September 2013
www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands
free
A New Chapter Opening the book on the Library of Birmingham’s cultural revolution We take you inside the new £189m landmark Capsule show us how to really make noise in a library Free School give us a lesson in literature AND Soweto Kinch unveils the brand new Rep Theatre
ALSO INSIDE:
Jaws / Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun / Deaf Havana / Layers / The Traps / Dan Whitehouse PLUS: A tribute to Jon Brookes / Looking ahead to Ringmaster Festival / Details for this year’s Oxjam Festival revealed / Birmingham’s best fish and chip shops / Your complete September 1 guide 2013 to what’s on in September
Sun 6th Oct • £15 adv
Impericon Never Say Die! Tour ft. Emmure + Carniflex, I Killed The Prom Queen, Betraying The Martyrs, Hundredth, Northlane, Hand of Mercy
Road To Warped Tour ft. Escape The Fate + Chiodos + The Color Morale + Cytota
The Quireboys
Sat 2nd Nov • £20 adv
Sat 16th Nov • £20 adv
Thurs 10th Oct • £13 adv
Performing New Order’s “Movement” & “Power, Corruption and Lies” Live
Sat 16th Nov • £9 adv
Sat 2nd Nov • £17.50 adv
Tues 19th Nov • £22.50 adv
Gus from Alt-J DJ Set @ Propaganda
Weds 9th Oct • £15 adv
Black Spiders
+ Bonafide + Bad Touch 6.30pm - 11pm
+ McKnasty + AJR
Passenger + Stu Larsen
Thurs 5th Sept • £18.50 adv
Thurs 10th Oct • £12 adv
Goldie Lookin Chain
6.30pm - 11pm
Peter Hook and the Light
Bring Me The Horizon Sun 3rd Nov
Fri 11th Oct • £14 adv
Bastille
Martin Walkyier’s Viking Funeral 2013
Sleeping With Sirens
Mon 4th Nov • £14.50 adv
+ The Summer Set + Hands Like Houses + The Getaway Plan
Wiley & Dappy
Martin Walkyier Goes Skyclad with special guests Devilment, Elvenking, WAKO & Helgrind
Weds 11th Sept 6pm - 10pm
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis + Chance The Rapper
Sat 14th Sept • £36 adv
Soundgarden + Graveyard
Sat 14th Sept • £8 adv 6pm - 11pm
Ones To Watch
Showcasing the Best Live Music from The Midlands
Tues 17th Sept • £8.50 adv
Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Janet Devlin
Fri 20th Sept • £12 adv 6pm - 10pm
Motionless In White Sat 21st Sept • £15 adv 3pm - 11pm Sun 22nd Sept • £17.50 adv 5pm - 11pm Weekend ticket £25 adv
6pm - 10pm
Sat 12th Oct • £22.50 adv 9pm - 5am • over 18s only
MC Trigga’s Birthday Bash 2013 Presents Bugsy Malone in Down Town Birmingham City
Mon 14th Oct • £23 adv
Babyshambles
Tues 15th Oct • £19 adv
6.30pm - 11pm
6.30pm - 10pm
Thurs 5th Sept • £17.50 adv 6pm - 11pm
Professor Green
Thurs 31st Oct • £26.50 adv
36crazyfists
+ Hawk Eyes + Baby Godzilla
Jimmy Eat World
Thurs 14th Nov • £18.50 adv
Fri 1st Nov • £12.50 adv
Fri 25th Oct • £4 adv
Hoodie Allen
Jake Bugg
Thurs 14th Nov • £15 adv
Tues 8th Oct • £10 adv
Weds 4th Sept • £12.50 adv
Alice In Chains + Ghost
Suede + Teleman
10.30pm-3.30am • £4 adv Over 18s only - Proof of age required 10.30pm - 3am • over 18s only
Weds 13th Nov • £27.50 adv
Mon 28th Oct Tues 29th Oct Sun 10th Nov
Editors
[spunge]
Scouting For Girls
Weds 20th Nov • £8.50 adv
The Temperance Movement
Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Meeting of the Minds Tour + Angel
Mon 4th Nov • £17.50 adv
Fri 22nd Nov 6pm - 10pm
Imagine Dragons
The Toy Dolls
Sat 23rd Nov • £20 adv
Weds 6th Nov • £24 adv
ft. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin + Cud + Republica + DJ set from Steve Lamacq
Tues 12th Nov • £18.50 adv
FOR COMPLETE LISTINGS PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE
Nedstock 2013
The Boomtown Rats Defenders of the Faith ft. Amon Amarth
Lawson
The Everywhere We Go Tour + Paighton + Room 94
Weds 16th Oct • £15 adv
Volbeat + Iced Earth Thurs 17th Oct
Rudimental Thurs 17th Oct • £20 adv
Half Man Half Biscuit Sat 19th Oct • £20 adv / £50 VIP
Bowling For Soup
Bid Farewell Tour 2013 + Patent Pending
UK B-Boy Championships 2013
Sat 19th Oct • £14.50 adv
Saturday - Knock Out Jam Sunday - World Final 2013
Sun 20th Oct • £26.50 adv
Zedd + Dannic
Sat 7th Sept • £5 adv
Sat 5th Oct • £5 adv
Sat 26th Oct • £10 adv
+ Structures + Awake By Design + Minimum
+ Fury + Fortress + Bullitstorm + Zombie Extras
‘Crust for Life’ Tour + Biscuithead and the Biscuit Badgers
Panacea Dream
Thurs 12th Sept • £11 adv
Tori Kelly
Sat 15th Sept • £9 adv
The Amity Affliction + Landscapes + In Hearts Wake
Thurs 19th Sept • £6 adv
Salvation
Sun 6th Oct • £15 adv
Romeo’s Daughter
Sun 27th Oct • £6 adv
“Rapture” Tour
The Famous Class
Mon 7th Oct • £8 adv
Fri 1st Nov • £7 adv
+ Kristyna Myles
Kobra and the Lotus
Ben Montague Weds 9th Oct • £10 adv
Sat 2nd Nov • £10 adv
Weds 16th Oct • £6 adv
The No.1 Foo Fighters Tribute
6.30pm - 10pm
The Last Carnival
Mon 4th Nov • £9 adv
Alexander Fri 20th Sept • £5 adv
Wiz Khalifa
Weds 23rd Oct
Layers
London Grammar
+ Romans + Mutes
Sat 19th Oct • £10 adv
Weds 25th Sept • £15 adv
Sat 28th Sept • £10 adv
Fri 25th Oct • £9.50 adv
Ben Kenney
Quadrophenia Night
+ Trinidad Jame$
Bury Tomorrow
+ Feed The Rhino + Heart In Hand + Empress
Tues 1st Oct • £15 adv
The Airborne Toxic Event Fri 4th Oct • £15 adv 6pm - 10pm
Diamond Head & Uli Jon Roth
6pm - 10pm
Clean Bandit Sat 26th Oct
Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
The Feeling + Yellowire Sat 26th Oct • £22.50 adv
Travis
Sun 27th Oct • £19.50 adv
The Queen Extravanganza
6pm - 10pm
Young Knives
6.30pm - 10.30pm
Public Image Ltd + The Selecter
Sat 28th Sept • £20 adv
The Lancashire Hotpots
Thurs 26th Sept • £7 adv
Exit Calm
Mon 30th Sept • £5 adv
Scholars
Tues 1st Oct • £7 adv
Heights + Sirens
8pm - 1am • Over 18s only
(A tribute to the iconic film) ft. The Atlantics (Live) + DJ Drew Stansall + The Coopers
Sun 20th Oct • £5 adv 6.30pm - 10.30pm
Johnny Get The Gun
Evarose
Robbie Boyd
Fri 8th Nov • £12 adv 6.30pm - 10pm
Absolute Bowie Sat 9th Nov • £5 adv
Under Blackened Skies + Malandra + Sirens + Husk + Urgize
Tues 12th Nov • £7 adv
Fri 25th Oct • £7 adv
Natives
Orange
Fri 13th Dec • £10 adv
Rescheduled show • original tickets valid
Weds 2nd Oct • £6 adv
UK Foo Fighters
6pm - 10pm
+ Viva La Revolution + All Thought Out
6.30pm - 10pm
U.K. Subs
16-18 Horsefair, Bristol St, Birmingham, B1 1DB 2
Doors 7.00pm unless stated • Venue box office opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat 11am-4pm • No booking fee on cash transactions Brum Notes Magazine ticketweb.co.uk • seetickets.com • gigantic.com • ticketmaster.co.uk
PRESENTS
PLUS GUESTS
TUESDAY 26 NOVEMBER
BIRMINGHAM O2 ACADEMY
TICKETS FROM: KILILIVE.COM / SEETICKETS.COM / 0844 871 8803 T I C K E T S O N S A L E 9 A M F R I D AY 30 AU G U S T DEBUT ALBUM ‘THE LUMINEERS’ OUT NOW ON DECCA RECORDS
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THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER WOLVERHAMPTON WULFRUN HALL TICKETS AVAILABLE AT: KILILIVE.COM / 0844 871 88 03 FACEBOOK.COM/OHDAUGHTER THE DEBUT ALBUM ‘IF YOU LEAVE’ OUT NOW
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September 2013
T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E AT K I L I L I V E . C O M
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Brum Notes Magazine
CONTENTS
One of the views from the new Library of Birmingham. Photo by Lee Allen. See more images on P30-35. Brum Notes Magazine Unit 12 The Bond 180-182 Fazeley Street Digbeth Birmingham B5 5SE info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising 0121 224 7363 advertising@brumnotes.com Distribution StickupMedia! 0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: David Vincent, Amy Sumner, Guy Hirst, Daron Billings, Jack Parker, Dan Cooper-Gavin New Music Editor: Amy Sumner Food & Drink Editor: Daron Billings Pictures: Lee Allen, Ian Dunn, Andy Watson/Drw-Images, Sinéad O’Callaghan, Jade Sukiya Style editor: Jade Sukiya jade@brumnotes.com Design: Adam Williams, Andy Aitken, Charlotte Audrey Owen-Meehan Connect Twitter: @BrumNotesMag Facebook: www.facebook.com/ BrumNotesMagazine Online: www.brumnotes.com
Regulars News 6-7 Fresh Talent 10-11 Live Reviews 36-37 Style 40-41 Food & Drink 42-43 What’s On Guide 44-46 Music and Features A tribute to Jon Brookes 8-9 Dan Whitehouse 12 Layers 14-15 Live_Transmission 19 The Traps 20 Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun 21 Jaws 26-27 Cloud Control 28 Library of Birmingham opening special 30-35 All content © Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine. While all care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of content, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses claimed to have been incurred by any errors. Advertising terms and conditions available on request.
September 2013
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fierce festival returns for its 15th instalment One of Birmingham’s most adventurous celebrations of performance and art returns to the city next month. Fierce Festival has revealed an innovative line-up of groundbreaking live art for what will be its 15th anniversary edition. Fierce Festival 2013 runs from October 4-6 and will include live art performances, theatre pieces, contemporary dance, exhibitions, talks, live music, installations and sitespecific commissions, taking place at venues and unusual spaces across Birmingham. It will also include a full day of events at Warwick Arts Centre. Among the highlights will be a late-night concert on the closing day featuring rising electronica star Nicolas Jaar, accompanied by New York’s legendary Joshua Light Show. For the first time, ‘See-Everything-Festival’ weekend passes will be available, priced £75 and £65, while tickets will also be available for individual days and events. Tickets are on sale now. Visit www.wearefierce.org for the full programme of events.
music festival to hit venues across the city in aid of oxfam
cassette celebrations hit brum
OxjamBrum will be taking over six venues across Birmingham city centre when the popular Takeover Festival returns next month.
The very first International Cassette Store Day takes place this month, and some of Birmingham’s finest new bands will be helping to mark the occasion. Swordfish Records, in association with Brum Notes Magazine, will be hosting performances from indie folk heartthrobs Midnight Bonfires, folk sisters Cannon Street, orchestral-tinged newcomers Drakelow and silky voiced solo artist Oliver Rudge, all playing special sets in store on Saturday, September 7. Based on the annual Record Store Day format, International Cassette Store Day has been described as “a celebration of a physical product that is accessible, fun, cheap and still going strong in the turbulent current musical climate”. As well as events taking place up and down the country, and throughout the world, there will be limited edition albums and classic records that never made it to magnetic tape such as LPs by the Flaming Lips, Deerhunter and At the Drive-In, released on the muchloved format. This Is Tmrw and Static Caravan also join forces for a Cassette Launch Party at the Hare & Hounds on September 21, with live sets from Wide Eyed and Victories at Sea.
The event is now in its fifth year and will see bands and solo artists performing throughout the day on October 12, aiming to raise thousands for Oxfam projects across the globe. Last year’s OxjamBrum Takeover Festival raised more than £10,000, with performers including Scott Matthews, Paul Murphy and Polarbear. A new team of volunteers is in place to curate and coordinate this year’s event, headed by Andrew Marsh and James Hewson. Acts already announced for the day-long performances include The Ravens, Snooty Bobs, Luke Wylde & the Japes, Zephyr Reign and Youth Man (pictured). Dozens more artists are set to be announced in the coming weeks. This year’s OxjamBrum Takeover Festival will take place on October 12 at The Yardbird, The Victoria, Island Bar, The Sunflower Lounge, Brewdog and the soon-to-be-opened Cherry Reds on John Bright Street. Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the day, giving access to all six venues with more than 50 acts set to perform. For tickets or more details visit www.oxjambrum.org.uk.
new weekend festival of alternative sounds in the suburbs announced Dutch Uncles will headline a brand new music festival taking place in Kings Heath this winter. Promoters This Is Tmrw have announced details of the inaugural All Years Leaving, a two-day event running from November 15 to 16 at the Hare & Hounds. Manchester outfit Dutch Uncles (pictured right) headline the opening night, with Birmingham’s own reuniting cult heroes Distophia heading up the Saturday. The lo-fi outfit will be reforming to celebrate 10 years since the release of their debut album Soda Lake. Other acts announced so far, include Birmingham-based wistful folk collective Boat to Row and His Clancyness, the musical alias of Canadian/Italian psyche-pop experimentalist Jonathan Clancy. More acts are set to be revealed in the weeks building up to the festival. Tickets for each day are priced at £15 each, with a limited run of weekend tickets also 6
available for £20. Tickets are on sale now at www.theticketsellers.co.uk. Stay tuned to www.brumnotes.com for further festival announcements. Brum Notes Magazine
line-up revealed for return of annual birmingham comedy festival
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The Birmingham Comedy Festival returns next month with a line-up boasting some of the biggest names in comedy alongside a host of up-and-coming talent.
Quote code BrumNotes13 online or by phone: T: 0121 212 1223 valid until 31.03.14
Among those who’ll be taking to stages across the city between October 4 and 13 are Russell Brand (pictured left), who kicks off his Messiah tour with two nights at Symphony Hall (Oct 7-8). He’ll be joined by The Last Leg’s Adam Hills (Oct 6, Town Hall), Tony Law (Oct 4, The Glee), Robin Ince (Oct 10, Mac Birmingham), the former presenter of cult 90s late night TV series The Word Terry Christian (Oct 8, Kitchen Garden Cafe), and ventriloquist Nina Conti (Oct 5, Solihull Arts Complex), as seen in BBC2 sitcom Family Tree.
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There is also an array of local talent including the fast rising Joe Lycett (Oct 10, The Glee), whose TV appearances include 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Celebrity Juice, new sketch troupe The Lovely Men (Oct 11, Mac), featuring stand-up comedian and comedy tutor James Cook, Steve Day (Oct 10, Irish Centre) and Mrs Barbara Nice (Oct 6, The Glee; Oct 13 Mac; compere Oct 4, Le Truc), plus Shazia Mirza, Harriet Dyer, Aaron Twitchen, Sheila M, Annette Fagon, Jo Enright, Craig Deeley, Albert Smith and more.
September 2013
Other attractions include Laurel and Hardy films, a new exhibition by Great Barr artist Steve Lilly, standup workshops for both those with and without comedy experience, French food, a pub quiz, an evening of spoken word, burlesque and cabaret, free shows and the return of the Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre (pictured above). The festival will also welcome a brand new comedy club, Just The Tonic, launching at Hennessy’s in Digbeth on Friday, October 4. For full line-up details and ticket information visit www.bhamcomfest.co.uk.
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Forever: In memory of Jon Brookes, 1968–2013
A founding member of The Charlatans, Jon Brookes was one of the most respected drummers in British music, having played a key role in the rise of one of the country’s most successful bands of recent decades. Sadly, Jon, a father of three daughters and husband to Deborah, passed away on August 13 at the age of 44, following a brain tumour.
Top left photo courtesy of the Express & Star
He was first taken ill suffering a seizure on stage in 2010, but battled through several operations to continue to play live and write music with the band. Tributes have flooded in since his death, with Jon having won many admirers across the musical spectrum for his powerful playing style and musical ability. He formed the band as a teenager in 1988 with fellow founder members Martin Blunt, Rob Collins, Baz Ketley and Jon Day. Originally based in Walsall, the band relocated to Cheshire after recruiting Tim Burgess on vocals and were quickly tagged onto the ‘Madchester’ scene of the early 1990s. They outlasted many of their contemporaries, however, and enjoyed three number one albums. Jon played a key role in all 11 of the band’s albums and was working on new material with his bandmates earlier this summer. But it was not only his work with The Charlatans through which he made his impact on music, he also worked tirelessly to promote new music in the West Midlands, even after first being diagnosed with a brain tumour three years ago. A great friend to us here at Brum Notes Magazine, Jon – JB as he was known to so many – was a friend to a great many more people involved in music locally and he passionately supported emerging talent, managing bands, hosting club nights and setting up a record label. 8
He and friend Ian Light first formed music management company One Beat (named after JB’s tongue-in-cheek nickname ‘Johnny One Beat’, a play on an Ella Fitzgerald song) in 2007, going on to form independent record label One Beat
the knowledge he had gained from being in a successful band for 20 years back in to up and coming artists so he asked me if I’d be interested in forming a new management company and record label.
“His thirst to learn even when at the top of his game was astonishing.”
“The first thing we did after we got sick of the ‘pay to play’ gigs the band were being offered was to start our own club night called The Syndicate at The Sound Bar featuring an eclectic mix of the best local bands. Those club nights were fantastic times and, I think, the very beginnings of this current new wave Birmingham music scene.
Records three years later. Together they formed their own live music club night, managed bands including The Arcadian Kicks and The Carpels, who went on to become Dumb, and launched the annual One Beat music festival. One Beat co-founder Ian Light said: “Jon Brookes was a truly talented, funny, loyal and generous person who will not only live on through the music he made with The Charlatans but also through One Beat, the company he and I started together back in 2007. “One Beat was created off the back of our own enthusiasm for the first band we managed, The Arcadian Kicks. Jon was really keen to feed
“When The Carpels played The Syndicate one night in 2010 Jon saw huge potential in those 16 and 17-year-olds. Three members of The Carpels then went on to form Dumb who we manage to this day. “He will be a huge loss to his wife, Deb, his three daughters, his family, friends, The Charlatans, Dumb and the Birmingham music scene in general.” Dumb drummer Jacob McQue added: “We all have the privilege of sharing so many fond memories of Jon, as a friend and as a manager. He saw something in us and he gave us a genuine and honest opportunity to become the musicians we are today. Brum Notes Magazine
“Deb [Jon’s wife] has also been a pillar of support and our love goes out to her, the kids and the rest of the Brookes family.” Thomas Holloway, former guitarist with The Arcadian Kicks, the first band Jon managed, said he had many fond memories of Jon, from him attempting to breakdance after challenging locals to a dance-off in a Glasgow nightclub, to staying up all night listening to music and playing air drums together. “Jon’s passion for new music and going out there and making it happen is, was and will always be something that inspires me. His thirst to learn even when at the top of his game was astonishing. “Jon’s memory will live on forever in my mind, through his music, his friends, his wife Debbie and his beautiful children Ruby, Coco and Lola. Live it like you love it, RIP JB.” NME award-winning music photographer Andy Hughes was also given a helping hand by Jon, and said he was one of the “most genuine down to earth people I’ve ever met.” “His passion for life and music was admirable,” said Andy. “Jon and Ian gave me a break and opportunity to get into music photography and helped me get where I am today, for that I’ll be eternally grateful. Had some hilarious trips away with JB and I know he’ll be sorely missed by his family, friends, band mates and fans.
September 2013
“I’ll always remember him ranting at the bands he managed to get their act together and while they were on stage hanging on the barrier telling them to ‘smash it!’ The word ‘legend’ gets over used, but he was definitely one.” Jon, born in Burntwood and raised in Wednesbury, was a big West Bromwich Albion, with the club dedicating the pre-match music to him before their opening game of this season. Tributes were also
paid on screen at last month’s V Festival, while a host of star names and fellow musicians added their own memories and tributes to Jon on Twitter. More than 200 people turned out to his funeral at Christ Church in Burntwood, with his coffin decorated like a musician’s flight case, bearing images from his band’s albums.
Jon Brookes, 1968-2013. RIP JB – Legend.
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Words by Guy Hirst and Amy Sumner
Ruane Maurice Ruane Maurice are Leon Ruane and Matt Maurice, an experimental hip hop duo formed in Birmingham through a mutual love of classic hip hop, Steely Dan and cricket. Their debut release, The Ping Pong EP (pictured), was recorded in 48 straight hours, and innovatively merges quick-fire MCing, analogue beats and 1970s tennis matches. “Yeah, our video to Accordant is a 1970s tennis match for five minutes, and the video to Dyer Beat These is a 1950s experimental film,” laughs producer Matt. “So much of the record is analogue,” he recalls. “I was trudging around London with electromagnetic pickups and recording anything I could use, car alarms, weird clicks on the tube, snooker balls hitting together. A lot of sounds on the EP were made that way, it’s not all MIDI,” he continues. “I’m not a big fan of the whole thing
Curb
facebook.com/RuaneMaurice where it’s just a dude and his laptop.” “The whole EP follows one guy’s experience with women,” says vocalist Leon. “As you go through the EP track by track you progress with him and see his decadence as he falls for a woman. I think the switching point for the character is in Greenhouse, he realises that his problems are his fault and he becomes vulnerable. It’s basically a collection of Matt’s and my own depressions over the years, but shoved into a character and saying ‘go on then, you can just display the whole lot’. That’s all that lyricism is, trying to get someone to empathise with what you’re saying.” Despite their love of classic hip hop and the British grime scene, The Ping Pong EP strays away from genre conventions. “The inspiration for the record wasn’t strictly hip hop, which is why I think it’s interesting. At the time I was listening to a lot of Stereolab, Steely Dan, and Fleetwood Mac,” Matt continues. “If we could take anyone on tour it would just be [Steely Dan frontman] Donald Fagan on his own, just because he’s got the biggest mouth in show business.” The Ping Pong EP (Egress and Withdrawals) is out now and available to stream at soundcloud.com/ruane-maurice.
facebook.com/Curbtheband
Having existed as a band for only three months, Curb are about as fresh as it comes. They’ve played just two shows to date and have only one song online, but already they’re creating a stir. “I met Tom [O’Ryan - vocals, guitar] at The Sunflower Lounge around February time and we discussed forming a band together as we had similar musical interests,” explains bassist Lee Booker of the band’s formation. “I listened to a demo that he had uploaded to Soundcloud and I was convinced that we’d be a good combination for songwriting. I’d met Joe [Booth - guitar] six months before in the pub, and I knew Sam [Hunt - drums] from high school, we’d all jammed a little on and off previously.” “We’re part Black Country and part Brummie,” he continues. “I had Oasis and Nirvana in mind whilst thinking up a name, and I tried to keep it as one word to make it memorable and punchy. I spelt it with a C so we’d be higher up in people’s music collections.” How Are You Now, their one song available to the masses is grunge to the core with a heavy progression and it smacks of angst. So where do Curb draw their musical influences from? “I think it’s safe to say that we come from fairly disparate musical 10
backgrounds,” identifies Sam, “but we come together in a very likeminded way.” “I came up with the bass line on the spot during a rehearsal and then I knew exactly what I wanted to do” explains Lee of the song’s beginnings. “Me, Tom and Sam wrote the lyrics together while Lee was on holiday and we also added to the structure,” continues Joe. “I don’t want to spoon-feed people imagery or emotions too much through lyrics. I’ve always been a fan of ambiguity,” concludes Tom. Curb play the Brum Notes Magazine September Issue Launch Party at The Bull’s Head, Moseley on September 5. Brum Notes Magazine
HOTLIST
PREVIEW
THE PLAYLIST The best new material from
hoopla blueand beyond. Birmingham
Seams Six months after stunning debut track Holy Ghost appeared online comes Seams, a hauntingly beautiful and atmospheric progression of a tune reminiscent of an exquisitely built up Gardens & Villa. soundcloud.com/hoopla-blue/seams
jaws
Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam Alternative indie power trio Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam have been gaining popularity in the musical hotbeds of Moseley and Kings Heath for around two years now. With a solid fanbase behind them, this month sees them release their debut self-titled album, with a launch party to boot. “I met Ralph [Morton, drums] when our old bands Shocked Elevator Family and Distophia played together years ago at the Jug of Ale,” explains guitarist and vocalist Pete Dixon of the group’s origins. “Ralph’s band were all underage and they closed the bar while they played – they were great but Distophia fans were all pretty annoyed that they couldn’t get their £1 pints.” “We had a more normal name when we started,” continues Pete, “but we were never happy with it. You can only try to come up with ‘cool’ sounding names for so long before you go ‘fuck it, what’s the least cool name we’ve come up with?’”
In terms of music and live performance, SFL are a lot of fun. Erring towards the heavier side of indie pop, there’s a vast array of musical influences to thank. And for a bass-less setup, SFL sure do know how to wail. “I’m into Elliott Smith, REM, Gentle Friendly, Talking Heads, Speedo, Sun Kil Moon,” offers guitarist and vocalist Andrew Bullock. “I’ve got some middle-aged music tendencies too,” admits Ralph, “stuff like Steely Dan and Joni Mitchell. Oh and anything Prince related.” With all that in mind, what can people expect from their live shows? “Uncomfortably long eye contact, power violence, aggro chillout, and no hope for the future of humanity” says Pete.
Gold A minute-long crescendo of an introduction swells into an unrelenting gallop in this debut offering from the clandestine Babypink (formerly Sugar). Driving drums underpin the four and a half minutes – this is classic pop inverted along with the pedals which delineate the guitars. Released September 9 at soundcloud.com/babypinkband
malpas Charlemagne Typically gorgeous blend of alt-folk and twinkling electronica, giving a taste of what else is to come from forthcoming debut EP Promise. Dreamy, rousing and heartbreaking in equal measure. soundcloud.com/malpas/ charlemagne
Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam launch their self-titled album at the Brum Notes Issue Launch Party at the Bull’s Head, Moseley on September 5.
Follow us at soundcloud.com/ brumnotes for more
ONES TO WATCH check your grammar
laced
hot monocles
eliza and the bear
Epic alt-rock all-dayer from Grammatical Records, including the one-man math of Theo, sludgy riffs from Mothertrucker and post-metal noiseniks IO, among others. Watch them: September 14, The Wagon & Horses, B’ham
With only one headline show to their name, Laced have still secured some pretty impressive support slots and their woozy grunge should be the perfect warm-up for Jaws this month. Watch them: September 24, The Institute, Birmingham
Both a reunion and a farewell for established Birmingham progressive rock outfit, as they prepare to lose their Oz-bound frontman. Expect them to sound as polished as ever. Watch them: September 14, The Flapper, Birmingham
Anthemic indie heroes in the making, London five-piece Eliza and the Bear bring their jaunty, alt-folk sound to Birmingham. Bigger venues beckon if the buzz is to be believed. Watch them: September 11, Sunflower Lounge, B’ham
September 2013
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REACHING OUT Midlands singer-songwriter Dan Whitehouse has pulled in a few pals for his second album, including a surprising support act. David Vincent finds out more.
Since taking the step to go it alone, Wolverhampton-born and now Birminghambased musician Dan Whitehouse has bagged some fine support slots, and performed headline shows across the UK. His impending second album, Reaching For A State Of Mind, looks set to signal a step up for the musician. Recorded in the Jewellery Quarter with producer/musician Michael Clarke, guests include Helen Lancaster from The Old Dance School, Fairport Convention’s PJ Wright and Duke Special’s distinctive percussionist, Chip Bailey. The album will be officially launched at The Crescent Theatre on September 29 with a full band, plus surprise support from none other than Duke Special himself. So, internationally respected cult Irish hero Duke Special is supporting you? That’s quite a coup, how did it come about? Markus Sargeant (music promoter) introduced me to Duke Special percussionist Chip Bailey when he moved to Birmingham in 2009. We started playing together, doing community music and recording projects and I’m honoured to say we became friends. Chip introduced me to Peter Wilson (Duke Special) when he played the Hare & Hounds earlier this year… What is it you admire about ‘The Duke’? Peter possesses everything I am looking for in a singer-songwriter. He writes open-hearted, emotional lyrics, and his vocal delivery and musical arrangements are expressive and punctuate the songs with ground-shaking, needle-point accuracy. He does that thing of peppering his songs with humour too. On top of that writing ability, he can really play that damn piano. 12
You’ve supported a huge number of people, including Willy Mason, Julian Cope and Simone Felice – any significant shows that stick in your mind? The first time I supported Pete Roe was at a Communion event at Oxford Jericho Tavern. It was a Sunday night and he’d been to a friend’s wedding the day before. He turned up pretty late, and looked absolutely knackered, but when he took to the stage he just appeared to take flight. I was glued to the spot, mesmerised by his effortless British folk finger picking – such a full sound from a single guitar – rolling bass lines with his thumb and counter melodies snaking in and out and around with his fingers. I love his stuff and cannot fathom why he does not get more support from the media.
“I got my first guitar when I was 12 and started writing songs almost straight away. I honestly think my mind would break if I didn’t do it.” Prior to seriously going it alone, you’d been a frontman (in Sonara) and sideman (for Naomi and Carina Round). How do the experiences compare? I learnt to play through playing in bands, and I still love playing with others – there’s nothing can beat the thrill of group music making, when you jump on the ride together and really connect. Solo writing – I’ve actually always done it you know, I got my first guitar when I was 12 and
started writing songs almost straight away. I honestly think my mind would break if I didn’t do it. You set up and run MAC’s Songwriting Circle – how did that come about? Tom Robinson of BBC 6 Music invited me to take part in a songwriting retreat. It was held in a remote stately home in Kent, and 10 songwriters each had their own rooms to co-exist, with the sole purpose to write as many songs as possible in the weekend. I was really inspired by the retreat, and particularly by being a member of a writing circle – I found that having the support of like minded folks really spurred me on creatively. When I got home I was determined to set something up and then noticed Mac Birmingham was due to re-open and they put out an open call to artists to submit ideas for courses and activities. The course runs for 12 weeks, with a two-hour session once a week. There’s typically about 10 writers in the group, and we split our time at each session between playback or live performance of works in progress and discussions about writing techniques, what inspires us and influential writers. There are loads of very talented songwriters in the circle, but one guy who really stands out is Ellis Stephenson. He’s one of the founding members and was only 12 years old when he first joined the group. Check his band, The Heist, for a shot in the arm of classic British indie rock.
Dan Whitehouse’s UK tour begins at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, on September 29, with support from Duke Special. Reaching For A State Of Mind is officially released on October 7, though pre-release copies are available direct from www.dan-whitehouse. com. For details of the Songwriting Circle, see www.macarts.co.uk. Brum Notes Magazine
September 2013
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s r e y a L e rs ye La k c th a ac B g in pp Stripping Back the Layers tri S tripp k th e La yers Renowned for their energetic live shows, Layers are ready to show there is more to their music than somersaults and raucous dance moves. Soulful vocals, intelligent songwriting and a vibrant, hardcore edge are all combined to create one of Birmingham’s most engaging bands. As they prepare to release their debut EP and headline the next Brum Notes Presents show, Chris Moriarty finds out what makes them tick. Anyone who has been fortunate to catch Not that the band will be drawn on what Layers live in the past two years will some of those surprises could involve. “Just have had a glimpse of what they are all expect there to be some amazing things about. Refreshingly action-packed on going down that you may not see at a stage, this is heart-on-your-sleeve music normal Layers show. That’s all you’re getting delivered as if every show could be their from me,” insists bassist Nick Ebanks. But last. Not that the subtleties of their “plenty of energy, lots of interaction, throwsongwriting are lost among the fireball of ing shapes, lots of physical contact,” are just energy that is unleashed on stage. But some of the other choice phrases thrown out this month’s EP is the chance to really by the band when attempting to describe show what Layers are about, while what’s in store. By now you should have got their headline appearance at the O2 the idea. Layers are a band who like to put Academy 3 promises to be something on a show. very special indeed. Frontman Lance’s on-stage acrobatics “It’s been a while,” says guitarist James understandably gain plenty of attention from Thompson (known as Thomps), explaining often unsuspecting onlookers. So where did just how excited the band are about their EP he first learn such eye-catching skills and has release show. “We’ve been prepping for this it ever gone wrong? for some time now.” “Well, I’ve been doing it since I was about “It has been a long time,” continues frontman nine or 10 years old,” he explains. “My Lance Joseph. “I think we’re all just start- brother is a professional free runner, so ing to give the people what they’ve wanted I learned a lot from him. It hasn’t really for so long now. We’re stoked about it, we dramatically ever gone wrong really, but really can’t wait. there was one occasion that we played in Stourbridge. Someone spilt a drink on the “Yeah, a lot of work has gone into it, there’s floor [in front of the stage], then basically gonna be a few surprises!” adds drummer as I’ve landed I’ve kind of slipped over and Elliot Vaughan, intriguingly. “It’s a theatre just hit myself in the face, bust my lips open performance, more than just a gig.” and nearly lost my teeth. Yeah, that’s about 14
it. I love what I do and I do it for the show, I do it for the people. I don’t really think about it when I’m doing it so if it does go wrong, it’s gonna go WRONG!” Of course, the live show will not just be an introduction to Lance’s trademark stage flips, it will more importantly represent the launch of the debut EP from Layers, out on September 16 through Till Deaf Do Us Party Records. After the rest of the band all effectively dodge the question by chuckling their way through some less-than-insightful answers (”It’s called ‘Layers’...it’s self-titled... it’s eponymous...”), it’s left to Thomps to shed some light on what fans can expect from the record. “It’s basically a great introduction to the band because it’s all our work for however long it’s been since we started,” he explains. “The best part of two years work writing as a band and as much as the band has evolved, the songs have evolved as well, they’ve been rewritten, reworked and you’ll probably hear it mature from our previous efforts, as a whole.” “I’d say if I were to describe it I’d use the words ‘exciting’, ‘heartbreaking’, and ‘diverse’, there you go,” adds Elliot, confidently. Brum Notes Magazine
After two years together as an outfit, the five “Speaking for myself, I’m from a rock back- Whatever you want to call it, there is no doubt tracks that make up their new EP have been a ground,” explains chief axe thrasher Thomps. that Layers are a band who can make some relatively long time in the making but all came “Grown up on a lot of British rock and metal noise. So with some the region’s most recent together in a rather swift five days when it and all sorts, but at the same time I like a lot success stories being known for a hazier, came to putting them down in the studio. of stuff that Lance likes, reggae, soul that more chilled out sound, are they looking forward to showing that there are still plenkind of thing as well – guitar music really.” “I think the stage show will reflect how ty of Birmingham bands who like to show long we’ve been together and how long “I like pop really, at the end of the day,” admits their teeth? we’ve actually been practicing the songs,” Nick, “any kind of genre, but I’m a real sucker says Lance. “The reason why we can go in for a catchy chorus or a melody, you know, “Definitely,” insists Nick. “One hundred per the studio and knock it out in five days is something I can listen to over and over and cent,” agrees Thomps. because we are that familiar with the songs, over again and not get tired of and I guess we’ve practiced them a lot and worked that’s what I bring to the table hopefully, parts “Obviously Swim Deep have done really well hard at it.” that you won’t get tired of. Yeah, that encom- and Peace as well that have come out of passes many genres but really the basic thing Birmingham and there are a whole host of The music that Layers produce certainly is that I just love pop, I just love stuff that’s bands that are inspired by those bands in reflects a lot more than just the two years catchy and that’s about it really, for me.” the area and it’s great, you know, it makes for that they have been together, with four such a vibrant scene in Birmingham,” continlifetimes’ of influences producing a genre- “It’s all-encompassing,” continues Elliot. “It’s ues Nick. “But we’re representing the edgier hopping blend of metal, rock, RnB and everything we’ve been kind of listening to side. We’re just kinda doing our thing and even some unashamed pop hooks. The our entire lives. You’ve got the soul elements writing music that we like and it’s not realdiversity of their sound is something that in there, you’ve got real groovy, almost pop ly anything that was thought about, It’s just is very often brought up, but can the elements, you’ve got heavy metal riffs, you’ve what came out.” bandmates themselves pin down what goes got big choruses. I mean, I grew up on Britinto it? pop and kinda got into the pop punk thing and the American alternative rock thing later Brum Notes presents Layers live at “Well, I grew up with a lot of reggae, RnB, hip on and, you know, that comes across in the the O2 Academy 3, Birmingham, on hop influences,” begins Lance, “I’ve never way I play drums. I think a lot of us have September 20, with support from Dead really narrowed myself down in life so I’ve been there and love a lot of those songs as Sea Skulls and Mutes. Layers’ self-titled had a lot of influences, but my main influ- well. We somehow manage to make it all debut EP is out on September 16 on Till ences are reggae, soul, RnB really.” Deaf Do Us Party Records. work, I think...”
presents
in association with academy events
layers dead sea skulls · mutes
friday 20 september o2 academy 3 birmingham tickets : £5 adv + stbf doors : 18:30 curfew : 10pm tickets also include free entry to propoganda clubnight facebook.com/layersband facebook.com/romansonline facebook.com/mutesuk
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September 2013
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Shadowplay Brummie artist Matt Watkins is best known for his visual accompaniments to the Gorillaz live shows, but his latest project could be his most exciting yet. Live_Transmission has seen him collaborate with the Heritage Orchestra and electronic musician Scanner to create a radical audio-visual tribute to Joy Division. As the show prepares to tour the UK, he tells Dan Cooper-Gavin how he has been influenced by everything from the concrete of Birmingham to the lyrics of Ian Curtis. What does the music of Joy Division mean to you? Have you always been a fan? Although I was aware of their hits, I’d not listened to Joy Division’s albums before the project. I tended to shy away from the bands whose names everyone else was writing on their bags at school. It was after I had watched the 2007 documentary Joy Division that I really grew to appreciate them, and now they’re probably one of my favourites. What was the main influence on your work for Live_Transmission? To begin with, I used Scanner’s early electronic sound sketches to work to. I didn’t get to hear the orchestral pieces until rehearsals a day or so before the first performance, so I did refer to Joy Division’s back catalogue. As there are no lead vocals on most of Live_Transmission, I chose to use Ian Curtis’ lyrics as initial inspiration for the visuals, and saw it important to reflect his themes and tonality in a contemporary performance setting. Obviously, Joy Division are synonymous with a strong graphic sensibility – it was impossible to resist incorporating the pulsar image – but the aim of the project was to use their legacy as a starting point, then move forward into something new. At first, I was concentrating on producing completely original material specifically for the show, but I do enjoy experimenting without specific goals when I can, using photography, collage, painting, etc. So, during the second outing of the show at the Sydney Opera House, I incorporated some of my more experimental imagery, and it was satisfying to see how it fitted. 18
What was the most challenging aspect of Live_Transmission? The visuals for the show were originally on a four-screen cube in a circular venue – that wasn’t an easy starting point, technically or cosmetically. As Joy Division are a band that inspire a lot of passionate emotions, it was important not to produce something that jars with their aesthetic, but also to create something new. Their legacy and admirers’ expectations are a lot to live up to. As the Live_Transmission musicians perform “inside” the visuals, I also had to create something that wouldn’t spoil the spectacle of watching an orchestra, as that’s something that I don’t actually manage to go and see very often. This is no ordinary orchestra either – with a bass/drums/guitar rock trio at its core, it’s very loud, so the visuals need to sympathise with the dynamic range. You’ve said that you prefer working with hands-on media, and you run a tape-based audio studio in Brum – what’s the enduring appeal of working with such materials? I grew up using paint, collage, photocopiers and cassette four-tracks, so there is a degree of both familiarity and nostalgia, but there’s a lot to be said for physicality. Although using Photoshop and computers opens up the potential for creativity in a big way, it can all amount to hours sitting hunched in front of a screen and using an interface of someone else’s devising, adopting a specific process that fits into a monitor’s resolution. I love the potential for happy accidents that using hands-on media and camera lenses can create. They can actually be a lot quicker too. Rotating a large hi-res
image on a desk takes a fraction of second, whereas on a computer it can take minutes! I like distortion too. With audio, I like to use my ears, not my eyes. The sound of saturated tape is something that I am also fond of. How much is your work informed by the city of Brum and being a Brummie artist? As a youngster, I loved the brutalist concrete, Spaghetti Junction, the Queensway underpass, soot-covered churches, the vintage brickwork of Eastside Birmingham and shades of Birmingham grey. I always felt like I was in the set of some dystopian scifi film. I think it’s a shame that the concrete isn’t more revered, as I think it looks great next to the Victorian brickwork and the more modern constructions. What other projects do you have in the pipeline? Next, I will be in Detroit, helping artist Lucy McLauchlan paint a large-scale mural covering a floor in a multi-story car park. I’ve just created an installation for the new Library of Birmingham based on Audubon’s book of American birds. I’m also working with composer Bobbie Gardner on a performance project about the very interesting character Michael X, a mixed-race self-styled black revolutionary and civil-rights activist in 1960s London, convicted of murder in the early 70s. L i v e _ Tr a n s m i s s i o n comes to Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on September 28. Matt Watkins’ Michael X performance takes place at Vivid Projects on September 6. Brum Notes Magazine
Box office 0121 345 0603
Live_Transmission
JOY DIVISION REWORKED Heritage Orchestra & Scanner Visuals by Beat13
joydivisionreworked.com An immersive multi-sensory performance, paying homage to the sound and spirit of Joy Division and pushing the boundaries of a concert experience.
Š Phillippe Carly
Saturday 28 September 7.30pm Symphony Hall
www.thsh.co.uk September 2013
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After nearly a decade of making music together, The Traps have established themselves as one of the most respected bands in Birmingham and beyond. Now they have finally got round to putting their own sophisticated brand of indie rock together into a full-length debut album. Frontman Jamie Berry tells us what to expect.
Calypso Kings
Finally! An album! Why’s it taken you so darn long?
Is [recent single] Calypso a good taster for the rest of the LP then?
What can you tell us about the recording of the album?
The honest answer is, I don’t know. The actual writing and recording process wasn’t a long one at all, but as soon as other people come onboard to help you promote what you’ve made, everything gets pushed back a bit. Delays for valid reasons of course. No complaints, it’s all been extremely worthwhile.
Absolutely. It was the first song we wrote for the album too and the last one we recorded.
We recorded the album in a very small studio in Queens Park with Rob Jones (Voluntary Butler Scheme). Rob’s incredibly talented and it really worked well for us. He has a great understanding of songwriting as you can tell from his own work and it was just a lot of fun to make really. Working in a studio that was so small you could never get comfortable sat on a sofa or chair was quite important too. Sitting on amps for hours isn’t that comfortable and all four of us didn’t fit in the room at the same time, throw in some very hot late August days and no working air conditioning and you get the idea that it wasn’t a cushy recording suite. It kept us on our toes constantly and focused us on what we were doing.
We’d just done a series of EPs before and we wanted a new, different challenge. Having been a band for a long time, making a record was always something we wanted to do and I believe it’s the most important learning process that we’ve been through as a band. The good thing is, that because it’s taken a while, the second album is almost written so we’ll hopefully get on with that before Christmas. What can we expect from the album, any surprises in there? We like to try and write big sounding tunes, so we aimed to make an album full of them. For those who’ve heard the singles from it so far, they’re a good indication of what to expect from the record. We wrote more collaboratively than ever when preparing this record and I think that’s made a big difference to the sound of the songs. I think writing for a big body of work brings about natural development in your music, there’s a bigger balancing act to get right than with just three or four songs on an EP like we’d been used to. We had a great team to work with too with Rob Jones (Voluntary Butler Scheme) on production duties and Dom from Sunset Cinema Club mastering the record. 20
You’ve been making music together for a good few years now, how do you think your sound has developed? We’ve played a lot of music together and I think you develop a strange, almost unspoken understanding of what’s going to work with each idea between the four of you. Writing definitely now works quicker than it ever has. As I said, we really get excited by trying to write the biggest sounding songs we can, I think that’s always been the same, but I like to feel like we add depth and a better understanding of songwriting with everything we do now. It feels more ambitious than it ever has been and I hope that comes across. You’ve seen plenty of changes to the Birmingham music scene as well but always maintained your own fanbase, irrespective of the different ‘trends’ locally and nationally. Has it always been important to you to just do your own thing and make the music you want to make? Totally. We’re really close friends first and it’s always been that way, so whether the music we’re working on ends up going beyond the practice room or not, we’re always making it for ourselves before any other purpose. It’s the continual pursuit of the feeling you get when an idea just clicks with the four of you in the practice room. For anyone in a band I think that becomes a bit of an addiction. We all listen to lots of different types of music so our obsession with any one type of sound never really lasts very long.
It was a cool area to work in too, Empire of The Sun were next door working with someone and we’d go to the sandwich shop and Hot Chip would be in there, so it kind of made you want to go straight back to the studio and make what you were working on as good as it could possibly be. A good reminder of the fact that if you get it right you just might at some point get to do it every day. Have you come out with the album you wanted to make then? Absolutely, we’re really pleased with it and making it has taught us a lot for album two. Brum Notes and Speech Fewapy present The Traps live at the Bull’s Head, Moseley, on September 25. Tickets £3adv, £4otd. Debut album Calypso by The Traps is released on September 30 through Speech Fewapy. Brum Notes Magazine
Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun have never been shy of a bit of hard work, with a touring schedule that makes the Rolling Stones look like lightweights. But clearly that hard work is paying off, with the band enjoying a raft of festival appearances and playing bigger venues every time they return to a city. With new material in the pipeline and a full UK tour to come this month, Jim Lockey tells Chris Moriarty why they wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoying a break is not really something Jim Lockey and his bandmates have had the chance to be doing during the past two years. But when you enjoy what you do then what good is a break anyway? Talking to us as they prepare to board a coach for a festival appearance in Switzerland, Jim is in little doubt that they are in a privileged position to be able to travel the continent playing their music to people. “It’s a great way to see the world, it’s the best way really,” he admits. They have travelled far and wide over the past summer, something that they did the year before too. But despite playing in some far flung locations, Jim admits there is something special about playing closer to home, as he tries to pick out some highlights from their extensive festival season. “2000 Trees was great as it’s a bit more of a local festival for us,” he says. “We’ve really enjoyed all of them and we’ve got to play higher up the bill for a lot of them so we’ve been playing on bigger stages which is cool. It seems like we’ve become a bit of a festival band. “I think the good thing about playing festivals is people are generally there for the music and for having a good time and we just love playing live, that’s what we’re all about, so it suits us really well.” Although enjoying a strong reputation built around their impassioned live performances, JL&TSS already have two albums under their collective belt, including last year’s critically acclaimed second album Death, released through Xtra Mile Recordings. The recorded material has certainly been snaring plenty of admirers too, with Radio September 2013
1 playlisting their last single A Song About Death in July. “It’s cool that people like that are interested, it gives us exposure to people that we would’t necessarily reach otherwise,” says Jim. It is their association with another Radio 1 favourite, Frank Turner, that has also helped JL&TSS enhance their credentials further, particularly after they were seen performing as his backing band at last year’s Olympics opening ceremony. Not that they are a band willing to ride on anyone’s coattails, and Jim says it is pleasing to see their own fanbase growing in its own right. “We’ve always been really good friends with Frank and he’s definitely helped us out and I’m sure he will continue to do so in the future. But we’ve built up more of our own fanbase now and that’s really satisfying.” Another thing that pleases him is to see them start to shake their ‘folk’ tag. If 2012‘s Death showed their rawer edge, moving them further away from the folky reputation, then the third album is set to cement their reputation as a full on rock act even further. “We’ve started to step away from it a little and the sound on the new record will be a massive step away from the way we started and I think it reflects more what we’re about now.” He admits it can take some people by surprise when they turn up expecting to see a gentle acoustic act, only to be hit by the full throttle, supercharged sound that they deliver so well.
“It can be a bit off-putting can’t it?” he laughs. “We’ve been put on a couple of folk festival bills and I think it’s taken a few people by surprise when we’ve started playing. I think that if you play an acoustic guitar then you’re classed as folk but for us, in terms of live performance, we consider ourselves more of a rock band. “The new stuff is more electric so it’s going to be getting that idea across as well. We do have our folky moments, I think, I think the heart of it, the songs are like folk songs, they are personal things that are from the heart sort of thing, which is very typical of folk.” Some of that new stuff will get an airing on this autumn’s tour, including forthcoming new single Wilderness of a Wild Youth, with their third album expected to follow in the spring. In the meantime, Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun will carry on doing what they do so well, performing live across the country, including a return to Birmingham this month. Despite being regular performers in the city, Jim admits it can still be a bit of a “daunting” place to come. “It’s really good fun Birmingham, but I find it quite a hard place to play in some ways, it can be quite daunting. The music scene there is so strong that everyone has sort of upped their game there. It’s quite a big city, especially in comparison to [their home town] Cheltenham, and there are so many good bands, but I’m really looking forward to playing there again.”
Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun are live at The Rainbow on September 25. 21
Deaf Havana are aiming high, thanks to recommendations from legendary producer Youth and a spot with The Boss. David Vincent finds out more from frontman James Veck-Gilodi, as his band prepare to help launch the brand new Ringmaster Festival in style.
Hearing Aid The biggest thing out of Norfolk since... erm, a long time, Deaf Havana’s early rock-flavoured excursions have now been replaced by more musically ambitious aspirations. Whereas once they were seemingly happy running around Blighty as part of a Metal Hammer-branded package tour, 2013 has seen them support Bruce ‘The Boss’ Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling, and record their soaring third long player, Old Souls, with producer Youth.
Prior to their main stage appearance at the new Ringmaster Festival, frontman James Veck-Gilodi says “our music is spreading far above and beyond where we thought it would.” Perfect for the festival season, it would seem. Have you seen the Ringmaster line-up? Yeah. Maximo Park are playing and we’re big, big, big fans. Our Earthly Pleasures is one of my favourite albums. There’s something about it that reminds me of The Smiths, it’s a great great album and I used to play it a lot – all the time – when I was younger. I don’t think there’s any similarity between us, certainly not musically, but lyrically the way he [Paul Smith] writes literally, how open he is when he writes, I’ve been influenced by that. The Blackout 22
are also on the bill and they’re nice guys, we know them. You recently opened for Springsteen in London. How was it? That was ridiculous! I’m such a huge Springsteen fan, so to play on the same stage that he was going to play on, to stand on that stage and say to the audience ‘who’s ready to watch Bruce Springsteen?’ and hear the crowd’s response, that was incredible. He’s such a massive, massive influence. Probably the biggest rock influence. His lyrics are more like storytelling, the way he tells a story, I would never equate my lyrics to his, ever, I can’t do what he does, but [the way he writes is] still a massive influence. He’s been at it for over 40 years. For those who don’t really know him, where would you recommend people begin? I’d recommend people start where I started, with Born In The USA, Nebraska, which is more acoustic, and Lucky Town. Those three records are great starting points. So good. I’d just avoid the first two albums [1973’s Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ and The Wild, The Innocent And The E Street Shuffle]. Did you get a chance to meet ‘The Boss’?
My brother [James, guitar and vocals] and our drummer [Tom Ogden] did. I missed him by about two minutes. To be honest, I don’t know what I’d have said to him – I mean, what do you say to Bruce Springsteen? What did James and Tom say? I have no idea. They’d had a few beers so I think they were a bit fanboy-ey, probably embarrassing themselves. Brilliant. I’d liked to have seen it [laughs]. Is Springsteen’s career something you aspire to? It’d be a good thing to aim for, but it’s never going to be the same. It’s not possible to have that kind of career anymore, like Bruce and some of those other 80s acts had. But yeah, good to aim for, especially as I can’t do anything else apart from music. It’s all I know. So whether it’s still with this band, or with another or whatever, I always see myself as doing music. You came together in Norfolk. We were struggling to think of other bands from the area... [Laughs] There’s nothing here! Nothing! No music scene at all, no gigs, no bands, Brum Notes Magazine
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nothing, so we had to work twice as hard to get out. I don’t know why that is, maybe because it’s so spread out. Where I used to live was in the middle of a field, there were no neighbours, and there are lots of farms around, and I just don’t think people are that interested in music. I live in Winchester now, which is where I’m from. Album producer Youth speaks about you in the same breath as Crowded House and The Verve – what do you think to the comparison? Well it’s hard to live up to, a daunting but flattering comparison especially as Youth has worked with both those bands, so to put us in the same camp is incredible. I just hope we can do the comparison justice. Your songs are very autobiographical, and there’s a line in Everybody’s Dancing And I Want To Die, about a school dance, where you recall sitting on your own and sing ‘pretty girls found cooler kids than me...’ and you have ‘two left feet’. Has that changed? Well I have a long-term girlfriend but I’m probably outta shape now [laughs]. That was
Ringmaster Round
David Vincent prepares to pitch up with the latest festival on the block.
September 2013
written about primary school, I was eight or something, and clearly recall sitting there at a school dance, and the dinner ladies asking me to dance [laughs]. Hence the overly dramatic title. Do you see yourself as ‘Old Souls’? It was actually Youth who said that, it was a passing comment. He was being interviewed and said we were ‘young guys but with old souls,’ because of the stories we had to tell, we’d had a lot more life experience than some other people [our age], and that just summed it up for us. You’re only 23. Do you feel older than those in your peer group? Yeah. We got lumped in with You Me At Six, Young Guns, those bands, and the music we were doing then wasn’t really a true representation of what we wanted to do. I don’t think we ever wanted to be part of that scene. Without meaning to sound arrogant at all, I think our band was more...honest, more real. A lot of bands around have backing tracks and things like that, and we don’t, we don’t want to either, and in that sense we keep it real.
Initially pegged as a one day bash at Whitbourne, between Worcester and Bromyard, issues with the original site has seen festival newcomer Ringmaster relocate, and upgrade to two days. Now based at Hopton Wafers – middway between Kidderminster and Ludlow – it runs from September 27 to 28 (with the Friday being a new addition), making it one of the last hurrahs of the ever-extending festival season. As the title may suggest, there’s a bit of a circus theme to the open-air shenanigans, with big top tents and stages – Red Baron, Mabel Stark, Emmett Kelly – named after historic performers and rides. Thankfully, that doesn’t extend to the acts themselves, and the only performing animals present will be strumming guitars and bashing drum kits. Friday opens with a yet-to-be-announced run of largely local acts, who’ll be paving the way for Saturday’s main attractions. Headlining is North East survivors Maximo Park. They’re joined by the
So who do you feel akin to? I don’t know. The music we play is not revolutionary or anything, we know that, but I don’t think we’re in a category with anyone, I’ve not met many people who are on the same page as us, who can do that same level of intensity, that level of honesty. A coming of age a theme seems to run through the album. Yeah. Definitely this industry [music] lets you live more irresponsibly. I see friends living their lives, doing ‘normal’ things, wearing suits, going to offices, and I’m still sleeping on floors [laughs]. So I guess there’s that fear of growing up. I’m useless at ‘real life’, I’m not ‘responsible’, I’m comfortable with music more than anything. We’re not irresponsible in the sense that we don’t go on stage drunk...anymore, but it’s more about a comfort thing. We’re comfortable with this. Deaf Havana are live at Ringmaster Festival, Kidderminster, on September 28. Third album Old Souls is out on September 16 through BMG Chrysalis. They also headline The Institute, Birmingham, on October 19.
ever-reliable Mystery Jets, fresh from a series of US summer shows, the UK’s very own anthemic Deaf Havana (see above), and Birmingham darlings, Swim Deep. Also appearing are Canterbury (recently signed to Hassle Records, about to tour with Kids In Glass Houses, and not from Kent), the Battles/Foals-ish math rockers Tall Ships, Ghostpoet (with new single Cold Win just out), and former Razorlight bigshot making up for lost time Johnny Borrell. Plus The Xcerts, Lewis Watson, The Blackout, Hadouken!, We Are The Ocean and Dinosaur Pile-Up all help keep the energy up. Ringmaster Festival runs from Friday, September 27 to Saturday, September 28. Tickets (for those over the age of 10) are £39.50 (Sat, camping) or £49.50 (Fri/ Sat, camping). Car parking is £10, with a bus shuttle between Kidderminster and Ludlow, £5. It takes place at Hopton Court, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster. Visit www.ringmasterfestival.co.uk for more details. 23
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OPEN OPEN MOUTHED MOUTHED
Thrust into the limelight as the eyes and ears of the music media turned to the Midlands in search of ‘B-town’, Jaws quietly went about their business crafting intelligent, layered and dreamy pop with a maturity to their sound that belied their years. Now firmly carving out a reputation all of their own, Amy Sumner talks to a band who are growing up fast. Formed while studying music technology at Halesowen College in March 2012, Birmingham buzz-band Jaws really have enjoyed an incredible ascent. Playing their first headline show just five months afterwards, the boys were swept up in the furore surrounding the new beach sounds of Birmingham. However, unlike others, they managed to create their own little niche and in the following year-anda-half released two EPs, enjoyed mass critical acclaim (including Radio 1 and NME backing), recorded sessions at the legendary Maida Vale studios among others, played Reading and Leeds, Bestival and Beacons festivals and set the Twittersphere (and its wealth of impressionable teenage girls) alight. “I feel like we’ve definitely improved as a live band since then,” admits lead singer Connor Schofield of the band’s progression, “that’s certain. I’m not sure what we were doing in terms of live performances back then...” 26
“Definitely,” agrees drummer Eddy Geach. “We have more followers and fans now, which is great and the constant support blows our minds. We’ve gigged up and down the UK and even visited some places more than twice within a year – that’s brilliant because we all love being busy and on the road in the van. I think we’re a lot more focused and a bit less naive than when we started out as well and I feel as though we’re all on the same page regarding the songwriting process.” It’s evident how much Jaws have developed. Whether it’s practice, experience, or just good old fashioned growing up, they’re becoming a real force to be reckoned with. It’s pop that they ostensibly play – however you choose to bookend that. They’ve garnered an impressive collection of descriptions from ‘dream surf’ to ‘madgaze’ (“that’s probably the greatest description I have ever heard,” congratulates bassist Jake Cooper of The Guardian’s attempt), but really it’s just unashamed, unabashed, catchy POP. And it’s
a sound that has proved incredibly successful – their debut Milkshake EP sold out its run and is currently being repressed on pink vinyl before being made available in Japan. Latest single, Gold, is the band’s best yet. “Gold was literally written in about 15 minutes,” explains Connor. “Not in an ‘oh it’s that easy’ kind of way, but it just happened really naturally – I picked up a guitar and wrote it one day. Lyrically it’s about missing something or someone.” “It’s my favorite song to play, it blows my mind every time,” says Jake. So, with such an eventful 18 months behind them, what have been the highlights and lowlights of life in Jaws so far? “For me, the number one highlight is that there are people out there who genuinely listen to us,” says Connor, “it’s weird when you think about it.” Brum Notes Magazine
“For me, the number one highlight is that there are people out there who genuinely listen to us.” “The live session in the infamous Maida Vale studio was a real pinch-yourself moment,” adds Eddy. “But I think the biggest one so far is getting onto this year’s Reading and Leeds festival line-up, we all got really deep about life when we received the offer to play.” “Either Alex falling head first onto the pavement in a running race, or the Christmas show last year,” adds Jake. Jaws’ popularity really does do them credit and their utilisation of social media highlights the benefits that it can have for a band and the relationship between them and their fans in the modern day. Take a scroll down Jaws’ Twitter feed and you’ll come across any number of adoring fans, but also an interaction with those fans, which is something quite touching. “It’s amazing, it blows my mind that anyone actually likes us,” says Connor with genuine modesty. “Our fans are the best people in the world and I love them all.” “They are all babes,” agrees Jake, “we like to give them little gifts like sweets and stickers to keep them happy.” “It really does mean so much to us,” says Eddy, “it’s amazing how a good live response can just turn your day around, and without the fans, the shows and the band wouldn’t be where we are today so as far as messages to the fans go, it goes without saying that we love you dearly and if we could hug and shake hands and talk to every single one of you, we would.” Jaws’ next headline show is their biggest to date. They play The Institute in Birmingham on September 24 with support from Laced and Babypink. “The Birmingham date is the big one,” enthuses Eddy, “and we’re hoping to put on the best show that we possibly can because we love our home town.” “Laced are my boys (and girl),” says Connor of their hand-picked support acts, “and I’ve been best friends with them for as long as I can remember – I’ve been in bands with all of them. Babypink are the new guys, really cool sound and really nice guys – I can see them getting somewhere and I’m glad that they’re gonna be opening up the show for us.” And what can we expect from the show, do Jaws have any tricks up those Hawaiian shirt sleeves of theirs? “Haha, no tricks,” says Connor. “I think we’re gonna be playing a brand new setlist for the first time this year though and maybe some new songs so let’s wait and see.” “I know for a fact that Eddy has bought a mankini for the gig and that he is planning to give it to the best dancer after he’s used it,” adds guitarist Alex Hudson. And what about the future? Jaws have already been played on national TV shows (“The night we were on Made In Chelsea I felt like I was in One Direction, the night we were on Match of The Day I felt like I was in Oasis,” quips Connor) but are there any further plans to record, or an album in the pipeline? “We’re not actually sure what the plan is now,” says Connor, “we’re writing a lot. I guess you could say that we’re writing for an album but there’s no actual album plans as yet. The dream is just to keep on rocking in the free world,” he concludes, “it’d be nice never to have a real job, wouldn’t it?” Jaws are live at The Institute, Birmingham, on September 24 with support from Laced and Babypink. September 2013
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In control. Australia’s psych-folk adventurers Cloud Control received plaudits galore in their homeland after the release of multi award-winning debut album Bliss Release. But after relocating to London and touring relentlessly, excitement is building more than ever for forthcoming follow-up Dream Cave, an album that shows off the band’s more experimental edge. Bassist Jeremy Kelshaw talks geography, pressure and cricket. There seems a greater level of experimentation on Dream Cave, compared to your previous album. Was that a conscious decision or more something that has come about naturally, with more time and musical resources at your disposal?
music, which is part of the fun. I also kinda feel it’s a bit irrelevant what I think our influences are. I can only say I personally was listening to lots of The Feelies and Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds when we were recording, but I wouldn’t say they are influences. I sound like an uncommitted diva, haha.
It was definitely a conscious decision, but it was also natural. We had more time to experiment and more time to find the best palate of sounds for each song. We kept trying to reject pre-conceived notions of how “our” second album should sound.
Did you feel a certain amount of pressure making the second album after the success of Bliss Release, and particularly the attention it earned you in Australia?
Quite often there can be months between bands recording an album and actually releasing it, does it all still feel fresh to you? And are you excited about giving the tunes a good airing on tour?
We applied creative pressure to ourselves. Every album is important. Bliss Release was important. Every show is important, none more than others. Get it wrong, it could be your last. This is life. The stakes are high.
It’s been a few months but it isn’t that long really as we’ve been playing shows since it got finished. It’s so good to be playing new stuff that people can connect with.
What’s your songwriting process, did it change at all as you were preparing for the second album?
Do you feel the new material reflects the journey you’ve made geographically as well as musically in the past couple of years? Definitely musically, we are quite influenced by what we listen to. I don’t think our location has anything to do with it. I don’t think the Blue Mountains [in Australia] as a location impacted Bliss Release either. It’s an eclectic mixture of sounds that can be picked up [personally, I’d say I can hear a bit of Talking Heads, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Arcade Fire, even some Beach Boys]. Who would you name as influences yourselves? I can see those influences. Everybody we talk to picks up on different artists they hear in our 28
Most of our songs started with an individual and we then finished them in lounge rooms before taking them to the studio. Different collaborations and individual efforts existed at different time. We learnt to play our stuff in a really raw and stripped back way first, to get to know it. You gotta know your song. With the awards and attention and big support slots you’ve had back home, does playing in Europe give you a sense of freedom or does it just feel like a whole new challenge? Every show is a challenge. Any time you are playing, you have an opportunity to get people into your music. To show them why you do what you do. It doesn’t matter where you are. We try to take nothing for granted.
A lot seemed to be said in the Australian music press about you relocating to London, but do you feel it was a move you had to make to be able to get your music heard as widely as possible outside of your home country? We are young. Young people move overseas. Older people move overseas. We wanna be in a band but we want to see new things. We also want people to hear our music. That’s all there is to it. At the moment we live out of suitcases. How have you found the move? Have you had to put up with people asking you what bar you work in or ribbing you about cricket? Haha. Cricket, a little bit and well deserved. But it’s been great. We all feel at home in east London. We have been there for two and a half years now. That’s a long time. How would you say the London music scene compares to Sydney? The Australian music scene has been really going great since we’ve been in London with a lot of good bands doing big shows. It’s cool seeing it flourish. But London is London. You can’t really compare. You’ve played in Birmingham a couple of times before, any particular memories of here? Al locked himself in the splitter van boot last time for about 15 minutes. Poor guy…
Cloud Control are live at the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, on September 26. New album Dream Cave is out on September 16 on Infectious. Brum Notes Magazine
September 2013
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OPENING THE BOOK
The brand new £188.8m Library of Birmingham opens its doors to the public with an adventurous four-month programme of music, live art, performance and other cultural gems. After seven years of planning and with 3.5 million visitors a year expected, it’s certainly been worth the wait. Chris Moriarty takes a look inside Europe’s largest public library. Nicknamed ‘the People’s Palace’ by the architects Mecanoo, the brand new Library of Birmingham is like nothing you would expect and as far removed as possible from the traditional image of stuffy old libraries. A stunning building both inside and out, it is set to transform perceptions of art and culture in the city. There’s hardly a book in sight when you first enter the vast building, with wide open spaces bathed in the natural light pouring through the distinctive frieze that hugs the exterior. Visitors will be greeted by the colourful Discovery Pavilion for the first four months, a colourful wooden structure created by artist Morag Myerscough, which will house everything from instrument making classes to film workshops. It will also serve as a billboard for the groundbreaking Discovery Season, the celebratory series of events taking place across the library’s varied spaces and curated by one of Birmingham’s most creative artistic organisations, Capsule. With music and noise floating up from the Pavilion, creativity and performance will be at the heart of this building. A far cry from the days of being hushed inside a library, architects insisted that they wanted to create a place fit for the modern era, one where friends can meet up and chat, visitors can make the most of free wifi and study or work in comfort, while people of all ages can discover 30
books, films, works of art and performances. Lofty garden terraces, complete with sprouting herbs and vegetables, also give some of the best panoramic views in Birmingham. One of the new library’s most iconic additions is the sunken amphitheatre, surrounded by floor to ceiling glass doors on the lower floor, while passers-by and audiences gathered in the library square above can stop and enjoy live music and theatre. The impressive music zone also does much to inspire the next generation of musical talent in the city, with three rehearsal spaces free for use by musicians of all levels, while a professional recording studio is also available to hire. A range of informal and formal performance spaces are dotted throughout the library, with the highlight being the state-of-the-art Studio Theatre, accommodating up to 550 peope for live shows of all kinds. With more than two million photographs and public access to the National Film Archive, photography and film are well served too. Books, of course, are also at the heart of the library, not least the city’s vast archive collection, overlooking the lower floors from the circular, climate controlled shelves in the building’s central rotunda. Passing through the archive collection on the blue-lit escalators, visitors can enjoy access
to more than 400,000 other books across the building’s public floors. Travel right to the top in the Chocolate Factory-esque glass elevator and you can also access one of the building’s hidden gems, the 19th century Shakespeare Memorial Room, recreated from the city’s original Victorian Library. The Shakespeare collection it was originally designed to house is now too large and is stored within the library’s archives, but the room itself is still an evocative snapshot of the region’s heritage, sitting proudly on top of the building as if The Bard himself is overlooking the entire city. Brum Notes Magazine
DISCOVERY SEASON One of Birmingham’s most innovative arts organisations Capsule have curated four months of art, music and performance, making up the library’s Discovery Season. Creative director Lisa Meyer tells us more about one of their most challenging projects to date. With a reputation for some of Birmingham’s most daring music events, including Supersonic Festival, choosing Capsule to curate the opening of the city’s biggest new public building may have been seen as a brave choice by library bosses. But Lisa Meyer was always confident they would be up to the task.
“The impressive music zone also does much to inspire the next generation of musical talent in the city, with three rehearsal spaces free for use by musicians of all levels,”
“It was quite a rigorous tender process and I think based on what we’d done with Home of Metal where we worked with all the major museums and art galleries across the region, we’d had an academic conference, and film programme, and art exhibitions so I think they could see that we very much had the skills to do it,” she says. “I think it was also very much an opportunity to think about different audiences that might want to come and use the library because I suppose in a digital age perhaps a library can be seen as quite an obsolete space, so bringing in an organisation like Capsule, I guess we are able to address some of those issues and make a library relevant to a younger audience.” With a stunning variety of events ranging from electronic instrument making classes (The Sound Trolley) to mass performances by professional and amateur brass players (Super Critical Mass), live music from some of Birmingham’s hottest new talent (Rise of Birmingham) to experimental orchestras (Adrian Utley’s Guitar Orchestra). Add to that children’s storytelling sessions, film screenings, exhibitions, art trails and author and artist talks and it is clear this is a programme designed to inspire discovery, not one prepared to settle for the mainstream. “The thing is, we’ve never seen our work as being esoteric,” says Lisa. “The work that we’re putting in in the library, it is risk-taking, but I don’t think it’s underground in any way, I think it’s the context of where you put that work. And we’ve worked really hard to respond to the collections and the needs of the library and to really listen to how it’s used. So I think we’ve programmed it with a very broad audience in mind but without dumbing things down. Quite often when you think of ‘broader’ audiences you think you have to give them face-painting but I don’t think you have to do that, I think people are intelligent enough to have exciting work presented to them. “I think it’s a great opportunity, I think the culture of Birmingham should be in the centre of Birmingham I don’t think it should necessarily have to exist on the outskirts. I think this space, the architects call it the people’s palace so it should reflect what’s going on in Birmingham and that’s why there’s a really good mixture of both Birmingham-based artists and national and international artists as well, because it should be inspiring and aspiring.” Turn the page for more or visit www.libraryofbirmingham.com for the full Discovery Season programme.
September 2013 Photos by Lee Allen
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BACK TO SCHOOL Electronic duo Free School head up an eclectic night of new music entitled Rise of Birmingham, showing off the library’s brand new Studio Theatre. Free School’s main protagonists Andy Porteous and Steve Alcock get ready for their lesson. So, you’re called Free School, you’re helping open the new library… is education the secret message behind your music? Not very rock’n’roll is it? A: Ha! We were here before the Tories and we’ll still be here when they’re gone. We’re song and dance men, simple as. Have you had a chance to look around the new library yet? A: Only from the outside, but it really does float my boat. I’m a fan of the old Central Library too, bold statements are good for Birmingham. Is it going to be one of the most interesting places you’ve played? S: I’d put it on a par with The Holly Bush in Cradley Heath. What about the line-up for Rise of Birmingham, pretty eclectic isn’t it? Do you think that sums up what is exciting about music here at the moment? S: Definitely but there’s still room for more Birmingham people to take the city to a new place.... A: Victories at Sea, we go way back with these guys. We produced their In Memory Of EP that came out on Static Caravan last month, which is exciting. Big and bold. They’re lovely people too. Youth Man are new to me, but I’m looking forward to it. Victor, we played with these guys when we supported 32
Deerhoof, they’re a force to be reckoned with, fierce and determined
there’s no one else who brings the kind of flavour they do to the city. Legends.
Tell us a bit more about what Free School have been up to this year? A: We’ve been busy writing and producing, album number two is almost complete and we’re very excited to be bringing this music into the world. We’ve brought in a few guest vocalists as well which has really raised our game. We’re very, very excited. You should hear some of the new material at the library show. After the album’s done, we’ll be doing some collaborative live shows with [Mercury Nominated] Maps, who we just did a remix for as well, and also some soundtrack work as well.
Surprised that the Library have chosen someone so adventurous to curate their opening season? A: Yes I am! But very pleased too. We can be guilty of playing it safe as a city sometimes but seeing promoters like Capsule and Leftfoot front and centre in the opening season is the right thing to do.
You’ve enjoyed some pretty luscious support slots this year too, which have been the highlights? A: Deerhoof were fantastic. Lovely people, we exposed them to the delights of a local curry house, much to their enjoyment. The show was great too, Capsule bringing another eclectic line-up to the people S: Yeah, Deerhoof was probably the highlight with the Walls and Ulrich Schnauss shows not far behind. And what do you think about what Capsule are doing for music in the city? A: They’ve been a massive face of the Birmingham music scene for a while now,
Anything in particular from the opening season that you’re looking forward to seeing? S: The Bring To Light weekend looks ace. Dinos Chapman, Josephine Foster and Richard Dawson are people I can’t wait to see but, as ever, Capsule will ensure that you discover some new acts you’ve never encountered before. And you must have been pleased to have been chosen as one of the first local acts to play? A: We’re immensely chuffed, we’re at the start of a new wave of exciting adventures for both us and Birmingham. To be asked to play is a real honour. Rise of Birmingham, featuring Free School, Victories at Sea, Victor and Youth Man is at the Studio Theatre at the Library of Birmingham on October 2. Tickets are £5. Brum Notes Magazine
FREE SCHOOL’S TOP 5 FAVOURITE BOOKS:
A Voyage of Discovery
Andy: Martin Amis – London Fields. The book I’ve read the most times. Never fails to win me over Brian Eno - A Year With Swollen Appendices. The man has more ideas in one day than I do in a year Iain Banks – The Wasp Factory. This book once made me late for work on the need to finish it. Bill Drummond - 17. My wife and I did a performance of The 17 with Bill at Eastside Projects. A truly powerful experience. If you don’t know what it is, check out the book. Philip Roth – Portnoy’s Complaint. Funny funny funny Steve: Jonathan Franzen - Freedom Geoff Dyer - But Beautiful Dave Eggers - A Hearthbreaking Work of Staggering Genius Miles Davis - Miles F Scott Fitzgerald - Tender Is The Night
VICTORIES AT SEA What is your favourite book of all time? Potentially The Manual: How to Have a Number One Hit the Easy Way by Bill Drummond. Err...I haven’t finished reading it yet. When was the last time you set foot in a library? We collectively have never set our feet anywhere, we live in a partial sleep and pray at ignorance’s altar for some kind of beautiful destiny to enable us to live out our stupid dreams. I also have a substantial library lending debt so have for a long time dared not go to one for fear I will be destitute. This show will be the moment of payback.
Capsule’s Discovery Season at the Library of Birmingham includes a host of Discover New Music events. Here are some of the highlights: September 6, Studio Theatre Leftfoot presents Omar Classically-trained singer-songwriter, often described as the father of British neo-soul. October 26, Library of Birmingham, free entry Shangaan Electro High speed African dance performance brought bang up to date by producer Nozinja. October 25-27, Studio Theatre and Rainbow Warehouse Bring to Light A weekend of adventurous music and visuals specially selected by Capsule, including Turner Prize nominee Dinos Chapman, Richard Dawson and Robedoor.
NEW JOHN BRIGHT STREET BAR
Opens Friday 20 September
at 4pm
Freshly cooked food
HOME MADE CAKES AND PASTRIES
EAT IN OR TAKE AWAY
SPECIALITY BEERS AND CIDERS
Opening hours: Mon–Thu: Fri: Sat: Sun:
7.30am–midnight 7.30am–1am 10am–1am 10am–midnight
Monthly comedy nights
POP-UP STREET FOOD KITCHEN
ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR HIRE
88–90 John Bright ST, BIRMINGHAM, B1 1BN
September 2013
people@cherryreds.com ILOVECHERRYREDS CHERRYREDS 33
DEADLY THEATRE In February, MOBO Award-winning saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch released The Legend of Mike Smith, a double album which drew on the Seven Deadly Sins and Dante’s Inferno to chronicle the struggles of a fictional up-and-coming musician. Now, the album is coming to life as a stage show, the first production at The Rep’s brand new Studio Theatre. Dan Cooper-Gavin went to the Studio to meet Soweto and have a nose around.
Was it always the intention for The Legend of Mike Smith to become a theatrical production?
Photo by John James
Yes. Right from the start, even before it was finished, I sat down with Jonzi D, the director, and discussed the narrative as something that would hold up to scrutiny. He did some dramaturgy work on it before it was even recorded. That gave me a chance to really think about what each character was, what the plot was that would drive each of these sins. For each particular sin, I would throw myself into it as a writer, then have to look back outside and think, “Would Mike Smith have done this at this particular point in the day?” The album and the stage show really accompany each other. In the staged piece, it will be much more about implication, showing people the story, rather than telling it. The album is even more intense in terms of lyricism, people can listen to that and catch things on the repeat they might not have heard in the stage piece. The stage piece is an evolution of the album, an accompaniment to the album. One of the most exciting things about this whole process is that I’m struggling to find the terms to 34
describe its form. It’s not just a hip hop theatre piece, it’s not a purely naturalistic theatre piece, it’s not a dance piece, it’s not a jazz music concert, it’s not a musical as such, but it combines all of those elements to tell a story. I’d love it if people come along – “I don’t know what you’d call that, but it was good!” Your parents were involved in theatre, so was it inevitable that you’d turn your hand to a project like this? Yeah, actually – a driving inevitability about the whole thing! Not just my upbringing, but if you look at every album I’ve released, there’s been a narrative element to it. The scores I’ve written for Jonzi’s pieces, for Markus The Sadist, for Slam Dunk, which was here at the Rep, I’ve done a lot of “hip hop theatre”, and to take my experience of scoring and my albums, which all have narrative elements, to the next level, that is what The Legend of Mike Smith is. It draws on the Seven Deadly Sins and Dante’s Inferno – what’s the appeal of these centuries-old constructs? I went through a phase maybe eight years ago, just falling in love with Bach’s chorales,
“How would I sound if I was as envious as possible? What would it sound like to really throw myself into lust?”
fugue and counterpoint, and loving the sound of having this counterpunctual classical music and grimy, driving hip hop beats underneath it. It just worked. I even invented an alter ego called The Hermit, who just made these dingy, gothicsounding beats. Then, I was just trying to find the right context to explore the sound in even more detail, and for me, that was contrasting this medieval, classical world of sin musically with the very prescient, ever-present idea of sin that we have in our culture today. Whereas you had all this demonology hundreds of years ago and it all seemed quite remote, now it’s almost every single time we step out of the door, we’re confronted by sex, lust used to sell things, “greed is good”, status anxiety, and constant envy that we have of people and celebrities that we see on television. Was it difficult to turn the concept of The Legend of Mike Smith into reality? In stages, I guess, but from the very outset, it was an exciting idea. As a lyricist, as a writer, I like challenges, so it never felt like, “Sin – now I have to contemplate this dark, massive concept!” It was like, “How would I sound if I was as envious as possible? What would it sound like to really throw myself into lust?” Brum Notes Magazine
That sounds like fun… It was really fun! The research was onerous! A lot of rappers boast about their prowess in the bedroom, there’s a stereotypical way for rappers to approach lust. Nah – I wanted to turn that on its head and go full bonobo. My inspiration was, “How do I make myself sound as embarrassing as possible?” Oh, man, “See if your aunt’s shy after a pint glass of wine / Even your grandma ain’t past her prime” – really, terribly embarrassing words! I think those elements of the sins were things that I particularly enjoyed writing for, and lampooning myself, to some extent. And how difficult has it been to turn the album into the stage show? I’m really excited about, how else do we take a punchline that might go over people’s heads even on an album, but to get inside the lyricism, inside the wordplay, and inside the drama? It’s a constant challenge. There’s subtle things – there’s an instrumental piece on the album called D’urge, and I want people to make the connection, this dirge is like a funeral march for urges that we have, sinful urges that we have, without going, “Oh, right, yeah, D’urge, oh, I get it!” I’d like there to be subtlety and nuance in the way that we deal with double entendre and meaning, and all of that. You’ve got a big international profile, but how important is it for you that you’re a Birmingham musician? Very important. All too often we don’t celebrate the fact that we’re from here. I feel like I have to go abroad sometimes to discover that people are actually from Birmingham. But there’s always a new crop of incredible talent. Look at RoxXxan MC and Lady Leshurr, who’s blowing up all over the place. It’s been the case – Steel Pulse, UB40, Ozzy Osbourne – we’ve constantly churned out artists, but perhaps because of our manufacturing past, felt a little embarrassed about saying, “Yeah, this is where I’ve incubated all of my artistic ideas.” So, it’s fitting that you’re opening in this venue? And then going to London, as opposed to the other way round. We’ve got a very supportive production team here, we’ve raided their costume department on several occasions, and the facilities that are here are something that I guess a lot of artists like me aren’t used to having access to. We’re excited about making the most of it, and also bringing in and attracting that audience which is there, but perhaps very different to a conventional theatre-going audience. September 2013
A NEW REP Nestled snugly next to the brand new Library of Birmingham, the long-established Birmingham Repertory Theatre has also been given a major revamp. It will share the 300-seat Studio Theatre with the library, with the two buildings linked on the ground floor, while The Rep’s main 825-capacity auditorium and existing 140-seat studio, The Door, have also been refreshed. Having closed in 2011 to make way for the redevelopment, The Rep reopens this month, with The Legend of Mike Smith one of the key shows of its reopening season. Here are some of the other highlights:
People
September 3–21 Alan Bennet’s latest comedy enjoyed a sell-out run at the National Theatre and kicks off its national tour by reopening The Rep’s main stage.
Twelve Angry Men
October 4–19 A familiar name to many due to the acclaimed 1957 film starring Henry Fonda, which had been adapted from the stage play. This hard-hitting drama centres on 12 men deciding whether a suspect should face the death sentence for murder. It sees Martin Shaw return to his home city in the lead role.
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
September 24–28 The Rep’s relaunched Banqueting Suite welcomes some hapless staff for a uniquely interactive theatre production, comedy show and meal all rolled into one. Guests enjoy a three-course dinner while Basil, Sybil and Manuel ensure chaos ensues all around them. Visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk for full details. 35
LIVE
Troumaca Bull’s Head Moseley 23/08/13
All hail, Birmingham’s conquering heroes. Tonight was a night of celebration from beginning to end, as Troumaca signalled the release of their much-anticipated debut album The Grace with a night of suitable revelry. Held in the intimate upstairs space of the Bull’s Head, it sold out within a day of being announced, with the demand only serving to intensify the clamour to catch this band in action within such close confines, something that will surely be less likely after their stunning album The Grace is unleashed upon the world. Excitement is building from the very moment you set foot in the pub, with eager fans arriving early and those without tickets queueing desperately to try and get hold of some. After an intriguing, falsetto-filled set of experimental funky soul from Greg Bird & Enterprize, Troumaca saunter on for their late-night set. They are a band who have resolutely ploughed their own furrow and it’s a route that has certainly paid off. Their own genrehopping sound, blending bass heavy influences, tropical beats, dub and guitars, is a sound that is as fresh as anything that has come out of Birmingham – or anywhere else 36
for that matter – in recent years. Live on stage, they ooze confidence. But it’s a swagger that doesn’t border on arrogance, merely the sign of five musicians who believe passionately in the music they are making and aren’t afraid to get lost in the swirling cacophony of sounds they create. Latest single Layou is understandably greeted with approving sways from the entranced audience, with the heaving crowd transported to the ethereal exotic Caribbean island surroundings that so strongly influence Troumaca’s songs. The anthemic Gold, Women & Wine sums up the debauchery that their music often heralds, with guitarist Geoff Foulkes displaying a greater stage presence than ever before as he temporarily takes over lead vocal duties. There was no way they were going to escape without an encore and an impassioned version of standout track Ivory is devilishly delivered, showcasing frontman Sam Baylis’s growling vocals at their versatile best. It would be easy to herald this ‘the sound of 2013’, ‘the new sound of Birmingham’ or some other such ‘sound of’, but, in truth, this is a sound that uniquely belongs to Troumaca and watching them unleash it on the world is something to behold. Chris Moriarty Photo by Jade Sukiya
Merchandise + Eagulls + Calories Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath 20/08/13
“What does this song go like? Yeah but how does it start?”, enquires Calories drummer Tom Whitfield, in a pretty accurate summary of the performance. Local heroes Calories don’t play as regularly as they used to and as such, their performance is endearingly scrappy. However, for a set of almost exclusively new material, it ain’t bad at all. Leeds five-piece Eagulls are impressive too, if at times the intense glare of frontman George Mitchell intimidates a trifle. Formed as they were from the ashes of two hardcore bands, there are heavier elements in amongst the garage rock guitars. But, fittingly, the show does belong to media and music industry-hating boys from Florida, Merchandise. Playing in Birmingham for the first time ever, the night belongs to their heavy post-punk tones. For a band who in interviews project so much distaste for ‘the industry’, they’re an incredibly likeable bunch, frontman Carson Cox interacting amicably with the crowd and, when at the end of the set the stage is invaded by a handful of gig-goers who’ve had a little too much to drink, he’s the first to give ‘em a hug. Overall an impressive set, Brum Notes Magazine
Birmingham looks forward to welcoming you back soon. Amy Sumner
Victories at Sea Photo by Ian Dunn
Dumb The Victoria, Birmingham 09/08/13
Tonight is the launch of the boys from Dumb’s second single, Retina, and it’s a thoroughly packed out affair. An exciting one too – there’s a buzz in the room which smacks of promise and when the four-piece amble on stage it’s a promise that they do not fail to deliver on. Since their debut show last year, Dumb have come a very long way in terms of songwriting – there are some complete gems in the set tonight including In My Mind, Two Bottles, and of course the single that this whole affair is in aid of, Retina. And the performance has come on too, Dumb are clearly confident of themselves and of their music and so they should be. It’s a complete credit to them that the front of the room doesn’t stand still throughout and when they explode into their finale, there are more than a couple of people shouting for more. Tonight at The Victoria, Dumb’s single launch is a sell-out show. If they continue their ascent in the way that they are doing then they won’t be returning to rooms this size anytime soon. Amy Sumner
Victories At Sea + I Am Anushka + FF Korova + Ollie Rudge Bull’s Head, Moseley 08/08/13
Ollie Rudge, also of Birmingham band Eyes In Istanbull, kicked of the launch party with an alternative take on the usual set you’d expect to hear from an acoustic solo artist. His style of guitar playing stood out in particular with his sporadic strums and complex jamming, while his vocals soared to captivate the growing crowd at tonight’s Brum Notes August Issue Launch Party. FF Korova, the brand new project from Izzy and Richie of the now defunct band Black Shark, were next to take up 100 per cent of the admittedly small stage with a mass of keys, cables and pedals. Their sound is that of a very dense form of psychedelic rock. They are enthralling to watch with the dual frontmen whispering sweet nothings above the drones and waves of fuzz, all the while being carried along by the awesome bass work of their stool-residing bassist. I Am Anushka was the third act on the bill, with an admirable past career, the lead singer having spent a stint in cult Birmingham September 2013
band Tantrums and impressed in various other guises too. Her new musical wares are far from that of the Tantrums sound, dealing more in brooding piano-led introspection, but delivered to hauntingly good effect. It was then left to Victories At Sea to bring the night to a close with their now trademark splicing of wall of sound meets synth pop going down a treat with their local following. The launch party was that of side projects, new ventures and a classic Birmingham band and it was a night to remember. Jack Parker
Dinosaur Pile-Up + Max Raptor + Tigercub The Flapper 15/07/13
Tonight’s heavy alt-rock venture starts with Tigercub, a noisy trio grungier than the gaffa tape stuck to the front man’s left boot.
Think shedloads of feedback, a-tonal guitar solos and screaming through thick strands of sweaty hair. There’s a 6ft void between band and audience, so Max Raptor frontman Wil Ray rushes into the crowd to sing literally inches away from the faces in the front row. His hardcore vocals are backed by a solid punk-rock blueprint akin to Billy Talent and Rise Against. Dinosaur Pile-Up pack out The Flapper and launch into their set of head-throwing anthems, including Derail, Mona Lisa, Arizona Waiting, and My Rock and Roll. Neither audience nor band can contain themselves. “I feel fucking psyched!” exclaims leading man Matt Bigland. Mosh pits ensue, beer is spilled, and Matt trips into the crowd, his nose bleeding. During their last song, Nature Nurture, 30 or so people seize the chance to rush the stage and jam alongside the band, a thrilling opportunity, and one that leaves your neck very, very sore… Guy Hirst 37
EAT YOUR OWN EARS PRESENTS
+SPECIAL GUESTS
THE INSTITUTE
Tuesday 5 November EATYOUROWNEARS.COM
Birmingham Repertory Theatre in association with The Albany presents
12 to 28 September
The Legend Of Mike Smith By Soweto Kinch Directed and Choreographed by Jonzi D
Award-winning jazz and hip hop star Soweto Kinch brings an incredible staged performance of his latest album.
Tickets £10 to £15
(Concessions available)
Box Office:
0121 236 4455 Online:
birmingham-rep.co.uk Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660
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Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP.
Brum Notes Magazine
September 2013
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TOR'SPICK STYLE FESTIVAL PICKS
TOPMAN £14.00
RIVER ISLAND £13.00
OFFICE £94.99
TOPSHOP £29.00
RIVER ISLAND £32.00
FOR HER TOPSHOP £16.00
FOR HIM
NEW LOOK £19.99 TOPMAN £14.00
URBAN OUTFITTERS £145.00
URBAN OUTFITTERS £6.00
The summer of 2011 saw the birth of Matt Nation’s idea to open a creative space in Birmingham where people could connect and become inspired. The idea was realised in 2012 in the form of an independent menswear retailer called PROVIDE. This store would be just as much about the people involved as the items they sold and was “dedicated to independent creativity”. PROVIDE’s branded t-shirts, jackets, hoodies, caps, beanies and backpacks are all printed and finished in Digbeth and are usually uniquely Birmingham/Digbeth/Midlands themed. They also provide a very carefully selected range of books and magazines, catering for their broad range of customers. PROVIDE will be celebrating its first anniversary in September and has a couple of events and special collaborative projects lined up, including a birthday party at FACE at The Rainbow on Sep 21. The next 12 months will see the brand growing by introducing more clothing and accessories, as well as introducing more books and magazines to their collection. You can visit PROVIDE in the Custard Factory, Digbeth but also online at online at www.provideshop.com. photo Kamilla Sodborg Vinther
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Twitter: @provideshop Brum Notes Magazine
KS
birmingham street style photography by Sinéad O’Callaghan
ALEX, 21, STUDENT Alex is wearing Diesel jeans, an All Saints t-shirt, a plaid shirt from Aubin & Wills, Sebago loafers, a vintage tan leather rucksack and a watch from Sekonda at ASOS. Alex’s style icon is Pharrell Williams and he keeps up to date with blogs such as You Broke the Internet and The Classy Issue for style inspiration. His favourite retailer in Birmingham is Diesel.
DOMINIQUE, 20, SALES ADVISOR Dominique is wearing a simple Urban Outfitters dress, a tapestry bag from a vintage shop in London, a New Look necklace, circle sunglasses from Topshop and aqua jelly shoes from Office. Her style icon is Rihanna, though Dominique thinks she can be hit and miss, and her favourite retailer is River Island.
JADON, 30, ONLINE MARKETER Jadon wears purple Topman jeans, a COS t-shirt and a jacket from Albam. His trainers are from the Nike store on Oxford Street and his circle sunglasses were picked up at a vintage market. His style icon is Tinie Tempah and his favourite retailer in Birmingham is Autograph.
September 2013
AMY, 21, LANGUAGES STUDENT Amy is wearing a top from H&M Basics and a men’s Rotary watch. Her shoes and black suede bag are from Topshop and her bright jeans and floral kimono are from Zara. Amy’s style icon is Miranda Kerr and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Zara.
BECKY, 20, RETAIL ASSISTANT Becky wears a denim shirt from Matalan, boots from Urban Outfitters and a grey marl dress and leather bag from New Look. Her style icon is Alexa Chung and her favourite retailer in Birmingham is Urban Outfitters.
GEORGE, 18, STUDENT George is wearing striped shorts from River Island, trainers from Nike at JD Sports, Adidas socks and a floral bum bag and paisley patterned shirt from Primark. George’s style icon is Joey Essex and his favourite retailer in Birmingham is Size.
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Cafe Opus 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, B1 2HS www.opusrestaurant.co.uk 0121 248 3226
Billed as the ‘little sister’ of one of Birmingham’s best restaurants, Opus, this Ikon Gallery-based outpost promises unfussy British classics using artisan products. So it’s a cafe Jim, but not as we know it. A quick glance at the small but perfectly formed menu reveals old favourites like poached eggs on toast, hot dogs and corned beef hash nestled amongst slightly more upmarket fayre including braised breast of Cornish lamb and deep fried Brixham squid, plus a couple of daily specials for good measure. For starters we chose to share the vegetarian plate (there’s a fish version too) offering fresh, crisp spring rolls (a world away from the greasy anaemic specimens you often find), pitta bread, homemade hummus and tzatziki, piquant grilled goat’s cheese and stuffed peppers. The stuffing in the peppers may have benefitted from something extra to give it a bit more zing, especially after eating some of the other elements of the dish,
Cuisine:
Italian
Price:
Around £15 per head (3 dishes)
Service: Atmosphere: Food: Overall:
but that’s a minor point, it’s an impressively hearty veggie meal for one and perfect to share as a starter. Mains tempted us with fresh hake caught in Brixham and the braised breast of Cornish lamb. Both were cooked to perfection, the pearly white moist hake capped with a nicely crisped skin and the truly melt-in-the-mouth lamb – served on a refreshingly light summer salad of fresh peas and bulgar wheat – was soft enough to be eaten by Shane MacGowan himself. For the price (£7.50
per dish) the portion sizes, quality of ingredients and cooking standards were truly exceptional. Side dishes are a modest £1.75 a portion if you’re feeling a little more peckish. A very generous portion of creamy Eton Mess oozing with sweet and juicy fresh English strawberries and a homemade cherry Bakewell tart topped things off perfectly. This being a cafe it would have been frankly unforgivable to have failed to try the tea and coffee. The former came in a proper ceramic pot on top of a sweet little knitted tea cosy and the macchiato provided the kind of instant caffeine hit that could get Methuselah up and dancing again. Service was a little ‘relaxed’ as the place got busier, no biggie as we weren’t in a hurry, but then again if you want fast food go to Mr Egg. Besides, with a view across the bustling Oozells Square it’s the perfect spot for a little chilled out people watching. Daron Billings
VENUE WATCH: The Anchor
308 Bradford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B14 7BB www.anchorinndigbeth.co.uk
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Just off Digbeth High Street and seconds away from the coach station (particularly handy if you’ve endured a soul sapping journey from London sat next to a snorer), The Anchor’s one of the few good old fashioned ‘proper’ boozers left in Birmingham. Grade II listed, it retains some neat original features including a genuine snug (originally for wealthy patrons and ladies who couldn’t be seen necking pints back in the day), some lovely etched and stained glass panels and a compact but cosy outdoor courtyard. Architecture aside, this place is justifiably famous for its range of real ales and, having won Birmingham CAMRA Pub of the Year on no less than four occasions, they know what to stock and,
just as importantly, how to store and serve it up. On top of carrying an impressive and ever changing range of hard to find brews and two or three pukka ciders, you’ll find some decent bottled beers too. Regular beer festivals make the choice even more head spinning, and that’s before you’ve had a pint, but there’s generally someone on hand to offer some expert advice and a cheeky sample. Besides, the ‘buy six pints get one free’ offer that they often run during these events – don’t panic you usually have the whole festival to collect six stamps on your card – gives you a decent excuse to try a few. All in the name of research Brum Notes Magazine of course… DB
SIX OF THE BEST…
THESUNONTHEHILL.CO.UK
0121 448 7966
FISH AND CHIP SHOPS Chamberlains
Oldbury Opened in 2011, within months Chamberlains had won best Newcomer in the National Fish and Chip Awards 2012 and an almost fanatical following. Everything’s cooked fresh in front of you using proper beef dripping (vegetable oil versions are on offer too) and there’s a surprisingly posh 76-seat licensed restaurant to dine in if you don’t fancy a take away.
EVERY WEEKEND UNTIL 1AM!
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Lightwoods Fish Bar
Bearwood People come from far and wide to gaze upon the wonder that is Lightwoods Fish Bar’s chips. Why? Well, they’re bright orange. Orange chips are a Black Country speciality and these ones even get a mention in Frank Skinner’s autobiography. Still, jolly tasty though.
The Frying Pan
Winson Green Voted No1 Fish and Chip shop in Birmingham, this place claims to serve a belt-busting 5,000 portions of chips every week. It’s healthy though – honest – as everything’s fried in cholesterolfree oil. Their fried chicken’s clucking brilliant too.
Dads Lane Fish Bar
Stirchley A bit of an institution in South Birmingham, Dads Lane is known as far afield as Selly Oak for both the quality and quantity of its portions. You can dine in and bring your own wine if you’re feeling particularly swanky. Try the hotly tipped curry sauce.
Bedders
Small Heath It doesn’t take a detective to work out why people travel to Bedders but Poirot himself (well David Suchet anyway) dined here a while ago – his photo’s on the wall – and if anyone can sniff out a prime suspect for Brum’s best chippie it’s him. Proudly retro, from its clear glass tea mugs to wood panelled walls, Bedders is also know for offering free onion slices in vinegar to go with its bread and butter. Generous souls.
George & Helen’s
Quinton As frequented by members of Westlife and none other than professional ‘ard man Danny Dyer, George & Helen’s has been serving lip smacking September 2013 fish and chips for almost half a century.
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WHAT’S ON M M M C M M
M CN M M M M M
C C M
Sunday, Sep 1 Civil Disobedience Brum Punx Picnic Skaters + Heavy Waves Desi Central
Tuesday, Sep 3 The Hackensaw Boys
Birmingham
Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Kings Heath
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Benjamin Blower & The Army of the Brokenhearted Wednesday, Sep 4 Hoodie Allen + MckNasty Out Da Box with Exodus Freedom Fighters Thursday, Sep 5 Jimmy Eat World
Bull’s Head
Moseley
O2 Academy
Birmingham
Nina Baker
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Dangerous Girls
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Laced + These Kings
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Brum Notes Issue Launch Party with Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam + Curb + Greg Bird (DJ Set) Andrew Bird
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Steve Hughes
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Friday, Sep 6 Omar
M M
Coconut Backlash
M
So Called Enemy + Drakelow Broken Witt Rebels
M M
The Flapper
Against the Wheel
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Bull’s Head
Moseley
KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY
M M
Panacea Dream
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Luminance
Birmingham
M
Village Green Machine Barnesy
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper The Sunflower Lounge Various venues
Birmingham
Suki10c
Birmingham
Talk
Birmingham
The Institute
Birmingham
The Rainbow Warehouse Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Wulfrun Hall
Wolverhampton
Sunday, Sep 8 Leonard Cohen
LG Arena
Birmingham
Lauren Baker
The Flapper
Birmingham
The JCQ
The Flapper
Birmingham
F*ck Buttons
The Institute
Birmingham
4 Squares Weekender
Various venues
Birmingham
Houndmouth
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bohemian Jukebox Sunday Social Mr Cee
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Rough Works
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Monday, Sep 9 Fabolous
The Institute
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
The Institute
Birmingham Birmingham
Jon Gomm
The Sunflower Lounge Hare & Hounds
The Kate Gee Band
Bull’s Head
Moseley
While She Sleeps
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Thursday, Sep 12 Tori Kelly
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Jack Johnson
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
Carl Donnelly
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Friday, Sep 13 Reaside
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
Birmingham
M
4 Squares Weekender M CN Capacity presents Utah Saints Hip Drop
CN CN 93 1st Birthday Bash CN Claude Vonstroke + Justin Martin Bruk Up
CN CN Jam Hott Present DJ Format Hot Wax
CN CN Blast Off Andrew Bird C Justin Currie C M M M M M M M
Library of Birmingham O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
Birmingham
C C
Birmingham
M
Birmingham
The Victoria
Birmingham
Town Hall
Birmingham
M CN Resonance 2nd
Various venues
Birmingham
Suki10c
Birmingham
CN Crowded House vs
Talk
Birmingham
CN CN Absolut Reggae CN Central Projection
Unplug
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
CN Upfront Comedy C Andrew Bird C Laugh Out Loud C
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Drum
Aston
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
M M
O2 Academy
Birmingham
M
The Brand New Heavies 4 Squares Weekender Birthday
Rip It Up Hard Dance Central
with MC Smilee Freestyle
M 44
Saturday, Sep 7 Wiley
M M M M M M M M C
Wednesday, Sep 11 Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Lauren Aquilina Eliza & The Bear
Me & Fiction The Mumblecores
Birmingham
Birmingham
Kings Heath
Kings Heath
Birmingham
Brum Notes Magazine
M M M M M CN CN
Krystle Warren
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Kastella + Cold Fields
The Rainbow
Birmingham
MIDDLEMAN
The Victoria
Birmingham
The Paradimes + AKA SKAFACE Freestyle feat Jake Bullit Crowded House vs Rip It Up Osmosis 9th Birthday
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Talk
Birmingham
Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds
Birmingham
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
CN FRIDAY THE 13TH
Horror Fancy Dress Party Freestyle
CN Carl Donnelly C M M M
Saturday, Sep 14 Soundgarden
O2 Academy
Birmingham
LeAnn Rimes
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
The Rattlin Doors
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
Birmingham
The Sunflower Lounge Wagon & Horses
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Tyla J Pallas
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Hip Drop
Talk
Birmingham
High Fidelity
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
New Brum City with DJ Croc + E Double D Habit
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
M M
Hot Monocles
M
Check Your Grammar feat Theo + Mothertrucker + IO 1 EYE + Kezia Soul
M M CN CN CN
Castrovalva
CN CN Blast Off Carl Donnelly C Jeremy Hardy C M M M M M
Kings Heath
Birmingham
Birmingham
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Mac
Birmingham
Sunday, Sep 15 The Amity Affliction
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Dan Sheridan
The Flapper
Birmingham
Guvna B
The Institute
Birmingham
Charlotte Carpenter
The Yardbird
Birmingham
No Ceremony
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Monday, Sep 16 Caro Emerald
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
The 1975
The Institute
Birmingham
Tuesday, Sep 17 Janet Devlin
M CN Milkshake Freshers
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Gatecrasher
Birmingham
CN
Indi Bar
Birmingham
M M
Ball Amnesia Freshers Warm-up Party Wednesday, Sep 18 Johnny Ashby Band
M CN Leftfoot vs Moschino M M M M
Ho, Versace Hottie Thursday, Sep 19 Alexander
The Roadhouse
Stirchley
Bull’s Head
Moseley
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Jim White
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Visage
The Institute
Birmingham
The Ramona Flowers
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
September 2013
M M C M M M M M M M M M M CN
Hope Street
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Charlotte Church
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Ian Smith
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Friday, Sep 20 Motionless in White
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
Birmingham
James Skelly & The Intenders Crowns
The Institute
Birmingham
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Malpas
The Victoria
Birmingham
Swim Deep
Town Hall
Birmingham
Balkanic Eruption present Gypsy Fever & Damba Sugarfoot Stomp 9th Birthday Crowded House vs Rip It Up Swim Deep Afterparty
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Talk
Birmingham
ie Bunch & Bumpy Fool Freestyle feat Sophia Bastian Ian Smith
Garden
Comedy Night Saturday, Sep 21 Barry Gibb
Layers + Dead Sea Skulls + Mutes The Emissaries The Ignition System
Birmingham
Talk CN Fidget presents DonkThe Rainbow CN
Birmingham
CN
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Glee Club
Birmingham
The Roadhouse
Stirchley
LG Arena
Birmingham Birmingham
C C M M
Birmingham
M M M M
Kontas
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
James Blake
The Institute
Birmingham
The Front Bottoms
The Institute
Birmingham
Broken Hands
Birmingham
M
Black Pus
M
Victories at Sea + Wide Eyed + Babypink Luke Wylde & The Japes Bassdrive
The Sunflower Lounge Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
M CN CN CN CN CN CN CN CN C C
Million Empire
Birmingham
Birmingham Kings Heath
Club PST
Birmingham
Aries & Friends
Suki10c
Birmingham
Hip Drop
Talk
Birmingham
Pleasure Birmingham
The Hub
Birmingham
Soul Steppers Summers End Party The Penguin Club
The Penthouse
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Uber
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Blast Off
Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
Ian Smith
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Jimmy Carr
Civic Hall
Wolverhampton
Sunday, Sep 22 Civil Disobedience
The Flapper
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Risa
Birmingham
M John Otway M CN Naughty Horse Freshers Welcome Party
45
CN FACE presents SeC C M M M M M M M M M M CN M M M M M M M C M M M M M M M M CN CN CN CN CN C C M M M M M 46
cretsundaze Bill Bailey
The Rainbow Garden Symphony Hall
Birmingham
M
Mountain of Love
Birmingham
M
Rotunda
Robert Newman
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Monday, Sep 23 Paramore
LG Arena
Birmingham
Hooded Fang
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
The Sunflower Lounge Wagon & Horses Suki10c
Birmingham
CN CN Atta Girl CN Relative Present Bod-
Talk
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Canal Club
Wolverhampton
CN Kanyini PSY Trance Allnighter Hip Drop
Tuesday, Sep 24 Jaws
The Institute
Birmingham
Wire
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
CN
Wednesday, Sep 25 Ben Kenney
CN
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun Carousel Circus
The Rainbow
Birmingham
The Yardbird
Birmingham
Johnny Dowd
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Saint Raymond
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
The Traps (Calypso Album Launch) Freshers American House Party Thursday, Sep 26 Exit Calm
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Gatecrasher
Birmingham
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Kawabata Makoto’s Mainliner Cloud Control
The Flapper
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Young Pilgrims
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Ed Geater
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Friends Social
Bull’s Head
Moseley
The Primitives
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Ian Coppinger
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Friday, Sep 27 Joe Bonamassa
NIA
Birmingham
Howl
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Clockwork Orange
Birmingham
Left Below
The Actress & Bishop The Flapper
Mac Miller
The Institute
Birmingham
The Assist
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Since Monroe
The Victoria
Birmingham
The Electric Swing Circus 45 Shop Lock: Sound System Fridays Crowded House vs Rip It Up Systematic presents Hardball Eargasm with Ying’n’Yang Freestyle vs New Hype Rob Beckett
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
The Drum
Aston
Talk
Birmingham
The Rainbow
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
Bull’s Head
Moseley
Slade Rooms
Wolverhampton
Ian Coppinger
The Glee Club
Birmingham
O2 Academy
Birmingham
O2 Academy 2
Birmingham
Live_Transmission
Symphony Hall
Birmingham
BlakCan
The Flapper
Birmingham
Mike Dignam
The Institute
Birmingham
Saturday, Sep 28 Wiz Khalifa + Trinidad Jame$ Bury Tomorrow
Birmingham
C C M M M M M M M M M
dika Leftfoot Sessions & Knicker Bocker present Alexander Nut The Soul Togetherness Ian Coppinger
Birmingham Birmingham
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Ed Rapley: The Self Trilogy Sunday, Sep 29 Fleetwood Mac
Mac
Birmingham
LG Arena
Birmingham
Chasing Skylines
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Magpies & Vagabonds
The Flapper
Birmingham
The Duckworth Lewis Method Danny & The Champions of The World The Uprising
The Glee Club
Birmingham
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
The Roadhouse
Stirchley
Monday, Sep 30 Scholars
O2 Academy 3
Birmingham
Madina Lake
The Institute
Birmingham
Keston Cobblers Club
Hare & Hounds
Kings Heath
presents
in association with academy events
layers dead sea skulls · mutes
friday 20 september o2 academy 3 birmingham tickets : £5 adv + stbf doors : 18:30 curfew : 10pm tickets also include free entry to propoganda clubnight facebook.com/layersband facebook.com/romansonline facebook.com/mutesuk
sponsored by
o2academybirmingham.co.uk brumnotes.com
Brum Notes Magazine
September 2013
47
48
Brum Notes Magazine