Beth Jeans Houghton

Beth Jeans Houghton (a.k.a. Du Blonde) (born 3 January 1990) is an English multi-disciplinary musician, composer, artist, animator and video director. Their influences range from psychedelic rock, punk, blues, 1960s garage rock and soul.[4] They create art under their birth name, Beth Jeans Houghton, using photography, illustration, animation, video, sculpture and embroidery. They have directed and animated music videos for multiple artists including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ezra Furman, and Laura Marling's band LUMP. They write, perform and produce music under the name Du Blonde.

Du Blonde
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 their teens. At sixteen they left school and bought a Fender Stratocaster, which they taught themselves to play.[5]

Houghton first appeared in front of an audience in 2006; their debut release, titled EP (a limited-edition 7-inch), was on Bird Records in 2008. They signed then with Static Caravan Recordings, which released the single "Golden"/"Nightswimmer", produced by Adem, and their 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 their 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]

Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose by Beth Jeans Houghton and 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 supporting Welcome Back To Milk, Houghton began work on issue 1 of their comic books series 'Butt Hurt', focusing on bringing to life their 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 their 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.

Du Blonde's third album, titled Homecoming, was released in early 2021.[11] The album, self-produced by Houghton, will feature guest artists including Shirley Manson, Andy Bell, Ezra Furman, and members of Tunng. Lead single "Medicated", featuring Manson, was released in November 2020,[12] and follow-up "I'm Glad That We Broke Up", with Furman, came out on 4 February 2021.[11]

Personal life

In 2013, Houghton suffered from anxiety. Of their practice of Transcendental Meditation, begun at this time, they said, "To now know confidently I can deal with my anxiety is such a good place to be."[13] Houghton is non-binary and transgender.[14]

Artists supported

Discography

Albums

EPs
  • EP – June 2008[22]
  • Hot Toast Vol 1 – September 2009

Singles
  • "Golden / Nightswimmer" – Static Caravan, 2009
  • "Dodecahedron" – Mute, 2011
  • "Sweet Tooth Bird" – Mute, 2012
  • "Atlas" – Mute, 2012

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. 31 August 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 1 June 2011.
  9. "Red Hot Chili Peppers – Sick Love [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". YouTube. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021.
  10. "Welcome Back to Milk by Du Blonde reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  11. Daly, Rhian (4 February 2021). "Du Blonde announces new album 'Homecoming', featuring Garbage's Shirley Manson, Ezra Furman and more". NME. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  12. Richards, Will (24 November 2020). "Du Blonde shares Shirley Manson collaboration 'Medicated' from new album". NME. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  13. Williams, Holly (5 June 2015). "Beth Jeans Houghton interview on Du Blonde, their nervous breakdown and industry sexism". The Independent. Retrieved 21 September 2015.
  14. Loftin, Steven (18 February 2019). "As they release their third album as Du Blonde, Beth Jeans Houghton feels it's finally time to share their truest self with the world". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  15. "Beth Jeans Houghton". Woodwork Music. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  16. Tilden, Imogen (26 March 2009). "First sight: Beth Jeans Houghton". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  17. "Beth Jeans Houghton". The Daily Growl. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  18. "Beth Jeans Houghton". Crack. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  19. "Beth Jeans Houghton". Moseley Folk Festival. Archived from the original on 15 June 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  20. "Future Islands / Dope Body / Du Blonde @ Glasgow Barrowlands, 9 September". The Skinny. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
  21. Alexander, Phil (1 June 2009). "Phosphorescent Burn Bright In London!". Mojo. Archived from the original on 28 December 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  22. Awbi, Anita (26 June 2008). "Beth Jeans Houghton: EP (Bird)". Music Week. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  • du blonde website
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