Jo is an improvising vocalist who grew up in Basildon.. What even is that? Musicians and non-musicians will get together and improvise with voice, sound, objects, instruments. Performing with no rehearsal or planned outcome. Performances can last around 20 minutes, or hours with groups. Catching vibes, catching sounds, and responding to the energy in the room. Setting up spaces with a freedom to fail, and making participants feel comfortable to express themselves naturally. Jo attended a sound art course, and was exposed to improvised vocalists. It is a very inclusive means of expression, the barrier to entry does not exist, no skills are required. Karaoke with the universe. Discovering new facets to your voice during improvisation. There are improvised vocal groups you can attend and join in with. Jo started learning at a short experimental sound art course. Art is making something with artistic intention. Jo learned to capture and make sound with that intention - the course gave Jo the permission they’d been waiting for to make art. Then the artistic journey led to TOMA (The Other MA) in Southend. TOMA is run by Emma Edmonson and provides an alternative to traditional art school with a more financially accessible format. Big up TOMA - they teach artistic practice, but also about applications for funding to build a career in art. Jo encourages people to respond how they want during performances - laughter can be a great sound. Dealing with mixed feedback, and keeping the artist intention pure. Jo occasionally performs in masks and made bee wings from CDs. Big ups to Faradina Afifi. Making up improvised languages. Improvising and doing someone that no person has ever done before. Big up Fraser Merrick (previous guest!) Nick really doesn’t like unexpected participatory vocal improvisation. Derek Bailey’s Channel 4 show about improvisation around the world is a good archive of worldwide sounds. Every voice is unique, and the sounds we can make are there to be played with. Skronk in Deptford is a fun place to go and improvise. Chelmsford chronicle has declared that ‘Sangita Mittra is a creative expert’ - official.

Jo Morrison on Instagram

Jo at TOMA

Noisy Women Present

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Pre-loved modern classics seller. Matt runs The Good Love in Brightlingsea with his wife Laura. He might look like a sexy train driver, but he is a retailer. Previously above Roots And Grooves in Colchester. A shop with ‘everything in it’. Finding things for customers, like a record by a Blackpool Tower Organist. Finding vintage is like being a detective. Records are big sellers currently, people are loving retro vinyl. Collecting records since he was 12, and then buying and selling on discogs has given Matt an encyclopedic knowledge of what’s popular and what’s valuable - he’s in his element with a random box of music. People are loving wax jackets, the country gent meets Farrage look. Picking out vintage streetwear at car boot sales. How boot sales have changed, everyone’s a reseller! How to price up vintage clothes. Sell at the price you’d want to buy at. Brightlingsea is getting cool and growing a creative vibe. The Good Love is growing into a creative hub with DJs and coffee and chances to hang out. Which records always go into the bin. Wolf fleeces. When Matt met his future wife Laura, they were both sellers on Vinted, and connected over selling vintage. Circular fashion is an environmentally conscious way to shop. Giving out dog biscuits. First profit is best profit, keep stock moving. Rotating stock in the window to keep it fresh. Making friends with Matt via Mark563 in Australia and his hip hop colouring book. Buying pre-loved clothes in France. Dungarees problems and Orangutan Sausage Dog. Making it up as you go along with creativity and business.

The Good Love Presents Instagram

Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

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Owner of Megaflatables, a manufacturer of giant inflatables. Megaflatables designed the giant monsters that were all over the city of Chelmsford. They’ve designed giant Squid Game characters for Netflix promotion, including a giant 15 metre inflatable red light green light doll Young-Hee. NIck has worn a real Squid Game tracksuit. John smells gorgeous FYI. What makes you a Mudite if you live in Maldon?

John started his career at Canon reprographics for 20 years - but was tired of this work - so he started a new business with variable voice recognition. His business partner had an unrelated idea to start selling Air Dancers AKA Wacky Waving Arm Tube Guys! Air Dancers were designing in the USA in the 1970s to draw attention to car dealerships. Making a giant inflatable Rylan. John’s company made the huge Camilla Walala inflatable installation for London Design Festival. There are a lot of Health and Safety considerations in the inflatable industry to ensure public safety. Megaflatables design in two dimensions, and their manufacturer works out the three dimensional model. Inflatables don’t like straight edges, so you’ll end up with more curved shapes in designs.

Why do new warehouses use 1:1 scale inflatable articulated lorries? To give an idea of scale. Making a 15 metre floating Loch Ness Monster to surprise a stag on a stag do. Finding inflatable manufacturers around the world. How a deal with Pizza Hut in Upminster really kickstarted the creativity at Megaflatables. How John ended up on Dragon’s Den, and did they invest? If you can think it, we can make it.

Don’t chase quick money - Make good quality products that’ll keep people coming back. Making stage inflatables for bands on tour. The art of hand painting inflatables to look solid. Making giant boobs for the Scissor Sisters. Making inflatables for the Lord Mayor’s New Years Parade and Pride. Making art for David Shrigley, crazy swans and giant thumbs up. Working with Jason Wilshire-Mills to make giant art inflatables with disabled children. Inflatables are such a joyful medium.

Megaflatables
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Are You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEX
Edited by Nick Hearne
Artwork by Alpaca Antenna

Don't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.

Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos

Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram

Thanks to NGDA for their support