Folk
Track: Snowpoet – Waves
London folk collective Snowpoet are led by lyricist and vocalist Lauren Kinsella and Chris Hyson, backed up with Matthew Robinson, Nicholas Costley-White, Josh Arcoleo and Dave Hamblett. Ahead of the release of their forthcoming eponymous debut album, the band have released a little taster in the shape of a new single, Waves. Although dealing with …
Not Forgotten: Lindisfarne – Live
Quick! Name one British folk rock act of the 1970s! Okay, so who actually mentioned Lindisfarne? Precious few I imagine, as they’re now primarily for an arse-clenchingly awful novelty duet. Those that do delve a little further into their career will be rewarded with a clutch of hit singles and a selection of albums of …
Not Forgotten: Wilco – Kicking Television: Live in Chicago
The live double album was considered heavyweight currency back in the 1970s. In an era when using extended guitar duals and a drum solo to expand a zippy four minute studio based rock work out into a multi-layered live epic was not frowned upon, the live rock experience could rarely be contained on just the …
Live Review: The Staves – The Roundhouse 9.11.15
School night out. Early start in the bar of the Roundhouse. Camden Brewery beer. Hot dogs and ale over the road at Joe’s. More beer back in the venue. Beautiful music from the Staveley-Taylors. Back into the bar for more beer. Urgh. And an über taxi home. Dirt. I think I’ve just about recovered and …
Live: The Unthanks at Hebden Bridge Trades Club
It took the Unthanks a decade, and many different guises, to produce a masterpiece like this year’s Mount The Air, but this stripped down 10th anniversary tour also showcases gems from their other projects. The Mount The Air Tour featured ten people, but tonight it is just the full time members so its the joyous …
Album Review: Tracey Thorn – SOLO: Songs and Collaborations 1982 – 2015
Tracey Thorn has always been a part of my life, although I was a little late to the party. As a teenager I fell in love with Everything But The Girl’s huge club anthem ‘Missing’ and her Massive Attack collaboration ‘Protection’. Throughout the next few months I went to buying up their back catalogue, and …
Album Review: Richard Thompson – Still
Good grief. I’ve had this album forever and I’ve been totally unprofessional and sat on it, and sat on it, and sat on it. Why? Well firstly, because I had been hoping that it would be as good as ‘Semi-Detached Mock Tudor’, which is the best of the, er, two Richard Thompson albums that I own. …
Track: Lanterns on the Lake – Faultlines
I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that slight twinge of trepidation when one of your favourite bands releases new material – will it meet expectations or be a let down. Happily, I can report that it’s a definite case of the former from Newcastle quintet Lanterns On The Lake. I’ve been a fan since …
Cattle & Cane, Leadmill, Sheffield, 20.10.2015
Cattle and Cane believe that their music needs to be experienced in a smoky late night bar for full impact. Either that, or the Leadmill have serious problems with their smoke machine being stuck on maximum. Anyway, wandering into the smoke-filled Leadmill, I watched the first UK headline tour from Cattle and Cane. I was …
Meet: Lucy Rose
Manchester welcomed Lucy Rose Parton back in its bosom and Backseat Mafia was there to catch her on the first night of her Autumn, U.K. dates. The venue’s Lucy’s dressing room backstage at Academy 3. We’re nervous but also excited about meeting her. She released new album “Work It Out” in July to generally favourable …