Artists who change their names mid-career often confuse me, but I can make exceptions. Santi White, whose eponymous debut solo album came out in 2008 under the name Santogold, is a bit of a musical genius, I think.She’s now better known as Santigold. What a debut it is. She’d been part of the millennial neo-Continue reading “Overlooked Classics: Santogold”
Tag Archives: Pop
Tina : Goddess
Born Anne May Bullock, in 1939, she’ll forever be the force of nature that is Tina Turner. A fiery fusion of soul, rock and blues, we all know how she survived the abuse of first husband Ike Turner, and had a second career as a solo artist in her own right, aged 44, but sheContinue reading “Tina : Goddess”
Album Review: Alison Goldfrapp- The Love Invention
Alison Goldfrapp as disco diva? The new Kylie, maybe? She’s always had that side to her, the head-rush of the dancefloor, glitter ball, spike heels and the 5 am walk of shame. But on her first solo studio album without Goldfrapp bandmate Will Gregory, she fully indulges her inner Donna Summer. Co- created with RichardContinue reading “Album Review: Alison Goldfrapp- The Love Invention”
The Mumfordisation of Indie
I call them “Lammo bands” (with no disrespect to Steve Lamacq whatsoever, he’s a nice fella) . You know them, the wholesome side of indie. More Jonas Brothers than Joan As Police Woman, more Marcus Mumford than Mark E Smith, they are ubiquitous. They really are. They’re indie with the edges sanded off, nice folksContinue reading “The Mumfordisation of Indie”
Lost In Music: Takako Minekawa- Fantastic Cat
Despite being a moody old goth, I do have a love of really, really ridiculously kitsch art. This extends to music, and nobody makes better kitsch music than the Japanese. Takako Minekawa released this oddity in the mid-90s and it is much more imaginative than the J pop that followed in her wake. Part hoedown,Continue reading “Lost In Music: Takako Minekawa- Fantastic Cat”
WHEN POP GOES EXPERIMENTAL
Something interesting is currently happening within pop- it’s getting experimental again. Surely it’s no coincidence that Kate Bush, the Queen of reinvention, should be rediscovered by twentysomethings this year, thanks to Running Up That Hill featuring in Stranger Things. The spirit of the eighties which meant more esoteric artists like Bush, Prince and The SugarContinue reading “WHEN POP GOES EXPERIMENTAL”
The Future’s Here Today: Yazzus
Based between London and Berlin, DJ and producer Yazzus is brilliant – a cheeky, smart lady who mixes like a dream, crossing genres: pop, drum ‘n’bass, electro, house, techno,grime, trap and soul- you name it, she can skilfully weave it altogether into a beautiful sound collage. Recently, she’s exclusively mixed for BBC 6Music, Radio 1Continue reading “The Future’s Here Today: Yazzus”
Always Tip The Waitresses
Before Wet Leg, Dry Cleaning and sundry damp post-punk/ new wave- inspired bands so beloved by Lammo etc, there was a band formed by a bunch of Ohio misfits, The Waitresses. Effortlessly cool, the band fused skronky saxophone, a la No Wave band James Chance and The Contortions, with pop sensibilities. When Chris Butler, whoContinue reading “Always Tip The Waitresses”
Record Label Of The Month: Upset The Rhythm
Based in London, indie promoter and record label Upset The Rhythm is the epitome of punk. Formed in 2003 as a promoter, they officially launched as a label in 2005. Featuring bands like Deerhoof, Trash Kit, Terry, Sauna Youth, Rattle, Kaputt, and most recent signing, Japanese punk band NicFit, they specialise in lo-fi, post-punk andContinue reading “Record Label Of The Month: Upset The Rhythm”
Divine Pop Intervention
Everybody knows Divine from her John Waters films. But the icon, who didn’t really want to be known as a drag queen, had another successful career in pop. Harris Glenn Milstead, who would have been 76 yesterday, fell into recording kind of by accident, as her outrageous live shows led to producer Bobby Orlando seeingContinue reading “Divine Pop Intervention”
Hit The North 