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ARMY OF FRESHMEN
It was naturally a night for having fun, what else could be had when a show consists of Zebrahead and Army of Freshmen?
Before the show began we, like a wandering stray, were graciously brought out of the freezing cold and taken into the warmth of the venue to sit down and have a chat with Chris Jay and Kai Dodson, one third of good-time gang Army of Freshmen to discuss the tour, their recent EP and socks.
ZEBRAHEAD
It was naturally a night for having fun, what else could be had when a show consists of Zebrahead and Army of Freshmen?
It was a cold Friday evening when we sat down in a room with Zebrahead vocalist Ali Tabatabaee to have a quick chat about the tour, the new album and what's next for the band.
10/05/12
GAGGLE
Gaggle are pleased to announce that their first headline show of 2012 will be at Village Underground, London on 4th July. Live shows by the riotous 21-strong female choir are talked about for months after and this special gig will be no different.
With their debut album ‘From the Mouth of the Cave’ ready to hit shelves on June 4th, they have also unveiled a hypnotic animation to accompany anthemic new single ‘Army of Birds’, out May 21st through Transgressive Records. You can watch the video for the new single below:
TWO WOUNDED BIRDS
With just over 4 weeks until the release of their self-titled debut album, Two Wounded Birds have unveiled a brand new track.
'The Outer World' is a dreamy and delicate track showing one of the record’s more melancholic and vulnerable moments – a new deeper side to the band that fans will not have heard on their previous singles. It’s one of the brand new songs making up the full length LP 'Two Wounded Birds', out June 4th.
See Two Wounded Birds on tour:
May 24th London Queen of Hoxton
May 26th MargateThe Turner Gallery, Tracey Emin Exhibition opening
June 29th Coventry Godiva Festival
July 6th Rome, Italy Atlantico Live Rome
July 20th Preston Mad Ferret
July 28th Portsmouth Club NME
Sept 1st Portsmouth Southsea Festival
08/05/12
THE AUDITION
Pop-rock party-starters THE AUDITION have announced additional live dates for May and June on top of Slam Dunk festival.
After departing Victory Records in July of 2010, Chicago-based pop-punk band THE AUDITION is set to write their own history with the self-release of their brand new EP, titled 'Chapter II' on 11th June in the UK to coincide with appearances at the 2012 Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds, Herts and Wales. The band have also announced headline dates in Brighton and Southampton, as well as an appearance at Facedown clubnight at The Scala in London. Backed by the support of their fans around the world, 'Chapter II' sees the band heading in a fresh direction and honing their signature sound into one that demonstrates a maturity and breadth evident in their earlier releases but not fully realized until now.
LIVE DATES
26th May Slam Dunk Festival, Leeds University SOLD OUT
27th May Slam Dunk Festival, Herts Uni, Hatfield
28th May Slam Dunk Wales, Cardiff Uni
29th May Southampton, The Cellar
30th May Brighton, The Hydrant
DAWES
Critically acclaimed Los Angeles band Dawes are set to release their debut album 'North HIlls', on June 4th.
A prequel, if you will, to 2011's critically acclaimed Nothing is Wrong, North Hills is Dawes' first effort, a glimpse at the roots of a now fully grown band. Comprised of 11 soul-bearing tracks, North Hills is drenched with the essence of the band's native California, evoking the mythology of 1970s Los Angeles without compromising their contemporary sound. Hazy ballads like the album's opening tunes 'That Western Skyline', and first single 'Love is All I Am' are balanced with soaring, stadium-ready tracks like 'When My Time Comes,' showcasing the band's dynamic, versatile, and cohesive talent. With swelling harmonies and ambitious guitar solos, rolling bass lines and heartbeat drums, North Hills is an authentic slice of 21st Century Americana.
Dawes recently wrapped up their first headlining European tour, including three sold-out London shows. They'll be back for a handful of festival dates in July, which will include sharing a stage with Bruce Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park.
07/07/12 - T IN THE PARK
13/07/12 - LATITUDE FESTIVAL
14/07/12 - HARD ROCK CALLING
Blood Red Shoes are set to release their new single 'Lost Kids' on May 14th via V2/Co-Operative Music. The second single to be taken from the Brighton duo's new album 'In Time To Voices', 'Lost Kids' is a blow to the senses adding more punch to their new change of direction. Laura-Mary Carter and Steven Ansell's vocals are double tracked for a potent layered effect over a killer hook and huge chorus. Angst ridden cries create a tense and fraught atmosphere, conjuring up images of chaos, mayhem and unrest. APRIL 27th Concorde 2, Brighton MAY 1st Trinity, Bristol Blood Red Shoes will be playing the main stage at Reading on Saturday 25th and Leeds on Sunday 26th August.
06/05/12
BLOOD RED SHOES
28th Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
29th 02 Academy 2, Oxford
2nd Waterfront, Norwich
3rd Heaven, London
4th HMV Library, Birmingham
5th Academy 2, Manchester
7th Zanzibar, Liverpool
8th Cluny, Newcastle
9th Tunnels, Aberdeen
10th King Tuts, Glasgow
12th The Cockpit, Leeds
13th Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
Gallows are pleased to announce that recording for their as yet untitled third album, and follow up to 2009's 'Grey Britain' album is now underway. Due for release in September, the band are recording with old Watford friends Steve Sears and Thomas Mitchener in a local studio to ensure they capture the raw, primal noise that is currently flooding from the new line-up of the band. The album will be released on the bands own label in partnership with PIAS Recordings. The band can now announce that the label will be called Venn Records. These are exciting new times for the UK's most notorious punk band and they'll be unleashing their fury on the following stages over the coming months. Carnage guaranteed. Sat 26-May Slam Dunk Festival North, Leeds
01/05/12
GALLOWS
Sun 27-May Slam Dunk Festival South, Hatfield
Fri 8-June Donington Download Festival, Headline Red Bull Stage
Fri 13 July 2000 Trees Festival, Cheltenham
Fri 24 Aug Leeds Festival, Lock Up Stage
Sun 26 Aug Reading Festival, Lock Up Stage
Fri 7 Sept Bestival, Isle Of White
30/04/12 My Goodness keep their blues-infused bluster simple. Economical. They pare it back to the bare bones with use of just one guitar and a drum kit. Vocals cutting through the middle. In their world, less is more. It's all about the power of two. The strength of the duo. Synchronicity and simplicity. It's about liberation too - and the unreconstructed idea of having fun. Just plugging in and letting rip. It's about amplified, electrified music. Stroppy, wired and armed with tunes a-plenty. Just as it should be.
MY GOODNESS
The Seattle music scene, famous for its contribution to breeding amazing musicians in the USA has once again delivered another rocking band that are coming for your ears this summer. Local garage duo My Goodness are about to unleash their energy-packed blues-rock to the UK and release their debut single 'C'Mon Doll' digitally on Monday 28th May following their debut UK tour.
The band was born when Joel Schneider and Ethan Jacobsen closed a bar one night in January 2010 and went for a drunken jam in a nearby practice space. Both were working in iconic/historic Seattle venue Neumos and already in other bands but the two needed to bust loose. Their debut single 'C'Mon Doll' and b-side track 'Lost in the Soul' was recorded in Red Room Studios, Seattle with producer Chris Common from These Arms Are Snakes who also recorded their debut album scheduled for release in the UK later this year. Everything was recorded to tape - no Pro-Tools, no digital enhancing. This live and raw approach carries over into My Goodness' live shows too. See this for yourself on their debut UK tour at the following dates this May in support of We Are Augustines. 2nd May - Manchester Academy 3 (SOLD OUT) 3rd May - Dingwalls, London (SOLD OUT) 10th May - ABC, Glasgow
6th May - Hare and Hounds, Birmingham (SOLD OUT)
9th May - Academy 2, Liverpool
American laptop rap pioneer MC LARS returns to the UK in May for an extensive tour. He also appears at Slam Dunk festival in Leeds (May 26th) and Hatfield (May 27th) and Beggars Big Day Out festival in Esher on June 4th. A Greatest Hits album will be released, May 28th to coincide with the dates and will be followed in June by a brand new EP, "Edgar Allan Poe" (released June 18th). Both will be released on Lars' own label Horris Records.
20/04/12
MC LARS
Tour dates are: MAY 12 THE PARISH Huddersfield 14 THE FRUIT Kingston 16 ARC Stockton 17 BLAKE HALL Bridgwater 19 CRAUFORD ARMS Milton Keynes 21 THE OTHER ROOM Birmingham 22 FROG AND FIDDLE Cheltenham 23 ESQUIRES Bradford 24 LONDON Relentless Garage 26 SLAM DUNK FEST Leeds 27 SLAM DUNK FEST Hatfield 28 CLASSIC GRAND Glasgow 29 TUNNELS Aberdeen 30 SOUNDCONTROL Manchester JUNE 04 BIG DAY OUT FEST Esher 05 SUB 89 Cardiff 06 LASER HUB Crawley 07 MUNI ARTS CENTRE Glamorgan 08 TALKING HEADS Southampton 09 SURREY UNIVERSITY Guildford
12/04/12
THE AUDITION
After departing Victory Records in July of 2010, Chicago-based pop-punk band THE AUDITION is set to write their own history with the self-release of their brand new EP, titled 'Chapter II' on 11th June in the UK to coincide with appearances at the 2012 Slam Dunk Festival in Leeds, Herts and Wales. Backed by the support of their fans around the world, 'Chapter II' sees the band heading in a fresh direction and honing their signature sound into one that demonstrates a maturity and breadth evident in their earlier releases but not fully realized until now.
The Audition has been touring with Every Avenue and We Are The In Crowd in the US, marking their first tour of their home country since 2010 and thus ending a hiatus that left their fans longing for a return to the road. The members of The Audition have been excitedly road-testing the material from their new EP after two long years off from touring and are eager to bring the show to the UK in May as the band have a long-standing history of effervescent shows in the country. They played on the Kerrang! Tour in 2007 alongside Biffy Clyro and The Bronx. The Audition also took You Me At Six out as support on one of their first nationwide headline tours, as well as playing at various other UK festivals and events including Slam Dunk, Give It A Name and Download festivals.
Formed in 2003 by drummer Ryan O'Connor and bassist Joe Lussa, The Audition signed with Victory Records and released their debut album, 'Controversy Loves Company' in September 2005. By that point, the band's line-up had come to include guitarists Seth Johnson and Timmy Klepek, as well as vocalist Danny Stevens. Their 2008 sophomore effort, 'Champion,' cracked the Billboard Top 200 at #157, and their 2009 release, 'Self Titled Album' hit #7 on Billboard Heatseekers. After the release of their fourth album, 'Great Danger,' and the fulfillment of their contractual obligation with Victory, the band began to write for what would become Chapter II. The Audition see this new EP as a second chapter to the career and legacy they want to leave behind.
LIVE DATES
26th May Slam Dunk Festival, Leeds University
27th May Slam Dunk Festival, Herts Uni, Hatfield
28th May Slam Dunk Wales, Cardiff Uni
11/04/12
GAGGLE!
Riotous 21-strong female choir Gaggle are ready to unleash their debut album, 'From the Mouth of the Cave' on June 4th through Transgressive Records. Their lead single, 'Army of Birds' will be released on May 21st, and the video teaser for it can be seen below.
Led by Deborah Coughlin, Gaggle started as a vision, a vision of a mass of women onstage, and this is exactly what she has achieved alongside her writing-partner Simon Dempsey. Now, the story continues with this thrilling, sonorous and unique debut.
Formed in late 2008, Gaggle has continued to grow, from playing their first gig at Club NME, Koko, to being named as one of NME's Top 50 Innovators and opening French festival Trans Musicales. Imagine the Spice Girls and Marina Abramovic on Motley Crue's tour bus and you'll have a vague sense of the spirits that saw the girls banned from Reading Festival, albeit only for 45 minutes. Britain's Got Talent even wanted to get in on the act, but this missed the point. Gaggle aren't a novelty act. They mean business.
"I'd always known where it would go - I knew it was a project that could cross boundaries and play in vastly different spaces," Deborah says and this became all the more apparent with the Gaggle's next step.
Deborah undertook a reworking of the 1969 opera 'The Brilliant and The Dark' - originally performed by 1000 women at the Royal Albert Hall - and took it around Europe before returning home in 2011. This project transformed perceptions of Gaggle from novelty to cultural force, leading to a performance on Jools Holland with My Morning Jacket and a documentary in the works.
'Combined with the striking vocals, 'From the Mouth of the Cave' conjures up images of a futuristic carnival or celebration. It tells us their stories: about trying to be powerful in a group (on forthcoming single 'Army of Birds'), about being alienated ('Lullaby'), about economics ('The Power of Money'), about leaving things that aren't good for you ('From the Mouth of the Cave').
Gaggle is not an act of positive discrimination nor simply a feminist collective. It's not even a cohesive unit - except in that moment of performance, where it's an army in uniform.
What Gaggle is however, is something different, something exciting and completely now.
04/04/12
ANATHEMA
'Weather Systems' is the follow-up 2010's We're Here Because We're Here. That album featured prominently in numerous end-of-year polls and the producer, Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree), has described it as 'definitely among the best albums I've ever had the pleasure to work on.'
The bar for Weather Systems has been set pretty high then but Daniel Cavanagh from the band is certain that the album will exceed these lofty expectations, 'it feels like we are at a creative peak right now, and this album reflects that. Everything from the production to the writing to the performances are a step up from our last album.'
He continues, 'This is not background music for parties. The music is written to deeply move the listener, to uplift or take the listener to the coldest depths of the soul.' Their best ever work? 'Not yet' says Daniel, but he does believe that with Weather Systems they have surpassed previous glories; 'we are pleased and proud of the record and we feel that, alongside the best moments of WHBWH, this record contains our very best work so far in what is becoming a long career.'
The intertwining melodic structures, the profoundly beautiful and intensely powerful - yet simple - songs will transport the listener closer to the heart of life, that is to say, to the heart of themselves. It is also an album of polarity. The play of opposites; light and shade, birth and death, love and fear. The simple truths of life and loss, hope and strength and darker internal themes are all explored here.
02/03/12
BRAVESTATION
The track looks set to build upon the success of their self-produced, self-released 2010 EP, which attracted considerable critical acclaim and facilitated a tour of the UK amongst other things.
29/02/12
GRINGO STAR NEW ALBUM
Boiling up from the independent musical cauldron Hotlanta has become, here comes Gringo Star with its follow up to 2008′s critically acclaimed debut, 'All Y'all.' The band now comes into its own with 'Count Yer Lucky Stars' - a collection of catchy and instantly classic pop music. You won't be able to stop humming this spate of new and bright tunes, music that lifts the spirit.The album will be released in the UK on 30th April, 2012, preceded by lead single 'Shadow' on 23rd April.
SMOKING HEARTS UK DATES & ALBUM COMING SOON
London's Hardcore Rock 'N' Roll stalwarts The Smoking Hearts have announced a week of local headline shows in support of their upcoming album release, Victory!
These dates will follow directly after the band's first tour of Australia as part of Soundwave 2012 and a two week promotional tour in the U.S.
The Smoking Hearts have just released the first single/video for the track 'Seatbelts' from their forthcoming release Ben Mills, the band's vocalist, says "We can't wait to pile back into a van and tear up stages and bars up and down the UK."Victory!
Look for The Smoking Hearts, Victory! to be released world-wide in late spring 2012. April 08 Andover The George 09 Stoke Harry's Bar 10 Liverpool Upstairs @ The Caledonian 11 Norwich Karma Café 12 Southampton Avondales 13 Weymouth Finns Rock Pub 20 Bournemouth Soundcircus 27 London Voodoo Rock @ Electrowerkz June 02 Lincoln Crash Doubt Festival @ The Showroom
The Smoking Hearts tour dates:
06 Bridgend Hobos
South Wales' latest pop punkers, Man of the Hour have released the video to coincide with their latest single 'A Modern Day Epic'. The hard edged punks video chronicles their journey from starting as a bedroom band who have evolved into a force to be reckoned with.
28/02/12
MAN OF THE HOUR UNVEIL NEW VIDEO
Watch the video below:
'I Will Never Change', is the first release to lead into Benga's sure to be big in 2012, debut major solo album 'Chapter 2' set for release in August. A somewhat epic instrumental 'I Will Never Change' will be available to download from March 5.
The band are heading out on tour in Wales during March. Catch them at one of the following dates:
March
16 Hobo's, Bridgend
18 The Full Moon, Cardiff
23 Le Pub, Newport
April
06 The Factory, Porth
July
07 Dare Valley Ink & Iron, Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Aberdare
BENGA
Currently on of the most in demand DJ's to date, March will see Benga embark on his first full DJ toure of Europe. This tour along with 'I Will Never Change' will be followed by the first single from the album in May, along with an exciting live show leading into the release of the album this August..
Benga DJ Tour:
February
24 Brighton Audio
25 Plymouth University
26 Swansea Sin City
28 Leeds Mint Club
29 Coventry Kasbah
March
01 Loughborough Echoes
02 London Fabric
03 Bristol Motion
09 Manchester Sankeys
10 Sheffield Tuesday Club
12 Liverpool Magnet
14 Southampton Oceana
05/01/12 We headed to see the Misfits, who have been out on tour this week. Check out our review of them and support act JuiceheaD in the review section!
MISFITS AND JUICEHEAD REVIEW
15/12/11
IMMIGRANT SONG MUSIC VIDEO
Nine Inch Nail's Trent Reznor and Atticus Rose have announced the release of their soundtrack to David Fincher's adaptation of 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'.
This release marks the second time Reznor and Ross have teamed up with Fincher having previously collaborated on the Academy Award winning score for 'The Social Network'.
Reznor states: "For the last fourteen months Atticus and I have been hard at work on David Fincher's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. We laughed, we cried, we lost our minds and in the process made some of the most beautiful and disturbing music of our careers."
The album will be available as two physical formats; a 3x CD digipak and a Deluxe Limited Edition metal signed and numbered box version which will include 6 vinyl discs, exclusive artwork and a special razor blade-shaped USB drive (inspired by Lisbeth's razor blade necklace) containing the full album in high-fidelity 96k audio. The album will also be available as a digital download, including a high quality audio FLAC or Apple Lossless version.
Reznor describes his and Atticus Ross's eagerly awaited soundtrack for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo as being "all based on performance, nothing programmed, with a really interesting, organic, layered feel -- something we've never done before."
You can watch the film's teaser trailer, which includes excerpts from 'Immigrant Song' : www.dragontattoo.com
Watch the video to 'Immigrant Song' featuring Karen O below.
THE WHO STREAM THE FIRST EVER QUADROPHONIC 3D60™
The Who have streamed a brand new, Quadrophonic mix of the seminal single '5.15', written by Pete Townshend for the epic Quadrophenia album first released back in 1973, today.
Pete Townshend has explored a new studio mixing technique designed to give listeners on headphones the same experience as those listening to the new 5.1 mixes recently included on the Quadrophenia 'Director's Cut' deluxe release. The band picked '5.15', the biggest single from the album to try out a process called 3D60™ that takes sound from ordinary stereo into new dimensions of height and space. This three-dimensional 360 degree surround sound provides unlimited spatial audio with sounds coming from all around you; in front, behind, at different heights and even from overhead or below. 3D60™ was developed by The Jam's live sound engineer and music video director Mike Brady, musician and multimedia producer Ian Thompson and internationally renowned music producer, Youth.
The classic Who track '5.15' reached #20 in the UK Singles Chart back in 1973 and depicts a story of a young Mod called Jimmy, whose teenage disconnection with society was at its darkest hour. Taking the '5.15' train to run away from reality, Jimmy hits the booze in anger, drowning his sorrows and problems on this journey alone.
THE DRUMS NEW TOUR, INTERVIEW WITH THE WAKE & REMIX
The Drums release a new episode of their web series "Visiomento" featuring the first ever filmed interview with legendary Factory and Sarah Records band The Wake. They also release free download of the Add N to (X) 7 Remix of recent single How It Ended.
As the year draws to a close, The Drums continue to stay busy, wrapping up a mammoth year of touring with sold out shows at London's Shepherds Bush Empire and The Ritz in Manchester this past weekend in support of their new album Portamento.
In addition to touring and making music, the band have continued to pour their energy into their self-produced web series Visiomento, a companion piece to sophomore album Portamento. This week's episode, #17, finds The Drums' own Jacob Graham realizing a long time dream by conducting the first ever video interview with his favourite band The Wake.
See Jacob's interview with The Wake below:
The Drums are also pleased to have collaborated with yet another extremely influential and legendary band, Add N to (X) on a remix of the latest Drums single How It Ended. This is the first activity from the band since their split in 2003.
Add N to (X) were a three piece band, formed in London, with an affinity for analogue synthesizers, not unlike The Drums. Original band members included Andrew Aveling, Ann Shenton, and Barry 7 (who masterminded this remix.) They released 5 albums between 1996 and 2002 which were extremely instrumental to The Drums' Jonny Pierce who often cites the band as an influence.
The Drums will be back in the UK in 2012 when they will headline an NME Award Show at London's Roundhouse on February 27th with support from Spector. Full 2012 tour dates below.
February 26: Liverpool, Academy 2
February 27: London, Roundhouse (NME Awards Show)
February 28: Oxford, Academy 2
Download the Add N to (X) remix here.
14/12/11
ARMY OF FRESHMEN
It was naturally a night for having fun, what else could be had when a show consists of Zebrahead and Army of Freshmen?
Before the show began we, like a wandering stray, were graciously brought out of the freezing cold and taken into the warmth of the venue to sit down and have a chat with Chris Jay and Kai Dodson, one third of good-time gang Army of Freshmen to discuss the tour, their recent EP and socks.
ZEBRAHEAD
It was naturally a night for having fun, what else could be had when a show consists of Zebrahead and Army of Freshmen?
It was a cold Friday evening when we sat down in a room with Zebrahead vocalist Ali Tabatabaee to have a quick chat about the tour, the new album and what's next for the band
MISFITS UK TOUR & NEW ALBUM
Misfits have announced UK dates in February 2012 to celebrate the release of their first studio album in almost a decade. Support comes from JuiceheaD, a band who are signed to Misfits' very own Misfits Records.
Rooted in the horror and sci-fi themes their audience craves, The Misfits' new album 'The Devil's Rain' showcases 16 fiendish, soon-to-be Misfits classics including 'Twilight of the Dead', 'Dark Shadows', 'Curse of the Mummy's Hand' and the title track 'The Devil's Rain'. Produced by Ed Stasium, the album showcases a jaw-dropping, twopanel front/back cover painting featuring the rebirth of the band's iconic "Fiend" mascot in an epic setting rendered by Arthur Suydam. 'The Devil's Rain' is not just a continuation of a historic legacy, it's a total reboot ushering in a new era of terror. In a sense, it's the debut album from the legendary Misfits of this decade. From fans of their classics, to newcomers discovering the band for the very first time, 'The Devil's Rain' sets the bar, and redefines the ferocity and melody that has made the Misfits omnipresent and immortal.
Today, The Misfits remain more aggressive, more topical and more sought after than ever before, fronted by Jerry Only (Bass/Vocals) with Dez Cadena on guitar, (celebrating his 10th anniversary in the band this year), the latest addition to the fiendish fold is drummer Eric "Chupacabra" Arce behind the kit. Arce, or "Chupacabra" as he's now known, has been a fixture in the 'Fits touring lineup for over a decade, and recently inducted a permanent member upon the retirement of original Misfits drummer Robo, who'd passed the torch in 2010.
The Misfits have been preserved on determination bound by unequalled loyalty to their fiends and the sheer will to survive. "It's been over 30 years and 30 years from now, people will still be playing our albums because we will never water down what we do," Only says. "Our goal is to keep perspective on who we are and always stay true to ourselves. The new album will only reinforce how potent the band has become with time. We plan to continue as always, to eclipse the past, block the sun and drag humanity by the throat into a world of darkness filled with ghouls, goblins and creatures of the night, where we are king."
One thing is certain, The Misfits are here to stay and every day is Halloween.
See Misfits in the UK:
February
1st London, O2 Academy Islington
2nd Reading, Sub 89
3rd Birmingham, The Ballroom
4th Newcastle O2 Academy
5th Brighton Concorde 2
6th Bristol The Fleece
12/12/11
LAURA GIBSON NEW SINGLE AND ALBUM
Laura Gibson is set to release her new album 'La Grande' on January 9th, following the release of the single of the same name on December 5th.
La Grande (pronounced in the way of the American West, without any hint of French inflection - "luh grand") is a town just east of the Wallowa Valley in north eastern Oregon where native Oregonian Laura Gibson found inspiration while writing the songs that would become her new album of the same name. Gibson describes La Grande as a place that "people usually pass through on their way to somewhere else, but which contains a certain gravity, a curious energy." She's done more than her own fair share of travelling, playing over 200 shows in North America, Europe and Asia since the release of 2009's acclaimed Beasts of Seasons (a record, split into two parts: communion songs and funeral songs) and La Grande is, in part, an album about journeys and transitions.
The energy of the title track kicks off the record with a battering ram beat, hitting the ground like a herd of galloping horses. With the Tropicalia pulse, dirt‐kicking distortion, whimsical woodwinds and heart murmur hooks on "Lion/Lamb," and rail‐jumping rhythms, majestic melodies and beyond‐the‐grave broadcasting of "The Rushing Dark," La Grande plays like an imaginary film score. It's an album about strength and confidence - about the tension between wildness and domesticity and the courage required to embark upon either path, about asserting one's will rather than submitting - and it's a significant departure from Beasts'subtle meditations on frailty.
The thematic notion of aggressively taking matters into one's own hands was at the front of Gibson's mind during much of the process of developing La Grande, a period in which she also took on the task of transforming a 1962 Shasta trailer into a makeshift studio/private writing place. The twin projects of restoration and transformation - all that sanding, painting and do‐it‐yourself problem solving - seeped into her music, a sometimes surreal blend of styles that doesn't belong to any particular decade or genre, but leaves the listener with the distinct impression that something old has been repurposed in a brilliant new way.
One reason the sound of La Grande is so purposeful is that, for the first time, Gibson remained in the producer's chair throughout its making, bouncing between home‐recorded vocal sessions - piling as many as 15 Laura Gibsons on certain tracks - and proper takes at Type Foundry Studios alongside engineer and good friend Adam Selzer (M Ward, Norfolk and Western) and some great players including Calexico's Joey Burns, members of The Dodos (Meric Long and Logan Kroeber) and The Decemberists (Nate Query, Jenny Conlee), clarinetist Jilly Coykendall, and the drumming duo Rachel Blumberg and Matt Berger (affectionately known as Blumberger). Don't get the wrong idea, though. While La Grande's stage is shared with some very special guests, Gibson is at the centre of every last note; contributing bits of bass, guitar, piano, pump organ, vibraphone, synthesizer, marimba, even a marching drum. The result is richer and more revealing than any of her previous records - two solo albums and an experimental LP with Ethan Rose - but it never loses sight of her start as a young singer-songwriter who felt more at home playing in an AIDS hospice (where she had a standing weekly gig for two years) than in Portland's vibrant (and at the time, overwhelming) indie music scene.
Inspiration for Gibson's work is also drawn from the geography and history of Oregon itself, as reflected in La Grande's cover imagery. Raised in the logging town of Coquille, Gibson notes, "So much of my upbringing was tied to the forest - economically, visually, culturally." The cover photo, revealing Gibson lit by a fire in the dark Oregon forest, conveys both the wildness and strong‐willed‐ness of the record. The blanket Gibson is wrapped in, which has resided in her family home as long as she can remember, also ties back to La Grande. Woven in the nearby Pendleton Woolen Mills, the 'Chief Joseph' design represents strength and bravery (Joseph was the Nez Perce chief whose people were eventually evicted by the American military from the Wallowa Valley just east of La Grande, but whose efforts both as a leader of resistance and as a peacemaker made him an icon).
Gibson's previous work was praised for its timelessness, for the almost vintage quality of her voice. But of course her art and outlook aren't solely influenced by the past. "I am someone who loves old things and could easily dwell in nostalgia," she explains, "but I really felt this needed to be a statement about the future - about moving forward fearlessly - and I think the process of making the record and the finished album reflect that desire." As Gibson sings on the ninth track of La Grande, "Time is not against us."
FLASHGUNS ANNOUNCE SPILT!
'We regret to tell you that we have decided to end Flashguns. After five years it's come to a point where we feel like we need to move on as musicians and people. We have loved every minute of it, but this feels like the right decision. We are sure many people will be disappointed, especially after the recent release of our debut album. All we can say is that when we started this band we wanted it to last forever, but unfortunately that is no longer possible.
We hope you will continue to enjoy our music and thank you to all those who have supported us over the years. The Berlin show at Karrera Klub on February 4th 2012 will be our last.'
Sam, Giles and Olly
The band earlier this year released their long awaited debut album 'Passions Of Different Kind'.
Two singles were taken from the album ('Come And See The Lights' and 'Passions Of A Different Kind'). It also featured early fan-favourite 'Racing Race'.
09/12/11
RISE TO REMAIN UK TOUR, COMPETITION AND APP!
Not content with ripping up stages across Europe and the UK on the current Defenders of the Faith tour, Rise To Remain follow these shows with a North American tour alongside Machine Head in the New Year before returning to British shores in March for a 10-date UK tour, with German metallers Heaven Shall Burn in support. The tour then continues into Europe with Heaven Shall Burn headlining the bill. The UK dates are as follows:
MARCH 2012
7th Birmingham, 02 Academy 2
8th Portsmouth, Wedgewood Rooms
10th Norwich, Waterfront
11th Liverpool, 02 Academy 2
12th Glasgow, Garage
13th York, Fibbers
14th Manchester, Club Academy
16th Bristol, Bierkeller
17th London, 02 Islington Academy
Rise To Remain's new single 'This Day Is Mine' comes out on December 19th. You can see the video here: http://www.vevo.com/watch/rise-to-remain/this-day-is-mine/GB0401100074
Fans have been taking part in a competition launched last week on the band's Facebook page to video themselves performing their own version of the single, in true karaoke style. The competition closes on December 15th and the winner will receive four tickets to a gig of their choice on Rise To Remain's UK tour, the chance to meet the band and a whole heap of signed goodies. To take part, click here: http://on.fb.me/ulEJSE
And in another chance for fans to get close to the band, Rise To Remain recently launched their very own Mobile Backstage App, where users can join the fanclub to connect and interact with the band.
Features include:
- Get connected and follow Rise To Remain around the globe
- Share your experiences (videos, audio, pics, text ) with members of the band & other fans globally
- Get exclusive content from Rise To Remain
- Instant Push notifications from the band
- Concert check-in capabilities
- Access to exclusive competitions
- Integrated with Twitter
The App is live for iPhones/iTouches, Nokia and Android handsets, with an App for Blackberry coming very soon. Connect here: http://host.mobilebackstage.net/window/html/webWindow/34
30/11/11
THE DRUMS LIVE
The Drums took up residency for one night at the Newcastle O2 Academy, and we were there to check them out. Read the review here.
06/10/11
THE DRUMS NEW SINGLE
The Drums return with 'How It Ended', the second single from new album 'Portamento', which will be released on October 31st. Fast becoming a live favourite, 'How It Ended' comes with a video recorded while the band were in London for their three heaving, sold-out intimate album launch shows last month. Check it out below.
The Drums will be back in November for a full UK tour:
November:
28 Birmingham Institute The Library
29 Newcastle O2 Academy
30 Leeds Metropolitan University
December:
3 Glasgow O2 ABC
4 Edinburgh Picture House
5 Cambridge Junction
6 Portsmouth Pyramids Centre
8 Bristol O2 Academy
9 London O2 Shepherds Bush Empire = SOLD OUT =
10 Manchester Ritz = SOLD OUT =
TALL SHIPS ANNOUNCE NEW SHOWS
Brighton based trio Tall Ships, who released (and immediately sold out) their first 7" single earlier this year, will be playing a handful of shows throughout the UK. The band are currently in the studio recording their debut album, which is tentatively set for release in the spring.
See Tall Ships live:
November:
10 Cardiff Undertone (Ten Feet Tall)
11 Wrexham Central Station (w/Three Trapped Tigers and Gallops)
12 Birmingham The Flapper
29 London The Lexington
TRUE WIDOW TOUR
Next week, Dallas-based trio True Widow visit the UK to play songs from their fantastic, critically acclaimed album 'As High as the Highest Heavens and from the Centre to the Circumference of the Earth' which was released in May this year.
See the band live:
October:
9 Leeds The Well
10 Glasgow Captains Nest
11 Sowerby Bridge The Puzzle Hall
12 London The Macbeth.
EMILY BARKER AND THE RED CLAY HALO
November 14th will see the release of 'Almanac', the third album from Emily Barker, one of the most critically acclaimed female folk artists of recent years.
This October Emily, along with her band The Red Clay Halo, will head out on her biggest headline tour to date before spending November on tour in support of good friend, and regular guest vocalist Frank Turner.
In support of the tour you can check out the video for 'Billowing Sea', the opening track to 'Almanac' below.
See Emily on tour:
October:
12 Komedia Brighton
13 Bridport Arts Centre
14 Ruskin Mill Nailsworth
16 The Jericho Oxford
19 Phoenix Arts Exeter
20 Fibbers York
21 Guildhall Gloucester
22 Leadmill Sheffield
23 The Cluny Newcastle
24 The Musician Leicester
25 The Met Bury
27 Royal Albert Hall - Elgar Room London
28 Bodega Nottingham
29 Brudenell Social Club Leeds
Supporting Frank Turner:
November:
22 Bournemouth O2 Academy
23 Newport Centre
24 Birmingham O2 Academy
25 Glasgow Barrowlands
26 Manchester Apollo
27 London Hammersmith Apollo
MOONDUO LIMITED EDITION EP
Veering away from the sun-drenched tone of their recent LP 'Mazes', Moonduo head towards driving themes from an antique book of spells they discovered at a library sale in rural New Hampshire for their loosely Halloween-themed EP 'Horror Tour', which will be released on October 31st.
The EP will be released on limited edition 12" vinyl (1000 copies only), with artwork by the infamous Savage Wolf and will be available on Halloween through Souterrain Transmissions. Copies of the EP will be available to buy ahead of the official release on the bands European tour.
05/10/11
THE COATHANGERS FLEXIDISC SINGLE
Atlanta riot grrrls The Coathangers are set to release their next single 'Hurricane'/'Johnny' on October 24th.
Gritty A-side 'Hurricane' will not fail to have you air drumming at your desk and comes accompanied by this rather brilliant video.
Backed with the no-wave snarls of 'Johnny' it will be released on October 24th on limited edition hand-numbered transparent flexidisc vinyl.
LINDI ORTEGA 'LITTLE RED BOOTS'
Lindi Ortega's debut UK album 'Little Red Boots' is released on October 24th.
Captivating alt-country singer Lindi Ortega can't seem to get enough of good old Blighty. After playing various UK festivals this July as part of Brandon Flowers' band, she will head back across the Atlantic in October to play a string of dates, including two solo performances and five shows supporting Irish folk singer James Vincent McMorrow.
See Lindi Ortega live with James Vincent McMorrow at the following dates:
October:
9 Aberdeen Lemon Tree
10 Edinburgh Queens Hall
11 Leeds City Varieties
12 Nottingham Glee Club
13 Manchester St Phils Church
Catch Lindi Ortega solo at the following:
October:
23 Brighton The Hope
24 London The Lexington.
THE JANKS
The Janks aree set to release their debut album 'Hands of Time' on November 7th.
Recently signed with X-Ray touring, The Janks are rapidly gaining critical acclaim in their homeland for their debut album 'Hands of Time', alongside major audience appeal for their live performances.
Check out the video for lead track 'Dead Man' below!
SONIC YOUTH HITS ARE FOR SQUARES
Sonic Youth will release album 'Hits Are For Squares' and the DVD debut of '1991: The Year That Punk Broke' on October 31st.
If you aren't familiar with the documentary which features early Nirvana footage and Dinosaur Jr. you can check it out below.