Take That are getting really rather cool…
Free Download: Get People ‘Away’
Download the first release off the new Get People’s ‘Rain Tears’ EP. The track is called ‘Away’ it’s being released on June 6th and it’s a slice of infectious, intelligent pop music. The London trio have only been around for a year, and make tribal-infused, dance pop music.
Free Download: Talking Pictures ‘Mirrors’ (Is Tropical remix)
‘Mirrors’ is the new single from Talking Pictures, released May 30th through Split Records. They’ve got Kitsune hotties Is Tropical to do a nice mix of the track.
Penguin Prison releases new single and gives away free downloads!
It’s been a while, but now he’s back! Penguin Prison returns with new single, “Multi-Millionaire Remixes” on Stranger Records on June 5th. In the meantime he’s offering a host of free downloads!
Since his last release, “Golden Train” late last year, Penguin Prison has spent a lot of 2011 so far touring the US and Europe, picking up a new army of fans along the way. As it’s taken so long to release a new single, there will be two free downloads each week in the lead up to the release of “Multi-Millionaire Remixes”.
The downloads will be available every Friday for one week only via the Penguin Prison Facebook.
Live: Funeral Party, Tribes and Kitten at Heaven London
Just came back from a gig to see three very exciting bands – Kitten, Tribes, and Funeral Party. I hadn’t seen any of them live and I have to admit it was totally not what I was expecting- in a really good way!
I’ve previously mentioned Kitten on here: they’re a sort of cute/cool kinda rock band with a really hyper singer. Usually supporting acts are a bit of a drag but Kitten were just awesome: it was fun, and even though there was a bit of a mishap at the end, I could see a lot of talent coming out of these guys which I look forward to following.
Tribes were on next: these guys have developed a bit of a cult following although I don’t really know much about them. One website summed up their sound perfectly: “here are some real mates making rock music like it’s meant to be: sexy, dramatic and influenced by something on Sub Pop”. It was fun to watch.
Finally, Funeral Party headlined tonight and the place was short of falling apart from crazed, beefy men (and a few women) going absolutely mental to their sounds. I don’t think I’ve seen a mosh pit that intense since my days at school. I sort of stood on the side slightly terrified but slightly ashamed of myself for not being involved. I think I’ve grown up too much… Anyway, the only way I can sum up LA-based Funeral Party is a sort of harder, dirtier, angrier Friendly Fires: there’s a lot of big noise coming from very polished beats. Definitely ones to catch live! More photos on my Flickr.
New Music: Visions of Trees
This duo don’t say much about themselves on the web, which is just as well because I don’t really know how to describe their sound. Make your mind up and see if you like them. I think they’re cool. Check out here.
New Music: ZZ Ward
Since I started watching True Blood (and consequently getting absolutely hooked on it), I’ve started to develop a deeper appreciation for that American southern blues sound that features so heavily on the show. ZZ Ward’s sound has a very raw, deep south sound but is still very easy to listen to and actually pretty enjoyable. Check out here.
New Music: Alice Gold
Fun and edgy pop. Her PR reads, ‘Alice Gold’s journey has been dedicated to music from day one. Her desire for adventure and for living life to the full led her to buy a one-way ticket to America, winning a 1978 Winnebago in a poker game and spending the next six months weaving across the US, just Alice and her guitar!’ Check out here.
The return of French House… Welcome back SebastiAn!
Let it be known that I think French House is one of the best genres of music that I’ve ever let myself listen to. It’s defined so many big moments in my life, and for that I’ll hold it to my heart like the rockers do to the Rolling Stones or the hippies do to Jimmy Hendrix. For me, Daft Punk, Cassius, Justice, Air, DJ Mehdi, etc remind me of what it felt like to be a reckless hot mess stumbling through school and uni. Anyway, one of the newer kids on the block, SebastiAn, has carved a reputation for himself by making dirty funky remixes like this:
His debut album is due to hit shops at the end of the month, and I for one am very excited about it all. This is one of the tracks set to be on the record, and it features ‘it-boy’ of the moment, Mayer Hawthorne. It’s just so sexy (sounds a bit like Prince’s ‘Kiss’ on foreplay), and I feel like in a year’s time this is what pop songs will sound like:
There’s also a track with M.I.A. although I sadly don’t care much for her. But I know her contribution will be amazing. If you love this style of music like I do, check out Ed Banger’s roster of artists (of which SebastiAn belongs to).
First Listen: Blackroom ‘Control’
I mentioned this Norwegian group some time ago and this is their new single. I don’t think you can find any flaws in this perfect piece or electropop with a big throwback to trip hop.
Free Download: Young Rebel Set ‘Fall Hard’
Up and coming band Young Rebel Set spent the last three years working on their album ‘Curse our Love’. Check out one of their tracks and see if you like!
Live: Alex Clare & Oh Land at XOYO London
After the first time seeing Alex Clare live I knew I wanted to see him again. As it happened he was supporting Oh Land tonight at XOYO in ubercool Shoreditch. He didn’t disappoint, got me jumping around a little bit. I can’t wait for his album to drop!
Oh Land came on with a huge headdress made from feathers. She too was amazing, and clearly had a big crowd of devoted followers. One of the best shows I’ve seen this year (despite bumping into an ex of mine inside). All I can say about her music is it’s kinda like The Knife, but with a bit of heart. The Danish invasion continues. Oh, and Boy George was hiding in the crowd! Few more pics on my Flickr.
Win VIP tickets to Capital FM’s Summertime Ball at Wembley!
Capital FM are taking over Wembley stadium on the 12th June to bring you the Summertime Ball with the biggest artists performing the biggest tracks. J-Lo, Jessie J, LMFAO, The Wanted, Nicole Scherzinger, Katy B, Cee Lo Green, JLS and many other massive acts will all be performing their hits.
Missed out on tickets? Well don’t worry, Capital FM have launched a competition for you and three friends to win the ultimate VIP experience which includes VIP tickets to the ball, An exclusive backstage tour, a night in a 4* London hotel and a road trip to get you from door to door in style.
To enter the competition all you have to do is join the Road Trip and answer daily pop questions to move forward, answer incorrectly you get sent to the back. There will also be secret accelerator codes given out to let you jump forward in the trip. You can check out the competition (and join in!) here.
Now then, have you brought Friendly Fires yet?
That’s OK, you can buy the best album of the year so far here. They’ve kept the bar high with their second album, it’s most definitely worth buying and listening to. Eargasm. Actually, their track Hawaiian Air was on loop in my head when the dentist raped my gums last week, and it totally made me feel better. Have you brought it? Let me know what you think if you want!
Free Download: Stag & Dagger Mixtape
This year, the London Stag & Dagger features performances by Wire, Toro y Moi, New Young Pony Club and James Yuill performing exclusive sets at venues across east London. Also, boasting an impressive roster immerging talent including Christian Aids, Creep, Patterns, Fiction as well as much-hyped American artists No Joy and Our Mountain.
First Watch: Two Wounded Birds ‘The Midnight Wave’
Previously featured on here a while back, this is the new video from Two Wounded Birds. Short and sweet.
Beverley Knight announces release of new album ‘Soul UK’
Beverley Knight will be releasing her seventh studio album in July. Entitled ‘Soul UK,’ the album features British songs and artists that inspired Beverley leading up to her own arrival on the UK scene in the mid 90’s.
Produced by Grammy winning Martin Terefe (James Morrison, Jason Mraz) and London production duo Future Cut (Lilly Allen, Beyonce). Taking in songs from a range of iconic artists – from Soul II Soul and Loose Ends to Jamiroquai and George Michael, it also includes some of the more ‘hidden’ gems that make up British soul’s highlights of the 80’s and 90’s, including Princess’s “Say I’m Your Number One” and Lewis Taylor’s “Damn”.
New Music: Dynasty Electric
Six years after forming in 2003, Dynasty Electric caught the attention of hip-hop mogul Damon Dash who paired them with producer Ski Beatz (Jay-Z, Camp Lo, Curren$y) who then infused his signature beats into their electro-pop tracks. Check out here.
Eurovision 2011
I arrived from Dusseldorf last night after going to Germany to watch the Eurovision Song Contest. It was absolutely amazing- I don’t care who thinks it’s rubbish, when you’re in that arena surrounded by tens of thousands of screaming fans, all from different parts of the world, staring at a massive, mind blowingly huge and complex stage with a screen the size of an office block, you know you’re in the middle of a good thing.
Azerbaijan won the night, which was shocking and a bit sad as there’s no way they will outdo what the Germans did for this year’s show.
The UK were great, and even though the sound was a bit off, Sweden or Denmark should have won. More pics on my Flickr.
New Music: Nause
Swedish housey pop- makes me want to be in the middle of a big dancefloor in Stockholm rubbing with hot Swedes. Check out here.