Lost In Music: Deadletter- The Snitching Hour

Okay, maybe indie isn’t dead, after all. Deadletter have made one of the best singles of the year here. Like The Cribs and The Zutons, with a pinch of The Jam in the bassline, this is a belter. The Yorkshire band are on their way. It’s caustic, catchy as hell, and there’s a nod toContinue reading “Lost In Music: Deadletter- The Snitching Hour”

Bof !

(Sultry French voiceover): Bof says, I don’t have to try too hard. Bof says, so I don’t. I don’t try at all. Bof says, who cares? Bof says, I dream in monochrome, not black and white Bof says, your dreams, they disgust me. Bof is la nouvelle parfum. By Isabelle Adjani. Remember her? She doesn’tContinue reading “Bof !”

Dance Preview: Beautiful Chaos 2.0

Pirita Tuisku and Thabo Mokolobate ‘s collaboration Beautiful Chaos 2.0 explores identity , friendship, culture and the ties that bind in this new collaboration at Assembly Roxy in Edinburgh. Using contemporary dance, film and spoken word, the two explore belonging at a time when it’s never felt more necessary to celebrate humanity and that whichContinue reading “Dance Preview: Beautiful Chaos 2.0”

Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall- Lost In Music

The Fall never did anything by the book, and their covers are always fun (more of which later) so what a delightful surprise it was when I heard this for the first time, aaaaaages ago. MES took Sister Sledge ‘s Disco classic by the lapels and shook it, until all the glitter fell off. HisContinue reading “Favourite Cover Versions: The Fall- Lost In Music”

Lost In Music: PJ Harvey – To Bring You My Love

Recently, Ezra Furman said in a podcast that her ideal bar would have PJ Harvey ‘s To Bring You My Love on the jukebox. That sounds like perfection to me. Harvey’s third album, released in February 1995, was a startling departure from her previous brittle albums, Dry and Rid Of Me . A more febrileContinue reading “Lost In Music: PJ Harvey – To Bring You My Love”

The Future’s Here Today: McKinley Dixon

We’ve got Little Simz and Loyle Carner, America has Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean, and now, future superstar, McKinley Dixon. Fusing jazz, gospel and hip hop , the young rapper has eclectic tastes. He was born in 1995 in Richmond, Virginia, and is now based in Chicago. Eloquent, humble and funny, his music addresses theContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: McKinley Dixon”

The Nic Cage Guide To Overacting

Some actors are defined by the subtlety and low-key naturalism they bring to a role. You can relate to a simple shoulder shrug, or see the interior monologue working as their jaw clenches a little, barely discernable. Montgomery Clift said so much with darting eyes; Judi Dench with an acidic quip. Not so for NicolasContinue reading “The Nic Cage Guide To Overacting”

The Future’s Here Today: Uh

The Irish London duo Uh inhabit an exciting place: they play electronic music influenced by the likes of Cabaret Voltaire as much as techno. Siblings Fionnuala and Duncan Kennedy make euphoric, wild and experimental sounds, with Fionnuala’s extraordinary, emotive vocals soaring as the layers of synth build. Their live sound points to something truly unique.Continue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Uh”

Film Review: An Honest Liar (2014)

Who said you can’t kid a kidder? Justin Weinstein and Tyler Measom’s fantastic documentary charts the fascinating life and history of James Randi, born Randall James Hamilton Zwinge in 1928, Toronto, who became “The Amazing Randi”, magician, escapologist and latterly, debunker of psychics, fake mystics and charlatans everywhere. This lovingly crafted film traces the riseContinue reading “Film Review: An Honest Liar (2014)”