Dooks… Not to be confused with the erstwhile Russian aircraft manufacturer of the same name

Showcase: Dooks

Published on November 7th, 2013 | Jonny Abrams

We found ourselves nothing short of mesmerised by the Earth-encompassingly powerful voice of Dooks when we saw her perform at the Workshop in Hoxton recently, so we stapled our Showcase Q&A to a frisbee and flung it Dookswards…

How would you describe your music, if pushed?

Tragedy.

Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?

My home in London is Fat Tank Studios, Manor House. I have a recording studio there that I’ve just started running in the past month or so. Lots of bands are taking residency rehearsal slots at the studio, too, meaning there’s a really good mix of talented musicians coming through the doors. I love it and I get to write at an upright piano, which is a blessing.

Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?

No I’m not signed, yet.

Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)

I have an E.P in the works, I’m recording at Fat Tank Studios at the end of the year. A collection of songs I’ve been writing and performing with Jack Leonard (Hooks), produced by Simon Nilsson (Francobollo).

Where can we hear your music online?

Find me on soundcloud.com/dooksmusic / youtube.com/dooksmusic / Facebook.com/dooksmusic.

Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?

The Gervasuti Foundation sent me my first invitation to sing overseas this year. They asked me to perform at the opening of the Venice Biennale festival; a beautiful pocket of the world. A lot of names dropped into the audience with Joseph Kosuth, Gavin Turk and James Lavelle all present.

There were many other beautifully eccentric characters I met along the way, mainly at the bar; the Prosecco was on tap. I rather fancied it as the type of gig Eartha Kitt would play.

After seeing the show Lavelle invited me to sing “Lonely Soul” at Secret Garden Party this year, another highlight. I believe it was the first time UNKLE had asked a female vocalist to sing the song.

Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)

After recording I’ll be back on stage for Richard Strange’s January edition of Cabaret Futura @ The Paradise. Richard always curates a great show. It’s the third Monday of the month, so I believe that makes it the 20th!

Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?

O many. First shout would go to Mohit, I performed with them recently at Jay Brown’s Bedroom Gig. Their set was incredible. Brilliant musicians. Then O Sister, she is writing some really good songs at the moment, Sophie Jamieson, Francobollo, a guy named Jack Flanagan; don’t know if he has anything online yet but he’s been recording demos at Fat Tank – superb arrangements, beautiful voice.

Kiran Leonard, saw him perform at Friendstival this year; true artist, mad as a hatter. His stage banter revolves around Octopus and Oldham. It charmed me. Album out on iTunes now.

Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?

This is a bastard of a question.

PJ Harvey
Led Zeppelin
Nina Simone
Karen Dalton
Bob Dylan

And could I just take Off The Bone by The Cramps, please. Not that I’ll have any parties to get ready for in solitary confinement. So with that in mind Horses by Patti Smith, pretty please. O o and Teenage Snuff Film by Rowland S. Howard.

Like I said, I’m stumped.

Leonard Cohen is my plus one.

Dooks, thank you.

Artists: dooks

About the Author

Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.