December 2010
82 posts
3 tags
2010: My Whiteboard Project Highlight - Perfume...
As Rick said yesterday, the first 4 months of The Whiteboard Project has been amazing. We have been fortunate enough to meet and experience live bands/ artists who are destined for greater things in the very near future. I have agonised over picking my personal highlight out of fear of being offensive to others. The decision I have come to is having the oppurtunity to see Perfume Genius Live at...
2010 : Hi & Goodbye (The Best Bits)
Hi : )
For all the talk of music being credit crunched. For all the talk of this freefalling quality in the industry and that bands/artists are just robot clones of other robot clones; I cannot but help but declare “what a load crap.” When I look back at 2010 for its quality, I smile, and find myself thinking we have a wonderful industry packed with robustly...
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The Whiteboard Project Tips For 2011.
Today, in lieu of a Whiteboard Band of The Day, I will run through bands to look out for in 2011. The selected bands are expected to catapult into public acceptance through 2011. These are only opinion. You may agree, you may not. The Below bands are a mix of those who are expected to sell a shed load of records and those we would like to. Have a look.
Band : Cults
Internet...
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Track Of The Day : Grouplove
Today’s Track Of The Day comes from Grouplove, a band who finished just on the edge on our soon to be released Bands to Look Out For 2011. Comprised of a Londoner, two New Yorkers and two residents of Los Angeles, their sound is as eclectic as it would be expected to be. The track chosen for today is Colours, certainly a stand out from their back catalogue.
Enjoy.
Grouplove -...
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News Flash : Klaxons
Klaxons have confirmed that they will release the ‘Landmarks Of Lunacy EP’ as a free download via Klaxons.net on Christmas Day. The band explain the EP: There are periods of time that we have spent together as a band that the only suitable word that comes close to describing them is “Magical”. The three nocturnal weeks spent at Black Box studio in 2008 under the...
13 tags
The Whiteboard Project Tips For 2011.
Today, in lieu of a Whiteboard Band of The Day, I will run through bands to look out for in 2011. The selected bands are expetced to catapult into public acceptance through 2011. These are only opinion. You may agree, you may not. The Below bands are a mix of those who are expected to sell a shed load of records and those we would like too. Have a look.
Band : Cults
Internet...
3 tags
Gig Review : Blood Red Shoes
Blood Red Shoes – Concorde 2, Brighton, 8/12/10
It’s a sign of the exuberant, cheeky mood Blood Red Shoes are in on this, the final night of a gargantuan European tour in support of the Fire Like This album, that they open with ‘It’s Getting Boring By The Sea’. A song which details their antipathy towards Brighton - kicking off their set, in Brighton. That it’s not seen by the crowd as a petulant...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Esben And The Witch
Label: Mattador Records
What to make of a band who take their name from a Danish fairytale about child abuse?
Well, I wont hold it against them if you don’t. This Brighton trio specialise in atmospheric indie which includes haunting tales of darkness and sorrow,safety-pined together by ethereal lyrics that convey a melancholy which cannot be taught. Their...
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Single: Sea Of Bees
Title: Wizbot
Label: Heavenly Records
Release: Febuary 7th 2011
Rating: 8.0
There is something about Sea of Bees vocals that doesn’t cease to amaze and intrigue you. The harmonic tones spread over a wonderfully crafted guitar, with beautiful yet dark choruses to polish the whole package off. This is definitely the case in Sea of Bees first single release, Wizbot. The...
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Single: Sea Of Bees
Title: Wizbot
Label: Heavenly Records
Release: Febuary 7th 2011
Rating: 8.0
There is something about Sea of Bees vocals that doesn’t cease to amaze and intrigue you. The harmonic tones spread over a wonderfully crafted guitar, with beautiful yet dark choruses to polish the whole package off. This is definitely the case in Sea of Bees first single release, Wizbot. The...
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Festival News: Benicassim
So, its late December. Too early to talk about upcoming festivals? Surely not! Plans need to be made. Benicassim is looking like a very hot ticket this year. The Strokes and Elbow have just confirmed that they will be entertaining at the European festival. Benicassim will run from July 14-17th and will take place on the outskirts of Barcelona. Over the years the event has had little no trouble...
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Track Of The Day : Jonquil
Oxford is becoming something of a musical melting pop for young indie bands lately. Jonquil have been on our radar since the release of their Lions and The Whistle EP and with 2011 so close,we thought we would highlight them on todays’s track of the day. The track chosen is Fighting Smiles, which is a gloriously arranged bouncing track, held together with a rumbling rhythm, twinkling...
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News Flash: Gorillaz
Damon Albarn has a gift for members of Gorillaz fan club on Christmas day. The Blur legend has confirmed that new album, The Fall, will be released via free download to members of the Gorillaz on December 25th. Below is the tracklisting for the album from the cartoon micreants. All reports suggest the work sounds like a journey through America, with the music being steeped in a certain...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Jai Paul
Label: XL
The choice for Band Of The Day is in fact a soloist. I could call this piece Soloist of the Day but it would not be as catchy.
What IS catchy is the music of Jai Paul. The 21 year old from North West London is considered something of a wunderkid, having wowed unassuming internet procrastinators with the samples of his work on his Myspace page. Jai Paul weaves...
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Tour: Wu Lyf
I will confess, this is not as much a tour as it is debut London and Glagow shows. I have deemed this to be newsworthy as Wu Lyf have been an enigma existing on the edge of the music scene for quite awhile now. This bizarre, balaclavered bunch make you believe they are a some kind of Manc cult. Pictures of them are rare, and the pictures that do exists them make them look a bit like a Terror...
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Track Of The Day : Beach House
Beach House are coming off an incredible 2010, touring with the likes of Grizzly Bear while their third LP Teen Dream is seemingly dominating the average blogger’s Album of the Year list. Now, in the spirit of Christmas, they’ve given back with an early Christmas present, “I Do Not Care for the Winter Sun.”
Don’t let the sleigh bells fool you, Victoria Legrand appears to be joining the...
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News Flash : James Blake
The praise for James Blake just keeps rolling in. With a uniquely emotional electronic production style every bit as deeply personal and impassioned as his voice or songwriting. Blake is sketching out his own totally unique place in the musical universe.
On February 7th 2011, James Blake will release his self-titled album. Rarely is a debut offering so anticipated. His music is characterised...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Lets Buy Happiness
Label: Ghost Arc
Another day, another Band of The Day and yet another exiting band from the North East.
I have already theorised on the irregular amount of top quality bands coming from the North East. I suspect something fishy is going on. That being said, I do not mind a single bit. Especially when Newcastle churns out a band with the quality of Lets Buy...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Lets Buy Happiness
Label: Ghost Arc
Another day, another Band of The Day and yet another exiting band from the North East.
I have already theorised on the irregular amount of top quality bands coming from the North East. I suspect something fishy is going on. That being said, I do not mind a single bit. Especially when Newcastle churns out a band with the quality of Lets Buy...
2 tags
Tour : Kill It Kid
The delightful sonic assault that is Kill It Kid have announced UK tour dates for February and March in between Miderm and SXSW appearances. These gigs will preview songs from their much anticipated second album.
Tour Dates:
February
14 – London, Hoxton Bar & Kitchen 16 – Sheffield, Raynor Lounge (Live Wire at Sheffield Uni) 17 – Edinburgh, Electric Circus 18 – Aberdeen, Drummonds 19 –...
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Track Of The Day: Vampire Weekend
The Track Of The Day today has been put up out of morbid curiosity. Not because it is Vampire Weekened. We love them here at Whiteboard. Their Contra album placed very highly in our top 50 albums of 2010. The curiousity is fuelled by the fact that it is their cover of the Cheryl Cole track Fight For This Love. I am as confused as you. I suspect it is a one off recording. It is certainly one of...
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News Flash: Bright Eyes
Expect radical change from Bright Eyes. Conor Oberst says that the band are aiming to trainsiton to a more rocking sound on new album The Peoples Key, which is released on February 14th 2011. Aiming to shed the Americana influenced indie folk of yore, Oberst has set his sights on becoming more contemporary and modern. This may disappoint fans of the work which led to Bright Eyes developing a...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Anna Calvi
Label: Domino
Being placed in the The BBC Sound of 11 is lofty praise for a new artist.
Anna Calvi has been placed in that very list and has been compared to artists that feature on The Whiteboard Top 50 albums of 2010 that my co-editor Rick painstakingly put together. She creates melodramatic, gothic pop, swathed in intrigue. The comparisions that I speak of are...
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News Flash: First Aid Kit
Folk-pop duo First Aid Kit (a.k.a. Swedish sisters Klara and Johanna Söderbergare) are to follow Laura Marling in contributing to the Third Man Records’ Blue Series – a special series of 7 inch singles produced by Jack White at his Third Man studios. I certainly agree with Jack White’s choice. Wichita’s own swedish Bright Eyes enthusiasts have established themselves as top folk acts...
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Tour: Warpaint
The glorious Warpaint create truly beautiful sounds. They somehow manage to convey a level a spirituality amongst their dulcet tones, leading to floaty and mesmeric music which captivates anyone fortunate enough to witness them live. The four-piece have recently released tour dates for May. If they are near you,you must surely go. Heck, travel if need be.
Tour Dates May 11th – Cambridge,...
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Track Of The Day: Wyk Oak
Wyk Oak are signed to the City Slang label, proof enough that there is something rather special about this band. Todays Track Of The Day, Civilian, is a take on 21st-century folk music, packed with dense shoegaze guitars, melodic rhythms, and impeccable splashes of electronic colour. Without leaning on conventional structure, gripping chords and melodies latch onto you from the intro and...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Zoo Kid
Label: House Anxiety
You may have noticed that a couple of months ago, The Whiteboard Project shone the light on darkwave.
Bedroom balladeers like Perfume Genius and Jamie Stewart, to a lesser extent, Idiot Glee also. The similarity between these artists is that they are all American. It was seeming that to be a purveyor of this type of soul-churning music, a USA Passport...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Zoo Kid
Label: House Anxiety
You may have noticed that a couple of months ago, The Whiteboard Project shone the light on darkwave.
Bedroom balladeers like Perfume Genius and Jamie Stewart, to a lesser extent, Idiot Glee also. The similarity between these artists is that they are all American. It was seeming that to be a purveyor of this type of soul-churning music, a USA Passport...
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News Flash : Slow Club
Slow Club are back! 2010 has been a great year for music, and you could be forgiven to think it will be difficult to beat BUT Slow Club’s announcement will ensure we’ll have a top quality record to look out for.
The record will be released in May, on the 15th date of their tour, so buy some tickets for a sneak peak of what’s to come.
May 2011
02. EDINBURGH, Cabaret...
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Track Of The Day : Panda Bear
Noah Lennox is the man behind Panda Bear. The much heralded member of Animal Collective has recorded under the Panda Bear moniker, creating music which sounds like it has been pulled out of a vault from the 1960’s and jazzed up a bit with current sensibilities. The sound is slightly off the wall and unpredictable, a veritable feast of juxtaposition.
Recent Release Last Night At The...
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Single: Yuck
Title: Holing Out
Label: Fat Possum/ Pharmacy Records
Release: 7th February 2011
Rating: 8.7
The time is nearly upon us. In February, Yuck release their debut album. I am struggling to think of an album so eagerly anticipated. The Yuck buzz has been rumbling on for a good while now, a sign that there is substance to the claim that this young band could be one of the most special of...
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Single: Yuck
Title: Holing Out
Label: Fat Possum/ Pharmacy Records
Release: 7th February 2011
Rating: 8.7
The time is nearly upon us. In February, Yuck release their debut album. I am struggling to think of an album so eagerly anticipated. The Yuck buzz has been rumbling on for a good while now, a sign that there is substance to the claim that this young band could be one of the most special of...
2 tags
Single: Acid House Kings
Title: Are We Lovers Or Ar We Friends?
Label: Labrador Records
Release: 13th December
Rating: 7.9
Sweden’s Acid House Kings are probably not the coolest band in the World. It is unlikely that they will become a nouveau band among indie scenesters. Coming from the land of Abba, Acid House Kings shamelessley stick to their swede-pop sensibilities. They write and play bookish,...
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Single: Acid House Kings
Title: Are We Lovers Or Ar We Friends?
Label: Labrador Records
Release: 13th December
Rating: 7.9
Sweden’s Acid House Kings are probably not the coolest and in the World. It is unlikely that they will become a nouveau band among indie scenesters. Coming from the land of Abba, Acid House Kings shamelessley stick to their swede-pop sensibilities. They write and play bookish, sensitive...
2 tags
News Flash: Thomas Tantrum
It has been 2 years since we last heard from Thomas Tantrum. An exchange in drummer and excursions to and from Halifax to work with producer Richard McNamara later and Thomas Tantrum are ready to get back into the swing of things in 2011 with the release of their second record. This work seems more melancholic and contemplative than their previous stuff, while maintaining their poppy side.
The...
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2010 : The Whiteboard Project 'Top 50'
As The Whiteboard Project winds down and prepare for a small break from the world of blogging, I recently painstakingly put together a long list after asking each of our contributors to write a top 50 ‘Records Of The Year’ list.
The list is really well balanced with a strong alternative pop theme running through the very spine, whilst picking-up on some of the more critically...
25 tags
2010 : The Whiteboard Project 'Top 50'
As The Whiteboard Project wind down and prepare for a small break from the world of blogging, I painstakingly asked each member our contributors to write a top 50 ‘Records Of The Year’ list. The list below is the fruits of our labour and generally what was call our musical fruit.
The list is really well balanced with a strong alternative pop theme running through the very spine,...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: Ducktails
Label: Woodsist Records
You get an idea an artist must be good when we start to talk about him/her defining a genre.
That is certainly the case with today’s Band Of The Day, Ducktails. While hypnagogic pop was invented by David Keenan, it is Matthew Mondanile (the man who performs under the moniker Ducktails) who has been lavished with praise for his musical...
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Tour: Jamie Woon
Much championed by the BBC, Jamie Woon has announced a full UK tour lined up starting in February including a London date at Scala. This comes in support of his forthcoming debut album due in spring in 2011
Jamie Woon Tour Dates
19/02 - The Jericho - Oxford 20/02 - Start The Bus - Bristol 22/02 - Audio - Brighton 23/02 - Hare and Hounds - Birmingham 24/02 - Scala - London 25/02 - Shipping...
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Track Of The Day: Crystal Castles Ft. Robert Smith
Crystal Castles are popping up on alot of ’ Albums Of The Year’ lists at the moment for ’ Crystal Castles ( II).’ The Alice Glass propelled band create a hectic, narcotic noise that will knock your socks off.
They have roped in Robert Smith for ’ Not In Love’ which will give you as todays Track Of The Day.
Not In Love (ft. Robert Smith) - Crystal Castles...
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Single: Dirty Projectors
Title: As I Went Out One Morning
Label: Domino
Release: 6th December
Rating: 8.0
Full of mind bending juxtapositions, you’ll go a long way to find a band similar to Dirty Projectors. Fans of the cult band are used to the unexpected. The Brooklyn avant-indie popsters seem to relish in consistent artistic expansion to the extent that it is slightly difficult to explain to a stranger...
Single : Dylan LeBlanc
Title: Low
Label: Rough Trade
Release: 13th December
Rating: 8.0
Steeped in Americana and dripping in a certain outlaw mythos, Dylan LeBlanc is something of a throwback. He can actually be considered something of a young, hippie Neil Young. He seems to be equally haunted and inspired by the roots of American music, proof in the pudding being references abound in several of his...
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News Flash : Arctic Monkeys
Alex Turner and co. are currently toiling away recording their fourth album. However, they will come up for air in order to headline The Oxegen Festival in Dublin next summer. Oxegen takes place at Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare from July 8-10th an is ceratinly worth a trip to the Emerald Isle. This year the festival was headlined by Arcade Fire, Muse and Eminem. Currently, only The...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: The Vaccines
Label: Marshall Teller
I have said this before and I will no doubt say it again. I am dead excited about the music that will be coming to us in 2011!
The hyped bands are all currently justifying the hype they are receiving. The Band of The Day’s have been actively aimed at the new breed as of late and todays instalment is no different. Actually, they kinda are a...
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The Whiteboard Band Of The Day .....
Name: The Vaccines
Label: Marshall Teller
I have said this before and I will n doubt say it again. I am dead excited about the music that will be coming to us in 2011!
The hyped bands are all currently justifying the hype they are receiving. The Band of The Day’s have been actively aimed at the new breed as of late and todays instalment is no different. Actually, they kinda are...
2 tags
News Flash: Beady Eye
Oasis fans still are not quite over it. Liam and Noel are not talking. Like brothers from histories past, a modern day Cain and Abel, the Gallagher siblings are not seeing eye to eye. Noel seems quite content to come across as an affable bloke, watching Manchester City and befriending Russell Brand, the latter to Liam’s derision. Rising from the ashes of Oasis, Beady Eye includes all...
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Track Of The Day : Sea Of Bees
Julie Baezinger has friends here at Whiteboard Project. More than once, I have sat down and waxed lyrical about the quirky Sacramento songstress. Recording under the moniker Sea Of Bees, Her debut album Songs For Ravens will be brought to us by the good folks at Heavenly Records on the 7th February 2011. Wizbot is the
lead single off of said album. Look out for a full single review. In the...
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Single: Katy B
Title: Lights On
Label: Rinse
Release: 13th December
Rating: 7.2
The Florence of Funky? Katy B has been referred to as such. The BRITS School graduate is equal parts the girl de jour of funky, grime and dub-step as well as refined stage school diva. She specializes mostly in dub step and having burst on to the scene for laying her vocal on The Magnetic Man track Perfect Stranger,...
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Single: Carl Barat
Title: So Long My Lover
Label: Arcady Records
Release: 13th December
Rating: 7.7
So, it is nearly Christmas. With yuletide hurtling towards us like a Range Rover towards a curb with a former Wham singer slumped at the wheel, a few things are certain. Shopping centres will be packed with ravenous eyes women, performing hereculean shopping bag feats of strength. Somebody will get ’...
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Tour: Gruff Rhys
Hotel Shampoo is released on February 14. To celebrate this, superwelshmen Gruff Rhys will be heading off on an stretching tour, hoping to spread his somewhat strange charm far and wide. Hotel Shampoo is a hotly anticipated album, so expect all the stops to be pulled out. Have a look below if you live in any of these places. If you do, I am sure Gruff Rhys would appreciate you popping...