It’s official! Mama Matrix have been confirmed for the Cabaret Voltaire Stage at this year’s Aeon Festival. The self styled “shoestring boutique” festival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend in Devon’s beautiful Shobrooke Park near Crediton. Over the event’s five year history, organisers have strived to create a “laid back bohemian feel, in the spirit of all the original festivals before commercialism prevailed.” The Cabaret Voltaire Stage, which shares a tent with the bar, promises “world music, funk, jazzy DJs, comics and poets” and invites you to “leave your troubles at the door.” It’s promoters are known for booking acts on the cusp of great things, and they certainly have an eye for talent- their gig with Speech Debelle in Exeter last year just before she won the Mercury Prize is a case in point. Other acts confirmed for Cabaret Voltaire this year include John Fairhurst, Maybe Myrtle Tyrtle and Hong Kong Ping Pong.
Brummie culture blog Digbeth is Good asked Mama Matrix guitarist Joel ‘Murpheus’ Murphy to choose between his home city Belfast, and the city where Mama Matrix was born. Click here to hear what he had to say.
Mama Matrix are famed for their high octane live performances and raucous melodies, but something else that fans often comment on is Daz Dolczech’s lyrics. The lovely Graham Whatley saw Mama Matrix play at Bishop’s Castle: “I just loved Irene at the Michaelmas Fair last year. It’s great to see how people cluster, listen to the words and engage with the gig. Just thought it would be good to have sequels for women like Sandra, Mavis and Verity.” This wonderful gentleman has penned some lyrics about Mavis Davis (possibly Mama Matrix’ dangerous tuba player). Who knows, maybe Mister Dolczech and the Mamas will have this whipped up into a full blown song by the next gig at Bishop’s Castle! Thank you Graham!
She was sitting on a seat
Looking far from neat
In fact, really quite a mess
Untidy, nothing less.
But the way she bit
when I tried to sit
next to her because
the bus was full.
Bit right through my coat
into my arm, right into my arm
Did me some harm Mavis,
you did me some harm.
I tried to get up
but she started talking
and I was enthralled
I don’t know why, boy
heaven knows why
so rather than walking
We started talking
while I nursed my arm, boy
while I rubbed my arm.
Next week she smartened up
She said her name was Davis
when we met up again
then I knew I fancied her
I knew I did and now I did
I really did. Smitten
Besotted and bitten.
I bin bitten by Mavis.
Mavis Davis on a bus.
Shamanic Shenanigans to blow your Balkan socks off!
Freaky fivesome Mama Matrix are back in style this Friday at The Wagon Horses in Digbeth, from 8pm, with support from the delectable Cat Green Bike. At a measley £4 on the door, you’ll be forgiven for thinking we’re really spoiling you!
Valeria Rispo witnessed Mama Matrix at the Adam and Eve last month, and lived to tell the tale…
The sheer size of the sound by this 5-piece band was way above the size of the main room at the Adam and Eve, which was full to the brim with fans. The set started with Daz’s huge voice screaming “Destroyer!!” a classic tune which set the fast and manic pace of the evening.
Clever and witty lyrics, accompanied by Anne’s dextrously gorgeous and hypnotising violin and a somewhat twisted jazzy drumbeat all the way, a dreamy and unexpected electric guitar and a very heavy & bassy tuba pushing through the night.
With all this going on you can’t help but be swept along blindly without a moment to stop and get a drink! Though they passed through a couple of somewhat slower tunes, even “Melancholy Flower”, which starts off slowly, speeds up to incredible velocity.
By the time they jumped into their classic song ‘Irene’ which incidentally, shows off Daz’s vocal genius and the band’s impeccable timing, the Adam and Eve didn’t know what had hit it. The whole place was jumping up and down with rarely-seen abandon.
After their storming performance at Digbeth’s Adam and Eve, Mama Matrix have returned to their kitchen, where they are currently stirring up a spicy music casserole for your delectation. Mmmm…smells good! Mama Matrix will be available for UK and European booking from May 15th onwards, please contact us for more details.
Get out your finest crockery, because the new EP will be launched before you can say,”Tea’s ready!” In the meantime, whet your audial appetite by visiting Mama Matrix on Myspace.
Oh my, it seems those wonderful Mamas can charm the pants off anyone. When Times food writer Lucas Hollweg stumbled upon the band belting out their ode to autumnal excess- Gather Ye Mushrooms- at Bishop’s Castles Michaelmas Fair last year, he just couldn’t keep it to himself! I give you, dear friends:
The Joy of Ceps
After a fruitless journey to the depths of Cannon Hill Park, Gather Ye Mushrooms came to Daz Dolczech as if by magic! How ironic….
Ladies and Gentlemen, this Saturday January 31st, an unprecedented meeting will take place- Adam and Eve will play host to Mama Matrix. The originators of sin, the couple who bit the apple, the waif and the stray from the Garden of Eden, are taking the Mamas to their bosom for a night of feverish Balkan Gypsy hedonism, and it won’t cost you a penny to witness! Free entry from 8pm until 2am, with support from the dangerous Marc Reck and the unpardonable Hidden Half. We look forward to seeing you at The Adam and Eve Public House, Bradford Street, Digbeth. Prepare to be pleasured.
In late 2005, a group of musicians moved into a house in Birmingham’s Speedwell road, and converted the basement into a secret after hours bar, where they ran a sreies of late night jam parties, primarily to pay the rent. The reputation of the SAC (Speedwell Arts Centre) quickly spread across the city and beyond, attracting a diverse crowd of accomplished musicians and artists. Three of these musicians; singer/songwriter Daz Dolczech, guitarist Murpheus and violinist Anka J started playing together regularly, united by their passion for Balkan gypsy music. They were joined by tuba player Dark Mavis and drummer Mike Hurley. and so Mama Matrix was born.
