…or at least I think it is. It could be a pepper or completely plastic. What do you think?
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
I Am Kloot: Sky At Night
Brilliant band are back. Produced by Elbow’s Guy Garvey just like the old days…
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Jamie Lidell: Compass Interview
Since his early days with Supercollider, Jamie Lidell has always tried to push the boundaries of electronic music, marrying the old with the new through his experimental sound and rich, soulful vocals. Going to a Lidell gig is to expect the unexpected as Jamie is equally happy beat-boxing or fiddling with an array of audio effects as he is actually singing. With support from Beck, Lidell is now set to release his third solo album ‘Compass’. I spoke to him about Beck’s involvement and what we can expect this festival season…
Hi Jamie, what are you doing right now?
I’m in Hoxton at the moment, nursing a particularly bad hangover. I’ve just come back from a tour of Australia which was pretty mental. That combined with my move to New York has left me more than a little knackered. So I’m recharging before it all kicks off again.
What’s the story of Compass?
Well, when I moved to New York last year I got a call from Beck, who I’d toured with in 2006, asking if I wanted to work with him. It was insanely good timing because I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do. So he just called to get the ball rolling.
We then spent two days at his studio in LA bashing out material I’d written. But whilst we were doing that we all got sucked into the Record Club project – which is Beck’s way of gathering loads of musicians together to record a cover of an album in a single day. He’s already done INXS and Velvet Underground like this but I got thrown into the deep end with Skip Spence’s ‘Oar’ which I’d never heard before. So that was a challenge!
Through that I’d met the legendary drummer James Gadston who’s played with everyone including Bill Withers and Marvin Gaye. We really connected as musicians so Beck said we should schedule a session together. So before I knew it I was rehearsing my little sketches with Beck and James and then all these other characters who joined us in the studio. It was an incredible couple of days.
Is that how the collaborations happened on the album?
Well, not all of them. When I went back to New York with all the outtakes, everything was a complete mess even though it sounded brilliant. So I reached out to artists like Wilco and Chilly Gonzales to complete certain tracks. All in all this album was a pretty fast process like rustic cookery. Like throwing coarsley chopped basil into a pan – it should still taste fresh and delicious when you come to eat it.
How would you describe your approach to making music?
I usually just have sketches when I write songs. Very Tony Hart, lots of brush strokes and then I try to find ways to fill it all in. If I can’t sort it out myself I reach out to other people. Part of that is also being completely open to any idea, any genre.
How are you going to perform the album live this Summer?
Well, it’s going to be four people onstage including me, it’s going to be really varied. Anything goes. I’m really looking forward to Coachella and Glastonbury although Holland and Belgium also have some great events. I don’t know why but I have a huge following in Belgium!
And do you have an idea for future collaborations?
Well, I’d like to work with Squarepusher. Then again there’s always Christian Vogel. We started work on a third Supercollider album some time ago but I just side-tracked by all this solo work. So, you never know, watch this space…
http://www.jamielidell.com/
http://www.beck.com/recordclub/
Jamie Lidell Band Rehearsal NYC from Jamie Lidell on Vimeo.
An edited version of this interview will appear on MSN Music here
Drum and Bass Church Viral
Without wanting to offend anyone I just want to say this is one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen on the internet.
Looks like there are a number of similar drum and bass church clips on Youtube. Reminds me of my early rave days, which I detested because all my mates kept on taking me to Jungle clubs. It took me ages to realise I didn’t actually like this kind of music. Hardcore, you know the score. Easy.
Deconstructionism
Sent from my Windows Mobile® phone.
Blur – No distance left to run review
Fans of Blur will love this film . Others, like myself, will consider it more than a little self-indulgent and crass. So I’m going to post my copy to a good mate and have done with it.
Actually that’s not really fair. Some of Blur’s music has been brilliant and I think the band try to be honest as possible about how they got to where they are. All stories about bands, and not even famous bands (see Anvil), are inherently fascinating – but in this film the director ends up mythologizing instead of documenting. That’s why I think fans will love the film as a well-shot addition to their collection but as an outsider, I’m sorry to say, it’s all a little too rich for me..
Funniest Horror Movie Scene
Still gets me today. Pure genius.
Let the Right One In – Why Vampires Rock
Mark Kermode – You either love him or hate him. If you can make it through his arduous monologues, there’s usually one or two decent film recommendations lying around. I have to thank him for voting Tom Alfredson’s vampire flick ‘Let the Right One In’ as his favourite movie of 2009. It’s taken me ages to get round to watching it but I’ve got to agree with him – it’s possibly the the best vampire film out there.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not really a horror movie fan but that’s only because I’m an utter wuss when it comes to watching them. The only way I can make it to the end credits is through barely parted fingers and a close proximity to the pause button on the remote control. However, thankfully, Alfredson’s Swedish film comes complete with English subtitles, so I have the added bonus of focusing my attention on the the bottom eighth of the screen should there be the suggestion that something odd is about to happen. Yes, I know it sounds pathetic and, quite frankly, it is.
I’ve always loved vampire films and the best have always been more than just pointy fangs and bad breath. Alfredson’s film is not just about a blood sucking nipper, it’s also about the ambiguous role of seduction. Is the vampire intentionally leading young Oskar astray, or is it the vampire that’s seduced by Oskar’s innocence?
Whatever, I’m completely hooked. Absolutely fang-tastic.
Hawkwind are Mojo Mavericks
Can’t believe Hawkwind have finally got an award. Mojo Editor Phil Alexander does them justice in the interview below – very good description of a band that has otherwise been ignored by the industry. Top festival act.
Why Music Matters – Kate Bush
Hear, hear.
