ISSUE 21 25 SEPT - 1 OCTOBER 2018
ALBUM REVIEWS From Orbital, Pale Waves, Low and Jungle
MUSIC NEWS From White Lies, Steve Mason, Glastonbury Festival and more
GIG LISTINGS Our recommended listings of gigs in Brighton
LIVE REVIEWS Featuring Saltwater Sun, Breathe Panel and more
KURT VILE OPENING UP ABOUT BOTTLE IT IN
ISSUE 21
NEWS
CONTENTS KURT VILE Jeff Hemmings talks to Kurt Vile about the release of Bottle It In, playing with his idols and remaining a dedicated fan of music
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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
ALBUMS
CONTRIBUTORS: Jeff Hemmings Iain Lauder Jamie MacMillan Liam McMillen Ben Walker Christian Middleton Kelly Westlake Paul Hill Chloe Hashemi Dan Whitehouse Annie Roberts Rhys Baker
LIVE REVIEWS
8 8 OUT OF TOWN Our favourite upcoming gigs outside of Brighton
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After a fallow year, Glastonbury Festival will return to Worthy Farm in 2019. The first tickets will go on sale in two batches: first, coach packages on 4th October, and later standard tickets on 7th October. The festival will run from 26th - 30th June.
Architects announce new album and live shows
On 20th August, 2016, Architects’ guitarist Tom Searle died, following a three-year battle with cancer. The Brighton band could have called it a day at that point, but instead they have admirably soldiered on, and will release their eighth studio album, Holy Hell, on 9th November. The group’s drummer – and Searle’s twin brother – Dan said, “Ultimately, there were two choices. Feel sorry for yourself and believe the world to be a horrible place and let it defeat you. Or let it inspire us to live the life that Tom would have wanted us to live.”
COVER SHOT: Jo McCaughney
3 4 Reviews from the latest album releases this week
BRINGING THE ARTISTS CLOSER TO YOU...
Steve Mason has announced that his fourth solo album, About the Light, will be released on 18th January 2019 as well as revealing news of a UK tour, that includes a date in Brighton at St. Bartholomew’s Church, 9th February 2019.
Saltwater Sun, Breathe Panel and Albert Hammond Jr. all feature in our rundown of this week’s live reviews
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Southampton’s Wild Front have returned with their second single, ‘Make You Feel’, from their debut album, that’s set to be released in 2019. The single focusses on relationship neglect. You can catch the group live at The Hope & Ruin, 10th October.
WOLF ALICE
Copyright © 2018. All rights reserved.
At Brightonsfinest we strive to meet all of the best musicians who travel to, or live in our vibrant city. On our YouTube channel you can listen to our archive of radio interviews from both emerging and established artists, highlighting the best in new music from Brighton and beyond. This week we look back at our interview withMercury prize winners Ellie Rowsell and Theo Ellis from Wolf Alice, as Jeff Hemmings found out about their album Visions of a Life.
NADINE SHAH The Mercurynominated singer talks to Jeff Hemmings about identity, politics and Holiday Destination
Entitled Five, the West London band White Lies will be releasing their new (and fifth) album on 1st February 2019. They also kick off their European tour with a date at Concorde 2, 31st January 2019. Until then you can enjoy the epic ‘Time To Give’.
brightonsfinest.com brightonsfinestpresents @brightonsfinest brightonsfinestuk @brightonsfinest
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PREVIEWS
KOMEDIA
Skinny Pelembe – Green Door Store – Wednesday 26th September 2018 Set for the release of his second EP, Sleep More, Make More Friends, Skinny Pelembe is off on an eight date tour of the UK. His busy schedule is more than well deserved, too, as he’s proved to be one of the most interesting, diverse and exciting artists rising through the ranks. An exceptionally talented multi-instrumentalist, his Green Door Store show is sure to be a breath of fresh air, and a real chance to catch him before he blows up.
Strange Cages Wednesday 26th September Tickets: £5.50 Presented by Acid Box
Warsaw Radio Thursday 27th September Tickets: £8
Stereo Honey Tuesday 2nd October Tickets: £13.50 Presented by Live Nation
Carousel Thursday 27th September Tickets: £11 Presented by Acid Box
Virginia Wing Wednesday 3rd October Tickets: £7.70 Presented by Dictionary Pudding
Laurel Monday 1st October Tickets: £8.63 Presented by One Inch Badge
Darwin Deez Tuesday 2nd October Tickets: £14.85 Presented by SJM Concerts Remo Drive Wednesday 3rd October Tickets: £8 Presented by Lout Pomotions
Horse Feathers Tuesday 25th September Tickets: £8.80 Presented by Love Thy Neighbour
Jared Hart Monday 1st October Tickets: £8.80
Jess Williamson Monday 1st October Tickets: £10.35 Presented by One Inch Badge
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Adult Mom (USA) Wednesday 26th September Tickets: £6.60 Presented by sugar-free Feral Youth Sunday 30th September Tickets: £5 OTD Presented by Live Circuit Frank & Beans Tuesday 2nd October Tickets: FREE Presented by Boom For Real Promotions & Funnel
The Lake Poets Tuesday 2nd October Tickets: £13.50 Presented by One Inch Badge
The Magic Gang Tuesday 25th September Tickets: £13 Presented by Neat Neat Neat
Demons Of Ruby Mae Wednesday 3rd October Tickets: £8 Presented by Scruff of the Neck
Way Out West Wednesday 3rd October Tickets: £16.50
Sisteray Thursday 4th October Tickets: £5.50 Presented by Modern Age Music
Brighton Dome THE BRUNSWICK Ólafur Arnalds Wednesday 26th September Tickets: £27 Presented by One Inch Badge
Brighton CENTRE
Lady Bird Tuesday 25th September Tickets: £11-22 Presented by Hot Wax Promotions & BIMM Freshers Week
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Concorde 2
LATEST MUSIC BAR
Sticky Mike's Frog Bar
Conner Youngblood – Green Door Store – Thursday 27th September Youngblood’s soothing, melodic and bass-filled music has been compared to the likes of Bon Iver and, after his Great Escape show, it’s a given that many who saw him then will be back this time around. Green Door Store is sure to be the perfect venue to witness him at his most raw and expressive. Having just released debut album Cheyenne, it’s a good time to see him while he’s still playing smaller venues.
The Hope & Ruin
234 Fest Sat 29th - Sun 30th September Tickets: FREE Presented by Green Door Store
Bennett Wilson Poole Wednesday 26th September Tickets: £14.30 Yussef Dayes – The Haunt – Wednesday 26th September 2018 Known for being one of, if not the most talented jazz drummer within the South London scene, Yussef Dayes’ telepathic ability to create a dialogue between the musicians he shares the stage with – freeing the beat while keeping it tightly knit – has become a thing of legends. We are all excited for what the future holds, both in the studio and on the stage for this young genius, and cannot wait for his show at The Haunt.
Green Door Store
Chuck Prophet & Jesse Malin Tuesday 25th September Tickets: £18 Presented by Brighthelmstone
The Prince Albert K PIC HE T OF EK WE
GIG LISTINGS
GIG LISTINGS
Jason Derulo Saturday 29th September Tickets: £44
PATTERNS Fake Laugh Tuesday 25th September Tickets: £11-22 Presented by Hot Wax & BIMM Freshers Hotel Lux Wednesday 26th September Tickets: £11 - £22 Presented by Hot Wax Promotions & BIMM Freshers Week
Brooke Bentham Thursday 27th September Tickets: £11 - £22 Presented by Hot Wax Promotions & BIMM Freshers Week
THE HAUNT Yussef Dayes Wednesday 26th September Tickets: £14 Presented by One Inch Badge Molotov Jukebox Thursday 27th September Tickets: £16.90 S.Carey Friday 28th September Tickets: £15.75 Presented by One Inch Badge Wolfgang Flur Saturday 29th September Tickets: £18.15
Patawawa Thursday 27th September Tickets: £11 - £22 Presented by Hot Wax Promotions & BIMM Freshers Week
Jeff Rosenstock Tuesday 2nd October Tickets: £11 Presented by Dictionary Pudding
Kero Kero Bonito Tuesday 2nd October Tickets: £10.35 Presented by One Inch Badge
Mahalia Friday 5th October Tickets: TBC Presented by One Inch Badge
NIGHTLIFE G-Dub (Sub Zero + Original Sin) Wednesday 26th September The Arch 11pm - 5am (Two of the biggest dnb producers)
Chimpo Friday 28th September Patterns 11pm - 4am (Old school jungle set)
Secret guests TBA / Sami Kubu Friday 28th September Hideout 11pm - 5am (#RaveForLife)
Hidden Spheres Friday 28th September Komedia 11pm - 3am (A galaxy of beats and rhythms)
Fliptrix / Coops / Pitch 92 Friday 28th September Concorde 2 11pm - 4am (The best in UK hip-hop)
Fracture / Doc Scott / DJ Stretch Friday 28th September The Volks 11pm - 7am (Jungle special)
Shanti Celeste / Josey Rebelle / Saoirse / Faro Saturday 29th September Patterns, 11pm - 5am (House, techno and breakbeat)
Billy Kenny Saturday 29th September Hideout 11pm - 5am (Boundary Festival afterparty)
DJ Hazard / A.M.C. / Eksman Saturday 29th September Concorde 2 11pm - 5am (Breakin Science night of dnb)
Preditah / Mollie Collins Saturday 29th September The Arch 11pm - 5am (Boundary Festival afterparty)
OUT OF TOWN Everything Everything Wednesday 26th September The Garage, London (Pop) - 7pm
Pale Waves Thursday 27th September O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London (Pop) - 7pm
Let’s Eat Grandma Thursday 27th September Heaven, London, UK (Pop) - 6.30pm
Saltwater Sun Thursday 27th September Sebright Arms, Bethnal Green (Indie) - 7pm
Peter Hook & The Light Friday 28 September 2018 KOKO, London (Rock) - 6pm
Mudlow Friday 28th September Lewes Con Club (Blues) - 8pm
Normanton Street Friday 28th September Pop Brixton, London (Soul/hip hop) - 7.45pm
Curved Air Sunday 30th September Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham (Prog rock) - 8pm
Yussef Dayes Tuesday 2nd October Scala, London (Jazz) - 7.30pm
Courtney Pine Wednesday 3rd October Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham (Jazz) - 8pm
Full event listings at Brightonsfinest.com/listings
KURT
VILE To Kurt Vile music is more than the lifeblood. From his solo projects to his album collaborations to his band work, the man lives and breathes music. Now, with the upcoming release of his latest album, Brightonsfinest chatted to the Philadelphian about his recording process, his prolific output and playing with his idols.
Words by Jeff Hemmings
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t’s been quite a journey for the guitarist and singer-songwriter Kurt Vile. Having that distinctive (and real) name helps, but that will only take you so far. A dedication to your craft, and working with like-minded souls is most important, and Vile has that in spades. He knew early on that music is what he wanted to do. From DIY recording and releasing in the early part of the century, to forming The War on Drugs with long-time friend and collaborator Adam Granduciel.
Vile signed with the highly-esteemed American independent record label Matador in 2009 and has remained with them ever since, combining work with The War on Drugs, a high-profile collaboration with Courtney Barnett, and his own music, in forging an impressively productive career, whilst at the same time trying to be a dad to his two young daughters. Perhaps that explains the working methods on coming up with his new album, Bottle It In, once again recorded with his
band The Violators, which took a good two years to complete. “I’ve been bouncing around a lot and recording all over,” Vile says, whilst preparing to drive up to the Catskills for some promotional work. “My family would meet me in the middle of America, and we’d go on a road trip somewhere. I would record in-between all that stuff. The thought of doing an album cycle, touring an album for two years, and then going into a studio and starting a record from scratch, I just don’t have that in me any more. It makes me want to
LIVE REVIEWS
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throw up! I just want to live my life and go in and out of a studio in real time.” Bottle It In is an epic journey, touching upon his on-going musical love affair with Neil Young, but also his new found appreciation of country music. Like a lot of his work, it has an ear for pop composition, combined with some deliciously sprawling yet controlled jams and solos, it’s an album that also heavily features his sometimes under-appreciated vocal. It’s a narrative-cum-storytelling voice that recalls Bob Dylan, but with Vile’s laconic drawl peppering it with its own distinct personality. Vile’s commercial success (and reliability), allows him to have the freedom to work up new recordings in the way he sees fit. “I had done it like this in the past, when I was self-releasing stuff, I was more or less recording all the time. It was a way of life. When I signed to Matador in 2009, there were a couple of records that I knew someone was paying for studio time, and I had to decide who I’m going to work with, like a big to-do. Which was cool, but then I wanted to get back to my roots, and record whenever we wanted, or by myself, with various band mates who have their own studios. I’ve met enough people that I’ve worked with that I could just go in and out of a studio, and not really tell Matador, or worry about that kind of thing.” Along with his trusted Violators - Jesse Trbovich, Rob Laakso and Kyle Spence Vile reached out to some friends, old and new, to help fashion Bottle It In. Including the likes of Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon, Cass McCombs, and Warpaint’s Stella Mozgawa, a particular musical favourite, and who has lent her expressive sticks
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style to Vile’s last three albums. I tell Kurt I am a fan of her. “Everybody loves Stella,” he replies. What’s Kim Gordon’s contribution? “She plays some cool feedback on the end of ‘Mutinies’. That was just a pretty laid back occurrence, because when I went to record with Shawn Everett the first time (he helped produce the album) I showed up in LA a day early, and Steve Gunn, who we love and is in our family was playing. He was playing at The Echo, and Kim was in the audience. We’re friends, and I told her what was happening, and she said ‘let me know if you need any acoustic guitar feedback’, which is her current definition of what kind of sounds she was making. And, it worked out.” Playing with your heroes, it’s what musicians often dream of when learning the ropes. As well as sharing a stage with them. Which is what Vile did recently when he opened for Neil Young at an outdoor festival gig in Quebec, watched by 90,000. “It was awesome. I was terrified. We definitely didn’t bomb, but I didn’t take off, either. I didn’t go into outer space. We got invited because I happened to be in Austin, around SXSW time, and I played Willie Nelson’s ranch, a Buck Owens reunion, and there were people there who saw me, and Promise of the Real, Willie’s kids, they played with me, backed me up on a couple of songs. So, it was a real special day, and the next day when I was actually playing SXSW, my buddy/manager Reni was there and he got an email before I was about to go on stage, saying that we got invited to open that show. I couldn’t believe it. I even bootlegged a poster. They only had a festival poster, so I had somebody make a poster. I had to capitalise on that.”
The thought of touring an album for two years, then going into a studio and starting a record from scratch, it makes me want to throw up! I just want to live my life and go in and out of a studio in real time
A fan all the way it seems. Which helps to explain his collaboration with fellow guitarist and songwriter Courtney Barnett, resulting in the Lotta Sea Lice album of last year. Both are brilliantly expressive guitarists, and both have that speak-sing casual wit and a shared indifference to the pace of the modern world. It was the perfect musical marriage. “We’re mutual admirers. I just got really obsessed with her,” he says. “That was a really cool project. That was the first time I had a 50/50 collaboration with somebody. We didn’t write together, but we brought material in and bounced off each other really good. There was only eight days in the studio, but over a year. A really good time. All those things inspire and inform you in some way.” To read the full interview visit Brightonsfinest.com/KurtVile
Bottle It In Out: 12th October
This show was electric and a side of Albert Hammond Jr. we’ve never seen before. Incredibly passionate and exuding enthusiasm, he looks like he’s loving the solo life. Of course, it’s all about the music and it’s the newer stuff that gets the biggest reactions on the night. Spanning all four albums, and a few EP’s, this was further proof that he’s no longer just the guitarist from The Strokes, he’s a fully-fledged frontman in his own right. Four top bands, all for not much more than the price of a pint. That’s what dreams are made of round these parts. First up, Lacuna Bloome with a typically slow-burning set. Following are Circe, who are the real deal: a band that are capable of building worlds with their ethereal sound gliding around the room in a stunning and electrifying fashion. Next up, Thyla, who’ve always been good, but tonight is a million steps forward, playing songs from their as-yet unreleased new EP. Facing the difficult task of living up to that, Saltwater Sun nail it by simply living up to their name. Their upbeat sound is a perfect wrap to the night: a real celebration of all strands of modern indie-pop, expertly brought together by the Hidden Herd gang.
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/live
Breathe Panel finally returned after their storming Great Escape gig to showcase their self-titled record at The Western in an impressive performance that perfectly highlighted the professionalism and talents of the band. Having learnt their trade across multiple venues throughout the city, it’s no surprise that they’ve come to sound incredibly tight as a band. Nevertheless, this performance was one of their most impressive for sure.
ALBUM REVIEWS Orbital – Monsters Exist Out: 14th September 2018
Monsters Exist cannot help but be influenced by the prevailing political currents an EU referendum, a divided nation etc - and is replete with cautionary warnings, and of unspoken monsters. Despite the doom and gloom, you can enjoy the aural pleasure of Orbital at the same time, as the Hartnolls have always been about high production values. Allied to a rare dance musicality and social-political consciousness, Orbital are both intelligent and humane.
Jungle – For Ever Out: 14th September 2018
A fusion of trip-hop, neo-soul, and plastic soul, with all the ingredients that made their debut great, For Ever is an instant classic. For Ever is always one of two things: a high tempo funk banger or a low-key soul groover - with both being particularly excellent. While many bands try to over convolute and over complicate their second record, Jungle have stuck to a tried and tested formula with just enough of an update to make it successful.
Pale Waves – My Mind Makes Noises Out: 14th September 2018
As the title suggests, this is a record that deals with problems of the mind just as much as it does the heart and, as such, it is destined to be the bedroom soundtrack to an entire generation’s turmoils and travails. Pale Waves have created their own world and delivered what is potentially the biggest, and best, pop album for several years. This record is the noise of fully-formed pop geniuses arriving to take their throne.
Low – Double Negative Out: 14th September 2018
Yet another album which protests Donald Trump’s America, but in an incredibly different way. Low have returned with their 12th studio album across a 25-year career and let me assure you now, Double Negative is no typical listen. Instead, it is a record which cleverly captures the band’s journey against modern society and does so by surrounding themselves in a constant whirring of fresh, harrowing sound.
Read the full reviews at Brightonsfinest.com/albums
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NADINE SHAH In the wake of Donald Trump’s America, the EU Referendum and the turbulent political times we’re currently living in, an era of politically-concious music was always bound to follow. Amongst all the records released in the previous year, it is Nadine Shah’s third album, Holiday Destination, that has truly made a lasting impression, dealing with the refugee crisis and issues of personal identity as a second-generation immigrant. Following her nomination for the 2018 Mercury Prize, she talks to Jeff Hemmings about these influences in her music
Holiday Destination is your most political record to date... It’s the most overtly political record I’ve made to date. The first album touched upon a political approach. I was speaking about the stigma towards those who suffer from mental illness. The second was mainly indulgent about my own rubbish love life, but also touching on parts of mental health as well. This record is mainly about other people and not myself. Everything we’ve seen on the news these past two years, every harrowing image - especially the refugee crisis, and I’m talking mainly about Syria but also others countries like Eritrea and Afghanistan, that is the theme of the album. It’s hoping to play some part in the humanising of these people, by telling their stories. You call yourself a ‘second generation immigrant’... It has informed my songwriting, but it was never actually a label I gave myself. Initially it was a label I was given by other people, and mainly negatively. I’ve just embraced it now. There are hundreds of thousands of second generation immigrants like myself who, at present and maybe previously also, come to this kind of identity crisis, especially in the current climate where there has been this disgusting rise in nationalism. Where you’ll get this ridiculous phrase bandied about, ‘Go back to where you come from’. I’m sure when that is said to me, people mean Pakistan. I don’t speak fluent Urdu.
I’m completely westernised. I was born in England, and I’m very much English. So, I think there are a lot of people like myself who have this identity crisis at present. Can you tell me about the song ‘Holiday Destination’ itself? It was a news piece I’d seen on television, when it was front page news, about the thousands of refugees who had made the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea. On this news piece some holiday makers were interviewed, and one couple said, ‘This is ruining our holiday’. Which, to an extent, I understand. Nobody wants to go away for a respite and see these harrowing images, and things right in front of them. But, at the same time, it really shocked me. Apart from the complete lack of empathy, it was the fact they were so unashamedly saying this on national television. That’s what we are seeing a lot of at the minute, a real decline in empathy. Have you noticed a change in the climate these last few years? Yes, I have noticed. Whether it was always present or it’s a new thing, I don’t know. But the ones who hate the most are the ones who are shouting the loudest. Almost in an environment where we are allowing them to. Some of the front page news has some of the most disgusting rhetoric on it, these right wing papers essentially. Some of the rhetoric is pure evil. If you see that on a national newspaper it almost tells you it’s okay to
speak like this. So yeah, I’m hearing a lot more racism, seeing a lot more racism as well. It’s pretty terrifying. It’s not just in the UK. What’s happening in America at the minute, it’s terrifying. There’s a strong post-punk sound to your music. Can you tell me about the influences that inform this record? I was actually brought up on Motown records, and these girl bands, like The Shirelles, and The Crystals, and The Shangri-Las. My father listened to a lot of Pakistani music, which I didn’t like at the time, but which I now love. We take inspiration from everywhere. On this record you can hear what Ben (Hillier) was listening to, and his influence on it. More than ever before. You can hear he is a fan of Fela Kuti and Talking Heads. When we made the record we wanted to make it upbeat and energetic, even though it is very political. We didn’t want it to be dour, and negative. When we play now, perhaps we may be preaching to the converted, and being in some kind of echo chamber, but what we’re seeing which is really beautiful - for that one hour we are playing - everybody in that room is completely united by similar opinions. It helps to re-charge your batteries. And for that tiny amount of time, and this sounds cheesy, it restores your faith in justice. So, I’m quite hopeful. To read the full Q&A with Abi visit Brightonsfinest.com/NadineShah
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