Tuesday, April 26, 2005

If you liked Crazy In Love...

So, those of you who know me are aware I'm partial to the odd bit of R&B, especially the sucker punch 'damn, what was that?' kind that you want to spin again once the needle leaves the groove. Well, Amerie's '1 Thing' is one such tune. Produced by Rich Harrison (of 'Crazy In Love' fame) it's an Apache-style drum fiesta with an ace vocal. Her first album was slept on, so here's hoping working with producers like Harrison and Lil' Jon (who contributes the title track to her new album, 'Touch') gets her the recognition she deserves. Plus, there's always the video if you're not convinced.....

Oh, last Thursday was also Major Leaguer celebrity spotting day.
*Spaced's Simon Pegg looking lost (in Carnaby Street)
*The welsh presenter from Channel 4's T4 (not Vernon) who apparently had 'relations' with Pamela Anderson (at the White Stripes album playback at the Cabinet War Rooms)
*The actor who played Burnside on The Bill walking towards Oxford Street. Burnside! He looked quiet scary really. Probably on the way to nicking some geezer. Probably. Burnside!

Saturday, April 23, 2005

'Who wants celery?'

Highlights of the past 7 days...

*Willie Mason at ULU. The lad's a genius, and was backed by his 15 yr old brother on drums (who was wasted after two beers and a cigarette. Bless). Never been to a gig where the main act throws celery and kiwi fruit at the audience!

*Brendan Benson at Waterfront, Norwich. Power pop.....swoon.

*Meeting deadlines for DIS, Ditched, and by sunday Subter.com (honest Brad....it's on it's way!)

*Securing the club night at The Pool in Shoreditch. More details shortly...just keep May 11 free ok? Although if yr going to see The Real at Notting Hill Arts Club then I'll let you off, but just this once...

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

The definition of Indie, according to Vice

"I feel like there has been created, in the past two to three years, an indie-yuppie establishment. Bands like Death Cab for Cutie, Iron and Wine, the Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene, they are great bands, really great bands, with great albums, great songs, high quality. And to me, it’s just so fucking boring. It’s like fancy-coffee-drinking, Volvo-riding music for kids. And kids should be listening to music that shakes them up more, makes them uncomfortable. … I don’t think we’re ever going to sign an indie rock band. … I want to sign stuff that is more immediate and shakes you up a bit."
So sayeth Adam Shore, general manager of Vice Recordings (y'know, the Atlantic backed record label offshoot of Vice Magazine), speaking to the Columbia Spectator. Funny, because weren't these guys one of Vice's first signings? In fact, according to Trend Central, they signed waaaaay back in May of '03. Oh, and that lil' band Vice also signed called Bloc Party? Hate to break it to you Adam, but despite the art-punk leanings, they're indie too. Don't want to diss the fine folks at Vice (especially the eternally dope Eric Lavoie) but c'mon, who are you trying to fool?

Thanks to Brooklyn Vegan and Stereogum for the heads up on Vice's slightly odd guide to indie rawknroll....

High rotation on the Major Leaguer stereo this week...

Hot Hot Heat - Middle of Nowhere (from Elevator, April 25)
Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds (from With Teeth, May 2)
Autechre - Untilted (Untilted, April 18)
Aimee Mann - That's How I Knew This Story Would Break My Heart (from The Forgotten Arm, May 2)
Maximo Park - Apply Some Pressure (from A Certain Trigger, May 16)

Friday, April 08, 2005

Pitchfork and Fluxblog - Indie heaven?

Here's an interesting article from the Chicago Tribune about the impact that websites such as Fluxblog and Pitchfork have on the music industry. About three years too late, but still worth reading (Credit goes to largeheartedboy for finding this piece).

Have just realised that I've missed T-Model Ford playing at The Spitz tonight. Not only was it the chance to see one of the last Fat Possum ol' boys in action, but Alan Sparhawk (Low) and his dirty side project Black Eyed Snakes were supporting as well. Dag nabit!

Thursday, April 07, 2005

The Frog Brothers!

Weekdays are the new weekend (well for me anyway). Two days off for laundry, haircuts, writing, cleaning and hopefully checking out my Lost Boys special edition DVD. Corey overload....

Record of the week - Tom Vek 'We Have Sound'

The one man wonder who was in the middle of a frantic bidding war at last year's In The City gathering in Manchester finally gets around to releasing his debut. Packed full of stacatto drum loops, punk funk basslines, Talking Heads vocals and crazed yelps, it's mightily impressive stuff (although If I Had Changed My Mind does sound eerily like Two States by Pavement. Which isn't a bad thing really).

Saturday, April 02, 2005

Subter III

Issue Three of Subter is online from today. Check out the interviews with Anna Nalick and The Real, then listen to streamed tracks from both artists. Go on. You know you want to.

Listened to the new Roisin Murphy (singer from Moloko) album today, and it's quite tasty indeed. Y'know why? Cause' it's got Matthew Herbert's clinky, whirry, jazzy production all over it. Yum.