NEW MUSIC STAGE - FRIDAY / SATURDAY
In March 2006 Swansea-born MC and Producer Jonathan Baines created remixes of vocalist Emma Stockton's original jazz/folk based songs to form what would be the base of a musical collaboration and recording project, Ocarina. Their diverse influences produced a mixture of soul, trip-hop and broken beats. Jon and Emma's voices were accompanied by a string quartet of Gemma Cumming, Helen Bower, Sarah Telman and Allen Bradbury who became an integral part of Ocarina's individual sound.
Over a two year period Ocarina wrote and produced their first album Lovely Weather For Ducks with guest appearances from saxophonist Andrew McDonell, trumpet solos from Arif Driessen and Urdu, reggae beat poetry from Babar Luck.
Alongside writing their album Ocarina have been gradually building an excellent reputation and fan base by playing live gigs supporting acts such as the London Breakbeat Orchestra on various occasions, Tor, Contingency Plan, and Breakbeat DJ's Willott & Kong, Skinny & Clarky and Miss Max.
Ocarina have appeared at events including The Festival Of Youth Arts (Islington Carling Academy, London), Graffiti Breakz (Purple Turtle, London), LBO Christmas Party (Live Bar, London), Goldsmith's Student Union, New Cross The Dragons Ball (The Green Dragon, Croydon), The Final Malcdown (Orange & Blue Music, London), and Beatroot (The Dirty South, London).
And now it's homecoming time for Jonathan, as he makes his Pontardawe debut.
http://pontardawefestival.com/artists/article.php/20080715170256121