“Hi there, big empty room,” announces Benedict Rubenstein, lead singer and guitarist (and banjo and mandolin player) of The Mariner’s Children, as the seven-strong group carefully position themselves on The Cellar’s relatively small stage. Indeed, the previous three bands of…
Category: Reviews
Live: Standard Fare @ The Wilmington, London
They sneaked onto the stage in the most inconspicuous of ways, which, in The Wilmington Arms, is a pretty fine achievement, and that set the tone of the night for Standard Fare. Previous gigs supporting Allo Darlin’ and at Indietracks…
EP: Benjamin Francis Leftwich- A Million Miles Out
A Million Miles Out is the first EP from Communion compilation alumnus Benjamin Francis Leftwich. The opening line of first track ‘Atlas Hands’ is ‘take me to the docks there is a ship without a name there, and it is…
EP: Shambles Miller Sails the Clockwork Sea
Shambles Miller’s Shambles Miller Sails the Clockwork Sea is a collection of four direct, glass-swinging ditties. The EP lacks refinement, but makes up for it with plenty of chutzpah. The opener, ‘Strike!’, is another volume in the proud tradition of…
Album: Snowblink – Long Live
Snowblink’s Long Live is a threatening album. That is to say, this completely superb album threatens to surprise the listener with unexpected and appropriate moments. It is clear from the beginning — a track called ‘Rut and Nuzzle’ — that Daniela…
Live: Lissie @ Heaven, London
Lissie played a sold out gig at London’s Heaven, but not without the help of her trusty superglue. She followed a storming set from Brighton four piece Ramona, who were first to take to the venue’s lofty stage. They provided a…
Album: Hurray for the Riff Raff – Young Blood Blues
New Orleans is an evocative city. It’s the home of jazz and the delta blues, a city steeped in musical history and prestige. But alongside these more positive facets, drama is never far around the corner – this is the…
Album: Clinic – Bubblegum
Hailing from Liverpool and famed for hiding behind surgical masks, Clinic have remained the cryptic indie lover’s dream since they formed in 1997. With a ‘Post-Punk Revival’ label and cult status, Clinic have continued to develop their sound over the…
Live: Communion Launch @ The Cellars, Oxford
Communion, a club night and record label set up by Kevin Jones (formerly of Cherbourg) and Ben Lovett (of Mumford & Sons), was originally intended to promote upcoming musicians in the London circuit. This launch saw its grasps expanding to…
EP: Esben & the Witch – Marching Song
Esben & the Witch hail from Brighton but are named after a Danish fairy tale about a young boy- an outsider in his own family, although he seems to be the most gifted and wise of his brothers. As in…