LIVE: TOOTS & THE MAYTALS – 19/10/2018
Toots & The Maytals -ACADEMY, MANCHESTER- Toots and the Maytals cured my knee! Well almost. After years of gigging, my left knee has seen better days. But peace, love, a bit of dancing and one incredible voice took away this pain for a few hours. Toots Hibbert emerges from the rafters dressed almost like a Rastafarian Pearly King. Styling a red, green and yellow sleeveless leather suit and sunglasses, with arms in the air towards a cheering crowd, he sets the feeling for the... Read More
LARA SMILES RELEASES NEW SINGLE “ZOMBIE”
Lara Smiles Lara Smiles new track Zombie has been unveiled and is now available for download in the run-up to Halloween, with a release party at The Shacklewell Arms in London on October 27. The track is released via Wonky Pop Records and was produced by Smiles and mixed by Jamie Grashion (Black Grape, The Orb, Killing Joke) Already depicted as ‘an industro pop alchemist’ by NME, Smiles unleashes a riot of electronic mayhem with her new track ‘Zombie’ as... Read More
LIVE: IDLES – 19/10/2018
Idles -THE RITZ, MANCHESTER- Tickets for tonight’s gig are in high demand, I know this because in the morning I checked the event page on Facebook to see if the set times had been announced, but all I could find was an endless stream of people leaving posts asking for any spare tickets. Luckily for me I purchased mine the day they went on sale. I’ve seen Idles twice before, first time was in Preston at The Ferret in April 2017 with The Blinders supporting, yeah I know, good... Read More
ALBUM: CALVIN JOHNSON – A WONDERFUL BEAST
Calvin Johnson – A Wonderful Beast Calvin Johnson for many is the definition of U.S. indie, with his musical projects from Beat Happening in the early 1980s, Halo Benders and Dub Narcotic Sound System in the 1990s, a vast array of solo albums and collaborations, plus being the founder of the legendary indie label, K Records, in Olympia, Washington. Apparently Kurt Cobain was such a fan of the label and its ethos he had a K Records tattoo on his arm, which he did himself! ... Read More
LIVE: VILLAGERS – 19/10/2018
Villagers @ Gorilla -GORILLA, MANCHESTER- Gorilla seems to be the place I go to watch Villagers. Tonight’s gig is their third time there and it’ll be the third time I’ve seen them there, without seeing them anywhere else in the meantime. My journey to the venue takes me passed Manchester Arena, where U2 are preparing to play a sold out show, then passed The Albert Hall, where Beach House are about to play a sold out show, then passed The Ritz, where Idles are... Read More
LIVE: STEADY HOLIDAY / MALENA ZAVALA – 17/10/2018
Steady Holiday -CASTLE HOTEL, MANCHESTER- The support at Castle Hotel tonight is the terrific Malena Zavala, playing without the usual full band at her back. The solo performance works wonderfully as her delicate voice drifts over a delicate touch to the guitar. It has a sweet 80’s prom feel to the sound, a serene start to the night. Dre Babinski, performing as Steady Holiday, is not alone on stage. She has brought along Derek Howa. Dressed in jazzy sequins, he adds a panache... Read More
LIVE: BOY AZOOGA – 12/10/2018
Boy Azooga @ Yes -YES, MANCHESTER- With their tickets booked for their first ever US tour, Boy Azooga spend one of their last nights in the U.K. at Yes Club in Manchester. It has been a hectic year for Davey Newington and the lads, releasing their debut album 1, 2, Kung Fu! only a matter of months ago, attracting enough recognition to see them appear on Jools Holland, BBC Radio and now in just a few days time they will make their KEXP debut and it is most definitely deserved. The... Read More
THE HIGH LOVES RELEASE NEW SONG “SEROTONIN”
The High Loves Toronto 4-piece The High Loves have released ‘Serotonin’, the first single and title track from their upcoming EP. The band have declared their mission is simply to perform the music that their passions inspired. Not overproduced and without gimmicks, but raw and genuine. The new EP contains lyrics inspired by the lifestyle and experiences of lead singer and songwriter Noah Monckton, drummer Mathieu Landry, bassist Matt Bawtinheimer, and lead guitarist... Read More
HONEY LUNG RELEASE NEW SINGLE “EXPORT THE FAMILY”
Honey Lung London quartet Honey Lung have just released their new single ‘Export the Family’. The second single to be released on Killing Moon Records, offering a stripped back sensitive side that contrasts with bursts of the band’s signature ruckus energy with angular and grunge notes. ‘Export the Family’ is the follow up to the quartets’ previous release ‘Sophomore’ which saw support from both New Music Friday UK and New Music Friday US on Spotify. The... Read More
CHORUSGIRL SHARE ANIMATED COLLAGE VIDEO FOR “IN DREAMS”
Chorusgirl London band Chorusgirl reveal their stunning new animated collage video for “In Dreams”, which was created by renowned animator Ruth Barrett. The track is taken from Chorusgirl’s forthcoming second album Shimmer and Spin due out on 16 November via Reckless Yes. The band will be heading out on the road in November. The handmade stop motion video for “In Dreams” consists of an impressive 2500 manually cut out paper prints filmed using... Read More
