ISSUE 29 / JULY 2014 / FREE

@omsmagazine

INSIDE LEWIS WATSON WOOD & THE PUNT REVIEWED 2014 FESTIVAL GUIDE AUDIOSCOPE ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN AND MORE! GAZ COOMBES helicopters at glastonbury, new album and south park return NEWS news y v

l Oxford Oxford is a new three day event for the city, happening i g O

over the weekend of 26 to 28 September. The entertainment varies w e

r over the weekend, exploring the four corners of the music, arts d n

A and culture world. Friday’s theme is film/shows ( Grease sing-along and Alice In Wonderland ), Saturday, a more rock - ’n’roll vibe, with former Supergrass, now solo, mainstay, Gaz Coombes, returning to his old stomping ground, as well as a selection of names from the local and national leftfield like Tunng, Pixel Fix and Dance a la Plage with much more to be announced. Sunday is a free community event involving, so far, Dancin’ Oxford and Museum of Oxford and many more.

t Community groups, businesses and sports clubs wishing to t a r

P get involved should get in touch via the event website

n a i

r oxfordoxford.co.uk. Tickets are on sale now via the website

SIMPLESIMPLMPLLEE d A with a discounted weekend ticket available to Oxford residents.

MINDSMMININDS Audioscope have released two WITH MELANIEMELANMELANIE C albums of exclusives and rarities AND MARCMARC ALMONDALMOND which are available to download right now. Music for a Good Home 3 consists  of 31 tracks from internationally known acts including: Amon Tobin, John Parish, Future of the Left,    The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, Oli from Stornoway’s Esben & the Witch, Thought Forms, Count Drachma (both pictured) and Aidan Skylarkin’ are all on Chrome Hoof, Tall Firs and many music bill for this year’s Cowley Carnival , now in its 14th year, more. The Oxford Edition is a which happens on Sunday 6 July. There are two main stages treasure trove of current local this year – at Manzil Gardens and at the car park at Chapel music, and includes: Jess Hall, Street and there are 22 venues in all. Many local pubs and ToLiesel, Undersmile, Jordan O’Shea, music venues will open their doors for the event too, with a Reichenbach Falls, Listing Ships, full programme at the Art Bar, Cape of Good Hope, Kazbar, Tamara and We Aeronauts. Buy now East Oxford Community Centre, City Arms, O2 Academy and from audioscope.bandcamp.com for John Street Tavern – Count Drachma and Oxford Ukuleles a minimum of £7, while the Oxford Edition is £4 or more. LUKE FRIEND appear at Truck Store, while Jordan O’Shea, My Crooked Teeth All proceeds are donated to homelessness charity Shelter. STAXSSTTAAAXSXS with and Balloon Ascents are playing at the City Arms. The event, from midday to 6pm, is completely free to all – find out the SSPECIALPECIAL GUGUESTEST PPEATBOGEAATTBOGB G FFAEFAERIESAAEERIRIES complete lineup, a proper melting pot of worldly sounds, at The full line-up for the Riverside Festival , which happens each N I N A N E S B I T T cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk. The organisers need volunteer year in Charlbury, has been revealed. Headliners for Saturday RUSRUSTYSTY SHACKLESHAACKLECKLEC marshals and stewards for the day – get in touch at 26 July (12pm –10pm) are The Epstein, and they’re joined by [email protected] Candy Says, The Scholars, Family Machine, Dubwiser and ToLiesel, while Sunday 27 July (11am –8pm) has Grudle Bay, THE DDUALERSUALERS Jess Goyder, Nights of Mentis and many more. The second TTHEHE LOTTERLOTTERYY WINNERS Cornerstone Arts Centre have their free, annual beer and music stage is curated by local record emporiums Truck Store and KIDS ZONE festival over the weekend of 1 –3 August. The weekend features Rapture and features Kid Kin, Maaians, Limbo Kids, and Circus Skills | Storytelling | Junk Percussion | Magic Shows | Musicalusical Theatre WorkshopsW | Moo Music | Face Paintingainting | Clay Sculpture a host of local acts – already confirmed are: Duchess, Band Balloon Ascents on Saturday while Sunday vibes are supplied Withy Weaving | Animation | Groovy Records | Carnivarnival Masks | Snot The Dragon | BhangraB Tots | Bollywood Danceance | Glamba | Puppet Shows Of Hope, The August List, Ellie Williams, Reuben’s Rocket and by Vienna Ditto, After the Thought, Tamara and Rainbow MAIA. For the full programme, visit cornerstone-arts.org. Reservoir. It’s all free, so just turn up and have fun! Full PPainting & Making | Garden Gamesames | Interactive Musicalusical Installation and Worldorld Class Street Theatre Cornerstone is located at 25 Station Road, Didcot. programme is at riversidefestival.charlbury.com Fairground | Gourmet Caterersaterers | Festival Shops | Disco Shed | Amazing VIP and Glampinglamping

Oxfordshire Music Scene is published by Back & to the Left. Editor: Stewart Garden. Contact: [email protected]. Design: Simon Minter at nineteenpoint.com Thanks to all the contributors: Leo Bowder, Kerry Smallman, Celina MacDonald, Dave Roberts, Tom McKibbin, Andrew Fletcher, Andrew Grillo, James Cunning, Elizabeth Green. SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.CO.UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 3 FEATURES FEATURES 2014 FESTIVAL GUIDE oxfordshire has the highest Truck Festival Supernormal number of festivals in the uk per Hill Farm, Steventon: 18 –19 July Braziers Park: square metre of countryside… The Cribs, White Lies, Stornoway, Catfish & The 8–10 August Bottlemen, Gang Of Four, Dodgy, Danny & The Champions Joanna Gruesome, Horse Loom, Esben & The Witch, that’s official! here’s our guide to Of The World, Los Campesinos, Roots Manuva, Blood Red Part Chimp, Shitwife, Speak Galactic. Shoes, Andrew WK. truckfestival.com supernormalfestival.co.uk what’s happening this summer… Cutting edge indie/folk/country/dance on a real life farm. Boundary-pushing arts and experimental music.

Cornbury Halfway To Seventy-Five Fairport’s Cropredy Great Tew Estate: The Isis Farmhouse pub, Iffley, Oxford: Convention 4, 5, 6 July 26 July Cropredy, Banbury: Jools Holland, Simple Minds, Gipsy Kings, Scouting For Ward Thomas, Knights Of Mentis, Nick Cope, Empty White Girls, Arrested Development, 10cc, Jeremy Hardy, Al Murray Circles, Alyn Shipton Trio, Swindlestock, Reichenbach Falls, 7–9 August + Oxford acts at Riverside Stage. cornburyfestival.com Ronnie & The Ripchords, Jess Roberts. halfwayto75.com Waterboys, Wonderstuff, Cara Dillon, Travelling Band, Organiser’s view: “England’s most civilised gathering – Organiser’s view: “Fabulous music in a really beautiful setting, Capercaillie. fairportconvention.com on one of the most beautiful festival sites in the country.” family friendly and a good alternative to spending £50+!” Legendary folk gathering.

Cowley Road Carnival Riverside Towersey Cowley Road, East Oxford: Charlbury: 26 –27 July Towersey nr Thame: 6 July The Epstein, Candy Says, Family Machine, Grudle Bay. 21 –25 August Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band, Dancin’ Oxford, Dutty riversidefestival.charlbury.com Richard Thomson, Seth Lakeman, Lau, Topic Records, Moonshine, Count Skylarkin’, DJ FU, Dublings, Count Organiser’s view: “Thirty amazing acts, a buzzing Bootleg Beatles, Michael McGoldrick/John McCusker. Drachma and sound systems. cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk children’s area, a growing-by-the-year Fringe Stage, towerseyfestival.com Skankin’, pavement shakin’ sound systems, processions, great food, great beer, great crowds, in a great town, Celebrating fifty years – world and folk with a village good food and family fun, OX4-style. and it’s FREE – what’s not to like?” fete feel.

Irregular Folk – Big Feastival Summer Sessions D:Fest The Perch pub, Binsey, Oxford: 12 July Kingham: Red Lion pub, Drayton: You Are Wolf, The Irrepressibles, May Birds, Duotone, 29 –31 August Salvation Bill, Jess Hall and more. irregularfolk.co.uk 26 July Fatboy Slim, Laura Mvula, Kelis, Norman Jay, Jamie Organiser’s view: “Positively buzzing about bringing DB Band, Balloon Ascents, Happy Hooves, Empty Vessels. Cullum, Stornoway. jamieoliver.com such a strong collection of artists together under one FREE – Uncommercial, good time, local music vibes in a Big names in music and food worlds head to Alex James’ [bedouin tent] roof.” pub garden. farm in the Cotswolds.

2000 Trees Wilderness The Cotswolds: 10 –12 July Cornbury Park: The Bunkfest Band Of Skulls, Frightened Rabbit, Blood Red Shoes, Dan Wallingford: le Sac, Kids In Glass Houses, Tall Ships, Johnny Foreigner, 7–10 August The Bronx. twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk London Grammar, Burt Bacharach, Metronomy, 29 –31 August Organiser’s view: “It’s independent, intimate, friendly and Jessie Ware, Joan As Policewoman, Slow Club, Baka Beyond, 3 Daft Monkeys, Martyn Joseph, Tarras, fun, with no queues, clean toilets and all the atmosphere Submotion Orchestra. Jackie Oates, Galley Beggar. bunkfest.co.uk the big mainstream events fail to copy.” Where theatre, banquets, fishing and rock’n’roll collide. Real Morris dancers, real ale, real folk.

4 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.CO.UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 5 FEATURES FEATURES

hile the sun blazes happened with [recent a Serious Singer- Woutside, Gaz single] ‘Buffalo’ is that Songwriter. But what of Coombes is seated in a the track was finished, the Artist as a Young Man, darkened studio, and has then I had Loz [Colbert, we wonder – is that lupine been awake for several former Ride/Jesus and howl still intact? Will there days now. His long Mary Chain sticksman] still be the psychedelic fingernails tap out a and Charly [Coombes, glam-punk anthems of gaz strange beat on the broken Supergrass/New yore, in amongst the mixing desk, his head Breed singer/multi inventive soundscapes? nodding to some internal instrumentalist] guesting, We hope so. Although he rhythmic melody. Eyes I did a mix and it was just is forging his original deeply set in a pale visage there. It gave me confidence, Sound, Gaz is still not are staring blankly into if anything – I got that afraid to celebrate his coombes space; a space filled with sounding pretty spot on. It influences. His faithful new material and south Sonic Promise. His hair, was written on piano with cover of the Kinks ‘This recently neat and tidy, is a simple chords. As far as the Time Tomorrow’ was park gig on the horizon for shaggy mess, sideburns instrumentation and played by Radio 2 and former supergrass man now a billowing beard… production goes, it was just used by retail giant John by leo bowder At least this is how OMS stuff that I’m into. I’ve Lewis. At the same time, cover picture by andrew ogilvy imagines him, but we were been wandering round the newie ‘One of These unable to secure a face-to- studio finding various loops Days’ was championed by face and are making do and samples and creating Radio 1’s Steve Lamacq with a phone call. He is my own beats – that aren’t and there was his presently working on just [made by] a drummer performance in the recent Matador – the follow up LP on a drum kit – which I’m Britpop retrospective at the to 2011’s solo debut Here finding quite exciting. I’ve BBC. There’ll be a single Come the Bombs . got a funny little box that out at the end of the loops stuff. I walk around Summer and the album OMS : What’s going on Gaz? the studio finding things to proper is set for a January Gaz: “Hey, man! Well, I’ve bang – that’s how the beat release; ’til then there is the just been finishing off the of ‘Buffalo’ came about. touring, including a new tracks at the moment, I’m ‘One of These Days’ has a event in South Park called pretty much there on it sampled loop running Oxford, Oxford (because actually. Just had a backing through it. It’s kind of like you can’t have too much vocal session with some an adventure for me; to of a good thing, eh?) on singers and got some find new ways of doing 27 September. strings coming up in the things and push my own Gaz: “We’ve got great next couple of weeks… It’s sound, which is always memories of South Park just finishing touches and forming. I’m a new artist in and we’ve done a few redoing demo versions of that I’ve only done one there – there was a great things for real. It’s been a album. Previous to that I show with Radiohead and great six months or so. A was in a gang [Britpop Beck maybe 15 years ago. good thing about being on superstars Supergrass] When I got the call for that my own is the way I can where we all had our ideas I was very excited, and chip away at it – and keep and we all created the really up for another doing other things as well, sound of the band. This is hometown show. It’s a but coming back to it.” a time for me where I’m great spot in town and finding a voice. The more I always does good events. OMS : Same crew – Sam write, the more I go It’s gonna highlight the Williams etc? through – things are creative side of Oxford. Gaz: “Nah, [only] I’ve forming and changing.” I think its brilliant place been getting on with it Indeed… Mr Coombes to live, to create and to really, getting ideas down does seem to be in serious be artistic – it’s really as they come. What danger of developing into inspiring.” 6 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.C O. UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 7 FEATURES

OMS : And Glastonbury? OMS : What about the rest O>ZU$ƓH
K/Ť Gaz: “Yeah! I’ve not of the Oxford scene? played since 2008. I played Gaz: “I’m on the Caroline >i >Kũ on the Park Stage with record label – it’s a cool Danny [Goffey, SG new independent label drummer] and Hot Rats. with some great people on Great memories of it that there; Glass Animals are first time [1995], rolling up there. There’s always good in the helicopter, landing things floating around and everyone going “who Oxford but you’ve got to the f*** are they?” thinking find them. But do you it might be the Stones or know what, man? I don’t something. Then seeing really get out to many the disappointment on gigs. I’m kind of like a these kids faces when it was hermit. But I’m always us in bare feet, big joints on the lookout…” hanging out of our We never get the chance mouths… That was fun – to find out how he emerging, Gaz absently picks up a broken a lot of good memories. manages to combine these drops the phone to the drumstick and approaches I’ll be playing [this year] two seemingly mutually floor strewn with Persian the glockenspiel. At on the Williams Green exclusive positions as, in rugs and grabs his least, this is how we stage on Friday, but then our excitement, we sample/loop recording imagine him… I’ll be heading straight interrupt with an inane device. Taking a long sip back to Oxford; there’s question about Cowley of the cooling cup of don’t miss gaz coombes at oxford a show the next day – Carnival. Bored of this, mushroom tea perched oxford in south park, 27 septembe a summer ball thing. and with a new idea on the mixing desk, he r

THE ĽŁU$ŤƓĽłU$ŤƓĽŃU$ CELLAR. OHU7 KƓĽĻļĿ OXFORD’S FINEST INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUE 7D;52K cV E2FGD52K cV 8D62E6 H6DKEB64;2> E;@8͹2@5͹52@46͹2>A@8͟ LIVE MUSIC AND DANCE CLUB 8G6 EFEF32 INDIE, ROCK, HOUSE, GARAGE, TECHNO, DISCO, D&B, DUBSTEP F;?3GDFA@ͭE HIP-HOP, REGGAE, SKA & MORE.... 2>;46;@IA@56D>2@5 82L4AA?36E FG@@8 THE CELLAR F:; D5 F;F>6 F32 ?AH 6?6@FD64AD5E FREWIN COURT BD6E6@@FE4:D;EF;2@8D68AD K̿46>6EF6 OXFORD AAJ7AD5E:;D6͹BDA5G465 OX1 3HZ E:ADF7;>?E B;J6>7;J͔52@462>2B>286 WWW.CELLAROXFORD.CO.UK EG@52K cV MUSIC HISTORY BEGINS UNDERGROUND! 2E:AI42E6A72>>F:;@8EAJ7AD5͜;@4>G5;@8>A42>2DF;EFE͜EFD66F7AA5͜72D?6DE?2D=6FE͜ :2H6ͻ2ͻ8AEBADFE͜?AFADEBADF5;EB>2KE2@5F:62FD6͜52@462@5?GE;4B6D7AD?2@46E͙ 3GKF;4=6FE:6D6͛ 8 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM fff͙^gS^aQ^gS^aQ͙P^͙dY FEATURES PROMOTION charity begins at ‘home’ for studio blanco audioscope putting you in the picture

both al Studio Blanco is situated in £15 per hour for studio marketing. Additionally, bums are available to buy now Long-standing Oxford promoters Audioscope, who from www.musicforagoo the heart of East Oxford 1, which features an we offer equipment rental a dhome.com have raised more than £26,000 for homelessness nd all proceeds go to shelter and offers hire, workshops infinity curve, with a on location. charity Shelter since 2001, this month release two for photographers and shooting area of 22m. Our studios are charity albums; Music for a Good Home 3 features 31 opportunities for Studio 2, available for extremely versatile. We exclusive tracks from big names around the world professionals, start-ups and £12.50 per hour offer a space in which you including Amon Tobin, Metz and Dirty Beaches, while everyone interested in (minimum hire of 2 hours), are able to create your own an Oxford Edition shows off the best of the local scene. having their picture taken. is ideal for smaller projects mood and atmosphere, in Speaking to OMS , co-organiser Stuart Fowkes runs We are the perfect like headshots and which you will feel us through some of his personal highlights from across facility for casting calls, products, available with full comfortable exploring your the two albums. showreels, meetings, professional lighting ideas and fulfilling your interviews and other equipment and a wide potential as a photographer. occasions you have in variety of paper Previous clients have used Seefeel – ‘Ever Me’ Toliesel – ‘Brothers’ mind. backgrounds. A Chroma the studio to create product SF: “This is classic SF: “High-end, beautifully Studio Blanco offers Blue or Green Screen images, record album art, To hire the studio or Seefeel – woozy synths, arranged Americana as two studios for hire – background studio is also portrait photography, or enquire about our offers, dreamy and distant ever from Toliesel. by the hour, up to one available – ideal for simply to build up their call us on 07789 963783 vocals and a throbbing, ‘Brothers’ has parts that complete day. Prices webcasting, special effects, portfolios by experimenting or check out our website dubby bassline remind me of Calexico start from as little as corporate videos and viral within the space. studioblanco.co.uk. carrying on from and Sophia, with a where their last album rousing finale that has on Warp left off. ‘Festival Anthem’ stamped Off The Ball magazine is designed by… John Parish – ‘That Car’ It’s excellent!” Kid Kin – through it.” SF: “We were honoured ‘Frippery The Villain’ to have John involved – Future Of The Left – SF – “One of Oxford’s The Original Rabbit his work with PJ Harvey ‘Home Taping Is brightest talents, he has a Foot Spasm Band – obviously goes before Killing Susan’ rare talent of being able ‘Eynsham Witches’ him, but he’s an SF: “Along with Metz to inject electronica SF: “Always a pleasure to outstanding bluesman and Chrome Hoof, they with both warmth and listen to the ORFSB, and songwriter in his bring the rock to Music personality. I really whose name alone uses own right, and really For A Good Home 3 . rate him and hopefully up my word count. It’s nineteenpoint got behind Audioscope Sarcasm, pop culture he’s on his way to great like being transported to from the moment we references and chugging things.” a sleazy 1920s Independent graphic design from spoke to him.” great riffs. What a band.” speakeasy. Only the Simon Minter, Oxford, England Coma Wall – speakeasy is in www.nineteenpoint.com Eluvium – Tall Firs – ‘You Are My Death’ Eynsham… obviously.” ‘Cognition Interlace’ ‘Shovel Handle’ SF – “Tough to choose Web design SF: “One of my favourite SF: “Two of the nicest between this and the Tamara and the Martyrs – Music packaging artists in the world, so blokes in music, Undersmile track, but ‘Real Bad Lover’ Poster design personally I was really super-supportive of I love the sparsity of SF: “A tale of dark excited when he came what Audioscope is all Coma Wall, and it romance that could Logos on board. A gorgeous about, and a gorgeous reminds me of the ace almost be a show tune Print & editorial design slice of drones and washes song to boot. One for fans Alice In Chains MTV from some femme Design consultancy for fans of Boards of of guitar interplay and Unplugged session too. fatale-themed musical. Search engine optimisation Canada, Stars of the Lid smoky voices, Thurston Great ‘Ultimate Metal’ This song has dirty tricks and all that.” Moore, Smog and Low.” title, too.” up its sleeves.” 10 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.CO.UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 11 REVIEWS live cate le bon

PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS TUESDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER O2 ACADEMY2 OXFORD TICKETS £10 ADVANCE, AVAILABLE FROM TICKETWEB.CO.UK - 0844 477 2000 CATELEBON.COM • NEW ALBUM ‘MUG MUSEUM’ OUT NOW

ACADEMY EVENTS BY ARRANGEMENT WITH THE AGENCY GROUP AND MI FAMILIA MANAGEMENT PRESENT

WOLF ALICE wolf alice, superfood, gengahr o2 academy, oxford PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS Gengahr’s combination of barely-there guitar and falsetto vocals Hole and Elastica, to settle on a, way more on-trend, sound. MONDAY 29th SEPTEMBER give an overall feeling of ‘inconsequentialness’ which so far fails Grungy guitar solos, wailing female vocals and assured, tight to live up to their rather excellent Soundcloud recordings. chops bring to mind local legends Little Fish. Songs like ‘Fluffy’ O2 ACADEMY2 Next up are Superfood. With a band name straight off a Fierce and ‘Bros’ have just enough ‘ooh-oohs’ and ‘la-las’ to be catchy, OXFORD Panda compilation circa 1995, it’s clear they are a Britpop revival whilst never losing that ballsy punk edge. act. They do it pretty well though – treading ground not dissimilar Most of the kids here probably have school in the morning, but TICKETWEB.CO.UK to Blur, if we’re being magnanimous or The Bluetones if we’re tonight they are free to bounce, mosh, scream and dance in giddy 0844 477 2000 being honest. They deserve to be heard in big fields this summer. abandon. For an audience raised on the likes of Haim and Wolf Alice have more or less shaken off their whimsical roots Warpaint, this might be the most rawkus and exciting female- to become a seriously good rock band. Like Superfood, they have fronted band ever. And for those of us old enough to remember also raided the 90s, but they take their cues from The Breeders, Riot Grrrl, it’s pretty great too. (KS) 12 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM REVIEWS REVIEWS live

WOOD: THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT wood festival braziers park The programmers must have wanted to warm the crowd up gen - ‘A Message to You Rudy’ replete with kazoo brass solo was The afro music theme continued into the Sunday, when the tly, as just about every act to grace the minuscule main stage on sheer delight. polyphonic kora rhythms of Jali Fily Cissokho brought some the Friday night was of the fragile, delicate, acoustic kind. Leeds’ The Tree Tent Also provided one of Saturday’s best acts: the Senegalese magic to an unseasonably sunny Oxfordshire. Oxford’s Dancing Years even apologized mid-set, saying “Sorry – we’re not obscenely talented Edd Keene. He utilized a loop machine to lay Count Drachma came on next and upped the heat even further. the most festival-y band”. Enigmatic singer Sephine Llo down multi-instrumental tracks involving not just guitar and Their frenetic Zulu songs, replete with accordion and speedy combined ’80s/Dead Can Dance-style aesthetics with The XX-ish bass, but also drums, saxophone and a vocal not dissimilar to guitar licks provided the liveliest entertainment of the weekend. minimalism. Not exactly the stuff of mosh pits. Thom Yorke. Stunning. There is no doubt that the musicianship and lyrical talent on Musically, the Tree Tent was the highlight of the Friday. Sweet Baboo headlined the main stage on the Saturday. His display at Wood is second-to-none, and for those with little ‘uns, Valleyers blew the minds of the five-or-so strong audience with happy, anecdotal songs pulled the listeners irresistibly into his it must surely be the safest, friendliest festival going. Now in its their blend of psychedelia, falsetto vocals and tight-as-you-like world. But at that time on a Saturday night, with the kiddies in seventh year, Wood Festival has definitely found its rhythm but, at rhythm section. The Oxford Ukulele Big Band and their bed, it was the dance tent that drew the most up-for-it crowd. The times, it needs a bit more… tempo. It takes a real folk aficionado 30-ukelele assault on pop history sounded, for all the world, DJs mixed up afrobeat, salsa and cumbia to glorious effect and to want to hear a soporific songsmith at midnight on a Saturday, like a melodic swarm of bees, but they were surely Act of the Day. kept the party going ’til the wee, small hours. however interesting the lyrics. (KS) 14 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.CO.UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 15 REVIEWS REVIEWS live s t r e

echo and the bunnymen b o R

e v o2 academy, oxford a D Looking for all the world like a latter day John Cooper Clarke, Ian McCulloch strides onto stage with that familiar proto-Oasis swagger. His band includes original guitarist Will Sergeant, plus a team of nameless guys with Paul Weller haircuts. Echo and the Bunnymen are back on the road again, with yet more sad, but catchy, new songs, and enough hair spray and smoke machine fog to asphyxiate a small town. Bathed in blue light and dry ice, their sound is all desolate synths, wall of sound guitars and powerful, soaring vocals. Around 1984, they struck that perfect balance between post punk, goth and anthemic indie, and have never had any cause to depart from there since. Some of the new songs lack the intricate delicacy of the studio production in the live arena, but ‘Lovers on the Run’ wins the crowd over with its meat-and-potatoes chorus, and daytime radio-bothering ‘Constantinople’ is given an EELS interesting ‘goth-y’ twist. It’s the hits that the punters are here for tonight, though, and the intro to ‘Rescue’ begins to thunderous applause. ‘Bedbugs eels and Ballyhoo’ and ‘Bring on the Dancing Horses’ get the forty-something audience dancing and singing along. The set new theatre, oxford closers include a considered performance of ‘The Killing Moon’, which is only slightly marred by the pizzicato strings being played One of the most enticing aspects of following the Eels is the huge by an ill-judged setting on the digital piano which sounds like Hot range of styles that charismatic leader E and his band successfully Butter’s ‘Popcorn’. take on. Less than a year after they last played in Oxford they have In the light of Cast and Northern Uproar, you’d be forgiven for moved from full electric fuzz-tone band to what E refers to as his thinking there is no place any more for lairy northern blokes with “jaunty jazz band”. Jazz might be a slightly ‘creative’ description mod hair and football-terrace choruses. And that any 80s band for this evening’s show but the emphasis on their eleventh album, still on the road in 2014 really ought to stop writing new material and this tour, is on the subtleties of the songs, allowing space for and just ‘play the goddam hits’. But The Bunnymen continue to the, almost sold-out, audience to hear E’s songs as short vignettes – defy all expectations by delivering the goods. Epic, anthemic and ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN often full of humour and beauty but often tinged with sadness. irresistibly miserable rock‘n’roll. (KS) Despite referring to most of the songs as “bummer-rock”, what is delivered is an evening of sharp observational wit, interspersed with a creative range of expletives to hammer home the point. drenge Opening the evening’s proceedings with a cover of ‘When You Wish o2 academy, oxford Upon A Star’, yes, the Disney classic, we are gifted interpretations of much of the new album along with selections from their twenty year Rory the drummer does the Animal from the Muppets thing just two instruments leads to circle pit carnage. The drum-vocals career such as ‘My Beloved Monster and Me’, ‘Blinking Lights’ and perfectly: all legs and hair. He looks like he could have been in a minor relationship in the sing – along anthem ‘Fuckabout’, is a ‘It’s a Motherfucker’. The wealth of familiar melancholic material Seattle band, circa ’92. Eoin, his taciturn brother, goes down the masterclass in understated intensity. slimmed down to strings, piano, brushes and trumpet seems to please Arctic Monkeys route, with short back and sides that says “We are Which is not to say there aren’t low points in the set. Drenge’s fans, though the seated venue leaves something of a gap between Northern, we don’t care about fashion. It’s all about the music.” attempt at doing a ‘Pennyroyal Tea’ is the slow-burner ‘Let’s Pretend’, band and audience. Ever the entertainer, E attempted to share his And what music it is. A fine two-man distillation of the essence a sludge-rock ballad which leaves the audience checking mobile love with the audience who seemed unsure how to respond when he of rock‘n’roll. Nirvana are the obvious influence, but the quiet- phones and visiting the loo. With a no-encores set of only 40 minutes – walked through them, leading him to having to explain the, seemingly loud aesthetic is punctuated by clever tempo changes and and an audience this young – there’s really no excuse for playing alien, concept of American hugs to a largely British audience. effortless guitar work which bring to mind the genius of Graham self-indulgent slow numbers. We came here to Rock, goddamit! The evening culminated with covers of Nilsson’s ‘Turn On Your Coxon or David Pajo. ...Which in the 21st Century mostly seems to involve middle Radio’ and Elvis’ ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love (With You)’ before the Without a doubt, though, it is the seemingly telepathic class youngsters doing insanely accurate pastiches of the music band finally departed. Twenty plus songs of melancholy and love relationship between the siblings which set Drenge apart from the of yesteryear. Drenge are not going to break any sonic frontiers, or left the audience feeling pretty emotional and wondering where slew of current ’90s revivalists. The symbiotic rhythmic force of re-invent the guitar, but they sure do make a fine racket. (KS) on earth this band will go next. (DR) 16 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.CO.UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 17 REVIEWS / FEATURES O>ZU$ƓH
K/Ť bbc introducing >i >Kũ live in oxford the punt with show producer liz green various town centre venues, oxford

So here we are… the biggest night on the Oxford music calendar – the cream of the last twelve months, all playing within a few hours of each other within a square kilometre in the BALLOON ASCENTS city centre. Armed with my Punt pass I made it my mission to see as many bands that I hadn’t seen before – and was still tucked up in bed before midnight. The night started at the Purple Turtle for Hot Hooves, which was totally packed out for their confrontational punk – but without a vantage point so I headed next door to the Cellar for Trophy Cabinet, a gentle, lilting concoction of early James with a GLASS ANIMALS dash of the Field Mice thrown in for good measure. I couldn’t help but feel they lacked a killer tune, however. Back next door for my first major highlight – Girl Power, a It’s been a busy few months for us at BBC Oxford crushingly loud band seemingly picking up where Fugazi left off. Introducing – in mid-May, we spent the evening The singer’s voice guttural, yet melodic, and the rhythm section wandering around central Oxford, attempting to see as packed a real punch – fantastic stuff. many bands as possible at the Punt – highlights, out of &17 With my ears needing a rest, I headed to the Turl Street Kitchen many, for me, were Balloon Ascents, Girl Power and to catch local folk troubadour Jordan O’Shea. Expecting an Jordan O’Shea. earnest, acoustic, James Blunt-a-like I was pleasantly surprised As for the up coming festival season – a chance for to find a young man seemingly influenced more by interpreting show presenter Dave Gilyeat and I to really let our hair indie/R&B types like ‘How To Dress Well’ and ‘Perfume Genius’ through acoustic guitar. His accompaniment was slightly down – we’re really proud to have not one but two K&
jƓĽŁU$ constricting, however, and whilst melodies were strong the tracks Oxford bands on the BBC Introducing stage at »µŠ“ÌÌ£»µÌţƓƛŁũĽŀ were a tad repetitive. Glastonbury. Doom-indie act Flights of Helios will be OÒ~µ~ȏţƓƛļŁũłŀ With my timetable out of the window, rather than choose taking their droney soundscapes down to Worthy Farm OHU7 KƓĽĻļĿ between the Flights Of Helios/Beta Blocker clash at 9, I headed to alongside hip young art-popsters Glass Animals. FOH the Wheatsheaf for Balloon Ascents – five impossibly young popped into the studio recently to talk about this guys who remind me of ex-young pretenders Tristan and the fantastic opportunity, and we’ll have Glass Animals in to Troubadours – ever so slightly chaotic but with fantastic songs do the same very soon. Keep your eyes peeled as GA 3D;@8KAGD and an impeccable grasp of melody. Really interested to see how have filmed an exclusive live session for us at Safehouse 52@4;@8E:A6E they develop their 3-pronged guitar sound. After that I managed to get to the White Rabbit after Lee Riley studio – it’ll be available to watch in the next few weeks. 2@5F͹3;D5EAD had finished, and after waiting around for what seemed like an We’ll be covering a number of local festivals this year, B;@=>25;6E<24=6FE E;@8͹2@5͹52@46͹2>A@8͟ with live broadcasts from both Truck and Cornbury. At age for Kid Kin, I headed back to the Wheatsheaf for what would 7AD2@2>>E;@8;@8͜ be my final stop of the night – Huck. Backed by a stellar cast of Truck we’ll have recordings from our stage featuring local musicians including Guillemots’ drummer Greig Stewart, he some of the best up and coming bands from Oxford 2>>52@4;@8H6DE;A@ moved through a selection of tracks from his Alexander the Great and further afield. At Cornbury we’ll have highlights A78D62E6A@F:6 folk operetta. He walks a thin line – sometimes, overplaying the from the Riverside stage. 3;8E4D66@͙B>GE2>;46;@ quieter, more reflective tracks which were replete with a fragile In mid-August we’ll have a report from Wilderness beauty at solo performances, and underplaying the savagery of IA@ 56D>2@5͜E:ADF7;>?E Festival where three of our favourite local acts will be the louder tracks. However, it’s unfair to judge on a half-hour set ̿?G4:?AD 6͟ F:;D5F;F>6F32͟ given that these songs are part of a much bigger animal – I’m opening the main stage and we’re really looking forward looking forward to seeing how they translate into the operetta. to seeing Grudle Bay, Crayon and The August List in 24DAEEF:6I666=6@5͙͙͙ After Huck I wind my way home marvelling at the gems the city the grand surroundings of Cornbury Park. E2FGD52K͛?GE;4͙EB64;2>8G6EFE͜82L4AA?3 6E͜FG@@8͜?AH6?6@FD64AD5E͜B;J6>7;J͜52@462>2B>2862@5?AD 6͙͙͙͙ has to offer each year – and hoping that the event will long Here’s to a fantastic summer – we’ll tell you all about EG@52K͛4A??G @;FK͙:2H6͹2͹8A͹EBADFE͜72D?6DE?2D=6FE͜EFD66F7AA5͜?AFAD5;EB>2KE͜>A42>2DF;EFE2@5?AD 6͙͙͙͙ continue! (Alberto Moore) it, as it happens, on the show. 7ADF;4=6FE2@57GDF:6D56F2;>E͛ 18 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM fff͙^gS^aQ^gS^aQ͙P^͙dY REVIEWS PROMOTION local releases let’s go down the studio with arthur young from shaken oak studios

involved. The studio is album and also a ideal for freelance psych-rock band called GLASS ANIMALS producers, in terms of Desert Mountain Tribe. equipment and workflow But there’s some awesome glass animals tracks such as ‘Gooey’ via a choices – we even have a stuff in production this selection of self-proclaimed “weird ‘guest bay’ where they can summer, particularly zaba interludes”, with a variety of quickly hook up their recording Senegalese kora electronic and percussion favourite outboard. player Jali Fily Cissokho. Glass Animals, so the story goes, resulted from the insomnia instruments. Opener ‘Pools’ is so Dave Bayley suffered while studying science at university. deep, spacious, infectious, tribal OMS : What’s your favourite OMS : What do you think is Having spent nights messing around on GarageBand, Bayley and groovy, it has ‘summer bit of kit you’ve got? special about your studio? shared early track ‘Golden Antlers’ with three close friends who festival anthem’ written all over it. became his bandmates almost before they realised what was The album’s title pays homage to a favourite book from AY: My favourite is the AY: Our live room is happening. In this way, Glass Animals took on the Oxford Bayley’s childhood, The Zabajaba Jungle , which finds its Thermionic Culture Fat fantastic – 13ft high with music scene ‘on the quiet’ with their super-smooth, swaying protagonist exploring a jungle full of mysterious plants and Bustard (!) mixer. It brings lots of natural light, and it vibes. The band already have a confident and distinctive monsters before being kidnapped by a pack of mandrills. such warmth and subtle makes drums and acoustic sound without sacrificing experimentation on Zaba , their If any collection of songs could pull you in like this this coloration to digital instruments sound great. debut album. Soulful tracks like ‘Black Mambo’ are connected strange exotic tale does, it is this eccentric, yet sophisticated, recordings – but each piece with the catchy refrains of atmospheric, more indie-style debut. (CM) of equipment from the mic OMS: Any particular THE STUDIO, USED BY JALI FILY onwards is crucial to moments of CISSOKHO, AGS CONNOLLY, achieving that perfect inspiration/creativity UNDERSMILE AND SWINDLESTOCK sound. And without talent that have happened there? in the live room, all the AY: Many, but recording gear would be useless Ags Connolly’s first ever OMS : How long has the ‘international’ – with anyway! EP in 2012 was brilliant – studio been going? sessions by artists from hearing for the first time LEWIS WATSON AY: Since 2010, with Paris, Cologne, Italy, OMS : Where can people go the potential of his voice equipment that was Sweden, Senegal… to kick back between and songwriting. borrowed or donated from London is so close too, not sessions? lewis watson playing over a guitar that squeaks generous people; we’ve to mention the number of AY: We have eight acres of OMS : Do you favour with each chord change. Already subsequently invested in foreign students in Oxford. gardens and woodland recording bands all the morning taking steps in the right direction high-quality gear to All that leads to a real which is beautiful in the together or separately? for world domination, Watson Quite possibly the other side of the coin from Glass Animals, clearly has a knack for summer improve the studio eclecticism, no genre is summer. For residential AY: Whatever the project you don’t have to wait too long on the local 22 year old former sing-alongs, as well as quiet, workflow. In 2013, I overlooked. Having the guests we have two stylish, demands – but who open mic performer-turned-YouTube pop sensation Lewis’ introspective, heart teasing started working with Jake Oxfordshire music scene en suite double bedrooms. doesn’t like the thrill of debut album to get the first taste of the big chorus. A gentle moments. It’s a far cry from those Murray (a technician at on our doorstep is a real recording a stellar live voice over the simple chord progressions of an acoustic tentative steps he made early on, covering songs by Bon SAE London) and he and I blessing. OMS : What’s the best performance? guitar, each multi-layered refrain on opener ‘Stay’ isn’t Iver and the like on YouTube (he actually says, rather over- form the team that books, track/album that’s been overdone, making the song a teaser for what is to come, but critically of his younger self, on a more recent clip “I just records and mixes artists. OMS : Which producers are recorded there? contact shaken oak at it’s a strong opener. ‘Holding On’ is a more conventional pop looked back at my cover of ‘Skinny Love’ and it was awful – I you using? AY: They’re all good – arth song, driven and passionate. That track is overshadowed by don’t even know why I put it up”). The Morning is soulful, urpmyoung@ OMS : What bands have you AY: While Jake or myself particular favourites are gmai swaggering and sincere; it looks like the boy next door has l.com or visit the much-played ‘Into the Wild’ – a deceptively simple song had in so far? arthury about the risk of falling in love, with Watson’s innocent vocals just come of age. (CM) produce most of the bands, the last Undersmile EP, oungmusic.net AY: The studio feels very many artists also get Swindlestock’s current 20 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM SEE BACK ISSUES AT WWW.BACK2LEFT.CO.UK OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 / 21 REVIEWS O>ZU$ƓH
K/Ť national releases >i >Kũ

with james & andrew from progressively less elephant

Sharon van Etten hasn’t left his shoegaze roots behind either, although they are Are We There not as defined here as previously-noise sections are tacked on to The diminutive Brooklynite’s the end of tracks rather than presented separately. The variation career has taken a rather on this record takes the shape of tracks like ‘Suffering’, which traditional ‘indie’, long-way- show a different side of the group – slick, smooth vibes giving round, to success. After early off an almost R&B sheen – a marked departure from the rest of guest appearances with Antlers the record. and The National, 2012’s Tramp The Springsteen-esque vibe is continued in ‘Burning’, which was her breakthrough record, sounds like a shoegaze version of ‘Dancing in the Dark’ – filled and the wave of expectation that to the brim with guitar and melodies. There is something has greeted Are We There is testament to Van Etten’s ability to remarkable going on throughout the record – for all the connect with an audience through songs, performance and sound that is crammed in to every song, there is a palpable storytelling. Her fourth full length release is executed with sense of space making it the perfect soundtrack to a late night unerring confidence and vision, yet the songs contained within drive. (JC) 7ZO& chart what are, at times, harrowing, personal, vulnerabilities. Van Etten’s voice is now instantly recognisable, and it is rare Hamilton Leithauser: that a performer can so naturally channel such emotion and Black Hours personality in her voice. ‘Your Love is Killing Me’ is a blast of Hamilton Leithauser is best intense emotion and uncomfortable revelations, while ‘Tarifa’ known as the looming, razor- is wistful, more at ease, and adorned with some sumptuous throated frontman of New K&
jƓĽŁU$ brass. There are numerous references to what appears to have Yorkers The Walkmen. As the been an abusive and mutually destructive relationship, but by band have announced a period OHU7 KƓĽĻļĿ OÒ~µ~ȏƓƛľĽũŀĻ the time ‘Even When The Sun Comes Up I’m In Trouble’ closes of indefinite hiatus (which let’s the record, the result is a cathartic, and ultimately even strangely face it, is more honest thing to uplifting, listen. (AG) do than ‘splitting up’ these days) he has embarked on a solo record with assistance from The War on Drugs: numerous muso pals such as Vampire Weekend amongst others. 252KA7?GE;4E6F H6DKEB64;2> Lost In The Dream Those who have seen The Walkmen live may have observed that ;@28;2@F3;8FAB So the old saying goes – “if it Hamilton always saw himself as a bit of an old-fashioned crooner 8G6EFEFA36 ain’t broke, don’t fix it” – and and band leader, and Black Hours takes this persona and runs F6@F282;@EFF:6 2@@AG@465͟ Adam Granduciel of The War with it. The opening ‘5am’ is a Bond-theme-in-waiting, as strings 324=5DABA7 on Drugs appears to have taken shiver and he asks “Do you ever wonder why I sing these love EAGF:B2D=͙ it very literally between 2011’s songs/when I have no love at all?” ‘The Silent Orchestra’ dallies 82L4AA?3 6E Slave Ambient and the project's with Scott Walker strings and weaving vibraphone lines while E2FGD52KI;>>:AEF FG@@8 new record Lost In The Dream . ‘Bless Your Heart’ is perhaps the closest to his previous work; all :A?6 8DAI@ The new record sticks with the wistful vocals, laid back percussion and dustbowl guitar. While ?AH6?6@FD64AD5E ;@FDA5G4;@8F2>6@F BD6E6@FE4:D;EF;2@8D68ADK̿46>6EF6 well –trodden, but, ultimately reliable, road first walked by some of the defining instrumental textures and the infectious joy Messrs Springsteen and Petty in the early to mid-eighties. This that was present with The Walkmen is less apparent here, Black 2>A@8E;56;@F6D@2F;A@2>>K B;J6>7;J is truly music for the open road, with the windows down and the Hours is an assured and at times gorgeous record. 244>2;?652DF;EFE͙ 52@462>2B>286 volume up. Kicking off with ‘Under the Pressure’, a nine-minute motorik keep up to date w 24DAEEF:6I666=6@5͙͙͙ ith the progressively less elephant 7D;52K͛7;>?͙E;@8͹2@5͹52@46͹2>A@8H6DE;A@A78D62E6͜2>;46;@IA@ 56D>2@52@5?AD 6F;F>6EFA362@@AG@465͟ epic with a killer hook is no bad way to start – descending into a djs at facebook.com/progressivelyl synth/guitar fuzz-wall with two minutes of its runtime still to go, esselephant EG@52K͛4A??G @;FK͙:2H6͹2͹8A͹EBADFE͜72D?6DE?2D=6FE͜EFD66F7AA5͜?AFAD5;EB>2KE͜>A42>2DF;EFE2@5?AD 6͙͙͙͙ as the drums shift from right to left – it’s clear that Granduciel 7ADF;4=6FE2@57GDF:6D56F2;>E͛ 22 / OXFORDSHIRE MUSIC SCENE / JULY 2014 DESIGNED BY NINETEENPOINT: WWW.NINETEENPOINT.COM fff͙^gS^aQ^gS^aQ͙P^͙dY

Situated in the heart of East Oxford, Studio Blanco offers everything that aspiring photographers, artists, bands and models need:

Studio Hire We have two studios available for hire by the hour up to one complete day. Prices start from as little as £12.50 per hour. Equipment Hire All latest photography equipment is available from Studio Blanco. We also deliver and pick up equipment Photography courtesy of Jeff Tuliniemi if needed for a small additional fee. Courses Studio Blanco offers a broad range of photography training courses and also 1 to 1 tuition, aimed at all types of photographers, be it a complete beginner, an amateur or advanced photographer who would like to try and experience what working in a professional photo studio is like. Photo shootings In need of headshots, imagery for your band, fashion or commercial photos or any other professionally taken pictures? No matter what it is, Studio Blanco definitely has just what you need. Call us on 07789 963783 or visit our website studioblanco.co.uk and let us know what we can do for you. Photography courtesy of Jeff Tuliniemi