Objects and Concepts: Album Launch with Surfing Sofas
We are absolutely delighted to announce the release of Objects and Concepts and the album Launch with Surfing Sofas. The album is AVAILABLE NOW.
About the album
This incredible album written by Surfing Sofas, the inspiring spoken word poet and Museum of Homelessness artist in residence, can now be downloaded from all major streaming platforms.
This vital concept album, produced by acclaimed musicians like Renell Shaw and Camilo Tirado, in partnership with Lyrix Organix, delves deep into the invisible stories of the UK's homeless community.
Through the magic of poetry, music, and archive recordings, Surfing Sofas weaves a tapestry of nine tracks, each through the lens of nine objects from the museum's collection. He layers new meanings upon them while sharing the original stories behind these objects, creating a profound yet hopeful album that reflects society's housing crisis.
As the first-ever poet in residence for the Museum of Homelessness, Surfing Sofas guides us through each object, offering a raw and moving re-interpretation of their essential truths. His powerful storytelling, combining humor, poetry, and a dynamic soundtrack, echoes the styles of artists like George The Poet, Leonard Cohen, and Loyle Carner.
About the objects?
Surfing Sofas has taken 9 objects from our collection and delved deep into their meanings and remixed samples from each story into the tracks he has made. If you’d like to hear the full stories for each object you can find all the original object stories on our collection page.
About the launch and upcoming events
Objects and Concepts was launched at the House of St Barnabas on Wednesday 22nd November (see below). The album was developed throughout 2023 and can now downloaded from all major streaming platforms. Watch this space for a series of performance dates coming up in 2024.
About the team behind the album
Surfing Sofas, a social justice poet and community artist, brings a personal history of homelessness, racism, trauma, and mental health to life, inspiring audiences both in workshop rooms and on stage. He's also a co-curator for the One Festival of Homeless Arts 2023 and has performed at renowned venues like Tate Modern and Tottenham Football Stadium.
Museum of Homelessness, created and run by people with direct experience of homelessness, does incredible work. They build the national collection for homelessness, take practical action, fight injustice with research and campaigning, and educate on homelessness through unforgettable art exhibitions and events. They've been featured by major media outlets and received numerous awards. Their new site at Finsbury Park is highly anticipated.
Lyrix Organix, a pioneering live events and youth education company, champions young artists and activists. They've hosted legendary performances by artists like Akala, Kate Tempest, and Ed Sheeran. They've even rocked Glastonbury Festival with the "Rum Shack" stage and co-produced the UK Beatbox Championships. They're all about poetry and music coming together to create memorable experiences.
Lyrix Organix (Watch)
18+
With much gratitude to Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation and The Linbury Trust for supporting our artistic and creative programme.
