Casiokids - 'Finn Bikkjen!'
This is the ultimate party song for the ultimate party in Northern Europe - Roskilde. I'm hoping one day to get back there b/c the vibe was amazing and I saw some pretty amazing performances there. all my Casiokids coverage for TGTF is here.
Casiokids have got a great new album out already in the U.S. (I've had it for nearly 3 months, beat that!) but the UK has to wait until the 23rd of January. Review coming up on TGTF soon.
Showing posts with label roskilde. Show all posts
Showing posts with label roskilde. Show all posts
06 January 2012
03 January 2012
day 03 - a song that makes you happy
Delphic - 'Halcyon'
this is actually not my favourite song on Delphic's debut 'Acolyte' (that honour goes to 'Submission'.) no, I chose this one because I remember hearing it for the first time and thinking, these guys are not half bad. Matt Cocksedge's guitar solo is what sealed the deal for me: this band had seemed to get the marriage of good rock and good dance together perfectly. a couple weeks later I would see the promo video at DC9, shortly before VV Brown performed for us. the video was breathtaking: the right amount of mystery and intrigue had me hooked.
months later I would see this band perform it live in all its glory at Roskilde. it's all very surreal that I can now count these fellows not just as heroes but actual mates. I have such a crazy yet amazing life.
this is actually not my favourite song on Delphic's debut 'Acolyte' (that honour goes to 'Submission'.) no, I chose this one because I remember hearing it for the first time and thinking, these guys are not half bad. Matt Cocksedge's guitar solo is what sealed the deal for me: this band had seemed to get the marriage of good rock and good dance together perfectly. a couple weeks later I would see the promo video at DC9, shortly before VV Brown performed for us. the video was breathtaking: the right amount of mystery and intrigue had me hooked.
months later I would see this band perform it live in all its glory at Roskilde. it's all very surreal that I can now count these fellows not just as heroes but actual mates. I have such a crazy yet amazing life.
31 December 2010
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
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
14 September 2010
music festival safety - your thoughts?
BBC 6music news reporter Adrian Larkin talks to Melvin Benns (the organiser of Reading/Leeds), a member of Foals (search me who it is), Matt from Delphic (who I think had the most thoughtful comments) and DJ Above and Beyond in this short news bit.
it has been a worrying year. I know my own mother did not want me to go to Roskilde on my own. but I didn't have any mates who could afford the trip out to Denmark with me so it was either go by myself or skip the entire festival. and I didn't think I'd ever get another chance like this so I went. and I'm glad I did.
I realise that as a girl it's even more dangerous in general. but I never felt unsafe when I was at Roskilde. the rape allegation at Latitude was rather scary but I don't think it'd stop me from going to a festival. I did have reservations going to Ultra by myself (which is why I did not go to Miami in March) because in general more men listen to electronic music than women and I was cognisant that this could be a dangerous situation in the dark.
after the Love Parade disaster I don't think I'll be able to leave town if my mum knows where I'm going, especially if it's a dance festival. I'll have to find a way to sneak off...
and I hate having to fool her. I shouldn't have to.
what's wrong with the world today?
it has been a worrying year. I know my own mother did not want me to go to Roskilde on my own. but I didn't have any mates who could afford the trip out to Denmark with me so it was either go by myself or skip the entire festival. and I didn't think I'd ever get another chance like this so I went. and I'm glad I did.
I realise that as a girl it's even more dangerous in general. but I never felt unsafe when I was at Roskilde. the rape allegation at Latitude was rather scary but I don't think it'd stop me from going to a festival. I did have reservations going to Ultra by myself (which is why I did not go to Miami in March) because in general more men listen to electronic music than women and I was cognisant that this could be a dangerous situation in the dark.
after the Love Parade disaster I don't think I'll be able to leave town if my mum knows where I'm going, especially if it's a dance festival. I'll have to find a way to sneak off...
and I hate having to fool her. I shouldn't have to.
what's wrong with the world today?
09 July 2010
meet Delphic - the new Friday amusement band
I have decided to change the focus of my Friday amusements feature b/c...well...I've moved on. to Delphic. I had the pleasure of talking to Rick Boardman, their keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist at Roskilde (interview forthcoming) and also met James Cook (lead singer/bassist) and they were just lovely, lovely chaps. I can't get over it. they're three shy, unassuming blokes who haven't realised that the album they made, 'Acolyte', is amazing as it is.
before you read my interview, have a gander at this BBC interview when they came in #3 on the Sound of 2010 poll earlier this year.
Manchester trio Delphic, who mix indie guitars and euphoric electronica, have come third on the BBC's Sound of 2010 music list.
The list, compiled using tips from 165 critics, bloggers and broadcasters, aims to highlight the most exciting emerging artists. We are revealing one artist from the top five every day until Friday, when the winner will be announced.
When you ask Delphic about who they are, they prefer to tell you who they are not.
They are not, they say, a bog standard indie band of the sort that was in plentiful supply when they formed in 2007. They are not one of the many electro acts that, they feel, caused dance music to lose its soul. And they are definitely not one of those groups still desperately clinging to the Madchester glory days.
They are, they hope, the antidote to all of those things.
They are the sound of New Order embracing ambient techno, or Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant spending too much time at raves.
Their hypnotic songs are driven by pulsating beats and frontman James Cook's infectious hooks and their motto is: "The guitar is dead, long live the guitar."
"We wanted to be the anti-Liam Gallaghers," explains the band's Rick Boardman. Although - like the Oasis brothers - they have been known to have punch-ups, mainly as a result of sharing a flat as well as a tour bus.
If I opened the front door of the Delphic flat, what would I find?
Rick Boardman: It's very orderly and very organised. We're quite neat and tidy and like to be organised in the way we write. But it would be chaotic in a different kind of way.
I think we've got 15 synthesisers or keyboards in the flat. You go in the corridor, take the first right and there's a piano, a harmonium and an old organ. Two of which we've nicked. One from the back of a church and one from a flat over the road.
You nicked something from a church?
No, no, it was outside - it was just kind of being thrown away. It was this old tatty harmonium, like a pump organ. It wasn't being used so we thought we'd have it.
Then you go upstairs and we've got a little studio full of synthesisers. It's organised chaos.
Do you often have rows?
Oh yeah - nightmare rows. I gave James a black eye last year. We're not usually a violent bunch but it got to the point where I just had to punch him in the face.
What was it about?
He'd kill me if I said. We fight quite a lot. But I think creative things can be born out of huge disagreements, with all the tension and release. You're constantly pushing each other. That's what happens when you're so close. We spend every day together on tour and then we come home and live together.
What's your first musical memory?
This is going to sound really cool, as if I've made it up, and the rest of the band hate me for this, but I have very cool parents. My first musical memory was getting a little Casio keyboard and playing 'The Model' by Kraftwerk on it. That was the first thing I learnt.
What came first - were you indie kids who went to a rave or ravers who picked up guitars?
We all started out as indie kids when we were a lot younger. We used to listen to Doves and Radiohead but we also used to listen to the Chemical Brothers.
'Manchester was in danger of drowning under its heritage - we wanted to help it look forward and were sick of the Madchester stereotypes'
Rick Boardman
How do you know each other?
We'd all been in boring trad indie bands, not really getting anywhere. And then one night we got talking in this bar and were saying: "Aren't you just tired of all this sub-Oasis mush? Let's do something about it." We all realised we were into the same kind of music.
We thought, if we want to write something new and exciting, we've got to throw ourselves into an uncomfortable situation. So within a day or two, we all went off to a cottage in the Lake District, took a few instruments and went and wrote half the debut album.
Is it hard to do something new in indie or dance these days?
Every kind of new movement has been some sort of rebellion, or been defined by some new invention in technology. So where do you go?
It is quite scary, but there are so many different genres and styles out there that you can get really interesting things from combining things that haven't been done before.
Who are your three musical heroes?
They're all people who've had big careers and made albums. It may be a reaction to the iPod generation but we wanted to make an album where people have to sit down and listen to it for 50 minutes, so track eight makes sense being track eight.
So people like David Bowie - there's always a strong concept behind every one of his records and there's always a development. Bjork, and then I don't know whether to choose Kraftwerk or Radiohead.
How much does Manchester influence your music?
We're very proud of Manchester but we were inspired by what we didn't like in Manchester, and that was Manchester refusing to move on. We felt it was in danger of drowning under its heritage. We wanted to help it look forward and were sick of the Madchester stereotypes.
Our album's got this euphoria mixed with a real Manchester melancholy, and I think that's something that does run through quite a lot of bands, from Joy Division to The Smiths and Elbow. There's always this post-industrial sadness. I guess everyone's just waiting for the sun to come out.
Delphic were speaking to the BBC News music reporter Ian Youngs.
click here for the accompanying BBC video b/c I can't embed it (sowwy).
before you read my interview, have a gander at this BBC interview when they came in #3 on the Sound of 2010 poll earlier this year.
Manchester trio Delphic, who mix indie guitars and euphoric electronica, have come third on the BBC's Sound of 2010 music list.
The list, compiled using tips from 165 critics, bloggers and broadcasters, aims to highlight the most exciting emerging artists. We are revealing one artist from the top five every day until Friday, when the winner will be announced.
When you ask Delphic about who they are, they prefer to tell you who they are not.
They are not, they say, a bog standard indie band of the sort that was in plentiful supply when they formed in 2007. They are not one of the many electro acts that, they feel, caused dance music to lose its soul. And they are definitely not one of those groups still desperately clinging to the Madchester glory days.
They are, they hope, the antidote to all of those things.
They are the sound of New Order embracing ambient techno, or Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant spending too much time at raves.
Their hypnotic songs are driven by pulsating beats and frontman James Cook's infectious hooks and their motto is: "The guitar is dead, long live the guitar."
"We wanted to be the anti-Liam Gallaghers," explains the band's Rick Boardman. Although - like the Oasis brothers - they have been known to have punch-ups, mainly as a result of sharing a flat as well as a tour bus.
If I opened the front door of the Delphic flat, what would I find?
Rick Boardman: It's very orderly and very organised. We're quite neat and tidy and like to be organised in the way we write. But it would be chaotic in a different kind of way.
I think we've got 15 synthesisers or keyboards in the flat. You go in the corridor, take the first right and there's a piano, a harmonium and an old organ. Two of which we've nicked. One from the back of a church and one from a flat over the road.
You nicked something from a church?
No, no, it was outside - it was just kind of being thrown away. It was this old tatty harmonium, like a pump organ. It wasn't being used so we thought we'd have it.
Then you go upstairs and we've got a little studio full of synthesisers. It's organised chaos.
Do you often have rows?
Oh yeah - nightmare rows. I gave James a black eye last year. We're not usually a violent bunch but it got to the point where I just had to punch him in the face.
What was it about?
He'd kill me if I said. We fight quite a lot. But I think creative things can be born out of huge disagreements, with all the tension and release. You're constantly pushing each other. That's what happens when you're so close. We spend every day together on tour and then we come home and live together.
What's your first musical memory?
This is going to sound really cool, as if I've made it up, and the rest of the band hate me for this, but I have very cool parents. My first musical memory was getting a little Casio keyboard and playing 'The Model' by Kraftwerk on it. That was the first thing I learnt.
What came first - were you indie kids who went to a rave or ravers who picked up guitars?
We all started out as indie kids when we were a lot younger. We used to listen to Doves and Radiohead but we also used to listen to the Chemical Brothers.
'Manchester was in danger of drowning under its heritage - we wanted to help it look forward and were sick of the Madchester stereotypes'
Rick Boardman
How do you know each other?
We'd all been in boring trad indie bands, not really getting anywhere. And then one night we got talking in this bar and were saying: "Aren't you just tired of all this sub-Oasis mush? Let's do something about it." We all realised we were into the same kind of music.
We thought, if we want to write something new and exciting, we've got to throw ourselves into an uncomfortable situation. So within a day or two, we all went off to a cottage in the Lake District, took a few instruments and went and wrote half the debut album.
Is it hard to do something new in indie or dance these days?
Every kind of new movement has been some sort of rebellion, or been defined by some new invention in technology. So where do you go?
It is quite scary, but there are so many different genres and styles out there that you can get really interesting things from combining things that haven't been done before.
Who are your three musical heroes?
They're all people who've had big careers and made albums. It may be a reaction to the iPod generation but we wanted to make an album where people have to sit down and listen to it for 50 minutes, so track eight makes sense being track eight.
So people like David Bowie - there's always a strong concept behind every one of his records and there's always a development. Bjork, and then I don't know whether to choose Kraftwerk or Radiohead.
How much does Manchester influence your music?
We're very proud of Manchester but we were inspired by what we didn't like in Manchester, and that was Manchester refusing to move on. We felt it was in danger of drowning under its heritage. We wanted to help it look forward and were sick of the Madchester stereotypes.
Our album's got this euphoria mixed with a real Manchester melancholy, and I think that's something that does run through quite a lot of bands, from Joy Division to The Smiths and Elbow. There's always this post-industrial sadness. I guess everyone's just waiting for the sun to come out.
Delphic were speaking to the BBC News music reporter Ian Youngs.
click here for the accompanying BBC video b/c I can't embed it (sowwy).
26 June 2010
Roskilde schedule
tentative plans:
Thursday 01 July
1800 Welcome (Orange)
1800 Paramore (Arena) - catch end of their set
2015 LCD Soundsystem (Cosmopol) - possible interview beforehand?
2200 Gorillaz (Orange)
2230 Wild Beasts (Pavilion)- catch part of their set if bored with Gorillaz
Friday 02 July
1200 Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Odeon) - if I can make it to the festival site that early
1400 Delphic interview - media area
1600 Florence and the Machine (Odeon) - if I'm feeling like a star. probably not, b/c I want to get to Pavilion early
1700 Delphic (Pavilion)
1800 Casiokids (Odeon) - probably miss part of this b/c I'll stay for Delphic's entire set
1930 Alice in Chains (Orange)
2100 Biffy Clyro (Arena)
2230 Them Crooked Vultures (Orange)
0100 Japandroids (Pavilion)
-or-
0100 Nephew (Orange)
Saturday 03 July
1430 Asteroids Galaxy Tour (Odeon)
1700 Vampire Weekend (Arena) - possible interview beforehand?
1900 Bad Lieutenant (Arena) - possible interview beforehand?
2000 Prins Thomas (Cosmopol) - not looking likely :/
2130 Pendulum (Arena) - skip if queueing for Muse
2230 Muse (Orange)
0100 The Prodigy (Orange)
0100 Titus Andronicus (Pavilion)
0245 Moderat (Cosmopol)
Sunday 04 July
1500 Dulsori (Odeon)
1600 Local Natives (Pavilion)
1700 the Kissaway Trail (Odeon)
1700 Jack Johnson (Orange)
1900 Miike Snow (Odeon) - will probably leave early to catch second half of Kasabian's set
1930 Kasabian (Orange)
2100 the Temper Trap (Odeon) - already seen them but they would be good to see again, but likely will have to queue for Prince
2200 Prince (Orange)
Thursday 01 July
1800 Welcome (Orange)
1800 Paramore (Arena) - catch end of their set
2015 LCD Soundsystem (Cosmopol) - possible interview beforehand?
2200 Gorillaz (Orange)
2230 Wild Beasts (Pavilion)- catch part of their set if bored with Gorillaz
Friday 02 July
1200 Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Odeon) - if I can make it to the festival site that early
1400 Delphic interview - media area
1600 Florence and the Machine (Odeon) - if I'm feeling like a star. probably not, b/c I want to get to Pavilion early
1700 Delphic (Pavilion)
1800 Casiokids (Odeon) - probably miss part of this b/c I'll stay for Delphic's entire set
1930 Alice in Chains (Orange)
2100 Biffy Clyro (Arena)
2230 Them Crooked Vultures (Orange)
0100 Japandroids (Pavilion)
-or-
0100 Nephew (Orange)
Saturday 03 July
1430 Asteroids Galaxy Tour (Odeon)
1700 Vampire Weekend (Arena) - possible interview beforehand?
1900 Bad Lieutenant (Arena) - possible interview beforehand?
2000 Prins Thomas (Cosmopol) - not looking likely :/
2130 Pendulum (Arena) - skip if queueing for Muse
2230 Muse (Orange)
0100 The Prodigy (Orange)
0100 Titus Andronicus (Pavilion)
0245 Moderat (Cosmopol)
Sunday 04 July
1500 Dulsori (Odeon)
1600 Local Natives (Pavilion)
1700 the Kissaway Trail (Odeon)
1700 Jack Johnson (Orange)
1900 Miike Snow (Odeon) - will probably leave early to catch second half of Kasabian's set
1930 Kasabian (Orange)
2100 the Temper Trap (Odeon) - already seen them but they would be good to see again, but likely will have to queue for Prince
2200 Prince (Orange)
21 March 2010
mig stor nyheder!
(run the title through an English to Danish online translator and you get...my big news!)
I'm feeling v. orange lately, because...I am going to Roskilde this year! out of several hundred applicants I was chosen, along with six other enthusiastic young bloggers, to get an insider's view of Northern Europe's biggest, baddest music festival. it's a little daunting being the only non-Scandinavian to join the party, but 'you can never make an omelet without breaking eggs, every cook will tell you that', right?
you can read the festival blog entries from me and my compatriots here. and please comment, I'd love to hear from you.
--
also related to Roskilde:
last week the festival folks were teasing the punters that 2 major British acts were to be announced for the bill. seeing that I was not asked to be the bearer of good news, I knew the bands weren't any that I currently love a lot. given the clues ('what band likes to perform underwater?'), I thought maybe Keane was to be the big act named. no such luck.
the final announcement came and it turned out the two bands were Kasabian and Wild Beasts. I don't know much about either but TBH I'm a bit perturbed b/c I listen to a LOT of British music and what are the odds that they would pick up two bands I know absolutely nothing about?
disappointed yes, but it's an excuse to go into seeing them with no previous ideas about them. I was going to see Wild Beasts last month at the Black Cat but couldn't b/c I was poorly, so it's good I get to see them sometime this year and not have to pay for it myself.
also, it should be noted that Kasabian is apparently a gigantic deal to the Scandinavians, most of whom applauded this announcement loudly and proudly. this should be interesting to see from a sociological standpoint, since I won't actually going out of my head watching the band as a superfan or anything.
--
in the meantime, I have been nursing a v., v. bad case of missing my dear blighty, to the point of tears at some points :/ it's ridiculous how much plane tickets cost. I got to London and Nottingham (coach up and back down) last May for less than $550 R/T. now the tickets are upwards of $1000 just for the plane ticket!!! I'm scheming for some kind of blighty trip this year but not sure how feasible this is going to be, it's going to be tough on the wallet.
for new readers who have come to my blog via the link on the Roskilde Festival Web site, a quick explanation:
for no obvious reason besides the love I have for many, many English (and British) bands, England feels like home to me, although I was born, raised, and have lived all my life in America. I get emotional just thinking about the country because I have many friends there - some in bands, some not - and feel a kinship to its people that I don't feel when I'm home (for real). it's not just a place for me to holiday, it's a deep connection within my heart that I can't explain. I actually cried on the plane ride home last time, that's how much I love the place.
I ♥ blighty, I ♥ you v. v. much.
I'm feeling v. orange lately, because...I am going to Roskilde this year! out of several hundred applicants I was chosen, along with six other enthusiastic young bloggers, to get an insider's view of Northern Europe's biggest, baddest music festival. it's a little daunting being the only non-Scandinavian to join the party, but 'you can never make an omelet without breaking eggs, every cook will tell you that', right?
you can read the festival blog entries from me and my compatriots here. and please comment, I'd love to hear from you.
--
also related to Roskilde:
last week the festival folks were teasing the punters that 2 major British acts were to be announced for the bill. seeing that I was not asked to be the bearer of good news, I knew the bands weren't any that I currently love a lot. given the clues ('what band likes to perform underwater?'), I thought maybe Keane was to be the big act named. no such luck.
the final announcement came and it turned out the two bands were Kasabian and Wild Beasts. I don't know much about either but TBH I'm a bit perturbed b/c I listen to a LOT of British music and what are the odds that they would pick up two bands I know absolutely nothing about?
disappointed yes, but it's an excuse to go into seeing them with no previous ideas about them. I was going to see Wild Beasts last month at the Black Cat but couldn't b/c I was poorly, so it's good I get to see them sometime this year and not have to pay for it myself.
also, it should be noted that Kasabian is apparently a gigantic deal to the Scandinavians, most of whom applauded this announcement loudly and proudly. this should be interesting to see from a sociological standpoint, since I won't actually going out of my head watching the band as a superfan or anything.
--
in the meantime, I have been nursing a v., v. bad case of missing my dear blighty, to the point of tears at some points :/ it's ridiculous how much plane tickets cost. I got to London and Nottingham (coach up and back down) last May for less than $550 R/T. now the tickets are upwards of $1000 just for the plane ticket!!! I'm scheming for some kind of blighty trip this year but not sure how feasible this is going to be, it's going to be tough on the wallet.
for new readers who have come to my blog via the link on the Roskilde Festival Web site, a quick explanation:
for no obvious reason besides the love I have for many, many English (and British) bands, England feels like home to me, although I was born, raised, and have lived all my life in America. I get emotional just thinking about the country because I have many friends there - some in bands, some not - and feel a kinship to its people that I don't feel when I'm home (for real). it's not just a place for me to holiday, it's a deep connection within my heart that I can't explain. I actually cried on the plane ride home last time, that's how much I love the place.
I ♥ blighty, I ♥ you v. v. much.
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