DIDGERIDOO ARTIST
BIOGRAPHY (Reviews Below)
Blending the ancient sound of the digeridoo with modern beats, John Thorpe creates vibrant music with foot-stomping rhythms, drums, shakers, mouth harps and other instruments. Drawing inspiration from Australian Indigenous artists and western dance music, John's music is unique and colourful, with earth-energy rhythms, spacious sonic backdrops and performances of raw didge solos or mixed with percussion. He is a one man band. John's music is contemporary, yet he has profound respect for the ancient origins of the yidaki, rooted in Indigenous Australian culture and its symbiotic connection to nature. This reverence is reflected in his own bond with nature and Cornwall. Much of his music and locations embody his yogic spiritual philosophy, deeply intertwined with nature and transcendent concepts.
The genre of John's music may seem elusive but journalist, Gareth Bartlett, has given it a good go: "John's music: You could categorise it as acoustic dance, contemporary world music or perhaps even coin a new phrase such as didgeridance - but it's rather hypnotic." (Cornish Guardian.) Although his music is hard to pigeonhole, John has drawn large crowds at festivals with his foot tapping mesmerizing beats and virtuoso didgeridoo skills and has got many crowds dancing. Inevitably it has opened the door for John: performing at places like The Mansion, London, with DJs and performing for the likes of chef John Torode at the National London Theatre. Renowned indigenous musician and cultural ambassador, David Hudson, also endorsed John's music and encouraged him to go out there and take it to the people. It wasn't just the live performing side that caught attention, the pioneering music production company, De Wolf Music, also took on board Johns music considering it to be, "evocative, expressive and exciting." (Warren De Wolfe)
A short story of how John became a didge player:
One summer’s evening in 1999, deep in the outback of a North Cornwall farmhouse, John’s imagination was stirred by the sound of the didgeridoo. Although the instrument was new to him it echoed a memory of something he’d heard long ago. Intrigued by the feelings it evoked, little did he know this moment would lead to an extraordinary musical journey. Born in Brighton, John had moved to Cornwall in the late 1980s. Once his passion for the didge was sparked he taught himself to play and in 2008 John performed his first UK didge festival in Devon. It was the beginning of his performing side, no easy task for a shy man who had lived as a hermit in his Delabole farmhouse. But his enthusiasm drove him on to gain confidence and perform at new and exciting events. How did a man who had never contemplated becoming a musician end up playing on radio stations such as the BBC or at The London National Theatre! And more than that, forging his own distinctive sound? It’s a question John has often asked himself. “What an amazing journey it’s been! The twists and turns of life."
Inspired and influenced by traditional and contemporary didge players, like David Hudson and Plack and Soames, John has gone on to record several albums from ambient to upbeat helped by undertaking a sound engineering course. The Cornish caves and coastal waters inspired John’s first atmospheric album in 2005: Out The Back. He recalls: “It was great to record something that felt so close to the Cornish shore and the landscape. I have a real connection to nature here; it is my Outback.” Almost a hermit, he mixed the album in his quiet secluded farmhouse. Other didge albums followed such as 'Tukka Dawn', a spiritual consciousness concept album. By now, John had incorporated the stomp, after being inspired by Sea Sick Steve's performances on his.
With his background skills in electrics, electronics, sound engineering and didge making, John has been able to hone his unique sound and music. He has spent years building up sound systems, recording spaces etc and making didges, with little budget, yet to test out the possibilities in didge recording, playing and music listening. His obsession has led to nothing less than high quality didgeridoo sounds and music which is constantly evolving. John also continues to experiment with new didge sounds, new drums and rhythmic gadgets, so watch out for some new material soon!
“The didgerdoo (yidaki) originated in North East Arnhem Land, Australia. "I appreciate the skilled craftsmanship of the Indigenous yidaki makers who create great quality sounds but also nuance these traditional instruments so that they’re precisely ‘tuned’ to their associated clan or songman – amazing! I also have great respect for the First Nations People of Australia and other contemporary players, from whom I have gained so much from over the years – it has inspired me in both playing and performing."
Reviews
"John Thorpe is a master of the didgeridoo, listening to his music is evocative, expressive and exciting."
Warren De Wolfe – De Wolfe Music Productions
"John's music: "You could categorise it as acoustic dance, contemporary world music or perhaps even coin a new phrase such as didgeridance - but it's rather hypnotic."
Gareth Bartlett, Journalist – Cornish Guardian
"All Good Re your playing style. You certainly have the licks happening."
David Hudson – a leading exponent of Indigenous Australian music
"The didge intro with Joffrey and John was incredible: I saw people literally leaving the bar to go check it out!"
Fabrizia – DJ/Producer @ The Mansion London
"Thanks for always being here and for your wonderful performances and energy you have given us so many times, you are a star xx" Ant Scott & Lynn: organiser of UK didge festivals over past decade….
"Of all the acts on both stages, it was the didge and belly dancer who people were talking about"
Rock Oyster Festival 2015 – festival organiser – Charlie Anderson
"Thanks so much for your performance at Holifair – it was really amazing! Someone even said to me it was the highlight of the festival for them – high praise indeed!!!…hopefully see you next year at Holifair."
Anna – organiser at Holifair Festival 2012
"A fabulous performance - thankyou "
UK TV - John Torode - The London National Theatre 2014
""A fabulous sound, wish you could have played for longer!""
Leicester Tigers Premier Rugby Club 2015
"John has enthralled audiences at LostFest for the last few years. He is a real crowd-puller with the amazing things he can do with a didge. By popular demand, he has been booked to play at the 2015 LostFest as it would not be the same without John’s performances - www.lostfest.co.uk"
David Gutterman – Organiser at Lostfest
"John recently performed at our monthly Acoustic Café after booking him as a complete unknown, and not our usual type of performer. So glad we did. His talent is remarkable and thoroughly engaged our mixed audience (15 – 60 year olds) such that they were either spell-bound, or foot tapping and jiggling around. His time slot was only 1/2 hour, but our clientelle were having none of that and demanded an encore (doesn’t usually happen for the 1st act on).
You would think that playing the same musical note would get repetative after a short while? Think again. The mixture of additional rythmn from both the didgeridoo and his drums or shakers gave more than enough diversity in the performance.
We look forward to welcoming him back sometime next year."
Sarah Goodwin, organiser of Aoustic Cafe - Jerichos - Launceston
"Thank you very much for performing at the festival...I managed to catch about 5 minutes of your performance and that was the longest of anyone that I saw! I really enjoyed it and I agree it was well received. It has been a long time since I have heard a good didge 'player' and I was reminded of how much I like it."
Charlie Anderson – Organiser, Rock Oyster Festival 2014
"Amazing night!!! I've not had a dance like that in ages. Check this guy out...Fantastic gig on Saturday down Mill House, we had a great evening...reminds me of Xavier Rudd!"
Audience and manager Mark forbes @ the Mill House Inn 2015
""Our feedback was very positive and folk loved your performance and were quite mesmerised by it.""
Sara Hamidi Ashtiani – organiser of Overland Motorcycle travel event 2015
"We got your CD right here and listened to it! Wow!! Congratulations. Great playing man! Horizon Dawn is very creative with poetic tune. The sound balance is amazing… And good capture of live…"
Didge Breath – Australia
"amazing, incredible... we were all hypnotised..." "great fun, thanks for letting us join you on stage!"
Sterts Theatre – Cornwall 2015
"I certainly enjoyed your playing and appreciate your skill. Keep up the good work."
Alastair Black – Musician, didgeridoo performer & teacher worldwide
"I was a little concerned that a didgeridoo being played for 40-50 minutes would not work, so I asked John if he could do three shorter 30 minute sets on two locations. Watching the first set on the main stage – I quickly realised that my worries were unfounded. John went down a storm!"
Neil Hipkiss Festival organiser of Looe Music Festival
"John is the didge-man, his ambient sounds vibrate the very soul. I first met John at a jam session I organised in Tintagel Cornwall, he instantly impressed with how he could change the obvious rock structure and predictable thrash of guitars, with the use of this most natural of instruments, and create a fresh need for imagination.
The didge is a hard instrument to master, the circular breathing is just the start, its the creation of unpredictable sounds and the understanding of the tribal, the spiritual and of race memory that only an accomplished musician can grasp.
John is an innovator of the art and is massively respected for his grasp of perfect rhythm"
Si Johnson from Dusk At Dawns and previously from Sacred Turf
"And as for your appearance at our Air Ambulance Retro Surf Day, I have had some great feedback from people who were there on the day. Your sound was unique and resonated beautifully over the terrace at Harlyn. Thanks for coming and sharing your sound with us."
Dan – landlord from the Harlyn Inn