“Be More Fucking Empathetic“ Kate Tempest
I headed down to the Caught by the River Thames Festival last weekend, which was a small, friendly, yet relaxing festival hidden down a quaintly decorated winding path down the back of Fulham Palace Park. My highlight of the experience… without a doubt – was Kate Tempest ‘in conversation’ about her new book ‘The Bricks That Built The Houses’ with Miranda Sawyer. Not only did she come across as wise and talented.. the confidence Kate exuded in front of a room packed full of people – of all ages was inspirational. She came across as the sort of person I’d like to be friends with. Down to earth, real, creative and thoughtful.
Kate Tempest Caught By The River – photography Becki Burrows
She had some good advice for the room… well. For me anyway… 1) “finish your ideas!”. And 2) “Be more fucking empathetic!”. She touched on various topics such as ‘female artists expected to be young, beautiful and engaged with broken hearts and shoes’. And whilst I love shoes.. I agree there is only a short amount of time one can spend admiring them before it can get boring. Very… boring. She also touched on that creative process. Well I am writing this as if you may know about it. That feeling that you aren’t quite where you want to be and it’s not quite going the way you want. But something she said that was quite interesting was ‘the minute you get it right. It’s the end… right?’.
Kate Tempest Caught By The River – Photography Becki Burrows
And how important it is to ‘get out of tunnel vision’. To remember that it’s not just you that is going through whatever it is you’re going through. I believe it’s so important… to try to enjoy life and the imperfect journey placed at our feet. And hearing Kate Tempest reminded me of that. Another inspirational talker at the festival was Chris Packham who spoke about ‘winning being about not giving up.. no matter what happens.. that it’s not always about the finish line… it’s about focusing that anger and doing something creative with it’. So yes. I wasn’t expecting to come away so thoughtful from a festival. And whilst I craved some electro dance music….something I’m not too good at… is relaxing and just being. And remembering the importance of just sitting. And listening.
Rhys Ifans Super Furry Animals – photography Becki Burrows
The Caught by the River Festival exuded a different energy than the burning fast paced rush and the now now NOW culture of festivals that I’m probably more used to. I’m not sure if this festival is running next year.. but I found it a relaxing cultural experience. And worth heading to if you have free time. And here are some short one minute interviews: Oh Ryley Walker… 🙂
THE VERY CHARMING RYLEY WALKER:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BIxi_hAh6hr/?taken-by=ohdearymetv
A MAN CALLED DARYL OFFERS HIS THOUGHTS ON THE FESTIVAL:
BUNF SUPER FURRY ANIMALS – WELSH LESSON:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BI0ErvQB73X/?taken-by=ohdearymetv
https://www.instagram.com/p/BI0HuV9hK-m/?taken-by=ohdearymetv
I could probably write more. I could probably do more. I could probably BE more. But I need to do something else right now..
Becki Xx Follow me on Instagram!
