Chris Williams and  Liran Donin

Moss Freed Writes:

What happens you take two established duos and ask them to come together in front of a live audience? The rules are simple: the first half consists of each duo playing a short set individually; the second half is the collision. The musicians will have access to the venue for the afternoon of the performance, if they choose to use it, but no more preparation is allowed. Guests from the audience may be invited to join in.

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Upstairs at the Forge is the perfectly intimate venue for this informal and inclusive series. For the inaugural event, on Tuesdy the 13th August, we have an amazing line up of musicians to take on the challenge – Led Bib’s Chris Williams (sax) and Liran Donin (bass) up against Dan Nicholls (keys) and Dave Smith (dr) who collectively make up Strobes.

Liran and Chris have been playing together for a number of years in various outfits. They met whilst studying at Middlesex University and their first chance of playing together came when Led Bib was formed. The Bib were nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2009, continue to tour around the UK and Europe, and are currently working on a double album release for 2014, their fifth and sixth albums. From here, Liran and Chris forged a strong musical bond – one which allows them to constantly bounce ideas off of each other whilst having an almost telepathic-like understanding when improvising together.

Loop Collective co-founder Dave Smith is best known as the drummer of Robert Plant’s Sensational Space Shifters, afro-blues group Juju and work with traditional Sabar drumming from The Gambia. Dan Nicholls is a keyboardist, reeds player, composer and producer, also working with video and animation. He has performed at music festivals in Berlin, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Malmo, London, Birmingham and Cheltenham as well as venues throughout Europe.



 Conjuring big beats and a vast array of sonic possibilities, Strobes unites the creative minds of two prodigious talents of the London music scene – flicking effortlessly between electro-improv, Afro-centric groove and distinctively original hooks.

I’m really excited to bring this new series to the Forge, an amazing arts centre in the heart of Camden who go above and beyond to programme music with integrity across the spectrum of genres. The Great Collision is a chance for London’s top improvisers to collaborate in a unique way with musicians they wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to play with – the possibilities are endless! If you love live improvised music please come and support this new night!

*Bring instruments*

Chris Williams / Liran Donin Duo
Strobes – (Dan Nicholls / Dave Smith)

Doors – 7:30pm
Music – 8pm

£8 on the door. All the money goes to the musicians.

The second Great Collision will be on Tuesday September 17th with Tom Hewson (keys) / Alam Nathoo (sax) alongside David Preston (gtr) / Laurie Lowe (dr).