I considered this for “Overlooked Classics”, but then thought better of it. It’s not perfect – the title track isn’t great – but holy shit,otherwise… what a debut from the Norwegian quartet who Dstudied jazz composition at music school. It’s fierce, quirky and beautiful. Like a mash -up of Lykke Li and Battles, the mathContinue reading “Just Step Sideways: Pom Poko- Birthday”
Tag Archives: Indie
Mercury Prize 2023
What does everyone reckon to this year’s Mercury Prize nominations then? I’m pleased at the diversity this year, as I like a wide range of music. It’d be excellent to see Shygirl win for Nymph , as she bends beats into interesting shapes, and Sega Bodega are superb producers.Lankum are great, but I can’t imagineContinue reading “Mercury Prize 2023”
Film Review: Meet Me In The Bathroom
Of course, the title’s a drugs reference as well as a song, but this vivid and compelling film by Will Lovelace and Dylan Southern, based on Lizzy Goodman’s book, focuses on the dizzying rise of early 2000s bands The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs Interpol, and many others, with rare footage of wild early club gigsContinue reading “Film Review: Meet Me In The Bathroom”
That 6Music Shake- Up
Working as a freelance writer, I’m always working from home these days, which means a constant soundtrack from my favourite radio station, 6Music. My favourite DJ is Mary Anne Hobbs, the mellow techno earth mother. She’s wonderfully eclectic, playing everything from Shygirl to Queens Of The Stone Age. I’m also really chuffed that Deb GrantContinue reading “That 6Music Shake- Up”
Stay Beautiful: A Post For Richey Edwards
It was 1992, and I was immune to the charms of Manic Street Preachers. I thought they were just rock posturing. My partner at the time, A, loved them. So, since we both made a little fanzine, we managed to get an interview in Dundee with Richey Edwards. I was determined to give them aContinue reading “Stay Beautiful: A Post For Richey Edwards”
The Future’s Here Today: Current Affairs
Maybe I’m biased as I live here, but you can always rely on Glasgow bands to bring that punky energy. Current Affairs are yet another to shake your bones to. Joan Sweeney, Andrew Milk, Gemma Fleet and Sebastian Ymai have formed from many other fine indie bands like Shopping, Pissy, and The Wharves, so theirContinue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Current Affairs”
Overlooked Classics: Miranda Sex Garden- Fairytales Of Slavery
Many bands soften their sound as they progress, chasing more commercial routes. Not so for the experimental collective, Miranda Sex Garden, who followed up their goth rock album Suspiria with this absolute barnstormer. Fairytales Of Slavery, released in 1994, was co-produced by Einsturzende Neubauten’s Alexander Hacke. The band had toured with them, and some ofContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Miranda Sex Garden- Fairytales Of Slavery”
Album Review: Pickle Darling- Laundromat
As more artists emerge, blinking, from lockdown uncertainty into new horizons, it’s good to see others who remain true to the lo-fi spirit. New Zealand based multi-instrumentalist and producer Pickle Darling, real name Lukas Mayo, is one such artist. Photo credit: Nick Robinson Their third album is eccentric, fuzzy and really rather sweet, but neverContinue reading “Album Review: Pickle Darling- Laundromat”
Overlooked Classics: Cranes- Wings Of Joy
The London band Cranes are often overlooked when people talk about early nineties indie bands. They’re something else altogether, often labelled Goth, industrial, neo – classical, shoegazing or dream-pop. The truth is, they are all of these things, and their own unique thing. Formed by siblings Alison and Jim Shaw, the band could grind, orContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Cranes- Wings Of Joy”
Andy Rourke, You Were Wonderful
It would be remiss of me not to pay tribute to the wonderful Manchester musician Andy Rourke, bass player for The Smiths.It’s a desperately sad loss. The Smiths meant so much to me and my generation. His death was announced yesterday. He died aged just 59 from pancreatic cancer. Tributes have been paid by Morrissey,Continue reading “Andy Rourke, You Were Wonderful”
Hit The North 