When Screama Ballerina took to the stage the first thing that couldn’t be ignored was their unique trademark clothing. The band dress in a style that I can only describe (or attempt to describe) as punk crossed with circus entire. Which (as you can imagine) is extremely intriguing…leaving you wondering what the night will bring you.

Having never seen the band perform before I was eager to see how it would all play out. It wasn’t a disappointment. The ‘show’ (the word gig doesn’t do their work justice) was very theatrical and continuously entertaining to watch.

Sadly the turnout for the event was lacking, which ruined the atmosphere somewhat. However in spite of this the band managed to get the people there up and dancing. They weren’t much with the words on stage, however when they did speak you got the chance to see their quirky personalities. “Don’t worry about people thinking you’re weird, we are the weird ones…just look at what we are wearing!” (Charlie – Lead Singer) After meeting the band I can say that they’re a really funny, silly but surprisingly normal group of individuals. They were even nervous before the gig, which they took on with such crazy confidence and mental energy.

Their single “Papercuts” was released on the same day as the gig (now available on iTunes) and is a track about societies obsession with money. I think the most engaging thing about this band is the hard-hitting messages behind their music, they aren’t just singing to sing but instead to prove a point. “Skeleton Army” is about the size zero society we are living in, with lyrics such as “can’t you see them dying”. Whereas “Rich Kids” insults all things pretentious, my favourite line being:  “nobody cares about your Abercrombie bra!”

Their song “Animal” was actually the track of the night for me, as well as being the last played. The best part of seeing this band live was the little performances that happened throughout the gig.  There were ongoing aspects of dances routines and theatrical aids that transformed the gig into a rehearsed show. Ciaran commented that the band is: “A circus of madness”, and this describes them and the night perfectly.
Screama Ballerina have already won two Exposure Music Awards and will go on to do much more. Their next gig is at The Grey Horse in Kingston on Friday, the 4th of May so I advise you to get involved and see the madness for yourself.

~Claire Rozario

Artist: The Thomas Confession 

Album Title: Convolutions

Release Date: 5 December 2011

I have just got my hands on a copy of this album and I regret not hearing about the band sooner. (It’s now found a place for itself on a number of my playlists).

The Thomas Confession started in 2008, in Fresco, CA. After receiving no.1 at indie-music.com and winning Battle of the Bands at Sacramento State University,  they have worked on recording and releasing their debut album Convolutions.

Their overall style is hard to label but if I had to, I’d say they are producing energetic, indie dance music. The type that gets better the more you listen to it.

The first song on the album “Love Like Fire” is one of catchy lyrics, with a depressing tone and an angry beat comprising a majority of the track. It is a strangely therapeutic and engaging song.

Whereas “Heartbreaking Sight” offers us the opposite components, with a danceable upbeat rhythm mixed with angry lyrics. This turned out to be my favourite song (a fact that I realized after having the chorus stuck in my head for an entire evening).

“Put Your Mind to It” is probably the most ‘dancey’ track of the album, and is what made the band for me. Not because it is the best track on the album, nor is it the catchiest, instead it was the track that made me want to see the band live. You can feel the atmosphere this song would generate and you can’t help but want to be a part of that. The Thomas Confession are yet to tour the UK, but when they do it will be this track that I’ll be going to see (and dance around to).

The album offers up a few slower tracks, which is when you can really appreciate the writing. The last song entitled “Still Standing Alone” is a fitting finish to the album, with a mysterious melody, and provoking lyrics. It proves that the band has a relevant depth to them.

As I listened to the album I really began to appreciate the quality of music that this band is producing. The songs are not generic, instead they become relatively unique and increasingly relevant as time goes own. It is an energetic, danceable album, making its own by mixing depressing lyrics with upbeat music.

The Thomas Confession‘s Convolutions  is the bands first album and I think it is a very promising start. I hope to hear more from them and see them touring the UK in the near future. Get the album and just like me you’ll find yourself singing the tracks all day long: “Don’t slow me down when everyone’s dancing…”

~Claire Rozario

When Van Susans first hit the stage at Proud2, the energy of the room increased dramatically and they were met by a lively, loving crowd. It was an intimate venue (one smaller than the band were used to) but I think this made the night what it was. The closeness of the band and fans made for good atmosphere to be involved in.

After going straight into two songs the bands took some time to banter with the crowd and introduce themselves. If there music hadn’t drawn people in then their personalities would. Their likability is hard to ignore. A girl (not me) even threw her underwear on stage.

The song “Glow” really stood out amongst their set list, primarily because of the lovely feeling it willed throughout the audience. It was such a nice song to see live.

I couldn’t fault the vocals, they sounded just like the album, full of emotion and character. After meeting the band I can say that they are really as lovely as the lyrics they write. Their songs are full of heartache and happiness, and you believe every word of it.

As mentioned it was Holly’s first official gig with the band. You couldn’t tell. The violin adds originality to the bands sound. She has been playing classical violin since she was 6 (now 23) and she commented that classical music is much more critical so being in a band is way less pressure; “I’ve been doing it too long to be nervous.” The aid of additional (unusual) instruments is what helps this band to stand out.

As seen here they don’t limit themselves to just a standard drum set, half way through the gig the three brothers broke down with bongos and congas. This was definitely a highlight of the night.

It was only a one hour set and the band were worried they wouldn’t have enough time to play all their tracks so the gig moved at a fast pace. They didn’t even want to leave the stage for their obviously awaiting encore as it would have wasted time (and the stage was too small for unnecessary complications).

Their ‘encore’ consisted of their hit singles “Plans” and “Cha Cha Bang”.

“Plans” featured lovely harmonies with the lead singer of Korda Marshells (who played before Van Susans – they are definitely a band to watch). The crowd sung along and there was even an actual proposal during the song (which is about getting married). “My friend asked me to say ‘Dawn, Martin would really like you to say yes’ Pretty cool huh?!” Olly A. (She said yes).

Lastly they finished with “Cha Cha Bang” which was appreciated by the whole room. The energy was incredible, with everyone dancing, sing and clapping in the break (as seen in the music video). You could tell that the band loved it as much as the crowd.

All in all a great night, a great band, watch out for them.

Next playing at the Garage at Islington 28^th April.

“Come!” Olly A.

Single Review

Artist: Mono Stereo

Singles: “Me and My Machine” and “You Gotta Take Me Home”

Release Date: Out Now

For those of us old enough to remember what A sides and B sides were on what we used to refer to as singles… This is a double A side “Me and My Machine” and “You Gotta Take Me Home from Mono Stereo, which in absolutely simple terms means that it is two tracks that are both as good as each other, and should be considered together as one.

Mono Stereo are a Swedish band who refer to themselves using the term “shoegazer.”  When the NME started using that in the late 80′s I’m sure it wasn’t always meant as a compliment.  However, the first track (or the “A side” if you will) would not be out of place on a compilation of some of the better exponents of this almost psychedelic style of music, it sits comfortably with local band to me Ride, mixed in with some of The Verve’s better moments, and in more recent times Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.  The dreamy linked and looping guitars evocative of an earlier time in music, and the band almost have a Small Faces / Kinks inspired look about them in their dress sense and hairstyles.

Album Review

Artist: Auditorium

Album Title: Be Brave

Release Date: 18th January, 2011

There are many crimes, and having had this Auditorium’s Be Brave in my possession for a few weeks only collecting dust has been a devastating oversight and possibly the crime of the century.  A mixture of folk/indie/rock, Be Brave has a blissfull blend of haunting melody and uninhibited hope. It sounds like a simple combination that can be said for a lot of recent albums, but something in the lyrics gives the songs a levity whereon first listen you might confuse it for solemnity and possibly darkness.

Be Brave, the brain-child and studio-child of Spencer J Berger, everything you hear on the record has been recorded and played by him… over the course of a year. All the mixing was done by Berger, but mastered by Pete Lyman of Infrasonic Sound (Beck, No Age, Mission to Burma). Whether this is the work of an introverted genius or an anti-social hack will become very clear by the end of this review. Formally called “Field,” this project now has five other live musicians on board (Daya Wolterstorff, Chris Littler, Justin Hogan, and Elizabeth Berger… as well as BK Etheridge on drums) and is bursting onto the California live scene.

With, arguably, some of the best unsigned music around that works itself into a rich tapestry of heroism, hope and ultimately beautiful music.  But what does that really mean?  There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t see a review that says “the best thing since sliced bread” and then sadly it becomes yesterday’s news before the pictures have started to fade. 

Photo by Amanda Barnes

Be Brave is one of the most accomplished LPs I’ve heard; one of the best.  There is longevity infused into each song, reverting the aging process that afflicts the flavour of the week, and after five days of listening to it on repeat I’m still not bored.

Songs to look out for on the record are as follows, and not necessarily in that order, “Sunday”, “I’m the Enforcer” and “Oh My Desperate Soul”.  These are the key tracks for me, and the whole thing seems to revolve around their themes.  But then we’re not treading on familiar ground with Auditorium’s Be Brave, each song is as different as can be, giving this LP strength but keeping its common thread.

Be Bold, Be Brave.

~DC~

A man of action will always be worth more than a man of words. A wise old saying which in this case means the hard work and recognition go to the band and not the writer… although a free lunch would be nice on occasion.

This is not the first time I’ve written about Zalinski and hopefully it won’t be the last – they have that original spark that will carry them far.  A blend of melody and rock that uses a wealth of inspiration to transform the indie rock template into something with a little bit more colour and a dash more of flash.

Actions… is the culmination of Zalinski’s hard work and as their second EP, it’s the next rung on the ladder toward stardom.  Tracks “Soar” and “Alive” shine as lead singer Bowes (Andrew Lee-Bowen) really opens up the pipes showing off his vocal range, making the songs come alive.  These songs showcase where Zalinski’s essence truly lies, outshining their indie/hipster

Zalinski... ROCKIN'

baggage. The song “God” is a close contender and is definitely another favourite on the EP.  While Actions… content is good and can occasionally invoke serious emotion lyrics, songs such as  “Apology To The Feminine” and “Revelation” lack the personal connection, turning them into your ordinary pop-rock song filler.

That being said, Zalinski’s talented and energetic vibe are ever-present throughout this EP.  It’s laid back, it’s soothing, and the last 3 tracks right the wrongs (if they can be called that.)  You’ll come away thinking “just wait, another couple of years and this band will re-invent the wheel/indie scene and put those flannel shirt wearing hipster bastards back in their place.”  But, before things get too personal:  it’s a solid EP, and a good jumping-off point.  The unsigned underworld is a cutthroat place and Zalinski’s Actions, Reactions and Misunderstandings has a sound that can placate the madness.

~DC~

Hear a full interview with the band on JW Show Episode 68, as well as a few of the EP tracks!

David Couch

The summer sounds have reached us once again.  Dancing in the streets becomes our festival as the sun beats it’s steady rhythm down, the smell of…ah f**k I forgot to get my cigarettes. Be right back…For those of you that haven’t noticed it is officially summer.  Which means that live music is in abundance and any bar you’re lucky enough to stumble in to will have an open mic night. I’ve been to a couple of said event in recent weeks… and they really don’t deserve a mention here… but don’t lose hope!  You’re just closing the gap between yourself and the band that will set your summer ablaze.  But enough about my lamentations and trifles with the current state of Camden bars, I’m here to spread a wealth of music knowledge, trivia and add perspective to an otherwise shallow and empty grave where our passions go to die…

…But feast your intellects on this carefully constructed Top 5 Movie Soundtracks!

#6 Grosse Pointe Blank (1997) …Yeah, I know I said “top 5″.  You’re so smart.

The soundtrack to this film was compiled by none other than Joe Strummer, so straight away you know that it’s gonna be good.

Notable tracks from the soundtrack include:

• Queen and David Bowie “Under Pressure”
• Tones On Tail “Go”
• The Clash “Rudie Can’t Fail”
• Guns ‘n’ Roses “Live and Let Die”
• Motorhead “Ace of Spades”
• Violent Femmes “Blister In The Sun”

There are many, many more songs on the soundtrack but these are a selection that seem to sum the movie up pretty well.  Fast, cool and sexy songs that should accompany all films about hitmen who go to their 10 year high school reunion. I really can’t help thinking it should be higher on my list but thems the breaks, and I couldn’t find a good enough quote to finish this piece so we’ll leave it at the bottom of the pile.

#5 Ferris Buellers Day Off

One of the most important film for any young buck ever, I think we all learned a valuable lesson about the benefits of skipping school when:

a) your best friend has an old school Ferrari

b) you have a personal feud with your principal

c) you’re a pretty good hustler and get away with almost anything.

Notable tracks include:

• Sigue Sigue Sputnik “F1-11 Love Missile”
• The Beatles “Twist and Shout”
• Big Audio Dynamite “Bad”

granted FBDO does not have as many “big” tracks as #5 but it does have the benefit of working better, because of it’s cult reputation Ferris has become as much a part of the 80′s as hair metal.

#4 Reservoir Dogs

K Billy’s super sounds of the 70′s… Tarantino’s first feature length film has one of the most identifiable and unique soundtracks… with its own personal radio station that flits from being an external and internal source.  Oh and Mr. Blonde slices some dude’s ear off while dancing to “Stuck in the middle with You.”

Notable tracks include:

• George Baker Selection “Little Green Bag”
• The aforementioned song by Stealer’s Wheel, “Stuck in the Middle with You”
• Joe Tex “I Gotcha”
• Pretty much every song on the soundtrack…
• lest we forget Tarantino’s own insight into the meaning behind Madonna’s “Like A Virgin”…classic.

#3 The Departed

Martin Scorsese’s re-imagining of the Japanese thriller Infernal Affairs is really good and with a soundtrack to match it has to be number 3 on my list, because no other song in cinema has made as much impact on me then when you first hear “Shipping up to to Boston” in 5.1 surround sound on the big screen.

A new soundtrack with an old feel; there’s a quality to The Departed soundtrack, like the difference between the gangsters from prohibition Chicago and the hoodlum gangs from L.A. It’s a matter of class. Notable tracks include:

• Dropkick Murphy’s “Shipping Up To Boston”
• The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter”
• The Human Beinz “Nobody but Me”

There are more… but if you haven’t seen this film then you don’t deserve anymore.  Shame on you.

#2 Pulp Fiction

the second Tarantino film on the list, I wish it could have been different but I would be remiss if I didn’t include this. We’ve all seen this film, we all have our favorite moments where the soundtrack brings the scenes alive.  Bruce Willis running down Ving Rhames to the tune of “Captain Kangaroo” or Uma Thurman’s overdose to “Son of a Preacher Man”. I won’t insult you with notable tracks because there are too many to list and you all undoubtedly have your favorites.

#1 O Brother Where Art Thou

This is probably the odd one out of the group, but the story is a mixture of folk legend and Hollywood myth, the story of Robert Johnson spliced with Homer’s odyssey and George Clooney’s award winning smile (spoiler alert.)  The mixture of music in this film is really good – I’m not one for musicals (I don’t know if it counts as a musical but there’s definitely singing,)  But the Cohen brothers always do a good job of mixing folk/blues/bluegrass with some pretty bitchin’ scenes that will make you watch this film 5 times in one day… (I had the day off) and who can forget the Soggy Bottom Boys?  There really aren’t that many tracks to choose from and I’d recommend the whole film rather just the soundtrack.

There are a few films I would have put in this list but it got to a point where I just had to bite the bullet and pick five to put through… or six.  I know you may not agree with the list but there’s a wonderful quote about being pro-active and getting s**t done… “I did it before you.”

~DC~

Artist:   Gold Motel

Release Date:  June 1st, 2010

Well this is a little embarrassing. I was sent Gold Motel’s EP a couple of months back kindly by their lead vocalist Greta, formally of The Hush Sound. But in the time that it’s taken me to get my act together to review the EP, they’ve gone and released a full length! Honestly, these indie bands and their organisational skills.  So to try and keep up with the times, I’ve decided to forgo the EP and dive straight in to writing some very nice things about their album, Summer House. And nice writing it does indeed deserve, being a lovely, sunshine-tinged jaunty escapade of a record.

Summer House is one of those gorgeous, jumpy boppy indie albums that will be spinning on your mp3 player all summer long just because it makes you smile. Vocals and keys are provided by Greta Morgan, who uses the former to coat the album in a golden honeyed shine, and the latter to ground it firmly in the territory of classically uplifting pop music.  These combined with a duo of guitars with a surf’s-up-sounding twang and a solid rhythm section, make Gold Motel’s sound one that invokes images of California summers, floaty dresses, melted ice cream and diving into lakes in the blazing sun.

Greta and the Boys

There is happiness seeping from almost every wave of this album; from Morgan’s crystal clear, lilting vocals to the close vocal harmonies with guitarist Dan, and the keyboard sounds dotting in and out of each song, Summer House is bursting with songs that are just dying to get stuck in your head – and they will succeed. There are a few tracks that really shine through on Summerhouse, like ‘Perfect in my Mind’ during which I defy anyone to resist singing along to some ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ by the end, ‘Safe in LA’ which will have you dancing like an idiot all over the shop, and ‘The Cruel One’ with its jolly piano track and heavily punctuated rhythms beneath cool and sweet vocals.

But in the end, all you really need to know is that if you need a good happy soundtrack for anything you do during this summer, just spend a while in Gold Motel’s beautifully decorated, multi-coloured Summer House.

~Sarah Morrison

Sarah writes for LeftLion in Notthigham and blogs about music at Miss Morrison’s Mix

Si and Andy of "Hot Fiction"

Album:  Dark Room

Artist:   Hot Fiction

Release Date:  June 7th, 2010

UK two-piece garage rockers Hot Fiction released their crunching, lo-fi debut album ‘Dark Room’ today, which, whilst sparse in instrumentation, is rich in riffage and chock full of bluesy soul. Comprised of school friends Andy Yeoh (vocals and drums) and Simon Miller (guitar), Hot Fiction’s sound paints a picture of two lads who, upon discovering their dads’ record collections, fell in love with the great masters of rock and roll and made it their lives’ ambitions to build upon that legacy. There are flickers and glimmers all over their music that point towards their influences, from classic rock and blues as well as the more contemporary heralds of back-to-basics lo-fi rock, but none so much that they come off as easily pigeon-holed. Some might delight in reeling off a comprehensive list here of those influential flickers and glimmers, but not me – I’d rather leave the comparisons up to you, dear reader, when you listen to the record, that’s much more fun.

The album kicks off with an a cappella wail that sounds borne of the banks of the Mississippi, then settles into the steady, fuzzed up groove of Start it Off; this track sets the tone for the rest of the record – sparse, riff-orientated, heavily punctuated rock that’s steeped in blues, with a modern edge that sets it off down a road of its own. From there, the record undulates through fields of upbeat 12-bar blues jams (My Girl Dances), dark and slightly sinister down-tempo grooves (All My Love in Vain), riffs that make you want to strut you way down the street (I Just Want Your Body), driving rock and roll (Truly Dark), and ends with a shockingly catchy number, considering how musically scant the track is, in the form of Creepy Disco – it will keep spinning in your head like a stuck vinyl for days. And in between all them lay many more delights to find for yourself.

All of this is overseen by Yeoh’s raspy, fuzzy vocals, which nestle in the songs next to the guitar like a third instrument, and are dripping with vaguely melancholic cool. Yeoh and Miller create an interesting sound for a two-piece, getting driving rhythms and distorted licks fully down and locked, and although I usually have issues with singing drummers (see: Phil Collins), these lads have nothing to worry about as they definitely pull it off.

One thing that shines through from this album is how well Hot Fiction’s songs would transfer to a live setting; the rough-edged recording does do justice to the DIY feel of the band, but I can’t help feeling that I need to hear these tunes in a scummy pub’s back room where my feet stick to the floor. In that vein, keep an eye on their website as they’re playing the hell out of London and a few others over the next few months.

Dark Room is imbued with just the right kind of nostalgia that will have you reaching fondly for your old LPs after listening, but not before a thoroughly enjoyable listen to a record that is in equal parts an homage to the band’s heroes, and a rough and ready, fresh take on garage rock.

~Sarah Morrison

Sarah writes for LeftLion and on her own blog called Miss Morrison’s Mix