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News

Save the Hot Box

Hot Box was the venue when, in January 2020, this blog* took the plunge into gig promotion and set up a headline show for Giant Drag. This was back in the day when COVID-19 was mostly in the news as a problem in other countries. Just a few weeks later the UK was in lockdown. […]

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New release World music

London Ko is a knockout

The third album by Fatoumata Diawara, the legendary Malian musician, is out today. She co-produced London Ko with Daniel Florestano and Damon Albarn and includes a galaxy of guest musicians, including Albarn, Angie Stone, Roberto Fonseca, M.anifest, and Yemi Alade.  Fatoumata Diawara: a vibrant musical trailblazer Hailed as one of the most vital standard-bearers of modern African music, Diawara’s music remains […]

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exclusive New release Psychedelia

Helicon’s Good Intentions?

It’s said the road to ruin is paved with good intentions. Glasgow’s psychedelic travellers Helicon disagree … we should be wary of God Intentions.

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Dream pop News

Our Final Invention. All smiles now?

Certain elements of Our Final Invention may well be familiar to those who took more than a passing interest in Britpop. Or what followed that scene to be precise. That’s because the nucleus of Our Final Invention (Mark Gill [guitars/programming] and Richard Nancollis [vocals]) were also in Manchester’s The Rain Band. The Rain Band certainly […]

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News

Emjaymedia: music to the core

I set up Emjaymedia following the demise of Pinnacle, in 2008, following the banking crash. Out of necessity, I took another job to finance it at the start. I had no idea then whether it could be successful or not. It took a few years to even decide its direction. Much experience to bear when […]

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New release News

Steady and smooth for Slow Pulp

Things are moving along very smoothly thank you for Chicago-based four-piece showgaze rockers Slow Pulp. Major UK/Europe support tour completed with heavyweight US band? ✓Debut LP still receiving glowing plaudits and continuing to release cracking singles? ✓Newly signed to esteemed record label? ✓ Given the challenges thrown in front of them recently, these achievements of […]

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Electronica News

PVA will stick in your mind like glue

PVA, the Grammy-nominated, South London electronic music trio, has announced a new UK headline tour. They will play in February and March, culminating in a headline show at London’s Scala. The live dates come hot on the heels of the group’s biggest UK/EU tour to date, which saw them headline a packed-out Village Underground in […]

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Archive material revisited

Southern gothic – A brief encounter with Mark Linkous

Much-loved creative anchor of US alt-rock band Sparklehorse, Mark Linkous, would have been 58 today. One day in 2010, after an argument with his estranged wife he exited the premises, walked down an alleyway, and shot himself through the heart with a rifle. Dark Night of the Soul: a constellation of collaborators He had recently […]

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Psychedelia

The Asteroid No. 4 event will be a magical night

The Asteroid No. 4, Magic Shoppe, and Magic Seas come together for a sensational psychedelic session at Chelmsford’s Hot Box on November 7. Please click here to purchase tickets. Psychedelia from the Bay Area to the Bay State to Essex The Asteroid No. 4, (San Francisco, California) and Magic Shoppe (Boston, Massachusetts) fire up a […]

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exclusive Jazz Prog

Hedvig Mollestad Trio is coming to blow your mind!

The incredible Hedvig Mollestad Trio visits the UK for a few September dates. Hedvig tells us more in an EXCLUSIVE video interview.

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Electronica New release

MetroGlow’s Synthetik new release

What is the link between MetroGlow, Martin MacInnes, Donna Haraway, and William Faulkner? Read on to find out!

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Book review New release Psychedelia

The Mind-Bending World of Twist

Manchester’s World of Twist should have been huge. Co-founder Gordon King tries to explain why it didn’t happen in his biography When Does the Mind-Bending Start? Simon Dickinson, whose band toured with World of Twist, guest reviews for Even Butterflies Make A Sound.

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Drone Electronica

“Erasers remind us there is no faultless human”

Drone-pop duo Erasers embark on a short European tour in August. They kindly stopped suitcase packing to answer some questions.

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Drone News

Drone-pop duo Erasers’ new LP/UK tour

Rupert Thomas and Rebecca Orchard release Constant Connection, their third LP, and will play a handful of UK shows.

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News Psychedelia

New roads (to tour) for Helicon?

The mighty Helicon is back on the road with local heroes Magic Seas as support. Furthermore, both bands will be involved in a workshop to help young adults gain an understanding about how a venue stages shows.

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Folk News Soundtracks

Even Butterflies Make A Sound presents Alison Cotton at Hot Box

Even Butterflies Make A Sound presents a live show by Alison Cotton as part of her tour of England.

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Electronica New release

It’s time for you to embrace your inner MetroGlow

Read on to discover the inspiration behind MetroGlow’s debut EP Kraftwerk Mein Leibe.

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New release News Psychedelia

What’s the ‘Freakquency’, Helicon?

Exciting goings-on at the Fuzz Club label as it releases the new EP by Helicon (Glasgow) and signs The Jesus and Mary Chain.

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Dub New release

“When I die, dub will be in my heart” – James Joyce

Ireland music legends Cathal Coughlan and Jacknife Lee have been dubbed up by Jah Wobble.

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Dream pop New release

You wait ages for one … then three Robin Guthrie releases come along

Few musicians can claim as distinctive a sound as Robin Guthrie. After a 40-year career, he continues to produce music that captivates and enthrals. Read on to find out more about Guthrie’s creative burst.

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New release

Like a phoenix from the ‘Flames’. The candescent return of Martin Carr

Former The Boo Radleys songwriter and guitarist announces new solo single and forthcoming Bandcamp subscription service

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Psychedelia

The Devil Has All the Best Tunes. So, please meet Thee Lucifer Sams

Thee Lucifer Sams’ frontman, Ivan Thunders, kindly provided his thoughts on Syd Barrett, psychedelia, and spontaneity. The band is currently touring with Pete Bassman supporting.

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Folktronica New release

Can you buy Uncle Kid’s stunning new single at IKEA?

Uncle Kid makes dark, brooding, understated trip hop with spoken word. Read on to discover why Tom Robinson hailed his previous single as “a song for our times”. Uncle Kid’s new single ‘Lamplig’ is out now.

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New release

Pop provocateurs Placebo serenade ‘Beautiful James’

Why not read on to discover how Placebo created ‘Beautiful James’ – the band’s first single in five years.

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Folk New release

Dot Allison’s new LP celebrates her Scottish roots

Dot Allison’s new LP, Heart-Shaped Scars, is a triumphant return for one of the UK’s finest songwriters. Furthermore, it shows her uncanny ability to gather like-minded musicians to facilitate her musical vision. She released Room 7½ in 2009. And then mostly silence apart from the occasional dip into soundtracks and the odd collaboration. In that […]

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Graphic scores News

Music for a Better World

Several neurodiverse young graphic score composers will highlight global concerns using the G7 summit as a backdrop.

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New release

Which is the coolest star sign? Dope Sagittarius, of course.

NYC-based rock-punk-funk fusion outfit Dope Sagittarius returns with a new LP Sacred Places. It showcases frontman Luqman Brown’s uncanny ability to channel many of the Big Apple’s musical strands into a sound of his own.

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Folk New release Psychedelia

Can Skywalker weigh a whale without a scale?

Ok, it’s a rubbish heading, but it brought you here, right? But, please, read on, it gets better… In a remarkable twisterella, two current bandmates have been involved in extracurricular projects. Léanie Kaleido’s third album was produced by Mark Gardener; while Andy Bell has a solo single out. Keen shoegazers will note that both Gardener […]

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News

CONNECT – A CREATIVE RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Climate change scientists have stated that humanity has less than 10 years to take meaningful, lasting measures to safeguard the planet’s future. The Black Chapel collective made an award-winning film to raise consciousness and awareness of the situation.

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Electronica New release

Andrew Hung delivers his Promises

The co-founder of Fuck Buttons returns with his second solo album and a video that’ll change your opinion of fruit salads forever.

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New release

Marie Naffah: exiting wasteland; seeking wonderland

Marie Naffah, former MTV Best Unsigned Act, is about to take the world by storm. Check out her new single ‘Wasteland’ and it’s clear why world domination awaits.

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New release

No time for idling during Independent Venue Week

Independent Music Week exists to publicise smaller music venues. This year could be its most important campaign yet.

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New release

Track X marks the spot

Thankfully, touch wood, I have avoided the worst the pandemic has had to offer. Obviously, the forced estrangement takes its toll; my job being made redundant was a blow. But it’s the lost time that hurts. My children’s youth being insidiously drained from them. Identikit days flying by. No real break in the routine to […]

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Archive material revisited

Connected to Dot?

Dot Allison first found fame with One Dove before enjoying a successful solo career. Andy McCulloch reviews some of his old writings and provides a snapshot of their separate lives, which do in fact have an element of synchronicity. ‘So, I saw that Dot Allison article in The Independent and it made me think of […]

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New release Psychedelia

Tidal Love Numbers unites Andy Bell and Masal in astral jazz

Tidal Love Numbers is the mesmerising new LP by Andy Bell and Masal. While great musicians seem to gravitate towards each other, there certainly was good fortune that led to such a remarkable collaboration. Lucky in the way that Ride guitarist and songwriter Andy Bell and Masal’s Al Johnson and Oz Simsek met each other […]

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Dream pop Electronica Prog Psychedelia

Plastic Dreams

So, I was invited to DJ for the first time and provide a psyche set. At least that’s what I think my brief was. I ran with that anyway. After a couple of lessons on the ones and twos with the event organiser, and feeling a bit nervous, I took the plunge at Voodoo Keller, […]

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Folk News

Sairie: one of the best folk acts these days

It’s not everyday that your music is wholeheartedly endorsed by the 41st best stand-up ever! But, as we know, these days aren’t ordinary days anymore. These days. But … Brighton-based psyche-folk Sairie received a nod from none other than the great Stewart Lee. Some context. In a seemingly light-hearted departure from their “Original and traditional […]

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Upcoming live music

In it for The Long Run

The Long Run are taking the not-so-long run from Canvey Island to Chelmsford (19 miles actually) for a headline show. The Oil City four-piece will play at Chelmsford’s Hot Box as part of Folk Sunday on 26 March. Please click here for tickets. Before the main act, the floor will be open for guest acts […]