Regular visitors to the site will know of my admiration for the songwriting of Danny George Wilson. The album is great, they rock live and are all round pretty good guys to meet. I spent some time with Danny recently to get an insight into the man behind the music. Having left all my research notes at home I was somewhat more nervous than usual pre-interview. Sound check was running late (don't they always) so it gave me more time to reflect. I need not of worried as Danny was great to interview - relaxed and interested in our questions. Mark: ...
As Keath likes to say: "I’ve been into music longer than there have been MP3s, which has left me with hundreds of compact discs gathering dust on a closet shelf. The time has come to clean them out – but which ones are worth keeping and which are best left to the Donation box? Let’s take ‘em one by one." Now, I'll say right up front that I'm a bit more attached to physical discs and albums as art than Keathster is. But I'm fully willing to admit when a record hasn't aged very well. Actually, I'm likely to hold on ...
After a phenomenal sell-out showcase at the O2 Academy, Brixton on New Years Eve, Get Loaded returns to London’s club scene on Easter Thursday 1st April via another huge event at The Coronet Theatre in Elephant & Castle. Reuniting to coincide with the release of Shaun Ryder’s greatest hits album this summer and seven years after Get Loaded successfully reformed the Happy Mondays, we are delighted to present the comeback of Black Grape! Coming to Get Loaded this Easter for their first live show since 1997, the return of Black Grape is sure to be an extraordinary and exhilarating experience full ...
Last night I had such a great evening in the company of both Danny and Fionn. I have been questioning where my musical preferences lie over the last year as I become more and more endeared to Americana and Folk. Well folks, this is the new me and I like the journey it is taking me on! First up was Danny & The Champs, and oh what sweet music they make! Streets Of Our Time was my album of the month for January. Live they really bring these beautiful, soul-searching songs to life. From the first strains of "Henry The Van" ...
BIYL was privileged to be a guest of the wonderfully talented Alessi's Ark on her first visit to Norwich. I was feeling a little nervous as I had never been to a full-fledged evening of folk music before. Sure, I've seen such luminaries as Mumford & Sons and Laura Marling but always in a gig setting. Arriving at the Birdcage in Norwich, I got a great vibe from the venue. It's kinda like having a gig in your living room with friends. Think the photo above from a previous event sums up the vibe of the place. A few years ago I ...
Bella Union have announced they will be releasing the new EP from Alessi’s Ark. ‘Soul Proprietor’ is set to be released on Monday 5th April, and to mark the release Alessi will be joining Laura Marling on a host of UK dates across April.
The full track-listing for the ‘Soul Proprietor’ EP is:
The Robot
Shovelling
Dancing feet
The Bird [...]
The Duke & The King are scheduled to play a series of European shows next week. In addition, The Duke & The King frontman Simone Felice will play a couple of solo shows in London.
A Special Acoustic Night with renowned songwriter Simone Felice (The Duke & The King/The Felice Brothers) performing old favorites, brand new [...]
Arriving at the UEA Norwich, I wondered if this year’s offering from the NME tour could live up to last year’s billing. I kinda knew the answer before the gig started. It’s a strange mix this year with Maccabes and Bombay Bicycle Club, having released albums way back. Also, this year we had no female [...]
There comes a time when I need to clear my desk of the best of the promos I have not run on the site. Having already dispatched some pretty poor ones into the oblivion of my son’s bedroom this is the best of what is left.
Corrine Bailey Rae – The Sea
There is a lot to like [...]
First they introduced the UK to Temper Trap, then the wonderful Local Natives. Seems to me that Infectious Records can do little wrong. This latest release by Belfast’s intelligent power pop outfit General Fiasco is another release worthy of more than a passing glance.
Full of teenage angst – as lead singer Owen explains it - it [...]
Another video! Are those contact lenses? She’s biting me! Trees! I think the eyes are blue behind those lenses! Ahhh she’s biting again! Woah freaky split screen weirdness! Is she eating that tree? Is she saying ‘bok bok bok’? Wow she’s really, really hungry for tree! Snow! Dogs! Timber! I don’t think your teeth would [...]
Looking Towards The Sky: Progressive, Psychedelic And Folk Rock From The Ember Vaults
Various Artists
The photo is laughably prog/psych genre specific but intriguing when paired with the design’s mod aesthetics. I’m a big fan of the font colors and the circle around the Ember logo. Very well balanced visually. In fact, the [...]
