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 ...
I quite like this cover for a three song compilation that I know next to nothing about. It’s a great picture and the text is creative while remaining legible. Plus it’s intriguing and makes me want to hear the album to find out what’s afoot – you can’t ask a cover to do [...]
Sometimes you have to take a step into the unknown and dip your toe into the water. Much was the case for me last night. I guess LostProphets are pretty much the hot ticket over here in the UK with the new album Betrayed having hit the top of the album charts and a sell out [...]
Oh, how I’ve been waiting for this! Vancouver, BC’s The New Pornographers have released the first single from their upcoming album, Together (Last Gang Records) which will come out in Canada on May 4th.
I was expecting something pretty decent from this new album, and if this first song is any indication, they haven’t disappointed.
“Inspired by [...]
Okay, there are several reasons for this post. Despite my undoubted leanings to different genres, I have a soft spot for Faithless. I have always felt that they were one of the most underrated exponents of the 90s dance music explosion in the UK. They never received the critical acclaim of say Leftfield or even [...]
This is an interesting one! These guys from Denmark make some pretty funky, dirty surf rock. This has been a kinda tonic to clear my head from all the folk music I have been posting lately! The Good The Bad are Adam Olsson, Johan Lei Gellett and Manoj Ramdas. Being an instrumental group seems to fit this [...]
I know what you’re thinking – what the hell is this post? I’m not sure I can even explain it. My brain gets stuck on these strange tangents at times; a lot of them pass through and are forgotten, but every once in a while one gets caught in there and the only way to [...]
Hot on the heels of my introducing post comes my album review. It’s not often an artist gets a two for the price of one from me. Bertie Blackman is well worth keeping in the front of your mind. The album is pretty close to the top of my pile of promo’s this month. Had [...]
