subbacultcha-BE-december2011-january2012

Unruly Music Magazine December 2011/January 2012

Who Let the Blogs out?!

Austra, Peaking Lights, Das Racist

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

These are the soft hands of Indra Dunis and the somewhat rougher hands of Aaron Coyes. The couple are sitting on a bench in a park in Brooklyn while being photographed by Christopher Schreck.

Indra and Aaron are lovers to begin with, but they also are Peaking Lights, producing bass-heavy repetative sounds that at one point make you feel like time is running backwards. Peaking Lights have been buzzing the blogosphere recently, if not only for the fact that their newborn baby Mikko is out with them on tour. The three of them hit Belgium on 4 December. Read all about it on page 32.

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New Music Colophon

This WhoMonths we arerecommendations and what we do

Subbacultcha! Magazine is published by Subbacultcha!

Ghent Office Krijgslaan 53A, 9000 Ghent, Belgium www.subbacultcha.be. magazine@subbacultcha.be Amsterdam Office Da Costakade 150, 1053 XC Amsterdam, the Netherlands www.subbacultcha.nl. magazine@subbacultcha.nl We are Editors: Leon Caren, Bas Morsch and Kasper-Jan Raeman Editorial Assistant: Sarah Gehrke Design: Bas Morsch Interns: Marina Henao, Ryanne Lannoye and Freek van Heerikhuize Good Girl: Loes Verputten Printing: Drukkerij Gewa, Arendonk Contributors: Nuno Barroso, Carly Blair, Basje Boer, Brenda Bosma, Leon Caren, Zofia Ciechowska, Crakk David, Sarah Gehrke, Geoff Kim, LADDA, Steven McCarron, Bas Morsch, Jonas Nachtergaele, Herlinde Raeman, Kasper-Jan Raeman, Stine Sampers, Christopher Schreck, Eno Swinnen, Johanna Valdés, Simon WaldLasowski and Isolde Woudstra Distribution: Brussels: Jesse Van Pée, Gertjan Rasschaert, Melika Ngombe Ghent: Bart Bruneel Antwerpen: Antonio Marques. Bruges: Pieter Devriese Leuven: Elmo Lê Van Kortrijk Hasselt: Sofie Marguillier Luik: Collectif Jaune Orange Namen: Eliot Opdenbosch Pick up Subbacultcha! Magazine here (among 200 other places): Brussel: AB, Buzz On Your Lips, VK* Concerts, BOZAR Gent: Democrazy, Vooruit, SMAK, DOK, Music Mania Antwerpen: Scheld’apen, Trix, Kavka, American Apparel, Think Twice Brugge: Cactus, De Werf, Snuffel Kortrijk: De Kreun, The Pits Leuven: STUK, Depot, De Werf Hasselt: Muziekodroom, Popacademie Luik: Jaune & Orange If you want your bar, venue, store or business to be on the distribution list, please send us an email.

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Cover Image by Crakk David Page 4

Content

Who Let the Blogs out?!

Who Let the Blogs out?!

Peaking Lights

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Page 32

Austra

Agenda

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Top 5 New Music We Saw You who let the blogs out?! austra das racist peaking lights the men

6 8 12 14 20 28 32 39

Featured Artist Food Agenda subbacultcha shows other shows Free Stuff after midnight Overview

42 47 49 50 55 60 61 62

One thing that struck us in 2011, is the insane amount of new music that’s flooding our cyberspace on a daily basis. Sure we’re having a ball with all these great new bands, but there’s only so much music you can listen to in a lifetime. So we went on a little search, trying to find out where the hell this is all going. On top of that we interviewed Austra and Peaking Lights and we photographed The Men and Das Racist. Don’t read too fast now, cause we’re going on a short holiday and the next issue won’t come out till February. In the meantime, enjoy the shows and see you in 2012.

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Top 5

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Last month at our office

Photography: If You Leave

London-based photographer Gaetan Verboven aka Laurence Von Thomas has recently released a second book inspired by his blog If You Leave. The book holds a selection of pictures that were published on the blog. The often melancholy photos radiate feelings of desolation and loneliness. Wonderful. Check the blog to purchase a copy.

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Concert: Wise Blood at DOK

Two hours before the concert, things were looking pretty bad. The US power converter was broken and we thought we had to cancel. But then tour manager and Ghent resident Xavier Benoit turned up last minute to save the day.

And what a day it was! Wise Blood’s Chris Laufman was on fire, playing an amazing set.

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Community: Swill Children

Besides releasing music by acts such as Lucky Dragons and W-H-I-T-E, the folks down at Brooklyn-based art collective Swill Children also host events, run a website and put out wonderful publications. swillchildren.org.

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TV Series: Twin Peaks

Back in 1990, David Lynch got together with Hill Street Blues director Mark Frost to create one of the best TV series ever made. We bought the complete series online for a bargain price and just can’t stop watching.

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Food: Kerststronk

Man! We’re looking forward to the annual Kerststronk: literally ‘Christmas stump’, it’s a dessert commonly seen on Belgian Christmas menus. Sweeeet!

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Subbacultcha! is all about a membership

Austra 9/12

Free for members

Illustration by Eno Swinnen

Become a member of Subbacultcha! for only â‚Ź7 a month and see Austra (and lots of other shows) for free.

Sign up at subbacultcha.be and see page 50 for the full list of shows Page 7

New Music

This month’s recommendations

By Zofia Ciechowska

Juno Akasawa

junoakasawa.bandcamp.com

Juno Akasawa makes beats that sound like an old modem having wild sex with a fax machine. This Parisian producer’s most recent release, Hyperspace V1, is a sweaty, erratic mess of chopped-up bleeps, blaps and synths. Although completely chaotic, it all somehow falls into place as the music jitters and jolts and then turns into a smooth wave of sound. You might have to sit this one out if you like to boogie, but those who like a bit of a mindfuck should gobble it up in no time.

Jesse Ruins

jesseruins.bandcamp.com No one knows anything about Jesse Ruins, so sorry for kind of regurgitating what everyone else is saying about this dude/dudette from the Tokyo ‘bedroom pop scene’ (whatever that means, yeah). So instead of telling you about the hazy quiet music that crescendos into a chaotic wall of sound and is totally, really, super very good, I’m going to tell you that apparently all the underground Japanese music zines are going on about how Jesse Ruins wore this weird jumper knitted out of udon noodles and wasabi during his/her gig and then ripped it off and tossed it into the crowd, who promptly devoured it and howled for more. A-woooooooooooooooooo!

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New Music

Acid Glasses

www.acidglasses.tumblr.com

Please don’t sigh and turn the page if I mention the words ‘bedroom’ and ‘project’ in the same sentence. Nick Burk is from Memphis, he likes getting stoned with his friends and hanging out with his gf. He’s pretty normal in that way until you hear his music which is totally not normal and therefore good. Each track of his is pretty distinct from the rest, so I can’t really give you a nice pie chart with electronic/new wave/garage percentages, sorry. Just take my word for it. Also, his most recent video ‘Jpeg Hoarder’ is a visual treat of random-ass clips and an unceasing three-note guitar loop.

SFV Acid

www.sfvacid.com For those unacquainted with the term, SFV stands for San Fernando Valley, that part of LA that is stereotypically rife with peroxide blond botox barbies. So yes, So Cal Mr Zane Reynolds aka SFV Acid obviously likes being a bit subversive if you get a load of his body twitching beats. In his own words, ‘it’s acid, deep, hardcore, moody and bizarre!’

Check out his record New West Coast, released earlier this year on PPM, the label of No Age’s Dean Spunt.

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New Music

continued

Peace

www.peaceforeverever.co.uk Don’t know how to talk to that cute skinny-jean-clad boy/girl at that awesome party? Next time ask the DJ to play this band’s track ‘Bblood’, then do some casual shoulder-shrugging and foot-tapping and make your way over and say hi. They’ll say hi back and start shoulder-shrugging too. You’ll be snogging in the loos in no time, all thanks to this English Midlands band’s tropical guitars and wooing vocals. Beware of the video though, it will make you dizzy as hell.

King Krule

www.kingkrule.com

Having previously hid under his Zoo Kid moniker, young Archy Marshall is rapidly emerging from his Peckham hideout in south-east London under his swish new name King Krule. Yes, we’ve already been on about this little-dude-with-the-super-suave-super-mature-voice, but we aren’t going to shut up just yet because boy, is this boy talented!

And if you don’t think he’s talented, he’s pretty handsome, so there, he wins on all fronts! His new self-titled EP is out on True Panther, so cram your ears with Marshall’s smooth croons and guitar shuffles before we have to start gushing about him again. PS And check out his other side project called DJ JD Sports!

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GLIMPS

We Saw You

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Spotted at Subbacultcha

Photo by Stine Sampers

What’s the last album you downloaded? I just downloaded a couple of mixes my friend Cornelius offered us as motorway music. He introduced me to Berlin techno and Berghain earlier this year, and ever since I’ve felt part of that community.

Alexander Cowan (tour manager Braids), spotted at the Braids concert in De Kreun, Kortrijk on 9 October

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

When it comes to music, mp3 blogs help us navigate the internet’s unfathomable depths. But where everyone has an opinion, whose do you trust? There’s no denying that the internet is a useful tool for finding new music. But if we have to consume information faster and more efficiently to avoid drowning in a sea of information, do we put ourselves at risk only skimming the surface of things? We ask online music experts for their take on the situation.

Words by Carly Blair. With insights from Mike Sniper (Captured Tracks), Amanda Brown (100% Silk), Derek Evers (Impose Magazine) and Justin Gage (Aquarium Drunkard) Illustrations by Geoff Kim

The internet didn’t always exist. It’s hard to imagine and easy to forget that sometimes. Since its advent in the late ’80s, the internet has gone from a bizarre underworld frequented by only the hardcore-est of geeks to, quite simply, omnipresent, absorbing other technologies and becoming progressively more integrated into every aspect of our lives. With it comes a lot of promise – of access to an essentially infinite store of information; Page 14

of the ability to connect with likeminded people all over the world; of the democratisation of information.

The challenge now is to figure out how to navigate the internet’s unfathomable depths. When it comes to music, mp3 blogs increasingly serve as our guides.

The first mp3 blogs (e.g. Fluxblog) were started with the pragmatic mission of sharing hard-to-find and/

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

‘The end result is a blogosphere that is surprisingly homogeneous, given the infinite possibilities for individual self-expression the internet offers.’ or obscure music. In the decade since, mp3 blogs have not only proliferated, bloggers have come to be viewed as modern day taste-makers. The power of blogosphere hype to influence record sales has been widely touted, and has of course not gone unnoticed by labels in search of a bit of free publicity. Blogs used to be more of a means Page 16

of self-expression. Nowadays, people can make a living from blogging, and more page hits mean more advertising revenue. Why not mix in a bit of mainstream coverage, or try to ride the latest hype wave? The end result is a blogosphere that is surprisingly homogeneous, given the infinite possibilities for individual self-expression

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the internet offers. Not to mention able for sifting through on a daily baone that favours staying current over sis is pretty overwhelming. It’s easy to get lost down what Sniper refers to as covering stuff that’s meritorious.

‘YouTube music k-holes’, only to reWe used to rely on gatekeep- emerge some time later completeers with extensive knowledge and ex- ly baffled by how much time you just pertise, such as labels or radio DJs, spent there. You can focus on a handto select the music we were exposed ful of blogs, or you can use an aggreto. Now that information is free- gator such as The Hype Machine or ly available and everyone can share Elbo.ws to skim the internet’s surtheir opinion, these gatekeepers have face, but even trying to be picky can less and less power. But in the ab- be fruitless in the battle against inforsence of traditionally vetted expertise, mation overload. whose opinion does one trust? By virWhile the proliferation of digitue of caring enough to write about music, perhaps bloggers are discern- tal music and of information in gening enough - ‘if lots of music nerds eral is a natural consequence of more like you, you’re probably pretty good,’ and more people getting online, it’s Derek Evers notes - but Mike Snip- also an indication that the way we er sees it differently. ‘I used to think consume information is changing. [pre-approval by elitist music snobs] Because there is so much to choose was a bad thing, but the more I think from, and we feel pressure or tempabout it, maybe it’s for the best, be- tation to know as much of it as possicause the majority of bloggers aren’t ble, we’re taking in smaller chunks at richly educated in music history and a faster pace. This certainly facilitates where things come from.’ In any case, discovering a larger quantity of muby completely opening the floodgates, sic. But, as Justin Gage observes, ‘here we put ourselves at risk of drowning in the second decade of the 21st century, there is an unparalleled opporin an ocean of opinions. tunity to explore and listen to more Of course, it’s not just opin- music than at any other time in hisions that have flooded the inter- tory. Because of this, we are now also net. If one chooses to acknowledge faced with the challenge of qualiit, the amount of new music avail- ty over quantity—meaning, on what Page 17

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

‘By completely opening the floodgates, we put ourselves at risk of drowning in an ocean of opinions.’ level are you able to engage with the offering it cursory attention, thereby 20,000 albums on your computer? In depriving ourselves of the opportunity a lot of ways, the connections people to truly understand and appreciate it. have with music are not as deep as I think I’m not the only one havthey were, say, a decade ago.’ ing a kind of existential crisis nowaThis touches on precisely what days, feeling like the fuller life gets, troubles me most. Music listening is the emptier it feels. I’m not saying you becoming a cycle of ‘in one ear and should throw your laptop out the winout the other’. As we’ve traded pur- dow and disconnect completely, but I chasing music on cheaply manufac- do think that finding balance is a crutured media that fall apart after a cial part of finding peace. Embrace while for owning an online reposito- the internet, but do so critically. Mayry of files that will ‘last forever’, the be I’m just a whiny old fart, fighting music itself has ironically started to a Sisyphean battle against the boulbe treated like something cheap and der of changing times. You 21st-centemporary; our memories of songs tury kids can go ahead and consume end up like so much land-filled waste, music however you want. But if you’re buried under a pile of other stuff and ever feeling overwhelmed, considslowly decaying. In our obsession with er Amanda Brown’s advice: ‘You can’t being as familiar with as many things avoid the cycle, you just have to make as possible and consuming informa- sure you have better things to do than tion efficiently, we sacrifice revisit- pay too close attention to it.’ After all, ing the familiar and beloved. What’s having more cool shit to choose from even more disturbing to contemplate than you could ever possibly find time is that we may also lose our ability to for is actually awesome. We might as appreciate complex music by only ever well relax and just enjoy it.

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

Austra

Austra exploded onto the scene with Feel it Break (out on Domino Records) and are literally playing all over the world. We talked to frontwoman and ex-opera singer Katie Stelmanis through quite a crappy connection. She sometimes sounded a bit like Diamanda Galás finding out there’s no honey left in the cupboard. If you want to give her a treat, bring her some Manuka honey or black liquorice, preferably before a show. She might just sing you an aria. An aria!

Words by Brenda Bosma. Photos by Isolde Woudstra

So, how does it feel to be a synthpop sensation?

Well, I don’t think that we’re a sensation, except for maybe a few select people in the world. Other than that we keep it pretty real. But yeah, it’s been great. It definitely feels good.

What about diva behaviour?

There’s not really any of that, but if we get to a venue where we don’t Page 20

all get a monitor on stage, we can get quite mad. Three years ago we wouldn’t really have cared about such a thing, but nowadays we try to stand up for ourselves. In the end we will maintain a professional composure of course. [laughs] You’ve opened for Arcade Fire, which is a big enterprise with lots of crew members. What was that like?

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

Austra

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‘To me, indie rock is the most asexual and boring genre.’

That was a whole different dimension. Personally I think it was really humbling, because a show like that is so far from what we’re doing right now. Before we got there I remember we were joking about what we would like to have on tour with us, like a yoga instructor and a professional chef. We knew we were never actually going to have these things.

And they did have both those things!

That was pretty surreal. Opposite to what you might think though, they are one of the most down-to-earth people I know.

Now you’re nearly playing every continent in a time stretch of about four months. Did you hire a crew member to help you establish that?

I guess we just love to tour. People keep on offering us shows. I don’t think we’ve ever said no to them. After this we’re going to take a break.

We’re learning to say no a little more often and save ourselves a bit.

About your stage presence. John Maus talks a lot about the triumph of the spectacle and that the hysterical body is way more interesting to look at, especial-

ly when on a stage. Do you agree with this?

I feel that generally there’s a cycle of what people expect from a performance. I think we’re coming out of an era where indie rock set the bar for this. To me, indie rock is the most asexual and boring genre. A lot of bands nowadays are luckily taking a complete opposite approach and are putting way more effort into theatrics. It’s kind of like a throwback to the ’80s with the big hair and the costumes. That appeals to me and I’m glad to be part of that movement.

With Austra we put a lot of effort into what we’re wearing and how we present ourselves, but I don’t think we go over the top. Also our two dancers/ backup singers add so much dynamic to our presence.

Do you think you’ll set a trend with having two female twin backup singers?

I hope not. I mean I guess I heard Feist has that now too, so maybe we do have set a trend. [laughs] I know you’ve studied classical music and piano, sang in an opera choir as a Page 23

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Austra

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‘When you’re on a stage with singers and a chorus and a huge orchestra surrounding you, you just can’t help but fall in love with it.’ child and there are still traces of your opera training in Austra. What’s the attraction of opera music to you exactly?

I think I just got exposed to opera at a really young age. I was performing with the Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus when I was 10.

When you’re on a stage with singers and a chorus and a huge orchestra surrounding you, you just can’t help Page 26

but fall in love with it. It’s such a huge experience with that raw and massive sound.

Do you ever have a hard time reaching those high notes?

I find it really hard to not get sick on tour. When I did, we talked about bringing it down a couple of notes, but we still haven’t done that yet. [laughs]

Austra

How do you treat your voice?

Black liquorice is the most effective. The one without sugar and the bitter taste works great for me. Also, a lot of water and Manuka honey.

As a teenager I spent an afternoon in our local library listening to the terror vocals of Diamanda Galás. At night I had an awful dream where she poured a bucket of pig’s blood over me. Your music is also very colourful and cinematic.

Any influences in that field?

Oh my! I’m a huge fan of Diamanda Galás. She’s so intense. I love her Billie Holiday cover. I assume she has a theatre or an opera background.

When you’ve been in an opera environment a theatrical performance kind of comes naturally. You can’t really tone down. I also love her political attitude.

Let’s talk politics!

Well, in terms of creating music it’s all about the music. We don’t really have a message particularly. As a person in the music industry I and we definitely have strong politics. I think it’s refreshing to not be afraid to have an opinion about that. A lot of bands nowadays tend to shy away from it.

But I don’t write very political or literal lyrics.

Yes, I was cracking my head about this one: ‘does a pulse have a beat, and a beat

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have a pulse’. But that’s okay. Another thing: operas are known for their tragic themes. Is there any tragedy in your music?

Not really specific, I guess. For me music is definitely melancholy, but I find that actually when I am feeling sad or depressed I’m not really capable of writing anything. It kind of needs to come from a place you’re at when you’re coming out of the dark.

Do you have a favourite aria you hymn in the tourbus?

One of the first operas I was in was La Bohème by Puccini. That’s still one of my favorite operas. The aria the character Rodolfo sings called ‘Che Gelida Manina’ holds a special place in my heart.

Any favourite character from Greek mythology as operas often dealt with that?

I don’t really know too much about that to be honest. That’s more early opera, I was more into Romantic opera. I can say I was a big fan of Xena the Warrior Princess when I was young, but that’s about it. [laughs] Austra play on 09 December in Charlatan in Ghent. The show is hosted by Democrazy and is free for Subbacultcha! members.

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Das Racist

Photographed by Simon Wald-Lasowski

Das Racist play on 07 December in Trix in Antwerp.

The show is free for Subbacultcha! members.

Other live dates: 04/12 - De Kreun, Kortrijk

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

Das Racist

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Peaking Lights

Peaking Lights build luscious layers of synths over a super bass to create a dispersed, polyphonic experience. But Aaron Coyes and Indra Dunis don’t just make beautiful experimental electro.

They’ve made a pretty baby called Mikko too!

Indra and Aaron are a family and a self-made business. We met them at Co-op 87, a tiny record store in Brooklyn run by their new label, Mexican Summer. While Aaron loaded the van with their equipment, drove to the venue and set up for the evening’s show, Indra took care of the baby and talked to us about their sonic evolution, recording in New York and how their new family works.

A day in the life—away from the bustle of the blogosphere.

Words by Johanna Valdés. Photos by Christopher Schreck Page 32

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Who Let the Blogs out?!

Peaking Lights

Subbacultcha: And what prompted your clan to pass through New York?

Indra: We’re in town to record our new album. We were lucky enough to get a record deal with Mexican Summer and Domino so we’re subletting an apartment and recording up to the end of November.

Did you find the place on Craigslist?

That may be a little sketchy...

Through a friend in another band who’s on tour. So we’re at their place.

It worked out really well for us, definitely.

Describe the setup of your Brooklyn digs. What does it look like? How does it compare to home?

It’s a studio in Greenpoint, right above a Polish deli. It’s TINY. There’s enough room for our suitcases, the stroller and the three of us, but that’s it! It’s a cosy place for crashing at night and the neighbourhood is great.

We eat pierogi every day.

You, Aaron, baby Mikko and nanny Claire drove across the country to get to Brooklyn. Tell us about your journey. Can you describe your tour van, inside and out? How long have you guys had it?

We got it right before we left

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Wisconsin, it’s a Dodge Ram Van 1500. The back seat is chopped out for extra comfy zones and baby chilling. We drove from Madison, Wisconsin where we were living until the end of October. We are en route to LA now—just making a couple stops first! But with our baby, everything has to slow down and be more mellow, so we took three-and-a-half days to do the 16-hour drive.

Aaron was driving. At one point, the van broke down so we were four country bumpkins lost in a country town in Pennsylvania. The van got fixed so, disaster averted. There were killer thrift stores with tons of killer new digs so everyone left happy. And the van seems to be running solid.

Can we talk about Good Style Shop? It was your vintage store?

We sold it. It was records and a boutique that carried everyday vintage wear—we tried to keep it freaky.

We first started it to provide a space for bands to play. Lots of weirdo jammers and good vibes. Our friend, Pete, runs it now and Claire is the manager. We had a hard time finding work when we lived in the country, so we eBayed and sold stuff online. We collected so much stuff we opened a store.

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Peaking Lights

‘I was about a month away from giving birth so, you know. I was more focused on that.

It was cool to get emails from people in the blogosphere, though. A lot of them were like ‘oh, I really like your record! Check out what I wrote about you.’ And I was like ‘awesome!’’

How are Peaking Lights doing with the bloggers? Do you follow yourselves in the blogosphere?

Well, it’s been totally great. When we released 936, I was pregnant with Mikko and I wasn’t paying attention to the release all that much. I was about a month away from giving birth so, you know. I was more focused on that. It was cool to get emails from people in the blogosphere, though.

A lot of them were like ‘oh, I really like your record! Check out what I wrote about you.’ And I was like ‘awesome! Oh, this blog likes it! Or that one does.’

Your music has ripened into a clearer, more controlled sound, like a fruit ready for the dance floor. Tell us about your sonic beginnings and what has led to your evolution.

We’ve been a band since 2008.

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We started with two amps, one for each of us. It was all we could really afford anyway. We kind of got too used to the music sounding very muddy. As soon as we got the chance to buy some more gear, we were like, ‘Ok. Now, this is what we’re trying to sound like.’ We’d always heard something different than what the audience could hear.

Aaron just keeps loading more equipment into the van than I believe a duo can find things to do with. It looks like you’ve got enough equipment for an eight-piece.

It’s just the two of us trying to sound like a whole band. That’s why we prerecord our back-track: the drums, bass, maybe some of the keys —anything that repeats. We run the track through these two giant speakers, here. And we have a lot of amps.

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Peaking Lights

Having all the instruments run through the same amp makes everything sound really muddy. We’ve tried it. It doesn’t really work very well.

New baby, new label, new city—do you think the newest album will reflect all of these shifts? Do you think your homegrown sound will be challenged at all under these conditions?

The beats and the bass lines, the foundations for the new album were recorded in our home. Only now it’ll be our job for the next month instead of trying to squeeze work in here and there or when the baby is sleeping.

We’re here and we have the studio, we have our nanny Claire with us, who can watch our baby while we focus on recording. If anything, we’re going to be able to do more than we usually have time to.

And how do you feel about the way music is distributed today? Is the internet killing the video star?

In a way, the question is why should you necessarily have to pay for music? The only reason is to sort of support the industry and support the musician. It’s great to spread the word about art and music through the underground, which I kind of consider blogs to be. Anybody can set up Page 38

a blog and start talking about what they like and share things. It’s revolutionary. You don’t have to read about something in a magazine or maybe by chance see it at your friend’s house.

You can just go online and look at your favourite blogs. Or anyone’s blog.

And Peaking Lights are on a mini-tour now to promote 936 and to hit Europe with a new psychedelic lo-fi kaleidoscope of sounds?

Yeah, we’ll be playing a show in Amsterdam, that’s gonna be in early December. Then we play Paris, Belgium and maybe three shows in England. So it’s a pretty short tour.

Are you excited about it? We sure are.

Definitely. It’ll be really fun to go over there. And it will be Mikko’s first time overseas. He’s got a little passport and his picture is really cute.

I wish they made baby-sized passports.

I know, I’d been half-expecting that. But it’s just a regular-sized passport with a little baby face on it.

Peaking Lights play on 04 December in DOK in Ghent. The show is free for Subbacultcha! members.

Who Let the Blogs out?!

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The Men Brooklyn’s The Men are as virile and no-frills as their name implies, playing hardcore post-punk that’s melodic, distorted and extremely loud.

One night, after a show in New York, photographer Christopher Schreck went running up and down the streets with them and took some photos while they were climbing on window grating, jumping into garbage piles, lifting each other up and grabbing people on the street. He tried capturing it all using some double-exposure and thinks the shots reflect the band’s overall tone.

We think so too.

Photos by Christopher Schreck Page 39

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The Men

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The Men play on 18 January in De Kreun in Kortijk. The show is free for Subbacultcha! members. toevoegen: Other live dates: 19/01 Les Ateliers Claus, Brussels Page 41

Art

Featured Artist

Crakk David

Crakk David (1983) hails from Aalst and is mostly inspired by kitschy decor, nature, VHS, prison culture, kids drawings and Wild Palms. With his photography, video art and collages, he creates his own aesthetics to shed a different light on everyday life in this country, tackling both the beautiful as well as the tasteless and the ordinary. A simplistic, low-resolution approach and DIY aesthetic are key to both his imagery and sound, as he also writes music under different aliases and is co-owner of the Surf Kill imprint, a new label releasing everything from vinyl records to zines. http://crakkk.tk/ http://soundcloud.com/dynooo Artist selected, liked and approved by Ladda & Topo Copy.

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Art

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Featured Artist

Crakk David

Art

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PRINTING PRINTING PRINTING WITH WITH WITH PASSION PASSION PASSION ▲

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this publication was printed by gewadrupo

www.gewa.be 2370 Arendonk (B) l Hoge Mauw 130 Te l + 3 2 ( 0 ) 1 4 6 7 8 6 6 9 Fa x + 3 2 ( 0 ) 1 4 6 7 2 3 1 6

w w w. g e w a . b e

By Zofia Ciechowska Photo by Basje Boer

What’s Cooking?

Food

Kink Krule Koek

200g grated carrot 1 knob of freshly chopped ginger 1 handful sultanas 200g dark brown sugar 150ml sunflower oil 2 large eggs

• Preheat your oven to 180° C. Mix the flour, baking powder, cloves and cinnamon in a bowl.

• In a separate, bigger bowl, combine the brown sugar, oil and eggs and stir until smooth.

Add the grated carrot, chopped ginger and sultanas.

• Gradually sift the contents of the other bowl into the bigger bowl and stir with all your might until you get a nice and smooth mixture.

• Line a round baking tin with some greaseproof paper and

175g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon ½ tsp ground cloves A generous shake of icing sugar

slowly pour in the cake mix. Lick the spoon, lick the bowl, lick the kitchen top, you know you want to.

• Stick the cake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until a carefully inserted toothpick comes out clean.

• For those with strong willpower, leave to cool and then sprinkle generously with icing sugar. If not, scoff it down immediately with a cold glass of milk in hand to soothe your burnt mouth, fools!

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concerts css (05.12) • sallie Ford & the sound outside (06.12) • William Fitzsimmons (07.12) • mansField. tya + loïc b.o. and the Frantic lovers (08.12) • cascadeur (14.12) • Friendly Fires (15.12) • malibu stacy + the lanskies (16.12) • hurtmold + utz (17.12) • the boxer rebellion (18.12) • lamb (19>21.12) • chilly Gonzales (22.12) • cymbals eat Guitars (10.01.2012) • baxter dury (14.01) • the notWist + Joasinho (21.01) • le yeti (25.01) • liz Green (26.01) • clap your hands say yeah ! (11.02) • tune-yards (22.02) • kurt vile & the violators (23.02) • andreW bird (08.03) • lambchop (09.03) • elliott murphy (16.03) • talvin sinGh and niladri kumar (30.03) …

02 218 37 32 more @ botanique.be

Shows in December and January

Agenda

Agenda On the following pages:

Subbacultcha! concerts, totally free for members Page 50

Other shows Page 55 Free tickets Page 60

These are Rob Barber and Mary Pearson of High Places photographed by Ye Rin Mok in Rob’s garden in LA. High Places play on 1 December in de Kreun in Kortrijk.

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See all these shows for free. Sign up at www.subbacultcha.be.

High Places + Holloys

01 December - De Kreun, Kortrijk 20.00 | €10 | Free for Subbacultcha! members

We’re excited to see LA-based electronic duo High Places return to Europe. Over the past couple of years, they’ve built up quite a following with their sound-collage aesthetics and dreamlike compositions. This month, they’re releasing their brand-new album Original Colors, which sounds a bit darker than their previous efforts, and also more dance-oriented. Should make for an exciting live show. Support by groovy noise rockers Holloys.

Peaking Lights + Köhn + DJ Tommy Kraak 04 December - DOK Kantine, Ghent 20.00 | €8 | Free for Subbacultcha! members

Husband-and-wife dub-noise psych pop duo Peaking Lights released their amazing album 936 on Not Not Fun back in March, causing quite a stir in the international blogosphere with their exciting mix of dreamy pop music and bass-heavy dub grooves. Recently the duo have signed to Domino’s sub label Weird World (Washed Out, Smith Westerns), who are re-releasing the record in November. On top of that, they’ve put together an awesome mixtape featuring some mean oriental sounds as well as groovy pop, dub and reggae, guiding us gently through their sonic landscape. And what a landscape it is! Support by Ghent-based noisemaker Köhn, who’s just released his new album Random Patterns on KRAAK. Page 50

Shows in December and January

Agenda

As a member you will also receive this magazine every month plus a stylish tote bag

Teams + Jealov

06 December - Bonnefooi, Brussels 20.00 | €4 | Free for Subbacultcha! members We’re thrilled to host a show by Miami-based producer Teams. We’ve been following him ever since his amazing free EP Catch Pool came out back in 2010. Since then, he’s been doing a lot of collaborations with the equally amazing Star Slinger, and recently he put out his debut full-length on AM DISCS featuring more of his trademark electronic soundscapes and hazy repetitive beats. Tonight we’re teaming up with the folks from Buzz on Your Lips, who will be playing some groovy records.

Das Racist

07 December - Trix, Antwerp 19.30 | €10 | Free for Subbacultcha! members

They’re not joking, just joking, they are joking, just joking, they’re not joking. Or are they? These alternative hip hoppers/multimedia whizzes toss off deadpan rhymes filled with allusions to race and pop culture over consistently solid beats. Regardless of whether you find their slacker sarcasm clever or maddening, it’s undeniable that they’re a unique voice in hip hop.

See photos on page 28.

Austra

09 December - Charlatan (Democrazy), Ghent 20.00 | €10 | Free for Subbacultcha! members

Austra have been touring non-stop, ever since their amazing debut album Feel it Break came out in May. We’ve been listening to the record a lot here at the office, truly digging Katy Stelmanis’ crystal-clear vocals glimmer through those dark and wavy pop songs, so needless to say, we are psyched to see them return to Europe. After the Austra show, head down to our very own, free after-party. Keep an eye on the mailing list for more info about location and line-up.

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SMITH & BURROWS ‘Funny Looking Angels’ Out now!

‘Funny Looking Angels’ is a xmas album by the singer of EDITORS (Tom Smith) and the drummer of WE ARE SCIENTISTS (Andy Burrows) Incl. the single ‘When The Thames Froze’ and the classic ‘The Christmas Song’ feat.

Agnes Obel !

BLACK BOX REVELATION ‘My Perception’ Out now!

beth Van Lierop. ck.

sheets by Jan Paternoster.

our family & friends for , Chuck La Vallee, Tilgherop, Dominique Hamet, ve crew...

Produced by Alain Johannes (QOTSA, Mark Lanegan, Them Crooked Vultures) Incl. the singles ‘Rattle My Heart’ & ‘My Perception’

WU LYF ‘Go Tell Fire To The Mountain’ Out now!

“The music is 100% brutal and unlike anything that’s out there at present” NME “Dangereuse et fascinante” LES INROCKS

See all these shows for free. Sign up at www.subbacultcha.be.

Cymbals Eat Guitars

10 January - Botanique, Brussels 20.00 | €10 | Free for Subbacultcha! members These New Yorkers graduated from playing in a Weezer cover band to being a full-scale buzz-band by way of their debut Why There Are Mountains.

With their sophomore effort, they’ve further solidified their take on ’90s-inflected indie rock. They’re now touring in support of it, and frontman Joseph D’Agostino (no relation to Gigi) supposedly sweats so profusely that it’s advised to bring a raincoat.

The Men

18 January De Kreun, Kortrijk 20.00 | €10 | Free for Subbacultcha! members

Brooklyn’s The Men are as virile and no-frills as their name implies, playing hardcore post-punk that’s melodic, distorted and extremely loud. Their new album Leave Home came out earlier this year on Sacred Bones, and the production is so overly distorted, it pretty much feels like you’re listening to a car crash. We take it these boys will certainly bring down the house during live shows, so be sure not to miss this. Bring earplugs and helmets just in case.

All these shows are part of the Subbacultcha membership deal.

If you join for €7 per month, you’ll receive a pass that grants you free access to all the shows listed above. Sign up at subbacultcha.be Page 53

PING PONG TACTICS — S/T The long-awaited debut full-length by this notorious Meetjeslandic trio brings you eight melancholic popsongs recorded by PASCAL DEWEZE (Sukilove, Broken Glass Heroes, …). Out now on heavy limited vinyl by SMOKE AND DUST!

RELEASESHOW 6th of December at De Video, Gent

WWW.SMOKEANDDUST.NET order now in our new online store!

Agenda

Shows in December and January

Wu Lyf

High Places 01 December - De Kreun, Kortrijk This LA duo recently dropped their third full-length Original Colors, on which they continue to create dreamy and dub-influenced sound collages that are bizarre and oddly soothing. Read more on page 50.

Converse presents: The Right to Make Noise Tour 03 December - Trix, Antwerp 15 December - Muziekodroom, Hasselt 17 December - JH Comma, Brughes Who doesn’t own a pair? All Stars. Converse organise a mini tour in back of the release of their fourth mixtape which offers a fine selection of Belgian and Dutch bands.

Go check some of them out during the Right to Make Noise tour, three nights three different line-ups, one bottom line.

Das Racist 04 December - De Kreun, Kortrijk 07 December - TRIX, Antwerp These alternative hip hoppers/multimedia whizzes toss off deadpan rhymes filled with allusions to race and pop culture over consistently solid beats. Read more on page 51.

Peaking Lights + Köhn 04 December - DOK, Ghent Husband-and-wife dub-noise psych pop duo Peaking Lights are taking the stage at DOK with their exciting mix of dreamy pop music and bass-heavy dub grooves. Read more on page 50.

CSS 05 December - Botanique, Brussels After a three-year hiatus, Brazilian electro pop darlings CSS are back with a new album.

WU LYF 05 December - Grand Mix, Lille (FR) This newish Manchester indie crew have famously kept their mouths shut. No PR, no bullshit - but all perhaps a cunning stunt?

First the bloggers came calling, then the music press, then the media heavyweights.

They all wanted to ask why they didn’t do PR, yet had created such a cult-like following in the process. Course, they make music too: shimmering crescendos of hypnotic guitar and bass, topped off by layers of barely intelligible gruff vocals. It’s Manchester, but not as you know it.

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Agenda

Shows in December and January

TEAMS 06 December - Bonnefooi (Subbacultcha! and Buzz on Your Lips night), Brussels Miami-based producer Teams has just released his new album on Am Discs featuring some wicked electronic soundscapes and groovy repetitive beats. Read more on page 51.

Ping Pong Tactics 06 December - Café Video, Ghent These DIY kids have been busy producing tapes, gigging and releasing an EP, showcasing a fresh and dynamic post-punk sound. Tonight they’ll launch their self-titled debut album, recorded with Sukilove’s Pascal Deweze. You were there.

Bare Wires 07 December - La Zone (Collectif JauneOrange), Liège Moustaches are still hip. Sounding like The Faces hasn’t quite reached that point yet. But that doesn’t prevent this Oaklandbased outfit from applying a grubby retro rock aesthetic to all they touch. If The Strange Boys are sounding too polished for you this winter, turn to these boys, who refuse to wash their hair or tune their guitar strings.

Battles 08 December - De Kreun, Kortrijk This monstrously percussive electronic outfit successfully repositioned themselves this year thanks to their newest album Gloss Drop. Colossal drummer John Stanier is still slamming his way-too-tall cymbal, while their two twisted melody makers pluck out sinister grooves on keyboard, guitar and their decks of effects. Thus, any fears about them losing the plot following the departure of ex-vocalist Tyondai Braxton have Page 56

been put to rest. After tonight they head to the UK to curate All Tomorrow’s Parties’ ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’.

Caribou 08 December - Vooruit, Ghent It feels like the pure dance pop of Caribou’s Swim has been around forever, although it’s still picking up international awards - this year it was a Juno for best electronic album.

Fortunately, Dan Snaith is a master at keeping things fresh, whether he’s on the decks or putting out the full Caribou experience.

And as he’s also warming up for some ATP curation in England, he certainly won’t be going through the motions.

The Horrors 08 December - AB, Brussels 10 December - Grand Mix, Lille (FR) When The Horrors jumped on the shoegaze bandwagon back in ’09, they made quite the splash. On their latest album, they’ve let in more ’80s post-punk influences, and even some unabashed pop. And though their paint-flinging days might be in the past, they will still put on one hell of a show.

Austra 09 December - Charlatan (Democrazy), Ghent Austra combine the theatricality of Kate Bush with the dark atmosphere of The Knife in a way that’s irresistibly danceable and totally spellbinding. Read more on page 51

Austra after-party 09 December - Ghent After the Austra show, head down to our very own free after-party. Keep an eye on the mailing list for more info about location and line-up.

Shows in December and January

Agenda

Black Lips

Black Lips 09 December - Grand Mix, Lille (FR) 17 December - Vk*, Brussels This Atlanta ‘flower punk’ four-piece have made a name for themselves with their outrageous onstage shenanigans. While they do still appear to enjoy beer and partying, lately they’ve notched up the professionalism enough to put on a live show that’s fun because it’s tight and catchy, and not just because there are naked dudes and chickens onstage.

Cymbals Eat Guitars 10 January - Botanique, Brussels These New Yorkers graduated from playing in a Weezer cover band to being a full-scale buzz-band by way of their debut Why There Are Mountains. Read more on page 53.

Fruit Bats 11 December - Trix, Antwerp Sub Pop’s answer to the Bee Gees? Not quite, but they’ve shown some adventure on

latest album Tripper, adding to their traditionally sweet indie folk with a slice of soft pop that would make Destroyer jealous.

The Dodos 13 December - De Kreun, Kortrijk 15 December - STUK, Leuven On their latest album No Color, frantic indie-folk two-piece The Dodos have really taken their unusual approach to instrumentation to the next level. Logan Kroeber’s drum beats are volcanic as ever, even without a bass drum that’s sometimes heavy on the rims. Meric Long prefers his fingernail to a pick when he’s strumming wildly on his guitar and the recent addition of vibraphone player Keaton Snyder has made their frantic sound just that little bit richer.

Micah P. Hinson 13 December - Cactus Club, Bruges This rough-and-ready Texan troubadour released his fourth album, Micah P. Hinson and the Pioneer Saboteurs, last year. Inspired Page 57

Agenda

Shows in December and January

03 DEC

DEWOLFF

09 DEC

PIAS NITES: DEUS + VITALIC + CRYSTAL FIGHTERS + PETE PHILLY + BALTHAZAR (LOCATIE: KLOKGEBOUW)

16 DEC

BLACK LIPS (LOCATIE: AREA51)

20 DEC

CLOSER (A JOY DIVISION TRIBUTE FROM PETER HOOK)

22 DEC

TIKA + I AM OAK + AWKWARD I

27 DEC

KRAAK & SMAAK (LIVE)

CD/LP out now!

Also available:

KÖHN GERARD HERMAN Soon:

2x7” with Nathan Bowles, Bridget Hayden, Amen Dunes, Marisa Anderson, Warm Climate and Ignatz Page 58

Shows in December and January

by Walt Whitman’s 1900 poem ‘Pioneers! O Pioneers!’, it’s a moving bout of gothic Americana, filled with blood, guts, tears, torture and mourning; its twanging riffs and Hinson’s raw voice are paired up with a soothing chamber choir. When this guy plays, you just can’t take your eyes off him.

Thurston Moore 13 December - Vooruit (Democrazy), Ghent They say art is pain. Well, if ‘they’ are right, you’re in for a treat tonight. Apparently, Thurston Moore thought the best remedy for his sorrow after breaking up with his wife and bandmate Kim Gordon was extensive touring. Though his folk-ish solo work is a sharp departure from what he did with noise-rock formation Sonic Youth, Moore will still bring it, backed by a full band that even includes a harpist.

Lovers 13 December - Cafe Video, Ghent If you dig the tunes by Austra, you can probably take further solace from this slow and spacious Portland outfit, who promise sumptuously rousing ’80s choruses.

Fronted by Carolyn Berk, Lovers make their songs that can seem torn between her powerful voice and the group’s soothing synths. Berk’s undeniably been sharpening her songwriting chops of late, as showcased on last album Dark Light.

Glimps Showcase Festival ft.

Palmbomen, Rape Blossom and Mirel Wagner 16+17 December - various locations, Ghent The city of Ghent will change into a festival ground on 16 and 17 December when Glimps, the new showcase festival, presents 60 international and national bands

Agenda

in ten different locations. Curious about bands with names as Concrete Knives (FR), Touchy Mob (DE), I Am Oak (NL), Rape Blossom (BE), Dynamo Team (SK) or Lilies on Mars (IT)? You’ll know where to go.

The Men 18 January - De Kreun, Kortrijk 19 January - Les Ateliers Claus, Brussels Brooklyn’s The Men are as virile and nofrills as their name implies, playing hardcore post-punk that’s melodic, distorted and extremely loud. Read more on page 51.

The Notwist 21 January - Botanique, Brussels Electronic noise pop dinosaurs The Notwist have been going strong for over 20 years.

Early 2012 they are returning to the scene with a new album. So expect some new songs mixed with old favourites.

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy 24 January - Vooruit (Democrazy), Ghent Over the course of his two-decades-long career, singer-songwriter and bonnie prince Will Oldham has developed a haunting and tender take on folk music and a stage presence that’s nothing short of fascinating in its intense oddness. And if you lack a mental picture for the phrase ‘lovable weirdo’, watch the Oldham- and Zach Galifianakisstarring video for Kanye West’s ‘Can’t Tell Me Nothing’ and get back to me.

Liz Green 26 January - Botanique, Brussels A new English folk songstress to grapple with - but Green stands out from the crowd.

Partly it’s her earthy accent, partly it’s the simplicity of her songcraft that harks back to the 20th century, and partly it’s her memorable oompah backing band.

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Free Stuff

Free Tickets and Goodies

To win, sign up to our mailing list on www.subbacultcha.be

2x2 tickets DAS RACIST

2x2 Tickets BATTLES

2X2 Tickets BLACK LIPS

04 December De Kreun, Kortrijk

08 December De Kreun, Kortrijk

17 December VK* Concerts, Brussels

3X2 FESTIVAL PASSES GLIMPS FESTIVAL

3X2 Tickets The Dodos

3X2 Tickets Peaking lights

16-17 December Various Locations, Ghent

15 December STUK, Leuven

04 December DOKKantine, Ghent

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Submitted photos

AFTER MIDNIGHT

Send photos that were taken after midnight to aftermidnight@subbacultcha.be If your photo gets published, you win a good goodie This month’s photos were submitted by Evelyn Grunau (top) and Aleks Pietrzykowska Page 61

Overview of all Subbacultcha shows in December and January

01 December

09 December

High Places + Holloys

Austra

De Kreun, Kortrijk Starts 20.00 | €10 | Free for members

Charlatan (Democrazy), Ghent Starts 20.00 | €10 | free for members

09 December

Austra After Party

04 December

Peakin Lights + Köhn + DJ Tommy Kraak

Ghent Keep an eye on the mailing list for details

DOK (Ladda), Ghent Starts 20.00 | €8 | Free for members

10 January

06 December

Cymbals Eat Guitars

Bonnefooi, Brussels 20.30 | €4 | Free for members

The Men

Botanique, Brussels 20.00 | €10 | Free for members

Subbacultcha! & Buzz on Your Lips present: Teams

18 January

De Kreun, Kortrijk 20.00 | €10 | Free for members

07 December

Das Racist

Trix, Antwerp Starts 19.30 | €10 | free for members

See all these shows for free.

Join at: www.subbacultcha.be Page 62

Converse presents:

tHe rigHt to make noise 24 november CHarlatan, gent

3 DeCember trix, antwerpen

Horses On Fire Black Box Red After Party DJ set

Psycho 44 Death Letters After Party DJ set

15 DeCember muziekoDroom, Hasselt

17 DeCember JH Comma, brugge

School Is Cool Pioneers Of Love After Party DJ set

Teddiedrum Dio After Party DJ set

INFO & TICKETS: WWW.CONVERSE.BE/MAKENOISE

DE KREUN VZW · CONSERVATORIUMPLEIN · 8500 KORTRIJK MUSIC, INFO & TICKETS WWW.DEKREUN.BE OF 32 56 239 855

4X4 FEST FEAT PINBACK 26.11

MEGAPHONIC THRIFT · NISENNENMONDAI · BLACK CASSETTE · ED WOOD JR · JP INC

HIGH PLACES 01.12 HOLLOYS

DAS RACIST 04.12 BATTLES 08.12 THE SEDAN VAULT

THE EX FEAT GETATCHEW MEKURIA 09.12 WITH GUESTS

GLENN BRANCA ENSEMBLE (@4AD) 11.12 THE DODOS 13.12 BRNS

UNKLE K PARTY 17.12 THE MEN 18.01 THE HICKEY UNDERWORLD 18.02 ANSATZ DER MASCHINE 21.02 CD RELEASE

Union européenne - Fonds Européen de Développement Régional

Europese Unie - Europees Fonds voor Regionale Ontwikkeling