Bristol In Stereo // Pwr Bttm by Bristol In Stereo

BRISTOL LIVE LIVE & NEW MUSIC MAGAZINE

10-P GUIDE TO BRISTOL & BEYOND

PWR BTTM A p r. 1 7 | 6 3

O C T O B E R D R I F T, RELEASES & MORE. 1

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Sat 1st Apr • £25 adv

Fri 12th May • £3 adv

Fri 1st Sep • £12 adv

IRA

BA1 Records Showcase

Guns 2 Roses

Thu 6th Apr • £20 adv

Sat 13th May • From £15 adv 10.30pm-5am • over 18s only

Fri 15th Sep • £12 adv

Blackberry Smoke + Biters

Fri 7th Apr • £12 adv

The Amy Winehouse Experience A.K.A Lioness Sat 8th Apr • SOLD OUT

The Selecter / The Beat feat. Ranking Roger

The Velvets Keeping The Rave Alive Fri 22nd Sep • £13 adv Neon Nation The Smyths Kutski + more TBA Mon 15th May • £26.50 adv

George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic

Fri 29th Sep • £18 adv

Mayday Parade Thu 5th Oct • £22.50 adv

Tue 16th May • £20 adv

New Found Glory

Thu 13th Apr • £25 adv

The Cribs

Fri 6th Oct • £22.50 adv

Greensleeves 40th Anniversary starring Freddie

Sat 20th May • £25adv

DJ Shadow

Chronixx

Wed 12th Oct • £35 adv

McGregor, King Jammy and Yellowman

Sat 15th Apr • £15.50 adv

Giggs

& The Zincfence Redemption Mon 22nd May • £25adv

Dru Hill feat. Sisqo, 112 & Ginuwine

Twin Atlantic

+ Csar + Mista Bibs

Tue 18th Apr • SOLD OUT

+ Darlia + The Pale White

Rag ‘n’ Bone Man

Wed 25th Oct • £22.50 adv

Wed 24th May • £25adv

W.A.S.P.

Wed 19th Apr • £25 adv Rescheduled date

The Saw Doctors

Hawkwind Thu 25th May • SOLD OUT

Skunk Anansie

Sat 28th Oct • £18.50 adv

Sleaford Mods + Nachthexen

Sat 22nd Apr • From £10 adv 8pm-2am • over 18s only

Sat 27th May • From £12adv

Tue 14th Nov • £29.50 adv

Punky, Reggae Party Trojan Sound System, Black Roots

Dot to Dot Festival 2017

Happy Mondays

Sat 10th Jun • £19.50 adv

Thu 16th Nov • £22.50 adv

+ Smiley & The Underclass + Hotsteppas

2-Tone Tribute Tour Thu 15th Jun • £18 adv

Insane Clown Posse + Mushroomhead

Stormzy

The Wedding Present Playing “George Best”

Wed 13th Dec • £27.50 adv

Wed 3rd May • SOLD OUT

Wed 2nd Aug • £20 adv

Future Island

Bad Religion

Thu 14th Dec • £24 adv

Wed 10th May • £16.50 adv

Sun 6th Aug • £18 adv

+ Cast

Protoje & The Indiggnation

Kate Nash

Fri 15th Dec • £19.50 adv

Thu 11th May • £20 adv

Sat 12th Aug • £22.50 adv

Underoath

Sublime with Rome

Fri 28th Apr • SOLD OUT

Fish Shed Seven Purple Rain A Celebration of Prince

O2 Academy Bristol Frogmore Street, Bristol BS1 5NA • Doors 7pm unless stated Venue box office opening hours: Mon - Sat 12pm - 4pm

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April • 2017

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Festival season is here. Where the hell did the beginning of this year go? I don’t know about you but the fact that it’s April already is freaking me out. Existential crisis aside, the beginning of April also means the beginning of festival season and lucky for you, we’ve compiled a handy guide so you can plan out your summer with ease. Elsewhere, we’re ecstatic to welcome PWR BTTM to our cover – they released one of the best albums of 2016 and we can’t wait to see where these punks take us next. Honorary Bristolians October Drift answer a quick Q&A, we review the stomping live return of local favourites Idles and our news editor Christian tells us about his pains of starting up a new label. Speaking of labels, turn the next page to see what Breakfast Records are looking forward to this month. Sammy Maine Managing Editor Ed-in-Chief Loki Lillistone / Live Ed Mustafa Mirreh / News Ed Christian Northwood / Plus many amazing contributors in print and online.

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F E S T I VA L G U I D E : 1 0 PA G E S O N BRISTOL, THE UK & BEYOND!

COVER: PWR BTTM

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NEW RELEASES

LIVE LISTINGS

THOUGHTS: LEISURE RECORDS

BRISTOL BECAUSE: OCTOBER DRIFT

28th – 29th JULY : BRUTON, SOMERSET SQUAREP USHER’S

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GUEST PICKS

What our pals are into this month.

JOE SHERRIN, MILO’S PLANES (JAMES HANKINS)

Dan Anthony

Label Co-Founder

Milo’s Planes Crofters Rights, 15th Sounding like Fugazi, At The Drive-In and Metz crushed together in the centre of a dying star, Milo’s Planes are that rare, lethal combination of being prolific yet disgustingly consistent in the quality of their releases. The 15th marks the release of their third album, Individual Development Plan on Gravy Train, following last year’s EP Insects and album Delivering Business Success, with support from Leisure Records’ latest signings Leeches and the ever-great Bo Gritz. 8

The launch party is at the usual haunt of Crofters Rights, and we at Breakfast Records can say with near-mathematical certainty it will be a sick night. Milo’s Planes had a spot on our first compilation last April with their incredible track ‘Stampede’ and they’ve held a steady place (as much as cerebral thrash-punk can) in our hearts ever since. We can only hope against the gnashing tedium of our day jobs that they hold a similarly fervent place in your heart too.

No Violet

NO VIOLET

Mr Wolfs, 6th We had No Violet support Human Bones down at the Old England late last year and it would be an understatement to say they made a lasting impression. Drawing together a striking combination of atmospheric grunge, fuzzpunk and semi-contorted math rock, they’ve earned more plaudits in the past year than we can fit into 100 words and, amazingly, have done so without releasing any recorded music. That’s all set to change on the 6th when they have a launch party for their first single down at Mr. Wolfs, supported by art-punk trio Dead Royalties. One not to miss.

CHUMAN

Chuman

Exchange, 8th Practically an institution himself, Chuman has long been cutting up Bristol and Manchester with his entertaining mix of bontempi drums, trash-funk guitar and prescient insight into the existential vagaries of modern life. After releasing his EP Midnight BBQ last year, we’ve been itching to do more and on the 8th of April, we have a fundraiser down at the Exchange for an

upcoming vinyl collaboration due later this summer. With support from Taos Humm and Salvation Bill, it’s the perfect chance to help contribute to a future musical landmark in the illustrious, selfdescribed genre of crap rap. Breakfast Records is a Bristol-based DIY label. For more: breakfastrecords.co.uk 9

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Bristoldoes Festivals Whatever the weather...

Plus:

Dear Dick’s Festival Tips.

Whatever the weather. Whatever your vice. Whatever the amount of money left in your wallet after an ill-advised bank holiday weekend, we’ve got just the thing. The festival scene has just exploded in the last couple of years, and it’s our pleasure to round up the best of the fests in handy A6 form... Just when you thought you were safe, young revellers.

the

Bristol Live Presents...

Guide

Dot to Dot

Various Venues 27.05 // £12adv

Key Acts: Sundara Karma, Pinegrove, The Growlers, Cherry Glazer, Honeyblood, Nilüfer Yanya, Vagabon. Few entities in Bristol have been relentlessly pushing new music as much as Dot To Dot, and it’s for that reason that we’re thrilled to announce we’ll be presenting a stage this year. Following our local support falling through (exploding?) at Bristol Live Turns Five recently,

we’re proud to say we’ll be hosting ten amazing local acts at The Louisiana, TBA this month. They’ll be joining the usual mix of ‘those guys from my favourite music blog’ and ‘I’ve never heard them but they’re amazing!’ that makes D2D one of the city’s most treasured and, dare we say, best value events. Get ready to soak up new music like the insatiable sponge you are.

Bristol & Nearby

Farmfest

Gilcombe Farm 28-29.07 // From £79 Weekend

Key Acts: Shobaleader One (Squarepusher), DJ Yoda, This is the Kit, Goan Dogs, Shapes T/O. Farmfestival have been slowly building their own world for over a decade, and 2017 follows on

Deadpunk Exchange / Stag 06.05 / From £20

confidently. Shobaleader One are widely regarded as one of the most sought-after sets around, with them being joined by a truly eclectic lineup of bands best enjoyed live. Throw in FF’s famously friendly vibes and you’ve got perfect, unpretentious summer fun.

Bristol Psych Fest 07-08.07 // From £12adv

Key Acts: AJJ, Petal, Martha, The Tuts, She Makes War, Two White Cranes.

Key Acts: Spectres, The Shivas, Kill West, Yo No Se, The Evil Usses.

The Deadpunk team have always promoted a punk agenda with inclusivity at its core. Now in its sixth year, they’ll be showcasing a mix of local bands and artists from across the pond, in what’s set to be the last year in this intimate Exchange / Stag & Hounds format.

These champions of the psych rock spectrum up their game by spreading proceedings across the magic Crofters Rights and gert massive Trinity Centre. It’s clear the Bristol Psych Fest are hot on the heels of the much-loved Liverpool event, and right on our doorstep too.

End of The Road Key Acts: Mac Demarco, Father John Misty, Bill Callahan, Lucinda Williams, Waxahatchee, Perfume Genius. An event that offers much more than its carefully-curated line-up, you’ll find a disco in a forest drenched in fairy lights,

Larmer Tree Gardens 31.0803.09 // £189adv

art installations, karaoke showers, stellar comedy acts and a woodland library. With secret sessions, a cinema, their own post office and some of the best eats around, it’s no wonder the acts love it as much as the attendees.

Festival Tip!

Fat Lip Fest Lanes / Keller 29.07 // £15adv Key Acts: Young Guns, ROAM, Feed The Rhino, Devil Sold His Soul. The logical conclusion for the monthly pop-punk mega-party that is Fat Lip was always a music festival, and 2017 is the year that gift from the party gods finally lands. Expect a who’s who of their niche out in force. Just don’t peak too early and miss the headliners, bro.

Get that authentic Glastonbury feeling at your local city fest by pitching a tent on the nearest roundabout island. Alakazam! You now also have a less blinkered view of the UK’s homelessness epidemic.

Bristol Pride Key Acts: Charlotte Church’s Pop Dungeon, Dr Meaker, Avec Sans, Saara Aalto, Union J, Sonia. Bristol’s fiercest and proudest party is back this summer to celebrate diversity, equality and the spirit of community.

Amphitheatre 08.07 // From £5.50

Always bagging the best kind of pop and dance acts around, this year welcomes everything from an X Factor finalist to Charlotte Church’s renowned covers band. There’s also a market area, family activities and dance and cabaret stages. O2 Academy will host the afterparty.

‘Stay Safe’

Illegal drugs are always an issue at festivals, so avoid them by loading up on harmless, legal ones like booze and MSG.

ArcTanGent 17-19.08 // £90 Weekend Key Acts: Converge, Explosions In The Sky, Future Of The Left, TesseracT.

Stamp out ticket touts by paying with counterfeit money, sorted.

Bristol is full of great niches, but ArcTanGent are really bossing theirs. It’s another year of wall-to-wall rock bands, going perhaps a little broader this time as they span post-hardcore, metalcore, djent, post-rock and more way up the bill.

Love Saves The Day

Eastville Park 27-28.05 // From £75 Weekend

Key Acts: Little Dragon, Mura Masa, Kate Tempest, Crazy P, NAO, Elder Island.

usual party staples of EDM, dub and the like creating the perfect way to blow off some steam in the tentative English sun.

From 10k attendees in the centre to thrice that at their spiritual home of Eastville Park, LSTD has come far, fast. Proceedings are Bristol-y as hell, with their

Team Love are renowned for the summer sound, with that reflected in quite how quickly the tickets disappear each year. Move fast, Bristol.

Simple Things Various Venues 21.10 / £TBA

Harbour Festival Various Venues 21-23.07 / Free

Key Acts: An eclectic mix of blogosphere darlings and cult faves TBA.

Key Acts: A sea of local music with familyfriendly headliners.

While the lineup is, as usual, yet to be announced for the biggest night in October, Simple Things deserves a choice spot in your festival calendar. Catch up on a year’s worth of new music from the epicentre of good taste.

Taking over a smattering of venues around or in (hi, Thekla!) the Harbour, the annual event Bristolians affectionately call Harbourside is back, with much still a mystery. Expect a great local stage at the Loui, plus some apt headliners TBA.

Continues on p.20

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Best Fests - UK

Field Day

Victoria Park, London // 03.07 £64.50adv

Key Acts: Aphex Twin, Flying Lotus, Death Grips, Run The Jewels, Whitney, Slowdive, Moderat. Picture the famed booking prowess of Field Day. Okay, now picture it condensed into one amazing

Great Escape B’ton //18-20.05 £60 Weekend

day – that’s FD 2017. Ramping things up with a huge and high-tech new stage ‘The Barn’ this year, you’ll be safe even if the heavens open. Headlining said stage is the legendary Aphex Twin with his first UK live show in nearly a decade; another huge win for team FD.

Live At Leeds Leeds 29.04 // £32.50adv

Key Acts: Slaves, Dream Wife, Goat Girl, Froth, Cabbage, October Drift.

Key Acts: Rag’n’Bone Man, White Lies, Wild Beasts, Jagwar Ma, Teleman, Idles.

The Great Escape is truly the UK’s flagship multi-venue fest-a-rama. Literally hundreds of acts make the pilgrimage to Brighton for TGE and its fringe stages with the hopes of getting in front of industry bigwigs and, well, you. It’s new music heaven, with a pier.

Live At Leeds have been landing staunchly good lineups for over a decade, and this year is no exception. Their tireless focus on new music has been a guiding light for music-lovers and breakthrough acts alike; hop on the Megabus and blow your mind.

Green Man Key Acts: Future Islands, The Shins, PJ Harvey, Ryan Adams, Angel Olsen, Julia Jacklin. Taking place in the breathtaking surroundings of Brecon Beacons, there’s a magical undercurrent to this Welsh

Brecon Beacons 17-20.08 // £180adv

gem. As well as hosting a wealth of acts – often on the cusp of superstardom – the festival prides itself on its extra-curricular activities, including science experiments, nature expeditions, fairground rides, DJ sets and of course, the final night bonfire and firework display.

If It Pours...

Electric Fields 01-02.09 // £95 Key Acts: Frightened Rabbit, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Real Estate. Arguably Scotland’s best festival, Electric Fields offers up an eclectic array of artists – from Mercury music prize winners to national treasures – in the stunning surroundings of a 17th century castle and forest gardens. A festival fit for a literal queen.

Mud is a common complaint for the festivalgoer, but remember, some pigs are more intelligent than humans and they love mud. Maybe if we were more like them, we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in now...

Destination Fests

Primavera

Barcelona, ES 31.05-04.06 // £170 Weekend

Key Acts: Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, The xx, Metronomy, Solange, Grandaddy, Slayer?! What’s better than a music festival? A music festival that’s also a holiday,

Iceland Airwaves 01-05.11 / £170 Weekend

of course. Barcelona’s spring jewel boasts sun, sea, sand and a lineup that’s just loco. Now with an attendance of almost 200k, it’s like any huge fest back home, just with better acts, hotter punters and ample tapas.

OFF festival Katowice, PL 04-06.08 / £54

Key Acts: Fleet Foxes, Childhood, Ásgeir, Mammút, Alexander Jarl, Hildur.

Key Acts: Daniel Johnston, PJ Harvey, Shellac, Swans, The Black Madonna.

Let’s face it, Iceland is cool. If you think of yourself as such and still haven’t been, stop Björking the talk, and start Björking the walk. Come for a handful of choice international acts joined by an army of Icelandic breakthroughs, stay for the outstanding natural beauty and DJ sets from the actual Blue Lagoon.

This perfect Polish getaway boasts beer that costs around a quid and a lineup that rivals some of the UK’s most established events. With a stage dedicated to strictly experimental acts, you can always count on OFF to bring you the unexpected.

La Route du Rock Key Acts: PJ Harvey, Interpol, Mac Demarco, Angel Olsen, DJ Shadow, Ty Segall. If you’re down for un petit voyage en France, La Route du Rock is waving distance from the channel islands and

Brittany, FR 17-20.08 / £86

has been smashing out very tasteful lineups for decades. While only a fraction of 2017 has been announced so far, they’re already eschewing the typicallycontinental tack of ‘bands with the most Facebook likes’ for diverse leftfield heroes. Grab a pastry and croiss it off your list.

Last Tip!

Oasis Festival Marrakech, MO 15-17.09 // £140 Key Acts: Daniel Avery, Henrik Schwartz, Karenn, KiNK, Kornel Kovacs, Nicolas Jarr. The otherwordliness of Morocco is just an Easyjet away. Mix with that some choice music and affordable luxury and you’ve got a do-able, fancy festival for those who’d choose pools and villas over tents any day. Dance music’s best kept secret according to Ministry of Sound.

Steer clear of annoying programme clashes by attending a festival that is of no interest to you, with the added bonus of feeling a serene sense of superiority. Good luck, Bristol. Dick. ‘Dear Dick’ returns next month. Visit us online for more festival wisdom.

TUE.14.MAR.17

VUKOVI

THE LOUISIANA

WED 22ND MAR 2017

THU.30.MAR.17

FORMATION THE EXCHANGE

NEW CARNIVAL THE LOUISIANA

“People seemed a lot hungrier...

...for the space we create.” 26

PWR BTTM W. K e z i a C o c h r a n e P. E b r u Y i l d i z

§§§

iercely effervescent and glitter-dusted, “queer punk” duo PWR BTTM, aka Liv Bruce and Ben Hopkins, definitively made their mark with the charm and wit of debut album Ugly Cherries, released last year. With the eagerly anticipated follow-up Pageant due out in May, the Brooklyn-based band are preparing to head out on an extensive series of tour dates. Describing the new album as “not the sequel but the next step to Ugly Cherries” the pair affirm “when we made Ugly Cherries we were laying the groundwork for what Pageant became”. Naturally, there’s always an element of second album syndrome that can be difficult to overcome for any band. Given the great acclaim and dedicated following PWR BTTM received as a result of their first album, with its encapsulating joy, unique, playful honesty and openness, it’s no wonder they felt a certain pressure with the follow up. “When you know that there’s a group of people that love the record that you already made and want to hear the next one it can kind of mess you up,” Bruce remarks, going on to mention, “we had to work real hard to get back into that kind of intuitive writing.” They agree this intuition came about easier during the creation of Ugly Cherries – granted, they didn’t know who would hear it. Thankfully, though, this didn’t pose too much of a hindrance for Pageant; “I couldn’t be prouder of the result, it’s definitely our best work yet,” Hopkins adds. 27

Habitually bedecked in a vibrant array of patterned fabrics and shimmering adornments, the band’s visual aesthetic is undoubtedly characteristic and intrinsic to the PWR BTTM array. They both enthusiastically cite “The Muppet Show as an inspiration for everything” with Bruce going on to describe their style as “The Muppets meets like 90s New York drag meets somebody getting too much glue on their hands and like accidentally touching a craft table.” When choosing outfits to bring on tour Bruce says they “go by what’s comfortable. When I’m shopping I actually sometimes close my eyes and run my hands through a rack at the thrift store so I don’t have to like look at it, so I don’t have to fall in love with a piece of clothing that’s really uncomfortable, and then I choose something that feels really good and then I open my eyes”. Hopkins adds, “I tend to always buy at thrift stores. I don’t try my dresses on before I buy them because it’s not really about what they fit like but I just like the idea of them. If they don’t fit, if they’re too big or too small I just like rip it or staple it together,” choosing outfits on the basis of “something that makes me feel like this would make me have fun if I was wearing it.” It’s a sentiment Bruce echoes, highlighting the importance for them of “making a space where people feel comfortable.” Considering the current political climate, particularly post-Trump’s election, Bruce remarks, “I think people seemed a lot hungrier for the space we create at our shows after the election. I think the basic premise hasn’t changed in what we do, it just might be a bit more loaded now,” they emphasise, however “there were plenty of people who needed queer safe spaces before the election, just as drastically as they still do.” Bruce goes on to passionately declare “it’s important 28

not to lose sight of fun and joy, and hopefully not lose sight of love; I’m not talking about this kind of corporatised idea of love and joy that is used to blanket a lot of oppression and make it like everything’s okay when it’s not. I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the kind of love a mother feels for their child; the love that makes you keep going ‘cause anger burns out.” An illustration of the inspiring, dynamic positivity that PWR BTTM encapsulate. Even over the phone, the pair’s infectious vivacity is palpable as they enthuse about getting to play in a band, and joke about the need to “buy 20 phone chargers, drink a lot of water, call your mom” when touring. “I think it’s very easy to tell when people come to our shows that we love being in a band a lot, it’s really, really fun for us, and you know, getting to dress up and play music everyday,” Hopkins says, adding “the thing I love about PWR BTTM is I don’t think we’re ever too cool for anything.” On the topic of touring, they stress the necessity of making “space to do the things that make you feel sane on tour.” Mentioning the importance of finding “a skincare routine that consists mostly of inexpensive things because pretty much everything will get lost at some point.” Bruce quips, “isn’t that just a great metaphor for life? It’s all going away. Find stuff that’s easily replaceable or if you fall in love with something that’s impossible to replace try to hold onto it.” That seems like pretty sound advice. PWR BTTM play the Exchange on 16th April.

Pageant is released on 12th May via Big Scary Monsters / Polyvinyl.

“The thing I love about PWR BTTM is I don’t think we’re ever too cool for anything”

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FREEZE THE ATLANTIC THE LOUISIANA

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JOHNNY LLOYD THE LOUISIANA

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CATTLE & CANE THE LOUISIANA

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Ma nche ster F ri.2 6 .M ay

Bristol

S a t . 2 7 . M ay

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Plus lots more JUST ANNOUNCED across multiple venues #d2dfest • dottodotfestival.co.uk • alttickets.com 30

THEKLA

LIVE LISTINGS The Grove East Mud Dock Bristol BS1 4RB theklabristol.co.uk | thekla.club F L theklabristol | I X theklabris alt-tickets.co.uk • gigantic.com • bristolticketshop.co.uk

SATURDAY 22ND APRIL

SUNDAY 2ND APRIL

THE MOONLANDINGZ + GOAT GIRL

SOLD OUT

TUESDAY 4TH APRIL

WILLIAM MCCARTHY OF AUGUSTINES SUNDAY 23RD APRIL

TRIM

ECLIPSE + ONE DESIRE + FRANKLIN ZOO

WEDNESDAY 5TH APRIL

HALEY BONAR

MONDAY 24TH APRIL

JOE GODDARD

+ MICHAEL NAU + MALIHINI FRIDAY 7TH APRIL

WEDNESDAY 26TH APRIL

GAVIN JAMES

BARRY ADAMSON

+ JAMES TW + FREYA RIDINGS

THURSDAY 27TH APRIL

THE QUIREBOYS

SATURDAY 8TH APRIL

PALLBEARER

+ THE LAST GREAT DREAMERS + SOULS OF TIDE

+ PINKISH BLACK MONDAY 10TH APRIL

SATURDAY 29TH APRIL

CHAINSKA BRASSIKA

JAMIE LENMAN

THURSDAY 13TH APRIL

REAL FRIENDS + CAN’T SWIM + MICROWAVE FRIDAY 14TH APRIL

HELLYEAH + RAVENEYE + SANGUINE SATURDAY 15TH APRIL

JAKE SIMS MONDAY 17TH APRIL

PATENT PENDING WEDNESDAY 19TH APRIL

PALACE FRIDAY 21ST APRIL

DEVIL SOLD HIS SOUL + POLAR + FOES

MONDAY 1ST MAY

SOLD OUT

BLACK SPIDERS + BIGFOOT TUESDAY 2ND MAY

THE RIFLES (ACOUSTIC) WEDNESDAY 3RD MAY

SAM BROOKES FRIDAY 5TH MAY

TAX THE HEAT SUNDAY 7TH MAY

SEAFRET + LEWIS CAPALDI TUESDAY 9TH MAY

WILL JOSEPH COOK WEDNESDAY 10TH MAY

MODULUS QUARTET 31

NEW RELEASES

DIET CIG

OUR RELEASE OF THE MONTH With their debut EP Over Easy, New York duo Diet Cig forged themselves an immediate and quickly-developing fan base. With their brash, boisterous energy, underlying tenderness in melodies and a compassionate, personal foundation from which to work, their debut album is an even stronger and more compelling definition of who they are as a group – displaying their charismatic empathy across twelve distinct tracks.

DIET CIG SWEAR I’M GOOD AT THIS Frenchkiss | 07.04

STREAM: Tummy Ache (YT) 32

With a brace of angst and agony, Diet Cig are able to channel such forthcomings in relationships, life and expectancies with a true sense of wit and understanding. Alex Luciano is captivating and unquestionably affecting in both lyricism and delivery – her frank openness as motivating as it is empathising – while Noah Bowman smashes all measure of emotions out across the record, whether in sadness or confrontation. Together they craft songs of true mindfulness that can inspire without even trying, simply by being an authentic voice. Ross Jones

THE BIG MOON LOVE IN THE 4TH DIMENSION Fiction Records | 07.04

The Big Moon’s first album is emblazoned with female empowerment, while its bluesy rock tones empathetically explore the complexities of modern relationships. Opening track, the wistfully reflective ‘Sucker’, echoes the band’s influences – Roy Orbison, The White Stripes and Pixies – in its melodies and melancholic garage feel. Then there’s ‘Formidable’, a bewitchingly compassionate track set to break hearts. The title track is beautifully written, as it scrutinises the all-too-familiar feeling of a relationship falling apart before even starting. By combining a DIY aesthetic with gorgeously sombre tones, Love in The 4th Dimension is a lyrically-intricate collection of love songs that feels engaging and nurturing to anyone who’s ever fallen in love. Georgia Balch

FUTURE ISLANDS THE FAR FIELD 4AD | 07.04

There’s a rich, warm vulnerability and earnestness in Samuel T. Herrings’ voice that stirs up something deep and emotional inside. Weaving sonic narratives of love and ‘odes to the road’, Future Islands’ fifth album The Far Field channels the band’s swooning power-pop that won them such resounding acclaim on 2014’s Singles, with an even greater potency and urgency. Featuring guest vocals from Debbie Harry on penultimate song ‘Shadows’ and filled with glistening, majestic melodies, powerful basslines, and infectious drum beats, the band’s instrumental prowess and propensity for crafting suave, captivating ballads is perfectly honed here; The Far Field is an irresistiblyarresting collection of tracks that is utterly enchanting throughout. Kezia Cochrane

FATHER JOHN MISTY PURE COMEDY Bella Union | 07.04

In the era of iPhoneengaged youth, melting ice caps and Donald Trump, Father John Misty reflects on the bleak outlook of the current social climate with latest album, Pure Comedy. In the follow-up to I Love You, Honeybear, he’s retained and grown the beautiful eloquence of his lyricism enwrapped in soothing melodies and soft vocals. In his true satirical manner, Father John Misty comments on the rising tide of idiots in ‘Ballad of the Dying Man’ to lack of human connection in ‘Birdie’. Blending soft guitar with beautiful strings and horn compositions, the album is a disparaging scrutiny of human nature, and gets you contemplating your insignificant existence. Hannah Wakeman 33

SYLVAN ESSO WHAT NOW? Loma VIsta, 28.04

The second full length album from the North Carolina duo of Amelia Meath and Nick Sanbor is a complex layering of glitchy dance tracks, ambient soundscapes and electronic rock while staying close to the electronic base of previous releases. The sonic expansion from Sanborn gives the album a depth where you’re hearing Sylvan Esso’s interpretation of a rock track, like on ‘Song’, with new stylings that showcase Meath’s vocal range, such as ‘Slack Jaw’. Analog samples combined with acoustic guitars and stripped-back drums shows progression in the duo’s sound. It’s an electronic album at heart, but one that wants to do more than just get you dancing. Albert Testani

HAPPYNESS WRITE IN Weird Smiling / Moshi Moshi | 07.04

The rise of the internet. The privatisation of Royal Mail. Even fax machines have fed a superfluous decline in the simple ritual of sending a letter. “How much better, to write in?” is the first query of many to feature on the second LP from London’s terrific and prolific Happyness. The near-schizophrenic switch between jubilance and melancholia on Write In can be determined by the listener; an audible mood ring of sorts. As the record winds a hall-of-fame corridor of 70s songwriting revival, ‘Victor Lazarro’s Heart’ shines as a true highlight, peaking a crescendo of mid-paced euphoria. A welcome return and missing component to sterling and ernest alternative British songwriting. Richard Walsh 34

GOAN DOGS YOU DRIVE ME WILD Self-release | 14.04

If there’s one thing that’s certain about alt rock quintet Goan Dogs, it’s that they’ll make your body move no matter the occasion. Following the timeless ‘Drifting Apart’, the band are back with new single ‘You Drive Me Wild’ and it’s clear from the first few seconds that this piece is another classic in the making. Frontman Luke St Leger drives it home over this rhythm-heavy piece, as his preacher-like vocals pin together the band’s exquisite pop melodies, drawing in even the most casual listener. Let Goan Dogs drive you wild this month at the Exchange, 7th. Mustafa Mirreh

JOE GODDARD ELECTRIC LINES Greco-Roman / Domino | 21.04

Making up crucial parts of Hot Chip and The 2 Bears, Joe Goddard is constantly surrounded by music. His second album echoes just that, bringing in a confident selection of genres whether it be the disco dazzler ‘Home’ or twinkling garage of ‘Truth is Light’. These left-field dance numbers are similar to the urgent fusion of genres Four Tet brings to the table; atmospheric trance-like techno exists in tracks like ‘Children’ and ‘Nothing Moves’, where he brings heart to industrial bleeps and sombre synths. After eight years waiting for new solo material, this record is not just expertly crafted and experimental in the best sense, it’s also a true step forward. Oliver Evans

MAXIMO PARK RISK TO EXIST Cooking Vinyl | 21.04

Six albums in and the title track has the catchiest lines, but lacks the punch Maximo Park delivered almost ten years ago. ‘Work And Then Wait’ brings a bright instrumental which sits under Smith’s social commentary and, while there isn’t an album theme per se, politics do seep into more than a few songs. The album feels more like a compilation of quintessential songs from the Geordie band, which renders the album a little lacklustre as no single song commands attention, making it feel a little disjointed and clumsy. Although bold and at times catchy, the new material sadly doesn’t quite capture the magic of previous releases. Callum Stevens

BLAENAVON THAT’S YOUR LOT Atlantic | 07.04

Having been rocking out together for years already, it comes as no surprise that Blaenavon’s debut album flawlessly captures their sound. With ‘Take Care’ being the skillful combination of smooth guitar riffs and melancholic tones, courtesy of lead singer Ben Gregory, it really shows off the moody indie which the band excel at producing. A silky-smooth mix of mellow jams, That’s Your Lot couldn’t be a better introduction to a band who are bound to blow up in the indie scene. Equal parts beautiful and heart-breaking, from the upbeat ‘Let’s Pray’ to the slightly heavier ‘Swans’, Blaenavon have perfected their unique blend of tranquility and anguish, packing this record full of both. Catrin Bishop 35

BRISTOL BECAUSE... City chat with our fave people.

This month: Chris Holmes , October Drift When did you first move to Bristol? We actually all live in Taunton, but see Bristol as our hometown place to gig in. There’s virtually no music scene going on where we live, so spend a lot of time traveling up to Bristol to watch bands.

What’s been a highlight for OD? For me it’s whenever we play a busy headline show. I’ve never got used to people paying to watch us play and I’m always taken aback when a show sells out. We’ve been lucky enough to play a few sold out shows, both in Bristol and in other cities and the feeling you get from them is amazing. Without an audience the whole process is kind of pointless, so I’m always really grateful to anyone who takes the time to come to a show.

How would you describe the music scene here? I think it’s probably the most diverse I’ve come across. I once went to a show in Bristol where a guy was playing dance

music through a squid. It kinda freaked me out a bit, but I don’t know another city where you can walk into a venue and find sea creatures being used as instruments.

Who’s your top Bristol artist at the moment? That’s a hard one because there’s a load of people to choose from. We played with Idles last year at the BBC6 festival at Thekla and thought they were insane. Also The Naturals and Spectres are great. We’ve all been to see them live a fair few times over the years. I think the artist that, as a band, we listen to the most is Oliver Wilde. We play his albums a lot in the van and have seen him live quite a few times. Kiran our singer went to his show at Thekla the other week and raved about it. Other artists we listen to are Sienna Chorus, Scarlet Rascal, Rhain and LICE.

What’s your favourite thing about the city? Mission Burrito, and The Louisiana...

October Drift play a sold-out show at The Louisiana on 30th April. Read the full Q+A online. 37

Behind Every Musician

@WeAreTheMU 40