Blog

Alchemy was invited to see the legendary Linton Kwesi Johnson speak at The Albany in Deptford. He talked about New Beacon Books (the UK’s only outlet for books written by only black writers – which is still in operation in Finsbury Park) and his education with the Brixton Panthers where he learned to really read and write, the fact that there were in fact black writers bring published, and all about his rights at a time when “the metropolitan police declared war against the black youth, a war that is still active today” (the words of Linton Kwesi Johnson). Recent news is showing that we are taking backwards steps in terms of institutional racism, and this must be challenged and protested (my words). Big inspiration. Thanks LKJ.

We are proud to announce the launch of our collaboration with Unit 137 as part of the Lewisham Borough of Culture. This project will run between April and July, giving the Alchemy participants a chance to meet and work with the Unit 137 Sound System and Record Label to develop new music and take part in two Sound System events (The Lewisham Sound System Trail on 29th May 2022 and Lewisham People’s Day on 16th July, as well as put together a vinyl release).

The project was launched with a Sound System masterclass at the Albany in Deptford with Hylu, Phoebs, Anja Ngozi and the legendary Jerry Lionz, marking Unit 137’s 10th anniversary and first performance in the same space.

The masterclass began with a presentation on the local history of Sound System culture, with Q&A time for the Alchemy artists to ask questions to the Sound System Crew. After lunch (Caribbean food and homemade lemonade from the local Good Vibez Jerk Centre there were performances from the Unit 137 crew and a chance for the young Alchemy artists to perform through ‘the sound’, and receive expert feedback and advice.

You can read more about it in Natalie Hyacinth’s blog for Sonic Street Technologies.

Alchemy is growing! We are currently building exciting new music and mentoring project partnerships with incredible local organisations, including The Woodpecker Community Centre, the TNG Youth and Community Centre and the Deptford Adventure Playground. We are piloting a partnership with the brilliant Youth First Charity. Watch this space!

Thanks everyone who came to our showcase, 3 hours of original live music!

The flyer for our showcase at Goldsmiths University, performing work in progress music and production work from the Alchemy artists.

Shavelle won the Jack Petchey Award! She was nominated by the other young Alchemy artists for her creative achievements. She used the award money to bring in the very talented and experienced voice trainer Rachel Bennett (aka RAIE) to work with Alchemy’s singers for a day. We did group warm ups and singing exercises, followed by a chance for each singer to perform and receive her expert guidance and feedback.

Kieron (aka KamZz) joined Alchemy in 2017. In 2019 he started volunteering as a mentor. During the pandemic lockdown he designed Rezon8, his own youth-led record label and youth project with the support of Alchemy’s Mikey Kirkpatrick and The Albany (in particular Kirsty Collander-Brown). He now runs this project full-time and continues to support Alchemy, as well as creating his own music for theatre and in collaboration with other artists (and maybe one day his own album… right Kieron?)

He’s doing amazing work. Lewisham Homes agrees (https://www.lewishamhomes.org.uk/11358-2/).
See for yourself…

Find out more at https://www.thealbany.org.uk/projects/rezon8/.

The Goldsmiths Centre for Contemporary Art has invited Alchemy to be one of their resident projects along with designers APV, A Particular Reality, Ambient Jam Collective and more incredible local community projects. Our spoken word professional and mentor Yasmin Ali is currently using the space for writing labs and filming. You can find out more about the residents project here: https://goldsmithscca.art/residents/.

Today (16th November 2021) Alchemy will be featured on Resonance 104.4FM as part of the monthly Raft – A London Story radio show. The show features the Alchemy team, featuring recordings from the Alchemy Takeover of the NX Records record store in New Cross, London, on 13.11.2021. With performances by Alchemy artists, Rezon8 and the UYT Collective. You can listen again here: https://www.mixcloud.com/Resonance/raft-16-november-2021-episode-36/