The Burning Hell

Event information

“The wordy songsmith behind Canadian quintet The Burning Hell, Mathias Kom has a dry wit and sharp eye that elevate indie-rock tunes into offbeat storytelling treats.” Uncut Magazine

The Burning Hell is the alter-ego of Canadian songwriter Mathias Kom, and the band has been on the road in one form or another since 2007, playing everywhere from the chaos of Glastonbury to the loneliness of the Arctic Circle, popping up in bars, festival tents, living rooms, abandoned bunkers, and a mental asylum in rural France along the way. Musically, the lineup and sound of the Burning Hell has been ever-changing, running the gamut from introspective folk to hyperactive rock and roll. This means both that no two Burning Hell records sound alike, and that the band can adapt to its surroundings like a karma of anthropomorphic chameleons, taking the audience on a supermarket-cart ride through hooky, upbeat pop songs, dark ballads about pet euthanasia, and anthems for barbarians, economic conferences, and love.



Lail Arad & JF Robitaille

A musical correspondence between London’s Lail Arad and Montreal’s JF Robitaille led to a tour of Italy, which led to
some co-writing, which led to recording, which led to international radio-play, which led to 42 dates across the UK,
Europe and India, which led right back to the studio, which led to The Photograph — the stunning new single from the
highly acclaimed songwriters’ forthcoming duo album. In other words, they’re rolling with it.
You really should take the opportunity to go and see them, it’s such a special combination and a great, great opportunity… Superb
stuff. – John Kennedy, Radio X
Excellent words in there, antihistamine and Harold Pinter in the rhyme scheme, that’s very good indeed! – Clive Anderson, Loose
Ends, BBC Radio 4
Two well-known and highly respected singer-songwriters… Lail Arad and JF Robitaille are exponents of their own individual and
engaging brand of stimulating indie-folk, featuring smart, thoughtful lyrics. – GIGsoup
Two of our favourite songwriters team up for a series of gorgeous summer-y duets. – End Of The Road Festival
She’s based in London, he’s from Montreal and they make one marvellous noise together. – Roddy Hart, BBC Radio Scotland
Music can not only heal, but also instills in us a hope for an ideal world in the future. At least [JF Robitaille and Lail Arad] made us
believe so. – The Hindu Metro Plus, India.
Lail Arad’s second album “The Onion” (The Vinyl Factory, 2016) received UK radio play from the likes of Lauren
Laverne (BBC 6 Music), John Kennedy (Radio X), Jarvis Cocker (BBC 6 Music) and Robert Elms (BBC Radio
London). Press coverage included The Financial Times, London Evening Standard, Paper Mag and Clash. The album
also recieved extensive coverage in France and Germany. In 2016 Lail was awarded Women Make Music funding from
PRS Foundation.
A brilliant lament about 16 million cases of heartbreak by the wonderful Lail Arad. – Billy Bragg
I’m all about this woman’s new album. – Lauren Laverne, 6 Music
This is literate acoustic singer-songwriter fare at its best… Album of the year contender. – The Arts Desk
JF Robitaille has long been celebrated as one of the most engaging songwriters in Canada. His 3rd album “Palace
Blues” (Sparks/Universal, 2016) and single “Missing You” (feat. Julie Doiron) reached #4 on the CBC Radio 2 national
charts. He’s opened for the likes of St.Vincent, Jonathan Richman and Sean Lennon and has toured extensively
throughout Canada and Europe.
Robitaille is quite the pop tune-smith whipping off hook-laden numbers that feature smart lyrics, written from the perspective of the
last romantic out there. – Montreal Gazette
Lyrically sincere and utterly charming. JF Robitaille could rise to be a Leonard Cohen for the new age; but with optimism, melody
and a prettier voice. – Exclaim Magazine
JF Robitaille’s songs are so original that no comparisons are necessary. – Der Spiegel

Abi Wade

Abi Wade is a musical collaboration between limbs, strings and vocal chords. The cello is the backbone to her songs, however, the Brighton based musician is no ordinary solo act and uses her instrument in a unique way; using it as a percussive instrument; hitting it with sticks and beaters while plucking and bowing it, often simultaneously. In addition to playing the cello in this unconventional manner, she also sings and uses a cajon and tambourine on each foot to become the ultimate one woman band.

So far she has toured the UK & Europe with Patrick Wolf, played festivals such as End of The Road, The Great Escape and Wilderness, sold out her debut EP, released music on the label set up by Esben & The Witch’s Daniel Copeman, with whom she also records with and played shows with the likes of CocoRosie, Dan Mangan, Other Lives & Deptford Goth. Her music has also been used on MTV series ‘Awkward’ and Cinemax series ‘Banshee’.

Press:
“So expect to see more of Abi Wade – a glorious, wailing cellist in a jumpsuit, who even at her fussiest managed an itchy thrill and prompted memories of everyone from Kate Bush to Joanna Newsom” The Scottish Herald

‘Well known and loved for her approach to the stringed instrument, the cellist has created a name for herself as a musician to test the tide and fight against it’ Drunken Werewolf

‘Intense, focussed vocals make this strong; but Wade’s incredible cello and electronic work make the song more powerful still’ New Internationalist

“Yahoo, something fresh and skillful! Red lipped and confident, her breathy voice is given the edge with minor keys and blues scales and a Florence-Welch-y howl. She made full use of a cello and foot-pedalled her own percussion – watch her live; she is a spectacle taking into stride the chasmic hall and making it sing for her” Folkgeek.net

*** There may be returns on the night ***