BY NOW you're probably just about ready to contemplate New Year’s Eve's social minefield.
Here's my ultimate list of parties across Camden, Islington and Westminster.
Burlesque, fancy dress and circus prevails, what’s the plan next year?
FOR THE MYSTERIOUS
The Eve of Tomorrow (Boom Boom Club + White Mischief), secret location (Russell Square tube), 8pm-5am, £45.99
Inspired by 1930s World Fairs and industrial obsession, a large scale production, with theatre, cabaret, circus, electro swing, vintage jazz, rock ‘n roll, and more – my personal fave. Dress – ‘30s glam, grand evening wear, aristocrats, socialites and industrialists.
INDIE KIDS
The Flowerpot presents Foals + Trophy Wife + Chad Valley, HMV Forum (Kentish Town tube), 8pm, sold out
The Flowerpot promised one helluva NY Party –Foals, great acts and DJs. Camden’s in-crowd were on to it months ago but there’s always the chance of doorstep spares sales. AND The Wheelbarrow, Camden High Street has just announced it has 100 tickets left to sell, must buy from the bar.
Club NME Ball, British Sea Power + Joe & Will Ask + Fiction, Koko (Mornington Crescent tube), 9pm, £32
Koko knows how to throw a proper rock party – in stunning theatre surrounds.
SHAMELESS NOSTALGICS
Ultimate Power, Scala (Kings Cross tube), 9pm – 6am, £20adv
Nine hours of power ballads – Meatloaf, Phil Collins, Queen – sing your heart out.
Naughty Forties NY Party, The Old Queen’s Head (Angel tube), 8pm-4am, £20
Tweed, corsets and wartime waves.
NEW YOIKERS
To the 5 Boroughs NYE Party ft Man Like Me (full live band) + Mouthwash, Barfly Camden (Chalk Farm tube), 8pm, early bird £15
New York theme – trip from CBGBs to Brooklyn loft to the Bronx and dress accordingly – 50s gangsters, 60s beatniks, 70s punks and 80s sportswear.
DEPRESSIVES
Feeling Gloomy vs Club de Fromage, 02 Academy Islington (Angel tube), 9pm-4am, £20
Wallow in misery with Feeling Gloomy’s morose tunes then clamber from the depths of despair to Club de Fromage’s cheesy hits.
AIRHEADS AND PIRATES
Barbie Girls and Salty Sea Dogs ft Diaphragm Failure + Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons + Spacewasters, The Dublin Castle (Camden Town tube), 7.45pm-2am, £10 on door, £5 adv, or free before 9pm for fancy dress
Truly eccentric, dress as your favourite plastic doll or try out the Jack Sparrow look.
MOVIE BUFFS
Soundtracks, The Monarch (Chalk Farm Road), 8pm, £10
Blockbuster hits from fave movies, Dirty Dancing, Pulp Fiction, The Breakfast Club etc. Dress as your movie idol.
WARBLERS
Live band Karaoke, The Enterprise (Chalk Farm tube), 7pm-3am, £5
Feel what it’s like to front your own band – karaoke classics and new hits.
THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
Proud Camden’s NYE Burlesque Ball, Proud Camden (Chalk Farm tube), 7.30pm – 4am, general ticket £30
Proud attracts cool kids, aloof waifs, geek chic boys, and voluptuous burlesque beauties but there’s room for everyone, the music never fails and it’s always full of surprises. Captain Dangerous + The TV Night Jam Band live + burlesque shows.
CHEESY (AND SLIGHTLY TOWNY WE FEAR)
Shake NYE, 70s, 80s, 90s disco +dance party anthems, Electric Ballroom (Camden Town tube), £30adv, 9pm-4am
Rarely a good sign when a Camden Town venue feels the need to warn no trainers or sportswear. But this could be a fun cheesy night out in a big enough venue to avoid inevitable NY suffocation. Or it could be just like a night at The Ritzy.
SOUL, FUNK AND DANCE LOVERS
DJ Joey Negro and The Sunburst Band, Jazz Cafe (Camden Town tube), 7pm, £40 adv
Jazz Cafe’s marathon session with DJ Joey Negro brings a dash of sunshine with The Sunburst Band’s take on modern soul. Acoustic support from laid back Nathan Watson.
CARNIVAL TYPES
Good Times ft Norman Jay + Gilles Peterson + Ladybugz + Crate Diggers, Relentless Garage (Highbury & Islington tube), £30
Bringing Notting Hill vibes to Islington.
THE FANTASTICAL
Proud @ Matter – Cirque ft Shaun Ryder, DJ Yoda and The Maccabees (DJ set), 02 Arena, 7.30pm-6am, £20 adv
Yes it’s a trek but Proud has put on buses for those brave enough to venture that far east. Think 1950s Vegas, circus and burlesque and dress accordingly.
Cirque de la Nuit, The Winchester (Angel tube), 7pm-4am, £25/£15 adv
Shape shifting cage fighters, clowns, and guest DJs.
FOR THE MTV GENERATION
BLOGGER’S Delight presents Video Kills the Radio Star, The Lock Tavern (Chalk Farm tube), 8pm-4am, £10 adv/with regular's card or £15
DJs – Casper C, Skull Juice, Stopmakingme, Arveene, The Beeny Royston Experience, Gino Silano, Miss Odd Kidd, NikNikNik –disco, house and party faves upstairs, pop pop pop downstairs, get nostalgic, think 1984 MTV launch, Michael Jackson, Madonna and dance your way through to the end of the noughties. Come as your favourite tribute to the art of the music video – shouldn’t be too hard to find the garb across the road at Camden market.
DIE-HARD GLAM PUNKS
RACHEL Stamp + Conspirators + Spiderbaby + Et Tu Bruce + Deeds of the Nameless + Otherness, Monto Water Rats (King’s Cross tube), 6pm, £13
Glam punks Rachel Stamp rarely get together to play live anymore so witness this one-off show, grab a free signed copy of their latest album (first 50 arrivals), get your eyeliner on and dress the part for what promises to be a raucous party.
GARAGE DUBSTEP AND HIP-HOP
REGGAE Roast with EL-B & MC Rolla, Channel One, Daddy Skitz, Moodie, Excel + more, The Big Chill House, (Kings Cross tube), 9pm-5am, £15 earlybird/£20 adv
Reggae Roast’s first ever NYE party, Room one – UK Garage/dubstep pioneer EL-B ft MC Roll and Channel One Sound System with Rastafarian chants from Mikey Dread, Room II - UK Hip Hop legend Daddy Skitz party blend of Hip Hop, Drum and Bass, Dancehall and Reggae.
FOR THE MAD HATTERS
SAM and The Womp's NYE Hat Party with Sam and The Womp live, Senor Migan, DJ Cous Cous, Aaron Audio, Bobby Gandolf, Camino, (Kings Cross tube), 9pm-4am, £15earlybird, £20 adv, £60 restaurant ticket
High-energy Balkan, ska, dub, Latin and gypsy-dubstep with Sam’s six-piece band The Whompers, wear your most extravagant hat – prizes for best.
FOR THE CROONERS
Mitch Winehouse, The Pigalle Club (Picadilly Circus), 7pm-late, dinner, admission and champagne – £95, non-dining guests – £25
Crooner/cabbie/celeb dad Mitch Winehouse hosts a classy evening of jazz and swing – Amy’s been known to join him onstage but we hear she may be in Moscow.
COOL AND CASH-STRAPPED
The Wheelbarrow (Mornington Crescent tube), open till late, free
Top tunes, nice faces and an extended late licence – and you don’t have to pay a penny to get in.
Tuesday, 28 December 2010
Thursday, 16 December 2010
RECORD OF THE WEEK - MILES KANE, Come Closer
MILES Kane owns the guitar. By owns I don't just mean, has one in his possession, I mean every note he plays (and sings incidentally), is like an extension of his very being.
That's not to say he's technically the world's greatest guitarist but certainly a skilled and to some extent underrated songwriter with a pure northern soul who feels his way through the music. A departure from The Rascals and The Last Shadow Puppets, Come Closer proves solo Miles can stand on his own two feet.
Miles Kane plays XfM's All Dayer at Camden Barfly on January 22.
That's not to say he's technically the world's greatest guitarist but certainly a skilled and to some extent underrated songwriter with a pure northern soul who feels his way through the music. A departure from The Rascals and The Last Shadow Puppets, Come Closer proves solo Miles can stand on his own two feet.
Miles Kane plays XfM's All Dayer at Camden Barfly on January 22.
LOWKEY'S FRONT PAGE + THE HEARTBREAKS SPECIAL APPEARANCE + SLIMELIGHT GOES LIGHT + CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH THE CLASH
THE police issued a rogues gallery of wanted anti-fees protesters this week.
What, might you ask, has this to do with music?
Those who studied the pictures carefully may just have recognised one particularly vocal young rapper – Lowkey – featured on this page some time back.
Known for his eloquent campaigns for Palestinian rights – Lowkey – is a man of conviction. Last week he promised to visit occupying students and did just that – passing by our own Camden School for Girls.
But for those wondering if he had anything to do with Camilla being poked with a stick or other protest-related mischief, he had this to say on twitter: “(Lowkey ) is NOT wanted. I have already been questioned regarding these matters, so please STOP buying into the hype. Thank you. "Last night he warned: “Prepare for a smear campaign, however they attempt to discredit me, always know the only thing I stand for is equality. Peace + Love.”
Watch this space.
• Finsbury Park’s coolest club The Silver Bullet’s got a special appearance from The Heartbreaks at Ronnkie Pop’s Christmas party next week (Dec 23). Also playing, Two Wounded Birds + The Guilty Hands. These guys have been tipped for the top - get along asap.
• Angel’s Electrowerks, more usually associated with pasty-faced Goth night Slimelight is hosting an altogether more pleasant artist by the name of Lucy Rose (Dec 17). She’s a little pasty herself but in a waiflike folky ethereal kind of way. Beautiful voice too.
• Nina, Davina Lee, Rocketeer, Evryone and Olly Chamberlain all play at least one Christmas cover at The Monarch’s Christmas show (Dec 22).
• Everyone’s oh so busy Christmas shopping but duck out of the Camden Market chaos for a second and into Proud Camden to check out London Calling: TheClash by Adrian Boot, music photographer extraordinaire (ends Jan 23).
What, might you ask, has this to do with music?
Those who studied the pictures carefully may just have recognised one particularly vocal young rapper – Lowkey – featured on this page some time back.
Known for his eloquent campaigns for Palestinian rights – Lowkey – is a man of conviction. Last week he promised to visit occupying students and did just that – passing by our own Camden School for Girls.
But for those wondering if he had anything to do with Camilla being poked with a stick or other protest-related mischief, he had this to say on twitter: “(Lowkey ) is NOT wanted. I have already been questioned regarding these matters, so please STOP buying into the hype. Thank you. "Last night he warned: “Prepare for a smear campaign, however they attempt to discredit me, always know the only thing I stand for is equality. Peace + Love.”
Watch this space.
• Finsbury Park’s coolest club The Silver Bullet’s got a special appearance from The Heartbreaks at Ronnkie Pop’s Christmas party next week (Dec 23). Also playing, Two Wounded Birds + The Guilty Hands. These guys have been tipped for the top - get along asap.
• Angel’s Electrowerks, more usually associated with pasty-faced Goth night Slimelight is hosting an altogether more pleasant artist by the name of Lucy Rose (Dec 17). She’s a little pasty herself but in a waiflike folky ethereal kind of way. Beautiful voice too.
• Nina, Davina Lee, Rocketeer, Evryone and Olly Chamberlain all play at least one Christmas cover at The Monarch’s Christmas show (Dec 22).
• Everyone’s oh so busy Christmas shopping but duck out of the Camden Market chaos for a second and into Proud Camden to check out London Calling: TheClash by Adrian Boot, music photographer extraordinaire (ends Jan 23).
THE BEES ARE BACK
THE Bees have been quietly plugging away for some years now.
But just because the former Mercury Prize nominees are not crazed tabloid headline-grabbers doesn’t mean they haven’t got something worth listening to.
In fact, it is this very reason, their understated nature, which has attracted just the right amount of attention from those who know what they are looking for.
Take the fact that they have just come off tour supporting Paul Weller at a series of venues that almost all seem to have “arena” in the title.
That’s the kind of gig a good band wants and they got it.
And as with all good bands, there has to be a bit of drama, a label change, a long gap between albums and a few utterances about new freedoms and so they have returned, having fulfilled these important clichés.
It’s been three years since their last album Octopus and the band, which headlines Koko tomorrow (Friday), is sounding very pleased with their decision to work with label Fiction.
Fourth album, Every Step’s A Yes, was released on Fiction in October and has been nominated for the iTunes editor’s Album of the Year.
According to singer and songwriter Paul Butler, the label is in touch daily with new ideas and ways of doing things.
Aaron Fletcher another of the band’s multi talents (songwriter, guitarist, bass player), said: “It’s like starting all over again. Only now we’ve got loads of fans and people who love us. And our own studio. And an amazing label.”
The album’s a smiley, happy effort, mainly made up of uplifting guitars, psychedelic sitar twists and folksy harmonies – a cosy antidote to December’s freeze, with a more mature feel than previous efforts.
This may be something to do with how they have spent their time over the past three years.
Paul and Aaron stopped sharing a house, which seems to have sparked a new wave of enthusiasm and inspiration, they have played alongside Pink Floyd and Paul spent some time in LA working with eclectic – and definitely eccentric – folk-singer/artist Devendra Banhart.
This summer they played Glastonbury, naturally hailed among the best gigs they’ve ever done, but it’s really the decision to split from former label that they credit with their new creativity.
Since breaking from the traditional write, rehearse, record, tour routine, they have had the time to work at their own speed, which seems to have given their brains some time to ferment.
The result was that everything slowed down, the boys chilled out and the band found the confidence to really develop the kind of songs they had always wanted to write.
“The last two albums were exercises in creative writing,” said Paul. “These songs are all much more emotionally direct. I was thinking of those Joe Boyd productions – Nick Drake and Fairport Convention, Incredible String Band, John and Beverley Martyn.”
You get the picture.
I leave you with a little-known fact – The Bees are known as A Band of Bees in America.
The Bees single Winter Rose is out on December 20.
But just because the former Mercury Prize nominees are not crazed tabloid headline-grabbers doesn’t mean they haven’t got something worth listening to.
In fact, it is this very reason, their understated nature, which has attracted just the right amount of attention from those who know what they are looking for.
Take the fact that they have just come off tour supporting Paul Weller at a series of venues that almost all seem to have “arena” in the title.
That’s the kind of gig a good band wants and they got it.
And as with all good bands, there has to be a bit of drama, a label change, a long gap between albums and a few utterances about new freedoms and so they have returned, having fulfilled these important clichés.
It’s been three years since their last album Octopus and the band, which headlines Koko tomorrow (Friday), is sounding very pleased with their decision to work with label Fiction.
Fourth album, Every Step’s A Yes, was released on Fiction in October and has been nominated for the iTunes editor’s Album of the Year.
According to singer and songwriter Paul Butler, the label is in touch daily with new ideas and ways of doing things.
Aaron Fletcher another of the band’s multi talents (songwriter, guitarist, bass player), said: “It’s like starting all over again. Only now we’ve got loads of fans and people who love us. And our own studio. And an amazing label.”
The album’s a smiley, happy effort, mainly made up of uplifting guitars, psychedelic sitar twists and folksy harmonies – a cosy antidote to December’s freeze, with a more mature feel than previous efforts.
This may be something to do with how they have spent their time over the past three years.
Paul and Aaron stopped sharing a house, which seems to have sparked a new wave of enthusiasm and inspiration, they have played alongside Pink Floyd and Paul spent some time in LA working with eclectic – and definitely eccentric – folk-singer/artist Devendra Banhart.
This summer they played Glastonbury, naturally hailed among the best gigs they’ve ever done, but it’s really the decision to split from former label that they credit with their new creativity.
Since breaking from the traditional write, rehearse, record, tour routine, they have had the time to work at their own speed, which seems to have given their brains some time to ferment.
The result was that everything slowed down, the boys chilled out and the band found the confidence to really develop the kind of songs they had always wanted to write.
“The last two albums were exercises in creative writing,” said Paul. “These songs are all much more emotionally direct. I was thinking of those Joe Boyd productions – Nick Drake and Fairport Convention, Incredible String Band, John and Beverley Martyn.”
You get the picture.
I leave you with a little-known fact – The Bees are known as A Band of Bees in America.
The Bees single Winter Rose is out on December 20.
Thursday, 9 December 2010
RECORD OF THE WEEK - WAREHOUSE REPUBLIC, Revolver
REVOLVER - the only word necessary to learn this chorus - will never sound the same again.
Forevermore, any utterance of said retro handgun - see every good gangster movie - will trigger Warehouse Republic's soundtrack in your mind, saturated in in dirty blues-rock vibes, with a messy soulful guitar solo to match. Sounds delightfully dangerous and the video has a bit of bite to it too.
Revolver out this week.
Warehouse Republic play an acoustic set at The Good Ship, Kilburn, on December 17.
Forevermore, any utterance of said retro handgun - see every good gangster movie - will trigger Warehouse Republic's soundtrack in your mind, saturated in in dirty blues-rock vibes, with a messy soulful guitar solo to match. Sounds delightfully dangerous and the video has a bit of bite to it too.
Revolver out this week.
Warehouse Republic play an acoustic set at The Good Ship, Kilburn, on December 17.
WAREHOUSE REPUBLIC'S BLAZING CALAMITY + BAD SANTA'S KOKO DINOSAUR PILE-UP + THE LUMINAIRE'S LAST STAND + CLASSY FLORENCE JOELLE
BAND of the moment Warehouse Republic are hot.
Sadly so hot that guitarist Charlie Flynn’s house just burned down, devouring all he owns, including five guitars. He jumped from the attic window, breaking his fall on the porch, escaping with minor injuries. Go on Fender, help them out.
But this misfortune hasn’t put them off their campaign to save the 100 Club or their planned appearance at The Good Ship (Dec 17) – acoustic while Charlie recovers. A chance to see them in a small venue before they shoot into the stratosphere. Judge them by fantastic single Revolver released this week.
• The Riff Raff play 02 Academy Islington tonight (Thurs). Drawing influences from indie, ska, folk and classical music, band were were one of the main highlights of BBC Introducing’s New Music Radio 1 Stage at Glastonbury.
• Koko’s Christmas party is here. See Dinosaur Pile Up and Kassidy tomorrow (Dec 10) and visit Bad Santa in the gallery - free entry to anyone in full fancy dress between 9pm and 11pm.
• The Luminaire may be closing but it’s not leaving without uncovering the next great student musicians. The top three bands in national student Battle of the Bands duel to the death on (Dec 13) – hear the tunes we’ll be downloading in 2011. Hear all the tracks here: www.studentbeans.com/battleofthebands
• Miss Florence Joelle is a class act, evoking the mood and glamour of the 40s/50s, adding a modern twist and balancing between blues and jazz with finesse. See her at The Fiddler’s Elbow, Malden Road (Dec 14).
• The Camden Crawl’s building momentum with CC2011 TIPS #3. Get to know the bands who will appear on the full scale crawl, ft Wild Palms, Bear Driver, The Slow Revolt and Heart Kill Grant at The Bull & Gate (Dec 15).
Sadly so hot that guitarist Charlie Flynn’s house just burned down, devouring all he owns, including five guitars. He jumped from the attic window, breaking his fall on the porch, escaping with minor injuries. Go on Fender, help them out.
But this misfortune hasn’t put them off their campaign to save the 100 Club or their planned appearance at The Good Ship (Dec 17) – acoustic while Charlie recovers. A chance to see them in a small venue before they shoot into the stratosphere. Judge them by fantastic single Revolver released this week.
• Manchester band The Quangos have already won support slots with Kid British and Ten Bears and now they're coming to London. Always room for another good northern band as far as I'm concerned. See them play The Dublin Castle on December 11.
• The Riff Raff play 02 Academy Islington tonight (Thurs). Drawing influences from indie, ska, folk and classical music, band were were one of the main highlights of BBC Introducing’s New Music Radio 1 Stage at Glastonbury.
• Koko’s Christmas party is here. See Dinosaur Pile Up and Kassidy tomorrow (Dec 10) and visit Bad Santa in the gallery - free entry to anyone in full fancy dress between 9pm and 11pm.
• The Luminaire may be closing but it’s not leaving without uncovering the next great student musicians. The top three bands in national student Battle of the Bands duel to the death on (Dec 13) – hear the tunes we’ll be downloading in 2011. Hear all the tracks here: www.studentbeans.com/battleofthebands
• Miss Florence Joelle is a class act, evoking the mood and glamour of the 40s/50s, adding a modern twist and balancing between blues and jazz with finesse. See her at The Fiddler’s Elbow, Malden Road (Dec 14).
• The Camden Crawl’s building momentum with CC2011 TIPS #3. Get to know the bands who will appear on the full scale crawl, ft Wild Palms, Bear Driver, The Slow Revolt and Heart Kill Grant at The Bull & Gate (Dec 15).
TROUBLE FINDING A WEDDING DJ PRINCE WILLIAM, HOW ABOUT SAM YOUNG?
HE HANGS out with The Killers and Usher, DJs for royalty, and Kasabian owe him a favour.
DJ Sam Young gets around and has the tales to prove it.
As we speak (on the phone), he’s just waking up at his St John’s Wood home after another late night and is preparing for Damien Hirst’s Christmas party later.
“Kasabian’s doing their entertainment,” he says. “I helped get their record deal. I used to work for a record company. The label I was with didn’t want to sign them, they were oohing and ahing. A friend of mine just started doing A & R at Sony BMG so I took their demo in and then yeah, that was it.”
DJ Sam Young gets around and has the tales to prove it.
As we speak (on the phone), he’s just waking up at his St John’s Wood home after another late night and is preparing for Damien Hirst’s Christmas party later.
“Kasabian’s doing their entertainment,” he says. “I helped get their record deal. I used to work for a record company. The label I was with didn’t want to sign them, they were oohing and ahing. A friend of mine just started doing A & R at Sony BMG so I took their demo in and then yeah, that was it.”
Young, 31, is best known for regular spots at celeb hangouts Chinawhites and Boujis, which may seem far removed from the Camden scene but he begs to differ.
Sam once attracted the attention of The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers for playing a bootleg of Somebody Told Me.
But instead of telling him off, Brandon said it was “a pretty cool mix”.
Last week, he was asked to look after Usher, who passed by Boujis after the X-Factor.
He said: “He needed to fly really early so we were killing time. I wasn’t djing, I’d finished my set. We were having crack-babies – a shot they do in Boujis, champagne, vodka, strawberry and passionfruit.”
He once played a party for gangsters in Scunthorpe: “It was full on. Howard Marks did a talk. It was the who’s who of the UK crime scene. The police were outside, really nervous of all these people getting together. A lot of the guys had their own little stalls, selling their own DVDs and books. It was a bit weird. The only time I saw the guy that booked me again was at the premiere for the film about Bronson and that was full of heavies.”
The son of A-list photographer Richard Young, Sam stumbled into Djing on a whim: “When I was about 13 we used to get Christmas money and my brother said let’s buy some turntables so we can be DJs so I said OK fine.”
When his brother went to college, Sam was left with them and the rest is West End clubland history.
It’s not always an easy job: “It can be hard if the crowd are difficult. If they’re not receptive to what you’re playing or if you read the crowd wrong they can make it harder. It’s all digital nowadays so I have every type of music on me at all times. It’s not like the old days where you have one or two bags of records and you’re screwed if you didn’t have what they want.”
His secret dancefloor-filling weapon? “Play some Michael Jackson, or Prince or Stevie Wonder. I’m a sucker for the obvious people. In a wedding or office party you put one of those on, you’re on to a winner – usually.”
He uses alter ago Sam Roqwell less and less, but returns to it when releasing his underground work.
He’s well-placed to witness excess: “You see people always spending a silly amount of money. Specially in the current time – I’ve seen it a lot.”
The secret to being a successful DJ, he says: “Work hard, keep your head down, it’s a lot of how you go about who you know, you need the talent as well, you can’t just wing it. If you’re not as good as you think you are, you’ll soon get found out.”
He said: “I’ve had my own nights at Hoxton Pony and Proud Camden. The crowd is different, they probably think they’re a bit cooler in Camden, same in east London they may think because they’re partying in Hoxton they’re cool but actually there’s no difference musically – unless you’re going to a specialist night. You’re more likely to get a tip in the West End from some rich Arab dude for playing a song while some guy in Camden might buy you a beer.”
He’s reputed to be one of Prince William’s favourite DJs and, has drawn up a personal top five of stag do hits for the soon-to-be married royal, in case he gets the call.
He said: “If he asked me to DJ at the wedding I would definitely.”
The Prince has been known to request a tune or two: “He likes the classic dance music. He’s current, not cheesy at all. All the times I’ve met him he’s liked stuff that was big at the time, like Outkast Hey Ya and Shakedown at Night. I’ve seen him dance – and the girlfriend.”
He’s reputed to be one of Prince William’s favourite DJs and, has drawn up a personal top five of stag do hits for the soon-to-be married royal, in case he gets the call.
He said: “If he asked me to DJ at the wedding I would definitely.”
The Prince has been known to request a tune or two: “He likes the classic dance music. He’s current, not cheesy at all. All the times I’ve met him he’s liked stuff that was big at the time, like Outkast Hey Ya and Shakedown at Night. I’ve seen him dance – and the girlfriend.”
SAM Young’s top 5 tunes for Prince William's stag do:
1. Ludacris - Area Codes
2. Snoop Dogg - Ain't no Fun
3. Katy Perry - I kissed a girl
4. LMFAO - I'm not a whore
5. RUN DMC - Down with the King
Sam once attracted the attention of The Killers frontman Brandon Flowers for playing a bootleg of Somebody Told Me.
But instead of telling him off, Brandon said it was “a pretty cool mix”.
Last week, he was asked to look after Usher, who passed by Boujis after the X-Factor.
He said: “He needed to fly really early so we were killing time. I wasn’t djing, I’d finished my set. We were having crack-babies – a shot they do in Boujis, champagne, vodka, strawberry and passionfruit.”
He once played a party for gangsters in Scunthorpe: “It was full on. Howard Marks did a talk. It was the who’s who of the UK crime scene. The police were outside, really nervous of all these people getting together. A lot of the guys had their own little stalls, selling their own DVDs and books. It was a bit weird. The only time I saw the guy that booked me again was at the premiere for the film about Bronson and that was full of heavies.”
The son of A-list photographer Richard Young, Sam stumbled into Djing on a whim: “When I was about 13 we used to get Christmas money and my brother said let’s buy some turntables so we can be DJs so I said OK fine.”
When his brother went to college, Sam was left with them and the rest is West End clubland history.
It’s not always an easy job: “It can be hard if the crowd are difficult. If they’re not receptive to what you’re playing or if you read the crowd wrong they can make it harder. It’s all digital nowadays so I have every type of music on me at all times. It’s not like the old days where you have one or two bags of records and you’re screwed if you didn’t have what they want.”
His secret dancefloor-filling weapon? “Play some Michael Jackson, or Prince or Stevie Wonder. I’m a sucker for the obvious people. In a wedding or office party you put one of those on, you’re on to a winner – usually.”
He uses alter ago Sam Roqwell less and less, but returns to it when releasing his underground work.
He’s well-placed to witness excess: “You see people always spending a silly amount of money. Specially in the current time – I’ve seen it a lot.”
The secret to being a successful DJ, he says: “Work hard, keep your head down, it’s a lot of how you go about who you know, you need the talent as well, you can’t just wing it. If you’re not as good as you think you are, you’ll soon get found out.”
• Sam Young has residencies at Boujis on Thursdays and Sundays, Chinawhite Wednesdays and Fridays, and regularly appears at Bungalow 8, Covent Garden, Vendome Mayfair and The Hoxton Pony.
Monday, 6 December 2010
ARCHIVE MOMENT - THE RASCALS, I'll Give you Sympathy
THIS song is just one reason why Miles Kane, who supports The Courteeners at Camden's HMV Forum, is so fantastic.
The Rascals are truly cheeky scamps - I can vouch for that, I've got the interview tape with anecdotes of foiled customs searches following a trip to Amsterdam - to prove it.
But they had a stroke of creative genius, stemming from Kane.
They managed to give what could have been straightforward northern rock just a tiny glow of psychedelic guitars and muted 60s beats and I loved them for it.
Live, they strayed down untraceable guitar solo paths and sounded all the more attractive for it.
Then Miles excelled himself when he went and teamed up with bessie mate Alex Turner (are they still) to create The Last Shadow Puppets - will we ever see them again?
And now Miles is doing his solo thing, supporting The Courteeners and I hear teaming up with Noel Gallagher.
I'm positively overdosing on all this luscious northern talent.
More please.
But in the meantime, remember The Rascals.
The Rascals are truly cheeky scamps - I can vouch for that, I've got the interview tape with anecdotes of foiled customs searches following a trip to Amsterdam - to prove it.
But they had a stroke of creative genius, stemming from Kane.
They managed to give what could have been straightforward northern rock just a tiny glow of psychedelic guitars and muted 60s beats and I loved them for it.
Live, they strayed down untraceable guitar solo paths and sounded all the more attractive for it.
Then Miles excelled himself when he went and teamed up with bessie mate Alex Turner (are they still) to create The Last Shadow Puppets - will we ever see them again?
And now Miles is doing his solo thing, supporting The Courteeners and I hear teaming up with Noel Gallagher.
I'm positively overdosing on all this luscious northern talent.
More please.
But in the meantime, remember The Rascals.
Thursday, 2 December 2010
FLOWERPOTS, WHEELBARROWS AND THE END OF AN ERA FOR THE LUMINAIRE + 100 CLUB CAMPAIGN HOTS UP
MIXED fortunes in our musical microcosm this week.
Good news first. The rumours – reported here first three weeks ago – are true. The Flowerpot has taken over Tommy Flynn’s in Camden High Street (though in my haste, I may have accidentally referred to it as Johnny Flynn’s, yes, I know, he’s a singer, see clip below).
Keeping up the gardening theme The Flowerpot (in its new location) has been renamed The Wheelbarrow and has kept the winning format, permanent free entry to top live gigs. The big launch is tomorrow (Friday) with HoodIums, I just hope the distinctive muso character isn’t eroded by the new, central location.
• Bad news for lovers of The Luminaire, in Kilburn, which has announced it is shutting in January. Sad to read the final listings email this week.
• At the same time the starry-eyed campaign to save the 100 Club from closing has gathered pace, maybe they can spare a few celebs for The Luminaire.
Kentish Town rockabilly family Kitty, Daisy and Lewis and hot young things The Cut Outs feature in this special campaign documentary.
• Finley Quaye did his bit for homeless charity The Connection when he played an exclusive live gig at Proud Camden on Tuesday.
• I hear Liam Gallagher was gracious and amiable at the launch of his Pretty Green label at Relentless Garage last week – though he would be if he’s raking in £30 for scarves and £35 for T-shirts. Good reports of headliners Exit Calm too.
• Catch a glimpse of what Elton’s wedding was like at The Castle, Finchley Road, tomorrow (Friday). Elton loved sixties band The Overtures so much they played at his civil partnership.
• Looking for rock with roots? See The Manic Shine at The Purple Turtle on Saturday.
• Richard Ashcroft plays Islington’s Union Chapel on Tuesday, good luck getting a ticket though – most are reserved for his fan club.
• Flavour of the Month, Mona, play Hoxton bar and Kitchen (Dec 7).
Good news first. The rumours – reported here first three weeks ago – are true. The Flowerpot has taken over Tommy Flynn’s in Camden High Street (though in my haste, I may have accidentally referred to it as Johnny Flynn’s, yes, I know, he’s a singer, see clip below).
Keeping up the gardening theme The Flowerpot (in its new location) has been renamed The Wheelbarrow and has kept the winning format, permanent free entry to top live gigs. The big launch is tomorrow (Friday) with HoodIums, I just hope the distinctive muso character isn’t eroded by the new, central location.
• Bad news for lovers of The Luminaire, in Kilburn, which has announced it is shutting in January. Sad to read the final listings email this week.
• At the same time the starry-eyed campaign to save the 100 Club from closing has gathered pace, maybe they can spare a few celebs for The Luminaire.
Kentish Town rockabilly family Kitty, Daisy and Lewis and hot young things The Cut Outs feature in this special campaign documentary.
• Finley Quaye did his bit for homeless charity The Connection when he played an exclusive live gig at Proud Camden on Tuesday.
• I hear Liam Gallagher was gracious and amiable at the launch of his Pretty Green label at Relentless Garage last week – though he would be if he’s raking in £30 for scarves and £35 for T-shirts. Good reports of headliners Exit Calm too.
• Catch a glimpse of what Elton’s wedding was like at The Castle, Finchley Road, tomorrow (Friday). Elton loved sixties band The Overtures so much they played at his civil partnership.
• Looking for rock with roots? See The Manic Shine at The Purple Turtle on Saturday.
• Richard Ashcroft plays Islington’s Union Chapel on Tuesday, good luck getting a ticket though – most are reserved for his fan club.
• Flavour of the Month, Mona, play Hoxton bar and Kitchen (Dec 7).
HOLY COVES BATMAN - THERE'S A WELSH ROCK BAND IN MY BARN!
INSPECT the listings of any self-respecting music venue and you’ll see the influence of the Welsh dragon.
Super Furry Animals, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, The Joy Formidable, Manic Street Preachers...Wales has produced a steady stream of all-permeating talent.
So it’s no surprise that the latest promising band to hit the psych-rock scene – Holy Coves – can be found toiling away in the bassist’s grandmother’s barn somewhere near Holyhead.
With a joint vision of the type of music they wanted to make, singer and songwriter Scott Marsden and bassist Jimi Eggleton, left rock band The Lizzies to form Holy Coves. Drummer Ash Garden and former Wendykurk guitarist Ben Lee completed the line-up.
Marsden said: “We wanted to do something a bit more dark and groovy and we just had different ideas. It’s not like we fell out with The Lizzies. We wrote this album and it’s only now we’ve got it to where we’re happy to put the music out.”
The band plays Barfly Camden on Monday (Dec 6).
Marsden said: “I love Camden, I want to live there. The first time I came to Camden, we must’ve played about 15 shows before we worked our way up to some of the venues. It’s got such a vibe. You walk through there and feel it.
“I remember reading about Noel Gallagher saying during the beginning of Oasis the scene in Camden was just happening but (now) it’s not there, it’s dead. But I think the vibe is still there. I felt it the minute I went there. You create your own scene at the end of the day. I do think it’s important for bands to play Camden – but you go where people want you to play. Experience it and make it your main aim to get down to London.”
Regardless of his admiration for Camden, Marsden’s full of love for his oft-maligned home town of Holyhead.
He said: “Holyhead’s my home, my life. I’ll always be here at some point. Even if I was living down south I’ll always have a place here.
“I absolutely love Holyhead, I’m really passionate about the place. It’s beautiful and doesn’t get seen for what it is. We did the music video yesterday and I used locations in Holyhead because I wanted to show some of the beautiful parts people don’t get to see, the mountains. We’ve got some really cool places I want to put into all the videos.”
Put that backdrop to the kind of sounds you expect from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Black Angels and that’s kind of where Holy Coves fit in.
But they’re not too rock and roll to hang out with Jimi’s gran, who has given over one of her barns for them to rehearse in. The guys pop in to see her every now and again and Jimi helps out around the house.
Said Marsden: “She’s an absolute star because without her we wouldn’t have that place. It’s a godsend for us. We’ve had it for about two and half years.”
Don’t be fooled into thinking Holy Coves has something to do with Holyhead’s coastline position.
Marsden said: “Holyhead’s known as the holy island so the Holy thing is from that part of it. You could say where all the beaches are is where we got coves from but actually we were looking through an old cockney slang book and it said coves was the name for geezers or criminals. We just liked the idea of holy before coves and it just sort of fits where we’re from.”
EP The Drones (out January 31), was recorded in a studio at the foothills of Snowdonia and Marsden promises: “This album is going to be amazing. There’s such a raw energy about it. When we play together there’s just something happening in the music now and it’s just really exciting. I can’t wait to put it out there.”
Super Furry Animals, Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, The Joy Formidable, Manic Street Preachers...Wales has produced a steady stream of all-permeating talent.
So it’s no surprise that the latest promising band to hit the psych-rock scene – Holy Coves – can be found toiling away in the bassist’s grandmother’s barn somewhere near Holyhead.
Marsden said: “We wanted to do something a bit more dark and groovy and we just had different ideas. It’s not like we fell out with The Lizzies. We wrote this album and it’s only now we’ve got it to where we’re happy to put the music out.”
The band plays Barfly Camden on Monday (Dec 6).
Marsden said: “I love Camden, I want to live there. The first time I came to Camden, we must’ve played about 15 shows before we worked our way up to some of the venues. It’s got such a vibe. You walk through there and feel it.
“I remember reading about Noel Gallagher saying during the beginning of Oasis the scene in Camden was just happening but (now) it’s not there, it’s dead. But I think the vibe is still there. I felt it the minute I went there. You create your own scene at the end of the day. I do think it’s important for bands to play Camden – but you go where people want you to play. Experience it and make it your main aim to get down to London.”
Regardless of his admiration for Camden, Marsden’s full of love for his oft-maligned home town of Holyhead.
He said: “Holyhead’s my home, my life. I’ll always be here at some point. Even if I was living down south I’ll always have a place here.
“I absolutely love Holyhead, I’m really passionate about the place. It’s beautiful and doesn’t get seen for what it is. We did the music video yesterday and I used locations in Holyhead because I wanted to show some of the beautiful parts people don’t get to see, the mountains. We’ve got some really cool places I want to put into all the videos.”
Put that backdrop to the kind of sounds you expect from Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and the Black Angels and that’s kind of where Holy Coves fit in.
But they’re not too rock and roll to hang out with Jimi’s gran, who has given over one of her barns for them to rehearse in. The guys pop in to see her every now and again and Jimi helps out around the house.
Said Marsden: “She’s an absolute star because without her we wouldn’t have that place. It’s a godsend for us. We’ve had it for about two and half years.”
Don’t be fooled into thinking Holy Coves has something to do with Holyhead’s coastline position.
Marsden said: “Holyhead’s known as the holy island so the Holy thing is from that part of it. You could say where all the beaches are is where we got coves from but actually we were looking through an old cockney slang book and it said coves was the name for geezers or criminals. We just liked the idea of holy before coves and it just sort of fits where we’re from.”
EP The Drones (out January 31), was recorded in a studio at the foothills of Snowdonia and Marsden promises: “This album is going to be amazing. There’s such a raw energy about it. When we play together there’s just something happening in the music now and it’s just really exciting. I can’t wait to put it out there.”
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
LOWKEY'S GOT YOUR BACK STUDENTS
NICE to see rapper Lowkey turning his support to the student cause.
He's offering to drop by students occupying their universities in protest at the government's keep-the-poor-uneducated policy that's making so many waves.
Maybe the coalition should go one step further and create huge fees for primary and secondary school too, then they'd get what they really want - an illiterate underclass they no longer have to mix with, except when cleaning their shoes.
Anyway, back to the point, Lowkey's precise words, via twitter were: "If your are currently involved in an occupation of your University, give me a shout and I will try to pass through and support anyway I can."
So go on, tweet @lowkeyuk and you never know, he might just make an appearance.
We need more of this kind of thing - any other musicians prepared to brave the snow and join Lowkey on the university crawl?
Here's a sample of Lowkey in action
We need more thinking musicians - here's a new duo on the scene - Partisan and Gavel
He's offering to drop by students occupying their universities in protest at the government's keep-the-poor-uneducated policy that's making so many waves.
Maybe the coalition should go one step further and create huge fees for primary and secondary school too, then they'd get what they really want - an illiterate underclass they no longer have to mix with, except when cleaning their shoes.
Anyway, back to the point, Lowkey's precise words, via twitter were: "If your are currently involved in an occupation of your University, give me a shout and I will try to pass through and support anyway I can."
So go on, tweet @lowkeyuk and you never know, he might just make an appearance.
We need more of this kind of thing - any other musicians prepared to brave the snow and join Lowkey on the university crawl?
Here's a sample of Lowkey in action
We need more thinking musicians - here's a new duo on the scene - Partisan and Gavel
RECORD OF THE WEEK - MONA, Trouble on the Way
IS it time for a new rock Supergroup?
Mona’s leading the contenders on this one.
‘Course it’s almost their birthright, coming from Nashville, Tenessee, so expectations are high.
Trouble on the Way is simple, snappy, immediately memorable but it’s frontman Nick Brown who holds their not-so-secret weapon – stunning, stadium-ready vocals.
They play Hoxton Bar and Kitchen on December 7.
Mona’s leading the contenders on this one.
‘Course it’s almost their birthright, coming from Nashville, Tenessee, so expectations are high.
Trouble on the Way is simple, snappy, immediately memorable but it’s frontman Nick Brown who holds their not-so-secret weapon – stunning, stadium-ready vocals.
They play Hoxton Bar and Kitchen on December 7.
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