Missy Magazine is once again touring the republic with a program to promote not only their magazine but the general issue of women's rights. There is going to be talks, discussions and dream dance duo Zucker will be performing live, all happening on Monday, 20 May 2013 at HAU2.
It's competition time! Tell us by this Saturday, 18 May 2013, 10 pm, your favourite song that relates to sweet and sticky things. We choose from the entries and the winner gets two tickets to take part in this fun event.
Keep 'em coming!
Monday, 13 May 2013
Super quick review: Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Lucky me (and Gary) for being allowed to watch the Yeah Yeah Yeahs twice in three days. Oh my!
There is not much to say. We watched from the balcony and got to enjoy the full show and it was amazing and fantastic and the new songs are darker and great. But they played all the hits, too, of course they did. The audience went crazy, with all of Columbiahalle dancing and singing along. This was clearly their show rather than the headline performance at a festival and, unexpectedly, it did make a difference. The atmosphere was so energetic, and the band had to return twice for encores.
A post-gig hang out with friends and musicians from around the world who happened to be in town rounded this evening up perfectly. The best Monday night.
There is not much to say. We watched from the balcony and got to enjoy the full show and it was amazing and fantastic and the new songs are darker and great. But they played all the hits, too, of course they did. The audience went crazy, with all of Columbiahalle dancing and singing along. This was clearly their show rather than the headline performance at a festival and, unexpectedly, it did make a difference. The atmosphere was so energetic, and the band had to return twice for encores.
A post-gig hang out with friends and musicians from around the world who happened to be in town rounded this evening up perfectly. The best Monday night.
Sunday, 12 May 2013
Preview: the week ahead (13th - 19th May)
We are feeling great, we cannot deny it. The sun is making a regular appearance, the flowers are blooming, there is a bank holiday per week to enjoy, and there are millions of great gigs a week to choose from. Here is our selection for you this week:
Monday
Mount Eerie and Mountains at Festsaal Kreuzberg: Mount Eerie are finally back again. I missed their last Festsaal Kreuzberg appearance and haven’t seen them before although I love and follow their output since quite some time. Mount Eeries musical style is quite diverse and Phil Elverum, who basically is Mt. Eerie, also changed line-ups and band forms quite often. This time he tours with a full band set-up “as a singing group” with “primarily women singing and playing distorted bass.” His last records are intense mixtures of eerie (who would’ve thought that!?) and folky tunes with raw and noisy parts. The atmosphere their music creates is quite unique and beautiful and I guess it’s more or less safe to call this our gig of the week. So looking forward to it!
Tuesday
Comadrome & Snark and Brian Labycz & Gerard Lebik Duo at Loophole: I just saw Comadrome live at bei Ruth on Saturday and they completely took me by surprise. They played a great show that musically ranged from improvised noise sounds to heavy and experimental beats that sounded like a rad mix of Black Dice and hip hop, so I can safely encourage you to give them a listen if you’re into that sort of music. They also had very cool live visuals projected on stage which was a nice addition to the music. They are on a sort of Berlin tour right now, if you can’t make Tuesday check the rest of their schedule for further dates.
Wednesday
The KVB and Samuel Kerridge at NK: This duo can write a tune! My review of their King Kong Klub gig some time ago will give you the gist on this dark wave duo and the hopes I have for this gig.
Thursday
Woods at Comet Club: Another band returning to their last crime scene. When they played at Comet Club the last time early 2011 (our review here) I already wasn’t sure if it’s going to turn out good but doubts aside it did! Also the last Woods record was easily in my top 5 of 2012 so I’m looking forward to see them live again.
Charanjit Singh plays "Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat" / A Guy Called Gerald "Live in Analogue" at Berghain: Now if this isn't special! Mr. Singh is a musician from Mumbai, India, who originally performed as a Bollywood session musician in the 1960s to 1980s. However, he is best known for his 1982 release "Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat", an album originally intended as a fusion of electronic disco music with Indian classical ragas but music journalists reference it as one the first acid house records. At the age of 72, Charanjit is touring Europe and Berlin is lucky enough to be on the list of dates.
Friday
Bell Witch and Samothrace at Koma F: It’s not often that I’m interested in new heavy bands but for a funny reason this one caught my attention. Over a message board, I randomly found this album review on youtube and it got me so interested in actually hearing the record that the next thing I did was visiting the band’s bandcamp page, where you can listen to the whole record. I was convinced after a single listen that I wanted to visit this show after I then found out that they play in Berlin. Bell Witch play heavy and gloomy funeral doom, to me they sound like a mixture of OM and SunnO))). They’re only a duo and I love the minimalisti drums and bass line-up. So, finally a reason to visit a Koma F show again after quite a while.
Julie Doiron and Sheriff at Intersoup: Years ago, a friend gave me a CD by Julie Doiron and I did not pay attention to it for a while because I seldomly get into singer-songwriters really. Luckily, two years later, I was looking for new music to listen to and the CD went in my player and it didn’t leave it for some time. I was mesmerised. If you are into acoustic guitars and folk voices, you are in for a treat.
Savages, Johnny Hostile and Zan Lyons at Lido: C*’s gig of the week. There is a major buzz around about this group and it is oh-so-desserved! Rhythmic wave punk from London that kicks your ass. You cannot miss this and you know it. See you there.
Saturday
Shopping, Drekoty and Rat Rat Rats at bei Ruth: Shopping are a minimalistic and wavy postpunk band relying on “propulsive bass lines, primitive disco-not-disco drums and guitar lines sharp as broken glass.” They remind me of bands like Prinzhorn Dance School, perfect soundtrack for a dancy Saturday. Drekoty are a Polish all-female trio and they play experimental pop music and Rat Rat Rats from Berlin are a wild noisy punk duo. Cool and interesting mixture.
Sunday
Charlie Parr at Monarch: After having to cancel his show last year, the wonderful Mr. Parr is now making up for the loss. His voice is unique and will warm you and stay with your for a long time. Wonderful indeed and the perfect end to the week.
Monday
Mount Eerie and Mountains at Festsaal Kreuzberg: Mount Eerie are finally back again. I missed their last Festsaal Kreuzberg appearance and haven’t seen them before although I love and follow their output since quite some time. Mount Eeries musical style is quite diverse and Phil Elverum, who basically is Mt. Eerie, also changed line-ups and band forms quite often. This time he tours with a full band set-up “as a singing group” with “primarily women singing and playing distorted bass.” His last records are intense mixtures of eerie (who would’ve thought that!?) and folky tunes with raw and noisy parts. The atmosphere their music creates is quite unique and beautiful and I guess it’s more or less safe to call this our gig of the week. So looking forward to it!
Tuesday
Comadrome & Snark and Brian Labycz & Gerard Lebik Duo at Loophole: I just saw Comadrome live at bei Ruth on Saturday and they completely took me by surprise. They played a great show that musically ranged from improvised noise sounds to heavy and experimental beats that sounded like a rad mix of Black Dice and hip hop, so I can safely encourage you to give them a listen if you’re into that sort of music. They also had very cool live visuals projected on stage which was a nice addition to the music. They are on a sort of Berlin tour right now, if you can’t make Tuesday check the rest of their schedule for further dates.
Wednesday
The KVB and Samuel Kerridge at NK: This duo can write a tune! My review of their King Kong Klub gig some time ago will give you the gist on this dark wave duo and the hopes I have for this gig.
Thursday
Woods at Comet Club: Another band returning to their last crime scene. When they played at Comet Club the last time early 2011 (our review here) I already wasn’t sure if it’s going to turn out good but doubts aside it did! Also the last Woods record was easily in my top 5 of 2012 so I’m looking forward to see them live again.
Charanjit Singh plays "Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat" / A Guy Called Gerald "Live in Analogue" at Berghain: Now if this isn't special! Mr. Singh is a musician from Mumbai, India, who originally performed as a Bollywood session musician in the 1960s to 1980s. However, he is best known for his 1982 release "Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat", an album originally intended as a fusion of electronic disco music with Indian classical ragas but music journalists reference it as one the first acid house records. At the age of 72, Charanjit is touring Europe and Berlin is lucky enough to be on the list of dates.
Friday
Bell Witch and Samothrace at Koma F: It’s not often that I’m interested in new heavy bands but for a funny reason this one caught my attention. Over a message board, I randomly found this album review on youtube and it got me so interested in actually hearing the record that the next thing I did was visiting the band’s bandcamp page, where you can listen to the whole record. I was convinced after a single listen that I wanted to visit this show after I then found out that they play in Berlin. Bell Witch play heavy and gloomy funeral doom, to me they sound like a mixture of OM and SunnO))). They’re only a duo and I love the minimalisti drums and bass line-up. So, finally a reason to visit a Koma F show again after quite a while.
Julie Doiron and Sheriff at Intersoup: Years ago, a friend gave me a CD by Julie Doiron and I did not pay attention to it for a while because I seldomly get into singer-songwriters really. Luckily, two years later, I was looking for new music to listen to and the CD went in my player and it didn’t leave it for some time. I was mesmerised. If you are into acoustic guitars and folk voices, you are in for a treat.
Savages, Johnny Hostile and Zan Lyons at Lido: C*’s gig of the week. There is a major buzz around about this group and it is oh-so-desserved! Rhythmic wave punk from London that kicks your ass. You cannot miss this and you know it. See you there.
Saturday
Shopping, Drekoty and Rat Rat Rats at bei Ruth: Shopping are a minimalistic and wavy postpunk band relying on “propulsive bass lines, primitive disco-not-disco drums and guitar lines sharp as broken glass.” They remind me of bands like Prinzhorn Dance School, perfect soundtrack for a dancy Saturday. Drekoty are a Polish all-female trio and they play experimental pop music and Rat Rat Rats from Berlin are a wild noisy punk duo. Cool and interesting mixture.
Sunday
Charlie Parr at Monarch: After having to cancel his show last year, the wonderful Mr. Parr is now making up for the loss. His voice is unique and will warm you and stay with your for a long time. Wonderful indeed and the perfect end to the week.
Thursday, 9 May 2013
London report: ATP I'll Be Your Mirror Fest
If I told you I saw The Locust, King Khan & The Shrines, Dirty Beaches, Anika, K-Holes, Mick Harvey and Yeah Yeah Yeahs all in one day, you'd label me mad. Surely that is a bill that cannot actually happen in real life. Think again.
Half business trip, half pleasure weekend, Gary and I hopped over to North London over the weekend to attend one in a series of All Tomorrow's Parties' events called I'll Be Your Mirror. They are one-day festivals curated by a chosen artist - in this case the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Although ATP have been rumoured to discontinue the series due to poor ticket sales, the events themselves stand out like no others. If the artist has good taste - YYYs: good taste they have - the line-up is unmatchable and in typical ATP fashion, the setting rather special.
Alexandra Palace is an old exhibition / recreational hall the way they were concepted and built in London during the 19th century. I lived in Crystal Palace for over six years and of course there is no Crystal Palace in Crystal Palace, since the original structure fell victim to a fire many years ago. But when you walk on the palace foundations in Crystal Palace Park, you always imagine the grandeur and splendour that took place there once. Alexandra Palace, still being fully intact, gives you a glimpse of past public recreation. Some features distinctly remind you of church elements (colourful glass panelled round windows, an organ) but at the same time you feel like you are in a palace in a park setting, which you are. To stage a music and film fest here is a magical concept.
Business called us to arrive early at the venue and we immediately started to panic. Half an hour before the first band, Anika, was to go on the smaller of the two stages, the halls of Alexandra Palace were deserted and we would have not been surprised to see tumble weed roll by. However, all was well when I finally made it to Anika's set half way through her stage time and found the room being well filled and people appreciative of Anika's music. I was positively surprised by how well her new band managed to fill the gap left by the absence of Beak>, who have parted ways with Anika recently. Another great performance. I only had time for a few songs but those truly convinced.
Back in the main hall, K-Holes were the poor chosen ones to fill the first slot on the big stage. I was not farmiliar with this band previously and I seriously wonder why. Punky wavey music with a charismatic front woman, a saxophone player and a kick ass band, these young ones are right up my street. The sound in the big, more or less, empty hall was unflattering to the band but I could tell this was a good rock'n'roll group up on that stage. Cannot wait to see them in a small sweaty venue in future!
The two stages were staggered in a way that you could catch at least some of every band you wanted to see - with this line-up that was a godsent. A culture shock awaited us back on the small stage: Big Freedia had his New Orleans bounce hip hop and some ass shaking to go with it in store for the audience, who were up for it. Fantastic stage costumes and an in-your-face attitude worked well for a festival warm up act, though my attention span is clearly too short for 45 minutes of the same beat. Shame on me. Thumbs up for Big Freedia.
Passing through the main hall, we caught the first couple of Prince Rama's songs. They were walking through the audience with a big veil on and a host of photographers following them around. An entrance if I ever saw one! Musically however, their psychedelic dream dance couldn't match some of the other amazing artists on the bill for me. Or the setting just didn't work for them. Time for some soul gospel rock'n'roll.
Half business trip, half pleasure weekend, Gary and I hopped over to North London over the weekend to attend one in a series of All Tomorrow's Parties' events called I'll Be Your Mirror. They are one-day festivals curated by a chosen artist - in this case the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Although ATP have been rumoured to discontinue the series due to poor ticket sales, the events themselves stand out like no others. If the artist has good taste - YYYs: good taste they have - the line-up is unmatchable and in typical ATP fashion, the setting rather special.
.JPG) |
| 'Ally Pally' balcony view |
Alexandra Palace is an old exhibition / recreational hall the way they were concepted and built in London during the 19th century. I lived in Crystal Palace for over six years and of course there is no Crystal Palace in Crystal Palace, since the original structure fell victim to a fire many years ago. But when you walk on the palace foundations in Crystal Palace Park, you always imagine the grandeur and splendour that took place there once. Alexandra Palace, still being fully intact, gives you a glimpse of past public recreation. Some features distinctly remind you of church elements (colourful glass panelled round windows, an organ) but at the same time you feel like you are in a palace in a park setting, which you are. To stage a music and film fest here is a magical concept.
Business called us to arrive early at the venue and we immediately started to panic. Half an hour before the first band, Anika, was to go on the smaller of the two stages, the halls of Alexandra Palace were deserted and we would have not been surprised to see tumble weed roll by. However, all was well when I finally made it to Anika's set half way through her stage time and found the room being well filled and people appreciative of Anika's music. I was positively surprised by how well her new band managed to fill the gap left by the absence of Beak>, who have parted ways with Anika recently. Another great performance. I only had time for a few songs but those truly convinced.
Back in the main hall, K-Holes were the poor chosen ones to fill the first slot on the big stage. I was not farmiliar with this band previously and I seriously wonder why. Punky wavey music with a charismatic front woman, a saxophone player and a kick ass band, these young ones are right up my street. The sound in the big, more or less, empty hall was unflattering to the band but I could tell this was a good rock'n'roll group up on that stage. Cannot wait to see them in a small sweaty venue in future!
The two stages were staggered in a way that you could catch at least some of every band you wanted to see - with this line-up that was a godsent. A culture shock awaited us back on the small stage: Big Freedia had his New Orleans bounce hip hop and some ass shaking to go with it in store for the audience, who were up for it. Fantastic stage costumes and an in-your-face attitude worked well for a festival warm up act, though my attention span is clearly too short for 45 minutes of the same beat. Shame on me. Thumbs up for Big Freedia.
.JPG) |
| Prince Rama's grand entrance |
Passing through the main hall, we caught the first couple of Prince Rama's songs. They were walking through the audience with a big veil on and a host of photographers following them around. An entrance if I ever saw one! Musically however, their psychedelic dream dance couldn't match some of the other amazing artists on the bill for me. Or the setting just didn't work for them. Time for some soul gospel rock'n'roll.
Tuesday, 7 May 2013
C*'s preview additions this week
Since I was in London most of last week for ATP's I'll Be Your Mirror (review to come), I could not contribute to the preview. Then, I looked at the calendar earlier today and realised that a lot of my gigs from "What's In Store for 2013" are this week. So I guess there is no rest for the wicked and I'll be out and about town, going to most of these:
Today
Widowspeak at Comet: Nothing like a really good pop record. Fleetwood Mac inspired for sure but also some nice 60s surf and psych in there. Softly spoken and rocking all at once. A nice afternoon kinda record and a promising show!
Thursday
Mac DeMarco and Sean Nicholas Savage at Privatclub: Captured Tracks protegé DeMarco is back. The hype is justified - the guy knows to throw a good party. Support from fellow newbie Sean Nicholas Savage. A must if you want to talk the talk in current one-man camp party projects.
Friday
Mikal Cronin at West Germany: My gig of the week. You like Ty Segall? Well Mr. Segall and Mr. Cronin just happen to collaborate all the time. You like Wavves, you like Kurt Vile, you like 'em all? You cannot miss Mikal Cronin then, can you. Snotty songwriter indie punk, lo-fi and fun. Be there!
Saturday
Nicoffeine, Grow Grow and Valborg at Kastanienkeller: Read XNormanX's appreciative review of another Nicoffeine gig and know that you have to go. Enjoy!
There is so much more this week - it's a jam packed one. But we are selective and if we told you about everything, it would not exactly make your life easier, now would it? Hope to see you around - come say hi if you spot us.
Today
Widowspeak at Comet: Nothing like a really good pop record. Fleetwood Mac inspired for sure but also some nice 60s surf and psych in there. Softly spoken and rocking all at once. A nice afternoon kinda record and a promising show!
Thursday
Mac DeMarco and Sean Nicholas Savage at Privatclub: Captured Tracks protegé DeMarco is back. The hype is justified - the guy knows to throw a good party. Support from fellow newbie Sean Nicholas Savage. A must if you want to talk the talk in current one-man camp party projects.
Friday
Mikal Cronin at West Germany: My gig of the week. You like Ty Segall? Well Mr. Segall and Mr. Cronin just happen to collaborate all the time. You like Wavves, you like Kurt Vile, you like 'em all? You cannot miss Mikal Cronin then, can you. Snotty songwriter indie punk, lo-fi and fun. Be there!
Saturday
Nicoffeine, Grow Grow and Valborg at Kastanienkeller: Read XNormanX's appreciative review of another Nicoffeine gig and know that you have to go. Enjoy!
There is so much more this week - it's a jam packed one. But we are selective and if we told you about everything, it would not exactly make your life easier, now would it? Hope to see you around - come say hi if you spot us.
Sunday, 5 May 2013
Preview - the week ahead (6th May - 12th May)
May is definitely a busy and interesting month concerning live shows. There's so much good stuff going on that it's getting a little overwhelming from time to time. As usual, check our calendar below to see some more shows for this week and month.
Monday
Death Grips at Berghain: Read our review from their last show at Festsaal Kreuzberg here. They now step up and play at Berghain, so this will probably be like a huge and wild and highly energetic party with an amazing soundtrack.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at C-Halle: I have never seen the Yeah Yeah Yeahs live and to be honest that probably won’t change anytime soon. They got pretty huge and successful and while I still really like their earlier records, their later output got somehow irrelevant for me. Nonetheless I have the feeling that they remain to be a likeable band with great performance skills.
Tuesday
Melvins at Festsaal Kreuzberg: Melvins, the sort of prototype noise-rock band, play two shows in a row (Tuesday and Wednesday) at Festsaal Kreuzberg. I love that concept since it makes possible to see a rather “big” band in a “smaller” venue. I think I don’t need to describe Melvins to you any further, they exist for almost 30 years now and are probably one of the most influential heavy bands around.
Wednesday
Barn Owl at about:blank: Barn Owl play psychedelic and atmospheric music that sounds like a gloomy version of post-rock. Between drone sounds and synthie and guitar layers you’ll sometimes find a glimpse of desert-rock and they manage to keep that diversified throughout their rather long songs.
Thursday
Deux Boules Vanille and Big Eater at bei Ruth: Deux Boules Vanille are a drum duo from France, they trigger analog synthesizer and self built instruments with their drum sets and create rhythmic and driving music with lots of different influences. You can hear some retro electronic hints of Silver Apples here and there but at some points their music sounds more like wild punk or even grindcore stuff, Lightning Bolt comes to mind for example. In the end they manage to keep this a highly interesting and humorous mix, I’m sure this is going to be wild and fantastic live. Support will be Berlin locals Big Eater, Al Burian’s (whom you know from Milemarker,Challenger and from various books and the Burn Collector fanzine) new band with members of Syn*Error. They play a mix of funky punk (or punky funk?) music.
Pttrns and Ampl:tude at KuZe Potsdam: For those of you who either did not get in at the recent sold out bei Ruth show (our review here) or for those of you who just can’t get enough of Pttrns live, they play in Potsdam this time. Although not strictly a Berlin live show, let’s just say this is close enough to be covered here. Also Berlin locals Ampl:tude play as support, so we’re sort of safe with that.
Saturday
God Des & She and Godmother at West Germany: A deep rhythmic and dancy Saturday evening at West Germany! God Des & She play cool hip hop and R’n’B influenced music, comparisons to Salt n Pepa and Lady Gaga are not totally uncalled-for. Godmother play something completely different, they sound like a theatralic and experimental cabaret, actually not unlike Parenthetical Girls.
the Knife at C-Halle: Mentioning C-Halle twice in a preview is something we rarely do. I also haven’t heard a single positive review from people who went to recent the Knife shows, everybody complained about it being mostly playback and boring. That doesn’t change the fact that they already sold out this huge venue and although I’m not into their new record musically, they still have a very supportable attitude and an interesting approach towards the things they do. If you go here let us know how it was!
Monday
Death Grips at Berghain: Read our review from their last show at Festsaal Kreuzberg here. They now step up and play at Berghain, so this will probably be like a huge and wild and highly energetic party with an amazing soundtrack.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs at C-Halle: I have never seen the Yeah Yeah Yeahs live and to be honest that probably won’t change anytime soon. They got pretty huge and successful and while I still really like their earlier records, their later output got somehow irrelevant for me. Nonetheless I have the feeling that they remain to be a likeable band with great performance skills.
Tuesday
Melvins at Festsaal Kreuzberg: Melvins, the sort of prototype noise-rock band, play two shows in a row (Tuesday and Wednesday) at Festsaal Kreuzberg. I love that concept since it makes possible to see a rather “big” band in a “smaller” venue. I think I don’t need to describe Melvins to you any further, they exist for almost 30 years now and are probably one of the most influential heavy bands around.
Wednesday
Barn Owl at about:blank: Barn Owl play psychedelic and atmospheric music that sounds like a gloomy version of post-rock. Between drone sounds and synthie and guitar layers you’ll sometimes find a glimpse of desert-rock and they manage to keep that diversified throughout their rather long songs.
Thursday
Deux Boules Vanille and Big Eater at bei Ruth: Deux Boules Vanille are a drum duo from France, they trigger analog synthesizer and self built instruments with their drum sets and create rhythmic and driving music with lots of different influences. You can hear some retro electronic hints of Silver Apples here and there but at some points their music sounds more like wild punk or even grindcore stuff, Lightning Bolt comes to mind for example. In the end they manage to keep this a highly interesting and humorous mix, I’m sure this is going to be wild and fantastic live. Support will be Berlin locals Big Eater, Al Burian’s (whom you know from Milemarker,Challenger and from various books and the Burn Collector fanzine) new band with members of Syn*Error. They play a mix of funky punk (or punky funk?) music.
Pttrns and Ampl:tude at KuZe Potsdam: For those of you who either did not get in at the recent sold out bei Ruth show (our review here) or for those of you who just can’t get enough of Pttrns live, they play in Potsdam this time. Although not strictly a Berlin live show, let’s just say this is close enough to be covered here. Also Berlin locals Ampl:tude play as support, so we’re sort of safe with that.
Saturday
God Des & She and Godmother at West Germany: A deep rhythmic and dancy Saturday evening at West Germany! God Des & She play cool hip hop and R’n’B influenced music, comparisons to Salt n Pepa and Lady Gaga are not totally uncalled-for. Godmother play something completely different, they sound like a theatralic and experimental cabaret, actually not unlike Parenthetical Girls.
the Knife at C-Halle: Mentioning C-Halle twice in a preview is something we rarely do. I also haven’t heard a single positive review from people who went to recent the Knife shows, everybody complained about it being mostly playback and boring. That doesn’t change the fact that they already sold out this huge venue and although I’m not into their new record musically, they still have a very supportable attitude and an interesting approach towards the things they do. If you go here let us know how it was!
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