Points of Interest...

1. Thom Yorke has posted sporadic lyrics from a new song
entitled "Burn The Witch".

2. Brainwashed has details of three very, very anticipated albums. Fridge (featuring Four Tet; Adem etc) will return with their 5th LP "The Sun" out through Temporary Residence on May 15th(Details). Another TR band, Grails, will unleash "Burning Off Impurities" on May 1st(Details). While, Yellow6 will release his first recording with Resonant, "The Painted Sky" on March 19th (Details)

3. According to The Silent Ballet, the entire ranks of Romance of Young Tigers have joined forces with Kenoma. No official word from ROYT as of yet.

4. It seems Massive Attack have been gone for a long time. Well they are set to return, here's an interview with The Guardian.

5. Tobias Lilja's "Time Is On My Side" has created quite a stir across the web. n5md has collected all of the reviews together. Also read Brett Spaceman's thoughts on this album.

6. The Vanessa Van Basten review I wrote has been selected for Italian webzine, Rockit's, The Foreign Legion column. Check the site out there are a few other reviews too, they are printed in both English and Italian. It would also be great if any Italian speaking readers could translate what they have said about me in my profile.

7. Arcade Fire's forthcoming album, "Neon Bible", is shaping up to be equally as good as "Funeral", if this live performance of "Intervention" is anything to go by.

8. Herb Recordings has revealed details of two new signees, who will release material later this year, they are Scotland's Engine7 and USA-based Skytree.

9. Pitchfork has an mp3 and details from Calla's forthcoming "Strength in Numbers" album, out February 20th. Go here.

Points Of Interest

1. Thom Yorke has an exclusive mix of his current favourites at Itunes. Yorke mixes as part of the Celebrity Playlist series, which in the past has featured Brian Wilson. The likes of Modeselektor, Liars ans Stephen Malkmus (ex-Pavement) are included in his selection. For full tracklisting and explanations, go here

2. Epic45 have a brand new track, "The Balloonist", available to stream. The album appears to have changed his title to, "May Your Heart Be The Map" and is penciled in for a June 2007 release.

3. Romance of Young Tigers have earned a UK release of this fantastic Ep, through Unlabel. There is also another very excellent review of their self-titled debut here.

4. Those serene Swedes, immanu el have completed the recording of their debut album, which will be a mixture of old and new material. No release date as of yet, but some promotional songs will be posted on myspace soon.

5. Herb Recordings are, are preparing to release the new album by Solipsism, "Electricity Flows In Squares" on March 1st. This is not to be confused with the shoosh collaboration (Vedette & Solipsism), which will be available later this year.

6. Site News... I am about give the links section a much needed overhaul. So if you would like your site included please leave a comment

Points Of Interest

1. You may have noticed the slinky black Ipod at on the side bar of this site. I have been enjoying Philipp Weigl's track "Underwater Dancer" on it. Give it a listen and if you like it you can download the full album for free at Thinner/Autoplate.

2. Japanese Blog/Webzine/Record Label, Friend Of Mine, has a free compilation that features a few artists that havew been included on this site. Romance of Young Tigers, Roncatto Braathen and All Angels Gone, can be found on this compilation ,amongst others, which you can obtain here.

3. Boomkat are offering the entire City Centre Office's back catalogue for severely reduced prices right now. So you could pick up The Gentlemen Losers album for less than £6, for example.

4. You may remember The Dandelion Council, from this post. Well, he has a new track up on myspace and is also aiming to release some material in 2007.

5. Damien Rice has released details of his forthcoming UK tour in support of his excellent "9" album. The price of a ticket is a not-so excellent £23.50 though.

6. You can hear a podcast interview with Explosions In The Sky concerning their new album here.

7.Ambient conceptualists Charles Atlas will be featured on a split CDEP with Textile Ranch. This will be released some time in February through Static Caravan.

Interview with Romance Of Young Tigers

If you read this site often enough, then you will be well aware of Dayton, Ohio 3-piece Romance of Young Tigers. You will be aware of the fact that they make one monolithic sound, you will be aware that I rated their self-released ep as pretty damn excellent and that I reckon they could be one of the bands of 2007. ROYT's guitarist and programmer Seth Graham talks about his band, their stunning ep and plans for the future. He is "under the assumption that no-one cares...", only the ignorant, or those not in the know, wouldn't care about this band.

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Firstly, Romace Of Young Tigers is an excellent name for a band, is there any significance behind it ?

Not to much significance to them, other than we were aiming for a name that wasn't tough. I was at a used bookstore a long time ago, and was skimming through books that looked interesting, I saw a chapter of a random book named "Romance of Young Tigers", I always thought that would be a good name to use. So when we started this band we coudln't come up with any names, so I brought that one up and it stuck. It has no meaning really, in fact, we make fun of the name a lot, we did have intentions avoiding a lot of cliches, and that's what we came up with. But now, there are at least 3 bands I know of with the name tigers in it, so perhaps we didnt succeed


How would you describe Romance of Young Tigers sound to the uninitiated and what bands or artists have influenced the sound?

I don't know how to describe us, I usually just say programming and loud guitars with some effects. I can't speak for Todd or Jeremaih but I personally really like Belong, Mum, Growing, old Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd and some obvious bands such as Mono and everything Constellation has put out. Those and a million other bands and everything from films to plays to random things seem to influence us (I know thats a terribly cliche answer but its true).


The self-released Ep, has amazing artwork. How involved were the band in its direction and how important is it to the overall package?

Thanks. I did the art work for the cd's, my friend Bobbi and Katie helped me with learning to screen print. Bobbi helped me along the way with any problems I ran into with screen printing. Todd also helped me assemble them. We worked so hard to finish the cd, and I thought the cd was decent and wanted to have packaging that I felt really was something personal and handmade and somewhat described the cd inside. I wanted the cd to be something worth paying for, and not just plain old jewel case with boring clip art. I ended up making a hundred cd's which I finished mid Decemnber and they are already gone, so 400 more will be made, a special black and white edition that Archlight Communications is going to release for us, along with a 10" of the ep, with a bonus track and we are going to try to arrange it so I will do the screenprinting and artwork for the vinyl as well. So as for now none are available, but will be soon, hopefully by mid feb.



The band's sound at times is incredibly loud, yet there are no percussive elements. Was it a conscious decision to do without a drummer or did it happen naturally?

Todd and I started the band as just two guitarist, we wanted to have loud heavily effected drum machines with heavily effected guitars. Jeremiah asked to play about 3 months into todd and I starting the band. We weren't sure if we wanted anyone else except us, but Jeremiah ended up working out really well. We then thought about a drummer over programming so we searched a little while, but really couldn't find anyone that worked out. So we decided to revert to programming. Jeremiah was really instrumental and making the ideas technically happen, him and I both sort of just started programming stuff and through trial and error we got the idea to work live, Jeremiah being an engineer did all the tech work. Then Jeremiah and I sent programming ideas back and forth and eventually programmed for all our songs. So to answer your question, it was a little bit of both I guess, it naturally happened, and it was the idea we first wanted to do, but in the end we liked the programming idea more than a real drummer.


Would you consider using drums on future releases?

I don't know maybe. I doubt it, but I can't really say



"Long Withdrawing Roar" is an apt title for that particular song. As most songs are instrumental, where do you get the titles from?

I got "We Sing Sin" from a poem. "The Sound and Fury" is from the book by Faulkner. I made up "Cease Silent Soft Choir"and "Long Withdrawing Roar", they just seemed to fit the songs. We always had ridiculous names for our songs, but we decided to try to just name them to what they actually sounded like since we felt we had to, to release the ep. To me, the song titles fit of what the songs might sound like, or at least to me they did. I wanted them to make sense, and not just some ridiculous nonsensical title that just came across as pretentious. I would like to think we achieved that. But who knows?.


You mentioned that the Ep is getting a 10" vinyl release on Arclight Communications and features a bonus track. What can you tell us about this new composition?

Were having band practice today to work on this new track. I think our new stuff, if anyone cares, will be different from the EP, I think trying to find a way to orchestrate live noise with a lot of interesting layers, not as straight forward and a lot more synths and keyboards and drum machines that are heavily effected etc. But I don't know, I don't try too hard to control the finished project, I try to go by feeling and ideas and patience. So the bonus track I think is sort of something that will give someone an idea of what we will doing after this ep. I feel stupid saying this, because Im always under the assumption that no one cares, but if a stranger sends me an interview, I guess that means someone cares.


You recently completed a show with The Ascent Of Everest, how was that experience?

It was great, we had a lot of fun, they stayed at my house, we all hung out and watched explorer staring Ethan Hawk when he was like 10.


Being from Dayton, Ohio, what can you tell us about the local music scene and who should we look out for?


I feel like im the wrong person to ask about music from dayton. Things that I notice in town are such things as Epicene Sound Systems here in Dayton, the noise label that has released some good stuff such as Upsilon Acrux and etc. Mouth of the Architect is from here, and needless to say they are a great band in my opinion. Also Kenoma are from Dayton, and they are probably my favorite local band. I would like them if they were local or not, but thats true about all bands I like. There is a band called Yakuza Heart Attack, I haven't seen them live, but what ive heard is really good, its really interesting. The Bull and the Bear is a great band, The Human Reunion is also a great band. So many bands from town, but those bands in particular I think are great bands. There is also a tiny label my friend Andy runs called Poptek that releases local and non local stuff and is very involved in helping local music. Andy at Poptek and my other friends run a music festival every year called the Dayton Music Fest, its a great effort to support local music. A lot of music happens in Dayton, especially for how small it is. To be honest we are nobody's in this town, but the bands I mentioned seem to do quite well locally, I think thats why I feel Im not exactly the person to ask about local music, no one seems to agree with me on who good bands are locally.


Finally, What does the future hold for Romance of Young Tigers?.

I don't know, hopefully put out this ep on Arclight, and work on new full length or new material.

Tips for 2007

This is a blatant rip-off, of Brett Spaceman’s article which you can read here. But it’s a great idea. So here are my top tips for 2007. I expect (or hope) each of these bands or artists to make a significant impact this year.
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Romance of Young Tigers

This Dayton, Ohio three-piece absolutely blew me away with their self- titled, self-released Ep. They make one incredible sound using just two guitars and one bass. I was inclined to give it a 90% score in this review, with “Long Withdrawing Roar” and “We Sing Sin” being some tremendous compositions. The Ep will be getting a release, via Arclight Communications, on 10” vinyl in 2007. There is an aura of something special surrounding this band. Remember seeing Explosions In The Sky for the first time?, well I reckon this band are in the same catergory. Romance of Young Tigers are destined for very the top.


immanu el

Like Brett Spaceman, I too, reckon 2007 may belong to Sweden’s immanu el. Listen to “Panda” here and tell me it is not one of the most glorious pieces of music you have ever heard. The band are at the final recording stage of the new album, which will be a mix of old and new material. I, for one, hope the band continue exploring those serene, glacial soundscapes. This is THE must have record of 2007.



The Strange Death Of Liberal England

An Ultra-cool name and an ultra-cool sound to boot. The UK may have just found an answer to those pesky Canadians, Arcade Fire. This male and female six piece, also flavour their sound with a cinematic Godspeed sweep. Their debut single is due out soon, watch them explode.


iLIKETRAINS

Much like Brett Spaceman (again!!), iLIKETRAINS too. Last year’s “Progress:Reform” Ep hinted at an epic Sigur Ros style sound. But being English, gives this band a certain degree of eccentricity and those brooding vocals blend effortlessly with massive sounding guitars. They have enormous potential, let this band win you over.


Strap The Button

It must be very cool to be a member of Strap The Button. The rule is, there are no rules and anything goes. Post-Rock, Folk, Krautrock, Psychedelia anything and everything, really. God only knows, what they will do next, but one thing is for sure its going to be good.


Our Sleepless Forest

Type Records rarely get it wrong and they seem to have scored another goal by signing this young South-East London three piece. Currently recording their debut for Type, it is taking shape while the band hone their experimental psychedelic/electronic sound into a fine art. This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2007.


Engine7

Glasgow’s Engine7 has been under the radar for too long. Various releases are available on netlabel’s, but now its time for the music buying public to sit up and take notice. “Me, But Perfect” took 2 years to record, but these efforts have been worth it. The album features inventive beats, lush string arrangements, hazy guitars and filtered vocals, “Me, But Perfect” basically has it all and is set to be one of the most refreshing releases of 2007.


Alexander Tucker

This guy was meant to be nothing more than a mere support act for Bardo Pond a couple of months ago. But, while Bardo Pond were plagued by time and sound issues, ATP artist Alexander Tucker stole the show with his brand of looped guitar effects and operatic vocals. His experiments that night created a massive wall of hypnotic sound. “The absolute negative of Jamie Liddell”, Tucker’s album “Furrowed Sounds” was released last year, but 2007 will be the year the rest of the world will catch on.


Slow Dancing Society

Utterly gorgeous stuff from Washington based producer Drue Sullivan. A stunning collection encompassing Pink Floyd’s ethereal guitars, Explosions In The Sky melodies, shimmering synhts and delicate electronica. Australian label, Hidden Shoal Records, didn’t mess about, signing this guy immediately upon hearing the demo. “The Sound Of Lights When Dim” is inspiring. Full Review to follow.

Romance Of Young Tigers : Self-Titled Ep (Self Released)

I made a brief post on Dayton, Ohio trio, Romance of Young Tigers, here about a month ago. Back then I said this young band ( two guitarists and a bassist) made music the equivelant of "Mono merging their dynamic sound with the attention to detail aspects of Labradford". With their debut self-released ep, the Young Tigers not only match the promise of that statement, they blow it out of the water!. For a band with literally no percussive elements, their sound of massive distorted soundscapes is, nothing short of, absolutely monumental. Before talking about the music, the packaging is something to marvel at too. Its handmade, hand-drawn and highly inventive. It makes this ep worth buying, before even listening to the music.

Opening proceedings with the incredible, and aptly titled, "Long Withdrawing Roar", this fledgling band combine lulling drones that slowly unravel into a real cacophony of psychedlic sound. As this track progesses, the discordant sounds become drenched in reverb, while a glorious melody starts to emerge, before subsiding into a mass of distorted ambience. For a band's first foray into recorded territory, it is astounding stuff.

After such a glorious start, it is hard to see how Romance of Young Tigers could match "Long Withdrawing Roar", but with "We Sing Sin", they not only do that, they somehow, manage to go one better. I can only imagine what it is like to experience this band in a live setting, because the sheer volume of "We Sing Sin", would surely be enough to dislodge one's brain. It is a ferocious and intense track, clocking in at well over 11 minutes. Again, despite no percussive elements, this hypnotic composition features crescendos that are as big as tidal waves. The Mono/Labradford comparison is probably most apparent here. While "Long Withdrawing Roar" is incredible, "We Sing Sin" is stunning.

Third track, "The Sound of Fury", through no fault of its own, suffers from the sheer quality of the previous two tracks. It changes tact slightly, relying on spectral drones and some psychedlic, twinkling sounds to start it off. Again, it builds slowly, but purposefully, into a thick cloud of distortion. It is as epic as the opening two tracks, but looses it impact slightly because of what's went on before. That is not to say "The Sound and The Fury" is an inferior track, because most bands would kill to compose something as monolithic as this.

"Cease Silent Soft Choir", the ep's closing track, reminds me of the work of Seattle noisemongers, Hovercraft. Employing walls of wailing feedback and some eerie sound effects, it serves to create an atmosphere that is quite unsettling. It would be a perfect score for a horror film and also shows Romance of Young Tigers to be no 'one-trick ponies'. Of course, you can never get enough of a good thing and the band slowly guide this song into an eruption of that, now trademarked, distorted ambience around the 5 minute mark, before descending back into the sinsister soundscape.

At nearly 35 minutes long, the 4 expansive tracks that make up this ep provide some jaw-dropping moments. The breath-taking, "We Sing Sin" is the pick of the bunch, but there are inspired moments on all four tracks. I am running out of superlatives to describe this release. Sure they have their influences, but the sound here is, most definitely, their own. If you haven't made your new year's resolution yet, make it a point to check this band out. Everything about this release oozes quality, from the packaging to the music itself. To sum it up in one word: Spectacular.


Rating = 90%

The band are due to perform with the marvellous Ascent Of Everest, amongst others in early January 2007. The details can be veiwed and the ep songs can be found here

My Myspace Friends

It's always nice when people take the time to look at your profile and request to be your friend. I do try to listen to at least one track of each band that sends me such a request, but it is hard to keep on top of it. Also, on occasions some of the music is not my cup of tea, as they say.

However, now and again something will click into place and you will uncover a hidden gem, and that is what I love about myspace. Over the last few days I have uncovered one or two of these gems and you should too.

Commander Keen

It wouldn't be strictly true to say I found this Glasgow-based duo, as it was nice recommendation from Last Days. But I did take the time to listen and found some rather gorgoeus music. Commader Keen use cello, glockenspiel and even toy instruments to make their delicate folk and electronica sound. They are slowly but surely gaining some interest in Scotland (with a handful of live dates due), so maybe the rest of the world should catch on early too.


Houndstooth

This one comes all the way from Down Under and is the work of Dave Dreimann. His music defies some of his influences such as Mogwai, Explosions In The Sky and Godspeed You Black Emperor, instead sounding more akin to fellow countrymen Hungry Ghosts and The Dirty Three. There are also some nice folk touches on the track "Candlelight Eats" and string arrangements that are quite beautiful. Listen to and download this unsigned artist%