Comics, Blood and Oranges

Dev Hynes isn't afraid of trying something different. Not letting the stigma of Test Icicles keep him down, he bravely took up the acoustic guitar and shrugged off critics for last year's Lightspeed Champion project, proving himself to be more than an electro-fad by being the hardest working festival act of 2008. After resting his damaged vocals for the early part of 2009, he used his comic book talents to support the Teenage Cancer Trust with a contribution to "Punk Fiction" whilst starting work on his next LP.

With this take-action attitude in mind, it must have been an easy decision for Hynes to launch his new project Blood Orange at Ctrl. Alt. Shift's Unmasks Corruption music and comics night at the ICA on Tuesday. The 18 month old movement aims to inspire world change through action in writing, fashion, design and dance, giving human rights issues a fresh face with it's 'zines and collaborative blogs. Working with Riz MC, VV Brown and Estelle it values musicians' input and - alongside promotional films - they give the stage to the new work.

Following on from the tangled emotions of "Falling of A Lavender Bridge", the debut performance showcased Hynes' understated side, mixing bedroom produced drum tracks with live vocals and experimental guitar work.

"I wrote this at 2am" he mumbles over some of his songs that - despite being lounge recordings- are not messy. His online flirtations with classical music influence the ways they are are glued together; dreamy interludes are woven with upbeat waves of sound. He takes the lead at some points, dominating songs with his distinctive vocals, at others he takes the backseat and conducts the beats on his mac . The work with the machine, rather than relying on strings or acoustic guitar, prevents it from being just Lightspeed Lite.

If the night was to celebrate Unmasks Corruption, Dev's unmasking from paraphernalia maniac to one guy and his simple kit, proves a point. All the gimmicks and ad campaigns won't effect change if the action isn't something entirely new.

Ctrl. Alt. Shift. Unmasks Corruption is a comic book that aims to highlight corruption as both a cause of poverty and a barrier to overcoming it, through an eclectic mix of stories from over 30 leading International comic artists and creatives. Available while stocks last for £4.99 from Lazarides select bookshops or the Ctrl.Alt.Shift website. The night also showcased the the onedotzero_reveal screening programme, curated by onedotzero's creative director, Shane Walter to complement the comic book with a selection of animated shorts by directors such as Simon Robson and Rob Chiu who employ motion graphics to highlight and challenge issues of social injustice and stimulate political or social debate.

Ctrl. Alt. Shift. Unmasks Corruption exhibition and onedotzero_reveal video roll at at Lazarides Gallery November 28,
8 Greek Street, London, W1D.

Here's a selection of shorts featured:

Rob Chiu, "Black Day to Freedom", UK 2005