I saw I’m From Barcelona last week. Five or six years ago I really loved that band, and I’ve seen them a couple of other times over the years. In truth, it was a little bit too twee for my tastes these days but nonetheless it was a joyous and infectiously fun show. And a joy, as ever, to photograph:
I particularly enjoyed throwing confetti at Seb.
Cheesy as it may be, you can really feel how much all those guys love performing; and it’s impossible to not be warmed by that.
I love everything this band has released. Three years ago I moved to London and pretty much all I was listening to was Devotion. I didn’t like anybody at university and so I spent a lot of time by myself exploring the city and listening to Beach House. This is my favourite time of year to listen to Devotion. If you only know Teen Dream, as so many people seem to do (so often people mention to me they haven’t heard Beach House’s previous records), do check out Devotion and the self titled. It’s so worth it.
It has some premium Beach House pophits on! Wedding Bell, You Came To Me, Turtle Island are all A+ grade Beach House songs. Gila and Heart of Chambers are A ++. The ridiculous killer run of Astronaut – D.A.R.L.I.N.G – Home Again is also an A++.
To conclude: this is an A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ grade band. I think I may review all bands using this grade system now.
“Trust Bulbform” sounds like some sort of denture care product if you don’t punctuate it. I’m into that.
Trust – Bulbform
I think I already wrote about liking this song; but either way, you can now download it for free from the Trust website. Trust is a project from Maya Postepski and Robert Alfons, they recently announced their signing to trust-able (ho ho) Toronto label Arts & Crafts. You can buy Bulbform (and earlier single Candy Walls) from Sacred Bones. Maya is quite the polymath, a real creative and prolific talent.
Here is Maya’s remix of Tasseo’s Heavy Sleep from a while back:
I whimsically and impulsively decided to book myself a ticket to tropical Iceland. I am looking forward to seeing Beach House for the tenth time. They’re playing in an arts museum. They’re my favourite band making new music and it’s always a pleasure to see them live. In all honesty I’m most excited about seeing Iceland, the country, and anything else is a great bonus.
Kinda hope Beach House play some old pophits. As well as some future pophits. Pretty sure their next album will end up being my favourite album since Teen Dream.
I still attest Beach House are a band for all seasons and times of day, but I am awfully excited to listen to their records again through the winter. Devotion is sort of like having a blanket put around you and being handed a plate of apple crumble and custard. Best band.
I recently saw Tune Yards play a ’secret’ show at Hoxton Bar and Kitchen and a support slot to Beirut at Brixton Academy. I love the live show. I’ve seen it five times now and I think Merrill and her band are fantastic.
Here is a photo from when I saw Tune Yards earlier this year in sunnier climes:
Looking forward to SXSW 2012, and being able to attend the festival as a 21 year old.
Darts’ 1979 cover of the Gene Chandler pophit ‘Duke of Earl’. I love this era of classy special effects and convincing miming.
This video of Gene himself performing it is pretty spectacular; not least because he has a cape, tophat and cane. He also walks through a crowd of oldies clapping out of time. Amazing.
We are excited to welcome our friend Cat, from New York, to come play a lovely intimate show at the Betsey Trotwood on October 5th. She has spent the year touring as a singing/dancing member of Sufjan Stevens’ band and is returning to Europe as direct support for Marissa Nadler.
Here’s Cat singing with Sufjan Stevens, DM Stith, Bryce Dessner, and another of our friends; the brilliant Nedelle Torrisi:
And here’s a great video of Cat on a roof filmed by the lovely and great Alex Marvar:
I have made a mixtape. It is mixtape 1/1 because I am real good at starting things and discontinuing them abruptly. There may be a #2. Hope you like #1.
Sparks – Popularity The lyrics are so ridiculously dumb.
Billy Joel – Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song) My friend Katy reckons Billy Joel is good. I insisted he’s not. Then I happened past a record player on the street and the jam caught my ear. It was this Billy Joel song. I didn’t like the rest of the album though, and Billy still gives me the creeps.
Christopher Cross – Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do) This is the theme music for a film called Arthur starring Liza Minelli. A film which I have not seen. Regardless, doesn’t this sound like you’ve heard it a million times?
The Searchers – Needles & Pins
Written by Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono and originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon, this song has been covered so many times. I’m pretty sure this, recorded in 1964, is my favourite version.
Dion & The Belmonts – Runaround Sue Stupid Sue. What a jerk.
Jana Hunter – Kissing Without Lips This is a brilliant old Jana Hunter song which appears on a compilation album also featuring Devendra Banhart, Diane Cluck and Metallic Falcons (the collab of Sierra Casady and Matteah Baim).
The Everly Brothers – Stick With Me Baby You know these guys. They are kings of pophits.
Derrick Harriott – No Man Is An Island I don’t know anything about this guy, apart from I know I love this song. The phrase ‘no man is an island’ was of course originally penned by the poet, Mr John Donne.
Julee Cruise – I Remember From a wonderful album ‘Floating Into The Night’ with lyrics by David Lynch and music by Angelo Badalamenti. The incongruous cacophony subsiding back into dreampop gold at the end is what makes the song.
Broadcast – Winter Now So pretty. It’s nearly winter. AGAIN!
On Monday and yesterday I went to see my pals Peggy Sue celebrate the launch of their second album, ‘Acrobats’, with gigs at The Lexington and Rough Trade.
When I first saw Peggy Sue play, almost three years ago now, at Cargo, I didn’t like it. I just was not into it. But then I saw them two months later and thought; ‘hey, this is pretty okay’. Then by chance I saw them again and again, and then, over the years, it stopped being by chance and I went to their gigs to see them play.
I think they’re fantastic. The show at The Lexington on Monday was nothing less than spectacular. Their musicality and talent spoke for itself; their live show was powerful and well executed. Their sound is huger than ever, the intricacy is beautiful and Olly’s drumming is incredible. Clearly a lot of thought has been put into everything, and it really shows – the transitioning between songs and the flow of the set (including charming awkward chat) was perfect. The segue into accapella cover song ‘Hit The Road Jack’ complete with looped vox and a phenomenal vocal performance from Rosa and Katy, was something to be very proud of. It was amazing. At their largest, a six piece; with strings and bass, they’re a formidable behemoth, particularly on tracks like ‘There Always Was’ and ‘Funeral Beat’. The melody in ‘Song And Dance’ is wonderful, and old jams like ‘Watchman’ sound as good as ever. It’s smart music with witty lyricism and a lot of thought and care; demonstrating brilliant talent and energy.
I hope this band get all the attention they deserve. With the tour de force of strength to strength, it would be so wrong to ignore this. One of the brightest sparks in the country, and by miles my favourite band in this city.
Now that’s enough raving – go buy Acrobats. Hard sell like woah!
I particularly enjoyed throwing confetti at Seb.
…earlier this year…