Donna Summer 1948 – 2012

We pay tribute to the undisputed Queen of Disco and five-time Grammy award-winning legend Donna Summer.

Donna Summer by Naomi Ryder
Rumours had been circulating all year that undisputed Queen of Disco, matriarch of the 12″ record and five-times Grammy award-winning Donna Summer would perform at London’s …

An Interview with Mina Tindle and Review of Debut Album Taranta

The French songstrel wows with a thoroughly unique collection of brilliant folk pop songs... find out wht makes her tick.

Mina Tindle ‘To Carry Many Small Things’ by Gilly Rochester.

Mina Tindle’s Taranta by Chloe Giordano.
French folk pop singer Mina Tindle has a deceptively girly voice: sweet and high. But don’t …

Album review: A Kiss Before You Go plus interview with Norwegian multi-instrumentalists Katzenjammer

The new album from all female Norwegian group Katzenjammer is released in the UK this week on Propeller Recordings. We caught up with the fearsome foursome to find out what makes them tick.

Katzenjammer by Richard Parson.
Four Norwegian girls reinvent bouncy banjo folk with a dramatic cabaret influenced flavour and a distinctly Balkan twist? Yes please! Katzenjammer release their first album A Kiss …

Cate Le Bon at Village Underground: Live Music Review

The Welsh singer returns to London at the start of a UK tour with a sell-out show on Monday 23rd April 2012 to promote her second album.

Cate Le Bon by Sam Parr
The seemingly ever present rain was holding off as I made my way up Commercial Street, past the facade of of shiny new shops and …

Kotki Dwa introduce the video for new single Poison, created with Plastic Horse

Working in conjunction with animators Plastic Horse, Kotki Dwa have created a fabulous video to accompany new single Poison... featuring canaries, clowns, the rings of Saturn and more.

Poison is typically and beautifully Kotki Dwa – a jaunty, melodic bounce fest of a song based upon the theme of Poison…. I asked singer Alex Ostrowski about the clever …

Lana Del Rey: Blue Jeans remixed by Kris Menace

Warning: this remix of the Lana Del Rey tune by German producer Kris Menace is highly addictive. With fab illustrations to accompany the video, which is directed by Matt Nevin.

Lana Del Rey by Jo Ley.
I am sure I should know more about Lana Del Rey than I do but the fact is, beyond the basic concept that she’s had …

An interview with illustrator Alice Loveday Dupre about making the video for Farmer and His Gun by Charlie Simpson

Illustrator Alice Loveday Dupre was commissioned to direct and create the video which accompanies Charlie Simpson's new single. She explains the process of animation in this fascinating interview.

Charlie Simpson – he of the chiselled jaw and big eyebrows – put his futuristic ‘triple breasted women‘ Busted days behind him long ago. He left in 2005 to be …

An interview with The Finger Band: self-releasing debut album I Don’t Believe My Eyes

The Finger Band self-release their debut album from Thessaloniki in Greece on March 15th 2012. It's an anthemic, new wave influenced wonder, with lyrics that reflect tough times, and so much more.

The Finger Band with Lia by Madeleine Lithvall.
When the singer of The Finger Band got in touch with me a few weeks ago to share their new single I Don’t …

Beth Jeans Houghton and the Hooves of Destiny at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen: Live Review

Following the long-awaited release of her debut album, the remarkable singer songwriter returns to London with a sell-out show on Thursday 1st March 2012.

Beth Jeans Houghton by Gemma Cotterell
Squeezing past the punters at the bar, I could see that the box-like auditorium of Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen was already full in anticipation …

Shhh: A Celebration Of Quiet Music, Art and Film – Review

Stranded Horse, Mirel Wagner, Anna Meredith, cans of beer and snow fights at the very relaxed Shhh: A Celebration Of Quiet Music, Art and Film, organised by The Local with The Line of Best Fit.

Completely gratuitous shot of me in the snow, just cos I like the effects.
On Saturday night we took a delightful stroll through the snow to check out the last few …

An interview with Brighton based indie band Foxes!

Brighton based Foxes! released their self titled debut album in January 2012. It's a real grower, so I decided to catch up with the foursome to find out how it's all going.

Foxes! by Kathryn Corlett.
Foxes! are husband and wife team Adam Bell and Kayla Bell, joined by Al Grice and Matthew Thwaites. Together they create beguiling indie music accompanied by some …

An interview with James Levy and review of Pray To Be Free by James Levy and the Blood Red Rose

Singer songwriter James Levy has created a beautiful album of songs duetting with Allison Pierce. Pray To Be Free is out soon on Heavenly Recordings.

James Levy & Allison Pierce by Natalia Nazimek aka Nhtlee.
James Levy may need something of an introduction, but his cohort Allison Pierce has already risen to fame as one half …

An interview with Peter Broderick and review of new album http://www.itstartshear.com

Peter Broderick returns with a wonderfully assembled album of low key beauty. Find out how the past and the present rubbed together to produce the uniquely titled http://www.itstartshear.com

Peter Broderick by Gemma Cotterell.
http://www.itstartshear.com makes no grand entrance: I Am Piano is the softest of openers, with quiet keys gradually joined by the curling sighs of a looped violin. …

Single and Video Review: Zebra and Snake – Sweetest Treasure

A fab video to accompany the new tune from Helsinki's newest synth electronica wonders, Matti and Tapio. Directed by Sing J. Lee.

I am seriously loving the video for Zebra and Snake’s new single Sweetest Treasure – made by Sing J. Lee, a young award winning director from the North West – …

Album Review: First Aid Kit – The Lion’s Roar

The sophomore album from Swedish sisters First Aid Kit is produced by Mike Mogis and every tune is a bittersweet delight. Here's my track by track breakdown.

First Aid Kit by Sarah Ryan.
Out today: the beautiful new album from Swedish sisters First Aid Kit. Every tune is a wonder… starting with first single The Lion’s Roar, a …

An interview with Nedry and review of new album In A Dim Light

Nedry return with their second album, a unique blend of electro influences topped off with the inimitable vocals of Japanese singer Ayu Okakita. Beautiful.

Nedry by Abi Stevens.
Nedry excel in a vocal electro dub step mash up genre all of their own. In A Dim Light opens languidly with the blissed out vocals of …

An interview with Sam Genders of Diagrams, and album review of Black Light

Sam Genders left experimental folk band Tunng a few years ago. After time out teaching and working with other musicians he's back with a stand out new album, Black Light.

The former frontman of Tunng returns with his solo project, Diagrams. Black Light is a laid back creation that exudes the lush harmonies and atmospheric lyrics that Tunng lovers will …

An interview with First Aid Kit about working with Mike Mogis on second album The Lion’s Roar

The talented Swedish singers Johanna and Klara Söderberg are back with an amazing new album produced by Mike Figgis. Read my in depth interview to find out what's been happening over the past few years.

First Aid Kit by Michael Julings.
The new album The Lion’s Roar from the wondrous Swedish band First Aid Kit is coming out later this month. In advance of my review, …

Album review of The Hangman Tree and interview with Laura J Martin

Laura J Martin releases her much anticipated debut album later this month. Time to catch up with this talented multi-instrumentalist with a host of intriguing influences.

Laura J Martin by Alice Nyong.
Laura J Martin sets out her wares in the album title track and single The Hangman Tree, the sweetest of vocals twirling around languid drums, …