Danielle Haim: “Writing it has gotten me through some hard times, and we felt this might be of some use to get our vibes right for this summer! I started writing this after a panic attack I had the night I got home from tour. I was very confused because I was SO SO SO happy about our incredible tour, but something about being alone with myself scared the shit out of me. after a lot of reflecting I realized I’ve let a lot of people try and tell me how I should live my life, but I realized in making everyone else happy, I lost myself. I wrote this as a way to believe in myself again and quit being scared to do what I want. I hope this finds anyone who needs it.”
Press info: The fifth album from Newcastle’s riff wizards is defined by calculated aggression and self-lacerating lyrics. Its startling bonuses include playful synth work
and the appearance of giant hip-hop star Ei-D with its title juxtaposing absurdity and seriousness, this is Death Hilarious.”
New Noise Magazine: “The variety in the styles and sounds is the real strength of Death Hilarious. Their blending of genres and timbres is masterful and really deserves some props. The trip through various sounds truly peaks with the single “Glib Tounged.”
TUTV: Pigs x 7 sound like a bulldozing battalion rolling all over your speakers.
Tons of hefty horsepower, heated exuberance, and merciless beatings keep
your whole neighborhood awake. They’re a non-stop vomiting volcano.
Blondshell: “The song is partially about being in your twenties and feeling like you’re
supposed to know everything (your parents even had kids around that age!) yet you’re
truly in the weeds trying to figure out who you are. I wanted it to have a bit of a nursery
rhyme feel. It’s a heavy subject so it was important to have fun when we made it.”
Irish cult singer/songwriter GAVIN FRIDAY made a name for himself as the melodramatic spearhead of new art wave outfit Virgin Prunes (1977-1986). Afterward he started his own creative journey.
Last year he released his 5th LP, named Ecce Homo his first one in 13 years. An enlivening electro-pop record, still frequently playing, with single The Church Of Love as one of the many highlights.
Last Tuesday Friday came to my hometown of Ghent (Belgium) to entertain a packed venue, mostly former Virgin Prunes fans. He performed Ecce Homo almost in full, with a couple of Virgin Prunes classics in between. It was a 90 minutes long trancey dance event, only interrupted by Friday‘s expressions of joy between songs (which, at times slowed down the concert’s spellbound flow).
His catholic upbringing and Ireland‘s God-fearing past still haunts him and his work. Religion as an oppressive tool to control people is still boggling his mind and triggers him to cast out his demons, on record and on stage, which caused a kind of spiritual ambiance that worked as a magnet for all of us. With his glittery appearance, he filled the whole house. With his disco bangers he increased the temperature, time and time again.
At 65, Friday still knows perfectly well how to enamour his
audience and give them a memorable night. Thank you.
SETLIST
Lovesubzero
Ecce Homo
The Church of Love
Stations of the Cross
Apologia
Lady Esquire
Amaranthus (Loves Lies Bleeding)
Lamento Sandpaper Lullaby
(Virgin Prunes song) Caucasian Walk
(Virgin Prunes song) King of Trash
When the World Was Young
Encores: When the World Was Young (Reprise) Cabarotica Daze Angel
Band: BLACK COUNTRY, NEW ROAD Who: Experimental 7-piece from London producing a hypnotic mix
of prog and math rock, jazz, post-psych-punk, and other musical roads.
The band made an instant impression with their 2021 debut full-length
For The First Time and repeated the feat with follow-up LP Ants From
Up There.
Dark clouds threatened the collective’s future as frontman and otherwordly
vox Isaac Wood left, citing mental health problems, shortly after the 2nd album
was recorded. But the band doubted not one second to go on without him and
with this new bewildering album, titled FOREVER HOWLONG, their decision is
one to cheer about, loudly.
DIY Magazine says: “‘Forever Howlong’ is so distinct from Black Country, New Road’s
past albums that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was made by a different band altogether. Through the redirection of their sound, lyrics, and indeed, vocalists, ‘Forever Howlong’ redefines who BCNR are. But if one thing remains constant, it’s their unwavering desire to reinvent what their music can be.
TUTV: With a range of unusual rock/pop instruments, such as a mandolin, clarinet, harmonium, harpsichord, timpani, lap steel guitar, banjo, and the traditional ones
(guitar, bass, drums) BCNR brew an inventive and singular sound that includes jazz,
pop, musical, opera, folk, post-punk and prog-rock. Somewhere between Black Midi
and Arcade Fire.
With no mainstream, yet accessible songs, wrapped in an organic package they attract thousands and thousands of fans. Georgia Ellery‘s riveting vocals make you (almost) forget that Isaac Wood‘s mystifying voice was a very significant force on the band’s first two LPs. BCNR overcame the loss and prove here that they have the far-reaching potential to be around for a long time.
Singles/clips: Besties / Happy Birthday / For The Old Country
Artist:KAT FIVE Who: Electro-pop songstress from London,
operating solo, as well as with her band Feral Five.
Inspired by artists ranging from Kim Gordon and Peaches, to the likes of Massive Attack
and Hot Chip, Kat interweaves her musical influences with an in-depth knowledge of sound; never afraid to experiment with something new.
She has used a variety of different processes in her songwriting, from futuristic AI to intricate field recordings. Creating innovative sonic delights that are truly her own, Five offers something unique and multi-dimensional, with songs as catchy and fun as they
are experimental and avant-garde.
New Single: SWITCH
The song reflects on the different ways we can overcome anxiety,
it offers an empowering ode to self-love in all its forms.
TUTV: For all shadow dancers among us Switch will make you move and groove
in mysterious ways, on repeat. It’s a zigzagging EBM stomper with a mesmerizing guitar riff, injecting this electronic hip-shaker with luminous sparks and spiced with Kat Five‘s sensuous voice. It’ll bounce in your ears and your head all day long.
“If you wake up and you’re not feeling tall
Dial it down and switch right back to small
Take a look and find just what you need
A breath or a feather or a tiny seed”
Jangly heroes R.E.M played their first ever gig today 45 years ago, on 5 April 1980,
at the St Mary’s Episcopal Church, in their hometown Athens (Georgia). The show at
this abandoned church was for a friend’s birthday party.
