Brum Notes Magazine - May 2013

May 2013

www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands

free

LUCY ROSE In Bloom.

ALSO INSIDE: Swim Deep’s Guide to Birmingham Mr Scruff Public Service Broadcasting Kids in Glass Houses Johnny Foreigner Friendly Fire Band and more…

AND: Festival season arrives early with: Reggae City Slam Dunk Festival Now We Are Weekender

PLUS: God Damn / Bovine / FACE vs Leftfoot / Style tips for Spring / What’s on where throughout May May 2013

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Mon 8th July • £25 adv

Sat 23rd Nov • £20 adv

Mon 15th July • £15 adv

ft. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin + Cud + Republic + DJ Steve Lamacq

from Jackass is F**kface Unstoppable

Weds 27th Nov • £16.50 adv

Kendrick Lamar Bam Margera Thurs 2nd May • £20 adv

Thurs 15th Aug • £30 adv

(seated show)

6pm - 10pm

Colin Hay + Chris Trapper

The B52’s

Sat 4th May • £8 adv

Sat 17th Aug • £22.50 adv

‘Ones To Watch’ Showcase

MC Bassman Birthday Bash 2013

ft. Drive Through Therapy

The Silence of the Bass

Sat 11th May • £17.50 adv

Sat 7th Sept • £14.50 adv

6pm - 11pm

The Twang & Cast (co-headline tour)

Sun 12th May • £18.50 adv

Athlete

Tues 21st May • £15 adv / £35 VIP

Brian McFadden Tues 21st May • £35 adv Weds 22nd May • £35 adv

9pm - 5am • last entry 2am • over 18s only

Nedstock 2013

Disclosure

Sat 30th Nov • £28.50 adv / £50 VIP

Howard Jones

30th Anniversary Concert

Sun 1st Dec • £11 adv

The Doors Alive Tues 3rd Dec • £12 adv

Electric Six

Wiley

Fri 6th Dec • £11 adv

Weds 11th Sept • £17.50 adv

Complete Stone Roses

6pm - 10pm

Janet Devlin

Sat 1st June • £15 adv

Miles Kane

Fri 7th June • £10 adv 6pm - 10pm

Toro Y Moi Sat 8th June • £5 adv 6.30pm - 10.30pm

We Are Saviours Tues 11th June • £25 adv

Jurassic 5

Weds 12th June • £18.50 adv

Todd Rundgren’s Official State Visit Mon 17th June • £20 adv

Peter Murphy

Celebrates 35 years of Bauhaus Performing solely Bauhaus material

Fri 28th June • £10 adv / £25 VIP 6pm - 10.30pm

MK1

Fri 24th Jan 14 • £20 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

Fri 3rd May • £8 adv

Sat 22nd June • £7 adv

6pm - 10pm

Dick Valentine

District3

Iced Earth

Rescheduled show • original tickets valid

UK B-Boy Championships 2013

Tues 28th May • £17.50 adv

Sun 12th Jan 14 • £17.50 adv

Tues 17th Sept • £8.50 adv

Thurs 23rd May • £17.50 adv

The View Live at Propaganda

Sleigh The UK 2013: The Wonder Stuff Pop Will Eat Itself Jesus Jones

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Sat 21st Sept • £15 adv Championships wkend ticket £25 adv

10.30pm • over 18s only

Sat 21st Dec • £22.50 adv

Within Temptation

The Specials

Fri 24th May • £5 adv

Revelations: The Mission & Fields Of The Nephilim

6.30pm - 10pm

Old Man Markley

A$AP Rocky

Tues 17th Dec • £26 adv

1pm - 9pm

Weds 8th May • £7 adv

Knock-Out Jam

Thurs 16th May • £6 adv

Sat 28th Sept • £20 adv

+ The Ocean’s Eyes

Wiz Khalifa

We Are Lost Boys Sat 18th May • £5 adv

Orange

Sat 29th June • £5 adv

Lovebite

+ Shine + Witness + Kixxer + Rip Tyde

Sat 6th July • £8 adv

Stereosonics

(Stereophonics Tribute Band)

Weds 10th July • £9.50 adv

Mon 14th Oct • £23 adv

Modern Minds

Babyshambles

+ Open to Fire + The Rebel Beats + SharksvBears + Salophia

Thurs 17th Oct • £15 adv

Sat 25th May • £5 adv

4ft Fingers + Templeton Pek

+ That Cavalier Attitude + Salvation + Driven + Exide

Sat 13th July • £6 adv

Sun 26th May • £5 adv

+ The New Revolutions + Radio Charmers + Rogue Ambition + Temptation

Rudimental

Sat 19th Oct • £20 adv / £50 VIP

Bowling For Soup Bid Farewell Tour 2013

Sat 26th Oct • £18.50 adv

The Feeling

Mon 28th Oct Tues 29th Oct • £17.50 adv Sun 10th Nov • £17.50 adv

Jake Bugg

Thurs 31st Oct • £26.50 adv

Suede

Bastille

Mon 4th Nov • £17.50 adv

The Toy Dolls Sat 16th Nov • £9 adv

[spunge]

Fri 12th July • £7.50 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

Severed Ties

5pm - 10.30pm

Boat To Row & Friends ft. Boat To Row, secret special guest, Hot Feet, Charlotte Carpenter, Cannon Street, Chris Tye & Sonomama

Mon 27th May • £6 adv

Rescheduled show • original tickets valid

Young Kato

6.30pm - 10.30pm

Propagator Presents:

Robert Craig Oulton

Sun 21st July • £6 adv

Emily’s Army

Tues 13th Aug • £6 adv 6pm - 10pm

Disclosure (Rock Band)

www.facebook.com/disclosuremusic

Weds 29th May • £9 adv

Sat 19th Oct • £10 adv

Dizraeli & The Small Gods

Quadrophenia Night

Rescheduled show • original tickets valid

Sun 3rd Nov • £16 adv

The Original Rudeboys

Sat 1st June • £8 adv

twenty | one | pilots Fri 7th June • £6 adv 6pm-10pm

Cat Chinn + Snooty Bobs

8pm - 1am • Over 18s only

Sat 2nd Nov • £10 adv

UK Foo Fighters The No.1 Foo Fighters Tribute

Fri 8th Nov • £12 adv 6.30pm - 10pm

Absolute Bowie

16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, Birmingham, B1 1DB 2

Doors 7.00pm unless stated • Venue box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat 11am-4pm • No booking fee on cash transactions Brum Notes Magazine ticketweb.co.uk • seetickets.com • gigantic.com • ticketmaster.co.uk

CONTENTS

Youth Man live at the O2 Academy 3.

Read the review on P24. Photo by Andy Hughes.

Brum Notes Magazine Unit 12 The Bond 180-182 Fazeley Street Digbeth Birmingham B5 5SE info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising 0121 224 7363 advertising@brumnotes.com Distribution StickupMedia!

0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: David Vincent, Amy Sumner, Tom Pell, Lyle Bignon, Daron Billings, Lauren Cox New Music Editor: Amy Sumner Pictures: Andy Hughes, Jonathan Morgan, Ian Dunn, Sylwia Bagazinska Style editor: Jade Sukiya jade@brumnotes.com Design: Adam Williams, Andy Aitken, Charlotte Audrey Owen-Meehan, Chris Harris Connect Twitter: @BrumNotesMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/ BrumNotesMagazine Online: www.brumnotes.com

Regulars News 4 Hotlist 8 Live Reviews 24-25 Style 26-27 What’s On Guide 29-30 Music and Features Fresh Talent: God Damn/ The Grafham Water Sailing Club/ Tom Peel/ Bovine 6-8 Clubbing: Mr Scruff 11 Clubbing: FACE x Leftfoot 12 Public Service Broadcasting 13 Lucy Rose 15 Festival preview: Now We Are Weekender 16 Festival preview: Slam Dunk 18-19 Festival preview: Reggae City 20-21 Swim Deep 22-23

All content Š Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of content, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses claimed to have been incurred by any errors. Advertising terms and conditions available on request.

May 2013

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new urban radio station to launch in birmingham next month A new FM radio station showcasing the best of Birmingham’s black and urban music scene launches next month.

BASS FM takes to the airwaves as part of the annual BASS Festival, the UK’s biggest annual black music and arts festival, returning to the city in June.

The radio station will broadcast 24 hours a day for 28 days, recruiting new DJs and presenters from the local area, as well as providing training and work experience for dozens of young people. Shows will be presented by established and emerging broadcast talent, supported by a volunteer technical team. Presenters will include 20 DJs being chosen through an open-access try-out day.

For more information or to find out how to get involved follow @bassfmbham on Twitter or visit www.punch-records.co.uk. BASS Festival 2013 runs from June 11 to 29 at various venues across Birmingham. See next month’s magazine for a full preview.

full line-up unveiled for summer music festival in birmingham

indie beer fest to hit the right notes

The full line-up has been announced for this summer’s One Beat Saturday festival, a one-day outdoor music event in Birmingham.

One Beat Records is teaming up with Brum Notes Magazine and Mac Birmingham to bring some of the region’s finest new musical talent together on one bill.

One Beat Saturday will take place at the Mac’s outdoor amphitheatre Arena stage, nestled in the leafy surrounds of Birmingham’s Cannon Hill Park. It follows the success of last summer’s inaugural One Beat Sunday event.

This year’s event will be headlined by folk collective Boat to Row, firm favourites on the festival circuit, and lo-fi dream pop outfit JAWS, who have gone on to earn national acclaim since their appearance at last summer’s One Beat Sunday event.

Organisers have also revealed a host of other names on this year’s bill, including Dumb, Wide Eyed and Velvet Texas Cannonball. Joining them on the outdoor stage will be The Grafham Water Sailing Club, Youth Man and Bad Moon with more very special guests set to be announced shortly.

There will also be DJ sets from Jack Parker and Amy Sumner, spoken word performances, vintage stalls, food and a bar open all day.

Doors will open at 1.30pm, with tickets just £10 for the full day, with music running until 10pm. Last year’s event sold out so advance purchase is recommended. Tickets availJAWS performing at last year’s One Beat Sunday able at www.macarts.co.uk.

A brand new festival celebrating craft beers and independent brewers heads to Birmingham this summer.

The first ever Birmingham Beer Bash runs from July 26 to 27 at The Bond Company in Fazeley Street, Digbeth, showcasing some of the best beers local, national and international brewing has to offer.

More than 100 cask and keg beers will be available across three bars, with the added opportunity to meet the brewers behind them, take part in tutored tastings, and learn about aspects of the brewing process and ingredients in relaxed surroundings, with food also provided by local caterers throughout the weekend.

The Birmingham Beer Bash concept was created by local beer bloggers and enthusiasts, who met through Twitter with the shared goal of bringing the most progressive elements of UK and international brewing to the Midlands and promoting the burgeoning beer scene in Birmingham. Proceeds from the event will be go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

Tickets start from £6 for Friday afternoon or £8 for other sessions and are available at www.birminghambeerbash.co.uk.

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interactive orchestra display to take visitors out of this world An interactive digital music installation takes over the disused Birmingham Municipal Bank this month as part of a unique exploration of music and space.

Universe of Sound: The Planets, devised by the Philharmonia Orchestra, will be free for visitors to interact virtually with the orchestra, playing live and virtual instruments, conducting virtual musicians and enjoying 360 degree projections onto the planetarium-style dome while listening to Gustav Holst’s The Planets. The attraction will be in place at the disused bank in Broad Street from May 25 to June 16, while a special Universe of Sound weekend featuring free family activities, film screenings and live performances will run from June 14 to 16. Highlights will include a screening of Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi classic 2001: A Space Odyssey accompanied by a live soundtrack from the Philharmonia Orchestra and Birmingham’s Ex Cathedra Choir at the Symphony Hall on June 14. For full details visit www.thsh.co.uk/universe-of-sound.

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Brum Notes Magazine

May 2013

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Words by Amy Sumner and Chris Moriarty

The Grafham Water Sailing Club support Evil Alien at The Yardbird, Birmingham, on May 5. Entry is free.

The Grafham Water Sailing Club Whatever you’ve seen or heard The Grafham Water Sailing Club recently, you won’t have forgotten it in a hurry. This band is unlike anything else happening in the Midlands right now.

Hailing from Coventry, they combine an eerie post-punk and industrial sound with driving electro beats, synth, sirens and a killer bassline – creating something unique.

“We met at school,” explains synth player Lee Yeomans of his relationship with bassist and lead vocalist Nathan Rewhorn. “We’ve always been mates...we started a band when we were 14 and we’ve written music together ever since.”

“We’d been in a couple of bands together before,” continues Nathan, “but they just fizzled out. So we decided to start writing electronic music – it all started as a bit of experimentation at first, a chance to have a

play with samplers and drum machines but once it began to grow, we knew we wanted to play live and put records out. We asked the two Georges [Barr – guitar/synth and Miles – vocals/samples] to join us to make it a ‘proper’ band.”

“In terms of sound, we just wanted to work with whatever came out,” says Lee. “There’s never been a master plan in place...we just get in a room together and in one way or another we end up writing a song. We draw influences from house music in terms of progression because we like things to roll along nicely rather than to bash people over the head all the time. We listen to hip hop for beats and indie for lyrics.”

“Right, music is all about layers. Our music sounds like Daft Punk smokin’ a blunt with Ian Curtis” clarifies Nathan. Confused? Try it out for size yourself.

God Damn God Damn are three noise-makers from Wolverhampton whose music is a mesh of sounds you have not heard before. Incorporating everything from heavy metal to grunge to rock to prog and back again, they’re riotous and they’re heavy and they are also completely melodic.

“We’d known each other for a few years from various bands around the area and had spoken several times about forming something,” explains guitarist Dave Copson. “The original plan was for God Damn to be more of a side project, but after a while we realised that we were starting to write actual songs rather than just making noise so we made God Damn our main focus.

“We didn’t really know what we were going to sound like at first, other than having fuzz pedals and amps at full volume!” he continues. “We went to quite a lot of hardcore gigs around the time of forming and really buzzed off the performance and sound created – we wanted to capture that energy but combine it with loads of other influences. We don’t 6

tgwsc.tumblr.com

www.facebook.com/goddamntheband have, and never have had a specific set of bands or genres that we listen to for inspiration. Every sound you hear influences you in some way or another, even non-musical ones so we keep ourselves open to anything.”

And their fans are a varied bunch too. “There doesn’t seem to be a specific crowd which we exclusively appeal to – we play on all

sorts of bills and it always seems to work out,” says Dave. “Sometimes at shows we get full on indie kids standing next to people in Sabbath or Ned’s Atomic Dustbin tshirts and some people who don’t even look like they’d like heavy guitar music but are totally into it. We always get a reaction out of people and that’s what being in a band is all about.”

God Damn headline the Brum Notes May Issue Launch Party at the Bull’s Head, Moseley, on May 2, and also play the Now We Are Weekender at The Public, West Bromwich, on May 25.

Brum Notes Magazine

Tom Peel Everyone’s favourite eccentric twee-folker Tom Peel is back with a brand new subscription club, rewarding his most loyal followers with new music and other treats. But why should you care? Well, aside from the oddball stage-show, shonky dance moves and myriad of props, he’s a darn good songwriter.

So, how would you explain your subscription club to the uninitiated?

I did put a video on YouTube explaining the subscription club but it was about two minutes too long for anyone to watch all the way though, so briefly: it’s a club for my music, you subscribe to my next 24 songs and they are exclusive to subscripients. Full subscription means you get lots of other great stuff too, which is mainly my honour.

What’s the reaction been like so far?

It’s been an interesting experience. I thought about starting the membership number at 101 to make it look like I had more, but then I didn’t put a membership number on anything so it didn’t matter in the end. Plus I think that’s what Hitler did...

Think it could catch on, have you

May 2013

www.tompeel.co.uk discovered the future?

I have a bit of a pigheadedness about the way I want to do this, and I’m not sure if that way will ever be one that catches on to be fair. As a product I think my music is good but I don’t like selling or promoting, I feel uncomfortable. I guess the videos are a poke at advertising itself and my general disdain for promotion and having to sell yourself.

It is of course done with more than a sprinkling of Tom Peel humour, but there’s a serious message here too isn’t there, about the value that people place on an artist’s original work?

Exactly. If people subscribe their subscription payment goes into the work itself, I’ve already got a fairly neat recording situation but I get them mastered separately and it would be good to fund a few more bits and to pay off some equipment, so it’s all going into the music at the end of the day.

Your ‘distinctive’ live style always gets people talking, do you ever worry that people don’t fully appreciate the quality of songwriting that goes behind it?

Yeah, I learnt a lot at Oxjam this year about

this, I was put on with some fairly upbeat fellows and I was introduced as eccentric and the rest, so I launched into my set with my more upbeat material and tried to keep that up for 30 mins and then end with the nutty stuff. But it really doesn’t work like that, I’ve found. I need to do the folky, quiet numbers to contrast the tape deck and the performance has to build. When people weren’t expecting it, it was far easier to do. I think I’ve a new trick up my sleeve though to bring something fresh to my new shows, equally some new ballads. It’s about creating the right environment. www.tompeel.co.uk/#SubscriptionClub

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HOTLIST

PREVIEW

THE PLAYLIST material from The best new material, from Birmingham and beyond.

Bovine

racing

Birmingham sludge rockers Bovine have been creating quite a noise across the metal fraternity from far and wide since the release of their debut album The Sun Never Sets On The British Empire last month. With the physical version hitting the shops in May, they celebrate its release with a welcome live show on home soil.

There’s nothing quiet about Bovine musically. But in the background, they’ve quietly gone about their business, recording and releasing one of 2013’s most well received hard rock debut albums. The high ranking reviews from media both at home and abroad seem even more impressive when you discover it was all recorded in just a week.

“It’s very strange ‘cause you don’t know what type of monster you’ve made until it comes out the other end,” explains guitarist Marcus Wulfgang. “We recorded the whole thing in seven days, so when you think of bands which spend months recording an album and have it polished to perfection, we’re very overwhelmed from the positive response.”

Unsurprisingly, for a band packed full of energy, they are now looking forward to once more giving the songs a good airing live on stage.

“We’re all stoked about how we have been received and how fast things are moving

forward,” continues Marcus. “Next step is to get out and play to all these new fans, which we can’t wait to do.

“We want nothing more than to get out on the road again. We’re a very active band and there’s always something stirring, so our shows in May will be full of new and old songs and a whole wagon full of lovely Bovine merchandise...”

The Birmingham show sees them return to the basement of The Flapper on a Friday night, somewhere they feel right at home.

“The shows at the Flapper are always so intimate. Watching bands play there and having your mind blown is far better than any sold out arena. The last show we did at The Flapper was great, it was Thomas’ [Peckett, guitars] first show with Bovine and the packed crowd were singing our songs. You can’t ask for better than that!”

Quicksand Get your picnic out, summer is here courtesy of Racing and the grooviest tune to come out of Birmingham this year. Expect funkadelic bass and a perfect accompanying video. www.facebook.com/weareracing

These Kings Open Arms A sprawling yet intricate new single from hotly-tipped newcomers These Kings - think math and then some.

Available on iTunes

bad moon Crypt More than a minute of a guitar-led intro builds into an echo-laden vocal. A driving crescendo of a tune which captures perfectly the spirit that Bad Moon deliver so successfully live. www.soundcloud.com/badmoon

Bovine are live at The Flapper, May 17.

Follow us at soundcloud.com/ brumnotes for more

ONES TO WATCH Dave Hause

Laura Mvula

lord huron

Cannon Street

America’s answer to Frank Turner, acoustic punk Dave Hause heads to Wolverhampton’s intimate Slade Rooms showcasing tracks from debut solo album Resolutions.

Watch him: May 4, The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Already a bona fide star-in-themaking, this is surely the last chance to see the Birmingham singer in such an intimate venue as part of her biggest solo tour to date.

Watch her: May 8, The Glee Club, Birmingham

Lashings of whimsical Americana which translates into an energetic and rousing live show as they embark on their first UK tour. Expect harmonies, beards and knee-slapping.

Watch them: May 20, Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

Charming harmonious folk from Birmingham sister duo, worth arriving early for as Boat to Row curate and headline a delightful evening of music from the Midlands and beyond.

Watch them: May 26, O2 Academy 3, Birmingham

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Brum Notes Magazine

Outdoor Arena Music

mac birmingham

One Beat Records AND

BRUM NOTES MAGAZINE

One Beat PRESENTS

Grand Union Orchestra:

Sat 29 Jun 7.30pm

Trading Roots 12 - strong band of international jazz masters

The Spooky Men’s Chorale A macho juggernaut of an all male choir from Down Under

Sat 20 Jul 2-10pm

A day of top music headlined

by Boat to Row

Eliza Carthy & Jim Moray

Thu 22 Aug 7.30pm

A ‘best of’ once in a lifetime spectacular

Sales & Information 0121 446 3232 www.macarts.co.uk Cannon Hill Park Birmingham B12 9QH Registered charity no: 528979

May 2013

2 0 J U LY 2 0 1 3 A one day music festival in the outdoor Arena, mac birmingham.

Fri 19 Jul 7.30pm

One Beat Saturday

SATURDAY Boat to Row

JAWS

DUMB WIDE EYED

Velvet Texas Cannonball

GRAFHAM WATER SAILING CLUB

Youth Man Bad Moon

All these and more with special guests to be announced and Jack Parker & Amy Sumner (DJs), spoken word, vintage stalls and all day food and bar.

Doors 1.30pm–10pm. Age 13+.

Tickets only £10 all day.

mac at fifty

Tickets available from www.macarts.co.uk 9

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Brum Notes Magazine

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As long as a DJ is doing their thing with conviction, making a real effort to connect with the crowd and taking risks, then that is enough.

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Keeping it unreal

Of all the sets and tracks you’ve played, is there one track that’s always guaranteed to get the dance floor moving?

Pretty much any Fela Kuti record, or some JBs. Irresistible, rock solid tunes that pull people in.

As for your studio work, it’s 14 years since Keep It Unreal, where has the time gone? And what did you make of Introducing’s live version of the record?

Time flies when you’re having fun. As for Introducing, I have never seen it live, though I saw their DJ Shadow gig twice. They are enthusiastic, lovely geeks who have hit on a good concept. They took the time to communicate with me regularly, and I have met them a few times.

You’ve been in and out the studio again in the last few years too, but it’s a while since your last album. Any plans for a new full-length LP? Yes indeed, nearly finished the next one!

You’ve been with Ninja Tune for a long time now. The two of you must be a perfect fit?

Yes, good to be with friendly, supportive, hard working, open and friendly people who love music.

The label has a great roster too, it is great to be in such talented company.

You’ve always had a lot of love in Birmingham, do you feel a connection to your audience here?

Yes, a result of many nights in the city, and some good friends here. A love of music and a good sense of humour is a real characteristic of the good folk of Birmingham.

Does it help having ‘like-minded’ souls like Adam Regan and the Leftfoot team to connect with down here?

Yes, Adam knows good music and can put on a fine party. He works really hard, and can construct a hat from spinach.

You’ve played all sorts of places too, the Custard Factory shows, The Glee Club, the Tennis Hut at Mostly Jazz last year – do you always like to keep it interesting with the venues and events you play?

I am always up for trying interesting places, and putting the work in to make them decent and enjoyable gigs.

You’ve obviously got very eclectic tastes when it comes to your sets, but what new music has excited you in recent years?

Too much new music! Floating Points, Daphni, Lucretio, Kyle Hall, Theo Parrish, Owiny Sigoma, Juju & Jordash, Aardvaarck, Pepe Bradock, Maurice Fulton, Sinkane, TrusMe, Martyn, Zed Bias, Funk E, Homeboy Sandman, Tapes, STL, Sound Stream, DJ Nature, and on, and on and on…

And what have been your Brum highlights?

Definitely the Custard Factory bank holiday gigs, especially the sunny ones! The Hare & Hounds is consistently good too. And wearing a spinach hat at Adam Regan’s house.

May 2013

Of course, your sprinkling of humour, a bit of research into the local area and the visuals all go into the ‘Scruff experience’, do you ever wish more DJs put a bit more effort in?

They’ve had such an impact on British dance music, just goes to show how quality can win out in the end. Obviously the role of a label has changed somewhat in the digital era, but do you feel it’s an exciting time for independent labels who believe in what they’re doing?

Yes, there are a lot of labels who are being very creative at the moment, both with music and artwork, it seems like they are having a lot of fun.

And back to the tour, it’s quite a hefty load of dates for May, still enjoying life on the road?

Yes, I never take too much on, and make sure that I put the work in to make sure that every gig looks and sounds great, so I can play exactly what I want and keep pushing myself. It keeps me entertained and inspired.

And are you looking forward to returning to the Hare & Hounds? What can we expect from the show, any surprises in store?

You can expect a balding geek playing a variety of fine records, accompanied by a selection of two dimensional potatoes.

Leftfoot presents Mr Scruff at the Hare & Hounds on May 24, with DJ support on the night from DJ Dick. Tickets £13.50 adv, doors open 9pm.

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Photo by Antony Crook

Ninja Tune veteran Mr Scruff brings his mixed bag of genre-bending records back to Birmingham this month for a night of tunes, cartoons, tea and good vibes. The producer and DJ, aka Andy Carthy, tells us why he enjoys getting down with the “good folk of Birmingham.”

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A LEFTFOOT TO THE FACE

Two of Birmingham’s finest independent clubbing brands, Leftfoot and FACE, join forces to bring DJ legend Kenny Dope to Birmingham for an all-nighter in Digbeth. We spoke to Leftfoot head honcho Adam Regan, owner of the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath, and Lee McDonald, FACE supremo and boss of The Rainbow Venues, to find out more about the collaboration.

So, first things first, how did the collaboration come about between the two of you?

Adam (Leftfoot): We’ve been talking about working together for a while and this seemed like the ideal opportunity. Kenny Dope crosses over between our crowds so he’s perfect for the first collaboration. Leftfoot has been predominantly held at the Hare & Hounds for the last six years so it will be nice to get back into Digbeth.

Lee (FACE): I have always respected Adam from the early days of me going to the Med Bar and seeing his head about. I was a little younger but always thought he had a presence and was a great host. Having said that, I never met Adam back then, it was his success with the Hare and me programming The Rainbow when we were introduced, although both independent venues and competition, we have always held a mutual respect. We have discussed working together for the last few months and this booking is a perfect introduction.

Kenny Dope’s reputation speaks for itself, but what excites you both most about putting him on?

A: He’s one of those DJs/producers who actually deserves to be called a legend. That term gets used too often these days but Kenny is one of our favourite DJs, particularly when he plays freestyle sets that take in all his influences.

L: There was a quote on the old Rainbow Pub website: “Innovative, diverse, eclectic.” I stole it and try to keep that ethos… it’s different to a normal FACE event but then we don’t pigeonhole ourselves. This will be a special evening, having legends play in the courtyard is special, we have had Kerri Chandler, Jamie Jones, Locodice, Laurent Garnier, Sven Vath, Derrick Carter, the vibe when these guys get on the decks is next level. Kenny Dope in the Courtyard will be a special occasion.

After such distinguished careers promoting in Birmingham you must have both seen plenty 12

of changes. But what excites you most about the Birmingham clubbing scene right now?

A: The Birmingham music scene is as healthy as it’s ever been All the bands coming out of the city give us the national attention but there’s so much going on in general. Feels like a great time to be promoting and running venues.

L: It seems people are appreciating the raw, noncommercial spaces. It’s an exciting time.

Face and Leftfoot are two of the best known names on the local club scene, what do you admire most about each other’s nights?

A: FACE just keep pushing the boundaries with their Warehouse parties and that can only be a good thing for the scene in general. It takes a lot of hard work to maintain a weekly club night and that is only possible if you have a great team of people all pulling in the same direction.

L: I went to Leftfoot parties years ago when I was care free and it was great not to worry about running out of ice, is the sound at the right level, is the DJ ok?! It was great, it was one of a handful of parties I would enjoy in Birmingham, now of course with FACE I don’t get the opportunity to go to the Leftfoot nights as they’re on the same time, so to come together now as foundations for bigger things is exciting.

– Madame Hollywood/ Foremost Poets – This is Only a Test.

Any plans for future collaborations?

A: Yes loads. We’ll be hosting a room at one of the massive street festivals and putting together some killer line-ups for the Warehouse in the autumn.

L: For sure, autumn is going to get you…

And finally, what can we expect from May 18?

A: An eight-hour party that covers a wide spectrum of music from house and disco to latin, hiphop, funk and beyond. I’m determined to see Lee on a podium doing a New Orleans shuffle to the Hot 8 Brass Band.

L: I’m getting on Adam’s shoulders.

FACE and Leftfoot present Kenny Dope with Rasheed Chappell at The Rainbow, May 18, 10pm to 6am, with DJ support from Adam Regan/DJ Dick and Sam Redmore/Matthew Beck.

Rasheed Chappell and Kenny Dope

Who would you have headlining your dream all-nighter, dead or alive?

A: Ron Hardy/ Harvey/ Jackmaster would keep me there until the shutters opened at 6am.

L: Villalobos on form all night.

Can you give us three favourite tunes that you always like to hear/play at a club night – a classic to get the dance floor going, a new tune, and a guilty pleasure?

A: Nu Yorican Soul – It’s Alright I Feel It/ Motor City Drum Ensemble – Save A Prayer (Part 2)/ George Benson – Love x Love L: Roy Ayres – Running Away/ Felix Da Housecat Brum Notes Magazine

REINVENTING THE PAST Inspired by archival films, Public Service Broadcasting are on a mission to inform, educate and entertain. “It’s definitely a fun, live experience, but people do pick things up,” they tell David Vincent.

Proudly sporting a neat bow-tie and brown jacket, on first sight, Public Service Broadcasting’s J Willgoose, Esq could be mistaken for a fully signed-up member of the Doctor Who Fan Club.

“I can prove I did it before he did,” JW cries with a yelp, quickly defending his distinctive attire. “I did it back in 2009 and Matt Smith didn’t become Doctor Who until mid-2010.”

He laughs. “Umm… I need to have a word with him.”

But PSB’s corduroy-loving frontman doesn’t just share fondness for dickie bows with TV’s most popular doctor, as both also enjoy a spot of time travel – although for JW, it’s rooted very much in the mid-20th century.

Preceded by a trickle of well-received singles, Public Service Broadcasting’s debut album, Inform-Educate-Entertain, finds JW and drumming partner Wrigglesworth re-appropriating audio (and visuals) from old public information shorts and film archives, chopping up segments and weaving into driving instrumental beats and confident soundscapes.

“It wasn’t one idea, more like a series of ideas,” he says of PSB’s slow-burning inception.

Having heard a radio programme on the riches held by the British Film Institute, he was inspired to seek out archive material online.

May 2013

“I recorded some bits and made a song with one of them called Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases,” he says, referencing the classic wartime advertising campaign. “It was well received by friends and then a few other people. I initially thought it wouldn’t possibly go down very well, simply because of the sheer number of things going on, but I ended up practicing a few times and then I booked a gig in my local pub in Tooting on the strength of only having two songs. So I had to throw myself into it. But it turned out alright. Then I added visuals, then drums, and it went on from there.”

Of course, the mix of found audio and music isn’t new, with Brian Eno and David Byrne’s 1981 My Life in the Bush of Ghosts a particular genre landmark.

“I don’t claim to be the first to do it, but the whole concept is well tied together with us,” he explains.

“I am aware that The Prodigy used [classic 70s Central Office Of Information cartoon series] Charley Says, and all sorts of other people have taken elements of public service films and used them in music … maybe it’s the quality of the voices or the naivety?” he suggests of their appeal, adding DJ Shadow and Jurassic 5 as personal reference points.

But it’s clear that PSB are doing something different, blending the visual element into

the live shows (thanks to screens and TVs), digging deeper into the archives, and using the audio to shape the grooves.

“For me what appeals the most is the music around [the samples], the [audio] is a way of pulling myself into writing different music.

Signal 30 comes from a driving safety film, yet ironically, the music is nice to drive fast to, so the music can go from heavy, full-on, to something uplifting, serene, like Everest,” JW says, referring to the album track which pulls audio from a documentary about the mountain. “That keeps things interesting for me.”

The title of the album, as history buffs may have already clocked, comes from Lord Reith, first Director General of the BBC whose ‘inform, educate, entertain’ edict shaped the corporation.

“Lord Reith was a big inspiration in many ways,” JW admits. “I had the title for two years but not had the album, so it’s nice to finally put them together, get some songs together and get them to flow as an album rather than just a random selection of tracks.”

Public Service Broadcasting are live at The Institute, Birmingham, on May 18.

Debut album Inform – Educate – Entertain is out on May 6.

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Brum Notes Magazine

at times but the higher you get the better the view. But I definitely don’t take anything for granted, I remind myself constantly about how ridiculous this all is.

WARWICKSHIRE ROSE

After first rising to prominence as ‘Bombay Bicycle Club’s backing singer,’ Warwickshire songstress Lucy Rose has now well and truly carved out a reputation all of her own, with her critically-acclaimed top 20 album winning her fans galore.

She tells Chris Moriarty why she’s as determined as ever to carry on impressing.

While it is the big cities which hog the limelight when it comes to producing musical talent, it was a sleepy village in Warwickshire where Lucy Rose first started recording the songs which made up debut album Like I Used To, released through Columbia last year. Heart-melting tales of love and heartbreak, and intense, note-perfect live performances saw her take 2012’s festival season by storm, sell out venues around the country and release one of the most lauded debut albums of the year. Having moved to London as a teenager to pursue her musical dreams, the 23-year-old now spends most of her life on the road, with her biggest headline tour to date coming up this month.

As a Warwickshire girl, is the Birmingham show as close to a ‘hometown’ show as it gets when you’re touring?

It’s always the one my parents come to, so yeah I suppose it is. It’s always been fun to play shows in Birmingham, the crowd are normally awesome. I remember my first ever gig I went to and that was in Birmingham to May 2013

see Avril Lavigne, god her first album was good – With You, big tune! Other than the odd gig, I didn’t really see too much music, just the big shows at the NEC but hadn’t discovered the new music scene when I was younger.

Festival season last year seemed like it was a real breakthrough for you, how are you looking forward to the festival circuit again this year?

Looking back on last summer, it was so much fun and we really didn’t expect the crowds we got, it was amazing and a massive shock.

Who knows what will happen this year though, I’m a constant worrier so I’m thinking no-one is going to come and see me.

Do you feel the determination you showed in heading off to London with your guitar helps stop you taking anything for granted?

Yeah definitely, I still feel the same determination I did back then when I decided to give music a go. It feels like an uphill battle

From that point of view, is it a strange feeling to be seen as a role model for young musicians keen to make their own mark?

Massively, that’s crazy to think that. But I remember right at the beginning when I was first trying I felt like everyone else was getting it so easy, getting signed after writing one song and never gigging, but really a lot of people in music have put the years of hard work in at the beginning, it’s just that no-one ever knows about it. Determination really was the key for me, especially when it feels like it’s not going anywhere for so long.

The music industry has obviously changed a lot in recent years. As someone who has seen both sides, embracing the DIY ethic as well as being signed to a major, do you feel it’s a more exciting time than ever for new musicians?

Yes, 100 per cent! It’s so exciting what you can do now with the internet and people sharing videos and songs with their friends.

As a musician I don’t believe that signing to a label is as important as it used to be. I’ve seen both sides, I never thought that I’d get signed, I gave up on that a long time ago and thought I would just do it my own way.

After recording the whole album myself at home with my friends when there was interest from a label that I really felt believed in me and what I wanted to do, it felt like the right decision. There are so many ways to go trying to be a musician, the hardest part is working that out.

You’ve played bigger and bigger stages over the last year to more fans who know all the songs, have you been conscious about retaining the intimacy in bigger venues?

The venues for my headline shows are still pretty small which I think is important to create the atmosphere needed for some of the more intimate songs. I do worry that in bigger venues, they can just get lost.

Sometimes I find myself dropping the quieter songs and just playing the more upbeat ones because I find it hard to sing them when I feel like no-one is listening. Now the shows are different, people know what to expect when they come, so now it’s making sure I perform to my best ability and making sure everyone has a good time.

Lucy Rose is live at The Institute, Birmingham, on May 27.

15

ACE BUSHY STRIPTEASE

The Time is Now

Saturday, PINKTank Stage @ 9pm All round good eggs, Ace Bushy Striptease are a bundle of fun. Expect a performance sitting somewhere between Los Campesinos! and Grouplove and an ethos to match as you join the Birmingham bunch for an evening of fun and frolics which perfectly encompass exactly what this festival is about.

GOD DAMN The Now We Are Weekender returns to the unique surroundings of The Public arts centre in West Bromwich this month. Amy Sumner talks to co-headliners Johnny Foreigner and looks ahead to the best of the fest.

Johnny Foreigner could easily lay claim to being one of Birmingham’s most popular alternative exports in the past few years – 11 singles, nine EPs and four albums, myriads of festival slots, international tours and heaps of critical acclaim all underpins their impressive credentials. With their Names EP released at the end of 2012 and the addition of new member Lewes Herriot, they are a band that continue to progress. However, Johnny Foreigner are still very much native to their hometown and, unlike others, they don’t show any signs of moving out. Dandy.

Johnny Foreigner have been a band for seven years, which is no mean feat in this day and age.

Have they changed since the start?

“After [2011 album] Johnny Foreigner vs Everything, we felt like we needed to expand,” explains lead singer and guitarist Alexei Berrow of the addition of another guitarist, “and Lewes has always had a standing invitation. He’s pretty much been a part of this band since we signed a proper record deal, so we just waited till he’d lost his job and his girlfriend and then we bullied him into it. It’s been way fun designing songs for two guitars and sounding like a proper rock band.

“Now We Are Festival seems super hyped, which is pretty rad. I really like MJ Hibbett and Ace Bushy Striptease have long been one of our favourite Birmingham bands, though somehow we haven’t seen them play for a year… but from our set people should be expecting the usual – loud songs about girls and buildings; sweat, tuning, sweat, song. Kelly [Southern, bass] will probably start talking about some video game where you hide behind grey, photorealistic rocks a lot, and I will tell jokes that no one gets. Jun [Junior Elvis Washington Laidley, multi-instrumentalist] and Lewes will be like ‘play the songgggggg…’ At the moment, our set goes: really old song/ nine new songs/ really old song.

But we always feel obliged to play well-known stuff at festivals.”

“Names was a co-release with Swerp, our US label,” he continues, “and when it came out we’d just finished touring the UK. So in America it had a low key but awesome reception – like a new kitten. I know we sold out shows, which is always reassuring, and I’ve seen people quoting bits on Tumblr, so I think we did good. But it all happened when we were living in a series of vans in America, so it sort of feels like we just left the kitten on the doorstep and ran…”

“I don’t know that we have. I mean, it’s hard to judge from inside the bubble, but we all still have the same goals as when we started; there are no aspirations for fame or money or any of the usual things that wreck bands. We’re still vaguely normal, angry people,” Alexei reassures us.

And their upcoming festival appearance?

Johnny Foreigner: Sunday, PINKTank Stage @ 11pm

Now We Are Weekender takes place at The Public, West Bromwich from May 25 to 26.

Tickets from £16.50 (£10 under 16s), available at www.thepublic.com.

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Saturday, Theatre Stage @ 9:40pm Wolverhampton boys God Damn bring a heavier edge to the festival as they return with their haberdashery of tricks for the second year running. Elements of Black Sabbath are apparent in their repertoire – fuse that with melodic grunge thrash and you begin to get an idea.

God Damn are not to be missed and promise to get the crowd more than a little hot and sweaty.

ALLO DARLIN’ Saturday, PINKTank Stage @ 10:20pm Allo Darlin’ are a gorgeous indie pop fourpiece from London, travelling the distance to entertain with their headline set. Drawing on two albums of material, their intelligent live set promises to impress with some good old fashioned ukulele-based pop. In your finest twee then please people.

KID CANAVERAL Saturday, Theatre Stage @ 11pm Kid Canaveral join you all the way from Edinburgh for their headline set of indie pop tendencies. Self-cited influences include Yazoo, Heaven 17 and Bananarama and tunes promise something for everyone. Expect killer pop hooks, sing-along melodies and an impressive live performance of material gleaned from 2010’s Shouting at Wildlife and this year’s Now That You Are A Dancer.

BOMBERS Sunday, PINKTank Stage @ 6:20pm If you prefer your music a little more post-punk art rock, check out Bombers who promise to charm you with their sounds and with their charisma. Expect lyrical ingenuity, some great guitar playing and a variety of genuinely fantastic shapes. Birmingham’s Bombers come highly recommended.

Brum Notes Magazine

May 2013

17

SLAM DUNK FESTIVAL

HEART OF GLASS

Kids In Glass Houses haven’t played a gig in nearly eight months and they don’t like it. It’s good news for Midlands festival-goers though, as they’re desperate to hit the stage at this month’s Slam Dunk Festival. “Playing live is why you start a band,” they tell David Vincent.

Aled Phillips is chomping at the bit. “The last show we did was back in September, last year, so we’re really really excited about getting out again,” he says of Kids In Glass Houses’ forthcoming Slam Dunk Festival appearance.

“I always find it hard going to shows and watching other bands up on stage – I get jealous! Playing live is why you start a band in the first place, and you want to play live all the time, but you get stuck with a strategy, where you can only play at certain times .... bugger that!” he laughs.

Aled’s stage-withdrawals have been so serious, he reckons he’s been seriously tempted to jump out of the audience, grab a mic and join in. “I did feel like bum-rushing the stage...” he confesses with a smile, “...but I don’t think I’d have been welcomed – especially as I wouldn’t know all the songs.”

The reason for Kids In Glass Houses’ temporary absence has been their forthcoming and as yet untitled fourth album.

“We pretty well started writing as soon as we stopped touring last year,” reports

18

the frontman. “We spent time writing for four to five months and recorded it all in March, and we can’t wait ‘til it’s out now. It sounds awesome! We’re really proud, really proud. I think they’re 10 of the strongest songs we’ve ever done.

The album’s sounding concise, direct, and fun. Which is everything we set out to do.

“It was recorded in Chapel Studio, in rural Lincolnshire, in the middle of nowhere; we were really cut off from society, there was no mobile phone reception, but it was a great studio. The Arctic Monkey’s did their first album there, and Peace just did theirs there too.

“We worked with Dan Weller, who’s worked on Enter Shikari stuff. It was the first time we’d worked with Dan and he really captured where we wanted to be as a band ... and where we wanted to go in the future. He really pushed us into trying things.”

While for 2011’s In Gold Blood, vocalist Aled, drummer Philip Jenkins, bassist Andrew ‘Shay’ Sheehy and guitarists Iain Mahanty and Joel Fisher had the material ready to roll, this time, the five-piece

took a different approach to recording.

“This time it was more of an evolutionary process, the songs weren’t set in stone, so [we] knew the vibe and it was more creative as a process.”

There’s also an aural difference, as he explains.

“There’s a lot more electronic elements, for atmosphere, a bit more synth playing than before, and that weaves through the songs and helps keep things in focus,” Aled teases.

The Welsh rockers’ long-player will be released in the autumn, coinciding with a September/ October UK tour, but a taster should be aired at Slam Dunk.

“We’re definitely playing at least one new song at Slam Dunk,” Aled confirms.

“We’re just figuring out the setlist at the moment. I guess the [next] single will get played and we’re toying with other ideas, but if we’re just charging through a 40min set, you have to get the best impact, play it safe, you can’t play all new songs or people won’t know what you’re doing.”

Brum Notes Magazine

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Aled Phillips’ pick of Slam Dunk “It’s a really good line-up. We haven’t played for a while, I think the last time we played it was four years ago, but it’s always a brilliant festival, with a bevy of bands you can just go and wander in to see.

There’s such a good vibe. Being mostly indoors it helps build up the atmosphere. If there’s a really great band on in a little room, everyone packs in to try and see them and it sends people into a fever pitch.”

Deaf Havana

Norfolk six-piece fronted by James Veck-Gilodi. Album number three just recorded and due later in the year. Aled: “They’re good friends of ours. They’re one of the best British bands around at the moment, they’re great. We’ve done festivals with them before and James is a brilliant songwriter, they always deliver.”

All Time Low

US pop punks currently performing sell-out dates Stateside. Their last album, Don’t Panic, cracked the UK Top 10. Aled: “I’m really looking forward to seeing All Time Low. I was at a show they were playing and have hung out with them. They’re obviously massive, they’re a popular band, a fun live band. It’s good to be playing with them, and they’ll hopefully like us as much as we like them...”

William Beckett

Former member of the now defunct The Academy Is makes his solo UK debut. Aled: “Cool. It’s good for variety. It’s predominantly high energy guitar music [at Slam Dunk], so it’ll give everyone a bit of a respite. Gavin Butler [from The Blackout] is also playing solo – he’s a friend, but you have to check him out too!”

About the Festival Born out of a ‘00s emo/alternative/punk/ska/hardcore night held in Leeds, Slam Dunk launched as a fully fledged festival in 2006, before spawning a southern counterpart four years later. Now the festival has expanded further with Slam Dunk Festival Midlands joining North and South instalments.

More than 40 acts will be taking to seven stages in and around Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall and neighbouring venues for a full day of sneaker-wearing, amp-busting mayhem.

Headlining are All Time Low, Deaf Havana, Kids In Glass Houses Four Year Strong and Sleeping With Sirens. They’re joined by California’s Pierce The Veil, UK epic metallers Devil Sold His Soul, whose Empire Of The Light sees the six-piece refining their postmetal post-rock sound, and Canadian Black Sabbath devotees Cancer Bats (check out their Bat Sabbath EP).

Blitz Kids and Gnarwolves fly the flag for a new wave of Brit outfits, while the ska-influenced end of the spectrum is represented by Spunge and King Prawn, both still going strong after nearly 20 years, and New Jersey’s Streetlight Manifesto

There’s also solo performances from King Blues’ Itch, The Blackout’s Gavin Butler, William Beckett of The Academy Is, former Lightyear singer turned DIY folk/punk Chas Palmer Williams, and Ace Enders, whose band The Early November, also make an appearance – their first on UK soil since their reunion.

Slam Dunk Festival takes place on May 27 (bank holiday Monday) at the Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Tickets are £34-£38, doors 1pm, age 14+. Full details from. www.slamdunkmusic.com May 2013

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19

Long considered one of the heartlands of reggae in Britain, Birmingham celebrates one of the world’s most enduring and influential musical genres in style this month with the return of the Reggae City festival. This one-day event, returning for its third year, takes over indoor and outdoor stages in Digbeth, bringing together international stars and local talent, legendary names and contemporary talent, taking in roots, reggae, dub, ska and more. Lyle Bignon talks to one of Birmingham’s most respected contemporary reggae acts and looks ahead to some of the highlights of the festival.

FRIENDLY FIRE BAND Balsall Heath, like its north Birmingham counterpart Handsworth, is an area steeped in reggae. Most people who live in Balsall Heath know at least one member of UB40, late summer nights there are soundtracked by dub booming out of yard parties, rasta colours are proudly displayed in cars and windows, and many a friendship has formed over the latest cut from Summit Records.

Rodigan on BBC 1Xtra, and copies of the single Welcome to Holland on the original reggae format, a 7ins vinyl, are almost sold out.”

Though the inevitable winds of change have blown through B12 in the past few decades, the area has managed to retain its semi-boho and edgy character; venues like Ort and various community centres have replaced legendary hangouts MDC and The Unit, the annual carnival brings colour and noise to the streets in July as it always has and a tangible sense of togetherness is still prevalent in parts.

“Bongo Damo and myself started DJing under the Jam Jah Sound name, and at the same time I started up the Friendly Fire record label, recording and networking with local artists who would then come and perform on the soundsystem. The name Friendly Fire is to be taken literally – a fire that is friendly, one you can warm against, cook food on, or gather around, the primal foundation of civilisation. Both Damo and I are also musicians so creating a band was a natural progression.”

An album named after the area is a pretty good indicator of creative activity for Balsall Heath too, especially when the artists behind the recording are some of the most prolific reggae promoters in the city. And you’d be hard pressed to find a more passionate supporter than Robin Giorno.

The Friendly Fire Band guitarist, producer and label manager, lives in the area and, along with fellow band members, released full-length work Balsall Heat earlier this year.

With their own recording facilities at their disposal, the band decided on a number of songs that were popular at live shows and got to work.

“We recorded in Oomph Studios in Digbeth with engineer Simon Bishop whose expertise produced great sounding drum and bass tracks which were then taken back to our studio where the other instruments and vocals were recorded and the tracks mixed,” explains Robin.

Performing as both a backing band and full set-up fronted by vocalists Lion Art and Tomlin Mystic since 2006, the collective has picked up momentum with a number of projects under one banner – a perfect representation of the community spirit and unifying nature of reggae culture.

Being at the heart of Birmingham’s reggae community means Robin and co understand the challenges facing a genre which was once the very voice of the city itself.

“The scene here seems to be getting stronger again,” continues Robin, “there are now a lot of new bands and soundsystems emerging, and older ones reforming like Black Symbol. We like to feel that we helped trigger a resurgence through our regular sessions! In the UK, there’s definitely a trend.

There are a lot of remixes, dubstep and jungle, which help the cause overall. It’s an honour to be involved with the scene and be a full part of it today.”

Balsall Heat is out now www.friendlyfiremusic.com.

on

Friendly

Fire

Records

Balsall Heat is undeniably all Birmingham in content, style and form, mixing conscious lyrics (Legalize It) with humour (Inspecta), over tight musicianship that spans big, bold and brassy (Badness), bouncy ska (Dem A Jump) and classic roots reggae (Buffalo Soldier). So, how has the record been received so far?

“The response has been very positive,” says Robin. “Badness was endorsed by [David] 20

Brum Notes Magazine

REGGAE CITY 2013: THE LOWDOWN If you’ve ever bounced to a Jam Jah session at Moseley’s Bull’s Head, eaten fresh drum pan chicken at Handsworth Carnival, or partied into the early hours at PST, you’ll know first-hand that soundsystem and reggae culture in Birmingham is thriving, offering up some of the best Jamaican-flavoured live music experiences this side of the Blue Mountains.

It’s little wonder that many of the UK’s best-selling reggae artists are from B postcodes. The city’s rich musical heritage, at least over the past 40 years or so, owes much to the influence of people, culture and imports from a handful of small Caribbean islands.

That lineage, which can be traced back to the West Indian arrivals of the 1950s such as the late great calypso jazz star Andy Hamilton OBE, through Steel Pulse, UB40 and The Beat to current talents like Friendly Fire Band and Lady Leshurr, is healthier than ever thanks to years of collaborations and experimentation.

Step forward Reggae City Festival, a celebration of both the old and the new featuring soundsystems, installations, Caribbean food stalls, live art, record stalls and live stages with performances from ska heroes The Selecter, Glaswegian sound system collective Mungo’s Hi Fi and pop-reggae vocalist Hollie Cook among others, taking place at the sprawling Rainbow Warehouse complex in Digbeth later this month.

For promoter Jon Walsh and the team behind the project, joining the dots between various cultural and musical reference points is crucial.

“A carnival vibe and festival feeling is central to the whole experience, and with that we also aim to explore this region’s rich heritage and connection to Jamaican music and culture as well as the positive influence conscious roots can have on today’s contemporary music and social landscape,” Jon explains. “We want to connect, and make that mix as open and accessible as possible to all.”

Homegrown talent is well represented on the bill, and the festival – now in its third year – has a specific approach to connecting the regional music

May 2013

scene with both the national and international.

“People obviously attend for the headliners, but it’s great when you see people discovering and loving the local talent on show. This year, Jamaican reggae legend Johnny Clarke (pictured) will be sharing a stage with Birmingham veterans Overproof Soundsystem and emerging talent like 1EYE, and we’ve commissioned a special show with the West Midlands-based jungle producer Aries alongside the internationally acclaimed Ragga Twins. We’d like to think that someone who is a Johnny Clarke fan may go home a fan of another act, or a dubstep fan there to see RSD appreciates the frame of reference and experience of seeing a roots legend.”

A decline in mainstream interest in reggae in recent years has led to marginalisation of the genre, but Jon is cautiously optimistic about Reggae City’s part in promoting it. “Reggae in general definitely feels on the up with more events and shows springing up across the UK and a stronger influence on popular culture and music, but we are still some way off from reaching full potential.

For example, there are huge events in Europe that attract international stars, but so often the UK is missed off touring schedules despite its pivotal role in reggae’s global ‘takeover’. Hopefully, we’ll continue to play a part in changing this.”

Reggae City Festival is Saturday, May 18, at The Rainbow Venues, Birmingham, 8pm - 6am.

Visit www.reggaecity.co.uk for ticket details.

21

STRONG SWIMMERS Swim Deep talk Superfood, The Sunflower Lounge and a pair of orange Levi’s as bassist Cavan McCarthy guides us round the best of Birmingham. He talks to Amy Sumner.

It’s been a pretty hectic few months for Birmingham sweethearts Swim Deep. January saw them play main support on Two Door Cinema Club’s UK tour and they embarked on a headline tour of their own in February before setting SXSW alight in March. As we speak, they’re enjoying a week or so of wellearned rest (“I’m in Birmingham for a few days to see my family – I’m at home playing FIFA,” Cavan assures us) before they hit LA. We take the opportunity to have a good old catch up before we get the low-down on Birmingham, the city taking the country by musical storm, from one of the bands at the forefront of its ascent.

of the tour so I’m really looking forward to those and of course the final date of the tour in the main room at The Institute in Birmingham. I’m super excited about that.”

bit of a love song – I haven’t asked [frontman] Austin but I think it’s the only love song he’s written so far. It’s a bit deep, I don’t wanna ask him about it…”

“I’m starting to freak out about Twitter. We have a few crazy fan girls now…”

Swim Deep are also holding tight onto one of the most hotly anticipated albums of 2013.

Recorded in London and Brussels, Where The Heaven Are We is set to be released on July 29.

“The tour with Two Door was amazing,” admits Cavan of the jaunt at the start of the year. “It was crazy to play such massive stadiums with so many people there and it’s weird but I felt at home on those big stages – I didn’t get nervous. We played Brixton which was crazy and two nights at Manchester Apollo. And then on our headline tour we were back playing the smaller venues again and it’d make me really nervous.

But it’s not only live shows that Swim Deep have been busy with. May 5 sees the release of their fourth single proper, She Changes The Weather, a piano-led scorcher of a tune driven gradually forward by their trademark synth and guitars. It smacks ever so convincingly of pop and yet at the same time, a minute-and-a-half long introduction suggests something a little less conventional.

“We’re touring again in May and playing some festivals and I’m really looking forward to The Great Escape – we went there last year and it was so much fun. We’ve sold out both the Manchester and the London dates

“We wrote that song the day before we went to record the album,” Cavan explains. “We had enough songs but we just wanted to write one more to feel confident. We wrote it at Robannas in Birmingham and I think it’s a

22

“Everything is ready to go,” Cavan confirms.

“It was meant to come out in May but things were pushed back so we’re going to release another single and then the album after that.

The recording process came about quite easily because Austin had written about 15 songs already – we were playing eight or nine of those in our live set so it only took a few more. The hardest part was picking which songs to include.”

And have they grown used to the ‘unique’ brand of fan girls who have popped up in support of them, creating Twitter accounts for Cavan’s Legs and Cavan’s Hair along with Austin’s Nose and Higgy’s t-shirt?

“I don’t have a clue – I’m starting to freak out about Twitter. We have a few crazy fan girls now… they rule though, we love them,” he enthuses.

Brum Notes Magazine

m e t r o p o l i s mmusic usic pre sent metropolis present

SWIM DEEP’S GUIDE TO

B-TOWN

metropolis music present METROPOLIS MUSIC BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CODA PRESENT metropolis music present

METROPOLIS MUSIC BY ARRANGEMENT WITH CODA PRESENT

Swim Deep may be hot-footing it around live music venues the world over, but whatever you read or listen to, they are inescapably a Birmingham band, associated with it as inextricably as the beach vibes it seems to be inspiring. Here is their guide to the city.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER

Best Birmingham band right now My favourite band in Birmingham at the minute is Superfood – I love them, that single is just incredible. Dom [Ganderton - lead vocals, guitar] and Ryan [Malcolm - lead guitar, vocals] are like, my favourite songwriters and now they’re in the same band together it’s crazy.

GIGSANDTOURS.COM / TICKETWEB.CO.UK GIGSANDTOURS.COM / TICKETWEB.CO.UK 0844 811 0051 / 0844 477 2000

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER

O2 ACADEMY O2 ACADEMY BIRMINGHAM BIRMINGHAM 0844 811 0051 / 0844 477 2000

Best song to come out of Birmingham in the past year Can it be one of our own? I’m gonna have to say She Changes The Weather.

Best club night My favourite club night is FACE, I think that’s great. Zombie Prom used to be my favourite but that isn’t going anymore, so I’ll go with FACE. The Rainbow is great.

Best gig venue I love The Library at The Institute – we played there not so long ago, I think it’s a really great venue and I’ve seen some brilliant bands there. I saw Mystery Jets there a few years ago and that was brilliant.

Best place for clothes There’s this place in The Custard Factory called Mr Birds Emporium.

I was just walking past it the other day and I got this great pair of orange Levi’s. It’s right at the end of The Custard Factory.

Best chill-out I like chilling out round the back at The Old Crown and I also love The Victoria. I always find myself at The Sunflower Lounge in the week just hanging out because it’s really good to just chill there so I’d go with that.

RUDIMENTAL.CO.UK RUDIMENTAL.CO.UK

WIIM M D SSW DEEEEPP ++ GUESTS GUESTS

Best place to spend the summer In Harry Price’s back garden. Harry tour manages Peace and his back garden is the best place to be. Does that count?

Hidden gem This one’s difficult. I think I’d say Moseley as a whole – I love going to Moseley. No one seems to go up there much but whenever I do I always have the best time ever. I went there with my cousin a few months ago and I fell asleep in the taxi on the way home. The Prince of Wales is really cool and there are loads of really nice curry houses – it’s real fun.

New band tip I like Wide Eyed – I heard one of their demos and I caught the last five minutes of their set in London the other day. I wanted to catch the whole set but I fell asleep before I got there and they were just finishing up as I arrived. I was really gutted but they sounded so huge and I’m really excited about them.

Swim Deep embark upon a headline tour in May and play The Institute, Birmingham on May 31. New single She Changes The Weather is released on May 5.

F R I D AY 3 1 M AY F R I D AY 31 M AY

BIRMINGHAM BIR I NMS ITN I TG UH T EA M INSTITUTE 0844 248 5037 0844 811 0051 ARTISTTICKET.COM GIGSANDTOURS.COM 0844 248 5037 0844 811 0051 NEW SINGLE 'SHE CHANGES THE WEATHER' OUT MAY 2013 ARTISTTICKET.COM GIGSANDTOURS.COM FACEBOOK.COM/SWIMDEEPUK

NEW SINGLEMUSIC 'SHEPRESENTATION CHANGESBYTHE WEATHER' MAY 2013 A METROPOLIS ARRANGEMENT WITH OUT PRIMARY TALENT FACEBOOK.COM/SWIMDEEPUK A METROPOLIS MUSIC PRESENTATION BYannouncements ARRANGEMENT WITH PRIMARYbookings TALENT register for live and priority

May 2013

23

register for live announcements and priority bookings

DUMB Photo by Andy Hughes

LIVE DUMB + Wide Eyed + Youth Man + The Scribers O2 Academy 3, Birmingham 05/04/13

The best thing about Birmingham at the moment is the vast diversity in the sounds of each band emerging from the music scene.

The line up for tonight’s Brum Notes Presents show totally highlighted that as each band had something completely different, yet equally exciting, to offer. The ‘B-Town’ label has controversially started to accumulate some negativity; one act adamant not to be attached to any ‘contrived’ label is young band, The Scribers, who began their set with the bold statement: “We ain’t no fucking B-Town band, we are The Scribers.” Their cheeky personality with the right dose of arrogance was fittingly accompanied by their pop-grunge Arctic Monkeysesque tracks with a dark indie feel and Jamie T-style vocals.

Youth Man were a refreshing burst of energy, if not madness. Fearless frontwoman Kaila Whyte practically threw herself across the stage in a kind of fit of passion to the band’s energetic punk tracks. If you’re looking for a definition of raw talent, Youth Man are it.

Their lengthy set can only be described as raucous, fun and downright crazy with a touch of brilliance.

Up next, Birmingham’s resident fashionistas, Wide Eyed, mesmerised the crowd with their psychedelic sounds. The crowd was far from as mental as during their set at the now infamous house party a month earlier but onlookers were nonetheless captivated by Wide Eyed’s brand of shoegaze, 24

undoubtedly influenced by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, TOY and Sonic Youth.

They left the crowd craving more as their set finished with the undeniable brilliance of Bleak.

Headliners Dumb finished the night on a high with their first headline show in their hometown since their reinvention. Despite only being together as Dumb since the turn of the year, their past experience was in their favour as they sounded great together as a whole.

Dumb rocked out so hard that their drummer actually injured himself (bloody drumsticks - if that’s not rock ‘n’ roll, I don’t know what is). They finished with their brilliant debut single, Dive – there’s nothing dumb at all about the pedal-driven swirls of grungy guitar riffs, Dylan’s distinct vocals or the immensely catchy chorus. Sooner or later this band’s previous incarnation as The Carpels will be a distant memory as Dumb propel themselves towards success.

Lauren Cox

B rum Notes April I ssue Launch Party: Heavy Waves + The Grafham Water Sailing Club + Laced + These Kings

pieces. Part grunge, part shoegaze their wall of noise is like being wrapped up in a musical duvet then beaten senseless with a dozen guitars. That’s a good thing by the way.

Honorary Brummies (they’re from near Cov, which is close enough) The Grafham Water Sailing Club were the night’s most intriguing band. Set opener and menacing new single Kappa Kappa is the sound of an escaped mental patient whispering in your ear...just before he eats it. Elsewhere at times they sound like Fujiya & Miyagi jamming with Being Boiled-era Human League and The Rapture having a rave up in Berlin. Awesome.

Headliners Heavy Waves’ scuzzed up lofi garage often sounds more like it sprang from the streets of Noo Yoik than Brum, with tracks like Edward buzzing with the same kind of gum-chewing cool that made The Strokes such a big deal back in the day.

Adding a dash of math rock magic to the mix nicely fleshed out the band’s simple guitar/ bass/drums set up and a spontaneous outbreak of pogoing at the set’s climax capped off yet another A+ night in B-Town.

Daron Billings

BATS

Bull’s Head, Moseley

The Flapper, Birmingham

04/04/13

10/04/13

Birmingham / B-Town (delete depending on hipness) is currently drowning in cool new bands and tonight’s foursome can all safely be added to the ever expanding list of ‘ones to watch’. These Kings kicked the night off, lulling the crowd into a false sense of security before shredding their ears with full on rock-outs leaving Laced to pick up the

With Off The Cuff Festival taking a year off in 2013 (to give the cows a rest, perhaps?), it’s reassuring to see the festival still putting on sporadic gigs like this one, boasting an impressive line-up with local lads Shapes and Them Wolves supporting Ireland’s progressive/post-punk/math rock outfit BATS – all three alumni of 2012‘s festival.

Brum Notes Magazine

Up first were Shapes, starting off with their trademark sound before Daughter announcing after one song that it would be all new material from The Library @ The Institute, Birmingham here on in. That new material seems to have taken a turn largely in 21/04/13 the direction of instrumental math-rock, with set-closer Brooklyn Daughter are one of the hottest bands of this year so far. Elena Handjob their strongest offering.

Second on the bill were Them Wolves, a band with a growing rep- Torna and co have achieved incredible success from the humble utation for their raw live performances. Beards and black t-shirts begins of 2012: a top 20 UK album, a huge UK tour and tonight a seemed to be the uniform of choice and make no mistake, this is a sold-out show. Daughter have well and truly spread their collective band that likes to play loud. The three-piece, with a two-pronged wings. Indicative of the bands endearing nature, they appear shortattack of bassist and guitarist facing each other as they barked, ly after the main support to soundcheck their own instruments to roared and screamed their vocals, delivered their own branch of hearty cheers and cries from a crowd that evidently already adores noise rock with a riff-heavy set performed to a captive audience. It them and, by the time they take to the stage, the room is packed up the stairs and swelling with the emotion relayed so well by Torwas a set every bit as beefy as had been expected.

Headliners BATS took to the stage and launched straight into the na’s lyrical musings.

They soar through seven tracks from their superb Stem Cells. The set that first album If You Leave, the standout mofollowed was comprised largely ments being the rolling vocals of Tomorof tracks from their sophomore row and the raw, heart-wrenching lyrics let album The Sleep of Reason. It’s a loose on single Smother. Alongside the alcollection of songs which for the bum tracks, they pore through their rather most part tackle heavy subject infant back catalogue and, at points throughmatters of science and religion, out both Candles and Love, Torna’s teeth are subjects which really complement visibly gritted, showing her value as one of the progressive, math rock style.

DAUGHTER only a few current songwriters who truly give Lead singer Rupert Morris’s voPhoto by Jonathan Morgan themselves away to their music. cals were superb throughout, Throughout the rest of the set she is mainly with his catchy melodies the smiling, displaying the shy-natured charm driving force on stand-out track Wolfwrangler. It was a 45-minute set but seemed to be over in the that has won Daughter so many admirers over the past year. At the blink of an eye, owing mainly to the fact that this was a live perfor- end of a sentimental set, she warmly thanks the crowd to feverous applause and promises to be back soon – and every soul in the mance so polished that you couldn’t turn away for a second. room believes her.

Joe Whitehouse Alex Cawston

Birmingham Beer Bash Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July 2013 The Birmingham Beer Bash is a new kind of beer event, bringing to Birmingham the very best of progressive UK and international brewing, in keg, cask and bottle.

In addition to stocking the best beers, the brewing maestros behind the top breweries will be working the bars, serving their products and giving you an insight into the creative process.

We'll also be offering a fistful of the hottest streetfood choices; plus beer & food pairings, talks, tastings and other 'fringe' events, all at a stunning canalside venue in happening Digbeth.

The Bond Company, 180-182 Fazeley St, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 5SE

www.BirminghamBeerBash.co.uk @BirminghamCubed Sponsored by

May 2013

#bCubed

BirminghamBeerBash

Featuring beers from: Beer Geek, Blackjack, Buxton, Compass, De Molen, Durham, Evil Twin, Freedom, Harbour, Hardknott, Partizan, Red Willow, See more photos at www.brumnotes.com Sadlers, Ska, Thornbridge, Tiny Rebel, Weird Beard, and many more!

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TOR'SPICK STYLE EDITOR'S PICKS

Finally time for a spring fling!

RIVER ISLAND £15.00

MANGO £14.99

OASIS £55.00

TOPSHOP £60.00

OASIS £45.00

H&M £5.99

ZARA £25.99

URBAN OUTFITTERS £195.00

MISS SELFRIDGE £28.00

26

Brum Notes Magazine

KS

birmingham street style photography by Sylwia Bagazinska

JADE, 24, FASHION DESIGNER Jade’s jacket is from Urban Outfitters, her crop top is from Topshop, her jeans are vintage and her boots are also from Topshop. She has her own individual style which is often influenced by street style. Her favourite retailers in Birmingham are Urban Outfitters and COW.

SETH, 22, STUDENT Seth’s jacket is vintage Wrangler, his hoodie is from Primark, his t-shirt is Nike and his jeans are Topman. He is also wearing Nike trainers and a New Era cap. His style icon is Ru Paul and A TOO is his favourite retailer.

MAT, 24, PHOTOGRAPHER Matt’s shirt is from Topman and his jeans are from H&M. He likes to express his own individual style and his favourite clothing retailer in Birmingham is Topman.

MO, 24, ILLUSTRATOR Mo’s shoes are Vagabond, her jeans and sunglasses are both from Topshop and her jumper is MISBHV. Her style icon is Cara Delevingne and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Urban Outfitters.

May 2013

MATT, 27, SHOP FLOOR MANAGER Matt’s entire outfit is from All Saints apart from his sneakers which are Nike Air Max. His style is influenced by the street and the people around him. He also likes to mix and match to create his own style. His favourite retailer is All Saints.

SAMANTHA, 24, STUDENT Samantha’s denim shirt, jacket and leggings are from Topshop, her scarf is Burberry, her shoes are from Forissimo and her handbag is Prada.

Her style icon is Victoria Beckham and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Topshop.

27

CY FR M EE BA T L H EA IR / C E, OF EA FE RP E, LU GS

JJM Studios is a purpose built complex of 7 luxury, sound proofed rehearsal studios, a professional recording studio (Pro Tools HD3 system and Digidesign Control24 desk) and expert music tuition services located in Walsall, West Midlands. At JJM Studios we always make sure you have the best possible rehearsal experience by providing the best room spec the Midlands has to offer at the best prices.

Loud Noises Production is a professional recording studio based within JJM Studios, Walsall. The studio has recently been refitted with a Pro Tools HD3 system and Digidesign Control24 desk. The studio combines the perfect combination of a powerful digital recording system with great sounding analogue outboard equipment and is also equipped with a wide selection of microphones, instruments and guitar amps. This gives our engineers and clients all the tools they need to create professional records.

We offer the highest quality recording at great prices and believe everyone should be able to afford a well thought out great sounding record. We have worked with a wide number of artists and have recorded many styles of music covering rock, metal, grime, pop, folk and much more...

Loud Noises Production is run by Owen Davies who has many years experience within the music industry from working in studios to touring with bands. Owen’s career has so far seen him record hundreds of bands from around the UK and carve a name for himself as a “go to” producer/engineer for up and coming bands and artists.

His crew/touring work has also seen him working on stages with artists such as Plan B, Keane, The Sugar Babes, James Morrison, Simple Minds and Sophie Ellis-Bextor to name a few.

PRO TOOLS HD3 SYSTEM AND For more information check out

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www.jjmstudios.co.uk Brum Notes Magazine

WHAT’S ON M M C M M M

CN C C M M CN CN CN CN CN

Wednesday, May 1 The Pigeon Detectives Alessi’s Ark

The Library @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

Tom Stade

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

CN

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Wulfrun

Wolverhampton

Kings Heath

The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Birmingham Kings Heath

CN

Brum Notes Issue Launch Party with God Damn, Bad Apes, Bad Moon, Caves + JAWS (DJ Set) What You Know About Gremlinz Ninia Benjamin

Bull’s Head

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Trailer Park Boys

The Institute

Birmingham

To The Bones

Suki10c

Birmingham

Friday, May 3 Old Man Markley

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Pombagira

The Asylum

Birmingham

Lucha Libre

Bodega

Birmingham

BOSH

PST

Birmingham

Breakthru with Alix Perez Champion DJs on the Road Le Lieu presents Tom Demac Freestyle

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Saturday, May 4 Dolls Eye Weaver

M M

Killswitch Engage

M

Dave Hause

We Are The In Crowd

CN Below 8th Birthday CN Hot Wax Ninia Benjamin C M M M CN CN CN

CN Huey Morgan (DJ

M M

Thursday, May 2 Sharks

CN Ninia Benjamin C M

KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

M M C M M M M

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Wednesday, May 8 Dick Valentine

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Laura Mvula

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Unknown Mortal Orchestra KAT MEN

The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

Thursday, May 9 Adrian Crowley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Wolf People

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Iain Stirling

The Glee Club

Birmingham Birmingham

Pete Roe

The Actress & Bishop The Glee Club

Lordi

The Institute

Birmingham

Arcane Roots

The Slade Rooms The Rainbow

Wolverhampton

Bull’s Head

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy

Birmingham

The Actress & Bishop The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

The Institute

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Bull’s Head

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Sunday, May 12 Lana Del Rey

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Athlete

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Lau

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Temperance Movement Bohemian Jukebox

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Friday, May 10 Nine Dart Finish

CN Shadow City presents Bondax & Syron Freestyle

CN Iain Stirling C

Saturday, May 11 The Twang + Cast

Birmingham

The Library @ The Institute The Slade Rooms The Rainbow Arena Bull’s Head

Birmingham

M

Wolverhampton

Jake Bullit M CN Godskitchen CN FACE with Jamie

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Birmingham

Birmingham Moseley

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Jet Pack

The Asylum

Birmingham

Hott Date All Dayer

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bassline Heaven

Subway City

Birmingham

A Decade In Dance

The Institute

Birmingham

Below 8th Birthday

The Rainbow Arena The Rainbow Warehouse

Birmingham

May 2013

M

Bring Me The Horizon Jam Jah

The Actress & Bishop The Institute

Sunday, May 5 Alt-J

CN Space Ibiza on Tour

M M M

Set) Mix Tape Bank Holiday Special Monday, May 6 Treetop Flyers

Birmingham

M M

Sylvia Title Fight

Trench Uber

CN Iain Stirling C M M M M M M M

Kings Heath

Birmingham

Birmingham

Birmingham Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Monday, May 13 Lana Del Rey

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Valerie June

The Glee Club

Birmingham

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M M

Andy Cairns (Therapy) Tuesday, May 14 Friday Club

M

King Tuff

M M M C C CN CN CN CN C C M M

M M M M M M M M M M C M CN

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Birmingham Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

CN Mr Scruff CN Freestyle Andrew Lawrence C

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

CN CN Fling Foot Sessions CN This Feeling CN Sweat presents

Lab11

Birmingham

Suki10c

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

C

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Birmingham

Saturday, May 25 Raveology

Daniel Higgs

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Thursday, May 16 Hang The Bastard

The Asylum

Birmingham

Doc Brown

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Josh Widdicombe

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Friday, May 17 Muzik Hertz

Bar 78

Birmingham

Lucha Libre

Bodega

Birmingham

DJ Yoda

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Freestyle

Bull’s Head

Moseley

Doc Brown

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Lee Nelson

Wulfrun

Wolverhampton

Saturday, May 18 Modern Minds

M

Icicle Monday, May 27 Lucy Rose

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

M

Slam Dunk Festival

The Library @ The Institute Civic Hall

Tuesday, May 28 District3

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Library @ The Institute

Birmingham

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath Birmingham

Marnie Stern

The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Rob Rouse

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Actress & Bishop The Institute

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

The Slade Rooms Bodega

Wolverhampton

The Rainbow Warehouse The Rose Villa Tavern Bull’s Head

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Public Service Broadcasting Troumaca + Anushka

CN Habit Doc Brown C

M M

The Actress & Bishop Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Wednesday, May 15 Jane Siberry

M CN Operation Hardcore CN Kenny Dope CN Reggae City 2013

M M

Hare & Hounds

M

The Besnard Lakes M CN Enter the Dragon CN Prospec presents

Birmingham

Lab11

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Birmingham

The Rainbow Complex Bull’s Head

Birmingham

M

Moseley

M

Wednesday, May 29 Dizraeli & The Small Gods The Roller Trio

M

Thursday, May 30 The Enid

Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Toy Hearts

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

M M

M C

The Glee Club

Birmingham Birmingham

Lord Huron

The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Tuesday, May 21 The Specials

M M

O2 Academy

Birmingham

M

The Temple @ The Institute

Birmingham

Little Green Cars

Mumiy Troll

Sunday, May 26 Boat To Row & Friends Widowspeak

The Temple @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Sunday, May 19 Paper Aeroplanes Monday, May 20 Andrew McMahon

M

Studio 54 Jarred Christmas

M

The 1975

Friday, May 31 Weatherbird Swim Deep Alternative Dubstep Orchestra Ed Harcourt

CN Lucha Libre CN Seedy Sonics Sum-

Wednesday, May 22 The Specials

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Fighting Wolves

The Asylum

Birmingham

CN

Benjamin Francis Leftwich Thursday, May 23 A$AP Rocky

The Institute

Birmingham

CN Freestyle with Arc

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Fathoms

The Asylum

Birmingham

Tribes

Birmingham

Mt Wolf

The Library @ The Institute Hare & Hounds

Jarred Christmas

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Sound CTRL

Birmingham

Friday, May 24 Midlands Goth Festival K!trl-Alt-Del

Kings Heath

C C

mer Party Beats n’ Pieces Vel Gary Delaney Rob Rouse

Kings Heath

Wolverhampton

Kings Heath

Birmingham

Birmingham

Birmingham Moseley

Want your gig or club night listed in our monthly guide? Send details to: info@brumnotes.com All details correct at time of going to press. Check with venues before setting out.

Brum Notes Magazine

May 2013

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Brum Notes Magazine