LIVE: NADA SURF – 14/10/2012
– ACADEMY 3, MANCHESTER – It’s a mostly 30+ crowd in for the opening night of Nada Surf’s European tour, but old habits die hard, and half the early birds are still sat splayed across the Academy 3’s tacky floor by time Ezra Furman makes an appearance. He stands alone at 45º to the mic with just an acoustic guitar at his disposal and face-filling sunglasses protecting his bleary eyes after a marathon 13-hour flight from LA. His voice is wild, hyena-like,... Read More
LIVE: FOSSIL COLLECTIVE – 13/10/2012
– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – I’m standing at the back (or the back of the standing area, in front of the steps/seating area) but am drawn to the front when Leeds based FOSSIL COLLECTIVE begin by a strong urge to check out a rather intriguing bass instrument. It looks, is played and also sounds like the strings you might have on a double bass but it is standing upright on the floor without the body. I am told that this is an electric double bass and isn’t... Read More
Album Review: Tamaryn – Tender New Signs
American dream-pop, shoegaze combo Tamaryn are named after New Zealand-born Tamaryn, who provides soft girlish vocals, and guitarist Rex John Shelverton (Vue, Portraits of Past), who does the instrumentation and plays the role of producer. Tender New Signs is the follow up to their first full length album, The Waves, and in making this album Tamaryn aimed, ‘to transcend the mundane world, by living in a new one of my own creation…now it’s time to invite everyone... Read More
Single Reviews: Fruits de Mer Records – October Releases
I look forward to Fruits de Mer records coming through my door. In some ways it seems strange that nobody else on the Silent Radio team seems to get jealous that I end up reviewing a good chunk of them – but it does make sense, because what Fruits de Mer (FdM) do is not normally everybody’s cup of tea – it’s anything but mainstream. The music they usually release is a combination of psychedelia, 60s-style garage music and the occasional bit of prog and/or rock.... Read More
LIVE: ERRORS – 10/10/2012
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – It’s Wednesday night and Errors are playing at Soup Kitchen I have my name on the guest list with a plus one, so have my own purchased ticket to sell. Thankfully, on cue, a group of ‘revellers’ come round the corner “I haven’t got a ticket” a revel (er) announces, spotting my opportunity I say, “I have one!” Not hearing me, his friend says (in the kind of voice reserved for old, deaf people) “This lady has one.” Without... Read More
LIVE: NZCA/LINES – 04/10/2012
– SOUP KITCHEN, MANCHESTER – A white backdrop adorns the wall and before it stands three figures resplendent in white shirts. Being projected onto the backdrop are shapes in monochrome hues, and then the band name ‘NZCA/Lines’ flashes sporadically. Yet there is no need for an introduction. Through the entirety of support act, Jonquil’s performance two of the people now occupying the stage made their presence known with their overzealous dance moves. Their... Read More
NEWS: THE LOVELY EGGS – NEW ALBUM ‘WILDLIFE’ + LIVE DATES
The Lovely Eggs return with their third album ‘WILDLIFE’ after a year and a half touring their critically acclaimed second album ‘COB DOMINOS’. This time the Eggs return with an album that encapsulates the isolation of extensive touring and brief time back in their home town Lancaster.The two piece raucous noise pop duo combine their gritty British northern surreal lyrics with thunderous guitars and crashing drums on this their third self-recorded gem.... Read More
NEWS: VALERIE JUNE – LISTEN TO HER DEBUT SINGLE ‘WORKIN WOMAN BLUES’
Valerie June’s debut single, ‘Workin’ Woman Blues’, unfurls the story of her self-styled “organic moonshine roots music”, a warm mix of aching vintage country, gospel and powerful delta blues, it’s as if Bobbie Gentry fronted a Stax soul-revue, her mesmerising vocals telling it how it is. Born, raised and honed in Jackson, Tennessee, the self-taught musician has paid her dues working hard and playing hard – on the various instruments she has collected over... Read More
LIVE: REN HARVIEU / LEWIS WATSON / THE SUNDOWNERS – 09/10/2012
– THE RITZ, MANCHESTER – The Ritz seems like a wholly appropriate venue for tonight’s gig by Ren Harvieu. The Grade II-listed building’s art deco features, red velvety curtains, glitter ball and sweeping horseshoe balcony are a suitable setting for a singer whose cinematic songs hark back to an era of iconic Brill Building pop stars and evoke romantic images of 1960s dance hall glamour. I hear earlier in the day that some tickets are available on the door,... Read More
LIVE: WHY? – 10/10/2012
– CENTRAL METHODIST HALL, MANCHESTER – “Is this the right place?” A gent with a check shirt enquires from beneath the overhanging bristles of his russet beard. We’re between a pawn shop and a gigantic wig emporium on Oldham St, just facing Afflecks, and yep, we really are in the right place. Plenty of others have found their way here already and are cocking a curious collective eyebrow at Anticon’s latest signing, Young Fathers. The Edinburgh quartet... Read More