La Violette Società 53: A Gathering of Unique Voices at Ten Streets Social in Liverpool
La Violette Società 53 artwork by Pascal Blua
On the 28th January 2025, La Violette Società presents an evening of music, poetry, and spoken word that promises to be a memorable experience. This event takes place at the Ten Streets Social in Liverpool, a vibrant venue that echoes the innovative spirit of our performers.
The evening will feature four distinctive talents — M. Haiux, Wendy Erskine, Ralph Dartford and Nev Clay. Each offers a unique voice in their respective fields, and together, they will create a cohesive and compelling experience of the poetic, the melodic, the prosaic and the unexpected.
M. Haiux
M. Haiux, the musical alter ego of Liverpool-based guitarist Matthew McPartlan, is a unique figure in the city’s music landscape. His work, which utilises minimalistic finger-picked guitar, creates captivating melodic soundscapes loaded with emotional weight. Drawing influence from instrumental luminaries like John Fahey, Daniel Bachman and Gwennifer Raymond, his music has found comparison to the experimental folk of Richard Dawson and the introspective ambience of Bill Callahan.
His debut solo album, "Summer Nights and Still Water," released on Hollow Gesture Records in August 2024, is a collection of improvisations and structured pieces recorded at his home. The album has garnered critical acclaim, with The Quietus lauding it for its innovative blend of traditional folk elements with a bold, anti-establishment ethos.
McPartlan's latest release, 'The Cold Nights of Late December,' is an evocative 5-track EP. Composed of acoustic instrumentals inspired by the festive period, it includes a "post Christmas song" about the melancholy sight of a once-beloved Christmas tree discarded outside a home.
Both "Summer Nights and Still Water" and "The Cold Nights of Late December" exemplify M. Haiux's exploration of ambient and experimental genres. His music offers a rich blend of sound that challenges and captivates, providing a soothing soundtrack that perfectly captures the introspective mood of the changing seasons.
photograph: Khara Pringle
Wendy Erskine
Acclaimed Belfast author, Wendy Erskine, has masterfully crafted her way into the literary scene with her short story collections. Notably, her debut collection, "Sweet Home," was praised by The Guardian for its gripping exploration of love, loneliness, and the everyday ennui of Belfast. Erskine's narratives, marked by authenticity and depth, offer a nuanced understanding of the human condition.
Her second collection, "Dance Move," continued to garner praise. Defined as more consistent and impressive, it was hailed for its "stone-cold classics," with The Guardian referring to it as a "propulsive second collection," highlighting stories that strike straight at the emotional core.
Erskine's work is lauded for its literary merit and insightful commentary on societal issues. Her narratives, set against the backdrop of everyday life, paint a vivid portrait of ordinary lives transformed into compelling narratives. With her explorations into the crevices of daily life, she has earned recognition as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary literature.
In addition to her collections, Wendy has contributed to The Stinging Fly, Stinging Fly Stories and Female Lines: New Writing by Women from Northern Ireland. She has also appeared in Being Various: New Irish Short Stories (Faber and Faber), Winter Papers and on BBC Radio 4. Alongside these achievements, she actively collaborates on various projects, contributes to The Guardian and The Quietus and works as a secondary school teacher in Belfast.
Erskine's work has been shortlisted for The Republic of Consciousness Prize and The Edge Hill Prize, longlisted for The Gordon Burn Prize, and her story 'Inakeen' was longlisted for the Sunday Times Audible Short Story Prize. Her unique perspective and ability to delve into the intricacies of human experience promise her an enduring presence in the literary world.
photograph: Amelia Read
Nev Clay
Newcastle-based singer-songwriter, Nev Clay, has crafted a reputation for his heartfelt performances and deeply personal lyrics over his thirty-year music career. His exploration of life's quiet moments, recently featured in a session hosted by Gideon Coe and Mark Riley on Radio 6, offers a reflective look at everyday experiences.
His album "So Little Happened For So Long" explores themes of ageing and death, earning praise from KLOF Mag for containing some of the best songs on these themes. Beyond his solo work, Clay's collaborations, including his project with Richard Dawson, "Dawson May Jazzfinger Clay," showcase his versatile approach to music.
Clay's music, known for its emotional inquisitiveness and crystalline dynamics, provides a poignant accompaniment to life's quieter moments, creating an intimate atmosphere that deeply resonates with listeners. His distinct narrative style, marked by its honesty and depth, has been recognised by peers and critics alike, solidifying his status as a distinctive voice in contemporary music.
In addition to his solo work, Clay has contributed to various compilations, including the Katpis Tapes project, further demonstrating his ability to craft narrative-driven songs. A mental health nurse until 2018, Clay was once the supporting act for Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Despite a career spanning over three decades, Clay's second album, "So Little Happened For So Long," is his first in over 30 years. His songs, often based on observations and memories, explore the crevices of daily life. Notably, his song "Cuddy's Cave," an epic hymn to the North East, has grown into a sprawling collaboration with St James Infirmary, and is set to include more versions with rhyming couplets sourced from friends.
Though he has often rejected the term 'folk singer,' Clay's music and collaborations place him firmly within the folk scene. Still, his influences are diverse, citing Ted Chippington and George Welsh as pivotal figures in his musical journey. Clay's music reflects his worldview, which resonates with Buddhist philosophies, exploring themes of decline, dissolution, and impermanence. His nuanced explorations of these themes has cemented his status within the Tyneside scene, leading close friend and collaborator Richard Dawson to describe him as 'the finest songwriter I know'.
Ralph Dartford
Yorkshire-based poet and writer, Ralph Dartford, has made significant contributions to contemporary literature with his deeply personal and reflective poetry. Dartford, a graduate of Birkbeck College, London, is currently a PhD student in Creative Writing at the University of Huddersfield and serves as the poetry editor for Northern Gravy.
His work, often drawing from personal experiences, explores themes such as addiction, recovery, self-reflection, and societal issues. This is particularly evident in his collection "Recovery Songs," a cycle of narrative poems that touch on the human condition's ebb and flow. His recent work, "House Anthems," praised by ABCTales, offers powerful insights into personal and societal issues, demonstrating Dartford's ability to craft compelling narratives.
A fixture in the poetry scene, Dartford is the founder of the spoken word collective, "A Firm of Poets," providing opportunities for emerging poets.
Characterised by honesty, depth of feeling, and skillful use of language, Dartford's poetry often explores his experiences growing up in Basildon, Essex, his struggles with addiction, and his journey to recovery and self-discovery after moving to Northern England. His insightful and authentic approach to poetry continues to resonate with readers and listeners, making him a significant figure in contemporary literature.