First off congratulations to Annie Sullivan and Andy Lee who won the Kaibosh and Delta Blues competitions respectively. Prizes in the post. Soon as we get some stamps.
So what have we learnt this week down in the Londonist music dungeon? Well we've learnt that it's not a good idea to be a photographer at a Britney Spears Baby Shower. We've learnt that David Gray is a little late at jumping onto bandwagons. We've learnt that Kate Moss really does have no taste. We've learnt that the Rolling Stones don't like George Bush, but Oasis do like Robin Cook. And we've learnt that Mudhoney do have plans but that the only plans Dinosaur Jr have is that they have no plans. No shit, Sherlock. Next you'll be telling us that paedo-poppers Tatu are making a comeback. Oh bugger.
Still there will be better albums on the way from the Cure, the Fall, Neil Young,DFA1979 and The Cardigans, all of whom are up to some sort of studio skullduggery at the moment. None of course will be as great as Help: A Day In The Life Of. Released to mark the 10th anniversary of War Child's Help, each track, as they did a decade ago, will be recorded in one day (8th September), but unlike its predecccesor it will released to download the next day with hard copies (ooh, don't we sound knowledgeable) a week later. Other than making lots of money for kids in war torn Bosnia (this time Iraq will be the centrepoint of donations) it was the closest members of Blur and Oasis came to each other (just a few tracks away) without wishing death and damnation upon their sworn Britpop enemies. This year's lineup already includes: Radiohead, Gorillaz, Razorlight, Bloc Party, The Zutons, Maximo Park, The Coral, The Manics, Hard-Fi, Elbow and Mylo. And yes we are excited and yes we copied the list out of this week's NME.
Right time for some gigs you should be going to this week. Just click on the keep reading link thingy below.
If you're in town tonight then get down to The Marquee to catch The Hoosier Complex, onstage at 10. We think a Hoosier complex maybe a fear of Hoosiers but we've yet to work out what a Hoosier is. Great band though.
Tomorrow if you like weirdy beardy non folk folk singers then Devendra Banhart at Kokos could be your thing. Although when the record company describe his voice as a quivering high-tension wire, sounded like it could have been recorded 70 years ago we just hopr they don't mean it has to be played at 78rpm and skips every once in a while.
Friday you can stick around at Kokos for Morning Runner. It would be unfair to describe them as a noisy Coldplay because they can turn on the ROCK, but still with some gentle piano driven melodies behind them.
Saturday is Frog night at the Mean Fiddler. Kubicheck and Blackwire, described respectively as sounding how petrol smells and hard to love but easy to lay doors open at 11.
Sunday. Sleeeeeeeeeeep...
Monday, if you haven't yet bought tickets to the Polyphonic Spree at Kokos then you're missing out on the biggest smile you'll have at a gig this year. Whatever you think (unless what you think is they're an awesome and awe inspiring live act full of sunshine and joy) then you're wrong. GO!!!
Tuesday, well...If the good Lord's willin' and the creeks don't rise, we'll be sure to see you for another shot of Health And Happiness, the recommended monthly intake of country, bluegrass, blues and other music for uplifting gourmandizers.
This month, as well as playing some great records, they'll be joined by two very special live acts... Langhorne Slim - purveyor of old school folk, bluegrass and country blues of the highest order, straight out of the darkest Pennsylvanian woods - and south London folkmeister Duke Garwood who will be celebrating the release of his debut album 'Holy Week' on Loog Records. All you need to know: The Social, Little Portland Street, 7pm, Free...
Lastly, some sad news. The Tears had to cancel their Somerset House show last week after Brett Anderson's father passed away. Out thoughts go out to Brett and his family.
Don't forget to check back in on Friday morning - early - for all the big shows coming your way. Oh and there'll be some stuff from the other guys and gals about things that will be good to read too. We're good to you like that.
