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You may know Trevor for his various plays that have appeared on BBC RadioFour and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Or you know Trevor from Channel 4′s Star Stories. Or maybe his role in The Russell Brand Radio Show previously on BBC 6music and BBC Radio 2.

We wanted to know more…

LTB: How did you first get involved in stand-up comedy? Was there a particular comic that inspired you?

TL: I started doing stand up at college and afterwards on the amazing open mic circuit in London. I was inspired to be funny when I was very small by the sound of my father’s laugh. I think I liked it when any adult laughed – it seemed like a minor miracle when the serious and often scary giants that controlled my life suddenly became like children.

LTB: Is there a “Trevor Lock Live DVD” waiting in the wings?

TL: There is no Dvd. I believe in live stand up. When I get married or divorced or have children, become seriously ill, lose a lawsuit, or completely succumb to mammon I may have to do one but until then I believe in limiting the number of copies of myself. I regret having done tv for the same and other reasons.

Having worked with Russell Brand and Matt Morgan @ the BBC Is there anything in the pipeline to work with them again?

Working with Russell and Matt was so much fun and both of them are hilarious in real life. Unfortunately there’s nothing in the pipeline with them at the moment.

LTB: You have a new play “The One And The Many”, could you tell us a bit about it, and how it came together?

TL: The One and The Many is a little play about beauty, love and desire. It’s about a woman so beautiful she is forced into prostitution because no one can bear to look at her. Even though she’s a prostitute she remains a virgin because of her overwhelming beauty which is why she always seen entirely covered. The audience never see her face only the two men in the play do and their different responses to it is what the play is about. It’s an absurd, cheeky comedy of ideas.

LTB: You have a reputation for your stand-up material being “surreal”, where do you find most of your inspiration?

TL: I don’t know why my stand is called surreal, I think it’s imaginative sometimes but I accept it’s hard to describe as it perhaps isn’t conventionally biographical, confessional, political or observational. I’m inspired by lots of things, too many and maybe that’a why I don’t write stand up anymore because the next thing in the moment is always the most interesting. Now I’m inspired by what ever is happening in the moment and there are always an infinite supply of things happening in the moment. That’s why I find live comedy so much fun – I never know what’s going to happen and I think my audiences like this too. I don’t think I was ever very good at writing prepared material for myself anyway. Both me and the audience are much happier now that it’s spontaneous – it’s still writing by the way, instead of paper it’s just written on the minds of the audience. I enjoy writing stand up for other comics though and there will be three shows at this years Edinburgh Fringe that I’ll have contributed to.

TREV’S WEBSITE
TREV’S MYSPACE

Hilarious’ – TimeOut

‘A comic genius.’ – METRO .

‘Superbly Comic writing’ – The Sunday Times

‘Strangely charming and irresistible. Utterly improbable, absolutely entertaining’ – THE INDEPENDENT,

‘Funny, moving and clever’ – THE SCOTSMAN.

Unconcious Jungle, recently named “BBC Manchester Introducing – Band of the week” (July 12th 2010), and owners of one hell of a band name. Here’s what LTB made of their E.P

Upon hearing their E.P, I couldn’t help but notice some subtle tones of “The Beatles” during the White Album-era. This is, quite obviously, a good thing. Yet what Unconscious Jungle have is quite unique. By they’re own admission, their sound consists of folk, psychedelia, 20th century dance.

Beauty flows effortlessly through “Four dances for dancers” with lulling harmonies and lyrics worth singing. They’re a band with huge potential, and worth following.

MYSPACE
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Here at LTB we love a lot of things about The Chapman Family.

Not only have they built up an enviable reputation and played some huge dates already, they are a band still to put out their debut album. We managed to get an exclusive interview with the Tees-band. This is what we, and they, have to say…

LTB: How would you describe “The Chapman Family” to new-comers to the band?

TCF: Either your worst nightmare or your best dream. People either tend to really, really like us to the point of stalkerish obsession or completely hate us occasionally to the point of violence. I quite like the fact that we’ve always polarized people : I think the worst things you can say to a band after they play is “yeah it was OK” or “that was nice” as it essentially means nothing at all. We’ve tried to stay true to ourselves as much as possible with this band and if you get it, bravo well done, and if not, that’s fine, just move along. We’ve never been about “mass appeal.”

LTB: Having formed the band back in 2006, What’s been the highlight for you so far?

TCF: Everything is a highlight, I think it has to be to keep powering you on to (hopefully) bigger and better things. Getting our demo played on BBC Tees for the very first time was heart poundingly amazing; getting the phonecall saying you’re playing at Glastonbury while in the toilet at work made me pretty emotional as Pop (bass player) had fell out of the balcony in the Empire a couple of days before and almost died; walking my dog to the newsagent to pick up a copy of the NME knowing that there was a full page dedicated to us was totally thrilling; going to Japan earlier this year was unbelievable. Considering that for the majority of the time that this band has existed we have done EVERYTHING ourselves – from putting on gigs in pub back rooms, making our own flyers and t-shirts, sacrificing pretty much all of our social lives – I feel honoured and priviledged for every good thing that happens, (even though I am more penniless and debt-ridden now than I have ever been in my life).

LTB: The debut album is currently being recorded…how are the sessions going?

TCF: Nearly finished. Due to finances and other issues it’s been a hard graft. With a bit of luck all of the anger and frustration and passion we’ve been feeling at the time of recording will all come through in the finished record. It might not be entirely comfortable listening but I think it’ll be exhilarating – we never started it wanting to be like Keane. It should finally come out in January.

LTB: Do you find yourself writing more in the studio? Or perhaps trying different directions for the over-all album?

TCF: Since the end of 2009 we’ve been writing fairly prolifically anyway. Most of the songs that are on the album are brand new and will hopefully surprise people who just think we’re going to have ten songs that sound like our single “Kids.” We practice and demo songs in various forms many, many times before we go into the “proper” studio so they’re pretty much failsafe as far as we’re concerned when we come to record them. However, because we’re still so new to recording in studios we do find ourselves bouncing ideas around and experimenting in there. You have to be careful though, we’re not Pink Floyd and it’s very easy to get carried away with stupid instruments and pointless effects.

LTB: Hailing from Stockton, you’re very much a local band to LTB (M’boro), how do you think the area has influenced your sound?

TCF: I don’t think it’s a conscious influence, just an honest one. I think it’s more conscious if you purposely try to distance yourself from your area and lifestyle, in other words to reject who you really are : like if you put on an accent to sound like your idol whether they’re from America, London or wherever, or you sing songs in a style that is completely barren to you but just happens to be in vogue at the moment. I think we’ve taken a lot of Teesside traits simply because that’s who we are : we’re pretty self deprecating and honest and feel like fighting back at a world that doesn’t give two shits about us. We are Teesside.

LTB: Are they any Tees-bands that are currently catching your eye?

TCF: Bands that work hard catch my eye. Bands that sit back and wait for things to happen don’t. “Working hard” could mean practicing all day and night or making demo after demo after demo or putting your own gigs on in shitholes as no local promoters will touch you, it can mean anything at all. You can’t sit back and wait to be discovered as it won’t happen, you’ve got to go out there and get amongst it.

LTB: Who do “The Chapman Family” listen to? Die-hard Gaga-fans maybe?

TCF: Two of The Chapman Family have Lady GaGa on their ipods but I’m not one of them. Sometimes I feel like I’ve stopped listening to music altogether. I turn on the TV or the radio and can’t identify with a single song or artist or anything. The DJs banter is pointless and patronising and the music means absolutely nothing to me. I can’t think of many songs or artists in the last ten years that have connected in any way. I don’t understand the blandness of modern society and culture, I honestly think I hate everything.

LTB: You’ve been chosen by NME as a “band to watch” – how did the band respond to that? was there an element of pressure, especially with the debut album in the works?

TCF: We just put our heads down and get on with it, bollocks to everyone else. You can’t sit back and pat yourself on the back, there’s no time for that. Every successful band we’ve ever had the privilege of playing with never seem like they take anything for granted. There’s always going to be pressure. We had pressure to get people to come to our first gig at Kubar so Jimmy would put us on again. It’s all about graft and putting the hours in.

THE CHAPMAN FAMILY MYSPACE

Ronnie Joice. He’s supported Babyshambles on tour. He’s modeled for Dior, Fred Perry & Tommy Hillfigger. He’s DJ’d for Agyness Deyn, Kate Moss, Noel Fielding and Paris Hilton. He also runs his own “pop up” venue in London.

We just had to speak to him…

LTB: You’re currently running a night called “Ronnkie Pop”, how did the night first come about, and have are the ingredients for a successful night?

RJ: Ronnkie Pop was born out of the ashes of a club I used to DJ at called Wonky Pop at Matter @ the 02 arena. It was at first, a tongue-in-cheek spin-off night I put on at The Flowerpot, but grew rapidly into a regular weekly clubnight… the ingredients were simple… Great DJs, scattered with helpings of famous faces who you wouldn’t necessarily see behind the decks of a North London pub! The ethos was simple; you are here to party, we are here to party, let’s.. PARTY.

LTB: Having toured the country with Littl’ans supporting Babyshambles, is there a particular show that stands out for you?

RJ: Brixton Academy the first time around was extremely special.. to be on stage in a venue so grand and looking into a sea of thousands of people singing right back at you is something I’ll treasure dearly forever. On another note, our show at Shrewsbury stands out for many reasons.. if not for gig itself but the aftermath involving a SAS police raid on our van.. They got the wrong folk!

LTB: You’ve played VIP DJ sets for the UK’s biggest festivals, do you change your usual set to cater for a festival audience? and do you think there is a difference between people who would see you at a festival and people who come to the club nights?

RJ: It’s crucial as a DJ to be versatile and I certainly prepare my sets for festivals in a very different way to how I would for a private party or club night. I like to tailor sets to the mood.. But generally the vibe is always the same; upbeat and shameless.

LTB: Other than performing in the UK, do you have a favorite venue to play? Or somewhere you would like to perform?

RJ: Le Showcase in Paris was a pretty special place to play. As was Don Hills in New York for the Misshapes night.

LTB: You’ve DJ’d for many famous people, who would you most love to DJ for/with

RJ: I’d love to DJ for Morrissey.. although I’d be shitting myself that he hated everything I’d play!

LTB: Having DJ’d for the “Red Bull Fashion Factory” which was with London Fashion Week, is it something you’d like to do again, or do you have another project you’re working on?

RJ: The Red Bull Fashion Factory was a fantastic initiative and something I am very proud to have been a part of. Unfortunately there are no plans to host it again, but I’m very fortunate to have been invited to DJ at a host of London Fashion Week parties this coming autumn; so I’ll still be there with bells on… as usual!

You’ll find Ronnie here.

Andrew Kendall – best known for his pictures of music’s most famous faces. For years Kendall has snapped all over, traveling and living in hotel rooms. But thats about to change. LTB wanted to know more…

LTB: Having previously photographed some of the country’s best known musicians, you’re now working on your own projects – can you tell us a bit about them?

AK: I’ve set up and am running Digital Photo Gallery Ltd (http://www.digitalphotogallery.com/) which is an online software system for photographers. I’ve been programming for years, both before and alongside my photography work, this is the point where both skills sets meet. I’ve spent several years working on it and launched the private beta earlier this year. Individual photographers can sign up to manage their own images and create websites, and so far it’s been an amazing success. Some fantastic photographers are already using it and there are hundreds more on the waiting list for an invitation. We’re working with some big companies and in the last month alone the system was used by Live Nation’s photography teams to provide the official coverage for Download Festival, Serpentine Sessions, Hard Rock Calling and Wireless festival. I’ve also been working with my own team to provide live coverage of events like the Capital FM Summertime Ball. (http://summertimeballphotos.capitalfm.com/)

LTB: Through traveling for years, what was your highlight?

AK: I’ve really enjoyed travelling around the UK, seeing all the smaller towns I’d never have had a reason to visit. I can’t pick one highlight, but I’ve had some great times and had the opportunity to meet some amazing people and even if can’t remember all of it I still have the photographs to bring it all back!

LTB: What first inspired you to become a photographer?

AK: I’ve always taken pictures of everything as a record of my life, but I also enjoy the technical challenges of photography and I’m always improving. I know I would have still kept taking pictures, but the NME asking me to work for them really pushed things to a different level.

LTB: Having worked for NME, is there another publication you’d like to work for?

AK: At the moment it feels like the publishing industry is in an extremely unstable place and due to falling sales budgets are continually being cut. In addition to that, many publishers are increasingly demanding ownership of rights to all commissioned work, which I think is a serious concern for most working photographers. Because of this, there aren’t any existing publications that I’d like to work for right now.
I’m doing what I’m doing because I have so many ideas on how things can be changed for the better, and I’m sure that there are plenty of other people working up new and interesting ideas that will become the future of media.

LTB: Do you have any advice for up and coming photographers?

AK: Work really hard! Shoot every day, get a great web presence, if everybody else is doing something don’t just try and blindly copy it. Hold on to your rights and above all stick with it. If you stop loving every second of shooting, look at why and change it before it kills your passion.

LTB: You’ve been around many musicians and artists, has there a been a time where you’ve been completely star-struck?

AK: I listened to a lot of music growing up, so shooting the musicians I loved when I was younger like Morrissey or moments like when Billy Bragg told me he loved my pictures are always going to feel special. Working with newer artists is never quite the same, but that’s probably a good thing.

LTB: Do you have a particular artist that you most enjoy working with?

AK: The music industry is full of liars and fakes, so anyone who is genuinely making music because they love it. No matter what the profession, it’s the passion that stands out and it’s something that comes across in the work somebody produces and the photographs you take of them.

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ANDREW’S WEBSITE