The Monograph Issue#06

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ME UP ,

SKUNK BOY PROJECT • KING CHARLES • LITTLE NIGHT TERRORS • CHARLEE DREW • BABY TEETH • TRAIL OF DEAD DOG IS DEAD • JONNY PRECIOUS • HER NAME IS CALLA • LOSTALONE • MIA AND THE MOON • AND MANY MORE...

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

I s s u e # 0 6 / / N o v, D e c 2 0 1 2 & J a n 2 0 1 3

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6/11/12

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Page 1

Happy Birthday At the Manic Music Productions Ltd event on 1st December NEXT WAVE will be one year old.

Over the past year they’ve worked with some of Leicester’s best young musical talent including Mark Elliott, Martin Luke Brown, Nancy Dawkins, Leo Stannard, Theo Miller, Dan Mousley, Izzy Marie-Hill, Prash Gor, Rosie Doyle, James Coulson... it’s a huge list!

Check out the pictures from the archives and see how many you can name?

Thanks to all of the artists, Somewhere_To & Phoenix Square for such a great year!

Are you a young Singer/Musician (12 – 21+) who wants to perfom more?

On the first Saturday of every month Manic Music Productions Ltd hosts the region’s best up and coming young musical talent in a great free event at Phoenix Square.

Want to take part?

Come along to NEXT WAVE and fill out a contact form to be considered for a future event or contact jed@manicmusicproductions.co.uk Having played an introduction set through NEXT WAVE you can work your way up to becoming a ‘Featured Artist’ and get a free recording session.

NEXT WAVE is presented in association with:

Scan this QR for more information

A NOTE FROM

THE EDITOR Ed i tor- in - Chief : Jo n Do dd

I

t’s nearly the end of 2012 and it’s hard to believe that

for the remaining print money.

another year is done and dusted. With the whirlwind of

That is how much we love the

festivals, new releases and amazing gigs going on in the

paper and the city. Though of

city, we have been kept busy for sure, but that doesn’t mean

course our aim is to cover costs

we haven’t kept our ears to the ground and got involved in

and maybe one day turn it into

the discussion and the hot topics in the city.

something self sufficient.

One surprise was that we would become the subject

Secondly, we hear a lot of

CONTENTS 04

Newsfeed

06

The Non-Music Fans Guide

07

King Charles

08

Retrospective

10

The Monograph Asks

11

Charlee Drew

11

Where it’s at

12

The Interrobang: Sisterland

16

GIGUIDE

of such discussions, with rumours being rife that The

talk about us focusing on certain

Monograph earn loads of cash or even that we are run by

venues, bands or cliques too

the government! I have therefore decided to use this issue’s

much, and even hear that we are

18

Trail of Dead Secret Gig

editor’s note to dispel some myths and reiterate why we do

an insert-venue-name-here paper. To those people I say we

what we do. Not one to start another exciting and packed

don’t, well not intentionally anyway. We are only human and

19

Spotlight: Tinny Hopkins

issue of your favourite newspaper on a sombre note, this

cannot cover absolutely everything in the city, so instead try

19

Flat Five Records

won’t be all doom and gloom, but it will be facts.

to provide a fair a cross section as possible. If you feel your

21

Ten Thousand Emails Later

21

Introducting... Baby Teeth

23

Skunk Boy Project

24

The Soundcheck

Firstly to the people who think that The Monograph Group makes money, and lots of it. We don’t. The

band, venue, anything is being neglected, drop us an email, write an article for us, or even tweet us.

Monograph doesn’t now and never has made a profit. We

To finish with an announcement, features editor John

may come across in a way that we do, having a ‘group’ for

Helps has decided to take a step back from editorial duties

one, but this is simply a means to collate all of our platforms

while he focuses on his band and other projects, and I know

into one manageable brand, it is not here to be corporate

the team will join me in wishing him all the best. He will still

or make money. Yes we do charge for advertising services

continue to provide his unique insight in his regular column.

28

A Man on the Inside

So once again and for the 6th time (wow) I urge you

28

LostAlone

29

Mia and the Moon

that and each issue some of us pay out of our own pockets

29

In Pictures: Dog is Dead Play HMV

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...

30

Little Night Terrors Fanzine

33

Issue#07

in the paper, but we are transparent in the fact that we keep our rates low enough that they just cover print cost, and in

to read on and lap up everything Leicester and

fact keep them so low that sometimes they don’t even do

beyond has to offer in this, our winter issue.

18

25

TEAM MONOGRAPH

05

Editor-in-Chief: Jon Dodd j.dodd@themonograph.co.uk Production Editor: Tash Walkerdine t.walkerdine@themonograph.co.uk

29

Reviews Editor: Jack Richardson j.richardson@themonograph.co.uk

27

News Editor: Raegan Oates r.oates@themonograph.co.uk

25

Online Editor: Alex Scoppie a.scoppie@themonograph.co.uk Assistant Editor: Jason Boomer j.boomer@themonograph.co.uk

25

Photographers: Scott Choucino, Amy Brammall and Becky Millar.

Writers: Glyn Allen, Tiernan Welch, Joe Phipps, Holly Benfield, Emily Parish, Thea de Gallier, John Helps, Becca Bryers, Cem

25

WIN!

Gurkan, Liam Sexton, Jessi Wilson, Rebecca Lunn, Elise Hewett,

26

Lindsey Kent, Baz Randall and Alice May Rolph.

12

Design: Jon Dodd, Tash Walkerdine and Scott Dillon.

11

Win a Little Night Terrors signed fanzine!

21

See page 30 for details on how to enter.

SPECIAL THANKS...

WA N T U P T O T H E M I N U T E LEICESTER MUSIC NEWS? Ye p .

T H E R E ’ S A N A P P F O R T H AT.

The Monograph would like to thank Tony Shelley, Gabby Miller, Angus Wallace, Anna Webb, Andy Stone, Julian from Howling Wolf Records,

Available on the

Dave Carter, Laura and Maryanne Ratcliffe, Charlee Drew, Gaz Birtles, Dan Potts, Darren at The Musician, Tinny Hopkins, Nate Swettenham, Peter Cornish, Giles Meakin, Jed Spittle, Andy Gillespie, Simon Walsh, the Live and Loud team at DMU, Demon FM, Holly Holdsworth, Jude Arnup, Danny Lint, Nigel Roberts, Naim Cortazzi, Anna Tate, Jay Stephens, Frank Benbini, Taps Bar, Amanda at HMV, Matthew Cotterill and Hitesh Rao for all their help in the production of Issue#06 and for their continued support of all things Monograph.

C o v e r P h o t o : S c o t t C h o u c i n o w w w. s c o t t c h o u c i n o . c o m Disclaimer: The Monograph takes no responsibility for the content held on external links or that of claims made by advertisers and contributors. All content is checked at time of print for accuracy but may be subsequent to change.

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

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16.05.12 W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K / A P P

Available on the

NEWSFEED YOUR N o. 1 LEICESTER M U S I C NE WS RE S OU RC E WWW. THEMO NO GR AP H.CO .UK/NEWS

DEMON FM LAUNCHES

News Editor: Raegan Oates

NEW MUSIC SHOW

N

ew Music Social is quickly becoming the go to

and filmed by their

music show for the Leicestershire area. Created by

cinematographers,

a group of music enthusiasts who want to share

their live sessions

Raegan has her ear to the ground and is first on the scene of a story. She is also a presenter on Monograph.TV.

THE BUZZ GETS

their love, knowledge and passion for everything new in the

are also online.

world of music, it brings its listeners unsigned acts from all

Alongside the music,

around the UK and the latest singles from more established

New Music Social

yet less mainstream artists of all genres. The show is on a

run competitions in

Saturday night from 6pm to 8pm and having worked hard with

conjunction with the

the UK’s music scene they get to hear about the best new

bands featured and

music acts around, getting them in for exclusive live sessions.

venues. Working in

Up and running for only eight weeks, so far they’ve already had

partnership with The

Missing Andy, Hildamay, Little Night Terrors, Modern Faces in

Sound House and Firebug, they also have live music nights

the studio and have the likes of Sonic Boom Six, Arcane Roots

planned for places around Leicester, as well as branching out

and Me Vs Hero coming up in the next few months.

further afield and taking the show to other cities.

New Music Social offers more than just a radio show,

Our resident news editor

LEICESTER BUZZING

S

tarting life in 1995, The Buzz was created as a backlash to all the

mainstream chart and dance nights

If you think that your band has got what it takes to be part

with its website and social networking coverage it provides

of the New Music Social experience then get in touch and

information on the shows, including track listings, podcasts,

get involved. As well as looking for new music they’re always

videos and reviews from contributors, outside broadcasts,

welcoming new contributors in all areas and encouraging

exclusive live sessions and interviews from gigs and

students to get involved for great work experience. For further

festivals. Mixed and mastered by their in house engineer

details contact them at info@newmusicsocial.com

that were being offered in club and dance halls over the country. Since then they’ve been running events across the UK and catering for the more underground music styles of the last 50 years, embracing everything from Northern Soul, British Freakbeat, American Garage Punk, 60s Mod sounds and 50s and 60s RnB and for the last four years they were the hosts of the rare vinyl room within the incredibly popular Brighton Beach at Leicester University. Since its unfortunate demise after being unable to

B A N D S WA N T E D TERRORS IN THE F O R N E W G I G S AT R U N N I N G F O R THE OLD PHOENIX MTV GLORY

T

he much loved former cinema, gig venue and theatre

L

secure the venue on a regular basis at the O2, they decided to look for another venue in Leicester, finally landing on a regular spot at Revolution on New Walk. Mixing things up, they’ve given a new approach to their night and added another room inviting guest DJs and club nights that have the same ethos as The Buzz to give the night a different spin every month.

eicester indie three-piece Little Night Terrors have

Keeping their ethos of music alive, The Buzz will be hosting

made it onto the list of unsigned acts being voted

an underground dance nights on the first Saturday of the

for as part of MTV’s Brand New for 2013. The annual

month at the Revolution. Admission is £5 and starts at 10pm,

contest, which has in the past identified UK chart-toppers

on Upper Brown Street is

including Wretch32 and Tinie Tempah, pits hundreds of acts

getting a musical revival,

from around the country against each other in an online vote.

and is inviting acts from all

The winners then face off against up and coming signed

genres to get involved by

artists, and MTV viewers choose a supreme Brand New

applying to play at a series

champion. Little Night Terrors, who recently finished touring

of upcoming gigs. The building was set to close in 2010 after

to promote their current single Young Lion, are the only band

Phoenix moved to its new premises in the Cultural Quarter but

from Leicester to be included in the list. Andrew Stone of the

was kept alive after campaigners persuaded the city council

band comments: “Everyone who’s voted already, we really

to keep the building - and Leicester College won it’s lease.

appreciate it. We’d love to get the whole city behind us. In

Over the past few years it has doubled as a performance

1983 Thriller premiered on MTV, in 1993 Beavis and Butthead

finishing off at 3am.

S T AY F R E E M A R K S 20 YEARS WITH RANDOM DISCOUNTS

L

eicester rehearsal studio Stayfree Music is marking its 20th birthday by offering random rehearsal

rooms at 1992 prices. Throughout November and December the Frog Island

space and training centre for the college’s performing arts

started, in 2003 we saw

students - and now they’re working with not-for-profit group

Mariah Carey’s crib.

music space will select one of its nine rooms each day and

Nearest Star to bring back the live music which have been

Next year we want it to

charge bands booked to rehearse there between £2.75 and

missing from the venue for too long. They’re looking for

be the Terrors!” To vote

£3.50 per hour, a fraction of the usual cost. Caroline Wright, a

musicians to play a number of dates in 2012 and 2013. Julian

for them, go to www.

director of Stayfree Music and licensee at Lock 42 said: “We

Wright from Nearest Star told us: “It really is the best venue

brandnewunsigned.mtv.

wanted to do something a little different and give something

in town! We want you to come and play, come and listen and

co.uk/act/littlenightterrors

back to the bands to mark two decades in the business.

come and ensure this venue’s survival. This venue deserves to

and place your vote

We’re planning to announce on Twitter (@StayfreeMusic1) in

be used by Leicester musicians as one of the principal venues

today. Also why not

advance which rooms will be discounted, giving our followers

in the city and hopefully this series of gigs will be a good way

check out our Terrors

an advantage”. For more information call 0116 2230303, or

of developing that.”

competition on page 30!

visit www.stayfreemusic.co.uk

4

T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MU SIC NEW S

TONY SHELLEY PIECES TOGETHER TA K E S A B R E A K L E I C E S T E R ’ S M U S I C A L H I S T O R Y W H I T E N O I S E F E S T I VA L

A

fter five years of turning out two events a year, Leicester’s White Noise

Festival has decided that 2012 is the year it takes a break. Fear not though, as in the meantime you’re treated to three standalone shows from WNF curators and friends of the festival Her Name Is Calla. These ‘White Noise Events’ distil the ethos of the main festivals in to short sharp bursts of noise, each with a decidedly different flavour. They urge you to get involved and discover the incredible music this city has to offer. Saturday 17th November at Firebug is Codex Leicester, We Three and the Death Rattle, IO, Alright The Captain and Some May Run. Sunday 16th December sees Her Name Is Calla, Peter Wyeth and very special guests come to Firebug. Saturday 22nd December at Y Theatre is Maybeshewill, Speaking in Italics and guests.

Tickets for Maybeshewill’s show are available from the Y box office now, with ticket information for the other two shows to be announced soon.

V

eteran Leicester photographer, and subject of Issue#03 feature ‘Life Through a Lens’, Tony Shelly has started a new photo project and is on the look

out for help and contributions.

Keen to not let the heritage of old Leicester venues be forgotten, Shelley plans to collate images of bands playing at former venues such as The Burlesque, The Miners Welfare in Coalville, Il Rhondo, The Perfume Garden and many more now defunct sites.

One particular location of interest is The Pit. Shelley tells us: “I believe [The Pit] was in East Bond Street, but I’m not too sure, that’s what I’d like to find out”. He is urging fellow Leicester old-timers to get in touch to help him fill the blanks in his database.

Another project on the horizon for Shelley is to reunite

People’s Photographic Gallery sometime in 2013.

For more information on Tony Shelley and to see some of

bands that appear in his vast archives together for a photo

his other work, visit www.flickr.com/photos/tonyshelley. If you

shoot. Bands such as Heliotrope (pictured right at the Royal

have any information, images or even memories of gigs and

Mail Pub in 1994) are hopefully going to be tracked down for

events at old Leicester venues, contact Tony on

the project, which will take place as an exhibition at Leicester

witchfynde@hotmail.com

NEW LOOK WEBSITE

+ MONOGRAPH IMAGES IS BORN

LEICESTER’S ENGELBERT HUMPERDINCK JOINS UP W I T H E LT O N J O H N I N L A

myriad of new developments to delight and excite you.

L

The newest addition to the group and very much the

up with music royalty in the

baby of the family, Monograph Images (pictured far right) is

shape of Elton John, it has

our latest site and media platform. Maintained by our team of

been announced this week.

I

n a busy couple of months at Monograph Towers, we have been occupying ourselves in all things web, with a

eicester legend and Eurovision star Engelbert

Humperdinck has teamed

photographers and contributors, the site acts as a showcase

It was reported that

for musicians, events and also the photographers themselves.

John and Humperdinck

Monograph Images also acts as a musical photographic

visited a studio in LA to

archive for the city, to be used for reference and other press.

work on a track which is

To view the latest galleries and see how you can get involved,

due for release sometime in 2013.

visit www.themonograph.co.uk/photos

This move, which comes off the back of Engelbert’s

Not ones to have a rest, we have also rolled out a new

disappointing Eurovision entry, has set the media alight

look www.themonograph.co.uk (pictured right) which brings

with speculation and will certainly be one to listen to when

you all the latest news, reviews and gigs as before, but in a

it is released. Pick up The Monograph next year for a full,

shiny new responsive format.

hopefully glowing, review.

MAHALIA GAINS PRESTIGIOUS ED SHEERAN SUPPORT

R

apidly rising Leicester youngster Mahalia gained a prestigious

L O V E LY E G G S T O T H R O W A L B U M L A U N C H PA R T Y AT THE SOUND HOUSE

H

S T R AW B E R R Y F I E L D S A N N O U N C E E A R LY B I R D T I C K E T S

Lancastrian

O

husband and wife

also opened up the lines for early bird tickets.

otly-tipped

punk duo The Lovely Eggs

rganisers of Strawberry Fields Festival have announced that the 2013 festival will take place on

9th, 10th and 11th August, and they have Costing only £70 for a full weekend and including free camping,

support slot in October with

will officially launch their

global sensation Ed Sheeran.

third album at a Leicester

Mahalia supported Sheeran,

venue at the end of

whose debut album ‘+’

November. The couple will

sold over a million copies

launch their new LP Wildlife

EXTRA EXTRA!

and earned him four Brit

at The Sound House on 26th November. When asked by the

Do you have something you want to shout about?

Award nominations, on 14th, 27th and 28th October at the

Monograph why they were choosing Leicester to launch the

Are you launching a new project, fanzine, website,

Birmingham Ballroom and famous Hammersmith Apollo.

album, singer and guitarist Holly Ross told us: “We wanted

venue for or in Leicester? Then The Monograph

a place with a really good party vibe, and whenever we’ve

newsdesk wants to hear from you!

despite being in her early teens, she graced festival stages

played here we get that. We wanted to launch it somewhere

Head over to our submission page on the new look

up and down the country and performed an acoustic track on

away from home but we’re not pretentious and we didn’t want

Monograph website on www.themonograph.co.uk/submit

Dean Jackson’s BBC Introducing show, The Beat.

to go down the cool route and launch it in London. Leicester’s

or drop us an email to submit@themonograph.co.uk and

just a great place to play with a great crowd.”

you could see your news online or in print!

2012 saw Mahalia go from strength to strength and,

Mahalia’s debut EP ‘Headspace’ is out now and can be downloaded at www.mahaliamusic.bandcamp.com

they are only on for a limited time only, so grab yours now!

Tickets to the album launch party are on sale now.

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

5

THE NON-MUSIC FA N ’ S G U I D E T O . . .

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BEING A FRESHER

elcome students. Welcome to University and

like a daft idea, this is in fact all the rage among today’s youth.

Manhattan34 and the Exchange bars. Both lovely places to

goodbye to your old life. Now is your time

Pink Pigeon or The Wardrobe are perfect starting points for

grab a drink, catch up with friends and probably read a copy

to shake off the oppressive shackles which

those of you who want to suggest that your painstakingly

of this magazine.

followed you through your school life and, here in Leicester,

carefully selected brogues without socks, stone-washed jeans

no-one will remember the time you pissed your pants, lied

and oversized shirt required zero effort.

about having meningitis to get off school or called your teacher mum…

Alternatively if you like Marty McFly’s look in Back to the

If music is your thing then why not pop in to Firebug? Truly the heart of the city’s pulsing music scene and permanent fixture on the touring scene for many of the UK’s best up and

Future II it’s off to Well Gosh for you. While it may be a bit

coming bands including Carter USM and the guy who used

For many, university is a chance to try something new,

pricey, the bags are made of paper and they used to give

to be in The Bluetones. Endlessly sound-tracked by bands

to start over like Zak Efron in 17 Again, Drew Barrymore in

you stickers so people know you shop there. Conversely,

signed to Big Scary Monsters, Firebug is both venue, bar and

Never Been Kissed, Dudley Moore in Like Father, Like Son or

if individuality and a sense of self don’t appeal to you, then

doss house for just about every band living in the city so why

Jennifer Garner in 13 Going on 30, and a big part of your new

the Highcross shopping centre is choc-a-bloc full with

not come by and shake hands with John Helps, Scott West

image is likely to be music. Music can define us as people,

generic-identikit-zeitgeist-fashion staples such as Topman,

or Mitch Buchannan and take advantage of the half price

shape our friendship groups and identities; this said I am by

Cult Clothing and SuperDry where you’ll have everything

burgers exclusive to students.

no means a fan of music. Regular readers will in fact know

necessary to dress like Louis from One Direction.

that I’d prefer A Bug’s Life to Jake Bugg, Monsters Inc. to Of

Ok, so now you’ve got your friends and you’re looking

You may also want to check out the O2 Academy. It’s kind of the Heat Magazine of music venues in the city. Flipping the

Monsters and Men, Up! to Down, Cars to The Cars and Brave

sharp it’s time to decide where to wear them. Thankfully

coin entirely, if you’re one of those people who only like bands

to Nu Rave. But, what I lack in music knowledge I can make

Leicester has a vibrant and varied social scene and, now that

that none of your friends of heard of and then when people do

up for in sound, ‘coming of age’ advice.

you’re finally 18 you can get all drunk and be disrespectful

you stop liking them, well then perhaps you should check out

First up, picking your friends. Friends are pretty important,

to the hard working bar staff with the rest of your generation.

what’s coming up at new venues Lock42 and Two Queens…

not essential or anything, but certainly useful to becoming

First stop on your tour is the Orange Tree. Now your aim is to

before your friends hear of them.

an improved you. A good way to start selecting friends is

one day work here so be nice, OK? Good cocktails, laid back

collect ones who work in shops as this way you can get 20%

and unassuming ‘atmos’ and bursting full of attractive peers

ultimately, we at The Monograph want you to enjoy your time

off bobble hats and Toms. Friends also act as a potential

who, like you, have also spent hours desperately trying to look

here. In many ways Leicester is quite like the waiting room

gateway to new and often better people, so try not to get too

as though they don’t care about their appearance.

in a GU clinic; you’ll spend a lot of time here and it can be a

attached to those you meet in halls during the first two weeks.

With it being forced awkwardly into every facet of our

Skipping distance away is the Cultural Quarter, amazingly Leicester’s fifth development which carries the title of

existence, style is unquestionably central to the young, hip

‘quarter’. This vibrant centre of expression is home to the

student about town, so knowing where the best ‘threads’ are

much of the city’s bustling arts scene and, interspersed with

is essential. Thankfully, Leicester is host to many independent

brothels and swingers clubs you will find the LCB Depot, the

retailers and, while dressing like your grandparents may seem

Attic and Pedestrian Arts Centre as well as the welcoming

I hope this guide has been a helpful tool for you as

little boring, however you’ll meet lots of interesting people and you’ll be bloody glad you went!

Tiernan

KING CHARLES

R A E G A N O AT E S F I N D S O U T J U S T W H AT H A P P E N S W H E N B I L LY B R A G G H I J A C K S A N I N T E R V I E W. . .

T

here is a magic in King Charles that is infectious and

just teaches you, well that’s what I wanted to describe. It’s

Almost as though Billy hears us talking about him, he

unique, and having captured the imagination and

not so much about the stories and experiences I wanted to

wanders into interview and introduces himself...

hearts of fans across the UK and America, packing

describe, it’s the colour of it.

Billy Bragg: Charles! I saw the start of your set.

KC: Just been talking about you...

out venues wherever he goes and performing to within an inch of his life, he has a natural majesty of musical talent

Didn’t you nearly have some on the way here? I saw you

BB: Your gig blew my mind. I just took my cousin in there to

that makes him a British artist that is one to watch. Having

being mobbed by about 10 girls.

get a beer and you just kicked off and you were great.

recently returned from a sold out tour of America with

KC: Haha yeah. But did you see that guy’s hair? He had Che

KC: I can’t believe you were there, that’s amazing!

Mumford and Sons and released his new album ‘Loveblood’,

Guevara shaved into the back of his head.

BB: It was great to see it because later when I was hanging

we caught up with him at the year’s Summer Sundae

out I was about to go on, I thought you really sounded like

Weekender to talk about how life is treating him, plus a small

I know it was pretty cool. What can we expect from the

The Skids.

interruption by a surprise guest to our interview...

next album?

KC: The Skids!

KC: The next album is going to be like so straight to the

BB: If there is anything I can bring back from my thing that’s

point, no nonsense. I want it to be like Billy Bragg.

extinct, it’s The Skids. Nice to see you man.

A lot has happened for you since we first met in 2011.

KC: Yeah I’ve just returned from America. America was one

KC: I really enjoyed your tribute.

of those things you dream about. Like Nashville, Texas, the

Did you see him?

BB: Right we’re off for a curry, nice one man. See you later.

whole thing felt like a film, like a sort of dream. And then

KC: He was wicked actually. I want it to be music that

Billy Bragg walks off.

making the new album Loveblood, it was so great. I made it

people want to like. Talking of Billy, it’s quite difficult when

in Hollywood at Capital Studios which was so dope. It was

you have just a guitar and the vocals and it’s all about

How you feeling after that then?

an amazing experience, however it took forever. It was so

the lyrics. It’s hard to get anything out of it if you are not

KC: That was so awesome, what a legend! Oh shit, that was

stressful and emotional and really difficult, but now it’s all

interested in the lyrics. If you put a lot of music around it can

amazing!

done it’s amazing. I am so happy with it.

disguise it, kind of obstructs it but in a good way.

That’s was a pretty big compliment.

Is it a difficult process deciding the tracks that go on an

Photos: Scott Choucino

KC: Oh my days, it is. That was so wicked. Er... What was I

album. Have you held many tracks for the future?

saying, I think that the music that I am interested in is folk,

KC: Yeah I’ve got a backlog now of songs, some that I don’t

but doesn’t have to sound like folk music. It could be the

want ever to come out. The thing about art that I like the

music that is with the people, as in the same direction with

most is how it carries the character of the artist and I want

the people and describing what we have in common. That’s

to sort of soak my music into something that I want to buy

why I love about talking about love it effects everybody. It’s

myself, that I feel is just good music.

like the whole world agrees on it. We love being in love, and you feel drawn to it.

A lot of your new songs talk about love or unrequited love?

That’s true. What’s next then?

KC: Well none of my songs are actually about me, they

KC: Just to keep on touring and you have to let me have a

are about being in love though. I just wanted to describe

copy of this interview. Billy Bragg. Now that was wicked!

a side of the characters of love that I have experienced.

Also I am the absolute champion, the king of unrequited love, so I wanted to describe that. The things you can learn

Wo r d s b y R a e g a n O a t e s

about love, what it is, what it isn’t through being in love, it

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

7

RETROSPECTIVE

Photos: Scott Choucino

S

pending time around a lot of the bands here in the city

music scene and the location of the first ever live performance

dressed up as policemen to get in and someone recognised

I often get involved in conversations about the music

by The Rolling Stones. Dave reminisces, “I remember a lot

George Harrison’s long hair though and went for it with

scene in Leicester and it’s something that people like

of the acts from there. Alexis Korner the blues musician, he

scissors. Inside the screams were absolutely deafening. You

to debate at length. People chat about how good or bad the

used to get me a Vimto. Then there was Cyril Davies, he used

could only just hear them play but it didn’t matter though as it

venues are, the promoters, the bands, what a great gig and

to get me a bag of crisps. I saw them all there, Chris Barber,

was electric! It was one of those atmospheres which you get

the like, and with these conversations I consider if Leicester

John Lee Hooker, and of course the embryonic early Rolling

in a football stadium.”

has always had such a bustling and vibrant music scene,

Stones”. Dave recalls his first job there sitting on the tarpaulin

His favourite Leicester gig was at a place called the Il

and what did our parents and even grandparents do for

above the amps at The Marquee: “I had to sit there to stop it

Rondo on Silver Street, where he could get his fix for his

entertainment when we were just a twinkle in their eyes?

dripping onto them.” From there he played guitar with Howlin

love of RnB, “I remember watching them off Stax Records,

Wolf, one of the most influential American blues singers. “It

and on that particular bill was Sam and Dave, Otis Redding,

lap. However, by pure chance one night I’d met Julian from

was an honour. I was watching a man doing great things and

who in those days had a guitar player called Jimi Hendrix.”

Howling Wolf Records and his uncle Dave Carter from Crypt

it was such a pleasure, he just said come on up! You’d get

It seems Il Rondo really was the place to be back then. “It

To be honest I hadn’t expected the answer to drop in my

Kicker Records whilst walking past the front door of

was something special, Otis was amazing, amongst

their home. Drawn in by the unmistakable sound of

his repertoire he’d do a song called ‘Try a Little

The Stones playing, I popped my head round their door and asked if anyone was in. Once inside I found a sea of records, numbering the thousands with everything from a first pressing of The Beatles ‘Love

“ I R E M E M B E R WA T C H I N G T H E M

Tenderness’, and people that night hung on his

O F F S TA X R E C O R D S , A N D O N

was about. Wilson Pickett was with him also, and I

every word, he was the epitome of what soul music remember the first time I heard ‘Midnight Hour’. Here

T H A T PA R T I C U L A R B I L L WA S S A M

Me Do’ to gold Cliff Richard discs. Unwittingly, I’d found myself an Aladdin’s cave of memories from the

were people we regarded as ‘real’ musicians.”

As well as Otis, Leicester was also visited by soul

A N D D AV E , O T I S R E D D I N G , W H O

Leicester and the worldwide music scene.

legend Aretha Franklin and Dave remembers: “That

I N T H O S E D AY S H A D A G U I T A R

First to introduce himself and unphased by an uninvited blonde stranger walking through the door

night you could hear a pin drop. There was a lot of gospel and it was fabulous. I remember on one of

P L AY E R C A L L E D J I M I H E N D R I X . . . ”

was Dave Carter, who now makes a living selling

the tours Duck Dunn played bass, he was out of the

record collections on eBay. Over the next hour I

Booker T and The MG’s. Not only that, if you wanted

discovered that he has always been a great a lover of

an autograph you pass your book up and they were

music, vinyl and the Leicester music scene and has

loads of lads out the audience pick the guitar up and Cyril

his own band The Nostalgics. Dave first became involved with

Davis would wail on his mouth organ and all of us would play.

they would talk. In that respect it was more honourable than

music back at the tender age of 13, when he was recruited by

It was just so good”. He also met the Ab Dabs (an earlier

the pop scene, where they’d just let a few girls in to the

Joe Meek in the upstairs of a cafe in Holloway. Meek was a

formation of Pink Floyd), an early Fleetwood Mac and Eric

dressing room. These guys mingled, talked about their music,

famous record producer and songwriter, his best remembered

Clapton.

talked about god and all sorts. Otis in particular was always

hit was the Tornados’ ‘Telstar’ which became the first record

Dave also has very fond memories of Leicester where

approachable. They would mix with the audience,

giving anecdotes about his bands member and the people

by a British group to reach No.1 in the US Hot 100. There

his mother lived. “I was 14 when I went to my first gig here;

he met The Tornados, Mike Berry and Tom Jones; “It was a

my mum took me to see someone like Guy Mitchell at De

fascinating place up in that flat and we were amazed by the

Montfort Hall. The first gig I remember properly though was

embracing cultural diversity with its love of music. Dave

sounds that were coming out of there. We all got involved on

The Beatles when they played there. I saw them twice and

explains: “Yes there suddenly were black people about and

the records I was on the Cryin’ Shames ‘Please Stay’ and on

if I remember right Helen Shapiro was topping the bill with

no one knew quite how to respond to it, because it was

a few of The Outlaws tracks.”

someone like Des O’Connor. That was around ’63. They came

different, but the best of the population just accepted that

again in ’64 and we had to queue up all night down Charles

we were all human beings and that we were all the same and

Street to get tickets. I remember that The Beatles were

we were making some bloody good music. The Caribbean

His father was also the manager of The Marquee in London, one of the most important venues of our modern

8

he’d seen.”

Even back in the 60s, Leicester was on its way to

T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MU SIC NEW S

community brought their music with them. I think [BBC Radio

ripped him off in the 50s so he played with a house band and

Leicester’s] Herdle White was the first to play a White Island

he’d just turn up at the gig with only his suitcase. I got him to

record that included a very young Robert Marley. The people

sign my autograph book at Baileys. Leicester’s always been

of Leicester really did like Blues Beats.”

great though, we were the first to have rock and roll seven

However, it wasn’t all just club nights that saw the

nights a week. We had a lot of Teddy Boys every Saturday

celebrities. In Lewis’ department store where M&S now

at the Clock Tower we used to meet in our drapes. Saturday

stands, worked Arnold George Dorsey, who would later go by

night we’d go to Loughborough Town Hall, Royce Canteen

the name Engelbert Humperdinck, on the meat counter. Dave

and we had a radio station called The Big Bopper. Sometimes

chuckles and tells me “It was reported and I can’t really say

they’d be there in the Haymarket doing a show. Also in the

much more than that, that he once had an altercation in there,

six hills there was a fabulous club, they had some big names

and after that he left and joined Tom Jones backing group

like Edwin Starr and Barry Young was booking all the big

called The Squires. He told me himself one night that he got

stars. He’s had The Coalville Club Starlite, I played there. I

‘Release Me’ by accident, it had been a big hit in the states

saw Kenneth Williams there and Danny La Rue there because

for Esther Phillips, Tom Jones had heard it and thought it was

they were all his friends. He had Bill Haley and His Comets on

ok but Tom thought it wasn’t soulful enough so he gave it to

and I backed them. We had Charlie Feathers, Billy Lee Riley;

Englebert, who was Dorsey then, and the rest was history.

they’d all worked with Elvis.”

It often happened like that. I remember talking to John Lee

I ask them about the current Leicester music scene and

Hooker here once and he said that he happened to be in the

Dave chirps in about The Charlotte. “I saw The Groundhogs

same place as Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and they

there three times. They should never have shut The

were offered a song which they absolutely hated. At the time

Charlotte, Tears for Fears, The Cure, they all played before

they’d lost their lead singer and were looking for a big one and

they were all famous.”

they heard their B side, they re-recorded it and sold a million

“People in Leicester have always loved music, we’ve

copies - and that was ‘Silence Is Golden’. These things did

never really lost our authenticity. Even now in the young

happen. There was a lot of plagiarism in those days, if you

people of Leicester they’d sooner see a live band. We’ve

didn’t take out a copyright then you could find your next door

always been a music city and there’s something special

neighbour recording your song and there wasn’t a lot that you

remember seeing Ronnie Hilton in the 70s. The Dallas Boys

about getting up, plugging an instrument in and playing it

could do about it.”

started off like that. Also there was Baileys above where

live because you stand or fall on what you play”. I agree with

Littlewoods is now.”

them and it’s heartening to hear that we’ve always been at

After the 60s the 70s arrived, The Who came, Slade peeled the paint off the walls in the De Montfort Hall and

At the mention of Baileys, Julian comes to life. Julian’s a

the centre of a musical hub and will continue to do so as

people were coming out of that gig deaf. Dave saw The Who

DJ with a passion for the 40s and 50s, a collector of classic

long as there are people out there willing to play and people

at Granby Halls, now The Tigers car park. “That was a good

cars and a teacher of Jive dancing. He explains that he saw

willing to listen.

venue, someone had tried to book The Stones there and Rod

Chuck Berry there in 1976, “He was out of this world. The first

Steward came there. We saw The Platters and The Drifters

time I saw him I was a young lad of 13 and we’d seen him in

there. We also used to have a great club scene in the Working

the New Zealand airport. He’d just come through customs

Men’s clubs, now a place of cover bands and bingo. I can

with his suitcase because he travelled alone. Everybody

Wo r d s b y R a e g a n O a t e s

THE MONOGRAPH ASKS...

THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT? K E E P I T S H U T. . .

Whether you are an avid gig goer or occasional frequenter to Leicester’s music venues, you will have more than likely come across the chatterbox in the corner who can be heard over the music. No? Then it’s probably you...

A

s a reviewer, I can be rude about performers, and often am. I once described a band as being “a talent vacuum made entirely of cheekbones”,

and I even got hate mail for calling a play “woefully written, diabolically directed and abysmally acted”. I haven’t been invited to another school nativity since.

But, and feel free to call me a cowardly hypocrite here, it’s one thing to be rude about a band after you’ve left the venue, wrenched the ear-plugs from your protesting sockets and had a good laugh about them, it’s quite another to lazily and ignorantly be rude about them while they’re still onstage, and the worst way to do this is by

I T C R E AT E S T H E AT M O S P H E R E . . .

talking over them.

We’ve all been in that frustrating position of enjoying

I

a gig and getting pleasantly drawn into the music, only

lack atmosphere. I’m not suggesting it’s OK for people to

(and if you’ve not been in that position, well, chances are

talk over an artist in at a small intimate show, but surely

you’re the twat).

don’t see what the problem is with talking at gigs.

for the delicate bond between artist and audience to be

Perhaps people’s preoccupation with respect and

snapped by the twat telling his or her mates what he or she

quietness is why people often say that gigs in Leicester

has been up to this week and what Dave said about Laura

putting a blanket ban on discussion is no better than

Before I come across as a complete killjoy (too late, Ed),

censorship. I recognise the irritation of a large group of

I want to make it clear that I’m not calling for some sort

people talking through a show when it’s clear that they

of quiet zone, like in a library (although I’ve been to some

have no interest in the performer and perhaps our prejudice

decent gigs in libraries). Of course people need to order

should be reserved for them, however like most things we

drinks, sing along to bits they know, take the piss out of the

enjoy, attending gigs is becoming more and more expensive

singer’s dress sense and argue over where to go next, it’s a

and thus people should have the right to talk, have a drink

night out after all, not a Quaker meeting (although I’ve been Illustration: Giles Meakin

and enjoy themselves in an appropriate manner.

Being able to talk during shows promotes banter and engagement and participation with the band which , certainly in my memory, always makes for enjoyable and memorable shows. Indeed, while I am the sort of person who would happily tut loudly when people talk at the cinema, I admit that I do like to talk at gigs – especially when I know a band quite well, as this gives me the opportunity to prepare hilarious comments to yell when I know a quiet part is coming - which I’m sure everyone enjoys as much, if not more than the band itself.

Trap Hoot

W E PUT IT TO THE IN TERN ET TO SEE WHAT YOU LOT RECKON...

“They should have respect for both the

artists and the audience. Chat anytime, not

Wo rd s b y Tier nan Welc h

when you (but more importantly others) have paid good money for tickets.”

James Attenborough

to some decent - nah, I’m kidding).

And personally speaking, I love it when gigs get loud; I’ve hurled myself into mosh pits, roared along to drunken choruses and woken up to the endless echo of tinnitus many a time. This isn’t about loud music vs quiet music, or even bands that take themselves too seriously vs bands who who just want to have a good time - this is about people who want to be at gigs and people who are only there because there’s nothing on TV that night.

If you don’t think much of the band, don’t buy their record, or their T-shirt, or a ticket to their next gig, or if you really hate them then slag them off in a review like I do, or even better, pick up an instrument, form a band yourself and play your own gigs - just don’t be surprised if ignorant punters talk through your set the way you used to.

To my mind though, this heinous crime is made even worse when it’s perpetrated by people who already ought

LET THE NUMBERS SPEAK

“Against. I’m a performer, and it’s one of

We threw out a facebook poll to let the numbers do the

the reasons I rarely play pubs, and only

talking. Here’s what we found...

play ticket-entry gigs.”

Ye s, th ey s hou l d shut t he e ff up !

I t d ep en d s on t he nat ure o f t h e g ig .

Ever y on e ha s t he right t o c h at a n d b e s oc ial.

20% 80% 0%

Phil Doleman

to know better - other musicians - particularly (and I’ve seen this happen a lot) when they’re sharing the bill with whoever happens to be onstage doing their best to be heard.

Getting onstage and performing in front of people is a difficult, nerve-wracking thing to do, and will follow many hours of writing, rehearsals, organisation and promotion...

“Gigs provide an escape, for everyone

often not nearly enough of them it’s true, but - dammit, while

involved. When people talk, it takes you

there’s someone onstage the least you can do is keep your

out of it and back to reality. Horrible,

yap shut for the 30 minutes they have to keep theirs open.

boring reality.”

Christopher David Bate

Wo r d s b y A l e x S c o p p i e

Have you got something on your chest that you want to rant about? Do you constantly get in the same arguments with your mates down the boozer? Or do you have an idea for a debate that you think would get our readers talking? Why not put yourself for ward and into the ring for The Monograph Asks Issue#07 in Februar y 2013 by emailing submit@themonograph.co.uk

10

T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MU SIC NEW S

W H E R E I T ’ S AT

CHARLEE DREW

A R E G U L A R L O O K AT S M A L L E R V E N U E S

With Alex Scoppie

Lock 42

Where’s It At? 2 - 4 Frog Island.

When Was That? Opened as a music venue in October 2010. Formerly a sock factory.

How Many? Indoor capacity 220, outdoor capacity N/A.

Most Likely To Play: Metal, punk and indie with some acoustic and folk acts.

Least Likely To Play: Drum and Bass Biggest Names: The Vaccines, The Wedding Present, Lanterns On The Lake, The Chapman Family, The UK Subs, Sea Of Bees.

Photos: Scott Choucino

F

rom the outside looking in, a music fan watching a musician carve their career, Charlee Drew comes

gets you, and is it going to be in time, live radio is crazy!”

Citing such influences as Christina Aguilera, Mariah and

N

estled by the Grand Union Canal, just north of the Highcross Shopping Centre, sits Lock42, a three

story music powerhouse. Day and night, local acts thrash away at their instruments in the labyrinthine Stayfree

Brian Mcknight (“...it’s the voice more than the songs, he pulls

rehearsal room complex in the building’s basement

featuring on a track with Skepta, releasing EP ‘You Did Me

off the smooth way more than a white boy from Leicester

and back rooms, but the loudest noise comes from

A Favour’, it is in fact getting the nod from little known Ed

could”), he uses his voice as the main catalyst in drawing

the venue’s small but perfectly formed stage up on the

Sheeran. Now, us local music fans can sit and watch him

attention to his music. September 16th saw the release of his

second floor.

begin his “...scary but exciting” journey to his first album.

EP ‘You Did Me A Favour’ and it evidently has done its job, last

Even though in a faint distant corner I hear hardcore indie fans

checked, it had reached No.9 on the singer/songwriter chart

enormous and suitably intimidating mixing desk which

whimper, pop music is having somewhat of a mini revival.

and has set twitter alight with fan messages. When asked how

used to belong to Iron Maiden. The dingy dance floor

‘Pop’ stands for popular after all, and it will always be an

important he thinks the internet and social networking is for self

is lit up by a pink neon sign which leaves you in no

undercurrent in any music that we listen to.

promotion he is fast with an honest response.

doubt where you are, and adjacent to that is the classy

pretty close to a ‘must-see’. If it isn’t writing and

“I like pop music! I wanted to go in a different direction

“It is 100% important, you have only really two options

to indie”. Leicester born and based Charlee Drew is taking

open to you and that is to promote yourself on the internet or

me through his reasoning for the path he has chosen. Sitting

promote yourself live. Both are done in unison usually but you

across from me in the atmospherically lit Taps bar in the heart

just can’t reach the amount of people live, as you can online.

of Leicester’s shopping area; Charlee is as animated as a

Times have changed and you have to adjust, in honesty being

person would be while talking about their passion.

able to talk direct to people is a good thing.”

In a band at 14, he got to see the workings of the industry and the live scene quite early on. The more he played and the more he learned, the more he realised being in a band did not

I ask if being in Leicester, his home, helps and does he intend to come back and play more.

“I would love to, I was supposed to play at that Ryan

Its punishing sound system is controlled by an

and spacious bar area, complete with high ceilings and skylight.

The Musician Where’s It At? Crafton Street West, off Humberstone Gate.

When Was That? Opened as a music venue in

seem to fit as well as having the freedom to do what he was

O’Shaughnessy gig but that got postponed. I would definitely

2000. Formerly The Bakers’ Arms.

individually inspired to do, sing his own songs.

come back to Leicester and play but it will probably be to

How Many? Indoor capacity 220, outdoor capacity

promote. It definitely will be before the end of the year.”

N/A.

After writing and featuring on the song ‘Taking Too Long’ with Skepta, Charlee was taken up in a whirlwind of live

Going on to promote his own friend and local Leicester

Most Likely To Play: Bluegrass, Americana, folk,

tours and radio. He helped to set up Skepta’s tour with band

musician Mark Elliott, Charlee comments: “I booked Mark for

roots, indie and hard rock.

members and got some essential experience in live radio.

some of my gigs, he’s so great man. I love that guy! He’s a

Least Likely To Play: Jazz (although its even been

“Because of that I got to do Radio One Live Lounge with Jo

great guitarist and has a great voice. So for him to do backing

putting some of that on lately).

Whiley. Just before we played they were like, “there’s about five

vocals for me is pretty perfect. He’s one to watch for sure.”

Biggest Names: The Handsome Family, Ryan

million people listening”, but you can’t see who you’re playing

So I ask what is next for the future of Charlee? He is

Adams, Midlake, 65daysofstatic, Camera Obscura, Josh

to. As the song plays and Skepta is doing his thing, I’m just

refreshingly forthcoming with honesty on the status of his

T. Pearson.

waiting to sing, but as soon as I started singing there was no

career and life.

come. I will probably release it as a free download, because

A

to be blunt it takes a lot of money to produce something to

It was given a revamp and almost doubled its capacity

not make it all back. So it will keep up the momentum without

almost eight years ago, jettisoning its back garden in

costing too much as I need all my time to put all my effort into

favour of more space for gig-goers.

one else. It’s the anticipation of when the voice comes out that

“I like pop music! I wanted to go in a different direction to indie.”

“I want to do one more release before we start with the releases for the album. Use it as a ‘buzz’ record for things to

the album. But I won’t release that unless a large label does. So we’ll see.”

When asked about the day job, it is a swift answer, “No day

well-established and colourful venue for over a decade, The Musician pulls in touring bands on a

regular basis but also gives plenty of slots to local acts.

Its low stage is roomy and *gasp* carpeted and its

Tiernan

small sound system formidable. It hosts Leicester’s

longest-running acoustic club and even puts on the

job, I only have time for music. So the music needs to pay the

occasional comedy night, and cabaret tables and chairs

bills.”

are set out for punters at such times when things get

It seems it may cost time and money, and maybe sweat

more laid back. Comfortable and reliable, The Musician

and tears, but for Charlee Drew at the end of the day pop is

can nevertheless still surprise with its varied line up with

popular and a dream is to be realised.

this increasingly popular destination for bands both established and in training.

Wor d s b y Eli se H e wi t t

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

11

Photos: Scott Choucino

THE

INTERROBANG

Words by Ra e gan O a t e s

What happens when three musicians unwilling to get farted out the other end of the commercial music industr y get together to create their own rehearsal and recording space and make their first demo (in their under wear) in their frontman’s bedroom? What happens is Sisterland...

S

ince the demo exploded, their debut single’s been released on the legendary Too Pure label, they’ve recorded at Abbey Road and have been mastered

by the guy that did the Harry Potter soundtrack. They’ve been Mogwai’s single of the week in ‘The Skinny’ ahead of James Blake and The Kills, appeared in the radar section of the NME and featured in the New Blood section of Artrocker.

After being invited to join the Blessing Force Collective, they’ve released a tape with them and their lead track ‘Dirty White’ and was playlisted for five weeks on BBC 6 Music and Radio One. Most recently ‘Certain Taste’ was written, recorded, released and a video shot in their own rehearsal rooms. They are now in the process of recording a new tape and collaborating with USA artist Adam Gnade.

Originally called Dysneyland the band admits they’re now all about having fun with their music and not taking the perks too seriously. Frontman Mark explains: “The whole trick of it after our old bands or projects was to not take it so seriously, and actually play stuff that we all listen to and have some common ground.” Ian adds “And smile a bit.

We didn’t want to do really angry looking at your feet kind of music. We wanted something more casual and not worry about it sounding fun to play or looking fun to play”. What’s great about Sisterland is that it’s refreshing to find a band that wants you to enjoy their music, not just admire it. Mark carries on “We really wanted to be called Dysneyland but we had to change the name as Too Pures’ lawyers wouldn’t let us keep it, in fact they laughed heartily at the thought

be honest we were so out of the loop that we didn’t even

So instead of going with people that they didn’t really know,

that we’d get away with it. We changed it to avoid getting

know that someone was already writing about our music,

they just thought why not go with them. For the band it’s a

fingered by Mickey.”

there was a blog by someone in a band called The Big Pink,

case of “Going with people who are releasing good things

Mark, Ian and Bob are no strangers to the ‘music

The Don’t Die Wondering Blog and people out there were

and putting on good shows and we really respect them,

industry’ and used to be in band Tired Irie. Their split

reading it and Mark’s inbox just suddenly filled up. People

these days a lot hinges on trust with an alarming number

spawned Acid Pony with Ian and Bob, whilst Mark went

were offering us loads of shit. Then a good friend that we

of bands being ripped off somewhere along the lines.

on to do his own projects. Finally, when they just started

know that’s managed a load of good bands said not to take

After that a guy called Chad Valley called who was willing

wanting to just make some noises again and because they

anything now, it would be the wrong time. He said if you’ve

to take us on so we played a warehouse night in Oxford.

just missed each other, they formed Sisterland. Mark tells

not even played a gig then just take it as a bit of amusement

That was cool. It was a good mix of art and music. They’d

me “We didn’t make it a big deal, we casually just thought

that these people are getting in touch with you. We took a

made a stage like a spaceship and had proper stalls. Bob

let’s just do this again and this time round through hindsight,

few things though, we had a launch night on a Saturday at

and I got told off because we were playing with around

we just wanted to do something stripped down and basic.

The Old Blue Last which was our first gig.”

with an installation. The guy that does the Foals videos

What is like playing for a very stylized London crowd I

was there and he had loads of beef hearts up there and we

to two and a half minute songs and playing gigs in cars

ask? Bob laughs “Because it’s free it’s a gamble. You’ll either

were playing with them!” Bob laughs “Oh yeah, he was like

instead of having to buy a van.”

have loads of people there or you won’t have anyone there

excuse me can you stop playing with those beef hearts.

Nothing over complicated and not too many members. One

at all. But then it’s a real testament of if you’re any good or

There was us Leicester people trying to get into some

band, Ian muses “We’d just put our music out there and

not”. Mark joins in telling me “My favourite gigs have been

country place and we were slapping the art installation

one of our old friends that we’d made through Tired Irie,

there”. Carrying on Ian explains “There’s a whole element of

about!”

who had a decent record label got in contact. It was before

judging if they’re enjoying it or not because even if they did

we played a gig or even rehearsed. We suddenly found that

they would never tell you. If they really liked you in London,

Byker Grove of Leicester, know as Abbey Park Studios,

we were getting offered booking agents. The manager of

they might just stand at the back and text their mate if

minus the facial hair and paintballing. Mark laughs at the

Ash was trying to get in touch over this demo that we’d just

you’re lucky! It’s a very different vibe in London to what most

idea “Ian you’re Geoff!” Starting when they bought a load

made in his bedroom. We let that label pay for us to go to

bands experience in Leicester. When we played in Leicester,

of new equipment and converted it into practices room

Abbey Road to get it mastered, and we were just thought

someone just hugged Mark straight afterwards. You’d never

and a studio space, Ian explains how they thought that it

it would be funny to do. I don’t think we even think that we

get that in London!”

would be a good idea to make a bit of money and have a

Not expecting things to take off so quickly with the

were serious about the band, everything has just been if we get offered anything fun let’s just do it. Ian comments: “To

Since then a lot of their friends from Oxford got in touch from The Blessing Force, which turned into a record label.

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

When they’re not busy gigging, Sisterland also run the

free practise base. “We also knew that there would be lots of Leicester bands that wanted the same kind of thing and

13

“ We really w anted to be c a l l e d Dysne yl a nd b ut we h a d to c h a n ge th e n a me a s To o P u re’s law yer s w oul d n’t l e t us ke e p it, in fact th e y la u gh e d h e a r ti ly. ”

it took off. We’ve got a lot of the bands that are featured in

band saying they’d heard them on 6 Music, and that they

nothing? Bob sums it up nicely “The audience has become

The Monograph there and they are serious about making

were a press and plug in agency and offered them a ‘good

more DIY as well, and the people putting on the nights. It’s

music. It’s a good community. There’s Maybeshewill, Codex

deal’. Ian points out “Obviously they’re gonna want at least

the same as the bands; they’re not paying anything they’re

Leicester, Surrender The Coast, Charlie and the Martyrs,

£500 for them to personally send our next single to radio

just making the venue more attractive and a good night for

Slo-Worm and loads of young bands coming through that

people and what we’ve found nowadays is people are more

people, it’s a fun thing. You’ve got less chance of getting

weren’t initially our friends but they’ve heard of it through

interested in hearing directly from the band. They find it

paid for it because they’re in the same position as you.

word of mouth”. Asking is it an important space for the

more like they’ve discovered you. If they’ve got some more

We’ve played loads of things that we know we’re not getting

Leicester music scene, Ian’s smiles and muses “It’s become

established PR people sending you demos you’ve already

paid for and eventually you might play to a lot of people that

that without really even planning it. We had an idea of what

been discovered whereas any DJ that is passionate about

will spread the word or buy your next release. This is having

we wanted and it turns out by word of mouth that’s what

music will want to hear from the band themselves, with a

a knock on effect on the actual format of a band as well with

every band who really enjoys playing music wants too.” Is

handwritten note on it. I just think its silly paying people with

Mark talking about how “There has been a lot one man band

it all sh*ts and giggles though between the bands? “To be

the internet and digital radio, you can just get it to the people

projects coming out so that there’s less people to pay. I think

honest we do have petty squabbles, if someone moves your

that you want it to and if they like it they’ll play it.”

times are hard so people are cutting back”. You can’t really

amp you may have a little bitch at someone or leave a note

Long gone are the days of big budgets and huge records

look on it as a career these days as you’re going to have to

behind but I think drummers are the worst girls in terms of

contract, Sisterland are realists and know that “As soon as

have job something else in this day and age. Bob agrees

that.” Bob smiles saying “No comment”.

you decide that you’re going to play exactly what you want to

“It’s not 1975.” Or worse than that as Ian points out “You

play, you cancel out 80% of people who would be potential

can be really lucky or shunted out with loads of debt on your

there something more to it? Mark points out “That’s part of

So is the DIY approach just about saving money or is

audience that record labels would want to sell it to. Then you

head and unable to do anything. There are bands that we

it; we didn’t want to owe money to anyone. The thing that

get to the point that if you like what you’re doing and other

know where the label ended up owning their name and the

put the nail in the coffin of our last band was just getting

people like it then that’s the best way to be. Bob adds “You

label release the album and you can’t do shit.” Mark laughs

into debt.” Ian adds “It does cost loads of money to be in

can tell if someone wants to do it because they want to do it

“I don’t ever want there to be a day that we have two tour

a band.” Mark continues telling me “Even if you get offered

or they’re just doing it because. It comes across.”

bands, one that says Sister and the other that says land.”

studio time eventually you’re gonna have to end up paying

More and more bands know that to survive they’ve got

Ian “Me and Mark will be in the sister one. Bob will just be

for it. We’d rather know what and how we wanna sound

to practise in their own place, record in their own place and

so we may as well record it ourselves and be our own

do everything themselves. It can be almost totally free. How

producers and our own engineers. Unless someone of

do they make money then? Ian tells me “Song writing, you

tells me “We’ve got a bunch of things that we enjoy playing and

course offers us a deal at Electrical Audio. It’s not answering

can get things from PRS. If you get a decent amount of radio

we’re just going to record them live and stick them on a tape

to the man, it’s playing it DIY.” They’re right these days

play that’s how you make money and as Mark adds “Don’t

and do about 50 copies so it sells out really quickly. People

people in the industry don’t normally offers you something

expect to get paid for gigs basically.” The question from this

want to be sold exclusivity.” And with that so ends our chat and

for nothing and only the other day someone contacted the

is why do so many people expect people to play for little or

we leave Sisterland to get on with their good work.

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

on the land. At the back smoking a cigar.”

So what does the next few months hold for Sisterland? Ian

15

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

LUCY ROSE 12AM O2 ACADEMY LEICESTER

LITTLE NIGHT TERRORS 7PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

MYSTERY JETS 12AM O2 ACADEMY LEICESTER

THE UNDERCLASS 4PM THE DONKEY

CUBAN SALSA IN LEICESTER 6:30PM THE MUSIC CAFE (TMC)

JAMES BLACKSHAW 7PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

LSO WITH EVELYN GLENNIE 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

FIDELIO BY BEETHOVEN 6PM ST ANDREW’SCHURCH

THE STYLISTICS 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

MUSIC FOR PIANOS AND HANDS 7:30PM EMBRACE ARTS

FRED ZEPPELIN (LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE) 8PM THE MUSICIAN

HACKTIVIST / VISIONS 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

MOTORHEAD + ANTHRAX 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

MARK GARDENER 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

BROTHER & BONES 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

BROKEN HANDS + DEAF CLUB 7:30PM LOCK 42

KGB JAZZ 7:30PM THE DONKEY

SCREAM DONT WHISPER + THIRD PLACE VICTORY 7:30PM LOCK 42

SOFT BULLETS + LINEAR + GUESTS 7:30PM LOCK 42

DARK SIDE OF THE WALL (PINK FLOYD TRIBUTE) 8PM THE MUSICIAN

MOULETTES 8PM THE MUSICIAN

IN THE ROUND 8PM THE MUSICIAN

ATTENTION THIEVES + VERSUS + GUESTS 7:30PM LOCK 42 BASEMENTALITY 10PM THE BASEMENT

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY FANS OF FAYE + THE AUTUMN EFFECT + SON OF GLENN 7:30PM LOCK 42

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS PLUS SPEAR OF DESTINY 7PM O2 ACADEMY LEICESTER KYSHERA + GUESTS 7:30PM LOCK 42

BABY LEMONADE 006 FEAT. KAPPA SAINT SAVIOUR 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE GAMMA 7:30PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE KENT DUCHAINE 8PM THE MUSICIAN MAD DOG MCREA + COSMO JARVIS THE DONKEY MUSIC QUIZ 8PM THE MUSICIAN 8:30PM THE DONKEY LIVE ACOUSTIC SPECIAL 8:30PM THE PRIORY

INDIAN DANCE EXHIBITION [HIGHFIELDS] 12AM HIGHFIELDS LIBRARY

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY

VIN GARBUTT 8PM THE MUSICIAN

4OZ OF GROOVE - OTHERS TBC 8:30PM THE DONKEY ANDY FAIRWEATHER LOW AND THE LOW RIDERS 9PM THE Y THEATRE HIP HOP KARAOKE 2 9PM FIREBUG BAR

STEREOSONICS 8PM THE DONKEY

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

THE CROOKES 12AM O2 ACADEMY LEICESTER

ARMS OF ATLAS + SUPPORT 12AM O2 ACADEMY 3

PARK BENCH SOCIETY 3PM THE MUSICIAN

THE JAMESON EXPERIENCE AT ORANGE TREE LEICESTER 7PM THE ORANGE TREE, LEICESTER

THE TRICKS 7:30PM LOCK 42

CLUB SMITH + THE ESTATES + SIMPLE MACHINES + GUESTS 7:30PM LOCK 42

BUCK & BARKER 4PM THE DONKEY

O’HOOLEY & TIDOW 8PM THE MUSICIAN LEICESTER JAZZ HOUSE PRESENTS GREG ABATE 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

JOHN OTWAY 8PM THE MUSICIAN BENJAMIN SCHOOS AND ROCKHAUSEN 8:30PM THE DONKEY BUG OUT 10PM THE BASEMENT

LIVE FOREVER / WELLER STYLE 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE STRAY 8PM THE MUSICIAN

DANFEST2 6:30PM THE MUSICIAN

LIGHT OF DAY ENGLAND 7PM ROBERT SMYTH ACADEMY

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

STATE OF THE UNION (BOO HEWERDINE & BROOKS WILLIAMS) 8PM THE MUSICIAN

THE COMPLETE STONE ROSES 7PM O2 ACADEMY 2 LEICESTER

BARDI SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

CUBAN SALSA IN LEICESTER 6:30PM THE MUSIC CAFE (TMC)

BOAT TO ROW 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

YVONNE BLOOR AND FRIENDS 7:30PM EMBRACE ARTS

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING 7:30PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

SHAM 69 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

SATURDAY NIGHT JAZZ 8PM THE BASEMENT

CHARLIE & THE MARTYRS 8:30PM THE DONKEY

SWEET BILLY PILGRIM + SUPPORT 8:30PM THE DONKEY

BUG OUT 10PM THE BASEMENT

SOULSHAKER 10PM THE BASEMENT

THE VACCINES - SOLD OUT 7PM DE MONTFORT HALL

A BABY LEMONADE SPECIAL – PAPER AEROPLANES 7:30PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

SMALL TOWN JONES AND JACK HARRIS 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

FC-20 PRESENT OUT OF THE SHADOWS 8PM SUMO

BASEMENTALITY 10PM THE BASEMENT

MODERN JAZZ SESSIONS HOSTED BEN HOWARD - SOLD OUT

BY NED NEWITT 7PM O2 ACADEMY LEICESTER 8:30PM THE REGENT SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB THE HEATHER FINDLAY BAND 8PM THE MUSICIAN

DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR ROOTS 10PM THE BASEMENT

THE LOVELY EGGS 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

THE OVERTONES 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

BASEMENTALITY 10PM THE BASEMENT

BEACH DAY + GUESTS 7:30PM LOCK 42

CUBAN SALSA IN LEICESTER 6:30PM THE MUSIC CAFE (TMC)

MIKE TRAMP 8PM THE MUSICIAN

THE CUT UPS 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

U.K. SUBS (35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR) + FIRST WAVE 7:30PM LOCK 42

THE TOY HEARTS + JANET ROBIN 2012 TOUR 8PM THE MUSICIAN

GREEN DATE 8PM THE MUSICIAN

GOODNIGHT LENIN 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE TOWNSHIP COMETS 8PM THE Y THEATRE

NOWT FLASH WITH THE MOONLIGHTS + SPECIAL GUESTS 9PM THE DONKEY DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

MEMORIES OF ELVIS - A TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS 7:30PM RUTLAND COUNTY MUSEUM THE NAGS – 10TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

CHRIS WARNER + NFQ 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

IRON ON MAIDEN + SACK SABBATH 8PM THE MUSICIAN

NEW COOL COLLECTIVE 8:30PM THE DONKEY

ZED’S DEAD 8:30PM THE DONKEY

FLAT FIVE FRIDAY 8:30PM THE O BAR

IRISH DANCE EVENING 6:30PM ST PATRICK’S CHURCH DAVID ESSEX 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

CODEX LEICESTER, WE THREE AND THE DEATH RATTLE, IO & ALRIGHT THE CAPTAIN 8PM FIREBUG BAR

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

FOSSE SINGERS (COMMUNITY CHOIR REHEARSALS) 12AM FOSSE NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

ONE CURE FOR MAN 8PM FIREBUG BAR

BUG OUT 10PM THE BASEMENT

DAWSON SMITH & THE DISSENTERS 4PM THE DONKEY IRISH DANCE EVENING 6:30PM ST PATRICK’S CHURCH STARS IN YOUR EYES 7PM CONCORDIA THEATRE ZOUNDS 8PM THE CRITERION SONIC- ELECTRIC 8PM THE CRITERION

JERSEY BUDD - EP LAUNCH PARY 4PM THE DONKEY IAN DERBYSHIRE BAND 8PM THE MUSICIAN

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

THE OVERTONES 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

BASEMENTALITY 10PM THE BASEMENT

BEACH DAY + GUESTS 7:30PM LOCK 42

CUBAN SALSA IN LEICESTER 6:30PM THE MUSIC CAFE (TMC)

MIKE TRAMP 8PM THE MUSICIAN

THE CUT UPS 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

JOOLS HOLLAND & HIS RHYTHM AND BLUES ORCHESTRA 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

U.K. SUBS (35TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR) + FIRST WAVE 7:30PM LOCK 42

THE TOY HEARTS + JANET ROBIN 2012 TOUR 8PM THE MUSICIAN

GREEN DATE 8PM THE MUSICIAN

GOODNIGHT LENIN 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE TOWNSHIP COMETS 8PM THE Y THEATRE

GET CAPE, WEAR CAPE, FLY (SOLO ACOUSTIC) 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

NOWT FLASH WITH THE MOONLIGHTS + SPECIAL GUESTS 9PM THE DONKEY

IRON ON MAIDEN + SACK SABBATH 8PM THE MUSICIAN

NEW COOL COLLECTIVE 8:30PM THE DONKEY

ZED’S DEAD 8:30PM THE DONKEY

FLAT FIVE FRIDAY 8:30PM THE O BAR

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

LARRY MILLER BAND 8PM THE MUSICIAN

ORBITAL 7PM O2 ACADEMY LEICESTER

ME VS HERO 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

MONO 8PM LEICESTER CATHEDRAL

ARABELLA STEINBACHER - PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA 7:30PM DE MONTFORT HALL

SIMON FRIENDS SEISMIC SURVEY 8PM THE MUSICIAN

LEICESTER JAZZ HOUSE 8PM EMBRACE ARTS

THE SONG CLUB WITH - JACK MARTELLO + OTHERS TBC 8:45PM THE DONKEY

THE KABEEDIES & GUESTS 8PM FIREBUG BAR

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

DERRIN NAUENDORF 8PM THE MUSICIAN

DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

THE NAGS – 10TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

CHRIS WARNER + NFQ 8PM THE CRUMBLIN’ COOKIE

DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY

MEMORIES OF ELVIS - A TOUCH OF CHRISTMAS 7:30PM RUTLAND COUNTY MUSEUM

CANTAMICI CONCERT 7:30PM ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH

JERSEY BUDD - EP LAUNCH PARY 4PM THE DONKEY IAN DERBYSHIRE BAND 8PM THE MUSICIAN

PUSH + PAUL WELLERSTYLE 4PM THE DONKEY

THE RUBY MAE SESSIONS THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG 7PM CONCORDIA THEATRE 8PM THE MUSICIAN KGB JAZZ 7:30PM THE DONKEY AVENUE PRESENTS......

8PM THE DONKEY DAN BAIRD & HOMEMADE SIN 8PM THE MUSICIAN

JOHNNY AND THE GOODTIME BOYS 8PM THE DONKEY

HANK WANGFORD & THE LOST COWBOYS 8PM THE DONKEY

DROP PRESENTS EAN + MORE 11PM SOPHBECK

AN EVENING WITH TREVOR MOSS & HANNAH-LOU UP THE CLUB 7:30PM FENNEL STREET CLUB

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY BLUES HARP HEROES 8PM THE MUSICIAN

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

LEICS EARLY MUSIC ASSOC. 5PM THE GUILDHALL

BIFF BANG POW 7PM FIREBUG BAR

THE DONKEY MUSIC QUIZ 8:30PM THE DONKEY

THE JOHN CLEVELAND BAND 7:30PM CONCORDIA THEATRE

WINTER WONDERLAND LIVE 7PM BISTRO LIVE

THE DYLAN PROJECT 8PM THE MUSICIAN

CHROME MOLLY = IRON PYTHON 7:30PM O2 ACADEMY 3

DAWSON SMITH’S 50TH BIRTHDAY BASH 8PM THE MUSICIAN

DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

AYNSLEY LISTER BAND 8PM THE MUSICIAN

YEAH YEAH NOH 8PM THE ABATTOIR KINGSTON TOWN 8:45PM THE DONKEY

PURPLE ZEPPELIN 8PM THE Y THEATRE

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

DIESEL PARK WEST 8PM THE MUSICIAN

SING NOEL 8PM THE GUILDHALL

CONWAY & FRIENDS 8PM THE MUSICIAN

SIMON HONEYBOY HICKLING 8PM THE MUSICIAN

RED LIGHT BURLESQUE 8PM FIREBUG BAR

ARTS IN LEICESTER PRESENT 8PM FIREBUG BAR

DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

THE PRESSURE TENANTS 8:30PM THE DONKEY

ROLLO MARKEE & THE TAILSHAKERS 4PM THE DONKEY A WHITE NOISE FESTIVAL EVENT: HER NAME IS CALLA, PETER WYETH, NAT IVES (SERGEANT HOUSE RECORDS) & MORE 5PM FIREBUG BAR THE QUIREBOYS 8PM THE MUSICIAN

QUADROPHENIA NIGHT NO 3 8PM THE DONKEY

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY

THE CHARMING INDOOR CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL 10AM THE CITY ROOMS

CALDER MCLAUGHLIN BAND – BLAH BLAH BLAH XMAS & BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA 4PM THE DONKEY 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE AB/CD CHRISTMAS ROCK NIGHT 8PM THE MUSICIAN 8PM THE MUSICIAN ALLSTARS: STRUMMERVILLE 8PM FIREBUG BAR URBAN VOODOO MACHINE + SUPPORT 8PM THE DONKEY

NOWT FLASH WITH THE MOONLIGHTS 4PM THE DONKEY

TITANIC JAZZ BAND 12PM THE DONKEY

DRUGSTORE COWBOYS 4PM THE DONKEY

THE CREDIT CRUNCHERS 12PM THE DONKEY

FOSSE LIBRARY UKE GROUP 5:30PM FOSSE LIBRARY

KINGSIZE 8PM THE MUSICIAN DMU ROCK SOCIETY ROCK BAR 10PM FIREBUG BAR

NYE PARTY WITH REBEL REBEL (DAVID BOWIE TRIBUTE) + DJOOK DJ 8PM THE MUSICIAN THE PLATFORMS 8PM THE DONKEY

KINGSIZE 8PM THE MUSICIAN

MENTALLICA 8PM THE MUSICIAN

HOWARD SMITH AND THE RAZORS 4PM THE DONKEY CHAMPAGNE SHOWGIRLS BURLESQUE 8PM THE MUSICIAN

Powered by the Leicester Events Guide, with ever y effort made to include as many of the listings as possible. Please note: All listings subsequent to change at sole discression of promoter and/or venue. Please assume gigs are 18+ unless other wise advertised.

THE LOVELY EGGS 7:30PM THE SOUNDHOUSE

LOST SONGS, SECRET SHOWS

T

o say tonight’s 100-capacity show has been the talk of the town amongst those “in the know” since word slowly got out would be massive understatement – a gig sold out via text message; how retro!

The ever-lovely Codex Leicester initiate the lunacy with plenty of help from an exuberant crowd, all of them stoked to be part of the spectacle. After several songs from their last EP, A Mad Man’s Lullaby, it’s a cool surprise when they rip into Death Of London oldie ‘Eat It Baby Horse’, one of a number of songs which drummer Kris Terse gets to belt out the vocals on. Essentially Codex Leicester are a snub-nosed, grungy riff-attack machine with Weezer handcuffed to a radiator in their practice room. To finish off in true style Team Monograph’s Joe Phipps screams his lungs out on closing track ‘Strong Like Bull’ and as soon as it finishes the band storm the crowd with a massive “ALLLRIGGHTT!!!”. Definitely fucking alright.

Maybeshewill’s set is a slick, all-killer-no-filler affair with three albums of material (and a fourth to follow) to pick from. They’re dab hands at creating atmospheric, emotional pieces of music that veer from the almost klezmerstyle opening of ‘Critical Distance’ to the full on riffage that rips in at the end of ‘Co-Conspirators’. It’s a true testament to how they’ve grown as a band in recent years that in a crowded marketplace Maybeshewill have risen above clichés that often bog down lesser bands.

Now things start to get seriously messy – And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead’s reputation is almost mythical, with many crazed eyewitnessaccounts of wanton destruction of all of their instruments on a regular basis.

After seeing it first hand many years back I was lucky not to be impaled on a guitar. It was exhilarating, primal, thrilling punk-rock in its purest form, which they managed to document pretty brutally on record with the bleak, blackly nihilistic, evil Sonic Youth-isms on the peerless Madonna album. As soon as the almost sinisterly jaunty opener ‘Will You Smile Again For Me’ pounds in

And Yo u Wil l K n o w U s B y T h e Tr ail o f D e a d , M ay bes h ewill & Co d e x Le ice s t er L i v e @ Th e C ook ie J ar. .

18

bodies are swaying and arms are flailing around the tiny basement.

Like all the best gigs the next hour is scary, dangerous, hilarious, and brilliant. A couple of songs in they crash into ‘Mistakes And Regrets’ cue your sad fan-boy reviewer losing his shit spectacularly before taking a whole pint full in the face from a passing hand. ‘Perfect Teenhood’ also induces rallied cries of “Blood lust! Tommy gun! A perfect teenhood! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!!” – you don’t get this much fun at a Mumford & Sons gig do you? This was one of the best shows this city has seen in far too long, shown best by the flagrant regard for personal safety by both band and audience; truly a ‘you had to be there’ show, we’ll be boring our friends with for many months to come.

Words by Glyn Allen

T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MU SIC NEW S

Photo: Scott Choucino

SPOTLIGHT:

TINNY HOPKINS L

eicester’s Crumblin’ Cookie rightly touts itself as “more

In fact, Tinny reveals he’s just finished programming for

than just a coffee bar”. Established in 2005 for weary

next year’s festival - featuring a line-up of no less than 61

parents to rest their feet after a tour of Dominoes toy

shows across just 17 days in February.

shop, the Cookie has grown to become a one-stop venue for coffee, with a large side order of music, comedy and art.

Antony Hopkins (known to all as Tinny) has always had a passion for live performance. Like many of us, he’s been

But what we’re most interested in, of course, is their eclectic musical offerings - from indie to jazz, motown to folk, there really is a feeling of something for all.

The Cookie Jar’s short lifespan has already been marked

a regular gig goer for many a year, with only a vague “pipe

with some memorable moments - including acting as a key

dream” of one day owning his own venue.

venue during Fringe Thursday, the debut EP release show

With his wife spearheading the foodie side of the Cookie, Tinny saw his opportunity to bring “a bit” of music and comedy to the proceedings.

From beginning to host the occasional night in the cafe three years ago, the momentum grew until Tinny revamped their basement into a brand-new performance space which opened in January.

from Goodfellas, or the secret (and incredibly intimate) show from Trail of Dead, Codex Leicester and Maybeshewill.

Upcoming gigs include James Blackshaw, Boat to Row, Ruarri Joseph and Pete Roe - plus there’s a new Tuesday club night, Baby Lemonade, with live acts thrown in.

“I would certainly hope that our venue offers all musicians, be they local or touring, a great space to perform,” says Tinny.

“I wouldn’t say we offer anything more or less than other

disjointed at present and doesn’t seem to know how to

bag of feelings,” Tinny says, “I was scared that it might not

venues in the city, as all venues offer something different and

preserve itself.”

succeed, I was relieved that we actually got the job finished

appeal to different markets. I would say however that it is

on time and proud that we had created a multi-functional

great to be involved with so much that this city has to offer.”

“I suppose opening The Cookie Jar gave me a mixed

venue that was able to accommodate everything from theatre, through film, comedy, music and private parties.”

Part of the pressure came from a commitment to sell a large number of tickets as part of Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival - but it turns out Tinny needn’t have worried.

Having scored their third win as the best venue for the

Tinny is enthusiastic about the potential of the local music scene, and believes the work of promoters such as Arts in Leicestershire and OffBeat do a lot of good championing acts - but still has a few concerns for its future: “We have a vibrant local scene in Leicester, yet somehow

And he’s helping the cause, rising to the challenge of finding regular support slots and even launching the Cookie’s own “glorified listings magazine” (fittingly called Extra Shot!) to help promote the acts their supporting.

So what’s the 5 year plan? “To try to get organised!” If Tinny’s got this far without writing a check-list, the future’s bright for the Cookie.

it hasn’t quite caught light. Of course, there are certain local

annual festival in 2012, they are now regularly approached by

acts that will always be in demand and will do very well as

national promoters looking to bring their acts to the city.

a consequence, but it seems that the scene is a little too

Wo r d s b y Be c c a Br y e r s

A F U L L C I R C L E F O R F L AT F I V E programme called ‘First Time Around’ reviewing new jazz releases and was famous for never being a harsh critic.

The story continues through his three sons, Adrian,

creative talent.

Still in the first year of its revival and keeping the family connection, Dan has enlisted his musical brothers to kick

Simon, Matthew. The sons were “taught like sheepdogs on

things off, signing both Kenworthy and The Cream Tangerines

the lead” by Mick and Adrian and Simon regularly played the

featuring many Potts’ family members along with old friends

interval at Mick’s Club on a Sunday night in the 70s. With

who are practically family. With a love of jazz and keeping it as

Adrian on bass aged 15, Simon on Drums aged 11, Mick

the cornerstone of the label, often referred to as the Flat Five

would perform 15 minute versions of Perdido or Satin Doll on

family, they sight modern day aspirations to be something

a beat up piano.

between Brushfire and Communion Records, with a hint of In

Eldest son Adrian founded Flat Five Records in 1996 in partnership with Italian industrialist Alfredo Botto-Paola and

The Woods Festival thrown in.

In the first year the label has teamed up with DemonFM

gin & tonic specialist Marco Aragnetti (inspiring Stekpanna’s

to host a stage for Oxjam, partnered up with The Orange Tree

f you are a follower of the local scene, and I dare to say

composition Alfredo and The Mayor). Enlisting the help of

Group and host a monthly night at The O Bar, released an

by reading this paper you might be, you will have no

brother Simon as A&R with his not-so-little black book of

EP with Kenworthy and signed a management deal to some

doubt come across the name Flat Five Records. They

musician contacts they embarked on signing new, original

of the industy’s leading and most experienced figures. They

seem to put on show after show in some of Leicester’s

music and not just the normal regurgitation of the old

have released a single with The Cream Tangerines and have

best venues, in addition to having local Wunderkind Jack

standards (‘tho’ we love the old standards’ they cry)

an EP release scheduled in for 21st December. They have

I

Kenworthy and his band in their roster. What you may not know however is that the label has roots all the way back to the 50s, with trumpeter Mick Potts, the grandfather of the

The labels first signing was the Anglo-Scandinavian modern jazz trio Stekpanna.

Four albums followed including 2 Top 10 Jazz FM albums,

also been keen on sticking with the Leicester scene having both bands play in Leicester Fringe Festival, Oxjam Leicester and Kenworthy play at Summer Sundae Festival. Having run

label’s current head honcho Dan Potts, having a musical

highly acclaimed Live performances all over Europe including

out of family members and working closely with the likes of

history like no other.

headlining at London’s Festival Hall with special guests

Humble He, Jakarta Club, Joe Mac and Leo Stannard the

including Andy Sheppard, Steve Waterman, Ed Jones.

label are keen to develop their roster further, money and time

Mick lead The Gateway Jazz Band for 40 years and in that time they built their own jazz club, recorded LP’s

Fast forward to the 21st Century, Dan, the third generation

permitting!.

and collaborated with large personalities including Wild

Potts has revived the label and is riding the music business

Bill Davison, leader of Al Capone’s in-house band during

wave this time with a distinctly pop edge but still an absolute

their Flat Five Friday night once a month at The O Bar or by

prohibition. He also wrote and presented his own BBC Radio

belief in the bedrock of musicianship and the focus on original

checking them out online at www.flatfiverecords.com

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

You can see what they get up to by popping down to

19

T E N T H O U S A N D E M A I L S L AT E R . . .

THE PERILS OF POSTERING (OR HOW LEICESTER LEARNT TO MARGINALISE IT’S ARTISTS AND AUDIENCE)*

I

usually start these columns

a license, for example**, but (to my knowledge) not a single

by boasting about whatever

independent live music venue in the city does. In fact they’re

ridiculous part of the world

actively encouraged not to apply.

i’m in at whatever point in time

If you’re one person, or even a small venue, putting on a

i’m writing it, but i’m just sat in my

show or perhaps having an art exhibition and you want to let

pants in an untidy little flat above

people know about it, think again. You are exactly the kind of

Firebug trying to find inspiration.

person this ill-thought out rule discriminates agains. Want to

Since the last column I’ve been

put up posters? Good luck. Quite rightly you can’t put them

galavanting around China and various European festivals with

up in the street, but because flyers are virtually useless and

Maybeshewill, which has been amazing, but i’m sure you

posters are the only physical way to advertise your event

have no desire to learn about the awesome noodles I had in

there is a constant clamor for the few good poster spots that

Beijing. Instead i’m going to talk about promoting music (well,

do exist in shops. Your lovingly screen printed artwork will

any sort of independent art event) in Leicester.

stay up for about 15 minutes.

You may not be aware of this, but it’s illegal to distribute

Now, this might be a wild idea, but why not issue licenses

Leicester’s strength is in it’s community of independent artists

any ‘free printed material’ (read: Flyers) in Leicester without

to anyone who wants one, but on the understanding that

and venues which work together, support each other and

a license. Seems like a great idea right? It cuts out the piles

anyone who creates litter or becomes a nuisance will have

create and show off brilliant music, comedy, art, theatre and

of litter on the streets outside the universities and in the

theirs revoked? Why not install advertising pillars for posters

spoken word every day of the fucking week, and it deserves

city centre, saves trees (well, ish, but thats another issue

like Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester or Bristol? I’m 100%

to be supported.

entirely) and stops people bothering you with leaflets for shit

positive that most venues would be happy to pay a sensible

*Thanks to Joe Williams for the subject and title of this

you’re not interested in when you’re out shopping for a new

fee to be able to display their posters prominently around the

column. He’s the co-writer and performer of the brilliant

leatherette waistcoat in Topshop.

city.

‘Shyness is Nice’, which YOU SHOULD GO AND WATCH IF

The problem with this rule is that you CAN get a

But Leicester loves big business, and big business

license, but it costs a shit tonne of money to even apply.

benefits from this legislation. Big business creates jobs, sure,

Consequently they inevitably go to the huge chain bars, clubs

but it also promotes a mass market culture which leaves a

and promoters who were the ones responsible for the piles of

city culturally barren in comparison. If all we end up with is

papier-mâché on the street in the first place. Walkabout has

Liquid and the O2 Academy, we will all be worse off for it.

YOU CAN. ** True as of 2011. This may not be the case any more.

John

INTRODUCING...

BABY TEETH T

he edgy, jarring lo-fi concoction produced by Baby

Teeth has been 13 years in the making, and is a product of close friendships, dabbling in and out of school boy

bands and a sheer desire to produce music. With influences ranging from 90s shoe-gaze to jazz and predominantly punk, the three-piece inject a positively crude yet crisp sound into the already eclectic music scene that Leicester boasts.

Together they write tastefully energetic tracks showcasing reams of talent, reining from a sentiment of “play loud and be heard”. Rhythms fluctuate between simple burnouts and bouts of delirium which shine true in their live shows - ones to listen out for are ‘Snakes’ and ‘Dead End’. Although maybe coming across as a noise with no purpose, lyricism plays a huge part in their music, mapping out complex meanings but simultaneously not taking anything too seriously.

Their views on the modern music industry stand that music “shouldn’t be compromised” at believing that “individualism should be maintained through thick and thin” after seeing acts remodel themselves in order to sell records. Strong thoughts and opinions reflected in their music show that the band have their heads screwed on, that they could possibly talk a critic down with ease and that they are simply here to entertain and have a good time. The Monograph salutes all three possibilities.

A promised string of gigs and an EP are on their way, keep up with the band at www.facebook.com/babyteethmusik

Wo r d s b y Ho l l y Be n f i e l d

Photo: Scott Choucino

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

21

THE MONOGRAPH GROUP

M o r e c o v e r a g e t h a n a n E s k i m o ’s p a r k a .

NE W S P A P E R As of August 2011 The Monograph became available as a quarterly, tabloid size, 32 page newspaper. With a circulation of 5,000, available for free in many locations in and around the city, it is truly the music magazine for Leicester and Leicestershire.

With advertising space kept to a minimum and every effort made to keep the advertising message relevant to it’s readers, The Monograph newspaper is a respected source for information for both it’s written content and advertising messages.

WEB S ITE Since it’s inception in April 2010 The Monograph website has rapidly grown into the leading online music publication for Leicester. Building a loyal following through uncompromising coverage of the music scene in the city, the site is a recognised source for music news and reviews. www.themonograph.co.uk is a content managed site that is updated daily with music news, interviews and reviews from our team of writers. Currently hitting over 17,000 unique visitors a month.

M O NO GR A P H . T V Monograph.TV launched in January 2012, an iPlayer style site offering video interviews, event highlights and exclusive sessions. Working in partnership with Enter the Treehouse, The Monograph has worked with the likes of Blood Red Shoes, The Young Knives, Newton Faulkner and Dutch Uncles, plus local names like Charlie and the Martyrs, Silent Devices, By the Rivers, The Screening, Dark Dark Horse and many more.

IPH ON E A PP The Monograph’s latest announcement is the launch of a brand new iOS app, which is available for free in the app store. Produced by Loughborough based Cuttlefish Multimedia, the iPhone app offers articles from the site, latest tweets from @themonograph, video streaming from Monograph.TV and even a new mobile Giguide, powered by the new Leicester Events Guide. Although the app is only available initially on the iOS platform, an Android version is planned for release in 2013.

M O N O G R A P H I MA G E S The newest addition to the group and very much the baby of the family, Monograph Images is our latest site and media platform. Maintained by our team of photographers and contributors, the site acts as a showcase for musicians, events and also the photographers themselves. Monograph Images also acts as a musical photographic archive for the city, to be used for reference and other press.

app • website • television • photography • newspaper

22

themonograph.co.uk/group T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MU SIC NEW S

LE PEW KID ON THE BLOCK A rmed with just a ukulele, a quiet, self-deprecating

You’ve listed Randy Newman and Paul Simon among your

manner and a clutch of simple yet cerebral songs

influences, who are so uncool they’re actually kind of

about love, regret and megalomaniacs, The Skunk-

cool. Are you aiming for their type of narrative lyrics and

Boy Project, AKA Melton lad Nate Swettenham, has quickly

melodic sound?

established himself as one of the most distinctive young

I do like them both but what I’m really aiming for is something

voices to have emerged on the Leicester scene, and has

new. When I first started writing music I got obsessed with

recently featured on BBC 6 Music. Alex Scoppie sits down

everything being so genre-specific and pigeon-holed by the

with the man himself...

media, and I just wanted to see if people wanted to hear something different. I try not to go down any one path, I want

First off, where does the name come from? Is it the

to do my own thing instead.

animal, or a reference to the type of super-strong Photo: FlashFlux Film & Photo

cannabis? Or do you just have personal hygiene issues?

It’s certainly hard to fit it in any bracket, but really the

Well, it’s the animal actually. A while back I dyed my hair black

word that I would use to describe your stuff is pop, good

and bleached a white stripe down the middle, just because

pop music, which you hardly find at all these days.

Though you’re from Leicestershire, you’re currently living

I was tired of the way I looked and wanted my own style.

Thanks. I can’t really label it, but I don’t mind that description

and studying in Cardiff, and you’re still playing gigs. How’s

Later I was ‘round at a friend’s house and his seven-year-old

really, if people find it catchy.

that working out?

Quite nice really, I like having lessons in the morning, a bit

sister was there, and when I left she waved and said “Bye bye Was picking up the ukulele a conscious decision by

of homework afterwards and then a gig at night, it’s a good

yourself to get away from a standard instrument and be

balance. I had three gigs in one week during Freshers’ Week

for myself as a performer, ‘cos I get so bored with songwriters

different?

which was intense but fun, all at The Full Moon, which is a

who just go by their own name. While I was wracking my

No, believe it or not it was convenience more than anything. I

great little venue. It’s a little quieter right now though and I feel

brains I kept coming back to the name Skunk-Boy, and it

wrote a lot on the piano initially but you can’t take that out and

don’t like I’m getting enough, I’m quite hungry for gigs!

seemed to fit.

about with you. The uke’ was easy to carry around while I was

Skunk-Boy.” A month went by and I was trying to come up with a name

I added the “Project” bit, partly as a reference to Cat Empire Project - one of my favourite bands - and partly because if it was dreadful and I got tired of it and wanted to change, I thought it would be

over at friends’ houses and soon I took it everywhere with me

How is the Cardiff music scene compared to Leicester’s?

so I could write on the move, I just got comfortable with it.

It’s great and there’s a lot going on, especially in terms of

I’d be playing it while out round the local council estate

acoustic music, but you kind of need to break into a circle

and people would shout “Ukulele Boy!” so I realised it was a

here. I’ve played about 50% of my gigs in Leicester and I

little out of the ordinary, but I’m fine with that.

really enjoy playing there. I have to say there’s a lot more

easier to abandon it

communication going on between bands, organisers and so

and come up with

on back in Leicester compared to where I am at the moment.

something else. So

Everyone’s a bit more welcoming in Leicester.

far though, it’s just As well as all the gigs and the EP, you’ve also been getting

sort of stuck.

a bit of air-time, with the likes of the BBC’s Dean Jackson championing you...

Yeah, me and Dean, we’re like this (laughs). Nah, I was lucky to get that support, that was amazing. I’ve been on Cardiff’s local station since then as well. I was recently part of 6Music’s Fresh On The Net and Tom Robinson’s going to put me on his mixtape as well, so yeah, I’ve been pretty lucky in that regard!

Seems like a lot of interest - would you be OK with being the next Jake Bugg?

Um, I don’t know who that is! Sorry, I’m really bad at keeping up with stuff in music, I’m just too disorganised! I’m just trying to play as many gigs as possible and talk to people afterwards, and if people like it, then great.

When can we expect you back in Leicester then?

I’ll definitely be around at Christmas but there’s nothing concrete just yet. Watch this space...

The Skunk Boy Project EP is out now, read our full review on page 26.

Wo r d s b y A l e x S c o p p i e

Photo: Scott Choucino

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

23

W E B RING Y O U T H E B E S T G I G S , E P S A N D A LBU M S I N . . .

THE SOUNDCHECK

R E A D M O R E AT W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K Ar t T hemen Liv e @ Th e C ooki e Ja r 18/10/12

R e v iews Ed itor : Jack Ri char dson An all round lover of music, Jack is known for listening to everything from indie to jazz,

W

rap to reggae and hip-hop to math-rock.

ith an impish glint in his eye, diminutive saxophonist supremo Art Themen nods to his supporting trio, and sets the busy, blistering

pace of the evening.

This 72-year-old jazz veteran has been a familiar face on

Jo n n y P re cious - Her e Co m e T h e Lions EP

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the national circuit for decades, performing with little known names like Chuck Berry and Mick Jagger, and his mastery of both the tenor sax and the clarinet is immediately obvious

eginning with a bubbling

from the frantic opener, ‘Dexter Gordon’s Cheesecake’.

of electronica, ‘Here Come The Lions’, the leading

track of the EP of the same name,

Darting from style to style, Art’s intricate improvised flows constantly veer away from their source melody, often sharply, without ever drifting into indulgence.

quickly builds to a complex hybrid of

One moment atonal, the next harmonious, sometimes

growling dub, reggae infused bass

syncopated, then suddenly more standard - this disciple of

lines, beat, and catchy pop elements

Sonny Rollins keeps the cosy basement setting on the tips of

himself – proves an equally accomplished drummer, keeping

its toes.

beats tight yet light to allow the others to express themselves,

with a sharp edge. ‘Steeling From JJB’ continues with the ska/reggae bounce as J Kenna takes over vocal duties from

His three local accomplices - Nick Haslam on drums, Neil

then branching out for meandering yet measured solos.

Mickey Shine (Happy Mondays). It’s the catchiest of the EP’s

Hunter on keyboard and John Porter on bass – are given a

three songs, as it takes a near-horizontal level of laid back.

workout by his demanding standards, but one never feels

springy waltz ‘Hey There’, while guest baritone sax Richard

‘Bail Me Out’, however, corrects the balance with a Rolling

they’re not up to the task, each musician eagerly rising to the

Everritt gives a deep, sinuous groove to Irving Berlin’s ‘They

Stones-meets-The Doors sound that shows Kenna’s voice

occasion.

Say It’s Wonderful’.

taking on a gritty, cathartic edge.

Porter mouths to himself as his hands danced about the

The rootsy hybridity of Jonny Precious’ sound creates

Guest drummer John Runcie provides heavier rhythms on

But Themen is clearly the master at work tonight

neck of his bullfiddle, picking out unchy bass patterns, while

- beguiling, riveting, and daring, all with the easy and

aunique yet authentic sound that gives an accessibility to the

Hunter, head-bowed, builds up teetering towers of chord

affectionate air of someone who clearly loves what he does

diverse genres within roots.

progressions to cushion Themen’s extravagant wanderings.

as much as people love listening to him doing it.

Words by Jack Richardson

Underpinning them, Haslam – normally found on tenor sax

Words by Alex Scoppie

G ri zzl y Bea r - Shiel ds

I

n the three years since the release of ‘Veckatimest’ the

however, are far less

world has been hanging on every tweet from Grizzly

abundant.

Sisterland - Certain Ta s t e / B e t w e e n U s

became a mere fervent thought, expectations have been high

releases, Shields resides

and patience limited. Grizzly Bear have always been a band

happily in the melancholic

S

prone to hazy, catchy, and awkwardly sad-yet-happy songs,

ranges of restraint,

now, thankfully, you losers who don’t

and Shields is no exception, but there is a maturity here

which gives the album a

owner a stereo can whack these two

surpassing the catchiest of tracks like ‘Two Weeks’, ‘Ready,

reclusive sound that suits

monster tracks on yer iPod.

Able’, and ‘On a Neck, On a Spit’.

the bands wonderfully

Bear pertaining to a new album. The moment ‘Shields’

Immediately opener ‘Sleeping Ute’, a song that strangely

Similarly to previous

isterland have knocked a few releases out over the past year or so on commercially viable

formats like cassette and 7” vinyl, but

‘Certain Taste’ takes no prisoners as its immediate fuzzy

awkwardly and obscure

bass intro adds a cute, twangy indie riff that hasn’t been

wouldn’t sound out of place on The Black Keys’ Danger

ways, but the more mature sound makes this reclusion seem

seen around these parts since the first ‘Jamie Says’ album.

Mouse-produced ‘Attack and Release’, reveals a subtle

desired rather than imposed. Only occasionally does it build

Thus begins a three and half minute master class in how to

change in tone in singer Edward Droste’s voice. Compared

itself up to a more emotive moment –but as brilliant as the

blast out a blissed-out, yearning piece of lo-fi pop music. The

to previous releases it’s less fragile in the higher register and

fleeting moments of simple catharsis in previous albums

chorus kicks in with an unashamedly grungy blam-a-thon,

warmer and more powerful in the lower register - ‘Sun in Your

were, their lack does nothing to remove from Shields’ power.

whilst the drums keep a simple metronomic beat. Lesson to

Eyes’, with its off-kilter jaunt, shows his voice at full power.

Whilst the maturity and diversity between songs places it on

be learnt: sometimes less is more.

Each songs has the expected rhythmic consistency for

the same plateau as Veckatimest and Yellow House, Shields

Over on the... erm... flipside, ‘Between Us’ gives it some

Grizzly Bear, characterised by a softly animated, percussive

is a step along the same path at a different angle, which

Ramones-y, three-chord wonderisms,and is basically a

backbone and a jaunty, straight tempo that allows the band

seems to add to the bands’ accessibility whilst sacrificing a

two-minute chorus, and it’s all the better for it. That bit in the

to make intensity ebb and flow brilliantly without drawing

small but noticeable part of the force behind their style – their

middle that sounds like it’s nicked from Nirvana’s version of

attention directly to it. The moments of true, jaw-dropping

vulnerability.

‘Mollys Lips’? That’s what pins this sucker together!

intensity that enhanced tracks like On a Neck, On a Spit,

Words by Jack Richardson

Words by Glyn Allen

24

T H E S O U N D C H E C K LEICESTER MUSIC REV IEW S

Ta l l S h ip s - E ver y thing To uc hing

C

ombining a mixture of the

are a triumph of natural selection; every mutation leading to

subjects you probably hated

your perfection”), whilst ‘Gallop’ deals begrudgingly with the

most at school - biology,

aimless inevitability of ageing (“Everything is changing. You

Li ttle N i g ht Te rrors - You ng Li on

S

wirling out of a simple synth melody, ‘Young Lion’, the newest single by Leicester

pop rockers Little Night Terrors, is

evolution and algebra - with a

still feel the same and before you know, you’re getting old

passionate, intellectual, and clever

and you’re losing touch”).There is a diversity and individuality

a hook laden shuffle of a song that

style of song writing, the song titles

amongst songs, as if each is its own mutation. T=0,‘Best

combines pop sensibilities with the

on ‘Everything Touching’ alone are

Ever’ and Books build upon the typical math-rock vein;

raw edge of indie rock.

The propulsive drums and excitable bass create the

as interesting as they appear bewildering.‘T=0’, ‘Ode To

Ode To Ancestors and Murmurations build gradually and

Ancestors’, ‘Phosphorescence’, ‘Books’, ‘Murmurations’: this

climactically; ‘Idolatry’ and ‘Send News’ move slower, taking

backbone to Andrew Stone’s jangling guitar and testosterone-

obviously isn’t your standard math-driven, indie-infused rock

on an air of ethereality through the sweeping synthesizers and

fuelled vocals that guide the song through its love/love lost

band. But as bewildering as all of this might appear, what

angelic falsetto. Strangely relatable and accessible, Everything

scenario.

lays beyond is approachable and uniquely charming in its

Touching is an album that uses its head to create something

The simple but emotive chorus provides a high point in

scientific ways.

unique and lovable out amongst the throngs of Math-Rock-

the song, whilst the airy synthesizers floating amongst the mix

ish music out there and, perhaps somewhat fittingly, it’ll be

give the song subtle depth. At just under four minutes this is

is simply ‘life’: Ode To Ancestors, an evolutionary journey

stuck your skull for weeks.

pop-rock as it should be: emotive, honest, and enjoyable.

through genetic mutations, is at its heart still a love song (“You

Words by Jack Richardson

Words by Jack Richardson

For all things scientific on this album the connection

S p e a k i n g I n I talics A c c ep t / Abor t

S

peaking In Italics are a welcome addition to Leicester’s (post)

T he xx - Co exist

T

he whole world remembers what The xx do best

beats, steel pans and swarming

– producing echoing musical arcs with beautiful

electronic buzz. His influence is

liminal spaces beneath. Those spaces are cleverly

felt most on ‘Chained’ and ‘Swept

surrounded by guitar, bass, percussion, and unforgettable

Away’ in particular, which is pushed

more melodic and tuneful aspects of the

boy/girl smoky vocals, which together form a deeply

along at a steady lick by propulsive

genre which, strangely, flies in the face

affecting yet ultimately nebulous whole. Their debut album

beats and has a delicious dubstep

of the rather melancholic lyrics featured

xx filled a place in our ears and hearts that we did not know

feel that recreates the warehouse

in ‘Accept/Abort’.

existed and was certainly the noirish soundtrack to indie

we’ve all stumbled out of at 6am when dawn still feels hours

sexy-time.

away. There are the same moments of climax that made The

hardcore scene, highlighting the

At nearly six minutes, the track has several peaks and troughs of tempo and intensity throughout, but is at no

‘Coexist’ has picked up where the London trio left off, as

xx’s first album such good trailer music, only this time with

point either boring or overbearing. During the lighter points

opener ‘Angels’ melts out of the speakers – Romy’s honey-

of the song, the ethereal guitar work reminded me of the

like voice bleeds with heartbreak and loss. The lovelorn

added electronic spirals.

previously reviewed German shoegaze band DIN Martin, but

theme continues throughout this LP, the sparse lyrics hint

infectious build as taught guitar strings rise to a crescendo

differentiate themselves with a sharp injection of energy and

at misunderstandings, insurmountable distance and the

before floating us down gently back to a base of sharp

noise.

On ‘Missing’, the potential hit of the album, there is an

letting go of those you’ve loved. This is packaged in the

beats. Perhaps the only drawback of this masterpiece

Keeping in mind this is not a genre I naturally lean

familiar, ascetic style that suits The xx and is sure to satisfy

in minimalism is the length of the tracks. Ever quicker to

towards, the strong community and regular examples of

those who adored their debut. That’s not to imply that The

evaporate into the atmosphere, they leave you longing for

interesting music coming out of the local hardcore scene is

xx haven’t innovated since their last release, as it’s clear the

more - maybe indie kids will need a slightly longer long-

definitely making me more receptive towards it!

electronic explosion of the last few years has made a mark.

player to be the background music to their bedroom hijinks.

Jamie Smith’s provides a magic touch with snickety

Words by Jason Boomer

I L i k e Tra ins & Her Nam e is Cal l a Liv e @ The G u i l d h a l l - 19/ 10/12

B

illed as one of a

in uniform black, they open with the insistent, pulsing, rhythmic

recent series of

‘Beacons’ - the leading track from their new EP. This is far more

‘pop-up’ shows

reminiscent of Krautrock than the post-rock sounds of some

Words by Lindsey Kent

Mama Rosin & Dean Shar man Live @ The Musician - 15/10/12

away from the usual gig

of their earlier material,and this sets the tone for the first half of

venues (along with the

their set. Dave Martin’s rich voice is on fine form and, possible

forthcoming cathedral

due to the more minimal setting, veers more towards Ian Curtis

W

appearance from

than the Andrew Eldritch of yore.

distributed, and the

Japanese instrumental

The mid-set power cut does nothing to dampen the

ith the lights low, the

circular tables evenly atmosphere friendly

band Mono in December), this has been one of the most

enthusiasm of the band or their audience. The band are

and calm, The Musician

eagerly anticipated gigs in Leicester in recent months. Though

clearly enjoying themselves and their surroundings, and

oddly resembles that

a more familiar setting for weddings, the Guildhall is well suited

refer to the recent news surrounding the alleged discovery of

of a smokey Juke Joint

as a gig venue: intimate without being cramped, this medieval

Richard III. One can’t help but think that his story would make

without the smoke.

setting lends itself well to the sounds of both bands, and the

a great subject for one of their songs, given their propensity to

history of the building complements tonight’s music perfectly.

draw inspiration from history’s tragedies and failures.

Kicking the evening off are Her Name is Calla. The

Continuing the historical theme, old favourite ‘Terra Nova’ is

The connections here are not a coincidence however as the evenings’ two acts – Mama Rosin (with a french accent but actually from Switzerland) and Dean Sharman – encapsulate the jazz and blues spectrums fully.

homecoming kings, Thom Corah and Michael Love, receive

greeted with a huge cheer from the audience, some who have

a rapturous welcome back to the band for this one-off

come from as far afield as the Netherlands. A song telling the

performance and as the show gets underway it feels like they

tale of Captain Scott’s doomed expedition to the South Pole

to be far outside the realms of ‘normality’ is the stage itself:

never left. Everything just falls into place as the band just

shouldn’t sound so rousing, but it (almost) raises the roof. After

an assortment of guitars, banjo, violin, three melodeons

soar, especially on the climactic ‘New England’. Though in

temporarily leaving the stage, they return for an encore with a

(a small Louisiana-style accordion), a large triangle, and a

supporting capacity, the Leicester/Leeds/York band’s set feels

tale from the past, the brooding, slightly menacing ‘Spencer

strange suit-of-armour looking thing that’s apparently called

like a headline show.

Perceval’, which tops of the night brilliantly.

a ‘frottoir’ – a wearable washboard to you and me.

Words by Rebecca Lunn

Words by Jack Richardson

This however, does no disservice to I Like Trains. Dressed

SU B MIT@THEMONOG RA PH.CO.UK

Perhaps the first giveaway that tonight’s music is going

25

Skunk-Boy Project - The Skunk-Boy Project

B

reathless, bouncy and

No sooner has that finished than the funky handclap love-letter, ‘Just A Friend’, whirls into view and captures

SBP could restore faith amongst the

your ears, brain and heart. Melody and rhythm are perfectly

most jaded of cynics in the lost art of

matched,with cheeky vocals delivered clearly and sincerely.

the intelligent pop song.

young Skunk-Boy raps at breakneck pace over a stuttering

and RnB into something that doesn’t really resemble any of

ukulele and somehow makes it sound natural and

them is a skill in itself, but tossing in wry lyrics and fiendishly

compelling instead of messily contrived.

hummable tunes into the mix is, quite frankly, taking the piss.

The opener, ‘Fourth On My List Of Lovable Evil

With tear-jerking piano ballad sucker-punch, ‘I’ve Got To Get You Out Of My Head’, the EP rounds off as one of the

Dictators’, is a goofy beach party record with a rubberised

most remarkably assured and accomplished solo debuts

bass line, cheekily detracting from its true intent - character

you’re likely to hear this year.

assassination of an ex, complete with comparisons to Stalin

Words by Alex Scoppie

Nancy Dawkins - Poison / It Seems I’m Falling

aving never really give Raptusound a proper listen, when Jack’s list did the

rounds on what was up for review, I jumped at the chance to review their debut EP ‘From my Hands’. I am

Then, on the brief but brilliant ‘I Do It For Your Love’,

Splicing strands of hip hop, indie,

P

H

and Hitler.

catchier than chlamydia, this first effort from Melton’s

Raptusound - From My Hands

please to say this Errors tinged the lads makes for good listening. Starter ‘Alibi’ is great start and really shows of Christopher Brown’s vocals. ‘Wasted’ starts much the same and is an indie classic, with clear connections back to music from the early 2000s. ‘Always Ready’ I think just lacks pace but again showcases Brown’s vocals. ‘Truth Not Fashion’ has a great intro and ends the whole EP perfectly.

Words by Jon Dodd

Errors – New Relics

courtesy of teen songstress Nancy

I

Dawkins and her entrancing finger-

description in the programme (“post rock you can dance to”)

thing of utter loveliness; lush, warm

and subsequently ended up dancing and grinning like an

layers to get you through the dark

idiot. As anyone who has seen them live will know, their music

nights. This segues into final track

is energetic and joyous without ever being stupid, however

‘Pegasus’ which is a song of two

‘New Relics’, a mini-album, following ‘Have Some Faith In

halves; the first being not dissimilar to Lush circa Desire Lines,

Magic’ earlier this year, is a more laid-back affair.

building up eventually to an altogether more staccato, dancier

oison/It Seems Like I’m Falling continues with the sweet moments of misery

plucked lullabies. A-side ‘Poison’ is creepily insistent as it meanders along with a strutting swing in its step, gathering speed through a dour chorus, but at two and a half minutes long, it seems as if it’s in a hurry to get to the B-side, which is understandable as ‘It Seems I’m Falling’ is a far better song. Its hypnotic arpeggio lead the listener into a gentle lull while Dawkins’ selfdoubts and hang-ups tumble from her lips.

As on her debut, ‘Smoke’, it’s her voice that impresses the most, switching from confessional murmur to plaintiff howl in the blink of an eye, and pulling off the impressive trick of making her sound both vulnerable and dangerous.

first had the joy of hearing Glasgow’s Errors back at

synths and drum machines, though

Latitude in 2008. Bored by the band I was watching

thankfully it’s devoid of the excesses

(who shall remain nameless), I became intrigued by their

of that decade. ‘White Infinity’ is a

Spanning eight songs in little over 30 minutes, it never drags. Things kick off gently with the pulsating ‘Engine

All in all this is a great record which is all the more

Homes’ before Errors take it up a notch with ‘Ammaboa

rewarding with every listen. If you’re not familiar with Errors

Glass’, which occupies territory halfway between These

(and to my shame, I’ve somehow never got round to owning

New Puritans and Alt-J (∆). Third song ‘Relics’ sounds like it

any of their stuff before,despite having seen them play several

wouldn’t be out of place on I Break Horses’ beautiful debut

times), then New Relics is a damn good place to start. Easily

Hearts, or the Cocteau Twins relocated to 90s Bristol.

one of this year’s best releases.

There’s a definite whiff of the 80s in the abundance of

Words by Alex Scoppie

Uncle Frank - Irresistible Me

Y

affair.

ou might expect the

this whole effort, you can hear the tongue is firmly in cheek.

drummer from the Fun

Franks voice handles fast paces lyric spitting and suits it just

Lovin’ Criminals lead

as much as it does smooth soul. Its the shortest track of the

Words by Rebecca Lunn

Sucioperro, Make Sparks, and Kill Chaos Live @ The Sound House - 17/10/12

effort to be a chaortic drum lead

EP which is good, as in a quick burst it brings back the light

animal of a record, but ‘Irresistable

hearted element at the end, but any more and it might have

Me’, the first release from the lads

had the danger of making us forget some of the more serious

R

in nearly five years, is something

parts to what we have just listened to.

your ears? Kill Chaos certainly

special, unexpected, and undeniably Frank.

Overall it’s unapologetic, persuasive and broad, and you

Opens with ‘Irresitable Me’, which is a catchy poppy

emember that brief period in Brit rock history when Feeder weren’t an

embarrassment to themselves/ do, and nail it home with a gleeful

can’t help but love it. Niam and Frank called me and said

set full of massive choruses, riffs,

classic which sounds like a mash up of the good life, 80s feel

wanted to send it to us for review and also called when they

pounding drums, and fuzzed up

good and that unique blend that Niam and Frank bring to

were sending it, clearly excited and simply keen for people to

bass.

every recording they do.

hear it. They may be the most hotly tipped act in the city at

‘Desperate Town’ brings a more serious note and is a contrast from Irresitable Me, it has a heart felt mnemonic cry that seems geniune and based on truth. Also enjoying

Make Sparks are a much (s)

the moment and despite the attention they haven’t let it go to

lighter proposition, but are really

their heads.

damn fine: like a cuter, more accessible Biffy... but not as

A note must also be made about the artwork for this

shite as that sounds. This is a bouncy, joyful set of bloody

the bass of Franks voice, Barry White. The slight reprise

confident and heady EP, as the image was born from The

good tunes that should see them being labelled as “the next

alone is worth it all, the etheral vocals and repetitive nature

Monograph Issue#03 front cover by Amy Brammall, an image

big thing” anytime soon.

is something heard before on brother Darryls These Furrows

which still crops up everywhere from shop windows to even

It doesn’t look good to start with for Sucioperro as they

work, and never fails to delight me. Wouldn’t be surprised if

the Leicester Mercury, a fact all of us here are very proud of.

seem to have found a bouncy, shouty bloke on percussion

the backing is provided by brother Darryl himself.

Frank and Naim recently launched the EP at The Guildhall,

We then again are whipped across the music spectrum to

who on first impressions is a weird cross between Penny

in an evening of free champagne and donuts, even taking the

from The Automatic and a screamo version of Jesus and

a more soulful and funk tinged number, with an outstanding

time out of the set to give The Monograph a sout out. For an

Mary Chain-era Bobby Gillespie, but he dives into the front

Hollywood movie opening that grabs you by the handle and

In Pictures report, head over to www.themonograph.co.uk

row with a megaphone and sets the tone for the intensity.

pulls you close. The Parliment Funkadelic guitar licks and

Overall this is a fantastic EP and, with some rather

Sucioperro make downtuned, bleak, arty music but it

choir chorus make is both a song to walk down the street and

natty cover art, makes for a well rounded product. The only

never shirks away from a chorus just to be wilfully obscure,

make love to (not at the same time though).

confusing this is why the name Uncle Frank? Confusing for

and that’s to be applauded as deep down - despite all the

the fact they are clearly the Daddy.

brutal riffs - beats a pop music heart.

Words by Jon Dodd

Words by Glyn Allen

Dubiously named ‘Poonani’ brings the urban element to this every changing record, and as will other lyrical parts to

26

T H E S O U N D C H E C K LEICESTER MUSIC REV IEW S

Crusades - Golden Throats

C

The Lovely Eggs Live @ The Sound House - 04/10/12

Tearing at the seams with blistering vocals and grooves, they

that Crusades are not just a run

G

will rip your mind apart.

of the mill hardcore band - they

this was a guaranteed success from

have substance and depth in their

the start - at least for them.

rusades is a name seldom heard on the UK

minutes become a symphony of

hardcore scene, but one that maybe should be

reverb drenched lead lines and

following the release of debut EP ‘Golden Throats’.

pulsing, hypnotic drums, showing

Sat somewhere between the frenetic technicality of Fall

iven the ever-ascending star of Holly and Dave, aka The Lovely Eggs, and the calibre

of their prior live shows in Leicester,

of Troy and the brain invading catchiness of Blood Brothers,

writing too. Finally, closing track

Crusades are a breath of fresh air.

‘Landlocked Abysmal’ jumps back into the chaos with

old friends by the near full pub, and as they pitch into recent

everything Crusades have to offer.

semi-hit ‘Allergies’, followed by the exasperated rant of

Powerfully captivating and well-composed, Golden Throats harks back to the good old days of post-hardcore, and really lives up to the tag line the genre carries.

Opener ‘Pseudo Andro’ immediately steps up to the

When The Eggs clamber on stage they’re welcomed like

While this record oozes prowess, the more technical sections - which run for some time in places - may work

‘People Are Twats’. A collective grin settles on the crowd - this is dumb, fun music done cleverly and seriously.

to alienate those less familiar with their style. However, for

During closing number, ‘Don’t Look At Me (I Don’t Like

plate and hits the listener with a fistful of melody, dancing

listeners who enjoy a challenge, this record is an absolute

It)’, a pack of sausage rolls is passed around the audience,

across a constantly shifting groove. Just when you think

gold mine.

and brandished at the pair at the line “Look at ‘im with ‘is

you’ve figured them out, ‘Hipster Surgery’ throws out

From an objective point of view, Golden Throats is a

sausage roll thumb!”. Apparently this happens at a lot of their

another serving of frantic madness. This theme continues for

cracking first outing. What it lacks in accessibility, it makes

gigs now, to the chagrin of Holly and Dave, both of whom are

almost the entire record as they lob riff after riff right in your

up for in raw power. Which is refreshing in a scene of snap-

vegetarians. They promise to return in November with a new

face until the serenity of ‘I Heard They Cured Cancer’,offers

back wearing, beat-down loving hardcore bands.

LP, so catch them when they do.

some much needed respite. The next two and a half

Words by Liam Sexton

Words by Alex Scoppie

Bloc Party - Four

A

Mia and the Moon - Kaleidoscopes

with it’s interwoven, street savvy

P

with it’s unique blend of vocals and

which makes it charming for me. I used to be one of these

sound, and hook-laden chart

melodies and with two pretty girls

people, turning my nose up if it had any chart viability or

toppers, Bloc Party’s gradual

singing about snow and sunshine,

mainstream appeal, but then I grew up a bit.

fter arriving so casually to the national scene in 2005 with ‘Silent Alarm’,

move toward a more complex,

op. It’s undeniable what this

‘Snow’ is the stand out track, not just of the record, but

EP is, but if you embrace it,

of my iTunes. Some people may call it cheesy, some hipsters

it will make you fall in love

may critique the naivety of the lyrics, but eff them, it’s all that

it will ease a smile onto your face.

‘The Sunshine Song’ (yes, it is really called that) throws

electronically focused sound was as pioneering - in the

With cover artwork that would look more suited to a battered

me a bit at the start and I don’t know where I am with it, but

world of pop - as it was alienating, but after three years on

vinyl collection than iTunes store, it’s clear this is an EP rooted

as soon as those recognisable harmonies come in, I realise I

hiatus this more seems firmly in the past.

in classic ballads and structures, even before listening. One

am on solid ground. It’s a more mature number than the title

might also be forgiven for thinking this would be earth, hippy

might suggest, but still brings the fun element to the whole

a raw but intrinsically catchy sound that retains a sense of

‘Four’ is a powerful pedigree, stripped back to expose

and slow sideways closed eyes head swaying. You would

affair which I think has been lacking a tad up to this point.

Bloc Party-ness whilst showing an expansion in influence

be forgiven because it is all of the above, but done well,

Unexpectly, some rap courtesy of Calvin Jeffrey features

and energy.

effortlessly and is so much more to boot.

halfway through, which seems to work, despite the stark

For a Bloc Party fan there is much to enjoy in the

Title track ‘Kaleidoscopes’ is a Wonderful Tonight/

contrast.

diversity of styles throughout the album, and for people who

Candle in the Wind/Tears in Heaven-esque, key descending,

tend to enjoy heavier strains of rock there is definitely stuff

acoustic, warm blanket of an opener and sets the mood

favourite of the four, not to say I don’t like it, but at this point

here that will appeal, but Bloc Party have always been a

perfectly. Sound bytes of crowds and chatter gives it

all I am really clamouring for is to go back to track two,

‘Marmite’ band - either loved or hated. Maybe Four can tip

intrigue and mystery, is a delicate wisp of music fog, which

Snow. Another rapper is featured this time, namely Hinckley

the balance.

is brought to the fore when the strings kick in, really giving a

based Dtatz, who again brings a fresh aspect to the track.

Words by Jack Richardson

fullly produced feel to this track.

Words by Jon Dodd

B u f f a l o - We a r e B u f f a l o

F

rom the ashes of Leicester favourites Haich, comes

throughout the record, resulting

Buffalo, and the aptly named debut release ‘We Are

in some sections not giving the

Buffalo’. Equal parts melodic and powerful, WAB is a

‘punch’ they really could.

veritable first outing.

The most noticeable element

Last track ‘Wishing I knew You’ is probably least

D e a t h G r i p s - N o L o v e D e e p We b

N

o Love Deep Web, the much anticipated follow up to ‘The Money Stor’e from

brain-scrambling hip-hop heads Death Grips, was launched online recently

of this record is the copious use of

for free download/stream to huge

and the floating beauty of Incubus’ song writing, Buffalo

stereo field. The use of which helps

acclaim, and it’s easy to see why.

have a real talent for crafting eloquent songs filled with

to mould the three-piece into a

emotion. After the pumping entrance of ‘This Time I’ll Go’,

range much larger than they should be capable of filling. The

Love Deep Web is a hell of ride from start to finish. Nothing

straight up four to the floor ‘acoustic rock’ feel, track two

songs take on a bigger sound and feel richer for it. Having

throughout this record seems like it should fit together, or

‘Across The Sea’ turns things around and displays a soft

been mastered at the legendary Abbey Road studio, you

even be considered as a palatable composition, but the

entrancing, folksy side to the group, slowly building into a

would expect nothing less.

outcome offers more grooves than you can shake a (rhythm)

Sitting somewhere between the vocal ferocity of Reuben

furiously catchy sing-a-long which you can’t help but love.

If anything, We Are Buffalo is an incredibly enjoyable first

Indescribably complex, and a challenging listen No

stick at.

This record definitely isn’t for the half-hearted hip-hop

It’s hard to pinpoint any flaws within this debut release,

outing, and one that can be listened to again and again. A

but if there were a single fault to be found it would be the lack

few more steps in this direction, and they will certainly be

fan, but is certainly one that will delight those who enjoy

of variety where instrumentation is concerned. Unfortunately,

something worth shouting about.

something a little more against the grain.

the limitation of playing as a three-piece does show in places

Words by Liam Sexton

Words by Liam Sexton

GOT TRACKZ?

Why not let us know about your music, latest release, up coming gig or even who you think we should review. Email submit@themonograph.co.uk or head over to our new submission page on www.themonograph.co.uk/submit today!

SU B MIT@THEMONOG RA PH.CO.UK

27

Still for forthcoming video ‘Creatures’.

BAZ RANDALL IS...

A MAN ON THE INSIDE

L

ong before cutting their first demo, every aspiring musician dreams of making it in the music business. For some the search for the elusive ‘it’ is

a long and painful drawn out process. It is extremely rare in the cut throat world of the music industry, that sending out hundreds of demos will draw any positive feedback, in fact you could be considered very fortunate to get any feedback at all.

Over the coming issues I will be introducing you to some of the industries emerging managers, promoters, A&R and music lawyers, getting their insight into what it is that they are looking for and trying to dispel the myth that is known simply as ‘it’...

Let me introduce you to Peter Cornish-Barlow founder of www.sourmashmusic.com and director of one of the industries emerging management companies Artful Noise....

Pete, could you tell us a little bit about yourself and Artful Noise?

Well Artful Noise is essentially a management and artist development company. I have always wanted to be able to offer my experience and passion for this industry in some shape or form, and with this new company I now can. I hope it will eventually become simply a music company, being able to offer bands and artists most music services.

How would you describe your live show?

the UK almost relentlessly in recent years, notching up

Energetic, always sweaty and very loud! Just good fun all

support slots with bands like My Chemical Romance,

round, really. We always want the live show to be different

and 30 Seconds to Mars. They’re not quite yet a household

to record. We don’t want it to sound exactly like the CD.

name, but give them a year two and they surely will be. We

Some bands replicate it perfectly, but you need something

had the opportunity to sit down and catch up with Andy and

different live. We like to be a bit more your face. We’re not

Mark from the band on their recent tour with Tonight Alive to

sat in rehearsals like “right, on this bit, you come to me and

find out a little more about them…

headbang”. Some people say we’re heavier live, but that’s just

Hi guys, how are you both?

Something interesting, a band or singer/songwriter that goes against the grain just a little bit. I’m not even talking about acts that are way out there, just something that grabs my attention and makes me listen up.

How should bands/artists approach Artful Noise?

Come to me with gusto and passion! I want drive and for them to be able to show me they will work hard for what they want. It takes some time to get to a level that most acts want to reach, so don’t approach me halfheartedly.

How should bands and artists NOT approach Artful Noise?

As I said before, don’t approach me halfheartedly. Sell yourselves, you tell me why your band is great and I will most likely stand up and listen.

Not too bad, we’re a little hung-over after last nights show,

Where was the best show on this tour?

but all is well!

Paris was a favourite, ‘cause it was on a boat! And it was moving! That was bizarre, when the crowd came in you could

How would you describe your sound?

hear them upstairs above us. When you’re on stage that’s

It’s quite a big sound, for a three piece, a lot of vocals, nice

weird, one false move and you’re all over the guitar pedals!

big guitar sounds… A big melodic rock sound!

Birmingham was amazing. By far the hottest venue we’ve been in! When you’re sweating before you’re on stage, you

Has it been a struggle to get to this point?

Artful Noise roster?

Always looking, email demo@artfulnoise.co.uk if you have something you would like to submit.

Artful Noise latest signing is Essex four piece Eighteen Nightmares at the Lux, who have a sound that marries all that is great in rock and roll, they blend infectious melodies with driving bass lines and some off-thewall arrangements all of which have started to get the attention of the usual taste makers and bloggers.

ENATL live shows have been described as a “dirty and agitated cabaret melee” a sound the band describe as “fuzzabilly”. Now under the Artful Noise/Crown Talent banner, ENATL will be heading into 2013 as one of my

it’s really hard to get shit together, we’ve been together since

Are there any UK bands you would recommend?

2007, and we’re on our second album, if it was our choice it

A couple of great bands from our hometown in Derby,

would probably have been our fifth. We’ve got another one

particularly a band called Crushing Blows. They sound

on the go, but due to things out of our control like our label

hardcore, but they’re really not! They’re a two-piece edgy,

and so on, it won’t be out until next year. We’ve been lucky

pop/indie/noise band, and a band called crash of rhinos - who

in some aspects, by being invited on tours – we started out

are amazing. Two great bands from home, it’s cool to have

booking shows and tours ourselves. We’ve always loved the

bands who are that good that we’re real good friends with.

about the band.

Have you got quite a good scene back in Derby?

Yeah, venue wise it’s not great, there’s no middle size venue,

Would you say you have a strong DIY ethic then?

mainly just pubs and bars, there’s nothing in-between, but

We’ve always had a DIY ethic, almost like a punk thing. But

you’ve got the assembly rooms which is much bigger. There

to take it further, labels and agents have to come into it. As

are so many bands, but a few more venues would make it

long as you keep hold of what’s important, it won’t change

much better.

the music What has the rest of the year got in store for you?

What bands made you want to start playing music?

A few weeks off after this tour, then we’re off on tour for a

Steve is the songwriter and his favourite band is Queen, so

week in the UK with The Used and Evanescence, that’s going

I think that shows the songs, having like 200 vocal parts

to be a cool tour. We’re doing a Christmas headline show

on our tracks! Steve goes really extreme with stuff, no half

back home at the Assembly Rooms, which is our biggest

arsing it. Other than that, it was mainly music our dad’s

headline show to date. Other than that we’re just finishing off

would play us when we were growing up. Our favourite band

the rest of our demos for the next album. Oh, and we’re DJing

is Aerosmith, but we listen to a lot of punk and also some

at the Kerrang Club in London in December.

pop too, so we’re not purely into one genre. We don’t like to be snobby about music, just because we like Iron Maiden, doesn’t mean we can’t like an indie band - if we like a tune, then we like it.

28

know it’s going to be a good one.

Everyday is a struggle in a band! Any band has a struggle, as

work, we’re a really hard working band – everything we do is

Are you actively seeking new signings to add to the

Wo rd s b y Ba z R andall

L

ostAlone are a band who have been tearing across

how we play really.

What do you look for in potential a signing?

tips for success next year. Watch this space...

LOSTALONE

Wo r d s b y L i a m S e x t o n

T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MU SIC NEW S

SISTER ACT M

ia and the Moon, aka sisters Laura and Mary-

Do you find being related, when you are writing and

Anne Ratcliffe, seem to be everywhere of late,

recording you argue more or less because of this?

releasing EPs, doing spectacular visual shows

L: More! We argue over key, pitch, tone, lyrics, songs,

and even cropping up on X Factor. With an intentional early

arrangements, boys, costumes, getting up times...

departure from the ITV show, I managed to track down the

Mary-Anne: But it seems to work out OK, we’re such different

two siblings to hear about what it’s like to make music with

people and sometimes it’s better to be passionate about

your family, plans of the Christmas number one, and of

ideas to the point of being stubborn... I’m currently arguing

course, why they left THAT show...

with Laura over how to answer this question!

How and when did you and sister both realise you had a

People may recognise you from this year’s X Factor,

talent for music and you worked well together?

where you made it through to Bootcamp. What was that

Laura: We used to go to big bluegrass festivals with our

experience like?

parents, who are also performers, when we were small and

L: Amazing at first. We got star treatment and were

started going to the jams and working out arrangements

recognised in the corridor by Louis Walsh. By the end

together as children. We didn’t stop practising all the way

of Bootcamp at X Factor it wasn’t fun anymore and they

through primary, and high school. We went our separate

were staging everything before our eyes - it felt so wrong

ways after college for a few years and have now come back

to continue so we bolted. I think in the long run it will do

together as a professional band.

us better as now we are going to race them to Christmas

Photo: Scott Choucino

number one with support from the likes of John Morter, the guy who set up ‘Rage against the X Factor’ back in 2009, so get downloading ‘Snow’ people!

Was leaving hard decision?

MA: Really hard! We made several phone calls to our mum talking it over, but it was crunch time when the producers

“ B y the end of B ootca mp a t X Fa ctor it wa sn’t fun a nymor e, they wer e sta g ing ev er ything b efor e our eyes.”

started to usher us on stage for the results, by which time, we had all our luggage with us...

L: ...and were getting a few weird looks!

You new single Snow is a belting song and obviously apt for this time of year, is this partly a secret plot to vie for the number one spot and take it off the X Factor winner?

MA: Absolutely, it’s an original song for starters, and whatever comes out of X Factor is bound to be some cheesy rip-off, so we just hope people latch on to what we’re doing and like it.

IN PICTURES:

D O G I S D E A D P L AY H M V L E I C E S T E R

W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K

29

Photos: Scott Choucino

CROSSWORD ACROSS 3) Part of a bath - venue. (4) 6) Loughborough street with swapped vowel - local band. (7-4) 7) Microorgganism with recent UK number one. (4-4) 8) Famous hit (man’s name) from folk/punk musician who played Summer Sundae (7) 9) Local convenience store - band. (10) 11) A male child that produces rain - local band. (3-3-5) 12) Leicester bar with ‘ Mirror Specialists’ sign above frontage. (3-7-5) 13) Local luna sisters recently appeared on ITV. (3-3-3-4) 16) Elizabeth ? from the south - local singer. (7) 17) Lost in thought society - local band. (3-8-4) 18) Name of celebration of funny acts that hits Leicester in February. (4) 19) Number of years that Download Festival has been running. (6) 20) Modest man - local band. (6-2)

DOWN 1) Singular inquisitive primate - local band (3-10-6) 2) The centre part of a wheel is a place to drink - venue. (3-3) 4) Dave Bartram frontman of band formed in 1970’s. (13) 5) Our issue 1 reggae inspired cover bands new single. (4-7) 10) Last year this band played a secret gig on a plane. (8) 14) How many bands took part in this year’s Oxjam Leicester Takeover. (3-7) 15) A small structure - venue. (3-4) Answers at the bottom of page

WIN A

L

S I G N E D FA N Z I N E !

ittle Night Terrors are a band on a mission, a mission to bring their fans as much LNT goodness as is humanly possible. If their not constantly on tour playing shows up and down the country, they’re putting out recording after recording.

Their latest offering comes in the shape of a beautifully presented fanzine of images shot of the band

on the road. Created by Liam Keown, the fanzine contains never before seen images of the band. Lead singer Andy Stone tells us where the concept came from: “We were loving the punk fanzines from the 80s and wanted to recreate them. It’s something that we’ve always wanted to do and loved, and it gives a chance to see another side of the band.”

Andy continues to tell us a bit more about the process of creating such a publication. “Liam had so many photos from tour and was getting so much good stuff and people weren’t getting to see it. Many long nights were spent deciding on the best order of photos, tightening it up, going through them, there was a lot of debates. There will definitely be more fanzines to come!”

Finally, was anything that had been a bit too risqué to go in there? “There is a picture of a girls boobs getting signed, there’s definitely a few shots that had to be held back a little haha. But we really wanted to present what it’s like on the road honestly.”

Now the band are extending their generosity even further but giving away a FREE signed copy of the fanzine to one lucky fan!

ENTERING IS SIMPLES...

To be in with a chance of winning a copy of this brilliant fanzine, signed by the lads themselves, just send the correct answer to the question below to win@themonograph.co.uk with ‘LNT COMP’ as the subject of your email.

Q: What is the name of Little Night Terrors’ latest single? Is it...

A) Young Tiger B) Young Lion C) Young Liger Competition closes January 15th 2013. No cash alternative available and one entry per email address. Winner will be notified via email.

Wan t on e n ow? ?

You can pick up a copy today from the Little Night Terrors official website store at www.littlenightterrors.com/store

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