The Return of British Sea Power

Well, here’s one I’ve been waiting for for a long time – British Sea Power. They’ve had to cancel their Zurich show twice for various reasons, but now the Brighton-based six-piece are finally (*fingers crossed*) about to grace us with their presence.

The Mercury Prize-nominated group (for 2008′s Do You Like Rock Music?) released their fourth album Valhalla Dancehall in late 2010, and as usual it’s a powerhouse of the type of orchestral indie rock they do so well, characterised by singer Yan Wilkinson’s remarkable and distinctive voice (which I mistook for a gothy David Bowie when I first heard their debut album, 2003′s The Decline of British Sea Power). I’m really looking forward to this one.

For fervent fans: The Georgie Ray CD and Remixes LP will be available to buy at the show. Cool!

Watch ‘Living Is So Easy’, the first video from Valhalla Dancehall:

British Sea Power play @ Abart, ZH, Wednesday 12.10.11. Tickets here.

Live review: Patrick Wolf @ Plaza, Zurich, 09.04.11

There’s a man on stage dressed in an orgy of sequins and glitter, and wearing a Metal Mickey helmet shouting ‘GETURSHIZZITRIIIGHT!‘. Two scantily dressed women are gyrating in the background. Am I at the right gig? I am at the Plaza, ostensibly to see Patrick Wolf, aren’t I? Continue reading

Live review: Twin Shadow @ Plaza 14.02.11

You know you’re an oldster when you remember today’s latest fashions from the first time they came around. Nonetheless, despite my advanced decrepitude and obvious uncoolness (by virtue of being just, you know, old), I made it out of the nursing home on Monday night to see Twin Shadow‘s short but sweet gig @ Plaza.

It’s an easy, pleasant way to spend an evening with your loved one (it being Valentine’s Day and all). George Lewis Jr is all American ease and droll good humour as he works his way through his short set of chillwave pop. His band is earnest, if a little distant – his muscle-shirt wearing bass player is intense and focused, the top-knotted drummer looks to be in the throes of his own personal ecstasy as he thrashes away, and the beautiful woman playing synths behind the double deck of keyboards is suitably poised and skillful (I remember wearing her exact same look back in high school – long hair, fringe, dark lipstick, buttoned up white shirt…!).

While the 80s influence is obvious in the sometimes too-cheesy synths, Lewis’s tender vocals, agile guitar licks and deft lyrical turns lift the music up beyond the merely derivative. In a 45 minute set (he does, after all, have only one album behind him) he works his way through the entirety of his debut album Forget, beginning with the bittersweet, regretful ‘Tyrant Destroyed’, and moving on through the rest – ‘Slow’, ‘Yellow Balloon’ and ‘Forget’ are the other highlights.

The best part of the evening is saved for last, however, with the subtle romanticism of ‘Castles in the Snow’ and the edgier ‘Tether Beat’ making up the encore. With such a short set it’s hard to see where the tantalising glimpses of Bowie, Nile Rodgers and 80s new wave will lead, but for the moment it’s a perfect slice of 80s new romanticism tinged with smooth Brooklyn credibility.

Twin Shadow are finished all too soon and on the way out I pause to admire the surrounds. I think Plaza is my new favourite venue in Zurich. A beautiful art deco building with a luxe interior (red mood lighting, opulent bird paintings on the walls – read about the history of the building here), an entirely practical and sensible set-up (main floor recessed so that those standing further back can see over the heads of those at the front – being short, I appreciate these things), bars on the left and right sides of the room, couches at the back of the room for lounging. Nice work, Plaza people! I can’t wait to see Patrick Wolf here in April.

See pics from the gig here, and video here

Twin Shadow’s debut album Forget is out now on 4AD

Track of the day: Twin Shadow – ‘Slow’

Ah yes, the 80s really are back in fashion. And it’s not just Wayfarers, baggy pants, leggings and oversized T-shirts that are back with a vengeance. The path of 80s new wave music left strewn with dead gladioli, synthesiser parts and cans of hairspray has been increasingly well trodden of late.

Dominican-born, Brooklyn-based Twin Shadow (George Lewis Jr) meanders along this trail, throwing in a little Nile Rodgers disco here, a little Morrissey there, even a touch of Bowie on his debut album Forget. Written in the hothouse environment of his Brooklyn apartment over a period of months, and produced by Grizzly Bear‘s Chris Taylor, Forget was one of the shining lights to come out of the last dying moments of 2010.

‘Slow’ ( NSFW):

You do get the uncomfortable feeling that there is a sleazy Terry Richardson-type behind the camera, don’t you? Poor George Lewis Jr.

Twin Shadow plays (minus the dodgy cameraman) @ Plaza Zurich, 14.02.2011. Tickets here.

Forget is out now on 4AD

Check out Twin Shadow’s awesome  4AD session here, and Daytrotter session here.

Soulwaxmas – Soulwax + 2manydjs + special guests

Cummerbunds ahoy, and front row seats, gentlemen

I’m no dancing queen, and most dance music usually leaves me cold, but if any dance music is going to whet my whistle then it’s going to be Soulwax’s alternative/indie/rock techno electronica (or whatever you call it – they mix it all up till it tastes good and throw it back out there for ravenous ravers) – they’ve remixed the likes of Daft Punk, Muse, Gorillaz, The Gossip, LCD Sound System, Einstürzende Neubauten, David Bowie, DJ Shadow, The Rolling Stones, and Ladytron.

I was tipped off about Soulwax/2manydjs by my hairdresser (he of the green lambchop whiskers) as being the only dance music any self-respecting Goth boy would listen to. So that, plus the fact that their live act is supposed to be bloody fantastic, visually incredible and relentlessly euphoric (just what you need in the grim build up to Christmas) makes me think that their upcoming concert @ Volkshaus is going to be rather fabulous.

Belgian brothers Stephen and David Dewaele, aka Soulwax and 2manydjs, first initiated the Soulwaxmas sequence back in 2008, and the results were so spectacular that they saw no reason not to continue it into the next decade. So get those dancing boots strapped on, bundle up in the requisite 10 layers of clothing, and prepare to get all hot and sweaty – the perfect way to counter all that faux Christmas cheer.

Soulwaxmas presents: 2manydjs live + Soulwax + special guests @ Volkshaus Wednesday 22.12.10. Tickets here.

David Bowie tribute album

I am all excitement at hearing the news that a David Bowie tribute album is on the way, done under the auspices of the War Child charity to benefit the youngest victims of war. Cool stuff.

Have to admit to not knowing many of the names on the (unconfirmed) track listing, but Duran Duran, MGMT, Vivian Girls and Corridor are in there somewhere. Dave was one of my earliest music idols and although he is often referenced as being influential to so many current musicians, it’s not that often that we hear his actual songs being covered.

Unconfirmed David Bowie tribute album track list (Via Pitchfork)

This is such a great album cover. It was around his Man Who Fell to Earth days (still love that film). His orange and white hair was beautiful.