Friday, May 27, 2011

Best of 2011 So Far

So with almost half the year gone, yes at Headlikeahole we are very much a glass half empty kind of music blog, surely it’s the perfect time to pick out what we think are the five best albums of the year so far. The list below is not in any kind of order, these are just the five records we have enjoyed the most thus far in 2011.

1. Mogwai – Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will

The Glaswegians made a triumphant return to form after the dip that was The Hawk is Howling, with their seventh studio album Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will. Showing the band embrace a more mature, even more restraint sound, the album silenced any critics who claimed their best years were behind them.

Standout Track: How To Be A Werewolf.

2. Explosions in the Sky – Take Care, Take Care, Take Care

Another of post rocks stalwarts, Explosions in the Sky returned with a new album this year. Take Care, Take Care, Take Care the bands sixth album is an utterly breathtaking, deeply layered and gorgeous record from start to finish. Easily their most lush offering to date the album revealed some subtle variations from previous releases evidence of the bands clear progression.

Standout Track: Be Comfortable, Creature

3. Maybeshewill – I Was Here For A Moment, Then I was Gone

Deciding to forget about everything that had gone before, Maybeshewill returned this year with a much more polished and refined sound on I Was Here for a Moment, Then I Was Gone. Ditching the samples and getting bassist Jamie Ward on production duties, Maybeshewill have made arguably their most accessible record to date and arguably their best.

Standout Track: Red Paper Lanterns

4. This Will Destroy You – Tunnel Blanket

With their second album Tunnel Blanket, we find This Will Destroy You evolving at a staggering degree. Completely avoid of any apparent post rock characteristics, Tunnel Blanket is TWDY sounding how they have always wanted to, abstract and ambient. This totally works producing a lavish, wonderfully desolate record driven by freedom and an unending ambition to create something absolutely unique.

Standout Track: Black Dunes

5. Jeudah – While We Sleep

A collaboration between Pg.losts Kristian Karlsson and Jan Jämte vocalist with Khoma, Jeudahs debut While We Sleep was created over distance and time, 800 kilometres and two years to be precise. The record is enshroud in places with a beautiful fragility that is blended very intelligently with something darker and heavier to create a debut that is original, stylish and powerful.

Standout Track: The Edge of the World

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Interview with The Pattern Theory

With the imminent release of the debut album and a full on tour of Europe on the horizon, we were somewhat fortunate to catch up with Carl Schilde and James Yates of The Pattern Theory. The band, formed in Leeds but now based in Berlin have been busy for the last few months finishing the record and practicing for the tour but found time to explain why the album was recorded in a disused office block, the current transition within the music industry and the interesting idea of a concert for 12 mobile subwoofers.

How did you guys meet?

James - We all met at University, where we were all on the same course. Carl knew Luke, then got me involved. We recorded one EP with pop survivor Danny Laycock on Bass.

What was the inspiration for the bands name?

James - I think originally the idea of the band was to play some pretty far out Math Rock stuff in the vein of Don Caballero etc…. Taking the Math bit literally, our music was/is Pattern based, so it seemed a good idea in back then.

Carl - Yeah, the music changed, but the name fits any type of music, it's all patterns in the end.

The band began life in Leeds, so why relocate to Berlin?

James - We wanted a change really, Carl’s originally from Berlin so it seemed a good opportunity to move to a capitol. Luke and Carl still live there, but I live in the UK again.

Carl - It's actually quite good creatively to live in 2 different countries. When we come together to rehearse now it's 100% focused on making music.

James - Definitely a good point, and because we’re now almost working backwards to how we worked before in that stuff is recorded before its played, albeit in demo form. But then when we come together we have lots of ideas of how to present it live. I like it really, it’s a good way of working.

Why record the album in a disused office space?

James - It was our practice room located in an old post office building. Basically we had no other real option for recording, and we’re all really into recording and production, so we thought it will cost us this amount to go in to a studio, or this amount to get a few more mics, which we’ll have forever, so it seemed like a better investment/experience of trying to get a studio sounding record, with modest equipment and a sort of treated room. The downside of this was we had to wait ‘til midnight when it was quiet enough to start recording...

Carl - Yeah, that was a weird time. I didn't see daylight for a couple of months, coming back from work when other people went to work. Then waking up at 6pm, have a quadruple espresso and then back to the studio. I think the record is definitely influenced by this darkness or wanting to get away from it.

James - I remember the last day of your guitar recording when you got tired and had to spend €10 getting a tiny jar of Kenco from the garage at like 4am or something…. Me and Luke met up with you in the morning; you were just like “I was on, I had to finish it”. Haha!

Best and worst part of the recording process?

James - Best: Finishing it & knowing we did all ourselves. Worst: It taking so long and recording the whole thing through the night was awful!

How would you like The Pattern Theory sound to progress?

James - We’ve already started recording album 2 stuff… So I think I can say with some certainty that it is a lot more smooth and kind of pushing to the limit of what we can do with just the three of us live.

Carl - The current record is defined by reduction and minimalism, so the next one is going be the complete opposite of that. We're lucky enough to go through the same musical phase together. So expect vocals, fm synths, out of control saxophone solos, 808 cowbells, basically everything we've denied ourselves to like in the last 10 years or so.

James - Definitely more of a ‘studio’ record as well. I’m looking forward to knuckling down to it!

The band are all involved in other musical projects, do you think this benefits The Pattern Theory?

James - Yes. For example; When we recorded the album I had never really recorded drums, so we kind of kept it safe with mic placements, which is no bad thing, we were learning, but since then I’ve done a lot of other recording for all sorts of things and become more aware of things, and now have a better idea how to get the sound that I want, I’m sure I would’ve got to that point with just theory, but the opportunity to try lots of styles and techniques that wouldn’t necessarily be on a pt release (I did some blast beats last week….), I think it all helps what we’re going to do on future recordings, just in terms of knowledge of different styles/getting specific sounds.

Do you work on other projects outside music?

Carl - It's still music I guess, but I'm involved in a lot of sound art/ installations. This band is my main focus, but I'm also really interested in finding new ways of experiencing music or sound other than through your ipod headphones. I'm currently organizing a concert for 12 mobile subwoofers, for example.

James - Yeah if you’re in Berlin the week that happens, you should go and witness that, it will be incredible. Bass everywhere.

What are you most looking forward to about the tour?

James - Playing old and new stuff with both Epic45 and Pattern Theory… And finally having our album to sell!

How are European audiences different to those in the UK?

James - Not massively different really, the people who get it; get it. Those who don’t, don’t.

Any bands out at the minute that really excite you?

James - I really like the new Bibio stuff, the track ‘Take Off Your Shirt’ is brilliant, I like how it doesn’t totally work on the album, but because of that totally works, if that makes sense?…. And ‘Excuses’ is damn cool as well.

In terms of excitement: shamefully I’m not the most up to date and current with music. I got the Conquering Animal Sound album fairly recently, that’s cool as well. Their live show is superb. I like the latest Jaga Jazzist album, ‘One Armed Bandit’, that has some incredible drumming on it, and it’s mixed by John McEntire, so it ticks all the boxes for me, brilliant record. We’re all massive fans of the Hall & Oates song ‘Adult Education’. That’s probably the best song ever written. Probably….

Carl - Tupolev's new record "Towers of Sparks" sounds amazing and, of course, "Weathering" by Epic45. Other than that, I've been into 70s/80s smooth jazz/new age for a while now. I think there's something there between all the kitsch which hasn't been fully discovered yet. Some of that stuff is so far out it's unbelievable.

James - Most definitely.

Is there a record/s in your collection that you could not be without?

James - 10cc – Deceptive Bends, Tortoise – Standards, Don Caballero – American Don

Carl - Agreed...

What are your thoughts on the current state of the music industry?

James - It is what it is, and can’t realistically be changed. I think if the average music listener knew how much it cost make and put out a record perhaps they’d think twice.

I was watching the Stewart Lee "If you prefer a milder comedian" DVD last week, and near the end there’s a guy just videoing him right up close on a camera he’s bought in, its crazy really; the guy just doesn’t stop until Stewart takes his camera away. I think all forms of low budget art will suffer if it isn’t made clear that someone loses out on a valuable part of their income by theft. Anyway, watch (buy!) that DVD, Stewart sums it up angrier and better.

Carl - The music business is in a transitional phase right now. Since music no longer has to be attached to a thing with objective value (aka CD), now you're basically just paying for pure information or data. Therefore the big question looms on the horizon: how much is music worth itself? You probably can't ever answer this question, but I'm sure there'll be a solution enabling artists to make a living again.

Where do you see The Pattern Theory in five years?

James& Carl - Celebrating our third album release party on our hoverboards...

Thanks for that Carl and James

The Pattern Theory release their excellent self titled debut May 13th on Valeot Records.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Rumour Cubes - We Have Sound Houses Also EP

We Have Sound Houses Also is the debut EP from London based group Rumour Cubes. Dripping with sweet, plush strings, pulverising guitars and drums all merged within superb arrangements one would need to have a heart of stone and a soul of brass not to instantly fall in love with We Have Sound Houses Also. So yeah it is kinda good.

Formed in mid 2009 the young sextet, Hannah Morgan (violin) Omar Rahwangi (drums) Adam Stark (guitar, electronics) Joe Bartlett (bass) Simon Stark (guitar) Terry Murphy (viola), have been ever so quietly making something of a name for themselves. Their live shows include film synchronised with their music using state of the art technology developed by guitarist Adam Stark and are garnishing Rumour Cubes plenty of the right sort of attention.

Coming in at just under twenty minutes and containing just three tracks does not take anything away from We Have Sound Houses Also, as in this case it is definitely quality not quantity. The EPs opener The University is a Factory seems to slide ever so coolly into life with its slick jazz infused beginning before building to a ravenous crescendo of roaring, scaling guitars and drums. It is followed by the impeccably understated Rain on Titan where the silkiness of the strings carries the listener deep into the deluge that is the songs second act. Though it is the EPs final track At Sea, where Rumour Cubes pull out all their delicious stops. It is splendour personified and leaves you begging for more.

Indeed that is the only flaw with We Have Sound Houses Also, it feels like the band are just offering us just a little sweet taste for now. The good news however is that Rumour Cubes are currently recording a new EP at Cafe Music Studios (who recently worked with Brian Eno and David Byrne to record some parts of their recent collaborative album) featuring poet Steve Wiley. We Have Sound Houses Also is available as a free download, so do yourself a favour and check it out as I am sure Rumour Cubes are a band we will hear a lot more of.

Download the free EP here

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Jeudah - While We Sleep

If there is anything to be said about the new Jeudah record While We Sleep, it is that time and distance should never be seen as a barrier to creativity. A collaboration between Kristian Karlsson, multi instrumentalist with Pg.lost, and Khoma vocalist Jan Jämte, While We Sleep substantiates that not everything needs to be done within the constraints of convention.

Since 2008 the Swedish duo, based eight hundred kilometres apart, have been creating the album around countless hours of talking online and experimenting alone in front of amplifiers and microphones, then bouncing ideas back and forth. Having not many chances to meet in person due to the schedules of their other projects, While We Sleep on the whole is quite an astonishing achievement.

The first release from the record The Edge of the World is a gorgeously, bruising piece of music falling somewhere between Radiohead and Sigur Ros, but still managing to retain a uniqueness of its own. It is also only one of two tracks that feature guitars on the entire record, which can be seen as a surprising and brave move by Karlsson and Jämte. This strategy for the most part pays of well for Jeudah with songs like Things fall Apart, the records sublime opener, and the rousingly, uplifting A Ghost That Never Leaves. Unfortunately however it falls flat on its face with the track Seconds which just seems to fit uncomfortably with the rest of While We Sleep. Coincidentally or not the records outstanding moment comes with the guitar laced Black Swan, which demonstrates Jämtes amazing vocal range and Karlssons musically ability to perfection. Simply put, one of the best songs of the year so far.

So while Jeudah should be applauded for their perseverance and respected for their DIY ethos in the making of While We Sleep, the band can be doubly proud as the music on the record, with the exception of Seconds, is also something quite outstanding. It is enshroud in places with a beautiful fragility that is blended very intelligently with something darker and heavier to create a debut that is original, stylish and powerful. A long distance job well done.

While We Sleep is available @BlackstarFoundation

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

A Day In A Life

In the first of a new series of features, Greg Hoepffner (Radius System/ Kid North / Dawnshape) shares with us a snapshot of twenty four hours on the road on Dawnshapes latest European tour with Montreal on Fire.

26.04.11

Today we're heading to Berlin, for what promises to be the strangest show of the tour... The original gig, planned at a venue called "Levee", was recently cancelled because the place was double booked with an electro / clubbing night. The guy in charge considered the DJ set would make more money. He's probably right, though it's a shame because the venue seemed really nice, thankfully, our German booker for the tour managed to provide us a backup plan, a gig in a flat in the city centre, which is equally exciting and scary. Although not really a comfort zone for Dawnshape, to play acoustic / quiet sets.


Last night we had the chance to play in a really cool place in Cologne called "Aetherblissment". Montreal On Fire totally killed it; well they did every night so far, but last night was incredibly great. We also got the chance to share the stage with Birds In Row, another French band from Laval. They played an intense and brutal show. These guys managed to play more than 40 shows in a row; they're obviously more than human. This made us all want to play hardcore again (Adrien & Simon from Montreal On Fire also play in a hardcore band called Plebeian Grandstand, Michel our driver holds the mic in Selenites, Alex also plays guitar in Selenites, and I used to hit bass in Time To Burn... basically we're all hardcore dudes undercover in indie bands).


It feels like we're getting better with Dawnshape. Honestly, I never thought we would play outside of France with this band. Reactions to our weird new songs have been good so far. Even our close friends, who didn't like the band much before, enjoy it now. Score! Thank you Torsten and everyone at Aetherblissment for making us feel at home. Now we're up for a six hour drive to Berlin...


Just as we leave the venue, we notice another van on the side of the road. Michel honks them as they're stuffing gear into their trunk. Looks like it's another band on tour. It makes them catch a quick look at us while we're passing by. I can't believe it : it's the guys from Electric Electric, one of my favourite bands ever! (and probably my number one live band) They're from France too. Apparently, they were playing in another squat near us last night. Crazy coincidence. I'm a groupie for these guys, although I'm always too shy to just go talk to them. Next time I cross their path, I have to try harder or drink a bit before.


Between a few Angry Birds and Tiny Wings tracks, we see the longest cue of trucks on the highway. It just goes on and on forever... Maybe a strike or something. Hopefully we're not stuck in it.

It's been almost 20 minutes since we entered Berlin. This city looks bigger than anywhere I've been so far. We have absolutely no idea where we are going to play... but at least Anal Blockaus is playing in the van.


We arrive at Anna's place, our host for tonight. She lives in the north of Berlin. Her flat is big enough for us to play in, but she has never hosted any house shows before. We're already apologizing for the trouble that may come. Joe, our booker for the German shows, is here too. They really are the nicest people ever. Anna made us delicious chocolate cupcakes, and a vegan meal that looked and tasted like real meat. I had no idea those things existed. Getting all our gear, drums and amps to the 3rd floor is quite a ride.


But the setting looks great. It feels more like we're preparing to shoot cover artwork than an actual show. With all Antoine's keyboards and pedals, the Battles "Mirrored" LP photo easily comes to mind.


After a really quick sound check, we start the show at 9.45 PM. I'm really doing my best to not hit the drums hard as even in proper concert venues, I'm very often asked to be softer on the drums. That's basically the most annoying thing ever, I'm always loathing those moments. Last time it happened, we almost got into a fight with the bartender (he put a towel on my snare, and it was still "too loud"). Tonight, we won't go any further than the first song. The neighbours are already begging us to stop the noise. That's alright, we were prepared for that. At least we tried, but I feel bad for Joe and Anna, they put themselves on the line to make this show happen.


After a few calls to try finding another place for the show, Montreal On Fire decide to try a few acoustic songs. And of course, they do great. Proof has been captured on video. At some moments it feels like we're all hippies, clapping hands and singing along. That's the kind of stuff we're often sarcastic about, but we're obviously all happy to be here, so contradictions are ok tonight.


Now it's time to party. Some friends from Paris, who are now living in Berlin, made it to the flat. It’s a really cool opportunity to catch up with them. The rest of the night can be summed up like this: alcohol was consumed in various forms, French slang was taught to German girls, bartenders were pissed off, buckets of cold water were thrown from above the building, screaming laughs were heard and pictures were taken for memories.


Also a Daryl Palumbo look-a-like has been seen.


Dawnshape @Last.fm