The Sicilian Hungary Blog

Every so often you get a day where so many good new albums come out it takes a while to get through them all!

This week’s Sicilian Hungary Podcast focuses on tunes from four albums released on June 2nd. They are;

Pixx - The Age of Anxiety/Amber Arcades - Cannonball/Chastity Belt - I Used to Spend So Much Time Alone/H Hawkline - I Romanticize

A bit late, but it’s all still fresh in my memory! Saturday started in the evening, with the first band being Babeheaven at The Haunt.

I’d already seen Babeheaven in Brighton, but I love their song Heaven so much I had to catch them here, which meant I had to miss Fake Laugh at The Joker. Their set was amazing, and I love singer Nancy’s voice, but there were three blokes in front of me yapping the whole way through which really annoyed me. I stuck to the back so as to get a quick getaway to go literally across the road to the pier to see Yellow Days.

Yellow Days is led by 17 year old (born 1999-2000 insane really) George Van Der Broek. You see his youthful face and are amazed at the voice he has. I ‘saw’ him support Rejjie Snow at the Concorde and was impressed, have had his tune A Little While on repeat ever since. It was good to see this played, but the whole set was good. Check out the self-titled EP now!

The plan was to go from the pier to Sticky Mike’s, for Dream Wife and The Magic Gang. I queued to get in, but was then given another queue stretching the entire room. I could see Abattoir Blues were on, and knew that it would be a packed crowd downstairs. I gave up on the queueing thing, and remembered that I’d expressed an interest in seeing Jameszoo, who was about to start at Patterns.

I got to Patterns, met a couple of friends there and we saw Jameszoo from the front. Both my friends hyped up different parts of the band, and they were absolutely right in their hype. The constant changing of time signatures of their incredibly talented drummer were one of the highlights of the festival! I described their sound as what goes on in my head when I’m under stress and pressure, as an Autistic person my brain goes into overdrive when I have to focus on too many things at the same time, and I think people should see Jameszoo play live to become aware of how that is what goes on in most Autistic people’s heads in most social situations.

From Jameszoo I had some time to kill, a quick drink and some food at the Western before heading to Komedia to see She-Devils. On the Sicilian Hungary Podcast, I likened She-Devils to bossa nova, which was a type of Brazillian music popular in the 50s and 60s, which was a fusion of samba and jazz. Think of Girl From Ipanema. She-Devils however add a more electronic edge to it, with Audrey Ann Boucher’s alluring vocals on Come, and Kyle Jukka’s sampling and DJ-esque playing. Like Geowulf, it seems these guys strip the sound down live, giving a demo feel to them. Unfortunately they were plagued by people in the crowd who WOULDN’T SHUT UP! Seeing their set proves an introduction into their new album, which is out now.

After She-Devils I was ready to go back to Sticky Mike’s, to see The Death of Pop, who I assumed were on first. I was wrong to assume this, as Froth were the first to play. I was happy to see Froth, as they were on my list, but had clashed in other performances. They played my favourite, Postcard Radio, which was a tune I’d been wanting to see live for ages, so I was satisfied. Death of Pop were due on at 2:30, but with a shift starting at the Spiegeltent at 9am I reluctantly decided I couldn’t stay out, even telling Angus from the band I wasn’t able to see them! The Death of Pop are one of my favourite bands, but it’s been over a year since I was last able to see them, so to have to leave was a big disappointment. Next time they come down to Brighton or play in London I will stop at nothing to see them!

So The Great Escape was over for another year. I managed to see 22 bands in three days, most that I hadn’t seen before. What a fantastic festival, and as every year, I’m a little bit ‘gigged out’ now! 

Looking forward to First Hate and MacDeMarco next week, my 100th and 101st gigs respectively. Next festival will be (fingers crossed) Truck, where I can see Hinds at last!

The rain from yesterday continued into the early afternoon of Friday. I wanted to catch TVAM at Patterns before rushing to Bleach to see Fishbach, who I chose from a clash of 6 bands! I didn’t get to town in time for TVAM, so my first act for Friday was Fishbach. Lunch was a pork souvlaki from Yefsis, only across the road from Bleach. For only £4.70 you cannot go wrong!

This was the last time I was to see anyone at Bleach, which closes its doors at the end of the festival, just like in 2014 when the Blind Tiger shut after TGE. Fishbach was just one lady, her guitar and a laptop. She sings solely in French, but has some very catchy electronic instrumentals. She currently has one EP out, but I will be looking out for anything else she releases, she makes me want to learn more French! Her last song was the one I was looking for; Un Autre Que Moi. I’d like to see her support Molly Nilsson.

The original plan was after Fishbach I’d race to the East Street Tap for Softer Still, but once realising that by the time I’d got there I’d only see one song I regrettably decided to not see them. My next act became Spinning Coin at the Brighthelm Centre. I saw them support Teenage Fanclub at Concorde and still love their tunes Albany and Raining on Hope Street, only one of which they played. Their sound is perfect for lying on grass in the sun, but I can’t say I was overly impressed live. Will definitely look out for an album!

After Spinning Coin I had a break, a brief visit home and then back into town for Communions. I knew of the Danish group from their self-titled EP, and gave the full album a listen on the bus to their show at the East Wing of the Brighton Centre. It’s a great album, full of cracking riffs, and their live set picks the best tracks from it. They end with Out of My World, the one tune I was looking for. I’d been waiting a long time to see that played live!

After Communions I had to rush to the Sallis Benney Theatre to catch Papooz. They have a jazzy, funky side to pop and are a buzz to see live. One half of the main duo is the funny one, and loved trying to hype up the crowd. They play from the album Green Juice, including a cover. I like the keyboardist who also plays the double bass. They started late, so I became late for Baby Queens at Jubilee Square, outside the library. I might have missed my favourites from them, but I’m sure they’ll play more in the future. Their cross of genres is amazing! 

From there it was to the Green Door Store for Jay Som. She played from the Everybody Works album, including my fave Baybee. She came across as a archetypal, friendly American, and we were watching her first ever UK show! It was another quick rush from there to the Black Lion, for Geowulf. Things were running a bit behind there, so a little wait for them to come on. Live, they weren’t what I was expecting. I don’t know if this was how they always play live but this show felt stripped back. A good tune is a good tune, and it was good to be able to sing along to Saltwater and Don’t Talk About You!

After Geowulf I decided to have a break, with the aim to see Agar Agar at the Komedia Studio. Getting there the queue was huge! I queued for a little while before realising that by the time I’d get in they would be finished. I headed for the Latest Music Bar to see TVAM. The place was packed, so I didn’t get as good a view as I did when I saw him support FEWS at Sticky Mike’s. I love his sound, and his live set up with the CRT TV playing his videos. If you get a chance, see him, I love his tune Gas and Air.

Remembering the queues at Komedia, I made sure I got there in good time for Perturbator. The queue had considerably died down, but being there already I felt I might as well head in. I sat through a rap group and then the French synthwave producer entered his keyboard booth. I’ve been into this type of electronic music for a long time, but hadn’t yet seen it played live. Perturbator was one of my highlights of the festival! If club nights were more like that show, I’d go every week! 

2:45 and it was time to go home. A late start tomorrow, but a good night to come.

As any festival, I looked at the line-up, looking at who I wanted to see, when they were on, and where they were playing. I recorded and uploaded my Sicilian Hungary Podcast on it, knowing exactly how my three days and £65 were going to be spent.

Only a few days before the festival was to start, I read the Line of Best Fit (BF) selections, they gave me Austria’s Molly. One listen of ‘As Years Go By’ and I was hooked, and the duo’s Prince Albert gig replaced Her’s as my first act of the weekend. 

Molly’s songs are ethereal and fully fleshed out, mostly lasting around 6 minutes, which only gives you 5 tunes in a 30-minute set. This is a sound I’ve always enjoyed, but rarely had the chance to see live (Pinkshinyultrablast, Bilinda Butchers, Life on Venus have yet to come to the UK since I’ve found them). Don’t expect bands like this to be moving much (besides the drummer), but do expect to stand and listen to every second of dreamy, fuzzy shoegaze.

There were two bands I wanted to see together at Bleach, so after leaving the Prince Albert I headed for Bleach. I arrived with at least 45 minutes to spare, I ate lunch, a fish burrito from La Choza in Hare & Hounds. La Choza is my favourite Mexican place in Brighton, of which there are a few! Either in the H&H pub or their site just up from Kensington Gardens, these are the best burritos in town. 

Jagara came on at 1:30. I only knew one tune, they played it but I ended up loving everything they play. They have a sound that I got into around 2014; synthpop with guitars (Woman’s Hour, Lower Dens), and whatever they release from their live set I will play on the SH podcast. The band after them was Anteros. A bit more established than Jagara with two EPs, this is a band about to blow up big. They were also blessed with a half decent crowd, ready to dance and sing along. The set inevitably contained most of both EPs, respectively called Breakfast and Drunk. Catchy pop lyrics, a gorgeous singer and a clearly accessible production, I predict they will be headlining by the end of the year. Until then, a support slot with White Lies at Concorde in July is enough to look forward to.

After Anteros, the rain was coming down strong, so a quick purchase of an umbrella then into my fave cafe Presuming Ed’s for a cuppa. A friend and work colleague of mine is a drummer of a group who were playing at the Black Dove, one of Brighton’s best pubs, was playing at 4:30, so I went straight there after giving a little listen to some of their Dojo album. I call them ‘psychedelic jazz’, and they are Jouis. 

After Jouis, my plan was to catch Wyvern Lingo at the Fender stage, then Dream Wife at Castle Street Gym, but because Wyvern Lingo started late, probably because of the rain, I wasn’t able to get to Dream Wife on time. I caught these girls twice at last year’s TGE, but hadn’t seen them since then (a year goes fast). Their debut album is done, and a new single is due in June. I can’t wait to hear what’s to come! Letter to Willow never gets old, such a tune.

So with a gap in my time, I thought I could get some food, a beer and a place to sit to begin writing the post you are reading now. Dead Wax was closed to the public, and Seven Stars had a band on (I didn’t expect this), so it was to Spiegel with me. I left the Spiegel pub with good time to get to Coalition for Swimming Tapes.

Arriving at Coalition, the queue seemed to big to allow me in, until I found on the TGE app that Swimming Tapes were the first ones on, so all was good. The club floor filled quickly, I reached a good spot to see them as they walked on stage. Swimming Tapes are one of my dreamiest bands, and Set the Fire is an amazing tune. They have some cool songs to come, hopefully an EP for the summer. After Swimming Tapes it was a very fast walk to the Castle Street Gym to catch Horsebeach, whose show was moved from 6:30 to 7:50. 20 minutes is not enough Horsebeach for me, but for new fans their set did prove a good sample for current album, Beauty and Sadness, which is one of this year’s best (so far).

Horsebeach finished in good time for me to get to The Joker to catch Dream Wife. I arrived, and the place was busy enough that there were enough people to create a door forbidding me to enter! I decided this was the time for food, I moved downstairs for chicken wings from The Orange Buffalo. This is a good name, as these are the messiest wings I’ve ever had, my mouth and fingers were literally orange. The next band I wanted was Her’s, who I’d moved from midday to 9:15. They were well worth the wait. This was the third time I’d seen them, the last was their support slot with Wild Nothing back in February (the last three months have gone so quickly). These boys are one of the best around, mini album Songs of Her’s is out now. A show with Her’s is all bants and beats, any chance you get to see them do it. All of their singles were represented here; Dorothy, Marcel, Speed Racer, What Once Was and I’ll Try, as well the two sided Cool With You. 

With Her’s done, I thought it was time to check out Tiny Rebel’s takeover of Brewdog. It was here I decided to finish my Great Escaping for Thursday. 

Early night for a long Friday to come tomorrow!

I’m going to Norway today, and I think it’s funny Bandcamp should post this when it did.

They’re missing one of my faves, Great News so I’ll just tell you how cool they are. On the 1st March episode of the Sicilian Hungary Podcast, when I played absolute banger and most recent single Falling I called them Norway’s answer to Get Inuit, the Kent based band. In Secrets they give me a Britpop vibe, and I don’t even like Britpop! This is what I’ll share with you here.

https://soundcloud.com/great-news/secrets-1

Also, Blood Forest Family have an amazing tune called Body, which I’ve had on repeat in the last few weeks. Don’t not check it out.

https://soundcloud.com/athomelabel/blood-forest-family-body

Einar Stray Orchestra are essential if you’re into your folk. I like As Far As I’m Concerned. 

Anna of the North have a tune named after Norway’s capital, Oslo. 

There is also Highasakite, who I shared recently. You can’t go wrong with Jakob Ogawa and the track they chose is sublime, there’s also All Your Love and Let It Pass. I’m sure that any EP or album that comes from him will be one to catch. 

Slotface are one of those bands I think that will rise this year, just like Inheaven did in 2016. I saw them play at The Lexington back in September.

I have a case of misheard lyrics with this tune. I thought he says;

I can’t refuse to work in London along the way

When the line is;

I can’t refuse you walking along the lonely way

Don’t ask why. Either way I love this tune. Milky Chance had a big European hit with Stolen Dance a few years ago, and has over 317 million Spotify streams. Doing Good features on the new album, Blossom, out now.

I’m never coming back here, there’s only one way future politics

I finally get to see Austra tonight, after almost four years. I’m seeing them at Patterns, in Brighton and they’re being supported by Pixx. This is the title track to the new album, produced by an all-girl team. Future Politics was released on the 20th of January, coinciding with the inauguration of President Donald Trump. On the day of release the band gave the album away on Bandcamp, whilst any proceeds went to Planned Parenthood. Kate Stelmanis wrote;

”Two years ago, I started writing Future Politics in response to what I saw as a fast approaching dystopia. I meant it as a call to imagine something different, a better future. At the time, Donald Trump was not even on the radar - now here we are, confronted with his election and the impending dystopia is suddenly a reality.”

As far as I know the band haven’t published how much went to Planned Parenthood. In terms of the show, I have so many tracks I want to see them play, but Painful Like will do!

Send someone to me alive, send somebody vital. Send someone not likely to die, send someone who’s vital, send a fighter. Send somebody to me tonight, send somebody bolder, send someone not likely to break, send someone who’s older, send a soldier. Someone who’ll get it, that’s all.

I guess you could call this the grown-up child of ‘Holding Out for a Hero’. Highasakite are Norwegian, led by Ingrid Havik. She wants someone strong, experienced, courageous, capable. I will be that someday.

Urban, multi-venue festivals are one of my favourite things on this planet. Brighton has The Great Escape, London has Visions (and others I’m sure), Dot to Dot covers Manchester, Nottingham and Bristol. But perhaps the best known of them all is Austin’s South-by-South-West. More so than Glastonbury, it’s my ultimate festival destination, one of my highest aims for ‘The Small Rooms’.

If I was going this year, this is who I’d see. If you read this and are going, try not to miss these, solve the clashes yourselves.

Suburban Living (US): Barracuda Tues 14 20:00

Listening to Almost Paradise every day literally is almost paradise. A great jangle pop band, put them next to Wild Nothing.

Teen Daze (Canada): Cheer Up Charlie’s Tues 14 00:45

Too chilled for that time of the day, but dreamy as fuck. Lost, on latest album Themes for a Dying Earth is a gem.

Dream Wife (UK): Latitude 30 Tues 14 20:00/Maggie Mae’s Fri 17 00:00

If I had a pound for every time I’ve said I love this band I’d have enough to be at SXSW. Their KEXP sesh is one of the best I’ve seen.

Ringo Deathstarr (US): Mohawk Indoor Tues 14 01:00/Hotel Vegas Patio Thurs 17 21:20

These essential shoegazers have spent most of this decade getting better and better.

Temples (UK): The Gatsby Tues 14 20:30/Radio Day Stage, Austin Convention Centre Weds 15 17:00/Mohawk Outdoor Weds 15 20:15

One of the best bands of 2013/14 are back with new album Volcano. They’re playing where I work on the 31st of this month and I could not be happier. They’ll have only a two hour break between their shows on Wednesday!

Boyfrndz (US): The Main Tues 14 20:00

Chastity Belt (US): Barracuda Backyard Tues 14 22:00/Mazda Studio, Empire Garage Fri 17 22:00

I saw these girls in Brighton for the Great Escape at the Hope & Ruin (one of my favourite places) and their garage/bedroom tunes really suit a small bar. Recently annoucing a third album, I look forward to hearing how they can add to ‘Cool Slut’, ‘Seattle Party’ and ‘Time to Go Home’.

Her’s (UK): Tap Room, The Market Weds 15 00:00/Flatstock Stage, Austin Convention Centre Fri 17 13:30/Maggie Mae’s Fri 17 20:00

This legendary duo launched their first single Dorothy last April, but are playing everywhere now. SXSW comes between supporting Dutch Uncles and Happyness, and I saw them support Wild Nothing at the Moth Club. They have a few catchy, cruisin’ tunes up their sleeves; including Marcel and Speed Racer.

Japanese Breakfast (US): Mazda Studio, Empire Garage Weds 15 22:00

Michelle Zauner wrote the Psychopomp album in tribute to her mother, who passed away from cancer in 2014. In the album she wants to get into bed with you and borrow your toothbrush and asks you if you believe in heaven like you believed in her.

Polica (US): Mohawk Outdoor Weds 15 23:45

Polica have smashed out two amazing synthpop albums in a row in Shulamith and United Crushers. Wedding had one of my favourite videos of last year, and it was so cool seeing them whilst working at Concorde 2, all the way back in October!

She-Devils (Canada): Valhalla Weds 15 22:15/Barracuda Backyard Thurs 16 21:05/Swan Dive Fri 17 23:00

Lo-fi, experimental, sampling, sensuous. I use those words to describe ‘Come’ - the best She-Devils tune. This Canadian duo have just signed to Secretly Canadian, one of the best labels around, so expect great things to come. Labelmates Gardens & Villa and Here We Go Magic have both visited London in recent years so I’m hopeful for a show from them ‘dans l’avenir’.

Spinning Coin (UK): Mohawk Indoor Fri 17 21:00/International Day Stage, Austin Convention Centre Sat 18 13:00

This Glasgow band have had a similar rise to Her’s, but actually with fewer public tunes! I fell in love with debut single Albany instantly, and it was so good seeing them at Concorde, when they supported Teenage Fanclub. I missed them with Sacred Paws, and will likely miss them again when they play with Sean Nicholas Savage in June (sad times). Get their melancholy in you now, before their Edwyn Collins (yes, him) produced debut album comes out on Geographic/Domino this year.

Wray (US): The Velveeta Room Weds 15 00:00

I love their Hypatia album, it’s a surfy sensation. I hope they come to the UK this year. 

Hi,

Today, the 3rd February, over 200 bands and labels have collaborated with Bandcamp to donate to ACLU, the American Civil Liberties Union, alongside the Our First 100 Days compilation, which artists are contributing exclusive tracks. I particularly like Toro y Moi’s contribution.

I can’t exactly add anything about Donald Trump that hasn’t already been said, and this is certainly not a political blog. Trump is a bigot, the people who elected him voted for racism, misogyny, discrimination and the disintegration of human rights. Facets of human character I thought we were striving to eradicate in the last decades.

The point of this post refers to Bandcamp of course, and I’d like to recommend some tracks and albums that you can buy there. Some big names release their work on the platform, including my faves Mac DeMarco and Alvvays. But I want to show you tunes you might not already know. Starting with;

Hoops - La La La

I like off beat, lo-fi music and this would be perfect on cassette. Hoops are from Bloomington, Indiana and this is lifted from Tape #2.

https://hoops.bandcamp.com/track/la-la-la

Movie Brain - Complete Collection

I spent half of 2016 in love with Movie Brain’s Phantom Limbs, and I played several of his tunes on the Sicilian Hungary Podcast. For the small price $1 (at time of publishing 80p), cheaper than chips, you get his whole discography. A self-titled album, three EP’s and three stand-alone singles. I like to call his guitar sound creamy and the album version of Lust is music melting in your ears.

https://moviebrain.bandcamp.com

Vivienne Eastwood - Shook EP

Along the same lines as the last two. This band are from Brooklyn and released this EP in 2016, four years after their previous thing. I’m hoping for more from them this year. If you don’t want the whole EP, do not miss Maybelline and Nons. More of that melting thing I mentioned on the latter.

https://vivienneeastwood.bandcamp.com/

Life on Venus - There Will Be Blood

Not available anywhere else, this is another 4 minutes that is the audible equivalent of the smoothest chocolate you would experience. These guys are Russian, this is on the Distant Lights single, two tracks recorded as demos at home and the Moscow State University. I wouldn’t change a thing about it, the final riff reminds me of Eagulls’ My Life in Rewind, which I called guitar of the year in my Best of 2016 Sicilian Hungary Podcast.

https://lifeonvenus.bandcamp.com/track/there-will-be-blood

Luxury Elite - With Love

Vaporwave is a genre I can’t get enough of. It’s warpy, electronic, and evokes VHS memories. My VHS tapes used to get so messed up! He has several albums, across different accounts. To pick one album or song is a hard choice, but I think I’ll give you With Love. 14 short pieces that can soundtrack parties, love making and corporate films. Again, at $1, cheap as chips, and if you don’t fancy a whole album, don’t miss Totally Rad and Mall Madness!

https://luxuryelite.bandcamp.com/album/with-love

One more; Vogel - Hologram II

Another mention of VHS tapes, you might remember having tapes from BBC that had club-like graphics and a loud, bright synth tune. I had it on my Fireman Sam tapes, which I played to the point of destruction! The first 20 seconds of this reminds me exactly of that tune from the tapes. The rest of the song is just as bouncy and bright.

https://vogelmusic.bandcamp.com/track/hologram-ii

I’ll stop there otherwise this post wouldn’t stop. Bandcamp is huge, I couldn’t imagine how much has been uploaded in the time it’s taken me to write this post. I hope you enjoy the recommendations I’ve given.