sara_e has written the following articles:
Tonight the Scala is rammed to bursting point, full of expectant souls, waiting for Minnesota three-piece Low to deliver a sermon of hymn-like affirmations. Mimi Parker stands centre stage surrounded by all the percussion instruments she could need. Zak Sally and Alan Sparhawk stand either side of her, it’s almost a line; a united front.»
Before trekking around the swing states of the US as part of the Vote For Change tour in October, Conor Oberst is reportedly holed up in Presto Studio, Nebraska finishing the second of two albums currently planned to be released on the same day in January next year.»
Audioscope, the Oxford-based all-day music event which seen the likes of Six By Seven, Electrelane, and Max Tundra performing in the past to raise money for national homelessness charity Shelter, returns for its fourth year.»
There are some bands ho can leave tears in my eyes no matter what my mood. Low, for example; hopelessly tragic, too beautiful, yet ultimately glorious. The sorts of bands who you feel privileged to listen too, unworthy of, yet blushingly special to have been introduced too. Errol’s Compilation »
Silverman have a secret weapon: singer Anna Dennis. Imagine Dido’s vocal quality without that nasal whinging. Yes that good. Therefore initially ‘Speed of Life Pt 2’ is slightly confusing. Sounding like Jarvis Cocker singing French cabaret over Massive Attack, any confusion m»
Are you sitting comfortably? Then I’ll begin. Once upon a time there was a man called Martin Williams. After the demise of his previous band, the Nilon Bombers, the two members left standing, Martin and Gareth Ballard, began auditioning new vocalists, ‘when a someone recommended Anna. Saw her in a bar in Ch»
After many attempts at seeing both the Pattern and Econoline I’ve finally managed to make both in one night. And Econoline open proceedings in style. In fact here is a band who have it right, don’t try to fake charisma because it doesn’t work, play what you feel and it will. Econoline »
If the press release accompanying this record is to be believed, Disoma fuse “Fugazi’s angular riffs with a Billy Mahonie-esque structure” and Escanna offer “slices of classy punked up emo rock reminiscent of Unwound or Cable”. And the press release is darn right too as like the aforemen»
It’s a cold, dark night. You see your breath in the air as you walk through the streets. The stars above you twinkle and you’re full of hope. No words could sum up how you feel; this is where Tracer AMC come in. Think the glorious understatement of Low, the obvious instrumental similarity with Mogwai but »
Thom Yorke of Radiohead is to feature on an album to raise awareness for autism. The singer, who'll feature alongside contemporary and classical artists on the album, should be appearing with full orchestral backing. No release details are avaliable as yet, due to the early stages of the p»
This Saturday see the start of Herrod's mini tour of the UK with joint headliners 5'4". The dates are:
Saturday 7th July : Josephs Well- Leeds- Herrod, 5'4", Silverburn
Sunday 8th July : Fibbers- York- 5'4", Herrod, Lux, Perpetua
Tuesday 10th July : The Leopard- Doncaster- 5'4", Herrod
Wedne»
Prior to their slot supporting the Strokes at Heaven, the Moldy Peaches will be playing a free gig tomorrow night(28th June) at Borders book shop, Oxford Street, London. The band are due to play at 6.30pm.»
Following a set at the Bull and Gate, Drowned In Sound meet Koala for the second time following claims by Gaz that the band are ‘better to talk to face to face’. In an effort to find a suitable place to conduct the interview, a step outside is settled upon. ‘It was the pain of having to »
Based in Manchester, this little offering from Giant Killers appears pretty eclectic on the surface within the confines of the rock/indie genre. Opening with 'Maybe In Another Life', a pleasant track, basically summery anthemic unaffected by the attitude bollocks usually tagging along for the ride. C»
Hailing from New York City, Interpol have received much acclaim following the release of one EP. Drowned In Sound were privileged enough to gain an interview with Carlos»
It’s impossible not to turn on the radio or TV these days and not be harassed by one of two devastating evils; a stream of pop music and the apathy that accompanies it or numetal/ska punk (cos lets face it they don’t know the difference themselves) inflicting depression on a nation’s youth and trying to instil an oh»
Every time a Frankie Machine single arrives, I get a rush of excitement only for that to be quashed by pure fear. And the arrival of '54th and 3rd', the third release is no different. Having heard and loved the first two EPs, there does seem no way this new single can live up to my expectations.»
Once I learnt Frankie Machine were playing Upstairs @ The Garage as part of the Silver Rocket club, I HAD to be there in order to lose my live virginity to the machine. And with The Warm Jet's first live appearance since the Reading Festival 1998 and the much acclaimed Mountain Men Anonymous, you »
I've been dreading this day; the day I have to review the South album. But don't get me wrong, it's not because it's terrible. Quite the opposite in fact, it's very good, but that's the problem. An album so beautifully gelled together as this, has resulted in weeks of psyching myself up to the monumental t»
Do you remember life when you were younger? Nothing mattered. Well either way, Lorna are here to help you, ‘When your nine years old’ says Mark, ‘there is nothing to worry about. The sun is always out and everything is beautiful. Lorna are a polaroid.’ ‘At the risk of sounding very “Br»
I wanted to try and write a succint introduction describing the music produced by Francis Albert Machine, but fuck it. My words could never match his so I'll shut up and leave it to Francis as he talks Jolly Rancher sweets, musical prostitution and his hate for MTV Unplugged... Who or what would y»
Being a Mogwai fan, I was devastated at a lack of funding making me unable to attend their gig. Therefore in an attempt to console myself, I toddled down to the Monarch for the X-Posure evening and London debut from one of the current flavours of the New York scene, Interpol. But several starters wo»
Talk is cheap. Especially following the demise if the self-styled kings of quirkiness and all things aternative, Pavement. Believe the first impression you hear and Stephen Malkmus has simply recycled 'Shady Lane' a dozen times and will probably do so for the rest of his career. However, delve beneath the Pavemen»
In a world constantly hailing Buckley wannabes, enters a gruff voiced man and a band of seeming lounge musicians. The band assembles, opinions are settled and then the onslaught can begin. Low pitched growls turn into smooth soul vocals with piercing clarity, backed by an ever changing musical backdrop of epic pro»
Hmmm intriguing. Potentially one of the strongest female voices heard in a while is obscured by a mass of beats, bleeps and laid back grooves. Opening with 'Beefheart', which contains the particularly enticing line 'come play with me', itis hard to avoid Ruby's obvious charm. 'Short staffe»
