RIP Stephen Samuel Gordon aka The Spaceape | reviews, news & interviews
RIP Stephen Samuel Gordon aka The Spaceape
RIP Stephen Samuel Gordon aka The Spaceape
A sad farewell to the poet laureate of the dubstep generation
Thursday, 02 October 2014
It has been announced by the Hyperdub label that Stephen Samuel Gordon, better known as The Spaceape, vocalist, poet and live performer, passed away peacefully after a 5 year struggle with a rare form of cancer.
Gordon was the constant recording and performing partner of Hyperdub founder Kode 9, and collaborator with key Hyperdub affiliates including Burial and Kevin Martin, and his rich voice and lyrics which blurred academia, mysticism and science fiction with the power and finesse of soundsystem culture were a constant for lovers of "bass music" through the 2000s.
He was a mysterious figure, rarely speaking in public other than through his lyrics, but had acknowledged his health issues when he released his only solo record, the Xorcism EP, in 2012. This was a set of low-key musings on mortality, mixed with sounds derived from Haitian voodoo music. But despite his utter refusal to play any kind of celebrity roles, he was much beloved by those who bought his records or saw his often incendiary performances, and his cryptic yet powerfully affecting lyrics will continue to resonate with a generation. He leaves a wife and six-year-old daughter.
Watch Kode 9 & The Spaceape's most recent video "The Devil is a Liar":
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music
Album: Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More
Gems in the rough on the Pixie / Breeder's long-awaited solo debut
Hannah Scott, Worthing Pavilion Theatre Atrium review - filling an arctic venue with human warmth
Singer-songwriter brings moving, autobiographical songs to the freezing south coast
Album: Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Now Mean
Held in love and affection
Album: FaithNYC - Love is a Wish Away
Wonderfully produced off-piste music
English Teacher, Queen Margaret Union, Glasgow review - Mercury winners step up in size with style
The Leeds quartet's set was varied in genre but thrilling when punchy
Album: Father John Misty - Mahashmashana
The flawless union of style and substance
Kenny Barron Trio, Ronnie Scott's review - a master of the cool
Eloquent story-telling from jazz giant
Album: Body Count - Merciless
Ice goes on autopilot
Music Reissues Weekly: Magazine - Real Life, Secondhand Daylight, The Correct Use of Soap
The first three albums from Howard Devoto’s post-punk marvels hit the shops again
Bob Dylan, Royal Albert Hall review - cracked ritual from rock elder
A glorious mixture of mask and authenticity
ARK: United States V by Laurie Anderson, Aviva Studios, Manchester review - a vessel for the thoughts and imaginings of a lifetime
Despite anticipating disaster, this mesmerising voyage is full of hope
Album: Linkin Park - From Zero
California metal icons mark new era with captivating eighth album
Add comment