Friday, May 22, 2009

Limehouse Gig Previews


From issue #2 of Limehouse Magazine. Available in all the shtylish parts of Dublin for a not unreasonable €0.

Telepathe // Academy 2 // 19 May

Straight from the "I Knew Them Before You" department come Brooklyn duo Telepathe. Though certain characteristics may leave them highly susceptible to a, ahem, ‘counter-trend’ prejudice (i.e. drum machines, synths, neon face paint, and a lazily fringed, moody female vocalist), the temptation to bunch them with more vacuous scenester favourites is misleading – they have created a genuinely edgy mix of deep, dark synths, dreamy electronica and punchy beats. We can’t wait.


Deerhunter // ALT // 22 May

The Atlanta quartet keep the north American indie/folk supremacy thing running this month with a much-anticipated appearance at Andrews Lane. The gig also comes with the all-important Foggy Notions stamp of approval.


Jape // Button Factory // 23 May

Not long after winning what was easily the least controversial Choice Music Prize award in history, Richie Egan brings his clever blend of folk and electronica to the Button Factory for what is pretty much guaranteed to be a cracker.


Katie Kim and Donal Dineen // Odessa (Upstairs) // 24 May

A rare solo headline from the Waterford native as she works on the follow up to last year’s Twelve. She’ll be accompanied by radio’s most influential record-spinner, Small Hours wizard Donal Dineen.


Library Tapes // Whelan’s // 26 May

This month’s who-are-they? moment comes courtesy of Library Tapes, a Scandinavian orchestral project headed by Gothenburg resident David Wenngren. His impossibly beautiful A Summer Beneath The Trees record is striking in its breadth: lush cinematic arrangements abound as they do in the works of other modern classicists, but evident too is an acute appreciation for subtlety that makes it more minimalist than modern; more Arvo Pärt than post-rock. The record features a collaboration with Peter Broderick (of Limehouse #1 fame, of course) and will do just lovely for fans of Max Richter, Helios and Eluvium.


Life Festival // Ballinlough Castle //29-31 May

The nation’s trippiest festival moves to Co. Westmeath along with Carl Craig, Future Sound of London and lots of jugglers. Limehouse has been strongly urged to attend.


Final Fantasy // Whelan’s // 29 May

Canadian violinist / pianist / everythingist Owen Pallett is back for the first time since knocking us out in Vicar St 18 months ago. In the meantime he has collaborated, or continued to collaborate, with the likes of Beirut, Grizzly Bear, the London Metropolitan Orchestra and, most famously, Arcade Fire – not to mention his progress with the forthcoming Heartland record. To witness him slowly construct a masterpiece through the use of a violin, a loop pedal and a quirky collection of lyrics is something to behold. That it takes place in the intimate surrounds of Whelan’s is even more special – this could prove to be a rare opportunity.


Antony and the Johnsons // Vicar St. // 31 May

Something unique for those who are still willing to pay €40+ for a gig.


Phosphorescent // Whelan’s // 1 June

Fresh from his beautiful cameo on the already legendary Dark Was The Night compilation CD, Phosphorescent returns to Whelan’s for another evening of superior American alt.folk.


Dan Deacon // ALT // 3 June

To even think about a conventional description of this man’s show is to do him a raging disservice. Remember the unbeatable excitement of running under the tables in a restaurant? It’s sort of like that. With more green skulls.


Junior Boys & R.S.A.G // Academy // 7 June

Canadian electronic duo tour their lovely (if occasionally patchy) new album with Killkenny hero R.S.A.G..

Saturday, May 16, 2009

BSITWT #62


Zombie Nation - 'Booster'


An absolute gem from 2006. Taken from the Black Toys EP released on UKW Records. And yes before you ask, this IS the guy behind 'Kernkraft 400'.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Neighbourhood Wash #1


Donal Dineen's first Neighbourhood Wash show takes place later today at the Joinery, Arbour Hill, Stonybatter, D7. It's on from 8 to 10, and admission is €4 / €2 for students and 'unwaged' folk.  

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

PICNIC PREVIEW: More announcements


As guessed just recently on BTBW, The Field has been announced for EP. Yep, we're f**king delighted!!!
Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson is also announced, to the doubtless delight of anyone that saw him at Oxegen two years ago (or is that three already???)




Others announced include:
James Murphy & Pat Mahoney
Mamadou and Miriam
Royksopp
Bell Orchestre
Richmond Fontaine
Jeffrey Lewis
Fionn Regan

The line-up is getting fantastically strong now. Roll on September!!!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest


Johnny Greenwood's favourite band are back with their third album, following on from their critically acclaimed 2006 album Yellow House. Judging from very preliminary listen to what seems to be the first single off the album, Two Weeks, Veckatimest appears to be a slightly more soulful and colourful effort than its predecessors. Actually, I'm mainly judging that on the Lovecats-esque keyboard playing going on in the video below, who knows what the album will be like. It is an absolute gem though, with Pitchfork already calling it a "song of the year contender". Their haunting vocals and engulfing soundscapes have gone nowhere, and I cannot wait to get my mits on the full record.

From midnight tonight, May 12th, Two Weeks and remixes will be available to buy on iTunes.

Here are the Bears performing live on Jools Holland recently




Here is the stream of Two Weeks and remix by Fred Falke at Pitchfork
Veckatimest goes on sale May 26th

Monday, May 11, 2009

Just look at the picture.


Yep. Fuckin delighted.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Burial and Four Tet - Moth / Wolf Cub









The excitement preceding the release of the collaboration between Kieran Hebden and Will Bevan was evident all over blogs and the music press for the past while. Released without any audio samples, art or sleeve notes, it is simply two pieces of music pressed onto a black labelled vinyl. 'Moth' veers towards the Burial school of music. In his trademark style the beat is 2/dub step with a distorted vocal delivering that familiar dream-like feeling. The background house-style groove is surely Hebden's influence. This is a fantastic track and whets the appetite nicely for further material(we live in hope). 'Wolf Cub' isn't bad, but didn't have the same impact as its accompaning track. The intro is clearly Hebden's work and when the woodblock beat kicks you can't help feel that the styles are contrasting too heavily on this one. You will be hard pressed to get your hands on a physical copy for the forseeable future as many online stores are out of stock. I can, however, point you in the right direction if you are partial to digital.


BURIAL / FOUR TET - Moth / Wolf Cub 12"