Haldern feature three:
How old are you? Do you know who Johnny Cash was?
Of course you know. But, do you know who Jamie N Commons is?
Born in Bristol, Commons moved to Chicago with his family at the age of six after his father's job transferred there. The first gig his father took him to was the Allman Brothers: "I have strong memories of strange-smelling smoke and the guy next to us howling like a wolf."
Nina
Returning to the West Country at 16 with a skewed accent, he taught himself the brass tacks of the guitar and, aged 18, moved to London to study music at Goldsmiths in New Cross.
For You To Learn
Singing the blues at 22 is a tough call. It's not just the baggage and breadth of the subject matter: you also need the right pipes and without them you risk parody.
Devil In Me
Fortunately Commons has them. After spending years trying and failing to imitate Gregg Allman, he found a substitute and the resulting sound is both rasping and lovely but inevitably studied, something he defends: "If I didn't think it was genuine I wouldn't sing in that way."
The Preacher
Can’t await the album. Give us some more blues Jamie!!! And thanks to The Guardian.
Friday, 13 July 2012
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
ACHTUNDZWANZIG
Today it's something special - thanks to Thank you scientist and the depths of the internet through which I've come across this exciting new band, started listening and got hooked. The band comes from New Jersey, has 7 (!) members and plays roughly 20 instruments, among which are the trombone, saxophone and the flugelhorn (some career opportunity for you, Geri?). But be not misguided by this - it's progressive rock at its finest. When I started off listening to the band, my first impression was a strong Coheed and Cambria-resemblance. A few hours later, I guess that was mostly due to Salvatore Marrano and his vocals.
Thank you scientist are a lot more than that. Their website describes their sound as follows: "Progressive rock, jazz, fusion, classical, metal, psychedelic, 60s Pop and world music all seem to collide together at full speed, and the impact demands your attention."
Interesting? Right! Even more after reading about how their records came to be: The band have released an EP (The Perils of Time Travel) from which a few songs are featured on Youtube - check out Leave your light on, a brilliant song. Wanting to release a full studio album but not having been signed they decided to get their forthcoming (and now released) album Maps of Non-existent Places funded by fans. And this actually worked out, so here it is: You can listen to the full-length album on the website for free. Youtube doesn't offer much at the moment, so this is the easiest way to get a better impression (c.f. above;)) and to listen to it in one sitting.
The album starts with a prelude and perfect acapella intro, only to switch to raw guitars immediately with the first song, a salesman's guide to non-existence. Here, you can already dive into the band's mastery of all different kinds of instruments and styles - after guitars, its vocals, trumpets and breaks which arebeing speeded up by drums to start over again - beautiful!
In most of the songs you can hear that all band members have been trained in classical and jazz music, a good example of that is feed the horses - atonal at first, the mixture brews and brews and changes to jazzy styles.
Still, this is music that needs to be listened to at a high volume - and you will need time for it. None of the tracks is shorter than 5 mins, Blood on the radio is even an epic 9 minutes, light inbetween, but keep listening, the guitar solo around the 7th/8th minute will blow you away.
I recommend listening to all songs, so I haven't linked all of them individually. If you want a teaser from that new album, My famed disappearing act can be found on youtube.
So, what do you think? Coheed and Cambria? Or something new, thanks to Thank you scientist? And where does that weird band name come from anyway?
Thank you scientist are a lot more than that. Their website describes their sound as follows: "Progressive rock, jazz, fusion, classical, metal, psychedelic, 60s Pop and world music all seem to collide together at full speed, and the impact demands your attention."
Interesting? Right! Even more after reading about how their records came to be: The band have released an EP (The Perils of Time Travel) from which a few songs are featured on Youtube - check out Leave your light on, a brilliant song. Wanting to release a full studio album but not having been signed they decided to get their forthcoming (and now released) album Maps of Non-existent Places funded by fans. And this actually worked out, so here it is: You can listen to the full-length album on the website for free. Youtube doesn't offer much at the moment, so this is the easiest way to get a better impression (c.f. above;)) and to listen to it in one sitting.
The album starts with a prelude and perfect acapella intro, only to switch to raw guitars immediately with the first song, a salesman's guide to non-existence. Here, you can already dive into the band's mastery of all different kinds of instruments and styles - after guitars, its vocals, trumpets and breaks which arebeing speeded up by drums to start over again - beautiful!
In most of the songs you can hear that all band members have been trained in classical and jazz music, a good example of that is feed the horses - atonal at first, the mixture brews and brews and changes to jazzy styles.
Still, this is music that needs to be listened to at a high volume - and you will need time for it. None of the tracks is shorter than 5 mins, Blood on the radio is even an epic 9 minutes, light inbetween, but keep listening, the guitar solo around the 7th/8th minute will blow you away.
I recommend listening to all songs, so I haven't linked all of them individually. If you want a teaser from that new album, My famed disappearing act can be found on youtube.
So, what do you think? Coheed and Cambria? Or something new, thanks to Thank you scientist? And where does that weird band name come from anyway?
Sunday, 24 June 2012
VINGT-SEPT
Today I found a great new channel to follow on VIMEO which is called "The Black Cab Sessions". My friend Astrid from Bogota posted this great video of
Michael Kiwanuka sitting in a London Cab and singing a song. How fun is this to make a city tour and enjoy some great songs?
I made a list of some of my favorite bands who are listed there and dedicated to persons with whom I relate the band with.
Click on the different links or simply browse the channel for more videos and enjoy! Cheers
Lykke Li - for Steffi reminding me of our trip in 2008
Winter Sleep - Mr. Hill introducing me to one of my favorite bands I never never never get tired of! Thanks for that!
The National - Mr. Dubé my concert buddy in Montréal seeing the National at Le National :D
The Ravonettes - Cameron suggesting me this Danish band whilst we were in Coppenhagen in Summer 2011.
Feist - Manu with whom I am sharing a nearly 20-year-old friendship and who is a huge fan of this Canadian lady :)
Laura Marling - Marit introducing me over the years with beautiful music through our monthly-cd-exchange. Laura Marling remaining one of my favorites.
The Kooks - Elli, because her eyes are always sparkling a bit more when "Seaside" is being played.
Fanfarlo - Geri & the Haldern Crew, because this band is one of those great Haldern Pop discoveries.
Death Cab for Cutie - Brun, a "lifelong" Death Cab for Cutie fan I reckon. Put it on his first mix cd for me.
Cloud Control - Sarah, always a lovely memory of the Bushstock Festival 2011 anf of course of you and the music of your hood ;)
Bombay Bicycle Club - Jassi introduced me to this awesome band in 2010.
Band of Horses - Kris because this makes me think of him no matter where he is.
Alela Diane - Judi since we shared this same type of music when I as in Canada and also to Lukas with whom I went to see a beautiful concert of this lady in a great location in Berlin, a church. Thanks for the acoustics!
Fionn Regan - Anto, because you love him so much :)
Jamie Lidell - Danyo reminding me of 2010 driving around in your car in beautiful Freiburg.
P.s.: And no this is not a ranking, simply the videos in the order I found them.
Thursday, 21 June 2012
SECHSUNDZWANZIG
Today I get to do a short article on EFFI - first, it's a Haldern feature, second, it's Austrian and third it's perfect to pass the time waiting for summer and the desperately needed holidays. And to top it all off, the name EFFI is a reference to Theodor Fontane's Effi Briest, which for me as a German teacher is quite intriguing. ;)
There's not much to say about 1, except that I'm starting to look forward to this year's Haldern.
About 2: Thomas Petritsch is a singer/songwriter from Graz using electronic and acoustic instruments, and a large variety of those. Fortunately, he sings in English, and even better, he does so without a detectable accent (at least to me, this is something that always annoys me with German-speaking bands...).
About 3: Just check out Summer Sun to get a taste of happy tunes and refreshing simple, clear music.
For an even greater treat, check out Bye Baby and its video. I think the visuals are just ....cute.
Same is true for my favourite song of the day, Mars. Artsy stuff, but very childlike. I think his music has a childish, playful touch - and that's meant in a positive way. So, in case the sun and therefore summer have not yet arrived where you live, get a glimpse of the sun and listen to EFFI for a bit.
Which brings me to EFFI as a name again - as some fervent readers might know, Effi is not really what you'd call a light read. A stark contrast to the band!
There's not much to say about 1, except that I'm starting to look forward to this year's Haldern.
About 2: Thomas Petritsch is a singer/songwriter from Graz using electronic and acoustic instruments, and a large variety of those. Fortunately, he sings in English, and even better, he does so without a detectable accent (at least to me, this is something that always annoys me with German-speaking bands...).
About 3: Just check out Summer Sun to get a taste of happy tunes and refreshing simple, clear music.
For an even greater treat, check out Bye Baby and its video. I think the visuals are just ....cute.
Same is true for my favourite song of the day, Mars. Artsy stuff, but very childlike. I think his music has a childish, playful touch - and that's meant in a positive way. So, in case the sun and therefore summer have not yet arrived where you live, get a glimpse of the sun and listen to EFFI for a bit.
Which brings me to EFFI as a name again - as some fervent readers might know, Effi is not really what you'd call a light read. A stark contrast to the band!
His debut album is called Astronaut.
Friday, 15 June 2012
VINGT-CINQ
Just a short post from my side, which is not directed to some precific band or so, but which could fit to the Haldern mood though.
I am just working on a handbook for photoshop to leave in my office, and I thought that a bit of music in my left ear would be nice (my right one is fairly upset right now!).
Jumping from one video to another on YouTube I stumbled over a channel from KEXPradio. Lots of great live performance from "indie" musicians. Some where at Haldern, some may find their way there sometime.
Have a look at this endless library and enjoy maybe with both ears!
I am just working on a handbook for photoshop to leave in my office, and I thought that a bit of music in my left ear would be nice (my right one is fairly upset right now!).
Jumping from one video to another on YouTube I stumbled over a channel from KEXPradio. Lots of great live performance from "indie" musicians. Some where at Haldern, some may find their way there sometime.
Have a look at this endless library and enjoy maybe with both ears!
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
VIERUNDZWANZIG
...thanks Geri for keeping up the work, and especially for the last band!
Before we can get started on quality reviews of the upcoming Haldern artists,there's something I need to do: I used to be the biggest Smashing Pumpkins fan alive, and there was a time I would have torn anyone who didn't like them to pieces - and now I finally have no choice but to do this the other way around:
Billy Corgan (I refuse to call them the 'Smashing Pumpkins' since today they consist of guitarist Jeff Schroeder, drummer Mike Byrne and bassist/vocalist Nicole Fiorentino) sucks.
For those of you who are interested: The soon to be released new album Oceania can be pre-listened to at tape.tv. I've listened to it twice and nothing stuck. I never liked whatever happened after Machina, and that itself was borderline. I mean, I do like artists changing their sound and trying new stuff, but whatever Billy Corgan has been working on sounds like porridgy noise, bad drums, vocals that stick to the same pattern over and over again and guitar overload.
Listening to the opener of Oceania, Quasar, led me to believe for a second that something had changed, but that was a second only. The worst part are probably the lyrics, I haven't double-checked and admittedly, I wasn't too focused istening to catch every word, but it seems to be about love. Using all kinds of clichees. There are two songs that one could listen to, and these are the ballads of the album. The celestials is a beautiful ballad with female backup vocals like a celestial choir (har!), not too overburdened with sound,Violet rays another love song and quite intense, and er...actually a song called Panopticon, which is of course an epic title - at least. ;)
Before we can get started on quality reviews of the upcoming Haldern artists,there's something I need to do: I used to be the biggest Smashing Pumpkins fan alive, and there was a time I would have torn anyone who didn't like them to pieces - and now I finally have no choice but to do this the other way around:
Billy Corgan (I refuse to call them the 'Smashing Pumpkins' since today they consist of guitarist Jeff Schroeder, drummer Mike Byrne and bassist/vocalist Nicole Fiorentino) sucks.
For those of you who are interested: The soon to be released new album Oceania can be pre-listened to at tape.tv. I've listened to it twice and nothing stuck. I never liked whatever happened after Machina, and that itself was borderline. I mean, I do like artists changing their sound and trying new stuff, but whatever Billy Corgan has been working on sounds like porridgy noise, bad drums, vocals that stick to the same pattern over and over again and guitar overload.
Listening to the opener of Oceania, Quasar, led me to believe for a second that something had changed, but that was a second only. The worst part are probably the lyrics, I haven't double-checked and admittedly, I wasn't too focused istening to catch every word, but it seems to be about love. Using all kinds of clichees. There are two songs that one could listen to, and these are the ballads of the album. The celestials is a beautiful ballad with female backup vocals like a celestial choir (har!), not too overburdened with sound,Violet rays another love song and quite intense, and er...actually a song called Panopticon, which is of course an epic title - at least. ;)
DREIAZWANZG
Admiral Fallow is a Scottish musical group formed in 2007 by singer/song-writer Louis Abbott and based in Glasgow. They write and perform folk/pop. Their first album “Boots Met My Face” was released in the UK and worldwide in 2011.
Old Balloons
Their song "Squealing Pigs" was used on NBC's Chuck, featured in a commercial and was performed live on BBC television's Hogmanay Live 2011. In July 2009 the band headlined the T Break Stage at T in the Park festival. They have also played at the Wee Chill, Rockness, Loopallu Festival and Insider festivals.
Squealing Pigs
The band has supported many artists - including Guillemots, King Creosote, the Futureheads, Paolo Nutini, Frightened Rabbit , Belle and Sebastian, The Low Anthem. In 2011 the band played a UK headline tour and also attended Austin, Texas for SxSW 2011. Shows followed in New York. UK summer 2011 festivals included Glastonbury, Latitude, Cambridge Folk Festival, Green Man, and End of The Road.
Beetle In The Box
They co-headlined the HMV Next Big Thing Festival 2012 and are touring for their next album release 21 May 2012 of Tree Bursts In Snow. The band members are: Louis Abbott, Kevin Brolly, Philip Hauge, Sarah Hayes, Joe Rattray.
What a sound…what an album…what a band...
Listen, listen, listen!!!!!!!!
The Paper Trench
Old Balloons
Their song "Squealing Pigs" was used on NBC's Chuck, featured in a commercial and was performed live on BBC television's Hogmanay Live 2011. In July 2009 the band headlined the T Break Stage at T in the Park festival. They have also played at the Wee Chill, Rockness, Loopallu Festival and Insider festivals.
Squealing Pigs
The band has supported many artists - including Guillemots, King Creosote, the Futureheads, Paolo Nutini, Frightened Rabbit , Belle and Sebastian, The Low Anthem. In 2011 the band played a UK headline tour and also attended Austin, Texas for SxSW 2011. Shows followed in New York. UK summer 2011 festivals included Glastonbury, Latitude, Cambridge Folk Festival, Green Man, and End of The Road.
Beetle In The Box
They co-headlined the HMV Next Big Thing Festival 2012 and are touring for their next album release 21 May 2012 of Tree Bursts In Snow. The band members are: Louis Abbott, Kevin Brolly, Philip Hauge, Sarah Hayes, Joe Rattray.
What a sound…what an album…what a band...
Listen, listen, listen!!!!!!!!
The Paper Trench
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