Taken from ‘Temporary Pleasure’, Simian Mobile Disco’s forthcoming second album, ‘Cruel Intentions’ sees producers James Ford and Jas Shaw team up with Gossip front-woman Beth Ditto. The track showcases a, rarely heard, softer side to Ditto’s vocal range – proof that there’s more to her than belting out rock tracks. ‘Cruel Intentions’ is easily comparable to ‘I Believe’ from the pair’s first album, however it does take in more of a disco influence that hasn’t previously been heard in their output.
The track is sure to be massive on release and is a great taster for what maybe one of the best dance albums of the year.
As the Festival season continues on, next weekend sees the return of The Big Chill Festival. Treading the line between boutique and behemoth the festival attracts huge acts, as well as a weird and wonderful crowd that make the weekend so special. With a capacity of 35,000 the festival has retained some of the intimacy that has made it so appealing since its inception in the mid nineties. Located in Hertfordshire’s Malvern Hills, The Big Chill offers a festival experience in a truly picturesque location. The site surrounds a deer park and those wishing to “take a moment” can relax next to the site’s lake.
The Big Chill always seems to pull some great headline acts out of the bag – and this year is no exception. Former Talking Heads maverick David Byrne headlines Friday, while Saturday will have you reaching for those torch glasses when the newly reformed Orbital play. The weekend is capped off with a performnace from Basement Jaxx, who may quite possibly be one of the best bands to see at a festival. The Jaxx will be debuting songs from their forthcoming album ‘Scars’ as well as dipping into their plentiful back catalogue.
But as we know it’s not all about the headliners. Other highlights will come from Brighton indie eccentrics British Sea Power, Friendly Fires (fresh from their awesome Glastonbury set) and Spiritualized, who continue to be one of the most stunning bands to see live. Big Chill will also play host to some of the best DJ’s around, including the legendary Norman Jay MBE, Shazam favourite Greg Wilson and fresh from recording his new Fabric mix, ToddlaT.
The Big Chill team always aims to set themselves apart with a lineup that encompasses the music, art, comedy, dance and film. Where else could you flip between the cosmic-disco of Lindstrøm, the weird and wonderful stand up of Noel Fielding and an art car boot sale? For line up and ticket info, head to their website
After slowly building their reputation in the US indie circuit, The Silent Years have their sights set on concurring the UK. Their new single ‘Climb on My Back’ has already receieved plays from Zane Lowe and is released through Gift Music on August 10th.
The track, produced by the band, was mixed with Chris Coady who has previously worked with TV On The Radio, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Grizzly Bear to name a few. ‘Climb On My Back’ is a great introduction to the bands glorious sound - with a chorus that will stick in your head well after the songs four minutes.
After touring with Flaming Lips, The Shins, MGMT and Arcade Fire the band look likely to follow in their peers footsteps this year. US indie bible Spin have already lauded praise on the band by describing them as “the best indie rock band in the country”. Look out for their forthcoming album ‘The Globe’ released later in the year.
This week Ian Carey retains his place at the top of the UK Pre-release Tag Charts with his summer anthem in the making, ‘Get Shakey’. Meanwhile, new release come from the likes of Shontelle, Bloc Party and Wale, whose ‘Chillin’ features the currently unstoppable Lady Gaga.
Despite not releasing any original music since 2004’s ‘Human After All’, Daft Punk remain one of the most important and influential acts in the current pop climate. Their mix of Gallic disco and balls to the wall electro has helped inspire the careers of many from KanYe West to Justice and inadvertently stimulated the current craze for vocoder and synth drenched pop / R&B. Now, after months of rumours, Daft Punk confirmed they will be providing us with some eagerly awaited new music in the soundtrack for the forthcoming blockbuster ‘Tron Legacy’. Announced at the Comic-Con event in San Diego, Daft Punk are set to provide 24 tracks for the much hyped film. Added to this ‘Tron’ director, Joseph Kosinski, let slip that there will be “some Daft Punk Tron-themed events on the horizon” – cueing all sorts of crazy internet speculation regarding a potential return of Daft Punk’s amazing live show. If that’s not enough to wet your appetite, you can check out the first glimpses of Daft Punk’s new tracks as the new Tron Lightcycle is unveiled at Comic-Con. Look out for some seriously over excited comic book fans as the bike is exposed for the first time!
Black Eyed Peas top the Shazam US Tag Chart for yet another week with ‘I Gotta Feelin’; that’s four weeks at number one for those that have been counting. New releases come this week from Mario and New York pop punksters, Cobra Starship.
With Fleet Foxes’ country-flavoured vocal harmonies and Bon Iver’s famous cabin retirement having produced the most universally acclaimed albums of 2008; it comes as no surprise that talent scouts are once again turning their ears towards the sounds of Americana. While there are no signs of a revival of the scope and impact of the mid-nineties wave of alt-country renovators (from Lambchop to Bonnie “Prince” Billy), a number of new acts mixing the old heritage (folk, country, blues) with the new (psychedelia, lo-fi, indie-rock) are helping to reignite interest for the genre.
Our favourite of the new pack is Woods, former lo-fi specialists who used to release their recordings on tape. “Songs Of Shame”, their fourth opus, has been hailed as their more accomplished to date. To their DIY weird psychedelic antics, they have added a diversity of classic influences, ranging from the guitar fuzz and distortion of Neil Young or Dinosaur Jr., to Crosby, Stills & Nash more rustic melodies. The promo videos ‘To Clean’ and ‘Where and what are you’ show celebrated proof of the band’s evolution, and although Jeremy Earl and Jarvis Taveniere are still way too experimental to forecast a big entrance into mainstream acceptance - like the one Fleet Foxes recently went through - it’s easy to see them among the top 10 of many blogs and publications when the moment to review the year arrives. Read more…
To mark the continued success of Defected’s ‘In The House’ parties at Ministry Of Sound, we’re giving you an exclusive chance to win tickets to the latest instalment taking place on Saturday Aug 1st. This month sees Defected hook up with legendary London label bosses, journalists and all round urban dance playmakers – Junior Boys Own. Since the late eighties and the birth of acid house, the Junior Boys Own gang have been turning the cogs behind the scenes at some of London’s most influential parties and have been instrumental in launching the careers of Underworld and X-Press 2 among tons of others. Showing their impeccable taste in house music, JBO have roped in Rocky and Diesel from X-Press 2 and Terry Farley from the legendary FAITH parties to take care of Ministry Of Sound’s bar. Meanwhile taking over the main room will be The Shapeshifters and electro house favourites ATFC who promise to bring the best in big room club music to Ministry’s legendary dance floor.
Well it’s only a Monday but the week ahead looms large and lengthy for those with at least one foot in camp-rock!
In imminent expectation of the upcoming Kerrang! Awards, Kentish Town Forum hosts a ‘Week of Rock’, excellent I hear you cry!
Highlights have to include Tuesday’s Emo fabulous double bill of You Me At Six and Attack Attack plus, for the classic rocker, the raucous Buckcherry on Thursday.
As if two solid nights of rock and roll and the odd sherbet weren’t enough, gird your loins this coming weekend for Sonisphere – the all new supersonic rock and metal festival extraordinaire! Headlined by the awesome Metallica, Sonisphere promises to be one hell of an event.
Check back same time next week for the result of said week of rock. Over and out….
While it appears we’re going to have to keep waiting for that elusive new album from The Strokes – the news that lead singer Julian Casablancas is realising a solo album will soften the blow for many fans. The band are no strangers to side projects, Albert Hammond Jr. has released two solo albums while drummer Fab and bassist Nikolai have been busy with their bands Little Joy and Nickel Eye respectively. However the announcement of an album from Casablancas, The Strokes lead songwriter, is sure to cause bouts of feverish excitement among the bands fan-base.
The singer has kept a relatively low profile since the bands last album, 2006′s ‘First Impressions Of Earth’, aside from collaborating with Pharrell Williams and Santigold on ‘My Drive Thru’ – released to celebrate Converse’s centennial anniversary. After announcing The Strokes have started putting together their new album, could the release of ’Phrases For The Young’ through Rough Trade later this year, mark a creative burst from the singer? We certainly hope so.
