Our Yard Archive
Our Yard is an ongoing creative archive exploring heritage, history and music through the lens of Caribbean culture and UK sound system tradition. Born from a desire to shift the narrative around immigration and recognise over 50 years of cultural influence, the project collects first-hand stories from foundational figures in reggae, dub, pirate radio and diaspora life. Chapter One ‘Foundations’ focuses on voices from the first and second generations who made their way in post-war Britain during the 1970s and 1980s.
Conversations with key figures such as Don Letts, Dennis Bovell, Mikey Dread (Channel One), Lady V (V Rocket), Mad Professor, Dubplate Pearl, Heatwave Radio and Lloyd Coxsone
Heatwave Radio - Johnny White & President
In 1988, Heatwave Radio became Nottingham’s first Black-led pirate radio station, created to serve a community largely absent from mainstream airwaves. Broadcasting on 105 FM, Heatwave carried reggae, soul and dance music alongside phone-ins, debates and local announcements, reaching listeners far beyond the city.
Lloyd Coxsone
Part One
Part One of our conversation with Lloyd Coxsone we speak on him laying his foundations after immigrating from the West Indies to the UK in his teens, the challenges he faced like many others of the Windrush Generations,experiencing racism, police brutality and prejudice in many forms but still being able to elevate himself and others in the face of adversity.
Part Two
In part two of our conversation with Lloyd Coxsone we touch on different sound systems that inspired him as he expanded the sound to the world.
DIY Culture with Don Letts
We cover the culture clash king, Don Lett's dads sound system, experiences as a yout, how he found his way in to the fashion scene through Acme Attractions, DIY Culture, influencing his peers by introducing dub reggae to the table and his progression as a director and producer while selecting some tunes of the times.
International Women's Day Special with Lady V
Lemon Eye sits down with the ‘Queen Of Culture’ and leading women in Sound System culture Lady V of V Rocket International, a true female pioneer in promotion and Sound System Culture over the last 50 years, Lady V talks on the history of V Rocket, how she has paved the way for the next generation of females in the music industry and selects some exclusive dubs from the V Rocket Vaults.
Lovers Rock & Beyond With Dennis Bovell
An insight into the history and musical journey of the legendary UK Reggae and Lovers Rock producer.
Recorded live in front of a sold out audience at Mimm Studios.
MAD PROFESSOR : A Journey To Dub
This episode on Rinse Fm we take a journey to Dub with legendary producer Mad Professor and touch on the formation of his world renowned Ariwa studio while delving into his extensive back catalogue working with the likes of Jah Shaka and Lee Scratch Perry.
About Us
Our Yard is a project brought to you by Mimm a creative studio exploring heritage, history and music through the lens of their Caribbean Culture.
Look out for up and coming interviews as we take a journey through the chronological story of Caribbean Music from the 1960's to present day along side clothing drops, events and film screenings.
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