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California dreamin’
Gospelling country soulsters Phantom Limb launch their second studio album this month. Leah Pritchard goes behind ‘The Pines’. Surrounded by Long Beach on all sides, Signal Hill is a small city in Los Angeles County most famous…
19.01.2012
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Joan of dark
It’s taken a while for Big Joan to release new long-player ‘The Long Slow Death of …’, but it’s been worth the wait, says Julian Owen. “I was bored out of my mind in Southampton, pinned Adam Burrows against a wall and told him we…18.01.2012 READ MORE -
A Quick Word With … Still Corners
We interrogate Still Corners to reveal a strange affinity for pugs, whose life’s work they’d happily throw in a trash compactor and which 'Breakfast Club' actress makes them feel a bit woozy. Last record you bought Greg: Neon…06.02.2012 READ MORE -
Music: the year ahead
Drone pioneers, country giants, Sephardic divas, heaps of Holst: welcome to 2012’s genre-straddling musical buffet. Attempting to summarise a year in music before it starts is a little like running into your favourite record…14.12.2011 READ MORE -
Good Evans
Julian Owen goes on a journey with the peripatetic Leonie Evans. Somehow, when you begin to learn the residential history, the singing voice follows. Leonie Evans currently lives on a boat, following a summer spent in a tent and…14.12.2011 READ MORE -
Music review of 2011
Explosive blues, heart-wringing fado, the return of Bristol Folk Festival and the sound of a solitary pen falling to the floor – that’ll be another eclectic year in music round these parts, then. ROCK Potentially the biggest news…16.11.2011 READ MORE -
List stay together: our favourites’ favourites of 2011
We could have rattled on for days about our best discoveries in 2011, but we kept it brief. Twice. But then, we had a think. We realised that a year is 8,760 hours and 8,760 hours is a lot of hours and there is no way we have…07.12.2011 READ MORE -
The 02 Academy Bristol: ten years in pictures
As Bristol’s premier big name-luring house of rock celebrates its first decade in business with a huge free party this Saturday, David Evans looks back on ten years of mayhem with in-house photographer Martin Thompson. Score one…15.11.2011 READ MORE -
Gaz explosion
The hardest-working man in BrisBusiness has enjoyed a heck of a twelve-month, says Julian Owen. “Why..?” Normally loquacious in a warmly straightforward, entertaining kind of way, words have frozen and his face is a picture of…09.11.2011 READ MORE -
Down to Earth
Paul Riley gets friendly with Edward Cowie to discuss the world’s first festival of music (and more) inspired by the natural world. Ten minutes into a conversation with Edward Cowie, you find your hand heading nervously…19.10.2011 READ MORE -
Shadow of doubt
Ella Pawlik finds DJ Shadow in thoughtful mood. DJ Shadow seems confused. Confused and dejected. As if he can’t work out how to finish a puzzle, and all the other kids in the playground are laughing at him. What he’s most vexed…11.11.2011 READ MORE -
Talk the river
Tiffany Daniels talks to Guillemots lead singer, guitarist, pianist and songwriter Fyfe Dangerfield about Brazil, their upcoming tour and getting out of the ‘album cycle’. Branded by some as a workaholic, Fyfe Dangerfield’s music…02.11.2011 READ MORE -
I’ll be your Mireille
Mireille Mathlener launches second album ‘Borrowed Land’ this month. Julian Owen goes Dutch. It was in 2006, 10 years after arriving in the UK from her native Netherlands, that Mireille Mathlener took her courage in her hands.…19.10.2011 READ MORE -
Wright on time
Tony Benjamin catches up with cool-voiced jazzstress Emily Wright after a storming set at Brecon Jazz. When an unsigned band gets a gig at a top national jazz festival, even the Saturday midday graveyard slot, it’s no mean…23.09.2011 READ MORE -
Gimme Morley
At only 22, she's already landed herself a manager, has supported Kate Walsh and is now hitting the road on a UK-wide tour. Alice Edwards meets local singer-songwriter on the move, Jazz Morley. So, clearly a good year, Jazz?…03.10.2011 READ MORE -
Talkin' 'bout Jackson
Julian Owen gets claustrophobic with Parrington Jackson. Almost without exception, it’s the last refuge of the desperate – or desperately unimaginative – music hack: so, tell me, how did you get your name? Cue variations on a…30.09.2011 READ MORE -
Youth and consequences
Time was it was pretty tricky to get a gig if you weren’t old enough to vote. Not any more. Julian Owen joins The Next Generation. Education Maintenance Allowance cut, university fees raised exponentially, Future Jobs Fund…27.08.2011 READ MORE -
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Gift of the Gav
Anna Britten savours the mellow new album from comeback kid Gavin Thorpe. In some parallel universe, Gavin Thorpe is playing the O2 and soundtracking the new Jennifer Aniston romcom. In this universe, however, he’s a (very) new…29.07.2011 READ MORE -
The people’s party
Crashed bomber planes, sunken ships and an elephant on the loose: Mike White listens in as BrisFest 2011 takes shape. “What’s happening with the elephant?” asks BrisFest organiser Poppy Stephenson. “It’s still in Coventry,”…27.08.2011 READ MORE -
Scarlet fever
Don’t expect to hear any synth-pop when Scarlet Rascal & The TrainWreck take up their well-earned headline slot in the Fleece’s Best of Bristol season, says Julian Owen. In retrospect, “nonchalant” was the wrong word. It implied…29.07.2011 READ MORE -
Band of brothers
They may not be the most prolific outfit on the planet but everything the Colman Brothers have produced so far has been worth the wait. Tony Benjamin gets fraternal. “So – would you call it jazz?” Venue asks the Colman Brothers,…30.06.2011 READ MORE -
The Bristol Hum
Dynamo Hum rock out with the best of them. Julian Owen can’t help joining in on the chorus. Dynamo Hum don’t play punk rock. Nor do they play glam rock. Come to that, they don’t play alt.rock, prog rock, post-rock, pre-rock or…30.06.2011 READ MORE -
Dock rockin’ treats
As this year’s biggest boat party sails over the horizon, midshipman Mike White checks the charts. That was then… Despite the corporate sponsorship and official blessing that Bristol Harbour Festival now enjoys, it all began as a…30.06.2011 READ MORE -
Pocket rock it
They came in search of Mark Stewart and found a sound that mixes punk abandon, dub textures and proper-job musicianship. Julian Owen greets Rock In Your Pocket. Plenty of reasons to move to Bristol, of course. Far as we know,…27.05.2011 READ MORE -
On the plus side
Bath’s International Guitar Foundation, Future Bath Plus and BANES council have teamed up to launch a new company promoting music in the city – including the imminent Bath Guitar Festival. Tony Benjamin adds it up. “People say…27.05.2011 READ MORE -
’Shake it baby
After troubled times, Kelis is back with a new album and a change of direction – and she’s heading our way to top the bill at this year’s Bristol Pride. Julian Owen joins the boys in the yard. Chances are Kelis won’t opt to close…27.05.2011 READ MORE -
World service
It’s Bath time again. Paul Riley prepares to take the plunge as the city’s International Music Festival lines up with a globe-straddling selection of genre-bending treats. For a festival whose al fresco delights have included…29.04.2011 READ MORE -
Doctor on the go
Recently back from France, Bristol four-piece Call The Doctor are promoting new single ‘Take Me Out’. Julian Owen makes an appointment. Some bands have the songs. Others, the stagecraft. Still others, ambition. Rare beasts indeed…29.04.2011 READ MORE -
Loudon Calling
Star-siring singer-songwriter, sharp-penned satirist, former angry young man… Loudon Wainwright III, discovers Nige Tassell, is finally at ease with the world It’s been a long, strange trip, as The Grateful Dead might say. But…29.04.2011 READ MORE -
Covering notes
Over the last 30 years, its huge, broad and burgeoning music scenes have grown into an – oh yes – international phenomenon. And Venue’s been there every step of the way. Music Editor Julian Owen listens in. 1982. Venue begins.…20.04.2011 READ MORE -
The people’s roots
The current political landscape means there’s never been a better time to revive the Bristol Folk Festival, argues Julian Owen. A city like Bristol should have a Folk Festival. Folk music, after all, is the arts world’s most…20.04.2011 READ MORE -
House band
There’s something funny about the mystery headliner at this year’s Cheltenham Jazz Festival. Tony Benjamin reveals all. To the sceptical many, the jazz scene is often perceived as a humourless world. In truth it’s not at all…13.04.2011 READ MORE -
When the Fur flies
It’s been a long, winding and indeed esoteric road that’s brought Neil Crossley to the louche but stately rock ’n’ roll of Furlined. But is he more Lou Reed or Mick Jagger? asks Julian Owen. It wasn’t like this in the early days.…06.04.2011 READ MORE -
Play it, Sam & Henry
Coexist Collectivists Henry Dingle and Samantha Marais are each releasing solo albums this week – but the increasingly collaborative singer-songwriters’ll be teaming up to promote them together. So what’s the big ideal? asks…30.03.2011 READ MORE -
Bats out of hell
Bristol indie rockers and busy-as live act Bravo Brave Bats sing about 11th-century suicide pacts and the tables at Renato’s. Adam Burrows goes out after dark. Bristol has its guitar legions, but big chords and borrowed hooks are…23.03.2011 READ MORE -
Into the Vistic
Visceral guitar ace John E Vistic’s about to unleash new album ‘Modern Love’. Julian Owen pins back his lugholes. Pics: Chris Cooper. Even his speaking voice sounds like the product of an early morning bourbon-gargle. Every which…16.03.2011 READ MORE -
In the company of Zen
Not content with playing sax with Zen Hussies and Trio Bartoune, Charlotte Ostafew’s latest project, Dakhla, ventures into thumping ‘drum & brass’ territory. Tony Benjamin gets heavy. Fun-loving baritone sax player Charlotte…09.03.2011 READ MORE -
Here, the word of the Lord
Julian Owen doffs his cap to Bristol’s howlin’ aristocrat of one-horse-town country. “I don’t ever feeling like I’m forcing anything,” says Howlin’ Lord, inadvertently cutting straight to the heart of his work’s appeal. Country…02.03.2011 READ MORE -
Cane and able
Bringing together a trio of Bristol’s finest, Three Cane Whale make delicate, beautiful ‘chamber-folk’. Julian Owen listens in. “Mmm, this is good soup,” says the table at large of the spicy red lentil number being rapidly…23.02.2011 READ MORE -
What KT did next…
Multi-platinum-selling Scots rocker KT Tunstall talks toys, nature-techno and technical hitches with Leo Nikolaidis. It’s been an exciting few years for KT Tunstall. Since her breakthrough appearance on ‘Later… with Jools…23.02.2011 READ MORE -
Nuala shaker
A diva with Smerins, a stomping folkster with Medicine Creek and a natural balladeer as a solo acoustician: Julian Owen meets Golden Lion-ess Nuala Honan. Not every act can raise life from a St George’s crowd at the annual…16.02.2011 READ MORE -
Skanks very much
A new compilation from Bristol Archive Records celebrates the venerable history of the city’s reggae scene. Adam Burrows goes back to the roots. The year is 1980. Margaret Thatcher is at Number 10, youth unemployment is exploding…09.02.2011 READ MORE -
Lady sings the blues...
...and soul, and jazz, and on. Julian Owen meets the singularly talented Lady Nade. “I guess Lady Nade is a bit diva-ish,” confides the person closest to her. “She wants a fuss made of her.” Let’s clear this one up quickly: the…02.02.2011 READ MORE -
Station to station
Julian Owen discovers how BBC Introducing in Bristol really is putting local music onto a bigger stage. Pics: Ellen Doherty. “I’ve made my decision,” said Chris Moyles on his breakfast show a couple of weeks back. “Going on the…26.01.2011 READ MORE -
Only the Lonely
Glasgow-hailing songwriter Paul Tierney’s played in open mic dens, church halls, bedrooms – but he won’t be playing ‘Ace of Spades’ anywhere soon. What’s Scotland’s loss is Bristol’s gain, discovers Julian Owen. “First time I…19.01.2011 READ MORE -
Perfect acoustics
The beer’s the same but the music’s far more varied than you’d expect from a weekend at St George’s that calls itself Bristol Acoustic Music Festival. Julian Owen pulls the plugs out. The Bristol Acoustic Music Festival isn’t…12.01.2011 READ MORE -
Music Preview of 2011
Kyuss, Mary Wilson and Smoke Fairies are turning up in town, tasty jazz names are arriving by the Coltrane load, Bristol Folk Festival’s back after 32 years, and avant-strand Elektrostatic’s birthing a festival of its own... who…05.01.2011 READ MORE -
Top '10 hits
The Fleece kicked out the tribbers, women ruled supreme, Qu Junktions laid on the mambo ska and opera blew hot and cold… Pin back your lugholes while Venue’s Team Music rewind through a year of rock, jazz, classical and roots.…22.12.2010 READ MORE -
A cool Yule
Christmas listening doesn’t have to be limited to Slade, Wizzard and, eek, Cliff Richard. Gareth Jones has been unearthing some alternative festive fare to play at the office bash. A few years ago I used to work in both a…15.12.2010 READ MORE -
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Zoon landing
Now signed to LA indie label Mush, oddball Bristol electronicist Zoon van snooK is about to make his live debut and release his first album. Jay Chakravorty checks his sanity at the door. “I wrote a letter to Boards of Canada…01.12.2010 READ MORE -
A tower of song
Thus, Suzy Condrad’s brilliant new EP. Julian Owen meets the architect. Blimey, we thought. We’d enjoyed the willowy dusk-folk of last year’s ‘Stop the Carousel’ EP, but when Suzy Condrad’s latest four-tracker – ‘Sea of Me’ – hit…24.11.2010 READ MORE -
Poppy appeal
There’s nothing quite so world-righting as pure indie-pop, say promoters Big Pink Cake. Julian Owen jots down the recipe. Otis and/or The Temptations weren’t talking about pop music when they sang “I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy…17.11.2010 READ MORE -
Kings of the SW-ingers
Mike White tunes in to some of the best bands turning out for Music South West 2010. Texas has got SXSW, Miami has its Winter Music Conference – and Bristol’s got Music South West, a full-tilt 48 hours of industry brain-exchange,…17.11.2010 READ MORE -
Horn of plenty
Bristol sax beast James Morton’s funk-driven quartet Porkchop and his old mucker Soweto Kinch are sharing the bill at Bristol Old Vic. Tony Benjamin can’t wait. It’s easy to guess that James Morton plays a saxophone because, even…10.11.2010 READ MORE -
Restoration drama
After a life-and-death struggle in intensive care, former Orange Juice frontman Edwyn Collins has returned with heartfelt new album ‘Losing Sleep’ – and a national tour which pitches up at the Fleece this week. Tom Phillips finds…10.11.2010 READ MORE -
Scene and heard
Sound words on making the media work for musicians, from Bristol’s one-woman promotion powerhouse. Julian Owen listens up. Sometimes it’s good for the unsung to be sung a little. “If I had to describe her position and the work…03.11.2010 READ MORE -
No country for young men
Banjo plus accordion equals the sound of... no, that can’t be right. Julian Owen explores the singular sound of The Bad Joke That Ended Well. Norris, bass player in The Bad Joke That Ended Well, has a simple explanation: “We…27.10.2010 READ MORE -
Payne attraction
Smith & Mighty, Jukes, Tamco… Tammy Payne’s vocals have graced more than a few fine recordings in their time. Tony Benjamin tunes in to the latest. There’s something about the name – Tamco - that suggests that this time Tammy…20.10.2010 READ MORE -
Manic attack
The Manic Street Preachers have still got it, it seems. Stephen Dalton talks to the Welsh agit-rockers about new album ‘Postcards from a Young Man’. Prickly, polemical, poetic provocateurs in love with lofty ideals and lost…19.10.2010 READ MORE -
Don’t keep calm...
... but do carry on, Julian Owen requests of The Hysterical Injury, ‘the Sonic Youth of our generation’. A pig’s ear is a silk purse in comparison to the hash Rock Desk made of arranging an interview with The Hysterical Injury.…13.10.2010 READ MORE -
Voice squad
Many of Bristol’s numerous community choirs are amongst those coming together for a citywide celebration of song. Ben Welch stays in tune. In case it’s escaped your attention, Bristol is singing. Take a casual stroll around St…06.10.2010 READ MORE -
So fado, so good
Raw, elemental and undiluted, fado is Portugal’s unique form of folk-blues and nobody sings it quite like Bristol’s Claudia Aurora. Julian Owen pins back his lugholes. Over the course of an hour’s conversation, Claudia Aurora…29.09.2010 READ MORE -
Bris and tell
It might have been a bit chilly at times but that wasn’t going to stop the party. BrisFest 2010 had everything from acapella singalongs and fragranced gardens to delicate folk-pop and ear-shredding breakcore. Adam Burrows, Kid…29.09.2010 READ MORE -
Mumford’s the word
Good old Mumford and Sons. The London-met folk-rock spirit-lifters have been together barely three years, but in that time they’ve won over a huge fanbase with their triumphant, unifying live shows, seen their Mercury-nominated…29.09.2010 READ MORE -
Tricky: the interview
After ten years in the USA, the ever-mercurial Tricky has fetched up in Paris with a new “hard and militant” album to his name. Stephen Dalton goes in search of the Knowle West boy. Tracking down Bristol’s most elusive musical…21.09.2010 READ MORE -
Moray's dancing
Not content with reinventing the folk idiom for the 21st century, Bristol’s Jim Moray has set his sights on dragging morris dancing back into respectability. Julian Owen finds out why. Jim Moray plays folk music. Whatever the…21.09.2010 READ MORE -
Metal health issues
From grindcore to death metal to full-on ear-shredding thrash, Adam Anonymous investigates the current state of the local metal scene. What with Bristol’s burgeoning reputation as a post-dubstep clubbing haven, let’s not forget…14.09.2010 READ MORE
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THE BIG GIG
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First Aid Kit
Mike White knifes through niceness to find darkness in the doe-eyed folk duo. Do First Aid Kit sound too nice? You know, nice like Norah Jones. Nice like Katie Melua; all life’s sinister complexity polished away. First glimpse…18.01.2012 READ MORE
Don't Miss...
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Field Music
Where modern indie pop meets classic prog rock or where The Beatles, The Who and The Beach Boys would land if they passed through a time vortex. FLEECE, BRISTOL, THUR 23 FEB. -
John Law/Greatness of the Magnificence
Celebrating two giants of film music, St George’s brings together a delicious double-bill of musical reinterpretation: JL does Nino Rota while GotM get Ennio Morricone. ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL, THUR 23 FEB. -
Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny
Imagine a Disney interpretation of Joni Mitchell's back catalogue with the most refined New Weird America vocal singing antifolk melodies. LOUISIANA, BRISTOL, TUE 28 FEB. -
Matthew Schellhorn
Messiaen-indebted piano recital by Matthew Schellhorn: works by Emmanuel, Murail and Harvey plus the UK premiere of David Bruce’s ‘The Shadow of the Blackbird’. TIPPETT CENTRE, BATH, WED 29 FEB. -
Tigran
Piano prodigy Tigran Hamasyan overlays Armenian melodies with classical influences and opens them up for jazzing around, revealing haunting echoes of Michael Nyman, Keith Jarrett etc. ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL, THUR 1 MAR. -
Earth/Mount Eerie/Ô Paon
Last time Earth played The Croft, they were lucky to escape doom metal-induced concussion as ceiling tiles fell on stage due to the volume. Mount Eerie are a more than worthy support. ARNOLFINI, BRISTOL, SAT 3 MAR. -
Aurora Orchestra
The Aurora Orchestra has a sassy take on the city break – taking in Mozart’s Paris, Strauss’s war-ravaged Dresden, and Bernstein’s star-crossed New York. ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL, SUN 4 MAR. -
Mark Lanegan
Lanegan’s latest solo album sees the singer incorporating elements of electronica, soul and folk into his usual downbeat, gravelly rock. O2 ACADEMY BRISTOL, SUN 4 MAR.
Live Reviews
High Places/The Hysterical Injury/Hesomagari
The Cube, Bristol (Fri 17 Feb) If the idea of a boy/girl duo-themed night makes you feel…
21.02.2012
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Mouse Deer
The Old Bookshop, Bristol (Thur 16 Feb) Lord knows US coffee shop culture took a long…
20.02.2012
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OAE: The Glory of Venice
St George’s Bristol (Sun 19 Feb) With Vivaldi’s ‘L’Olimpiade’ about to be unleashed up…
20.02.2012
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James Morton & Friends
The Prom, Bristol (Fri 17 Feb) Lately, alto sax player James Morton’s career’s demanded…
19.02.2012
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Rich Robinson
Fleece, Bristol (Wed 15 Feb) With the Black Crowes on apparently indefinite hiatus, the…
17.02.2012
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Shinedown/Halestorm
O2 Academy, Bristol (Sun 12 Feb) It demonstrates considerable confidence to take a band…
13.02.2012
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Roots Manuva
Anson Room, Bristol (Fri 3 Feb) Having seen Roots Manuva take to the stage in riding…
06.02.2012
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Gannets/Tamco Trio/Three Cane Whale
St George’s Bristol (Fri 3 Feb) Can you have a game of three halves? It’s a Zen question…
05.02.2012
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Nigel Kennedy/Orchestra of Life
Colston Hall, Bristol (Wed 18 Jan) Telephone-hold to elevator music, ‘The Four Seasons’…
25.01.2012
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Bristol Acoustic Music Festival
St George’s Bristol (Fri 13-Sun 15 Jan) Who'da thunk it: some folk are dancing – dancing…
25.01.2012
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Howler/Man Made
Louisiana (Mon 23 Jan) Support act Man Made arrives on stage wearing the kind of gold…
24.01.2012
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Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
St George’s, Bristol (Thur 19 Jan) ‘Sir Henry’ distilled and squandered the late Viv…
22.01.2012
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Arabella Sprot Quartet
Bebop Club, Bristol (Fri 6 Jan) Given the styereotype of the lazy, time-wasting student,…
09.01.2012
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Denny Ilett plays Led Zeppelin
Coronation Tap, Bristol (Thur 5 Jan) There’s an inevitable sense of laddishness about…
06.01.2012
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The Peters
Coronation Tap, Bristol (Tue 3 Jan) Here’s a mind-boggling little collective of young…
04.01.2012
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The Hook 'Em Boys
The Croft, Bristol (Wed 21 Dec, 2011) It’s the longest night and it’s slipping by very…
22.12.2011
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Mike Willox Quartet
Bebop Club, Bristol (Fri 16 Dec) Mike Willox has long been master of the element of…
20.12.2011
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La Nuova Musica/Messiah
St George’s Bristol (Sun 18 Dec) Anyone nervous about the one-to-a-part line-up promised…
19.12.2011
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Oxford Philomusica/Schiff
St George’s Bristol (Thur 8 Dec) Intriguing to see Andras Schiff in front of an orchestra…
19.12.2011
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Holy Stain at Festive Fest
Thekla, Bristol (Sun 18 Dec) It’s Holy Stain’s second to last ever show, so we can…
19.12.2011
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Hawthorne Heights/The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus/Failsafe
Thekla, Bristol (Wed 14 Dec) Golly, when Thekla say ‘early show’, they mean it. Failsafe…
19.12.2011
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Get The Blessing
(Thur 15 Dec, Canteen, Bristol) They’ve clearly been missed. Get The Blessing’s 2011…
16.12.2011
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Little Dragon/White Hinterland
Thekla, Bristol (Fri 2 Dec) Despite the name, ‘White Hinterland’ is not a right-wing…
14.12.2011
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Ginger Wildheart and Friends
Fleece, Bristol (Tue 13 Dec) Ginger's guitar is out of tune and the drum monitor isn't…
14.12.2011
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The Magic Band
Thekla, Bristol (Sun 4 Dec) When rock visionary Captain Beefheart passed away in December…
07.12.2011
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Bleeding Heart Narrative
The Cube, Bristol (Sat 26 Nov) Watching Bleeding Heart Narrative at The Cube, it's…
07.12.2011
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Uriah Heep
O2 Academy, Bristol (Mon 5 Dec) When a band has been around as long as Uriah Heep, it's…
06.12.2011
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Emily Wright & The Royals
The Old Bookshop, Bristol (Sat 3 Dec) A nice new band in a nice new venue - Christmas has…
06.12.2011
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Wire/Talk Normal
Thekla, Bristol (Tue 29 Nov) At the merch stand, sales of the Wire shopping bag appear…
02.12.2011
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Zappa Plays Zappa
Colston Hall, Bristol (Wed 30 Nov) This is weird. There's a biggish band on stage – two…
01.12.2011
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In:Motion – RBMA & Futureboogie
Motion, Bristol (Sat 26 Nov) Tonight sees two of Bristol’s biggest dance music beacons,…
01.12.2011
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Billy Bragg: Left Field In Motion Tour
The Fleece, Bristol (Nov 28, 2011) Typical of Billy Bragg: he didn't just show up for a…
01.12.2011
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John Cooper Clarke
The Fleece, Bristol (Sun 27 Nov) Like a wizened stick-insect love child of 60s-era Bob…
29.11.2011
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Blakeley's Messengers
Bebop Club, Bristol (Fri 25 Nov) These days there’s so much going on in the name of jazz…
28.11.2011
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Claudia Aurora
The Folk House, Brisrtol (Fri 26 Nov) It’s packed down in the Folk House’s hall basement…
28.11.2011
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John Pearce & Mike Willox Classical Duo
El Rincon, Bristol(Sun 20 Nov) I ring Mike Willox shortly before this lunchtime gig is…
23.11.2011
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C.W. Stoneking & The Primitive Horn Orchestra/Howling Lord
Trinity, Bristol (Tue 22 Nov) It’s a remarkable crowd both in numbers and style, and the…
23.11.2011
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WNO: Don Giovanni
Bristol Hippodrome (Tue 8 Nov) Hearing Leporello’s ‘black book’ aria (in which he lists…
22.11.2011
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St. Vincent
The Fleece, Bristol (Fri 11 Nov) There’s always been a tension about St. Vincent’s live…
22.11.2011
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Benn Clatworthy Quintet
Bebop Club, Bristol (Fri 18 Nov) It’s a quintessentially Bebop gig, this, as club mainman…
21.11.2011
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Gillian Welch
Hippodrome, Bristol (Tue 15 Nov) “I learnt this from Doc Watson,” she says, before…
17.11.2011
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The Melvins
The Thekla, Bristol (Fri 4 Nov) Just when you thought The Melvins couldn't get any more…
11.11.2011
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Balkanarama feat. The Destroyers
The Fleece, Bristol (Fri 4 Nov 4) It's an inspired way to start proceedings: they've put…
07.11.2011
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This Is My Normal State/Tomorrow We Sail
The Cooler, Bristol (Sat 5 Nov) A wrapt, standing-down-the-front crowd for a support act?…
07.11.2011
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WHY? Acoustic Grand Piano Tour
Colston Hall 2, Bristol (Sun 23 Oct) There is usually something jarringly civilised about…
01.11.2011
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Anna Calvi
Trinity Centre, Bristol (Mon 31 Oct) Anna Calvi released her self-titled debut album at…
01.11.2011
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Alice Cooper
(Colston Hall, Bristol, Wed 26 Oct) Considering that this was billed as Alice's Halloween…
27.10.2011
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The Union/Fighting Wolves
Fleece, Bristol (Sun 23 Oct) The huge cheer that greets Fighting Wolves' announcement of…
27.10.2011
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Oxjam Takeover
Various venues, Bristol (Sat 22 Oct) It may well be an overcast Saturday afternoon, but…
27.10.2011
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Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
O2 Academy, Bristol, Sept 25 2011 New Jersey r’n’b stalwarts Southside Johnny & The…
27.10.2011
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Laura Marling
Bristol Cathedral (Tue 25 Oct) Spotlit columns vaulting to the heavens, a stage backed by…
27.10.2011
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Christian Wallumrod Ensemble
St George’s, Bristol (Mon Oct 24) He’s all in black at the piano and there’s a general…
25.10.2011
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The Duval Project
The Bell, Bath (Mon 10 Oct) “There are some people that, when they tell you they have a…
21.10.2011
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The Pierces/Marcus Foster
Anson Rooms, Bristol (Thur 20 Oct) Hadn’t heard Marcus Foster’s ‘Nameless Path’, but knew…
21.10.2011
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Maybeshewill/Lite/The Naturals/This Is My Normal State
The Fleece, Bristol (Wed 19 Oct) So, what exactly is post rock when it's at home?…
21.10.2011
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Sam Amidon/Joe Volk/Hollowbody
The Cube, Bristol (Wed 19 Oct) There is a sense, upon the first gentle stroke of guitar…
21.10.2011
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English Touring Opera
Bath Theatre Royal (Mon 17, Tue 18 Oct) Something borrowed, something blue... English…
20.10.2011
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Roddy Frame
The Fleece, Bristol (17 Oct) For the man described as having crafted the “ultimate pop…
19.10.2011
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Misty in Roots
Fiddlers, Bristol (14 Oct) It’s been over thirty years since I first saw British reggae…
18.10.2011
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The Answer/Gentleman's Pistols
Thekla, Bristol (Thur 13 Oct) On paper, joining your own former support band seems like…
14.10.2011
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Sbtrkt/Becoming Real
Thekla, Bristol (Thur 6 Oct) It ain’t easy making electronic music with non-electronic…
11.10.2011
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The Mother Beef/Hollowbelly
Motorcycle Showrooms, Bristol (Fri 7 Oct) Is this one of those flashy tweetmobs or…
10.10.2011
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Sain Zahoor
Colston Hall 2, Bristol (Wed 5 Oct) Someone obviously got the word out in all the right…
07.10.2011
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IMS Prussia Cove
St George’s Bristol (Mon 3 Oct) It’s perfectly possible to stage a concert on a couple of…
04.10.2011
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Presteigne Festival Soloists
St George’s Bristol (Thur 29 Sept) What is it about Wales…
03.10.2011
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Limbo/Dave Perry Trio
(Grain Barge, Bristol, Wed 28 Sept) It turned out to be a prophetic choice of name. Never…
30.09.2011
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Loz Speyer’s Inner Space
(Bebop Club, Bristol, Fri 23 Sept) For free jazz to hold an audience to the end of an…
27.09.2011
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Factory Floor/Anika/Hype Williams/H
Arnolfini, Bristol (Sat 24 Sept) Celebrating 50 years of Bristol's brilliantly quixotic…
26.09.2011
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Social Flatline/Natural Tendency/Live Wire
Louisiana (Sat 24 Sept) Following the first yelpy, frantic opening track by Live Wire,…
26.09.2011
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Cosmo Jarvis/The Darlingtons/Jacket
The Fleece, Bristol (Wed 21 Sept) The apparently required Jacket – aka Jack Hobbs – plies…
23.09.2011
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Black Roots/Dallas
Fleece, Bristol (Fri 9 Sept) Something in the air’s revived the dormant giant that was…
22.09.2011
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The Main Event
Kingswood Foundation (Sat 3 Sept) The Main Event’s run by young people for young people…
14.09.2011
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Marius Neset Quartet
Colston Hall 2, Bristol (Sun 4 Sept) There’s a great turn-out tonight, with 120-plus…
05.09.2011
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Square & Compass Jazz Weekend
Worth Matravers, Dorset (Fri 2/Sat 3 Sept) Imagine a busload of Bristol and Bath’s finest…
05.09.2011
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Planting Claymore/Zero Pilot/Daylight Fireworks/Lights and Clockwork
The Fleece, Bristol (Thur 25 Aug) The Fleece's current marshals - Bristol pop institution…
30.08.2011
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Early Opera Company: Rodelinda
Iford (Tue 2 Aug) Crammed with juicy arias, dramatically a gripping page-turner of a…
23.08.2011
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See No Evil
Nelson St, Bristol (Sat 20 Aug) “Welcome to Bristol” reads Tats Cru’s convivial doodle…
22.08.2011
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The Pushy Doctors
(Fri 19 Aug, The Grain Barge, Bristol) “That …” the grinning guy next to me said, as the…
22.08.2011
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Silhouette Showgirls/Bite The Buffalo/Dirty Kiss
The Croft, Bristol (Thur 11 Aug) It’s a testament to Oxjam's principles that they lean…
19.08.2011
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Boomtown Fair 2011
(Thur 11-Sun 14 Aug) Boomtown Fair is a festival on the up. This year it took place from…
16.08.2011
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Brecon Jazz Festival
(Christ College, Brecon & other venues, Fri 12- Sun 14 Aug) Friday Things are already…
16.08.2011
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CD Reviews
Phantom Limb
‘The Pines’ (Album, Naim Edge) The title could’ve been swiped from a new-build…
19.01.2012
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Josh Arcoleo
‘Beginnings’ (Album, Edition Records) It takes practice and inspiration to become a…
19.01.2012
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The Hysterical Injury
‘Dead Wolf Situation’ (LP, Crystal Fuzz) Yes, Hysterical Injury brandish nothing more…
19.01.2012
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Silent Tides
‘Silent Tides’ (EP, self-released) This is Silent Tides’ debut EP and, as such, serves as…
19.01.2012
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The Liftmen
‘Troubled Teens’ (Single, Twisted Nerve) It’s disappointing that the first pressing of…
19.01.2012
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Francois & The Atlas Mountains
'E Volo Love’ (LP, Domino) Whilst the minutiae of the human condition might not present…
19.01.2012
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Mouse Deer
‘The Mouse Deer EP’ (EP, self-released) Girl-group harmonies forged from a single vocal…
14.12.2011
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Radio Banska
‘The Balkan Courtesan’ (LP, Get Real Records) Who knew John Zorn was composing 13-time…
14.12.2011
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Sarah Menage
‘In A Mood’ (LP, Independent) Just ‘a’ mood? There’s a range on offer in Sarah Menage’s…
14.12.2011
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The Short Life of Gracie
‘The Short Life of Gracie’ (EP, self-released) There’s a moment on opener ‘How to Kill…
14.12.2011
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Bleeding Heart Narrative
‘Bison’ (EP, Brainlove Records) As opening gambits go, 'Shoals' has to be one of the…
07.11.2011
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The Hit Ups
‘Unforgivable'/'66 Sexy’ (Free download, self-released) The Hit Ups: ‘parties, death,…
21.10.2011
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Follow The Sun
'The Evening Light’ (EP/self-released) Pushed just beyond ambient loveliness by gentle…
21.10.2011
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The Groove Farm
‘I Know It’s Only Indie Pop… But I Like It’ (LP, Big Pink Cake) From ’86 to ’90, South…
21.10.2011
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The Bad Joke That Ended Well
‘The Meteors Are Coming’ (LP, Little Paradise Records) Zips in on an express banjo…
30.09.2011
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Smile, LOOKALIVE!
'Ringside Seats’ (EP, self-released) Smile, LOOKALIVE! (or SLA, for those with…
30.09.2011
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Centrefolds
'Fresh Air’/’Jennifer’ (Single, self-released) Fiercely mixed to fizz with high end,…
30.09.2011
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Call The Doctor
‘Riots.’ (EP, Fear of Fiction) Patti Aberhart’s living the dream: black bob, lip gloss…
30.09.2011
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Chatterbox & Samuel Otis
‘Hard Graft’ (Killamari Records) Hip-hop is always at its most convincing when you can…
30.09.2011
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Curse You Damn Kids
‘Sorta Like An Epiphany’ (EP, Screamlite Records) There’s much to admire in this youthful…
27.08.2011
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Echo Park Orchestra
'Hymns of the Black Flag’ (LP, self-released) Echo Park Orchestra mainman Peter…
27.08.2011
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Rossanne Hamilton
'Attic Tapes/Live At The Thunderbolt 09’ (Double EP, self-released) Classically trained…
27.08.2011
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Baobinga & Co
‘Joint Ventures’ (LP, Build Recordings) DJ, producer and blogger Sam ‘Baobinga’ Simpson…
27.08.2011
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The Weary Band
‘Office Doodles’ (LP, self-released) At last! We’ve waited almost a decade – and a couple…
29.07.2011
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Planting_Claymore
‘Re-Gen’ (EP, self-released) Not, as the name suggests, a Clifton estate agent but a…
29.07.2011
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Electric Contradiction
‘Gold Mind EP’ (EP, self-released) This Bath-based five piece describe themselves as an…
29.07.2011
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The Minke Whales
‘Turncoat’ (LP, Tandem) The Minke Whales – possibly named in honour of that doomed…
29.07.2011
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The Divided Circle
‘The Divided Circle’ (LP, Lonely City Records) • Why isn’t everyone talking about The…
30.06.2011
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Edenheight
‘Peaceboy’/‘Trouble’ (Single, Breakin’ Bread Records) • One of Bristol’s…
30.06.2011
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Hi Fiction Science
'Hi Fiction Science' (LP, self-released) •A lass with a high, folksy voice ponders aloud…
30.06.2011
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Zero Pilot
‘XY’ (EP, self-released) If ‘Ice Road Truckers’ were a record, it’d be this ballsy,…
27.05.2011
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James Hollingsworth
‘Two And Two’ (EP, self-released) Awful cheesecloth rock channelling mawkish Chris De…
27.05.2011
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Oxygen Thief
‘Destroy It Yourself’ (LP, Broken Tail Records) Bristol’s Barry Dolan, in-your-face raw…
27.05.2011
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Maps and Legends
‘Maps and Legends’ (EP, self-released) Perhaps appropriately given their name, M&L…
27.05.2011
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Hello Lazarus
‘All Alliteration’ (LP, self-released) • It whizzes. It buzzes. Noisy and precise guitar…
29.04.2011
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The Short Stories
‘Small Mercies’ (LP, The International Lo-Fi Underground) • A lo-fi thrum of songs…
29.04.2011
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Cemlyn Jones
‘All These Dreams’ (LP, Kargo Records) • Clevedon-based singer-songwriter and former…
29.04.2011
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The Carny Villains
The Carny Villains (EP, Unsigned) • The seven-piece band from the heart of Bristol’s…
29.04.2011
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Narco Lounge Combo
‘Music for Ice Rinks’ (LP, self-released) • “She got freckles and a blow-job nose, kitten…
20.04.2011
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The Cheaterslicks
Rev Up, Burn Out’ (LP, Western Star) • Here’s a blistering debut mixing up rockabilly,…
20.04.2011
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Heg Doughty
‘Little Red’ (EP, self-released) • Ah, the sadly defunct Dartington College in the green…
20.04.2011
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Centrefolds
'Is Anyone There?’ (EP, self-released) • All hail Centrefolds for their unashamed pursuit…
13.04.2011
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Okus Dolphin
‘Spiritual’ (LP, self-released) • With its Glastonbury candle shop sleeve, ham-fisted…
13.04.2011
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Rachael Dadd ‘
'Elephee’ (EP, Broken Sound Music) • Rachael Dadd is a songwriter in thrall to nature,…
13.04.2011
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Elliot Hall
‘Adults Are Stupid’ (LP, self-released) • The title is just one affable feature of this…
06.04.2011
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James Brewster
‘As a Hovering Insect Mass Breaks Your Fall’ (LP, Make Mine Music) • Now living in Malmö,…
06.04.2011
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The Naturals
‘Gifthorse’/‘He Has An 80ft Tarantula’ (double A-side single, self-released) • The thing…
06.04.2011
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Principal Participant
‘Principles’ (Download LP, self-released) • “Minotaur Shock is my regular outlet for…
30.03.2011
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Emily Teague
‘Emily Teague’ (LP, self-released) • Bristol’s folkies have some bad habits – ‘spiritual’…
30.03.2011
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Pat Nicholson
‘Roll With It’ (LP, Pan Records) • Australian Pat Nicholson’s debut arrives with some…
30.03.2011
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The Egret Seacrow
‘Imaginatively, A Silk Wasp’ (LP, self-released) • A slight, delicate release – our copy…
23.03.2011
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Tony Harris
‘Choices’ (LP, self-released) • There is something of the madrigal about these simple,…
23.03.2011
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Color Of The Sun
‘Solong Suckers’ (LP, self-released) • Multi-instrumentalist Aron Ward is a Californian…
16.03.2011
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Honour Your Pain
'Between Blood and Pride' (EP) • Metal's such a crowded marketplace these days that you…
16.03.2011
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The Get-Outs
‘Exit’ (LP, Kitchen Rock Records) • The Get-Outs, currently celebrating their tenth year…
09.03.2011
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The Zen Hussies
‘Troubled Feet’ (LP, Musique DaDA) • If you’ve ever stumbled across a Zen Hussies gig the…
09.03.2011
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Badgertrap
‘Agony of Choice’ (EP/download, Kangaroo Kourt Records) • Product of Hal Camplin/Barry…
02.03.2011
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Central Spillz
'Space Travel' (LP, Durkle Disco) • In the increasingly boundary-bereft territory between…
23.02.2011
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TwoManTing
‘Legacy’ (LP, self-released) • Formed from Afro-dance outfit Le Cod Afrique, duo…
23.02.2011
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David Britton
'The Oldland Commoner Album’ (LP, self-released) • David Britton is a gent from Bristol’s…
23.02.2011
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Caricatures
‘Fire In The Womb’ (Single, Anticreation Productions) • Down-tuned strings, irregular…
16.02.2011
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Secret Shine
‘The Beginning and the End’ (LP, self-released) • Hard to believe these passionless…
16.02.2011
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Kevin Figes Quartet
‘Hometime’ (LP, self-released) • It starts with a bang: alto sax player Kevin Figes races…
16.02.2011
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Stewart Ford
‘Silence is Golden’ (LP, self-released) • Much effort has clearly gone into this slight,…
09.02.2011
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Bravo Brave Bats
‘Bravo Brave Bats’ (EP, Artscare Records) • These Bats are a rare species indeed.…
09.02.2011
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The Lasting Days
‘October, Looking South’ (LP, Self-released) • There’s a cleverness to this literate,…
02.02.2011
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The Scoville Units
‘The Scoville Units’ (LP, Get Real Records) • Using bluegrass as a baseline, this is an…
26.01.2011
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Kill Cassidy
‘14:11’/‘Everyone To The Dancemat’ (Single, Sugar Shack Records) • Kill Cassidy…
26.01.2011
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Daylight Fireworks
‘Secretly, We Hope’(EP, self-released) • This six-song EP is an interestingly diverse…
26.01.2011
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Eddie Martin
‘Folk & Blues’ (LP, Blueblood Records) • Eddie Martin is familiar to many from…
19.01.2011
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James McKeown
‘James McKeown’ (LP, self-released) • Shoegaze – despite years of lithium addiction and…
19.01.2011
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Ewan Hoozami
'Wildebeats' (LP, Pig Balls) • After five years spent honing skills as a staple of…
12.01.2011
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