Author: electricityclub (Page 21 of 419)

“I don’t like country & western, I don’t like rock music… I don’t like rockabilly! I don’t like much really do I? But what I do like, I love passionately!!”: CHRIS LOWE

“Good taste is exclusive”: NICK RHODES

KALEIDA Live at Hackney Oslo

28 March 2024 /

Coinciding with the release of their third album ‘In Arms’, KALEIDA gave a superb performance at Hackney Oslo in London ahead of a European and North American tour.

Fans attended from Scotland, Norway and Eastern European and it was vindication for KALEIDA of their artistic perseverance having considered disbanding under the pressures of parenting and the shifting patterns of both Christina Wood and Cicely Goulder as they made their long distance creative partnership work again as KALEIDA.

To that end, this run of live dates features only Wood augmented by drummer Verona Rose, with Goulder on maternity leave having only recently given birth to a new son. Opening with the glorious ‘Stranger’, this highlight from ‘In Arms’ sprung a surprise with its electro dance rhythms. In live form, the drums were not overbearing or ill-fitting as with some electronic based acts, complimenting as percussive colours with power when required.

But what was striking was Christina Wood’s great impassioned vocals and willingness to move around the stage in elegant mime gestures, as if compensating for the absence of her creative partner. However Goulder was there in spirit through her productions on the backing tracks and observing from afar in support of her band mate.

KALEIDA’s new album is their most varied yet as the house-inflected ‘Hollow’ and folky ‘Don´t Turn Me Out’ showcased, although it must be pointed out though that many of the audience were hearing this new material for the first time at this show and credit must be paid to them for embracing these songs so enthusiastically. ‘Seagull Nun’ was the first song that Wood and Cicely Goulder wrote as KALEIDA back before 2015’s debut ‘Think’ EP was released and its gothic drama mesmerised under a sea of haunting vocals and mantric rumbles.

Despite the haunting disposition of the majority of KALEIDA’s material, Christina Wood’s sense of enjoyment and openness to interact saw her announce to the audience that she would like a shot of tequila with several obliging a song or two later.

Christina Wood displayed KALEIDA’s Hollywood pedigree first with a stark heartfelt rendition of ‘99 Luftballons’ from the 2017 Charlize Theron spy drama ‘Atomic Blonde’ which put the ant-war lyrics centre stage in an all-too relevant world situation. Towards the show’s climax came ‘Think’ from the 2014 Keanu Reeves action thriller ‘John Wick’ which grabbed the biggest cheers but also sounded as fresh as it did a decade ago and even prompted a chorus singalong.

Another that had a chorus singalong was an “android soul” cover of Al Green’s ‘Take Me To The River’ from the ‘Think’ EP while Wood felt so flattered by all the positive vibes from all those present that she jumped off the stage and danced with several members of the audience.

With the deep overtones of ‘Tropea’ forming the encore, it was the culmination of which was possibly the friendliest gig ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK has ever been to in 44 years of gig going. The audience were all looking out for each other, letting people return to their spots after comfort breaks etc and helping take each other take photos when Christina Wood and Cicely Goulder were obliging with a friendly aftershow meet-and-greet at the merch stall.

“This project is truly a labor of love. But in the end making music means more to us, and so we got back to it. We’ll never stop” said KALEIDA to ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK in their recent interview and every single person in Hackney Oslo was certainly very happy about that.

With thanks to Alix Wenmouth at Wasted Youth Music

‘In Arms’ is released by Embassy One in blue vinyl LP, black vinyl LP, CD and digital formats via https://lnk.to/KaleidaInArms

KALEIDA 2024 live dates include:

Berlin LARK (28 March), Hamburg Hääkken (29 March), Warsaw Chmury (30 March), Seattle High Dive (11 April), Los Angeles The Echo (12 April), San Francisco Brick & Mortar Music Hall (13 April), Brooklyn Elsewhere (20 April), Montreal Bar Le Ritz PDB (21 April), Lörrach Stimmen Festival (12 July), Tallinn Vonge Festival (13 July)

https://www.kaleidamusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KALEIDAMUSIC/

https://twitter.com/kaleidamusik

https://www.instagram.com/kaleidamusic/

https://kaleida.bandcamp.com/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6zyPKJ4ePhYLsBEy4A6BVX

Text and Photos by Chi Ming Lai
28 March 2024

CANNONS + NINA & RADIO WOLF Live in London

25 March 2024 /

The queue outside to get a good spot to see Los Angeles band CANNONS play London’s Heaven stretched to almost the entire length of Villiers Street.

Formed in 2013, the trio comprising of Michelle Joy (vocals), Ryan Clapham (guitar) and Paul Davis (keyboards + bass) released their first EP ‘Up All Night’ in 2014. They have been on an upward trajectory since the release of their 2017 debut album ‘Night Drive’. Indeed, the Heaven gig was a consequence of an upgrade from Lafayette in Kings Cross due to public demand.

While CANNONS might have started off sounding a bit like NO DOUBT meeting STEELY DAN, subsequent albums ‘Shadows’ and ‘Fever Dream’ reinforced the more pop indiewave aesthetic like CHROMATICS but with a sunnier disposition. In support of their new long player ‘Heartbeat Highway’, CANNONS’ impressive recent run of sold out headlining shows have included a European sojourn. For these dates, support came from NINA & RADIO WOLF.

Known as “The Queen Of Synthwave”, this was NINA’s welcome return to the London stage after 5 years. Meanwhile for RADIO WOLF aka Oliver Blair, this was his first London appearance since 2018 when he was a de facto member of PARALLELS. However, the Canadian guitarist and producer could be seen as something of a London scene veteran having been in HOTEL MOTEL, a band which also featured Italians Do It Better artist Jorja Chalmers in its line-up.

When NINA & RADIO WOLF took to the stage to a packed venue, the first striking observation was the new raunchier thigh length booted presence of NINA. Alongside her leather jacketed partner, there was a sound to match as showcased from the start with ‘Tokyo Cowboy’. While guitar was a dominant component over the synthwave of her previous work, gritty pulsing electronics formed the backdrop to suit the more sinister mood exemplified by titles such as ‘Psychotic’ which was possessed by a guitar riff not far off DEPECHE MODE’s ‘I Feel You’.

NINA & RADIO WOLF gave space for their recently issued two singles ‘My Dark’ and ‘Bluesbreaker’, the former being a wide ranging accessible slice of darkwave while the latter pulled the surprise of harmonica. Open to other influences such as the frantic machine rhythms of early COCTEAU TWINS single ‘Peppermint Pig’ on ‘To See You’, NINA & RADIO WOLF have cultivated a distinct sound that proved to be a perfect warm up for the headline act.

Live, CANNONS are augmented by drummer Ben Hilzinger and while they are very a tight band that specialises in what they call “future boogie”, Michelle Joy was the visual focus and cheer leader for audience interaction. With a dreamy sexy voice that can be compared to Gwen Stefani,  Susanna Hoffs and Ruth Radelet, she also has an engaging personality that enhances her appeal.

Opening with the ‘Heartbeat Highway’ title song, it was a pointer to the less synth layered sound of the new album compared with its predecessor ‘Fever Dream’; but from the latter, ‘Bad Dream’ displayed the synthier platitudes that helped CANNONS achieve that wider breakthrough. Back to the new record, ‘Loving You’ brought whistles and a groove while not a cover, ‘Talk Talk’ from ‘Shadows’ took the pace down as ‘Can You Feel My Heart’ entered into Hall & Oates blue eyed soul territory.

The pairing of ‘Hurricane’ and the glorious ‘Ruthless’, both from ‘Fever Dream’, was perfect with the latter coming with a massed beckoned “F*CK YOU” to round off the catchy choruses. Meanwhile, ‘Come Alive’ recalled another CHROMATICS influenced act R.MISSING in its enigmatic allure.

The optimistic electronic pop of ‘Crush’ returned the focus to ‘Heartbeat Highway’ but revisiting ‘Fever Dream’ again, ‘Purple Sun’ played with synth reggae before the main section of the set closed with ‘Fire for You’ which featured in a 2020 episode of the Netflix comedy-drama series ‘Never Have I Ever’ and boosted CANNONS’ international profile.

Following the encore of the breezy ‘Desire’ from ‘Heartbeat Highway’ and 2015 standalone single ‘Evening Star’, CANNONS left behind many smiling faces. Like with NATION OF LANGUAGE, there are signs of a similar trajectory as they too went from Lafayette to Heaven previously. With the enthusiastic reception at this show, there is no doubt that when CANNONS return to the UK, it will not just be at a bigger venue in London but part of a whole tour.

CANNONS new album ‘Heartbeat Highway’ is out now as a vinyl LP under exclusive license to Columbia Records

https://www.cannonstheband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cannonstheband

https://twitter.com/cannonstheband

https://www.instagram.com/cannonstheband/

NINA & RADIO WOLF ‘My Dark’ + ‘Bluesbreaker’ are available on the usual online platforms

https://www.iloveninamusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/iloveninamusic

https://twitter.com/iloveninamusic

https://www.instagram.com/ninasounduk/

https://www.radiowolfmusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/radiowolfofficial

https://twitter.com/radiowolfmusic

https://www.instagram.com/radiowolfmusic/

Text and Photos by Chi Ming Lai
25 March 2024

HYPERBUBBLE Cowgirls & Synthesizers OST

21 March 2024 /

‘Cowgirls & Synthesizers’ is the amusing 2023 docufilm by the quirky Texan synth do HYPERBUBBLE.

Comprising of married couple Jessica and Jeff DeCuir, ‘Cowgirls & Synthesizers’ traces their two decade career and the true-story of how HYPERBUBBLE drove to Nashville to record a Country and Western album ‘Western Ware’ using only synthesizers, drum machines and theremin!

Directed by Joe Wallace, with noted musical mischief maker Ricardo Autobahn narrating, commentary is provided by Samantha Newark of cult cartoon series ‘Jem & The Holograms’, Manda Rin of BIS, SHOES, FREEZEPOP and OUR DAUGHTERS WEDDING while somewhere along the way, HYPERBUBBLE end up winners in Dolly Parton’s Netflix song contest with their version of ‘Jolene’ as part of the promotion for her series ‘Heartstrings’.

It all sounds crazy but as Jeff DeCuir once said to ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK in 2014: “Synthesizers with their pitch bend and portamento really lend themselves to that country twang! And the first three letters of ‘Moog’ spell MOO!” – and that recollection has not only ended up in the film but also the soundtrack album!

The record is packed full of fun and captures the essence of the film, beginning with the speedy electro-blueglass of the ‘Cowgirls & Synthesizers’ title song and its shopping list of iconic synths. Meanwhile, ‘Bionic Girl’ continues in the same frantic spirit if based around a more Sci-Fi aesthetic

One of the highlights is ‘Will You Spin For Me?’, a 1984 song originally recorded by SHOES who while known as power pop guitar band, actually had an interim period as a more synth-driven new wave act; here HYPERBUBBLE do fairly faithful cover with SHOES gamely providing backing vocals over the buzzy backdrop.

In 2021, HYPERBUBBLE did a remix of Samantha Newark’s ‘Hologram’ and they pay tribute to her on ‘I Was a Teenage Jem Girl’ and at the end, the lady herself mentions how ‘Jem & The Holograms’ had a live drummer before HYPERBUBBLE celebrate the joys of their ‘Little Drum Machine’; and while Roger Linn’ once posed ironically posed with a sticker that said “DRUM MACHINES HAVE NO SOUL”, the irony has been the since DEPECHE MODE opted to use a numbskull Drumhead, all the soul has gone from their mechanically driven classics when performed live!

Another cover comes in the shape of the OUR DAUGHTER’S WEDDING instrumental ‘Digital Cowboy’ with their own Scott Simon guesting on synth while not a cover, ‘Hyperactive Moviemix’’ concludes with a mad synth barrage and a solo snatch of their best known tune ‘Candy Apple Daydreams’!

The mood changes with ‘No Time To Say Goodbye’ which is a murder ballad in the classic folk tradition but with fabulously ghostly Theremin solo but when ‘Bionic Girl’ is reprised as an authentic “Bluegrass Version”, it acts as a fitting bookend to in validate their cross-genre adventure.

At just under half an hour, with its genre bending antics and places where no synth duo has gone before, ‘Cowgirls & Synthesizers’ is a fun and wacky experience, just like its parent docufilm. HYPERBUBBLE straddle that fine line between deserving an award or a straitjacket, but that is why they so appealing…

The ‘Cowgirls & Synthesizers’ soundtrack album is released by ArtLabTX films Label, available as a yellow vinyl LP, CD and download via https://hyperbubble.bandcamp.com/album/cowgirls-and-synthesizers-original-motion-picture-soundtrack

http://www.hyperbubble.net/

https://www.facebook.com/hyperbubble

https://twitter.com/Hyperbubble

https://www.instagram.com/hyperbubbleofficial/

https://www.facebook.com/cowgirls.and.synthesizers.movie

https://www.instagram.com/cowgirls_and_synthesizers_film

Text by Chi Ming Lai
21 March 2024

KALEIDA In Arms

18 March 2024 /

A few years ago, it looked as though KALEIDA would disband due to the pressures of parenting and the shifting patterns of life.

But Christina Wood and Cicely Goulder have again managed to make their long distance creative partnership work again and their reward is their third album ‘In Arms’. As the title suggests, it has been an impassioned battle capturing 3 years of artistic perseverance. “This project is truly a labor of love. But in the end making music means more to us, and so we got back to it. We’ll never stop” said Christina Wood to ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK

With a Hollywood pedigree that saw their first single ‘Think’ included in the soundtrack of the 2014 Keanu Reeves action thriller ‘John Wick’ and their stark cover ‘99 Luftballons’ appearing in the 2017 Charlize Theron spy drama ‘Atomic Blonde’, album opener ‘Hollow’ is possibly their most immediate number since ‘Think’; throwing subtle house piano shapes, there is that divine haunting quality as can be expected from KALEIDA.

‘Generation’ exudes gothic soul with a touch of trip-hop and jazz inflections while with a sombre percussive drive, ‘Seagull Nun’ is eerily mesmerising with its recurring glitch adding an unexpected edge.

Collaborating with German producer Robot Koch, ‘Choices’ comes over like a modern folk song where a doomed romance is the theme and is a reminder that everyone has choices. Using synthetic and acoustic sounding basslines, ‘Hansaplast’ naturally possesses a looming Cold War tension with beautiful ivories tinkling in a foggy backdrop that recalls Mauerstadt Berlin.

The glorious ‘Stranger’ springs a surprise with 808 electro dance rhythms and a superb collage of staccato voice samples, punchy bass and great vocals, in particular a mantric chant that comes over almost prayer-like.

Elsewhere, the uplifting ‘Kilda’ could be CLANNAD if they had embraced hip-hop beats while the emotive ‘Endless Youth’ goes all deep and moody. A subtle backbone and heavy drone shapes ‘Hey Little Precious’ as “a dream we hold” before ending in an understated neo-acoustic manner with male harmonies on ‘Don´t Turn Me Out’ where KALEIDA collaborate with Oklahoma indie rock band OTHER LIVES.

A product of resilience, KALEIDA have got through their existential crisis and reinforced their sense of purpose. Producing their most varied and best body of work yet, ‘In Arms’ explores directions that could be considered opposites but at its core, the music remains angst-ridden yet hopeful. A real grower of a record, the emotive rush contained within gets increasingly satisfying on each listen. As Cicely Goulder says “It’s a constant dialogue of music and emotion.”

‘In Arms’ is released by Embassy One on 22 March 2024 in blue vinyl LP, black vinyl LP, CD and digital formats via https://lnk.to/KaleidaInArms

KALEIDA 2024 live dates include:

London Oslo (22 March), Prague Cross Club (23 March), Brno Kabinet Múz (24 March), Cologne Artheater (27 March), Berlin LARK (28 March), Hamburg Hääkken (29 March), Warsaw Chmury (30 March), Seattle High Dive (11 April), Los Angeles The Echo (12 April), San Francisco Brick & Mortar Music Hall (13 April), Brooklyn Elsewhere (20 April), Montreal Bar Le Ritz PDB (21 April)

https://www.kaleidamusic.com/

https://www.facebook.com/KALEIDAMUSIC/

https://twitter.com/kaleidamusik

https://www.instagram.com/kaleidamusic/

https://kaleida.bandcamp.com/

Text by Chi Ming Lai
Photos by Benjamin Hampson
18 March 2024

NIGHT CLUB Masochist

15 March 2024 /

Bypassing the usual synthpop route, LA-based duo NIGHT CLUB have significantly expanded their audience by opening for the Maynard James Keenan-helmed alternative rock giants A PERFECT CIRCLE and PUSCIFER over the past few years and in 2023, goth rock icons THE CULT.

Emily Kavanaugh and Mark Brooks captured the enforced confinement of lockdown on 2020’s ‘Die Die Lullaby’ to produce their best album yet. But having delivered that wonderful 35 minutes of existential dread, 4 years later, the world is at war on several fronts, And with US citizens still seemingly not learning past lessons and wanting to STILL “make America great again” despite an attempted insurrection, ‘Masochist’ is a highly appropriate title for the new NIGHT CLUB album.

Emotions can be summed up by the inclusion of ‘The Lunatics (Have Taken Over the Asylum)’, a cover of the song by FUN BOY THREE. Written as a metaphor to the dangerous posturing games played by “The Cowboy” Ronald Reagan in 1981 during The Cold War, today an even crazier orange face from the screen is attempting a comeback followed by his flock of mindless sheep… NIGHT CLUB’s update for the 21st Century brings in the Las Vegas Mass Choir for the deep vocal hook but when Kavanaugh joins in several octaves higher with her characteristic feline delivery, an even more sinister resonance ensues that gets boosted over the tighter mechanical rhythm.

As with ‘Die Die Lullaby’, Mark Brooks has mixed the new album with Dave ‘Rave’ Ogilvie, a former member of SKINNY PUPPY known for his work with NINE INCH NAILS and Marilyn Manson. But crucially, Ogilvie also mixed Carly Rae Jepsen’s 2011 worldwide smash hit ‘Call Me Maybe’, attaining that sonic balance between dark underground electronics and mainstream pop which characterises the “Britney fronting NINE INCH NAILS” approach of NIGHT CLUB.

Featuring their champion Maynard James Keenan, opener ‘Gone’ imagines an electronic MUSE fronted by Britney Spears with its spikey arpeggios and a mighty range of multi-layered vocals to produce something of an epic drama. With the album title taken from its lyrics, ‘Barbwire Kiss’ doesn’t veer away too much from the archetypical NIGHT CLUB formula as a sister song to ‘Pray’ from ‘Requiem for Romance’ and equally sinister, but ‘Another Side of You’ surprises with some latent stripped down gothic funk.

With the world seeming to be one giant ‘Crime Scene’, its synth metal chorus reminiscent is what Britney would sound like after binge watching ‘Wednesday’ while ‘Let’s Play Revenge!’ develops on the NIGHT CLUB lyrical template to “Keep your friends close and your enemies in your songs”!

The superb ‘Pretty Girls Do Ugly Things’ does ‘Mean Girls – The Musical’ and grooves yet maintains a wonderful dark cynicism! Britney Spears should cover it! No! Britney Spears WILL cover it! ‘Fatal Crush’ takes a leaf out of Aussie pop princess Kylie Minogue by offering NIGHT CLUB’s own take on ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ mashed-up with ‘Cruel Devotion’ from 2014’s ‘Black Leather Heart’ EP while ‘Everybody Knows’ is a close cousin also driven by pulsing disco octave basslines.

The closer ‘Black December’ is an unexpected traditional rock ballad that contains organ and guitar textures! But elements of ROXY MUSIC’s ‘Song For Europe’ also creep in, highlighting NIGHT CLUB’s affinity with music from across the Atlantic… yes Britney Spears was from Mississippi but her imperial phase was written and produced by Swedes!

50% of ‘Masochist’ retains what would be considered the classic NIGHT CLUB sound but the other 50% explores some deviations which could point to a number interesting possible pop futures.

An immediate and highly enjoyable album, ‘Masochist’ pulls the not very easy trick of keeping established fans satisfied while also offering something different but connected to the path.

‘Masochist’ is released by Gato Blanco as a CD, red or clear vinyl LP and download, available from http://nightclubband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nightclubband

https://twitter.com/nightclubband

https://www.instagram.com/nightclubband/

https://soundcloud.com/nightclubband

Text by Chi Ming Lai
15 March 2024

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2017 ELECTRICITYCLUB.CO.UK | Email: [email protected]
Privacy Policy

Up ↑