LIVE: U.S. GIRLS – 07/04/2016

– THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – Half Free, Meghan Remy’s first album on 4AD, bubbled under the surface last year, never quite reaching the end-of-year lists but still capturing the attention of a new audience; including myself. This release might also go some way to explaining the packed house in the Deaf Institute, although throughout […]
‘Distortland’ seems an apt title for an album of these (strange) days. The latest album by The Dandy Warhols will be available on CD, (poly)vinyl, digital and, guess what, on cassette too –regret getting rid of your ‘walk-man’ already? Apparently, The Dandy Warhol’s frontman Courtney Taylor-Taylor first recorded this new album on an 80’s cassette […]

ALBUM REVIEW: THE DANDY WARHOLS – DISTORTLAND

LIVE: TELEMAN – 05/04/2016

– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – Tonight marks the fifth night of Teleman’s UK tour – not a particularly astounding fact, I grant you. But what makes it worth mentioning is that the London band’s joyous second album, Brilliant Sanity, is only due to be released after the seventh date of the tour – that is to […]
Halifax surf-pop trio The Orielles have been making a name for themselves over the past few months thanks to sets at festivals like Dot To Dot and Carefully Planned, not to mention their sugary harmonies and fuzzy guitars. Their debut EP Jobin is being released on excellent DIY record label Art is Hard. Even better, […]

EP REVIEW: THE ORIELLES – JOBIN

ALBUM: MATT CORBY – TELLURIC

I first became aware of Matt Corby when a friend send me his cover of the Black Keys’ ‘Lonely Boy’ on an Australian radio station. I was blown away by his musicality, as well as his vocal control and range. I began listening to more and more of his EPs and loved his soulful sound […]
Laura Gibson’s ”Empire Builder” serves as a memento of an individual in transformation. Showcasing themes around loss, loneliness and womanhood, this singer-songwriter’s second album relays the story of Gibson’s rebuilding of her own life after an explosion which destroyed her home and work. Blending traditional genres such as folk and country with indie influences creates […]

ALBUM: LAURA GIBSON – EMPIRE BUILDER

ALBUM: TELEMAN – BRILLIANT SANITY

I remember watching Franz Ferdinand on the Jonathan Ross Show about seven years ago. I quite liked them, but I remember my Sister saying “Hum….they’re quite neat aren’t they?” not exactly a massive insult but still, a band being ‘neat’ seems somehow, a little, boring? Why am I saying this? Well, in some respects neat […]
 – THE DEAF INSTITUTE, MANCHESTER – There’s a young crowd here bright and early for WEDDING, but their overly enthusiastic dancing seems chemical fuelled, almost sarcastic. It’s not a great start. The band are definitely fans of the Ronettes, but even if ‘Be My Baby’ is the best song ever written, it’s OK to write […]

LIVE: NAI HARVEST – 29/03/2016

LIVE: SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA – 24/03/2016

– GORILLA, MANCHESTER – Pinning Submotion Orchestra down to one sound is near impossible. The Leeds seven-piece cross over the worlds of dub, jazz, ambient, soul, and I’m sure many more, with ease somehow avoiding the perils of over-complication. They were originally pioneers of the dubstep sound, forming only to play a huge live dubstep […]
– NIGHT & DAY CAFÉ, MANCHESTER – Tonight at Night and Day Café is introduced to us by Nev Cottee, he is calming and soothing with notes that are reminiscent of being at the beach, relaxing with the lapping of the ocean. Though between his deep voice and his music, it seems apt to query […]

LIVE: JEFF WOOTTON – 23/03/2016