Please see the Gigs / Events page for forthcoming performances
August 2023
Tina is collaborating with poet Jen Green on a new commission for an exciting new project in Weston-super-Mare – Promenade. Promenade explores place, environment & the natural world through multidisciplinary contemporary arts and socially engaged practice. Rooted in Weston’s unique coastal landscape, Promenade considers an ecology of place, and our relationship with the environment we live in. New artist commissions and engagement activities feature as part of a weekend programme of location-specific artworks, workshops & activities, music & performance, walks & talks, happenings & interventions taking place along Weston’s promenade.
Tina and Jen have created ‘Untold Skies’ – a sound walk for the Weston super Mare seafront offering a creative perspective on sensory experience at the edges. Tina and Jen held workshops with members of Humans of Weston Creative Recovery Group and Weston Artspace to compose sounds and words considering Weston’s edgelands; its tidal, coastal nooks and crannies. During sessions, the group zoomed in through deep listening and close-up mindful writing exercises, and took part in a music improvisation workshop, all of which are featured in the final work.
The piece will premiere over the Promenade Weekender, 15-17 September 2023. There will be a pamphlet to accompanying the sound work, with selected texts installed looking out to Birnbeck pier. Tina and Jen are also inviting Promenaders on Sunday to join them for a deep listening exercise, contribute to creating a live sound map on the seafront, and hear some poetry readings from their community audio project. Promenade is a completely free event. Full details here.
December 2022
Noods Radio and Bristol New Music have released a video documentation of the performance at Bristol New Music in 2022 that I was part of – with Viridian Ensemble.
‘The video, realised via Sam Pilbeam, presents an excerpt of their performance, giving just a snippet of the prowess they offer as improvised performers. Laura Phillips, alongside their work in Bristol artist collective Beef and their work in the band, provided projections on the night enhancing the all round bewitching qualities of their ritualistic music. This is one to really lose yourself in’. The performance features myself, Dali de Saint Paul, Laura Phillips, Joseph Kelly, and Esme Betamax.
November 2021
On 13 November, TBC Editions are releasing a new solo flute record of mine – Right Into The River.
Improvised and recorded over two days in February 2021, it represents a pining for the sea and for space, and an urge to use melody to articulate the inner. At the edges of sound, it explores breath and texture, melding flute with electronics and effects, sometimes layered up and morphed into alien pipes. Other tracks are more transparent; clear flute invocations of the wider world.
It’s being released on tape, and it comes with a screen printed cover based on my drawings and a full colour insert print of a watercolour I made. Click here to be taken to TBC Editions’ Bandcamp page, where you can pre-order your copy. I will also be performing live at the launch event – see the Gigs / Events page for full details.
June 2021
I’m really pleased to feature on a new CD released on Spoonhunt on 1 June 2021 by. Consorts is a very large group put together by Dominic Lash. Distinctions was recorded live at Cafe Oto where we performed in honour of Dominic’s 40th birthday, in January 2020. Dom formed Consorts to ‘explore the possibilities of combining sustained-tone music, improvisation (both guided and free), and the relationship between acoustic and amplified sound’.
This incarnation of consorts was: Douglas Benford – harmonium and percussion, Steve Beresford – electronics, Marjolaine Charbin – piano, Chris Cundy – bass clarinet, Seth Cooke – steel sink and metal detector, Angharad Davies – viola, Phil Durrant – modular synth, Matthew Grigg – guitar/amplifier, Bruno Guastalla – cello, Martin Hackett – Korg MS10, Tim Hill – baritone saxophone, Tina Hitchens – flute, Sarah Hughes – zither, Mark Langford – bass clarinet, Dominic Lash – double bass, Yvonna Magda – violin, Hannah Marshall – cello, Helen Papaioannou – baritone saxophone, Yoni Silver – bass clarinet, Alex Ward – clarinet/amplifier.
Click on the image below to purchase the CD:
April 2021
I was a commissioned artist for CANOPY Network, working on their Phone Box Project from 2019-20. The aim of the project was for artists to place works in disused phone boxes over a 10 mile trail in the Forest of Dean area, telling a story about their locations. My work was intended to culminate in a composed sound art piece to be placed in the old phone booth, so people could pick up the receiver and be transported into an underground world – I had been exploring caves in the area and making field recordings / tracing stories and histories.
The Phone Box Weekender was planned for April 2020, but sadly due to COVID the project has been halted for the moment.
In the meantime, CANOPY artists have produced webpages that show our work in progress. I have made some tracks from the research I undertook; the tracks use the sounds I captured in the caves. In some cases the sounds have been treated and effected, but in others they have been left exactly as they were recorded. For the final piece of work I hoped to weave these sounds into a bigger composition, using instruments and voices to expand and develop.
You can read more about the Phone Box Project here, which includes links to individual artists’ pages. You can read more about my experiences and my work here. The player below shows my work in progress:
November 2020
Halftone have just released a new album – A previous discussion about making an object. We recorded it in 2019. It’s taken a while to release but we’re very proud of it. Dedicated to Keith Tippett, with love.
You can listen, buy a digital copy, or buy a cassette tape via Bandcamp:
Cafe Oto has just released a live recording and a full film from Viridian Ensemble‘s show at OTO in February 2020. It is available to buy on their Otoroku label now.
October 2020
I have just released a new Tisla EP – Up, Out. I wrote and recorded all songs this year, after finding myself with a bit more time on my hands than usual…
You can listen and buy the record over on Bandcamp now. My huge thanks go to Kirsten McTernan for the wonderful photography. Please see Kirsten’s website for more of her work. Thanks also to Stephen Kerrison from Tall Trees Audio Mastering for his work.
High Tide, the film artist Sam Francis and I made this year as recipients of a ‘Interpreting Isolation’ grant from the British Music Collection and Sound & Music, is being featured in ‘All At Sea’. It’s a project by Arts Walk Porty, an Outdoor Film Programme happening on Sunday 18 October. The films will be projected onto Portobello Prom in Edinburgh, and will be shown again online soon afterwards.
A visual portrayal of the fragility of our seas & oceans, our climate, and of our own lives (during the pandemic), with a series of film shorts from around the world. The wild sea is explored as a metaphor for our recent uncertain times, alongside ideas for change.
View the full programme here.
September 2020
Hokkett is comprised of Tina Hitchens, Yvonna Magda (violin) and Helen Pappaoiannou (baritone saxophone). rat was recorded in 2018, and has just been released via Bandcamp. Listen / buy here:
Viridian Ensemble has been awarded a prestigious commission, through Aerial Festival, who partnered with The Quietus, Europe’s largest online culture magazine, and The Willowherb Review, a journal dedicated to diversity in nature writing.
Five musicians and five writers were commissioned to respond to the tumultuous events of 2020, inspired in part by Wordsworth’s epic poem The Prelude and his 250th anniversary celebrations.
Viridian’s Prelude (Part 1 & 2) is now available to listen to for free.
July 2020
It seems this summer is the time to explore playing outside. Viridian Ensemble found ourselves in a tunnel recently. Thank you to Amy Cook for the photos. I got to experiment with a new instrument: the Blue & White Doughnut Pipe…
May 2020
High Tide
Myself and artist Sam Francis were recipients of an Interpreting Isolation grant from the British Music Collection and Sound and Music for new works that reflect on COVID-19 in a creative way in response to this unique moment in our history.
‘Drawing upon water as a source of inspiration and as a metaphor for the Covid 19 situation, Tina Hitchens based in Bristol and Sam Francis in Weston Super Mare met virtually over two weeks to connect their separate locations through different water sources – the WSM coast and the River Frome in Eastville, Bristol that both conjoin with the Severn Estuary. At the changing times of high tide they met virtually to observe, listen, look, meditate on and respond to the connecting pull of the water, the environment and surroundings to connect creatively and personally as a lifeline during these uncertain and disconnected times. This work is a montage of material gathered during these outings and a reminder that flow and continuity will always be present and can close the space between us as the space between us all widens’.
I recently appeared in an online stream hosted by the wonderful Newcastle venue, The Old Police House. Featuring flute and FX pedals, it will be available to view online here for a fortnight.
April 2020
After a nation-wide call for applications which saw over 150 responses, I’m delighted to announce that I am one of 6 recipients, with artist Sam Francis, of an ‘Interpreting Isolation’ grant from the British Music Collection and Sound and Music. The grants have been provided to enable musicians to present ‘new works that respond creatively to this unique moment in our history’. Read more here.
Allowing the water to connect us during this time of distance, we will meet separately by the water sources nearest to our homes in Bristol and Weston Super Mare at the changing times of high tide. We will observe, listen, look, meditate upon and respond to the water, the environment and surroundings to gather sound recordings, video, text and voice to create a new at-distance collaborative audio-visual work.
The 6 works will be launched and hosted on the British Music Collection online and shared via their social channels and newsletters over the coming months. Full details to follow.
March 2020
Drummer Matthew Lovett and I made a distanced project during 2019 – Grass Sends Out Runners. Made via file swapping and recording improvised responses to each other’s sounds. I’m really happy to be able to release it now – we can still create when we’re not near each other.
As the Covid 19 situation in the UK worsens, all live performances in my diary have been cancelled. It is a worrying time for everyone, and the creative community has been thrown into truly uncharted territory. Many friends and colleagues are without work. If you’re able to, please consider making a donation to the wonderful Help Musicians UK, who provide Health and Wellbeing support to musicians.
Please also consider buying the music you value – direct from artists via platforms such as Bandcamp – it’s the best way to make sure the artists get the most income. Bandcamp is waiving their revenue share on sales this Friday, March 20 (from midnight to midnight Pacific Time), and rallying the Bandcamp community to put much needed money directly into artists’ pockets. There are many people whose incomes are precarious at this time, but please help if you can.
The following are links to recent musical projects of mine, but please explore the wonderful independent artists out there! I am so looking forward to being able to make music with those I love again soon, and to share it with people. There are plans to start streaming gigs online, free wherever possible. I’ll post links and instructions as soon as they’re available. Please note also that I am continuing to teach students at this time, and online lessons are available. If you would like to discuss this option, please just contact me.
March 2020
It’s been an incredibly busy time with gigs recently, but I’ve also been making strides with my project for the CANOPY Network, who are based in the Forest of Dean. I’ve been exploring caves with GSS (Gloucester Speleological Society) who have kindly taken me under their wings.
So far I’ve visited Wigpool Mine and Miss Grace’s Lane cave. It’s been an incredible challenge but I have captured some astonishing sounds and stories. I have more cave trips planned, and I’m gearing up towards the final project, where I’ll make a soundscape to be placed into a phone box.
February 2020
My solo songs project, Tisla, has had a lovely review in the Quietus…
all-too-human electronic songcraft: hermetic and inscrutable but with much that beguiles
Read the full thing here. Live shows to follow!
November 2019
Tisla is my solo songs project. There is a new EP available now – My Mind, In a Line. Listen below, and buy a digital download.
To buy a physical cassette tape, head to Cardboard Club.
October 2019
Harpoon – the drum machines duo I play in with Aron Ward – has a number of dates across the UK coming-up. Full links on the Gigs / Events page.
September 2019
I have been selected as a commissioned artist for CANOPY to produce new work for an exciting project focusing on phone boxes in the Forest of Dean area. There will be eight artists of varying disciplines involved. The project is supported by West Dean Parish Council and Arts Council England.
More details to follow soon!
August 2019
I have been invited to join the wonderful Viridian Ensemble as a core member…
They are: ‘An ethereal blend of image, voice, cello, flute and double bass which re-imagines folkloric forms and tropes of femininity. Improvisation of both sound and image (digital & analogue) produce a dialogic blend of textural depths. Dissociative states, keening, and the supernatural inspirit the ensemble; each performance evokes utterances, nonsensical languages, and trans species forms of communication through collective rhythm, tone and resonance’.
Supported by the PRS Foundation, Viridian are playing a range of tour dates in Autumn / Winter 2019. See the Gigs / Events page for details.
June 2019
Harpoon’s new album, Permission Fist, is now fully launched and available to buy, here.
We had a wonderful review of the album, featured in the Quietus: “There are a metric tonne of producers out there reshaping techno with scalpels and microscopes: Harpoon are doing it with lump hammers and hard hats. Intense/immense”. Read the full review here.
I performed with the wonderful Viridian for a show on Noods Radio – a Bokeh Versions takeover. The live show is now available to listen to online:
May 2019
Harpoon’s new album, Permission Fist, is soon to be released via Aphelion Editions! We’re having a launch party on 16 May at the Trap in Bristol (under the Crown on All Saints Lane). See the Gigs / Events page for full details.
You can pre-order the album online now, here: https://aphelioneditions.bandcamp.com/album/permission-fist.
I made the artwork for the album – it’ll be available as both CD and cassette tape (along with digital download):
January 2019
I played as a guest with the wonderful Viridian in October last year, and you can now listen to excerpts of that evening’s performance:
Edited mix of live session 26th Oct 2018 at Brunswick Club, Bristol.
Playing: Tina Hitchens – Flute, Jo Kelly – Double bass, Dali De St Paul – Vocals, Waterphone – Laura Phillips.
Sound Engineering- Alan from Ambersounds
Sound master mix – Bill Cargill
December 2018
It has been a busy few months of gigs, but in time for the solstice, there’s a new Tisla song up:
August 2018
Things have been a little quiet with gigs / events recently, but I’m taking time to write music / explore improvisation projects. More activity is soon to follow!
In the meantime, I have released an EP of improvised music, performed on various flutes:
New Tisla songs are also up:
February 2018
Halftone’s new record ‘ Live at Long Ashton Church’ is now available:
Hokkett and Harpoon have both been recording! Watch this space for releases coming up…
November 2017
Improvising quartet Halftone have had a quieter year this year – members have been appearing all over the UK and beyond in many other guises. But, we’ve nearly finished our first record! Excited to be releasing it soon – watch this space…
April 2017
As part of the Future Perfect public art programme in Bristol, I have been asked to write songs for various community groups as part of Freya Gabie’s Grafted Chorus at Hengrove and Whitchurch Community Orchard. I am creating bespoke songs that the groups will come together to perform at this special summer event. Starting from The Orchard, each group will begin their own song as the previous one ends – a song grafted, like a fruit tree, onto the last. And so on, with performers branching out beyond Whitchurch Green. The final performance will be Saturday 1 July, 14:00.
A work in progress showing is taking place at Spike Island Arts Centre on Sunday 30th April, 14:00. I have composed a song based on writer Holly Corfield Carr’s ‘Hengrove Wassail’, which will be performed by four vocalists.
March 2017
The improvising quartet I play with – Halftone – have been recording! We spent some time at the beautiful All Saints Church in Long Ashton, Bristol. Further news to follow soon.
February 2017
I have begun playing / writing in a new group – Hokkett – with violinist Yvonna Magada and saxophonist Helen Papaioannou. Hokket play ‘skronky / wonky riffs, snippets of melodies and hints of harmonies, woven together through improvisation’. More information to follow!
January 2017
This improvised drum machines duo with Aron Ward – Harpoon – have released a live recording. Recorded on Saturday, October 22nd 2016 at The Firefly for Suprise Attacks in Worcester.
November 2016
Improvising quartet Tina is flautist with – Halftone – are appearing with the legendary Les Diaboliques – Scottish vocalist Maggie Nicols, French bassist Joëlle Léandre and Swiss pianist Irène Schweizer.
Since the late 1970s, Les Diaboliques have been at the Vanguard of feminist engagement with free improvisation. Schweizer and Nicols were members of the iconic Feminist Improvising Group (FIG) and performed with Léandre in the European Womens Improvising Group. They formed Les Diaboliques in 1990. Nicols, Léandre and Schweizer have collaborated with many of the leading figures in free improvisation including Pauline Oliveros, John Stevens, Evan Parker, Derek Bailey, Anthony Braxton and Phil Minton.
There is also a unique opportunity to hear the artists talk about the history of feminist free improvisation and its ongoing evolution as part of this event. This is free with the evening performance and more details can be found here.
Details:
20th November, Arnolfini, Narrow Quay, Bristol, 7:30pm, £14 / £12.50 concessions. Tickets.
August 2016
The improvising duo with Aron Ward – Harpoon – has a new release available via Amicable Records.
You can also buy the lovely physical CD via Amicable’s Bandcamp site too.
Tina Hitchens 