Engineers, who released their third album last month, are embarking on a tour of the UK this very week. Recently bolstered by the addition of Daniel Land and Ulrich Schnauss, their music feels rejuvenated, fresher and more alive. I caught up with band leader Mike Peters to chew the fat on influences, record labels and selling out.
November, 2010
PJ Harvey announces new album
After several months of dropping subtle hints, PJ Harvey has announced her first solo release since White Chalk is called will Let England Shake and will be out on 14 February 2011.
Various Artists – Tradi-Mods Vs. Rockers: Alternative Takes on Congotronics
Crammed Discs present a 2-CD tribute to the trailblazing adventurers of modern Congolese music, with a twist.
Gregory and the Hawk – Leche
Although her third studio album Leche proves Gregory and the Hawk is worthy of praise, it lacks the unique content we’ve come to expect from Godreau following 2007’s In Your Dreams and 2008’s Moenie and Kitchi.
Massive Attack release new EP for War Child
Bristol based, world renowned production duo Massive Attack have announced that all the proceeds from their new Atlas Air EP, out now, will go to the charity War Child.
Explosions In The Sky announce 2011 shows
In addition to their eagerly awaited fifth studio release, 2011 will see the Texan post rockers Explosions In The Sky headline their first dates in UK in over two years.
The Human League: ‘Night People’
Remember those era-defining videos that The Human League made during the eighties? Well, this isn’t one of them. But for a comeback video, it’s still pretty rad and, full credit to the band for releasing something that’s obviously creatively challenging to them rather than re-hashing their sound of old.
TLOBF Introducing // Evan Voytas
Evan Voytas is the sort of enigma that would have brains at Bletchley Park popping just at the consideration of his situation. Impressed and intrigued, we set out some questions to try and elucidate the whole musical situation, and spectacularly failed. We did, however, find out some fantastic trivia should he ever pop up in a particularly cutting-edge pub quiz.
Win! Tickets to The Old Blue Last’s birthday party
Wish you had a ticket to The Old Blue Last’s exclusive birthday celebrations that includes performances from O Children and Salem? TLOBF could be the answer to your prayers – enter our competition to be in with a chance of dropping along to the gig on December 1.
The Wave Pictures announce new single, London shows
Following on from the summer’s hectic touring schedule, The Wave Pictures have announced their new single ‘Jonny Helm Sings’ will be released through Moshi Moshi on 13 December.
Äänen Lumo Festival – Helsinki, Finland 8-14 November 2010
Every now and then we are told, by whom I’m not sure– Buddhist monks? Old people? Folk musicians?–that quiet is the new loud. I always want to believe that. But all too often, loud goes back to being the new loud. From the din of the pub to the bustle of the street to super-saturated “hot production” on the radio, it’s just a loud world we live in.
Winnebago Deal – Career Suicide
With four years since their last album Winnebago Deal return with a fierce slab of stripped-back second wave punk.
Crewdson – Dust EP
The Dust EP serves as a precursor to a debut LP which is set for release in Spring 2011 and showcases the unusual yet inventive approach Crewdson has toward assembling beats in an ad hoc manner.
Heartland Festival – Vevey, Switzerland 11/12/13 November 2010
Cheese, Chocolate, Canadian Indie Rock? Over four nights, the Salle de Castillo played host to the Heartland festival, with headline shows from Owen Pallett, Broken Social Scene and Do Make Say Think.
Chris Brokaw and Geoff Farina – The Boarder’s Door
A year on from their first collaboration The Angel’s Message to Me, guitar-picking dons Brokaw and Farina have hooked up again to blend blues, grey moods and fancy fretwork in an assuming – but absorbing enough – meander around the indie folk margins.
Family Fodder – Classical Music
Family Fodder write sparkling tunes without being a pop band. They experiment without ever going improv. And contrary to the album title, they use classical instrumentation without sounding even vaguely ‘classical’.
