After announcing a tour earlier this year, the elusive John Maus has revealed his new record, Screen Memories, will be released through <a href="https://ribbonmusic.com/">Ribbon Music</a> on October 27th.
 
Accompanying that nugget of good news, there’s a new song and psychedelic vid out in the wild. And what can I say other than it has Maus written all over it.
Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kF2-Cr6yX4">The Combine</a> below…
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New: John Maus – The Combine

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Ahead of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1521993634764615/">CitR & Friends</a> next week where you can catch No Monster Club live, we’re excited to bring you  a brand new song from the band’s upcoming album ‘I Feel Magic’.
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<div>Take a listen to the bass driven noise-pop number ‘Sion’ below.</div>
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<div>No Monster Club is the brainchild of Irish musician, Bobby Aherne, who has shared a stage with Wavves, Ariel Pink and most recently The Polyphonic Spree. Bobby draws influence from across the indie rock landscape and bundles it all together in his unique lo-fi style.</div>
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“I came up with all of the composite parts during the Carnaval parade in Sion, Switzerland last Valentine’s Day.” Bobby told us “The next day, I stitched them all together into a rough, drunken Jack Torrance demo in the ancient and creepy Hotel Europa (where Verdi used to live and Napoleon once stayed) in Ferrara, Italy. The lyrics came later.”
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Next week we’re <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1521993634764615/">throwing a party</a> for all of the readers, writers, musicians and artists that have made Crack In The Road what it is today. We’re flying No Monster Club into the capital for the occasion and it’s your chance grab a copy of their new record ‘I Feel Magic’, ahead of its release on February 19th 2016. digital edition/CD available from Popical Island (Europe) and cassette tape available from Already Dead Tapes & Records (USA). 
Check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1521993634764615/">Facebook event</a> for more.

Premiere: Sion – No Monster Club

I first met Hana Elion and JJ Mitchell AKA Overcoats during the soundcheck of our <a href="https://love-london.co.uk/events/crack-in-the-road-presents/">last London live show</a>. 
That evening I watched their magical mix of electro-folk and soul slowly seduce the crowd. Afterwards we got chatting by the bar and the duo told me of their travels from Brooklyn to Dublin then across the UK. 
Now November is almost here and as the leaves begin to brown, Overcoats are kicking off a <a href="https://twitter.com/thisisovercoats/status/659070155402645505">US tour</a> with plans to return to the UK before the year is out. I caught up with them to talk synchronised dancing, last suppers and life lessons.
Hey guys, so what’s been going on since you performed for us at The Old Blue Last back in September?
J: After the show, we headed down to Cornwall for a month. We worked on a lot of new material, did some waitressing part-time, and finished putting together our tour of the Northeast of America.
H: Don’t forget the swimming – we did a lot of swimming.
J: We’re excited to announce that we are now working with the folks over at Mute management so that’s been great fun getting to know them and planning the future.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2015/10/12194460_10153860925885628_1709278513_o.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-31790 aligncenter" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2015/10/12194460_10153860925885628_1709278513_o-1024x680.jpg" alt="Overcoats" width="640" height="425" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2015/10/12194460_10153860925885628_1709278513_o-1024x680.jpg 1024w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2015/10/12194460_10153860925885628_1709278513_o-300x199.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2015/10/12194460_10153860925885628_1709278513_o-50x33.jpg 50w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2015/10/12194460_10153860925885628_1709278513_o.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /></a>
Its been a bit of a whirlwind since 2015 for Overcoats, tell us a bit about how you came together and how you ended up spending 6 months in Ireland?
H: JJ and I met in university and had been singing together for years. A combination of one of the coldest New England winters either of us had ever experienced and some things that were going on in both of our personal lives prompted the idea of writing music as a coping mechanism. We started writing as a way for us to try to understand our own feelings, as well as empathise with each other’s. Both of us had written music before and been in various bands, but everything about making music changed for us when we wrote together. It was kinetic, and so so honest.
J: Everything happened very quickly. Hana was working in a recording studio at the time, and so we just kept writing and recording and eventually we put the stuff online. Dublin was a way for us to get out of New York and go try and wing it somewhere new. We wrote a ton of new material and met really unforgettable people along the way.
H: Also, I think we may need bad weather to write good music.
J: Yes. The rain was very necessary.
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So take us through the songwriting process 
J: Writing songs together feels really natural to us. There are a few different ways that we do it. Sometimes we work from an idea—a feeling or an experience—and we try to find the right words and the right mood to portray it. Other times we start from a short melody that one of us has been working on, or sometimes the beginnings of a verse. With The Fog, it was actually the percussion that inspired the melody and lyrics. So there have been a number of ways. Just this past week, we had to experiment with writing together from across the pond. Hana flew back to the US before me but we refused to stop working on our latest idea. About 25 emails went back and forth, with voice memos, garageband clips, and finally a full blown demo in logic. Something funky is going on with the two of us. We have exactly the same vision for the kind of sound we are trying to put out into the world. We know when something sounds right. We know when it sounds like Overcoats.
Cool in-sync songwriting, kind of like your dancing! Speaking of which, what’s your favourite dance move?
H: Oh, that’s an easy one.
J: How can we explain this? It’s called “hip-frog.”
H: Basically, in “Smaller Than My Mother,” the fourth track off our EP, there’s a moment towards the beginning where the beat drops. When we play the song live, we break into this move that involves moving one hip and jutting your leg out like a frog (don’t ask).
J: There might be footage of this, but don’t look it up. Better to be surprised when it happens.
Haha, during your visit to the UK you must have come across some interesting places. What were some of your favourites?
J: Our favorite place that we visited was actually Saatchi Gallery in London. We were locked out of the apartment we were staying in (long story…) and we had been wandering around the city for hours. We made it to Saatchi and thought we had found heaven. Every piece of art in there…we would enter the next gallery room and both just be like “Oh my god, oh my. Oh wow.” Definitely disturbing everyone else around us. We finally had to pull ourselves away when the gallery monitors told us the gallery had closed ten minutes earlier.
H: Cornwall was definitely one of my favorite places we visited, as I had never been there before. The views were breathtaking. Another great spot was this club we played in Exeter – Cavern. We met really wonderful people that night and had an absolute ball.
What’s next for Overcoats? Any new music planned or sneak peeks you can give us?
H: Lots of new music coming. We’re recording several new tracks this month and are playing a bunch of shows in and around NYC. If anyone’s New York based, we’ll be at Rockwood Music Hall on November 6th and Pianos on November 14th.
J: After that, we’ll be back in London in December!
Favourite venue?
J: I’d have to say The Old Blue Last is up there on the list. The vibe there was pretty great. We also love Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn. The part at the back, where all the live music happens is like a train car. Im not sure if it’s actually an old train car or if it’s just modeled to look like one. Either way, it’s cute AF. It’s where we played our first ever New York gig.
H: Both really good choices. I also loved the Islington, because of the intimate vibe and the really fun staff.
Ok, so now lets go a bit off piste, If you were on death row what would your last meal be?
J: Probably eggs. Not because we love eggs. It just seemed to be the only thing we ate while on tour. So many EGGS. I guess we could almost call it comfort food? Actually nevermind, I wouldn’t want an egg.
H: I think we would request salt and vinegar crisps. But maybe also eggs.
Wow I thought my question was random but EGGS? If you could turn into any animal, what would it be and why?
H: Lion. I’m a leo, so…rawr.
J: Meerkat. Definitely.
One thing you’ve learnt this year?
H: When traveling/touring/generally living a nomadic life, be each other’s home. That will get you through.
J: Also, there’s nothing that can’t be danced off.
H: It’s been a learning experience, for sure.
If you’re on the East Coast of the US you can catch Overcoats across November, otherwise the dreamy duo are returning to UK in December. In the meantime you can keep up with the latest from Hana and JJ over on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thisisovercoats/?fref=ts">Facebook</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/thisisovercoats">Twitter</a>.

Interview: Overcoats

Earl Sweatshirt uploaded a surprise new project to YouTube this evening. The lush ten minute track is an apparent tribute to his mother who, as previous songs and interview suggest, he’s had a rocky relationship with.
We thought the rapper and producer had already dropped his only surprise of the year with his new album, I Don’t Like Shit I Don’t Go Outside. Apparently we were wrong.
Solace is lo-fi, experimental and brilliant.
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Earl Sweatshirt is one of the youngest members of ‘hiphop collective’ (ugh, I hate that phrase) Odd Future; basically a bunch of brilliant artists. His debut album Earl earned attention from Complex Magazine who named it as one of their top albums of 2010.
Earl’s follow-up, Doris, shot to number one in the US Rap Charts  as well as receiving critical acclaim from swathes of critics and a perfect score from <a title="Doris - The Guardian review" href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/22/earl-sweatshirt-doris-review">Ben Beaumont-Thomas at The Guardian.</a>
Solace is more stripped back than previous releases, but still carries a depth only attained by sinking into yourself.

New: Earl Sweatshirt – Solace

EDIT: The competition is now open. Head <a href="https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/2015-emerging-talent-competition-enter-now/" target="_blank">here</a> to enter.
Today the friendly folk over  at Worthy Farm have announced details of this year’s Emerging Talent Competition, a chance for fresh faces in music from the UK and Ireland to perform at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. Entries are being accepted for just one week only from the 19th to the 26th of January. You can enter <a href="https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/">here</a>.
The competition is completely free to enter and winners also get a £5,000 PRS for Music Foundation Talent Development prize, which sounds pretty fancy and claims it will help musicians to “take their songwriting and performing to the next level.”
Entries usually come in from every genre but I’d hazard a guess that if you’re an avant-garde noise band you probably haven’t got as much chance as a jangly folk outfit… maybe that’s just me though.
Emily Eavis, Glastonbury co-organiser and daughter of founder Michael Eavis said; “New music is such an important part of Glastonbury, and the Emerging Talent Competition is always an incredible way for us to find fresh talent from across the musical spectrum. In fact, eight of the acts that entered in 2014 ended up with slots at Glastonbury 2014. I can’t wait to hear who we discover this year.”
All you need to do  to enter is visit the <a style="color: #1155cc;" href="https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/" target="_blank">the Glastonbury website</a>, add a link to one of your tracks onSoundCloud as well as a video of you performing live, even if it’s just you dancing around your bedroom. A panel of 40 of the UK’s top music writers, which Crack In The Road are proud to be a part of, help to build a long list which will then by whittled down to 8 artists by the judges. This panel of magical maestros include Glastonbury organisers Michael and Emily Eavis. These eight acts then take to Pilton Working Men’s Club in April for a live final to decide on winning act.
For more on Glastonbury take a look at <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/23410-faces-of-a-festival-part-one">Faces Of A Festival</a>, a photo essay I compiled with photographer Billy Rowlinson back in 2013.

WIN: A slot at Glastonbury Festival and £5,000

Beach Boys-inspired Baltimore boy, Panda Bear, has premièred a new track and animated video from his upcoming album on Adult Swim.
‘Boys Latin’ is the second single from Panda Bear’s forthcoming album Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper which is slated for release in January 2015. Watch the full video below.
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Panda Bear AKA Noah Lennox is an experimental musician who first shot to fame as a founding member of the band Animal Collective. ‘Boys Latin’ is the second single from his fifth studio album due January 2015. Directed by Isaiah Saxon and Sean Hellfritsch from Encyclopedia Pictura in San Francisco, the film is a psychadelic tripfest. Encyclopedia Pictura are the same guys to bring us video’s for <a href="https://ghostrobot.com/portfolio/metronomy-the-upsetter/">Metronomy’s ‘The Upsetter’</a>, <a href="https://ghostrobot.com/portfolio/bjork-wanderlust/">Bjork’s ‘Wanderlust’</a> and the magnificent <a href="https://ghostrobot.com/portfolio/grizzly-bear-knife/">‘Knife’ by Grizzly Bear</a>
In a press release from Domino Records, director Isaiah Saxon said: “We tried hard to bring out the vibe of that alternating melody that Noah is singing. We wondered what that should look and feel like from a synesthesia perspective. We’ve always believed that shapes and forms themselves have emotional meaning. For example, round things are often cute and non-threatening, while spiky things usually seem dangerous. We ran with that idea by creating these dynamic forms that grow out of our characters as they deal with their emotions.”
Panda Bear has also launched a <a href="https://www.pbvsgr.com/">creepy looking website </a> to promote his fifth studio album and has a string of upcoming European tour dates. Shows kick off in London on the 4th of March and finishing in Portugal on the 12th. Find the full listings over at <a href="https://www.songkick.com/artists/126896-panda-bear">Songkick</a>.
See the tracklisting for Panda Bear’s upcoming album below and <a href="https://ac.dominorecordco.com/ac/albums/22-10-14/panda-bear-meets-the-grim-reaper">preorder from Domino</a> now.
Panda Bear Meets The Grim Reaper
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<li>Sequential Circuits</li>
<li>Mr Noah</li>
<li>Davy Jones’ Locker</li>
<li>Crosswords</li>
<li>Butcher Baker Candlestick Maker</li>
<li>Boys Latin</li>
<li>Come To Your Senses</li>
<li>Tropic of Cancer</li>
<li>Shadow of the Colossus</li>
<li>Lonely Wanderer</li>
<li>Principe Real</li>
<li>Selfish Gene</li>
<li>Acid Wash</li>
</ul>

New: Panda Bear – Boys Latin

Wow, well it’s competition season here at Crack In The Road. First headphones, then festivals and now parties with XXYYXX, Dam Funk and Young Magic.
To celebrate the launch of this year’s <a href="https://visionsfestival.com/">Visions Festival</a>, the motley crew behind the indie inner-city celebrations have given us two tickets to their pre-party, taking place this Friday at The Laundry on Waburton Road.
<a class="e-widget" href="https://gleam.io/a1Wc9/visions-festival-preparty-giveaway" rel="nofollow">Visions Festival Pre-Party Giveaway</a> 
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The one day festival, taking place in <a href="https://visionsfestival.com/venues">four venues</a> across London Fields, promises to be a blinder. You can read about last year’s escapades <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/23779-live-review-visions-festival-2013/">here</a> and enter the competition above. The competition closes at midday tomorrow with winners announced Friday morning so you better be quick!
Tickets for Visions Festival are still available for a reasonable £30 <a href="https://www.visionsfestival.com/">www.visionsfestival.com</a>
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Win 2 Tickets To The Visions Festival Pre-Party

Mythical indie popstars, The Unicorns, have <a href="https://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/06/the_unicorns_of.html">announced</a> a series of tour dates across America with The Arcade Fire and Dan Deacon. Two gigs are scheduled in California and three in New York, so the band’s presence is fleeting but the first in a decade. A new <a href="https://soundcloud.com/theunicorns">soundcloud </a>page and <a href="https://twitter.com/theunicornsband">twitter account </a>have also appeared online.
2014 sees Nicholas Thorburn, Alden Penner and, hopefully, Jamie Thompson reunite. Alden tells me the announcement was made after him and Nick agreed to play together “Jamie has been asked to join us” he added, when asked about a European tour Alden stayed shtum “if other plans materialize we will let everyone know!”
Oh could this track be more appropriate right now?
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Born on the turn of the millennium, The Unicorns released a handful of tapes, EPs and an album , Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone, full of sinisterly heartfelt lofi pop songs.
The group disbanded during a gig at the now defunct Engine Room, Houston in 2004, leaving behind them a legacy and a <a href="https://www.secretunicornsforum.com/">freak folk community</a> of hardy fans.
See the tour dates below and pray, just pray, they’ll play more.
08/01 – Inglewood, CA – The Forum * 
08/02 – Inglewood, CA – The Forum * 
08/22 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center * 
08/23 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center * 
08/24 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center *
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<li>= with Dan Deacon</li>
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Read my previous interview with Alden Penner from earlier this year <a title="Alden Penner Interview " href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/interviews/26456-interview-alden-penner">here</a>.

News: The Unicorns reunite for Arcade Fire tour

Alias has dropped a track from his upcoming album Pitch Black Prism featuring some bizzare bars from Anticon compatriot, Doesone.
<div style="color: #58595b;">One of only two tracks on the LP with guest vocals, Crimson Across It is a dark glitchbeat banger punctuated by bass. It’s great to hear a track from two of Anticon’s founding fathers with such a fresh sound. Deep bass booms with Doseone’s rhymes about capitalist trash can only be a nod to the swathes of shit-hop out there. Mocking the mainstream (whatever that means anymore) and once again turning the whole rap game on its head.</div>
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<div style="color: #58595b;">This isn’t the first time that Alias and Doseone have collaborated by far. The hip hop duo joined forces as part of Deep Puddle Dynamics and have collaborated on a number of other tracks with rappers and musicians across the Anticon label and beyond.</div>
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<div style="color: #58595b;">Alias’ Pitch Black Prism LP is due on Anticon June 24th “It’s the first album that I’ve ever done using all software,” Alias says. “I used a Native Instruments Machine instead of MPC because I was bored and wanted to switch it up and keep it interesting. At first, I felt like I had fucked up because I didn’t know what I was doing and had to learn an entirely new process—but that was what made it fun.”</div>

New: Alias – Crimson Across It Ft. Doseone

Freaky South African rap-ravers Die Antwoord have announced details of their new album Donker Mag, with a new video from upcoming track Pitbull Terrier.
View the video for Pitbull Terrier below or over at Die Antwoord’s <a href="https://www.dieantwoord.com/">site</a>.
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Opening with a Pitbull (the rapper) lookalike getting torn to shreds by a pitbull (the dog), the shock value video contains a mix of religious, urban and occult imagery in traditional Die Antwoord style. The track itself is driven on heavy beats, surreal bars and a hypnotic amount of repetition.
Die Antwoord is made up of <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Dave+Ballen&safe=off&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=31h7U6GsPMXhOoqbgeAD&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=880#q=roger%20ballen%20outland&revid=418604893&safe=off&tbm=isch&imgdii=_">Ballen</a>-esque caricatures, Yolandi Visser and Ninja, who attracted millions of viewers for their first video “Enter the Ninja”.  They signed with  Interscope Records for a short period of time before forming their own label Zef Recordz in 2011. In an interview with Dave Navarro during Die Antwoord’s tour with Jane’s Addiction, Ninja cited creative differences for the break away from Interscope saying: “the label was this weird fucking presence. We felt like we hadn’t done our homework.”  This split from the label led to the name of their second album, Ten$Ion.
See the tracklisting for Die Antwoord’s upcoming album below and click <a href="www.dieantwoord.com">here</a> for more information.
1 Dont Fuk Me 
2 Ugly Boy 
3 Happy Go Sucky Fucky 
4 Zars 
5 Raging Zef Boner 
6 Pompie 
7 Cookie Thumper! 
8 Girl I Want 2 Eat U 
9 Pitbull Terrier 
10 Strunk 
11 Do Not Fuk Wif Da Kid 
12 Rat Trap 666 (featuring DJ Muggs) 
13 I Dont Dwank 
14 Sex 
15 Moon Love 
16 Donker Mag

Video: Die Antwoord – Pitbull Terrier

With Yoni Wolf’s solo rap tour starting in Arizona today he has released Old Dope, a rap tape featuring some of the finest versification to spill from the artist’s mouth. Stream it below.
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Stand out tracks: Rappin 4 Money, Jimmy Breeze, Well Water Black (Onyz Coudz Mix), Ghost Dream
Old Dope features reimagined tracks from Yoni Wolf’s current band WHY?, the experimental hiphop group cLOUDEAD and even his early noughtie collaborations with Odd Nosdam as Reaching Quiet.
Despite the slight absurdity of hearing Wolf’s inimitable voice juxtaposed with Mobb Deep and Pharcyde, Old Dope does exactly what its title suggests. The mixtape makes old sounds feel new. Seriously, it’s pretty incredible, especially if you missed some of the amazing lines from cLOUDDEAD and Reaching Quiet the first time around.
Find a list of American tour dates with auspicious wordsmith Serengeti below, or catch up on the latest from Yoni over on <a href="https://twitter.com/YoniWolf">Twitter</a>.
May 6—Pubrock—Scottsdale, Arizona   May 7—Solar Culture—Tucson, Arizona   May 8—Che Café—La Jolla, California  May 9—The Glass House—Pomona, California   May 10—Echo—Los Angeles, California   May 15—Bottom Of The Hill—Los Angeles, California   May 17—Crepe Place—Santa Cruz, California
 Featured image is a screengrab from Wedothisnow’s video of Yoni performing White English as an acapella which you can watch <a title="Yoni's White English Acapella" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1CFLtSu8z0">here</a>

Stream: Yoni Wolf – Old Dope

The second wave of acts for Visions Festival 2014 was announced yesterday seeing <a href="https://www.facebook.com/perfumegeniusofficial" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=101401299803">Perfume Genius</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/uncleacid" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=177851055561850">Uncle Acid and the deadbeats</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/deptfordgoth" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=250355871654418">Deptford Goth</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dressedforspace" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=199243743420731">Trust</a>, Lower, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eleanor.friedberger.official" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=142517169185379">Eleanor Friedberger</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eyedress" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=129691540515201">Eyedress</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/YumiZouma" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=570340289687510">Ｙｕｍｉ Ｚｏｕｍａ</a>, and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/digitalsustain" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=361214543947715">Kiran Leonard</a> added to the roster.
They join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thisispolica" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=274368109246195">Polica</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andrewwk" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=105279215328">Andrew W.K.</a> (YES ANDREW FUCKING W.K), <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bathsmusic" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=206759555779">Baths</a>, The Range, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/FatWhiteFamily" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=258219897540512">Fat Whites</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/eagulls" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=148716428475186">Eagulls</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/youngfathers" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=56719941522">Young Fathers</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/prrfectpssy" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=644125038983450">Perfect Pussy</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jaccogardnermusic" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=196004810491401">Jacco Gardner</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/arabrotnoise" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=10568682679">ÅRABROT</a>,<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-Nicholas-Savage/193104860732288" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=193104860732288">Sean Nicholas Savage</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/JosefSalvatMusic" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=252800244757305">Josef Salvat</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Rainer.official" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=381904168502529">Rainer</a>.
The one day festival taking place in <a title="Visions Venues 2014 " href="https://visionsfestival.com/venues">four venues</a> across London Fields promises to be a blinder. You can read about last year’s escapades <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/23779-live-review-visions-festival-2013/">here</a>.

News: Acts added to the Visions 2014 lineup

Nikki Nack, the third album from tUnE-yArDs is now available online to stream in its entirety. Click <a href="https://www.npr.org/2014/04/25/306543443/first-listen-tune-yards-nikki-nack">here</a> to listen now.
Just 20 minutes in and what I’m hearing is already magnificent. Raw and kooky enough to be reminscent of the dictaphone GarageBand mashups that made Merill Garbus famous, yet Nikki Nack takes her work to a new level of clarity and confidence.
Following the success of w h o k i l l (2011) which was voted Album of the Year by <a href="https://www.villagevoice.com/pazznjop/albums/2011/">Village Voice</a> in its poll of 700 of America’s top music critics, it was hard to see where Merill Garbus and bassist Nate Brenner would go next. Nikki Nack is the answer, the album I always hoped for but never expected.
Anyway enough of my jabbering, see the track list below and take a listen for yourself over at <a title="Stream tuneyards - Nikki Nack " href="https://www.npr.org/2014/04/25/306543443/first-listen-tune-yards-nikki-nack">NPR</a> or pre-order on the 4AD Store <a href="https://smarturl.it/nikkinack_4AD">here</a>.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1 Find A New Way</td>
<td>3.28</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2 Water Fountain</td>
<td>3.03</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3 Time of Dark</td>
<td>4.33</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4 Real Thing</td>
<td>3.22</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5 Look Around</td>
<td>4.26</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6 Hey Life</td>
<td>3.37</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7 Sink-O</td>
<td>3.17</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8 Why Do We Dine On The Tots?</td>
<td>1.28</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9 Stop That Man</td>
<td>3.33</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10 Wait for a Minute</td>
<td>3.54</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11 Left Behind</td>
<td>4.31</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12 Rocking Chair</td>
<td>2.03</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13 Manchild</td>
<td>3.09</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Stream: tUnE-yArDs – Nikki Nack

Animal Collective have posted a full visual album stream of Avey Tare’s new project Slasher Flicks on their Youtube channel. Stream Enter The Slasher House below.
Enter The Slasher House is out on Domino on April 7/8th. Preorder it <a href="https://smarturl.it/slasherflicksitunes">here</a>.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/f6H4OGARJMs" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe> 
Visuals by Abby Portner.
Avey Tare explains the Slasher House project as: “A group of three hippies on a road trip through the backwaters of 2013s rural music scene fall prey to a murderous cannibalistic band making, including a leather-masked, guitar-wielding Avey Tare (Animal Collective), his knife-wielding keyboard player Angel Deradoorian (Dirty Projectors), and their cannibal chief drummer and decaying grandfather Jeremy Hyman (Ponytail, Boredoms, Dan Deacon).”
Tracklisting:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">00:00</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">05:36</a> A Sender 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">05:37</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">09:54</a> Duplex Trip 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">09:55</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">13:39</a> Blind Babe 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">13:39</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">17:53</a> Little Fang 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">17:54</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">21:10</a> Catchy (Was Contagious) 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">21:11</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">25:40</a> That It Won’t Grow 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">25:41</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">31:44</a> The Outlaw 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">31:45</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">38:25</a> Roses on the Window 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">38:26</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">41:35</a> Modern Days E 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">41:36</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">44:39</a> Strange Colores 
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">44:40</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6H4OGARJMs#">49:44</a> Your Card

STREAM: Slasher Flicks – Enter The Slasher House

Swedish songstress Lykke Li released the first single from her third album today. Take a listen to the powerful No Rest For The Wicked below.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/27210-video-lykke-li-love-like-im-made-stone/">Love Me Like I’m Made Of Stone</a>, the teaser track released last week, felt a little too understated after a three year break for Lykke Li. No Rest For The Wicked however has all the energy I hoped to see.
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yZ9OJk9i4Kg" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Lykke Li’s third studio album, I Never Learn, is slated for a 2nd of May release date. I Never Learn was recorded in 2013 and produced by Björn Yttling, of Peter, Björn and John fame, and Greg Kurstin, of… P!NK and Kelly Clarkson fame… so it’ll undoubtedly be interesting.
Y’all can see the full tracklisting below.
1. I Never Learn 
2. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ9OJk9i4Kg">No Rest for the Wicked</a> 
3. Just Like a Dream 
4. Silverline 
5. Gunshot 
6. <a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/27210-video-lykke-li-love-like-im-made-stone/">Love Me Like I’m Not Made of Stone</a> 
7. Never Gonna Love Again 
8. Heart of Steel 
9. Sleeping Alone

New: Lykke Li – No Rest For The Wicked

<a title="Unknown 2014" href="https://www.unknowncroatia.com/">Unknown Festival</a> released tickets for 2014 today as well as announcing their initial lineup, Scottish synthpoppers CHVRCHES and Indie veterans Wild Beasts top the bill.
Taking place in a forest by the Adriatic Sea, Unknown is one of many Croatian music festivals gaining popularity for their picturesque locations, eclectic lineups and, of course, cheap-ish booze.
The music and arts festival is in its fourth year and is run by the people behind <a href="https://www.hideoutfestival.com/">HideoutFestival</a>, <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/">The Warehouse Project</a> and <a href="https://www.fielddayfestivals.com/">Field Day</a>.
Check out the lineup so far below and find out more from <a href="https://www.unknowncroatia.com/">the official website</a>.
<h3 style="text-align: center;"></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">LIVE</h3>
CHVRCHES / WILD BEASTS 
JUNGLE / MOUNT KIMBIE 
FOREST SWORDS / HENRIK SCHWARZ / JAMES HOLDEN 
KINK / LAPALUX / TEN WALLS
<h4 style="text-align: center;">DJ</h4>
ÂME / BICEP / DANIEL AVERY / DIXON / DJ HARVEY / DUSKY 
EROL ALKAN / GEORGE FITZGERALD / GERD JANSON / JACKMASTER / JOHN TALABOT 
JOY ORBISON / KIM ANN FOXMAN / MANO LE TOUGH / MICHAEL MAYER / OPTIMO 
RUB N TUG / RYAN ELLIOTT / SETH TROXLER / SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO / TALE OF US 
THE 2 BEARS / TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS / WAZE & ODYSSEY

News: Lineup announced for Unknown 2014

How time flies. Yesterday marked the release of Exegesis, Alden Penner’s debut album as a solo artist that <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/25929-news-alden-penner-announces-debut-album/">we covered back in January</a>. You can stream the full release below or download it from iTunes <a title="Alden Penner Exegesis 2014" href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/exegesis/id811478393">here</a>.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 42px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4000780498/size=small/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>
Recorded mainly at Alden’s Mile End home with help from co-producer Laura Crapo, some of the guitar tracks on Exegesis were recorded in Arcade Fire’s (<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/jan/21/arcade-fire-recording-studio">now former</a>) church studio in Farnham.
Seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/eleijon">Erik Leijon</a> had already done a great job of a long-form interview with Alden for the <a href="https://www.montrealgazette.com/Alden+Penner+writes+chapter+same+book/9463230/story.html">Montreal Gazette</a>, I wanted to interview him in a way that was more representative of how his music feels to me – minimal, artistic and pure. So I told Alden to let it flow and we settled on the following:
SG: Past? 
AP: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML8stW1fVJc">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML8stW1fVJc</a>
SG: Philosophy? 
AP: Love of Song
SG: Food? 
AP: Thali
SG: Restaurant? 
AP: Malhi
SG: Film? 
AP: Singin’ in the Rain
SG: Instrument? 
AP: Tool.
SG: Faith? 
AP: Music.
SG: Fear? 
AP: Belief.
SG: Song? 
AP: Cassavetes
SG: Singer? 
AP: Bowie on Carson.
SG: Art? 
AP: Francis Bacon.
SG: Passion? 
AP: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9To2ZhnOdE">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9To2ZhnOdE</a>
SG: Life? 
AP: Death.
SG: Death? 
AP: Dream.
SG: Diamonds? 
AP: Tectonic.
SG: Unicorns? 
AP: Corny.
SG: Clues? 
AP: Who?
SG: Poor Alexander? 
AP: Funk to funky.
SG: Hidden Words? 
AP: Keys
SG: Hamster Cage? 
AP: Larry Kent.
SG: Inspiration? 
AP: Anytime anywhere.
SG: Hope? 
AP: Divine Justice.
SG: Horror? 
AP: Spammy music.
SG: Cera? 
AP: Eternal friend.
SG: Lawson? 
AP: Golden mic.
SG: Reed? 
AP:Flute.
SG: Montreal? 
AP: Place of meeting.
SG: Season? 
AP: Tropical.
SG: Social? 
AP: At a distance.
SG: Future? 
AP: Unfolding.
SG: Exegesis? 
AP: <a href="https://aldenpenner.bandcamp.com/">A release</a>.

Interview: Alden Penner

Consider yourself a modern day Mozart? Or perhaps you have one <a title="Yeah I fell for it too" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcIKh6sBtc">incredibly catchy song </a>that convinces everyone you’re a genius. Either way Glastonbury have just announced this year’s <a href="www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/news/2014-emerging-talent-competition-enter-now">Emerging Talent competition</a> is open for one week only.
With first prize being a slot on one of the main stages at this year’s festival, Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Festival can often contribute to kicking off an artist’s career. Previous winners include Stornoway, Ellen and the Escapades, the Subways and last year, <a href="https://breakingmorewaves.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/bridie-jackson-and-arbour-glastonbury.html">Bridie Jackson and the Arbour</a> who played five sets at the 2013 festival.
In my opinion even the most lo-fi bedroom band has a chance after seeing some of those previous winners. Entry criteria has been tightened up a bit though and, alongside the usual Soundcloud submission, you’re asked to submit a <a href=" https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/news/2014-emerging-talent-competition-enter-now">video of yourself playing live</a>.
For the last two years Crack In The Road’s own <a href="https://twitter.com/joshmdalton">Josh Dalton</a> has been one of 40 online writers responsible for whittling entries down to a longlist. A panel of 8 judges, including Glastonbury organisers Michael and Emily Eavis then make the final decision.
Bonne chance mes amis.

News: Glastonbury emerging talent competition 2014 open now

In 2004 I was 14. I sat in my parents house nestled in the north of England listening to little-known Canadian indie band <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noWweZuqaOE">The Unicorns</a> sing about the distant future:
“Tomorrow is 2014, when I’ll be 32 and we’ll be 13. But will there be enough room for me?  Enough oxygen, for me to breathe.”
Except it seems they weren’t singing about the distant future. Now it is fucking 2014 and I’m reaching the age where I should be considered a grown-up. It’s daunting, it’s depressing and frankly I’m not ready.
Right on cue and like the ghost of Christmas past, Alden Penner, founding member of The Unicorns emerged from the woodwork of Montreal’s finest maple in December 2013 with <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/25595-stream-alden-penner-precession-ep/">a new EP</a>. Today he announced his debut album, Exegesis, will be released on the 4th of February.
According to a press release, Exegesis has been a work in progress for the last few years. It was recorded at Alden Penner’s home with borrowed equipment, and in a studio with friend and Grammy-award winning engineer Mark Lawson.
What the press release failed to mention is that <a href="https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lawson-mn0000005317">Mark Lawson</a> contributed to the production on the Arcade Fire’s latest release ‘Reflektor’, Beirut’s ‘Flying Cup Club’, The Unicorn’s ‘Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone’ and a plethora of other mind-blowing records. This puts Exegesis up there with some of the finest indie records of the last ten years. No pressure then Alden.
I’m on tenterhooks for this album and what I’ve heard so far sounds promising.
It also proves that ten years isn’t very long after all and, in the fleeting time we spend on this earth, there are only certain artists (and I use the term artist very deliberately) that can pull through and stick with us throughout it all.
See the full track listing below and stream Alden Penner’s latest EP <a href="www.crackintheroad.com/music/25595-stream-alden-penner-precession-ep/">here</a>. You can find Alden Penner on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/aldenpenner">here</a>.
“EXEGESIS” Track List: 
1. Precession 
2. Louis XIV 
3. A Beautiful Dream 
4. Disney Waltz 
5. Losing My Head 
6. Lost The Skin 
7. Beauty Of The Lamb 
8. Word 
9. I, Icarus 
10. We Seek 
11. No Peace

News: Alden Penner announces debut album

Just as I thought all had gone quiet from the elusive Canadian, Alden Penner has released a magical new EP with the promise of a new album and tour dates in the new year.
Precession draws influences from a ton of Alden’s previous projects. Tracks combine the orchestral genius of <a href="https://cstrecords.com/clues/">Clues</a> with the classical guitar of <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/4776-new-the-hidden-words-track-preview/">The Hidden Words</a>, all with a dash of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrie4px3zXg">Unicornesque</a> lo-fi thrown in. Alden’s stand out lyrics and hermaphroditic vocals reign supreme with their ethereal quality adding to the EP’s spiritual feeling.
Stream Precession in its entirety below or pick up a digital copy over at <a href="https://aldenpennersongs.bandcamp.com/">bandcamp</a>.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1100383637/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/notracklist=true/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>
Just as <a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/4776-new-the-hidden-words-track-preview/">The Hidden Words</a> was a direct reference and tribute to the sacred texts of the Bahá’í Faith (of which Alden is believed to be a follower), it seems Precession refers to the Bahá’í Faith’s solar calendar. The precession of the equinox is an astrological observation of the Earth’s axis rotating like a spinning top in a 25,700 year cycle. Pretty sure there’s a ton more to it than that but:
A. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT
B. This is a blog post not a sermon
Perhaps someone can fill us in using the comment box below.

Stream: Alden Penner – Precession EP

Break It Up are straight out of Philadelphia, so I thought about making a Fresh Prince joke until I realised how incredibly unoriginal that would be.
As raw, attractive and addictive as heroin wrapped in multicoloured paper, Break It Up have something about them that I can’t quite figure out. After releasing their first single Excavate in 2011, the band were named one of Philly radio station WXPN’s “favorite new local acts” yet with only a few hundred likes on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Breakitupband">Facebook</a> they seem to be largely overlooked by the wider world.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3171365404/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/t=11/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>
The band released their debut album in June 2013 and it’s a catchy little motherfucker filled with rough-around-the-edges emotion and neat pop hooks. I hear Explosions In The Sky in some of the drumming and guitar progressions and Sleater-Kinney in the vocals, so if either of them are your bag it’s worth streaming the album above or checking it out over on <a href="https://breakitup.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a>.
Break It Up is drummer Casey Bell and guitarists and vocalists Jen Sperling and Dan Morse. You can find them on Facebook over <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Breakitupband">here</a>.

Introducing: Break It Up

Ryan Lott, better known under his stage name Son Lux, has announced his new album Lanterns will be released on the 29th of October on the Indianapolis based label Joyful Noise. Combining his careful classical composition with sleek production it promises to be big.
The post rock hip-hopper and experimental musician gained recognition for his 2008 debut EP <a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11178-at-war-with-walls-mazes/">At War With Walls and Mazes</a>. He later went on to release the Beak & Claw EP as part of s/s/s with Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti.
In addition to CD & Digital releases, Joyful Noise will be releasing two versions of limited edition vinyl. The <a href="https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/son-lux-lanterns-deluxe-vip-edition.html">VIP edition vinyl</a> comes hand-numbered, and thumb-printed in silver by Son Lux himself.
Stream “Lost it To Trying” from the upcoming release below and pre order Lanterns from Joyful Noise <a href="https://www.joyfulnoiserecordings.com/son-lux/">here</a>.
<iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F104735681" height="166" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>

News: Son Lux announces new album

Bizarrely named after the retired Spanish footballer, Ivan Campo have been riding the Manchester freak folk scene for years.
Keeping off the mainstream’s radar and clinging tightly to creative control of their compositions. Campo’s cleverly constructed melodies are captivating. Their lyrics often intricate and intelligent.
To celebrate the launch of their newest album ‘Seven Ancient Wonders’ the band is giving away two tracks, Terracotta Army and Porcelain Pagoda, available to download free from their <a title="Ivan Campo - Bandcamp" href="https://ivancampo.bandcamp.com/album/terracotta-army-porcelain-pagoda">Bandcamp</a> page, you can also stream them below.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=169235178/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=333333/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>
If you’re in Manchester you can even hit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/623196207714697/">album launch party</a> tonight at the Castle Hotel, with support from Otters Gear. Tickets are £5 with a free EP on the door.
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ivancampo.net">https://www.facebook.com/ivancampo.net</a>
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/atheist_lenses/6790841143/">Atheist_Lenses</a> via <a href="https://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

MPfree: Ivan Campo – Terracotta Army / Porcelain Pagoda

Eighteen year old Archy Marshall aka King Krule has made his debut LP available for streaming In a rather fitting and fantastically ambitious manner. Playing alongside live footage from CCTV cameras in London, each feed is accompanied by a track from 6 Feet Beneath The Moon, beautifully holding up a mirror to the environment amidst which the record has drawn inspiration.
Released 24 August (on Marshall’s nineteenth birthday), it’s an engrossing listen, and interesting representation of the gritty reality that is growing up in London as an adolescent.
Check out the stream below, featuring the previously heard Easy Easy, Out Getting Ribs and Neptune Estate.
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If the above embed doesn’t work, then stream in on <a href="https://kingkrule.co.uk/beneaththemoon/" target="_blank">King Krule’s website</a>.

Stream: King Krule – 6 Feet Beneath the Moon

While we took a trip to the first ever Visions festival on Saturday, one of my friends stayed at home creating his own visions; tripping on magic mushrooms. Speaking to him afterwards it emerged our day was more colourful than his. Suffice to say, if you’re hosting a festival more psychedelic than a psychoactive substance you’re probably doing something right.
On Saturday we slummed it across the city of London. Riding the wave of the day long Visions Festival presented by Rockfeedback, SEXBEAT and Bird On The Wire. A ton of visual artists helped create the festival’s sweet aesthetic alongside the cornucopia of brilliant  musicians. The visuals included some specially prepared work from Belly Kids, a London based art collective that caught my eye with their lo-if sketch style. Check the featured picture above and click <a title="London based art collective Belly Kids" href="https://www.bellykids.co.uk/">here</a> for more.
Visions Festival highlights included:
Public Service Broadcasting kicked it off for us at Oval Space, their cleverly concocted mix of synth, samples and stock footage drawing the crowd into their world. As a sucker for accompanying visuals, my retina flared on songs synced with footage of spitfires and explosive blooms.
I sometimes found the band’s quirk of pre-recorded banter in between songs a little trite in delivery, especially when it reached the level of “Are you having fun?” crowd woops “I can’t hear you. I said are you having fun?” It seemed a bit too pre-teen play-scheme for me, regardless of if it all being slightly tongue in cheek.
Having said that, finishing with footage of flowers exploding into bloom, Public Service Broadcasting really showed how making electronic music comes organically to some.
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Jackson Scott’s slow grunge growls reverberated across the Brewhouse with a sense of apathy Cobain himself would’ve be proud of. I’m not the first to draw the comparison and I’m sure I won’t be the last, but Jackson’s style has 90s stoner rock written all over it. Bumping into Jackson looking for an afterparty after the afterparty, it’s safe to say the whole teen wasteman vibe wasn’t just an act.
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After a few teething problems during soundcheck, East India Youth‘s set was a joy to behold. William Doyles exhaled exuberant vocals over bassy synth pop beats. If I was going to try and put East India Youth in a box, I’d say Panda Bear meets Baths, but Will’s tracks are more diverse than that so just listen below.
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Cloud Nothings stole the show at Netil House with a killer set. Gone were the heads-down hipsters shufflin’ to the beat and in their place were foolhardy fans diving from speaker stacks, throwing themselves around to the jangle of guitar. I’m not sure if it was the booze kicking in but this was how music was meant to be enjoyed. Fuck yr inhibitions.
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We caught just a glimpse of Jeffrey Lewis, who gets an honourable mention here for his latest mini film masterpiece exploring the life of comic book author Alan Moore, an interesting character if <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Moore">you’re not familiar with him</a>.
Half musician, half comic book artist, Lewis also put together a great illustration for the festival program that you can see <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151777689820189&set=pb.46027745188.-2207520000.1376335008.&type=3&theater">here</a>.
We blazed from the Brewhouse back to Oval Space – a fresh venue and badass use of an old warehouse – just in time to catch !!! in full flow. The room swarming with sweaty faces shoving their hands in the air to a plethora of funky dance jams. It’s performances like this that remind me why !!!, despite their still ludicrous name, are where they are today
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Massive thanks to Oval Space, Netil House and London Fields Brewhouse, the organisers and Trail of Press for having us.

Live Review: Visions Festival 2013

Describing his style as “ramshackle”, Manchester based electronic artist Cameron Crook put a new song up on his Soundcloud an hour ago.
You is dark and droning, somewhat reminiscent of Four Tet and Boards of Canada. In classic Crook style the track is driven by echoed samples and spatial beats.
Let this one wash over you like a lightning storm on a summer evening.
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You can find Cameron’s latest four track EP over on <a title="Cameron Crook's Soundcloud" href="https://soundcloud.com/cmrntcrk">Soundcloud</a> or download a track from his 2011 album The Nettle Patch, <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/9777-introducing-mpfree-cameron-crook/">here</a>.
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/roozbeh11/3806951134/">Roozbeh Rokni</a> via <a href="https://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a>

New: Cameron Crook – You

Rather than getting some actual sleep, Sam woke up first thing and went off to speak to the people of Glastonbury – and didn’t go looking for the nearest female students in Wayfarers and decorated wellies for a ‘festival fashion’ column. This is part two, <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/23410-faces-of-a-festival-part-one/">you’ll find part one here</a>. – AH
As the heat of the day peaked we caught our breath with a beer. The light wind whipped dry dust into the air. Strolling through the dirt tracks connecting this vast festival I spotted a serene figure gliding through the haze.
Joshua, Netherlands
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Joshua’s face had a sense of calm and tranquility to it. The kind of face I imagine a life of searching gives you. After making his money in the nefarious Middle Eastern oil industry of the 70s, Joshua had traveled the world for forty years searching for enlightenment through Buddhism.
In his hand was a small hand carved Buddha listing some of the places he’d been, including the home of Buddhism in Kathmandu over 20 times. Canada, Scotland, Portugal, New Zealand were all crudely scrawled into the figure’s back.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/JoshuaNL2.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-23486" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/JoshuaNL2-1024x682.jpg" alt="JoshuaNL2" width="463" height="308" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/JoshuaNL2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/JoshuaNL2-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/JoshuaNL2-50x33.jpg 50w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/JoshuaNL2.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 463px) 100vw, 463px" /></a>
Joshua’s upper arms were covered in tattoos which he respectfully asked we didn’t photograph, crossing his arms over them quickly.
He explained that across Asia centuries ago, soldiers would have their upper bodies covered in Buddhist scripture, totems giving them strength and preparing them for battle.
As we shook hands and he continued along the dusty trail, I realised he didn’t tell me what war he was fighting.
Ji Hea Lim, Deagu
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Pirouetting through the green fields, skeletal and sweet, Ji Hea Lim’s smile was infectious and her South Korean accent rich. “I love dancing here” she told me beaming and finishing her performance with a final flourish of her long unblemished arms.
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Ji Hea Lim had traveled from South Korea across the Western World, spreading a love of dance and traditional South Korean folk song Arirang. As part of a group calling themselves <a href="https://twitter.com/via_trio">Via Trio</a>, Ji Hea Lim had set out to spread Arirang across the world and learn the folk melodies of Europe to perform them back in South Korea.
The idea seemed simple especially in an age of technology where everything is online but she told me of songs not heard anywhere but Korea and undoubtedly this lack of knowledge goes two ways.
The Korean designer Yi Young Hi once exhibited Han-Bok at a Paris fashion show. Critics described it as “clothing of breeze” and, as Ji drifted wistfully back to her troupe from the piano we’d sat by, it was obvious to see why
Bo, Isle of Man
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Bo had been at the Battle of Beanfields in 1985 when the police stopped a large procession of new age travellers known as “The Convoy” from proceeding any further towards Stonhenge to set up what would have been the 11th festival there.
Windows were smashed, travellers truncheoned and vehicles sledgehammered. A court judgment six years later found the police guilty of wrongful arrest, assault and criminal damage.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Bo11.jpg"><img class="wp-image-23495 aligncenter" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Bo11-1024x682.jpg" alt="Bo-SID-Tattoo" width="545" height="363" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Bo11-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Bo11-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Bo11-50x33.jpg 50w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Bo11.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 545px) 100vw, 545px" /></a>
After that Bo said he just thought “fuck it” and left for Granada, Spain where… no word of a lie… he lived in a cave for four years. He worked as a living statue and street performer.
Across Bo’s knuckles was the name “Sid” a tribute to an original of the English punk scene. His prison number was etched onto his upper wrist and the acronmym A.C.A.B (All coppers are bastards) spilled across his hand.
By this point nothing seemed strange, as <a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/23410-faces-of-a-festival-part-one/">Dickin’s</a> had told me earlier “everyone’s the same” so when Bo told me of tripping on acid and cycling across the Arizona desert to Burning Man festival, it seemed like a perfectly normal thing to do.
Bob
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Bob was the owner of a Chai shop on the corner of the healing fields. Sipping hibiscus and lime tea his soft voice still had the growl of an Essex accent.He told me how they’d put up teepees in the days building up to the festival, people “blowing around like leaves in the wind.”
Bob had arrived at Glastonbury in the 90s after an 8 year stint in India. Wrinkles drew tight around his eyes following the contours of his face like a well tracked path. Bob had watched Glastonbury grow up around him.
“Things get popular, then everybody starts to come. It’s the story of life really” he said trailing off slowly.
Felicity Footloose, Camden
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A born performer yet Felicity caught me off guard with her calm composure compared to the catty style she’d displayed on stage. The femme fatale had just finished juggling knives whilst suspended on a platform above the stage held up by four members of the audience. Now we sat on the grass and whilst the greasepaint was still on her performer’s mask was off.
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Still catching her breath Felicity told me of her days in the circus with Bassline and Mutoid Waste before going solo to perform her death defying tricks around the world from Abu Dhabi to Canada.
A great example of someone who had done exactly what they wanted, Felicity had neglecting those niggling fears of real-life to perform for people and pursue a passion for danger.
Tony Benjamin, Bristol
Stood at the very peak of the festival overlooking the 120,000 people gathered on Worthy Farm we met Tony Benjamin. He was wearing a suit made of African cloth he had been given by a friend.
“Suits are great because they have so many pockets” he said smiling “I’ve worn this one to every festival I’ve been to for 10 years.”
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyBen.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-23487" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyBen-682x1024.jpg" alt="Tony-Benjamin-CITR-Glasto" width="425" height="638" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyBen-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyBen-200x300.jpg 200w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyBen-33x50.jpg 33w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyBen.jpg 853w" sizes="(max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px" /></a>
Tony Benjamin is <a href="https://www.venue.co.uk/">Venue magazine’s</a> jazz & world music editor and a regular guest on BBC Radio Bristol, he told me how he used to programme the Jazz Lounge at Glastonbury until 2008.
Another festival veteran, Tony had been coming here for over 25 years. We spoke about how the festival had changed. “It’s interesting this year” he said “there’s a lot of shifting going on.”
We talked about how he felt the old hippy generation who essentially owned the festival had slowly diversified the event, making room for the tents of acid house, drum and bass and electronic music.
Tony called Glastonbury an “imaginary city” a phrase that resonated with me.
“People do things here that they actually want to do” he said “it encourages people to be more creative and involved in their minority interests… to me it’s a perfect holiday destination”
Thanks to <a href="https://www.billyrowlinson.co.uk">Billy Rowlinson</a>, everybody involved in this piece, the organisers of Glastonbury and people everywhere doing what they actually want to do. You’re all magnificent.

Faces of a Festival: Part Two

A month after Glastonbury, a towel still lies in my wash basket smelling of festival; grass, press coffee and sweated beer.
Nestled in a ritualistic region of South England, celebrations of life have been going on near Glastonbury since the dawn of time. Originating with the druids of Stonehenge, hijacked by the Christians, diversified by the hippies of the 70’s before being consumed like all else by capitalism.
I’d set out on this journey not to purely lose myself in a haze of booze and narcotics, nor simply to watch the bands perform, but to absorb the personalities of the people I met. Although at this point I must digress to say Nick Cave raised hell and the Skreamizm boat party won’t be easily forgotten.
Accompanying me though this bizarre ride was Billy Rowlinson, freelance photographer and all round nice guy. All of the photos on the page are his and you can see some of his previous work <a href="https://www.billyrowlinson.co.uk/">here.</a>
But enough of my experience, you have your own. If not, your friends will have undoubtedly regaled theirs. So here are our faces of Glastonbury. The diverse and expressive, the mainstream and off the grid. These are their stories.
Wandering up to the stone circle in the bright daylight of Friday morning it was clear that Thursday night had yet to end for some revelers. The constant hiss of laughing gas surrounded us and people lay strewn across the field in every state imaginable.
A small gathering of remarkably sober people caught our eye. One of them, sat atop a rock was reciting a familiar verse, taking me back to my Church of England schooldays.
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Rebecca and Mark 

A literal deflowering had taken place in the most holiest and sanctomonious way – Rebecca Flower had been stripped of her maiden name after agreeing to take Mark’s hand in marriage. The couple had arrived at Glastonbury to find their tent strewn with strawberries and flowers. It was their second wedding and honeymoon. “It’s something to do before the bands start” Sprinkler engineer Mark jokes in his rich Bradford accent.
<img class="alignnone wp-image-23600 size-large" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/08/JustMarried-1024x682.jpg" alt="JustMarried" width="640" height="426" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/08/JustMarried-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/08/JustMarried-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/08/JustMarried-50x33.jpg 50w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/08/JustMarried.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" />
Dickin Justice
Wandering down from the stone circle and into the healing fields we found a pirate sat on a swinging chair with more energy and enthusiasm than people a quarter of her age.
Dickin Justice was Glastonbury’s healer, it was her responsibility to listen and “hold the energy of the site” she told me.
Dickin told me she was once one of Arabella Churchill’s best friends. The granddaughter of the former British prime minister, Arabella left London in 1971 after refusing to represent Britain at a NATO festival in Vriginia due to America’s operations in Vietnam.
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Arabella Churchill escaped the press in London to arrive in a then rural Somerset to become heavily involved in pioneering the first full-scale Glastonbury festival alongside Michael Eavis. Despite her privileged upbringing she spent some time living in a squat and started her own <a href="https://www.childrensworldcharity.org/">charity </a>providing entertainment for children of all ages and abilities.
I could tell by the way Dickin’s voice wavered as she spoke of Arabella that she was incredibly fond of the woman. Dickin’s had grown up with Arabella and Glastonbury, her own children learning their skills as performers in the circus fields. She had been at Glastonbury for over 40 years, missing only a fateful few.
“Everyone is the same” she told me “we all feel the same things, joy, pain, hurt and hunger.” I told her who I was and what I was doing to which she responded “Remember nobody gets paid for art until they’re dead.”
In 2010 a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bellas_bridge_at_night.jpg">bridge</a> was built on Worthy Farm remembering Arabella’s legacy and the work she did for the festival and the world. As I left the field I asked Dickin if she had an email I could contact her on, she laughed and tossed her hair “Only a Filofax darling” she said smiling coyly.
James
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Taking a break from a PHd in Human Rights, James told me tales of debauchery that I’m not sure are covered by the Geneva convention. I hope he appreciates me redacting here. It does leave me with very little to write about though. James hailed from Hackney and let’s just say you could tell.
Jilly
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Jilly Spencer was one the most incredible pianists I’ve seen play, her fingers racing across the ivory like a stenographer on speed. She claimed a photographic memory and repertoire of over 10,000 songs and, when tested, she played every request I threw at her, from Presley to Pachbel. I tried to chat but she was a lot more interested in music than words. I joined Jilly for a duet before drifting back into the crowd.
Freya 

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-23493 " src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Freya-1024x682.jpg" alt="Freya-CITR" width="476" height="317" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Freya-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Freya-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Freya-50x33.jpg 50w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Freya.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 476px) 100vw, 476px" />
Freya hadn’t gone to Glastonbury on her own. A shame really because an interview with a lone baby off their face would’ve been a scoop. In fact at one point I thought I had interviewed a baby off their face but it turned out to be a sweaty bald guy in a vest.
Freya’s parents Bill and Anna were from Manchester and had brought had her along for the first time. “There’s just so much stimulation” Anna tells me “She saw Chic last night and caught a fire show at Arcadia. Then she got us into heaven” I stared at her confused and wondered if my drink had been spiked.
It became clear they were talking about a bar in the south east corner of the site decked out as a hall of judgement. Good people go to heaven – a plush cocktail bar full of soft white clouds. The others go to hell – and you don’t even want to know what was going on there.
Reginald Roundabout
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/RegRoun.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-23492 " src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/RegRoun-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="367" height="551" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/RegRoun-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/RegRoun-200x300.jpg 200w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/RegRoun-33x50.jpg 33w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/RegRoun.jpg 853w" sizes="(max-width: 367px) 100vw, 367px" /></a>
I don’t need to bother editing this one down, Mendip District Councils’ Health and Safety Officer was fine to quote verbatim:
“The thing is everyone needs to enjoy themselves at a moderate level, drink a lot of water and avoid the hardcore snacks. There’s a lot of fried food out there. It’s all common sense really.”
“I’m not going to be seeing any bands, I heard the Stones were playing but I’m going to head back home, watch some TV and tend to my pigeons. I prefer soft organ music but there’s not enough diversity for that kind of thing here.”
Tony
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyAV.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-23491 " src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyAV-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="339" height="509" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyAV-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyAV-200x300.jpg 200w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyAV-33x50.jpg 33w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/TonyAV.jpg 853w" sizes="(max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px" /></a>
Audio Visual engineer Tony only found out he’d be heading to Glastonbury two days before the festival. After procuring a ticket through what I assume were unsavoury means, he told me he had to pretend to be an Italian to get in, I’m unsure what that entailed.
A reveller I met a few drinks later asked if he’d been downing a lot of espressos and doing fascist salutes but I expect that guy was drunk. If you didn’t figure it out from the headgear and glasses Tony told me he was only there “for the crack.” I hoped he didn’t mean the highly addictive drug, but at Glastonbury you never know.
Kevin
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Vintagetroubleguy.jpg"><img class="alignnone wp-image-23485 " src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Vintagetroubleguy-682x1024.jpg" alt="" width="316" height="474" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Vintagetroubleguy-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Vintagetroubleguy-200x300.jpg 200w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Vintagetroubleguy-33x50.jpg 33w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/Vintagetroubleguy.jpg 853w" sizes="(max-width: 316px) 100vw, 316px" /></a>
As the sun beat down we took refuge by the Avalon Inn. Stage manager to LA’s <a href="https://twitter.com/vintagetrouble">Vintage Trouble</a> and native San Franciscan, Kevin told me how Glastonbury was “beyond what you see online, you have to be here to experience it” and I couldn’t agree more.
Kevin was immediately friendly and inherently American. Leaning back into the shade with the band’s merch manager Justin, Kevin told me how the LA based band were opening the Pyramid stage that night before hitting the Liverpool Echo to start a stint supporting The Who on tour. I wished them the best of luck in our godforsaken country.
Find part two here – <a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/23514-faces-of-a-festival-part-two/">Faces of Festival: Part Two</a>

Faces of a Festival: Part One

I refuse to escape, the pains and the aches // I choose to be sober and suffer for the choices I make
Another track from Georgia based Alone appeared online late last week and Burden is as desolate as ever. With the most traditional beat of Alone’s tracks so far, Burden is still stripped down and minimal. Tyler Rowan loops chimes whilst self deprecating lyrics flow from Rico Howard’s mouth. 
Maybe not polished yet but with potential, Alone are one I’ll be watching.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1152147022/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/notracklist=true/t=3/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://alonega.bandcamp.com/album/alone-2">Alone by Alone</a></iframe>

New: Alone – Burden

I caught Halo Halo playing under the low lights of The Lexington earlier this month. The room was packed to the back. Arriving unfashionably late, sweet Sinawi synth-pop spilled down the stairs as I walked through the door.
Rachel Horwood (RH), Jack Barraclough (JB) and Gill Partington (GP) came together to form Halo Halo two years ago. At the beginning of July their self-titled debut EP was released on Upset The Rhythm.
I found the album unconventional in production and filled with vast, colourful and fleeting narratives. Thanks to the band though you can make your own mind up and stream their new album below while reading.
A week after the show I caught up with the guys to discuss cloudberry jam, cults and what’s coming up next for the intrepid trio.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2630668155/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>
Text in light grey has been added as a postscript by the author.
Hi guys, how’s it going? Tell us where you are right now?
JB: I’m sitting in my boiling kitchen drinking a pint of iced coffee.
GP: An attic in Lewisham
RH: Sweating at home
I know Halo Halo was inspired from the Filipino desert by the same name. How did that come about and why did it stick?
RH: Coming up with band names is always difficult, when we started it was just me and Jack, and I wrote a list of possible names. I wrote Halo Halo as a bit of a joke and also because its one of my favourite things to eat. The word Halo means ‘mix’, and i think it stuck because its a good representation of what we do. Although people never know how to pronounce it.
/hăl-ŏ – hăl-ŏ/
How have things changed since the release of your multi-coloured 7” Manananggal in January last year?
JB: We’ve finished and released our album, and got a bit better at playing, but other than that everything is exactly the same. We already knew a lot of the people we regularly play gigs with before starting the band. That’s not to say its getting stale though, its still fresh, soft and warm.
RH: Nothing’s really changed, and we kind of like things as they are right now, but we’re hoping that we’ll get to play some bigger gigs or festivals.
 GP: I bought a jet.
So is this a full-time gig at the moment or still something on the side?
JB: Its somewhere in between part-time and full-time and a bit of fun and a ‘career’. ‘Extra Curricular’ you might say.
GP: It’s not exactly full time, but it does take up a lot of our time, especially since we recently went on a three week tour of France.
 RH: We wouldn’t be able to afford our rent if we didn’t have anything on the side, and any money we make with the band goes back in, for travel, practices, and equipment etc. Having fun is hard work!
You’ve played some interesting sets around the world over the last few years including performances in Israel, the Republic of Korea, the Arctic Circle. What was a stand-out gig for you, any crazy stories to share?
GP: We played in a tiny village in Northern Sweden, at their annual fete. There were pony rides and fried fish stalls and things, and we played on a stage outside, to a crowd of old people and children. It was hilarious and a bit surreal. The compere lady gave us a wildly enthusiastic introduction in Swedish, danced around wearing a red cowboy hat, then afterwards she formally presented us each with a jar of cloudberry jam and made us read out some raffle numbers. Also, Jack had a nosebleed during the gig. There is video evidence on our blog.
RH: I think one of my favourite gigs was also at the village fete in Sweden. We played some really great gigs on our french tour with Reveille this summer too. We played at a festival in Saint-Cadou, in Brittany, in a blue big top covered in yellow stars. By the time we were on lots of people were pretty drunk and up for having a good time so there was lots of dancing and everyone got really into it. At one point a man jumped on stage and tried to pull a moony at the crowd though he was a bit too drunk to manage it. After the gig another drunk teenage girl hugged Gill, saying she liked to hug “future stars” – that was interesting, but its nice when people come up to you and have a really positive reaction, as its always a bit scary playing your songs to a new crowd.
JB: The last show of our tour with Reveille was in the Ardeche in France, we played a party in a barn, I think it’ll go down as one of my favourites. There was a really good atmosphere. There was a conga, some barking dogs, and the crowd wouldn’t let us leave, they physically blocked us from getting past them after the show and forced us back to our instruments!
 One of the things I couldn’t help noticing when seeing you play live was a wild bearded gent at the front, getting absolutely tribal and rocking out to the music.
JB: Its our friend Jan, he comes to nearly all our gigs and he has a pretty unique style of dancing. Its all in the legs.
GP: He’s not a pill head, he’s just high on music.
RH: When everyone else is it staring at you glumly or doing a bit of chin-stroking (massive generalisation I know) its really refreshing to have someone getting into the music who just doesn’t give a shit or care about how they’re supposed to behave.
Your self-titled debut album was released on Upset The Rhythm this month and has already attracted mixed reviews from the press. Tell us a little bit about the recording process of the album. Did it turn out as you had envisioned?
JB: We recorded the album over 5 days at Soundsavers in London with Mark Jasper, pretty much live apart from our vocals and a few keyboard parts, a hurdy gurdy, and a hoover sucking a harmonica. Then it was mixed and mastered by Nico Marcel, who lives in France and sent us his mixes online, these went back and forth over a couple of months. Its hard to say if its as we envisioned. I didn’t have a clear vision of it in the first place. Its our first album, so I’m just happy and relieved that we actually made it.
RH: I didn’t know what to expect, I agree with Jack that its just good to have these songs finally recorded as we’ve been playing some of these songs for a couple of years. Now we can start to think about writing some new songs and how we may approach recording a second album. I have to say i always find recording difficult knowing that you’re making a more ‘definitive’ version of a song. I’m used to hearing our music live and I really hate listening back to my vocals on recordings. I’m just glad that some people like it and that we got it done, its nice to hold it in your hands and I’m really happy with how the art work turned out.
Just as this interview was about to be published Halo Halo have posted their debut album streaming in its entirety over at <a href="https://halohalo.bandcamp.com/album/halo-halo">bandcamp.</a>
I’ve counted cowbells and banjo among the instruments used in your latest album, how many instruments did you use altogether and who plays what?
GP: Ten instruments, if you count two different banjos and two different keyboards. Rachel drew pictures of them for the album poster. I played bass and keyboard, Jack played drums, hoover and plastic tube thing, Rachel played banjo and keys, and our friend Joseph played his hand made hurdy-gurdy. Harmonicas were played by Jack, Rachel and Henry the Hoover.
Your music harks back traditional eastern melodies with a heavy use of repetition, yet something about the delivery has a clear Western rock ‘n’ roll attitude. Was this deliberate?
JB: I think the rock ‘n’ roll attitude is more international and it must be part of our DNA by now, we just can’t help it baby!
 Some of your songs have pretty wild titles including album opener ‘Djeddjehutyiuefankh’ named after an Ancient Egyptian mummy discovered without a heart. There’s also a song about time traveling fishermen. How do you come up with the concepts and stories told in your songs? What inspires the lyrics and who actually writes them?
GP: The song about the mummy was based on something I read. The heart is usually buried with the body, because according to the Egyptian Book of the Dead, in the afterlife your heart is weighed against a feather, to determine your soul’s fate. Djeddjehutyiuefankh didn’t have one so basically he’s stuffed. The other lyrics are written by Rachel and Jack, but occasionally we invent them on the train on the way to a recording session.
JB: We often write lyrics together after thinking about the subject of a song. With Taro Taro Taro I wanted to find out when the first story about time travel was written, so I looked it up and found the story of Urashima Taro. A few of the songs are more personal, and are about ourselves and experiences. Though none of us spend a lot of our time writing lyrics, which is why a few of our songs are instrumentals with the occasional “WOOP”!
RH: A lot of our songs are inspired by old stories and myths, the idea for Comet came from a friend who was explaining a film that he wanted to make, in which one of the main characters joins a cult who believe they can escape Earth by riding on a comet. I didn’t know anything about the Heavens gate cult until Gill asked about the song and told me about them, which I suppose is where he got the idea from. Whatever catches our interest could be turned into a song.
 What shows have you got coming up?
JB: We have a few shows in London, including a festival put together by Upset! the Rhythm at the Yard theatre in Hackney on the 17th of August. We’re already planning another tour which will be in the new year. And we have plans to record a new single or e.p even soon.
Upcoming dates include the 1st August at Birthdays in London with Flamingods & Hypnotized and the 19th October at A Carefully Planned festival in Manchester.
Massive thanks to Halo Halo for taking the time to do this. Go find them over on <a title="Halo Halo's Facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/halohalomixmix">Facebook</a>, maybe even like them if you feel so inclined.

Interview: Halo Halo

The line up for this year’s Warehouse Project was announced this morning and holy shit have those Mancunian rave masters have done it again.
With nights featuring Chic, Disclosure, Four Tet, Thom Yorke and Pantha Du Prince to name a few, it looks like there’s no stopping this project.
In 2013 The Warehouse Project moved it’s event from the legendary Store Street venue to Victoria Warehouse which can be found to the west of Manchester’s city centre near the Old Trafford football stadium
Tickets for all events will be going on sale at 9am on Friday, 26th July at <a title="Warehouse Project 2013 Tickets" href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com">thewarehouseproject.com</a> check out the trailer and full line-up below.
“For twelve weeks this city is ours..”
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/70735814" height="281" width="500" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>
 
FRI 27 SEP 
WHP13 OPENING
AXWELL 
ARMAND VAN HELDEN 
MARK KNIGHT 
THOMAS GOLD 
MK 
NO_ID 
STEFANO NOFERINI 
ALAN BRAXE 
FLASHMOB 
GEORGE ANDREWS 
KRYSKO 
MATT EVERSON
SAT 28 SEP 
WELCOME TO THE WAREHOUSE
SETH TROXLER 
LOCO DICE 
CARL CRAIG 
JUPITER JAZZ (MACEO PLEX & DANNY DAZE) 
DIXON 
DAVIDE SQUILLACE 
JOY ORBISON 
THE MARTINEZ BROTHERS 
TALE OF US 
KiNK LIVE 
GUTI 
EJECA 
HOT SINCE 82 
PBR STREETGANG 
KRYSKO & GREG LORD
FRI 04 OCT 
ARMIN VAN BUUREN
ARMIN VAN BUUREN 
W&W 
JOHN O’CALLAGHAN 
JOCHEN MILLER 
JORDAN SUCKLEY 
LANGE 
MENNO DE JONG 
CRAIG CONNELLY 
BEAT SERVICE 
CHRIS METCALFE 
JAMES RIGBY
SAT 05 OCT 
PARADISE
JAMIE JONES 
MAYA JANE COLES 
ART DEPARTMENT 
LEE FOSS 
DAMIAN LAZARUS 
CASSY 
DYED SOUNDOROM 
INFINITY INK LIVE 
RICHY AHMED 
ALEX ARNOUT B2B CLIVE HENRY 
ROBERT JAMES 
RUSS YALLOP 
DIGITARIA
FRI 11 OCT 
WHP & 50WEAPONS PRESENT… MODESELEKTION
MODERAT 
LFO 
PANTHA DU PRINCE 
DOPPLEREFFEKT 
MODESELEKTOR DJ SET 
MARCEL DETTMANN 
BEN KLOCK 
SCUBA 
DUSKY 
GEORGE FITZGERALD 
KARENN LIVE // FEAT. BLAWAN & PARIAH 
BEN UFO 
ZOMBY 
COSMIN TRG 
BODDIKA 
MARTYN 
BENJAMIN DAMAGE & DOC DANEEKA 
ANSTAM 
GREG LORD 
MEANS&3RD
SAT 12 OCT 
RUDIMENTAL PRESENTS…
RUDIMENTAL LIVE 
ANDY C 4 HOURS 
DAVID ‘RAM JAM’ RODIGAN 
BONDAX 
JAZZY JEFF 
BURAKA SOM SISTEMA DJ SET 
GORGON CITY 
DJ EZ 
SNAKEHIPS 
DARQ E FREAKER 
YASMIN AND WOZ 
KIDNAP KID 
SCRUFFIZER 
MANIK 
MONKI 
COMPA 
JUICY DJS 
JONNY DUB 
RICH REASON 
PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUEST 
LEE SCRATCH PERRY
FRI 18 OCT 
SIZE MATTERS
STEVE ANGELLO 
SUNNERY JAMES & RYAN MARCIANO 
AN21 
THIRD PARTY 
MAX VANGELI 
QULINEZ 
TIM MASON 
MATT EVERSON 
NICK COULSON 
LEO SLATER 
NO CURFEW
SAT 19 OCT 
RESIDENT ADVISOR
RICHIE HAWTIN 
NICOLAS JAAR LIVE 
SETH TROXLER 
HEIDI 
EATS EVERYTHING 
SUBB-AN 
GAISER LIVE 
MOVE D 
WILL SAUL 
KOWTON 
DRO CAREY 
∆KKORD 
IVVVO 
KRYSKO 
NIC BAIRD
FRI 25 OCT 
THE KNIFE
THE KNIFE SHAKING THE HABITUAL SHOW 
FULL LINE UP TBC
SAT 26 OCT 
CURATED BY JULIO BASHMORE
JULIO BASHMORE ONLY WHP13 PERFORMANCE 
LAURENT GARNIER 
DERRICK CARTER 
BREACH 
CASSIUS 
BICEP 
METRO AREA LIVE 
HENRIK SCHWARZ LIVE 
FCL 
MOTOR CITY DRUM ENSEMBLE 
SPACE DIMENSION CONTROLLER 
VELOUR 
JUS-ED 
KARIZMA 
FUNKINEVEN 
ANDRES 
KRYSKO
FRI 01 NOV 
BESTIVAL
HOT CHIP 
CHIC FT. NILE RODGERS LAST EUROPEAN SHOW OF 2013 
2MANYDJS 
ROB DA BANK 
TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS DJ SET 
TODDLA T 
AEROPLANE 
WAZE & ODYSSEY 
HORSE MEAT DISCO 
MARIBOU STATE 
KRYSTAL KLEAR 
SOPHIE (NUMBERS) 
PEDESTRIAN 
DROP THE MUSTARD 
NOW WAVE DJS
SAT 02 NOV 
WHP & FIELD DAY PRESENT… CURATED BY FOUR TET & CARIBOU
FOUR TET 
DAPHNI 
MADLIB 
DOOM 
BEN UFO & PEARSON SOUND 
THOM YORKE DJ SET 
JAMES HOLDEN 
JOY ORBISON 
FLOATING POINTS 
EVIAN CHRIST 
KYLE HALL 
WOOKIE 
HAPPA 
DJ BARELY LEGAL 
IRATION STEPPAS 
JONNY DUB
FRI 08 NOV 
ANNIE MAC PRESENTS
MAJOR LAZER 
CHROMEO 
ANNIE MAC 
DIPLO 
DUKE DUMONT & MNEK 
CYRIL HAHN 
CASHMERE CAT 
T WILLIAMS 
SHADOW CHILD 
FRENCH FRIES 
ROOM 3: PHANTASY 
EROL ALKAN 
DANIEL AVERY 
NADIA KSAIBA 
CONNAN MOCKASIN DJ SET 
GHOST CULTURE
SAT 09 NOV 
THE WAREHOUSE PROJECT PRESENTS
PHOENIX 
BIPOLAR SUNSHINE 
NOW WAVE DJS 
FULL LINE-UP TO BE REVEALED
SAT 16 NOV
THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EVENT WILL BE BROADCAST ON BBC RADIO 1
FRI 22 NOV 
DISCLOSURE PRESENTS
DISCLOSURE LIVE 
PUSHA T 
BREACH 
BICEP 
DUSKY 
GEORGE FITZGERALD 
JUSTIN MARTIN 
T WILLIAMS 
ONEMAN 
TOURIST LIVE 
ZED BIAS 
KRYSKO 
GREG LORD 
NOW WAVE DJS
SAT 23 NOV 
CHIBUKU
NERO 
BOYS NOIZE 
REDLIGHT LIVE 
GESAFFELSTEIN 
JACK BEATS 
B-TRAITS 
ROOM 2 
JAGUAR SKILLS 
SHY FX 
BREAKAGE B2B DISMANTLE 
MISTAJAM 
FRICTION 
P MONEY 
MELE 
NORTHBASE 
NUMBERS 
JACKMASTER 
SPENCER 
DJ EZ 
PAUL WOOLFORD
FRI 29 NOV 
HOSPITALITY
ROOM 1 
NETSKY DJ SET 
CAMO & KROOKED 
HIGH CONTRAST 
DANNY BYRD 
SPY 
FRED V & GRAFIX 
NU:LOGIC 
ETHERWOOD 
ROOM 2 
ZINC 
MARK PRITCHARD FT. TRIM AND THE RAGGA TWINS 
DUB PHIZIX & STRATEGY 
MELE 
HANNAH WANTS 
ROSKA & JAMIE GEORGE 
PALEMAN 
INDIGO 
ROOM 3 
CALIBRE 
d-BRIDGE 
ENEI & KASRA 
KRUST 
KLUTE 
FOREIGN CONCEPT
SAT 30 NOV 
WHP & PAXAHAU PRESENT… MOVEMENT
SVEN VÄTH 
LOCO DICE 
MAYA JANE COLES 
NINA KRAVIZ 
CHRIS LIEBING 
MARCEL DETTMANN 
ADAM BEYER 
DAMIAN LAZARUS 
SCUBA 
CHEZ DAMIER 
JOY ORBISON 
LEVON VINCENT 
KYLE HALL 
ANDREW WEATHERALL 
JAY DANIEL 
MEANS&3RD 
KRYSKO & GREG LORD
FRI 06 DEC 
BUGGED OUT!
THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS DJ SET 
DAVE CLARKE 
EATS EVERYTHING 
EROL ALKAN 
BICEP 
OPTIMO 
BODDIKA 
HOT SINCE 82 
TREVINO 
GERD JANSON 
JUSTIN ROBERTSON 
JAMES HOLROYD 
GREG LORD 
KRYSKO
SAT 07 DEC 
CIRCO LOCO
APOLLONIA DYED SOUNDOROM, DAN GHENACIA & SHONKY 
DIXON 
DAVIDE SQUILLACE 
THE MARTINEZ BROTHERS 
CASSY 
MATTHIAS TANZMANN 
RICHY AHMED 
DJ QU 
TANIA VULCANO 
MANO LE TOUGH 
CIRILLO 
DELANO SMITH 
BORIS WERNER 
ANDREW GRANT 
SYSTEM OF SURVIVAL
FRI 13 DEC 
WHP & NOW WAVE PRESENT… SOUNDS OF THE NEAR FUTURE
ROOM 1 
FLYING LOTUS 
CAPTAIN MURPHY EUROPEAN DEBUT EXCLUSIVE 
RUSTIE 
J-ROCC (STONES THROW) 
LAPALUX 
ECLAIR FIFI 
ROOM 2 
JAMIE XX 
JOHN TALABOT 
CASHMERE CAT 
KUTMAH 
XXXY 
JON K 
ROOM 3 
ELIPHINO 
TWO INCH PUNCH 
ILLUM SPHERE 
CHRIS READ (BBE) 
JONNY DUB 
RICH FURNESS & ANDREW HILL
SAT 14 DEC 
HEIDI PRESENTS… THE JACKATHON
HEIDI 
KERRI CHANDLER 
CAJMERE 
MAGDA 
DEETRON 
SKREAM 
JIMMY EDGAR 
JACKMASTER 
DUSKY 
HUXLEY 
HOT SINCE 82 
CATZ N DOGZ 
KIM ANN FOXMAN 
ALEXIS RAPHAEL 
CITIZEN 
KRYSKO 
PIRATE COPY 
PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUESTS 
AZARI & III LIVE: UK EXCLUSIVE
SAT 28 DEC 
DIYNAMIC
SOLOMUN 
STIMMING LIVE 
DAVID AUGUST 
H.O.S.H. 
KARMON 
NICK CURLY 
ADANA TWINS 
PIRATE COPY 
OLIVER DROPS 
LEON RILEY 
UNDER DJS 
PETE ZORBA 
PLUS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
TUE 31 DEC 
NYE AT THE WAREHOUSE PROJECT
FULL LINE-UP TO BE REVEALED 
EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE NOW
WED 01 JAN 
THE CLOSING PARTY 🙁
FULL LINE-UP TBA OVER AT <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/">thewarehouseproject.com/ </a>

News: Full lineup announced for the Warehouse Project 2013

I’m all over <a title="Alone " href="https://alonega.bandcamp.com/track/alone">Alone</a> like grief and smoke around a funeral pyre.
Reminiscent of an early <a href="https://www.anticon.com/artist/why">Why?</a> when it was still just Yoni Wolf’s lovechild, Alone is driven by minimal beats – stripped down and discordant. The Atlanta based project is fronted by lyricist Rico Howard accompanied by Tyler Rowan composing the music under Rico’s guidance.
Crossing the boundary between spoken word and rap, Rico’s lyrics are macabre and fleeting, managing stay vague whilst striking uncomfortably honest and personal notes.
“Flirting with death, thoughts in my head, things that I’ve said, blood that I’ve bled. I hear her calling, In silence and those dreams about falling, the embrace that I’m longing. The missing pieces, my overwhelming sense of belonging”
Alone’s first self-titled track was posted on Bandcamp on 19th of July and yesterday the second track “Obligation” appeared. There’s very little else online but, as always, we’ll keep you posted.
Take a listen below or check out Alone’s facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/alonegeorgia">here</a>.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1152147022/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>
photo credit: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/6881449630/">seyed mostafa zamani</a> via <a href="https://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a>

Introducing: Alone

On Friday, under his newest moniker Advance Base, Owen Ashworth spun some of his spectacularly somber stories in Angel, London.
As Owen sat down in front of an electric piano and sampler, the room fell deadly silent except for the creak of the stage and occasional clink at the bar. It was his first tour in the UK since announcing the end of his old project Casiotone For The Painfully Alone back in 2010.
Opening with songs from A Shut-In’s Prayer, Owen went on to introduce a few tracks from his tribute EP, dedicated to mysterious gospel music pioneer Washington Phillips. Perched on the edge of the stage, I had a chance to survey the crowd. Everyone from the almost cliché casiotone carryovers (myself included) to the young couples, all swayed to the heavy bass of Owen’s tales of estranged friends, lost loves and sheer heartbreak.
Advance Base captured that small room at the Lexington, his distinct vocals and delicate melodies intertwining perfectly. Similarly to Casiotone For The Painfully Alone, these new songs were almost relentlessly driven by solid electronic beats, a delicate juxtaposition to Owen’s wavery and sometimes seemingly uncertain voice.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2013/07/CITR_Advance_Base_2.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-23044 alignnone" alt="Advance Base The Lexington July 2013" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CITR_Advance_Base_2-165x165.jpg" width="165" height="165" /></a><a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CITR_Advance_Base_5.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-23045 alignnone" alt="Advance Base The Lexington July 2013" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CITR_Advance_Base_5-165x165.jpg" width="165" height="165" /></a><a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CITR_AdvanceBase_3.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-23046 alignnone" alt="Advance Base The Lexington July 2013" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CITR_AdvanceBase_3-165x165.jpg" width="165" height="165" /></a><a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CIITR_AdvanceBase_4.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-23042 alignnone" alt="Advance Base, The Lexington - July 2013" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/CIITR_AdvanceBase_4-165x165.jpg" width="165" height="165" /></a> 
 All photographs graciously taken by Patricia Arriaza
“This song was written by Kris Kristofferson for Johnny Cash when he was going through a really bad time. He wrote it to stop Cash from dying and it worked for while…” Owen told the crowd before breaking into a haunting cover of Johnny Cash’s To Beat The Devil. 
Nearing the end of the show Owen found time to play Natural Light, a Casiotone favourite. I’m half-glad he didn’t succumb to the audience requests for more.
Owen threw out his old songs on December 5th 2010, the thirteen year anniversary of his first Casiotone show. Ending on unlucky number thirteen did poetic justice to Casiotone’s career yet Advance Base is an obvious progression from this. Bringing together everything Owen does in a way that gives him a certain accessibility and will hopefully allow his tender lyrics to be heard by more people.
I’d known it already but somewhat forgotten – Owen Ashworth is a contemporary maestro in the truest form, creating compositions that can capture the imagination and remind us that we’re all alone sometimes.
The latest EP from <a href="www.advancebasemusic.com ">Advance Base</a> entitled The World Is In a Bad Fix Everywhere was released on Orindal Records earlier this year; you can stream Mother’s Last Word To Her Son below.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/88994672″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Live Review: Advance Base at The Lexington, London – 12th of July 2013

Whilst the world’s eyes were on Glastonbury this weekend, the final line-up for the seventh super-twee Indietracks festival was unveiled.
Taking place in the depths of the Derbyshire countryside, Indietracks 2013 includes <a href="https://www.camera-obscura.net/">Camera Obscura</a>, <a href="https://www.thewavepictures.com/">The Wave Pictures</a> and Emma Kupa of <a href="https://www.standardfare.co.uk/">Standard Fare</a> fame. Two Glasweigan legends, <a href="https://www.dominorecordco.com/artists/the-pastels/">The Pastels</a> and The Wake (so indie they’re not even online) are also going to be playing.
Check out the outdoor stage line-up below and find the full listings for the festival’s four stages <a title="Indie Tracks Line-up" href="https://www.indietracks.co.uk/schedule.html">here</a>.
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-22843" alt="Indietracks 2013 " src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2013/07/lineup-indie-festival.png" width="584" height="390" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/lineup-indie-festival.png 713w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/lineup-indie-festival-300x200.png 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/07/lineup-indie-festival-50x33.png 50w" sizes="(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px" />
Indietracks always receives <a href="https://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4145207">rave reviews</a> but be prepared to be surrounded by flannel shirts and real ale, this festival is the epitome of twee. Taking place at the Midland Railway in Ripley, festival goers get unlimited rides on the steam railway for the whole weekend.
There’s also a whole workshop entitled ‘How to create iconic indiepop album covers in Lego’ … I’m not kidding. Rock and fucking roll!
Tickets are priced at £72 for the weekend and available over at the official <a title="Indietracks" href="https://www.indietracks.co.uk/tickets.html">Indietracks website</a>.

News: Indietracks 2013 line-up announced

In advance of next week’s festivities, the organisers of Glastonbury have announced the line up for this year’s BBC Introducing stage.
The bill includes CITR favourite <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/artist/moko/">Moko*</a> and a host of  emerging artists. You can check out this year’s line-up over at <a href="https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/line-up/#bbc_introducing">Glastonbury’s site</a>.
I think <a title="BBC Glastonbury - New Music" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010j8y5/profiles/festivals">BBC Introducing</a> actually quite a cool idea and invaluable for bands trying to get their name out there. Taking advantage of the BBC’s vast network of local radio stations, regional experts filter and recommend tracks they deem worthy of national attention.  Since 2009 artists have also been able to upload their tracks via the<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/introducing/uploader/"> BBC Introducing site</a>.
As well as giving previously undiscovered artists airtime, the BBC then hosts these bands on stages at a ton of festivals across the country including Glastonbury, Leeds & Reading, Radio 1’s Big Weekend and T in the Park.
This line-up announcement follows the <a href="https://www.factmag.com/2013/05/30/bbc-promise-first-truly-digital-glastonbury/">news last month</a> that more than 120 live performances will be filmed and broadcast exclusively by the BBC.
Michael Eavis, Glastonbury festival founder said: “The BBC have stuck with us through thick and thin since 1997 and they’ve earned their stripes the hard way.”
“It’s been quite a journey since ’97 and to have a complete record of what we’ve been up to over the years is music history gold dust.”
*Yeah that’s right, you heard her here first.

News: Glastonbury announces BBC Introducing 2013 line-up

I first heard about Arizona natives <a href="https://twitter.com/dotCULT">.CULT</a> after 16-year-old producer prodigy XXYYXX shared <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUPAO7C-KSM">a track</a> he’d produced for one of the group’s members last year. Since then I’ve been following them with interest, their heady, hazy and lazy flow standing out in a sea of aspiring rap stars.
Now following the release of their debut album, <a href="https://dotcult.bandcamp.com/album/the-three-beggars">The Three Beggars</a>, we’re proud to premiere the video for Naughty By Nature featuring Canadian-American hip-hopper Noah23, better known for his work with Buck 65, Jim Guthrie and Cadence Weapon.
Check out the video for Naughty By Nature and stream The Three Beggars in it’s entirety below. 
.CULT consists of Yawning Boy, FACES, and Yung Gungho – Three artists from Phoenix, Arizona.
<iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GdngxXl4rVY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 450px; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2213846445/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/" height="240" width="320" seamless=""></iframe>

Video Premiere: .CULT – Naughty by Nature ft. NOAH23

With festival season upon us, revelers around the world are stocking up on noodles, dusting off their plastic ponchos and shaking out last year’s gritty remnants from their tents.
For me, the festival experience has always seemed like a depressingly capitalistic version of the Aborigines Walkabout. To clarify, I’m talking about a rite of passage marking a transition between the stages of our lives, not the shitty Australian theme bar. Yet regardless of the people who may be profiteering out of our experience, there’s something about the allure of spending a week escaping reality that keeps us coming back for more.
It starts with preteen stumbling and groping through the fields of Leeds and Reading in an escape from parents and structure. Doing stuff you usually wouldn’t and will definitely regret.
<img class="aligncenter" alt="Embarrassing Leeds" src="https://evolutionofhatred.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/leeds-9.jpg" width="424" height="357" />
Then, once you’ve actually developed a taste in music, you find yourself exploring the ‘slightly’ more niche festivals such as <a href="https://www.rebellionfestivals.com">Rebellion</a>, <a href="https://mamacolive.com/thegreatescape/">The Great Escape</a> or <a href="https://www.atpfestival.com">ATP</a>.
This entails pretty much the same thing as before, except you actually see some of the bands, and you’ve no excuse for waking up underneath a 40 year old woman in a portaloo. Purely hypothetical example of course…
Katherine, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry.
<img class="aligncenter" title="Source: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Europe" alt="Baring it all at Rebellion festival" src="https://www1.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Punks+Gather+Annual+Rebellion+Festival+XYDvnOaMmNll.jpg" width="405" height="594" />
Next you hit University and the realisation that Friday night in your hometown wasn’t the pulsing social hub of the world that you thought. There’s actually other places to get messed up, other countries nonetheless.
In essence international festivals, such as <a href="https://www.hideoutfestival.com">Hideout</a>, offer people the chance to get off their faces somewhere they probably wouldn’t have visited otherwise. There’s usually some pretty decent weather too. I’d like to write something about embracing different cultures but who am I kidding?
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2013/05/images_gallery_2012_main_event_orig_IMG_8851.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-21938 aligncenter" alt="_images_gallery_2012_main_event_orig_IMG_8851" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/images_gallery_2012_main_event_orig_IMG_8851.jpg" width="515" height="343" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/images_gallery_2012_main_event_orig_IMG_8851.jpg 1000w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/images_gallery_2012_main_event_orig_IMG_8851-300x200.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/images_gallery_2012_main_event_orig_IMG_8851-50x33.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 515px) 100vw, 515px" /></a>
Finally you find yourself in the shadow of the giants, the monolithic age-old festivals like Glastonbury and Burning man. Festivals that are no longer simply a weekend away from responsibilities but yearly milestones celebrated by millions.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/medium_8338014285.jpg"><img class="wp-image-22185 aligncenter" alt="Glatsonburysunfall" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/medium_8338014285.jpg" width="500" height="375" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/medium_8338014285.jpg 500w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/medium_8338014285-300x225.jpg 300w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2013/05/medium_8338014285-50x38.jpg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a>
Whilst comparing the festival experience to some kind of walkabout, I started wondering whether spending the weekend drinking cider in a muddy field had the same kind of spiritual effect.
I wondered whether some Glastonbury veterans – those who had attended the fetival for ten years or more – could impart some sage-like wisdom on embracing the esoteric mysteries of the experience.
After speaking to a shit ton on Twitter the sum of their centuries of experience was;
– Avoid the portaloos and shit in a ditch 
– Bring bin bags 
– Drink cider because it’s more bearable than warm lager
In conclusion, it seems no matter how long you’ve spent wandering around a field in a daze, you still don’t know what’s really going on. A bit like life, it’s all about having fun.
Crack In The Road will be at <a href="https://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk">Glastonbury Festival</a> this year from the 27-30th June. If you’ve got any recommendations of what we should see or anyone you think we need to avoid, get in touch or leave a comment below.

Feature: Centuries of Wisdom

With our second <a href="https://on.fb.me/12SSFlE">live showcase</a> just around the corner, we thought we’d give any of you who haven’t bought a ticket yet the chance to win a pair!
This month we’re back at the <a href="https://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?480712">Bussey Building</a> in Peckham pairing a different visual artist with each musician, expect to be bombarded by friendly people, kaleidoscopic visuals and exciting music.
TO WIN
All you have to do to enter is follow <a href="https://twitter.com/crackintheroad">@CrackInTheRoad</a> on twitter and then retweet our <a href="https://twitter.com/crackintheroad/status/337549241809510401">competition tweet here</a>. Good luck!
<a class="twitter-follow-button" href="https://twitter.com/crackintheroad" data-show-count="true" data-lang="en">Follow @crackintheroad</a>
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You can get a taste of what CitR LIVE entails from the video of last month’s event below.
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/65381187" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Check out this month’s acts below, side by side with the visual artists we’ve paired them with.
Facebook event: <a href="https://on.fb.me/12SSFlE">https://on.fb.me/12SSFlE</a>
LAW (Debut London Show) – PAULINE NADAL 
PHORIA – CHARLOTTE COUSINS 
PALE – WILL KENDRICK 
FUNK ETHICS – JOE EVANS
RESIDENT DJs
EDMONDSON 
MATT GREIG 
MUTE
9.00-LATE 
£5
BUSSEY BUILDING: PECKHAM
18+

WIN: Tickets to CITR Live #002 – LAW, PHORIA, PALE, FUNK ETHICS

Returning for a second time, <a href="www.brainchildfestival.co.uk">Brainchild Festival</a> has announced this year’s line-up and it looks like a fucking masterpiece. See it in all it’s glory below.
Taking place from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th of July, Brainchild is a not-for-profit festival where many of the acts will be playing for free in support of the organiser’s ethos. Hotly tipped artists and Crack In The Road favourites, including Moko and Jamie Isaac, litter the line-up.
“We want to build a community that brings together emerging artists, poets, filmmakers and musicians in a forum of progressive ideas.” the organisers announced today “Really, this festival is a story of young people and their conviction to empower themselves, despite the media’s constant assertion that they are all just looking for a free ride.”
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Kznq_Kmb3U" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Once again some of the folk here at Crack In The Road played a hand in helping make this year’s festival even more mind blowing, working alongside the glorious <a href="https://studentsforhappiness.co.uk/">Students For Happiness</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Welcometosteez?group_id=0">Steez</a>, <a href="https://audiodoughnuts.com/">Audio Doughnuts</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/frozenthumb">Frozen Thumb.</a>
Tickets are £58 for the full weekend and available <a title="Brainchild Tickets!" href="https://brainchildfestival.co.uk/Tickets">here</a>. See you there?
LIVE
King Krule / Benin City / 9mary 
United Vibrations / Jamie Isaac / My Panda Shall Fly
Filthy Boy / Moko / Haraket / Southpaw
Nomad Soul Collective / Valve Control / Ben Hayes 
Yancey Boys / Theo Bass / The Majestic / Psylus
Sascha Keable / Rakiki Music / Cholombian / Thidius Risk
Marie Naffah / Martyna Baker / Bagel Project / Adam Blake 
Jerkcurb / The Energy / MVC / Oscar Lawrence / We Are Goose 
Big Beat Manifesto / Audio Doughnuts Live Showcase / EZRA / CIRUS
Cisza + Indea / Kirk Spencer
With more to come..
DJ’s
Brotherhood Soundsystem / Orgy Banton / Riffs / MWJ
Deft / Debian Blak / DA-10 / Tuesday Born / Ghost Circula
The Attic Project / Beau / Chesslo Junior / Real
Manni Dee / Pedaller B2B Loxton / Small_Talk 
Late Lunch & Audio Doughnuts DJ’s
POETRY 
Bridget Minamore / Zia Ahmed / Jodi Ann Bickley / Rosie Knight
Deanna Rodger / Jack Rooke / Harry Baker / Poejazzi / Cecilia Knapp
Steez Poets Showcase Tom Sanders / Zena Agha / Tim & Rory
Sean Mahoney / Deanna Rodger / Tristram Fane Saunders
THEATRE
Wind Up Collective presents ‘Black Pudding’ / ‘Far Away’ directed by Zoe Hunter Gordon (written by Caryl Churchill) / ‘Pink’ by Tania Clarke
‘Gender The Elephant by Bethan Kitchen
Vanessa Kisuule presents ‘One Last Thing’
FILM
Raoul Martinez’s ‘Creating Freedom’ / Chemical Brothers’ ‘Don’t Think’ plus Q&A with Director Adam Smith
TALKS
Louisa Young on ‘Culture of the Heart’ / The Post-Feminism Panel
+ much, much more
(Including an afternoon of talks curated by Students for Happiness organisation)
OTHER
The Note Well / STEEZ Café / Brainchild’s Graffiti Wall / Installations from Brainchild resident artists

NEWS: Brainchild Festival line-up announced

In May, Cincinnati natives WHY? are returning to the UK for a series of intimate shows across the country.
Following what must have been a successful European tour at the end of last year, the band are making another loop of the globe including dates in the US and Ireland.
UK dates below and full listings can be found <a title="Anticon Records - Live Events" href="https://www.anticon.com/events" target="_blank">here</a>.
5/7 – Liverpool, UK – Kazimier 
 5/8 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club 
 5/9 – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall 
 5/11 – Camber Sands, UK – All Tomorrow’s Parties
As a longtime supporter of the band and their label <a href="https://www.anticon.com/">Anticon</a>, I’m interested to see if Yoni and the crew will whip out any new material or if the audience will be treated to another back to back performance of the band’s latest LP Mumps Etc.
For me, Mumps etc. was a return to form for the band after a disappointing EP (Sod In The Seed) and distressingly different album (Eskimo Snow).
Recorded in a month and a half in the Texas based studio, The Echo Lab. WHY? enlisted the help of a professor at the University of North Texas music school for Mumps etc. He helped the band include performances from a string quartet and an eight-person choir alongside copious amounts of woodwind and horns.
Flitting from egotistical wallowing to intense self deprication, Mumps etc cuts close to the swollen heart of our sick human condition. Or maybe that’s just me wanting to try and explain the album’s title.

News: WHY? to tour UK in May

Following news of Ghostpoet’s new album on BBC 6Music this Saturday, the lo-fi poet turned singer has announced a string of UK tour dates.
The new album ‘Some Say I So I Say Light’ is slated for release on the 6th of May on the Play It Again Sam label. Get a glimpse of what it sounds like by listening to ‘MSI MUSMID’ below or downloading it  <a title="Ghostpoet" href="https://soundcloud.com/ghostpoet/ghostpoet-msi-musmid-after">here</a>.
<iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F78927599" height="166" width="100%" frameborder="no" scrolling="no"></iframe>
The track and album was co-produced by Richard Formby of Wild Beasts, Darkstar and Egyptian Hip-Hop fame. I’ll let you make your own minds up about whether it’s a compliment or insult to be included in that roster of bands.
Full UK tour dates throughout May listed below.
May 18th – Coventry – Kasbah 
May 21th – Liverpool – East Village Arts Club 
May 22nd – Sheffield – Queens Road Social 
May 23rd – Newcastle – The Cluny 
May 24th – Glasgow – Broadcast 
May 25th – Edinburgh – Electric Circus 
May 27th – Bournemouth – The Winchester 
May 28th – Manchester – Gorilla 
May 29th – Leeds – Brudenell Social Club 
May 30th – London – Village Underground 
June 2nd – Leicester Academy 
June 3rd – Oxford – Oxford Academy 
June 7th – Suffolk – John Peel Arts Centre
More details over at <a href="https://www.ghostpoet.co.uk/">ghostpoet.co.uk</a>

News: Ghostpoet announces UK tour & new album

Aight, Queens rapper Heems has announced a gig at BIRTHDAYS, London on the 18th of March. This will be his first show since Das Racist split back in December last year.
Tickets will be available for £9 from 9am tomorrow (Wednesday the 6th of February) from <a href="https://www.wegottickets.com/event/207851">WeGotTickets</a>, <a href="https://www.seetickets.com/Event/HEEMS/Birthdays/693715">SeeTickets</a> or <a href="https://www.ticketweb.co.uk/event/39101">TicketWeb.</a>
Known for his often abstract lyrics and alternative rapping style as one part of Das Racist, Indian-American Himanshu Kumar Suri aka Heems was also responsible for founding the independent record label Greedhead Music.
Greedhead released Das Racists’ original mixtapes and first album, before going on to release solo mixtapes from Heems himself, Kool A.D and a number of other artists including Glasweigan bhangra group <a href="https://www.tigerstyleonline.co.uk/">Tigerstyle</a>.
Heems’s second mixtape, Wild Water Kingdom, can be downloaded free <a href="https://twitter.com/HIMANSHU"> from the man himself</a>. Released on November 14, 2012, Wild Water Kingdom features production from Harry Fraud, Keyboard Kid, Crookers, Beautiful Lou, Le1f, and Lushlife. Guests on Wild Water Kingdom include Childish Gambino and Lakutis.
Check out the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/117195731793603/">facebook event for more,</a> The gig takes place tickets are £9 and will on sale tomorrow at 9am.

News: First UK solo show for HEEMS since Das Racist breakup

With just over four weeks until this year’s London Popfest, the line-up has almost been finalised. Taking place across three venues in London, this year’s event boasts appearances from Cambridge based <a href="https://hongkonginthe60s.com/">Hong Kong in the 60s,</a> The Orchids from Glasgow and <a href="https://burningheartsmusic.com/biography/">Burning Hearts </a>all the way from Finland.
Ok, I’m not going to lie, when I first heard about London Popfest I wasn’t instantly sold. Staccato electric guitar and vocals lost in reverb all seemed pretty 2005. So I pulled together a Spotify playlist of some of the artists at this year’s festival. Two weeks later I’ve got my ticket, my tambourine and I’m more twee than<a title="Johan Angergard, KING OF TWEE" href="https://www.qromag.com/uploads/2011/04/labradorinterviewa.jpg"> this guy</a>.
<iframe src="https://embed.spotify.com/?uri=spotify:user:1116762961:playlist:3bSTG5HcRIvuVRovAD9auC" height="300" width="500" frameborder="0"></iframe>
Tickets are available at: <a href="https://londonpopfest.com/">londonpopfest.com/</a>
Friday 1 March at the Grosvenor
Young Romance 8:15 
Burning Hearts 9:00 
English Singles 9:45 
Milky Wimpshake 10:30
(How Does It Feel to Be Loved? at the Canterbury Arms in Brixton for post-gig dancing!)
Saturday 2 March at 100 Club
Big Wave 4:00 
The Tuts 4:50 
The Garlands 5:40 
Martha 6:30 
September Girls 7:20 
This Many Boyfriends 8:10 
Speedmarket Avenue 9:00 
Standard Fare 10:00
(dancing until very late!)
Sunday 3 March at the Lexington (please note early start!)
Hong Kong in the 60s 3:45 
Flowers 4:30 
Cocoanut Groove 5:15 
The Orchids 6:15

News: Line up confirmed for London Popfest 2013

Hey kids, want to be famous rock and roll stars? Is the bloggersphere buzzing with hipsters writing about your latest demo? Well this year the folks at Glastonbury Festival are once again looking for new, unsigned artists from the UK and Ireland. The winning artist chosen by UK bloggers and a panel of judges is given a main stage slot at this year’s Glastonbury… that means you’re basically as big as the Beatles.
A panel of 40 of the UK’s best music bloggers will pull together a longlist of the top 120 entries. This longlist will brutally cut down to a shortlist of just eight artists by a panel of industry judges including Glastonbury organisers Michael and Emily Eavis. It’s then down to the live finals in Pilton in April to decide this year’s emerging talent.
Applications opened at 9am on Thursday 17th January and will remain open until this Thursday,the 24th. Enter now on the <a title="ETC Competition - new bands, Glastonbury" href="https://glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/news/emerging-talent-competition-2013-enter-now">official Glastonbury website</a>.

News: Four days left to enter Glastonbury’s emerging talent competition

Animal Collective have announced gigs across Australia, North America and Europe for 2013.
That’s all I’ve got to say really. OH! Except here’s a fun bit of trivia for you. According to an <a title="Avey Interview" href="https://reynoldsretro.blogspot.co.uk/2009/01/animal-collective-feels-directors-cut.html">interview with Avey back in 2009</a>, when AC were sending out their first album <a href="https://www.last.fm/music/Animal+Collective/Spirit+They%27re+Gone+Spirit+They%27ve+Vanished">Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished</a> they were contacted by a confused Southern Records. The label asked Avey “Is there something wrong with this? This music makes our dogs run out of the room!” There was nothing wrong with the record.
Tour dates below. For more information visit: <a title="Animal Collective Official Site" href="https://myanimalhome.net/">myanimalhome.net</a>
01-17 Newtown, Australia – Enmore Theatre 
01-18 Sydney, Australia – Big Day Out # 
01-20 Gold Coast, Australia – Big Day Out 
01-23 Melbourne, Australia – Palace Theatre # 
01-25 Adelaide, Australia – Big Day Out 
01-26 Melbourne, Australia – Big Day Out 
01-28 Perth, Australia – Big Day Out 
03-07 Boston, MA – House of Blues * 
03-08 Montreal, Quebec – Metropolis * 
03-09 Toronto, Ontario – Danforth Music Hall * 
03-11 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues * 
03-12 Covington, KY – The Madison Theater * 
03-13 Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works * 
03-15 Royal Oak, MI – Royal Oak Music Hall * 
03-16 Chicago, IL – Riviera Theatre * 
03-17 Madison, WI – Orpheum Theatre * 
03-18 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue * 
03-20 St. Louis, MO – The Pageant * 
03-21 Kansas City, MO – Midland Theater * 
03-22 Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre * 
03-23 Salt Lake City, UT – Depot * 
03-24 Boise, ID – Treefort Music Fest 
07-02 Helsinki, Finland – The Circus 
07-04 Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde Festival
<h1>with Africa Hitech</h1>
<ul>
<li>with Dan Deacon</li>
</ul>

News: Animal Collective announce European, US and Australian tour dates

I thought I’d come out of the woodwork to post this gem, especially as its the first and probably last time I’ll ever write this sentence. David Bowie has announced a new album whilst you were sleeping. Today marks the glam rock troubadour’s 66th birthday and The Next Day will be the first new album in ten years.
According to the announcement by Iso/Columbia records in the early hours of this morning, Bowie’s new album will be entitled The Next Day, available as a pre-order on iTunes with a wider release scheduled for March. It’ll be his 30th studio album of his long, colourful yet often elusive career.
The single, Where Are We Now?, was written by Bowie, recorded in New York and produced Tony Visconti. The accompanying video directed by Tony Oursler recalls Bowie’s time living in Berlin. He is seen looking in on vintage footage of the vast industrial city and the auto repair shop beneath the apartment he lived. Watch the video below and post your opinion in the comments box below.
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The album has 14 tracks, with a deluxe version boasting another 3 bonus tracks.
<ul>
<li>The Next Day</li>
<li>Dirty Boys</li>
<li>The Stars (Are Out Tonight)</li>
<li>Love Is Lost</li>
<li>Where Are We Now?</li>
<li>Valentine’s Day</li>
<li>If You Can See Me</li>
<li>I’d Rather Be High</li>
<li>Boss of Me</li>
<li>Dancing Out In Space</li>
<li>How Does the Grass Grow?</li>
<li>(You Will) Set the World on Fire</li>
<li>You Feel So Lonely You Could Die</li>
<li>Heat</li>
<li>So She (Bonus Track)</li>
<li>I’ll Take You There (Bonus Track)</li>
<li>Plan (Bonus Track)</li>
</ul>
Visit Bowie’s official site for more information; <a title="DavidBowie.com" href="https://www.davidbowie.com/the-next-day">DavidBowie.com</a>

News: Bowie announces The Next Day, his first album in a decade

STOP THE PRESS. Today <a href="https://www.google.com">Google’s homepage</a> features a playable Moog synthesiser complete with oscillators and pitch control. Oh my fuck this is good.
This distressingly distracting doodle celebrates the 78th birthday of super badass American, Robert Moog who led the way in the field of electronic music, by designing the first voltage-controlled subtractive synthesizer that used a keyboard as a controller.
In layman’s terms; Bob Moog invented the synthesiser as we know it today. A whole new kind of musical instrument that gave way to hordes of floppy haired new wave bands, disco dance troupes and brazen electro outfits.
The first Moog synth was made commercially available in 1965 and it went on to have an intense effect on the music of the 20th century. One of the first Moog synths was bought by Micky Dolenz of The Monkees and in turn The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Pink Floyd and The Beatles all grabbed a slice of synthesised action.
Today the sound of the synth has found its way into almost every genre of music from prog rock to grime. It remains one of the most flexible instruments of all time and a tech geeks wet dream.
Although renowned for the invention of the Moog synthesiser, Robert Moog was pioneer of musical electronics, designing his first theremin at age 14 and a range of other synth-struments including the Minimoog Model D, Minimoog Voyager, Little Phatty, Moog Taurus Bass Pedals, Moog Minitaur, and the Moogerfooger line of effects pedals.
Moog died of a brain tumour at the age of 71 on August 21, 2005. His friends and family founded the <a title="Robert Moog" href="https://www.moogfoundation.org/">Bob Moog Foundation</a> which, according to their site, aims “to carry Bob’s legacy forward by continuing to touch people’s lives through electronic music, just as Bob did.”

News: Today’s Google Doodle is a playable Synth

Well I’m cursing the fact I don’t live in New York right now…
Following the news that Pulp will be touring the US for the first time in 10 years, it has been confirmed that the support act in New York will be lo-fi freakfolk master Jeffrey Lewis, according to a post on his <a title="Jeffrey Lewis on Facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/JeffreyLewisBand">facebook page today</a>.
Britpop sensations Pulp are returning to the US this Spring to play a handful of dates including a New York gig at Radio City Music Hall on the 10th of April, where the Sheffield boys will be joined by the NY native, Jeff, and his band The Junkyard. Pulp’s frontman, radio presenter & all-round working class hero Jarvis Cocker  previously described Jeffrey Lewis as “The best lyricist working in the US today.”
“We might need to dress up for this one” the post on Jeffrey Lewis & the Junkyard’s facebook read but this isn’t the first time Cocker & Lewis have shared a billing. Back in 2008 they <a href="https://www.nme.com/blog/index.php?blog=125&title=jeffrey_lewis_on_tour_with_jarvis_cocker&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1">toured together</a> (Jeff actually wrote an article about it for NME) and both played solo sets at <a href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/nov/30/jarvis-cocker-jeffrey-lewis-rough-trade">Rough Trade’s 25th Anniversary</a>.
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News: Jeffrey Lewis & the Junkyard open for Pulp in NY

Badass Russian punk-rock collective Pussy Riot have been arrested over an anti-Putin demonstration in Moscow. Two of the band’s members are still being held in custody, protesting their conditions with a hunger strike, <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpussy-riot.livejournal.com%2F&act=url">the band’s website reports</a> 

Describing themselves as a “explosive punk-feminist group”, all girl group Pussy Riot are known for their risqué outfits and brightly coloured balaclavas. Formed after Putin’s announcement to run for presidency in September, the group have since become a symbol of revolution & discontent in Russia.
Working under pseudonyms and maintaining an air of total secrecy, Pussy Riot have been responsible for organising anti-authoritarian flash gigs across the Russian capital. It was one of these gigs, outside St Basil’s Cathedral in the heart of Red Square, that prompted the group’s arrest. Fists clenched and flag flying, eight balaclava clad women burst into a punk rock protest song, chanting  “THE CHARISMA OF PROTEST, REVOLT IN RUSSIA, PUTINS GOT SCARED” 

Six members of the Pussy Riot were given administrative fines in connection with inciting hate crimes and violating the peace.The two members of the collective who remain in custody, waiting for a hearing late next month, are young mothers Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhin.
Following the arrest of the group on the 3rd of march, the band claim they were subjected to a seven hours of interrogation finishing at 4am. “We are ready to two thousand times to explain to those who will listen to us, why we act this way.” The band explained on <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpussy-riot.livejournal.com%2F&act=url">their website</a> “But first we need to pull together from prison of two women, two mothers of young children who were in the interrogation papers connected with the name Pussy Riot . They went on hunger strike and will starve in jail until they’re given back to their children.” 
In an interview with <a href="https://en.gazeta.ru/news/2012/02/27/a_4014157.shtml">gazeta.ru</a>, the Riot Grrl inspired band said “Art and politics are inseparable for us. We try to make political art…Our position is to think critically, to doubt all “natural” things, and find lies.” The <a href="https://en.rian.ru/">Russian government’s press service</a> released a comment saying “These citizens were taken in on suspicion of committing a crime, one involving a gross violation of public order, including inciting religious hatred as part of a planned conspiracy.”
 The Western press has been heavily critical of Putin’s <a href="https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/russia-vote-needs-investigating-16127213.html">presidential campaign</a> & alleged <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17256116">carousel voting system</a> but, for the citizens of Russia still wary of Western propaganda, it seems to me that, it is acts of protest from with the Russian Federation that still have a chance to ring true & set the country free.
Свободу Маше Алехиной! Свободу Наде Толокно! Россия будет свободной!

News: Russian punks arrested over Putin Protest

Seems like their song ‘We Live Again’ predicted the future. Psychadelic indie rockers Grandaddy have announced they will be reforming. The band are set to play a limited run of gigs this year, including taking the headline slot at this year’s<a href="https://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/news/grandaddy-to-headline-sunday-plus-alabama-shakes-and-more/"> End of the Road festival</a>.
Jon Pareles of <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/08/business/worldbusiness/08gran.html?ex=1066276800&amp%3Ben=256b12123e350608&amp%3Bei=5062&amp%3Bpartner=">The New York Times</a> described the band’s songs in such a perfect way & it’s Friday so I’m just going to copy & paste; “Stately anthems orchestrated with full late-psychedelic pomp: fuzz-toned guitar strumming, rippling keyboards brawny drumbeats” BOOM YEAH now that’s a reccomendation if ever I read one.
The festival Grandaddy are set to play, <a href="https://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/">End of the Road</a>, is an intimate independent festival taking place at the Larmer Tree Gardens in North Dorset. Joining Grandaddy in the lineup include Jeffrey Lewis, Grizzly Bear & Islet.
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News: Grandaddy reform for End of the Road Festival

It’s all going to kick off at this year’s South by Southwest. The organisers of the Texan festival have confirmed that hip-hop legend Nas and upcoming rappers A$AP Rocky and Action Bronson will play at this year’s event.
With only three weeks to go before SXSW, the lineup is taking shape and a impressive range of hip-hop acts are set to perform across the ten day music festival including Nas, Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar, El-P, Murs, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, GZA, A$AP Rocky, B.O.B., Action Bronson, T.I., Big K.R.I.T., Curren$y and Mobb Deep.
You can check out the full SXSW lineup on the <a href="https://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/">official SXSW schedule</a>.

News: Action Bronson, A$AP Rocky, Nas & more added to SXSW 2012 lineup

Colorado’s <a title="Gauntlet Hair Bio" href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/artist/gauntlet-hair/">Gauntlet Hair</a> brought their echo filled post-punk pop to the Bowery in Sheffield last night but technical difficulties hindered the two piece resulting in a distressingly short set. Mustachioed drummer, Craig Nice, had to play his beats “punk rock style” on an accoustic kit & guitarist, Andy Rauworth, was equally as unfortunate when his guitar decided to cut out mid song.
Despite these setbacks and the shortlived set, the band made up for the lack of electricity with an abundancy of energy. Playing a gig in a near-empty bar, thousands of miles from home and with a shitty sound engineer shouldn’t enthuse anybody but for Gauntlet Hair it seemed like just another day at the office.
This gig was organised by <a href="https://unevenblonde.tumblr.com/">Uneven Blonde,</a> a Sheffield based independent promoter who continues to bring great music to the Steel City.

Gig Review: Gauntlet Hair at The Bowery, Sheffield 20/02/12

WHY? frontman, Jonathan “Yoni” Wolf confirmed this week that an EP from his side project Divorcee was on the way. The Cincinatti born wordsmith said on his twitter feed that an EP was coming <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/YoniWolf/status/169624242038636544">‘soon’</a>.
Divorcee is made up of WHY?’s founding member Yoni Wolf & Anna Stewart, who is credited on two WHY? tracks ‘Rubber Traits’ & ‘Pantone Cyan’. A <a href="https://vimeo.com/10019590">grainy video</a> & several tweets suggest Yoni & Anna have been playing shows together since February 2010. Little else was known about the elusive duo until this week’s tweet confirming the EP.
In a <a title="Yoni Wolf's interview with Melophobe" href="https://www.melophobe.com/articles/interview-why-summer-2010/">Melophobe interview</a> from 2010 Yoni said ” I’m headed back to Oakland and going to work on some new tracks with my friend, Anna. It’s our little side project, called Divorcee. We’re doing it really low-fi, recording everything on an 8-track.” After that Yoni confirmed on twitter that four songs had been recorded, describing Divorcee’s music as <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/YoniWolf/statuses/14503519587">“Grimy & wonderful”</a> and Anna Stewart as a “flawed god”.
No mp3s of Divorcee’s songs are available online yet so until then I’ll leave you with this solo cover of a Dylan classic.
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Yoni Wolf – ‘As I Went Out One Morning’

News: EP on the way from Yoni Wolf’s side project

Sony has apologised for <a title="Sony profit from Houston's death" href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/14945-news-sony-raised-price-of-houston-album-hours-after-her-death/">increasing the price of Whitney Houston’s ‘Ultimate Collection’ LP just hours after the singers death</a>. The increased price that appeared on iTunes has been called a ‘mistake’ by a company spokesman.
As <a title="Sony raise price of Whitney's album" href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/14945-news-sony-raised-price-of-houston-album-hours-after-her-death/">previously reported</a> the price of the album went up from £4.99 to £7.99. The increase was spotted by angry twitter users & it quickly emerged Sony, who own the rights to Houston’s back catalogue, were responsible for the price hike.
In a statement released today (15th February) Sony said “Whitney Houston product was mistakenly mispriced on the UK iTunes store on Sunday. When discovered, the mistake was immediately corrected. We apologise for any offence caused.”
<a href="https://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/14/sony-says-price-of-2-whitney-houston-albums-was-raised-by-mistake/">The New York Times</a> reports that a British Sony employee was responsible for the mistake and no official order to hike the price was given by the company.
<a href="https://www.theofficialcharts.com/">The Official Charts Company</a> have stated they expect sales of Whitney Houston’s discography to increase dramatically over the following months. <a href="https://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a365662/whitney-houston-set-to-dominate-uk-singles-albums-charts.html">Digital Spy</a> reports that Whitney’s albums are likely to top the album charts and 27 of the star’s songs are likely to chart in this Sunday’s UK’s Top singles list.
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Check out this video of Whitney Houston performing Count On Me Featuring CeCe Winans via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXttyNf8zv0&feature=player_embedded">YouTube</a>

News: Whitney’s Posthumous Price Rise was a ‘mistake’, say Sony

This sounds like a piece of satire but believe me it’s true. US President Barack Obama has continued to get ‘down with the kids’ by signing up for a Spotify account, according to his official <a title="Obama's Tumblr" href="https://barackobama.tumblr.com/post/17319836576/behold-the-2012-campaign-playlist-on-spotify">Tumblr</a>.
Yeah that’s right Obama has Tumblr too which probably makes him one of the oldest people using the platform. Unfortunately he’s yet to post any cliched lyrics or<a title="Yo dawg I heard you like Obama" href="https://media.photobucket.com/image/yo%20dawg%20obama/MUSE_1/yo-dawg-hope-dawg.jpg" target="_blank"> meme’s featuring Xzibit</a>.
The Spotify announcement came with a playlist of “a few of Obama’s favorites” alongside tracks picked by campaign staff. Although it doesn’t say which specific tracks were picked by Obama, I like to imagine him sat in the Whitehouse smoking a Marlboro & blasting out the Arcade Fire’s  “We Used To Wait” from the Presedential stereo.
The Official Obama 2012 Spotify playlist: 
Raphael Saadiq, “Keep Marchin’” 
Noah And The Whale, “Tonight’s The Kind Of Night” 
Bruce Springsteen, “We Take Care Of Our Own” 
Zac Brown Band, “Keep Me In Mind” 
Aretha Franklin, “The Weight” 
U2, “Even Better Than The Real Thing” 
Ricky Martin, “The Best Thing About Me Is You (feat. Joss Stone)” 
Dierks Bentley, “Home” 
Ray LaMontagne, “You Are The Best Thing” 
Earth Wind And Fire, “Got To Get You Into My Life (Live)” 
Booker T & The MG’s, “Green Onions” 
Wilco, “I Got You” 
The Impressions, “Keep On Pushing” 
Dreamgirls Soundtrack: Jennifer Hudson, “Love You I Do” 
AgesandAges, “No Nostalgia” 
Sugarland, “Stand Up” 
Al Green, “Let’s Stay Together” 
Darius Rucker, “This” 
Arcade Fire, “We Used To Wait” 
Florence And The Machine, “You’ve Got The Love” 
James Taylor, “Your Smiling Face” 
REO Speedwagon, “Roll With The Changes” 
Sugarland, “Everyday America” 
Darius Rucker, “Learn To Live” 
Electric Light Orchestra, “Mr. Blue Sky” 
Montgomery Gentry, “My Town” 
No Doubt, “Different People” 
Ledisi, “Raise Up”
Social media was prevalent in <a title="Obama and Social Media in 2008" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/media/10carr.html" target="_blank">Obama’s 2008 presidential Campaign </a>and experts are suggesting he’ll need to harness the power of the people once again in the run up to the <a href="https://www.webpronews.com/note-to-2012-presidential-candidates-your-social-media-presence-is-a-big-deal-2011-11" target="_blank">2012 elections</a>. With accounts on over 15 of the big social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and Google+, Obama’s web presence either demonstrates the importance of politicians engaging with the people or his press team just have nothing better to do.

News: Obama’s got Spotify

Oh Valentine’s day… the time of year where star-crossed lovers across the Western world are expected to prove their love to each other, smothering their partners with thoughtless gifts &  mass produced cards full of sickeningly sweet & idealistic love propaganda. At no other time of year, no matter how hard you try, will you ever be able to convey your love for another person more conveniently & commercially than on February 14th. Who knew love would be as easy as petrol station flowers & a bottle of Blossom Hill?
Despite the depressingly capitalistic nature of modern day Valentine’s, it’s origins are pretty cool. Valentine’s day was all about sex, sacrifice and Roman paganism until the 14th century poet Geoffrey Chaucer created the connection between Valentine’s day and the concept of courtly love in his poem ‘Parlement of Foules‘. Before then Valentines was literally the Middle Age’s equivalent to a swingers party where men picked girl’s names out of a bowl to <a href="https://books.google.es/books?id=_bqdZbKPztMC&pg=PA60&dq=saint+valentine%27s+lupercalia+year&hl=en&sa=X&ei=uXI4T8CgLITX0QWB4OiSAg&ved=0CDYQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q&f=false">decide who they’d fuck</a>. Romantic right?
So without further ado, here’s a Valentine’s gift from CitR because we love everyone who supports the blog & inspires us to keep doing what we do. Play this mix of fuzzy lo-fi pop songs from the last 8 years to celebrate and/or mourn the feelings you get from the release of neurotrophins, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin, testosterone & estrogen. Hooray!
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/audio/Love_Is_A_Commodity_-_CITR.zip">Click here to download the ‘Love Is A Commodity’ Valentine’s mixtape</a>
<h6 style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/audio/Love_Is_A_Commodity_-_CITR.zip"><img class="size-medium wp-image-15001 alignleft" title="AlbumArt" src="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2012/02/AlbumArt-260x260.jpg" alt="Valentine's Day Mixtape 2012" width="260" height="260" /></a>Casiotone for the Painfully Alone – Young Shields 
 Black Bear – Black Bear 
 Deerhunter – Nosebleed 
 SKWBN – Loop Duplicate My Heart 
 Think About Life – What the Future Might Be 
 Moscow Olympics – Keeping the Avenues Open 
 Sweet Valley Slumber Party – Racing Hearts 
 Panda Bear – Atiba Song 
 Jeffrey Lewis – Roll Bus Roll 
 Bishop Allen – Flight 180 
 John Maus – Bennington 
 Fast Summer – Noble Oak</h6>
 
NB: All of these songs are freely available to download elsewhere on the web but if any of the featured artists has a problem with the free promotion then <a title="Contact CitR" href="mailto:site@crackintheroad.com">email us</a> & we’ll be happy to remove your tune from this Valentine’s day playlist.
 
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CitR’s Valentine Mixtape: Love Is A Commodity

Sony Music dramatically hiked the cost of Whitney Houston’s ‘Ultimate Collection’ LP just hours after the singers death on Saturday, according to a report from the <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/whitney-houston/61998">NME</a>.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/15060-news-whitneys-posthumous-price-rise-was-a-mistake-say-sony/">Update: a Sony sony spokesman apologises for the price rise calling it a ‘mistake’</a>
The price jump from £4.99 to £7.99  was noticed on the iTunes store by angry Twitter users. Some people immediately placed the blame on Apple but it quickly emerged Sony, who own the rights to Houston’s back catalogue, were responsible for the price increase as wholesale prices dictate the sale price on iTunes. Apple have now restored the original sales price & Song has since issued an <a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/15060-news-whitneys-posthumous-price-rise-was-a-mistake-say-sony/">apology for the price increase</a>.
Of course capitalising off a musician’s death isn’t a new thing. Elvis’s tour hairdresser started selling strands of the rockstar’s hair in a souvenir shop opposite Graceland straight after the singers death in 1977. Contemporaneously Microsoft were criticised in the wake of the death of Amy Winehouse after they encouraged fans to buy her album ‘Back to Black’ from their Zune entertainment marketplace. Microsoft later <a title="Microsoft Apologise for Amy Winehouse Tweet" href="https://mashable.com/2011/07/25/amy-winehouse-microsoft/">issued an apology</a> for the poorly thought out tweet.
<a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/14900-news-whitney-houston-passes-away-aged-48/">Whitney Houston was reported dead on February 11th 2011 aged 48</a>. The mainstream media have reported a variety of reasons for the death but sources close to the family report Whitney Houston died from an accidental overdose on a cocktail of alcohol, anti-anxiety medication Xanax and other prescription drugs.
After the death of Amy Winehouse sales of Back to Black increased 37 fold according to <a href="https://www.theofficialcharts.com/">The Official Charts Company</a> who also reported yesterday they expect increased sales of Whitney Houston’s discography over the following months.

News: Sony raised price of Houston album hours after her death

£35,000 for a single flight on a private jet & £150,000 a year on armed bodyguards. This DJ has had both paid for by the French government. If you’re anything like me you’re probably wondering how the hell this happened.
The strange truth is that Pierre Sarkozy isn’t this DJ’s subversive stage name. He really is the eldest son of the current president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy. What’s even stranger is Pierre aka DJ Mosey has produced tracks for some of his father’s most vocal critics while the French taxpayer funds his armed bodyguards & ’emergency’ flights.
Dubbed ‘the most expensive DJ in the world’  Pierre produces hip hop and plays DJ sets at some of  the world’s most exclusive clubs. A <a title="Mediapart" href="https://www.mediapart.fr/">French investigative news website</a> recently revealed that the French president uses taxpayers money to employ armed bodyguards on salaries of £75k a year to protect the 26 year old DJ. He also allowed a presidential jet to be used to collect his son from the Ukraine after he fell ill there. The news comes at a time when Nicolas Sarkozy is already under fire for his alleged abuse of public money.
In 2003 when Nicolas was still France’s interior minister he criticised rappers for their racist language and initiated legal cases against some for defaming the police. But despite his father’s unpopularity with the underpriveledged french youth, Pierre has collaborated with a number of french rappers including Posion a strong critic of Nicolas Sarkozy’s policies. A song he released with a number of other french rappers in 2007 included the lyrics “Anti-Sarko, anti-right, Nicolas you don’t hear.”
When a French radio station asked Poison about his link to Sarkozy’s son he told them he didn’t know when they started working together. “When I found out, I blew a fuse and phoned him [Pierre Sarkozy]. He said, ‘yeah, but Poison, I didn’t want to tell you because you wouldn’t want to hang out with me anymore.’ I told him, Hey no problem. You’ve never done me wrong. We’ll just do good stuff.”
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(Some information in this article was translated from the French investigative news site <a href="https://www.mediapart.fr/">MediaPart</a>. The quote from the French rapper Poison was taken from Public Radio International in 2008.)

News: Pierre Sarkozy, the most expensive DJ in the world

Whether you’re hungover rolling around in bed, preparing for another lost evening of drunken debauchery or simply staying straight lace sipping on tea, we advise you tune in and turn on to yet another CitR exclusive before you leave the house. This mix by Ministry of Sound’s Chris McKay includes some of his favourite lesser-known bootlegs and remixes spanning the genre of dance.
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<a style="color: #93aec8; font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.mixcloud.com/chrismckay/crack-in-the-road-exclusive-mix/?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=base_links&utm_term=resource_link" target="_blank">Crack In The Road Exclusive Mix #15</a> by <a style="color: #93aec8; font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.mixcloud.com/chrismckay/?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=base_links&utm_term=profile_link" target="_blank">Chris Mckay</a> on <a style="color: #93aec8; font-weight: bold;" href="https://www.mixcloud.com/?utm_source=widget&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=base_links&utm_term=homepage_link" target="_blank"> Mixcloud</a>
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Not many people at the age of 21 can say they’ve impressed the likes of Andi Durrant, Andy George and Mary Anne Hobbs but Chris Mckay has done just that. He first took to the limelight presenting radio show, <a href="https://thehousebandits.blogspot.com">The House Bandits</a> before becoming a member of MoS’s DJ academy, appearing in their mixes and playing at their London superclub.
Chris’s latest project, BPM, attempts to fill the house, trance & dance shaped hole left in so many people’s hearts after legendary club <a title="Gatecrasher sheffield" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/articles/2007/06/21/gatecrasher_fire_feature.shtml">Gatecrasher burnt down</a>.  <a title="House, techno & trance club night in Sheffield" href="https://www.bpmsheffield.com/" target="_blank">BPM</a> is a new Sheffield clubnight which promises ‘no dress code’ and to ‘take clubbing back to the way it should be’.
You can catch the latest from Chris McKay by folowing him on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/cmckay90" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.
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CitR Exclusive Mix #15: Chris McKay

One of the world’s largest file sharing sites Megaupload has been shut down by federal prosecutors in a move that the U.S Justice Department has described as “among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States.”
Megaupload’s webite has been shut down whilst the claims of copyright infringement are investigated. Seven individuals & two corporations have been indicted, costing copyright holders over £322 million ($500m) in lost revenue. The Hong-Kong based company have yet to comment.
The news comes just a day after a string of online protests against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) swept the web. This included <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Wikipedia_blackout">Wikipedia’s 24hour ‘black out’,</a> Google covering up their logo & Tumblr distributing information on how U.S citizens could contact their local congressman.
The Justice Department have issued a statement claiming that megaupload founder Kim Dotcom, formerly known as Kim Schmitz, and three other executives were arrested Thursday in New Zealand at the request of U.S. officials. Two other defendants are still at large. It is unknown as to whether Swizz Beatz, CEO of the firm, has been charged.
Online hacking collective Anonymous took swift revenge for the shutdown of Megaupload by attacking a number of sites including <a title="Universal music hacked" href="https://www.universalmusic.com">Universal Music’s official site</a>, <a title="Anonymous shutdown copyright.gov in Megaupload retaliation" href="https://www.Copyright.gov">Copyright.gov</a> the <a href="https://www.mpaa.org/">Motion Picture Association of America’s site</a>, <a title="anonymous attack FBI site" href="https://www.FBI.gov">FBI.gov</a> & <a title="BMI hacked" href="https://www.BMI.com">BMI.com</a> by firing thousands of requests a second at their server in what is known as a denial-of-service attack (DDoS). Russian news service RT claims this is the largest coordinated attack in Anonymous’ history with over 5,600 users firing their lasers at once.
In one of the IRC chatrooms used to co-ordinate these attacks one anonymous member BRUTALASSMASTER said “The ping is OVER 9000.” A twist on a meme that not only expresses the anger & power of  these combined internet users but also a meme that could never have been born in a world supporting SOPA.
Megaupload was once the 13th largest webpage in the world and had recently received support from musicians and others in the entertainment industry despite the fact a lot of content produced by these individuals has been distributed on Megaupload. The whole situation raises questions about internet regulation and whether piracy really damages an artist or purely the record label bosses who profiteer from their creativity.
The seven individuals indicted face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on racketeering charges, 20 years on money laundering charges and 10 years on other related charges.
R.I.P MEGAUPLOAD

News: Megaupload shutdown for international piracy, hackers retaliate

<a title="UK gig dates Los Campesinos" href="https://www.loscampesinos.com/wheat/los-campesinos-uk-tour-march-2012/" target="_blank">Los Campesinos</a>! have announced a UK tour on their website this morning, the first ‘proper’ set of tour dates in the UK for the indie pop seven piece since February 2010.
In 2012 Los Campesinos! will be playing shows across the UK starting a the Phoenix in Exeter on the 20th of March and finishing up the tour in the Leadmill, Sheffield on the 31st;
Mar 20 – PHOENIX, EXETER (14+) 
Mar 21 – THEKLA, BRISTOL (14+) 
Mar 22 – ELECTRIC BALLROOM, LONDON (14+) 
Mar 23 – 02 ACADEMY, OXFORD (14+) 
Mar 24 – RAINBOW WAREHOUSE, BIRMINGHAM (16+) 
Mar 26 – ACADEMY 3, MANCHESTER (14+) 
Mar 27 – O2 ACADEMY 2, LIVERPOOL (14+) 
Mar 28 – CABARET VOLTAIRE, EDINBURGH (14+) 
Mar 29 – ACADEMY 2, NEWCASTLE (14+) 
Mar 30 – WATERFRONT, NORWICH (14+) 
Mar 31 – LEADMILL, SHEFFIELD (14+)
You can already buy tickets from the official Los Campesinos <a title="buy tickets UK tour Los Campesinos " href="https://www.loscampesinos.com/gigs/" target="_blank">website</a>  and the tour tickets will be on general sale from Wednesday. Support is still to be announced. The band also announced a tour across the US & an appearance on the David Letterman show in the following months. Los Campesino’s fourth full-length release, <a title="Hello Sadness" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hello_Sadness">Hello Sadness</a> was released on 14 November 2011.

News: Los Campesinos announce UK tour dates

UPATE: The nomination announcements are over and to be honest I don’t know why I bothered, in my opinion a terrible line up. Artists pay top dollar to submit themselves for awards like this therefore it’s usually no real representation of the true musical geniuses of our time. Feel differently? Share your view in the comments below. SG
The nominations for the <a href="https://www.brits.co.uk">BRIT Awards 2012</a> have been  announced tonight in the build up to the actual award ceremony later this year. People with strong constitutions can read the full list below.
Brit Award Nominees for British Male:
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher
Professor Green.
Nominees for the British Female award are:
Adele
Florence Welch
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling
Nominees for the British Breakthrough award are:
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sandé
The Vaccines.
Nominees for the Group award are:
Artic Monkeys
Chase and Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian
The nominees for British Single are:
(Click the artist to stream the song via YouTube)
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLQl3WQQoQ0">Adele ‘Someone Like You’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0dnp5E8FMo">Ed Sheeran ‘The A Team’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLXt3yh2g0s">Example ‘Changed The Way You Kissed Me’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMxX-QOV9tI">Jessie J feat. B.O.B ‘Price Tag’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuwTgZOKcf8">JLS feat. Dev ‘She Makes Me Wanna’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hR6O7VxKaQ">Military Wives / Gareth Malone ‘Wherever You Are’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5dFe-WKuPs">Olly Murs feat. Rizzle Kicks ‘Heart Skips A Beat’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJO3ROT-A4E">One Direction ‘What Makes You Beautiful’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swcULf1ATyU">Pixie Lott ‘All About Tonight’</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ggzxInyzVE">The Wanted ‘Glad You Came’</a>
The nominees for International Male Solo Artist are:
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams
The nominees for International Female Solo Artist are:
Beyonce
Bjork
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna
The nominees for International Group are:
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay-Z / Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5
The nominees for International Breakthrough are:
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj
The Brits are the British Phonographic Industry’s annual pop music awards. The name originated as a shortened form of ‘British’, ‘Britain’ ‘Britannia’, but later became a backronym for British Record Industry Trust.
Robbie Williams holds the world record for the most Brits, winning twelve as a solo artist and another five awards as part of pop group Take That, thus demonstrating the complete absurdity of the majority of nominations.

News: BRIT Awards Nominations 2012

This new recording & video from Mammal Club is a more laidback number than earlier tracks from the band. The song entitled ‘Toward You With Lust’ starts with that characteristic keyboard whilst the repetition of the reverbed lyrics makes the whole thing seem a little surreal, especially with the vintage video of a school sports day.
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Founded by ex members of Yourcodenameis:milo and The Eyejab, Mammal Club is a three piece alternative rock band from Newcastle. The band’s debut, The Au EP, was released on the 2nd of May last year.
Check out an exclusive mix Mammal Club put together for Crack in the Road by clicking <a title="Mix Mammal Club" href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/5238-crack-in-the-road-exclusive-mix-2-mammal-club/">here</a>. 
Or you can read Ben’s <a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/3048-interview-mammal-club/">interview with Mammal Club</a> from way back in 2010.

Video & New: Mammal Club – Toward You With Lust

Conspiracy theorists & hip-hop fans rejoice. Police reports, court proceedings and news clippings relating to the notorious rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard have been released by the FBI following a request for information.
Russell Tyrone Jones better known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard was a founding member of hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan with whom he rapped until an accidental drug overdose killed him in Winter 2004. Ol’ Dirty Bastard was also heavily involved in selling drugs and guns along with “murder, carjacking and other types of violent crimes” the newly released files allege.
The 95 page document also describes how Ol’ Dirty Bastard was arrested 15 times for charges ranging from possesion of body armour & “large bags full of paper currency” to being involved in the murder of “Robert ‘Pooh’ Johnson and Jerome ‘Boo Boo’ Estrella.”
These previously unseen files were aquired by Rich Jones from the <a title="ODB FBI File" href="https://gun.io/blog/i-got-ol-dirty-bastards-fbi-file/" target="_blank">GUN.io blog</a>, who filed a Freedom of Information request using open government tool <a href="https://www.muckrock.com/">MuckRock</a> for information on ODB. This isn’t the first time the FBI has released previously classified files on famous rappers, <a title="2pac FBI files" href="https://vault.fbi.gov/Tupac%20Shakur%20/Tupac%20Shakur%20Part%201%20of%201/view">Tupac Shakur </a>& the <a title="Biggie Smalls FBI files" href="https://vault.fbi.gov/Christopher%20%28Biggie%20Smalls%29%20Wallace">Notorious B.I.G’s </a>are already available online.
You can read the full 95 page document in it’s entirity by following the link below.
Source – <a title="FBI files on Ol' Dirty Bastard aka Russell Tyrone Jones" href="https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/282591/responsive-documents.pdf" target="_blank">The original letters to Rich Jones from the Federal Bureau of Investigation on Ol’ Dirty Bastard [PDF]</a>.

News: FBI release files on Wu-Tang’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard

The winner of the BBC sound of 2012 poll of music critics, broadcasters & bloggers has been announced as British soul musician Michael Kiwanuka. 

Compared to Bill Withers, Van Morrison and the Temptations, Kiwanuka’s brand of retro soul, RnB & folk was inspired from a most unlikely discovery. A rare recording of Otis Redding’s <a title="Otis Redding - Sitting On The Dock of the Bay [YOUTUBE]" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCmUhYSr-e4" target="_blank">Sitting On The Dock of the Bay</a> stuck to the front of a magazine tribute to Bob Dylan.
“I love that sound,” Kiwanuka told the <a title="Michael Kiwanuka BBC Interview - 6th Jan" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16266507">BBC</a> earlier today “The singers I listen to are quite old-school and I think that era is really cool. The way the chords sounded, and the feeling of the playing is very loose. There’s a jazz feel compared to a lot of modern music, which is very straight.”
The 24 year old North Londoner came out tops in the <a title="BBC Sound of 2012 award" href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/soundof/2012/">BBC Sound of 2012</a> poll ahead of Singer-songwriter Frank Ocean, Rapper Azealia Banks, producer DJ Skrillex and Swedish electro-duo Niki and The Dove.
Michael Kiwanuka will be playing a number of intimate gigs across the UK & Ireland over the next few months.His new EP ‘Home Again’ is officially released on <a title="Polydor Records" href="https://www.polydor.co.uk/" target="_blank">Polydor Records</a> on the 26th March 2012 following his debut ‘I’m Getting Ready’ released last year on <a title="I'm Getting Ready Michael Kiwanuka" href="https://www.interscope.com/">Interscope</a>. For tour dates and to check out his new single visit Michael’s official site: <a href="https://michaelkiwanuka.com/">https://michaelkiwanuka.com/</a>

News: Michael Kiwanuka winner of the BBC Sound of 2012

In 2004 a college boy from Maryland discovered how easy it was to use the internet to find the music he loved. This boy’s name was Matthew Edwards and despite never meeting him,  Matthew Edwards introduced me to more music than my own parents.
We all develop individual opinions of everything based on personal taste & past experience. Music is definitely no exception but this exploration of palate is limited by accessibility to fresh content. You wouldn’t’ discover a passion for swordfish by eating Burger King everyday and you wouldn’t have heard of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BEMwNhT5iw">Math & Physics Club</a> if you only read <a href="https://www.metalhammer.co.uk/">Metalhammer</a>.
Accessing new music used to be much more difficult. Twenty years ago buying a new record would have probably meant leaving the house but nowadays you can indulge in entire discographies & read about hundred’s of new bands without even getting out of bed.
The internet & blogging have changed everything in such a relatively small period of time. Early demos once reserved for record label executives & ‘real’ journalists are everywhere & individuals writing for love not money are spewing out gigabytes of new content daily. Throughout my youth it was music bloggers that opened my ears to the world, leading me from the depths of circuit bent noise rock to the peaks of twee pop trios.
So following the news that one of my childhood treasure troves, a 7 year old indie music blog called Skatterbrain, was ‘relaunching’ to tumblr, I caught up with graphic designer, Matthew Edwards to talk to him about his second life as a wildly popular bedroom blogger.
SG: Hi Matt. Firstly could you start from the beginning and explain to the CITR readers how it all came about.
ME: Hey Sam. Well towards the end of 2004 I had started using the internet to find the music I wanted to hear and I was in love with it. I wanted to share it with my friends and get them into it, so I started doing this “mp3 of the day” thing on my MySpace profile (this also one of my earliest forays in to messing with css.) This eventually transitioned into a music blog by way of a livejournal profile that I had set up. The livejournal blog lasted a few weeks before I was eventually convinced by a few music blogging peers (mainly Matt from <a href="https://www.youaintnopicasso.com/">You Ain’t No Picasso</a>) that setting up home on blogspot was the way to go. That’s when Skatterbrain was born.”
SG: Do you think your taste has developed with Skatterbrain over the years & are you still as enamoured with the music you posted then?
ME: A look back at my ‘<a href=":https://www.skatterbrain.org/2005/11/skatterbrains-top-20-of-2005.html">Favorite Records of 2005</a>‘ post gives you an idea of what Skatterbrain was all about at that time. Since then, Skatterbrain has become more and more focused every year in accordance with how my musical interests have changed and, to be honest, there are only two or three records on that 2005 list that I’d be interested in even hearing again.
For the past several years Skatterbrain has become very indiepop / shoegaze / noisepop / garage focused because that’s where my tastes lie and that’s what I want to tell people about.
SG: So since you started writing we’ve seen the rise and fall of so many blogs, what has made you stick around & what do you feel you get back from the experience?
ME: Hah, yeah. Blogs come and go at a ridiculous rate these days. There’s only a few I read anymore because I really respect their writer’s tastes. I’m not entirely sure why I’ve stuck around; I guess because I really care about the music that I love and that’s the only music I write about. As the blog became more and more focused genre-wise, the amount of readers became smaller and smaller. Those who’ve stuck around are as passionate as I am and they are the kind of people I want to have reading the blog. If someone falls in love with a band or buys a record that I write about, that’s what makes it all worthwhile. The songs I love bring me a lot of happiness and I’m just trying to share some of that happiness.
SG: So now you’re relaunching Skatterbrain on the social media platform Tumblr to encourage interactivity, I know you’ve thrown around the idea for a while but what has made you take that step? Do you think it may see you return to more regular posts?
ME: That’s the plan. I’ve had another <a href="https://matthewedwards.tumblr.com/">personal tumblr</a> for a few years now and my favorite thing about tumblr is its community building tendencies. Skatterbrain (and music blogs in general) used to feel like so much more of a community and I guess I’m trying to get back to that a little bit. The goal is to return Skatterbrain to a blog with regular posts and I think tumblr is going to help out a lot with that!
SG: So despite a drop in readership over the last two years you must get a lot of musicians & their PR agencies contacting you through the blog, how do you decide what to listen to and what makes you want to write about it?
ME: Yes, I still get a lot of emails. If I like the band or the label or something like “jangly” or “fuzzy guitars with overlapping reverbed female vocals” pops out then I’ll read it, but let’s just say that that I have 54,000+ unread emails in my gmail account. Most of the stuff I listen to and write about has been found on my own or recommended by friends. I like looking for music, it’s a rewarding process!
SG: One of the most well known elements of Skatterbrain that had a definite influence on my music taste over the last seven years are the <a href="https://www.skatterbrain.org/post/15216737031">mix tapes</a>, complete with magnificent cover art that I’m guessing comes from your real job as a graphic designer.
Thanks! The mixes are probably part of the reason that Skatterbrain has stuck around this long, actually. They’re a lot of fun for me to make—especially the cover art. I always make the mixes and the covers myself. The covers don’t tie into work. In fact, they’re kind of some of the only personal design work I do these days so I always really look forward to doing them. The response to the mixes is always really wonderful, too, so it’s all very rewarding.
SG: Is there one track you’d like to share with the readers of crack in the road to give them a taste of what they can expect if they decide to pick up on the latest from Skatterbrain on your new <a href="https://www.skatterbrain.org/post/15216737031">Tumblr</a>?
ME: Sure! The track I’m sending is “Take Care Of Yourself” by a new-ish band called The Whines. It’s jangly, fuzzy, and super catchy. It’s got basically all little bit of everything I love all wrapped up into one perfect little pop song!
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SG: Thanks a lot for talking to me and, more importantly, a massive thank you from myself and the thousands of other twenty-two yearolds who spent too much time on the internet as kids. Finally, What do you think the best thing to come from blogging is? You never know, you might leave a bored college kid with an urge to take to the keys.
ME: The best thing that’s come from Skatterbrain is probably all of the great friends that I’ve made all over the world. The second greatest thing thing is all of the design opportunities that have come about as a result of Skatterbrain and the monthly mixes being out there. Thanks Sam. This was fun!
Matthew Edwards is now 26, a graphic designer & living in Philadelphia. He likes: autumnal ephemera, skipping, cider & fuzz. Check out Skatterbrain & grab yourself one of Matt’s monthly mixes over at <a href="https://www.skatterbrain.org">www.skatterbrain.org</a>

Interview: Matt Edwards of Skatterbrain

The story of a wealthy family who lost everything is returning to television and making a silver screen debut.
Arrested Development’s creator Mitchell Hurwitz announced the news at a cast reunion this week as part of the New Yorker festival. He confirmed in his statement that, not only would the Bluth family be appearing in a feature length movie but, a ten episode mini series would follow the individual characters before they re-united in the film’s first scene.
Arrested Development tells the story of a wealthy yet dysfunctional family struggling to get on in life. Originally broadcast on US network FOX between 2003-06, the show attracted critical acclaim and a cult following. The incredibly intertwined plot and witty running jokes won the show six Emmys and a Golden Globe but due to low ratings the show was still cancelled.
Original cast members Will Arnett and Jason Bateman were among the first to issue a statement confirming their appearances in the film and season four.
Will Arnett <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/arnettwill/status/120620083923001344">tweeted</a>, “I’m peeing with <a title="Jason Bateman arrested development" href="https://twitter.com/#!/batemanjason">@batemanjason</a> at the moment..and we can confirm that we are going to make new AD eps and a movie.”
“It’s true” Jason Bateman wrote on his <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/batemanjason/status/120629729819766785" target="_blank">Twitter</a>: “We will do 10 episodes and the movie. Probably shoot them all together next summer for a release in early ’13. VERY excited!”
Asked about the film on his <a title="Cera arrested development statement" href="https://twitter.com/#!/M_Cera/status/120917113346064384">twitter</a>, Michael Cera replied “Im not allowed to give information like that out – if i could i would, but my people say cant”
Fans of the show will have been hearing rumours about a movie for years and so it’s no suprise people are still skeptical that either a new film or series of Arrested Development will ever see the light of day.
As Eric Goldman for <a title="Arrested development season 4 new" href="https://m.uk.ign.com/articles/1197849">IGN</a> so clearly puts it: “Again, I remain cautious until we hear a deal is signed and sealed, as we’ve been down this road many times.”

News: Creator of Arrested Development confirms movie & new season

The renowned electro and hip hop producer DJ Mehdi has died following a fall from a roof whilst celebrating a friends birthday, French news website, Tsugi, reports. Two other people have also been hospitalised.
Mehdi Favéris-Essadi, 34, better known to many under his stage name DJ Mehdi was born in the suburbs of Paris in 1977 from a Tunisian background.
One of the French  hip hop scene’s most influential producers, DJ Mehdi started out as the DJ of Different Teep before becoming involved in production, working with a cornucopia of international artists including Daft Punk, Cassius, MC Solaar, Futura 2000, Asian Dub Foundation and Chromeo.
More recently, DJ Mehdi played his part in “Club 75” a DJ collective whose members included Cassius, Busy P and Justice’s Xavier de Rosnay.
In a 2009 interview with <a title="Mehdi Interview" href="https://www.formatmag.com/">Format</a> magazine, Mehdi Favéris-Essadi told the magazine “I want my music to have the largest scope of emotions possible. Some to party to, some to sleep to, some to fight to, some to make love to.”
Ed Banger Records, DJ Mehdi’s management and label have released this official statement regarding the artists death
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our friend DJ Mehdi. 
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Rolling Stone’s ‘greatest hip hop producer of all time’ Texan DJ Premier has posted his condolences on his <a title="Dj Medhi - Dj Premiers official statement" href="https://twitter.com/#%21/REALDJPREMIER/status/113718945143455744">twitter feed</a> saying “R.I.P. To DJ Mehdi !!! We had such a blast in France w/PedroWinter, Sebastian, Biggest G, Bilal, NickJavas…so sad ! We won’t 4get u!”
<a href="https://parissocialclub.com/">Paris Social Club</a> issued this statement “Following the death of DJ Mehdi, we have taken the exceptional decision to close the club tonight. An evening of silence in honor of the artist.”
RIP DJ MEHDI.
Sources (Translated from French) – <a href="https://www.tsugi.fr/">Tsugi</a>, <a href="https://musique.jeuxactu.com/news-mort-subite-de-dj-mehdi-a-34-ans-8869.htm">JeuxActu</a> & <a href="https://www.purepeople.com/article/dj-mehdi-le-celebre-musicien-est-mort-a-34-ans_a87259/1">Pure People</a>
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News: DJ Mehdi dead aged 34

Following my piece last week about <a title="lady gaga wild beasts remix" href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/10502-news-lady-gagas-you-and-i-remixed-by-wild-beasts/">Lady GaGa being remixed by the Wild Beasts</a>, Devonshire electro pop outfit, Metronomy have given remixed Yoü And I.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p6nCEqnjQfY" frameborder="0" width="560" height="345"></iframe>
(via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6nCEqnjQfY&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">Youtube</a>)
This is far from the first remix that Metronomy front man, Joseph Mount, has dabbled with. His past interpretations include remixes of DNTEL, Gorillaz, CSS & <a title="AIH remix Metronomy via I guess im floating" href="https://www.iguessimfloating.net/2009/07/mp3-architecture-in-helsinki-metronomy.html">Architecture in Helsinki.</a>
See what you think and post your opinion in the comments below.

News: Metronomy give remixing Lady GaGa a go

Rappers & friends of Tupac Shakur admit they smoked the late Makaveli’s ashes after his death as a way to remember their mentor and hip hop visionary.
Members of The Outlawz  revealed they toked up their mentor’s cremated remains at a memorial gathering.  Taking the lyrics to, 2pac’s track, Black Jesus literally the group rolled & smoked his ashes with his mother nearby.
The rapper Young Noble described the scene  “[We] had a little memorial for him with his mum and his family. We had hit the beach, threw a lot of shit he liked at the beach. Some weed, some chicken wings, he loved orange soda… Pac loved that kind of shit, so we were giving him our own farewell.” he told <a title="vlad tv" href="https://www.vladtv.com/">Vlad TV</a>.
The Outlawz formally known as Outlaw Immortalz were founded by Tupac Shakur in late 1995 after Shakur’s release from prison. 2010 saw The Outlawz, reunite with former member Hussein Fatal, who left the group following the deaths of 2Pac and Yaki Kadafi.
‘Last wishes, niggas smoke my ashes’ — Black Jesus, 1996.

News: 2pac’s homeboys smoked his Ashes

Approximately 10 minutes ago on the Radiohead website and twitter feed, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/radiohead/status/106295284451115008">this</a> message appeared;
‘Doing something <a title="https://rhd.cc/i3r9" href="https://t.co/WrOuvgu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" data-display-url="rhd.cc/i3r9" data-expanded-url="https://rhd.cc/i3r9">https://rhd.cc/i3r9</a> <a title="#das" href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search?q=%23das" rel="nofollow">#das’</a> — 10:23 – 24th August.
On the official Radiohead site, an image of protest outside the White House. ‘Free arrest at no extra cost’ reads a message signed by Thom Yorke.
It seems to imply the Radiohead boys will be joining the ever growing throng of celebrities and members of the public outside the White House as part of the as part of an ongoing sit-in, pressuring President Obama to deny a permit for a massive new oil pipeline. The proposed pipeline, Keystone XL, is 1700-mile long stretching from the Alberta Tar Sands to oil refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
‘This is not a single “day of action”, but instead a wave of daily civil disobedience from August 20th – September 3rd.’ the tar sands protest site reads.
Thom has already voiced his concerns about the Keystone XL pipeline on his site in the past. Just 2 weeks he wrote “President Obama is soon to make a decision on whether to press one of THE big red climate self destruct buttons,” in a post called <a href="https://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/110811/Real-vs-Astroturf">“Real vs. Astroturf?</a>
A consistent supporter of environmentalism, Thom Yorke supported the climate change documentary, The Age of Stupid by donating Radiohead’s song Reckoner for the end credits. During the Global Premiere, Thom performed the song via a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYgATJWk0kc&feature=fvw">live satellite linkup</a>. Afterwards Yorke lashed out at economic growth, saying, “I think Ed Miliband probably knows this but won’t admit it, as most politicians won’t: that the concept of limitless economic growth is now dead.”
<a href="https://www.tarsandsaction.org/">Click here to check out the tar sands oil pipeline protest & sign the petition </a>

News: Radiohead to Protest in front of the White House?

I wouldn’t usually write about either of these bands but the juxtaposition is just too good to miss. The Wild Beasts have turned Lady Gaga’s outrageously 80’s single ‘Yoü And I’ into a whole different kind of Monster. Stream the song & check out the video below.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/azuAd6BaBb8" frameborder="0" width="560" height="345"></iframe>
The remix is also aiming to raise awareness about ways people can support the labels that lost stock in the Pias UK warehouse fire during the london riots. Links to donate can be found through <a href="https://musicindie.com/news/1131">the AIM website</a>.
Hayden Thorpe told the Guardian: “The unlikeness of this match was perhaps what compelled us to take it on. Gaga in many ways is the epitome of what we are not. She is the butcher to our butter knife. The essential thrill is always to keep eluding what is expected of us and what we expect of ourselves.”

News: Lady Gaga’s ‘Yoü And I’ remixed by Wild Beasts

My train slid in to Great Malvern station, Worcestershire late Thursday evening. A fleet of coaches almost outnumbering the arriving festival-goers. A bearded tout leant on a nearby wall hustling passers-by. He told me over the hum of engines that so far he had struggled to sell any tickets, unfortunately for my hairy aquaintance the Big Chill had far from sold out.
On the last train from London, CITR photographer Laura Turner arrived. Wild hair, african halter neck dress and kit bag in tow. She recalled how the conductor had given history lessons at every station they passed, signing off with an apt ‘Welcome to Hogwarts’ on arrival. We boarded a half empty coach & were flung through the countryside, arriving onsite to find the press entrance already closed.
Stella, cereal bars & sleep, our tent camaflouged by cars. We were awoken early morning by security demanding to see our credentials. It seemed the proletariat name of Crack In The Road didn’t ring any bells with the bouncing elite but a crumpled notice of press accreditation sorted things out.
Playing host to hammocks, glowing orbs and brightly coloured tents. The Big Chill’s turnout might not have been as expected but with the sun bursting through the clouds, the atmosphere on Friday was magnificent.
The festival was hosted on the 16th century estate of Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire but a much more amusing 21st century fact is a woman was <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P57OHUN_o8U&feature=related" target="_blank">hit in the head with a watermelon</a> here in 2010 during the filming of US reality TV show, The Amazing Race.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/08/BigChillArielPink.jpg"><img class="size-archives wp-image-10420 alignleft" title="BigChillArielPink" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/08/BigChillArielPink-350x466.jpg" alt="Ariel Pink's Haunted Grafitti" width="100" height="132.5" /></a>By the main stage, the distinct sound of Mahala Raï Banda reminded me I was supposed to be reviewing the festival & not thinking about funny videos I’d seen online. The Romanian gypsies had succeeded in getting a small mob jigging to their accordion and strings. Mahala Raï Banda could easily be overlooked as another Pseudopean Balkan beat band but the complex arrangement of  tracks like ‘Tu Romnie’, tell a different story.
Eager to snap some shots of Ariel Pink’s Haunted Grafitti, Laura disappeared to the pits camera in hand. I’d heard bad things about Ariel Pink’s live performances & a few songs later, my notebook and pen were snatched from my hands. Back from the pits and looking pissed, Laura had already made up her mind, writing; “Postmodern punk in a dress. The bad sound engineering only compliments the unmelodic sound of this 80’s wannabe. TWAT.” For someone who had never heard of Ariel Pink before the festival, she did a good job of nailing his entire act.<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/08/BigChillGhostPoet.jpg"><img class="size-archives wp-image-10421 alignleft" title="BigChillGhostPoet" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/08/BigChillGhostPoet-350x262.jpg" alt="Ghost Poet August 2011" width="350" height="262" /></a>
On the Revellers stage, roots reggae singer Horace Andy soundtracked the sunny saturday afternoon whilst, evening turned to night on the The People’s Ear Stage to the anxious and addictive electronic tones of Mercury prize nominated, Ghostpoet.
Unsuprisingly, The Chemical Brothers closed <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/08/BigChillChemicalBrothers.jpg"><img class="size-archives wp-image-10422 alignleft" title="BigChillChemicalBrothers" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/08/BigChillChemicalBrothers-350x262.jpg" alt="Chemical Brothers 2011" width="350" height="262" /></a>the day’s performances and kicked off the night’s revelry with a monolithic audio/visual masterpiece. The band started with a distorted abstract of the Beatle’s Tomorrow Never Knows before the opening riff of ‘Another World’ rippled through the audience. Silhouetted cockroaches battled on the big screen & lasers lit up the faces of entranced festival goers. Bass and BPM fuelled the tribal dancing of young and old, their contorted faces full of excitement, energy and of course, ecstasy.
The Chemical Brother’s performance explained perfectly how Tom Rowlands and Ed Simons have spent the last 20 years pioneering dance music, they’re really fucking good at it.
After the performance, crowds started to disperse. The night was still young but as The Guardian’s <a title="Guardian Journalis, Sam Richards" href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/samrichards" target="_blank">Sam Richards</a> so concisely puts it, after The Chemical Brothers ‘everything else feels like a comedown.’
Saturday & Sunday’s escapades coming later this week.

Big Chill Festival 2011: Friday

In June, Synth pop mastermind John Maus released his album We Must Become the Pitiless Censors of Ourselves. Now he has announced yet another tour across the vast American wasteland.
09-28 Chicago, IL – Empty Bottle 
 09-30 Toronto, Ontario – The Drake Hotel 
 10-02 Montreal, Quebec – Il Motore 
 10-03 Annandale-on-Hudson, NY – Bard College 
 10-04 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s 
 10-06 Oberlin, OH – Oberlin College 
 10-28-30 Asheville, NC – Moogfest
In other Maus news, have you seen the music video for latest album track ‘<a href="https://youtu.be/Tg7_3HqvuHM">Head For The Country’</a>? Directed by the mastermind behind the  Multinauts sci-fi saga Jennifer Juniper Stratford, the video sees John driving through snowy Minnesotan edgelands, communicating with space aliens at a mysterious radar base. An average day in the life of Maus.
<iframe width="560" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tg7_3HqvuHM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

News: John Maus Sets US tour dates

Back in April, CITR’s Joel posted a review of <a title="tuneyards remix" href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/6893-review-tune-yards-w-h-o-k-i-l-l/">tUnE-yArD’s second album</a> & since then I’ve been listening again and again. I just can’t get enough and it seems seminal Beastie Boy, Ad-Rock can’t either. His remix of Gangsta speaks for itself so without further ado stream and download the track below.
<iframe style="margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt;" src="https://widgets.beggarspromo.com/gangsta_adrock/widget.php" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" width="100%" height="180" data-audio-widget-jspf="https://widgets.beggarspromo.com/gangsta_adrock/jspf"></iframe>
(Thanks to Matt at <a title="Awesome blog, YANP" href="https://www.youaintnopicasso.com/ " target="_blank">You Ain’t No Picasso</a> for the tip)

New:  tUnE-yArDs – Gangsta (Ad-Rock Remix)

(Featured photo by <a href="https://www.nathanchandler.co.uk/">Nathan Chandler</a>)
The last time I met Max Wallis was late last year in a Bavarian beer house on Old Street. The place was charmingly full of kitsch woodwork and Eastern European waitressess. The beer overpriced but the conversation rich. Max was a friend from college who had dropped out of a degree in Biology and ended up on an English masters through the quality of his poetry and prose alone.
Since then even more has changed. This week I found Max <a href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/aug/15/naked-poets-calendar-male-muses">naked on the Opium bed in Coleridge’s study</a> and last month, his first poetry pamphlet <a href="https://www.flippedeye.net/store/product_info.php?products_id=80">‘Modern Love’</a> was released with Flipped Eye Publishing.
SG: Writer, model & internationally published poet, It has been a strange few years for Max Wallis. I thought we would catch up so you can tell Crack In The Road why, how & who?
MW: [In Biology] I kept on getting firsts but no satisfaction. My workload was getting crazy and I wasn’t sleeping because I was writing all day and then doing university work all night. I snapped and had a bit of a breakdown. Applied for the masters never thinking I’d actually get on … but did. 
 
SG: In Modern Love and many of your earlier poems there’s a real blend of Baroque technique and 21st Century lyricism. What inspires you?
MW: Everything. My first pamphlet’s all about love so naturally relationships and everything inbetween have impacted that. It’s a bit like novel writing though, some of the best advice I got when I was younger was that it’s okay to lie in poetry – people have this prevarication that it’s about catharsis but really it’s just as much about narrative as fiction.
I like the beauty in small things and how it’s possible to write about modern life in poetry. What’s the meaning of a text message? an email? facebook? is there room for poetics in them? I think there is.
SG: Poetic reccomendations?
MW: I read more than I ever used to. The bloodaxe anthologies are practically encyclopedias to me and I read <a title="The Rialto, Arts Council funded poetry mag" href="https://www.therialto.co.uk/pages/">The Rialto</a>, <a href="https://magmapoetry.com/">Magma</a> & <a title="Popshot, poetry & illustration magazine" href="https://www.popshotpopshot.com/">Popshot Magazine</a> a lot. I tend to buy pamphlets rather than collections though.
SG: You tell me your first open mic didn’t go down so well?
MW HA! 2008. Awful. Utterly awful. I was a nervous wreck and had to loop my legs around the chair to hide my shakes. Then I wrote a poem about dicks and the social networking side of the gay world and, because it was so outlandish, in a way it was easy to perform. It wasn’t me speaking. It was a performer.
SG: And performing on stage now?
MW: Ah I love it. If you can make someone cry, cheer, laugh or anything in a room full of people then you know you’re doing something good. I choose the set list in advance so that there’s a flow to the material with sad ones interspersed around happier, funny poems. But on the day I can swap and change. I know them off by heart so it’s pretty easy to do. I still get nervous though, just don’t shake!
SG: Ever had a particularly bad reception?
Once I did particularly gay material in a pub in Manchester, full of chavs and their girlfriends. I opened with a poem all about threesomes and genitalia. The lads all kinda bared their teeth but the girls laughed so it went okay. One time I did the threesome poem in front of another group and one part goes ‘and where’s the passion when all you have is this ration, this tiny slice of double-human pie, two guys plus you aside not inside’ and someone yelled ‘I BET THEY WERE.’ I just looked at him, and performed the next stanza never looking away ‘skin upon skin upon skin upon bone and yet you’re alone and watching them groan, attempting those manoeuvres a tactical chooser trying to negotiate limbs’ and he was chucked out.
SG: Theres been a lot of buzz about Modern Love but tell me in your own words, what is it all about?
MW: It’s a tale of love, naturally, over the course of one year between two characters. You take their journey: of yearning to sex to betrayal and everything that follows. But each poem is self contained and understood out of context but together they make something entirely different. I loved writing it. I had the idea for the pamphlet for around a year or so and I guess I just finally got to the position where I could writing it.
SG: With arts funding cuts & possibly more competition than ever before, how do you find the motivation to keep going, instead of throwing in the towel and getting a McJob?
MW: To be honest I’m supported a lot by friends and family. I don’t think I’d be able to do it without them. Modelling brings in cash but it’s early days. Eventually I want to earn enough from those aspects of my life so that I have the time to write and, not worry about  earning enough money from my poetry & novels.
Modern Love is available now, direct from the <a title="Max Wallis - Modern Love" href="https://www.flippedeye.net/store/product_info.php?products_id=80">Flipped Eye Bookstore</a> or from <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Love-Flap-Pamphlet-Wallis/dp/190523337X">Amazon</a>.
For more of Max’s escapades you can <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/boommaxboom">follow him on twitter</a> or find him on <a href="https://maxwallismaxwallis.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>

Artist Interview: Max Wallis

Its a rainy night in Sheffield, water streaking the windows. My apartment a few streets from a main road and from the balcony, I can hear traffic. Blue flashes of tram lines shaking in the distance. I’m alone. It’s nights like this I play the music of Cameron Crook.
Despite a a lot of electronic input Cameron’s music is incomprehensibly organic. A  trip hop influenced tapestry of glitch beats, samples and guitar. Years ago at a tiny pub in Chorley, I remember hearing Cameron playing a gig under the moniker of We Don’t Know Who You Are Anymore. The place was full of the wrong crowd but the music sounded so right. Instrumental and influential, pulsing crescendos pair up with lo-fi moments of tranquility.
Cameron Crook’s newest release ‘The Nettle Patch’ blends field recordings, live instruments and samples into tracks, beautiful on their own and magical together. When I moved into this apartment, people asked me why I’d want live on my own. Cameron’s music answers the question – we all have to be alone sometimes. I don’t necessarily mean that in a depressing way, open a window, turn up your speakers, hit play and see what I mean.
<iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=4199397171/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/t=7/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="https://camerontcrook.bandcamp.com/album/the-nettle-patch">The Nettle Patch by Cameron Crook</a></iframe>
Cameron Crook was kind enough to let Crack in The Road give away this track as a mpfree, download it <a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/08/Cameron-Crook-The-Nettle-Patch-07-Nettles.mp3">here</a>. You can stream the rest of the album and even buy a copy from the man himself at <a href="https://camerontcrook.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a>.
Alongside Cameron’s solo project he also plays with a number of other musicians, produces and creates the occasional piece of art. For the latest check out <a title="Cameron Crook's Homepage" href="https://cameroncrook.co.uk/index.html">CameronCrook.co.uk</a> or find him on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/remembermeee">twitter</a>.

Introducing & MPfree: Cameron Crook

The Big Chill 2011 took place last weekend and as usual, Crack In The Road were on the hunt for the freshest performances of the festival. Incessantly trying to ply you with music in the same way your grandma used to force feed you cake. Two favourites were Plaster of Paris & Wara.
A full review of the festival along with some fantastic photographs will be online this week.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/9581-big-chill-2011-new-music-festival-selection/attachment/popmolly/" rel="attachment wp-att-9902"><img class="alignleft size-archives wp-image-9902" title="PoPMolly" src="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/08/PoPMolly-350x500.jpg" alt="Plaster of Paris, Molly from the band" width="192" height="273" /></a> Plaster of Paris
Imagine if Zach Condon and Laura Marling had a baby, Plaster of Paris’ Molly Carroll would be their lovechild & thats not a statement to be taken lightly.
Plaster of Paris are an infamous band, playing the festival circuit for years but remaining just out of the public eye. The london based band started off as a two piece, vocalist Molly Caroll & Lewis Jones on guitar, ukulele and an assortment of stringed instruments. The band now boasts six members providing an orchestral sound with an intimate closeness, incorporating cello, strings and booming Balkan percussion.
We’ve searched high and low for information about this band but have found nothing since an outdated <a title="plaster of paris" href="https://www.myspace.com/weareplasterofparis">myspace page</a> & <a href="https://youtu.be/71zErnGdtJs">amazing ICA performance</a> in 2008. If anybody has any current information about the band, <a title="Contact Crack In The Road" href="mailto:site@crackintheroad.com">get in touch</a>.
 
 
 
<a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/9581-big-chill-2011-new-music-festival-selection/attachment/warabigchill/" rel="attachment wp-att-9956"><img class="alignleft size-archives wp-image-9956" title="WARABIGCHILL" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/08/WARABIGCHILL-350x486.jpg" alt="Wara at the Big Chill 2011" width="183" height="252" /></a>Wara
A rich collaboration of Latino & London. Wara blend traditional Cuban rhythmn and vocals with, the rough flow of London grime..
Saturday, their label Movimientos hosted an evening influenced by Latin culture in the Global Local tent. I’d been in and out of the tent during the evening but the fucking energy of these guys kept me enthralled.
Wara is made up of a cornucopia of musicians originating from London to Cuba, mixing a number of Creolized styles with a unique urban vibe. Congolese-Argentinean Juanita Euka provides frantica lead vocals, whilst MC Josh ‘Murmur’ Solnic utilises the distinct sound of the UK’s capital, his lyrics almost a juxtapositon to the bright beats. The band sent a track from their upcoming EP which you can stream but I reckon you go down <a title="Passing Clouds Venue, London" href="https://www.passingclouds.org/">Passing Clouds</a>, 19th August and experience Wara’s amazing live performance.
<object width="50%" height="81" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="https://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F19271888" /><embed width="50%" height="81" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F19271888" allowscriptaccess="always" /></object> <a href="https://soundcloud.com/movimientos">Wara – Flesh & Bone</a>

Big Chill 2011: New Music

UPDATE — 00:39 – 11/02/11 – Operation Cup Of Tea has turned into something much bigger, from a Facebook event to a full-blown tea drinking movement promising to make charitable donations – <a title="Anti-Riot group charity " href="https://www.operationcupoftea.com">Operation Cup Of Tea</a>.
The sites creator, Sam Pepper claims all profits from the site will go to charity, helping people in need in the aftermath of UK rioting. We’re still unsure on the details about the specific charity organisation.
As dawn breaks after a fourth day of rioting, there’s still evidence of anger fuelled violence across the UK. <a title="UK Riots 09-10 August" href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2011/aug/10/manchester-riots-uk-disorder-day-four-live">The Guardian</a> reports looting and destruction in Manchester and panic on the streets of Birmingham. Shops and businesses around London have also closed early, despite little sign of trouble reports <a title="london riots BBC live blog" href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/blog/2011/aug/09/london-riots-day-four-live-blog">the BBC</a>.
Online, some people have a much cosier & covert plan of protest, although rumours are, it will involve kettling (I’m so sorry!) A <a title="anti riot protest" href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261568193854371" target="_blank">Facebook</a> event with over 170,000 attendees has been set up in opposition to the riots sweeping the UK. The event calls for people around the country to ‘anti-riot’ by enjoying ‘a nice cup of tea at home.’
The quintessentially British cup of tea also made an appearance on Saturday when Philippa Morgan-Walker, 25 and her husband, Jonny Walker, 31, <a title="tea on riot shield" href="https://kyrill-poole.com/blog/photography/tea-in-a-riot-shield/">poured cups of tea on a riot shield </a>for the police who were protecting their street in Camden, London.
The event, organised by <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/sampepper" target="_blank">Sam Pepper</a>, dubbed ‘Operation Cup Of Tea’ is sweeping social media with the hash tag <a title="tea anti riot protests" href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23OperationCupOfTea">#OperationCupOfTea</a> trending on twitter and over 800,000 invites sent out via facebook. The innovative event is set to continue until riots subside. Whilst the protest might not deter looters or put out fires, this anti riot protest shows solidarity of the British people, highlighting the fact it is a small minority out there causing trouble.
<a title="operation cup of tea facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=261568193854371">The Operation Cup of Tea facebook page</a>

Operation Cup Of Tea: The UK’s anti riot protests

Since it’s beginning’s in 1994 as a series a parties held at the Union Chapel in Islington, The Big Chill festival has become known for its eclectic lineups, electric visuals and unusual acts, this year is no exception.
Held in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, Hertfordshire from the 4th to the 7th of August, The Big Chill 2011 has acts ranging from the eerily experimental Ariel Pink to hip hop mega mogul, Kanye West. Its impossible to place the festival within a single genre and alongside a magnificent music line up, there’s plenty more for festival-goers to feast their eyes, ears and mouths on.
Usually in a pre roundup piece like this I’d make some recommendations of what acts I think will stand out, but with such an interesting lineup, I’m finding it hard to pick out my favourites. So I’m asking you, the reader, What do you want to see covered in Crack in the Road’s post Big Chill festival run-down?
Crack in the Road will be sending myself and a femme fatale photographer down to the Big Chill to capture the atmosphere and perhaps catch up with a few of the acts, so if you don’t get a chance to attend we’ll be there letting you know how things go down. Anyway, without further ado, I present to you the line-up;
NB: There are also acts playing on the Thursday including James Blake, they aren’t listed here but you can find them on the official <a href="https://www.bigchill.net">Big Chill 2011 site. </a>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<div>
<div>Deer Park Stage</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Friday</div>
<div>The Chemical Brothers</div>
<div>Empire Of The Sun</div>
<div>Neneh Cherry</div>
<div>Wild Beasts</div>
<div>Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti</div>
<div>Zola Jesus</div>
<div>Here We Go Magic</div>
<div>Electrelane</div>
<div>Mahala Rai Banda</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Saturday</div>
<div>Kanye West</div>
<div>Jessie J</div>
<div>Metronomy</div>
<div>Tom Middleton</div>
<div>Janelle Monae</div>
<div>The Bullitts featuring Jay Electronica & Lucy Liu</div>
<div>Crystal Fighters</div>
<div>The Knocks</div>
<div>~ 2manydjs will close this stage ~</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Sunday</div>
<div>Rodrigo Y Gabriela</div>
<div>Robert Plant and The Band of Joy</div>
<div>Warpaint</div>
<div>Femi Kuti & The Positive Force</div>
<div>Norman Jay</div>
<div>North Mississippi Allstars Duo</div>
<div>Steel Pulse</div>
<div>About Group</div>
<div>~Chris Cunningham will close this stage ~</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Something else about the Big Chill that caught my eye was its infamous night time art trail. Saatchi Online will present this year’s <a title="Art trail lineup the big chill" href="https://www.bigchill.net/festival/line-up/comedycabaretfilmthe-art-trail/?y=2011" target="_blank">Art Trail,</a> transforming the grounds of The Big Chill into a series of sculptures and installations via a plotted route through the site’s woodland. Saatchi Gallery has also commissioned four bespoke ping pong tables by some of the UK’s leading artists which will be scattered around the site.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<div>
<div>The Revellers’ Stage</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Friday</div>
<div>Chipmunk</div>
<div>Aloe Blacc</div>
<div>Hercules and Love Affair</div>
<div>Horace Andy</div>
<div>Ladi6</div>
<div>Fenech-Soler</div>
<div>Cubic Zirconia</div>
<div>Fight Like Apes</div>
<div>~ Plastician will close this stage ~</div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Saturday</div>
<div>Calvin Harris</div>
<div>Example</div>
<div>The Midnight Beast</div>
<div>NZ Shapeshifter</div>
<div>Katy B</div>
<div>Devlin</div>
<div>The Brandt Brauer Frick Ensemble</div>
<div>Kraak and Smaak</div>
<div>Kormacs Big Band</div>
<div>Dionne Bromfield</div>
</td>
<td valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Sunday</div>
<div>Baby Malc Selector</div>
<div>Vid Warren</div>
<div>Alexia Coley</div>
<div>Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings</div>
<div>Quantic and his Combo Barbaro</div>
<div>Jamie Woon</div>
<div>Mulatu Astatke & The Black Jesus Experience</div>
<div>Smoove & Turrell</div>
<div>~ Annie Nightingale will close this stage ~</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
2011 also sees the first ever <a href="https://www.bigchill.net/festival/line-up/big-chill-radio-stage/?y=2011">Big Chill Radio Stage</a>, with DJ sets from artists such as Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, Maurice Fulton and Bill Brewster. Also confirmed are film screenings of PJ Harvey shorts and Beastie Boys: Fight For Your Right Revisited. BBC Radio 6 will also be making live broadcasts from the stage.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<div>
<div>The People’s Ear Stage</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Friday </div>
<div>Konono No1</div>
<div>Ghostpoet</div>
<div>Digital Mystikz</div>
<div>Scuba</div>
<div>xxxy</div>
<div>Electric Wire Hustle</div>
<div>Star Slinger</div>
<div>The Stepkids</div>
<div>Matthew Halsall Remixed</div>
<div>Lazy Habits</div>
<div>Siaka & Eugene</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Saturday</div>
<div>Buraka Som Sistema</div>
<div>Spoek Mathambo</div>
<div>Gentlemans Dub Club</div>
<div>Congo Natty & Tenor Fly</div>
<div>Submotion Orchestra</div>
<div>Jehst</div>
<div>Lil Silva</div>
<div>Andreya Triana</div>
<div>Ariya Astrobeat Arkestra</div>
<div>LV & Joshua Idehen</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Steel City Soul Club</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Sunday 7th</div>
<div>Four Tet</div>
<div>Jamie xx</div>
<div>King Midas Sound</div>
<div>Julio Bashmore</div>
<div>Engine-Earz Experiment</div>
<div>Sepalcure</div>
<div>Taylor McFerrin</div>
<div>Prince Fatty Soundsystem</div>
<div>East Park Reggae Collective</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

Check out the <a title="Big chill 2011" href="https://www.bigchill.net/festival">Big Chill’s official website</a> for more details and a full list of all the artists attending as well as information about the renowned comedy tent and the tranquil Enchanted Garden.
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="3">
<div>
<div>Starburst Stage</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Friday</div>
<div>Global Communication (DJ set)</div>
<div>Luke Vibert</div>
<div>Jimmy Edgar</div>
<div>DJ Food</div>
<div>Stinkahbell</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Saturday</div>
<div>Kissy Sell Out Symphony of Light</div>
<div>Jaymo & Andy George</div>
<div>Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show</div>
<div>Just Jack (DJ Set)</div>
<div>Future Boogie DJs</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;" valign="top" width="33.3333333333%">
<div>Sunday</div>
<div>Distance</div>
<div>Fantastic Mr Fox</div>
<div>DJ Derek</div>
<div>Dirtyphonics</div>
<div>Redlight</div>
<div>True Tiger</div>
<div>Baio – Vampire Weekend DJ</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">Mr Scruff</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

The Big Chill 2011: Crack In The Road’s Festival Selection

This year’s Warehouse Project lineup was announced today. As usual it boasts an eclectic mix of performances by some groundbreaking international artists. The beats break on Saturday 17th September and the former air raid shelter on Store Street will be reverberating with bass all the way up to New Years Day.
Voted the best club in the UK by dance music magazine Mixmag, The Warehouse Project’s first run of club nights were held in 2006 at a disused brewery in Strangeways. Since then the club has hosted some of the best musicians in the world, DJs such as Sven Väth, Pete Tong and Erick Morillo, and musicians such as De La Soul and the Happy Mondays. This year’s festivities will be the last to be hosted at the former air-raid shelter known as Store Street, a wild network of underground catacombs below Picadilly station.
I had the pleasure of visiting in 2009 when a then unknown Florence and The Machine got thrown off a makeshift stage, Broke ‘N’ English provided a perfect representation of Manchester life and Star Wars was screened in a low lit cavern complete with scantily clad girls serving popcorn. Seriously check it out.
<div style="text-align: center;">– SATURDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER –</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=1">THE BEGINNING OF THE END</a> </div>
</div>
DJ SHADOW 
LIVE FROM THE SHADOW SPHERE     
SKREAM & SGT POKES 
SBTRKT — DJ SET     
HUDSON MOHAWKE 
JACKMASTER 
PEARSON SOUND 
AFRICA HI-TECH 
MARK PRITCHARD & STEVE SPACEK 
FALTY DL 
ILLUM SPHERE 
JONNY DUB 
JUICY
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER – 
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=2">ANNIE MAC PRESENTS</a> </div>
</div>
ANNIE MAC 
JACK BEATS 
MS DYNAMITE 
L-VIS1990 & THE NEON DREAMS 
THE 2 BEARS 
JOE HOT CHIP & RAF DADDY 
MJ COLE 
SILKIE 
DISCLOSURE — LIVE 
NOW WAVE DJS
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER- 
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=3">WELCOME TO THE WAREHOUSE</a> </div>
</div>
VISIONQUEST 
SETH TROXLER, LEE CURTISS, 
RYAN CROSSON & SHAUN REEVES 
MARCO CAROLA 
KIERAN HEBDEN 
MAYA JANE-COLES 
JULIO BASHMORE 
KYLE HALL 
MOODYMANN 
JACQUES GREENE — LIVE  
HORSE MEAT DISCO 
KRYSKO
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER- 
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=6">ARMADA</a> </div>
</div>
ARMIN VAN BUUREN 
JOCHEN MILLER 
PLUS MORE TBA
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">– SATURDAY 1ST OCTOBER –</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=7">WE LOVE… THE WHP</a> </div>
</div>
DUBFIRE 
JAMES ZABIELA 
20:20 SOUNDSYSTEM — LIVE  
PLUS VERY SPECIAL GUEST TBA  
GEDDES 
JOZIF 
MATT PLAYFORD 
JEM HAYNES 
MORE TBA 

</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 7TH OCTOBER –
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=8">DECONSTRUCTED</a> </div>
</div>
CALVIN HARRIS 
FELIX DA HOUSECAT 
THE JAPANESE POPSTARS — LIVE   
BURNS 
MIKE PICKERING 
NOW WAVE DJS 
JUICY
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER –
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=9">APE BIRTHDAY</a> </div>
</div>
NERO — LIVE     
CASPA & ROD AZLAN — A/V SHOW  
DIGITAL SOUNDBOY S/SYSTEM 
FT BREAKAGE, SHY FX & ROSES GABOR 
& B-TRAITS 
REDLIGHT 
DAVID RODIGAN 
NAUGHTY BY NATURE — LIVE 
INSTRA:MENTAL 
ONEMAN 
MARY-ANNE HOBBS 
XXXY 
HOSTED BY: RICH REASON, TONN PIPER & SABRE
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 14TH OCTOBER –
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=10">BNR</a> </div>
</div>
BOYS NOIZE — LIVE   
EROL ALKAN 
BRODINSKI 
HOUSEMEISTER 
STRIP STEVE 
DJEDJOTRONIC 
SHADOW DANCER    
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 22ND OCTOBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=13">HOSPITALITY</a> </div>
</div>
HIGH CONTRAST 
LONDON ELEKTRICITY 
DJ MARKY 
CAMO & KROOKED — LIVE 
FT AYAH MARAR 
NETSKY 
ALIX PEREZ 
PINCH 
STARKEY 
DARK SKY 
ALEXANDER NUT 
RICH REASON 
MCS: WREC, DYNAMITE, CHUNKY & TONN PIPER 
THE CAMO & KROOKED ALBUM LAUNCH 
NOW WAVE DJS 
ANDRO
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– WEDNESDAY 26TH OCTOBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=19">NOW WAVE & WHP PRESENT</a> </div>
</div>
CUT COPY & SPECIAL GUESTS 
NOW WAVE DJS
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
FRIDAY 28TH OCTOBER
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=14">LIGHTS OUT</a> </div>
</div>
STEVE LAWLER 
SETH TROXLER 
DERRICK CARTER 
FRIVOLOUS — LIVE  
DERRICK DOES DISCO 
JESSE ROSE 
OLIVER $ 
RALPH LAWSON 
PEOPLE GET REAL 
KRYSKO 
CONTENT DJS
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 29TH OCTOBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=15">JAMIE XX PRESENTS</a> </div>
</div>
JAY ELECTRONICA 
FOUR TET — LIVE  
JAMIE XX 
HESSLE SOUND SYSTEM: 
PANGAEA, OBJEKT & BEN UFO     
FANTASTIC MR FOX 
JAMIE JONES 
TRIPLE X BOOGIE 
KYLE HALL 
JULIO BASHMORE 
JOHN TALABOT
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 4TH NOVEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=16">METROPOLIS BIRTHDAY</a> </div>
</div>
 TBA 
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
SATURDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=17">PRYDA & FRIENDS</a> </div>
</div>
ERIC PRYDZ 
JOHN DIGWEED 
SPECIAL GUESTS TBA 
KRYSKO 
GREG LORD 
PEOPLE GET REAL 
OLI HACKETT 
DROP THE MUSTARD DJS
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 11TH NOVEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=20">COCOON</a> </div>
</div>
RICARDO VILLALOBOS 
CASSY 
JAMIE JONES 
GREG LORD 
LEWIS BOARDMAN
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=21">SMD DELICATESSEN</a> </div>
</div>
CHIC FT NILE ROGERS     
JEFF MILLS 
SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO — DJ SET 
BICEP 
CUTLOOSE 
KNEE DEEP    
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 18TH NOVEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=22">THRASHER</a> </div>
</div>
APHEX TWIN 
ZOMBY 
HUDSON MOHAWKE 
KORELESS 
ZAVOLOKA 
ILLUM SPHERE 
ROOM 2: HOYA:HOYA     
XXXY 
KRYSTAL KLEAR 
JON K 
SWING TING 
JONNY DUB 
KRYSKO 
PLUS MORE TBA
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=23">FABRIC LIVE PRESENTS</a> </div>
</div>
 ROOM 1: 
ANDY C : ALIVE 
RUSKO / BENGA & YOUNGMAN 
BREAKAGE FT JESS MILLS & YOUNGMAN 
ROSKA & JAMIE GEORGE 
LOADSTAR 
ROOM 2: 
MARTYN 
LOEFAH & CHUNKY 
DBRIDGE 
HYETAL 
THEBPM 
ROOM 2 LIVE ON BOILERROOM.T
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=25">A DESOLAT EXPERIENCE</a> </div>
</div>
LOCO DICE 
MARTIN BUTTRICH — LIVE 
PULSHAR — LIVE 
LIVIO & ROBY 
GUTI — LIVE 
TINI 
KRYSKO 
GREG LORD
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 26TH NOVEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=26">R&S RECORDS & JAMES BLAKE PRESENT</a> </div>
</div>
JAMES BLAKE — LIVE 
ANDREW WEATHERALL 
OPTIMO ESPACIO 
SPACE DIMENSION CONTROLLER 
JAMES BLAKE — DJ SET 
PARIAH 
VONDELPARK — LIVE 
UNTOLD 
BLAWAN 
LONE 
THE CHAIN
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> 
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– THURSDAY 1ST DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=39">SKRILLEX & SPECIAL GUESTS</a> </div>
</div>
SKRILLEX & SPECIAL GUESTS
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
FRIDAY 2ND DECEMBER
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=27">CHIBUKU</a> </div>
</div>
FAKE BLOOD — LIVE 
JACQUES LU CONT 
EROL ALKAN 
ALEX METRIC 
BOY 8-BIT 
BOWSKI 
CLOUDS 
XXXY 
JAMES RAND 
WANDY
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> 
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=28">CADENZA</a> </div>
</div>
LUCIANO 
REBOOT — LIVE 
LAPS — LIVE 
ROOM 2: 
MOTOR CITY DRUM ENSEMBLE 
CUTLOOSE 
KRYSKO 
GREG LORD
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=30">MODESELEKTION</a> </div>
</div>
MODESELEKTOR — LIVE  
SQUAREPUSHER — LIVE     
SKREAM (130BPM SET)     
KIERAN HEBDEN 
PEARSON SOUND 
ANSTAM & LAZER SWORD 
D/R/U/G/S 
NUMBERS: 
JACKMASTER 
HUDSON MOHAWKE 
DEADBOY 
SPENCER 
ANDRO
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<div>
– SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=31">CROSSTOWN REBELS</a> </div>
</div>
SETH TROXLER 
JAMIE JONES 
DAMIAN LAZARUS 
ART DEPARTMENT 
CLIVE HENRY 
LEE FOSS 
ROBERT JAMES 
SUBB-AN 
JOZIF 
KRYSKO 
PLUS SPECIAL GUEST: 
MATTHEW JONSON
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– WEDNESDAY 14TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=32">SKREAM & BENGA PRESENT</a> </div>
</div>
SKREAM & BENGA 
ZINC 
JACKMASTER & ONEMAN 
ARTWORK 
BODDIKA 
NIGHTSLUGS 
L-VIS1990 
BOK BOK 
GIRL UNIT 
SPECIAL GUEST 
P MONEY — LIVE
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> 
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=34">OSTGUT TON: THE SOUND OF BERGHAIN</a> </div>
</div>
MARCEL DETTMAN 
BEN KLOCK 
SHED — LIVE     
NORMAN NODGE 
TOBIAS — LIVE   
PROSUMER 
STEFFI 
NICK HOPPNER 
TAMA SUMO 
VIRGINIA — LIVE   
ANDRO
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– SATURDAY 17TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=35">20 YEARS OF PETE TONG</a> </div>
</div>
SASHA 
PETE TONG 
JAMES ZABIELA 
KRYSKO 
GREG LORD 
PLUS SPECIAL ROOM 2 GUESTS TBA
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> 
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– MONDAY 26TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=36">GARUDA</a> </div>
</div>
GARETH EMERY (ALL NIGHT LONG)
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> 
 </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
– FRIDAY 30TH DECEMBER – 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=37">WHP, EYOE & NOW WAVE PRESENT</a> </div>
</div>
FOALS 
— LIVE AT THE WAREHOUSE PROJECT 

</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
—- SATURDAY 31ST DECEMBER —- 

<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=38">NYE AT THE WAREHOUSE PROJECT</a> </div>
</div>
TBA but I bet it’s gonna be big 

</div>
<div style="text-align: center;"> 
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
<div>
SUNDAY 1ST JANUARY
<div> <a href="https://www.thewarehouseproject.com/eventProfile.php?eid=4">THE END OF STORE STREET</a> </div>
</div>
VERY SPECIAL GUEST TBA 
DERRICK CARTER 
JAMIE JONES 
YOUSEF 
DAVIDE SQUILLACE 
CLAUDE VON STROKE 
TIGER & WOODS 
JULIO BASHMORE 
TENSNAKE 
PEARSON SOUND 
SPACE DIMENSION CONTROLLER 
JOY ORBISON 
LEWIS BOARDMAN 
KRYSKO 
GREG LORD 
IN ASSOCIATION WITH RESIDENT ADVISOR
</div>
<div> 
 </div>
</div>
For tickets visit the <a href="https://thewarehouseproject.com/">official Warehouse Project site</a>

Lineup revealed for The Warehouse Project 2011

The fourth solo album from Sonic Youth’s, Thurston Moore has been produced by Beck and is set to be released by Matador records on May 23rd in Europe and a day later in the US.
The songwriter, singer and guitarist of Sonic Youth fame first met Beck in the early 90’s when he was mowing lawns at a backyard BBQ in LA. Almost 20 years and four platinum records later, the American multi instrumentalist agreed to produce Thurstons album. For nine days in the summer of 2010 the pair recorded Thurstons “paper lunchbag of tunes” in a variety of locations from sheep filled fields to East side dive bars.
Entitled ‘Demolished Thoughts’, Thurston’s fourth solo album (5th if you’re counting 1998′s ‘Root’) is a stripped down back to basics work of art, drenched in violin and reverbarating accoustics. In advance of the album release the entire LP can be streamed from <a href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/may/16/thurston-moore-demolished-thoughts-stream1">The Guardian’s site</a>.
Describing the recording process Thurston said “Beck and I discussed many players we thought would compliment the record in all its improvisatory experimentation and focus on song-slip. We decided that Samara Lubelski (violin) and Mary Lattimore (harp) had to play and we invited them to join us. We fed them cantaloupes, raw milks, doughnuts, Zuma sushi and Lily’s fish tacos. And we threw shadows into the sun.” — Read Thurston’s diary on the recording process with Beck on the <a href="https://www.matadorrecords.com/thurston_moore/biography.html">Matador Records</a> site
<a href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/may/16/thurston-moore-demolished-thoughts-stream1">Click here to stream Demolished Thoughts by Thurston Moore</a> or pre-order now it at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004RRVHCW/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=samg02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B004RRVHCW">Amazon</a><img style="border: none !important;margin: 0px !important" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=&l=as2&o=1&a=B004RRVHCW&camp=217145&creative=399349" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" />
<a rel="attachment wp-att-7989" href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/7988-news-stream-demolished-thoughts-by-thurston-moore/attachment/demolished-thoughtsalbumart"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7989" src="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/05/Demolished-Thoughtsalbumart.jpg" alt="Stream demolished thoughts - Thurston Moore. Release date and tracklisting " width="460" height="460" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/05/Demolished-Thoughtsalbumart.jpg 460w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/05/Demolished-Thoughtsalbumart-165x165.jpg 165w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/05/Demolished-Thoughtsalbumart-260x260.jpg 260w" sizes="(max-width: 460px) 100vw, 460px" /></a>
Tracklisting
Benediction 
Illuminine 
Ciculation 
Blood Never Lies 
Orchard Street 
In Silver Rain with a Paper Key 
Mina Loy

News: Stream ‘Demolished Thoughts’ by Thurston Moore

In the build-up to his newest album, ‘We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves’, John Maus has released a video to the Jackie Chan inspired track, ‘Believer.’
<a href="https://pitchfork.com/tv/#/music-videos/1651-john-maus/2645-believer/">Watch the video over at Pitchfork TV</a>
Maus lives in his birthplace of Austin, Minnesota, composing synth century songs whilst studying a PhD in Political Science. Drowned in Sound describe his music a “melancholic fantasy” that “affirms that we are all truly alive.” I’d have to agree, if there’s one thing universally accepted about John Maus, he’s definitely unique.
Here’s the cover art and track listing for ‘We Must Become The Pitiless Censors Of Ourselves.’ The album is slated to be released through Upset The Rhythm on June 27th in UK, Europe, Australia and Japan and via their new imprint Ribbon Music in North America on June 28th.
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/6863-john-maus-believer-video/attachment/pitilesscensorsjohnmaus/" rel="attachment wp-att-6864"><img class="size-full wp-image-6864" src="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/04/pitilesscensorsjohnmaus.jpg" alt=""WE MUST BECOME THE PITILESS CENSORS OF OURSELVES" album art" width="240" height="240" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/04/pitilesscensorsjohnmaus.jpg 400w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/04/pitilesscensorsjohnmaus-165x165.jpg 165w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/04/pitilesscensorsjohnmaus-260x260.jpg 260w" sizes="(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px" /></a>
Tracklisting
01. Streetlight 
02. Quantum Leap 
03. … And The Rain 
04. Hey Moon 
05. Keep Pushing On 
06. The Crucifix 
07. Head for the Country 
08. Cop Killer 
09. Matter of Fact 
10. We Can Break Through 
11. Believer
For the latest information on John Maus check out the <a href="https://mausspace.com/">official mauspace</a>

Video: John Maus – Believer

<img class="alignnone" title="TV" src="https://beyondrace.com/images/stories/tvontheradio9light.jpg" alt="" width="520" height="419" />
In 2008, TV On the Radio released Dear Science, a record named album of the year by a wide array of publications including Pitchfork, The Guardian and MTV.
Now in 2011, the follow-up, Nine Types of Light, is available in an exclusive stream from the Guardian’s website described as a “more relaxed affair.” But Die-hard fans don’t fear, TV On the Radio classic sound is still there, it just sounds like they’ve had a bit more time to put it together, putting more care and attention into producing each and every track.
Nine Types of Light is the fourth studio album by American band TV on the Radio, set to be released April 12, 2011.
Listen now at <a href="https://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2011/apr/05/tv-radio-nine-types-light">The Guardian’s music blog</a>
Track listing:
<ol>
<li>“Second Song”</li>
<li>“Keep Your Heart”</li>
<li>“You”</li>
<li>“No Future Shock”</li>
<li>“Killer Crane”</li>
<li>“Will Do”</li>
<li>“New Cannonball Blues”</li>
<li>“Repetition”</li>
<li>“Forgotten”</li>
<li>“Caffeinated Consciousness”</li>
</ol>

News: Stream TV On the Radio’s upcoming album

<h2>After the tragedy that befell Japan this month, Japanese duo, Lullatone, have allowed fans to pay what they want for their entire discography, all the proceeds going to the Red Cross.</h2>
Everybody’s favourite pyjama pop musicians, Lullatone, are doing what Radiohead did with their seventh studio album, In Rainbows: Letting the public decide what they want to pay for their music. The only difference is that all the proceeds are going to the Japanese Red Cross, helping the country recover from a disaster that has destroyed so many lives.
For anyone living in some kind of news free & socially outcast bubble. On the 11th of March 2011, Japan was struck by one of the most powerful earthquakes ever to be recorded. The under sea shockwave triggered a tsunami which swept across the east coast obliterating everything in its path. So far the Japanese National police agency have confirmed 10,668 deaths with over 16,000 others still missing and many more without a home or even a city. Mother nature can be a bitch.
Lullatone’s entire discography is available for download so dig deep and help those in need – <a title="Lullatone on Bandcamp" href="https://lullatone.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">https://lullatone.bandcamp.com/</a>
It isn’t just Japanese musicians who are doing their part for the relief effort. American indie hip-rockers, Why?, are holding a charity auction of signed records, artwork and goodies on Josiah’s, ebay page, check it out but if you outbid me then god help you – <a href="https://myworld.ebay.com/josiahnice/">https://myworld.ebay.com/josiahnice/ </a>

Lullatone Pull a Radiohead For Japan

“Heavenly father shine your light on me 
I know I promise to slow down on this weed 
Seems I remember someone used to say 
One life gets taken, if you take one life away 
First we pray, then we ride”
As of March 15th 2011, Nate Dogg no longer rides with us after a series of strokes caused complications and killed him at a care facility in California. He was 41.
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale was an american musician providing swagger to Long Beach gangster rap with a chasmic baritone voice, known for the entirity of his career under the stage name Nate Dogg.
Nate was born to a pastor on August 19, 1969. The bright young son of a preacher man began singing in Long Island baptist churches. From an early age, he was immersed in faith and music but disillusioned by society, leaving school to join the US Marine Corps at the tender age of sixteen.
When he returned to Long Beach three years later, His friends – Snoop Dogg, Warren G and RBX – had already found their voice in the rap game. Nate, who was a member of the Rollin 20 Crips formed a rap trio with Snoop and Warren G called the 213.
<img class="aligncenter" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/03/snoopdogg_6_213_1024-e1300374233181-494x192.jpg" alt="" width="494" height="192" /><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ2DSbq76vI">213 – The Hard Way (via YouTube)</a>
213 recorded their first backroom demo in Long Beach record store, V.I.P.  Later, at a house party, someone span the record for the crowd, a young Dr. Dre was in attendance, was interested in Nate’s voice and asked him to feature on Dre’s debut album, The Chronic.
Well received by the fans and with the support of his hip-hop homies, Nate signed with Death Row Records in 1993, appeared on hit single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1plPyJdXKIY">Regulate</a> in 1994 and went on to feature on many of Tupac’s releases including his collaborative masterpiece Thug Life: Volume I.
In 1998, Nate Dogg, who was still dealing with becoming hip hop royalty, split from Death Row after arguments concerning the release of his album G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 which he had finished in ’96. He later described these last few months at Death Row a “troubled time” and in late 98 finally released G-Funk Classics Vol. 1 & 2 on a different label. The double album was followed up in 2001 with Music & Me on Elektra Records. Music & Me peaked at number three on the Billboard hip-hop charts in 2001.
“I know you gotta get paid, I can show you the way 
So take me home, polish the chrome 
Load me up, and put me to his dome 
I got a lot work to do, so toss me and be gone”
Nate Dogg’s lyrics are sprinkled heavily with references to the crimes he’d allegedly commited. It turned out he didn’t just talk the talk and in Arizona, April 2002, his tour bus was pulled over by the police, they found marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and stolen firearms. He was arrested, plead guilty and released after paying bail of $3,500.00.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEQClcRBxw8">Nate Dogg – Hardest Man In Town (via YouTube)</a>
By 2004, Nate Dogg had featured on and contributed to over 40 chart singles, but he’d still not had a chance to release another album since 2001. It wasn’t until June 2008 that Nate’s self-titled album Nate Dogg was released on the Affiliated Entertainment Group label. By this time the popularity of West Coast hip hop has dropped and Nate’s album was just another disc in a sea of songs about guns, drugs & bitches.
Nate Dogg continued to collaborate with other artists including his old friend Snoop Dogg and in 2007 his life turned full circle and he formed a gospel choir reminiscent of the one he had sung in as a child. Soon after this, Nate had a heart attack, was rushed to Pomona Valley Hospital where he suffered a subsequent stroke. The left side of his body was left paralysed and he was unable to speak. In December 2007 he was admitted to a rehabilitation facility, Doctors believed Nate would make a full recovery and his voice would not be affected. In September 2008, Nate suffered a second stroke. At the time he was going through physiotherapy in an attempt to return to normality but on March 15, 2011  Nate was pronounced dead. His cause of death was listed as complications related to his previous strokes. Old collaborators and gangbangers ranging from Ice-T to Eminem sent their condolences to Nate’s family. Nathaniel Dwayne Hale exited stage left for the last time.
“There’s no telling where I would be if I didn’t know how to do this music thing. Sometimes I would be about to lose my mind and want to knock somebody in the head or something, then I could hear a song and just chill out. It calms the savage beast.” – Nate ’98
<a href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/5389-obituary-nate-dogg-first-we-pray/attachment/nate_dogg__500/" rel="attachment wp-att-5391"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-5391" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/03/nate_dogg__500.jpg" alt="Nate Dogg - Thought he would never die" width="500" height="341" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/03/nate_dogg__500.jpg 500w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/03/nate_dogg__500-260x177.jpg 260w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/03/nate_dogg__500-494x336.jpg 494w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/03/nate_dogg__500-165x112.jpg 165w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></a> As of March 15th 2011, Nate Dogg no longer rides with us after a series of strokes caused complications and killed him at a care facility in California. He was 41. 
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale was an american musician providing swagger to Long Beach gangster rap with a chasmic baritone voice, known for the entirity of his career under the stage name Nate Dogg.

Obituary: Nate Dogg ‘First We Pray’

<a rel="attachment wp-att-4787" href="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/music/4776-new-the-hidden-words-track-preview/attachment/hiddenwords"> 
</a>Ex-Unicorn and Clues member Alden Penner has re-united with old compadre Jamie Thompson in a new project, The Hidden Words. This is a  track from their first album slated for release in Spring 2011
<a rel="attachment wp-att-5003" href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/music/4776-new-the-hidden-words-track-preview/attachment/the-hidden-words-temple-mystique">The Hidden Words – Temple Mystique</a> (MP3)
The Hidden Words play music inspired by the Bahá’í Faith. Soft and soothing guitar, reminiscent of many of Penner’s solo releases, with the subtle yet sophisticated beatmaking of Thompson, carrying the vocals along like a rowboat down a river. Starting rehearsal sessions at a local Bahá’í centre in Montreal, the duo soon attracted a crowd of regulars taking part in their jam session. Thus, The Hidden Words were born, Neah Bahji Kelly playing cello, the brothers James and Eric Farr on second guitar and accordion. Marie-Claire Saindon contributing to the orchestration and textures.
Alden Penner rose to fame in 2003 with Nick ‘Diamonds’ Thorburn and Jamie Thompson as The Unicorns. The one and only full length album the by band, “Who Will Cut Our Hair When We’re Gone,” was included in Pitchforks top 100 albums of 2000-2004 and the band, who’d previously released their own fuzzy circuit bent lo-fi on tapes in Montreal, burst into the limelight. After emerging from the underground, the band toured the world until exhaustion. Arguments on stage during a show at the Engine Room in Houston led to a break-up when Alden was quoted as saying “I quit, I can’t do this anymore.” He returned to Montreal and, like an effeminate Jeff Mangum, disappeared
Three years later, Alden emerged from the Canadian woodwork and formed Clues with ex-Arcade Fire member Brendan Reed & Bethany Or. Their self titled first release was a dark, brooding and somewhat confusing mix of orchestral anthems and understated acoustics. After Or left the band Ben Borden, Lisa Gamble and Nick Scribner were added to the lineup. As far as I know Clues continue to play.
Since the breakup of The Unicorns although keeping it lo-fi, Penner has been busy. He founded a short-lived record label, produced the soundtrack to indie film ‘The Hamster Cage,’ starred in a documentary about freecycling and contributed to a lot of other musician’s songs and videos. All the while avoiding the Internet and mainstream press like a rabbit dodging a fox. Returning to his roots but with a faith-driven direction to his music, perhaps one of the greatest songwriters of our generation has finally found his place.
Sam Golden
For more info on The Hidden Words check out their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Hidden-Words/170972952946190">facebook page</a>

New: The Hidden Words – Track Preview

A video for the Song ‘Lotus Flower’ has appeared on Radiohead’s <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/radiohead">twitter feed</a> in preparation for tommorows online release of their eigth studio album, The King Of Limbs.
The physical release of the CD is slated for the 28th of March but die-hard fans have to wait until the 9th of May for a special ‘newspaper album. “Described by the band as ‘two clear 10-inch vinyl records in a purpose-built record sleeve, many large sheets of artwork, 625 tiny pieces of artwork, a compact disc, and a full-colour piece of oxo-degradable plastic to hold it all together.” Sounds fucking fantastic.
Director Garth Jennings usually works under the pseudonym Hammer & Tongs. He was the mastermind behind a number of Eel’s music videos, Blur’s ‘Coffee & TV’ and more recently, the film adaptation of ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’
Video Credits: 
Produced and Directed by Garth Jennings 
Choreographed by Wayne McGregor 
Director of Photography- Nick Wood 
Editor- Leila Sarraf
STOP THE PRESS: We can also confirm that Radiohead have brought the album release forward by 24hours. If you had already pre-ordered The King Of Limbs, head over to <a href="https://www.thekingoflimbs.com/">the site</a> to download it, or alternatively you can purchase it now.
A statement for XL reads as follows: Radiohead have brought forward the digital release of their new album “The King Of Limbs” by 24 hours with the album now being sent to those who pre-ordered it earlier this week. It is also available for new orders through <a href="https://anonym.to/?https://www.radiohead.com/" target="_blank">https://www.radiohead.com</a> at a fixed price of £6. A special edition is also available.
With everything ready on their website, the band decided to bring forward the release by a day rather than wait until the planned date of Saturday, Feb 19 to deliver the music.

Radiohead: Lotus Flower – VIDEO

It has been a shitty day. The milk in your coffee was sour. You didn’t catch the eye of that girl you like and you’ve been waiting for this bus for an hour. You can’t wait to get home, pick up a book or slide in a DVD and immerse yourself in a world more exciting than your own. This is escapism, mental diversion from the banality of real life. But however hard you try to ignore it, the real world sucks and sooner or later you better get used to it. American Splendor is a comic book that tackles this very issue.
The words ‘comic book’ conjure up images of spandex-clad megalomaniacs, zooming round dot-shaded cityscapes, shooting lasers from their eyes and taking down super villains before they know whats hit them.  For Harvey Pekar ‘comic book’ could mean anything, from getting pissed off queuing for groceries to trying to find a rare record in a yard sale. Pekar is the master of realist comic book writing and American Splendor is his lovechild
<a href="https://api.crackintheroad.com/arts/4451-american-splendor-escapism-for-realists/attachment/tumblr_kr7p8k7vhu1qzwjl9o1_400/" rel="attachment wp-att-4531"><img class="size-full wp-image-4531 alignleft" src="https://admin.crackintheroad.com/uploads/2011/02/tumblr_kr7p8k7vHU1qzwjl9o1_400.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="269" srcset="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/02/tumblr_kr7p8k7vHU1qzwjl9o1_400-260x382.jpg 260w, https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/02/tumblr_kr7p8k7vHU1qzwjl9o1_400-165x242.jpg 165w" sizes="(max-width: 184px) 100vw, 184px" /></a>Harvey Pekar (1939-2010) was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a corner-store owning Jewish family. His childhood was nothing special, graduating from high school and dropping out of university when compulsory maths classes got too much. He served in the Navy before taking up a number of menial odd-jobs including that of a file clerk which he kept until 2001. it was this mediocre existence that inspired him. He got together his ideas, staying up all night writing, and all day taking inspiration from his dead-end job.  Eventually he compiled a few pages of scrawled frames and perfectly phrased captions. He met friend and already renowned underground artist , Robert Crumb, in a coffee shop and asked him what he thought. Crumb loved the ideas and  offer to illustrate Pekar’s squiggly stick-man cartoons into the first issue of American Splendor, published in 1976.
Harvey Pekar wrote about the trivialities of real-life, the problems we all face, none of this kryptonite and crime-fighting, just the straight up truth of this nitty gritty world we live in. He described American splendor as: “an autobiography written as it’s happening. The theme is about staying alive. Getting a job, finding a mate, having a place to live, finding a creative outlet. Life is a war of attrition. You have to stay active on all fronts. It’s one thing after another. I’ve tried to control a chaotic universe. And it’s a losing battle. But I can’t let go. I’ve tried, but I can’t”
First self-published, American Splendor went on to be printed by Dark Horse and DC comics. Harvey himself became a TV personality when he made numerous appearances on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxqHb5dIo9I&feature=related">Letterman show</a> hoping to promote his comics. These appearances came to an abrupt end when Harvey became sick of being stuck under a spotlight and poked fun at for being grumpy and himself. Letterman refused to believe that Harvey Pekar sincerely had to keep up his day job to pay the bills.
Battling depression and constantly fighting to make enough money to support his wife and pay rent. Pekar wrote not for fame, nor for riches, purely to highlight the struggle of the common man. A nineteenth-century Walt Whitman, hunched over and shuffling round Cleveland with a pen and paper, recording day-to-day interactions of the general public.
With 39  issues, now all available in collected paperback anthologies, American Splendor was a comic like no other. The life of Harvey Pekar was adapted into a 2003 film narrated by the man himself which received some critical acclaim and brought Pekar a little closer into the limelight from the shadows of the underground he felt so comfortable with. An eccentric and a cynic to the end, Harvey Pekar was found dead on 1 a.m, July 12, 2010 by his wife. He had overdosed on anti-depressants.
I’m not denying there’s not a place for web cartridges and claws. Whilst Spiderman symbolises geeks  fighting back and Catwoman signifies a society of repressed female sexuality, Harvey Pekar represents us all, fighting to get along in this wicked world one day at a time.
Check out the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0941423646?ie=UTF8&tag=samg02-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0941423646">American Splendor anthology</a><img style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" src="https://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=samg02-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0941423646" alt="" width="1" height="1" border="0" /> at Amazon.com.
<a class="aligncenter"><img class="aligncenter" src="https://api.crackintheroad.com/images/2011/02/surplus-publishing-460x448.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="448" /></a> It has been a shitty day. The milk in your coffee was sour. You didn’t catch the eye of that girl you like and you’ve been waiting for this bus for an hour. You can’t wait to get home, pick up a book or slide in a DVD and immerse yourself in a world more exciting than your own. This is escapism, mental diversion from the banality of real life. But however hard you try to ignore it, the real world sucks and sooner or later you better get used to it. American Splendor is a comic book that tackles this very issue…

Crack in the Road

John MausThe Combine

Premiere: SionNo Monster Club

Interview: Overcoats

Earl SweatshirtSolace

WIN: A slot at Glastonbury Festival and £5,000

Panda BearBoys Latin

Win 2 Tickets To The Visions Festival Pre-Party

News: The Unicorns reunite for Arcade Fire tour

AliasCrimson Across It Ft. Doseone

Die AntwoordPitbull Terrier

Yoni WolfOld Dope

News: Acts added to the Visions 2014 lineup

tUnE-yArDsNikki Nack

Slasher FlicksEnter The Slasher House

Lykke LiNo Rest For The Wicked