When I first started writing for Sean here at BIYL, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that the site would develop to the stage it has now. Most of this is down to the hard work Sean put into building the site in the early days. The last few months have been a real juggling act as the live music nights have seemed to have devoured lots of my time and energy. Friday night was the culmination of all that work, as we were lucky enough to host the very first night of what promises to be an [...]
The first time both Sean and myself heard Louise and the Pins last January whilst judging the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Contest, we were blown away. We were proud to be able to champion their cause right through to the live final at Pilton. Although the girls did not win in the end, they put themselves firmly on the musical radar. They have since gone from strength to strength, with the debut release Melancholy receiving great critical acclaim. This reworking of the live studio version of 'Bell Jar' - which we ran last May as an [...]
It was my absolute pleasure to be invited to the Bicycle Shop in Norwich on Wednesday for the opening night of Ned Younger's headlining tour. Bizarrely, it was my first visit to the basement venue tucked away under the bustling restaurant on St Benedict's street. It's certainly a venue I look forward to revisiting on a regular basis, and a perfect setting for an artist who's lyrics are such an integral part of the music. Although giving the impression of being quite shy on stage, the softly-spoken Ned took time to interact between each song during the [...]
Here at BIYL towers one of our favourite weekends of 2011 was spent at Playfest. The welcoming vibe around the campsite led to many of the artists having impromptu jamming sessions and as a result many-a-new friend was made over the weekend. It hardly seems possible that nearly a year has passed us by! Building on the positive feedback and making the shortlist for Best New Festival of 3,500 or less was no mean feat in itself. If you thought last year's lineup was staggering for a first year festival, the line up this year has raised the bar considerably. [...]
James Vincent McMorrow took to the sold out Art Centre stage in Norwich rather like a rabbit caught in the glow of a car's headlights. I almost expected him to turn and run from the stage, half-size guitar in hand. His rise to fame through the medium of television advertising is not uncommon in this throwaway society, as there seems to be a craving to turn folk into overnight popstars. None of this, of course, is the fault of James himself. I did, however, wonder how many came to the venue on the back of that one cover version of [...]
Lee Vann - I Sing You Sing EP 3/5 Lee Vann is another artist I have watched develop for some time. Though his music has not always been 100% to my taste, his personal drive has made me take note of him. One thing is for sure, Lee is a talented musician, as he plays every note himself on this self-released debut EP. I can fully understand the appeal of the opening track 'Broken Wave', and it seems to be a firm favourite amongst his [...]
The Kabeedies - Soap 9/10 When I was preparing this album review I realised that I am in my fifth year of writing for various sites - a pretty scary thought! The reason this sprung to mind was that back in 2007 was the first time I wrote about The Kabeedies. It seems strange to think that they have really been around that long. I have always had a soft spot for the band, especially in the live arena. In the early days and on [...]
This is my alternative list to the BBC's Sound Of’, which always seems to me to feature artists who have pretty much broken already. That may sound pretentious of me, but I can assure you that’s not my intention. I never forget the privileged position I have of hearing lots of great artists ahead of the curve. The price I pay tapping away at a keypad every evening & listening to every promo that hits the mat seems a small one, and I still get a real buzz from seeing & meeting emerging artists in small venues. This [...]
I have decided that this year there will be no top twenty albums in ascending order from me. I pretty much like most of these equally but for different reasons. I always find it hard to both collate or equate lists as they change with my mood. Of course I have an album of the year so it's only right that we get that out of the way before continuing with the rest of the list. My album of the year for 2011 is a collection of songs I have pretty much grown to love over the last three years. [...]
Things around here have been rather slack on the posting front, and that is kind of my fault! I apologise, there has been so much going on with the promotional side of things that it's been hard to keep up. Having pretty much booked our nights at various venues through to April, I'm looking forward to getting back to the bread and butter of BIYL. Without the site we have nothing; likewise without all of you reading - wherever in the world you may be - the whole process would be pretty pointless. So as a massive thank you for [...]
I came across talented Northampton singer/songwriter Billy Lockett by chance via Twitter. Social networking is a great tool at times! The son of artist John Luce Lockett - who produced the fantastic painting above - Billy cites artists such as Radiohead and Massive Attack as influences for his musing's as a musician, alongside more contemporary acts like Foals, Little Comets, and Bright Eyes. There is a certain depth and quality to the lyrics that have sprung to the fore, alongside some catchy melodies. It can sometimes be all too easy to fall into a trap as both [...]
First of all, many thanks on my behalf to everyone who has supported our gigs over the last couple of months. I have been really slack on posting up about the nights; a combination of preparing for them and the added pressure of a radio show once a fortnight. Yes, you did hear right, we now have a 2hr show on an FM station in Norwich - I shall link you to it at the end of the post. The best way to catch up is to post a few pics and say a few words on the artists involved. [...]
I first heard the amazing talent of Ned Younger on the Communion Flowerpot Sessions album earlier this year. I then caught him live on the Ben Francis Leftwich tour, and as amazing as he is live, on record he captivated me. You don't have to have clever instrumentation when your lyrics cast a spell like these do. If anything, the sparse production on this debut EP - out now on Transgressive Records - only serves to make the whole thing more magical. The PR blurb tells me that Ned drew inspiration from collecting old photographs at boot [...]
Things that are right under your nose often pass you right on by. This was never going to happen with these guy's. Wayback in August a received a phone call went something like this 'Hi Mark where are you, I have a demo you need to hear right now'. Within the hour I had my sticky hands on what has turned into this mini album. To say it's the best recorded material by an artist the local to me is to do it a disservice, this is one of the best debut records I have heard period this year. Over [...]
Some tracks just come along and smack you full in the face. Such is the case with the lead single from Beth Jeans Houghton's debut album for Mute, entitled 'Liliputt'. This wonderful track dropped on the 14th November, and I can't wait to get my hands on the full longplayer. Beth was much fawned over after the release of her Hot Toast EP, then seemed to completely fall off the radar. Well fear not, she is back with a vengeance after falling in love with L.A & spending much of last year there. The debut album -slated for [...]
GRAVY RECORDS PRESENTS::: BATWINGS CATWINGS A/ RADIO B/W EARLY EXIT BRAND NEW SINGLE OUT 7th NOVEMBER 2011 GRVY002 - 73 VINYL + DOWNLOAD DISTRIBUTED BY SHELLSHOCK A friend of mine came back from SXSW raving about this L.A-based collective. It was one of those times when the band's name had me shying away from too much further exploration. I expected some sort of post-Gothic thrash metal outfit who would make my ears bleed. How wrong could I have been! There is more than a passing nod to all that was good way back [...]
Having warmed to the self-titled debut EP from this London-based experimental quintet, this follow-up -dropping 7th November on Wild Game - has caught my attention in equal measure. The band are obviously highly talented, having completely put the whole package together themselves. For me they fall somewhere between the sublime and the ridiculous. Certain parts of the technological experimentation push the boundaries beyond the pale for me. However, if you skip beyond the multi-layered chaos of the EP's opening track, there are gems to be found in the shape of 'Push It', and the stunning closing track 'Endless Imitation'. [...]
Having warmed to the self-titled debut EP from this London-based experimental quintet, this follow-up -dropping 7th November on Wild Game - has caught my attention in equal measure. The band are obviously highly talented, having completely put the whole package together themselves. For me they fall somewhere between the sublime and the ridiculous. Certain parts of the technological experimentation push the boundaries beyond the pale for me. However, if you skip beyond the multi-layered chaos of the EP's opening track, there are gems to be found in the shape of 'Push It', and the stunning closing track 'Endless Imitation'. [...]
After several years honing her craft in the US and Amsterdam, South London singer/songwriter Ellie Lawson returns home to release her Lost Without You EP on 15th November. Having been courted by rap mogul Russell Simmons, and working with such diverse artists as trance DJs Ferry Corston & Richard Durand on some of the biggest Eurodance hits of 2011, I was pleasantly surprised at just how good this EP is. There is a hint of Regina Specktor in parts, yet it's not really possible to pigeon hole into any one genre, swtiching from the undoubtedly radio-friendly title track [...]
The Strange Boys Live Music (Rough Trade) 6/10 The Strange Boys released their third album in as many years last week, a prolific rate of releases which has seen them avoid the hyped anticipation experienced by many bands for albums two and three. Live Music packs in 14 songs in a little over 45 minutes, proving the 6 piece band from Austin, Texas haven't lost their fondness for simple, classic pop songwriting. Instantly noticeable withing the first three tracks is how much more polished [...]
Battery In Your Leg
And now James Franco would like you to give him some money please
Holy living fuck the new Die Antwoord video is intense
Report : Desperados Wild Club
