Index. Issue 60 | November 2021 | readdork.com | Down With Boring
WHAT'S ON THE DORK STEREO? ALFIE TEMPLEMAN
A thing we cannot mention until the start of November, but we’re putting here anyway like a bunch of twats, because that’s exactly what we are
Alfie Templeman has ‘done a thing’, and the ‘thing’ that he has ‘done’ is the best ‘thing’ he has ‘done’ so far. You’ll be able to hear it after this magazine is out, but before the next one arrives - but we’re putting it here because he’s sort of tweeted a bit about it and therefore it’s not entirely secret that ‘a thing’ is coming. Well done, ‘Alfie Templeman’. You are officially good at music. STEPHEN
ACKROYD, EDITOR
DRENGE
Now That’s What I Call Drenge
Their ‘best of’ Spotify playlist, obvi. Sadly prompted by Martyn’s fireworks Top 10 (p20) cos they have a song with ‘bonfire’ in the title that was (outrageously) excluded, as opposed to any sort of comeback. What an underrated band. WHERE HAVE YOU GONE, DRENGE? VICTORIA SINDEN,
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WE LOVE A GOOD POP STAR, Dear Reader. And Remi Wolf, she’s a very good pop star. Our latest cover star has been on our favourites list for a good while now, so with the release of her boptastic debut album, we’re absolutely delighted to put her exactly where she belongs - on the biggest stage possible. There’s a lot of awesome stuff going on this month. Flip over a few pages and you’ll find an interview with Self Esteem, who is about to release one of the albums of the year in the shape of her second solo full-length ‘Prioritise Pleasure’. Skip about a bit more and you’ll find Courtney Barnett and Snail Mail, both of whom are returning with awesome bodies of work, or Spill Tab and BLACKSTARKIDS, who bring the kind of day-glo vibrancy that gets us out of our metaphorical musical beds in the morning. As 2021 comes towards a close, it’s remarkable just how much great music is about. The last eighteen months may have been an up and down, desperately upsetting and stressful time - but it’s also produced some great art. Both that reflects what we’ve been through, and also escpaist treats that pull us out of the mire. If you keep reading through to the back of this issue, you’ll also find our brand new section dedicated to live music. Live reports, photos, behind the scenes snaps and all the latest gig listings, just being able to put together something like that is proof of just how far we’ve come. That’s something worth a toast. Cheers, everyone!
DEPUTY EDITOR
ADELE 21
By the time you read this Dear Reader, you’ll have heard the new Adele song. At the time of writing, we have not. We can only presume that the new dubstep-flavoured direction Adele has gone in has truly revolutionized the world and now we all drink beer-cocktails and wear cowboy boots on our head. Here’s to the future, but for now - what a banger of an album this is eh?! JAMIE MUIR, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Editor Stephen Ackroyd Deputy Editor Victoria Sinden Associate Editor Ali Shutler Contributing Editors Jamie Muir, Martyn Young Scribblers Alex Cabre, Chris Taylor, Connor Fenton, Dan Harrison, Edie McQueen, Finlay Holden, Jessica Goodman, Jamie MacMillan, Josh Williams, Neive McCarthy, Phoebe De Angelis, Sam Taylor, Steven Loftin Snappers Blythe Thomas, Corinne Cumming, Frances Beach, Haley Appell, Ian Laidlaw Jake Kelly, Jamie MacMillan, Jordan Curtis Hughes, Joseph Clarke, Mia Mala McDonald, MK Sadler, Mowgly Lee, Olivia Richardson, Patrick Gunning, Polocho, Riley Donahue, Robin Clewley, Samuel Fisher, Sarah Louise Bennett, Tina Tyrell
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‘Editor’ @stephenackroyd
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This Month. #60. NOVEMBER 2021.
Intro. 06 SELF ESTEEM
As Self Esteem, Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s first solo effort was a much-acclaimed critical success. Her follow up - ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ - is quite probably one of the albums of the year.
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THOMAS HEADON
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THE REGRETTES
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Thomas Headon can surf. And he wants the world to know. So here’s us, doing exactly that. ‘Cowabunga’, ‘dude’! With fresh single ‘Monday’ teasing The Regrettes’ first full-length release since 2019’s ‘How Do You Love?’, Lydia Night shares the joys and challenges of shaking things up - ‘exciting’ seems to be the key word.
HONNE
HONNE are back with their third full-length ‘LET’S JUST SAY THE WORLD ENDED A WEEK FROM NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?’ - mouthful of a title, but easy to swallow with their free wheeling alt-pop perogative.
MXMTOON
Dork fave mxmtoon is always up to interesting new stuff. Her latest endeavour? Performing the singing voice for the main character in the latest installment of video game Life is Strange.
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READERS’ POLL 2021 - VOTE!
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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF... ZUZU
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We want to know what you think for next month’s massive double issue extravaganza!
With her debut album finally here, we find out what it’s like to be Zuzu.
BANGERS
Let’s Eat Grandma! Mitski! Wet Leg! Phoebe Green! Loads more! Catch up with the best new tracks from the last month.
20 MARTYN YOUNG’S TOP 10
It’s bonfire season, 5th November approaches, and the toffee apples are ready for a good ol’ munch. This month, we’ve asked Martyn to select his favourite ten fireworks songs. Boom.
Hype. 22 DEXTER
South West London’s Dexter has just released her debut EP ‘I Do Love A Good Sandwich’, and if that’s not enough to win you over, well - you’re reading the wrong magazine.
24 BLEACH LAB
Loads of bands are great. Some are even important, but few come out of the blocks already feeling special. Bleach Lab do, though - which is worth getting very excited about indeed.
25 SCRUFFPUPPIE
Zeitgeisty 20-year-old JJ Shurbet, aka scruffpuppie, is equally adept at turning out an emo-pop bop as they are a heartstring-tugging piano ballad.
26 THE LET GO
A new pop duo is on the scene, and The Let Go are rapidly drawing attention.
Features. 34 COURTNEY BARNETT
Courtney Barnett is on a quest for joy, pulling optimism out of the darkness for a new album that’s quietly hopeful.
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44 SNAIL MAIL
Moving on from the coming-of-age uncertainty of her debut, Snail Mail’s second album establishes her as a force to be reckoned with.
48 BLACKSTARKIDS
Having spent the past few years accruing fans like no one’s business, Dirty Hit signees BLACKSTARKIDS are making their opening statement.
Incoming. 50 REVIEWS
All the new releases you need to know, and a couple you probably don’t.
54 ARTIST’S GUIDE
Molly Payton is what we like to refer to as ‘a talent’. She’s just dropped her brand new mini-album, ‘Slack’ – so we asked her to tell us all about it in her own words.
Go Out. 56 BRING ME THE HORIZON
It’s an awe-inspiring showcase for the future as Bring Me take on the O2.
58 BEABADOOBEE
No gimmicks. No bullshit. It’s impossible to resist beabadoobee live.
59 BLOSSOMS
Blossoms triumph as they prove they’ve got what it takes at O2 Forum Kentish Town.
60 INHALER
Inhaler and Wet Leg prove world domination is on the cards for the latest batch of new bands.
62 DECENT EXPOSURE
Get up close with Yungblud, dodie, Sam Fender and behind the scenes with L Devine in our showcase of the best live music photography from the last month.
THE DRIVER ERA
68 LISTED
SPILL TAB
Back Page.
Ross and Rocky Lynch are back with the second album from The Driver Era, and it’s a record born from love. Aw. Spill Tab is rounding off 2021 with a new EP, featuring pals Jawny, Tommy Genesis and Gus Dapperton. Dream team.
4. DORK
All the shows you need to be at, this month and beyond.
70 ANY OTHER QUESTIONS
Sundara Karma’s Oscar Pollock is the latest to take our gauntlet of random queries.
34. Cover story.
REMI WOLF
Remi Wolf may not consider herself strictly ‘a pop star’, but with one of the biggest, most fun records of the year so far, we certainly do. There’s no room for boring here.
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Intro. THE BEATING HEART OF POP.
6. DORK
REIGNING. As Self Esteem, Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s first solo effort was a much-acclaimed critical success. Her follow up - ‘Prioritise Pleasure’ - is quite probably one of the albums of the year. WORDS: Martyn Young. PHOTOGRAPHY: Olivia Richardson.
COVER STORY
QUI ET
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REMI WOLF
Remi Wolf may not consider herself strictly ‘a pop star’, but with one of the biggest, most fun records of the year so far, we certainly do. There’s no room for boring here. WORDS: Ali Shutler. PHOTOGRAPHY AND SET DESIGN: Haley Appell. STYLIST: Joanie Del Santo. MAKEUP: Francie Tomalonis. LIGHTING: Byron Nickelberry. SET DESIGN ASSISTANTS: Cameron Nawaz and Mike Teeps.
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FEATURES
TIME FLIES Courtney Barnett is on a quest for joy, pulling optimism out of the darkness for a new album that’s quietly hopeful. WORDS:
34. DORK
Jessica Goodman. PHOTOGRAPHY: Ian Laidlaw, Mia Mala McDonald.
COURTNEY BARNETT
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FEATURES
N E W Ross and Rocky Lynch are back with the second album from The Driver Era, and it’s a record born from love. Aw. WORDS:
Jessica Goodman. PHOTOGRAPHY: MK Sadler, Samuel Fisher.
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THE DRIVER ERA
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FEATURES
44. DORK
SNAIL MAIL
Moving on from the coming-of-age uncertainty of her debut, Snail Mail’s second album establishes her as a force to be reckoned with. WORDS:
Neive McCarthy. PHOTOGRAPHY: Tina Tyrell.
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“A stunning debut” ROLLING STONE
“A beautifully delicate record” DORK
The Debut Album Optimist Out Now