Archive for March, 2009

Posted on March 30, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

How Does It Feel

“Digging deep into a 60s to 70s selection with the Temptations, Beach Boys, The Shangri Las and into the 80s with The Smiths, Belle And Sebastian – ‘a celebration of an emotion in motion’. Deeeep.” – Time Out London.

Once upon a time it was only Beatles and Rolling stones, all throwing bums in in the next indie band prime and hear people say “Beware blokes… you’re bound to fall”. (more…)

Posted on March 27, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Power Pop’s Not Dead

Slow Down Tallahassee, here we go! Rich, Claire and Nicholas, hand in hand unconsciously attempting to summon the “Spirit of theTransvision Past“. George Harrison meets Ramones: here it is “I know Much For Love” (Cloudberry 10th), a song suitable for any club in the World! These boys seem to emprove and to grow really quickly. One of their latest hits, “The Beautiful Light”, owns the taste of those madchester bites, just like having Apples In Stereo playing for Factory Records. (more…)

Posted on March 25, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

An Hi-Life Companion

Yeah. That’s right. An Hi-Life Companion. Cause there are always moments in time anybody should need one. Whatever he’s supposed to be. A sophisticated gorgeoud lady opening doors in Montecarlo, just a friend to hang out with pub-spotting on a saturday night, in my case… a band to brighten up my days!

Matt and Jon Troy (ex “Airport Girl” drummer), Melissa Collins, John Pelps, Dave Toole, Abi and Russel Scott, Mark Freeth (ex “Mayfield” drummer) are “The Hi-Life Companion” from Bristol (the land of “Santa Dog”) and they seem the right gang to bring the joy in. (more…)

Posted on March 25, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

WoodPigeon

This year – and last months of 2008, anyway – were particulary good in the discovery of cool bands. I mean, not just average m’key ones. I’m talking about bands whose songs you could actually fall in love with, coming right through your heart to brake it right in two ripping it up just from the inside out. I’m talking about F.E.E.L.I.N.G.S. and S.H.I.V.E.R.S.. Miracles are hold by the faith in human kindness, and I was lucky enough to have a little interview with one of these bands. They’re new for me, but they’re on the scene scince a bit. They come from Canada, and their name is Woodpigeon, apparantly because writing the name feels just like rising and falling from a roller-coaster. (more…)

Posted on March 23, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Heil to Elfs

I can’t lie you. I was really excited ’bout that gig. Elephant6 Collective has always been some kind of modern legend for me, and after listening to all of their albums and making myself a little knowledge thanks to their pre-wikipedian site, I would have never Imagined that the day would have come when I could have had the chance to see one of their band… live! (more…)

Posted on March 22, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

Kaki

Kaki King played @ Kalkinka last Friday. Was it a great show? Let’s say it was REALLY crowded. So crowded I could hardly see the guitar virtuosa from the first lines. (her height was not helping anyway). Kaki King is really a master in playing chords in her own unique way. A shame that all this tecnique showed during the long show sounded a little void and sensless.

(more…)

Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

Cashier No.9 = Cloud No.9

St. Paddy’s day was upon us quite literally and I felt that spreading my wings to Belfast for a musical affair would be quite fitting.

Cashier No.9 are frankly one of the sexiest artists to emerge from this gracious and radiant city. Danny Todd, James Smith, Stuart McGowan and Phillip Duffy link together to create a band that not only beams rays of genius but also fuses styles of music in a way that is so addictive it makes you want to keep listening. The beauty being you will never overdose. (more…)

Posted on March 20, 2009 - by Halina Rifai

St Deluxe

St Deluxe are one of those bands that you should have heard of but instead a random encounter introduced you. Even now when I listen to them I still cannot believe that I did not hear of them sooner. I felt myself verbally shouting my friends down as to why I had not heard of them sooner, as if it was not my fault!

Well, it is my fault. They have those dirty, distorted siren guitar sounds that make you reminisce in a way only fitting for true alternative fans. Some may interpret that as being pretentious but those that love that grungy, melancholic sound will know what I mean. (more…)

Posted on March 19, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

From Mars to Waikiki

Kraftwerk was possibly the only band emerged from the European culture of pop offering a musical vision of  their own. They did it well, like a silent synthetic virus spreaded through their vynils ready to hit victims all around the World. The plague didn’t end, and in time it slowly evolved in many branches, from iPhone music to 8Bit Pop. There comes times when some of their descendant can emerge for a deep breath on the surface of the thousand voices echoing their vocoder anthems over the great telematic sea. It’s the case of the classy “The Gentle People”, World citizens.

(more…)

Posted on March 18, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

When Blind Terry Wrecked My Mind

“But Terry says ‘No, Pop /They’re just plain heroes’” – Bruce Springsteen

If there is possibly a band on Earth I would really die to see playing live in front of me gigglin’ head and heart on the Moon 2 inches from the stage, well lads, that band would be “Blind Terry” for sure. One word? P.E.R.F.E.C.T. Started as a duo, the band now sounds something like Lucky Soul (“Woah Terry!!!”) meeting an upgraded version of Frida Hyvonen on clever lyrics and songs, just like a strange indie version of Feist being born again on Sweden. (more…)