Blur have shelved a new single, recorded this summer with poet Michael Horovitz. The unnamed spoken-word track, intended as part of a campaign to save the Notting Hill carnival, was set aside after officials agreed that the 2011 event could go ahead.
“[The track] was relevant for about 12 hours,” Damon Albarn explained to the NME. Following the riots in London in August, there were briefly fears that this year’s carnival would be called off; it eventually went ahead, with police doubling their presence in the streets. “[The song] had its moment,” Albarn said. “It was a perfect plea to reinstate the carnival … If they’d have cancelled the carnival – and thank God they didn’t – maybe we’d have put it out.”
While I’m very happy the Notting Hill Carnival didn’t get cancelled, oh! What might have been! I’m sure it would have been glorious.
Maybe we could confect some things to see if we can get a song out of Blur? In fact, I almost demand it!
Allegedly Blur are also thinking of touring the US next year, which would undoubtedly be neat, though Albarn seems to be plenty busy with his manifold sideprojects. Is Dave still a politician?
You say Bananarama! We say Bill Wells & Aidan Moffat!
Yes, Chemikal’s dynamic duo are back with a subdued take on Bananarama’s 1983 hit (and not a wrench or Mack truck in sight). The track’s taken from the pair’s latest EP (also entitled Cruel Summer, and also features the tracks “Box it Up”, “Man of the Cloth” and “Lonely Weekend”. Sounds like the usual cheery fare, then…
Click through for some tour dates, and SPECIAL BONUS VIDEO.
St Vincent, looking incredibly glam, is the latest performer in 4AD’s video sessions; following on from other TMS faves Stornoway, Broken Records and Gang Gang Dance. This session, recorded at Shangri-La in Brooklyn features Annie Clark plus new band and songs from latest LP Strange Mercy. Did I say she’s totes glammed up in this session?
Tracklisting:
Chloe In The Afternoon
Surgeon
Strange Mercy
Year Of The Tiger
Click through for final US and super-duper exciting European tour dates.
Monitoring pre-CMJ tweets, people were apprehensive about the lack of big buzz bands on the roster. I had low-grade concerns that the talent would be as flimsy as this year’s badge lanyard, but fully believe that CMJ doesn’t need bands already anointed with big label approval. Two years ago The xx played seemingly a hundred shows when they didn’t really need to, since they were already branded stars. Not exactly underground.
And while bands don’t remain undiscovered in New York all that long, CMJ is by far the best opportunity to find diamonds in the rough. It’s all so concentrated. Talking with publisher Jen last week, we decided that if you just parked your ass at Pianos all week, you’d probably hear everything you needed to and more. (Read the article)
“Hey Jane” recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, October 11th 2011
A couple of weeks ago Spiritualized visited the Queen’s Hall in Edinburgh, ready to promote a new album already delayed until next spring. Most of the scheduled tour dates have been postponed until March, but us Scots were lucky to avoid such a fate. I bought my pint to the strains of Malcolm Mooney-era Can on the PA and got comfy in the Upper Circle. Eventually Spiritualized filed onstage – Jason Spaceman stage right, sitting on an office chair facing the band; Doggen and John Coxon on guitar; two anonymous figures on bass and keyboards (sorry for not knowing your names, skilled musicians!), Kevlar Bales on drums and two gospel singers as backup. My palms were sweating with anticipation. Yes, I’m a confirmed Spiritualized acolyte, and I was ready to accept anything the Spaceman threw my way.
Join us at Pianos in NYC for our 4th annual CMJ Opening Day Party. We couldn’t be more excited about the line-up this year and hope to see you there! Also, if you are visiting NYC for the marathon, make sure and head to Wall Street to support the protests. And remember, they are always in need of food and supplies down there!
Psyched for CMJ? Yeah, us too. Aside from our dope showcase (Tuesday! Pianos! Noon til the margaritas run dry!), we’re looking forward to seeing one artist in particular: Julia Easterlin.
Whozat? you say. Check it. Girl is a highly impressive one-lady-band! She weaves together recorded loops of her own gorgeous voice and keyboards and then sings over it, building full-blown songs as she goes. Her cover of Radiohead’s “There There” is incredible – she brings an alluring femininity to Yorke and Co’s slow burning barn-stormer. As the lyrics say, “There’s always a siren singing you to shipwreck…” Easterlin’s lush voice could drag even Odysseus down to the ocean floor. (Read the article)
