By Rob Crozier
March 14, 2013
With three studio albums under his belt and the swinging sixties counter-culture watching on in awe, Jimi Hendrix was at a crossroads. There was major pressure from his record label to deliver another successful album, but rather than stick to the rigid structure of previous tracks, Jimi had the confidence to move away from the constructed white British backing band, and attempted to seek out new sounds.
By Halla Mohiddeen
March 14, 2013
In this, the second part of our two-part Stornoway feature, Halla Mohieddeeen takes us through the new album, Tales From Terra Firma, released earlier this week (11 March). If you like what you read about the new album, there’s the chance to catch Stornoway live in the coming days and weeks on their current UK tour. Having kicked off in Liverpool on Monday, the band will play a total of thirteen dates around the country, including Brighton Concorde (20 March) and finally London’s HMV Forum (27 March). Further details are available from their site.
Now it’s back to Halla, who’s been giving the new album a spin. … Continue Reading
By Jono Coote
March 13, 2013
It’s been a long time, a semi break-up, a reformation and various side project releases since the last Filaments’ album What’s Next? showcased the musical innovation and talent that lurked within the South East punk scene. As such, a release party for the long awaited new album, including some of the finest punk and ska punk bands the UK has to offer, saw Camden station swarming with punks clutching cans of cider and falafel wraps from nearby takeaways. … Continue Reading
By Charlotte Stones
13 March, 2013
Five years following the release of The Mary Onettes‘ debut self-titled album and the ’80′s obsessed Swedes are still out to prove that their homeland has much more to offer than blondes, Benny and Björn. Even its follow up Islands was sitting fittingly amongst the age of synth-pop, of new New Romantics and of the return of face glitter, but hasn’t time changed since then? Things have moved on but The Mary Onettes have gladly stayed put, reeling out more of their nostalgic ’80′s pop. … Continue Reading
By Halla Mohieddeen
March 13, 2013
This week sees the release of Stornoway‘s second album Tales from Terra Firma.
Our very own Halla Mohieddeen has been wrapping her ears around the new release, and has been talking to the band themselves about the new record. Here, in the first of a two-part interview and review feature, we find out a bit more about the history of the band, the changes brought by the last three years, and the themes that dominate the album. … Continue Reading
By Danielle Gibson
March 12, 2013
Great news! Summer Series at Somerset House has announced its 2013 line-up. From July 11 – 21, Brit Award nominee Alex Clark will kick of proceedings, with the likes of Lianne Le Havas, Tom Odell, Of Monsters and Men and Jessie Ware to follow. … Continue Reading
By Paul Stephen Gettings
March 12, 2013
Many, many column inches have been dedicated to just how loud My Bloody Valentine are during their live shows, but nothing actually really prepares you for it. Conversations stop mid-flow as Bilinda Butcher strikes a tentative chord before launching into opener ‘When You Sleep’; even unaccompanied, the sound of her guitar is deafening. By the time bandmates Deb Googe, Colm Ó Cíosóig and Kevin Shields join her, the noise is so all-encompassing that you’re left swaying, stunned and dumbstruck.
By Kenny McMurtrie
March 12, 2013
Lux is dead; Long live Lux. Imagine therefore if you will Poison Ivy gaining a few inches in height and joining forces with Lightning Beatman. And them both becoming Scots. Got that? … Continue Reading
By Antonio Tzikas
March 12, 2013
So basically, the world woke up on the 8th January to find a new David Bowie single had suddenly been released, totally out of the blue. It was his first new material for a decade and the first peep out of him for a good while, save for a few red carpet appearances at premieres of his son Duncan Jones‘ film Moon a few years back.
By Rob Aldam
March 11, 2013
It would be fair to say that, over the course of his previous seven albums, Devendra Banhart’s output has been a bit hit and miss. Clearly very talented, the Texan draws from a vast reservoir of influences to create his own brand of off-kilter psyche-folk which ranges from the highly innovative to the self-imitative. Appearing from out of nowhere in 2002 after being discovered by Michael Gira and signed to Young God Records, he worked incessantly for several years, producing a plethora of releases and collaborations. After switching labels he eventually signed to Warner in 2009 and released What Will We Be, the follow-up to 2007’s Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon. The release of his last two albums seemed to coincide with the reining in of his musical commitments, and sadly also seemingly his inclination to innovate and desire to tread fresh ground.
We are listening
Join the conversation...