We’re q:pitch & proud. Latest gig info here.
This is also our space to blog about music we’re listening to and bring you news of our favourite artists touring the UK. And just so’s you know: a band or performer’s inclusion here is not indicative of which way they swing. We just like ‘em and hope you do too.
Please get in touch with your own recommendations. Mail info “at” qpitch.co.uk
The name A-Ha looms large over Norway’s music as Abba does for Sweden. Abba were genius. A-Ha had a dead good video. Norway’s modern music heros, Erlend Oye and Sondre Lerche don’t look set to upturn A-Ha’s cross-hatched apple cart any time soon. And maybe not with Nils Bech either, but at least he has the frickin hair! With a baritone that sounds seductively schooled, a scrap book of musical styles and a real zeal for performance he’s the type of artist you stumble across at a festival, go “wtf?” and within 2 songs is your new favourite band. Handsome too. Always helps.
cw
You know when you click a link, and another universe suddenly opens up, like that bit in the titles of Dungeons & Dragons when the kids are at the gate of the amusement park. Well that (almost) happened when I was snooping on who’d played at SXSW’s gay jamboree this year, GAYbiGAYGAY. Dynasty Handbag, I thought, hmmm…let’s suck it and see. Like Violet Beauregarde on e, I blew up with dance music induced excitement.It’s quite stripped back and minimal, and her (?) image looks like Eartha Kitt raided a Peaches’ charity shop drop. However, she probably doesn’t stay in her clothes long - she looks that sort. Sure, not to everyone’s taste, but if you like glitchy, experimental stuff like Gay Against You or The Knife’s early stuff, you’ll probably love. I Can’t Wait is as immense as down-tempo bump-and-grind minimal filth gets. As they say in NYC (so I read) - FEROSH!!
cw
For a while now I’ve been saying: Canada sneezes, the UK applauds. It’s incredible just how much quality music is coming out of that country, which, 10 years ago was only really on the map for being the birthplace of St Joni and the Moaner (Alanis Morrissette). Now you can’t stick on iTunes shuffle without hearing something gloriously alt. Canadian every 3 songs. It’s one musical meal I’m happy to super-size. [Can't believe I just wrote that. Slay me.]
Gentleman Reg is absolutely worth giving a big round of applause. Partly because, in a predominantly white country, he must be the whitest person that lives there. But have a listen - wow! Of course he’s friends with “all that lot” (Owen Pallet, Hidden Cameras, The Organ…), but maybe he needs to exploit those ties more, because he certainly deserves his own spot light. Do do do, try and get to see him.
cw
Gentleman Reg may be in the UK during May…more info when we have it.
I saw Slow Club playing a chair once. It dropped to bits after a few percussive blows. Rebecca (singer/drums/Habitat’s worst nighmare) then asked one of support band members to come and hold it together whilst she finished belting ten shades of shit out of its pathetic wooden frame.
You see, Slow Club are a little bit adorable. The fact that Rebecca also claims to be a massive Rod Steward fan just about takes them to then point of jellybaby affection: you just want to bite off their heads, they’re that darn cute. I HATE the word cute, but I’m failing to find anything else which expresses that urgent fondness you sometimes get for something.
Slow Club - seals may not like them, but I love them.
cw
Slow Club have quite a few dates in April and May across the land.
I’ve an apology I’d like to make to Shara (aka MBD) - the next time I assail you after a gig to gush, tell me to piss off. There she was, outside the Roadhouse in Manchester (it was probably raining) patiently listening to me go blah blah blah, whilst all the time I bet she was thinking “Christ, I’m dying for a pee, make him go away!!”.
Sorry. But you see, she was fantastic and she played to a puddle of people. I cannot believe her promotions people are anything more than highly paid record company vagabonds with the attention span of weasels. It takes a concerted effort and a bit of intelligence to get an artist to market, even when they’re an utterly stunning performer and have the Midas touch with their material.
She did not deserve that pitiful crowd, but she played it like a stadium gig. That takes grace. On a rainy Monday in Manchester’s premier toilet venue, it takes the whole fuckin’ Kelly family. So, yeah - sorry Shara. I hope you got your pee in time [anyone know the Cobra Killer song I like it when it burns a bit?] and I hope when you’re next in town, the puddle has become the reservoir you truly deserve.
cw
MBD plays the Slughtered Lamb, 28th April 2008. Only UK data.
