Introducing - Michael Kiwanuka

I saw Michael Kiwanuka on the line-up for Communion's Bushstock Festival and decided I'd check him out. I saw that he was playing at The Hope in Brighton and that's where I was. I enjoyed what I heard so I went along. Nathaniel Rateliff was playing also, so that made the decision to go easier!
Michael's set was just what I needed to hear that day. Such a soulful voice which came seemingly effortlessly. This was accompanied by a lovely style on the guitar, which had a very nice undercurrent of folk and some subtle bass notes from his good friend and bassist.
It was easy for the audience (who where captivated) to see how much Michael was enjoying performing for us. The mood during the set was perfect, each song was silently enjoyed and then the end was met with rapturous applause.
Michael ended his set with his version of 'I Don't Know' by Bill Withers. The song originally appeared on the Still Bill album, released in1972. Although not a recognised 'hit', this is a great song and with Michael's modern day twist it was brought to life!

Still in his early 20's, Michael has a voice and a hat full of songs which show a real maturity beyond his years. With his EP launch on June 7th in London at The Social looking like being a great show, I would certainly try to get along. Keep an eye out for this young man!

The EP is entitled 'Tell Me A Tall' and is available to download via itunes now here

I caught up with Michael later for a quick interview and he was such a pleasure to speak to, we were so caught up talking that he nearly missed his train home!

For anyone reading who hasn't heard of you, could you explain who you are and what you do?
"My name is Michael Kiwanuka and I'm a singer/songwriter from North London"

Can you give us a brief history of how you came to write such wonderful songs?
"I started writing after hearing songs that moved me when i listened to them. I thought it would be nice to make music that might move myself and also others"

Having seen you last night, it's clear that you really enjoy performing. Are there any shows that stand out for you as being really good or really bad?
"I did a show in Dublin at the Olympia Theatre supporting Adele and the audience where so welcoming and fun. The venue is gorgeous too!"

What were your biggest influences, musical or otherwise?
"My biggest influences are soul singers like Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and songwriters like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Bill Withers for me encapsulated all of the above."

You have your debut release 'Tell Me A Tale' out on Communion Records in June. You must be excited?
"I'm very excited about my debut release! I think it's any musicians dream to release music"

How did you get involved with Communion and what do you think of what they're doing in the music industry with their nights, label and Bushstock festival?
"I got involved with Communion when they heard the EP. I needed someone to put it out and they agreed to do it. I love what they do and the spirit they do it with. A lovely community of producers, musicians, songwriters and artists. I can only see them going from strength to strength. A unique collective of people"

I see that  you toured with Adele, how was that?
"Touring with Adele was an amazing experience. I enjoyed every minute of it and learned loads. A great opportunity and I'm grateful for it"

Finally, what are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?
"I have quite a few fond musical memories but i think nothing beats playing music with friends that share the same passion."

Many thanks Michael, I look forward to seeing you at Bushstock. All the best with the EP launch, we will be making a purchase!

Here is footage I found of the Bill Withers cover I mentioned, but in Paris.

Miles Kane - Concrete for Q

 

Just got home from seeing Miles Kane play at Concrete for Q. The gig was recorded for their radio show and will be broadcast soon.

The performance was even better than I expected. Full of energy and a reminder of how good Brit-Indie-Pop-Rock can be. A throw back to the 90's, but in the best of ways. It felt like a set from Oasis in their hayday with Kane's modern twist on it. Fantastic guitar riffs and loud echoey vocals carried the songs up and out of the tiny venue. The intimate crowd really enjoyed the show and joined in on several catchy chorus's.

I will be seeing Miles Kane again and his album 'Colour Of The Trap' will be getting another spin tomorrow.

Speciail thanks to Peter from Sourmash for taking me along to the show.

Communion - Bushstock Festival Schedule Announced

Who I want to see

St. Stephens Church
2pm - Daughter
5:15 - The Staves
6:15 - Marques Toliver
*7:15 - King Charles*

Shepherds Bar
*6:45 - Tom Williams And The Boat*
7:45 - Lucy Rose
9:00 - Treetop Flyers

Ginglik
10:00 - Peggy Sue

The Goldhawk
11:30 - Foy Vance

With tickets at only £27.50 + booking, Communion have delivered real value here. So many great acts!

Daughter at Strongroom

I came across the soothing music of Daughter when listening to Huw Stephens on Radio 1 last Wednesday. I was delighted to hear that she would be playing The Great Escape Festival, and further still when I found out she was playing the same night as Twin Brother at Latest Music Bar!

Daughter as an act materialised in November last year when Elena Tonra cut off all of her hair and decided to put up four new songs under this name on a new page. She grew up on a music diet of her parents vinyl collection and her older brothers rock CD's. It would seem that having discovered acoustic music she started to piece together her early songs.


Last night I went to a stipped back set at Strongroom where Elena treated us to a thirty minute with her guitarist Igor Haefeli. The performance the pair gave was compelling. Deep lyrics delivered very modestly, Elena lets her voice take the forefront and builds around it with delicately composed instrumentation. The second song on the EP called 'The Woods' is a perfect example of this.


Having spoken with Elena after the show it is clear that when performing she becomes the songs and very much embodies the feeling behind them for the time that she is playing them. I purchased her four track self released EP which is called 'His Young Heart'. This is available to download but if like myself you prefer a physical copy, there are a limited amount that are being sold at shows.

Find her performing here:
June
4th - Bushstock Festival
8th - Proud Camden
16th - The Lexington
21st - The Social
July
8th - Lounge On The Farm Festival

Daughter - Landfill (taken from the 'His Young Heart' EP) by ohDaughter

The Great Escape Wednesday Night - Rizzle Kicks

The Great Esacape Festival kicked off on the Wednesday night with a pre-escape party. I caught The Mirrors set, which looked and felt very 80's. I really enjoyed it at first but found myself getting a bit lost during the set. Their single 'Into The Heart' was a particular highlight and you can download it now

On before them were Brighton lads Rizzle Kicks who I hear "absolutely smashed it!" with a new band setup. Shame I only got there for the end. They played again the next day at the wristband exchange (Jubilee Square), which thankfully I made it out to and thoroughly enjoyed! A very energetic performance from two very nice lads! I wonder if this had anything to do with the relentless energy drink that was beng handed around, as they were on the Relentless stage.
The boys left Brighton to embark on a long journey north to Carlisle to perform on the Introducing Stage at BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend. From watching the videos I can only assume that they have re-named the place Carlizzle! Trust me you will all be getting down with the trumpets soon, but until then enjoy this footage of them at the festival where they were gifted a nice pink bra on stage!

Bon Iver Tour Announced

After a long wait since the 'Blood Bank' EP was released in 2009 and before that 'For Emma, Forever Ago' in 2007, Bon Iver have announced there will be a new album self titled 'Bon Iver' released through Jagjaguwar on June 21st. To follow its release there will be a U.S. tour throughout July and August.


We can only hope that a European tour will shortly follow.

Dates
July
22-23 Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theatre
24 Chicago, IL - Chicago Theatre
25 Indianapolis, IN - The Murat Theatre
27 Nashville, TN - Ryman Auditorium
28 Atlanta, GA - Cobb Energy Performing Arts
29 Raleigh, NC - Raleigh Amphitheater
30 Richmond, VA - The National
August
01-02 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
03 Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theatre
05 Boston, MA - House of Blues
06 Holyoke, MA - Mountain Park
08 Toronto, Ontario - The Sound Academy
09 New York, NY - The United Palace Theatre
10 Brooklyn, NY - Prospect Park Bandshell

Here is the beautiful cover art by Minnesota artist Gregory Euclide and track listings

A.
Perth
Minnesota, WI
Holocene
Towers
Michicant

B.
Hinnom, TX
Wash.
Calgary
Lisbon, OH
Beth/Rest

The Abbey Tavern - Open Mic

I Went to an open Mic night at The Abbey Tavern in Kentish Town last night.
It was the usual some good, some bad, up until a few standout performances by some very talented artists indeed! Bella Spinks, Lucy Rose, Kerry Leatham from Peter & Kerry and Ryan Keen all stood out.

What particularly stood out for me was Ryan's style of guitar playing and I was drawn in by the song 'Thank You'. He told us that it was written for his Grandma. She passed away and left him some money that he used to buy his guitar which allows him to make the most of his percussive style of play. See the video below.

You can buy Ryan's first EP entitled 'Aiming For The Sun'. He's currently working on a second EP. You can see him live on May 9th at 93 Feet East and I was delighted to hear that he'll be playing at the same festival as Twin Brother this year at REDFEST.

Lucy Rose also has her first single coming out and the launch night is on July 5th at Cargo. Here's the facebook event and you can buy tickets here.


What made everybody's night was the man on last with the cello which had two speakers in the back! We found out once he'd started that this played a backing track, to which he plucked away at his cello like a double bass. Unfortunately the man was not a singer, but played his costomized nstrument very competently. I think he was the most amusing of the evening!

Boss Angeles - Beach Slalom DOWNLOAD

Absolutely loving this track! Heard it on 6music BBC Introducing with Tom Robinson via Ollie Russian's blog tip.

They are from Boscombe, which is where they get their name. Apparently Boss Angeles is what the locals call it there. I've found out little about the band, but I'll be keeping an eye out for more tunes like this and so should you.

Here's the track and if you like it, you can download it for free!