Previous Gigs – and so she thinks

Music & Words – event one!

admin — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 03:48:25 +0000

We’ve been excited about our first music and words event for a while now. Life long lovcrs of literature, it’s ever since we discovered performance poetry in the form of The Ruby Kid, Jess Green and the Roundhouse Poets at the It’s All Happening festival last year, we realised just how much entertainment potential existed in an evening of both. Good music and good words, could, simply, be a perfect evening.
So it was at our first event, in conjunction with Booked, at The Gallery Cafe on January 19th. Presented by Katy Darby, we welcomed Drew Worthley and Tom Price Stephens, both favourites of It’s All Happening, to perform stellar acoustic sets that engaged and entertained the audience. Both genuinely nice guys their modest banter only added to the feelings of warmth that packed the cafe. Actors from Liar’s League, the international story and acting collective performed two stories for us, and Courttia Newland read from his new book The Gospel According To Cane. Radhika from the Resonance Music Project delighted the crowd with her warm and honest poetry, whilst the prolific Anthony Anaxagorou had everyone in a hushed silence as he challenged and charmed through his lyrical dexterity and alarming honesty.
We are super flattered by this review from Drew Worthley, and believe that there can be no finer recommendation than one like this from the artists themselves.
Videos are to follow, and the next event is at Drink Shop Do on Sunday 10th March. Put it in the diary.

Mile Me Deaf @ Old Blue Last

admin — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 09:49:20 +0000

November 4th 2012

Reviewed by Dee Range

Vienna’s Mile Me Deaf may have this country’s contemporary music slackers scared to look out from their plaid comfort blankets.
At this, their up close and personal first UK show there’s a tactile lo-fi feel around. But as the trebly petals of angst laden guitar fall and the laconic vocal delivery is in place, a widescreen pop focus is immediately evident. The splendid Heels Come Naturally kicks forth and sound like the of the soundtrack the group’s road trip all the way from Vienna with its Apache-beat groove and wayside gothic glow.
The rhythm section (especially on Rude Boy and Flo) is tight, metronomic, and in fact one of the group’s finest moments on this night is where an 80’s MBV type whammy barred element skuzzes out and delivers the frenzy of Camera and You’re a Walking Maze.
Despite a rough around the edges feel common to slacker rock, there’s a transient feel of oeuvre at times. I spotted an early Eurythmics influence at one point – and beside some toothsome noisy guitar. What’s impressive about Mile Me Deaf is the way these pop structures infiltrate in a way which makes your body move. The ramshackle Call Us Rats is almost aqueous, in some ways reminiscent of second album MGMT or Velvets.
Over in the UK for one night only, at this It’s All Happening show with The Switch and Shout Timber, me and the rest of the crowd can only applaud and thank them for their effort. Ones to watch.
Photo by AP Childs

What our gigs might look like…

admin — Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:18:37 +0000

See the montage of images from the night when The Beautiful Word, Indigo Earth and Drew Worthley played It’s All Happening’s weekly Friday night event at the King’s Head, Acton. Three acts, original music, lovely venue – see for yourself.
Photography by Vojko Jeric. Full copyright remains with the photographer.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SKK8hlZQ-A]

Films from the festival!

admin — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 20:54:00 +0000

On the afternoon of the It’s All Happening festival there was something rather special taking place in the chapel. Whereas most of the day was devoted to art of the auditory kind (we are a music blog after all…), taking place in the chapel was a screening of short films from some of the best independent and up and coming directors. Curated by Lara Jacoski, the 53 films were a mix of human interest and documentary, panoromic spans of popular culture. arty meditations and music videos (check out Lara’s blog on Day Job Records.)
All the films screened can be seen here…just follow the links!

FILM LIST curated by LARA JACOSKI

ALENXADRE CAJINHA “Hotel” Sabonetes
https://vimeo.com/16961043
ANDREAS LOHMANN “George” HutzPah
https://vimeo.com/9911162
ASTEROIDE FILMES (ALEXANDRE GUEDES, GUILHERME BIGLIA & GIULIANO BATISTA) “Vem Quente Que Eu Estou Fervendo” Sabonetes
https://vimeo.com/44351509
BRUNO FIGUEIREDO “Foto em Pauta Tiradentes”
https://vimeo.com/38987186
BRUNO FIGUEIREDO “Saravah Soul EPK”
https://vimeo.com/26076578
CAROL PISCO “Felicidade Inóspita”
https://vimeo.com/44529805
CAROLINE BIAGI “Partida”
DIRIJO CREW “Pra colá” SUJEITO SUJO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vp4DFUmLlKU
DANIEL FERRO “Rock Falido” Sugar Kane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOSIPlnysvY
DAY JOB RECORDS “It’s Better” The YuYa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mWMYInaooE
DAY JOB RECORDS, LARA JACOSKI & ROSIE JONES “Kill Lucy” The YuYa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEwpgQN9218
DAY JOB RECORDS & LARA JACOSKI “A Day With Leisurama” Leisurama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKvG6_iYwy4
DAY JOB RECORDS & LARA JACOSKI “DJR a Record Label for People with Day Jobs”
(Coming Soon!)
FERNANDO FRATER “The Black Listed”
https://vimeo.com/14258250
GUSTAVO AMARAL “Ramon & Rimon – It’s All About The Process, Isn’t It?”
https://vimeo.com/42407199
JOÃO MARCELO GOMES “Alice” Lemoskine
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Efi3GZ6DidM
JOÃO MARCELO GOMES Polexia “Você Já Teve Mais Cabelo”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmD734uWRGU
JOÃO UNZER “Emotions Leak”
http://vimeo.com/23719159
JOÃO UNZER “Self Portrait”
http://vimeo.com/23737802
JOÃO UNZER “What Do You See in My Stripe?”
http://vimeo.com/24143078
LARA JACOSKI “Hackney WickED Festival 2011”
https://vimeo.com/31032249
LARA JACOSKI “Just Another One”
https://vimeo.com/14359671
LARA JACOSKI “Sem”
https://vimeo.com/3106884
LARA JACOSKI “Forever Young”
LARA JACOSKI “Hello Goodbye”
https://vimeo.com/35014395
LARA JACOSKI “Let’s Make a Baby”
https://vimeo.com/16464957
LARA JACOSKI “Mucha Tinta at Wonka Bar”
https://vimeo.com/10466363
LARA JACOSKI “Memoirs: Hvar Island”
https://vimeo.com/17972949
LARA JACOSKI “Memoirs: Croatia”
https://vimeo.com/18043207
MARCELO DEGUCHI & WAGNER KREUSCH “Biel Carpenter por Intento”
https://vimeo.com/30491408
MARIANA ZARPELLON “Sanfona” Ruído/mm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wmm113Ip_A
MATHY AND FRAN “Tall Buildings” Diagrams
http://vimeo.com/31893174
MATHY AND FRAN “Overtime Is a Crime” We Are The Ocean
http://vimeo.com/30103311
MATH AND FRAN “Elsewhere”
http://vimeo.com/35106217
NATHÁLIA TEREZA & RODRIANE DL “Bonfires” Rosie & Me
https://vimeo.com/12885373
NATHÁLIA TEREZA “Pontos” Je Rêve de Toi
https://vimeo.com/3312225
NOMAD INK “Asia 2008 Design”
https://vimeo.com/3725840
NOMAD INK & LARA JACOSKI “Got Merz: Doomedo”
https://vimeo.com/12066893
PAOLA DE RAMOS & LARA JACOSKI “Side”
https://vimeo.com/27835204
PAOLA DE RAMOS & LARA JACOSKI “Displaced (Teaser)”
https://vimeo.com/38037923
PATRICK BELEM “Samuríndios”
https://vimeo.com/41614832
RAFAEL KENT “Vivendo do Ócio” Meu Precioso
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn-R-MB3L4U
RASPUTINES “The Flying Bicycle”
https://vimeo.com/19572630
RASPUTINES “O Pico do Paraná”
https://vimeo.com/19070388
RASPUTINES “Flor de Vedete”
https://vimeo.com/25154549
RASPUTINES “ProvoKation”
https://vimeo.com/28859923
RAUL MACHADO, RICARDO SPENCER, CESAR OVALLE, ASTEROIDE FLMES (GUILHERME BIGLIA & GIULIANO BATISTA), THIAGO DEZAN, CIA DE CANALHAS (LUCAS FERNANDES & CARLON HARDT) & TOMAS MOREIRA “Descontrolada” Sabonetes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdQWtbwWevg
RENATA CORRÊA, RODRIANE DL, ANA PAULA MÁLAGA, CAROLINE BIAGI & ALEX ROCCA “De Coração”
https://vimeo.com/35009927
RODRIGO FORNOS “Afinal de Contas” Banda Gentileza
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gzb3Hw9yF8c
ROSANO MAURO “Suportar o Tédio a Maior Façanha do Ser Humano”
https://vimeo.com/19354526
TATIANA BLASS “Mess (Teaser)”
(Coming soon!)
TERMINE G “Bowl”
TOMÁS VON DER OSTEN “Vó Maria”
https://vimeo.com/35318495
VITOR MORAES “Mariachi”
https://vimeo.com/33776294
WOUTER VANDERNBRINK “Satisfaction”
https://vimeo.com/43555149

It's All Happening – photographic evidence

admin — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:57:06 +0000

Photos and words by Caroline Schimtt

The full potential of a weekend only gets properly unleashed when you start your Friday night at the King’s Head – which is not a big surprise nor for those West Londoners in the know. Kicking the weekend off here with It’s All Happening equals success.
Check out some photos of the acts who blew us away on May 4th!
Possessing an impressive array of albums, years of experience and musical abilities under his belt, Ceri James, soothed and roused the crowd with his mix of folk meets rock – and raised some smiles by way of The Real Coffee Shop.

The Frayed Laces draw on a broad variety of different styles. Once a metal band, they have now stripped back and slowed down, allowing the talent to shine. There were slow and folky songs that reminded this reviewer a little of Katie Melua whereas others were underlined by impulsive and eclectic beats that didn’t fail to get the audience dancing!

Eastend Promises, a rock indie band who deliver an energetic performance with intelligent melofies were a little more typical for what’s usually happening in Acton. With a slightly aggressive tone, lead singer Lewis united his band for a good 45 minutes and made the walls shiver.

So, the only conclusion left: Get your majestic butts down to the King’s Head on Friday as there’ll be another great set of talented acts!

Two Wounded Birds rock Monday night

admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:20:18 +0000

Two Wounded Birds said it was their best gig in ages and ‘best crowd in a long time’, the verdict from Deadwax was ‘grand’ and The Switch were hurting a lot Tuesday morning so we can only presume they had a good time. Photos to follow shortly, but til then, relive the moment…
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW6iyEZfQKE]

Rachel Sermanni, Robbie Boyd & Sugardrum

admin — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:51:06 +0000

So, how did it go? We could rave about how wonderful it was, boast that we sold out, be pleased that people were piling in on the steps outside, impress you with the that fact all the profits raised by the cafe went to St Margaret’s House, or we could just let you see some of the comments we got back. Keep an eye out for videos and photos from the night!
‘You guys are absolute legends’ Robbie Boyd
‘It’s boiling in here but she’s just given me goosebumps’ Amy Yates
‘Brilliant, thank you so much for having us’ Sugardrum
‘Amazing quality and awesome organisation’ The London Folk Meetup Group
‘Just spellbinding at the Gallery Cafe, looking forward to the next date in London’ Ross Wilson
‘Such a fun gig at The Gallery Cafe. Thanks to It’s all Happening, Dan and Cesca; you are wonderful.’ Rachel Sermanni
‘You were, as always, sublime :)’ James Houghton
‘Such an amazing night. Total triumph’ Becky Glass
‘Looking forward to next It’s All Happening gig’ Antonia Baker
‘Such a good night. Again I go home with an armful of CDs.’ Katie Mortley
‘Amazing night.’ Emily Evans

February, April and May..

admin — Sun, 22 May 2011 20:31:49 +0000

Sat 21st May was the first It’s All Happening night at The Gallery Cafe, opened by Abi Murraywho’s sassy soul has wowed us before and earned her slots at prestigious venues such as a headline slot at Camden’s Proud Galleries. Massive thanks, and we hope your Mum’s birthday went well!
The second act of the night were be Fievelwill, a wonderful duo from Kent that sent the audience into a mesmerising trance with their breathtaking talent. They have received some great plaudits for their live session on Kent radio station KMFM.
Gracing the stage as our headliners was the incredible Emily and The Woods, just one month before playing Glastonbury Festival. A quiet room, candelight, crisp soft vocals, and a double bass makes for a magical summer evening.
On Sat 20th we were pleased to welcome back Redwood Fall, a band who have really matured into a tight and talented outfit since they last played. New London Kings were A. Ma. Zing. Catchy hooks and rolling riffs kept us all riveted. Finally the wonderful Gunning For Tamar stepped in for us last minute, and wow I am a glad they did. Substantial scoundscapes, huge and harmonious scales and gutsy guitars – brilliant.
April 8th was played by Lawrence Bray, a songwriter influenced by the back to basics rock and roll of Oasis et al, local band Freak Static, electrifying brilliant, Oxford band Secret Rivalswith their crisp creations, and The Quadrilles, who were outstandingly tight, angles so astute they sliced through the air.
March we had a break. Sorry guys.
In February The K Shaped Rooms headlined, a full band accompanying Komla’s snakelike smooth guitar work, and the Cuckoo’s Nest has never been into the groove so much. Young lads The Rivieras were energetic and engaging, and we’ll definitely have them back! And this was the night that we first discovered Abi Murray – thank god for that!

14th January 2011

admin — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 20:30:54 +0000

The Robbie Boyd Band, Projekt, Edit/Select, Tracey’s Love
14^th January 2011
The King’s Head, Acton
The first It’s All Happening night of 2011, and as Frankie Valli would say oh! what a night! Tracey’s Love were beguiling, their self assured indie waves making heads nod and legs tap far more vigorously than any opening band has a right to. Their half hour set treated us to fizzing tracks that have already captured XFM’s John Kennedy.
Edit/Select left the stage as many people’s ‘ones to watch for the future’, with a mix of tidy punk and smooth afro beat played on guitars, ‘This Waiting Game’ and ‘Aphrodite’ particular highlights.
Projekt came and conquered yet again, grins and gazes abounding the room as they boisterously tore it up, Rob snarling and swaggering through the set, the brilliant Monsoon Love in particularly lighting it up.
Headliners The Robbie Boyd Band were two members down, but with a venue splitting at the seams, we’re not sure we would have had space for the full seven people anyway. With a presence that will outgrow their description as being ‘sort of folky’, they illuminated the space with their music, instruments and personalities. Knowing how to work a drunk crowd, one who is already spinning round they room, singer Robbie altered the lyrics of ‘A London Reminition’ making it to personal to Acton. Oh, and we’ll be your dancing girls any time boys!
Thanks again to the King’s Head for having us down! Hope we didn’t make too much mess!

11th December

admin — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 20:23:35 +0000

Entering the room only armed with his solo voice and electric guitar, the night opened with Komla from The K Shaped Rooms. Crisp creativity, and the funk beats give a jubilant air throughout, resulting in dropping hips and heads nodding with hazed eyes from the off. The melancholy named ‘Sad Songs’ recalls Red Hot Chili Peppers circa ‘Blood Sugar Sex Magick’, and tracks ‘Feeling Something’ and ‘99’ confirmed that resistance is indeed futile to the smooth slinking of the guitar in Komla’s hands. We look forward to welcoming the whole band down soon.
Next up were Redwood Fall, a five piece from Kent, officially Catherine Cooke’s favourites of the night ‘cos the drummer was hot.’ Well, that’s why we get these bands along. New single ‘Man At The Bar’ caught the ear with its liberating loops, proving that recent new blood into the gang is proving a sound experiment. Self assured and compelling, Redwood Fall blend effervescing melodies with pounding basslines, an amalgamation of a myriad of influences.
Aforementioned drummer then won It’s All Happening’s Christmas gift, simply by remembering that he’d been told 5 minutes previously about the film ‘Almost Famous’. Lucky man!
Fuelled up on candy canes and flumps, the now filling room were ready for local band My Friend Eject. This experimental rock outfit from nearby Music Tech School thrives on intense bursts of immediacy. Pounding through ‘Division Demotion’ with anthemic tenacity, driving hedonistically down ‘Digital Love’, they scuzzily lit up the stage, bringing the night to a roaring cacophonous climax.
All the cool kids then danced the night away to records spun by DJ John (soon to be changing his nom de plume by Deed Poll). Another top night.
To view photos of the night please click here