Tom Williams And The Boat

Anyone who has seen these guys play live I'm sure will love with them as much as me. I heard Tom on Tom Robinson's Fresh On The Net show on 6music the other night and he sounds like a really nice chap. He sounds like he knows what he's doing and seems to have built a really great rapport with his growing fanbase.

I first came across Tom Williams back in 2008 when they played BBC Introducing at Radio 1's Big Weekend. Since then the band has come of age and have really honed and perfected their sound. They are now armed with some craking songs, 'Concentrate' is a great song!

Their first album was self released in February 2011, where intitial stocks of 12" heavyweight vinyl sold out!
He's fighting the good fight and doing this all without any label backing so please do check him out if you haven't and if you like it, do make a purchase.

Here's a link to a deluxe vinyl bundle for only £25!
I just ordered mine!
http://tomwilliamsandtheboat.spinshop.com/

The future looks good for Tom having been a regular on the festival circuit for the past couple of years and I'm looking forward to what comes from them next and perhaps catching them on tour at some point.

Brighton gig picks - August

August looks to be a fairly quiet month for shows in Brighton.
TOP PICKS!
August 16th - Melting Vinyl Presents: Fleet Foxes + The Bees @ Dome Concert Hall
Doors 7:30 // £23.50/£25.50 SOLD OUT


August 19th - Concorde2 Presents: DELS and GHOSTPOET @ Concorde2
Doors 7:00 // £10.00 HERE

ONE FOR LOLz
August 31st - Concorde2 Presents: East 17 @ Concorde2
Doors 7:30 // £12.00 HERE

Alex Winston announces 'Velvet Elvis' EP

Alex Winston has announced that a new EP will be out on September 5th, fronted by the single 'Velvet Elvis'. The EP will have a new track 'Fire Ant'. She's shooting a video now I'm told.

Alex Winston - Velvet Elvis by AlexWinstonOfficial

   Keep an eye on her official website here for a promised sneak peek behind the
   scenes at the video shoot.

I saw Alex Winston in Brighton at Jamm with support from Bella Spinks and really enjoyed an energetic performance in spite of the sound quality.

Here is the EP artwork

Glastonbury Festival Day One: 24/06/11

Started my day off with Alex of Twin Brother doing an interview on Worthy FM at 9am, before heading to the BBC Introducing Stage for a full band Twin Brother set. A great turnout which seemed to receive the songs well. I heard many talk of being particularly impressed by the vocal.

Next for me was BB King on the iconic Pyramid Stage. Truly moving stuff from the great soul/blues artist. Not anything new but so much passion in this guy's performance backing by the tightest band ever!

Bright Eyes took the Other Stage by storm during a downpour. He performed in a cloak looking rather like a Jedi. He began by tossing vinyl from the stage before getting stuck into a great set laden with his classic works.

Radiohead were my highlight of the day. An epic crowd formed from about 7pm as a guest slot was widely anticipated at 8. Radiohead delivered a strong set of their newer material which didn't seem to disappoint. An unexpected encore brought the enormous crowd to voice, singing along to the crowd pleasing Street Spirit (Fade Out).

I caught the end of a lively performance from Mumford and Sons, but I'll save this one for Thursday when I see them with Arcade Fire and Beirut.


DJ Shadow finished the night for me with a lively set with great visuals as usual.

Review: Bushstock Festival, Shepherds Bush, London 05/06/11

 Communion have done themselves proud with this one-day event. The quality of the line-ups throughout the day made it impossible for some to decide who to see. At four great venues as well. The weather was great, a free beer on entry and the community feel to the day that Communion have done so well to not only achieve, but maintain so strongly.

First up was the haunting sound of Daughter in the beautiful and full St. Stephens Church. The simple, yet effective set-up of Elena Tonra and guitarist Igor Haefeli again creating a prefect ambient sound for Elena to deliver her strong vocal. The songs carried through the church beautifully and I don't think anyone wanted the set to end. You may recognise her song 'Landfill' from radio play and sessions on BBC6 Music, if not I strongly suggest you check it out! It is on her self released ep 'His Young Heart', which can be downloaded or purchased at gigs. She has recently signed to the Communion Records so watch out for her in the future. She is gigging around London

Next up, another artist I have recently posted about, Michael Kiwanuka. What more can I say about his charming personality that woos the audience from start to finish. The soulful, up-lifting rhythm of his songs and his quaint, pure vocal felt right at home in St. Stephens and it felt like one of those church scenes in the movies when he has everyone in the aisles clapping along to his final number. Michael's Debut ep is out on Communion Records as of June 13th, but you can get it on itunes now. The title track 'Tell Me A Tale' was a particular highlight.

Over at Shepherds Bar Tom Williams And The Boat gave an assured performance in front of a fairly modest crowd, that grew as the set went on. They got everyone going though with their rock-tinged folk. The six-piece have put together something quite special and the violin parts stand out as excellent to me. This is showcased best in the track 'Concentrate', my favourite of the bunch with a fantastic chorus and very cleverly written lyrics that make this one stand out for me.

Back at St. Stephens and The Staves harmonies in the church were simply breathtaking. Like the UK's answer to Mountain Man, only better in my opinion. Some very well written songs that you just get lost in. One of the few acts that when I actually like to close my eyes through a couple of the songs to really appreciate their beauty.

Marques Toliver was my stand-out performance of the day. The charismatic American decided after two of songs on stage that he would unplug his violin and come and play to us in the middle of the church. He belted out the first track for his recently released ep called 'Butterflies Are Not Free'. The track called 'Charter Magic' was received amazingly as the bustling hub of the festival was silenced. Many had beaming smiles on their faces. After a couple more in that fashion he returned to the stage to share with us that it felt how a concert would be back in "olden times", but it was better because "Then, you would all be wearing wigs and I'd be a slave". He then played 'Step Back And Remember' on his auto harp using a kick drum. After the intro he told us that the beauty of the auto harp was that you could sing anything over it and proceeded to give us a rendition of 'Scrub' by T.L.C. before getting with the heavenly song.

I caught a few songs from Kill It Kid at Ginglik. Their new heavier rock sound that they have found since dropping the violin from their songs, sounded amazing in the intimate underground venue. Their most recent single 'Pray On Me' sounded amazing. It's currently 'Single Of The Week' on Kerrang Radio. Things are looking good for this four-piece from Bath having recently been out to America for SXSW. Very much looking forward to what these guys produce next.

Lucy Rose played a set with her full band at Shepherds Bar to a capacity crowd. I could easily imagine Lucy playing these songs alone as the songwriting and guitar were of a very high standard, but what was brought to the songs by the band which included cello and violin was a whole different dimension. The strings were very strong and complimented the songs very nicely. There were at times a real caribbean feeling groove, which I loved!

Seeing Treetop Flyers for the first time since the Glastonbury Emerging Talent final was very nice indeed. Their rocky take on the folk revival that has been going a while now is really good. Reid delivers a great sounding vocal and the songs are all 'hits' in my opinion. Each one hooks you in. A very strong set and ones to watch out for at Glastonbury. I hear they are playing a lot there!

Fink finished the night off perfectly for me with a set of comforting ambient sounds; the very meaning of easy listening, Although very musically intense and interesting at the same time. Appearance-wise, you wouldn't at first expect such a smooth and soulful voice. I was surprised by how much sound the three men created on stage and the church acoustics only made it sound bigger.

I topped the night off at the after party with a lot of the lovely artists and people that I'd met over the course of the day. It was a wonderful finish to an event where each venue was so well programmed. Everything just seemed to fit in perfectly with where it was. The sense of musical community was ever present and the level of talent on show never dropped. Lets hope we see this again next year!


Find this article and much more music news, reviews and interviews at Counteract magazine

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.