Like sandwiches? Like Peggy Sue? Excellent, because now you can make your very own Peggy Sue sandwich thanks to Jen Long and her new monthly column Ham On Why? Part interview, part sandwich recipe; quality music journalism at its finest.
Jen Long
True Widow – As High as the Highest Heavens and from the Center to the Circumference of the Earth
The sophomore effort from Texan drone riders True Widow drags on like it’s generously elongated title, reminding their fateful listener that True Widow aren’t a band quick to shy away.
Adam Kesher – Challenging Nature
Cut Copy, Midnight Juggernauts and even Klaxons can all be heard shining their influence on Challenging Nature, but where said bands have also returned with new material, their craft feels like it has evolved. Adam Kesher sound like a throwback before we’re ready for the revival.
Introducing: CYMBALS
Despite being less than a year old, CYMBALS have a debut album due out on Tough Love. Jen Long interrupted a date to talk to them about green Turkish yoghurt.
Record Store Day: Jen Long meets Spiller’s Ashli Todd
Continuing our coverage of all things independent for Record Store Day, Jen Long speaks to Spiller’s Record store owner Ashli Todd about the trials and tribulations of running “the oldest record shop in the world.”
The Chapman Family – Burn Your Town
This album is indie rock for those who still believe four guys with guitars can provide more than postures and incendiary interview copy. Because that’s certainly at the centre of what this band believe.
Cross Linx Festival, Eindhoven 17/02/11
We sent National fangirls Jen Long and Laura Snapes to Eindhoven, Holland for the Cross Linx Festival. Here’s what happened.
JEFF the Brotherhood – Heavy Days
The beauty of Heavy Days is its fantastic gift of sounding both classic and current. There’s no lazy constructions or chord progressions, the vocals bear the hooks of melody while the tracks jump and burn underneath. Jen Long puts her foot firmly on the monitor and lets her hair down to the brotherhood of JEFF.
Introducing: Guards
Guards is the solo project of Richie Follin, member of the band Willowz, brother to Cults’ Madeline Follin, and step-son to Paul Kostabi, a former Youth Gone Mad punker. In Guards, Follin creates dark and consuming guitar pop with an echo of heartbreak and hope.
TLOBF Interview // Screaming Females
Jen Long calls up Mike, Marissa and Jarrett from Screaming Females (down an irritatingly intermittent phone line) to talk about one of the most overlooked records of 2010. Plus, what the imminent future holds for the New Jersey based trio.
Zach Hill – Face Tat
He bangs the drums, but with a little help from from Devandra Banhart, No Age, Prefuse 73 and Deerhoof.
Salem – Thekla, Bristol 30/11/10
Ominous and dark and unsettling: Jen Long watches SALEM amongst a sea of “witch house battery chickens”.