Quotes

“The London International Festival of Exploratory Music (LIFEM) seeks out music with a ‘proactive’ attitude. Its programmes spread out across genres; this year alone the artists were as diverse as DJ Scotch Egg and sean-nós singer Lorcán Mac Mathúna. The festival’s name places it in sympathy with the model of experimental music, but it has a wider perspective and offers something fresh to audiences.” (Stephen Graham, The Journal of Music, Ireland) (Dec 09)

“Thanks for putting on such a great and open-minded festival!” (Daryl Shawn, musician, USA) (Dec 09)

“An interesting and original festival project” (Jiri Smrcek, Colours of Ostrava, Czech Republic) (Dec 09)

“Great, intriguing programming throughout” (Stephen Lyons, musician, Canada) (Dec 09)

“Kudos!” (Ernesto Diaz-Infante, musician, USA) (Nov 09)

“Many great gigs over four days at the London International Festival of Exploratory Music” (Time Out, UK) (Nov 09)

“I like the modern way those old songs are played” (Bettina Wagner, on Cukunft’s performance at LIFEM, Germany) (Nov 09)

“Pure madness… unusual music experience – thanks! Such talented guys…” (blowupLondon, on Cukunft’s performance at LIFEM, Poland) (Nov 09)

“An interesting selection! I hope that you were satisfied with the response. You certainly go for an adventurous programme!” (Ben Mandelson, musician, UK) (Nov 09)

“I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful performance at Kings Place this evening.  I really enjoyed it – it made my birthday!! It’s been ages since I heard old songs sung so beautifully – it took me back to sitting and listening to my grandparents generation singing in the early hours of the morning after a good night in the pub or at the end of a wedding!!  Happy times…….but sore heads….” (Caroline Walsh, on Lorcán Mac Mathuna’s performance at LIFEM, UK) (Nov 09)

“That was quite extraordinary and moving tonight ♥♥♥ thank you Tanya! I so much wanted to join in!” (Tim Johnson, on Tanya Tagaq’s performance at LIFEM, UK) (Nov 09)

“Thank you for a truly amazing, transcending and powerful performance at King’s Place tonight!” (Thierry Alexandre, on Tanya Tagaq’s performance at LIFEM, UK) (Nov 09)

“Thanks for a great festival, great venue and a great lineup.  Do you have a subscribers email list?  If so can you please add me so I don’t forget about next year!  Thanks” (Andrew Shackleton, UK) (Nov 09)

“A window into the work of a collection of innovative artists and a good place to expand your listening horizon” (Jeffrey Callen, SF International Music Examiner, USA) (Nov 09)

“The program is eclectic and far-reaching” (Jeffrey Callen, SF International Music Examiner, USA) (Nov 09)

“A very cool music festival in London is stretching the boundaries of musical stereotypes and hopefully helping us all leave behind the outdated concept of ‘world music’” (Jeffrey Callen, SF International Music Examiner, USA) (Nov 09)

“Sad I can not go to this very special music festival in London this year … in case you happen to be near – go for it!” (Bettina Wagner, Germany) (Nov 09)

“Nothing tried, nothing gained: experimental music reaches London” (Jungle Drums Online, UK) (Nov 09)

“A festival for exploring less common themes to do with experimentation and music with a difference, from around the world” (www.myvillage.com, UK) (Nov 09)

“Hit the right note with the London International Festival of Exploratory Music which showcases music from across the globe” (Islington  Gazette, UK) (Nov 09)

“Critic’s Choice” (Time Out, UK) (Nov 09)

“Ear-stretching sounds from around the globe” (John Bungey, The Times, UK) (Nov 09)

“Ten best gigs” (Tim Cumming, The Independent, UK) (Nov 09)

“A new world of music congregates under one roof for this inaugural UK festival” (Tim Cumming, The Independent, UK) (Nov 09)

“(LIFEM) reveals and promotes the latest news, styles and trends of the international music scene” (Milenna Pessoa, Brazilian News, UK) (Nov 09)

“Host of international artists exploring everything from UK minimalist avant chamber pop, Inuk snow songs, ice folk and throat singing, to exotic electro Latin sounds and Japanese electronica, along with screenings and talks. The furiously eclectic event is as strange a meeting of minds as you’re likely to get  – Ipecac’s Tanya Tagaq goes head to head with DJ Scotch Egg, Jenni Roditti, Midori Hirano and many, many more names spanning four continents, bringing an entirely new meaning to the phrase ‘world music’. Make sure you get your tix now!” (Rock-A-Rolla, UK) (Oct 09)

“Great line-up … exploratory music INDEED!” (Samuel Aubert, Les Siestes Electroniques Festival, France) (Oct 09)

“Unique artists” (Songlines, UK) (Oct 09)

“Want to hear something different? You might find what you’re looking for at the London International Festival of Exploratory Music at London’s Kings Place from November 4-7. It might be concerts by Greenlandic Inuk Nive Nielsen and Canadian Inuit Tanya Tagaq. Perhaps the UK premiere of Irish sean nós singer Lorcán Mac Mathúna. Maybe you fancy the sexy Latin punk-pop of Madame Mim, or the ethereal Japanese soundscapes of Midori Hirano. Whatever it is, from Chinese indie to Sephardic roots, there’s plenty to explore.” (Songlines, UK) (Oct 09)

“Explore the world – New festival of exploratory music is unveiled at London’s Kings Place” (Songlines, UK) (Oct 09)

“LIFEM has curated evenings which bring together a selection of artists from shared continents to reveal the commonality and differences between them” (World Music Central, USA) (Oct 09)

“LIFEM has exploited the incredible potential of the world-wide-web to seek the most exciting finds from the far East, the middle East, the Arctic Circle, south America and East and West Europe” (World Music Central, USA) (Oct 09)

“Innovative musicians from around the world” (World Music Central, USA) (Oct 09)

“I am in love with what you are doing here” (Vikki Horowitz, Museek Management, USA) (Oct 09)

“Congratulations for the concept of exploratory music” (Julian Sanz, Discos Necesarios, Spain) (Oct 09)

“More reasons for that weekend trip to London” (Bettina Wagner, Germany) (Oct 09)

“Would be a great weekend in London – extravagant music…” (Bettina Wagner, Germany) (Oct 09)

“LIFEM: London International Festival of Exploratory Music … sounds great!” (Bettina Wagner, Germany) (Oct 09)

“For the musicians, the festival is a great opportunity to attract new audiences not yet familiar with their sounds” (Carol Morandini, Jungle Drums Magazine, UK) (Oct 09)

“A spanking new festival” (Carol Morandini, Jungle Drums Magazine, UK) (Oct 09)

“Time to explore: LIFEM brings a bit of attitude to London’s busy musical scene” (Carol Morandini, Jungle Drums Magazine, UK) (Oct 09)

“LIFEM – daring musicality in London” (Jungle Drums Online, UK) (Oct 09)

“LIFEM brings a musical labyrinth to London next month” (Jungle Drums Online, UK) (Oct 09)

“I am excited by the lineup for this event.  In many respects it reflects the theme we wish to achieve with The World in Winter” (Mary Finnigan, The World in Winter Festival, UK) (Oct 09)

“Host to innovative musicians from around the globe” (Damian Rafferty, Fly Global Music Culture, UK) (Oct 09)

“Alongside this whirlwind tour of global music, LIFEM also presents a free programme of award-winning short films making their UK debut” (Damian Rafferty, Fly Global Music Culture, UK) (Oct 09)

“LIFEM has curated evenings which bring together a selection of artists from shared continents to reveal the commonality and differences between them” (Damian Rafferty, Fly Global Music Culture, UK) (Oct 09)

“It must be a great festival!!!” (Francisco Castellanos, Ecuador) (Oct 09)

“Throat singing has a certain primeval aspect to it that you don’t find often in modern music. Tanya takes this traditional Inuit technique and mixes it with modern instruments to create music that is gripping and unusual. I’ll say this is a must-see.” (Vault:21 on Tanya Tagaq, UK) (Sep 09)

“Artists that you wouldn’t normally find making the London gig circuit” (Vault:21, UK) (Sep 09)

“A really good excuse for a trip to London, I was waiting for this” (Petr Dorůžka, radio/press journalist, Czech Republic) (Aug 09)

“Wow will surely tune in :)” (Chandrani Banerjee, singer/songwriter, India) (Aug 09)

“Sounds promising!” (John Duncan, sound artist, USA) (Aug 09)

“This looks like a blast. We’ll tell all our friends about it.” (MyWorldMusic.com) (Jul 09)