Tutankarbon

GHOSTPOET - A PRIZED SPECTRE

2011-10-09T17:38:00.000-07:00

AFTER a heavy night out, when the sun and moon were at war and thoughts were pleasantly hazy, Tricky’s Maxinquaye album filled the silence with an intense cosy wooziness.
Sixteen years later the same foggy evenings are now smothered in Peanut Butter Blues and Melancholy Jam, the debut album from Ghostpoet.

One of Mike Skinner’s favourite MCs, and hailed as one of the most exciting new hip-hop talents in the UK, Ghostpoet aka Obaro Ejimiwe, was recently nominated for a Mercury Music Prize.

We last saw him solo, accompanied by a complex-looking console of laptops at Barfly for the Camden Crawl. Next week, after his nomination for one of the industry’s prestigious music prizes, he plays Scala (Oct 13), with an entourage of musicians, promising a number of surprise guests.

Although he had never met Mike Skinner, The Streets’ frontman – on temporarily taking over the Guardian music page – nailed his colours to Ghostpoet’s flag, citing him as one of his favourite MCs and streaming his album on the website.

Obaro said: “It was really amazing because I’ve been a fan of his music for so long. The idea of him bigging our music up is really out of this world.”

Less verbose than his songs, his blog reveals some curious insights, like his appreciation for Haribo wine gums: “It’s one of these comfort things that sometimes you need in your life. It’s kind of fundamental on tour life to have a few sweets you can eat so Haribo is the sweet of choice at the moment.”

Food is important to Obaro, explaining how his album was named after household spreads: “I needed a title that encapsulated the feeling of the album to me personally. I never listened to it as a whole piece until it was finished. For me it was quite a lot of melancholy in there and the idea of being a bit down, a bit out, a bit grey, the idea of not having a great day but still hope for the future. That was where I was getting the melancholy...I like comfort eating when I feel under the weather so I like peanut butter, I like jam so I thought I’d put it together.”

He’s not as morose as his album, swearing he’s like any normal person: “Like everyone else I guess, (I have) good days and bad days. Some days I don’t want to get out of bed, I want to stay in and wallow, other days I want to enjoy the sunshine, whatever works. Up and down good and bad, left and right, round and round.”

Obaro, who is engaged but coy about how he proposed, is more reserved than expected, saving his innermost insights for his music: “It’s connected to emotions. I try to pour into the emotion and feelings I get out of the music I create, it’s about tapping into that and letting the music tell me what to write. I guess the lyrics are a combination of the things I come across over a period of time, it could be from my life, from someone else’s life, from something I come across on the road and I try to shape it around a particular tune that I’ve made.”

His mild superstitions prevent him from revealing any unrecorded lyrics: “I couldn’t do that, I’m really bad with stuff like that. I don’t like saying lyrics until they’re recorded, they may change if I say it out loud it may jinx it, can’t say anything until it’s recoded...I don’t like saying much about potential things, rather wait until its set in stone before I announce stuff.”

He harbours a plan to one day open a dog farm: “It’s not an easy task starting a farm for dogs. But I think it could potentially happen if I have the means and the finances. I have one, I wish I had four. I never really was into dogs when I was a kid. I got one about three years ago and they’re just great companions, no matter what kind of mood you’re in they’re always there for you.”

While the glare is all on Obaro, his reaction couldn’t be more understated.
He said: “I’ve become slightly busier... people who may have never heard of my stuff before have been exposed to it a bit more I guess and that’s great, kind of what I wanted from the Mercury if anything so I was grateful to get that awareness, pick up a fanbase and cement a career of sorts...to be part of the Mercury was a complete shock to me.”

He added: “It’s definitely a case of more doors are opening because of the position I got myself into now and I’m really pleased with how things are going.”

AMY WINEHOUSE - OUR TARNISHED CHANTEUSE

2011-07-29T17:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a piece I wrote for the Camden New Journal. I took the picture at Amy's Snakehips DJ night, The Monarch, 2008.

AMY Winehouse, our treasured, tarnished chanteuse whose talent lay as much in the heart-shattering cracks in her vocals as her ability to bare her darkest moments in song, soul laid bare on the kitchen floor, has left us too soon. Camden without Amy is muted, the loss immense. Such was her omnipresence that the void is even greater.

I saw her at her best – The Dublin Castle, Camden Crawl 2008, entrancing as her aching vocals beguiled observers into feeling her pain, and her worst – oblivious, lost, transformed into a museum piece during her Snakehips DJ night at The Monarch as, roped off like an exhibit, Blake brooch in her hair and blinded by a constellation of camera flashes, she barely played a disc. Instead she painted her nails. I last saw her at The Dublin Castle, Camden Crawl 2010. A combination of brassy barmaid and vulnerable child, she pulled pints, enjoying every delicious second of her semblance of normality.

Some mourn Camden of old, before the market mushroomed into a mall of trinkets, when punks were more than just a curiosity carrying a sign to the nearest tattoo shop.

But Amy saw past this. She exposed the lure of Camden to a new crowd, each eagerly mimicking her style with backcombed punctuations on every corner.

While tabloids leapt in excitement every time Amy made a surprise appearance, Camden barely raised an eyelid. She was a fixture, part of the furniture, and one that was expected to turn up any moment. This knowledge was a comfort.

Amy showed her fierce loyalty to her beloved borough by not becoming precious, visiting her favoured kebab shops, newsagents and pubs regardless of the 24/7 media glare.

As she showed her allegiance to Camden, the borough returned the favour. When spotted in the street at night, it wasn’t the locals who followed Amy but the paparazzi. Her attraction to the area could well be put down to the safe familiarity of the characters and venues that went out of their way to protect her.

She saw the positive side of Camden while others were busy pointing out the dark side.

Her troubles were widely known and while the sorry end to this tiny girl with the exquisitely loaded voice was somewhat inevitable, there was the always hope that another surprise appearance was imminent and this time, those troubles would have melted away.

SHE BECAME A MASCOT FOR CAMDEN - IT IS A QUIETER PLACE TODAY [Amy Winehouse tribute in today's Times]

2011-07-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

AMY Winehouse was synonymous with Camden. Here is a piece I wrote for today's Times.

IF HOME is where the heart is, then Amy Winehouse’s heart — larger than most and perhaps more prone to bleeds and breakage — was in Camden Town in North London.

Her fierce loyalty to the place was made obvious in 2008 when she was at the height of her success. Thousands of miles away, having heard that she’d won a Grammy Award for Back to Black, a stunned Winehouse dedicated her award to London “because Camden Town ain’t burning down”.

She was referring to the infamous fire that razed half of Camden Market, taking with it her drinking headquarters, the Hawley Arms.

Asking what the appeal of Camden was to Winehouse is a bit like asking about the private habits of bears in the woods. It doesn’t require interrogation. She was attracted to its intimate villagey community but also to its excess. The vibrant market centre, which sits between the commercial district of Westminster and the cosy affluence of Hampstead, has a long history of this. In the early 1800s, the influx of Irish railway workers brought with it a legacy of institutionalised alcoholism that lives on today. Added to that today is a lively drugs scene.

More recently, the Britpop heyday brought the first generation of the celebrated “Camden caners”. Blur and Oasis drank in the Good Mixer, an unreconstructed drinking hole that focuses more on fun than on pretty decor. The second wave of Camden caners — including actress Kirsten Dunst, Razorlight frontman Johnny Borrell, Kelly Osbourne, Mischa Barton and Paris Hilton — was headed up by Winehouse. Their home was the Hawley Arms, right in the heart of the market. Messy-haired, vested bar staff in skinny jeans kept the beer flowing, and then it was back to someone’s house for a party.

Musicians love the place. Name any act, from the Killers to Supergrass, from Madness to the Specials, and they will have played the darkened stage of the Dublin Castle, one of the borough’s most iconic music pubs. And this is why the tastemakers will always be here. Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq can often be found at the Barfly checking out the latest talent, or curating a night at The Bull and Gate. The Camden Crawl — a two-day festival bringing together more than 100 acts in as many venues — has become known as one of the few places you might get to see a superstar act in a tiny venue.

Winehouse and Camden were mutually dependent. She helped make it cool again after Britpop faded; after the glorious downfall of the Primrose Hill set and later the huge redevelopment of the market. She became a mascot for the borough.

No matter where you were, Winehouse’s influence, in music and style, shaped Camden’s culture. Take a walk down Camden High Street tomorrow and count the backcombed hairdos and ballet shoes. Although her minders were a necessary accompaniment, there were no airs and graces or presumptions about her. She didn’t demand special treatment, and no matter how infamous she grew, she was more likely to be seen eating kebabs at Marathon Kebab House, than sipping cocktails at the Met Bar.

Winehouse loved playing the Dublin Castle backroom and told the landlord, Henry Conlon, as much. Once, she was waiting to be served and Conlon told her to come around and serve herself. She stayed three hours and came back again and again. She craved the interaction and chat with the locals, but needed the safety of the bar between her and them.

Winehouse’s addictive character extended to more than substance abuse. She was hooked on music and the jazz and soul records she grew up with. In Rehab she says she’d rather be at home with Ray and Mr Hathaway, a reference to Ray Charles and Donny Hathaway. But she was addicted to her ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil too, and to drink and drugs and to Camden. No matter how often she moved away, to Barnet, a calmer more suburban area at the end of the Northern line, or St Lucia, her home from home, she always came back.

I became used to seeing the tip of the diminutive Winehouse’s beehive as she made her way through the crowds, sandwiched by 6ft tall, 6ft-wide minders. Her catalogue of performing appearances included a spellbinding set at the Dublin Castle, an unforgettable evening during which I witnessed the raw beauty of her voice, up close and away from the drama surrounding her.

Most telling was the night in July 2008 when she was due to DJ at the Monarch, but turned up looking vacant. With a “Blake” brooch in her hair, she painted her nails while someone else took over the decks. Events took a bizarre twist when the crowd spent two hours photographing her rather than dancing, as she became a real-life waxwork.

Now her neighbours and fans will have to go to Madame Tussauds to see her. Camden is a quieter place today. We miss her very much.

Roísín Gadelrab is music editor of the Camden New Journal

CAMDEN CRAWL 2011 - LAST MINUTE TIPS

2011-04-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

IT RAINED for the first time in the history of the Camden Crawl last year. When I say rained, more like giants stood atop Primrose Hill hosing down Camden High Street until all the little indie ants were washed down the drain.

So let’s hope this year, the giants take a break from watering their gardens just long enough to let us music-loving ants swarm over Camden and Kentish Town’s finest venues for the Camden Crawl’s 10th anniversary.

Odd Future, Miles Kane, Killing Joke, British Sea Power, St Etienne, Graham Coxon, Frankie and the Heartstrings, Villagers, Giggs – the list of unmissable acts is endless but to be sure to catch your top choices requires military precision.

Army-style discipline alone is tough but throw in sun, good times, queues, clinging onto friends in a sea of people, navigating dark venues, and mountains of alcohol and the best laid plans are bound to dissolve into a haze of good intentions and gigs you didn’t quite plan to see.

This is not a bad thing –the Crawl is the ideal spotting ground for new music so enjoy the unknown acts and see if you can predict which ones are going to make it.

Here’s a few tips for the day – I won’t labour the wear comfy shoes point this year no matter how vital I think it is:

- It’s not all about gigs in dark places. There’s a whole daytime programme of comedy, theatre and the chance to pit your mind against some of the industry’s biggest musos at a choice of challenging pub quizzes.

- Manage expectations – don’t expect to see every band you want – there will be timetable clashes, mad dashes from Mornington Crescent to Kentish Town, and just plain old queues so prioritise and enjoy the unknown.

- Keep your eyes and ears open for secret appearances, pop-up gigs and the unexpected, last year Amy Winehouse was pulling pints at The Dublin Castle and Pete Doherty was hanging around outside the job centre, a few years previously David Schwimmer joined the crawl.

- Try to predict collaborations – as Giggs and Lethal Bizzle are both booked to play and they’ve just released the Monsta Man remix, that’s the one I’m guessing.

- Check out the Red Bull outdoor stage – it’ll be a rare chance to see rap collective Odd Future who made waves at this year’s SXSW festival. And if you can prove you’re an NW1 resident, you can get into Hawley Crescent for free.

- Download the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2011 The Album compilation – free to ticketholders from www.7digital.com/camdencrawl – and check out the bands you haven’t heard yet, you never know, it might just stop you missing out on the next band of the year.

- AND FINALLY – follow me on twitter for live updates throughout the weekend and tweet me any Crawl news, gossip or rumours of secret gigs – I promise to share – @roisingadelrab

ROCK 'N ROLL MAYORESS LINES UP EXTRAVAGANT BARFLY BALL

2011-04-29T12:25:00.000-07:00

CAMDEN'S rock and roll Mayoralty were such a hit the first time they DJd at Barfly Camden they’ve been invited to return.
But this time Camden’s illustrious Mayoress Amy Lamé takes control alone as she plays gracious hostess at The Mayoress of Camden’s Charity Ball.

Ms Lamé has handpicked the acts that will invade Barfly Camden on May 6, chosen a bunch of class DJs and thought very carefully about the entertainment for the night.

And unlike what you might expect from a parochial do, this mayoress will not be turning out the lights at the respectable time of 10.30pm and there will be no carriages awaiting.

Instead, the night will run into the early hours – 3am to be exact so pack your flat shoes in your handbag for the stagger home.

Playing live will be The Caezars, UP, Suburban Mousewife, Emily Cappell and Kites with DJ sets from HORSEMEAT DISCO, Kevin Rowland (Dexy’s Midnight Runners), Hushpuppy, Gary Crowley, Readers Wifes, Martin Green and Broken Hearts.

There will also be installations and performances from the notorious Scottee, last year’s Time Out Performer of the Year, a Charity Cake Stall by Lily Vanilli (who has baked for Elton John, Alexander Mc Queen and Henry Holland), a mini salon giving Camden makeovers – a must for outsiders keen to capture that deliberately scrappy look – by Nina's Vintage Hair Parlour and a badge making stall by Philip Normal.
Expect surprise guests and performances throughout the night.

Proceeds go to the Mayor’s chosen charity, The Roundhouse Trust.
Tickets - £5adv from www.barflyclub.com

CAMDEN CRAWL TWEETERS + POLY STYRENE SLEEPS + PALOMA FAITH, TIM BOOTH AND HUGH LAURIE

2011-04-29T12:19:00.000-07:00

A QUICK reminder to anyone not heading for the Camden Crawl – though can’t imagine what else you want to do with the long weekend – you can still feel like part of the festivities by catching Graham Coxon, Marques Toliver and more at their Levi’s Crawl set at Proud Camden on Sunday for a separate £10 ticket. Entry free to Crawl wristband holders.

And in case you didn’t see my appeal in our final preview, remember to tweet any Crawl news, sightings, gossip or secret gig rumours to me @roisingadelrab, I’ll be reporting the whole weekend live on Twitter.

• Really sorry to hear about the death of X-Ray Spex frontwoman Poly Styrene. Poly, whose real name is Marianne Elliot Said rejoined the band for a one-off show at Camden Roundhouse in 2008.

In a tribute this week, Jonathan Ross told how X-Ray Spex were the first live band he ever saw – at the Hope & Anchor in Islington.

• Coming up at the Union Chapel – Paloma Faith’s special charity show (May 5) to help raise funds for a friend who suffered brain damage in an accident. She will be joined by Noisettes, her X-Factor favourite Rebecca Ferguson, Michael Nyman, Claire Maguire, Rox, Alfie Boe, David Arnold & Ricky Wilson and the night will be hosted by Keith Lemon.

• Remember when James was great? Maybe Tim Booth can recreate some of their heyday magic when he headlines Koko on Tuesday – maybe he can fill us in.

• Former Record of the Week contenders and all-round new favourites Warehouse Republic play The Bowery on Wednesday – what else have you got do?

• Anyone got a golden ticket for Hugh Laurie’s Union Chapel show on Wednesday? Let me know, is he a better musician or actor?

KENTISH TOWN'S HIP HOP CONNECTIONS - SNOOP DOGG & WU-TANG CLAN HEADING TO NORTH LONDON

2011-04-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

WHO said genuine hip-hop is the domain of south London?

Camden may be the natural lair of the guitar-plucking indie kid but it’s fast becoming a credible rival to Brixton when it comes to quality rap – both old school and decidedly much newer school.

These days anything slightly urban is no longer confined to the Jazz Café, which continues to host the gold standard acts for which it has become famous.

It’s just as likely that visiting rappers will play Koko, Electric Ballroom or, in the case of Ghostface Killah, be found chilling with Mark Ronson at Proud Camden.

Take a stroll down Kentish Town Road over the next couple of months and you’ll find some of the biggest names in the world bringing their hip-hop vibes to HMV Forum.

First, tha DoggFather himself, Snoop Dogg and his lazy ways launches his album Doggumentary – the permutations of the moniker knows no bounds – on May 17.

Then, on June 11 and 12, the stage will do well not to buckle under the heavyweight players that make up the Wu-Tang Clan.

Snoop has picked Kentish Town to debut his 11th studio album and is bringing a bunch of as yet unreleased special guests to the party.

Although we do know countless international producers including Damon Albarn, Gorillaz, DJ Khalil and Kanye West worked on the plaited rapper’s latest album.

Doggumentary chronicles Snoop’s long career – nearly 20 years in the business – and will be a useful aid-memoir to established fans as well as a convenient pocket history for a whole new generation.

The Long Beach rapper’s long been a fan of Twitter and now he’s using his social media prowess "doggument" – yes seriously – the album’s progress online.

He has launched the obtusely-labelled #PuffPuffPassTuesdays campaign, where he releases exclusive clips and tracks to his 2.5 million Twitter followers every week and is giving unprecedented access to his inner circle via his frequent Ustream sessions.

And did you know his real name was Calvin Broadus?

Don’t forget the sunglasses to avoid being dazzled by his accompanying bling.

The second and arguably more significant hip-hop show to hit The Forum this summer will be the might of the Wu-Tang Clan.

Over the years, RZA, GZA, and Ghostface Killah, among others, have appeared separately in Camden Town but to have the collective together at last is what we’ve been waiting for.

In their first tour together in four years, Method Man, Raekwon, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa as well as the aforementioned trio should all be there.

Significantly absent will be Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who died in 2004, but his son, the aptly named Young Dirty Bastard will take on the rhymes of his father.

Yelawolf, recently signed to Eminem’s Shady Records label will also support.

RIP GERARD SMITH - TV ON THE RADIO BASSIST DIED TOO YOUNG

2011-04-20T19:37:00.000-07:00

How sad to hear about the untimely death of TV on the Radio bassist Gerard Smith of lung cancer at just 34.
The band put the following on their website.:

"We are very sad to announce the death of our beloved friend and bandmate, Gerard Smith, following a courageous fight against lung cancer. Gerard passed away the morning of April 20th, 2011. We will miss him terribly.

The following shows will be cancelled:
April 20 St. Andrew Halls, Detroit MI
April 22 Metro, Chicago IL
April 23 First Ave, Minneapolis MN
April 24 First Ave, Minneapolis MN
April 26 Ogden, Denver CO
There will be more information as it becomes available."

Terrible news for a stunning band, due to play the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park later this year in support of Pulp.
In the meantime, take a moment to appreciate Gerard Smith's talents in Nine Types of Light, linked here.

Alternatively, here's an older video but worth watching.

GLASVEGAS NEW DRUMMER JONNA LÖFGREN - "I DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WERE"

2011-04-15T18:34:00.000-07:00

GLASVEGAS have toured with U2, Kings of Leon and supported Oasis.

Three years ago they were winning universal critical acclaim for their debut album but over in Sweden, young drummer Jonna Löfgren, had never heard of them.
In fact she nearly missed the lecture that changed her life and catapulted her into one of Scotland’s most talked about bands of the last decade.

It may have been a joke, no-one really knows but when Rab Allan (guitarist and frontman James’ cousin), said he wanted a female Swedish drummer to replace original drummer Caroline McKay, Sony listened.

“I’m glad they took it seriously, otherwise I wouldn’t be here,” 23-year-old Jonna says.
She still not clear about Rab’s motives: “He likes Sweden, he likes Swedish girls and he likes girls. I think he just said it one day, I don’t know if he was really serious. When they tell me, they don’t know if he’s serious or not.”

Glasvegas play HMV Forum in Kentish Town on May 10. Expect to hear tracks from album Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\ released last week.

Jonna has been in the band for just five months.
She was studying at music college in Sweden and had just signed a contract to drum for a musical production of Snow White for the next six months when everything changed.

She said: “We had a guest teacher for a day (at college) and I just had a fight with my ex-boyfriend. I didn’t want to go but we ended up going to the lecture. I think it was meant to be.”
She got talking to the speaker who mentioned Sony was looking for a Swedish female drummer.

So Jonna sent demos to Sony and Glasvegas’ management but it was a DVD recording of her drumming over the track Geraldine that clinched it.
“I was playing the song standing up like how they play it. I think that video was the thing that got them to like me. I think they felt my drumming was good enough so I didn’t have to audition for them.”

Jonna was invited to meet the band in London.
She said: “I was really nervous. I had a whisky on the plane down. Before I went I looked on Youtube for interviews with them speaking because I wanted to practice the accent, it’s so difficult. It didn’t work because I couldn’t understand them at all. Now it’s different because I’ve been hanging out with them so much. I really enjoy the accent.”

Jonna confesses she didn’t quite understand the enormity of being chosen to play for Glasvegas.
She said: “When I got the first phone call I didn’t know who they were. (The caller) was telling me on the phone how big this was. My hands started shaking when he was telling me. When I hung up the phone I Googled them. There was so much to read about them, how they’ve been touring with U2 and Kings of Leon, I was like Oh my God.”

Jonna showed early ambitions to be a drummer. At three she was banging pots and pans around in the kitchen, at six, she was telling her father just how much she wanted to be like a drummer on TV and at seven she got her first drum kit.

She said: “My dad said he was going to take me to buy some winter shoes and I was so happy because I have three siblings and he was only going to take me. I was like “yeah I’m going to get winter shoes”. So we went to this city and then it turned out we didn’t go to the shoe store. We went down to a basement and this guy opened the door and it was a drum kit. My dad asked me "Do you want this?" and I was like "Oh yes", I was so happy. So my first drum kit is my winter shoes.”

HUGH LAURIE'S GOT THE UNION CHAPEL BLUES + ODD FUTURE AT THE CAMDEN CRAWL

2011-04-15T18:25:00.000-07:00

LISTEN up NW1 residents.

Those generous Camden Crawl people have saved up some of their most treasured signings for the Red Bull Bedroom Jam, which takes over Hawley Crescent for the May Bank Holiday weekend (April 30 – May 1). Entry is free for residents aged 14 or over (under 16s accompanied by an adult) who show proof of residence and age on arrival space allowing.

The King Blues headline on Saturday and the much-hyped ODD FUTURE WOLF GANG KILL THEM ALL play their first UK festival show on the Sunday. Others lined up include Attack! Attack!, The Qemists, Turbowolf, P Money and S.C.U.M. Crawl wristband holders also welcome.

Not easy to find a clip of Odd Future in their collective element so here's Tyler the Creator doing his own thing - Warning some may find lyrics offensive.

Forget the menacing hip-hop, this second clip shows Odd Future as straight-up skater boys - brings back memories of my own reprobate skater friends of the past.

• He’s so convincing on House, I’d forgotten he’s English – now Hugh Laurie’s embracing the deep South soul. He plays New Orleans blues from album Let Them Talk, which features collaborations with Tom Jones and Dr John, at the Union Chapel on May 4 – shame it’s sold out.

• Want to break into the music biz? Head to King’s Place for MusicConnex (April 19-21) where more than 100 industry experts will share their expertise on securing a career in the digital age in a series of seminars sponsored by Facebook, Youtube and MPA. Plus showcases from ILUVLIVE, Canadian Blast, One Taste and Busker Tales.

• We’re in the middle of London Latin Music Festival and the best is yet to come – see Ojos de Brujo’s 10th Anniversary Show at the Barbican (April 15), supported by Depedro, and A Night of Twisted Cumbia ft Mexican Institute of Sound, Axel Krygier and Pollito Boogaloo at Koko (April 17).

RECORD OF THE WEEK - GLASVEGAS, Euphoric /// Heartbreak \\\

2011-04-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

GLASVEGAS have evolved just the right amount – the music is bigger, more produced and tinged with futuristic elements in the Blade Runner vein – but they’re still in there.

The accents haven’t softened, the lyrics are as gritty as expected and James Allan’s vocals are as laden with pain and heartbreak as ever.
What is missing is much of their characteristic retro percussion, which seems to have been superseded by Euphoric /// Heartbreak’s spacey dimension.

Single The World is Yours bursts through the French intro as a formidable anthem, an apt preamble to Euphoric///Heartbreak’s oddly jarring and hypnotic arrangement – expect to wake from your slumber. Almost faultless, although we could do without the forward/backslashes in the title.

SHAKESPEARE V WORLD CLASS RAPPER - AKALA'S HIP HOP SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PUTS THEM TO THE TEST

2011-04-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

“MAYBE it’s hatred I spew, maybe it’s food for the spirit,” – Shakespeare or an internationally renowned rapper?
This is just one of the tests Akala poses in his quest to show young people the Bard’s work is not as archaic as they think.

For those who couldn’t work it out, the answer’s Eminem, on Renegade with Jay-Z.
The success of the hip-hop Shakespeare Company – which explores the social, cultural and linguistic parallels between Shakespeare and hip-hop – spearheaded by rapper Akala aka Kingslee Daley, and brother of Ms Dynamite, has not gone unnoticed.
They’ve featured on CNN, there’s a film in the pipeline and they’re due to appear at the Roundhouse Studios during the Camden Crawl (April 30-May 1).

Any trepidation youngsters have when joining a workshop is immediately broken when faced with the Shakespeare v Rapper test.
Kingslee, who grew up in Camden, and went to Acland Burghley School, said: “We ask if they think they can tell the difference between a quote from one of their favourite rappers and Shakespeare and they all say it’d be obvious, Shakespeare’s so different, so old. We do the test and no one can ever tell the difference.
“Once you take the language out of context you start to get a sense of how much your perception affects your treatment of art... Whether you like it or not, that’s just a part of the human condition. You make these judgements not solely based on the quality of the work and that’s what really becomes obvious to people.”

The Company aims to remove the elitism that surrounds Shakespeare, the “ignorant crass stereotypes” that surround hip-hop and to highlight entitlement.
Kingslee was attracted to Shakespeare from an early age because of its parallels to the lyrical music he already listened to: “It just clicked with me this is the same kind of stuff I already listen to – it’s poetry...he captured to human condition the way few writers have,” and is torn between Hamlet and Richard II as his favourite play.
He said: “Richard II is the most rhythmic, it sounds like a rap. Hamlet for the complexity of the story, the betrayal, the cauldron of feelings – it’s maybe his strongest character.”

The project has provided jobs and training for some of the most promising participants. One young writer has gone on to scribe plays for the Young Vic and Kingslee hopes one day to set up a whole institution dedicated to the cause.
Kingslee said: “Ultimately we all want the same thing – young people that can read and write well and are enthusiastic about language. Whatever methods we use that are most effective – that is the most sensible thing to do.”
Kingslee finds the job particularly rewarding.
He said: “When you work with young people in difficult circumstances and they share something with you through a piece of writing and it becomes a cathartic experience for them or they realise they have a passion no-one’s ever stoked in them or they have an intelligence that no one ever told them they have – that kind of ability to help people self discover is the thing I’m most proud of.”

He has just returned from Sudan, where he hosted workshops in-between gigs.
He said: “It went really well. I hate to say it but every time I travel, particularly to countries in the so-called third world, it’s embarrassing the level of education. No disrespect, but they have a much firmer grasp of the English language than most of the young people (he works with here). You have 16 year old kids when we’re talking about Shakespeare, saying, yeah he wrote in archaic English – this is the level of grasp of the language we’re talking about.

“Perhaps because education over there is so much more difficult to obtain, there’s so much more respect for it once it’s gone...They take it very seriously if they get the opportunity to get a decent education.”
And while Shakespeare proved a hit, so did the hip-hop.

He said: “Hip hop over there is as big as it is over here – all over Africa – hip hop and reggae – Bob Marley’s become bigger then he even was in Jamaica. He’s become a larger than life persona throughout the African continent. And hip-hop, particularly the more politically aware socially conscious hip-hop, has really connected, from my experience throughout the continent and the world.”

Kingslee no longer lives in Camden, having left for the peace of Hertfordshire but he’s having a change of heart: “I’m out in the sticks now but it’s a bit too quiet for me. I think I’m going to move back into Camden.”
• Further info from http://www.hiphopshakespeare.com/

SPOILED FOR CHOICE + ADAM ANT BOOK LAUNCH + JOSE GONZALES WAS A PUNK + THE VACCINES DJ

2011-04-15T17:15:00.000-07:00

I SOMETIMES forget how lucky we are, living on the music-rich soil of Camden, Islington and Westminster – but then a week like this comes along and I remember how spoiled I am.

I was supposed to exclusively reveal Killing Joke are playing the Camden Crawl but Japanese Voyeurs beat me to it – Romily told Glasswerk Wales website they’ll be supporting the post-punk legends at the Electric Ballroom – Don’t forget to enter our ticket competition.

After the Crawl there’s still Wireless, Kenwood, Hard Rock Calling and the totally free iTunes Festival – and that’s just the festivals.

• Adam Ant’s as spirited as ever. He plays live at the launch of his book All The King’s Horses – there’s also a short play featuring a surprise actor – at Monto Water Rats tonight (Thurs).

• Badly Drawn Boy, Gideon Conn + Jim Noir join special guests at the Union Chapel tonight (Thurs) for Manchester Aid to Kosovo’s Ten album launch.

• If you miss The Vaccines at the Electric Ballroom, they DJ afterwards at The Wheelbarrow (April 8) – totally free.

• Did you know Jose Gonzales was Swedish? He’s mellowed since his days in hardcore punk bands and has teamed up with the 20-piece Gothenburg String Theory orchestra to play the Barbican (April 11).

• Music Week’s Breakout night is NOT to be missed – acts include Dog is Dead, Manchester Orchestra and felon turned rapper Fem Fel – Proud Camden (April 13).

• Wonder what Dinosaur Jr frontman J Mascis would sound like on his own? He plays solo at Relentless Garage (April 14).

THE VACCINES DRUMMER PETE ROBERTSON ON TATTOOS, TAYLOR SWIFT AND HOW NIRVANA CHANGED HIS LIFE

2011-03-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

A YEAR ago Pete Robertson was doing the usual rounds as a session drummer, convinced he’d reached his childhood rock musician dreams had reached their pinnacle.
Then along came The Vaccines, critical recognition, a top 5 album (What Did You Expect from The Vaccines) and an awful lot of fuss.

“(Radio 1 DJ) Zane Lowe asked us “How did this happen? You survived. We tried to destroy you with our hype and yet you’ve managed to make a great debut album.” Part of us that was like yeah you’re kind of putting us in quite a difficult position with this. But I feel like we’ve overcome it and hopefully proved some people right,” said Pete.

In little under 12 months, the band has gone from non-existence to attracting the world’s attention at SXSW – and they can chart the turning point in their supersonic rise to one night in Camden.

Pete said: “We loved The Flowerpot. It was kind of a landmark for us. We’d done a couple of gigs around the country playing to about 10 people. We were opening to school bands, playing to them and their parents.”
But they were noticed by the music media and a demo was championed by Lowe.
“We got to The Flowerpot and no-one was there. We thought, it’s just one of those shows. We went up to the dressing room, hung out till it was time to go onstage, went downstairs and they were queuing out the door.”

The word was out, the muso crowd had shown up and the likes of Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) and Nick Hodgson (Kaiser Chiefs) crammed into the former Kentish Town venue to see them.
“It was a very special gig for us. When we were writing and rehearsing even when we were playing our little toilets we still felt like we were doing something, we could connect to people, we just thought it might take a little longer.”

The Vaccines play Electric Ballroom next week (April 7 and 8) and are planning a bit of an experiment.
Said Pete: “We’ve done it once or twice but it’s not really taken on for us – the last track on the album Family Friend turns into a noise fest at the end. We’ve only dabbled with playing that live before it’s so sparse at the top for the first half that it’s right on a knife edge but we will be doing that at the Electric Ballroom.”

Unable to describe his own character, except to say he questions himself regularly, Pete kindly summed up his bandmates: “Justin’s got an incredible mind, an amazing way of thinking, incredibly intelligent and thoughtful. Freddie is in a similar way a bit of a geek. He knows his music inside out, it’s pretty encyclopaedic. He’s got a wicked sense of humour as well. Arni (from Kilburn) is like a typical Scandinavian. I guess he’s quite quiet but when he has odd days he gets very passionate about it.”

Coming up with the band name was difficult he said, adding: “We had a few good names we weren’t allowed to use because they were a bit inflammatory. We did one gig as The Catholics. But we were told it would probably cause a bit of outrage in about half the world. We’re not Catholics. We were Red Indians as well for a while – apparently that’s racist.”

His own music preferences vary dramatically.
Pete said: “I don’t really go in for hero worship. There’s an awful lot of drummers I admire. The drummer who put me on to wanting to play drums, my first inspiration was probably Dave Grohl.
"Nirvana basically changed my life as it did for most kids at that time – that was a proper landmark. Dave Grohl’s drumming is brilliant but I think it was that whole band and that whole ethos they had that was so inspiring to people of that generation.”

He has time for the softer side too: “I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. I find music snobbery like wine snobbery. I’ve been derided for liking one of Taylor Swift’s songs the Romeo and Juliet one – it’s such a good song.”

He believes drumming keeps him fit: “I’ve got quite skinny arms but I think it must be (good exercise) because I’m not fat and I should be, I eat and drink quite a lot. The most impressive muscle I have is in my hand, no-one ever sees it, it’s my thumb muscle. Most drummers if you have really massive biceps it’s because you have bad technique. I don’t get much love for that (thumb).”

They’re due to tour the US with the Arctic Monkeys although they haven’t met yet, and have already devised coping techniques for touring.
Pete said: “We entertain each other by basically taking the piss out of each other to the point that we end up fighting and then fighting for fun and watching fights for fun. We’re in a bit of a pressure cooker at the moment. It gets pretty full on, the gripes are bound to happen. Fortunately we know each other well enough to chill it and then it’s over – no grudges or anything.”

They recently caused a fuss at SXSW, where they caught the ears of the US media, but Pete had a more important mission on his agenda.
He said: “I got my first tattoo. I kind of knew what I wanted but I was still wondering if I was still going to have the guts. I met this guy and he was a tattoo artist and drew me one and I loved it so thought why not drill me with needles repeatedly so I now have a rising sun stamped on my arm forever.

“All the guys came down and I thought they were going to help talk me through a difficult period but they just laughed and drank cocktails. They say it’s addictive. I was halfway through getting it done when I already had an idea for the next one. You never know, by next year I’ll be a painted man.”

Recalling the band’s beginnings, while still a session drummer, he said: “It’s great to be able to make a living doing music but I thought that was it and the dream you have as a kid was fading fast. I realised I needed something more from my music, some creativity and everyone else was kind of in the same boat so when we got together there was a real energy and enthusiasm. It felt like we were escaping and it was really great. The first rehearsal we had together you could kind of feel something there.

“We’re all fans of depth and meaning through simplicity. Listening to I guess brave music – stuff that’s laying the character and soul completely bare for everyone to see. “

And for now, life looks rosy for The Vaccines.

Pete said: “I’ve never been busier in life but it doesn’t really feel like work it’s something we want to do. It’s all really exciting and fun. I’ve yet to experience getting bored with playing music. I’m sure it happens but I can’t imagine what that would feel like.

“It doesn’t feel like a rush, it’s been quite a steady and natural progression. There are odd moments when you kind of pinch yourself but the majority you just kind of get on with it and enjoy the moment.”

THE VACCINES PAY TRIBUTE TO THE FLOWERPOT + KENTISH TOWN'S CAMDEN CRAWL COUP + RIGHT SAID FRED - FOR REAL

2011-03-31T16:51:00.000-07:00

THE Vaccines’ drummer Pete Robertson had plenty to say when I spoke to him last week – not least high praise for the guys behind The Flowerpot, now The Wheelbarrow on Camden High Street.

He told me: “The best thing about The Flowerpot was the promoters. They’re obviously incredibly passionate – they’re part of the industry’s good guys. The venue’s possibly secondary to the people that organised it and I’m sure they’ll do really well.”
See Pete’s SXSW first tattoo revelations, his secret admiration for a Taylor Swift love song and his belief that Nirvana changed his life – in my full interview above.

• Camden Crawl Update – there won’t be that much crawling while the sublime Miles Kane, Villagers and Frankie & the Heartstrings all perform at HMV Forum. Kentish Town may just dominate our route this year. The King Blues will headline the Red Bull Outdoor stage so pray for good weather.

• Each member of The Dum Dums has the words Dum Dum tattooed on a finger. See for yourself when they play Dingwalls on Tuesday (April 5).

• Plan B, Katy B, Eliza Doolittle and Devlin play a free gig at Proud Camden tonight (March 31) for Sony's Music Unlimited new music streaming service – will it be better than Spotify?

• Former Record of the Week pick The Chakras play the Bull & Gate (April 7) – looks like Kentish Town’s fighting Camden for the live music crown.

• If you’re too young to remember Right Said Fred, head to 02 Academy Islington (April 27) – your life will not be complete without hearing “I’m Too Sexy” at least once.

• Soul singer Lemar’s so far departed from the reality show that made him that it’s hard to remember he was ever a product of Fame Academy. He sings at Shaka Zulu tonight (Thursday) supported by Daniel Debourg.

FLOURESCENT ASOBI SEKSU

2011-03-31T16:35:00.000-07:00

FOLLOWERS of New York quartet Asobi Seksu will know their fourth album is already drawing favourable attention.
But for those not yet familiar with the group’s latest offering – Fluourescence (out this week) – a visit to Relentless Garage, Highbury Corner, on April 17, may shed some light on what all the fuss is about.

Asobi Seksu melt from dream pop to shoegaze to soaring heavy-effect instrumentals, which have historically attracted comparisons with My Bloody Valentine.
Singer and keyboardist Yuki Chikudate is an accomplished frontwoman, playing the solid lead role around which her three male counterparts congregate, while remaining solitary and disparate onstage.

The scattered stage arrangement provides a strong visualisation of Asobi Seksu’s newer stripped down sound, while the remaining heavier riffs defy gravity as they lay thick in the air.
As guitarist/singer James Hanna said: “This time, our agenda was to not have one at all, to be mellow about the entire process instead of obsessing over everything.”

They may have made a conscious decision to keep things sparse but their resolve has proven patchy at best, allowing the power chords for which they are most popular to remain, even more pronounced against a newfound crystalline audio backdrop.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - FRANCIS NEVE, Winterbury

2011-03-26T18:09:00.000-07:00

FRANCIS Neve mourns the end of a relationship against stark lo-fi instrumentals while guest vocalist Lucy Randell calmly revels in the chorus to remind him “I don’t like the way you are” – essentially Ugly Kid Joe’s Everything About You but more refined. A composed lament for the polite generation. It works because it’s believable. (Out March 28).

EXCLUSIVE: PAUL HEATON, THE SAUDI PRINCESS AND AN ILL-ADVISED QUEST FOR BEER - Former frontman of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South reveals all

2011-03-26T18:04:00.000-07:00

“I’m sort of like the Elton John of iTunes. I live in a fairly modest house, I don’t have a car, I don’t holiday in Barbados but I spend a ridiculous amount – hundreds of thousands – on iTunes,” Paul Heaton explains his guilty vice as he sips alcohol free lager at the pub around the corner from his Manchester home.

The former Housemartin and founder member of The Beautiful South is looking relaxed as he reveals he has just celebrated the birth of his third daughter – named Meredith in recognition of his recently discovered Welsh roots – and exclusively recounts the time he nearly caused a diplomatic incident in an ill-advised quest for beer. But more about that later.

The internet has taken over from the days since Heaton first scribbled his monthly alternative Top 20 in a notebook in May 1980 and now his personal charts are held on iTunes.

“I only listen to music that’s not in the charts. I root around deep and as soon as something gets in the charts I drop it, which is pretty bad, apart from old soul songs,” he said. “It’s a hell of a lot of work – the one thing I fear losing in a house fire.”

He plans to publish them, alongside his song lyrics, notes of daft office conversations (78-81) and collected crisp packets and beer mats (1980-1990) in a coffee table book.
He plays Koko on April 1 and will dredge up a couple of old Housemartins songs for the set.

Heaton said: “We’ve got a support band called Admiral Fallow. They’re absolutely brilliant. It would scare me that people will feel slightly deflated when they see me after them.”

Camden should bring back memories for him: “MTV is it still there? That’s how popular I am these days I wouldn’t even know. We’d go drinking in Camden before and after MTV in The Elephant’s Head. In general The Beautiful South used to drink in central London and The Housemartins used to go home because they couldn’t afford to have a drink in London.”

He’s enjoying his solo career but is finding it hard to get national exposure, Radio 1 won’t touch him, he’s not current enough for BBC 6 Music so Radio 2 is the only station who realistically will play his music, he said, adding: “It’s quite a struggle. I can’t get on radio very easily. A couple of people in radio who don’t like my voice are quite high up, which is fair enough, there’s nothing I can do about it nothing they can do about it...Either I’m making shit records or they’ve got shit taste. I’m not one of those people who thinks I’m making brilliant records so perhaps it’s a mixture of the pair of them. I’m not making records as commercial and their taste isn’t as good as it used to be.”

While he may have fallen out of mainstream consciousness, Heaton has been busy.
He said: “I’ve written a 60-verse song based on the Seven Deadly Sins, which sounds very pretentious, which is being premiered at the Manchester International Festival. I’d done two solo albums I just wanted to throw a curve ball. I wasn’t getting any airplay I thought I’d write a song that’s an hour long.”

Last year he cycled more than 1000 miles stopping off to play gigs in pubs including The Monarch on his Pedals and Beer Pumps tour, accompanied by support and bicycle guru Gus Devlin and an old soft toy he rescued from a muddy puddle dubbed Centipede Business Solutions.

Next year, he plans to mark his 50th birthday by cycling 50 miles for every year he’s been on the planet (2,500 in total) across Britain and Ireland.
But it’s his adventures in London that really capture the imagination.

He recalls the time he and Beautiful South lead guitarist Dave Rotheray were in London after a gig. Their hotel bar was closed so they returned to the Columbia Hotel opposite Hyde Park, where they stayed the previous night to ask if they could use the 24-hour bar. They were turned away. But as they walked away miserably, Paul noticed scaffolding on the side of the hotel.

He said: “There was a window open. I said, we’ll get up the scaffold, which is several hundred feet high, jump through the window, run through the person’s room, leg it downstairs and we’ll get served at the bar as residents.

“We climbed up, got onto the ledge and suddenly this bloke... he must have been close to 7 ft, in full white robe and hat, an Arab, grabbed my neck, flung me to the edge of the scaffold and started saying I’ll kill you. Dave legged it, went straight back down the scaffold, didn’t help me. I’m being pinned back looking down below at the streets of London and the traffic. Next thing the police come, I’m being taken to a cell...he’d been the bodyguard to a high ranking Saudi princess that I’d got onto the balcony of.”
He was questioned in Marylebone station and released 14 hours later but miraculously kept the story out of the papers.

PAUL HEATON - LABOUR "FREE MARKET APOLOGISTS" PUTTING UP NO OPPOSITION TO CUTS

2011-03-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

THE voice behind The Beautiful South and The Housemartins has told why he has turned his back on the Labour Party.

Speaking ahead of a gig at the Koko in Camden Town (April 1), singer Paul Heaton warned Labour was putting up “no opposition” to Conservative policy of cutting public spending.

“It’s a very similar situation to the 1980s, a worse situation now, there’s no opposition. With Thatcher there was opposition from trade unions, people and Labour,” he said.

“I haven’t voted for Labour since Neil Kinnock in 1993. I didn’t vote for Tony Blair in 97, I was proud of it because I had the vision to realise he was a scumbag right from the start. Gradually, since then Labour has been taken over by a Miliband tendency – who have got their eyes on a different prize, who are just free market apologists. I find it impossible. I can’t find anything they say inspiring because they’ve got one eye on the market.”

Heaton, whose bands stormed the charts with songs like Happy Hour, said: “What worries me most is that the argument against cuts is being lost. It’s being seen as something we have to do.
“England in 1945 was in a much worse state in terms of the infrastructure of the country and the debt and we built the welfare state and invested money in people and jobs.

“This time, the argument has been lost because of the failure of Labour to say this is not the case, we can invest in people again and we can spend our way – not stupidly – and survive it without making cuts. But their only opposition is we’re making the cuts too quickly, that’s all they’re saying.

“Unfortunately Labour has control of the Left and is still patronising the Left.
“The Labour Party needs to be told, along with the Liberal Party and the Conservatives, that they’re non-representative of anybody other than the business class.”

THE LEMONHEADS + MILES KANE FOR CAMDEN CRAWL, MARK E SMITH'S GOT A BEER NAMED AFTER HIM + BOY GEORGE AND SOPHIE ELLIS BEXTOR'S CAMDEN CHARITY GIGS

2011-03-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

CRAWLWATCH week 8453. So The Lemonheads have just been added to the Camden Crawl line-up. Remember them? If not, here’s a crash course.

Frontman Evan Dando – once a teenage grunge pin-up, even after cutting his flowing locks – took an odd turn when he briefly became an Oasis groupie and ended up playing guitar on the roof of the Buckley Tivoli (that’s north Wales to you London types) after one of their early gigs.

The Lemonheads has had many incarnations but Dando has remained a constant.
Their famous album was It’s a Shame About Ray (video to title track featuring Johnny Depp)...

(Official video not available to be embedded so here they are on Letterman instead)

...and Liv Tyler more recently duetted with them on a cover of Leonard Cohen’s Hey, That’s no Way to Say Goodbye (see below).

Also added to the Crawl this week are one of my favourites Miles Kane, as well as Razorlight, Giggs, Guillemots and Yasmin.

• Anyone tasted the Mark E Smith beer at The Snooty Fox in Canonbury? Wonder if they were inspired to commission the exclusive ale by The Fall’s Crawl appearance last year.

• Charity gig week? Sophie Ellis Bextor hosts at Proud Camden on Tuesday (March 29) to raise funds for the young son of her friend, a make-up artist who died last year. The Aspidistras and Sinead and the Dawnbreakers support.

On Thursday, there’s An Evening with Boy George including Jazz by George, and support from Adam Ant, Josh Weller, Paloma Faith and special guests at the Jazz Cafe for The Hepaptitis C Trust’s Get Tested campaign. Snap up signed celeb photos in the charity auction – Boy George, Mat Horne, Sadie Frost, Jimi Mistry, Eliza Doolittle and Paloma Faith.

• Cutting edge alternative and electronic music promoters The Playground host their first Weekender at Electrowerkz, Angel, (March 25-26) featuring an exclusive debut London performance by San Francisco’s oOoOO as well as French popstar Yelle, In Flagranti, Punx Soundsheck and Waylayers. See www.theplayground.co.uk/event.

RAP FOR THE NHS - Andrew Lansley Rap

2011-03-23T18:26:00.000-07:00

HERE'S a clip for all those who think rappers are obsessed with bling and gangs.
Yes, even rappers care about the sanctity of the NHS. Tories take heed.

The Andrew Lansley rap by binman Sean Donnelly aka Nxtgen.

CAMDEN CRAWL APPROACHES

2011-03-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

NOT too long ago a group of wise old music moguls gathered in Dingwalls for the annual “pick me” fest that is the Camden Crawl band allocation day.

As DJ Steve Lamacq described it in his Going Deaf for a Living blog: “It’s like picking teams in a school playground.”
Except a fair amount of young musicians I knew at school would’ve run a mile at the mention of PE.

So while we don’t yet know who the 14 promoters hosting gigs for the Crawl managed to wrangle for their chosen venue, we can still bring you a selection of the names that have been released so far.
St Etienne, Villagers, Frankie & the Heartstrings, Lethal Bizzle, British Sea Power and Simian Mobile Disco – the most high profile of the names we know right now.
Toddla T, Hadouken, Mazes, Young Dreams, The Qemists, Dinosaur Pile-Up, The Phantom Band, and Hudson Mohawke are also on the known list.

But there are a whole lot of not so well-known musicians that are worth a look-in.
You never know – one day Florence and the Machine’s playing to 100 people in The Crescent pub for the Crawl, the next, young Flo’s sharing the stage with Jennifer Hudson at The Grammys, playing the socialite’s entertainment in Gossip Girl and Dog Days is being assimilated into Glee choir’s indistinctive repertoire.

While the main headline acts are yet to be announced, rumours are rife.
Although I’m hoping Aerosmith will be among the headliners, I’ve a feeling Steve Tyler’s caught up judging a little talent show over in the states.

So here’s a basic summary of what it’s all about:
The Camden Crawl – one wristband, two days (April 30 – May 1), music, comedy, fringe arts, and interactive events, 250 live acts and special guests across 50 venues.
While there is music all day from the very start, there’s a whole bunch of other activities during the sunshine hours to help crawlers prepare for the hardcore trek around Camden (and Kentish Town) venues as dusk sets in.

The real games begin after the taxing music quizzes, comedy, spoken word and performance, visual arts and crafts, interactive events and games (see www.thecnj.com/music) are over.
I leave you with a brief summary of our recommendations.

There’s the Island Records showcase at the Enterprise featuring Tribes, Kid Adrift and Jon Fratelli, as well as Cocknbullkid and Rizzle Kicks (previously featured on this page).
Or take vantage on the Roundhouse Terrace for the Summer Sundae Weekender with Benjamin Francis, Leftwich, Delta Maid, Dog is Dead, Lulu & the Lampshades, Marques Toliver, 2:54, Beth Jeans Houghton, Dry the River, Peggy Sue and Young Dreams.

We don’t yet know who else is playing where so here’s a brief list of some of our picks from the rest: Visions of Trees, Paris Suit Yourself, DELS, Dananananaykroyd, Divorce, Japanese Voyeurs, John and Jehn, Wild Palms, Flats, Little Comets, P Money, Sound of Rum, The Chapman Family, Teeth and Fiction.

For tickets, as well as profiles of all these bands and the rest of the line-up, visit www.thecamdencrawl.com

SLOW CLUB READY FOR CAMDEN CRAWL + WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

2011-03-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

YOU may have heard Slow Club cancelled their tour due to illness. Well...sounds like things are back on track - Rebecca is recovering and they have been added to the Camden Crawl line-up.

• New feature – ex-members-of-once-revered-bands-in-new-band-shock corner (catchy title eh?)
#1 – Remember Afghan Whigs? Frontman Greg Dulli has worked with Dave Grohl, Mark Lanegan and appeared in Steve Buscemi’s directorial debut Trees Lounge. Latest project The Twilight singers play the Electric Ballroom (March 18).
#2 – Raekwon (Wu Tang Clan) plays HMV Forum (March 18) – we’ve had GZA and Ghostface Killah before, why can’t the living Wu Tang coordinate their diaries and come to Camden en masse?
#3 – Bonehead, founding member of Oasis, is not quite attempting to rival Liam Gallagher’s new project Beady Eye with his less imaginatively named collaboration “Bonehead and John Mackie”. See them at Monto Water Rats (March 19).
#4 – Artmagic, side project of Suede guitarist Richard Oakes (he replaced Bernard Butler), play The Bowery on March 22.
#5 – Andy Burrows (ex-Razorlight bearded one) and new band I Am Arrows play The Old Queen’s Head (March 23)
• The fancy dress theme has been announced (rock stars, pop stars and divas) and the madness begins at Bestival’s preview featuring Kentish Town’s retro darlings Kitty Daisy & Lewis Koko (March 19).
• Had to mention this year’s JD Set at XOYO (March 24) where Ash’s Tim Wheeler, Emmy the Great, And So I Watch You From Afar, Ma Mentor and The Crookes bravely take on the great works of the Pixies. Follow their progress at http://www.thejdset.co.uk/

RECORD OF THE WEEK - BEAU AND THE ARROWS, Fix

2011-03-12T16:24:00.000-08:00

YOU know that familiar calming tone Radio 4 presenters seem to be born with?
Beau and the Arrows have managed to capture that essence of serenity, channelled it into ultra-cool vocals – and male-female harmonies recalling The XX – and laid it over a soaring all-encompassing backdrop of impatient drums and nonchalant guitar. They have mastered the art of leaving space in their tracks, allowing the raw naive vocals to cut right through. Signed to Kentish Town label Happy Release Records. (Out April 4).

FRANKIE AND THE HEARTSTRINGS KNOW HOW TO GRAFT

2011-03-12T16:20:00.000-08:00

FRANKIE Francis has to leave soon.
He and his band Frankie and the Heartstrings have just arrived in Sheffield and need to start unloading their equipment for the next free Topman Ctrl gig.

You might think a band that has just reached number 32 in the charts would have roadies but The Heartstrings – from Sunderland – have their own ideas: “We do it ourselves because we don’t want to be “that band” and let the local crew load it. It’s our gear, we’re playing the gig, it’s our responsibility to get the gear upstairs. We’re guests in the city,” said Frankie.
“We’ve all had jobs – pubs, restaurant, office – been the other person, we’ve put gigs on ourselves and we know how people should be treated.”

Frankie’s in high spirits despite being mid-tour and suffering from travel sickness, which is why he’s sitting in the front of the van. He may miss some of the banter but it’s a small price to pay for surviving the road.
He said: “There’s been a lot of travelling involved but we’re full of energy and if one person gets off their backsides to see us they’re going to get as good a show as if there were 10,000 people there. We’re constantly on the road, we get the odd day off to go home and wash our pants.”

Frankie and the Heartstrings play this year’s Camden Crawl (April 30 – May 1), alongside Villagers, Lethal Bizzle, British Sea Power and Simian Mobile Disco.
Frankie, who has never been to the crawl before, revealed the band will play HMV Forum alongside a mystery headliner: “It’s something you always hear about and we’re certainly looking forward to being involved in.”

Frankie’s acutely aware of the band’s good fortune: “Being no 32 is such a feat for an indie band on an independent label, doing things our own way. (It’s) an amazing achievement not just for us but our label Wichita deserve a lot of glory. We’ve all worked in normal jobs so we know how lucky we are and value it a lot more preciously.”

He attributes the band’s style to Sunderland’s working class environment, adding: “(It’s) still very deprived in comparison to the rest of the country in terms of the arts and jobs generally. We’re constantly around that so we’re influenced by it. Growing up in Sunderland, we’ve all got our own success stories in that we’ve done things off our own backs. It’s a mentality driven into you – if you’re ambitious in a good sense you can achieve it if you get off your arse.”

The boys take advantage of twitter to speak to fans, respond to their most mundane requests (“what time you on tonight?”) and give away spare guest list spots: “We like the connection we have with the people who enjoy our music.”
The tweets are also an outlet for wild drummer Dave’s outlandish behaviour – he recently promised to run naked along the beach eating a plate of chips if the band hit top 10.
Said Frankie: “He does that sort of thing anyway, constantly making a fool of himself, so we can’t encourage him too much but if we get top 10 he’ll do that or if he gets too drunk tonight he’ll probably do it anyway.”

Sunderland has shaped their politics “the Tories absolutely desecrated us in the 80s and those wounds still cut deep where we’re from” but not so much that they can afford to turn down offers when they get them.

Frankie said bands might refuse to play for Topman because of the "lack of tax contributions they make as a company, but we can’t afford to do that. Being on an indie label, if someone offers you a headline tour you’ve got to do it. We’re not The Vaccines or the Brother of this world who can afford TV ads”.

Much has been made of Frankie’s new tattoo – a line drawing by singer Edwyn Collins.
Frankie said: “We recorded our album with Edwyn, he’s a massive influence on our band. He had a big health scare, a brain haemorrhage and stroke about five years ago and he overcame that. He drew an image during his recovery in hospital of a man. No-one knew what it was and he kept on drawing it because he couldn’t express himself. He didn’t know what he looked like and was bed bound so he’d draw this image. When he was able to talk he was able to say it was himself.

“I’ve wanted a tattoo for so long. I knew I wanted something memorable. It’s got such a nice story behind it. He’s more of an inspiration as a person than musically now because of what he overcame. It’s a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be.”

Taking his cue from James Dean, Frankie’s become a style icon, named GQ’s 39th best-dressed man last year.
He said: “I guess it’s a nostalgic look, I don’t think you can go wrong with smart shirt and trousers and a good pair of shoes. I’ve always dressed a little differently.”

His style doesn’t always go down well in Sunderland, he added: “You bring it on yourself if you have a quiff I guess. It takes two minutes to get ready, it takes longer to do my hair.”
Frankie’s bouffant has become a focal point, described as “impeccable” by Hurts’ Theo Hutchraft.

Frankie said: “I never use a brush or much gel, the secret of the haircut is a good taper round the sides, grade 2, a lot of weight taken off the top so you can play with it all day and then the hair dryer in the morning, get it between your knees, blow dry it till it’s bone dry, then it settles into a sort of floppy style for the whole day. “

He recalls one particularly odd gig where they played a teenage party in a village called Stanley, following a covers band playing Blink 182 and the Foo Fighters.
He said: “They went down a storm, the kids were going crazy and then we went on and we’re like this is going to be good, a big stage, loads of lighting, a sports hall. We went onstage and by the 2nd song the whole crowd like 200 kids did the conga out the door. They were dancing in the street while we’re in the venue... They didn’t mean anything by it they just weren’t interested at all.”

Frankie and the Heartstrings truly are men of the people, so don’t leave early if you want to meet them.
Frankie said: “It’s become a tradition, before the last song we’ll tell everyone if we know the area which pub we’ll be in after the gig.”
Frankie and the Heartstrings album Hunger is out now.

CAMDEN CRAWL'S KENTISH TINGE + STEAMPUNK AT PROUD + SUPERGRASS LIVES ON...SORT OF + INTRODUCING FIRST PLACE

2011-03-12T15:59:00.000-08:00

THINGS are hotting up on the Camden Crawl front. We’ve heard some exciting names yet to be announced but we wouldn’t dare divulge.
All we can say is that Kentish Town will be playing a much larger part this year so prepare for a little more walking – but it will be worth it.

Frankie and the Heartstrings (see interview above), play HMV Forum – alongside an as yet undisclosed mystery headliner – and Annie’s Bar, The Bull & Gate and a whole lot of other venues along Kentish Town Road will be opening their doors to the crawl’s hottest acts.
If you haven’t got your ticket yet remember this – there’ll be nothing but the royal wedding on TV that weekend...

• Don't be frightened if you see goths clad in Jack the Ripper style cloaks and top hats lingering outside Proud Camden next week. No doubt they’re fans of steampunk band Bitter Ruin – an acoustic two-piece outfit who play there on Tuesday night. Musicians Ben and Georgia are an item but take on the stage personas of lovers trapped in a destructive relationship with sinister lyrics to match.

• Supergrass may have split but that didn’t quell their creative juices. See former Supergrass bassist Mick Quinn and Paul Wilson of Shake Appeal in their new incarnation as DB Band at the Bowery (March 11).

• Heard of First Place? Apparently they’re the next big urban pop act on the cusp of making the big time. Hailing from Bristol, frontman Yomi Davies, soul songstress Allegra, 19-year-old rapper Frenzee and producer OD Hunt, have been attracting attention with new single Best of Me, which has just reached number 2 in the AKA Music Channel chart. See them at Camden Rock, Kentish Town Road on March 17.

STICK YOUR NECK OUT FOR ST PATRICK

2011-03-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

FORGET the green Guinness for a minute – there are more important considerations on St Patrick’s Day.

Apart from honouring the man who drove the snakes out of Ireland, there’s the important business of finding the best live rowdy Irish band to properly mark the night.

So who better than London Irish “psycho-Ceilidh” punks Neck, led by a former member of Shane MacGowan’s Popes, who have already got themselves a worldwide reputation for their rocking ways.

So if you’re anywhere near Tufnell Park head down to The Boston Arms, Junction Road, on Thursday (March 17), where Neck, Calico Street Riots and The Muleskinners will be filling the void for those unable to make the parade this year.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - YOUNG BUFFALO, Catapilah

2011-03-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

HERE’S another gem from the Mississippi. There’s a lot going on in trio Young Buffalo’s debut download single Catapilah – imaginative lyrics, an absorbing structure and an intense mesh of melodious energies. Although the prevailing chorus teeters on the edge of plain old teenage indie rock, the disjointed harmonies and manic overlaid affirming vocals, like an overeager friend tapping you on the shoulder, lift it into another class. (Out now).

TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB ON GROUPIES, VEGETABLES AND KANYE WEST

2011-03-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

TWO Door Cinema Club frontman Alex Trimble sounds weary. Polite, but weary.
The Northern Ireland trio returned from Tokyo yesterday after a six-week tour and have retreated during their limited downtime.
They’ve been touring like mad and play Camden Roundhouse on March 12.
But for now, Alex has allowed us to disturb the precious time with his girlfriend, to discuss keeping healthy, his debt to Kanye West and handling groupies.

Two Door returned from Japan with a selection of very personal souvenirs he said: “It can be a lot more quiet and more mental. I guess it’s more extreme. The (fans) are kind and polite and bring us presents. We got drawings of ourselves, caricatures, which are a bit strange, some chocolates with our faces on them and a lot of socks –strange but quite cool.”
The band have collected new material from snatched soundcheck jams and notes on the road and Alex expects some of this new material to make a debut at the Roundhouse.
There are no outrageous demands on their rider, although lettuce may be deemed contrary to the rules of rock ‘n roll.
Alex said: “I’m vegetarian so I get very picky – there have to be healthy things. If we don’t say that we end up with bread and cheese so there’s a lot of veg. Being healthy is important when you have such a hectic schedule.”

The boys learned the hard way: “At the start when we were a smaller band…we didn’t carry the weight to get what we needed and ended up living on crisps and bread. We were in a terrible way, always tired and never got anything done but it’s getting easier.”

Alex has learned from touring with heroes Phoenix, the importance of keeping the band’s friendship, which can be tested when trapped in a tour bus.
He said: “You all need your own space. You can always get into your bunk, put your headphones on and zone out from the rest of the world.”

And they owe a debt to Kanye West for posting their first music video for I Can Talk on his blog.
Alex said: “He seemed to like it, we haven’t heard from him since. We were an unknown band…for such a famous person to give us that press – did so much for us, thousands of people heard of us after that – so many liked us on facebook and followed us on twitter after that. That was a really big thing for us.”

I can also reveal the band have rented a house in Glasgow, where they will record the next album: “We’ve got a lot of connections in Glasgow…it’s always a place we loved. We can go there and have a bit of a social life rather than being completely cut off when we’re on tour.”

And his tip for handling groupies?: “There’s a lot of attention, a lot of groupie-esque propositions. We’re always happy to talk to fans but as soon as it gets a bit more heavy we make our excuses and move on.”

GIVE JOSH HOMME AN AWARD + VIV ALBERTINE MOCKS MUSIC HISTORY + FOO FIGHTERS CAN'T KEEP A SECRET + DJ DEREK

2011-03-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

SO newly haloed God-like genius Dave Grohl and the rest of his Foo Fighters played a not-so-secret gig at Dingwalls on Saturday. Sadly the news missed my print deadline so best I could do was tweet it – sorry. Anyone spot Dave roaming around Camden?

On to more important things – Dave’s Them Crooked Vultures buddy Josh Homme and his Queens of the Stone Age play their debut self-titled album in its entirety at the Roundhouse (May 17) – is it wrong to prefer them to the Foo Fighters?

• Ex-Slits guitarist Viv Albertine mocked musical history at the Roundhouse’s mammoth music affair Unconvention on Saturday. In a mischievous nod to ex-boyfriend The Clash’s Mick Jones, she recorded a Clash track in 30 minutes. She told me: "I chose Train in Vain because it was written about me and I thought it would be really cheeky. Like Mick Jagger doing a cover of You're So Vain I haven't dared tell Mick as I’m not sure he would find it very amusing. It's all about what a useless girlfriend I was. We are still very fond of each other so hopefully I'll get away with it."

• One-time Cadbury’s accountant Bristol’s DJ Derek has become a bit of an icon with his patois MC skills, and choice reggae, roots and dub tunes – nevermind that he’s 68. In fact there’s a facebook page dedicated to his legendary status. Catch him at the Old Queen’s Head, Angel, (March 4).

• The Charlatans' Tim Burgess and Mark Collins play an acoustic show at the Union Chapel (March 16). Support from Blue On Blue and Joseph Coward. A low-key night out?

• Don’t forget Detroit Social Club at Monto Water Rats on Saturday (March 5).

• Ps – Does anyone have a synonyms for music for next week’s column ?

RECORD OF THE WEEK - WRETCH 32 feat Example, Unorthodox

2011-03-02T02:30:00.000-08:00

THERE are two ways of looking at this.
One - that Wretch 32 has taken a classic Stone Roses hook (from Fools Gold) and presented it to a "Landan"-centric generation that will never realise or understand the fundamental importance of its Manchester indie roots.
Or, two - that he has just confirmed the greatness and enduring mass appeal of the Roses and introduced it to a crop of pop aficionados who may then go on to discover the real thing.
I prefer the latter.
Either way, this is a one-listen-don't-forget kinda tune gilded by Example's popular touch that's unlikely to escape chart popularity.

GHOSTFACE KILLAH'S PROUD APPEARANCE + CAMDEN CRAWL 2011 + JANELLE MONAE, GODDAUGHTER OF SOUL + THE CUBAN BROTHERS, SAY NO MORE

2011-02-24T18:46:00.000-08:00

WE HARDLY raise an eyebrow when rockstars and famous waifs stumble past us in Camden, but Ghostface Killah? He would turn my head. We hear, in True Wu Tang style, he caused a bit of a ruckus at Mark Ronson’s afterparty at Proud Camden last week – but where were the rest of the Clan?

• The first lot of names have been released for The Camden Crawl. My picks so far – the stunning Villagers who sadly had to pull out last year, former ROTW Frankie and the Heartstrings and Lethal Bizzle. Canadian comedian Tony Law on the Comedy Crawl will be memorable.

• Thanks to Camden’s rock ‘n roll mayor Jonathon Simpson for pointing out the Camden New Journal’s star appearance in Kentish Town’s rockabilly family Kitty, Daisy and Lewis’s 2008 video for (Baby) Hold Me Tight. But which page is being read?

• Show off your music knowledge at the Mayor of Camden’s Charity Quiz at The Monarch (March 2) – hosted by the mayor in aid of the Roundhouse Trust.

• Tiny soul superstar Janelle Monae, whose dancing owes the late great James Brown a major debt, arrives in Camden fresh from the Grammys to play The Roundhouse (March 1). Support from CockNBullKid.

• They’re crazy faux-Latin breakdancers with a penchant for taking their tops off and the Gumball rally - always breathtaking. The Cuban Brothers play Proud Camden on Saturday (Feb 26).

• I may not be the greatest fan of celeb DJs but at Proud does it in style. The club has taken over 02 superclub Matter with Proud 2 - Little Boots, White Lies, Mr Hudson, Hot Chip, Jazzy Jeff, Bloc Party and Tim Burgess are all lined up over March and April. Official public launch on March 5.

IN CAMILLE'S HEELS

2011-02-24T18:32:00.000-08:00

“I’M A big scaredy-cat,” Camille O’Sullivan declares, explaining how she first turned to singing.

Not how one might describe a woman who abandoned a safe career in architecture after a serious car accident to pursue a not so stable life as a singer.
But that’s how the Irish French singer sees herself.
Audiences who witness Camille’s stage antics –being electrocuted and burned after wrapping Christmas lights around herself, stumbling over speakers and landing on glass, teetering on the edge of tables in heels – might disagree.

The Irish-French singer may loosely inhabit the cabaret genre but to confine her to that term would do her a disservice.
She uses her wild, dark, storytelling streak, to interpret the likes of Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Jacques Brel and Arcade Fire by becoming their most vivid characters.

Snow Patrol frontman Gary Lightbody recently wrote a song for her and she’s performed with Shane MacGowan, Tim Robbins and Damien Rice.
Camille is holding a charity Q & A at the Shaw Theatre in aid of Mayor of Camden Jonathan Simpson’s chosen charity the Roundhouse Trust (March 3).

But she fears the idea may suggest she’s an “egomaniac”, saying: “As long as people know I’m not going (affects luvvie voice) “I’ve so many things to tell the theatre” – that would horrify me”. I always hoped someone could’ve guided me and I’m happy to share my experience in what is quite a closed, unstable profession. I still think I’m on that journey, it’s not authority, I spend my time worrying about the next gig.”

Camille loved singing from an early age but it wasn’t until she went to Berlin that she realised she wanted to emulate the types of characters personified in Brecht and Eisler songs.
She said: “It’s good to have good fun but it’s also nice to go to a dark place to make people have a bit of black humour....You’ve got to have a certain amount of obsession to keep singing people’s songs that aren’t your own.”

As an architect, Camille flirted with the idea of becoming a professional singer but it was a terrible accident, which changed her life: “I was on morphine and euphoric to be alive. I was like what are you doing? This is your life. I don’t want to be 80 and look back and think I didn’t try. It took a year to use my hands, walk again and hand in my notice. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing... I placed every obstacle because I was blooming nervous and not confident. I’m a big scaredy cat.”

Her days are a whirlwind of tours and Camille avoids hotels as she drags her life around.
She recently shared a flat in Soho with the rubber man (who can put his body through tennis rackets) and is currently staying in a cottage in Stratford, while working with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

She said: “I’m looking at my suitcases because I’m horrified by them. I want globetrotter luggage but I know it’d cost too much. It’s my dream that I would actually look like a cool traveller when I’m going places instead of the wheel that’s falling off the suitcase today.”

Essential items include red lipstick and perfume she said, adding: “I have to get all my costumes in first, then I might bring a candle or a toy from home, a little bear or something. It may sound ridiculous but a friend gave me a little rabbit it’s just a little thing you put on the bed so you start making the place look like it’s yours.”

She added: “I do a lot of my tax and thinking up ideas – they end up on pieces of paper – so I bring a big plastic bag of that to put on my computer. It’s trying to make sense of my life. You know when you’re at home and chaos is in your house, I just take portions of it away with me so I can solve myself when I’m gone.”

ROUNDHOUSE RISING'S UN-CONVENTIONAL WEEKEND

2011-02-24T18:17:00.000-08:00

LISTEN up struggling musicians.
You work hard, gig every venue, and often come home with less money than you left with at the start of the evening.
But it’s worth it and those who have done it before are here to give you faith.
Un-Convention, on Saturday, is part of the Roundhouse Rising Festival, which has filled the past week with masterclasses in band photography, sound engineering and music video masterclasses for youngsters.
But Saturday is for all ages. While top artists scramble to record an album in 10 hours, the timetable is heaving under the musical wisdom from panels of veterans, gurus and experts keen to share their insights.

Highlights include ‘Music as a Tool for Social Change’ – featuring figures from music projects in Sri Lanka, Brazil, Colombia and the UK, ‘Sustainable careers in music’ with Jon McClure (Reverend and the Makers), ‘The Politicisation of Music’ and ‘Women in Music’ with Viv Albertine and Zoe Street Howe. Guests include Green Man Festival’s Fiona Stewar, John Dyer from Domino Records and BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson.

There are also speed networking sessions, workshops and demos.
The festival wouldn’t be complete without some great live new music, see Ghost Eyes, Teeth of the Sea and Prizes, curated by Eat Your Own Ears (EYOE) on (Thursday), Swimming, DT, Beaty Heart and Chicago DJ Brenmar tomorrow (Friday) and EKO, DELS, Sampha and RoxXxan on Saturday.

More info from www.roundhouse.org.uk/rising

RECORD OF THE WEEK- IRON & WINE, Tree by the River

2011-02-20T16:08:00.000-08:00

IRON & Wine.
Oh Iron & Wine.
This is just the soundtrack to carry us through the coldest days - more than a touch of James Taylor and some beautiful harmonies.
The beardy ones look and sound like they stowed away in Marty McFly's Delorean when he stopped off for fuel in the 70s (not strictly sticking to the script but it could have happened).
And sound all the better for it.
Iron & Wine play Camden Roundhouse on March 8.

THE POLYMATHS OF MELODICA, MELODY AND ME

2011-02-20T15:31:00.000-08:00

THERE’S a lot to learn about Melodica, Melody and Me.
The Brixton six-piece have as many assorted facets as the eclectic range of instruments they employ.
Take singer Huw Williams.
On face, he’s a polite singer and musician who formed a band with his schoolmates – a band which has progressed to touring with Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling and Bombay Bicycle Club among others.
Inquire further and you find he’s a philosophy graduate and special needs teaching assistant.
But it’s not until much later that Huw reveals he’s just completed his tree surgeon qualification, is a bit of an environmentalist and used to grow vegetables on his own allotment – all at just 23.

He’s not unique, among the group are a mental health worker and a sports journalist student who’s somehow managed to rope eminent political philosopher Noam Chomsky into an email exchange on his thesis on the socialist nature of American sports.

Not a simple lot, Melodica, Melody and Me are tough to define.
They have at times referred to their music as folk-step “but it never stuck”, said Huw.
Central to their sound is the melodica, but the Kora and the Charango (a Latin American lute) are also in there as their harmonies and folk finger-picking are laid over Andean sounds, reggae skanks and African rhythms.

The work of legendary dub producer Augustus Pablo shaped their use of the melodica said Huw: “He plays it on dub and reggae tracks, that’s what defined our sound at the start. We played acoustic instruments but with the melodica playing reggae-ish melodies or sort of skank.
“When we first got the melodica we thought it was special but it turns out they’re used all over the world to teach kids how to play the piano. So in some parts of the country it’s like the most annoying instrument in the world – the equivalent of the recorder.”

They’re haunted by their choice of band name, inspired by Roald Dahl’s The Giraffe The Pelly and Me.
They wanted to use the word melodica and liked the alliteration but it seems no-one can get it right: “The amount of times we’ve had it in reviews and billings as something completely different like Medolica, Medallions and Me. They’re coming up with better ones!”

They’re lucky enough to be able to record in guitarist Rudi’s old bedroom, which has been converted into a home studio, with the help of Rudi’s father, Bafta-winning sound editor of The King’s Speech, André Schmidt.
Huw said: “It’s good we’ve got access to good equipment but without having to pay the hourly rate at a studio – it’d bankrupt the whole thing.”
The four boys only really began playing instruments aged 17, later bringing in Rudi’s sister Anna (vocals) and drummer Greta – they all attended the same school.

They’ve played Camden a few times: “Whenever we play there, we always try and find food first, struggle really badly, eat those cheap pizzas and end up feeling really ill. And we get enticed by the Chinese foods – it always seems like such a good idea.”

How does he compare the scene here with Brixton?: “Brixton’s a good place to come for music, there’s the Hootenanny and The Windmill, it’s one of the few places in South London where you get to see live bands play. Camden’s really good but there’s a bit more relaxed, gritty, grimy atmosphere I suppose in South London. But it’s changing. Brixton is getting so trendy these days that it kind of feels like east London sometimes.”
Growing up in Brixton “inspired us to be more open to exploring different types of music. There’s so much noise and vibrancy,” said Huw.

They’ve just toured with Johnny Flynn: “We did an acoustic line up with only four of us so we all crammed into one car and were driving round the country. Luckily in every town we had a friend of a friend who let us sleep on their floor. It was in the height of the winter and the snow and we were sleeping on kitchen floors, having the worst night sleep but it was good. I don’t think it’s ever glamorous – the most glamorous it gets is staying at the Holiday Inn. I think I prefer to be at a mate’s house.”

They also forged friendships with Bombay Bicycle Club with whom they toured in July: “We hung out with them quite a lot, they’re really young as well, really nice, quite not shy but quite quiet, they’re really gentle guys. The funny thing about touring is you get very few windows to actually hang out and get drunk because you’re always driving on to the next gig but we did our best. On the last night of the tour we had a big party at one of their houses.”

The band are working on their debut album but haven’t picked a name yet.
Said Huw: “That’ll be a big discussion, that might lead to a fight. You don’t want to name it after one of the tracks or maybe you do but then you don’t a name you’re embarrassed about for the rest of your life. Our band name gets derided enough, we’ll have to balance it out with a good name for the album.”
Melodica Melody and Me play the Lock Tavern on February 22.

PADDY CONSIDINE'S MOONLIGHTING, AN UNEVENTFUL BRITS AND PETER, BJORN AND JOHN MOVE ON

2011-02-18T19:53:00.000-08:00

SO THE Brits grew up? There was less silliness (bar James Corden), less rock ‘n roll and no irreverence – but is that what we want, or do we prefer the spectacle?
Don’t we watch these things for car crash moments, drunk speeches and offensive egotistical rock stars? Still, good to see Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons win awards, shame The XX were overlooked.

• Feeling Gloomy won’t let up with the “can’t miss” events. This time brooding Irish hardman Paddy Considine (of Dead Man’s Shoes, Hot Fuzz etc) and his band Riding the Low play the 02 Academy Islington (Feb 26). All I know is they describe themselves as “lo-fi, raw guitar rock with the fat cut out”.

• Don’t forget the Camden Crawl’s essential preview night CC Tips with Spectrals, Paris Suit Yourself, Patch William and Frontiers at The Bull & Gate (Feb 24).

• When your big hit turns up on Homebase ads, it's getting a bit old. And "whistling song" Young Folks was conspicuous by its absence when Peter Bjorn and John previewed new album Gimme Some to a crammed Old Blue Last in Shoreditch recently. Maybe they're sick of it, but probably not the royalties. Some good new songs though. See if it’s resurrected when they play The Lexington (Feb 23).

• It was the venue for Joy Division's first London show, a Stranglers live album, and has hosted everyone from Madness and Ian Dury to countless indie hopefuls. Now the Hope and Anchor, Upper Street, is getting a major makeover, reopening later this month. Just hope they don't get rid of the atmosphere along with the musty smell of faded glory.

• The Union Chapel’s free Daylight Music events are fast becoming the highlight of the weekend. This week see Chris T-T, Model Village and Padriag Whelan from midday.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - BRIGHT EYES, The People's Key

2011-02-18T19:40:00.000-08:00

IT’S been four years since Bright Eyes last released an album but Conor Oberst has used the time well. He fell out of love with rootsy Americana, worked on a couple of side projects and returned with The People’s Key – an exploration of the universe and everything in it through the medium of synth-pop. There’s much more to it than this, ethereal lyrics, a touch of their old selves in the acoustic title track and an ode (of sorts) to Haile Selassi. (Out this week).

RECORD OF THE WEEK - JOSH T PEARSON, Last of the Country Gentlemen

2011-02-14T17:14:00.000-08:00

THERE’S a danger of trivialising this masterpiece by suggesting it is one for the broken-hearted.

But the anguish mournful Texan Josh T Pearson painstakingly lays out in Last of the Country Gentlemen has more than a hint of “I feel your pain and I’ve suffered tenfold” about it.
With just seven songs over 60 minutes, Pearson takes his sweet time building each sorrowful track. Stunning but not for the impatient. (Out March 14, plays Union Chapel May 11).

CAMDEN'S ROASTING REGGAE HEART

2011-02-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

WHO’D have thought one of the hubs of London’s reggae scene would have originated in Tufnell Park?

Former Acland Burghley pupil James Harper (aka Moodie) and ex-LaSwap student Greg Burnell (Exel), were a few years apart growing up and independently of each other set off on their own paths.

But some years later, after James had a brief stint as a hip-hop DJ, worked at a record label and studied music production, he found himself looking for a new way to bring business into a quiet Sunday night at Kentish Town’s Grand Union bar, where he was a DJ.

He roped in Greg, a friend’s brother, and Reggae Roast was born – a night of reggae beats, MCs, Exel and Moodie on the decks, while roast dinner was served.

The food element has been somewhat sidelined now although on special occasions at the Big Chill House, a barbecue is available.
Within weeks news of the popularity of the night spread and the venue was overwhelmed with fans.

You may have seen the signs for Reggae Roast nights at the Big Chill House, CAMP, the Jazz Cafe and a bunch of other venues across London.
Said James: “We move around a lot between north and east London, we try to keep it fresh.”

Since it began in 2007, the night has hosted the likes of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Collie Buddz, Sly & Robbie, Finley Quaye and Mad Professor.
The duo have also recently started their own Reggae Roast label.
Their latest release, Righteous EP, featuring Ramon Judah – Reggae Roast’s main MC – came out on Monday.

James said: “There’s been a massive revival of reggae slightly due to the whole dubstep thing, which originated from reggae. Because younger people are so into that, they checked out the reggae scene. Then there are older people who are here for the music.
“Everyone likes it. For some people that come to our nights, it might not be their first choice of music but it’s got a massive universal appeal. It’s not aggressive, it’s positive music and all inclusive. There’s a good atmosphere at our events, that’s why people come back.”

James only really turned to reggae under the influence of his avid record collector half-brother, after turning his back on hip-hop.
He said: “I was a scratch DJ and I became disappointed with hip hop in the early naughties. It lost its soul, became too commercial, the whole sound and attitude, and I just stopped feeling the music.”

While still at school James started his first DJ night.
He said: “I started at a Jamaican place called Posh Nosh in Tufnell Park. It only holds about 150 people but we used to get all our mates down – there were queues outside.”
He added: “I was quite naughty at school, a bit lippy and got in a lot of trouble but I did alright. I was born just off Falkland Road, Camden couldn’t be a more diverse, interesting place to grow up in.

“My school had so many amazing, gifted musicians – my brother’s best friend is an incredible drummer, my best friend Louis Slipperz DJs for hip-hop group Task Force. He put his own record out off his own back. It did really well and that was an inspiration to me to do things myself. It showed me if you do things the right way and produce good quality music, everyone can put out a successful release.”

Reggae Roast is also taking over the Edinboro Castle during the Camden Crawl (April 30 – May1) to provide some alternative uplifting beats away from the rest of the weekend’s joyful chaos.
As well as DJing and producing records, James, who lives in Kentish Town, is training in graphic design.
He said: “We need so much artwork for our releases and flyers I just thought it would be useful to do it myself.”

More info from www.reggaeroast.co.uk

HAPPY GLOOMY VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-02-14T16:48:00.000-08:00

IF IT wasn’t for the effort Feeling Gloomy put into their Love Hurts Valentine’s night, I’d have ignored it altogether.

But every year they step in to fill the deathly absence of cards, flowers and dates for singles.

So head to the 02 Academy Islington (Feb 12) for torch songs, indie heartbreakers and rock to scream to plus Down With Dating’s Speed Hating (spill your dislikes) and Blind Hate (Cilla, but dark). Hankies on hand, dead flowers on the tables and classic divorce flic Kramer Vs Kramer will be screened – perfect.

Alternatively sketch Burlesque models at Dr Sketchy’s Valentine’s Special to mark The Old Queen’s Head’s birthday celebrations (Feb 14). Rob Da Bank, Jamie Woon, Mystery Jets , The Maccabees, Tribes and Sound of Rum will be making an appearance over the week’s festivities.

• The more romantic may enjoy Ronnkie Pop’s Valentine’s Prom Night at The Silver Bullet (Feb 11), complete with prom king and queen coronation, prom punch and the inevitable slow dance. Think Back to the Future’s Enchantment Under the Sea dance.

• I last saw Mark Ronson at the Roundhouse for the Electric Proms in 2007 when he brought along an assortment of celeb guests. I’ll never forget The Rumble Strips’ Charlie Waller’s unexpected and explosive cover of Back to Black (look it up on YouTube). The Proms may be no more but Ronson returns to the Roundhouse (Feb 16) with The Business International, who knows what he’ll have in store this time?

• Tickets go on sale today (Feb 10) for Mumford & Sons’ special gig at Dingwalls on Feb 22. Support from the divine Marcus Foster, Anna Calvi and Rachel Sermanni.

ARABIAN KNIGHTZ DOUBLE THEIR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT EGYPTIAN REVOLUTION

2011-02-05T19:27:00.000-08:00

EGYPT is broken.
But from the ashes of this uprising, there is hope for a more free future.
Egypt's musicians have been rallying the crowds at Tahrir Square and busy working away at new revolutionary songs.
Egyptian rappers Arabian Knightz called for an uprising in song Rebel (ft Lauryn Hill), and released it in its most raw format the minute the media blackout was lifted.
Listen here
During the rebellion, they also penned Not Your Prisoner especially for protestors (ft Shadia Mansour and Fredwreck).
The video is a compilation of some of the most jarring moments of the last few days, events that are almost irreconcilable with the Egypt I know and love.
But all these things really happened.
It is for the people and government to ensure this is never again repeated.

MANURE? I HATE MANURE...BIFF'S MELODIC BACK TO THE FUTURE LEGACY

2011-02-05T19:11:00.000-08:00

FOR all those that still appreciate the righteous place the Back to the Future trilogy (well, not the third one), holds in movie history, here's a clip that should make you smile.
Remember Biff??

MOURNING THE ELECTRIC PROMS + GRANDMASTER FLASH + MEN + MORE

2011-02-05T18:57:00.000-08:00

THERE were some genius moments in the glory days of the BBC Electric Proms Festival. Over its brief life it sent out talons, expanded to new venues, branched out in Liverpool, brought in obscure artists and became one of the highlights of Camden’s music calendar.

(Stunning Nitin Sawhney evening ft Natty 2008)

The mantra “creating new moments in music” was hammered into our brains and for a time had some justification – remember Africa Express, Mongrel at Barfly and Liam Gallagher’s Oasis return angry fireworks?

Not to mention The Last Shadow Puppets' incredible show at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

But somehow it lost its Mojo, the very mantra forever etched in our minds fell from the BBC’s own consciousness.
Last year’s event was cut to three days and although it’s pleasant to know Neil Diamond, Elton John and Robert Plant are still alive, there was little new about their appearances.
Perhaps if we could all get off the BBC’s back for five minutes, the quality of the Electric Proms could have been sustained and it wouldn’t have been such a likely candidate for the axe. A loss to our culture, a loss to the Roundhouse and a loss to Camden.

• How many of you know every word to Grandmaster Flash’s Rapper’s Delight? If you’re lucky, he might just play it at Scala (Feb 10).

• Sia’s girlfriend and former Record of the Week candidate JD Samson (ex Le Tigre) brings band MEN to the Lexington on Tuesday (Feb 8).

• Diva Natalie May’s a graduate of Hawley Wharf’s Young Person’s Theatre Company and single Closer has won a prized spot on a number of radio playlists. See her at Dingwalls (Feb 6).

• Lovely of Ian Brown to back a £10,000 musical scholarship for prospective students at Camden’s School of Sound Recording, whose rehearsal rooms have been used by The Stone Roses. If I had an ounce of talent...

• Proud Camden’s Metallica 30th anniversary photo exhibition Fade To Black: Metallica By Bill Hale begins today (Feb3). Go soak up the culture.

• Joan as a Policewoman – first dance choice at a friend’s ultra cool wedding – plays the Barbican (Feb 6).

COCKNBULLKID'S POP THERAPY

2011-02-05T18:50:00.000-08:00

COCKNBULLKID – that’s it, that’s her name now.
Dropping the prefix “the” is the first sign something’s different about Anita Blay.
Known for her electro tunes of the past, Anita’s turned to pop for her debut album.
Single Hold on To Your Misery (out March 7) is every bit the snappy pop song to which she aspires.

Anita – as CocknBullKid – is part of talent-pushing festival HMV Next Big Thing, a concentrated chance to see the picks of the future – across venues including Camden Barfly, Jazz Cafe and Relentless Garage for the flat rate of £10.
She plays Upstairs at the Garage alongside James Yuill, Trophy Wife and Visions of Trees (Feb 10).

Also chalked up at various venues are Jessie J, The Airborne Toxic Event, Skepta, The Chakras, and Chilly Gonzales (full line-up – www.hmvnextbigthing.com).
In fact, Anita has just settled in a deli after recording vocals for the eclectic Canadian musician Gonzales – who worked on her album – when she speaks to Grooves.
She said: “He’s charismatic, good fun to work with, very much an artist and quite independent. He pretty much makes things happen for himself so he’s good at giving tips and advice on how to make sure everything is yours. It’s becoming harder for people to control what they do. He’s quite old school in the sense that he takes care of every aspect of his career.”

While Anita absorbs his advice, she is well aware of the fortunate position she is in: “Although I’m signed to a big label (Island) I’m with an independent (subsidiary Moshi Moshi). It’s not like everything has to be turned up to 11 and have bells and whistles on. I’ve got the best of both worlds, the muscle of a major but the creativity of an independent.”

Album Adulthood touches on life as a Londoner of Ghanaian descent and some good old teenage angst – to an upbeat soundtrack.
She said: “My parents split up at a very early age and I was separated from my mum when I was about 12 so I grew up with a male patriarchal figure. I wasn’t raised by a woman in the most important times in my youth. While he was doing a stellar job – I love my dad to bits – there are certain quirks/things you can’t help but sometimes attribute to not having a female figure.”

Her father, a bus driver, is so proud of Anita’s work that he keeps all her cuttings.
She said: “Considering he was from a different background, from Ghana, quite traditional, he’s still quite open-minded and I think that’s shaped me.”

Anita grew up in Hackney, torn between where to ally herself – and her confusion over her origins –is detailed on the album.
She said: “The older you get it’s less of a clash and more of a fusion. There’s good and bad but I’ve learned to straddle both, be proud that I’m British and proud to be Ghanaian.”

An explanation of her stage name is also on the album: “A lot of people ask why I called myself Cocknbullkid. I’m not talking about anatomy I‘m referring to a cockerel and bull – it’s another way of saying to spin a yarn, tell a tale, bullshit someone. Something I’m fascinated with.”
At the moment it’s all about pop: “It is a craft writing a pop song – it’s a lot easier to be experimental and waffle on for nine minutes. Now three minutes, there’s something very satisfying about a pop song.”

Making the album has doubled as therapy. Said Anita: “If you’re old enough to be honest about how you feel and put it on a record, hopefully you feel better for it – almost exorcising your demons. I do feel a lot better. I listen back to songs and think wow I don’t feel like that anymore. I’m happy I’ve been honest about it. “

She added: “My dad’s really proud. I’m definitely a hard worker when it comes to music. That’s the only way you can feel any sense of achievement for something because you work for it. My dad’s a bloody hard worker. That’s part of the reason I’m so ambitious because I want to make him and my family proud. I want them to be comfortable, he struggled for so long.”
• CocknBullKid’s website is www.cocknbullkid.com and twitter name is @cocknbullkid

IWAN RHEON - TONGUE-TIED BUT DON'T OVERLOOK HIM

2011-01-28T19:13:00.000-08:00

NOT enough of a fuss is being made over this guy.
These days he's most likely known as wierd kid Simon from the fabulous Asbo superhero E4 show Misfits but he's also a captivating singer.
I saw him first in the sadly short-lived West End production of Spring Awakening, where his rock star credentials and electric shock hair outshone the entire cast.
But he's been well known on Welsh screens for some time, having scored a spot on the S4C drama Pobol Y Cwm, aged 17.
Although the following video - for single Tongue Tied - shows his softer solo side, he's also frontman of the slightly more rock 'n roll band The Convictions.

THIRTEEN SENSES - AN UNLIKELY SOUNDTRACK TO A REVOLUTION

2011-01-28T18:44:00.000-08:00

CAN'T ignore what happened in Egypt today - summed up nicely by this video.
But I did an audio double-take when I realised the author of this montage opted for unlikely Penzance lads Thirteen Senses' 2004 #35 track Into the Fire for the soundtrack.
They may not be a household name in the UK but they're being heard by a whole generation of fired up Egyptians today.

GABBY YOUNG'S NO ORDINARY REDHEAD, SHE'S A BARBICAN-SINGING CIRCUS SWING-ER

2011-01-28T18:28:00.000-08:00

GABBY Young sounds like she’s smiling over the phone.
Every story she tells has a happy ending and she sees the brightest side of the very darkest tales.
The eccentric flame-haired singer’s positive nature casts an effective veil over a history that could have ended her singing career before she even began.
At just 22, Gabby’s fledgling path was halted for a year as she fought thyroid cancer in her throat, while medics warned her she may lose her voice.

You wouldn’t know it now.
Gabby’s rich vocals are stronger than ever – so strong in fact that she, and her band Other Animals, share the bill with 10-piece ‘performance orchestra’ The Irrepressibles at The Barbican on Saturday for Disruption – a fashion and music performance inspired by the gallery’s exhibition Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion and the diversity of East London.
It is the culmination of a three-month project by 50 young people aged 14-19 working with the Barbican, London College of Fashion and Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Purveyors of “circus swing”, Gabby Young and Other Animals are emerging from their underground lair as a live phenomena.
Said Gabby, who will be wearing a dress made entirely from newspapers: “We’ve definitely got a spectacle planned. We always try and do something different each show...There’ll be a bang and the end of our set.”
Look at her pictures and you’d never guess Gabby grew up “in the sticks” in Wiltshire, to a horsey life “my mother trained racehorses”, at times sharing a home with the Australian equestrian team.
She even went to boarding school.

Instead, Gabby rejected the outdoors in favour of singing and the piano.
She said: “From the start I rebelled against any kind of sport and always wanted to be the musician. We had a little upright pink piano and my sister and I would write songs. Whenever mum and dad had friends over, we’d insist on giving them a concert, make them queue outside and pay to see us. That’s probably my earliest musical memory.”
Her parents now run her label, while Gabby lives in Kentish Town with boyfriend Stephen Ellis, frontman of band Revere and dog Hobbes (named after the comic strip stuffed tiger).
She said: “I absolutely love north London. We live right next to Hampstead Heath and I’m obsessed with the place. I’ve lived in lots of different parts of London, west, south, Chelsea for a bit, which I didn’t like, but the moment I got up north I thought this is where London is for me. I love the creativeness, you can do your own thing, don’t have to worry about being judged, everyone seems helpful and friendly. I love all my neighbours.”

She met Stephen when still travelling from Wiltshire to play gigs at Monkey Chews.
She said: “I didn’t know many musicians. The other band on the bill was Revere, I’d never heard of them before and never seen a band that made me just want to follow them around. They blew me away. I remember seeing Stephen and thinking he’s so cool I want him to be my friend but now I live with him.”
As well as her music, Gabby’s become something of a fashion icon and writes a style blog as well as running pop-up store Gabbydashery.

She said: “Gabbydashery mainly has accessories, hairpieces, bags, everything we sell is something I’d wear or have on my wall, it’s all got to be inspired by or for the music. People expect me to have made the stuff but I’m not very good with a sewing machine and glue. My first ever art report said do not let Gabby near glitter or glue.”
Fashion is definitely an important element to Gabby’s persona.
“I’ve always loved dressing up and every time I did a gig I would make an effort because I never liked seeing bands standing around in their jeans. I love the spectacle behind big stage shows, love what Bjork wears, the fact she plays with her outfits when onstage and it becomes part of the theatre of it, that is really important for me.
“I’ve always loved vintage clothes from much further back. I’ve loved Victorian clothes for so long. I’ve got bright red hair but that’s not actually that different anymore because so do all the female artists out there so I’ve got to find a way to stand out.”
Her memories of being diagnosed with cancer are still raw but she’s grateful for what it brought: “It was a huge life-changing experience to be on a path with my band, knowing my goal and to have a huge stop sign on that. But I’m so thankful for it because everything that has happened to me that’s been positive has been almost a direct result from that. Moving to London was a catalyst – I had to change my life to do what I wanted. The most terrifying thing was the operation. To be told as a singer that you might lose your voice that is a fate worse than death in a way.”
She added: “I’ve written some material about that which I’m really proud of – Too Young to Die on the album is about it. It’s changed the way I think about absolutely everything in my life. I’m a lot happier because I feel I’ve got a get out of jail free card and a real chance to do something different and have a story that might help people through hard times.”

RECORD OF THE WEEK - GEORGE MICHAEL, Faith (Remastered)

2011-01-28T18:07:00.000-08:00

EVERYONE deserves a second chance, not least our Highgate neighbour George Michael.
Lest his talents be forgotten, Sony has reissued his iconic 1987 debut solo album Faith – and it’s still as wonderful a work of pop as first time around – maybe even better with the bonus CD. In this cruel world, there’s always room for a little more faith.
Would've liked to bring you a reminder of the original video but sadly embedding's been banned so you can see it here

Alternatively, here's a more recent recording, I guess more apt considering we're 24 years on.

CAMDEN CRAWL'S SNEAK PREVIEW + VANESSA PARADIS MAKES RARE CAMDEN APPEARANCE + DIRTY BLUES FROM CIRCUS TOWN + STOKE NEWINGTON'S JAMMY LINE-UP

2011-01-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

THE Camden Crawl has introduced me to an untold variety of bands I’d never heard of but have come to love.
So, in the lead-up to this year’s event – a welcome distraction from some royal wedding involving a girl who’s been called Kate all her life but now has to be referred to as Katherine – there’s the ongoing treat of the CC Tips nights.
CC Tips previews Crawl talent, a helpful nudge when struggling between the weekend’s delights.
So head to the Bull & Gate (Jan 27) for chilled-out beats from French multi-instrumentalist Anoraak, maverick Mat Motte and special guests.
PS - The Crawl’s also released details of the daytime line-up, see the Camden Crawl website

• Here’s one that came from leftfield – sultry pouty French singer and Johnny Depp’s missus, Vanessa Paradis makes a rare UK appearance at Koko (Feb 2) and, not surprisingly, has sold out already. Expect songs from her Greatest Hits album and some new tracks.
Ready for some retro Paradis baggy jumper dancing?

• It’s tough to decide which not-yet-famous band to see at The Dublin Castle when there’s something on every night and you know it’s full of hidden gems. So I’m helping out this week by suggesting filthy dirty blues maestros Circus Town (Jan 30).

• Stoke Newington International Airport’s a dark horse. It’s managed to secure the Topman CTRL gigs filmed for Channel 4. The line-up’s perfect. Each week someone different gets to curate the night so In-Betweener James Buckley has lined up Miles Kane, The Vaccines and States of Emotion (Jan 28), Misfits actor – and stunning singer – Iwan Rheon introduces White Lies, Brother and Gruff Rhys (Feb 1) and Mark Ronson brings in The View, The Joy Formidable and Lykke Li. Win tickets from www.topmanctrl.com

RECORD OF THE WEEK - FRANKIE & THE HEARTSTRINGS, Hunger

2011-01-21T15:52:00.000-08:00

SUNDERLAND five-piece Frankie & the Heartstrings are thrilling live.
Thankfully debut album Hunger hasn’t polished away the urgency of their snappy, bare style or frontman Frankie Francis’ distinctive north-eastern accent.
Although drawing many comparisons to 80s bands such as Dexy's Midnight Runners, there's a distinct flavour of The Jam in here, most audible in single Hunger, released on a limited 7" vinyl last year, but on wide release next month.
Definitely one for the download list.
Hunger was recorded at West Heath Studios, produced by Edwyn Collins (quiff-lovers unite), and is out on Feb 21, when the band play an NME Awards Show at Heaven.

ANA SILVERA'S ROUNDHOUSE ORACLES

2011-01-21T15:23:00.000-08:00

ANA Silvera’s tough to pin down.
A former squatter who now lives in Primrose Hill, she’s classical but indie, listens to Bartok and Grizzly Bear in equal measure and uses the fantasy of fairy tales to reflect her own reality.
She’s constantly late, devoted to making music and relies on the intense heat of Bikram yoga to relax.

At the moment, the 27-year-old singer’s life has been taken over by her new work Oracles, to be debuted at the Roundhouse (Feb 2 – 4).

She said: “My days, which I love, are a round of rehearsals and writing. It’s like putting a huge patchwork quilt together of musicians, a choir, and the piece itself. It’s definitely the biggest thing I’ve ever done. It’s amazing to do three nights because I’ve never had the opportunity to refine the performance as I go along, see how everyone grows with the piece.”

The Roundhouse chief executive and artistic director Marcus Davey offered Ana the use of The Roundhouse Experimental Choir.

She said: “He’s a huge supporter of what I do. I could’ve made my life easy, done my normal set and arranged some songs for the choir but I thought this is such an amazing opportunity, I’ve been writing for a long time with a choir in my head, why not write a whole new suite of songs.”
The volume of work is such that it’s the first time Ana’s had to learn the words to her own songs.
As is her style, Oracles takes the form of a story.

She said: “My music so far isn’t necessarily personal in a confessional sense, it is obviously personal to me but I filter it through stories or folk tales to bring my own personal story out. This is very much like that. I’ve taken the arc of a fairy story which starts with a dark kingdom and something’s gone wrong, someone’s died, lost something hugely important and picks up the trajectory of that loss to a kind of redemption and acceptance. It’s got that traditional story arc, along the way the falling in love, re-emergence of self, but starts off with grief. It sort of connects to my own personal experience over the years of grief and loss but it’s also an archetypal story.”

The grief Ana alludes to is the loss of both her mother and brother in a short time.
She grew up in a single parent family and Ana’s relationship with her mother and brother was close. It was her English teacher mother who first sparked her interest in words, Ana’s early ambition was to be a writer, and enrolled her in a choir as a child.
She auditioned for the English National Opera aged 13 and was soon singing for them, although opera was never her real passion.

Instead, Ana was attracted to folk songwriters and classical music, both of which have heavily influenced her own work.
At 15, she decided to live in a squat, still going to school and singing with the ENO, but returning home to live with this anarchic, eclectic community.
She said: “My mum was surprisingly cool about it. There was a very colourful scene at the time. I met a nice group of people I wanted to hang out with, I didn’t really want to be at home and I was still singing at the opera house so that was quite weird.”

More recently she recorded single My Home Town with members of Antony and the Johnsons in Brooklyn – another hive of musical activity her mother suggested visiting.
She said: “There’s a whole scene of classical indie musicians. Being away from London allowed me to write in a more personal way, something about being away from yourself, kind of freed me a lot. I immediately felt so at home and loved it, it’s so vibrant, people were so collaborative.”

Her impressions of living in Berlin were not quite so inspiring.
She said: “What I took away from Berlin was an appreciation of London. It made me realise how much I have here.”
And here she remains – at least until Oracles is over.
More information from www.anasilvera.com and www.roundhouse.org.uk

ROCK 'N ROLL MAYOR'S A HIT, SHHHH FOR THE MUSIC + MILES KANE AT XFM ALL-DAYER

2011-01-21T08:22:00.000-08:00

SOUNDS like Mayor of Camden Jonathan Simpson and his consort Amy Lamé were such a hit as guest DJs at Barfly’s Casino Royale birthday celebrations that there are already talks to bring them back. Casino Royal promoter and DJ Jeff Automatic was so impressed with their talents that he’s also considering taking them on tour to clubs around Europe – as ambassadors of Camden – you heard it here first.

What did they play on the night? The Smiths, The Beastie Boys, Suede, Iggy and the Stooges and much more. Apparently the band room – more used to groupies – was packed with councillors pre-set, not so rock ‘n roll.

• Saturday’s such a busy day it’s almost impossible to decide what to do.
Admirers of quiet music bite your tongue for the Shhh Festival at Cecil Sharp House. The bands are not always low key, but the audience is expected to keep schtum and a special team of shushers will be there to ensure hush. The all-day programme features more than 20 acts including a rare appearance from Mogwai’s Stuart Braithwaite, Still Corners and Lewis & Clarke.
More info from www.thelineofbestfit.com/2010/01/shhh-cecil-sharp-house-london

• Another feast of music on Saturday is Barfly’s XfM X-Posure all-dayer, featuring the wonderful Miles Kane, Clock Opera, The Brute Chorus, Lail Arad and many more promising acts, handpicked by DJ John Kennedy. Worth a visit.

• For something a little more far out, geographically and musically, how about Stoke Newington International Airport. A night of heavy experimental music from members of a bunch of bands including Red Snapper, Three Trapped Tigers, The Heritage Orchestra, and Kandinsky – all for £5.

• I would love Bruno Mars to leave my radio alone but for those who don’t feel the same, the Brit nominee plays Cafe de Paris on Monday (Jan 24) and Koko (March 13 & 14).

RECORD OF THE WEEK - MARCUS FOSTER, Shadows of the City

2011-01-21T07:22:00.000-08:00

SEEING Marcus Foster live is essential. His unkempt stage presence leaves the intoxicating blues of Shadows of the City overpower all other thought. Young yet unspeakably mature, living every stunning note – he’s a muso’s dream. Yet his friendship with Robert Pattinson and contribution to Twilight soundtrack means he’s more likely to be known by vampire-crazed teens. (Out Feb 28).

CAMDEN'S ROCK 'N ROLL MAYOR TURNS DJ

2011-01-21T07:18:00.000-08:00

TO MANY, the title Mayor evokes images of Mr T jewellery, stuffy occasions, endless ribbon-cutting and a mature figurehead.
Not so in Camden. This year’s mayor Jonathan Simpson is youthful in comparison, spends his spare time on gigs, has 25,000 tracks on his iPod and has just been Camden Barfly’s star DJ.

Jonathan, who spent hours sifting through his collection to narrow down his favourite tracks for the debut DJ set at Barfly’s Casino Royale night’s 12th birthday, shared the decks with his consort, broadcaster Amy Lame.

Speaking to me before the gig, Jonathan said: “I’m scratching my head thinking what on earth I’m going to play. I’m just this music nerd with lots of records but I’ve never played them publicly before. We’ll see if it’s good fun or completely car crash. Amy and my music tastes are fairly similar, she has more French pop records than me but we’re both big Morrissey fans. This will be a first, it may be a last we’ll see.”

Their fee will go to The Roundhouse Trust, the mayor’s chosen charity of the year.

“The Roundhouse is a not for profit venue. It has great gigs and events and money raised goes back into the studio enabling young people to get involved in music and performing arts. It has a really cheap studio space, concerts are recorded live by young people so can be watched around the world, they have a radio station, cheap instruments to hire – it’s a fantastic space for creativity. If there’s one space in Camden to produce the next Amy Winehouse, Madness, future artist, it will definitely be the Roundhouse.”

He chose music as his theme, he said, because: “Other mayors in the past have chosen themes which have not necessarily related to the true spirit of Camden. If you mention Camden round the world, people will probably say first the market and then the music heritage. So many great bands have been born in Camden and while it’s fun to promote, it’s also really important because it creates so many jobs and gives millions of pounds to our local economy.”

He’s not shy to recognise the competition “Everybody who goes out in Camden has a good time, while people who speak to me about going out in Shoreditch say they don’t necessarily, and feel like they were desperately pretending to have a good time, be fashionable, and if anybody broke out into a smile they would be frowned upon.”

While he may be drowning in music, he hasn’t yet got to the point of alphabetising his records (downloads excepted).

He said: “I have too much, it’s a constant bugbear, I occasionally wish I didn’t have so much but when I feel my inner geek coming out, the records come out.”

Where others at school headed for the football pitch, Jonathan, aged 10 – who played accordion at school – was busy organising relatives to drive him to see The Smiths.

He said: “When I have free time I go to concerts and that’s what attracted me to Camden. The best gig was at the height of Suede’s popularity, they were on fire and had a fantastic gig at the Roundhouse. There was this surreal celebrity moment when Neil Tennant from the Pet Shop Boys came out and sang Rent with the band. It was brilliant – the idea of the Pet Shop Boys being a rock band. Lots of great gig memories – also seeing smaller bands at venues like The Dublin Castle and them going on to do really well. You can never judge a band until you’ve seen them live, being able to see something and test your boundaries.”

Bands he champions include Beirut, Sleigh Bells, Best Coast, The Irrepressibles and Jonsi.

He added: “I find most music completely uplifting. I’m listening to loads of Tom Waits which I suppose most people would find like being tortured in Guantanamo Bay. If I need cheering up I tend to grab a Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen album. When I’m getting ready to go out Brigitte Bardot is guaranteed to cheer you up.”

Jonathan's also roped in friend Camille O’Sullivan to do a concert at the Shaw Theatre in March and has convinced Jarvis Cocker to DJ at a charity party at the BT Tower, “it’s not often you can say I’m the mayor of Camden would you like to come play a party at the top of the BT Tower.”

He added: “I’d love to take readers to the pub and talk music for the whole evening and have them leave thinking what a nerd I am.”

MYSPACE FAIL, PRIMROSE HILL'S MYSTERY GIRLBAND, SILVER BULLET'S GOOD NEWS AND MORE

2011-01-21T06:54:00.000-08:00

IS IT wrong to dislike MySpace? I know it’s supposed to be a forum for the great unsigned but seriously, it’s impossible to navigate, takes an age to load and seems to be a graveyard for spam.

I’d rather check a band out for real, see their shaky YouTube uploads, or go to their official websites, where it doesn’t take a year to work out where their next gig is.
No offence MySpace but can’t you redesign – again?

• So much to look forward to this year – Pulp at Wireless, Two Door Cinema Club at Roundhouse and my guilty pleasure...Linkin Park at the Roundhouse for the iTunes festival – don’t judge me.

• What’s this about an emerging girl band called Primrose Hill? Have I missed out on the next big thing? Checked them out on MySpace – aside from “snippet” to single LOL, only info is they are three 13-year-olds, loads of spam messages – case in point. Don’t sound bad given their youth.

• Slightly old news but haven’t had a column to mention this – Nambucca, which burned down in a great Islington musical tragedy, but which then inspired The Flowerpot – has reopened and has an overflowing list of live gigs coming up – time to return to Holloway Road.

• Brilliant news for Finsbury Park’s coolest “pop-up” venue. Looks like it will have to drop the “pop-up”, after its lease was unexpectedly renewed. Still, nothing’s permanent so make the most of it while it’s still here.

• My digital radio is stuck on a channel that only plays ‘90s music – good memories but confusing – only bought it for 6 Music, XfM and Radio 4.

AND THE AWARD GOES TO...

2011-01-12T05:14:00.000-08:00

WE’VE read countless annual reviews, griped over XfM’s choice of The Killers’ Mr Brightside as the top song of all time and have been quite proud to be left out of the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Now, in the hope of being the first official music awards of the year, here are Tutankarbon's alternative prizes...

GLASTONBURY AWARD FOR MOST DRENCHED FESTIVAL – The Camden Crawl
Rain or shine we love it, you’re only ever seconds away from a venue to shelter in, but this year really tested our resolve. As we said at the time, rivers of black eyeliner ran down Camden High Street as someone in the heavens chucked buckets at the dedicated music fans swimming their way from gig to gig.

MOST WELL-INTENTIONED BUT ILL-JUDGED SPECIAL EFFECT – Kiss, 02 Academy Islington

They just wanted to give fans a taste of the stadium experience. But poor Kiss’ plans to set off ticker tape from huge cannons backfired as they accidentally suffocated themselves and their fans – cutting short their encore. There’s a reason they’re usually reserved for the arenas guys.

MALCOLM TUCKER AWARD FOR MOST DIPLOMATIC WARDROBE CHOICE – Missy Elliott, Wireless

She probably thought it was a nice gesture – wearing a German tracksuit from sponsors Adidas while their national team battled it out in South Africa. But Missy didn’t count on a bunch of sour-faced England fans, who booed and threw bottles at her, still sore at the country’s loss days earlier.

MOST RIB-CRUSHING GIG – Rage Against the Machine, Finsbury Park

We thought we’d planned it so well – close enough to see, far enough back to avoid being sucked into a mosh-pit stew of fists and feet. I even took my earrings off just in case. But from the very first bass note, the entire crowd contracted, we were lifted off our feet, flung across a molten sea of black t-shirts and banging heads before being dropped into the centre of the pit. Bones could be felt cracking and the mission to get to the edge of park was greater than any Labyrinth-type adventure. Phenomenal gig.

MOST WANTED MUSICIAN (for about five minutes) – Lowkey
He loves a good cause this one. Lowkey visited students at Camden School for Girls protesting at the planned university fees hike. Hours later, he appeared on the front of a number of national newspapers as one of the people police wanted to speak to in connection with protest violence. Of course nothing came of it and he doesn’t seem to be wanted but seeing his face in the rogues gallery it gave his fans a swift shock.

BIGGEST INSULT TO VISITING US ARTISTS – Wireless (Missy Elliott) and The Roundhouse (Talib Kweli)
I know they had their reasons, but pulling the plug on artists mid-song just is not cool. If they are running over, let them get to the end of the song. Leaving Missy and Kweli standing there, mic and music turned off, looking like fools, is not the way to make friends and can only end badly.

VENUE TO SCORE BEST SECRET GIG – Dingwalls – The Strokes

There was hysteria when news broke out that Dingwalls was going to host The Strokes’ comeback. Tickets were harder to find than a music store in Camden and there was no need for contact lenses from Cyberdog for those that missed out – the green eyes could be seen from outer space.

VENUE TO LOSE HUGE SECRET GIG – Dingwalls – Guns ‘n Roses

Dingwalls had to issue an 11th-hour cancellation after learning Axl and co wouldn’t be venturing our way, causing some anger but also a lot of relief from those who wish G n’ R would cut their losses and stop ruining the memory of their best work.

MOST MIDDLE-CLASS MOSH – Jamie Cullum, Kenwood
In among the vin, the pain and the Boursin, the picnic baskets were overturned, cheese knives waved in the air and Jamie Cullum’s encore became the oddest, multi-aged mosh-pit in the shadows of Kenwood House.

MOST GENEROUS HEADLINE PERFORMANCE (TAKE NOTE KANYE) – Jay-Z, Wireless

Unlike Kanye’s headline turn the year before, Jay-Z’s not mean with his time, his words, or his songs and there was not a hint of self-indulgence about his show.

SPECIAL AWARD FOR THE BAND AT THE CENTRE OF THE BIGGEST OFFICE ROW – N-Dubz

Yes Dappy, Fazer and Tulisa, you caused fireworks at my office earlier this year. No need to go into it now, suffice to say – I was on your side.

FAREWELL TO – The Luminaire, The Flowerpot and possibly The 100 Club
HELLO TO – The Wheelbarrow, Nambucca (just reopened).

NEW YEAR PARTIES IN CENTRAL AND NORTH LONDON - THE SOCIAL MINEFIELD THAT CUTS ACROSS CAMDEN, ISLINGTON AND WESTMINSTER

2010-12-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

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.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - MILES KANE, Come Closer

2010-12-16T16:09:00.000-08:00

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.

LOWKEY'S FRONT PAGE + THE HEARTBREAKS SPECIAL APPEARANCE + SLIMELIGHT GOES LIGHT + CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH THE CLASH

2010-12-16T16:04:00.000-08:00

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).

THE BEES ARE BACK

2010-12-16T15:23:00.000-08:00

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.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - WAREHOUSE REPUBLIC, Revolver

2010-12-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

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.

WAREHOUSE REPUBLIC'S BLAZING CALAMITY + BAD SANTA'S KOKO DINOSAUR PILE-UP + THE LUMINAIRE'S LAST STAND + CLASSY FLORENCE JOELLE

2010-12-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

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.

• 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?

2010-12-09T13:25:00.000-08:00

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

ARCHIVE MOMENT - THE RASCALS, I'll Give you Sympathy

2010-12-06T18:32:00.000-08:00

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.

FLOWERPOTS, WHEELBARROWS AND THE END OF AN ERA FOR THE LUMINAIRE + 100 CLUB CAMPAIGN HOTS UP

2010-12-02T14:30:00.000-08:00

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).

HOLY COVES BATMAN - THERE'S A WELSH ROCK BAND IN MY BARN!

2010-12-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

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.”

LOWKEY'S GOT YOUR BACK STUDENTS

2010-12-01T17:10:00.000-08:00

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

RECORD OF THE WEEK - MONA, Trouble on the Way

2010-12-01T06:59:00.000-08:00

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.

BEATBOXING COPS + JOHN LEGEND'S A DREAM + BEN HARPER'S SUPERGROUP + ELTON'S CHAPEL VISIT

2010-11-25T12:04:00.000-08:00

REMEMBER the Police Academy cop with the bendy voice who could mimic anything? I always thought Michael Winslow aka Officer Larvelle Jones was aided by sound effects. Turns out I was wrong – he’s a world famous beatboxer and comedian who can imitate more than 1,000 sounds from recreating Hendrix to the roar of a jet plane. He was also in Spaceballs and voiced a Gremlin – got to be worth leaving your cosy homes for this one. He plays the Jazz Cafe on Dec 8.

(check out the guitar solo at 1.30)

But the best collection of his Police Academy talents can be seen here Officer Larvelle Jones, Police Academy
• More noteable events at the Jazz Cafe include US dreamboat (some might say) John Legend & The Roots on Sunday (Nov 28), Botown – the soul band of Bollywood (curious) (Nov 27) and Ninja Tunes darling The Herbaliser (Nov 3).

• There’s so much to say about Mencap Little Noise Sessions that you’ll have to look online for our full reviews. I just need to remind you they’ve managed to convince the loony Scissor Sisters to play an acoustic set at Bush Hall (Dec 4) and the Pet Shop Boys to headline the Big Noise Session at Hammersmith Apollo, (Dec 8).

• If you don’t recognise Fistful of Mercy in our listings (Dec 3), it’s actually a supergroup of sorts – Ben Harper, Dhani Harrison (son of Beatle George) and troubadour Joseph Arthur –wonder how Koko will cope with all those music heads on one stage.

• Islington’s Union Chapel may be hidden in a quiet Islington terrace but it’s not to be underestimated. The latest coup? Sir Elton John tonight (Thursday).

• Feel like sharing the Christmas spirit? Musicians and choirs are being sought to busk on Hampstead High Street. Email emsmagnus@btinternet.com for info.

PALOMA'S BATHTIME REVELATIONS

2010-11-19T17:53:00.000-08:00

“IS IT a girl?” Paloma Faith asks as the call is put through for our interview.
“I’m glad it’s a girl because I’m in the bath,” she says. “I was trying to rush and then I thought let’s take a gamble. It’s 50-50 chance it’s going to be a man and if it is I’ll slowly edge out of the bath and try not to make any water noises. They might think I was flirting or something.”
Paloma’s insuppressible personality is apparent from her first words.

The former Islington Green pupil is due to play a gala show of her collaboration with trumpeter/arranger/composer Guy Barker – Down at the End of Lonely Street – alongside a full orchestra at the Barbican on December 10.

She said: “The Barbican’s like the cultural centre of the area I was brought up in. As a kid I always saw it as somewhere quite posh where rich people go. Now I’m playing there it feels like a breakthrough.”

She says the show’s about loss and loneliness, adding: “There’s a few of my songs but mainly songs that have influenced me by the great queens of tragedy and torch singers.”
Renowned as a flamboyant performer, Paloma’s happily aware of her past limits.

“I wanted to perform from quite a young age but I knew I wasn’t very good. I was about 10 when I did my first dance performance. I loved the excitement and adrenaline but didn’t know what I was doing. When they went right I went left and when they went up I went down, I totally stood out. My mum said it was hilarious that I stood out like a sore thumb because I was wrong all the time.
“For years after, I had the enthusiasm but not the ability. I think people thought I was a bit of a laughing stock…but I guess I found my way.”

A choreographer once told her he’d have to give her a lead role as she was hypnotic but “not very good” and was doing something different to everyone else.
Realising she wasn’t going to be a dancer was a “big setback”, so she began singing in bars while studying theatre hoping to work behind the scenes.
But she began attracting attention for her voice.

“I started to do it to my own surprise because I hadn’t really sung that much. Because the people I admired were so amazing I put myself beneath them and didn’t feel good enough but through this last year touring this album I think my voice has improved so much. I’ve sort of learned on the job. In a way my voice is better now than when I recorded my album. When I listen to the album I think oh a bit shit but I now play live and people say I’m so much better live.”

Paloma’s style has often attracted the attention of the Fashion Police: “Sometimes I end up walking out in something I haven’t really thought about. I look at it in pictures and think what was I doing? I know it’s dressing up. I find it difficult to get dressed on a day off because I don’t actually remember what I think looks nice. I take pride in taking risks and being a bit funny with it. People put me in those columns “what was she thinking?” Well I wasn’t. When I’m serious and when I know I look good it’s vintage inspired stuff. I think I’m very good at dressing like a Hollywood starlet.”

SEE the second part of this interview here - Paloma Faith on moaning music moguls, cash-strapped students + old school teachers

RECORD OF THE WEEK - BEADY EYE, Bring The Light

2010-11-19T13:53:00.000-08:00

I KNOW it's the obvious choise but this blog wouldn't be complete without a glance at Liam Gallagher's latest effort (with most of Oasis) - as Beady Eye.
I listened three times. When I say three, I mean twice and a half, by which time my attention moved to a passing spider. Not sure about the Jerry Lee Lewis piano, Noel's more poetic approach is missed and Liam's given up the snarly drawl. Not bad '60s vibe but needs more work to distract me from errant arachnids.

TOM JONES' ALTAR STAGE INVASION FEATURING JO WHILEY'S MUM + PULP'S BEST. NEWS. EVER. + BRAINY AKALA + THE REVENGE OF D:REAM

2010-11-19T13:47:00.000-08:00

TOM Jones set ageing pulses racing at Islington’s Union Chapel on Monday night as he headlined the first night of the magical Mencap Little Noise Sessions.

At Paolo Nutini’s gig the next night, my spies tell me Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley confessed her mum stormed the stage when the irresistible Mr Jones was playing – bear in mind the stage is an altar – these Jones fans are wild.

Here's Mr Jones with Green Green Grass of Home, his encore.
• My fave up-and-comers, quirky, Louis le Prince play cult venue The Lexington (Nov 24). If you’re looking for one new band to adopt, this is it.

• The Electric Ballroom’s got a mighty list of gigs on its way – Kele (Bloc Party) plays Friday, The Fall (Nov 23) and The Tallest Man on Earth (Nov 24).

• In case you’ve been living on another planet I’d like to point out that Pulp are reforming and headline Wireless next year – Best. News. Ever. My fave song’s Babies, what’s yours? PS 02 Academy Islington’s great club night Feeling Gloomy hosts Pulp’s Wireless launch party on Saturday – prizes, surprises and rare Pulp records played early.

• Akala’s sooo brainy and a good guy, not like those bad rappers you read about in the papers. He’s been teaching schoolkids hip-hop Shakespeare – check out his cerebral lyrical dexterity at the British Library (Nov 26).

• I’ve not been complimentary about D:Ream in the past and it seems they’re taking revenge. The checky-trousered dance act, which I hold personally responsible for the birth of Blair, (Tony, not the one-hit-wonder of Have Fun Go Mad obscurity), have managed to convince former keyboarder Brian Cox now a widely respected physicist to abandon sanity and reform – songs from new album “In Memory Of...” (I’d stop there) will be performed at 02 Academy Islington (Dec 1).

PALOMA FAITH ON MOANING MUSIC MOGULS, CASH-STRAPPED STUDENTS AND HER OLD SCHOOL

2010-11-19T13:30:00.000-08:00

SINGER Paloma Faith has praised the teachers at her former school for doing an incredible job in the face of adversity and thrown her support behind the recent student protests
Speaking from her bathtub, the eccentric performer – a former pupil of Islington Green School – also criticised wealthy music industry figures for complaining about suffering during the recession.

Paloma, who is due to play a gala show of her collaboration with trumpeter/arranger/composer Guy Barker – Down at the End of Lonely Street – alongside a full orchestra at the Barbican on December 10, said: “When you look at world news, I think we’re really well off, maybe not as well off as in the 80’s and maybe that’ll never happen again.

"From the small perspective of being in the music industry I work with a lot of people who were in the music business when they earned shedloads of money and now they’re all complaining. Well they look pretty well off to me, I’ll be honest. I think a lot of people are rich people complaining they’re not as rich, but they’re still rich.”

Paloma, who is working on her second album, took a minute to praise her former teachers at Islington Green School.
She said: “I had an amazing education there. It’s funny because at the time I did my exams it was one of the schools that had one of the worst reputations in the country but I have to say the teachers were incredible.”

Now a bestselling artist, Paloma recalled appearing in school productions but never scoring the coveted main role.
Recalling one production of Little Shop of Horrors, she said: “I was never one of the leads I was always one of the dancers because at that time I was really into dance.”

Paloma also took the opportunity to voice support for students protesting against the coalition government’s plans to increase university fees.
She said: “It’s a shame the (protests) went violent because it reflects badly on their argument. If they’re protesting and saying all this stuff about being the future, what kind of impression does that give if they’re smashing things up? It's a shame for the students that genuinely are the future and are wonderful and have a lot to contribute because it gets them down as well. But I understand their reasoning because I do think that kind of debt is really intimidating to people specially people from poorer backgrounds.”

She added: “To a person who’s working, £9k is not that bad but if you look at that figure from the perspective of someone who comes from nothing and whose mother and father never in their lives can conceive of £9k or let alone earn it then I think that figure can be seen as extremely threatening and intimidating. It’s really sad and awful. It's great that students are protesting. For years I came from a really non political generation."

It is not the first time Paloma has commented on the British education system in the Press.
She appeared on This Week alongside Michael Portillo to discuss education in October last year.

The singer confessed to looking forward to her Barbican show, a venue she admired when growing up.
She said: “It's always been this place that was like the cultural centre of the area I was brought up in. The Barbican was quite close so it feels quite exciting to be part of it.

As a kid growing up I always saw it as somewhere quite posh and where rich people go from the perspective of a young kid in Islington and Hackney. But now I’m playing there it feels like a breakthrough for me.”

SEE the first part of this interview here - Paloma's Bathtime Revelations

RECORD OF THE WEEK - THE NARCOLEPTIC DANCERS, Not Evident

2010-11-11T16:51:00.000-08:00

THE advertising world has a lot to answer to. It may be able to make an artist but it's also succeeded in destroying an entire genre of kooky, quirky, lightweight indie pop through overkill (see Peter Bjorn and John ad infinitum).
The Narcoleptic Dancers have previously been victim to this. Latest single Not Evident has so far escaped, but if an ad exec gets wind of this cloud-tripping, happy clappy ditty, it will be the end. Lovely long-fringed Darwin-Deez-esque video.

STORNOWAY - A LOT MORE GOING ON THAN THE AVERAGE FOLKY BAND

2010-11-11T16:31:00.000-08:00

THEIR foundation was based on a lie, they inherited a “wanted” van from a fugitive stalker and their musical background ranges from Zulu singing to traditional choirboy.
Not your average young folky band you might say.

Stornoway may be one of the most intelligent bands in the UK (PhD in Ornithology, MA in Russian Lit, doctor, chemist), and claim to be “timid” but these guys are anything but dull.
Six years junior to founder members Brian Briggs and Jonathan Ouin, who met at a freshers’ fair at Oxford Uni, bassist Ollie Steadman conned his way into an audition.

He said: “There was an ad for a bassist for an Oxford band. I replied by lying about my age which felt really silly in retrospect. It was a lie that took two years to kind of fade out. It was a gradual realisation, I never came clean with the truth. It’s a topic we never discuss because it basically means my first encounter with them was based on a lie and they will never trust me again.”

A while later, his younger brother drummer Rob followed, wowing the band with his adept knowledge of their songs – he’d been secretly eavesdropping when Ollie practiced at home.
Stornoway, tipped as next big indie nu-folk band, play Mencap ‘s Little Noise Sessions at Islington’s Union Chapel alongside Ellie Goulding and Tinashe (Nov 20).
The acclaimed set of gigs running from Nov 15 – 20 also features Tom Jones, Hurts, The Kooks, Paolo Nutini and Example.
Ollie said: “We really like that they limit the gig to 85 decibels. Our whole philosophy is to play as close to unplugged as possible.”
The same calm reigns on tour: “Everyone’s really cordial, we’ve never put face paint on someone who’s sleeping or be noisy. It’s all very polite. We’re all basically timid and don’t want to anger each other because in the past we used to be a bit more crazy.”

Ollie and Rob moved to England from South Africa when Ollie was 15. They grew up listening to traditional Zulu songs, and Afrikaans, classical and US chart music.
So Ollie had a lot of catching up to do when he moved over.
He said: “My friends started saying what about Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd? I’d never heard music by any of those. Seven years later I’m still catching up.”

He owes his affection for bass to an Oxford phenomenon, which has entered local legend status: “Rob’s drum teacher suddenly said “I don’t like drums anymore, buy yourself a bass or don’t turn up to the next lesson”. He bought the bass and it was lying around at home so I decided to pick it up. Two years later I joined Stornoway.
“We discovered the teacher said the same to all kids having drum lessons at the time. There’s a brief generation of kids in all the big Oxford bands who have the same story about how they started bass.”

The boys can be spotted driving around Oxford in a dodgy-looking van, that has attracted the attention of the police: “We have this van that was given to us by this strange man who slightly stalked us and fled the country to go to Saudi Arabia. It’s got tiger seat covers and strange markings inside as in maybe he was a criminal and the van was a cover–up, an accessory to a crime and maybe he wanted to get rid of it.”
Naturally they’ve been pulled over and it was impounded by the police for some time.

So anymore plans to educate yourself Mr Steadman? “I just finished my chemistry degree and that was four years of wasted time because it was time not spent on music. That’s my attitude to life, if I’m awake and not touching an instrument then I feel really quite empty. I basically depend on music and nothing else. I crave music all the time.”
• Info and tickets for Mencap Little Noise Sessions from www.littlenoisesessions.org.uk

FLOWERPOT'S NEW HOME, REPRODUCING ENDTRODUCING, HOWARD MARKS, MAYORS, MIGHTY BOOSH AND ZAPPA

2010-11-11T15:38:00.000-08:00

THE Flowerpot's demise hadn’t reached the ears of Stornoway’s Ollie Steadman when I spoke to him on Friday. He sounded crestfallen on learning it had closed, saying it was one of Camden’s best venues. He soon came up with a generous idea – offering to play the venue’s launch when they find a new home. It might be sooner than we think. If rumours are true, we may find a Flowerpot residency at Johnny Flynn’s soon.

• Wonder what Howard Marks is like when he’s not regaling with tales of his misdeeds? See him on the decks at The Old Queen’s Head, Essex Road (Nov 12) – think he’s got Cypress Hill’s Mary Jane in there?

• Lovely to see Camden’s musical mayor Jonathan Simpson doing his bit for the borough’s music scene – he was a volunteer usher at the Roundhouse, hanging out with Noel Fielding (a mate I’m told) and Julian Barratt at The Mighty Boosh play Zappa on Saturday. He told me they need more volunteers – interested?

• Who else relied on DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing for their uni house party chill-out room? See 10-piece band Introducing reproduce every note of this essential album completely live at Koko (Nov 19) – a serious must.
Here's the original man in action.

• Judge just how close Diana Vickers’ single is to the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Under the Bridge, when she plays Koko (Nov 12) – I say very.

• Highgate’s The Boogaloo has a novel twist on the acoustic open mic night – proving a bit of an underground hit. At the monthly Under the Influence night, acts sing two songs of their own and one cover of the month’s featured artist – Nina Simone on Nov 22. Line-up includes The Joker and the Thief, Betty Steeles, Meow and Belle Humble. Entry only £2.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - RIZZLE KICKS, Down With The Trumpets

2010-11-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

AS THE cold dark nights draw in here's a little bit of sunshine to throw off the clouds.
Brighton duo Rizzle Kicks have come up with a lively, groovy tune about...brass (until now, my least favourite instrument group). Down With the Trumpets has a ring of Man Like Me - another reason I like this one. A tea tray features heavily in the video - why not? They're unsigned but not for long - check them out on Youtube now.

THE FLOWERPOT'S DEMISE + LITTLE NOISE SECRETS + CHESNEY HAWKES SAY NO MORE

2010-11-06T19:31:00.000-07:00

DESPITE management being “gutted” at shutting down, The Flowerpot’s final night on Sunday was one hell of a party. Shame Camden loses such an important venue in the year Mayor Jonathan Simpson has worked so hard to champion the borough’s musical heritage. Luckily they’re already working on a new home.

• Now’s the time to speculate on which special guests are going to pop up at the Union Chapel’s Mencap Little Noise Sessions. I’m thinking the Pet Shop Boys, who are playing the Big Noise Sessions, may just pop in on Hurts night (Nov 17). Or how about Kylie? She recently recorded a song with Hurts, is she due in the UK around then...Course I’m still hoping to see Paolo Nutini team up with Amy Winehouse. She’s played her fair share of secret gigs lately, so maybe she’ll joins our Scottish Italian darling on Nov 16.

• Atlanta soul artist Anthony David who played the Jazz Cafe last Thursday may have a brief insight into what it's like to be inside the President of the USA's mind. Apparently, he’s on Barak Obama’s iPod (a recommendation from the wife), as well as being cousins with Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men.

• My spies at the Camden Crawl launch party at the Bull and Gate last week have tipped Jon and Jehn as a defo must when planning your crawl route next year. Early bird tickets on sale now.

• Chesney Hawkes played The Luminaire last week – yes he is still going.

• The Constitution on St Pancras Way may be off the beaten track but hey, that’s where you find rough gems. Their sideline in decent gigs is a reasonably-guarded secret, see for yourself next time you're on the hunt for a good unsigned act,

MOURNING THE FLOWERPOT + ALICE COOPER'S FREAKY HALLOWEEN + TALIB KWELI'S BAD LUCK

2010-10-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

MUSIC lovers of Camden Town are upset – favourite Kentish Town hangout The Flowerpot closes on Monday.

Born from the fire which turned Holloway Road muso-magnet Nambucca to cinders, it has become the real Camden music scene – a free gig every night, quality guaranteed. Musicians ran it, worked the bar and kept the dream alive but sadly, they say they’re gutted their lease has been sold. No more secret gigs from Jamie T and Reverend and the Makers. While they look for a new home at least New Year’s party with Foals at HMV Forum is still on.

Here's a recent interview with the guys who ran the place - before we knew it was closing Find The Flowerpot and You Won't Want to Leave.

• The saga of Talib Kweli’s bad luck continues. Last week I told you he raged at the plug being pulled on his Roundhouse set – see proof here. This week he tweeted his frustration that he wants to work with The Noisettes frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa but one of her people doesn’t know him so won’t put him in touch – ouch, ego dent x2. Sure Shingai would jump at the chance – if she gets it.

• If you don’t recognise Big Boi from HMV Forum's listings (November 1), he’s from Outkast – maybe you want a ticket now.

• A whole lotta music’s going on in Kentish Town’s Bull and Gate on Saturday at the Emergenza Festival. See the acts before they’re famous.
• Fans of Halloween horror may enjoy Alice Cooper’s Halloween Night of Fear (Sun and Mon) at the Roundhouse – too much freakiness for me.

• Feeling Gloomy’s Halloween Party at 02 Academy Islington (Oct 30) features Depeche Mode tribute act Speak and Spell – can’t get more scary than that.

BREAKBOT'S ON THE MOVE AGAIN

2010-10-29T05:02:00.000-07:00

FIVE years ago Thibaut Berland was a successful animator, toiling away on big screen CG hits such as director Luc Besson’s children’s movie Arthur and the Invisibles.

Nowadays he’s an internationally renowned electro DJ, jetsetting around the world, hiding behind his long hair and going by the name of Breakbot.

As we speak he’s leaving Paris to play Hamburg and Berlin before heading to the UK to play a heavyweight electro set for the audience at Koko (November 6).

Also playing are some equally magnetic names – French electro-house superstar Sebastian, Reverend and the Makers side project Reverend Sound System, Eddy Temple-Morris and Tom Bellamy’s collaboration as Losers, electro funk punk specialists Punks Jump Up and east-London dance-pop trio Chew Lips.

Breakbot said: “I’ll do my best to make people dance and have a good time. I’m coming with Sebastian. I’m very happy to play alongside him. We’re doing separate sets but maybe we’ll do a little piece together.”

He may have left his animation behind for now but he’s making the most of his girlfriend’s artistic talents.
Director and artist Irina Dakeva had a heavy hand in artwork for Breakbot’s single covers and created the animated video to his single Baby I’m Yours.
He said: “I have total trust in her skills. I know she makes things really fresh. We’ve been together a long time. We’re going to try and make something out of the video for the live show.”

He’s played London many times and said: “I like UK audiences, they know about music. That’s not always the case in Europe. The UK really has a strong indication of music because so many bands come from there and change a lot of things in pop music.”

Breakbot’s as known for his remixes as his own work.
His secret remix wish, he confesses, would be....Beyonce, not a natural progression from his slightly less obvious back catalogue, which includes Late of the Pier, Digitalism, Sebastian Tellier and Röyksopp.
He said: “If Beyonce asked me, I would accept . I love Crazy In Love and all the stuff from the album You.”

He doesn’t pick the remixes, people request them, he says, adding: “When I think I can make something I decide to do it. When the vocals are good I say yes. I’m also working on my own album to be released next year.”

Breakbot, who graduated from the School of Graphic Supinfocom, was working on graphics at home but turned to music in his spare time.

He said: “Sometimes when I was fed up with my work I tried to have fun. One day in 2005 I made a MySpace page and made contacts from that. Then I did some gigs. It all started with MySpace and three years later Ed Banger (records) contacted me. It went all like that very naturally. I never thought I would be making music as a career one day. Since I began this job I’m very happy because I think it’s one of the best jobs in the world. I never expected to do this. I’m just trying to make the best of it, have fun and try not to make people sad around me.”

RECORD OF THE WEEK - JONA LEWIE PRESENTS MAN LIKE ME, You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties

2010-10-29T04:38:00.000-07:00

IF YOU watch X-Factor and don't get up for a cuppa during the ads, you'll have seen Man Like Me dancing around a house of kitchens promoting Ikea covering Jona Lewie's 1980 hit You'll Always Find Me in the Kitchen at Parties.
Band member and - it turns out - talented impressionist Pete Duffy sings lead instead of frontman Jonny Langer (deemed too wild for this song) and replicates Lewie's voice perfectly. This is the most restrained MLM - loved for their energetic dancing - have ever been. Great song but next time Ikea use one of MLM's originals.

TALIB KWELI'S STAGE RAGE + LITTLE NOISE SESSIONS + THE RETURN OF MILES KANE

2010-10-25T07:07:00.000-07:00

RAPPER Talib Kweli exploded in fury last week when the plug was pulled on his Roundhouse show midway through the final track.
Swearing in rage at the “disrespect”, he vowed never to play the venue again.

In a way he’s right, it’s a huge affront to an artist to be cut off mid-performance – in the case of Missy Elliott at Wireless this year, it was awkward and embarrassing to see the dancers flailing about wondering where their beats had gone.

But it’s not fair to blame the Roundhouse – yes licensing laws are there for a reason and neighbours need to be protected but surely there could be a short grace period post cut-off time?

• Latest names to be added to Mencap Little Noise Sessions at Islington’s Union Chapel are The Kooks, Example, John Bramwell, We Are Scientists and Leah Mason (Nov 18) and Ellie Goulding, Stornoway and Tinashé (Nov 20).

• Placebo fans watch out – former drummer and co-songwriter Steve Hewitt and his new band Love Amongst Ruin play Relentless Garage (Oct 30). New single ‘Home’ is out Oct 25.

• Not content with fronting cheeky scamps The Rascals, being Alex Turner’s bessie mate and one half of The Last Shadow Puppets, one of my favourite musicians Miles Kane is off on another side project. His obsession with psychedelia comes to fruition with the release of debut single Inhaler, an adaptation of 1969 track Mother Nature Father Earth in tribute to 60s LA psychedelic garage group Bonniwell Music Machine. He plays Monto Water Rats (Nov 23) and HMV Forum (Dec 7).

• Also at Relentless Garage, Liam Gallagher’s clothes label Pretty Green launches a club night (Nov 26) – live music from Exit Calm plus DJ sets from Andy Bell (ex-Oasis), Paul Gallagher (yes, his other bro), Eddie Piller and Jamie Skillz. But will Limo be there in his own clothes?

PATIENCE...DARWIN DEEZ IS SPEAKING

2010-10-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

GEMSTONES, 25 cents a week, chores on the refrigerator, Mushpea the dog, Honda car trips, Discman, In Utero, Metalheadz – a potted history of Darwin Deez’s formative years in his own words.

New York singer Deez is in a van, heading to Newcastle and proving a tricky subject.
If he isn’t turning the questions on his interviewer, he’s taking his sweet time between Every. Single. Utterance.

Take this prime example when asked about his abstract videos: “Em....err...(10 second pause) I spaced out, what was the question?”
Somewhat contradictorily, Deez professes to be a “very, very, very” impatient person – so, for the benefit of others like him, we shall forego the pauses and deliver the readers digest version.
Deez plays Scala with his ultra-hip geeky band on October 26.
“We’re going to sing and dance and be in the moment and it’s going to be fun,” he says.
The shows are famous for their inventive dance routines to mash-ups of tracks by other artists in between their own songs.

Deez said: “We’ve just put two brand new ones in the set. It has to be a surprise...Is that what you really, really want? That was my hint... I get really enamoured with certain songs and making a dance to them is a nice way of doing something with that love and sharing the music with people. It’s very satisfying.”
He added: “The stuff we dance to is pretty far away from us but it adds to the entertainment value. If we
stuck to one kind of music it wouldn’t necessarily make the same impression intellectually ...I’m always tickled by a good mashup.”

And he’s got a plan: “It’s my mission is to make music for people who are not even music fans. I want to make their next favourite song. I also want it to have value to music fans.”

Anyone familiar with the video to recent hit Radar Detector will recognise the colourful indie-flick style of Deez’ work.
Although he gives most of the credit to the director, it was his idea to hoover up his own shadow and, he reveals, despite the video showing results to the contrary, his disposable camera panorama hat didn’t really work.

He said: “It was just a prop but don’t tell people that. You see what you’ve done, you go after the truth and you ruin the magic.”
While touring the UK, Deez has begun writing rap music “a stream of consciousness”, he says.

“I haven’t written any lyrics in a long time. Not actual Darwin Deez music just hip hop. I just wanted to do something fun. I’ve gotten a lot better this summer. I can get better.”
His videos seem full of joy but is he happy?: “Yeah....that’s my image isn’t it? Don’t be fooled though, I feel all emotions?”

But it is this anecdote about plans to prank a friend, which is most telling about Deez’ character: “We were going to hide behind somebody’s curtains and turn the TV on and off so they thought there was a ghost in their room. But we never did it. We did steal the keycard but we didn’t follow through.”
So full of ideas but too laid-back to do them then?
“Yeah, that’s me to a T.”

SCROOBIUS PIP JOINS HIP HOP TWITTER TRIBUTES TO EYEDEA, WHO HAS DIED TOO YOUNG

2010-10-17T16:40:00.000-07:00

FANS of rapper Michael "Eyedea" Larsen have been left stunned by the news of his death.
Eyedea made a name for himself, winning the respect of the hip-hop industry with his incredible freestyle battle skills.
His mother broke the news of the sad loss on Facebook.
She wrote: "It is with great pain and sadness that I tell you my son Mikey (Eyedea) has passed away.

At this time we kindly request your respect and our privacy as we process this devastating loss.
We do, however, welcome your kind words, memories, and positive thoughts."
She went on to say donations were being accepted towards the cost of the service, adding: "On behalf of Mikey's family, close friends and fans. Thank you - Kathy Averill."
Friends are planning a memorial fundraiser.

Last night twitter was alight with tributes from the hip-hop community, fans, and fellow rappers.
British hip-hop poet Scroobius Pip wrote from his account @scroobiuspipyo: "Just heard about Eyedea. If true, its a fucking tragedy man. E&A day is one of my favourite hiphop albums of all time. A great loss. RIP"
Others just celebrated his skills, with one fan describing him as "one of the most unique stylers of our craft".
Here's a reminder of the artist in action at his best.

If you don't know what he looks like, check this:

TALIB, TORNADOES AND GUTTER RAINBOWS

2010-10-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

“IF SKILLS sold truth be told, I’d probably be, lyrically Talib Kweli,” so sang Jay-Z in his 2003 album track Moment of Clarity.
It’s a line that haunts rapper Talib Kweli, a sign of the high regard he holds with the hip-hop fraternity, who covet this wordsmith’s tongue.

But Talib, widely seen as one of America’s greatest hip-hop lyricists, doesn’t mind. In fact, he says: “I take it as a huge compliment. Don’t be fooled I’ve dumbed down lyrics before. I just haven’t done it at the level Jay-Z has. I’ve songs where I’m having fun, playing around and I like those songs. Sometimes that works but I haven’t made a career out of it like Jay-Z.”

Talib plays Lyrical Alliance at the Roundhouse (Saturday), joining leading Arab hip hop artists –Algeria’s Rabah Ourrad, British Palestinian MC Shadia Mansour, dubbed the first lady of Arabic hip-hop, Palestinian Israeli Tamer Nafar who sings in Arabic, Hebrew and English, Lebanon’s Rayess Bek and VJ Jana Saleh and Jordanian rapper Samm.

It’s a night where the Middle East meets West and Arab hip-hop takes centre stage.

So where does Talib fit in? Not so naturally he admits “I’ve never heard Arab hip hop or been to a country where the language is Arabic”, adding: “I’m definitely excited about doing something different and possibly learning more about hip-hop in another language.”
Although artists like Mansour are particularly political, Talib’s not picking sides.
He said: “(Palestine and Israel) need to work harder at getting along and hitting extremists who too often misrepresent what rational sane people think. I don’t think extremism on any side is warranted. But I also recognise we live in a world where the struggle of the Palestinians is under-represented in my view. I believe in fairness, balance and clarity so anything that brings eyes to that I’m down with it.”
The oppressed have always adapted to hip-hop says Talib, adding: “Hip hop is folk music not in the sense of soft focus, it speaks the language of people at the time when they are still speaking it. A lot of music speaks a language from years back...hip hop often speaks the language of the reality existing right now.”

Album Gutter Rainbows, his childhood name for puddle oil slicks, a phenomenon he recently discovered immortalised as gasoline rainbows in classic novel Catcher in the Rye, is out in November.

He said: “When the rain and dirt mix together, it forms a little rainbow. When I was a little kid not knowing it was from oil and pollution I was just thinking wow that’s nice. You know when you live in a city and there’s a heavy wind and the wind tunnels through the buildings and forms these little rainstorms, these little tiny tornadoes, you can see the leaves sort of dancing? That’s like an inner city tornado. There’s things in the city that are nature that happen because of man made things, buildings, pollution, but somehow nature seems to find a way to give us rainbows, tornadoes.”

WHERE'S JOHNNY? DEPP'S STUNT DOUBLE KNOWS + LITTLE NOISE + BRAVO MOBO NOMINEES AKALA AND N-DUBS

2010-10-14T09:17:00.000-07:00

EVER wondered what Johnny Depp’s stunt double does when not risking his life to save Hollywood’s most precious cheekbones?
Turns out Pirates of the Caribbean cast member Scott Sener is a musician. He supports Camden band Earth Prayer – fronted by Heidi Jo Hines, daughter of former Wings guitarist and Moody Blues founder member Denny Laine – at a free gig at Scars Studio, 20 Castlehaven Road, Camden Town, on Saturday.
Sener’s invited cast members so keep your eyes peeled for the genuine article – Mr Depp has been known to pop up at the odd underground gig – ask Babybird.

(Can't find a clip of Earth Prayer so here's Heidi Jo Hines on her lonesome).

• Fellow music lovers, it’s all happening. Once you’ve completed the three peaks challenge of Elton, Neil Diamond and Robert Plant at Electric Proms (Oct 28 – 30) – here’s what’s coming up.
• Regular readers will know this is my absolute fave series of gigs, Mencap Little Noise Sessions return to the Union Chapel (Nov 15 – 20) with Tom Jones, Paolo Nutini and Hurts latest headliners to be announced – my pick so far – Hurts. Be there.
• Can’t believe we’re talking about the Camden Crawl already but early bird tickets go on sale at the Bull and Gate launch gig (Oct 28) – The Chapman Family, DELS, Hook & the Twin, John & Jehn, Martyna Baker and the inevitable secret guest tba by Twitter of course!
• If you missed Tim Robbins at the Union Chapel, you can catch him supporting Paolo Nutini at the Q Awards gigs at HMV Forum (Oct 22).
Also playing are Jamiroquai (Oct 20), Chase and Status (Oct 22) and Mark Ronson & The Business INTL (+ Rose Elinor Dougal) (Oct 23).
• Bravo N-Dubz and Akala for Mobo nominations – find out if they won (Oct 20).

ARCHIVE MOMENT - PYTHON LEE JACKSON FEATURING ROD STEWART, In A Broken Dream

2010-10-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

THANK you to whichever radio station reminded me of this song today.
Must NOT be forgotten.
I searched for original footage of Australian band Python Lee Jackson but failed miserably.
In the late 60s Stewart recorded a number of tracks with these guys, In a Broken Dream being my favourite - sublime guitars and Rod's stunning vocals.
Check out the photo of Python Lee Jackson on Wikipedia. It could have been taken today - the fashions have come round again, new bands still pose in the same way and the haircuts would be no stranger to any slightly trend conscious street near you.
Don't be put off by the apparently bad dubbing - the track has been put against footage of Rod singing something entirely different but sadly there seems to be no actual footage of the song so squint your eyes and pretend he's singing this one!

WHICH MILIBAND IS A-PUNK? HOW MANY IN ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT + GOLDIE IN THE RING

2010-10-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

HOW much do we really care about a politician’s record-sifting skills?

If you're a Labour party member, maybe more than you think.

Before the election David Miliband told me his chosen campaign music would be Things Can Only Get Better – Blair’s atrocious D:Ream New Labour anthem.

Hmmm, I thought, can’t Mr M think of a single new track in the last 13 years? Even a classical piece would have been more forgivable.
Last week young Ed Miliband marched to victory over his sibling for the Labour leadership - his chosen anthem? Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw – a neighbour of David – pointed out helpfully it was Vampire Weekend’s A-Punk. Say no more.

Course I prefer Cousins...

• I never really worked out how many people were in the laid-back extended family that made up Arrested Development. Count for yourself when they play the Barbican supported by M3SNA, October 13.
• He’s wearing gaudy gold shirts and competing with Anne Widdecombe on the dancefloor, Soundclash, he’s put on a penguin suit and conducted full-scale orchestras but happily Goldie is returning to what he does best at Roundhouse Culture Clash (Oct 14). Four contending soundsystems, five rounds, one champ – it’s like fight club with Metalheadz, Scream & Benga, Channel One Soundsystem and Soul Jazz Records with Don Letts as referee.

WHAT HAVE ELTON JOHN, ROBERT PLANT AND NEIL DIAMOND GOT IN COMMON? ROUNDHOUSE ELECTRICS!

2010-10-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

I’VE made my point on this page before but what has happened to the Electric Proms?
Firstly, it’s been rebranded BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms (Oct 28-30) – the organisers have made that very clear to all Press.

Secondly the headliners – Elton John, Robert Plant and Neil Diamond – are all only slightly one side or the other of claiming their pensions.

Thirdly, we all fought to save BBC 6 Music, they had their own section to the Proms last year but by Radio 2 taking over, we’ve lost that edge.
The greatest news about this year’s line-up, whose most likely highly varied followers would class as legends in their own special way, is that a restricted number of £5 tickets will be released in the weeks leading up to the festival.
Don’t bank on these but for those who do snap them up, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience...of sorts.
Now this is not an ageist page. In fact Robert Plant featured here a couple of weeks ago when he played Kentish Town’s Forum, and Led Zep remnants are always welcome here, but this is more about the lack of
new blood, and, at risk of sounding like a council flyer for youth services – diversity.
Radio 2 may be a part of the establishment but it does also feature good new music – just this weekend Dermot O’Leary played Villagers on his show. So why keep it so limited?
This year’s Proms will include a tiny sprinkling of younger pop acts – Plan B and Rumer will join Elton and Plant gets the London Oriana Choir (Oct 29).
But the Electric Proms tagline was always “creating new moments in music”.
There’s no doubt Elton, launching the show on Thursday (Oct 28) will put on a good show, and he’s a master at collaborations so there’ll definitely be some surprises but how is this going to work with Neil Diamond?

The greatest show I ever saw at the Proms was Africa Express. It had been a Proms staple but last year mysteriously dropped off the bill.

Africa Express really defined the Electric Proms – a world away from the stuffy flag-waving crowd at the traditional Proms, it featured more than 100 artists of every discipline and background, crammed on Koko’s stage, jamming and experimenting like true musicians at the greatest party ever.
In 2008, it was Damon Albarn who brought it together and he’s been touring with various incarnations ever since.
It’s just a shame we don’t get it in Camden anymore.
This is not supposed to be a major moan about the Electric Proms.
Where else will you get the chance to see Elton at such close quarters for only £25?
He’ll be joining his idol Leon Russell to play tracks from new album The Union but the classics will be there too.
And how will Plant create his “new moments” with the choir?
Sure Neil Diamond will attract some older fans but also that irritating contingent who danced/drank/hooked up/staggered home to “I’m a Believer” and ”Sweet Caroline” at every university summer ball/formal etc. Sadly Neil, you’re responsible for too many bad memories.
As no other acts have been announced to join him, it would appear he will be making his new moments by himself. If none do materialise, it might be fair to say the concept’s becoming a myth.
He’s promising to play songs from his new album as well as old favourites so maybe he can redeem himself.
The good news is the whole thing will be broadcast on Radio 2 for those who miss it, presented by Bob Harris (any excuse to hear more of Harris’ voice is very welcome).
Performances will be broadcast on BBC 2 with the prefix A Night With...you fill in the gap.
• Tickets for the R2 Electric Proms, are £25 from www.bbc.co.uk/radio2.
• A restricted number of £5 tickets will be released in the weeks leading up to the festival.

RECORD OF THE WEEK - WU LYF, Lucifer Calling

2010-10-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

I HAD picked a totally different ROTW but then I heard this.
Wu Lyf – unsigned – stopped me in my tracks. They are masters of obscurity, dealing in misdirection and a leaving a web-wide trail of clues. Calling Lucifer has that rough appeal of a first gig – shredded, raw and echoing in a venue too big for it. The addictive, coarse vocals are so unclear they’re almost implied while the instrumentals are both arresting and suffocating. And they’re from Manchester. Check out their back catalogue...if you can track it down.