Guests attending my book launch for In Ark: A Promise of Survival on Saturday, November 8th, will be treated to an atmospheric soundscape crafted by Joan Smith, aka DJ Tunesmith, who will curate a mix of post-apocalyptic, and soulful rhythms from throughout the decades.
“Expect the music to be deep and gulley for the In Ark book launch,” said Joan. “It’s time to go Deep!!”
Joan Smith aka DJ Tunesmith
Joan tells me that she has musical blood coursing through her veins. Her father was in a 1960s Rocksteady band called The Marvels, releasing material on Pama and Trojan Records. Joan herself is musically trained playing the violin and trumpet for several years. Her father housed an extensive record collection, encompassing an electric mix of jazz (Donald Byrd), Rock (early Genesis), Dub, (U-Roy), Vintage Soul (Etta James), Blues (Nina Simone), Reggae (John Holt) and bits in between.
Joan Smith’s father
See Joan’s father peforming in 1973 here!
Joan would use her pocket money to buy 7-inch vinyl at her local record shop from around age 11. She was also a regular at the Our Price record shop by her Wembley school. At sixth-form college, she met fellow vinyl junkies and made her first sojourn into independent record store land. First stop: Bluebird Records, Edgware Road, central London.
Even though Joan has had a long history of music, she only decided to pursue a career as a DJ in November 2013. Preferring to play records, Joan has quickly reacquired the vinyl bug, scouring record shops near and far. Joan has been playing out to highly receptive crowds in pubs and private gatherings. Her musical choices nowadays is Deep House and Tech House with some classic 80s soul and boogie thrown in.
Joan Smith aka DJ Tunesmith
Not only is Joan a DJ, but she is a talented multi-platform media producer, who collaborated with me in developing In Ark as a transmedia storytelling project. It was Joan who conceived the name of ‘Ark’ for the project and continues to advise on ways to transcend the story into transmedia experiences for audiences. You can discover the transmedia layer of the story by following the hashtag #InArk. Follow DJ Tunesmith on Twitter: @clarendonmedia
Guests will also be treated to a bit of American-style SLAM-poetry, nibbles, cake and drinks.
So mark your calendar, and please come out to hear DJ Tunesmith’s set, and celebrate my book launch with me:
7-10 PM, Saturday, November 8th, 2014
Victoria Park Books
174 Victoria Park Road, London, E9 7HD
Not in London? Jump onto Google+ for the Hangour On Air: 2 PM BST | 10 AM EST
See flyer below. Please RSVP to lisa@lisadevaney.com
In Ark Book Launch
