Wednesday 30 June 2010

Darwin Deez - Up In The Clouds remix and extra dates added

Darwin Deez - Up In The Clouds from Lucky Number Music on Vimeo.


Here we have a new remix of 'Up In The Clouds' by Shoes to offer you.
Along with this remix Darwin has just added a new date at Kingston's New Slang night on Thursday 1st July.

Up In The Clouds (Shoes remix)

Tuesday 29 June 2010

Toe Fluff




Toe Fluff is the amazing concept by illustrator Steve Rack, bringing together some of the best illustrators from around the globe each creating their own version of 'Toe Fluff.'

All you do is download the template and go nuts!

There is an exhibition of the Toe Fluffs at Swindons Post Modern Art Gallery from 30 July - 11 August and all of the proceeds will go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital.

See more about Toe Fluff here.

Middle Boop Radar : Woodsman


Being a huge supporter of the recent Psych-Fi explosion I jumped at the chance to find out a little more about this Denver based four piece. As you can see in the video Woodsman are made up of two drummers playing off of the psychedelic sonic experimentations of the two main guys. Expect loops glazed in feedback and some truly stunning soundscapes. Let's hope we hear a lot more from these guys.

I Can't Move

So yeah... as we were saying... The new Of Montreal album. Tracklisting announced + free MP3 download!


Following on from last weeks news that Of Montreal were to release their anticipated 10th album, further details in regards to release date and tracklisting have now been announced. ‘False Priest’ will be available 13th September in the UK/Europe and 14th in North America on CD, LP and digital formats through Polyvinyl Records. The LP once again features fantastic artwork from Apollinaire Rave's David Barnes and Gemini Tactics.

The full tracklisting that consists of 13 tracks on the record that were co-produced by Of Montreal front man Kevin Barnes and Grammy-nominated producer Jon Brion (Kanye West, Fiona Apple, Rufus Wainwright), is as follows:

1. ‘I Feel Ya' Strutter’

2. ‘Our Riotous Defects’ (feat. Janelle Monáe)

3. ‘Coquet Coquette’

4. ‘Godly Intersex’

5. ‘Enemy Gene’ (feat. Janelle Monáe)

6. ‘Hydra Fancies’

7. ‘Like A Tourist’

8. ‘Sex Karma’ (feat. Solange Knowles)

9. ‘Girl Named Hello’

10. ‘Famine Affair’

11. ‘Casualty of You’

12. ‘Around the Way’

13. ‘You Do Mutilate?’

'False Priest' is available to pre-order from Polyvinyl, and you can also treat yourself to a free MP3 of lead single ‘Coquet Coquette’ here!

As far as we're concerned, Monday 13th September cannot come soon enough!

FR

Monday 28 June 2010

kode9 - DJ-Kicks (Hyperdub)


Given that the last ‘proper’ CD mix from Hyperdub label boss, academic and all-round bass guru Steve Goodman, aka Kode9, was his seminal Dubstep Allstars Vol. 3, way back in 2006, it’s about time a new one emerged. That mix, accompanied throughout by the baritone musings of long time collaborator Spaceape, was this writer’s introduction to the existence of an entire genre – dubstep - that was later to become something of an obsession. The interim period has seen appropriately seismic shifts in that community’s exposure and popularity: in 2009 dubstep became big-room business, and its more outré practitioners are sending its progeny flying off in all manner of strange directions, from the rapid-fire grime stylings of Untold to Joker and Guido’s hyperchromatic hip-hop.

But far before then Goodman was already heading off in a different direction. Obsessed with progression and expansion, his label pre-empted the genre’s sudden explosion with the release of synth-led music from the likes of Ikonika and Zomby, and his DJ sets have become increasingly driven by new UK house mutations. He’s also got the theory to back these moves – having recently published Sonic Warfare: Sound, Affect & The Ecology Of Fear, an examination of sound’s role in the modern world, you’d half expect his DJing to be as careful and considered as his academic persona.

So it’s a always a slight surprise to hear him play out; his spectacular recent three-hour set in Bristol was marked by the same restlessness that characterizes his new DJ-Kicks mix, shifting rapidly from track to track and chasing the buzz of a new rhythm or blast of toxic melody. In an interview with Wire last year he discussed his fascination with body rhythm, and how it has affected the structure and sound of his own music. And there is something slightly voyeuristic about the way his sets build up, constantly searching for a new form of motion to observe. Far from exploring every permutation of each track, his trick is to layer them up, creating minute clashes and slippages in the flow of the mix. The result is a dizzying and tense soundclash, punctuated by sudden shifts in mood and pace that seem perfectly primed to momentarily confuse the dancefloor before subverting its patterns of movement.

Following the structure of his current sets, the first half is made up of slower, broken rhythms, from the grimey UK funky of Ill Blu’s ‘Bellion’ through South African kwaito (Mujava’s ‘Please Mugwanti’) and a couple of new vocal productions from seminal garage producer Sticky. The pace is as relentless as you’d expect from a recent Kode9 mix, and just as in thrall to the textural properties of synthesizers. Nowhere is this clearer than in his own new productions – the first since last year’s excellent Black Sun EP – which retain his distinctive sonic signature, smeared with venomous blasts of dissonant melody that induce euphoria and nausea in equal measure. FACT magazine recently described his sound as ‘toxic house’, a term that couldn’t be more apt if it tried – ‘You Don’t Wash’ in particular is stained a sickly shade of green, compressing London’s bass ghosts into an entirely less alien headspace than the chrome dystopia of his Memories Of The Future album. It’s certainly far more engaging on a human level, stripping away early dubstep’s cool urban alienation and replacing it with a sense of visceral, stabbing dread.

After a brief hip-hop tempo interlude, the mix returns to his original stomping ground at 140bpm for dubstep stylings from Digital Mystikz (the gorgeous ‘2 Much Chat’) and Zomby, 808 heavy workouts from Addison Groove and Ramadanman, and Terror Danjah’s ‘Stiff’. The latter in particular is immediately striking; it’s as raw as a spirulina smoothie, and just about as gritty. The pace of this second half is more considered, but hardly relents, assaulting the listener with waves of distorted sub and shocking fluorescent melody. It also draws attention to the tension that lies at the heart of Kode9’s DJing: an ongoing struggle between control and disorder, tightly reining the mix in even as total chaos erupts all around. It certainly makes for thrilling listening.

Words : Rory Gibb

Delorean - Subiza (True Panther Sounds)


While images of Enrique Iglesias singing to Jennifer Love-Hewitt in the rain may forever tarnish the reputation of Spanish pop music, True Panther Sounds’ latest addition Delorean are working to restore credibility to the genre. And their third album Subiza does exactly what pop music should do, bringing together disparate influences in a move that both celebrates and transforms each individual element. In this way, Subiza lends itself a little too easily to a number of lazy comparisons, but to subscribe to such analogies is to dismiss the nuances of Delorean’s intricate sound. Yes, those languid vocal harmonies were recently popularized by Animal Collective’s Merriweather Post Pavilion, but Subiza’s accessible house beats and conventional samples make Delorean a very different band to last year’s indie success story. Similarly, classic continental club production saturates the record, but the four-piece still retain a traditional song-writing sensibility, with lyrical content forming an integral part of each track. Subiza comprises a band’s dalliance with electronic music taken to its next logical step, and will surely see Delorean impressing both dance and indie fans at a diverse range of festivals in the future.

My diction so far could well suggest that Subiza is a record that looks to the past, or even one that is perhaps a little bit predictable. But while Delorean often draw from conventional, traditional and accessible techniques, the sources are unexpected, and betray technical proficiency along with a subtle sense of humour. Album opener Stay Close takes a frenetic piano loop and hi-hat sample that evokes the British club scene of the nineties, adds a charming vocal melody and makes the whole thing sound positively breezy. Tracks like Grow and Simple Graces offer the sort of feel-good hooks Ibiza DJs make careers out of. Slower songs like Real Love and It’s All Ours reveal an emotional potential that is often precluded for higher-profile, ‘ironic’ indie-dance acts that we’re hearing so much of at the moment.

Subiza’s timely release will ensure its place on many a summer playlist, and the album boasts enough potential for Delorean to outlast their try-hard contemporaries.


Words : Tegan Rogers

Saturday 26 June 2010

Listen to Wavves new single Post Acid


Since his début release last year, lo-fi ragamuffin Wavves has been fairly busy to say the least with the upcoming release of his second album King Of The Beach due for July and a recent record deal with Bella union. You will certainly be hearing more from this guy over the coming months

Friday 25 June 2010

The Publishers Club



Last week I was invited to Brick Lane's Vibe Bar for the first meet up with the Publishers Club,
a group formed by three of the best independent publishers for design around,

Ammo Magazine
Blanket Magazine
New Sugar

the all day event featured some real hi flyers in design, web, illustration and anything else you can imagine showing their faces and expressing a real passion and excitement in the ideas and proposals that the three magazines/ webzines are putting together. It certainly showcased the idea that the right people are backing independent publishing.

More events, meet ups, exhibitions etc are well in the pipeline so watch this space.

Thursday 24 June 2010

Middle Boop Radar : Maria & The Mirrors


Ok so the name alone might mislead you into thinking that this London three piece are on their way to being the next '& The' sensation but don't be fooled, these guys create the sort of noise that if you get it, you'll love it, if not, it'll be back to Florence then for some easier listening.
Dual female drummers and vocalists squeal and pound away creating loud, often eerie sounds whilst songs such as 'Omar' and 'From Egypt With Love' build up over a haze of distorted synths and feedback. This won't be the easiest of listens but play it loud and see if it'll click.

There is a lot of potential here.

Maria and the Mirrors

Twilight Sad and Errors announce co-headline tour



If you've read this site more than a couple of times you will probably know already how much we at Boop towers love both of these Glaswegian outfits so the thought of them touring together has us all physically weak at the knees.
We interviewed both bands not so long ago, check out the interviews underneath.

Twilight Sad
Errors

Twilight Sad will be touring on support of their new e.p. 'The Wrong Car' which is out on the 27th of September.

Weds-29-Sep ABERDEEN Warehouse

Thurs-30-Sep DUNDEE Doghouse

Fri-01-Oct STIRLING Tolbooth

Mon-04-Oct NEWCASLTE Cluny

Tues-05-Oct NOTTINGHAM Stealth

Weds-06-Oct MANCHESTER Deaf Institute
Thurs-07-Oct LONDON XOYO
Sat-09-Oct BRIGHTON Audio

Sun-10-Oct BRISTOL Fleece

Mon-11-Oct LEEDS Cockpit

Tues-12-Oct- EDINBURGH Liquid Rooms

Black Mountain new Video "Old Fangs"


Here is the trippy new video from stoner rockers Black Mountain. Their third album, Wilderness Heart will be released through Jagjaguwar Records on Monday 13th September 2010.

Pulled Apart By Horses – 'Pulled Apart By Horses' (Transgressive)



So it’s finally here. After 2 years of countless shows, (what seems like) endless touring, and a bunch of singles released on some of the finest UK Indie record labels such as Dance to the Radio and Big Scary Monsters, before landing with Transgressive. From that, Leeds quartet Pulled Apart By Horses have built up a hardcore fan base and finally done the honourable thing for them and got round to releasing their debut LP. Hooray!

Their self titled album on record has shown that they can transfer their incredible live energy onto plastic. Having previously released older versions of ‘Meat Balloon’ and ‘I Punched a Lion in the Throat’, the first full single to feature on this record is the opening track. The aptly titled ‘Back to the Fuck Yeah’ demonstrates Pulled Apart By Horses’ no nonsense, fun loving attitude. A title that even to the unheard listener will indicate that these boys know how to party and it continues in this vein throughout. The mathy time signature and tempo changes on ‘High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive’ is a fine example of how talented musicians they are. ‘Yeah Buddy’ shows that there is a melodic Pop-Punk influence to their sound whilst still maintaining that hardcore edge. Whereas ‘PABH’ climaxes with a seven minute belter in ‘Den Horn’ with heavy metal riffs that are drowned in a sea of feedback and noise.

One thing that may be flawed on this release is that amongst the 11 solid punk gems, they combined new tracks with some older numbers that they wrote early during the bands formation. However, the plus side with this is that it does give us a recorded demonstration of how their live show is portrayed on stage.

Often with debut releases, here PABH’s self titled has ultimately set up a digital platform explaining ‘This is who we are and this is what we do!’ Tom Hudson’s screaming vocals are as consistent as it is flawless. The bass and guitar are tight and rawkuss, with not an off note in hearing and the pounding drums carries their sound to create an album that is set to be one of the house party soundtracks of the summer.

Words: Freddy Rothman

Wednesday 23 June 2010

Lone Wolf - The Devil and I (Bella Union)


In many ways the name ‘Lone Wolf’ sums up this début album from singer-songwriter Paul Marshall, at least thematically. The majority of the songs on this album tell tales of a single man either endeavouring to win the heart of an unsuspecting female or losing it through some act or other of indecency. Mixed into these tales is a certain sinister edge, whether Marshall is discussing the woman in question’s “innocent skin” or how he’s now “the voice inside her head... driving the girl insane.” The levels of self deprecation of this album are extremely high, and the frustration is brilliantly conveyed by outbursts of noise such as the cavernous conclusion to “Keep Your Eyes On The Road.”

Elsewhere the misery that is symptomatic of his loneliness is exuded through the use of more subtle arrangements. The best example of this is “We Could Use Your Blood,” which makes use of haunting backing vocals and Shearwater-esque horns and xylophones to transform what starts out as a simple acoustic piece into an extremely beautiful and intricate one.

The blueprint for every song on this album is essentially the same: start quietly, either on acoustic guitar or piano, build slowly with the addition of more instruments until a crescendo is reached at the peak of the song. This is by no means a new formula, but at his best Lone Wolf does it as well as anyone else. Every song has at least one moment of brilliance in it, either lyrically or musically and often both. However sometimes just the one highlight isn’t enough and there are a couple of less interesting tracks here such as “Russian Winter” and “Soldiers,” which both appear on the album’s significantly weaker second half.

‘The Devil and I’ is an album that may have a difficult time finding an audience. It lacks that originality that can make it stand out to hard core indie fans and harbours few real hooks for the more casual listener to latch on to. Nevertheless anybody who does give it a chance will have a hard time not being charmed by Marshall’s mischievous tone and delightful imagery and there is a chance this will be a gradual hit as time rolls on.

Words : Rob Hakimian

David Karsten-Daniels & Fight The Big Bull I Mean To Live Here Still (Fatcat)


David Karsten-Daniels and Fight The Big Bull’s new collaborative venture, I Mean To Live Here Still, is a beautifully fractured thing, managing to sound simultaneously of one cohesive mind and entirely diffuse, as though several totally separate visions have collided to form an improbable whole. You’d hardly place the two artists together - Karsten-Daniels’ soft-spoken folksy twang doesn’t exactly slot in neatly in the file alongside ‘nine piece jazz group’ – but it’s exactly that tension that ensures that when they hit, they hit like a tonne of bricks.

Third track ‘Die & Be Buried’ is a perfect example. If it were taken a capella it could easily be mistaken for pure gospel, the ghostly opening cadence building to a reverent whole, but beneath Daniels’ voice Fight The Big Bull open with a succession of minimalist brass flourishes that swell from beneath, lifting him even further to the heavens. Celebration gradually melts into dissonance, before exploding into triumphant life once again with the chorus. It’s the kind of unexpected fusion that Volcano Choir’s excellent Unmap album explored, although perhaps a little less accomplished than that project, which saw Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and Collections Of Colonies Of Bees achieve a near-perfect synthesis of form and mood. Volcano Choir’s success, though, was largely due to the close similarities between both artists, sharing an earthy sense of freedom far removed from Fight The Big Bull’s jazz abstractions.

The moments when Karsten-Daniels and Fight The Big Bull gel most convincingly are those when each artists’ natural strengths are subsumed beneath the will of the music in its entirety. So the fantastic ‘On Fields’ begins as a gently strummed tale before shattering into glassy fragments, percussion dancing wildly around modal brass phrasing as the sense of panic escalates to breaking point. Similarly, an interlude in the centre of ‘Salmon Brook’ sees every player pull away from one another for a fraction of a second before launching into stammering, Reich-esque polyrhythms. It’s the most deliciously fragile moment in an album not short of similar ones, and serves as a highpoint to a thoughtful and often lovely record.

Words : Rory Gibb

Tuesday 22 June 2010

Middle Boop magazine features

Advanced Photoshop Feature


Gordon Reid of Middle Boop was interviewed by Advanced Photoshop for their latest issue out this week about the upcoming Middle Boop Mag site and his recent work.

Digital Artist Q&A Contributions


He was also recently commissioned by Digital Artist magazine to answer some questions sent in by readers, along with this he also created some new artwork to emphasise the answers.

Japandroids announce 2nd single in 7" series "Younger Us


Following on from part one in the form of 'Art Czars', Japandroids have announced details of their second single release in their series of one-off 7”s. ‘Younger Us’ will be released on the 19th July in the UK through Polyvinyl, with the US following the next day on the 20th July.

The band are also giving away the a-side online, please head here to download ‘Younger Us’ from Pitchfork http://downloads.pitchforkmedia.com/Japandroids-Younger_Us.mp3

The B-side is a cover of X's "Sex And Dying In High Society", preorder this 7” here

As previously reported, the entire series will yield five singles, each limited edition on clear vinyl and for sale in digital format. Each single will include an A-side featuring previously unreleased material from the ‘Post-Nothing’ sessions, and a cover B-side. Japandroids devised the 7" series as a way to give something back to their fans while the band is in the midst of heavy touring throughout North America and Europe and unable to record a full album. Each two-song 7" will be recorded at the Hive in Vancouver, British Columbia (where ‘Post-Nothing’ was recorded) during the brief periods of time the band is at home between tours. 



Win 1234 Festival Tickets

Middle Boop are proud to offer two free pairs of tickets to London's 1234 Festival in Shoreditch next month if you can answer us this question.


Peter Hook has recently announced to be playing a seminal Joy Division album in the full specifically for the festival. Is it,

A: Closer
B: Unknown Pleasures
C: Power, Corruption and Lies

Mail answers to gordon@middleboop.com, winners will be selected at random.

Monday 21 June 2010

Frightened Rabbit Announce Winter UK Tour 2010


Hugely successful Scottish four piece Frightened Rabbit have just announced a tour playing the biggest headline shows in this country to date.

Frightened Rabbit will play the following UK dates:

November 2010
20th - Anson Rooms, Bristol
21st - Academy 2, Manchester
22nd - Northumbria University Stage 2, Newcastle
24th - Sugarmill, Stoke
25th - Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
26th - Phoenix Theatre, Exeter
27th - Komedia, Brighton
29th - The Cockpit, Leeds
30th - The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

December 2010

1st O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
3rd Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow

Middle Boop Single of the week - Pulled Apart By Horses - Back To The Fuck Yeah


After a gruelling few years worth of touring with the likes of Future Of The Left, Leeds based heavy rock four piece Pulled Apart By Horses can finally make their own mark by releasing their début album today, we are honouring the release by giving their excellent 'Back To The Fuck Yeah' a well deserved single of the week.

The title perfectly summarises this two and a half minute blast of screams, loud/quiet break downs and heavy, well produced guitar riffs. There's enough groove here to get that head nodding incessantly and enough full frontal force to get you thinking about the days not too long ago when Britain actually had a decent heavy music scene.

It's been a few years since a decent heavy British rock band has really created anything of value but I reckon we could have a winner on our hands with these guys, with a tight blend of catchy yet heavy songs giving them a large appeal. Pulled Apart By Horses are set to be a hit.

Friday 18 June 2010

Of Montreal announce new album and exclusive 12" collaboration!


Kevin Barnes, leader of US psychedelic pop band of Montreal, has revealed several details about their forthcoming new album in an exclusive interview with Pitchfork. Speaking to the site yesterday, Barnes confirmed that ‘False Priest’ will be released in autumn on Polyvinyl Records and after initially being recorded at his home studio in Athens, Georgia was reworked in LA with producer Jon Brion (Kanye West).
The full interview can of course be found on Pitchfork here.

Further more, Of Montreal are set to release a limited edition 12" reworking of the 12 minute freakout jam 'The Past is A Grotesque Animal'. Originally taken from the 2007 masterpiece 'Hissing Fauna, You Are the Destroyer' this version features Nick Zinner on guitar. 500 copies of the 180 gram light blue vinyl have been pressed by Polyvinyl and is available on 16th July. Pre-order here.

Further details of 'False Priest' are to follow. Middle Boop are excitied.

FR

Thursday 17 June 2010

Middle Boop Designer of the Week - Will Bryant




Austin based illustrator Will Bryant is a man of many trades, apart from his obvious talent for illustration he is also part of the design, photography and illustration collective known as Public School, he blogs and partakes in any number of crazy projects. Bryant has worked for clients that include Ray Ban, Converse and Nike apart from a lot of peopel in the music business such as the wonderful Dent May and Polyphonic Spree

Field Day Announce more acts



New additions to the already sterling lineup include:

Gilles Peterson (DJ set), Steve Mason, Cate Le Bon, Matthew Herbert’s One Club, Factory Floor, Hounds of Hate, Prizes, Von Haze, Walls, Dam Mantle and Sunday Girl.
This is an event that has grown in excellence every year and is not to be missed.

Other act confirmed so far are:

Memory Tapes
Gold Panda
Corsano And Flowers
Egyptian hip hop
Andrew Weatherall
Tensnake
Fake Blood
Chapel Club
Pantha Du Price
Beth Jeans Houghton
Yuck
These New Puritans
Atlas Sound
Rory Phillips (Durrr)
Freelance Whales
Joker
The Kissaway Trail
Lightspeed Champion
Carte Blanche
Bloggers Delight DJs
Anna Calvi
Babeshadow
The Invisible
Silver Apples
No Age
Mount Kimbie
Is Tropical
Chilly Gonzales
Mouse On Mars
Tamikrest
Max Tundra
Gruff Rhys
Ramadanman
Night Slugs
Esben And The Witch
Moderat
Archie Bronson Outift
James Holden
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Amiina
Erland And The Carnival
Hudson Mohawke
The Golden Filter
Eat Your Own Ears DJs
Simian Mobile Disco
DaM-FunK
MIM
Thisaintnodisco
Shula's Wigwam Duo

Best Coast sign to Wichita and release debut album


Hazy, indie pop duo Best Coast are a fine addition to an already sterling roster over at Wichita. The Californian duo comprising of Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno will release Crazy For You on 2nd August and will play a show at London's Cargo that night to commemorate the release.


Download When I'm With You

Wednesday 16 June 2010

Mountain Man - Made The Harbor (Bella Union)




Somehow, some way, there is something magical about haunting female voices within the realm of Americana folk and country music, echoing the likes of Gillian Welch and Joanna Newsom. The crystal clear honesty of such a sound seeps into the woodwork of a nation, acting as a beautiful representation of the musical heart of a more or less extinct culture. The Appalachian essence of Mountain Man is apparent from the very beginning in the homespun plucking that follows a throat-clearing introduction on ‘Buffalo’, track one on Made The Harbor.

Mountain Man explore topics that could have been pondered ninety years ago yet resonate today, from the sexual urges in ‘Animal Tracks’ to female independence in ‘Soft Skin’. Regardless of subject matter, the method in which the music is assembled lends a gentle, wholesome atmosphere to anything that spills from the lips of the three ladies behind the record.

It may be stretching the metaphorical study of such a record in looking at the bleak space between tracks, as seconds of studio silence tick by, as emblematic of the broad, open plains of the American Mid-West, home to rattlesnakes, Wild West nostalgia and tumbleweed. Then again, with the toil that has gone into working on such a romantic sound and appearance, the trio of ladies known as Mountain Man sure know how to evoke an exact sentiment

I feel like I have to mention O Brother Where Art Thou?, a magnificent movie where bluegrass and the utter beauty of the human voice shone once more. Compared to the glossy, overproduced electronically tinged music that dominates the current market, I pray for more music like this. As much as I love ten musicians bashing out a bunch of instruments onstage to create a swelling, sensational racket, it’s stunning to be suddenly consumed by quaint harmonies and melodious hymns. Like taking a walk or reading your favourite childrens book, it unburdens the mind from the clutter of complexity that has built up over time.

Everything has been pushing me to head West recently and seek a life on the country trail, herding cattle and wielding a wicked lasso. Red Dead Redemption, basically Grand Theft Auto in the Wild West, has me living out stylised cowboy fantasies; a TV show, Justified, centres on a cowboy-like US Marshall; and all this now accompanied by the carefree chirping of three softly spoken country gals, urging me to eke out an archaic existence. I desperately need a cowboy hat. And you desperately need to listen to Mountain Man.


Words : Adam Parker

Male Bonding play Camden Barfly next week


Dalston's finest, Male Bonding will be playing an exclusive show at the Barfly in Camden next Tuesday 22nd June. The gig comes courtesy of XFM and will feature supports from Philadelphia Grand Jury & Standard Fare. Tickets are available here!

So yeah. Go! 'Cause Male Bonding gigs are usually fun.

FR

Tuesday 15 June 2010

Memory Tapes new video 'Bicycle'


Here is the new video from the fantastic Memory Tapes. This psychedelic offering was made by Jamie Harley and is Memory Tapes first video to date.

Memory Tapes - "Bicycle" from Jamie Harley on Vimeo.

Monday 14 June 2010

The Besnard Lakes Unveil "Albatross" Video and


Here is the wonderfully made video to compliment The Besnard Lakes staggering song Albatross.

August 15 Leicester, Summer Sundae (Sunday, indoor stage)

August 16 Manchester, Ruby Lounge 7.30pm, £10 adv

August 17 Edinburgh, Fringe Festival @ Sneaky Pete's

August 18 Leeds, Brudenell Social Club


August 19, London Garage 7pm, £14 adv


August 20 Brighton, Freebutt 7.30pm, £10 adv

August 21 Green Man Festival (Saturday, main stage)

August 23 Cork, Cypress Avenue

August 24 Dublin, Academy 2

Burns Free Track Giveaway

‘Show Me The Night (So Many Nights Edit)’

In conjunction with the release of Burns new album ‘This Is Burns: European Sex Music’ out via Music Response next week, the Scottish electro wizard is offering a brand new track to download.

Middle Boop Radar : Veronica Falls


This London based four piece are Britain's first proper answer to the catchy, jangly pop that bands such as Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls and a whole host of others cropping up from over the pond have been championing. Taking what has recently become synonymously an American sound and turning it ultimately British, much in the same way that Male Bonding are doing for Lo-Fi just at the minute. It's certainly the right time and place for Veronica Falls and their 60's pop influenced fuzz. With a recent signing to Wichita, expect very good things to be happening within the year

Friday 11 June 2010

Modest Mouse confirm new date at Troxy


On the back of a bunch of sell out tours late last year, Modest Mouse have just announced they are to play the Troxy this September.

ARTIST: Modest Mouse
SUPPORT ACT: TBC
VENUE: Troxy, London, UK
DATE
: Wednesday 8th September 2010
ADVANCED TICKET PRICE
: £20
AGE RESTRICTIONS: 14+
VENUE ADDRESS: TROXY, 490 Commercial Road, London E1 0HX
VENUE TELEPHONE: 020 7790 9000‎
NEAREST TUBE STATION: Limehouse (DLR)
DOORS OPEN: 7pm
CURFEW: 11pm

Tickets

Tame Impala - Solitude is Bliss Video


Here we have the debut single from Tame Impala's forthcoming album Innerspeaker.
The video is really well made and compliments the hazy psych-pop song really well.

Future Islands - live video for Tin Man

Future Islands - 'Tin Man' - Live from Thrill Jockey Records on Vimeo.


Here is a fantastic live track taken from Future Island's recent album In The Evening Air.

The trio are also heading over here a little later in the year, live dates underneath.

29/09 - London - CAMP Basement
30/09 - Brighton - Freebutt
01/10 - Manchester - Islington Mill
02/10 - Glasgow - Cry Parrot

Middle Boop web update


On the back of the most exciting year yet,
it's been a busy few months in the world of Middle Boop, with
awesome projects including gracing the cover of South African magazine 'Chew'
as well as commissions from Digital Artist, Maxim and Blanket magazine.
Gordon Reid also has articles in the recent IDN magazine and the upcoming Advanced Photoshop.

Have a look here to see what diverse projects Reid has been sinking his teeth into.

http://www.middleboop.com/

Wednesday 9 June 2010

Guest Blog : Radim Malinic //// Middle Boop Single of the Week - Everything Everything - Schoolin'


Currently enjoying heavy air play by 6 Music and being fresh from Record of the Week by Zane Lowe, Everything Everything are serving quite a volley with their latest single, Schoolin'.

Hailing from Manchester it's great to hear the band have walked straight past the drum machines section in the music shop, keeping everything pretty raw and to the point. Schoolin' is cleverly fragmented piece of upbeat indie funk which comes with the desired side effect in the form of reaching for the Repeat function on your player. The track opens with growing drum beats that nicely peak during a chorus catchier than swine flu, making you want to play air drums wherever you might be at the time retaining its infectious groove throughout.

The single also contains compulsory dance remixes but there's not really much to say about them. Kids in Camden will love it after a few pints of Sprite but let's be assured that history isn't being rewritten there. Leo Zero mix is ok, though overall the remixes bullied into a corner by the title heavy weight monster that the track is.

Out on Monday 14th June on Geffen Records.

Radim Malinic is an award winning art director, illustrator and graphic designer based in London, England. See more of his stunning work here.

Watch the new Ariel Pink video

Following this weeks release of the wonderful amazing new album 'Before Today' (reviewed here) by Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, I yesterday stumbled across on youtube the new video for the gorgeous cover of the 1966 track by Rockin' Ramrods' 'Bright Lit Blue Skies'.



From tomorrow you can catch Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti live in the UK at these venues;

June:
10 - Brighton, Freebutt
11 - Bristol, Metropolis
12 - Nottingham, Spanky Van Dykes
13 - Glasgow, Captain's Rest
14 - Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
15 - London, Scala

FR

Mogwai - ‘Burning‘ Party - The Scala - 3/6/10


Another fine night at the London Scala as tonight is not your ‘usual’ sort of gig with the venue gearing up for the first London showing of Mogwai’s new feature film ‘Burning‘

A DJ set by fellow Rock Action buddy Steve from Errors provided magnetic beats in the foyer, music to subliminally listen to as the seamless changeover with Andrew Hung of Fuck Buttons rocking up to the decks, his electro/ techno mish-mesh provided the perfect appetizer for an eagerly anticipated film.

I managed to catch support act ‘Remember Remember’ who really came through with the musical goodies. An over abundance of layers, progressively engineered into a myriad of sound with xylophone harmonies and delicate samples, anyone who has seen Remember Remember before would have been in for a surprise as this was no mere solo show revolving around acres of loops, James Swinburne appeared with a five strong band along with him allowing tracks such as 'Mountain' to really sound their best. With so much going on I couldn't help but find myself comparing them to a less vintage Arcade fire.

The feature film begins; the impressive piece was filmed in black, white and greyscale tones, however I was one of the lucky few that had a nifty view from behind the main projection screen fabricating a Sepia style illustration, setting the mood as the hundreds of bleary eyed fans vision watched, transfixed upon the imagery before them.

‘Burning’ was filmed at the Music Hall in Williamsburg VA on April 27-29 capturing performances from 3 nights by in house art director Vincent Moon who had clearly taken the time and careful planning to cover almost every angle imaginable over the duration of the shows.

It is an exquisite film, full of dynamic contrast, insightful cadence and conquers the best parts of their live performance. It is a little on the short side at only 8 songs long but quality over quantity each and every time and Mr. Moon’s direction has quality in abundance, cleverly congregating the raw essence and sheer heaviness of classic Mogwai tracks such as ‘Mogwai Fear Satan’ ‘Like Herod’ and ending with the earth shatteringly powerful ‘Batcat’.

Mogwai put you in the moment with affluence and exhilaration and all that were involved in this project must be proud of their effort. I can certainly see more artists doing this sort of collaboration with top directors, a great success and a movie night with a twist enjoyed by all.



Words : Outer Audio Joe

Bella Union host special show at the Union Chapel


Bella Union have selected a very tasty lineup of some newer acts for this very special event including recent Mojo nominated John Grant as well as a number of artists that have been on heavy rotation in Boop towers recently,

Mountain Man,
Alessi's Ark

and Lone Wolf.

It's all happening on Thursday 24th June at Union Chapel, London.

Tuesday 8 June 2010

Middle Boop Radar : Factory Floor


Dark, brooding, post punk undertones, pounding drums and screaming guitars play throughout Factory Floor's most recent single 'Lying,' released a few months ago.

They were first brought to my attention after a very successful tour with Fuck Buttons earlier in the year whereby the Hackney based three piece covered the stage in darkness and covered the Koko in abrasive noise, think of a really dark version of Health and you're in the right ballpark. Signed to Blast First Petite big noisy waves are already starting to be made and love them or hate them they will most probably go on to have a great year.

Monday 7 June 2010

Nina Nastasia – Outlaster (Fatcat)


Nina Nastasia is a woman whose musical career is steeped in history, in the last ten years her cult following has built up through the constant creation of astonishingly well written music backed by a stunning vocal range covering five albums, picking up admiration from the likes of John Peel having recorded six sessions for him, recording experimental albums with Jim White of Dirty Three and Steve Albini amongst many others. Outlaster, her first album in over two years continues to impress with her eerily beautiful take on melodramatic alt country. Despite her music sitting inherently at home with more mainstream folk acts, she is still yet to feel the dizzying highs that other peers have and although she more than deserves it, something tells me she doesn’t really care that much.

Nastasia
has cobbled together quite an unruly lineup of musicians to help tell her dark tales of woe, for a start, Mr Albini has lent his hand at recording the piece, Jeff Parker of Tortoise plays guitar, as well as recruiting Paul Bryan, an instrumentalist and arranger to take her songs to whole new blissful levels by adapting the songs for orchestration. It’s the input of all of these amazingly gifted people that makes the chemistry on this album work so well, working dense layers of strings and woodwind sections into the mix, evolving what would usually be sparse and subtle acoustic numbers into rich, melancholic pieces.

This album has a lot of presence that whilst still intimate, has a power over the listener that not many albums do. The title track is a fine example, five minutes of tense atmospheric strings and subtle drumming building up over a repetitive guitar line, opener ‘Cry, Cry Baby’ offers the world her bleak outlook on a love recently lost with calming guitar lines and soothing strings whilst ‘You're A Holy Man’ offers much more of a dark country vibe. If Laura Marling was in actual fact living in a bedsit, busking for a living and had more of a tragic upbringing she might have more of a chance at writing music this stunningly sinister.

Nastasia’s
sixth album continues in her musical experimentation and has developed a sound further than anyone could have possibly predicted ten years ago. As unsettling as it is heart-warming she once again puts her beautiful song writing ability to the test and has come up with a record that will be kept close to many hearts.


Words : Gordon Reid

David Pajo announced as new Interpol bassist


David Pajo, guitarist on arguably one of the greatest albums of the last twenty years joins Interpol, creators of arguably one of the greatest albums in the last ten years.
Pajo, best known for his guitar work in the genre defining Slint has in the past turned his hand in collaborating with many bands such as Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Stereolab, Tortoise and Billy Corgan's flop Zwan but I must admit this was a bit of a shock announcement. Pajo will replace former Interpol man and join the band on a number of American dates this month before jetting off around Europe to support the release of their fourth album in September.

Gil Scott-Heron 'I'm New Here' video


It can be a bizarre twist in hearing covers that are originally written by lesser known artists. Like Johnny Cash a few years ago epically covering the Nine Inch Nails track 'Hurt', many people seemed to think it was the other way round. Here is another beautiful example.

Check out the video for the fantastic and legendary Jazz Poet Gil Scott-Heron. 'I'm New Here' is the title track from this years amazing comeback album and is a cover of a track by Lo-Fi folk musician Bill Callahan aka Smog. The video can be found here on the Guardian website.

Just stunning.

FR

ATP Announce two new London shows

1. Avi Buffalo at Cargo
The truly magnificent Avi Buffalo will return after their triumphant first journey over to these waters a few weeks ago with their biggest headline performance to date, this is one not to miss out on.


VENUE: Cargo
DATES: Tuesday 24th August 2010
TICKET PRICE : £10 +bf
VENUE ADDRESS: 83 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3AY
VENUE TELEPHONE: 02077393440
DOORS: 7.30pm
AGE RESTRICTIONS: Over 18 only

TICKETS

2. Shrinebuilder at The Scala
Delayed after the volcano, this show has now been rescheduled to the 2nd of December.
Shrinebuilder is a proper heavy metal super group made up of artists from some hideously extreme bands.


Shrinebuilder are:

Scott "Wino" Weinrich (Saint Vitus, The Obsessed, Spirit Caravan)
Al Cisneros (Om, Sleep)
Scott Kelly (Neurosis, Tribes of Neurot, Blood and Time)
Dale Crover (Melvins, Porn)

ATP Concerts in association with Rock Sound present: Shrinebuilder
SUPPORT ACTS: TBC
VENUE: The Scala
DATE: Thursday 2nd December 2010 (rescheduled, all original tickets valid)
ADVANCED TICKET PRICE : £15.00
VENUE ADDRESS: 275 Pentonville Road, King´s Cross, London N1 9NL
VENUE TELEPHONE: 020 7833 2022
DOORS OPEN : 7.30pm
AGE RESTRICTIONS: 18+ Only

TICKETS

New Teenagersintokyo - Sacrifice video


Here we have the enthralling new video from Teenagersintokyo, the really dark slo-mo tale fits the mood of the song really well.
Teenagersintokyo's debut album 'Sacrifice' and new single 'End It Tonight' is out now via Back Yard Recordings.

Friday 4 June 2010

Exclusive Ólafur Arnalds download and very special Manchester concert


The lovely guys over at Stereogum have treated listeners to an exclusive download of 23 year old Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. You can find the link to the track 'Tunglið' here.

You can also catch Arnalds perform the world live premiere of his album .'..And They Have Escaped The Weight of Darkness' on July 1st at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester. This very special performance he will be backed by the RNCM Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Andre de Ridder whos previous collaborations include Nico Muhly and Damon Albarn. This performance will also be alongside Jonny Greenwood's 'Popcorn Superhet Reciever' and Igor Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring'.

If this doesn't promise to be anything short of spectacular then I don't know what is!

FR

Thursday 3 June 2010

What a Fun new video!


Well, actually there isn't toooooo much physical movement in this clip but still...

Following on from ‘The Gambler’ in the living room, New York trio Fun have now unveiled the video for ‘At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)’ acoustic from their kitchen.

Fun's debut album ‘Aim & Ignite’ gets its UK release on June 7th following the band’s recent second trip to UK shores for the likes of Dot To Dot and Stag & Dagger. You can expect them back over here before the end of the year too, whilst over in the US, the band have been busy supporting the likes of Paramore.

Check out the video for ‘At Least I’m Not As Sad (As I Used To Be)’ below.


fun. - At Least I'm Not Sad as I Used to be

FR

Foxx Bandits cover MIA

Check out the Foxx Bandits' cover of 'Paper Planes' by MIA at their recent gig at London's Koko.



You can catch the London four-piece at The Swan in Kidderminster tomorrow night, then at The Prince Albert in Brighton on saturday.

Wednesday 2 June 2010

Middle Boop Designer of the Week - Andy Gilmore




New York based artist, designer and musician Andy Gilmore has create work for the likes of Warp, Wired, Nike and Dazed and Confused. His stunning work is truly inspirational and has a style that truly makes you think 'how the hell did he do that?'

Andy Gilmore

Tuesday 1 June 2010

Finally! An England world cup song of note.


Now that Fabio's 23 man squad is now finalised, we can begin to look forward to the World Cup in South Africa, AND the songs that come out to mark it. I've checked out some of whats on offer in tribute to the 4 year sporting event and I think every single one of them has been terrible. Yeah, that is not surprising but there is usually at least 1 or 2 that are respectible in some way, right?

That's until now however, with this track, 'Englands Heartbeat' by Shuttleworth Ft. Mark E. Smith. Ok, so its not a piece of musical genius but it features the lyrical genius of Mr E. Smith so in that respect, it deserves a mention.

Here is the video for 'Englands Heartbeat'. I'll allow you guys to judge for yourselves.



FR