LOVERBOY MAKES MUSIC
LOVERBOY has always had an indomitable musical pulse throbbing at its core. For Charles Jeffrey, music is tantamount to fashion and visual art in the diverse roster of inspirations feeding his practice.
AW22’s Art of Noise collection presents a polyphonic love letter to music, riffing on the work of rebel cellist Arthur Russell alongside countless other influences.
In an unprecedented move marking the collection’s launch, Charles has teamed up with a host of talented musical collaborators to produce his first ever album, Neko. Penning lyrics with the multidisciplinary artist Robert Fox and working on production with experimental musician Tom Furse – formerly of The Horrors – the project has united close friends of LOVERBOY. The result is a multi-genre soundscape, oscillating from the classical to the industrial via soaring synths, hypnotic beats and spoken word courtesy of rising rapper Taliable.
Intended as a sonic accompaniment to the Art of Noise collection, Neko also marks a return to the dystopian narrative initially touched upon in AW20’s Hell Mend You offering, which centres on the inhabitants of a post-apocalyptic world fighting to reach the mythic floating city of AJUKA. The album’s title, taken from the Japanese word for cat, points subtly to a feline motif that slinks repeatedly through the LOVERBOY universe.
WEDGWOOD
Introducing the captivating music video for the Wedgwood collaboration, featuring Robert Fox, Tom Furse, and the LOVERBOY band. In this visually stunning and energetic production, the trio assumes their mod-inspired musician alter egos, arriving at the Wedgwood factory with a mission to disrupt and infuse the brand with a fresh, Gigi pop-inspired jingle that represents the exciting change of pace Wedgwood is experiencing.
Dressed in sleek black LOVERBOY suits and sporting edgy graphic mod hairstyles, Robert Fox, Tom Furse, and the band exude an aura of chic rebellion. As they move through the factory, anticipation builds, and the workers gather to witness their electrifying performance. Charles takes center stage as the lead singer, his vocals resonating with passion and creativity, while his dynamic movements and dance reflect the freedom and expression of the collaboration.
Amidst the music and performance, Charles embraces his artistic prowess, using his body as a canvas to create new Wedgwood pieces. With bold thrusts and splashes of paint, he transforms traditional powder blue ceramics into vibrant, avant-garde works of art. The juxtaposition of the traditional and the contemporary is both striking and symbolic of the innovative direction Wedgwood is embracing.
As the music video reaches its climax, the Wedgwood workers join in the celebration, jumping and clapping with joy. The infectious energy and creativity of the collaboration have left a lasting impression, bringing smiles to everyone's faces. The final scene showcases a full set of newly upcycled Wedgwood pieces, a testament to the successful union of artistry and craftsmanship.
This music video encapsulates the spirit of the Wedgwood collaboration, where tradition meets disruption, and artistry sparks joy. It's a celebration of Wedgwood's commitment to embracing change and innovation while honoring its rich heritage. Prepare to be captivated and inspired as the worlds of music, art, and Wedgwood collide in a vibrant explosion of creativity.
SUN
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY presents NEKO Echo, a SUN remix by @planningtorock, entitled 'Planningtosun'. LOVERBOY has always had an indomitable musical pulse throbbing at its core. For Charles Jeffrey, music is tantamount to fashion and visual art in the diverse roster of inspirations feeding his practice. Music is the heart and soul of LOVERBOY, since it's first inception as a clubnight, and each musical release allows Charles to further clothe his audience within his universe of sound.
The AW22 Art of Noise collection spawned the first album, Neko. A collaboration of Charles, multidisciplinary artist Robert Fox and experimental musician Tom Furse – formerly of The Horrors – the project united close friends of LOVERBOY. 'Neko' is a multi-genre dystopian soundscape, oscillating from the classical to the industrial via soaring synths, hypnotic beats and spoken word courtesy of rising rapper Taliable. The album’s title, taken from the Japanese word for cat, points subtly to a feline motif that slinks repeatedly through the LOVERBOY universe.
Now NEKO ((ECHOED)) continues the evolution with the addition musical heroes Planningtorock and Hercules & Love Affair. Each join the remix fray with their own subversions of the original sonics and lyrics; delivering their own upbeat, low slung, club ready remixes to further expand the musical realm of LOVERBOY.
Planningtorock – aka Jam Rostron – is a Bolton-born Tallinn based singer-song writer, composer, producer and director with four critically acclaimed studio albums of queer dance to their name – not to mention various collaborations, Opera's, film and fashion scores and remixes. A self-taught, trans- non-binary, working-class musician, they’ve spent a decade plus queering sound and vision as Planningtorock.
Producer: Gloria Mach
Photographer & Editor: Charlie Hughes
Photographer: Owen Smith, Aruzhan Moldasseitova
Hair: Yuho Kamo
Make-Up: Soda Choi
Assistant: Roxy Wittrick
Models: Jodran Aki- Sawyer @ Contact Agency, Mia Yang @ W Models
Remix Track Title: Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY - Sun (Planningtorock’s ‘Planningsun’ VERSION)
Artist: Planningtorock
Track Mastered by: Matthew Styles-Harris Horizontal Entertainment S.L. Original Track: Sun - Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY ft. Fi McCluskey
Track Producer: Tom Furse
Lyricist: Robert Fox
PLAY
Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY presents NEKO Echo, a SUN remix by @planningtorock, entitled 'Planningtosun'. LOVERBOY has always had an indomitable musical pulse throbbing at its core. For Charles Jeffrey, music is tantamount to fashion and visual art in the diverse roster of inspirations feeding his practice. Music is the heart and soul of LOVERBOY, since it's first inception as a clubnight, and each musical release allows Charles to further clothe his audience within his universe of sound.
The AW22 Art of Noise collection spawned the first album, Neko. A collaboration of Charles, multidisciplinary artist Robert Fox and experimental musician Tom Furse – formerly of The Horrors – the project united close friends of LOVERBOY. 'Neko' is a multi-genre dystopian soundscape, oscillating from the classical to the industrial via soaring synths, hypnotic beats and spoken word courtesy of rising rapper Taliable. The album’s title, taken from the Japanese word for cat, points subtly to a feline motif that slinks repeatedly through the LOVERBOY universe.
Now NEKO ((ECHOED)) continues the evolution with the addition musical heroes Planningtorock and Hercules & Love Affair. Each join the remix fray with their own subversions of the original sonics and lyrics; delivering their own upbeat, low slung, club ready remixes to further expand the musical realm of LOVERBOY.
Hercules & Love Affair is the vision of Andy Butler, an artist who has continually synthesised and twisted strains of house and pop with a varying cast of fellow songwriters, producers, singers, and instrumentalists. The group made a surprising commercial breakthrough with their second single, the Antony-fronted "Blind" (2008), a number 40 U.K. pop hit inspired by Butler's experience as a gay man who grew up alienated only to experience other forms of distress as a liberated adult.
Producer: Diani Diaz
Videographer: Charlie Hughes
Editor: Aruzhan Moldassitova
Styling: Matthew Josephs
Movement Direction: Kate Coyne
Casting: Aamo Casting Director: Shah G
Assistant: Roxy Wittrick
Hair - Christopher Gatt Hair
Assistant - Hiro Furukawa
Make up - Phoebe Walters
Make up Assistant - Esme Horn
Talent - Cloud (Menace), Keke (Models), Dextra (Select), Natasha (Phoenix), Suyu (PRM), Alvaro (DAM), Zavier (Models)
Remix Track Title: Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY - Play (Hercules and Love Affair’s VERSION)
Artist: Hercules & Love Affair
Track Mastered By: Matthew Styles-Harris @ Horizontal Entertainment S.L.
Original Track: Play - Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY
Track Producer: Tom Furse
Lyricist: Robert Fox
NEKO
On 31/10/22 Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY released its debut album entitled NEKO. In launch of this, LOVERBOY's collaborators: Charles Jeffrey; Robert Fox; Tom Furse curated an Audiovisual Experience, hosted at and with The Institute of Contemporary Arts. Missed out on this? We're clicking rewind... proudly presenting NEKO's Audiovisual Experience, virtually!
Credits:
Director and Editor - Robert Fox
Creative Director - Charles Jeffrey
AI Editor - Tom Furse
Producer - Tom Furse
Animator - Josh Quinton
Featured Artists - TaliaBle and Fi McCluskey
Special Thanks: ICA for hosting and collaborating on the physical event.
Blast
Charles Jeffrey Loverboy presents NEKO a project by Charles Jeffrey, Tom Furse, Robert Fox.
Director - Robert Fox
Director of Photography - Peter Garajszki
Producer - Thomas Prees
Set Design - Jack Davey
Hair Stylist - Charles Stanley
Make-up artist - Mari Kuno
1st AC - Ciaran Tunmer
Gaffer - Luke Halstead
Technical Assistance - Emma Jones
Driver - Arnis Koleda
Animation & Polaroids -Josh Quinton
GREY NIGHT / BLACK HOLE
Charles Jeffrey has long been a devotee kneeling at the altar of the musical greats and their mesmeric artform. He is also something of a musician himself. With the help of his peerless collaborators, Robert Fox and Tom Furse, Charles recently managed to sing and play himself into absolute oblivion… Watch these calamitous events unfold in the brand-new video for GREY NIGHT / BLACK HOLE.
Written and Directed - Robert Fox
Cinematographer - Tom Eames
Hair Stylist - Charles Stanley
Make-up Artist - Mari Kuno
Lighting and Camera Assistant - Emma Jones
Set Arrangement and Polaroids - Josh Quinton
Video Edit - Robert Fox
Location & Special Thanks - Haha Sounds Studio & Syd Kemp
Starring - Tom Furse, Robert Fox, Charles Jeffrey
TAKE ME THERE
Fred Perry x LOVERBOY makes music in conjunction with their final collaboration with Fred Perry, LOVERBOY premieres its debut single ‘Take Me There’ from their debut album project entitled Neko.
Creative Director – Charles Jeffrey
Director - Bunny Kinney
Producer - Thomas Prees
DOP - Alex Reid
1st AC - Tim Allan
2nd AC - Henry Vinten
Colourist - Francis Qureshi @avenues.studio
Editor - Juan Palacio @avenues.studio
Assistant Editor - Arsenii Pronoun @avenues.studio
DIT - Andrew Trewartha
Gaffer - Paul Burns
Electrician - Daniel Burns
Electrician - Peter Hargroves
Hair Stylist - Claire Moore
Make Up Artist - Phoebe Walters
Head of Operations - Diani Diaz
Styling Assistant - Scott Cruft
Make up Assistant - Erika Freedman
Hair Assistant - Esme Horn