I've just returned from my longest visit to London in some years. My cousin from NYC was in town and I had the week off work, so we were able to enjoy a decent catch up with each other and of course with her Mum, the elderly aunt who's often mentioned on these pages. It was a good break, much less of a rush than my usual trips down the M11, allowing me the opportunity to spend several hours on Monday afternoon, wandering off the beaten track around the backstreets of E1 and E2. While ambling, I fired off a few shots with my trusty phone. I couldn't decide on just one to feature, so here are a handful of my favourites. Click on any of them to enlarge.
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'London Is Swinging By His Neck' is the only physical thing I own by London born, New Zealand based musician Roy Montgomery. He's played in a number of bands over the years, though his solo work is more often than not lo-fi instrumental in nature. This particular tune however, features a spoken word vocal from writer/actor/director/singer Kirk Lake.
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7 comments:
You were down the end of my road - well, you were if you treat Bethnal Green Road and Roman Road as a single street.
These are great pictures TS, of a London I have never visited just seen in films and telly. Love that door in the first picture, would love to know what life was like behind it when it was new. Sadly fallen on hard times. Looks as if the tall four-story terraced houses are now prime property though and again I love the door in the centre. Must have been interesting having a wander through those streets.
As for the song, very atmospheric and apt for this post. Would love to pour over the lyrics properly but can't seem to find them online. I will have to listen a few times to take them in I think.
Great photos Swede, right up my street. Live the song too, first encountered it in a Weatherall mix cd called Watch The Ride which you've prompted me to revisit
Glad to hear you had a more leisurely visit - your photos are marvellous - I do love those unexpected juxtapositions you find in these unselfconscious street environments. The song is excellent too and I can imagine the images and song together as a wonderfully atmospheric and understated art film. Maybe that could be a future project?!
Lovely photos as always, Swede... though I have to question whether they've got another lockdown going on in that London, or whether you visited post-apocalypse.
I liked the track.
TS giving us a masterclass in photographic psychogeography. (I need to walk around what's left of the old East End before the wrecking ball comes in and does its dirty work.)
Ernie: I actually started my wander at Bethnal Green station, but headed down Hackney Road for a while, zigging and zagging along any side road that took my fancy. I know your area fairly well, as I had an aunt who lived her entire life (nearly 92 years) on Cyprus Street, off Globe Road.
Alyson: It was great to wander off the beaten track for a while, something I don't usually have time to do on my flying visits to London. The building in the first photo was almost totally surrounded by newly built glass monstrosities. I've no idea how it escaped demolition, but I'm glad it did.
Swiss Adam: The photos on your posts are a constant source of inspiration, often creating art out of the mundane. My usual surroundings are somewhat rural, so it was good to have a go at something altogether more urban.
C: It was really interesting to turn off familiar main roads and almost immediately lose myself (literally at one point!) in a maze of backstreets. Hopefully I'll have time for a similar wander next time I'm in London. Watch this space!
Rol: Haha! It's remarkable how you can amble just a few yards off the main drag and find yourself in practically deserted backstreets. I don't do it often enough.
John: When it comes to psychogeography I bow to the masters, John Rogers and Iain Sinclair, who've helped me to observe my surroundings with completely fresh eyes. There's a lot of ugly stuff going up all over London, but wander for long enough and you'll bump into plenty of interesting old buildings along the way.
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