London orchestra comes to town…
As part of a season of concerts the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gennadi Rozhdestvensky, appeared at the Brighton Dome on the 8th November to perform two of Tchaikovsky’s lesser-known…
Switch & Sinden – Fabriclive 43 (Fabric)
Since the series started in 2001, the honour to compile a fabriclive is like receiving a knighthood in the dance world. This time it’s the turn of bloggers’ favourite Sinden.…
Deerhunter – Microcastle (4ad records)
I have encountered many criticisms for the online publication Pitchfork from friends, claiming it to be snobbish and elitist, rubbishing some bands, then insisting on overhyping and supporting others, ascribing…
Le Band Extraordinaire – Le Band Extraordinaire EP
Brighton quintet Le Band Extraordinaire clearly did not have modesty in mind when they were choosing their band’s name, and considering they have performed alongside acts such as The Guillotines…
Introducing… Bear Hands
Hailing from Brooklyn, New York, Bear Hands play a dark, melodic brand of indie with a hint of punk-rock. The band combine spiky, angular rhythm guitar and sparse, mechanical drums…
Bond fires blanks
Review: Quantum of Solace (12A) Director: Marc Forster Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton In an interview with the Sunday Times Culture a couple of weeks ago,…
The View are on fire
I admit it: I was a little nervous about chatting to The View. OK, maybe more than a little. After news of their shambolic appearance in Nottingham just days earlier…
Cello… It’s nice to meet you
The London Philharmonic Orchestra is a an internationally renowned collective of top class musician who play a repertoire that would outstretch the length of the entire REM back catalogue. Yet…
A free beer (and a little culture too)
With all the Dub-step and Gabba that students apparently like, its easy to forget that you can still get melody and sophistication during your student years. If you fancy listening…
Those Dancing Days – In Our Space Hero Suits (Wichita)
It would be easy to congratulate Those Dancing Days for playing instruments and writing their own songs, but that’s extremely patronising considering it’s never remarked of male acts. In Our…
Stephen Dale Petit – Guitararama (333 Records)
Guitararama is Stephen Dale Petit’s debut album following his success busking on the London underground, and one cannot deny his talent as a blues guitarist. However, with songs such as…
The Holloways: Relentlessly average at Concorde2
Judging a book by its cover, or more specifically a tour by its name, I am anticipating that the ‘Relentless No Half Measures Tour’ will be a night of exciting,…
Sex, drugs and Rock & Roll: Hot Chip style
Many things in life are not what they seem: Koala bears aren’t actually bears; peanuts aren’t technically nuts; and sweetbreads, as delicious and nutritious as they may be, in no…
Does it offend me? Definitely not!
The teaming up of two bands that make dance music using angular guitars, screaming electro sounds and the occasional shouted chorus would lead most to believe this to be a…
Nell Bryden – Second Time Around (157 Records)
One accusation which could never be levelled at Nell Bryden is that she lacks versatility. The talented New Yorker somehow manages to mix 40s and 50s style jazz, blues and…
Keane – Perfect Symmetry (Universal)
Say what you will, but ‘Spiralling’ – the first single taken from Keane’s third album – sounds like it should be a classic 80s anthem. I believe this fervently. I…
Can you keep a secret?
They’ve shown Funny Face at the Royal Academy of Art with a mini orchestra, and premiered Paranoid Park under disused railway arches in Bermondsey, with extra entertainment from DJs and…
Introducing… South Central
The Badger was fortunate enough to catch South Central at Concorde2 last Monday just before they went on stage to support Does It Offend You, Yeah?. Nick Blumsom pitched some…
UK Garage: a full service history
At the turn of the millennium, I was thirteen years old. I was, in all probability, still in mourning following the Spice Girls’ drawn out demise. Embarrassingly preoccupied by flavourless…
Burn After Reading (15)
Director: Ethan and Joel Coen Starring : John Malkovich, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, George ClooneyCan Last week saw the return of the Coen brothers with a distinctly average…