[email protected] @NightshiftMag NightshiftMag nightshiftmag.co.uk Free once in a while NIGHTSHIFT Issue 298 December Oxford’s Music Magazine 2020 CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Oxford music in the year of Covid Musicians, promoters, venues, festivals, shops and studios talk lockdown blues, virtual gigs and light on the horizon. “The first day back will be something to cherish”

Also in this issue: YOUNG KNIVES Their Barbaric return Oxford’s Tracks of the Year plus No gigs, still. HELLO and welcome to the last Nightshift guide to the best music made in Oxfordshire in 2020. And that’s been one of 2020, and also the first since April. It’s pointless to talk too much crumb of positivity these last few month – the fact that music is still being about Covid/coronavirus in its wider context – you’ve either been paying made and still being played, albeit remotely. It’s something well worth attention in 2020 or fast asleep in a remote cave – but it felt important to celebrating, as well as a reminder of what we’re missing. explore the impact the pandemic has had on people across Oxford’s music Here’s hoping the vaccines work and we can safely get back into venues scene, from artists to promoters, studio engineers to shop owners, which is and festivals in 2021. In the meantime – keep supporting grassroots music what this issue is mainly here for. wherever and however you can, keep well and stay safe, and have a very That and to bring the traditional Nightshift Tracks of the Year list – your Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone.

YOUNG KNIVES Sessions, which involved the pair have been talking about their year playing remotely, joined by Henry’s after their track ‘Sheep Tick’ was son Arthur, strange graphics, quizzes, voted Nightshift’s Oxford song of imaginative cover versions and the year. It is the fourth time the guests, including drummer Zahra band have topped our end of year Tehrani, were the best virtual shows of 2020, with the band obviously chart, having previously done so keen to make them something with ‘Walking on the Autobahn’ (in different from normal virtual gigs 2002), ‘The Decision’ (2004), and taking place over the year. ‘Maureen’ (2013). “We just kind of did it. I did see a ‘Sheep Tick’ was taken from few online things and thought they Young Knives’ new album were a bit lame and we did kind ‘Barbarians’, their first in seven of arrogantly think that we could years and a record inspired by do them loads better. We knew it philosopher John Gray’s book would be junky and stupid and Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans potentially kind of embarrassing, and Other Animals, which posits but we have never really shied away a pessimistic view of humanity’s from making fools of ourselves; evolution from barbarism. I think it’s an important part of ‘Barbarians’ received widespread the creative process. Day one of acclaim for its challenging musical testing we decided to just go online style, while Young Knives’ and see what happened. That’s the inventive Caravan Sessions online whole point of the format: it’s not gigs were a highlight of a 2020 polished at all, it’s warts and all and mostly bereft of live gigs. I think that’s something that some performers maybe don’t embrace; “I’m not sure how the pandemic that is what makes the live streaming affected us,”Henry Dartnall, format so good and if you ignore now one half of the band alongside that then you are working against brother Tom, explained; “it must it. The way I see it, the streams have but it has just felt like one can be rambling and long and full of those things where you just get of gaps and you can fuck up a song on with it. Maybe in a couple of and start again without worrying years we will be able to look back about it too much. They aren’t and understand it better. Obviously a show, they are more a kind of we haven’t been able to tour and gathering. It’s almost like a 60s to fans on their mailing list. Trump’s election and although it is that’s sad but I am quite lazy so style ‘happening’. I think of it “What we wanted to do was make based on Valerie Solonas’ SCUM I was far too happy to embrace in the same way that long-form the album into an experience, a bit Manifesto, I was definitely thinking it. I reckon Tom doesn’t feel like podcasts feel in contrast to radio like a day driving super-cars, or a of Trump in his tower. It’s funny that, but I think I find singing live shows; it’s exciting and has a hot air balloon trip… I always like how the record does seem to fit so draining and you have to look much deeper engagement. But it the idea of making really wicked really well. I didn’t even think of after your voice so much that it’s also breaks down the performer/ liner notes, giving people who are the relevance of the track ‘Swarm’ a really marathon style experience audience relationship and makes it interested a shit load of stuff to read to the spread of the disease until for me. So promotion has been more fluid. Everyone is rooting for or watch about the record. It’s what a couple of months ago. I mean, all about talking to our supporters you and the audience are really part I would want. I think it meant more the whole mood was about and friends online. We have been of it. Brecht would approve. people bought it: not the giving how crowds are both amazing thinking about how to do this “The reactions have all just been away bit on its own, but that as part an terrifying, the mob and the properly for years, knowing that kind of positive. I wish I had a better of the whole thing we did to launch congregation, but also the ‘plague there must be ways to use it better, story but either people love it and it. We gave people a reason to give of locust’ appearance that humanity but we have been forced into it, get chatting on the streams or they a shit about what we had made and sometimes has and how one which has been fun. We have not don’t, and we don’t hear from them. as far as I can tell it worked okay. plague devours another to restore had a load of radio play or anything I think we’ve had one guy spamming We’ve accidentally ended up selling the balance of nature. It’s like an like that; I think we kind of don’t the text chat and he was soon told everything out so our problem is that unintentional prophecy.” fit in to what radio wants, which is to piss off. It’s a nice safe and kind there is nothing for stocking fillers. Finally, with ‘Sheep Tick’ voted pretty normal for us. So this direct environment. Boring I know, you You get it for free now anyway, so it Nightshift’s track of the year, that to our supporters way of doing can’t cut yourself on a broken glass just bypassed all the streaming crap.” makes four Number 1s have had it really suits the DIY ethic we or test your gag reflex in the venue Despite ‘Barbarians’’ subject matter, now. Are Young Knives the best have always been really keen on bogs. Well, unless you’ve got a Henry says it’s unintentional how Oxford band ever? anyway. It feels like the beginning really unsanitary home.” much it reflects the way 2020 has “Yes, we are.” of a new era, which is always a gone across the globe. good place to be.” As part of the build-up to the release “Most of the songs were Get ‘Barbarians’ at young-knives. of ‘Barbarians’, Young Knives gave written before 2016. ‘Society for com. Catch up on the Caravan Henry and Tom’s Caravan away the album free, track by track, Cutting Up Men’ was written after Sessions on Youtube. THE YEAR OF THE VIRUS Covid and the Oxford music scene When the UK first locked harder transition; going from having a to venues and music projects across to ensure that these people are not down in March, it’s fair to say few if very hectic schedule and busy venue the UK to tide them over until such left without the new experiences that any of us knew we’d get to the end to being in isolation has taken its time as doors can reopen. Without it, they have gained across the last eight of 2020 with venues still shut and, toll. Only focusing on new skills and The Bully, along with myriad other months.” realistically, many more months to returning to writing music has kept me venues, would not have survived this come before we can return to gigs. from going insane. year. Across town Dave Maul Live music has been as badly hit “With everything so up in the air it’s “The money has been our lifeline from BLACK & WHITE MUSIC, as any sector during the Covid-19 difficult to make any plans. Once we and will see us through until June if who promote gigs and festivals in pandemic. Venues were among the have a timeline on when it’s possible nothing changes by then. The amount Reading, runs the live music upstairs first places to close and will likely be to reopen I plan on upgrading all the was significant and I think shocked at THE JERICHO TAVERN and among the last to reopen. The fallout gear. We have a handful of bookings people as to why we needed so much. has been frustrated by the constantly from all this won’t be fully calculated for very late 2021 but everything else But if you take the first six months shifting sands that make any forward for a long time. Financially the is on hold and I honestly cannot see of lockdown, then we had lost nearly planning impossible. world. We saw gigs, some I had tickets actually astounded by the cross of course, I love working with others just come from Italy; indeed their last sector’s situation remains precarious, live music returning before May at the 50% of the grant in that time and “There are so many obstacles for us for, rescheduling for September or collaboration across the festival teams on things in this scene so it kind of few in Italy were cancelled due to despite the grants that have been earliest, unless a miracle happens. that’s with the government paying as promoters as far as planning ahead October and thought this would all – even if we are competitors. There’s fell into place as Rich was planning to the Coronavirus situation over there. made available, while for those “I do think the Sheaf will survive and for the staff to be furloughed. It’s also goes, from venues being closed and blow over in a matter of weeks; how definitely a common goal between us put on some bands on a weekend in I remember making sure there was working, playing or just watching I’m trying to stay positive but it all important to point out we don’t just get social distancing rules to the ever- wrong we all were.” all; I love that. The collaboration and April and I just thought, why not do hand sanitiser in the dressing room, gigs, the mental health scars shouldn’t depends on future lockdowns.” that amount; it’s split payments that changing guidelines and the general Many festivals announced their the willingness of the whole industry something bigger and better together! and my sister went mad when she saw be underestimated. Live music, are under review if we still need it. The uncertainness with everything. It’s 2020 events cancelled as soon as has been astounding when, usually, it’s Luckily Rich was happy with the a photo of me getting a hug from the particularly grassroots live music, isn’t THE BULLINGDON, like The campaign #makeitred is still ongoing hard to plan with any real conviction the first lockdown was announced, pretty cutthroat out there.” idea but then yeah, we had to cancel bass player, knowing they had flown just another part of the economy, it’s a Wheatsheaf, is an independent venue, and we will still be making people at the moment and it’s more with but as Hugh Phillimore, founder “I’m an optimist but being seriously and rearrange and decided to rebrand in from Covid-ridden Italy! society all by itself. one that has been steadily building its aware that the freelancers that are vital optimistic hope right now. and organiser of CORNBURY challenged,” adds Hugh. “If 2021 slightly and go online!” “Soon after that the cancellations reputation on the national scene. Now to making shows happen are still not “It’s hard to be positive at times FESTIVAL explains, making such a doesn’t happen quite a few festivals Rich: “It’s a shame as it would actually started, though in those early days we To get a feel for the an integral part of the UK tour circuit getting the help that they deserve.” but overall I am optimistic and I do call for a major event wasn’t simple. won’t be around in 2022. Our survival have been our first co-promo. That’s were all optimistic about rescheduling impact Covid has had on Oxford’s thanks to promoters like Crosstown, The Bullingdon was able to host believe we can all weather this storm: “It was pretty obvious in early March as a business is not 100% linked to also why the posters always look to the end of this year; little did we live music scene, Nightshift talked to Empty Room Promotions and the a behind-closed-doors gig by you need the whole music ecosystem that the festival had to be postponed. the festival so we should be fine – so bad – Aiden designed a beautiful know. My next gig was meant to be the people whose lives are tied up in Haven Club, much of 2020 has seen SUPERGRASS over the summer, to be supported and for it to survive. My partners wanted to wait another assuming we’ve got the energy to get poster for the original gig which I in April: Wille & The Bandits with gigs and the jobs that feed into live bookings at the Bully rearranged which was streamed online to raise I hope that there will be a cultural two months for the ticket company back on the pitch, whenever that is.” butchered for the first RemOHte Troy Redfern as support. I was really music. We also talked to various local and then rearranged again as the money for the Nordoff Robbins renaissance and people will embrace not to be swamped by the volume looking forward to this as I’d got musicians whose lives and plans have uncertainty around the pandemic and Music Therapy Charity and suicide live music and culture more than of refunds from their regular indoor Troy the support slot for the whole been affected by the pandemic. We government rules continued. prevention charity CALM. Paul had ever!” shows. We had to call the agents, “The collaboration and the willingness of the tour, which was going really well; the asked them how 2020 has been for “The Bully had been getting busier also drawn up elaborate plans to stage artists, suppliers etc etc to let them whole festival industry has been astounding Oxford show had sold well and I love them and their hopes and fears for the and busier over the last few years and socially distanced shows before the Of course, while venues know – even if they all expected both the bands. future. this year was set to be our best yet,” second lockdown was imposed. were the first things to feel the impact it. It was lucky that we were in the when, usually, it’s pretty cutthroat out there.” “I haven’t rebooked many shows, the explains manager Paul Williams. “The “At the moment we are aiming for of Covid, this summer’s outdoor relatively early stages of planning.” Wille/Troy one was moved to March “It’s been a very stop for us was immediate and a huge December to reopen and are planning festivals quickly followed, with every Truck had planned to host Catfish & 2021 when we realised that this difficult year for all of us, and shock but also physically and mentally for events to start happening again event across Oxfordshire cancelled. the Bottlemen, Bombay Bicycle Club It hasn’t just been Community! show, and have been September was a no no and I’ve just especially for the owner who has sunk took its toll on everyone that works then; if that date moves we just move Truck, Cornbury, Charlbury Riverside, and The Kooks as main headliners, venues and festivals that have been making it worse and worse ever been contacted by the Billy Walton so much into the business,” says Joal with us. We have the core team of bar with it. That means that as soon as we The Big Feastival, Wilderness, while Cornbury had announced Dido, hard hit in 2020. Oxford is awash with since.” Band who, encouraged by the vaccine Shearing, who runs the live music staff, tech and management but there can reopen we are ready for seated Supernormal and Cropredy all held out Van Morrison and Jack Savoretti great independent promoters who put Switching shows online at least meant news, are wondering about late at THE WHEATSHEAF, a small, is so much more to The Bullingdon: and distanced or full on shoulder to and hoped for the best before bowing among their star names. With months their own individual stamps on the the gigs got to happen but virtual 2021. Although a lot of my acts are wholly independent pub and venue cleaners; promoters; engineers; shoulder standing shows. Just before to the inevitable. of preparations involved in organising local scene. shows brought their own unique from abroad there are plenty in the that has weathered a fair few storms designers; media; bands; independent Lockdown 2 we had a week of seated “For me personally it really sank festivals, both events are cautious Among those are DIVINE SCHISM issues. UK, all champing at the bit to play, in recent years and has been closed to drinks suppliers, and much more. It’s events and they worked well so in when Glastonbury announced about how 2021 might pan out. and FREAK SCENE, both of Rich: “It was a bit of a learning curve. and there are always too many bands all live music since March. In between been great that we all still message everything is in place for whatever their cancellation and when the first “We’re still looking at the who personify the DIY ethic of the The only real technical issue we’ve wanting to play than there are dates, lockdowns the downstairs bar has been each other to check in; it was nice to rules they throw at us. lockdown happened shortly after, practicalities of trying to stage a grassroots scene. While they both saw had is that, as with any live show, so that doesn’t worry me. There is able to open with limited capacity in be getting weekly friendly texts from “One thing that socially distanced I think it really put the nail in the socially distanced festival, which are all their plans laid to waste, together we always end up running behind, also the – dare I mention it – Brexit the hope of staying financially afloat. the head of Thames Valley Police and streaming shows have shown coffin for us,” remembersT RUCK pretty huge,” says Hugh. “Think it’s they led the way in bringing virtual and sometimes if a band hasn’t quite situation, which will affect bands “Luckily The Sheaf, when it has licensing!” us is that there are groups of people FESTIVAL’s Conor Burns. very unlikely that the vaccine will be gigs into people’s homes with their clocked that they might try to log in tremendously! been open, has an incredible group Unlike The Wheatsheaf, The Bully that have not been able to access live “I think, like most people, around with us in time. We’re thinking that REMOHTE COMMUNITY! and start their set before the last band “I fluctuate in my degrees of hope of support from regulars who have was able to take advantage of the shows. This isn’t always because of a February and March we were naive pre-testing is probably the best option. mini-festivals, featuring a selection is finished. Bit of a unique thing to for the future, depending on what shit kept the pub alive and kicking,” government’s culture recovery fund, disability or affordability, so when we about the serious effect Covid would A lot of festivals are saying that they’ll of underground acts beaming in from streams that – you don’t often see has fallen from Boris’ and his cronies’ continues Joal. “For me it’s been a which distributed over a billion pounds are back with full crowds I am keen have on the industry and even the only go ahead at full capacity or not around the country on a monthly basis a band storming on stage while the gobs, but mostly I’m optimistic that at all.” via Instagram. others are still playing at live shows!” live music will eventually return. You “We’re pretty optimistic,” says Conor. “It was only supposed to be one show Aiden: “Jack Goldstein suddenly can’t keep a good musician down. I’m “Although I’m answering this question to begin with,” explains Freak Scene’s appearing on a beach whilst Common determined that the Haven Club will in the midst of a second lockdown, Richard Bell, “then after we both Or Garden still had two songs to go return!” Truck is nine months away and with enjoyed doing the first one we figured was shocking and wonderful and after exciting vaccine news coming through we’d have another go. I assumed we initially being worried, it was a great As well as keeping every other day now, there’s a chance would do three or four, but the next moment.” people fed with live music, the this could happen.” one will be the eighth show, and we’ll RemOHte Community! shows have Despite the setbacks of this year and probably be doing them for a while Another indie promoter helped raise much-needed funds for the challenges ahead in 2021, both yet. But as much as they’re fun to do, who saw their plans for 2020 wiped Oxford’s YOUNG WOMEN’S Truck and Cornbury hope they will be I’m absolutely gasping to get back out overnight was Penny Lee who runs MUSIC PROJECT, which celebrates back as normal next year, and look to down to The Library’s basement for a the HAVEN CLUB at The Bullingdon its 20th anniversary this year and was the solidarity among the UK’s festival sweaty little punk show.” and Academy, bringing rock and blues set to host a series of celebratory organisers as something to cheer. “I’d had the idea of calling an all acts from around the globe to Oxford. fundraising events throughout 2020 Conor: “Behind the scenes methods dayer Oh, Community! for ages,” adds “My last show was a ‘big one’ at the before Covid put a stop to them. and processes being explored. I’m Divine Schism’s Aiden Canaday, “and 02 on March 5th. The Aristocrats had The Young Women’s Music Project, photo: Helen Messenger accompanying zine. ‘Isolation Compilation’ albumand also producedandlaunchedour to useproductionsoftware. We have to ourparticipantsandlearninghow course, deliveringhomemusicstudios and launchedamusicproduction partnered with Ableton andFocusrite we ranweeklydiscussionsessions; sessions. Throughout thepandemic everything onlineandadaptedour “ work. helped YWMP continueitsimportant As withsomany, theinternethas keep going.” events, butyoujusthavetoadaptand couldn’t seethroughtherestof more. We’re obviouslyguttedthatwe Business, Julia-Sophie,Slagheapand including JennyMoore’s Mystic line-up ofsomeourfavouriteacts, party inFebruary, wherewehada remembering ourincrediblebirthday 20 eventswehadlinedup.It’s weird which wekickedoffwithsixofthe “We hadanamazingstarttotheyear, has alwaysgottenbyonashoestring. its home,movedaroundthecityand fight. Overtheyears YWMP haslost so far, butwenevergiveupwithouta obviously thisisthebiggestchallenge for dealingwithchange,though yearly hurdlesowe’reprettyprepared curveballs. We seemtoovercomea but asaprojectwe’reveryusedto things we’vehadtogothrough, “ particularly hard. but recognisesthat2020hasbeen a hostofobstaclesovertheyears runs theproject,hasseenitovercome its fundraisers.Zahra Tehrani, who dependent ongrants,donationsand a narrowtightropefinancially, talks andgigs,hasalwayswalked through itsmusicsessions,workshops, which empowersyoungwomen “ positions. and isolatedwomen invulnerable facing domesticabuse, youngmothers, provide pastoralsupportforwomen vital provisions,includingfood,and network ofyoungwomen. We deliver providing essentialsupportforour “Alongsideallthiswe’vebeen As soon as March hit, we took As soonasMarchhit,wetook It’s beenoneofthemostfrustrating The RemOHte Community! shows RemOHte Community!shows

time, whichIcan do solooronline. A mastering workto keepbusyforsome Fortunately Ihad enough mixand and Iwasworried aboutourfuture. dried up.Itwasquitestressfulinitially our sessionsandthingsprettymuch ever. Covidmeantwehadto cancel “Pre-Covidwewerebusierthan affected hiswork. shutdowns anddistancingruleshave Oxford, explainedhowthevarious SAFEHOUSE STUDIOSinEast MikeBannard,whoruns rehearsal andrecordingstudios. independent, likethenetworkoflocal most ofwhicharesmalland served bymyriadotherbusinesses, 2020. The gigsceneservesandis the onlythingtosufferthroughout music scene.” own thingfromthelocalandnational well assupportingwomendoingtheir amazing talentofourparticipantsas the pandemic. We aimtoplatformthe are sufferingsomuchatthehandsof the musicindustryandfreelancers important, especiallyatatimewhen how establishedtheyare,whichisso all theartistsproperlyregardlessof approach toeventsbecausewepay to supportus. We’re prettyrareinour and lotsofpeoplehavebeenhappy happen reallyquickly, startingin April, “We madethebedroomconcerts Bedroom Sessionsshows. female musicianswiththeirmonthly virtual gigs,showcasinggrassroots the year, YWMP a grantfrom Youth Music earlierin RemOHte Community!showsand As wellasbenefittingfromthe organisers andalltheactsinvolved.” grateful forthesupportandto been arealboostatthistime,sowe’re music. The regulardonationshave project, raisefundsanddiscovernew highlight artistswhoarepartofour have beenagreatopportunityto Live Foals at Truck Festivalin2019 customer path to the studio is now completely customer pathtothestudioisnowcompletely music “Everything has been done online. The “Everything hasbeendoneonline.The overgrown withweedsandmoss” hasn hosted their own hosted theirown ’ t been

in GLASSHOUSE STUDIOSin JamieHyatt,whoruns a biggerspaceifthebusinesskeptup!” were actuallythinkingofexpandingto scene arewillingtogetbusyagain. We that thepeopleofOxfordmusic and theinitiallockdowneasingproved “Itfeelslikethere’s anendinsight move forwardinsomeway. optimism ofpeoplecontinuingto humbled bythecreativeeffortsand utilised thetimetogreateffect.I’m a socialsceneitis,andothershave it makesyourealisehowmuchof have lostmotivationfornowand in differentways.Somemusicians affected generally, whichwilltranslate “Everyone’s mentalhealthhasbeen optimistic forthefuture. has affectedmusiciansbutremains Mikehasseenfirsthandhowthisyear the nextfewmonths.” see somevideocontentreleasedover lockdown sessionsformat,whichwill the streamingbandwagonandstarteda last threeyears! We alsojumpedon was actuallyourbusiestmonthforthe capacity rehearsalsagain,andOctober eventually wewerebookinglimited the thingsthatnowfeelnormal. Then distance, facemasks,handgeletc. All or twopeopleinthestudiotokeep with thenewformat:amaxofone visual projects,drumlessonsetc.again sessions, voice-overwork,audio- we couldtakeonsmallrecording “Oncelockdownmeasureshadeased business andindividualsgoing.” teams, whichhavekeptsmallcreative via OxfordCityCouncilandtheir grants andself-employmentschemes, I couldn’t bemoregratefulforthe a greatjobcontainingthevirusbut look likethisgovernmenthasdone which haskeptusafloat.Itdoesn’t then eligibleforasmallbusinessgrant, to them. A fewweekslaterwewere use thestudio;I’mextremelygrateful fund us,despitethefacttheycouldn’t and couldafforditalsocontinuedto few bandsthathadregularbookings distant horizon.” see theremightbealittlelightonthe of foralittlewhilelonger. But Ican second lockdownclientsareholding requesting quotesbutduetothis so thisispositive. dribble, turnednowintoatrickle, up. duplication isslightlypicking “Fromourperspective,CD substantially butremainsoptimistic. Lee Foulshamhasseenbusinessdip DUPLICA Meanwhile,OXFORD with weedsandmoss.” studio isnowcompletelyovergrown customer pathandentrancetothe Everything hasbeendoneonline. The have bandsandartistsinthestudio. downside formeisnotbeingableto from aroundtheworld. The massive we’ve alsohadahugeamountofwork productive. Manyarelocalartistsbut round therestrictionsinordertokeep art, theyalwaysseemtofindaway irrepressible whenitcomestotheir than normal.Musiciansarepretty at all;ifanythingwe’vebeenbusier “Covid hasn’t affectedbusinesshere local scenelegend Tim Turan said, in Cowley. Masteringengineerand the pandemicisTURANAUDIO continued tobebusythroughout Onesmallbusinessthathas for losttime.” and audiencesaregoingtomakeup 2021 andbeyondIthinkbands predict arealcreativeoutpouringin music assoonthingseaseabit. I ready tostartgiggingandreleasing good. Ithinklotsofbandswillbe been puttingthedowntimetosome lockdowns, anditsoundslikethey’ve been rehearsingwithusinbetween business. Loads ofbandshave on anyoneandespeciallysmall “Thelockdownshaven’t beeneasy Cumnor alsoremainsupbeat. to stay ahead in the game but even to stayaheadinthegamebuteven in Witney, areusedtobeinginnovative Road anditssisterstoreRAPTURE, shops. coronavirus, notleastindependent pressure fromonlinetradebefore the pandemic. The sectorwasunder suffered spectacularlythroughout Of course There was little more than a There waslittlemorethana on Cowley TRUCK STORE onCowley TION CENTRE’s Cheryl ret We haveemails ail has

independent thisChristmas.” ways tokeepsupportingusandshop order andclick-and-collectservicesas cautious andassuchofferupourmail- understand ifsomefolksareremaining returning tothestore.Equallywefully we hopeourcustomerswillfeelsafe going intotheChristmasbuild-up “Aswelooktore-openingand be therewithbellson! stronger thanevernextyearandwe’ll events willmeantheycomeback we’re confidenttheloveforthese Truck, CornburyandRiverside,but friends andannualjauntsto WOOD, has beentoughandwemissedour “Missingoutonasummeroffestivals festivals overthesummer. sales fromtheirpop-upstoresatlocal Truck andRapturealsomissedouton vinyl junkiestheirfix!” safe, alternativewhichgavethelocal were ahealthy, andmostimportantly drop datesoverthreemonthswhich also adaptedandweheldthreeRSD tough one.Howevertheorganisers our busiestdayoftheyear, wasa RECOD STORE DA “Beingclosedduring April, when shops adaptedtothesituation. busiest dayoftheyear. Again though, traditionally indierecordshops’ of RecordStoreDayin2020– to Truck andRapturewastheloss Oneparticularlysignificantblow proved tobeverypopular.” click-and-collect serviceswhichhave and areofferingmail-order have afullyfunctionalonlinewebstore mail ordergame. As suchwenow offer theopportunitytostep-upour always beenourpriority, butitdid the in-storecustomerexperiencehas against everythingwe’vebeenabout; spell overthespringandsummerwent mothball theshopsforsuchalong became vitalthisyear. Havingto always beenadaptableandthat and challenging2020,butwe’ve “Likeeveryonewe’vehadastrange explains. as Truck managerCarlSmithson alive inthemostchallengingoftimes, to comeupwithnewideasstay they havefoundthemselveshaving one lockdownfor another. Ithinkit’s idea atthetimethat Iwastrading in April forNovember, buthadno a showthatwassupposedtohappen Scene. “EarlierthisyearIrearranged in 2021,”saysRichardfromFreak see approachtoputtingonliveshows see thesceneriseagain. fully recovers,butmaybe2021will might beafewyearsbeforelivemusic still monthsofhardshiptocome,andit rolled outinthenearfuture,thereare surrounds it. With vaccinessettobe of livemusicandeverythingthat given morepeopleanappreciation that maybethetrialsof2020have involved inthelocalsceneisahope out fromtalkingtoalmosteveryone One “ I’m very much taking a wait and I’m verymuchtakingawaitand

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a celebratorydrink inthemeantimethough,Iknow justtheplace...” now andseewhere thingsareinthesummer. Ifanyonefanciesbuying us kind ofpartytocelebrate thebirthdaytoobutwe’ll hold thatthoughtfor of peopletotheirnewfavouriteband in2021. We’d lovetohavesome our Number1target across bothsidesofthebusinessistointroducelots more amazingnewmusictoawider audience.SoIguessyoucouldsay and abunchmore.Ithinkit’s gonnabeagreatwaytointroduceeven gives subscribersafreeLP every monthplusanexclusive7”eachquarter competitions andmore. We’re nowlaunchingapaidtierforthis,which people cansignupforfreetoaccessexclusivediscounts,downloads, with ourFamilyFriendwebsite(bsmrocks.com/familyfriend ), where storm andhopeonthehorizon. January, headhonchoKEVINDOUCHtalksaboutridingthe back forour20 cracked itduringlockdownandfeelsquiteappropriatetobringthat trying tofigureoutagoodwaybringthatbackeversince.Ifinally “Between2007and2011weranasubscriptionserviceI’vebeen different toanythingyou’llfindprettymuchanywhereinthecountry. can buyrecordsinorarecordshopyoudrinkin,wethinkit’s quite something thecityislongoverdue.Sowhetherpeopleviewitasabar you direction. Onthebeerfrontwe’refirstbottleshopinOxford,andit’s artists, roughlyinlinewiththelabel’s cataloguebuta bitbroaderineach more onpunk,hardcore,emo,mathrock,postrockandalternative find atthewonderful Truck Storejustdowntheroad. We’ll befocusing “Onthemusicfrontit’llofferadifferentsetofrecordstowhatyou’ll some ofthatcanstarthappeninginthespring. other funthings–andthat’s whatwe’rereallyexcitedabout.Hopefully post-Covid phase–moreinsideseating,livein-stores,beersontapand around aCovid phase–clickandcollect,socialdistancing,etc. We knewgoinginthewinterwouldbetoughandourplanswerebased on mybirthdayinJulysotookitasasignandwegotthekeysOctober. the Elm Tree– ofcourse,whereIfirststartedgoingtogigsasateenager first viewedourshop–98CowleyRoad,oppositeBigSociety, formerly products weshouldstockandwhatitcouldbringtothecommunity. We and craftbeertogetherunderoneroof,howwe’dwanttheshoptolook, around 18monthsago,brainstorminghowtobringtheworldsofvinyl buildings onCowleyRoadanddaydreaming. We startedworkingonit “Inmymindit’s beeninthepipelinesinceBSMbegan,staringatempty ‘normal’ –whateverthatmeansanymoreyearin2021,though. working onforawhilenow. We’ve goteverything crossedforamore can andit’s givenusspacetointroducesomecreativeideaswe’vebeen weird havingnogigsorfestivalsbutthebandshavestayedasbusythey “Honestly, 2020hasn’t affectedthelabeltoobadlyallinall.It’s been As thelabellooksforward tocelebratingits20 new bar-cum-record store BSMSOCIALonCowleyRoad. BIG SCAR either temporarilyorpermanently, Oxford record label While 2020sawsomanyindependentbusinessesshuttingdown, Y MONSTERSbuckedthetrend andopenedtheir th birthday. We launchedthefirstpartearlierthisyear th anniversary in anniversaryin

“I wrote a mini album, called For most musicians, ‘Suburbia’, of collated ideas over the pandemic has meant not being lockdown; the aim was to capture able to play gigs, go on tour or HOW WAS IT FOR YOU? the aimless meandering of time. meet up with bandmates. For I played one of the RemOHte ALLY CRAIG it has meant ten Community! live stream gigs. I months of shielding at home, with Oxford musicians talk about their Covid year nearly dropped out but went for it the extra sense of isolation that with my housemate Anne jumping brings. Despite that, and suffering of full band rehearsals and we’ve over by email, getting the recording on my bed in her dressing gown; bereavement during that period, Desert Storm even managed to make a start on a from J.O.B, and doing my part to that’s probably why I kept getting Ally released a brace of solo singles couple of new songs, which is great. the production before sending to distracted. as well as a collaboration with Tiger It was really good to get together mix. I’ve been collaborating with “I’m just hoping to get to play Mendoza. and jam but also just really nice to artists and producers remotely for some live gigs in Oxford next year. “I’ve been shielding since March catch up with the guys again since a long time, so it doesn’t feel too I just co-formed a band with some and it has been tough. Luckily I’m none of us had seen each other in out of place to ‘have’ to work this friends during lockdown. We’re a fairly quiet and solitary person; months. We are going to do a live way now. called Hertz. It sounds good. Very I’m usually happy enough reading stream soon too. It will be nice “I think many of us have had good indeed. Fears? I have none.” books and working on music at Amid all the venue closures, lockdowns and virtual online gigs, when it finally happens though some sort of opportunity to reflect home. But I still miss getting a one Oxford band managed to get out and keep playing live shows. because we are planning to play on what is most important to us as One of the newest change of scenery, spending time Klub Kakofanney hosts and indefatigable party starters loads of old songs that haven’t been individuals, and our communities, names on the local scene at with friends, and, of course, playing THE in our live set for years.” moving through the challenges that the start of 2020 was APHRA gigs. But there’s nothing I can do to MIGHTY REDOX tell us how they’ve kept rocking in 2020. this year has presented. My hope TAYLOR, an 18-year-old singer- make a pandemic end any sooner, Another artist hoping would be that we’re all able to songwriter who was releasing her so I’m resolved to wait it out. I “We played every Thursday outside our house for the neighbours during to tour around Europe over the hold on to what that means as we debut EP, ‘The Night Dances’, think I’m doing about as well as I the clap for the NHS – an interesting gig which got us some new fans summer was hip hop poet/producer move towards a sense of normalcy. alongside revising for her A-levels. can expect. It’s certainly easier now in our locality; the first one was on our kitchen roof and they slowly EB HILL, who planned to release Regarding music, I sincerely hope “It was really sad because I the initial wave of terror has worn turned into a mini street festival and were a great coming together. We a follow-up to her acclaimed debut that not too many people gave couldn’t play any release shows off. combined this with ten online gigs of the two of us. Aided and abetted While the coronavirus determined to not let Covid mess EP from last year. While those plans up on learning an instrument or to promote the EP. I had even “I collaborated with Tiger Mendoza by Alan D, our Klub Kakofanney crew member, we rapidly acquired filming and audio skills equal to the task in hand. We are hoping to use pandemic and its accompanying up our plans completely, so we tried were put on hold, she made use writing a song because the world rehearsed with Gaz Farmer, who early on during lockdown and my some of this material in a small retrospective theatre show of our lives in lockdowns and restrictions has had our best to organise a short run of of online resources to record and got scary and they listened to that drummed on three of the tracks, single ‘Quarantine Angst’ directly music; the plan is to reveal a little bit of the story behind the songs. a catastrophic effect on gig venues UK dates instead, but those shows release a new single, ‘Never Be one click-bait article that said ‘this and was really happy with all of our referenced the lockdown and tried “In July, we began to play as a band in socially distanced events – in and music-related businesses in all got cancelled too. In the end all Alone’, last month with Canadian is the worst time to start in music’. hard work. My school was still open to encourage people to follow safety private gardens, parks and meadows. A highlight was the four Mighty 2020, its fallout has been no less we ended up doing was two back rapper J.O.B. I think that’s my biggest fear too, on the day of release though so I precautions, but the main effect Redox gigs we played for the Donnington Community Music event, in severe on musicians. to back shows at The Black Heart “I had planned to release my to think about the music and art was able to ask people to listen to of the pandemic has been to slow the local park, organised by Jeremy Hughes. Unfortunately, that was in London. They were socially second EP this summer, and I had that won’t be made or heard simply it but I also had to take down all of down my writing; it’s hard to be brought to an end in September, as it was judged to be outside of the Very few grassroots because this year is a horrible beast the gig posters down that I had put prolific when you’re preoccupied rules by the City Council. They had a real 60s spirit about them and were musicians make a living from their that won’t leave us alone. That’s up, so it was a little bit bittersweet. with survival. I’ve mostly been “The main effect of the pandemic has been to well attended by a chilled but enthusiastic audience of between 50 -100 art but many aspire to, while for probably out of my hands for “I had been due to play an instore mixing and re-recording unreleased people, with far less boozing than in any pub! others it provides an escape, an the most part, though. I just look at Truck and a Divine Schism songs from the past few years. My slow down my writing; it’s hard to be prolific “After that, we moved to The Tree Garden in Iffley for a weekly adventure. It’s what they work long forward to being able to hug people show with Max Blansjaar and Ally single ‘Chrysalids’ was written last Sunday afternoon gig, which continued until this last lockdown. We hard hours to be able to do. This when you’re preoccupied with survival.” after a show again.” Craig for the EP launch. I was year; I was holding it back for a played all of the outside gigs with small amps, a cut down drum kit and year, with no venues or festivals, finishing my A-levels at the time potential album but I decided to put no PA system. We knew the gig could only continue if we avoided noise and studios either closed or working distanced seated shows at a limited so all of my exams were cancelled, it out as a single instead. Perhaps a quite a few opportunities lined up Another artist used to complaints, which is no small achievement in Iffley village. Although on reduced numbers, they had to capacity, but despite this, they were and then the government fucked few more songs will leak out in that to play some festivals around the working alone, either at home or in dancing was banned, the concerts were very special to our fans, who find new ways to make music and still great fun and we were just up everyone’s grades. This then fashion too. UK and Europe. It would have been the studio, is LINA SIMON. 2020 have been fantastically supportive throughout, sending daily emails and get it out to fans. happy to play live again after six included all of the end of exam “I’ve been home-recording since my first summer of playing festivals was the year she was set to get a messages, and this kept the spirit of live music going strong. It was quite Nightshift chatted to a selection months. I first started writing songs in my rather than attending so I was really new full band together and gig more celebrations and meeting up with a discipline to keep the volume low and yet still rock out. Six people per of our favourite local stars and “Despite not being able to tour excited. Alas, as the rest of us regularly. 2020 of course, had other friends in the summer. It was, and teens. And no, you can’t hear them! table, and the place was full. hopefuls to find out how Covid had album sales have been going well. experienced, there was a three week plans still is, a difficult time for everyone I used to dash off a quick demo “Band practices took place in our small back garden, rain protected by affected their plans, their writing Regarding the reviews for ‘Omens’, period where each opportunity “The plan was to write another though and I’m very privileged to with the intention of recording it an event shelter, which was essential to the task. We endured at least and their mental health, how they we had lots of positive feedback fell through. It was incredibly EP which would have been either be in the position that I am. ‘properly’ in the studio later. But it’s three severe downpours. These get togethers and outdoor gigs gave us had adapted to ever-changing new and it seemed to be well received disappointing, but such is the way heavy like ‘My Embrace’ or dancey “I wrote a song at the start of the unlikely that I’ll get to record in a valuable time to perform new material which we are now recording for normals and their hopes and fears right across the board, which we of 2020. Instead, I got to spend like the ‘Turn Off Live a Little’ EP. first lockdown which I’m pleased studio again for a while, so now I’m our new album at Evolution Studios. for music in the future. were very happy with. But we did time with my parents I otherwise That was put on hold because the with but I have been finding it working on improving my recording “It’s been very hard on the band to miss our venue gigs, Summer miss out on a few print mags, which wouldn’t have, and all the extra thrill of playing it live didn’t seem a really hard to write stuff since. and mixing skills, and investing in festivals, and mini-tours; you just cannot replicate the amazing Four-time Nightshift was a shame. Kerrang! and Metal time has allowed the EP to become reality at the time. Instead of writing I’ve been a few pieces of equipment, so that atmosphere of a live gig. Losing the festivals was a dreadful miss for us cover stars DESERT STORM Hammer didn’t cover the album something really quite special. I’m recording a lot of my next project I can record things at home that I’d Aphra Taylor and our creative instincts. Many of our songs start right there. released their latest album ‘Omens’ because the first UK lockdown really excited to get it out there, as I got some new recording be proud to release.” “We also miss Klub Kakofanney greatly: the bands; the fans; the vibe, on APF Records in May. This started at the same time as our it’s much more comprehensive equipment. I just don’t think I “I have several different projects and all the staff at The Wheatsheaf. summer should have seen them PR campaign, which meant the than I ever could have imagined. If want to write a song about Covid in the pipeline. I lost my mum “We have been very lucky to have Alan provide a weekly e-mail of touring around Europe where years magazines weren’t printing for a anything, I’m grateful it’s given me or lockdown; I want to escape it to cancer in May, so I plan to new and archived music from the Klub Kakofanney archive, which has of slog had seen their reputation few months. The whole Bandcamp something to focus on through this. as much as possible, especially release a couple of songs in her kept all the supporters well informed, and still together. We are hopeful on the rock and metal scene grow Friday thing has been very useful, “J.O.B is a very talented artist creatively. memory, songs of mine that were now with the advent of a possibly effective vaccine, and as soon as and grow. On the road is where the not just us, but for a lot of other based in Toronto. I came across his “I just hope that lots of great meaningful to her. I’ve also been we know it’s safe, we will be back. Next year, will be the klub’s 30th quintet’s man hours pay the greatest bands too. It’s really helped push music when he posted in a hip hop music is released in 2021. I’m writing new tunes to lyrics and Anniversary.” dividends. sales and support smaller bands in music producers forum we were scared for musicians and venues poems by Shakespeare, working “We had an 18 date European tour these difficult times. both a part of on Reddit. The video and it makes me incredibly sad to on more electro-pop stuff in the far too numerous and mostly with the likes of Mike Ginger booked but when everything in “We’re trying to remain optimistic was a freestyle about Fullmetal know that I probably won’t play vein of ‘Chrysalids’, and planning unrealistic.” from Deadbeat Apostles; Ocean the world started going crazy, we that we can finally tour ‘Omens’ in Alchemist, an anime we both really or attend a gig in a good while. to rework some older demos for Ruins’ Katy Herridge; Stuart decided to reschedule the tour to Europe next year. We are thinking like, and I couldn’t not reach out Everyone seems to be thinking and a home-recorded album, or at TIGER MENDOZA is Macbeth from The Original Rabbit October,” explains drummer Elliot about doing it around October time, to see if he wanted to work on feeling the same way about the least an EP. I have no idea what to renowned as Oxford’s collaboration Foot Spasm Band, rapper Half Cole. “At the time we thought that so hopefully the Covid situation something. ‘Never Be Alone’ was situation and it’s really hard for expect for 2021. Who does. I’m of king. As well as his single with Decent and Ciphers’ Mila Todd things would be okay by then but will be under control by then. basically finished by this stage, so it people who find an escape within an anxious disposition, so I won’t Ally, Ian de Quadros, the man this year alone. 2020 didn’t slow clearly we were wrong. We were “We’ve managed to have a couple was just a case of sending the track making/listening to music.” trouble you with my fears: they’re behind the tiger mask, has worked his release schedule down too photo: Jason Warner @ Fyrefly Studios in May was half to get some started the Deadbeats that one day, Ally Craig Julia-Sophie Lina Simon The Deadbeat Apostles new music out there and half to I’d get our mugs on the front cover motivate my musical arse into and when we did, I was honestly so doing something. Often when I start fecking happy. One because I think a new project it takes a lot of my we deserved it; our songs are top focus and I find it difficult to start notch; we put on a great show and new things; this is a great excuse always give our all and two cause for not doing things. Also, I just felt we’re a massive bunch of divas. a bit meh. I spent much more time Plus, the photo is fecking awesome on fitness to be honest. Perhaps – taken by Nightshift regular because being in a health crisis Jason at Fyrefly studios.When the made me feel like that would be rumours started about the C word more important. These things come spreading, we joked that that it in cycles for me though and at the would be classic Deadbeats timing moment me and the guitar are more that we are on the front the month united, although I still curse it and all the pubs get shut. We couldn’t wish it didn’t have to be the worst, believe it became so. However, the

the most annoying instrument in the sadness was quickly taken over by photo: Sam Shepherd much, culminating in his excellent music anyway. But this year has artists to be heard. Maybe radio for my second EP as well as prepare world that I hate. I wrote something how gutted we were for the pubs, all EB Hill ‘TMSk8’ mixtape in November. been about more than just the producers and the like had more an entire album’s worth of songs so new last week so that’s one new the gigs that had to cancel and the He’s also been busy on the virtual pandemic. I don’t know, maybe time to listen and the slowdown I just thought ‘why the fuck should song for the 2020 calendar which disappearance of Nightshift itself. gig front, but like so many others, the Covid crisis has accelerated made people feel more empathic I keep writing?’. So I stopped and is a relief as all the other pages are We’ll be on it again and you won’t misses the real thing. the thinking on things but the towards one another. Not playing I haven’t written a word since just covered in shit.” be able to neck a sambuca without “I’ve done a few live gig type Black Lives Matter protests, the live also meant that I had to really August. Instead, I’ve focused on “The thing I’ve missed most this seeing it in the corner of ya eyes. streams this year on various US presidential elections, statues focus on music review sites to being the best parent I can be right year has been my self-esteem. HA “All our plans got cancelled – Day platforms. Yaya Jojo and I took being toppled.... something has help spread the music, which I did, now for my children, as they have HA! No, probably just being able to of the Deadbeats at the Bully; we’d part in the virtual Cowley Road been in the air. I don’t really do and was really grateful for all the really needed me. I think I’m ready hang out with friends at the pub and got Wonderland to play with us – Carnival back in July where I words, I’m not a lyricist, but I think reviews the EP got. to write again and get to know go to gigs. Even the shit gigs. Any holy moly, that would have been a played from my house and he Mila summed it up really well “I’ve only performed one virtual myself again.” live music really. You can’t beat a night and a half. Thame Festival. scratched live over the top from his on ‘Oppressor’ on ‘TMSk8’. She show and I really loved it. It pint in a pint glass too. I miss hugs Our first ever Towersey... house; that was cool. Then I did wrote all of the lyrics and there’s obviously wasn’t anything like Like Julia, TAMARA and only having to feel embarrassed “In terms of promoting the one of the Divine Schism RemOHte a directness I could never capture playing live, but for that brief PARSONS BAKER is used to when you accidentally spat in singles the lockdown allowed us Community! sessions on Instagram myself. There’s quote from Anthony half-an-hour or so, I gave it my playing with a band – in her case someone’s face rather fearing you to create our first documentary as a solo thing. That was kind of Bourdain at the end of mixtape and everything and it felt like a real 2019’s Nightshift end of year chart might have actually now caused called On Record, a tongue-in- weird but fun. Instagram is weird as soon as I heard it, I knew I had escape; I remembered who part toppers Death of the Maiden, but their death. Simple things like that cheek story of the Deadbeats so anyway though, right? And then similarly she already had solo music really. I think it will be a while far with contributions from a host most recently a session from TAD plans before Covid and the last until we are all getting sticky with of Oxford’s musical royalty. We photo: Helen Messenger Studios which was also a solo set “Our last gig was at The Library and I few months have seen her begin each other in the basement of The worked our arses off on that and Tamara with Death of the Maiden but in studio so there were a few sweated right through my dungarees – I the build-up to a full solo album Library, which I never thought I’d were blown away by the support we other people around for that one. with a brace of singles, ‘Colours’ miss. Our last gig was there and I received from everyone who sent “Live stream sets are weird. felt so gross and looked like I’d pissed and ‘Slow’, which came with a sweated right through my dungarees in their videos. Plus, we filmed our They’re fun and they fill a kind video filmed around a near deserted – I felt so gross and looked like I’d video for ‘Viva la Evolution’ just of performer shaped hole in all us myself but would now give anything to Oxford. pissed myself but would now a few weeks into being isolated: musical types but it’s not the same feel that gross again.” “I was about to start my give anything to feel that gross not sure it would have been half as for playing for live audience. You one-woman yacht tour show again. I’m realistically pessimistic genius if we hadn’t been prisoners miss that connection, although for extravaganza just before Covid and believe the government will in our own homes. me at least the challenge of bringing to finish the tape with it: ‘It is a of me was. It obviously doesn’t came along and scuppered it all. continue to find ways in which to “I’ve kept busy since April the whole thing together, especially fascinating planet filled with, more compare to the real thing, but I was Lucky for me I’d recorded my cock everything up for us.” writing, singing, rehearsing and when it’s just me in my spare room, often than not, beautiful people’. I grateful for the small high it gave solo album in January and so I drinking mostly. We have written has been really interesting and just needed that sense of hope at the and to see gig goers connect and had a project to distract me from One band who love to some absolute gems, but I miss helped pass the time. end otherwise what else is there?” cheer in the side-bar chat room. feeling so bummed out about the get down and dirty are THE the regular Wednesday rehearsals, “Most of the music I put together Over this last year, I’ve realised world burning. I decided to release DEADBEAT APOSTLES. They seeing the boys every week and is actually done over email and 2020 maybe allowed how much I miss the personal a single in May and do an online were the last band to appear on the playing live. We were literally ripe file sharing services like Dropbox solo artists a bit more room to connection with strangers; where gig to test the waters. I got just as front cover of Nightshift, back in and ready for plucking this year. and Wetransfer anyway. Not very manoeuvre than bands. While she after a show someone might nervous as if it was a live show, April before the magazine went “Deadbeat Apostles probably aren’t rock and roll but it’s proved quite helms Candy Says, Julia Walker come and talk to me about how but that was quickly replaced by into hibernation. They had plans a band suited to socially distanced, useful in the middle of a pandemic. had already started writing and a song or how my music made horror; I platformed the event live aplenty – a double single release seated show. As something of a diva

I obviously haven’t been to any performing under her own JULIA them feel; I miss that. I miss the on Instagram, Facebook and Zoom to celebrate, gigs aplenty and their I do like a seat and table service photo: Helen Messenger gigs or much in general in a while SOPHIE moniker before Covid shared communal experience that so had three versions of myself own Day of the Deadbeats mini – but I would give everything to Tiger Mendoza which means less ‘we should do hit. While she was able to release experiencing music together in a on three different screens where festival to host. Again, all rent return to the freedom of our distant something!’ chats but I did reach her debut EP earlier in the year, it room full of people gives; it’s like an audience used to be. Facebook asunder by Covid. Singer Michelle past. In terms of socially distancing out to people like Emma from didn’t make up for the inability to a spiritual experience that feeds the was the most special as it has a Mayes hankers for packed pubs and a lot of people at gigs get on my Death Of The Maiden and Ally on play live. soul.” delay so you can catch whatever full band rehearsals again in 2021. tits so in a way that could be a good socials and I’m really happy with “Not being able to perform live “To be honest, I’ve found it really ugly singing face you just pulled a “My dream since starting a band thing. But in all honesty, I want the tracks we made together. It’s was a real blow as playing and hard to stay connected to singing, couple of seconds ago, a couple of in Oxford was to be sat in the them packed, sweaty and loud - about adapting I guess. performing live shows is, for me, a playing the guitar and writing seconds later. Fun! It was so great Wheatsheaf drinking a Red Stripe especially if it’s one of ours. Even “I try not to over think things really integral part to how the music songs. At first my reaction was to for my self-esteem I decided to do and seeing my boat race staring the thought of people stepping on when I’m coming up with music should be experienced, as well as carry on as normal; I think I was another one in November. I may out at me from the front cover of my feet and getting on my nerves but I guess the pandemic and a to my life, and to my identify as an in denial; spending the first few even do a third because I’m a total Nightshift. Pubs are my favourite when they push past me to the loo or realisation that this is a global crisis artist. On the upside, the lockdown months trying to do everything as masochist and have now found my place in the world, and I would have the tallest guy in the world standing did seep in and gave it probably forced people to slow down and I had always done, but then I just ‘thing’. been proud as punch after all our slap bang in front of me so I see gave it a darker edge than it may with bigger artists pulling their ran out of things to write about. “I wrote fuck all music for ages. hard work over the last few years. nothing for the whole thing seems have had otherwise. Not that my releases, I wonder if it perhaps I’d written everything that I felt I I had zero interest in it, just didn’t I also wanted to do it for the boys. inviting and delicious. I’ll never music is happy clappy fun time carved a little passage for newer needed to; I’d recorded the songs feel the need to. The online gig I said over four years ago when we complain again after this year.” teenager. Beautiful melancholy to Tiger Mendoza’s arsenal, a gloomy go disco? Well, sort of. A belligerent, Waterhouse is well ahead of you. the max. clamour of electronics, beats and militantly marching disco perhaps, He’s been documenting his travels gnarly guitars over and above which as they railed against the rise of the for years now, with a resolutely TRACKS OF OUR YEAR 12 LOW ISLAND Katy made like a witch and brought far right with a steely glare in their gravelly, hang-dog outlook, the darkness. eye, a baseball bat in one hand, an which befits the tragedy he often Yes, we know – 2020 and all that. The gigs stopped but the music didn’t, and one thing 7 TAMARA ‘Don’t Let the Light In’ unfinished McFlurry in the other finds there. This closer from the that kept us going through the lockdown and the tiers was the amount of new sounds being Another band whose almost club- and laser-fire synths pinging off the band’s ‘Trials of the Apple Isle’ PARSONS BAKER like live vibes we’ve seriously 17 ALLY CRAIG made by local musicians. Some of those should have been out on tour, others seemed more grimy punk dirge. Properly nice in a is a classic tale of a man lost missed seeing in 2020. Their star ‘Chrysalids’ nasty sort of way, and all ready for in the wilderness and a woman content playing at home but all of them brought extra cheer to a strange old year. And ‘Colours’ continues to rise though with ‘Don’t If Covid has deprived us of last ‘Quarantine Angst’ is probably battle. left behind, mixed with colonial Let the Light In’ on the new FIFA even if Nightshift has been in a semi-dormant wine fug for most of the year, we couldn’t year’s chart toppers Death of the song we should have picked barbarism and finds Waterhouse soundtrack, it’s fidgety electro- not compile our favourite tunes of the past 12 months. And because you might have missed the Maiden this year, it’s given but ‘Chrysalids’ is Ally at his best, and co-singer Fern Thornton in funk-pop a little something to get 22 LUCY LEAVE us bandleader Tamara’s solo referencing antique sci-fi as he sings perfectly imperfect harmony, while a lot of these amid the mess, we’ve even expanded our end of year chart to 30, so dig in, you dancing round the kitchen, songs. Her style suits isolation about love and a darkness to come ‘Thumbs’ Ben Heaney’s circling violin adds a open your ears and enjoy. Music – it’s bloody brilliant, yeah. imagining packed venues and warm and lockdown: sparse and deeply over squelchy, fractured lo-fi electro- Lucy Leave’s music features more haunting atmosphere to the tale. summer festivals. emotive, on this first taster of a pop, speaking quietly while carrying changes of direction than a Tory minutes it feels like it’s over far full album to come, channelling a big stick and somehow managing party coronavirus plan but tends not 27 MEGZZ too soon. For such an expansive, her inner Tracy Chapman on a 13 DEADBEAT to sound optimistic, even cheery, to leave us in such a ball of rage. sometimes nebulous ensemble, and song that’s fragile and emotionally amid the musical shadows. There’s confusion for sure, voices ‘Love Tonight’ a style of music prone to flights fraught and yet possesses the APOSTLES coming at you from all over the Another young local voice for of fancy, Mandrake Handshake warmth and peace of a large mug of ‘I’m a Man’ 18 LIMPET SPACE place on this lead track from their the future from Megzz, an r’n’b are perfectly in sync and ‘HSSA’ tea on a cold winter’s day. The last band to grace Nightshift’s ‘Everyone is Doing So Well’ album, crooner in the vein of Jorja Smith is simultaneously propulsive, cover, back in April, co-singer RACE WITH THE but, unlike a Boris proclamation, and Pip Millett and at her best on turbulent and butterfly-light. What a 8 PANDAPOPALYPSE Michelle Mayes was looking ORCHESTRA they’ve paid attention to the this languidly jazzy highlight from revelation this band have been since forward to drunken, naked crowds details and it all makes strange, her ‘Feel My Love’ EP, her vocals they emerged a couple of years ‘Do You Wanna’ going mad and licking the stage OF ST JOHN’S disorientating sense. soft and clean cut and held on a tight back. More joy unbounded in a terrifying pre-Covid. They didn’t get to play rein to best draw out the soul in her ‘Reaching Water’ songs. world. Pandapopalypse were the their famously raucous shows but we Tucked up in their overstuffed studio 23 THE HOPE 4 THE BOBO x KID last band Nightshift saw live before still got this rootsy tribute to what it solitude, Limpet Space Race still lockdown and their positivity and means to be a man with Mike Ginger dream of escaping into space or, as BURDEN 28 OCTAVIA FREUD KIN ‘Sprinter unfettered joy de vivre still clings letting loose his inner Levi Stubbs on this team-up with TOOSJ, the to us via ‘Do You Wanna’ – chant- over a twinkling soul-rock meander. ‘Lamentation’ ‘Photographs’ wide-open ocean and its hidden Phenomenally prolific synth (at last)’ along big beat folk-pop with a heart No gigs but you can still drink Oxford’s been missing a great post- A luxuriant mood piece from depths, an atmospheric, elegant botherer Octavia Freud released two of pure sunshine. yourself silly to it at home. metal act to call its own since the new electronic artist The Bobo, electro-orchestral piece that mixes demise of Xmas Lights, but here are full albums in 2020, so picking a announcing her arrival in real style unnerving soothing and immersive The Hope Burden, surfing a vast, fave track wasn’t easy but this silky alongside post-rock star Kid Kin, 9 JOELY 14 DESERT STORM tones into its unfolding waves. cresting wave of guitar noise, across cut displayed both his instrumental gently swarming synths, ghostly ‘Vengeful Gods’ flat, moonlit oceans and onward into subtlety and way with a slinky tune, vocals and a dreamy midnight vibe ‘Get Up & Go’ somewhere twixt classic electro-pop Joely sounds twice her tender years Maybe this isn’t a fanciful 19 ASHER DUST the firestorm beyond the horizon. adding up to sound like a cross and 90s techno, hypnotic and more on this wonderfully world-weary stoner-rock anthem; maybe it’s a Cultured but prone to violence, it’s a between Mazzy Star and Chvrches. ‘Ring Out’ than a tad trippy. torch song, with its heartbroken late documentary about the residents of journey best enjoyed at top volume. Ominous yet soothing and a hell of Oxford’s most dapper gent about night jazz dive feel as she examines Valhalla popping down to earth to an opening statement. town, Asher Dust might have had life’s uncertainties and feelings of teach humanity a lesson in the form to consign his finest threads to the 24 APHRA TAYLOR 29 BASIC DICKS 1 YOUNG KNIVES ‘Sheep Tick’ not fitting in and wanting to escape. of plague, populism and pompous, Fair to say 2020 was a bit of a shit year: a terrified world in turmoil and the wardrobe for most of the year but 5 GLASS ANIMALS Could be an anthem for this year puffed-up presidents and PMs. If ‘Red’ ‘Frown’ ugly side of humanity too often exposed. Perfect then for Young Knives to ‘Ring Out’, a tirade against knife Lest we imagine all the usual shit really if it weren’t so soothingly so this is a suitable soundtrack, Ver “I want to go back to those days” draw back the veil on their own musical barbarity with an album inspired crime and its human cost, sounded in the world has been subsumed by ‘Hot Sugar’ sweet and sultry. Storm on belligerent best form, laments Aphra Taylor on this If 2020 put a stop of Glass Animals’ like a man fighting an army of by philosopher John Gray’s Straw Dogs. Henry and Tom Dartnall are demolishing housing blocks with highlight from her debut EP, Covid and Trump, here are Basic plans for world domination, they’re androids to escape his Covid prison, musical adventurers like few others, exploring their esoteric influences their riffs while still finding time for ‘Night Dances’ and who couldn’t Dicks to remind us that plenty of likely just glad still to be here given a brilliantly claustrophobic musical – from PiL and Throbbing Gristle to Death Grips and Stevie Wonder 10 MEANS OF an oceanic passage of calm before agree with that? One of the newest people are still, well, dicks. Once recent past events and thank god panic attack on a misshapen future – chipping away at their old pop sheen and yet still coming up with PRODUCTION the second wave hits. teenage talents in town, Aphra’s again they skewer everyday sexism more brilliant tunes on their album ‘Barbarians’ than 99% of bands will they are still with us, spreading factory floor to a soundtrack of The deeply personal, conflicted acoustic with a sharpened punk snarl and a manage in a lifetime. You could pick any track at random off the album languorously good vibes and ‘Welfare Power Chemical Brothers and The Prodigy. confessionals mark her out as one to barbed sense of humour. “Cheer it and it would be worthy of top spot but ‘Sheep Tick’ typified everything lysergic lyricism – all lemongrass 15 TILLY watch in 2021 – if we’re allowed to. up, it might never happen” indeed. great about Young Knives: grotesque, ugly, disorientating, disturbing and eyelids – on this slow-mo funk jam Apparatus’ Bit harder to do when you’ve just Trust MoP to break the spell of VALENTINE 20 PREMIUM downright fantastic. And the accompanying video? That’s even weirder. that could make you briefly imagine had a well-aimed vegan DM aimed comforting loveliness with some 25 FLIGHTS OF Song of the year; album of the year; band of the year. No contest. the world is all really rather lovely, ‘Fit for a King’ LEISURE ‘Remedies’ at your bollocks. actually. menacing cyborg synthetics: harsh, Breathless, birdlike r’n’b-inflected Chris Barker plays in Willie J austere, minimalist, ‘WPA’ bleeps, HELIOS ‘Tree & Fly’ pop from singer Tilly on this real Healey’s band and Willie returns Back in February FoH were on the bloops, bubbles and grinds with bubbling, atmospheric exercise in grower of a single that reveals its to favour in Premium Leisure and cover of Nightshift and this single 30 BRUNO 2 JULIA SOPHIE 6 ANDY BELL ‘Love steely inhuman intent. This is the self examination was the stand-out. charms incrementally, her voice both acts share much musical DNA, brought a heady waft of optimism sound of 2020 in Terminator form MUERTE ‘xOx’ Airy yet suffocating, nervous yet Comes in Waves’ dancing with almost fairy-like with a hazy stoner smile playing – a hint of The Lotus Eaters’ ‘First It doesn’t matter what situation you coming to get you. understatedly confident, just another If Andy Bell’s debut solo album lightness over skittering beats and over their songs. ‘Remedies’, though Picture of You’ about it – as spring ‘Monte Cristo’ put Julia Walker in – rock band, Another band who were really mesmeric chapter in Julia’s ongoing was planned before coronavirus judiciously restrained horns. released at the end of September, approached. A good time then to electro-pop duo, film soundtrack it mattered little as this lead track sounds like it’s ready for the summer beginning to establish themselves musical story. 11 RICHARD listen back and imagine everything composer, Kate Bush coverer – she from ‘The View From Halfway holidays and all the fun ahead, in this on the local live scene as Covid hit, 16 TIGER MENDOZA turned out differently and far, far will invariably conjure something Down’ was a reminder how WALTERS ‘SC97’ case Marc Bolan off on a camping Bruno Muerte’s ‘Decay/Control’ EP 3 MANDRAKE better. both brilliant and beautiful. The great it is to have Ride back, a Richard Walters could sing the feat. KATY expedition with Aerial Pink. “You might not have possessed the free- Candy Says singer and multi- HANDSHAKE softly swirling snowstorm of 60s phone book and make it sound the HERRIDGE ‘Words’ do whatever makes you feel good” flowing electro-rock exhibitionism instrumentalist had just started ‘Hypersonic Super- psychedelia, Beatles-y pop and greatest love song ever, so turning ‘Golden Nugget Morning’ (with sings Chris, and so should we all. 26 GREAT of their live shows but ‘Monte performing solo shows under shoegaze fuzz. Andy sounds less his voice to youthful nostalgia was Deadbeat Apostles’ Mike Ginger) WESTERN TEARS Cristo’ showed what they could do her Julia Sophie moniker when Asterid’ like a guy who’s spent 30 years only ever going to sound gorgeous. might have been the big bluesy 21 SELF HELP when they mined those early 80s lockdown hit but she never broke Expansive, psychedelic, Stereolab- playing in bands and more like a ‘SC97’ sees him wistfully recalling banger in his bag, but ‘Words’, ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ synth influences and went to town. her creative stride, releasing a debut informed hypno-pop heads out on fresh-faced innocent who’s only just Oxford Sound City and his first alongside Ocean Ruins’ Katy ‘Milkshake’ If 2020 has had you dreaming Going to town being something EP, ‘y?’, from which this busy, a trip – and it is a trip. Even at nine discovered guitars and love. great immersion in live music as a Herridge was the slow-burn beast in Feisty pop-punk fighters Self Help of faraway lands, GWT’s Dava we’ve sorely missed this year. new attachments while having their inbox we’re drunk on life and overpriced beer, repeatedly freeze due to the 150Meg of files merrily catching stage divers as they land lodged in there. Actually getting through the hilariously on our heads, spilling our drink TRACks whole EP is just as much of an effort, the everywhere and being jostled by strangers whole thing stodgier than said vegan steak with a fast and loose attitude to personal Anyone still out there? We’re not sure see, be more at home making smooth grooves bakes, though considerably less satisfying. hygiene. And then the song ends and these given we haven’t been to a gig venue since and easy beats in a Balearic chillout bar. For the most part it’s inoffensive mid-paced four walls close in just a tad more. But oh, (checks diary) March 13th, we’re starting ‘Where We’re From’ comes in vocal and bedroom rock that perhaps has pretensions dear reader, for four short minutes we were to believe that maybe the world really is instrumental forms and both work well in to late-60s psychedelia but forgot the acid transported back to happier times, and if an AI simulation, or we dreamt the whole different ways, the former, featuring DRS, tabs and had to make do with Gregg’s we’re being uncharacteristically optimistic, of the past 30 years – though some of the ADMT and Blakey, equal parts soulful steak bakes instead. Being generous ‘I’d forward to a glorious, post-Covid, vaccine- shows we’ve been to over the years might and hangdog, the latter, with its jazzy Give You My Heart’ has a bit of Aerial drenched golden dawn. count as nightmares. shuffle, wiry, slow-mo bass and electronic Pink-like spangle about it but sounds too Emerging from a Netflix and Pinot Noir whooshes and whorls more a summery timid to really take flight. In fact Mr Bevan coma, Nightshift kicks aside the forlorn comedown in the vein of Toro y Moi or has a reasonable ear for a melody but he TOILET rabble of empty bottles and discovers Caribou. Both work equally well and also needs more spark, something to make there’s a pile of demos lurking forgotten Bombast reveals himself an accomplished those tunes fly. If you’re going to make TRACKS in the corner. Is this something to do producer, managing to sound both busy people work hard to be able to listen to your with the job we believe we might have and spacious at the same time. Maybe music make sure you give them a decent done in The Time Before? If so, have our Tom Dalby is the guy we need stood on Christmas bonus for their effort – not just a EEL “Wake up Nightshift! Wake up! You’ve critical faculties survived where an ability top of the bar exhorting us to go crazy company-branded desk calendar. drooled on the sofa again and were to remember what month it is or what once Covid is finally knocked for six, but shouting ‘more pints, barman!’ in your human company is like have not? And meanwhile Bombast is on the lockdown sleep.” more importantly, is snarky, not always stereo, reminding us that there is another PATRICK GRIFFIN Oh, let us dream dear reader, because constructive critical analysis compatible summer on the way and bars and beaches Demo number 5 of the pile and we’re still the grim reality is stuff like this. “I would with this New Kinder World social media to visit. In their very different ways both on the solo stuff – proof at least that people like to submit my music for review. The keeps telling us about in between pile- make us rather happy and that’s a nice, have been obeying the ever-changing attached article will guide you guys on ons? Best unplug the Christmas tree, turn novel feeling given Nightshift’s default rules and not seeing anyone else through setting tends to be Grumpy Git. all this merry hell. If solitude has made how to write my review,” writes Enrique the volume dial down to a socially decent Cumberbatch (we’re back to the solo level and crack on... Tom Dalby get rough and raucous and Sleeprs get nostalgic and spangled, it’s artists, it seems), possibly in well-meaning SLEEPRS made Patrick Griffin here consider his fashion as he imagines we’ve forgotten www.TURAN AUDIO.co.uk Perhaps unsurprisingly, a lot of the stuff in navel perhaps even more than he normally how to do our jobs amid all the staring at Professional, independent audio mastering TOP TRACK the pile comes from solo artists rather than would as he delicately plucks his acoustic the walls trying to work out whether the expansive funk ensembles or orchestras. guitar and gets his lovelorn on. His one cats popping into the neighbours’ house And while a combination of coronavirus song here, ‘A Different Drum’, isn’t sadly, to blag treats constitutes breach of Tier 2 TOM DALBY and solitary music making might make a cover of the Mike Nesmith classic but a restrictions and wondering how a scotch We reviewed Tom Dalby’s previous for some marathon miseryfests, so hushed confessional that tip-toes through egg constitutes a ‘substantial meal’ when offering in the last issue before everything far we’ve struck as lucky as a former the party at the end of the world hoping a light mid-morning snack for us now ground to a halt and suggested he stopped schoolmate of Matt Hancock when PPE no-one notices it’s leaving early so it can tends to involve an entire family pack of sounding like he was dragging his heels contracts are being handed out. And get a good night’s sleep before everything spaghetti, a kilo block of cheese, a tin of musically given we teetered on a pandemic here’s another goody, this time from a collapses into the void forever. Given Celebrations and a six-pack of San Miguel. precipice and there might not be much guy called Jack Hanwell whose chiming the message of the song is to let your Anyway, over the course of eight emails, time to dilly dally. Perhaps pressed by new wave pop might have shimmied in heart beat to a different drum, with all the EEL repeatedly asks us if we’re going to the urgency of the situation Tom’s upped 01865 716466 [email protected] from a ‘Brotherhood’-era New Order freedom that entails, it don’t half sound review his music (according to his own his game several tiers and this new track, session, or even an early Flying Saucer like it’d be happiest sat under the stairs standards and stipulations of course), while ‘Blacktop Killer’, is a chunky rock’n’roll Attack jam. It’s definitely got more than listening to Radio 2 while politely sipping singularly failing to actually provide a lurch that’s grimy under its fingernails in a bit of a mid-to-late 80s feel to it, and if a mug of slightly milky tea. link to said music. Then again, turns out COURTYARD stark contrast to the hand sanitised reality that brings back memories of Cold War he hasn’t let anyone know where they can RECORDING STUDIO of 2020. It’s a raw, if not quite feral, chunk paranoia, it still preferable to the fear that hear his music. “EEL released this album 2 Tracking Rooms. Superb Control Room with: of trashcan boogie with a pocketful of every supermarket trolley handle might be HOTEL without even informing his fans on social NEVE 5106 32 Channel Console. ProTools HD3 Cramps, Stray Cats and Eddie Cochran MTR 90 2” 24 Track Tape Machine. Vintage EMT Plate Reverb the death of you. Also, the name Sleeprs media, this was all unexpected to them,” Loads of Brilliant Outboard Gear riffs in its back pocket and a mean look in makes us think of slippers and thus warm, CONTINENTAL he sneakily admits in a masterstroke of Loads of Great Mics, Vintage and Modern its eye. “He’s a blacktop killer and he’ll comfortable things to bring a snugly sense Fucking hell! It’s an actual band! Four reverse marketing that will surely guide Old School Akai/Roland Synth Modules Upright Piano, Fender Rhodes, Amps and great vibes. run you down” hollers Tom with plenty of of security to a world still gone mad. of them, which is less than a bubble we Radiohead’s future campaigns. “Many conviction and we make a note to give him guess. Let’s get this rock and roll show on people said that his album is really Residential recording studio in Sutton Courtenay. a call once the vaccines are rolled out and the road! Turns out this song was recorded www.courtyardrecordingstudio.co.uk relaxing and chill to listen to,” continues In-house producer: Ian Davenport www.ian-davenport.co.uk the beer taps are flowing once again. It’ll before Covid hit and the first lockdown MR BEVAN EEL, guiding our journalistic hand; “some Email: [email protected] be time to get down and dirty again. Nightshift’s new, benevolent attitude basically scuppered the poor sods’ chances viewers even said that it helped them sleep. Phone: Kate on 01235 845800 towards humanity can only cling on so of playing any gigs to promote their EEL’s aim is to continue inspiring his long, before we’re reminded why this music debut, which pretty much sums up what audience with his great work and to continue reviewing malarkey would be so much a total shitshow 2020 has been for most making music. He also plans to make more BOMBAST easier without musicians. Mr Bevan here, musicians. Perhaps because of that the tune relaxing music, since his fans really liked his If Tom Dalby’s response to pandemic is all who seems to have named himself in such in question, ‘Well Fed’, carries a sense of album ‘Night Time’ and calls it the relaxing spit and grit, Bombast here is taking a far a way as to bestow all the glamour of a optimism about, almost as if it’s blissfully album.” And to be fair, for all we protest, more sanguine approach to the situation. middle manager in a kitchen and bathroom unaware of the unending uncertainty, there is nothing Nightshift can add to this Well, sanguine with a distinctly funky fitting company, has decided the best way solitude and governmental incompetence critical master class, particularly given we Rehearsal and Recording studios undercurrent, which somehow makes him to get his EP to us is track by individual that lies ahead. Okay, so it’s a pretty didn’t even get to hear the music. Bravo sound even more at ease with a world track, rather than something convenient like standard slice of clean-cut indie speed-pop EEL, you are everything we have come to Four state of the art rehearsal rooms still in crisis. Bombast isn’t, as the name a streaming link or all-in-one download. but right now we don’t care. In our minds and a professional recording studio. expect, if not exactly hope for from 2020. might suggest, an overwrought hair metal Because what every busy (* - consuming band or Muse tribute act but an electronic your own bodyweight in Gregg’s vegan For bookings call Jamie on 07917685935 music / hip hop producer from south Send tracks, downloads or streaming links for review to [email protected]. If you can’t Glasshouse studios, Cumnor, Oxford • glasshousestudios.org steak bakes is time-consuming, okay?) Oxfordshire, though he sounds like he’d handle criticism, please don’t send us your music. Same goes for your stupid, over-sensitive mates. reviewer needs is to have to keep opening New Kinder World rules do not apply here, you bunch of hippies. Specialist practical and emotional support for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives.

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WhatsOn1.indd 1 19/04/2018 22:01:16