tall ships – and so she thinks

Lemonfest

admin — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:17:25 +0000

Saturday June 30th sees a festival appetiser hitting Devon. Lemonfest, taking place at Newton Abbot Racecourse is one if those all day festivals that gets you excited about the summer of music ahead. Described as a ‘temptingly cheap but tasty one dayer’ by The Telegraph, this year’s line up includes Lucy Rose, Tall Ships, The Skints, Big Wave and Towns, as well as a whole host of new bands to discover. I caught up with organiser Matt Freemantle to find out more…
Who are you most excited about seeing this year?
Tall Ships – saw them once at Bestival a few years back, and they were great. The live footage I’ve seen of them lately looks even better, so really looking forward to their set. We booked them in 2011, but they got delayed and couldn’t make it in time, so it’s been 2 years worth of anticipation to see them on our main stage!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa4Y8RO590A]
How do you decide the line up?
Taste – hunches – ability – popularity – recommendations; think you’ve got to have a good combination of all those things to get the right mix.
What has been your Lemonfest highlight to date?
A definite toss up between 2010 and 2012. 2010 because it was the first one we’d ever done, therefore it was a huge buzz for all of us, and a bit of stepping into the unknown. 2012 because it was our most polished one to date. With all we’ve learnt over the last few years, we think we had almost nailed it in terms of atmosphere – although there is always room for improvement.
Why did you decide to start the festival?
Probably a short term burst of insanity. But seriously, I love live music, and my friend loved putting on events – so we met in the middle somewhere and just went for it.

Is there a lot of new music in the Devon area? Who would you recommend?
Absolutely. You only need to look at the likes of Muse, Ben Howard & Coldplay to name just a few of the huge names to come out of Devon in recent years to see the potential. The emergence of BBC Introducing in Devon has done wonders for showcasing it, too. I try not to single too many acts out, but the likes of I Divide are making huge waves at the moment. They opened the main stage last year and have had an incredible 12 months; winning the Red Bull Bedroom Jam and having features in Kerrang. Other bands to keep an eye on are Big Wave, Moriaty & Rat Attack – all destined for big things and gathering some great momentum at the moment.
Why the name?
Everyone asks this! There is a river Lemon that runs through Newton Abbot, so we thought it was a nice touch.
There are so many festivals – what makes Lemonfest different?
We are trying to be a little bit different to other festivals in some ways. We see ourselves as a big party in a field to get you geared up for summer. We might not be the main event, but we’re a damn good warm up.
Do you think the festival scene is getting too saturated? Which ones do you think will last and why?
I wouldn’t really consider myself a massive expert, but I see the future as a mix of a few of the big ones – but only those with character – and lots of strong local ones. There are some great little festivals around the country nowadays, and I think each region needs to get behind theirs. Certain people are just after the big names, and I think to an extent that market could reach saturation point soon. You see the same names on the bill at so many different festivals – what’s the appeal of that? It’s all about character and a point of difference, I think lots of people are looking for an experience above all else. If you can keep people entertained and almost have the acts as a side note, then you’re on to winner.
Click the poster for tickets…

Tall Ships

admin — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:45:22 +0000

The sound of structured math rock executed with the freedom that allows a groove. Choruses that chime in just as the repetitive beats begin to wear, they combine the best of guitar based dance with anguished indie. The simple finger clicks and hand claps that muscle in amongst the crackling electronic fireworks of their fizzing stage presence make Tall Ships an enticingly idiosyncratic live spectacle.

Sunday Music Mix #16 – Twenty Something London

admin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:36:12 +0000

Your soundtrack to Sunday, open your ears for an open mind

Sunday Music Mix #16 is here! This week’s mix is curated by Francesca of And So She Thinks, a blog of fresh music and words from around the world. And So She Thinks is an addictive mish-mash of stories on travel, London, tunes and literature and this Sunday’s mix is reflective of Francesca’s varied and discerning taste. Happy listening!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?list=PLlEFNl2uiVKXiT7hBpb74h36pVPrPPLoP]
(To view all the songs first hit ‘play’ then the ‘playlist’ button – first icon of five on the bottom right)
1. Tall Ships – “Vessels”
Definitely one of my favourite discoveries of 2012, and one I’m excited about seeing how they evolve in 2013. Every song sounds like standing on the edge of a cliff looking out over the epic vista of your life – and being scared and excited at the same time.
2. The Sunset Strip Club – “Einstein’s Theory”
Easy, guilty please, this bounds along with great guitar riffs and a banging bass line.
3. Vuvuvultures – “Stay Still”
Stupidly brilliant name, this is a great piece of rock music seasoned with electro disco. More complex than previous efforts, but then the less striking. And that riff 3 minutes in is almost Muse-esque!
4. Post War Years – “All Eyes”
This band are definitely up there with wine, chocolate, and sex. Amazing.
5. Charlie Dupre – “2012 Male”
Bit of impressive vocal wizardry from Charlie Dupre.
6. Mile Me Deaf – “Troubles Caught”
Superbly catchy seismic tunes
7. Fine Times – “Hey Judas”
Epic and grand, yearning and soaring, littered with peaks and valleys – and somehow it all comes from only two people.
8. Klak Tik – “Reborn”
Saw this trio supporting Slow Club, and I can totally see the link. Completely delightful, unapologetically simple pop songs. Timeless.
9. Thom Price-Stephens – “Peter Pan Shoes”
I’m a sucker for warm vocals and disarming honesty. Relationships in their gritty reality – uttered and unuttered words.
10. Secret Rivals – “Once More With Heart”
Ramshackle, chaotic, honest, soulful, and real. Gravelly emotions and gritty excitement, oscillating melodies, full of perpetuating energy.
Originally on Twenty Something London

A Sunday afternoon in Reading – Festival 2012!

admin — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 17:50:38 +0000

A little bit corporate, somewhat dirty, with its big wire fencing, dusty paths, and discarded chip trays, Reading Festival isn’t one I usually cite as one of my favourites, sometimes lacking the spirit and joie de vivre that percolates smaller festivals. However, with a big reputation, big bucks, and a big profile, it does attract some of the world’s biggest names and often has a line up glittering with long time stars and those rising up. This year was no exception, and with a Sunday day ticket and one heck of a hangover, we set out to Berkshire.

Django Django inspired some of the best dance moves of the day, with the jerking chicken dance coming out for Default, and some brilliantly synchronised Egyptian style moves for Cairo. At 2pm on a lazy Sunday afternoon, their slot probably wasn’t the best one for such infectious party music, but the NME tent still want off with a bang. In what can only be described as a Bolanesque sequined ensemble Johnny Lloyd, lead singer of Tribes, led the band in a vital and intense performance showcasing their new album Baby. Their rougueish spirit was evident, and Sappho and We Were Children in particular wrapped the crowd into their tearaway fold.
Next it was a dash to the BBC Introducing session, to watch the lovely Rachel Sermanni entrance the crowd. Rich and warm vocals, tantalising strumming, all enhanced by the ‘girls’ and their supporting strings, Miss Sermanni managed to captivate even the most unassuming members of the crowd just looking for a place to sleep off the night before, with one member of the audience articulating what everyone was thinking when he shouted out ‘I want to give you a cuddle!’ Selected by the BBC’s Ally McCrae, and about to embark on a European tour, Rachel’s debut album Under The Mountains is out on September 17th, and this performance will have driven a fair few new fans to purchase.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AWv7ATa34]
Those familiar with It’s All Happening will know that wherever The Joy Formidable are, we’re not far behind, and today was no exception. The fandom of a certain Mr Grohl has certainly done them no harm, and it was great to see thousands of people singing out long time live favourites such as Austere and The Greatest Light… From the first quivering notes of Whirring, to the final elongated feedback drenched chords of the set, Ritzy, Matt and Rhydian did what they always did – made one heck of noise, but also experimented more with volumes and tempos than previously, soothing and softening before another fuck off massive crescendo, creating glacial soundscapes that explode on a moment, perhaps a sign of what is to come from the forthcoming second album.

2:54 are dark, brooding and visceral to listen to and to see live, and Collette Thurlow’s warm and charming pleasure at seeing the crowd moved by her music made the Thurlow sisters performance all the more disarming. Kicking off with new single Sugar, they slinked and stomped through the set, all thundery skies and gritty basslines, their sweet and sinister songs proving a highlight of the afternoon.
‘Guess who’s next’ Dan asked, ‘I’ll give you a clue. It’s coming up in several months. ‘
Christmas?
My birthday?
Er, a holiday?
It was ‘winter’ and the band Zulu Winter. Dreadful game to play, brilliant band to watch. Swimming has been one of It’s All Happening’s tracks of the summer, introduced to us by the lovely Amazing radio, and its hypnotic halcyonic vibe is not alone in Zulu Winter’s live set. Bolshy and defiant drums underpinned smooth electronic feeling melodies, in what was something of a surprise stand out, full of refulgent splendour.
The respective members of Deaf Club don’t look like they should be a band, nor capable of emitting such menacing and mesmerising indie noir, but their lack of contrived image only serves to highlight the truth – that Jen Long has definitely picked up on of the UKs most talented new bands. Also on the BBC Introducing stage we caught the end of Dinghus Khan, an 8 piece band whose stage set up is almost confrontational, lining up in a row to face the crowd and deliver their raucous and rambunctious pop.
Ricky Wilson is always an entertainer, and The Kaiser Chiefs performance got any of the festival site who weren’t yet in the party spirit ready for a riot. A scratchy throat meant that some of the vocal delivery wasn’t as strong as it could be, but since the slight musical decline post their debut album, The Kaiser Chiefs are all about having fun and putting on a performance, and thus didn’t disappoint. Another band who whack up the fun factor are King Charles (and not just due to the questionable hair styles inspired by the band’s namesake) but a result of their shambolic sea shanty style tunes that had the whole of the Festival Republic stage tent bouncing and bounding.

Having gone through an image change with the release of last year’s album Skying, The Horrors played an epic charge of songs that brutally assaulted the senses whilst fully immersing and swooping you up within them. Somewhat alone in the current climate, they make intelligent and intense rock that absorbs layers from the musical canon, fused together to make their own original output. Watching The Horrors live feels like a natural negotiation, tugging and pulling at the gut and the heart, a tangle of bittersweet vocals, driving bass lines and bristling energy.

The Great Escape 2012 – Festival Special!

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:40:40 +0000

It’s that time of year again, when It’s All Happening, along with thousands of music fans, hundreds of bands and a good percentage of the music industry head down to sunny Brighton, for The Great Escape. I could wax lyrical about it, but I will just let our special edition zine do the talking…
In it you’ll find our opinion on the following 57 bands, as well as where and when they are playing, to help you plan your weekend around maximum musical pleasure …Cut Ribbons, Deaf Club, Among Brothers, Alabama Shakes, Dry The River, Common Tongues, Mujeres, Me And The Bees, Ninette & The Goldfish, Seward, Amics del Bos, Oso Leone, The Suicide of Western C ulture, Furguson, The Robbie Boyd Band, Wet Nuns, Sonic Boom Six, Swim Deep, Yukon Blonde, Bos Angeles, Toy, Alt J, Maximo Park, Mystery Jets, Chew Lips, Dakota Beats, The Front Bottoms, Shabazz Palaces, Pikachunes, Tripple Nipples, BOY, Emily & The Woods, Rae Morris, Slow Down Molasses, Tall Ships, Fanzine, The Switch, Worship, Concrete Knives, Mammal Club, Saint Saviour, Spring Offensive, Gunning For Tamar, Clock Opera, Hymns, Dems, Munich, Escaoists, Team Me, The Joy Formidable, Warpaint, Katzenjammer, Rachel Sermanni, The Manic Shine, Hatcham Social, The Temper Trap & Jack Savoretti.
As well as the IAH team (Dan, John, Greta, Caroline, Michael, Katie and Francesca) the lovely Jen Long (BBC Radio 1), Chris Foster (Pop Noodle), Jordan Thomas (Recharged Radio), Ellie Coden – (Fierce Panda), and Steven Boniface (Labelled Independent) have all written guest articles – thanks guys!

Open publication – Free publishing – More bands

Ones To Watch

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:29:06 +0000

It tends to take years, or at least months, for bands to form a following, to build a reputation and to get themselves heard. The arrival of January 2011 will not suddenly create a throng of new artists that until now have been hiding away, ready to form on New Year’s Eve and take the music industry by storm. That’s why the following list of artists are not necessarily ‘new bands’. You may have heard of them, they may already be huge or you may not have a clue who they are. But, either way, we love them and hope that they get the attention they deserve in 2011.

Wolf Gang – Electro indie pop genius. Recent single ‘Lions in Cages’ is an enjoyable, upbeat track that MGMT would be proud of. Wolf Gang AKA Max McElligott has a host of dates coming up in February and March, including a tour supporting popular Kiwi’s The Naked and Famous.

Yuck – Formed out of the ashes of the beautiful Cajun Dance Party, Yuck are a different animal altogether. The band fuse together a blend of grunge and shoegaze that creates a raw, scuzzy but downright fantastic sound. Singles Georgia and Rubber are two very different track which increases anticipation about the finished album, set for release in 2011. This promises to be a huge year for Yuck.
Trophy Wife – Trophy Wife became a internet buzz band in the latter part of 2010 with the exceptional single ‘Microlite’. The trio are set to build on this momentum throughout 2011 by seeing in the year playing with fellow Oxfordians, and influence, Foals at The Forum in London. Foals’ ‘Total Life Forever’ was one of the albums of 2010: don’t be surprised if Trophy Wife’s debut album gets similar plaudits.

Boy & Bear – Australian band Boy & Bear are the sort of band that leave you standing in awe, with the hairs on the back of your neck raised and a tingle down your spine. Debut EP ‘With Emperor Antarctica’ is an exceptional 5 track collection of indie folk. Having supported Laura Marling and Mumford and Sons in 2010, Boy & Bear are set to return to UK shores in the middle of 2011 with a debut album and a set of festival appearances. Don’t miss them.
Dry The River – In a similar vein to Boy & Bear, Dry The River produce beautiful songs with sing a long qualities. Songs such as ‘New Ceremony’ and ‘Family Tree’ start slowly and build in to a bubbling pace. 2011 looks likely to be a promising year for the London based quintet.
Cosmo Jarvis – “Yo-ho Sebastian, Let’s go far away, Somewhere where the captain won’t be mad. Yo-ho Sebastian, I want to love you good. We deserve much better than we’ve had” You need to be either a genius or a fool to write a song called ‘Gay Pirates’ about a homosexual pirate who loves fellow swashbuckler Sebastian. With over 540,000 views on YouTube consensus suggests that Cosmo Jarvis is. A genius, not a homosexual pirate.

Ross and the Wrongens – Ross has to be one of the nicest guys in the music business. Events conspired against Ross that meant the usual wrongens were unable to join him on stage to headline the November It’s All Happening gig. Not to be deterred, Ross was joined on stage by a part time wrongen and cracked out a fantastic set of upbeat indie pop. If Ross and the Wrongens are at a venue near you in 2011 then you must see them: they deserve great things.
Tall Ships – Tall Ships came on to the IAH radar in 2010 having released two brilliant EPs and an energetic live show that sees the trio pass instruments around like a hot potato. Part of the fantastic roster of reliable record label Big Scary Monsters and management Idle Hands Club, Tall Ships have a lot of talent and are sure to make big waves in 2011.
The Joy Formidable – Long term readers of IAH will probably be aware of our championing of The Joy Formidable. Debut full length album ‘The Big Roar’ is to be released on January 24^th 2011 and is set to be massive. The trio make an unfathomable layered sound that is so different from most bands in the current music scene. Having heard the promo copy, The Big Roar will be one of the best albums of the year.
Spring Offensive – Spring Offensive are a delightful band. They have a great ability of writing dark, but intelligent lyrics with unpredictably catchy tunes. With an EP and a mini album already under their belt, we’re expecting a full length album in 2011 from the Oxford quintet.
The Cast of Cheers – In all honesty, IAH don’t know what The Cast of Cheers have planned for 2011. New album? Tour? Split up? No idea. Hopefully it will be the former two because we have just had the joy of discovering 2010 debut album ‘Chariot’ and my gosh- it’s good! This Irish foursome have a Foals-esque brilliance about them: a calculated, jagged rock that wants you leaving more. Hopefully 2011 will be the year that everybody knows their name.