Tuesday 21 July
Who? STILL FLYIN'
Where? Buffalo Bar
How much? £5
Still Flyin’ are a 15 piece supergroup signed to the excellent Moshi Moshi record label. The band took shape in 2004 when singer/songwriter Sean Rawls asked his friends from various San Fransisco bands including Love Is All and The Aisler Set if they’d like to play some live shows together.
Five years later they released their Architecture in Helsinki-produced debut album Never Gonna Touch The Ground, which perfectly showcases their bouncy reggae-tinged indie-pop sound.
It’s hard to think of a band that better embodies the twee aesthetic of Cardiff’s Loose Promoters, who’ve recently brought us Misty’s Big Adventure, and will put on Cardiff’s own supergroup Little My later this month.
Still Flyin’ are sure to lift the gloom of the recession and bring some West Coast sunshine to our lives with their joyfully chaotic live show at Cardiff's hipster hangout, Buffalo. You wouldn’t want to miss the party.
For fans of: Architecture in Helsinki, Tilly and the Wall, I'm From Barcelona, Polyphonic Spree
Still Flyin' Myspace
Monday 20 July 2009
Tuesday 14 July 2009
Gig Listings July 13 - 29
Tuesday 14 July
Who? FLASHGUNS
Where? Barfly
How much? £5
On this blog I'd like to recommend bands that are worth making the effort to see even if you're likely to get soaked on the way to the venue. On this barren gig week in Cardiff, however, I'm struggling to find such inspiration.
As those of you who care about the intracacies of camera functionality will know, a flash gun is the device that sets off a flashbulb simultaneously with the opening of the camera shutter. Despite pretensions of being a literate, intelligent indie band, (they cite Shakespeare and Darwin as influences), London four-piece Flashguns are about as interesting as the piece of kit they are named after.
Although they've tried to tamper with the fomula, it's all too easy to compare them to the straight-ahead indie bands that dominated Radio One's daytime playlists a couple of years ago, until, mercifully, some respectble and glamorous artists with pop sensibilities (enter La Roux and Little Boots) saved us from death-by-banality. Gone are the days of major label A&R men stalking the toilet venues of central London in search of bands with angular riffs and hair cuts who could be 'the next big thing'.
As Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads et al scramble in vain to remain relevant by adding extra synths to their tired compositions, surely it's time someone gives Flashguns a tap on the shoulder and whispers 'Sorry guys, it's over.'
HOWEVER, if you're going to Hammertime clubnight afterwards, get in early and they'll give you something to tap your feet to while you wait for the cheap drinks offers to start.
For fans of: The Maccabees, Mumm-Ra, Dogs Die In Hot Cars
Flashguns Myspace
Who? FLASHGUNS
Where? Barfly
How much? £5
On this blog I'd like to recommend bands that are worth making the effort to see even if you're likely to get soaked on the way to the venue. On this barren gig week in Cardiff, however, I'm struggling to find such inspiration.
As those of you who care about the intracacies of camera functionality will know, a flash gun is the device that sets off a flashbulb simultaneously with the opening of the camera shutter. Despite pretensions of being a literate, intelligent indie band, (they cite Shakespeare and Darwin as influences), London four-piece Flashguns are about as interesting as the piece of kit they are named after.
Although they've tried to tamper with the fomula, it's all too easy to compare them to the straight-ahead indie bands that dominated Radio One's daytime playlists a couple of years ago, until, mercifully, some respectble and glamorous artists with pop sensibilities (enter La Roux and Little Boots) saved us from death-by-banality. Gone are the days of major label A&R men stalking the toilet venues of central London in search of bands with angular riffs and hair cuts who could be 'the next big thing'.
As Franz Ferdinand, The Futureheads et al scramble in vain to remain relevant by adding extra synths to their tired compositions, surely it's time someone gives Flashguns a tap on the shoulder and whispers 'Sorry guys, it's over.'
HOWEVER, if you're going to Hammertime clubnight afterwards, get in early and they'll give you something to tap your feet to while you wait for the cheap drinks offers to start.
For fans of: The Maccabees, Mumm-Ra, Dogs Die In Hot Cars
Flashguns Myspace
Thursday 9 July 2009
Gig listings to July 12
Friday 10 July
Who: TELEPATHE
Where: Clwb Ifor Bach
How much: £9
The ever reliable Three Syllables promoters bring us a killer one-two punch this Friday.
Telepathe are the Brooklyn band that had music blogs buzzing earlier this year following the release of single Chrome’s Not On It. Their debut album Dance Mother was produced by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, who succeeded in harnessing their dark, experimental electronica, and steering them in a more dance-friendly direction.
For fans of: Glass Candy; Chromatics; Celebration
Telepathe MySpace
Support comes from Katie Stelmanis, the Canadian singer-songwriter reknowned for her original compositions and off-kilter melodies. Reports from the corrosponding gig in Bristol suggest that her performance alone will be worth the admission price.
For fans of: PJ Harvey, St Vincent, Nico
Katie Stelmanis MySpace
Sunday 12 July
Who: A HAWK AND A HACKSAW
Where: The Gate
How much: £10/£12
A Hawk And A Hacksaw was initially the solo project of former Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes, who played every instrument on 2004’s eponymous debut album. After a tumultuous journey with various band members, Barnes eventually settled as a duo with violinist Heather Trost whose contributions allow the band to immerse itself in the Eastern European folk tradition.
Whilst AHAAH is sonically denser and multi-faceted than Barne’s more famous former band, the two share the paradoxial characteristics of being simultaneously carefree and brooding, as the music’s knees-up quality is underscored by a tangible sadness.
The band only have a handful of British dates in support of this year’s critically acclaimed album Délivrance. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see them on the Sabbath at The Gate in Roath, the converted 100 year old church building which doubles as an intimate and atmospheric music venue.
For fans of: Espers; Neutral Milk Hotel
A Hawk And A Hacksaw MySpace
***From now on, gig listings will be updated every Sunday
Who: TELEPATHE
Where: Clwb Ifor Bach
How much: £9
The ever reliable Three Syllables promoters bring us a killer one-two punch this Friday.
Telepathe are the Brooklyn band that had music blogs buzzing earlier this year following the release of single Chrome’s Not On It. Their debut album Dance Mother was produced by TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, who succeeded in harnessing their dark, experimental electronica, and steering them in a more dance-friendly direction.
For fans of: Glass Candy; Chromatics; Celebration
Telepathe MySpace
Support comes from Katie Stelmanis, the Canadian singer-songwriter reknowned for her original compositions and off-kilter melodies. Reports from the corrosponding gig in Bristol suggest that her performance alone will be worth the admission price.
For fans of: PJ Harvey, St Vincent, Nico
Katie Stelmanis MySpace
Sunday 12 July
Who: A HAWK AND A HACKSAW
Where: The Gate
How much: £10/£12
A Hawk And A Hacksaw was initially the solo project of former Neutral Milk Hotel drummer Jeremy Barnes, who played every instrument on 2004’s eponymous debut album. After a tumultuous journey with various band members, Barnes eventually settled as a duo with violinist Heather Trost whose contributions allow the band to immerse itself in the Eastern European folk tradition.
Whilst AHAAH is sonically denser and multi-faceted than Barne’s more famous former band, the two share the paradoxial characteristics of being simultaneously carefree and brooding, as the music’s knees-up quality is underscored by a tangible sadness.
The band only have a handful of British dates in support of this year’s critically acclaimed album Délivrance. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to see them on the Sabbath at The Gate in Roath, the converted 100 year old church building which doubles as an intimate and atmospheric music venue.
For fans of: Espers; Neutral Milk Hotel
A Hawk And A Hacksaw MySpace
***From now on, gig listings will be updated every Sunday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
