Kae Tempest in the studio

In 2014, Kae Tempest recorded a performance of Brand New Ancients at Strathmore Publishing's recording studio for the audio version of their epic poem. Ginnie Steiner was on hand to take some photographs so you can see what went on behind the scenes...

In 2014,  Kae Tempest recorded a performance of Brand New Ancients at Strathmore Publishing's recording studio for the audio version of their epic poem. Ginnie Steiner was on hand to take some photographs so you can see what went on behind the scenes...

While Kae performed the poem:

Kae Tempest in the studio
Kae Tempest in the studio


A whole orchestra accompanied them:

Drummer playing in the studio
Brand New Ancients drummer
Woman playing the tuba
Brand New Ancients tubist
Man playing violin
Brand New Ancients violinist
Woman playing cello
Brand New Ancients cellist
Kate Tempest recording Brand New Ancients in the studio
Kae Tempest

What they produced is a staggeringly powerful piece of poetry. You can listen to an extract here.

Written and performed by Kae Tempest

Score composed by Nell Catchpole

Musical accompaniment by Kwake Bass, Raven Bush, Jo Gibson and Natasha Zielazinksi

Sound engineer: Alex Gent

Sound mixing: Frank Verderosa


Brand New Ancients

by Kae Tempest

Brand New Ancients is the tale of two families and their intertwining lives, set against the background of the city and braided with classical myth. Here, Tempest shows how the old myths still live on in our everyday acts of violence, bravery, sacrifice and love – and that our lives make tales no less dramatic and powerful than those of the old gods.