Allo Darlin’: new album and live shows | Music News

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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.

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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

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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.

 

 

 

Seth Lumsden to release debut ‘Who You Tryin’ To Kid?’ EP in June | Music News

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Scottish singer-songwriter Seth Lumsden is to release his debut 6 song EP, Who You Tryin’ To Kid?, as a digital-only download on 1st June. The troubadour, who lives in a cottage in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs Country Park, has been earning rave reviews north of the border and is cut from the same cloth as such broken-hearted singer-songwriters like Bright Eyes, Tim Buckley, Nick Drake and Elliott Smith.

The recording was self-produced in Seth’s bedroom over the past year and features a cover of Elliott Smith’s “Between The Bars” as well as five other original tracks.

The ‘Who You Tryin’ To Kid?’ EP is available here from 1st June

 

Wildeflower to release debut single | Music News

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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

 

New Eugene McGuinness album released 3rd July | Music News

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London-based singer-songwriter Eugene McGuinness is to release his 2nd full length album on 2nd July . “The Invitation to the Voyage” is the follow up to 2008’s self-titled album and will be marked with an album launch show at the Lexington in Islington.

The album, which Eugene is calling this release the “most powerfully conceived and fully realised artistic statement to date”, was recorded with the dual assistance of  producers Clive Langer (Madness, Elvis Costello, Morrissey) and Dan Carey (MIA, Hot Chip, Santigold).

As well as a full tour throughout April as special guest to Miles Kane, Eugene McGuinness will also be performing at many festivals over the next few months including the Camden Crawl, The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City, and Blissfields. Full live dates are as follows:

 

20th April: Nottingham: Rock City *

21st April: Glasgow Barrowlands *

22nd April: Dundee Fat Sams *

23rd April: Inverness Iron Works *

25th April: Leeds Academy *

26th April: Manchester Academy 1 *

27th April: Bristol Academy *

28th April: London Forum *

5th May: London Camden Crawl, two shows, venues TBA

10th May: Brighton Pleasure Dome – The Great Escape, with Maximo Park

17th May: London Electric Ballroom, with Spector

18th May: Liverpool Sound City, Kazimier, with White Denim

30th June: Hampshire Blissfields Festival

3rd July: London: Lexington Headline – album launch show

(* = dates with Miles Kane)

The Invitation To The Voyage, released on 2nd July 2012 by Domino Records

Interpol’s Paul Banks covers Sinatra on new EP | Music News

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Interpol frontman Paul Banks is to release a new 5 song EP,”Julian Plenti Lives….”. The release will be the first under his own name, having released his first solo album, 2009’s “Julian Plenti Is… Skyscraper” under the pseudonym of Julian Plenti. The release in June will be followed by a full album, due later this year and will be available digitally as well as a limited edition run of 1,500 CD and 2,300 vinyl copies.
The Julian Plenti Lives… EP centres around the new original track ‘Summertime is Coming’ plus original instrumental ‘Cavern Worship’ and cover versions of J Dilla, Frank Sinatra and The Running Man movie theme (by composer Harold Faltermeyer).
Paul Banks was born in Clacton-on-Sea and grew up in Michigan, Madrid and Mexico and formed Interpol in 1997 when he whilst at New York University studying English and Comparative literature.
Paul Banks – Julian Plenti Lives… EP is released on June 11th by Matador Records and is available for pre-order here

Original Mercury Rev frontman to release EP | Music News

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It’s been 18 since he left the public spotlight but David Baker, original singer in American alt-rock heroes Mercury Rev, is back with a new band, Variety Lights. The band, a collaboration between Baker and fellow vintage synth addict Will MacLean, have an EP ready for release on 21st April, with a full album to follow in June. The lead track is, appropriately, “Silent Too Long”, which will be released as an exclusive single for Record Store Day on transparent peppermint green vinyl.
As co-founder and vocalist of Mercury Rev, Baker helped to forge their revolutionary sound. he left the band in 1993 to be replaced by Jonathan Donahue. Since leaving Mercury Rev Baker has released solo albums and more recently he has been working as a producer for other bands.
The album was recorded by Baker at his own Over the Trees studio using a mixture of 80’s era midi expanders, vintage keyboards, drum machines and effected guitars. Speaking about the band’s sound, Baker says that “personal adventure is and always has been the most important thing”. Baker says that plans are afoot to play the songs live with a full band including drums and bass, with dates to follow at some point later on in 2012.
Variety Lights – Silent Too Long EP is released on 21st April 2012 on Fire Records