Eve Libertine & Eva Leblanc share single 'Thrown Away'

Eve Libertine & Eva Leblanc   Album ‘Live at the Horse Hospital’ out November 14th via Caliban Sounds   Single ‘Thrown Away’ out now   Smartlink Spotify

Caliban Sounds proudly presents ‘Live at the Horse Hospital’, a striking collaboration between Eve Libertine and Eva Leblanc. Recorded at London’s Horse Hospital during a Crass Art Exhibition residency in April 2024, the album captures two visionary artists in a fearless original performance of raw intensity and poetic antagonism.   A founding member of the legendary anarchist collective Crass, Libertine has long been celebrated for her unique and iconoclastic approach to performance. Here, she finds a kindred spirit in Chilean-born experimental guitarist Eva Leblanc, whose use of electronics and guitar textures provides both confrontation and atmosphere. Together they reimagine tracks like ‘Penis Envy’s’ ‘Bata Motel’, ‘Corpus Mei’s’ ‘I Too’, and Crass Agenda’s ‘Savage Utopia’.   Penny Rimbaud, lyricist and producer, reflects; “Eve Libertine is one of the unsung heroes of radical performance art. Since the mid 70’s, be it punk or the avantgarde, her uncompromisingly progressive form of feminism has consistently rung out loud and clear. Having over the Crass years been investigated on charges of criminal blasphemy (‘Christ’s Reality Asylum’ – case dismissed), treason (‘How Does it Feel?’ – case dismissed), and then obscenity (‘Bata Motel’ – found guilty), Eve has somehow managed to maintain a low profile, rarely giving interviews and generally avoiding the interests of the press or, as she somewhat succinctly puts it, “I do it, so why should I want to talk about it?”. With her slight frame and soft-spoken voice, she is an unlikely warrior for the ever-broadening social causes she so eloquently espouses. ’Penis Envy’, the Crass album of 1980, remains to this day one of the only solely feminist albums ever produced, most of it having been penned by Eve. Over the many years since the late seventies, there are those who have been inspired to attempt in some way or another to match Eve’s strength of intent, her extensive vocal range and her finely developed sense of intonation, yet few have made good. Yes, imitators there have been a plenty, but none have expressed the straightforward honesty of love, anguish and purpose that to this day Eve carries deep within her wildly beating heart.   Joined by Chilean guitarist Eva Leblanc whose experimental nature, both personal and musical, perfectly matches Eve’s, ‘Eve Libertine & Eva Leblanc at The Horse Hospital’ is a showcase of how it should be. Gloriously void of rock’n’roll pretensions and personality hype, it stands as a rousing call for freedom. Listen at your own peril!”   For Eva Leblanc, the collaboration is both deeply personal and transformative; “I was fifteen when I first heard Eve’s voice through my stereo, and my life changed forever. I firmly believe that “Penis Envy” is one of the most radical albums in the history of music, and for me, that is largely because of the lyrics written by Eve. Collaborating with her has been a true pleasure. I still remember standing beside her on stage at The Horse Hospital and realizing, in that moment, that this was our shared ground – a space where we could communicate in a way that went beyond words. I would also like to thank Penny Rimbaud, who first brought Eve and me together, making our collaboration possible, and Mick Duffield, who so beautifully recorded that unforgettable evening.”   Eve herself adds; “Working with Eva has been a joy from the very start. Her input into developing old and new material was always sympathetic to my own ideas and, with her stupendously radical guitar playing, use of electronics and imagination, we improvised our way very naturally to a selection of songs and an album of which I feel very proud. The Horse Hospital gig is the first time Eva and I had performed together, and I’m so pleased that this very special evening was recorded thanks to Mick Duffield and his professionalism. With thanks also to Penny Rimbaud for his endless encouragement and his enthusiasm for producing this album verbatim, and for introducing me to Eva in the first place. Believe it or not, we are as one.”   Recorded by Mick Duffield, mixed by Paul “Dub” Walton, mastered at Abbey Road Studios by Alex Gordon, and produced by Penny Rimbaud, the album is a pure example of studio craft capturing live energy. Visuals and design are provided by Libertine and Leblanc, with collages by Leblanc, photography by Duffield, and technical coordination by Gee Vaucher.   With ‘Live at the Horse Hospital’, Libertine and Leblanc deliver an unflinching work that bridges anarchist history and experimental sound art, carrying forward the spirit of resistance into the present day.   Art credit: Eva Leblanc & Eve Libertine   Photo credit: Mick Duffield   Track listing   Mantra Rocky Eyes You Stare What The Fuck Thrown Away I Too Bata Motel Savage Utopia Mantra   Music credits   Eve Libertine: Voice Eva Leblanc: Guitar & Electronics Recorded by Mick Duffield at The Horse Hospital, London 20th April 2024 Mixed by Paul dub Walton at the Loft Studios, Summer 2024 Mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios Winter 2024   Produced by Penny Rimbaud Lyrics by Penny Rimbaud and Eve Libertine Technical coordinator: Gee Vaucher   Follow Caliban   Facebook Instagram X