cambridge// I Strip For Couples to play Cambridge Junction

I Strip for Couples will play Cambridge Junction J2 on October 29th.

Former ‘The Broken Family Band’ guitarist Jay Williams, presents ‘i strip for couples’ – With a string section, 2 drummers, keys, sound effects, a rapper and several guitars; a crew made up of some of the brightest and most exciting musicians from this part of the country. The result is a heady mix touching on 70′s zeitgeists such as ELO, Jeff Wayne and Queen, through to the intimate digital music of the likes of Olifur Arnalds and James Blake, cemented together with a solid indie rock glue. “I’ve put everything I love into it, no holds barred, no compromises made.” Jay will be joined by Lavern Ashly making his debut; singer, rapper – a man on a mission.

underdog// episode 26

Slatethedisco.com presents a weekly, 1-hr look at the Cambridge music scene – local bands, bands playing in Cambridge, brand new alternative music, or just stuff we like. This week – Andy and Claudia from Eureka Stockade play live in the studio, new stuff from Big Deal and the Smith Westerns, and the album of the week from the National…

playlist:
’3am spiritual’ – Smith Westerns
‘Cruising’ – Black Lips
‘Don’t Swallow the Cap’ – The National
‘The Drinking Song LIVE’ – Eureka Stockade
‘Another song LIVE’ – Eureka Stockade
‘Colours To Life’ – Temples
‘Mavericks & mystics’ – Purson
‘The Lobster Quadrille’ – Franz Ferdinand
‘Dream Machines’ – Big Deal
‘I Know Its You’ – Guards
‘Sea Of Love’ – The National
‘Love Her Madly’ – The Doors

Underdog105, 22nd May 2013 ft Eureka Stockade live in the studio – thanks guys! by Underdog on Mixcloud

cambridge// Shlomo to play Cambridge Junction

Human Geekbox and world famous beatboxer is returning to Cambridge to play the Cambridge Junction on October 10th, with tickets on sale now.

new music// All We Are ‘Utmost Good’ video

‘Utmost Good’ is the new single from Liverpool-based collective All We Are, released 17th June on Obscenic. They describe themselves as ‘like the Bee Gees on Diazepan’ and, with its slow rhythmic shuffle, pop harmonies and lovelorn lyrics, they remind us of a moodier, more R&B-flecked MGMT.

The video is slighty VHS-esq, featuring many of the band’s friends and other key members of the Liverpool music scene singing the lyrics directly into the lens

The backstory: The trio, made up of a Norwegian (Guro Gikling), an Irishman (Richard O’Flynn) and a Brazilian (Luis Santos), met while studying at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA) two years ago, this is their first release since last year’s ‘We Hunt’ EP.

new music// Hooded Fang ‘Ode To Subterrania’ video

Hooded Fang’s new tune ‘Ode To Subterrania’ comes over like a West Coast War of the Worlds. The video was directed by the band’s frontman and producer, Dan Lee, and features a mixture of found footage, cheap effects and some old shots that he found of some friends dancing in Sarnia to reggae music at a festival Hooded Fang played.

It’s taken from their second album ‘Gravez’, released on Monday on Full Time Hobby, that does its job in 30 minutes dead. Clearly, this is a group who know there’s nothing to be gained for labouring the point.

Overflowing with the taught energy of their live shows and the sound of a found kinship within the band, ‘Gravez’ represents a collective who have found their stride. Through the album’s mixture of live band recordings done in their friend’s studio and a bunch of tweaked home ‘demos’ recorded by Dan in his bedroom, what you never get is the blinding sheen of over-production.

HOODED FANG UK SHOWS
20 September – Manchester, Roadhouse
21 September – Glasgow, Broadcast
23 September – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
24 September – London, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen

new music// Boards of Canada ‘Reach for the Dead’

‘Reach for the Dead’ is the first new material to surface from Boards of Canada and their new album ‘Tomorrow’s Harvest’. The album ‘Tomorrow’s Harvest’ released 10th June.

new music// Hookworms ‘On Returning’ video

Leeds’ Hookworms are set to release a new 7″, ‘Radio Tokyo’, following up on the debut LP, ‘Pearl Mystic’ which they released in March. ‘On Returning’ is the B-side to their ‘Radio Tokyo’.

new music// Young Knives ‘Maureen’ video

Some of it sounds like Kraftwerk. Some of it sounds like a late 1990s computer games console being forced into a food processor. Some of sounds like experimental Blur. Some of it sounds like The Fall. Some of those riffs do sound a bit like Gang Of Four still, actually. It’s the most intriguing, dark, out there yet still instantly lapel- ?gripping music the band has ever created. Young Knives under the bed sheets.

‘Maureen’ is taken from Young Knives ‘Oh Happiness’ EP which is out in June 24th

new music// Disclosure ‘When A Fire Starts To Burn’

‘When A Fire Starts To Burn’ is the first proper track on Settle, the duo’s highly-anticipated debut album.

Having steadily built a name for themselves as purveyors of a standard of music production way beyond their tender years, Disclosure have spent a solid couple of years honing their prolific output, which includes two Top 10 singles so far in 2013. Now they are delighted to announce that their debut album, ‘Settle’, will be released on June 3rd through PMR Records (home to, among others, Jessie Ware and Julio Bashmore).

new music// The Dodos ‘Confidence’

San Francisco natives The Dodos announce the release of their new LP, Carrier, out worldwide on August 27 via Polyvinyl Records. The album will also be released by Dine Alone in Canada, Hi Note in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and China, P-Vine in Japan, and Jointt Corporation in Thailand. The album will be released on CD, LP (180 gram blue vinyl), cassette (limited edition of 100 white cassettes) and all digital outlets.

The first single “Confidence” is available for streaming (listen above) and will see a digital release on May 21st. The Dodos, comprised of singer and guitarist Meric Long and drummer Logan Kroeber, are also heading out on a full North American tour following the release of Carrier. Dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

new music// Bloody Knees ’100 Days’

Currently riding high as Cambridge’s most talked about band, with coverage from numerous music zines, even making it to track of the day on The Fly, Bloody Knees are readying their new self-tiled EP, which will be with us on June 17th.

Today they unveiled a new track that will be on that EP, ’100 Days’ have a listen below.

new music// Grass House ‘And Now For The Wild’

Latest signings to Marshall Teller Records, Grass House are set to release a new single on June 24, 2013.

‘And Now For The Wild’, recorded at Monnow Valley Studios in Wales with producer Jim Anderson(Cold Specks, The Twilight Sad, 2:54), comes backed with live favourite ‘Spinning As We Turn’ and is released on seven inch vinyl and available to download.

Possibly their finest moment to date, the new single is a taste of what to expect from the band’s debut album which is set for release later this year on their new label. Cascading cinematic guitars with a hypnotic rhythm section, theband continue down a more sonic path with truly great results. Whilst Eno, The Velvet Underground, Joe Meek and The Walkmen still hold influence on the band, the Grass House sound is unique and very much stands alone.

Formed in London last year, the band line up of Liam Palmer, Steven Dove, Ross Hall and Nicholas Jones will play their brand of ‘Outsider Pop’ at a special London show at the Hoxton Bar and Grill on June 25 to coincide with the single release.

underdog// episode 25

Slatethedisco.com presents a weekly, 1-hr look at the Cambridge music scene – local bands, bands playing in Cambridge, brand new alternative music, or just stuff we like. This week – Jordan is on his hols, so Rich Hughes sits in and brings some excellent music with him from Rob St John, Karen Gwyer and Sic Alps. Also featuring Mikal Cronin and Wolf People, and the Album of the week from Primal Scream.

playlist:

‘Itching on a photograph’ – GROUPLOVE
‘The Missing’ – Deerhunter
‘Culturecide’ – Primal Scream
‘Festival’ – Victoria & Jacob
‘Weight’ – Mikal Cronin
‘Pikku-Kokki’ – Karen Gwyer
‘Charcoal black & the bonnie grey’ – Rob St John
‘When I Was on Horseback’ – MEMORY BAND
‘Invisible City’ – Primal Scream
‘She’s On Top’ – Sic Alps
‘All Returns’ – Wolf People

Underdog105 15th May 2013, Rich Hughes sits in for Jordan. Ft Primal Scream, Victoria & Jacob… by Underdog on Mixcloud

cambridge// Low to play Cambridge Junction

Low have announced a Cambridge leg on their UK tour this November.

The band will play a run of 7 shows in November ahead of their appearance at ATP’s ‘End of an Era’ weekend event at Camber Sands. The UK tour starts in Cambridge, on November 14th, tickets available now from Cambridge Junction.

The tour is in support of their recent album, ‘The Invisible Way’ which was produced by Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy.

Low’s UK dates this November are as follows…

14 Nov – Cambridge, UK – Junction
15 Nov – Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
16 Nov – Sheffield, UK – Queen’s Social Club
18 Nov – Liverpool, UK – Anglican Cathedral
19 Nov – Edinburgh, UK – Queens Hall
20 Nov – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
21 Nov – Norwich, UK – Arts Centre
22-24 Nov – Camber Sands, UK – ATP Festival

new music// Swimming Lessons ‘Double’

Swimming Lessons is the brainchild of 24-year-old Ben Lewis. Unlike most electronic bedroom artists, Swimming Lessons is a project that has blossomed around his live performance, a testament to Lewis’ powerful, operatic voice and mesmerising visual show. Ben’s esteemed performances have seen him handpicked to play with acts such as Grimes, Tune-Yards and Of Montreal, as well as picking up coverage from The NME, The Fly and Fake DIY.

Firmly centered in the creative hub of Leeds, Lewis has been crafting a sound that is lovingly smothered in equal parts lush reverb and infectious hooks. Adopting a strong DIY sentiment in Leeds, Swimming Lessons is a project seeing Lewis not only write and perform alone, but also take the reigns on all artwork, visuals and videos. The latest song ‘Double’, co-produced with longtime friend MJ of Hookworms, is a masterful concoction of soaring choruses and dreamy soundscapes, transposing an affection of the experimentalism of Panda Bear and unadulterated pop sentiment of Yeasayer, Swimming Lessons is destined to make a splash in 2013.

new music// Guards ‘I Know It’s You’

Guards release their new single, ‘I Know It’s You’ on 8th July 2013. It is taken from their debut album ‘In Guards We Trust’, out now through Partisan Records.

Following their recent explosive visit to Europe, New York City’s Guards, ready another reverb-heavy, fuzz-pop tune from their acclaimed debut album. ‘I Know It’s You’, is a pulsating gem and another assured example of why Guards’ profile is ever-expanding across the globe.

new music// Wolf Alice ‘Bros’ video

After a busy weekend at The Great Escape, Wolf Alice will be heading to the various Dot-To-Dot Festival destinations, on Friday (spread across Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham) but not before taking a breath to release the video for new single ‘Bros’.

http://dottodotfestival.co.uk/

new music// The 1975 ‘IV’ ep stream

The 1975 have unveiled the full stream of their new “IV” EP. The 4 track UK EP features current single “The City”, as well as 3 other brand new tracks; “Haunt // Bed”, “So Far (It’s Alright)” and “fallingforyou” – check it out below

Following the release of their acclaimed EPs “Facedown”, “Sex”, and “Music For Cars”, The 1975 are pleased to announce the release of new EP “IV” on the 20th May 2013 through Dirty Hit / Polydor in the UK.

2013 has already been huge for the band with sold out tours both in the UK and the US, a support slot across Europe with Two Door Cinema Club, a triumphant week at SXSW and a top 20 hit in the UK’s official single chart with “Music For Cars” lead track “Chocolate”. The band’s May UK tour is sold out as are two landmark shows at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire and Manchester’s The Ritz in Sept 2013.

You can check our interview with The 1975 here and our live review of their Cambridge gig earlier this year here.

album review// Tribes ‘Wish To Scream’
words// Wesley Freeman-Smith

I’ve put off writing this for an age, figuring there must be something I was missing here. The band has all the right PR behind them to suggest this is something you’re going to want to hear – that here lies a mythical creature, the future of rock ‘n’ roll, like it’s 2001 all over again. There’s a hell of a lot of bombast behind these songs, but something here’s not sitting right… no words came. It’s the kind of release that’s timeless, in the sense that it could have been released 10 years ago, or 10 years from now, without that seismic change in context having any affect on the listening experience. It’s big, it’s glossy, it’s slick, but beneath it all I’m not finding much to hold onto.

Starting as it means to go on, opening track Dancehall rolls out as a piano-led, single-ready indie rock track, and everything about it screams radio friendly. Lyrics about a girl, bluesy guitar licks, a chorus that sounds bigger than the verse… this has anthem written all over it and I’m sure coming out a car radio it’s going to feel pretty damn triumphant, or when played at an indie disco after a few pints. So I’m looking forward to trying that out soon. It’s a feeling that pervades the whole album – everything is only a couple of steps away from being played on a sound system near you. They’ve definitely nailed the whole ‘writing songs’ business.

Big track no. 3 – hints of a band who are stepping up their game, and as a lead single it’s a pretty nifty trick. A massive sound of an intro, drums you could rally a generation behind, and a couple of living-the-dream rock star solos thrown in for good measure. It leans heavily on an anthemic chorus so universal it could easily mean nothing at all. “Ain’t it strange how the other half live?” Yeah, I guess so… What do you say to that? It’s the lyrical equivalent of making small talk about the weather. Each song in its own right is laden with hooks and small touches which as standalone works could indicate something larger happening on the album, but taken together all these antics seem a little calculated; unsubstantiated.

There are touches of more iconic bands throughout – the 50′s rock ‘n’ roll piano on Sons and Daughters, that saxophone that sounds a little like it belongs on a vintage Bowie track, the ballad that’s vaguely reminiscent of an early Tom Waits. The problem is that all of these artists are famous because of their originality and innovation, and their careers are built on evolving a unique sound. Little here seems to raise its head above the realm of well-crafted homage. So if that’s what you’re looking for, this may be for you. There is diversity, but the field is pretty narrow – usually there’s piano, two choruses, a guitar solo, plus some mystery surprise at the end – it could be a choir full of harmonies, a saxophone, a strange vocal distortion.

While all this ornamentation isn’t without merit, the sad truth is you don’t just write the same 2 songs 6 times and add a brass section at the end to make them different. Tribes’ sound has all the hallmarks of a genre which deserves grit, but when I try and reach out it falls through my fingers like sand. There is nothing about this that offends, that jars, that provokes… and therefore nothing that really engages. “All you need is imagination”, the band sing on the penultimate track. Unless this is work of seamlessly constructed satire, you can’t help but notice the irony.

You’ve got the formula down right guys – now all you’ve got to do is shake it up a little.

Wish to Scream is out now on Island Records.

Lucy Rose – the Cambridge Junction, 15.05.2013

new music// Men’s Adventures ‘Feeling Bad’

We have a new found love in the form of a new band from London called Men’s Adventures. They’ll be releasing their debut EP Solitary Trip June 24th on Dirty Bingo Records (Woman’s Hour, Drop Out Venus, Shinies).

The band are comprised of core members and longtime friends Alfie and Jimmy who share songwriting and vocals duties. They make an emotive take on surf, Western and psychedelic rock, echoing the space between the widescreen ambience of Ennio Morricone soundtracks, cathartic guitar workouts of Neil Young and the brittle anthemics of Wolf Parade and The Arcade Fire, with their own distinctive sound and inherent feel for melody.

new music// Jagwar Ma ‘Man I Need’ video

Ahead of their highly anticipated debut album Howlin released June 10th on Marathon Artists, Jagwar Ma, the duo of Jono Ma and Gabriel Winterfield, are now pleased to unveil the video for their latest single ‘Man I Need’.

Jagwar Ma, the duo of Jono Ma and Gabriel Winterfield, first bonded in Sydney, Australia over a mutual passion of melody and experimental beats, setting out to create a sound that would capture their love for contemporary electronica & classic American pop harmony, Joe Meek & King Tubby, vintage drum machines & radio frequency manipulation, Ray Davies’ vintage amp noise and improvised percussion.

Hot on the heels of powerhouse singles ‘The Throw’ and ‘Man I Need’, Jagwar Ma will release their debut album Howlin which will be released June 10th on Marathon Artists, the full track listing is as follows;

1. What Love?
2. Uncertainty?
3. The Throw?
4. That Loneliness?
5. Come Save Me?
6. Four?
7. Let Her Go?
8. Man I Need?
9. Exercise?
10. Did You Have To?
11. Backwards Berlin

cambridge// Texas to play Corn Exchange

In their 25th anniversary year Texas release their brand new studio album ‘The Conversation’ through PIAS Recordings on May 20th 2013. Following the album release, Texas will return in November with a full UK tour including a show at Cambridge Corn Exchange on November 25th and a string of dates around the country.

Texas’s eighth album, ‘The Conversation’ is their first in eight years and is the latest in a career that has seen the band sell over 30 million albums worldwide with a succession of multi-platinum albums ‘White on Blonde’, ‘The Hush’ and ‘Greatest Hits’. This overdue return in 2013 clearly redefines and confidently re-introduces the band afresh with tracks written and produced by singer/guitarist Sharleen Spiteri and bassist Johnny McElhone and featuring collaborations with singer-songwriter Richard Hawley and Bernard Butler.

‘The Conversation’ is an album splitting its seams with the joy of a long-proven pop force creating a collection of songs rich enough in melody and emotion to deserve filing beside the best of the band’s previous million-selling hits. The album was recorded in Glasgow, London and at Richard Hawley’s studio in Sheffield where the seven tracks he worked on went on to form the backbone of ‘The Conversation’: a perfect marriage of Hawley’s 50s rock’n’roll frills and the timeless Texas magnetism to cast-iron melodies.

Texas will play;
Saturday 9th November York, Barbican
Sunday 10th November Inverness, Leisure Centre
Monday 11th November Manchester, Bridgewater Hall
Wednesday 13th November Bristol, Colston Hall
Thursday 14th November London, Hammersmith Apollo
Friday 15th November Plymouth, Pavilions
Sunday 17th November Oxford, Apollo
Monday 18h November Birmingham, Symphony Hall
Tuesday 19th November Southend, Cliffs Pavilion
Thursday 21st November Brighton, Dome
Friday 22nd November Portsmouth, Guildhall
Sunday 24th November Ipswich, Regent Theatre
Monday 25th November Cambridge, Corn Exchange
Tuesday 26th November Sheffield, City Hall
Thursday 28th November Glasgow, Academy
Friday 29th November Edinburgh, Usher Hall

new music// Drenge ‘Backwaters’

Crowned Zane Lowe’s Hottest Record in the World on Radio 1 this week, ‘Backwaters’ is the next instalment from the exciting Drenge.

The duo, consisting of brothers Eoin and Rory Loveless, newest track is a perfect mix of brutality and soul…