Brooklyn-based indie-rockers Real Estate have announced the support for their forthcoming show at London’s Electric Ballroom on Wednesday June 27th. The band will be accompanied at their biggest UK show to date by New York’s Frankie Rose and the Outs and London’s The Proper Ornaments. The show comes in support of last year’s critically lauded Days album and following sold-out shows at Scala and Koko alongside Kurt Vile.
Category Archives: Culture
Django Django: single details and tour dates added | Music News
Psychedelic Scottish quartet Django Django release their new single “Storm” today, which doubled as their Record Store Day release on Saturday. The band have also announced a 2nd show at London’s Heaven nightclub after their first one sold out. Details below.
Django Django UK Tour
31/05 – The Cellar – Southampton (Tickets)
02/06 – Field Day – London (Tickets)
05/06 – Academy 2 – Oxford (Tickets)
06/06 – Academy 2 – Birmingham (Tickets)
08/06 – No Direction Home – Welbeck Abbey nr Sheffield (Tickets)
09/06 – Parklife Festival – Manchester (Tickets)
10/06 – Rough Beats – Clapham, Yorkshire (Tickets)
11/06 – Fibbers – York (Tickets)
13/06 – Doghouse – Dundee (Tickets)
14/06 – Cockpit – Leeds (Tickets)
15/06 – St Pauls Church – Cambridge (Tickets)
31/10 – Heaven – London (SOLD OUT)
01/11 – Heaven – London (Tickets)
AlunaGeorge to release new single in June | Music News
Hotly-tipped British duo AlunaGeorge have announced that their new single, ‘You Know You Like It’, is out on June 11th, via Tri Angle Records, just a month before they take to the stage at this year’s Wireless Festival. The band, who describe their sound as “taking the boom and glitch of British bass culture and allying it to the slick sweetness of classic American SWV or Destiny’s Child-style R&B”, are comprised of Aluna Francis and George Reid. The single will be their first on Tri Angle records, home to oOoOO, Holy Other and Evian Christ.
‘You Know You Like It’, is out on June 11th, via Tri Angle Records. Catch them on tour in the UK in May and June.
UK ‘is hovering on the brink of a double dip recession’.
The UK is hovering on the brink of a double dip recession Official Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures due out on Wednesday are expected to show the UK narrowly escaping a double dip recession; however many experts predict we’re still not safe. With mixed signals coming from different sectors and unemployment decreasing only marginally, albeit for the first time in a year, the UK seems to be teetering on the edge. The fragile economic conditions and high unemployment are putting many households under pressure to save money. This is fuelling the growth and popularity of cashback sites and discount culture; websites such as TopCashBack have nearly doubled the amount of its members in the past 12 months alone.
Natasha-Rachel Smith, Spokesperson for TopCashBack, said, “Households are under increasing pressure to save money and cut costs, especially since the UK fell into financial turmoil five years ago. With many households saddled with debt, consumers are reluctant to pay more than they deem is absolutely necessary for purchases, and are drawn by the savings and discounts offered through the innovative techniques of the internet, such as cashback sites.” Natasha-Rachel added, “The strong growth in demand for such online offerings is being fuelled by the recessionary environment, fragile consumer confidence and a strong desire for people to conserve their cash as steadfastly as possible.”
Allo Darlin’: new album and live shows | Music News
London-based indie-poppers Allo Darlin’ are set to release their hugely anticipated second album “Europe” on 11 May by Fortuna POP! To celebrate this they’re taking themselves off to spend the next 6 weeks touring the US.
There will be a special bonus CD that comes with the new album when purchased via Rough Trade. The bonus CD includes covers of songs by Eux Autres, Darren Hayman, The Ramones, Bruce Springsteen and AC/DC.
Coming very much from a DIY approach, they inspire true dedication from their fans, many of whom will travel hundreds of miles to see them. In their brief lifetime they have toured the USA four times, sold out tours across the UK and embarked on an epic five-week European tour. The band have also been strongly supported by BBC 6music, recording several sessions including one at Maida Vale Studios.
Their self-titled debut was released to universal acclaim in 2010 with plaudits including being named No. 2 record of the year by online retailer eMusic, and a glowing 1,200 word essay by legendary Go-Between Mr. Robert Forster in the Australian critical magazine, The Monthly.
“Europe” is released on 11 May on Fortuna POP!
First-ever Sundance London Short Film Competition Winner Announced.
EXTRANJERO WINS FIRST-EVER SUNDANCE LONDON SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Film by Daniel Lumb and Crinan Campbell from north London to screen at Sundance London
Extranjero, a five-minute film from Daniel Lumb and Crinan Campbell, was announced today as the winner of the Short Film Competition at the first-ever Sundance London film and music festival, 26-29 April at The O2. The film will screen as part of the official Short Film programme at the festival and is available for immediate viewing here.
Extranjero, shot over just two days, gives the viewer a unique and unusual take on immigration as it follows a refugee trying to run from his past as well as the confusion in his own mind. Lumb, 32, from north London, and Campbell, 31, also from north London, met as flat mates six years ago and submitted the short film after friends encouraged them to.
Launched in November 2011, the Short Film Competition, a collaborative effort with the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Ravensbourne, invited UK-based filmmakers to enter original pieces between three and five minutes in length around the theme ‘Story of Our Time.’ In addition to Extranjero, finalists for the competition were: Bonsai, by Ben Williams; Two Doors Down, by Scott Ward; The Story of Our Time, by Sam Gould; and This Film Was Shot on Digital, by Ian Waldron Mantgani.
Lumb said: “Extranjero is quite an experimental film. We wanted to comment on people you don’t really know about, and Extranjero was the result. Winning the competition is a dream for both us. As film geeks it’s amazing to be associated with Sundance.”
Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said: “The jury was struck by the high level of craft and ingenuity in the submissions. Filmmakers embraced the theme ‘Story of Our Time’ and created wonderfully diverse and entertaining films. Ultimately the jury selected Extranjero for its commanding cinematic storytelling and arresting visuals that offer an alternate perspective on an imperative global issue.”
Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council added: “We are delighted to support Sundance London, and this competition will help showcase our local filmmakers to the world. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has a wealth of locations that includes everything from industrial warehouses, the largest expanse of parkland in London, historic buildings and a wealth of riverfront locations. The rich diversity of locations makes Royal Greenwich an ideal backdrop to film and have attracted productions as diverse as Children of Men and Pirates of the Caribbean.”
Previously announced events and performances for Sundance London include: a rare intimate concert performance by Placebo; Tricky and Martina Topley-Bird performing Maxinquaye; a performance by Rufus and Martha Wainwright following the world premiere of Lian Lunson’s film about the music of their mother, folk singer Kate McGarrigle; and screenings of 14 feature-length and eight short films from the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, U.S.A.
Sundance London, supported by Presenting Partner Sony Entertainment Network, takes place 26-29 April at The O2. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.sundance-london.com.
Milk Maid to release 2nd album in July | Music News
Martin Cohen, mainman of Milk Maid used to play bass in Manchester alt-rockers Nine Black Alps. He left the band to concentrate on Milk Maid, releasing his debut album “Yucca” in 2011, to much acclaim. Just a year later he returns with Milk Maid’s second album, “Mostly No”, released via FatCat on 9th July and finds front man Martin Cohen cementing his reputation as a talented songwriter straddling the line between noise and pop whilst also expanding the band’s sonic terrain and adding swirls of psychedelia to debut ‘Yucca’s’ crafted fuzz.
“Mostly No” is released by Fat Cat Records on 9th July. Milk Maid tours the UK in June and July.
Wildeflower to release debut single | Music News
Surrey popsters Wildeflower will release their debut single ‘Good Girl’ via Stella Mortos on May 14th. The 6 piece band from Englefield Green, Surrey are led by Max Kinghorn-Mills and marry influences from revival/progressive Nick Drake, Bert Jansch and Fairport Convention with the modern, swirling patterns of Caribou and Four Tet.
As introductions go, ‘Good Girl’ is richly evocative, showcasing the group’s sound: spring-reverb, warm piano flourishes and flickering percussion. Amazing Discovery’ saunters down a well-trodden pastoral path into a leafy mantra: ‘Sound surround the earth and help me wonder’.
Recording took place last summer in bedrooms and the Beaconsfield countryside with Chris Smith (Fractal Skulls). Max explains further, “I wanted to keep these recordings organic, avoid cold production; so we recorded some parts outside in the fields.” Max put the video together with clips he’d filmed during the recordings with friends.
‘Good Girl’ is released via Stella Mortos on 14th May