*note: there was no Roundtable this week b/c Lammo is at Glasto (obviously) and you couldn't pay me to listen to who's standing in for him *cough*Andrew Collins*cough* so that's why there is no Roundtable for the week of 19/06. just an FYI.
so last week when I was seeing Noah and the Whale - who BTW had an absolutely blinding performance at the 9:30, I couldn't believe I was seeing the same band! - a girl next to us was asking how I got my photo passes, complaining that staff had confiscated her DSLR and that they were being mean. I held my tongue firmly in cheek and didn't say (though I was perfectly in my right to), "I work hard for them." instead I explained that I ran my own music blog. then she started saying some things that probably common sayings among young people, but I was just appalled.
she was saying that on a journal Web site that shalt not be named she could get free albums from other people and that's where she got almost all her music.
you don't want to know what was going through my mind after that. you don't want to know. really.
I'll say now that I don't *mind* that much if you're trading with your mates your favourites to share music, b/c that's where we get good music tips, your best mates. but very rarely. I don't even do this, even though the number I have is insane (both digital and physical) and there's a legitimate reason why I have these. I don't really buy music anymore, b/c when I want to hear something, I ask for a review copy and review it. that way I've given back to the band somehow.
I think young people don't realise what all this illegal downloading is doing to music. I have this discussion with many of my friends' bands, bands that are not at the level of U2, Coldplay, or whoever else, who depend on album sales maybe not for the actual cash but for survival with their label.
while I can relate to young people being skint - I never got a regular allowance myself - it's called saving up. I didn't have enough money of my own to buy my own albums until I was 10. I suppose theoretically, as long as you're old enough to see the computer screen and click on things with the mouse, you could get whatever you wanted, couldn't you?
and I never stole any music as a kid either. the Web makes it far too easy, unfortunately. I used to say my purpose of being a blogger was to get people to gigs in Washington. but now maybe it is a crusade to get people to realise that the music you're stealing is someone else's baby, the product of their blood, sweat, and tears. how would you like it if someone just walked into your house and took something that belonged to you? and spread it around the world?
Showing posts with label noah and the whale. Show all posts
Showing posts with label noah and the whale. Show all posts
23 June 2011
13 December 2009
reflections on 2009
we're getting ever closer to the end of 2009 and 2010 is coming up fast, so I thought I better write my "how was my year" post. I've already had to think about what my best albums and gigs were of the year and that was hard enough, but to think about what emotions I've had and crazy medical stuff I've been through this year is another ball of wax completely.
it's probably not the best idea to write this post now considering I'm in a weird mood:
1. I'm shattered from two v. late nights of gigging (excellent gigging I might add - Friday night at a sold out Iota for Fanfarlo and then Saturday night at a not-as-full Rock 'n' Roll Hotel for Phenomenal Handclap Band, who was missing Sean Marquand, who waves to me from the stage every time he sees me - so boo),
2. it's raining here today, which means my whole body is aching (my body is like a barometer, every time the pressure changes, my joints feel it),
3. got into a terrible row with my insomniac mother this morning for reasons unclear to me (so I have nothing to be sorry for), and
4. last night was my last gig of 2009 and for over a month (until the Cribs on 19 January), and I'm a bit sad about that.
...but I'd like to do this before I forget.
--
so what happened in 2009? top 10 events, in chronologic order:
1. I started this blog here. I hope it's been an interesting read for someone out there.
2. my love of music turned into "professional" blog writing. and I joined up with Popwreckoning as one of their writers. I've been working so hard for them, I have over 100 posts in less than 9 months. not bad eh?
3. I fell in love with Friendly Fires. This is not to say I haven't fallen in love with other bands or singers this year but if we're talking major "head over heels" falling in love, this band is it. That's the only way I can explain that I've seen them 5 times, 4 of those times in a town that is not my own. or theirs for that matter. at this point, I joke that they should give me an honorary bunk on their tour bus.
4. I met my first "rock stars" - Noah and the Whale - through blogging and because they knew me, I hung out with them after their D.C. show. still sad that Doug Fink has left the band and has become...a doctor (?!?!?)
5. I went to my first music festival - Dot to Dot - in Nottingham, England. Why? Because Friendly Fires was headlining and I was given an offer to interview Edd Gibson and Ed Macfarlane there. It was my first major interview, and since then, I've had the opportunity to sit down and chat with a lot of people, and I like to think that the FFires interview has helped spread the word around about me as a knowledgeable interviewer and a good-at-what-she-does type of journo.
It also helped that my friend Matt's Skint and Demoralised were playing, as well as Patrick Wolf and Ladyhawke. I also saw the Pains of Being Pure at Heart as well - Kip Berman laughing about this later, saying I must get around as much as they do :)
6. thanks to my condition, I hurt my arm on the way back from England and lost the use my left arm for over 2 months. I wrote to Stuart Maconie in Manchester when I was in so much pain that I was crying as I typed up all 7 of the Dot to Dot articles with my right hand. he wrote me back (I couldn't believe it) and he wished me well on everything I was doing with music.
I had to undergo a ton of physical therapy, and lots of treatment were required to get me back into shape. somehow I was a-ok when time came for Friendly Fires to play two shows in New York in August. so I went and had a great time.
7. I was asked to become USA editor for There Goes the Fear and agreed. Have been working really hard for that on top of everything I do for PW. It's been tough sometimes, especially with my health.
8. I reached a birthday milestone last month that, if I'm being honest, that I had predicted when I was 12 I didn't think I was going to make. every day for me is a struggle. I'm pretty private when it comes to this stuff so the people I work with on the blogs or because of the blogs (the bands) aren't aware of what I'm going through.
sometimes I wish I could tell them...because I dearly wish them to know, if only to be aware what kinds of things I have to give up, the chances I have to take with my health in order to go to them and see them play. music is really the one thing in my life that I can always count on, because I've learned that you can't - and shouldn't - always count on others. apologies if I sound cynical but that's just been my experience.
9. Fate stepped in and prevented me from making a fool out of myself in the name of love (this is conjecture but somehow I think it's likely).
10. ...
I'm leaving this blank for now b/c there's another 2+ weeks to go in December 2009 and maybe something nice will happen to me before 2010.
it's probably not the best idea to write this post now considering I'm in a weird mood:
1. I'm shattered from two v. late nights of gigging (excellent gigging I might add - Friday night at a sold out Iota for Fanfarlo and then Saturday night at a not-as-full Rock 'n' Roll Hotel for Phenomenal Handclap Band, who was missing Sean Marquand, who waves to me from the stage every time he sees me - so boo),
2. it's raining here today, which means my whole body is aching (my body is like a barometer, every time the pressure changes, my joints feel it),
3. got into a terrible row with my insomniac mother this morning for reasons unclear to me (so I have nothing to be sorry for), and
4. last night was my last gig of 2009 and for over a month (until the Cribs on 19 January), and I'm a bit sad about that.
...but I'd like to do this before I forget.
--
so what happened in 2009? top 10 events, in chronologic order:
1. I started this blog here. I hope it's been an interesting read for someone out there.
2. my love of music turned into "professional" blog writing. and I joined up with Popwreckoning as one of their writers. I've been working so hard for them, I have over 100 posts in less than 9 months. not bad eh?
3. I fell in love with Friendly Fires. This is not to say I haven't fallen in love with other bands or singers this year but if we're talking major "head over heels" falling in love, this band is it. That's the only way I can explain that I've seen them 5 times, 4 of those times in a town that is not my own. or theirs for that matter. at this point, I joke that they should give me an honorary bunk on their tour bus.
4. I met my first "rock stars" - Noah and the Whale - through blogging and because they knew me, I hung out with them after their D.C. show. still sad that Doug Fink has left the band and has become...a doctor (?!?!?)
5. I went to my first music festival - Dot to Dot - in Nottingham, England. Why? Because Friendly Fires was headlining and I was given an offer to interview Edd Gibson and Ed Macfarlane there. It was my first major interview, and since then, I've had the opportunity to sit down and chat with a lot of people, and I like to think that the FFires interview has helped spread the word around about me as a knowledgeable interviewer and a good-at-what-she-does type of journo.
It also helped that my friend Matt's Skint and Demoralised were playing, as well as Patrick Wolf and Ladyhawke. I also saw the Pains of Being Pure at Heart as well - Kip Berman laughing about this later, saying I must get around as much as they do :)
6. thanks to my condition, I hurt my arm on the way back from England and lost the use my left arm for over 2 months. I wrote to Stuart Maconie in Manchester when I was in so much pain that I was crying as I typed up all 7 of the Dot to Dot articles with my right hand. he wrote me back (I couldn't believe it) and he wished me well on everything I was doing with music.
I had to undergo a ton of physical therapy, and lots of treatment were required to get me back into shape. somehow I was a-ok when time came for Friendly Fires to play two shows in New York in August. so I went and had a great time.
7. I was asked to become USA editor for There Goes the Fear and agreed. Have been working really hard for that on top of everything I do for PW. It's been tough sometimes, especially with my health.
8. I reached a birthday milestone last month that, if I'm being honest, that I had predicted when I was 12 I didn't think I was going to make. every day for me is a struggle. I'm pretty private when it comes to this stuff so the people I work with on the blogs or because of the blogs (the bands) aren't aware of what I'm going through.
sometimes I wish I could tell them...because I dearly wish them to know, if only to be aware what kinds of things I have to give up, the chances I have to take with my health in order to go to them and see them play. music is really the one thing in my life that I can always count on, because I've learned that you can't - and shouldn't - always count on others. apologies if I sound cynical but that's just been my experience.
9. Fate stepped in and prevented me from making a fool out of myself in the name of love (this is conjecture but somehow I think it's likely).
10. ...
I'm leaving this blank for now b/c there's another 2+ weeks to go in December 2009 and maybe something nice will happen to me before 2010.
19 August 2009
6music in the Hub alert / Lammo's Radio1 programme broadcast
wow, this is going to be one hell of a week coming up...
4 of my fave bands in George Lamb's 6music Hub, on 11.30-12.00 GMT (6.30 to 7 AM ET). I'm catching them on iPlayer, obvs...
24 Aug - Passion Pit
25 Aug - Jack Penate
26 Aug - Placebo
28 Aug - Noah and the Whale
and beyond...
31 Aug - Mariachi El Bronx
04 Sep - Mumford and Sons
07 Sep - the Cribs (who BTW have just announced 2 dates at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC 12-13 November)
--
...and Steve Lamacq will be broadcasting his last ever In New Music We Trust programme at 21.00-22.00 GMT (4 to 5 PM here on the East Coast) next Monday, 24 August. I am so grateful he is staying on at 6music and Radio2 b/c if he wasn't, I don't know what I'd do with myself. probably get a noose ready...
--
my apologies for a lack of posts since I've been back from NYC. there's a v. good reason though. see my next post!
4 of my fave bands in George Lamb's 6music Hub, on 11.30-12.00 GMT (6.30 to 7 AM ET). I'm catching them on iPlayer, obvs...
24 Aug - Passion Pit
25 Aug - Jack Penate
26 Aug - Placebo
28 Aug - Noah and the Whale
and beyond...
31 Aug - Mariachi El Bronx
04 Sep - Mumford and Sons
07 Sep - the Cribs (who BTW have just announced 2 dates at the Bowery Ballroom in NYC 12-13 November)
--
...and Steve Lamacq will be broadcasting his last ever In New Music We Trust programme at 21.00-22.00 GMT (4 to 5 PM here on the East Coast) next Monday, 24 August. I am so grateful he is staying on at 6music and Radio2 b/c if he wasn't, I don't know what I'd do with myself. probably get a noose ready...
--
my apologies for a lack of posts since I've been back from NYC. there's a v. good reason though. see my next post!
02 July 2009
this week's Roundtable (02/07) starring Matt of Skint & Demoralised
so my buddy Matt Abbott of Skint & Demoralised is seriously making the rounds of all the important shows - Nick Grimshaw of Radio1, Loose Women on ITV (haha), and now Lammo's Roundtable!
Thursday sees Radio1's Bethan (I have no idea who this is, oops!) join A&R legend James Endeacott and Matt from Skint and Demoralised on Roundtable
1. the winner - Bloc Party - "One More Chance" - this sounds totes Bloc Party. it reminds me of Haddaway. is that a good thing? I can see how this could get old, fast. but for a dance tune, it's ok.
2. Noah and the Whale - "Blue Skies" - absolutely gorgeous. can't wait to get my hands on the new album and see them live again!
3. Speech da Belle - "Better Days"- no surprise here that I'm not a fan, not a fan of rap and hip-hop stylings for the most part. it's all right, it's a bit MIA-flavoured as James suggested.
4. Julian Plenti - "Only If You Run" - hmmm. I'm on the fence for this. this sounds swirly like the Big Pink, but doesn't have the same good oomph.
5. Dizzee Rascal - "Holiday" - I heard this before. it's ok. I can see how it might grow on me, b/c it's a summery song, but in general, not a fan of this kind of thing. it won't be played much on the radio here I can assure you, so I guess that's the only saving grace.
6. the XX - "Basic Space" - this is a new band on the XL label. I know this b/c as was explained to me by Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires, their drummer Jack Savidge stood me up to see them instead of me in Nottingham. (incidentally, he owes a mobile for this ;) or maybe not, Steve just said they're releasing the single on Young Turks (?) will have to research this later...in the meantime tho, this band sounds like Chairlift. agree?
7. La Roux's self-titled debut - "Bulletproof," "I'm Not Your Toy," "Colourless Colour", and "Tigerlily" and "As If By Magic" in full - while it appears that Elly Jackson has put her foot in her mouth a couple times (today being put on the stake by the Guardian), I don't think it's because she's a spiteful person. it's kind of like Morrissey and his acid tongue. I still like the music :)
Thursday sees Radio1's Bethan (I have no idea who this is, oops!) join A&R legend James Endeacott and Matt from Skint and Demoralised on Roundtable
1. the winner - Bloc Party - "One More Chance" - this sounds totes Bloc Party. it reminds me of Haddaway. is that a good thing? I can see how this could get old, fast. but for a dance tune, it's ok.
2. Noah and the Whale - "Blue Skies" - absolutely gorgeous. can't wait to get my hands on the new album and see them live again!
3. Speech da Belle - "Better Days"- no surprise here that I'm not a fan, not a fan of rap and hip-hop stylings for the most part. it's all right, it's a bit MIA-flavoured as James suggested.
4. Julian Plenti - "Only If You Run" - hmmm. I'm on the fence for this. this sounds swirly like the Big Pink, but doesn't have the same good oomph.
5. Dizzee Rascal - "Holiday" - I heard this before. it's ok. I can see how it might grow on me, b/c it's a summery song, but in general, not a fan of this kind of thing. it won't be played much on the radio here I can assure you, so I guess that's the only saving grace.
6. the XX - "Basic Space" - this is a new band on the XL label. I know this b/c as was explained to me by Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires, their drummer Jack Savidge stood me up to see them instead of me in Nottingham. (incidentally, he owes a mobile for this ;) or maybe not, Steve just said they're releasing the single on Young Turks (?) will have to research this later...in the meantime tho, this band sounds like Chairlift. agree?
7. La Roux's self-titled debut - "Bulletproof," "I'm Not Your Toy," "Colourless Colour", and "Tigerlily" and "As If By Magic" in full - while it appears that Elly Jackson has put her foot in her mouth a couple times (today being put on the stake by the Guardian), I don't think it's because she's a spiteful person. it's kind of like Morrissey and his acid tongue. I still like the music :)
30 June 2009
last week's Roundtable (from 25/06)
sorry it's late, but I had to get this in b/c three of my favourite people were on with Gary Crowley last week and had to get the proper fangirl on.
Charlie Fink from Noah and the Whale joined Nick Heyward and Dan Black on a Gary Crowley-hosted Roundtable
eee Dan Black! he played 6 times at Glasto? like...whoa. I'm still gutted having missed him at Dot to Dot in Nottingham.
eee Charlie Fink! he's so nice in person.
eee Nick Heyward! with a voice to slay me. (thank you ex-bf, heh.)
(sorry for the fangirling)
1. Gomez - "Little Pieces" - the last time they had Gomez's album "New Tide" on Roundtable, I believe they won. dunno, this is just so MOR-sounding, it's not doing a thing for me. they all seemed to like it tho.
2. Temper Trap - "Sweet Disposition" - I like the vibe on this, probably thanks to the Big Pink. swirly pop!
3. Regina Spektor - "The Calculation" - I've never been a fan of hers, but I have friends who go gaga over her. and Gary Crowley said the same thing. awww Charlie's disappointed : lmao Dan Black has called it "pleasant". haha, I feel the same way dude.
4. Screaming Lights - "Volts" - Scouser boys. hmm. not feeling this either.
5. the winner by one pt over Emmy the Great - Super Furry Animals - "MT" - hmm. different for SFA. will have to listen to this a couple more times before I'm sold. I'm sure this will pop up on BBC playlists, no doubt.
6. Emmy The Great - "Edward is Deadwood" - I heard this I believe on Nemone's show earlier, so I'm biased, I've already fallen in love with this. I still feel moronic about forgetting to get her album when I was in England last month (::facepalm::)
7. cuts from the Gossip's new album "Music For Men" -will catch this later!
Charlie Fink from Noah and the Whale joined Nick Heyward and Dan Black on a Gary Crowley-hosted Roundtable
eee Dan Black! he played 6 times at Glasto? like...whoa. I'm still gutted having missed him at Dot to Dot in Nottingham.
eee Charlie Fink! he's so nice in person.
eee Nick Heyward! with a voice to slay me. (thank you ex-bf, heh.)
(sorry for the fangirling)
1. Gomez - "Little Pieces" - the last time they had Gomez's album "New Tide" on Roundtable, I believe they won. dunno, this is just so MOR-sounding, it's not doing a thing for me. they all seemed to like it tho.
2. Temper Trap - "Sweet Disposition" - I like the vibe on this, probably thanks to the Big Pink. swirly pop!
3. Regina Spektor - "The Calculation" - I've never been a fan of hers, but I have friends who go gaga over her. and Gary Crowley said the same thing. awww Charlie's disappointed : lmao Dan Black has called it "pleasant". haha, I feel the same way dude.
4. Screaming Lights - "Volts" - Scouser boys. hmm. not feeling this either.
5. the winner by one pt over Emmy the Great - Super Furry Animals - "MT" - hmm. different for SFA. will have to listen to this a couple more times before I'm sold. I'm sure this will pop up on BBC playlists, no doubt.
6. Emmy The Great - "Edward is Deadwood" - I heard this I believe on Nemone's show earlier, so I'm biased, I've already fallen in love with this. I still feel moronic about forgetting to get her album when I was in England last month (::facepalm::)
7. cuts from the Gossip's new album "Music For Men" -will catch this later!
16 May 2009
no Roundtable review for 14.05 / research for my night job / an interesting turn of events re: the recession
sorry folks but due to illness, there won't be a review of the tunes analysed by Lammo and his panel from 14 May. you can instead hear a bit of get well soon wishes from Steve to me in the first 1/2 hour of Thursday's programme.
--
for my "other" gig in life with Popwreckoning, I have been soaking up as much as I can about the artistes playing Dot to Dot in preparation for my trip in less than a week. SQUEE. in particular, I listened to Radio1's Big Weekend transmissions from last weekend and radio programmes featuring Friendly Fires, including a Rob da Bank and Friends show (see previous post) and a live DJ set Ed Macfarlane and Jack Savidge did with the Queens of Noize on 6music earlier tonight. here's the setlist for the entire programme - some great tunes in the first 1/2 hour (La Roux, eeee!) , then some interesting selections from Ed and Jack.
May Remix Round Up
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (Erol Alkan Remix)
Passion Pit - The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)
Phoenix - Lisztomania (Yuksek Remix)
La Roux - Bulletproof (Zinc Remix)
Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van (A1 Bassline Remix)
Telepathe - Chrome's On It (The Shoes Remix)
Queens' Classic Dance Moment
Bizzare Inc - Playing With Knives
Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool (Thin White Duke Remix)
Friendly Fires In The Mix
Rufus Wainwright - Tiergarten (Supermayer Remix)
Worst Case Scenario - Hot Beef
Akeke Ifu - Mirror Dance
Daniele Papini - Church Of Nonsense
Cajmere - Say You Will
Marshall Jefferson - Mushroooms (Justin Martin remix)
Liquid Liquid - Optimo (Optimo remix)
Reboot - Vandon
Thomas Barford and Fredski - Swan Lake
Gossip - Heavy Cross (Fred Falke Remix)
Official Secrets Act - Bloodsport (Filthy Dukes Remix)
By Royal Appointment
Florence And The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) (Leo Zero Remix) 6 MIX EXCLUSIVE
End Of The Night Party Banger
Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers
--
because of the global recession, less bands are able to travel all over the U.S. I'm not talking just international acts. stateside ones too! it's as if they have to pick one coast or the other. arguably, there's a bigger concentration of venues on the East Coast (as compared to the West), from as far up as Boston, all the way down to Charlotte - or even down to New Orleans or Orlando.
an even more interesting phenomenon I've noticed is bands from Europe are either starting or finishing their tours in D.C. maybe b/c it's cheaper to fly into or out of Washington Dulles? I certainly fly out of IAD to LHR every time I go to London...
three examples:
White Lies / Friendly Fires (NME Presents tour) - started tour at the Black Cat on 24 March
Noah and the Whale - finished their N.A. tour in D.C. at the Black Cat on 2 May
Peter Bjorn and John - finished their N.A. tour in D.C. at the 9:30 Club on 2 May
my impression? I love it when D.C. is the start or an end of a tour. it makes an impression on a band. D.C. - and a D.C. audience - is either the first or last thing they're gonna see on a tour while visiting our country.
and of course, I offer my services as tour guide and chauffeur for whatever you British bands need :)
--
for my "other" gig in life with Popwreckoning, I have been soaking up as much as I can about the artistes playing Dot to Dot in preparation for my trip in less than a week. SQUEE. in particular, I listened to Radio1's Big Weekend transmissions from last weekend and radio programmes featuring Friendly Fires, including a Rob da Bank and Friends show (see previous post) and a live DJ set Ed Macfarlane and Jack Savidge did with the Queens of Noize on 6music earlier tonight. here's the setlist for the entire programme - some great tunes in the first 1/2 hour (La Roux, eeee!) , then some interesting selections from Ed and Jack.
May Remix Round Up
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero (Erol Alkan Remix)
Passion Pit - The Reeling (Calvin Harris Remix)
Phoenix - Lisztomania (Yuksek Remix)
La Roux - Bulletproof (Zinc Remix)
Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van (A1 Bassline Remix)
Telepathe - Chrome's On It (The Shoes Remix)
Queens' Classic Dance Moment
Bizzare Inc - Playing With Knives
Friendly Fires - Jump In The Pool (Thin White Duke Remix)
Friendly Fires In The Mix
Rufus Wainwright - Tiergarten (Supermayer Remix)
Worst Case Scenario - Hot Beef
Akeke Ifu - Mirror Dance
Daniele Papini - Church Of Nonsense
Cajmere - Say You Will
Marshall Jefferson - Mushroooms (Justin Martin remix)
Liquid Liquid - Optimo (Optimo remix)
Reboot - Vandon
Thomas Barford and Fredski - Swan Lake
Gossip - Heavy Cross (Fred Falke Remix)
Official Secrets Act - Bloodsport (Filthy Dukes Remix)
By Royal Appointment
Florence And The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) (Leo Zero Remix) 6 MIX EXCLUSIVE
End Of The Night Party Banger
Dizzee Rascal - Bonkers
--
because of the global recession, less bands are able to travel all over the U.S. I'm not talking just international acts. stateside ones too! it's as if they have to pick one coast or the other. arguably, there's a bigger concentration of venues on the East Coast (as compared to the West), from as far up as Boston, all the way down to Charlotte - or even down to New Orleans or Orlando.
an even more interesting phenomenon I've noticed is bands from Europe are either starting or finishing their tours in D.C. maybe b/c it's cheaper to fly into or out of Washington Dulles? I certainly fly out of IAD to LHR every time I go to London...
three examples:
White Lies / Friendly Fires (NME Presents tour) - started tour at the Black Cat on 24 March
Noah and the Whale - finished their N.A. tour in D.C. at the Black Cat on 2 May
Peter Bjorn and John - finished their N.A. tour in D.C. at the 9:30 Club on 2 May
my impression? I love it when D.C. is the start or an end of a tour. it makes an impression on a band. D.C. - and a D.C. audience - is either the first or last thing they're gonna see on a tour while visiting our country.
and of course, I offer my services as tour guide and chauffeur for whatever you British bands need :)
07 May 2009
Whale watching (photos first)
link to my Popwreckoning review
now, before I give my personal thoughts on the gig last Saturday, here are the photos from the Noah and the Whale gig (Anni Rossi and Ferraby Lionheart supporting) on 2 May 2009, the last night of NATW's 2-week tour.
to save some time, I've shoved them on here, and they might not fit in the view of the browser you're using, so just click on the pic and you'll get the full version. ok?
Anni Rossi
Ferraby Lionheart and touring bandmembers
Noah and the Whale
now, before I give my personal thoughts on the gig last Saturday, here are the photos from the Noah and the Whale gig (Anni Rossi and Ferraby Lionheart supporting) on 2 May 2009, the last night of NATW's 2-week tour.
to save some time, I've shoved them on here, and they might not fit in the view of the browser you're using, so just click on the pic and you'll get the full version. ok?
Anni Rossi
Ferraby Lionheart and touring bandmembers
Noah and the Whale
15 April 2009
lesser known UK festivals / Doug Fink answers my burning questions / Green Apple Festival
I forget when I heard it on 6music, but there was a report last month that some festivals in the UK had called it quits this year b/c of the credit crunch and that only the larger festivals had a chance of breaking even this year.
if so, how do you account for the proliferation of these festivals I've never heard of? (forget the biggies - Glasto, Reading/Leeds, V Festival - chances are if I haven't heard of these, you haven't heard of them either!)
Blissfields - Hampshire, 3-5 Jul - looking to be a bunch of folkies
Creamfields - Chester (that's outside of Liverpool), 29-30 Aug - sure to be a rave based on the number of DJs and dance bands already committed
Bestival - Isle of Wight (an island off the south coast ofEngland), 11-13 Sept - this one is going to be a doozy with Elbow headlining
--
to close their North American tour, Noah and the Whale will grace the Black Cat stage in D.C. on 2 May. Doug Fink, drummer for the Whale and brother of singer/songwriter Charlie, was kind enough to answer some questions I had for him. head on over to Popwreckoning and have a read.
--
save the planet. seriously.
and look! a music festival in my own backyard. that I can't attend. ::facepalm::
for those of you who are actually going to be in town on Sunday (unlike yours truly, who will be in NOLA for work :P), there is a free - FREE! - Earth Day concert featuring the headliner the Flaming Lips. you can't miss this, folks!
for more info on volunteering and such, read the Popwreckoning news item or visit their site.
if so, how do you account for the proliferation of these festivals I've never heard of? (forget the biggies - Glasto, Reading/Leeds, V Festival - chances are if I haven't heard of these, you haven't heard of them either!)
Blissfields - Hampshire, 3-5 Jul - looking to be a bunch of folkies
Creamfields - Chester (that's outside of Liverpool), 29-30 Aug - sure to be a rave based on the number of DJs and dance bands already committed
Bestival - Isle of Wight (an island off the south coast ofEngland), 11-13 Sept - this one is going to be a doozy with Elbow headlining
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to close their North American tour, Noah and the Whale will grace the Black Cat stage in D.C. on 2 May. Doug Fink, drummer for the Whale and brother of singer/songwriter Charlie, was kind enough to answer some questions I had for him. head on over to Popwreckoning and have a read.
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save the planet. seriously.
and look! a music festival in my own backyard. that I can't attend. ::facepalm::
for those of you who are actually going to be in town on Sunday (unlike yours truly, who will be in NOLA for work :P), there is a free - FREE! - Earth Day concert featuring the headliner the Flaming Lips. you can't miss this, folks!
for more info on volunteering and such, read the Popwreckoning news item or visit their site.
05 March 2009
a quandary / this week's Roundtable
I have a problem. have to decide between Peter Bjorn & John (who I am now nicknaming PB&J) with Chairlift supporting at the 9:30 Club OR Noah and the Whale at the Black Cat. both are in town on Saturday 2 May. I've sent a note to the Whale blokes saying if they bring Emmy the Great along on their NA tour, there's no contest.
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Thursday - Lammo welcomes Eddie Argos, Richard Jobson and Johnny Dee onto Roundtable
1. the winner - PJ Harvey and John Parish - "Black Hearted Love" - I know it's blasphemous, but I never got into Miz Harvey. when the song came on, I mistook it for a new track from the Pretenders.
2. the Big Pink - "Velvet" - this makes me smile. it's cloying, but cloying like a blanket that envelops you when you need it. shoegazing is back, woooo!
3. the Blockheads - "Greed" - WTH is this? it sounds like bad white hip hop. Ian Dury and the Blockheads were monumental in their day and now we've got this???
4. Delphic - "Counterpoint" - hrm. it's very electronic, Eurythmics-y. I don't hate it but I don't love it to death either.
5. Neil Young - "Johnny Magic" - Phil of 6music says this - and the whole album - is about Neil building an electric car. lmao.
6. Hatcham Social - "Murder in the Dark" - another example of too many '80s sounding - synthy - songs all coming out at the same time. interesting that some chatters thought it sounds like a super fey, super young David Byrne, but I don't see it. David could sing circles around this bloke.
7. PeteR Doherty - tracks from his new album "Grace Wasteland" - plus "Through the Looking Glass" and "New Love Grows on Trees" in full - it's just not emotive enough for me.
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Thursday - Lammo welcomes Eddie Argos, Richard Jobson and Johnny Dee onto Roundtable
1. the winner - PJ Harvey and John Parish - "Black Hearted Love" - I know it's blasphemous, but I never got into Miz Harvey. when the song came on, I mistook it for a new track from the Pretenders.
2. the Big Pink - "Velvet" - this makes me smile. it's cloying, but cloying like a blanket that envelops you when you need it. shoegazing is back, woooo!
3. the Blockheads - "Greed" - WTH is this? it sounds like bad white hip hop. Ian Dury and the Blockheads were monumental in their day and now we've got this???
4. Delphic - "Counterpoint" - hrm. it's very electronic, Eurythmics-y. I don't hate it but I don't love it to death either.
5. Neil Young - "Johnny Magic" - Phil of 6music says this - and the whole album - is about Neil building an electric car. lmao.
6. Hatcham Social - "Murder in the Dark" - another example of too many '80s sounding - synthy - songs all coming out at the same time. interesting that some chatters thought it sounds like a super fey, super young David Byrne, but I don't see it. David could sing circles around this bloke.
7. PeteR Doherty - tracks from his new album "Grace Wasteland" - plus "Through the Looking Glass" and "New Love Grows on Trees" in full - it's just not emotive enough for me.
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