UNTOLD STORIES: ON AND OFF
2023
Me Lost Me (Jayne Dent)’s ‘On And Off’ is an audio treat for the senses, produced by The Auxiliary as part of their No More Nowt ‘Untold Stories’ commission.
Dent’s sonic collage of specially recorded oral history extracts from an interview with ex-miner, Steven Maitland, from Shotton Colliery, combined with a mesmeric live performance elegantly balancing layers of live instrumentation, pulsating beats and Dent’s delicate yet commanding vocals is an irresistible reflection on the once-familiar experiences of disorientating cycles of shift work in coal mining.
The piece was created by weaving samples taken from an interview with ex-miner, Stephen Maitland and lyrics written by Dent in response - and ultimately performed at The Auxiliary project space in Middlesbrough as part of Middlesbrough Art Week, with a limited edition ‘cassingle’ (cassette single) available as a release with Industrial Coast (sold out).
It’s a song exploring the disorientating cycles of shift work in the mines of County Durham, zooming in on the detail of how often Stephen recalls having to change his clothes when working the 3:20am shift - change to work, change to eat, change to sleep.
“We are helping with the production of a limited edition cassingle (a single track cassette) which will only be available at the show. The work is in response to a conversation Jayne had with former miner Stephen Maitland in the spring of 2023 and is part of a project, Untold Stories. Jayne has a wonderful voice and it’s a beautiful track.” - Industrial Coast
The song was available on a very limited run of tapes on the opening night via Industrial Coast with all proceeds going to Middlesbrough Foodbank operated by Trussel Trust.
We highly recommend checking out Jayne’s music on the Me Lost Me Bandcamp.
This project is part of our commission 'Untold Stories - From the Campfire to the Hearth’
Artists:
The Auxiliary Project Space with artists Chris Suttie, Jayne Dent, Nell Catchpole and Liz Collier
Partners:
The Barn at Easington, Blackhall Community Centre, Shotton Community Hub, Thornley Village Centre, The Arts Cafe @ Community House, The Auxillary, No More Nowt, Arts Council England.
Listen now:
