JJ Pluto - Just Waiting

Ever since Alex Moir donned a patchy jacket and a new moniker, I have wondered what direction the new project will take him in. While he had a good band and live show under his own name. His Debut EP 'The Numbers Game' was let down by the tacky production, despite the quality of the songs. 'Havana' may be a really catchy song, but it doesn't really reflect who he is now. The best song on the 'Numbers Game' EP was the title track, which he produced himself.  Like 'The Numbers Game' he uses samples of people talking. This contrasts the minimal sound of the song, and also reflects the feelings of loneliness in the lyrics. Just Waiting might just be the most gentle, yet also saddest song he's written. It feels dark yet emotionally honest in the same way as classic songwriters, such as Nick Drake, that he admires. Unfortunately the song is only a minute and a half long. I don't know if it's a taster for the full song or just a very short song. Yet It still bodes well for the début EP that he's releasing on March 25th. 

 jjpluto.com

Goodbye Blackstar.

Somehow tweeting 'R.I.P David Bowie' and posting a link to Ziggy Stardust just does not do the great man justice. Obviously by now you will have heard the news from several respected news sources and the obituaries will cover his 'Golden Years'. What has made this especially difficult for me is that recently I have become more and more of a David Bowie fan. Scary Monsters is one of the first albums I have bought on vinyl and it sounds every bit as wonderfully strange today as it did then. What's really shocking is how he had seemed in such good health. Only now does the chorus of the Next Day's title track seem to ring with a sharp irony, 'Here I am, Not quite dying'. Since being diagnosed with cancer David managed to release two albums, star in several music videos, Launch a retrospective at the V&A in London and also help create a Broadway musical 'Lazarus' based on his own songs.
The Next Day was a great album. Packed full of great songs but very much another retrospective of his own career. Throughout it's track listing were songs that could fit onto any of his classic albums. Even though it never seemed possible that man of such stature of David Bowie could die. It is fitting that just like his old frenemy Lou Reed, he should leave us with one last album, and rather than going the easy route, making album 25 one of of the most adventurous of his career so far. Of course unlike 'Lulu', Blackstar is brilliant.
Kendrick Lamar has been credited with being a big influence on the album, you can spot where Bowie has nabbed a lyric or two. On 'Girl Loves Me' he used the phrase 'Po-Po' as well as making up a few phrases of his own. He sang in a similar style to rappers such as Drake or Travis $cott. Of course in typical Bowie style he had taken influence from younger stars. But he did it in such a way that his music sounded fresh and unique even with those reference points. It may seem odd that a white man at the age of 68 could sing a line like 'Where the fuck did Monday go?' and not sound ridiculous, but he must have been aware that he was the only rich, white 68 year old man who could. Blackstar is also Bowie's first venture into jazz. Much like Kendrick Lamar's masterpiece 'To Pimp a Butterfly' he found a way to tie the two genres together but he also threw a bit of drum and bass into the mix as well. Despite having never explored two of those genres of music before. Because David Bowie was not a Gangstar, not a filmstar, not a popstar, marvelstar, wandering star, or a pornstar, he was a BLACKSTAR. It was the ultimate boast, because David Bowie was the best. And he damn well knew it.

Field Harmonics + The Wrecks Live at the Sunflower Lounge Review (9/1/16)

Considering the utterly horrible weather,  going out and seeing two gigs in the space of one week in January 2016 feels like an achievement. The gig I went to on Saturday was put on by Birmingham promoters, was only £5 and only had two bands on the bill. Due to a pub session over running I only managed to catch the last half of The Wrecks set. The Wrecks were a bit of an odd support choice for the Electronica of Field Harmonics. The lads from assorted Midlands towns (lets just say Shrewsbury) describe themselves as such: "From the scrapheap of decades of boy bands emerges The Wrecks, a four college lad combo where the only thing fresher than their sound is the smell of their deodorant. Capable, competent, and complete in their covers of contemporary sounds which are merged effortlessly with their home-grown 'wreck n roll'". If that makes no sense to you either then I'll simplify it. The Wrecks evoke the same young, horny and surprisingly talented, indie spirit as those beloved early Arctic Monkeys recordings. They're hardly original but they're pretty good. 


Despite the gloominess outside a decent little crowd had assembled for Field Harmonics. Who came along with three tables covered in wires, synths, and various techy stuff. Their music is reminiscent of 80s pop, such as Eurythmics and The Human League but the sound has been given a very modern twist. Much in the style of Chvrches or Grimes. The bass once all the equipment had been plugged in made the room throb and shake. The two of them both sing but also bury their vocals low in the mix while singing on top of pre-recorded vocals. The beats and the synths cut deep and go straight through you. They are only a duo but by using pre recorded tracks they create a huge  wall of sound,  full of depth and little melodies. After a while it all starts to evoke a trance like sensation. The songs all bode well for the upcoming album (out in March). Overall it was a short but really enjoyable set, and by the end of it even the mate I'd dragged along admitted that he'd enjoyed it.

Links
www.facebook.com/thewrecksbandofficial


http://fieldharmonics.tumblr.com/

Crime and Punishment 2011 live at subside 8/1/16

Happy new year! I've not seen you lot since 2015! It's got cold hasn't it? obviously during this bitterly cold winter that we have suddenly found ourselves in, while others were happy watching shit TV I decided to get out there and watch some bands play. While I went out on loads of occasions in 2015 I didn't actually see that many bands. This is something I want to fix in 2016.
Having never been to the old Subside I didn't really know what to expect. As it turns out the former Dubliner is much more of a pub than a club. It has a nice atmosphere and the feel of a place that has been open for a lot longer than a few months. They've got a punching machine, two pool tables and free bands every night on Thursday. It was a great opportunity to hang out and watch Crime and Punishment 2011 Aka, Dan, Glitch, Joey Sniper and Pink Violence play.
Off stage they are all friendly people. They're the kind of clique that you just want to be a part of, sharing in-jokes and a friendship that not all bands have. On this occasion I forgot my camera which is why I only got a bunch of rubbish blurry photographs taken on my phone. Taking photographs of this lot with proper equipment is hard enough. On-stage none of these guys stay still. They didn't scream right in people's faces as much as they did last time I saw them but that's only because there were less people to scream at. Joey screamed the hooks and choruses, Glitch rapped the bars and Dan rapped in his deep brummie voice. The dark lyrics of his bars proving that C+P are no mere comedy act. Especially when he delivered these verses while curled up in a ball under the bar. Most of the songs came from the new 'Extra Hour' EP. They covered Linkin Park's 'Nobody's listening', but sadly not 'Hotline Bling'.

All The Rest

Onlookers seemed to either love what they were hearing or looked confused and a bit unimpressed by it. They make a huge amount of noise when all on the mics together, and in the lack of a moshpit, decided to be their own moshpit. Even the beatmaker joined in, asking a guy to look after his laptop. Then joined in the screaming, while dressed in a beanie and looking like the kinda guy who'd nick your car. Even the B-town blog got a shout out on stage.
Crime and Punishment are the kind of act who divide opinion. Mixing Grime with Nu-metal and squelchy electronica with a self aware style of comedy. Birmingham needs bands like this to shake things up right now.  (6.8/10)
Following on from this was the singer/songwriter 'Wood and Nails' who played a mellow take on pop-punk with just his guitar and vocals. He's clearly talented, but could use a band to take things to the next level. (6/10). After this was the head-liners 'All The Rest' whose drummer had put on the show. Watching him play,  I was impressed by his skill and how easy he made drumming look. All the rest play pop punk with a hint of hardcore. Unfortunately the mix was so bad I had no idea how good they really were. Their vocals were inaudible over the drums and guitar. I was left with the impression that All the Rest might be a great band, but during that show it was hard to say.

 
All The Rest
https://www.facebook.com/alltherestband

Wood and Nails
https://www.facebook.com/woodandnailsuk/

Crime & Punishment
https://www.facebook.com/crimeandpunishment2011/

Lil Bub + Meow The Jewels. Are Cats the future of music?

On the 14th December of this year "Science & Magic" debuted at #1 on Bilboard's Top New Alternative New Artists Chart, #2 on the Top New Artist and Electronic Music Charts, and at #121 on the main Top 200 Albums Chart. As far as I know this marks the first ever time that a cat has had a chart album. History has been made. Of course earlier this year Lil Bub also guested on the Run the Jewels "Meow the Jewels" remix album. She has not produced this record herself, but her deep distorted meows are all over the record. Andrew W.K. explains that The album is a "genuine musical experience, a bona fide and musically gratifying concept album, which entirely emerged from the soul and spirit of Lil BUB herself". Lil Bub is lucky enough to have musicians as her owner and friends who were willing to make the record for her. On the flip-side 'Meow The Jewels' was not so much a labour of love as a commitment that had to be fulfilled. As part of the fund-raising for their second album together Hip Hop legends Killer Mike and EL-P started a handful of fund-raisers. such as playing house parties and the promise of quitting the music industry for good if offered a million dollars. They would write one song each year for the benefactor. The most popular by far was obviously the Meow the Jewels LP. They gained far more money  than they needed to make it and ended up collaborating with Massive Attack's 2d, Zola Jesus, Prince Paul and Dan the Automata. EL-P has said “I enjoy the painful irony that this is probably the only time I’ll get to be on an album with this amount of people I respect, and I forced them to make the stupidest fucking shit possible*.”. The fact that the finished product is still one of the best hip hop albums of the year (Both Lil Bub and RTJ are in my top 50), only goes to show how great the original album is. The producers  have done a great job of re-imagining  the album and the end result is oddly calming, but also very angrily political.
It has been over ten years now since Damon Albarn left Blur to form his own new group Gorillaz. At the time  it seemed ridiculous but a decade on. He has made some of his best albums with the cartoon monkeys, and had more world-wide success than he ever did with Blur. Gorillaz were officially inducted into the Guinness book of world Records as the 'Worlds First Virtual Band'. Following on from this Hatsune Miku, a virtual hologram has become one of Japan's biggest popstars.
While some may groan at the idea of a Cat making an album. It's not that strange when you consider that LIL Bub is real. Most of us will never experience holding her. Andrew W.K. says "she is the softest creature I have ever encountered", but we can buy the album and experience the "sonic aura of BUB's loving and compassionate presence".
The downside is that Lil Bub will not be touring the album. But the upside is that she will never spend our hard earned on cocaine, or angrily sign autographs for us like most pop stars. She will always just be Lil Bub.


* Happily the profits will go to a cat charity. The album is available for free at http://www.runthejewels.net/

Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2812571/Meet-Hatsune-Miku-VIRTUAL-POPSTAR-Japanese-hologram-sings-dances-arena-real-fans.html
 
http://store.lilbub.com/products/lil-bub-science-magic

 http://diymag.com/2015/11/02/run-the-jewels-talk-meow-the-jewels-all-the-money-went-to-charity-directly-to-the-families-of-michael-brown-and-eric-garner

BBC Introducing At CBSO 8/12/15 Review. Feat Project Jam Sandwich +Iosif Purits + Hansu Tori

The first act on was the Manchester based world music collective, Project Jam Sandwich. There are 5 members of the group. They play Violin, percussion, Double Bass and Spanish Guitar. The 'Jam' of course refers to the musical sense of the world, a tasty mix of flavours that is both jazz and classical influenced. They played re-imagined versions of classic folk songs. Including their take on 'gypsy jazz' and 'Whiskey in the Jar'. Which they have added to their set to give the audience something familiar as they know their shows can be a weird and wonderful experience. Project Jam Sandwich prove that Jazz and Classical music, as  well as being able to innovate in music, does not have to mean being overly pretentious or serious. The only quiet part of the show made their double bassist nod off, and need waking up by playing something a bit more energetic. Project Jam Sandwich are amazingly talented. They mix loads of different genres and influences together to create something unique but most importantly, fun.

Iosif Purits is a small, ageless man. Who was dressed entirely in black and had the smug look of a man who is really, really good at his chosen instrument. You have not heard Vivaldi until you have seen it played on an accordion. The fact that the Russian classical pieces he had chosen to play had been written many years before the accordion was invented goes further to highlight his amazing skills. The accordion is probably my least favourite instrument after the bagpipe*.  Yet when Iosif played I was amazed at the melodies, and depth of sound coming from this huge instrument. He plays with such precision and skill that it sounds as if there was a tiny orchestra coming out of it. He essentially plays two instruments at a time, while pushing and pulling those instruments together.

During his interview he explained that he has been playing accordions since he was 3 and started to learn professionally when he was 6 years old. And also that it is difficult trying to break through as a classical musician with such an odd choice of instrument, but he has no competition and no peers. Talent like his won't go unnoticed. 

Hansu-Tori had the job of finishing the night off. A new Birmingham act who play free-form jazz. Apparently Birmingham has a long history of producing jazz pioneers and the band leader, Pianist David Austin Grey spoken highly of the Birmingham scene, not just the jazz scene but of the scene as a whole. he also explained the meaning behind the bands name ‘Hansu’ means ‘water‘. “A drop of water gathering to make an ocean”. Specifically Hansu represents strength, flexibility, harmony and water as the source of life. ‘Tori’ is the Japanese word for ‘bird‘. It can be thought to represent freedom and grace. Water and Japanese/korean influences are quite a big part of the bands music.

This is all great. Problem is that I don't like Jazz. I enjoy listening to the Token Jazz Mercury nominees as there is usually something I like there. At the Lunar Festival I made it my mission to be as far as possible from the Sun Ra Arkestra. I appreciate jazz and I appreciated Hansu-Tori's set. They are a fantastic bunch of musicians. Each one is hugely talented, and unlike in most genres of music there is no clear leader of the band. Each member contributes but no one dictates the sound. I liked the skittish, frantic drumming. I liked the funky double bass. The saxophones were a bit too overpowering for my taste. I enjoyed the quieter pieces and I have no doubt that Hansu-Tori are a seriously talented bunch, but are they actually any good? Fuck knows.

*There was a time when you could be arrested for playing bagpipes in public as they were considered an instrument of war. I think we should bring that law back.

Links:

http://www.projectjamsandwich.com

http://www.iosifpurits.com/

http://www.hansu-tori.com/

Guy Garvey + Steve Mason. Live at the 02 academy Birmingham (3/1215) Live Review.

Sometimes you wonder why the people at the door even bother. A quarter of the audience for Guy Garvey had beards, and at a sprightly 23, I was the youngest at the show by far. They checked my bag. Yet throughout the whole show I doubt they found any more than a few tabs of Ibuprofen. I had managed to win two free tickets to see Guy Garvey promoting his début solo album away from Elbow, "Courting The Squall". The first musician on stage was Steve Mason (7.2). The Ex -Beta Band member who has made a critical success of himself with his series of solo albums. I have no idea how he does it, but Steve makes the traditional format of guy singing with an acoustic guitar sound unique. His voice and guitar both rang out and filled the room with a pleasing echo. It shouldn't be possible. Yet with nothing more than a few chords he makes a noise that sounds like no one else. His set was short and filled with some friendly banter, as well as explanations for the political meanings behind some of his songs. I was really impressed.

You can tell a lot about a band by the merchandise that they sell. You will always find T shirts, signed cds/vynils and possibly a few posters. On Guy Garvey's merchandise table were Mugs with 'Unwind' and hip flasks with 'Courting the Squall' written on them. Which is a poetic way of saying 'coping with cold weather'*. Best of all was the bath robe. At over £30 this fluffy white bath robe hints that Guy really knows his audience. Despite this being the first tour, for the first solo album a huge crowd of Elbow devotees slowly filled the room. I have personally always admired Elbow for never following trends or using gimmicks. Never imitating anyone else and putting the music before anything else. There is a calm sophistication to Elbow's music. The same is true for Guy's solo songs.
Arriving on-stage to huge applause. Guy and co opened with the typically gentle ballad, 'Three Bells'. They changed the mood with 'Angela's Eyes'. A fun and bizarrely funky take on his usual sound, featuring his rather strange keyboard solo's. This was followed by the absolutely beautiful 'Courting the Squall'. This show felt less like a gig and more like a night at the theatre. Guy introduced us all to his super-group of Mancunians, including members of The Whip and I am Kloot, with the preferred nicknames to shout at them. Guy's drunkenness and Guinness drinking only made him more likeable. He is one of the rare singers who can talk to a huge crowd, while making it seem as if he's talking to each person as an individual. He was great at bantering with the crowd, talking about politics, the german market, the inspirations behind his songs, and responding to heckles just as a comedian would.
The show was fun and felt very spontaneous and relaxed. After nearly running out of his own songs Peter Jobson of Iam Kloot took over on piano to play two of his own darkly funny piano ballads. 'Belly of the Whale' made things nice and funky again, and the chant which he asked us all to sing throughout 'Broken Bottles and Chandeliers' was repeated long after he'd left the stage. Rather than just clapping and shouting, everyone sung this refrain over and over again unison until the band came back onstage. I'd never seen such a civilised or enthusiastic demand for an encore. Guy, Peter, and the guy from **The Whip all came onstage together for an acoustic cover of 'I don't want to set the world on fire' (by the Ink Spots). Guy asked us what song we'd like them to play, and immediately shouted 'Angela's Eyes?' OK! Only this time the keyboard solo was played on his other weird looking mini keyboard.  Without playing a single Elbow song Guy left the audience captivated. This was a master-class in putting on a brilliant show without actually trying.
8.4/10

* It's clever because they're both songs  on the album but also because you drink tea to unwind and spirits to warm yourself.
**The Whip are really underrated band, best known for the song 'Trash'. The 'X Marks Destination' LP is well worth hearing
I'd like to thank Setlist fm for helping me write this http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/guy-garvey/2015/o2-academy-birmingham-england-33f2fc1d.html