Tag Archive | "Bella Union"

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The Low Anthem – Oh My God Charlie Darwin

Posted on 08 June 2009 by Simon Tyers

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The one line that will turn up in all of The Low Anthem’s UK press is that Steve Lamacq labelled them “this year’s Fleet Foxes”. Even if they seem unlikely candidates to make the same kind of high street impact, the track you’ll most likely know them for so far, ‘Charlie Darwin’, which opens proceedings on this third album (but first to make a wider impact) refers back to somewhere in between Pecknold and co and Bon Iver. It’s back porch acoustic Americana, laced with harmonies and Crosby Stills & Nash spirit, so spare you can almost feel the air in the room. Ben Knox Miller sings in a high, keeningly tender register about the ills of the modern man and his failing corporations (“Fighting for a system built to fail/Spooning water from their broken vessels, as far as I can see there is no land”) and a dusty harmonica solo at the end. It feels timeless, like it could equally have been handed down from an Alan Lomax field recording or featured as this month’s Mojo magazine rave. A trio from Rhode Island now signed to Nonesuch in America and Bella Union, after an earlier release through End Of The Road Records, in the UK. Continue Reading

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Ohbijou – Beacons

Posted on 08 June 2009 by Ro Cemm

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Beacons is the sophmore album from Toronto’s Ohbijou, following on from 2006 debut Swift Feet For Troubling Times. Many UK listeners (or at least TLOBF readers) may recognise the delicate vocals of front woman Casey Macija from her appearance on Bella Union labelmates The Acorn’s Glory Hope Mountain. Although originally a solo outlet for Macija’s work, she later went on to recruit younger sister Jennifer on violin and backing vocals, and a host of others to form an orchestral-folk pop band of the highest order, if Beacons is anything to go by. Continue Reading

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J. Tillman to release new album in September

Posted on 05 June 2009 by Simon Gurney

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Fleet Foxes stick-man, and prolific talented solo artist in his own right, J. Tillman is set to release Year In The Kingdom on Bella Union and Western Vinyl in September (Pitchfork says 22nd, but I haven’t seen any official source on that). This will make it the second album he’s released in one year, with Vacilando Territory Blues appearing back in January, and the sixth solo album of his career. Continue Reading

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Sleeping States names new album

Posted on 03 June 2009 by Rich Hughes

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This August sees the release of In The Gardens of the North, the Bella Union debut of Sleeping States, the musical project of Bristol-based Markland Starkie.

A literary inspired album, opening track ‘Rings of Saturn’ is a eulogy for WG Sebald while second track ‘The Next Village’ is inspired by Kafka.

Catch Sleeping States live at the following UK shows…

July
06 LONDON – ICA (Bella Union night)
19 LONDON – QEH (supporting Emmy The Great)

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TLOBF Interview :: Alessi’s Ark

Posted on 01 June 2009 by Rich Thane

On a lovely May spring evening I head from the grimey surroundings of Hackney and cut across town to London’s affluent Holland Park for an engagement with one of TLOBF’s favourite new artists – Alessi Laurent-Marke. Still only a baby at 18, Alessi carries herself as someone a lot older than her years – her lyrics and compositions show a maturity of someone perhaps twice her age. Roaming through the leafy pathways we talk about the making of debut album Notes From The Treehouse, her early influences, her brief foray into music journalism and her love of Heartless Bastards. Continue Reading

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St. Vincent, My Latest Novel, Fanfarlo and much more for Bella Union stage at 02 Wireless Fest

Posted on 27 May 2009 by Rich Hughes

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Blimey… that’s a hell of a headline, and it doesn’t even say all the GOOD things.

Following on from the success of last year, Bella Union will again be curating and hosting their own stage at this year’s Wireless Festival in Hyde Park.

It’s going to feature an eclectic mix of musical wonder. The stage will run on Saturday/Sunday from 3 – 8pm and will feature the following artists…

4th July:
Fanfarlo
Banjo or Freakout
Beth Jeans-Houghton
Chimes & Bells
Jesca Hoop

5th July
St. Vincent
Peter Broderick
My Latest Novel
The Low Anthem
Here We Go Magic

Bella Union and Live Nation will also be giving away a free download compilation to everyone buying their tickets online, including a track from each artist playing the Bella Union stage.

What a line-up!! TLOBF will be there this year with some exclusive access and live Tweeting! Marvellous!

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TLOBF Interview :: My Latest Novel

Posted on 21 May 2009 by Ro Cemm

My Latest Novel, February 2009

My Latest Novel, February 2009

In the run up to their album launch at Bush Hall, London this Bank Holiday Monday (25th May), Ro Cemm grabbed a quick 5 minutes with My Latest Novel as they sat on the beach before their Great Escape shows to talk touring, poetry and thunderbolts!

So, you guys just got off the bus, you were in Leeds last night. Hows the tour going?
[amid stretches]
Well, we’ve only really played last nights show, but that went pretty well, aye. We’re excited about playing these new songs out live. It’s been a while though – it’s like we’ve had to start from scratch a wee bit. Continue Reading

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My Latest Novel – Deaths And Entrances

Posted on 15 May 2009 by Bridget Helgoth

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You could read the press release for My Latest Novel’s new album, Deaths And Entrances, and you’d likely have a pretty good idea what it’s about.  Breathtaking melodies?  Check.  Gorgeous harmonies?  Check.  Sweeping arrangements?  Check.  As good as their debut album Wolves was, Deaths And Entrances radiates confidence and suggests that My Latest Novel is a band who have hit their stride.

The band holed up for nearly two years in an old pub in their hometown of Greenock to create Deaths And Entrances.  In addition to borrowing the album title from a Dylan Thomas poem, My Latest Novel drew upon many other literary gems for inspiration, including Alasdair Gray’s ‘Lanark’, Kurt Vonnegut’s ‘Slaughterhouse-Five’ and Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.  Such literary influences, along with the fact that many of the songs were written at the same time, result in an album that is cohesive and flows as one body of work rather than eleven individual tracks. Continue Reading

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Win! Tickets to see Andrew Bird and Snowbird in London

Posted on 04 May 2009 by Rich Thane

Bella Union recording artist Andrew Bird is back in the UK later this month for a brief three date tour. Our dear friends Snowbird, the new band started by Stephanie Dosen and Simon Raymonde have been hand picked as support and to celebrate, are giving a pair of tickets to give away to the Shepherds Bush Empire show on May 11.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following questions correctly:

1) Who did Stephanie Dosen collaborate with for the iTunes Festival in 2007?
2) Which instrumental band were the first to sign to Bella Union in 1997 and still remain with the label 12 years on?

Email your answers with your name and contact telephone number to bellaunionbaby@yahoo.com with the subject line: Snowbird at the Empire.

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EXCLUSIVE :: Bella Union stage line-up for 2009 O2 Wireless Festival

Posted on 27 April 2009 by Rich Hughes

After going down a storm last year, Bella Union have one again been asked to curate a stage at this year’s O2 Wireless Festival in London.

Taking place the weekend of the 4th / 5th July 2009 they’ve sweet-talked the following acts to grace the boards:

St Vincent
Fanfarlo
Banjo or Freakout
Low Anthem
Peter Broderick
Beth Jeans Houghton
My Latest Novel

More acts to be announced shortly, but that’s a pretty impressive line-up, full of TLOBF friendly acts well worth the entrance fee.

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Wavves gets first UK tour

Posted on 23 April 2009 by Rich Hughes

Wavves, newly signed to Bella Union, has confirmed a UK tour for June this year. There’ll also be a re-issue of the debut album Wavvves with, according to a tweet by label boss Simon Raymonde, a couple of new tracks to entice you to part with your cash…

May
27 London Old Blue Last

June
21 Oxford Jericho Tavern
22 London Luminere
23 Bristol Cooler     TBC
24 Manchester Deaf Institute
25 Glasgow Captains Rest
26 Leeds Cockpit
27 Cardiff Buffalo Bar
28 Nottingham The Social

Aug
01 London Field Day

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Bella Union sign Wavves

Posted on 14 April 2009 by Rich Hughes

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Bella Union have just announced the signing of Wavves - aka 22 year old Nathan Daniel Williams who has been causing quite a stir with a few 7”s and DIY tapes – and releasing the debut album Wavvves on June 1st 2009.

We’ve already reviewed an import release of the album here, earlier in the year, and we loved it’s raw, lo-fi smash in the face.

UK dates will be announced shortly.

Wavves on Myspace – find out what you’re missing…

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Joe Gideon & The Shark – Harum Scarum

Posted on 17 March 2009 by Gen Williams

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Not a moment too soon for the debut LP from this idiosyncratic duo. Joe Gideon and Viva ‘the Shark’, fraternally related and formerly of Bella Union alumni Bikini Atoll, have used their gestation period wisely playing well chosen shows (including a pleasingly billed Nick Cave support slot) and sharpening their lo-fi but oh-so-satisfying noisy blues. The outcome would appear to be this weird, funny record. Continue Reading

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Vetiver – Tight Knit

Posted on 16 March 2009 by Lauren Down

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Following the release of last year’s Thing of the Past, Vetiver offer up another collection of folksy American numbers in their forth full-length release to date, Tight Knit. Thing of the Past was a collection of cover songs from the late-sixties / early-seventies that tapped into the deep catalogue of singer Andy Cabic’s inspirations and unsurprisingly Tight Knit distils these influences into his own unique aesthetic. Cabic’s impressive record collection combined with his knowledge and appreciation of folk and classic rock mean that Tight Knit is more about refinement than reinvention as it continues where the debut LP To Find Me Gone left off. Continue Reading

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Beneath The Surface #1

Posted on 13 March 2009 by Simon Raymonde

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Robin Pecknold, Fleet Foxes / Photograph by Rich Thane

What a strange year it’s been. A few months before I signed Fleet Foxes to Bella Union in late 2007, I was all of a muddle…

*Cue swirly time-warp visuals*

Our european licensing partners (who distributed our records in Europe), suddenly went bust without warning leaving us without much lead in our pencils. Our office, which was a whole railway arch that vibrated noisily every time a Tube train went overhead (the vibrations would also curiously make the light in the toilets go off if you were sat in there reading the Beano), became overrun with friendly (they just walked slowly and most casually across the floor while we were chatting or listening to music) though rank-smelling, mice. They were way too nice (”nice mice”) to kill, but way too prolific to control. Continue Reading

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TLOBF Interview :: J. Tillman

Posted on 09 March 2009 by Lauren Down

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Photographs by Sonny Malhotra

Having taken up sticks for Fleet Foxes just under a year ago, the name Joshua Tillman has grown from a quiet murmur to a resonating, breathtaking howl. However, it would be erroneous to imply that Tillman is merely latching onto the coat tails of Fleet Foxes success, as he released five records as a solo artist before joining the band, not to mention his most recent, beautifully honest Vacilando Territory Blues (out now on Bella Union). After gleefully watching the sound-check for tonight’s show at Bush Hall, I caught up with Tillman to chat about his most recent release, his musical beginnings, Bob Dylan and religion. Continue Reading

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Fleet Foxes – Roundhouse, London 24/02/09

Posted on 05 March 2009 by Adam Elmahdi

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Photographs by Anika Mottershaw

In the space of nine months, Robin Pecknold and his merry band of bearded harmonisers have seen their profile explode beyond their wildest dreams. From the miniscule Hoxton Bar and Grill in May to this three-night residency at the 2000-capacity Camden Roundhouse, they’ve achieved the kind of success the vast majority of bands can only dream of. But with their warm, timeless pastoral folk accessible enough to appeal to the mainstream but well-crafted enough to attract the muso vote, perhaps it’s not that surprising they’ve captured the hearts of so many. It’s a sentiment borne out in the first few seconds of the live show, when the harmonies of ‘Sun Giant’ hit the ears for the first time and wash over you in their splendour. Although the sound mix at the Roundhouse seemed to restrain rather than augment the celestial vocal displays at times, the initial wow-factor they invoke with their impeccable talents is hard to deny. Continue Reading

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Ohbijou sign to Bella Union, postpone Canadian tour, reveal new mp3

Posted on 05 March 2009 by Rich Thane

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Toronto based septet, Ohbijou, have announced the postponement of their planned Canadian tour this coming April, in support of their upcoming sophomore full-length Beacons. The band has communicated with their fans via their website www.ohbijou.com

“Right now, there are some really great opportunities and changes that have come our way. Unfortunately, in order to make some of those changes and take those opportunities, we have had to make some tough decisions. As a result, we have reluctantly had to postpone the release of our upcoming album Beacons in Canada and the tour out west that we have scheduled for April and May. We’re really sorry about having to delay things, as we are very excited to release Beacons! Very excited! But, in order to move ahead with things that are going to be really amazing for us in the long run, we have to put a hold on things.

So, thank you for being patient with us, and we are sorry if this causes you any inconvenience. We appreciate all of your support, and can’t wait for the release and all of the wonderful things that are to come! We’ll definitely keep you posted on things as they unfold, and with the new release schedule as it is determined! Thanks!”

The band also confirmed today that Beacons will be released in Europe on June 8 via their new label, Bella Union (Fleet Foxes/Andrew Bird/Midlake). You can download album track ‘Black Ice’ from the bands website right now by clicking here!

Ohbijou will make their SXSW debut in Austin, TX March 18th – 21st with three currently confirmed performances (details below).

SXSW Performances:
3/19/09 – Austin, TX @ The Ranch – Bella Union Showcase, 11pm
3/20/09 – Austin, TX @ Radio Room – Canvas Media/The Onion AV Club Party, 12pm
3/21/09 – Austin, TX @ Canadian Blast House – Exlcaim.ca presents M4MTL vs. T4TO Party, 12:30pm

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Download brand new My Latest Novel song! [TLOBF Exclusive]

Posted on 04 March 2009 by Rich Thane

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On Monday we announced news on the brand new record from Scottish quintet My Latest Novel. We’re thrilled to reveal today that we’ve been given the opening track from  Deaths and Entrances to offer out as an exclusive mp3 download. ‘All In All Is All’ is everything a My Latest Novel track should be; defiant and dramatic with soaring instrumentation and gorgeous harmonies. If this is a hint of what the rest of the album will sound like then Deaths and Entrances could well be reaching for Album Of The Year status pretty damn quickly.

We caught up with the band last night to get their own take on the track:
“This was one of the first songs we finished writing, and we always knew it was going to be the opening track. We liked the idea of opening with a swell of every instrument we used on the album. The lyrics are part inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s horror stories, numerous body parts, and claustrophobia. This is the first time we’ve let anyone hear the recorded version.”

mp3:> My Latest Novel – All In All Is All

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My Latest Novel return with ‘Deaths and Entrances’

Posted on 02 March 2009 by Rich Thane

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I’m thrilled to be able to write about this.. Possibly my favourite UK act of the past few years have today announced that their new album, Deaths and Entrances, will be released via Bella Union on May 18th. It’s been three long years since the release of My Latest Novel’s critically acclaimed debut Wolves but the band haven’t rested on their laurels. They have spent the past two years recording in the solitude of their studio in Greenock, Scotland which has been documented by regular blogs and progress reports on the bands myspace page.

Judging by the press release, it seems the quintet have evolved their twisted take on folk and post-rock to create a whirlwind of sounds and ideas. It states: “(Deaths and Entrances) consistently displays a remarkable inventiveness and artistry – breathtaking melodies, gorgeous harmonies, over-lapping vocals, sweeping arrangements, songs veering off on unusual tangents… And as lyricists, My Latest Novel truly live up to their name, easily matching their musical genius with their literary prowess”.

I really can’t wait for this. Wolves is one of few albums from recent years that I still re-visit frequently, and with each listen still unearths hidden depths. Truly a remarkable and exciting young bunch of musicians. 

More news on the album as we get it, but in the meantime, here is My Latest Novel’s Gary Deveny talking about the new record:

“Deaths and Entrances was a title before it was an album – and a poem before it was a title… By Dylan Thomas… We loved how vast it was, and it seemed to sum up exactly what we wanted to do next. It gave us something to aim for. We wanted to “pull the thunderbolts, shut the sun, plunge, and mount our darkened keys”.

Many of the songs from the album are inspired by literature, specifically ‘Lanark’ by Alasdair Gray. The book is about life, death, dreams, nightmares, war, heaven and hell… Cycles… So is our album.

We were drawn into the illogical nature and conflicting thoughts of the anti-hero; the time travelling Billy Pilgrim; the cowardly Yossarian; and the main (unnamed) character in ‘The Tell-Tale Heart’.

During the writing process, we were holed up in an old pub, which had been turned into a rehearsal space in Greenock, our hometown. We had the only key, and were left to ourselves to create the album. The roof leaked, there were no windows, but it was amazing to have somewhere of our own to work together. We used it for the 628 days it took us to write the album.

We wrote a lot of the songs on the album at the same time, rather than one at a time. I think this makes it sound much more cohesive. It sounds like a band at a certain point in time. You end up developing your own language as a band; all these ideas were swirling around in our heads and in our room… and it feels spontaneous.

Space and time were important to us. So much so we mentioned it in ‘Hopelessly, Endlessly’. The thought that we didn’t need to think about anything other than what was happening within the four walls we were writing in… Like we’d hibernated into our own private world.

‘Lacklustre’ was probably the song which was most difficult to write. It was the first we started, and we finished it the day it was recorded. It’s about a resuscitation doll called Annie, which is based on the l’inconnue de la Seine – an unidentified woman who died in the river in the early 1900’s. We thought it was a tragic but beautiful story. A woman drowns, her face is immortalised in a plaster mask which is then used as a resuscitation doll to help save people from drowning. Deaths and Entrances.”

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