Pulled Apart By Horses // New UK and European Tour Dates Announced 8 Sep 2010, 6:08 pm

After a successful round of summer festivals, brilliant live band Pulled Apart By Horses have announced a whole series of new tour dates across Europe and the UK this autumn.

September
09 - Newquay, on the Rocks (18+)
10 - Plymouth, Eagle - FREE ENTRY
12 - End of the Road Festival
14 - Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach (14+)
15 - Oxford, Academy (14+)
16 - Guildford, Boileroom (16+)
18 - Southseafest (14+)
22 - Liverpool, Shipping Forecast
23 - Birmingham, Flapper & Firkin
24 - Bristol, Croft
25 - Cambridge, Portland (18+)
26 - Gloucester, Guildhall (14+)
30 - Kingston, New Slang (18+)

October
02 - Fellah Rock Festival, France
09 - Whitehaven, Civic Hall (under 18s)
14 - Manchester, In The City
18 - Barcelona ,Razzmatazz (w/Anti-Flag)
20 - Milan, Tunnel Club (w/Anti-Flag)
21 - Zurich, Dynamo (w/Anti-Flag)
22 - Amsterdam Melkweg (w/Anti-Flag)
23 - Berlin, C-Club (w/Anti-Flag)
24 - Muenster, Skaters Palace (w/Anti-Flag)
26 - Paris, La Trabendo (w/Anti-Flag)
30 - Lancaster, Library (all ages)

November
05 - Carlisle, Brickyard (14+)
06 - Wakefield, The Hop (18+)
08 - Bury St Edmunds, Old Maltings (14+)
10 - Norwich, UEA (w/Foals)
11 - Lincoln, Engine Shed (w/Foals)
12 - London, Brixton Academy (w/Foals)
18 - Newcastle, Cluny (16+)
19 - Dundee, Hustler's (14+)
20 - Inverness, Ironworks (14+)
21 - Aberdeen, Drummonds (14+)
23 - Glasgow, Oran Mor (14+)
24 - Preston, 53 Degrees (16+)
25 - Wrexham, Central Station (14+)
26 - Stoke, Sugarmill (14+)
27 - Sheffield, Leadmill Steel Stage (14+)
29 - Leicester, University (14+)
December
01 - Brighton, Audio (16+)
12 - London, Garage (14+)
Click here to buy tickets

'High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive', the latest single to be taken from the band’s self-titled debut album, is out now via Transgressive.

www.myspace.com/pulledapartbyhorses
www.pulledapartbyhorses.com

Tracks of the Month // August 2010 8 Sep 2010, 3:38 pm

Well August has come to an end, and it should come as no surprise that it was so chock-full of great releases. Here's a list of ten tracks released this last month that I think everyone should know and love as much as I do, basically. Naturally, any and all suggestions are welcome.

Eels – What I Have to Offer

Chompin' on a cigar makes me look cool

As if it wasn’t enough to put out the wonderful and cathartic End Times, E went ahead and released a complete polar opposite (in the same year, no less) with Tomorrow Morning, a startlingly convincing, positive affair. 'What I Have to Offer' is the perfect representative of the album, in that while it is hardly a musical departure, for the first time you can see E cracking a smile that is free of irony. This is music for appreciating one’s self, love, and looking forward… who knew a band like the Eels were the one who would capture it?

Atmosphere – To All My Friends

And now I will make your cigarette DISAPPEAR

Two years after their excellent album When Life Gives You Lemons… comes this positive, upbeat single with a predictably catchy beat from Ant and great storytelling from Slug. 'To All My Friends' is basically in praise of the duo’s career as musicians, and Slug’s flow over the almost bluesy guitar sounds so genuine and contented that you can’t help but feel optimistic while listening to him.

Fleshwrought – Inner Thoughts

Closest to a real picture I could find...

Death metal of the tech and melodic varieties tend to get a bit too self indulgent with the instrumentation and sport production that is way too clean for this kind of music, at least for me, and the fact that Fleshwrought’s debut has neither of these flaws, and in fact embodies each of these qualities to just the right degree, is reason enough to like them. There’s a great flow to each song’s multiple sections, and Inner Thoughts has not just this, but a saxophone solo near the end that sounds as well-placed as it is unexpected. Killer stuff.

Nils Frahm – Über

Rockin' out n' shit

Modern classical, ambient, piano music, whatever you want to call it, the B-side off of Nils Frahm’s latest single is just about too beautiful for words. With such a seemingly basic series of melodies, Über‘s lone piano gives off such a reflective feel, but not so definite as to make one feel particularly happy or sad. Anyone who likes this kind of music would do well to check this track out.

Skream – Wibbler

Flannel can still kick ass.. er I guess

While most of the dubstep pioneer’s latest is sadly bland, this track is one of the few exceptions – tremendous bass and reverb, pummeling layers of sound, and it’s just simple enough to be catchy and danceable without losing its hard edge. Looking for crossover success seems to have watered his music down more than making him accessible, but in neglecting this formula, Wibbler finds the DJ with his energy still more than in tact.

Autolux – Spots

"Don't shoot while I'm picking my no- ...you prick"

After a four year wait, Autolux have finally returned with another set of songs too good to make you wonder for very long about how much Sonic Youth they’ve been listening to. Still, they’ve adopted more dimensions this time around, which the moody, jazzy Spots illustrates beautifully. The passive vocal harmony floats over that clean piano, with more and more elements (keyboards, feedback, what I’m guessing to be a xylophone?) subtly thrown in, making a highly somber mood sound absolutely lovely.

Comeback Kid – Symptoms and Cures

HAH that's silly

2010 has seen some spectacular hardcore releases, and as you might guess I’m including Comeback Kid’s latest. A great quality that shines throughout the album is the ability to blend almost melancholic melodies with a raging fury, which the album’s title track (while it’s a close call) probably does it the best. Vocalist Scott Wade roars on against the wailing guitars while the song grows all the more forceful, with the music catching up to his energy by the end.

Matthew Dear – You Put a Smell on Me

Ah em heah fo ze wimenz

This song throbs with sexual energy, presented in an aggressive, brooding package. The almost cheesy 80s sounding intro doesn’t stay as such for long, as the atmosphere darkens by the moment with the muffled backing falsettos, blasts of bass, and that moaning climax. It’s Dear himself who really steals it though, sounding almost too much like a predator on the prowl.

Cee-Lo – Fuck You

Hey it's Yogi

Cee-Lo’s first post-Gnarls Barkley release still reeks of neo-soul, and is as usual stuffed to the gills with his personality. How many other singers could take break-up angst and tweak it to sound not just this funny and cheerful, but with such an addictive, sing-a-long quality? The sentiment of telling someone to fuck off should always sound this fun.

Arcade Fire – Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

God dammit... my heart is still beating.

In true Arcade Fire fashion, their third LP The Suburbs is finished off with a soaring, epic closer – although I’m sure nobody expected such an unabashed synth pop sound. When the second verse comes along and that dancing synth pops in along with Régine Chassagne’s typically vulnerable, gorgeous vocals, I can’t help but grin like an idiot – despite the daunting subject matter, everything sounds so positive; I’ve said before, hoping in the face of hopelessness really is what this band does the best.

Bee vs. Moth - 'I Listen To Coffee All Day' // MP3 8 Sep 2010, 12:55 pm

If you could imagine the manic genius of Miles trading off against Charlie Parker (see 'Ornithology'), through the eyes of Zach Condon whilst he's sat in a Parisian café off his gourd on dodgy French wine then this would be the outcome:

MP3: Bee vs. Moth - I Listen To Coffee All Day

It's taken from the bands latest album, Acronyms, which was released this week.
www.myspace.com/beevsmoth

Introducing #99 Very Truly Yours 8 Sep 2010, 12:21 pm

It might be the end of the Summer here but it's never too late to listen to upbeat indie-pop and in actuality, the band in question have a pretty vintage quality to their sound which would go soundtrack the crushing of leaves pretty well.

I'm talking about the rather fine Very Truly Yours. It's unmistakably twee in the same vein as Camera Obscura but even if you hate twee, which I'm not massively keen on, this band definitely subscribes to the 'write a good song' policy, which transcends any pigeon-holing really.

Check out the video below for proof.

http://www.myspace.com/verytrulymusic

Hot Club de Paris // To Record Live 7" 8 Sep 2010, 11:50 am

This Thursday 9th September in Liverpool, the fantastic Hot Club de Paris will be recording a split live record instore with That Fucking Tank for Never Records.

The event, which will take place at Never Records in the Binary Cell is guestlist only. To get your name on the guestlist you need to either email We_Are_Samizdat@hotmail.com or join the Facebook group below.

www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=151292391565757

The event, to be recorded live and pressed that evening will be available at Never Records the following day.

www.myspace.com/hotclubdeparis
www.myspace.com/landsandbody

Team Ghost // Autumn Tour and EP 8 Sep 2010, 11:16 am

Crystal Castles and Health have invited Team Ghost to support on their autumn tour of the UK.

The French electronic shoegazers, fronted by Nicolas Fromageau, were personally requested as tour support by Crystal Castles’ Ethan Kath, a fan of Fromageu’s early work in M83.

The tour kicks off on 11th October, the same day Team Ghost’s new EP 'Celebrate What You Can't See' is released via Sonic Cathedral Recordings as a four-track 7" and a five-track download.

Tour Dates

October
11 - Wolverhampton, Wulfrun Hall (with Crystal Castles / Health)
12 - Bournemouth, Academy (with Crystal Castles / Health)
13 - Manchester, Dry Live (In The City)
14 - London, The CAMP Basement (headline show with Phantom / Fluker Love / Andrew Weatherall)
15 - London, Roundhouse (with Crystal Castles / Health)
17 - Bristol, Anson Rooms (with Crystal Castles / Health)
18 - Liverpool, Academy (with Crystal Castles / Health)
Click here to buy tickets

www.myspace.com/teamghostmusic

The SeaZora - White Bear 8 Sep 2010, 10:26 am

Label: N/A
Release date: Out now
Website: Myspace/a>

Aeroplane - 'Superstar' // New Video 8 Sep 2010, 8:26 am

Belgian psychedelic dance-smith Vito De Luca, better known as Aeroplane unveils the quirky, and at some points downright disturbing, video for upcoming single 'Superstar', out 13th September on Wall of Sound.

Taken from the album We Can't Fly, released 27th September on Wall of Sound.

www.myspace.com/aeroplanemusiclove

OX4 // More Bands Announced 8 Sep 2010, 8:26 am

After the success of last year’s SOLD OUT event OX4 is back! Come join Truckers for a celebration of Oxford’s most creative quarter. Happening on 9th October, the second ever OX4 will take place across 10 or so venues along Oxford’s (in)famous Cowely Road.

Just announced, new additions to the line up include fantastic local bands such as, The Winchell Riots, Dreaming Spires, Glitches, The Half Rabbits and Hreda, as well as sets from Crocodiles, Dog Is Dead, Chad, Valley, Fixers and Boat To Row.

On top of this, there will also be previously announced headline sets from the brilliant Everything Everything, Abe Vigoda and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin.

OX4 aims to bring OX4rdians together to celebrate where they live and the talented people that live there. Since it's also part of Oxfam’s Oxjam music festival, OX4 is not only a great place to discover and enjoy brilliant new talent, but it is also a good way to help raise money and awareness for a great cause.

Limited early tickets for this event are on sale now and can be purchased here online, as well as in selected shops (listed below).

Scribbler - Oxford
Oxfam Shop - Headington
O2 Academey - Cowley Road
Oxford Guitar Gallery - Summertown.

For more information, including the latest announcements visit www.thisistruck.com

www.thisistruck.com
www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam/

The xx // 2010 Barclaycard Mercury Prize 8 Sep 2010, 7:55 am

Last night the hype around the Barclaycard Mercury Awards finally came to a head at London’s Grosvenor House where Jools Holland announced The xx as winners of Album Of The Year with their self-titled debut.

While not as unexpected a result as last year, when the prize went to female hip-hop artist Speech Debelle, The xx’s own Oliver Sim still expressed surprise when accepting the award:

"I don't know what we were expecting but we weren't expecting this. Thank you so much. We've had the most incredible year and it has just felt like every day we've just woken up to something incredible we just weren't expecting. It has felt like a haze and being here is like a moment of clarity in all that's happening."

Chair of Judges Simon Frith commented, “The xx have a unique sense of time and space - urban and enigmatic. The result is a wonderfully atmospheric album - sparse, urgent, hypnotic and powerful.”

The shortlist of 12 Albums of the Year, this year including Laura Marling, Villagers, Dizzee Rascal, Foals, Biffy Clyro and Paul Weller, is chosen by an independent judging panel of musicians, producers, presenters and music journalists. The Prize, intended to recognise and celebrate music in the UK, has always been the centre of much debate, the nominees falling under as much scrutiny as those who eventually receive the accolade. Albums released between July 2009 and July 2010 were eligible for this year’s Prize.

www.myspace.com/thexx
www.mercuryprize.com