Beth Jeans Houghton

Beth Jeans Houghton (a.k.a. Du Blonde) (born 3 January 1990) is a Newcastle upon Tyne-born multi-disciplinary musician, composer, artist, animator and video director. Her influences range from psychedelic rock, punk, blues, 1960s garage rock and soul.[4] She Creates art under her birth name, Beth Jeans Houghton, utilising photography, illustration, animation, video, sculpture and embroidery. She has directed and animated music videos for multiple artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ezra Furman, and Laura Marling's band LUMP. She writes, performs, and produces music under the name Du Blonde.

Du Blonde
Beth Jeans Houghton aka Du Blonde
Background information
Born (1990-01-03) 3 January 1990
Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Genrespsychedelic rock,[1] garage rock, punk rock,[2] pop music[3]
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, Animator, Artist
LabelsMute, Static Caravan, Moshi Moshi

Biography

Beth Jeans Houghton was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Houghton started writing songs in her teens. At sixteen she left school and bought herself a Fender Stratocaster, which she taught herself to play.[5]

Houghton first appeared in front of an audience in 2006; her debut release, titled EP (a limited-edition 7-inch), was on Bird Records in 2008. She signed then with Static Caravan Recordings, which released the single "Golden"/"Nightswimmer", produced by Adem, and her second EP, Hot Toast, Vol. 1 (produced by Mike Lindsay of the band Tunng), both of which earned acclaim from the UK press.[5] Houghton signed in early 2011 with Mute Records, releasing her debut long-player, 'Yours truly, cellophane nose' in early 2012.[6] The album was recorded with Ben Hillier whose previous production credits include Blur, Depeche Mode and Elbow.[5][7]

The album Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose by Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny was released on 6 February 2012 and reached number 83 in the UK Albums Chart.[8]

Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny toured the UK and Europe extensively during 2011 and 2012, appearing at multiple festivals including Glastonbury, The Great Escape, Latitude and Bestival. In April 2012, the band performed on Later... with Jools Holland alongside Paul Weller and Willis Earl Beal.

After touring 'Welcome Back To Milk', Houghton began work on issue 1 of her comic books series 'Butt Hurt', focusing on bringing to life her vivid dreams and uncomfortable social situations. Having been a lifelong sufferer of anxiety, Houghton's work often touches upon discomfort, using humour to help ease her symptoms and dispel stigma surrounding mental health.

During November 2016, Houghton directed and illustrated the animated music video for "Sick Love" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Houghton had previously dated the band's singer Anthony Kiedis. The video was released on 4 December 2016.[9]

On 27 March 2018, Houghton's music video for Ezra Furman's 'Suck The Blood From My Wound' was released via the Bella Union label. Houghton Directed, illustrated and animated the clip.

On 20 November 2018, LUMP released the video for their single 'May I Be The Light', also directed, illustrated and animated by Houghton.

Du Blonde

During 2014, Houghton began writing and recording music under the name Du Blonde.

Welcome Back To Milk, the debut album for Houghton as Du Blonde, recorded in London and Los Angeles with producer Jim Sclavunos, was released on 19 May 2015 by Mute Records. It garnered favourable reviews, with 75/100 rating at Metacritic.[10]

Du Blonde's second album, 'Lung Bread For Daddy' was released on 22 February 2019 via Moshi Moshi. The album is the first to be produced by Houghton, taking a journey into relationships and mental health of the musician.

Personal life

In 2013 Houghton suffered from anxiety. Of her practice of Transcendental Meditation, begun at this time, she said, "To now know confidently I can deal with my anxiety is such a good place to be."[11] Houghton is non-binary and transgender.[12]

Artists supported

Discography

Albums

EPs
  • EP – June 2008[20]
  • Hot Toast Vol 1 – September 2009

Singles
  • "Golden / Nightswimmer" – Static Caravan, 2009
  • "Dodecahedron" – Mute, 2011
  • "Sweet Tooth Bird" – Mute, 2012
  • "Atlas" – Mute, 2012
gollark: ↑ you, as a result
gollark: https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/676433680146890762/882723645787631657/Portal-4k.png?width=1108&height=623
gollark: I disagree.
gollark: I mean, you have the 2 dimensions on each grid, then time, then timeline. This is 4, not 5.
gollark: I only see 4 dimensions.

References
  1. Tilden, Imogen (27 March 2009). "First Sight: Beth Jeans Houghton'". The Guardian. London.
  2. "Mute Records • & the Hooves of Destiny set album release date". Mute.com. August 31, 2011.
  3. MacKay, Emily (16 March 2012). "Beth Jeans Houghton – Freak folk's weird sister finally hits the charts". The Independent. London.
  4. Fox, Killian (2015). "Du Blonde: 'It was the scariest thing. I don't know how I made it through'". The Observer. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  5. Ferrier, Morwenna (6 November 2011). "Beth Jeans Houghton: 'There's more to me than wigs'". The Observer. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  6. "Mute – Beth Jeans Houghton". Mute. 27 April 2011. Retrieved 27 April 2011.
  7. Newbury, David (13 February 2012). "Beth Jeans Houghton interview: "I hate London"". The Independent. Archived from the original on 21 May 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  8. "Yours Truly Cellophane Nose". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2011-06-01.
  9. "Red Hot Chili Peppers - Sick Love [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". YouTube.
  10. "Welcome Back to Milk by Du Blonde reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  11. Williams, Holly (5 June 2015). "Beth Jeans Houghton interview on Du Blonde, her nervous breakdown and industry sexism". The Independent. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  12. Loftin, Steven (18 February 2019). "As she releases her third album as Du Blonde, Beth Jeans Houghton feels it's finally time to share her truest self with the world". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  13. "Beth Jeans Houghton". Woodwork Music. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  14. Tilden, Imogen (26 March 2009). "First sight: Beth Jeans Houghton". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  15. "Beth Jeans Houghton". The Daily Growl. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  16. "Beth Jeans Houghton". Crack. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  17. "Beth Jeans Houghton". Moseley Folk Festival. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  18. "Future Islands / Dope Body / Du Blonde @ Glasgow Barrowlands, 9 September". The Skinny. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  19. Alexander, Phil (1 June 2009). "Phosphorescent Burn Bright In London!". Mojo. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  20. Awbi, Anita (26 June 2008). "Beth Jeans Houghton: EP (Bird)". Music Week. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  • du blonde website


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