I like getting nice surprises in my inbox, this is one such surprise. Opened just before I set off for Berlin and was on constant repeat on the way there...
Night Fruit are a new band from Cambridge, US. They released their first EP 'Triangles' in August and you can download it for free from the band's link.
Wonderful Shoegaze music from Ireland isn't something I write very often, but I am hear doing just that, and it is. Duo Low Sea have recently released their second mini LP 'The Light' via Lefse records - I am really enjoying it what I've heard so far.
Edit: 23rd September - Posted this again as a reminder. I will post the two (one for two tickets / one for the signed print) winners on my return. This will be my last / almost last post until 29th September.
I've a massive back-log of posts / reviews and some very exciting developments to bring soon...
Fancy going to see The Joy Formidable with a friend for free on 14th October? Well if so read on...
I'm giving away a pair of tickets to see my favourite trio at Koko, London on the 14th of October. Simply "like" the post I created here (or any time I mention TJF on facebook) and I'll pick a winner when I return from Berlin on 28th/29th September.
Non-UK TJF fans? Fear not, do the same and I'll pick another person to win a fully signed Popinjay print. Only 200 of them in existance and this one is signed too! Spread the word if you know anyone who might be interested.
It's been a while since we heard anything from The Chapman Family. However the release of "All Fall" seems them make a strong comeback. Watch the video above. Single is out 31st October (although not sure on that as that is a Sunday?!). Tour dates (comprehensive ones too) can be found on the MySpace link above.
There is a lot of female led electronic material being released at the moment, a lot of it good. 'Ring', the debut LP from Cameron Mesirow who records under the moniker Glasser is another fine example.
"Apply" sets the scene, multi-textured experimental soundscapes complete with an intense pounding tribal beats and dreamy chants reminiscent of Bjork, Bat for Lashes et al. Along with "Night" off the recent Zola Jesus release "Apply" has to rate as one of the strongest opening tracks for some time.
So yes, the above video is very, very good! A short show Zola Jesus played at Rough Trade East a few weeks ago.
I'm not sure where 'Stridulum II' comes in my albums of the year, very highly, in the top five. It's fantastic.
Can't wait for 1st November and the return of ZJ in the UK (with Xiu Xiu / Former Ghosts) Tickets: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/88075
Mexican Summer have some fine artists on their roster including Best Coast, Tamaryn, Dunes and the latest to come to my attention No Joy.
I posted about their amazing first 7" No Joy / No Summer a while back. No Joy will be in my tracks of the year. fuzzy vocals and a thumping frenzy of feedback. It's simply superb.
Thus my hopes for the LP are high, we got our first snippet of it today. Listen to "Heedless" below:
Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars" from Phil Pinto on Vimeo.
One of the Stand Out tracks from the amazing debut album 'Treat's' Sleigh Bells "Infinity Guitars" video can be viewed above.
The reason for this post is the great news of new shows; after their amazing sold out Lexington show back in August, the duo return to the UK towards the end of November for a few shows. The London show will sell out quick, so get involved. Can't wait.
New Former Ghosts video for the track ‘New Orleans’ off their forthcoming new LP. Directed by Michael Fierstein. New Love is due October 18th on Upset the Rhythm. Pre-order the CD / LP for £10 inc P&P.
I'm liking this a lot. Has the potential to surpass 'Fleurs'.
As I said in the last ZJ post, cannot wait for 1st November.
Here's the Rob Da Bank Session that Warpaint did for Radio One whilst they were here at the end of August, but only aired last weekend. 'The Fool' is out 25th October in the UK.
You can listen to the complete show and watch a video of Undertow on the BBC site here.
Firstly, and most excitingly, you can download a wonderful live NYCTaper recording of Dirty Projectors by heading over to the NYC site - it has to be the one of the most impressive sites on the internet for live music, the quality is always amazing and the cost is always free.
Massive thank you.
Secondly, Domino release a definitive 2 x CD deluxe set of last year’s 'Bitte Orca' album next week. Order
I'll be honest and say I don't like re-releases, they aren't too nice for the early adopters, at least the second CD looks good... If you haven't got this amazing CD, you really have no excuse now.
The second disc features never before released tunes from a very special and intimate acoustic performance at New York’s Other Records, rare vinyl only B-sides and, to top it all, a brand new, amazing cover of Bob Dylan’s "As I Went Out One Morning".
Okay, here is part two of the London Gig Guide, I went to all but one of last month's recommended gigs and a few more. My listing of recommended gigs for the next 30 days or so will soon be covered. I'm probably going to more gigs out of London than in London this month, but I'll keep this gig guide based in the Capital.
I first came across Her Name is Calla on the Drowned in Sound forum, I wasn't sure why I'd never crossed paths with Calla before - they supported Trains in 2007 so they must have been somewhere near my radar, clearly I must walk around with my head in the trees. Until recently that is.
When I took a peek on their MySpace page I instantly fell in love.
Their slow burning atmospheric tracks are nothing short of beautiful works of art. Stark, sombre percussion and desolate vocals with heart-pounding emotional peaks, my words are struggling to describe the songs, just listen, you will not regret it:
Laurel Halo is an electronic musician from Michigan and now lives in Brooklyn. She makes ambient electronic music with wonderful harmonic vocals.
You can download a free (yes the best sort of price again) EP directly from her site, link above.
A remastered vinyl is due in November and some 7" releases are planned for early next year.
Do download the EP (entitled King Felix) because it's great.
Listen to one of the standout's below:
'A Father's Son' - released on October 25th - will be the first track to be released from their upcoming album 'He Who Saw The Deep', due later this year.
It's good to hear something new from Trains - 'Sea of Regrets' release was almost a year ago now!
Watch the video below:
The band return with tour dates soon: Tickets: Thu 14th Oct 2010 The Deep Hull Mon 25th Oct 2010 O2 ABC 2 Glasgow Tue 26th Oct 2010 The Ruby Lounge Manchester Thu 28th Oct 2010 Hare and Hounds Birmingham Tue 2nd Nov 2010 100 Club London Tue 9th Nov 2010 Bang Bang Club Berlin, Germany Wed 10th Nov 2010 Paradiso Amsterdam, Netherlands
A band I first featured after I first saw them at The Great Escape, I then caught their Glastonbury set and was equally impressed.
They are now finally releasing their debut single - following on from the download only EP "No Hot Ashes" (available from the band's bandcamp page linked above - "Six Wolves" is released on limited 7" 18th October.
Dream Affair is the new project from Hayden Payne, formerly of Void Vision. I was interested in giving this a spin because "In 20 Years" is one of the finest tracks I've heard all year, it's a dark electro beauty...
The five tracks that make up the debut Dream Affair EP "All I Want" sit much more in the gothic rock / post-punk category.
Don't think I mentioned my thoughts of the Cargo gig early last month. It was good but didn't blow me away. Far too one paced, the crowd was not good and I think that rubbed off on Bethany and Ali and the band didn't really rock out till right at the end. It was a Monday though, never the best night for a gig.
I do think it was brave of Bethany to leave off all of the EP's tracks from the album, but I do think a few of the songs should have been on their. Sun Was High / Something In The Way / Wish He Was You are all great songs that will be missed my the masses now. It also would have pushed the album from good to very good in my rating!
I only discovered Like a Version on Friday, it's a nice concept, artists play a couple of songs, one of their own and a cover.
First Aid Kit decided to cover Fever Ray - Karin helped them get their first EP out. It's a great Fever Ray track (as is the whole album) and I like this cover too.
Mountain Man were a part of BBC Radio One's a capella Session last week, hosted by Huw Stephens it saw my favourite Vermont college attendees sing three songs and have a chat with Huw.
I get to see the girls again next week in Brighton, am very much looking forward to seeing their spell-binding show one more time on this tour. I think we'll see them back in the UK in the not too distant future, and I'll be looking forward to that too!
A very quiet premiere of the new single by The Joy Formidable - "I Don't Want To See You Like This" appears to have happened on the Adam Walton show on BBC Wales. See here for the whole show - I could tell you to go to approx 2 hours 39 minutes, or I could post the important bit, so that's what I'll do below:
If you suffer with thalassophobia it's probably best to look away now. If there is an overriding theme to the debut full length from "Drown Your Heart Again" by The Strange Death of Liberal England, it's maritime.
I've followed TSDOLE for some time, one of my current favourite live acts, their live set is always a treat due to it’s energy and rousing pacing. So whilst clearly I'm a fan, I did not expect them to produce an album that is this consistently good, it really is outstanding.
I've posted about Lanterns on the Lake before, but a little reminder always goes down well with me, so for anyone who has yet to listen to this wonderful group, do so, now.
I saw them live for the first time last night, albeit briefly (I had to get from RTE where Caitlin played another wonderful set) and arrived five minutes after their set-time started, and it was a short set (they deserved longer, judging my the CD sales after the gig I think people were impressed - me included).
A late night find and one perfect for late night listening. From Montreal, duo Gold Zebra have released their debut EP via their bandcamp page.
Do yourself a favour and give it a spin.
These are just fantastic dark-disco cuts. It's as if someone has asked The xx to do the soundtrack for Blade Runner - absolutely loving it. Trans Desert is an epic 9 minute 14 seconds journey and is just jaw droppingly good.
The End of This just wow.
Make sure you sample it below and then you can buy it in mp3 format for the paltry sum of $3 or get a limited to 50 cassette for $5 plus P&P.
One is heading to the UK for me, so there aren't 50 anymore!
I finally saw Zola Jesus last night, what a talent this girl is. Still only 21. Majorly excited for the future.
She'll be headlining Brixton instead of being the support before long.
What a voice. Live there was a move Cold Cave esque twisted synth thing going on - I like it alot.
Manifest Destiny is just epic.
Watch the new video for "Sea Talk" below. It's directed by Jacqueline Castel, who also made Zola Jesus' previous videos for Clay Bodies and Night.
As the picture kinda gives away; even before the current tour is over, we have some new dates for Caitlin. Given the overwhelming praise for the tour and album over here and the radio coverage from Marc Riley / Bob Harris, it's not surprising she is back in the UK for another tour so soon.
XOYO promises to be a wonderful new venue in London. No ticket links live just yet, try the sites in the picture.
Another London show! As if the November news wasn't good enough alone - we now have a farewell show on the 4th October (not that 5 weeks is too long to wait!) - at The Social - tickets are priced at a barmy sum of £6.00 - be quick from: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/92486
Caitlin's successful UK tour continues (check old posts for full dates) next week, with three London shows alone, lucky us! (well not for me on the 8th as it's clash central and I've opted for Zola Jesus and Fever Ray who I've not seen before) - to make up for that I've got a ticket for the Brighton show on the 14th. Mountain Man are supporting Jonsi in Brighton on the same day. What a fine pairing that is going to be in one evening!
So my evening will be something similar to this. Finishing work - train - sub-standard food - Mountain Man - Caitlin - train back to London - bus across London - train home - be tired. Worth it though!
Last week before her Bristol show she was in the BBC studio's for the second time, this time with Bob Harris on his Country show.
Here's the BBC blurb:
"Bob is joined by the 23 year old singer songwriter who is being hailed as one of the most important new acts to emerge from Nashville's alternative scene - Caitlin Rose. Deemed by the Independent on Sunday as "the most exciting act in Nashville right now", Caitlin Rose has a voice and insight which belies her age and has drawn comparisons with country greats Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline"
Had this post sitting around for about three weeks, thought I'd posted it already!
Glasser pseudonym of self professed “one-woman orchestra” Cameron Mesirow, Glasser first got some buzz after releasing her debut EP “Apply” in May 2009 - I'm not surprised given her beautiful singing voice combined with such fantastic music, comparisons I guess with Bjork.
Sisu "see-soo" is the solo project of Sandy Vu from Dum Dum Girls, her breathy vocals are reminisent of Siouxsie and the banshees or if you'd rather get closer to the modern day, Nathasa Khan or Zola Jesus.
It carries the same 80's goth-pop sound that I'm liking so much at the minute.
"Sharp Teeth" the debut 7" is out now on Hell Yes Records - 600 vinyl (100 limited special edition) buy from Rough Trade or Hell Yes.
A Brighton based band who are causing a bit of a stir at the moment, with the backing of Sharleen Spiteri. They release their debut 7" "How Long" next week - 500 copies worldwide so get it quick (link).
Of the two songs it's Steve McQueen that's my favourite - it sounds like an anthem in the making.
Listen to that below:
I'm going to post five or six new bands (or new to me) over the weekend. Then next week I'll probably resume my Caitlin love. Brixton Windmill on Monday - whoop!
I'm very much looking into setting up a DIY non-for-profit label to put out some limited 7" of the music that I like. (interested?) This wonderful group from Russia would be the sort of thing I want to put out there...
Just a quick one to say head over to Daytrotter and get your free download of The Mynabirds session that went live today, includes an exclusive song "Lemon Tree".
The session is very much great, really breathes new life into Laura's wonderful songs. "Number's Don't Lie" is full of soul, simply fantastic whilst "Give it Time" is beautiful. "Lemon Tree" is gorgeous too. Just wow.
If you haven't already, read my exlusive interview with Laura here
Buy her music from Saddle Creek.
