http://www.moshcam.com/most-recent.aspx Thu, 17 May 2012 05:20:52 +1000 en-au MOSHCAM http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.moshcam.com/images/moshcam-logo.jpg http://www.moshcam.com/most-recent.aspx Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/raghu-dixit/southbank-centre-1290.aspx
Raghu Dixit’s remarkable rise has been nothing short of spectacular. The former Bharatnatyam dancer’s rousing folk rock is not only the symbol of metropolitan India’s blossoming alternative music scene, but is also making waves internationally. As Raghu recounts, the music that The Raghu Dixit Project makes, is a true representation of today’s India. Ethnic and rooted at the core, but at the same time, global in its outlook. Its not a surprise that Raghu has been referred to as India’s biggest cultural export of recent times. Yet it could have turned out so differently for Raghu. Raghu didn’t touch a guitar until he was 19: ‘I was in college and a classmate, who had long hair, baggy jeans, and impressed girls by carrying a guitar and singing English songs’. As a bet, Raghu learnt to play a rock song on the guitar in two months. Considering Raghu came from a traditional South Indian family where Western music was not the norm (he would sneak listens of Phil Collins and Wham), this was a Herculean feat. ‘In the first few days of picking up a guitar, I knew I would do this for a living,’ recalls Raghu.Raghu continued to pursue his ‘traditional career’ with a move from Mysore to the metropolis of Bangalore, which was then becoming home to India’s alternative music scene and, by night, Raghu began to develop his finger picking, songwriting and singing skills. Raghu Dixit - Photo by Kunal KakodkarRaghu’s method, like his music, is unique: ‘I didn’t have a tape recorder so I couldn’t listen to the songs but that limiting factor became my advantage – I would strum my guitar, hum and make melodies. Then I would read the newspaper and put stories to the melody.’ A second twist of fate happened when he moved to Belgium to work and his landlord discovered his music. ‘He took my CD to a radio station, who invited me on the radio – that was my 15 minutes of fame. They received a huge number of emails, from people saying they loved it – that filled me with confidence and within a week, I was back in India thinking, ‘How can I make music my life?’’ he says. On his return to Bangalore, Raghu formed cult Indian rock band Antaragni (The Fire Within) and joined a software company to pay the bills. When commercial radio expanded at the turn of the millennium, Raghu found a niche in writing radio jingles, a couple of which became huge hits, enabling him to pursue his dream – ‘I woke up, slept and lived with music,’ he explains. However the Bollywood-focused music industry failed to grasp his potent mix of folk, blues, rock, Sufi, funk, reggae, bhangra and Latin. ‘My sound wasn’t Bollywood and labels would try to lead me down that route. That was until I played in Zenzi in Bombay in 2007 and Bollywood composers Vishal and Shekhar spotted me.’ It was the break Raghu needed: three years on and Raghu’s self-titled album became the biggest selling non-Bollywood record in India (2009). He has also written scores for two Kannada-language (his native tongue) movies: ‘Both were cult hits, that’s what’s made me so popular in my home state. Only the eclectic crowd knew me until the song Mahadeshwara from Psycho but now a farmer in the most remote village knows that song and my name, and I can’t walk alone in Karnatka,’ he says grinning. For the moment, Raghu is concentrating on building his international fan base, before settling to record his second album.]]> gig:1290 The Raghu Dixit Project With Bellowhead - Southbank Centre, London Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/deer-tick/webster-hall-1181.aspx
Deer Tick began in December 2004 as a two-man drum and guitar band as a new vehicle for songwriter, and Providence, Rhode Island native, John Joseph McCauley III. After hearing a Hank Williams song on the radio, McCauley purchased as much Hank Sr. as he could at a record store, got his underage hands on a big bottle of brandy, and locked himself up in his cold and drafty bedroom listening to ol’ Hank until the bottle was dry. It was a departure from the dissonant rock n roll scene that McCauley had been familiar with growing up in Providence. Alongside him was his best friend, Paul Thomas Marandola, on the drums. The two made some tapes, played a couple small shows, and tried to find a bass player.]]> gig:1181 Preview: Deer Tick - Webster Hall, New York Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/the-crooked-fiddle-band/factory-theatre-941.aspx
The Crooked Fiddle Band are based in Sydney, Australia, and formed in 2006 through our mutual love of the energy and intensity of various traditional world music. Whilst writing and arranging, we discovered that this energy was shared by the other music we love: there seems to be a common thread between the frenetic accompaniment of gypsy, klezmer and punk rock; between the twisting rhythms of math-metal and balkan folk; between the clear tonalities of Scandinavian folk, Celtic folk, and cinematic post rock. ]]> gig:941 The Crooked Fiddle Band - Factory Theatre, Sydney Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/kill-it-kid/electric-ballroom-1244.aspx
Harder, grittier and more malevolent than anything previously heard from Kill It Kid, new single ‘Pray On Me’ marries a punishing blues riff a la Black Keys to Chris Turpin’s dust bowl howl and Stephanie Ward’s softer but no less strident vocal. The strange, electrifying scream that opens the song is the righteous – not to say blood-curdling – voice of a certain Reverend J.H. Terrell in full evangelical flight, culled from a 1920’s Alan Lomax field recording. Mistakenly lumped in with the crop of neo-folk acts on the release of their eponymous 2009 debut, Kill It Kid have been toughened up by relentless touring ever since, and, freshly inspired by old recordings like 'I Had a Dream' by Pops Staples, the band have fulfilled their identity as a blues band at heart. ‘Pray On Me’ is a positive affirmation of the path the band are now following, and indeed of the album that will follow in the autumn. “Throughout this whole album process we have endeavoured to really retain a sense of honesty and Britishness - of the blues boom of the 1960s – in what we do,” says Chris. Following the departure of violin player Richard Jones, “We've naturally moved away from our old sound, no violin, no acoustic guitars”, explained Chris at the end of last year. “Having spent a month recording our debut in the States we wanted our second album to have an immediacy... the whole thing was put to tape in London in just over a week.”]]> gig:1244 Kill It Kid - Electric Ballroom, London Sun, 08 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/steve-earle/factory-theatre-1294.aspx
In 1975, Steve Earle moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he met Guy Clark and his wife Susanna. He appears in the 1975 film Heartworn Highways, which documents the songwriting scene in Nashville around Clark, including fellow Texas musicians Townes van Zandt and Rodney Crowell. Earle had already met Van Zandt in Texas, and refers to Clark and Van Zandt as his mentors and teachers. Clark was instrumental in Earle being hired as a songwriter by the Sunbury Dunbar publishing division of RCA. There he wrote songs for the likes of Carl Perkins, Johnny Lee, Vince Gill and Steve Wariner. His song "Mustang Wine" was due to be recorded by Elvis Presley in 1975, but Presley did not turn up for the recording session. The song was released as a single by Carl Perkins. He also wrote the Patty Loveless hit "A Little Bit in Love." Earle did backing vocals on "Desperados Waiting for a Train" (together with Emmylou Harris) on Clark's first album Old No. 1 and toured in Clark's band. In 1981 Earle achieved a top-ten cut with "When You Fall in Love," which was recorded by Johnny Lee. In 1985 one of his compositions "A Far Cry from You" was recorded by Connie Smith, who made the song a minor hit that year. Earle's early work as a recorded performer was in the rockabilly style, and can be heard on his compilation album: Early Tracks. The album was recorded for Epic Records, but the company dropped Earle, only releasing the album in 1987 after he found success with MCA Nashville. Earle had to wait until 1986 before his first album, Guitar Town, was released by MCA. It was a critical success and was eventually certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The follow-up albums Exit 0 in 1987 and the certified-gold Copperhead Road, 1988, built on this success. With Copperhead Road, Earle moved to MCA Los Angeles and drew increasingly on Rock and roll influences. Earle is the subject of the documentary film Just an American Boy, directed by Amos Poe, which explores his political views as well as his music. The film was shot while Earle was touring in support of his 2002 release Jerusalem. In 2005, he caused consternation among his fans by allowing the song The Revolution Starts Now to be used by General Motors in a TV advertisement for pick-up trucks.In 2006, Earle contributed a cover of Randy Newman's song "Rednecks" to the tribute album Sail Away: The Songs of Randy Newman.[6] Earle is also the subject of two biographies, Steve Earle: Fearless Heart, Outlaw Poet, by the noted New York-based music writer David McGee and Hardcore Troubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle by Lauren St. John. In September 2007, Earle released his twelfth studio album, Washington Square Serenade,on New West Records. Earle recorded the album after relocating to New York City, and it was his first attempt at using digital audio workstation ProTools, as opposed to traditional analog recording techniques.[8] The disc features wife Allison Moorer on "Days Aren't Long Enough" and "Down Here Below." The album includes Earle's version of Tom Waits' song "Way Down in the Hole" which is featured as the theme song for the fifth season of The Wire in which Earle himself appears as Walon. In 2008, Earle produced Joan Baez's album Day After Tomorrow. (Prior to their collaboration on Day After Tomorrow, Baez had covered two Earle songs, "Christmas in Washington" and "Jerusalem," on previous albums.) In the winter, he toured Europe and North America in support of Washington Square Serenade, performing half the set solo and the other half with a DJ. On May 12, 2009, Earle released a tribute album, Townes, on New West Records. The album contains 15 songs written by his late friend and musical mentor Townes Van Zandt. Guest artists appearing on the album include Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine, Earle's wife Allison Moorer, and his son Justin Townes Earle. Both Washington Square Serenade and Townes also earned Grammy awards in the contemporary folk category. Earle released his first novel and fourteenth studio album, both entitled I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive after a Hank Williams song, in the spring of 2011. The album was released on April 26, 2011 and was produced by T-Bone Burnett. Earle describes it as dealing with questions of mortality and having a "more country" sound than his earlier work. He plans a full band tour in support of the album in the summer of 2011. Since his emergence as a performer, his songs have been covered by various well-known artists, including Joan Baez, The Pretenders, The Proclaimers, Eddi Reader, The Highwaymen, Waylon Jennings, Levon Helm, Emmylou Harris, Percy Sledge and Johnny Cash.Travis Tritt had a #7 country hit in 1995 with Earle's "Sometimes She Forgets."]]> gig:1294 Preview: Steve Earle (Full Gig Coming Soon) - Factory Theatre, Sydney Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/kaiser-chiefs/930-club-1289.aspx
Primed with three albums recorded in rapid succession during the latter half of the past decade . the Kaiser Chiefs took a calculated gamble and decided to regroup out of the spotlight with a self imposed hiatus. Last seen when they played their biggest shows to date at London's Wembley Arena back in 2009 the band have been anything but idle in the intervening period which has seen Nick Hodgson and Simon Rix form Chewing Gum Records - home of The Neat, with Hodgson also embarking on numerous production opportunities with new acts including The Vaccines alongside song writing contributions for the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Mark Ronson and Duran Duran. The recipients of various awards over the past six years, amongst others; three Brits, Ivor Novello’s and other assorted accolades, the band have also generated in excess of six million album sales - including the debut chart topping soundtrack of 2005 'Employment' - whilst cementing a worldwide reputation as a phenomenal live act accompanying the likes of Green Day , Foo Fighters and U2 on worldwide tours , two sold out shows at London’s Earls Court Arena at the close of 2007 followed by an historic hometown show at Leeds United’s Elland Road football ground in the Spring of 2008 and subsequently dates and festival appearances across the globe. In time, 2011 will be recalled as a pivotal period for the Kaiser Chiefs. For the manner in which they have approached the concept of making their music available to fans and critics alike and to re-invigorate the entire mechanism both artistically and commercially. Initially conceived whilst on a break in Cornwall, singer Ricky Wilson and friend Oli Beale had been discussing how the band might make a return. Wilson was keen to offset the promo frenzy that surrounds an album, prior to its release usually months later, hence the idea was to have the music ready and let people hear it immediately, no pre-emptive promotional schedules - fans and critics alike able to access the music at the same time and thus 'The Future Is Medieval' was born. Coincidently Wilson's holidaying companion Beale's day job led to an involvement that would be integral to the success of the entire model and the backing of some of the country’s leading lights in the technology to actually bring the idea to fruition. Hodgson, meanwhile had constructed a studio in the basement of the bands management offices and the band, although not active were writing, demoing and compiling a catalogue of tracks which would later be recorded with the likes of Tony Visconti, Ethan Johns, Owen Morris and Hodgson himself. The band's template was taking shape and whilst managing to remain out of sight ,were able to evolve their ideas without distraction. Released to an unsuspecting public in June 2011, 'The Future Is Medieval' has embraced the spontaneity and excitement of making music again and has seen a wide ranging and diverse selection of influences - short sharp new wave , a discerning nod towards Bowie , surprisingly Pink Floyd - an influence on the entire idea both musically and visually and the likes of the Who which sees the band return to the scene of their earlier endeavors.The net result for both the band, their fans and on a broader level from people who may not have been fans of them previously was to have their interest sparked by the originality of the idea...’The Future Is Medieval’. The resultant finished thirteen track album released some weeks later has become the band’s fourth Top Ten album in six years, no mean feat these days and life shows no signs of slowing down as they continue to wow crowds.]]> gig:1289 Kaiser Chiefs - 9:30 Club, Washington DC Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/the-twilight-sad/borderline-993.aspx
The Twilight Sad are an indie rock band from Kilsyth, Scotland, comprising James Graham (vocals), Andy MacFarlane (guitar) and Mark Devine (drums). Whilst on tour with Errors in October 2010, vocalist James Graham stated that "the next [album] is not going to be anything like the first two. The wall of sound is kinda gone. Andy [MacFarlane]'s demos involve a lot of keyboards, and it's a lot more considered." Additional musician Martin "Dok" Doherty also stated that "the band who make the same record over and over don't have a very long career." The band returned to the studio in January 2011 and in April 2011, the band released a free acoustic EP on their official blog. The release featured stripped-back renditions of tracks from both Forget the Night Ahead and The Wrong Car. The Twilight Sad's third album, No One Can Ever Know, is set for release in February 2012. The band released a new song, the album's closing track "Kill It in the Morning", for free on their new website and SoundCloud page on September 21, 2011. The first proper single from the album, "Sick", was made available as a 7" vinyl single and digital download on November 14, 2011.]]> gig:993 The Twilight Sad - Borderline, London Fri, 09 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/kaiser-chiefs/930-club-1295.aspx
Primed with three albums recorded in rapid succession during the latter half of the past decade . the Kaiser Chiefs took a calculated gamble and decided to regroup out of the spotlight with a self imposed hiatus. Last seen when they played their biggest shows to date at London's Wembley Arena back in 2009 the band have been anything but idle in the intervening period which has seen Nick Hodgson and Simon Rix form Chewing Gum Records - home of The Neat, with Hodgson also embarking on numerous production opportunities with new acts including The Vaccines alongside song writing contributions for the likes of Dame Shirley Bassey, Mark Ronson and Duran Duran. The recipients of various awards over the past six years, amongst others; three Brits, Ivor Novello’s and other assorted accolades, the band have also generated in excess of six million album sales - including the debut chart topping soundtrack of 2005 'Employment' - whilst cementing a worldwide reputation as a phenomenal live act accompanying the likes of Green Day , Foo Fighters and U2 on worldwide tours , two sold out shows at London’s Earls Court Arena at the close of 2007 followed by an historic hometown show at Leeds United’s Elland Road football ground in the Spring of 2008 and subsequently dates and festival appearances across the globe. In time, 2011 will be recalled as a pivotal period for the Kaiser Chiefs. For the manner in which they have approached the concept of making their music available to fans and critics alike and to re-invigorate the entire mechanism both artistically and commercially. Initially conceived whilst on a break in Cornwall, singer Ricky Wilson and friend Oli Beale had been discussing how the band might make a return. Wilson was keen to offset the promo frenzy that surrounds an album, prior to its release usually months later, hence the idea was to have the music ready and let people hear it immediately, no pre-emptive promotional schedules - fans and critics alike able to access the music at the same time and thus 'The Future Is Medieval' was born. Coincidently Wilson's holidaying companion Beale's day job led to an involvement that would be integral to the success of the entire model and the backing of some of the country’s leading lights in the technology to actually bring the idea to fruition. Hodgson, meanwhile had constructed a studio in the basement of the bands management offices and the band, although not active were writing, demoing and compiling a catalogue of tracks which would later be recorded with the likes of Tony Visconti, Ethan Johns, Owen Morris and Hodgson himself. The band's template was taking shape and whilst managing to remain out of sight ,were able to evolve their ideas without distraction. Released to an unsuspecting public in June 2011, 'The Future Is Medieval' has embraced the spontaneity and excitement of making music again and has seen a wide ranging and diverse selection of influences - short sharp new wave , a discerning nod towards Bowie , surprisingly Pink Floyd - an influence on the entire idea both musically and visually and the likes of the Who which sees the band return to the scene of their earlier endeavors.The net result for both the band, their fans and on a broader level from people who may not have been fans of them previously was to have their interest sparked by the originality of the idea...’The Future Is Medieval’. The resultant finished thirteen track album released some weeks later has become the band’s fourth Top Ten album in six years, no mean feat these days and life shows no signs of slowing down as they continue to wow crowds.]]> gig:1295 Preview: Kaiser Chiefs (Full Gig Coming 10th May, 2012) - 9:30 Club, Washington DC Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/boots-electric/garage-1232.aspx
With his debut album, Honkey Kong (Dangerbird), “Boots” a.k.a. Jesse “The Devil” Hughes brings the funk like never before. Honkey Kong is a sexy and smooth sonic cocktail of swaggering keyboards, funkified beats, sly bass lines, and Boots’ inimitable coitus-inducing croon. After just one listen, you’ll want to shake your hips, you’ll want to sing along, and you’ll definitely want to get down and dirty. Isn’t that what every album is supposed to make you do? Hughes didn’t simply become Boots Electric for Honkey Kong; he’s been Boots for a very long time. The very first rumblings of Honkey Kong actually date back to the 1998 Desert Sessions when the plan for his other band Eagles of Death Metal was also consequentially hatched. However, his EODM partner-in-crime Joshua Homme [Queens of the Stone Age] told Hughes he would only become “Boots Electric” the day he stopped “fruit-booting” around on roller blades and learned to dance. That day has come. Boots Electric is about to stomp through your stereo (and bedroom). You’ve been warned.]]> gig:1232 Boots Electric - Garage, London Wed, 14 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/boots-electric/garage-1233.aspx
With his debut album, Honkey Kong (Dangerbird), “Boots” a.k.a. Jesse “The Devil” Hughes brings the funk like never before. Honkey Kong is a sexy and smooth sonic cocktail of swaggering keyboards, funkified beats, sly bass lines, and Boots’ inimitable coitus-inducing croon. After just one listen, you’ll want to shake your hips, you’ll want to sing along, and you’ll definitely want to get down and dirty. Isn’t that what every album is supposed to make you do? Hughes didn’t simply become Boots Electric for Honkey Kong; he’s been Boots for a very long time. The very first rumblings of Honkey Kong actually date back to the 1998 Desert Sessions when the plan for his other band Eagles of Death Metal was also consequentially hatched. However, his EODM partner-in-crime Joshua Homme [Queens of the Stone Age] told Hughes he would only become “Boots Electric” the day he stopped “fruit-booting” around on roller blades and learned to dance. That day has come. Boots Electric is about to stomp through your stereo (and bedroom). You’ve been warned.]]> gig:1233 Interview: Jesse 'Boots Electric' Hughes - Garage, London Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/the-xcerts/koko-1226.aspx
The Xcerts were originally formed by 13 year olds Murray Macleod and Jordan Smith after meeting in the headmasters room at their school in Aberdeen. After Ross joined on drums The Xcerts went on to record two EPs at the local recording studio Captain Tom's. After relocating to Brighton to progress as a band in 2006, The Xcerts parted ways with their old drummer Ross. A replacement was found in Tom Heron, originally from Exeter, who was living in Brighton with a mutual friend and had also become close friends with Murray and Jordan. With the newly formed trio created, the band began writing the songs that would start to spread the word of The Xcerts nationally.]]> gig:1226 The Xcerts - Koko, London Fri, 23 Mar 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/lys/koko-1229.aspx
First French rock band spotted in London by Steve Hewitt (drummer & songwriter in the mutli million selling PLACEBO), in 2011 the band has won a first album recording thanks to the label Warner Music France (BB Brunes, Archive...), produced by Steve Hewitt himself and mixed by Paul Corkett (The Cure, Placebo, Bjork, Fiction Plane, Nick Cave, Radiohead & many others ...)]]> gig:1229 Lys - Koko, London Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/hooded-fang/cargo-1150.aspx
Hooded Fang’s second album, Tosta Mista, marks another big step forward for a band that has already gained considerable momentum in the past year. Their first full-length, the critically-acclaimed Album, was released just nine months ago and support has reached every corner of Canada. From a cross-country tour with The Rural Alberta Advantage to being the most blogged up-and-coming band on The Hype Machine to a 2011 Polaris Prize nomination, Hooded Fang are headed for big things in 2011.The band has oft been described as a “fuzzy” indie-pop ensemble, comparable to the 2000’s-era bands that helped define the “Toronto sound” in the wake of Broken Social Scene. But on Tosta Mista, Hooded Fang trades in one kind of fuzz for another: while songwriter Daniel Lee’s keen sense of melody remains, Album’s smooth harmonies and orchestrations have been swept away in a tide of scrappy, surf-influenced guitar work, ‘verbed out vocals and fully danceable 60’s drum breaks, conjuring up images of sweaty patio parties and hot summer nights. Tosta Mista is the perfect compliment to Album’s wintry Canadiana; taking aim at the United States with a sound that could have easily come from sun-drenched Southern California.After the success of the self-released Album, Hooded Fang are taking the next logical step and releasing Tosta Mista on their newly minted Daps Records imprint. The label will see 2011-releases from Doldrums, Phedre, Moon King, Hut and Odonis Odonis; in keeping with the strong sense of community and collaboration that lies at the core of Hooded Fang.]]> gig:1150 Hooded Fang - Cargo, London Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/my-sad-captains/cargo-1153.aspx
It was in a self-imposed exile from the band’s London base, alone in a borrowed house in San Francisco, that Ed Wallis, singer and songwriter for My Sad Captains, wrote much of the material for the band’s second LP Fight Less, Win More. Returning to England, the band – Jim Wallis (drums, keyboards, vocals), Nick Goss (guitar, sonics) and Dan Davis (bass) – decamped to the Cornish countryside and a barn full of chickens and bugs to track the album. Sleeping in the loft by night and reveling in the barn’s huge acoustics by day, together the band brought the album to life: adding the moments of unexpected creation that come when a group of people work so closely together. Over the past few years My Sad Captains have performed live at SXSW, End of the Road, the Bella Union stage at Hard Rock Calling and The Great Escape amongst others, as well as live on 6 Music and XFM. Following the warm reception of limited 7” singles for Fortuna POP! and White Heat, their 2009 debut album Here & Elsewhere was released on Stolen Recordings. It was hailed as “a melodic indie classic in the making” by Rough Trade, where it was an Album of the Month. My Sad Captains are a band who have grown in both ambition and restraint. The album is a snapshot of a band now exploring a bigger and richer musical landscape. Melancholy pervades. The Captains have become sadder, but morale has not collapsed. They are less apt to push their forces ‘over the top’ and into a big, crowd-pleasing chorus. Instead they concentrate on small but meaningful tactical advances. They fight less, but win more]]> gig:1153 My Sad Captains - Cargo, London Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/emilie-autumn/el-rey-1074.aspx
Emilie Autumn Liddell was born in Los Angeles, California, better known by her stage name Emilie Autumn, is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and violinist. Autumn draws influence for her music—the style of which she has alternatively labeled as "Victoriandustrial" and glam rock—from plays, novels, and history, particularly the Victorian era. Performing with her all-female backing band The Bloody Crumpets, Autumn incorporates elements of classical music, cabaret, electronica, and glam rock with theatrics, burlesque, and "flamboyant" outfits. Outspoken about bipolar disorder and her experience in a modern-day psychiatric ward, she has written an autobiographical novel, 2010's The Asylum for Wayward Victorian Girls. Her music encompasses a wide range of styles. Autumn's vocal range registers from contralto to dramatic soprano, and her vocal work has been compared to Tori Amos, Kate Bush, and The Creatures. She has released two instrumental albums (On a Day... and Laced/Unlaced), and three which feature her vocals: Enchant, Opheliac, and A Bit o' This & That. The 2003 album Enchant drew on "new age chamber music, trip-hop baroque, and experimental space pop". Autumn layers her voice frequently, and incorporates electronics and electronic effects into her work on Enchant; she also combines strings and piano for some songs, while others feature mainly the piano or violin. The 2006 release Opheliac featured "cabaret, electronic, symphonic, new age, and good ol' rock & roll (and heavy on the theatrical bombast)."]]> gig:1074 Emilie Autumn - El Rey, Los Angeles Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/das-racist/the-oxford-arts-factory-1068.aspx
Das Racist is an alternative hip hop group based in Brooklyn, New York City, composed of MCs Himanshu Suri (aka Heems), and Victor Vazquez (aka Kool A.D.) and hype man Ashok Kondabolu (aka Dap). Known for their use of humor, academic references, foreign allusions, and unconventional style, Das Racist has been both dismissed as joke rap and hailed as an urgent new voice in rap. After rising to Internet fame with their 2008 song "Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell", Das Racist established themselves as credible rappers with the release of their 2010 mixtapes Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down, Man. Spin magazine picked Das Racist as one of fifty acts to watch at the 2010 SXSW festival, and in April 2010, MTV Iggy selected Das Racist as one of the "25 Best New Bands in the World." Rolling Stone declared the song "hahahaha jk?" from Sit Down, Man one of the fifty best singles of 2010.]]> gig:1068 Das Racist - The Oxford Arts Factory, Sydney Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/talk-normal/xoyo-1018.aspx
A year after forming in 2007, Brooklyn's Talk Normal self-released Secret Cog, an EP filled with rigorous beats, post-punk dissonance, and the darkly evocative vocals of guitarist Sarah Register and drummer Andrya Ambro. Echoes of No Wave-era noisemakers-- particularly the dogmatic rants of Lydia Lunch's Teenage Jesus and the Jerks and the urgent abstractions of Ut-- were unmistakable. But the duo also has firm roots in the present New York underground, specifically the noise-rock of veteran trio Sightings, whose Richard Hoffman guested on Secret Cog's best track, "33".]]> gig:1018 Talk Normal - XOYO, London Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/amiina/sydney-festival-spiegeltent-1069.aspx
Amiina (formerly Amína and Aníma) is an Icelandic band composed of Hildur Ársælsdóttir (born January 31, 1980), Edda Rún Ólafsdóttir (born February 3, 1978), Maria Huld Markan Sigfúsdóttir (born September 29, 1980), and Sólrún Sumarliðadóttir (born August 10, 1977). They frequently perform live and in the studio along with Sigur Rós. Back in 2001 violinist Ólöf Júlía was part of the band but has since been replaced by Hildur Ársælsdóttir. The music is made with a great number of instruments. It contains elements of minimalistic style, contemporary classical, ambient, and electronic loops. In their performances, each of them plays from the large range of instruments, moving from one instrument—and side of the stage—to another mid-song, often after sampling. When Sigur Rós ceased touring in July 2006, Amiina followed with their first solo tours of Europe and America.]]> gig:1069 Amiina @ Sydney Festival - Sydney Festival: Spiegeltent, Sydney Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/band-of-skulls/xoyo-1157.aspx
Band of Skulls are an English alternative rock band from Southampton, consisting of Russell Marsden (guitar, vocals), Emma Richardson (bass, vocals), and Matt Hayward (drums). The group formed after meeting in college, although Russell and Matt have been friends since school. Initially, the group played at night clubs in the Greater London area and recorded some demos under the name of Fleeing New York before changing their name to Band of Skulls in November 2008. The band's original demos were recorded in their father's shed-studio. Band of Skulls debut album Baby Darling Doll Face Honey, distributed by Shangri-La Music, was released exclusively on the iTunes Store on 6 March 2009, followed by a general release on 20 March. The track "I Know What I Am" was chosen as iTunes' free Single of the Week to coincide with the digital release. The song was also featured in the soundtrack for TV series Friday Night Lights, Volume 2, which was released on 4 May 2010. Another track that was not actually on the album,"Friends", was included on The Twilight Saga: New Moon soundtrack in November 2009. On 23 March 2010, Band of Skulls released Friends EP, which includes the studio-recorded version of "Friends", a live version, and a music video of the song.]]> gig:1157 Band of Skulls - XOYO, London Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +1000 http://www.moshcam.com/eleanor-friedberger/music-hall-of-williamsburg-1182.aspx
Eleanor Friedberger (born September 2, 1976 in Oak Park, Illinois) is part of the indie rock duo The Fiery Furnaces with her brother Matthew Friedberger. In the band she contributes the majority of the vocals both on record and during their live performances. Eleanor grew up singing with her grandmother, Olga Sarantos and family in a Greek Orthodox Church. She previously dated Alex Kapranos of the Scottish rock band Franz Ferdinand. In April 2011, Merge Records announced that they would be releasing Friedberger's first solo album, Last Summer, on July 12, 2011. Upon its release, it received very positive reviews, garnering an 81 out of 100 (universal acclaim) on Metacritic. The Tune said that the album "simply refuses to be empirically classified or explained," but called it "absolutely essential".]]> gig:1182 Eleanor Friedberger - Music Hall of Williamsburg, New York