"Vagrant visions – here for a flickering second, a minute, a second minute, and then gone for good – there is no such thing as lost time and stolen time is sweet theft. Piss drenched potholed bombsite dossers walk barefoot in rubble like actors on Shakespearean stage seeking authentic connection with the boards they tread, walking on slivers of broken bottles like on tightropes. But the power of the performance, the only one that really makes it, is rooted and booted in that which is not an act, or pose. A kind of moment that baked its shadow into the walls and only now the sound is fading, if ever. Am I right? Eh?"
Far West Books is an independent publishing press started in 2020. They encourage musicians, film directors and poets to write what they want. According to them their books contain "dangerous, active ingredients." Cabut's new paperback is small enough to fit in your back pocket but if you're a fan of The Velvets, Patti Smith, Derek Jarman, Linder, Victor Bockris I'm sure you'll find a lot to enjoy in Disorderly Magic.
Do you believe in the ruins of your own memories? Do you relate to Charles Baudelaire's quote, "We are enveloped and steeped as though in an atmosphere of the marvellous; but we do not notice it"? Or do you just need a bit more magic in your life? If you answered "Yes" to any of the questions above you'll probably love reading this book.
In one section Cabut shares the thoughts he had whilst watching the film 'Chelsea Girls' in 1983. In another section he lists songs he thought about whilst walking round a Basquiat exhibition in Paris in 2011. There are also memories of being a child in the mid 60s and hearing A Windmill in Old Amsterdam for the first time.
Richard Cabut has contributed to numerous publications, edited punk anthologies, played bass guitar for Brigandage, and written plays which have been performed at various theatres in London and nationwide, including the Arts Theatre in Covent Garden. You can listen to Richard read from his book: here
Fans of Mr Cabut include the artist and singer song writer Mikey Georgeson who wrote this rave review of Cabut's novel, Looking For A Kiss for issue 15 of Le Document. Craig Campbell of Louder Than War magazine is also an admirer. In his review of Disorderly Magic Craig wrote: "There’s a point when reading Richard Cabut’s fervent new book that makes you feel as if you’re travelling over a precipice on a speeding rollercoaster or stumbling into a dimly lit back alley where two hysterics are fist-fighting each other… The human experience is presented as a volume dial... ‘It’s a ragged diatribe about the energy flash of post-punk and pop culture and what kind of imprint it has left on the modern world… that ultimately sees the witchcraft and music in such things."
Above: A recent photo of the author of "dark jazz, post-punk, beat up, free-fall, free-for-all, swinging-on-a-star, modern literature" by Sarah Leigh Lewis
Please note: There will be a launch party from 6pm - 9pm at 46 Gallery, 46 Ashfield Street, E1 2AJ (Whitechapel Tube)featuring special guests Kirsty Alison, David Erdos, and DJ Jonhy Brown. Richard will be signing copies of his new book. If you can't attend you can pre-order from Far West Press: here
Review by Harry Pye
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