EP: The Spinto Band – Slim & Slender

The new EP by The Spinto Band, Slim & Slender, is like a pack of wine gums, full of variety and flavour, and offering that one track that is more special than others, like the black gum people look eagerly for. In this case, ‘Jackhammer’ stands out over the others. It is the teaser of the pack, the happy-go-lucky tune that sends you swaying from side to side, with guitars on pinching mode and harmonies of vocals sliding downwards like cascades. It is a supreme melody, short and sweet, which makes you turn it on again like you would pop another wine gum into your mouth.

Live: Laura Marling @ St Pancras Old Church, 23rd Nov

Laura Marling walked on stage unnoticed at St Pancras Old Church on Monday night. There was a hush of silence as the crowd spotted an unfamiliar figure reaching out for the guitar and walking towards centre stage. Something wasn’t quite right.

“I have some explaining to do,” she said, leaning into the mic and waving her hand over her head. “About the colour of my hair,” she added and we all let out an awkward laugh. Laura Marling and her distinguished white/blonde hair were gone and instead a sophisticated brunette stood in her place.

Interview: The Miserable Rich

The Miserable Rich – yet another marvellous band from Brighton’s Willkommen Collective – have just released their brilliant Covers EP with new takes on songs by Iggy Pop and the Eurithmics. Frontman James de Malplaquet answered our questions.

Brian’s Mixtape #15: The Rain and The Wind

Brian’s rather enjoys the rain when he’s wrapped up warm in his nest, but when he’s off foraging for food and records it’s quite another. The wind gets in his eyes and the rain makes his feathers stick together. It’s a sartorial nightmare.

This week his mixtape is all about his ambivalence towards this weather we’re having. Brian suggests you light a roaring fire, grab a cup of steaming tea and sit back and enjoy it.