Exeposé
| week fourteen
Vondelpark Seabed tip from
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Oliver Flower (ojf), Music Editor at Exetera, DJ AS well as DJing house and techno under the monkiker ojf, Ollie is head of Music and Events at Exetera, “A lighter alternative for Exeter University” than, presumably, us. A boldly designed independent paper unashamedly tied to Exeter’s edgier student demographic, Exetera
Music
www.exepose.ex.ac.uk
publishes content from the tonguein-cheek to the deadly serious and innovative, from its student contributors and, more recently, English professor Matt Hayler. Read at www.exeteramagazine.com Vondelpark came to my attention last summer when I listened to their first two EPs, Sauna and NYC Stuff and NYC Bags on repeat over the space of a couple of weeks. I was excited by their crisp, garage-influenced drum patterns that neatly punctuated hazy guitar riffs reminiscent of the likes of Wild Beasts or Beach House.
Whilst not the most groundbreaking, it’s accessible stuff that’s easy to listen to and instantly gratifying. Their first full-length, Seabed, is to be released early this year on one of my favourite record labels – the Belgian techno powerhouse, R&S Records. Having released only two EPs in the space of two and a half years, I’m looking forward to hearing what Vondelpark have been working on. You can stream Dracula, the first track from Seabed (out in Spring) at www.soundcloud.com/vondelparkmusic
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Fearless Vampire Killers Exposition EP
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tip from
Mike James, Rock Show, Phonic FM THE Mike James Rock Show is a permanent feature in Phonic FM’s Friday night schedule, playing cutting edge rock, metal and guitar driven tunes from local, national and international acts alongside interviews with some of the biggest bands in the world. A few local artists often pop in to the studio for a chat too. Aired every Friday at 10pm on Phonic FM. My one to watch in 2013 is theatrical alternative rock band Fearless Vamipre Killers. After a magnificent 2012 the boys from FVK’s profile is set to sky rocket with tours booked including the
Queenie ‘And Every’ tip from
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Dan Hartley (Revenge Of Spyro), Beats & Bass Society, DJ
check w w w. t i n y url.com/n-exet-big-thing to listen to all these artists on one playlist
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BEATS & Bass run a dependably heavy night at The Cavern every other Wednesday. The society organise DJ and production workshops and field trips throughout the year. Head over to www.facebook.com/ beatsandbass to find out more The rise in young female producers and DJs has swept the electronic music scene over the past 18 months. With people like Maya Jane Coles, Heidi, Annie Mac and Nina Kraviz now regulars on the biggest and best festival line ups across Europe. One such multitalented young woman goes by the name of Queenie. A singer, songwriter, producer and DJ, she is the full package. With a release already out on Black Butter records she is swiftly cementing her place in the scene. Collaborating with Stay+ on a track named ‘Crash’, it features her
Pure Love Anthems tip from
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Amelia Ebdon, co-founder of Leathers & Lace blog LEATHERS&Lace (leathersandlace.blogspot. co.uk) is a music and fashion blog run by housemates Amelia Ebdon and Charlotte Lowe.
Tobias Ben Jacob tip from
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Tom Matthews, Exeter Local Records EXETER Local Records, a pop up record shop specialising in selling local music at craft fayres and music events, is run by Tom Matthews, who specialises in promoting and selling records for local musicians. Head to www.facebook.com/exeter. localrecords for listings and music.
Tobias Ben Jacob is a south Devon based songwriter with a unique & compelling voice. Rooted in folk, Americana and alternative music he plays his guitar in altered tunings to create his own distinctive sound. A journeyman troubadour, he has toured the UK festival circuit extensively both solo and with previous projects, Lampliter and the Roots Union. I loved the old bands and his solo set at last summer’s Acoustica was a highlight of the Exeter Phoenix-based festival. Speaking to Tobias over the phone he is excited about moving in new directions, with recording
sessions scheduled for February, solo tours and festivals planned for the coming Spring and Summer as well as plans to break London with a number of dates with a loose collective of musical collaborators. You can see Tobias at the Real Food Café in Exeter on Saturday 16th February, Student tickets £5 in advance from the Venue, 11-13 Paris Street, Exeter. Listen to his music at tobiasbenjacob. bandcamp.com/
Amelia posts local gig guides, interviews and live reviews, amongst other musical musings. Who said that bad boys can’t turn good? In a month’s time Pure Love release their debut album Anthems and exGallows front man Frank Carter will face critics about his shift into the
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high profile Kerrang Tour in Feburary and the imminent release of a new EP called Exposition: The Five Before The Flames. Since their formation in 2008 they have amassed an ever growing legion of devoted fans including My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way. Watch out 2013, the Vampire Killers are coming and they are indeed Fearless! Exposition is released 11 March Phonic FM, Exeter’s sound alternative, celebrates five years on the air with a gig at Exeter Phoenix on February 15. The independent, volunteer-run community radio station broadcasts a truly eclectic mix of tunes 24 hours a day on 106.8 FM or online at www.phonic. fm. With shows ranging from classical music to hardcore techno, prog rock to poetry, and everything in between you will certainly find something to suit your taste in the 100 per cent ad-free output. vocals beautifully sampled, displaying a formidable range and real prowess on the production front. Her latest release, forthcoming on Greenmoney Records on February 11th follows a different tack. ‘And Every’ displays a producer who has her ear to the ground and a real talent for carving her own path. Following a year where producers have taken to sampling and pitching down vocals to great effect (see Cyril Hahn), she brings a touch of the UK Bass scene in with a hard hitting bassline and soft vocals provided by herself once more. This young producer is definitely one to keep an eye out for in 2013, already this year receiving praise from Annie Mac on her Radio 1 show, her latest track reached 9,000 views on the much acclaimed Eton Messy Youtube channel within 1 week. Her ability to craft a song from her vocals and deft touch in the production studio ensure a cohesive track with a distinctly UK sound to it. 2013 has already seen her play alongside Rinse FM resident Monki and Murkage resident Madam X. Expect to see a meteoric rise from this young star over the course of 2013. www.soundcloud.com/queenie-1 world of melodic rock. I first saw these guys at Reading last year and have been hooked since. Being a Gallows fan, I was a bit nervous about Frank’s new direction, his clean white shirts and whether he could actually hold a tune, but the singles ‘Bury my Bones’, ‘Handsome Devil’s Club’ and ‘Riot Song’ have all gone down a treat and I can’t wait to listen to a full album’s worth of material. Their live show is also gaining one hell of a reputation with the snail pit (google it) getting people tweeting. Their gig at the Cavern last term was incredible and ended with the band relocating their drum kit and playing in the middle of the pit. It was so good in fact that a mate and I are travelling all the way to Cambridge to see them in February! I take my hat off to any band that can draw in such packed crowds without having even released an album yet. For that alone they get my 2013 recommendation.