Submitted to mINtSOUTH.com in June 2010 but currently unpublished
Interview and words - Suzy Sims
(c) Suzy Sims
INTERVIEW - THE MOMERATHS @ THE GREAT ESCAPE 2010
Paolo and Claire
mINtSOUTH: The Great Escape – we’re here now. Do you get a pass to see any other bands?
Claire: “Not that I’ve heard. We’ll see what we can wangle out of it. We did when we went to the Camden Crawl. We managed to get passes so we spent the rest of the day queuing, but hey.”
mINtSOUTH: How did it go today, did you enjoy it?
Claire: “I did enjoy it yeah. Despite being blamed for a mistake on stage which wasn’t my fault.”
mINtSOUTH: It’s on record now. It wasn’t your fault.
Claire: “It was Paolo actually.”
Paolo: “Sounds like a politician...”
mINtSOUTH: It was David Cameron’s fault it all went wrong today. Isn’t it quite hard doing the earlier ones in the day?
Claire: “Really hard to get people out of bed from the night before. And it’s a nice day too.”
mINtSOUTH: What do you associate with lovely Brighton?
Claire: “Seaside. I like the seaside. We know a couple of really good little bands from here.”
Paolo: “The Bobby McGees and The Half Sisters. When I think of Brighton, I always think of them.”
Claire: “Sunshine and the beach and Brighton rock.”
Paolo: “Oh, and that programme that was about that girl from Brighton. Sugar Rush.”
mINtSOUTH: What can people expect to see from The Momeraths’ live experience?
Claire: “A lot of red and white. We’re very well co-ordinated.”
Paolo: “Bar stools, ironing boards, banners.”
Claire: “Anything else beginning with b? Not bums. No bums on stage.”
mINtSOUTH: Did it take you ages to put your banner together? [The band has a series of little flags spelling out their name across the stage]
Paolo: “It took Claire years.”
Claire: “Literally, per letter was about 3 hours, maybe a bit more. It is worth it. Slave labour.”
mINtSOUTH: What if you got to the end and found you missed out one of the letters?
Paolo: “Or did it on the wrong colour, like it’s red / white / red / white - done two reds.”
Claire: “They’re good old ASDA pillowcases.”
mINtSOUTH: Have you got any releases out?
Paolo: “Yes we had an EP out this month, last month? Called A Single Cup of Tea. It’s got five songs on. We’re doing another EP in the summer and hopefully be doing an album next year, with loads of new songs.
Claire: “We’re getting there.”
Paolo: “Gradually. Slow movers.”
Claire: “Slow and steady wins the race, Paolo.”
mINtSOUTH: Tell me a fact about each other.
Claire: “A fact about Paolo... I don’t want to say any facts about you that I know! We’ve known each other for a long time, we live together so we know the deepest darkest secrets.”
mINtSOUTH: It’s not a Jeremy Kyle scandal type of question...
Claire: “But we will, by accident!”
Paolo: “I‘m not going to say something which I’m going to later regret.”
Claire: “Paolo is three-quarters Italian and a quarter Welsh.”
Paolo: “Claire is going to receive an NVQ at John Lewis for working there for three years, two days a week.”
Claire: "Four years, thank you very much!”
mINtSOUTH: I did five years at Somerfield and all I got was a badge. NVQs are much better.
Paolo: “Everyone’s got NVQs.”
mINtSOUTH: Plans for 2010?
Paolo: “We’ve got festivals in the summer. We’ve got Secret Garden Party and Lounge On The Farm.”
Claire: “They’re all the smaller nicer ones. We did Glastonbury last year, it’s great but it’s so big. I always wanted to go to Secret Garden Party, can’t wait.”
Paolo: “Couple of EPs and write an album I think. Enjoy the sunshine, for the next three weeks that we have of it. It’s always sunny down here.”
Claire: “ We live in Kingston, Surrey. I wish we had a beach. We’ve only got a massive river – the Thames. ‘That massive river’. Idiot!”
mINtSOUTH: Gorilla vs bear – who would win in a fight?
Claire: “Is that about me and Paolo? (laughs) I think I would! He’s the gorilla. Look at the hair.”
Paolo: “I think bears win in fights to be honest.”
Claire: “Oh I dunno. A gorilla’s got the arms. I think the gorilla could take it out with one quick swing. The bear would just go meehhh and fall over. (giggles) That was a really terrible impression of a bear.”
Paolo: “Now can we read these out to you? Tell me about that bag.”
mINtSOUTH: My friend gave it to me as a present. It’s from Primark.
Claire: “Are you releasing an album this year?”
mINtSOUTH: No.
Paolo: “Why not? Everyone’s releasing an album this year.”
Claire: “What do you associate with Brighton?”
mINtSOUTH: Deckchairs and beach.
Paolo: “How long have you lived in Brighton?”
mINtSOUTH: I don’t!
Claire: “Portsmouth? We’ve been there before. Live?”
mINtSOUTH: Yes I am.
Claire: “What can we expect live from you?”
mINtSOUTH: Probably a bit of talking and muttering.
Claire: “Plans for 2010?”
mINtSOUTH: To get a new job...
Paolo: “How much do you make a year?”
Claire: “Let’s get out the personal questions! Great Escape. I see you’ve got a pass.”
Paolo: “Is that a delegates pass? Have you got any spare ones?”
mINtSOUTH: “Yes, and unfortunately not.”
Claire: “I’m going to have to take that one then! Gorilla or bear?”
mINtSOUTH: Bear. I have a friend who calls himself The Bear and he seems to think he would win any fight.
[Tour manager walks over looking confused.] Claire: “We span it round, we’re messing things up a bit. [Start firing questions at tour manager]. Go on, answer them all at once!”
Tour Manager: “...No!”
The Momeraths
Showing posts with label great escape 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label great escape 2010. Show all posts
Saturday, 3 July 2010
Interview - Detroit Social Club @ Great Escape 2010
Submitted to mINtSOUTH.com in June 2010 but unpublished
Interview and words - Suzy Sims
(c) Suzy Sims
INTERVIEW - DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB @ THE GREAT ESCAPE 2010
Dale Knight and Johnny Bond
mINtSOUTH: The Great Escape. Did you only get here today?
Johnny: “Yeah.”
Dale: “We saw a bit of Rachelle Van Zanten who was on before us, the slide guitarist from Canada. Her band were quite rootsy.”
Johnny: “We played earlier today at the Queens Hotel.”
mINtSOUTH: What about later tonight?
Johnny: “I want to see Band Of Skulls. They’re on after us, so that’s convenient.”
mINtSOUTH: What do you associate with Brighton?
Dale: “Quadrophenia. Has anyone said rock?”
Johnny: “I don’t really know much about it, I only came here when I was 10. Brighton rock and Quadrophenia, there you go.”
mINtSOUTH: What can people expect to see from you on stage?
Johnny: “We are very loud.”
mINtSOUTH: I figured that when your tour manager gave me earplugs to wear during your soundcheck.
Dale: “Some people say we’re too loud, but I don’t agree.”
Johnny: “The thing about playing live is you’re trying to get across a different side that’s not on the recordings. If you saw us but you listened to the album first, you wouldn’t expect what it sounds like live. If you saw us live first, you’d probably think the album was quite tame and sort of reserved.”
Dale: “It’s a shame when you see a band and it’s as good as the album and there’s nothing more. We try and add stuff.”
Johnny: “It makes it more interesting than just hearing it back as you do on the record.”
mINtSOUTH: Have you got any albums or releases out?
Johnny: “Our first album is out on May 31st and there’s a single, Sunshine People, before that. The album’s called Existence.”
mINtSOUTH: Looking forward to it? Has it been a long time in the making?
Johnny: “It has been a long time. We recorded it last summer, and that’s after spending a year and a half trying to find the right producer to do it. And it was put back another year. It’s been a long time coming. I think it’s good timing though, because people can hear it ready in time for the festivals over the summer. People who have got the album can go and listen and will hopefully learn the words.”
Dale: “We’re looking forward to playing gigs once it’s been released because at the minute you can see people trying to get into it live, but they can’t get involved because they don’t know the album.”
Johnny: “We’re very excited!”
mINtSOUTH: How would you describe your music?
Johnny: “That’s hard to answer because the album’s got a lot of different sounds on it. There are some bits like Silver which is like a hip hop song. It’s got its rocky moments and where it possibly sounds unintentionally mainstream – I think every band’s got songs that just naturally seem more radio friendly. There are quite a lot of experimental songs on the album which probably won’t be in the singles, so if you get the album it’s a good method of getting that side of things.”
mINtSOUTH: Bonus hidden track?
Dale: “There is a hidden track on there. It’s not hard to find, because it’s at the end.”
mINtSOUTH: In my car I’ve got a cassette player, so if I copy the CD then there’s a 20 minute gap.
Johnny: “You need to get with the times. Gramophone in your boot.”
mINtSOUTH: Can you tell me a fact about yourselves?
Johnny: “Dale’s a great spooner. We have to share a room when we go on tour. If it’s a quiet night or a cold evening, just turn to Dale.”
Dale: “Bondy is a budding saxophonist.”
Johnny: “I got given two of them, an alto sax and a tenor sax, about a month ago? Getting there.”
mINtSOUTH: What are your plans for 2010?
Johnny: “Got the festivals coming up. Two gigs at Glastonbury on the John Peel stage and then playing the Queens Head. We’ve got T In The Park and Isle of Wight, should be good.”
Dale: “We’re doing Fuji Rock as well.”
Johnny: “Very excited about that.”
Dale: “It’s going to be a 10 hour flight straight there, play the gig, and straight back.”
Johnny: “We should be doing a tour for the album at some point as well. We’re on this Q Magazine tour at the minute [with Tiffany Page and Goldhawks] which will end in a week and then we’ve got the album coming out so people are going to expect us to tour again. It’s going to be a busy year.”
mINtSOUTH: Gorilla v Bear – who would win?
Dale: “I think a bear would win. But the gorilla’s cleverer.”
Johnny: “I imagine the bear to be like the bad guy in Rocky IV, he’s all brawn and he’d just go raging in.”
Dale: “The gorilla’s got massive claws and massive teeth so I think it’s got a chance.”
Johnny: “I’m going with gorilla.”
Dale: “Deadlock!”
mINtSOUTH: I’ll give you some time to think about it...
Dale: “I want to see some CGI version of this battle now.”
Detroit Social Club
Interview and words - Suzy Sims
(c) Suzy Sims
INTERVIEW - DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB @ THE GREAT ESCAPE 2010
Dale Knight and Johnny Bond
mINtSOUTH: The Great Escape. Did you only get here today?
Johnny: “Yeah.”
Dale: “We saw a bit of Rachelle Van Zanten who was on before us, the slide guitarist from Canada. Her band were quite rootsy.”
Johnny: “We played earlier today at the Queens Hotel.”
mINtSOUTH: What about later tonight?
Johnny: “I want to see Band Of Skulls. They’re on after us, so that’s convenient.”
mINtSOUTH: What do you associate with Brighton?
Dale: “Quadrophenia. Has anyone said rock?”
Johnny: “I don’t really know much about it, I only came here when I was 10. Brighton rock and Quadrophenia, there you go.”
mINtSOUTH: What can people expect to see from you on stage?
Johnny: “We are very loud.”
mINtSOUTH: I figured that when your tour manager gave me earplugs to wear during your soundcheck.
Dale: “Some people say we’re too loud, but I don’t agree.”
Johnny: “The thing about playing live is you’re trying to get across a different side that’s not on the recordings. If you saw us but you listened to the album first, you wouldn’t expect what it sounds like live. If you saw us live first, you’d probably think the album was quite tame and sort of reserved.”
Dale: “It’s a shame when you see a band and it’s as good as the album and there’s nothing more. We try and add stuff.”
Johnny: “It makes it more interesting than just hearing it back as you do on the record.”
mINtSOUTH: Have you got any albums or releases out?
Johnny: “Our first album is out on May 31st and there’s a single, Sunshine People, before that. The album’s called Existence.”
mINtSOUTH: Looking forward to it? Has it been a long time in the making?
Johnny: “It has been a long time. We recorded it last summer, and that’s after spending a year and a half trying to find the right producer to do it. And it was put back another year. It’s been a long time coming. I think it’s good timing though, because people can hear it ready in time for the festivals over the summer. People who have got the album can go and listen and will hopefully learn the words.”
Dale: “We’re looking forward to playing gigs once it’s been released because at the minute you can see people trying to get into it live, but they can’t get involved because they don’t know the album.”
Johnny: “We’re very excited!”
mINtSOUTH: How would you describe your music?
Johnny: “That’s hard to answer because the album’s got a lot of different sounds on it. There are some bits like Silver which is like a hip hop song. It’s got its rocky moments and where it possibly sounds unintentionally mainstream – I think every band’s got songs that just naturally seem more radio friendly. There are quite a lot of experimental songs on the album which probably won’t be in the singles, so if you get the album it’s a good method of getting that side of things.”
mINtSOUTH: Bonus hidden track?
Dale: “There is a hidden track on there. It’s not hard to find, because it’s at the end.”
mINtSOUTH: In my car I’ve got a cassette player, so if I copy the CD then there’s a 20 minute gap.
Johnny: “You need to get with the times. Gramophone in your boot.”
mINtSOUTH: Can you tell me a fact about yourselves?
Johnny: “Dale’s a great spooner. We have to share a room when we go on tour. If it’s a quiet night or a cold evening, just turn to Dale.”
Dale: “Bondy is a budding saxophonist.”
Johnny: “I got given two of them, an alto sax and a tenor sax, about a month ago? Getting there.”
mINtSOUTH: What are your plans for 2010?
Johnny: “Got the festivals coming up. Two gigs at Glastonbury on the John Peel stage and then playing the Queens Head. We’ve got T In The Park and Isle of Wight, should be good.”
Dale: “We’re doing Fuji Rock as well.”
Johnny: “Very excited about that.”
Dale: “It’s going to be a 10 hour flight straight there, play the gig, and straight back.”
Johnny: “We should be doing a tour for the album at some point as well. We’re on this Q Magazine tour at the minute [with Tiffany Page and Goldhawks] which will end in a week and then we’ve got the album coming out so people are going to expect us to tour again. It’s going to be a busy year.”
mINtSOUTH: Gorilla v Bear – who would win?
Dale: “I think a bear would win. But the gorilla’s cleverer.”
Johnny: “I imagine the bear to be like the bad guy in Rocky IV, he’s all brawn and he’d just go raging in.”
Dale: “The gorilla’s got massive claws and massive teeth so I think it’s got a chance.”
Johnny: “I’m going with gorilla.”
Dale: “Deadlock!”
mINtSOUTH: I’ll give you some time to think about it...
Dale: “I want to see some CGI version of this battle now.”
Detroit Social Club
Inteview - Tim McIver - Tim & Sam's Tim & The Sam Band With Tim & Sam @ Great Escape 2010
Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in June 2010
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
INTERVIEW - TIM MCIVER - TIM AND SAM'S TIM AND THE SAM BAND WITH TIM AND SAM
We cornered blue shirted Tim McIver, he of the equally blue shirted Tim And Sam’s Tim And The Sam Band With Tim And Sam, upstairs in the Latest Music Bar for a chat.
mINtSOUTH: What do you associate with Brighton?
Tim: “Mini golf. We’ve played here about four times, and every time we go and play mini golf down at the beach. We’re going to go in a minute I think.”
mINtSOUTH: Do you always go on the pier and play games?
Tim: “No not really, we’re a bit poor so we stick to the mini golf.”
mINtSOUTH: I think most of them are for 2p coins, you should be all right there. Do you come down to Brighton much?
Tim: “We played the Great Escape two years ago as well. It’s good, it’s nice. I like The Lanes as well.”
mINtSOUTH: The Great Escape – obviously we’re here now. Are you staying on afterwards to catch any bands?
Tim : “Because we’re only doing a fringe event, we haven’t got passes or anything. If there’s any other fringe stuff we’ll go to that but we’ll probably just go back. We’re playing in Northampton tomorrow.”
mINtSOUTH: That’s a shame. I think if you pretend you’re working, if you manage steal one of those red STAFF t-shirts then you might be all right.
Tim: “Yeah but there’s five of us, so...”
mINtSOUTH: Just take it in turns with the mugging.
mINtSOUTH: So what can people expect to see from the Tim And Sam live experience?
Tim: [smiling] “The best songs ever? My amazing wit? We just started doing vocals for the first time, we’ve done three or four gigs like that, so that’s new if you have seen us before.”
mINtSOUTH: Is that quite nerve-wracking?
Tim: “I don’t like it at all. I feel like I have to do it! What else – a lot of loops, a lot of drumming and swapping instruments and all that kind of thing. We always wear blue. Well, recently.”
mINtSOUTH: What have you got planned for the rest of the year?
Tim : “We’ve just released our album and we’re doing a tour for that at the moment. Single in June and then a couple of festivals - we’re playing Bestival - and then doing some more recording at the end of the year. Probably touring the album again in about October time.”
mINtSOUTH: Hoping to go abroad?
Tim: “Love to. We’re kind of hoping to license the album out to people and we’re talking about France at the moment, it would be nice to go over there.”
mINtSOUTH: Can you tell us a bit about your second album?
Tim: “It came out on May 3rd. It’s called Life Stream and it took us two years to record. We had band member changes, the vocals, and just general faffing really. We ended up re-recording a lot of it and remixing a lot of it, so yeah it took a long time, but hopefully it’s worth it.”
mINtSOUTH: Any standout tracks on there?
Tim: “To be honest I’m sick of them all after two years! A lot of people like All Tucked Up and Finders Keepers is the new single, so that’s the catchy one.”
mINtSOUTH: If that took two years, are you currently working on the next one?
Tim: “We’ve got quite a lot of songs written already.”
mINtSOUTH: Final question. Gorilla v Bear – who would win in a fight?
Tim: “Probably a bear I reckon.”
mINtSOUTH: Is that because of the claws?
Tim: “Yeah.”
Life Stream is out now through Full Of Joy Records
Tim & Sam etc etc etc
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
INTERVIEW - TIM MCIVER - TIM AND SAM'S TIM AND THE SAM BAND WITH TIM AND SAM
We cornered blue shirted Tim McIver, he of the equally blue shirted Tim And Sam’s Tim And The Sam Band With Tim And Sam, upstairs in the Latest Music Bar for a chat.
mINtSOUTH: What do you associate with Brighton?
Tim: “Mini golf. We’ve played here about four times, and every time we go and play mini golf down at the beach. We’re going to go in a minute I think.”
mINtSOUTH: Do you always go on the pier and play games?
Tim: “No not really, we’re a bit poor so we stick to the mini golf.”
mINtSOUTH: I think most of them are for 2p coins, you should be all right there. Do you come down to Brighton much?
Tim: “We played the Great Escape two years ago as well. It’s good, it’s nice. I like The Lanes as well.”
mINtSOUTH: The Great Escape – obviously we’re here now. Are you staying on afterwards to catch any bands?
Tim : “Because we’re only doing a fringe event, we haven’t got passes or anything. If there’s any other fringe stuff we’ll go to that but we’ll probably just go back. We’re playing in Northampton tomorrow.”
mINtSOUTH: That’s a shame. I think if you pretend you’re working, if you manage steal one of those red STAFF t-shirts then you might be all right.
Tim: “Yeah but there’s five of us, so...”
mINtSOUTH: Just take it in turns with the mugging.
mINtSOUTH: So what can people expect to see from the Tim And Sam live experience?
Tim: [smiling] “The best songs ever? My amazing wit? We just started doing vocals for the first time, we’ve done three or four gigs like that, so that’s new if you have seen us before.”
mINtSOUTH: Is that quite nerve-wracking?
Tim: “I don’t like it at all. I feel like I have to do it! What else – a lot of loops, a lot of drumming and swapping instruments and all that kind of thing. We always wear blue. Well, recently.”
mINtSOUTH: What have you got planned for the rest of the year?
Tim : “We’ve just released our album and we’re doing a tour for that at the moment. Single in June and then a couple of festivals - we’re playing Bestival - and then doing some more recording at the end of the year. Probably touring the album again in about October time.”
mINtSOUTH: Hoping to go abroad?
Tim: “Love to. We’re kind of hoping to license the album out to people and we’re talking about France at the moment, it would be nice to go over there.”
mINtSOUTH: Can you tell us a bit about your second album?
Tim: “It came out on May 3rd. It’s called Life Stream and it took us two years to record. We had band member changes, the vocals, and just general faffing really. We ended up re-recording a lot of it and remixing a lot of it, so yeah it took a long time, but hopefully it’s worth it.”
mINtSOUTH: Any standout tracks on there?
Tim: “To be honest I’m sick of them all after two years! A lot of people like All Tucked Up and Finders Keepers is the new single, so that’s the catchy one.”
mINtSOUTH: If that took two years, are you currently working on the next one?
Tim: “We’ve got quite a lot of songs written already.”
mINtSOUTH: Final question. Gorilla v Bear – who would win in a fight?
Tim: “Probably a bear I reckon.”
mINtSOUTH: Is that because of the claws?
Tim: “Yeah.”
Life Stream is out now through Full Of Joy Records
Tim & Sam etc etc etc
Diary - The Great Escape, Brighton 2010 - Part 3
Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in May 2010
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
DIARY - THE GREAT ESCAPE, BRIGHTON 2010 - PART 3
Ah, Saturdays in Brighton. The busiest day of the festival, plus a herd of confused shoppers trampling you underfoot. Bliss.
The day starts in a confused fashion, with everyone piling downstairs into the Queens Hotel to see the Chapman Family. There’s been a change in the programme however, and we’re about an hour early. Instead mINtSOUTH finds space by a pillar to watch Rachelle Van Zanten’s brazen blues. She’s a Canadian star with plenty of easy confidence and a few stories to tell, including about one song written when she was deported to Sweden after being caught without the correct visas in Swindon. Wiltshire’s loss, clearly.
It was then time to zip along the seafront to Digital, where the Aussie BBQ was taking place. We arrived just when BlueJuice were coming to an end – a shame, as they were energetically sweaty with some sexy bass. Teenagersintokyo were full of deliciously dark disco pop and each band member has their own super magnetism, particularly singer Samantha Lim and icy guitarist Sophie McGinn. I found them captivating. This band was another of my high points of the festival.
They were followed by the spectacular Bridezilla, a band worth checking out for the name alone. I like them even more now that I know their lead singer is called Holiday Sidewinder, a name of total awesomeness. The rest of the band look a little nervous at times, but Sidewinder completely disappears into a romantic, theatrical performance where nothing and no-one can distract her. Bridezilla are a beautiful yet slightly crazy cacophony of sounds.
Being born at St Mary’s Hospital in the heart of Portsmouth gave me the birthright to seek out the FA Cup Final. I end up at the Honey Club, site of many a great gig last year, but oddly left off the location list this time round. I’m briefly joined at my table by a middle-aged man called Patrick, keen to have a drunken chat before continuing his pub crawl. “Where are you from? Why are you here? The Great Escape, what’s that?” I explain as best as I can and he offers his condolences for my choice of football team (and Chelsea hadn’t even scored yet). Anyway, we know how that match ended – not as bad as it could have been. God bless the woodwork, eh.
mINtSOUTH then scooted to Hector’s House for an interview with Detroit Social Club before their gig this evening. They’re running a little late so we arrive just in time to see the soundcheck. Their manager hands us a pair of foam earplugs. It’s going to be a loud night.
The night starts at Pony Pony Run Run downstairs in the Freebutt. There’s something so damn attractive about French electro pop, especially when there’s flashing lights and everyone’s dancing. The band are clearly enjoying themselves, which is always a good sign.
Then it’s onto the fiery furnace that is Hectors House on a Saturday night. It’s boiling and absolutely heaving. We have to squeeze our way to the back where there is some standing space. Detroit Social Club come onstage and as promised, they’re loud, bluesy and hard rocking, with suggestions of a darker, psychedelic side. The band have been highly tipped in recent times from the likes of NME and you can see why; they’re easy on the ear – in a tough kind of way.
The crowd are mainly here to see Band Of Skulls, who are already making serious strides this year. There’s something vey moreish about their garage rock. The band promise to play as many songs as they can from their album, then point out this shouldn’t be too hard; Baby Darling Doll Face Honey is their only one, after all. There are crowdsurfers tumbling all over the place and the waves of heat pulse across the venue as the guitar solos ooze coolness. I Know What I Am, recently lauded by Fearne Cotton of all people, and Death By Diamonds And Pearls go down particularly well. The crowd clamour for more, but unfortunately there’s a curfew so we don’t get it.
Saturday night is party night and so we head for Concorde 2. There’s no queue and it’s surprisingly empty. French electronic act Chateau Marmont are onstage being bleakly atmospheric and quite chilling, and it’s fascinating to listen to. Check out Solar Apex to lose yourself.
Sleigh Bells approach as figures in the mist, then a buzzing bass roars in so loud the glasses rattle off the tables and the floor vibrates so wildly it tickles the soles of your feet. mINtSOUTH gives thanks for the foam earplugs we received earlier. The band are slightly frightening, with an urgent, distorted, highly aggressive and completely in-your-face sound. The sheer power of this band can actually slay small animals within a two mile radius.
After picking up eardrums and smoothing down wind tunnel hair caused by Sleigh Bells’ drums, mINtSOUTH leave the Great Escape. But never fear, we’ll be back next year.
HYPE-O-METER
-The crowd for Delphic was packed – with delegates, critics, and other industry types. The other queue for normal gig-goers was much, much smaller. Overhyped much?
-Fenech-Soler – never heard of them before this weekend, but they made a name for themselves by playing a number of shows
BANDS YOU WOULD TOTALLY SEE BASED ON THEIR NAME ALONE
Bridezilla, Wax Fang, Curry & Coco, Katzenjammer, Is Tropical, Fenech-Soler, Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam, Felix Fables, Ling tosite sigure, Gringo Star, Ghost Bees
NOT SO GREAT ESCAPE
-BBQ at Digital. Huzzah! Unfortunately, before the end of the bands they had run out of everything bar three spoonfuls of potato salad. mINtSOUTH’s stomach was not impressed
-This year there were three levels of entry – normal wristbanders; delegates, who can queue jump but who still have to wait outside if the venue’s busy; and a new guestlist option which guarantees instant entry. Guestlisters are still allowed in if the venue has been one-in-one-out for a few hours. They are still allowed in if various industry experts and music lovers have been stood outside for some time. mINtSOUTH spoke to one peeved delegate whose friends with normal wristbands had been unable to get into at least two venues. When she went into one to assess the situation and see if it was worth everyone sticking around, she noticed a large group of people playing pool and not watching the bands who everyone else was desperate to see. Bastards.
TGE OVERHEARD
“Marina and The Diamonds – all I’m hearing is blah, blah, blah.” Unimpressed punter
“Band Of Skulls, someone told me they’re from New York. Oh, they’re from Southampton? That’s a bit of a difference.” Detroit Social Club during the Skulls’ set
CELEBRITY SPOTTINGS
-Mercury Music Award-winning Jamie Reynolds (Klaxons) hanging around Horatio’s in his role as manager of Cabin Fever
-Chiselled hunk Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) strolling through The Lanes
-Radio 1’s all-mighty Huw Stephens tweeting and chatting with friends during Warpaint and Egyptian Hip Hop at Horatio’s
-Ross Jarman of The Cribs looking slightly lost in the delegates’ area at The Dome
-The drummer from teenagersintokyo walking past Las Iguanas
-Slow Club dining out at Las Iguanas
-The drummer from Fallout Boy wandering about
-Guy at Pony Pony Run Run who looked just like Alan Rickman as The Sheriff Of Nottingham
-Guy at Band Of Skulls who looked just like the Austin Powers baddie who says: “They’re always after me lucky charms”
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
DIARY - THE GREAT ESCAPE, BRIGHTON 2010 - PART 3
Ah, Saturdays in Brighton. The busiest day of the festival, plus a herd of confused shoppers trampling you underfoot. Bliss.
The day starts in a confused fashion, with everyone piling downstairs into the Queens Hotel to see the Chapman Family. There’s been a change in the programme however, and we’re about an hour early. Instead mINtSOUTH finds space by a pillar to watch Rachelle Van Zanten’s brazen blues. She’s a Canadian star with plenty of easy confidence and a few stories to tell, including about one song written when she was deported to Sweden after being caught without the correct visas in Swindon. Wiltshire’s loss, clearly.
It was then time to zip along the seafront to Digital, where the Aussie BBQ was taking place. We arrived just when BlueJuice were coming to an end – a shame, as they were energetically sweaty with some sexy bass. Teenagersintokyo were full of deliciously dark disco pop and each band member has their own super magnetism, particularly singer Samantha Lim and icy guitarist Sophie McGinn. I found them captivating. This band was another of my high points of the festival.
They were followed by the spectacular Bridezilla, a band worth checking out for the name alone. I like them even more now that I know their lead singer is called Holiday Sidewinder, a name of total awesomeness. The rest of the band look a little nervous at times, but Sidewinder completely disappears into a romantic, theatrical performance where nothing and no-one can distract her. Bridezilla are a beautiful yet slightly crazy cacophony of sounds.
Being born at St Mary’s Hospital in the heart of Portsmouth gave me the birthright to seek out the FA Cup Final. I end up at the Honey Club, site of many a great gig last year, but oddly left off the location list this time round. I’m briefly joined at my table by a middle-aged man called Patrick, keen to have a drunken chat before continuing his pub crawl. “Where are you from? Why are you here? The Great Escape, what’s that?” I explain as best as I can and he offers his condolences for my choice of football team (and Chelsea hadn’t even scored yet). Anyway, we know how that match ended – not as bad as it could have been. God bless the woodwork, eh.
mINtSOUTH then scooted to Hector’s House for an interview with Detroit Social Club before their gig this evening. They’re running a little late so we arrive just in time to see the soundcheck. Their manager hands us a pair of foam earplugs. It’s going to be a loud night.
The night starts at Pony Pony Run Run downstairs in the Freebutt. There’s something so damn attractive about French electro pop, especially when there’s flashing lights and everyone’s dancing. The band are clearly enjoying themselves, which is always a good sign.
Then it’s onto the fiery furnace that is Hectors House on a Saturday night. It’s boiling and absolutely heaving. We have to squeeze our way to the back where there is some standing space. Detroit Social Club come onstage and as promised, they’re loud, bluesy and hard rocking, with suggestions of a darker, psychedelic side. The band have been highly tipped in recent times from the likes of NME and you can see why; they’re easy on the ear – in a tough kind of way.
The crowd are mainly here to see Band Of Skulls, who are already making serious strides this year. There’s something vey moreish about their garage rock. The band promise to play as many songs as they can from their album, then point out this shouldn’t be too hard; Baby Darling Doll Face Honey is their only one, after all. There are crowdsurfers tumbling all over the place and the waves of heat pulse across the venue as the guitar solos ooze coolness. I Know What I Am, recently lauded by Fearne Cotton of all people, and Death By Diamonds And Pearls go down particularly well. The crowd clamour for more, but unfortunately there’s a curfew so we don’t get it.
Saturday night is party night and so we head for Concorde 2. There’s no queue and it’s surprisingly empty. French electronic act Chateau Marmont are onstage being bleakly atmospheric and quite chilling, and it’s fascinating to listen to. Check out Solar Apex to lose yourself.
Sleigh Bells approach as figures in the mist, then a buzzing bass roars in so loud the glasses rattle off the tables and the floor vibrates so wildly it tickles the soles of your feet. mINtSOUTH gives thanks for the foam earplugs we received earlier. The band are slightly frightening, with an urgent, distorted, highly aggressive and completely in-your-face sound. The sheer power of this band can actually slay small animals within a two mile radius.
After picking up eardrums and smoothing down wind tunnel hair caused by Sleigh Bells’ drums, mINtSOUTH leave the Great Escape. But never fear, we’ll be back next year.
HYPE-O-METER
-The crowd for Delphic was packed – with delegates, critics, and other industry types. The other queue for normal gig-goers was much, much smaller. Overhyped much?
-Fenech-Soler – never heard of them before this weekend, but they made a name for themselves by playing a number of shows
BANDS YOU WOULD TOTALLY SEE BASED ON THEIR NAME ALONE
Bridezilla, Wax Fang, Curry & Coco, Katzenjammer, Is Tropical, Fenech-Soler, Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band with Tim and Sam, Felix Fables, Ling tosite sigure, Gringo Star, Ghost Bees
NOT SO GREAT ESCAPE
-BBQ at Digital. Huzzah! Unfortunately, before the end of the bands they had run out of everything bar three spoonfuls of potato salad. mINtSOUTH’s stomach was not impressed
-This year there were three levels of entry – normal wristbanders; delegates, who can queue jump but who still have to wait outside if the venue’s busy; and a new guestlist option which guarantees instant entry. Guestlisters are still allowed in if the venue has been one-in-one-out for a few hours. They are still allowed in if various industry experts and music lovers have been stood outside for some time. mINtSOUTH spoke to one peeved delegate whose friends with normal wristbands had been unable to get into at least two venues. When she went into one to assess the situation and see if it was worth everyone sticking around, she noticed a large group of people playing pool and not watching the bands who everyone else was desperate to see. Bastards.
TGE OVERHEARD
“Marina and The Diamonds – all I’m hearing is blah, blah, blah.” Unimpressed punter
“Band Of Skulls, someone told me they’re from New York. Oh, they’re from Southampton? That’s a bit of a difference.” Detroit Social Club during the Skulls’ set
CELEBRITY SPOTTINGS
-Mercury Music Award-winning Jamie Reynolds (Klaxons) hanging around Horatio’s in his role as manager of Cabin Fever
-Chiselled hunk Alex Kapranos (Franz Ferdinand) strolling through The Lanes
-Radio 1’s all-mighty Huw Stephens tweeting and chatting with friends during Warpaint and Egyptian Hip Hop at Horatio’s
-Ross Jarman of The Cribs looking slightly lost in the delegates’ area at The Dome
-The drummer from teenagersintokyo walking past Las Iguanas
-Slow Club dining out at Las Iguanas
-The drummer from Fallout Boy wandering about
-Guy at Pony Pony Run Run who looked just like Alan Rickman as The Sheriff Of Nottingham
-Guy at Band Of Skulls who looked just like the Austin Powers baddie who says: “They’re always after me lucky charms”
Diary - The Great Escape, Brighton 2010 - Part 2
Previously published on mINtSOUTH.com in May 2010
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
DIARY - THE GREAT ESCAPE, BIGHTON 2010 - PART 2
FRI 13th MAY
Good morning, Day Two. We ease ourselves into the day with some Coco Pops and a bit of Alternative Escape at The Latest Music Bar. Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band With Tim and Sam are first onstage, looking nervous beneath the lights in their matching blue shirts. It’s a gentle start to the day with delicately crafted, looping tunes.
Next on are The Momeraths, a band created from tea and gingham and possibly knitted by someone’s aunt. They’re jaunty and poppy and have some charming flags across the stage announcing who they are. The Momeraths are definitely one of the most cheerful-sounding bands of the weekend.
mINtSOUTH stops off for a quick chat with the two bands before legging it upstairs to the Fortune of War, where Everything Everything are playing a stripped down, three song surprise set. It’s not really a surprise judging from the number of people crammed upstairs, casting resentful looks at each other as the simmering tunes play on. I’m a fan of Everything Everything’s unexpected key changes, and everything has a nice beachy sound to it.
The evening starts with a few beers and a march along the pier, past the sweet smell of doughnuts and waffles hanging in the air, past the seagulls and the tarot readers, to join everyone piling into Horatio’s for the hotly anticipated NME night. Best Coast kick off first. My friend told me they are amazing. Tim and Sam’s tour manager told me they were rubbish. I kind of sided with him. The general sound was good but there wasn’t much variation in the songs they played – it could have been the same one over and over; sort of garage, surf rock. Best Coast are a little afraid of playing a show out on the end of the pier. “It’s pretty scary. It fucking moves!”
Meanwhile the young ‘uns in the crowd are obviously busy trying to be hip in case they end up with a vox pop in NME. “iPhone knows what’s up. I trust iPhone,” blathered someone as I passed.
Warpaint are cool, mysterious, memorable, with many instrumental breaks, with an arty, psychedelic swagger to boot. Although their recorded stuff sounds effortless, they are more strident live and create some sort of a sonic labyrinth. I also very much enjoyed the revitalising Egyptian Hip Hop, with their hot punchy basslines and plinky synths. On coming back from the toilet I suddenly realised I was in the Eighties, in a very stylish way, but in the Eighties nevertheless.
It’s then time to trek across the city with aching feet, but it’s worth it for a nice sit down and a bottled lemonade at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse. We time this well enough to catch Alessi’s Ark and Peggy Sue without having to cram into the aisles, like most of the watchers. Young Alessi has a beautifully rounded and quirky voice full of kindness but she looks absolutely petrified of being up on stage. Everyone loves Peggy Sue, though I think they’ve been hyped up a bit too much. Rose and Katy are cooler than cool, with their lipstick and tousled hair and funky hat. Both acts bring out the alt-folk love; delicately constructed tunes with real heart.
And so ends Day Two of the Great Escape for mINtSOUTH. The danger with putting on late night gigs in a cinema is that those people who didn’t go to sleep until 5am (us) tend to start nodding off in the chairs, so alas we had to leave slightly early. Plenty of time to refresh for Day Three...
Words - Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
DIARY - THE GREAT ESCAPE, BIGHTON 2010 - PART 2
FRI 13th MAY
Good morning, Day Two. We ease ourselves into the day with some Coco Pops and a bit of Alternative Escape at The Latest Music Bar. Tim and Sam’s Tim and the Sam Band With Tim and Sam are first onstage, looking nervous beneath the lights in their matching blue shirts. It’s a gentle start to the day with delicately crafted, looping tunes.
Next on are The Momeraths, a band created from tea and gingham and possibly knitted by someone’s aunt. They’re jaunty and poppy and have some charming flags across the stage announcing who they are. The Momeraths are definitely one of the most cheerful-sounding bands of the weekend.
mINtSOUTH stops off for a quick chat with the two bands before legging it upstairs to the Fortune of War, where Everything Everything are playing a stripped down, three song surprise set. It’s not really a surprise judging from the number of people crammed upstairs, casting resentful looks at each other as the simmering tunes play on. I’m a fan of Everything Everything’s unexpected key changes, and everything has a nice beachy sound to it.
The evening starts with a few beers and a march along the pier, past the sweet smell of doughnuts and waffles hanging in the air, past the seagulls and the tarot readers, to join everyone piling into Horatio’s for the hotly anticipated NME night. Best Coast kick off first. My friend told me they are amazing. Tim and Sam’s tour manager told me they were rubbish. I kind of sided with him. The general sound was good but there wasn’t much variation in the songs they played – it could have been the same one over and over; sort of garage, surf rock. Best Coast are a little afraid of playing a show out on the end of the pier. “It’s pretty scary. It fucking moves!”
Meanwhile the young ‘uns in the crowd are obviously busy trying to be hip in case they end up with a vox pop in NME. “iPhone knows what’s up. I trust iPhone,” blathered someone as I passed.
Warpaint are cool, mysterious, memorable, with many instrumental breaks, with an arty, psychedelic swagger to boot. Although their recorded stuff sounds effortless, they are more strident live and create some sort of a sonic labyrinth. I also very much enjoyed the revitalising Egyptian Hip Hop, with their hot punchy basslines and plinky synths. On coming back from the toilet I suddenly realised I was in the Eighties, in a very stylish way, but in the Eighties nevertheless.
It’s then time to trek across the city with aching feet, but it’s worth it for a nice sit down and a bottled lemonade at the Duke of York’s Picturehouse. We time this well enough to catch Alessi’s Ark and Peggy Sue without having to cram into the aisles, like most of the watchers. Young Alessi has a beautifully rounded and quirky voice full of kindness but she looks absolutely petrified of being up on stage. Everyone loves Peggy Sue, though I think they’ve been hyped up a bit too much. Rose and Katy are cooler than cool, with their lipstick and tousled hair and funky hat. Both acts bring out the alt-folk love; delicately constructed tunes with real heart.
And so ends Day Two of the Great Escape for mINtSOUTH. The danger with putting on late night gigs in a cinema is that those people who didn’t go to sleep until 5am (us) tend to start nodding off in the chairs, so alas we had to leave slightly early. Plenty of time to refresh for Day Three...
Diary - The Great Escape, Brighton 2010 - Part 1
Originally published on mINtSOUTH.com in May 2010
Words: Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
DIARY - THE GREAT ESCAPE, BRIGHTON 2010 - PART 1
THURS 12th MAY
BRIGHTON. Beautiful, seasidey, hip and trendy Brighton. Once again the Great Escape is upon us. Three days of much music and not enough sleep lie straight ahead.
We arrive in the city just in time to sit down in the sun for a chat with a very buoyant Pulled Apart By Horses. Then follows some time spent doing Media Things, such as checking out the available space in the press area, working out who’s covering what on the extensive schedule, and wondering if there is any free lager hidden in one of the side rooms (There was. And even better, there was cake too).
“We are Funeral Party. And you are the audience,” announce the band performing in front of the Doughnut, one of the Relentless Street Gig venues for the weekend. The sun is shining and as it’s early, many wristbanders opt to stay on the beach to listen to the perfectly fiddly synths. One girl nips over to take a photograph. She has a £3.49 bottle of cider poking out of her satchel. The band finishes by hurling their tambourine into the waves behind. The music is pretty good though, and promised more top times for the rest of the weekend.
It’s then time to locate Jam in time for Hungry Kids Of Hungary, whose melodies are sundrenched and juicy, with a definite Sixties vibe. They provide a bright and refreshing start to the night. Someone in the crowd is trying to impersonate an Irish accent – which was a little bit out, seeing as the band are actually from Australia. (Insert Family Fortunes incorrect buzzer here).
HKoH is followed by the carefree and optimistic sounds of Pearl & The Puppets, whose music seems poised to soundtrack something indie hip like The Inbetweeners. Unfortunately mINtSOUTH’s reviewer is unable to see either band due to the anti-paparazzi fug emanating from the smoke machine, and the fact that we are a good two foot shorter than everyone else. However both bands sound very enjoyable and easy to warm to.
Skipping along the seafront, we eventually come to Concorde 2. The bar staff are gawping at a screen showing something unusual taking place in the main hall. In neon headdresses and flowing robes, female choir Gaggle are doing their best to hypnotise the crowd by singing in rounds... singing in rounds... singing in rounds, about nasty men and the like. The rockers in the crowd look confused and slightly disorientated, apart from one man in leather trousers who is doing some bizarre dance with his gloved hands, like he’s trying to roll a pea deftly along his arm and fingers without dropping it. Gaggle are entertaining if you like fancy dress and musical theatre. I don’t.
Thankfully a few minutes later, Pulled Apart By Horses stride onto the stage to let launch some shouting and heavy rock. There’s sweat, swearing and a distinct lack of shirts. The crowd are bobbing their heads and enjoying the banter. We have a stand in drummer tonight as the usual tattooed one is at home for family reasons, however he does a fine job of keeping up with their mighty pace.
Then it’s onto The Walkmen... oh no, it’s not. Stranded somewhere that’s not Brighton due to the volcanic ash, the band are instead replaced by Little Comets, who turn out to be one of the highlights of my festival weekend. I heard Adultery on MySpace a couple of years ago and found it slightly annoying. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Little Comets are oozing summer elements and plenty of singalong opportunities. Their instruments / stage gear also includes a saucepan, and a very strange shaped thing that some guy keeps hilariously yelling “ARMADILLO!” while pointing at it. “From up here, it sounds like you’re saying ‘I’m a dildo’,” the band counter drily. They sound like indie pop with a bit of ska and it’s all very splendid and danceable.
The evening takes a downward turn as I head to Fionn Regan’s show at the Terraces. He’s really good, so people keep saying. I hadn’t really paid much attention to the programme and thought I was listening out for a Fiona, so my bad. His set was wholesome folk fun, spoilt somewhat by the noise in the venue, as people couldn’t see anything more than six rows back so weren’t bothering to listen either. Regan tried saying “Shhh,” but that was never really going to work. It was too crowded to hear any banter or nuances in the music. The final track really picked up speed, but by this point it was too little too late to get my attention.
The evening finished as all good evenings do – by befriending a tramp. Shaun likes to stand outside music bars and listen to bands play songs by The Libertines. He especially likes it if they wave at him. If you see Shaun, say hi.
Words: Suzy Sims
(c) mINtSOUTH.com
DIARY - THE GREAT ESCAPE, BRIGHTON 2010 - PART 1
THURS 12th MAY
BRIGHTON. Beautiful, seasidey, hip and trendy Brighton. Once again the Great Escape is upon us. Three days of much music and not enough sleep lie straight ahead.
We arrive in the city just in time to sit down in the sun for a chat with a very buoyant Pulled Apart By Horses. Then follows some time spent doing Media Things, such as checking out the available space in the press area, working out who’s covering what on the extensive schedule, and wondering if there is any free lager hidden in one of the side rooms (There was. And even better, there was cake too).
“We are Funeral Party. And you are the audience,” announce the band performing in front of the Doughnut, one of the Relentless Street Gig venues for the weekend. The sun is shining and as it’s early, many wristbanders opt to stay on the beach to listen to the perfectly fiddly synths. One girl nips over to take a photograph. She has a £3.49 bottle of cider poking out of her satchel. The band finishes by hurling their tambourine into the waves behind. The music is pretty good though, and promised more top times for the rest of the weekend.
It’s then time to locate Jam in time for Hungry Kids Of Hungary, whose melodies are sundrenched and juicy, with a definite Sixties vibe. They provide a bright and refreshing start to the night. Someone in the crowd is trying to impersonate an Irish accent – which was a little bit out, seeing as the band are actually from Australia. (Insert Family Fortunes incorrect buzzer here).
HKoH is followed by the carefree and optimistic sounds of Pearl & The Puppets, whose music seems poised to soundtrack something indie hip like The Inbetweeners. Unfortunately mINtSOUTH’s reviewer is unable to see either band due to the anti-paparazzi fug emanating from the smoke machine, and the fact that we are a good two foot shorter than everyone else. However both bands sound very enjoyable and easy to warm to.
Skipping along the seafront, we eventually come to Concorde 2. The bar staff are gawping at a screen showing something unusual taking place in the main hall. In neon headdresses and flowing robes, female choir Gaggle are doing their best to hypnotise the crowd by singing in rounds... singing in rounds... singing in rounds, about nasty men and the like. The rockers in the crowd look confused and slightly disorientated, apart from one man in leather trousers who is doing some bizarre dance with his gloved hands, like he’s trying to roll a pea deftly along his arm and fingers without dropping it. Gaggle are entertaining if you like fancy dress and musical theatre. I don’t.
Thankfully a few minutes later, Pulled Apart By Horses stride onto the stage to let launch some shouting and heavy rock. There’s sweat, swearing and a distinct lack of shirts. The crowd are bobbing their heads and enjoying the banter. We have a stand in drummer tonight as the usual tattooed one is at home for family reasons, however he does a fine job of keeping up with their mighty pace.
Then it’s onto The Walkmen... oh no, it’s not. Stranded somewhere that’s not Brighton due to the volcanic ash, the band are instead replaced by Little Comets, who turn out to be one of the highlights of my festival weekend. I heard Adultery on MySpace a couple of years ago and found it slightly annoying. I was pleasantly surprised to hear Little Comets are oozing summer elements and plenty of singalong opportunities. Their instruments / stage gear also includes a saucepan, and a very strange shaped thing that some guy keeps hilariously yelling “ARMADILLO!” while pointing at it. “From up here, it sounds like you’re saying ‘I’m a dildo’,” the band counter drily. They sound like indie pop with a bit of ska and it’s all very splendid and danceable.
The evening takes a downward turn as I head to Fionn Regan’s show at the Terraces. He’s really good, so people keep saying. I hadn’t really paid much attention to the programme and thought I was listening out for a Fiona, so my bad. His set was wholesome folk fun, spoilt somewhat by the noise in the venue, as people couldn’t see anything more than six rows back so weren’t bothering to listen either. Regan tried saying “Shhh,” but that was never really going to work. It was too crowded to hear any banter or nuances in the music. The final track really picked up speed, but by this point it was too little too late to get my attention.
The evening finished as all good evenings do – by befriending a tramp. Shaun likes to stand outside music bars and listen to bands play songs by The Libertines. He especially likes it if they wave at him. If you see Shaun, say hi.
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