The Cat's Shoes....

New website

2012-02-18T13:23:00.001-08:00

Like most of the world, I am migrating onto a new website. My new one is catshoe.org which should be up (in workshop mode) by the time you read this

I will leave this here as an archive. Google Blogger has been fun and served me well for the past four and a half years, but Wordpress has won me over

Still Corners @ Cargo 8th Feb 2012

2012-02-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

The colourful fog swirling behind Leon Dufficy's head is a good metaphor for Still Corners' sound. Warm fuzziness does nothing to take away from the stride of Leon's guitar in this particular mix, but it wouldn't be fair to call them a guitar band. In point of fact, the creative genius of this band is shared between two people, and one of them is hidden away at the back behind the drum kit. No denigration of drummers intended, but it's when you spot that Greg Hughes has keys and electronics back there too, a bit like the engineer's galley on a warplane, that you might take a bit more notice of this back seat driver.

They somewhat confusingly start up and play one song with no-one at the oh-so-obvious front centre mic. Okay, let's carry on with back seat driver analogy a moment then, there's no-one apparently at the wheel and it's heading our way. Not for long though, it turns out the blonde girl over there on that other keyboard, half hidden under the stage side duct pipes, is Tessa Murray. One song in, Tessa comes up to the front and things are put back in their rightful arrangement. Heavens above, they even shine a bright light on her face, which is a bit of a result after Greg had been on stage during sound check, insisting that they turn the lights down, more yet, go on, darker please. You could see the video crew sucking their teeth, but it's all in a good cause. Still Corners are big on the audio visual, with a full size projected backdrop adding to the sum of the night's parts. Disconcerting swirling patterns, half focussed faces, vie with snatched text fragments of Alice Through The Looking Glass. A tacit acknowledgement of the dream-pop tag maybe. Tessa's vocals are keening and ethereal, adding to reverb-laden swirl, while she glances occasionally upward or pushes her hair back. What she projects in song is drenched in tristesse and concentration, any smiles kept for immediately before and after the set, like bookends. Comparisons must abound; comfort noise in the vein of Asobi Seksu or experimentalists like Dirty Projectors. I would go with the more obvious Blonde Redhead, but what comes off Still Corners in waves is quality. Sub Pop knew what they were doing signing them in time to release their debut album Creatures of an Hour in October last year. Stand out song of the night was 'Endless Summer', while their encore cover of Springsteen's 'I'm On Fire', performed by only Tessa and Greg and simply accompanied on guitar, perhaps gave a glimpse back towards simpler times when they were a duo.

Wild Flag - Live review and video

2012-02-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

I saw Wild Flag cold on Thursday. By which I mean I hadn't heard a word of them before the gig. At least I thought that was the case, but Romance sounded way familiar.

You can read the review HERE and it's fair to say I was pretty impressed even if it's hard to get some sort of emotional connection first time out. It's like the first time you ever smoke a blunt. Persistence is everything in this regard.

I didn't want to blather on about it in GIITTV, but I was well impressed. If these were guys in their early / mid forties that hadn't played in a band in five years, this kind of success (cult but dedicated) would be impressive. Enough said

Anyhoo, enjoy the video. There's a couple more photos down below, but no photopass so just some shaky shots from the audience

Is/Is Hate Smile video

2012-02-04T16:11:00.000-08:00

This is apparently Hate Smile, being performed on college radio recently. I say apparently because it is quite different in pace, and even in overall sound, to the single version. It can't all be down to having a new tub thumper. Whatever, it's a fine song and it'll tide me over while the girls (new drummer and all) are right now making a video for a new single, to be called 'Fire'

Live on Radio K: IS/IS from Radio K on Vimeo.

Samantha Crain - Santa Fe

2012-01-02T06:41:00.000-08:00

This year I have mainly eschewed all this 'lists' business. However, there have been moments that have been truly extraordinary. One of those was hearing this track. It's a great album - I reviewed it HERE. However, Santa Fe is simply one of the best songs I have heard all year. Samantha has a great voice, I'm a sucker for bluegrass banjo at the best of times, but that call and response vocal is simply heart stopping

"Santa Fe" by Samantha Crain from Ramseur Records on Vimeo.

The Indelicates; Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou; Nia; DIGS Project Colwyn Bay 17 Dec 2011

2011-12-26T14:50:00.000-08:00

The Saturday before Christmas, and we're braving a snowstorm to get to the proverbial seaside town that they forgot to shut down. Actually that's unfair of me, the name of the town is Colwyn Bay, and it's doing a huge amount to pull itself up by its boot straps. Central to that effort are the guys at DIGS Project, bringing acts of surprising quality to the town, not to mention cakes to a gig which is always good. Tonight's headliners The Indelicates are a big deal, and we are almost as excited about Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou.

First up on the bill though is local girl made good (and turned Londoner) Nia (aka Nia Roberts www.facebook.com/niamusicpage ) She was given a measurable boost a couple of years ago when she was 'discovered' by Stephen Fry. Like she was an unknown land, or star or something.

Anyway, it's not the first time Fry has shown good taste and he wasn't wrong about Nia. She looks so well turned out and polite, with an air of stillness around her, then out comes this cracked blues soaked voice. There's almost a bluegrass tint earlier in the set. Lordy I sound like one of those wine tasting snobs ("..a hint of verbena...") and maybe it's simpler to say that Nia has an unusual voice in the way that Jolie Holland has an unusual voice. Which is put to best effect on 'Chelsea Girls'. Context is all and knowing that it's more about the East Village than Cheyne Walk ramps the poignancy. Nia also starts off what turns out to be a theme for the night with her closing song "Why don't you put flowers on my grave anymore". For me, she was a real discovery (see, I don't follow Fry on Twitter) as evidenced that I'm listening to her now while I'm writing.

Up next are Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou. These guys are sweet. And of course pretty well known, being the core of the well regarded Indigo Moss which stripped down to present husband / wife duo form in 2008 or so. They're a demonstrably devoted couple who traverse the country in a venerable camping van, circa 1977. They tell us that they have done 30,000 miles worth of gigging in it this year, managing to squeeze in a trip to North Wales in a last roll of those British Leyland wheels for the year.

What is touchingly lovely is they way that they entwine, musically as well as metaphorically. Both are leaning in close to the same mic, the glance of any casual observer would show their heads intermingled with guitar necks, and voices that do the same, climbing like vines.

Hannah's is the deeper, more resonant anchor whilst Trevor's vocals rise ethereally around. The songs are those of the modern folk troubadour, ditties about Dalston and such-like, and a privilege to hear.

http://trevormossandhannahlou.com/

If Trevor and Hannah have a certain prettiness and whimsy, The Indelicates are....acerbic. Their name ain't just an affectation, they'll take your delicacies and stomp all over them. They're great fun but have the sort of bite that I used to enjoy from Loudon Wainwright before he got soft. It's kind of fitting that they are joined on stage by Keith Top Of The Pops, whose own material is even less delicate. Tonight, he has sheets of paper with notes in very big letters for each song, and deposits them onto the stage one by one. There must be some kind of secret recipe there too - I've had the photo of this phenomenon on my Flickr since the day after the gig and it has has hundreds of clicks. Well, 139 to be boringly accurate...bizarre.

They're by no means all vinegar, au contraire Julia and Simon let us in on the joke. We're laughing together at Simon's protestations that he somehow thought that a concept album about the Waco siege would be a best seller. It damn well should have been, the title track has me shouting along with the belting chorus, as much as is decent for the photographer to shout. Tonight we are all Shiva and we are all Saviour.

Personal favourite is that famous little ditty 'Waiting For Pete Doherty To Die'. Yes I know it's meant to be a non-literal allegory on modern fame, but hell it's funny when Simon mutters that he wrote it in 2006 and he's still bloody waiting. They're rousing and raise a surprising amount of foot stamping approval from the snow depleted audience. They have made a decision in advance to encore with 'Fairytale In New York', the set list proves it, but it has to be said they fumble a tiny bit to get the keys (and possibly the melody) sorted. In fairness, they do point out that this is the living embodiment of lack of practice, and in equal fairness it is the best take on the song that I have heard since the original, much better than 99% of the mawkish and horrible massacres that you can hear every year. It's a song that winkles out frauds, so it helps that Julia and Simon are very much the genuine article.

LOTS MORE PHOTOS HERE

Emily Haines - "When we all met we just had this idea of 'let’s f* things up', in a friendly way. A friendly 'F* you'." - interview repost

2011-12-26T06:11:00.000-08:00

This is a repost of an interview I did for Altsounds way back in Dec 2009. It was face to face, backstage in Edinburgh, and at the time I was hugely stoked. I still am in fact, I had only recently started writing and had no idea that I was going to do any more than go to a gig. At about 4pm we were out shopping and had a phone call to ask if we could get to the venue for 6pm to interview Metric. Could I? Oh yes indeed. The amazing thing is that the interview took off - at a time when a review might get a few hundred page views, this had tens of thousands - 86,000 to date on the original site. So here it is for old time's sake. Scroll to the end too - there's a video from the night

We met up with Emily Haines of Metric backstage at the Edinburgh Picture House. It's 6.30pm. Metric have just finished sound checking. The rest of the band have popped out somewhere in a taxi and I get to sit down to chat with Emily

Me :- So Scotland…

  Emily Haines: Yeah I love it

You seen anything of it?  

We've done a little bit of exploring - we've walked around you know

When did you get here?  

Yesterday. Rest is always the most treasured thing. Rest and a pint(with a surprisingly English sounding accent really coming through on "pint"). We arrived on the ferry in the morning. We had to get up at four in the morning to cross the border, and then 8 AM again, you know, life on the road on the tour bus is taxing a little bit.

Where were you last then?  

It's always funny when I cross borders and people ask me where I'm coming from, It seems like THE most existential question... because I can't often remember. We played in Belgium, Holland and Germany at festivals and before that I was in New York. 

You've been back and forth the Altlantic many time haven't you since the album came out?  

Yeah we hadn't really spent a lot of effort on the UK and Europe - so this time round we thought we'd make a bit more of an appearance. Most of our energy goes into North America which I guess is normal. 

It must be quite a thing to just come and plug all the stuff in and it works alright. That gone okay tonight?  

Yeah its fine, but I know what you mean though; we were loading up the bus in Paris, where we flew into. We'd shipped all our gear and we had a bus and a trailer. We were in this dark parking lot and I was just standing outside the bus getting ready for this next chapter, looking at - even at our scale - what an undertaking it is. All the gear. We have a great crew. Everyone's happy to have this as their job instead of you know, killing people… Or working in an industrialized farm… or a slaughterhouse back in the States (Emily laughs). 

I was just listening to you sound check - I've got to ask, I've listened to the lyrics quite a few times - who is it that is going to get you and "eat you alive" if you stumble?  

Ah that. Can’t answer that because then the riddle would be no fun.  

The Edinburgh Festival - I was thinking - is a sort of precursor to the newer town and city-based music festivals like SXSW or Liverpool Sound City. Do you prefer it like this or the two to four days camping in a field like say Coachella?

  It's funny we're not very good as a band at favourites. We generally feel like big fans of biodiversity. We feel like we need everything, you know. Certainly playing Coachella for musicians is a great experience, because the backstage is beautiful. It is held in one of the most coveted locations in the United States, a holiday destination. They take really good care of you, the margaritas are delightful and it's an all-round excellent experience with zero mud. But at the same time, coming to play Glastonbury this year and feeling the history of it and the spirit of it, and the fact that its farmland and the family behind the tradition of the festival. Seeing Neil Young performing ‘A Day In The Life’ to 150,000 people is also totally necessary so when it comes to saying whether one thing is better than the other I'm just going to flunk out. It's all good.  It's all good or it's all shit depending on how you're feeling! 

What's the best and the worst of touring for you then? Just this being lost existential thing?  

I don't know, I'm feeling a bit melancholy today, the best and the worst... the whole premise of making music and playing concerts is I suppose to overcome the mundane life that we've all got in front of us, regardless of our stature and the idea that music could somehow have this magical power to unify people to create open-mindedness and raise consciousness and have all these wonderful therapeutic effects. So I would say the best thing about touring is feeling that we are participating in that legacy and that's contributing positively to the human experience by us making some music.  And I'd say that what sucks about it is that sometimes I feel as though we are the last band on earth that is doing this out of love and that makes you feel like a bit of a sucker. 

What do you mean by that, out of love?  

Well because it's sort of like - in an age of American Idol and Britain's Got Talent, you know it's a pretty crass commercial climate right now. It's all fine. Everyone enjoy themselves.  

What do you think of that - Britain's Got Talent?  

I think it's sad, funny and clapped. I think it finds people who can sing but they're just singing other people songs.  It illuminates the nature of what we are looking for as people from our artists in 2009 which is someone you can feel superior to and ultimately, you know, have as a clown for your entertainment. It's not as though we are looking to our musicians and artists, it seems, for inspiration. I feel it is so few and far between on a mass scale that we have that. We can say - oh thank you - as musicians. Me and my friends we just cling to those few people whose lives meant something, or it seemed as though their purpose was to have their life mean something.  

You connect to a completely different audience to Britain's Got Talent though!  

Well exactly - I'm just answering the bigger question than you asked.  

That's okay I'm really interested.

  I just think it's, as I said, it's a strange time in music to be making music out of love, for the love of music. It doesn't seem like that is the motivating factor for most bands out there right now. It is for us. Of course there ARE people, but they are probably toiling away in relative obscurity right alongside us (Emily laughs). Bless them for doing it for love.

I came to see you in Manchester.  

Oh you did? 

And I was queued up outside early - front row. You seem to have a pretty strong connection with the front row.  

We do yes we have a really good connection with - I almost just want to say listeners instead of fans. I try to play along with the vocabulary of my profession. 

And you said you really wanted to try and concentrate on the UK this time?  

Well no, we're not going to concentrate on it; we're just trying to give it a little bit more of our time. I'm not sure why, the world is a vast place. We're very excited to go to Australia in a couple of months, and Japan. 

Have you done Japan before?

  Just once as part of a festival with a bunch of Canadian bands, a thing called Canada Wet which was great. And we have a huge thing happening in South America so as you can imagine for us, it's a difficult decision to weigh where our love is best spent. Right now I'd say South America and Australia, as well as all of North America, as they are all larger land masses. 

I did notice that the video for ‘Sick Muse’ you brought forward because of the attention it was getting in the UK?  

Yeah it seemed like people like that song so we thought we would make a video for it.

I said I came to see you in Manchester; I'm going to give you an observation. A couple of weeks before that I'd been to see Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and I guess I came up through Punk. I came out of your gig just thinking. I actually drove home recording into my camera what I thought of it. And all I could think was, yeah that was PUNK. I blogged that and I wasn't the only person who thought it was punk. How do you react to that?

  I would say - glad you noticed. This is part of getting back to what we were discussing earlier. Perhaps that's the spirit that I'm referring to - that I feel that perhaps it's just a bit too subtle or something. But to me, the idea - if you have a punk attitude in 2009, you're not going to be getting up on stage with a fucking Mohawk obviously. It's a FEELING that I'm very happy that you picked up on. Punk is sort of the theme that runs through the project. When we all met we just had this idea of “let’s fuck things up”, in a friendly way. A friendly 'Fuck You'. Just to see what's possible without automatically pandering to the existing industry people who present themselves.   And for me as a woman, or as a girl, or just as a person even – I wanted to not do what would be the appropriate and expected thing of me. I wanted to be a musician that would make everyone uncomfortable, you know? That was definitely part of the plan. To have some fun and part of that was inspired by musicians whose musical genre is punk rock but also musicians who have done things on the business side. Obviously we're right along with everyone else having maximum admiration for Radiohead, and others who have found a way to navigate and to do something unconventional. I would say they have the benefit of 10 years of major label marketing behind them, but still. 

But people are going to throw money at them anyway?  

Well they are, and they're not a good example of anything other than themselves, but that is the point - believing in individuality and the power of the individual and the power of ideas over the existing establishment. That's definitely the point of this band and I'm awfully happy that you noticed. 

I think you can be a folk singer and be punk - I think it's about attitude  

Yeah I agree. It's nice though - I've not heard anyone else... I'm usually the one initiating that. I'm glad we see eye to eye on that.  

Well it's funny because I blogged it, then I thought I'll see what other people have written and I wasn't the only one to think that. Maybe it's something to do with UK audiences, that we've grown up listening to the Clash or something.  

Maybe it was the crowd surfing in the Stranglers T-shirt. There are a lot of possibilities. 

I didn't see you crowd surfing.  

No, it's a chapter that is gone.

I was kind of wondering about that. Does it have to be a home crowd?  

No it's been all over the world. It was just a chapter. You know I saw Jesus Lizard at Pukkelpop and it was so funny to watch him crowd surf all the way out into the audience with the microphone and it was still in tune – well - in tune as in singular note melodies, but still. And making his way all the way back was so funny to me.  Was it like - "turn me around now, deliver me back" (Emily laughs).

I was going to ask you one last thing - I was watching the video documentary you did, about the making of this album, “Fantasies” and you talked about stripping things back, going camp fire. I wondered when the last opportunity you had was to do that.  

We've actually been doing it a lot with this record. In fact tomorrow our nice little window of hanging out in Edinburgh has been cut short because Jimmy and I are going to perform acoustically for Grimmy on Radio 1 (Nick Grimshaw). So Jimmy and I are going to go and play Gimme Sympathy acoustically for him and probably a couple of other songs.  

That acoustic version - I've heard that. Is that you stripped down or does it get any more elemental than that?  

In the writing process it did. Every single one of the songs was subjected to that test earlier on without necessarily the intention that we would perform them in that way. It's a nice feeling, it's like the architecture is there and it's not just a collection of production gimmicks taking you from the verse to the bridge to the chorus.  I think it's great to hear how the two versions work together  . On the other hand one of the interesting things I think about this TIME, culturally, and in music, is that there is this possibility of the behind-the-scenes of everything, and the mask has been torn off. The mystique of idolizing our musical heroes or others has changed. It's almost at this point that anyone who is pretending to be that much different from anyone is going to look a bit silly because they can so easily be revealed for their regular daily self. I think it's a very interesting thing. Can you be - is it possible to have, post Kurt Cobain when everyone says he was the last real rock star? I'm very excited to see the next generation and our generation come up with people you can admire BECAUSE of everything you know and BECAUSE they are human, not because they've been able to create an artifice. Certainly the death of Michael Jackson is the end of a certain capability of artifice and a sad testament to the side-effects sometimes.

I think I know what you mean. There is this connection that people can now have. You can message people on MySpace and they write back. I sent Annie from St Vincent a message and it was Annie that wrote back. .........10 years ago that sort of connectivity wouldn't have happened.  

Yeah that just wouldn't have happened. To take this conversation further, I think that absolutely the most corrosive and terrifying development in social networking is Twitter. I don't know how much people are into it in the UK but (I tell her I have an account I've never used) I have the same point of view as you. It's like a gateway drug. For example I know that before I had even changed out of my stage clothes at a concert in Massachusetts a friend of mine had already received a photograph of me. It had already come up on their Twitter of the show and my friend was e-mailing me in response to that. I was still wearing the same thing. That was a little too instantaneous for me. You try to find the positive in this but it does take away some of the fun, spontaneity and the possibilities for subversiveness out of a live show because there is no privacy, there's no private MOMENT. I could play a concert for 50 people in Oxford and footage of that could come up before our David Letterman performance or before our $100,000 music video that we've made and so far as the intimacy with the crowd of being able to say this is ONE night which has kind of always been our mantra. It's like here we have an hour and a half, what are we all going to do with it. Who cares? We might as well sweat our asses off or make fools of ourselves and be uninhibited because it's just an hour and a half but now that's not really the case. It was slowly eroding over the last few years but now it's definitely documented. 

Two years ago I saw Stars in Dublin and Torquil was shouting off as he does....  .....

as he does yeah.... ......

about people videoing and saying “is that going to be on YouTube before I get home?”  

Well you know this is the thing. You can't have a negative attitude towards it, people are embracing it. People are having a good time and if their idea of a good time is to film it or photograph it - knock yourself out, enjoy yourself! It's just that I would personally rather have a memory that I could perhaps romanticize with a little bit.   You've talked about the close connection with our fans, that has taken a few years to build. Sometimes I feel bad because it was really like three years of touring which is not that much. In those times, say for example someone had taken some pictures and then got home and decided what they were going to do with them. Maybe put them up on Flickr or MySpace or something. At that point the wall was still there. There was still a sense that once the thing was over, THEN maybe you can do something with the content. Nowadays this is as its happening. The possibilities for very interesting things to come of that I think are massive, but right now it's the most mundane and trivial thing.

(I relate to Emily the story of Levi Leipheimer in this year's Tour de France who was tweeting photos of his own wrist surgery while he was actually still being operated on)  

Do you know what? It all takes us back to Philip K Dick, which is fine with me. It takes some of the wind out of your sails trying to come up with fantastic extreme examples of how the world is, when the world just keeps trumping me. The things that happen are just - wow - that's beyond what I could have even cynically anticipated. (Emily laughs). It's an interesting moment and sometimes it would be great to care a little less, to be a little less invested, but this is who we are. This is the band we are. The payoff is so huge for us - in so many ways that is not the case for other people, but it does take an extra sort of something - especially if you are an atheist, you need something - it takes an extra sort of FORCE to keep believing that there is a point to it all. 

But you keep believing?

  I do.  

Cool. Do you know what, I've taken up loads of your time? (I’d been told I had a strict 15 minutes which had long gone)  

Yeah, you're basically my therapist, you've saved me a hundred quid. 

So where next after tonight?  

Well we've got to go to London for Grimmy which will be good, then we go to Reading and Leeds, we go to Rock-en-Seine, I've got a couple of days in Spain to relax which will be lovely. Then we're playing. We're playing in North America and Australia then in Japan.

It’s time for me to go, damn, I could have talked all night but they have a gig to play!  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  Later on I am watching the gig. The band has really lit up what might have started out a slightly indifferent audience. Emily has made great play about this being a Tuesday night, which we might otherwise be at home watching House, but “tonight is all we've got”. Emily does a sort of ‘one arm crossed in front of the other’ gesture, which she repeats, robot-like. Then she stands right on the edge of the stage, turns her back to the audience and spreads her arms out wide. She stays there more than a few moments. There's a pit, there's a barrier, so she is physically removed from the audience, but I am CONVINCED that in her mind Emily is just dropping backwards into the crowd. “Crowd-surf off a cliff.” Off stage and then back on for the encore. I've been at the back dancing by myself. Now I can't stand it any more and have to burrow my way back into the crowd, heading to the front again. This crowd is in a monstrous frenzy for a Tuesday night. Joules and Josh go off stage leaving just Jimmy and Emily for the moment. This has become (this year at least) their traditional ending. A stripped down version of ‘Live It Out’. Just vocals and guitar. Would that be “camp fire” I wonder? Emily tells us “ If you know the words sing along, for the love of God, sing along” and we do. Emily climbs down into the pit, then onto the barrier, making her way shaking hands along the front row, climbing up on the railing to say hello or thanks to those further back. She holds that special connection to the audience and this girl is as good as her word. Joules and Josh come back, the song builds to the glorious end of a Tuesday night in Edinburgh. We stumble outside into the night. It's stopped raining.

Help I'm Alive - Metric (Live in Edinburgh 25/08/2009) from CB on Vimeo.

Mike Peters, Joe D'Urso, James Maddock, Israel Nash Gripka, Willie Nile - Light Of Day Concert 10 Dec 2011

2011-12-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

A charity gig in a church hall you say? Not normally the stuff of heart stopping excitement. In this case however, smaller-than-small-town Colwyn Bay is somehow there on a list of international tour dates with venues from Canada, Italy and the UK before heading back over the pond to finish up in Asbury Park. The line-up is Mike Peters, Joe D'Urso, James Maddock, Israel Nash Gripka and regular incumbent on these gigs, Willie Nile.
The format is that these five chaps (I have to admit it is a bit middle-aged-male dominated) sit in a semi-circle, and play a song each. Repeat 4 times over and it makes for a damned decent night. They've all got something different to bring to the table, variations on excellence not unexpected given their mean musical pedigree. First up is local hero Peters, taking time out from his current position with Big Country. Interesting interlude of the night was the screening of snippets of Peters' forthcoming film VINYL, due out early next year, that tells the story of what can only be described as the '45rpm scam of 2004'. The Alarm being an 80s band, they rightly surmised that any 'new' release from them 20 years later would be greeted more than a tad dismissively. Peters, then 44, wrote and recorded the music, but in what can only be described as a sleight of hand put the single as though it was the work of a (fictional) new young band from Chester called The Poppy Fields. Of course the record charted high (24) but more tellingly, resulted in rave reviews from the cognoscenti of the time. Until they found out the truth that is, that it was that '68 Guns' bloke. The point was well and truly made. Mike has had this film in production for a couple of years now, and I for one can't wait to see the whole thing.

Revelation of the night was Israel Nash Gripka. He might live in New York but has his heart in the backwoods. He is the son of a Southern Baptist minister, who not only looks the part but has a genuinely amazing and powerful blues drenched delivery. This was tonight's wild card for further exploration. He only had his debut out in 2009, so we can forgiven our ignorance.

It was toss up, but performance of the night came from poet turned singer Willie Nile. Only he could take these slightly sterile surroundings - no booze, a bare white painted stage back drop, a very polite audience - and launch a capela and ferociously into "Na na na na-na na-na-na-na" - the intro to 'One Guitar'. Best described as punk blues, this man has so much self belief, and more to the point, utter conviction that the music truly matters. Truly inspiring and someone worth travelling distances to see.

As these things tend to, it ended with a bit of a chorus sing-along. The local promoter here is a guy called Simon Humphreys. Simon does great things for charity, as well as being a huge music enthusiast, which explains the connection and why the Light Of Day crew make the trek every year to this faded seaside town. He is also a very unlikely seeming senior police officer locally, which made it quite a giggle when Mike Peters pulled him onto the stage and they got him to join in Clash standard 'Police On My Back'. This was followed by 'Do They Know It's Christmas', the arrangement hastily written in the interval by Mike Peters. The end result was a well of good feeling, ticket money doing it's bit for Parkinson's disease and cancer charities. It's a double whammy when you can do the right thing and have a damn good night at the same time.

Greta Svabo Bech / Deadmau5 - Millbank Tower

2011-12-15T16:34:00.000-08:00

This is not an event I was at, what can I say. I was gutted when I found out about this after the event. Until a couple of months ago I lived mere metres from this rooftop, if you happen to be into tight-rope walking. This is one immense track. Greta Svabo Bech is more usually to be found with Picture Book but we'll forgive her flirting with that Deadmau5 chappy for the night if it produces something that can be this chillingly beautiful and grime laden at the same time. A laser show on the tower? Fuck I simply can't believe I wasn't there. Watch the vid, and then do yourself a favour, check out her proper band http://www.picturebookmusic.com/ I'm not drawn to all this 'end of year' and 'tips for....' rubbish, but trust me, you shall indubitably be hearing more of Greta and Picture Book, and not just from me

Lana Del Ray - the official official version of Born To Die

2011-12-14T16:35:00.001-08:00

Well I quite liked that looped video, but here is the official version of the tape for Born To Die - rushed out apparently because a dodgy version had been leaked. So there ya go. Sorry to go on about Lana, but in my mind, she is breaking news

Lana Del Ray - both versions of new single Born To Die

2011-12-02T17:37:00.001-08:00

Another blogger writes more words about LDR..."This is just mesmeric. More produced. Less immediate (not that the last one was exactly pop-obvious). Very slightly emasculated, as she now offers to "kiss" as opposed to "fuck you hard in the pouring rain". She has at least two voices, one all sliding away and knowing, the other sugar-girl-twee. This came from the record company entitled 'official video' but is captioned 'official video coming soon'. What's that? I think there will be another version along shortly with tame wild beasts or something, but this version works brilliantly. Lana looks sulky and sultry and defiant as her eyes either lazily close or POP OPEN in some sort of infinite loop

It certainly answers the question about Video Games - you know, the obvious one about whether there'd be any more where that came from"......

(Oh BTW, keep scrolling down a bit, there's another video)

And for the sake of completeness, here is a live version from Paris, complete with the fucking line

Scary Mansion - Take Me To The Night

2011-11-30T16:00:00.001-08:00

I utterly loved Scary Mansion's last album Make Me Cry. It was one of a running list of around three at the time that were my constant go-to records when anything else just wouldn't satisfy. Scary Mansion is essentially Leah Hayes, from New York. Leah's voice envelopes your ears and psyche. Although she has a brilliant voice whatever the circumstances, on this particular track she uses autotune as an art form, to the extent that it's almost paradoxical how it abstracts the sound out through the other side of the 'perfect note' for which autotune was intended, and out into some sort of flattened out distortion. Anyway, the great news is this brand new track Take Me To The Night, which we are promised is the pre-cursor to more. It's very chilled, and very lovely, the wait has been worthwhile

Take Me To The Night by scary mansion

If you've got a hankering for more, check out this LINK. This is from January this year, and is a compelling collaboration with Darwin Deez.

Still Corners - stream entire album 'Creatures Of An Hour'

2011-11-28T14:50:00.001-08:00

It appears I'm in exploring mood tonight. It turns out I'm behind the curve with Still Corners, they've even been the Guardian's band of the day, but hell, let's not make that a reason to ignore them. I got to them via a recommendation from our friend Josh, a man who is on the money more often than he isn't

Yeah, yeah, more of the shimmery stuff with the obligatory lo-fi whatever. But actually, forgive them their praxis, and even that ever-so-reminiscent delay-reverb drum beat at the start of 'Endless Summer', this whole thing is really rather excellent. I'm not going there with the 'more indie than thou' genre shit on this one. Like the guy on the game show - "say what you see". What I see, or rather hear, here are breathy dreamy vocals that come straight out of the dry ice machine, mere snippets (in amongst the more obvious bits) of drum sound that Stephen Morris would have been proud of... damn it, I give up on describing the components. The whole, the overall, is that we are left drifting on some long dream journey. Ever seen that painting of Ophelia by Millais ? That's where we are with this. Apart from where it gets louder and sounds like the inside of some gentle machine. Enjoy this video trailer, then scroll down to listen to the whole album.

Still Corners - Creatures Of An Hour (Album Trailer Video) from Sub Pop Records on Vimeo.

Still Corners - Creatures of an Hour by subpop

Abi Wade - And Blood And Air EP

2011-11-28T13:53:00.001-08:00

Abi Wade's debut EP And Blood And Air is both rather great and most unusual. Playing something akin to modern post-folk with a cello may not be completely unique - if you need evidence, check out pre-cursors like the equally excellent and very well established Martin and Kimberlee McCarrick. What is pretty singular though is Abi's playing style, strings more likely to be plucked than bowed. It's percussive too, the cello strings at times being played with a drummer's 'beater'. Done wrong it could all be a bit Spinal Tap; done right, as it is here, it's wonderfully touched by magic.The songs are melodic, lilting and lovely. She's got a killer voice for good measure, think that sort of lazy slide that might have made you love Beth Orton. If Abi was instead a doyen of piano or jumbo acoustic, it would still be good, but possibly no more than that.

Perhaps there is something in the fact that as a schoolgirl, Abi got to the cello by way of piano. It's the way that she makes the song structures stretch though, to accommodate the cello, that gives it all an excitement and an edge that might otherwise be missing. Wade's music was enough to inspire Esben & The Witch’s Daniel Copeman and Brighton promoter Andy Rossiter to specifically start a label - Love Thy Neighbour Records - so it's fitting that her first release is theirs too.

http://www.abiwade.com/

Originally written for http://www.thedigitalfix.com/

BOY FRIEND - Egyptian Wrinkle

2011-11-26T17:07:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to get both antsy and angsty. I would usually eschew all that 'best of' business, that's not it.... it's more that I find that I have been listening far too much to the same old, comfort in the familiar. If you want evidence, yesterday I officially held my own Saint Etienne night. There's nothing wrong with that, but it really is time that I found my wanderlust. I've had far too many notes in my phone listed under 'must listen too'. There is some crap about, which is actually bloody brilliant because for every rolled-in-glitter piece of poo there are excellent and shining discoveries like Boy Friend.

Fresh outa Texas (the state, not Ms Spiteri's band) it's drenched and dreamy. It's no mere Paisley throwback though, there is a sense of syncopation that goes way beyond mere drumming into a place somewhere between fingers clicking and twigs snapping. The vocals shimmer past the ever so slightly over-cheesy organ. It's far enough from perfect to be perfect. So I guess that's it, I'm on the downward slippery skids of making predictions for 2012, and in this case it's two girls called Christa Palazzolo and Sarah Brown, aka Boy Friend. The video is strange. There are some live ones knocking round if you look, but this captures the production much more nicer-er.

BOY FRIEND - Lovedropper (Official Video) from HELL, YES! on Vimeo.

Is/Is - Hate Smile

2011-11-19T02:28:00.001-08:00

I so like this lot. I thought their last single was risking being a bit too heavy for the sake of heavy, but 'Hate Smile' is completely on the money from the 2 Sarahs and what appears to be a lazy-susan array of drummers. Blissed out, grunge, Ms Rose's vocals floating in the wash. I was about to say "what's not to like" but as an advertising line that truly sucks, so instead try "There is everything to like"

I just wish that either they would bring it over here, or that I could make one of their US dates coincide with one of our trips over there.

Dum Dum Girls / Veronica Falls / Novella Wrexham 16 Nov 2011

2011-11-18T03:25:00.001-08:00

Written for Sonic Shocks

I was expecting big things from two of the bands and had never heard of the third. In the event all 3 were excellent tonight at Wrexham's Central Station.
I've been quietly impressed at what they book at Central, but I was pretty knocked out that the Dum Dum Girls UK tour included this alongside Manchester, Newcastle, London and Leeds. Things are looking up in North Wales. The room though looked like the T.A. had been training in there, with camo scrim hanging off the ceiling, and the certainty that some passing marines had let off smoke grenades in the place. What's that? It's just a stage effect? Oh, I see...

First band up were Novella, from down sarff, on their first trip north of the M25 from what I can make out. Girls who in some moments appeared to be improbably channelling Joy Division. It's lo-fi and swampy but loud and crashy, at least through tonight's big club speakers.

There was a nice bit of drone quality to it, real comfort-in-sound stuff. Here tonight, first listen and all that, it was somwhat even-toned, not a huge amount of variety in the sound-scape, but I for one will be heading over to their internet real-estate to check them out further. I wasn't alone in my interest - half of Veronica Falls were in the audience giving them a good checking out. If this was a rare foray out of London, I was for once in the right place at the right time.

Oh Brian by Novella.

Speaking of whom, Veronica Falls are a band I have been jonesing to see for the longest time, and fate had somehow made it elusive until now. On record I loved them, had a moment's dithering and then loved them again. Fickle I know. Then there was that "don't mention C86 whatever you do" crap. Tonight, from the off, I was hooked like a mackerel on a pretty feathered hook. How do they make that rolling running strumming? It's like an infant's school band suddenly gone all brilliant and sparkly. I couldn't take my eyes of their hands, and couldn't tear my ears away from their - OMG am I about to say this? - "affecting lilt". It's gorgeous. Starting with 'Beachy Head' and finishing with 'Come On Over' was certain to (i) grab your attention in the first place and (ii) make sure you remembered them.

So, for a chappie with nothing more than a Weatherspoons' cappuccino inside him, I was pretty hyped and excited by the time the Dum Dum Girls climbed up onto the stage. They were all wearing floral cowboy outfits. No, I'm joking, they were of course as ever in that slinky black stuff looking like they had stepped out of some anachronistic time slip - perhaps gambler's molls on some Mississippi river steamer, who knows. I debate this, appearance shouldn't matter, but it is so obviously part of DDG's stage persona and facade.

This was the first time I've seen them since the new album 'Only In Dreams', the record that very firmly levered them onwards from any possible accusation of 60's pastiche. I've got to say that album had me fooled. I did the honest thing and listened to it blind, and convinced myself that brilliant though it was, the subject matter was teen angst. I mean, there's enough of it - "..he sleeps in her bed.." as a lyric can't be about much else. But then I got what I should have realised to start with, that there are hidden depths, even beyond the by-now well documented references to Dee Dee's mother's illness and death. The subtlety I'm on about is that the songs, the lyrics, can in truth be projected by the listener and apply to more than the obvious. So why am I papping on about a record when this is a live review? Because, compared to the last time I stood nose to nose with them back in April, I was seeing them in a whole different light. I'm probably reading too much here, but the band, especially Dee Dee, seemed less playful, more purposeful, more mature under all that gothy-glam lipstick schtick. It will be no surprise that the most affecting song of the DDG set was 'Hold Your Hand', it's the least ambivalent on the subject. I was surprised to see it was hastily added into tonight's set list, although again I might be reading too much. Don't get me wrong, the set was drenched in glorious hazy, joyous shimmer, it was anything but sombre. The list contained all but 3 off the new album, a higher proportion than some of the other dates on the tour, although it opened with the raucous 'He Gets Me High' and older songs such as 'Bhang Bhang' were represented. Okay, so you will rightly deduce that I was already in the DDG camp before I got here, but it's fair to say that the performance was powerful and compelling and the crowd was pretty damn attentive and rapt with the whole thing. The girls nipped off, hung around in the back stage curtains for several long seconds and came back to close with their Smith's cover, a version of 'There's A Light' that succeeds brilliantly where oh so many have fallen short. That was it, 13 songs over too quickly, one of those nights when time speeds up to flying speed.

There was apparently the small matter of getting to London to be on Radio 4's Women's Hour the next morning, and as a consequence the stage was cleared super quick, no time to do merch, just a few autographs for the die hards, and the whole crew were loaded out and gone. Shazzam, like a vanishing trick.

Dum Dum Girls set-list : He Gets Me High / Catholicked / I Will Be / Always Looking / Bhang Bhang / Rest Of Our Lives / Bedroom Eyes / In My Head / Hold Your Hand / Don't Talk / Wasting Away / Heartbeat / Coming Down // There Is A Light That Will Never Go Out

Lots more pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/catshoe/sets/

Wye Oak - Holy Holy video

2011-11-18T03:19:00.001-08:00

I've been kinda missing Wye Oak, so as a reminder, here is the lovely video for Holy Holy. Beautiful video too.

Wye Oak - Holy Holy from Merge Records on Vimeo.

Dogbones - Cargo London - 11 Nov 2011

2011-11-14T14:50:00.001-08:00

Dogbones are one compelling live prospect. Enough that having seen them just the once before, a matter of weeks ago, I found myself taking a day off and spending 12 hours travelling to see a 53 minute set, considering it a very decent return on investment.
This is pure punk, or at least what passes for it in 2011. Front woman Nomi Leonard slouches on, carelessly discarding a forlorn naked dolly and a My Little Pony onto the stage. Later, the pony will have the honour of being used as a drum banging implement by Ms Leonard but for the moment they are abandoned to their fate amongst effects pedals and beer cans. The band themselves are animal instinctive in the room. Of course it's not just Nomi. The engine room is worthy of note, two drummers, tympani even, poundingly totemic in effect. Johnny Orion's guitar growls like the pit lane at the Indy 500 and he has his own moment on the mic, when he's not too busy combing that ridiculous barnet on stage, or doing Hendrix guitar-behind-head impressions. The band are a tight and cohesive unit, it'd be easy to imagine that the boys are mere background for Nomi's dramatics but there's a lot of craft carefully hidden here, it's finely tuned in the same way that a scud missile is finely tuned. A word about the atmosphere of the night. It's Hoxton on a Friday night and the beer is five pounds a tinny. I've been here a hundred times but tonight, the crowd are....odd. I realise this is pot kettle black time, but the whole front of the stage is clarted up with middle aged photographer blokes, it's as though a camera club night class is having an field trip. Maybe Nomi's rep for occasionally getting her kit off is the cause. It's about time they started imposing the same rules in camera friendly venues like Cargo that they do in the places with photo-pits. Have your fun boys and girls for three songs and then either put the damn things down or clear off to one side. I'd be totally up for that. In fact, next time push me out of the way.Nomi's answer is to get down off the stage and break through to the girls dancing wildly behind the togs. They're spinning round wildly and Nomi speeds them up like a kid pushing a roundabout. When she climbs back up, it is to some sort of yoga pose, feet on the monitor wedges until she pushes over into a splayed out forward roll. Beer is offered from the crowd and consumed, apart from what she keeps in her cheeks, pouched up then spat back over the very fan that gave her the beer in the first place, some sort of symbolic anointment. He doesn't mind, au contraire he loves it.The sound out of this lot is guttural, brash and brittle at times. Glam-punk makes it sound too friendly, there might even be riot grrrl politics hidden in there somewhere. It's hugely genuine, authentic, cathartic; this is no put on act. The comparison to the fawning, posing support act that I don't care to name is astounding. But it's all over too quickly. After some arsing about earlier, they got their stage time changed. The band came on at precisely their allocated 9.30pm. 53 minutes later and they haven't even got to the last song on their set list. They pause for breath after Goodbye Miss Jane and we can see Nomi hammering the guitar and nothing happens. Johnny is on the mic and the same is going on there. Nomi even goes head to the amps and then we all realise at the same time - they've put the lights up, pulled the plug on a band in full 110% flight and switched the bastard disco on. The issue, it turns out, is that the venue turns into a club night at 10.30pm and there's a whole new set of punters waiting to be relieved of a tenner to get in and a fiver a drink. I would like to see that particular house manager organise a piss-up in a brewery, I'm angry on behalf of the band. They show it in their own way. Both drummers walk off, Nomi crashes Johnny's guitar through the cymbals before ripping off her shoes and hurling over the heads of the crowd in the vague direction of the mixing desk. Ah well, they calm down quick enough, so we stick around for a quick chat with the band and London friends before gritting our teeth for that long drive north. Next time, next time...

Edit - I've just been informed that I got my facts wrong here, that in fact the plug was pulled at 22.02. My apologies, and thanks to Robert G for pointing this out. Turns out my camera's internal clock is a trifle wonky - doh! Which means that in the event, we got something like a half hour set. Which was still worth the drive. And as a result of all this, Monto have decided to make amends, so expect some news from Nomi and the guys about another gig in the new year.

...and I've just had the following response and update from the band... The Dogbones Yup They screwed us. Bad vibes all round...there was alot of stuff goin on that night but the person responsable...is now no longer employed... also by means of an appology from the promoter we have free run of a water rats night on the 26th Jan...I get to pick the bill and the door deal will be way better... so come down to that and it'll be a much much better night :)

By the way, this isn't all the photos, click here for the whole set http://www.flickr.com/photos/catshoe/sets/72157628129006500/

FOE - preview of January's new single 'Cold Hard Rock'

2011-11-08T15:24:00.000-08:00

Gosh. A very early listen to a new single from FOE that will be out in January. I like it lots. It's still the skewed and twisted them, but compared to say 'Tyrant Song' or 'Genie' it's....dare I say it....almost a bit more mainstream? And, there is news on the album Bad Dream Hotline - which will be out 16.01.12 Whoopee ! Yay ! Run around the room a bit !

Lana Del Rey - Live Video Games in Manchester

2011-11-08T00:24:00.000-08:00

We have all seen and heard Video Games by now, possibly the best single song I have heard performed in the last year. I was desperate to get to this gig and couldn't, even with shall we say 'certain connections' it wasn't going to be, and I'm still sad. So I was grateful to see this video posted, which shows Lana can indeed do it live, and that far from being some manufactured thing, she is an affecting and charming performer. The sound quality is only about 80%, but watch right till the end, it's worth it

On the Verge With The Joy Formidable – Fall US 2011 Tour, By Peter Dysart

2011-11-06T02:26:00.000-08:00

On the Verge With The Joy Formidable – Fall US 2011 Tour, By Peter Dysart

So much has already been written about The Joy Formidable that its nearly cliché to discuss the band’s size, sound, attitude, relationships, or comment on all the attention they’ve recently been paid by other musicians, the press, or the late night show circuit in America.

However, one common theme that keeps being bandied about is that this is a band on the verge of something big. Fat lot of news that is, and it’s only partial correct. Face it, The Joy Formidable have been big for some time, and none more so than for their fans.

KEEP READING HERE - it's an excellent piece of writing from friends in the US

EMA / Mz’Gorjis - stream brand new track Angelo

2011-11-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

I'm usually a teensy bit eclectic about what 'news' I will post on here (for instance check out the year old 'news' on my previous post) - but this just completely and utterly kicks. I loved EMA when I saw her. If she was going to pick a rapper it sure was NOT going to be some crotch grabbing loser. The rapper in question is Mz’Gorjis of Oakland, CA’s Platnum Platnum Glam Squad. STREAM the track here

EMA - Angelo by souterraintransmissions

We know what EMA looks like, but here is Erika and also one of Mz’Gorjis stopping for gas

Dogbones show their arses to the world (well, show their pants to Colwyn Bay)

2011-10-31T12:21:00.001-07:00

Well there's a bit of a turn-up. I caught my first Dogbones set, and I promise you it wont be my last. They were completely and utterly knockout on Friday in Colwyn Bay.

This unlikely setting is all due to http://digsproject.wordpress.com/ who deserve utmost kudos for getting off their arses and doing something about the music scene on the North Wales Coast. It was made all the better by also having the "was fantastic and now is even more fantastic" FOE on the bill too

My review IS RIGHT HERE

The Joy Formidable - backstage interview / gig review / photos from Manchester

2011-10-24T15:07:00.001-07:00

Right then - Joy Formidable time. We got our asses over to the show at Manchester on Oct 15 - proof of the pudding in the photo set below.

We were lucky enough to witness a chunk of the sound check, then were taken upstairs to have an excellent interview with Ritzy and Rhyd, while Matt bounced up like Tigger for the photo, and all three wrote nice birthday dedications on a 12" for Rose. She and Matt have a shared fascination for cheese (don't worry Laura, that's as far as it goes)

Here's the interview - in which Ritzy says that touring is not for pussies - fair comment I guess
http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/10/24/interview-the-joy-formidable/

I'm sorry to spoil the illusion of cool, but we didn't have AAA passes so we then went outside and queued like mere mortals, but were early enough that Rose and Nikki were front row whilst I pranced about in the photo-pit. At least I did till some security chap decided to go back on the agreed photopass policy for the night, which was NOT supposed to be a three song deal, but turned out to be. Here's the review
http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/10/20/the-joy-formidable-manchester-15-oct-2011/

You'll see it makes mention of someone getting a bloody nose. That indeed was Nikki, who recovered quick enough to go to the after-show. The only comment I'd like to make, apart from the fact that the guy that punched her deserves flaying, is that the security staff were absolutely tops that night, really well done guys. Apart from that, lie back and enjoy the piccies

The Joy Formidable, Manchester, 15 Oct 2011, a set on Flickr.

The Kills - Future Starts Slow - audience video

2011-10-24T14:09:00.000-07:00

What a great audience video - The Kills, shot from the crowd at Brighton. The song is Future Starts Slow. I hope the person with the camera isn't the guy I nearly had a fight with at the Kills' Heaven gig, haha. This video is such class that The Kills have posted it themselves on their FB page - that's some accolade

Credit - Lanx64, whoever you are!

Catherine AD - Communion

2011-10-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

Catherine AD's measured voice is adorned with no more than roiling piano for large stretches of this seven track mini-album. What other accompaniment remains could be fairly termed as light orchestral flourishes - strings bowed and plucked, the lightest touch of xylophone. This is very much the stripped back and reflective piece, without even the slight sheen of pop production evident on her 2009 Carry Your Heart E.P. That said, it's a thing of charm and beauty with strong and emotive song writing, none more so than on opening track 'Waiting To Breathe'.  Later in the album, despite being a surprise Gaga cover, 'Telephone' shows Catherine's Maria Muldaur-like tendency to slur and slide her S's into Z's, and to use her voice as an instrument in its own right. So much does this record have the air of the sound-track for some 50's romantic epic that it is an almost literal shock to realise that Catherine is singing about such modernities as texting. In other parts the music is so well mannered, so suited to a Victorian drawing room, that it is an interesting counter-point to hear Anglo-Saxon swearing swimming to the top of the mix, sure that she'll "fuck it up again". It's no huge surprise to hear that it was recorded in a single day with a live string section; it has that organic analogue feel. It's too intelligent to be populist, demands attentive listening but marvelously repays the effort. Fuck it up is the one thing she hasn't done. If it's any sort of indication, the record isn't out for a week or so, but is already sold out in its physical manifestation; for the moment it's iTunes or nothing.

Written for www.TheMusicFix.co.uk

The Joy Formidable - Stream 'The Big More EP'

2011-10-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

The accompaniments of fame just keep rolling in for The Joy Formidable. They have just played such a well thought out game. The thing that really, I mean REALLY blows me away is that I have played this track - Whirring - so many times, and indeed seen it performed live so many times, and yet it stays so immediate and fresh. Tracks that do that are amazingly few and far between. Off the top of my head, what else can you say that about? Maybe Maggie May by the Faces, or one or two Smiths songs can remain untarnished by familiarity in the way that this does....

....AND KEEP SCROLLING, YOU CAN STREAM THE WHOLE OF THE NEW 'BIG MORE' EP BELOW THE VIDEO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Big More EP by thejoyformidable

Zola Jesus - Vessel

2011-10-07T15:31:00.000-07:00

Gosh - the album is brilliant, Nika's voice is full-on loaded with emotion as well as being mighty powerful. It is quite possible to imagine her wreaking the effects portrayed in the video. In fact, just a tiny bit of that is actually the case, the water vibration patterns are her voice. I cannot wait to see her in Liverpool on 25th November

Dum Dum Girls - Bedroom Eyes [official video]

2011-10-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

Having recently reviewed their absolutely excellent new album HERE it seems a good idea to also post the new video. I really like the new album, it's on rotation in my life just now and just keeps getting better

Creatures Of Love - Barbatos [video]

2011-10-04T15:00:00.001-07:00

Hmmmm - - here is an artistic and distinctly creepy video by Creatures Of Love. They're about to go on tour supporting The Joy Formidable in the UK, and are releasing this on a 7" CD, whatever that might be. I like what they do, need to find out more. I think I've almost been avoiding them simply because they share the same management with TJF and it seemed a trifle too 'fan-boy' but they are well worth checking out. That's almost an 80's sheen to their music, and I feel grubby after watching the video !!

Jessie J - Who You Are [video]

2011-10-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Sadly this is nothing like "Do It Like A Dude". It's pleasant enough standard R&B fare with a hint of 'self-empowerment' Oh well, wait for the next one I suppose. I've posted this because I was so hugely enthusiastic when Jessie first appeared, and said so, so I'm entitled to say that this smacks of corporate blandness

Leo Leoson

2011-10-01T03:18:00.000-07:00

I know very little about this guy - from Skåne Sweden and a recommendation from my friend Peter in Chicago. Eeh 'eck what a small world it is these days! I have to say it's pretty understated and charming, something right for the weekend heatwave we are enjoying here in Britain just now

Update - Strange to relate, this has been one of the most clicked pages on my blog since I posted it. For me, it has remained as an interlude, not been one of those sleeping monsters that you realise were there all along six months later. It's still a nice space though, an interstice in the day's events, and I think I need to find out more about Leo Leoson. Here is the video that 'anonymous' recommends in the comments on this post

The Frame - Giorgio Armani - Frames of Life from The Facehunter Show on Vimeo.

Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing video

2011-09-29T06:23:00.000-07:00

This is just so beautiful. The restaurant could only be in a nordic country, the tristesse is beautifully expressed, and the fact that Lykke Li's dress is reminiscent of a straight jacket just adds to the poignancy of the whole affair. To be on show to the world and slowly crumbling till strangers end up cheek by jowl with your intimate memories at the end of an affair

Zola Jesus - Conatus [Souterrain Transmissions] - 26 Sept 2011

2011-09-25T14:44:00.000-07:00

After being the blogger's delight at the end of last year, Zola Jesus is back. The 2010 album, Stridulum II, was a fine piece in a niche sort of way, even if it's wailing risked getting caught up in the tail end of the witch house storm in a teacup.

The new record, Conatus, represents that thing so beloved of old style communist regimes, the 'great leap forward'. It had all gone a bit quiet in Camp Zola, then all of a sudden there was a fizz and a buzz from the festival circuit that great things were afoot, and the spies weren't wrong.

The central core, the gravitational pull of the record, is that voice, grown large in confidence. It's paradoxically fitting that something so massive should come from this 4'11", tiny framed and previously insular figure. But the thing that makes this special is what revolves in the orbit of Nika's voice. Yes, it's fair to call it goth-inflected, but in the 11 tracks are lush harmonies and piano pieces to go alongside the dry-ice drenched melodrama. As well as launching the album, Souterrain are about to release a second single from it - 'Seekir' - which improbably and satisfyingly segues a tribal chant across into a disco beat. The whole thing has the sort of echoing emotional space that can be best described as walking across a darkened and dusty Hollywood sound stage, only to somehow and mysteriously find yourself in the real desert. If I had to give it a lazy phrase of description, it might be something like 'Florence fronting the XX'. I've had this on heavy rotation for a week now and it's the gift that keeps on giving, getting better and revealing more each time round.

Zola Jesus is the solo project of Nika Roza Danilova. There is a live band involved, but it's been all Nika's vision from back when she was churning this out from her bedroom in the mid-west. She's playing a sprinkling of U.K. dates in November, and if you want to catch them live, I'd get your skates on - at the album launch show in London this week it's so over-subscribed that even the usual press credentials won't get you in.

.....and here to listen to right now is 'Seekir'....

Zola Jesus - Seekir by souterraintransmissions

FOE @ Central Station, Wrexham 20 Sept 2011

2011-09-23T16:03:00.001-07:00

FOE is that classic modern internet fairy story, producing music in her bedroom and putting material out on MySpace, only to be have record companies sniffing round post-haste and be signed with immediate effect. And not by some tiny indie label, but by no less than Vertigo. Rewind even further, and FOE, aka Hannah Clark, was your average girl-singer-songwriter-with-acoustic-guitar. She decided that wasn't exactly how she wanted to conquer the world so came home from the second hand shop with a £40 keyboard and turned her hand to some crunch-rhythm skewed childs-life view of pop music, tales of clowns in g-strings and kids pissing in the playground. Not quite a solo effort, this was in conjunction with producer (and musical other half) Entrepreneurs who has also recently worked with Ghostpoet, the picture makes sense as quickly as it becomes more complex. Whatever, the immediate interest was understandable, coming not only from Mercury but also appearances on 6 Music, not to mention Shirley Manson of Garbage fame who bigged FOE up all over facebook. This sudden blast at such an early point though meant that by FOE's own admission things were slightly back to front - all this attention and she'd hardly played a gig. Which she's putting to rights, paying her dues, treading the boards up and down the country, leading to this Tuesday night gig in Wrexham. Central Station has, over the past few years, had a nose for the right bands at an early stage, and the place is looking a tad rejuvenated with a sound system upgrade, a new stage set up and more on the way, so it was a worthy setting. Entrepreneurs, aka Adam M Crisp is part of the live band, a four piece if you count FOE. From the B of the bang they dive into effect heavy distortion, in glorious incongruence to Hannah's smart two piece suit and to her open-voweled well-spoken delivery. It's fascinating, even more so live than on the EP and 2 singles she's so far put out. Considering her relative lack of live experience, she is transformed from the polite girl who we spotted nipping out to watch the support, to someone who owns the stage. The sound lopes along with massive drive and grind, compelling as her voice ghosts in and out the dance infused storm. For a rainy Tuesday night it's glorious, the highpoints being 'Genie In Coke Can', her homage to 'millions in marketing pop star trash' and 'Tyrant Song' - the one that got Shirley Manson all perked up. There's no encore, it's short and sharp, no filler, and afterwards Hannah is all charm, happy to chat about the mundanities of life on the road, having hotel dinners bought for them, ready for tomorrow's gig at Factory in Manchester.

FOE @ Central Station, Wrexham

EMA Manchester 16 Sept 2011

2011-09-18T08:56:00.001-07:00

EMA‘s album is full of multi stranded witch-ghostly voices, agonised and heart rending. Which causes a tiny bit of cognitive dissonance when at tonight’s gig, she is exceedingly perky and, dare I say it, chipper.
She almost bounced on to the small stage, all smiles, asking that standard question “How are you Manchester?” and then to comment how, actually, she likes Manchester. This causes someone to ask “you say it like you’re surprised?”. This isn’t her intention at all, but just goes to show how difficult it can be to get past the barrier of common language when you’re Erika M. Anderson (hence EMA), from South Dakota via Oakland California and you’re on stage at Manchester’s Deaf Institute trying to connect with a northern British audience.

She’s all charm though and leads off into a compelling set culled almost entirely from her 2011 debut LP ‘Past Life Martyred Saints’. She proves that she can pull it off, be in the EMA role demanded by droning and trance-inducing songs such as ‘On The Grey Ship’, and be chatty Erika in between.In point of fact, putting the musical elements together live and in front of us, another element emerges, which she herself accurately describes simply as heavy, and that’s a good word for it. Heavy and loud enough to be breaking strings and needing running guitar repairs early in the set.

This might reveal some imbalance, as her vocals stayed semi-hidden in the mix, making you want to nip over to mixing desk and give them a boost.

To reveal a bit of reviewer bias, the album has been one of my ‘go-to’ records of the last few months and tonight’s performance more than does it justice. A highlight is something I haven’t heard before, their cover of the Violent Femmes’ ‘Add It Up’, followed by her own ‘Butterfly Knife’, those twenty kissed blade-cuts feeling raw enough that I found myself staring hard for the evidence at EMA’s own forearms, which she herself was scratching and pawing as she sang.

From here on in, the sense of drama was on maximum gain, EMA at one point hunched semi-prone on the floor over her Gibson, at another playing it with her teeth. California’, her Ginsberg-meets-Patti moment, was always promising to be the big one in the set, and she saved the best till last. It was minimalist, the only instruments being the drums and two violins, and built through its sad and dystopian view of American life to its slow and shuddering climax.

No encore, which was somehow perfect, just the houselights coming up, while the band hid in the stairwell that passes for a dressing room, until they could be cajoled out to sign merch and happily chat with the audience. It was that sort of dichotic night, dream-like tales of grandma carrying a gun being spoken by perfectly nice and normal people.

Set List - Marked / On The Grey Ship / Breakfast / Milkman / Add It Up / Butterfly Knife / Hey / Anteroom / Red Star / California

Also published at God Is In The TV Zine (http://s.tt/13iqN)

....and just to add to the atmosphere, here is EMA's brand new video for 'Marked'...

...and my photo set from the gig...

EMA Manchester Sept 2011 on Flickr.

PJ Harvey @ Manchester 8 Sept 2011

2011-09-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Without any great intention to do so, we found ourselves fifth in the O2 priority queue for this gig at the Manchester Apollo, chatting with the some of the same people I had been similarly queuing with outside the Troxy back in the winter.
I'm not sure about this O2 priority business - I suppose it's their business but it was galling for other people that didn't happen to have an O2 phone and had queued there far longer than we did. I know because they said so. Still, that didn't stop me taking advantage and securing a place on the rail in that now familiar spot stage right where we knew Polly would spend 98% of the set. Like last time, there was no support, so we stood and gossiped with people around us for an hour and a half to the sound of water being gently amplified through the PA. A Liverpudlian accented chap behind us opined that PJ must be a bit of a diva to not have support. Later in the gig, he pissed me off by shouting at Polly to "acknowledge your audience". I kind of think that she, Mick, Jean-Marc and John did that by putting on the gig and then turning up to play? The set was heavily culled from 'Let England Shake' - in fact those are the only words the merch tee-shirts had on them. She opened with that track, which feels like it belongs in some Regency fair ground. On 'The Glorious Land' , the way she sings Ing-ur-land, I'm not sure if there is some sort of judgemental comment going on about the way you English pronounce the name of your country. Even more so on 'England' where she stretches it to four syllables. 'In The Dark Places' is a marvellously hook laden song considering the tale of death contained in the gorgeous harmonies. I was still happiest when we got to the 'old favourites' portion - my problem I acknowledge. Having said that 'Written On The Forehead' is now definitely in that category for me. On the other hand, my absolute favourite PJ song, 'C'mon Billy' got an airing, but with a curious guitar arrangement that made it sound rather flamenco in its approach. Strange and unsatisfying. It's just as well then that the rest of the gig was right up there.

LET ENGLAND SHAKE/ THE WORDS THAT MAKETH MURDER / ALL AND EVERYONE / THE BIG GUNS CALLED ME BACK / WRITTEN ON THE FOREHEAD / IN THE DARK PLACES / THE DEVIL / DEAR DARKNESS / THE GLORIOUS LAND / THE LAST LIVING ROSE / ENGLAND / THE POCKET KNIFE / BITTER BRANCHES / ON BATTLESHIP HILL / DOWN BY THE WATER / C’MON BILLY / HANGING IN THE WIRE / THE COLOUR OF / THE EARTH / / THE PIANO / ANGELENE / SILENCE

Dum Dum Girls - Only In Dreams [Sub Pop]

2011-09-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Whilst we are talking about the Dum Dum Girls, here's the review I have just posted at Sonic Shocks

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Let's get one thing straight. Unless you are going to fashion some completely new means of producing sound from previously unknown and unheard alien technology, ALL music has history and origins. Last time I saw, and wrote about, the Dum Dum Girls, I was dismayed to read other august publications criticising the Girls for being somehow and allegedly stuck in a dead end of sixties pastiche and that simply isn't the case. For sure, like the nose of a decent bottle of red, this new record has hints all over it of anything from Link Wray to Chrissie Hynde, moments of Mazzy Star at their most Mary Chain, but these elements are just that, hints and echoes, the music and the noise is all DDG's own, and the finer for it.

That last time I caught up with the band was at Dingwalls, mere months ago in April. Much as I liked their delivery then, in the meantime there has been a monstrous leap forward, in the form of the song writing for new album Only In Dreams (out Sept 27). Sure the lyrics are often still pulling tales of teen angst and it still shimmers like sun on the Pacific. It's the strength of the melody that's leapt; that and the relative swagger of the delivery that punch these tunes smack centre into the listener's consciousness and embed them there. Play a game for me and start with 'Coming Down' - seventh track in - for no other reason than it's a million miles away from the California surf harmonies that you might be expecting (and will find elsewhere on the record). In fact, if this gloriously heavy song references anything, it's that other SoCal, the underbelly and depressiveness previously picked up by paisley underground bands in the 80's.

Do I sound like I'm impressed with this album? Oh yes indeedy, only their second long player and they've stepped up to the premier league. My review copy has been on the stereo for a week now - it's at serious risk of getting worn clean through.

Originally Dum Dum Girls was just Dee Dee, and on previous output, despite the arrival of the rest of the band, she has been the dominant force. That remains the case, but this time out, all four girls play and sing. Production is by Richard Gottehrer of Blondie and Go-Go’s fame. He's done the honours before, but this time has Raveonette Sune Rose Wagner along too.

9/10

Dum Dum Girls - free download 'Coming Down'

2011-09-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

I last saw Dum Dum Girls back in April. Since then, they have grown so much that they can only have achieved this by climbing onto their own shoulders, if that makes any sense at all. I've been playing a preview copy of their new album to death. It's called Only In Dreams and I love it to pieces. I'll have a full review out in the next day or so, in the meantime, grab yourself what is IMHO the best track of a brilliant album

The Jezabels - interview, tour dates

2011-08-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

Back in May, Martyn Leung and I had the very happy experience of popping along to Hoxton for other purposes, then almost accidentally catching the Jezabels playing at HSBK. I was more than a bit knocked out by their sheer energy and presence. I wrote about it on this blog and as a result got into a bit of an email conversation with their PR, and then an interview with Sam from the band which you can read HERE http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/08/08/all-the-way-from-new-south-wales-the-jezabels/

They've got UK dates coming up, trust me they are well worth the effort to get and see see them. For me, they're coming in a very busy week for Manchester gigs, sandwiched between unmissable gigs by Austra and PJ Harvey. Oh well, that's what the M56 is for I guess

Liverpool Pride 2011

2011-08-06T13:09:00.001-07:00

Liverpool Pride 2011, a set on Flickr.

Had a great day out at Liverpool Pride today, I was actually quite..err..proud to be there. That's not me trying to be clever with words. Around half way round the march, there was a small group of religious people who reckon that that their god will repay gay people with death. Honestly, that's what their banner said. I couldn't help wandering up to one of them, and that's when the words came out quite spontaneously - that I was here with my daughter and I couldn't be more proud. So that was the meaning of the word, and of the day, made plain for me...

Animal Magic Tricks - What Am I To Do When

2011-07-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

This particular piece of loveliness is by Frances Donelly, aka Animal Magic Tricks. I don't even know how to describe it - pretty songs poured like some sort of crackle glazing over ambient found noise. I first heard Frances singing on the freakin' fantastic Cold Seeds record, where her contribution reduced me to a few quiet tears. I think that puts into a short list of four songs that have made me cry. This new video - 'What Am I To Do When' is like living inside one of those Victorian seaside peep show amusements. Or I could just think that because Frances lives in Brighton

Joana And The Wolf - Hide Me / Kingdom

2011-07-29T13:03:00.000-07:00

Tonight I am quite happily ensconced at home where I want to be, but a part of me is gutted that I am not in Cumbria at Kendal Calling watching Joana And The Wolf. These really are one of the best bands I have seen in the last two years, and while they have their cult following, are criminally under-rated; they have been on the verge of breaking through for just too long. Last time I saw JATW, I nipped out to another gig in t half time break but then blew off EMA after a song and a half to get back to Favela Chic, and totally made the right choice. I am hopeful that it won't be too long before I once again get the chance to experience their wall climbing drama. I've picked these two videos for their decent sound quality

Nadine Khouri

2011-07-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

I am tonight minded to think of one of the very best writers and singers that I had the privilege to meet in London, that being Nadine Khouri. I read from her website that she is currently concentrating on writing and recording new material, which is excellent news. Also, she told me a few weeks ago via email that she and the band would like to bring their show to more venues around the UK, which I would regard as unmissable. I saw her and the band three times in London - Tamesis Dock, Queen Of Hoxton and The Slaughtered Lamb, I only wish it was more

Emmy The Great and Elizabeth Sankey have never had sex - apparently

2011-07-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have just been reminded of this, from when I saw Emmy The Great and Elizabeth Sankey in their alter ego guises as Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, the mythical literary twins of Sweet Valley High fame. This is hilarious

....and when you've done, head over to read Andy Von Pip's reather touching interview with Emmy here http://vonpipmusicalexpress.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/virtual-reality-emmy-the-great-interviewreview/

Tilly And The Wall come back please, we love you

2011-07-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

This lot have been away far too long and I really miss them, for the fact that they were about nothing but joy. This song in particular 'The Freest Man' is very much a pop tune but just plays to a great concept of absolutely doing your own thing. It can mean a lot to you if you let it. If you love this, look out the CSS / Tilly joint DVD, much loveliness to behold. These are the last band (before last week anyway) that I drove all the way to Leeds to see. On that occasion, there was a big nasty crash on the motorway but the gods saw me through and I got there just in time for them to go on stage...... here's what i wrote at the time which now just seems sooooo understated, this is one brilliant band http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2008/10/tilly-and-wall-leeds-cockpit-friday-oct.html

Veronica Falls offer ‘Come On Over’ to download free

2011-07-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

Veronica Falls have been on my horizon for far too long without me really doing too much about it. Liked what I heard but not been to a gig...you know how it goes. So, a few minutes ago I'm trundling around the Bella Union site and my ears are totally snagged by this, the first track to air from their debut album, which won't be out till Oct. It's a free download, so grab it while you can, and there's also a lovely video made of re-used old footage. Flippin' lovely!

Come On Over by Veronica Falls

Veronica Falls - Come On Over from Army Of Kids on Vimeo.

FOE - Live at Leeds! ...and we get to interview her

2011-07-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

I've been banging on about FOE since I first heard her, courtesy of something more akin to an order than a recommendation by Shirley Manson. That was back in March, and the planets just wouldn't line up for us to get to see her play live. We made it happen on Friday night, Tom and trogged over the M62 to Leeds, where we did a quick interview in the very-functional-indeed backstage at the Cockpit

You can read it http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/07/19/foe-interview-and-live-at-leeds-cockpit/

The gig was full-on in-your-face from the word go, despite the, shall we say 'select' audience. Bedroom project to live power and then some. This girl is going to be H-E-W-G-E - Don't just take my word, ask the BBC, the NME and Vertigo / Mercury records....

One curious thing - she seems about seven years older in the BBC vid than when we met her last week - some kind of spooky technology?

WATERS @ HSBK

2011-07-12T15:38:00.001-07:00

WATERS, a set on Flickr. These are from Hoxton last month when they opened for Wye Oak. It was such a big day for me that other things have got in the way, and I have only just processed these photos. In doing so I've reminded myself that WATERS (in capitals apparently) were pretty impressive - wildish, unhinged a little, the front row getting sprayed with spittle and sweat and having to dodge flailing guitars. Nice!

FOE - Deep Water Heartbreaker

2011-07-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm trying like mad to work out why I am sooooo convinced by FOE. There is definitely both art and artifice in whatever she does - the first single wrapped in recycled wrapping, and the brilliant theatrics of the Tyrant Song video. But there's hugely more quality than gimmick. It's all a bit unsettling and cracked, like creeping into a fairground at night and getting locked in the hall of mirrors. And she delivers it like some sort of adult-that-is-still-a-kid wiv that loose accent thing, over beats with more crunch than frozen carrots

This is where I SHOULD be showing you her new video for Deep Water Heartbreaker, but it has been 'disabled for embedding' whatever that means (boo hiss) so here is the link instead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlikcp7_DQA

.....and here it is on Soundcloud, just in case

Deep Water Heartbreaker by FOE

Warpaint - new video for....errrr....Warpaint

2011-07-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

The band have a track of the same name on their debut album, and here is the lovely video for it. I totally rate Warpaint, and have been privileged to see them go from a fairly nervous performance to a couple of hundred people at CAMP basement to a sold out Kentish Town Forum in the space of about ten months.
http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2011/06/warpaint-kentish-town-forum-25-may-2011.html
Greatness is on its way

Thomas Tantrum, Wrexham, 21 June 2011

2011-07-04T15:11:00.000-07:00

Another band I've seen in the last couple of weeks was Thomas Tantrum, who I reviewed HERE for the Music Fix

The lighting was awful - I had to wait for Megan to go to the back of the stage away from the nasty red cellophane filters, so I'm fairly pleased with what came out of that. They are a darned decent band - nothing world shatteringly innovative but done very well and with charm. They came around after they got off stage to thank us for coming to see them, which was nice

Ballboy - I Hate Scotland

2011-07-04T14:56:00.001-07:00

I was driving tonight and due to the wonders of an iPod starting at the beginning of the alphabet, by the time I got home I'd been reminded of the brilliance of Ballboy in general and this wonderful song in particular. Never seen him perform live, I really must rectify that

The August September, Wrexham, 21 June 2011

2011-07-03T16:43:00.001-07:00

August September were opening for Thomas Tantrum at Wrexham and I have to say I was a little bit knocked out by just how good they were. Accomplished and sure of themselves with ability to match. They are only up the road from Chester and seem to have some good gigs coming up - festivals and one at Camden Barfly. As I was sitting up and taking notice of them, simultaneously so was my good friend and music advisor Niel Cuzen all the way from Surrey. He sent me a note to look out for them at the very moment I was processing these photos - spooky!

Ladytron, London, 8th June 2011

2011-07-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

This was a simply amazing gig - electronic as it should and could be. Two voices, one set of drums and four keyboards. Spine-tingling. I'm only sorry I saw them in London and not the home gig at St George's Hall in Liverpool

No press pass, so we have to make do with happy snaps from the G10

Bjork, Manchester, 30 June 2011

2011-07-03T15:12:00.000-07:00

I really do think of Bjork as possibly the only one of the 'pop music generation' who will genuinely stand up alongside classical greats when history looks back in 200 years time.

Here's my review of the Biophilia premiere over at God Is In The TV http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/07/02/bjork-mosi-manchester-30th-june-2011/ It was a big event, I was in the press pen chatting with someone from Radio 5 Live, with a good number of people around who I'm sure were well known personalities if only I watched TV.

This is the live photo that we were all supplied with - it nicely captures Bjork's Kabuki like face make-up

The Kills - Future Starts Slow

2011-07-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

Yowzah - I've seen this band twice recently. This brand new video goes some way to explain just how essential they are on stage, how elemental. Like a match being dropped in petrol....

Picture Book at Borderline London

2011-06-22T15:40:00.000-07:00

The other gig I got to in my last week in town was Picture Book playing at a showcase 'do' for the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. This was a closed industry thing at Borderline, it wasn't advertised anywhere, there was no way to get in except by guest list, so I am really grateful to Picture Book for adding me to their list

My review is over on God Is In The TV (clicky clicky) but I will say that I rate this band really highly. Sure it's dance music. As a genre, all I can say is that when it's good, it's very very good and these guys really are right up there, as well as being top people.

Head over to their website HERE - there is always a good selection of free music to listen to. Things seem to be moving very much in the right direction for them, so get to see them if you at all possibly can. The interstice of what Greta can do with her voice (and sometimes her violin), with what Lorne and Dario do with the rest of the instrumentation simply leads to moments that'll make your spine tingle

Wye Oak at Hoxton - 16 June 2011 - and farewell to London from me

2011-06-22T15:27:00.000-07:00

This was my last night as a part time resident of London town, so it was fitting that Wye oak were playing a single UK date that night. I totally love the band, and in fact I saw them the night I was down in London securing the job I am now walking away from

Here's my review at THE MUSIC FIX with lovely black and white photos on the review taken by my very good friend Martyn Leung.

The couple of photos that are on this page are my own happy snaps and reflect the party atmosphere - it was Wye Oak's last night of their tour too, before flying home for a tiny bit of time off

St Saviour at XOYO London

2011-06-11T11:48:00.001-07:00

I'd previously only experienced St Saviour via the wonder of Youtube. This mysterious thing turns out to be a girl called Becky Jones from Stockton on Tees. That makes her sound a prosaic sort of lass, and she is anything but. Drama. That's what you get with Becky.
That and a surprising vocal range. I was right in front of the stage, and with the camera zoom as well, I was fascinated by just how much she contorted her mouth to get all that lovely sound out.
Before the gig, I briefly met Stephanie Grace Foy, the designer of Becky's dress for the gig. I know as much as the typical middle aged bloke about fashion, but even I could see that this was all about the careful cut and drape, and of the heavy sheen of the main material layered over gauze.

St Saviour, a set on Flickr.

Keith Astbury - Crown and Liver, Ewloe

2011-06-05T14:31:00.000-07:00

This was the first time I've seen my good friend Keith play and sing. I'm not going to 'review' him, how could I, except to say I was mega-impressed with his thrash punk acoustic stance. Nice one. Can I be your road manager?

The Kills - Roundhouse, London [3 June 2011]

2011-06-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Thing is about The Kills that I don't really spend my idle hours playing their music on the stereo. I mean I love them and all that, and it's exciting rock and roll, but it's hardly new or experimental or pushing the envelope. How's the new album? Oh, much like the last.... So why is it then that they are just so flashingly explosively essential live? Honestly it's like pouring petrol across water then casually tossing in a lit cigarette (not that I ever played with matches of course).
Especially after the expectation and disappointment of going-through-the-motions Cat's Eyes, Jamie and Alison were simply as raw as torn sinew. Without really knowing why, I'm just drawn to this band when they play, as proved tonight as I found that with every crowd surge I'd pushed forward another row until I was a frazzled mess just in front of the barrier. By the end I was as sweated out as Mr Hince and Ms Mosshart are in this photo

Warpaint, Kentish Town Forum, 25 May 2011

2011-06-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

This is the third time I've seen this band in 9 months. There has been a nice escalation - CAMP, then The Scala, tonight a sold-out-well-in-advance HMV Forum. We sat in the posh seats and watched from on high. Apparently the crowd below were somewhat rough - a female friend down there got punched and kicked by another woman. No need for that. And Warpaint? They have just increased so much in confidence, presence and poise. Jenny Lee Lindberg was comfortable simply to be part of the anchor for Theresa Wayman and Emily Kokal, and didn't seem to want to sing much; I took that as part of their maturation. As I did that they didn't include B.I.L.L.I.E. in the encore, although that could always have been mis-management of time versus curfew. I can only describe them as compellingly good, connecting with the heart and psyche. Add to that their artistic inventiveness, and you'll end up softly singing 'Undertow' for days afterwards. I've still got it on repeat on the internal jukebox

1. Jubilee
2. Stars
3. Bees
4. Undertow
5. Composure
6. Majesty
7. Warpaint
8. Set Your Arms Down
9. Beetles
----------
1. Baby
2. Elepants

I like this band a lot - here are my thoughts on the two previous Warpaint gigs I've been to

http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2010/08/warpaint-camp-basement-london-26-aug.html

http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2010/11/warpaint-scala-london-28-oct-2010.html

Support no. 1 were The Entrance Band who were really very much enjoyed by friend's friend hard rocking Aussie Katie. Generic rock. Meh, bleh, did nothing whatsoever for me, but there again neither do AC/DC

Support no. 2 were Connan Mockasin who were really very much enjoyed by no-one but me, and even I went to the toilet, and the bar, etc, etc while they were playing. They were Beefheart / Zappa-esque experimental and that must always be praised. I mean it. Wrong place, wrong time but I would cross the road to see them again.

Support no. 3 were supposed to be Crystal Stilts. Never showed up. How rude of them

FOE - Genie In A Coke Can

2011-06-04T15:08:00.000-07:00

I've only just realised that there was more than one video from FOE's BBC Introducing session. This is almost as cracked as Tyrant Song - "Genies in my dressing gown..." ? Don't let her baby-sit your kids or you'll be paying for a child psychologist for years to come. And she's so well spoken too

More here http://foe-mania.tumblr.com/

Albums round up - Austra, The Horn The Hunt, TD Lind, Death Cab For Cutie, Knesset

2011-06-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

It's hard work listening to all this new stuff, and it's also a privilege. I've had sneaky advance peeks of work by Austra, The Horn The Hunt, TD Lind, Death Cab For Cutie and Knesset. I've reviewed them all over at either The Music Fix or Sonic Shocks and the links are below. Sometimes though the problem - if there is any problem with all this new music for free - is that you end up making judgements based on listening three or four times. In fact in one case it was three times consecutively. And then later you can end up feeling a bit different. So to take the five as a tranche.

The one that is probably a classic and I don't know it yet is singer songwriter TD Lind, with his Americana and Gypsy jazz guitar http://music.thedigitalfix.com/content.php?contentid=14250&single=true

The one that I should like but still feels a bit worthy is Death Cab's new piece - maybe I just find Mr Zooey a bit creepy. Well, I mean he is, what was that other Death Cab song? I Will Possess Your Heart? Definite harassment order material before your very eyes there !! Mark my words Zooey, mark my words.... http://music.thedigitalfix.com/content/review/14286/death-cab-for-cutie.html

The one that should excite me the most, and does in some ways, is The Horn The Hunt. It turns out that I did their first ever live review back in January. They're right nice people and I'm sure I'll come back to this again to satisfy my fascination. I'm sure it's better than I've given it credit for so far (a 7/10 review) and I just need to get under it a bit more http://music.thedigitalfix.com/content/review/14248/the-horn-the-hunt.html

The one that is a-l-m-o-s-t top of the month is Knessett, a young US band - this is their debut. It's deceptive (aren't they all?) in that it sounds all sweet but the words are a lot more serious (hmm, I've seen that done before too). But I really like it, in a Springsteen vs Gareth Campesinos way. Evan from the band emailed me after reading this review http://sonicshocks.com/KNESSET-Coming-of-Age.php Trust me, there is some serious buzz about this lot

And the one I have actually played most, for pleasure, to other people, and to myself, more than several times over? Austra. Shout it loud. Cool as fuck electro. I loves it m'dears, loves it to pieces
http://music.thedigitalfix.com/content.php?contentid=14157&single=true

...here is a video of SXSW, which is where the buzz for her really started. When you see the quality of this live performance, you start to get some idea. Sorry to follow the scenesters, but you simply can't argue with this. While you watch, remind yourself that they are making this all happen, live on stage, in front of your very eyes. Amazing

Plant Plants

2011-06-04T01:05:00.000-07:00

I'm sadly playing catch up due to demands elsewhere in my life, but things are looking good again, yin and yang and all that. First up, here is my review / interview with the excellent Plant Plants, playing their second ever gig..

Plant Plants are completely and utterly brand new and his month sees the release of their debut EP. We'd had a sneaky preview and it had us pretty excited, treading a heady path between electronic dance and rocking out. Tonight was going to be their second ever gig. No pressure then! We caught up with Stuart Francis and Howard Whatley before soundcheck at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen. Howie is a natural born southerner, from outside London, while Stu is a Canadian import. Both are now located in in London, and have been working in some seclusion for a solid year before going public.

Carry on to the review and interview HERE

Masters In France

2011-05-22T15:55:00.000-07:00

I like this band LOTS !! Saw them in Chester, of all places, on race day, of all days, and wrote about it here

http://www.bestnewbands.com/home/item/1592-masters-in-france-live-telfords-chester-uk-6-may-2011

A slightly delayed review of the Joana And The Wolf single launch

2011-05-22T15:34:00.000-07:00

I must like this lot, I skipped out after three songs by the heavily hyped EMA (only up the road as it happens) to make sure I didn't miss the single launch for 'Hide Me' by Joana And The Wolf

Given my impending move back to Wales it could be the last time I get to see them for a while, and I'd much rather watch a band whose music I love and that have become friends. You can read the full review here
http://godisinthetvzine.co.uk/index.php/2011/05/22/joana-and-the-wolf-single-launch-favela-chic-11-may-2011/

The Jezabels, Queen Of Hearts, Bleeding Knees Club

2011-05-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

This was kind of accidental - went to Hoxton Bar and Kitchen to interview and see another band (more of which later) and had the treat of seeing the Jezabels

The band I actually went to see was Plant Plants, I met the guys, did a full interview, and the feature will be up on The Music Fix shortly

The last band on, don't know if they were supposed to be headlining, were Queen Of Hearts, all melodrama and channelling, to the point that it sounded like covers, anything from Donna Summer to Kylie. Bored. Yawned. ZZZZZZZ. Went home.

In between were energetic Ramones clones Bleeding Knees Club who were too much of the cheeky chaps. Drummer boy, whatever his name was, spotted me with the camera and invited me to photograph his face so I could admire it again in the privacy of my own home. I needed card space so I deleted a few images. In between thrashy punky stuff they attempted to chat up girls from their vantage point on stage. Good as a party band, but where's the innovation?

And strangely sandwiched as the third of four bands were the Jezabels. From Sydney. And I realised that I was in the presence of quite a big deal. Crowd pressing in on all sides, dedication shown. That's often the way with ex-pat bands, but in this case it was very justified.

They were in the Guardian a couple of days later with some papping on about comparisons to Fleetwood Mac. What? How? Because they've got two girls? Nothing like. If you want a lazy comparison, they are not a million miles from Howling Bells, and that's not just because they are Aussies. Intelligent pop rock indie something. Lead singer Hayley is pretty darn intense. She started the gig crouched on a corner of the stage stairs, exploded into intensity all the way and then the minute they played the last note, sat spent in the wings with a thousand yard stare. They had that something, I was all ears all the way through the all too short set

Record fair in Denbigh...

2011-05-22T02:49:00.001-07:00

I like this guy and what he's doing, so quite happy to pop Colin's event notice here. This is the guy that has the smallest record shop in the world over in Mold, where I spent a happy morning on Record Store Day between his shop and his record fair, and it has to be said, I bought stuff..

"After the incredible turn out at Mold Record Fair back in April, VOD Music return to Denbigh Town Hall on Saturday 4th June for the first of two visits in 2011. Last time out in December saw a very busy Town Hall and with a full compliment of top Record Dealers heading to the Town (Stalls were fully booked Month's in advance) it promises to be another great day at this historic venue. The Record Fair runs from 10am through to 4pm and admission is absolutely FREE! On offer will be a vast selection of music under one roof including Vinyl,CD's,DVD's,Memorabilia,Merchandise. Lots of collectable titles but also many bargains plus the expert knowledge of the dealers who are only too happy to advise visitors on any collectable items they may own. "

For more information about this and future VOD Music events contact Colin on 07904688739 or visit www.myspace.com/vodmusic

a vod-music, 28 New Street, Mold, Flintshire CH7 1NZ

e vinylondeck@aol.com

w www.myspace.com/vodmusic

The Joy Formidable cause seismic eruption in Camden

2011-05-15T08:46:00.000-07:00

I know I've been banging on about The Joy Formidable for the last two years. I'll try to be objective. Let's do that comparison thing. The moment they walked on stage tonight at Koko, the way the crowd erupted was like.......hmmm......let's see.......the last time I saw a crowd go THAT wild was in 1979 when The Clash came running out. Yes I was there, I'm that old, I'm qualified to sit in judgement. No, I haven't lost my marbles. For deserved crowd reaction, sudden explosive climax, yep, that's the comparison I'd make. Others that'd come somewhere near? Pixies maybe ? And / or Crystal Castles?

Thank the lord I was on the front row, the safest seat in the house, with Damage and Dave and the young ladies claiming to Dave's daughters, and all the rest of them, packed in behind me, threatening to go over the top and invade the stage at any moment. This band engender the most rabid fans in the world.

Speaking of the stage / audience interface, it took no time at all before Ritzy was down in the pit then on the crowd barrier, feeling the love up close and personal. Being 5'1" and all, she needed a bit of a hand to get back on the stage, bless.

TJF's stage sets get ever more elaborate (Rhydian said afterwards "well it's fun isn't it"). Matt's drum kit now has extensions on the extensions so that Ritzy can spend the odd moment thrashing a cymbal while Rhyd had his own large size marching drum on stage, not so large though that it didn't end up getting kicked over then thrown in the air. The first half of the set we had harpist Joy Smith on stage. This was not some twiddly cut down acoustic set, this was proper rock and roll. With a harp. And then after that we had a choir of cats. OK, girls with masks on, who also rang handbells when suitably encouraged. It was a loud, dizzying, intense experience. I keep pronouncing that this band are now 'proper rock stars'. Let's just leave it at that.

Then there was the aftershow. I was there because I was invited, just like everyone else in the audience was invited, by Ritzy, from the stage. Yes, they mean it, that's the kind of people they are. I spent too long putting the world to rights with Rhydian about why musicians worry too much about 'the business angle', and how they should just get on and play. Ritzy's mum Angie was there too. She's glorious, declared that Ritzy's hand bag looked like a doctor's case and that we'd all better watch out because "she'll give you all an examination in a minute, an internal, your prostrate, hahaha..." That's no way to talk in front of your daughter Mrs Bryan! Hilarious. That'll be the 16th time I've seen them? The 17th? I'm losing count, but I think I'm going to like them.

Sufjan Stevens and redemption - London - 13 May 2011

2011-05-14T14:14:00.000-07:00

This was a gig that had to be - Sufjan Stevens playing the second of 2 nights at the Royal Festival Hall. Coming in the week that I'd decided to leave London for good, I know that I was tired and emotional before I got there. On the other hand, Sufjan can do that all on his own. Whenever I visit a certain part of America, I have to make a pilgrimage to a 4H building entirely because of one of his songs. (For those that don't know, it's a sort of young farmers' club, as prosaic as that may seem.) If you listen long enough and open yourself a little, Sufjan will surely get you that way.

Tonight was brave in concept. They opened with Seven Swans, and then every other song after that was from Age Of Adz, at least until the encore. Brave because there is so much love out there for what might be termed his greatest hits, then to virtually ignore them. The show was stunning, mindblowing in it's scale. Sufjan playing the first song adorned with a massive pair of feather wings, the band looked like, in fact were, space cadets. The whole theme was a cross between Tron and Skeletor, those on stage bandaged in angular fluorescent tape, so that august Festival Hall stage looked like some 5 year old computer game. At times they played behind a curtain of gauze with flickering patterns projected in front of and behind them, in the equivalent of a fish tank.

It was an outstanding spectacle, I was seated in the second row; so why did I want to get up and leave? I only just managed to stay in my seat, becoming more and more antsy as the night went on, kept there only by convention, so as not to offend friends. I can only put it down to the allocated, seated, nature of the performance. Usually, you, the audience are sorted by how early you queued, how desperate you are to be at the front, and 99% of the time this means I am the 1% in the front row. Tonight was another set of randomness, how quick on the trigger someone had been to buy a ticket, and I was intensely annoyed by the women behind me who thought I was there to listen to them chit chat, and by the couple in front with the twee matching film cameras who spent the night obstructing my view with their head-intertwining. Get a room you hipster fuckers! Or the apparent drunk french ramblings into his mobile of someone else behind us...

Then all of a sudden it was all fine. Somewhere in in 'Get Real Get Right' the audience stood up and many flooded down to dance in front of the stage. We joined in and I found myself suddenly carried on a wave of joyful euphoria, arms punching the air, back in my element.

They went off, there was rapturous applause, they came back. They played the opening bars to 'Decatur' and I said Oh Lord under my breath. This is a song I have known for what seems like for ever and encapsulates most of what I love about Sufjan. That came to an end, and he played the next. I said Oh My God under my breath. It was 'Casimir Pulaski Day', the one about the girl with cancer of the bone, and golden rod and the 4H stone, the reason for my pilgrimages and moments of contemplation. The song has always had me big time and tonight, there and then with strangers and friends around me, I had to sit down to cover the fact that I'd burst into tears and was blubbing like a baby. I said I was tired and emotional, but in that audience I wasn't the only one wiping away tears; I know because I saw. We transitioned into the last song of the night, the equally well loved 'Chicago', and by now I had jumped over the few seats in front of me to force my way up against the stage, singing, bouncing the monster balloons that had been dropped on the audience, cheering. The last night of the proms had nothing on this for glory, and I staggered out emotionally spent.

FOE - Tyrant Song

2011-05-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

I've been jonesing for this song since I heard it - great to see they can rip it live too - these deserve to be MASSIVE - freshest thing I've heard in ........ooooh ages......

Evi Vine live at Daylight Music

2011-05-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

This is pretty lovely - I've been going on about this album for a while and I'm just gutted that I've not managed to see them yet

Woodpigeon - Home As A Romanticized Concept Where Everyone Loves You Always and Forever

2011-05-07T03:07:00.000-07:00

Anika Mottershaw has a great cartoon autobiography book out (yes it makes sense) of which more later. It comes with a lovely mix CD, some of which were already very firm favourites of mine. However, Woodpigeon had escaped me until now, and this is just a very brilliant track indeed.

Emmy The Great and Elizabeth Sankey get all literary in Islington

2011-05-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

Emmy The Great and Elizabeth Sankey get all literary in Islington - Featuring Elizabeth Sankey (Summer Camp), Miriam Elia, Joe Dunthorne, Nikesh Shukla

(First published at God Is In The TV)

Midweek, my friend phoned and all I heard was “Emmy The Great…Elizabeth Sankey…Islington…see you there..” Intrigued I met up with him and joined a small queue of apparent Islington-ites outside The Nave, an ex-church which also does duty as a private school. They probably weren’t Islington-ites at all, simply that when I got there, I discovered what I should have known all along that this was ‘literary festival’ as much as it was ‘gig’.

Forgive my country-boy-in-the-city naivety but it all just felt much more North London darling than my more usual east end haunts, a notion that became a self fulfilling prophesy as the night went on. The literary event in question was The London Word Festival, or at least one night of it. Tonight’s happening was certain not to garner any grant funding from the Tory government, the theme being libraries and their creeping demise at the hands of spending cuts. We’d all been invited to take a book, to create some sort of instant guerilla library. I’d been too dull to notice that bit on the website. Luckily my friend Martyn had anticipated this and taken a couple of books, to cover my back (my lack of paper-back?) We adopted our usual positions, there too early, sitting on the front of the stage, drinking tins of beer, whilst the books donated by all the patrons except me were stacked on specially waiting shelves. I screwed my eyes to scan what titles people had brought. “Who the fuck” I asked “brings a book called Galileo’s Finger, what’s that about?” “Ah”said Martyn “that’s the one I brought”. Of course it was, it had to be. Chances are that if I’d known in advance there would be book readings by authors, and even poets, I might have had a tactical headache, but in the event, what a blast this turned out to be. The evening was curated, that’s definitely the right word, byEmmy The Great and poet Jack Underwood.

Working their way through the Dewey decimal classifications on the end of library shelves, we were treated to a soliloquy on parenthood by Miriam Elia, someone who might possibly have kids of her own in, what, the next fifteen years or so? She was acerbic in a very nice way, quip of the day being that when she does have those kids, she’ll take them for a treat to one of those American Diner places, and to add to the effect, they can all dress up in authentic fifties costumes. And maybe they could learn the jitterbug and dance to the juke box, she mused, and to add even further to the effect, perhaps they could racially segregate the tables? I said it was North London political didn’t I? But funny with it.

We had two readings by authors, South Wales poet Joe Dunthorne sardonically describing his gap year in New South Wales, doing all those exciting things, selling mobile phone contracts and getting drunk, that he could have equally well done in Barry Island. We were also treated, and I really truly mean that, to Nikesh Shukla reading from his book ‘Coconut Unlimited’. The story is a scarcely hidden autobiography of growing up as an Asian boy on the right side of the tracks in London, trying to be as edgy as a middle class 12 year could be – ‘pretty cool’ – recording his own rap music onto two cassette recorders with his mate whilst the extended family carry on ordinary life downstairs. Shukla is these days a bit of a rapper himself, possibly in a comedy parody sense, but it did mean that he got the hip hop delivery of a nice 12 year old just right. It was simply brilliant, and the first thing I did the next day was order the book for myself.

Nikesh Shukla

There were two musical sections, the first by Emmy in her ‘The Great’ guise. We got an advance listen to one of the tracks off her new album, not due out for months yet. The song is ‘Cassandra’, which was absolutely appropriate for tonight, being based on Emmy’s own library excursions, where she stumbled on (I kid you not) an idiot’s illustrated guide to psychologist Carl Jung. I just knew that Emmy was in her element in a literature festival, her library muse proved it beyond any reasonable doubt.

Emmy The Great

The other musical interlude was from Emmy again, this time joined by Elizabeth Sankey. Her Summer Camp partner Jeremy Warmsley was sat cross legged on the floor with the rest of us. Except it wasn’t Emmy and Elizabeth at all. Instead, by the magic of imagination, they were transformed into Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, the two twin sisters from Francine Pascal’s mind rotting Sweet Valley High series of books for teenage girls. The songs were all about the two girls lives in the Valley, where all manner of bizarrities happen – many murders, deaths in road crashes, scandal, intrigue, just like any good soap opera. The punch line though was that despite all this, the girls had … never had sex. Strange but true. Except that when they came clean ten years later, here on stage in front of us, one of them had been doing the naughty all along, but only ever..... (here's the punch-line, drum roll) .....with the other one’s boyfriend. Gorgeous stuff.

Elizabeth Sankey finds out she was wronged as a teenager

As the evening came to an end, sirens sounded and we were directed to leave by Jack and Emmy because“the Tories are coming and it’ll all smell like shit here in a minute”.

Jack Underwood and Emmy

The guerilla library was brought full circle by us all being prompted to choose a book to take home. Martyn managed to snag, or more accurately steal off the stage, the Sweet Valley High book that Emmy had been holding up. Me? I got Galileo’s Finger. I just hope he’d washed it.

Laura Cantrell - Manchester

2011-05-05T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was exceptionally pleased to get to see Laura Cantrell in Manchester on Sunday night

Here's the gig review at THE MUSIC FIX

The photos came out nice despite some really dodgy red light in the mix - thank heavens for Lightroom (again)

here's the review link again

http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content/gig-review/14024/laura-cantrell.html

Flock Of Dimes - Prison Bride

2011-05-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

At the risk of making this a total love in for Wye Oak's Jenn Wasner, knock me over with a kipper if she doesn't come up with a side project right alongside the new Wye Oak album and US tour. Andy said Jenn was on a major creative streak, I guess he was right. This is mesmerising.

Flock of Dimes - Prison Bride by friendsrecords

Austra video - Beat And The Pulse

2011-05-05T07:45:00.001-07:00

As an antidote to the awful Miley Cyrus video, here is something worthy of your time. She seems to have impressed everyone who saw her at SXSW or indeed anywhere else

AUSTRA "Beat and the Pulse" by domino

Wye Oak cover Danzig's Mother

2011-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

This is the sort of rare treat we like - Wye Oak covering 'Mother' by Danzig on the AV Club - lovely

Wye Oak covers Danzig

Joana And The Wolf, 229 Club, London, 7th April 2011

2011-04-18T00:24:00.000-07:00

Is it only the fourth time I've seen Joana And The Wolf?

This was at the 229 Club up on the corner of Euston Road. Something strange happened. I haven't been there before and got lost coming out of Warren Street tube. I was wandering up some back street and passed a pub with some friendly enough guys outside drinking. I asked for directions to Great Portland Street, and they gave me some - useless as it turns out - but then asked where was I going there? The 229 Club I told them. Jokingly one of the guys said said "Watch out, there's wolves down there, be careful" Little did he know that I was on my way to see a girl who has swallowed a wolf! Spooky. The band were chatty as ever, and really seemed to enjoy their set. I know I did. I've arranged to sort an interview with them to accompany the single release in a couple of weeks time

Sons And Daughters - Silver Spell

2011-04-15T15:39:00.000-07:00

Sons & Daughters - Silver Spell by DominoRecordCo

First track to surface off the forthcoming new album Mirror Mirror. It is SPARSE. And echo-ey. And worth listening to, especially if you loved This Gift Just don't expect it to be the same in anything but quality

Evi Vine... And So The Morning Comes

2011-04-15T02:53:00.000-07:00

This is worth re-posting - there was a delay in release, so it really is out in a day or two. This is what I wrote in December....

I've lived with Evi Vine's album ‘... And So The Morning Comes’ for the best part of a month now and gotten used to its ways. Let me say from the outset that it is a thing of quietly muted attraction and one that both needs and repays persistence.

It's almost too well mannered for it's own good and it runs the risk that it could become a safe dinner party soundtrack somewhere in Islington. Given full attention though, and played at enough volume to bring out the detail, it works. The first couple of tracks in particular put me in the emotional place I'd last found myself sitting simmering on outdoor couches on a Greek island whilst white sheets twitched in the breeze - the listless beauty of torpid and trance like days. There is cello in most of the tracks along with Rhodes piano. These and Evi's slowly unwinding voice add to a cohesive piece of mood music.

It takes until the third track 'In This Moment' to reveal a more assertive side to its beauty. This song shimmers in like a reflection on water gently disrupted by the ripples of a passing swan, but then Evi's voice takes off far more than hitherto, soaring high. The instrumentation becomes more expansive, till voice and instruments seem to use each other as stepping stones to the heights.
'Inside Her' is slow and acoustic, back to still days by glassy water
'Colours of the Night' is very different proposition. It leads in with harp by Tom Moth, who otherwise graces the stage with Florence Welch. Evi's voice is more clearly enunciated, words pushed forward by the harp. As the track opens up, bass, guitar and then cello and harp dance as ephemerally as mayflies.
'Kiss' sees Evi sing "I could cope with no rain, I could cope with no heaven" and the sound of a kettle drum and shakers - this is late night reverie indeed, and a mood which persists through sparse and hypnotic closing track 'All The Beauty'. This is not a hook laden record, certainly not one to dance to. On the other hand if you are looking for contemplative, that repays attention, then this might have your name written all over it.

Despite having been performing for the last 5 years, Evi’s only previous release was a 4 track EP. Despite that she has snagged spots over those 5 year at Glastonbury, Latitude and Secret Garden, so you could say this has album, recorded at home in Kent, has been a long time coming.

http://www.myspace.com/evivine

FIRST PUBLISHED AT GOD IS IN THE TV

Keren Ann, Jazz Cafe London 6 Apri 2011

2011-04-15T01:53:00.000-07:00

I attempted to see Keren Ann a couple of years ago in Nice. It was at a theatre in the north end of the city, away from the seafront glitz, tucked under the Autoroute. I asked our hotel concierge for directions, and he warned that it was the wrong side of the tracks and the locals would car-jack and rob us. I laughed it off as alarmist drivel, but made sure the central locking was on as we headed there.

Sure enough, suddenly alone in a side street, a motorbike blocked our path while his accomplice, wearing a full face helmet, tried to batter his way into the back of the rented Ford. I revved the bollocks off the little car and lurched at the guy on the bike, who luckily for us both, hopped onto the pavement. The theatre was only 50 metres away; needless to say we didn't stop for the gig. Last Wednesday night at the Jazz Cafe in Camden was nothing like as dangerous, the only hazards being penned outside for an extra half hour while sound check dragged on, then getting in to find there was no support. I guess it's OK if you like to mill around and eat chips. Instead I plonked myself on the front of the stage and chatted to friends and acquaintances while my arse got numb. Actually there are worse ways to spend time, there was no blaring disco trash, so we put the world to rights and Steve 'Gigs Legend' told tales of the music business in the late 70's, when the hapless employee had to phone the BPI with a secret code to find out their artist's finishing position in that week's top 20.

By the time 9.30pm rolled around, the crowd was pretty packed up behind us. Keren is American-domiciled a lot of the time but very definitely French, as were a good many of the throng. It felt respectful as she pushed into a smokey bluesy start to the set. 'It Ain't No Crime' sure would have fitted easy into a Rive Gauche bar some time in the 70's. To be frank, this early part of the set was good - good enough - but didn't really hit home for me until 5 songs in and 'Chelsea Burns' which exemplifies Keren's ability to slow down time like one of those movie trailers where they dodge bullets coming past like a glacier. It ramped up again about half way in when we were treated to 'Lay Your Head Down', which rates for songwriting right up there with anything by Cohen or Young. From there in I was entranced, and I'm a decent litmus for the rest of the audience.
One thing hugely worthy of mention was the band, immensely accomplished and far far cooler than anything this side of la manche could possibly ever achieve. Dalston indie guitar boys give up and go home now.
Unlike too many gigs these days there was a distinct lack of audience chatter, maybe it was a gallic thing, maybe it was the spell she wove on us. There was only one exception, two bizarrely inappropriately prattling 'ladies' who tried to force their way past us to the front, managed to do so further along, and rudely asked Keren in French if she was going to play something or other, I don't know what. When the answer was no, they jabbered while they rolled a couple of ciggies, then pushed their way out of the audience. Ah well, ca m'est egal.
It's difficult to convey the respect that was earned, the pin drop suspense that built up during the set, but by the end of it, I was convinced that I'd seen something pretty special. I hesitate to say 'one of the top five' because they are all different, but I could feel around me that I was not alone. It was worth the trials and tribulations to eventually experience a real moment of magic.

The Joy Formidable - Levi's Store, London - video

2011-04-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

I recently saw (and wrote about) The Joy Formidable, playing a semi-industry gig at the Levis Store in Regent Street in London

What I failed to mention was my good friend Steve who came with me. He cannot help but look like he has just stepped out of some exclusive members club, even when he is doing the gardening.

As a result, while I looked like the usual sack of .... he had on a tweed jacket, nicely ironed shirt etc. He hung around with me at the side of the stage, seeing as I wanted to take photos. He looked so much like "the management" that he spent the evening fending off questions about what the band were doing next, was it OK for people to come round the side to take photos, how was the record deal etc, etc. I was killing myself. He is even in the video (I'm not of course) - he is the guy top left in this still

....and here is the actual video, which is excellent

Dum Dum Girls live at Dingwalls 5th April 2011

2011-04-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

I was asked to cover this gig by my good friends at http://www.sonicshocks.com/ so this is the same review that you will read there. On the other hand, they are well worth a visit in their own right, so as soon as you've finished here, get over there!

London's Dingwalls is small, sweaty and legendary.

It's hard to explain to anyone not familiar with the capital's music scene that such small venues can have such big reputations. With bands on that small stage right on top of the audience, and the occasional spotlight probing the murk, it can make for some pretty special nights.
It was just the right setting for California's Dum Dum Girls, their particular brand of lo-fi suiting the honest, back to basics surroundings. Lo-fi is one of those terms that's bandied around. In the case of Dee Dee, Jules, Bambi and Sandy, there is no compromise on the quality of what gets played, maybe just a deliberate eschewing of too much artifice. I usually avoid references to appearances, particularly where all-women bands are concerned, but in their case, the 'little black dress gone goth and slightly slutty' is part of the art and of the package. Shiny black party frocks, trademark stripy and fishnet legs, pancake make-up; you'd like to take them home to meet the family but your mum wouldn't like it.
They themselves use the words 'blissed out' and that's what we got tonight from the opening moments of 'He Gets Me High'. That track is the opener of their current EP of the same name. It's hard to fathom just why is so satisfying to half bury Beach Boys and Bangles west coast surf harmonies under saw buzz guitars. We've a lot to thank the Mary Chain for, but it's a trick these girls pull off with aplomb. We need some special mention of Sandy on drums, hair drifting in the fan breeze and silhouetted against a flickering slide show of spirals and skies, all a bit Pink Floyd 1969 and the better for it.

Three of the four tracks from the new EP got an outing tonight in a total of 13.These include (as an encore) 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out', a sublime cover of the Smiths classic that suits their approach down to the ground. In fact it's almost a pity. By comparison their own song writing takes lazier lines, and this shows just what they could do with more positive melody. I'm not saying it like it's a fault, I think it's a deliberate direction on their part, but it sure would be interesting to see.
We are packed tight, knees pressed up against the stage, no room to move. The crowd love them, and in what I take as another sign of authenticity, when they come back for the encore, it's genuine and not one of those pre-planned ones already marked on the set-list.
Would I recommend you go and see them? Indubitably. Will I go and see them again just as soon as I can? Without a doubt. A hazy slice of California transposed to a canal side in London.

He Gets Me High / Hey Sis / Catholicked / I Will Be / Bhang Bhang I'm A Burnout / Take Care Of My Baby/ Jail La La / It Only Takes One Night / Teendress / Everybody's Out / Lavender Haze / Rest Of Our Lives // There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

The same gig was reviewed in much less positive light by the Independent, who carped on about how DDG had now missed their time slot or something. His eveidence was that people weren't dancing the twist in the audience. Whatever. I have all the time in the world for the Indy, and allowed them to use of of my photos from this gig gratis. Which was nice of me. They didn't bother to give me a credit or say thanks. Which is rude of them. I'll survive

Stars - baby news and (NSFW) video

2011-04-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

Stars have some great news. Amy Millan and Evan Cranley have a new addition by the name of Delphine Rita Jane Cranley. Delphine...that's lovely. They are a lovely band, lovely people and deserve happiness.

In celebration, here is a new video they have posted of Changes.
I have to warn you that it contains nudity. Warn you? Actually the most disturbing thing is that the girl in it has a tail. Very sweet. There is a censored version that you can google up if a nude person offends thy eye

Stars - Changes (Uncensored) from Stars on Vimeo.

...and a link to their newsletter http://thecbp.com/myspace/pguay/starsnewsletter_mar30.html

The Kills - Live @ Heaven

2011-04-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of seeing The Kills on Thursday last week, which you can read here - The Music Fix - The Kills Live Review

There is nothing hugely unconventional about the music they play, but the way they get it out there is phenomenal.

In fact, although it was sad for S.C.UM. who struggled to get out of the mud, it simply made it clear in letters as big as the Hollywood sign just how commanding Jamie and Alison are

My photo of Ms Mosshart was taken with the point and shoot from three rows back in a moshpit as lively as I've seen in a while. Only Alison Mosshart could get away with skully patterns on her shirt in 2011.

I grabbed a photo of the set list from this young lady who had been nicely asking security from the moment she got there. Persistence and patience was rewarded

Joana And The Wolf - Hide Me

2011-04-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

Well dang, I had no idea that Joana And The Wolf had this out as a single. It's a great calling card for them, that guitar sounding like it's itching and scratching its way across a washboard whilst Joana opens her mouth and lets the Wolf sing from inside her.
I love this band

Joana & The Wolf - Hide Me by Leyline Publicity

They are playing this Thursday too, at 229, which is at 229 (funnily enough) Great Portland Street

Ladytron announce 2 UK dates in June

2011-04-02T03:58:00.000-07:00

Ladytron have announced 2 UK dates, these being London 8th June and Glasgow 9th June. Those are the only UK dates to go alongside ones in Croatia, Russia, Finland and Austria

Tickets are not on sale for a day or two yet, go here for more info, and a choice of which thieving git to give your booking and admin fees to http://www.songkick.com/artists/16865-ladytron/calendar

They have also announced the new album Gravity The Seducer but we will all have to wait until September for this delight

I haven't seen them since 2008 http://catshoegazing.blogspot.com/2008/11/this-was-bit-of-dream-ticket-for-me.html and can hardly wait

PJ Harvey - Written On The Forehead

2011-04-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

This new video from PJ Harvey is stunning. The song, 'Written On The Forehead', does an amazing job of being a shimmering thing of beauty, as Polly starts off singing about "throwing dinars at the belly dancers" and it is only then that the import of the lyrical content is realised.
For me, this is far and away the best thing on the new album. That opinion was only reinforced when I saw her on the recent London dates. Gorgeous work, the best thing I have heard of hers in an age

We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It

2011-03-26T18:17:00.000-07:00

The reason for this brief interlude is a rather splendid present from my daughter who came home clutching this

It's a vinyl copy of the first single, from 1986, by We've Got A Fuzzbox And We're Gonna Use It, who later truncated their moniker to just Fuzzbox.
As you can see, this one is splendidly inscribed "BIG SNOGS - Vix" This band were big favourites of mine back in the day. They have recently got back together, and yea verily as I type, they should have just come offstage in Whitby. Oh the glamour. Here's the official vid though, from 1986, with a brilliant moment as one of them can't quite climb onto the garden wall. Well done Rose, you know the way to yer old dad's heart

Dimbleby And Capper - live review

2011-03-26T17:52:00.000-07:00

These was a pretty fab night. Dimbleby and Capper, aka Laura and three blokes with masks on, have stepped up several leagues since I saw them on the same bill as Daisy Dares You. Even then though, they blew headliner Daisy off the stage. Here's the link to my review at The Music Fix http://www.themusicfix.co.uk/content/gig-review/13545/dimbleby-and-capper.html

And a couple of photos - if you want to see more click one of them and it will get you into my Flickr gallery

Support was from Ta Na Deptford, who provided the dancers in Laura's video. They were great, in an artsy self expressive kind of way. I can'y help feeling there is some political (small p) ideology with them somewhere. In this photo they look like the zombie dancers of the apocalypse

The Joy Formidable - SXSW tomfoolery

2011-03-26T17:31:00.000-07:00

My friend Peter Erickson, contributing writer to East Portland Blog, and Joy Formidable nut, made a last minute dash by car from Chicago to Texas, to attend 'South By' (the hip name for SXSW don't ya know). He didn't even have any tickets, just went. By 'eck, am I jealous or what!

This is his video of the kind of antics we've come to love from Ms Ritzy Bryan - and this is what Peter had to say

"Ritzy rips it up on Whirring and smashes another guitar, ho hum. Oh no! It's the Miley Cyrus piñata guitar.

The Joy Formidable put on another excellent show, this one at the Chop Shop / Atlantic Records Party at SXSW 2011. What a way to end SXSW!"

Dimbleby And Capper - Let You Go

2011-03-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

I caught Dimbleby And Capper on Tuesday night. The new single Let You Go is a pretty lovely slice of discordant honking jubilance - well worth giving the video a spin, it is excellent

Evokateur - live at The Rhythm Factory - 16 March 2011

2011-03-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

I caught up with Sarah Villaraus aka Evokateur at The Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel last week.

You can read the review over at

http://bestnewbands.com/shows/item/1415-evokateur-live-at-the-rhythm-factory-london-16-march-2011

Bo Ningen, Comanechi & The Catcher Nine for Japan benefit concert

2011-03-19T04:03:00.000-07:00

Those very nice folks at God Don't Like It will be curating a show on April 10th at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen to raise money for the Red Cross to send food, medicine and general aid for the Japanese Tsunami.

Headlining are Bo Ningen (London via Japan) and one of the best live bands in London over the last few years. Also up are Merok’s Comanechi for a rare live show! They also have The Catcher Nine, the new band from Koichi from Screaming Tea Party, playing one of their first gigs
Apart from minimal venue and band costs all the money will go to the Red Cross.
Tickets are available from Ticketweb for £7.50. No booking fee with these tickets as well. Doors at 8:00.

The Joy Formidable - live at the Levi's Store, London

2011-03-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Playing a clothes shop hmmm? Mind you, in the right circumstances... Tonight was very trendy and hip, Levi's UK flagship store in Regent Street, free bar installed downstairs. I found Rhydian and Matt being invited by the management to help themselves to a few items from the displays. A little bit later Matt sidled up to me in a clothes aisle to ask did I find it a bit strange too, hanging round a shop looking at clothes at a gig? Like I say though, it was tasteful and appropriate. You could tell who weren't the industry invitees, they were the ones hanging round the stage area in band tee-shirts, looking very slightly fish-out-of-water and waiting for the music to start.

First up was Rox, who had a very pleasant line in R'n'B infused soul, and a great voice. Surprising moment of the night was her cover of Seal's 'Crazy'. She would be great in a jazz supper club, by which I mean no insult.
The Joy Formidable set up with two big fat acoustic guitars, and Matt on drums looking like a pastry chef with his pair of whisks. These days they are usually a considerable long way from playing anything but loud, and they said as much, Ritzy commenting that they'd had about an hour's practice. Such luxury didn't prevent Matt from forgetting what they were supposed to be playing, earning jovial drummer-beratement from Ritz. I mean, give the guy a chance, it was five songs he had to remember after all! That's the reason for his goonery here

We got 'I Don't Want To See You Like This', 'Austere', 'Whirring', a cover of Johnny Cash's 'The Wanderer', 'Greatest Light' and 'Spectrum' (I think the songs are right but the order definitely isn't). They can turn it out unplugged, even if their usual metier is making your ears melt, and it's a mark of the strength of the songs that they survive the transition so well. Annoyance of the night was people chatting loudly at the back of the crowd. Not for the first time, I witnessed Ritzy work the words "shut the fuck up" into the lyrics of a song. It was a minor distraction though

There was a bit of Q&A with Jen Long (her off the radio), and there was also an audience question about who they'd most like to cover one of their songs, the answer being Mr Springsteen. Cue the banter we've come to love - Ritz saying she had more than a bit of admiration for The Boss, Rhyd suggesting that in fact she'd just shag him, Ritz protesting that it would be more noble than that...

I was curious beforehand about...yer know...an in-store acoustic, but due to their usual charm and huge charisma, it was an excellent little night, and perhaps a good moment's reflection before SXSW which they were flying off for the next morning

It's a testament to what nice people they are that the moment the music finished, Ritzy stepped into the crowd to hug friends she had spotted, then stayed there for maybe half an hour with Rhydian, just chatting, having photos taken, until manager Joel tactfully came and rounded them up

More photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/catshoe/sets/72157626131181503/show/

The Joy Formidable - NEW video for Whirring

2011-03-10T10:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday this was only accessible in the USA, today us Brits get it too - excellent

... and tomorrow night,
apparently I am off to see them, courtesy of having won tickets to an acoustic set in London. Double excellent !

The Cat's Shoes....

New website

Still Corners @ Cargo 8th Feb 2012

Wild Flag - Live review and video

Is/Is Hate Smile video

Samantha Crain - Santa Fe

The Indelicates; Trevor Moss and Hannah-Lou; Nia; DIGS Project Colwyn Bay 17 Dec 2011

Emily Haines - "When we all met we just had this idea of 'let’s f*** things up', in a friendly way. A friendly 'F*** you'." - interview repost

Mike Peters, Joe D'Urso, James Maddock, Israel Nash Gripka, Willie Nile - Light Of Day Concert 10 Dec 2011

Greta Svabo Bech / Deadmau5 - Millbank Tower

Lana Del Ray - the official official version of Born To Die

Lana Del Ray - both versions of new single Born To Die

Scary Mansion - Take Me To The Night

Still Corners - stream entire album 'Creatures Of An Hour'

Abi Wade - And Blood And Air EP

BOY FRIEND - Egyptian Wrinkle

Is/Is - Hate Smile

Dum Dum Girls / Veronica Falls / Novella Wrexham 16 Nov 2011

Wye Oak - Holy Holy video

Dogbones - Cargo London - 11 Nov 2011

FOE - preview of January's new single 'Cold Hard Rock'

Lana Del Rey - Live Video Games in Manchester

On the Verge With The Joy Formidable – Fall US 2011 Tour, By Peter Dysart

On the Verge With The Joy Formidable – Fall US 2011 Tour, By Peter Dysart

EMA / Mz’Gorjis - stream brand new track Angelo

Dogbones show their arses to the world (well, show their pants to Colwyn Bay)

The Joy Formidable - backstage interview / gig review / photos from Manchester

The Kills - Future Starts Slow - audience video

Catherine AD - Communion

The Joy Formidable - Stream 'The Big More EP'

Zola Jesus - Vessel

Dum Dum Girls - Bedroom Eyes [official video]

Creatures Of Love - Barbatos [video]

Jessie J - Who You Are [video]

Leo Leoson

Lykke Li - Sadness Is A Blessing video

Zola Jesus - Conatus [Souterrain Transmissions] - 26 Sept 2011

FOE @ Central Station, Wrexham 20 Sept 2011

EMA Manchester 16 Sept 2011

PJ Harvey @ Manchester 8 Sept 2011

Dum Dum Girls - Only In Dreams [Sub Pop]

Dum Dum Girls - free download 'Coming Down'

The Jezabels - interview, tour dates

Liverpool Pride 2011

Animal Magic Tricks - What Am I To Do When

Joana And The Wolf - Hide Me / Kingdom

Nadine Khouri

Emmy The Great and Elizabeth Sankey have never had sex - apparently

Tilly And The Wall come back please, we love you

Veronica Falls offer ‘Come On Over’ to download free

FOE - Live at Leeds! ...and we get to interview her

WATERS @ HSBK

FOE - Deep Water Heartbreaker

Warpaint - new video for....errrr....Warpaint

Thomas Tantrum, Wrexham, 21 June 2011

Ballboy - I Hate Scotland

The August September, Wrexham, 21 June 2011

Ladytron, London, 8th June 2011

Bjork, Manchester, 30 June 2011

The Kills - Future Starts Slow

Picture Book at Borderline London

Wye Oak at Hoxton - 16 June 2011 - and farewell to London from me

St Saviour at XOYO London

Keith Astbury - Crown and Liver, Ewloe

The Kills - Roundhouse, London [3 June 2011]

Warpaint, Kentish Town Forum, 25 May 2011

FOE - Genie In A Coke Can

Albums round up - Austra, The Horn The Hunt, TD Lind, Death Cab For Cutie, Knesset

Plant Plants

Masters In France

A slightly delayed review of the Joana And The Wolf single launch

The Jezabels, Queen Of Hearts, Bleeding Knees Club

Record fair in Denbigh...

The Joy Formidable cause seismic eruption in Camden

Sufjan Stevens and redemption - London - 13 May 2011

FOE - Tyrant Song

Evi Vine live at Daylight Music

Woodpigeon - Home As A Romanticized Concept Where Everyone Loves You Always and Forever

Emmy The Great and Elizabeth Sankey get all literary in Islington

Laura Cantrell - Manchester

Emily Haines - "When we all met we just had this idea of 'let’s f* things up', in a friendly way. A friendly 'F* you'." - interview repost