Artist Focus: Liza Bec
Collaboration, creativity and a place to explore – we chat with Liza Bec to hear about the musical journey to their new show.
We first met Liza back in 2022, when they joined us on the Summer Studios programme at The Glasshouse. A year later, we invited them to collaborate with fellow artist CHAINES – and together they created CRYSTALQUEER. A piece shaped by the sharp lines and soft acoustics of Sage Two, and by what it means to explore and embrace non-binary identity.
Ahead of their upcoming show The End Times at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday 8 June, we caught up again.
You developed The End Times at Summer Studios. How has it grown since then?
At Summer Studios, I asked if I could receive a delivery of a blackboard for some sonic experiments, and they didn’t bat an eyelid! After a few days of chalk-based music-making, the blackboard had its first outing on the stage of Sage Two. I’ll always remember the support and enthusiasm from the team.
During my year-long residency at Paraorchestra, I recorded The End Times album live at Real World Studios using the same blackboard. We also began developing the live show. By this point, we had replaced the original Summer Studios blackboard with three giant custom-made aluminium models.
Thanks to Arts Council England, we were able to complete work on The End Times and begin our tour. It is now a four-piece live performance featuring spoken word, dulcimer, xylophone, trumpet, roborecorder, and organ, with movement choreographed by Becky Namgauds.
From the archive: Summer Studios (2022)
Can you explain more about the musical blackboard ?
The End Times is inspired by my time studying Physics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Everyone’s first year at university can be a little apocalyptic, mine was no exception. It was a complete culture shock, especially for someone from a low-income background. I failed my first-year exams and scraped through the re-sits by the skin of my teeth.
In the show, the blackboard transforms into an instrument and takes us out of a dingy lecture theatre into a vibrant new world of musical games – from the church to the nightclub. We play blackboard music using only live blackboard sound, which is transformed through a computer.
It’s important to me to challenge class barriers by making music with inexpensive objects. My roborecorder [a plastic recorder with a circuit board attached], is on display in the Science Museum; this apocalyptic blackboard is the next step up from that.
How does it feel to bring the show to Middlesbrough Town Hall?
It’s an absolute delight to be returning to Middlesbrough. I first played there with RNS Moves [an inclusive ensemble featuring disabled musicians and non-disabled members of Royal Northern Sinfonia]. RNS Moves founder Clarence Adoo put me in touch with Sammy at Middlesborough Town Hall, who organises their brilliant concert programme. She’s been key in making all of this happen.
The venue prioritises accessibility for audiences, which is essential for us as most of the performers in The End Times are disabled. The performance on Sunday will also be BSL interpreted. Audiences in Middlesbrough are always fantastic, and we can’t wait to share the completed show with everyone.
What should audiences expect at the concert?
Prepare yourself to be transported back to school and into that nightmare exam. Then, we’ll escape into the magical world of live music, with vibrant movement and charismatic storytelling. Expect synths, brass fanfares, riotous recorder, soaring vocals, soft dulcimer, hydrophone, xylophone and a very hungry Tortoise!
“It’s really lovely to feel supported and offered resources with true freedom to create.”
What does ‘a home for artists’ mean to you?
I feel the Glasshouse really does form a home for artists from across the country. It’s created such strong links across the region through publications like NARC and between venues – Middlesbrough Town Hall being a great example. The team always take the time to find out what you actually need rather than offering cookie cutter support. It’s really lovely to feel supported and offered resources with true freedom to create.
It’s also important to have that cross pollination of ideas. Summer Studios was a dream creative environment where I met so many great people from across the UK and beyond and still in touch with. I recommended it to many people some of whom have also been selected and had that same wonderful experience. I certainly always feel at home when coming back to the Glasshouse.
The End Times is at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Sunday 9 June with workshops for young people using the musical blackboard on Monday 10 June.
Watch
CRYSTALQUEER - world-premiere in Sage Two
Ensemble - inside RNS Moves
A home for artists
The Glasshouse is a home for artists – a place where they’re supported, inspired, and celebrated. From Sage One regulars, our Artistic Partners and musical family, first time performers and everyone in between.
