom Middleton has, after much gentle persuasion, agreed to be interviewed. Next on the shooting schedule? Let’s hope so!
Which way to Bruul?
You never know who will become part of the Lanner Express. Sweet-talkin’ doco has recently secured the help of an actual Hollywood producer to keep the project on track. And doco continues to make overtones to the good folk at Warp. Meanwhile, a Bristol base means you never know who you might bump into. A nice chat with Grant from Massive Attack? Why not? Can’t hurt, can it?
The Portobello Film Festival and doco have always played nice together—they share the same enthusiasm for the skewed and unusual, the same love for the rough aesthetic. So, should we be surprised when a short cut of Lanner won Best Music Documentary towards the end of 2022? No, not really. It looked great, crammed in plenty of interesting interviewees and moved like a glitchy express to the centre of your cortex. A big, bold burst of black-edged energy blasting into your brains. As a promo, it couldn’t have been better received. Another Trellick for doco’s award shelf.
But doco never sleeps, and the Lanner train keeps on a’rollin. With the help of a contribution from a benefactor, a stack of white labels with some homegrown techno madness were pressed and sent out to anyone who wanted them (and quite a few who had no idea). These still do the rounds and rumours exist that the tunes have snuck onto the playlist of a few underground DJ sets. Our doco has always been one for building a myth.
AAA
As part of that process, doco has been gathering materials for interesting cutaways and textural embellishments. A brown vinyl copy of selected ambient works II. A We Are Rewind cassette player. Blank audio cassettes. Input computer programming magazines. The Downfall game that is on the cover of the Mike and Rich: Expert Knob Twiddlers album. Vintage, new old stock betamax tapes and a back up Beta deck to record onto them. Meanwhile, Aphex online fan forums have twigged there is something happening. The storm of stickers and records are having an effect.
And we have more interviewees! A recent chat with rave fashion legend Daniel Poole involved a 14-hour day and the transfer of equipment up three flights of stairs to his studios. Once we were in place though, Daniel was a generous host, speaking on camera for the best part of two hours and giving doco and new recruit Vik a tour of the archives. A fascinating if tiring day, and a baptism of fire for Vik—she passed the test with flying colours, according to doco.
So, what next? Well, more of the same. We are still chasing the great white whale of interview subjects that is Richard D. James, as well as other folks affiliated with the man and his scene. Rough Trade in Bristol serves as a very loose production office for Lanner, with friendly staff like Josh and Adrian always happy to welcome doco in for a coffee, beer and quite possibly some more vinyl to add to doco’s ever growing tune library. Seems like a fair exchange of goods and services.
How long do we go? How far can we take this? Will Richard ever pick up that bloody phone? One thing’s for sure—Lanner is not done yet, and doco keeps his eyes on the future. The ride continues.
docoBanksy has emerged from their bunker, taking a road trip down the M4 to That London last week. It was a pilgrimage of sorts and a kind of celebration. They were visiting the Beyond The Streets exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery. It’s an exploration of the history and legacy of street art. Our merry prankster felt right at home.
doco tried a little stickery intervention of their own, but polite and observant gallery staff foiled the effort. Oh well, always worth a try. Di-faced goodies were dropped elsewhere in the vicinity. Eagle-eyed observers might want to keep an eye open. doco is always happy to make an exhibition of themselves in public.
Attempted contribution to the show stymied, they contented themselves with a dignified exit through the gift shop and a couple of supportive purchases. When in doubt, indulge in retail therapy.
But the episode put the urge to restart the fire and bring art to the people raging into doco’s fevered little brain. What to do? How to kick things up a notch? doco deals in the interconnection between subject and artist. The two loop together, informing and generating, subtext piling on subtext, theme and commentary spinning in a self-powering cycle. Who is doco? Where is doco? Why is doco? At what point does the art stop and the person begin? If there isn’t a clearly defined point (and kids, if you’ve been with us on the ride this long you know nothing about this project is clearly defined) then wherewhathow do the cross points and borders of myth and mania combine?
It’s easy to get lost in all this. The gods of graffiti and and the saints of street art are cruel and fickle deities. Their church is cavernously vast. The best thing you can do is pick a wall and start stickering or spraying. Make a mark. Shout your name. The fundamental need for human self-expression is at the core of street art. If you can land your tag in a place where everyone can see it, then you have a chance, however fleeting, for immortality. At least until the council guy with the paint pot and the big brush comes around.
What, then, is doco planning? Let’s put it like this. Hollywood managed three billboards. We don’t have that sort of budget. But prepare to see our sticker game get well and truly pimped. Somehow, doco has gathered friends who are happy to help out and bring the maddest of their ideas to life. doco is humbled. doco is grateful. doco is–honestly a little confused as to why people would want to keep this crazy train rolling. But they do, so doco blows the whistle and shovels coal into the engine. Are they just blowing off steam, or are they on track this time? Is there a destination or are we, as ever, just going round and round in circles? Inevitably, the only way to find out is to watch the streets. Let’s just say we’re going big for this one. We don’t think you’re going to miss it. Keep your feeds locked to this channel, and doco will make dang sure you won’t.
The plan for 2022 is to make a documentary about Richard D. James, the electronic musician who trades as Aphex Twin. The trouble is, Richard D. James is one of the most elusive characters out there; rarely seen in public, even more rarely granting interviews. How do we entice his interest and perhaps get the man to open up on camera? Newest member of the MBW team Steve had an idea, and talked Dom into making it a reality. Dom takes up the story of how he printed up a limited edition vinyl run as promo for a little film we like to call Lanner…
It’s been a productive year for us here at Made By Wade. Dom has been busy taking a ton of photos in areas as different as Scotland and the USA. There have been a couple of film-making highlights, which the man himself will now expand upon for you. Take it away, Dom! Continue reading →
Sightings of docoBanksy in the wild can be a little rare these days, although the sharp-eyed amongst you that keep an eye on the Robin Gunningham page on Facebook can sometimes be rewarded. Reports of affiliation between Mister Gunningham and this site are mere speculation and can neither be confirmed nor denied.
However, we here at Made By Wade are happy to confirm that fans of the film can grab a fix next month at the UK’s newest music and culture festival. Grinagog will be taking over sunny Torquay from the 7th-9th April, offering an intoxicating mix of music, arts and fun spread across the capital of the English Riviera. They offer a no-mud guarantee, and something for everyone with over 200 bands, DJs and artists to choose from.
The pop-up cinema in the resplendent Ballroom at Torre Abbey will be home to all sorts of filmy goodness, including docoBanksy. The big question is whether Dominic will be in attendance. We suggest keeping your eye open for docoBanksy stickers at the venue or around town. That’s usually a good sign.
Rouleur magazine is probably the most essential read for those of us interested in the wide world of cycling. A high-class, high specification publication (with an appropriately high end price-tag, it has to be said) it features nothing but the best writing and photography. Dom has subscribed for years, naturally.
Steel Is Real interviewee and friend of the film Rohan Dubash writes for Rouleur, and kindly dropped Dom an invitation to The Rouleur Classic, a gathering of like-minded cycling folk in central London. In his guise as Doctor D, bike surgeon, Rohan would rebuild a Fignon Raleigh from scratch on the first night of the show.
Dom’s visit on the third day had a Fignon connection. He has a picture of the legendary French cyclist made especially for him by the street artist Stewy for services rendered, and he brought it along to grace Doctor D’s stand.
Naturally, Dom was there to drum up interest in Steel Is Real, and he was in full promo mode as he toured the show. Chatting to people from Prendas and Rouleur artist Martin Proctor, he was spreading the good word about our little film.
But there were plenty of treats for the connoisseur–so Dom was very much in his happy place! A Colnago Master Arabesque frameset. A great selection of ex pro bikes, a Thomas Voeckler Colnago, an Indurain Pinarello time trial arrow-like machine, a Boardman hour record yellow French track velo. Maglia Rosas from the Giro. Trophies carefully dotted around the ballroom in lit glass cabinets. Such wonders.
The big draw for many, though, was an interview with the legendary Sean Kelly, who gave a great overview of his life and career to cycling broadcaster Matt Barbet. Watching it, Dom had an idea. Steel is Real is ostensibly about UK cycling, but getting a name like Kelly on tape would be great for the film. Dom being Dom, he approached. We’ll have to wait and see what happens in the next couple of months, but the Wade charm may just win the day…
Dom’s day at the Rouleur Classic went all too quickly, and it was soon time to help Rohan pack up his wares. The following day he would be off gathering more interview footage. The Steel is Reel wheels just keep on a-rollin!
Enjoy the slideshow of shots taken on the day by Dom below.
A rainy Saturday afternoon could not dampen the spirits of Team MadeByWade, as we enjoyed the hospitality of our friends at the Portobello film festival for a fifth year.A gathering was made at The KPH, spiritual home of the festival after the unfortunate denial of service that locked Jonathan Barnett and Co out of the Pop-Up underneath the Westway. Dominic, coming from the west, had the usual nonsense to contend with on the M4. Always a chore, never a pleasure. But a quorum was soon to be had, as MadeByWade XO and factotum Rob was joined by Doctor D himself, Rohan Dubash. Interviewee for Steel Is Real, he has proved to be a worthy friend and supporter of our ventures. Along with his better half Crystal, we settled in and waited for Mister Director (already sending in text demands for champers) to join us.
A welcome addition to the proceedings came in the handsome form of Clive Ashenden. Prime movie maker and long time associate to the MBW crew, Clive had cause to celebrate as well. His excellent short film Acceptance has just been accepted (finally someone gets the hint) to the London International Short Film Festival, screening in October. Rob is part of the crew on this, so was happy to crack a beer and toast the success.
Strangely, our film this year, on open film night Bluescreen, was not showing in the documentary strand. No, we were in with the art films. Is this a promotion? Can we call Dom an artist now? (a pro tip; best you don’t.) The good news was that it meant we screened in a gallery space at The Muse, a bit further down Portobello Road. As we arrived, we were delighted to find a Stewy on display. A good omen indeed.
Look, it us!
A clean white cube with excellent projection and sound, Dom pronounced himself very satisfied with the presentation. I think we came as a welcome relief to some of the oddities on display in the art programme, especially the 20 minute film consisting entirely of closeups of odd corners of the South Bank. More of an installation than something to sit and watch.
Following the screening, we decamped to a local pizza joint, Saporitalia and cheerfully ate ourselves silly. I recommend the Piccante. A wander up to Notting Hill Gate afterwards for Gelato at Gelato Mio, before we good companions went our separate ways.
Portobello is not a film festival for everyone. It’s a freewheeling social affair that encourages drop in visits rather than full sit-down grinds through the extended programmes. Frankly, this approach can be fun. You get to check in on interesting looking movies, and bug out if you want a break. It’s friendly, funky and above all, free. A celebration of creativity, with a laid back air. What’s not to like? MadeByWade make a point of screening here, and long may our relationship with Jonathan and Portobello continue.
As the last warm days of summer draw in, all eyes turn to West London for the loosest and most joyfully free-form film festival out there: The Portobello Film Festival. And once again, Dom will showing something. Continue reading →
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