Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

The fifth in a monthly series of unique, collaborative studio sessions for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3's Late Junction features the first collaboration of vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Micachu with Sweden's drums and vocals duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums.

The two bands will meet for the first time in the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ studio on 6 June 2009 when they rehearse then record new versions of each other's music. They will have spoken in advance to choose both their own tracks and also to agree music by a different artist (in this instance they have picked the early electronic composer Raymond Scott).

Late Junction's Fiona Talkington will present the special show which will be recorded at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Maida Vale studios and broadcast exclusively on Radio 3's Late Junction programme on 25 June.

The Late Junction sessions have already brought together artists from a variety of genres and have inspired creative partnerships that in some cases have been lasting.

The first ever Late Junction collaboration, for example, featured the British twisted folk-pop-rock collective Tunng and members of Tinariwen, the Touareg rockers from the Southern Sahara. Having met and collaborated on the Radio 3 Late Junction session the two bands embarked on a Contemporary Music Network UK tour together.

The collaboration of Micachu with Sweden's drums and vocals duo Wildbirds & Peacedrums promises to be creatively exciting. Wildbirds' singer Mariam Wallentin and drummer Andreas Werliin create an unclassifiable mix of spare, bluesy vocals and powerful drumming. The pair met at Gothenburg's Academy of Music but they felt frustrated at the institute's rigid format and began making music on their own the following year (and also got married). They received critical acclaim for their intoxicating debut, Heartcore.

London-based Micachu (21-year-old Mica Levi) is a classically trained violinist who cites American avant-garde hobo composer/instrument maker Harry Partch as an influence on her lo-fi pop – she also makes her own instruments. But she's also an established grime producer and can be heard guesting on rising hip-hop star Speech Debelle's recent album. Expect explosive percussion, spontaneous vocal expressions, racing rhythms and homemade musical instruments!

Philip Tagney, producer, Late Junction, says: "When Wildbirds & Peacedrums suggested they'd be interested to work with Micachu I knew there was potential for a great collaboration. Both bands have female lead vocalists with strong characters and I'm particularly looking forward to hearing Mica and Mariam singing together! The artists only have eight hours from when they first meet to lay down the tracks, so it's a race against time."

Fiona Talkington, presenter, Late Junction says: "The Late Junction melting pot is a large one and constantly throws up unusual musical juxtapositions.

"Pairing up musicians from different musical backgrounds in our series of collaborations seems to be a natural part of our creative influence. It's exciting to stand on the sidelines and see what happens when musicians come together for the first time, knowing that the new musical partnerships may make ripples in their musical careers for a long time."

Notes to Editors

The Radio 3 Late Junction Micachu and Wildbirds & Peacedrums session is broadcast on Radio 3, 25 June, 11.15pm-1.00am.

Late Junction is broadcast on Radio 3 every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 11.15pm. Presenters are Verity Sharp, Max Reinhardt and Fiona Talkington.

Previous Late Junction collaborations include:

1. The first ever Late Junction collaboration was between British twisted folk-pop-rock collective Tunng and members of Tinariwen, the Touareg rockers from the Southern Sahara. The collaboration led to the two bands embarking on a Contemporary Music Network UK tour together.

2. In March 2009 the Radio 3 Late Junction session presented AGF and Gudrun Gut.

3. The April Late Junction session featured Sweet Billy Pilgrim and Adem, in a special one-off session broadcast.

4. Late Junction presented Eugenia Georgieva, Jeremy Birchall and Shahid Khan in May 2009.

TH2