Adventure By The Monument

Album Review: Sufjan Stevens - The BQE

2009-09-14T17:40:00.003+01:00

Being an unpredictable chap it’s always difficult to guess which path Mr Stevens is going to stroll down next. Whether it be announcing plans to write records based on American states or releasing a box-set of Christmas albums, Sufjan has kept us guessing. So few saw The BQE coming - an orchestral soundtrack made for a short film about the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.

With The BQE Sufjan has taken the classical side of previous work as a starting point and added an assortment of styles as interludes that build up into blossoming crescendos. For the most part we’re provided with rich and voluminous orchestral strings, brass and flutes but there is more to be found. Nowhere is this more notable than ‘Movement IV: Traffic Shock’ where the orchestra jousts with electronica to produce a delightful change of pace to the record before reaching an abrupt end.

Whilst this record is clearly ambitious, it’s easy to write off as pretentious too and honestly, it’s not that far off. How much more specific is Sufjan’s work going to become? It’s already downsized from states to landmarks. I’m sure many fans, myself included, just want to see Sufjan writing his everyday, wonderful music again.

BSS Back In Action In Toronto

2009-07-16T01:20:00.003+01:00

For the first time since going on their “indefinite hiatus”, Canadian supergroup Broken Social Scene performed live featuring the likes of Feist, Emily Haines, Kevin Drew and Amy Millan last night in Toronto.

This is their performace of Anthems For A Seventeen-Year-Old Girl sending the crowd into delight and marking a statement of intent from the returning group.

Hurricane was great, I came back ages ago but I've been busy. Hope I can post more soon.

BRB. Off To Hurricane

2009-06-17T04:23:00.002+01:00

Yes I'm dicking off again, this time to Germany for Hurricane Festival. It feautures the delights of Faith No More, Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwerk and Pixies amongst others. Gonna drop my indie-hipster turd like nature and get back into touch with my RAWK side. Good times.

See you next week!

Tequila.... it makes me happy

2009-06-16T12:09:00.002+01:00

Couldn't stop thinking of this song last night when out, consuming erm, well, tequila!

I miss the 90s.

Pocahaunted

2009-06-15T17:27:00.005+01:00

Tomorrow @ The Head Of Steam.
Support from Sun Araw.
£5 (18's +)
Doors at 8.

http://www.myspace.com/pocahaunted
http://www.last.fm/music/Sun+Araw

Featured gig of the week in The Guardian. No clue how I didn't spot this sooner. Give me a shout if you're going, I'll be there.

The Minus 5 - Killingsworth

2009-06-14T22:42:00.008+01:00

Read this review at NARC.

Featuring a smattering of Decemberists throughout, Killingsworth sees frontman Scott McCaughey and Peter Buck (R.E.M.) back together for another lighthearted alt-country affair under their guise - The Minus 5.

Offering up a new perspective here and there, McCaughey has attempted to mix things up a bit but it falls fairly flat. This is predominantly the same kind of indie drizzled country affair as before, that said it's hard to care. As ever the lyrics are clever and witty, the majority of the songs are melodic and charming and it's difficult to find many serious faults.

Tracks like 'The Long Hall' and 'Big Beat Up Moon' may risk being cliché but it's difficult not to be taken in such is their overriding quality. The extended use of backing vocals comparatively with previous records is welcomed too, most notably on 'The Lurking Barrister' and the banjo showered 'I Would Rather Sacrifice You'. Further to that the country-dancer ‘Ambulance Dancehall’ proves impressive with it’s plucky mandolin backdrop and delightful strings.

Although the album drags a little to it’s close this is a solid record of fun and charming country tracks and if that’s not enough to draw you in then how about Colin Meloy (The Decemberists) guesting as lead vocalist on ‘Scott Walker’s Fault’?

04 - The Lurking Barrister
08 - Big Beat Up Moon

09 - I Would Rather Sacrifice You

New Video: We Were Promised Jetpacks

2009-06-11T22:33:00.003+01:00

Upcoming Scottish starlets We Were Promised Jetpacks have just released the video for their new single 'Roll Up Your Sleeves' taken from their debut album These Four Walls which will be available to buy from monday. It's a good 'un so get your hands on it!

We Were Promised Jetpacks play The Head Of Steam on June 20th and you'd be a bloody fool to miss it. Support comes from Lovebites & Bruises and Icecaps, tickets priced £6 and doors at 8.

Sadly I'm going to be away in Germany though so I'm going to have to miss out. Let me know how it goes, yeah?

Check Out We Were Promised Jetpacks on mysapce and twitter. Pre-order These Four Walls at fat-cat today.

The Horrors - Primary Colours

2009-06-10T22:53:00.000+01:00

Well I must say, I never thought I'd see the day I'd be blogging about these guys. Their debut was far from my cup of tea and their seemingly plea to the NME for publicity was more than enough to put me off, but it seems I (along with many) may have jumped the gun judging The Horrors.

Primary Colours is by far and a way the biggest surprise for me this year, moving away from punk and garage rock the quintet have totally transformed themselves to produce an indie/shoegaze fusion that is nothing short of a delight. It's impossible not to draw heavy comparisons with My Bloody Valentine, in fact a reviewer would be doing a disservice not to name-drop them into an article such is the strength of the connection here. Riffs on tracks like 'Do You Remember' and latest single 'Who Can Say' sound almost lifted from the legendary Loveless.

This record is without a doubt something you at least have to listen to, purely out of intrigue if nothing else. Heavy guitar riffs in some places, dreamscape syths and gentle riffs in others, not to mention the odd touch of electronica provided on 'A Sea Within A Sea' it certainly adds up to be an interesting prospect.

Whilst there is some filler here and there, tracks like 'Scarlet Fields', 'New Ice Age' and 'Who Can Say' are powerful enough for you to excuse that. The dynamics are complex and the music often heavily layered, throw in to the mix stern and spooky vocals and the result is gorgeous. What a turn up for the books!

The Horrors - Who Can Say

04 - Do You Remember
06 - Scarlet Fields

These guys played at Newcastle Uni on Monday just gone but I decided against going since they're playing at Hurricane Festival which I'm heading off to soon. Did anyone go? How was it? I heard they were pretty poor in San Francisco, probably still getting used to playing the new stuff live.

We Were Promised Jetpacks

2009-05-20T15:57:00.003+01:00

These guys were first brought to my attention when they supported Frightened Rabbit last year at The End and boy they would have upstaged many an act that night although not Frightened Rabbit who were on top form. But nevertheless their blistering performance caught my eye and added they themselves to the ever-growing list of exciting bands coming out of Scotland right now.

They're a band capable of lulling you with a gentle and beautiful melody and equally possess the ability to get your blood pumping with a wall of guitars and heroic chanting. The fact they succeed so well at both is no easy feat and with their interesting twist on traditional British indie they wrap themselves up into an interesting package to say the least.

We Were Promised Jetpacks - Quiet Little Voices

Hey

2009-05-12T01:53:00.002+01:00

Hi, I returned from a transatlantic jaunt to Coachella and a short visit to San Francisco some time ago. The lack of posting will sadly continue for a few weeks though as final exams and deadlines loom ahead.

In the meantime please peruse the delights of the brand new bootleg blog Nite Klub.

BRB. Off To Coachella.

2009-04-15T21:38:00.003+01:00

Yeah, that says it all really. I'll be back soon.

I wanted to try and write a roundup of local gigs before I went but didn't have the time. Basically everyone check out HEALTH at The End Bar on April 20th and Camera Obscura at The O2 Academy Stage 2 on the 21st, sadly I won't be able to go, what with being in California and all.

HEALTH are an insane noise-rock bunch who will totally blow your brains out and Scots - Camera Obscura - deliver twee and loveable indie-pop. Find some music by 'em, check 'em out, go to the gigs.

Right folks, see you all later.

Handsome Furs @ 93ft East, London, 08.04.09

2009-04-11T10:21:00.003+01:00

So I ventured down to London for the first time this year and to 93ft East for the first time ever, it wasn't the best venue I've ever been to but it was fine. I had a massive issue with the lighting though which basically consisted of two huge lighting towers on stage that blinded certain areas of the audience, add to that the lack of a lights show for the majority of Handsome Furs' set and it was quite irritating. Either way the songs the band did use the lights for were far more energetic, I hope they sort out a good light show soon because it enhanced their performance so much when it was utilised.

Photo: Blurasis

Overall though this was one of the best gigs I've been to this year, Dan and Alexei are so fucking rock n roll, they were like wild animals on stage. Alexei seemed taken aback by the crowd, bearing in mind this was their first ever UK show, the venue had at least nearly sold out and the crowd were really quite into it. Dan was definitely enjoying himself more than he was when I saw him play with Wolf Parade towards the end of last year, I think he's way more comfortable out of Wolf Parade these days. Added to that he explained that the only other times he'd been to London he had his ass kicked and the other time he got food poisioning and you can understand why he was so much more upbeat this time around.
'I'm Confused' and 'Radio Kaliningrad' were worth the ticket fee alone, very solid show. Played very little from their debut album Plague Park which suited me fine cos I don't really care much for that record anyway. They nearly broke the drum machine during the encore and Alexei was scrambling to sort it out, everyone could smell burning at the front but it was sorted pretty quickly, I wish I knew the last song they played because it was fucking brilliant, the intro was like a rave but before I knew it, it was over and they were both saying goodnight, man I hope they come back, I'd love to see them again.

Get Handsome Furs respect here, here & here.

Metronomy - Radio Ladio

2009-04-06T13:53:00.006+01:00

Read this post at NARC.

Thanks to the likes of Hot Chip et al, electro-pop has become increasingly popular in recent years, but with so few acts rising to a similar stature, where else is there to go as an alternative? Well, how about Metronomy, who re-release Radio Ladio off the back of a very successful 2008 which saw the release of their acclaimed sophomore record Nights Out and the growth of an already healthy fanbase.

A tale of male lust, Radio Ladio could easily fill a dancefloor despite its robotic feel and clinical delivery. With little variety in instrumentation and its largely nondescript lyrics the track is left to succeed on its beat alone and while it's a close call it does manage it. The repetitious keys bound around lightly and are broken up appropriately with a mixture of drumbeats, clicks and bleeps to produce an interesting and unconventional, yet entirely danceable groove. Eventually the song breaks down into an impellent chant of "R-A-D-I-O L-A-D-I-O" before returning to the previous keys to see the track to its end.

To give a sort of vague and wacky summarisation Radio Ladio seems to sound like the soundtrack to a montage of Daft Punk's drunken night out on the town. It's certainly not a groundbreaking track or anything to get hugely excited about, but you'd be delighted to hear it come on in a club.

Sunset Rubdown Announce New Album - DRAGONSLAYER

2009-03-27T14:06:00.006Z

DRAGONSLAYER, the third full band album by Sunset Rubdown (second for Jagjaguwar), will be released on June 23rd in North America.

"Sunset Rubdown was once the moniker under which Spencer Krug released low fidelity solo recordings, but the project has since evolved into a full band. The music for DRAGONSLAYER was written in 2007 and 2008 and recorded in the fall of 2008. Sunset Rubdown hopes that this album that sounds at first to be an only slightly skewed approach to pop is like that friend of yours who looks unassuming and normal, but once you get to know him, it's obvious he's basically crazy.

The three original musicians with which Spencer Krug chose to expand his solo project into a full-fledged band are: Jordan Robson-Cramer on drums, guitar and keys, Michael Doerksen on guitar, bass and cosmic radio and Camilla Wynne Ingr on keys and percussion and vocals. DRAGONSLAYER also features, for the first time, new member, bassist and sometimes-drummer, Mark Nicol."

Tracklist:
1. Silver Moons
2. Idiot Heart
3. Apollo and the Buffalo and Anna Anna Anna Oh!
4. Black Swan
5. Paper Lace
6. You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)
7. Nightingale / December Song
8. Dragon's Lair

I find the title hilarious bearing in mind Krug is a reserved and shy chap, and the bolded part above is just golden. Get yourself some Sunset Rubdown below...

Sunset Rubdown - Idiot Heart (Daytrotter Session)
Sunset Rubdown - They Took A Vote And Said No
Sunset Rubdown - The Mending Of The Gown

Sunset Rubdown - You Go On Ahead (Black Cab Session)

New Metric Video

2009-03-25T16:48:00.003Z

Metric's new record Fantasies is for me, by far their best. The basslines are much more catchy and there are more guitar hooks than ever before, I urge everyone to listen to it. Thier new video is for what in my opinion is the best song they've ever written and it's pretty cool and clever, no bloody clue what the deal is with all those kids at the end though....

Metric - Gimme Sympathy

Latitude Headliners Revealed

2009-03-21T14:46:00.002Z

Supposedly Pet Shop Boys, Nick Cave and Grace Jones.

SNOOOORRRREEEEE.

Absolutely gutted because I really want to go to this, but why bother if the music is going to be shite? Gonna have to be A LOT of good smaller acts to pull me in now. Ah well Futureheads tonight, everybody get yourselves there, it's for a good cause!

Pure Reason Revolution @ York Fibbers, 09.03.09

2009-03-19T14:07:00.003Z

Read this post at AudioScribbler.

On the face of it Pure Reason Revolution look like a band on the ropes. Dropped by Sony BMG following their debut record 'The Dark Third', losing two band members since and hence shrinking to a four piece, you'd certainly be forgiven for writing these guys off. But tonight's show firmly assures me of their importance as a glowing beacon of light in the otherwise barren world of modern prog-rock.

Opening with a new track that is high on synths I had to blink to make sure I'd turned up to the correct venue. Dare I say it, they sounded like a new rave band. Flummoxed and frankly a touch bemused, I awaited their next song, another new one, which proved to be utterly fantastic and way less genre specific than anything on 'The Dark Third'

Moving on, with little audience interaction they fire out three tracks which made up the best portion of the set. Signature track and twelve minute long "The Bright Ambassadors Of Morning" goes down a treat with the crowd, whom are an odd bunch of folks, including some ageing old school 70's prog fans. This is followed up by the pick of the bunch from their brand new album 'Amor Vincit Omnia' - "Victorious Cupid" before blistering through and even more relentless version of the epic "The Twyncyn / Trembling Willows" than on record.

The main set closes with more vocal and less guitar based title track to the band's new record, before returning for an encore which is wrapped up with what is probably their most conventionally structured song - "The Intention Craft"

They may have heavily relied on a backing track and the performance came across a little inorganic and rehearsed, but that comes with the territory of progressive music really. Leaving the venue, any thoughts I had of prog-rock being dead were well and truly washed away. Pure Reason Revolution are a far more important band than their profile and popularity suggest and it's a crying shame more people aren't paying attention.

PRR - The Twyncyn/Trembling Willows

First Impressions: The Thermals - Now We Can See

2009-03-15T12:10:00.000Z

Goddam, the leaks are coming thick and fast. Expect comments about the new Metric, Decemberists, Phoenix and Camera Obscura records in the next week. But first up - The Thermals.

Many of you will recall I saw these guys at The Cluny last month and interviewed them. Lead singer Hutch Harris made clear it was a much more chilled out record and it sure is. Make no bones about it it's still angsty punk goodness that The Thermals do so well, but they do seem much calmer with this album. It's more refined and far more varied than any of their previous releases, nothing that tops their hit 'Pillar Of Salt' but this record is way more consisent than anything in the past. Y'know what, just check out my picks below.....

04 - Now We Can See

08 - When I Was Afraid

10 - How We Fade

Futureheads Charity Gig

2009-03-14T23:33:00.013Z

Local lads and all round good eggs The Futureheads are playing an entirely acoustic set at Sunderland's Independent on March the 21st, all in aid of The Marfan Trust.
Get yourselves on the metro and down there, it's all for a good cause and The Independent is a bloody fine venue as well - tops all the small venues here in Newcastle barring The Cluny. Not to mention these blokes put on a damn fine show.

Bassit Jaff - "Marfan syndrome affects the body’s connective tissue and receives poor funding in this country in comparison with many others."

Support comes from The Bubble Project. Get yr tix (£11) from the good people at RPM or seetickets if you like faceless evil ticket agencies.

The Futureheads - The Beginning Of The Twist

The Futureheads - Skip To The End

Video: Handsome Furs - I'm Confused

2009-03-13T18:58:00.003Z

Taken from their 2nd record (NSFW)....

Really cool, creepy video. Totally not what I expected from them. Still the best album of the year for me, well, tied with Dan Deacon.

Howling Bells - Radio Wars

2009-03-07T18:33:00.003Z

Read this post at AudioScribbler.

Howling Bells sauntered into the public’s eye in 2006, a year which saw the release of their critically acclaimed debut album and tours in support of the likes of Placebo and The Killers.Returning to the limelight briefly last year, The Bells released a limited edition 7″ single - ‘Into The Cahos’ - and followed it up by supporting Mercury Rev on their UK tour. Now they are well and truly back and ready to release their sophomore effort Radio Wars.

One of the most consistent releases that year, their self-titled debut felt like a serious record but was pretty and poppy too, the whole album felt solid and finely crafted. Radio Wars has highs that surpass any of those found on their debut but equally has troughs of greater magnitude too.

Standout tracks include the aforementioned and dreamy ‘Into The Cahos’ with it’s dizzying, swirling guitars and the album definitive ‘Digital Hearts’. With it’s pounding drums and catchy guitar lines it feels like it’s moving at a million miles an hour. But it has to be the outright rock simplicity of ‘Cities Burning Down’ that is truly the icing on the cake for this album. Sadly the midsection of the record drags a little and sticks out like a fat middle on an otherwise slender figure.

That said, it’s not all that noticeable and you’d be hard pressed to find a better follow up to a high quality debut album than this. The record feels bigger and urgent in some way, but it’s hard to put your finger on it. It’s the same old Bells who are there with sweet and charming harmonies like ‘Nightingale’ for instance and dashes of shoegaze, seen in ‘Treasure Hunt’, but there’s a lot more rock here than before too. It may be an obvious progression from them, but it sure is a finely executed one.

Emmy The Great @ The Cluny, Newcastle, 17/02/09

2009-02-28T18:07:00.005Z

Read this post at AudioScribbler.

Finding myself walking to The Cluny for the third time in as many weeks I pondered what was in store for me this time around as darling of the London anti-folk scene Emma-Lee Moss - better known by her moniker Emmy The Great – stopped off in Newcastle on her largest headline tour to date.

Besides listening to her freshly released debut album a few times the only experience I had of Emmy The Great was catching the end of her set at Latitude Festival in 2007 which was a pleasant surprise as far as I remember. Tonight at the Cluny would be a different story though.

Her songs are immensely personal and full of heartbreak, but this is softened by sweet and tender vocals to deliver what appear to be beautiful melodies on the surface but throughout the night the realisation kicks in and Emmy shows her work for what it is – inoffensive and dull. I don’t think she intends it that way; she seems very sincere on stage, where she is joined by a full band I might add, but it sure comes across that way. Then looking around the room, the tell tale signs are there. The venue is littered with middle-aged Glastonbury types, who have presumably turned up because The Times or The Guardian assured them it was a show not to be missed. I realise that’s a rather cynical way to look at it but that doesn’t make it wrong.

That’s not to say the night is a total waste, it’s clear Emmy is a talented musician and her lyrics seem to mix harsh reality with the fantasy world near seamlessly, they are by far and a way her greatest asset. Highlights of the show include the car crash story “MIA” and engaging “We Almost Had A Baby”. Other than that the best moments are crowd banter. Coming across as very sweet Emmy tells anecdotes that include being offered drinks from Scotsmen, she proves to be rather charming and makes everyone feel at ease.

Sadly though she just subscribes to too many stereotypes and evokes very little emotion of any sort to remain interesting. Laura Marling is already doing the same job, just much better and with more tact.

Metric – Help I’m Alive

2009-02-28T18:00:00.004Z

Read this post at AudioScribbler.

After a somewhat subdued response to her debut solo album and with Broken Social Scene in an ongoing state of transition, Emily Haines returns to Metric for the Canadian outfit’s fourth full studio release Fantasties.

First single ‘Help I’m Alive’ makes a strong case not to write off this band after previous recordings have shown inconsistencies in quality of material and failed to capture the band’s raw live energy. Moreover, journalists may not be so quick as to write off Haines as some sort of Cat Power copycat artist this time around.

With a simple song structure and melody, this track may well be the most straightforward rock single the band have put out. Full of resolute, hearty basslines and distant drums the song delights with ease and almost instantaneously. Haines’ vocal range is fully exploited, sounding atmospheric and spooky throughout. If the track is any sort of indication as to how Metric have progressed for their new record, then it’s most certainly one to pay attention to.

Suzi:Won Single Launch Party @ Academy 2, Newcastle, 13.02.09

2009-02-28T14:33:00.003Z

Read this post at AudioScribbler.

At twenty years of age it’s rare that I’m made to feel particularly old but tonight’s support act, whose name escapes me, managed it with ease.

All looking about thirteen years old and dealing with an array of technical issues, their incessant loudness eventually saw me retreat downstairs to hang around at the merch table. But things were to pick up. Suzi:Won, who I admit to having heard nothing of prior to the gig, were an unexpected treat.

Taking to the stage confidently, one could easily be fooled into thinking they would be like any other everyday “boys with guitars” indie-rock band due to their attire and stage presence. As it turned out, that couldn’t be further from the truth. With an interesting mix of rock, electro and even a touch of house they won me over with a style of music I don’t tend to easily warm to. With such variation to their sound they offer up a lot more than many young bands – the intro to one particular track wouldn’t exactly have sounded out of place at an Ibiza club.

What they were lacking in vocal talent was made up for by raw charisma, which clearly resonated with the crowd who quickly descended into a frantic moshpit midway through the set.

Overall Suzi:Won are a book that is nothing like its cover suggests. With an intricately woven mix of styles they’re sure to set themselves apart from the plethora of one-dimensional emerging local acts in Newcastle.

The Thermals @ The Cluny, Newcastle, 03.02.08

2009-02-28T14:24:00.003Z

Read this post at AudioScribbler.

Having not delved all that deep into the small smattering of albums indie punk-pop outfit The Thermals have to offer, I was intrigued as to how well they would fair in one of my favourite intimidate live settings – The Cluny.

Picking up two of their records a week beforehand to add to the odd track I had here and there, I found myself very impressed and live was no different. Emerging from backstage, the trio quietly shuffled into the room and made no hesitation in starting their set, which proved to be a full on assault of drums and guitar almost throughout. I guess the easiest way to describe it would be that it was like watching a good version of Green Day infused with a slightly rockier incarnation of Pavement.

Lead singer and guitarist Hutch Harris proved to be in good spirits, happily involving himself in some crowd banter. Early on in the set ‘How We Know’ is a standout and really kick-started a previously subdued crowd, from there on the gig went from strength to strength. New track ‘Now We Can See’, from their soon to be released fourth studio effort of the same name, offers up a calmer side to the band and adds a bit of variation to the set. The show reaches a climax for the final song - ‘A Pillar Of Salt’ – the hit track from their 2006 record The Blood, The Body, The Machine, sending the crowd into full throttle and ending the night on an uncompromising high.

The Thermals - A Pillar Of Salt

Interview: The Thermals

2009-02-06T23:22:00.007Z

I had the opportunity to interview The Thermals as they stopped off at The Cluny in Newcastle on Tuesday. They were really nice folks and put on a great show. Here's the interview and a few mp3 tasters for ya as well.

Oh and sorry for the lack of posting, life has been very hectic recently.

Adventure By The Monument: You guys are headlining tonight, but for much of this tour you're going to be supporting The Cribs, is that right?

Hutch Harris: Yes

ABTM: How was that arranged? Did they ask for you personally or anything like that?

HH: They did, we toured with them two years ago... over here, for a lot more shows - maybe like thirteen or so shows. Gary [Jarman] lives in Portland part of the year, Johnny [Marr] lives in Portland too but we've known Gary maybe for like three years or so. We had a great time on the last tour so they just asked us back.

ABTM: You've recently changed labels as well, from Sub Pop to Kill Rock Stars.

HH: Yeah.

ABTM: What prompted that?

HH: Erm, Kathy and I just started looking. We had another offer from Sub Pop for two more records, we just wanted a contract that was different, a different style of contract.

ABTM: [More] creative control?

HH: Well, no. It was to do with ownership rights and legal stuff. Sub Pop never gave us any problem with the creative side at all, we just wanted more control over the rights and the masters, stuff like that.

ABTM: Was the transition really easy for you to make?

Kathy Foster: Yeah, I think it was really easy because Kill Rock Stars just moved to Portland.

ABTM: Just an easy decision then?

KF: Well we thought about it a lot, we had the new contract from Sub Pop for several months before we decided and when we recorded the record we didn't have a label in mind yet so Hutch and I just financed the record ourselves and then we just started looking around for labels and talking to lots of different people. We didn't decide quickly, we talked to a bunch of different labels and Kill Rock Stars just made us the best offer with licensing. It's an independent label, so it's run like 50-50 profits whereas Sub Pop was run like a major label.

ABTM: It's kind of a generic question to ask but what can we expect from your new album? Comparatively at least with previous albums?

KF: I think it has the same type of sounds, just big - we recorded in the same studio as the last record - so it has that big sound, and just different themes in the lyrics.

HH: It's slightly less abrasive than the past [albums]. The content is kinda more classic themes - earth and water and love and death, it's not heavy on politics or religion at all. It's more universal I think because of that.

ABTM: And is the cover art a reflection on that? It seems a lot more laid back.

HH: Yeah this is the single [holds up 7" single], this is taken from the [album] cover. It looks like what would come after the other record covers for sure.

KF: It's more calm...

HH: There's no smoke and fire but there's litter and refuse.

ABTM: Are you involved in making the art yourselves? Because its sort of collage based...

HH: Yes, Kathy and I usually collaborate. For this one I made all the collages and then Kathy did all the layout and stuff.

ABTM: Yeah, because your covers are really good...

HH: Oh thanks, thanks.

KF: Yeah, Hutch makes all the collages.

ABTM: You guys formed in Portland, which has been a centre of underground success in recent times.

HH: Totally.

ABTM: The likes of Sleater-Kinney, The Decemeberists...

HH: Yeah Gossip is there and The Shins, tons of bands... so many.

ABTM: What was it like starting out as a band in a city like that? What was the city like?

HH: Kathy and I had been living there for five or six years already, I always felt it was really our city. A lot of the bands that were getting big there had moved there really recently - Sleater-Kinney hadn't been living there, Modest Mouse and Steve Malkmus... they all were big before, so I felt like Portland was more ours. A lot of the early songs were about Portland, didn't mention it by name but they were definitely referenced - like the scene there at the time, so I felt like Portland played a big part but also that we knew Portland better than a lot of other bands at the time.

KF: There's tons of small bands there too of course and it's just a really good community, everyone supports each other and helps each other out. Hutch had made the first record on a 4-track and before it became the record it was just a collection of recordings that he was just giving to friends. So friends of ours were playing it in the bars they worked in and the coffee shops they worked in, so it was getting a lot of fans before we had played any shows. So the first shows we played were super-fun because a lot of our friends were there.

ABTM: It does sound like a really exciting place. To someone [like myself] who has never been there it does seem like a really cool place.

KF: Yeah, it's cool because there's just so much creativity there. But it's still really mellow and laid back and the weather is a lot like here [laughs]. Rainy and grey a lot of the time but beautiful in the spring and summer.

ABTM: Were you around for the snow yesterday then?

KF: Yeah we were one of the last planes to land at Heathrow.

ABTM: Wow, that's quite lucky... well, sort of.

HH: [Laughs] yeah kind of.

ABTM: I guess it's a bit of a double-edged sword.

HH: Totally, yeah [laughs].

ABTM: For a three piece band you've had a number of changes over the years in personnel, do you guys feel really comfortable right now?

HH: I do. This is Westin [points to the as yet silent Westin Glass], drumming now. We really haven't played together that long, we only met in the summer and then started playing in like October or November. But yeah it does feel really comfortable, we've all been getting along really well which is always as important as how we play together.

KF: Yeah.

HH: But it's always been as important, you know? We've never played with someone and got on with them one way but not the other, we've made sure that it works when we're playing together and when we're hanging out. When you're in a band you're spending so much time together and only like an hour of that is on stage every night and the rest you have to get along. We've been friends with everyone we've played with, it's important. [Looking at Westin] Did you want to say anything?

Westin Glass: Yeah, I totally agree, I think that it's really important. I've played in who knows how many bands in my life and this is definitely the one where I feel the most comfortable and at home, even counting bands that I myself started.

KF: [Laughs]

WG: I feel this band is more fun and just feels the best, to me it feels amazing.

KF: Yeah, we got lucky with Westin.

ABTM: You guys have been known for being quite political, record-wise.... did you do anything to celebrate Barack Obama's Inauguration?

HH: Got drunk [laughs]. Everyone did.

WG: I was in Seattle that night and there was a huge crowd of people just out in the streets cheering and just going crazy, it was really awesome. Like, when do you ever see that for a political event?

ABTM: I followed the election a lot more than most people in Britain probably did. Nothing we have over here is like that, but it just seemed like such a moment.

HH: It definitely was, you knew it.

KF: It was really emotional. For election night I was at a friends bar and there was a small group of us just watching the results come in. Everyone was really emotional, we were all watching the speech and getting teary-eyed, it was such a huge moment it was hard to believe.

WG: I definitely cried during his acceptance speech, it was so awesome.

HH: You just knew. It seemed like you went from something before to something that you thought you'd never see in your life.

ABTM: Where are you guys most looking forward to going on tour in support of the new record?

KF: We're hoping to tour Japan and Australia for the first time. Poland, Prague...

HH: I'd like to go to Mexico City too.

KF: Yeah we haven't been to Mexico...

HH: And yet it's so close to us.

WG: They love to rock.

KF: Yeah, we've been getting more and more emails from people in Mexico wanting us to come and play there.

ABTM: Are there any places you've really enjoyed in the past? Any shows?

HH: I like playing England actually, a lot. Glasgow is always good, London as well is usually fun. And then a lot of towns we've never played before, like here we're playing for the first time. We usually just fill in the cities we haven't been to, but yeah touring the UK is really fun because everything is really close. Last time we toured with The Cribs it was just like one or two hours every day driving, it's not like the US where everything is really spread apart, at least in the west. Germany is also really good, The Netherlands is really good... we've just started going to Spain and I think we're going to do more in Italy too.

ABTM: And are you planning to do a lot of festivals this year? Or are you not a fan of them?

HH: No we love the festivals, well, I love the festivals.

KF: We're playing the pitchfork festival in Chicago and then... so far we're playing some festivals in August in Germany and Poland, so we'll just see what else comes in and try and play a bunch this summer.

ABTM: Well, okay that's about it. Thanks so much guys.

KF: Thank you.

WG: Yeah, thanks.

ABTM: Have a good show.

KF: Thanks so much.

The Thermals - A Pillar Of Salt

The Thermals - How We Know

Arcade Fire Play Obama Staff Party

2009-01-24T15:12:00.004Z

After playing shows in aid of the Obama campaign Arcade Fire agreed to play the staff party for the campaign too. Great to see them in action again. Check out the videos below.... AMAZING stuff.

Born In The USA (Springsteen Cover)

Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

Intervention

Heavily Funeral-centric setlist......

Wake Up
Neighborhood #2 (Laika)
Intervention
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
No Cars Go
Haiti
Keep the Car Running
Born in the USA (Bruce Springsteen Cover)
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)

And nice to see they're still up to their old tricks, even when in formal attire

Howling Bells - New Single, Tour Dates

2009-01-22T22:43:00.004Z

Just got this from their PR company....

HOWLING BELLS RELEASE NEW SINGLE 'CITIES BURNING DOWN' on 23rd FEBRUARY

In case you didn’t realise it, Howling Bells are back with a vengeance in 2009. After a two year absence following the release of their elegantly haunting debut album, spent recording and touring with the likes of the Killers and Mercury Rev, the quartet of Juanita Stein, Joel Stein, Brendan Picchio and Glenn Moule are ready to unleash their singular charms on the world all over again.

You would, in all probability, have heard the first, scintillating taster of what’s to come with “Into the Chaos”, which NME named their Track of the Week and which went on to burn up the airwaves as well with its intoxicating mixture of smouldering vocals and dizzying strings. But it is with “Cities Burning Down”, their first full single release from their forthcoming, lushly Technicolor second album “Radio Wars”, that the Bells really show what they have in store for us.

Indeed, as on the B-side, “Hearts and Armour”, “Cities Burning Down” reveals itself as a smouldering, glittering anthem in waiting, the kind which raises the hairs on the backs of necks even while lodging itself firmly in the brain. Which is not to say that Howling Bells have lost any of their renowned flair for drama; far from it. The song has a haunted, cinematic quality, egged on by lead singer Juanita Stein, who uses that remarkable voice of hers to alternately seduce and taunt the spellbound listener. Yes, it is a bright, shiny future ahead for the Howling Bells indeed, and they plan to make the journey as exciting and unpredictable as possible.

UK TOUR DATES
09 Feb – London, 02 Academy Islington
03 Mar – Bristol, Fleece and Firkin
04 Mar – Southsea, Wedgewood Rooms
05 Mar – Oxford, Zodiac at Oxford Academy
06 Mar – Brighton, Digital
08 Mar – Birmingham, Barfly
09 Mar – Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
10 Mar – Newcastle, The Cluny
11 Mar – Glasgow, The Classic Grand
13 Mar – Aberdeen, Moshulu
14 Mar – Sheffield, Plug (former Zero)
15 Mar – Manchester, Club Academy
16 Mar – Liverpool, 02 Academy 2

http://www.howlingbells.net/

Cluny... get in! Hope I'm on the guestlist but I was for their last gig just gone in November so it's touch and go, anyway tickets will be cheap.

Local Gig Roundup

2009-01-16T00:02:00.017Z

Plenty of worthwhile gigs coming to Newcastle to kick the year off. Here is my pick of the bunch...

Seasick Steve - Jan 25th @ City Hall
The idiosyncratic nature of the hobo-blues man stops by in Newcastle again this year. He's elected to play at The City Hall this time around.

Tickets - £17.50

The Thermals - Feb 4th @ The Cluny

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, The Thermals have steadily been making a name for themselves on the highly respected Kill Rock Stars indie label.
They recently scored a support slot with The Cribs for the whole of their upcoming UK tour, but this gig will see The Thermals headline especially for us lot. I've not heard an extensive amount of their work, but apparently there are apt comparisons with The Hold Steady, Ted Leo and No Age.
Support comes from Jack Lewis and Love Bites & Bruises.

Tickets - £6.50

Mumford & Sons - Feb 5th @ Cumberland Arms
I've sadly not had the chance to rummage around the musical collection of these indie-folk types who have emerged from the ever growing London folk scene. I've been assured that they are definitely worth seeing if folky drizzled indie is your type of thing.
Think Johnny Flynn, Fleet Foxes and Noah And The Whale.

Tickets - £6

Ra Ra Riot - Feb 14th @ Academy 2
Delightful indie-pop darlings, Ra Ra Riot, bring their enthusiastic live show to Newcastle for the first time.
It's not been an easy road, after their drummer died tragically at sea in 2006, Ra Ra Riot have had to slowly rebuild, but last year they released their debut album The Rhumb Line with it's gleeful strings and indie-pop melodies it's bound to put a smile to your face.
Their live show, so I've been led to believe is pretty fun too and very energetic, not sure how well they'll fair on the dodgy Academy 2 stage though.

Tickets - £6.50

Asobi Sesku - Feb 15th @ The Cluny
Modern day shoegazers/melodic dream pop group Asobi Sesku play the Cluny. Not sure if they're the kind of band I'd want to see live, but I enjoy their records and at £6 a ticket who care I guess.....
Support comes from Hartlepool instrumentalists MeandthetwinS.

Tickets - £6

Emmy The Great - Feb 17th @ The Cluny
Darling of the London anti-folk scene Emmy The Great will also be dropping by The Cluny in February.
Quite the collaberator she has worked with Fyfe Dangerfield (of Guillemots fame), Jeremy Warmsley and Lightspeed Champion.Expect soothing harmonious tunes for the most part.
Support comes from Exlovers and Young Husband.

Tickets - £7.50

Wild Beasts - feb 26th @ The End Bar
I've no clue how to desribe Wild Beasts other than mental. Go see them if you like them, don't bother if you don't. Napoleon IIIrd provides support.

Tickets - £7.50

Fanfarlo Do A Video

2009-01-10T04:22:00.006Z

.............finally.

London via Sweden band Fanfarlo are definitely the band I'm most excited about hearing the debut album of this year. They're just so delightful. Happy, twee, loveable, simple indie pop at it's finest, their demos took over a good month or so of my musical obsessions last year.

Well, whilst we eagerly await their debut record they've kept us entertained by making a video for their most recent limited edition single Harold T. Wilkins and rather good it is too. Sign up to their mailing list for some treats in the not too distant future in the form of sneak peaks at the newly recorded material.

Harold T. Wilkins Video

They're playing in London tonight. Wish I were going.

Ra Ra Riot To Play The Academy

2009-01-10T01:29:00.006Z

Ra Ra Riot have announced a UK tour that includes The O2 Academy. Hurrah.
Cannot wait to see these guys, their music makes me so happy and nobody I know has spoken a bad word of their live performances.

11th Feb - Birmingham Barfly
12th Feb - Glasgow King Tuts
14th Feb - Newcastle Academy 2
15th Feb - Manchester Night & Day
16th Feb - Nottingham Bodega
17th Feb - London Borderline

Tickets are only £6.50 too! Available from ticketweb, but the sensible amongst you will drop by to RPM or Beatdown to buy your tickets and support our local indie record stores......

05 - Dying Is Fine
Death oh baby
You know that dying is fine but maybe
I wouldn't like death if death were good
Not even if death were good

New Dan Deacon

2009-01-06T18:35:00.005Z

After a couple of delays general madman Dan Deacon has announced his new album Bromst will arrive on March 24th. Bromst, the follow up to 2007's Spiderman Of The Rings is said to be a darker affair, take from that what you will given that Spiderman Of The Rings was insanely happy with its batshit-mental-fun-happy-times approach to electro.

Artwork and tracklist below

01 Build Voice
02 Red F
03 Paddling Ghost
04 Snookered
05 Of the Mountains
06 Surprise Stefani
07 Wet Wings
08 Woof Woof
09 Slow With Horns / Run for Your Life
10 Baltihorse
11 Get Older

I've been dying to see him live for ages now, but I doubt a trip to Newcastle will be on the cards, I'll probably have to see him in London, presumably late in 2009. I can't afford to miss him, the guy's live shows are truly legendary with dance-off competitions in the middle of the crowd and everything.
Nab the closing track to his new album just below.....

11 - Get Older

Howling Bells - Radio Wars

2009-01-05T05:48:00.008Z

So far this year this is the record I've found myself playing the most, despite leaks from Animal Collective and Andrew Bird. Which if you know me, is quite a feat. There's no logical reason for it I guess, I'm sure I'll be listening to Animal Collective a lot more soon enough though.

Anyway, I was lucky enough to nab a guestlist place to see these guys support Mercury Rev at The Academy towards the arse end of last year. They played a damn fine set actually, much to my surprise, I was expecting the stage to be much too big for them and the crowd to be not all that interested, turned out that I was a bit presumptuous.
They played about half and half of old and new material and I was impressed with their new stuff, at the time I thought it possible for their sophomore effort to better their self titled debut, alas it's not the case.

The album has highs that surpass any of those found on their debut, but equally troughs of a greater magnitude too. First single Into The Chaos, released last year is an obvious standout with it's dizzying, swirling guitars but the rock simplicity of Cities Burning Down and the album-definitive Digital Hearts are the true winners here for me. Unfortunately the midsection of the album tends to drag and is like a fat middle on an otherwise slender figure.

To sum up, it's good, slight change of direction, less pretty, more rocky. Worth getting.

01 - Treasure Hunt.mp3

09 - Digital Hearts.mp3

Welcome

2009-01-05T05:36:00.003Z

This is the second incarnation of this blog, hopefully I'll be less lazy and keep it going this time.

Anyway, this time expect a more relaxed and personal sort of approach, with more of a local emphasis.

It's all about the music, the place and the thoughts.

Jog on....