Californian 15-piece Still Flyin’ have announced three London shows for the new year.
The band, who have been joined on stage in the past by FFS-favourite Jens Lekman, are currently recording their debut record Never Gonna Touch The Ground, which is due for release in April.
The first thing that strikes you about Conor Oberst’s first single from his self-titled solo album is the uncanny likeness of it’s main piano melody to the theme tune from Will and Grace. Unfortunately, the similarities don’t end there.
Pretty much instantly, New Zealander Conan Mockasin invites curiosity. His vocals are pitched at the top of the range to strikingly childlike effect. The music is weird and ominous, like it hides some dark psychedelic secret. And he seems like he’s slightly out of it. Odd, yes – but it soon becomes apparent there’s a lot more to it.
Last Sunday’s sell out gig at Herne Hill’s Half Moon Pub was opened by Danny George Wilson, aka Danny and the Champions of the World. Disappointingly, Danny’s champions in the event turned out to be a sole accompanying guitarist who looked incredibly uncomfortable. Other than occasional backing vocals in which his face demonstrated how much he wished he’d made it into another band, said champion’s presence on stage provided no more than we would have expected from a CD player. This lack of charisma was not entirely made up for by the man himself. Danny’s set was dominated by long indulgent guitar solos. When we did sing, it was hunched up over a microphone which appeared to be about 30cm too low for him, giving him an unfortunate likeness to a troll.
Self-styled don of all things festive, Sufjan Stevens has put together a compendium of Christmas treats on his record label’s website. You can play the Sufjan Christmas game, print out designs for tree decorations, and listen to seasonal tunes from the man himself.
UK folk darling Laura Marling has been nominated in the Pop category of the South Bank Show Awards 2009, where she once again finds herself in competition with Mercury winners Elbow and fellow runner-up Estelle. Will cuddly culture bunny Melvyn Bragg do the right thing and give dear Laura a trophy for her cabinet? Cross your fingers, folk fans.