I Am Kloot September Tour
Cult Manchester act I Am Kloot have confirmed details of a lengthy British tour in September.
Try as they might, some groups just never quite get the recognition they deserve. Lauded by fellow songwriters, it seems that I Am Kloot could yet break through to the mainstream with their sublime new album.
‘Sky At Night’ isn’t a tribute to Patrick Moore, but it is a glorious collection of well crafted songs. Leader John Bramwell is capable of making a commercial pop track without being cheesy, adding some intelligence and wit for good measure.
A literate and thought provoking songwriter, I Am Kloot are built upon Bramwell’s material. However there is much more to them than that with all three members capable to expanding upon his ideas.
For ‘Sky At Night’ the band were re-joined by some old friends. I Am Kloot recorded the album with assistance from long time superfan Guy Garvey, with Elbow colleague Craig Potter dropping by for good measure.
Out now, the new album has been gaining warm reviews. I Am Kloot have been playing a series of shows to promote the record, joined by an array of guest musicians to flesh out their live sound.
Tom Jones On Spiritual Songs
Welsh crooner Tom Jones has spoken about his new stripped back album ‘Praise And Blame’.
Tom Jones: tanned skin, ripped open shirt, medallion on a hairy chest. Think you know Tom Jones? Think again. On his new album the singer tears down the public’s perception to reveal a much rawer depiction.
The Welsh singer recently turned 70, and obviously desires something to match his age. Tom Jones was invited to record a Christmas album last year, sparking the idea for an album of spiritual material.
“We said, ‘If we’re going to do this, why don’t we take a bit of time and get it done right?’” he told The Guardian. “And it was suggested, thank God, that we approach the producer Ethan Johns.”
Fresh from working with Kings Of Leon, Ethan Johns is one of the most celebrated young producers around. Signed up to the new project, he insisted on a new backing band and a raw studio approach.
Choosing a number of old time religious songs, it took a rendition of ‘Run On’ to waken everyone involved to the potential of ‘Praise And Blame’. “Suddenly it happened, it caught fire” Tom Jones explained.
No Age Album Details
Los Angeles duo No Age have confirmed details of their new album ‘Everything In Between’ and a full UK tour.
No Age represent something of a renewed spirit in American music. The duo named themselves after an SST compilation, and have a strict DIY ethos when it comes to recording new material.
Secluding themselves in their home studio after last year’s EP ‘Losing Feeling’ No Age are now ready to face the outside world. In the meantime, their noise pop sound has influenced countless new acts.
Returning to find a new audience for their music, No Age have confirmed details of their second album on Sub Pop. ‘Everything In Between’ is due for release on September 27th, a bold new step for the band.
Taking on board found sounds on the ‘Losing Feeling’ EP, the new release finds No Age stretching out even further. Perhaps their most ambitious statement yet, it comes as the world begins to catch up to their noise pop sound.
‘Everything In Between’ is set to be preceded by the new single ‘Glitter’. Due to be released on August 23rd, the vinyl only single will come with exclusive material on both 7 and 12 inch versions.
Best Coast Boyfriend Ode
Californian noise-pop newcomer Best Coast is set to release her new single ‘Boyfriend’ as a free download.
Best Coast are based around a female / male duo, with Bethany Cosentino and musical partner Bobb Bruno taking the Stateside scene by storm. Their new single ‘Boyfriend’ is a lovelorn ode, which could lead to rumours of an inter-band romance.
However nothing could be further from the truth. Bethany Cosentino is attached to Nathan Williams, the out there frontman with Wavves. Together the pair have become one of the most talked about couples in American underground rock.
New single ‘Boyfriend’ will only enhance their status. Best Coast are returning after a critically praised debut album, with the new track representing a brave first blast from the Californian duo.
Right click HERE to download ‘Boyfriend’!
Sunburnt psych-pop, the band have been snapped up by esteemed indie label Wichita in the UK. Guaranteeing them wider distribution, the imprint have marked their 10th anniversary with a stunning signing.
Port Eliot Festival Expands
Cornwall’s Port Eliot festival sees the sons of legends Harper Simon and Jakob Dylan grace its magical stage.
The mystical fairytale setting of Port Eliot festival provides an ideal location for this quirky, original celebration of literature, music and the arts. In its beautiful Cornwall setting, it stands upon the site once made famous by the Elephant Fayre.
Whilst the festival itself stems from famous predecessors, the same can be said for both Harper Simon and Jakob Dylan, set to appear in the line up.
Harper Simon, son of American singer – songwriter Paul Simon is following in his father’s footsteps after the release of his critically acclaimed 2009 self- entitled album. Despite his slightly unusual musical background – a short stint on ‘Sesame Street’, playing guitar on tour at the early age of fourteen and a rebellious phase of punk rock, Harper seems to have found a sound and genre he is at ease with.
Similarly, Jakob Dylan has big shoes to fill, though he may have already done so in achieving two Grammy Awards, a VH1 Video of the Year Award and 5 albums with his band The Wallflowers. Dylan has since moved on to a solo career, recording his first solo album in 2008, and his second in April this year.
Harper and Jakob will be joining the eclectic line up which includes Alabama 3, Fionn Regan and Cherry Ghost. Whilst this time around Dylan and Harper are the Dylan and Harper of the next generation, it seems that they might just manage to live up to their legacy.
Queens Of The Stone Age Look Back
American rockers Queens Of The Stone Age are set to re-issue ‘Rated R’ on August 2nd.
By 2000, Josh Homme had already spent a decade in the music industry. As the leader of Kyuss he had helped spawn the so-called ‘stoner rock’ genre, adding Black Sabbath layers of sludge to the punk template.
Indebted to 70s rock, the group released a string of cult albums before splitting up. Forming Queens Of The Stone Age, the singer was determined to make something more accessible without losing his punk origins.
With ‘Rated R’ the band succeeded. A seminal rock release, the album pushed Queens Of The Stone Age into the mainstream without compromising on their savage sound.
Lead single ‘Feelgood Hit Of The Summer’ listed a range of illegal drugs, in keeping with the album’s title. Mixing 70s rock influences with punk dynamics and a hefty dose of melody, Queens Of The Stone Age crafted perhaps the most influential American rock album since ‘Nevermind’ almost a decade before.
Since then, the band have splintered with bass player Nick Oliveri amongst those to leave. However Josh Homme remains, and he has overseen a lavish new re-issue for the seminal album.
Harper Simon Talks Country Rock
American songwriter Harper Simon has spoken about the influence of country rock on his new album.
Sure, the scenesters might not dig it but country rock remains a timeless and enduring artefact. Inspiring everyone from Primal Scream to Mumford And Sons, musicians such as Gram Parsons remain icons.
American songwriter Harper Simon is clearly indebted to this period. Son of Paul Simon, the performer’s new album is a joy to listen to, mixing classic country rock influences with modern production and a dash of bubblegum pop.
Speaking to ClashMusic, Harper Simon revealed that he has been working with musicians who were pivotal to the country rock sound.
Namechecking some influences, the singer said: “When I was thinking about The Byrds I was thinking more about the ‘Sweetheart Of The Rodeo’ album, because I have Lloyd Green, who plays the pedal steel on that record a lot, on my record.”
“The song ‘All I Have Are Memories’ was written by Clarence White and Lloyd Green for the ‘Sweetheart Of The Rodeo’ album – uh, I mean the music was written for Gram Parsons or Roger McGuinn to write a song over, but they never did and it was left off the album, so me and Adam Green finished it off. It was funny, but I enjoyed sharing a writing credit with Lloyd and Clarence White.”