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

Hard Rock Calling organisers confirmed today that the headliner for Saturday 27 June in Hyde Park, London will be Neil Young. Appearing alongside shakey will be Fleet Foxes, Ben Harper, Seasick Steve and The Pretenders with more artists to be announced soon.

With Sunday’s headliner already confirmed as Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band and day tickets selling out in under an hour, folk are advised to act quick when the Neil Young tickets go on sale this Friday, 13 March at 9am priced at £45 plus booking fee.

For more info, visit the Hard Rock Calling website.

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

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

It’s been a good year for roots music. Just look at Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver and The Acorn, let alone Alison Krauss and Robert Plant winning the top Grammy for their take on tradition. Definitively, modern roots music has found a significant number of new ears in the UK lately, and as such the beloved mainstream has shifted slightly from guitar bands to more acoustic, folk-based acts. Folk music, generally, emphasizes space over time, as to me, the genre and its myriad cohorts write with honesty and respect, careful of the traditions that are being appropriated. It doesn’t mean any other style doesn’t incorporate such descriptions, as everything does, but taken on its own folk music does sound honest. Take Neil Young’s Harvest Moon, or Cat Stevens’ Tea For Tillerman. Both albums strove to present bare-necked, plaintive examples of their originators strengths, and did so perfectly. Fleet Foxes have done the same, as has Bon Iver and Sufjan Stevens, along with scores more on both sides of the pond. But the passageway is crowded, and a lot of mediocrity undoubtedly reaches the mass. Continue Reading

London four-piece Animal Kingdom are set to launch their imminent tour with a nice treat for fans. Their debut single ‘Chalk Stars’ (video below), in a limited edition of 500, will be available only for fans at the shows. Each single is an original. The 500 sleeves together make up one single image drawn by artist Thomas Hicks.

Hicks constructed a grid wall of 500 numbered CD single sleeves on which he has created an intricate single piece of artwork. Each single will have its own unique cover and will have a number that corresponds to its original position on the grid. Meanwhile, an empty black grid will appear at the bands official site. As each single is sold, the corresponding artwork will be unveiled on the website until the entire image is unveiled. 

When the tour is completed and the limited edition run sold out, one lucky winner will be drawn at random to receive the canvas. 

The tour dates at which the single will be sold are as below:

January
22nd – Stoke, Sugarmill
23rd – Derby, The Royal
24th – Coventry, Kasbah
29th – Northampton, Roadmenders
30th – Winchester, Railway Inn
31st – Portsmouth, Cellar

February 
4th – York, The Duchess
5th – Glasgow, Captain’s Nest
6th – Wakefield, Escobar
7th – Birmingham, Rainbow Kamikaze! @ 444 Club
11th – London, Borderline
12th – Hitchin, Club NME
13th – Bristol, Cooler 

Animal Kingdom will release their debut album, recorded in Seattle with producer Phil Ek (The Shins, Fleet Foxes, Band Of Horses, Les Savy Fav), later this year. 

Before the imminent release of their corking new album The Century of Self, we made some time for a chat with art-noise supremo Conrad Keely from the band, and got to hear his views on art, science, religion, musical inspiration, the joys of relocating to Brooklyn and much more. Continue Reading

Ah, the changing of the seasons, the early stirrings of a new calendar year and a new Rough Trade Counter Culture compilation, the seventh annual collection by my reckoning. Not only a reliable overview of what made waves, stirred critics and got those in the know genuinely excited in the previous year, but also a sobering yearly reminder that you don’t know as much about new music as you think you do. Sure, you like to imagine your finger is on the pulse of the cutting edge at the zeitgeist or something, but then you get the new Counter Culture, glance at the tracklisting and go “Indian Jewelry? Alva Noto? Koko Von Napoo? Who are these people?”. But Rough Trade prides itself on being ahead of the wider game – Counter Culture 07 included Vampire Weekend, Glasvegas, No Age and Fucked Up, all of whom made far bigger impacts in their own ways and scales in 2008.

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J. Tillman captures the night. There’s something about the voice, the melody, the lyrics that write an image of the early hours, the dead hours, when retrospection and introspection turn into hallucinations. When a soft voice singing in a way that compels a voice from your own throat. There is nowhere to hide at this time, nothing can stop the flow of your thoughts. But it’s a place where a voice singing in just such a way, a melody playing a particular chord change, can feel like two fingers plunged into your chest. Continue Reading

Us Brits may moan about the weather and the tax, but when it comes to live music, this tiny island is a delight. From where else in the world could we nip off to Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, Copenhagen or, er, Minehead to indulge our burning desire for live music and still scrape into work on a Monday morning? And where else could we hop between a 60,000-seat football stadium packed full of air-punching Bruce Springsteen fans and a miniscule bar where a fragile Edwyn Collins plays a secret set to 50 tearful Dundonians (and one TLOBF writer)? Eight of the site’s most obsessive gig-goers present their picks of the year’s live music. Continue Reading

Well… we’re sorry for the delay, but the two Rich’s here at TLOBF Towers have been burning the midnight oil, counting each of the votes… And now we’re ready to announce it!

According to you, the lovely, well-dressed and gorgeous readers of TLOBF, the album of the year IS:

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Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes recommends… “Lady On The Water” by Blitzen Trapper

I hope this song isn’t about the M Night Shyamalan movie but even if it is, it’s a beautiful and woozy folk song. Eric Earley is a supergenius and it’s so wonderful to hear folk music that’s not just “folk” because of the quaint acoustic instruments as is sometimes the case these days. I think a proper folk song needs to be instructive and entertaining, in the sense that the melody has it’s own captivating logic, I think a good folk song is like a machine, all elements perfectly calibrated, and this song is the Large Hadron Collider, smashing things together to get to the bottom of the universe.

Fleet Foxes’ self-titled debut album is out now on Bella Union. It is also (suprise suprise) nominated for album of the year right here on TLOBF. You only have approximately 24 hours left to vote, so if you haven’t done so already, get a-clicking right here.

It’s that time of year again… We’re making our list and checking it twice, trying to find out who’s been naughty or nice. Yes, it’s our Album of the Year! More coveted than a shiny penny, more famous than the winner of last year’s X-Factor and guaranteed to start debate!

This year, to shuffle blame away from TLOBF HQ, we’re getting YOU, yes, YOU the reader, to vote for the albums YOU think are the best 2008 had to offer. We’ve whittled down a mammoth list of prospective albums to a mere 50. It’s tough work, but someone had to do it.

So, mouse button at the ready – get clicking! You can pick as many albums as you like, there are no limits. If you feel it’s worthy of “Album of the Year” status, then do the right thing and cast your vote.

If you need some help making that all-important decision, you can read our take on the albums listed in our 2008 archive here.

The poll will close on Friday December 12th.

There is a prize up for grabs for one lucky reader. Some very kind record companies behind the following 50 records have offered up a selection of prizes including: ultra-rare vinyl, posters, t-shirts and CDs by some of the nominees, plus a pair of tickets to see the sold-out Fleet Foxes show at London Roundhouse in February 2009. To be in with a chance of winning this mammoth and hugely exciting prize, enter your details at the bottom of this page. The lucky winner will be notified via email. Competition closes on Friday 12th December.

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Photos by Rich Thane | Words by Rich Hughes

It’s been a while coming… unlike Mr. Richard Thane (here and here), I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing Fleet Foxes live yet. I’ve lived with the album for, what feels like, a lifetime. It’s become an essential album, one I turn to frequently when I want to drift away and escape from the confines of my Credit Crunched life. And yet, as I approached The Junction on a freezing cold night, I was worried. I know these songs inside out, how will they translate live? Will the vocal harmonies still resonate so spectacularly? By the hushed expectation of the crowd, I don’t think I was the only one with these concerns… Continue Reading

Back in June, Fleet Foxes were just finishing off their first ever UK tour. A handful of dates around the major cities, showcasing their just released self titled album and Sun Giant EP. They had lots to prove, the hyperbole surrounding them was unprecedented – everyone from Plan B magazine to Aled Jones (?!) on Radio 2 were talking about them. THE buzz band of 2008, for want of a better phrase.

After a sold-out show at London’s ULU, which pretty much left me speechless for about 30 minutes afterwards, Fleet Foxes announced a headline slot at one of London’s prime venues; the Shepherds Bush Empire. It sold out within 24 hours, as did the subsequent tour. Surely this would be one of the most important and celebrative gigs of their short career so far? Continue Reading

Remember that totally shit hot video of Dylan’s ‘I Shall Be Released’ by Fleet Foxes and Wilco we featured a while ago? Well, it must have proved pretty damn popular – it’s just been announced that the track is now available as a free download. There is a catch though. You have to promise to vote in the upcoming presidential election. A bit of a bitch for us non-US folks then..

Here’s the skiny via Wilcoworld.net

Such tumultuous times. And in the spirit of giveaways that seem to be sweeping the nation, we’ve got something free for you. No it’s not a pile of cash (sorry) but rather an audio postcard of sorts from a summer’s night in Oregon with our friends the Fleet Foxes & a lovely Bob Dylan tune. All we ask is you check the “I pledge to vote in the 2008 Election” button below. If you can spare it, we also encourage you to consider a donation to Feeding America . (and please feel free to pass this link along to friends, family members, etc.).

Click here to grab the track and pledge your vote.

Visiter is the second album to be released by American psychedelic folksters The Dodos. The duo formed in San Francisco back in 2006 with originally just one member, Meric Long whom toured around the city as a one-man acoustic act going by the name of Dodobird. After studying Western African Ewe drumming Long began to take a strong interest in blues and set out to fuse the two together creating a sound, which revolved around percussion as the centrepiece. He was later introduced to progressive metal drummer Logan Kroeber and soon after The Dodos were born and released their first album in 2006, Beware the Maniacs. Some rigorous touring later and they have now returned with an album, which promises thoughtful lyrical content, a variety of quirky yet well-structured acoustic arrangements, and more importantly some damn good drumming.
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The lucky folks of America are currently being treated to the superb double whammy of Wilco and Fleet Foxes as they tour the States together. Being a huge fan of both, I could only dream of that kind of thing happening over here. Doubtful really, considering Jeff Tweedy’s dislike for the UK seemed to step up a notch after last years cancellation of a number of dates. This kind of makes up for it though. Yes, two of my favourite bands cover the Bob Dylan classic ‘I Shall Be Released’ during a recent show. I was speechless this morning when I stumbled across it. Tweedy’s falsetto is especially impressive during the second verse. Check it out below:

J. Tillman is a Seattle based musician who has been quietly releasing solo albums for the past few years, before which he was stick man for the instrumental rock band Saxon Shore, and now more recently he is the newly arrived drummer for Fleet Foxes. The thing is, though, those quietly released albums have been brilliant. It seems that he has been caught in the fickle tides of the internet music boom: too many artists too readily available, so someone as talented as Tillman can all too easily get ignored. Continue Reading

I’ve pretty much just finished dancing round the office now.. Oh yes, our favourite band of the moment are back in the UK this November for an extensive headlining tour. Fitting the dates around the already sold-out Shepherds Bush Empire show on 5th November, the guys will be all over the country throughout October and November. Do. Not. Miss. Them.

Support for all the dates comes from the newest member of the band – J. Tillman. Yes, not only is Josh a kick ass drummer he can also write a damn fine tune too. He has three albums cuurently available (Minor Works, Long May You Run and Cancer & Delirium) with his fourth (Vacilando Territory Blues) being released by Bella Union early next year. Josh will be joined by other members of the band during his set – so, in a sense you’re getting two Fleet Foxes sets for the price of one. Kinda.

Those dates are:

October
28th – NORWICH – Waterfront
29th – SHEFFIELD – Union
30th – BRISTOL – University Anson Rooms
31st – BIRMINGHAM – Space 2

November
2nd – NOTTINGHAM – Trent University
5th – LONDON – Shepherd’s Bush Empire ***SOLD-OUT**
7th – DUBLIN – Vicar Street
8th – GLASGOW – ABC
9th – MANCHESTER – Academy
10th – LONDON – Shepherd’s Bush Empire
11th – CAMBRIDGE – Junction

To wet your appetite a little, why not check out our live review from a few weeks back when the guys were first in London. Read more about J. Tillman here and here. And finally, enjoy a recent Black Cab Session below.