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ILLUSTRATION: AKY
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LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
ILLUSTRATION: REBECCA YOUNG
CONTENTS Little River, an introduction
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News
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Skinny Twins Festival, Coal Train single, C O L O U R S gig, Chased by Wolves free download
Live Reviews
7 - 15
ISSUE #1 SPRING 2011
Wolf Gang, Beats Happening 44, Old Friends Bookends 8, Matt Stalker and Fables, Benjamin Francis Leftwhich
CONTRIBUTORS
Demo and Track Reviews
EDITOR: Richard Smith
18 - 20
Morris Ford, BEAK, The Mephisto Club, Withered Hand
Gig previews
22 - 23
Evolution 2011, Sunderland Live Fringe Festival
Old Friends Bookends
24 - 25
What’s the Frequency Kenneth?
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Spark FM, Sunderland
The Lake Poets On Tour
28 - 29
Hyde and Beast
30 - 31
Ross Phillips Listings
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WRITERS: Daniel Carson Abbey Pearson Emma Howe Blake Macallan Gary Harvey Karen Burgess Dee Chaneva Richard Smith ART/DESIGN: Christopher Atkinson Rebecca Young Paul Burgess www.pbgd.co.uk Ross Phillips PRINT: kall kwik Sunderland www.kallkwik.co.uk/sunderland/
Tel: 0191 567 6770 www.kallkwik.co.uk/sunderland/
To advertise in this publication email: littleriverfanzine@gmail.com
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But I go with my friend to the shore of our little river, and with one stroke of the paddle, I leave the village politics and personalities, yes, and the world of villages and personalities behind, and pass into a delicate realm of sunset and moonlight, too bright almost for spotted man to enter without novitiate and probation. RALPH WALDO EMERSON
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ere at Little River we plan on bringing you the latest in local music and news straight to you from the people who live, play and breathe the north east music scene.
With a lot of focus on the north east at the minute why not now to spread the word even more? Introduce you to great music you may not already know of and to keep you regularly updated with gigs and other goings on. With so much going on each issue is going to be filled to the brim with the best of whats going on in your city. The fanzine is also going to showcase all of the best art 4
around with our covers designed by different artists/ enthusiasts each month. If you would like to donate artwork, Poetry, short stories or even have a chance to design a Little River cover then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. The whole idea of Little River is that it is put together by people who have a real love for the North East and everything going on here, so if that’s you then do get in touch! We hope you enjoy the first issue of Little River. littleriverfanzine@gmail.com RS LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
SKINNY TWINS FEST RAINTON MEADOWS
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he city council may have pulled the plug on their big day out at the fairground but Sunderland promoters Skinny Twins have refused to see their efforts go to waste with the first annual Skinny Twins Festival upping sticks and heading for Houghton’s Rainton Meadows Arena. Although news of the headline acts has crept through the grapevine at an alarmingly slow rate, the weekend is now shaping up to be a scorcher under the midsummer sun. Adam Smith, the festival organiser and driving force behind Skinny Twins, has been hard at work securing some pretty impressive names for the event taking place on Saturday June 11th. Al Murray aside, Hounslow’s next best import, The Bluetones will be eager to cement their legacy with a career spanning set in one of their last ever shows before strutting off into the sunset, indie pension books heavily stamped and grasped firmly in hand. The Sunshine Underground will return to Wearside after a relatively short absence, with the Leeds based three piece undoubtedly looking to replicate their luminous Independent set at the start of last year. Fans of 80’s New Wave will be delighted to hear that evergreen punk rock icons The Stranglers are set to headline alongside ska stalwarts The Beat and Specials frontman Neville Staple. Also featuring on the highly ambitious bill are visceral post punk revivalists Twisted Wheel, energetic mod-rockers The Rifles and the patchwork remains of Sham 69. Tickets are shifting at £35 but a small number of early bird tickets are available at the reduced cost of £25. Skinny Twins are kindly laying on shuttle buses to Rainton Meadows that will run every half hour, picking up at Park Lane Interchange,
Newcastle Central and Durham Bus Station. It might well be a little further afield than a jaunt down to Seaburn on the E6 but with a lineup as strong as this one, it’s going to be well worth the trek. DC
COAL TRAIN SINGLE One of Sunderland’s best head out on a European tour with a single release ready to leave with their native North East, while their away. ‘Carry You On My Shoulders’ is classic Coal Train. Released on through Run of the Mill Records (UK) and Silver Rocket (Czech), it will be available on a limited 7" vinyl with a free CD and pin badge or digital download. B side to the single release is a stripped back version of the familiar ‘Wish List’. However this is a special version of the track with guest vocals from The Lake Poets and brand new name to go with the transformation ‘Wished Out’. The recordings for the track took place in some pretty random places (bathroom ,miners hall, church hall) to provide a whole new atmospheric feel. You can get a hold of it now. EH
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C O L O U R S GIG
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O L O U R S presents a night of live music in aid of Children North East and sponsored by the Tesco Bank community programme, see’s North East-based five piece Chased By Wolves top the impressive bill. Other acts gracing the stage of Independent are The Lake Poets and Friends, The Greeting Committee and Stoke-based All The Young.
Organiser Chris Atkinson hopes that the night will raise awareness of the charity, which aims to help disadvantaged children, families and young people in the region. “I wanted to organise the gig after the success of the Oxjam Festival at Independent last October, which I also organised.” Says Chris, who works for Tesco Bank. “We raised £550 for the Oxfam charity, which inspired me to create something similar for a worthy local cause such as Children North East. We have some amazing bands lined up and some very special sets from The Lake Poets and Chased by Wolves.” Once the bands are over, the A.S.B.O DJ’s will spin Dubstep and Drum and Bass beats into the early hours. Every penny from the £5 door charge will be donated to Children North East, so there’s no excuse not to come down and support this brilliant cause and the local music scene! AP
ILLUSTRATION: ROSS PHILLIPS
CHASED BY WOLVES FREE DOWNLOAD As Chased By Wolves have not released anything officially yet, busy on working on demos for a debu t album they are giving away a trac k for free! The track has been play ed on Tom Robinson’s show on BBC6 introducing and was recently featured on the NARC compilation CD and also as part of the spring mix tape for the online magazine creature mag.com. You can get a hold of your s by going to www.chasedbywolves.com to get your 'digital' hands on the trac k ‘Be My Love’. BM
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LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
LIVE REVIEWS WOLF GANG, MOLK VANT, STREAMING LIGHTS @ Independent Sunderland It’s not everyday you get to witness an overly enthusiastic smoke machine, Eighties-esque earring and scarf combos and songs about Eskimos. Well, you do if indie electro-poppers Wolf Gang are in town. Opening the nights shenanigans is Hull three piece Streaming Lights, a band reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys circa 2006, complete with bursts of ferocious guitars and statue-like posture on the members’ part. Maybe it’s the nerves, but Streaming Lights make for some pretty static viewing. Still, nothing playing a few more gigs won’t solve, and they certainly got my toes tapping. Next up it’s Molk Vant, (“It’s not my real name” he assures us on several occasions)one man and his guitar serenading us with lovely ditties about suicide, divorce, drunken debauchery and, curiously, Eskimos. Despite the unsavoury
subject matter, Vant is a pleasure to watch, engaging his audience with a genuine, rare passion, and his raw vocals compliment the heartfelt lyrics perfectly. Finally its London based Wolf Gang’s turn to take to The Little Room’s tiny stage. Led by 23 year old lead singer Max McElligott and his now permanent live band members, McElligott is a wonderfully camp bundle of energy as he struts across the stage. By now the intimate venue is filling up fast, as the audience are treat to singles Back to Back and Lions in Cages (which maybe surprisingly recently featured on hit US show Gossip Girl). As McElligott admits that he “wasn’t sure how many people knew about us”, from the show they just put on I don’t think he has anything to worry about. AP
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LIVE REVIEWS BEATS HAPPENING #44 Saturday 18th March
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ell this was the night that I had waited for. The venue was Ashbrooke Cricket Club and from the minute the doors opened, people flooded in, soon filling the Ditchburn Suite to capacity. There was an exceptional buzz about the place that I hadn't really felt at any other gig. The support for the night was We Beat the System. A local band, whom I never tire of watching perform. They opened with their now familiar ‘Karma Culprits’, which went down really well with the audience. Every time I listen to this band perform, I actually forget that they are all under 18 years old, as Daniel's voice has a maturity way beyond his years. They are influenced by bands like Delphic and Editors and have an anthemic synth sound. They finished with ‘Exit’, where it has become a ritual for Singer Daniel to leave the stage, and allow the band to conclude. If you haven't seen this band, I would definitely recommend that you go and see them when they next play. In my opinion, this band surely, are destined for greatness. Finally it was time for the main event. I was really excited about this as it was the first time that I had seen them perform. Suddenly the screen on the back wall came alive with a visual display of seagulls and pigeons(as well as city commuters), going about their daily business, flying, eating
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and pecking (the birds that is!). First on stage to take his place at the drums was Red Rooster. The rest of the roost, consisting of Blue Tit, Green Gannet, Yellow Belly and White Swan soon followed. They were accompanied by two guests, Silver Sparrow on sax and Black Crow on a second set of drums. The crowd where going mad. Feathers had been given out by White Swan and Yellow Belly, which were quickly finding their way into peoples hair. Several of the audience were wearing finger puppets, the colours emulating our musical feathered friends. I was really enjoying this experience which, for me, was made even more memorable by the onscreen visuals. I found myself being drawn into it, feeling that I was the bird flying around, over pylons and between telephone wires. The music and images complimented each other so well. During the performance, White Swan and Silver Sparrow made frequent visits out into the crowd, which went down really well, with chants of "Get Ya Beak On", echoing around the room. Old favourites as well as new tracks such as "Diving for Mackerel" from their recent free download "The Red Edition" went down a storm. I really had enjoyed the evening (it was obvious the band were in their element too) and I can't wait to see B>E>A>K, with their unique, uplifting instrumental sound, play again. If you missed them you can check them out at Middlesbrough Empire in April. You won't be disappointed. KB
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
PHOTO S: AL E X BU RGE
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Get in touch and contribute Would you like your drawings, sketches or poetry to be in Little River? If so get in touch! Send us what you have to littleriverfanzine@gmail.com Nothing is too out there for us! (well maybe...we did have to turn down frogs with d***s but this picture of Charlie Sheen made it). ILLUSTRA TI
ON: PETE R VINE
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ILLUSTRATION: AKY
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LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
LIVE REVIEWS OLD FRIENDS/BOOKENDS #8: DAN MICHAELSON & THE COASTGUARDS W/ THE WOODEN SKY + CHASED BY WOLVES The solution to a hangover is not fatty food. Nor is it sleep, a shower, Alka-Seltzer or exercise. It is in fact, Peroni. Squeezing through the tightly knit crowd in Independent’s Little Room, swathed in ambient light from an array of small lamps I propped up the bar and ordered a couple of beers as Chased By Wolves took their position on stage. Richard Smith and Emma Williams’ soaring vocals intertwined to a near inseparable degree as their set flowed seamlessly through crowd favourites On The Fall and Be My Love. Closing track Follow The Woods was my personal highlight of the evening, Smith’s rabid delay soaked guitar line caused tremors across the room and gave a stunning indication of the direction their newer material may be taking.
Headline act Dan Michaelson possesses a wonderfully unique voice, think Morgan Freeman with a 40-a-day Marlboro Red habit and you’re on the right lines. His bleak baritone range reeled you into his world of marital discord and bitter heartache, while sardonic wit filled the gaps between songs showcasing the bruised heart at the centre of his Coastguards project. Sparse percussion allowed Michaelson’s voice to come to the fore alongside a lilting bass hook and jangling guitar on new single Love Lends A Hand before Something Awful Dancing wound the set to a close with its wistful, almost acappella harmonies drifting out into the cool Holmeside air. DC
OF/B favourites The Wooden Sky restored tranquillity in the room with their understated melodic harmonies. Lead vocalist Gavin Gardiner has an amazing knack for vivid storytelling lyricism befitting of any sepia tinged Americana road trip. The vocal bassline of When Lost At Sea drove the song onward, piano chords striking to the beat of your heart - it was genuine hairs on end stuff in the mould of Fleet Foxes at their most infectious best. The Wooden Sky seem to have a real affinity for Sunderland and the warmth of OF/B, and on the basis of the rapturous reception they received at the end of the set, the feeling is most definitely mutual.
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LIVE REVIEWS MATT STALKER & FABLES ALBUM LAUNCH Friday 1st April
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arrived at Independent in Sunderland really excited about the evening ahead. Not only was I at a gig that I knew I was going to enjoy (I’m a big fan of the band), I was also at my first album launch. Matt Stalker & Fables have recently returned from a tour of New Zealand where they first launched the album. First on stage was a North East favourite, singer/song writer, Nev Clay. He took his place on stage and picked up his guitar. I couldn't believe that the crowd didn't take any notice and most of them continued their conversation. Nev made a comment about feeling free to carry on chatting as it was friday night. This still didn't make people embarrassed enough to shut up! I was seething.
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Nev appeared not to take any notice, just playing his songs and having a bit banter with those of us who had the decency to listen. He played the last of his songs and thanked the audience. Finally the moment had arrived that we were all there to witness. Matt (the vocalist) opened the set with a solo performance that strangely wasn't from the album. Matt, overwhelmed at the turnout of around 150, was then followed onstage by the Fables, cellist, Jenny Nendick and drummer Baz Crosby. As it was a special evening the band had been extended to include some amazing guest musicians - on double bass, Joss Elliott, Olivia Cameron and Jonathan Trevor on strings, Ged Robinson on vibraphone and the talented Adam James Cooper (who’s since been made a permanent ‘Fable’) on a selection of instruments. They played the title track ‘The Man Who Said This Died of Alchemy’, followed by pretty much every track from the album, my personal
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
favourite being ‘Apostrophe, Catastrophe’. They also played their version of Radioheads’ ‘Let Down’, renamed as ‘Let Down Gently’, as it is a softer, acoustic version of the song. Finishing with another favourite of mine, ‘This is Our Mantra Now’ (a strong contender for the next single) they left the stage briefly, only to return to play a further few tracks. Firstly, Leonard Cohens’ ‘Hallelujah’, which went down really well with the audience and finishing with Elbows' ‘A Day Like This’, which I absolutely loved. Strange, as I’m not a fan of Elbow but, somehow, the velvety tone of Matts’ voice, enriched the song for me. Matt has told me that this album has been 10 years in the making. All I can say is that it is an absolutely amazing piece of work and should be in everyones' collection. Please take the time to listen to this album. I promise you that you’ll love it. KB
PHOTO: KAREN BURGESS
Lucas Renney • Brilliant Mind • Let’s Buy Happiness Chased by Wolves Minotaurs • Molk Vant • The Anglo Form • Hyde & Beast We Beat The System • Ashes of Iron • A Thousand Lies Head of Light Entertainment • Dictaphone Songs
room3recording@hotmail.co.uk To advertise in this publication email: littleriverfanzine@gmail.com
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LIVE REVIEWS BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWHICH, THE SORRY KISSES, MORRIS FORD.
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fter a walk from central station down to The Cluny 2 I hurried down the stairs to be greeted by a packed out room filled with eager pundits and a stage lined with a selection of very nice acoustic guitars. Up first to take to the stage was Morris Ford, humbly he took his seat introduced himself started to play and the room dropped into silence. It’s a rare and hard thing these days to achieve that but Morris had them by the first song. He played through his songs with ease, at first seeming a little nervous but soon shook it off an the crowd took to his music and charm as he joked about all his songs being short and a nicely placed drink falling from the balcony onto an unlucky crowd member as he sang ‘wash away your blues’. It was the first time I had seen Morris live and it surely won’t be the last.
anticipation and then Leftwhich took to the stage and the whole room once again fell into silence. This was the first time I had really heard any of his music apart from a quick listen online before I left for the gig but he instantly won me over. I first got told at the start of the night he was very Elliot smith-esque and this was true, but he was also totally different at the same time. His songs were very, very quiet and airy, almost whispered. There was a moment when someone in the crowd actually shouted across the room to tell someone to stop talking and thank god too as soon as they did they whispers and murmurs were no more. The songs ‘Atlas Hands’ and ‘Maps’ were the highlights for me and I would recommend you all to check out his stuff. Perfect listening for these soon to come summer nights. Well done to Andy Kelly for putting on a cracking show. RS
Up next were the Sorry Kisses. They are Hayley Hutchinson and Sam Forrest and both are established musicians on there own and together. Sam Forrest previously played with 9 Black Alps I found out just as they took to stage. They played a beautiful brand of their own country alt folk with haunting harmonies and lyrics. The band later went on to play ‘Abandon Ship’ and I had chills down my spine the whole way through. Finally by the time Benjamin Francis Leftwhich took to the stage the mood had well and truly been set. The room was filled with a restless
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LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
W : RED RA PHOTOS
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LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
ILLUSTRATION: AKY
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PHOTO: RED RAW
DEMO/TRACK REVIEWS MORRIS FORD DEMOS Rather than do just a single track review for Morris Ford I thought I would do a little write up on all his tracks to date. Having first been introduced to Morris’s music thanks to him being the resident DJ at Sunderland’s Old friends/Bookends night, his music was exactly what I needed to hear on those November nights at the end of last year. Though his music has a very autumnal feel to it as the seasons have changed my love has not decreased for the songs. On first listen his tracks are reminiscent of Bon Iver and Iron and Wine but soon I saw that they came into their own and Morris has really created his own sound for the things he wants to say. Stripped back one 18
guitar and vocals with the odd piece of piano songs like ‘Dark Roads’ and ‘Times Moving Slowly’ paint a haunting picture that you cant help but fall in love with. Don’t be fooled though, he certainly has the hooks too. With his newer songs like ‘Can I Borrow You To Be Mine?’, ‘Stuck In The Middle’ and ‘Last Stop For The Broken Hearted’ you can see the change in not only his Progression as a songwriter but what also feels like the natural progression of his music changing with the seasons and the sunlight bringing out a brighter side to his songs. You can download most of Morris Fords music for free from www.soundcloud.com/morrisford and I urge you all to. RS LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
B>E>A>K -‘THE RED EDITION’ “GET YA BEAK ON!” Sunderland’s favourite feathered friends return with an almighty Squawk in 2011 with ‘The Red Edition’, a two-song free download available from the group’s Bandcamp site, the first offering from an ongoing series of releases aptly titled ‘The Life of Birds' A veritable Super Group consisting of members from local favourites This Aint Vegas, Coal Train, Field Music, Where The Sea Starts & most recently The Lake Poets, the ‘Bird Rock’ sound of B>E>A>K is a refreshing change. Both tracks ‘Diving for Mackerel’ & ‘Birds on the Moon’ are devoid of vocals, each song’s melody conveyed by the Brass section whose punchy harmonies cut through the clever, intricate & abrasive Guitar, Bass & Keyboard parts. Add to this two pounding, yet intelligent drum lines and ‘The Red Edition’ becomes something that certainly demands your attention.
for the rest of the bands input to which I was not disappointed. Though bass may get overlooked it wont in this song as it provides the beef with the hard snare coming in to provide the head nodding rhythm.
‘The Red Edition’ is released in association with Petit Records (Europe) and The Audacious Art Experiment (UK) – Download it at www.beaktastic.bandcamp.com
All in all think the tune has a good hook, and those who manage too have it enter their ear shouldn't be disappointed. Good effort lads.
Catch B>E>A>K performing their energetic & mesmerising live shows throughout the coming Summer months including Sumo Royal Rumble, and make sure to follow the birds online at all the usual places. BM
THE MEPHISTO CLUB THE PUPPET Although I hadn't heard The Mephisto Club prior to this review this Newcastle based trio managed to make an instant impact on me with ‘The Puppet’. Starting with an inviting riff the tune instantly had me hooked waiting
Throughout ‘The Puppet’ I could feel the build up creating some atmospheric bubble just awaiting for that one point to break it, which comes in the form or a well executed solo.
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WITHERED HAND NO CIGARETTES When I got asked to write a track review for a song by Edinburgh-based band Withered Hand I of course freaked out as I haven't the foggiest idea how to write about music. Panicking and pacing around in my flat, smoking too many cigarettes and wondering if maybe the next pint of Guinness could be the one to break the wall between me and journalistic fireworks, I managed to listen to the track in question about 300 times. Still struggling for words and with >> 19
>> a sudden amnesia for any eloquent expressions with which I could pepper my review, I realised I hadn't tired of the song at all. In fact, No Cigarettes grew on me even more and more, and soon became one of those songs that made me wonder why no one had written sooner. Accidentally, a few days before I got asked to do this review, a friend dragged me to the Withered Hand gig organised by Limbo at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, partly as a farewell as she was leaving the country for good, partly to boost my spirits which as per usual felt like a trampled bouquet of last week's flowers. She kept saying, you'll like it, you'll like it. And I did. With the first few lines of No Cigarettes (from Withered Hand's 2009 Good News Album) I had already discovered a new band that beautifully and diligently ticked all my boxes for ' music to listen to when being me is a confusing and harrowing job'. The musical similarities with Sufjan Stevens and my favourite Alela Diane only enhanced what already struck me as genius - Dan Willson's strength as a writer. In No Cigarettes, Willson's lyrics flow freely between paradoxical feelings about one's identity, comic relief and downright dry and honest confessions, yet he delivers them with a calm and easy manner that, at least in the album version of the song, reminds more of a poetry reading or a lullaby; an anti-folk lullaby of course, that goes without saying. In keeping with the genre's best traditions, 20
PHOTO: MARYLOU ANDERSON
No Cigarettes is romantic, selfdeprecating towards itself and its author while remaining incredibly clever and insightful and at least for me, it spelt out a few emotions I have been finding hard to focus on these days - like being 'the back end of a pantomime horse'. This helplessness is carried softly by the banjo and cello backing to his guitar which seem to be intent on breaking my heart and the drum roll at the end of the track comes announced by his lyrics but feels like anything but a drum roll. I didn't know drums could be rolled ironically but they can and it almost brings a tear to the eye when he admits 'the solitude before the applause is getting to me'. No cigarettes is an emotional, poignant folk piece of the highest order. It has an open, vast sound to it which makes it absolutely amazing to drive to. It's also one of the best on that wonderful record Good News (SL Records) that is also being released in March in the US. Dan was also invited to play SXSW in Austin Texas. This is the golden age. DC LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
: AKY RATION ILLUST 21
GIG PREVIEWS EVOLUTION 2011
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ow in its 7th year of running, Evolution Festival returns on the North East’s calendar of Summer music with its strongest, most diverse line-up since it first started back as a freebie in 2004. Evolution Festival is currently the biggest cultural event in the North East, attracting 33,000 people per day, and that number is sure to sore this year with the festival starting a day earlier on Saturday the 28th of May and finishing Sunday the 29th, allowing for a day of recovery on the bank holiday Monday. It’s fair to say, the line-up in recent years has been a little lacking for my liking, with some very ordinary, very annoying pop acts creeping into the fold, the type of line-up that turned an originally diverse, music loving crowd into a load of 14 year olds trying to sneak in a bottle of lambrini and in doing so increasing the line for the toilet ten-fold. However, this year the organisers seem to have reverted to their old ways with a line-up including the legendary Iggy and the Stooges and Billy Bragg along with the likes of The Kills, Darwin Deez, Brother, Fenech Soler, Annie Mac and Caribou. It is an even better testament to this year’s line-up approach, that the popular music added to the bill are considered amongst many to transcend that line, with a mixture of dub from Katy B and Tinie Tempah, indie/rock youth of Bangor boys Two Door Cinema Club
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and Flashguns and beat laden sunshine anthems of London rapper Example. This year the festival also pays homage to the rising talent of North East music with 7 local acts on the main stages, including opening slots for Vinyl Jacket, Mammal Cub, Viva City and Cattle & Cane. The UMT Stage based at Spillers Wharf will be totally dedicated to the Regions best music with We Beat The System, Hattie Murdoch, The Lake Poets, Mausi and Chased By Wolves all confirmed to play. There is a real feel that this year’s festival will be a step up from all previous years and the excitement originally fuelled by the event has returned. Festival Director, Jim Mawdsley explains, ‘We are continuing to build this event into a major music festival for the North of England. We have been working solidly since September to pull this line up together and it is without doubt the strongest and most varied to date. I’d say ‘see you at the front’ but I’m personally spoilt for choice and haven’t a clue what stage I’ll be at when!’ If past years at Evolution bear any testament, it is pretty much a guarantee that those artists on display will be a mix of the next generation of musical superstars and those who have forever owned a generation with their genius. All of whose credentials will be on display in full effect over Evolution weekend. EH
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SUNDERLAND LIVE FRINGE FESTIVAL The Sunderland Live Fringe Festival gives everyone the chance to experience free live music and street performance between the 27 May and 17 June. There's something for everyone, including;
SQUARES AND CORNERS A programme of music and street entertainment. Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holiday Monday. 12noon - 5pm at Park Lane, High Street West and The Bridges Shopping Centre. Activity will also take place at St Peter's Campus between 12noon and 5pm on Saturday 28 and Monday 30 May to entertain the crowds en route to the concerts at the Stadium of Light.
PARTY IN THE PARK Sunday 29 May, 2pm - 7pm at Mowbray Park nearest Metro: Sunderland Central Bring a picnic and a rug for an afternoon of live music from some of the best of the region's finest indie folk acts and singer songwriters including Chased by Wolves and Sharks Took The Rest - two of the North East's hottest emerging alternative bands. Look out for Independent's Old Friends/Bookends Collective - live in the park for one day only, featuring Martin Longstaff, Rebecca Young, Morris Ford, Matt Stalker and Richard Smith.
SUNDERLAND SOUL & FUNK SESSIONS Monday 30 May, 12noon - 5pm at Mowbray Park Live Funk and Soul music with local groove merchants Nick Pride & The Pimptones, Soul Technique, Saint & The Cynics + Village Soul DJs.
SOUNDS OF PARK LANE Saturday 4 June, 12noon - 5pm Nearest Metro: Park Lane Interchange An afternoon of the best emerging alternative bands and DJs from the North East's thriving music scene including We Beat The System, The Castells, Athletes in Paris, Gallery Circus, Mausi and Vintage Revolution. More acts TBC.
SOUND IT OUT Monday 30 May – Friday 3 June Various locations across the city centre An exciting opportunity for young people to participate in free music workshops spanning five days. Sample various instruments and techniques, test out your vocals and build up your act or improve your skills for the finale performance, which will take place at Independent on Saturday 11 June 2011. For more info or to sign up, please contact The Bunker on 0191 567 1777, email info@bunkeruk.com or go to www.bunkeruk.com
TUNSTALL HILL SESSIONS 27 May – 17 June Experience audio and visual pleasure through a series of live music performances conceived in a room at the foot of Tunstall Hill, Sunderland. Tunstall Hill Sessions captures a growing number of established local artists including Duncan Lloyd (Maximo Park), Coal Train, The Lake Poets and Barry Hyde (The Futureheads) performing in alternative settings. View the Mackem trios’ work at various city centre locations during the Fringe.
FIRST3SONGSNOFLASH (Pop up exhibition by Ian West) 27 May – 17 June The Bridges Shopping Centre Award-winning North East photographer, Ian West has spent the last two years on the road and in the studio with some of the region's biggest bands including Frankie and the Heartstrings, The Futureheads and Field Music. View key pieces of his work at The Bridges Shopping Centre throughout the duration of the festival.
PLUS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED For more information about Sunderland Live and other events taking place in the city keep checking: www.sunderlandlive.co.uk
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underland’s music scene has never really been anything to write home about, often overshadowed by the hustle and bustle of neighbouring Newcastle. This, however, is beginning to change, thanks to monthly event Old Friends/Bookends which is transforming the City into a hub for the local (and not-so local) folk scene. Housed in Independents Little Room, Sunderland’s only indie-folk night has welcomed with open arms the likes of The Wooden Sky, Coal Train and local favourites Chased By Wolves. Set up by Ben Wall who asked Matt Stalker and Martin Longstaff if they would be interested in helping out with starting up the night, Old Friends is about to hold its tenth event on the 13th of May featuring headliner Emil Friis, although joining us all the way from Copenhagen, Denmark, Emil Friis sounds far more like he's joining us all the way from Nashville, Tennessee. Joining Emil on The Little Room’s stage is Seahams very own This Little Bird and Martha Cook. Held in such an intimate venue, Old Friends lives up to its namesake - each event is like being at a cosy house party with a bunch of friends drinking, chatting and listening to amazing music. It’s a far cry from some of the rowdy, over crowded gigs housed at larger venues. “The night has become a bit of a creative hub; people go there to really listen to good music, and musicians come together to collaborate with one another.” says co-founder Matt, who has performed at the night himself with his folk collective Matt Stalker and Fables. 24
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
ILLUSTRATION: AKY
“We also have photographers like the fantastic Dee Chaneva and film-makers like The Tunstall Hill Sessions guys.” Martin agrees, adding that Old Friends/Bookends is “a platform for the indie- folk musicians in the North East. Theres not really anything else out there like it, especially in the likes of Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough.” Despite the distinct lack of an indie-folk scene elsewhere in the region, the founders have been pleasantly surprised by Old Friends’ success. “We’ve been astounded to see how the night has grown, and by the quality of artists we’ve been able to give a platform to.” Says Matt.
The North East music scene is something that Ben, Matt and Martin are extremely excited about, and keen to share with other music lovers in the region. “We feel very proud to be a part of it, particularly the apparent folk renaissance in Sunderland.” Says Matt. “The likes of Independent manager Ben Wall ought to be awarded medals for being so passionate about reviving our music scene.” So if you’re sick and tired of overpriced drinks and overplayed music, head down to Independent to experience a different side to Sunderland night life - we can assure you you wont regret it! AP
The Little Rooms stage has played host to an abundance of exceptional local acts since Old Friends started last July, such as The Lake Poets (co-founder Martins very talented alter ego), Morris Ford and Adam James Cooper. But despite the closeknit ethos of the night, Old Friends has stretched further a field, including the likes of Canadians The Wooden Sky and Brighton based Klaus to the bill. To advertise in this publication email: littleriverfanzine@gmail.com
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What’s The Frequency Kenneth? Local music plays a big part in our thriving city, and the arrival on the scene of our very own community radio station back in 2009, was just what the ears ordered. In its short time on air, Spark FM has been officially voted, The North East’s Best Radio Station. Owned by The University of Sunderland and based at the 12million state of the art City Space building, the station prides itself on giving opportunities to young people in the city, with a variety of volunteer roles from technicians, presenter and producer given to those with the knowledge and passion for getting out music to listeners in the North East. One show in particular is playing a pretty hefty role in taking pride in the promotion of local talent. The Local Music Show goes out every Sunday and is completely dedicated to all unsigned bands and artists in the North East. Run in close conjunction with The Bunker and led by Head of Local Music Kenny Sanger, the three hour slot incorporates live music from local musicians; either prerecorded in ‘Studio 4’ or an acoustic session live on air, interviews with local music experts in the region, and a live feature from a recent local gig. The newest edition to the show was launched in February and has made a big impact on the whole of Spark’s music policy. The Local Music 6 ’till 6 Playlist selects
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12 of our best local songs which are played out once a day, every day between 6am and 6pm. 11 of the tracks are selected at an open playlist meeting held at The Bunker each week and 2 additional tracks go head to head to battle it out for the 12th slot. The public vote for their favourite track on the Spark FM site and the one with the most votes is announced on the Local Music Show each Sunday. It is a great platform for getting the North East’s best out to those who might not realise the depth of the pit of ability we have in the area. Spark really is playing its part in the promotion of the talent we have bursting at the seams of our blustery shores and it is easy enough for any aspiring, or more established band or artist to get involved. If you have tracks or EP that your feel are up to a standard to smash the airwaves and introduce listeners to your sound, you can send your music along to Mr Sanger who will give it a listen and decide if Spark will give it a play. If you, like me are as uncomfortable with an instrument as you are with holding a baby, but have an appetite for local music give the show a listen! Local Music Show- Every Sunday 4-7 kenny.sanger@sparksunderland.com http://sparksunderland.com EH
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
ILLUSTRATION: AKY
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The Lake Poets on Tour FEB 2011
I
got asked to go on my first UK Tour as The Lake Poets at the end of February 2011, eight dates over two weeks across the country from London to Glasgow. It was mint. I got a call from a booker at AMG out of the blue after he had seen me play an intimate set in Sunderland; I instantly agreed to play the dates alongside Ben Montague & Leddra Chapman. I’m very glad I did. Despite a mad rush to make CDs, get posters & badges made (most of which were given away for free) come February 18th I had new strings on my guitar, new black clothes, my tour case packed with spare batteries & leads and I was ready to go. The first date was in London at the O2 Islington Academy. I love going on trips to London, not just because of the capital’s immense historical & cultural significance but also because I get to fart around in Museums & put a funny accent on to bus drivers. We arrived in North London & met the rest of the bands, thankfully they were really sound people & I was relieved that we had the same craic, liked the same artists and so on. It’s a bonus when you click with your tour partners, imagine spending two weeks with someone who bots Bon Jovi. It’d be hell.
For the first gig of the tour London was a canny big one, the room was rammed as it was a Friday night, but in all honesty I wasn’t that nervous. I didn’t know anyone so I just stood up on stage and played my set. Thankfully it went well & I celebrated a good set by downing approximately 76 pints. Unfortunately we couldn’t hang around as we had to be in Oxford the next day, so at 1am after packing everything up we blasted through the centre of London. In my half cut state it felt like we were in the Bourne Identity or sommit. I’m sure we chased a party of Chelsea Pensioners down a back lane at Piccadilly Circus.
Oxford was next; it was a beautiful venue, once owned by Thom Yorke & Gaz Coombes. None of their millions were hidden in the dressing room however (I checked). The gig in Oxford had an atmosphere that I am most accustomed to, even despite the large audience the crowd were pin-drop silent. I also got to share the stage with another girl with a beautiful voice called Jess Hall. I enjoyed Oxford the most out of the Southern gigs. It’s a real music town. After a day off we arrived in Sheffield. Bang in the centre of town the venue was cool & the gig went really well. I had the added bonus of meeting up with my photographer mate Dean at the gig and we had a few cans from the rider. I don’t know how they expected me to drink a slab each a night. I had a good go, don’t get me wrong, but in the end I just dished them out to people I met who liked the tunes. Next was Leicester. A smaller stage this time, only about 50 people in total at the gig & I was a bit shattered. Still, the gig went well & I met some really good people from the audience who didn’t mind that I addressed them as “Hello Sheffield!” before realising I was in Leicester. What a muppet.
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ILLUSTRATION: LOUISE NORMAN
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
After another day off we rolled up in Birmingham. The tour bus pulled up outside the Birmingham O2 Academy and there were tons of people queuing up outside the venue. I thought to myself that word must have spread about our amazing tour; only to later find out that some bloke called Tinie Tempah was playing the big room the same night. On that night over a cup of tea I found out that his real name is Patrick. Birmingham was great; again I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with another brilliant singer songwriter, Kristy Gallacher. I was really surprised by Birmingham as everyone had told that it was a rough place but I had a mint time.
It’s a bonus when you click with your tour partners, imagine spending two weeks with someone who bots Bon Jovi. It’d be hell. Newcastle came after the midlands. It was a homecoming show of sorts, even though I am from Sunderland I play most of my gigs in Newcastle & playing to a North East crowd never disappoints. For a start everyone knows what Bovril is and they don’t ask me to repeat myself because they don’t understand my accent. My mate Steve joined me onstage & played some blistering harmonica, all of my mates & family were there and the night was a roaring success. I was buzzing. Liverpool was next. I love Liverpool; it’s such a vibrant place, full of dodgepots but in a good way. It was a Saturday night at the O2 Academy, a place where I’ve seen countless bands & I was sitting in the dressing room. I was looking at all the signed & framed posters and it dawned on me that some of my favourite bands had been sitting in the same room at one time or another. I tripped out a little bit as a result. As a former industrial town I think the people of Liverpool got my songs a bit more than the Southern audiences did. My Mackem mate in exodus Joe joined me
onstage for a few harmonies; I had an amazing night playing in Liverpool. After the gig was canny mint too. The last gig of the tour took place in Glasgow, a place close to my heart due to family connections and its Shipbuilding heritage. The Glasgow date was my first ever gig in Scotland, and it was a pure stonker. The Scots love their music, more than any other audiences I’ve had the pleasure of playing for, I think it helped that I have songs like ‘Shipyards’ that they really connected with. I felt so comfortable on stage in Glasgow that I tried out some new songs too. The night & the tour ended with all 3 acts on stage (including some audience members) having a massive sing-along/jam. I left Glasgow safe in the tour bus with a massive grin on my face, & without getting knifed like everyone said I would. All in all the tour was my first experience of the life of a professional, travelling musician. I met some amazing people, played some amazing venues & had the time of my life. I couldn’t have done it at all without all of the support I received from my friends & my family either, so I feel it necessary to thank them first & foremost, as well as the venues & promoters that had me play the dates. Thanks finally to Little River Magazine for asking some daft lad with an acoustic guitar to recant his tour stories. TLP
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HELLO ALL AND WELCOME TO THE STRANGE AND WONDERFULLY COLOURFUL WORLD OF
HYDE WHAT IS HYDE AND WHAT IS BEAST I HEAR YOU ASK?
Hyde is Dave Hyde, drummer in Sunderlands very own musical giants the Futureheads and Beast is Neil Bassett, ex-Golden Virgins drummer and local recording hero (owner of Room3recording studio) In secret and over the course of many days and nights Hyde & Beast have recorded, mixed and produced their very first album. They were also helped out by David Brewis of Field Music and solo artist Lucas Renney who provided some beautiful bass and guitar parts to two of the songs on the album. So yeah, sounding good so far?
The story continues... When playing live, Hyde and Beast are likely to become a six-headed animal with a few familiar faces from the north east music scene (I happen to know who they are and it’s going to be pretty special).
AND
The band definitely have created their own unique sound and a sound you would find hard to come across in this day and age. With influences such as Captain Beefheart, (more the beautiful melodic songs rather than the insane stuff) songs like ‘Her eyes are blue million miles’ and ‘Observatory crest’. Also rare old soul, blues and funk tracks by the likes of "slim harpo" (I'm a king bee), Koko Taylor and Bill Withers. You can hear so many great things in what they do but i would say the best thing to do would be to have a listen for yourself. The band are definitely going for something lo-
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fi but beautiful and timeless and they are certainly achieving it. I recently spoke to Neil Bassett (Beast) about the band and here is what he had to say, “Basically we set out to record a gentle, simmering summertime record that was something that we wanted to listen to when Dave came to hang out at my place because we couldn't find anything new that we wanted to listen to. It wasnt intended to be released as a public document but people seem to like it, so it’s their fault. Not ours. Early rehearsals for the H&B live experience have proved to be exciting but for all the wrong reasons. So far we have managed to
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
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PHOTO: IAN WEST
“It wasnt intended to be released as a public document but people seem to like it, so it’s their fault. Not ours.”
D
BEAST break 6 guitar amps! We aint playing loud or anything! Quite the opposite, we are playing soft. We are rehearsing at the studio where we recorded the album and there just seems to be some weird voodoo going on in there.”
The album is a sprawling, gentle psychedelic mess and is due to be released on Tail Feather Records in July 2011. Hyde and Beast have been
asked to be a special guest headliner at the evolution emerging fringe festival in Newcastle on May 27th at the Cluny 2 and they will be playing a few secret shows in the north east in early May just to dip Beast’s toes...Hyde’s toes are already wet!
To check out some of the tunes go to www.myspace.com/hydebeast RS
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: ION RAT UST L L I
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AKY
LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
Ross Phillips THIS ISSUE’S COVER ARTIST Ross is a freelance animator who also illustrates. Or an illustrator who sometimes animates. Either way, he loves to draw, and does so every day. Sometimes he gets paid to do this, which he really likes, as it keeps him in fine wine and cured meats. Originally from Gateshead, Ross now lives and works in Manchester. WEBSITE: www.rossphillips.net EMAIL: info@rossphillips.net
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MAY 2nd The Cluny, Newcastle DAN SARTAIN 3rd The Cluny, Newcastle FIXERS 4th The Cluny, Newcastle SOUND OF RUM 5th May The Cluny, Newcastle THE WAVE PICTURES
21st Sunderland Empire BILLY YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS BILLY ELLIOT THE SHOWCASE 22nd The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland VICTORIAN ENGLISH GENTLEMAN'S CLUB 22nd The Cluny, Newcastle SOUND OF GUNS
6th The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland SOUND OF RUM
24th The Cluny, Newcastle THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION
7th The Cluny, Newcastle MATT SCHOFIELD
26th The Cluny, Newcastle THE DUKE SPIRIT
8th The Cluny, Newcastle ROLO TOMASSI
26th The Cluny 2, Newcastle SPARROW AND THE WORKSHOP
9th-10th Sunderland Empire DINNER LADIES
27th Independent, Sunderland WHOLE LOTTA LED
10th Sunderland Empire LAUGHTER LIVE
28th The Cluny, Newcastle BELLERUCHE
10th The Cluny, Newcastle AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR
29th The Cluny, Newcastle THEE OH SEES
11th-14th Sunderland Empire DINNER LADIES
30th The Cluny, Newcastle THE MOUNTAIN GOATS
12th The Cluny 2, Newcastle GABRIELLE APLIN
JUNE
12th O2 Academy 2, Newcastle GENTLEMAN'S DUB CLUB
2nd The Cluny, Newcastle WOLF GANG
13th The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland OLD FRIENDS/BOOKENDS #10 (EMIL FRIIS)
2nd Sunderland Empire REACHING FOR THE STARS
14th Independent, Sunderland C O L O U R S CHARITY NIGHT 19th The Cluny 2, Newcastle HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE 34
21st The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland TRIBES
7th-11th Sunderland Empire MIDNIGHT TANGO 10th The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland THOMAS TANTRUM LITTLE RIVER FANZINE #1 Spring 2011
14th Sunderland Empire LAUGHTER LIVE 15th - 18th Sunderland Empire GUYS & DOLLS - SUNDERLAND AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY 16th Plugged Inn, Sunderland CLUB SMITH 17th The Little Room, Independent, Sunderland OLD FRIENDS/BOOKENDS #11 (DAN MANGAN) 22nd - 26th Sunderland Empire SHAUN THE SHEEP 24th Independent, Sunderland THEM BEATLES 26th O2 Academy 2, Newcastle THEM BEATLES 27th Sunderland Empire AN EVENING OF CLAIRVOYANCE WITH TONY STOCKWELL 30th Sunderland Empire SUNDERLAND SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL
Thanks for taking the time to read our Little River, we hope that you treasure this copy as much as we will.
2nd The Cluny, Newcastle ALEX CLARE
I'd like to thank all that helped out with making it and we will see you in the summer with the second bigger and better edition.
2nd Sunderland Empire THE DRIFTERS
RICH.
6th Sunderland Empire REMEMBER WHEN
littleriverfanzine@gmail.com
JULY 1st Sunderland Empire THE RAT PACK VEGAS SPECTACULAR
7th Sunderland Empire BACK FOR GOOD THE MAGIC OF TAKE THAT 11th - 16th Sunderland Empire THRILLER LIVE 22nd - 23rd Sunderland Empire CENTRE STAGE PRESENTS DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
INFORMATION CORRECT AT TIME OF GOING TO PRESS. 35
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