LIVE: Laura Marling – 24/10/2011
– MANCHESTER CATHEDRAL, MANCHESTER – The video openings to latest (and extraordinary) single ‘Sophia’ and debut EP opener ‘New Romantic’ are identical: Laura Marling, sitting on a chair, singing about her love life with an eloquence and directness that act like a direct channel between you and her. The differences are more interesting than the similarities. In ‘New Romantic’ Marling is a lost teenager, searching for answers and at the end of the video... Read More
NEWS: THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND – DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE FROM FORTHCOMING ALBUM
Photo: Jeremy Harris On the heels of their US tour opening for the legendary Bryan Ferry, The Phenomenal Handclap Band will release “Following” – the first single off their forthcoming new album, Form & Control, out January 31st via Tummy Touch Records. The track finds the group taking the next step forward from the cosmic disco-funk and international, psychedelic soul of their debut album. The band will also be making their triumphant return to their hometown of New... Read More
NEWS: ODONIS ODONIS – DEBUT ALBUM DETAILS. HEAR A TRACK IN FULL
Due for release on November 7th, ‘Hollandaze’ is a grimy, gum-splattered ménage of surf-gaze, punk and lo-fi, cut from twanging reverb & fuzz heavy guitars, thick driving bass & drum machines and overdriven hammond organ. Based in Toronto, Odonis Odonis make killer hook-driven tunes that hark back to the classic ‘80s sounds of The Jesus & Mary Chain, Pixies, Big Black and The Cure. Originally a solo project for prolific songwriter/ bandleader Dean Tzenos, Odonis... Read More
EP: Fruits de Mer Records – Do Not Adjust Your Set
This latest release from the splendid Fruits de Mer record label is a six track EP that is a kitsch retro fest. Six theme tunes, three each from the halcyon days of the BBC and ITV when summer holidays meant badly dubbed and almost impossible to follow TV shows from the colonies, and SUPERMARIONATION meant cool puppets on (nearly invisible) strings. I feel slightly hard done by that I’ve got to write this review from a CDR copy of the EP when I really want a lovely super limited... Read More
NEWS: CHERRY GHOST ANNOUNCE EXTRA MANCHESTER SHOW
Cherry Ghost have added a third date to their acoustic live shows which will be taking place this December. Fans will now be given the opportunity to be captivated by their poetic ballads once again at The Deaf Institute in Manchester on 11th AND 19th December and at Bush Hall in London on 13th December. Within these intimate and highly atmospheric settings, ticket holders can look forward to intoxicating acoustic performances of songs from last year’s applauded second studio... Read More
NEWS: LAURA VEIRS – UK TOUR DATES & NEW ALBUM. HEAR A TRACK IN FULL
With her new album “Tumble Bee”, a collection of folk songs for children, due for release next month on Bella Union records, Laura Veirs has just announced a 6-date UK tour for January / February 2012. (Dates below) Recorded by Grammy-nominated producer Tucker Martine in their home in Portland, Oregon in the spring of 2011, ‘Tumble Bee’ covers a wide range of American folk songs, from early 20th century work songs to the ballads of Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie,... Read More
LIVE: EXILE PARADE – 22/10/2011 (WITH FREE DOWNLOAD)
– NIGHT & DAY CAFE, MANCHESTER – Tales of Owen Morris’s eccentric behaviour during the recording of Exile Parade’s debut album are fuelling my anticipation as I make my way to see them perform at the Night and Day Cafe. Apparently, things took a confrontational turn during the sessions at Monnow Valley Studios, when the seemingly unbalanced Morris began aiming a disarming succession of screams, foul-mouthed rants and tossed recording equipment at the band. Reading... Read More
SINGLE: Casiokids – Det Haster!
‘Det Haster!’, roughly translated (by google translator of course) to ‘Urgency’, is particularly apt. Norway’s Casiokids are absolutely amazing live. Fact! They are a blistering, amphetamine ball of electro energy, vibrance and fun. This spectacle has not yet successfully translated onto vinyl. On record the keytarists are a vapid, 2D disappointment. It’s a bit like the famous godzilla statue in Toko, which turns out to be about 2 feet tall. That... Read More
WHO ARE YA? – BEI RU
Each week, one of our contributors will recommend an artist/band they think deserves to be brought to your attention. No record labels, PR companies, bands or bands management will ever have made these recommendations. It is simply one music fan putting their taste on the line in the hope of sharing good music. The questions are intended to give just a basic introduction to possibly your new favourite artist/band. So without further ado, let’s crack on with this week’s introduction,... Read More
NOVEMBER 2011
We have trawled through the forthcoming gigs in and around Manchester so you don’t have to. We believe that if we are going to recommend a gig to you, then it should be exactly that, a recommendation. There are many other sites out here on the internet that have a gig guide, but how many of them can say they have actually listened to every single band/act they have listed? Well to be honest I don’t know the answer to that, but I’d guess not many, if any at all. Anyway,... Read More
