Curxes #7 - Valkyrie

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Hope you've got hold of your hat because it's likely to be blown off now... the fabulous Curxes released their new single today and it's an absolute corker...

"Valkyrie" is (and this is saying something) the duo's most bonkers three minutes yet, commanding your complete attention with a no-holds barred combination of clattering rhythms, distorted beats and a monstrous vocal that grabs you firmly in its grip and refuses to let go. It's not just crazy noise though, the track is fun and completely addictive too. You probably weren't expecting anything less.

Curxes debut LP Verxes is promised soon. "Valkyrie" is available now via Bandcamp.

Curxes #6 - Avant-Guarded

Facebook / curxes.com

After a series of terrifying electro-pop tracks in 2012 Curxes were relatively quiet in 2013, their sole release (until the track I'm talking about today) being a track which took the Brighton/Portsmouth duo in altogether new direction, the hauntingly beautiful "Further Still".

That was until just before Christmas when the band returned with "Avant-Guarded", a more typically assault of noise propelled by aggressive mechanical synths  and accompanied by a slightly bonkers video. If you've a phobia of Budgie's, you may want to close your eyes...

Roberta's vocals are as commanding and ferocious as ever around hard driving rhythms, a wall of distorted guitars and wave after wave of industrial noise, creepy and intense throughout "Avant-Guarded" is a breathless return from this boundary pushing duo.

The Great Escape 2013 - Thursday Review

Here we are again, home from The Great Escape, it sure has come around quickly! Three days of treating our bodies with the littlest respect (copious amounts of concentrated orange juice at breakfast aside) living, eating and breathing live music in Brighton's many venues and bars seems to have taken their toll on the many muso's and punters littering Brighton's streets and my Sunday Twitter feed was an almost universal story of suffering and hangover, back to the beginning of the weekend for this post though....

I arrive in town at around midday to find sky blue skies, it's a lovely day (and as so happens is the rest of the weekend with the weather forecasters well and truly proving their ineptitude) and I head straight to drop off my bag at the my hotel - a seafront location is perfect for dipping in and out of your room if you need to and cheap too as I booked in advance - preparation - it's one of the weekends key words. I'm lucky enough to know Brighton pretty well too so I don't suffer with any navigational problems all weekend (after working out where the renamed / new locations are).

Music, yes, that's what we were here for. After a quick pizza I start Downstairs at Komedia for Jenny Hval, a show which deserved more attendance - well some attendance - there were about a dozen people there at the outset of her show (the set was a last minute addition and didn't feature in the festival programme - seemingly the word didn't get out although the attendance improved as the set progressed). I'd not encountered Jenny before and wasn't really sure what to expect - I took her Norwegian roots and anticipated an ethereal, beautiful sound, I was wrong. Jenny is possessed with a stunning, haunting voice for sure and her half-monologue, half left-field experimental sounds take some adjusting to but once I had, I find myself enchanted by an unusual, inventive talent with an eerie half-folk, half electronic sound that commands your full attention. Time keeping at Komedia is like clock work and the set is swiftly brought to a close, a start to the weekend that should have been enjoyed by more.

I move on to the Breaking More Waves endorsed Laura St Jude at Dome Studio, the unnamed craft ale is expensive (£4.40) but sure tastes good as the young, Scottish singer plays to an attentive audience and another pitch black room. Laura reminds me slightly of a rawer, stripped-down Caitlin Rose, armed with a big, powerful voice and songs of stark desolation and alluring atmosphere Laura is clearly a name to watch out for and once she makes the natural progression and adds a backing band her sound will grow even more flawless.

I grab another beer - something which was bound to come back and haunt me later - and wait for Honeyblood, starting perhaps even a little early they bash quickly through a delightful selection of garage pop classics, a combo of fuzzy guitar and precise drum beats soon gets a wave of nodding heads and appreciative applause between songs. Holy Esque are next and I stick around, their shimmering soundscapes are impressive enough but I find the vocals a little to grating for my tastes and decide to reacquaint myself with the sunshine.

I was unsure where to head next and knowing some friends were sitting in a nearby pub I soon find myself quickly sinking a few too many ales and feeling a little sorry for myself. I decide a little power nap is the order of the day and disappear back to my room for half an hour before heading back out again for the evening session to see the first of my pre-festival 'tips' Curxes.

The pub setting with hastily assembled PA and a few pre-gig technical hiccups brings back nightmares of last years show, thankfully those don't happen and the sound is actually okay. Starting with their most recent track "Further Still" and with a Strangers member on electronic drum duty they soon rip and soar their way through their typically dark, ghostly set. Roberta's vocals showing little sign of the cold she's suffering with and the number of photographers in attendance are a sure sign of a band doing something right.

I head quickly to Latest Music Bar as Mt. Wolf are due to play soon, I find the previous band are still playing so I take shelter outside for a while and return to find the band having a few technical problems with their setup which delays things for a good while. When they start the room is busy and we are treated to a beautifully radiant set of subtle electronic pulses and stunning vocals, another band suffering with ailments that show little sign of such during their performance. The setting of their forthcoming Union Chapel gig will definitely suit them better but this dimly lit basement acts as a fine introduction to their live set.

I'm not sure who the band in between Mt. Wolf and Fear of Men are but they give me time to grab some food and head back to a prime position in time to watch Fear of Men at The Great Escape for the third consecutive year. It's easily the best set too, after being together for a few years (a couple of bass player changes aside) they've perfected their sound and tracks like "Seer" and "Mosaic" are delivered with an always sweet sheen. Their cover of "Pink Frost" and new track "Waterfall" equally compliment an exquisite half hour set. The absolute highlight of the day.

Now at this point I was meant to head to The Corn Exchange to see Melody's Echo Chamber, I'd no idea if there was a heaving queue or not and I found myself walking past my hotel where I am sorry to say at the age of 30, the sound of my bed was too much to resist after I'd been up since six am. So the first night of The Great Escape comes to an early conclusion, it's a marathon not a sprint after-all...

CURXES #5 - Further Still

Facebook / curxes.com

In Early December CURXES surprised us all with stripped back festive cover of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas", it highlighted a new side to the Portsmouth/Brighton duo, intimate and stark, elegant and beautiful where the darkly dramatic “sound of two robots f*cking" (tm Breaking More Waves") made way for a softer, reflective sound with Roberta's soaring voice providing goosebumps throughout.

Now comes "Further Still", Curxes first track of 2013 (after an incredibly successful 2012 which saw them feature in BBC Six Music's poll of most blogged about UK artists). The track similarly holds its power in its restraint, nestling on the verge of explosion throughout, you keep expecting the track to morph into a mechanical synth beasts a la "Haunted Gold" or "Spectre" but it doesn't, it remains understated throughout and it dazzles for that, Roberta's vocal is sublime throughout, oozing with emotive power amongst a chiming melody that can really only be described as gorgeous.

You're probably going to want to press play on this one again. Expect more from Curxes soon.

CURXES #4 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Facebook / curxes.com

The second Christmas song posted in a matter a hours and another too good to hold off until after I've posted my 'albums of the year' (hopefully starting later this week, if I write the things in time!)...

Fresh from their inclusion in the 'Blog Sound of 2013' list CURXES have shared a song that sounds, ermm, very little like Curxes. Stripping away every ounce of the 'dramatic', 'crazed' and 'monstrous' tags the duo have previously been attached to their version of "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" is bare, melancholic and stunning.

Subtle guitar textures and twinkling xylophone provide an intimate backdrop for this simple yet heart-moving rendition where Roberta's voice soars with such extraordinary emotive power. Staggering in its elegance and beauty, listen below and download (again for FREE) via Bandcamp now.

Curxes #3 - Spectre

Facebook / http://www.curxes.com/

Curxes are back with their new mutation "Spectre", more dramatic and monstrous than anything the Brighton / Portsmouth duo have released before and so good that after the half dozen or so listens I've given the track thus far I think I can safely say it's their best track yet, from the chilled ghostly introduction to the throbbing bass / crazed synth beat and Roberta's demented vocals it grabs your attention and doesn't let go, not one iota, until it finishes and then makes you want to enter Curxes world all over again.

Somewhere between terrifying and nightmarish (and that's just the altered image that accompanies the release) Curxes have already been labelled "better than your favourite band" by TVPME and "like the sound of two lusty robots f*cking" by Breaking More Waves and who am I to disagree with them? Brutal, punishing and brilliant. Listen to Spectre below. 


A 7" is planned for August 10th - pre-order details via the bands website soon no doubt.

The Great Escape 2012 - Friday Review

Friday, the second day of The Great Escape and I awake with a pretty clear head. After nearly thirty years of existence and almost half of them drinking more than I should I've finally learned that ale is the drink that thanks you the next day. My first act of the day is an early one at midday, Martha Paton at Komedia. I arrive and she's just started, she looks younger than I had in my head and her band look even younger. Don't let that detract you though, she's got a lovely voice which shines in the dark basement room, quite a large audience have turned up for a pretty much unknown singer-songwriter, perhaps they're aware of the word potential too.

Afterwards I quickly head to the seafront to catch Cut Ribbons again, this time it's a stripped back acoustic set with only three of the band members, it doesn't quite hit the highs of yesterday but the gentle melodies allow me more space to fall for Anna's voice all over again. The weather gods agree too as despite a little wind, the sun comes out for the first time all weekend. Afterwards there is a little break in my schedule so I grab some food and check out a few shops in the lanes.

The Latest Music Bar is my next stop, the first time I've seen an act upstairs and it's a good one too. Abi Wade treats a pretty large crowed to an extended soundcheck which acts to whet the appetite for the real deal, it's quite fabulous too, Abi creates a compelling sound with her cello, a beat box and her voice. Her cello is plucked more like a guitar and bashed in equal measure and it makes the most organic and percussive sounds imaginable. Afterwards I head downstairs and catch a song or two from a band that don't really do anything for me before heading to The Fishbowl.

Rozi Plain is the first act I am there to see, her set draws you in instantly, her gorgeous voice repeats around your brain, her evocative melodies enchant overwhelming you with delicacy and warmth. It's heavenly. The crowd seem like a who's who of musicians from the local scene and acts soon to play, there equally unanimous in applause of Rozi's talents. I decide to make (what turns out to be my last visit) to the seafront and have a quick beer in the sun before heading back inside to watch FOE at Life, three songs later I decide I'd rather be back at The Fishbowl and scoot out as quickly as possible.

I catch a band I'd never heard of previously and they are a revelation. The 'Stroud and proud' Hot Feet playing as a duo come trio, their songs are delicate and beautiful, the soft female vocals (I later learn are from a lovely lady named Marianne Parrish) are haunting and the guitar patterns intricate, I instantly fall in love and Hot Feet are without doubt the new band discovery of the weekend for me, an act that will most definitely be featured here again in more detail soon enough. A tip first, don't get stuck behind guitarist Jack at a gig, he's 'quite' tall!

Another pint of Laines later and I'm ready for the next act. If I thought it impossible for the music to get better I was wrong because Emma Gatrill raises the bar again, I'd seen a picture of her London show the night before and it looked magical. Magical is an equally apt word to describe her, a collection of beautiful harp-based songs that bring a warm intimacy to the small venue, as I look on spellbound as Emma's gentle plucks and soaring voice makes the small venue seem even smaller, it becomes like a living room gig. Later Emma is joined by a guitarist and drummer who add wonderful atmospheric noises to her songs, her album came out last week and if you have any sense you'll be buying it soon.

Next up is a solo show by Mariner's Children well not quite solo as Emma provides backing vocals to the striking acoustic songs, the lyrics and guitar provide a rich tapestry and thought provoking music with powerful harmonies and as a self-confessed nay-sayer of male sung folk rock (I blame Mumfords) I find myself blown away by his/their sound, maybe there's a conversion on the horizon...

After three hours of sweet, soothing folk sounds I have an unadvisable encouter with chinese take-away before heading to The Queen's Hotel to watch the culmination of Amazing Radio's day there. Hype it seems is a fickle thing. It's probably easier to write down new blogs that haven't covered Shines than those who have but there is only a small-ish crowd (clashes against Grimes and Alt-J probably don't help their cause, alongside being on the alternative escape which for some reason isn't listed in the festivals iPhone app) to watch the Manchester four-piece, but nevertheless they perform a pleasing set bookended by their best (and most well known) tracks "Spent Youth" and "Shola".

Fear of Men take the stage next to a larger crowd and are joined by a fifth member on backing vocals (who I find the next day is Laish's Martha Rose, a band whom also have Emma Gatrill in their ranks - Brighton suddenly seems a lot smaller!), their show is excellent, one of the bands who I feel deserve the 'buzz' they've received since formation. Which in case we dare forget in the excessive internet hyperbole is only 12 months ago. They shuffle through a twenty five minute set of jangly indie and dreamy vocals quickly, barely stopping for breathe (and certainly not a chat). It's hazy, gorgeous and just what the evening needed.

The venue got suddenly busier around ten pm with the blue neck band identifying 'delegate' seemingly more in force than at any other point of my festival. 'Delegate' at TGE could mean anything, if could mean a guy who write a more popular blog than this one whose got a press pass, it could mean a an A&R guy for a label or it could simply mean a person with deeper pockets who didn't fancy a queue. The balance of delegate / normal tickets is one that I still think the organiser's need to address...

The reason for the influx was for one of the 'bands of the minute' (well according to my twitter feed and hype machine), PINS, four perfectly kitted out (too perfectly perhaps), good looking girls who can play a bit too. An A&R managers' dream you could say. They've only played about ten shows so far and are a little rough around the edges (not helped by an amp problem) but there are signs that given time they'll be able to follow-up the excitement that their early release caused to new blogs like this. "Eleventh Hour" itself is spellbinding, deep guitar and rattling rhythms recalling some of Manchester's finiest post-punk bands. For now I'll label them as promising and keep following them with baited breathe...

I could call it a night but I don't, I head for a drink at The Latest Music Bar and catch half of The Chapman Family's set. I find myself at conflict. I really enjoyed watching TCF about 15 months ago on tour with The Joy Formidable, yet here they start with four new tracks out of five (which in itself is no big deal) but when performed by a rhythm section that I don't recognise as TCF (their old drummer and bassist left amicably last summer) and instead see fresh faced, immaculately dressed lads I'm not sure what to make of it. TCF 2.0 is an entirely new band and I'm not sure where I stand with them. My time runs out and I head over to see my last act of the night Curxes...

The place, Riki Tik's is not a live music venue at all, it's full of drunks dancing to intolerable dance music. I'm expecting a car crash. Curxes take the none existent stage after a bouncer pushes a few people who keep trying to tumble into the keys and then you realise the sound system is shit as well. The band are really up against it, really. They perform admirably though. Roberta even ventures out into the crowd and intimidates a few people twice her size, her voice as strong and powerful as I expected. It's a shame my first Curxes experience had to be like this but I leave with enough there to know they'll be more to come and in venues where music is not a byword for overpriced piss-water lager.

I even manage to avoid the chip shops on the way home, Friday was a success...

The Great Escape 2012 - Preview (Part Two) Friday

The second part of my preview of The Great Escape focuses on Friday, the second day of the festival. If you land and this page and are interested in reading Thursday's preview, you'll find it here. There are so many amazing acts playing at TGE this year that I could easily have picked over a dozen or so recommendations throughout Friday and even more if I included clashing acts, with half a foot in the real world I've limited myself to seven picks to give me some time to enjoy some sunlight, sleep and perhaps even a little food, I might end up catching more, who knows.. The full line-up can be found on The Great Escape website.

Martha - Facebook
Komedia (Downstairs), Friday 11th May 12.00

A new find for me, part of the reason TGE is as good as it is, is because it leads to the discovery of new talents (some you find before and some you come across ad-hoc through the festival). I've gone through the programmes from past years before and the amount of artists you didn't see because you had no idea who they were but now do and wished you'd been there is incredible, with that in mind I do try and spend some time (there are too many for all) listening to acts I've not heard of before and that was how I came across Guildford singer-songwriter Martha Paton. A few demos on soundcloud highlight a soft, tender voice backed by gentle acoustic guitar plucks, beautiful and enchanting, the perfect start to your musical day.

Abi Wade - Facebook

Unitarian Church, Thursday 10th May 19.30
Latest Music Bar, Friday 11th May 15.00

There are quite a few Brighton acts I'm recommending in this section, the first is Abi Wade, armed with a cello, a percussion box and a seriously powerful voice she creates mysterious, atmospheric and beautiful music that is stark, haunting and wholly captivating, combining her spacious instrumentation to powerful and ethereal effect. I can't think other artists similar to Abi, her style is unique, I think she'll be very much worth your time.

Rae Morris - Facebook

Queens Hotel, Friday 11th May 16.30

The Warren, Friday 11th May 21.15

Rae Morris, a young singer/songwriter with incredible hair and an even more incredible voice has been making waves in 2012 already, a sold out London show at the Slaughtered Lamb and support slots across the country with Noah & The Whale. Take a listen to her music and it's not hard to know why. She possesses a captivating vocal range and with a collection of self-penned songs that has you listening to her every word.

Rae is on her way towards the big time and a show in the basement of a hotel could be about the smallest venue she'll play ever be playing again.

Emma Gatrill - Facebook
The Fishbowl, Friday 11th May 18.45

Another local pick, Emma Gatrill will be playing in the tiny Fishbowl pub near the Queen's Hotel (a tip after my friend made the mistake last year, don't order the Tiger beer!) and is another recent discovery but I find myself overwhelmingly charmed by her beautiful voice and soft, delicate song-craft. After performing with numerous Willkommen collective bands Emma's debut solo album will be released the week after the festival.

"Josephine" is bound to appeal to fans of Joanna Newsom et al, not just because of its harp based instrumentation, Emma's classical arrangements flutter and soar over a truly gorgeous folk lullaby, Emma's set promises to be early evening bliss.

Fear of Men - Facebook

Queens Hotel, Friday 11th May 21.30

I'm intrigued to see Fear of Men again, I've not seen them since last year and the Brighton/London quartet have had a bit of a make-over since then with two new members joining the ranks, their releases thus far have been nothing short of exceptional. 'Ritual Confessions' was one of the best debut 7" of last year (now sold-out so my opinion is not alone) and their demo tapes (similarly unavailable) were nothing short of wonderful.

"Doldrums" while only a demo, is just gorgeous, swirling guitars and precise drums give the platform for Jess's gorgeous vocals to make you go weak at the knees before a fuzzed-up stomping finale hints at the bands live bite. One not to miss.

PINS - Facebook

Queens Hotel, Friday 11th May 22.30

I'm expecting this show to be rammed, the blogging frenzy that followed the release of their debut track 'Eleventh Hour' surely means the Manchester four-piece will be courting interest from numerous A&R guys, expect them to be towards the back of the gig, with us geeky, music addicts enjoy ourselves at the front. The following is what I wrote on my single review, it's why PINS are one of the must see acts of the weekend, a new band for a new music festival.

"The reason why I'm happy to wax lyrical about them off one three minute track is simple, it's a fucking great track that doesn't disappoint any of my sky high expectations. Right from the initial impact of dark, powerful hard-hitting drums and layered guitars whirring ferociously it stirs up something in you, the droning riff hypnotises and doesn't let go, the brooding vocals similarly coerce you, part sugary and part commanding, the video is similarly wonderful, the perfect backdrop for the girls blend of 90's influenced noise-pop and 60's psychedelia. PINS are here to be your new favourite band, they're certainly on my short-list already."

Curxes - Facebook

Riki Tiks, Friday 11th May / Saturday 12th May 01.30(am) (Alt Escape)

In what will definitely be my final call of the evening (I'm almost 30 and can't hack late nights anymore), I'll be taking a trip to a venue I've never been to before, Riki Tiks to see south-coast dark electro duo Curxes (and Labyrinth Ear before them with any luck), it will be the first time and I'm going with high expectations, because let's not beat around the bush here, the initial tracks they've shared with planet Earth have been nothing short of awesome.

"Haunted Gold" bites hard, real hard, with monstrous, industrial pop rhythms and pounding metallic beats its twisted terminator guitar is like a futuristic tale of the apocalypse whilst Roberta's commanding vocals cause their own thunderstorm. Likely to send an adrenaline bolt through those, like me, who are nearing the time for their beds, Curxes will be worth staying up for.

CURXES #2 - Haunted Gold

Facebook / www.curxes.com/

The unstoppable juggernaut that is Brighton electronic duo Curxes released their newest creation to the world last week, the monstrous "Haunted Gold", an absolute powerhouse of a track where Macaulay Hopwood's relentless industrial rhythms propel pounding drum machine beats, pummelling bass and the dramatic vocals of Roberta Fidora.

Displaying more than its fair share of pomp and aggression it's Curxes most urgent and menacing track to date (and that for duo who've been releasing mutated synth-pop for almost a year now), I know I used these comparisons before but think Depeche Mode on acid or Siouxsie at her most intense, "Haunted Gold" is energetic and entrancing, play it loud and play it proud.

The track will be available on iTunes from the 10th April 2012 with a vinyl release date to follow for Record Store Day. Curxes are surely one the UK's most creative and interesting new electronic acts. Also check out the animated video below, painstakingly created with (a lot of) gold glitter and a scanner (rather them than me!).

Curxes - New Music "Introducing"

Facebook / curxes.com

The UK is definitely the forefront of an early 80's influenced synth-pop revival movement and if the world was a fairer place Brighton duo Curxes would find themselves on Top of the Tops alongside a new wave of pop-noir / electronic acts like Alpines, Creatures of Love and Paper Crows.

The reality of course is that TotP is confined to the doldrums, Simon Cowell manufactured twaddle rules the roost and at the time of writing Curxes have just 162 fans on Facebook (go change that please) in comparison to Cher Lloyd's 1.75 million. Thankfully, if you reading this you belong in the former universe too.

Back to Curxes, they've been together for about a year and have a couple of tracks available on iTunes now, I've streamed a couple of my favourites below. "Creatures" channels the haunting, seductive vocals of Siouxsie with atmospheric, industrial pop rhythms and pounding beats that come at you from all directions that recall a sound somewhere between The Human League and Depeche Mode at their prime.

"Jaws" evolves into a fabulously intense pop track that has incredible dance floor crossover potential thanks to the icy, brooding dramatics delivered by Roberta Fidora's incredible vocals and the intensity of Macaulay Hopwood's punchy, metallic synths. "Once Upon a Time" doesn't want to embed but you should definitely listen to it as it's perhaps their strongest track to date, a thumping soundtrack with an unnerving, chilling pulse and then, just when you think the duo are only capable of monstrous beats and powerhouse vocals comes "Spires", which let's Roberta's vocals truly shine, genuinely breathtaking.

Curxes play a Halloween show on Sunday October 30th at London's The Bowery, the band are on first and it's an early show (tickets) so get down early, if I'm back from visiting family I'll do the same.

Jaws by CURXES
Creatures by CURXES