This release is the prefect match for my tired bones and mind today; London based electronic artist Halls has released 'Solace' a three track EP (available to download here), it's a beautifully crafted blend of minimal understated synths, distorted samples and a haunting, ghostly vocal.
I can 100% testify that the 12 minute journey of sparse ambience is a perfect chill-out choice, even better on repeat. One of the tracks is entitled "Brave New World" which instantly made me think of War of the Worlds (not Aldous Huxley surprisingly) and the aural wasteland it encapsulates would be a perfect soundtrack for the aftermath of an apocalyptic fall-out.
Even though I'm London based and post about a lot of London based gigs and goings on I do actually get more of an audience from the States, which is kind of cool, so this post is for you...
The UK has been lucky the past six months because we've had about four or five Caitlin Rose tours and my favourite album of 2010, 'Own Side Now' came out last August, well, it finally gets its US release tomorrow (why is Tuesday release day over the pond?! - makes no sense!). So do yourself a favour and buy, buy, buy! Amazon or from Caitlin's own store which has some pretty cool T-Shirts too. Caitlin is about to set off on an extensive US tour starting at SXSW up to June (including a trip to Australia and back) - full dates - Caitlin is confirmed for a few UK festivals (including Glastonbury) so we'll get our next fix then.
To celebrate the release of 'Own Side Now' her US label are giving a free download of one of the European singles "Shanghai Cigarettes" - click on the arrow and enjoy:
Here is a criminally unwatched video of Cailtin doing a solo acoustic jaunt for Spanish radio, five tracks including a new one "I Don't Trust Anybody" which I heard for the first time last Monday at the Borderline, then search my older posts for more fun stuff.
I've not done an interview for a little while but when I was offered the chance to put a few questions to Nicole Atkins I of course jumped at the chance.
Nicole's second album 'Mondo Amore' is due in the UK next month, four years after her debut 'Neptune', quite a gap and one which sees her return with a new band and label.
'Mondo Amore' is a big, bold and deeply personal album, containing well-crafted and incredibly well-written songs about heartbreak and, though it's subject themes are close to the bone it's never bitter.
Lead single "Vultures" is a perfect introduction, an imposing, gritty bass-line, beautiful melodies and a dark, sombre theme. "Cry, Cry,Cry" is a mainstream power-pop hit that would take Adele to the top of the charts, certainly the most likely single success on the album.
Varying styles are on display, seductive crooning on "Hotel Plaster" to one of my favourites "You Come to Me" which is fast-paced and distinctly Rock 'n' Roll. Others worthy of mention include the haunting "Heavy Boots" and the exceedingly gorgeous closure "The Tower". Throughout thought the absolute highlight is the knock-out vocal performance of Nicole.
Thank you ever so much for your time, Nicole.
What inspired you to start making music?
I grew up in the age of MTV. When I was 7 I was constantly watching music videos and listening in to my older brothers Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath records. When my grandmother would watch us I'd listen to all the old Sun Studio recordings of Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. My parents always had Sinatra and Frank Zappa playing in the house. Music is what I most identified with in the world at a young age and 14 years before I wrote my first song, I always knew it was something I would end up doing.
Of your own songs, which are you proudest of and what track is the most fun to play live?
I'm proud of any song I finish but as of right now the song that I enjoy listening to and playing live the most would be "The Tower." Even though its only 6 minutes long it feels like an entire movie. It's filled with drama and heartache and musically it goes from tiny to towering. no pun intended.
Which artists do you feel have influenced your work and continue todo so?
I've always been inspired by Sinatra's phrasing, Lee Hazelwood's writing, Harry Nilsson's singing, Scott Walker's imagery and melodrama, the menace of bands like Love and the Sonics, Nick Cave, Echo and the Bunnymen, Bill Withers, Traffic, Nina Simone, Angelo Badalamente, the HAIR soundtrack, old country music and Louisianna swamp blues.
Which song do you wish you had written?
Ave Maria and "The Air that I Breathe" from Albert Hammond
What's the best gig you've attended in recent memory? Or a band that you’ve played with who impressed you?
We recently did a tour with the Black Keys. I've been seeing them live for about 8 years now and it was really inspiring and amazing to see them now playing in front of thousands of people just owning it. It was also a blast getting to share in that moment with them and open the shows. It re-instilled my theory that hard work and good taste will always prevail. And Pat and Dan can make more noise than most bands with ten more members. They're beasts! Other than that the other best show I saw this year was Tame Impala. I went two nights in a row at Bowery Ballroom. It felt like seeing early Pink Floyd for the first time.
If you were to curate an ATP event, who would you want to invite along?
Oh that would be a trip. If I were to curate ATP I would invite Blind Faith Reunion feat. Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Dungen, Tame Impala, Spiritualized performing "Ladies and Gentlemen we are floating in Space," the Jim Jones Review, Flat Duo Jets, Brian Jonestown Massacre, the Last Shadow Puppets, Black Angels, Dead Meadow, Wanda Jackson and Loretta Lynn with Jack White, Patti Smith performing "Horses," Dan Auerbach with Buddy Guy, Bill Withers, Queens of the Stone Age with Mark Lanegan, PJ Harvey, the London Suede, Bryan Ferry with Angelo Badalamente performing Roxy Music
Recommend an artist that isn’t getting the attention they deserve.
There is a band from Brooklyn called Minerva Lions. I'm obsessed with them. They are like the Beatles meets Howling Wolf, meets Talk Talk. They have a 5 song EP and I listen to it on repeat 10 times in a row and dont get bored. I also think the songwriter Robert Harrison of Austin Texas's Cotton Mather and Future Clouds and Radar is one of the best poets and psychedelic artists of our time. He has a way of making psychedelic pop records that sound completely fresh and modern and in no way retro.
------------------------
Thanks again to Nicole.
Although the album is already out in the States, ‘Mondo Amore’ is released in the UK on April 4th through Proper Records. UK Tour Dates to follow. Track-listing and pre-order from amazon.
Whirl are from California, they release their seven track EP 'Distressor' on vinyl 16th April after a download release last year; it is going to appeal to loud but melodic shoegaze lovers around the world.
After the ambience installed by the sample laden "Preface", "Leave" sets the scene with its wall of gorgeous, fuzzy and glittering guitars, male / female vocals inducing sonic soundscapes in the mind, a truly cinematic experience. My highlight of the record, though this is certainly not saying the way is down from this point on.
The reverb and distortion levels are still on maximum for "Blue" the dreamy vocal track placed firmly towards the back of the mix whilst it packs the punches with some heavy riffs and punching drums, its finale of saturated feedback plays into "Ghost" which takes its title quite literally producing another highlight with a beautiful and lush sleepy track with ethereal vocals.
The tempo is raised for next two tracks on the EP, the furious frequencies of "Meaningless" and "Child" probably providing the most obvious point for the lazy My Bloody Valentine similarities post. Distressor's seven tracks come in under 25 minutes and for that short time, you are in for a rewarding and captivating experience, one you'll reach for again and again.
Another new Austra song, another winner. "Lose it" has been released as a streamable track ahead of the album 'Feel it Break' on May 16th - I've recently said how much I'm looking forward to this album, so I won't repeat myself, but this new track is another brilliant track, probably a bit poppier than "Beat and the Pulse" but still an enthralling slab of dark electro.
Still no UK dates, although there is a French tour at the end of the month / start of April so fingers crossed they'll be some London dates added at the very least.
If you missed this last time, don't make the same mistake again; A piano rendition of a new track entitled "The Beast" that is truly breathtaking and gorgeous:
London duo Paper Crows have been mentioned here at a rate of a post per new track, a clear sign that I'm well and truly hooked by their glacial electro-pop noir, there isn't a new track here as such but we do have an exquisite acoustic version of their track "Fingertips".
Backed by a melancholy piano and solitary violin it's a simply stunning version of the track, (probably already by favourite of theirs, although Stand Alight runs it close) this version is possibly even better than the original version, particularly with Emma's heart-achingly tender voice sounding even more beautiful than ever, joined by Duncan's hushed echo in the background, it really is the definition of gorgeous.
“Fingertips” is released as a double A side along with “Follow The Leader" on March 28. Listen to the dramatic, pulsating electronica of "Follow The Leader" below, it's brilliantly dark and unsettling:
The band have a few upcoming gigs in London on March 21st (The Social) and 28th (The Lexington).
We've also been teased with a club for their upcoming promo video for "Fingertips" which is more like a trailer for a big budget Hollywood blockbuster sequel to Cloverfield or 28 Days Later, thus this clip contains mild peril (as they say in the cinemas):
