Singles

Hafdis Huld – ‘Stop’

Released 24^th November 2008

Given the current state of Iceland (economic meltdown, not to mention practical blanket darkness in winter) it’s nice to see a shining light of pop dazzle the eyes of the beleaguered island’s music lovers.

The track, taken from Hafdis Huld’s forthcoming second album, is already in the Icelandic top ten following an early release there, and should also chart respectively in the UK thanks in part to a beautifully delivered vocal and also to the widely spread publicity generated by Huld and her PR machine.

‘Stop’s’ lyrics are delivered with a vulnerability and innocence that perfectly fit the song’s theme of heartbreak and loss, which are sure to make the listener believe what they are hearing. Whilst in the background the gentle melody is pleasant enough, with its mix of strings and acoustic sounds, but falls short of blowing the mind.

Without trying to put all Scandinavian artists in a box, the vocal resonates of the Cardigans which is surely a good thing, while Hafdis’ striking looks won’t do her any harm in the marketing stakes either.

This cover of the “classic” 80s Sam Brown track ‘Stop’ has recently featured in a pan-European TV advertising campaign that sees the multi-talented Huld acting in the lead role whilst also singing the single in a cappella. Whilst there’s no doubt the advert has raised the profile of the song and Huld in particular, I refrain from saying she has ‘sold out’, specifically because she isn’t a platinum selling artist and therefore doesn’t have a massive reputation to lose. She can only gain from this exposure.

Hafdis evidently believes in self promotion through advertising to gain recognition, as her music has also featured for Reyka Vodka and Always Ultra - as well as producing her own series of video blogs on MySpace, where you can also learn about Elf-watching in Iceland would you believe! The fact that Huld was a guest vocalist on Tricky’s 2008 album ‘Knowle West Boy’ will add credibility to her bubblegum pop image.

28 year old Hafdis Huld spent her teenage years recording and touring with the Icelandic group GusGus, which led her to release her debut solo album ‘Dirty Paper Cup’ in 2006 on UK indie label Red Grape Records. In the meantime she’s been busy headling a UK tour, and has supporting Mika on the international stage, whilst making appearances at festivals such as Glastonbury, Camden Crawl, In The City in Manchester and SXSW, as well as numerous across Europe.

Myspace: www.myspace.com/hafdishuld

Official website: www.hafdis.com

"I am the Prince of Wales" - The Young Knives at the Astoria



The Young Knives are not only the funniest men in pop music, they're also the some of the most talented at the moment. For those not in the know, they comprise of Henry Darknall (vocals and guitar), The House of Lords (bass and vocals) and the pretty boy of the group Oliver Askew(drums). It's worth seeing these boys from the Roylist stronghold of Ashby De La Zouch for their onstage banter alone, with brothers Henry and House wit easily equal to that of the Chuckle siblings. To get to the point they're just about the best band in the UK right now. FACT!

The tweed clad thirtysomethings performed a blistering set that sounded a world away from the slightly awkward performance I witnessed in Sheffield at the Leadmill 18 months ago, a time when World Cup fever was in the air meaning most young men were sat in front of a TV set rather than experiencing the cultural wit of TYKs. Back then they wandered into the 40 odd people in the audience and chatted with us about the weather and other gloriously English things. But no, here at the Astoria in the capital they have clearly come on leaps and bounds, headlining as they were this NME tour with other new band, more of which I'll discuss later.

Songs were mainly plucked from the new album Superabundance, the follow up to 2006's debut offering Voices of Animals and Men, and quite frankly they sound rather splendid. The setlist included singles Up all Night, with its hilarious matrix-pastiche-poking-fun-at-electro-scenesters video and Terra Firma, with its surreal but brilliant lyrics ("fake rabbits / real snakes / terra firma, terra firmaaaaa"). Their sound has developed to a sufficient extent for the band to be taken seriously despite their definitely less than serious approach to the music industry (they worked in HMV in Oxford for a while and they're first E.P. came out six years ago...). Despite all this, the precosious talent of the

A smattering of songs from Voices of Animals and Men were included to keep those punters happy who'd paid money to hear Weekends and Bleak Days ("hot summer, hot hot summer") and the fantasmic The Rumour Mill concluded the encore. Final song Current of the River is an epic at around 10 minutes long, but after hearing it again in Rough Trade Records East at the weekend for a second time it truly could be a modern art indie classic and sums up The Young Knives to a tee. "I am the Prince of Wales, I'm the Prince of Wales and if all else fails, I am the Prince of Wales".

Album Chart Show

I went to the Koko on Monday night for the filming of Channel 5's Album Chart Show. I must admit I wouldn't like to work on a TV music show like this as there is so much stopping and starting it drives you crazy. Anyway, to the music! The bands performed a three song 'mini-set' each, the openers Supergrass starting with the catchy glam-tinged 'Diamond Hoo Ha Man', followed by new single 'Bad Blood'. Gaz Coombs sounded excellent as always and it was good to see bassist Mick Quinn bending sexy basslines again after last year's freak injury forced the band to postpone their forcoming sixth studio album, which is due out 24th March.

Moloko's Róisín Murphy was next to enter the musical ring wearing a red boxing style robe that Mike Tyson would be proud of. I don't think her music would be his bag though somehow. She was accompanied by a strikingly beautiful (it would be crasse to write 'fit' I think...) backing singer who distracting slightly from Róisín's melodic meanderings, which sounded quite nice in her trademark glam '80s electro style.

We Are Scientists arrived with the Arctic Monkey's drummer Matt Helder in tow following the departure of Michael Tapper in November. The chemistry between the new trio was instant and thanks in part to Helders excellent stick-work, the sound was heavy and tight. Positive news for WAS fans who feared the band may quit last year is that the new material promises a rosy outlook for NY's coolest prep boys' second album.

Cold War Kids
Koko

Monday 21st May 2007

America's 'best new band' (according to NME) were in London for one night at possibly London's best music venue on a massive, yet brief world tour that is seeing plaudits hailed on them from all directions.

Lead singer Nathan Willett has a voice that could charm the birds out of the trees, full of guts and soul and also pitch perfect. The fact this set included blues, soul, R'n'B as well as rock covers (not to mention all but a couple of songs from the band's debut album 'Robbers and Cowards')

The really funny thing was that after the gig a friend and I bumped into the band at Mornington Cresecent tube station and found them to be thoroughly nice chaps who love what they do (well who wouldn't love to get paid to travel). They were off to Japan the next day to commence the Asia-Australia leg of their world tour the lucky sods. Oh and they got off at Tottenham Court Road and were staying at The Pheonix if anyone's interesting...

'Transmission' Recording - Brighton

Brighton was the venue city for the latest leg of Channel 4's Transmission show, and I was in attendance to bring you the inside story. Starring on this weeks programme (broadcast 11:40 25th May on C4) were Scissor Sisters, Gossip, Cold War Kids and Bats for Lashes, along with an interview with the legendary Yoko Ono.

Presenters Steve Jones and Lauren Laverne interviewed a specially camped up sofa of guests for the seaside city's show, with gay members of Scissor Sisters Ana Matronic and Jake Shears sat alongside Beth from the Gossip. The aforementioned Mr Jones even snogged Jake, all for the cameras naturally...


Mingling inside the VIP tent, I was brushed past by Ana Matronic and sat watching Yoko Ono's interview alongside the guitarist from the Gossip (whose name has slipped my mind). Much free beer and food later I stood alongside Lauren Laverne and Steve Jones to watch the Gossip perform new tracks in the outdoor stage.

Cold War Kids performed new single Hospital Beds inside the 200 capacity studio tent, followed by Bat For Lashes folky style of laid back tunes. Scissor Sisters played a couple of new songs too apararently, but I was too busy sucking on the free Ashahi to notice.

Aftershow venue was the Glouster Barfly, where the impressive Ghosts performed to a rammed venue of Brighton music festival too-cool-for-school kids and luck ol' meeeee!

Maximo Park
Shepherd's Bush Empire
11th May 2007

By Andrew Fairclough



Maximo Park brought their electrifying live show to London for three nights on their current tour, choosing excellent medium sized venues (Astoria, SB Empire and Forum).

True to form the Geordie song-smiths produced a terrific showcase of their latest album 'Our Earthly Pleasures', intertwined with the best from the first album.

On a personal level, it was the forth occasion I had seen the band live and I must admit they are one of the best touring live acts around at the moment. So now explain why I almost hit lead singer Paul Smith with an almost-finished plastic pint glass, which he expertly dodged after I flung it forward during the crush when they entered stage?!

Recent single 'Our Velocity' and next single 'Books from Boxes' were well received by the hardcore adulent Maximo fans, but the most rappcious response was saved for first album tunes, like 'Graffiti', 'Apply Some Pressure' and 'Going Missing'. The excellent new LP opener 'Girls Who Play Guitars' rips through three or four different hooks with explosive lyrics that warmed the crowd sufficiently to jump around for the rest of the set.

Graffiti
Girls who play guitars
Russian literature
The Coast Is Always Changing
A Fortnights time
Our velocity
I want you to stay
books from boxes
once a glimpse
by the monument
Now i'm all over the shop
Parisian Skies
Apply Some Pressure
Your Urge
Going missing

Nosebleed
Limassol