The last time I saw UK singer songwriter Mike Rosenberg, aka Passenger, he told a hilarious story about staying with an old man in outback Australia that had the audience in stitches. During his set at Papiersaal last year, he took requests, told jokes and charmed the pants off every single person in the room. With an effortless … Continue reading »
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 »
Gird your loins, Swiss music lovers! The inaugural edition of the This Is Tigerr newcomer festival is about to roll into a town near you, and what a behemoth it is. 40+ bands, 95+ shows, 17 venues, in 9 cities, all in the space of one week. Phew! The majority of the artists and bands … Continue reading »
It’s been a while since I last saw Brighton-based duo Blood Red Shoes, but I sure haven’t forgotten them. Blood Red Shoes is one of those bands that, live, exude a raw energy and dynamism that is pretty unforgettable. Not that their albums aren’t compelling, mind, it’s just that they are a really tight, impressive … Continue reading »
Continuing the 90s revival, this week it’s post-hardcore/metal rockers Helmet’s turn to to shine. It’s been 20 years since Page Hamilton and co. released the definitive Meantime, their third album and arguably their finest moment. In 1992, Helmet had just been signed to Interscope Records for a reportedly huge advance, and responded by releasing Meantime. … Continue reading »
Along with Ok Go! and Arctic Monkeys, kooky Brooklyn-based indie rock band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah were amongst the first wave of bands to hit the big time thanks to viral internet hype. Their self-released eponymous first album received much critical praise, ranging from Pitchfork to Davids Bowie and Byrne – remember ‘Upon This … Continue reading »
Wild Beasts released their third album, Smother, in June 2011, two years after 2009′s Mercury Prize-nominated Two Dancers. A seductive, delicate and quietly romantic piece of perfectly polished art-pop, Smother says as much in its moments of sparse instrumentation and tender pauses as when singer Hayden Thorpe is quavering away in his provocative falsetto. Smother … Continue reading »
Patrick Wolf‘s fifth album Lupercalia has just been released to critical acclaim, he’s played to an adoring crowd at Glastonbury, and he’s engaged to be married later this year – life is good right now for this one-time lone Wolf. Back in April I sat down with Patrick a few hours before his Zurich gig … Continue reading »
…It must be Lupercalia time. Yes, my favourite lycanthrope, Patrick Wolf, is releasing his fifth album Lupercalia, on 30 May 2011. Ahwoooo! Of course, the title ‘Lupercalia’ has a suitably wolfy background rooted in mythology and folklore – Lupercalia (or literally, Wolf Festival) refers to the ancient fertility and love festival that was held around … Continue reading »
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. … Continue reading »
