The Self Isolation Songbook
short film screening + a live performance
On 26 March 2020 musician Art Terry played a song on his guitar. Lying on the sitting room floor, his partner Helena Smith idly filmed Art and sang along. Equally idly, she suggested he record a song a day for the then unknown period of lockdown.
For the next 52 days, Art recorded a song each day. Each day Helena made a video for the song. The Self Isolation Songbook short film, comprised of the daily videos, was premiered at the We Out Here festival in 2021.
Following screenings, Art Terry + his big band, the Black Bohemians, expand on the self-isolation songs, with a full choir and brass section as well as keyboard, drums and double bass. Gospel glam meets hauntological funk: get ready to dance.
“Los Angeles born Art Terry simply tells it like he sees it, a folksy counsellor who comes on with style.” Brian Morton, The Wire
“For well over a decade Art Terry has been an irrepressibly original and dynamic presence on the British music scene. The wily Californian draws from a deep well of black music to wade into fresh waters that drown all stereotypes on the blues, gospel, soul, funk and rock. His music has a vivid element of meta-theatre as well as a broad sound palette, and he remains a genre all of his own.” Kevin LeGendre, BBC Radio 3
“Brings the questioning quirky funk of Sly Stone together with the provocative poetry of pathfinder Lou Reed.” Resonance FM