Deerhunter / Lower Dens

It's tag team night later as the Mudkiss answer to Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy,  King and Barnes take on the might of Lower Dens and Deerhunter at Sound Control in Manchester.

Coming soon to the Mudkiss site, (www.mudkiss.com) an insightful interview with Maryland four piece Lower Dens put through  their paces by Phil King and a full review of the gig by yours truly.

                                                           Lower Dens
      

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-aGcq3Kvnk

                                                          Deerhunter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5RzpPrOd-4

James Blake - Band on the Wall

Mudkiss review of James Blake at The Band on the Wall in Manchester supported by Cloud Boat.

http://www.mudkiss.com/jamesblakelive.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iD340LtTZU

http://www.myspace.com/jamesblakeproduction

Jack Prescott joins Mudkiss

Mudkiss gains another new contributor and yet more top drawer reviewing ensues.

Good to have Jack Prescott on board and check out his review of Kate Nash below.  He's certainly pricked up my interest in an artist I would have otherwise ignored.








http://www.mudkiss.com/katenashreview.htm

Slydigs Interview

Link below to the Slydigs interview on Mudkiss, a great new band from Warrington.


 While Warrington is situated centrally between Manchester and Liverpool, it is a town rooted in the folklore of one of the toughest of all team sports, Rugby League rather than the football and musical reputation of it’s larger, more expansive neighbours.  Local lads Slydigs, (Dean Fairhurst – Guitar / Lead Vocals, Louie Menguy -Guitar / Vocals, Adam Thornton – Bass, Pete Fleming – Drums) although taking influences from both the Mancunian and Liverpudlian ends of the East Lancs Road, add a hard edged stamp to their personal brand of Rock n Roll with a rhythm section as solid as an advancing pack and quick, blistering guitar breaks a scrum half would be proud of. 

We initially met three quarters of the band (bass player Adam’s timing being not quite as impressive for the interview as it is musically) in their rehearsal room above The Albion Hotel in Warrington to find out how Slydigs came into existence, where they are now and what they hope to achieve this year.

http://www.mudkiss.com/slydigsinterview.htm

 Photo: by Melanie Smith

 

www.myspace.com/slydigs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1d8nFNdTys

James Blake

At The Band on the Wall yesterday for the James Blake gig, which was interesting, perhaps not in the way I'd hoped, but interesting all the same.

Full review to follow on Mudkiss within the next couple of days, but in the meantime, link below is to a video of "The Wilhelm Scream" the last song played in the set.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iD340LtTZU

www.myspace.com/jamesblakeproduction
jamesblakemusic.com

Benjamin Francis Leftwich

There was a time, not that long ago if truth be known, the idea of an acoustic based singer song writer would have struck fear into my body and sent shivers running up my spine for all the wrong reasons. Conceptions change however, an appreciation of different genres of music develops, usually with age, and I'm now in a position where I can justifiably call my taste eclectic.  


Once again a new artist came to my attention through Mudkiss, when presented with a track "Pictures" to review in February by York born, Benjamin Francis Leftwich.  There was an immediate connection to the melodic guitar intro and when the vocal joined, the shivers up the spine were of the type that also induced a soft, warm feeling throughout the rest of the body.  A thoroughly gorgeous introduction to a fabulous new talent.  


Leftwich has released two EP'S,  while both are of a similar style they are subtly different in tone and feel. The title track in particular on "Pictures" evokes thoughts of Summer days, walking through green fields, hand in hand with your partner without a care in the world. Lilting melodies and the hint of reverb on the vocal only adds to the relaxed ambiance Leftwich so expertly creates, although lyrically there is a slightly darker undertone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6N3jUDKzq0

Released back in November 2010 "A Million Miles Out" has an influence of the sea and creates a feeling of distance and yearning as the title of both the EP and songs " Atlas Hands" and "Maps" would suggest.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyue2N1XZ0M

There has already been substantial support from Radio 1 with both Zane Lowe and Fearne Cotton playing "Atlas Hands" on their shows last year and "Pictures" became The Hottest Record in the World today on Lowe's show earlier this year.


Benjamin has recently completed a U.K tour, appeared at SXSW and is currently supporting Noah and the Whale on a handful of dates.  His debut album is set for release in June and will be suited perfectly to provide a soundtrack to the Summer.  


Without any doubt, 2011 will continue to be a big year in the life of Benjamin Francis Leftwich.  


www.benjaminfrancisleftwich.com


www.myspace.com/benjaminfrancisleftwich

James Blake and Slydigs

Hopefully you saw the review of the James Blake album on my blog earlier this week.  Off to see him live at another of Manchester's fantastic venues, Band on the Wall on Saturday night for Mudkiss.

It will be really interesting to see if he can replicate that wonderful studio sound in the live arena.  Watch out for the review early next week.

www.myspace.com/jamesblakeproduction


jamesblakemusic.com


www.bbc.co.uk/music/soundof/2011/artists/jamesblake


The Slydigs interview will also be available to view in the next few days, (once I've typed everything up,) so look out for that on Mudkiss too.

www.myspace.com/slydigs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1d8nFNdTys