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‘Queer Love Letters’ is a series of creative workshops for the LGBTQIA+ community, exploring identity and relationships with the aim of developing wellbeing and a sense of community.
Based on the idea of writing a ‘love letter’, participants are invited to express their love: for a friend, a family member, a pet, lover or themselves. This could be manifested through written words, drawing/collage, crafts or interactive group participation through movement or song.
No previous experience is required. We encourage participation from a wide range of backgrounds and abilities.
Team: Guy Harries, Katie Merritt, Yasmeen Brett with supervisor Dr Nikolaos Souvlakis (PG Dip Counselling - University of Westminster)
Partners: Hope in the Community Westminster NHS, Westminster LGBT+ Forum, University of Wesminster
Book here: https://www.outsavvy.com/event/18562/queer-love-letters-creative-wellbeing-workshop
CABARET OF TEARS - new album of dark cabaret songs for piano and voice performed by Guy Harries (voice+flute) and Arin Maisky (piano). Including songs by Kurt Weill, Hanns Eisler, David Sylvian, Gary Numan, Philip Glass and Guy Harries! Guest cellist on three tracks - Sasha Agranov. Listen, download or get the CD (UK delivery only) HERE
Here's my electronic ambient set from the Oot night in Hoxton on 29 January 2023, with live visuals by Dina Silanteva. I'm not fully in frame, but the luscious screen and sound are all present. Enjoy!
Cabaret of Tears, a collaboration with pianist Arin Maisky with me on vocals/occasional songwriting, is an imagined musical journey inspired by the work of poet Bertolt Brecht and composer Hanns Eisler, starting with the political cabaret of Berlin in the 1920s and 1930s, their escape from their transformed homeland, and the years of exile in Los Angeles, resulting in the wonderful collection The Hollywood Songbook. The programme also includes work by other composers including Kurt Weill, Michael Nyman, Philip Glass and myself - all of which are connected to this journey and its themes of political turmoil, the human condition, exile, loneliness and yearning. An album of this repertoire will be released in spring 2023. Here is a first peek - my song Into the Night (Recording - David Louria, Photos - Robert Piwko)
Mineral Language
In summer 2021 I was invited to be guest choreographer/composer and create a new piece at the Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome. I was fortunate to collaborate with many talented and kind people in the making of this piece, Mineral Language, which was launched online last night. The piece is about language as a mineral that contains layers and layers of historical development - sound and graphic elements, meaning, the ability or inability to communicate, creation of community through stories and fairytales, and movement as a language in its own right. Here is the video of the piece, and also a 'making of...' video!
SUMMER ECSTASY (2021) A piece celebrating summer and renewal, based on field recordings, analog synth sounds and flute. Release on a split release with the artist [Owt Kri] on the label Sombre Soniks.
DREAMTIME
Here is an edit from a live performance which was streamed live from Gallery46 on 25 June 2020. It is a reflection on the solitude and dreamtime of lockdown. Part of the series Liminality [Start Dreaming] - curated by Kevin Quigley, Bjørn Hatleskog, Sean McLusky, Johny Brown and Martin J Tickner.
JOSE MACABRA RADIO MIX
I was honoured to be featured on Jose Macabra's radio programme on Resonance Extra, in which he created a creative two hour mix of my works spanning the last two decades.
TURING CABARET
Turing Cabaret, created under the moniker Guy XY, is an album about computer scientist and pioneer Alan Turing. Lots of thanks to all the musicians, artists, organisations, friends and family that have helped make this happen. I love you all.
You can stream and purchase on this link: https://guyxy.bandcamp.com/album/turing-cabaret