Brum Notes Magazine - April 2011 by Brum Notes Magazine

april 2011

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www.brumnotes.com music and lifestyle for the west midlands

Also inside: Clare Maguire Lee Foss

Evil Alien The Carpels

Plus: Dan Clark Imran Yusuf

And donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss: Your comprehensive guide to live music, clubbing and comedy throughout April and where to celebrate or avoid the Royal Wedding in style April 2011 2011 February

Brum Notes Magazine

Brum Notes Magazine 120 The Greenhouse The Custard Factory Digbeth Birmingham B9 4AA

CONTENTS

Contact: info@brumnotes.com 0121 224 7363 Advertising: Rates start from £75. Contact: 0121 224 7363 or advertising@brumnotes.com Distribution: StickupMedia! 0121 224 7364 Editor: Chris Moriarty Contributors Words: Jon Pritchard, David Vincent, Saima Razzaq, Lyle Bignon, Daron Billings, Clare Savage, Alex Jukes Pictures: Wayne Fox, Sander Jurkiewicz, Richard Shakespeare, Tamsin Mae Design: Sleepy.me.uk, Andy Aitken All content © Brum Notes Magazine. Views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Brum Notes Magazine.

P4-5 P18-19 P19 P20 P26-30

P6 P7 P8 P10 P10 P11 P12-13 P14-15

REGULARS: NEWS LIVE REVIEWS CLUB WATCH FOOD & DRINK WHAT’S ON - your comprehensive guide to music, clubs and comedy across the West Midlands this month FEATURES: COMEDY: Imran Yusuf COMEDY: Dan Clark COMEDY: Isy Suttie MUSIC: The Carpels MUSIC: Evil Alien CLUBBING: Lee Foss MUSIC: Clare Maguire MUSIC: Guillemots

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.

April 2011

INTERNATIONAL JAZZ STARS TO RETURN TO BIRMINGHAM More than 200 performances will take place across 50 venues when a renowned jazz festival returns to Birmingham. The 27th Birmingham International Jazz & Blues Festival will take place from July 1 to 10 with a host of free concerts at locations ranging from city streets and squares to zoos, stately homes and canals, as well as at traditional live venues, bars and cafes throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. Among those confirmed to play are living blues legend Chick Willis, the Teens Jazzband Velke Losiny from Czech Republic and Germany’s Bourbon Street Stompers who return after a successful stint in 2009. It will be one of two jazz festivals taking place in the city in July, with the Mostly Jazz Festival also returning for its second year in the leafy surrounds of Moseley Park. Running from July 1 to 3, it boasts an eclectic line-up of classic and contemporary jazz alongside modern soul and funk with live performances and DJ sets from the likes of Booker T, The Cinematic Orchestra, Pigbag and Gilles Peterson. www.birminghamjazzfestival.com www.mostlyjazz.co.uk

DJ EMMA SCOTT PENS BOOK FOR WANNABE STARS Former Kerrang! Radio DJ Emma Scott has published her first book aimed at helping bands to get their music played on the radio. Break Your Band – A Guide to Getting Radio Airplay boasts trade secrets and inside info aimed at giving new musicians the best chance of getting valuable radio airplay and draws on Emma’s 23 years of experience as both a presenter and a gig promoter. The 86-page book includes information on how to put together the perfect press pack and details of which presenters play unsigned bands. There’s also a section on radio rules, a guide on which tracks to send, how to get on a station playlist, and advice on whether you need management or a radio plugger. Emma, who also hosts regular Emma Scott Presents gigs in Birmingham and Wolverhampton as well as her recently launched series of Break Your Band music industry seminars, is also planning a further two books covering more topics to help bands including getting gigs and making money from their music. She said: “I guarantee any band who read the book and who follow my guidelines will get radio airplay – as long as their music is good, that is. ” We spoke to Emma to find out her top five tips for new bands and aspiring stars... 4

Emma Scott’s Top 5 tips for bands: “From the very start you need to ask yourselves - are all the members pulling in the same direction? Do you all want the same thing? Make sure you’re all reading from the same sheet as they say, and this will help the band move forward, rather than having one member holding you back. “Once you have your three best songs, get yourself booked into a studio to record them to a high standard. Get the tracks mixed and mastered to stand a much better chance of getting radio airplay. “Make the best press pack that you can and send to as many radio stations as possible. Tell the recipient everything about your band and enclose a CD that plays. Make sure you label your CD as well as the CD inlay as they often get separated. “When applying for gigs or writing to DJs for radio airplay, treat your email or letter like a job application. Your band’s press pack is like your CV. Include band history, highlights of your career and references. “Remember, you’re in the music business, and you have to treat your band as your business. You need to run the band as you would a proper business and delegate each member their ‘role”’ in the band. Maybe one person is best at social media and administration, another is best at booking gigs, the drummer is best with finances and the singer is best at radio interviews. Each must do their bit. “These five tips will start any band off nicely. Oh, and that reminds me - be nice to people on the way up. Manners cost nothing!” Break Your Band - A Guide to Getting Radio Airplay by Emma Scott is available now through Amazon. Brum Notes Magazine

EARLY LINE-UP ANNOUNCED FOR THIS YEAR’S OFF THE CUFF FESTIVAL

PARTIES GALORE FOR ROYAL WEDDING

Brum Notes Magazine can reveal the first acts on the bill for this year’s Off the Cuff festival. The summertime city centre showpiece takes place at The Flapper in Birmingham from July 22 to 24, boasting the finest in alternative rock, indie, post-hardcore and general noisy merriment.

What’s the best thing about the forthcoming royal wedding? An extra bank holiday of course. And the chance for an extra lie-in also means the perfect excuse for a right royal kneesup. Sandwiched in between Easter and a May bank holiday, Kate and Wills have also given us two four-day weekends in a row, bless ‘em, so enjoy it.

Fight-pop sextet Dananananaykroyd (pictured)make a long-awaited return to the stage for a headline slot on Sunday, while hotly-tipped Canadians DD/MM/ YYYY will make a mad dash from ATP on the same day to top Saturday’s bill. Other notable names include alternative math rockers Tubelord who headline the opening night, alongside performances from Shoes and Socks Off and Pandas and People. Saturday sees Romans, Blacklisters, Shapes, Ok Pilot, &U&I and Hawk Eyes all tearing up the stage, while Sunday’s sweatfest also includes Flashguns and Tall Ships. With more names due to be announced over the coming weeks it promises to be the best as well as the biggest year yet for the festival, with the stage being set up in the main bar upstairs for a bigger capacity. Hot and spicy food fiends Soul Food Project will be keeping festival-goers energy levels up with BBQs and food throughout the weekend, while revellers will also be able to chill out and enjoy the summer air with acoustic music in the courtyard during the day. And to top it all Brum Notes Magazine has teamed up exclusively with OTC to provide you with comprehensive build up and coverage of the festival before, during and after. Early bird tickets are now sold out but day and weekend tickets are now available priced as follows: Friday £7, Saturday £12.50, Sunday £12.50, weekend tickets £23 and three day passes £27. Visit www.offthecuffbirmingham.co.uk to book and to keep an eye out for the latest additions to the line-up. See you there!

IN BRIEF City centre music venue Sound Bar has been forced to close down after being hit by financial difficulties in the economic climate. The nightspot in Corporation Street closed its doors last month, having hosted more than three years of gigs, club nights and parties since taking over the former Hawkins Wine Bar in 2007. Tributes have been paid to the venue on social networking sites since the announcement was made. Music-inspired concept kitchen Soul Food Project will take over food duties at Birmingham pub and hotspot The Victoria from this month. The team, which will also continue to provide its Cajun-inspired menu at Kings Heath music hub the Hare & Hounds, launches its Deep South Diner at The Victoria in John Bright Street from April 26 promising classic diner fare with a deep south twist. Join them for tunes and freebies at the official launch party on April 29. Digbeth nightspot The Rainbow will resurrect its urban beach for a oneoff bank holiday event next month. The Beach will be restored under the railway arches on Adderley Street on Sunday, May 1, for a 15-hour day and night party stretching into the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday. See www.facebook.com/rainbowvenues for details. April 2011

The Flapper will be celebrating in its own unique, trash-glam way, hosting a free Royal Wedding Fancy Dress Party, inviting revellers to get dolled up as tarts, vicars, brides or grooms. Expect not-your-usual-wedding-band live music and DJs keeping the party going into the early hours, plus quirky British treats from cupcakes to punishment stocks. Uber-cool bar family, The Victoria, Island, Bodega and The Jekyll & Hyde will be getting patriotic with a special offer across all four bars to help raise a toast to the wedding, the Queen’s birthday and St George’s Day. Buy any three of their bespoke British ingredient cocktails between April 18 and May 1 and get a fourth free. The Wagon & Horses in Digbeth is going for a less civilised approach to the princely occasion, with the subtlynamed F*ck the Royal Wedding Party. This free entry bash boasts live music and chaos from the likes of femalefronted London dub punks Headjam and ska outfit Alcohol Licks in the Shed, with Shuddervision Soundsystem leading the DJ antics in the FunKtion Room, plus Twisted Disco in the Wah Bar. Keeping things alternative, underground noise-makers Capsule will host their own honeymoon with a twist in the shape of Wedlock! at the Hare & Hounds on April 30 with a nice-and-sleazy line-up of music from Stinky Wizzleteat, Bargepole, Doom Patrol, Backwards and Fickle Twin, plus DJs and stalls. At just £5 a ticket, don’t be surprised if Willy and his little princess make an appearance either, they love a bargain. Blowing away the honeymoon cobwebs the next day and throwing another special occasion into the mix, bimonthly club night Reverb marks its own third birthday on May 1 with a headline appearance from acid house and techno pioneer Justin Robertson, at the Bulls Head in Moseley from 9pm until 2am the following morning. And yes the following morning is a bank holiday too. Phew. 5

MARATHON MAN

Imran Yusuf has had an eventful life, to put it lightly. It certainly seems to be getting across to most people as he At the tender age for a comedian of just 31, he has got himself was the first person ever to be nominated for Best Newcomer a great job in the gaming industry, quit said job, spent his life at Edinburgh Fringe Festival when appearing in a free show. savings on a pilgrimage, battled depression, and become one “That was amazing,” he says. “I was basically going up there of Britain’s brightest comedy stars. to learn how to fill an hour; it’s so much different to just doing But his latest vocation as a comic is still one to be taken se20-minute club sets.” riously. In fact he is firm in his belief that the serious topics are best left to comedians, not Despite being one of British comedy’s hot“My stand-up politicians. test prospects, the fellow comics Imran most are both Americans, understandable comes from a place admires “Comedians look at the serious stuff from the as he spent time at school on the other side of sincerity and I of the Atlantic. right angle, and find the funny bits, instead of “The comedians I look up to are Chris Rock getting people bogged down,” he says. really want that to and Dave Chapelle,” he says. “Chris is incredcome across to the ible; he did his first tour and left his mark on Yusuf knows a lot about getting bogged down. In his mid-20s he suffered from depression comedy straight away. And Dave was just so people who come affable on stage. He never walked on and and decided to quit his job, go on a pilgrimand see my show.” shouted: ‘Welcome to my show!’ to the crowd, age and focus on comedy. he was more like, ‘hey, how you doin?’ WatchHe spent six weeks visiting Jerusalem, Mecca, and Medina in Saudi Arabia where he had the ing Dave Chapelle is like hanging out with him.” chance to clear his head and relieve his stress. Once home, he Yusuf will have plenty of time to hone his own stage craft, with got back on the road to stardom. a 42-date tour lined up starting on April 1 and taking in appear“I decided to just gig every day,” he explains. “There were points ances in West Bromwich this month, as well as Birmingham where I felt like I was driving up and down the country for nothand Wolverhampton next month. The lengthy series of dates ing, but my hard work has paid off.” was booked as a direct response to his followers on the internet who wanted to see his Edinburgh show on the road, as While appreciating that his hard work has got him to a place well as his success on the career-changing Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. So what made it so appealing? where he can be comfortable and try new things, he also admits that his work is far from over. “It’s a very personal show, that’s why it’s just called An Audience with Imran Yusuf. The world has an obsession with finding “I’ve got to work harder now, the rewards are bigger. I want to prove I’m not just a gimmick, I want to be in this for life.” a box for people to belong in. I’ll talk a lot about my life experiences and pick them apart.” He describes his comedy as exploring paradigms and concepts, as well as being very personal. An Audience With Imran Yusuf takes place at The “My stand-up comes from a place of sincerity and I really want that to come across to the people who come and see my show.” Public, West Bromwich, on April 16 6

Brum Notes Magazine

Words: Jon Pritchard | Design: Sleepy.me.uk

IMRAN YUSUF’s energetic style has earned him intriguing descriptions as ‘the Eminem of comedy’ and secured him a growing band of followers thanks in no small part to rave reviews from Edinburgh and his stint on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow. He talks to Jon Pritchard ahead of a marathon 42-date tour.

THE COMEDY ATHLETE DAN CLARK, star and writer of off-the-wall sitcom How Not to Live Your Life, brings his mix of surreal yet observational comedy to Birmingham this month, promising to throw a few comic songs into the mix as well. Jon Pritchard caught up with the dapper Londoner to see how he found his way onto the stage, via Grange Hill and Only Fools… As far as comparisons go, no one seems to have yet nailed Dan Clark. “Some people say I’m a lot like Noel Fielding, who I’m really good friends with, but he just talks about random things,” he says. “I guess you could say we’re both surreal, but I’m more observational.” His strange mix of observation, surrealism and music has also led to comparisons with Rik Mayall, although Dan admits this is probably largely down to his TV work. What first got him into acting was, strangely, Grange Hill. “When I was about eight or nine, I was obsessed with Grange Hill. Then one day, someone said to me: ‘You know that’s not real don’t you? They’re just acting.’

Words: Jon Pritchard | Design: Sleepy.me.uk

“That blew me away. Straight away I knew I wanted to act, and by the time I’d reached my teens I was pretty interested in comedy too. After my first few acting jobs, it was a natural progression for me to get into comedy.” His first acting job was, amazingly, as one of the robbers in the famous Only Fools and Horses scene, where Del Boy and Rodney are dressed as Batman and Robin. At just 19, it’s not a bad place to start. He has since moved on to write and star in his own BBC3 sitcom How Not to Live Your Life, based around 29-year-old Don Danbury, a neurotic bachelor, struggling to find his way in life. It’s a common point of interest as to whether actors are actually like their characters in real life or not, but Dan hopes there is one key distinction between him and his comic persona. “The main difference between me and Don is I’m not quite as much of a dickhead,” he insists. As for his stand-up career, he has staged three shows since debuting in 2003 with 57 Minutes, which he says was warmly received by the four people a night who saw it, while he admits April 2011

his next outing, Erotic Neurotic, was “okay” at best. It was at 2006’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival that Dan made his stand up breakthrough, with his show The Day I Lost my iPod, which enjoyed a sell-out run, including extra shows. It was clear he had now found his comedy voice and styling, impressing again with the follow up Unfangled. After taking time out from stand-up to create How Not to Live Your Life he now returns to the stage with the more simply titled Dan Clark Live tour, but it still begs the question as to why has he had such a long break from the live arena. “I just get bored easily,” he explains. “After a while standing in front of a camera, I want to interact with an audience. It works the other way around too, so it’s probably a good job the Birmingham gig is towards the start of the tour — I won’t be too bored then.” He promises the show to be like nothing he’s done before, a bit warmer and more surreal than his previous efforts, complete with a band. Almost. “Well, it’s not really a band,” he says. “Its one bloke with a lot of instruments, but it sounds good. The first half of the show will be straight up comedy; the second half will be a mix of comedy and songs.” Ever since his first appearance on the TV screen, Dan has wormed his way into writing, directing and producing, as well as sketch and stand up comedy. So how would he describe himself? “I’m not sure really. Put me down as ‘comedy athlete’.” Dan Clark Live is at the Town Hall, Birmingham, on April 8. 7

SUTTIE’S SUPERMARKET SWEEP Best known to many as Dobby from Peep Show, ISY SUTTIE has plenty of strings to her bow. Now as she prepares to bring her supermarket-inspired comedy show to Birmingham, the writer, musician, actress and stand-up comic tells David Vincent why she likes to keep so busy.

Her diary this month takes her back on the road with her live solo show Love Lost In The British Retail Industry, a gritty yet warm tale of modern romance set among the aisles of a regular(ish) supermarket.

“One day I can be doing the acting thing. I like doing telly, which can be very mathematical, you have to stand in a particular place for the lights and camera, which I like. The next day I could be writing on my own, writing a pilot or sitting in a cafe with someone else thinking about a sitcom, and the next day I’ll be using a different part of my brain, writing a song.” The daughter of an East Midlands music teacher, former Young Jazz Award winner Isy clearly inherited some musical pedigree, despite denying being ‘classically trained’.

“I worked in Somerfield in Matlock and Sainsbury’s in Guildford when I was a student, as well as a corner shop,” says Isy. “I got to know everyone, all the people who came into the corner shop in their slippers. And I ate a lot of sweets there. It was by a motorway and I’d sit under the underpass and eat the sweets. It was like something out of a Mike Leigh film. I was definitely informed by that experience.”

“I play a lot of instruments to Grade 1, but not much better than that. The only instrument I stuck with is the piano. Music is a big part of what I do, it always has been.”

From that experience, Isy initially penned just one tune, centred around “something simple like boy meets girl, it goes wrong, it goes right.”

“Peep Show is great. When I started, in series five, I was quite shy and quiet, I was the new girl at school. Everyone was lovely, but I did feel like someone who’d moved to town and just started sixth form, but I do feel part of the gang now,” she says, adding that two more seasons have been commissioned. “We’ll probably start filming next year.”

“I had a song about a guy asking a girl to dance in a supermarket aisle which was a kind of ‘up yours’ to the man. I was doing a gig with Russell Howard when I did this song for the first time. It was the only thing that went well that I did that night and afterwards Russell said I should write a show around it — so I have Russell Howard to thank.” An accomplished stand-up comedian, writer, musician and actress, Isy is not someone who likes to be pigeonholed. “I try not to put all my eggs in one basket, so if I break two, then there’s still one egg left,” she says. “But I don’t think of myself as just an actor or just a comedian or just a writer or just a musician. I went to drama school and always wanted to act and write. I guess I started comedy songs at 11, but not seriously. People used to laugh, and it was really fun. Then I did a play and some sketches and people laughed, and around 2003, I got the bug for stand-up comedy. 8

Despite her varied talents, it’s her skill as a comedy actress for which she is best known, in particular as IT geek and Mark’s love interest Dobby in Peep Show.

She’s also been busy with a comedy rap pilot, penning a new touring show and slotting in a few extra British Retail Industry dates including a forthcoming double-bill appearance alongside triple Perrier Award nominee Dan Antopolski. “We complement each other. He doesn’t do music, he uses words very, very creatively, he surprises people. If we were beetles we’d both have hard shells, but have a different number of legs. If you know what I mean.” Isy Suttie: Love Lost In The British Retail Industry, a double headline show alongside Dan Antopolski: Turn of the Century, takes place at The Glee Club, Birmingham, on April 15. Brum Notes Magazine

Words: David Vincent | Design: Sleepy.me.uk

Isy Suttie is busy. Very busy, in fact. “There are lots of different things going on – I wake up in the morning and have to look at my diary and see what I have to do that day there’s so much happening. And then I discover I have to be in Glasgow in half-an-hour.”

April 2011

Photo by Sander Jurkiewicz

The Carpels After impressing with their high octane performances and ballsy math rock, Moseley five-piece THE CARPELS were whisked away to The Charlatans’ studio in Cheshire to record their debut EP, packed with energy and tunes to boot. With the school days when they met behind them, industry showcases, new releases and live dates await. Get ready for the coming of age of The Carpels. The Carpels are the first to admit they were surprised when they were approached by The Charlatans’ drummer Jon Brookes following a gig at the Sound Bar. “We were playing like a gig a week for seven or eight months and it felt like we weren’t really getting anywhere and then Jon and Ian turned up,” explains guitarist Tom. They were quickly taken under the wing of the management team and label co-run by Brookes and business partner Ian Light and a week of recording in the top-spec studio soon followed. “We’d been looking forward to recording in someone’s bedroom and now we’re in The Charlatans’ private studio,” says drummer Jacob. “It’s only a one-off that they even let other bands come in here so it’s a real privilege,” adds frontman Dylan. Following in the

footsteps of local contemporaries such as Scarlet Harlots and Tantrums while drawing on cult classics such as Talking Heads, the result is a hybrid of bass lines, electronica, punchy guitars and spirited vocals. But see the songs performed on stage and The Carpels really come alive. The Carpels play at Zombie Prom at The Rainbow Warehouse, Digbeth, on April 30, followed by The Rainbow on May 11, supporting The Kabeedies For a free download of debut song Sand, available from April 30, ‘Like’ them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/thecarpels Having so far concentrated their efforts in the studio, the band are now set to take their sound live this month at the Hare & Hounds for a show hosted by Birmingham Promoters and Miss Perry Presents on April 27. Be warned, get your tickets early.

Evil Alien Get used to the name as you may well be hearing a lot more of EVIL ALIEN over the coming months. With barely a live show to their name, this Birmingham trip hop outfit have already created quite a stir, earning high praise in Q Magazine and are being quietly tipped for greatness. With their full debut live gig in Birmingham this month, get down there or kick yourself later. So could Evil Alien be out of this world? The musical explorers, merged from a variety of previous projects, have already announced their arrival in some style with the release of their euphoric debut track Higher Than the Sun, the perfect showcase of their haunting electronica and soaring melodies, laced with a hypnotic swirl of trip hop. 10

“Evil Alien has been created at a time where artists and musicians are expected to perform, record and even give their work away for free,” explains frontman Glenn Smyth. “A time where society demands nothing more from music than disposable, ‘talent show’ pop and wants to see nothing more than people having their 20 minutes of fortune on reality TV. “We reject this blasé attitude and strive to achieve excellence in a world where there is a demand for only mediocrity. We are following great people who we count as influences in creating real music that will sustain and thrive through these fickle times. “This is the start and it begins now.” It only takes one listen to Higher Than the Sun for that confidence to sound justified. Evil Alien make their full debut live at the Hare & Hounds on April 27 Higher Than The Sun is available for free download now at www.evilalien.co.uk Brum Notes Magazine

Lee Foss Dance label Hot Creations has quickly established itself as one of the most talked about brands on the underground club scene in little more than a year. The brainchild of Jamie Jones and Lee Foss, the pair teamed up to unleash their unique blend of RnB-infused, discosprinkled future retro and pop-referencing-house to devastating effect. Ahead of his headline set at Digbeth club night Face, we talk to Lee Foss about his progression from underground DJ to fully-fledged dance pioneer. “For me personally I have a strong sense that I need to do things on my own in the industry, I personally have never wanted to owe anyone anything or be forced to compromise my product out of obligation to a bigger label or someone who gave me my career or start,” says Lee, explaining his motivation for starting a label. “I kind of always knew I wanted to do things my own way from the ground up. I never aspired to release on the big labels because what does that really get me but less money, and less creative control with people who don’t really share my vision anyway. I can’t speak

April 2011

specifically for Jamie but I know he’d wanted to create his own brand for a long time as well, and I know that we work well together.” While he admits he and label partner Jamie Jones, won’t always agree on everything musically, they certainly trust each other’s tastes and maintain a certain feel to the label - the same influences which inspire Los Angeles-based Foss’s own DJ sets. “As DJs we have a huge spectrum of influences, but we all agree on having strong elements of funk, deep house, classic house and deeper shades of techno as essential. It has to have warmth and some soul, it has to be fun and slightly unpredictable – sort of like LA itself. “It’s just got to grab me or Jamie. . . I mean there are some things I look for, I mean the song needs to be in key, I usually want an interesting bassline. I wouldn’t recommend submitting a drum track with a canned Latin vocal and no melody or bassline for example. “I love music, it’s my whole life at this time so I’m looking for music that moves me, that gives me an emotion or motivation that just gives me that buzz where I’m excited about that track and life in general.” Lee Foss plays at Face at The Rainbow, Birmingham, on April 9, with support from Lewis Oxley and more

Velvet-voiced Solihull girl CLARE MAGUIRE has come a long way since earning the attention of the music industry with her Myspace demos. Now, ahead of her return to Birmingham for a headline tour and with her debut album in the bag, she tells CHRIS MORIARTY that there is plenty more to come.

It’s a walk Clare Maguire has done plenty of times before, getting off the train and heading towards the Bullring. But today it’s slightly different. Instead of going into town for some shopping or to meet friends, she is due at HMV to perform for fans and sign copies of her debut album Light After Dark. As far as gigs go, it is relatively small scale these days for the Birmingham-born starlet who returns to her native city as part of her headline solo tour this month, while other recent performances have included support slots at national arenas for the likes of Hurts, Plan B and The Script. But today’s HMV in-store is just another sign of how far things have come for the 23-year-old, who just a few years ago was working in Topshop in Solihull by day and uploading demos to Myspace by night. “I just got off the train at New Street and was walking towards the Bullring and HMV just thinking ‘this is really weird,’ going to play and sign here when it feels like I’m just walking through my home town just going to buy CDs, it is just really weird,” she says. “It’s amazing though, amazing, amazing, amazing and really exciting.” It is not the first “weird” experience that has greeted the former St Martin’s School pupil since her music career began taking shape, dinner with Jay-Z, being invited to watch Leonard Cohen rehearse and not to mention a raft of appearances on television, radio stations and in print, all aimed firmly at establishing her in the mainstream echelons of the charts. From having one of her songs played for a routine on Dancing on Ice to making 12

an early morning appearance on BBC Breakfast news it is fair to say Clare Maguire is making herself heard. “BBC Breakfast was good, a bit hectic though,” she laughs. “They came into the dressing room saying ‘you have to get on now,’ and I was literally not ready so actually on the TV my shoes weren’t done up and my dress wasn’t done up at the back because they literally just threw me on the sofa.” While not quite an old hand yet, she insists she is getting more and more used to the media attention and the regular interviews. “At first I was really nervous about it. I love music and performing but talking is not my strong point but you get used to it. Somebody told me just to treat each interview like a conversation.” Despite the pressures of the hype and a machine-like promotion campaign going on behind the scenes, Clare herself insists she is determined to still enjoy each new experience. And despite seeming to have appeared from nowhere she also explains it took years of hard work to get to the stage where she was taken under the wing of her record company Polydor. “At school I was 17 and a teacher said to me I would never make it so I kind of dropped out and went and got a job. I just really wanted to be a musician and when somebody told me I couldn’t it was hard. It’s like somebody saying they really want to be a footballer and being told you can’t be a footballer, it’s just really difficult. So I just wanted to leave and just go and try to make it so I started working in Topshop and then at night time I was putting demos on Myspace. I was writing songs and putting demos up and sitting up all night. I didn’t sleep for Brum Notes Magazine

“I didn’t sleep for six months, I was still just trying to get somebody to listen or find me.”

like six months, I was still just trying to get somebody to listen or find me. “Eventually a writer called Primary1 asked to write for me so I went and wrote with him and met his manager who then started to manage me and sort of hooked me up with a few people to write with. Then eventually I got signed and did my album in full but it was a lot of hard work, a real lot of hard work. “My thing to say to anybody who wants to go into music or acting or anything, even football anything like that, the best thing to do is just have tunnel vision and to have self confidence and not be afraid to put all that you have out there, put everything you have on Twitter or Facebook or Youtube or Myspace. It’s there to be used so just put it out there and try and push it because somebody could eventually like you if you have the talent.” Clare will make her first ever appearance at The Glee Club on her solo tour, spitting distance from the grittier pubs of Digbeth where she cut her teeth as a live singer. “I’m really looking forward to The Glee Club. I used to play pubs around Digbeth and I was always trying to get a gig at The Glee Club but I never could! “I used to just play in normal pubs in Digbeth and other places like that and I used to really enjoy it. It was just me playing guitar or having a guitarist there with me. I just remember it was usually when people were coming back from work and they would just ask me to play some Bruce Springsteen and things like that.” With her debut album having hit the top 10 upon its release, it’s a fair bet that fans will be requesting her own songs when they see her play now and despite the obvious comparisons to other notable female vocalists in the charts at the moment, she is determined to carve out a reputation all of her own. “I think right now I’m at the stage where I’ve seen so many artists go through where they start and people say it sounds like this, this and this. Now I’m starting to see that people are turning up to some of the support gigs like Hurts and Plan B and actually know some of the songs and actually sing it back and I think it’s up to me know to concentrate on those people then hopefully in four or five months people will hear another singer and say ‘she sounds like Clare Maguire.’ “It’s a huge compliment obviously for people to say I’m like anybody who a lot of people like, it’s a brilliant, brilliant thing but I think I have to concentrate on staying true to myself almost. If you listen to too many people and they say ‘people want you to be like this,’ and that kind of thing that’s when you start to get affected by it. I think I just have to concentrate on myself really.” Clare Maguire is live at The Glee Club, Birmingham, on April 3. Debut album Light After Dark is out now. April 2011

EXPECTING TO FLY After melting the hearts of many a John Lewis shopper with his solo work, Birmingham-born musical visionary Fyfe Dangerfield returns to the bosom of GUILLEMOTS, the band with which he made his name. With an enthralling new album out this month and a series of secret shows to come, the Guillemots frontman talks to Chris Moriarty about his excitement at being back with the band. Sitting backstage in a plush new dressing room below Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge stadium, Fyfe Dangerfield is happy to get out of van unloading duties for the sake of this interview. Guillemots perform tonight but it is not exactly a stadium gig, more precisely one of several opening parties for an incongruous yet glamorous new venue Under the Bridge set within the stadium itself. For the band it is a chance to showcase their latest material ahead of a busy few months, which sees Fyfe return to his native Birmingham for a solo show at Ikon Gallery’s Rites of Spring Festival on April 9, followed by a full band gig in a yet-to-be-revealed location the following day. As a band Guillemots earned plaudits galore with their unique sound and inventive musicality on their excellent debut Through the Window Pane in 2006 and its top 10 follow-up Red two years later. But its fair to say they can expect a new breed of fans this time around as well. Fyfe himself has made more than a name for himself beyond his role as Guillemots frontman due in no small part to providing the smooth-voiced cover version of Billy Joel’s More Than a Woman which soundtracked a recent John Lewis advert, subsequently leading to Joel’s own return to the charts as well as catapulting Fyfe’s debut solo album Fly Yellow Moon to gold-selling status. While he is not too bullish to realise that some ‘musical purists’ may raise a sneering eyebrow at such exploits, he makes no apology for doing what he is paid to do - nor for bringing Billy Joel’s music out into the open again. “When I did the Billy Joel song I got one really violent email from a guy,” he recalls. “It was quite a strangely written email but I got the impression he was working in a shop and they had whatever station on, probably something like Heart FM, and I think the song was constantly on and driving him mad and he wrote this angry email. “I actually wrote back and said: ‘If you got asked to cover a song that you quite liked and it meant you could pay off some debts you had to pay off and it meant your own band could make another record, would you do it?’ He actually wrote back and was a little bit apologetic, it was quite funny.” Fyfe doesn’t have much time for the cynical sneers at such things, but admits he expected “way more of a backlash against it than there was.” “I thought I’d get loads of flak for it, but when I did it I didn’t think it was going to be a big thing. I didn’t even think I was 14

going to get the ad, they just asked me to try it and suddenly it was released and got in the charts and I didn’t think that was going to happen, I had no idea, I just thought it would be on TV for a couple of weeks. “I really like Billy Joel and can’t stand that sort of thing like ‘this person isn’t cool’ or ‘you’re not supposed to like them,’ so I’m perfectly happy to introduce his music to people.” As for expecting crowds full of yummy mummies proudly clutching their John Lewis shopping bags at future Guillemots gigs, Fyfe insists it never crosses his mind what sort of audience he attracts. “I’m flattered if anyone wants to come and hear us play music. Singing someone else’s song just on a piano is not why I think I’m doing music, it was a bit of a random diversion but it was just one of those things that happened. There will be some people where that’s the favourite thing of mine that I ever do for them and that’s fine and a lot of the people that liked that probably won’t really get Guillemots but then hopefully some of them will.” Back to the here and now and Fyfe is just excited to be back out and playing the latest Guillemots material to people - but he insists it is not a case of “being back” with the band, as he has never really been away from them. “The solo thing has just been like a fling on the side or something. After we finished touring we had a few months off and I recorded my record in little sessions here and there at the time. A lot of it was five days in a studio at the end of 2008 so a lot of it seems quite old now. By April 2009 we were back meeting up three or four times a week as a band and writing together. We just wanted to take a long time planning this record, well, not planning but having enough time to write and dream up something really. We wanted to get to a point where we were gagging for people to hear the stuff we’d written.” The new material was recorded for the most part in a residential studio in a woodland in Wales, with producer David Kosten (Bat for Lashes, Everything Everything, Chew Lips) at the helm, and the frontman says the atmosphere played a big part in the sound of the record. “It was beautiful, there were hills around and a massive quarry nearby that we used to walk up to. Being in such a beautiful place and recording residentially as well made a big difference. It’s a bit easier to lose yourself. Brum Notes Magazine

“A lot of what we like, it’s almost stuff that you can swim in to as music rather than something static, you want something like 3D music almost, something that you can feel like you are in the middle of it, that’s what I would love people to do with this record, just drift away with it on headphones and be in its world.” Fyfe admits they have enough new material already written to make album number four and they are hungry to get back in the studio and do that, but not before getting their latest material out there. “I’m not saying everyone is going to like them [the new songs] but I know for what we’re trying to do I just know it’s a really great record for where our heads are at. We feel confident about the stuff and playing the songs, it’s a joy. There’s a definite buzz in the band at the moment and it just feels really exciting.” Fyfe will make a rare reappearance as a solo artist at Ikon Eastside this month when fans can expect a mixture of both solo and band material and says he expects to return to his solo work at some point. But for now his focus is purely with Guillemots. “I’d definitely do more solo stuff but it’s not like it’s planned out, one album here, one album there. I feel like at the moment in Guillemots we’re just gagging, once we’ve done enough promotion on this album, we want to get another one out, I feel like my energy is very much with the band at the moment. “There’s also all kinds of stuff I’ve been writing that has a very different sound. I might see it as a band thing but it might go under a different name but I’m in charge of it but everyone else in the band is involved in too, but I sort of feel like we haven’t scratched the surface yet. “Guillemots is just something we keep coming back to, we keep finding something just happens when the four of us get together and play. It’s like a weird four-piece jigsaw that just works. “We’ll always do stuff elsewhere but we’ll always come back to this because we know we’re stronger as a unit than individually.” April 2011

“Singing someone else’s song just on a piano is not why I think I’m doing music, it was a bit of a random diversion but it was just one of those things that happened.” Fyfe Dangerfield headlines Rites of Spring: Ikon Music Festival at Ikon Eastside in Digbeth on April 9 Guillemots perform at a secret location in Birmingham on April 10, with the venue to be revealed to ticket holders on the day. Details at www.guillemots.com New album Walk the River by Guillemots is released on April 18 on Geffen Rites of Spring: Ikon Music Festival runs from April 7 to 9, also featuring performances from Martin Creed, Modified Toy Orchestra, Lulu and the Lampshades, Epic45, Young Runaways, Shady Bard, Boat to Row, Is I Cinema and more. Tickets cost £12 per night (£10 for students) or £30 (£27) for a full festival pass. For full line-up and to book visit www.ikon-gallery.co.uk or www.theticketsellers.co.uk or call the 24-hour line 0844 870 0000. 15

Brum Notes Magazine

Presents

mac & MOSELEY FOLK PROUDLY PRESENT

ALASDAIR ROBERTS PLUS SUPPORT FROM MANDY CONNELL

SAT 14 MAY, 8PM

The

High Llamas

After mesmerising the crowds at 2010’s Moseley Folk Festival, we’ve teamed up with the Moseley Folk chaps to bring Alasdair Roberts back to the region, performing songs from past albums and his latest, Too Long in This Condition.

WWW.highllamas.com

‘The High Llamas havewritten some of the most richly constructed and oddly affecting pop music since The Beach Boys’– Signalto Noise WITH SUPPORT FROM

Malpas DJ Guy Carlos

“ a fine storyteller, making even the bestknown song sound as if he wrote it” The Guardian

myspace.com/malpasmusic

(The Bee’S Tour DJ and member of Gorillaz Sound System)

FRIDAY 6TH MAY

8PM TILL LATE, Adv Tickets £10 + £1 B/Fee (more on the door) Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath

Australian singer and guitarist Mandy Connell supports, performing imageryfilled self-penned material and traditional folk songs, TICKETS £10 (£7 IHEATRE – STANDING GIG MOSELEYFOLK.CO.UK BOOKING INFORMATION

www.macarts.co.uk Sales & Information: 0121 446 3232

www.moseleyfolk.co.uk

April 2011

live GRUFF RHYS The Glee Club, Birmingham February 27 After some Welsh surf music (yes, really) courtesy of Y Niwl - think Dick Dale rather than the Beach Boyos - Gruff, perhaps the most laid back dude in pop, ambles on stage like he’s taken the wrong turning and wanders over to the mic: “Hello... we’re going to...play some songs...and then we’ll play some more...thank you”. It sets the tone for a delightfully eclectic gig from the Super Furry Animal who plucks gems from all of his solo releases to date, from the Welsh language Yr Atal Genhedlaeth through to his latest album, Hotel Shampoo. Despite lacking the mariachi horns recent single Sensations in The Dark was, well, pretty sensational and classic Gruff; Honey All Over, replete with 60s pop style ba-ba-ba-backing vocals proved the perfect tune for Gruff’s equally honeyed tones and he even found the energy to lead the (mainly) seated audience in a rather impressive Mexican wave as a precursor to Candylion’s Cycle Of Violence. Saving the best ‘til last though the 15-minute epic Skylon! with its tale of an off duty bomb disposal expert’s dilemma about whether to save a rather iffy bunch of passengers was pure genius. A ‘nos da’ all round. Words by Daron Billings

MATTHEW DEAR Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath March 17 A restless St Patrick’s Day crowd eagerly awaited Matthew Dear who made his way to the stage a little later than billed. Accompanied by a trumpeter, bassist and drummer, Dear, sporting a lovely Rick Astley haircut, strode directly into the first song. A loud distorted trumpet punctuated a heavy bassline while Dear’s David Byrneesque vocals wove in and out of the indefinable dance/alternative/ electro sounds.The bass lines were compelling and got the fans moving towards the front for a

There are very few artists performing today who would leave this reviewer speechless, but Janelle Monae is now one of them. Tonight she takes on the persona of Cindy Mayweather, a messianic female droid charged with eradicating discrimination in a dystopian world. This concept might sound more suited to a prog-rock band with a love of sci-fi mythology than the work of a petite 25-year-old singer from Kansas City, but behind Monae’s idea lies a great deal of thought, energy, passion and relevance. Sprinting head-first through an incredible set, smashing down walls separating genres such as thrash metal, ultrafunk, pastoral folk, soulful gospel, electro-pop, afrobeat, even 60s and 70s psychedelia, the vivacious and kinetic Monae, dressed in her trademark white tuxedo shirt, black suit trousers and spats performed like a series of TNT explosions on stage, for both hi-octane tracks Cold War, Faster and Tightrope and the slower tempos of Sir Greendown and Oh, Maker. Underpinning the show was her powerful and versatile voice, which delivered spoken word, honeyed melodies, upbeat funk, soaring soul choruses and hip-hop verses with ease and grace. A super-tight band and wonderfully choreographed theatrics only served to amplify the charisma and sheer talent of the young star. Words by Lyle Bignon

JANELLE MONAE HMV Institute, Birmingham February 25

On an evening headlined by Submotion Orchestra it was support act Troumaca who generated the most intrigue and interest - and proceeded to steal the show.

TROUMACA Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath March 16

full-on dance: “It’s nice to see you dance,” declared Dear, egging on an already eager bunch. An air of uncertainty surrounded some curious onlookers and when Monkey started - “I’m a monkey... frozen in my monkey dream” - I had my doubts, before being pulled in beyond the lyrics by the driving bass and clever use of well-played instruments and vocals, breathing new life into last year’s Black City album. Words by Clare Savage Photo by Richard Shakespeare

The latest incarnation of Birmingham’s once brightest lights Scarlet Harlots, their sound has been pounded to a pulp and rolled out into something smooth as silk. Minimal dub underpins soulful vocals and a tropical vibe, merging guitars and electronica to subtly devastating effect. With a genuinely progressive reinvention, Troumaca showed they could become something very special - again. Brum Notes Magazine

Caitlin Rose instantly blows the audience away with her breathtaking vocals alongside two very talented musicians – Spencer Cullum Jr on steel pedal and Jeremy Fetzer on electric guitar. Opening the set with Learning To Ride it was soon clear that her album, Own Side Now really doesn’t do her vocal abilities justice. The album itself comes across as a pretty mediocre country/folk/pop medley but when listening to Caitlin live it’s obvious she is still to reach her full potential. There are times in the evening where she pushes her voice a little and the result is unforgettable. She seems at ease on stage and even a blown amp doesn’t detract from her confidence when performing. The set charmingly comes to a close with Answer In One Of These Bottles, alongside some audience participation and several members of support act the Treetop Flyers. This was a delightful set from a very promising artist. Words by Saima Razzaq

CLUBS

THE IRREPRESSIBLES Town Hall, Birmingham March 22

Image courtesy of Wayne Fox

CAITLIN ROSE The Glee Club, Birmingham March 13

Wow. Okay, perhaps that’s not the most eloquent review of all time but when you’ve just sat through an hour or so of some of the most beautiful, heartfelt music ever written it seems pretty apt. With the stage wrapped in darkness all you can hear is a single human breath, echoing throughout the cavernous Town Hall. As opening numbers go it’s an unusual way to start a gig but then The Irrepressibles, a gloriously theatrical 10-piece (eight tonight) chamber pop band aren’t your typical group. Embracing everything from the cabaret scene of 1930s Berlin through to folk and sea shanties, an Irrepressibles show is a true feast for the senses. Mirrors surround the stage on three sides reflecting back the automaton-like movements of the band as Jamie McDermott bares his soul in an intensely emotional performance. His voice is an incredible instrument, add some truly heartbreaking lyrics and it’s simply impossible to remain unmoved. The spontaneous standing ovation at the end said it all really. Wow. Words by Daron Billings

FACE meets CREAM CLASSICS feat Claude Von Stroke The Rainbow, Birmingham March 5 Tonight saw uber-cool cult club night Face team up with one clubbing super brand which is more than used to its own notoriety, Cream. Opening the larger warehouse space as well as the more intimate cellar and courtyard which usually play host to Face’s loyal mix of music lovers, it broadened the night for a multitude of tastes. Residents Elliot Croft and Scott Bleepz warm up the courtyard with a blend of crisp house beats, paving the way for first headliner Claude Von Stroke, enthusiastically rolling out his signature mixture of techno and house. Parisian club regular Shonky follows with his retro-leaning deep house set. Meanwhile, the Warehouse hosts a nostalgic mix of acid house and classic anthems courtesy of the Cream Classics tour. Yet again, another Saturday night offering plenty to put a smile on every clubber’s Face. Face takes place weekly Saturdays at The Rainbow Words by Alex Jukes Photos by Tamsin Mae

April 2011

FOOD + DRINK

The Jekyll & Hyde Royal Wedding For a launch, finale or celebration, picking the right fizz can be a nightmare. French champagne or sparkling wine - made anywhere else and just as good? Branded bling or boutique, vintage or not, demi sec or rose? Magnum or jeroboam, saber opening or champagne pyramid, in a saucer or a flute? Buying fizz for any celebratory occasion can be quite a minefield. Carl Hawkins, manager of The Jekyll & Hyde in Birmingham gives his tips on getting it right, whatever the occasion.

My simple rules: six glasses out of one average bottle only and don’t feel guilty, buy what you can afford. If that’s a nice prosecco then go for it, but don’t pay any more than £20 in a bar for that privilege. Drink from a glass not the bottle – it’s called manners. Sip, don’t gulp - let the bubbles dissipate in your mouth, it gives a nicer taste. And don’t add Red Bull or orange juice unless it’s Christmas morning. As far as anything else goes, try it in a cocktail. From Black Velvet (1861) where Guinness was topped with champagne as a mark of respect to Queen Victoria’s husband passing, to the Bellini (1945) that uses ripe white Italian peaches in season from May to September with lemon juice topped up with prosecco. Or if you’re looking for something a little more in keeping with the upcoming royal nuptials, our royal wedding cocktail is a Jekyll twist on the classic champagne cocktail, the Kir Royale, which uses cassis, a blackcurrant liqueur, topped with fizz. We adapted it to feature two liqueurs to reflect your mood or personality.

RECIPE: Kir Royale Take two half shots of any of the following liqueurs: Passion fruit (passion) Cherry (saucy) Black raspberry (luxurious) Strawberry (juicy) Marry together with an Italian prosecco rose to give a burst of summer flavours - a great way to toast an extra Bank Holiday.

By Carl Hawkins, general manager at The Jekyll & Hyde, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham

REVIEW Soul Food Project@ Hare & Hounds, High Street, Kings Heath 0121 444 2081

Food:

Service:

Atmosphere:

Value:

Gone are the days when pubs could get away with serving up a microwaved burger and frozen chips. Gastro pubs are all well and good too, but can sometimes stifle the mood. The Hare & Hounds has got it just right thanks to Soul Food Project, hitting the nail on the head with interesting, original and downright tasty food,

Overall:

served up with bags of character and cantina charm. Fitting that such a musical hotspot should serve a menu inspired by music and the spirit of America’s deep south. Service is friendly and relaxed amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy pub, while the more-than-generous portions from the new spring menu won’t disappoint either. The Sierra Nevada Hugh Puppies (£3) are a highlight to start, savoury doughnuts with a pale ale batter. Crab balls (£4) with salsa keep the comfort food coming, while the huge portions of their signature jambalaya certainly spice things up (£8). Brum Notes Magazine

April 2011

Brum Notes Magazine

April 2011

Brum Notes Magazine

April 2011

GIGS

WHAT’S ON

COMEDY

Hot property The Vaccines bring their radio-friendly indie pop to the HMV Institute on April 9, rolling back the years with their retro-rock inspired debut album. From a slightly different spectrum, acclaimed trumpeter, composer, DJ and producer Matthew Halsall brings his live band to the Hare & Hounds for the free entry Mostly Jazz Festival Launch Party on April 14. Cult 80s reggae star and MC Tippa Irie returns to the live stage on April 15, also at the Hare & Hounds. After raising a few eyebrows with his appearance on X Factory, pop-funkster Jay Kay will be attempting to prove that Jamiroquai are still cool with an arena show at the LG Arena on April 17. Punk fans will be well served when Scruffy Murphys hosts the free entry Punkfest, with two nights of live bands on April 23 and 24, including Criminal X. Sweaty indie rock trio Johnny Foreigner return to their native city with a headline show at the Hare & Hounds on April 26, before Birmingham’s newest trip hop/ electronica masterminds Evil Alien make their full live debut on April 27 at the same venue.

CLUBBING

Thanks to the ‘bloody Royal Wedding’, as it’s probably known by now (see p5), and the Easter Bunny, we’ve got two four-day weekends in a row - and that means plenty of clubbing antics to enjoy. Taking the prize for one of the most intriguing, exciting and downright debauched nights to hit Birmingham for some time, the HOTT DATE EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA on April 21 at the HMV Institute combines Mexican wrestling, cabaret and burlesque from Lucha Britannia (pictured below), alongside five rooms of live music, DJs and karaoke. The BELOW daytime parties make a welcome return on Easter Sunday, April 24, taking over The Rainbow pub and courtyard from 3pm, with Jef K, Rob Mello, Adam Shelton and more. Underground techno heads won’t need an excuse to celebrate when Regis of label-ofthe-moment Sandwell District headlines BUNKA at the Hare & Hounds in Kings Heath on April 16.

Expect witty ditties, unorthodox songs, maybe even some rapping and plenty of gags when Peep Show’s Isy Suttie teams up with triple Perrier Award nominee Dan Antopolski for a double headline show at The Glee Club in Birmingham on April 15. The following night Imran Yusuf whizzes into The Public in West Bromwich with his rapid fire wit and machine gun-style storytelling. Entertainment giant Peter Kay oils the commercial cogs of comedy with a four night stint of his new show at the NIA from April 7 to 11 - just don’t expect to be able to get any tickets if you haven’t bought them already. Sketch troupes may divide opinion, but you can check out one of the more acclaimed acts of the genre in the shape of Pappy’s All Business at The Slade Rooms in Wolverhampton on April 22.

VENUE DIRECTORY

BIRMINGHAM: O2 Academy, Horsefair, Bristol St B1, 0844 4772000; HMV Institute, High St, Digbeth B5, 0844 2485037; NIA, King Edwards Rd B1, 0121 7804141; LG Arena, NEC, Solihull B40, 0121 7804141; The Flapper, Kingston Row B1, 0121 2362421; The Victoria, John Bright St B1, 0121 6339439; Sound Bar, Corporation St B4, 0121 2362220; Hare & Hounds, High St, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4442081; The Actress & Bishop, Ludgate Hill B3, 0121 2367426; The Sunflower Lounge, Smallbrook Queensway B5, 0121 6327656; Symphony Hall, Broad St B1, 0121 7803333; Town Hall, Victoria Sq B3, 0121 7803333; Kitchen Garden Cafe, York Road, Kings Heath B14, 0121 4434725; Alexandra Theatre, Station St B1, 0844 8472302; Bulls Head, St Marys Row, Moseley B13, 0121 2567777; Island Bar, Suffolk St B1, 0121 6325296; The Jam House, St Pauls Sq B3, 0121 2003030; The Asylum, Hampton St, Hockley B19, 0121 2331109; The Rainbow, High St, Digbeth B12, 0121 7728174; Adam & Eve, Bradford St, Digbeth B12, 0121 6931500; Poppyred, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0121 6871200; The Yardbird, Paradise Place B3, 0121 2122524; The Glee Club, The Arcadian, Hurst St B5, 0871 4720400; MAC, Cannon Hill Park B12, 0121 4463232; Scruffy Murphys, The Priory Queensway B4, 0121 2362035; The Wagon & Horses, Adderley Street, Digbeth B9, 0121 772 1403; WOLVERHAMPTON: Civic Hall/Wulfrun Hall, North St WV1, 01902 552122; ; The Slade Rooms, Broad St WV1, 01902 552122; Alchemy Bar, North St WV1, 01902 711998; Robin 2, Mount Pleasant, Bilston WV14, 01902 401211; Newhampton Arts Centre, Dunkley St WV1, 01902 572090; WEST BROMWICH: The Public, New St B70, 0121 5337161; COVENTRY: Kasbah, Primrose Hill St, CV1, 024 76554473; Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, CV4, 024 76524524. 26

Brum Notes Magazine

Want your gig or club night listed in our monthly guide? Send details to: info@brumnotes.com. All details correct at time of going to press. Check with venues before setting out. While every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of listings, Brum Notes Magazine will not be held liable for any errors or losses incurred from errors which may materialise.

M M M M M M

Friday, Apr 1 Strangle Kojak

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Ducktails

Island Bar

Birmingham

The Undertones

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Dirty Minutes

Plug

Birmingham

Club Bomb

Scruffy Murphys The Flapper

Birmingham

&U&I + Tangled Hair + Drawings Carl Barat

Sicknote

M CN CN CN CN CN

Kyuss Lives!

The Library @ HMV Institute The Wagon & Horses Wulfrun Hall

Supersonic Vague

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

Casino

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Till Deaf Do Us Party

The Flapper

Birmingham

Beats by Numbers

The Victoria

Birmingham

The Source present Frank De Wulf Freestyle present Ashley Beedle Andi Osho: Afroblighty Gar Murran

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

CN C C M M M M M M M M M

Moseley

Robin 2

Bilston

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Jeaga

Scruffy Murphys The Asylum

Birmingham

The James Cleaver Quintet + more The Pigeon Detectives Mitch & Murray + Is I Cinema Eliza Doolittle

The Flapper The Library @ HMV Institute The Rainbow Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

The Sunshine Underground Superstar Boudoir

Kasbah

Coventry

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

The Asylum

Birmingham

The Ergon Carousel

CN CN Dope CN Sumosoundsystem

present Aries + Vytol Fuss Club 1st Birthday Gar Murran

April 2011

M M M M

Sunday, Apr 3 The Jim Jones Revue

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Dirty Tricks +more Clare Maguire

The Flapper

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Dwele

The Library @ HMV Institute The Victoria

Birmingham

The Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

Monday, Apr 4 Katy Perry

LG Arena

Birmingham

David McAlmont

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Polly & The Billets Doux Tuesday, Apr 5 Today Is The Day

Kitchen Garden Cafe

Kings Heath

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Dogan Mehmet & The Deerhunters Victories At Sea

Kitchen Garden Cafe Hare & Hounds Scruffy Murphys Alexandra Theatre

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds The Red Lion Folk Club The Slade Rooms Kasbah

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

Ragged Rabbit

Citizens (afternoon show) Earth

Zara Sykes

Wolves

Jessie J

The Jekyll & Hyde Cold Rice Face feat Tom Demac The Rainbow

Birmingham

Saturday, Apr 2 IQ.

CN CN Uprawr Club Night CN Dr Jekyll's Potion -

Birmingham

M M

M M M M M M

CN Burn Out Punk Club C

Night Greg Davies

Wednesday, Apr 6 Marcus Foster

Birmingham

While & Matthews

Birmingham

Paul Heaton

Birmingham

M Funeral For A Friend CN Moschino Hoes

Birmingham

Birmingham Birmingham

M M M M M M

The Victoria

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

KEY TO LISTINGS: M = LIVE MUSIC CN = CLUB NIGHT C = COMEDY

Versace Hotties Thursday, Apr 7 Acoustic Lounge

Birmingham

Kings Heath Kings Heath

Kings Heath Birmingham Birmingham

Kings Heath Wolves Coventry

Island Bar

Birmingham

Celturian

The Asylum

Birmingham

The British Kicks

The Flapper

Birmingham

Ruarri Joseph

The Glee Club

Birmingham

HardCore Jollies

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Alternative Dubstep Orchestra Traditional Song Session Kutmah (Brainfeeder)

Hare & Hounds Kitchen Garden Cafe Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath Kings Heath Kings Heath

CN C C C M M M M

White Boy Sh*t!

Bulls Head

Moseley

Peter Kay

NIA

Birmingham

Dan Clark

Wulfrun Hall

Wolves

Comedy Special

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Friday, Apr 8 Children Of Bodom

O2 Academy

Birmingham

[Spunge]

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Sixtyfivemiles

Plug

Birmingham

Black Acid Souls

Birmingham

M M M

Tsuris

Scruffy Murphys The Asylum

Silicone Daisy

The Flapper

Birmingham

Eastfield

Birmingham

CN CN CN CN

Supersonic Vague

The Wagon & Horses Gatecrasher

Resurrection

Subway City

Birmingham

Music for the People

The Victoria

Birmingham

Balkanic Eruption

Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

CN The Sugarfoot Stomp Kings & Queens Ball

CN Freestyle meets C C C C M M M

Openmindedpeople Dan Clark

Moseley Birmingham

The Civic Hall

Wolves

Peter Kay

NIA

Birmingham

Scott Capurro

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Saturday, Apr 9 The Vaccines

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Gorod

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Smokescreen

Scruffy Murphys The Asylum

Birmingham

M M

Marc Malone

Talons + Soni Quella The Blackout

Gundogs

CN Superstar Boudoir CN Rodigan & Gappy Ranks Uprawr Club Night

CN CN Dr Jekyll's Potion Back 2 Life

CN Face feat Lee Foss CN Norman Jay CN Casual Violence CN Together’s Big

Kings Heath

Town Hall

Selfless

Birmingham

Andy Parsons

M M M

C C

Birmingham

Brummie Takeover Peter Kay The Best in Live Stand-up Comedy Sunday, Apr 10 Scouting For Girls

The Flapper

Birmingham Birmingham

Nectrotize

M M M C C M M M M C M M M

Kings Heath

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Beth Orton

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Wiley

Birmingham

The Wanted

The Library @ HMV Institute The Civic Hall

Wolves

Peter Kay

NIA

Birmingham

Tuesday, Apr 12 Stone Axe

The Asylum

Birmingham

Brooke Fraser

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Xcerts

Hare & Hounds

Kings Heath

Birmingham

Apple Cannon Heather Peace

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Jon Boden & John Spiers Laughing Cows

The Red Lion Folk Club Kitchen Garden Cafe

Kings Heath

Thursday, Apr 14 Acoustic Lounge

Island Bar

Birmingham

Mike Fantastic

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Scumface + Supanaut Surface Festival

The Crown

Birmingham

The Flapper

Birmingham

Underoath

The Library @ HMV Institute The Rainbow

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds St Columba’s Church Hall Adam & Eve

Kings Heath

Andrew Lawrence

Hare & Hounds The Slade Rooms The Glee Club

Friday, Apr 15 The Mummers

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Riot Grrl Spectacular

Island Bar

Birmingham

New Abrasion

Plug

Birmingham

C M M M

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Asylum

Birmingham

The Jekyll & Hyde The Rainbow

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

Moseley

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds

M M M

Birmingham

NIA

The XXXX Comedy Cabaret Monday, Apr 11 Whitechapel

Hellbastard

M M

Birmingham

Peter Kay

Wolves

Birmingham

The Glee Club

Kings Heath

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Scruffy Murphys The Flapper

The Temple @ HMV Institute Gatecrasher

NIA

Kitchen Garden Cafe Wulfrun Hall

Wednesday, Apr 13 Young Rebel Set

Birmingham

Paper Aeroplanes + Victoria Perks Kings X

The Library @ HMV Institute The Rainbow

Birmingham

Eddi Reader

Scruffy Murphys The Glee Club

M M

The Lee Shore + The Orchard Mostly Jazz Festival Launch Party Moseley Village Band

CN Archmix presents

M M M

Chilltide Annie Mahtani & Els Viaene Simon Evans

Birmingham Birmingham

Kings Heath

Birmingham

Moseley Birmingham

Wolves Birmingham

Birmingham

Brum Notes Magazine

M M M M M

Metalloid

Scruffy Murphys The Asylum

Birmingham

John Mackie feat Bonehead (ex-Oasis) Bargepole

The Flapper

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

Tippa Irie

Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds The Slade Rooms Gatecrasher

Kings Heath

Bulls Head

Moseley

Revenant Dead

Verse Metrics

Hugh Cornwell

CN Supersonic Vague CN Freestyle presents C C M M

Down By Law Andrew Lawrence

Kings Heath Wolves Birmingham

Adele

HMV Institute

Birmingham

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Trail Of Dead + Rival Schools Run, Walk!

Birmingham

Saxon

The Wagon & Horses Wulfrun Hall

Tuesday, Apr 19 The Static Age

Scruffy Murphys Kitchen Garden Cafe

Birmingham

M M M M M

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Dan Antopolski + Isy Suttie Saturday, Apr 16 The View

The Glee Club

Birmingham

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

Valhalla

Scruffy Murphys The Library @ HMV Institute The Rainbow

Birmingham

M M M M CN

Toyah Willcox

Tomorrow We'll Trust + IONS + The Pursuit Wrapped in Plastic

Birmingham

M M

Birmingham

Steffen Basho Jungens Wednesday, Apr 20 Sugarcult

O2 Academy 2

Birmingham

The Asylum

Birmingham

Brides

The Flapper

Birmingham

Steve Craddock

The Temple @ HMV Institute The Red Lion Folk Club The Slade Rooms Scruffy Murphys

Birmingham

Thursday, Apr 21 Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six Acoustic Lounge

Hare & Hounds Island Bar

Birmingham

Celturian

The Asylum

Birmingham

Broken Links

The Crown

Birmingham

Frustration

The Flapper

Birmingham

Easter Hott Date feat Lucha Britannia Rebel Rebel

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Bulls Head

Moseley

The Victoria

Birmingham Wolves

John Ryan

The Slade Rooms The Glee Club

Friday, Apr 22 Khaliq

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham Birmingham

Jim Causley

Kassidy

Ace’s Comedy Night

Toy Horses

M CN CN CN

Pete And The Pirates Hed Kandi

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

Uprawr

The Asylum

Birmingham

Dr Jekyll's Potion Paradise Brothers Face feat Ramon Tapia Sweat

The Jekyll & Hyde The Rainbow

Birmingham Birmingham

CN Popcorn Comedy C Pappy’s All Business C

The Victoria

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

CN CN Bunka present Regis (Sandwell District)

CN High Fidelity: Music CN C M M M M M

for Smart People Habit present Residents Special Andrew Lawrence

Kings Heath Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Sunday, Apr 17 Jamiroquai

LG Arena

Birmingham

Cheap Thrill

The Flapper

Birmingham

Ben Howard

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Michael Monroe

The Library @ HMV Institute Prince of Wales The Slade Rooms

Birmingham

Traditional Music Session Raymond Froggatt

Monday, Apr 18 Christy Moore

Coventry

Agnes Obel

April 2011

Birmingham Town Hall Hare & Hounds

Moseley Wolves

Birmingham Birmingham

M M

Kings Heath

Austere

The Sunflower Lounge The Temple @ HMV Institute Kasbah

Birmingham

Wolves

Without Words

Kings Heath Wolves Birmingham

Birmingham

M M M

Eradikator

Scruffy Murphys The Asylum

Giant Steps

The Flapper

Birmingham

My Passion

Birmingham

China Shop Bull + The Balsall Heathens IO + Codex + Leicester The View

The Library @ HMV Institute The Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds Kasbah Gatecrasher

Birmingham

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Subway City

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

The Wagon & Horses

Birmingham

M CN Supersonic Vague CN Raveology Easter Payback Resurrection

CN CN Hysteria CN MK Ultra

Soundsystem

Birmingham

Birmingham Kings Heath Coventry

CN Breakthru present Soul:ution Freestyle

CN John Ryan C M M M M

Saturday, Apr 23 Punkfest The City Calls Silent Filter All Dayer Voodoo Johnson

M Magnum CN Superstar Boudoir CN Ec-Lectricity Easter Bank Holiday Weekender 2 Uprawr Club Night

CN CN Dr Jekyll's Potion -

Tic Tac Toe Thatched and Majored Bob Marley Grandsons Milton Jones

John Ryan

Sunday, Apr 24 Punkfest

CN CN

M M M

Tom Stade Live

Birmingham

Thursday, Apr 28 Nick Harper

Scruffy Murphys The Asylum

Birmingham

The Wagon & Horses The Slade Rooms Wulfrun Hall

Birmingham

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

HMV Institute

Birmingham

Wolves Wolves

The Asylum

Birmingham

The Jekyll & Hyde The Victoria

Birmingham Birmingham

M M M M M M M

M M M M

Mitch & Murray Tim Booth

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Jane Taylor

Kitchen Garden Cafe The Civic Hall

Kings Heath

Gatecrasher

Birmingham

HMV Institute

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

Moseley

Monday, Apr 25 Trey Songz

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Right Said Fred

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Punkfest

Scruffy Murphys The Victoria

Birmingham

Ace Bushy Striptease Tuesday, Apr 26 Simone Felice Aloe Blacc

Johnny Foreigner

Wednesday, Apr 27 Evil Alien

Bella Hardy

Mark Thomas

The Slade Rooms The Glee Club

Wolves

Birmingham

Acoustic Lounge

Hare & Hounds Island Bar

Paul Rodgers

NIA

Birmingham

Bring Me The Horizon

O2 Academy

Birmingham

Orchid Fever

The Asylum

Birmingham

Gentlemen of Distorted Sound Heroes of Hanoi

The Crown

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Kong

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Friday, Apr 29 N-Dubz

LG Arena

Birmingham

Jody Has A Hitlist

O2 Academy 3

Birmingham

Thunderbird 13

The Asylum

Birmingham

Derriere + Count Skylarkin + Van Mule Luke Concannon (Nizlopi) Skindred

Hare & Hounds Newhampton Arts Centre Wulfrun Hall

Kings Heath

CN Jam Hott Mike Milligan C

Birmingham

CN Bank Holiday Special

Moseley

The Glee Club

Scruffy Murphys The Flapper

Weekender - Part 3

M M

Kings Heath

CN What is House Music CN DJ Psykhomantus

Kings Heath

Hare & Hounds Alexandra Theatre The Glee Club

M Beady Eye CN Trevor Nelson CN Easter Bank Holiday

M M M

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Birmingham

Moseley

Birmingham

M CN Royal Wedding Fancy The Flapper

Wolves

Gatecrasher CN HMV Institute CN Garage Nation Scruffy Rollergirls Club Night CN

Birmingham

CN F*ck the Royal

Birmingham

Wolves

Birmingham

Dress Party Supersonic Vague

CN CN

Saturday, Apr 30 Under Blackened Skies On-Screen Heroes + The Jenkinsons Bargepole + Doom Patrol Atta Girl

CN CN Dr Jekyll's Potion CN

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Library @ HMV Institute Hare & Hounds

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds The Red Lion Folk Club

Kings Heath

Wedding Free Party Schizodelic Sound Bank Holiday Party Freestyle presents No Fakin' DJs Mike Milligan

Hot Wax Face feat Luca Lozano (Zombie Disco Squad) Jocko Homo

CN CN Elixir present Jamie Grind MAD present Fantastic Voyage Mike Milligan

Murphys The Wagon & Horses Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Wolves

Birmingham

Birmingham Birmingham

Kings Heath Moseley

The Glee Club

Birmingham

The Flapper

Birmingham

The Rainbow

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Island Bar

Kings Heath

The Jekyll & Hyde The Rainbow

Birmingham

The Victoria

Birmingham

Hare & Hounds Bulls Head

Kings Heath

The Glee Club

Birmingham

Moseley

Brum Notes Magazine

April 2011

Brum Notes Magazine