Whenever an Oz band or musician rolls into town I always make an extra effort to see them, because, you know, a friendly face/accent in the crowd is nice when you are far from home. And also because Australian artists tend to be rather amazing and talented – is it something in the water? So … Continue reading »
At the brilliant One Of A Million festival earlier this year in Baden, one of the most talked about gigs was the Nigel Wright showcase – people were buzzing about this young indie folk singer-songwriter from the mountains of Georgia, USA. I missed the showcase, but I was determined to catch him at the next … Continue reading »
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 … Continue reading »
Now here’s a great gig for the weekend – a fab double bill of n*grandjean + Swimming, at the lovely Papiersaal in Zurich this Saturday night. Beneath his scarily hip Hipster Glasses™, Danish singer-songwriter Nikolaj Grandjean aka n*grandjean serves up a surprisingly delightful mix of acoustic indie pop and Afro-beats with a smattering of ambient … Continue reading »
Essex indie rock five-piece Morning Parade are off to an auspicious start – their first single back in 2010 ‘Under The Stars’ was played on Zane Lowe‘s Radio One show, and featured on blood-sucking teen drama The Vampire Diaries. Since then, they’ve supported The Kooks, The Wombats, Glasvegas, Feeder, and 30 Seconds To Mars. After … Continue reading »
Yet another good thing hailing from Scandinavian shores: Danish singer/songwriter Agnes Obel. Just like the cover portraiture of her debut album Philharmonics, Obel’s repertoire is evocative and finely wrought, with just a touch of melancholic tragedy. Now based in Berlin, Obel released Philharmonics in late 2010, an album of solemn, piano-led beauty and fragile lyricism. … Continue reading »
It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas….because a) Anna Calvi is back in town again, and b) I’ve got a bumper crop of free tix to give away. Woohoo! Yes, that would be me in the red jingly hat. It’s been hard to miss Anna Calvi this past year. She’s ignited both critical and … Continue reading »
Critically-acclaimed Glasgow-based trio Sparrow and The Workshop have made a substantial dent in my playlists of late – their second album Spitting Daggers (after 2010′s Crystals Fall) is wonderfully spirited and potent piece of folk rock kissed with some elements of psychedelia and new country, all strung together by singer Jill O’Sullivan’s mighty and singular … Continue reading »
Prolific but overlooked English singer-songwriter Tom McRae has been quietly overachieving for the last decade, building on his Mercury Prize-nominated eponymous debut album in 2000 with a further four albums (including the acclaimed Just Like Blood) of sensitive and soulful material that has amassed a devoted following. After moving back to London from Brooklyn, McRae … Continue reading »
Talk about old skool – the original incarnation of hip hop groundbreakers Jungle Brothers (Mike Gee, Afrika Baby Bam and DJ Sammy B) have got themselves together for a reunion tour and will be hitting up Stall 6 next Thursday, 01.09.11. Pioneers in the fusion of hip hop, jazz and house, their critically acclaimed debut … Continue reading »
