Pete Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Pete Lawrence is a conceptualist, recording artist, DJ, event organiser, music programmer writer and broadcaster based in the UK.
in February 1994, originally as a new type of Sunday multimedia club and, with then partner Katrina Larkin, put together an original event where people were able to network and enjoy an experimental, audio-visual environment, as part of a multi-faceted eight hour event. It was the first London club to have its own website and to offer free internet access and was initially noted for its ambient and downtempo soundtrack, arguably paving the way for the chill out’ boom at the turn of the Millennium.
This “festival in a club” concept easily adapted to an outdoors setting and in 1995 Pete and Katrina staged the first prototype Big Chill festival, breaking new ground with their attention to detail, choice of idyllic rural locations, and nurturing of a loyal online community which all created a unique blueprint for an annual event that went way beyond just being a festival and which has in many ways changed the nature of UK festivals, spawning many imitators, with varying degrees of success.
Whilst building to its capacity of 35,000 in 2007, Pete gave early exposure to such (unknown at the time) names as Lily Allen
, Goldfrapp
, Amy Winehouse
, Gotan Project
, Mr Scruff, Röyksopp
, Zero 7
and Lemon Jelly
in the context of the festival, in the process establishing The Big Chill
as one of the top half dozen UK festivals, He was also instrumental in taking The Big Chill to many locations worldwide, including Egypt, Hungary, Finland, Italy, France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand - most of these in collaboration with The British Council - and latterly, masterminding a three thousand capacity, two day festival in Goa, India in April 2007.
Pete was also involved in The Big Chill's expansion into opening London venues The Big Chill Bar in Brick Lane, followed in autumn 2006 with the three story Big Chill House in Kings X. He has also produced many mix albums which have captured the essence of The Big Chill sound, for our own and other labels, as well as releasing his own recording project Chilled By Nature, a realisation of an ongoing musical vision that had been distilling since the mid 90s.
Pete describes his work as Chilled By Nature as “spiritual music, that celebrates being alive on earth, with all its beauties and imperfections, joys and sorrows......my personal travelogue - an attempt to capture the bigger picture and through it, to reflect my experiences and emotions.”
Through Chilled by Nature's EPs, one-off tracks and collaborations, live performances at The Big Chill festival, and the debut album ‘Under One Sun’ - which also includes guests The Swingle Singers
, members of The Bays
and the track 'State of Grace' co-written with Mozez
of Zero 7
fame, Pete combines his wide diversity of influences - most notably folk, classical, jazz, electronic, ambient and lounge - to produce cinematic music, perhaps best described as a new kind of electronic chamber music.
Pete became a respected musical tastemaker when he discovered and recorded US folk singer Michelle Shocked
on a walkman around a Texas campfire back in the mid 80s for his fledgling Cooking Vinyl
label. The album ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes
’ went on to top the independent album charts and sell over 250, 000 copies and establish the label at the forefront of the world and roots music scenes. Subsequently, Pete also became a writer, radio DJ and journalist of some renown. Through the 90s he had regular columns in Top, Update and Jockey Slut as well as founding, editing and publishing his own On magazine, and his latest writing was featured in his first publisher book as co-editor ‘Crossfade - a Big Chill Anthology’ (Serpents Tail).
In December 2007, Pete and Katrina were voted into Time Out’s Top 100 ‘movers and shakers’ alongside the likes of Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Madonna, Phillip Green, Brian Paddick, Ken Livingstone and Tony Blair.
Stepped down as a Director and Shareholder of Chillfest (The Big Chill) on 6/02/2008.
Background
Pete created the concept for The Big ChillThe Big Chill (music festival)
The Big Chill is an annual festival of alternative, dance and chill-out music and comedy, held in the grounds of Eastnor Castle during early August...
in February 1994, originally as a new type of Sunday multimedia club and, with then partner Katrina Larkin, put together an original event where people were able to network and enjoy an experimental, audio-visual environment, as part of a multi-faceted eight hour event. It was the first London club to have its own website and to offer free internet access and was initially noted for its ambient and downtempo soundtrack, arguably paving the way for the chill out’ boom at the turn of the Millennium.
This “festival in a club” concept easily adapted to an outdoors setting and in 1995 Pete and Katrina staged the first prototype Big Chill festival, breaking new ground with their attention to detail, choice of idyllic rural locations, and nurturing of a loyal online community which all created a unique blueprint for an annual event that went way beyond just being a festival and which has in many ways changed the nature of UK festivals, spawning many imitators, with varying degrees of success.
Whilst building to its capacity of 35,000 in 2007, Pete gave early exposure to such (unknown at the time) names as Lily Allen
Lily Allen
Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper , better known as Lily Allen, is an English recording artist and fashion designer. She is the daughter of actor and musician Keith Allen and film producer Alison Owen. In her teenage years, her musical tastes evolved from glam rock to alternative...
, Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp
Goldfrapp are an English electronic music duo, formed in 1999 in London, England, that consists of Alison Goldfrapp and Will Gregory ....
, Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
, Gotan Project
Gotan Project
Gotan Project is a musical group based in Paris, consisting of musicians Philippe Cohen Solal , Eduardo Makaroff , and Christoph H. Müller .-History:...
, Mr Scruff, Röyksopp
Röyksopp
Röyksopp is a Norwegian electronic music duo from Tromsø, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Svein Berge and Torbjørn Brundtland....
, Zero 7
Zero 7
Zero 7 is a British musical duo consisting of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. The group members began their musical careers as studio engineers and in 1997 formed the group Zero 7. Their debut album, Simple Things was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim...
and Lemon Jelly
Lemon Jelly
Lemon Jelly is a British electronic music duo from London, formed in 1998. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included Fred Deakin and Nick Franglen. Lemon Jelly has been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and BRIT Awards....
in the context of the festival, in the process establishing The Big Chill
The Big Chill (music festival)
The Big Chill is an annual festival of alternative, dance and chill-out music and comedy, held in the grounds of Eastnor Castle during early August...
as one of the top half dozen UK festivals, He was also instrumental in taking The Big Chill to many locations worldwide, including Egypt, Hungary, Finland, Italy, France, Japan, Australia and New Zealand - most of these in collaboration with The British Council - and latterly, masterminding a three thousand capacity, two day festival in Goa, India in April 2007.
Pete was also involved in The Big Chill's expansion into opening London venues The Big Chill Bar in Brick Lane, followed in autumn 2006 with the three story Big Chill House in Kings X. He has also produced many mix albums which have captured the essence of The Big Chill sound, for our own and other labels, as well as releasing his own recording project Chilled By Nature, a realisation of an ongoing musical vision that had been distilling since the mid 90s.
Pete describes his work as Chilled By Nature as “spiritual music, that celebrates being alive on earth, with all its beauties and imperfections, joys and sorrows......my personal travelogue - an attempt to capture the bigger picture and through it, to reflect my experiences and emotions.”
Through Chilled by Nature's EPs, one-off tracks and collaborations, live performances at The Big Chill festival, and the debut album ‘Under One Sun’ - which also includes guests The Swingle Singers
The Swingle Singers
The Swingle Singers are a mostly a cappella vocal group formed in 1962 in Paris, France by Ward Swingle with Anne Germain, Jeanette Baucomont, Jean Cussac and others. Christiane Legrand, the sister of composer Michel Legrand, was the group's lead soprano through 1972. Until 2011 the group...
, members of The Bays
The Bays
The Bays are a group of English musicians that only play live improvised jazz and dance music. They have never rehearsed nor recorded in a studio as they do not release music commercially. This means they are also completely independent of record labels...
and the track 'State of Grace' co-written with Mozez
Mozez
Osmond Wright, better known by his stage name Mozez, is a Jamaican born London-based soul singer and songwriter. He is perhaps best known as a singer for British downtempo group Zero 7, although he has been working solo since 2005 when his debut album was released.Mozez began singing at an early...
of Zero 7
Zero 7
Zero 7 is a British musical duo consisting of Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker. The group members began their musical careers as studio engineers and in 1997 formed the group Zero 7. Their debut album, Simple Things was released in 2001 and received critical acclaim...
fame, Pete combines his wide diversity of influences - most notably folk, classical, jazz, electronic, ambient and lounge - to produce cinematic music, perhaps best described as a new kind of electronic chamber music.
Pete became a respected musical tastemaker when he discovered and recorded US folk singer Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked is the stage name of Michelle Karen Johnston, an American singer-songwriter.-History:Shocked received her first international exposure in Europe, particularly Britain, with her debut album The Texas Campfire Tapes .Her first U.S...
on a walkman around a Texas campfire back in the mid 80s for his fledgling Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl
Cooking Vinyl is a UK-based independent record company, founded in 1986. Its original orientation was toward contemporary folk music—notably Billy Bragg, and Michelle Shocked's Texas Campfire Tapes, recorded on a Sony Walkman, one of its first releases...
label. The album ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes
The Texas Campfire Tapes
The Texas Campfire Tapes is the first album by american singer and songwriter Michelle Shocked. It was originally a bootleg recording made on a Sony Walkman of an impromptu set performed by Shocked around the eponymous campfire and was released without her permission. It was then released by...
’ went on to top the independent album charts and sell over 250, 000 copies and establish the label at the forefront of the world and roots music scenes. Subsequently, Pete also became a writer, radio DJ and journalist of some renown. Through the 90s he had regular columns in Top, Update and Jockey Slut as well as founding, editing and publishing his own On magazine, and his latest writing was featured in his first publisher book as co-editor ‘Crossfade - a Big Chill Anthology’ (Serpents Tail).
In December 2007, Pete and Katrina were voted into Time Out’s Top 100 ‘movers and shakers’ alongside the likes of Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Madonna, Phillip Green, Brian Paddick, Ken Livingstone and Tony Blair.
Stepped down as a Director and Shareholder of Chillfest (The Big Chill) on 6/02/2008.