Thursday, October 31, 2013
MT Announce Single & Launch Show
Already stirring up a groundswell of hype across 2013, MT have announced the release of their brand single ‘Alpha Romeo’ on December 2, along with details of an official launch party at new Hackney venue, Oslo, on November 28.
Near-legendary appearances at the likes of London’s KOKO and Ridley Road Market Bar (Wu's) have seen MT earn a growing reputation for energetic, inspiring and often euphoric live shows, prompting NME to tip the band as one of their 10 ‘Ones to Watch’ at this year’s Great Escape Festival in Brighton.
The forthcoming single ‘Alpha Romeo’ was produced by Dan Grech (Vaccines, Lana Del Ray) and is a pop anthem of seismic proportions, complete with hook-laden melodies and an unshakeable rhythm section that guarantees it to be one of the catchiest songs of the year. The accompanying Bside, ‘77’ produced by Charlie Huggall (Florence and The Machine, Swim Deep) continues in the same vein with massive pop hooks and thunderous synths.
The band's origins still remain a mystery, with just a mysterious logo and a countdown timer on their website www.MTmanythings.com. The coming months will see more revealed...In the meantime, check out 'Alpha Romeo' below.
David Bowie Premieres Video At Mercury Music Prize
He may not have won, but David Bowie was still the star of last night's Mercury Music Prize awards ceremony in London, when his new video to 'Love Is Lost' was premiered.
Shot in a dark corridor in his office in New York, we see him clowning around in a Pierrot costume with a star mannequin - not unlike that which appeared in 1980's Ashes To Ashes video - as he films an eerie homemade movie.
'Love Is Lost', the new single from Bowie, is taken from his album 'The Next Day' which was released in March, marking his first recorded output in ten years.
[Video] Bleached - Love Spells
Suitably fitting for Halloween, Bleached sisters Jennifer and Jessie Clavin unveil a little dark and ghoulish affair for 'Love Spells'. Although set in a graveyard with obligatory reference points, the video (directed by the girls themselves), with its sepia tone and the bouncy rhythm of the song itself make it more like one of those bad 60s B-movies than any Nightmare On Elm Street.
'Love Spells' appears on the band's debut album, 'Ride Your Heart', which was released in April.
EP Review :: Tigercub - Tigercub
Tigercub
Tigercub
October 28 2013 (Club.The.Mammoth / Believe Digital)
7.5/10
Words: Alison Mack
Debut from the Brighton Cubs who have been steadily building up a name for themselves over the course of 2013. Big dark drums, big dark riffs (that echo reverberently on endless feedback), big dark vocals (and an equally big vocalist in the nearly 7ft Jamie), all grungy pop is solidified here in an interesting Nirvana-for-today's-youth kind of way. Only three tracks on this EP (it would have been nice to see a fourth, perhaps unheard, track included), but what's here are the Tigerclub live staples. 'Little Rope', all guitar slides and Cobain-intoned vocals and crunchy riffs that could easily be today's Nirvana for the kids who weren't around in the early 90s. In the middle is slotted 'Centrefold', a QOTSA fuzz bass'd number that one could easily imagine Filthy Boy covering with its sleazy vibe. Bringing up the rear is the latest single, 'Mother'. More jangly riffs, though still defined by those deep drumbeats to weight it down. If one dipped into a box of chocolates, Tigerclub would be the nut cluster: sweetly dark melodies on the outside, but take a bite and you get a gritty middle to swirl and crunch on the palate. Yummy.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Coasts Issue Invite To 'Come A Little Closer'
Bristol's indie boys Coasts have announced another track from their debut 'Stay' EP - 'Come A Little Closer'. The EP will be out on November 11 via Tidal Recordings.
Working again with producer Duncan Mills (Vaccines, Peace) 'Stay' both contains their familiar swoonsome melodies and infectious rhythms that have now become synonymous with the Coasts name.
'Stay' Tracklist
Come a Little Closer 3:24
Stay (Pixel Fix Remix) 3:26
Stay (Giuliano Rascan Remix Radio 2:42
Stay (Giuliano Rascan Extended Remix) 3.35
Drawing to a close on their present tour, as they tweeted earlier: "All the B's left now. Bristol, Brighton, Banbury, Bath...". They play a hometown show at The Louisiana in Bristol tonight, followed by...
Thursday October 31 - Brighton, Green Door Store
Friday November 1 - Banbury, Also Known As
Saturday November 2 Bath, Moles
Also in the frame, a later date at Sunderland's Independent on November 29.
Introducing :: Half Loon
Half Loon are a new band on the block with lots of panache. Still to make their live debut (look towards the end of next month for that), their debut single is to be 'Swearword'.
Fronted by Daniel Pickard, who has previously toured as a solo artist across the UK and Europe, having played with the likes of Lee Mavers (The La’s), Carl Barat (The Libertines) and Kyle Falconer (The View), he has transformed his sound that now sees his youthful London-based four-piece band take inspiration from the likes of Syd Barrett, Connan Mockasin and The Brian Jonestown Massacre.
There's a dreamy, psychedelic quality to their poppy songs, with a touch of raw, jagged guitar that creates an atmosphere reminiscent to the sounds of their heroes whilst being able to maintain a very original and exciting sound.
'Swearword' opens with beautiful oscillation and a mellotron flute combined with psych-drenched slide guitar. Recorded by Syd Kemp (Neils Children) at Friends studio in Hackney's Netil House and mastered by James Aparicio (Spritualized), 'Swearword' sets the band up for an EP that will be coming during the end of the year.
'Swearword' will be available through Bandcamp for free download. It's B-side, 'Man Of Few Bloody Words', lends a much rockier bent to the proceedings, and ideally complements its laid-back breezy A-side.
Half Loon are: Daniel Pickard (guitar, lead vocals), Nick D’Amico (guitar), Simeon Cunningham (bass), Charlie Heaton (drums)
behave. are ready to 'let you know' with debut EP
Take a listen to new unsigned act behave. Yes, they may be another with the bewildering lower case variant and with a full-stop to complete things, but it is worth taking a listen to this Vancouver duo.
From the funky bass lines of ‘let me know’ to the free-form guitar solo woven throughout ‘to forget’ behave. craft the best kind of electronic dance pop. The type with smoky, echoing vocals and an infectious groove birthed in summer night jam sessions.
DJ Bhate and Miguel Leiva have been friends for a over a decade, but it was only on discovering their shared love for electronic music amongst a city of rockers that they decided to team up for their own project. Over the course of 3 months DJ and Miguel met twice a week, with the result being this EP.
'let me know' is the lead track from said EP. "That song was really based around the main bassline" says DJ. "We love the overall groove and feeling". Starting life as a deceptively downbeat track, it sprouts into an understated but infectious indie-dance jam with the aid of that super-fly bassline and DJ's languorous delivery.
Listen and download the self-titled EP from behave.'s Bandcamp page HERE
Watch the video to the lead track from the EP, 'let me know' below.
Wild Beasts Head Out For UK Dates...And To Moscow
Wild Beasts have announced a short tour in advance of their fourth album - provisionally set for release early next year - plus, rather oddly, a solo show in Russia - Moscow to be precise.
Airing the news via Twitter yesterday (October 29), the band wrote: "We're coming....". The shows which take in Liverpool, Oxford and Sheffield, will be the first they have played in the UK for almost a year.
Dates are:
NOVEMBER
26 Liverpool, Academy
27 Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
28 Oxford, Academy
29 Sheffield, Queens
30 Norwich, Arts Centre
DECEMBER
05 Moscow, Sixteen Tons
Tickets now on sale.
Track Of The Day :: Joel Hood - Follow The Fool
Joel Hood is a 28-year-old musician based in a small town in the north of England. Whilst he can dabble at piano and drums, he is, "basically rubbish on guitar, which is probably why my music has a mostly electronic feel to it". Which may be to the good seeing as how he has just put out a new track, 'Follow The Fool', which certainly is of the latter genre. He may also describe his sound as ‘not very danceable dance music’, but 'Follow The Fool' certainly has one hell of a catchy beat to it - impossible to sit still to. Opening on sampled voices and telephone rings, it swells dreamily out into a soulful, melodic tune with some wonderful chunky beats.
Still as yet to make his live debut, he has, however, worked on some pretty decent remixes for Tythe amonst others. "That came about after we started checking out each others tunes on Soundcloud. He used one of my tracks in one of his mixes, and then asked if I would like to remix a track from his debut album, 'And Also With You'. We then did some DJing together. I also discovered that he's a very lovely chap in real life."
Listen to 'Follow The Fool' and the Joel Hood remix of Tythe's 'Totem Poles' below.
Pink Cigar Head For Camden's Black Heart For Album Launch
Rock n roll quartet Pink Cigar are about to launch their debut album, 'We're Gonna Get You Out Of Here', on November 4.
Hailing from the Ladbroke Grove area of west London, the bluesy-glam-punkers have spent the last couple of years honing their musical chops and earning their dues playing live, thundering through the capital’s rock scene and breaking down the walls of every venue they grace, bringing an intensity and energy that just can’t be bought and needs to be experienced.
Having earned a reputation for the fiercest live show in the capital, word started spreading around the UK when Pink Cigar toured with the reformed Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster prior to releasing a debut self-titled EP in 2012. A roadblocked showcase for it at Camden hotspot The Hawley Arms saw them take the venue by storm and garner a clutch of rave reviews.
A single entitled ‘Blues To Bed’ followed later in the year (replete with a mayhem causing video shot in their own backyard of Portobello Road), before the band holed up in the studio to record their debut album. The opening salvo from this highly anticipated release was the louche rock groove of ‘Lady Killer’, released as a single back in the summer. Watch the video for the song below.
‘We’re Gonna Get You Out Of Here’, is released on the Sawn Off label on November 4 and the band will play a launch show at the Black Heart, Camden, the same night.
Other dates include:
November 16 - Purple Turtle, Camden
November 21 - The Cuckoo Club, London
November 27 - Notting Hill Arts Club, London
Pink Cigar are: Sharkie Cottrell - Vocals; Edd Whyte - Guitar; Sam Rutland - Bass; Sid Mayall Drums
Hella Better Dancer Stream 'Sleeptalking'
The four-piece London/Brighton outfit Hella Better Dancer have just streamed their latest track, 'Sleeptalking'.
As the name may suggest, it is typical of their lo-fi dreamy wash of atmospheric sound, and is available for free download via below, and with 100 limited 7" vinyls released through beautiful Strange.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
[Video] Mt. Royal - Missing Reward
The latest signing to the ever-growing Bella Union roster is Baltimore five-piece Mt. Royal. For their inaugural offering they debut with the video to 'Missing Reward' - taken from their first EP to be released on January 27 2014.
'Missing Reward' is a vocal vehicle for Katrina Ford, as the band explain, the idea behind the video "was to have something which connected the viewer directly with Katrina. In the earliest days of music television videos often had less cuts and more focus on the performers themselves."
Mt. Royal - which formed in November last year - comprises former members of Big In Japan (drummer Michael Lowry; Matt Pierce, keyboards), Lake Trout (Ed Harris, guitar), Celebration (Ford), and now completed with Woody Ranere on bass.
Francobollo Reveal First Of Singles Series
Adventuring their way across Europe, the Swedes known as Francobollo now call Finsbury Park, London their spiritual home. After releasing two EPs and a couple of self-produced videos (Basketball and I Found a Bike Today), they are now busy getting a series of new singles ready, which they are planning to release over next few months.
The first track you can hear is 'We're Going to... Rio', released on Francobollo's own label Moonshiner Records on November 25.
Have a listen below.
Catch Francobollo live at:
31 OCT - Queen Of Hoxton, London - UK
23 NOV - The Lock Tavern, London - UK *SINGLE LAUNCH*
28 NOV - The Four Bars, Cardiff - UK
One To Watch :: The Bright Ones
The Bright Ones first sashayed onto the radar when they played this year's Great Escape festival in May in their Brighton hometown. Considering they had only been together a matter of months, and snapped up after only one show at The Hope in Brighton by End of The Trail Records, you sought of guessed this was going to be a band to reckon with.
Their debut single 'Does She Make Noise?' was released at the end of July and received praise from BBC Introducing, and Carl Barat, amongst others. Its accompanying video might have given something of a clue to the look and style of the four members: a glam in-yer-face frontman, Christian Jegard; a not-half-bad guitarist and bassist, Dan Curtis and Stewart Brown; and drummer Carl Hayden, doing what drummers do, holding it all up at the back. In short, style, attitude, fake fur and eyeliner, coupled with a fast, frenetic punk pop approach.
Hand-picked by The Polyphonic Spree to support them last month at their only UK date, The Bright Ones' live shows to date have established them as a band on the rise. Their new single, 'Your Words Dont Bother Me But The Killing Hurts,' is already quickly catching the attention of tastemakers. A relentless guitar-driven slab of intention clocking in at just 2mins 45 seconds, it is as different from their previous release as it could be - and in the estimation of a few people, a far better one, with Jegard sounding like a Robert Smith/Ian McCulloch hybrid and a rhythm that veers away from punk and into near psych territory, making you just want to get to a venue somewhere very soon and see them perform this live.
'Your Words Don't Bother Me But The Killing Hurts' is released on November 25 via End Of The Trail Records.
The Bright Ones play the following upcoming London dates:
November 01 - Buffalo Bar, Islington
November 07 - The Monarch, Camden.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Introducing :: TAYALA
Not sure about the girlie mag type covers, but otherwise Hull quartet TAYALA pack a vibrant indie sound, one that you can see our American cousins going for in the same way as The 1975. Newly released 'Stay' is full of those catchy hooks and a breezy rhythm that sticks around in your head.
The name 'TAYALA', band member John Hallam tells us, "is a name inspired by a small Native North American tribe that Adam (our singer) learnt about whilst undertaking a solo trip across North America." As a result of that trip, and his dropping out of university, was to lead to Adam hooking up with Jack, John and Luke to form TAYALA in the summer of last year.
The band are currently 'in talks' with several major publishing companies, but for now check out a few of their tracks below, including the video to 'Stay', which was released on October 17.
You can catch TAYALA live at the following upcoming dates:
November 8
Craven Park, Kingston upon Hull
November 12
Notting Hill Arts Club, London
November 21
Fruit, Hull
December 10
The Sesh, Linnet And Lark, Hull
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Album Review :: Lorde - Pure Heroine
Lorde
Pure Heroine
October 28 2013 (Virgin EMI)
8/10
Words: Alison Mack
Ella Yelich-O'Connor - Lorde - is just 16 years old. It is that that seems to be the main selling-point of this precocious New Zealander, who, with her debut has kicked Miley off the top spot already in the US. Recorded over the winter of 2012/13 in Auckland with producer Joel Little, Pure Heroine is an unflinchingly well accomplished and observed debut that is like a litany from a Y generation chronicler, from writing of rappers' lyrics that espouse the cult of bling on the sparse and woozy 'Royals' ("And we'll never be totals/it don't run in our blood/That kind of luxe just ain't for us/We crave a different kind of buzz") - the lyrics to which she allegedly wrote in just 30 minutes - to dissecting general teenage life angst on the crackling, synth waved 'Team' ("I'm kinda older than I was when I rebelled without a care") and growing up on 'Ribs'. The detached style continues on 'Tennis Court', and in her smoky-edged vocal we can see why comparisons to Lana Del Rey have been made. It might be churlish to say, but as Del Rey now admits to difficulty coming up with a sophomore album, it will be interesting to see how long Lorde can keep her momentum flowing. Still, with her 17th birthday imminent in just over a week, for now the young lady has much to celebrate.
Track Of The Day :: Formes - Inside I've Flown
Formed last year between Dewsbury brothers Steve and Jordan McNamara, Formes (initially starting life as a five-piece, having a short pitstop, before returning with three members) have steadily built up a name on the live circuit around Leeds, particularly with the addition of the masked 'Alchemist' who will often play synth and guitar at the same time during live performances.
Now comes their latest recorded offering in the shape of single 'Inside I've Flown'. And something of a masterly affair it is too, consisting of just under five minutes of an epic load of psych rock/shoegaze landscaped sound that could have jumped right out of the 70s. Released on November 6 and available from iTunes and Spotify via Emubands, it was mixed and mastered by Steve Whitfield, who has worked with Shed Seven, Alt-J and The Cure.
You can stream 'Inside I've Flown' now below.
Formes are: Steven McNamara (Bass, Guitar, Vocals), Jordan McNamara (Drums), Rob Hemmingway (aka The Alchemist) (Synth/Guitar)
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Dolomite Minor Rockin On The Road
Joe Grimshaw on guitar and vocals and Max Palmier on drums make up Southampton’s Dolomite Minor. Serving up sleazy, raw rock’n’roll laced with sweaty, head banging, tobacco stained riffs, in the last few months, they have gone from playing small local venues, to playing some of this summer's major UK festivals (including Reading, Leeds and T in the Park) solely based on the strength of their live shows.
If you don't believe me, see them in action, as they perform 'Girl of Gold' in Guildford recently in the video below.
Dolomite are on tour during October and November with Lyger.
Full dates:
25 OCT – West End Centre – Aldershot
31 OCT – Forum – Tunbridge Wells
01 NOV – Roadmenders – Northampton
02 NOV – Esquires – Bedford
07 NOV – The Horn – St Albans
08 NOV – The Railway – Winchester
09 NOV – The Square – Harlow
13 NOV – Oakford Social Club – Reading
14 NOV – Boileroom – Guildford
15 NOV – Louisiana – Bristol
16 NOV – Brass Monkey – Hastings
22 NOV – Bunters B Side – Truro
23 NOV – Cavern Club – Exeter
27 NOV – The Hope – Brighton
29 NOV – Edge of The Wedge – Portsmouth
04 DEC – Old Blue Last – London
They also open for Deap Vally on the October 30 at the Oxford Academy 2.
Friday, October 25, 2013
EP Review :: The Witch Hunt - Little Book Of Hate
The Witch Hunt
Little Book Of Hate
October 31 2013 (Dead Young Records)
8/10
Words: Dave Beech
Fresh off the back of a summer filled with festivals, Leeds duo The Witch Hunt (comprised of Louisa Osborn and Chris Mulligan) are set to release their debut EP 'Little Book of Hate' to an already burgeoning fanbase. Now, having filled support slots for the likes of Veronica Falls and Wolf Alice, as well as gracing the stages of Reading and Leeds and Tramlines to name but a few, the pair have taken the experiences and opted to fill out their sound by the addition of drums and other such percussion to accompany the driving synth already behind them, providing added texture to an already rich and layered ensemble, making 'Little Book of Hate' the band's most fleshed out endeavour yet.
Following on from their hotly tipped, second single 'Crawl', 'Little Book of Hate' is five tracks of varying moods and aesthetics. From the brooding London Grammar-esque opener of 'Army Man' to the garage rock crunch of 'One Big Bite' each track offers up a fresh take on an established sound or genre, with singer Osborn's soulful vocals lending themselves perfectly irrespective of the individual aesthetics. A particular highlight comes at the halfway point in 'Wide and Laughing'. A fantastically produced track, a chunky bass in the style of The xx leads in to what proves to be an understated yet squeaky clean record featuring some unusual percussion.
Perhaps one of the most impressive things about 'Little Book of Hate' is the way in which it feels like a natural progression towards its conclusion. Each track gives the impression of a completely different emotion: Resentment ('Army Man'); Optimism ('Wide and Laughing'); Anger ('Can You Believe It?'), before finally arriving at acceptance in the form of the eponymous 'Little Book of Hate'. Easily the highpoint of the EP, this title track offsets the feelings perpetuated by the rest of the record fantastically, allowing the it to go out with a well-deserved, yet entirely metaphorical, bang.
Warpaint Preview New Track As They Embark On Massive Tour
Warpaint have just embarked upon a massive tour which takes them from homeland dates with James Blake, across Europe, Russia and Australia and up to March 2014.
The LA indie girls have released a 90-second teaser taster video for their new track 'Love Is To Die', as well as revealing details of an audio-visual project with director Chris Cunningham, known for his work with Aphex Twin and Madonna. Cunningham has been working with the group for two years whilst they record the follow-up to 2010's 'The Fool'.
Watch the video below.
Warpaint Tour Dates
SAT 10/19/13
DALLAS, TX — Index Festival
TUE 10/22/13
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Wiltern
(w/ James Blake)
WED 10/23/13
LOS ANGELES, CA — Hollywood
Forever (w/ James Blake)
MON 10/28/13
GLASGOW, UK — 02 ABC
TUE 10/29/13
MANCHESTER, UK — Manchester
Academy
WED 10/30/13
LONDON, UK — Brixton Academy
FRI 11/01/13
PARIS, FRANCE — Pitchfork
Festival
SAT 11/02/13
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM — Ancienne
Belgique
WED 11/06/13
BERLIN, GERMANY — Heimathafen
FRI 11/08/13
FRIBOURG, SWITZ — Fri-Son
SAT 11/09/13
ISTANBUL, TURKEY — Babylon
TUE 11/12/13
MOSCOW, RUSSIA — Glav Club
WED 11/13/13
ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA — A2
FRI 11/15/13
ENSCHEDE, HOLLAND — Crossing
Border Festival
SAT 11/16/13
THE HAGUE, HOLLAND — Crossing
Border Festival
FRI 01/31/14
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA — Laneway
Festival
SAT 02/01/14
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA —
Laneway Festival
SUN 02/02/14
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — Laneway
Festival
FRI 02/07/14
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA — Laneway
Festival
SAT 02/08/14
FREMANTALE, AUSTRALIA —
Laneway Festival
WED 02/19/14
LEEDS, UK — O2 Academy
SUN 02/23/14
COLOGNE, GERMANY — Gloria
TUE 02/25/14
MUNICH, GERMANY — Strom
WED 02/26/14
HAMBURG, GERMANY —
Gruenspan
FRI 02/28/14
MADRID, SPAIN — Sala But
SAT 03/01/14
LISBON, PORTUGAL — Aula
Magna
Live Review :: Casual Sex :: Metropolis, Montreal, Oct 23 2013
Live Review
Casual Sex
Metropolis, Montreal
October 23 2013
Words & Photo: Melanie Lapierre
When giving though to the Glasgow pop culture, we probably think foremost, and most obviously, of the likes of Edwyn Collins, Orange Juice, Josef K or Franz Ferdinand. This last band was in Montreal last night to present their latest album ‘Right Words, Right Thoughts, Right Actions’, and they now only brought themselves for a long-awaited visit, but with them came another awesome band from Glasgow - Casual Sex.
This highly original-named Scottish quartet made their entrance for a 30-minutes short set that took in material from their debut EP and single releases (on the Moshi Moshi label) that has already started picking up a buzz back home in the UK. Highly inspired by their compatriots from the Scots landscapes, it was a half-hour that conisted of delightful dancey beats than was complemented by their great interaction with the crowd, Sam Smith even managed a few words of French in between, saying he was practising before heading to tour France in November.
Firing with the same energy we find on their recorded output, they served up a platter of some angular guitar beats, especially on ‘North’, which has a bridge reminiscent of The Specials’ ska-like music. In no particular order, we also heard the 'dark and edgy' post-punk era ‘National Unity’. Also evident was their self-professed love for Roxy Music, whose influence was not hard to hear on ‘Soft School’, as well as some Bowie-like melody lines on ‘Stroh 80’, another that was included in an overall good, solid set.
Casual Sex was definitely one of the best choices to support Franz Ferdinand, and it’s likely they’ll retrn home having picked up a few more fans to add to their growing fanbase. Now we just have to wait until their debut album – which looks set for release next February – to see just how good the ‘sex’ really is! In the meantime you will be able to catch them around Europe at a series of upcoming live dates which include November 8 at Stereolux, Nantes in France as support for These New Puritans; November 9 at Les Inrocks Festival, Bordeaux and on November 29 they play London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen.
Melanie Lapierre is the Montreal-based host of 'London Cafe' which airs every Tuesday night 9pm Eastern Time (2 am UK time)
http://www.cism893.ca
http://www.londoncafe.wordpress.com
October 25 2013 - Hot Top Ten
SEEDS & BONES - LAY IT DOWN
Dreamy lo-fi from trio which includes sisters Fiona and Rachel Allison. For fans of London Grammar, Fiona's vocal soaring at 2.51 in brings a lump to the throat. Blissful.
THE BRIGHT ONES - YOUR WORDS DON'T BOTHER ME BUT THE KILLING HURTS
Killer new track following up their earlier debut 'Does She Make Noise?' a few months ago. This, however, is a completely different kettle of fish from Brighton’s “fuckpop” outfit. Its punk-driven wailing guitars and incessant pace make this Track Of The Week.
HONEYBLOOD - KISSING ON YOU
B-side to the Glasgow duo's 'Bud', their debut single out this week. Bittersweet garage pop.
GLACIALS - SWEET TOOTH PINK WRIST
Taken from 'We Are Serious and We Mean It', the debut EP from the London-based post-rock five-piece.
ROSIE LOWE - ME & YOUR GHOST
Glitchy, synth melancholy from this emerging South London soul siren. Taken from her Kwes/Dave Okumu (The Invisible) 'Right Thing' EP collaboration, released December 2.
HALF LOON - MAN OF FEW BLOODY WORDS
Daniel Pickard's new venture. This is the rockier B side to the dreamy, psych 'Swearword'.
FRIDAY CLUB - TAME ME
Another offering from the Birmingham four-piece, who keep turning out reliably good tracks. This has to rate as one of their best so far, with one of vocalist Josh Smithyman's most full-on, sexy drawls to date.
ELEPHANT - SNOWDAY
Following 'Shapeshifter' and 'Skyscraper', the duo's love affair with the 'S' title continues with this sweeping soundscape.
DARLIA - QUEEN OF HEARTS
Lead single from 'Knock Knock' debut EP from the Blackpool trio. A big hitter from the band hailed as the most exciting guitar band around. Watch out for their dominance in 2014, if this first offering us anything to go by.
MOURNING BIRDS - OH YEH!
Putting the rock n roll in an under two minute debut single from the Medway trio.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Single Review :: Burning Condors - Last Train Home
Burning Condors
Last Train Home
October 28 2013 (Snakehead Records)
7/10
Words: Dave Beech
London quartet Burning Condors are a band who are about as close to punk as one can get without jabbing a safety pin through their nose and spitting on people. Hailed as “The four-headed lovechild of the Sex Pistols and the Strokes”, the band are bridging a transatlantic gap, fusing together nostalgic rockabilly with a garage rock aesthetic all the while maintaining a high degree of 'don't give a fuck' swagger that permeates each and every one of their tracks.
The band's forthcoming single 'Last Train Home' is a perfect introduction to their unique aesthetics. Embracing the Nashville setting in which it was recorded; banjo licks played on an electric guitar makes up a short introduction whilst a double bass and a nostalgically simplistic drum beat that brings to mind 50s rock 'n' roll form the backbone what is a quintessentially American composition. Lyrically, however, the band paint a romantic picture of falling in love set against a backdrop of London life. It's a bizarre combination of cultures and aesthetics but one which works entirely in their favour. The inclusion of legendary session musician Dave Roe (Johnny Cash's Tennessee Three) also does nothing to hamper the song's overall feel, and, in fact, seems to make the rockabilly elements all the more authentic whilst the backing vocal harmonies cross the Atlantic once more, bringing to mind 90s Britpop.
Overall 'Last Train Home' exerts a somewhat anarchic quality, with the song rattling towards its conclusion at a breakneck pace. This is where the band's more punkier aspects come to the fore, and I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the song was recorded live and in only one or two takes. It's a fresh angle on nostalgic genres, catapulting each in to the contemporary whilst never straying too far from their roots. Bold, brash and bouncy, Burning Condors have certainly carved themselves a niche in the periphery of the art punk movement and while their music is certainly an acquired flavour, it seems that more and more people are getting the taste for it.
Biffy Clyro Release New Video For 'Sounds Like Balloons'
Biffy Clyro will release the single 'Sounds Like Balloons' on November 25 thru 14th Floor Records. Produced by GGGarth Richardson, 'Sounds Like Balloons' is a mainstay of Biffy Clyro's extensive touring throughout the year which has encompassed numerous peaks including an eleven-date UK and Ireland arena tour which culminated with a sold-out show at London's 20,000 capacity O2 Arena, and a triumphant debut headline sets at the Reading and Leeds festivals.
The band's sensational year has already included two major honours after being crowned being crowned Best British Band at the NME Awards and earning Best Album at both the Kerrang! Awards and Q Awards.
After playing a short run of North American shows, Biffy Clyro will shortly hit the road for their largest ever tour of mainland Europe. The tour commences in Tilburg in the Netherlands on October 31 and concludes on December 16 in Brussels, Belgium.
Watch the new live video for 'Sounds Like Balloons' above.
Glacials Make 'Serious' Debut
London-based post-rock quintet Glacials are marking their emergence into the world this week by sharing their debut EP 'We Are Serious and We Mean It' for free download.
The six track release features lead single 'Sweet Tooth Pink Wrist'. The band teamed up with NYC-based filmmaker and 3D artist Tyler Hurd to produce the video for the track and came away with the perfect visual accompaniment to their music. The song encapsulates every element of Glacials' post-rocking, glitchy, shoegazey sound and makes for the perfect flagship to introduce them to the world at large.
Glacials are four boys and one girl, brought together by a shared love of white noise and whispers, living in London but hailing collectively from China, Poland, America and the North of England. Their music is multifaceted, mixing the ethereal female vocals of a Mazzy Star with the sonic wash of Mogwai, the stuttering electronics of Aphex Twin, the edge of Nirvana and the swirl of My Bloody Valentine.
‘We Are Serious and We Mean It’ is also released on gorgeous clear 12" vinyl limited to 200 records only from glacials.bandcamp.com
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
[Video] Midlake - Antiphon
With the departing of frontman Tim Smith, Midlake unleash 'Antiphon', the title track from their upcoming fourth album.
'Antiphon', released on November 4 thru Bella Union, will be the first release from the Texan folk-rockers since Smith's leaving back in early summer. Before then, however, you can watch their video for its title-track.
The band are also currently in the UK, playing London's Islington Assembly Hall tonight (October 23),before travelling to Ireland to play Sligo Live on 25th and then heading off for European dates, including Iceland Airwaves on November 2.
EP Review :: Darlia - Knock Knock
Darlia
Knock Knock
October 28 2013 (Ignition 45s)
8/10
Words: Linn Branson
Being hailed as "the most exciting new guitar band in the UK" may be some title to live up to when you've only been together six months, but so far this raggedy uncompromising bunch of three 19-year-olds go, they are certainly ticking all the right boxes. Yes, their grungy garage style might sound a little like a Blackpool variant of Nirvana, but the flying riffs and vocalist Nathan Day's grit-raddled vocal, turn this debut EP (produced by The Horrors' Cam Blackwood) into something that's as raw and energetic as you're likely to find. Bold as brass Day kicks off on 'Queen Of Hearts' with banging scorched riffs and a welter of irrepressible drums, as he asks 'anyone up for a kill / I don't like the way they looked at me.' It's the kind of tune that rocks to the anthemic level - which it is surely set to become in the future. 'Napalm', too, blasts out a seering opening on a power driven bash-bash-bash from drummer Jack Bentham. Though slightly more toned down than its predecessor, it's nevertheless as incendiary as its title may presuppose. With the spiky explosion that is 'Choke On Bones' completing the set, thrusting its way into the head on a unflinching ferocity of percussion and guitars, one is left wondering that if they can sound this good at this relatively early stage, what heights are they set to reach over the next 12 months.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Editors Premiere 'Honesty' Video
Editors have premiered the video for ‘Honesty’. Filmed on location in Soho throughout a Friday evening and early Saturday morning, the video captures the character of the area perfectly, delivering a suitably atmospheric visual accompaniment to one of the standout tracks from the band’s fourth studio album ‘The Weight Of Your Love’. ‘Honesty’ is released as a single on November 25.
Throughout November the band embark on their first UK tour since releasing the album with long time band favourites British Sea Power as a very special support. The tour follows Editors current dates across Europe which have seen them play to 75,000 people across the continent over 30 shows, the largest being a 19,000 sell out in Antwerp and the smallest a 400 people club gig in Oslo. Across Europe, ‘The Weight Of Your Love’ has been a hit album, racking up Top Ten placings with the band making prestigious appearances as headliners at Lowlands and Werchter in addition to high profile slots at festivals as geographically diverse as Ruisrock in Finland to Istanbul’s Rock N Coke.
The UK tour starts November 5th and is listed below, for more information go to www.editorsofficial.com
November
Tuesday 5th - Margate, Winter Gardens
Wednesday 6th - Brighton, Dome
Thursday 7th - Southampton, Guildhall
Saturday 9th - Cardiff, University Great Hall
Sunday 10th - Exeter, University
Monday 11th - Bristol, O2 Academy
Wednesday 13th - Norwich, UEA
Thursday 14th - London, O2 Brixton Academy
Saturday 16th - Birmingham, O2 Academy
Monday 18th - Liverpool, O2 Academy
Tuesday 19th - Belfast, Mandela Hall
Wednesday 20th - Dublin, Olympia
Friday 22nd - Manchester, Academy
Saturday 23rd - Leeds, O2 Academy
Monday 25th - Aberdeen, Music Hall
Tuesday 26th - Glasgow, Barrowland
Wednesday 27th - Newcastle, O2 Academy
Thursday 28th - Nottingham, Rock City
Five Minutes With...Wild Swim
Words: Andrew Major
Out of the deep, dark depths of Oxford emerge Wild Swim. A band on the up, taking their electronic tinged indie to the masses in 2013. Ahead of the release show for their latest single 'New Dawn', we caught up with Richard Sansom, the voice behind Wild Swim, to help to get to know this exciting collection of musicians a little better.
Hi Richard, first off, what are Wild Swim all about? Is it a case of 'wild by name, wild by nature'?...
Wild Swim are all about experimentation, and never sticking to one soundworld. That's where the wildness is. Swim.
How did you hit upon the name 'Wild Swim'? Does it have some special relevance?
We nicked it from a book cover. We came across it one year when staying in Ireland together which was pretty special. The wildest swim we ever had was in Lough Hyne in Ireland; it's a lake that's fed by the sea so it shares the black coastal waters. Gnarly as hell.
You must be pretty pumped for the release of your third single ‘New Dawn’?
This period in particular is a mess of excitement and nerves as we're releasing New Dawn at the same time as writing and recording our debut album. So pumped for sure, but flustered/nauseous.
The video for ‘New Dawn’ features a rather chilling look chap splashing about in the middle of the woods in a hole full of white paint. Talk us through it a little.
We gave New Dawn to Toshadeva Palani (http://toshadeva.palani.com) in the US, along with the lyrics, and gave him pretty much free reign to do what he liked with it. We like it. He captures the song's strife well. The song is all about inner struggle, so hopefully the video manages to convey that in its own way.
What’s the story behind the track?
New Dawn's story concerns the destruction that you expose yourself to when spending a long time alone with your thoughts and how it's time to shake off the modern anxieties that drag you down. The song has become a great piece of catharsis for me.
Your sound is often described as ‘bold’ and ‘melodramatic’, do you find it hard to typecast yourselves musically?
I'd say we're more eclectic than the tag-words might suggest. I don't know why we'd be trying to type cast our sound. I wouldn't say we're bogged down in trying to fulfil any role at all for now. We just want to produce the best we can.
Comparisons to other bands can be a bit irritating at times. I’ve seen a few Wild Beasts references knocking about online, is that something you agree with given your similar vocal style and sound?
Personally I think we've shaken those previous likenesses with our new album material. I hope that when it sees the light of day it will stand alone and sound like Wild Swim.
You’re all inhabitants of Oxford, how did Wild Swim start? Was it a classic ‘met at school’ arrangement?
It was exactly that I'm afraid. Carlos, Jacob and Sam were already in a band and they picked me up over the lunch table. They took a bit of a of a punt on me in hindsight as I don't think I spoke to anyone for most of my time at that school. They must have liked my boyish charm, or run out of options. Glad they did though. We met Jamie shortly after when we all moved together to secondary school.
Who would you say are your biggest influences? Musical or otherwise?
We all collectively admire many acts. We love Grizzly Bear, Radiohead, The Knife, Bombay Bicycle Club, Atoms for Peace, Four Tet - as a few examples. I'm getting back into my big singers in preparation for laying down some vocals for the album at the moment. They include Björk, Antony Hegarty, Beth Gibbons and Elizabeth Frase, to name a few. Drenge are also a much needed bit of respite from the current pop climate.
Your sound fuses a more traditional alt-indie sound with electronic elements. Did this come naturally or was it created over time to keep up with ever changing tastes and trends?
The electronic elements of our music came in naturally. Jamie and Carlos make electronic music under the name Cubiq and have done for a few years now so the work they did there seeped in to Wild Swim. As well as that we've been listening to Techno for a while now so that also must play its part, subliminally or otherwise.
I hear you’re in the process of recording a debut album with Steve Osborne. Is it a bit daunting working with someone with such a big reputation as a producer?
You would think it would be daunting, but though there is a pressure to perform and be at your best whilst in the studio, Steve manages to put you totally at ease. Spending time with him has advanced our music drastically, and we've learnt a huge amount. I think one of the most important things we've learnt from him is trying to apply an analogue discipline to the digital world, and to focus on capturing the performance and energy of the band on record, rather than obsessing over tiny details and mistakes.
Do you feel more at home in a studio setting or out there on stage?
That's a hard one. You always miss one when you're doing the other; the environments of Riverside and Real World Studios where we recorded the album were both so welcoming and we really felt at home there. But now we've got all this new material recorded, we can't wait to get out there and play more.
The Shacklewell Arms is playing host to your single launch party on Tuesday 22nd, is it a venue you’ve played before?
Yeah we played there once before with Count Drachma, which was the bomb. We've come a hell of a long way since so this one should be a blast too.
I’m sure it’ll be a night to remember! Finally, what’s next for Wild Swim post ‘New Dawn’ release? Album, tour, world domination?
All of those things in that order but followed by 'settle for smaller scale domination'.
Wild Swim play The Shacklewell Arms, London, tonight (October 22).
'New Dawn' is released on October 21.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Introducing :: Soft As Snow
Continuing the Scandinavian takeover, Norwegians Oda Egjar Starheim and Øystein Monsen, known as Soft As Snow, are the latest to set pulses racing and bloggers blogging.
Starheim, a Goldsmiths art graduate who also works with performance installation and photography, met Monsen - a drummer and video artist - a few years ago at party in Oslo. This led to their first collaboration later when the former was performing a Yoko Ono-like street performance and roped Monsen in to document it.
The duo, now based in London, first came to attention when they uploaded three tracks to Soundcloud: 'Halo Heart', 'Black Birds' and 'Glass Body'.
Though their name may be a track of My Bloody Valentine, they bear more resemblence to Sweden's The Knife, exuding a fine sense of dark electro/shoegaze/dream-pop quality of their sound wallows in soundscapes of synth pads and the shimmering vocals of Starheim.
Arthur Beatrice Announce New Year Album Debut
Arthur Beatrice, the London four-piece who have been making waves this year, look to cementing that with the announcement that their debut album, 'Working Out', is to be released on February 3 2014 through OAR/Polydor Records.
Produced by the band, the 11-track album was recorded at their East London studio, No. 1 Baltic Place, and mixed by Lexxx at Konk Studios.
Preceding the album will be the single 'Grand Union', released on November 4. Watch the Kate Moross-directed video above.
Tracklisting for 'Working Out':
'Councillor'
'Late'
'Midland'
'Carter (Uncut)'
'More Scrapes'
'Interlude'
'Grand Union'
'Singles'
'Charity'
'Fairlawn'
'Ornament & Safeguard'
[Video] The Fauns - Seven Hours
With their second album imminent, Bristol's shoegaze five-piece The Fauns unveil a video for track 'Seven Hours', directed by John Minton, the man behind Savages' recent clip 'Husbands' visuals.
The track is taken from 'Lights' set for release on December 2 thru Invada Records, and is the band's follow-up to the self-titled 2009 debut.
Saturday, October 19, 2013
First Listen :: Knights
Based in the George Michael/Kate Moss environs of Highgate, North London, Knights are a four-piece rock band who have been together for five years, in various forms.
Having built up a word-of-mouth reputation on Camden's music scene over the last six months thanks to the help of promoter Chris McCormack, the band are currently in the middle of a four-month residency at the Camden Barfly and play regularly at other venues in North London, including the Borderline, Hoxton Bar & Grill and Dingwalls.
Shortly to release their debut self-titled EP, Knights describe themselves as having "a dirty rock sound packed full of explosive riffs and strong beats", but are not afraid to admit they can let their softer side show through with 'intricate guitar work and sweeping vocal melodies".
"This is proper rock. Solid riffs and catchy lyrics. They're definitely doing something right!" - Hattie Pearson (XFM DJ)
Knights play Barfly, Camden on November 12 for their EP launch. Next London date is scheduled for January 23 2014 at Hoxton Bar & Grill.
KNIGHTS are: Chris Perrin - Vocals/Guitar; Oli Morris - Guitar; Tom Evans - Bass; Jesse Bildner - Drums
Album Review :: Poliça - Shulamith
Poliça
Shulamith
October 21 2013 (Memphis Industries)
7/10
Words: Alison Mack
Poliça, the Minneapolis five-piece, make a fast return with their follow-up to last year's debut 'Give You The Ghost'. The album - named after the Canadian feminist whom vocalist Channy Leaneagh has derived inspiration from - plays a darker, riffier line than its predecessor; less of a full-on impact with pounding drumlines as before, although more crisp in its synth and electronic structures. Leaneagh's manipulated vocal distortion is captured on opener 'Chain My Name', ensuing over its energetic beat, which is also to the fore on 'Spilling Lines'. Whilst the band furthers its ability to blend synth pop with melodic R&B streams and sharp production, the night territory lyrics take 'Very Cruel' in one direction, it is almost fighting against itself with trip-hop beats and Leaneagh's vocal effects; it is left to Bon Iver's Justin Vernon to complement her starker tone, adding dreamy backing vocals on 'Tiff'. The subject matter which supplies Poliça's reference points are weighty issues, which are addressed with directness, though one may feel that Leaneagh is still on a journey of discovery, vacillitating between the angst and questioning of 'I Need $' to the relationship woes of 'Smug'. Disturbing and engaging in equal measures, 'Shulamith' ensures Poliça live up to the hype that has been accredited to them so far.
My Grey Horse Offer 'Big Night' Download
Following on from their acclaimed EP ‘Stop Before The Dry River’, my grey horse are pleased to announce ‘Big Night’ as a free download along with a mesmerizing new video for the track.
Watch the video below.
Download for free here
Comprised as a band of brothers and their friends, my grey horse contain not just two but three members of the same family. Joining Peter (vocals/guitar), John (vocals/keyboards) and Oobah Butler (guitar/vocals/keyboards) are friends Tom Mott (bass guitar) and Joe Nicklin (drums/vocals) who rose to success with their ‘Stop Before The Dry River’ EP with lead single ‘Need Wood’ being chosen as ‘Record Of The Week’ by Shaun Keaveny on BBC Radio 6Music.
With recent highlights including support slots along side Tall Ships at the O2 Academy Oxford, Swim Deep at The Duchess Of York and Admiral Fallow at both The Jericho Tavern and Scala the band, containing an illustrator, an animator, a writer, and a film-maker have decamped to a log cabin near the Forest Of Dean to record their debut full length album.
Being able to draw on such a creative pool of talent has broadened their creative horizons and, ultimately produced interesting material – ‘Big Night’ features the unmistakable sound of a casio-tone keyboard along with a fizzy bassline and hopscotch drum beats. The beautifully coloured concept of their videos is a testament to their quality and ‘Big Night’ continues this. Drafting in the expertise of Berlin-based video artists Aaron Kelly the video piece is composed of car crashes in fifties’ America, paired with an intense vocal performance to the chorus mantra of “broken and dumb”; Kelly’s interpretation is fascinating.
The track, which is up for free download is set to feature on their already much anticipated debut full length LP, to be released through CRC in 2014. ‘Big Night’ sets my grey horse up for a promising start to the new year.
[Video] Yeasayer - Glass Of The Microscope
Brooklyn's psych pop outfit Yeasayer have unveiled the video to latest track. 'Glass Of The Microscope'.
The video to the track - taken their 2012 album, 'Fragrant World' - was shot at Leiden University, in the Netherlands - the location of the first made microscope.During its running we see band members Chris Keating, Ira Wolf Tuton and Anand Wilder as scientists, peering through microscopes and walking past shelves of preserved animals as they attempt to find a cure for some mysterious epidemic.
Watch the video above.
Vuvuvultures Stream Double A Side Single
Having released their debut album ‘Push/Pull’ at the end of July on their own label, Energy Snake Records in conjunction with Cadiz, Vuvuvultures have announced that they are to put out a limited edition 7” of ‘Your Thoughts Are A Plague’ and ‘Deaf Epic’ on November 4. Both tracks can be heard now below.
For the past two years, Vuvuvultures have been making a name for themselves in underground UK and Europe, picking up a host of tastemaker supporters with their captivating and abrasive live show. Electronic but analogue, intricate but immediate, sinister but accessible, Vuvuvultures have firmly established their own dark, twisted take on pop with the release of their debut album, 'Push/Pull'.
Vuvuvultures are four diverse, assertive characters pushing in contrary musical directions, all hailing from distant shores, who now spend much of their time in a cramped studio in North London. The band love to put a warped spin on rock/pop traditions. There’s the dark imagery that peppers their visuals and videos:eyes in mouths, mouths for eyes, lips dribbling black blood. The backstory is uncompromisingly underground: the band grew out of self-promoted parties in dilapidated factories and warehouses around North-East London. And the lyrical themes hardly seem designed for daytime radio, tracks boasting titles like ‘I’ll Cut You’ and ‘Death Of Us All’.
Vuvuvultures play the following live shows:
November
Wed 20
Brighton, Green Door Store
Thur 21
Bristol, The Louisiana
Fri 22
Newcastle, O2 Academy 2
Sat 23
Glasgow, King Tuts Wah Wah Hut
Sun 24
Manchester, Academy 3
Tue 26
Leicester, O2 Academy The Scholar
Wed 27
Oxford, O2 Academy 2
Thu 28
London, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Fri 29
Liverpool, The Shipping Forecast
Sat 30
Leeds, Wharf Chambers
Friday, October 18, 2013
[Video] Letters To Fiesta - Vampires
Letters To Fiesta unveil the video to their second single 'Vampires'.
The track is taken from their debut EP 'Aphorism' which is out on October 28 via Sideways Saloon.
Letters To Fiesta came to the attention of Sideways Saloon early this year, discovering their music by chance at the Northern Quarter studios in Manchester where they were developing the songs which would become the 'Aphorism'. Label owner Jo Dudderidge had left his dog 'Olive' off the leash in the rehearsal room building and found her in LTF's space being fed Quavers by the band. Disarmed by the Etheringtons stunning yet almost feral vocal, the stylised production, driving rhythms and unique guitar soundscapes, the band were invited to play the Sideways Saloon nights and the mini festival held in north Wales earlier this year before getting behind the band for the release of the EP.
Letters To Fiesta play Notting Hill Arts Club, London on October 24.
October 18 2013 - Hot Top Ten
THE TEA STREET BAND - LOST FOR WORDS
Liverpool's five-piece turn out another catchy power pop number in their increasing repertoire. Set for release on November 13 with an album to follow.
GEMS - MEDUSA
Brooding Washington DC dream pop duo who formed last year. This is the title track from their debut EP out on November 12.
JUBILEE COURTS - ROOM WITH A VIEW
Introduced here on LIB a few days ago, the debut single from the James Bagshaw (Temples) produced Northampton outfit.
TIED TO THE MAST - ROUGH RIDE
The Brighton outfit unveil a new track - with 'Melissa', their official single release, dropping on Monday that will be their follow-up, out on November 11. The band then start album work with Blur producer Stephen Street.
SEBASTIEN GRAINGER - GOING WITH YOU
Lead single from 'Yours To Discover', the debut solo album released November 12 from Death From Above 1979's drummer/vocalist.
SSS - SNAKE IN THE GRASS
Sheffield five-piece that we introduced here back in February. Formed last year with influences ranging from Joy Division to Arctic Monkeys, this is their latest riff-rich, dark and gritty offering.
NEON WINDBREAKER - NEW SKY
Sludgy, intense, loud - and brief. From the Toronto outfit's 'New Sky' EP dropping on October 28.
HEAVY PETTING ZOO - BROKEN BONE
Fuzzy, reverb-drenched garage post-punk from the four-piece from Swansea. Catch them at Swn Festival today.
GLITCHES - RGB
The Whitechapel electro groove trio's forthcoming single on Radio 1 DJ Jen Long's Kissability label, out December 2. Soaring choruses wrapped around a warmly melodic vibe.
THOMAS COHEN - HONEYMOON
Featured as our Track Of The Day this week, the ex S.C.U.M frontman solo debuts with a work of outstanding lavishness.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
Lola Colt Announce 'Jackson' As Second Single
Lola Colt have announced the release of their second single. ‘Jackson’ will drop on December 2, via Black Tigress Records. The single is produced by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds' Jim Sclavunos, and follows their Too Pure debut ‘I Get High If You Get High'.
Taking their name from a 60’s spaghetti western, Lola Colt are a powerful and imposing six-piece, fronted by captivating Danish vocalist Gun. The band have sent their audiences into a frenzy with their more than memorable live performances, including a sold out show at London's Electrowerkz to celebrate the release of their debut single and an intoxicating set at this year’s International Psych Festival in Liverpool.
Lola Colt originated as the song writing partnership of Gun and lead guitarist Matt, who came together through a long-standing love of vintage films and cinematic sound, as well as having freakishly similar record collections. Film scores have featured heavily in both their lives and continue to be a big influence in their music today. When Matt first started writing music, it was in the form of film scores and theatre productions. As the band developed into a six-piece, their earliest ideas were to create a soundtrack to a film that hadn't been written yet.
When writing or performing they let a feeling or mood lead the music whilst still paying particular attention to detail; nothing is superfluous. "We're fellow travellers on the journey, helping to guide the way, but not dictating the path". People talk about their music and live experience in terms of what they felt or where the music took them - a desert highway, an open road or a seedy inner city alleyway.
Breaking out from their psychedelic underground beginnings, they are an impressive proposition live and they make certain every show feels like a special event. Visuals are a trademark feature of their live shows, where cinematic projections compliment a collection of unusual visual instruments used on stage. A VJ acts as a seventh member of the band with scripted sets performed in real time. The band have also picked up some unusual Asian instruments on their travels and vintage equipment which they "twist and torture with modern day effects and techniques to give them a unique sound".
The band return to the studio with Jim Sclavunos in early 2014 to record their debut album.
Lola Colt launch their single with a special headline event at The Lexington, London on December 3.
[Video] Falling Off Maps - The Redeemer
Falling Off Maps have unveiled the video for their brand new single ‘The Redeemer’, released on November 4 thru Square Peg Round Hole Recordings.
The arresting new short-film follows on from where their last video ‘Honest’ left off, making up the second part of their three part story arc.
Watch both videos below.
As with their previous video, the gripping video for ‘The Redeemer’ tells its story backwards, posing questions and intrigue as the narrative slowly reveals itself. The ambitious yet undeniably effective video is the brainchild of the band themselves, who directed and shot the video.
The video backs another captivating track from the Nottingham band, who’s sound is characterised by intricacies and out of the ordinary nuances, creating a sound somewhere between the subtle experimentalism of Alt-J and the grandiose epics of Elbow. The track is taken from their forthcoming debut album A Seaside Town In Winter, which is due to be released in January 2014.
Falling Off Maps are: Dave Wright (vocals / guitar), Dane Prewett (bass / electronics), Joe Watts (guitar), Tom Harrison (piano), Jay Wright (drums).
One To Watch :: Paul Orwell
Paul Orwell, London singer/songwriter, is a man who sounds as if he has been born well out of his time. Listen to his music, especially new single 'Little Reason' - watch the video below - and you are transported back to the 60s, with wincklepicker shoes, Beatle hair mops and sharp double-breasted suits.
"An explosion of vintage sounds and panoramic overtones. Full of modernist tinted magic as Paul wears his influences firmly on his sleeve. Creating an illustrious, classic flow of music filled with nostalgia and wonderment." - says the press release. We ask Paul a few quick-fire questions just to see if he lives up to his age.
Who is Paul Orwell? What is the man behind the voice about?
Big hair - with an ego to match!
And where is he from?
London.
When did you first pick up a guitar? First write a song?
I picked up a guitar when I was 13. Probably started writing around then too.
How and where did you start out as a performer?
I did a battle of the bands once, never won…it was a fix!
Is music in the genes? Any other musical Orwells?
Nope, I think my great-great-great-Nan..once played organ at the cinema. That's about it.
Who are your musical influences and what inspires you lyrically?
Heaven & Hell and all that's in-between.
This Sixties style, how did that develop? Presumably through a love of that decade's music?
It's just a more natural way for me to write a song. I don't have to try hard..it just comes out that way.
Is your record collection more older stuff than present day? Talk us thru some.
My love for The Beatles started me record collecting when I was about 8 years old, so I've got a lot of random records. I like obscure stuff - I try not to listen to stuff past the mid 70's, if I can help it. I love Northern Soul, old R&B and 60's beat/mod b'sides.
Are you Sixties fashion conscious too? Do you go scouting second hand shops for vintage gear?
My wardrobe is bursting with sixties gear! No more scouting for me - more parading I think!
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
Get an album release, play some great gigs…and spread the good word.
Tell us a little bit about how 'Little Reason' came to fruition?
It's a secret
Check out the video to 'Little Reason' below.
Morrissey :: Autobiography
It might have been expected that anything coming from the former Smiths frontman Morrissey would be bound to be controversial. And he doesn't disappoint. In the book, titled 'Autobiography', the 54-year-old not only unleashes some quotes to be relished, but details accounts which include being touched ‘inappropriately’ by a teacher, attempts to have a child with a woman, and revealing his first serious relationship was not until the age of 35. These are just a few of the revelations in the 457-page memoir, published today by Penguin.
The publication comes after the singer resolved a dispute with his publisher that had threatened to block the book's release. Originally scheduled for print last month, Morrissey claimed "a last-minute content disagreement" with Penguin had led the deal to "collapse". However, despite saying he was seeking a new publisher, relations were restored with Penguin.
Not only is his personal life laid bare, but Morrissey also blasts the British music industry, the UK justice system (covered as part of his legal battle in 1996 with former Smiths bandmate, drummer Mike Joyce; which left Judge John Weeks describing him as ‘devious, truculent and unrealiable,’) and the Manchester-born singer's move to the US in the late 90s.
Some of the Morrissey quotes from the book:
"We all live in a murderous world, as the events in Norway have shown, with 97 dead. Though that is nothing compared to what happens in McDonald's and Kentucky Fried S--t every day."
“I once bought a Manchester United hat, and somebody ran up behind me and pulled it off and just ran ahead. I thought, 'It's a very cruel world, I'm not prepared for this'. And I decided to get my revenge on society."
"I don't have very cast iron opinions on black music other than black modern music which I detest. I detest Stevie Wonder. I think Diana Ross is awful. I think they're vile in the extreme."
“Long hair is an unpardonable offense which should be punishable by death.”
Steven Patrick Morrissey was born in Manchester on May 22 1959. Singer-songwriter and co-founder of the Smiths (1982-1987), Morrissey has been a solo artist for twenty-six years, during which time he has had three number 1 albums in England in three different decades.
Achieving eleven Top 10 albums (plus nine with the Smiths), his songs have been recorded by David Bowie, Nancy Sinatra, Marianne Faithfull, Chrissie Hynde, Thelma Houston, My Chemical Romance and Christy Moore, amongst others.
An animal protectionist, in 2006 Morrissey was voted the second greatest living British icon by viewers of the BBC, losing out to Sir David Attenborough. In 2007 Morrissey was voted the greatest northern male, past or present, in a nationwide newspaper poll. In 2012, Morrissey was awarded the Keys to the City of Tel-Aviv.
It has been said ‘Most pop stars have to be dead before they reach the iconic status that Morrissey has reached in his lifetime.’
First Listen :: DNKL
DNKL. Who they be and what they are are two of the present mysteries surrounding this Swedish electronica three-piece outfit.
No doubt all will become clear in the fullness of time, meanwhile take a listen to their debut track 'Hunt' which they have just unveiled. It is one of those dark and mesmerising bites of tingling electronica, coupled with hazy vocals and synths to wallow in.
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