Kate Tempest's first full-length collection for Picador is an ambitious, multi-voiced work based around the mythical figure of Tiresias. This four-part work follows him through his transformations from child, man and woman to blind prophet; through this structure, Tempest holds up a mirror to contemporary life in a direct and provocative way rarely associated with poetry. A vastly popular and accomplished performance poet, Tempest commands a huge and dedicated following on the performance and rap circuit. Brand New Ancients, also available from Picador, won the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry and has played to packed concert halls on both sides of the Atlantic.
About the Author
Kate Tempest grew up in South-East London, where she still lives. Starting out as a rapper, she toured the spoken word circuit for a number of years, and now works as a poet and playwright. Her work includes Balance, her first album with her band Sound of Rum; Everything Speaks in its Own Way, a collection of poems with CD and DVD of live performance; GlassHouse, a forum theatre play for homeless theatre company Cardboard Citizens; and the plays Wasted and Hopelessly Devoted for Paines Plough. Brand New Ancients won the Ted Hughes Prize for innovation in poetry, and is published by Picador. She is currently working on a new collection of poems, a novel and a new record with music producer Dan Carey.
Industry Reviews
One of the brightest British talents around. [Tempest's] spoken-word performances have the metre and craft of traditional poetry, the kinetic agitation of hip-hop and the intimacy of a whispered heart-to-heart Guardian
[Tempest] enjoyed a remarkable double triumph in being shotlisted for the Mercury Music Prize on the same day as being named a Next Generation Poet Guardian
In mesmerising rhyme and galloping rhythm, her passion for the classics collides with urban street slang, social observation, consumerism and the concerns of contemporary youth Observer
Kate Tempest proves poetry has a place in pop ... [Tempest] has made history, transcending the line between poetry and music Telegraph
Poet, performer, novelist: the rise of the uncategorisable Kate Tempest -- Laura Barton Guardian
Tempest's voice looks to be one we will be hearing for some while to come -- Laura Barton Guardian
Dazzling wordsmithery... As anyone who has seen her perform will know, she doesn't just paint pictures with words when she performs, she paints fireworks in the night sky -- Claire Allfree Metro
A winning wielder of words... The common thread through Tempest's diverse work is her love of words. In mesmerising rhyme and galloping rhythm, her passion for the classics collides with urban street slang, social observation, consumerism and the concerns of contemporary youth -- Michael Hogan Observer