MY SAD CAPTAINS @ THE WINDMILL 30 July 2009

At the far end of Blenheim Gardens SW2, past the row of bay-fronted , genteel Edwardian residencies, lies The Windmill. From the outside The Windmill is a unassuming single storey pub. Inside it is pure rock ‘n’ roll dinginess.

The walls are all peeling paint and crumbling plaster with what appears to be 20-years’ worth of gig posters and band stickers holding them in place. At the far end from the entrance door, behind the irregularly shaped bar, is the small stage: a shabby riser made of MDF, amps on beer crates, scuffed monitors and hand-written running orders and old set-lists blu-tacked to the side of a sound desk. But if you look again at all the rock ‘n’ roll scuzziness, you see that it is actually lovingly preserved and cared for. The whole bar is neat and tidy, those posters of future gigs at The Windmill are meticulously laid out and evenly spaced, it is debonair not squalid. I fell for it instantly.

I’ve been looking forward to seeing My Sad Captains live since End of The Road in 2007. The release of their debut album (a strong contender for my top ten albums of the year) in June raised by hopes but I couldn’t get to the Manchester date of the short tour around that time. Which brought me by happy coincidence to this part of Brixton: my first visit to The Windmill but the twenty-fifth for My Sad Captains. If not a homecoming-with-ticker-tape-parade gig this did have a warm, almost casual, feeling of a band playing mainly to family and friends.

MSC do not look very rock n roll: lead singer Ed (painfully thin, large-rimmed classes, maroon V-necked jumper) comes across as librarian-by-day, poet-by-night; the rest of the band (Jack, Jim, Juliet, Nick) do not appear so ‘bookish’ but they look more like the rest of the audience rather than The Band. Yet the five play together beautifully.

The sound of MSC - 'alt-pop with a hint of Americana' as the poster for tonight says – works really well in this intimate setting. The band bring out the subtlety of slower, more atmospheric numbers like “You Talk All Night”, the delicate harmonies of ”Here and Elsewhere” and the summery pop bounce of final song “All Hat And No Plans”, all with a seemingly casual confidence. This was a short set (nine songs, three of them new) but given the quality of the songs and those gorgeous harmonies, I went away more than satisfied. Only shame was no encore (and no “Bad Decisions”) and the fact My Sad Captains aren’t getting more attention and accolade. Yet?

The Set List:
“My Formative Years”?
Good To Go
You Talk All Night
Ghost Song
New Song
Here and Elsewhere
Great Expectations
A Peg Or Two
All Hat and No Plans

Tonight also saw my first foray into video:



Earlier support had been firstly from Randi Russo and then The Oxygen Ponies. Randi (she could only be American with that name) gives a garage rock twist to the standard singer-songwriter fare: attractive voice, pleasant songs and I would not be adverse to hearing more.

She then returned to partner Paul Megna who is The Oxygen Ponies: Paul sang and strummed electric guitar whilst Randi tapped out rhythms on blocks or tambourine and provided harmonies. The Oxygen Ponies played lit by a candle placed in an empty Jack Daniels bottle. It seemed entirely appropriate - spare, haunting late night tales touching on despair and loneliness. Paul may have looked like a grunge rocker but his voice reminded of E from Eels – deep, gravelly, occasionally bluesy but with a sweet, wounded side. Their six song set included a slowed down version of “Love Vigilantes” by New Order. Both have music to stream on their sites - follow links above.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

My Sad Captains
Here and Elsewhere [BUY]

MANCHESTER GIGS IN MUSIC August 2009 Pt.1

August may be quieter than other months for gigs but feel the quality. The month is book-ended by two recommended events: the one-day Hedgefest this weekend and then the two-day Rowf! Rowf! Rowf! noise-extravanganza from Golden Lab Records on the last weekend of the month. And below another music compilation of music from other gigs in Manchester in between.

Download link in post below [40 mins/46 MB].

Bill Callahan Eid Ma Clack Shaw (24 Aug Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
Wooden Shjips Losin' Time (20 Aug Islington Mill BUY TICKETS)
Port O'Brien I Woke Up Today (17 Aug Night & Day BUY TICKETS)
William Fitzsimmons I Don't Feel It Anymore (19 Aug Night & Day BUY TICKETS)

The Strange Boys They're Building The Death Camps (15 Aug Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
DJ Food The Riff (6 Aug MoHo Live BUY TICKETS)
Crystal Stilts Love Is A Wave (17 Aug Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
Papercuts Future Primitive (17 Aug Night & Day w/Port O'Brien BUY TICKETS)
Múm A River Don't Stop To Breathe (16 Aug Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
Victorian English Gentleman's Club Periscope Envy (3 Aug Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
Final Fantasy This Lamb Sells Condos (3 Aug RNCM BUY TICKETS)

If the above is all a bit too 'male' and 'arty', you could consider The Ramonas, the all-female tribute to CBGBs' finest.


Cloey, Rohnny, Pee Pee and Margy. Nice idea. But there's only one way to find out if they are stoopid like The Ramones or just...

And not forgetting:
1 Aug Hedgefest St Margaret's Church Whalley Range / 1 Aug Young British Artists Islington Mill / 6 Aug We Be The Echo Cafe Saki / 6 Aug Haunts Ruby Lounge / 8 Aug The Ramonas Ruby Lounge / 13 Aug Kalbakken Nexus Art Cafe / 16 Aug Oneida Islington Mill / 18 Aug Gang Gang Dance Deaf Institute / 29 Aug Magazine Bridgewater Hall / 29 -30 Aug Rowf! Rowf! Rowf! Islington Mill

MANCHESTER GIGS IN MUSIC August 2009 Pt.2

Download here [40 mins/46MB]

TONIGHT IN MANCHESTER: Crocodiles

Remember how excited some people got when a C86-inspired, hotly tipped US band played Chorlton Irish Club recently? If not read what Indie Credential and Altsounds thought of The Pains of Being Pure At Heart at this address in May. Tonight San Diego’s Crocodiles play, promoting their debut album “Summer of Hate”. Crocodiles are inspired by Jesus and Mary Chain rather than the twee-pop end of the C86 spectrum; listening to a couple of songs from the album (including the one posted) I couldn’t work out if the Reid Brothers should be pleased with the flattery or considering legal action. But this is a good thing.

The Irish Club may not be appear very rock ‘n’ roll on the surface but several support bands, loads of DJs and an upcoming headliner should be able to overcome the deficiencies of the venue. Tonight is a Blowout promotion and tickets are only £5.



I WANNA KILL YOU
Crocodiles
Summer of Hate [BUY]

FROM THE INTRAY: Lacrosse, The Phenomenal Handclap Band & Southside Stalkers

A trio of recent intray/inbox arrivals here at Folly of Youth. The first is the second album from Stockholm's six-piece indie-popsters Lacrosse. "Bandages For The Heart" has exactly the right mixture of high-gloss production, catchy melodies and cute boy-girl vocals you would expect to be exported from Sweden these days.

I haven't got much further than the first two tracks in honesty. But that's because those two songs have done such a good job at lodging themselves in my head; particularly "We Are Kids" which mixes 80s New Order, stomping 60s Motown and any decade twee-pop to wonderful effect:


YOU ARE BLIND
Lacrosse
Bandages For The Heart [BUY]

I came across The Phenomenal Handclap Band through their cracking double-dutch-style song "15 to 20". This has become a firm summer favourite (despite the lack of a summer) and even Daughter 1.0 has been infected by its - er - infectiousness. Following swiftly on was the full (self-titled) album out in the UK on Tummy Touch. That track is not wholly representative but the album is still a great listen. The 12 tracks sound as though they were recorded in a New York studio between '69 and '73 and then sealed in a time capsule for posterity. It's a groovy melting pot of latin-funk, boogaloo, psyche-soul and sunshine pop. Very New York, very summery.

15 TO 20
The Phenomenal Handclap Band
Self-titled [BUY]


And finally I was emailed by Bluesong Records (me neither) the new single from Southside Stalkers: "It's now time for the Swedish indiedarlings to release their new single from their sophomore album. Not a day too soon you say? Well, so do we". Naturally my interest was piqued by the phrase 'Swedish indiedarlings' and discovering they are also from Stockholm. Alas the single does not deliver fully on the promise.

Lead off track "Bones" mixes lo-fi garage-rock and twee-pop to re-write "Dem Bones". It's a bit too comical - I think it wants to be The Raveonettes or The Cramps but it comes across like a pub cabaret comedy duo playing for cheap laughs. However second song "Robert Downey Jr" is much more interesting - a 1 minute and 47 second jangle-pop romp that disguises the lo-fi production with a singalong chorus and sleighbells. More of this please Southside Stalkers and less of the former.

ROBERT DOWNEY JR
Southside Stalkers
[BUY at Bluesong Records]

'Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool'

Out now is 'Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool', a 2 CD tribute to Bruce Springsteen on the Where It's At Is Where You Are label. Artists covering Bruce include Jeniferever, Help Stamp Out Loneliness, Gregory Webster, Doug Yule, Amelia Fletcher, Darren Hayman and The Wave Pictures. I came across the existence of this album via the Darren Hayman/Hefner website:

On the album Darren re-invents 'Rosilita (Come Out Tonight)' as pulsing, vocoded lullaby. He also plays bass and sings on 'Racing in the Streets' by the Wave Pictures even though the bastards didn't credit him. As well as this WIAWYA have released a split single by Darren and the Wave Pictures with two more Springsteen songs not on the album. Darren performs 'Girls in their Summer Clothes' and the Waves do 'If I Should Fall Behind'. If that wasn't enough copies of the seven inch come with a free album of the Wave Pictures doing a whole album of Bruce songs.

My copy of the vinyl single and the Wave Pictures covers CD arrived last week and ever since then I've been thinking about Bruce Springsteen. And the fact I can only claim to have heard about six of his songs. I've never listened to 'Nebraska' or to 'Born To Run', not heard a greatest hits compilation or the recent acclaimed Pete Seeger covers record or the many 'return-to-form' studio albums. I've never been to a gig, listened to a bootleg or watched a concert film.

I watched a couple of minutes of his 'triumphant' Glastonbury performance ("Bruce wins over another generation of fans..." etc etc) and thought it looked no different from any other snatches of footage from the last three decades. Despite the Glasto hoop-la, I still remain uninspired to listen to any of his music. But many, many bands I like not only cite him as a song-writer and musician they admire but also record his songs. And it is these covers, not Bruce's originals, that if anything would send me to listen to more of the Boss.

Listening to the five posted below the key to covering Bruce seems to be to slow-it-down and strip-it-back; the best example here being Ballboy's cover of "Born in the USA". I've struggled when people told me it was an anti-war song - given the clenched-fist-raised, stadium-rousing bombast the original is wrapped in. But get rid of the showmanship - and the chorus - and something else is revealed.

Bruce will be sixty later this year and no doubt he will keep churing out albums and tours. I may be missing out - but I think I'm going to keep listening to his music through other peoples' covers. And 'Play Some Pool, Skip Some School, Act Real Cool' looks an excellent place to keep doing just that.

BORN IN THE USA
Ballboy
The Sash My Father Wore & Other Stories [BUY]

STATE TROOPER
Cowboy Junkies
Whites Off Earth Now [BUY]

TOUGHER THAN THE REST
Camera Obscura
Live on MBR (via the Music Slut) [BUY Camera Obscura]

DANCING IN THE DARK
Jim Eldon
More Great Moments in Vinyl History [BUY]

BOBBY JEAN
The Wave Pictures
Play Some Pool [BUY]

TONIGHT IN MANCHESTER: Mark Kozelek

Unpredictable weather getting to you? Feeling damp just hearing the stories from a rained-upon Latitude? Why not listen to some music INDOORS? And how about in an impressive Georgian church in Salford - with a bar? Because tonight Mark Kozelek plays St Philip's Church.

This is a Hey Manchester promotion; here's what they say:

We’re delighted to welcome songwriting legend Mark Kozelek for what is only his second solo appearance in Manchester during an illustrious 20-years recording career. His debut here was a sold-out performance at the Dancehouse Theatre. Originally a lynchpin of the sadcore movement in alternative rock with Red House Painters, Kozelek’s harrowing autobiographical lyrics gave unflinchingly detailed accounts of pain, despair and loss while the lengthy accompanying music was slow, intense, dissonant and bleak. As time has passed, his music has become more acoustic and folk-inflected, while his lyrics now seem obsessed with memory, geography and those who died before their natural time.

Brilliant! Can you think of a finer way to spend a rainy Monday evening? Tickets from here and here.




LUCKY MAN
Mark Kozelek
Lost Verses Live [BUY]

DRAMAMINE
Sun Kil Moon
Tiny Cities [BUY]

NEW JERSEY
Red House Painters
Red House Painters [BUY]

Ecoutez et Repetez: Being Happy Doesn't Make You Stupid

MJ Hibbett has a formula. A formula to solve the world's problems through idiot-grin optimism and a can-do naivete. So on latest album "Regardez, Ecoutez et Repetez", MJ and his Validators solve Anglo-Franco relations through dancing ("Do The Indie Kid"), propose an end to gender wars through finding the nice blokes at record fairs, comic conventions etc. ("All The Good Men"), tackle national obseisty through common-sense ("Do More, Eat Less" - yes, it's that simple) and on opening track give us a formula for national happiness: "Being Happy Doesn't Make You Stupid".

If you've heard an MJ Hibbett (with or without The Validators) album before you know what to expect: well-executed melodies, highly hummable tunes, clever - but never smart - lyrics and puns. It's care-free, old-fashioned indiepop without a pretentious bone in its body. Some may find it toe-curlingly twee but it doesn't give a hoot about that or about 'indie cred'. The apparent casual approach to life, politics, music and credibility hides some excellent and well-drilled playing throughout. And if it can get a little formulaic at times its good-natured optimism, memorable hooks and unrelentless enthusiasm win you over.

There aren't any songs (to my ears yet) that equal the mighty duo ("The Gay Train" and "The Lesson of the Smiths") from previous album "We Validate!" but there are half a dozen that stand out. But that unrelenting enthusiasm, plus a couple of other factors, mean you'd be churlish just to pick a few; so why not submit and buy the whole album? The first of those factors is: I have nothing but love and respect for anyone who records for a record label called Artists Against Success. The second is the Validators' secret weapon: the backing vocals of Emma Pattinson - exquisite, Kirsty MacColl-esque in sound, in quality and in their ability to lift melodies and songs to a higher level as evidenced here.


So all-in-all good fun rather than great art. But "Regardez, Ecoutez et Repetez" is also a contender for the Mercury Music Prize. Read the full story and MJ Hibbett's Mercury Music Pledge. And whilst you are there don't forget to sign up for the monthly newsletters of FACT. Not one to rest, MJ Hibbett is now working on his next project "Dinosaur Planet" 'a one-man rock opera' coming to the Edinburgh Fringe this August.

BEING HAPPY DOESN'T MAKE YOU STUPID
MJ Hibbett & The Validators
Regardez, Ecoutez et Repetez [BUY]

Ciao My Shining Star via Young@Heart

I saw Young@Heart perform "End of the Road" last night (as part the Manchester International Festival). But this is not a review of that show. The concept of the show is 70-and 80-year olds singing contemporary popular songs, giving added significance to tales about mortality, loss and loneliness through their age and fraility. It is a decent show but a bit too 'music-theatre' for my taste: why not just let the singers sing rather putting them in a bizzare set (a white plastic pyramid? a perspex cocktail bar?) and orchestrate how they move across stage so, well, 'stageily'?

Their voices, individually and as a chorus, the accompanying band and the lighting alone created enough of a 'performance' to deliver the songs. There were some 'obvious' songs ('Ain't No Stopping Us Now') amongst those of Neil Young, The Velvet Underground, Morrissey and - er - Bon Jovi. But the two moments I particularly liked were a faithful rendition of The Replacements' "Nightclub Jitters" as the cocktail bar was installed and then a group effort on The Buzzcocks' "What Do I Get?". For this the female singer spat out the lyrics contemptuously and the chorus stomped their feet as they marched to the front of the stage. Captured the nihilism and anger of punk pretty well I thought.

Anyway remember this is not a review. We are going elsewhere today. As I was sitting reading the programme notes before the show started (just like on records I have to read all those credits through. Every word). And who did I see was musical director for the show but Ken Maiuri?


Now you may not know Ken but, music trivia fans, he is a long time associate and band member for Mark Mulcahy, as well as other bands. I got to say 'hello' to Ken in 2005 when Mark Mulcahy played Manchester. Ken was on the merch stall (the glamorous life of a touring musician) before the gig and then played drums and keys throughout. Also in that band was Dave Trenholm on bass who was also performing in the Young@Heart musical ensemble also tonight (both are from Massachusetts home of Young@Heart - and of Mark Mulcahy). As well as music directing and playing keys, bass and autoharp in the five-piece band for End of the Road, Ken sang beautifully on a Neil Young cover.

OK so this doesn't mean much to most folk but Mark Mulcahy is much in my thoughts at the moment given the imminent release of "Ciao My Shining Star" - and the coincidence of hearing Ken and Dave play was the spur to post this announcement:

September 14th sees the release of "Ciao My Shining Star" by Various Artists on Mezzotint via Essential Music & Marketing. The album is a tribute to former Miracle Legion frontman Mark Mulcahy’s wife Melissa, who died suddenly last September, and features a collection of some of today’s greatest recording artists performing versions of Mulcahy’s songs. All proceeds from the sale of the album will go to Mark to help him continue his career while also raising his 3-year-old twin daughters. The album features 21 exclusive tracks from, among others, Thom Yorke, Michael Stipe, Dinosaur Jr, Mercury Rev, The National, Frank Black, Frank Turner, Vic Chesnutt and Josh Rouse. In addition, a further 20 tracks will be made available digitally to promote the album from artists including AC Newman, Buffalo Tom and Laura Veirs. Available on CD and as a digital download, the full track listing is as follows :
01 Thom Yorke "All for the Best"
02 The National "Ashamed of the Story I Told"
03 Michael Stipe "Everything’s Coming Undone"
04 David Berkeley "Love's the Only Thing That Shuts Me Up"
05 Dinosaur Jr. "The Backyard"
06 Chris Harford and The Band Of Changes "Micon the Icon"
07 Frank Black "Bill Jocko"
08 Vic Chesnutt "Little Man"
09 Unbelievable Truth "Ciao My Shining Star"
10 Butterflies of Love "I Have Patience"
11 Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne "Cookie Jar"
12 Frank Turner "The Quiet One"
13 Rocket From the Tombs "In Pursuit of Your Happiness"
14 Ben Kweller "Wake Up Whispering"
15 Josh Rouse "I Woke Up in the Mayflower"
16 Autumn Defense "Paradise"
17 Hayden "Happy Birthday Yesterday"
18 Juliana Hatfield "We're Not in Charleston Anymore"
19 Mercury Rev "Sailors and Animals"
20 Elvis Perkins "She Watches Over Me"
21 Sean Watkins "A World Away From This One"

Mark Mulcahy was the front-man for Miracle Legion in the 1980s to mid 1990s. Shortly after their demise, Mark soon formed Polaris; a house band for the mid 1990s alternative television series The Adventures of Pete & Pete (1993-1996). They are perhaps best remembered for the song "Hey Sandy" as it was featured in the opening credits of each show. Mulcahy has opened up for many notable artists including Oasis and Jeff Buckley, and received homage from Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, who dedicated a song to Mulcahy at a Boston show. An essay on Mulcahy's song "Hey Self-Defeater" (from the album "Fathering") was featured in Nick Hornby's book 31 Songs. Mark released his last album, In Pursuit Of Your Happiness, in 2005

Tragic circumstances but an important record to anticipate and to support. All Mark's solo albums are available to buy from the Mezzotint store and elsewhere but many Miracle Legion albums remain out of print. Thinking of Mulcahy songs covered, which one would (should) Young@Heart cover? I'd put forward these two Miracle Legion songs. Ken, can you make this happen?

ALL FOR THE BEST
Miracle Legion
Surprise Surprise Surprise [BUY]

WAITING ROOM

Miracle Legion
Drenched [BUY]

NIGHTCLUB JITTERS
The Replacments
Pleased To Meet Me [BUY]

CIAO MY SHINING STAR
Mark Mulcahy
Fathering [BUY or BUY]

AMADOU & MARIAM @ MIF PAVILLION 8 JULY 2009

Well this was a gig that nearly didn't feel like a gig but all came good in the end. I'd heard stories of how good Amadou and Mariam were live and not having seen them before leapt at the chance to see them in an intimate setting. The Malian couple were playing with The Beating Wing Orchestra, a ten piece ensemble of musicians from asylum-seeker and migrant communities in Manchester. Uh-oh. Sounds a bit worthy, a bit 'social experiment'. But as one of the band said 'we all share the language of music' and boy was he right. So the Mali blues guitar sound was joined with Kurdish strings, Brazilian percussion, Bangladeshi rap, Bosnian fiddle, Chinese operatic bel canto etc. It could have been a mess but for the most part it worked beautifully.

The gig started with two songs performed just by Amadou & Mariam before they were joined by the other musicians. Most of the set was of songs from their 90s albums (pre-Manu Chao and Damon Albarn in the producer's chair) with a couple from new album "Welcome to Mali". At the end the orchestra got to play one of their own compositions which showcased the four different vocal styles they possessed to great effect - but left Amadou and Mariam out of the party. This finale (played twice) got a great reception but for me the times when the evening worked best was when the musicians were playing off or layering around the rhythms of Amadou's extraordinary electric guitar playing. It was primal, passionate and funky all at the same time -worth the entrance money alone to hear.

And why was this 'nearly not a gig'. Well arriving in the Pavillion (basically Wagamama benches dropped into a giant upside-down ice-cream cone) it was difficult to see where the band would play. The audience then queued (politely of course) to go into a side room which was in effect a marquee. The empty space at first felt like a flat wedding reception. The crowd was also heavily populated with suits (sponsors?) which caused some hilarity watching lots of photos being taken on Blackberrys held aloft. But once the music started and the rest of the crowd warmed up, the surroundings were irrelevant. Soon the crowd were dancing along to the music and the floor bounced along just like at the Ritz. For part of such a grand event as the Manchester International Festival and in such a seemingly anonymous space, the musicians were able to transform it into a sweaty club night, into a 'proper' gig. And for one night this part of Manchester felt like a funky outpost on the Mali river delta. Welcome to Mali, indeed.

WELCOME TO MALI
Amadou and Mariam
Welcome to Mali [BUY]

SENEGAL FAST FOOD
Amadou and Mariam
Dimance a Bamako [BUY]

And for more Malian music see 14 Tracks excellent selection here.

TONIGHT IN MANCHESTER: Meursault vs Kraftwerk!

I was going to write about the Manchester International Festival which starts today. But with the huge PR coverage they will get, they don’t need me right? And several events like tonight's opening concert - Kraftwerk and Steve Reich at Manchester Velodrome - are already sold out. Instead I think I should focus my attention elsewhere.

So yes in Manchester tonight (if you are lucky enough to have tickets) you could see the godfathers of electronic music, one of the most influential bands of all time, play a sports stadium. But wouldn't you rather be in a bar in Withington seeing hotly-tipped Edinburgh band Meursault with their "thunderclap drums, banjo snarls and general sense of the devil's own revelry" (so say Plan B)?

I think I know where I would rather be and that's not just because I was not quick enough to get a Kraftwerk ticket.

The Meursault album "Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing With Tongues" came out in December last year on Song by Toad Records and it's jaw-droppingly good. A lo-fi Arcade Fire nurtured by Fence Records would be my crass contribution to the list of musical comparisons hurled their way. This is (possibly) their third visit to Manchester and I've missed them all thus far. So I can't tell you with authority what they are like live but give the music a listen and play the video of the acoustic session. And then tell me which four piece you would rather see tonight.

Meursault are at Fuel with support from God's Little Eskimo and Butler-Williams. And if you needed any more persuading: it's free.

Meursault - The Furnace (Toad Session) from Song, by Toad on Vimeo.

PISSING ON BONFIRES/KISSING WITH TONGUES
SALT PART 2
Meursault
Pissing on Bonfires/Kissing with Tongues [BUY]

THE HALL OF MIRRORS
Kraftwerk
Trans-Europe Express [BUY]

Coming next: Forget Elbow and the Halle Orchestra - go and see Jackie-O-Motherfucker.

MANCHESTER GIGS IN MUSIC July 2009 Pt.1

Another music compilation for you to help select your gigs (or more gigs?) this July in Manchester. We start with two sets of exclamation marks and two songs under two minutes - but be warned later songs take a bit more time. But what's the rush? It is summer after all.

Download link in post below [51 mins/60 MB].

Marnie Stern Put All Your Eggs In One Basket and Then Watch That Basket!!! (24 July Islington Mill BUY TICKETS)
Let's Wrestle My Arms Don't Bend That Way Damn It! (13 July Star & Garter BUY TICKETS)
Yacht Psychic City (23 July Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
Meursault The Furnace (2 July Fuel Withington BUY TICKETS)
Fever Ray Keep The Streets Empty For Me (14 July Academy 2 BUY TICKETS)
The Phenomenal Handclap Band 15 to 20 (9 July Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
The Lovely Eggs Sexual Cowboy (11 July Cafe Saki BUY TICKETS)
The Leisure Society A Matter of Time (21 July Academy 3 BUY TICKETS)
Arbouretum False Spring (31 July Night & Day BUY TICKETS)
Kong Leather Penny (16 July Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
Jackie-O-Motherfucker Lost Jimmy Walen (9 July Islington Mill BUY TICKETS)
Mark Kozelek Carry Me Ohio (20 July St Philips Church BUY TICKETS)

And not forgetting:
2 July Nine Black Alps Deaf Institute / 2 July Silversun Pickups Academy 3 / 3 & 4 July Anthony & The Johnsons Opera House / 5 July Athlete Ruby Lounge / 7 July That Petrol Emotion Academy 3 / 9 July Everything Everything, Run Toto Run MIF Pavillion / 10 July Sleepy Sun Deaf Institute / 13 July Dutch Uncles, Sophie's Pigeons MIF Pavillion / 13 July St Vincent, Blue Roses Night & Day / 15 July Durutti Column MIF Pavillion / 16 & 17 July De La Soul The Ritz / 16 July The Warlocks Roadhouse / 16 July Deaf To Van Gogh's Ear Nexus Art Cafe / 17 July Mary Hampton Carlton Club / 18 July Laurie Anderson & Lou Reed Opera House / 18 July The Fall Academy 1 / 22 July Mary Gauthier Club Academy / 23 July Au Revoir Simone Night & Day / 23 July Flower-Corsano Duo Islington Mill / 27 July Cornershop MoHo Live / 29 July Earthless Retro Bar / 30 July Lucinda Williams Bridgewater Hall / 31 July Dinosaur Pile-Up Deaf Institute

MANCHESTER GIGS IN MUSIC July 2009 Pt2.

Part Two:

Download link is here [51 mins/60MB]

MALCOLM MIDDLETON @ NIGHT AND DAY 29 JUNE 2009

Malcolm Middleton hinted earlier this month that he might take a break from his solo recording career. He was quick to explain what he meant: not that he was giving up playing live and stopping recording but that he might turn his hand to other musical projects. Phew. Although this wasn't a perfect gig, there was enough moments of magic to remind/confirm to the crowd what a talent this man is.

Malcolm took to the stage around about 9.30 with a four-piece backing band (five if you count occasional backing vocals from The Pictish Trail). Normally this is a good thing. But memories of Malcolm's last gig at Night and Day were still strong - that was a stripped-down, acoustic band: just violin, stand-up bass and acoustic guitar. And it was mesmerising. The full – electric - band live experience echoes some of the faults (picky, picky) I find with selected moments on some of his albums: that songs that would benefit from subtlety are buried in a heavily layered sound. So it was with the first part of the set here: loud, dense and barely able to hear the lyrics (and not helped by the distraction of the sound guy running around with cables). It's as though Malcolm is shy of (constantly) exposing himself through song so heaps on the instrumentation to hide behind and amongst it.

So that’s my major gripe out of the way - and don’t let it put you off seeing him live – it’s just a personal thing. By the sixth song in the set (the “best B-side I have ever written” ‘Whistle’) some more of the balance to the sound was restored: the quieter moments shone through. For the rest of the set the band were supporting Malcolm’s songs rather than dominating them. And this seemed complete when guitarist Jenny switched to violin – the poignancy of ‘Choir’ and ‘Speed on the M9’ and the humour of ‘Blue Plastic Bags’ came out and the full band sound worked brilliantly on ‘A Brighter Beat’ and ‘We’re All Going To Die’.

Highlights for me were the trio of encores all from the new album starting with 'The Ballad of Fuck All' performed just by Malcolm and Jenny. Truly beautiful. So by the end on a hot Monday night, it had all come together (to my ears) but too late in the day to rate this overall as a excellent night. Good in parts then. But when it was good….ah.

Earlier on support had been from the consistently excellent The Pictish Trail. Ms L wasn’t too enamoured with the songs that opened and closed his short set: programmed beats and sampled synths. But the rest of his set between those songs we all agreed were worth paying attention to: angelic voice, picked guitar and gorgeous melodies and a Lone Pigeon cover to boot. For a record label boss, Johnny Flynn is a fine musician.

Malcolm supported by the Pictish Trail continue their UK tour until Saturday – forget the heat and make the effort to see them. Remember he may or may not be taking a break from all this.

The Set List:

Red Travelling Socks
Subset of the World
Box & Knife
Loneliness Shines
Kiss At The Station
Whistle
Shadows
Zero

Choir

Speed On The M9
A Brighter Beat
We're All Going To Die
Blue Plastic Bags

---
Ballad of Fuck All
Carry Me
Don't Want To Sleep Tonight


SHADOWS
Malcolm Middleton
Waxing Gibbous [BUY]

CHOIR
Malcolm Middleton
Into The Woods [BUY]

CREDIT RACKETS, TEMPTATIONS & STRANGE ANGELS

Mr M of South London who secured me that advance copy of Pere Ubu's Bring Me The Head of Ubu Roi radio play has managed many things I never have. One is getting his name in the list of credits on records, mainly for his photography as well as his enthusiastic championing of certain artists. Matthew of Song By Toad (blog/record label - I encourage you to visit both) recently and deservedly got a name-check on Broken Records' debut " Until The Earth Begins To Part".

Deeply envious of both of them and not being a musician (or photographer), I realise I will have to work very hard to get such a credit. Or will I? Here are two tantalising alternative routes from James Yorkston and Kristin Hersh.

Later this summer James is releasing "Folk Songs" a new album in collaboration with The Big Eyes Family Players:

The album comes out on August 10th, but it can be pre-ordered now, as a limited edition 3 disc set, all for £20 from HERE. What’s included? Limited to 1000 copies CD album; CD album of live session with alternate takes and different tracks; full length DVD of live session; Poster. Not good enough? Well how about….

If you order your Special Edition before 6th July, you can have your name included on the Special Edition artwork! That’s pretty exciting. Now, at the Homegame Festival a fortnight ago, a guy came up to me and told me he was going to order it and have his daughter’s name put on the artwork. That’s true paternal love for you. I wouldn’t for a moment suggest that those of you who don’t do that are bad parents, of course. Nice idea though. Alternatively, you could have your partners name on. Or your dog. Or cat, even.

Sod the pets and children, if I'm paying for it, it's MY name that's going on it.

The other alternative is from Kristin Hersh who opted out of all her recording contracts in 2007 and has been entirely financed by her fans since then including the Strange Angels scheme:

Strange Angels are people who financially support Kristin’s work in return for things like free music downloads, free tickets to gigs, free CDs and access to special content. This financial support can take the form of a simple quarterly subscription - or even fancier things like studio visits and executive producer credits.

Strange Angel Level: $30 per quarter - Buy
In addition to the free music and media files, all subscribers in good standing will also receive:
• 2 spots on the guest list to any Kristin, Throwing Muses or 50FOOTWAVE performances • all new Kristin CDs ahead of the release date• access to a media-rich Subscriber’s Page featuring live bootlegs, video links, and more.

We also offer Special Opportunities to listeners who want to support Kristin’s work at a higher financial level including:

Executive Producer Level Support: $5000 - Buy
• In addition to all the above, Executive Producers receive an Executive Producer credit on Kristin’s next CD

Now I might struggle for $30 a quarter let alone $5000 so despite how tempting this is, it simply isn't realistic. And I have no supply-chain skills (photography, design, band mangement etc) to offer. Song by Toad got his credit through relentless championing of Broken Records, reviewing live gigs, plugging their early singles, recording sessions and offering to put them out on his label (before they went to 4AD). Now I don't have a record label or record sessions or have the audience reach Song By Toad does but I'm open to approaches. I am willing to put in some effort. I have both desperation and enthusiasm on my side. And I am prepared to whore this humble blog if that's what it takes:

Bands: I am available to EARN your respect and all I want in return is a little CREDIT.

CREDIT RACKET
Laurie Anderson
Home of the Brave [BUY]

TEMPTATION
James Yorkston
When The Haar Rolls In [BUY]

SHAKE
Kristin Hersh
Strange Angels [BUY]

IF EILERT LOVBERG WROTE A LOVE SONG IT WOULD SOUND LIKE THIS
Broken Records

Until The Earth Begins To Part [BUY]

TONIGHT IN MANCHESTER: My Sad Captains

My Sad Captains are named after a Thom Gunn poem. This might be enough to scare you off this five-piece London band but it's worth getting over your phobias. They play a drowsy, summery pop that sits somewhere between jangle and Wilco-esque americana. And yes it is 'literate' but as in intelligent rather than pretentiously smart-arse.

I've been waiting for their debut album (released last week on Stolen Recordings) for a couple of years since falling for the gorgeous jangle-pop of single "Bad Decisions" and seeing them at End of the Road Festival. In fact "All Hat and No Plans" made my Best of 2007 compilation - given it's featured on this album I might be able to squeeze it into this year's compilation? The new album is a really strong record with gorgeous boy-girl harmonies, big singalong choruses and little orchestral-pop flourishes a-plenty (but "Bad Decisions" is a slowed down version minus all the jangle. You NEED the single as well as the album version). It's not flashy, it's not hurried but over several listens now I'm gently won over to its charms. And I find singer Ed Wallis's voice at times an eerie blend of Grant McLennan AND Robert Forster at the same time. (The Go-Betweens is a much better reference for My Sad Captains than some others - Stereolab and Pavement?!)

Also on the bill at the Roadhouse tonight is Absent Elk and from a quick listen the two bands should complement each other beautifully. Advance tickets here.



GREAT EXPECTATIONS
My Sad Captains
Here and Elsewhere [BUY]

THE WAVE PICTURES @ THE DEAF INSTITUTE 19 June 2009

It's only a few months since they were in Manchester last but the prospect of The Wave Pictures at the Deaf Institute still got me giddy with excitement. Shame then it turned out to be a night of disappointments (none of them actually to do with the band's performance).

The first disappointment was seeing the band had been bumped off headlining slot. WTF?! Could see we were going to get a condensed set because of this. Then as the band took to the stage, the second disappointment was realising they were without drummer Jonny Helm. He was replaced tonight by Dave Beauchamp who actually filled in remarkably well; he has a more gentle skiffle-like style which suited the quieter numbers. And this was the main and REAL disappointment of the evening: by the time The Wave Pictures came on the crowd seemed to consist of mates of the earlier bands and those hanging about for the club night followed. The band and the sparse group of folk who were there to listen to those quiet songs had to battle against a wave of chatter and laughter that was frankly out of order. If you are not there to listen to the band, sod off somewhere else so everyone else can.

So being put in such a foul mood by struggling to listen to gentle songs like "If You Leave It Alone" against the rising background noise was not the best way to enjoy this gig. The band seemed to take it in their stride with lead singer David laughing it off. They also responded by switching to faster, noisier songs. Whilst it was great to hear some of these ("I Love You Like A Madman" was excellent: powerful and passionate) it was not the gig I'd signed up. And the predictions about a short set were realised: we only got nine songs. But from those in the crowd who were there to see the band there was some top sining along to the chorus for "Strange Fruit For David".

So a promoter and an audience who appeared to treat the band with disdain = a major disappointment. Apologies on their behalf to The Wave Pictures, they deserve better. Manchester owes you.

The Set List
My Kiss
I Shall Be A Ditchdigger
If You Leave It Alone
Canary Wharf
We Sugared Our Apples
We Dress Up Like Snowmen
Leave The Scene Behind
I Love You Like A Madman
Strange Fruit For David

One of the other bands on tonight's bill is worth mentioning. Blind Atlas started off with a gentle piece of Americana with steel guitar but then moved up a gear into Crazy Horse-meets-Southern-Rock territory. Some of it was a bit too samey but when it worked it was good; the last song featuring the bass played with a violin bow, tribal drum rhythms and spooky guitar effects was a highlight. The Circus Electric made we want to take up smoking to avoid listening to them. On their Myspace page they describe their music as 'Indie/Rap/Pop Punk' - the reality is far, far worse. And I couldn't give an opinion about Orphan Boy as I was still fuming over the short shrift The Wave Pictures had received. Now next time...

CANARY WHARF
The Wave Pictures
If You Leave It Alone [BUY]

I LOVE YOU LIKE A MADMAN
The Wave Pictures
Instant Coffee Baby [BUY]

BLUES ABOUT THE SIZE OF SOMEONE ELSE'S HEART
Jonny 'Huddersfield' Helm

Jonny 'Huddersfield' Helm [BUY]

"Long Live Père Ubu!" and belching galore

Never meet your heroes. Or email them. David Thomas of Pere Ubu is one of my musical heroes and I have done both, the latter more recently, but neither was well advised as you will see.

Pere Ubu are releasing their new album "Long Live Père Ubu!" this September. This is an album of songs taken from the theatrical production Bring Me The Head Of Ubu Roi," which premiered over two days at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, April 25 and 26, 2008. Between the stage show and the album is 'the Radio Play':
An on-going effort to turn the theatrical production into a film, directed by The Brothers Quay, prompted Thomas to assemble an audio storyboard. At the same time the script was revised and improved into Version 2 of "Bring Me The Head Of Ubu Roi" and was incorporated into a recording known as the Radio Play, which includes all dialog, songs, and ambient sound, and achieves the original plan for the project.

Through the good auspices/interventions of Mr M of London Town I was sent a CDR of the radio play by David Thomas plus copied in on an email exchange which sugggested he would be 'interested to know what I think'. Oh lord. I sat on this 'chore' for several months as I tried to work out what to write, what to say, and how not to appear stupid. Here's what I wrote:

Well firstly it’s difficult to write anything as a long time Pere Ubu fan without sounding idiotic or sycophantic or both. But in brief: I like it. It makes perfect sense and another worthy satellite in orbit around Ubu like DT&2PB, the Mirror Man album/tour, and the live film underscores. There’s enough that is familiar and unfamiliar to both reassure and to engage. The instrumentation and overall sound is familiar but the thing that really struck me was the voices – the range and variety is novel but captivating - Sarah Jane Morris excels. The whole blends humour and malevolence in equal measure and – not being familiar with the Jarry play – the overall narrative was clearly intelligible. It requires close listening and is not going to woo the uninitiated I suspect; but is something I will definitely keep in rotation with other Ubu and related albums.

And as you see I managed to be sycophantic AND idiotic. Nice one. Unsurprisingly I received no reply (not that I was expecting one). You can make up your own mind about the radio play because it is now available to download for free in installments.

The podcast series of 8 episodes from Pere Ubu's ground-breaking project "Bring Me The Head Of Ubu Roi" is up and running at www.hearpen.com, the band's own audio download web site. It can be subscribed to thru iTunes. A direct link to the podcast can be reached thru here. Embedded in the podcasts are songs from "Long Live Père Ubu!, as well as dialog and electronic ambience. Sarah Jane Morris (ex-Communards, Happy End) performs the role of Mère Ubu, partnering Thomas who performs as Père Ubu. Other members of the band supply the voices of other characters.

And as you see from the band credits not only "voices of other characters" but "belching galore": The Band: David Thomas - "Père Ubu," xiosynth, organ, bass; Sarah Jane Morris - "Mère Ubu"; Keith Moliné - guitar, vocals; Robert Wheeler - EML synthesizer, theremin, vocals; Gagarin - electronica; Michele Temple - bass, vocals, other instruments; Steve Mehlman - drums, vocals, belching galore, percussion

The first tour date in support of "Long Live Père Ubu!" is at London's ICA on Friday, Sept 25 (dates in Europe here). Tickets are on sale now. If I get to this gig, I won't make the mistake of trying to meeting David Thomas as I did in his dressing room in 1997. But that's a story of more idiocy and sycophancy for another time.

TONIGHT IN MANCHESTER: We Were Promised Jetpacks

I would be tempted to recommend this gig for the band name alone. But there's more to the Edinburgh four-piece than a clever name.

When I first saw We Were Promised Jetpacks last year supporting Frightened Rabbit, they won the whole crowd over: loud, melodic pop-punk tunes with heart and a head behind them. The first few listens to the debut album "These Four Walls" haven't matched the excitement I felt last year yet - the production feels a bit safe and mainstream - but that's probably me and it's still early days. Live - and back in the same venue (Night and Day) of their first ever English gig venue - I suspect they will deliver in spades. A great, wild and sweaty way to spend a summer's evening. Advance tickets here.



IT'S THUNDER AND IT'S LIGHTNING
We Were Promised Jetpacks
These Four Walls [BUY]

MANCHESTER GIGS IN MUSIC June 2009 Pt.1

This month in Manchester there are bands from Baltimore, San Diego, Albuquerque, Portland and Loughborough. But this month's compilation starts with four of Scotland's finest. Aye. Link to 59 minute compilation in post below.

Malcolm Middleton Red Travellin' Socks (29 June Night & Day BUY TICKETS)
We Were Promised Jet Packs Quiet Little Voices (16 June Night & Day BUY TICKETS)
King Creosote Nothing Rings True (9 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
Broken Records Nearly Home (17 June Roadhouse BUY TICKETS)
Wavves Beach Demon (24 June Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
Teeth Mountain Ghost Science (10 June Star & Garter BUY TICKETS)
Jonquil Whistle Low (11 June Kro Bar BUY TICKETS)
The Wave Pictures Strawberry Cables (19 June Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
A Hawk and A Hacksaw Kertesz (22 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
Dan Deacon Padding Ghost (2 June Club Academy BUY TICKETS)
Deerhoof Milk Man (29 June Deaf Institute BUY TICKETS)
The Joy Formidable Whirring (5 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
The Horrors Sea Within A Sea (1 June Ruby Lounge BUY TICKETS)
M Ward Shangri-La (29 June Club Academy BUY TICKETS)

And not forgetting
3 June NLF3 Retro Bar / 5 June On Itz Head Night and Day / 6 June Almost There - The Concert Waterside Arts Centre / 8 June Diane Cluck Deaf Institute / 10 June Bear Hands Ruby Lounge / 14 June Roger McGuinn The Lowry / 17 June Sun Araw + Pocahaunted Islington Mill / 18 June Baskery Academy 3 / 18 June Acoustic Ladyland Mint Lounge / 21 June The Thermals Ruby Lounge / 22 June Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby Night and Day / 24 June White Denim Ruby Lounge / 26 June Joe Gideon and the Shark Academy 3

Plus 4-6 June is Unconvention "a music conference for the grass roots of the industry" centred in Salford. The music programme:

4 June Un-Convention 2009: Everything Everything + Kyte + The Loose Salute
5 June Un-Convention 2009: Magic Arm + Arthur Delaney + Kazams + Gallops + DJ Mark Brown
6 June Un-Convention 2009: Sisters Of Transistors + Arch Nazards + I Am Kloot + Whip DJs + Dognoize
Live music tickets £7.50 per night or £18 for three nights BUY TICKETS

MANCHESTER GIGS IN MUSIC June 2009 Pt.2

Link here to 59 minute compilation [66MB]

Putting Things in Boxes and Places

Despite the rise of the digital download and despite the sprawling mess that is my 'Archive' (unfiled, untidy, upsetting Mrs A) I think I will always want a physical artefact to accompany my music purchase. To me collecting music is about a physical collection, about 'putting things in boxes and places'. Keeping a hard drive neatly ordered just isn't the same. And this month I have been purchasing or admiring an array of music with novel, and not so novel, accompanying packaging and physical presentation.

At the mundane end (in terms of formats) is the new Malcolm Middleton single "Red Travelling Socks" which I bought last week on 7" red vinyl single. It's not an innovative format, in fact quite retro. It may not be as convenient as a download but it feels like a proper purchase. I now OWN something. At the other end of the vinyl spectrum is the new Iron and Wine obscurities compilation "Around the Well". As well as CD you can buy this on TRIPLE VINYL with an mp3 download code. This combines the convenience of the digital with the sheer indulgence (very 70s prog-rock) of 3 LPs. In April I took advantage of the Record Store Day deal at Drift Records to buy three of their CDs for £10. One was Thirty Pounds of Bone's "The Homesick Children of Migrant Mothers" which came in a printed brown envelope with a red wax seal. It felt criminal to be breaking the seal but you don't get that kind of emotion or experience from a plastic jewel case.



Then this from Fanfarlo: "on May 25th, a beautiful, limited special edition of our album Reservoir will be available from Rough Trade. It will come in a foil-blocked, linen-covered box full of illustrated lyrics".

It IS gorgeous. But it's also bloody inconvenient. The DVD case-sized box doesn't fit in my CD racks, the postcards are beautiful but I don't want to undo the bow holding them together, the actual CD is buried beneath everything else. Will it become "Ebay gold" as Rough Trade claim, especially now this limited edition has all sold out? Who cares - it is such a lovingly put-together package I'm not selling mine for anything.

Finally there's the new compilation from Alcopop Records. "Alcopopular 3" is "13 delicious exclusively (as yet) unreleased tracks from the likes of Pulled Apart by Horses, Apples, Paul Steel, Unicorn Kid, Stagecoach and many more". More importantly it comes with a treasure map in a bottle!
"This physical glass bottle (all prettily Alcopopular) will arrive complete with ye olde map – leading you to the digitally downloadable booty that is these tracks... Alcopopular 3 costs £5 for the full map and bottle experience, or just £4 to have the MP3 download link emailed straight to you, if (for some reason) you don’t think your music collection is lacking a bottle and treasure map format". How could you say no to this?! And only for an extra pound?

There may be something tremendously frivilous or inconvient about these formats - DVD cases, triple LPs, glass bottles? - but also something equally alluring, imaginative, enduring. And you don't get that with a digital-only download.

PUTTING THINGS IN BOXES AND PLACES
Sweet Baboo
The Mighty Baboo [BUY]

WHEN SHE GOES UP
Thirty Pounds of Bone
The Homesick Children of Migrant Mothers [BUY]

LUNA
Fanfarlo
Resevoir [BUY]

WASP'S NEST
Tellison
Alcopopular 3 [BUY]