CABLE #7

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Mugstar Apposing Send your news stories to: Pacificstream Elevator’s Christmas Party [email protected] The Wombats Smiling Wolf Follow us on: Bendal Interlude www.twitter.com/elevatorstudios Miles Kane or www.facebook.com/elevatorstudios WORDS WITH...MUGSTAR

Mugstar’s stats are impressive. Achievements in Mogwai and Wooden Shjips, signing to Important work out. Working with Rob Whitely, in White- 2010 alone stand at 2 albums, 1 single, 3 UK tours, Records and we will have some very exciting news wood Studios, has had a massive impact on this ap- 1 European tour, and 1 film credit. They’re listed in shortly, which will be a massive highlight.” proach and he has actively encouraged this. 5 top 50 albums of the year lists and appear at num- ber 6 in the NME’s top 10 noise rock bands. To say Do Mugstar feel the John Peel connection played “The reception to ‘Lime’ has been unbelievable. It’s they’ve put in the hours is a horrendous disservice an important part in their success? “By having John been called the ‘best space rock album of 2010’. to the work load they’ve undertaken. All this and Peel play our music he opened a lot of doors for us. We recently had a great review in Mojo magazine producing the best material of their lives? Though But for ourselves he somewhat validated what we and in a number of magazines in the States. We’ve they’ve been together 8 years, it seems Mugstar were doing at the time, making you realise you must had more press than ever before, so it’s been a very are just getting positive release started... for us in terms of developing our “2010 has been profile. I feel it a massively busy is more immedi- year for Mugstar,” ate than our last explains bassist Ja- records and the son Stoll. “We’ve response reflects released two full this. We’ve had length albums; ‘... great reviews Sun, Broken...’ in the world over, March and ‘Lime’ from Canada to in November, Australia, UK to both on US label, Asia.” Important Re- cords. Neil (Mur- How have the phy, guitar) wrote band seen the and made a film Liverpool scene with film maker change over the Liam Yates, called time they’ve ‘Ad Marginem’, been together? which we wrote a “I think there soundtrack for and a lot of good premiered in the things happen- Bluecoat in Sep- ing in Liverpool tember. We played at the moment at our favourite and there seems UK music festi- to be a lot more vals; Supersonic people linking and All Tomorrow’s Parties and released a new 7” be doing something correct,” says Jason. “With the up and putting shows on. However, I do still feel single called ‘Red Shift’. 2011 seems like it’s going depth of his history with a lot of our favourite music, that there are very separate scenes and there are to be even busier!! it was great to be a part of that history. The record groups of individuals who will never link up with label tend to use the fact that we recorded a Peel others. So from this sense, things are better but very During the 8 years they’ve been together, the Session on the press releases, so it must still have far from being unified.” ‘psych kraut rock band’ have gained some impres- weight to it.” sive plaudits, a worldwide following, and have had How do the band feel about companies such as El- the opportunity to work with some names who form In the 8 years they have been together, how has the evator’s Ditto, who make it possible for unsigned part of the most highly regarded music collections. creative process changed? “I think we have changed bands to chart? “If it opens up the charts so that the way we make music especially with the last more ‘interesting’ bands get to chart, then surely What have been their personal highlights? “It’s been two albums, ‘...Sun, Broken...’ and ‘Lime,’ which that must be a good thing. But the charts are about great to have worked with the people we have,” have seen us experiment in the studio environment ‘popular’ music and popular music isn’t always go- explains Jason. “My personal highlights are: John more,” he explains. “Previously we would have defi- ing to be ‘interesting’ music as the general masses Peel playing our first 7” record, recording a ‘Peel nite ideas which we would stick to, as we had done want something to sing or hum along to and dis- Session’, Sonic Youth, Julian Cope and Will Ser- with previous bands, however, we now have loser cordant guitars probably don’t cut it! The music geant becoming fans, releasing a split 7” with Mud- ideas and experiment with song structures more than industry seems to be in a constant state of flux - CD honey, selling lots of records in San Francisco and before. It’s quite an exciting way to work really as sales are down, but vinyl sales are up, 28 million Chicago, playing shows with Oneida, Mudhoney, we don’t know exactly how the finished product will vinyl albums sold in 2010. The only way for bands PAGE 1 to make money is to constantly tour and play live. So, record labels are making less money and are less FREE CREATIVE BUSINESS ADVICE FOR LIVERPOOL’S INHABITANTS. likely to invest. It’s a messed up system.” Elevator isn’t short of creative types, be they artists, tions you have and provide the professional advice musicians, crafts people through to dancers. Design that will help you succeed. The business support Why did the band choose Elevator? “We think El- Initiative and Pacificstream have teamed up to of- services we deliver are free for those living and/or evator is a great place to be. We first recorded in fer free creative business advice to anyone based in setting up their business in Liverpool. Whitewood Studios with Rob Whitely and really Liverpool wanting to set up a business. liked the feel of the place and by the end of that “The support includes: Branding, Budgeting, month we had a room in the building and haven’t If you’re based in Liverpool and you need help, sup- Developing your creative idea, Portfolio devel- looked back. It’s been a creative time for us since we port, funding or training with your burgeoning busi- opment, , Business Bank Accounts, Business moved into Elevator and it has somehow increased ness, then this could be the scheme for you. Development, Employment, Finance, Funding, our creativity and productivity. The ‘creative hub’ Intellectual Property, Getting Started, Market ethos has definitely been beneficial to us.” Design Initiative, working with Pacific Stream, has a Research, Marketing, Presentation and Pitching specialist team of start up business advisors that un- skills, Creative and Cultural Networking, PAYE, And what does 2011 hold for Mugstar? “2011 looks derstand the ethos and needs of creative and digital Promotions, Sales, Setting up a company, VAT, like its going to be busier than ever before. More re- design enterprises and have a proven successful his- Websites, Writing your business plan.” cordings, touring and releasing more records. We’ve tory getting people started and helping them develop got the soundtrack to our film Ad Marginem to re- and grow their business models. For further information call: Ray Haigh on 07921 193775 or cord in February. We have been offered to play in Roy Jones on 07974 432937 or visit www.pacificstreamenterprise. co.uk. Mexico City in the summer so will try and link this They specialise in getting your ideas and businesses with some west coast American dates with White off the ground, developing business plans, raising Hills and Wooden Shjips.” funding/grants, connecting you to networks, EU re- search and development, clients and suppliers. For more information, go to: www.mugstar.com They will support your idea and art and design prac- tice from conception to releasing your full ambi- tion, and fully understand the need to focus on your creative idea and personal art practice allowing the business concepts to develop in unison and concor- dance.

“Make the time to get professional advice. It will save you time and money,” they explain. “We un- derstand you won’t know everything about how to run or set up a business. We can help. Design Initia- tive and Pacific Stream can answer whatever ques- THE WOMBATS COMPLETE NEW VIDEO FOR JUMP INTO THE FOG BENDAL INTERLUDE RELEASE The Wombats have completed the new video for ‘Jump Into The Fog’ offered as a free download in SELF-TITLED EP forthcoming single ‘Jump Into The Fog’. Released 2010. ‘Techno Fan’ will now be released in March. on January 24th, the video was filmed in downtown Bendal Interlude have released their latest self LA, and saw the band endure less than ideal condi- Track-listing for the forthcoming single includes titled EP to rave reviews. The self-released debut, tions in the bug-infested hotel location. new B-sides ‘How I Miss Sally Bray’, ‘Valentine’, recorded in the band’s Elevator practise room, has and ‘Addicted To The Cure’. The single is available seen the stoner-thrash outfit’s EP draw plaudits such The band were also kept grounded by a real coro- for pre-order now from the iTunes store. as: “The Bendal Interlude have absolutely nailed it, ner’s note pinned to the door of one room. The handcuffed it to the bedposts, slapped their business new single, a wry look at modern debauchery, adds The band will embark on an extensive UK tour in card on its chest and stomped out of the room.” further weight to the new, synth-ier direction the March, after the success of their sold-out tour at the new material has pushed towards. The single is the end of last year. The jaunt sees the band play the The four-piece, who played slots at festivals such as second to be taken from ‘The Modern Glitch, the Hammersmith Apollo. Sonisphere last year, will tour the EP over the next band’s second album, released April 11. The band’s few months. previous single ‘Tokyo: Vampires And Wolves’, The band have currently retuned to LA and will ap- was named ‘Hottest Track In The World’ by Zane pear on ‘Jimmy Kimmel, Live!’, play dates in New The EP is available from www.thebendalinterlude.bandcamp.com/ Lowe. Featuring production by Rich Costey (Muse, York, LA and San Francisco, as well as shooting two in various formats. Interpol, Franz Ferdinand), Jacknife Lee (U2, Snow videos during the same trip. Go to: www.myspace.com/thebendalinterlude for more information. Patrol, R.E.M.) and Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age), the album will also feature ‘Techno For more information, visit: www.thewombats.co.uk Fan’, originally planned as the second release, with

Elevator’s control room.

PAGE 2 PAGE 2 WORDS WITH... MILES KANE

A veritable wet dream.

One single in, and 2011 already has Miles Kane few days before the shoot, everyone was panicking. I think it’s really important, some bands probably pinned down as one of its great hopes. ‘Inhaler’, The director was sending me all these pictures of wouldn’t say that it was, but you are who you are released late last year, unleashed the style and sub- models on email, saying that I had to pick a girl and I definitely like to look sharp.” stance which has seen Miles featured everywhere to be in the video, it was so weird, sifting through from Maxim to The Guardian, and with second sin- these girls and being like ‘no, no’ I couldn’t do it, it How has so much positive press at this early stage gle ‘Come Closer’ due to hit in February, the hype- was insane. Someone who works at the label men- felt? “You never know what’s going to happen. I al- machine is gearing itself up for the onslaught. tioned getting Daisy, they had a contact for her man- ways over-think things when sometimes you should agement, and asked if he should give it a go, and I just let it go. But it’s been just great, what we got off Though the Mercury nominated Last Shadow Pup- said ‘sound’. They phoned her, we sent her over the ‘Inhaler’ was amazing. We’ve got ‘Come Closer’ at pets (the side-project turned number one album af- track, she loved it and said she’d love to do it. It suits the end of February, then we tour, and the album is fair he shares with Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner) the song and the lyrics. It’s a sexy tune.” due in April, so it’s a really slow build. It just seems propelled Miles to tabloid fodder almost instantly, to be getting there. It’s exciting. Once February the media scrutiny upon news that Kane was to re- Is that subtle sexiness something Miles thinks has hits we’re going to be really busy for a while, then lease a solo record was palpable. Despite writing been absent from music’s recent offerings? “I defi- we’ve got European dates planned.Ioisis I’vefounder just Anna Rosser been . credits for songs such as ‘Standing Next To Me’, nitely think it’s something that’s been lacking from itching to get out there again. somehow, the assumption for many was that Turn- the charts. I’m not saying I want to change the face er’s talent carried Kane, an assumption the forth- of music, I’ve just wished for a while that there was And after years of being part of a band, how does coming album instantly dispels. something out there where looking sharp, being real, it feel to be playing under your own name? “I love and playing rock and roll had come together. That’s it,” he laughs. “I’m not going to lie, I love doing the When we join Miles, he’s just returned from rehears- just what I’m doing and I’ll carry on doing it.” photos , just everything.” als in London, and news has just broken about a sup- port slot with Liam Gallagher’s Beady Eye on their Do many of Miles’ idols display the same pull? That’s not to say his band aren’t an important part forthcoming, all eyes on, UK tour. “For me it’s a “Maybe, yeah. Obviously I love Lennon, Gains- of proceedings. Featuring the talents of Eugene Mc- dream because Liam’s my idol, as were Oasis. I love bourg, and Lee Hazelwood. I’ve recently got into Guinnes and Jay Sharock, Miles still says ‘we’ in- their tunes. To be playing with them is an honour this other French singer called Jaques Dutronc, you stead of ‘I’, the camaraderie between the band is ob- and will be a lot of fun,” explains Miles. should check him out. He’s like a mod version of vious. “I knew them, along with Phil (Anderton)and Gainsbourg. Someone told me about him a couple Ben (Parsons). I knew Ben through my old flatmate. And with Noel guesting on Miles’ album, and Miles of weeks ago, he’s blowing my mind. If you watch I just got them all together after sending them tracks appearing on his, it would seem that the Gallagher’s him, it’s amazing, he’s become a new hero. to learn. The first play, the first time we ran through are big advocates of the Miles Kane show. “It’s it, was just like ‘wow’. It made my life so easy. I’m looking that way, which is great,” laughs Miles. “It’s “I’ve always loved clothes and trying to look smart. very lucky to have them. They’re buzzing off it was an amazing nod to have, isn’t it!” Call it mod, call it whatever you want, but I sup- well, excited to be out there playing some rocking pose on this record, I wanted it to look as good as tunes. There’s good vibes out there at the moment. The brothers Gallagher are not the only high-profile it sounds, so it was like a package. I think if you ‘Come Closer’ is released on February 21st. Go to www.mileskane. names which have lent themselves to the cause. Su- look at Gainsbourg, and those characters, especially com for more information. permodel Daisy Lowe appears in the super slick and Jaques Dutronc, even Gallagher, your hair is always sexy video for ‘Come Closer’. “That came about a in good nick, you’re always wearing great clothes. PAGE 3 PAGE 3 INTRODUCING... APPOSING

Four years ago, apps didn’t exist. A quick Google News search today, however, reveals more than 10 new news stories from the past few hours, detailing new apps from high-profile companies including First Direct. Apps are no longer just an extension of a website; a new army of creatives with a head for programming are creating an indispensible wealth of them which you’ll soon wonder how you ever lived without. At the forefront are Elevator’s Appos- ing, and with a slew of new contracts under their belt, they’re changing our world app by app.

Founded by Dave Brown and Lee Omar a year ago, Apposing shot into the limelight after securing a contract with the Echo Arena, despite being a rela- tively new and small company.

“We’re a creative app agency rather than just a bunch of geeky programmers in their bedrooms,” explains Dave. “We create, inspirational, design led apps that work really well. We started the company focussing on events and arena based applications. We won the contact for the Echo Arena to produce their app and it took off really well for them. They had thousands of people download it, it boosted ticket sales and al- lowed visitors to find the Echo Arena from train sta- tions, like a GPS device. From that they asked us to work on all the other smart phone applications such as the Android and Blackberry. They kicked us off from being a small agency, that one client boosted us so quickly.

A veritable wet dream. “We made ourselves seem bigger than we were at the time which is not necessarily a bad thing to do. That helped us get to this. There were just a couple of us outsourcing work in a pokey office just over 12 months ago. Now we’re doing big contacts for Chester Zoo, BBC and the Guardian. It’s national work. Lee’s got meetings in New York next week to speak to a couple of people over there, so we’re hoping to go global.”

Apposing’s strength lies in both the application and rich and brilliantly useful nature of their ideas. “We “We sit down and brainstorm ideas, then collate the might not go for now but down the line they’d be want to come up with an idea that helps the client ideas and break them down into phases. Stage 1 is interesting and no one has done them before. We rather than just being a webpage. The app needs to the bread and butter stage, stockists etc. By the time pitched using augmented reality to Chester Zoo. help you in some way. That’s where the name ‘Ap- we reach phase three we’ve got some really strange Hold up the camera and a 3D elephant would inter- posing’ comes from, the definition of apposing is to and outstanding ideas which can change everything. act with the real elephants and would give informa- always keep the information in close proximity to tion to the user. It really allows youIoisis to founder interact Anna Rosserwith . you, so whatever you need is always there if you So with billions of Apps downloaded and hundreds the animals rather than just reading a plaque.” have your phone. We didn’t wait for clients to come of thousands available in app stores now, are many to us. 9 times out of 10 they go for it. We just pitched programmers getting in on the act? “Locally, not Why the move to Elevator? “The space is great, and an idea to a baby product company who make organ- really. We’ve been touted as the northwest leading we were interested in the regeneration of the area. ic baby products. We picked up on a gap in the mar- mobile app developer. We’re the biggest and best n We wanted to be here from the start and make a dif- ket for them and pitched a baby monitor application. Liverpool. There’s only a couple in Manchester who ference. We’re looking at becoming part of the Bal- You put a phone number in the app and at a certain are at a similar level. We’re trying to do creative tic Triangle board and are working on an app that point of the baby making a noise, the app kicks in apps, whereas a lot of the other agencies are still will connect people in the area. We’re quite new and texts or calls the number. This is phase 1. Phase quite technical. It’s a close knit community. We’re and don’t know everyone’s skill set yet, but this app 2 will integrate a webcam; you can just switch the down as one of the experts. Our expert opinion was would sort that out. Then we hope to expand it to the cam on and check on the baby. Even on business to reward user’s behaviour. We always say the app whole of Liverpool.” you could use the app to see your child. They look needs to do more. amazing and work amazingly. We simplify it right Go to Apposing’s website and a slogan ‘the best down. “ “We’ve just won Chester Zoo after 4 months of way to predict the future is to invent it’ greets you pitching to them. It’s the biggest contract we’ve ever immediately. Apposing are solving problems for Another high-profile client who has gained the com- won. We spent numerous weekdays and weekends businesses that they don’t know exist yet, giving the pany notoriety is Liam Gallagher and his clothing there researching, asking visitors, the people who customer new ways to be right and enriching their range, Pretty Green. “Again it was a client that we worked there. We discovered a lot of people would experience simultaneously. Keep an eye in these spotted and thought we could make a difference. We pay for extra content, virtual tour guides and ‘adopt guys to see how much more your phone could be went down and pitched ideas and blew them away a pet’ schemes. You can do things like select all the doing for you... with what we’d come up with. Phase 1 is done, but animals you want to see, and the app will work out there is another top secret project for them... it will the quickest route. We also come up with ideas you For more information go to: www.apposing.co.uk revolutionise the way we buy clothes. PAGEPAGE 34 PAGE 4 SMILING WOLF ARE 10!

Design Consultancy Smiling Wolf celebrated their 10th birthday last month.

The well-known Elevator business have completed work for clients such as Ian Brown and FACT and took part in ‘The Fairytale of Burscough Bridge Project’, which saw the company help to revitalise the town with, amongst other things, sign-post de- signs inspired by traditional buildings from the area.

Originally from Wiltshire, founder Simon Rhodes, came to study in the city in 1990, and began working for Liverpool’s Nonconform before starting Smiling Wolf in 2000. The agency soon developed a name for themselves, steering towards a more all-encom- passing agency, fusing digital disciplines such as animation with more traditional graphic design.

Rhodes is also one of the faces behind Design Sym- A veritable wet dream. posium North, along with Alex French from Black and Ginger and Nick Howe of Uniform. THE ELEVATOR CHRISTMAS PARTY One of the current projects the firm has undertaken is the re-branding of Evoid Drinks, a partnership The Elevator Christmas party lived up to its reputa- Special fancy dress mentions go out to Tim Speed which has seen sales of the drink, which is free tion, and is believed to be responsible for more than (who came as a dog, and is also pictured having a from E numbers and additives, rocket by more than 80% of the unplanned absences from work in the Trigger Happy TV style street fight), Paul Speed 1000% since their involvement. North West the subsequent day. (a Christmas tree decorated with REAL lights and REAL chocolate), Mike Wheelhouse (classic Santa) The Smiling Wolf team will continue to promote The fancy dress shindig, saw the many inhabitants of and Microbrands One Managing Director, Chris Lee the regeneration of the Baltic Triangle with their in- Elevator come together for a Christmas meal, with (pictured, and Tim’s partner in Crime). volvement with the Baltic Triangle website (http:// Xander And The Peace Pirates lending their talents www.baltictriangle.co.uk/) which will begin again as the house band. The non-musicians in the build- The party, which continued long into the night, be- later this year. The site will feature news, photog- ing also had a chance to stretch their vocal chords gan at midday in Cains, before moving onto the con- raphy and films of projects and developments in the as the karaoke machine with an extensive catalogue ference suit at the CUC. area. returned for another year. Ticket To New York com- Ioisis founder Anna Rosser . pleted a moving rendition of The Human League’s For more information on how to become an Elevator For more information go to: www.smilingwolf.co.uk ‘Don’t You Want Me’, while Mercy’s Gemma Ger- resident, and experience the Christmas party 2011 mains blew everyone away with her 7 minute per- first hand, email: [email protected] formance of Meatloaf’s ‘Bat Out Of Hell’.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

Hot Club De Paris’ Paul Rafferty joined forces with Design Agency, Literature & Arts collective, Mercy, to raise awareness for the homeless charity Crisis.

The campaign featured virals based on ‘The Wizard of Oz’, with characters from the children’s classic portrayed as the modern homeless. Rafferty, (pic- tured above as the Scarecrow)featured in the virals, developed the pitch and designed artwork for the campaign, which culminated in a star-studded, se- cret Coldplay gig in the Royal Court.

For more information, go to: www.crisis.co.uk

Photograph: Nick Brown PAGEPAGE 34 PAGE 54