Bag packed, money sorted, some sort of must see list compiled.
10 hours until the meet in McDonalds carpark :)
Review on the over side.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
The Glee Club and King Creosote
Last night I went to The Glee Club in Birmingham to go see King Creosote, The Pictish Trail and Player Piano. The 3 acts are part of a plethora of artists based around micro indie label Fence Records which started in East Neuk in Fife. I have been listening to King Creosote for the past few years, although I went with dedicated fans (work colleague and a friend of a friend) who collect Fence music on all formats and attend a lot of gigs, visit Home Game (Fence Collectives very own festival) every year it was nice to see the man who penned nu-folk classics such as "Not One Bit Ashamed" and "Favourite Girl". Pleasingly there was also excellent warm up music provided from Pictish Trail and current favourite Player Piano.
The Glee Club was a first for me and a pleasant change. Overall a venue with good sound where we managed to get some excellent seats at the front. It was a cracking night and a real privileged to see such a much liked artist in intimate surroundings.
If you have time check out Steve Green a photographer from Shropshire who blogged and photographed the night as a whole, he is more knowledgeable on the whole Fence collective and seems to have captured the night well I think. It was nice to have a pint with him before hand.
The night as a whole felt like an excellent introduction into Fence Records, the label is something I will be looking into further in the future. Please check out especially if you have the time Player Piano who is an Indiana/London based singer/ multi instrumentalist- his E.P. is top level acoustic/warm niceness.
Next up is Birmingham based Battle For Prague all being well at The Actress and Bishop in the Jewellery Quarter this Friday, then I'll stay in till Glastonbury. I promise.
Tom
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
"All My Friends"
LCD Soundsystem at the moment sit at the top of my favourite music list. It all started when I picked up the Francois K remix of Disco Infiltrator on DFA records back in 2005. I got the vinyl due to having quite a big interest in Francois K and his remix work, I could do a whole thread on Francois K and his music (maybe soon) but I'll concentrate on LCD Soundsystem at the moment.
I then picked up the first self titled LCD Soundsystem album from HMV for a bargain price of 3.99 in a sale shortly afterwards. The cool thing about finding LCD SS was that was the opening which got me on to DFA Records. I still stand by DFA being one of the most forward thinking labels since I have been buying records. Although I rarely play a record from the DFA label out, I really enjoy listening to DFA's disco, house and punky funk based music at home. The 13 minute epic sing a long monster from The Juan Maclean - Happy House was one of THE records of last year, although I have yet had the chance to play it out really loud.
Before I go on to digress about the blog title I would recommend the grammy nominated Sound Of Silver album from LCD as it really demonstrates the wonderful dance punk music that they are so famous for - it's usually no more than £5 in HMV.
All My Friends was voted in the 2007 pitchfork charts as one of the best records of that year, I have been listening to it since then on a weekly basis. It's the sort of record which never really ages and seems to get more poignant as time goes on - it has a real melancholy sound throughout, the rising pianos and simplified bass guitar seem to construct a lot of comments on youtube as the type of record that would conclude a film or a epic moment at the end of a TV series, I cant help but agree.
The poignancy of All My Friends is demonstrated through its lyrical content, it is a sad record which accepts the cause and effect of the past but celebrates the good and bad times growing up. The lyrics almost feel like a mumbled sigh "that's how it starts" explains James Murphy (writer/front man) and from then on there is a constant feel of the existential moment we all dread. The moment when we seem to think we have grown up and ask questions such as, What have I done ? Who I am with ? Why did I do that ? Where am I going now ? Where are all my friends now ? Although the lyrics seem scatty and the narrative is a little all over the place each line really flows into the other oddly - when I listen to All My Friends I am reminded of the thoughts which go through my own mind on the walk home from a weekend with friends, the kind of thoughts that I used to have when catching a bus to work and contemplating where such and such is or what they are doing now.
"You spend the first five years trying to get with the plan and the next five years trying to be with your friends again."
For me that is the highlight of the track, it almost feels like its speaking out about a kind of American Beauty esque emotion when people feel when all their goals they had made in life but still yearn for the past for when life was easier and without much else to worry about. Although it feels like there is promise to the song it's piano keys and repetition provide a underlying feeling as if these thoughts are now only available in history and are unobtainable to get back for future life.
The record is an astonishing achievement and something which I hope to be able to play during a mid life crisis If I ever have one and use as a reference point. I am sure then I will get the same enjoyment and greatness I gather from wondering and listening to "all my friends" as I do now. Just typing "Perfection" would be easier under the title of this blog but I had to type this out as it is much deserved for such a perfect record which I love listening to just as much as I did the first time. Maybe now, ironically probably a lot more. :)
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Sasha and Digweed
It's always nice to be reminded why I have spent (nearly) 5 years of my life obsessing over DJ, club and dance music culture. Why I like to think I have invested the time in gathering and constantly updating my interest in dance music, going into dark rooms, spinning records (albeit mostly now CD's) reading and obsessing over DJ's which used to play in New York garage parties right through to Wolverhampton Northern Soul parties and in doing so trying to show this love of dance music as a whole in front of small similar music loving crowds in Birmingham.
Sometimes I like to write about music, talk about music, play music, listen to it on the train, read about music, collect music and sometimes I like to just think about music. It's not always been a positive experience (my first 100 or so vinyl I bought in 2003 although have good memories do not really stand the test of time in the history vaults - please see my Shapeshifters remix of a George Michael track for further reference) there was also the time I thought It would be a good idea to stay up for 48 hours + after a night in Air in Birmingham and face the music in silent dismay walking into a busy, customer complaining call centre in Oldbury 7:30 Monday morning.
But you have to take the rough with the smooth. Thankfully, pretty much since I decided to go to that eventful "first clubbing night" at the age of 18 in September 2003 it's been ace. How I can now laugh and reminisce about not having a clue or understanding the importance of poppers and the many moments chatting utter nonsense to a bloke that I would never see again but at the time somehow seemed to understand my life and everything else going on in the world "what's your name ? where you from" etc etc. Thankfully as I type and think back and reflect it's been pretty much always spot on.
Saturday was one of those ace nights, Godskitchen now a days seems to be one of the kind of events I remember better in the past than rather think about attending in the future. My tastes are not really in those top 10 trance jocks regions. I am more happier in smaller clubs, with more pretentious and underground ha ha DJs I suppose, without sounding uppity I would like to think I am a little more maturer than I used to be when It comes to paying my door tax at a night club.
But Sasha and Digweed always seem to make me remember why I spend these lost weekends having my ear drums pummelled spending very easily god awful amounts of money (£5 to have my bag put in the cloakroom might I add X 3 ques to get in due to dick head bouncers) in the space of 8 hours. But it IS worth it, so so worth it. To see 2 living legends who have shaped UK dance music culture since the 80s, who have taught the world and designed the whole process in a DJ set of a real "dj journey", who are still considered to have made the best dance mix in the world, who still stay at the top of their game no matter what goes on underneath, who still manage to ram every single club they enter and most of all becoming one of the best examples to me why I love dance music culture as a whole.
Play your rock mate GU9 and he would not understand it, play your dad the Transitions pod-cast and he would call it noise, play your mate who only likes Daft Punk and thinks the rest of it sounds like shit the Xpander E.P. and he will think its boring. But for me when 2 DJs like Sasha and Digweed come together and play their music to what at times feels like only you on the dance floor, words in a blog become quite indescribable.
Sasha and Digweed provided the journey I was after - a twisting and turning solid selection of underground dance music. Their set was full of the much expected dips, rolls and drops of deep and entwining techno, house, progressive and all round good time ravey beats they are so well known for.
And that folks, is why I still go out and still try to buy the latest records off beatport and juno, why I try to keep up with the ever changing scene and why I obsessively type about it all and why I still (not so much as I used to might I add) love standing in front of a DJ booth.
So there I stood in Godskitchen hearing the last minutes of Donna Summer - I Feel Love at 4:30 Sunday morning with a huge cheshire cat smile on my face which made me realise that every single penny, bad Monday at work, over draft increasing, staying in for months for Ibiza, the tenner crossing to another hand, the laughs, the one more moments and of course those all important times in the middle of a dance floor gives you the real feeling that every single minute you spend through the weeks, months and years are I am proud to say forever and a day worth it.
Sometimes I like to write about music, talk about music, play music, listen to it on the train, read about music, collect music and sometimes I like to just think about music. It's not always been a positive experience (my first 100 or so vinyl I bought in 2003 although have good memories do not really stand the test of time in the history vaults - please see my Shapeshifters remix of a George Michael track for further reference) there was also the time I thought It would be a good idea to stay up for 48 hours + after a night in Air in Birmingham and face the music in silent dismay walking into a busy, customer complaining call centre in Oldbury 7:30 Monday morning.
But you have to take the rough with the smooth. Thankfully, pretty much since I decided to go to that eventful "first clubbing night" at the age of 18 in September 2003 it's been ace. How I can now laugh and reminisce about not having a clue or understanding the importance of poppers and the many moments chatting utter nonsense to a bloke that I would never see again but at the time somehow seemed to understand my life and everything else going on in the world "what's your name ? where you from" etc etc. Thankfully as I type and think back and reflect it's been pretty much always spot on.
Saturday was one of those ace nights, Godskitchen now a days seems to be one of the kind of events I remember better in the past than rather think about attending in the future. My tastes are not really in those top 10 trance jocks regions. I am more happier in smaller clubs, with more pretentious and underground ha ha DJs I suppose, without sounding uppity I would like to think I am a little more maturer than I used to be when It comes to paying my door tax at a night club.
But Sasha and Digweed always seem to make me remember why I spend these lost weekends having my ear drums pummelled spending very easily god awful amounts of money (£5 to have my bag put in the cloakroom might I add X 3 ques to get in due to dick head bouncers) in the space of 8 hours. But it IS worth it, so so worth it. To see 2 living legends who have shaped UK dance music culture since the 80s, who have taught the world and designed the whole process in a DJ set of a real "dj journey", who are still considered to have made the best dance mix in the world, who still stay at the top of their game no matter what goes on underneath, who still manage to ram every single club they enter and most of all becoming one of the best examples to me why I love dance music culture as a whole.
Play your rock mate GU9 and he would not understand it, play your dad the Transitions pod-cast and he would call it noise, play your mate who only likes Daft Punk and thinks the rest of it sounds like shit the Xpander E.P. and he will think its boring. But for me when 2 DJs like Sasha and Digweed come together and play their music to what at times feels like only you on the dance floor, words in a blog become quite indescribable.
Sasha and Digweed provided the journey I was after - a twisting and turning solid selection of underground dance music. Their set was full of the much expected dips, rolls and drops of deep and entwining techno, house, progressive and all round good time ravey beats they are so well known for.
And that folks, is why I still go out and still try to buy the latest records off beatport and juno, why I try to keep up with the ever changing scene and why I obsessively type about it all and why I still (not so much as I used to might I add) love standing in front of a DJ booth.
So there I stood in Godskitchen hearing the last minutes of Donna Summer - I Feel Love at 4:30 Sunday morning with a huge cheshire cat smile on my face which made me realise that every single penny, bad Monday at work, over draft increasing, staying in for months for Ibiza, the tenner crossing to another hand, the laughs, the one more moments and of course those all important times in the middle of a dance floor gives you the real feeling that every single minute you spend through the weeks, months and years are I am proud to say forever and a day worth it.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
New Music
Detroit Experiment - Think Twice (Mark E Pressure Dub)
I really do love this, the original has one of the most sumptuous basslines (and incredibly well known) and the remix duty comes from one of my favourite current producers the deep dubby sounding disco Wolverhampton/Drop Out Boogie resident and all round legend Mark E provides a remix which is already placed in the top draw for charts of the year. If you are after something more on a house tip check out Henrik Schwarz's remix but I find that a lot less rewarding than the 10 minute epic from Mark E.
Faze Action - Good Lovin (Reflex Remix)
The first single from the eagerly waited new Faze Action album comes "Good Lovin" - the Reflex remix seems to be one the one for me, more stripped down and lots of boogie/funk bass throughout. The kind of record thats great to keep the party flowing and the girls dancing. Awesome stuff. I especially love the spacey disco sound throughout on the original but I seem to be more into playing the remix.
J Boogie Duntronic Science - Together (Crazy P Remix)
This reminds me of the kind of vocals you would get from some orignal Chic records - bought up to a modern edge and a more of a dance floor/german vibe on the breakdown (which is massive) this track got massive respect when I last played it out and I seem to have it on my Ipod every day. Crazy P showing that in my opinion seem to have mastered the art of a solid remix perfectly, I am still however not so sure of their original music.
Snax - Get In Trouble (Crazy P Remix)
This reminds me of a Berlin take on Prince, solid vocals and groove this will be a future classic in the bar/back room floors.
In other news Glastonbury looms closer with line ups now starting to come out of the woodwork, Dizzee Rascal tickets have been booked for September and not forgetting Supersonic festival mid July. Busy, busy, busy at work/uni and all the other things I seem to be doing.
I have been listening to lots of 65 Days Of Static since I had a look at the line up.
They are mostly a instrumental (I think) band from Sheffield which sound like a mish mash of post rock/experimental and Mogwai put together, check out the video and let me know what you think.
Sasha and Digweed at Gods this weekend - review will follow shortly.
I really do love this, the original has one of the most sumptuous basslines (and incredibly well known) and the remix duty comes from one of my favourite current producers the deep dubby sounding disco Wolverhampton/Drop Out Boogie resident and all round legend Mark E provides a remix which is already placed in the top draw for charts of the year. If you are after something more on a house tip check out Henrik Schwarz's remix but I find that a lot less rewarding than the 10 minute epic from Mark E.
Faze Action - Good Lovin (Reflex Remix)
The first single from the eagerly waited new Faze Action album comes "Good Lovin" - the Reflex remix seems to be one the one for me, more stripped down and lots of boogie/funk bass throughout. The kind of record thats great to keep the party flowing and the girls dancing. Awesome stuff. I especially love the spacey disco sound throughout on the original but I seem to be more into playing the remix.
J Boogie Duntronic Science - Together (Crazy P Remix)
This reminds me of the kind of vocals you would get from some orignal Chic records - bought up to a modern edge and a more of a dance floor/german vibe on the breakdown (which is massive) this track got massive respect when I last played it out and I seem to have it on my Ipod every day. Crazy P showing that in my opinion seem to have mastered the art of a solid remix perfectly, I am still however not so sure of their original music.
Snax - Get In Trouble (Crazy P Remix)
This reminds me of a Berlin take on Prince, solid vocals and groove this will be a future classic in the bar/back room floors.
In other news Glastonbury looms closer with line ups now starting to come out of the woodwork, Dizzee Rascal tickets have been booked for September and not forgetting Supersonic festival mid July. Busy, busy, busy at work/uni and all the other things I seem to be doing.
I have been listening to lots of 65 Days Of Static since I had a look at the line up.
They are mostly a instrumental (I think) band from Sheffield which sound like a mish mash of post rock/experimental and Mogwai put together, check out the video and let me know what you think.
Sasha and Digweed at Gods this weekend - review will follow shortly.
Monday, 4 May 2009
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Omar S - Fabric 45
Fabric a few months ago had let me know via email that Mr Detroit a.k.a Omar S was doing a Fabric CD. It's been a while since I have really looked forward to a Fabric release, the last being James Murphy and Patrick Mahoney's discotastic CD back in later 2007. It's fair to say there have been some surprises and some not so good surprises over the past 12 months from Fabric. I was sadly highly disappointed with some of the techno DJ attempts (Luciano, John Tejada) and a lot of lack lustre releases from the Fabric Live series, however I have loved their latest dnb comp from Commix. My own personal tastes evolve and change as the behemoth club moves (voted number 2 in the club awards in last months DJmag) so I cant really say it's all bad. But anyhow, to the review, and what a fantastic mix it is.
Detroit underground legend and runner of FXHE Omar S has been popping up in the most unlikely DJ charts and recorded live club mixes recently. It's fair to say through my own perusal of discogs to get hold of his earlier stuff, Omar S has cultivated a back catalogue to be proud of.
Coined as the J Dilla of house music, that sort of comment for me cant help but fuel a hugely believable hype machine. The general rise and increase in nods/conversations about his music with those in the know or those just finding Omar S has gave the CD the air of perfect timing. It seems Omar S knows this, and reading his rare interviews (see his ballsy rant on Resident Adviser)it is clear and evidential that he has also decided to raise the middle finger and challenge the conceived ideas of his DJing and studio time by putting together a mix solely of his own compositions.
Villalobos previously did this well I feel, after a few listens RV's attempt grew into a proud much listened edition in my cd collection. It has to be said Omar S was more of an instant hit - even though I had worried as I opened the packaging.
The sound of the CD itself is superbly paced and demonstrates a deep understanding of the art of building quality analogue techno, Omar states "The music on this CD is fully 100% analogue - NO COMPUTER BULLSH*T PROGRAMMES!" the collection of tracks flows at a journey pace rather than anything else, which on after-thought and reflection pays off at the end.
Psychotic Photosynthesis is my major highlight, coming in just over half way - the track is a triumphant achievement. Music which is deep, rising, rushing, elegant and somewhat the sound of melancholy minimalism.
Listen to it now and see why, But if you are a Omar S fan I of course don't need to tell you this. Long may he continue !
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