SXSW Review is finally online!!

At last, the wait is over. My summary of SXSW and packed to the rim with bands worth checking out is now online on the Zavvi blog:

http://blog.zavvi.com/music/live-music-review-teens-bring-sxsw-2010-gossip/

Unfortunately I’m unable to post it on here, but please click over to Zavvi and see what I’ve come up with!

Cheers

First Get Your Ears Out feature online

Hi everybody,

just as a quick headsup – my first official Get Your Ears Out review has gone online. Check out the link below to read what I had to say about North Atlantic Oscillation @ The Ruby Lounge on the 23rd of March. Any comments etc either leave on there or here!

Cheers!

http://www.getyourearsout.com/times/2010/04/gig-review-north-atlantic-oscillation-ruby-lounge-march-23rd/

Don’t mess with Texas

Having just finished my article for Same Teens, which will be featured on   http://blog.zavvi.com/  .

I will post the direct link when it’s physically up. But for now, here’s a little taster of what to expect:

“…Fanfarlo, Miike Snow and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart were another addition to an already splendid day. TPOBPAH had been recommended to us and again showed that you couldn’t survive the days in this Texan mayhem without these o-so-needed tip-offs. Though clashing with Muse, who were doing a “secret” gig at SXSW’ biggest open-air venue, Stubbs, they can definitely add another sale on our part.

Playing in one of the multiple courtyards around, this time at a venue called Mohawk, it made us wonder whether this beautiful place had any bad locations at all!”

..to be continued

Teen Dream

“Do I need another album from this band? When I’m in the mood for what they bring, can’t I just put on what I already have?” – Pitchfork

Yes, yes, you do.

With Teen Dream, Beach House have produced their third full-length record and debut album with their new love affair, Sub Pop. After their 2006 debut, which seemed to just be another nail in the coffin of indie-indie-indie in hindsight, and 2008′s follow-up ‘Devotion’, Teen Dream is proving to be a step into a slightly different direction. There’s a quite strongly sensible update from the previous ‘second-hand shop drum machine meets cloudy female vocalist’ to a rather adult, though hungover, grandure sounding religion.

With Victoria LeGrands vocals having suffered the ‘French’ treatment (overpriced fags and gallons of wine) and now flaring a rather sensual rasp, and Alex Scally’s pinching, almost twitchy, guitar sounds, generally covering most corners of the spectrum of sound, album-opener ‘Zebra’ is a very comforting glide into the beauty that is Teen Dream. Although sliding from left to right like a chair on ice, it’s the unpredictable pitch in this first song that gives a hint of what there’s yet to come.

‘Norway’ is probably the most hit-ish track on the album and is slightly reminiscent of Fleet Foxes, yet the pitch fading guitar parts are confusing and confounding at the same time. LeGrand’s vocals are above-par and the mono-tone drowning of the constant synth sound provide important bytes in this magical carpet of sound.

Concerning my favourite track on this record, ‘Used to be’, I’ve attempted a proper write up – but failed after about 4 words as it is quite literally indescribable what I think of this song.. I’m aware of the fact that this doesn’t exactly show strength, but I hope it intrigues people enough to give it a listen at the same time

Although tempted, I shall restrain myself from referring to the several other gems that are featured on this record. But please, do take notice of the term ‘gem’ as this is not a term to be thrown around loosely.

Teen Dream is the album that shows that the days of an adult Beach House have arrived. It shows a distinctive and original sound and that’s absolutely fine. In all honestly, it’s more then fine: it’s a dream come true.

and yes, that line made me slightly sick myself, but I’m going to leave it in there nevertheless.

Frank Turner, Surfer Blood and the beauty that is Teen Dream

..grreaatt.. another blog post!

It’s just over 2 weeks since I got back from the crazy surroundings of SXSW. I’d love to share a proper report with you on here, but I’m still sorta trying to figure what actually happened and how that those couple of days would influence the rest of my life.. Couple of the bands that I have since discovered through going to southbysouthwest, although not even all of them actually physically attending their shows but just through sheer hype and recommendations: The Black Angels, Surfer Blood, Best Coast, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Darker My Love, Copacabana Club, Plastician, Local Natives, The Low Anthem.

And yes, funnily enough, there’s a definite lack of British bands in there. Almost gives the impression that with the new decade, a new era has started. And I say: why the hell not change is always interesting, especially with things like mflow cropping up, but I’ll throw a mention in on that one on here later on.

But yeah, since this is quite a lengthy post, I shall leave it there for now and draft the next couple of days whilst I’m on a roll, so all I need to do is click ‘Publish’!

to be continued..

Song of the Day

Chrystal Fighters – Xtatic Truth

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SXSW – revved up and ready to go

Blimey – been almost a month already again?! Shit, sorry.. there goes that promise I guess.

Right, where to begin.. last time I posted something was february the 16th.. Ermm – Well, actually! We had our first live music night on the 18th, come to think of it! Entitled BabyBoom Records vs. Free For Arts Festival we had two Mancunian bands (Mountains became Machines, With That Knife) playing a pretty packed out debut. Average of about 60 people in, and aside from a PA speaker giving up on us, a great buzz!

With the next one set to happen in just under a week now, it’s ‘unfortunate’ (it is really, cause I’d love to be there) that I will be in Austin, TX during that time for SXSW 2010. Which brings me to the subject I wanted to write about in the first place!

It’s only 3 days to go now, before we depart for London on the coach, to then fly out from Heathrow to Austin, via Houston. With the first travel day taking about 5-6hrs down to London, and then the next one another 28 or something, it’s definitely going to be separating the men from the boys haha.

Although I don’t have my schedule sorted at all yet, couple of the bands I’m looking forward to seeing: Local Natives, The Low Anthem, Drive Like Maria, Beans on Toast, Arborea, Efterklang, Cypress Hill, Red 7, even GWAR are doing an interview! And then there’s of course gigs by legends such as Motörhead, Stone Temple Pilots, Damian Marley ft. Nas and a possible surprise gig by world superstars Muse!

Anyhow, loads of stuff going on either way – BBQ’s, Taco Bell shall be raided, loads of good bands around and there with great people. Can’t wait really..

So yeah, just as a quick update really – more to be told upon having returned and worn off the jetlag (return travel day works out at around 37hrs, due to having to stay up all day for minimal jetlag).

Cheerio

A.

Song of the day

Spoon – The Mystery Zone

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PS: Can’t wait to catch these at SXSW!

Song of the Day

Lorraine Ellison – Stay with me (baby)

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Song of the day

Neutral Milk Hotel – King of Carrot Flowers Part 1-3

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