We all had a splendid afternoon yesterday at the Rise Festival - a diverse collection of musical groups that combined together to support racial tolerance in the form of a free concert in Finsbury Park. The weather had been threatening all morning, but once we got there and met up with Chris et al the weather stayed lovely and sunny for the most part. Of course none of us had brought suntan lotion so there are a few tan lines today.

We arrived in time for the Dub Pistols, who I don't really know, but they were accompanied by Terry Hall from The Specials who I do know which meant we all got very excited when they played some Specials tracks. They also played a dub version of Peaches by The Stranglers which made me think for a moment they had some of those guys up there with them as well, but unfortunately not. And as Terry Hall reminded us, this festival is not really about music, it's about saying 'F*ck the BNP!' Nice. In-between the main bands we were entertained by beatboxing from Beardyman, who is something quite special indeed with his beatbox versions of most popular dance anthems.

My personal highlight of the day was CSS - who were as strange and bouncy as ever, even if the sound was a bit off. Although they got most of the crowd bouncing, they were outdone by Jimmy Cliff who played some classic tracks that had the whole crowd swaying along. Lovely stuff, and the sunset that accompanied him was perfectly timed.

Labels: festivals, London, Music

What is it about England right now that leads us to be constantly fascinated by leftfield cover versions of well known songs? Every day I hear something that's a cross-genre cover/mash up/something that brings me up short as I try to work out a) the original song and b) the artist singing it.

Right now there's a country version of 'Walk this Way' coming over the air which is cute but probably forgettable (except in nightmare). Yesterday on the train we had four young Suffolk lads blasting a Chris Cornell cover of Seven Nation Army from their mobile phone as they debated whether or not to mix the rum with their soft drink, or to drink it neat and follow up with the soft drink* - they all agreed though that Chris's version was better than the original, which just goes to show that there's no accounting for taste, or lack thereof.

*The answer was rum first, soft drink later as "We'll get more drunk that way" "You're roight!". And lads, for reference, having the money to get drunk in Ipswich does not stop you from being 'skanks' too like your penniless friends - sorry.

Labels: Brit Stuff, Music, Slice of Life

My Canadian drinking buddy and part time yoga studio sweeper Jason Kent has released his splendid eponymous album for your delight and enjoyment. I think it's only out in Canada right now, so those non-Canadians out there will have to fly over here and buy it. Off you go now...

In the meantime, here's Jason demonstrating his musical talents by running through the entire album in one go (with Jen, owner of the best yoga studio in Montreal, on camera):

Labels: Bands, Canada, friends, Montreal, Music, videos

I'm in a total Talking Heads fest right now. It's funny really, as I was never a big fan of their hits back when they came out, now after some water under the bridge I've realised quite how outstanding they were and how much they've influenced modern bands. That and lead singer David Byrne was one of my more regular celeb spots back in New York, striding purposefully around the East Village with his spiky gray hair.

Labels: Genius, Music, new york

Amazingly this year's Glastonbury Festival did not sell out over the weekend.. This is a slight change from previous years where the tickets were all but gone within a few hours. I guess that means all my friends will have tickets, but unfortunately I'm at a wedding that weekend so I won't be there. Ah well.

As to why there are still tickets left, well a number of reasons are being suggested. The ticket pre-registration process was the same as last year, so it is doubtful that that was the reason for the slow down. Most likely culprit is the current line-up which is seen as pretty crap, generally because Jay-Z is the biggest touted headliner and most hardcore Glasto folk are more indie/rock/dance than rap - not that I'd mind seeing him perform as I'm sure it'll be a good show. Another reason is the explosion of alternative festivals in Britain now, each aiming to be a new Glastonbury. Perhaps we are seeing a social network effect in real life, with big social networks becoming less common and focused, niche networks sprouting up to directly support the needs of smaller groups of people. Would you rather go to a festival that just plays music you like with all you friends, or to a large, expensive, crowded festival that tries to be all things to all people?

Labels: Brit Stuff, Music, society

Just got back in from a splendid night down in the Old Port of Montreal, watching the ever splendid Daedelus. He played an hour set, half an hour less than scheduled for some reason, but what an hour. The beats ranged from mellow hip hop to near techno, with seamless mixing and live playing from a range of film samples and of his own creation. It even snowed a little which just made it seem all the more magical. Thanks again, Mr D.

As usual Daedelus was creating live tracks on his wonderful box of lights 'n buttons, which you can buy now should you so desire. Samples are started via the box on the fly and you can watch the lights moving across in time with them as they play. The samples can then be adjusted, repeated, replayed or played as if on a keyboard all from the same box. It's amazing to watch in action if you get the chance.. oh wait, here's a live clip from youTube so you can see (not Igloofest!)

Go see him if you get the chance - or check out one of his amazing albums. He'll be huge soon, and deservedly so.

Labels: Bands, Dancing, gigs, Montreal, Music

For those of you who like the surreal - check out the 'SleeveFace' group on flickr. They take photos of themselves and their friends with album covers with faces in front of their own faces. Very funny. [Thanks to BoingBoing]

Labels: funny, Music, photos

The ever wonderful Daedelus is coming to play Montreal on the 25th January, as part of this year's IglooFest. Plus he has this awesome video out to keep me going till then, splendid.

Maybe I'll try and give him a CD of all the photos from his gig at APT the other year. He seems to like one of them at least, since it's currently his mySpace profile pic. Bless {:).

Labels: gigs, Montreal, Music, Must See

As an addendum to that last post, here's the full set list from tonight's one off Led Zeppelin Reunion Concert:

1. Good Times, Bad Times
2. Ramble On
3. Black Dog
4. In My Time of Dying
5. Trampled Under Foot
6. Nobody's Fault But Mine
7. No Quarter
8. Since I've Been Loving You
9. Dazed and Confused
10. Stairway to Heaven
11. Misty Mountain Hop
12. Kashmir

Then a brief break, followed by an encore of:

1. Whole Lotta Love
2. Rock 'n Roll

A great mix indeed, but of course everyone will be sad that their own faves aren't in there. Fingers crossed they 'sell out' and do a tour...

Labels: Concerts, gigs, Music

Well Led Zeppelin have just finished their one-off gig at the O2 arena in London. From the Radio 6 broadcast I'm listening to the set list was full of classic Zeppelin tracks - Song Remains the Same, Kashmir and Stairway to Heaven all featured. Hopefully soon someone will put some bootleg tracks up and we can all have a jolly good listen to find out how the old rock fogeys have held up. Some of us can't afford £86,000 for a pair of touted tickets y'know.

In related news, the Vicar owner of Bron-Y-Aur, the small cottage in Wales near Machynlleth, has asked that Led Zeppelin fans refrain from doing the pilgrimage to his remote home. Back in my young student days in Birmingham I made that trip as part of an ill fated camping weekend. I hadn't planned on it being a special visit, but as soon as I saw that cottage named on the Ordnance Survey map I had to go. It was dusk when I got there, so I snapped a photo of the wonderfully atmospheric, tree covered driveway then went home - happy to see the place where Page & Plant had spent a weekend creating some amazing songs.

Labels: Brit Stuff, Genius, gigs, London, Music

Steve Lamacq over at BBC Radio 6 has an interview with Radiohead this coming Monday - 19th November*. This should be interesting listening, as its their first interview since In Rainbows was released online for the wonderful price of 'whatever you feel like paying'. Also on that page is a great cover of The Smiths from the Radiohead boys which I've embedded below:

* Don't worry if you miss it on the 19th, you can listen to it on the BBC's player for a week after that.

Labels: Brit Stuff, heroes, Music, Upcoming

Radiohead's new album 'In Rainbows' is due out soon - 10th October to be precise. What's especially interesting about this album is that Radiohead are asking us what we want to pay for it - no, really.

Whatever happens this will certainly be an interesting experiment. Radiohead are, I suspect, getting paid directly for all the money paid for the download as they recently completed their contractual obligations to EMI with their wonderful last album 'Hail to the Thief'. They could be the first of many of the major bands to reject the record company middle men and work directly with fans, something normally the domain of the startup bands on mySpace.

Labels: internet, Music

Tony Wilson, founder of Factory Records and the infamous Hacienda, music afficianado and subject of 24 Hour Party People, has died from cancer. A sad day indeed. He was just 57.

Labels: Brit Stuff, Genius, Music

Prince recently courted controversy by releasing his new album, Planet Earth, free with a major UK newspaper. The uproar came mostly from the music labels and stores - people who make money from distributing other people's creations rather than the musicians themselves. Prince himself doesn't seem to care, as far as anyone knows since he rarely gives interviews these days. His music is his message and he keeps playing, and playing damn well as I saw a few years back at Madison Square Garden. He may have been around a while now but he has an amazing energy, even way back from the stage. Undaunted by his secrecy, the NY Times has a great piece on what Prince has been up to all these years [From metafilter].

Labels: Genius, Music

A quick plug for my friend Amy's music blog. Amy's a dedicated muso currently in LA, when not visiting her true loves London & New York. She also came up with the splendid quote on the top of this post. Classic. So go read the blog now!

Labels: friends, Music, quotes

I first saw this video on the unfortunately on hiatus RES magazine monthly DVD, and I've loved it ever since. Finally it's turned up on youTube. My favourite part? The mechanic turned stripper - awesome!

Labels: Music, videos

Well today is the official gate opening for Glastonbury Festival 2007, the festival that official demonstrates you can have a really crap domain name and still be the most popular festival in Britland. To all my many friends who are going - have a splendid time, I'm very jealous of you all even with the expected mud related action - yes, apparently this year will be another un-scorcher unfortunately. I know the Glasto spirit will overcome all with it's joyousness and general out-of-it-ness.

For those of you who don't know, Glastonbury Festival is the jewel in Britain's, increasingly crowded, summer festival calendar. A splendid brew of top class bands, crusties with dogs and open air toilets - the best kind of festival toilet ever (except in the rain). It's hard to explain Glasto if you haven't been, so just go already. Then you'll have the memories, well some of them at least, to fit the descriptions you hear from many people with wide grins on their faces.

Labels: Brit Stuff, Music, Must See

Today I is mostly liking sitting in the sun and having a picernic with Jess, Gerald and crew. Today's special guest star was Rich, who I last saw at random in a Thai bar on Ko Lanta (he's passing through on the way back to England from Australia). Now, as the sun sets on the end of a luverley day, I'm rocking out to Jarvis' latest self titled offering in preparation for his gig tonight at Webster Hall - plus Beck's 'The Information' is also providing much enjoyment. It's good to have some new tunes on rotation. Now if only the f*cking ice cream van outside would shut off the inane plinky noise of its child attracting device... Surely there's some kind of law against it sitting and running the tune in the same location for more than a few bars? Grrr.

Labels: good times, happiness, Music

I was lucky enough to be in the UK when TV on the Radio's latest album Return to Cookie Mountain came out over there, a good few months before the delayed US launch. As I drove around visiting my family this album was on almost constant play, but for some reason it didn't grab me as much as the amazing Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes - with classic tracks such as Ambulance & Dreams.

Well it's been a good six months or so now since I first heard it and now I have to say that Return to Cookie Mountain is rarely off my iPod now. I've never had an album that grows on you as much as this, and it's not like I started out hating it. Every time I listen I hear different nuances and subtleties. So if you don't have it go and get it now!! Enough fan speak now.

Labels: Bands, Music

Tonight seems to have turned into a review of some of my personal music history, in the form of rare albums from my childhood.

First up, Jean Michel Jarre. When I was younger Jean-Michel Jarre, the 'godfather of techno' and then proud owner of a dash in his name, was one of the regular artists played by my dad as we drove off on family holidays (along with Fleetwood Mac, Elton John and Joan Armatrading - oh and the Imaginations and/or Reflections compilations). Oxygene, Equinoxe and Magnetic Fields formed most of my childhood soundscape and along with the amazing Concerts in China I still listen to them regularly today.

Recently I recalled the 'lost' Jarre album, 'Music for Supermarkets/Musique pour Supermarche', a single pressing of an album Jarre created that was sold at auction for a large sum of money. This album, created and sold in 1983, was at the peak of Jarre's powers, as his later albums never quite seemed as strong as the earlier ones before this time. Of course noone would ever hear this album, except for the unknown person who bought it at the auction. A shame indeed. Or at least it would have been a shame except for the fact that Jarre played the album once and once only on Radio Luxembourg, with the introduction 'Pirate it!'. Back then this simple cry meant that a few people would whip out their 8-tracks and record the AM broadcast for personal use, nowawdays it means something very different indeed.

So it was with great joy that some web searching turned up this missing album as a low quality mp3. Finally, after almost 25 years, I got to listen to an album I'd never heard, that was never part of my childhood even though it kind of was. And how is it? Wonderful. Even with the hisses and bad quality, the music is from Jarre at the top of his powers. Simple, catchy, organic. Using the analogue 'digital' instruments he excelled at, rather than their newer digital replacements. If you didn't know how old it was you could easily believe it was from a modern band.

Flush with this success I decided to track down a later piece of my musical development. In my mid teens myself and a group of friends got heavily into The Stranglers, creators of the classic track 'Golden Brown'. As well as good solid rocky songs there was a connection that the bass player had gone to our school, expelled for reason that were the stuff of legend ('he'd ridden his bike through the corridors!', 'he'd hit a teacher!' and so on - after a gig at Guildford civic hall Burnel said to my friends it was because he'd burnt a pile of school caps on the headmaster's lawn). This apparent connection meant that all of us were avid Stranglers fanatics, collecting piles of their old vinyl at every opportunity until Hugh Cornwell left the band and they were never quite the same.

I still have my vinyl - a pretty complete collection of UK singles and first pressing albums - but one single I don't have. In 1980, just before fellow Frenchman Jarre would create Music for Supermarkets, JJ Burnel pulled the release of a single from his upcoming solo career. This single, Girl From the Snow Country, then became one of the rarest singles in the UK as only a few copies had been saved from destruction. With this in mind I just did a quick search, and found that a copy of the single just sold for £580.00. Wow. Not sure I want it that much, but still. Just goes to show that my vinyl might still be worth something (assuming my cat hasn't gotten too friendly with the pile of plastic).

You gotta love the internet sometimes.

Labels: Music, personal history

Tonight The Arcade Fire start their residency in Montreal for five nights. Like all of their other residencies the gigs are being held in small, intimate venues - with the associated immediate selling out and subsequent touting of tickets on eBay for significant profit. This is a shame, as like many folks, I think they're really quite lovely and would like to see them live someday.

Then I found out that every day at 10am there are 50 tickets being released for sale at a local ticket shop. So this morning I popped along, just in case people hadn't worked this out. Arriving at 10.10am the line looked pretty reasonable so I joined the end. Then the TV crews turned up asking people in front of us who was person number 50. A guy in orange about 15 people in front put his hand up. Doh. Of course having gone all the way up there I wasn't going to go just because of that - so I hung around, with my new line buddies, till the shop owner stuck his head out the door and told us and the news crews that all 50 tickets were now gone and that the first in line had been there since 4.15am that morning and the 50th had arrived at 7.15am! More tickets are available tomorrow and every day after - but with -17c temperatures and lower I'm not convinced the tickets are worth hypothermia... Maybe.

Labels: Bands, Montreal, Music

Had a splendid night out last night with Andy. Our first visit to the Limelight club, a converted church on 6th Avenue. Lots of platforms to wander around and smallish dance rooms. The reason for our trip was to see Jesus Jones - Andy had managed to score some guest passes. Excellent show! They played all the old classics. Only strange part was Mike, the lead singer, now has a sensible haircut... After the show I convinced Andy to wander backstage with me so we got to meet Mike briefly which Andy loved as he's been a huge fan for ages. One of those things I still love about New York, that you can do things like that a lot more easily.

Labels: celeb spot, Music

Went out to see the Beta Band last night. They played at the Supper Club, which is generally a swing club with the most amazing ceiling (blue, with scalloped gold shells and lots of recessed lights). Me and the Andy had a laff whilst trying to avoid consuming too many of the weak, overpriced drinks that were on sale. Bless. The set tended to veer more towards the 3 EPs than the other two albums which was fine by me, backed up with bizarro home videos and the occasional live camera angle of them on-stage from the side (which was quite disorientating). Crowd was the usual mix of static New Yorkers in black and Brits who were moving about a lot more.

Meanwhile the subway, specifically the L line, seems to be moving towards an ever less regular service with consequent increase in chock a block full trains. What's up with that? Having said that I always love the days when they decide, normally at my stop, that this train will be an express to Union Square... sweet. And, having said that, it's always infinitely better than the London Tube - which, amongst its flaws, closes at midnight, costs around 3 times as much, is slower (no real express/local lines), more claustrophobic and has no air conditioning. Gotta love them patatas...

Labels: gigs, Music, williamsburg

Just reading this interview with Richard James (aka, Aphex Twin). He's a very disturbing chap. Always thought Cornish folk were a bit weird - too much clotted cream...

Meanwhile New York's gone cold again. Thankfully my new landlord seems to have a slightly more libertarian view to heating my apartment! Appreciated this yesterday as I spent the whole day at home ill, my throat was playing up again. Nope, not anthrax, although I have to admit to getting the fear having opened an unsolicited mailer from a bank. Quick rinse off later the letter was in the bin and I calmed down by catching up on my pile of un-watched DVDs as I dined upon fine canned soup.

Labels: health, Music

Oh. Forgot to mention that I went to the Orbital gig at Roseland last night. Amazing concert, danced for the whole set and ended up a complete sweat-fest (for a change). I miss Brit-dance...

Labels: gigs, Music

Went to the most wonderful Bjork concert last night. It was at the Radio City Music hall, which I've never been to before, but is a huge, shell like space that is totally overwhelming. Thanks to the wonderful Paula and Ann I managed to get tickets very close to the front for myself and Alexa. Alexa had never seen Bjork live before so she was especially excited. I was a bit more 'whatever' having seen her a couple of times at festivals, but by the end of the show I was completely in awe. Bjork's voice has developed even further than before and soared against orchestral, electronic and harp backgrounds. Beautiful.

This marks the end of my first week back in New York for a while. I'm now not doing the AccuWx project anymore so won't be making my now regular trips to State College ever Monday and Friday. Part of me already misses the guys up there as they were always amusing and often challenging, which is fun, but another part of me is just glad to be back with everyone in NYC again. Now all I need to do is find out what the future holds... Simple really. First step is major pre-sales work which I'm looking forward to having not done any for a loooooooooong time. Fingers crossed.

Labels: gigs, Music