Prom Diddly Om Prom Prom

 Phew. Well, that was another hiatus from these here musings but not in any normal sense of the word.

Having spent the last 3 weeks at Glastonbury and then at the unmatchable beauty of Nowhere, I am now returned less than refreshed physically but more than rejuvenated in all other ways. Some exciting new beginnings on the job front are only adding to my sense of all round well-being right now.

To delicately put the cherry on this moist and delicious iced cake, I have returned just as the 2010 Proms are beginning.

Running until the 11th September, the Proms is always filled with incredible performances housed in that stable of classical concerts, The Royal Albert Hall. Furthermore, most of these performances can be seen for the bargain price of 5 English pounds, if you turn up early enough on the evening.

This would place you way up in the gods but once you bring a little something to lie on and a decent bottle with you, the joy of spreading out and surrendering to the union of so many amazing musicians as you float high above the arena is more than apparent.

The list of performances is easily found on the BBC website and you might even find a surprising amount of performances from other backgrounds and talents beyond the usual so why not take yourself beyond the usual?

Je t'aime the Thames

There's been a noticable radio silence over the last week and I can only mitigate this by asking you to take a look out your window and remind yourself as to how fortunate our recent meteorological circumstances have been.

Daytime is the new nighttime and I, for one, have certainly been making hay.

With such conditions in mind, there is an exceptional opportunity to make the most of such clement weather this weekend. Not only is it, of course, a bank holiday, but one amongst our midst has squirreled out an opportunity to celebrate on the fair waters of our Thames river.

Launching this Sunday, Je Thames is going to be a new regular river boat party located on the Embankment. This weeks instalment, monikered "Our Frenz Electric", sees a stellar line-up from live bands such as Braindead Collective and Gobsausage to some deep and dirty DJ sets from Dan Donovan (Dreadzone) and Tom Parker (Deptford Noise Team).

Covering two decks, plus a barbeque to feed the masses on the (hopefully) sun-drenched open deck, there will also be a liberal sprinkling of performance art for you to enjoy in-between nourishing your electrosoul.

Located on the North side of the river, right near Temple station or a short walk from Embankment station, and at the absolute bargain price of £3 (before 6pm) and £5 after, it'd be an honour to sit out on the deck with you and relax while the waves and varying floating body parts wash gently up against the hull of this good ship Electric.

Electro Retro

So, there appears to be a new scent trail in the air, a smell, a sound that is attracting many of my peers and spreading like wildfire. Incorporating many things dear to mine own heart, including dapperness, swing music and modern electro.

Yes pop-pickers, it's electroswing. As far as I can tell, this all seems to have grown out of Mr Scruff's signature tune, Get A Move On and spawned a whole movement of such.

At the forefront of this, one of the spearheads if you like, are The Correspondents, spreading this vintage gospel to all four corners of London.

They will next be popping their heads above the pulpit at Jamm in Brixton as part of an evening being run by those old festival stagers, the Chai Wallahs and I am reliably informed by one of my most eminent and esteemed colleagues that "you'd be a fool to miss it, I is tellin' ya!".

Appearing alongside this formidable tour de force are South London's finest Rodney P and DJ Skitz. These veritable godfathers of British hiphop would be worth the admission fee on their own but added to the aforementioned and backed up by the likes of the explosive Molotov Jukebox and the slick and unstoppable King Porter Stomp this could be an evening to tempt even the most hardened Hackneyite out of the East and to head down South...

Piece of Cake

So, it turns out sunshine makes everything better and, being in an unfeasibly good mood for a Monday, the week brings yet more excitement which I am, in turn, excited to write about.

This very Wednesday evening sees the return of The Cakewalk Cafe, featuring everyone's favourite pub-based musical genius, Ewan Bleach and his incredible Smokey Taps band.

The evening will further unfold with the genial and horrendously talented Jim Ydstie on double bass or perhaps accordian, accompanied by a hullaballoo of jazzmen and surely many troupes of you willing dancers.

Where else will you find all this for the small charge of £5 or the even smaller charge of £3.50 if appropriately dressed? Nowhere, that's where...

Wed 14th April
7:30pm
Passing Clouds, Richmond Road, Dalston

Chiddy Chiddy Bang Bang

What a beautiful morning to wake up to today! Suddenly everything seems right and good with a little more Vitamin D in the world.

And to cheer the mood yet further, it appears that one of my 'new favourite bands' Chiddy Bang are bringing their (shockhorror!) original and good hiphop to London! Ah, good times...

For those who are uninitiated in the talents of this Philadelphia duo, make sure to grab yourself a copy of their debut Opposite of Adults EP, and prepare yourself to revel in some superbly choice samples and cuts.

If this should so tickle-your-fancy, then these few words to the wise.

Scala. 27th May. 7:30pm. £10.

Who's in?

Hope for Haiti

It's all flooding out after a weeks absence and the news keeps rolling in.

This time it's a little something for all those kids who are south of the river, y'poor souls ye...

Although it might be out of the headlines, Haiti is by no means out of the woods. Not by a long shot. Total worldwide donations are hovering around the 750 million dollar mark which is an incredible response but still far short of the estimated billions of dollars it will take to rebuild this most stricken of countries.

Every small bit counts.

With this in mind, I know there have been a myriad of events towards this goal but given that they have all been, on their own merits, excellent evenings, what excuse is there, if you're in the area, not to go?

The Hope For Haiti Sunday Session will take place at the superbly monikered establishment, The Jackdaw and Rook on Balham High Road and will feature a whole day of aural pleasures with the likes of ToyFace, Kabuki Mono and Zac Rogers plus a raffle and an auction with super things for you to win and money raised for those without such opportunities.

Enjoy and play your small part.

Two birds, one stone.

2pm Sunday 18th April
FREE entry

Rise of The Jabberwocky

With the days stretching out ever longer and the sun rising higher and clearer in the sky, one can't help but cast at least one eye to the summer. And summer, as we all know, means festivals.

One such festival that I guess would come under the 'boutique' umbrella is the cute and welcoming GocStock. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend last year and it was evident that the seed of friends gathering and enjoying surroundings, company and music had been cultivated and bloomed here.

This year, having outgrown their previous site, KitKaboodle, the organisers, have picked out a beautiful new venue in Kent, Eridge Park. Set against a backdrop that spreads over 1000 acres and under a canopy of royal oaks and beech trees, GocStock will be bringing it's all pervading sense of fun, silliness and escapism to this corner of England's garden.

The theme for this year is the Lewis Carroll nonsense poem, Jabberwocky and costuming, mudlarking, fairy-hunting, prancing, dancing, lollapaloozing and hullaballozing are all suitably encouraged.

I know how many of you prefer getting your hands dirty when it comes to festivals, both metaphorically and, well, actually and GocStock seems to embrace such kind's of do-ocracys. Ideas for performances, projects and pieces embraced and welcomed by she with the moniker Goc.

For those of an impatient nature or for those who simply might wish to get a taster of what's to come, there will also be a GocStock warm-up party at the Amersham Arms in the much underrated area of New Cross.

GocStock Warm-up party - 29th May
£5 in advance, £6 on the door

GocStock Festival - 18th -19th June
£35 (£30 for concessions)

Go, be merry. And for less than the cost of a decent bottle of single malt...

Resuming Radio Contact

Ah, now that's better. Feeling refreshed and rejuvenated not just with the advent of Spring but after a superbly relaxing and excellent time in that bastion of inexpensive and effortless krautcool, Berlin and a memorable weekend to welcome me home to that centre of expensive and try-hard britcool, London.

So, to get the ball rolling again here I thought I'd indulge a little passion of mine that, well, I know is not everyone's bag. Jazz.

Controversial.

Nice.

Arriving on our shores in June though is a ever-rising legend on the jazz scene and using the opportunity to have the first major Jazz residency at the Barbican, Wynton Marsalis will celebrate 80 years of American Big Band with a series of concerts that should entice even the hardest of indiekid hearts.

The standout evening of this run should be the opportunity to check out some of the best swing bands and dancing from both the US and the UK at A Midsummer Night's Swing, in the newly renovated and revitalised Stoke Newington Town Hall.

If nothing else, it is a grand opportunity to get out there looking like the goddamn money...

Hot Off The Press

This very moment, I have just received word of the annual series of gigs that take place within the courtyard of that oft underused building, Somerset House.

The home of the Taxman, this building and it's open air square are increasingly being used for more inspiring means. A staple of this is the opportunity every summer for Somerset House to make for a superb music venue. I am often want to recall seeing Orbital there in what ranks right up there in my favourite all time musical experiences.

Having said that, the line-up for Somerset House is often mixed, and toppling towards disappointing. However, this year, they must have employed at least one person with a half-decent taste in music as there are sporadic highlights.

These are...

Friday 9th July Air

Tuesday 13th July The xx

Sunday 18th July Soul II Soul

If any of you imagined throngs out there in webland fancy a jaunt along and a singalong, then I am able to get priority booking if you get off your behind by Friday.

Come along now...

Folksy Antifolk

                                                        Photo by Sarah Cass

I'm not sure I've ever really understood the use of the term 'Antifolk', although I am aware that Kimya Dawson and Jeffrey Lewis are two bastions of this particular institution.

I am also aware that they make funny, touching and acutely self-aware music that I personally feel is almost impossible not to relate to, so frankly their genre could be called 'Antijew' and I would still love it.

In one of those happy happenstances, they are both playing, together with The Bundles, at one of my all time favourite London music venues, The Union Chapel and at the eminently reasonable fiscal subtraction of 15 English pounds.

I'll be there gladly paying Kimya Dawson for being Kimya Dawson. If you're sat next to me, it could hardly make it worse now, could it...?

19th May 7pm
The Union Chapel
£15 + unavoidable bastard tax of £1.50

Bach To Life

Apologies for the pun above but since we are also approaching the season of mystery bunnies and chocolate eggs it did seem somewhat appropriate.

To prepare us for such, there is a free performance of the fairly intense Bach piece, St John Passion at St. Pauls Cathedral. Religious overtones, I know but, sung by the Cathedral Choir, it will be undoubtedly beautiful.

FREE

Summer Follows Spring

Having been ruminating about Spring, it is natural that my thoughts then turn to Summer. Ah, Summer. Tempting us in June with your sunny ways, full of hope and potential...only to shower us with rainy British ineptitude in July and August. Shame on you.

It doesn't stop me thinking that maybe this year it'll be different though. Maybe this year will be the year the sun puts it's hat on over our capital.

Thus to tempt fate, I thought I would mention a small summer festival happening in Victoria Park.

Field Day festival returns to the green plains of Tower Hamlets with just the kind of eclectic and well-monikered line up that I like, featuring the likes of Mouse on Mars, Caribou, the outrageously talented Chilly Gonzales and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble.

Cheap as chips at £33.33 for this amount of good, and not a little interesting, sounds and tunes.

Occuring as it does on the 31st July, it is surely a formality that the weather will be clement. Right?

London Gin, Bombay Sapphire and some Cake for afters...

Woah. Now that was what I call a weekend.

The Gin Palace went off like some kind of sophisticated, slick rocket on Saturday night with outstanding music and performances from the likes of The Smokey Taps, The Jumblebox Consortium, Miss Leed'em and Count Fettucini, not to mention the sartorial standards maintained by the crowd and the captivating cocktails from the bar.

On Sunday I was then most fortunate to be able to witness the incredible Manganiyar Seduction at the Barbican in an absolutely mindblowing display of musical talent, intricacy and, well, Celebrity Squares.

From poignant beginning to the raising, explosive crescendo this was an experience that makes you forget where you are and anything else that might be happening around you. In it's conception, immediacy and effect, magnificent.

As we now plough headlong into the week, an immediate chance to relive some of this weekend presents itself at Passing Clouds in Dalston as The Smokey Taps return for their Cakewalk Cafe night. One of the tightest swing bands you will hear this side of 1940 aligned with surely one of the best live voices I have ever had the privilege to witness, The Taps will be raising the bar for Wednesday nights.

£5 on the door, £3.50 with appropriate 20s/30s dress.

The Dawn Chorus Awakes

I am fortunate to know some amazing and talented people. Not just the types who keep it to themselves either but the kind of people who are generous with their time and energies.

One such acquaintance is Mr Theo Bard who, in a monthly residency at Passing Clouds, is displaying not just his own musical gifts but promoting the talents of others as well.

The second instalment of The Dawn Chorus in the cosy environs of the upstairs of Passing Clouds was perfectly situated in time and venue and was delightful nutrition for the soul.

Alongside Theo's own ensemble this month were a beautifully understated solo performance from Fiona Bevan and some rawkus harmonies from Cocos Lovers.

Fiona Bevan's solo guitar spot was bewitching and, although possessing a sublime voice, she felt no need for extraneous embellishment so as to chime elegantly with the atmosphere and her stripped back guitar playing. Although mentioning that she was testing new material, her songs felt instantly familiar, endorsing the intimate surroundings.

Cocos Lovers music is a real return to the roots of folk music and, despite the sheer size of numbers and varying instruments playing, is infused with tight harmonies and some stomping rhythms. Passionate, joyous and zealously warmhearted.

Having personally only been witness to Theo's solo performances it was a treat to be able to see him embedded in a full ensemble. Sadly missing the incredible Ewan Bleach on saxophone, their last minute replacement manned up, well, manfully. Often folk music can come across as a little austere and ascetic, however, their songs were heartfelt, fervid and full of energy.

Notes and sounds that put a smile on my face, superb company and a short walk home.

Frankly, a perfect weekday evening

Woodburner at The George

For many of us Hackneyites and beyond, it feels like a home-from-home, a community space that is now coming into bloom thanks to all the hard work of it's current residents.

Following this trail is the new weekly folk evening that will be taking place in the confines of The George, every Monday.

Yesterdays' Woodburner saw host Theo Bard introduce us to Sam Lee and the Gillie Boys as well as Miss Gwennie. Lest we should forget, it will also be necessary to celebrate the outstanding achievement in the field of heating by Mr Theo Brown. His heroic woodburner will be carrying on it's conversion of a once chilly pub into the cosiest of bossoms.

All to the swill of rather fine ales.

Every Monday at The George, 171 Glyn Road E5

7:30pm - 12pm. £3 cover charge.

Ecstatic! Hexstatic!

Another gig to look out for shows one of my favourite live acts around today. Hexstatic shows are incredible not just for the constantly innovative and, well, downright whoopee music but also for the awe-inspiring visuals that they create on stage.

Mixing film and images live while they mix tunes make them the best mixing combo this side of Kenwood.

To mark the release of their new album, Trailer Trax, the duo will be playing a special live show at Cargo on the 13th May.

Be absolutely blown off your dancing feet for less than a tenner.

The Tennessee Three

The term Leg End is thrown around these days as though it were a yo-yo given to an ambitious and tenacious child attempting to learn 'Around The World'.

Fortunately, we'd be on safe ground were we to apply the term to The Man In Black. No, not Will Smith or, indeed, Tommy Lee Jones. I'm talking Cash. Johnny Cash.

The one and only band he worked with throughout his entire career, the lesser-known but still celebrated Tennessee Three are playing a rare, rare gig in the UK, in London, on the 22nd May.

If you want some music with a lot of history and no little soul, then come feed with me.

East Innit Blud

Having made a brief allusion to this in a previous post I thought I'd fully big this up now that more details have been released about it. Drum roll please....................The East Festival!

This is a six-day event that celebrates, promotes and educates about the creative, multi-cultural, diverse jumble that is East London.

There are 4 main themes across the 6 days which are the Asian Sub-Continent, Travel, Architecture and Minimalism. Hmm, so covering random bases there but some of the events planned across venues including The Barbican, The Rich Mix Gallery, The Whitechapel Gallery and The Bethnal Green Working Men's Club look frickin' awesome and are, invariably, FREE.

And all on many of our doorsteps. By which I obviously mean, my doorstep.

Yesblud!

Praying At The Altar of Free

One of London's most beautiful venues, The Union Chapel has been back up and running with renewed vim and vigour, following a temporary hiatus a little while back.

To celebrate this and to open up the space to a whole new audience, they are running free daytime gigs every Saturday, called Daylight Music.

The next instalment of this amazing opportunity sees three exciting new bands to go check out, Gilded Palace of Sin, The Doomed Bird of Providence and City Reverb.

All a bit of a mouthful but hopefully a bit of a handful as well.

The Dawn Chorus part II

The excellently monikered Theo Bard's evening of folk, food and fuel for the soul returns on the 25th February to Passing Clouds.

The Dawn Chorus should be another complete array of good music and good people and what better surroundings could there be for a thursday evening?

Grab the hot toddy while you can...