Vostok 5 gig (Hexicon, Darren Hayman, Tigercats at The Wilmington Arms)

Last night all the artists behind the Vostok 5 art project performed with their respective bands at the Wilmington Arms. It was a great night, awesome music, packed with people and a lovely atmosphere. Below are a few photos of Hexicon, Darren Hayman and Tigercats (Fever Dream and Robert Rotifer also played).

Last night at the Wilmo

Just some phone mobile photos from last night. Hexicon were great as usual, we played a rather shambolic show and The Lovely Eggs were awesome. All in all a lovely evening.

Thunder Rains and Elizabeth

Hexicon

The Lovely Eggs

I do have some longer posts coming up with photos and tales of awesomeness from the Allo Darlin/Smittens European tour. Stay tuned.

Video of the day (Hexicon - Something Strange Beneath The Stars)

Just another manic Monday....I wish it was Sunday....so I could have listened to the Hexicon record all day instead of being at work.

Hexicon album cover, with artwork by Paul Rains
The Hexicon album is now finally out.....and of course it's briliant. You can download it from most places, itunes, amazon even. But, I guess the best thing for the band would be if you headed over to their bandcamp site and ordered it from there. That way, every penny goes to them, rather than one penny to the band and the rest of the pennies to Charlie Amazon, or whatever his name might be.

Here's the first video from the album.


Hexicon on myspace

Hexicon album launch

I'm totally bummed out that I won't be around on Friday, but for those of you who happen to be in London, The Wilmington Arms is the place to be. Hexicon's eagerly awaited debut album will finally be available (hopefully) and they're having a launch party to celebrate. It's the end of a mamooth wait, but I've heard it and it has been worth every second. It's rather awesome, so you should get down to the Wilmo and pick up a copy.

Joining them on the bill are the awesome Tigercats, featuring members from the also totally awesome, but sadly departed (well...or on hiatus, whatever..not playing anywhere near you soon anyway) Esiotrot.

Hexicon myspace

Music, music, music....

Finally starting to feel human again after an extremely busy and music-heavy weekend. It all kicked off on Thursady at The Luminaire with the Hexicon single launch party. It was great to see Hexicon at a proper venue, with proper sound and all that jazz. They boys were on top form, excited that the single was out and that an album release seems within reach. I can't remember exactly how long, but their album has been several years in the making. I've listened through it a good few times and I can only say it has been worth the wait. It sounds great!

Hexicon rockin out with guest appearances form Elizabeth of Allo Darlin and Virgina (former member of Allo Darlin')

The Luminaire is a difficult venue to fill and unfortunately there wasn't a huge amount of people there for the support bands, but by the time Hexicon hit the stage there was a respectable amount of people in the room. They played pretty much all the tracks off the upcoming album, and despite them all being great, the highlight for me was Cutting Limes, a newer song which hasn't made it on to the album, but which is absolutely incredible.

On Friday was my big night. Withered Hand at a completely sold out Wilmington Arms. Unfortunately Time Out did a biggish write-up of the gig after we had already sold all the tickets, so a fair few people showed up at the venue, only to be told they couldn't get in. But, I can't really complain too much. It was a sold out show after all.

Withered Hand soundcheck

Lofty Heights started off the evening with their melodic folky ballads. With a stripped-down set-up of only guitar and lap steel, it was a perfect start to the night. Sweet Baboo was great as usual, but unfortunately the room started to get a bit rowdy and a fair amount of people paid him no respect whatsoever and kept talking throughout his set. It was really a shame, since he is one of the most amazing British artists I've heard in a long time and really deserved better than that. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do in those situations, except for trying to tell people to shut the fuck up. Which I did. Anyway, he coped with it admirably and didn't seem too disappointed afterwards.

After two quiet bands it was time for Withered Hand, with a full band – drums, bass, guitar, cello, banjo, backing singers – the whole schebang. By this time, most people, myself included, had had a fair amount to drink and the band couldn't really do anything wrong. They stomped through pretty much every song I've ever heard (except the Christmas Song) and people were singing along and even requesting repeat plays. Finally, after a whole hour on stage and past the curfew for music they finished off the set with a cover in homage to Vic Chesnutt, who I'm sure you know recently passed away. A great ending to a great night.

On Saturday evening , we headed down to The Flowerpot on Kentish Town Road, where Internet Forever were playing a free show. Unfortunately, we got there in time to see the support band, who were one of the worst bands I've seen in a long time. The Flowerpot is an odd venue. It's not very nice and on a Saturday night any music venue with free entry in this part of town will be a bit of a "weirdo magnet". Anyway, Internet Forever took to the stage and played a short-but-sweet set to a not terribly excited audience. Not the best place for them to play and I would really like to see them at a proper venue…or just in a nicer place really.

Internet Forever

Apologies for photo quality. These were all taken with my phone. Proper photos from the Withered hand show should be up soon.

Tonight

A little late shouting about this, but if you're free this evening you should really come down to Kilburn. I've been treated to an advance copy of Hexicon's upcoming album and it's well worth the wait....and what a wait it has been. Luminaire tonight. Be there.

First Moustache show of the year!

And it's gonna be awesome...

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Now, that really is an awesome line-up! Get your tickets from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/70139

We have a flyer!

And what flyer it is! Made by the multi-talented Paul Rains of Allo Darlin and Hexicon fame. I'm soooo looking forward to this night. It's gonna be magic. Tell your friends!

Cheapo tickets available from wegottickets - http://www.wegottickets.com/event/63485

music, music, music, music....all the time

Back in London after another long weekend of playing and watching music. It's been a bit full-on recently. In Edinburgh I did my first radio session ever, which was...pretty terrifying. I think I did alright, but it does sound like I'm about to break down in tears at any point. This was the first time I'd ever played any of our songs without Bill. Eek!

Interview with me + 16,000 km

It probably didn't help that Dan from Withered Hand did his session just before me...


Interview with Dan (Withered Hand + Cornflake)

I mean...how do you follow that?

On Friday we headed to Newcastle for an all-day music event at the Tyne Bar. It was us, Allo Darlin, Hexicon, The Just Joans and a bunch of local bands. Should have been awesome, but it was a bit weird for a number of reasons. First, I don't think people were really there to see either of us. Then, most of us played before anyone really showed up....I think Allo Darlin did best. They were on late and by then people had had a few drinks.

Paul Hexicon

The Just Joans

Despite the lack of people, it was great seeing the Just Joans again, though. I hadn't seen them since the WeePOP! anniversary show at The Enterprise last summer.

On the Sunday we all headed to Edinburgh for Retreat!, a free all-day event taking place in The Bristo Hall. With an incredible line-up this was one of the musical highlights of the summer.

Both Moustache of Insanity and Allo, Darlin' were invited to do acoustic sessions for offthebeatentracks.tv, an online video series similar to France's Takeaway shows.

Allo, Darlin's session went smoothly (as you'd expect), but the Moustache one was rather chaotic (again, expected). First, we had to climb over a closed gate to get into a city centre nature reserve. When we finally started playing, a rather scary-looking man started waving a giant bottle of White Lightning Cider at us. In the end he didn't kill us, but came out to watch. I'm pretty sure our fear will be reflected in the videos so keep an eye out on the website. They have a bit of a backlog, but it shoudl be up at some point in September.

Enfant Bastard

Enfant Bastard was my musical highlight of the weekend. Apparently, they played a set of songs by singer Cameron's other band, The Love Gestures, rather than Enfant Bastard songs, but having listened to his records the boundaries seem a bit blurred. Anyway, playing gritty anti-folk with quirky and slightly self-depracating lyrics, they came across like a Scottish mixture of Half Japanese and early Jeffrey Lewis. Most excellent stuff. Check them out.

Enfant Bastard myspace

The Love Gestures myspace

ok...that's about it...all musiced out for now.

It's been a while...

So, chaotic re-cap of the past two weeks….GO!

Last week (3rd-7th April) we went to Berlin. It was AWESOME! Allo, Darlin' played an incredible set, Moustache played a reasonably coherent set and Mike and Paul played a couple of awesome stripped-down Hexicon songs. We drank a lot, walked a lot and ate a lot. Successful holidaying indeed. And we rented bikes! Woo! Some photos…

We drank some horrible green beer.

Did some sighseeing.

Elizabeth Darling

We started a Berlin biker gang.

Took over a playground.

Last Friday I went to Kingston all by myself. I'm not sure why, but I had this image of Kingston being a horrible, dirty, dangerous London suburb. In the end it was actually quite nice. I had one of the worst pizzas I have ever had the privilege of paying £10 for though. Hooray! Instead of cheese...or at least as well as cheese, they seemed to have put bechemel sauce or some other cheese sauce on top. It was not pleasant. Anyway, the reason I went was because my old friend and former bandmate Michael was playing with his new band, The Terrors. This was my first punk show for quite some time, so it was a bit of a nostalgia trip.

Finally...yesterday it was time for the Duke of Uke Easter all-dayer (or all-eveninger as it turned out). A bunch of awesome bands in an awesome little shop. It was an incredible evening. I only caught five bands, but from what I heard it was great all the way through. Great turn-out as well. It's a real shame that these kind of events don't happen that often in London.

It was really weird playing in daylight and being able to see the audience, but I think it went alright. People seemed to enjoy it (despite all the mistakes) and we sold a bunch of CDs. Woo.

Moustache of Insanity last night (photo by Anika)

Allo, Darlin' (with Monster Bobby)

OK, I think that's about it.

My life in pictures (Day 1)

Ok, so o2 decided to give me 50 free multimedia messages to use over the next three days, so I feel I should use them up. Normally they cost me 50p each to send, so I'm gonna try to make the most of it.

Paul from Hexicon/Allo Darlin' shooting some pool after the Jonathan Richman show on Saturday.

Home sweet home...our weird but lovely street

Elizabeth of Allo Darlin' fame

I love this one. Anti-smoking ad on a Chinese cigarette packet. Diseased lung? No! Cancer? No! Terrified child? YES!!

So, you can expect another 46 photos over the next three days. Lucky you :)

Photo post No.2 (Brixton Jamm)

Went to Brixton Jamm last night to see Allo Darlin, Hexicon and Esiotrot. I took a whole roll of film, but didn't get many exciting ones. Here are the better ones.

Paul from Hexicon/Allo Darlin'

Monster Bobby doing his thang on an Allo Darlin' song

Monster Bobby and Elizabeth

Elizabeth Darling herself

Bill Moustache hanging out by himself, enjoying the show

So, the weekend finally arrived...

First day at work was fine, if uneventful. I spent most of the day feeling rather useless. There's only so much you can do before you know what you're actually meant to be doing...if that makes any sense.

After work, I headed over to Soup Studios again, to watch the final hour of 'Allo, Darlin' recording her new EP. I came in just as this was happening.

That's Mike and Paul from Hexicon, Simon Trought and Elizabeth Darling doing some serious oohing and aahing. Again, it sounds lovely.

The evening continued with cans of lager, falafel, lemon/orange millions and finally with The Wave Pictures at Bardens Boudoir. Awesome show as usual and absolutely packed beyond capacity.

Apparently, Holloway is the new Hell.

Allo, Darlin' in the studio

So..Allo, Darlin' is recording this week. She's doing it at Soup Studios in East London and I went over to say hello. It's tiny and cramped, but very cosy. From what I heard the recordings sound incredible. Monster Bobby is providing drum machine awesomeness and backing vocals, Paul from Hexicon plays the guitar and Mike (also from Hexicon) is doing some drumming. It will be awesome.

Elizabeth Darling aka Allo, Darlin at Soup Studios this afternoon.