Tuesday 29 March 2011
Get Hole video
Japanese Voyeurs new single Get Hole (April 18th) has a brand spanking new video – complete with ballet dancers as promised. Check it out at Muzu.TV
Friday 25 March 2011
White Lies Store On Playstation Home
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what do A&R do at SXSW?
Turns out, quite a lot. A lot of queuing, a lot of free food and a helluva lot of walking. Oh, and a lot of bands. Check it out – a daily account from one of our mysterious A&R...
Wednesday 16th
Delayed flight
Touch down at 10.15pm.
On the strip - 6th Street by 11pm.
Margarita in hand by 11.05pm.
Austin I've missed you!
A spring-break student's paradise - bar after bar as far as the eye can see.
Welcome to SXSW. The best music festival on the planet. 4 days of total musical immersion. Bloggers paradise. Most bands barely known and yet to be discovered by the mainstream. Within a few shows that could all change for some of the lucky ones. That's the thrill, which is it gonna be? For every band you see, you'll be missing another 50. So you gotta bring your runnin game.
First venue and the sound is all over the place (this is a theme). Band struggle manfully on but its no good. The moments gone, and so am I.
Next one up is running late. I can only stay for one song. It’s enough. Something good going on there. I'll investigate it more when I get home.
I run on to catch Naked And Famous playing to a word of mouth packed first show (of 8 over the 4 days). The sound is a battle but they win out and SMASH it. First bout to TN+F, a knockout.
Back east for four others bands. One's cancelled, the next is dreampop, that seems to be another theme already this year. Good music but not right for us. Then on to some hip hop, and a bedroom lap topper. Before I know it, its 2am and the travel and 5 hour time difference are taking their toll so I leave it at that. Tomorrow is another (hot) day.
Thursday 17th
Today is all about lines. And not the ones you're imagining. I'm talking about queues and lots of em! Great big long ones to get into anywhere. Frustrating for a poor A&R man trying to run between shows. See the problem with SXSW being the best festival on the planet is someone's gone and told everyone. It's heaving! I hear later on that registration for the interactive part of SXSW has gone up 30 percent. Sign of the times.
All the day parties are branded, free and rammed! Queues snake around blocks, and its roasting hot. Not the right day for me to wear all black. To get to see all the bands in time, the only answer is the trusty peddle taxi. Wizzin in and out of the walkers from A to B in (nearly) no time.I manage to catch a fair bit of who I want to see. One memorable excursion takes me into the leafy suburbs surrounding Austin. Eventually winding up watching a band on someone's back porch. Accompanied only by the proverbial 2 men and their dog. Very good they are too.
Another finds me stumbling across grunge legend J Mascis playing a charming acoustic set in a fetching purple baseball cap.
Gotta be honest though despite a few other interesting artistes, including one boldly trying out an accapella version for the first time while being buzzed by a corporate sponsored plane; and another accenting their performance through the medium of dance (a Hari Krishna by the looks of it), nothing much from today's crop really leaps out at me. Higher hopes for tomorrow.
Friday 18th
Another scorcher! More suitably dressed today though.
Starting to get "Walker's Foot" from pounding the asphalt. Most people seem to have the odd blister or two by now. Still, we all schlep on.
Started the day at the "BMI Brunch" at Four Seasons hotel. An intense hyper-network and free food fest. It's a bit of a head spinner this early after a very late one the night before. Packed out with industry types peering over each other's shoulder to spot anyone more important. A few artists play gamely, battling to be heard above the power micro meetings. The food runs out and everyone drifts away to start checking out bands (or go back to bed).
Over to Fader Fort, a thousand capacity construction over the highway. I catch a couple bands and some free candy floss, then back to the main drag for a couple more, bumping into plenty of Brits on the way. All enjoying the fest and the weather but none feeling they've seen "the one" yet.
On to see Naked And Famous at Emo's but the queue is too long - a good thing - so I skip it and head to a label meeting at the convention centre.
Back to Fader Fort to catch Odd Future, already signed but I wanna see if they live up to the hype. The line is ridiculous so I head off to get some tucker in a handy half hour before the evening's bands kick off.
Stubbs is first stop. The largest outdoor stage. First band on is hotly tipped so I'm happy to queue for an hour to make sure I get in. They're worth the wait.
That's pretty much the evening's high point for the next few hours.
A lot of the other bands seem to be on autopilot, trying really hard to impress and "put on a show", but forgetting the emotional connection with their music.
I manage a quick stop in at TV On The Radio before I’m off to Naked And Famous, the final band to play. They kill it for their 4th show in 3 days. It's an intense one and Thom finds an extra gear halfway through the set which sends the audience mental by the end.
Saturday 19th
Early start.
Up to Waterloo Records. One of the best indie record shops I've been in. A great selection of music, authentic feel, the right mix of music, books/dvds, merch, and awesome staff. I stock up on loads of CDs of the indie/unsigned stuff to digest back in UK. Bands are playing in the parking lot. Jack White is around somewhere.
Driskill hotel for breakfast and lawyer meeting. Over to Fader Fort for 3 bands. Back to Cedar Street courtyard for final Naked And Famous show. Band exhausted but go down a storm none the less. They're off to Germany for some shows next, then back to USA for a support tour.
Back to Waterloo for mgmt meeting and I catch J Masic again. Shredding like a monster.
Into a branded party for free vodka and a mediocre rock band the on to Iron Works for great Bar B Q food.
Into to a church hall for some Scandinavian shoegaze. Followed by trek over east to finally catch Odd Future. They blow it up!
Back to sixth for epic Aussie poprock, and then a pedal taxi out west for wild card band which disappoints. A final trek east for a great 60's style psych beat combo, and I'm done.
Back to hotel for 2 hrs sleep then leave for the airport for 10 hour flight home.
Austin thank you and goodnight.
Wednesday 16th
Delayed flight
Touch down at 10.15pm.
On the strip - 6th Street by 11pm.
Margarita in hand by 11.05pm.
Austin I've missed you!
A spring-break student's paradise - bar after bar as far as the eye can see.
Welcome to SXSW. The best music festival on the planet. 4 days of total musical immersion. Bloggers paradise. Most bands barely known and yet to be discovered by the mainstream. Within a few shows that could all change for some of the lucky ones. That's the thrill, which is it gonna be? For every band you see, you'll be missing another 50. So you gotta bring your runnin game.
First venue and the sound is all over the place (this is a theme). Band struggle manfully on but its no good. The moments gone, and so am I.
Next one up is running late. I can only stay for one song. It’s enough. Something good going on there. I'll investigate it more when I get home.
I run on to catch Naked And Famous playing to a word of mouth packed first show (of 8 over the 4 days). The sound is a battle but they win out and SMASH it. First bout to TN+F, a knockout.
The Naked And Famous playing at a packed out Filter party
Back east for four others bands. One's cancelled, the next is dreampop, that seems to be another theme already this year. Good music but not right for us. Then on to some hip hop, and a bedroom lap topper. Before I know it, its 2am and the travel and 5 hour time difference are taking their toll so I leave it at that. Tomorrow is another (hot) day.
Thursday 17th
Today is all about lines. And not the ones you're imagining. I'm talking about queues and lots of em! Great big long ones to get into anywhere. Frustrating for a poor A&R man trying to run between shows. See the problem with SXSW being the best festival on the planet is someone's gone and told everyone. It's heaving! I hear later on that registration for the interactive part of SXSW has gone up 30 percent. Sign of the times.
All the day parties are branded, free and rammed! Queues snake around blocks, and its roasting hot. Not the right day for me to wear all black. To get to see all the bands in time, the only answer is the trusty peddle taxi. Wizzin in and out of the walkers from A to B in (nearly) no time.I manage to catch a fair bit of who I want to see. One memorable excursion takes me into the leafy suburbs surrounding Austin. Eventually winding up watching a band on someone's back porch. Accompanied only by the proverbial 2 men and their dog. Very good they are too.
Another finds me stumbling across grunge legend J Mascis playing a charming acoustic set in a fetching purple baseball cap.
Dinosaur Jr’s J Mascis in a fetching purple hat
Gotta be honest though despite a few other interesting artistes, including one boldly trying out an accapella version for the first time while being buzzed by a corporate sponsored plane; and another accenting their performance through the medium of dance (a Hari Krishna by the looks of it), nothing much from today's crop really leaps out at me. Higher hopes for tomorrow.
Friday 18th
Another scorcher! More suitably dressed today though.
Starting to get "Walker's Foot" from pounding the asphalt. Most people seem to have the odd blister or two by now. Still, we all schlep on.
Started the day at the "BMI Brunch" at Four Seasons hotel. An intense hyper-network and free food fest. It's a bit of a head spinner this early after a very late one the night before. Packed out with industry types peering over each other's shoulder to spot anyone more important. A few artists play gamely, battling to be heard above the power micro meetings. The food runs out and everyone drifts away to start checking out bands (or go back to bed).
Over to Fader Fort, a thousand capacity construction over the highway. I catch a couple bands and some free candy floss, then back to the main drag for a couple more, bumping into plenty of Brits on the way. All enjoying the fest and the weather but none feeling they've seen "the one" yet.
On to see Naked And Famous at Emo's but the queue is too long - a good thing - so I skip it and head to a label meeting at the convention centre.
Queue outside EMO’s for The Naked And Famous’ day show
Back to Fader Fort to catch Odd Future, already signed but I wanna see if they live up to the hype. The line is ridiculous so I head off to get some tucker in a handy half hour before the evening's bands kick off.
Stubbs is first stop. The largest outdoor stage. First band on is hotly tipped so I'm happy to queue for an hour to make sure I get in. They're worth the wait.
That's pretty much the evening's high point for the next few hours.
A lot of the other bands seem to be on autopilot, trying really hard to impress and "put on a show", but forgetting the emotional connection with their music.
I manage a quick stop in at TV On The Radio before I’m off to Naked And Famous, the final band to play. They kill it for their 4th show in 3 days. It's an intense one and Thom finds an extra gear halfway through the set which sends the audience mental by the end.
TV On The Radio at Stubbs
Saturday 19th
Early start.
Up to Waterloo Records. One of the best indie record shops I've been in. A great selection of music, authentic feel, the right mix of music, books/dvds, merch, and awesome staff. I stock up on loads of CDs of the indie/unsigned stuff to digest back in UK. Bands are playing in the parking lot. Jack White is around somewhere.
The Naked And Famous CD in Waterloo Records
Driskill hotel for breakfast and lawyer meeting. Over to Fader Fort for 3 bands. Back to Cedar Street courtyard for final Naked And Famous show. Band exhausted but go down a storm none the less. They're off to Germany for some shows next, then back to USA for a support tour.
Back to Waterloo for mgmt meeting and I catch J Masic again. Shredding like a monster.
Into a branded party for free vodka and a mediocre rock band the on to Iron Works for great Bar B Q food.
Into to a church hall for some Scandinavian shoegaze. Followed by trek over east to finally catch Odd Future. They blow it up!
Back to sixth for epic Aussie poprock, and then a pedal taxi out west for wild card band which disappoints. A final trek east for a great 60's style psych beat combo, and I'm done.
Back to hotel for 2 hrs sleep then leave for the airport for 10 hour flight home.
Austin thank you and goodnight.
Saturday 19 March 2011
Kate Nash launches Rock N Roll For Girls after school music club
Following the success of her songwriting workshops in between US tour dates earlier this year, Kate is bringing her new project home to schools around the UK.
Kate Nash's Rock N Roll After School Music Club aims to help more young girls take an interest in songwriting - only 14% of songwriting royalties in the UK are paid out to women.
More in today's Independent newspaper, or online here.
Kate Nash's Rock N Roll After School Music Club aims to help more young girls take an interest in songwriting - only 14% of songwriting royalties in the UK are paid out to women.
More in today's Independent newspaper, or online here.
Friday 18 March 2011
spot elbow in Brighton
If you happen to be walking the streets of Brighton (in the rain according to these snaps – dedication to the cause, thanks Luther!) looking for an elbow album – never fear. Our friends at Resident Records www.resident-music.com and at Rounder Records www.rounder.com have been busy painting the album cover outside their shops, so you can’t miss it!
Tuesday 15 March 2011
The Naked And Famous debut album out now
If you haven't got your copy of 'Passive Me, Aggressive You', the stunning debut album from New Zealands finest OUT THIS WEEK, you can download it for a fiver to celebrate it being album of the week at 7Digital – click here
Non-digital bods will be glad to hear we have made some super nice physical formats for you, including a picture-disc 12" vinyl, check it out playing in the office:
Plus in addition to the normal cd format, there is a deluxe 3 cd version on offer.. this includes 2 EPs never released in the UK before.
If you order at HMV, you can have a bonus 7” single, check that out here
We would strongly recommend the lovely people at Recordstore – they’ve got it ALL. And some of it is signed....go go go.
>Enjoy
x
Monday 14 March 2011
Get Hole – get yours
Japanese Voyeurs new single ‘Get Hole’ is now available on iTunes, no hanging about till release date, satiate your hunger now http://bit.ly/emYADD
The band filmed the video for the single last weekend – in a very cold underground bunker in Dalston so props to the crew, the band and most of all the dancers from the Royal Ballet! We don’t’ want to give too much away but if you have been a fan of Japanese Voyeurs for a while, you will know its no straight forward repro of Swan Lake.
Have a sneak peak, some snaps from the super talented Sam Seager below:
There will be another awesome 7” single released on April 18th – you can get a signed copy if you pre-order from the lovely people at Recordstore http://bit.ly/edevQL
If you liked this, head to www.facebook.com/japanesevoyeursofficial where you can read more cool shit about the band, including Tom talking about why Queens Of The Stoneage rock in this month's issue of Rocksound!
The band filmed the video for the single last weekend – in a very cold underground bunker in Dalston so props to the crew, the band and most of all the dancers from the Royal Ballet! We don’t’ want to give too much away but if you have been a fan of Japanese Voyeurs for a while, you will know its no straight forward repro of Swan Lake.
Have a sneak peak, some snaps from the super talented Sam Seager below:
There will be another awesome 7” single released on April 18th – you can get a signed copy if you pre-order from the lovely people at Recordstore http://bit.ly/edevQL
If you liked this, head to www.facebook.com/japanesevoyeursofficial where you can read more cool shit about the band, including Tom talking about why Queens Of The Stoneage rock in this month's issue of Rocksound!
Thursday 10 March 2011
Crystal Castles summer 2011
Crystal Castles have announced a scorching summer of festivals and live shows all over the world
www.crystalcastles.com for more info, see below for what’s happening so far!
APRIL
15th - USA, Coachella Festival, Indio, CA
29th - USA, El Paso, Club 101, TX
30th - USA, Nocturnal Festival, Rockdale, TX
JUNE
4th - SWEDEN, Dans Dakar Festival, Stockholm
11th - DENMARK, Northside Festival, Aarhus
24th - UK, Glastonbury Festival, Pilton, Somerset
JULY
5th - FRANCE, Casino de Paris, Paris
7th - SPAIN, BBK Live Festival, Bilbao
9th - SCOTLAND, T in the Park Festival, Balado
10th - IRELAND, Oxegen Festival
14th - NORWAY, Slottsfjell Festival, Tonsberg
16th - GERMANY, Melt Festival, Berlin
22nd - SPAIN, Low Cost Festival, Benidorm
AUGUST
13th - GERMANY, Dockville Festival, Hamburg
SEPT
10th - UK, Bestival, Isle of Wight
15th - USA, Coachella Festival, Indio, CA
29th - USA, El Paso, Club 101, TX
30th - USA, Nocturnal Festival, Rockdale, TX
JUNE
4th - SWEDEN, Dans Dakar Festival, Stockholm
11th - DENMARK, Northside Festival, Aarhus
24th - UK, Glastonbury Festival, Pilton, Somerset
JULY
5th - FRANCE, Casino de Paris, Paris
7th - SPAIN, BBK Live Festival, Bilbao
9th - SCOTLAND, T in the Park Festival, Balado
10th - IRELAND, Oxegen Festival
14th - NORWAY, Slottsfjell Festival, Tonsberg
16th - GERMANY, Melt Festival, Berlin
22nd - SPAIN, Low Cost Festival, Benidorm
AUGUST
13th - GERMANY, Dockville Festival, Hamburg
SEPT
10th - UK, Bestival, Isle of Wight
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Ian Brown adidas ZXZ by Kazuki
To celebrate the launch of the Ian Brown ObyO ZXZ's by Kazuki, the adidas store at No6 Newburgh St in the West End of London has a very special Ian Brown installation, including Ian's reel to reel recorder used in the making of Unfinished Monkey Business (the cover of which is emblazoned on the shoe's tongue), original tapes used and several promo items.
Check it out HERE at Crooked Tongues.
Check it out HERE at Crooked Tongues.
Monday 7 March 2011
build a rocket boys! out today
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Friday 4 March 2011
Young Blood On MXP4 – remix it up
The Naked and Famous have posted their new single ‘Young Blood’ on Facebook for your remixing pleasure. Head to their Facebook page here http://on.fb.me/gRz9Nn to access the MXP4 music gaming app, plus there are prizes to be won (you have to read that bit in the Funhouse theme tune voice). There is 12" vinyl, deluxe 3CD album or artwork signed by the entire band up for grabs.
The Breakfast Song – new video + free track from Matthew P
Matt has been beavering away playing around the country and working on some new material – as a taster for his new EP check out new tune ‘The Breakfast Song’ for free, just text ‘Breakfast’ to 80010.
Matt has also gone DIY on the video side of things, sneaking a camera into Asda much to the consternation of the security guards... read all about it and watch it here www.matthewpmusic.com
If you need a slice of summer to get you through this arctic March, Matthew P is playing some more dates, below for your diaries:
March 4th - The Living Room, Cambridge
March 6th - Notting Hill Arts Club (Communion Club Night), London
March 10th - Bungay High School, Suffolk
8th April - Fisher Theatre, March - In Aid Of Medicinema
24th April - Studio 2, Liverpool (w/ Thomas J Speight)
March 6th - Notting Hill Arts Club (Communion Club Night), London
March 10th - Bungay High School, Suffolk
8th April - Fisher Theatre, March - In Aid Of Medicinema
24th April - Studio 2, Liverpool (w/ Thomas J Speight)
Wednesday 2 March 2011
elbow on Ping. Fiction take a road trip
If you’re a Ping-user, get following the elbow boys this week as they are posting some exclusive playlists and you should be able to find them here
The band played a storming set at Koko last night to record their channel 4 album chart show special, which will be on tele in a few weeks. It was a good warm up for tonight’s tour warm up show, at the Junction in Cambridge. The Fiction office are setting out in a 3 car convoy to the gig, any suggestions for the mixtape or to join the sherbet lemons vs sherbet bonbons argument, find us @fictionrecords on twitter.
While you’re perusing itunes you can get the single right now http://bit.ly/hsVhWl, and preorder the album so as soon as you start up your computer on Monday morning it will be waiting for you – we’ve even made a snazzy LP version for you http://bit.ly/geymYh
Tuesday 1 March 2011
neat little rows OUT NOW
‘neat little rows’ is now available to buy on itunes by clicking on the below link. This is the second single taken from Elbow’s highly anticipated new album, ‘build a rocket boys!’ out 7th March. Check out www.buildarocketboys.com to unlock more animations and album clips
http://bit.ly/hsVhWl
http://bit.ly/hsVhWl
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