Another Lover by Scott Rudd
Earlier in the week we brought you the video for this rather lovely, wistful ditty from Brooklynite Scott Rudd. You can now download the track in full below.
Scott will be touring the UK throughout July with singer-songwriter chum Jo Schornikow. For a full list of dates see his website.
07 Jun 2012
Cheek Mountain Thief
As seen owning the big stage at Nasa during last week’s Reykjavík Music Mess festival, Cheek Mountain Thief is the project of Tunng’s Mike Lindsay. It’s folk, but not as you know it – Cheek Mountain is stuffed with catchy singalong micro-melodies from start to finish, with booming drums and a tribal, timeless chorus. We’ll be talking to Lindsay about the project in more detail soon.
02 Jun 2012
Waters by White Birds
There’s something quite magnificent lurking under the sub-aquatic production on this new track from Philadelphia’s White Birds. Waters is available physically through Grizzly Records July 10. Download below.
28 May 2012
Brainlove Festival: Väljasõit Rohelisse
Last of the featured band interviews from this weekend’s Brainlove Festival is Estonia’s Väljasõit Rohelisse. Make sure you head down to The Windmill in Brixton today, with music starting from 2pm, to catch the band, soak up the sun, have a bit of free BBQ and generally have a drink and listen to some fine, fine music.
To get you warmed up, this is what Väljasõit Rohelisse had to say about themselves.
Could you introduce yourselves?
We are an amateur affair. One-chord ceremony with swamp blues, surf and krautrock tinges and Estonian echoes. Named after the sci-fi novel “Roadside Picnic” by Soviet writers, Strugatsky brothers. Picture an echo-chamber filled with smoke. An off-duty shaman having a mushroom salad and a glass of absinthe. Cheap crystal carafes, inverted glances, glittering tambourines and oscillating tremolos spread the infinite drone all around the town.
For people who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect?
Thick veils of smoke, green lights, white shirts, black shirts, white dress or black dress, tons of echoes and reverbs, glittering tambourines and shamanic beats, some awkward dance moves (if you’re lucky), five different personalities playing a mind ping-pong with each-other.
Are you familiar with the Brainlove Festival?
We haven’t played nor been there before. But we’re really looking forward to it.
What are you looking forward to most about it?
Old windmill and barking dogs; lazy atmosphere; nice chats about weird music, books, food, sailing, films, alcoholic beverages, art, computer games; latest gossip; people’s reaction to Estonian language; a lot of great sounds to nod your head to.
Looking at the line-up, who are you excited about seeing live?
We played with Mat Riviere and Napoleon IIIrd at Tallinn Music Week and these guys were really great, so we’re looking forward to see them again live. Also Female Band and Octagon Court sound exciting.
How do you find festivals in general? Do you prefer smaller venue shows?
The thing with festivals is that there are always really tight time limits for sound checks and getting on and off the stage. As we are just amateurs and using quite a lot of cheap electronics and effects, we are always short on time. So it’s fair to say that we prefer smaller venue shows time wise and also because of the intimate feeling and being closer to audience (and each-other on the stage).
Do you enjoy the prospect of people that necessarily aren’t that familiar with your music getting the chance to stumble upon you?
It’s always wonderful to get this kind of positive feedback from people who haven’t heard us before. The feeling that you can surprise people with your creation is one of the best that’s out there.
Could you tell us a little bit about the track you chose to give away as a free download?
It’s called “Pea on pilvedes” (Head in the clouds) and it reflects quite well what we’re about – one-chord drone with glittering tambourine, tons of echoes and reverbs, sinister bass and synth lines and distant vocals with a touch of melodrama. It’s recorded live in our rehearsal space with just one take on portable Zoom recorder. All the instruments and vocal together. It paints a hazy picture of introvert tripping in the spheres of one’s mind. In a darkened room, where you never climb higher in the name of ambition. With a touch of erotic closeness.
What do your band have going on at the moment? Anything you’re working on or forthcoming releases in the works?
Performing at Brainlove Festival is actually a part of our record “gastroll”. A mini-tour to present our first official release, a 10-inch EP “Külastus”. It’s released by Estonian label Onesense Music and will be also lovingly released and distributed in UK with the help of Brainlove Records (thanks, John at Brainlove and Helen at TMW!) Our gastroll also takes us to Moscow on the 19th of May. And of course couple of shows in Estonia. New songs keep popping up all the time, so may-be later in autumn we’ll record some new material also.
Brainlove Festival takes place at Brixton’s Windmill today (26th May).
Tickets & Lineup Info at: www.brainloverecords.com/festival.
26 May 2012
Brainlove Festival: Mat Riviere
Quite possibly my personal pick of this weekend’s Brainlove Festival, heck no – definitely my favoured choice, has to be Mat Riviere. And he may also be the highlight of the billing for anyone who’s been to the Brixton all-dayer in the past, as he’s slotted into the line-up several times previous.
First seeing him perform to an almost empty room a few years back on the Bristol leg of the Brainlove Records touring showcase, I’ve probably seen him live too many times since and have possibly written more things on the internet about him than even the musician himself has.
But with a new album coming out before the year’s end, this performance at tomorrow’s event will be one fresh even to the obsessed likes of myself. Don’t miss it, ensure entry by buying tickets now.
Could you introduce a little about yourself first and foremost?
I’m called Mat Riviere and I make extremely sexual music with my hands and mouth.
For people who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect?
An extremely sexual performance. They can expect to sit uncomfortably on the floor v. close to me if they want to expect that.
You’ve played Brainlove Festival a few times before, right?
I think this is the fourth time, maybe.
What are your feelings towards the event?
It seems like a good opportunity to see people play in a less formal setting than a normal gig . The first two times I saw David Thomas Broughton play was at Brainlove Festival (once in the main room and once in the garden) and they were both really special performances. There is always a weird mix of stuff and this year I think there are some good people doing readings and stalls and stuff as well all the music.
Looking at the line-up, who are you excited about seeing live?
I heard internet celebrity Crispin Best might be there. Maybe that.
How do you find festivals in general?
Brainlove Festival still feels quite intimate as it is not a huge venue. The idea of a ‘traditional festival crowd’ has never really appealed to me though, like Travis playing at Glastonbury or whatever. The only festivals I’ve played at seem to be kind of cute European ones where everyone is surprisingly attentive. That suits me fine I think.
Do you prefer smaller venue shows?
Yeah, I’m not keen on the idea of people waving flags/sitting on each others shoulders during musical performances at all tho, if someone wanted to do that at Brainlove Festival that would be funny probably.
Do you enjoy the prospect of people that necessarily aren’t that familiar with your music getting the chance to stumble upon you?
Yup. Think that’s one of the best things about festivals/alldayers/bigger shows etc. As long they don’t actually stumble upon me. This is a real danger when you play kneeling on the floor, I feel a bit scared now. Please don’t ‘bundle me’ while I am trying to make music, guys. Actually maybe that would be good. I think I would like it. Going to try and encourage lots of irresponsible behaviour and physical contact at this years Brainlove Festival.
What do your band have going on at the moment? Anything you’re working on or forthcoming releases in the works?
I am finishing an album called ‘Not Even Doom Music’ at the moment. It will come out this year. I am trying to get a small group of people to play music with me because I can’t play most of the new album live on my own.
Brainlove Festival takes place at Brixton’s Windmill this coming Saturday (26th May).
Tickets & Lineup Info at: www.brainloverecords.com/festival.
25 May 2012
Waters by White Birds
There’s something quite magnificent lurking under the sub-aquatic production on this new track from Philadelphia’s White Birds. Waters is available physically through Grizzly Records July 10. Download below.
23 May 2012
Brainlove Festival: Napoleon IIIrd
Napoleon IIIrd should be no stranger to anybody thinking of heading to this weekend’s Brainlove Festival. Appearing there for a few consecutive years now, he’s become somewhat of a fest veteran. A bill staple, if you will. Like the beer that holds everyone together on the day.
But if you haven’t been able to catch the LDN-based electronic maestro yet, do check him out at this Saturday’s event. Here’s what he had to say when we threw a few questions at him:
Could you introduce a little about yourself to those somehow not acquainted yet?
Hello, I am Napoleon IIIrd, the musician, producer and coffee enthusiast. I moved down to London last year and am working on my follow up to 2010’s critically aclaimed album, ‘Christiania’. I also like fish.
For people who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect?
Drones, loud bass, dancing, shouting, reverb, guitars, drums, tuna.
How many times have you played or even been to the Brainlove Festival?
Once or twice or thrice.
What do you think makes it unique?
It’s a day of the unexpected, there are constant surprises and the veggie burgers are always cold.
Who are you excited about seeing live?
Loads of people! Especially AK-DK, they will probably be playing with me too.
How do you find festivals compared to normal live shows?
I love festivals. Especially when there is Cider.
Do you enjoy the prospect of people that necessarily aren’t that familiar with your music getting the chance to stumble upon you?
That’s how I generally work anyway, so most certainly. I am very much looking forward to it.
Listen to N3’s track ‘The Hardline Optimist’ below:
Brainlove Festival takes place at Brixton’s Windmill this coming Saturday (26th May).
Tickets & Lineup Info at: www.brainloverecords.com/festival.
23 May 2012
A Burnt Out Case by The Savage Nomads
Having already caught the eye of London’s punk rock glitterati, namely The Clash’s Mick Jones and Paul Simonon, The Savage Nomads are currently conquering the airwaves with recent single Tension in the Middle (above). 6 Music’s Tom Robinson describes it as ‘the most astonishing single of the year so far’: he’s not far wrong. It’s a very British spoken word piece, combining The Streets at their most melodic with Mark E Smith’s vocal attack and a hint of Ghost Poet’s urban melancholia.
Today’s MPFree is the equally fine album cut A Burnt Out Case, taken from their debut long-player Coloured Clutter, available here. Catch them at the Notting Hill Arts Club, May 30.
22 May 2012
Brainlove Festival: Octagon Court
Octagon Court are an arty electronic duo from New Cross that sound like Bryan Ferry messing around with home-studio software. Live, however, they are more like Ferry having a seizure. And they’re a band that just have to be seen live – not only as much in a “one not to miss!” tipster sense but in the way that it’ll save me the challenge of having to describe them.
The band say their performances have been called “sermonic” (is that a word?), while they themselves say that they also “try to piss people off”. Either way, they’re as much a spectacle of theatrical uneasiness as they are a band. “The sounds and lyrics so each song becomes an aesthetic situation,” they say. And believe us, they really do.
We spoke to Octagon Court in advance of their performance at Brainlove Festival in Brixton on May 26th.
Could you introduce a little about yourself first and foremost?
We are Octagon Court, we are a musical duo, we were visual artists. We went all weird though.
For people who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect?
People have commented on the excessive amount of energy involved in our live performance. There are also certain rituals and forms we have created to house the sounds and lyrics so each song becomes an aesthetic situation. My brother said there was something sermonic in the performance – that’s a combination of ritual and a real emphasis on the lyrics. I’m not a poet however.
Have you played or even been to the Brainlove Festival prior to this year?
Yes, in fact we opened last year.
How was it before? What do you think makes it unique?
We had just got off a three-hour coach journey from Norwich where we were living at the time. We remember trying to quaff as much whisky as we could before going on. Kreatiivmootor made it unique.
Looking at the line-up, who are you excited about seeing live?
It looks a really varied and exciting line up. I’m really interested to see Keel Her. And Mat Riviere is well good.
How do you find festivals in general? Do you prefer smaller venue shows?
We’ve not played that many festivals but smaller shows seem to complement the intensity of what we are trying to get across. Big stages are good but we usually employ other aesthetic elements – dancers or props to engage with the space.
Do you enjoy the prospect of people that necessarily aren’t that familiar with your music getting the chance to stumble upon you?
Yes very much so. I also like pissing the right people off.
Could you tell us a little bit about the track you chose to give away as a free download?
‘Bring Her In’ actually refers to the imagined idea that the Titanic had reached America and the Americans are bringing ‘her’ in. I wrote that song when I realised I loved nature more than my girlfriend at the time.
What do your band have going on at the moment? Anything you’re working on or forthcoming releases in the works?
We have just released a music video which is available to view on our website and this video streaming site called YouTube (or above). We are working on an EP with Ollie Horton, aka Dreamtrak, which we are releasing next month.
Tickets & Lineup Info for Brainlove 2012 at: www.brainloverecords.com/festival.
18 May 2012
Brainlove Festival: Tall Stories
Close associates of the inner circle of Brainlove Records, Tall Stories are today’s featured band for this year’s festival – hoorah! Anyone who’s caught the London-based trio before will know what exciting antics to expect and won’t need much convincing to want more.
For newcomers, the group describe their live set-up as “a lot of energy and a lot of sarcasm”, and considering last time frontman Rob played the Brainlove Festival he drank a bottle of spirits before arrival, this time will surely equal these epic feats.
We had a quick word with the band before they head off to Liverpool Sound City, where they play tonight at Mello Mello.
Could you introduce a little about yourself first and foremost?
We are a three piece, north London based band who aim to make the biggest, catchiest racket we can possibly muster.
For people who haven’t seen you live before, what can they expect?
A lot of energy, and a lot of sarcasm.
Have you been to the Brainlove Festival prior to this year?
Yes actually, Rob played Brainlove fest last year as a drummer for the Ethical Debating Society.
And how was it?
It was great. I drank a bottle of Sailor Jerry in the car on the way there and they had a bubble machine.
Who are you excited about seeing live this time round?
Some of the bands that we met and played with at Tallinn Music Week, Estonia.
How do you find festivals in general? Do you prefer smaller venue shows?
We just prefer good shows! Festivals are great because none of the normal rules apply any more. You can embrace your inner lunatic.
Do you enjoy the prospect of people that necessarily aren’t that familiar with your music getting the chance to stumble upon you?
Yeah, that’s all we need really. A bunch of people in a room to rock out to.
Could you tell us a little bit about the track you chose to give away as a free download?
This was our first demo that we recorded and mixed entirely on our own, which was arduous to say the least! It has so far been played on XFM by John Kennedy and Huw Stephens on Radio 1.
What do your band have going on at the moment? Anything you’re working on or forthcoming releases in the works?
Our manager keeps bullying us into “generating content”. So we’re recording lots of stuff and making videos. That’s all progressing nicely. We’ve got quite a few gigs coming up, including a slot at Liverpool Sound City tonight.
Tickets & Lineup Info for Brainlove 2012 at: www.brainloverecords.com/festival.
17 May 2012
Snipe Highlights
Some popular articles from past years
- A unique collection of photos of Edwardian Londoners
- 9 poems about London: one for each of your moods
- The five best places in London to have an epiphany
- Punk brewery just as sexist and homophobic as the industry they rail against
- Random Interview: Eileen Conn, co-ordinator of Peckham Vision
- Margaret Thatcher statue rejected by public
- Peter Bayley has worked for 50 years as a cinema projectionist in East Finchley
- The best church names in London, and where they come from
- Number of people using Thames cable car plunges
- An interview with Desiree Akhavan
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