2010 in review

I had a think the other night when I was lying in bed, you know, that little twilight time Macca describes right before you fall asleep and strange thoughts come into your head. (at least that is his explanation for 'Yellow Submarine'. a likely story...) and thought it might be nice to have a "best memory" of each month of this year.

January - this is a tie: 1) standing in front of Johnny Marr, jaw on the floor, as he played with the Cribs at the 9:30 on 19 January. he really is that amazing on guitar. and 2) interviewing We Are Scientists backstage at the Black Cat. they are so, so funny. and I got to enjoy the gig with my good friend Catherine, who enjoyed their show even she had no idea who they were / what they sounded like previous to the gig. score!

February - this is probably going to sound a bit strange, but the highlight of February was seeing Delphic's 'Halcyon' video in all its full colour, wide screen glory on a tv display at DC9, 19 February. I had only ever seen it on a computer screen and being able to see it in front of me, huge, brought a smile to my face. that and MB and I were singing along to it and dancing to it like loons, even though no one else there had a clue why were acting that way. (ohhhh, the ignorant!)

March - watching the xx play a sold-out gig at 6th and I Synagogue, 28 March. what a gorgeous, intimate venue to see such beautiful music being played.

April - witnessing Two Door Cinema Club's debut appearance in Washington, at Constitution Hall, 26 April 2010. they could have been scared and apprehensive playing one of the bigger stages in DC, supporting heavyweight Phoenix, but they showed no signs of worry. they were friggin' amazing. I was happy I wasn't the only one dancing along to their tunes but golly, just 5 months prior I'd received a sampler from Kitsune with 5 tracks of theirs (absolutely loving them) and now I was getting to see them live.

the best part was afterwards, when I went right up to Kev Baird and said hello, showing him I knew who he was (he was very surprised!) and when I gave him my business card, he said, "IT'S YOU! you're the woman who writes lovely things about us!" and we hugged. since then I have been sending friends to see them all over the world, and the band know this, b/c inevitably, they meet my friends after and they say, "Mary sent me!" haha

May - Laura Marling at Iota (16 May). I'd just come back from Philly seeing Two Door and was feeling ambivalent about this gig - I'm not a big fan of hers. live, she is WOW. how is it possible someone so young has so much talent?

June - meeting Conor O'Brien (Villagers) and seeing him do a solo show at DC9, 21 June. I wasn't sure if it was such a good idea going to this gig, just days before I had to leave for Denmark, but I am so, so glad I went. we had a nice chat. he wanted to know about me b/c I had said I had learned about him from Steve Lamacq (um, of course!)

July - Roskilde. professionally, this was a major coup, being the only American invited to be an official blogger for the festival. (seriously, I now get the "you went to Roskilde???" gasp from most bands when I tell them I saw them there. probably the best gasp was from Dougy Mandagi of the Temper Trap, whose mind was blown when I told him I had stood behind him as he smoked during the Kissaway Trail's set at Odeon and since he was chilling, I didn't want to bother him. this discussion went on outside the Boston House of Blues, see September.) I saw so many bands gig there that I may never get the chance to see in my lifetime, and I feel truly blessed for the opportunity. personally, I met two English musicians who I think will be friends for a very long time. if their band doesn't get too big and they forget the little people that helped them at the very beginning of their world domination, that is :)

August - I bought my first amp! it's only a practise amp but it signalled my first real foray into bass playing. I am teaching myself how to play electric bass guitar - I started the week after I got back from Roskilde - and it's become a wonderful hobby. I used to sing alto in the school choir, so it's coming pretty naturally to me to play a harmonising instrument than a lead melody one. also of note: I have learned how "sensual" an instrument the bass guitar is. (and yes, that is all I will say on that subject!)

September - travelling to see Temper Trap and Delphic in Philly (26 September) and Boston (29 September). such great shows. forget the money and traveling, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat for similar amazing experiences. probably the two best moments were 1) interviewing Matt Cocksedge of Delphic, b/c he's such a funny, intelligent, and talented guy and 2) getting hugged by Dougy Mandagi after the Boston show, he'd had such a high after meeting a large group of girls from Indonesia (where he is from) who had travelled all the way to Boston to see their show, because up to that point, they had not played in his home country. I am really glad to have seen them before they start playing stadiums, b/c I'm sure that's where they're headed next. Delphic had a good if not great reception, which is pretty good, considering not too many people know who they are on this side of the pond (hope this will be rectified soon, b/c I've tried my darnedest to promote them over here).

October - seeing the tragedy of DC9 scared the heck out of me (it took a couple weeks before I would even go back downtown again) and First Aid Kit's show was cancelled (boo), the highlight of the month was seeing Delphic there on 8 October, a week before that drunk guy got killed outside the club, is bittersweet.

it had been pretty much a perfect night, the weather was wonderful to hang out on the rooftop bar. (nearly) all my local friends had come for the show, and they were not disappointed. even weirder, one of my cousins was there celebrating a friend's birthday (I had not invited her, she just happened to be there and was surprised to hear there was a band playing that night). before the night was out, I'd introduced her to Rick Boardman - her first rock star encounter (insert proud older cousin smirk here). before the band left, we were able to have a moment with them for catch-up so I could wish them well for the second part of their campaign across our continent. there was mutual appreciation and hugs all around.

aww, now I'm getting teary-eyed! haha.

November - two things. 1) emotionally, I needed to see the Script at the 9:30 on 2 November. (don't you dare laugh.) a lot of people think they're too commercial but I like their sound and they are v. good live. I was amazed how the crowd sang along to every song. what a great night. however, 2) I also needed a good rocking out / kick in the pants this month, and that was delivered by the Joy Formidable at Black Cat Backstage (11 November). it is with some amusement that I remember almost getting hit in the head several times by Ritzy Bryan's guitar. haha.

December - interviewing Brian Briggs of Stornoway at the Black Cat and telling him how much 'Beachcomber's Windowsill' meant to me, and he was touched. before I left the venue, the whole band signed a set list for me, "to Mary, with love from Stornoway, and thanks for the praise online! Oli, Brian, Jonathan, and Rob". I feel very grateful that my "job" allows me opportunities like this.

I am now looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings - more amazing gigs, interviews, and meetings, surely, but I also wish for love. blogging as a single woman is a very, very lonely experience. you just don't know how lonely it is until you actually do it for 2 years and go to most (if not all) gigs by yourself. everyone else is at a gig with their significant other, or at least their friends.

I've travelled alone to all sorts of places for gigs and I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had in places near and far, meeting bands and seeing them gig. but most of the downtime, wandering around an unfamiliar town, is pretty lonesome. it'd be nice to find someone who loves music as much as I do and be able to share that important part of my life with him.

well. it is time to bid adieu to 2010. if you are in DC, London, Manchester, New York, LA, or further afield...I hope you have exciting plans for tonight to say goodbye to this eventful year.

roll on 2011! and happy new year!

Mary x

top gigs of 2010 - TGTF - winner: the Postelles
top albums of 2010 - TGTF - winner: 'Acolyte', Delphic
top 'lists' of 2010 - Popwreckoning - posts tomorrow, 01.01.11

Manchester slide show with 'Red Lights'

completely random slide show of another tourist's snaps of Manchester taken on holiday, set to 'Red Lights'. v. nice.

my own holiday snaps from 2006 (though not put to the music of Delphic b/c when I last visited Manchester, I did not know them and therefore I had no idea the hotel I was staying at was metres away from their flat in Castlefield...?!?!?) are here.

Two Door Cinema Club - Virgin Red Room interview

here is a Boxing Day special in the form of a Virgin Red Room (not Virgin Red Rom as it's misspelled on the Web site) interview with the fabulous Two Door Cinema Club.

female interviewer's a bit of a ditz (is this why everyone in the music business looks at me dubiously when I say I'm there to interview a band???) and the "twinkle twinkle" whispering before the actual bit goes on is a little creepy. but the guys are as adorable as ever. enjoy.

and I recognise Sam's scarf. that must be Kitsune issue, b/c I've seen it around two other musicians' necks, haha ;)

xmas wishes from Two Door Cinema Club

I was thinking to myself Tuesday, wow, maybe this Christmas I'll be healthy! then a couple hours later I succumb to probably the worst incidence of flu I've had since I was small. blehhhh...

so instead of me saying thank you to everyone who's ever come by this blog, as I'm too ill to do so right now, here are Two Door Cinema Club's wishes to all their fans b/c I melted reading them.

n'awwww...I wanna give Kev, Sam and Alex the biggest of hugs right now.

watch the video too!

Hey guys,

We think it’s about time we wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS, and with this festive greeting, we present to you a mashup of our year….it’s a bit of everything…clips from Reading Festival, T In The Park, the Carson Daly show, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, festivals in Japan, Sam wearing his brand new adidas tracksuit, Vegas, Jimmy Kimmel, Kev showing off his dance moves, music videos from Gran Canaria, France and West London, our first UK TV performance on Jools Holland, KCRW radio session in America…our amateur footage that we call ‘tour diaries’. See if you think you can spot yourself….



It’s been a huge huge year for us, and this all comes down to the support we’ve had from you, so THANK YOU. We couldn’t have done it without you [no seriously, we couldn't!] So we dedicate this compilation of moments to ALL OF YOU.

Thanks again everyone – you’ve made our 2010 properly amazing!

Kev, Sam and Alex

x

Two Door Cinema Club and Delphic answer Under the Radar Mag's artist survey

Kev from Two Door Cinema Club and all of Delphic answer some (admittedly American-centric) questions Under the Radar Mag sent them about their year in 2010. (FYI there are apparently more Delphic answers in the physical Under the Radar, but as I've been felled by flu I'm not exactly sure when I'll be well enough to venture out for it. and I'm only getting it if the magazine was smart enough to shoot another nice, 2-page photo of the guys for it, haha.)

Kev of Two Door Cinema Club

Top 10 Albums of 2010

Not really in any order...

Four Tet: There Is Love in You

The National: High Violet

Bad Veins: Bad Veins

Caribou: Swim

LCD Soundsystem: This is Happening

The Black Keys: Brothers

Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Blood Red Shoes: Fire Like This

Stars: The Five Ghosts

Wild Nothing: Gemini

What was the highlight of 2010 for either you personally or for the band?

We’ve been lucky enough to be part of a lot of very cool things, but I think our highlight definitely has to be releasing our debut record. It was kind of like we’d properly laid down our intent.

What was the low point of 2010 for you?

When someone threw beer over my favorite effects pedal.

What are your hopes and plans for 2011?

We’re going to be touring until about April/May. Before 2011 is over we want to have the next record finished and well on its way or finished in the studio.

What are your thoughts on President Obama’s job performance in the last year? Has your optimism, if you were an Obama supporter, waned?

After studying American Politics in school I probably should have taken more of an interest. I think from touring all over the world for the duration of his presidency I have lost a lot of touch. He seems to be doing all right yeah! Doing a better job than I could.

What are your thoughts on the Tea Party movement?

I think in essence they have a point. It’s not a new idea. I think their demands would be rather hard to achieve, though. In these kinds of circumstances I think there are more important things that people should be putting their energy into. There are contradictions in their argument. How can a state such as the United States reduce its enormous debt by lowering taxes that its citizens pay? In my opinion it’s “perfect world ideal-ology.”

With the Internet making every artist’s music potentially available to a wide audience, is it now easier to find listeners or more difficult because you have to compete with so many other musicians?

It is definitely easier. These days you can post things you’re listening to on MySpace or last.fm directly to your Facebook where all 1,000 of your friends who you don’t even know can listen to what you are listening to. You don’t have to be an established band to get fans. If you know how to work the socials to your advantage you’ll benefit.

Who would you rather listen to—a totally original musician whose compositions are groundbreaking but difficult to listen to or a musician whose songs are immediately enjoyable but derivative? Why?

The latter. Music shouldn’t be about what’s cool or not. I listen to music that I enjoy.

In the race to find new bands, are too many unworthy bands being hyped up by music blogs and websites? How are music fans supposed to filter through all these new bands being hyped?

Things have come into this new generation. People are finding the music for themselves and less and less listening to the stuff they are told to by the big institutions. It’s definitely the age of the independent blogger. There are definitely a lot of terrible bands doing reasonably well because of hype, but hype is a curse as well. Hype seems to lower the shelf life of bands, especially if it comes around before they release a record.

If your house was on fire, what would you grab as you were running out?

I unfortunately don’t have a house. I have a suitcase so if that goes on fire I’m fucked.

If you could relive one day of your life, which would it be?

The day I was born so I could start over.

What’s the strangest fan encounter you’ve ever had?

When a whole class of medical students in Paris grew moustaches because I had one.

If you had a bucket list, what would be the Top 4 things on that list?

1. Go to the carnival in Rio de Janeiro.

2. Get a platinum record.

3. Punch an A list celebrity in the face.

4. Sleep with an A list celebrity.

Who was your first love and do you still keep in touch with them?

Beer and daily.

Is there anything that most people are able to do that you can’t (such as drive a car, swim, ride a bike)?

Draw.

--
Delphic extra answers

With the Internet making every artist’s music potentially available to a wide audience, is it now easier to find listeners or more difficult because you have to compete with so many other musicians?

James Cook: The Internet is a junction of avenues that help people find their way to your band. Ten years ago there were no forms of social networking and now there are dozens, all with dedicated band/artist pages. It has changed the way we consume music, although not necessarily for the better. Whereas in the past people were forced to buy a few albums and really consume them, now the listener is spoilt for choice. It’s neither easier nor more difficult, as bands have always had to be competitive, it’s just now they have to approach it in a different way.

Who would you rather listen to—a totally original musician whose compositions are groundbreaking but difficult to listen to or a musician whose songs are immediately enjoyable but derivative? Why?

Matt Cocksedge: Music is dependent on mood—sometimes you want to be comforted by what you know, sometimes you want to listen to something groundbreaking or original because you already know what you know, if that makes sense. One category is neither more valuable nor less worthy than the other. It’s a big landscape and there’s room enough for everyone to find an audience, even Barry Manilow.

In the race to find new bands, are too many unworthy bands being hyped up by music blogs and websites? How are music fans supposed to filter through all these new bands being hyped?

James: The modern music fan has become savvy to the Internet, discerning which blogs or websites they trust, but inevitably it’s like it always was. You filter by listening. It’s easy to tell at that stage which bands are hot air and which bands are of substance. The press should always be seen as a guide rather than a rule.

Who was your first love and do you still keep in touch with them?

Rick Boardman: Delphine—she is our muse, so yes.

Is there anything that most people are able to do that you can’t (such as drive a car, swim, ride a bike)?

Rick: We can do all those things. In fact, we swim and cycle quite often.

Have you ever been starstruck when meeting another musician? If so, by who?

Rick: No.

What’s the most embarrassing thing to happen to you in the last year?

Rick: We don’t dwell on things enough to get embarrassed by them.

What or whom do you miss most when you’re touring?

James: Delphine

What moment made you maddest in 2010?

Rick: When we realized our football club in England was £1.1bn in debt thanks to the Glazers.

What was the first movie you saw in the theater as a child and do you still enjoy it now?

James: Peter Pan—you can’t better those Disney choirs. Of course I still enjoy it, it’s timeless.

In 2010, what was the best movie you saw, book you read, comic book you read, video game you played, and/or TV show you watched?

Rick: Movie—The Social Network by Aaron Sorkin and David Fincher. Book—Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick. TV Show—Mad Men by Matthew Weiner.

What are your thoughts on President Obama’s job performance in the last year? Has your optimism, if you were an Obama supporter, waned?

Matt: Obama has definitely changed the perception of America around the world, largely due to the symbolic nature of his initial policies (on human rights, health care, discrimination) which showed the determination and clear direction of his government. Of course there is a lot left to do, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, and criticism is inevitable. However his hesitation is understandable given America’s relations with the Middle East, and the critical state the nation was in when he took the reins.

If you could give one piece of advice to an aspiring musician, what would it be? What was the best piece of advice that you’ve ever gotten?

Rick: Everyone and anyone can be a musician these days. Bedroom studios have taken over from commercial studios. All you need is a computer and you are officially a recording artist! But, in order to rise above all the thousands of applicants, you have to make sure you are making the best music with the best songs. There is a sea of bland music out there and only a few who are really doing something special. Work harder than everyone else and write better songs.

I laugh in the face of top 10 lists!

so of my top ten albums of 2010, only three of them made it on the This is Fake DIY writers' top 50 - the Futureheads 'The Chaos' at #47, Two Door Cinema Club's 'Tourist History' at #42, and Mystery Jets 'Serotonin' at #29. pretty disappointing not to see Delphic, Hundred in the Hands, Broken Bells, or Villagers in there somewhere. I don't like Kanye, I don't like the National, and I defo don't like Sleigh Bells! bah.

what HAS been rather interesting is reading independent (personal) blogs choosing Delphic on top 10 or 20 lists. there's too many to list here but I really liked this one from Denmark (I think) called the Idioteque. here is a blurb from their #5 placing of 'Acolyte' (I've left off most of the Pitchfork slagging):

So, Delphic hasn't exactly been the critics' choice. Rock with synthesizers just isn't as hot as guys with beards playing acoustic guitars, and perhaps it never really has been the shizzle this century, at least outside of Denmark, where bands like VETO, Spleen United and Turboweekend have been among the most prominent of the country's sudden surge in independent music.

But how can you resist? When 'Clarion Call' kicks off in a massive crescendo at 1:26, how can you not be drumming your fists into thin air? How can you help nodding along to 'This Momentary''s insistent, four-on-the-floor beats and chanting, haunting vocals? How can you ignore the brilliance of the pivotal track, 'Acolyte' itself, which surges like a tsunami again and again, and clusterbombs you with swooning, rapturous synthesizers? Or when the album fades away with 'Remain', a post-crescendoic blissful nirvana?

Wearing its Haç-heritage pretty visibly on its sleeves seems to often override the fact that Acolyte really isn't exactly the floor filler it's often proclaimed to be. I see it more as a listening record, and while being sometimes slightly characterless; it cleverly manages the oft-attempted fusion of rock and electro, avoiding most of the pitfalls. So Pitchfork gave it a 5.0 grade? I bloody hell couldn't care less - this is one of the most menacingly intense and engrossing albums of 2010!

Why not swim against the tide, as the opening stanza states, we live in unconditional change anyway?

(read more here)

v. nicely said. the more I listened to 'Acolyte', the more I was convinced this was more of an intellectual record. like Jenny and Johnny's 'I'm Having Fun Now' that can be enjoyed superficially/simply as a surf pop record, 'Acolyte' can be enjoyed as a dance album. rave to it. if that's all you want from it.

but it's when you sit down with it long enough that you realise the brilliance. listen to the lyrics. they're spare but they do what they're supposed to - make you think and tug at your emotions. then consider what they do with the synths (the effects in 'Counterpoint' that sound like birds, for example) and you realise this isn't any record. the guitar riffs are awesome. they're not overbearing. they've been placed in just the right spots. just brilliant.

I have my own thoughts of what 'Acolyte' the song is supposed to represent. but I won't post it here b/c I will blush and embarrass myself, so sorry, you will have to come up with your own ideas on this one. I will say, start first by looking how the song is constructed. I got better acquainted with it, working out the bass line and figuring where the bass came in with respect to the many synths.

I often think about how the Pains of Being Pure at Heart sound is a great wave, awash of sound that you want to get swept up in, and 'Acolyte' runs similar to this, but with no lyrics. no lyrics except ethereal, heavenly sighing, as if from another world. if the music in heaven is anything like this...

this week's Roundtable (16/12; best of 2010 - part 2)

sorry this was delayed, but part 3 of our office party took place exactly during Roundtable yesterday (yes, I wondered myself, who puts on holiday parties that take place over 3 days?)

Lewis Bowman from Chapel Club, Alex Trimble from Two Door Cinema Club (pinch hitting, oddly, for his bass-playing bandmate Kev Baird) and journo David Quantick were the guests.

1. Mystery Jets - 'Dreaming of Another World' - the winner - this gave me such a big smile on my face the first time I heard it. I'm desperate to see them live.

2. Laura Marling - 'Darkness Descends' - she's very good live. it's completely a transcendental experience compared to listening to her recording. go see her.

3. Sleigh Bells - 'Tell 'Em' - I still think they're overrated. they're ok, just massively overhyped. are they going to be around in 2 years? I doubt it. ahahahaha Alex Trimble said "it's like a young girl who is singing along to Stomp!" ohhhh Alex. ::huggles::

4. I Am Kloot - 'Fingerprints' - it's all right but it's a bit meh to me (sorry Guy Garvey) compared to more emotional music like Stornoway's ::swoon::

5. Cee-Lo Green - 'Forget You' - it's ok. the only reason it's getting all this coverage is b/c of the controversy.

6. MGMT - 'Congratulations' - it's ok. I like 'Song for Dan Treacy' better. the album is definitely much better than the critics would have you believe.

7. Warpaint - 'Undertow' - again, don't understand the hype. in a way, I'm kind of glad they're on the BBC Sound of 2011. that kind of ensures they won't go anywhere (haha - sorry, I am a bit sore I was not consulted for it this year as Phil was last year...sucks they only consult with UK-based professionals only)

8. Goldheart Assembly - 'Last Decade' - I LOVE THIS. gorge. ::wahhhhh / sobbbb::

Delphic compliments Two Door Cinema Club...and more...

I like this sort of thing a lot. FANDOMS COLLIDING. THUD.

and I'd never heard any of the demos of 'Submission' :O you all heard it on this blog eons ago that 'Submission' was my favourite song on 'Acolyte'. obviously labour of love, I just knew it the best song ::smug::



in the second one, they comment on Phoenix, the xx, Sub Sub and Doves (ooh).

UnionTV interview

I sometimes get nervous before doing a band interview and think I've gone down horribly and have made an utter fool out of myself afterwards.

in those cases, I will turn to this interview on what NOT to say during one.

this man has got to be one of the most ridiculous people ever allowed to interview Delphic. I mean, come on. firstly, that's one noisome leopard print hat.

the description of this video on YouTube?

LUC VALVONA INTERVIEWS SINGING SENSATION DELPHIC, TOPED (sic) FOR BIG THINGS IN 2010 - DELPHIC TRIO ARE FRESH OUT OF MANCHESTER AND PRODUCE A SOUND THAT IS UNLIKE ANYTHING BEFORE CHECK THESE GUYS!

dude. stop shouting! and punctutation marks are your friend, my man. sheesh. (sorry. once an editor, always an editor.)

poor James. he looks like he desperately wants to disappear into that champagne glass. then he finds the hair on his left wrist v. interesting...he later gets back at the interviewer with a smart aleck comment that goes completely over Leopard Man's hatted head though.

when Rick tries to get a conversation going about seeing Kraftwerk at Bestival, the interviewer tries to puff himself up, saying "I saw Kraftwerk there too!" LOL

umm..."what is the inspiration for the videos?" uh, which one? there are several of them. they're not identical. d'oh. and the t-shirt giveaway...argh, spellcheck, please? (sorry, editor hat is always firmly on my head.) TBH even if I won that shirt, I'd never wear it. I'd look like a safety hazard walking around town in that orange!

also, asking a group of guys to swap the direction they have their legs crossed is just a little weird. this could have been an amazing 6 minutes - I mean, right before 'Acolyte' was released...!

that said, I am rather jealous of the people who saw the band this night. they got 'Sanctuary'!!! (as you will see from the bits of it and 'Counterpoint' interspersed in the interview, kind of annoying) ::whimper::

this week's Roundtable (09/12 ; best of 2010 - part 1)

Join Lammo as he welcomes comedian Jeremy Hardy, 1965 Record's James Endeacott and former Pipette Rose Elinor Dougall among others into the studio to chat about the best releases of the year.

1. the xx - 'VCR' - joint winner - still a great tune.

2. Chapel Club - 'Oh Maybe I' - a local DJ friend of mine says they are miles better than White Lies. hmmm...well, when they come back to America and do a proper tour, I'll be the judge of that.

3. Darwin Deez - 'Radar Detector' - the only thing I can say about this - besides it being catchy to the point of being annoying - is that I will always remember being stood in the stairwell of DC9 with James Cook of Delphic and having this conversation:

::song comes on as we're stood next to the doorman::
me: oh dear, I'm sure you know this song!
James: yes, it's Darwin Deez!

there you go. make of that what you will.

4. Tinie Tempah - 'Pass Out' - I don't like hip hop. blah. it's gotta have a melody. gotta have one.

5. Chemical Brothers - 'Swoon' - the only really decent song on 'Further'.

6. the Neat - 'In Youth is Pleasure' - joint winner - I don't know what is going on, maybe I have missed the punk revival...but I only like punk in small doses, and I have to be in the right mood to appreciate it. in a word - UGH.

7. Slow Club - 'Giving Up on Love' - fun stuff. so joyous. I hope to see them next year.

8. Paul Weller - 'Wake Up the Nation' - it's ok. it's Paul Weller. I think he's past it. sorry.

Friendly Fires cover Depeche Mode

my old love has come back. and not a moment too soon.

Friendly Fires is scheduled to play at Bowery Ballroom in New York on the 7th of February 2011.

I had a strange dream 2 weeks ago where I dreamt they were going to play at the Rock 'n' Roll Hotel in DC on 5/2 and asked Jack Savidge if that were the case.

they haven't been back to DC since 24 March 2009 - yes, I remember that date well! - so I felt it my duty to remind him that they need to return (and see me of course).

@jackbsavidge 14 hours ago
@theprintedword hmm probably not. Soon though. Hope you're well!

you see, people don't forget me easily ;) and soon. this is exciting. it's been over a year since I've seen them gig, and nearly 2 years since they have been in town.

despite this frigidly cold winter in Washington, I am feeling rejuvenated hearing their interpretation of Depeche Mode's 'Strangelove'. YUM.

Matt Australian Splendour in the Grass MySpace interview

"there's no time for foreplay"

ummm...LOL. I know what he meant but sometimes you say something and it means something totally different. haha :)

short. but lushly produced. and Matt's gorgeous Rickenbacker, yay! enjoy below.

from one fellow MC to another...

it's my birthday, so I can post whatever I want! and I will STILL stick to the Delphic Friday amusement theme, b/c as you know, I am a v. thoughtful person. even on my birthday. aren't you lucky.

one of the two sometimes tragically overlooked (read: by fans / media / etc.) members of Delphic is guitarist Matt Cocksedge, who, judging from my interview with the man in Boston in September for PopWreckoning, is perfectly fine with the spotlight NOT being on him at all. when I was transcribing our little chat (ok, not really little...it went on for about an hour. because I'm such a good interviewer and he is such a good interviewee!), I realised that we had the same initials, MC, and I thought, what a neat coincidence.

we also both wear glasses and have 'suffered' for it so I feel like we are rather kindred spirits in this regard. in these two short but funny videos from former NME editor and now editor for Stunt James McMahon, enter the world of Monsieur Cocksedge for a few fleeting, far too short moments. I promise, he has a smile that could melt an iceberg.





I have no idea when Matt's birthday is...but whenever it is my dear friend and glasses compatriot, I hope you have a wonderful one. and certainly wonderful holidays coming up :)

why album reviews should never go up to 10

so on Monday Pitchfork posted their review of Kanye West's latest album, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy'. and gave it a 10.0. I hadn't known about the posting until my PR friend S Tweeted about it, basically saying WTF?!?!? Clash Music followed suit almost, giving the album a 9/10 and the comment of "this is not just West’s best album, it’s a keen contender for the most ambitious LP in hip-hop history. West side story!" ummm...

let's go back to the Pitchfork review for a moment. IMO you can't give an album a 10. that would be assuming an album had achieved the sonic equivalent to Nadia Comaneci's perfect 10s in gymnastics at the 1976 Summer Olympics. in other words - it doesn't happen. personally, I don't think it's possible to write, record and produce a perfect album. there's always something. and what's that something? we're human.

there are several albums released this year that I absolutely love but I wouldn't be so easy giving out 10s to any of them. there's no doubt this album is going to top the charts for a long time, even without all these "accolades" (if you can even call them that) from online reviewers. but as a reviewer myself, I just have to shake my head in disbelief. you have to wonder what was going through the minds of the Pitchfork editors when they allowed a 10 for an album review to get through. I tell my writers that they're not allowed to give 10s to albums, for this one reason: perfect albums do not exist.

it wasn't until yesterday when the Guardian's Dorian Lynskey cut through all the crap and told it how it is, asking the important question, "have critics confused size, ambition and bluster for a genuinely brilliant record?" the best paragraph from the piece:

It's not even a creative breakthrough. West's already done contradiction on The College Dropout, triumphalism on Late Registration, celebrity angst (and unexpected sampling) on Graduation, and moping on 808s & Heartbreak. Now he's just doing them all at once, louder. And the creeping sense that he's had nothing new to say since 2005 becomes undeniable when, at the end of an album about West's adventures in celebrityland, he has to turn to a 1970 spoken-word piece by Gil Scott-Heron for some big-picture gravitas.

it is also obvious if you just look at the length of the Kanye piece that the author is a gusher. if you look at their review for Everything Everything's 'Man Alive', an album universally critically acclaimed in the UK yet Pitchfork gave them a 3.8 (highway robbery if there was ever a case), the Kanye piece is over twice its length. music reviewing will always be subjective. but please, keep the gushing to yourself.

Friday amusement doubleheader - wow!

this has never happened that I've been so inundated with videos for Friday Amusement (trust me). but I just got sent two more Berlin videos, so how can I not share? much better quality and whole versions of 'Halcyon' and 'Red Lights'.

thumbs way up to the girl in front with the red lipstick. she's grooving the way you're supposed to at Delphic shows!

ExploreMusic interview / Electronic Beats festival appearance

normally I post one video for the Friday Amusement feature, but I got sent a link last night to something v. recent that I've tacked on to my original post.

1. why does Rick Boardman want to quit remixing? b/c this host says Kings of Leon want to do a remix album (gag me!)

I feel bad for the interviewer. he obviously loves the band but is so nervous he's stumbling over what he wants to say and is saying some really cringe-worthy things! poor guy. props to "evangelising" Delphic for months before the album came out stateside in June. sounds familiar...



2. 'Red Lights' was not my favourite track on 'Acolyte' when I first started listening to the album, probably because the vocal line is pretty hohum. (in fact, it consists of 4 notes on the E string, and when I told James Cook that I had sussed this bass line all by myself (rather proudly I might add), he made fun of me that it was so easy (joking of course).

check out this video from Berlin's Electronic Beats festival, where Delphic performed on 4th November alongside Phil Oakey's Human League. it's a bit pixelated but the sound is amazing. after hearing from so many dance bands how great Berlin is for dance music, I can't imagine a better place for a dance band to play.

this week's Roundtable (18/11)

Lammo welcomes Ash's Tim Wheeler, Goldheart Assembly's John Herbert and punk rock editor Eugene Butcher

1. White Lies - 'Bigger Than Us' - I wasn't sure whether I'd welcome White Lies back to the fold...but I am loving, loving this new single. bring on 'Ritual'!

2. The Go! Team - 'Tornado' - oh god, WTH is this??? awful, awful.

3. Adele - 'Rolling Into the Deep' - channelling Aretha now, are you Adele? or possibly Laura Marling. ugh. no. next.

4. Anr - 'Stay Kids' - ok. piano's a bit repetitive...ethereal male vocals usually not my thing.

5. Phosphorescent - 'I Don't Care If It's Cursing' - slide guitar. oh blah. why does everyone want to be American country folk these days? ploddy - good description.

6. British Sea Power - 'Living Is So Easy' - the winner - have BSP always had synths, space-agey synths. this sounds...strange. like Robert Smith is trying to sing in the future.

7. Caitlin Rose's album including 'For the Rabbits' - it's ok. I don't really like womens' voices, and it's not terrible, but it's so young sounding, I could imagine it could get really annoying after a while.

why I have a serious dislike of Glee

this is pretty sickening. (paraphrased from this Rolling Stone online article published in October, it shows how Fox's Glee, with the help of the digital age, have allowed a television show to surpass one of pop's greatest acts)

With six new entries on this week's Hot 100, thanks to their Britney Spears-themed episode, Glee has toppled the Beatles' four-decade-old record for most singles placed on the chart. The cast has registered 75 total singles total, surpassing the Fab Four's 71, the BBC reports. Only Elvis Presley (108 singles) and James Brown (91) have scored more. But even those two icons might see their records fall by the end of Glee's second season: the show's Michael Jackson episode will reportedly air after Super Bowl XLV.

I am all for young people embracing music and getting excited about music, because when I was in school, anyone involved with music was in chorus (like I was) or played in band, and it was most definitely not a cool thing to be associated with either. however, substandard versions of classics - the Lady of Soul Aretha Franklin's 'Respect' and the legend that should never be touched 'Tonight' from West Side Story, just two examples - should not see the light of day. pretty soon we're going to have sprogs growing up thinking 'Don't Stop Believin' was from a Glee episode and not penned by Steve Perry. these are the same kinds of kids from the previous generation who thought 'Last Kiss' was by Pearl Jam and not Wayne Cochran.

someone once asked me, "you like music. so I figured you must like Glee!" ummm...no. I've seen snippets of the show b/c some of my friends are fans...and even though I tried to find merits, I'm definitely not a fan. how is this show a hit? like many "kids" oriented shows, the characters are superficial and have no depth. maybe that's the secret - like Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, etc. it's all kid-focused brainwashing.

oh, and I have another reason to dislike it. I think I got ignored in a chat with a longtime friend tonight b/c she went off to watch it!

Two Door Cinema Club on Jools Holland

catch this performance of 'What You Know', my favourite song by my favourite Irish boys Two Door Cinema Club from last night's Jools Holland.

guitars can talk!

chewing gum and looking bored

title says it all. still, interesting to watch nevertheless.

DC9, DC9, DC9...

(that was to the tune of "number 9, number 9, number 9" repeated in the Beatles' 'Revolution 9')

it's exactly 3 weeks after a death occurred outside the DC9 nightclub in Washington. I'm calling it a 'death' b/c what happened is all speculation, there are conflicting reports on what happened and I'm certainly not calling a homicide like NME has. (I was so angry at NME I even Tweeted at them "get your facts straight, they've been charged with aggravated assault. and Blood Red Shoes were never scheduled to play there, they were scheduled to play at the Red Palace on the other side of town. we don't need sensationalist reporting like this, it's not helping the DC music scene." or something that effect. I've forgotten the exact wording now.)

just like most people I will never know why a drunk man was pronounced dead at a DC hospital early Friday morning the 15th of October but I do know that my gigging life, along with other music enthusiasts has undoubtedly changed forever.

directly after the death occurred, people who are NOT gig-goers at DC9 were quick to judgment, wrongly assuming that the DC9 staff being charged by DC police for second-degree murder of this man were a bunch of burly bouncers. there was never a need for bouncers at DC9. I never, ever felt threatened by the crowd there. really, it was the only club in town that I knew that going there, it was small enough and played host to shows where people actually went to see the bands and not just hang out and drink as hipsters, trying to pretend they knew something about the acts booked (which invariably describes 40-80% of clubgoers in other venues, depending on which venue you're speaking of). the shows that I've seen there have been some of the best in my life:

1. Phenomenal Handclap Band (August 2009); also interviewed Daniel and Sean of the band; Liberation Dance Party (LDP)
   
2. the xx (15 November 2009): the first ever appearance of the London trio in DC
   
3. VV Brown (19 February 2010); before she played, I heard Delphic's 'Halcyon' on the dance floor for the first time in DC; LDP
   
4. Villagers - solo Conor J. O'Brien show (22 June 2010), during which I was complimented for listening to Steve Lamacq
5. Biffy Clyro (15 September 2010): Biffy Clyro's first ever headlining show in America
   
6. the Postelles (18 September 2010); interviewed the band in the backstage area
7. Casiokids (1 October 2010); met Fredrik after the show and chatted about Roskilde, and Ketil Tweeted/reposted the dickens out of my TGTF review, which is thought was very sweet! LDP
   
8. Delphic (8 October 2010): probably the last dance night DC9 will ever put on, it has personal significance to me for many reasons, the biggest being it was the night I introduced so many of my local friends (and my cousin and her friends) to Delphic's sound; LDP
   

there are of course many shows that I passed on that I wish I hadn't. the list is too long to put here but many of the bands have now gone on to play much larger places. The Hundred in the Hands played DC9's LDP long before I even knew who they were...I would have loved to see them then. and yes, LDP will be missed b/c Bill Spieler always made sure there was plenty of NEW British music coming through the PA. the only place in town, really.

I don't want to take sides b/c I wasn't there when the drama unfolded. but I am happy to report today that all charges were dropped against the five charged, but Spieler has resigned from his co-ownership of DC9 and other clubs in the area, and the other 4 have been let go from DC9 employment.

TBH I don't know if the club will ever reopen. it's a sad chapter in the DC music scene. now we move forward to whatever is DC9's future...but we shall never forget its past.

Matt and Rick at Reading (NME 60-second inteview)

just watch. it'll bring a smile to your face, I promise.

this week's Roundtable (04/11)

I apologise profusely for not reviewing last week's (28/10) Roundtable. I've been so snowed by my writing commitments for 4 different music sites (and basically being the only writer for TGTF) that when I was listening to the first 20 minutes, I was so turned off by what I heard I just switched it off and put on a CD. I'll try not to do to skip a review again. I know you all are just chomping at the bit to read my thoughts on a Thursday evening ;) but I may miss next week as I've got 4 gigs in 6 days and I'm a little scared TBH b/c of them, only one of them (La Roux) is a real favourite of mine, so it might be difficult to do so much writing on the others.

today's guests on Roundtable: Skin from Skunk Anansie, journalist Max Rushden and editor of Billboard Mark Sutherland

1. Frank Turner - 'I Still Believe' - not as good as some of Frank's earlier singles, like 'The Road'. TBH I'm not sure how much longer he can go on...?

2. Goldheart Assembly - 'Last Decade' - I absolutely love this band. so much better than Fleet Foxes! 'Wolves and Thieves' is a gorgeous record.

3. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - 'Conscience Killer' - good kick in the arse type of song. nice.

4. Gruff Rhys - 'Shark Ridden Waters' - tied for winning track - too many lyrics. it's just a stream of lyrics. thumbs down.

5. Crystal Castles feat. Robert Smith - 'Not in Love' - tied for winning track - it's actually listenable, compared to most CC tracks.

6. Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - 'Round and Round' - lyrically, it's got a Cure (how ironic) / Beach House vibe. it's ok.

7. Bryan Ferry's new album 'Olympia' (I reviewed it for TGTF here) - one of my favourite singers. pretty good album.

the Crookes, before they were signed

I've always wondered where Lammo finds his new favourite bands. are they sitting there somewhere in that huge mountain demos that the postman comes lugging up the stairs every week.

huh.

this is just one that he introduced me to over many plays of theirs songs on Radio2 and 6music, the Crookes from Sheffield. they even play 'Backstreet Lovers' (sigh) in a bear pit...?

the bass player sings...??? ::dies::

can I also say I'm dead jealous of this Chinese girl who got to go around England on MTV's dime and interview bands. I wonder what she's doing now. I need a job like that.

and...THE PUB! ;)

Delphic live at KCRW, 25/10/2010

I have no idea what happened to Nic Harcourt but Morning Becomes Eclectic, the morning program on alt-rock KCRW that he used to host is now being hosted by an American. (drat.) and an American that wasn't asking very good questions IMO when Delphic was on Monday morning live in session. below is the video for 'Counterpoint' from the studio, but you can listen to the whole session and interview archived here.

as for the video, all I can say is...gosh, Dan Hadley has some big guns! wouldn't want to get into a fight with him.

Delphic talk to the Germans and the Dutch

why is James speaking French at the beginning of this first one with Les Berlinettes? a little confused.

interviewer: "how do you describe Delphic, your music?"

::James looks over at Rick:: "it's yours..."

Rick: "sure..."

cute.



here's one with 'Jimmy Alter', whoever that is, in Amsterdam...

this week's Roundtable (21/10)

this week's Roundtable welcomes Krissi Murisson (NME Editor), Blaine Harrison (Mystery Jets) and Simon Raymonde

1. Miles Kane - 'Inhaler' - I really like this. read my review on TGTF here. interesting hypothesis from Krissie - "inhale her...."

2. N.E.R.D. - 'Hypnotize U' - oh blah. stupid lyrics too. why do rappers insist on using "U" instead of "you"? it's not cool, it's not even cute. it's moronic.

3. Is Tropical - 'South Pacific' - synthy. Delorean / Sleigh Bells vibe? probably going to skyrocket.

4. the Neat - 'Hips ' - the winner - man this is annoying. Steve likes this band, though it's not doing a thing for me.

5. Wilder - 'Skyful of Rainbows' - I really like this. we're giving it away on TGTF tomorrow if you are interested! I hope Blaine isn't ticked that I compared this track to the Jets and Steve read my comment on air (oops)

6. the Bluetones - 'Golden Soul' - beautiful. just beautiful. it's got a bit of a Lilac Time whiff.

7. Kings of Leon's new album - blahhhhh why does everyone love them so much? zzzzzz...I can't even get into the song called 'Mary', hahaha.

not on my radar you don't.

I am a magnet for controversy, so it seems. I've gotten flamed by Mat Horne and Andrew Collins. and now this.

the last week of September-into-October I saw 5 gigs in 7 days. I had Monday and Thursday off, that was it. and I was up in Philly for the first show, saw two in Boston, then came back to DC for two more.

I wasn't taking it easy on my "holiday"...I'm not using that an excuse. far from it. but I take offence as one woman saying she could write better than me when she lived in "Bumblef* Texas".

I'd like to see her try writing 10 gig reviews in a span of 10 days. and do we really need such language? seriously. and that was from a Teenage Fanclub fan that I gather traveled up and down the East Coast for them.

obviously she was not happy that I gave the Vaselines a better review than Teenage Fanclub. sorry but they brought it that night and had the energy. I write what I see and hear. unless you were at that show you can't even begin to challenge me on this. she must be some scholar on semantics as well b/c she is arguing with me that it was not in fact the first night of the North American tour. well, it depends who you talk to. it was the first night the two bands COHEADLINED on the tour. I don't go making "facts" up.

the opening band, the Radar Brothers of California, are not happy with me either. they posted a link to my review of their set on their official Web site. I'm not going over there to read whatever they've posted, b/c I imagine whatever's up there is vitriol directed personally at me.

really, opening bands should be grateful any blogger is taking the time out to write and photograph them. I can't count the number of times I've seen most "real" journalists show up only for the headliner.

also, I am not one to pretend I know anything about every single band I've written about. no one can be an expert on every band. just the fact that I write for a UK blog should have told them that I'm not an expert on Americana, never have been, and never will be. it's not one of my favourite genres and TBH I have no idea why two Scottish bands chose them as an opener.

edit: 21/10: so I have found out that the Radar Brothers and Teenage Fanclub are on Merge here in the States.

well that explains it. Merge is an indie American label. it also pretty much explains why I didn't know about them.

the only band I could scrounge up in my mind that sounded anything like them was the Grateful Dead. this apparently has not gone over well.

if they were really offended by what I said, they shouldn't have posted it. b/c that directed a bunch of their fans to my site and increased my hit count.

there had to be a positive angle to this, right?

so according to my stats counter, the review has had a grand total of 58 hits. so now I'm kind of disappointed. firestorms like this usually generate far more hits!

oh well. you can't win them all.

I'm hoping Frances McKee of the Vaselines comes out of the woodwork and says, "ignore those twats!" and then, just like on the night of that gig, something sexually provocative yet hilarious.

now waiting...whatevs. in light of what happened at DC9 last week and thinking that I'll be forced to go to the 9:30 from now on :P I'm not eager to return there.

Delphic's Guide to Manchester

from http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Delphics-Guide-to-Manchester/7233/

10th Oct 2010

Visiting Manchester for the Warehouse Project? Not sure where to find the best Corned Beef Hash? Or the best spot for Geese Feeding? Richard Boardman of Manchester three-piece Delphic gives us his pick of the city he calls home.

You've been around the world but still call Manchester home. Can you put your finger on what it is that you love about the city?

Manchester is where most of us grew up. We spent years as kids traipsing round the toilet venues watching bands and playing ourselves. There is a very strong music network in Manchester and there is a lot of help for new bands. I also like the way you can walk across it in half an hour, and I like the way it looks now.

What's your favourite Manchester...
...Bar?

Knott Bar - we all live near this and it has become our local. A nice selection of foreign beers.

374 Deansgate, M3 4LY, 0161 839 9229

...Club?

We don't go to clubs now.

...Restaurant?

Sam's Chop House for Corned Beef Hash.

Back Pool Fold, M2 1HN, 0161 834 3210

...Sunday morning hang out?

Delphic HQ.

Best local DJ of the moment?

Dan Hadley/Delphic V2.0

Current favourite Manchester band?

It's difficult not say Everything Everything. Their album has been on our iPods pretty much constantly since its release. But we also have a huge soft spot for Dutch Uncles. They showed us some of their new tracks the other day and we became quite excited. In fact, Duncan (singer) came over to my house the other day and we spent the whole day going through ideas and listening to music. It's interesting to spend time with other musicians outside of your own group.

Do you have anything special planned for your WHP show?

If we did, we wouldn't ruin the surprise.

Aside from your night, are there any other WHP events that you're particularly looking forward to?

I'm quite disappointed we can't attend the one the night before (we are playing the London Warehouse that night), with Magnetic Man, Flying Lotus, Joy Orbison, Martyn and Joker amongst others. I would also like to see Kelis...

One thing that any visitor to Manchester should do.

Go and visit Katsouris Deli on Deansgate.

113 Deansgate, M3 2BQ, 0161 819 1260

(he told me the same thing for this article on TGTF last year.)

Describe your ideal day in Manchester.

A Delphic bike ride up to see our drummer, Dan, and his dog, Zach, in Stretford followed by feeding the Canada Geese in Castlefield.

Thanks Rich! [sic]

Delphic headline The Warehouse Project in Manchester on Saturday 30th October.

this week's Roundtable (14/10) - in Manchester!

celebrating In the City being back at its spiritual home of Manchester (RIP Tony Wilson), Steve hosts a special Roundtable with John Robb, Peter Hook and Guy Garvey

1. a Gorillaz track I missed warming up my lunch downstairs - Gorillaz. good but not great. I'm sure I've heard this song before if not this very instance this evening.

2. the Jim Jones Revue - 'Shoot First' - this band is a little rough around the edges. but better than Nick Cave's Grinderman thingy. "for anyone who hasn't seen them live, they genuinely kick butt" - oh Lammo...I love your enthusiasm! ♥

3. Sleigh Bells - 'Infinity Guitars' - the winner - ok ok. I give. pretty brill track!

4. a Cherry Ghost song - ...er?... - sorry, I'm a little preoccupied talking with my Irish buds Two Door Cinema Club on Twitter ;) whatever it was...wasn't grabbing me.

5. Hot Chip feat. Bernard Sumner - hmmm. not bad! (sorry, still convo'ing with Two Door)

6. the Vaccines - 'Blow it Up' - zzz...

7. Belle and Sebastian 'Write about Love' - thanks to Sam Halliday's tip, I am going to get this album. amazing!

inside a red room, locked behind a door...

the red room of my heart.

it's been a v. exciting weekend with Delphic in town for a v. special show. I still can't really believe it happened. the Temper Trap were off to Austin City Limits for the weekend so the Manc boys had a weekend off and thought, ok, why not go to the Nation's Capital?

I was v. happy to welcome them to my city. normally I take a lot of photos at gigs and sometimes even video parts of songs, but this time I just let it slide b/c I wanted to revel in the Delphic experience and just soak up as much as I could.

you don't understand, I told my friends. they sell out MASSIVE places in the UK. you can't even hope to get a ticket to their shows. this show at tiny little DC9 is going to be of epic proportions.

I was so busy in my merriment - singing along, dancing, pogo-ing, etc. - that I didn't have a moment to shed a tear in response. I was so proud of my friends for putting on such an amazing show. and so happy that my city gave them the kind of reception they SHOULD be getting in every single place they play in America.







(sidenote: completely accidentally, I ran into my cousin on the rooftop bar. I hadn't invited her, she'd come for the open bar with her friends. you know what? she and her friends loved Delphic and told Rick Boardman how great she thought they were. I couldn't have been a prouder cousin!)

I'm getting the silliest, happiest of grins on my face right now thinking about Friday night. the band is heading back into the studio in November so we won't see them for a bit while they get their bearings for album #2, but wow, I can't wait for them to come back and enchant us all over again.

read the coverage:

There Goes the Fear

PopWreckoning

This is Fake DIY

2/3 of Delphic with Mike Joyce / East Village Radio

the whole interview with Delphic's James and Rick was on East Village Radio last week but they've got video for anyone who missed it on Thursday.

friggin' adorable.

I still can't believe they're playing in MY town, tonight, in front of me and all my friends. this is just huge.

you don't understand, bands don't do one-offs in DC. this is something truly special.

this week's Roundtable (07/10)

no Lammo today :( but they've got Midge Ure (Ultravox), comedian Michael Legge and Sean Rowley.

1. Darwin Deez - 'Constellations' - it's catchy but it's annoying as hell. I know MB loves it though :) 'constellations' is a type of therapy? you learn something on every episode of Roundtable.

2. River Nelson - 'Beautiful Life' - what the hell. god awful.

3. Cassius - 'I Love You So' - it's ok. but I think there's better atmospheric dance stuff out there since their last release.

4. Stages of Dan - 'Gary' - the only decent song on today's session so far. how is it possible these guys aren't signed yet???

5. Credit to the Nation feat. Chuck - 'Rta' - what.is.this.crap. it doesn't even have a fun dance beat. good god. what is wrong with the panelists this week? get them out of here.

6. Dutch Uncles - 'Fragrant' - I do love this very much!

7. the Walkmen's new album - oh...zzz...just cos they're on Bella Union doesn't mean they're automatically great. that's the way I used to view XL. no label is infallible.

I missed the winner. I'll add it in this post later if I'm bothered...probably not, b/c they panned my favourites! :P

I dun wanna go home!

this is really bad. it is about 5 AM here in Boston and I cannot sleep. I got up around 2 AM, feeling like I was burning up. no idea what's going on there.

I have a froggy throat, probably b/c 2 nights in 1 week screaming after three of your favourite bands isn't good on the voice box.

still, I had a great time. Best Coast? not so much, what a snooze. but it was great to check out the Male Bonding and Hundred in the Hands for the first time. and to cheer on Delphic and the Temper Trap. Delphic was aware I was travelling up to see them on tour and were just the nicest, nicest people I've ever met in the music business. I say people are lovely to me seemingly pretty often but you want to be best mates with these guys.

there was one moment during the Boston show Wednesday night when I knew I was the only one singing along in this behemoth of a venue with James Cook and he stopped for a split second to look at me and just gave me this huge grin. I hope he isn't mortified that I know all the words. FYI the photo below is from Philadelphia on Sunday night, I haven't had time to process my Boston photos yet. if you were keeping score, I've done 4 review write-ups already - two Philly ones (one for PW, one for TGTF), Best Coast for DIY, and TTT tour for DIY. I still need to do Best Coast and TTT tour for TGTF. and I've got gigs back to back Friday and Saturday. aiy iy iy...



I also want to mention that something rather funny and endearing. Rick Boardman told me in Boston that he had spoken to his father back home in Marple, who said he'd already read a review of their set in Philadephia. Rick answered, "and I bet I know who wrote that!" I am a bit embarrassed :)

during my stay at the b&b, there was another guest who just happened to be from Manchester (or maybe Altrincham?), whatever he was, he was a Man U fan. anyway, I'd told him the day before I was going to see Delphic, and the next morning he remembered. he said, "how were the Delphics?" my response: "bloody fantastic."

will try and go back to sleep now. not for long, I have to get up at 7 and pack. blargh.

trip-related live and promo video spammage

to make up for the lack of a Friday Amusement post last week (17/09) I'm bringing you my favourite live videos of Delphic, who I will be seeing in the land of the cheesesteaks on Sunday. I am also including videos from the other great bands I will be seeing on this trip. have a good weekend my lovelies!

Delphic - 'Doubt' (Later with Jools Holland)



The Temper Trap - 'Fader' (promo video). dude, I wanna be Jonathan Aherne in this, he has the most fun part to play!



The Hundred in the Hands - 'Pigeons' (promo video)



Best Coast - 'Boyfriend' (live at South Street Seaport, NYC, 23/07/10)



Male Bonding - 'Weird Feelings' (promo video)