London based folk minstrel Tristram has announced the release of his debut EP Someone Told Me A Poem early next year via Oh Inverted World Records. The title track has been given the video treatment by none other than one of TLOBF’s own: Miss Anika Mottershaw. It’s as lo-fi as lo-fi gets, and in our book – that’s a good thing. For up to date Tristram dates, visit God Don’t Like It.

My Sad Captains

A dependable friend in these troubled and faddy times, Rough Trade Shops’ RoTa afternoons have been running like clockwork for 10 years now, every Saturday 4pm – 8pm and ALWAYS FREE ENTRY.

The first of (hopefully) many TLOBF curated RoTa events will take place this Saturday afternoon (November 7th). Hopefully, we’ve put together a line up for them to be proud of:

Opening the afternoon is the quirky acoustic noodlings of A GUN RACK? or Mark Gamble from Crouch End as he’s known to his nearest and dearest. Self deprecating folk pop at its best. Do not miss.

A favorite on the London live circuit, TRISTRAM will be playing RoTa straight off the back of supporting Peggy Sue and, with his debut EP Someone Told me a Poem coming out early next year it seems we have much to look forward too!

Here’s how Tristram sums up his music: “I find life mildly and yet constantly overwhelming. I would like to write songs about tragic and ill-fated love affairs or about notorious outlaws, and sing them from the tops of windswept cliffs, but instead I find myself standing on chairs at house parties and singing songs about my bike. Which may be a contemporary equivalent. These songs are intended as lullabies, for dark and uncertain times.”

Next up sees a very special set from THE TAILORS. Returning on November 30th with their second album Come Dig Me Up – this is your chance to see one of the finest Alt. Country bands this country has produced in years. The band will be playing their set at RoTa, then hopping across town to play a headline set at The Betsy Trotwood.

Headlining will be Stolen Recordings’ MY SAD CAPTAINS. This London based foursome come Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy and Marc Riley approved. Their debut album Here & Elsewhere is a work of hushed wonder. A band not to be missed.

Praise for My Sad Captains:
“Yo La Tengo’s indie-pop savvy, Pavement at their sweetest, and a touch of Broken Social Scene” (Drowned In Sound)
“Slacker indie pop sensibilities that herald an inevitable radio takeover in the next year” (Uncut)
“Like Calexico’s poppier cousins…genuinely tuneful country tinged songs…one of the capital’s best kept secrets” (The Fly)
“With Pavement reformation rumours abounding, it could be the perfect time for them bag that dream support slot, and break some hearts” (Clash)

Plus DJ Sets from TLOBF & GOD DON’T LIKE IT

Free entry! This Saturday! 4pm-8pm! Loads of drinks offers!

Tell us if you’re coming here!

Notting Hill Arts Club
19-21 Notting Hill Gate
London, W11

Dark Captain Light Captain. Photograph by Lucy Johnston.

Just a quick heads up about a rather special show that is happening on Wednesday May 13th. The awesome Dark Captain Light Captain and equally brilliant Shoreline (part of the Willkommen Collective) will be performing on board The Tamesis Dock – a converted 1933 Dutch barge moored between Lambeth and Vauxhall Bridge. Support for the evening will come from folk newbie Tristram, who from recent reports, has been causing  a few positive ripples on the live circuit.

So for those of you that fancy a breezy evening on the River Thames listening to some of the best new bands around, follow this link for tickets. They are priced at a bargainous £6 in advance, and £8 on the door. For further information and directions, visit the Tamesis Dock website here.