LEICESTER MUSIC NEWS N E W S , R E V I E W S A N D GIGUIDE ALL INSIDE!
S R E V I R E H T Y B t n e l a T ith w h s a Aw s d a L 6
NS R U T E R OXJAM
!
S W O R R U THESE F
11 c e s s in 2 0 c u s to y a g th e ir w b o y s c a r v in k c ro th a M
E A D N U S R E M M U S
ll ic e l, R o b C h a a v ti s fe e b e h in d th m a in m a n e th to lk We ta
PIC
c to b e r u s ic th is O m h it w s e r e x p lo d u ra l Q u a r te lt u C s r’ te L e ic e s
K
ME UP, I’M
E E R F
PLUS...
RIVAL CONSOLES • CHARLEE DREW • THE DAYDREAM CLUB • DANNY LOOSELEAF • KATIE COSTELLO • JUNIOR FENCING CLUB CHARLIE & THE MARTYRS • KYTE • I AM IN LOVE • SILENT DEVICES • JAMIE WARD • MAYBESHEWILL • AND MANY MORE...
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
Issue #01 // Aug, Sept, Oct 2011
A NOTE FROM
THE EDITOR
CONTENTS 04
The Feed
07
New Blood
07
The Interrobang: By the Rivers
11
Rhythm & Sons
12
WIN! Hideous Apparel Tees
13
These Furrows
14
GIGUIDE
16
In Pictures: Glastonblaby
16
Ten Thousand Emails Later...
and who quickly showed her passion and drive and now we are pleased to say is our production editor. John
17
Rob Challice
Helps, whose name will ring a bell for many, kindly agreed to write a few tit bits at the tail end of last year and
19
Spotlight: Jamie Ward
21
Charlee Drew
21
Leicester Music Collective
22
The Soundcheck
26
Trap Hoot
Jon Dodd
W
ell we finally made it, the first print issue of The Monograph! For those of you that have been following our journey into the unknown, you will know that a print issue has been on the cards for a while, and we are proud to announce
that the day has finally come! During our year or so as an online outfit, we have come across such a range of people and music in our fair city that it was hard to squeeze it all into our inaugural issue. There is such a sense of musical community in Leicester and we feel proud that you let us make comment on it. If you are new to the scene get stuck in as there is loads to hear and to suit all (or most) tastes. Although there are many people to thank, who are listed below, people that really deserve a mention for their efforts are firstly Tash Walkerdine, who got embroiled in The Monograph as the director on Sessions,
is now our chief writer who, along with myself and Tash, runs the paper. Additionally, a special thank you must go out to Erica, my long suffering other half, who has put up with me and The Monograph for the past year. If this paper did have a wife, she would be it. Lastly I want to mention Duncan Graham, who I have known longer than I have known music. We both sat down one drunken evening and decided to start a magazine and maybe a revolution, and we are half way there. Duncan now resides in Manchester but still is actively involved in the newspaper. So for now, read on and absorb, for we are just getting started...
INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
TEAM MONOGRAPH SPECIAL THANKS... Editor-in-Chief: Jon Dodd j.dodd@themonograph.co.uk Production Editor: Tash Walkerdine t.walkerdine@themonograph.co.uk Head Writer and Sub Editor: John Helps j.helps@themonograph.co.uk Reviews Editor: Meg Sullivan m.sullivan@themonograph.co.uk Giguide Designer: Scott Dillon s.dillon@themonograph.co.uk Feature Photographer: Amy Brammall a.brammall@themonograph.co.uk New Music Supervisor: Andy Winfield a.winfield@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Erica Harris e.harris@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Raegan Oates r.oates@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Glyn Allen g.allen@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Joe Phipps j.phipps@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Jack Richardson j.richardson@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Charlotte Fincham c.fincham@themonograph.co.uk Writer: Annie Dressner a.dressner@themonograph.co.uk
The Monograph would like to thank Adam Kirk at Fabrika, Tinny at Crumblin’ Cookie, Gaz Birtles at the Donkey, John Barrow, Natalie Lucy Walter at the Leicester Music Collective, Faye Hunter at Underdogs, Val Harris for the eagle eye, Grahame Crewe, Jamie Ward, Rob Challice and Gabrielle Miller at Summer Sundae, Andy Winfield, By the Rivers, Darryl Reid, Vanila Print, Danny at Leicestershire Luthier, Angus at Far Heath, Jamie Ward, Photographer Kim Brammer, James at Sharman and Co. and last but not least Duncan Graham, co-founder of The Monograph, for the help provided to make issue #01 a reality... Ta!
C o v e r P h o t o : A m y B r a m m a l l w w w. a m y b r a m m a l l . 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
3
THE FEED YOUR N o. 1 L E I C E S T E R M USIC NEWS RESOURCE WWW.THEMONOGRAPH.CO.UK/NEWS
K Y T E M A K E WAV E S I N T A I WA N
H
aving conquered most of the far east over the last four years, Kyte headed out to Taiwan’s Hohaiyan Rock Festival to play to around 400,000 people on Fulong Beach. The view was astonishing, as you can see from the picture [left]. What of the future for the band? The rest of the year sees them head back to Japan for the Taico Club Festival in September before a short run of UK Shows hitting Manchester Roadhouse on the 21st, London Bull and Gate on the 23rd, The Hydrant in Brighton on the 24th, Leeds The Well on the 25th and Bristol Louisiana on 30th. December 18th sees them play a homecoming show in Leicester as part of Firebug’s White Noise Christmas Festival. For more information on Kyte, including details on up coming gigs and releases visit www.myspace.com/kyteband
MUSIC TO OUR EARS: OXJAM IS BACK!
O
xjam, Oxfam’s largest music event and the
country, from Aberdeen to Bournemouth, organised by
UK’s biggest festival, is back and taking
Oxjam Regional teams.
centre stage in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter.
On Saturday 22 October, music ranging from indie to
In Leicester the Takeover event took place in the Braunstone Gate area of the city. It was astonishingly
punk and bhangra to reggae will be taking over the city
successful, raising over £20,000, which is the most
streets, along with market stalls, arts and crafts, food
amount of money out of all the other cities taking part.
and refreshments.
This year, with a new Takeover team in place, Oxjam
Now in its fifth year, the first Oxjam festival took place
Leicester hopes to be even bigger and better than
in October 2006. Since then almost 40,000 musicians
before. The idea is to bring together people who all
have played to over 800,000 people at around 3,000
share a love for music, no matter what their musical
Oxjam events nationwide.
taste is, and raise money for an extremely good cause.
At present Oxjam has raised over £1.5 million for
It’s also about putting the Cultural Quarter on the
Oxfam, which is enough to buy 10,619 emergency
map, it’s a great area of the city with numerous bars,
shelters, 48,000 goats or 705 classrooms.
restaurants and live music venues, and the aim is to
The Oxjam Takeover concept, the multi-venue onewristband-gives-access-to-all event, was introduced
showcase what the area has to offer. Confirmed bands so far include Charlie and the
in 2009, and in the two years since it has started nearly
Martyrs, SuperEvolver, Free Control, Joel Owen and
stage in the Orange Tree tent at Summer Sundae.
£200,000 has been raised for the charity.
the Antoine Band, The Furies, Mega Dub and Silent
Want to be a part of it? Well there’s still time to get
Resistance.
involved, whether you’re a band, artist, photographer
Last year 28 Takeover events took place across the
There will also be artists showing off their talents on graffiti art walls, activities for children and a few other
get in touch. You can do this by joining the Oxjam
surprises the Oxjam Leicester team are keeping up their
Leicester 2011 group on Facebook or following us at
creative sleeves for now.
OxjamLesta on Twitter. It’s also the best way to keep in
In the run up to the main event there are several
4
or would like to become one of the volunteers,
the loop with what they’re doing and what upcoming
fundraisers taking place including an Art Auction in
fundraisers are taking place. For more information
September, and most excitingly an Oxjam acoustic
please visit www.oxjamleicester.co.uk
T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MUSIC N E W S
M AY B E S H E W I L L HOMECOMING GIG Leicester’s Globe trotting instrumentalists Maybeshewill seem to be on tour almost constantly, and this autumn is no exception. After a brief trip to Russia and The Ukraine in September they take in most of the UK and Ireland as part of a co-headline tour with Japanese noiseniks Lite, then head back over to Europe for shows in France, Germany, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, Belgium and The Netherlands. The band will treat us to a performance of the whole of their new album ‘I was here for a moment, then i was gone’ at Sumo on Braunstone Gate on 16th December.
HER NAME IS PA L A I S R I S E F R O M C A L L A’ S T O M M O R R I S T H E A S H E S O F GOES IT ALONE MINNAARS Parting ways with your band
After a brief flurry of line-up
mates to head out on a tour
changes and six months
across Europe alone seems
under the radar, Palais (named
a daunting prospect. Her
after the French for Palace)
Name Is Calla’s Tom Morris
have risen from the ashes
has done just that as an
of danceable pop heroes
opportunity to play some of his own acoustic songs
Minnaars (named after the
alongside some more stripped back Calla efforts and as
Dutch for Lovers). Having heard the first tracks to emerge
part of an effort to live off making music alone. Catch him
from the Palais camp, which is comprised of most core
at Firebug with Northern Ireland’s VerseChorusVerse on
members from their precursor, the name change could
the 17th August.
perhaps have more to it than just simple rebranding. Out
KASABIAN RETURN WITH VELOCIRAPTOR!
goes naive affection, in comes lush synth grandeur. ‘I
Recorded in Leicester and
No Place For A Beautiful Horse’. Perhaps we’re reading
I AM IN LOVE
mastered in San Francisco,
Everyone’s favourite synth
that “A lot of people are going to
pop quintet I Am In Love have
break up to it and probably get
signed with German label
married to it.” says frontman Tom
Velocity Sounds for their debut
Meighan.
album, after traipsing around
Velociraptor! will have music
They have also released the full tracklisting of the
know you know that i loved you all, but I had to go’ sings Adam Pickering (not to be confused with his namesake in The Daydream Club) on ‘I Love New York City But It’s too much in to it.
THE MONOGRAPH S E S S I O N S WA N T S T O HEAR FROM YOU!
the continent plying everyone
album, with the extra bonus of receiving a free instant
Think you band has raw talent? Want some exposure?
who’ll listen with their breathless
MP3 download of Switchblade Smiles, as “a warning
The Monograph Sessions are on the lookout for you!
odes to affection. Alongside that they’re releasing
sign”, according to Tom. To pre-order the album and to
From October we will be looking for a fresh batch of
occasional singles through local label Robot Needs
see new videos and exclusive sample tracks visit
talent to film and that could be you. Simply drop us a line
Home, gaining them daytime Radio 1 airplay last month.
www.kasabian.co.uk
on submit@themonograph.co.uk
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
5
Litho Print
THE LIVE UNPLUGGED VIDEO SHOWCASE The Monograph are pleased to bring you Sessions, Leicester artists and musicians providing exclusive one off video performances. Wo r k i n g i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h E n t e r t h e Tr e e h o u s e , Sessions provide a unique glimpse of the raw talent L e i c e s t e r h a s o n o f f e r.
O N L I N E N O W. . . • • • • •
The Screening Silent Devices By the Rivers Dutch Uncles M y F i r s t To o t h
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NEW BLOOD G l yn Allen is the main ma n t o g o t o f o r t h o s e h i d d e n g ems of Leicester you are y e t t o h e a r. I n t h i s i s s u e h e t a kes a look at some of th e c u r r e n t b a n d s o n h i s r a d a r. . .
BEST OF THE WEB When you’re busy, turn to... YouTube? Yeah, everyone’s done it when on deadline and all of us here are no different. As undoubtedly some of our online viewing will have had an influence on our
H EY NO S T R A D A M US ROUSED TO Being only one gig old, BURNING HOMES having debuted at the recent White Noise festival, HN have a fine pedigree. Among their ranks are Joe (ex Sub Rosa) and Dave (ex TEAM/ Death Of London). Dispensing with vocals in favour of volume, it’s easy to get bogged down in the postrock ‘quiet/loud/quiet’ template that so many others have bored us with in recent years, but not so with these chaps. There are comparisons to Mogwai to be made, but only if they fought to the death in a tag-team bout with Shellac and Kyuss. Their only gig so far was a joy to behold as they bashed out crushing yet precise riff after riff without ever hitting a lull or bum note. No releases planned as yet but a recording session is planned for September with gigs following on close after (or so I’m led to believe), and if they do play out you won’t regret catching arguably Leicester’s finest new band. www.myspace.com/heynostradamus
influenced by Helmet? Then fear not because the boys from Roused are here to bring that idea to life. Fusing repetitive hardcore riffs with spacerock and Monster Magnet style Southern boogie heaviosity, RTBH often appear to be just a part-time jam band but when it all falls into place it’s an awesome spectacle to behold. Recent comparisons of their newly reined in excesses have drawn comparisons
ROSS KEMP ON AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR Grant takes time out from hanging around with
to such luminaries as Boris and Pelican, the early gigs
Mexicans bum raping each other to give his crit on
used to feature a mid-set drum solo! My opinion of
And So I Watch You From Afar’s Gangs.
this band is highly biased as they’re pretty much the Glynfest house band performing most recently at the lovely Shakespeare’s Head (£1.85 a pint? Go on then) as part of my weekender with Frequency Presents. Rumours abound that they’re currently writing new (even shorter!) tunes possibly to be debuted at my next show at Lock 42 on Sunday 7th August (Kill Chaos and
Although only nominally a
MCing duties.
Leicester band these days with
www.myspace.com/rousedtoburninghomes
that one. MC Glay-z will sadly not be reprising his guest
members now spread across
out their first LP after a 7” and split release with Dead
the ol’ YouTube of late...
would sound like if they had been
D I ET PILL S
worthy of a mention here as they have just recently put
bring you all the things we have been looking at on
Ever wondered what Hawkwind
Cheap Jazz are also playing) so keep an eye out for
the Midlands, Diet Pills are well
cultural outlook, we thought it was only right to
THEE LUDDS
DECIBELS - EMILY Ever since we first filed the Corby 5-piece we have fallen for their own distinct electro sound. This low budget vid makes for good watching.
One of the most primal, visceral and
in the Woods. On first impression the album looks like
plain goddamn fun bands to emerge
an early Sub Pop release and you half expect it to be
on the scene in the past year has to
produced by Jack Endino. The early sludgier side of
be Thee Ludds. You’d be forgiven on
the Seattle sound is clearly an influence with nods to
first listen for thinking it’s something
legendary bands The Melvins and Flipper, although in
a too-cool-for school retro DJ had
no way is this a rip-off retro band. Singer Garry brings
dug up to impress the indie trainspotters or a lost gem
an individual slant to proceedings with dark, often
found down the back of Billy Childish’s Stuckist Sofa
comical ‘stream-of-conscientious’ lyrics delivered in
but when they turn up to a gig they look frighteningly
a style that recalls the Jesus Lizard’s David Yow in
young, much too young to have been into this style of
places. Diet Pills are best experienced live so you can
music without some kind of happy accident occurring,
appreciate the true full-on crushing nature of their
and the first thing that grabs you about their sound is
sound, particularly the none more heavy bass. It would
the nagging hypnotic organ sound which gets happily
be easy to pigeonhole these guys in with the holier-
whacked over by Emily’s primal drum sound. Thee
than-thou DIY punk snobs/luddites you find on various
Ludds groove rather than rage. So far I think they’ve
internet forums (no names mentioned!) but there’s no
released one 7” ‘Where To Begin/Skin & Bones’ and a
G O T S U M M I T B E TA ?
tired sloganeering to be found here just cracking tunes
suitably lo-fi six track tape ‘Fez Bowl’. Hopefully they’ll
Drop us a line at submit@themonograph.co.uk with
and a serious love of playing live whilst doing it on
be back playing live soon as they’ve been sadly missed
your latest distraction vid and see if it makes it into
your own terms.
in recent months.
the next issue’s list!
www.dietpillsband.co.uk
www.myspace.com/theeludds
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
THE MONOGRAPH MEETS: CHARLIE & THE MARTYRS Ok ok, so shameless plug we know, but even if you watch it just for Grahame’s laugh then you will still leave happy.
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BY THE RIVERS:
L O R T N O C G N I TA K N O I T A U T I S E OF TH
Photo: Amy Brammall
THE
INTERROBANG
Words by Ra e g a n O a t e s
By the Rivers are a band creating a special kind of buzz this summer. A six piece group whose music combines danceable roots reggae and rocksteady beats. Few acts today rival their melodic, crowd pleasing performances and slots at this year’s Summer Sundae and Strawberr y Fields Festival give music lovers the chance to see them in their full summer glor y. Later this year, they’ll also set off on the exciting task of supporting ska legends The Specials, on a 15 date UK arena tour beginning on 11th October in Wolverhampton. With big things on the horizon, we caught up with Nile and Jordan, the founding members of this reggae explosion, to talk about their summer highlights and future plans for 2011... How is your summer going so far?
You’re playing Summer Sundae again this year. Tell
Are you hanging around for the rest of the
Jordan: Fantastic, we’ve just played T in the Park!
us a bit more about that.
festival?
We played the BBC Introducing stage. It was mad!
J: Yeah, we can’t wait to play it! Summer Sundae is
N: Unfortunately not, we have a gig on the Saturday
Dean Jackson from The Beat recommended us for
always a great atmosphere.
at LeeFest in London, but will be coming back for the
it. It was a good seven hour journey but it was well
N: We got a great reception at last year’s, so
Sunday, so we won’t fully miss out.
worth it. We loved it.
hopefully this year it will be the same!
Nile: Yeah it was great.
Why do you think By The Rivers are so popular? Do you think it’s important that venues like The
N: If I’m honest, I don’t really know. We’re just going
How did you find the northern audiences?
Musician get involved in festivals?
with the flow, we don’t really think too much into
N: They were all really friendly and we met Ally
J: It’s definitely a positive thing, it creates a scene
it, but we’re chuffed with the reaction we’re getting
McRae who is one of the Radio One DJs. The crowd
doesn’t it?
from people.
there were really up for it, by the end of it we got
N: They put forward performers that you wouldn’t
quite a few people up and dancing.
always get the chance to see. Without those sort
Was it a deliberate decision to make this kind of
J: In Scotland no-one really knows us but by the end
of stages, a lot of these acts wouldn’t be seen, like
music?
of the set there was a fair few people dancing.
ourselves. Our name wouldn’t get around if it wasn’t
J: Not really, we’ve always liked it and we’ve just
for those kinds of stages.
evolved into this.
Did you make any new friends? N: Yeah, we got on really well with Ally McCrae, he’s a really nice guy! We did an interview with him after our set, and we had a right laugh. Also, the backstage crew there we really friendly, made us feel really welcome.
“ I t ’s s t i l l q u i t e w e i r d f o r u s h o w w e l l i t ’s g o i n g . We are just taking it as it comes and tr ying not to really think too much into it.”
What other gigs, festivals have you been doing over the summer? N: We got to headline the Riverside Festival in Leicester, that was really fun. There was a great turn out for it, and the weather was great too! J: It was well cool, nice weather. You’re playing at Strawberry Fields this year too. Are you looking forward to that? N: Yeah after Summer Sundae, that should be really fun. I’ve never been there before but I’ve heard really good things about it. Is there anyone playing that you want to see? N: These Furrows are playing, so I’d definitely like to catch them. J: They’ve got some big things coming up soon so it’ll be fun to see what they’ve got in store.
Watch Jordan and Nile in their Monograph Session online at www.themonograph.co.uk/sessions
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Photo: Amy Brammall
INTERROBANG “ We j u s t w a n t t o m a k e p e o p l e h a p p y t h r o u g h t h e music, make people groove and have a nice time.”
N: It’s still quite weird for us how well it’s going. We
a single as well in line with the tour. We’ve recorded
Buzzcocks, Neville Staple, Maxi Priest, and now the
are just taking it as it comes and trying not to really
five new tracks at The Yellow Bean studio, that
Specials tour, it’s amazing!
think too much into it.
should be released sometime soon. We don’t really
J: In fact everything seems to be going too smoothly.
know when but that’s in the pipeline. It’ll be available
Talking of messages, what message does your
on Spotify and iTunes.
band have?
You two just need to have a massive argument
J: It’s the biggest tour that they have done so we’re
N: We talk about stuff that we think is important. If
now.
pretty honoured. They have never done a full arena
we have something that we want to say we’ll say it.
Both laugh. Yeah maybe we can time it right? Just in
tour before. It’s gonna be big for them and pretty
J: We ain’t preaching. It’s not like we sat down and
time for this to come out.
crazy for us!
said we have a message, we just speak about what
J: The Specials thing for us has made it so much
N: All these locations are new towns and new
we think is important. We just want to make people
easier for us to get a name. You can take that to
places for us and it’s out to a much bigger
happy through the music, make people groove and
anyone else and they’ll be interested.
audience. We’ll then try and set up our own tour
have a nice time to our music.
for all the cities and places that we’ve been to with You must be pretty chuffed with that?
them.
TO GET A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE BAND’S FULL TOUR SCHEDULE IS VISIT
N: Yeah I got the call whilst I was in my bedroom at home to tell us about the support. I was trying all the
When you started this band, did you ever imagine
THEIR WEBSITE ON
while to stay cool but thinking at the same time, this
that you’d do so well so quickly?
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/BYTHERIVERS
is pretty wicked. We’ve been fans for such a long
J: No way! It’s incredible, in just a year we’ve
OR TO LISTEN TO THEM GO TO
time. We are so excited. We’re also going to release
supported the likes of Fun Lovin’ Criminals, The
WWW.BYTHERIVERS.BANDCAMP.COM
10
T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MUSIC N E W S
RHYTHM & SONS W
ith Raegan having a chin wag with the
signed to Warner Brothers Records and had to write to
younger lot, I decided to track down
tight deadlines and at times it was really quite difficult.
John Barrow, dad of By the Rivers’ Nile,
He implied Nile and Jordan have a more natural ability
to see how their musical background has influenced their family. Jordan’s dad Gaz Birtles, Beautiful South
to “bang them out”. We asked the guys about their entire family’s talent
sax player, and John have been friends since they
and it seems to just ooze out of them. Both Nile and
were at college and it was then that they began their
Jordan’s older brothers work in the music industry.
song writing partnership, and with that the boys have
“Rhett (Nile’s older brother) recorded his first single
been friends since birth.
‘Tickin’ Slowly’ recently and has just put the finishing
We were curious as to if they had influenced the boys getting into music, John commented: “We never pushed them, but we have given them
touches to his debut album and I love it. Peri (Jordan’s older brother) is a very gifted musician in his own right too, he is a sound technician for the Fun Lovin’
advice based on our 30 plus years of experience.
Criminals. I am made up because we are all playing
Everything they do is driven by them - they have
Summer Sundae this year on the same day and stage!”
definite ideas about where they want the band to be.”
So be sure to catch all the family on Friday 12th August. I asked John to select some highlights of their own musical success. They have played on around 60
John continued;
releases, so to pick just a few was a tough one. John
“The environment they
was in two bands, appearing on a cult pop TV show,
old dogs yet? It appears so. “Recently I have been
grew up in must have
in 1977 with Black Gorilla and Fun Boy Three in 1982.
playing and recording with Uncle Frank and Radio
had some influence, we
A tick in the box of life time ambition! Other highlights
Riddler and I played guest sax on a track on Rhett’s
certainly do not impose
were being signed to a “mega buck recording deal with
debut album”. But to top it off he returns to his proud
our views and opinions
the mighty Warner Brothers with the Swinging Laurels
father role saying “seeing all the kids making waves is
on them if not sought.”
and touring with Iggy Pop with the Crazyhead.”
just the icing on the cake, I am loving it!”
John and Gaz were
But what about more recently? Is there life in the
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
Words by Erica Harris
11
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I WANT ONE NOW! For more information on Hideous and to purchase one of their newly released Hideous tees, pop along to www.hideousapparel.co.uk and purchase online now!
12
T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MUSIC N E W S
THESE FURROWS T
hese Furrows have been one of the few Leicester bands in recent years to get out and make waves beyond this small city and are one of the most
“I DON’T KNOW OUR PLACE, I WISH I DID BUT IT’S
promising acts on a national scale. Having completed an
W E I R D N O T K N O W I N G W H A T P E O P L E S AY A B O U T
album that’s now waiting in the wings to be unleashed
YOU BEHIND YOUR BACK.”
on an unsuspecting public, it seemed like the right time to ask Darryl from the band some questions... You released an incredible video for ‘Clarity’ recently, which was the B-Side to your single ‘Duke’ and it seems odd to have produced something so intensely thought out for a B-side. How did the video come about, and why did you choose Clarity, a mostly instrumental track, to make it for? Clarity is years old and was a total accident that Danny and I made. We wanted to make videos for our B-sides so we could use them online and also because it seemed like Clarity was a cinematic piece of music that needed a video. The concept for the video was the idea of a lovely lady called Faye, we loved it and went with it. You’ve recorded a whole album which hasn’t been released yet. Can you tell us what’s happening with it? What can people expect to hear? It’s in a vault - we’re waiting until ‘the right time’, as it’s called, to release it. Sorry to anyone waiting. We are all so happy with it - the drum sound is unreal! We have tried recording a bunch of times and never
has it been following a family member in to the
you thought “Fuck! I need to be in a band that can
heard something back that we were happy with. When
music industry? Do you think it’s helped you and
do THAT”?
we’d finished our ten days in Strongroom Studios and
has he been able to give you any really killer advice?
My brother and Naim, aka Fatal Star/Dizzy Valise.
listened to the whole thing on the way home we were
Loads, I wouldn’t know anything without him. He taught
Prince. Rage Against the Machine. The Cure. Loads of
so happy. The main thing we wanted to do was capture
me to play drums and guitar, put us in contact with our
people were making me love music as I was growing
the band’s energy and I think the album does that. Tony
management, took us on tour with his band and got
up but I wouldn’t say I started a band to sound like
Platt and Chris Sheldon (Platters and Shelders) are bad
us gigs at amazing venues. He’s a fucking don. His
something specific, I just started it cause I wanted to
mans.
advice to me has been amazing: “Don’t take any shit off
make music.
anyone, do what you wanna do and if anyone touches Tell us a bit about who you worked with on the
you call me.”
record. How was recording with Tony Platt, and
How do you see the Leicester music scene at the moment. What’s your place in it and where do you
did Chris Sheldon’s mixes live up to his incredible
Musically what bands were instrumental in you
see potential?
reputation? Why did you pick those two legends in
starting the band? Who were you listening to that
I think it’s full of snobs who are too highly strung,
particular to work on it with you?
including me. There are too many opinions. But there’s
Tony Platt is so extremely good at what he does, he
a group of amazing people that do amazing music that
makes you feel like you’re recording something that’s
will all get the dues they deserve in the end. I don’t
worth recording and not just getting in and out of a
know our place, I wish I did but it’s weird not knowing
studio and paying the money. He wanted to know what
what people say about you behind your back. Leicester
we liked, if we were thirsty/feeling well. He’d make you
brought us all together. I love being from Leicester...
laugh, but he got really serious at points and got the
Maybe.
best out of us. He’s where he is and has done what he’s done cause he’s amazing at it and that’s one of the
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE FURROWS
reasons why we choose him. Chris was laid back as
BY VISITING THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE AT
fuck. I always wanted a mix down like Biffy Clyro’s, but
WWW.THESEFURROWS.CO.UK AND YOU
who doesn’t? So we asked him. He was super cool and
CAN LISTEN ONLINE AT
told us loads of stories about Biffy and stuff.
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/THESEFURROWS
I think it’s relatively common knowledge that your brother drums for The Fun Lovin’ Criminals. How
Photos: William Wright
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
Questions by John Helps Answers by Darr yl Reid
13
All listings subject to change
IN PICTURES: GLASTONBLABY With a line up that boasts Charlie and the Martyrs, The Screening, Hannah B, Storm Troopers and a Lollypop
T E N T H O U S A N D E M A I L S L AT E R . . .
“ C R E AT I N G S C E N E S ”
S
Man, residents of Blaby and festival goers were given a musical treat all in aid of the Harley Staples Charity. Anthony Benjamin popped down for the day to capture
o this is my first
bored of being nagged to come to horrible pubs to
column in the fresh-
see awful bands very quickly.
off-the-press printed
some of the music and magic.
version of The Monograph,
Photographs by arts/events photographer Anthony
which is pretty exciting, right?
4) LEARN THE ART OF SUPPORT ACTS
Benjamin www.benjaminphotography.co.uk
Why am I writing this column?
Most small touring bands will bring a maximum
Well, i’ve been involved with various bits of the
of ten 'fans' to a show if left to their own devices.
Leicester music scene for getting on for eight years
No matter how much you like them. Persuade a
now - promoting shows at venues around the
similar sounding local band to play with them for
city, running a label, helping out with the Leicester
free (or beer) and they'll bring friends, or perhaps
Music Collective project, starting the White Noise
even get the word out to people who like the
Festival and touring the world in a band called
touring band but might not previously have been
Maybeshewill, so The Monograph thought I’d at
aware they were playing in Leicester.
least be able to come up with one or two relatively interesting things to talk about on a monthly basis. This column is going to talk about gig promotion,
5) LOOK AFTER PEOPLE Local bands that bring people will learn very
I guess because it’s the easiest element of what I do
quickly that they are a valuable commodity. Make
to explain and I guess it’s one of the easiest ways to
sure you treat them well, pay them when you can
directly affect your city’s cultural outlook if it’s done
and they'll keep coming back to you. Touring
right. I started promoting at the (now defunct) Attik,
bands will expect to be looked after, but for your
but I’ve put on shows and club nights involving
first small shows a case of beer, dinner, a floor to
bands that have gone on to become household
sleep on and some petrol money goes a long way.
names at venues all over the place: Foals, Frank
learnt something over the years. Here is a non linear
6) DON'T EXPECT TO BE PUTTING ON MUMFORD AND SONS NEXT WEEK
list of the basics...
Most larger bands have an agent. Agents don't
Turner, Bloc Party, Kids In Glass Houses and The Horrors have all done stuff for me, so hopefully I’ve
want to let you put on bands without a track
1) FIND A VENUE
record, so start small and build up a reputation.
Important one this. Having a good relationship with
Find small touring bands that you like and
venues is vital. Pick one that's a reasonable size for
approach them directly, move up to smaller
small shows to start with. Some venues will be free,
agencies or less established bands on larger
some will cost you hundreds of pounds, and all will
agencies. Nurture bands as they grow and try to
have varying qualities of facilities. Picking one that's
retain them rather than letting them go on to the
an appropriate size for the audience you expect is
chain venues and big promoters. If you look after
the challenge each time.
bands they'll tell their agent and you might get more bands from the roster. Take small bands as a
2) POSTER POSTER POSTER
favour to get bigger ones, but not so often that you
Make posters and put them up everywhere.
kill your reputation and your bank balance.
Facebook events are dead. Black and white A4 will cheap these days. John E Wright is a good local
5) OTHER PROMOTERS ARE TERITORIAL
printer. Email them.
Don't steal bands from other promoters. If
do at a push, but A3 is good and colour is pretty
someone's working with a band regularly, they'll
3 ) T H I N K L O C A L LY
probably want to keep it that way. Also, I'm not
Put a couple of local band gigs on to prove to the
going to tell you how to make a good pitch to an
venue (and yourself) that you can do it. If you can't
agent 'cos otherwise you'll get really good at this
persuade your friends’ bands to play and bring a
shit and I won't have a job any more. That said,
decent number of people to your first show then you
the more people there are putting bands on in
probably shouldn't carry on and your first gig will be
Leicester the better, so if you need help or advice
the easiest one you ever do due to, perhaps sadly,
do drop me a line.
a mixture of good will from your friends and naivety on your part. There's a lot to say for experience, but your friends with office jobs and families will get
16
T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MUSIC N E W S
John
R O B C H A L L I C E :“ I T ’ S A N E V E N T THE CITY CAN BE PROUD OF!”
I
t’s that time of year again - Summer Sundae is
many logistical restrictions. We can only do so much
on the Horizon and we’re all bracing ourselves
on a site our size. Camping, for example, takes up a
for three inebriated days and nights up at Victoria
good half of our overall footprint. Nevertheless one of
Park. It’s been eleven years since De Montfort Hall first
the attractions of the festival is its size - it’s possible to
hosted the now weekend-long event, and in that time
traverse the site in 5-10 minutes and visit 5-6 different
it’s become an essential part of any self respecting
stages. As it stands there are no plans to make the
Leicester music fan’s calendar - almost regardless of
festival bigger.”
who the headliners may be. Before this year’s festival
This year’s bill has come under fire from certain
we spoke to co-founder and organisational figurehead
sections of music fans this year, not least for its
for the festival, Rob Challice, about the somewhat rocky
inclusion of bemoaned Leicester heroes-of-sorts
past, present and future of the event. His thoughts
Shawaddywaddy - Rob explains this decision was
on that short 11 years? “It’s been exhausting but very
simply an extension of the festivals remit to support
fulfilling. Pulling off last year’s sold out festival was a
local music: “We’ve always hosted ‘local’ acts and it
very satisfying experience. We knew we had to deliver a great 10th year for the festival to survive.” Now with five stages
was only a matter of
“ 2 0 1 0 C O U L D H AV E BEEN THE LAST SUMMER SUNDAE IN LEICESTER”
of music, comedy, poetry, theatre and an enviably intimate atmosphere means the festival maintains its position at the forefront of boutique
time before the ‘Wads made an appearance. I think we’ve received unnecessary flak for that
year for the festival after the much publicised financial
booking - let’s see how it
problems, accusations of irregularities at De Montfort
works out on the Saturday afternoon.” “One of the key factors of Summer Sundae is that
Hall and Hall manager and long-time festival guiding light Richard Haswell’s departure from involvement with
festivals the world over. “I didn’t set out to run a festival,
it has always had a very mixed bill. Hopefully there’s
the event. Thankfully last year’s sold out event seems to
but I knew I wanted to be part of one” says the Festival
always something on one of our stages to please
have guaranteed us a few more years of live music on
and Concert Clinic Director, “I’ve always loved festival
most music fans.” That diversity is certainly true this
Victoria Park; “2010 was a very important year for us. If
culture and how events like ours manage to bring
year with the 2011 line-up covering everyone from
the festival had failed or even not happened then that
different audiences together.”
chart bothering pop stars McFly to Spiky indie-punk
could have been the last Summer Sundae in Leicester.
duo Blood Red Shoes - and most bases in between.
We knew that we had to deliver an event without
invited me to work with the venue to create a new
Rob’s confident that diversity will inspire positive
Richard Haswell’s involvement and that meant several
festival back in 2001. The fact that the East Midlands
reactions: “Mcfly and Blood Red Shoes are playing
people stepping up to make it possible. It’s been a
didn’t have a festival like ours when we began was
at the same time this year. Last year we had The Fall
difficult two years for all involved and thankfully that is
a leading impetus. The festival receives an immense
vs Tinchy Stryder on Saturday night”. As always the
behind us. Richard has several skills, not least his drive,
amount of support from the region because it is an
Drowned In Sound curated element of the festival is
energy and love for festivals. That will be missed.”
event that the city can be proud of. People nationwide
there to cater to the bleeding edge of music fans with
associate Summer Sundae with Leicester and that has
Everything Everything, Warpaint, The Antlers and the
own festival at some point, and we thought it’d be
to be a positive for the city.”
aforementioned Blood Red Shoes heading up indoors
interesting to see what Rob would do with Summer
on Sunday.
Sundae if there were no budgetary or logistical
“Richard Haswell (De Montfort Hall’s then manager)
“A city location has its pluses, such as transport, local restaurants, hotels and other amenities, but also
What of the future of the event? 2010 was a critical
I guess all of us have fantasised about running our
constraints. “I have several fantasy bills, however we are always going to be restricted by budget and artist availability. We don’t have the budget of a Latitude, Bestival or Green Man for example, to book some of the headliners that those festivals are able to present. I’d love to have a ‘secret’ stage like Glastonbury had The Rabbit Hole, which is no longer a secret!” And finally, back to reality for a moment, we ask Rob his opinion of the city Summer Sundae calls home; “Leicester and the East Midlands has a very healthy music scene. It would be great to see more bands establish themselves nationwide. Of the local acts this year I’m particularly looking forward to seeing My First Tooth, Dark Dark Horse and Hhymn”
Wo r d s b y J o h n H e l p s
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
17
SPOTLIGHT:
J A M I E WA R D Wo r d s b y J a c k Richardson
I
HIDDEN IN NEW YORK with Annie Dressner
H
f his name isn’t familiar perhaps his work will be. Jamie Ward has been one of the key producers
ey there Monograph readers! My name is Annie. I am a singer/
songwriter from NYC and
behind many Leicester bands, from Without Fire
to Speaking In Italics, Maybeshewill to Surrender
have just come out with my
The Coast, Arms Of Atlas to Silent Devices, Jamie
first album, which I am excited
consistently provides a professional, rounded sound
about. Fortunately last summer The Monograph
that provides a solid platform for bands to build
contacted me and asked if I wanted to write
themselves on.
a column for their paper. It didn’t take much
You may also recognise him as the man behind the flailing bass guitar in Leicester’s very own
convincing for me to say yes and that’s how this
Maybeshewill, or perhaps as the calmer man
column came about. In this section I can share
grooving behind the drum kit in his own Electronica/
with you some of the bands that I have come
Pop outfit, Dark Dark Horse. The former belies his
across and loved during my gallivanting in New
off-stage personality: an unassuming man with
York City. My hope is that you will enjoy them too!
an endearing love for music, keen eye for detail
This week, I decided to write about a young woman who grew up in the small California
and a desire to get the most out of his work. On stage, however, Jamie lets loose with limbs and
Montfort I was perhaps quite narrow minded in terms
instruments thrashing through the air with minds of
of musical outlook.”
their own. With straps breaking, leads snagging and
beach town near Los Angeles called Hermosa Beach. Katie Costello now
After stints with Tired Irie and Kyte, Jamie was
heads bobbing, Jamie commands centre stage in
asked to play bass in the internationally renowned
resides in
Maybeshewill gigs all across the continent.
Maybeshewill, but he began small like everyone else.
Brooklyn, New
“I started playing guitar because a friend did and it
York where
After a heavy touring schedule, The Monograph finally managed to grab five minutes with Jamie,
much of the
just got out of hand from there really. My first ever
talking with us about his work and bands. From a
gig was at Lubenham Village Hall and is still one of my
music I find
producer’s perspective, as well as from an artist’s
favourites. I was so nervous so the release of actually
exciting is
perspective, Jamie gave us a glimpse into his
playing and it going well was a rush that’s up there
coming out of
recording sessions, tours and more.
with playing sold out shows in Japan and Russia.”
these days.
Having studied locally at DMU, Jamie explained
Costello started
“After Tired Irie split Maybeshewill asked me to play
the courses impact on his approach to music and
bass, I was only going to do it for a few months but
writing songs when she was twelve years old,
producing. “In terms of engineering when I started
it’s sort of gotten crazy since then, taking me places I
which would mostly be about teen angst. In her
at DMU I was really keen on it but not that good at
never imagined I would get to go”. And it certainly is an
words: “When I started to get into certain bands
it. When I finished I was still very keen on it and was
astounding list of places. With Russia, Japan, Germany
and stuff, I really went crazy… in the best way
marginally better at it.” When asked about how the
and Poland already visited amongst many others, as
possible. Music felt like the only thing that made
course shaped his current perceptions of music,
well as a new tour with Japanese band Lite in October
sense to me, so I wanted to be part of it.”
he replied “The degree introduced me to more
taking them even further afield, the future looks bright
experimental music composers like Steve Reich and
for Jamie and the rest of Maybeshewill.
Costello certainly accomplished that. Her music seems to no longer be angst-driven,
When asked about his own venture, Dark Dark
but more about self-reflection and letting the
sort of shaped what I’m doing today though I’ve not
Horse Jamie explained: “I’d been making my first
world know her observations through catchy,
lost my love of pop sensibility.” “When I started at De
forays into song writing and had a few instrumentals
interestingly melodic indie-folk-quirky-pop songs
finished when I met James though recording Kids in
sometimes reflecting Regina Spektor piano riffs.
Cars. He started singing casually in the background
Her voice would be very well suited for jazz, in
and just really caught my attention. He [has an]
that it has a lot of depth and soul. I would say
intangible quality in his voice that I was really allured
that you could imagine hearing her songs on
to.” He also told The Monograph “We just finished
television soundtracks or playing in commercials,
a music video and should have some exciting
but that would be an understatement, other
release news soon. I have a second album’s worth of
people already made that happen. Keep your
instrumentals written but I want to do justice to the
ears peeled.
Terry Riley. This grounding in more left field music
first record’s release before really getting my teeth into a second one.” For more information on Jamie Ward and to seek his expert production services, head over to www.jamiewardproducer.co.uk
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
Annie x
19
S T R A I G H T TA L K I N G CHARLEE DREW SPEAKS TO THE MONOGRAPH ABOUT WRITING, TOURING A N D T H E T H O U G H T O F A G O O D N I G H T ’ S K I P. . .
T
he Leicester born Charlee Drew has been gaining a lot of momentum in recent years. With his first single ‘Sugar Rush’ Charlee gained
now, behind the scenes there’s a lot going on!” It’s clear that Charlee is aiming for the top and not cutting corners on the way. He is currently working with
massive respect from the Leicester faithful and also
writers Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran) and Patrick Patrikios
perked a few industry ears along the way. His distinct
(JLS and Il Divo) to create a sound that is not forced but
British sound and sun drenched melodies charmed even
a natural progression.
the coldest hearts. That single led him onto bigger things as earlier this year when Charlee appeared on the critically acclaimed album ‘Doin It Again’ by UK grime and Hip-Hop artist Skepta.
“The whole album will be all live instruments with an urban feel and very vocal orientated. No synths in sight!” says Charlee. On 14th October, Charlee Drew joins Skepta on his UK tour as it passes through his hometown of Leicester
I had the chance to meet up with Charlee and ask him straight, where has he been? How was Wembley? And does he miss his own bed? “This year has been mad busy” explained Charlee.
at the O2 Academy, I was curious to know if he’s excited to see some friendly faces? “Yeah definitely!” Charlee expressed. “It’s going to be great to be in Leicester, especially
“I’ve been writing endlessly for my album with some of
on the Skepta tour. I’ve not had the chance to see the
the UK’s top writers.”
O2 yet so it will be a sick night, I might even get the
Over the last year it’s been hard not to notice
chance to sleep in my own bed, although I doubt it.”
Charlee’s rise on the UK music scene, the track with
I feel that the new Charlee Drew album is going
Skepta has been a huge part of his rise to the dizzy
to push and barge its way into the forefront of the UK
heights. Has performing at Wembley and working with
music scene and take no prisoners along the way.
Skepta propelled him further than he thought? “Yeah definitely, it’s really helped a lot with securing writing sessions. I’ve got a massive team behind me
For more information on Charlee Drew, visit his official website at www.charleedrew.co.uk Words by Andy Winfield
THE LEICESTER MUSIC COLLECTIVE Bringing together venues, promoters, music press, webzines, record labels and creative
in bars, venues, cafes and shops around the city,
businesses, it provided a chance to share ideas
hopefully it wont be long until you see gig guides on
and concerns, enabling everyone to work together
advertising boards across the centre. If you want to be
for a common cause. Special guest speakers were
part of the listings then get onto the LMC website and
invited to provide words of wisdom and hear ideas
submit your gigs!
from the front line. Past speakers have included:
A
With the monthly music guide now out there
The site now holds an archive of recordings from
Dean Jackson (BBC The Beat), Richard Haswell
past events and is building up to provide a directory for
(former Summer Sundae Weekender organiser), Rob
all things music from listings of promoters and venues
Challace (Summer Sundae Weekender and CODA
to producers and rehearsal rooms. Future plans are too
Music Agency) and most recently the Assistant
support musicians through advice from becoming a DIY
Mayor Councillor Ted Cassidy MBE.
band to setting up tours.
The LMC is the brainchild of four co-ordinators
Get with the collective and join the LMC on facebook
each with their own expertise: John Helps from music
and download the gig guide from the website. Stay in
re you aware of how much music there is
venue Firebug and the Robot Needs Home record
the know of the music around you with the LMC visit
on in the city? Do you want more bums on
label; Natalie Walter of the live music platform Exposure
www.leicestermusiccollective.org
seats at your gigs? Have you got any ideas of
Live and Director of Demon FM; Stephen Jones festival
how to make it big? Well the Leicester Music Collective
organiser of the Leicester Fringe Festival and David
(LMC) decided to help find answers to those questions.
Wilson Clarke the music photographer.
As a unit of doers, the LMC have a strong
The four set out to help promote the city’s music
involvement with music in the city and are working to
scene and invite others to join the collective with the
encourage collaboration in Leicester’s music scene.
first project focusing on the need for a printed gig
Established a year ago, it set out to unite those
guide. Each month you can now find an extensive
involved with Leicester’s music culture and organised
and free guide to live music in the city bringing
networking events and meetings to help make things
together gigs from intimate bars like Hub to the much
happen.
larger O2 Academy.
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
21
WE BRING YOU THE BEST GIGS, EPS AND ALBUMS IN...
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
Edited by M e g S u l l i v a n
Rival Co n s o l e s - K i d Ve l o moments. Kid Velo is one of those albums that
album, Rival Consoles have showcased an idea away
would’ve been passed around like wildfire four or five
from all the pop-driven, mainstream electronica; of
years ago by the blossoming and crudely coined “Nu
what is to come for the genre.
Rave” generation; it’s hypnotic rhythms would have
Words by Joe Phipps
fit right in to the whole craze that was happening at the time. This is in no way saying that this album is too late to have an audience, or isn’t relevant any more - far from it, Velo gives us an option and a break from a lot of today’s dreary music, which seems to be desperately trying to be the next big thing. ‘I Left The Party’ is the turning point from the barraging, Calvin Harris-esqe first part of the album. For the next six tracks on Velo, we are transported into the hopeful future of electronic music, though we are given hints of the past with the sure moments
F
irst thing’s first, Rival Consoles is something
of 8-bit splendour on ‘Vos’ and ‘Eve’. By far though
I wouldn’t usually listen to. Well, that’s a lie:
‘After Ed’ is the critical part of Velo; the relentless
it’s something I would’ve listened to when my
onslaught is gone and replaced by something
jeans were neon and my shirt brandished a slogan
of simplistic majesty, almost as if the album is
like “Drop beats, not bombs’’ - something which, in
dying with honour on some futuristic battle field of
hindsight, was one of those “What was I thinking?!”
electronica. However, in these dying moments of the
Maybes h e w i l l - I Wa s H e r e f o r a M o m ent, Then I Was Gone
T
rying to find the time to completely write,
the tension is comparable only to the eye of a storm,
and diverse wave patterns that never cease, nor
record and produce an album between
the shivering silence before all the volatile emotion
retreat, much like the sea can engulf everything in its
large UK and European tours and festival
violently escapes. When unleashed it could perhaps
path, so can I Was Here. With each listen the songs
appearances covering the continent can be a struggle
be compared to the massive roar of a jet-engine or
open up, displaying beautiful simplicities juxtaposed
for many bands; finding the time to do all of this
space shuttle as it departs. Opening dives straight in,
against complex delicacies. With each listen you get
whilst curating Firebug’s White Noise Festival and
its layers literally exacerbating the tension before the
more drawn in. With each listen you become a little
helping to record many of the up-and-coming bands
anti-climactic pause that jumps face-first into ‘Take
more attached. With each listen it still gets you like a
Leicester is blessed with can be even more so.
This To Heart’, one of the album’s many highlights.
punch to the throat.
Maybeshewill, however, appear un-phased by this
The album is far from linear. It continuously crests
intense scheduling. As the follow up to 2009’s Sing
as the musical pressure mounts before dropping down
The Word Hope In Four Part Harmony, I Was Here For
to a delicate, almost timid, level. The album’s highlight,
A Moment, Then I Was Gone builds on the already-
To The Skies From A Hillside, ricochets around
sturdy musical foundations forged by the band.
constantly. Intense, withheld and at times anthemic,
With the
To The Skies takes everything the album is made of
emotional
and encapsulates it in one five minute sitting. ‘Critical
intensity hiked
Distance’, with its infectious wonky-piano riff and
up to 11 and
Relative Minors, with its delicate, hypnotic piano work
the distortion up
also stand out as tough contenders for key tracks
even more so, the
but narrowly lose out, unable to stand against the
sheer force of the
emotional battering received from To The Skies.
album is one of
22
Words by Jack Richardson
Much like how the tide gradually comes in after
its most resonant
each successive wave, I Was Here For A Moment,
qualities. At its
And Then I Was Gone ebbs and flows as the tensions,
most restrained
emotions, stresses & releases culminate into complex
T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MUSIC N E W S
Bollnas Wolverine - 2958 Combining drones of
to bang my head on my desk in frustration. Sometimes
Shoegazey guitars with
it’s the lyrics, sometimes the timing drifts, sometimes
programmed drums, synths
the drums sound like they’ve been programmed
and a drawling vocal line,
backwards. But perhaps that’s what they were going
Bollnas Wolverines are a band
for. That said, there are positives here. The guitar tone
from the past that have come
is great throughout, and the start of ‘…Not Long’
to make a noise all over your
and ‘State of Grace’ have real promise. With a bit of
day. Sonically think The Fall and The Wedding Present
refinement there is some potential here, but it’s sadly
with hints of My Bloody Valentine and Public Image
buried under a lack of real inventiveness beyond aping
Limited smattering the course of the album.
past heroes, and some less than perfect production. It
I really, really want to like it - It’s so close to being
seems an unfair point to dwell on, but fingers crossed
good that it sometimes physically hurts to listen to it,
for a real drummer at some point in the not too distant
but the slightly disjointed nature of the songs and the
future.
occasional sketchy drum programming makes me want
Words by John Helps
W H AT ’ S O N T H E
MONOGRAPH
P L AY L I S T ? As we are a whistle while we work kind of lot, we though it was only right to provide you with the soundtrack to issue #01. Below are some of the tracks we have been belting out at Monotowers while the paper was in production.
SILENT DEVICES Wa r m B l o o d
Junior Fencing Club - Carousel Capsized
www.myspace.com/silentdevices
Leicester has a certain individual charm when it comes
shows a more eager, energetic
to ‘spiky’ Pop/Math-Rock bands. With These Furrows’
side to the band with its driving
career constantly gaining speed, Herra Hidro finally
introduction and insistently
GRACE & THE MAGIC ROOTS
releasing new material and Buenos Aires continuing
catchy chorus that easy gets
Isobel Gowdie
to test the rhythmic abilities of their listeners, Junior
caught in your head. They even
www.myspace.com/graceandthemagicroots
Fencing Club are in good company. With one EP under
delve into instrumentalism
their belt, the lads are back with a second 6-track
with ‘An Eye For An Eye, Only
EP featuring slicker production and a more polished
Makes The Whole World Blind’ featuring what could
sound. Carousel Capsized sees the boys absorbing the
be best described as a grand piano being played in a
influence of the bands surrounding them to create an
catacomb. Both live and on record they emit a love for
individual style.
performing and a love for music itself, a perfect “music-
The hypnotic opener, ‘Declare & Surrender’, touts
for-music’s sake” mix that helps them stand amongst
the dual-guitar riffing that is quickly becoming their
the ‘big boys’ of the thriving Leicester music scene.
trademark. Whilst ‘They Make All The Right Noises’
Words by Jack Richardson
Charlie & the Mar tyrs - Fodder Fights/Waylaid Listening to Charlie and
The new single ‘Fodder Fights’ is a beautiful
the Martyrs on a Sunday
tale, and the band have made a beautiful video to
afternoon makes me want
match. The sultry tones of the guitar set the tone for
to skip through a meadow
this haunting tune, and are carried out through the
accompanied by my daisy
harmonies and dark bass riffs. Even though the lyrics
chain headband and a lack of
are quite gloomy it is again another song by Charlie
shoes.
and the Martyrs which you can’t help moving to.
To me, they are the personification of Summer, and
Anyone who is lucky enough to get to see them live
this is especially portrayed in their single ‘Waylaid’.
this year, enjoy. As Charlie and co are a truly exquisite
Which is great news for anyone heading to the
band to break through the British music scene right
festivals Summer Sundae or Strawberry Fields this
now.
year, as they are due to appear at both this summer.
Words by Charlotte Margaret Fincham
I Am In Love - Of Regard and Affection I am in love, with I Am In Love. Their dark tones and
It’s a brilliant record and
macabre lines envision everything good about the
it really gives you a feel of
shoegaze/industrial/nu gloom/whatever you want to call
what’s to come with the
it genre.
band in the future. Having
Their two latest singles ‘I Want You’ and ‘Call Me An
just finished a small tour
Animal’ are quite typically tainted love songs, ‘I Want
(though about to go on to
You’ being fuelled by raw emotion and energy, whereas
Europe in October), we can
‘Call Me An Animal’ slows down the pace and keeps
only hope they’re taking a
things on the more shoegaze side of the spectrum.
break to record more of the same anti-pop songs which
Their latest album Of Regard And Affection keeps this
are so highly anticipated.
tempo throughout, constantly switching and changing.
Words by Meg Sullivan
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
FREE CONTROL The Balloon
www.myspace.com/freecontrol
GALLERY 47 Otherwise
www.myspace.com/gallery47
GRACE PETRIE
L a s t T i m e We E v e r Spoke www.gracepetrie.com
PA L A I S
I L o v e N e w Yo r k C i t y But it is No Place for a Beautiful Horse www.facebook.com/palais.uk
S O M E M AY R U N 26 Sessions Live
www.myspace.com/somemayrun
DARK DARK HORSE Sharks
www.myspace.com/darkdarkhorse
KISS
Love Gun www.kissonline.com
23
Danny L o o s e l e a f / T h e D a y d r e a m C l u b - Live @ Lock42 Ever been to a gig
Nick Moon) soothing guitar strums maintain intrigue
to accompany a film, for example one song suits a
where you are mystified
while Danny’s strong yet calming voice transcends
Tim Burton animation. Adam switches instruments
by your own thoughts?
above the guitar notes. “You walked away from your
almost every song, which adds huge diversity with
future, return to your past”. The song and emotions
the keyboard, guitar and melodica. Paula’s voice
stage with his guitar and
progressively grow in tone until you feel for the
dances with every instrument in the set. Her voice
racked harmonica, his
protagonist in the song. Just as this happens the
evokes The Cranberries, especially in ‘On the Move’.
cheery tone and joking
song abruptly ends leaving you on a cliff hanger. A
When Adam’s voice kicks in to accompany Paula’s it
with the crowd, building
lot of his songs are as though time and time again
is simply divine. The guitar slapping and quick paced
he’s forcing out the memories you never really
strums makes for an edgy song with some incredible
encountered.
levels to it.
Looseleaf took to the
up the already great Lock 42 atmosphere. Danny’s lyrics are divulged as though he’s reminiscing on past events, almost ghostly from
Danny really sets the stage for The Daydream Club,
beyond his years. There is a definite folk side to his
with the two complementing each other perfectly.
sound. Johnny Cash and the Manic Street Preachers,
They mention that one of their songs has been
springs to mind.
Adam revealed beforehand that he had auditioned for Mcfly many years ago. As I watched them play, this thought somewhat amused me, as it was possibly one
described as fitting for a movie soundtrack and from
of the most beautiful sets I had ever heard.
that point forward every song transforms in my mind
Words by Tash Walkerdine
Reviewing Silent Devices, ‘Verb’ could possibly be one
ambiguous which is by no means a bad thing. The likes
tomfoolery from the
of the most rewarding challenges in my eyes (or ears
of “Water is waiting, jump back in” and “calling both
evening’s recording
I should say). I was lucky enough to be filming Josh,
sides to compromise” leave me wanting to ask about
are a vast contrast
Scott, Charlie and Alex the evening that this track was
what the track is really about.
to the genuinely well
‘Baiser L’amour’s’ (guest produced by Kyte’s
Silent D e v i c e s - Ve r b
produced by Jamie Ward.
It adds a charm, an uplifting ambience that hand in
constructed and lulling
hand with the captivating vocals, the light hearted guitar
track. It is obvious
this makes me biased but I haven’t heard it in its
twangs and hollow drum beats all serve to pull at the
these guys work well
entirety until now.
heartstrings.
together, which begs
I am approaching this somewhat aware of whether
Verb begins discreetly, surreptitiously floating, progressively building up to a calm rather than a storm. For a song that is all about action the lyrics are quite
Verb is a relatively simple song, but honest and uplifting in all the right places. The typical behind the scenes banter and
The Daydream Club - The Night (Remix EP)
me to ask if you know a band, do you like their music more? Or maybe it makes you that much more critical? Words by Tash Walkerdine
NOTES FROM THE DESK...
This free two-track remix
with tremoloed violins and lush synth bass under Adam
EP belies the tradition of
Pickering’s often Chris Martin-esque vocals, whilst
Hot Horizions
predictable trance or drum
‘Pretty Little Thing’ is more of what you’d expect from
Hot Horizons are probably my favourite Leicester
and bass cut-ups that
an electronic reworking of a Daydream Club song,
band right now. With their cunning mix of
plague local music scenes
without ever being predictable.
synthesizers and dreamy-pop waves, it’s easy to see
and unimaginative emerging
A penchant for phasing the guitars is a little off-
why. The two brothers (and yes they are brothers),
putting, and it was a shame neither remix involved the
and their band carry a distinct sound, reminiscent to
their own songs apart and put them back together
delightful interplay between Adam’s vocals and those
that of the latest music scene coming from London.
guarantees The Daydream Club can still capture the
of band mate Paula Walker that are key to the majority
Rife with beautiful melodies and modern indie hooks,
songs in a way that is flattering to the original, whilst
of their tracks. For the most part these are impeccable
you can see a clear future on the horizon for Hot
putting an elegantly different slant on proceedings.
and engrossing rewordings of already lovely songs.
Horizons (see what I did there).
bands alike. Having taken
‘Holy Saturday, Gloomy Sunday’ becomes awash
Words by John Helps
W W W. T H E M O N O G R A P H . C O . U K
Meg
25
t o o H p a r T
WE GO OUT AND ABOUT TO ASK YOU LOT YOUR OPINIONS OF SOME OF LEICESTER’S HOT TOPICS...
W H AT’S THE B E S T T H I N G A B OUT LEICESTER? of sm al l lo ca l gi gs t lo a ite qu to “I go th e m us ic sc en e as I am qu ite in to et ve be en to a se cr ha d an re he d un ro r an in tim at e gi g. ve nu e re ce nt ly fo d it bu t ca n’ t te ll I w ou ld re co m m en !” yo ur w he re ! ha ha
“ S o m u c h in su c h a sh o rt d is ta n c e ! I c a n sh o p in th e m a in c e n tr e o r I c a n ta k e a sh o rt w a lk a n d su n b a th e in A b b ey P a rk , if w e e v e r g e t a n y su n !” V ic
k y , L e ic e s t e r
t er C ha rl ie , L ei c es
“So ar Po int an d the DM U Un ion as I do n’t ge t to lea ve the De Mo ntf ort ca mp us mu ch du e to wo rk. I als o lik e wa lki ng by the ca na l int o tow n.”
“I like goi ng out in Leic este r: ther es a var iety of club s tha t pla y diff ere nt type s of mus ic so ther es alw ays som ewh ere to go. ”
Ga bo r, Hu ng ar y
Aim ee, Br oug hto n As tle y
sh an d “I en joy nig hts ou t to Mo wh o I’m So ph be ck de pe nd ing on kin g wi th an d wh at we ar e loo thi ng fo r. Ca n alw ay s fin d so me ” de pe nd ing on ou r bu dg et!
S im on , L eic es te r
“I ca m e on th e tra in w ith Ch ar lo tte as th er e is no th in g in O ak ha m an d w e ca n be he re so qu ic k to sh op an d gr ab lu nc h, so m an y pl ac es to ch oo se fr om th ou gh !"
Ol iv ia , Oa k ha m
ve nu es to se e “L ot s of liv e m us ic es pe ci al ly ba nd s un si gn ed ba nd s, s h fr ie nd s or ba nd yo u kn ow th ro ug it bi g. ” be fo re th ey m ak e
C hr is , D ev on
“C am e he re on the tra in for the da y to sho p in Hig hcr oss as it ha s so ma ny sho ps no w an d we po pp ed to the Cin em a De lux e wh ich wa s coo l!”
Ch ar lot te , Oa kh am “I live in the city cen tre so to wa lk fro m hom e to wo rk and hav e the opp ort uni ty and pla ce to gra b a qui ck afte r wo rk pin t is am azi ng and sav es me a lot in pet rol !”
Tim ,L eic est er
“G oo d ga y sce ne he re tho ug h slig htl y on the exp en siv e sid e. He lsin ki is alw ay s a fav e!”
Da nie lle , Le ice st er
Trap Hoot was brought to you by Kim Brammer who also does some other lovely photography. Head over to www.klbartandphotography.co.uk to see more!
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T H E M O N O G R A P H LEICESTER MUSIC N E W S
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