A Link: A Little Nothing on FFS New Bands Panel

I've been New Bands Panelling it again for For Folk's Sake, this time reviewing A Little Nothing who at first reminded me a lot of The XX (but are still very nice in their own, understated way). Read it here:

http://www.forfolkssake.com/new-bands-panel/7114/ffs-new-bands-panel-a-little-nothing

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Autumn Catch-up which shall be gracing this blog very soon!

Autumn Catch-up Part #1: A House Show

I have a couple of stories to share of my music-based experiences from the last couple of months. True, these are definitely after the fact at this point, but it would be a shame not to -think of it as one of those 'What I Did In My Summer Holidays' excercises you had to do in primary school. Only with more gigs, worse weather and a slightly better grasp of the english language.

So, without further ado:

#1: A House Show, September 29th 2010

Flicking through the Nov 20^th issue of NME (yeah, I know) I came across a picture that looked oddly familiar. Not because I recognised any of the people or the setting, but simply because it depicted about 30-odd people crammed into someone’s living room. It accompanied a piece on a collective of musicians in Oxford known as Blessing Force, and instantly took me back to a gig I went to at a friend’s house in Norwich at the end of September. I enjoy house gigs a lot, mainly because of (at the risk of sounding like your town mayor) the real sense of community spirit, and the complete lack of both physical and metaphorical barriers. Oh, and the rowdiness, I suppose (see the youtube clip below).

Now, whilst I should make it clear that Blessing Force and the group of artists, musicians and friends assembled at the Norwich gig are from totally different scenes and make very different types of music in two very different cities, the two had a couple of downright spooky things in common judging by these quotes from the article:

“One of the biggest punks I know plays the banjo...”

“...build a human pyramid” ...!!! (-to be fair to Blessing Force, they probably only meant this in a figurative sense. Social networks etc etc)

Indeed, banjo (and mandolin! Hooray!) playing punks were a feature of the night, as was the proverbial human pyramid (in a very, very literal sense). But really, few words blogged here could sum up the evening as well as this clip from the night, courtesy of Neil Morris, an out-of-towner and folk musician from the West Midlands.




Neil was not only an awesome addition to the line-up, but he also wrote his own account of the show at his own blog where he is keeping a tour diary, a really engaging and fun read. And I can really only echo what he's already said about the show: it was a great night filled with crazy talented (and, okay, crazy in general) people and an amazing atmophere. And all for free! What more could you ask for, really?

A Link: Lauren & Tokyo on FFS New Bands Panel

It has been a while, I know. But I have lots of music bloggery to share with you, so look out for a big update shortly after this!

First, though, I contributed to another For Folk's Sake New Bands Panel, this time on the brilliant Lauren & Tokyo. Read it here:

 http://www.forfolkssake.com/new-bands-panel/7158/ffs-new-bands-panel-lauren-tokyo

A Link: Matt Shillito on FFS New Bands Panel

I wrote a short review of the music of Matt Shillito for For Folk's Sake (incidentally one of my favourite music blogs). You can read it here:

http://www.forfolkssake.com/new-bands-panel/6571/ffs-new-bands-panel-matt-shillito

(Mine is the top one. Please ignore the photo...)

Last Wednesday I went to a house gig in Norwich which I shall blog about soon. Keep checking back!

Strange Coincidences

Anyone notice a (somewhat tenuous) link between the latest songs from Belle & Sebastian and Ben Folds, ‘Write About Love’ and ‘From Above’? No, it’s not that the titles rhyme. Or that both artists’ names begin with B, although I see where you’re coming from. I should probably be worried that I didn’t notice those connections first to be honest.

The link is in fact this year’s recent film ‘An Education’:  Carey Mulligan, who stars in the film, appears as a guest vocalist on the title track of forthcoming Belle & Sebastian album ‘Write About Love’ whilst Nick Hornby, who wrote the screenplay, also wrote the lyrics for ‘From Above’. Here are some initial thoughts on both:

Belle & Sebastian: 'Write About Love'

It is tricky in a way to give a completely unbiased review of ‘Write About Love’ just because news of Belle & Sebastian’s return is so exciting that it could almost overshadow the actual release itself. As a comeback single it is just as lively and fun as you’d expect and the call-and-response vocals between Stuart Murdoch and Carey Mulligan are catchy as heck. But I’ve yet to decide if this is amongst their best work. Maybe give it time until their new album comes out and the commotion dies down a bit. Until then, this track is available for free from the Rough Trade website.

Ben Folds and Nick Hornby: 'From Above'

‘From Above’ is part of a forthcoming album of collaborations between singer/songwriter Ben Folds and author/music journalist Nick Hornby. If you’ve heard Ben Folds/The Ben Folds Five you will be familiar with his brand of infectious piano-led pop. If you’ve read any of  Nick Hornby's novels you will be familiar with his canny, knowing and often hilarious prose on modern relationships. The big question is do they work well together? A big fat Yes, is the answer. This song tells the tale of two would-be soulmates who will never actually meet, and the lyrics are inexplicably sad. Folds’ arrangement is simple but it fits the lyrics perfectly. As with ‘Write About Love’, this is a dangerously catchy tune.

The forthcoming Belle & Sebastian album ‘Write About Love’ is out on October 11^th 2010 on Rough Trade Records.

‘From Above’ is out now. The Ben Folds/Nick Hornby album ‘Lonely Avenue’ is out on September 28^th 2010 on Nonesuch Records.