Wave Music Team Up With Lyves for Homespun Yarns 2016 Collaboration

This year, Homespun has partnered with Wave Music for their third annual talent-nurturing film competition, Homespun Yarns. For 2016, aspiring filmmakers have been challenged to their most musical brief to date – ‘The Track’. 

In July, filmmakers were invited to submit their ideas for a film for Lyves’ alternative electro soul track, ‘Darkest Hour’, funded and assisted by editing collective, Homespun. Last month, in a tough round of in-house judging, four entrants were selected; Lee Thomas, Thomas Ralph, Thomas James and Jonathan Augustavo, who are now underway creating films ready for premier at the event on 13th October.

Since its inaugural show in 2013, Homespun Yarns has seen budding directors take the leap into full-time roles: the 2014 winning short received multiple awards, was featured at over 30 festivals and won the director the title of Shots Best New Director.


London-based writer and producer, Francesca Bergami, is the mastermind behind Lyves. Of Italian and Australian heritage, Lyves’ song-writing is heavily influenced by soul, hip hop and ambient electronic music. The star of Homespun Yarns 2016 shares the inspirations behind her work, as well as her reaction to her track being chosen as the creative stimulus for this year’s talent...

 

LBB> What’s your background and how did you come to be a part of the Homespun competition with Wave Music?

L> I've been writing music for the last seven years. I came into contact with Wave Music last year when they approached me about a song I self-released called 'Shelter'. This was during the few months I’d spent writing in my parents’ attic. I wrote 'Darkest Hour' at about the same time and, shortly after it was released, the Wave Music guys got in touch again about putting it forward for the Homespun Yarns competition. I agreed, of course, and here we are!

I was ecstatic to hear that 'Darkest Hour' was chosen as the track for this year’s competition and feel so honoured to be working alongside such talented filmmakers, as well as everyone at Wave and Homespun. This whole experience feels like a gift in many ways; I never thought I'd have such an opportunity.

 

LBB> Who and what inspires your style, in general?

L> I'm mostly inspired by human connection and intimate experiences, rather than any one particular aesthetic. I’m inspired by amazing artists everyday but I believe my song-writing at this stage is brought to life by personal experiences. I find great inspiration in human emotion, acts of kindness, vulnerability, strength and acts of love.

 

LBB> The Homespun entrants are seeking to visualise what your track means to them. What memories or emotions does ‘Darkest Hour’ evoke for you?

L> I could say a lot about what this song means to me personally but what I love most about writing is trying to form a connection with others. This competition is a testament to that, since it encourages people to seek meaning and interpret the song in their own way. I couldn't imagine a better way for my work to be visually represented than through other people's interpretations of it.

 

LBB> How does it feel to have people vying to create the visual element of your song? 

L> I feel incredibly humbled by this opportunity; it’s all quite moving, to be honest! I’m amazed by the fact that people are writing scripts and treatments based on a song I wrote in the bedroom attic!

 

LBB> Does it feel strange to hand over the reins completely, or are you excited to see how other people interpret your music?

L> As an indie artist, it's quite common to do a lot of the work yourself and ultimately retain a high degree of creative control over your music and project. I’m someone who likes to take the reins on almost everything I do creatively, so I thought this would be a challenge at first, but I’m actually filled with excitement to see how others interpret the song! It's a form of connection, and that, to me, is the ultimate purpose of creating music.

 

LBB> What would you be most surprised to see from a film at Homespun and what would you most love to see?

L> I’m just really interested to see other people's visual representations of the song. I imagine it’ll be very inspiring to be amongst so many creative minds in one room, sharing their work and ideas.  

 

LBB> What are your favourite visual and musical combinations?

L> As a child, I was completely blown away by Disney's Fantasia. My brothers and I watched the VHS so much that we wore it out! I fell in love with its otherworldly appeal from a young age. A more recent soundtrack I loved was from Lars Von Trier's 2011 film, Melancholia. It features music from the prelude to Richard Wagner's opera, Tristan and Isolde (1857-59).   

 

LBB> What would be the best outcome for you as a result of Homespun Yarns 2016? 

L> The competition attracts so many creative minds so it would be amazing if these short films led to future collaborations with talented filmmakers who are willing to make films about my music. 

It's always been a dream for me to score a film, so hopefully this process will one day come true!

The three films will be screened at the awards night on October 13th, where the overall winner will be crowned and receive a further £500 cash prize. The winning film will be available to view on the Homespun Yarns YouTube channel.

 

The first single from Lyves’ EP ‘Like Water’ will be out on October 14th, with the full EP releasing shortly after that. You can find out more about Lyves on her Facebook page.