A ghostly presence – Choir of Young Believers

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A few Saturday evenings ago I was sacked out on the sofa (as is my wont), idly flipping through channels. I came across the latest Scandinavian TV export, Bron/Broen (The Bridge). Now I love me a Scandinavian crime show (who doesn’t – The Killing and Borgen had me in raptures, takk!), so I settled down to watch. Ok, maybe Bron/Broen isn’t quite as gripping as its other Scandi compatriots, but I was very taken by the beautiful opening sequence, and the song used throughout, ‘Hollow Talk’ by Danish orchestral indie pop band Choir of Young Believers.

Ex-Lake Placid member Jannis Noya Makrigiannis formed Choir of Young Believers with six friends, releasing their debut album This Is For The White In Your Eyes 2008 (on which ‘Hollow Talk’ is the first track), and their second album, Rhine Gold, earlier this year. And hey, guess what? In a happy coincidence, it turns out that Choir of Young Believers is gracing us with their presence in support of their current album, Rhine Gold, at Papiersaal, ZH, this week.

The title intro to Bron/Broen is worth seeing just for the gorgeously cinematic and atmospheric time lapse shots of the bridge that links Sweden and Denmark and surrounding areas:

Here’s a live version of the same:

Choir of Young Believers + Junes play @ Papiersaal, ZH, Wednesday 16.05.12. Tix here.

Rhine Gold is out now on Ghostly International.

Young Magic + Milagres – 2×2 tix FREE

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Milagres by Cameron Witig

Miracles do happen, you know. In fact, one will be taking place next Tuesday 15.05.12 @ Exil, ZH, when Young Magic (US) + Milagres (US) (what a beautiful name, Portuguese for miracle, I believe) conjure up a night of long, lingeringly lovely indie rock/pop with a touch of ethereal, psychedelic soul.

Young Magic (Aussies Isaac Emmanuel and Michael Italia & Indonesian Melati Melay) formed as a result of three young vagabonds travelling the world and soaking up musical influences, eventually ending up in NYC to put together the band. Milagres was the product of serious injury – perhaps the miracle after which the band is named? – when main man Kyle Wilson severely injured his back in 2009 while rock climbing. While flat on his back convalescing, Wilson found a renewed passion for music. Upon recovery, he and the remaining members of Milagres put together their current album Glowing Mouth in NYC.

Young Magic, ‘Sparkly’:

Milagres, ‘Halfway’:

Ok peeps, I’ve got 2×2 tix to give away to some lucky punters in need of a miracle. Just answer me this:

What does the name Milagres mean in Portuguese?

Send me your answers pronto! Mail me, tweet me or leave an answer in the comments or on Facebook.

Young Magic + Milagres play @ Exil, ZH, Tuesday. Tix here.

Young Magic’s debut album Melt is out now on Carpark.

Milagres’ second album Glowing Mouth is out now on Kill Rock Stars/Memphis Industries.

Room with a view – Fanfarlo

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It’s been a couple of years since I saw British quintet Fanfarlo at the Ziegel Oh Lac at Zurich’s Rote Fabrik. After the success of their 2009 debut album Reservoir, the indie darlings have toured relentlessly, alone as well as supporting the likes of Snow Patrol and Mumford & Sons, had a song included on the Eclipse soundtrack and just generally gathered inspiration for their latest effort, Rooms Filled With Light.

I have to admit I haven’t had a chance to listen to Rooms Filled With Light yet (so much music, so little time!), but Reservoir was a pretty constant presence on my 2010 playlists. I guess my first introduction to the new album will be hearing it at Rote Fabrik on Wednesday night when the band hit town again. Needless to say, I’m quite looking forward to it. Here’s a taste of what the album has to offer:

‘(Everything Turns)’ from Rooms Filled With Light:

Fanfarlo play @ Clubraum, Rote Fabrik, ZH,Thursday 10.05.12. Tix here. 

Fanfarlo’s second album, Rooms Filled With Light, is out now on Canvasback.

Ben Howard – 1×2 free tix

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Zurich, we are in for a treat – British singer/songwriter (and keen surfer) Ben Howard is coming to serenade us with his sun-kissed harmonies and the warm sincerity of his acoustic pop meanderings. See what I mean here in this vid for ‘The Wolves‘:

Guess what? I’ve got 1×2 tix to give away for Ben’s show at Kaufleuten, Monday 30.04.12. A great time will be had by all, I promise you! Just answer me this -

What is Ben’s favourite pastime?

Mail me or leave me a note in the comments below. First in, first served!

Ben Howard plays @ Kaufleuten, ZH, 30.04.12.

Ben’s debut album Every Kingdom is out now on Island Records.

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Paleo 2012 lineup – The Cure, Garbage, Franz Ferdinand, The Kills, Warpaint, Kurt Vile, Other Lives + more!

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Phwoar!! In the midst of other ho-hum Swiss festival news and line-up announcements, Paleo Festival 2012 has gone and beamed a ray of sunshine into my summer festival experience – The Cure (! squeak of excitement), Garbage (another, squeakier!, squeak of excitement), Warpaint, The Kills, Franz Ferdinand, Bloc Party, Kurt Vile, Other Lives and much more… Thank you, Paleo Festival!

Can I just say again – The Cure!! Not so long ago I was getting all nostalgic over my long-lost days as a pseudo-goth and remembering the awesomeness of Mr Smith. I saw them only once, at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, at least 20 years ago (in 1992, the Wish tour). Now, I’ll get to see The Cure LIVE again – oh, the utter excitement, it’s hard to bear, I tell you. I think I’m a bit happy in my pants :)

See the full programme here. Wednesday 18.07.12 and Saturday 21.07.12 are looking very, very fine. 

Tix on sale at midday Wednesday 25th April 2012 – see here for point of sale info. But get in quick, they usually sell out within minutes. Pointer fingers at the ready!