ITUNES LIVE REVIEW:
The Little Ones, Peggy Sue and Ava Leigh.
Last night, THE ANTI had the pleasure of sneaking into Koko Camden, despite our, ahem, invalid IDs. The beautiful venue that night payed witness to the 23rd gig of this month for the Itunes Live festival, which this year hosted massive names like the Ting Tings, Sam Sparro, CSS and Paul Weller. Last night, however, they opened their doors to a very different corner of the musical spectrum; the lesser-known, up-and-coming artists.
The night started off with the wonderful girls from Peggy Sue, which I think were formally known as Peggy Sue and the Pirates. Now, imagine Kate Nash and Florence and the Machine do an acoustic set. Now imagine their lyrics are more interesting, throw in a few harmonies and make it a little more down-tempo, and you'll probably have a sound in your mind very close to Peggy Sue's cute sound. One of the best new acts I've heard this year, Peggy Sue bought their bin along, which they used for instrumental purposes, along with a keyboard you blow into. It's different to everything circling the music scene right now and these are definitely expected to do well, as they have had big support slots next to artists like Kate Nash. Check them out because they're ones to watch.
Next up was Ava Leigh, who played an acoustic reggae-pop set. We have matching haircuts, Ava, high five. Ava herself is stunning and carried the show along well, although acoustic isn't ideal to dance to, nor to jump around to which is pretty much THE ANTI's ideal gig-watching state. Her cover of Mas Que Nada is a nice track to check out, along with Rollin'.
Finally, The Little Ones took to the stage for an immense set. If you haven't heard of The Little ones, they sound like Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses and a pinch of the Shins all put in a blender and sloshed around a bit. A nice beat and pretty vocals makes this ideal jumping and dancing music, which is pretty much all that one can do in the front row, and it must be said they have shit loads of energy for a band who sounds so laid-back. The great thing about The Little Ones is that even if you don't know all the words to their songs, you can still sing the backing vocals in the chorus, like in Morning Tide, which they opened the show with. I seriously recommend you buy some of these guy's stuff because it's very summery and sweet- get on it now on their Myspace.
One last thing before I go- if you're going to the Itunes festival, which is coincidentally being FILMED- why the FUCK would you just stand there like a boring sod? What's the point? The bands feel less accomplished and it brings down the tone on the whole thing. If you want to get mentioned by the band, as ahem, the ANTI might have, dance crazily and scream constantly.
Note: I will put pictures up to accompany this when people have uploaded them
Thursday 24 July 2008
Sunday 13 July 2008
music snobbery and tjs
You know when you think you're doing well at something, like a painting or something, then you look over at the person next to you's painting and you realise yours is actually a bit of paper with a happy face drawn on it?
Yeah, I get that exact same feeling when I'm looking at Music Snobbery, the fast-paced, well known, informative blog with God-Knows-How-Many readers. So it's through this lovely blog I discover Liam Finn has an album. From being the Anti's one-to-watch a couple of months ago, Liam has gone far, and taking a look at this album, it's clear to see his interesting mix of his fast-paced and mellodic music is a treat to hear. Go download/buy the album, 'I'll Be Lightning', it's different and will have you wishing you could play guitar. And sing well.
Logging on to THE ANTI's myspace the other day, there's the usual collection of friend invitations of crap electro bands with 'Listen to our music and tell us what you think!' written undernieth, or club event myspaces which post annoying bullitens all the time. But amoungst these today was Thomas J Speight. I usually listen to everyone who adds THE ANTI myspace, even if I don't blog about them. Anyway, Tom stuck out in todays bunch, and after listening to only one track, I knew we needed him to debut THE ANTI's first interview.
Tom is also the frontman of the Beehives, an alternative indie-pop band who's not passed THE ANTI's radar quite yet. He's been gigging for a while and has upcoming gigs everywhere from Winchester to Putney. On our debut Myspace interview with the man himself, he answers us questions about inspirations, onstage preferances and of course his cute-as-a-button sweet music.
Q-Which do you prefer- band stuff or solo stuff?
A-It really depends on the songs, certain songs require me to play with a band and others just sound better me and a acoustic.
Q-Which do you prefer to perform live? and why?
A-I have found touring on my own, quite lonely so it will be sweet to start playing with my solo band in the November tour.
Q-You describe your music as 'minimalist' on LastFm. How else would you sum up your music?A-My songs are just simple pop songs I wouldn't say they were indie, folk or country but maybe a mixture of the three.
Q-What do you write about?
A-On my album there is a lot of autobiographical songs and then a few of them are about my friends, people I have met and places i have been. I am in no rush to write a political song.
Q-What's been the highlight of 2008 for you, musically?
A-I am not sure if I have had my musical highlight yet for 2008...I am sure it will happen soon.
Q-Who do you find most musically inspirational to you?
A-It changes on a regular basis at the moment it is Neil Young and Paul Simon.
Q-Do you have anyone you suggest the ANTI take a look at who's currently on the London music scene?
A-London has so much to offer at the moment with singer songwriters. I think my old uni friend Eugene McGuinness will be one to watch for next year. There is also a great indie band called The Branco Heist they are certainly ones to watch.
Q-Obviously, you're very physically attractive. Do you get any 'groupie' interest at shows?
A- A friend wouldn’t ask and a gentleman wouldn’t tell…
Q-What can we expect from you in later 2008 and 2009?
A-My album “Pictures For Houses” should be out by December or new year. I should be playing a lot around the UK with my solo band. I am really excited for the next couple of months…I can’t wait to get in the studio and have some fun with my friends.
Yeah, I get that exact same feeling when I'm looking at Music Snobbery, the fast-paced, well known, informative blog with God-Knows-How-Many readers. So it's through this lovely blog I discover Liam Finn has an album. From being the Anti's one-to-watch a couple of months ago, Liam has gone far, and taking a look at this album, it's clear to see his interesting mix of his fast-paced and mellodic music is a treat to hear. Go download/buy the album, 'I'll Be Lightning', it's different and will have you wishing you could play guitar. And sing well.
Logging on to THE ANTI's myspace the other day, there's the usual collection of friend invitations of crap electro bands with 'Listen to our music and tell us what you think!' written undernieth, or club event myspaces which post annoying bullitens all the time. But amoungst these today was Thomas J Speight. I usually listen to everyone who adds THE ANTI myspace, even if I don't blog about them. Anyway, Tom stuck out in todays bunch, and after listening to only one track, I knew we needed him to debut THE ANTI's first interview.
Tom is also the frontman of the Beehives, an alternative indie-pop band who's not passed THE ANTI's radar quite yet. He's been gigging for a while and has upcoming gigs everywhere from Winchester to Putney. On our debut Myspace interview with the man himself, he answers us questions about inspirations, onstage preferances and of course his cute-as-a-button sweet music.
Q-Which do you prefer- band stuff or solo stuff?
A-It really depends on the songs, certain songs require me to play with a band and others just sound better me and a acoustic.
Q-Which do you prefer to perform live? and why?
A-I have found touring on my own, quite lonely so it will be sweet to start playing with my solo band in the November tour.
Q-You describe your music as 'minimalist' on LastFm. How else would you sum up your music?A-My songs are just simple pop songs I wouldn't say they were indie, folk or country but maybe a mixture of the three.
Q-What do you write about?
A-On my album there is a lot of autobiographical songs and then a few of them are about my friends, people I have met and places i have been. I am in no rush to write a political song.
Q-What's been the highlight of 2008 for you, musically?
A-I am not sure if I have had my musical highlight yet for 2008...I am sure it will happen soon.
Q-Who do you find most musically inspirational to you?
A-It changes on a regular basis at the moment it is Neil Young and Paul Simon.
Q-Do you have anyone you suggest the ANTI take a look at who's currently on the London music scene?
A-London has so much to offer at the moment with singer songwriters. I think my old uni friend Eugene McGuinness will be one to watch for next year. There is also a great indie band called The Branco Heist they are certainly ones to watch.
Q-Obviously, you're very physically attractive. Do you get any 'groupie' interest at shows?
A- A friend wouldn’t ask and a gentleman wouldn’t tell…
Q-What can we expect from you in later 2008 and 2009?
A-My album “Pictures For Houses” should be out by December or new year. I should be playing a lot around the UK with my solo band. I am really excited for the next couple of months…I can’t wait to get in the studio and have some fun with my friends.
Friday 11 July 2008
Converse Fans Unite
Ok, hands up if you've heard the lovely Pharell-produced N.E.R.D, Santogold and Julian Casablancas track which is EVERYWHERE on the web?
Yeah, it's been online for a while, leaked or not is irrelevant because now there's a VIDEO. Lovely to see Julian, and to hear him. His smooth melodic tones are what makes this track, with Santogold's attitude-y lyrics and voice to top it off.
It's a great track and Julian looks incredible, although in slight need of a haircut
Take a look here:
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