Communion: New Faces

23 April 2012

Communion Records is still a young label, but it’s undoubtedly one of the most exciting one the UK has to offer at present. The label’s latest compilation ‘New Faces’ continues in their admirable ethos of championing fresh talent, and showcases songs from some of the artists they’ve launched in the past year including Michael Kiwanuka, Goyte and Ben Howard.

The 20-track mixtape is full of highlights. Hotly-tipped upcomer Daughter is well-placed amongst the likes of James Vincent McMorrow and Lucy Rose, while Julia Stone (of Angus and Julia Stone fame), Matt Corby and Boy & Bear demonstrate the breadth and quality of Australia’s music scene. It’s selections from Communion’s native London combined with music from elsewhere in the UK, Ireland, the US, Australia and more that position Communion as a trendsetting label and a centre for burgeoning new music.

New Faces is out now from the Communion Records Shop, iTunes, and all good record stores.

Communion: New Faces – Tracklisting:

Michael Kiwanuka – Tell Me A Tale
Julia Stone – Let’s Forget All The Things That We Say
Joe Banfi – Olive Green
Gabriel and the Hounds – What Good Would That Do?
Daughter – Love
3 Blind Wolves – Emily Rose
Ben Howard – Three Tree Town
Keaton Henson – To Your Health
Lucy Rose – Middle of the Bed
Matt Corby – Kings and Queens, Beggars and Thieves
Boy and Bear – Milk and Sticks
Jocie Adams – Bed of Notions
Dan Croll – Marion
The Apache Relay – American Nomad (Communion version)
James Vincent McMorrow – Hear The Noise That Moves So Soft And Low
David McCaffery – Stars
Nathaniel Rateliff – Just For Me But I Thought Of You
Will Nott – Won’t Go Back
Bear’s Den – Pompeii
Gotye – Bronte

SXSW 2012 Photo Diary

By: Helen Boast

22 March 2012

In: Features, News & Leaks

1 comment

We packed the lovely Helen Boast on her way off to Austin, Texas last week to snap a photo journal of events at the SXSW 2012 music festival. SXSW is always an impressive affair with more showcases, parties, barbeques, and cupcakes than any person could rightly ever get to – but most importantly it is always a whirlwind of new music.

This is how she got on…
(Words by her trusty sidekick Laura Studarus from Under The Radar)

Out and about in Austin, Texas for SXSW Festival

Nutrition is crucial at SXSW. It’s important to consume enough calories to stave off excessive weight loss. Even with multiple trips to Hey Cupcake, and a diet of pizza, gin, and cookies, I still managed to loose five pounds in five days. It’s tragic, really.

MySpace face advertising

You know that feeling like advertising is everywhere at a festival? As though even the porta-potties have sponsorship, and advertisers are clamoring to rent out space in your dreams? Yeah, me neither. My brain has an excellent spam filter.

Malin Dahlstrom, Gustaf Karlof and Magnus Boqvist of Niki And The Dove Perform live at Flemingo Cantina in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

In all honesty, I can’t talk about Swedish electro-popstars Niki & the Dove without slipping into a state of major fan girl. One of my jobs at Under the Radar is to live tweet our parties. I had to stop halfway through Niki & the Dove’s set after being overtaken by tears and a desire to propose marriage.

Fiona Apple performs live at The Presbyterian Church in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

I’ve been a fan of Fiona Apple since high school, so finally seeing her live was a treat. I just wish she hadn’t been so nervous. Her voice is still incredible, and she emotes like few performers I’ve ever seen. Currently trying to figure out how to send Fiona some form of inspirational poster.

Chuck Inglish and Mikey Rocks (aka Sir Michael Rocks) of The Cool Kids perform live at The Doritos stage in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

I can’t really speak to Cool Kids‘ set, as it’s not my cup of tea. (Not even close.) But can we talk about this stage? I’m terrified this might be the most accurate metaphor for America I’ve seen—even more so when I walked by it at 2am and the display to the far right read “Rickrolled.” Side note: The chips were terrible. (Side side note: On my first post-SXSW shopping trip I came very close to buying Doritos. I hate you marketing geniuses.)

Body Language perform live at Flemingo Cantina in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

Perhaps my greatest regret was that we never had a Bill Murray sighting at SXSW. (Well that and eating French fries after midnight. Twice.) A friend did report seeing him dancing on top of a bar at Jack White’s showcase—so I guess all is not lost. Still waiting for photos though.

Out and about in Austin, Texas for SXSW Festival

There were few boobs and much cheese at this shop. We had to shout over the metal to order our slices—but judging by the look on our salesgirl’s face, whatever “music” we were treated to was the heavy metal equivalent of easy listening. Ahh… sweet tunes for dinner hour.

Cristi Jo and Jessica Zambri of Zambri perform live at Flemingo Cantina in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

Will someone please turn Zambri into stars already? Brains, beauty, attitude, and some of the spookiest tunes I’ve heard at a daytime festival. One band member is married to the frontman from Hooray For Earth, the other is dating a member of Bear in Heaven. I’m prepared to go on some form of hunger strike until they agree to form a super group. Or at least tour together.

Reggie Watts performs live at Flemingo Cantina in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

I once drove Reggie Watts around in my car. He sat in back, his glorious afro filling my review mirror, singing and telling jokes so ridiculous I had to wipe away tears and threaten to pull over to keep from killing us all. I’m glad I didn’t crash – we wouldn’t have gotten to witness this.

Rebecca Taylor of Slow Club performs live at Flemingo Cantina in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

The chemistry between the Slow Club duo is unbelievable. Half the time their music is so sweet you forget that they’re talking about darkness and death. Thankfully drummer/singer/multi-instrumentalist Rebecca Taylor wore an appropriate t-shirt. ::Throws devil horns and inappropriately rocks out::

Polaroids

The photo to the far right is dear friend of ours who flew in from Poland to attend the fest. It’s a blast hearing a multitude of languages and accents all crammed into downtown Austin. Sort of like the UN of rocking out.

We Are Serenades perform live at the Filter Magazine party in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

I choose to believe We Are Serenades‘ hair just sprouts from their head in a perfect shade of green. But just in case it didn’t, I avoided the green beer.

Charlie Hilton of Blouse performs live in Austin Texas for SXSW Festival

By the last day of SXSW I was so tired I was convinced I was in a waking dream. Blouse is an excellent jam for that sort of mental state.

Out and about in Austin, Texas for SXSW Festival

Yes, exhaustion is truly an interesting experience. We walked by this creature three times before realize he was not your average violinist. Then again, maybe he is… it’s been awhile since I’ve been to the symphony.

If you’d like to see more of what Helen got up to then check out the gallery:

Live: Ben Howard and Daughter – UEA LCR

By: Lauren

27 February 2012

In: Reviews

1 comment

About once a year, a lineup too delectable to miss pops up in your hometown. Even though we’re only in February, last week’s showcasing of brilliant new talents Ben Howard and Daughter at the UEA LCR will easily be 2012′s defining gig moment for anybody that witnessed it.

The sold out room chatters away in polite anticipation, and falls almost silent as experimental alt-folk trio Daughter take to the stage and begin. Breathtaking renditions of ‘Youth’, ‘Landfill’ and ‘Candles’ highlight a phenomenal sense of melody and accomplished arrangements. Exceptional frontlady Elena Tonra has traded the acoustic guitar of earlier demos for a beautiful electric, and she later trades instruments with badmate Igor to play bass on one song. It’s obvious that a lot of the audience are already familiar with the hauntingly beautiful sound of Daughter, with sing-a-longs and shouted-out song requests featuring as staple part of the band’s too-short set.

Ben Howard appears on stage amongst cheering and whooping from an overexcited audience and begins his set with two new songs. The daring tact is well-received, and the whole room seems completely captivated by Ben and his band from the offset. ’The Wolves’, ‘Diamonds’ and ‘Keep Your Head Up’ are obvious crowd-pleasers – as you’d hope, given the copious amount of radio play they’ve received in recent months. ‘Old Pine’ is a surprising crowd favourite, with most of the audience bellowing out the words with as much emotion as the band themselves, never missing a beat.

The charm of Ben Howard is in his ability to come across as an incredibly normal guy; it’s like watching your mega-talented mate play a show at your local. There are no frills or unnecessary effects on offer here. Ben offers great music in its purest form. An extended version of ‘The Fear’ is part of an unfaultable encore, and after a long set, it marks the end of a very special experience. From the enthusiastic babble that erupts after Ben has left the stage, I’d imagine all 2,000 punters feel exactly the same: like you’re leaving a fun fair at the end of a long, brilliant day – you wish you could stay forever.

Ben Howard and Elena from Daughter performing ‘Black Flies’.