A derelict mansion in Bishopscourt is a really unique venue for an album launch – and, as it turns out, it was also a really fitting backdrop for the atmospheric electronica of Markus Wormstorm and his mini orchestra.
The story I heard about the R23 million building, was that it had been bought some years ago and was in the process of being developed when there was some financial issue that froze the whole project, and apparently it’s tied up in legal problems at the moment…I’m not sure how they went about acquiring it for the night but it was a really inspired idea.
Totally unfurnished (apart from the modest upstairs accommodation of, I assume, the groundsman) and unfinished, the building was huge and open for exploration. Downstairs, there was a mini exhibition of artwork by Not I, but a friend cover-artist Elise Wessels and next door, the music video for Eve’s Twin was projected onto a wall.
Once the sun set, the musicians (who included Freshlyground’s violinist Kyla Rose Smith and Lark’s vocalist Inge Beckmann) took to the stage and performed the new album. Not only is the music great, but the live performance was lovely and really suited the space well. I briefly wandered around inside during the performance; the eerily empty building combined with the music in the background, made me feel for a moment very much like I was in a strange film…surreal and quite magical.
– – –
Not I, but a friend is available as a free download and comes highly recommended (especially Sleep Ali)
