anika in london

I know I have maybe only every written about Beach House like once* before, but they really are such a brilliant band. I listen to ‘Teen Dream’ and it makes me feel super excited. I can’t wait for this band to be back here in November playing shows. I remember the first time I heard the newest album. It was at the Bella Union listening party. It was almost a year ago from now. Right from the very first note of ‘Zebra’, right until the very end of ‘Take Care’, I think I had a massive, over excitable grin on my face.

Here is a good video of ‘Better Times’.

‘Better Times’ is actually the first track from the album I heard. I remember it from when the band played it at Cargo, in 2008. It was the only new song in their set. I loved it.

*LIE.

Jenny & Johnny announce tour dates in December

Jenny & Johnny have a whole slew (a whole slew!) or London shows in small venues. See:

07.12.10 at 93 Feet East
08.12.10 at Bush Hall, London
09.12.10 at Brixton Mass
10.12.10 at Luminaire

Amazing. I actually got really excited when I saw these tour dates were announced.

I haven’t listened to the Jenny & Johnny album yet. I heard that one song that they posted. “Scissor Runner”.  I have to admit, I didn’t dig it. But I kind of have faith that the rest of the album will maybe be brilliant and the live show will be good. I’ve heard a bunch of good words about it lately. Let’s hope!

When I was younger (like, 15-18) Jenny Lewis/Rilo Kiley was my most favourite band. I loved it all so so so much, both her Rilo Kiley work and solo album. Music is extra special when you’re a kid, and don’t see live shows. Atleast for me it was. It’s still special now, of course. But when you’re that age and nobody else at school likes music (squares!) it becomes your own special, private treasure. A nice pal.

I’ll be at the Luminaire show for sure. Exciting.

A couple of weeks I go I saw Diane Cluck play at the Tabernacle. She mentioned a forthcoming record, to be released on Cardiff based 3 Syllables Records.

It will be beautifully packaged in a double-weight sleeve, pressed onto heavyweight vinyl. The album is called “Oh Vanille / Ova Nil”. Get your pre-orders in! Release date is November 8th.

I love artists like Diane Cluck, who have been working in music for so long and have such a devoted and adoring fanbase, but still keep such a loveable and honest DIY feel. It’s very special.

For those folk not fond of stealing what does not belong to them, Sufjan Steven’s newest album ‘Age of Adz’ is streaming in its entirety over at NPR, right up until it’s release on October 12th. I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, but will soon.

I wish albums wouldn’t leak, it makes release dates useless. It would be way more fun if everyone all heard the album at once, no? I do understand why people download for free. If you love music it can be very expensive buying everything you want to hear at once. But downloading leaks just seems like a real kick in the teeth to the artist.

Almost two years ago, I remember walking around London, near where I lived at the time, listening to ‘Sylvia (An Introduction)’ on repeat. Late at night on weekdays, when the streets are quiet. It was so cold, but I used to love going across the river. It was only a twenty minute walk from where I was living. Walking late at night in quiet streets and listening to pretty songs. It was lovely.

Then, around a year ago from now, The Antlers came over here for the first time and toured the songs from ‘Hospice’. I fell in love with those beautiful and sad songs, and the band’s incredible live show.

I still adore ‘Hospice’. If you haven’t heard it you should. I’m excited to hear whatever they do next….

I love this! Grab the CocoRosie Daytrotter Session.

CocoRosie blew me away at ATP earlier this year, their live show is incredible. This session is so brilliant. ‘Lemonade’ and ‘RIP Burnface’ in particular. They are so bizarre. Their songs are mystical and strange, beautiful and wonderful. Sierra and Bianca’s voices contrast and melt together so perfectly.

I can’t wait to see them live again.