Janet Jackson's Family Emergency - Tour Cancelled

Janet Jackson's 'Up Close & Personal' tour is in limbo. After weeks of waiting, after days of prepping and after losing out by minutes - I finally nab 3 gold seated tix to the second Melbourne show in November 2011.

And then the unexpected occurs - the youngest Jackson sibling postpones the tour and moves it from the intimate setting of the Arts Centre to the oversized space-ship that is Rod Laver Arena. They could have at least changed the name to: 'No longer So Up Close & Intimate Suckers'. And then when you think life can't get any worse - yet more apologies.

Tickets are refunded and a tour that was, is no longer. Janet Jackson does a well-below par performance at the first Melbourne show and is flown back to the States to be with her family during Michael Jackson's court case.

Sometimes we forget that celebrities are 'real', human-beings experiencing 'similar' trials and tribulations to the rest of us.

 Dainty must be pooing their pants. GAH.

KUBIK Music Melbourrne

KUBIK Music is taking over Melbourne this November.

A lot of the nights are already sold out but there are a few lingering tickets if you're keen.

Check out the timetable here.

I'm checking out Daedelus on 24 Nov!

Gold Panda - DJ Kicks

The UK's Gold Panda heads the latest DJ KICKS.. and rightfully so.

Listening party here!

Trophy Wife - Wolf

This is a gem and a half, it's entitled Wolf and produced by Foals Yannis Philippakis.

Feist - Metals

Reviewing Feist's new album Metals for JB HIFI mag. Not a massive fan of most of her stuff.. so this could be a rather interesting / or not so interesting activity. Listen to a stream here!

David August

I'm speaking to Hamburg based dance music producer, David August, very soon! Loving this remix.

Scroobius Pip - Distraction Piece

Currently writing an interview for Scroobius Pip. The UK spoken word artist most recently released the solo album Distraction Piece, a much darker departure from his collaborative work with Dan Le Sac. With Danny Lohner, of Nine Inch Nails' fame, in the production chair it seems Pip was able to delve deep beneath the cavities for something quite thought-provoking.

Check out the opening track 'Introdiction'. The video is incredibly intense!

Interview up soon.

Broadsheet: An American Astronaut

I preview Melbourne Fringe Festival stage show/musical/westerm An American Astronaut for Broadsheet. Read the words here.

Interview Gina Star

As the third biggest city in Texas, Dallas’ economy is primarily based on banking, commerce and telecommunications. It’s music scene, at the best of times, revels in country rock, where plectrums pluck strings and sticks beat drums, and no one knows this better than Gina Star... I talk to Texan born dance music DJ Gina Star right here!

Interview: Kissy Sell Out

Kissy Sell Out talks about graphic design, podcasts and new album ‘Wild Romance’ ahead of his return to Sankeys this month. Check out my full Q&A with Kissy here.

Interview: Michael Woods

Whether it be his live acappelas or his work with the London Symphony Orchestra, Hackney’s Michael Woods oscillates between a variety of musical sounds, engaging aural polar opposites at every turn... Click here to read the full interview with London producer Michael Woods.

Interview: Alex Arnout

I speak to electronic DJ Alex Arnout about twenty years in the industry, current influences, and why he'd never move from London.

Check out the full interview here!

Interview: Krafty Kuts

 

I speak to British producer/DJ Krafty Kuts, a musical mind, who's not afraid to announce the outlandish. Go to a KK gig and expect to hear tracks you've never heard before, and you can quote him on that.

Head here to read the whole interview.

CRUSH: BEST COAST

Such amazing weather in Melbourne. Sun's out and the light summery (spring) breeze is blowing away all my angst. Totes crushin' on Best Coast today.

TWIN SISTERS' DEBUT 'IN HEAVEN'

Twin Sisters' debut 'In Heaven' is just that. Wow, listening to it makes me regress to a childlike state where innocence paves my every way. Where wrongdoing is only out of naivety and not malicious intent.  When you close your eyes the corners of your mouth curve, without warning, without instruction. Your mouth smiles because you ears tell it to..

Click here to stream the full album. 'In Heaven' is released on 26 Sep.

PLAYBUTTON

Playbutton, the circle with might, has finally come into fruition. It grew little arms and made it's way to our Australian shores. What the hell am I talking about? The Playbutton is quite literally a button which when connected to headphones plays an album in its whole glory. It's about reverting to the days when people appreciated the album from start to finish, there was none of this skipping business, or worse still downloading just this song or that.

Melbourne store Third Drawer Down now have them in stock for $30 a pop. They currently stock three albums by: The XX, Bow Ribbons and Dirty Three.

Head over to the Opening Ceremony blog to read an interview with the Spanish creator Nick Dangerfield.

[I wrote about it late last year for Concrete Playground.]

Andreya Triana + Bonobo - Lost Where I Belong

Produced by the one and only BONOBO, this Andreya Triana track remixed by Flying Lotus! The track isn't new but it's certainly a precursor to the full album. With Bonobo on board expectations are, naturally, high.
 

DJ MEHDI J DILLA/DJ MEHDI TRIBUTE

The Ed Banger crew have dug up a mixtape made by the late DJ Mehdi in tribute to J Dilla. It dates back to 2002 and properly does both artists justice. RIP. DJ MEHDI "Loukoums" by edbangerrecords

Dorian Concept

Ever the beat inspector Austrian hip hop, funk, electronic sampler Dorian Concept releases the full version of Hug Her Elbow. Get ready for some glitchy computer sounds.
Dorian Concept - Hug Her Elbow - FULL by Dorian Concept

BBC Essential Mix - James Blake

A babin' mix by the super hyped James Blake. He's currently the UK's number 1 export, depending on who you're talking to, and this BBC Essential Mix is a pretty apt portrayal of his musical range. From experimental to classical he reaches many peaks and I would even go as far as saying it trumps his debut.
Not a die hard James Blake fan, of course he has his winning tracks but I'd rather listen to Mount Kimbie or Joy Orbison any day. Nevertheless this is 2 hours that'll fly by.

Listen to James Blake's BBC Essential Mix below.

James Blake - BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix (2011-09-17) by Hypetrak

Blood Orange

Love Blood Orange aka Dev Hynes. Other monikers he goes by include Lightspeed Champion and Test Icicles. Don't love the last two so much but the former appeases my angst-ridden soul. Who knew mixing acoustics and funk could sound so good. Who knew the boy with the cowboy hat could deliver such varied soundscapes.

He even knows B-B-Beyonce!

Check his Blood Orange Tumbler and check his 2011 album 'Coastal Grooves'. One of the best albums thus far. Interviewing him for LeCool London was a bloody nightmare but all has been forgiven now that ''Coastal Grooves' has come into play.

Blood Orange Tumbler

Ghost Poet

The UK's Ghost Poet is making his way to Melbourne this October! He'll be playing the Northcote Social on Oct 20! More info over at Beat.

This guy has his lyrics and rhythm down pat. 2010's 'The Sound of Strangers' was just the precursor to his Mercury prize nominated 'Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam'.

Check out some of his work below:

Interview: James Zabiela

Techno maestro James Zabiela talks work methods, bobby brown and the 'south coast mafia'.

Click here to view the full interview.

The Drums - Portamento

Portamento Preview by WorkItMedia

Oh wowzer. Here's a second helping from America's The Drums. Since their debut, members have come and gone, and the once quartet is now a trio fortunately their music is just as poppy and New Order inspired as ever.
Portamento is not as bright and chirpy as the debut but it's got just as many hooks and even more catchy tunes. Enjoy, then go buy it :)

Geoffrey O'Connor - Whatever Leads Me To You

Whatever Leads Me To You by Geoffrey O'Connor from Geoff O'Connor on Vimeo.

Geoffrey O'Connor is a Melbourne lad who makes you sway in your seat. His music is synth pop laced with emotive lyrics. Listen to his voice and it'll remind you of something, That something being Melbourne band Crayon Fields.

Now solo artist O'Connor, once the frontman for Crayon Fields, has ventured forth sans his counterparts and we're pretty damn excited.

See him support Lucky Dragons (US) at The Toff in Town on 12 Oct! Tix here.

It's gonna be quite a doozy! See you there.

Jonti + Stones Throw

Jonti - Hornet's Nest by stonesthrow Dope new tune from Sydney-sider Jonti. Track is called Hornet's Nest and is released via mega label Stones Throw. Love it!

Interview: Sigma

Ahead of their Trilogy show in November, I talk to Sigma about impending EPs, musical politics and their Life podcasts – an extension beyond the raised stages and audio peripherals.
Interview here.

Interview: Banco de Gai

I speak to Toby Marks of veteran electronic act Banco de Gaia ahead of his Alchemy Festival gig this month. Click here to see the interview.

Interview: Mount Kimbie

The UK's post-dub step pioneers Mount Kimbie talk Coachella and look follow to the follow-up to debut Crooks and Lovers.  Click here for the interview.

Interview: Steve Lawler

Electronica’s dark horse Steve Lawler talks about black holes, illegal motorway parties and why all DJs should have their own labels.
View full interview here.

Interview: M.A.N.D.Y

I talk to Philipp Jung about an LP that never surfaced and a label that’s going back to its roots. Interview here.

Interview: James Barnsley

Leeds DJ and producer James Barnsely found music when he was merely 12. It was an elder brother’s friend that introduced him to a world that would one day become his own. He doesn’t feed the on-stage antic clichés, but instead all his energies are focused on the turntables in front of him. 

Click here to see the full interview.

Yolke

A couple of weeks ago it was gig night at Melbourne's The Evelyn, curated by Fallopian Tunes. They're a Melbourne musical collective of the more experimental, electronica side. Even the organisers are in a band!
Introducing Yolke, it's a quartet of live instrumental; it's one hell of a hollistic ride.

Check YOLKE here.

An honourable mention goes to: Document Swell, it's a melange of samples and wind instruments.

Yolke will be playing at the Old Bar in Fitzroy on 1 Sep! Don't miss it. X

Donny Benet - Don't Hold Back

Donny Benet "Don't Hold Back" from SPOD on Vimeo.
He's touring Aus. Signed to label Rice is Nice, Donny Benet does Italo electro disco! Can you believe this Sydney born beb used to have a residency at the Las Vegas Airport Hilton Entertainment Lounge! EPIC! He's playing Melbourne's Workers Club on 13 August! X

Interview: DJ Friction

I talk to DJ Friction ahead of his Global Gathering slot about festival season, Shogun Audio, and why a laptop is the last thing you'll see at one of his shows. Click here to read the interview.

Interview: Nero

London duo Nero is Daniel Stephens and Joe Ray; signed to Chase & Status’ MTA imprint they’re currently readying their debut LP ‘Welcome Reality’ for the world at large.
Click here for the full interview.

Gill Scott-Heron + Jamie XX - I'll Take Care of You

My ears feel lovely.

A thank you note to the late Gill Scott-Heron.

Tokyo Police Club - Nature of the Experiment

Oldie but a goodie. This is exactly how I feel. Two and half more hours till end of business. Watchin' that clock!

Interview: Chase & Status

Chase and Status are the production duo who brought drum and bass into the mainstream arena.
Click here to see the full interview.

Maximum Joy - Stretch

A certain body told me off for being slack. They weren't so much angry as they were disappointed. Guilt trip worked. Loving this 80s track. Hear that scream!

Interview: Mr Scruff

Mr Scruff, a name Andy Carthy inherited because of his messy mane, keeps his music low maintenance and most importantly fun. Interview here.

Interview: Chad Valley

Oxford producer Chad Valley talks about Ibiza, masking production with lo-fi values... and why he loves Aqua's 'Barbie Girl'. Full interview here.

Vivid Live - Sydney * Bat For Lashes *

I saw this on the weekend. Bat For Lashes also did The Cure.

Interview: Battles

NY's experimental trio Battles talk about their recent release Gloss Drop and their collaboration with electronica master Gary Numan. Click here to see the interview.

Interview: DJ Yoda

London's DJ Yoda is a chameleon in an ever-changing industry. Check the full interview here.

Interview: D/R/U/G/S

Manchester's D/R/U/G/S talk image, anonymity and genre-bending. Full interview here.

La Shark

LA SHARK makes me miss London.

Check out their awesome tour video. 11 secs is certainly a crowd pleaser...aha

Isle Adore

Check out Melbourne quartet Isle Adore. Lovin' the Ariel Pink-esque-nes, echoed vocals and seemingly off-key notes, in all their tracks especially 'Lazy'.


Their Grace Darling residency will be finishing up this month, so get down and see them play on 21 April, with support from 'Milk Teddy', 'Towels' and 'The Fish'.

Lazy by isleadore

Kimbra

The best thing about being a music writer is discovering bands you would have never had batted an inch of an eyelash at, had it not been part of the job description.


I recently reviewed Kimbra at Melbourne's the Corner Hotel. I'm not a massive fan of her neo-soul, smokey-eyed reverberations but seeing her show did open my eyes to who she was and what she had on offer. A broad perspective of the what's going on around you is always a good thing.

 The crowd went nuts when 'Settle Down' escaped the collective on-stage peripherals but I'm pretty impressed at the calibre of impending single 'Cameo Lover' - it gives the well-known 'Settle Down' a run for its money.



We'll throw in the classic for good measure:

Interview: James Yuill

James Yuill chats cheese. Full interview here.

Islington Boys Club

Islington ain't just a town in North London - it's the beginning of a post punk introduction.

Islington Boys Club don't want to be like the rest of the lofi London bands - they're looking to pack some punch!

Check out their AA side single Plastic 16 - proof if I ever did sees it :)



Interview out soon!

Young Knives

Will be speaking to the boys from the UK's Young Knives today Their album 'Ornaments from the Silver Arcade' is out April 2011. 


Check their Myspace for tour details!


This is an earlier classic:

Seth Troxler

Interviewed the Detroit born-and-bred Seth Troxler today. The producer spoke about his new collective Visionquest and reminisced to a childhood that greatly shaped who he has become today. It was a great interview though it did not go like this:



Check out the Footprintz 'Golden Dreams', the second release via the Visionquest imprint.

Concrete Playground: You're the Spitting Image of Your Former Self

Feature on Buenos Aires artist Irina Werner who goes Back to the Future. Click here.

Interview: Metronomy

The English Riveria is Metronomy's third studio album and is due for release this April. Check out my interview with founder Joseph Mount here. We talk awkward encores and the festival season.

Interview: The Answering Machine

Manchester's The Answering Machine: Their sophomore album Lifeline was their most personal offering yet, I speak to Martin Colclough to find out why. Click here for full interview.

Concrete Playground: Berlin Club Wants You to Lose Yourself

This is one Berlin club that will have you losing your sensory perceptions before you even think you're at the party. Disclaimer: Excess consumption of alcohol is not advised, prior to entry..
Check full feature here.

Interview: SUUNS

SUUNS compare Montreal to a hospital - it's all about survival of the fittest! Check the full interview here.

Concrete Playground: Lego Camera

Check out the 3-Mega pixel Lego camera. Fortunately the pieces don't come off so you won't find yourself scrambling on on all fours looking for the last pieces but you can customise it by adding your own! See feature and stockist here.

PROFILE

Apologies for my prolonged absence but there is 'method behind my madness'. I've started up a new new one-off publication called PROFILE. It's all about showcasing a collective of proactive minds making a living out of doing what they love. The interview publication will be launched at the end of May but until then keep checking the site for updates and news on all of the talented individuals involved.


The best thing to do is join us on:


Facebook at: www.facebook.com/profilepub
&
Twitter at: www.twitter.com/profilepub


Individuals involved include:


//Jerome Borazio - St Jeromes
Ben Plant - Miami Horror
// Kate Hannaford - Moth Design


Sarah Guppy - Revolver
// Georgie & Alex Cleary - Alpha60
Lauren Zoriac - Dog Day Oz PR


// Sahil Merchant - Magnation
Rhett Wade-Ferrell - Moopjaw
// Emma & Tom - Emma & Tom's Juices


Mark Dundon – Seven Seeds + BBB
// Greg Sharp - Rubberhouse
Dave - Ghost Patrol


// Maudie Brady – Lord of the Rings
Ben - Edwards Moore


X

Review: Toro Y Moi Live @ The Toff In Town

Toro Y Moi & his live band play at Melbourne's Toff In Town. A succession of his debut tracks is mixed up with disco-funk tunes from his 2011 sophomore release 'Underneath the Pines'. Click here for full article.

Aussie Comeback Kids - British India

Melbourne-based band British India may have formed back in 2004 but they're still as relevant as ever. Take for example their newest sonic offering 'March Into the Ocean', the track was voted as Channel V's 'Ripe Clip of the Week'! Kudos to the quartet rockers whose third album Avalanches was released in April 2010.


Nice job guys!


Check out their Myspace for March tour dates. 

RADIOHEAD - THE KING OF LIMBS

WOW. Pulse is racing. This is the stuff of Kings. Their delivery is impeccable. Lotus Flower is from Radiohead's new album The King of Limbs which is available for download for the next 24 hours from here.


Thom Yorke is the King of Limbs.

Interview: Gavin Herlihy

Gavin Herlihy supports an industry run by the listeners. Check for the full interview here.

Interview: Glamour of the Kill

Interview with York's metal-heads Glamour of Kill. Click here to hear them in their full glory.

Interview: James Yorkston

The wandering Scotsman tells a tale of comedic prose. Check out his book and read the whole interview here.

Review: St Jeromes Laneway Festival

The most amazing lineup of the year. We're off to a good start. St Jeromes Laneway Festival has conquered. Check full review here.

Interview: Jack Beats

Jack Beats talk school-yard mixtapes in an offline peer-to-peer network. Check out the whole interview here.

Interview: Matt Tolfrey

Leftroom's Mat Tolfrey tells you the secret to a successful DJ career. Check it out here.

World's End Press + Rat Vs Possum

Worlds End Press + Rat Vs Possum are both Melbourne based  bands who played this year's St Jeromes Laneway Festival. Check out their stuff if you haven't already!








Rat Vs Possum will be in Sydney this Feb for the PLayground Weekender!


World's End Press will be at Melbourne's Fed Square on 10 March and Golden Plains on 12 March!

New Yeasayer video 'I Remember'

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Interview: People Get Real

Newcastle natives People Get Real talk Wax:On, new projects and J.DILLA.


Feature here.

Interview: LAMB

Manchester's trip-hop duo Lamb talk peculiar fanfare, secret vineyards and Jack Kerouac ahead of their 2011 Australia tour. Click here for the full interview.

Interview: The Heebie Jeebies

Sheffield's Heebie Jeebies are lofi guitar drenched in self-deprecation. Check out their live 'nude' shows and more in the interview here.

Interview: Beardyman

Beardyman Interview o'er here.

Interview: GUTI

Argentinian son GUTI may be based in Berlin but he hasn't forgot his homeland. His new LP 'Patio de Juegos' is all sun-soaked synths and high hats with added South American inflexions! 

Check out his passionate journey here.

Concrete Playground: Foodily Creates Food For Facebook

Check out eatings answer to social networking FOODILY. The easiest way to share your Granny's Risotto recipe. Feature here.

Tallest Man Alive

Love Is All by The Tallest Man On Earth from Secretly Jag on Vimeo.

Tallest Man Alive in Super 8.

Mmm sublime.

Music - A Commodity People Feel They No Longer Need To Pay For?

Ariel Pink recently made a trip to Australia to perform at the summer festivals and his side-shows. Pedestrian was lucky enough to interview the man who ain't about the BS. After being congratulated for topping Pitchfork's Song of the Year chart Ariel seems perplexed; lost for words. How can that be when their record sales are at an all time low?

In less than 2 minutes he questions the logic. Click here to view the video.

It seems the same issue is being analysed over in the Northern hemisphere where Stephen Godfroy, the man credited for successfully launching London's Rough Trade East talks about his most hated form of music: the download. Check Wired UK for his proposals.


The issue of music as a disposable concept so readily available to all is not a new one. Yes, the ease of accessibility to the Internet means bands from anywhere in the world can promote themselves, via Myspace, Youtube or any other social networking platform, but is it in their best interest? Who is this really benefiting other than the listener. 


I spoke to Yeasayer's Chris Keating about exactly this and it seems he along with many other musicians of today have accepted the fate of an industry where (illegal) download is King.


'Touring is the bread and butter of the music industry'.


You can see the full interview with Yeasayer's Chris Keating over at Lifelounge.

Concrete Playground: Cognitive Cities Conference in Berlin

In Berlin this month? Because the Cognitive Cities Conference is. It's all about industry leaders putting in their two bobs worth where sustainable living is concerned. It's about catering to the needs of the globe and its citizens. Check out the whole feature for details here.