Introducing #184 - Chelsea Carmichael
Let us introduce you to rising Saxophonist Chelsea Carmichael, who has just announced the release of her debut album ‘The River Doesn’t Like Strangers - while also being the first signing to Shabaka Hutchings’ new label Native Rebel Recordings. Along with the announcement Chelsea has provided us with the perfect taster in the form of ‘There Is You and You’, she took a moment to talk to us about her music.
Hey there Chelsea, how are you? So your new track ‘Myriad’ is out now - can you tell us a bit more about it?
I am well thank you - readapting to the many faucets of being a freelance musician as many of us are, so feeling tired, but super fulfilled. 'Myriad' feels right at the moment - it's a sort of 'return to the dance' - definitely a tune meant for movement and gathering.
Along with the track, Native Rebel Recordings have signed you as their debut for their label - how does it feel to be part of their family? How did this partnership come about?
It really is such an honour to be the debut on this label, and to be there right at its inception - as someone who is just emerging onto the scene and figuring out my place amongst it all it is great to work with a team who is so dedicated to seeing me thrive.
I had first met Shabaka properly when we both played with 'The Brother Moves On' at Church of Sound back in 2019 - still to this day that was one of my favourite gigs. I absolutely love that venue as a player and as an audience member - the audience is unlike any in London for me - so sensitive and warm, and 100% up for good music in all its forms - but anyway, some of their players couldn't make it over from South Africa, so I jumped on very last minute and improvised the set. Later in the year Shabaka got in touch to ask if I wanted to get involved with his new label and now here we are about to put out the first record.
You are quite active on the London jazz scene, where are the best places to go for this genre of music? Especially for the fresh and new sounds.
As I mentioned before, Church of Sound is a wicked venue - great music, great people and a beautiful setting. I also love Tom Sankey's night 'Good Evening' at the Royal Albert that usually happens every Sunday evening - such a varied mixture of great music from more free things, to swing, to groove, in a super casual setting, and a great place to hang out and see some folk for a drink and a catch up. Photographer and all-round great human George Nelson has a new series at AMP Studios on Old Kent Road called 'Moments Notice' - where he curates duos and trios of musicians from the scene to put on a completely improvised set - which can take any direction on the night. I always love to see what Total Refreshment Centre and Jazz Re:freshed are working on - they are always putting together wicked nights in London with both new and established bands/artists. I am also working on a night myself with trombone player Joe Bristow, which is going to take a look at the freer side of composition and improvisation - it's an idea born out of our appreciation for some of the more avant-garde jazz artists like Grachan Moncur III and Joe Harriot, and we both feel like there is such potential to explore that within the context of the London Jazz sound - we plan to invite special guests to join us, and open up for a jam - so keep your eyes peeled for that coming soon if that’s your bag!
Where are you based? What are your favorite things to do there?
I'm based in Lewisham in SE London - since coming to London in 2012 I've always lived around here and it's my favourite part of London. I always say within what can feel like such a harshly capitalist place it feels like a place with real community and real people. I love SE for its parks - even though I class myself as a city person, I grew up in a village so I do really appreciate some greenery and some breathing space. I love visiting galleries - and it's something I do a lot here in London and try to do when I'm in other cities - I'm a big fan of visual and performance art and it is something I would love to draw collaborations with in the future. Shout out to Guts Gallery - who are shaking up the art world championing marginalised artists and challenging institutions - I recommend everyone to keep an eye out for their shows.
What are your key influences when it comes to your music?
I feel like I'm in a place where my music taste is changing/expanding, and I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate all those things into my musical outputs - the writing of this record is in collaboration with Shabaka so that's one faucet what I want to say musically, and there are other things to come - but the overarching influence in everything I do is Black excellence - and drawing on the legacy of Black influence and creation throughout the arts. That's what does it for me.
Now the track is out there, what next for you?
We have just put out another one - 'There is You and You' - so go check that! Next is the album which comes out Oct 22nd. Outside of this release I'm just looking to getting playing again as much as possible, writing more and putting together some more projects to explore some more musical identities - it's a super exciting time and I'm hoping people will enjoy what's to come!