By Charlotte Gay
Doug Stanhope has been doing stand-up comedy for over 21 years. The American’s style ranges from “true-life” graphic perversion to “volatile social criticism”, but whatever he chooses, you can guarantee it will be an alcohol fuelled evening for both Doug and the audience. Before hitting the road, Doug took some jet lagged time out to speak to Charlotte Gay about his upcoming tour.
By Charlotte Gay
Folk singer-songwriter Seth Lakeman, most famous for his Mercury nominated album Kitty Jay, has returned back to the scene with a new found freedom from corporate record companies. His soon to be released album, Tales from the Barrel House, is something quite different, with the recording of one track taking place in the heart of a coal mine. The Devonian musician took some time out from his bow shredding antics to chat to our own Charlotte Gay before his upcoming gig at The Old Firestation in Bournemouth.
We Are Augustines by Julia Stryj
By Julia Stryj
I arrive at the Picturehouse in Edinburgh to interview We Are Augustines just after their sound check for their gig as support to Frightened Rabbit. When I meet the “lovely and beautiful” (I am sure that is how bassist Eric Sanderson described her very correctly in an interview I listened to) Arwen, their manager, she apologises right away and tells me that everything is running behind schedule. The band hasn’t even started their sound check yet. Billy McCarthy (vocal/guitar) comes up to us to say hello and to offer me to help myself to a drink from their room. Arwen and I talk about the band and other music related matters and watch the sound check. The band had to borrow some equipment from fellow support band Fatherson as a lot of their own gear is in a van on its way from Brussels to Milan (two of the places where they are supporting the Maccabees), so a good sound check is crucial. Bringing the gear over to Scotland would have been too expensive as they already had lots of excess luggage. This is one of the signs where the band stands financially. But missing an opportunity to perform live wouldn’t have been an option.
Shortly after Arwen shows me the band’s dressing room, Bill enters and I find myself asking him the first of my questions as we are talking about accents and picking up regional dialects, him as a Californian in New York and me as a German in Scotland. … Continue Reading
Sondre Lerche
Norwegian singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche has been releasing albums now for over a decade – since 2001′s Faces Down, he’s released six albums plus a soundtrack for the film Dan In Real Life. Earlier this year, he released his latest, self-titled LP. He recently took some time to answer questions from our very own Charlotte Gay – he discussed the musicians who helped him bring his newest record to fruition, early inspirations and his song-writing process. … Continue Reading
Breton
Breton have been impressing us with EPs and live shows since 2010 and the band are currently gearing up to release their debut album early next year on Fat Cat and embark on their first UK headline tour. The South London-based act a little more like a collective – living and working together, creating film and visuals to go alongside their music – in both instances, they seem to overflow with ideas. Jane Corcoran recently put a few questions to band member Roman Rappak for us. … Continue Reading
Jono McCleery
By James Blake
An air of anticipation fills the charming basement venue at the Queen of Hoxton in East London. Soaring strings silence the audience as Jono McCleery takes to the stage to launch his new album There Is. The crowd have already been soothed by Jess Bryant and treated to a rare bluesy-acoustic set from fellow singer songwriter Jamie Woon. Before excitement levels had reached this climatic peak, I caught up with Jono to discuss how the album was put together and what the future holds for the London based artist. … Continue Reading
Ben Howard Every Kingdom
By Charlotte Gay
The singer-songwriter Ben Howard has been surfing since he was 11, but his intricate guitar sound is more John Martyn than Jack Johnson. Aged only 24, Howard has secured himself a strong fanbase mainly by word of mouth (although BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio 2 have now come on board in a big way). There is something about his guitar sound that recalls Nick Drake’s complex tunings, while every so often you expect his gently gruff tones to start warbling Martyn’s Bless the Weather. This Devonian musician caught up with our very own Charlotte Gay to exchange a few words before performing at The Old Firestation in Bournemouth.
We caught up with a band who take us back a fair few years now, in fact straight back to Leeds 2006… it’s Panic At The Disco! See how the ‘!’ isn’t bolded too? Well, we caught up with the exclamation mark-less two-some at Leeds 2011 – to talk about what they’ve learnt since starting the band, tourbuses, £2 rain ponchos and lots more.
We caught up with the LA hotshots Foster The People, at Leeds festival – to see if they were suitable candidates for fostering our cuddly penguin. And to answer a few Very Serious Questions too. Here it is:
We caught up with the Wales’ finest in post-hardcore, The Blackout, at Leeds festival – to talk about touring with My Chemical Romance, hiring a fan as a roadie, working with Pledge Music and more.
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