Tuesday 16 February 2010

Spank Rock interview




I recently interviewed MC Spank Rock, a rapper from the controversial group of the same name. It was obvious that he was pretty hungover and unable to answer some of my questions fully, which was a bit of a disappointment.

However, I mentioned that I had recently spoken with his friend Amanda Blank and he then opened up to me a bit and we had a laugh about him going at it a bit to hard the night before.

Spank Rock make some pretty original dance floor rap that will either offend or inspire. Rest assured, it will provoke a reaction either way.

You can read the interview HERE.

Puerto Muerto - Drumming for Pistols (review)




Amelia's recently published my first piece of writing to appear in the publication. It is an album review of husband and wife folk rock duo Puerto Muerto. I must admit, when I first listened to the album I didn't like it very much. However, as I am well aware that I am a judgemental bastard, I decided to give them a shot and I listened to Drumming for Pistols a few times more. There are some incredible, sincere and moving songs on there that will impress anyone who loves good songwriting and storytelling abilities.

Check out the review HERE.

Glassjaw are back... sort of.

Seminal post hardcore band Glassjaw are back in action. They recently completed a short UK tour and, although the reviews were mixed, it is exciting to know that one of my favourite bands are active again.

Glassjaw haven't released an album since Worship and Tribute in 2002. That is a LONG time to wait for a band that you love to bring out some new material. There have been a ridiculous amount of rumours and postponed release dates for their as-yet-untitled follow up album but they are playing new songs at their shows which is a promising sign.

The only problem is they still haven't committed to a release date or album title so who knows when they will get round to bringing something new out.

Oh well, it's a good thing their limited back catalogue is so bloody brilliant.

For now, enjoy the incredible video for Tip Your Bartender.

Now writing for Amelia's Magazine



I was recently asked to write for the music section of British fashion journal Amelia's Magazine and I couldn't be happier. My old flatmate was a fashion student, so I regularly found Amelia's lying around the house and quite often found myself reading it from cover to cover. I vividly remember reading an amazing article about electronic pop trio Blonde Redhead, so it makes me proud that I am contributing my own writing to that very same section.

You can check out Amelia's Magazine HERE.

Friday 5 February 2010

That was uncomfortable...



The 2010 Grammy's took place earlier this week and I watched a large chunk of the ceremony before getting bored and switching to something else. There was nothing out of the ordinary to report: The acts who were expected to win won and the live performances were generally quite stale (with the exception of Dave Matthew's Band and an almost interesting performance featuring Eminem and the soon-to-be incarcerated Lil' Wayne).

Something that did make my jaw drop with disbelief was the appalling Michael Jackson tribute. Five singers got on stage to perform a rendition of Earth Song complete with backing vocals by MJ himself and a tacky 3D video. At first I was greatly amused because looking at the singers I noticed that not ONE of them was a Jackson. Now, unless I am mistaken, aren't ALL of the Jackson siblings singers by trade? Surely it would not have been too much effort to get Janet, Tito of even LaToya up there to belt out a few tunes? After all, it is their fucking brother they are commemorating!

Instead, they got Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Smokey Robinson and Jennifer Hudson to sing. Okay, I will let you away with Smokey Robinson because he is a soul legend and Jennifer Hudson gets a pass because she also makes incredible music (and I have a bit of a crush on her). But what the hell was Celine Dion doing up there? The fugly Canadian crooner could not be further removed from the music of Michael Jackson. Usher could have got away with it if he hadn't dropped to his knees and gyrated on the stage floor like a lap dancing midget and I don't have a clue who Carrie Underwood even is! In short, something that could have been quite special was reduced to an uncomfortable joke that made a mockery of the King of Pop more than it celebrated him.

At least I got a good chuckle out of it.

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Shlohmo (the future of bedroom production)

I got put onto this guy by someone at my work and I was instantly impressed. He does not play any musical instruments and relies solely on production packages to make his sounds. Plus, I am not entirely sure the results he comes up with are entirely intentional. Still, this guy produces material that sounds similar to Flying Lotus, Samiyam and Gaslamp Killer for all the right reasons.

Shlohmo is only 21 but the San Francisco based bedroom producer is going places - fast!

For now, check out the video for his amazing song Hot Boxing the Cockpit.

Pollyn interview on The Skinny

Pollyn "Still Love" from Pollyn on Vimeo.



I interviewed Los Angeles based electronic outfit Pollyn a couple of months ago after seeing the amazing music video for Still Love. Anyone who likes Morcheeba or any form of smooth electronic stylings with sexy female vocals is going to go spastic for these guys.

Plus, their debut album only has one rubbish song (although you are going to have to listen to it yourself to find out which one I am talking about).

Check out the interview HERE.