Hi crew,
The sun is shining where I am, a suggestion of spaciousness, relaxation and good smells. And at the same time, the heart is so heavy. I went to an outdoor theatre last night and met some friends. We were all desperate to have a good time, to be lifted by the power of storytelling. Instead, we ate some strange mini-pizzas afterwards and shouted things like, “I’m going to yoga! ahhhhhhhh!” and “What does it MEAN.” In other words, we’re living through intense contradictions and the body is keeping the score. How are you?
As promised, here’s a glimpse into somethings I’d like to invite you to.
1
Wild Mix at Modern Art Oxford, 25 May 2024
Book it here. It’s unusually free of charge.
I’m joining the lineup of this wicked event, No.80 Festival, in celebration of ‘otherness.’ The line-up is rad, varied, tender and direct.
Headlining the festival is Wild Mix, a new project from Jenny Moore. Commissioned by OCM, it features a queer ensemble of five singers, drummers, and a kickboxer. Through a soaring six-part song-cycle, multi-layered vocals, intense beats, and poignant storytelling, Wild Mix asks: what does healing feel like?
Many of you have been workshopping this music with me over the past few months, singing survival songs together, trying to drop back into the body. Would love your feedback so please let me know if you’re coming.
2
F*Choir at The Albany, Deptford
Hot Choir Summer, 29 June 2024
Book it here. Seriously, F*Choir gigs are notorious for selling out weirdly fast.
F*Choir is the 60-strong, queer-led, all genders choir I founded in 2017. We’ve been raging & vibrating together for 7 years now, building deep community through singing as a practice. We sing urgent songs about gender, sexuality, freedom, rage, drawn from pop, R&B, punk, rock, experimental art and liberation music traditions. The majority of our repertoire is arranged by our me, offering complex ear-worms that challenge singers to be full-body vocalists, incorporating percussive elements and expanded vocal technique.
I don’t use traditional sheet music and gendered voice parts or auditions, but instead devise other ways to notate and perform high energy arrangements of everything from Meredith Monk to Lauryn Hill to Muna. Our aim is to provide space for all voices to be heard without assuming anyone’s gender, origin or sexuality - to use the choir as a form of feminist practice and communal singing as a type of magic.
If you don’t already follow us, get involved. It’s cute and sexy and full of feeling, and the tunes slap. Growing, shaping leading, and being led by the choir has actually changed my life forever. I’ll tell you the whole story sometime.
https://www.fchoir.com/
3
Ceasefire (You Cannot Stop the Sun), by Jenny Moore feat. F*Choir, out now exclusively on Bandcamp
Listen here: https://pressingupclub.bandcamp.com/
This song grew out of London street protests in support of Palestinian liberation that started (again) in Oct 2023. It grew through many voices, learnings, actions, demos, and recuperative, communal singing sessions. We use song to resource ourselves to stay alight, to stay warm to the revolution, to demand justice and an end to apartheid.
The recording, mixing and mastering of this song was funded by the community, members of both F*Choir and Song Bloc, and finished with the generosity of Toby and Izzy, both whom discounted their services in solidarity.
All profits raised for this single will go directly to @workers4pal - you can join the action at workersforafreepalestine.com
Credits:
released April 25, 2024
Ceasefire (You Cannot Stop the Sun)
Music and lyrics by Jenny Moore @aftonsam
Drums by Jenny Moore and Ana Tiene
Sung by F*Choir & Song Bloc: Beth Bramich, Bianca Stephens, El Robson, Hannah Leigh Mackie, Jeni Be, Kate Burgess, Lily Pietersen, Lou Taylor, Nina Scott, Ricky Eassom, Rubie Green, Sara Ruddock, Sophie Hoyle
Recorded and mixed by Toby Burroughs @rumbabastudio
Mastered by Izzy McPhee @ Weird Jungle @izzymcpheeaudio @weird_jungle
Artwork handmade by Kate Burgess
Released by @pressingupclub
4
Please send this subscribe link to your friends and colleagues that would like to connect to me and my work and many tentacles that stretch out from it. Gotta get the hell of instagram!
Love you in a way that is growing and necessary, and learning to love myself too.
Stay connected if you can pals!
xo Jenny