local art.photography.writing.music
hello. welcome to LZxRSD to celebrate the annual record buying festival, we take a look at the music scene in Leamington, with contributions from local venues, record labels and promoters. We’ve also got our regular blend of art, photography and poetry, and information about forthcoming events, including the first ever Leamington comic con. we hope you enjoy,
LZ
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music expands my mind and alters my emotions
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SWEETHEART Sweetheart
You have made a mercy killing out of Sunday outings, kite flying and park benches and recklessly thinking that
this time I will let you down gently. Or at least quietly. And not in front of the children. But that’s just a part of me I hide from that part of you I lost the day you told me that my teenage-dream-car would never drive again. And I knew it wouldn’t drive again because we’ve laced a double helix up inside of you and I wouldn’t swap that for the world. But I still keep getting no spelled out for me and you keep forgetting that we were children once too and we loved life like only children do, that there weren’t any syllables when we were young and talking angel, and that silly dream I had of sweetheart love was fast becoming you. 11 6
AWKWARD VIBE GIG POSTERS 2012-4
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MY FAVOURITE RECORD In time for RSD 2014, some of Leamington’s musicians tell us about the albums that have influenced them. Albany - Dom: Animal Collective –Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009) After hearing it with a friend, I rushed out to buy the record and couldn't stop listening to it for months. It means a lot to me as it broadened my musical tastes, and is my favourite not only because is the music so incredible, but it also has a very personal summery sentimentality.
Albany’s album, Your Head Is Still Young is out now. albanymusic.bandcamp.com Will Johnson: Jeff Buckley –Grace (1994)
A friend gave it to me ten years ago, said I'd love it and I did. It sounds like a live album - a perfect storm of song-writing, interpretations, musicianship and engineering.
Will Johnson’s album, Live at Warwick Arts Centre, is out now.soundcloud.com/will-johnson-18 The Rushmore - James: The Clash –The Clash (1977) I bought it from FOPP when I was 15. I love the raw energy of it, the grittiness of the songs and lyrics. It showed the edgy beginnings of one of British music's best writing partnerships and is both a political statement and a fine example of musicianship.
Daz: Travelling Wilburys –Travelling Wilburys (1988) My dad used to play it to me in the car, and when I hit 16 I raided my dad's record collection and rediscovered real music! Love every track and what a line up.
Trev: Led Zeppelin –Houses of the Holy (1973) I'm pretty sure I got this from the old Fopp. Two of my all time favourite songs are on this album: Rain Song, which is one of the most intoxicating acoustic songs I have ever heard and No Quarter, with a feel to it that nothing else can replicate.
The Rushmore’s debut single, Run Away, is out now. soundcloud.com/rushmore1/sets/ 8
MUSIC DIRECTORY PT.1 There’s a lot going on in Leam, and here’s a small list to get you started. If you know of something we’ve missed, get in touch.
Venues LAMP – leamingtonlamp.co.uk Artistic hotspot, providing a mixture of comedy, poetry and live music, often great folk/acoustic acts.
Leamington Assembly – leamingtonassembly.com Stunning ballroom turned gig space – big name rock and pop touring bands, including The Stranglers, Peace and Public Enemy
Royal Spa Centre - warwickdc.gov.uk/royalspacentre Family friendly orchestras, brass bands and tribute acts.
Somerville Arms – somervillearms.co.uk Jam nights, bluegrass, Irish folk and skiffle – home of traditional pub music in Leamington.
The Clarendon – theclarendonpub.com Host of world famous DJs including Craig Charles and Norman Jay, plus themed nights and occasional live bands.
Warwick Arts Centre – warwickartscentre.co.uk Cultural behemoth – marquee name bands and artists, plus intimate studio performances from emerging artists
Zephyr Lounge – zephyrlounge.co.uk The Assembly’s little brother – up and coming underground artists, ground-breaking clubnights and more
Promoters Awkward Vibe - facebook.com/awkwardvibe (Indie/alt/punk) Grow Young - growyoungmusic.wordpress.com (Indie/alt/punk) Nana DIY - nanadiy.tumblr.com (all age punk/DIY)
Rolling Head - facebook.com/rollinghead (metal/punk/rock) Tempest! - facebook.com/tempestevents (metal/hardcore) Throwing Rocks - fb.com/throwingrocksmusic (rock/pop/hiphop) 9 White Trash - whitetrashpromotions.co.uk (gypsy/folk/swing)
coves at zephyr lounge
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post war glamour girls at zephyr lounge
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NANA DIY. Hiya! We’re a DIY collective who do shows and other stuff in the W. Midlands. We’ve been putting stuff on sporadically for around a year now, with bands that we’re into both musically and as people, with any money raised going back to the bands. We’re committed to making our shows all ages and so all of our Leam shows happen at Althorpe Studios, a community run gallery in an industrial estate at the bottom of town. Our gigs are matinee shows, as it means people can get to and from the venue easier, and we have to cough up less for petrol money for bands! We know that the club and bar scene can be intimidating for people who just want to watch some bands, so putting on gigs in a space that is welcoming and friendly is really important to us. There are places springing up all over the country like this, such as JT Soar in Nottingham and Tie Dye Tapes in Sheffield, so it’s really exciting to be part of that network. We also are aware that punk can be a bit of boys club, and we keep our feminism in mind when arranging gigs, so any sexist, racist or queer-phobic shit won’t be tolerated. We cook vegan hot food and cakes for people coming to our gigs whenever possible, both to make people feel welcome and to show how easy it is to make tasty food without exploiting animals. Our next Leamington show is on the 27th April with local babes Human Hands and many more. We’re looking to branch out into tape releases in the next couple of months as well, so keep an eye out for that. We have a facebook page, so feel free to ‘like’ it and let us know if there’s anything we should be doing! Lots of love, Sarah and Lewis NANA DIY
facebook.com/nanapunx
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MIDLANDS MUSIC The Rosenberg Appeal
WHO: Pip Burley – vocals/guitar, Florence Ellis – piano, Dan Dyson - drums WHAT: Literate and idiosyncratic guitar pop WHERE: facebook,com/therosenbergappeal Named after the contentious court case that saw two American citizens executed for selling nuclear secrets to the USSR in 1953, it’s clear that The Rosenberg Appeal are not your average indie rock band. Tucked away in Leamington’s newest cultural hotspot LAMP, they craft witty and unpredictable indie pop songs that, whilst offering valid comparisons to The Smiths and Pulp, remain defiantly their own. Their debut single, ‘It’s a Shoot Out, Pull The Troops Out’, showcases a tangled web of verbose lyricism and a knack for tongue-twisting rhymes, whilst boasting a hefty and instantly catchy chorus, replete with one of the best ‘woah oh oh’ sections we’ve heard in years. With their live shows featuring unusual (and sometimes unsteady) stage banter, swirling backdrop projections and the occasional bubble machine they represent a wonderful antidote to lad rock, pub rock, or indeed any kind of ‘rock’. This May sees the band launch a massive Kickstarter campaign, backed by a nationwide tour, to fund the release of their highly anticipated debut E.P. ‘Now Is The Winter of Our Discotheque’. This will include several Leamington performances, and you are strongly advised to check them out, if not for that pun alone.
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LEAM COMIC CON A few words from the people behind the forthcoming crowd-funded Leamington Comic Con: Large box office superhero movies and cult television shows have elevated the popularity of the comic book genre and even made it desirable to be a ‘nerd’. Comic conventions, pop- culture events and memorabilia shows all attract serious footfall, but some hardcore fans believe the T.V and movies element has diluted its authenticity. Enter Leamington Comic Con, led by Dan Mallier, who are looking to launch the town’s first convention, while staying true to the original ‘comics only’ roots. Using the power of crowd funding to kick-start the project, it promises to bring together writers, illustrators and fans to celebrate comics and memorabilia. With just 17 days left to raise the necessary funds to launch the event, the project has already beaten its £1,500 target, but more funds equals a mightier convention! A stretch target of £2,000 has been proclaimed in order to deliver a bigger and better event, more fitting for the Royal Spa town. You can donate from as little as £3, but there are a number of perks up for grabs for those who give generously. £10 will get you a personal thank you, newsletter and event entry, while £20 and £50 donators will also receive a free comic and T-shirt respectively. As well as comics and memorabilia stalls, there will be a superhero/villain photo booth, an appearance from the 501st Stormtrooper Legion, a Q&A panel, live event podcasting and goodie bags for the first 100 visitors on the day. A great day out for all, so get your ‘geek on’ and help make Leamington Comic Con super! indiegogo.com/projects/leamington-comic-con facebook.com/LeamComicCon Twitter @LeamComicCon #leamcomiccon tickets: http://skdl.it/1hhf9Cp 14
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LISTINGS A small selection of what’s on in the local area, check out individual venue websites for more. 20th April Rosa Hinksman – singer/songwriter – LAMP – 7.30pm 21st April Edd Donovan + Lewis J. Smith – folk – LAMP – 7.30pm 22th April Matt Cardle – pop/rock – Warwick Arts Centre – 8pm The Ex + Jackdaw with Crowbar – punk – LAMP – 8pm 24th April Andrew Bellis – indie/rock – LAMP – 7.30pm Leam Underground Cinema Bingo – Cask & Bottle – 8pm 25th April Magmum – prog Sad Men (Theo rock – Zephyr dan le sac vs
rock – Assembly – 7pm Bass) + LACED + KIN – electronia/indie/ Lounge – 7.30pm scroobius pip – Warwick SU – 8pm
26th April Punk Festival inc. Anti-Nowhere League/UK Subs – Assembly – 1.30pm Led Bib – jazz/improv – Warwick Arts Centre – 7.45pm This Is Spinal Tap – film – Cask & Bottle – 9pm 27th April Josh Widdicombe – comedy – Warwick Arts Centre – 7.30pm Lewis J.Smith + Shkayla – folk/acoustic – Warwick Arts Centre – 7.45pm Rufus Wainwright – Warwick Arts Centre – 8pm Human Hands + Kinky + Plough Lines + more – alt/rock – Althorpe Studios – 1pm 28th April Reckless Comedy – stand up – LAMP – 8pm 18
30th April Howard Marks – spoken word – Assembly – 7.30pm 1st May MTW: The Improv. Musical – Warwick Arts Centre – TBA The Fall – post punk – Warwick Arts Centre – 8.30pm Tabloid – film screening – LAMP – 8pm 2nd May Echo & The Bunnymen – post punk – Assembly – 7pm All About The Music Final – Zephyr Lounge – 7.30pm Jeremy Deller Opening Party + Talk – art exhibition – Mead Gallery – 4pm John Richardson – comedy – Warwick Arts Centre – 8pm (also 22nd May) The Rosenberg Appeal + CN Lester + more – indie/rock – LAMP – 7.30pm 3rd May Gabby Young & Other Animals – jazz/gypsy – LAMP – 7pm Mark Thomas – spoken word – Royal Spa Centre – 7.45pm TAP Factory – dance – Royal Spa Centre – 7.30pm Comics etc Free Comic Book Day – The Clarendon – 12pm 4th May Roni Size/Electrik Custard – d+b/ska – Assembly – 8pm 5th May The Horne Section – music – Warwick Arts Centre – 7.30pm 6th May De La Soul – hip-hop – Assembly – 7pm Nick Lowe – rock/pop – Warwick Arts Centre – 7.30pm 8th May Turin Brakes – indie rock – Assembly – 7pm Jools Holland and his Orchestra – Warwick Arts Centre – 7.30pm 9th May The Flower Kings – prog rock – Assembly – 7pm 19
contributors: alex wells (1/9/13) ‘growyoungmusic.wordpress.com’ amelia ryan (3) ‘tumblr.com/wildmimiappears’ sammy borras (4/5/13) ‘sammyborras.blogspot.co.uk’ jack mcgowan (6) nathan dirienzo (7) kate hinksmann (8) james phillips (10/11) ‘numbern9ne photography’ NANA DIY (12) leam comic con (14)
leamingtonzine@gmail.com: questions and contributions get sent here
facebook.com/leamingtonzine issuu.com/leamingtonzine 20