May 6th is super clashy, you could also head to A Camp or Marissa Nadler, or see Alessi do a free instore at Banquet Records in Kingston. If Kingston wasn’t so far away I’d go to see Alessi before I head to Bush Hall, but alas, not easily done. I’m sure Marissa Nadler and A Camp would be great, but obviously Au Revoir Simone will be the winners.
When you have bands you love you always have that song. The one you listen to hundreds of times and then go through the song and think of every single little part you love, which is practically the whole thing. Then you listen to the song over and over to hear all those sweet little details again. For me and Au Revoir Simone, this is that song:
Also, I’m just thinking how hard Au Revoir Simone are going to be to shoot. 3 mic stands and a waist high stage, ahhhhh. Let’s hope the lighting overlord is kind.
In this comic I voyage to France, see some cool bowl-picking-up device, nearly get his by a car, see some flies and then witness an awesome awesome awesome set from Scary Mansion. That was a good day.
Cryptacize have been on my radar for a while, I remember they were on a bill with Half-handed Cloud before I moved to London, I think at the Luminaire. But I never properly listened. Anyway, listening now they sound fantastic. They’re also supporting Final Fantasy at Union Chapel and are down to play a Pure groove instore. They have a few more London shows which I might go to, I’ll decide nearer the time. The band are from Oakland, California and have an album out this year on Asthmatic Kitty.
They have a blog and a Daytrotter Session. I haven’t listened to them enough to put out a description of their sound that is worth paying attention to, they’re kind of poppy… instead, here is a list of some of the bands they’ve played shows with: Why?, Shearwater, Marnie Stern, The Blow, Mirah etc etc. Asthmatic Kitty say it better than I do:
“Deceptively simple, using modest means to achieve ambitious ends, never predictable, Cryptacize challenges preconceptions about how a song should go or how rock music should make you feel. But in the end, they always leave you with a tune you can hum and lyrics that tell a story. “
Are you bored of reading my gushing reviews of Alessi’s shows yet? This was the 10th time I’ve seen her. I’d quite happily watch her play set after set. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
I got to the ICA early. The first time I’ve ever been there in daylight. I never noticed that there was a park opposite! I got my ticket then went and sat in the park and listened to My Heart and some Tom Brosseau, then back to the ICA. Because nobody wanted to come to this with me (boooo) I went and became BFF with the security guard. Some Action Aid lady came up to me and explained about how the event was for charity and all about the six degrees of separation thing, and gave me a clipboard with some A3 paper on it and asked if I’d write a message using some of their key words. I asked if I could draw a picture and she said OK. So I drew myself with my triangle head pumping my fist and saying something cheesy like ’stand together for change’ and then, there was still space, so I drew a unicorn and a cat. I gave it back to the lady and she just stared at me confused and said thanks and walked away. Oh dear.
While I was standing by the door Alessi came and gave me a shiny new copy of her new album, they were sent the first five this morning. She gave me the first copy which makes me feel very honored. I stood with my newly acquired BFF until he let me in and I went and found my spot at the front on the left. It wasn’t long at all before Alessi and the band took to the stage. The sound was spot on, the sound guy did a great job. The light guy could have been a little kinder (the ICA is capable of AMAZING lights) but they were OK, so I’m not really complaining. It’s not like I don’t have enough shots of Alessi, anyway. I saw her in the ICA almost 2 months ago. What lovely symmetry! Alessi dedicated The Dog to me which made me squee. Asteroids Collide is one of my favourites that they’ve been playing live lately, it’s epic and very beautiful. You can watch a video of it here. I loved the band’s set and they are undoubtedly one of my favourite bands around right now. Alessi is so sweet and talented and I can only say that she is more than amazing and you have to go see her play.
Then it was thecocknbullkid. For the first song the light was all strobey and not very friendly to me. I stayed for the next song and it was better. I stayed for the third song and then completely lost all interest and decided to make an exit. She wasn’t bad, just really poppy and not my thing. On the way out I saw Alessi’s mum and dad and had a chat with them, then Alessi came by. They apparently saw some man/woman about which I found intriguing. I think Princess Superstar is a real lady, right? I don’t know. I wanted to hear her play but she was just DJ-ing. Boooooooo. I didn’t want to stick around for Micachu so I left at about 9.15. I guess the good thing about having your favourite band play first is that you get to get home early. Woo.
To conclude: Alessi is amazing and I can’t wait to see her again. I can’t write enough good things about her, so, instead, here is her Myspace. She’s going on tour, go see her (!!!!).
Assuming Alessi is on first, here is my prediction for my interest levels tonight:
Ever the optimist! No, I’m sure it’ll be fun and it’s for a good cause. I’m off now so I can lounge over there at a leisurely pace and walk the long way round and listen to Wildbirds.
I got to Pure Groove a little before the band were due to start. One great thing about instores is that it’s a nice way to have a little taster of a band. Like those tasters you get in markets. Or like those lollipops you used to get at Little Chef. One time, me and my friend stole literally 100 lollipops from Little Chef. We kept walking past the bowl pretending to go to the loos and taking handfuls. We counted them after and we had enough to feed a village. We were probably only 13, and we paid for meals, so I guess we were semi-entitled to those lollipops. Hmm, I appear to have veered off onto a lollipop tangent. Anyway, instores are kind of like that. You get 1 free lollipop and then if you like it you can go back for more.
Today I had a taster of Orphans & Vandals. I’d heard they were meant to be good but I hadn’t given them a proper listen. They played as a 5 piece and had lots of London-centric songs that were bouncy and sounded a bit sea shanty-ish at times. They had some sweet bass parts to tap your feet too and I enjoyed watching the drummer shake her head like a woman possessed. She was awesome. I think I am cursed to always be reminded of Wildbirds & Peacedrums every time I see even a vaguely good drummer. I think some of their songs were a bit long and I can’t make up my mind about whether I like the singer’s dis-interested vocal style, but I enjoyed their set and would be more than happy to see them again, good band.
Another good one here. Love her songs, very talented indeed. Listen to more on her Myspace. There was someone in attendance at the Blue Roses Pure Groove show earlier who looked uncannily like a certain Ms. Hocking. I figure it was probably her but it’s always kind of weird when you recognize someone but they don’t know who you are.
Are you bored of reading my gushing reviews of Alessi’s shows yet? This was the 10th time I’ve seen her. I’d quite happily watch her play set after set. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
Ever the optimist! No, I’m sure it’ll be fun and it’s for a good cause. I’m off now so I can lounge over there at a leisurely pace and walk the long way round and listen to Wildbirds.
I got to Pure Groove a little before the band were due to start. One great thing about instores is that it’s a nice way to have a little taster of a band. Like those tasters you get in markets. Or like those lollipops you used to get at Little Chef. One time, me and my friend stole literally 100 lollipops from Little Chef. We kept walking past the bowl pretending to go to the loos and taking handfuls. We counted them after and we had enough to feed a village. We were probably only 13, and we paid for meals, so I guess we were semi-entitled to those lollipops. Hmm, I appear to have veered off onto a lollipop tangent. Anyway, instores are kind of like that. You get 1 free lollipop and then if you like it you can go back for more.
