London in Stereo // February 2016

THU 10 MARCHTHE NINESPECKHAM

GLASS+ GUESTS

THU 03 MARCHCADOGAN HALL

ROO PANES+ GUESTS

MURA MASA+ GUESTS

THU 07 APRILOVAL SPACE

WILLIAMBASINSKIPRESENTS ‘A SHADOW IN TIME’+ JOHN BENCETUE 23 FEBRUARYUNION CHAPEL

SNAKEHIPS+ GUESTS

SAT 19 MARCHTHE STEELYARD

ESPA+ GUESTS

WED 09 MARCHHOXTONBAR & KITCHEN

SOAK+ GUESTS

TUE 22 MARCHKOKO

MR CARMACK+ GUESTS

WED 10 FEBRUARYTHE LAUNDRY

WED 03 FEBRUARYICA

JONES+ GUESTS

KANO+ GUESTS

SAT 19 MARCHTHE TROXY

NAO+ GUESTS

JAY PRINCE+ GUESTS

WED 03 FEBRUARYXOYO

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM GIGSANDTOURS.COM & VENUE BOX OFFICES

TUE 26 & WED 27 APRILVILLAGEUNDERGROUND

SOLD OUT

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STAFF ON REPEATthe tracks we can’t stop listening to this month

JESS: DAVID BOWIE - ANDY WARHOL

DAVE: DAVID BOWIE - YOUNG AMERICANS

LOKI: DAVID BOWIE - VELVET GOLDMINE

DANNY: DAVID BOWIE - TVC15

GEMMA: DAVID BOWIE - MOONAGE DAYDREAM

JACK: DAVID BOWIE - FIVE YEARS

Three years, I mean it’s not that long really, but on the other hand it pretty much feels like a lifetime. How much has changed from those first months? When we first started London in Stereo, I had no idea what I was doing. With ten thousand magazines arriving at my home on Hackney Road, I grabbed a trolley (the only thing I'd bought in preparation, it lasted three issues. RIP trolley, you served us well) loaded it up with way more boxes that it could handle and tried to walk into Shoreditch. To say I'moptimistic is an understatement.

This month we'll have it all down to a slick process, visiting more places than ever, in more areas than ever and truly being able to say that we've come a long a way since those days. Determination, optimism and a few amazing friends is all you need to get started. And people like you are all you need to keep it going.

DAVID BOWIE

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

WELCOME

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londoninstereo.com @LondonInStereo /londoninstereo /london-in-stereo londoninstereo

CHAIRLIFT

LONDON IN STEREO IS:Editor: Jess [email protected]

Deputy Editor: Dave [email protected]

Sub-Editor/Sales: Loki [email protected]

Staff Writers:Danny WrightGemma SamwaysJack Urwin

Photography: Animal Collective: Lucy JohnstonChairlift: Rachel LipsitzDiet Cig (live): Nick Grennon

Contributors:Chris Slade, Lauren Down,Nick Mee, George O’Brien, Hayley Scott, Grant Bailey,Henry Wilkinson, Tim Hakki,Geoff Cowart, Thomas Hannan,Francesca Baker, Lee Wakefield,Alyssa Macgregor Hastie.

08. ON THE STEREO

13. NEW SOUNDS

17. TALES FROM THE CITY

20. CHAIRLIFT

26. ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

32. ALBUM REVIEWS

40. EVENTS

45. GIGS OF THE MONTH

48. LIVE LISTINGS

67. INTO THE NIGHT

69. IN LONDON

70. LIVE REVIEWS

73. PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

CONTENTS

A METROPOLIS MUSIC PRESENTATION

Tickets include a 50p donation to Teenage Cancer Trust (registered charity 1062559 in England and Wales, SC039757 in Scotland) except 12 February

NME.COM/TICKETS | GIGSANDTOURS.COM | TICKETMASTER.CO.UK

PORCHES

The problem with being a music writer who’s supposed to churn out new content every day is that sometimes you get stuck on one song and you want nothing more than to just bask in the glow of it for days on end. Pinegrove’s latest track, ‘Old Friend’, has been like that for me; the kind of tender but powerful rock‘n’roll song that reverberates like wind through trees and bones until it feels like it’s always been right there, watching out for you all along.

PINEGROVEOLD FRIEND

Weirdly wonderful and wonderfully weird, the new record from Porches is a huge side-step from his previous work but one which, thankfully, also feels like a huge leap forward. Expanding his sound to include disco beats and gnarly synth explorations, Porches have simply never sounded either more alive or more important. The mood is dark and eerie and the result is one of 2016’s first truly great albums.

PORCHESBE APART

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FLORIST

MARTHA FFION

A newcomer from London who is still very much in that whole mysterious artist mode, Seeker makes faint but extremely affecting pop songs. If debut track ‘BLEH’ was an intriguing introduction, all swooning vocals and crisp instrumentation, then its follow-up, the beguiling ‘Romeo’, is the moment it all comes to fruition. Keep a very close eye indeed.

SEEKERROMEO

Florist always threatened something truly special and if you thought that their Holdly EP from last year was it then you’ll be even more thrilled by their debut full- length. Taking the blueprint from said collection and simply flying with it, tender pop ballads, all led by the overwhelmingly reflective voice of Emily Sprague, have never sounded quite like this – and it’s all so very special.

FLORISTTHE BIRDS OUTSIDE SANG [LP]

It’s been heartening, to say the least, watching Martha Ffion’s growth over the past twelve months. From small solo shows in Glasgow to a fully-fledged band signing with Turnstile (Perfume Genius, Los Camp, Trust Fund), her recent bouts of heady, fuzzy, blood-warming songs arrive drenched in a love for the old-school while feeling wonderfully fresh at the same time.

MARTHA FFIONWALLFLOWER

With thanks to GoldFlakePaint’s Tom Johnson.GoldFlakePaint online: goldflakepaint.co.uk // facebook.com/GoldFlakePaint // @GoldFlakePaint

LIS_TEMPLATE.indd 1 12/01/2016 15:23LIS_TEMPLATE.indd 1 12/01/2016 15:23

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LISTEN TO: TanONLINE: soundcloud.com/lafawndah // @lafawndah_

Like her music, Yasmine Dubois’ backstory is an intriguing geographical blur. Raised in Paris – and of Iranian, Egyptian and English descent – she’s lived in Mexico City and Tehran, and now resides in New York, where she creates what she terms “alien music”, under a pseudonym pilfered from a drag queen she encountered on her travels.To some extent, “alien music” is a valid description, in the sense that Dubois’ disorientating productions possess an unsettling sci-fi feel, in a similar manner to compositions by Planning-torock, FKA Twigs or Rustie. However, the description also drastically understates her fascination with - and application of - indigenous sounds from all over the planet. On 2015’s Lafawandah EP, reference points ranged from zouk and cumbia to grime, while standout track ‘Jungle Exit’ saw Dubois singing in broken Swahili.

The follow-up EP is every bit as thrillingly nomadic in its focus. Released through Warp on 5th February, Tan was co-produced by Dillon’s Tamer Fahri, Teengirl Fantasy’s Nick Weiss, L-Vis 1990 and ADR, and recorded on Fire Island, New York, rather than in Guadeloupe again. The title track is by turns hyperactive and minimalist, its aggressive beats, snaking keyboard riff and warped samples eventually collapsing, leaving bowel-shaking sub-bass, sinister electronic tics and Dubois daring the subject to, “Show me your teeth”. Like the rest of the EP, it’s both strange and seductive; a unique sensory adventure.

LAFAWNDAH

NEW SOUNDS by Gemma Samways

SOUNDCRASH SHOWS 2016 SOUNDCRASHMUSIC.COM

THE MOUSE OUTFITBETHNAL GREEN WORKING MENS CLUB // 4TH FEB 2016

STANTON SESSIONS PRESENTS: STANTON WARRIORS + CAUSE & AFFECT + TAIKI NULIGHT + MAFIA KISSSHAPES // 6TH FEB 2016

FATIMA & THE EGLO LIVE BANDUNION CHAPEL // 4TH FEB 2016

MAX COOPERCORSICA STUDIOS // 12TH FEB 2016

GOLDEN RULESCORSICA STUDIOS // 12TH FEB 2016

EPHEMERALSBETHNAL GREEN WORKING MENS CLUB // 17TH FEB 2016

MNDSGN + IVAN AVEBIRTHDAYS // 5TH FEB 2016

THE LONDON FUNK AND SOULCLUB FEAT: NICOLE WILLIS + JAZZIE B + DJ FORMAT + MR THINGELECTRIC BALLROOM // 5TH FEB 2016

DAMA DAMA LAUNCH PARTY + MARIBOU STATE B2B PEDESTRIANBERMONDSEY SOCIAL CLUB// 5TH FEB 2016

RYLEY WALKER + DANNY THOMPSONLONDON BUSH HALL // 20TH FEB 2016

TERAKAFTRICH MIX // 18TH FEB 2016

RYLEY WALKER + DANNY THOMPSONLONDON BUSH HALL // 29TH FEB 2016

DREAM KOALABIRTHDAYS // 4TH MAR 2016

LUKE VIBERT + U-ZIQ +CEEPHAX ACID CREW + MOREVILLAGE UNDERGROUND // 4TH MAR 2016

BURAKA SOM SISTEMAELECTRIC BRIXTON // 5TH MAR 2016

SUBMOTION ORCHESTRAO2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE // 11TH MAR 2016

BONOBO PRESENTS… OUTLIERTOBACCO DOCK // 12TH MAR 2016

GOGO PENGUINVILLAGE UNDERGROUND // 25TH FEB 2016

LEE SCRATCH PERRY SUPER APE TOUR + MAD PROFESSOR / TROJAN SOUNDSYSTEM / CHANNEL 1 / PLUS MORE!ELECTRIC BRIXTON // 12TH MAR 2016

THE CORRESPONDENTSVILLAGE UNDERGROUND // 12TH MAR 2016

SOUNDCRASH SHOWS 2016 SOUNDCRASHMUSIC.COM

ULRICH SCHNAUSS + NAT URAZMETOVARICH MIX // 18TH MAR 2016

ESKA

DJ KRUSHELECTRIC BRIXTON // 19TH MAR 2016

KOKO // 31ST MAR 2016

DJ MARKY + LTJ BUKEMELECTRIC BRIXTON // 2ND APR 2016

BEARDYMANELECTRIC BRIXTON // 2ND APR 2016

AKUA NARURICH MIX // 7TH APR 2016

RONI SIZE + DJ KRUSTVILLAGE UNDERGROUND // 8TH APR 2016

JULIA BIELRICH MIX // 15TH APR 2016

LEFTOSHAPES // 22ND APR 2016

MARIBOU STATE (LIVE)SHAPES 23RD APR 2016

LEVELZSHAPES // 27TH APR 2016

DIZRAELISEBRIGHT ARMS // 28TH APR 2016

GOGO PENGUINKOKO // 5TH MAY 2016

THE SOUNDCRASH FUNK & SOUL WEEKENDERCAMBER SANDS // 13TH - 15TH MAY 2016

MATTHEW HALSALL & THE GONDWANA ORCHESTRAST JOHN’S AT HACKNEY CHURCH // 20TH MAY 2016

OWINY SIGOMARICH MIX // 22ND MAY 2016

CLAP! CLAP!SHAPES // 22ND MAY 2016

SONS OF KEMET

VILLAGE UNDERGROUND // 25TH MAY 2016

HOT 8 BRASS BANDELECTRIC BRIXTON // 26TH MAY 2016

VENETIAN SNARESSHAPES // 30TH APR 2016

ONRAISLINGTON ASSEMBLEY HALL // 22ND APR 2016

BALKAN BEAT BEATISLINGTON ASSEMBLEY HALL // 30TH APR 2016

Get tickets and full info at www.rockfeedbackconcerts.com

The LexingtonThursday 04 Feb.

Hackney EmpireFriday 12 Feb.

HeavenWednesday 24 Feb.

The Waiting RoomFriday 18 Mar.

RoundhouseWednesday 16 Mar.

The VictoriaWednesday 04 May.

RoundhouseThurs 18 & Weds 19 May.

RoundhouseFriday 20 May.

RoundhouseSaturday 21 May.

Corsica StudiosWednesday 10 Feb.

Village UndergroundMonday 15 Feb.

St John on Bethnal GreenThursday 25 Feb.

The LexingtonMonday 04 Apr.

OsloThursday 05 May.

The ForgeThursday 26 May.

St. Pancras Old ChurchWednesday 25 May.

XOYOThursday 11 Feb.

The DomeThursday 18 Feb.

ScalaThursday 03 Mar.

ShapesWednesday 27 Apr.

Various, HackneySaturday 06 Aug.

UPCOMING LONDON SHOWSwww.rockfeedbackconcerts.comPresents

BLAENAVON

ONEOHTRIXPOINT NEVER

THE RESIDENTS

POLIÇA

SUNFLOWERBEAN

HANA

RADIATIONCIT Y

KEVINMORBY

BILLRYDER-JONES

FATHERJOHN MISTY

FATHERJOHN MISTY

JULIENBAKER

JULIENBAKER

VISIONSFESTIVAL

SONGHOYBLUES

KIRANLEONARDFLUME

MELT YOURSELF DOWN

THE LANGUAGEOF PLACE

JLIN LE1F

Upcoming London Shows www.rockfeedbackconcerts.com

Get tickets and full info at: www.rockfeedbackconcerts.com

RESTORATIONSLexington Islington

Thursday 18th July

PISSED JEANS1OO Club Soho

Thu 18 & Fri 19 Aug

CAYUCASSebright Arms Bethnal Green

Monday 14th September

CHASTITY BELTThe Victoria Dalston

Thursday 15th October

TITUS ANDRONICUSVillage UndergroundThursday 5th November

NATALIE PRASSKoko Camden

Monday 30th November

COSMO SHELDRAKEXOYO Shoreditch

Thursday 2nd July

VISIONS FESTIVALVenues across London Fields Saturday 8th Sep

JACCO GARDNERDingwalls Camden

Thursday 3rd September

GIRLPOOLScala Kings Cross

Tuesday 15th September

FATHER JOHN MISTYO2 Shepherds Bush EmpireWed 28th & Thur 29th Oct

MARIKA HACKMANUnion Chapel Islington

Friday 6th November

LE1FThe Nest Dalston

Wednesday 8th July

ARTHUR RUSSELL INSTRUMENTALSOval Space Monday 10th September

ALVVAYSO2 Shepherds Bush EmpireFriday 11th September

UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRAO2 Shepherds Bush EmpireWednesday 23rd Sep

SONGHOY BLUESKoko Camden

Wednesday 4th November

THE ORBOval Space Hackney

Friday 13th November

In 2010, my previous band, Here We Go Magic, played Hard Rock Calling. It was summer and actually a beautiful day, rare during my time in England. We were playing before Beach House, so I was nervous. I remembered our stage being a gazebo, but it was actually a tent. Our backstage a field. I headed to the backstage (field) and drank some of the free wine spritzers and beer to settle my nerves (useful). Calmed, we played, and the show went well. While I was packing up I hear an “excuse me”. In front of me was an actor who most women recognize as terribly attractive, blessed with the camera-beauty face, who I will refer to as the Actor We Will Not Name. As handsome as he was on screen, his blue eyes as bright, he goes on to tell me that he loved the show. I accepted the compliment, bewildered, scarlet, a mere mortal. He walked away and I figured I’d never see his iconic face again. My friends and I have this theory that Actor turned Musician is never a good move. They are full of enthusiasm and confidence, yet the A2M has a success rate of slim to none. There’s about one person that we can all agree has done ok; Drake. For some reason, the other way is perfectly fine! Tom Waits, Bowie and Eminem have all done well. Russell Crowe, Scarlett Johansson and

Gosling however, are not doing so well on the musical front. (Maybe those blessed with the DNA of camera-beauty cannot translate the grief experienced by us mere mortals to express a melancholy or ironic musical idea?)A few hours after the festival, we headed back to the studio where we were recording. Here We Go Magic loved to jam. From the corner behind me, I hear something wrong. Someone did not know what language the rest of us were speaking. Not realizing that our producer was friends with Actor We Will Not Name, I didn’t even consider the possibility of him being there, let alone beating out his hopeful transformation from A2M. I turn to see AWWNN exuberantly ripping apart a bongo. He looked up at me with the innocence of a five year old, not realizing he had absolutely no sense of time or rhythm. I suppose in a dream this would seem like a perfect bonding situation, but at this moment, I lost all attraction, and quickly realized that The Beautiful People and Actors alike are mere mortals too.Teeny Lieberson

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TALES FROM THE CITY by Teen

Teen release Love Yes February 19th via Carpark. ONLINE: facebook.com/teentheband // @teentheband // teentheband.net

Craig RichardsTerry Francis

Answer Code RequestBicep

Call SuperDan GhenaciaDaniel AveryDave Clarke

Dyed SoundoromEats Everything

FunctionGreen Velvet

Kobosil (live)Marquis Hawkes

ObjektParanoid London (live)

RødhådShifted

Second Storey (live)Shonky

Skudge (live)Vrilski (live)

Zenker BrothersPlus many more...

www.fabriclondon.com

fabricFeb 2016

Acre / Annix / Ben PearceBenga / Brookes Brothers

Breach / CASisDEADCedric Maison / DJ Hype

Etherwood / FootsieGroove Armada (DJ Set) / Hazard

Jesse Rose / Junior SanchezKeeno / Logan Sama / Mumdance

Noisia / Oliver Dollar / PhacePinch / Rockwell

Shadow Child / S.P.YStray B2B Fracture

Xtrah / Plus many more...

February 2016

� www.fabriclondon.com

In an era of instant gratification, being a Chairlift fan requires a fair amount of patience. It took the duo four years to follow-up their 2008 debut, Does You Inspire You, and now Moth is arriving another neat quadrennium on from Something. Reflecting on the gestation period, down the line from Brooklyn, frontwoman Caroline Polachek explains, “We take our time but we need a lot of time,” adding with a half-laugh, “We’re always optimistic that it’s not gonna take us as long as it will, but we’re perfectionists.”

In fairness, Polachek and her creative partner Patrick Wimberly have hardly been idle in the intervening years. Alongside Polachek’s solo album as Ramona Lisa, there have been collaborations with Blood Orange and SBTRKT, instrumental scores and, most famously, production work for Beyoncé. Then there was the small matter of converting a unit in a former pharmaceutical factory into a working studio, before work on Moth could commence.“We started treating the walls with audio panelling in February 2013, and the first songs came shortly thereafter,” Polachek recalls. “The studio really became a cocoon for us. The path that we walked every morning to get to the studio – the

CHAIRLIFT

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sidewalks, the subways – they would mentally set the scene for working every day, and it gave us a lot of energy.”“When we arrived in the studio, it suddenly felt so quiet and intimate and far away from all that… It really did feel like this internal organ of New York City, in which we could reflect on the outside. And I think having built our studio and these productions from the ground up, really made us want to make everything perfect.”Even by their own high standards, Moth is a remarkable achievement; an innovative, soulful electro-pop record that bristles with kinetic energy. It has huge potential for crossover success, which is doubly impressive considering that esoteric reference points included A. R. Rahman’s

Bollywood soundtracks and mid-80s Japanese fusion music, and that it was written with Sean Connery’s 70s sci-fi flick ‘Zardoz’ playing on a silent loop in the background. There’s a newfound directness to their songwriting too, and the duo’s decision to swap the hazy reverb that enveloped much of Something for crisp, clean production allows their skilful arrangements to shine.“We really wanted to hone in on the joy and freedom that some of our favourite songs can give us,” Polachek explains. “And, lyrically, to make ourselves more vulnerable; to bring our actual lives to the table, as opposed to having fun with abstraction.”Like its predecessor, it’s an album with love and relationships at its heart.

WORDS: GEMMA SAMWAYSPHOTOGRAPHY: RACHEL LIPSITZ

Moth is out now, via Columbia Records.

LIVE: Scala, March 9th.

ONLINE: chairlifted.com @Chairliftedfacebook.com/chairlift

“WE REALLY WANTED TO HONE IN ON THEJOY AND FREEDOM THAT SOME OF OUR

FAVOURITE SONGS CAN GIVE US”

However, Polachek emphasises the distinction between the “passive- aggressive” energy of Something and the unguarded emotion driving Moth, which was written while she was falling in love with her now-husband. Listening, the record seems to trace the trajectory of a love affair, from flirtation and lust (‘Romeo’ / ’Ch-Ching’) to intimacy and contentment (‘Ottawa to Osaka’ / ‘No Such Thing’). Though Polachek concedes that, in hindsight, the interpretation “really is accurate” she insists it’s coincidental, and that the sequencing of the record was centred around “the sonics and the energy of it”.Though the majority of Moth was self-produced, they did seek external help

from Quadron’s Robin Hannibal in the final stages, for ‘Ch-Ching’, ‘Moth To The Flame’ and ‘Show U Off’. “Sometimes it just takes someone to say, ‘Look: there’s a reason why the traditional move is the right one’,” Polachek laughs. “It’s because it works.” And yet, it’s this very unconventionality - of both song structure and melody - that continues to keep Chairlift fans enthralled.

Goldenvoice Presents

THE LIBERTINES30.01.16THE O2

ANNE-MARIE01.02.16VILLAGE UNDERGROUND

LUCY ROSE03.02.16HEATH STREET BAPTIST CHURCH

VILLAGERS AIDAN KNIGHT + HOLLY MACVE11.02.16ST JOHN AT HACKNEY CHURCH

MARIBOU STATE+ KHRUANGBIN17.02.16KOKO

BARNS COURTNEY18.02.16HOXTON SQUARE BAR AND KITCHEN

EAGULLS02.03.16OLSO HACKNEY

FUFANU02.03.16SEBRIGHT ARMS

HONNE03.03.16BRIXTON ELECTIRC

ELLIE GOULDING+ JOHN NEWMAN24.03.16THE O225.03.16 THE O2

WOLF ALICE26.03.16O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN27.03.16 O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN28.03.16 O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN

BRYSON TILLER29.03.16KOKO30.03.16KOKO

BIG UPS30.03.16LEXINGTON

MATT & KIM08.04.16SCALA

YEARS & YEARS+ MØ08.04.16THE SSE ARENA WEMBLEY

ISLAND20.04.16OSLO HACKNEY

FATHER JOHN MISTY18.05.16THE ROUNDHOUSE19.05.16THE ROUNDHOUSE20.05.16THE ROUNDHOUSE

SHURA26.05.16O2 SHEPHERD’SBUSH EMPIRE

LION BABE01.06.16KOKO

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

SOLD OUT

JAN

– J

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“I thought of it likeprimitive peopledancing arounda fire.”- Panda Bear

“We’re not super proficient in the technical language of talking about music and we found ourselves talking about paint a lot. I can remember someone saying ‘I want the song to work as if you took a paint brush and slobbered this one colour over it’.”

Noah Lennox, aka Panda Bear, is talking about how paint became central to the making of the astonishing new Animal Collective, an album shot through with vivid colours and joyful washes. Painting With, their eleventh LP, is the bewitchingly technicolour work of a unique band. And that singularity even comes across in the way they discussed making the album.

“I think the sounds we started hearing made us think of paint and just looking at songs from strange perspectives,” adds Dave Portner (Avey Tare). “In the same way that cubists tried to portray normal things in new or obscured ways.”

And yet, of course, in Animal Collective’s universe it makes complete sense. For a band who have created music that’s hard to capture in mere words, pictures and visual language seem like the perfect way to communicate ideas. And all the way through they were crucial to the making of the album. “We had these projections on the wall which was essentially a YouTube mixtape that Dave’s sister made of all this dinosaur stuff,” explains Noah, creating a bizarrely captivating picture of what happened in the studio. “So there was this never ending loop of stuff. Some of it was pretty humorous.”

It begs the question of how dinosaurs became integral to the recording process. “Like paint, thinking about this pre-historic landscape was just something we just found ourselves talking about with the songs. We wanted to make music that kind of sounded like early people, cavemen - I always thought of it like primitive people dancing around a fire.I wanted the music to conjure that idea.”

Dave concurs. “Yeah, it came from the primitive nature of the rhythms and sort of cave person vibe we started hearing. I think there’s something about the idea or energy of magic that can be tied into a primitive way of thinking and living – feeding off the power of the basic elements.”

Painting With is primitive in the most human way. Recorded in the same studios that Pet Sounds was recorded (“There was a lot of history in there for sure. Some Marvin Gaye stuff was done there. Apparently Studio 1 there - we were in 3 - was Frank Sinatra’s spot and they still had his little podium there which was awesome,” notes Noah.) it’s a record that’s as inventive as they’ve ever been;

animal collectivewords: danny wright // photography & artwork: lucy johnston

LiS 27

a record of gorgeous burbling melodies, kaleidoscopic intertwining voices and that unique Animal Collective magic.

Yet, there were also new ways of doing things that helped to shape this sound: this was the first time they’d ever recorded a record without playing it live first. “The fact we’d never done it this way was reason enough to try it. But I also feel when you’re performing songs before you record them – and we’re as guilty of this as anyone else – you sort of get attached to the idea of what the song is, based on that live version. So when the studio version comes out it still might

be great but often that first impression is the most lasting – so I think we were excited to see what it would be like to have the first impression of that song to be the studio version.”“It was nice to go into the studio being really open minded about the songs,” agrees Dave. “Without being precious about what any of us was doing. It’s like we could all hear the songs for the first time.”And both Dave and Noah were attempting to write in a fresh way too. “We wanted to do something vocally that was new to us and that we hadn’t really done and trying

to think about writing music for two singers where if you took one of them out the vocal kind of falls apart.”

And it means you’ll see their vocals gleefully falling in and out of syncopation on the record. “I think for both of us it was about basing a melody on both of us singing together,” explains Dave. “Whereas in the past our singing parts usually consists of two melodies sort of twisting around each other or a straight harmony, this new style takes two voices and has them twist into the same melody almost to the point of not knowing who is saying what. In terms of my songs I

think ‘Floridada’ or ‘Vertical’ does this in my own style. It’s tough because wedon’t want every song to sound the same. So it became a challenge to do it in different ways.”

For Noah it was the beautiful ‘Summing the Wretch’ which showed the way. “That was the first one I did and the way the vocals work on that song I used as a template for all the others,” adds Noah. “Although I have to add that that song actually follows the template of ‘Boys Latin’ off my last Panda Bear album.”

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Painting With is released, February 19th via Domino.LIVE: O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, April 11/12th.ONLINE: [email protected]/anmlcollective

Saxophonist Colin Stetson, who’s previously collaborated with Arcade Fire, also brought a fresh perspective. “We’d never really found out a way to incorporate brass into our music, and Colin was able to use it in inventive ways which was super cool,” explains Noah.

“There was a specific part of FloriDada that we wanted a saxophone-like sound to take over. And there were a lot of other moments on the songs when we wantedto have surprising moments - where we wanted it popping out of the page like a like a pop-up book where your turn the page and the thing kind of jumps outat you.”

Yet despite this ceaseless experimentation it's also the most concise Animal Collective album. And that intention to keep songs short was there from the start. “The brevity of the songs was something we talked about before we’d even written any music and I think we stayed true to that,” says Noah.

“I’m blown away by songs like ‘Nature Boy’ or ‘Waterloo Sunset’ where it feels like all of this awesome stuff happens in a really short time,” adds Dave.

I mention it also sounds more accessible but, unsurprisingly for a band who have become successful not by conforming to expectations but by constantly turning them on their head, that idea doesn’t concern them. “It’s never really about making an accessible record because I think there will always be people that don’t like our band. At this point I don’t really care much about changing their minds. I just like the challenge of seeing ideas come to fruition and being personally psyched and proud of what I do. And feeling that there is a place in the Animal Collective catalogue for this music,” reasons Dave. So, I ask: this Animal Collective sound – the thing that runs through everything they do, that brings all these ideas and restless invention together over their seventeen

years together – are they able to articulate it? But it’s like grasping mist.

“I’m not totally sure,” admits Noah hesitating. “I like to think it has something to do with a kind of openness to styles and forms of music. I guess it’s tough for me to say.”

How about Dave? “I can’t do that, I’m sorry. I articulate it by playing it. I guess that’s why I chose to do it.”

Colours. Paint. Pop-up books. Dinosaurs. Cavemen. This is the surreal visual language that brings Animal Collective’s work to life. But even these only come close to approaching their weird and wonderful world. Painting With is a masterpiece.

MatadorOut Now

Stand Out Tracks:Slowing Down The WorldSad PersonSurrender

Live: March 17th, Roundhouse

Recently a friend and I were discussing the throwaway nature of current popular culture.Will we still be listening to Bieber in 40 years, the way we’ve all been revisiting Bowie? And, though you can convincingly argue that the best pop songs written have been about love, when every song on mainstream radio is now explicitly about that emotion, you have to question whether you can name a singer in the charts that sings about politics, sexuality and gender identity? Is there anyone like Kate Bush exploring gender roles through music and performance, as she did on 1978’s ‘Lionheart’?Pop culture might alienate those of us who don’t quite feel like we belong, but this is why we’re lucky to at least have a thriving underground where bands like Savages exist. With post-punk being their most obvious sonic reference point, it doesn’t matter that their formula is one that replicates an era that was revived a decade before. While those bands that dominated indie rock in the mid-noughties looked to Gang of Four and Joy Division for rhythmic inspiration, Savages’ music has always found a kinship with the oppositional politics of post-punk, the thematic darkness and anxiety about the dehumanising effects of technology. Particularly on their debut Silence Yourself which, although an undeniably stellar debut, wasn’t, in retrospect, quite as game-changing as critics proclaimed; lacking a touch in consistency and assuredness. Adore Life finds the glowing embers of Silence Yourself and stokes them with a confidence that sees the band roar into glorious life. Lyrically, Jehnny Beth is on fire too - and focused on that mainstream radio staple: love. Don’t expect too much in the way of cutesy la-la-love-you, though. Instead we’re dealing with doubt, lust and contradiction at every turn. A place where every “I need you, I need you, I need something new,” is met with a “Is it human to ask for more? Is it human to adore life?” which is met with a “Is it love, or is it boredom?”. We’re talking about the real stuff here. Savages’ music still feels out of step with current trends, and with its tumbling, heavy percussion, Beth’s Siouxsie-like battle cries, and the emphasis placed on Ayse Hassan’s bass, there’s no mistaking this band for anyone else, despite their reference points. Adore Life is a huge step forwards for Savages, and thrillingly the potential for something even better definitely remains. Will we be talking about them in 40 years? Well, maybe not on the same scale as cultural icons like Bowie et al, but as proponents of a music scene that celebrates women and difference? Certainly. This is what you get when you mess with love. Hayley Scott

SAVAGESADORE LIFE

RECORD OF THE MONTHALBUMS

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Kristine Leschper’s quivering falsetto – ushered in on the sparse tinkering of mandolin strings – offers a warming, mournful introduction to Mothers’ debut album. The delicate fluctuations of her voice find their reflection in the poised arrangements of opening number ‘Too Small For Eyes’ whilst

hinting at something altogether more tumultuous beneath the surface. It’s this anguished underbelly that the rest of the record concerns itself with. Emotional intensity rises and falls on waves of howling guitar strings and juddering post-rock rhythms – slowing and quickening their pace to suit the mood, occasionally veering into math rock territory. Leschper’s moreish, yearning voice cracks and strains with anger and loss in a manner that elicits comparisons to Angel Olsen, but there is something more intimate, urgent and elegant at play here. Lauren Down

Rejuvenated after five years working with Caribou, Jessy Lanza and on their own solo projects, Jeremy Greenspan and Matthew Didemus’ sixth album as Junior Boys is equal parts familiarity and revelation. Though their trademark luscious-but-pensive delivery remains, the influence of Detroit

techno looms large, with their grooves meaner in spirit. They thrive in unabashed pop, like the classic disco of ‘Baby Give Up On It’ or ‘You Say That’’s infectious chorus, yet on their slower turns – ‘C’mon Baby’ or the barely-there ‘No One’s Business’ – you may find your attention slipping (unless you’re really, really into how nice distorted synths can sound). Minor quibbles however, and though So This Is Goodbye remains the place newcomers should start, they should don a Big Black Coat soon after. Thomas Hannan

Noel Heroux finds himself on the precipice of a big 2016; nestled under Sub Pop’s storied wing, a string of well-received EPs in his wake, he’s emerged from the ashes of NYC’s Hooray For Earth without missing a step. For all the good news, little light penetrates the vein of pessimism that

runs beneath the clean veneer of Mass Gothic’s electro-pop. Mass Gothic is inherently uncertain, presenting a string of party lifestyle laments disguised as pre-night pick-me-ups. This misdirection is its main appeal, with tracks like ‘Every Night You’ve Got To Save Me’ pushing Heroux’s sunny brand of disillusionment. The melodic sensibilities will satisfy the indie casual, but for those willing to dig deeper an affecting, bipolar experience awaits. Grant Bailey

JUNIOR BOYSBIG BLACK COATCity Slang // February 5th

MOTHERS // WHEN YOU WALK A LONGDISTANCE YOU ARE TIREDWichita Recordings // February 26th

MASS GOTHICMASS GOTHICSub Pop // February 5th

Fond memories aside, all that most of us can hope to bring back from a holiday are a tan, some bearable local booze and a non-crippling amount of debt. The fact that Meilyr Jones returned from his brief Roman sojourn with the inspiration for this excellent record is just one of many reasons why the former Race Horses-singer is better at being a human than most of us.

Described by Jones as a “compilation of myself, over the period of a year,” 2013 documents a voyage of self-discovery via twelve inventively-arranged and witty vignettes. On the 60s-inspired guitar-pop of ‘Strange Emotional’ he describes himself as “an actor, recalling my previous lives / No Hamlet, no Macbeth, come and see me tonight,” and he’s consistently captivating, whether playing the narrator or the protagonist. Rome is cast in a crucial supporting role throughout, providing a physical setting for many of the stories, and a rich set of cultural reference points.What’s most impressive here, is the way Jones effortlessly straddles entire centuries, from the buoyant, Belle & Sebastian-esque ‘How To Recognise A Work Of Art’ to the orchestral baroque-pop of ‘Return To Life’, via the stately, harpischord-led ‘Rome’. Tellingly, Jones is just as engaging alone at the piano, as on ‘Refugees’. There’s a lot to digest here, but persevere and you’ll be generously rewarded. A fascinating introduction to a 21st century Renaissance man. Gemma Samways

As ascents go, Aaron Maine’s has been steady if a little unexpected. While slightly surprising, it’s hardly undeserved; his ability as a songwriter shone throughout 2013’s Slow Dance In The Cosmos, an album that melded guitar and synth into gleefully offbeat pop with middling results. Pool, Porches’ first effort for Domino, is perhaps the record it should have been. As opening track ‘Underwater’

beautifully unfurls, the confidence from its creator is striking in comparison to what has come before. In retrospect, the subtle signs of promise had been foreshadowed in the sporadic singles – ‘Prism’ and ‘Leather’ – that crept into view in the intervening years however neither of those sported the restraint nor allure that oozes from this long player as it progresses. This time, Aaron Maine positions his grooves front and centre. While not exactly primed for the dance floor, tracks such as ‘Glow’ and ‘Mood’ are the result of slinking bass lines and cascading synths wrestling with darker undertones, lending the album a sense of captivating uneasiness. Despite insisting “I want to be a part/apart of it all”, Pool is still the output of a figure struggling to settle in a new city. Much is made of Maine’s cathartic approach to songwriting; “feeling better was making a song,” he remarks within the album’s press release. If this meticulous process continues to result in brave, beguiling records such as this one, long may it continue. Lee Wakefield

MEILYR JONES2013Moshi Moshi // February 26th

PORCHESPOOLDomino // February 5th

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“You can drink the elixir now,” Nick Kivlen wails through the opener and title track of Sunflower Bean’s debut full length, a record that is indeed a brilliantly medicinal cocktail of indie shoegaze and bedroom psychedelia.With Human Ceremony, the New York three have realised

their potential and the CMJ-led excitement that has been surrounding them. The fuzzed-out rock‘n’roll of ‘Wall Watcher’ is blissfully juxtaposed by the floating, gentle melancholy of ‘Oh, I Just Don’t Know’ and wonderfully woozy displays in ‘Easier Said’ and the dreamy ‘I Want You To Give Me Enough Time’. It is this light and shade that makes Human Ceremony so intrinsically returnable. Sunflower Bean have the perfect remedy for all those wintery indie heartaches. George O’Brien

SUNFLOWER BEANHUMAN CEREMONYFat Possum // February 5th

Written and part-recorded prior to Ben Curtis’ death from lymphoma in 2013, SVIIB was completed by the Brooklyn duo’s remaining half,

Alejandra Deheza, in the aftermath of that “tragic, soul-shaking tidal wave”. Given the band’s disposition for sweet tonal melancholy and intimate lyrics, this farewell outing could have been overwhelmingly mournful. Yet the trancey dream-pop retains its Cocteaus meets Ladytron grace, a synth- heavy haze enveloping songs reliant on the extent to which Deheza’s swooping melodies haunt your daydreams. SVIIB doesn’t always succeed, but harmonies crest and dip characteristically, especially over the chorus of ‘Music Takes Me’ and glistening opener ‘Ablaze’ – a love letter to Deheza’s absent soulmate. These rapturous touches, and the singer’s soft, methodical delivery to a backing so sparse it’s like ambient vapour, form an affecting eulogy. Nick Mee

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLSSVIIBFull Time Hobby // February 12th

Last January saw instances of the words ‘Russian’ and ‘shoegaze’ appearing in the same sentence increase exponentially all

thanks to the debut album from Pinkshinyultrablast. A year on and it’s something we’re over and not really in need of repeating. Thankfully though, follow up album Grandfeathered throws a few curve-balls and sees the band carve out more of an identity. Opener ‘Initial’ dives into a brave new world of tectonic electro, sounding like Aphex Twin remixing Cocteau Twins, while ‘Glow Vastly’ and ‘I Catch You Napping’ inject fresh momentum with post-punk and math influences. That’s not to say the Pinkshinies have discarded old habits completely though; each track is coated with seismic amounts of reverb, making this nu-gaze with the grandest of pretentions. Henry Wilkinson

PINKSHINYULTRABLASTGRANDFEATHEREDClub AC30 // February 26th

Quilt’s latest album Plaza is such a varied patchwork of multi-layered folk, Americana, twiddling psych and choral music that at times I had to flick back to check I was still listening to the same band. Evoking a sound of campestral serendipity and tawny shimmer, it’s a sharply executed

album that reeks of wanderlust, while staying rooted at its core in catchy riffs and appealing melodies. Seamless windswept blossoming on ‘Elliot Street’ follows autumnal tumult on ‘Roller’, whilst ‘Searching For’ is a lush sixties-infused pop ditty and ‘O’Conner’s Barn’ hints at influences from Warpaint and Waxahatchee. Threadbare but buoyant, there’s a feeling of happenstance in its felicity and sentiment, a quelled sense of exploration as the day rolls by and the road opens up. Francesca Baker

When you look beyond the radio-ready songwriting of Bloc Party’s fifth album Hymns it’s evident that Kele Okereke is back on some kind of form. The departure of Matt Tong and Gordon Moakes means the instrumentals aren’t as busy or as virtuosic as anything before, but Bloc Party 2.0 have

succeeded in creating a very immediate neo-soul breakup record. Occasionally the subject matter can get a little too mawkish and piss-the-bed for the man whose rise to prominence was hinged around the challenging and poetic lyrical ambiguities on Silent Alarm, but instrumentally Hymns is elegant penance for the graceless Deftones posturing of Four. ‘Only He Can Heal Me’ is one of Kele’s finest moments - it’s a masterly petition for spiritual redemption. Tim Hakki

Easy-to-use consoles make it simple to select the wash/spin speed combination for each and every load, the manual says. However what the folks at Whirpool didn’t anticipate was that their Ultimate Care II washer could spawn 39 minutes of forward-looking electronica. Confined to the Baltimore

basement of Drew Daniel and M.C. Schmidt the appliance was tapped to create an otherworldy epic song, ranging from moments of Miami Bass to drone – all while keeping the Matmos guys looking fresh. Even by the sonic prankster’s audacious standards this project sounds fluffy as hell. But the barrage of banging metronomic grooves and water-based samples are softened with a variety of other truly alien, yet intriguing, sonic oddities. Repeated spins prove its musical merits come out in the wash. Geoff Cowart

BLOC PARTYHYMNSInfectious Music // Out Now

QUILTPLAZAMexican Summer // February 26th

MATMOSULTIMATE CARE IIThrill Jockey // February 19th

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london_in_stereo_jan_2016.indd All Pages 15/01/2016 13:51

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Eyes left. What’s that? That’s the Pitt Cue Co bone marrow mash. Isn’t it just about the prettiest thing you ever saw? Where can you get it? Well, not in Soho anymore, because Pitt Cue are on the move. That’s right, as of the end of January they shut up shop on their original site, and are relocating to Devonshire Square, near Liverpool St Station. Will we be going? Well, we stood under Hungerford Bridge in the rain at their trailer, waiting for macanchini. We queued for however- long-we-didn’t-care in Soho. So, yes, we’ll be there because 1) It’s the best bbq food in London and 2) They’ll be taking reservations. What else? Well, we don’t know tons yet, but the site is going to be bigger, the menu more expansive – we’re hoping for some fishy dishes to go with all that meat – and we’re sure the drinks options are going to be incredible. But, to be honest as long as there are picklebacks and bone marrow mash...Opening February. 1 The Avenue, Devonshire Sq. pittcue.co.uk // @PittCueCo

PITT CUE CO MOVES EAST

Convergence returns this March to bring you a bigger event than ever before. Emphasising and celebrating the link between music, art and technology, the festival has brought some of the most interesting and innovative events to London in recent years. Ambitious in reach, this year sees them pay homage to the work of Gil Scott-Heron with a night celebrating his life: Jamie Woon, Kwabs, Loyle Carner and more will reinterpret Scott-Heron’s work with a contemporary twist. The festival runs for a total of ten days with installations, workshops and talks run alongside an incredible gig programme. Factory Floor, Dan Deacon, Larry Gus, !!!, Of Montreal and many more put their name in the mix for a real celebration of flourishing creativity.March 10th-20th. Various locationsconvergence-london.com // @ConvergenceLDN

CONVERGENCE FESTIVAL

EVENTS a selection of new stuff we’re excited about:

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Rockfeedback are pairing up with Faber Social this month for a very special one-off event The Language of Place. Hosted in the beautiful St John on Bethnal Green church, it will be a night of talks from revered and fascinating writers including the prolific novelist, journalist and political commentator Will Self, London expert Iain Sinclair and the exceptionally talented Nina Lyon, interjected with music from digital machinery and acoustic combining act, The Memory Band. An evening to nourish your brain and spark your imagination.

Feb 25th. £15. St John On Bethnal Green, E2 9PA. @FaberSocial // @rockfeedback

THE LANGUAGE OF PLACE

We’re giving you an early head’s-up on this March festival: Label Mates is returning to East London, and it’s stronger than ever. What we’re looking at is a collection of the best record labels around coming together to create one huge, celebratory week. The likes of Burger Records, Art Is Hard, PNKSLM, Fortuna Pop, Heavenly, Distant Hawaii and more are going to be putting on a heap of the most fun bands around. So, long story short, you don’t want to miss it. Some shows are free, some cost but are cheap - get on their site and learn more.

March 4th-13th, Various venues, East London. label-mates.com // facebook.com/labelmateslondon

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This year Vogue is turning 100 years old, and of course they’re doing so in style. Teaming up with one of our favourite London galleries they will be displaying photography from the last century of the magazine’s life. Rich in colour, texture and history, their collection is second-to-none. With over 280 photos from the Condé Nast archive, it’ll undoubtedly be full of breathtaking images from arguably the most influential magazine of all time, that have been taken by the most talented and creative photographers ever.

Feb 11th-May 22nd. National Portrait Gallery. npg.org.uk // @NPGLondon #Vogue100

VOGUE 100: A CENTURY OF STYLE Photograph: Cecil Beaton/Conde Nast Publications

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BRIXTON WINDMILLAUSTIN LUCAS // ADAM FAUCETT Country, Americana and more besides;Austin Lucas’ ‘Between The Moon AndThe Midwest’ LP sees him on top form.

@windmillbrixton28/02/16 - £9adv

THE OLD BLUE LASTWENDY JAMESYes, that Wendy James, Transvision Vamp Wendy James. At The OBL.With a new solo album, and fingers crossed for some 80s classics.

@theoldbluelast15/02/16 FREE

THE GARAGETHE STRYPES // THE AMAZONS // OTHERKINAn NME awards show, and a great chance to see some up-and-coming new acts in this relatively intimate venue.

@TheGarageHQ01/02/16 £14.60adv

HIGHBURY ANDISLINGTON

SHACKLEWELL ARMSSEA PINKS // THE LEAF LIBRARY //YOUNG ROMANCEIn our review of Sea Pinks’ latest album‘Soft Days’, we said: “Take all the bestaspects of outsider pop from the lastdecades and you've got ‘Soft Days’.”

THE LEXINGTONMOTHERSPost-rock rhythms and emotionalintensity come together to incredibleeffect with these Wichita signings.

ANGEL@thelexington26/02/16 £7adv

BRIXTON

BUSH HALLLONGFELLOW // FRANKLINLongfellow are blessed with a naturalpop suss. Their crashing crescendos andgiant choruses will fill Bush Hall beautifully,for this, their biggest headline show yet.

@Bushhallmusic18/02/16 £10 SHEPHERD’S

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@Shacklewell Arms12/02/16 £6 DALSTON JUNCTION /

KINGSLAND

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GIGS OF THE MONTHOUR PICK OF THE BEST SHOWS HAPPENING IN DECEMBER & JANUARY

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photo: Lucy Johnston

THE GOOD SHIPDEAD PRETTIES // TEAM NEWBAND + MORE Peace In The City presents a night ofrock action, and all for a fiver!

@thegoodshipNW605/02/16 £5adv

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OSLOLANTERNS ON THE LAKEThe always-wonderful Lanterns On TheLake return to London after a sold-outMoth Club show, in support of theirfinest album yet, ‘Beings’.

@OsloHackney11/02/16 £12.50adv

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THE DOMESUNFLOWER BEANA band getting a lot of love from a lot of people - catch them here whilst you can.

@DomeTufnellPark18/10/16 £10adv

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SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERSFAKE LAUGHKamran Khan’s Fake Laugh win heartswherever they play, with their melodic guitar pop, and hooks for miles.

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O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMYLITTLE SIMZOur recent cover star, and one of the mostelectrifying live acts you’ll see around.You do not want to miss this show.

@O2Islington16/02/16 £11adv

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NEW CROSS INNSECRET TONGUES // CAESAR //KARMACOMA // COLD BONESA whole night of indie thrills. Expectplenty of shoegaze and dreampop.

@NewCrossInn18/02/16 £3 NEW CROSS /

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BORDERLINETHE GOOD LIFETrading in their folkier sound for something altogether more rock, The Good Life are back with a bang.

@theborderline20/02/16 £12adv

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NZCA LINES

BEDROOM BARWE’RE NO HEROES A Cardiff three-piece, formed in Chicago,delving into the angular world of 80sindie and math rock.

@Bedroom_Bar23/02/16 FREE

FABRICNOISIA // PHACE // BENGA //ROCKWELL // MUMDANCESerious drum’n’bass action in Room 1,celebrating 10 years of the Tectoniclabel in Room 2. Big night in EC1.

@fabriclondon31/02/16 From £40adv

THE PICKLE FACTORYNZCA LINES // LITTLE CUBLong time LiS favouries NZCA Lines areback with an incredible 2nd album, filledwith all the smart synth-pop you’d expect.

@PickleFactoryE216/02/16 £7.50

BIRTHDAYSMÃS // EL CROW // TIM DE GRAAUWMãs are inspired by the hooks of Michael Jackson, the grooves ofPrince and the atmospheres of Daft Punk. Sounds good, right?

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THE LOCK TAVERNBXCENTRIC // EARL GREY // SUNSWe’re promised electronic loft party vibes,and you know what, sometimes in the depths of winter that’s just what we need.

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WAITING ROOMHUNCKNewcomers earning favourablecomparisions to the likes of Mazzy Star,which sounds a good thing to us.

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100 CLUBTHE MAGIC GANGIf you’ve seen them live before, you’reprobably already going, if not - get along& find out about The Magic Gang fuss.

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HECKTUE 22 MAR 7PM 14+ £12.50ADV

TOSELANDFRI 25 MAR 7PM 14+ £15 ADV

LETZ ZEP - TALES OF STORMS TOUR 2016WED 30 MAR 7PM 14+ £7 ADV

BILLY LOCKETFRI 05 AUG 7PM 14+ £12.50ADV

SARABETH & GLENN MITCHELL UK TOUR

Classic Indie, Rock & Brit PopEVERY FRIDAY

There ain’t no party like our 90s party

WED 03 FEB 7PM 14+ £10ADV

NICKI BLUHM & THE RAMBLERSTHU 04 FEB 7PM 14+ £10 ADV

ALBERTA CROSSPLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

FRI 05 FEB 7PM 14+ £8 ADV

FOR APOLLOINSESSION AND TONY BOWEN

TUE 09 FEB 7PM 14+ £9 ADV

THE SHERLOCKSPLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

WED 10 FEB 6PM 14+ £5 ADV

THE ROOMDORIS BRENDEL

THU 18 FEB 7.15PM 14+ £17.50 ADV

MIKEY BROMLEY DYLAN EVANS + CHARLIE GEORGE + SAMANTHA HARVEY

SAT 20 FEB 7PM 14+ £12 ADV

THE GOOD LIFETUE 23 FEB 7PM 14+ £8.50ADV

FATHERSONPLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

THU 25 FEB 7PM 14+ £15 ADV

JANE GETTERTINY GIANT

For more information and to become a member of the NTIA visit: ntia.co.uk // @wearethentia // facebook.com/wearethentia

– In this month’s column Alan Miller, of the The Night Time IndustriesAssociation (NTIA), looks at 2016 opportunites and reasons to be positive –

STARTING 2016 WITH AN EXCITING COLLABORATION

what will go on to become (shh) another national campaign…So all-in-all this is an enormous contribution for all who love our nightlife. While there is so much to do, we’re confident and excited about the year ahead. Last year saw some fantastic achievements: We Love Hackney had thousands of engaged local residents challenge the council’s wrong minded ideas about clubs, The Bussey Building had supporters challenge developers’ plans which led to both Southwark rethinking and the developers engaging and, of course, Fabric fought a valiant twelve-month fight for everyone in the UK by challenging the ever- increasing demands for fortress-like security at some of the world’s best run cultural and business destinations.So, I shall leave you with the words of Dick Leijen, co-founder and CEO of I'M IN, as to why they have done this. I would ask you all to give I'M IN a go – try it out, it’s quite unique, spends no money on advertising and marketing and, as we all know, word of mouth is the way to go.“As long time supporters and contributors to nightlife globally, the team at I’M IN are delighted to be working alongside the NTIA in helping raise awareness of the UK’s night time economy which is recognised worldwide for its innovation, vibrancy and diversity. In simple terms fewer venues means less choice and with almost a million music fans now using I’M IN across Europe, we feel that the continued pressure placed on music venues is something the public should be made aware of and so encouraged to support the aims of the NTIA and its members”Come on then y’all. You In?http://appimin.com

Many of us are full of resolutions at the start of a new year and that’s all good. Some last longer than others but we at The NTIA are excited to announce, at the start of our second year, a collaboration that really is ‘win, win…win’.I'M IN, the hugely successful app which was launched in Amsterdam has partnered with The NTIA to provide an amazing offer for the night time industry, for people that love going to concerts, events and clubs, for promoters and, indeed, for The NTIA as we seek to win over the hearts and minds of policy makers and authorities up and down the country. So here they are: the three wins.1: A win for venue owners, operators and, crucially, promoters - I'M IN will offset between £200 and £375 of new membership fees to The NTIA for 2016 for those undertaking a campaign on their platform. This enables a double whammy: premises and promoters get to join NTIA and benefit from additional traffic and revenue from new customers.2: A win for event and club lovers, or as advertisers like to call us all, ‘consumers’ – with I'M IN you get the chance to ‘spin the wheel’ for all kinds of tickets and opportunities to get to see and go to concerts, club nights and more up and down the country.3: A win, clearly, for The NTIA - new membership across the UK is hugely important; the more we represent, the further our message carries and the stronger we all are. Also, though the enormous financial challenges, and the increasing psychological pressures of continually tightening regulations, are huge for those in the night time industries world, I'M IN have taken constructive steps to support the voice of nightlife lovers – and this is the first part of LiS 67

INTO THE NIGHT

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HEATE RS

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SKINNY GIRL DIET

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TOXEFrid ay 2 6 Fe b ru a r y

NATHAN GREGORY WILKINS

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YUCK

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VE NICE TRIP

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SKINNY GIRL DIET Lanzarotep rese nts02—16 #l a n za rotewo rks

Shacklewell Arms71 S h ackl ewe l l La n e Lo n d o n E 8

M o n d ay 1 Fe b ru a r y

JIMMY WHISPERSFrid ay 5 Fe b ru a r y

DEAD COAST (LP LAUNCH) Sat u rd ay 6 Fe b ru a r y

COBALT CR ANES Th u rsd ay 1 1 Fe b ru a r y

MILD HIGH CLUB Frid ay 1 9 Fe b ru a r y

HEATE RS

The Lock Tavern3 5 Ch a l k Fa rm Rd Lo n d o n NW 1

Th u rsd ay 4 Fe b ru a r y

SCREAMING PEACHES Frid ay 5 Fe b ru a r y

MURK AGE DAVE (DJ)Sat u rd ay 1 3 Fe b ru a r y

HUNG UP DJSFrid ay 2 6 Fe b ru a r y


VE NICE TRIPTh u rs 24 — S u n 27 M a rch

SKINNY GIRL DIET

The Waiting Room175 Sto ke N ewi n g to n H ig h St N 1 6

Sat u rd ay 6 Fe b ru a r y

ETHLY + FLORITu esd ay 9 Fe b ru a r y

AVANTE BLACKTh u rsd ay 1 1 Fe b ru a r y

DAISUKE TANABE (LIVE)Frid ay 1 2 Fe b ru a r y

TOXEFrid ay 2 6 Fe b ru a r y

NATHAN GREGORY WILKINS

MOTH Club3 5 Ch a l k Fa rm Rd Lo n d o n NW 1

Frid ay 5 Fe b ru a r y

TOGETHE R PANGEAFrid ay 1 2 Fe b ru a r y

DAN SHAKE / DAN BEAUMONT

Th u rsd ay 1 8 Fe b ru a r y

WHITNEYTu esd ay 23 Fe b ru a r y

E MPRESS OFFrid ay 2 6 + Sat u rd ay 27 Fe b ru a r y

YUCK

Frid ay 2 6 Fe b ru a r y


VE NICE TRIP

Th u rs 24 — S u n 27 M a rch

SKINNY GIRL DIET

LiS 69

Why do you live in London?Because there is nowhere else I’d want to live at this point in my life - there are a million places I would love to visit but when I’m away from London for more than a few days I start to get butterflies in my stomach thinking about going back. It still excites me and it’s very much my home…

Where do you like to eat and drink?I spend a lot time exploring new places but some of my faves are Morito (Clerkenwell) for tapas, Song Que (Hackney) for Vietnamese, Ajiichiban (Greenwich) for sushi, FM Mangal (Camberwell) for Turkish and The London Particular (New Cross) for breakfasts.I’m pretty passionate about food so I could go on all day….

What’s the perfect way to spend the day?Morning coffee and food at Borough Market with friends, walk up the river to Tate Modern, jump on bus to Shoreditch to try on vintage glasses from my fave shop; Catch & Release - followed by coffee at Allpress and a bagel on Brick Lane. Spend the evening watching some theatre or music and grabbing some late night Spanish tapas in Morito... walk across the street to Bar Kick for a bottle of beer and some table football before heading home to Deptford. What a dream.Now it’s getting colder out, where do you hunker down to survive the winter?At home cooking roasts and drinking red wine! I love to spend the winter hibernating in my studio… or sitting in my local cinema (Greenwich Picture House) eating popcorn.

Best London show you’ve played?St Pancras Old Church - such a beautiful and special space to perform in.

How would you advise someone to get the most out of this city?To go off the beaten track. Lots of people I know think London is ‘too hectic’ but that’s because they go to central London on a Saturday. Hang out in a cosy pub or get a picnic in a park outside of Zone 1 and you may see the more real, chilled side of London.

Does London influence the music you write?Totally. One of my favourite things is sitting on trains and peering in at all the windows you go by. You catch a glimpse of people’s lives - everyone’s got a story to tell…it gets my imagination going. I’m originally from Devon and my life there is the polar opposite from London (in the middle of nowhere surrounded by nature) but they both have an incredible way of making you feel as tiny and insignificant as the other. That’s important, for me, to take the pressure off a bit and to conquer those initial fears of creating something new.

. . . IN LONDONwith ROSIE LOWE

Rosie releases Control February 19th via Wolf Tone. LIVE: Oslo, Hackney, February 25th.ONLINE: @rosielowemusic // facebook.com/rosielowemusic

“I’M PRETTY PASSIONATE ABOUTFOOD SO I COULD GO ON ALL DAY….”

DIET CIGThe Lexington, January 14th

Way back in the now long-forgotten 2015 we were swanning around Manhattan (no, stay with me) in pursuit of many glorious things: a Katz Deli sandwich, a Russ & Daughters’ bagel, some knish from Yonah Schimmel – if you know your NYC geography, you’ll know we ain’t travelling far here – the list goes on. At the top of that list, though, and still walking no more than a few hundred steps to a venue called Cake Shop, were a band we’d been wanting to see for months. Ever since a track named ‘Harvard’ exploded into our lives we’d been itching to see Diet Cig live. So bravely we flew to New York, bravely we clogged up any remaining arteries and bravely we stumbled down a dark staircase, along a ramp and crammed up to the side of the stage to see them. We like this band. They fooled about to Taylor Swift songs, they absolutely fucking ruled the place, and we were absolutely fucking smitten. And a bit full-up.Screw that though, because now it’s 2016 and Diet Cig are in London. They’ve already slayed the Old Blue Last, already bossed the hell out of Servant Jazz Quarters and already given rave reviews to Lucky Chip burgers (we like this band) and now

we’re at The Lexington ready forone more dose of an act that bring more infectious joy to their live show than anyone since Hinds came bounding along.Professing love for London (smart), comparing us favourably to American crowds (double smart), Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman seem thrilled to be here, and blown away by their meteoric rise. They don’t take up much space on the Lex stage, but my god do they ever own it. Luciano is a human dynamo, perpetual- motion personified. She’s everywhere; in the crowd, clambering speakers, leaping, whirling, gathering up the audience into Diet Cig world, whilst Bowman pummels the living hell out of those drums, propelling the show along at break-neck speed. There’s no resistance, no time to breath, we’re all swept up in the cacophony, all feeding off their kinetic charge. These songs, laced with self- deprecating wit and liberally scattered with razor-sharp barbs sound huge tonight. Lame indie scenes and lamer boyfriends are handled with all the withering disdain they deserve and, oh god, they’re playing ‘Harvard’ and all that matters is “Fuck your Ivy League sweater!”.We like this band. Dave Rowlinson

LIVE

Diet Cig photo: Nick Grennon(nicholasgrennon.com)

ex-Race Horses frontman treats us to a winning set-list combining his Gwilym Gold-meets-Jethro Tull style and a triumphant rendition of ‘Rebel, Rebel’- a touching tribute to "a fellow Jones by birth". This - paired with his Welsh charm and an endearing red turtleneck - means Meilyr Jones has enough under his belt to soon win over an audience much larger than that of his debut London showand become one of the stand-out actsof 2016.Alyssa Macgregor Hastie

“I always wondered if I can change an atmosphere with the click of a finger...” muses Meilyr Jones, as his band launches into lead single ‘How To Appreciate A Work of Art’, from his album, 2013, set for release this month.Jones’s ability to completely capture a sold-out Electrowerkz with little more than a live band (albeit a stellar one) and a few anecdotes will probably answer that. The 200-strong crowd soon forgot about technical issues andthe resulting forty-minute delay as the

MEILYR JONES Electrowerkz, January 13th

LiS 71

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK

PRESENTS

LondonInStereo_2pages_18Jan16.indd 1 19/01/2016 13:24

by Chris SladeThe year is 1986. Whitney is in her sixth chart week with undeniable banger ‘How Will I Know’, Madonna just dropped ‘Borderline’ and Diana Ross is #1 with ‘Chain Reaction’, which then meant that you’d sold a fuck load of actual records, which people paid some money for at the shops. The PR guy runs the party in 1986. After a 3-hour lunch with Sounds Magazine, you can head back to the office to delete any answerphone messages before faxing out a press release which is embargoed for the next six weeks. If you wanted to be mean, you could withhold access to the artist or call the lawyer and fuck the editor over. He deserves it. To be nice again, you could fly the guy around the world and pay for all his lobster and drugs, which sort of evens out at them not entirely hating your guts. Fun for everyone involved and there’s more money, don’t worry, the party will never end. It’s so good. It’s like a dream, kind of…

Wait, hold on… This is a dream! The year is not 1986! It’s 2016, and in this dystopian future I have just unfollowed a blogger on Twitter for making yet another joke about a shitty press release they received about a new urinal cake that you can eat like a real cake after you’ve peed on it. God, I hate that guy. If I’m feeling mean, I can withhold access to my artist, who the journalist then adds on Skype and flat-out asks them if they’re really a Holocaust denier. Fuck. Uh-oh. The piece runs two hours later, headline: “‘All I’m Saying Is [The Holocaust] Might [Not] Have Happened’ – Shocking Revelations From The Singer/Songwriter”. Nothing I can do, really. I ask them to change the piece but nobody replies.

Now, If I want to sweeten this guy up, I can always arrange to meet and have a Red Stripe and go twos on a Marlboro Light in Hoxton Square before a gig I need him to review. He’s reviewing the show that night for a new Snapchat channel. Later that night, his Snapstory reads: “at the worst gig of my life omg help” with three coffin emojis. I screenshot the snap and send it to the manager as proof that he came to the show. He needs a beer, so I get him one. There are five other PR people at this show. One has no shoes on. We don’t know what to do but we can’t go home because the rest of the label came too. I look over at the guy from Columbia promoting his new shoegaze four-piece. While my card gets declined at the bar, we exchange a collective sigh. One PR wearing a burlap sack with a greasy mod haircut asks if I have any change, but I don’t. He gets out Citymapper to look at the night bus timetable. I book my contact an Uber. I see him tweet “lol you guys won’t believe this PR email I got today.” I favourite the tweet but I’m pretty sure the email he’s talking about was from me.

I morosely read the chart update email while I wait for the bus. Justin Bieber is at #1 again. He’s sold three million streams. LiS 73LiS 73


PRESENTS


MONDAY 14 MARCHTHE LEXINGTON


PRESENTS


London in Stereo // February 2016

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Transcript of London in Stereo // February 2016