LIVING COURAGEOUSLY FROM THE HEART
To change yourself is the first step to changing the world. I believe that everyone has gifts to offer, and this sharing of our individual and collective unique spirit is what will bring about change through the field of heart intelligence which becomes emergent.
My current work as conceptualist and firestarter of the social network and community Campfire Convention is based around personal and social change, both online and in person.
The Campfire community is an ad-free, algorithm-free, member-led conscious social network working for social change that puts people and the planet at its heart.
We have a vision to join the dots and find the common denominator through creating an ecosystem made up of existing communities, who are working for the conscious transformation that we all know is starting to happen.
We meet at our annual Campout events in the UK as well as regulate online meetings too.
My other current projects include:
Trailblazers: Systemic Social Change
Paros: Island Dreaming: Retreats on the Island
Wales: Wild Spa on the Farm and Shepherds Hut Holidays
BIO
Much of my early millennium energy went into starting up The Big Chill, as co-founder and originator of what some people now recognise as the original 'boutique' festival experience. I was actively involved between 1994 and 2007 as the event began to attract a large number of loyal followers by word-of-mouth , building to a peak size of 35, 000 in 2005. On that journey, I gave early exposure to such names as Amy Winehouse, Gotan Project, Mr Scruff, Norman Jay, The Ukulele Orchestra of GB, Jon Hopkins, Max Richter, Cinematic Orchestra, Bonobo, Talvin Singh, Röyksopp, Zero 7, Lily Allen, Goldfrapp and Lemon Jelly. After establishing itself as one of the top half dozen UK festivals, I was chuffed and somewhat surprised to be included in Time Out’s Top 100 ‘movers and shakers’ alongside the likes of Ricky Gervais, Gordon Ramsay, Madonna, Brian Paddick, Ken Livingstone and Tony Blair.
In the mid 80s my focus was more as a respected tastemaker with an unconventional flair after a synchronistic experience on my first US trip (1986) when I 'discovered' and spontaneously recorded US folk singer Michelle Shocked on a walkman around a Texas campfire for my fledgling Cooking Vinyl label. The resulting album ‘The Texas Campfire Tapes’, with its £1 ‘field recording’ budget, went on to top the independent album charts in 1987 and establish the label at the forefront of the world and roots music scenes.
Subsequently, I became a writer, radio DJ and journalist / publisher. Through the 90s I penned regular columns for Top, Update and Jockey Slut as well as founding, editing and publishing On magazine. I made my BBC Radio 2 debut on August Bank Holiday 2006 with a two hour chill out show.
As an artist, I have recorded under the name of Chilled By Nature, and in 2006 released a first 'artist' album ‘Under One Sun’ on Big Chill Recordings, featuring a number of live guests, including The Swingle Singers, and Mozez of Zero 7 fame, who collaborated with me on ‘State Of Grace’.
After a predictable ethos vs commercialism tussle, I resigned as a shareholder and director of The Big Chill in early 2008, moving to the village of Braunston in Northamptonshire and principally spent my time thereafter developing a blueprint for a social network, Campfire Convention. The prototype was an evolutionary platform for creative thinkers, funded and shaped by its own members, which now also stages events with community focus, the most recent of which has been our Campout series.
IN OTHERS' WORDS
“Pete Lawrence has a knack for being just a few key steps ahead of everyone else. When he started Cooking Vinyl, he didn't follow trends but anticipated them. More so when it came to creating The Big Chill, the event that set the stage for what became an international chillout music movement that lasts to this day. Along with all this is an ethic that works towards collaboration, bringing people together and networking. I am not alone in looking keenly forward to what’s coming next. With such a track record, You can be sure whatever he does will be worthy of interest. And maybe, yet again, emulation.”
Gerald Seligman, Director of WOMEX 2006-9 and advisor to the UNESCO Creative Cities initiative
“Pete Lawrence is a legend. In addition to his not inconsiderable DJing & producer skills, he has a gift for bringing together lovely people and creating something really special.”
Mr Scruff, DJ
“I’ve known Pete Lawrence since the mid-1980s and have always wondered just how he keeps so ahead of the game. There seems little doubt he’ll keep on doing it.”
Mark Ellingham, founder Rough Guides and Publisher of Sort Of Books
“Pete is a natural born connector of people far and wide – never following, always leading from the alternative frontline. I look forward to what Pete's next new exciting venture has in store for us.”
Danny Rampling, international DJ and a founder of the UK club scene
“Pete's ability to predict our cultural and media future were brilliantly manifested by the success of the Big Chill. It is a pleasure to recognise him as the inventor of such a major movement as the chill out scene. His cultural impact has crossed all international borders and is still in style worldwide. Over the years I've always looked to Pete for his profound knowledge of all things cool and elegant. His large fan base of tastemakers also reflects his quiet sense of integrity. Pete has always led the way, and many of us joyously follow him. He is a genuine visionary who has had a colossal impact on us all.”
Erica Ruben, Former Executive Producer of Central Park Summer Stage, New York
“Pete is a natural force and I await his next move with excitement"
Matt Black, Techno geek and co-founder of Ninja Tune label and Coldcut
Campfire is now online and I am currently living in Paros, Greece as well as having a UK base (camper van and shepherds hut) on a farm in south Wales.