London in Stereo // March 2017 by London In Stereo

M A RCH 2017 ISSUE 46 // FREE

TEI SHI

P R E S E N T S

Live at Tuesday 13 June 2017

ROUNDHOUSE LONDON

EUROPE 2017 Sunday 04 June

ROUNDHOUSE LONDON AGNESOBEL.COM BY ARRANGEMENT WITH X-RAY

The new album In Mind out 17 March 2017 realestatetheband.com

AN EVENING WITH

T OU WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER SOLD20 T THURSDAY 21OU SEPTEMBER SOLD

T SOLD OU

- E XT RA DAT E A D D E D -

FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER 2017

EXTRA DATE ADDED

E V E N T I M A P O L LO LO N D O N S I G U R-RO S.CO.U K B Y A R RA N G E M E N T W I T H CA A

T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E F R O M

ROUNDHOUSE.ORG.UK - EVENTIM.CO.UK - TICKETWEB.CO.UK SONGKICK.COM - GIGANTIC.COM - SEETICKETS.COM - STARGREEN.COM

P R E S E N T S

01 | 03 | 17

METHYL ETHEL - OSLO, HACKNEY -

19 | 04 | 17

THE MENZINGERS

04 | 03 | 17

+ THE FLATLINERS

- TROXY -

27 | 04 | 17

WHITE LIES 08 | 03 | 17

RED SNAPPER

- VILLAGE UNDERGROUND -

- KOKO -

BARRY ADAMSON

- MOTH CLUB, HACKNEY -

09 | 03 | 17

10 | 05 | 17

GLASS

- THE CAMDEN ASSEMBLY -

C DUNCAN

- ASSEMBLY HALL, ISLINGTON -

24 | 03 | 17

23 | 05 | 17

SHE DREW THE GUN

ÁSGEIR - KOKO -

- OSLO, HACKNEY -

09 | 06 | 17

25 | 03 | 17

SENSELESS THINGS

- O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE -

27 | 03 | 17

BLACK HONEY

BUFFALO TOM

- ASSEMBLY HALL, ISLINGTON -

30 | 09 | 17

NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDS - THE O2 ARENA -

- VILLAGE UNDERGROUND -

28 | 03 | 17

MONA

- OSLO, HACKNEY -

10 | 04 | 17

JAMES LEONARD HEWITSON - THE OLD BLUE LAST SHOREDITCH

10 | 10 | 17

JOLIE HOLLAND + SAMANTHA PARTON

- UNION CHAPEL, ISLINGTON -

01 | 12 | 17

JESCA HOOP

- UNION CHAPEL, ISLINGTON -

T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E F R O M

SONGKICK.COM - GIGANTIC.COM - TICKETWEB.CO.UK SEETICKETS.COM - STARGREEN.COM

WELCOME One part of running a magazine that I never really thought about when we started out was partnerships. It never really occurred to me that other people would look at what we were doing and go ‘yeah, we’d like to be involved with these guys, they’re doing something good’. This year we’re partnering with an array of events I could never even have imagined: Field Day, Visions, The Great Escape, Piano Day, Punkt. It’s unreal to have other people recognise what you’re doing and support you. With all that said we’ve got some pretty exciting plans of our own coming up too. Keep an eye out and make sure April 27th is free. You’re all in for a treat. TEI SHI (interview, pg: 24)

STAFF ON REPEAT the tracks we can’t stop listening to this month JESS: Tennis - Modern Woman DAVE: Superorganism - Something for your M.I.N.D. LOKI: PWR BTTM - Big Beautiful Day DANNY: Kane Strang - Oh You’re Off I See GEMMA: Aldous Harding - Horizon JACK: Mount Eerie - Ravens PWR BTTM

RACHEL: The Kills - Whirling Eye

(photo : Ebru Yildiz)

LiS 05

S P O T L I G H T

B R I G H T O N

P A L A C E

P I E R

S H O W S

P A R T Y - T H U R S D A Y - 1 8 T H - M A Y - 2 0 1 7

SLAVES RAG’N’BONE MAN B R I G H T O N

D O M E -

S A T U R D A Y - 2 0 T H - M A Y - 2 0 1 7

RAY BLK

C O R E

P R O G R A M M E

A N D

M A N Y

M O R E

T O A C C E S S T H E S P O T L I G H T S H O W S P U R C H A S E S E PA R AT E T I C K E T S O R H E A D T O O U R W E B S I T E F O R I N F O O N F R E E S P O T L I G H T S H O W T I C K E T S W I T H A F E S T I VA L W R I S T B A N D . E A C H T I C K E T I S E X C H A N G E D F O R A F E S T I VA L W R I S T B A N D A L L O W I N G A C C E S S T O C O R E P R O G R A M M E V E N U E S S U B J E C T T O C A PA C I T Y.

CONTENTS 10

NEW SOUNDS

LONDON IN STEREO IS:

Princess Nokia, No Rome & more 14

Editor: Jess Partridge jess@londoninstereo.co.uk

INTERVIEW Kelly Lee Owens

Deputy Editor: Dave Rowlinson dave@londoninstereo.co.uk

TALES FROM THE CITY

Online Editor: Rachel Finn rachel@londoninstereo.co.uk

by Sir Was 20

MARCH EVENTS

Sub-Editor : Loki Lillistone loki@londoninstereo.co.uk

What’s going on in London this month

Advertising sales@londoninstereo.co.uk

24 COVER STORY 30

LiS meets Tei Shi

New Sounds Editor: Gemma Samways

ON THE STEREO

Staff Writers: Danny Wright, Jack Urwin

with Piano Day 34

Photography: Tei Shi cover story: Tonje Thilesen (tonjethilesen.com) Grandaddy interview: Sara Amroussi-Gilissen (tigerinmytank.net)

INTERVIEW Grandaddy

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK

A day in the life of...a gig promoter 40

All In A Day’s Work Illustration: Liyv (liyv.co)

ALBUM REVIEWS

Contributors: Rhian Daly, Kate Solomon, Grant Bailey, Rachel Grace Almeida, Lee Wakefield, Thomas Hannan, Tim Hakki, George O’Brien, Katie Thomas, Hassan Anderson, Merlin Jobst, Geoff Cowart, Tom Walters, Nick Mee.

Blanck Mass, Gnod, Jacques Greene, Real Estate, Why? & more 48

GIGS OF THE MONTH

Our picks of the best shows this March 52

FULL LISTINGS

GRANDADDY

(interview, pg: 34)

Your full guide to all the month’s gigs 69

IN LONDON

with Desperate Journalist 70

LIVE REVIEWS

Loyle Carner’s celebratory SBE show. 73

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS

by Emily Reynolds LiS 07

londoninstereo.com @londoninstereo

WAX TAILOR WAX TAILOR

SOULECTION SOULECTION

FRI 03 MARCH KOKO FRI 03 MARCH

SAT 25 MARCH ROUNDHOUSE SAT 25 MARCH

TINGSEK TINGSEK

JORDAN GOOSE JORDAN RAKEI RAKEI GOOSE

KOKO

FRI 0707 APRIL FRI APRIL

JAZZ CAFÉ JAZZ CAFÉ

ROUNDHOUSE

TUE TUE1111APRIL APRIL

KOKO KOKO

TOMGRENNAN GRENNAN GIGGS GIGGS TOM THU APRIL THU 2020 APRIL

FRI21 21APRIL APRIL FRI

HER HER WED 26 APRIL BORDERLINE WED 26 APRIL

UNION CHAPEL UNION CHAPEL

BORDERLINE

JAZZ THU 30CAFÉ MARCH JAZZ CAFÉ

THU 13 13APRIL APRIL THU

CAMDEN CAMDEN ASSEMBL Y ASSEMBL Y

EARTHLINGS?

EARTHLINGS? SAT 01 APRIL

HOXTON SAT 01 APRILSQUARE BAR & KITCHEN HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN

NADIAROSE ROSE NADIA THU 20 APRIL THU 20 APRIL

VILLAGE VILLAGE UNDERGROUND UNDERGROUND

MARCUS MARCUS KING KING POTE POTE BAND BAND WED WED 26 26APRIL APRIL

WED 26 APRIL WED 26 APRIL

LOIC NOTTET NOTTET LOIC

YUSSEF YUSSEF KAMAAL

THE THEKING’S KING’S PARADE

THU 27 APRIL BUSH HALL THU 27 APRIL

KOKO THU 04 MAY

EVENTIMAPOLLO APOLLO EVENTIM

BUSH HALL

GAVIN DEGRAW MO KENNEY GAVIN DEGRAW MO KENNEY SAT 20 MAY O2 SHEPHERDS

IBIBIO SOUND

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE MACHINE THU 30 MARCH

THE THE 100 100CLUB CLUB

KAMAAL THU 04 MAY KOKO

THE NINES THE NINES

PARADE

THU 11 MAY

OSLO THU 11 MAY

OSLO

BADBADNOTGOOD EIVØR

EIVØR BADBADNOTGOOD WED 31 MAY

FRI 02 JUNE O2 FORUM WED 31 MAY THE ISLINGTON KENTISH TOWN FRI 02 JUNE WED 24 MAY O2 SHEPHERDS O2 FORUM THE ISLINGTON THE ISLINGTON BUSH EMPIRE KENTISH TOWN TICKETS AVAIL ABLE FROM TICKETMASTER.CO.UK & VENUE BOX OFFICES

SAT 20 MAY BUSH EMPIRE

WED 24 MAY

THE ISLINGTON

TICKETS AVAIL ABLE FROM TICKETMASTER.CO.UK & VENUE BOX OFFICES

CHARLOTTE DAY WILSON

SOURCE

SÃ&#x201E;LEN

HE NG RK BL IN UD

MAR 08 LOCK TAVERN

MAR 14 ELECTROWERKZ

MAR 06 & 07 THE WAITING ROOM

SOLD OUT

Charlotte Day Wi l so n

BESS ATWELL

p l u s

s p e c i a l

g u e s t s

TIMBER TIMBRE

JAPANROIDS UK TOUR APRIL/MAY

APR 03 APR 18 tuesday 7 march 2017 NOTTING HILL ISLINGTON ARTS CLUB t he wai ti n g r oom ASSEMBLY lon don HALL l i v e n a t i o n . c o . u k A

L I V E

N A T I O N

GANG OF YOUTHS

P R E S E N T A T I O N

I N

d i c e . f m

A S S O C I A T I O N

W I T H

C A A

COSIMA

JUDAS

MAY 03 BUSSEY BUILDING PECKHAM

MAY 09 THE CAMDEN ASSEMBLY

STARLING

THEME PARK

SAN FERMIN

MAY 09 THE WAITING ROOM

MAY 09 OSLO

UK TOUR APRIL/MAY

MAY 22 VILLAGE UNDERGROUND

THE BEST IN NEW LIVE MUSIC L O

@LNSOURCE LIVENATION.CO.UK/SOURCE

NEW SOUNDS PRINCESS NOKIA In conversation with Mass Appeal back in April last year, Destiny Frasqueri drew her battle lines clearly: “The patriarchy, the dick-swinging: it’s all boring, and it makes me snooze. Male energy is currently being challenged by alpha female energy. By softness, by right-brain beauty. With that aside, I still like to make people feel uncomfortable and, in a sense, fuck up their senses, while I blow them kisses.” Five months on, the Bronx-born, Afro-Nuyorican MC previously known as Wavvy Spice - now named Princess Nokia - made good on her word, dropping 1992, one of the most exciting mixtapes of 2016. Flow like a

by Gemma Samways fireball, her cuss-heavy rhymes ooze aggressive self-belief. Take the Saint-produced ‘Tomboy’: over crisp, militaristic drum rolls, the vicious revving of motorbike engines and trap-inspired subs, Frasqueri rips apart the male gaze, taunting her audience with the hook, “My little titties and my fat belly.” On the 90s rap-referencing ‘Saggy Denim’ she’s trading lines with Wiki from Ratking over soulful 70s samples, meanwhile the minimalistic ‘Brujas’ finds her proudly detailing her Afro-Latino heritage. Listening, you’re not surprised most of her peers “make her snooze”: presumably nobody else can keep up.

IN TEN: NEW SOUNDS BY NEW ARTISTS NOMBE

YOUNG HEARTS

SUPERORGANISM

SOMETHING FOR YOUR M.I.N.D.

SNEAKS

MOLLY NILSSON

POLO

AYAR

SMINO

SNEAKS

FLORES

GEOTIC

STEVIE PARKER

NOT TODAY SATAN

ROUNDS

INSIDE EDITION

ACTUALLY SMILING

GOLD HORIZONS

ANITA

UNDERCOVER

WITHOUT YOU

FOLLOW OUR NEW MUSIC PLAYLISTS ON LONDONINSTEREO.COM, EVERY WEEK

PRINCESS NOKIA

LISTEN TO: Tomboy @princessnokia

NO ROME

LISTEN TO: Seventeen @no_rome

@noromeband

by Jess Partridge

Already picked up by Ryan Hemsworth’s Secret Songs label, No Rome has been bubbling under the surface for some time. His Soundcloud is littered with melancholic odes to teenage love with his low-key, almost mumbled vocals emphasising the smooth, but never too-clean production. There’s a youthful exuberance to his sound, something effortless and off the cuff, as he experiments with quotes and sounds that sit perfectly along his own (including a kind of genius sample from Perks of Being a Wallflower at the end of ‘Blue Jeans’). Eventually his sound will find a path of its own and run with it but, for now, this stitched together collection of references and emotions have laid an incredible foundation and displayed a huge array of talent. LiS 11

Academy Events present ACADEMY EVENTS by arrangement with X-RAY presents

T H E

H O M E

THURSDAY 20TH APRIL

T O U R

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON LONDON

ACADEMY EVENTS by arrangement with GHVC presents

JOHN K

SAMSON PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS

AN ACADEMY EVENTS PRESENTATION

Chameleon Tour 2017

ACADEMY EVENTS AND TIJ PRESENT

THURSDAY 18TH MAY 2017 O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON LONDON

FRI 3 & SAT 4TH MARCH O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON · LONDON OUT SOLD RD

JOHNKSAMSON.COM

BLUEOCTOBER.COM

ACADEMY EVENTS PRESENTS

ACADEMY EVENTS and MJR by arrangement with EARTH BEAT present

JAMBINAI plus special guests

Wednesday 26th April 2017 O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON · LONDON @jambinaiofficial

SATURDAY 11TH MARCH 2017 O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE · LONDON ELIOELESTORIETESE.IT

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

Friday 21st April O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON · LONDON TWITTER.COM/WEAREAFTERHOURS | INSTAGRAM.COM/AFTERHOURS_OFFICIAL AFTERHOURS.IT | FACEBOOK.COM/AFTERHOURS

A C A D E M Y E V E N T S I N A S S O C I AT I O N W I T H E X Y T P R E S E N T S

+ DJ WHOO KID

THURSDAY 1ST JUNE 2017 O2 ACADEMY ISLINGTON LONDON presents

WED 5th APRIL O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE LONDON NEW ALBUM ‘DAMAGE AND JOY’ OUT 24TH MARCH 2017

THE DAMAGE AND JOY TOUR

THEJESUSANDMARYCHAIN.UK.COM AN ACADEMY EVENTS PRESENTATION IN ASSOCIATION WITH SPIDER TOURING AND THE MAGNIFICENT AGENCY

ACADEMY EVENTS & CLUB.THE.MAMMOTH. PRESENTS

PLUS GUESTS

FEBUEDER | CLUB.THE.MAMMOTH. DJS

Tuesday 30th May O2 Forum Kentish Town London

THURSDAY 13TH APRIL 2017 O2 ACADEMY2 ISLINGTON LONDON

WEARELISBON.COM

TICKETWEB.CO.UK · 0844 477 2000 & ALL USUAL AGENTS

interview

Kelly Lee Owens words: Rhian Daly

Kelly Lee Owens’ long-awaited self-titled debut album is one of the finest electronic albums you’ll hear in the early part of 2017. It’s a beguiling, intricate work that brings emotion to the forefront of dance music, both through her vocals and the sounds themselves. But as recently as five or six years ago the Welsh musician’s first full-length record could have been very different. “I just didn’t respect the dance world,” she says. “It was only when I saw the process of analogue production and the way it could be crafted that I started to gain interest.” Owens’ approach to her craft and its resulting sound is a breath of fresh of air within the current dance scene. While there are some songs on the record that pulsate and pound, there are many that float and breathe, making for an intriguing mix. “There can be dance music that can be motivating in a gentle way as well,” she reasons of her more relaxed sound. “It doesn’t always have to be a cold, hard techno beat - which can be fucking fabulous, don’t get me wrong.” Formerly a member of indie band The History Of Apple Pie, Owens never really wrote her own songs until she was given the chance to collaborate with Daniel

Avery on his album Drone Logic. She provided vocals for some of the tracks on that record and was part of the writing process of those songs. “One of the first tracks I ever wrote was ‘Keep Walking’ with Dan,” she explains. “It was the first time I’d been in the studio where I’d dared to write something and have some input. He was really open and everything I’d suggest he’d be like ‘that’s great’. Little things like that bring out your confidence.” Owens is aiming one day to start her own production classes for young women, hoping to give them a similar sense of belief to start creating regardless of the results. “There’s a lot of potential to bring people together and you have to give back,” she says. “Anyone who wants to get into it, I’d like to bring those people together and give them confidence in themselves. The best artists will write shit songs that you never hear - it’s a process so enjoy the process.” Though she questions why she’s putting a limit on who exactly can come to her class, she reasons that young women are probably more in need of an encouraging hand than their male counterparts. “Everyone’s got creativity inside them and we’re too afraid to tap into it a lot of the

“Everyone’s got creativity inside them and we’re too afraid to tap into it a lot of the time”

time,” Owens says. “‘I’m not going to start this because it won’t be very good’. A lot of women have that mentality so we destroy it before we’ve even created it. But actually, you’ve just got to bloody do it and see what happens. I worked in a cancer hospital when I was 19 and it’s always the regrets that people have.” In her future, she also hopes to curate and hold an exhibition on healing sounds, which had some influence on the album. Closing track ‘8’ is full of different frequencies that she explains are just her tweaking a synth live throughout, creating

a hypnotic sound you can swim in. “That was the time when I was doing loads of gong sound baths and learning about this specific range of frequencies called the solfeggio frequencies. There’s one that can liberate guilt and fear - isn’t that a wonderful thing? Whack it on.” That’s an instruction that could be applied to Owens’ own record and a move you certainly won’t regret. LiS

LiS 15

Kelly Lee Owens releases her self-titled debut album, March 24th via Smalltown Supersound. LIVE: End Of The Road Festival, August 31st-September 3rd @kellyleeowens

tickets and more info at www.rockfeedback.com

Upcoming London Shows

photo: Kain Balzary

TALES FROM THE CITY We ask artists to tell us stories of times spent in London...

by SIR WAS photo: Jonatan Fernstrom

About seven years ago or so I rented out my room in my flat in Gothenburg that I shared with a friend. I was going on tour with a band and we were gonna stay out for a month. I was really excited and happy to leave the grey and cold Gothenburg behind for new adventures in the “big world”. Two days into the tour a couple of people from the band and crew got Norwalkinfektion (basically a really bad stomach sickness, throwing up and stuff like that). We had to cancel the whole tour and got stuck in an Irish trucker place with our tour bus while we

were waiting for plane tickets home, etc. Since I had already subletted out my room, and also had been looking forward to finally leaving Gothenburg for new adventures, I wasn’t sure what to do. So I decided to go back to London with the tour bus and just visit an old friend who lived there. When I got there my friend was just about to leave for some vacation in Scotland so I got the whole apartment to myself. It felt exciting to be alone in this big city and I walked around a lot. One day I went to an art gallery and there was a woman who sold tickets for the exhibition. There was some kind of vibe going on, and I walked around looking at the paintings or photos or whatever it was. I pretended to be very interested and deeply moved by the art. Maybe I really was? I can’t remember. The next day I came back and it was the same thing over again. Me thinking it was magic in the air between us and me once again deeply moved by the art hanging on the walls. I had never asked anyone out just like that. To me it felt more like a movie: in a big city, in an art gallery, asking someone out. I was really nervous but finally I asked her. She said ‘yes’. When we started talking it was obvious that there was no vibe. She was very nice but all this ‘electricity’ was nowhere to be found. We had a burger and a beer. The next day I flew home.

LiS 17

Sir Was releases his debut solo album Digging A Tunnel March 10th via City Slang. LIVE: Birthdays, April 11th. @sir_Was_SE

@sirWas.SE

EVENTS a selection of upcoming stuff happening in London we’re excited about

A FESTIVAL THING

CONVERGENCE 2017 To be honest, the line-up’s enough: give us the likes of Sunn 0))), Coldcut, Rival Consoles, Noga Erez and, oh my, Jacques Greene and you’ve got us going wherever you want us. But as ever with Convergence there’s so much more going on than an exceptional programme of beautifully-challenging music. Now in its fourth year, the festival takes over Barbican, Village Underground, Electric Brixton and more to bring us another slab of music, art and technology discovery. Panels, interactive workshops and film screenings run alongside the music for the most thrilling five days in March you can imagine. An essential part of our calender, we really can’t wait. WHEN: MARCH 21ST - 25TH WHERE: VARIOUS VENUES INFO: convergence-london.com // @ConvergenceLDN The Jungle Book, showing at Backyard Cinema’s ‘Lost World’.

A FILM THING

BACKYARD CINEMA - THE LAST CHAPEL Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, the Kill Bill double...It’s hard to deny that, for a while, Tarantino re-wrote the rules of cinema, making some of the finest films of a generation. Well, it’s time to celebrate those classics in a fully immersive experience. Welcome to The Last Chapel, a specially-built world from Backyard Cinema to soak up that Tarantino atmosphere in a place like no other. Given their commitment to previous ventures like The Lost World, you can expect a spectacular set-up, themed bars, live actors and, of course, those essential movies. With ‘Tarantino-inspired’ films like Blues Brothers and Leon also showing this is the cinema event of the Spring. WHEN: MARCH 23RD - MAY WHERE: MERCATO METROPOLITANO, SE1 6DR INFO: backyardcinema.co.uk // @BackyardCinemas

A NIGHTLIFE THING

NOCTURNAL CITY: LONDON TO BERLIN A night dedicated to investigating the nightlife situation in London and Berlin. Especially pertinent right now when the institution that is Berghain is granted the same tax status as Berlin concert halls, as we’re fighting a constant battle to just keep nightclubs open. Alongside installations and panels featuring Night Czar Amy Lamé and Berlin equivalents, there’s also a ton of party via the likes of DJs Laurel Halo and Beatrice Dillon. Because, c’mon, above all clubbing is meant to fun. WHEN: MARCH 11th, 5pm-1am. WHERE: SOMERSET HOUSE, E1W 2DA INFO: somersethouse.org.uk // @SomersetHouse

Duncan Grant Bathing 1911 Oil paint on canvas 2286 x 3061 mm © Tate

AN ART THING

QUEER BRITISH ART 1861 - 1967

Berlin Mirror (c) Lawrence Lek

50 years after the decriminalisation of male homosexuality, this is the first major exhibition dedicated to LGBTQ art, exploring changing attitudes, what it meant to be challenging gender and sexuality perspectives during those near 100 years and plenty more. Why it’s taken quite so long, we don’t know, but this looks to be a truly wonderful collection of paintings, sketches, films and photographs from the likes of John Singer Sargent, Dora Carrington, Duncan Grant and Hockney, WHEN: APRIL 5TH - OCTOBER 1ST WHERE: TATE BRITAIN, SW1P 4RG INFO: tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain // @Tate

A ZINE THING

GRRRL ZINE FAIR As part of International Women’s Day this huge party event at Moth Club comes packed to the glittery gold ceiling with rad bands (check out Junk’s ‘Dirt In My Eye’), radder zines, drum and print workshops and an absolute commitment to inclusivity. So, in short, pretty much everything you could want in a positive, safe, environment. WHEN: MARCH 12TH WHERE: MOTH CLUB, N16 8BH (suggested £3 donation on the door). INFO: grrrlzinefair.com/ // facebook.com/grrrlzinefair LiS 21

WED 1 MARCH OMEARA WED 1 MARCH OMEARA

SAT 22 APRIL OMEARA SAT 22 APRIL OMEARA

THU 2, THU 9 & THU 16 MARCH OMEARA THU 2, THU 9 & THU 16 MARCH OMEARA

WED 26 APRIL HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN WED 26 APRIL HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN

ALEX VARGAS VARGAS SERAMIC ALEX SERAMIC DAN OWEN OWEN BENJAMIN FRANCIS DAN BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH LEFTWICH DAUNT DAUNT ALLAN ALLAN RAYMAN RAYMAN JAKE ISAAC ISAAC JAKE COMMUNION COMMUNION CLUBNIGHT CLUBNIGHT ASIAN MOTHERS MOTHERS STRONG ASIAN NOCTÜRN NOCTÜRN THOMAS DYBDAHL DYBDAHL THOMAS BANFI BANFI TENDER CENTRAL CENTRAL TENDER RICHARD WALTERS RICHARD WALTERS TORS TORS HOLY NOW NOW HOLY FINK FINK THE BEACH BEACH THE SEAFRET SEAFRET MATT MALTESE MALTESE MATT FYFE FYFE JOHN SMITH SMITH JOHN MICHAEL MICHAEL KIWANUKA KIWANUKA MODDI MEADOWLARK MODDI MEADOWLARK SHELLS TO SHELLS TO KILL KILL AA KING KING FIONN REGAN REGAN DAN FIONN DAN CROLL CROLL THØSS THOMAS THØSS THOMAS AZIER AZIER NICK HAKIM LISA NICK HAKIM LISA MITCHELL MITCHELL BRYDE FINK BRYDE FINK THU 2 MARCH ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH THU 2 MARCH ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH SUN SUN5 5MARCH MARCHNOTTING NOTTINGHILL HILLARTS ARTS CLUB CLUB

MON MON66MARCH MARCHST STPANCRAS PANCRASOLD OLD CHURCH CHURCH WED WED88MARCH MARCHOLD OLDBLUE BLUE LAST LAST

THU THU99MARCH MARCHPAPER PAPERDRESS DRESS VINTAGE VINTAGE FRI FRI1010MARCH MARCHSHACKLEWELL SHACKLEWELL ARMS ARMS

TUE2828MARCH MARCHTHE THECAMDEN CAMDENASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY TUE

WED 26 APRIL THE WAITING ROOM WED 26 APRIL THE WAITING ROOM

THU 27 27 APRIL APRIL ISLINGTON ISLINGTONASSEMBLY ASSEMBLYHALL HALL THU THU27 27APRIL APRILKAMIO KAMIO THU

THU 27 27APRIL APRILOMEARA OMEARA THU

THU 27 27 APRIL APRIL ST STPANCRAS PANCRASOLD OLDCHURCH CHURCH THU FRI 28 28 APRIL APRIL ST STPANCRAS PANCRASOLD OLDCHURCH CHURCH FRI TUE TUE 22MAY MAYJAZZ JAZZCAFE CAFE

TUE TUE 22MAY MAYBUSH BUSHHALL HALL

WED29 29MARCH MARCH WED BETHNALGREEN GREENWORKING WORKING MEN’S MEN’S CLUB CLUB BETHNAL

THU THU44MAY MAYOMEARA OMEARA

THU66APRIL APRILUNION UNIONCHAPEL CHAPEL THU

FRI FRI 55 MAY MAYROYAL ROYALALBERT ALBERTHALL HALL

THU66APRIL APRILBUSH BUSH HALL HALL THU

WED WED 10 10 MAY MAYTHE THEWAITING WAITINGROOM ROOM

THU 6 APRIL ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH THU 6 APRIL ST PANCRAS OLD CHURCH

SAT 13 MAY OMEARA SAT 13 MAY OMEARA

FRI 7 APRIL UNION CHAPEL FRI 7 APRIL UNION CHAPEL

TUE 16 MAY HEAVEN TUE 16 MAY HEAVEN

WED 12 APRIL SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS WED 12 APRIL SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS

MON 22 MAY ELECTROWERKZ MON 22 MAY ELECTROWERKZ

WED 19 APRIL THE DOME, TUFNELL PARK WED 19 APRIL THE DOME, TUFNELL PARK

MON 25 SEPTEMBER VILLAGE UNDERGROUND MON 25 SEPTEMBER VILLAGE UNDERGROUND

WED 19 APRIL THE CAMDEN ASSEMBLY WED 19 APRIL THE CAMDEN ASSEMBLY

THU 16 NOVEMBER O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN THU 16 NOVEMBER O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN

COMMUNIONMUSIC.CO.UK COMMUNIONMUSIC.CO.UK

COMMUNION PRESENTS

TICKETS FROM COMMUNIONMUSIC.CO.UK

interview

Tei Shi words: Gemma Samways photography: Tonje Thilesen

Tei Shi’s debut album, Crawl Space, opens with the first words she ever committed to tape. Recorded on her older sister’s boombox when she was around nine or ten, we hear Tei Shi – real name Valerie Teicher – receiving muffled tuition from her father in Spanish, before she imparts her newly-acquired knowledge in English. “So you have to talk there? Ok. This is the way to record...” Born in Buenos Aires, Tei Shi spent her early childhood in Bogotá before relocating to Vancouver aged eight. “I rediscovered the tapes a while back,” she explains today, down the line from her apartment in Manhattan’s China Town. “I thought it was cool because we’re communicating to each other in a mix of Spanish and English; having just moved to Canada, I was trying to adjust and re-form my identity.” You can hear excerpts of these recordings scattered throughout Crawl Space, and they provide a touching and humorous insight into Tei Shi’s vivid imagination. ‘Bad Singer’ is a particular highlight, finding her

melodramatically lamenting that she “can’t do anything well”, and hoping that, “one day I can be like Britney Spears.” “I was a really dramatic child, almost very emo,” she laughs when I quote the line. She also recalls her ten-year-old self as being “emotional and self-deprecating”, possessing “all these big ambitions and big dreams but a lot of self-doubt,” whilst simultaneously being “super-extrovert, thriving off attention”. Nowadays, Tei Shi defines herself as “more of an introvert,” but she’s been hiding it well ever since she first came to prominence in 2013, with her acclaimed debut EP. Released following the completion of her studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Saudade served as a compelling introduction to Tei Shi’s melodic versatility and gossamer-like vocals. In 2015, she improved upon it with the Verde EP, which ranged from the dreamy, minimalist R&B of ‘Get It’ to the blistering electro of ‘Bassically’. The latter remains one of the best pop

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was a really dramatic child, almost very emo.â&#x20AC;?

interview

songs of the decade, and won her vocal support from Grimes, who invited Tei Shi to open for her on tour, and cast her as an assassin in the video for ‘Kill V. Maim’. She speaks about Grimes in glowing terms, citing her as, “the biggest example to me of how to be a woman in this industry, because she puts her money where her mouth is. She is just so pure and such a fan of art and music and creativity; she has no pretension and no ego about it.” Tei Shi emphasises the importance of visible female role models, because of prevailing gender inequalities within the creative industries.

nightmares, but it ended up being a really good experience,” she explains. “Also, there is a part of this album that is very much about taking fears and just forcing yourself into confronting them.” Bravery inspired the album title too, linking back to a period when Tei Shi was afraid of the dark. “Shortly after we moved to Canada, I used to get really anxious at night and couldn’t fall asleep,” she explains. “So I developed this ritual of going down to the crawl space in our house and just enclosing myself in there for a minute, facing this fear.” Crawl Space came together in 18 months in Montreal, L.A. and New York, and – like Saudade and Verde – was largely recorded with Luca Buccellati. Running in tandem to the creative process, Tei Shi was forced to redefine her entire identity by the slow decline of a long-term romance. “The relationship that I was in began around the time that I began shaping the Tei Shi project,” she explains, “spanning my whole experience doing this, so it was very tied into the music.”

“There is a part of this album that is very much about taking fears and just forcing yourself into confronting them.”

“Any time a woman accomplishes something, there’s almost this immediate reaction to deconstruct it and devalue it,” she sighs. “Like, ‘Oh, well she worked with these male producers or songwriters so whatever. They’re just shaping her; she’s just the face of this project’… And people assume if you’re owning your body or your sexuality, it’s undermining your artistic integrity… For a long time I refrained from putting myself on the cover of my EPs because I thought people wouldn’t take me seriously as an artist. But there’s power in femininity and sexuality.”

A quick glance at the striking cover art for Crawl Space confirms that Tei Shi conquered that fear – not to mention any residual arachnophobia – though she freely admits that letting a massive spider crawl on her face took courage. “In the days before shooting I kept having these

As a result she sees the album as tracing “a progression”, moving from the “hopefulness and determination” of euphoric call to arms ‘Keep Running’, “all the way to acceptance”, as communicated in the somnolent beauty of album-closers ‘Your World’ and ‘Sleepy’. In-between, Tei Shi experiments with diverse musical identities, hopping between jittery, D’Angelo-esque funk

(‘Lift Me’), bass-heavy electro with a predatory, Prince-inspired falsetto (‘Justify’), and what she describes as “straight-ahead pop” on the ludicrously catchy ‘Say You Do’. Having felt previously “pigeonholed as electroindie”, she made variety her focus, alongside “more live instrumentation and interesting arrangements”.

Reflecting on the process now, Tei Shi recognises how far she’s come: “I think the period of time after I released the last EP and finished the album, I was in a place where I felt like I was being held-back or oppressed by the environment that I had put myself in. It took a lot of courage and a lot of hard decisions to get out of that, so the

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crawl space is the figurative place that I dug myself out of through the process of making the album”. “Artistically, I think I’ve learned to have more confidence in myself and to not think any minor success I’ve had is a fluke. For a long time I had a lot of doubt, and didn’t know if I really deserved attention; I would almost attribute a lot of my successes to other people, and that kept me from putting myself out there and really pursuing things I wanted.” When I press Tei Shi for some of these longer-term goals, she describes herself as “tentative to break it down, because I want that to be something that I build

along the way,” though she admits to admiring Björk, Frank Ocean and Beyoncé as artists who “have really wide influence on other artists, but create their own worlds”. For the time being, she’s proud of her achievements, particularly in light of unearthing those early tape recordings. “I rediscovered how much I wanted to be a musician when I was young. So the album feels really meaningful to me, like I’m showing it to my younger self.” LiS Tei Shi releases Crawl Space March 31st via Polydor Records. LIVE: Moth Club, March 1st. @TeiShi

@teishimusic

ON THE STEREO with

“Why does the world need a Piano Day? For many reasons. But mostly, because it doesn’t hurt to celebrate the piano and everything around it: performers, composers, piano builders, tuners, movers and, most important, the listener.” – Nils Frahm Piano Day happens March 29th at Union Chapel, and features piano-based performances from Bugge Wesseltoft, Trim with Matthew Bourne, Dead Light & Andrea Belfi and Neon Dance. all tickets available at wearefloat.co.uk @piano__day / @wearefloat

There are 88 keys on a piano. There are 88 days in 2017 until we get to March 29th. Coincidence? Well, obviously not, because that day is Piano Day - a day to celebrate the history, the current relevance and the future of this most cherished of instruments. As part of this world wide event Float are bringing us all a unique evening to Union Chapel, where piano, jazz, grime and dance will come together to highlight the versatility of the piano. Here, participating artists and event organiser Sofia Ilyas talk us through five piano-based tracks that highlight what the instrument means to them.

2. DAVID GRUBBS BANANA CABBAGE I adore ‘Banana Cabbage’ from David Grubbs. It’s elusive and intimate. It brings you into a different world within a few seconds and cradles you to the end, making you feel you need more and more of it. Simple and highly sophisticated at the same time. Andrea Belfi

3. RAVEL - PAVANE POUR UNE INFANTE DÉFUNTE ELTON JOHN

1. ELTON JOHN ALL THE NASTIES “Of all the music to feature a piano I can think of, ‘All The Nasties’, the penultimate track from Madman Across the Water, is definitely the most recent. The range and scale of the entire album makes Madman..., arguably, the most exquisite of Elton John’s recorded output. John’s distinctive piano playing (doubled on a second piano for this particular song) and vocal performance, coupled with Paul Buckmaster’s skilful arrangements, make this track hard to surpass.” Matthew Bourne

5. KANO T-SHIRT WEATHER IN THE MANOR

Piano music is very nostalgic for me, having grown up at the ballet barre. Ravel's music and this piece in particular has an elegant simplicity, which I find really appealing. It gives the listener space to think and still feels quite contemporary. I tend to play Ravel at the start of the week over breakfast and no matter how hectic a week I have planned I'm able to channel a focused energy from it. Adrienne Hart, Neon Dance

4. HAROLD BUDD HARU SPRING We listen to Harold Budd a lot, there’s such space in his music and the fragility and subtlety of his pieces is so gently immersive; perfect for resetting after long sessions in the studio! All the songs from Perhaps and In The Mist are amazing, but if we had to pick just one, it'd be 'Haru Spring' Dead Light

This is currently my favourite piano track that represents what our Piano Day event is about, which brings together grime and piano and shows the different ways in which the piano can be used. The track opens with uplifting piano chords, which drive everything forward, and Kano’s lyrics and delivery fit so well with the instrument. Sofia Ilyas

KANO

Float is a new music, lifestyle and events label which launches with Piano Day at The Union Chapel and is followed by their first signing Andrea Belfi. LiS 31

MARCH 2017 ~ LIVE ~ 3rd

Jason Nolan + Catching Flies (DJ) / 8th

5th

Sounds Familiar Music Quiz /

Peggy’s Big Sunday 13th

K.Bhta

Gospeloke / 17th Sam and The Black Seas / 21st X&Y 22nd Laurel / 24th Biscay / 29th Welshly Arms / 31st Club Close Up 16th

soundtrack screenings

12th march

26th march

SOUND & VISION

FUN DMC

THE VILLAGE

Free Monday Film Screenings

The daytime block party for kids (and parents)

A vibrant mi x of Afrobeat, jazz, latin and soulful house

~ LATE ~ every friday

4th march

NIGHT CALL

NEXTMEN 4 HOUR DJ SET

Weekly Friday Club

With The Doctor’s Orders

11th march

18th march

25th march

KATE BOSS

THROWBACK

TUCK SHOP

A proper old school discotheque

80s & 90s disco designed to keep you dancing

Soulful selections across the board

Dates, times & tickets: w w w.hoxtonsquarebar.com

| HOXTONSQUAREBAR

Grandaddy words: Danny Wright photos: Sara Amroussi-Gilissen

“I took myself back to Grandaddy school” ason Lytle is pondering the question of why, after a ten-year break, he decided to make new music with Grandaddy. He takes a moment to think. “To tell you the truth,

it’s a mysterious one. I tend to figure a lot of stuff out slowly and quietly. A lot of lights will go off as my head’s on the pillow at 3.30 in the morning or I’m out on a long bike ride.”

interview

“It definitely started when I got coerced into doing the reunion shows in 2012 which were a lot of fun. There weren’t any official meetings, it was more like ‘Holy shit - am I even considering this?’ and over time I started dreaming about ‘If a Grandaddy album is going to happen what’s it going to sound like and how’s it going to fit in with the rest of it?’”

Another source of reassurance was long-time friend Danger Mouse - the record is coming out on his 30th Century Records. “I’d asked him to work on the songs but when he heard them he said ‘No, whatever you’re doing, keep doing it’. And with me being the classic not-confident, self-conscious guy it was really cool to hear that.”

So here is the new album, Last Place, their first new music since 2006’s Just Like The Fambly Cat. It’s a record undeniably ‘Grandaddy’; beautiful countryish songs coated in lo-fi synth warmth, Lytle consciously taking those elements that have made up the band’s unique sound. “I kind of soak this stuff up, you know? It can be eavesdropping on chat rooms. And I’ve had heartfelt testimonials from people about what my music means to them.”

Danger Mouse has described the album as fitting in between The Sophtware Slump and Sumday. Would Jason agree? “It’s a difficult one - I was in such a weird headspace back then. I guess I’m just lucky that people are happy to fit it in with the rest of them. All I could do was put the blinders on, go in deep with heavy machinery and come out the other end.”

“A friend said to me, ‘The thing I really liked about Grandaddy is you’d come up with all these really weird hooks and keyboard sounds but it never came off as whacky’. It reminded me of how much I used to toil over this. Before I was just living and breathing Grandaddy, but time has gone by and I do have the ability to see what elements are special to our sound. I actually ended up incorporating that into the record - I took myself back to Grandaddy school.” And rather than putting pressure on the new album, these heartfelt testimonials inspired him. “There were so many instances where I didn’t know where to go with something and I was just so inspired by how excited people were. I was also having a super shitty, tough personal time as well, so it was just so nice knowing that there were this sea of faceless beings out there rooting for me.”

Now that he’s out of the other end, the band are heading off on a tour that will take in the new and the old. “I’m not that delusional to just play the new stuff! Talk about shelf-life, it’s pretty good to play something that you’ve been playing for 15 years and still get a charge out of it.” As we end the conversation, talk turns to politics. “I honestly don’t think it’s going to last - he’s going to get assassinated or the world’s going to blow up. But it also reinforces the idea that I’m in love with making music that has more of an escapist element to it - it would be an honour for me to be giving people a little break from all this madness. I’m not trying to dazzle anyone with my intellect, I’m just trying to make this cool thing that connects with other people.” LiS

LiS 35

Grandaddy release Last Place March 3rd via 30th Century Records. LIVE: Roundhouse: April 3rd. Rough Trade East: April 4th. @Grandaddy

@grandaddymusic

High-5 to Best Fit for sharing the Jason photos with us. Check thelineofbestfit.com for more from Sara’s gallery.

illustrations: Liyv (liyv.co)

ALL IN A DAY’S WORK by A Gig Promoter My alarm goes off at 7.30am and I put it on snooze for an hour. I’m always tired or hungover. I try not to drink at the gigs I’m at five or six nights a week but it’s hard not to when you have to force yourself to be social. I pick out what I’m wearing, depending on what type of gig I’m going to, and head into the office. The day-to-day is busy and filled with admin, emails and constant anxiety. There’s also the promoter meetings. Sitting in a room surrounded by much better and more organised promoters. You listen to their well thought-out and reasoned action plans, then it’s your turn and you’re staring at your notepad full of inconceivable doodles, trying to pronounce the band’s names correctly. Being a big music nerd I browse music blogs when I get five minutes, talk to A&Rs, managers, agents and friends to find something exciting. Let the chase begin. You can be the first person to email the band, go to all their shows, book them support slots (an impossible task), even promote a couple of shows and still end up losing the band to another promoter because of politics. There’s a lot of heartache.

Get stage times, go for a drink around the corner, get an Uber to the gig just as they start. Hope there’s no other promoter in the room, and that the band are actually good, so you haven’t wasted an evening that you could have spent catching-up with the friends you never see. I try and make small talk with the agent. Try to remember the agent’s partner’s name, ask again how their holiday was. ‘See anything good lately?’, as if they’re ever going to give anything away. Then there are the good gigs. The ones that make you remember why you do it. The best feeling is getting to work with the bands you love. Standing at the back of the room watching other people get excited the same way you did. After the show is finished and you’re celebrating breaking even you settle with the bands, thank the agents and start planning the next show. You go to bed hoping that band will go on to sell out Wembley in a few years time.

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DHP PRESENTS

THU.02.MAR.17

SUN.12.MAR.17

THU.30.MAR.17

THU.13.APR.17

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FRI.31.MAR.17 WED.15.MAR.17

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TUE.07.MAR.17

MON.17.APR.17

MON.03.APR.17 TUE.18.APR.17

WED.15.MAR.17

THU.16.MAR.17

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SAT.11.MAR.17 TUE.28.MAR.17

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MON.01.MAY.17

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WED.05.JUL.17

TUE.02.MAY.17 WED.03.MAY.17

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SAT.03.JUN.17 THU.14.SEP.17

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WED.24.MAY.17

SAT.03.JUN.17

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TUE.27.JUN.17 WED.28.JUN.17

ALBUM REVIEWS RECORD OF THE MONTH BLANCK MASS

WORLD EATER Sacred Bones // March 3rd

It’s becoming rote to rag on 2016, but it was a banner year for bullshit. Benjamin John Power, AKA Blanck Mass, one half of noisy Bristolians’ Fuck Buttons, knows this. His reaction is the quasi-conceptual, semi-bonkers World Eater. Heroes die, ideals falter, and the album finds itself straddling the dichotomy of nihilism and hope that has characterised early 2017. Top-heavy with dense electronica, a subdued sonic sensibility and clean production wrangle sanity back from the brink in a considered second act. But before the epiphany comes madness. Openers ‘John Doe’s Carnival of Error’ and ‘Rhesus Negative’ are slicked in Gabber idiocy, the former pedalling an infectious lullaby melody, the latter a tantrum of 808 hats and kitsch synths. The aggravated vocals (or near-vocals) on ‘Rhesus Negative’ shows Benjamin on visceral, muscular form. While they never steal focus, contributing to the maelstrom rather than distracting from it, these samples give a guttural nastiness and represent the early peak of his discontent. This is World Eater’s ‘Dead Format’, with pointier teeth. It’s a jarring opening by design; as if Benjamin had to exorcise his experimental tendencies to clear the process for cleaner material, and isn’t representative of World Eater as a whole. Things start to settle down on lead single, ‘Please’. Here, with enough space to breathe between polyrhythms, Benjamin’s instrumentation shimmers brightest. Its simple synth melody and growing intensity make it the

most palatable (bordering mainstream catchy) track Blanck Mass has produced thus far. There are a lot of flavours to take in over the tracklist, through the busy percussion of Aphex Twin to the pastel haze of Carpenter Brut, and while it isn’t always cohesive, it feels like an intentional decision. ‘Minnesota / Ees Fors / Naked’ continues a natural progression into more ambient territory, and surely represents a moment of clarity in the narrative simmering beneath. The end game is comparatively brisk, and by the time the mid-tempo ‘Hive Minds’ throbs to life it feels like Benjamin has said everything he needs to say. World Eater searches for direction under its world-expunging concept, but lacks the focus that sex and biology afforded Dumb Flesh. Where it thrives is at the extremes, and the interplay between the experimental and the commercial remains an enduring treat on repeat listens. Grant Bailey STAND OUT TRACKS: Rhesus Negative, Minnesota / Ees Fors / Naked, Please, Hive Mind. LIVE: Rich Mix, April 27th. @BlanckMass

REAL ESTATE IN MIND

Domino Records // March 17th

Real Estate is in a period of change. And while their music continues to exude that unique dull glow – one that comforts and looks for warmth – it feels like for the very first time, they’re looking forward together. Their fourth full-length record, In Mind, still features soft-focus sounds and sensible melancholia, but it feels less confrontational and defeated than their previous efforts. Before, the conflict was led by Martin Courtney’s struggle with distance – both physical and emotional. Now, as he journeys into fatherhood in upstate New York, there are strong themes of domesticity and nature – landscape motifs; nods to the sky; days of the week. Real Estate’s songs feel more resilient in delivery and subject matter. In short: everything feels a lot calmer, like a steady wave at night. But instead of reflecting with us later, they’re taking us along for the ride. Rachel Grace Almeida

JACQUES GREENE FEEL INFINITE

JFDR

LuckyMe March 10th

BRAZIL White Sun Records March 10th

Jófríður Ákadóttir has made great music in various guises – including Pascal Pinon, Gangly and Samaris – since her early teens, and been a totemic figure in Icelandic music for about as long. Brazil, her debut solo album as JFDR, is her best yet. While her voice is the star - see the strained whispers of ‘White Sun’ for the most arresting example - it’s a showcase for her talents as a composer and arranger just as much; the industrial menace of ‘Wires’ an early sign that the record’s beauty will be plentiful, but complex. Pianos and guitars are used gently, while percussion and electronics operate in spasms and squalls. But the songwriting’s magnificent throughout, and anyone with an interest in forward thinking pop should head to Brazil immediately. Thomas Hannan

As names go, Jacques Greene’s feels like one that’s been knocking about for some time and, while a debut album hasn’t surfaced until now, Feel Infinite reveals an artist brimming with thrashing beats and fresh purpose. Greene’s ability to litter his tracks with insatiable grooves and warped vocal samples, primed for the club, while packaged like succinct pop smashes has always been a key part of his appeal, and ‘To Say’ and ‘I Won’t Judge’ trace a familiar, brilliant blueprint. But it’s the slinky ‘True’, featuring How To Dress Well, which proves poignant, brooding R&B isn’t out of reach either. While his contemporaries construct ponderous soundscapes, Feel Infinite is a masterful exercise in producing concise yet essential electronic music. It can be done – just ask Jacques Greene. Lee Wakefield

LiS 41

JAY SOM

EVERYBODY WORKS Double Denim Records // March 10th

With Everybody Works, Jay Som has arrived. The multi-talented San Francisco Bay Area-based artist (real name Melina Duterte) began making a name for herself last year, releasing an attention-demanding DIY collection of songs that lead seamlessly and, thanks to impressive self-reliance, fittingly into live dates with the likes of Mitski and Japanese Breakfast. This lo-fi-leaning indie genre, in which the aforementioned two sit so comfortably, is enjoying something of a purple patch and Everybody Works proves the 22-year-old is wholly at home amongst these growing ranks. From the slow-burning beauty of ‘Remain’, through a “pinky promise” nod to Mitski, to the slow-jam, funk-kissed hue of ‘Baybee’, the album touches on an impressive array of timbres and keeps the listener effortlessly on their toes. Duterte’s knack for the uneasy and thought-provoking (see the Elliott Smith-esque ‘BedHead’) shines through, but Everybody Works is genuinely catchy. Perhaps it doesn’t infiltrate the subconscious with the same grip as its Carly Rae Jepsen influence, but cuts like ‘Bus Song’ have impressive persistence. “Take time to figure it out / I’ll be the one who sticks around”, she calls in the wonderfully chatty, trumpet-clad highlight, and stick around she does. Everybody Works, Jay Som just works better than most. George O’Brien

WHY?

MOH LHEAN Joyful Noise // March 3rd

In late 2014, Yoni Wolf, the mastermind behind the genrespanning project WHY?, released a set of cover songs entitled Snow Jams. One of the songs covered on there was Nico’s ‘Somewhere There’s A Feather’, a line from which goes, “Fall and climb. Take your time. Somehow you must live up to the precedents you’ve set”. The line could serve as a description for the fate projects as long-standing as WHY? inevitably succumb to: it becomes near impossible not to contrast any new output with the old. Moh Llean, WHY?’s sixth LP, comes four years after Mumps etc, an album which delighted and disappointed fans in equal measure. Painting a more cinematic picture than that previous effort, Moh Lean sees Yoni Wolf at his most contemplative and defiant. In ‘Proactive Evolution’, he gracefully detail struggles against illness and existential dread without succumbing to despair. While on album closer, ‘The Barely Blur’, Wolf beautifully traces age-old philosophical concerns “What excites the fabric to ignite in the cooling blue decay?” This spontaneous ignition is mirrored in the arrangements across Moh Llean, as sombre verses burst into warm choruses and vice versa. “One thing, there is no other. Only this, there is no other” Wolf states on ‘This Ole King’. As well as being a philosophical standpoint, it also provides a prescription for how best to approach a wonderful new album from this constantly transforming band. Hassan Anderson

SHEER MAG

COMPILATION LP Static Shock Records // March 31st

JULIEN BAKER

SPRAINED ANKLE Matador Records // March 17th

Julien Baker has one of those voices that stops you dead in your tracks. Whether she's singing softly or emotionally wailing over her guitar (like on the bring-youto-tears crescendo of ‘Rejoice’), the slight rasp against her satin tones takes complete control of all your senses in an instant. That would mean nothing if the 19-year-old Memphis musician didn't have the songwriting to match. Luckily, she does. Sprained Ankle is chock full of gorgeous, crisp gems, like the defeated roar of ‘Everybody Does’ or the insanely poetic closer ‘Go Home’, which features the startling, intriguing line “But I've kissed enough bathroom sinks to make up for the lovers that never loved me”. It’s dark and melancholy, but in the most astoundingly beautiful way. Rhian Daly

Not so much a debut LP as a complete compilation of the Philadelphia group’s critically lauded first three EPs, Compilation is a nifty package aimed at those who’ve heretofore been aloofly curious. As an introduction it plays catch-up perfectly - the twelve four-track EPs are presented here in chronological order. However It definitely won’t win over people that initially passed on them. EP II is without a doubt the best of the bunch, songs like ‘Fan The Flames’ and ‘Travelin' On’ reveal some nifty Thin Lizzy style hooks. On the whole though, Sheer Mag don’t have anything to offer that we haven’t already heard before. You can safely file them next to revivalist rock groups like Twin Peaks and Car Seat Headrest. Tim Hakki

DEEP THROAT CHOIR BE OK

Bella Union // March 3rd

The narrative of music bringing people together – be it through dancefloors, bands, or fan communities – is well-established. However, nothing matches the apparent experience of people who sing in choirs, and Deep Throat Choir – an all-female collective that has gathered, gestated, and grown in East London over the last three years – takes this radical community potential and modernises it. Be Okay is an album made up of the group’s own material, and covers of contemporary artists, from Little Dragon to Björk. Each feels intricately arranged to utilise the full scope of the choir through melody, harmony, and rhythm, bringing each piece a dynamic, human musicality. If Be Okay proves anything, it’s that many voices in unison can do things to the senses that solo ones never can. The album practically hums with shared experience; so much so that there’s a distinct sense of being invited into a safe space and entrusted with something very special. Merlin Jobst LiS 43

GNOD

JUST SAY NO... Rocket Records // March 31st

The harsh intro of guitar squelch warns of an impending brutality. Because around the corner lies the veteran Salford collective kicking against the pricks in gripping and powerful fashion. Gone are the flashy licks and woozy motorik jams of Mirror. Say hello to gritty bassline growls and the incendiary lyrics of ‘Real Man’, which explode: “He’s got a bomb in his pocket / And every night he’s going off like a rocket.” The album’s antagonistic political edge recalls a more expansive and oblique Fugazi as the band lurches from disquiet to pure rage with a flick of a wrist. If these five songs are a protest against the “killing of souls, joy and love” as bassist Chris Haslam suggests, they serve as a rather damning eulogy. Geoff Cowart

THE SHINS

HEARTWORMS Aural Apothecary/Columbia Records // March 10th

The first album by The Shins to be produced entirely by James Mercer since their 2001 debut Oh, Inverted World, Heartworms is another strangely uplifting, pastel-coloured record from the master of melody. It’s possibly the closest Mercer has come to the songwriting prowess he displayed on Chutes Too Narrow, albeit Heartworms is washed in a little too much synthesiser playfulness and dodgy electronic flourishes. When it’s strong, it’s thrilling - ‘Half a Million’ has The Shins feeling most like themselves since ‘Simple Song’ and ‘Mildenhall’ has Mercer on lyrical form over a beautifully lo-fi acoustic guitar. Cheese and filler still plagues throughout though - ‘Cherry Hearts’ is a weird reach for festival anthem status - but ultimately there are more hits than misses, and that’ll leave Mercer fans extremely pleased. Tom Walters

LES AMAZONES D'AFRIQUE RÉPUBLIQUE AMAZONE Real World // March 10th

Les Amazones d’Afrique are a female West African supergroup facing down gender inequality and sexual violence, their powerful voices pouring as much majesty into the medium as the message. Here they team with Doctor L’s otherworldly production, whose octavered guitars, clangorous percussion and Mad Professor-esque effects add edge to a bass-heavy medley of soul, Afrobeat, skank and jazz. We hear Beninese superstar Angélique Kidjo ascending the filthy groove on ‘Dombolo’, Nigerian R&B singer Nneka as the album’s sole English voice on a halting dub plate and Mariam Doumbia as one of many contributors to the stirring ‘I Play the Kora’. Peak euphony arrives with Madina N’Diaye’s melodic embellishments on ‘Kounani’’s tropical lope, the best of a multifaceted album that highlights the ingenuity of contemporary African sound. Nick Mee

Thursday 02OCTOBER March | 7:00 SUNdaY 02 | 7:00

ELECTRIC JULY TALK CITIZEN THURSdaY 06 OCTOBER FRI-SAT 10-11 MArch | 7:00 | 7:00 BLOODLONDON YOUTH FORRO THURSdaY 06 OCTOBER | 7:00 wednesday 15 MArch | 7:00

MITSKI HIGH TYDE FRIdaY 0716OCTOBER | 7:00 thursday march | 7:00 GUITAR WOLF VUKOVI

SAT 08 & 18 SUN 09 OCTOBER | 3:00 saturday March | 7:00

sunday 2618 march | 7:00| 7:00 TUESdaY OCTOBER

DREAMSHADE WOVENHAND tuesday 28 march | 7:00 | 7:00 THURSdaY 20 OCTOBER NEW CARNIVAL INHEAVEN wednesday 29OCTOBER march | 7:00 SATURdaY 22 | 7:00

SINKANE INME Friday 31 March | 7:00 SATURdaY 22 OCTOBER | 7:00 CAIRO + KYRBGRINDER NEGURA BUNGET Friday 31 March | 7:00 | 6:30 SUNdaY 23 OCTOBER

SUPERFOOD DEAD HARTS SATurday 1 april | 7:30 | 7:00 SUNdaY 23 OCTOBER STEVE ‘N’ SEAGULLS OBSCURA tuesday april | 7:00 | 7:30 MONdaY424 OCTOBER

KYLE GASS BAND PORCHES wednesday 5 26 april | 7:00 | 7:00 Wednesday OCTOBER JESSE LAWSON ANGELCORPSE

GIGS OF THE MONTH LEXINGTON THE SHACKLEWELL ARMS

Our pick of the best upcoming shows around London THE GOOD SHIP

ADIA VICTORIA ADAM BETTS

MOON PANDA

14th March 8th Angel / Dalston Junction Kingsland £10adv // @thelexington £7.50adv // @shacklewell Arms

March 30th £4adv // @thegoodshipnw6

Kilburn

O2 ISLINGTON ACADEMY D DOUBLE E March 29th £15adv // @O2Islington

Angel

O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE ADAM BETTS

KEHLANI March 8th £21adv // @o2sbe

SERVANT JAZZ QUARTERS

Shepherd’s Bush

VIDEO BLUE March 12th £5adv // @ServantJazz

Dalston Junction / Kingsland

THE LOCK TAVERN OTHERKIN + YUNGBLUD March 8th FREE // @thelocktavern

KEHLANI Chalk Farm / Camden Town

COMET GAIN + EVANS THE DEATH + THE LOVES + MAMMOTH PENGUINS + MANY MORE

THE LEXINGTON ADIA VICTORIA March 14th £10adv // @thelexington

Angel

KAMIO

March 25th £17.50adv // @DomeTufnellPark

Tuffnell Park

BOSTON ARMS MUSIC ROOM

KITE BASE March 8th £6adv // @iamkamio

THE DOME

NEW CARNIVAL + GURR Old Street

March 28th £6adv // @BostonMusicRoom

Tuffnell Park

BUSH HALL

HOXTON SQUARE BAR & KITCHEN DWTF + KNUCKS + JOEY XL + JVCK JAMES March 27th £7adv // @HoxtonSquareBar

MARK EITZEL

FT. BERNARD BUTLER

March 7th £17adv // @Bushhallmusic

Old Street

Shepherd’s Bush

THE TOOTING TRAM & SOCIAL

OSLO

THE WAVE PICTURES + YOUNG ROMANCE

TENDER March 3rd £8adv // @OsloHackney

March 29th £11adv // @TootingTram

Hackney Central

MONTAGUE ARMS

THE PICKLE FACTORY

TANGERINES + DEAD PRETTIES

LAKKER + CHAMBRAY

March 29th Queens Road Peckham / New Cross Gate £7adv // @Montague_Arms

March 9th £12.50adv // @PickleFactoryE2

THE 100 CLUB

CORSICA STUDIOS

MODERN ENGLISH

SWEAT

March 8th £15adv // @100clubLondon

Tottenham Court Road

March 30th £7.70 // @Corsica_Studios

Tooting Broadway

Bethnal Green/ Hoxton

Elephant & Castle

THE GARAGE

MOTH CLUB

TOMMY CASH

FRÁNÇOIS & THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS

March 31st £13.50adv // TheGarageHQ

Highbury & Islington

March 27th £12.50adv // @Moth_Club

Hackney Central

PAPER DRESS VINTAGE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: LAURA JAE + KATEY BROOKS + SHAMA RAHMAN + DOLL DUNCAN March 17th £6 // @paperdressed

Hackney Central

THE WAITING ROOM LUXURY DEATH March 2nd £5Aadv // @WaitingRoomN16

Dalston Junction / Kingsland

LUXURY DEATH

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FULL MARCH LISTINGS Wednesday 1st March

Thursday 2nd March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo

Friday 3rd March

WeGotTickets.com | Simple, honest ticketing

FULL MARCH LISTINGS Saturday 4th March

Sunday 5th March

Monday 6th March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo

Tuesday 7th March

Wednesday 8th March

WeGotTickets.com | Simple, honest ticketing

FULL MARCH LISTINGS

Thursday 9th March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo Friday 10th March

Saturday 11th March

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FULL MARCH LISTINGS

Monday 13th March

Sunday 12th March

Tuesday 14th March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo

Wednesday 15th March Thursday 16th March

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FULL MARCH LISTINGS

Friday 17th March Saturday 18th March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo

Tuesday 21st March

Sunday 19th March

Monday 20th March

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FULL MARCH LISTINGS

Wednesday 22nd March

Thursday 23rd March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo

Friday 24th March

WeGotTickets.com | Simple, honest ticketing

FULL MARCH LISTINGS

Saturday 25th March

Sunday 26th March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo Monday 27th March

Wednesday 29th March

Tuesday 28th March

WeGotTickets.com | Simple, honest ticketing

FULL MARCH LISTINGS

Thursday 30th March

Friday 31st March

visit londoninstereo.com for all the latest listings, & to sign up to our Gigs Of The Week email

LONDON TICKETS: WeGotTickets.com/LondonInStereo

Sunday 2nd April

Monday 3rd April

Saturday 1st April

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03—17 Shacklewell Arms 71 Shacklewell Lane London E8 Thursday 9 March

ZIG ZAGS Saturday 18 March

SPORTS TEAM Thursday 23 March

WEDDING Friday 31 March

UNCANNY VALLEY The Lock Tavern

Lanzarote

lanzaroteworks.com #lanzaroteworks

presents

Thursday 30 March

BEACH BABY The Waiting Room 175 Stoke Newington High St N16 Thursday 2 March

LUXURY DEATH Wednesday 8 March

GENTS Friday 17 March

KHIDJA Wednesday 22 March

OUR GIRL

35 Chalk Farm Rd London NW1 Tuesday 7 March

TUKU Friday 10 March

MAX PAIN & THE GROOVIES Friday 24 March

BETE NOIRE The Montague Arms 289 Queen’s Rd London SE14 Thursday 2 March

COSMO PYKE Thursday 9 March

MOLAR

MOTH Club Valette St London E8 Wednesday 1 March

TEI SHI Saturday 4 March

JOSEFIN ÖHRN + THE LIBERATION Wednesday 8 March

THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH Friday 10 March

IDLES Monday 27 March

FRANCOIS & THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS

IN LONDON with DESPERATE JOURNALIST Desperate Journalist release their new album Grow Up March 24th via Fierce Panda Records. LIVE: Scala, April 6th. @DespJournalist

Why do you live in London? For me it feels like the best place to be in terms of opportunities to make and engage with music and culture. There is always somewhere new to go and something to do in London. Plus all my stuff is here. Where are your go-to places for food? My favourite London restaurant was Dotori* in Finsbury Park, a tiny family-run Korean place which has sadly recently shut. The best contender for favourite restaurant now is Xi’an Impression in Holloway. Drinks wise: Wetherspoons. Or my bedroom with a bottle of wine.

“Go on random wanders. Buy a travelcard. Take chances. Get lost in the Barbican...” We’re nearly out of Winter and into Spring, do you feel these things change the town much? Definitely, the winter weather can make London feel either romantic or oppressively bleak, depending on your (my) mood. Spring is always gorgeous and seeing new natural life blossoming in a heavily built up environment is a glorious thing. What’s the worst thing about London? Being in everyone’s way all the time, the cost of rent/living.

@DesperateJournalist

What part of London would you love to live in? I miss the Holloway/Finsbury Park area which was my home for around ten years. It’s the perfect mix of feeling like a distinct, warm community and incorporating a wide variety of different people and it will always have a special place in my heart. It was my first real home in London. What’s your perfect way to spend a day here? Sleeping until late, getting some kind of oversized vegetarian lunch, going round some record shops and then sitting in a park listening to music, basking in the sun until it sets. Do you have any favourite venues? The Lexington is great, also Scala, where we are headlining on 6th April! Does living here influence the music you write? In terms of the people I’ve met and/or seen here who have influenced me lyrically, yes. In terms of the environment itself, I’m not certain. How would you advise someone to get the most out of London? Go on random wanders. Buy a travelcard. Take chances. Get lost in the Barbican. Spend time in green spaces. Remember to drink enough water. Your Desperate Journalist guide to London, and home drinking advice, kindly provided by singer Jo Bevan.

*Our people in Finsbury Park have heard Dotori might be re-opening, for all your pre-Rowans needs... LiS 69

LIVE REVIEWS LOYLE CARNER - O2 SHEPHERD’S BUSH EMPIRE - FEBRUARY 17TH

“That is the most fucking fun I’ve ever had in my entire life.” Loyle Carner sits on the floor of the Shepherd’s Bush Empire stage shaking his head in disbelief. After ‘NO CD’ receives the most rapturous response of the night, he’s awestruck. Between songs he stares out over the crowd as a childlike glee lights up his face; one of few indicators that he’s only 22. His confident stage presence and deeply personal lyrics illustrate an emotional maturity far beyond his years. He clutches an Eric Cantona football shirt for the entirety of his show; a touching tribute to his late stepfather that sets the tone for his live performance. Opening with ‘The Isle of Arran’, the opener from his debut full-length, Yesterday’s Gone, Loyle Carner makes his way jubilantly through much of the album, with guest appearances from Tom Misch for ‘Damselfly’, Jehst for ‘No Worries’, and Rebel Kleff appearing from behind the decks for his vocal contributions too. Affectionate family anecdotes preface the majority of his tracks. This is a young artist who is fiercely loyal, with an admiration and respect for his mum that shines through in a way that’s genuinely moving. His commitment to family encompasses even the production; the stage is set like a living room, and a

huge black and white family portrait as a backdrop. It adds an intimacy to his show. The lights remain up for much of the set, letting Carner connect with the audience on a more personal level than darkness and sporadic light can achieve. After a fan throws flowers onto the stage he says cheekily, “I’ve had a bra thrown at me before, but I prefer these.” It’s this unassuming quality that makes him instantly likeable. His lyrics tackle emotionally-fraught subjects many of us will inevitably face, but there’s an articulate simplicity to his performance which makes things seem less overwhelming. Loyle Carner is so personable and relatable that it’s no surprise his fans – mostly in their mid to late teens – visibly worship him. As the show draws to an end, figures on the backdrop fade away, until only his mum remains. A video of her beautiful spoken word interlude from ‘Sun of Jean’ plays. Then, as the house lights come up, the adoring fans turn their gaze to the balcony where she is dancing. Beaming with pride she receives the most sincere cheer of the evening. Proof that there’s more than one star of the show tonight. Katie Thomas

“That is the most fucking fun I’ve ever had in my entire life.”

photos: Steve Gillett (LIVEPIX)

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PRESENTS

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS by Emily Reynolds In an ideal world, what would mental healthcare look like? Obviously going to the doctor to talk about mental illness would be as simple and routine as making an appointment for a sprained ankle or a migraine. Nobody would have to go to A&E in a crisis, there’d be plenty of room in psychiatric wards, and staff working in mental health would be given the resources they need to actually do their jobs. Unfortunately, though, we currently live in a world that resembles a dumpster that’s not only on fire but also full of dystopian novels. Going to the doctor can be a painful and ultimately fruitless process, and inpatient wards are understaffed, overstretched and so full that anybody needing a bed is either turned away or sent hundreds of miles away from home. This is largely because of widespread budget cuts to the NHS - wards are being closed, therapy services oversubscribed, and staff trying their best to stem the slow and steady flow of untreated patients. In short: it’s miserable. But is there anything we, individually, can do to cope in this kind of crisis? Obviously self care can’t replace professional help - if you’re psychotic, tidying your room or drinking more water is not going to help. But we can make a concerted effort to look after our own mental health, and to look out for the people we care about. Do chores for your friends when they’re depressed, collect their prescriptions, cook them dinner. Ask them what they need, practically, and deliver those things. It might feel like putting a band-aid on an amputated limb, but it can make a small difference. And in a world where mental health services are consistently failing the people who need them the most, taking the time to look after your own mental health can be a radical political act. Emily Reynolds is a freelance writer who specialises in mental health, tech and science. She regularly writes for the Guardian, New Yorker magazine, Vice and more. Her first book, A Beginner's Guide To Losing Your Mind, is out now with Hodder & Stoughton. Find Emily on Twitter: @rey_z

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PRESENTS

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK

PRESENTS

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT MYTICKET.CO.UK

S.J.M. CONCERTS PRESENTS

PLUS GUESTS

01 MAR / HEAVEN

PLUS GUESTS

09 MAR / TUFNELL PARK DOME

24 MAR / THE CAMDEN ASSEMBLY

PLUS GUESTS OUTLYA

11 APR / O2 SHEPHERDS BUSH EMPIRE

PLUS GUESTS

PLUS GUESTS BLACKFOXXES

28 APR / THE CAMDEN ASSEMBLY

09 MAR / ELECTRIC BALLROOM

PLUS GUESTS THE PALE WHITE & INDIGO HUSK

PLUS GUESTS

15 MAR / TUFNELL PARK DOME

17 MAY / KOKO

PLUS GUESTS

21 MAR / XOYO

19 MAY / O2 FORUM KENTISH TOWN

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