Music
See: Gypsy & The Cat – It’s a fine line video, and album news
There’s two things that I’ve always been good at. One is dreaming, and I often think that maybe now that I’m a proper grown up, with children and everything, I’m possibly too old for dreaming, but I don’t seem to be able to stop. So every time I kick a ball it’s Wembley and I’m …
New Music: Cotton Mount – In Blue Colour
There’s this sort of rule that when you talk about Switzerland, you have to mention things like mountains and Cuckoo clocks, watches and chocolate and the like. Musically, there is sort of Alp horns and yodeling and things. I’m sure that if I were Swiss, I would be thoroughly sick of these sort of lazy …
Meet: Memories and Broken Dreams – A Conversation with The Tennis System
Teenagers, was chock full of shoegaze and noise rock goodness. The stuff I fall for every time. Let’s be honest though, there’s a lot of bands attempting to cash in on that late 80s to early 90s sound bands like My Bloody Valentine and Jesus and Mary Chain perfected. They’re not all diamonds in the rough. …
Album Review: Killing Joke – Singles Collection 1979-2012
First up I need to declare an interest. I think Killing Joke are an amazing band. I loved them when they first emerged as part of that morass of styles that has been termed ‘post-punk’, and they are probably currently my favourite band. In between times I have lost touch with them, found them, and …
Meet: Sweet Baboo, and his new album ‘Ships’
I don’t know why, but some of the best and most interesting music to come out over the last few years has been from Wales. Amongst this breed of creative people is Stephen Black a.k.a. Sweet Baboo. Under this moniker he has released some criminally undervalued records that mould indie, psych, country, Motown and plain …
Meet: Ty, and hear about his new releases, label and gigs
One of the best releases we have heard this year on Backseat Mafia came from UK Rapper, Ty and his Kick and a Snare EP. Born Ben Chijioke, he was born and still lives in London. More importantly, he has been at the forefront of UK Hip-Hop for over ten years, starting with his album …
Live Review: Canyon Family, The Payroll Union & Mudcats Blues Trio: Americana at The Harley, Sheffield 11.05.2013
Highlighting a night of Americana, this gig brought together three bands that ring true to that expression. We were able to experience everything covering country, folk, alternative and blues. This is one of the best overall gig nights I’ve been to as it was well thought out and actually had a structure in its choice …
Meet: Skillit – Rapper, Actor, Comedian
I blame it on my brother. I was happy with my music choices at the time. Me and Billy Bragg, The Smiths, The Housemartins, The Cure – we had this special thing going on. Then one day he (let’s not forget prior to this he had bought things by Bon Jovi and Europe) suddenly came …
Track: Harleighblu releases new single, Enough Now
I spoke about my parents record collection before. What reminded me of it was reading about 21-year-old Nottingham singer Harleighblu. This smokey voiced sultry soulstress (I’ll stop there before I get involved in some ‘s’ rated alliteration record attempt) who was deeply influenced by her mother’s collection of soul gems. Using that as a starting …
Track: New single from Manchester electro artist Bipolar Sunshine – Rivers
Marmite and Manchester. Be a good book title that, for someone like Stuart Maconie or something. It’s also true. I’ve had occasions to be there (hasn’t everyone in the UK) whether that be football (away days, eh?) concerts, record shopping or even seeing my sister when she lived there. And wandering round that old city …