WINTER – MAPS & ATLASES

Indie rock outfit Maps & Atlases are due to release their second album later this year and we’re excited to give you a chance to hear the teaser track, Winter. Inspired by the Chicago winter, the track bounces along to a driving bass line with suitably icicle like spiky guitars. Turn the heating up & play it loud…the album, Beware and Be Grateful is out on the 16th April through FatCat records.

Words Tamsin Worrad

ONE TO WATCH: PIONAL

AT THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR, A YOUNG SPANISH PRODUCER CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION HERE AT AGENT2. AFTER HEARING A DEEPLY HYPNOTIC TRACK CALLED ‘IN ANOTHER ROOM’, RELEASED ON BARCELONA-BASED HIVERN DISCS, WE INSTANTLY WANTED TO HEAR MORE. SO, WE DID AND WE WERE HOOKED. A YOUNG MAN BY THE NAME MIGUEL BARROS AKA PIONAL SOON BECAME ONE OF OUR FAVOURITE EMERGING ARTISTS.

We scraped around and managed to find a few of his old tracks online, but over the past 12 months new releases and remixes have been springing up left, right and centre. One track that stood out in particular was the epic ‘We have Been Waiting For You’, which cropped up in clubs and DJ mixes the world over.

Pional has worked closely with the likes of Jon Talabot and Gavin Russom and it looks like the world is starting to pay attention to his unique sound. And so they should. His latest release comes courtesy of German label ‘Permanent Vacation’ where he joined forces with Hunee, Slow Hands, Session Victim and several other great artists to produce the critically acclaimed ‘If This Is House I Want My Money Back 2’ compilation. It is virtually impossible to pigeonhole Pional’s style, so we won’t do him an injustice by trying.

We caught up with the man himself to find out more.

You have several releases under your belt now. How did you get started with producing your own tracks?

It all started two years ago when I met the people from Hivern Discs. Actually, I’ve been making music for 10 years now, but I never took it that seriously. It wasn’t professional, just a hobby.

Looking through your back catalogue, it’s extremely difficult to put a genre to the sound. How would you describe your music and where does it all come from?

I tend to like making clear sounds. I often make the music that influences me and the music that I listen to, but at the same time I like the fact that my music sounds different to everything else. I don’t usually think about the clubs when I make my music. I think that the perfect mixture is a blend between home and dance floor.

I could describe my music as ‘slow-house’? ‘Electronic/alternative/pop-house’? (Laughs)

I have many influences; I have no prejudices about it. Right now you can catch me listening to Katy B’s new album and yesterday I was listening to St. Vincent. So, my influences could be kind of…freaky?

Do you give any time to DJing or do you spend all of your time in the studio?

My first ever live show last month in Copehagen, so I guess you could say that I spend most of my time in the studio! I’m not a DJ. Most days, when I get home I’ll normally spend around six hours making music.

You mentioned the live show. How did it work and did it go down well with the crowd?

Yes, I had a great time. There were no problems and I was very comfortable technically with the equipment that I took. I had great feedback from people; they really liked it (or so I think).

Do you look to anyone for inspiration for your live show? Who do you enjoy to watch perform live?

No, I don’t look to anyone for inspiration when it comes to my live act. Honestly, the acts that I generally see just have a laptop, a midi controller and nothing else. I would prefer to see interesting shows.

Right now, I don’t know who I’d like to see. I guess, like many others, I’d like to see a James Holden live act.

Yourself and Jon Talabot seem to be flying the flag for Spanish electronic music at the moment. Why do you think your music is so well received abroad?

Yeah, it’s cool! I guess it is well received thanks to the internet and word of mouth. Hivern has managed to achieve something that very few Spanish labels have in the past; people are talking about them, and that’s very cool.

‘We Have Been Waiting For You’ took everyone by surprise and got a lot of people talking about Pional. What’s the story behind that track? 

Well, I made that track four months before I sent it to the Hivern boys. The track originally had a very poppy drum kit and it didn’t have a 4/4 bass, clips or anything like that. It was basically a pop tune that lasted 3 minutes. The lyrics are taken from the TV show ‘Lost’. In fact, the title is the last sentence spoken by John Locke.

Have you got any new releases in the pipeline? An album perhaps?

I just finished several remixes, so right now I want to focus on preparing new material. For 2012 I plan to work on the album; I’m looking forward to it!

We’re guessing that your diary is will be filling up pretty quickly as the word begins to spread about your music. Have you got any more shows planned?

(Laughs) The truth is, that I have several interesting shows coming up around Europe (TBA).

Will you be making an appearance in the UK?

Not that I know of, but hopefully soon.

And finally…If you could banish one song to hell for all eternity, what would it be?

Black Eyed Peas – The Time (Dirty Bit)

Interview Dan Howell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ONES 2 WATCH: ELECTRICITY IN OUR HOMES

ONES 2 WATCH: ELECTRICITY IN OUR HOMES

I OFTEN FIND MYSELF IN THE POSITION OF WANTING TO LIKE A BAND A LOT MORE THAN I ACTUALLY DO. THIS USUALLY APPLIES WHEN I DISCOVER AN ACT THAT IS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING NEW MUSICALLY OR SOMETHING OTHERWISE WORTHWHILE, ALTHOUGH THEIR ACTUAL MUSICAL OUTPUT IS STILL A BIT CACK.

Electricity In Our Homes flip this scenario on its head. I want to hate them. They are insanely trendy in every respect. They wear tight jeans, sing off key, play their instruments with a swaggered insouciance, have a MySpace page too ‘cool’ for a bio and their lyrics make you feel as though you are being sneered at for not being enough of a hipster.

Unfortunately all of these normally abhorrent character traits are exactly what make EIOH so brilliant.

They’ve been around for a while now, although you’ve probably not heard of them because they seemingly go out of their way to not promote their music, and then once you have heard them and want a piece of them to own for yourself, they make it very difficult to get hold of.

Their most recent 12 inch was only pressed 300 times and isn’t available online other than to stream on their MySpace page.

Fortunately their first EP We Completely Agree is available both on Spotify and iTunes, and I strongly suggest you have a listen and buy it.

I suppose I should describe their music, which is in itself a bit of a task; Post-Pop, Post-Punk 80’s revival that is so raw and cutting edge, you can’t help but imagine that this might be how Joy Division would have sounded if they were just now forming as a band.

Please take the time to listen to the song below, and visit their MySpace page. Your life will be enriched, but you do run the risk of inducing serious self loathing.

Words Luke McGee

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ONES 2 WATCH: LIAM BAILEY

 

IN THE VOID LEFT BETWEEN AMY WINEHOUSE ACTUALLY HEADING TO REHAB AND X-FACTOR’S EMOTIONAL BUBBLE BATHS, WE’VE WATCHED THE SOUL SCENE TOPPED UP TO ALMOST SATURATION POINT.

The problem with most artists being that they are usually a cleverly packaged attempt to mince the cash cow. Other than Plan B’s recent efforts and perhaps Jamie Lidell’s Jim album, there hasn’t really been much in the way of anything sounding even remotely genuine in recent years –especially from a male singer. Even with the examples given, one does have to take a second to briefly question the motives of the formally gritty rapper Plan B, whilst also wondering if Liddell’s heart is truly in it, considering his electro roots. But, good things come to those who wait and it would seem that we finally have a male soul contender for Winehouse’s crown. Embodying a voice so authentic that if it was a single entity it’d be suited and booted and stealing your girlfriend, this man is Liam Bailey.

You may recognise his name as the recent feature credit on Chase and Status’ Blind Faith most likely caught playing in a club near you in a sea of WKD and short skirts. For a more accurate representation of his talents though you should check out his recent single, ‘You Better Leave Me,’ a swoon of strings and sharp guitar relayed beneath a world weary voice of Ortis Redding and Sam Cooke proportions. The song is a slow burner that does just enough to knock the spotlight in his direction, placing full emphasis on his smokey blues tinged diction and breathing new life into a previously tiresome genre.

With an album dropping just in time for the festivals (sometime in May), we should expect to see a lot more from this Nottingham bred soulster. As long as this new, greater exposure isn’t due to any career stemming product endorsements (ahem, Duffy,) then we think that this can only be a good thing.

www.liambaileymusic.co.uk

Words Jordan Waller

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ONES 2 WATCH: MISTY MILLER

 

SHE IS 16 YEARS OLD, PLAYS THE UKULELE, HAS A NAME THAT MAKES HER SOUND LIKE ONE OF ANDY WARHOL’S MUSES AND HAS JUST RELEASED ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING DEBUT ALBUMS WE’VE HEARD THIS YEAR.

Misty Miller writes sweet and cheery songs about love and life that stick like melted icecream. Lyrically she embodies an air of innocence with twee references to the playground and teenage kisses but at the same time her songs are in no way aimed purely towards her peers. Each song is skilfully crafted in such a way that they easily reach out to all, if you have ever been in love from a distance, had your heart broken or simply aspired for something a bit more, then you’re on the same card.

As far as comparison’s go, at the moment the music press are lumping her in with the new folk crowd and hailing her as the next Laura Marling. Personally I wouldn’t really label it as folk, sure it contains lots of acoustic countrified instruments but as a full sound it’s a lot poppier than your average pub dwelling folky. Leaping from floaty Hawaiian style ditties to rockabilly and slow dramatic ballads in just a few tracks there is a lot more at work here. If you’re looking for a muddy comparison then think Lisa Hannigan with the pop bounce of Jason Mraz and the structure and styling’s of Billie Holiday and even Elvis in his moments of smooth.

Whatever your thoughts, she is certainly impressing the right people  and has already caught the roving eyes of Vogue, Swarovski, L’Oreal, Radio 1’s Rob Da Bank and John Kennedy’s XFM Exposure show. Not to mention Burberry’s Christopher Bailey being a huge fan and featuring her not just in his Burberry Acoustic campaign but also using her song Remember to accompany the men’s fashion show –Burberry Prosum for Spring/Summer2011.

Get ready to see a lot more of her in 2011 as well as a massive outbreak of other ukulele playing teen copy cats.

Words Jordan Waller Image Nick Dorey

MIRRORS: LIVING IN ELECTRIC DREAMS

HAVING JUST BEEN PLUCKED UP BY HMV AND NME AS THE NEXT BIG THING AND DESCRIBED AS A SOMBRE DEPECHE MODE BY STEVE LAMACQ, BRIGHTON- BASED BAND MIRRORS HAVE BARELY HAD TIME TO SIT BACK AND REFLECT ON A VERY BUSY MONTH.

Having already supported OMD, Fenech- Soler Hercules and Love Affair and the ever popular White Lies, this band can almost be described as living in electric dreams.

I spoke to the Mirrors about their influences.

There is obviously an 80′s sound running throughout your music. Who are your inspirations?

We are certainly influenced by many of those bands that flourished in the wave of creativity that was ushered in after punk; bands such as Joy Division/New Order, Cabaret Voltaire, The Human League, Depeche Mode, but, like many of those 80′s acts were then, we, in turn, take a lot of influence from the electronic music made by pioneering artists from even earlier, like Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, E.M.A.K

And though we are musicians, we find inspiration in many other places. For example, we literally build our music, and so architecture is a great influence. We try, through our live visuals, our image, and indeed everything we show of ourselves, to be creative, and to be more than just a band, so artists like Gilbert and George, who live their very lives as art, are a great inspiration. I could go on and on all day!

What was it like supporting OMD in Paris and how did it come about?

OMD contacted us and said that they liked our music, and kindly asked us if we would like to support them on their tour. The opportunity to play our music in front of thousands of electronic pop music fans was very welcome.

Do you think your overall look and visuals in your performance are as important as the music?

Everything that we present is of equal importance. The visuals are there to enhance the music, and vice versa. Likewise, our neat, smart image is great because it instantly sets up an expectation in people’s brains, which we then aim to fulfil. We wish everything to be special.

What can we expect next from Mirrors?

Our album is coming out on the 24 February and we are having an album launch at The Green Door in Brighton that day. We are already working on our next album, which, though in the early stages, is set to be rather different from this one. We are really excited to be writing, but also hope to play various festivals in the summer. We are also touring with fellow Brightonians Fujiya this February. We would like very much to see you all there.

www.myspace.com/mirrorsmirrorsmirrors

Words Jennifer Butler

TALL SHIPS

TALL SHIP’S ARE A BAND THAT FOUND THEIR ARTISTIC FOOTING WHILST ATTENDING THE BUSTLING HUB OF CREATIVITY THAT IS FALMOUTH UNIVERSITY, AN ARTY FARTY MANTLE OF STUDY NEAR THE SEA IN CORNWALL. WITH THIS KNOWLEDGE FIRMLY IN MIND, YOU CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR IMMEDIATELY IMAGINING THE GROUP AS FIDDLE SLINGING FOLKIES WITH A LOVE OF SEA-FARING MYTHOLOGY AND REAL ALE – SETH LAKEMAN ANYBODY?

However, aside from their name and the fact that they have a song called ‘Vessels,’ there is actually little reflection of their nautical roots or other such folk preconceptions within their music. In fact, I imagine there is a better chance of Ellie Goulding releasing a sex video than there is of Tall Ships breaking out the banjo. Which can only ever be a good thing in my books.

Falling typically into the ‘math rock,’ genre (potentially the most ludicrously worded moniker after ‘space rap’) it would be easy to lump Tall Ships in the post-Foals posh rock club although you would be being unfairly dismissive. Currently riding the whispered hype of their second EP, they have spent the last year or so cutting their musical chops gigging with the likes of Tubelord, Minus the Bear and 65daysofstatic, extensive baptisms by fire that have seen the death of many a band before them. Thankfully though, Tall Ships have managed to escape barely singed with their heads held high aloft a steady foundation of new –and obsessively loyal- fans.

On record they could be compared to the more ambient side of North American indie like Death Cab circa ‘I will possess your heart,’ and The Maple State if they dropped the angst. It is in the live arena though that Tall Ships come into their own. With performances that include loop pedals, group vocals and multiple instrument changes, it’s obvious that they know their way around a tune better than most. In the flesh their songs are brought vividly alive and are complete lessons in musical tension and hook writing.

If you like your music big, self-indulgent and sprawling with an air of youthful self-consciousness this is for you. A much needed breath of fresh salty sea air.

You will enjoy this band if you like: Mimas, Modest Mouse, 65daysofstatic, The Maple State, Death Cab for Cutie.

Check out their music video for their song ‘Chemistry,’ below:

myspace.com/tallshipsfromfalmouth

Words Jordan Waller