Saturday 18 June 2011
The Coming of Archangel...
Please view my interview with Gabriel Maselino, founder of new London-based fashion label Archangel, click here
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Tuesday 7 June 2011
Art Review // Paint for Japan with Secret Wars (Village Underground, Shoreditch)
To view my online work at http://www.freedomspark.co.uk/, click here
Walking into the huge creative space that is the Village Underground, we were welcomed by artists drawing Japanese themed illustrations, drum’n’bass tunes and lots of people drinking and generally soaking up the atmosphere.
As we wandered around the room, there was more art from Monorex on sale with a silent auction and it included all types of illustrations, paintings and graffiti style street art.
With two of the artists flying in from Japan the day before, the Secret Wars battle started at 9pm. Limited to using black pens or paint, the teams were quickly split into England Vs Japan and they went to work…
After reading about Secret Wars, I was pretty damn excited to see how the artists would create something from scratch in just 90 mins, but they covered the entire white canvas approaching it with a laid-back attitude and complete ease doing what they love.
A random DJ set accompanied the art battle in the form of Eliza Doolittle, who appeared unable to mix any kind of beat but managed to surprisingly pull out some cracking tunes from Frank Ocean to the White Stripes.
With much of the audience having enjoyed Streetfest the day before, many recognised one of the illustrators named Reeps One. Aside from his artistry skills, he brings another ridiculously amazing talent to the table as a beat box extraordinaire. He shocked the crowd for about 15 minutes with non-stop dubstep beats and became my highlight of the evening.
Ending with Session on the decks with the best mix of dubstep tunes, this charity fundraiser was a storming success raising loads of money for a great cause.
For more information on the next Secret Wars battle, go to http://www.secretwars.co.uk/ or http://www.monorex.com/ to discover the creative agency.
Walking into the huge creative space that is the Village Underground, we were welcomed by artists drawing Japanese themed illustrations, drum’n’bass tunes and lots of people drinking and generally soaking up the atmosphere.
As we wandered around the room, there was more art from Monorex on sale with a silent auction and it included all types of illustrations, paintings and graffiti style street art.
With two of the artists flying in from Japan the day before, the Secret Wars battle started at 9pm. Limited to using black pens or paint, the teams were quickly split into England Vs Japan and they went to work…
After reading about Secret Wars, I was pretty damn excited to see how the artists would create something from scratch in just 90 mins, but they covered the entire white canvas approaching it with a laid-back attitude and complete ease doing what they love.
A random DJ set accompanied the art battle in the form of Eliza Doolittle, who appeared unable to mix any kind of beat but managed to surprisingly pull out some cracking tunes from Frank Ocean to the White Stripes.
With much of the audience having enjoyed Streetfest the day before, many recognised one of the illustrators named Reeps One. Aside from his artistry skills, he brings another ridiculously amazing talent to the table as a beat box extraordinaire. He shocked the crowd for about 15 minutes with non-stop dubstep beats and became my highlight of the evening.
Ending with Session on the decks with the best mix of dubstep tunes, this charity fundraiser was a storming success raising loads of money for a great cause.
Live Review // Trophy Wife play The Lexington in Kings Cross
To view my online work at http://www.freedomspark.co.uk/, click here
At the intimate venue upstairs in The Lexington in Kings Cross, we found ourselves arriving early for a night of electronic-synth rock.
The first band entered the stage looking as if they had just come from their 6th form college, even with one band member donning a Donald Duck baseball cap – and later this seemed pretty entertaining, watching a cartoon character playing synth! Beaty Heart went on the play a few decent tunes with an absolutely amazing drummer and wicked synth mixes. Unfortunately, this sound was let down by quite awful vocals. Note to electro bands everywhere, constantly using the ‘echo’ button does not cover bad vocals. Aside from this, I thought that the members of this young quartet were good, energetic musicians and with a new singer and some hit tunes, they may just be sorted.
Having read some hype about the next band as well as listening to their myspace tracks, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This Hackney duo named Plants Plants were yet again pretty much electro pop/synth lovers with some average vocals. With one audience member behind me stating ”they were shite” after their set, I don’t 100 percent disagree with them. Lacking stage presence and ultimately a song I wanted to dance to, maybe I just couldn’t find where this band were coming from. Maybe they’ll find their feet eventually and manage to create a decent pop song; they’re still a new band after all. There’s still hope yet.
After a short break, headliners Trophy Wife took to the stage and gave us all a sweet polished performance. With yet again an outstanding drummer, this band was technically sound and played to an excited audience. Apart from the lead singer looking slightly like a geography teacher, his vocals and guitar riffs were always on tune. Playing tracks such as ‘Microlite’ and ‘The Quiet Earth’, Trophy Wife may not blow you away but at least you would want to get up and dance!
At the intimate venue upstairs in The Lexington in Kings Cross, we found ourselves arriving early for a night of electronic-synth rock.
The first band entered the stage looking as if they had just come from their 6th form college, even with one band member donning a Donald Duck baseball cap – and later this seemed pretty entertaining, watching a cartoon character playing synth! Beaty Heart went on the play a few decent tunes with an absolutely amazing drummer and wicked synth mixes. Unfortunately, this sound was let down by quite awful vocals. Note to electro bands everywhere, constantly using the ‘echo’ button does not cover bad vocals. Aside from this, I thought that the members of this young quartet were good, energetic musicians and with a new singer and some hit tunes, they may just be sorted.
Having read some hype about the next band as well as listening to their myspace tracks, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This Hackney duo named Plants Plants were yet again pretty much electro pop/synth lovers with some average vocals. With one audience member behind me stating ”they were shite” after their set, I don’t 100 percent disagree with them. Lacking stage presence and ultimately a song I wanted to dance to, maybe I just couldn’t find where this band were coming from. Maybe they’ll find their feet eventually and manage to create a decent pop song; they’re still a new band after all. There’s still hope yet.
After a short break, headliners Trophy Wife took to the stage and gave us all a sweet polished performance. With yet again an outstanding drummer, this band was technically sound and played to an excited audience. Apart from the lead singer looking slightly like a geography teacher, his vocals and guitar riffs were always on tune. Playing tracks such as ‘Microlite’ and ‘The Quiet Earth’, Trophy Wife may not blow you away but at least you would want to get up and dance!
Monday 23 May 2011
Review // Villagers, Shepherds Bush Empire, 21 May 2011
To view this online, click here
Having recently played the Camden Crawl and Great Escape, the Irish act Villagers were ready to entertain the London masses at Shepherds Bush Empire.
The evening started with support from former Magic Numbers bassist, Michele Stodart, who performed a selection of folk-driven acoustic tracks.
Entering the stage with a beautiful array of acoustic solo songs including 'Cecelia', Conor J O’Brien (aka Villagers) dazzled us with his voice on this sunny Saturday evening.
Shepherds Bush Empire was nicely full with a polite British crowd and as the keyboardist accompanied O’Brien for 'Ship of Promises' they warmed up the venue to an excited reception.
Moving into a great folk set with short flashes of heavy rock, they played more intense and slightly eerie singles, 'Home' and 'That Day'.
The biggest hit, 'Becoming A Jackal', was played out brilliantly – with the single having recently been awarded an Ivor Novello for Best Track musically and lyrically!
O’Brien as the creator and frontman is a sweet and perfect vocalist who tells epic stories and poetry throughout his songs, with support from a full band.
Moving into the rest of the album released last year, songs such as 'The Meaning Of The Ritual' and 'Twenty Seven Strangers' slowed the pace.
As they share a record label with other unique new acts such as Wild Beasts, Anna Calvi and Austra, it highlights the way Domino Records are pushing the music industry in a different direction to the mainstream.
The encore was once again intense and dramatic with beautiful lyrics and tight instrumentals playing songs including 'The Pact (I’ll be your Fever)'.
Since releasing Becoming A Jackal in 2010, Villagers have been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and the Choice Music Prize, so expectations were high. But there was certainly no disappointment as they played an incredible live set.
 |
| Villagers |
Having recently played the Camden Crawl and Great Escape, the Irish act Villagers were ready to entertain the London masses at Shepherds Bush Empire.
The evening started with support from former Magic Numbers bassist, Michele Stodart, who performed a selection of folk-driven acoustic tracks.
Entering the stage with a beautiful array of acoustic solo songs including 'Cecelia', Conor J O’Brien (aka Villagers) dazzled us with his voice on this sunny Saturday evening.
Shepherds Bush Empire was nicely full with a polite British crowd and as the keyboardist accompanied O’Brien for 'Ship of Promises' they warmed up the venue to an excited reception.
Moving into a great folk set with short flashes of heavy rock, they played more intense and slightly eerie singles, 'Home' and 'That Day'.
The biggest hit, 'Becoming A Jackal', was played out brilliantly – with the single having recently been awarded an Ivor Novello for Best Track musically and lyrically!
O’Brien as the creator and frontman is a sweet and perfect vocalist who tells epic stories and poetry throughout his songs, with support from a full band.
Moving into the rest of the album released last year, songs such as 'The Meaning Of The Ritual' and 'Twenty Seven Strangers' slowed the pace.
As they share a record label with other unique new acts such as Wild Beasts, Anna Calvi and Austra, it highlights the way Domino Records are pushing the music industry in a different direction to the mainstream.
The encore was once again intense and dramatic with beautiful lyrics and tight instrumentals playing songs including 'The Pact (I’ll be your Fever)'.
Since releasing Becoming A Jackal in 2010, Villagers have been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize and the Choice Music Prize, so expectations were high. But there was certainly no disappointment as they played an incredible live set.
Friday 20 May 2011
Review // Stag and Dagger Festival, Shoreditch
To view this online, click here
After running half way round Shoreditch last night, I managed to get a full taste of new and upcoming talent in theUK
After running half way round Shoreditch last night, I managed to get a full taste of new and upcoming talent in the
Firstly it was a roaring set from Mammal Club on the Old Blue Last’s tiny upstairs stage. They managed to entertain the small group of festival goers kicking off the evening in style. Having recently played The Great Escape, this Newcastle-based band stormed the venue with their beat-driven chaotic but slick performance.
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| Entrepreneurs |
Running over to 93 Feet East was our next mission to capture the sound of the Entrepreneurs. Hailing from Hampshire, this mental electronic vocalist hit out and played amazing songs that feature both Foe and Ghostpoet.
The young MC Dels was up next with only a few more people gathering in the back room for his set of lyrically spectacular and electronic-based tracks – with his big tune ‘Shapeshifter’ giving the crowd an uplifting feel.
Finally, Ghostpoet took to the stage having watched all the acts supporting him from the floor. After reading so much press about this guy, I had so many expectations for his performance, but he nailed it! With the assistance of band mates on drums and electric guitar, he proved that ‘Survive It’ is as good live as it is on the radio.
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| Ghostpoet |
Skipping and jumping to XOYO, we managed to catch the female electro-synth duo Creep. With not a huge crowd and only a short set, the track ‘You’ featuring Nina Sky was definitely the highlight.
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| Patterns |
Moving back to the Old Blue Last we caught an incredible set from Patterns. After knowing little about the band apart from their ‘Pure Shores’ All Saints cover, I was impressed with a collection of atmospheric tunes from their debut New Noise which was released last year.
Having finished chasing new music around East London at about 2am after watching the amazing Star Slinger, I felt spectacularly pleased with a quality line up of diverse acts all mixed together with an electro edge – exciting stuff for the music scene of 2011!
Thursday 19 May 2011
Newly signed Washed Out hits the UK this summer…
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| Washed Out: Ernest Greene |
Having started by creating music in his bedroom studio in Atlanta in the US
After being signed by Subpop last month, he is releasing his third album in the form of Within and Without which will be out on 12th July. Other artists on this label include The Go! Team, Fleet Foxes as well as Band of Horses so it seems Greene has really started with the right backing.
Ben Allen co-produced his new work having previously worked with the Animal Collective, Gnarls Barkley and Deerhunter and it certainly seems that he has moved the multi-instrumentalist into a new arena of “chillwave”.
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| New Album: Within and Without |
In 2009, Greene worked hard creating two EP’s with Life of Leisure and Hard Times, with one single from the first album, ‘Feel it All Around’ being used now as the theme song for the US show Portlandia.
The next single from the new album, ‘Eyes Be Closed’ is an epic sound of a chilled electronic big beat with echoing vocals and there will be definitely be more where this came from.
After a tour of the US and Europe, Washed Out will be playing in the UK at Lovebox festival in July as well as other venues in London and Manchester
To check out more music from Washed Out go to Greene’s myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/thebabeinthewoods or listen to the new single ‘Eyes Be Closed’ on Subpop’s website at http://www.subpop.com/artists/washed_out
Big Deal – blowing their own trumpet or the real deal?
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| Big Deal: Alice Costelloe and Kc Underwood |
Big Deal are a duo based in East London who only started playing together and creating their moody tunes last Spring.
Although some comparisons can be made to Slow Club or Ting Tings due to the band existing of one boy and one girl, I’d sooner compare them to cooler acts like vocals as good as The Kills and stylish mystic surrounding them like the White Stripes.
Their music is a slow, sultry rock sound with great vocals from both Alice Costelloe and Kc Underwood, playing with only an acoustic and electric guitar. I may be slow on the uptake with the Guardian spotting this two-piece back in September but they are ones to watch this summer.
Stand out tracks include ‘Locked Up’, ‘Homework’ and ‘Lunch Money’ with all three sweet tracks referring to lust in old school days. Having joined the NME Radar tour this May with Anna Calvi and Grouplove, Big Deal are moving slowly upwards with their brooding guitar driven tracks.
You can catch them tonight at CAMP basement as part of the Stag and Dagger festival or this summer as they will be playing Lounge on the Farm festival on 09 July. Strangely, this duo are still as yet unsigned so serious A & R people need to move fast!
To listen to more music from Big Deal, visit their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/weareabigdeal
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