Monday 30 July 2012

Gigs last week

Went out to see Frankie Rose on Thursday 26th at XOYO (London). I'd previously seen her do a short instore with the Outs a couple of years ago which was good, but didn't entirely know what to expect this time. It turned out to be a pretty fantastic performance. Her new band played the songs from the new album really tightly and also managed to add something new and a little different to the older stuff. Even the harmonies worked with just Frankie and her keyboard player (who's name I unfortunately don't know). It has to be said that Frankie herself has a terrific voice, particularly highlighted on 'pair of wings' which she sang beautifully even though there was some pretty heavy unintended feedback squeal coming off of something! Great gig and they only managed to blow one bass amp!! At least as good as the Dum Dum Girls as a live prospect.



Also went to Daytime Music at the Union Chapel on Saturday, which was a WIAIWYA show with the Leaf Library, Hong Kong in the 60's, and Pete Astor. It was a free show, although the Union Chapel do ask for a donation of a couple of pounds which frankly is very reasonable as far as I'm concerned.
The first two bands were a good mix of dreamy electronic and at times almost folky type things which was quite perfect for a Saturday afternoon. Both definitely worth looking out for for anyone who doesn't already know them. Pete Astor is simply a great singer songwriter who could most probably hold the attention of a crowd almost indefinitely! John Jervis of WIAIWYA must be the most friendly person in the history of the music industry and also happens to put out a huge amount of thoroughly fantastic music. No doubt more about that later...

Thursday 26 July 2012

First Post

So this is my absolute first attempt at blogging!! I've been considering what the first post should be about, with various ideas coming in and out of favour throughout the morning...and then a 12" vinyl sized package with a WeePOP stamp arrived at my door. This could only be fate, so what better a place to start.
Just seeing the WeePOP stamp on a package puts me in a good mood which can only ever be added to by discovering the awesomeness within; in this case 'FIVE A WEEPOP COVERS COMPILATION'. While I've only heard one and a half sides of the red part of the double album so far (while writing this) I can safely say that anyone with any, even slight, interest in indie, pop, indiepop or frankly good music has to hear it as soon as possible. But then as far as I'm concerned the same goes for pretty much everything that the label releases, particularly when the lovely hand made 3" cds are involved.
So far extremely difficult to pick a favourite out as the quality just keeps on going.

In fact right now I would challenge anyone who finds themselves stressed about the heat, Olympics, traffic (vehicular rather than the band, unless they cause particular stress), holidays and so on to listen to any part of the compilation and not be immediately happy...even looking at the artwork and the blue and red vinyl should do the job if you don't have a record player to hand...

It has to be said that it's incredibly rare to find a 20+ track covers compilation which I can listen to in one sitting without skipping any tracks, but this is without doubt one in a very short list. Actually I can't think of any others right now which must say something about something.
anyway,

Sunshine and sublime covers by superb bands. Now that's living:)