She's best known for her recording of Ron Grainer's Doctor Who theme. But also, the female musical mastermind has been credited and covered by Sonic Boom, Aphex Twin, and the Chemical Brothers.
This Thursday, noise legend Rat Bastard, Sweat Records, and Roofless Records will be screening Sculptress of Sound: Delia Derbyshire, a documentary about the musical pioneer narrated by Matthew Sweet. The tribute will also feature 15-minute sets by Amanda Green, Sharlyn Evertsz, Luma Junger, and Oly.
To find out a little more about our own sculptresses of sound, we asked the ladies a few questions about themselves.
Do you have a memory of a super crazy show in Miami that you would share with us?
Well, my induction into supercrazyshowdom came when I was in high school. One night, I was advised to find a way to sneak out to Washington Square. An artist named 7 was painting a canvas by violently flinging his long, paint covered ponytail at a canvas on the stage.
The building sound stark halting accompaniment of Rat Bastard, even though he wore a giant rain poncho, he was still just getting completely annihilated from the paint flinging from the artist 7's flailing paint covered head and ponytail paintbrush. Of course those who know Rat may have guessed-- he was unfazed. (By the way, at the end of his ponytail-painting-piece the music stopped and 7's ponytail, per his own instruction, was chopped off). I think I said like "wow" or something out loud and that happens rarely and even then it's like 99% Rat is nearby.
What's your performance going to be like on Thursday? Do you have anything special planned?
A lot of times I generalize days before in my mind I'll think 'k a o s s i l a t o r" --- that means i probably somewhat expect myself to plug in the Kaossilator and just start looping? I don't know. I considered this for thursday but it left me wanting more. I really love the Kaossilator 4A but I think I'm looking at something more classical for Thursday night. I'm thinking chamber music. I have no idea why. If I loop stuff i hope it sounds like chamber music. Or doooo I? No, just kidding. I have no idea. But that's what I think today.
What's your favorite part of the process of making music?
Hoping it sounds like chamber music.
Do you like being on stage?
If I ever even noticed, I mean really noticed, what is going on when I'm performing I would never ever be able to do it. I'm a self conscious person, but music autocomposes or narrates somewhat at all times so, fortunately, it always overrides that initial self-conscious feeling. Sometimes you just feel compelled to make your announcement to the world, or my favorite, to joke around with the world. I feel lucky that performance is even a socially acceptable form of expression as opposed to, say, singing what someone just said to you back to them. most people really don't like that and it was getting me in trouble.
Who have you most enjoyed collaborating with over the years?
You. Me. Right now. Also we're really excited to have just worked with the Wasabi Fashion Kult. I don't want to blab but they've got a movie in the works that will give Rock of Ages a run for their money.
Anything coming up?
I'm playing in a band call YOYO XO with Brett Thorngren, DJ COSMO. We have an EP out right now on my label IVAN records. It's available at Sweat Records on CD and limited edition white vinyl with a pink middle. I think it's sooo cute, OMG. Also being produced by Brett Thorngren are our next two releases on IVAN. The first is a very confrontational hard rock vinyl EP from Dyslexic Postcards. Then, of course, there is the dubstep adult education course COSMO has me in. YOYO XO has recently been enrolled for the fall semester. Dr. COSMO, he assigns so much freaking homework but musically it's always worth it.
Do you have a favorite Miami venue to perform at? Someplace you're most comfortable?
Besides Churchill's? Who doesn't feel comfortable in that shithole? JK. I love Churchill's. I got runout of there when I was 17 by Dave Daniels. (I was leaning over the bar stealing from the beer tap into my glass.) I ran back only two minutes later to play a show. There's this place called the Annex in Hialeah. I've never played a show there, but they have practice space rooms really cheap. I've had a couple of jam sessions and found it to be pretty comfortable. It's easy to let loose there, it's got a great vibe. They put on shows. I saw Pocket of Lollipops and Machete there. Fernie is the guy, tell him I sent you.
Which female musician has most influenced your sound?
So many ladies so little time. The Go-Gos, Yoko Ono, Ann Peebles, ESG, Grace Jones, Kim Deal, Bridget Cross, Stevie Nicks, Ella Fitzgerald, Bjork, Niobe. Lately Beach House for sure, she makes me cry.
Which do you prefer, collaborating with women or men on music?
Collaborating with someone takes the right energy, connectivity, and the motivation - and that can be either sex. I've always wanted to make music with other women, but its an elusive goal.
What are you working on these days? You've got a new band?
I play with a few people but nothing concrete. The only thing I have to show for lately are commercial things like jingles and random singing in commercials. I had a song featured in a TV show.
Which Miami musicians do you most admire?
Harry Pussy, KLS (Kreamy Electric Santa) ... Those were inspirational for sure. My love for Dino Felipe and his music is immense. He's so talented. Otto von Schirach is great, always. Betty's new band Holly Hunt, super heavy duty stuff. Psychic Mirrors, Jacuzzi Boys, Millionyoung. I just found out about Snakehole from your interview you posted and listened to their music on MySpace. I liked it. I just found a new Phoenecia album on Soundcloud. There's so much stuff out there, new and old. Keep it coming.
Teresa Liberatore as Luma Junger
Can you tell me little bit about what people can expect from your performance?
I attempt to use the Juno Gi synthesizer past the limit of human comprehension. I am almost there.
Were you familiar with Delia Derbyshire before this event?
I was not familiar with Delia Derbyshire before this event, and I thank Rat Bastard for his tutelage.
Who are female musicians you admire?
Female musicians I admire include Missy Elliott and Cleopatra (she played the clarinet).
What do you like the best about performing?
Performing sucks. I consider Luma Junger a studio project first and foremost, but it's fun to translate the material to a live setting.
So, what will your set be like?
My set will be experimental in nature and honest.
Who has most shaped the music that you make?
Musicians and artists that I have had the privilege to meet and/or interact with.
How long have you been making music for?
I started writing very simple songs about 10 years ago on guitar and I've been experimenting with electronic sound for about two years.
Which female musician do you most admire?
Diamanda Galas.
Delia Derbyshire: Sculptress of Sound screening with live performances by Amanda Green, Sharlyn Evertsz, Luma Junger, and Oly. Thursday, July 28. Sweat Records, 5505 NE Second Ave., Miami. The event begins at 8 p.m. Call 786-693-9309 or visit sweatrecordsmiami.com.
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