Dean Chalkley

Recently The Guardian dedicated a feature to a very exciting scene that bubbled up at the turn of the century. This feature coincides with the launch of a rip roaring new documentary film called 'Meet Me in the Bathroom'. It's a trip down memory back to a time in NYC that gave birth to several important bands...but that's not the end of the story as the feature explains.

'While the documentary Meet Me in the Bathroom focuses on the early 00s indie scene in New York, things were even wilder in the UK,as the prime movers recall fuzzily to Daniel Dylan Wray... 

People such as Mairead Hayden from the Queens of Noise, Dominic Masters, The Others..Gary Powell from The Libertines were also among the interviewees.

The article appeared on Friday 3rd March 2023 pages 6-7 of G2

©Dean Chalkley

©Dean Chalkley

‘In The Morning’ is Carmy Love's most recent single, it arrived just ahead of her recent gig with Sister Cookie at the 100 Club.

©Dean Chalkley

Back in 2011 Dean made a short film called 'Young Souls' it celebrates the sub-culture of Northern Soul. Those who are familiar with Dean's deejaying sessions will know that for years Dean has loved Soul music and especially Northern Soul, he will often play these rare original vinly records out in clubs lighting up the dancefloors with their fast paced intoxicating rhythm and expressive lyrics.

Ace Records are proud to present a short excerpt from the whole Young Souls film that features two tracks from their back catalogue. Originally Dean obtained official permission to use these tracks in the whole production. 12 years later the full length version of Young Souls is off line but here is a taste of what the film is like.

Click here to go to the link

The whole 'Young Souls' body of work was made by Dean in response to a brief set by 125 Magazine.

The publication put the call out for inspired projects that in some way represented ‘Religion’. Dean immediately connected the notion of religion to faith and then to ‘Keeping the Faith’ an expression that captures the devotion and love that people who are into Northern Soul scene have for it. He set out to not only make a series of contemporary photographs showing a group of young people who were into it but also to make a short film, an excerpt from which you can see above.

The full length short film was screened for the first time at the 6T’s anniversary night at the 100 Club in April 2011 and the official premiere took place at the Bethnal Green Working Mens Club on the 14th July 2011, a night that featured the film and photographs from the project, as well as a great party across all the floors of the venue.

Subsequently the film has been screened at many film festivals nationally and internationally collecting awards along the way.

At the time of release Dean Chalkley commented: “I didn’t set out to create the definitive story of Northern Soul, but I did aim to celebrate it. The Photographic aspect is a study focusing on the current burgeoning generation of young people getting into the scene, whereas the film brings the atmosphere and wonder of Northern Soul to life. I didn’t want to recreate the past, but to produce timeless works that illustrate the culture as never before. It is great to show how people dance to Northern Soul, but more importantly how it is a passionate experience and how its fans - young and old -are immersed in it. I have been very careful to exercise the utmost integrity on this project as it is close to my heart.’

The two tracks featured in this excerpt are as follow:

Featured songs:

Is She In Your Town - Curtis Lee 

Anything You Want AKA Any Way You Want It - Jackie Lee 

Please note - in this "Excerpt From Young Souls" the track and artist information is placed over the picture. The full Young Souls short film has this information in the end credits only and not presented over the picture.

©Dean Chalkley / Art Direction Emma Noble

Emma Noble's latest release is an upbeat slice of two-step, it's a foot tapper with an infectious bass line that supports Emma's unique delivery. This track is produced by multi-instrumentalist Shawn Lee, Shaun's drumming can be heard pushing the track along with a deep, grooving, soulful strut.

Break Down The Walls is another co-write from Noble & Corbin, with all their soulful signatures, the pair often incorporate danceable, uplifting and catchy vibrations with a big dollop of 60/70s inspired soul on the top.

Dean has photographed Emma many times in the past whether it's singing live on stage, whilst Emma deejays, for advertising campaigns or for projects. In fact first time Dean met Emma was on the 'Young Souls' Photographic and Film project he directed and photographed (this will be the subject of the next post) Emma was introduced to Dean by one of his friends Elaine Constantine.

This single's visual concept was art directed by Emma herself reflecting the lyrics of the track. Emma explains  ‘Break Down The Walls’ is about trying to push aside those negative thoughts that can sometimes creep in and letting the positive ones lead instead.

Beak Down The Walls will soon be available on vinyl for this and other music by Emma click here

©Dean Chalkley

©Dean Chalkley 

PHONO48 will play a one off live gig as part of The Big AC Records concert at the world famous 100 Club in London on the 24-11-22. They will be on stage at 8pm, Dean will introduce the band then they will play their track 'So Pure'. Phono48 are the musical collective who were born out of the New Perspectives project Dean created recently.  to see the film about the project click here. To visit The Big AC Records website for books and the Phono48 vinyl record click here.

In the past Dean has photographed several of the Big AC Soul Revue members and Kitty Liv too.. 

Wilko Johnson, 2013 by Dean Chalkley 

On the 21st of November 2022 we lost one of the most influential, eccentric and outstanding musicians. Wilko Johnson sadly passed away this week leaving a great legacy and immensely profound effect on the route of modern music and so many musicians his music reached out to. His personality and methods in music set him outside the box, at times unconventional doing it all his own way, he had a profound and deep side with a sense of humour too. Wilko Johnson... Legend!

The final day of the exhibition takes place on Saturday 29th October 2022.

This short and sharp group show has successfully brought together the work of seven artists in Five Rooms (F*** Rooms) at the gallery space of 15 Bateman Street, Soho, London. Dean and Ciaran O'Shea present their Reverberation show original aired in 2017 this time set in a gallery space the work is allowed it's full colourful potential and with the additional of a unique 3-D installation piece called the Wonderbox it feels totally fresh, as relevant as ever and highly stimulating. Reverberation is a series of unique images inspired by The Beatles seminal album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’.

Other artists involved in 'F*** Rooms' group show are painters Simon Monk and Johanna Melvin, 3-D artist Jennie Sharman-Cox, photographer Graham Cann and actor /director Charles Sharman-Cox. 

The PV for the show took place on the 27th October...really busy and a great buzz! 

Hero Magazine features F*** Rooms HERE