People Of Water have forced Afrobeat to go all desert-storm, with instrumental precision: an assault of funk and drum, staged on a huge battlefield. (Afrobeat: Flavour of the month down at HipsterVille’s trendy milk-bar.)
With its lo-fi rounded corners and hi-quality instrumentalism, ‘Vale of Aching Hearts’ is far too rich to not be taxed as luxury goods. Seen through fat binoculars, it wouldn’t seem that fast, but the sandstorm churned up behind it betrays kilowatts of energy and a solar rhythm that leaves me gasping for water.
A funky-dance-off from the South coast, abridged. The wings of this riffed tale are clipped, but the ankles twist a little faster to make up for it. Choruses and story change shape every second in this blur of guitar, colour, noise and drum.
“Unknown” is little faster, sharply focused, and more direct. A song suitable for that fast-editted lo-fi Drag-Race film that Quentin Taratino plotted on the back of a beer-mat. The Sticks are impressive in their range, and frightening in their simplicity.
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See this page for gigs by bands I’ve written about in the last few months, playing dates all round the U.K.
Picks of the week:
1st April:Fanfarlo — White Heat w/ El Guincho [Spain] and Munch Munch — London, London and South East
Experimental (and occasionally droning (= good)) sounds of the landscape waking rather abruptly after an Ice-Age, getting to it’s feet and stumbling lazily to the sea. The Hamilton Yarns sing a harmony over the event and they sound like they are singing a story of the land. All of their pastoral music is like the soundtrack to the film before it has even been dreamed up: It’s subtle, beautiful and minimal in that sort of way.
Villains and endings isn’t what Brighton’s The Hamiliton Yarns need, although they definitely like stories. Bess drifts, but just like seasonal drift it’s not something you need to make a big deal out of, just something worth a little of your appreciation, understanding and time.
Thank you for the suggestion Jane. Play some folky music in Sheffield some time again soon, Ja?
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If liked that, you might like these:
16nd February: Held By Hands: “electric-guitar feedback shreds the stars and moon and scatters a light…a disconnected lofi-shape that is too infectious to not get excited about.”
2nd February: The Matinee Orchestra: “big sounds and samples delivered this morning through a soaking shower of lost, organic and journeying acoustic instruments”
NEW: Bands reviewed on Nothing But Green Lights who are playing shows in the next few days….
In the future this information will have a dedicated page. It’ll also cover the next few weeks/months: not days. So: those of you not fortunate enough to live in the U.K will not have to be subjected to a great list of dates every time I post. But the time is nigh! Go see some bands and buy yourself a t-shirt.
29th March: Frightened Rabbit: Barfly : Glasgow Johnny Foreigner: Cockpit w/Blood Red Shoes: Leeds Jonquil: Matadero Viejo w/ Matt Elliott: Huesca, Spain Puzzle: Pilgrim with Super Tennis: Liverpool Slow Club: Thekla w/ Duke Spirit: Bristol The Accidental: Cecil Sharp House: London Elle SAppelle: @ Joseph Well: Leeds, Northwest
30th March: Slow Club: G UNITs night: sheffield The Wave Pictures: The Luminaire w/ Darren Hayman: London Jonquil: Sala Zero: Tarragona, Spain
31st March: Slow Club: The Enterprise w/ The Wave Pictures: London The Wave Pictures: The Enterprise supporting Slow Club: London Jonquil: Cafe la Palma: Madrid, Spain
1st April: Frightened Rabbit: Bodega w/ Make Model: Nottingham Johnny Foreigner: Cavern Club: FREE entry: Exeter Jonquil: Radio3 / La2 TV: Madrid, Spain Nancy Elizabeth: The Ruby Lounge, supporting Efterklang: Manchester Owen Duff: The Goldhawk Sessions@The Goldhawk: London Mathew Sawyer: 93 feet east: London Fanfarlo: White Heat w/ El Guincho [Spain] and Munch Munch: London, London and South East
Last year I wrote about Mr Mark “Sleeping States’ ” release on The Caspian Label’s 7″ series. Back then I tried to describe “Tremoring psch-folk laying down for a moment, taking a brief pause, after some frantic energy exertion, perhaps awaking after a long nights sleep.” This is much more impatient, but it is crafted with the same recognisable, signature grain. The original is fast and direct: this is much more sideways looking and impromptu.
This track is half of a 7″ to be released by Felt Tip Records. The other half is by Fanfarlo: it’s sprite and chirpy, with this London 6-piece slipping and sliding their way up to a bigger sound without falling flat on their faces and losing all momentum.
Upcoming tour dates featuring Fanfarlo AND Sleeping States
29th Feb Brighton @ Hope
1st March Bristol @ Louisiana
2nd March Nottingham @ Bodega
Fanfarlo are playing SXSW - go check them out.
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Said the Gramophone, one of my favourite mp3 blogs, are gradually announced the winners of their video competion: readers were encouraged to make . Check out the awesome runners up #1and #2: Winners are announced on Monday.
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I didn’t win the NME award I’m afraid: I’m so sorry to let you all down, let’s hope we can all pick ourselves up and get on with our lives. In much more important news: cute hedgehog really enjoying fruit on youtube.
“Hide and Seek” is a fantastic way to start February. Forget the showers! Don’t cower! The spring is coming. Expect it! “Hide and Seek” is also big sounds and samples delivered this morning through a soaking shower of lost, organic and journeying acoustic instruments looking for a place to roost (but enjoying a pre-dusk flight. As much as birds enjoy flight; Which I think they do, Very much). Or maybe: Sesame Street go an a field trip to Iceland*, enjoying the landscape and becoming very human for a moment.
* Yes, Sigur Ros comparisons are welcome here - here, the richness and atmosphere are well translated to a whisper and an echo.
As mentioned a couple of days ago, I’ve been nominated for an NME award: “Best Music Blog”. I forget to say that it’s down to a public vote. You can vote for me at NME.com. (You need to be registered to vote. Registration is free. Voting is not compulsory for your continued enjoyment of this site.)
No news of an awards ceremony invite yet, I guess they just send a helicopter on the night to pick up nominees.
"...Afrobeat has gone all desert-storm, with instrumental precision: an assault of funk and drum... the sandstorm churned up behind it betrays kilowatts of energy and a solar rhythm" [11th May: more] | [Photo credit]
"It’s fresh and exciting in a way that doesn’t sound bedroom produced, ill-considered or lost on a journey to nowhere and back. It’s thoughtful and soulful, and there’s not much better to prepare you for a night of excitement, fireworks and bonfires than a some low-key electronica."
[5th November 2007: more]
