ShinyHappyDan

Bon Iver at Apollo Victoria, Sunday 7th December

2008-12-08T19:27:00.015Z

I was recommended Bon Iver's 'For Emma, Forever Ago' earlier in the year, and I've quite enjoyed its high pitched wailing and quiet haunted charm. I failed to get tickets for the tour, however I was saved by Scarlet Mist!

For those unaware, scarlet mist is a site which matches up people who want to sell a ticket (at face value) with people who want to buy one. So I managed to get a single seated ticket for myself the gig at Apollo Victoria.

Gig night arrives. I make it to the venue just on time, as I step into the main hall just as the lights go down and the gig starts. Small problem though: no lights means I can't figure out which seat is mine (I was in the circle section). After annoying a couple of people looking around for it hopelessly, I figure out that if I sit at the top of the stairs its actually a pretty good view! So I gave up on the seat and concentrated on the music.

The band started with the first two songs from the album, both sounding great. They really managed to make these songs sound both delicate, and grand enough for the massive venue. The sounds from the stage were fantastic, everything was so clear. Bon Iver's stripped down sound helped here I suppose, but it really worked well.

The songs sometimes took a bit of a departure from the album versions, I remember in particular that Skinny Love had some big pounding drum beats added (or rather just emphasised) which sounded great. If you've listened to the album and want an idea of what they're like live I highly recommend downloading the Daytrotter Sessions that the band did. There are also some videos at La Blogotheque.

The band played a couple of tracks from their new EP. I liked the first one, but the second one not so much. I'm sure you could find them if you search around.

The highlight of the night was probably The Wolves, in which the band got us to sing along to the repeating "What might have been lost", and got us to scream uncontrollably in the ending part of the song. I confess, I didn't scream very loud but the rest of the hall sure did. A musical racket.

In the encore the band brought on stage Sarah Siskind to sing a cover of one of her songs. Didn't do anything for me really, but she had kind of a cool voice.

Sorry about the lack of pictures, they really would have helped convey the mood but all of the ones I can find on last.fm / flickr are copyrighted.. you can have a look at them here and here.

In case anyone is reading from the US, Bon Iver have some upcoming dates with The Tallest Man on Earth. They'll be a great combination, I highly recommend!

Oh and in case you need more live Bon Iver fix, they also did a session for Myspace Transmission

Haunted White Hillsides

2008-11-25T12:31:00.014Z

So, I last posted in July. I guess in the meantime I've been making do with twitter. Sorry about that, but in my defense I have had nothing worthwhile to say.

Things are getting cold again. The wind is filled with salt, blowing into my wounded cheeks. This, along with going to see a couple of good gigs recently, has inspired me to make you a little playlist of some of my favourite tunes at the moment.

Go pour some mulled wine or a cup of tea and then click play on the flash player below.

Penguin Engine - Evacuate!
Probably my favourite Penguin Engine track, it feels like it fits a lot into its two minute length. I love the way this one is sung too, a good sense of detached melancholy. Does that make any sense? Anyway if you like this one check out their Facebook or Myspace for some more. Not available in stores!

Johnny Flynn - The Ghost of O'Donahue
I saw Johnny Flynn supporting Mumford & Sons (I'll get to them later) at their EP launch, and he ALMOST stole the show for me. This song in particular I really love, particularly the way the recording sounds (like it's from a long time ago). I defy you not to want to sing "these are the dates!" after listening.
Website Myspace Last FM (full album streaming)

Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today
I've had this one for quite a while now, but only got to go see them recently. This one has a great acoustic guitar riff, but what makes it is that it's seemingly sung by a crowd of people. Pretty simple, but it gives the song a lot more personality. Odd coda at the end.
Website Myspace

Mumford & Sons - Sister
Again, it's the singing on this one. Nice harmonies, lads. A warm, anthemic song. Love that organ! These guys are great, if you like this one you won't be disappointed by the rest.
Myspace Rawrip (stream free / buy mp3s)

Bon Iver - For Emma
I've been loving this one for a while, and in fact have even put it on a previous mix I did. I was going to choose a different sing, but this one is just perfect for this mix. I couldn't comprimise. Where do I start describing the things which make this song great? Those vocals. "Running on, running on.." particularly. The perfect combination of subdued verses and uplifting choruses. I managed to find a ticket to their London Victoria gig today! Woo!
Myspace website

Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee - Bethnal Green
Originally given to me on a birthday compilation (thanks Caragh), this is a slightly sad bluegrass number about the woes of living in London. I particularly like the instrumental second half
Myspace website

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
These guys sure do like their harmonies. Strawberries is a good word to use in a song I think.
Myspace Last FM

Richmond Fontaine - $87 and a guilty conscience that gets worse the longer I go
Whatever I say about this one won't sell you as much as the title, so I'll remain quiet.
Myspace

So now we're done, and I'm starting to think my definition of "wintery" is that the vocals have a lot of reverb. Oh well, hopefully if you're still reading by now you've had fun. Let me know what you think of this little collection, and make your own (legally!) on 8tracks. The "proper" page for my mix is here. My other playlists are here

Joanna Newsom at Somerset House, Sunday 20th July

2008-07-22T17:34:00.013+01:00

After a lazy Sunday spent bumming around the house and doing as little as possible, it was time for Tom and I to hop on the tube and rattle our way to Temple station, and (more accurately) Somerset House, where Joanna Newsom (owner of the world's largest dictionary) was due to be playing her particular brand of harp-based folk.

We missed support act The Red Krayola due to me forgetting who was supposed to have the third ticket I had purchased. My overactive imagination had convinced me that Tom had got it for his girlfriend, but he set me straight, I offered it to my sister and we got a few drinks in while we waited for her to arrive.

With all ticket holders now accounted for, we headed into the venue. It was all very sensible and a little posh inside (there was a very orderly queue for the bar). We got a round of drinks and waited for the music to begin.

Joanna came out on stage in a very colourful dress. She remarked how pink we all were, and started off her set by playing my two favourites, "Bridges and Balloons" and "Emily". I was mesmerised from the start. Not only was her performance excellent, but it also became obvious to me just how difficult it must be to play those songs on the harp. And to sing like that at the same time? In that dress? I was rather impressed (read: in love).

The audience was remarkably well behaved. So quiet! It was a good thing too, as Joanna doesn't make that much noise. It was nice to be in an audience where everyone was just there to listen.

The standout track for me was "Colleen", which I had never heard previously (it can be found on the Joanna Newsom and the Ys Street Band EP). A nice fast-paced Celtic sounding number, with some excellent yelps in the chorus. "Peach, Plum, Pear" was also particularly good (one of the more "spiky" tracks she played)

Towards the end of the evening the sun had gone down, and Joanna remarked that it was getting a little cold (not surprising considering what she was wearing). She closed with "Clam, Crab, Cockle, Cowrie" and left the crowd eager for an encore which unfortunately never came (perhaps her choice of dress was responsible for this)

If you want to have a listen to some of her stuff, go to Hype Machine and do a search for her. Also thanks to Paul Flannery Julio Newlove for the photos

Up all night making a muxtape

2008-04-07T16:56:00.002+01:00

A few days ago my housemate Tom linked me to Muxtape, a site which allows its users to upload 12 music files to make a little playlist which anyone can listen to over the internet.

A very simple idea, but a really nice one. Not only because it allows you to share your music easily with friends / lovers / pets, but it's also quite good fun nosing through other people's playlists.

Check out my muxtape and then create your own