Frequently Asked Questions (and their Answers).
*What instruments do you play?
Tenor saxophone is Stephanes main instrument.
He also plays Baritone, Bass and Soprano saxophones, piano accordion, double and electric bass, Cajun triangle, Zydeco Rub-board and singing.
Other Swervy Musicians play trumpet, trombone, banjo, guitar, sousaphone, wash board, kit of drums. Instruments that sound good acoustically and don't need to be amplified on the street are favoured.
*Are you a local?
Members of Swervy World are based in Bristol, Brighton, London and Stephane is a bit all over the place!
*How did you get it together?
All Swervy performers and musicians are from a background of travelling street performers. Either as solo performers with their own show, working and travelling year round as a way of life, or working with past travelling street bands such as Roxy's Tool Box, Urban Ravioli and Tragic Roundabout.
We all share a mutual interest in street music and became known to each other through traditional street performer get togethers such as Winchester Hat Fair, Stroud Folk Festival and Strawberry Fair.
The Swervy World of Stephane Spitz was officially launched in Tavistock, Devon, in the winter of 1994.
*Do you have another income source to subsidise your music work?
Stephane is a full time musician and performance artist. Occasionally selling something on Ebay. Anually he also works in a voluntary capacity.
How do you get together to rehearse?
It is a problem! Plans start forming some weeks prior to a booked show. We collectively set aside at least one full day for rehearsal, with band members travelling to a central point (usually Orpington in South London) to rehearse.
Musicians are generally expected to put there own time in to rehearse and make a collective investment in to the success of the show.
*Do you do private bookings/weddings?
Yes. Sometimes.
*How do I book a show?
In the first instance, all booking enquiries please email swervyworld@hotmail.com
*Do you provide a PA? Stage lights?
As a street arts troupe our work is designed to be free from electricity so we can play on the move in street settings. We attempt to break down the audience/performer devide and by delivering accesible all acoustic shows.
On occasion we make an indoor show such as in a rural village hall. For this we own a small unreliable and inadequate PA. Any further amplification or stage lights will mean hiring additional sound and lighting engineers.
*Do you have Public Liability Insurance?
Yes, Stephane will also provide a risk assessment form when requested.
*Can you work with no electricity?
Yes.
*Do you also do indoor stage shows?
Occasionally yes. And because we honed our music on the street it is usually pretty tight!
*How long do you perform for?
For street parades and walkabouts 4 x 30mins maximum.
For indoor concerts 2 x 45 mins
For clubs, pubs and static shows 3 x 45 mins