2009 – How was it for you? Part 5

Twin Atlantic (Sam McTrusty – vocals)
www.myspace.com/twinatlantic

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
this year has been incredible. it has been a real landmark year for our band and one we will never forget… a trip to the states to record our debut label release and a relentless touring schedule has made 2009 dandy.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
so much radiohead it is almost sad along with wintersleep, the manchester orchestra, brand new, rage against the machine, sucioperro, and you will know us by the trail of dead, john lennon, muse, animal collective, ryan adams,aereogramme, cave in, mutemath, elbow and the gayblades.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
not a thing. everything that has been incredibley shit for our band this year has only made us stronger and more determined and focused on our identity as a band. 2009, like i have said, has been the best year for us yet. roll on 2010 as we have big plans.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
reaching as many new people as possible through touring in new countries as well as playing another home town show in glasgow which is always special. we have a uk and european tour at the start of the year so we are by no means taking a break. we also have our sights set on another record at some point.

Do you have a message for our readers?
if you bought our record “vivarium” thank you for all the support. you have helped us make 2009 the best year of our lives. also fuck straight lines… bendy is the future. viva la revolution.

Bad For Lazarus (Steve Wattis – Drums)
www.myspace.com/badforlazarus

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
The busiest of my life! I learned a lot about sewing, sustained many drum/guitar/microphone-based injuries. It was a lot of fun.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
Mew, Mew and Mew. The rest of the band can’t stand them but I’m completely obsessed. Also a shit load of Yacht Rock like The Doobie Brothers, Toto and Hall & Oats.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I try not to dwell on the past, regret is a pointless wast of emotion.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
More shows, recording the album, Simon Cowell’s impending murder…

Do you have a message for our readers?
Stay away from the red rope liquorice and look out for each other guys, if someone falls down, pick em up. Don’t be an asshole.

White Rabbits (Jamie Levinson – Drums)
www.myspace.com/whiterabbits

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
Much like any year of our lives. Making music and touring. With a few meals in between.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
This year I really enjoyed records from Glass Ghost, Animal Collective, and The Walkmen.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
More sleep. Particularly in my new apartment that I have only stayed at a couple nights.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
Seeing more movies. We always plan to see a couple when we are on tour but it rarely happens.

Do you have a message for our readers?
To Beyonce or not to Beyonce? That is the question.

2009 – How was it for you? Part 4

Le Plat Du Jour (Tallie Kane – vocals, guitar)
http://www.myspace.com/leplatdujourestlamusique

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
Mostly exciting, somewhat difficult and a lot of hard work! Everything’s changing with the band in the new year, but it’s been a lot of fun exploring what I can do if I push myself enough.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
Lots of 90′s shoegaze such as Spectrum, My bloody valentine and A Place to Bury Strangers, all bands I’ve been into for ages or have been recently introduced. I love the physical power the music has over you, not the cheesy ‘Oh Yeah I’ve got to dance’ kind of way, but the bass really grabbing your chest. Musical Claustrophobia.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
Obviously I would have liked it if Higgy had stayed in the band, but he has his own exciting project in the pipeline that I’ve been hearing in small pieces. I’ve learnt a lot this year so I can’t think of anything.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
I’m looking forward to unleashing the new ideas I have and potentially moving about to find musicians to play what I’ve got penned down. I’m trying to be positive about the progression and find out what can happen. I’ve got a gig with some wonderful friends of mine in January that I can’t wait to play.

Do you have a message for our readers?
I don’t think anyone should take any advice from me. All I can say really is that you are your own maker, everything has happened to you because you did something along the way. Don’t blame your problems on something you think you can’t control, that’s the cowards way out. If you want change, don’t leave it up to some stupid notion of ‘destiny’.

Tom Hingley
www.tomhingley.com

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
White Lies, Howling Wolf and ’7 worlds Collide’ Neil Finn

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
No publicity for the BNP people need to get real about Nazis

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
being 45

Do you have a message for our readers?
Stay safe, don’t rot inside on saturday nights watching x factor drivel go out and support pubs venues and musicians try not to buy everything from supermarkets, they now run the country, they have had a go at killing off pubs, off licences and now they are gunning for banks, they have bought this government and the incoming Tory one too, so support indiependance
love you brother and sister dont fight wars 1 thats baout it for now !!
HAPPY XMAS

Bap Kennedy
www.bapkennedy.com

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
2009 was a very interesting year. Great reviews for “Howl On” my 1969 pop culture/ moon landings inspired album and a return to touring. Highlights were a sell out Black Box Theatre in Belfast and a great slot at Glastonbury.
A special mention to the Musician venue in Leicester as the best gig on the UK tour. Having my wife on guitar and backing vocals and my stepson tour managing is just brilliant. A family holiday without the boring bits – and you get paid!

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
I’ve been listening to cds other musicians have been giving me on tour. Sam Forrest in particular has some great tunes.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
If I could change anything I’d have made 2009 a bit longer so I could get more things done. A lot happened this year and when you run your own label there aren’t enough hours in the day.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
In 2010 I’m looking forward to more touring and more recording ( Australia and America are in the pipeline) ….and usually the unexpected happens so I’ll be expecting that

Do you have a message for our readers?
I hope anyone reading this gets as much enjoyment from music as I do – and if you get a chance check out “Howl On”
p.s
Keep watching the skies!
Bap

2009 – How was it for you? Part 3

Bemis (Gareth Howells – Vocals, Guitar)
www.myspace.com/bemisuk

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
For Bemis, 2009 has been a brilliant year – we’ve continued our climb onto the festival circuit, got our first album on itunes and other digital distribution, had a rave review in a national magazine, got an award for our impression on Dorset (which is particularly gratifying because of the risk in playing out of town so much) and played some amazing support slots. We have expanded from a duo after 3 and a half years into at least 3 people (sometimes 4) which has had a dramatic (and exciting) effect on our writing. The year was dominated by the making of our second studio album which will be finally finished in January – pretty much a year after we started it. We have finished the year off with a sell out gig at the Cellars and a live “official bootleg” album that finally makes Jeff an official part of our future. 2010, in fact, looks very rosy, with more festivals, more recordings planned, more great supports lined up and that amazing feeling that our reputation is really growing and we have many people behind us giving their thumbs up.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
What have I been listening to this year? The Men They Couldn’t Hang and the Levellers came back with their first album in ages – and they were both fantastic. I have been listening to masses of stuff, but those two are the most recently released.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
The one thing I would have changed over the last 12 months would be encouraging Gavin, our drummer, to play with us sooner, as he is a perfect match for us and is easily the best drummer I have ever worked with.

Do you have a message for our readers?
Happy Christmas everyone!

Officer Kicks
www.myspace.com/officerkicks

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
It was brilliant, we have played a hundred gigs all over UK and Europe and supported some mega big bands, written an album we really very proud of.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
A guy called Alexander Wolfe has released a record that is second to non. Loved hearing that. Was Fleet Foxes released this year? Thats great. Spotify has meant i cant even begin to tell you how many things i have heard this year. Im like a kid in a candy shop.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
On a personal level nothing, its been an amazing year. Dont want to get deep but the list of things i would change in this trouble filled world would prob be a novel.

Do you have a message for our readers?
NO. Erm…yes. Dont listen to rock singers giving messages of hope or charity.

The Len Price 3 (Glenn Page)
www.myspace.com/thelenprice3

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
Busy. We spent most of the first half of the year recording our new album ‘Pictures’ – due out on January 18th. In amongst all that, me and Neil been having babies. Not together you understand – it’s not that type of band. Our wives did the difficult bits.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
Lots of the usual Who, Kinks, Beatles and the Clash but I’ve also been liking the first album by The Saints and Triple Distilled by Graham Day and the Gaolers.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I wish we could’ve got the album out sooner – i.e. a 2009 release. It’s been done and dusted on the music side since about May or something but it’s been caught up the machinations of agreeing artwork, getting the promo side of things sorted and other such matters.

What are you looking forward to in 2010?
Launching our new album. (Did I mention that it’s called ‘Pictures’ and it’s due out on January 18th?)

2009 – How was it for you? part 2

Leigh Mary Stokes
www.myspace.com/leighmarystokesmusic

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
2009 is nearly over, and it has been a fantastic year for everyone at camp Leigh Mary Stokes. We released an EP, did a tour, played some great supports, got national distribution AND a booking agent and quite frankly, deserve some time to eat too much and stick our feet up.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
This year has been all about the Mumford, hasn’t it? My top played songs of 2009 are Laura Marling, The Crookes, Cosmo Jarvis, Mumford & Sons, Magic Kids, Eliza Doolittle and The Kabeedies.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I think the only thing i would’ve changed about the last 12 months is that i would of fought a bit harder to keep my job AND go on tour, rather than chuck it in, in the name of FUN!

What are you looking forward to in 2010
I’m looking forward to our March/April tour, festivalling, frollocking and generally enjoying the repercussions of this years hard work.

Do you have a message for our readers?
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! And Watch this space!!xx

Richard Walters
www.myspace.com/richardwalters

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
Too quick, maybe thats just me getting older but I swear this year has just dashed by. Brief as it was, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Releasing an album, playing gigs, meeting new people, writing a new album – personally, its been very fulfilling.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
I got hooked on the Department of Eagles album ‘In Ear Park’…I’ve listened to that obsessively for the last 5 months. I can’t fault it in any way, it’s intricate without being fiddly, heartfelt without being overly soft. The new Graham Coxon album ‘The Spinning Top’ is also getting repeated plays, particularly the song ‘Brave the Storm’.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I wish I’d kept to my own list of goals for 2009…looking at it now, I’ve missed a couple of big ones. Giving up smoking, getting fit, and growing an acceptable moustache, being the main ones.

Do you have a message for our readers?
Don’t have any regrets about the year just gone…heres to the ever approaching future, where all things are golden and perfectly out of reach.

The Olympic Symphonium (Kyle Cunjak)
http://www.myspace.com/theolympicsymphonium

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
I had a great 2009 actually, the best 2009 yet! We got to travel a lot and play music for people in new and exciting places, which is truly an honour, and I got to make music with my friends as the greatest part-time job ever.

Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
Lately, I can’t stop listening to Timber Timbre, the Dirty Projectors, really old Beck, Bob Wills, Roger Miller, and a great new Halifax band called Cousins.

What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I try to live with no regrets and honestly I wouldn’t change much, although there are always a few hiccups along the way we’ve had a good run in the last year.

Do you have a message for our readers?
Support local, live music because it’s going to slowly die if you don’t.

2009 – How was it for you? part 1

As a new decade looms on the horizon, we thought we’d reflect back on 2009 by asking a number of bands and artists how the year was for them. Over the next few days we’ll catch up with old friends and introduce new ones, so lets begin.

Teitur
www.myspace.com/teitur

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
“It was a very good year” (Sinatra). When I was a teenager I always used to say this was the best year ever at every new years eve. I kinda feel the same right now. I bought a small house in the country, which is the first place I have ever owned. It’s gives a strange satisfaction to paint your own walls. Also, I didn’t tour too much and tire myself, but I have been making lots of music and investing in next year.
Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
I had this Arvo Part obsession at the first half of this year. There was also the introduction to Kraftwerk which also takes time to sink in. And then my friend gave me this collection of Stax recordings constantly pop up on my iPod, one, because there is so much of it, two, because it’s great sounding music that doesn’t wear out.
What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
“Regrets, I’ve had a few, but then again too few to mention” (Sinatra). Just one single thing, but I don’t want to talk about it.
What are you looking forward to in 2010?
I am making my next record in the beginning of the year which for me is very exiting. There is also lots of other releases coming out that I am involved in which is something I look forward too. Also, I am hoping I can go to Japan as I have never been there.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Don’t quit smoking. Quit worrying, I’m trying to quit both.

The Boy Who Trapped The Sun
www.myspace.com/theboywhotrappedthesun

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
2009 was a blinder, a proper turning point that made the previous few years seem worthwhile. Making my first record, playing some awesome shows and meeting the boss, doesnt get much better than that!
Other than your own tunes, what have you been listening to this year?
This year has been taken up mostly by Bon Iver. That album completly floored me when I heard it, I hadnt really loved a record in ages and it was nice to find some new music that was truely inspiring. Also Eddie Vedders’ soundtrack to the film into the wild, aaaaamazing. I listened to that alot round when I started touring just me and my guitar, it’s a good companion. Then the Acorn’s record Glory Hope Mountain and Liam Finn’s amazing I’ll Be Lightning.
What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
I wouldnt change anything, even the shit parts, cos they make the good parts even better.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Dear readers, you’re not just readers you’re people too, with beautiful eyes and good taste in sandwiches. I hope one day we can all float in the ocean together and talk about our favourite sandwiches. PEACE OUT ! XXXXXXXXX

Share (Andrew Sisk – vocals, guitar)
www.myspace.com/sharetheband

So, 2009 is pretty much up, how was it for you?
2009 has been the biggest year ever for us. There were plenty of firsts for us: Touring in Europe, releasing our first album as a band, performing on trains, and eating caribou.
What one thing would you have changed about the last twelve months?
We played in Peterborough (Ontario) this year and there was no one there to see the show and so we played to the other band (old friends of ours, Sleepless Nights). It turned into a competition of who could make the band performing laugh the hardest while they were playing. Dennis from Share went on stage with no shirt and a Banjo in hand for one of the Sleepless Nights more rocky songs and convulsed around for the whole song. It was the funniest thing I have ever seen and I wish I had videotaped it for posterity. It’s Probably my only regret.
What are you looking forward to in 2010?
2010 is the year of change, so we are hoping to record a new album and try new approaches to things. We might be doing a tour on the train in March as a duet and trying out the 20 or so new songs we are working on.
That is the plan at the moment.
Do you have a message for our readers?
A message for your readers? Prepare for the end of things as you know it! Things are falling apart.

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF: Elliot Minor

After starting their tour in Wrexham last Wednesday (October 4 2009) Elliot Minor found themselves in Portsmouth playing at the Wedgewood Rooms. A venue that lead singer Alex Davies actually quite likes. After a thorough sound check and a few moments of joking about with Franko and Me Vs Hero, through which the new phrase “fuck the horse” was born, Alex settled into someone’s dressing room, drinking a beer, he began to chat animatedly about the venue asking about gigs and visits. The way he sits comfortably in his seat and with his friendly demeanour you can’t help but think he’s a nice guy who’s enjoying what he does and would be more than happy to answer a few questions.

Is it good to be back on the road?

Yeah, it’s really cool. It feels kinda weird. We’re all, I guess, just feeling a little bit nervous, we’ve got a whole new album to play. We lived with the first album for a couple of years so it’s weird playing new stuff. We’re just concentrating a lot more on what we’re playing on stage rather than the actual show for the time being until we’ve kind of warmed to it. But it’s getting better.

How was the first night of your tour?

It was really good. It was Wrexham. Obviously on the first day of the tour there are a few screw ups here and there but the energy was there and we had a great show. It was a really good start to the tour.

How have you prepared (for the tour)?

Actually I’ve bought a mini Marshall Amp, you know those little practise amps and I’ve never really done that before for a show. I tried it yesterday just to, warm me up. Jamming out before a set really gets you going for the show. We’ve been lazy about that in the past as well; we’d just drink beers then get on stage. But I think we’re really trying to sound good this time round.

What do you do in any relaxation time you manage to find?

Me personally, I’m actually really into my Coronation Street, which I don’t think I should really admit, but my mum got me into it from a really early age. Yeah that’s what I do, watch a bit of Coronation Street, play a bit of football with Ali, our keyboard player, but apart from that it’s all music really, jam out, play the piano a bit.

So do you ever go back to classical music every now and then to get away from what you do now?

No we haven’t done that in years really. I just like going on the piano, it’s actually quite relaxing, it’s cool, you can just sit, mucking around. Yeah it’s been a while since we’ve done our classical stuff; it’s sort of a school thing.

As people that have worked hard to get where you are now, what do you think of programmes such as X-factor and Britain’s Got Talent offering aspiring musicians the chance to be famous without putting in as much work as you might have?

I’m not really a big fan of the show. It doesn’t seem to be about talent anymore. It’s all a bit controversial. The people who do win, I guess good on them because they’ve obviously worked hard to actually do that, go through the auditions and everything. It is very different this slogging out playing the crowds and touring. But it’s a different market. It’s complete pop though isn’t it and I guess the rock scene is very different from that. Yeah I guess it doesn’t seem to be about talent anymore. It’s all very staged and set up. It’s all about the money isn’t it?

Speaking of the X-factor and it not being so much about talent, what do you think of John and Edward?

John and Edward, I like those guys. I thought they were really entertaining. I thought they were really shit at first. I don’t know what it is, my girlfriend’s from Ireland and I just find the accent really funny. Not that I laugh at my girlfriend. I dunno there’s something about them, obviously they’re idiots when they came on stage but it’s really entertaining.

Surely being in the rock scene yourself, you like Jamie a bit?

Yeah, yeah. Well saying that this year has got no talent there are a lot of acts who did it this year I thought were pretty good actually. But the whole voting thing I thought that was very scripted. I watched the first audition, that was it. I don’t really watch more of them after that.

Describe yourselves in one word.

The band, or me personally?

Err, you personally.

I dunno, goofy maybe. Yeah I’m very goofy.

Going back to when you were saying you’re nervous about performing the new album, did you ever get nervous before a gig performing your old album?

I don’t actually remember the early shows that we did, I’m sure we did get nervous. But it got to the stage when, you know, we were still playing songs from that album and we just knew them so well anyway that we just kept on changing the format and doing different arrangements of them and doing medleys in between the songs, just to keep yourself interested. You don’t want to be playing the same stuff all the time. I think it was also that we were just so comfortable with the songs that it was a kind of an adrenaline thing

Do you have any good luck charms? Or any superstitions and stuff before you go on stage?

Not really. No. We tricked this person once. We convinced her that we prayed right before the show and we held hands together and took it really seriously. She got so freaked out. That was like the only ritual we’d done and there was no truth to it. We just get ourselves psyched up. We listen to music actually, you know, The Who, AC/DC. But that’s it.

I read an interview you did earlier this year and it said that you were finding it a bit of a challenge to write the new album, what were the main challenges and how did you overcome them?

I think because the album was so long ago, I was 16 or 17, quite a few years ago then. It’s such a big gap between the songs that there’s a change, it’s a lot more mature. I don’t think it was, really, hard to write. We wanted to get a second album out but it kind of got pushed back and delayed and delayed. I think we were a lot happier with the songs on this one. It was more us.

Wasn’t the fact that your album was delayed something to do with the record label at the time?

Yeah, we kinda got shelved into a corner with other bands like Greenday and My Chemical Romance. Right from the word go they delayed our album and we just wanted to get on with it so we decided that time was a lot more important than a huge backing. Eventually it was alright, it’s hard doing it all by yourself but we had a lot more freedom. It’s worked out for the better.

Do you have any song lyrics that sum yourself up?

We sing ‘Angels’ by Robbie Williams. It’s a cool song to sing. It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, actually it’s a great song, I’m not ashamed of it.

Solaris, your second album, was released last month, do you have any words to spare to try and convince people to buy it?

It’s better. It’s a lot more mature. It’s more us, I think now. It’s more of an album than a bunch of songs put together, which the first album kind of was. In the sense that that was all the material we had. It’s also different in the fact that in one track it’s slow and then another is full of strings.

With his beer now finished the interview wound down to a close, helped along quicker by Me Vs Hero rehearsing their set right outside the door. After a quick photo and goodbye Alex rejoined his four band mates and immediately started talking about their show later that night.

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF: ExLovers

Despite being called boring by some drunken guy outside The Hamptons, Pete and his band mates, who together make up Exlovers, were funny and welcoming, with a hint of the kind of sarcasm which comes when you are comfortable with the group around you. I joined them just before their gig.

Can you describe yourselves in one word?

Laurel-Worried

Brooke-You’re worried? Well you are a worrier.

Dan-I’m indifferent. Can I really say that though?

Pete-Me and you have the same word don’t we Chris

Chris-Drunk

B-Maybe in the band context I would say…

P-Wizened

B- That’s good; I was going to say in a band context maybe dad.

How did you feel when you first stepped on stage together as a band?

C+P- we were pretty unsure

L-We’d only been practising for about three weeks before we had our first gig. I was kind of relieved that we didn’t play terribly.

B-I felt very good about it.

Do you have a personal favourite on your EP?

L-mine is ‘Incomplete’

B-Yeah mine’s ‘Incomplete’ as well, but it was a single before wasn’t it?

L-Yeah but it’s still on the EP

P-I quite like ‘New year’s Day’

Are there any messages you’re trying to get over to your fans?

P-No, not really

If there were what would they be?

L-Don’t drink and drive

P-Don’t take drugs, take your vitamins.

L-Yeah take your vitamins, that’s a good one

P-We’re not really into messages. I guess we all just like the pretention of playing simple music very simply.

B- How about keep coming to our live shows.

L-Yeah that’s the message

Who has influenced your music?

L: My Bloody Valentine

When I listen to your music I hear The Smiths.

P- Really? We like The Smiths but The Cure are more of an influence to our music

What do you think about the whole Morrissey thing this morning? (Morrissey had collapsed on stage the night before)

B-Oh I heard about that on the news this morning.

P-Apparently he was kneeling on one knee and holding flowers in one hand, that’s what I thought I heard on the radio, I had this really weird image of him just kneeling on the stage with flowers

B- We hope he gets better soon; perhaps he needs to take it easy

Which band would you most like to support?

P: Do they have to be alive, actually yeah, that would be a bit weird

B: I think Lemon heads is probably a good one.

Turning the tables, who would you like to support you?

P-Lemon heads.

L-What you mean as in someone famous?

P-Kurran and the Wolfnotes (They were touring with Kurran and the Wolfnotes at the time – ED)

B-Don’t be mean.

P- I wasn’t being mean. It was actually an attempt at being really nice, now you made me feel really mean.

L-Erm okay, someone famous. I don’t know though, I don’t think it would really work

D-if you held them in a high regard…

L-You don’t want to go after them everyone would have left

Where has been your favourite place to play so far?

P-Shepherds Bush; it was just an amazing place to play

You supported Pete Doherty, What was that like?

P-That was the Shepherds bush gig so it was pretty good. We heard loads of horror stories about people getting bottled.

L-Yeah so we were prepared to get covered in beer by loads of people, but actually we didn’t.

B-I heard that getting bottled is a sign of affection

L- Damn, they must’ve hated us

P-They wouldn’t even throw their bottles at us

Have you got any favourite bands at the moment?

P-Deer Hunter

L-PJ Harvey even though it isn’t really a new act.

C-I listen to a lot of local bands. I quite like Atlas Sound

You’re making an album at the moment aren’t you?

B-We aren’t making an album. We don’t have a record label so it makes that sort of stuff harder. But we are writing songs and stuff at the moment.

With that it was time for one last fag and a restringing of the guitar before their set began.

FREE DOWNLOADS FOR YOU!

The fine folks at Partisan PR have been in touch and offered us a couple of free downloads for your listening pleasure. Up first, we’ve got singer/songwriter Richard Walters, who has already been garnering great press. Check out ‘Flooded Valley’, the B side to his forthcoming single ‘True Love Will Find You In The End’ on the link below

Richard Walters – Flooded Valley

We’ve already commented on Defend Moscow’s single ‘Die Tonight’ and if you haven’t heard it already I can’t recommend enough that you go seek it out. We’ve got a remix of their track ‘One Night Stand’ available for you here too.

Defend Moscow – One Night Stand

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF – Wintersleep

Wintersleep are one of Canada’s most exciting acts, yet they haven’t yet made the same impact in the UK as some of their contemporaries. Certainly though, after repeated appearances at Great Escape and a number of tours, their profile is on the rise. A while back I caught up with lead singer Paul Murphy to do an interview for another site. Sadly though, they have failed to publish it, so here, for your reading pleasure is the chat we had.

Canada’s best kept secret are beginning to be heard about in the UK, read on to find out more about them!

Wintersleep are a band that this writer has been keeping an eye on for some time, importing CDs from Canada to keep up with their releases. With their soaring, mesmeric tunes and unique outlook they’ve taken audiences by storm at home and now they’re making inroads into the UK. We’re really excited that they’re about to come back to the UK for another short tour, so when is a better time to catch up with the guys?

Hi guys, I guess we should start at the beginning, tell us about how you all met and what persuaded you to form Wintersleep?

I guess it started unassumingly enough.. Tim and I played in a band called Kary and Loel and Tim played in a band called Contrived.. We were big fans of each others bands.. We ended up recording a bunch of songs for fun in Loel’s apartment at the time, which was basically this big, badly built 30 story tower that swayed in the wind [I think it is swaying to this day:)].. Ugly, ugly thing. It’s a Halifax problem actually.. Big ugly buildings.. Anyway, nice acoustics in Fenwick Towers.. I guess after recording and then showing the songs around to people, the response was really positive.. and we had a lot of fun doing it most importantly, so we wanted to make a full length record.. which involved touring enough to pay for the full length.. I guess it kinda went from there.. It has certainly come a lot further than initially intended. We’re all really grateful for that.

How would you describe your music?

I’ve always thought descriptions were best coming from objective sources… and not band members How would you describe it? (actually I’d describe it a mellower take on Radiohead, with a jam band feel and lyrics that are less dramatic and more witty – Matt) You’re from Halifax, Nova Scotia, which isn’t an area traditionally known for its music scene. Do you feel your home has shaped your music and given you a different perspective to other bands?

Ever hear of the Rankins?

We actually aren’t from Halifax proper.. We grew up in really small towns, Yarmouth NS and Stellarton, very much on the outskirts of Halifax.. Well, hours away really… We started playing music together in Halifax though.. I guess NS is a pretty rural feeling city, which makes it different than a city like Toronto… A lot of green, pretty landscapes.. the ocean.. fishermen.. farmers.. a great sense of community.. A cool art scene.. A horrible bus system.. Propeller beer [yummy local micro-brew beer].. Some great coffee shops.. Good music.. A great appreciation for music and art in the community.. A nice place to be a band in for sure.

I came across you guys after a recommendation from a Canadian friend and ended up at your gig at The Mod Club, Toronto in November 2007. It was a superb night and I was struck by the response from the crowd, who were both rowdy and at the same time very attentive, how do you find the crowds differ in the UK from Canada?

I guess generally the UK crowd is slightly more reserved than the Canadian crowd, that is just judging on the limited amount of shows we’ve played in the UK of course.. I guess we’re relatively new to the UK, so a lot of people come not really knowing what to expect and I guess they’re making us earn it a bit more in the UK.. Which is a good thing!!

Welcome To The Night Sky is your first UK release, I think it’s probably the most instantly accessible of your three albums so far, was this a conscious move and if so why?

I think writing songs together and playing live, you get better and more confident at what you’re doing, you learn how to drive the point home as quickly and clearly as possible. I think Tony really helped us bring the more melodic parts to the forefront and was all about getting the best possible performances of the songs.. I think it was a pretty natural “move,” if a “move” can be natural in this context.. I guess it wasn’t a move really.. it just sorta happened.. so maybe “move” is the wrong word.. “move” is actually kind of a cool word. It feels weird on the lips when repeated as much as I’ve repeated it here. I am on a plane, and will be for another 3 hours.. And then a 5 hour layover.. Forgive me for dwelling on this move thing..

You’re openly supportive of tapers and photographers at your gigs; this is something you don’t often see from UK bands, was it a conscious decision to allow tapers to set up at your shows?

We have lots of friends that are interested in that sort of stuff and yeah, as long as you ask before hand and make intentions clear.. People have been very respectful thus far with that sort of stuff.

Are there plans on the table for your next album? If so, what can we expect from you guys in the future?

I guess we are always working on new material.. We have some songs in the works. Been hard to really suss them out with all the touring. BUt.. all in due time as they say:)

You’ve shared the bill with some big names in the past, are there any bands that stand out and any stories you’d like to share with our readers?

Hmmm. The tour we did with Wolf Parade was pretty stand out for us.. Just being on a tour with such a solid band.. We got robbed on that tour actually too, in Louisianna.. and then had to fly to a music festival in British Columbia that day, minutes after finding out all of our stuff had been robbed.. Pemberton festival in BC.. It was a pretty big festival.. Jay Z played it and I think Coldplay did too.. Needless to say, the line-up of cars to get in the festival was completely blocked. .So we had no way of getting into the festival to play.. Except that the festival arranged for a HELICOPTER to fly us in:) So.. yeah,, we basically hopped in a… helicopter.. and were dropped really close to the stage we were playing.. We played [with borrowed equipment] and headed to the airport directly after the show to meet Wolf Parade in Atlanta.. We felt like Linkin Park or something.. Weird..

You guys won a Juno award (Canada’s equivalent of the Brit awards) in 2008 for Best New Group, it must have felt good to get industry recognition for your work?

Yeah.. Was a pretty boozy night… Forgot to thank a bunch of people..

Thanks for taking the time out to answer our questions, is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Thanks so much.. A pleasure to do it..

P XOXO

PLEASE ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MYSELF – Them:Youth

With a debut single (‘Bows & Arrows’) that brings to mind the likes of Doves and The Verve, Londoners Them:Youth look set to have an exciting future, so before they hit the stratosphere we thought we’d find out a little bit about them!

Lets start at the beginning, how did you guys get together?
Mark (Lead Vocals) and Luke (Bass) are old school friends who have been writing and playing together for a few years now. With Mark drafting in younger brother Paul on drums for rehearsals in the loft. Ilan and Allan were guitarists doing their own thing but at the start of the year we finally got our act together and started writing and recording tracks as them:youth. Its just five mates doing what they love and making the decision to do it properly, there’s just no point in doing it otherwise.

Tell us about the influences on your music, what has inspired your sound?
The band feed off anything from rare northern soul records to the early manchester dance scene. Channelling the love of bands like New Order, Spirtualized, Faithless, Primal Scream, Doves and of course Oasis into our sound, it means we are not scared of a big chorus and can switch from a slow anthem to a banger at anytime within the set.

You’re about to release your first single, has it been a long journey to get this far?
It hasn’t been too long for us as them:youth. Of course we have all been playing for a long time and all have known this is what we wanted to do, but really we didn’t get started until the turn of the year. So it has moved quickly, very quickly.

Apparantly ‘Bow And Arrows’ started as an acoustic track, what prompted the move to a more dance oriented direction?
The track was taken into the studio and laid down with just vocals and acoustic guitar, we knew it was a tune because it just worked as simply as that. That gave the room to experiment with drums, strings etc, as we knew we always had the the bare bones to fall back on. It got more and more trippy as we went on, we are very pleased with the results.

You’re all Brentford fans I believe, and am I right in thinking Paul even ended up being interviewed about following the club?
Yeah, the Football League approached us to do an interview about the club just as they were closing in on the title. Some of us have been to a few games this season but don’t claim to be experts, since we long gave up our season tickets a few years ago. So Paul took one for the team with the interview and The Bees went on to win the title!!! Champions!!! Good times!
It’s not all been plain sailing though, I gather you’re still working day jobs at the moment. It’s something alot of people don’t consider about up and coming bands, but it must be tough touring and trying to make ends meet?
All that a lot of people see about bands is the final product, like watching the band on stage or putting the record on. They probably don’t realise that we all still work and have day jobs, and then spend every minute after on band stuff. It doesn’t add up financially either, as the band get busier the less we can work and at this stage don’t really earn a living from touring. Its probably where a lot of bands are made or broken!! But we won’t be giving up anytime soon, we’re in it for the duration!!

So, whats the next step for Them: Youth, another single? An album?? World Domination???
Like we said, we’re in this for a long time. There will be more singles this year and definitely an album some time in the future. Of course we want world domination and everything that comes with it. We wanna take this to as many people as possible, climb as high as we possibly can.
Last, but not least, we’ve been dusting off our trusty time machine, so if we could take you back and nick one song written by another person, which would you pick and why?
Its a tough one cos there’s loads of stuff from the Stone Roses that would be good steals, but we’re gonna have to go with a slow number from the Beatles. “In My Life”, its just a great song, nothing more to say about it, stick it on and you’ll realise why within seconds.