ISSUE 16 21 - 27 AUGUST 2018
ALBUM REVIEWS
SONS OF KEMET
From Slaves, Miles Kanes, Jake Shears and The Coral
We talk to Shabaka Hutchings ahead of his Brighton show
LIVE REVIEWS
MUSIC NEWS
From Black Honey, George Ezra, Jane Weaver, Iceage and more
Bishop Nehru, Mystic Braves and The Rhythm Method were all in town
GIG LISTINGS Our recommended listings of gigs in Brighton
TELEMAN FAMILY OF ALIENS
ISSUE 16
NEWS
CONTENTS 6
TELEMAN Jeff Hemmings chats to Teleman’s Tom Sanders about the new album, their Great Escape show and much more
BRINGING THE ARTISTS CLOSER TO YOU... CEO: Frank Sansom EDITOR: Daniel White PRODUCTION: Adam Kidd, Jonski Mason
NEWS
LISTINGS
Local releases and more news from the city’s music scene
Our recommended listings and previews of this week’s gigs
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ALBUMS Check out the latest album releases this week
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Bishop Nehru, The Rhythm Method and Mystic Braves all feature in this week’s reviews
COVER SHOT: Teleman CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff Hemmings Iain Lauder Jamie MacMillan Ben Noble Liam McMillen Ben Walker Christian Middleton Kelly Westlake Paul Hill Chloe Hashemi Dan Whitehouse Annie Roberts press@brightonsfinest.com advertising@brightonsfinest.com
We chat to Shabaka Hutchings about his latest release with Sons of Kemet
Black Honey release new single
Brighton’s Black Honey have released disco-pop banger ‘Midnight’, taken from their eagerly awaited debut album, due out 21st September. Led by the weird and wonderful Izzy Bee Phillips, the self-titled album looks at everything from dyslexia to ADHD, all channelled through her fearless self-expression. Following a festival-packed summer schedule, the band are now looking ahead to their UK headline tour that includes a date in Brighton, 14th October, at Concorde 2.
Retro psych-prog warriors Iceage released their fourth album Beyondless back in May, and they’ve now shared a new video for its track ‘Under The Sun’. The band have also announced a Brighton show at The Haunt, on 10th September 2018.
Jane Weaver will present a unique tour of audio/visual concerts this autumn, with a show at Brighton’s Komedia, on 8th November. She’ll be performing solo variations of songs from her albums The Silver Globe and Modern Kosmology.
SONS OF KEMET With a breathful intensity that coarses through his tenor saxophone, Shabaka Hutchings’ playing is instantly recognisable. From The Comet Is Coming to Sons of Kemet to Shabaka and The Ancestors, he is one of the UK’s leading jazz artists. Ahead of Sons of Kemet’s Brighton show this October, Jeff Hemmings caught up with Shabaka himself
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Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessner have come together as Big Red Machine to co-produce a self-titled album, due out 31st August, via their recently announced streaming service, PEOPLE COLLECTIVE.
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OUT OF TOWN SONS OF KEMET Our favourite upcoming gigs outside of Brighton
George Ezra’s first full arena tour has been announced for March next year, with a date in Brighton along the way at the Brighton Centre, 11th March. The Bristol BIMM graduate released his second album, Staying At Tamara’s, earlier this year.
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How do you fit everything in? It was difficult up to about a year ago. But it became more streamlined. This is the year of the Kemet. Last year, it was mainly Shabaka Hutchings and The Ancestors, and next year it will be mainly The Comet Is Coming gigs. I’m just trying to compartmentalise all the bands I play in. Your Queen Is A Reptile is your first album for the legendary jazz label Impulse! How did that come about? They just got in touch with me, saying they really liked the music I was making, and wanted to work with me. It was as
simple as that. They knew what was happening in the UK jazz scene, and decided when the time was right to reach out. Tell me about your musical bacground I did a classical clarinet degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. At the time I was playing with Tomorrow’s Warriors, playing standards. I also had a long association with the London Improvisers Orchestra, and did a lot of gigs with people like Evan Parker and Steve Berrisford. I left music college when I was 23, so it’s been about 11 years of being a professional musician, playing in different
situations, different types of ensembles. How does a Sons of Kemet song come about? Normally I write music within a period of thinking about a certain conceptual idea. I don’t think it’s appropriate to write music directly based on that concept. I’ll write music within the same time period of thinking about certain ideas, and once the music is written I’ll attach them to whatever ideas I think is applicable. To read the full interview visit Brightonsfinest.com/sonsofkemet
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PREVIEWS
Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar
Kevin Morby – The Haunt – Thursday 23rd August 2018 After cancelling his Haunt show last November, Kevin Morby is back and in exactly the same venue for what is sure to be an absolute treat. One of the most prolific musicians on the circuit, last year’s City Music was his most complete work yet. A sweeping, delicate and dusky slice of Americana, it was an absolute delight, wowing critics and audiences alike. With a vast and unique back-catalogue, he seems a perfect fit for The Haunt.
K PIC HE T OF EK WE
Yo La Tengo - Komedia - Wednesday 29th August 2018 Ahead of their Thursday night headline slot at End of the Road Festival and fresh from their brilliant new record There’s a Riot Going On, Yo La Tengo are bringing a very special show to Brighton’s Komedia. Certainly one not to be missed for hardcore fans of the band, it’s a chance to hear some of your favourite songs in a different light, hear exclusive one-off stories and converse with the band in an exclusive setting.
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Green Door Store
The Hope & Ruin
The Haunt
Concorde 2
Hockey Dad Tuesday 21st August Tickets: £10 Presented by Lout Promotions
The Academy Of Sun Tuesday 21st August Tickets: £4 Presented by Brighton Noise
The Nude Party Tuesday 21st August Tickets: FREE Presented by Acid Box
Imarhan Tuesday 28th August Tickets: £14 Presented by One Inch Badge
Ozomatli Thursday 23rd August Tickets: £19.25 Presented by One Inch Badge
Föllakzoid Thursday 23rd August Tickets: £14 Presented by One Inch Badge + Love Thy Neighbour
Heavy Sugar Wednesday 22nd August Tickets: FREE
Red Rum Wednesday 22nd August Tickets: £5 Presented by One Inch Badge
Shannon and The Clams Friday 31st August Tickets: £11 Presented by Neat Neat Neat
PP Arnold & Geno Washington Sunday 26th August Tickets: £27
Ron Gallo Thursday 23rd August Tickets: £11.50 Presented by Love Thy Neighbour
Goat Girl Thursday 6th September Tickets: £11 Presented by Neat Neat Neat
The Asteroid No. 4 Wednesday 29th August Tickets: £11 Presented by Love Thy Neighbour
Youngblood Brass Band Friday 7th September Tickets: £17 Presented by One Inch Badge
DITZ Friday 24th August Tickets: FREE Presented by Neat Neat Neat Qujaku Monday 27th August Tickets: £7 OTD Presented by Yeah Go On Then Matt Hollywood & The Bad Feelings Tuesday 28th August Tickets: £12 Presented by SB Live Bad Girls Thursday 30th August Tickets: £5 Presented by Scruff of the Neck
Stella Donnelly – The Hope & Ruin – Friday 24th August 2018 From Perth, Australia, Stella Donnelly will be stopping in Brighton, at our beloved home of bric-a-brak and upcoming talent, The Hope & Ruin. She’ll be gracing us with the tour of her album Thrush Metal, before she sets off for End of the Road. The indie singer/songwriter’s gentle guitar picking and dreamy vocals make the thoughtful content easily digestible. This gal is on topic, addressing inequalities we love to berate.
GIG LISTINGS
GIG LISTINGS
Epic Beard Men Friday 31st August Tickets: £14 Presented by One Inch Badge Men Of North Country Saturday 1st September Tickets: £11.50 Presented by The Big Blue Shed Igloo Monday 3rd September Tickets: £5 OTD Springhill Friday 7th September Tickets: £5 Presented by Scruff of the Neck
The Prince Albert The Courgettes Friday 24th August Tickets: £5.50 Long Tall Shorty Saturday 25th August Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Proper The Soap Girls Wednesday 29th August Tickets: £13.50 Presented by Rockin’ Dogs Joey Landreth Thursday 30th August Tickets: £11.50 Lee Bains III & The Glory Fires Monday 3rd September Tickets: £12.38
Opus Kink Thursday 23rd August Tickets: FREE Full Of Hell Friday 24th August Tickets: £11 Presented by Green Door Store The Fallen Leaves Saturday 25th August Tickets: £6.60 Presented by Spinning Chilli Pulling Teeth Fest #2 Sunday 26th August Tickets: FREE Presented by GDS x SCNS Hate Wednesday 29th August Tickets: £7 Presented by Mammothfest The Bay Rays Thursday 30th August Tickets: £5 Presented by Green Door Store Hidden Herd All-Dayer Saturday 1st September Tickets: £11 Presented by Hidden Herd Tijuana Panthers + Talkboy Sunday 2nd September Tickets: £6.50 Presented by Green Door Store Tigers and Flies Tuesday 4th September Tickets: £3
Anna Burch Monday 3rd September Tickets: £9.20 Presented by One Inch Badge
Komedia
Reggae All-Dayer Sunday 2nd September Tickets: £25.31 Presented by Global Beats GZA Wednesday 5th September Tickets: £16.50 Neville Staples / Dakka Skanks Friday 7th September Tickets: £22 Incognito Saturday 8th September Tickets: £20
Erin Rae Tuesday 4th September Tickets: £8.63 Presented by One Inch Badge
The Rifles Thursday 23rd August Tickets: £21 Presented by Le Beat Bespoke
New Candys Thursday 6th September Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Acid Box
Robby Hecht + Caroline Spence Wednesday 29th August Tickets: £10 Presented by The MJR Group
Our Girl Wednesday 22nd August Tickets: FREE 6.30pm
Acid Tongue Saturday 8th September Tickets: £6.60 Presented by Acid Box
Pale Seas Thursday 6th September Tickets: £7 Presented by Friendly Dinner
Slaves Thursday 23rd August Tickets: FREE 1pm
NIGHTLIFE
Resident
OUT OF TOWN
Lithics Wednesday 5th September Tickets: £7.70 Presented by Cupboard Music
Roska Friday 24th August Patterns 11pm - 4am
Pete Dorling Friday 24th August Hideout 11pm - 5am
Modern English Thursday 30th August Lewes Con Club Rock
Connie Lush Friday 31st August Ropetackle Centre Blues
Braindead Assemble Thursday 6th September Tickets: £5 OTD Presented by The Spirit of Gravity & Lost Property
Summer Liquid DnB Party Friday 24th August Concorde 2 11pm - 4am
State Of Flo Friday 24th August Volks 11pm - 7am
Kasabian Thursday 23rd August O2 Academy Brixton, London Rock
Britney Spears Friday 24th/25th August The O2 Arena, London, UK Pop
Thris Tian/Nick The Record Saturday 25th August Patterns 11pm - 4am
Low Steppa Saturday 25th August The Arch 11pm - 4am
Kaiser Chiefs Saturday 25th August Royal Windsor Racecourse Rock
The Sugarhill Gang Saturday 25 August 2018 O2 Academy Islington, London, hip-hop
Brame & Hamo Sunday 26th August Patterns 11pm - 3am
Snattched #001 Sunday 26th August Rialto 10pm - 4am
Ethan Johns Saturday 25 August Rough Trade East, London Rock
Youssou N’Dour et les Super Etoiles de Dakar Saturday 25 August 2018 Indigo at The O2, Greenwich
Doomsday Deathfest Saturday 8th September Tickets: £6.60 Presented by SCEM x Jackhammer x Infernum Records
Brighton Dome Passenger Sunday 9th September Tickets: £26
Full event listings at Brightonsfinest.com/listings
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L After a crazy show at this year’s Great Escape Festival, Jeff Hemmings caught up with Teleman’s Tom Sanders to talk about the early days, the upcoming album and what inspired it
ondon’s Teleman have already set the bar high with the release of three singles so far this year, in ‘Submarine Life’, ‘Cactus’, and ‘Song For A Seagull’, from their widely anticipated third studio album Family of Aliens, released via label-home Moshi Moshi. The foursome flaunting their new-found harmonious marriage of beguiling pop sensibility and pulsating electronic undertones, allied to sharp lyricism, buoyant guitars and instantaneous melodies, and coated by Tom Sanders’ remarkable vocals. Along with his brother Jonny Sanders (synths), Pete Cattermoul (bass) and Hiro Amamiya (drums), Teleman have been a slow-burning outfit with a particularly strong following in the Brighton area. Indeed, they performed at this year’s The Great Escape festival, and will be back later in the year for a headline date at Concorde 2. “It was good,” says Tom about that Great Escape show. “There was a lot of crazy energy, and we had a lot of nervous energy within ourselves. We hadn’t done a show for almost a year. People seemed really happy to see us again. It was an intense, but brilliant show. We were flying by the seat of our pants!” Pre-Teleman, Tom, Jonny and Pete were in a band called Pete and the Pirates, active from 2004 until their dissolution in 2012, and who released a couple of studio albums. “There were two other guys in the band, five all together,” says Tom from his London home-come-studio. “After we toured our last album we just felt like things were moving apart. Not with any animosity, but we wanted to do different things and move in different directions. Me and Pete and Johnny wanted to keep making music in some way or other. We weren’t really sure at the beginning where we were going or what it
Family of Aliens Out: 7th September Moshi Moshi Records
was going to be. All we knew was that we definitely wanted to keep on doing it, and that turned into Teleman, and then we found Hiro (Amamiya, drums).” Last year Teleman released a low-key five-track EP, Funf (German for five), which featured five different producers including Oli Bayston, better known as indie-dance artist/producer Boxed In. They liked him and what he did and so enlisted him to produce the new album. “We’ve known him for years actually, through our record label and through mutual friends. We would hang out in the pub and stuff. He produced one of the tracks on the EP. That was such a great experience. We were like ‘wow, I think this is a guy we really want to work with’. It was so spontaneous, so natural, and fun. We had such a good time in the studio. I know people say recording is not supposed to be fun; the more fun you have, the less successful the album will probably be,” he laughs. Is that what they really say, I inquire... “James Ford (producer for the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, and Gorillaz) said that to me the other day. I was telling him how much fun we had, and he was like ‘oh no, you know what they say...’” Tom laughs. Boxed In music always sounds like good fun, I venture. “There’s a great vibe to their stuff; really punchy and danceable,” responds Tom. “And it feels like fun as well!” Family of Aliens represents the next chapter in the band’s evolution, and looks set to take them further up the ranks of the rich and deep British music scene. Their combination of thoughtful lyricism and upbeat synth-guitar-pop is
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encapsulated by the title track. “It was a theme that kept coming out in the lyrics,” Tom explains. “There’s a discontent, a questioning about where you belong, and how you fit in with the world. It’s a crazy world, with lots of crazy shit happening. Sometimes you can feel quite alienated. Lots of the lyrics are to do with escaping life, from Planet Earth, but essentially it’s about the strangeness of being a human, and being alive. It sounds quite pretentious, and wanky, and deep, but I sometimes feel that just being alive is weird, as well as beautiful and precious. There are so many different levels as to what ‘family of aliens’ means. As a band we are very much like a family. We spend a lot of time together, and we’ve been through a lot of things together.” Tom and Jonny have been making music since they were teenagers, and as with many sibling relationships, they have a special bond that extends beyond the personal, and into their work. “We’ve played music together since I was probably 14 and he was 12, just messing around with a four track recorder. We were in a band with our next door neighbour. I definitely didn’t imagine I would still be doing it now,” he laughs. “Strange to think about it really. It was something we did as a laugh. It was a laugh that turned into a living.” That’s the best way, isn’t it? Do something you enjoy, see what happens? “Definitely. It’s still a laugh now.” To read the full interview visit Brightonsfinest.com/teleman
There’s a discontent, a questioning about where you belong, and how you fit in with the world. Sometimes you can feel quite alienated. Lots of the lyrics are to do with escaping life, but essentially it’s about the strangeness of being a human.
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LIVE REVIEWS
ALBUM REVIEWS Slaves – Acts Of Fear And Love Out: 17th August 2018
“I’ve been to a few places in the UK already, but I’ve heard a lot about Brighton’s energy…” Bishop Nehru stated during his first ever show in Brighton. At just 21 years old Nehru was an inspiration, not only showcasing his quality as a rapper, but his versatility as a musician too. With a mostly very young crowd in attendance hanging on his every word, Nehru cut a messiah-like figure throughout, with screams at his every sentence. Throughout it was a set that felt like it could go truly anywhere. It was exciting, off-the-cuff, yet supremely professional. It’s hard not to be in awe of Nehru’s talent at such a young age.
Make no mistake about it, The Rhythm Method guys are one of the freshest acts on the indie circuit. They could well be on their way to becoming one of the most underrated bands in the country. Not only do they make fantastic pop songs that get stuck in your head instantly, but there’s no bravado or arrogance about them at all. They’re enjoying this as much as their audience and that’s extremely refreshing. They gave just enough to keep people happy, leaving them still wanting more, and that’s exactly what you want from a gig at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar. It was pretty much the perfect Saturday night gig.
A joint tour between LA bands The Creation Factory and Mystic Braves provided an enticing night of psychedelic garage rock. From their opening notes, it’s clear that Mystic Braves’ sound is far bigger than the surroundings. Like Ennio Morricone, if he was hijacked by Syd Barrett, they’re meandering, exciting and brimming with depth. There’s a looseness and freedom to the band, with a 60s ambience that’s hard matched. Live, they’re a cohesive unit, constantly ebbing and flowing together like a well-oiled machine. It’s clear they love playing together and, five years since their debut, are as exciting as ever.
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/live
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The Kent two-piece return with their third full length record - a perfect addition to the Slaves discography, with subtle introductions to a new side of the duo we’ve not yet seen. The emphasis on softer and more vulnerable lyricism is a nice addition to the sound and feels as though the two have begun to further open their emotional range beyond angst and anger, following the rollercoaster of success the’ve experienced in recent years.
Coup De Grace is a real Miles Kane – Coup De mixed bag. While the singles Grace ‘Coup De Grace’, ‘Loaded’ Out: 10th August 2018 and ‘Cry on My Guitar’ see Kane grasp at the worlds of rock’n’roll and funk, the other half of the record relapses into mediocrity. On the whole, it’s an album of ifs and buts. If only Kane had been braver; but he wasn’t. Ultimately, this was a chance for Miles Kane to take the step to stardom he’s desperately craved, but Coup De Grace just isn’t good enough to warrant that.
Jake Shears – Jake Shears Out: 10th August 2018
Jake Shears serves up a journey of nostalgia, combining traditional pop ballads with a country-inspired feel to an album that sounds both familiar and original at the same time. This record proves that Shears is still as relevant now as he was back in 2004, when the Scissor Sisters released their debut. This is an album that defies the critics has become an agglomeration of his own personal thoughts and influences.
Move Through The Dawn is a quintessential Coral album, ignoring all external trends and fashions while still balancing a perfect marriage of folk, psychedelia and drive-time pop-rock. It is refreshing and rewarding to see a band continue to forge their own path and release records that bow to no one but their own wishes and inspirations. On this evidence, The Coral will be inviting us into their strange world for quite some time yet.
The Coral – Move Through The Dawn Out: 10th August 2018
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/albums