Re: John Cooper Clarke – Evidently Chickensounds

I hope all is well with you. I follow you on Twitter (love the t-shirt) – so know how very busy you are. However…

I was wondering whether you would be interested in getting involved in a project around the work of Salford punk poet, John Cooper Clarke. I am writing from Manchester-based independent record label, Fat Northerner Records. The label are planning ‘Evidently Chickensounds’, a John Cooper Clarke covers album with an accompanying book, which will see established names in the music industry rub shoulders with newcomers – all pegged together with some JCC-inspired spoken word pieces by some of the UK’s finest contemporary wordsmiths.

The idea behind the album and book came from a large collective of creatives wanting to do something to celebrate the work of this unsung local hero in his 60th birthday year. The project is not for profit and any profits raised will be donated to the charity of John’s choice. When we spoke to John Cooper Clarke about the project we talked about the sorts of people he wanted us to get involved, he mentioned you and was very keen for us to ask you to get involved.

We already have a really diverse mixture of musicians and spoken word artists involved – Chas Smash (Madness); Roland Hartwell & The Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and Konny Kon (Broke ‘n English Collective); The Cribs; Matt Berry (The IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh); Maximo Park; Denis Jones; Bone-Box; Shit Disco; The Longcut; Ladytron; Lil’ Fee (The Whip); Kings Have Long Arms; The Ironweed Project; Orphan Boy; Frazer King; Twisted Wheel; Frank Sidebottom; I Am Kloot; Reverend and The Makers; Goldie Lookin’ Chain; Down The Tiny Steps plus many, many more.

And the following poets – Mike Duff, a well established local poet specialising in gritty poems about Manchester, James Quinn (actor, writer and comedian best known for his role as a pot-smoking PC in Craig Cash’s cult TV series Early Doors), Marvin Cheeseman (Manchester poet with plenty of published work) and Vince Atta (City Life comedian of the year 2007).

Along with a limited edition piece of vinyl, we are producing a book, Directory 2009 (inspired by his publication, Directory 1979). The book will feature stories about John Cooper Clarke from a collection of musicians, ex-managers, radio DJs and contemporaries. The book will also feature poems inspired by John Cooper Clarke, from contemporary spoken word artists. There will also be a documentary made about the process of recording the album.

It would be fantastic if you were interested in recording a poem for the album. Let me know your thoughts.

All best,
Ruth

- How much traffic?
- What server do you use – specs, etc.

If we are talking strictly hosting, then i fail to see how a site like this (unless this site gets a lot more traffic than i think it does) can cost more than £250 a month, which let’s face it, isn’t much for someone like yourself.

Or do you run this all with a Mac hosting company that costs considerably more?

Though i do understand you may possibly be referring more to the contributors (designers and so forth) more than hosting costs. But some posts above seem to think it is for hosting costs, which i find hard to believe.

Some clarity here would be most appreciated.

Is there any way to offer them in other sizes? Like 2xl, 3xl?

I was so sad to see you’ve blocked me on Twitter – not being followed was heartache enough, but then to be blocked!

Oh, the rejection!