Review: Calum MacDonald

Calum MacDonald - Songs From The Grove (Outer Blue Records)
Australian singer-songwriter Calum MacDonald is an assured lyricist with the confidence to write about the things he cares about, whether it’s love and regret, or social matters. He does so in a gentle, unhurried style that draws listeners into his tales. On his website he cites mainly contemporary influences such as Bonnie Prince Billy, Bill Callaghan and Ron Sexsmith, but for me, his words, his poetry (the album is bookended by two spoken word pieces) and very occasionally his voice, all bring Leonard Cohen’s early work to mind.

I’m sure it’s a comparison MacDonald wont object to, especially as “Songs From The Grove” is hardly in thrall to any single stimulus and his songs stand up to proper scrutiny. My favourites, “Shaky 48” with its driving folk rhythm and lyrical excursions, the ‘70s West Coast affectation of “Earth” and the borrowed Dylan(isms) of “Feel Like Another Cup Of Coffee” all indicate a singer-songwriter slightly out of time, but that neither detracts from the quality of his verses or listener satisfaction. Have a listen if you get the chance.
www.facebook.com/Calum-MacDonald
Rob F.

Resurrection

And about time, too...

BECK TO LAUNCH NEW COVERS PROJECT

Beck is launching a new section to his website, Beck.com, which will see him invite various other musicians into a studio to cover an entire album in one day with no rehearsals or advance planning. He will upload tracks from these sessions to his website, while other artists who are involved will also be invited to include tracks on their sites. The first album to be covered is 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'. This sounds like a brilliant idea, I can't wait.

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

SAVE POLYVINYL'S STOCK

10,000 records pressed by US indie label Polyvinyl risk being destroyed as their distributor is downsizing its warehouse. Apart from being very wasteful, it would be a tragedy, as Polyvinyl's roster is packed full of great stuff. Among the CDs and DVDs facing the crusher are albums by Of Montreal, Mates Of State, and Architecture In Helsinki.

So, the company are asking for people to donate money to help them cover the costs of clearing the overstock. In return for these donations, you'll get (funnily enough) some of the records they're trying to shift.

Here's what your money will get you:

$5: A DVD
$10: Two CDs and a DVD
$15: Five CDs and a DVD
$20: eight CDs and DVD
$30: Thirteen CDs and a DVD
$50: Twenty six CDs and two DVDs

For details of which specific CDs and DVDs feature in each package, and to give Polyvinyl your cash, go here

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

SINGLE REVIEW: The Big Pink - Stop The World (Beggars/4AD)

Riding on the back of the success of first single 'Velvet', The Big Pink's 'Stop The World' is another heavily stomping indie track with the face of Kasabian, the brain of Glasvegas and the heart of Jesus And Mary Chain. Despite its drone-like intentions, however, the track is close to squeaky clean and, God forbid, a little NME-punter friendly. If The Big Pink aren't sucked into the oftentimes sound-killing vortex of "this is the greatest band you'll ever hear EVER this year goddamn, this is 2009, woo!", then my guess is they'll be okay. 'Stop The World' is another loud anthemic tune that could get old fast, but has enough melodic quality and scuzzy shoegaze influence that makes it credible without too much pretention.
TW
Release Date: 29 Jun

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

The Victorian English Gentlemens Club: Dates

July
03 Clwb Ifor Bach – Cardiff
06 The Lexington (single launch) – London
August
03 Ruby Lounge – Manchester
04 The Cabaret Voltaire – Edinburgh
05 King Tuts – Glasgow
06 Fibbers – York
07 The Cluny – Newcastle
08 Moles club – Bath
09 The Flapper – Birmingham

Hjaltalín: Dates and Single

Hjaltalín play these dates and release a new single 'Goodbye July' (release date still tbc):

July
Sat 4 Hitchin, Rhythms of the World Festival

Sun 19 Latitude Festival (stage time, approx 1.15 but details still tbc)
Mon 20 Brighton Latest Music Bar
Tue 21 London The Lexington
Wed 22 Manchester Deaf Institute
Thu 23 Newcastle Cluny II
Fri 24 Birmingham Rainbow
Sat 25 Truck Festival (main stage)
Sun 26 Reading South Street Arts Centre
Mon 27 Nottingham Bodega
Tue 28 Bristol Louisiana

SINGLE REVIEW: The Maccabees - Can You Give It (Universal/Fiction)

Continuing their evolution from standard indie plodders with cool haircuts, The Maccabees have released their second single in a row that stays in the memory for much longer than the three minutes it lasts. As hinted in the brilliant 'Love You Better', frontman Orlando Weeks' voice has matured into something approaching menace, and the military drums and epic tremolo guitar rival Editors for potential stadium grandiosity. Surely a hit for the busy festival season, and a thankful display of a band overcoming second album syndrome and actually turning talk and ideas into truly worthy output. Hopefully this single sets a precedent for many more to follow.
TM
Release Date: 6 Jul

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

SUPERGRASS CHAPS DO NEW PROJECT

Danny Goffey and Gaz Coombes of Supergrass have teamed up with Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich on a new project called 'Hot Rats', and, according to NME, are busy working on a covers album, which will feature new versions of tracks from the likes of The Kinks, Roxy Music and Gang Of Four. The group will play live at the Glastonbury, Truck, Bestival and the Reading and Leeds festivals.

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

VENTURES MAN BOB BOGLE DIES

Bob Bogle, one of the two founders of legendary and influential band The Ventures, has died at the age of 75 after suffering from non-Hodgkins lymphoma.

Bogle first met Ventures co-founder Don Wilson in Seattle in 1958, and the two men initially played as a duo, performing at small clubs and parties. They later became a four piece, which went through a number of line up changes over the years. Their instrumental style made their music palatable to a truly international audience, and they developed a huge following around the world, especially in Japan. Major hits included 'Hawaii Five-O' and 'Telstar/The Lonely Bull', and their work is considered to have been pivotal in the development of the surf sound.

The band were inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame in March last year. At the event, John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, speaking of The Ventures' 1960 hit 'Walk - Don't Run', told the audience: "That song started a whole new movement in rock 'n' roll. The sound of it became 'surf music', and the audacity of it empowered guitarists everywhere".

Bandmate Wilson has paid tribute, saying: "His last four years have not been pleasant at all; it's kind of a blessing he doesn't have to endure that pain anymore. I never had a brother, but he's the brother I never had. But he was much more than a brother to me. He was one of the kindest men I ever met".

Bogle is survived by his wife Yumi, six children, and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

KATY PERRY SUES NAMESAKE OVER NAME

I'd love to know the background to this case. Whose idea was it? Does this come from Katy Perry herself, or some idiot lawyer pushing his luck?

Australian fashion designer Katie Perry says she has received a legal letter from lawyers representing her American pop singing differently-spelled namesake ordering her to stop putting her name - her own name - on the clothes she designs. Even though she spells it differently than the pop star, has been using her name on her loungewear line for two years, ie since before Katy Perry's career-launching pop album debut last summer, and Katy Perry isn't even Katy Perry's birth name.

Commenting on the legal letter, the Aussie Perry told reporters: "I got such a huge shock. It really felt like I was being intimidated and bullied into signing everything away. [The letter] asked me to give up the trademark, withdraw sale of my clothes, withdraw any advertising and any websites, and sign that I will not in the future use a similar trademark to Katy Perry. I pretty much burst into tears. I love my business. I'm not going to give it away without a fight either. I'm not trying to become a singer. I'm not pretending to be her. This is my income. And it's the livelihood of my contractors as well".

Assuming there isn't some sort of confusion going on here, and Katy's lawyers are really making these demands, I really hope it goes to court and the judge tells popstar Perry's attorneys to fuck off and die. And in the meantime we should all boycott Katy Perry's records and buy a nice Katie Perrie jumper instead.

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

A Hawk And A Hacksaw's UK tour starts today (16 June) in Brighton

The dates in full:

Tuesday 16 June
Duke of York's Picturehouse, BRIGHTON (with Sons Of Noel & Adrian)
Preston Circus, BN1 4NA
Doors 9pm
Tickets £11.00 adv/£13.00 door
http://www.meltingvinyl.co.uk

Wednesday 17 June
Fiddlers Club, BRISTOL Willway St, BS3 4BG
Doors 8pm
Tickets £8.00 adv
http://www.qujunktions.com

Thursday 18 June
Cecil Sharp House, LONDON (with Highlife & Stephanie Hladowski)
Doors 8pm
Tickets £12.50 adv
http://www.milesofsmiles.co.uk

Friday 19 June
BALTIC, GATESHEAD
Gateshead Quays, NE8 3BA
Tickets £10 adv / £11
http://www.no-fi.org.uk

Saturday 20 June
Tolbooth, STIRLING
Jail Wynd, FK8 1DE
Doors 7.45pm
Tickets £10.00 / £12.00
http://www.stirling.gov.uk/tolbooth

Sunday 21 June
The Arches, GLASGOW
Glasgow International Jazz Festival
253 Argyle St, G2 8DL
Doors 8pm
Tickets £10.00
http://www.thearches.co.uk

Monday 22 June
The Ruby Lounge, MANCHESTER
26-28 High St, M4 1QB
Doors
Tickets £10 adv
http://www.myspace.com/wotgodforgot

Tuesday 23 June
Hare & Hounds, BIRMINGHAM
High St, B14 7JZ
Doors 8pm
Tickets £10.00
http://www.capsule.org.uk

Wednesday 24 June
Holywell Music Room, OXFORD
Holywell St, OX1 3SD
Doors 8pm
Tickets £10.00 / £12.00

Thursday 25 June
Arts Centre, NORWICH
St. Benedict's St, NR2 4PG
Doors 7.45pm
Tickets £10.00 adv / £11.00
http://www.norwichartscentre.co.uk

Friday 26 June
The 1 in 12 Club, BRADFORD
21-23 Albion Street, BD1 2LY
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £5
http://www.1in12.com

Friday 10 July
Lounge On The Farm, CANTERBURY
http://www.loungeonthefarm.co.uk

Saturday 11 July
South Street Arts Centre, READING (with Sleeps in Oysters)
21 South St, RG1 4QU
Doors 8pm
Tickets £10
http://www.readingarts.com/southstreet

Sunday 12 July
The Gate, CARDIFF
Keppoch Street, CF24 3JW
Doors 7.30pm
Tickets £10
http://www.thegate.org.uk

SINGLE REVIEW: Basement Jaxx - Raindrops (Beggars/XL Recordings)

Basement Jaxx are literally kicking off the summer, almost single-handedly. Not only are they headlining a host of huge festivals but they've announced the arrival of all things sunny and joyous with 'Raindrops'. The first single from their forthcoming album, 'Scars', 'Raindrops' is an instantly immortal Basement Jaxx track. It's catchy, upbeat, and manages to perfectly fuse pop and dance without seeming even remotely mainstream. The single artwork matches the atmosphere and feel of the entire song; a celebration of the cleansing notion and ultimate power of raindrops. An incredible return to form for Basement Jaxx who have issued a warning to the many summer-anthem impostors that will be making the rounds this (hopefully) sunny season. If 'Raindrops' is anything to go by, Jaxx's new album will own this summer.
GM
Release Date: 22 Jun

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

Blur Play Comeback Gig

Blur played the first of those previously reported intimate live dates on Saturday night in preparation for their bigger dates later this summer. The band's original line up played a set at the East Anglian Railway Museum, near Colchester, where the group performed their first ever gig twenty years ago. "It's a bit different to last time we played here," Damon Albarn told his audience, who consisted mainly of friends and family, and included producer Stephen Street.

According to reports, the band played all the old favourites, including 'Girls and Boys', 'Tracy Jacks', 'Coffee And TV', 'Country House', 'Popscene' and 'To The End'. During the course of the gig, Albarn added: "Thanks for coming to see us play. I don't know if it's been 10 years, but 10 years is an easy number!"

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

ALBUM REVIEW: Future Of The Left - Travels With Myself And Another (Beggars/4AD)

The second album from the masters of punk with wit, hooks and rhythm is another stripped, simple, impassioned affair that clocks in at just over half an hour, keeping to a well-expressed point, with no chance for reflection along the way. God, more bands should be like this. 'Travels With Myself And Another' is an album that could teach Newton a thing or two. All notions of resistance and friction are forgotten, as each joule of potential energy stored in Jack Egglestone, Andy Falkous and Kelson Mathias is transformed into something powerfully kinetic - these three guys have the dynamism of the Hoover Dam. Opening track 'Arming Eritrea' may bring to mind Biffy Clyro early on, but Future Of The Left thankfully lack the pretension that mars the viscera of Kilmarnock's most famous exports. And Falkous' vocals could never be mistaken for anyone else, all enraptured in cynicism, pessimism and spite, yet so excited for it all. It's as if Scrappy Doo smoked 40 a day, and was taught the ways of the world by Charles Manson rather than Scooby. Which I think is what we all wanted to happen really. Few bands mix humour, anger and brilliant music so well, and all in 30 minutes. In a perfect world - the future for British music.
TM
Release Date: 22 June

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

DJs Arrested For Stealing Their Own Music

Well, this is an interesting way of going about credit card fraud - a remix of the original concept if you like. A group of ten DJs from around England have been arrested on suspicion of fraudulently acquiring some £200,000 by using stolen credit cards to buy their own music off online music services like Amazon and iTunes.

It's alleged that the DJ types, who range between the ages of 19 and 46, uploaded some tunes they'd made to the digital music stores. Then they went online using 1500 different stolen credit cards and bought their own music, spending some £450,000, and earning themselves £200,000 in royalties. Simple.

The group hail from London and the Midlands, and were arrested as part of a joint operation between the Metropolitan Police and the FBI.

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

Macca To Rerelease Solo Catalogue Via One Little Indian

In another snub to poor old EMI, Paul McCartney has reportedly struck a deal with London independent One Little Indian regarding the re-release of his solo back catalogue. Macca worked with EMI on most of his post-Beatles career but left the major in 2007 to release a new album via what was then Starbucks' record label Hearmusic. At the time he said he'd continue to work with EMI on his classical projects, but it wasn't clear what he had in mind for his back catalogue, which he controls.

Well, it seems that since then Macca has become even more disillusioned with the ever evolving EMI, and at the same time was impressed with Team Indian when they worked on 'Electric Arguments', last year's third album from the former Beatles' side project The Fireman. Which has led to the indie winning the deal to repackage and re-release Macca's previous solo work, 'Frog Chorus' and all.

One of those sources told the Sun: "Paul has been unimpressed with EMI for quite some time now. He's really enjoyed working with One Little Indian on his Fireman project, so didn't think twice about giving them the responsibility of handling his solo catalogue too".

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

Phoenix: Dates

Sunday 19 July – SOUTHWOLD – Latitude Festival
Friday 24 July – CAMBRIDGESHIRE – Secret Garden Festival
Saturday 25 July – DORSET – Camp Bestival
Saturday 22 August – CHELMSFORD – V Festival
Sunday 23 August – STAFFORD – V Festival
Sunday 25 October – GLASGOW – Arches (£13)
Monday 26 October – BRISTOL – 02 Academy (£13)
Tuesday 27 October – MANCHESTER – Academy2 (£13)
Wednesday 28 October – LONDON – Brixton Academy (£15)

SINGLE REVIEW: The Rumble Strips - Not The Only Person (Universal/Island/Fallout)

Take a hit making producer, mix in an award winning violinist and garnish it with Devon's finest (sorry, Muse fans!) and the outcome is one fine piece of music. 'Not The Only Person', the first single to be taken from The Rumble Strips' highly anticipated second album 'Welcome To The Walk Alone', has been produced by none other than the 'King Of Brass' Mark Ronson. This can only be a good thing since he has the ability to bang out catchy songs left right and centre. However, what makes the track really stand out are the strings arranged by Owen Pallet who has previously worked with Arcade Fire on both 'Funeral' and 'Neon Bible', and also with The Last Shadow Puppets. So, no pressure then! However, it all works and, despite the above names' involvement, everything we love about the Strips has been kept intact. Lead singer Charlie Waller comforts us with the song's hook "You're not the only person to get it wrong, it's alright" and you know it is! His voice is as wonderful as ever and enhanced by a 60s-esque set up, it's very likeable. A welcome return by the boys.
SD

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk

Arctic Monkeys Name New Album

The new Arctic Monkeys album will be called 'Humbug' and will be released on 24 Aug. The names of some of the songs on it will be 'My Propeller', 'Crying Lightning', 'Dangerous Animals', 'Secret Door' and 'Fire And Thud'. Imagine that.

Source: Unlimited Media www.unlimitedmedia.co.uk