Live: Kate Bush – Before The Dawn
The story of Kate Bush’s return to live concerts is now well-known: one six-week tour in 1979 finished at the Hammersmith Apollo and she never again went on tour or performed an entire set for the public. Some cited nerves, others exhaustion from her relentless perfectionism. Rumours said that the death of her lighting director, …
Live Review: Sasha – The Button Factory, Dublin 5.8.14
Sandwiched between 2 of the biggest draws on the Irish festival circuit (see Longitude and Electric Picnic) and arriving on what traditionally spells the summer’s biggest weekend exodus, the luring of punters out to play on an August bank holiday Sunday is no easy feat. Fiscal and self-preservation rank too highly on the few-remaining, would-be reveler’s agendas to bother …
News: Sasha to play at The Button Factory, Dublin
There are very few artists capable of straddling two creative worlds whilst continuing to blaze trails in both. Welsh DJ/Producer Sasha has been at the forefront of the dance music scene pretty much since there’s been a scene to speak of. From early origins at Manchester’s The Haçienda and Shelley’s Laserdrome in Stoke-on-Trent, to world tours …
Mixtape: Saba – Comfort Zone
Chicago’s getting weird. Away from the attention grabbing drill-scene, the nihilistic soundtrack to the city’s gang wars, a growing number of artists have been creating lush, experimental music closer in spirit to the Pharcyde and De La Soul than Chief Keef. Saba, who guested on Chance the Rapper’s breakthrough mixtape ‘Acid Rap’ (one of the …
Not Forgotten: Villagers – Becoming a Jackal
They’ve taken their time about it over the last two decades, yet slowly but surely Domino Records has established itself as a sign of quality, much like Elektra had become in the late 60s. With acts like Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and u.n.p.o.c. on the roster, it’s evident the label has an ear for talent …
Exclusive Interview and DJ Mix: Jordan Peak Headlines Shake Underground’s 5th Birthday
Shake Underground house and techno night in Bournemouth approaches its 5th birthday this coming weekend, so I caught up with the man who started it all and resident DJ for Shake, Dave Hornby. Indeed you may have seen the event promo material already and know that rising superstar Jordan Peak is booked for the night, …
Meet: Q&A with Dirty Vegas
With their debut release for d:vision “Let The Night” still riding high in the Italian Official Top 40 singles chart and currently signed to Capitol Music in France, Germany and the UK, Grammy award winning duo Dirty Vegas return with their new single for the label in the shape of “Setting Sun.” Poetically lovely with more than …
Album Review: Japan Soul “Plastic Utopia”
Japan Soul: call it dance music with a conscience, intelligent pop, whatever you like, their new album “Plastic Utopia” is a fantastic slice of intellectual soul. To reflect my eighties predilections, it’s like a mash-up of the attitude of The Clash with the music and lyricism of Heaven 17 (and even China Crisis) it is something sorely missing from …
Track: Cocoa Jackson Lane – Fall On My Floor
This great laid back groove, with simple beats underpinning an amazing acoustic bass line and sultry, soulful vocals is the second single from Cocoa Jackson Lane, Fall on the Floor. An eclectic mix of people, the band – Jess Harlen on guitars and vocals, Camilla Charlesworth on bass, synths and vocals, and drummer Pat Tuariki …
Live Review: We are Scientists – Leeds University Stylus 8.3.2014
I saw We Are Scientists the last time they were in the U.K in 2010 at the Leeds festival, they arrived on stage with half drunk bottles of wine and treated the crowd to their own brand of powerful indie pop hits and hilarious on stage banter. Saturday night at the Leeds Stylus was a …