Album Review: DJ Shadow – Reconstructed: The Best of DJ Shadow
He sounds like a dark superhero nemesis haunting the alleys and sidewalks of some fictional North American future city. Or perhaps the murky pools that lie within the darker recesses of our psyches. In fact, he is Josh Davis, ironically from the Northern Californian town of… Davis, and for the last 20 years he has been behind some of the most innovative electronic music to have filtered out of the human imagination and into nightclubs across the planet. DJ Shadow really made... Read More
NEWS: FRIGHTENED RABBIT – NEW EP + ‘STATE HOSPITAL’ VIDEO + LIVE DATES
Frightened Rabbit are pleased to announce details of their eagerly awaited new EP ‘State Hospital’, out September 24 through Atlantic Records. The acclaimed Scottish quintet will celebrate the EP’s release with a UK and Ireland tour throughout September. The dates will kick off in Portrush’s Playhouse on September 6, taking in Navan, Michelstown, Dundalk, Dublin, Cork, Galway, Belfast, London, Manchester and Dumfries, concluding with a homecoming show at Selkirk’s Victoria... Read More
NEWS: TOY – HEAR THE NEW ALBUM IN FULL
TOY’s much anticipated self-titled debut album, heralded by Mojo as ‘British Alt Rock’s finest debut of 2012, will be released by Heavenly Recordings on Monday 10th September. The album will be preceded by the release of a new single, Lose My Way on Monday 3rd September 2012. The 7” single, features the B-Side Bright White Shimmering Sun, a live favourite which does not appear on the album. Both tracks were recorded during the spring of 2012 with Dan Carey in his South... Read More
ALBUM: CAT POWER – ‘SUN’
It has taken 3 years for ‘Chan’ Marshall to write, produce and play all that you hear on this new Cat Power album. An impressive undertaking indeed. The result must prove to be her most personal release to date, I assume that was the intention. Her talents with various instruments will be scrutinised due to the circumstances, any limitations will be open to criticism. Producer Philippe Zdar (Chromeo, Beastie Boys, Phoenix) helped with the mix, suggesting a contemporary... Read More
LIVE: ESBEN AND THE WITCH – 30/08/2012
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – Haunting and spellbinding songs in a basement as it draws close to midnight. The Brighton trio’s band name acts like a book title, alluring to its contents, which stray uncompromisingly away from anything mainstream. Grimes are playing a sell-out gig at The Ritz tonight across town, and so I assume Esben and The Witch have been given a late set time in the hope that some punters will attempt to catch both. This basement venue... Read More
NEWS: THE NARCOLEPTIC DANCERS – DEBUT ALBUM + NEW VIDEO
The Narcoleptic Dancers release their debut album ‘Never Sleep’ on September 26th via Bleepmachine & Capitaine Plouf. Last year brought to light the unusual union of Melody Van Kappers and Anton Louis Jr, the half-brother and sister outfit that fate magically brought together. Forming a duo happened simply and naturally. Melody kindled a carefree attitude in Anton that he didn’t have as a child. They called themselves ‘The Narcoleptic Dancers’ in homage to their... Read More
NEWS: AFICIONADO HALLOWEEN SPECIAL + YELLOW REUNION
Aficionado Halloween Special: Electrik, Chorlton. October 30th 7:00pm – October 31 at 12:00am Free Entry After a brilliant party with Phil Mison which saw us wave goodbye to this year’s Bank Holiday weekends, Aficionado are back at Electrik for an evening of ghoulish sounds & balearic beats with a very special Halloween flavoured event. Aficionado’s resident grave doggers (Full)Moonboots & Jason “Ouija Board”man will be joined by the guests Crowhead... Read More
LIVE: CONNAN MOCKASIN – 26/09/2011
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – The musical landscape created by Connan Mockasin is full of childlike innocence and a sense of wide-eyed wonder. It’s a world inhabited by Unicorns, Dolphins and Snats (a snake/rat hybrid in case you were wondering) all pitched against a backdrop of perfectly constructed, off kilter psychedelic pop. You would be forgiven for thinking that this may all sound a little unpalatable but it’s executed with such panache and charm that... Read More
Single Review: The Rifles – Tangled Up In Love
Don’t mistake The Rifles for just another indie band. Their new track is catchy, and has a really vintage feel about it. Team that with a serious string section and guitar solo and you have a very strong song from their new album Freedom Run. Chris Potter, who really has brought his experience to the table on this one and creates a slick and authentic indie/rock and roll record, produced it using Paul Wellers studio. Expect to be hearing this across the airwaves, possibly several... Read More
NEWS: UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA – UK TOUR DATES + NEW VIDEO
Unknown Mortal Orchestra return to the UK this November following their sold-out headline shows here in July. The play a series of live dates supporting Foster The People in the UK, playing the winter Primavera Sound shows in Spain and headline shows in London and Paris. The band have also released a new video for album track ‘Ffunny Ffrends’, following on from the video for ‘Little Blu House’, both taken from their debut self-titled album Unknown Mortal Orchestra. ***** ********* UK... Read More
