“I play drums in Babyshambles but don’t let that put you off.” Good thing it didn’t, because whilst I adore Marmite, I’m not a fan of Babyshambles. Adam Ficek, performing under the monicker Roses Kings Castles, is a DJing songwriting multi-instrumentalist whose talents would leave any baby in a shambles. Adam says Bletchley, Milton Keynes, where [...]
Major labels should know sounds that sell – with rosters full of great artists or at least great assets. So why was I so surprised at a gig featuring two singers signed to Universal and Warner? Because the two unsigned acts also playing put the big boys to shame. I don’t care if artists are [...]
Is anyone else becoming addicted to Born Survivor with Bear Grylls? He eats caterpillars and cuts the heads off skunks. Double hard. I’ll never be that adventurous, but I’m always up for New Adventures. Especially ones destined to fill arenas around the world. The four men of New Adventures began playing together at university, but [...]
Spontaneity rocks. I read a blog post, featuring a shop, featuring a band, went to the shop, watched the band then wasted money on CDs. Damn! It costs too. At least it doesn’t waste my time. The Brute Chorus were worth it. Well worth it. These East London blues punk rockers are on the verge [...]
Fear flashes across my face when the often tiresome pair of singer with acoustic guitar walk to the stage. At Insideout in Kingston, I couldn’t have been more scared when the singer introduced himself saying he’s ill and might collapse half way through his set. How I trembled. Then he played. He sang. The world [...]
My family use this substance not only as a moth repellent, but also as a way to ward evil spirits. Its powerful stuff. So is the band with the same name, Camphor. I’m becoming a sucker for epic popular music, but is there anything wrong with that? The front man of Camphor, Max Avery Lichtenstein, [...]
Theres nothing like playing an impromptu gig. Especially after only one rehearsal. Last week I was drafted in by Alba Nova to add some cello love. I heard of Alba Nova as they formed at Durham University (formerly the University of Durham which sounds much better) where I studied, but didn’t get the chance to [...]
The internet has smashed our attention spans to pieces. We spend less time focusing on one band and instead skim from one MySpace page to the next. I picked up that habit, but still make sure to buy as many albums as Mr Mastercard can afford. They’re the only way for me to get under [...]
A record store is reaching for my wallet again. The new album, Arm’s Way by the Islands is out on 19 May. I’m going to have to buy it, along with their first album Return to the Sea. I wish I came across this band from Montreal sooner. Islands are descendants of The Unicorns. I [...]
I have fallen in love with Elbow’s Grounds for Divorce. Probably the best guitar-lick ever. Elbow’s album The Seldom Seen Kid makes me think of Coldplay, if they were actually good. They could challenge for the best British band, and actually take the mantle so many of Elbow’s fans feel they deserve. Their next single, [...]
Violinist and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird from Chicago seems to have quite a following in the US, and rightly so. He’s playing at IndigO2 (the dome) on 26 April, and will do my best to get to it. In fact give me a shout if you want to come a long! I’ll definitely buy his album [...]
