matt has written the following articles:
Bishi's music has broken free from previous fashionable electro shackles, taking on an eclectic yet complimentary set of world-wide influences»
I'm full of caffeine, sugar, and absolutely sick of dull, worthy music. Noisy indie rock. I have the attention span of a goldfish, and I need something to jump about in my face and ENTERTAIN me. Something gloriously silly, gloriously catchy, melodic and eminently danceable. This album delivers on all counts...»
The Wizard of Rock - need I say more? This is a fully kitted out fully clothed wizard in wizard gear from another dimension. Surrounded by mystery he materializes at house parties in Toronto around the strike of midnight.»
Those who've been around Oxford longer than me may remember the good old days when bands like Radiohead, Slowdive, Ride et al were still relative unknowns playing the local pub circuit. The days before haunts like the Jericho and the Point closed their doors to live music.»
Three nights, minimal sleep and more eclecticelectronicaweirdnoise action than any Pontin's has the right to play host to. But before Matt gives you the full low-down, we really should batter the highlight of the weekend into your conscio»
I'll say it from the start - this band are all about the attitude. The cheap and nasty D.I.Y. Casio keyboards sound (and lyrics!) might be an acquired taste to some, but to let that put you off would be to miss out bigtime. Why then? ‘Gravy Train!!!!’ (“four exclamation points, hooker”) do it with s»
Coldness and lack of emotion are accusations often levied against electronic music. As we launch into 2003 though it seems more and more artists (Múm, for one) are trying to create music that uses the pervasive glitch, the samples, sequencers and effects of more fucked-up electronic contemporaries in harmony »
This Manchester ensemble's demo was described tentatively as Jazz Rock, a genre combination some may be wary of, but one which if approached well can lead to interesting results. For an early demo it shows promise but the direction seems a little unclear - I feel it tries to be too many things within the»
The clear vinyl, Static Caravan imprint and vintage computer punch card insert should endear this 7" release to electronica nerds everywhere before it even comes out of the sleeve. Musically it's definately in the domain of the IDM nut, although it pushes boundaries rather than falling back on more generic examp»
One of internet music fans' least favourite organisations got their comeuppance today - their website was the victim of a surprisingly well-executed, amusing and ironic hack attack this afternoon.
For those»
With Ladyfest London 2002 kicking off this week (click here for our preview, and check out the official site), it seems many still have misconceptions about the festival and its aims. I asked Ladyfest London organ»
Taking their excellent free Saturday afternoon 'RoTa' gigs to a new level, our favourite London record emporium Rough Trade is taking over the Notting Hill Arts Club for a whole day of festivities this Saturday. The action starts at 1pm and continues until 2am -»
It seems Kenseth Thibideau, the man responsible for this intriguing album has a varied musical background – having served his time with classic American post-rockers Tarantel, and ventured into jazzy prog-rock noise with Rumah Sakit, this new collaboration is all cut up acoustic drones, minimal synths »
As of today Drowned in Sound has a lot of new features to try out - they're all packaged into a new user area at http://www.drownedinsound.com/users/. This is something you'll need to sign up for an account to access, but don't worry the signup is quick an»
With ambient electronica it's often hard to tell the emporer's new clothes from the real thing. Listening within the genre there is a fine line to be drawn between the generic elevator music unwittingly churned out by legions of bedroom-based wannabes, and real ambient genius from the likes of Susumu Yokota»
As of tonight Drowned in Sound has a new look - after months of work we have a number of new features, a new look front page and plans for more. To help you get used to the new front page, here's a quick explanation of the rationale behind it, what's changed, what hasn't, and what the new features are. Fir»
Lapsus Linguae know how to put on a show. Imagine if you will - a gang of muscular Glasgwegians in tight black leather, studded belts and matching black vests emblazoned with the strangely familiar white on black Lapsus logo. Call it an ironic take on heavy metal cliches if you will, or just a bunch of lads h»
Cast aside any images of riotous student protest for now, it's actually one of the university town's more bizarre music nights, and comes fully endorsed by Drowned in Sound (well, the Oxford representative anyway)... It goes »
It's a shame this album didn't come earlier in the year really. On the first listen it strikes you as a perfect summer pop record - warm dreamy vocals, lush arrangements, ingenious melodies and catchy rhythms. But as the season draws to a close it becomes very apparent that this isn't pop in the throw-away sense. It»
Originally on a hard-to-find 10", it's about time this excellent track got a proper airing. For those who remember his last release (the deeply claustrophobic electro scare tactics of 'Stalker song'), this track makes considerably more pleasant listening. That isn't to say it's not just as compelling though - a »
The Jehu Explosion seem determined to rock. After detailing his brave escape from the world of 80's cock-rock, "supersonic love muscle" guitarist Tom explains the Luton 3-piece's attempts to carve a niche for their raw animal sound in the rather stagnant and nu-metal-infested music scene of the Herts area.»
The more observant amongst you may have noticed a new addition to the Drowned in Sound menu - Gig listings. This section has been launched as part of our ongoing collaboration with London listings and reviews 'zine Probemusic, and will g»
Varied descriptions of the bands playing tonight left me excited but quite unsure what to expect. Woe apparently combine the ethos of punk and hardcore with quiet folk and jazz instrumentation, while Rollerball were described as a gypsy-band Godspeed you black emporer! Woe cleary abandoned»
After Mogwai's appearance last month it was the other half of the famed Glasgow Guitar Army who took the Shepherds Bush Empire by storm tonight. Arab Strap approach Mogwai's live intensity at times, combining a more laid back sound with Aidan's entertaining stories and lyrics. Support on the night c»
After partying on a remote scottish isle, Mogwai's arrival in London looked set to prove to a packed audience that they remain one of the few truly awe-inspiring, noisy and original live acts still around. There were some clues of what was to come in the two excellent support acts. Part chimp wel»
After two promising singles on the Fortuna Pop! label this album has been eagerly awaited for some time, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. A lovely invigorating package of lo-fi indie-pop, it's eager to remind the listener of the joys of old-school indie rock. The influences seem quite broad, but touch on lots of ol»
It's a single that follows all the formulas for a successful emo sound, but still manages to suprise you every time the pleasingly fuzzy guitars kick in. Biffy Clyro are a three piece with an energetic, dark emotional sound. Quiet, simple but intense guitars, slightly tortured sounding vocals and bursts of minor-key no»
This album is a powerful reminder that the punk scene is still producing innovative and exciting new sounds. The first track "PS Exclusive" hits you right away with a heady blast of fast-moving lo-fi guitar work, and a unique dreamy but attitude-filled stream of conciousness from vocalist Sue Tompkins. The band are fro»
Suncoil Sect are one of those bands that seem determined to cross every musical boundary you set in their path. Right from the first track on this, their first album after a number of successful vinyl releases, they combine something undeniably funky with relaxing, ambient post-rock, pulsating drones, samples and energ»
We caught up with Les Savy Fav before their appearance at new London venue 93 feet east, as part of Southern Records' showcase night, billed as the "Valentine's eve massacre". Formed in New York, Les Savy Fav are one of the more well known and quirky bands in the art-punk, post-hardcore scene, receiving increasing m»
