It’s been nearly two years since we last heard from long-standing godfathers of UK house, Basement Jaxx. But this week the legends of dance music announced they are getting back to what they have always done best – with a set of UK tour dates this winter.
These live dates follow the unveiling of their new single ‘Back 2 The Wild’, which is released on May 20th through 37 Adventures. This new track is quintessentially Jaxx – a super heavy weight groove featuring vocals from Korean singers Miss Emma Lee and Baby Chay, as well as tribal horns recorded in Kenya. Having already been widely received as a tent-topping Carnival anthem, ‘Back 2 The Wild’ looks set to re-establish Basement Jaxx at the top of the UK dance scene. The tour comes at the end of this year, kicking off in Leeds on November 28th and hitting Manchester on November 29th, Newcastle on December 1st, Birmingham on December 5th before finishing at the O2 Academy Brixton, London on December 6th.
One of our favourite bands Daft Punk, have released yet another massive summer hit ‘Get Lucky’. However, Daft Punk needs little, if any, introduction having previously released one of the greatest summer tunes ‘One More Time”.
With this new track the band really did get lucky having managed to grab one of music’s finest singers, songwriters, rappers and producers, Mr Cool Dude – Pharrell Willams! This song has not only a summer feeling but a hint of old school that is guaranteed to be your 2013 holiday song!
For me, a top summer tune transports you to that place of fun, sunshine and sandy beaches and Daft Punk and Pharrell’s ‘Get Lucky’ hit has certainly achieved that!
It’s May – spring has finally (finally!) sprung, touring season is well underway and with a new slew of albums coming out there’s plenty to get you in the mood for some sunshine in this month’s playlist.
Choose from new material by Wild Honey, Mise En Scene and Ghostpoet, classics from Queens of the Stone Age and Alt-J, and a bit of US indie-rock from Kurt Vile and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth’s new band, Chelsea Light Moving.
Ahead of his UK tour, singer-songwriter Ghostpoet speaks with Van Mildert about playing live and how the title of his new album ‘Some Say I So I Say Light’ came to him in a dream.
It has been a busy few years for Obaro Ejimiwe, more commonly known by his musical alter ego ‘Ghostpoet’.
In 2010 he was working as a customer service adviser for an insurance firm in Coventry. Now the genre breaking lyricist is busy last-minute shopping in Tesco before he jets off to Italy for his first solo European tour.
His first album, ‘Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam’, received rave reviews and was rightly nominated for a prestigious Mercury Music Prize.
Obaro’s new album, ‘Some Say I So I say Light’ is released on Monday. A mini-mix of the album can be heard below.
His music continues to be dreamy, almost haze-like as he softly raps about muddling his way through life’s everyday problems.
Where this new album does differ though is in its production. He produced his first album on an old iMac in his bedroom.
This album, produced in a studio, is musically much more accomplished and varied. The different levels and variances of sound are instantly noticeable as are the numerous collaborations.
Obaro’s music has clearly evolved but without losing any of the lyrical appeal that first made him so popular.
We asked him a few questions about his success, the new album, touring and fashion.
How have the last few years been? Looking at your tour schedule you seem incredibly busy?
It’s been a busy few years, there is no doubting that, but it’s what I’m happy doing. Touring can be very rewarding and this will be my first solo tour which adds a little something extra. I can be more creative and it gives me a better opportunity to express who I am.
Your new album is about to be released, what are your hopes for it?
If it does half as well as the last one I’ll be happy with that. For now I’m just hoping the tour goes well. I love going to see live music so hope the people that come to see me enjoy themselves and have a good time. My new single is out and seems to be going down well. Let’s hope it’s a sign of things to come.
Tell us about the new album’s title, where did that come from?
It came to me in a dream of all things. I don’t usually remember my dreams but for some reason this one just stuck in my mind and worked for an album title. It’s all about following my own path, not one that someone is trying to lay out for me.
Who would you say your musical influences are?
Too many to say, I would only end up leaving someone out. Gill Scott, the American soul singer, is one though. She has a song called ‘Golden’ which I referenced in my previous album.
What would you say was your worst fashion faux-pas?
When I was younger, years ago, I bought this long brown jacket from Camden Market. It was massive and I soon realised it wasn’t for me.
What do you look for when buying clothes?
I’m not hugely into my fashion. It’s really all about the fit for me. If it feels comfortable then I’m happy with that.
The UK leg of Ghostpoet’s tour starts on Saturday, May 18th. He plays Sheffield on May 22nd, Newcastle on May 23rd and Glasgow on May 24th. For tickets and info check out Ghostpoet’s website.
Occasionally news of a film comes along that makes you stop what you’re doing, watch the trailer, and then leaves you with butterflies of excitement in anticipation of the full feature.
Sentimental mush you may call it, but when we heard about a new Stone Roses documentary directed by Shane Meadows that is exactly how we felt.
Released on June 5th, the film follows the band as they announce their reunion and then play three sell-out Manchester gigs for the first time in 15 years.
The band needs little introduction.
For many they remain one of the best bands ever to play and anyone with a faint interest in cinema will be aware of the fantastic films Shane Meadows has directed (think This is England, Dead Man’s Shoes, Somers Town).
The trailer below is 2 minutes 17 seconds of pure perfection and until the full film is released we’ll be watching it on repeat and counting down the days.
After a four year hiatus, Brit Award winners, The Fratellis have reformed and started touring again. They play the Newcastle o2 Academy on April 16. We caught up with front man, Jon Fratelli.
The Fratellis first emerged in 2006 with their double platinum selling album ‘Costello Music’, featuring the incredibly catchy ‘Chelsea Dagger’.
The song, released in the August, was the sound of the summer and is still a regular on the playlists of student union djs and football stadium announcers everywhere.
Now working on the Glasgow trio’s first new material since 2008, Jon has promised more of the same.
What can you tell us about the new material you’re working on?
The Fratellis are all about loud guitars and showing off, we’re not planning on changing that at all.
The new album will be out in September. There will be enough of a change to keep people interested but it still has that fun Fratellis feel.
I’m rather proud of it, there is not a single track I’m not 100 per cent happy with. When it comes to music if I don’t like it, it doesn’t get recorded.
What was the first single or album you ever bought?
Michale Jackson’s ‘Bad’ was the first album I bought. I was the right age for it. I remember it being the first album I really wanted to go out to the shops and spend my own money on.
What was the song that made you want to be a musician?
Again it would have to be something by Michael Jackson. The man was just such an entertainer. I don’t think he’s ever been matched. His performances were incredible. If as a musician you’re not inspired by that then I don’t know what you will be inspired by.
Is there a song that always reminds you of home and why?
It would probably have to be something by Dire Straits. Mark Knopfler was born in Glasgow although I see the Geordies have claimed him as their own.
Some fashion questions now, do you have a favourite item in your wardrobe?
I have this hallowed leather jacket. I have lost it so many times, even on international tours, yet it’s always managed to find a way back to me. I guess that means we’re kind of inseparable.
I’ve had it about six or seven years and it was free as well which always means you love something that little bit more.
Is there an item you always take on tour?
Well I love my jackets. I have so many. A good jacket can hide the world’s worst t-shirt.
And finally, what’s your worst fashion faux-pas?
There is a picture of me in a vest, I think it was taken as a promo pic some it keeps popping up now and again.
I just don’t have the arms for it. Every time I see it I think, ‘dear, dear, Jon, why oh why did I agree to wear that?’
Better late than never, our new music playlist for April has finally arrived to give you all the music you need to be listening out for this month.
It features fresh material from Primal Scream and Vampire Weekend, music from the new leaders of soul, Lulu James and Aluna George, plus Bird Machine, a song already gaining a reputation as being one of the most divisive of the year.
So the legendary Queen of pop has dazzled us once again with the release of the latest Pepsi advert.
Featuring her new track ‘Grown Woman’, Bey orchestrates her best moves in front of a mirrored studio showcasing a variety of outfits and various personalities from her past.
Included in the dance-off is ‘Sasha Fierce’, ‘Bootylicious’ and ‘Crazy In Love’ Beyonce. Throughout the advert, she recreates her most iconic dance moves, and then becomes inspired to create a fresh routine.
The subtle twist embodies the brands ‘Live For Now’ campaign and engages ‘Mrs Carter Show World Tour’ fans across the globe.
Our leading lady is without doubt a true female icon. Sorry, Coke who? It’s all about Pepsi!
Fuzzy Lights are a folk fivesome from Cambridge who first caught the attention of fans back in 2010 when their album ‘Twin Feathers’ was named Mojo magazines Underground Album of the Month.
The band are now back with their latest release, ‘Rule of Twelfths’ and will be on tour across the country throughout April.
Fuzzy Lights are led by multi-talented singer Rachel Watkins, who also plays violin and piano. The music is laid back and easy, full of beautiful string arrangements and with Rachel’s delicate voice is likely to appeal to fans of Laura Marling or Feist.
Rachel took time out of rehearsals to answer a few of our quick fire questions before setting off on tour.
What was the first album or single you bought?
The first single I bought was ‘Cross my Paws and Hope to Die’ by Paddington Bear. I was about four or five and loved it! I still have the seven inch to this day. Our great friends the Puncture Repair Kit did a killer cover version of it at mine and Xavier’s wedding!
What was the song that made you want to be a musician?
I’m not sure there’s any one song that really made me want to be a musician. I started playing the violin when I was seven so music was really always something I wanted to do. Saying that however, I think it was being introduced to bands like Tindersticks, Tram and Rachel’s that have a heavy string bias that made me think I could play that sort of music too, as until that point I’d really only been playing classical music.
Is there a song that always reminds you of home and why?
‘I Just Called to Say I Love You’ by Stevie Wonder. I had this on a compilation tape my dad made me in the early 80s. It had a lot of classic 80s tracks on it but I got a bit obsessed with this one and made him write down all the lyrics to it so I could sing along!
Is there a song you’re particularly looking forward to playing live off the new album?
We’ve been playing some of the tracks from the new album for a while now, but I always look forward to playing Restless as it feels like it ties together all the parts of our music in one song.
The whole band really enjoys playing live, I think if as a group you are into it the whole experience is way more fun for both the band and the audience.
Some fashion questions now, do you have a favourite item in your wardrobe?
I’ve recently started making my own clothes and made a boat neck dress with a tulip skirt in cute cherry fabric and a white collar.
I love this one as it’s the first dress I’ve made that has fitted perfectly and it’s so satisfying to be able to wear something you’ve made yourself.
Is there an item you always take on tour?
I have a pair of shoes that I found in a second-hand shop in Toulouse years ago that always come with me. They are brown and white high heeled brogues and go with almost everything, which is very handy when you don’t have a lot of space.
And finally, what has been your biggest fashion faux pas?
Probably the hat I bought at a craft fair in the 90s that was one of those fabric hats with the bow at the front – the sort that Blossom used to wear in that American TV series.
It was in this horrendous flowery fabric and was slightly too small so it was really uncomfortable. Fortunately there’s no photographic evidence of its existence.
Fuzzy Lights begin their tour in Glasgow on April 2 and play Newcastle, Hull, Manchester, Liverpool, Leicester and London. For more information visit www.fuzzylights.com
Listen to the full album and new single ‘The Hour’ below.
Ahead of their UK tour and performance at Stockton Calling on March 30, we spoke to Mike Hibbert from Chapel Club about the music that has influenced him most and his worst fashion faux-pas.
CHAPEL Club first emerged towards to the end of 2009 with Surfacing, a loose cover of the 1930s hit Dream a Little Dream of Me, that came complete with electric guitar riffs and moody vocals.
Since then the London five-piece have released an album, an EP, numerous singles and enjoyed a successful few years of touring.
Chapel Club are now putting the finishing touches to a new album and Stockton Calling will be one of first opportunities for fans to hear new tracks from the album that will be released sometime in June.
The new album comes with a very different sound. Gone are guitar led melodies and instead the band has introduced keyboards, drum loops and synths, all together creating a much more electro sound more akin to deep house dance music.
Tell us about the new material?
When we started work on the album all we had was an idea of what we didn’t want it to sound like. We didn’t want to make another Palace (the band’s first album) so decided to turn to different instruments.
When playing the guitar you tend to reach for the same favourite chords. By playing something different, in my case keyboards, you learn new chords and produce new and interesting material. It opens a door to playing a different way and producing new sounds. It sounds a bit cliché but that’s when the magic happens.
We added some synths, toned down the guitars and just started playing. We didn’t try to over think it at all or decide what we wanted it to sound like, we just got on with it and produced some great new tracks that we’re all really eager to play.
What was the first album you ever bought?
Black Sunday by Cypress Hill. I still find myself reaching for it every now and again, it still sounds amazing.
What song made you want to be a musician?
There is no one song in particular but I remember being very young and watching Suede on television. Their music sounded other-worldly at the time and I remember thinking ‘that’s the way to play a guitar’.
Is there a song that always reminds you of home?
Not really, I’m surprisingly not that nostalgic about music which I guess comes as a surprise coming from a musician.
Do you have a favourite item in your wardrobe?
When we were out touring America I was in LA and spent a small fortune on some Celine sunglasses. It’s the most money I think I’ve ever spent on anything for myself so I don’t waste any opportunity to get them out.
Is there an item you always take on tour?
I’ve got this pair of Dr Martens loafers that are glued to my feet. They’re an oxblood colour and have gone everywhere with me for the past two years. Like all good leathers they just look better with age.
And finally what is your biggest fashion faux-pas?
That’s easy. In a previous band we had to do this shoot and I turned up in this jumper I really quite liked and thought would be fine. Instead the stylist made me take it off and wear this horrendous shirt, it was a sort cream and yellow with this horrible pattern on it.
Stockton Calling takes place on Saturday, March 30, across seven different stages and features more than 50 different acts. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.stocktoncalling.co.uk.
For us a highlight of the musical year so far has been the return of the Thin White Duke who crept up on us almost unannounced in January with the poetic Where are We Now, his first new material for almost a decade.
In keeping with the recent trend for comebacks (Kraftwerk at the Tate, the Rolling Stones Glasto rumours, Fleetwood Mac to name but a few) many see Bowies return as further backlash against current crop of young upstarts criticised as being too bland for rock and roll and he now seems to be popping up everywhere; the cover of this weeks NME, being quoted by Simon Cowell as first choice for next X Factor judge and the forthcoming retrospective at the V & A.
Ahead of the new album The Next Day which is released today, check out the stunning promotional film for his next single The Stars (Are out Tonight) featuring Tilda Swinton as the former Mr Stardust’s wife.
March is finally here, spring is on the way and it looks like being a bumper month for new music.
Our latest playlist for the month can be found below and if you don’t mind us saying – it sounds awesome.
It includes tracks from band of the moment Haim as well as Foals, The Strokes, James Blake, Tame Impala and Disclosure featuring Aluna George – a song that is guaranteed to make you dance.
So get your earphones ready, plug in, press play and enjoy.
The biggest music event in the British pop-music calendar returns tonight to celebrate what has been a monumentally good year for British music.
The Brit Awards started way back in 1977 and winners on the night included Queen, The Beatles and Cliff Richard.
Tonight we’re expecting some very different winners with Plan B, Alt-J, Jake Bugg, Jessie Ware, The Rolling Stones, The XX, Ben Howard and a whole lot more all nominated for awards.
Amy Winehouse is even up for a gong which would make her the first person to receive a posthumous award.
As well as the great music and great fashion (we’ve even supplied Plan B with a couple of jackets to wear) we’re all secretly hoping for a slight incident.
Jarvis Cocker’s Michael Jackson stage invasion in 1996 is probably the most memorable and can be seen in the video below.
The Pulp star was subsequently arrested following the incident and it led to music magazine Melody Maker to call for Jarvis to be knighted.
So tonight we’ll just kick back and see what happens. Fingers crossed.
2013 looks like being a very promising year for album releases with The Strokes, Arcade Fire, The Flaming Lips, David Bowie and Daft Punk all expected to release new material.
This week though it’s the turn of Oxford art-rockers, Foals. The band has released ‘Holy Fire’, the follow up to 2010’s hugely successful ‘Total Life Forever’.
The band is a Van Mildert favourite, able to skilfully produce loud anthems like ‘Two Steps Twice’ as well as more moody, atmospheric numbers such as ‘Spanish Sahara’ – still one of the best tracks of the last few years.
The full album is yet to be made available on Spotify but a few tracks can be found.
One of our picks so far is ‘My Number’. It’s very poppy and has already received a lot of radio play.
Check out a live performance of ‘My Number’ below.
What’s the best music festival line-up you could imagine? Now take that, add an amazing location and times it by about 20. Only then can you begin to get an idea of just how amazing this year’s Coachella Festival will be.
Even the bands in tiny size six font at the bottom of the flyer are fantastic and in a demonstration of just how strong the UK music scene is at the moment the line-up is dominated by British bands.
The festival takes place out in sunny California over two weekends in April. Headline acts include The XX, Stone Roses, Blur, New Order, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Sigur Ros. Other acts (those in the size six font) include Alt-J, Polica, Foals, Jake Bugg, Four Tet and Savages. The list is endless.
If like us you’re desperate to go you’ll need to fork out around £280 for a ticket plus flights. The festival runs from April 12 to 14 and April 19 to 21 with the same line-up both weekends.
If you’re itching to go more information can be found here www.coachella.com and we’ve pasted the full line-up below.
Sadly I think we’ll have to give it a miss this year but never mind, the Bestival line-up is announced on Wednesday.
Turn up the amps because the NME tour kicks off in just under one month and we cannot wait! Headlining the music madness is home-grown indie rock group Django Django and keeping them company (trust us, they couldn’t be in better company if they tried!) are Miles Kane, Palma Violets and Peace. The tour has a long lasting legacy of launching incredible careers with the likes of Florence and the Machine and Coldplay once gracing the stage. Kicking off in our home town of Newcastle on the 7 February, if you’ve not got your ticket yet get it! Follow this link to find out more http://www.nme.com/awards/tour
Van Mildert favourite, the incredible Plan B has been nominated for not one but two Brit awards. Plan B, AKA Ben Drew, is up for Best British Male and Best British Album. He’s up against heavyweights including Emeli Sande, Alt-J, Calvin Harris and Ben Howard but we’ve got our money firmly placed on him. Of course, we’re in no way biased because we work with his stylist and Ben’s regularly seen in Van Mildert threads.
Love Plan B as much as us? Take a look at one of his biggest singles ‘iLL Manors’, spot the Belstaff jacket that we supplied!
With the festivities coming to a close and New Year about to start it’s time for a new music playlist.
The first playlist of the year includes new music from Brits Critics’ Choice Winner Tom Odell, female band of the moment Haim with their catchy 80s inspired tune ‘Don’t Save Me’ and great collaboration between Plan B and Labrinth.
Check all this and more out below and let us know what you think.
