Showing posts with label SoundsXP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SoundsXP. Show all posts
9.3.15
4.1.14
An analogue man in a digital world.
I haven't posted on here for an absolute age so I thought it might be nice to do a little 2013 round up. It's mainly a self serving post to remind myself what I've done as my memory is dreadful and t to try and convince myself that I haven't completely wasted another year.
Back in July, this nice chap approached me after a Smoke Fairies show in Chichester and said "you play to serve the song not your own ego". I'm guessing I'd be fired if I started acting like I was in Towers of London but I do hope that sentiment is at least slightly accurate. In the autumn Smoke Fairies released a double album entitled Ghosts which is effectively a rarities and B-sides record, if you're a details person there's some more stuff about it here. Thankfully they decided to tour the album and what a wonderful little tour it was. The tour video is well worth a look, it was created entirely from stills taken by Ani (the excellent drummer in support band Rasputina - great sharing a stage with them )
I cant say much about the brand new Smoke Fairies album other than it is finished, a new producer was involved, it sounds amazing and I'm all excited about it. The big reveal will be soon.
Other 2013 gig highlights include a couple of shows with performance art/ theatre troupe Tangled Feet - Rammstein would have approved of the ludicrously great pyrotechnics involved in this show, this photo albeit impressive doesn't quite capture the magnitude, that ball at the top for example, at one point it spins whilst fireworks spurt out and a lady is inside doing a hand stand. I'm somewhere in the middle of all that scaffolding with my viola.
I also had the pleasure of playing the Royal Festival Hall again, not once but twice with Viv Albertine in support of Siouxsie's Meltdown show (Siouxsie even played Kaleidoscope in full so it was like a Don't Look Back show but curated by Yoko instead of ATP) It's a magnificent place to play though, it makes The Forum look like a dustbin. Viv has written an autobiography which is out this year, I haven't read it yet but I'm going to recommend it anyway 'cos she has enough witty anecdotes to feed every Best Man's speech forever and a day so it's bound to be a blast. You can pre-order it here if you wish.
I've also put on some shows myself mainly with the fine folk at music webzine SoundsXP, most notably Kelley Deal's new(ish) project R.Ring. Laura J Martin is headlining our next show which takes place at the Sebright Arms on 16th January and it should be a great show. Advance tickets are available here. We'll also be doing one of those legendaryGood Bad Friday all-day gig BBQ things at the Windmill again this year.
Other people I've performed and recorded with in 2013 include Matthew and the Atlas, Napoleon IIIrd, Fuzzy Lights, CA Smith, Fryars, Charles Watson and Fyfe Dangerfield and the loquaciously named Until the Bird of the Soul Takes Flight from the Cage of the Body... most if not all have some very tasty albums to look forward to in 2014.
Also to look forward to in 2014 is the new album by Left With Pictures and rather excitingly we managed to get Richard Formby in the producer's chair. It'll be released on Organ Grinder records later in the year. We might even see a new album by The Monroe Transfer on Organ Grinder this year if the beast ever gets finished; in the meantime you might like to check out head Transfer Nick's other activities, he's a very busy chap.
Turns out that 2013 was actually 1973.
...and I liked bananas.
Here's to 2014 being a goodun for all.
Back in July, this nice chap approached me after a Smoke Fairies show in Chichester and said "you play to serve the song not your own ego". I'm guessing I'd be fired if I started acting like I was in Towers of London but I do hope that sentiment is at least slightly accurate. In the autumn Smoke Fairies released a double album entitled Ghosts which is effectively a rarities and B-sides record, if you're a details person there's some more stuff about it here. Thankfully they decided to tour the album and what a wonderful little tour it was. The tour video is well worth a look, it was created entirely from stills taken by Ani (the excellent drummer in support band Rasputina - great sharing a stage with them )
I cant say much about the brand new Smoke Fairies album other than it is finished, a new producer was involved, it sounds amazing and I'm all excited about it. The big reveal will be soon.
Other 2013 gig highlights include a couple of shows with performance art/ theatre troupe Tangled Feet - Rammstein would have approved of the ludicrously great pyrotechnics involved in this show, this photo albeit impressive doesn't quite capture the magnitude, that ball at the top for example, at one point it spins whilst fireworks spurt out and a lady is inside doing a hand stand. I'm somewhere in the middle of all that scaffolding with my viola.
I also had the pleasure of playing the Royal Festival Hall again, not once but twice with Viv Albertine in support of Siouxsie's Meltdown show (Siouxsie even played Kaleidoscope in full so it was like a Don't Look Back show but curated by Yoko instead of ATP) It's a magnificent place to play though, it makes The Forum look like a dustbin. Viv has written an autobiography which is out this year, I haven't read it yet but I'm going to recommend it anyway 'cos she has enough witty anecdotes to feed every Best Man's speech forever and a day so it's bound to be a blast. You can pre-order it here if you wish.
I've also put on some shows myself mainly with the fine folk at music webzine SoundsXP, most notably Kelley Deal's new(ish) project R.Ring. Laura J Martin is headlining our next show which takes place at the Sebright Arms on 16th January and it should be a great show. Advance tickets are available here. We'll also be doing one of those legendary
Other people I've performed and recorded with in 2013 include Matthew and the Atlas, Napoleon IIIrd, Fuzzy Lights, CA Smith, Fryars, Charles Watson and Fyfe Dangerfield and the loquaciously named Until the Bird of the Soul Takes Flight from the Cage of the Body... most if not all have some very tasty albums to look forward to in 2014.
Also to look forward to in 2014 is the new album by Left With Pictures and rather excitingly we managed to get Richard Formby in the producer's chair. It'll be released on Organ Grinder records later in the year. We might even see a new album by The Monroe Transfer on Organ Grinder this year if the beast ever gets finished; in the meantime you might like to check out head Transfer Nick's other activities, he's a very busy chap.
Turns out that 2013 was actually 1973.
...and I liked bananas.
Here's to 2014 being a goodun for all.
28.3.11
22 April - all day gig party and BBQ at the Brixton Windmill
I'm hosting an event under the SoundsXP banner in April and I'm super pleased with the line-up. A couple of weeks ago I thought this show was doomed 'cos after contacting over 75 bands/managers/agents we only had one band confirmed but now our not-very good Friday has turned into VERY good Friday and I'm now looking forward to it muchly, as you can see from my Last.fm page, I've been listening to Hannah Peel's album an awful lot so it's going to be great to see her at one of my favourite London venues with a burger in one hand and an ale in the other. I'll be djing at some point in the evening too.
Go over here for tickets and here's the blurb:
April 22nd isn’t just ‘Good Friday’ anymore, it’s Bloody-Brilliant-Music-And-Grub Friday at the Windmill, with an all-day line up of bands and a BBQ laid on for the Bank Holiday. We’re still adding courses to this banquet but the lip-smacking line up includes Hannah Peel, Laura J Martin, Fuzzy Lights, Dignan Porch, Cheatahs and I Spy with more to be announced shortly.
Hannah Peel is a strikingly talented multi-instrumentalist, whose debut album Broken Waves (Static Caravan) was produced by Mike Lindsay of Tunng. Uncut described the album as “vibrant folk-pop with a stunning voice to savour (4 stars)” while her brilliant cover of the Cocteau Twin’s ‘Sugar Hiccup’ graces the latest Rough Trade Counter Culture 2010 compilation. Hannah’s playing with a full band at this gig so expect drama!
Laura J Martin is a one woman whirling dervish who wraps flute, mandolin and loops around gloriously crafted songs. She’s won over the likes of Marc Riley,,who she recently performed a 6 Music session for, and Rob Da Bank who said "Laura J Martin is one of the freshest out there....musically gifted, addictive and sodding brave please make sure you buy her records and most importantly see her live!'
Fuzzy Lights are Xavier and Rachael from Cambridge plus friends, who play a reverb-soaked mix of psych-folk, Americana and noise-rock. Their first album was described as “gorgeous” by Huw Stephens and second album Twin Feathers (released August 2010), with more prominent vocals, is receiving similar accolades.
Dignan Porch are brothers Sam and Joe Walsh plus friends Hayley, Phillippa and Ben from Tooting. Their fuzzy dreampop, recorded on Tascam 8-track, has attracted praise from the likes of Pitchfork and Vice magazine, and they’ve been snapped up by Captured Tracks, for whom they’ve released an album, Tendrils, and a new EP. Rough Trade are also smitten by them: “Dignan Porch are several matches made in heaven…bursting with coolness and melodies to kill or die for”.
Cheatahs was originally the solo project of Nathan Hewitt, (also in Little Death) and is now a trio. Their hazy lo-fi tunes have been released by such gurus of cool as Young and Lost, Paradise Vendors and Marshall Teller and they’ve shared bills with Best Coast, Crocodiles, Ariel Pink and Wavves. Rough Trade raved thus: “sounds like a lo-fi Elliott Smith skateboarding with Wavves - it’s totally amazing”.
AFTER SIX (ex-Friends of the Bride / The Fog Band)
This will be the debut performance for Bobby Grindrod's new outfit, entitled After Six. The band are so new they don't even have a MySpace yet but if any of his previous bands Firends of the Bride and The Fog Band are anything to go by they're sure to be a sumptuous treat of a band.
26.1.10
WE'RE THE SUPPORT BAND!
I am putting on a single launch at The Windmill on 6th Feb. I, Ludicrous are pretty legendary and they're lots of fun to see live, as you can see from all the glowing press clippings!
I, Ludicrous’ 'We're the Support Band' single launch!
6th Feb @ Brixton Windmill
with The Nuns, The Good Gods! and Kooler Kings
ADVANCE TICKETS HERE
I, LUDICROUS
http://www.myspace.com/iludicrous
"NO ONE SHOULD DIE BEFORE HEARING THIS LEGENDARY OUTFIT" - TIME OUT
"I, LUDICROUS ARE WRY, FUNNY, FROM A DELIGHTFUL CORNER OF ENGLAND, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK" - Q MAGAZINE
"I, LUDICROUS ARE WONDERFULLY SILLY" - LONDON EVENING STANDARD
"I, LUDICROUS ARE LIKE HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION" - NME
"SUBVERSIVELY TIME WASTING STUFF" - UNCUT
I, Ludicrous have possibly been "the most original band in the world" since they formed in 1986. The band achieved immortality in 1987 when their seminal flexi release "Preposterous Tales" reached the dizzy heights of number 11 in John Peel's Festive 50. This was followed up by the debut album It's Like Everything Else which also found its way into the top ten of the indie charts. Several releases have followed over the years and in 2007 majot label recognition was won when a retrospective of the band 20 years in showbusiness was released on Sanctuary Records. In February 2008 the 5 track cd "Dirty Washing" was released to rave reviews. A tour with The Fall was arranged to promote the CD. In 2008 the band finally expanded the line up to a 3 piece when long time friend & fan Martin Brett joined the band on bass guitar. The bands latest single release "WE'RE THE SUPPORT BAND" has received rave reviews & worldwide radio airplay. Procter, Hung & Brett plan to carry on releasing new material forever & are particularly looking foward to releasing regular singles from the comfort of their nursing home in 25 years time.
THE NUNS
http://www.myspace.com/itsnuntime
This all girl six piece play the songs of the Monks in a way that makes you want to shout “IT’S NUNS TIME!”
THE GOOD GODS
http://www.goodgods.com
Tightly knit three piece that evoke early Talking Heads.
“Tom Hatred’s voice at times nears pitch-perfection, fluttering comfortably between a very British bass and a New York hipster falsetto, and is full of passionate personality that encourages you to take note of his every word.” – You Like We Like
THE KOOLER KINGS
http://www.myspace.com/thekoolerkings
The Kooler Kings are a young new band from South West London. When the band played their first gig at The Watershed in Wimbledon, DJ John Kennedy saw them & immediately played them on his XFM radio show. The band were recently interviewed & filmed playing live for a docu-movie about the Reading festival due out on TV & Cinema in the next few months.
I, Ludicrous’ 'We're the Support Band' single launch!
6th Feb @ Brixton Windmill
with The Nuns, The Good Gods! and Kooler Kings
ADVANCE TICKETS HERE
I, LUDICROUS
http://www.myspace.com/iludicrous
"NO ONE SHOULD DIE BEFORE HEARING THIS LEGENDARY OUTFIT" - TIME OUT
"I, LUDICROUS ARE WRY, FUNNY, FROM A DELIGHTFUL CORNER OF ENGLAND, OFF THE BEATEN TRACK" - Q MAGAZINE
"I, LUDICROUS ARE WONDERFULLY SILLY" - LONDON EVENING STANDARD
"I, LUDICROUS ARE LIKE HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT WITH A COLLEGE EDUCATION" - NME
"SUBVERSIVELY TIME WASTING STUFF" - UNCUT
I, Ludicrous have possibly been "the most original band in the world" since they formed in 1986. The band achieved immortality in 1987 when their seminal flexi release "Preposterous Tales" reached the dizzy heights of number 11 in John Peel's Festive 50. This was followed up by the debut album It's Like Everything Else which also found its way into the top ten of the indie charts. Several releases have followed over the years and in 2007 majot label recognition was won when a retrospective of the band 20 years in showbusiness was released on Sanctuary Records. In February 2008 the 5 track cd "Dirty Washing" was released to rave reviews. A tour with The Fall was arranged to promote the CD. In 2008 the band finally expanded the line up to a 3 piece when long time friend & fan Martin Brett joined the band on bass guitar. The bands latest single release "WE'RE THE SUPPORT BAND" has received rave reviews & worldwide radio airplay. Procter, Hung & Brett plan to carry on releasing new material forever & are particularly looking foward to releasing regular singles from the comfort of their nursing home in 25 years time.
THE NUNS
http://www.myspace.com/itsnuntime
This all girl six piece play the songs of the Monks in a way that makes you want to shout “IT’S NUNS TIME!”
THE GOOD GODS
http://www.goodgods.com
Tightly knit three piece that evoke early Talking Heads.
“Tom Hatred’s voice at times nears pitch-perfection, fluttering comfortably between a very British bass and a New York hipster falsetto, and is full of passionate personality that encourages you to take note of his every word.” – You Like We Like
THE KOOLER KINGS
http://www.myspace.com/thekoolerkings
The Kooler Kings are a young new band from South West London. When the band played their first gig at The Watershed in Wimbledon, DJ John Kennedy saw them & immediately played them on his XFM radio show. The band were recently interviewed & filmed playing live for a docu-movie about the Reading festival due out on TV & Cinema in the next few months.
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