We are honoured to end our Flow Features 2022 series with the formidable Fisky. If there is one spoken word artist that has shown consistency across multiple art forms over the years that has inspired so many new and established poets, it’s this artist right here. We had to round off with this powerhouse who has elevated the spoken word community and cemented his name in modern spoken word history. Who is the man behind the words? Fisky has been writing from a young age like many poets, but school was a memorable turning point when his first poem was published at the age of 12. He continued writing on and off until the age of 16 when his mother passed away from cancer and his struggles with mental health began. I continued to lose people throughout my life and I couldn’t turn to anyone about it so I turned to writing. I found my love for hip-hop around the same time. Fisky Although Fisky didn’t think his initial writings were the standard that he wanted them to be, after university he and a friend started to experiment with music which inspired him to take the craft further. He released his album ’10 Years’ in 2014 which was filled with themes based around certain experiences that he felt like he couldn’t talk about between the ages of 16-26. The album did well among his audience, but creating music wasn’t enough to fill the internal void that he was feeling. He needed more. How did Mind Over Matter become a reality? There came a time in Fisky’s life where he could barely recognise himself. Seeking help through therapy proved to be disappointing and the creative found himself tired of the way he was living. At the age of 36 he launched Mind Over Matter; a poetry and multi-genre event that has encouraged many poets to do amazing things with spoken word or their chosen art form. Fisky launched the event to help himself during what he considers one of the lowest points of his life. Little did he know that after launching his first event in collaboration with the Mind Charity, Mind Over Matter would become a crucial stem of the arts and culture community that promotes mental health through expression. I’ve never really wanted to write but I always felt like I needed to. Fisky Mind Over Matter have since hosted events across London including Balham, Camden, Brixton, Hackney and Shoreditch which have inspired hundreds of poets to perform their work and develop their skills. He has had the opportunity to work in Melbourne, collaborate with Ted X, and expand his platform by hosting events in Manchester, Birmingham, and Northampton. The expansion has bridged a gap between the blossoming London poetry community and brilliant poets based outside of the capital. What inspired your latest project ‘Cheaper Than Therapy’? Fisky released his most recent project ‘Cheaper Than Therapy’ earlier this year whilst running his series of poetry events. The project took longer to produce due to mental health struggles he was experiencing along the way, but once released it was received with the utmost praise from his creative audience. Feeling as if many people have minimised his feelings about his grief and depression, Fisky has relied heavily on expressing himself through words to provide him with a form of therapy that works for him. I write because therapy let me down. I’m not saying that writing fixes everything, but when it comes to grief and addiction, it works. Regardless of the ‘is poetry therapy?’ non-debate. I’m living proof that it is. Fisky It is not uncommon for creatives to use their personal experiences as a basis for their work. The way Fisky is able to share some of his darkest moments in a beautiful way is only one of the reasons that makes him exceptional at what he does. When asked if he would change anything about what he’s been through he responded: Nothing. Without all the depression and challenging experiences, MoM wouldn’t exist and I’d probably be dead. Out of all that sadness, misery, and chaos, the purpose I was always missing was born. Fisky Cheaper Than Therapy (2022) What can we expect to see in 2023? Mind Over Matter events will return to its usual spaces based in Brixton, Shoreditch, and Manchester starting from February 2023. The platforms creative and psychotherapeautic workshop ‘Connect’ will continue every 1st, 3rd, and last Monday of the month online facilitated by their Resident Psychotherapist, Anna Sinski. With hopes to start delivering workshops live in the near future, we know there is a lot more to look forward to from this staple of the arts community and the great mind behind it. Creative Director & Writer: Tannika Taylor @tannikataylor Photographer: Matty @mattys.gallery Cover Design: Simplexcity Creative Council @simpelexcitycc
Tag Archives: Musical Spokenword
Wordplay & Flow: One’s to Watch 2022
Wordplay & Flow have handpicked a sensational selection of creatives across poetry and music that will continue paving the way for emerging artists with their inspiring stories, and the different ways that they have navigated their creative journey’s. There is never one way to get to the same destination, and these four creatives highlight this is the best way. Anusha Anusha’s life as a musician started at the tender age of three as she used music to communicate the complex feelings that she felt she couldn’t express with words growing up. After joining local choirs, music groups, and learning cover songs on the high street she started to realise that she was good at relaying stories through music. Whether it was fabricated or not, I could put on a show. That feeling of entertaining people, whether it be through my lyrics, my vocal ability, or just the feeling I get being on stage was what encouraged me to start making music the way that I wanted to. Anusha – Musician What is the story behind your latest single, Loser? Loser is a single that is so much fun and I think people would really like it. I wrote the song about a conversation I had in 2019 where I wanted clarity on a friendship, but instead I got called all sorts of horrible names. The who song is sarcastic. I had fun with it. Anusha – Musician Anusha likes to confront things that are uncomfortable through her craft. She isn’t one to shy away from topics that are close to her such as sexual assault, her disabilities, and what she feels about the functionality of society. Confronting her own emotions is what inspires her to translate those feelings in a positive way through her music. What are we watching out for in 2022? Anusha reassures us that 2022 is looking like an exciting year for her creatively. From exploring new sounds to moving to a new home, the New Year will be one of growth, development, and savouring the joys of doing what you love. Without revealing too much, I’m going to be releasing more singles and multimedia projects that expand on my last single Loser. It’s going to be a transitional year personally. Anusha – Musician You can stream her latest single ‘Loser’ across all major platforms and keep up with what’s next: @anushaldn Marc Marcel Marc Marcel is an American based poet that found his love for poetry through writing and publishing his first novel, Saint Thomas. He used the art to provide an overall view of his longer body of work; writing a poem that gave the reader the same feeling that his novel did, but in a shorter version. I started writing other poems that wasn’t associated with the book and started to fall in love with the way I could get an idea out in a much shorter time than a novel. Marc Marcel – Poet & Author What is the poetry scene like in the United States? The scene in the US has changed a lot over time. I came up during a time when social media wasn’t as big as it is now. To get a gig today is much easier than before. We really had to grind. I would get in my car and drive around the country going to poetry venue after poetry venue, city to city selling my CDs. Marc Marcel – Poet & Author Technology may have changed the way Marc pushed his work out to the world, but it didn’t change the authenticity that went into each poem and performance. He has engaged with the poetry community across the globe and feels as if the friendly, ambitious vibe is always the same. What are we watching out for 2022? Like many creatives, writing is just one of Marc’s many talents. He has created his very own cartoon called Guru’s which he hopes to get streaming in the near future. Although the cartoon doesn’t have poetry involved, Marc expressed that all the years he has spent working on poetry made it possible for him to come up with the idea. I used to draw when I was younger, so all those years of drawing came in handy when I decided to animate the cartoon. Marc Marcel – Poet & Author If launching a new cartoon wasn’t enough, the wordsmith is looking forward to releasing his 20th spoken word album which we’re sure will encapsulate some of the great moments Marc has achieved over the years doing what he does best. Be sure to keep up with what’s next: @marcmarcel @guruscartoon Curly Wordy The last 15 months have been a soul-warming experience as Curly Wordy after fully immersing herself back into the poetry scene to share what she had to say. Since renewing her vows with her pen she feels as if she has gone full circle, having returned to a path that was always intended for her. ‘I feel woke.’ I have always been a writer; it’s in my bones. Poetry is my power. Storytelling is in my DNA. Curly Wordy – Poet & Creative What are some of the inspirations behind your poetry? Curly has always been inspired by the stories of others when writing. As a journalist, she enjoyed shining a light on the heroes that walked among us; the underdogs that triumphed. Writing poetry is a form of release for her; a sacred and personal experience that she picked up again a decade after her mothers passing. Now, through my poetry I have found the confidence to shine a light on my own story, my rising, and how I triumphed over adversity and trauma. Curly Wordy – Poet & Creative What are we watching out for in 2022? Not only will she continue to grace stages across London with her powerful performances, Curly Wordy is keen to expand on her journalism work by pursuing new areas such as voice overs and musical spoken word. SheContinue reading “Wordplay & Flow: One’s to Watch 2022”