2018 is shaping up to be a great year for alternative rock, and Black Peaks are representing its more technical and mathy end with some classy festival appearances and the imminent October 5 release of their sophomore album All That Divides. These guys (including today’s interview subject, drummer Liam Kearley) are one of my favourite bands of all time, and I’m not alone in that opinion – which is why… Read more…
Blood Red Shoes know the value of hard work, the kind of effort that goes beyond blood, sweat, and tears. Their DIY ethos and work ethic has won them fans and golden opportunities across the world – and this year will see them take on even more challenges. I got talking to vocalist/guitarist Laura-Mary Carter about a certain upcoming UK festival, formative musical experiences, and topless rioters…
You’re set to play the main stage at 2000 Trees 2018, which kicks off in one week. How’re you feeling right now?
Feeling great! Excited to be playing again. We took a long break from it after not having any breaks for about ten years, so we Read more…
As a cult musical hero and prolific solo artist – not to mention the frontman of long-running British alt-metal survivors InMe – Dave McPherson is a natural choice for 2000 Trees’ first-night post-headliner Forest Session. Read on to learn about his special plan for 2000 Trees 2018, accidental onstage unconsciousness, and Read more…
As I prepared to interview Conjurer drummist Jan Krause, I didn’t expect to end up covering Gary Numan, The Mills Brothers, or Peter Gabriel’s proclivity for onstage bike rides. But then, Conjurer are not exactly predictable – and with multiple festival appearances coming up this summer, expect the kind of Read more…
Great bands demand your attention, reward it with awesome music, and leave you excited to help spread the word. Whether embracing vividly colourful visuals, putting out consistently creative videos, or dropping a near-perfect eponymous debut album, Vukovi have made all the right moves and set themselves up for serious success. I got chatting to vocalist Janine Shilstone about a certain upcoming festival, and a stage show plan that needs to be Read more…
Although music is technically always an experience, some bands fit that description more accurately than others. Vodun are one such group, dealing in heavy and soulful afro-psych.
What is afro-psych? Well, it’s basically this:
Music festivals are clearly Vodun’s natural habitat – and appropriately enough Read more…
With festival season fast approaching, 2000 Trees (12-14 July) and ArcTanGent (16-18 August) are set to host some of the best alternative acts in the world right now. From At The Drive In, Twin Atlantic, and Enter Shikari to And So I Watch You From Afar, Glassjaw, and Shellac – to mention the headliners alone – both lineups are guaranteed to satisfy any reasonable rock fan.
Meanwhile in Shoreditch, I got chatting to James Scarlett, co-founder of and booker for both 2000 Trees and ArcTanGent Read more…
Parents are handed newborn children, authors are furnished with freshly printed books, and musicians are presented with CDs swaddled in liner notes and shrink-wrapped jewel cases. Just before this interview started, Gus G was given the first of many copies of Fearless – his exceptional new Read more…
If your face needs a good melting, Palm Reader’s third album Braille will leave you unable to recognise yourself in the mirror. Having already reviewed Braille here, I got talking to Palm Reader drummist Dan Olds about personal progress, naked moshers, and a painful truth about the music business… Read more…
Having already called Press To MECO “one of the best underground British rock acts since Reuben” during my review of their latest album Here’s To The Fatigue (which can be found here), I’m not sure how much more excitement I can convey with mere words here.
Honestly, that quote alone does the job – so enjoy this chat with Press To MECO guitarist/vocalist Luke Caley… Read more…