Beth Jeans Houghton

{{Short description|English musician, artist, animator and video director}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Du Blonde

| image = File:Beth Jeans Houghton plays to a soggy Applecart Festival in Victoria Park, east London.jpg

| caption = Beth Jeans Houghton aka Du Blonde

| birth_place = Newcastle upon Tyne, England

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|01|03|df=yes}}

| origin =

| genre = Psychedelic rock,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/26/beth-jeans-houghton|title=First Sight: Beth Jeans Houghton'|newspaper=The Guardian | location=London|first=Imogen|last=Tilden|date=27 March 2009}} garage rock, punk rock,{{Cite web|url=http://mute.com/beth-jeans-houghton/album-release-date|title=Mute Records • & the Hooves of Destiny set album release date|website=Mute.com|date=31 August 2011}} pop{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/beth-jeans-houghton--freak-folks-weird-sister-finally-hits-the-charts-7573740.html | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Emily | last=MacKay | date=16 March 2012 | title=Beth Jeans Houghton – Freak folk's weird sister finally hits the charts}}

| occupation = Singer-songwriter, animator, artist

| label = Mute, Static Caravan, Moshi Moshi

}}

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.{{cite news| first = Killian| last = Fox| date = 2015| url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/may/03/du-blonde-interview-beth-jeans-houghton|title = Du Blonde: 'It was the scariest thing. I don't know how I made it through'| newspaper = The Observer| accessdate = 15 May 2015}} 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.

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.{{cite news | author = Ferrier, Morwenna| date = 6 November 2011| url = https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/nov/06/beth-jeans-houghton-interview|title = Beth Jeans Houghton: 'There's more to me than wigs' | newspaper = The Observer| accessdate = 15 May 2015}}

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. Houghton signed in early 2011 with Mute Records, releasing their debut long-player, Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose in early 2012.{{cite web|url=http://mutedotcom.wordpress.com/2011/04/27/beth-jeans-houghton-signs-to-mute-free-download/|title=Mute – Beth Jeans Houghton|accessdate=27 April 2011|date=27 April 2011|publisher=Mute}} The album was recorded with Ben Hillier whose previous production credits include Blur, Depeche Mode and Elbow.{{cite news| author = Newbury, David| date = 13 February 2012| url = http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/02/13/beth-jeans-houghton-interview-%E2%80%9Ci-hate-london%E2%80%9D/| title = Beth Jeans Houghton interview: "I hate London"| newspaper = The Independent| accessdate = 15 May 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150521172526/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2012/02/13/beth-jeans-houghton-interview-%E2%80%9Ci-hate-london%E2%80%9D/| archive-date = 21 May 2015| url-status = dead}}

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.{{cite web | author = | date = | url = https://www.officialcharts.com/search/albums/Yours%20Truly%20Cellophane%20Nose|title = Yours Truly Cellophane Nose| publisher = Official Charts Company| accessdate = 1 June 2011}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2XfVml6o24 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/I2XfVml6o24 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Red Hot Chili Peppers – Sick Love [OFFICIAL VIDEO]|date=5 December 2016 |publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

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.{{cite web | url = http://www.metacritic.com/music/welcome-back-to-milk/du-blonde|title = Welcome Back to Milk by Du Blonde reviews| website = Metacritic| accessdate = 15 May 2015}}

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.{{Cite news |last=Daly, Rhian |date=February 4, 2021 |title=Du Blonde announces new album 'Homecoming', featuring Garbage's Shirley Manson, Ezra Furman and more |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/du-blonde-announces-new-album-homecoming-featuring-garbages-shirley-manson-ezra-furman-and-more-2872934 |access-date=February 7, 2021}} 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,{{Cite news |last=Richards, Will |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Du Blonde shares Shirley Manson collaboration 'Medicated' from new album |work=NME |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/du-blonde-shares-shirley-manson-collaboration-medicated-from-new-album-2824181 |access-date=February 7, 2021}} and follow-up "I'm Glad That We Broke Up", with Furman, came out on 4 February 2021.

Du Blonde's fourth album, titled Sniff More Gritty, was released on 15 November 2024.

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."{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Holly|title=Beth Jeans Houghton interview on Du Blonde, their nervous breakdown and industry sexism|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/beth-jeans-houghton-interview-on-du-blonde-her-nervous-breakdown-and-industry-sexism-10298987.html|website=The Independent|accessdate=21 September 2015|date=5 June 2015}} Houghton is non-binary and transgender.{{cite web|last1=Loftin|first1=Steven|title=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.|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/longread/du-blonde-the-real-beth-jeans-houghton-will-see-you-now|website=The Line of Best Fit|accessdate=12 January 2020|date=18 February 2019}}

Artists supported

Adem
Bon Iver{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/mar/26/beth-jeans-houghton|title=First sight: Beth Jeans Houghton|accessdate=12 July 2009|date=26 March 2009|first=Imogen|last=Tilden|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London}}
Bowerbirds
Cornershop
Euros Childs{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrackmagazine.com/index.php?section=1&category=10&page=1079|title=Beth Jeans Houghton|accessdate=12 July 2009|publisher=Crack}}
Fionn Regan{{cite web|url=http://www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/lineup/beth_jeans_houghton|title=Beth Jeans Houghton|accessdate=12 July 2009|publisher=Moseley Folk Festival|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615192351/http://www.moseleyfolk.co.uk/lineup/beth_jeans_houghton|archive-date=15 June 2009|url-status=dead}}
Future Islands{{cite web|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/future-islands-barrowlands-9-september|title=Future Islands / Dope Body / Du Blonde @ Glasgow Barrowlands, 9 September|accessdate=15 April 2016|publisher=The Skinny}}
Garbage
Gary Numan
Imogen Heap
King Creosote
Mumford & Sons{{cite web|url=http://thedailygrowl.co.uk/2009/03/23/beth-jeans-houghton/|title=Beth Jeans Houghton|accessdate=12 July 2009|date=23 March 2009|publisher=The Daily Growl}}
Mystery Jets
Phosphorescent{{cite web|url=http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2009/06/phosphorescent_burn_bright_in.html|title=Phosphorescent Burn Bright In London!|accessdate=12 July 2009|date=1 June 2009|first=Phil|last=Alexander|publisher=Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228094927/http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/2009/06/phosphorescent_burn_bright_in.html|archive-date=28 December 2010|url-status=dead}}
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Scott Matthews
St. Vincent
Stephen Fretwell{{cite web|url=http://www.woodworkmusic.co.uk/our-music/artists/375-beth-jeans-houghton.html|title=Beth Jeans Houghton|accessdate=12 July 2009|publisher=Woodwork Music|archive-date=8 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008005424/http://www.woodworkmusic.co.uk/our-music/artists/375-beth-jeans-houghton.html|url-status=dead}}
Tinariwen
Tunng

Discography

=Albums=

Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose (2012) no. 83 UK
Welcome Back to Milk (2015, as Du Blonde)
Lung Bread for Daddy (2019, as Du Blonde)
Homecoming (2021, as Du Blonde)
Sniff More Gritty (2024, as Du Blonde')

=EPs=

EP – June 2008{{cite magazine|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?storycode=1034678|title=Beth Jeans Houghton: EP (Bird)|accessdate=12 July 2009|date=26 June 2008|first=Anita|last=Awbi|magazine=Music Week}}
Hot Toast Vol 1 – September 2009