David Ford, Hannah Peel Live
View 2 Gallery, Liverpool. 24 February 2010.
On the night in Liverpool that Lady Ga Ga was packing them in at the Liverpool Echo Arena, we visited a gallery venue in the city to witness a performance by a singer/songwriter who I regard as one of the very best in the UK. I first saw David Ford back in 2006 when he supported Susanne Vega, also in Liverpool. I subseqently acquired both his albums and relived that incredible performance. I recently learned that he has released a new album but I didn’t realsie he was playing this show until my associate knocked on my study window while I was selecting songs for our radio show. So what’s wrong with the doorbell, you may well ask. Well, when picking songs I listen to them with radio earphones, so I am totally deaf to any other sounds, which JJ is well aware of. Anyway, I was so engrossed I missed his email saying he would pick me up at 7:30 to go to the David Ford show. Five minutes later we were on our way to the city on the Mersey, the rock capitol of the world, and appropriately heading for a small venue close to the Cavern club.
There were actually three artists on the bill, including the wonderful female, Liverpool-based singer/songwriter Ragz, who we regretfully missed. But we were on time to catch Hannah Peel, Ford’s instrumentalist and backing vocalist who has decided to forge her own solo career and tonight was showing her wares. Peel is young woman of Irish descent and during her short set performed two beautiful Irish folk songs, along with a gentle and charming version of ‘Tainted Love.’ She also sang a couple of her own compositions during a faultless and endearing performance. I wish her luck.
David Ford is about to tackle the USA again, following in the footsteps of Damien Rice and Fionn Regan who have both caused something of a stir over there. Ford has already crossed the big pond with some succcess, but I get the feeling this trip will be a more planned campaign, and could make an even more substantial impression. He is a singer/songwriter firmly in the protest tradition. Listen to ‘Requiem’ from his last album (SONGS FOR THE ROAD) and you’ll understand why I say this. His voice and songs are edgier than any other UK singer/songwriter I know, and it’s in the live arena where the full force of that anger and passion are most evident. But he also sings about relationships, usually in bittersweet terms…
Ford is a self-contained, one-man sound system and so it’s took a while for him to ensure that everything is working to his satisfaction. He has a bedside cabinet loaded with electronic gear and numerous other fancy-footwork items in addition to his two guitars and keyboard. He explained that he is going to perform the whole of the new album in song-list order and opened with a self-confessional ‘Panic’, a song with a short fuse that finally explodes after the middle-eight. It’s a storming song in the style of ‘Requiem’ and delivered with real venom. ‘Making Up For Lost Time’ is a road song with hints of darkness, while ‘Waiting For The Storm’ has a reflective, cautionary, country vibe, and meanders along like a slow-moving river tide with some telling harmonica moments.
Kiuas: LP4: Lustdriven
FINNISH HEROIC METALLERS SET TO RELEASE ‘LUSTDRIVEN’, THEIR FOURTH FULL STUDIO ALBUM, ON APRIL 26th 2010 VIA SPINEFARM RECORDS UK…
FOLLOWING ON from ‘The New Dark Age’, their Finnish Top 10 album released in 2008, epic metallers KIUAS (pronounced ‘Key-wass’) have confirmed that latest outing ‘Lustdriven’ will be made available through Spinefarm Records UK as of April 26th 2010.
A 10-track affair produced by Janne Joutsenniemi (Ensiferum, Suburban Tribe and Stone) and mixed by Mikko Karmila (Children Of Bodom, Nightwish), ‘Lustdriven’ sees the Finnish five-piece – from the town of Espoo, near Helsinki – further creating a signature style that draws from a broad range of influences; these include both power metal & prog, with death, symphonic & folk metal also playing a part, the whole thing topped off with a healthy sprinkling of myth & legend, plus the soul-stirring vocals of high-energy frontman Ilja Jalkanen.
As well as lead track ‘The Quickening’, the album features songs such as ‘Cry Little Angel’, ‘Of Love, Lust And Human Nature’ & ‘Lights Are Many’ – ambitious compositions displaying the development that has taken place in the band’s 10-year history.
“On this new album, we’ve kept the most aggressive elements of KIUAS,” says guitarist Mikko Salovaara, “everything is very raw and in your face. At the same time, however, we’ve pushed the epic, orchestral side to new heights, and although you’ll find some of our fastest and heaviest songs here, we’ve tried to maintain a real sense of melody throughout.”
At the moment, UK shows are being lined up for later in the year, and of course KIUAS are no strangers to these shores, having played here with both Children Of Bodom & Firewind; they also appeared at the Hard Rock Hell festival in Prestatyn, Wales, back in 2009.
http://http://www.kiuas.net | http://www.myspace.com/thespirtofukko
http://www.spinefarmrecords.co.uk | http://www.myspace.com/spinefarmrecordsuk
Onslaught: Bloodstock Open Air
ONSLAUGHT MAKE FIRST EVER UK FESTIVAL APPEARANCE AT ONLY UK SHOW OF 2010 *
* M2TM WINNER SNAKEBITE TO PLAY MAINSTAGE *
Legendary British thrashers ONSLAUGHT have confirmed that their first ever UK festival appearance will take place at the 10th anniversary BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR. After forming in 1983, ONSLAUGHT burst onto the burgeoning Thrash Metal scene, releasing 3 albums before disbanding in 1990 - but not before securing their place as one of the forefathers of British Thrash. Reforming in 2005 after seeing a huge resurgence of interest on the reissuing of their back catalogue, the band returned with a new album in 2007, rapturously received across the metal world.
Now, as they prepare for album number five, the band will take time out for their only UK show of the year. States founding member and drummer Steve Grice:
“We are very excited and to be playing Bloodstock 2010. Not only will it be the ONLY UK show Onslaught play this year, but the very first outdoor show we have played in the UK. We look forward to bringing some real Flesh Melting -Thrash Metal to the Guys and Gals of BLOODSTOCK. See you all there!”
Joining them will be METAL 2 THE MASSES winners SNAKEBITE. The four piece heavy metal band from South-East London won over BLOODSTOCK’s M2TM judges with their heart-stopping cocktail of classic rock groove, hell-for-leather thrash and a seemingly endless torrent of gargantuan riffs, earning them a slot on the bill of this prestigious festival.
“Metal 2 The Masses has been the ultimate experience for us” says the band. “To be sitting here now, knowing that we’re set to play the Wacken alongside having played (and about to play AGAIN) the only true Metal Festival in England just doesn’t feel real! We appreciate this opportunity loads, and want to work our balls off to make the effects of all this last, as this is the easily the best chance an unsigned band could ever be given…..”
The BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR METAL FESTIVAL 2010 will take place at Catton Hall, Derbyshire from 13th – 15th August.
Weekend tickets are on sale now at www.bloodstock.uk.com
BAND LINE UP SO FAR
HEAVEN & HELL : CHILDREN OF BODOM : FEAR FACTORY : TWISTED SISTER
OBITUARY : ROSS THE BOSS : RAGE : ANDROMEDA : BEHEMOTH : DEVIN TOWNSEND : DORO : LEAVES EYES : SUFFOCATION : CANNIBAL CORPSE : KORPIKLAANI : GWAR : AMORPHIS : GOJIRA : SONATA ARCTICA : GORGOROTH : BLOODBATH : BLACK SPIDERS : EDGUY : ENSIFERUM : ONSLAUGHT : SNAKEBITE
Sponsored by Metal Hammer www.metalhammer.co.uk and Scuzz TV www.scuzz.tv
One Taste: Little Dragon
OneTaste Concerts & Mean Fiddler present - LITTLE DRAGON with support from Jono McCleery & DJ John Hendicott
Little Dragon, radiant Swedish soul/electro band, are blazing a new trail for live electronic music and this is their night!
Dynamic, organic, beat-driven and soulful, Little Dragon released their debut album in 2007 and their second album ‘Machine Dreams’ was released at the end of last year. They also gave us their favourite song ‘Blinking Pigs’ from their latest album for our ‘OneTaste Compilation Vol. 1′, which can be purchased from our website, Amazon.co.uk or iTunes etc.
Little Dragon have had numerous sell out shows including the Jazz Café, Cargo and co-headlined our 5000+ strong crowd at our 2008 event in association with The Royal Parks at Exhibition Road Music Day in Hyde Park.
“Universally hailed as a masterpiece of free thinking soul”, One Week To Live.
http://www.myspace.com/yourlittledragon
Supporting Little Dragon will be the wonderful Jono McCleery, who is a London based solo artist signed to Ninja Tune. As well has his growing loyal following throughout the UK he has toured Switzerland and supported Fink. His debut album ‘Darkest Light’ was completed independently, which was self-produced and funded by his fans, including folk-star Vashti Bunyan and radio DJs Tom Robinson and Fiona Talkington. Jono has also collaborated with The Part Time Heroes with songs Realise & Angels Fly. http://www.myspace.com/jonomccleery
With DJ John Hendicott on the decks spinning some beats to take us into the early hours! A true all rounder! John Hendicott, international DJ and music producer John specialises in electronic hip hop, funk, and broken beats with a tendency to lean towards the big epic sound.
Producer of the hit single Chip Diddy Chip with Chipmunk, Hendicott is has planned releases with Lady Lykez and PinkPunk. http://www.myspace.com/johnhendicott
Relentless Garage
20-22 Highbury Corner
London, N5 1RD
Tickets: £12.50 - available through Ticketweb
STRICTLY OVER 18s (PHOTOGRAPHIC ID REQUIRED TO GAIN ENTRY)
More info see: http://onetaste.co.uk/events/2010/little-dragon-in-concert/
OneTaste blurb:
OneTaste, the renowned music and spoken word collective, made their name by helping launch some of the UK’s most amazing talent; Portico Quartet, Newton Faulkner, Little Dragon, Tawiah, Scroobius Pip, Jamie Woon, Polar Bear, Jono McCleery, Wallis Bird, Beth Rowley, to name a few, have all performed as part of OneTaste. Founded by Producer Dannii Evans and singer Jamie Woon in December 2004, the night was created to throw a spotlight onto the talent that was arising from the underground London arts scenes. With continuous sell out London events at the Jazz Café & The Bedford in Balham, two summer festival tours, the launch of the OneTaste Collective and headline slots in Kensington Garden’s contribution to La Fete De La Musique 09, this tight knit group of artists have fast become one of the UK most noted underground arts collectives.
Quotes about OneTaste:
“…a series of MCs, poets, witty musicians, and beat boxers each took turns on stage, none of them outstayed their welcome and all of them were red hot. OneTaste deliver a night out that’s both theatrical and b-boy sharp. I wandered into the Glastonbury night with that rare, gleeful feeling I’d made a great discovery. OneTaste will go far….” Thomas H Green - The Telegraph
Voted No. 1 Spoken Word night - The London Paper
No. 2 in the Top Ten things to see at Glastonbury 2008 - The Telegraph
Quotes about OneTaste Collective Volume 1 (available via iTunes):
“This compilation seamlessly combines the acoustic, story-telling and electronic faces of OneTaste and our artists, providing a totally unique listening experience from beginning to end. ” – Dannii Evans, founder of OneTaste.
“This compilation draws its magic and cohesiveness from its wonderful eclecticism, from Jono through Polarbear, via Bridgette Amofah, we feel chuffed to be involved with OneTaste and this new release!” - Portico Quartet
“OneTaste basically run London, so having a song on their compilation is a real flip…A good compilation is like a mix-tape, a true statement of friendship.” - Gideon Conn “As a band, we’ve always straddled a world outside of just music. In OneTaste we found a stable of artists who are similarly trying to take acoustic based music and spoken word into the 21st century.” Daniel Marcus Clark (The Hat)
Check out our listings for each month, ticket prices and directions to the venue on our websitehttp://www.onetaste.co.uk/events/
Main website: htpp://www.onetaste.co.uk
Other web pages you can find us at are:
http://www.twitter.com/onetasteuk
http://www.facebook.com/pages/OneTaste/396785100153
http://www.muzu.tv/onetaste
http://www.myspace.com/onetaste
http://uk.youtube.com/user/OneTasteUK
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onetasteuk
http://www.last.fm/group/OneTaste
Zebrahead: Phoenix Rising Tour
ZEBRAHEAD: HEADLINE UK TOUR, NEW SINGLE
“Zebrahead is pure party energy” - Metal Hammer
“Zebrahead have once again demonstrated their ability to write effective and slick rap-inspired pop punk, bounding with energy and full of hooks.” - Big Cheese
“‘Death by Disco’ and ‘Hell Yeah!’ are anthems in waiting and perfect for that hot summer’s day. If you’re looking for that good time party album you’ve just found it.” - punktastic.com
Orange County’s ZEBRAHEAD returning to the UK for a headline tour following the success of their end-of-2009 tour with Bowling For Soup and Sonisphere appearance.
The young, Grammy-nominated five-piece have started work on their new album, but in the mean time have recorded Panty Raid, a party album of covers created specifically for their fans.
“Every show is like a party with our fans,” explains vocalist Ali Tabatabaee, “so we figured we’d record an album just for them so they can carry on the party when they get home after a show!”
Zebrahead have released six albums in their career, and last year released the HELL YEAH…! EP which was playlisted at Total Rock Radio and KERRANG! Radio, and is frequently seen in readers’ favourites on Scuzz TV. The band are currently working on the new studio album, but hope to play a number of UK festivals this year, and release the single JUGGERNAUTS to coincide with the tour.
Their dynamic live show has won them countless fans in the UK, the new one will win them many more…
Tuesday, March 16th SOUTHAMPTON Talking Heads (seetickets.com / 0870 264 3333)
Wednesday, March 17th LONDON Islington Academy (livenation.co.uk / 0844 477 2000)
Thursday, March 18th YEOVIL Orange Box (seetickets.com / 0870 264 3333)
Friday, March 19th PETERBOROUGH Club Revolution (thepark4music.com / 01733 310383)
Sunday, March 21st SWINDON Furnace (wegottickets.com / 01793 534238)
Monday, March 22nd PONTYPRIDD Municipal Arts Centre (munlrct-arts.org / 01443 485934)
Tuesday, March 23rd BIRMINGHAM Academy 2 (livenation.co.uk / 0844 477 2000)
Wednesday, March 24th NORWICH Waterfront (ueaticketbookings.co.uk / 01603 508050)
Thursday, March 25th NORTHAMPTON Roadmenders (tctmusic.co.uk / 0871 230 5595)
Friday, March 26th MANCHESTER Academy 3 (livenation.co.uk / 0844 477 2000)
Saturday, March 27th NEWCASTLE Academy 2 (livenation.co.uk / 0844 477 2000)
Sunday, March 28th NOTTINGHAM Rock City (alt-tickets.co.uk / 08713 100 000)
Monday, March 29th GLASGOW Garage (seetickets.com / 0870 264 3333)
Tuesday, March 30th LEEDS Cockpit (lunatickets.co.uk / 0113 245 4650)
Zebrahead’s latest album, PHOENIX, is out now, and their new single, JUGGERNAUTS, will be available on March 29th, 2010
Dommin: Love Is Gone…
Dommin: Love Is Gone (Roadrunner)
This, it has to be said is a landmark release for Roadrunner Records as it takes elements of past acts on the label and injects them into a new exciting twist for the new decade…
Type O’ Negative and Life Of Agony were two of the biggest and best acts on the Roadrunner label, and if you take ths vocal style of LOA frontman Keith Caputo and mix it with the dark gothic rock of Type O’, then twist it with a sprinkling of Him pop/rock sense and then have a frontman who is not only a looker, but i’m sure Glenn Danzig is his dad… What you get is Dommin…
From the moment this album opens to the minute it ends you are transfixed; it rocks, it rolls, it swings, it swoons; and it makes you at times want to drink, dance, fuck and drive your car very fast, which are four of my favourite things. Picking specific tracks here are a waste of mine and your time, check out the lead cut ‘My Heart, Your Hands’ and it will tell you all you need to know. And if you dig that, the rest will follow… it’s been such a long time since a record came into the alternative rock world that made me feel this way… And boy have i missed it…
5/5
“Dommin is the sound of the brokenhearted,” explains Kristofer Dommin, frontman for the Los Angeles four-piece that puts a fresh spin on familiar pain. On their Roadrunner Records debut, Love Is Gone, Dommin offer dark introspection, delving into complex relationships, damaged psyches, and much more.
At the centre of their haunting, gothic-tinged rock is the enigmatic Kristofer Dommin, who croons about poisonous love; exorcising agony through a wall of distortion. Kristofer, also the band’s guitarist and principal songwriter, sums up the band’s message thus: “It’s about finding love, losing love, and personal reflection - universal themes that transcend genre distinctions. The emotional element is more defining than how much keyboards, guitars, or drums we have in a song.”
Bassist Billy James offers a direct take on the band’s uniquely layered sound though, saying “It’s alternative, dark, romantic rock that has a lot of heavy guitars, keyboards and passion behind the lyrics and music. Kris is a very intense person and his lyrics reflect a lot of his personality. He’s using his experiences, his voice, and our influences to make something really special.” The result? A brooding, compelling record; chock-full of quirky riffs and hooks, both glorious and melancholic; a masterpiece of tragedy and the bittersweet.
Kristofer continues, “The majority of our music concerns love and relationships. These things have been around as long as people have. We all feel roughly the same things and go through the same things. We all go through tough times. We all recover. We all move on. And then we all go through these things again. That cycle is a large part of the human condition. We learn about ourselves in the process and about others. We’re not all that different.”
“It’s whatever really moves me,” Kristofer says about his lyrical approach. “A song for me is never complete until I’m able look back and make sense of things. So, in some ways, I feel like a storyteller. Everyone responds to life’s challenges differently. Some people go out and run a mile. Some people paint. I write music.”
The origins of Dommin can be traced back to 2000, when Kristofer formed the band in San Dimas, just outside of Los Angeles. He added Billy James to the fold as keyboardist two years later and the band’s line-up began to take shape as James eventually switched to bass when the pair found Konstantine in 2006. Dommin’s vision was becoming realized. The last component in Dommin’s came in the form of drummer Cameron Morris, who joined in 2007.
Dommin’s songs are like individual epics, each showing off the band’s broad range of emotional depth and ability to cycle through several moods, tempos, and musical styles with considerable deftness. In the soaring opener and one of the album’s many highlights “My Heart, Your Hands,” the song’s epic keyboard embrace gives way to raw, powerful riffs which slash away at the listener and serve as the bed to an unforgettable chorus and a somber message. “I Still Lost” traverses even darker territory. Kristofer opens up about the song’s subject matter, saying “It’s a very defeated and humble song about feeling like no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, it just wasn’t going to work the way I wanted. Regardless of all my efforts, I lost. So that’s what I said to myself, I still lost. I tried this. I still lost. I did that. I still lost. It was a statement that defined that moment in my life.”
“Tonight” bleeds sprawling melody and intimate vocals, preceded by the first of three interludes on the record. The intricacies Dommin weave into their songs is especially evident in the twisted Doors-like “Dark Holiday” while mid-album track “‘Without End” explores the decay surrounding an unhealthy, obsessive love. The album’s second interlude leads into the absorbing “Closure” which begins with a beautiful guitar line before cranking up the rock and bursting into a huge chorus guaranteed to have fans singing every word. Kristofer cites the title track “Love is Gone” as his favourite song on the record, since “it defines the basis of all the songs on the album. It’s a very tortured, painful album in the sense that even the songs that seem like a positive spin on love, at its source, involve a very noxious kind of love.”
Kristofer finds influence and inspiration outside of the norm and in unexpected places - from crooners of the ‘40s and ‘50s to film scores. “I’m into everything from the Cinderella Man score to The Transformers soundtrack. Anything that sounds really moving and epic appeals to me. People fail to recognize how much the music in a movie is affecting their mood and experience. I’ve always paid close attention to it and having the keyboards in Dommin is virtually like having an orchestra at our fingertips.”
Dommin act as a unifying force for those who flock to music when life knocks them down. “We make music for anyone who is feeling what the average person feels in a day,” concludes Kristofer. “The words and music are there for those misunderstood people who need to know that there is someone out there who feels the same.”
Welcome to the end of love and the beginning of Dommin.
Badlands: Best Indie Store
BADLANDS WINS BEST INDIE STORE VOTE
The votes have been cast and the results are in and Cheltenham-based Badlands has been declared the best indie record shop in the UK, so well done them. As previously reported, a new website set up by the Entertainment Retailers Association to promote and support the UK’s remaining 300 independent record stores recently encouraged music fans to vote for their favourite indie retailer.
Founded in 1986 by Steven and Philip Jump, Badlands is not only one of the largest CD sellers in the South West of England, but they also have a successful online and eBay operation, run a Bruce Springsteen fan club and since 2002 have run a travel agency that specialises in organising trips to concerts by major rocks acts, a service which grew out of them organising regular trips to see The Boss perform at various places around the world.
Commenting on his business’ win in the indie store vote, Philip Jump said: “We’re thrilled to win this award especially in our 25th anniversary year and would like to thank all our loyal customers for voting for us. We’ll invest the prize money in the pub with our staff on Saturday night!”
ERA chief Kim Bayley added: “We have been overwhelmed by the public reaction to the site which has revealed the genuine affection music fans feel towards indie shops. Badlands is a very worthy recipient of this honour”.
ERA’s indie store website is at wwe.indierecordshop.org while you can find out more about and buy a CD off Badlands at www.badlands.co.uk
Exit Festival 2010
EXIT FESTIVAL 2010: PETROVARADIN FORTRESS: NOVI SAD, SERBIA: 8th - 11th July 2010
www.exitfest.org
EXIT FESTIVAL ANNOUNCE FIRST ACTS FOR 2010
The Chemical Brothers, Mika, Royksopp, Crystal Castles, Does It Offend You, Yeah?, Ricardo Villalobos, Moderat live, Josh Wink, Crookers, Boys Noize, Erol Alkan, Ed Banger’s SebastiAn, Busy P, DJ Mehdi
Heading up the line-up for one of only three European Festival shows this summer is The Chemical Brothers. Their exclusive live shows have never been anything less than staggering and this time around with the promise of something very special up their collective sleeve it’s bound to be one of their most incredible gigs yet! Also taking the stage by technicolour storm will be Mika, with his striking poptastic productions, Norwegian duo Röyksopp with their beautiful melodic electronica and rising stars Crystal Castles and Does It Offend You, Yeah?.
The Dance Arena kicks off on Thursday with electro kings Crookers, Boys Noize and Erol Alkan. Friday sees the long awaited arrival of the don of techno Ricardo Villalobos, a highly anticipated show from Moderat live, and Josh Wink celebrating 15 years of Ovum. Sunday will be full of fun with Ed Banger’s SebastiAn, Busy P and DJ Mehdi, with Saturday’s line up and even more acts to be announced in the coming months! The Dance Arena is regarded by many as the best in Europe - if not the planet - and the experience of dancing with 20,000 people as the sun rises over the fortress walls is truly mind blowing.
Taking place from Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th July, in the magical Petrovaradin Fortress overlooking the river Danube, EXIT has a variety of stages to appeal to absolutely everyone, cheap food and drink onsite and the best campsite entertainment whilst bathing in the hot Balkan sunshine. EXIT festival ticks all the right boxes and is still the best value festival ticket around!
“We still can’t believe that EXIT attracts such a great audience from all over the world and consider ourselves very lucky. Seeing so many people enjoying themselves at our festival over the years is truly mind blowing. We appreciate the support of all our fans and will continue to make the festival better each year. We’ve also had some amazing artists performing for us over the years and we are excited to offer another diverse and exciting line up this year.” Says Bojan Boskovic, EXIT General Manager
EXIT is one of the most highly regarded festivals in Europe, being nominated for ‘Best Overseas Festival’ in the UK Festival Awards for the past 3 years and winning the coveted title in 2007. In addition EXIT was nominated for ‘Best Major Festival’ in the inaugural European Festival Awards that took place in The Netherlands in January 2010. Exit’s 10th Anniversary was also one of the most spectacular events of 2009 with all advance four day tickets selling out in advance.
Launched 11 years ago as a student initiated protest against the communist Milosevic regime, EXIT has proved that music is a universal language that can connect and bring people together to make the world a better place. EXIT continues to evolve and bring like minded people together and although it gets bigger each year, the sentiment and unique vibe remains the same.
TICKETS…
All early bird tickets at last year’s prices have now sold out!
But don’t worry as the standard price per weekend ticket is only £85 until the end of May, then increasing to £99 in June. So to get the best deal buy early and save!
EXIT & eTickets.to continue to deliver the best value festival ticket around, with pre event ticket redemption and fast entry through their own entrance.
Jan - May
4 day festival ticket only - £85+ b/f
Camping ticket - £20 + b/f
June onwards
4 day festival ticket only - £99 + b/f
Camping ticket - £25 + b/f
Buy tickets from…
http://www.etickets.to/buy/?e=3092
www.exitfest.org
www.lastminute.com
SELECTION OF COMMENTS FROM ARTISTS AT EXIT 2009…
“It was great honour to be back at EXIT Festival for the second time and play to the Serbian people . They made it something to remember for us , it has a crazy wild side that only very few festivals have. Bring us back again, we fukin’ luv it. Come on!!!” The Prodigy
“It was an honour and a privilege to play such an important festival especially on its 10th anniversary. The crowd and the location were stunning. We hope we will be invited back.” Love from Manic Street Preachers
“It was my first time in Serbia and didn’t know what to expect, but the EXIT audience was amazing!” Lily Allen
“The EXIT festival stands as a monument to the trans formative power of people and music. Getting the opportunity to play and help celebrate the 10th anniversary is something that will stay with me forever.” Damian aka Pink Eyes Fucked Up
“Playing for EXIT this year was something of a very special party and the way all the DJs got to play back to back was absolutely amazing! It gave the crowd something completely unique and very special for the celebration of 10 years of EXIT. I had an amazing time and thought it was absolutely exceptional the way the crowd stayed with us until the morning and had a celebration. I felt honored and proud to be asked to do this and I hope that I can get to play at EXIT a few more times in the years to come.” Carl Cox
“EXIT was one of the most memorable shows so far this year for me, made even more exciting by playing with Adam Beyer which proved so successful. The crowd was amazing & the organisation as always was fantastic - love you Serbia, see you next time!” Eric Prydz
“EXIT is hands down the most amazing festival I have ever played at and this year was extra special because I got to play with my homeboy Justin Martin. It was electric and a memory that will stay with me forever” Heidi
“Once again EXIT proves to be one of the best festivals in the world!!!” Nic Fanciulli
Melt Festival: July 2010
MELT FESTIVAL
FERROPOLIS, GERMANY
16th - 18th July 2010
www.meltfestival.com
‘The Dirty Dozen’ is history and we proudly present the first confirmations for the 13th edition of Melt! Festival at the wonderful and unique Ferropolis festival site, set against a breathtaking backdrop of five huge hulking coal mining diggers that tower into the sky.
We almost shed a tear on getting this confirmation: The grandmasters of TripHop, Massive Attack, will get the huge diggers at the “City of Iron” to vibrate under the influence of their bass-heavy Bristol sound. As another high-calibre headliner, we are very proud to announce The XX. Rest assured that the aesthetic overall concept of the British trio fits perfectly into the Melt! scenery. Booka Shade will present their new album ‘More!’ at Melt! and they promise that ‘There will be a lot of physical action and sweat on the stage’.
Not only new bands will join us in Ferropolis this year. We are also glad to announce some new and strong partners. Bench is our new headline-sponsor and Warsteiner is our new beer-partner.
What else? Look forward with us to another British act: The Wombats have booked their tickets to Ferropolis and are presenting their new album. Foals catch up on last years’ cancelled gig, OstGut Ton presents the sound of Berghain & Panoramabar, Audiolith Pferdemarkt will be functioning as the official Melt! opening on Thursday, Meltselektor Stage curated by Modeselektor, Blood Red Shoes return to Ferropolis, Video-icon Chris Cunningham in Germany for the first time and exclusively, Techno-legends Carl Craig feat. Mike Banks (Underground Resistance) meet Ricardo Villalobos, Don’t miss the Crookers.
Massive Attack
They are big, they are back, they are Massive Attack. With a little teardrop in our eyes we are proud to present Massive Attack to headline this year’s Melt!. Their latest album “Heligoland” is simply mindblowing. Robert Del Naja and a returned “Daddy G” Marshall released a record that shows such class and such impressive skills - it reminds you of the blessed “Blue Lines” times. And there’s so much shoving and humming and rumbling and purring and singing that it makes your heart jump. Is this still Trip Hop? That’s a question Del Naja declares irrelevant. The other day he said in an interview that he never really understood the word, it was better to file the music under “B as in Bristol”. And it is really the daily culture clash in a city that has become rich through slave trade, which made up the primordial soup for the Massive Attack sound. With their sound, they fit into the Melt! scenery perfectly. But we can negate the rumour that the diggers would have to be reinforced to be able to take on their basses - nothing can bring those iron colossi down!
The XX
The words newcomer and band are not enough to describe South London’s threesome The XX - even though they are right. But The XX are rathera piece of art than a band. What proves this statement is that video artist Saam Farahmand showed us that the nameless debut with the simple X on black background is also working as a sculpture. His art exhibition “The XX - A Sculpture Of The Album” accompanied them on their world tour. But Oliver Sim (bass and vocals), Romy Madly Croft (guitar and vocals) and their producer and beat wizard Jamie Smith would not have led last year’s polls if they wouldn’t have released such a fantastic album and wouldn’t have carried it around the world in so many shows. So it is not surprising that their atmospheric shows are close to a mass in which the visitors jump from devout awe to ecstatic jubilance. Moreover, The XX are probably going to realize one thing: If there is one location that fits into the aesthetic concept of the band, then it is definitely Ferropolis in Melt! mode: A cool city of iron, which is heated by hot euphoria for three days in a row.
Booka Shade
When the Melt! weekend finally approaches, the new Booka Shade album will be in stores and turntables already. It is called “More!” and you can exactly what they mean with his self-concious title statement in every of its eleven tracks: From beginning to end, “More!” delivers an audible “More!”. One the one hand, there is more of their very own technoid House sound, which has become the trademark of their label “Get Physical”, on the other hand, the duo sets sail into even more new sound realms and structures, which go way beyond the dancefloor. The body does not want to leave the dancefloor, but the thoughts are fee, are invited by almost orchestral keyboard passages to lose themselves in the Booka Shade universe. It is not surprising, if there is a sample going through the song all of a sudden, in which a resonating women’s voice states: “To be a spaceman would be amazing. Free and falling through space forever and ever.” Nonetheless. At the end of the day, the two of them are a live act: “There is a lot of physical action and sweat on the stage”, Arno Kammermeier comments. “We could establish a name as a very energetic live act.” And everyone will agree to this after seeing them live.
OstGut Ton presents the sound of Berghain & Panoramabar
At the Melt! weekend, the almost cultishly adored Berghain crew is taking a field trip and leaves behind the beloved co-generation power station walls in exchange for the iron digger scenery we call our own. Of course the harsh Berghain sound that made its protagonists and their venue famous all over the world, fits Ferropolis just fine. And who will be holding the banner of the OstGut Ton Meltdown stage? Marcel Dettmann, Ben Klock, Norman Nodge, Tama Sumo, DJ Pete, ND Baumecker, Boris, Nick Höppner, Prosumer, Steffi, Marcel Fengler and Shed live are going to be at Melt! Ostgut Ton - the label of Berghain - picked the name of the stage. Ostgut Ton does not only represent a wide range of artists, but also believes in German artists, even if they are totally unknown. In October, the label is celebrating its fifth anniversary - a great opportunity to celebrate early at Ostgut Ton Meltdown.
Melt! Selektor Stage curated by Modeselektor
Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary aka Modeselektor do not have to prove to anyone that they can master all kinds of Dancehall, HipHop, Techno and, above all, Dubstep. They are an authority in the Electro world, and are known as the ones who accomplished to establish the very British genre Dubstep in Germany - and to send it back out into the world with their very own odour. They are doing this so convincing that even the British Dubstep pioneers send their props. Modeselektor’s reputation surpassed all genre scenes by far by now. For example, Radiohead offered them a support slot once, or German chartbreakers Fettes Brot recorded a hit single with them. Now Bronsert and Szary use their standing to function as stage curators for the Mad Max stage right at the beach on Friday. And once again, the show that they know good taste: Four Tet are going to play their smart Electro, Jackmaster is showing his remixes and Mala is going to perform his “Digital Mystiks”. And by inviting the Dubstep icons Martyn and Kode 9, they bow to their influences - and with Jamie XX, they are exactly at the pulse of the time: The producer and beat wizard from The XX is introducing his own Dubstep project there. And of course, Modeselektor themselves will be on stage as well - and they will do so in a Berlin battle with the crazy artist collective Bonaparte.
Official Melt! Opener- The Audiolith Pferdemarkt on Thursday
The camping site ravages of the Audiolith crew are tradiontially opening Melt! festival and they have a short, but wild history: For the past couple of years, they have always been the perfect - even though inofficial - opening of the Melt! weekend. It’s about time we get these guys and their mixing-prone hands onboard officially and give them a highly official site opening party of a virgin festival site: Saalschutz, Egotronic, Bratze, Frittenbude and, of course, the DJs of the Hamburg cult label are going to take over the Melt! Klub on 15th of July. This is also a noise control measurement for the neigboring towns, this is why we kindly ask you to not organize any private parties with sound systems in the camping area. The capacity for the pre-party is limited to 3,000 people, so we are charging 5,- Euro (including fees) for entrance. Part of that fee will be donated to local social projects (more info to come soon). Tickets are only available as etickets via www.meltfestival.de/tickets. A part of the revenues we donate to the “The Concert in memory of Alberto Adriano” on June 12th in Dessau. Melt! is the official supporter of this concert and also helps in booking. The proceeds from this concert go to one third to the family of Adriano, to an other third to the “Opferfond rechtsradikaler Gewalt” and the last third to the “AG Materialien zur Aufklärung und Kritk” (Antifa Sachsen-Anhalt). We ask you for understanding us wanting to have a good relationship with our neighbors and are looking forward to a great party - Audiolith-stlye.
All confirmed acts so far
A-Trak | Matias Aguayo & Band | Ellen Allien | An Horse | Ata | Black Rose (Henrik Schwarz & Jesse Rose live) | Blood Red Shoes | Booka Shade | Boris | Bratze | Chromeo | Carl Craig feat. Mike Banks | Chris Cunningham | Clues | Crookers | Marcel Dettmann | dOP | Egotronic | Fake Blood | Fred Falke live | Marcel Fengler | Roman Flügel | Foals | Four Tet | Frittenbude | Sascha Funke | Get Well Soon | Hemmann & Kaden live | Nick Höppner | Ja, Panik | Jackmaster | Jamie XX | Jamaica | Markus Kavka | Ben Klock | Oliver Koletzki | Monika Kruse | Lindstrøm & Christabelle | Mala | Massive Attack | Modeselektor feat. Bonaparte live | ND Baumecker | Norman Nodge | Pantha Du Prince | DJ Pete | Popof live | Post War Years | Prosumer | Riton | Saalschutz | Schlachthofbronx | DJ Shadow | Shed live | Sinden | Steffi | Die Sterne | Tama Sumo | Matthias Tanzmann | Tobias Thomas | Tocotronic | Two Door Cinema Club | The Very Best | Ricardo Villalobos | Joris Voorn live | Wareika | WhoMadeWho | The Wombats | The XX
Tickets
3-day ticket valid for Friday, Saturday and Sunday:
EUR 94 zzgl. plus pre-sale fee and EUR 5 garbage deposit
2-day ticket valid for Friday and Saturday:
EUR 74 zzgl. plus pre-sale fee and EUR 5 garbage deposit
In the price included are camping and parking (from Thursday 15.07. 01:00pm until Monday, 19.07. 03:00pm).
12 Stone Toddler: Scheming
12 Stone Toddler: The New Album ‘SCHEMING’ (AMAZCD20)
RELEASE DATE APRIL 13TH 2009
Produced by Steve Cooper & 12 Stone Toddler
A marriage of opposites, combining heady eclecticism with a love of the three minute wonder, all shiny and new, yet visited at night by the ghosts of 20th century music. Swaggering with the chutzpah of a naked child threatening to wedge a fork into the electrical socket, each twist and swivel brings a new reason to love this band. It’s a distillation of what Toddler is all about, made into a pop sound bite like Superman squeezed a perfect diamond from a coal.
‘Ready to give the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs and Maroon 5’s of the world a run for their money, 12 Stone Toddler arrive with their new album ‘Scheming’
www.glasswerk.co.uk
‘This is rock but with a distinct poppy edge, and rock which comes at you from the jauntiest of angles. It fizzes with a punchy energy with the band not adverse to chucking in anything that comes to hand’ The Crack Magazine
‘Reggae, funk, jazz, punk, metal and country, all mixed together with an intelligent pop sensibility that never swaggers, and a sense of humour that can be taken seriously’ www.unpeeled.net
‘12 Stone Toddler are back bringing the excitement of the circus with songs that project imagery and tantalise your imagination…Great stuff!’ www.roomthirteen.com
NEW SINGLE ‘BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES/BROKEN HEARTS & BATTLE SCARS’ JUNE 21
12 Stone Toddler rock. But remember when rock was anti-fashion, didn’t stay in neat little categories, represented deviation from the norm?
Remember when rock plundered other genres and threw the bits into a hot cauldron?
Remember when rock meant bands with nothing in common other than a liking for loud guitars, stomping beats, electric hooks?
12 Stone Toddler bring this ethic back into the modern world. A marriage of opposites, combining heady eclecticism with a love of the three minute wonder. All shiny and new, yet visited at night by the ghosts of 20th century music. Swaggering with the chutzpah of a naked child threatening to wedge a fork into the electrical socket, each twist and swivel brings a new reason to love this band.
The enfant terrible of songwriters Chris Otero (vocals/bass) and Ben Jones (keyboards), infused with the potent musicianship of Pat Garvey (drums) and Randall Breneman (guitar), this is full blooded rock and roll that recognises no boundaries.
With their boisterous debut album “Does It Scare You” already out on the streets and playing with the older kids, and having raised an army of followers and fanatics in their hometown of Brighton; 12 Stone Toddler spent the summers of 2008 and 2009 unleashing their fierce live show out onto the UK festival scene- straight after completing their second album “Scheming” which was released in April 2009 on Amazon Records.
Having played live ‘radio sessions’ for Mark Lamarr and Tom Robinson, received numerous plays on Radio 2 and Radio 6, sold out gigs at Brighton’s Komedia and Concorde 2 and London’s ICA, pulled big and loving crowds who jumped, gyrated and sang along at Glastonbury, Larmer Tree and Beautiful Days festivals; and with stunning videos shown internationally on MTV, here is a band accustomed to the big stage and ready to take on the world.
“This Suit” is the third single taken from the new album, following “Under The Weather”, which picked up plays from Radio 1, Radio 2, 6Music, Absolute and XFM and the video of which was playlisted on several channels including NME TV.
Make it your mantra.
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Shakenstir Photo Supplement |
DPK: Digital Press Kit |
Portico Quartet '09 |
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