Features
Simon Reynolds: Tomorrow’s World
From Kraftwerk to Auto-Tune via a range of scenes, subcultures, technologies and sci-fi backdrops, Simon Reynolds’ latest book ‘Futuromania’ looks at the impact of “machine music” from the 1970s to the present day
Barry Adamson: Talking Pictures
Barry Adamson is busier than ever. Ahead of a blistering new solo record and a string of UK live dates, the celebrated bassist reflects on setting the post-punk agenda with Magazine and his defining time with the Bad Seeds. “Bands are fucking nuts,” he says
Fran & Flora: Take a BOW
Inspired by Yiddish songs and klezmer, experimental/contemporary folk duo Fran & Flora fuse virtuoso strings, drones and loops to hugely beguiling effect
Jane Weaver: Love Parade
Cosmically lush, gently kaleidoscopic and swirling with mystic “wyrd folk”, Jane Weaver is back with a compelling and groovily seductive new work that truly hits the heights
Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan:Care In The Community
As Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Plan, Gordon Chapman-Fox has explored the utopian dreams of 1970s town planning over the course of five albums. His latest release, ‘Your Community Hub’, completes his transformation from wry hauntologist to strident political commentator
Ride: Ride On Time
Together for eight years, apart for 19, and then back together for another 10. Life in Ride has often been a rollercoaster, but the band’s new album ‘Interplay’ is a synth-heavy triumph
Reviews
Live: Jean-Michel Jarre
Starmus Earth, Bratislava There are about 40 people in this car park in Bratislava. One of them is…
Wolfgang Tillmans ‘Build From Here’ (Fragile)
Picture This
Pet Shop Boys ‘Nonetheless‘ (X2/Parlophone)
After Everything
Live Sessions
ESLS017 – Bodega
Brooklyn’s post-punk art rock stylings hit the Electronic Sound studio
ESLS016 – Ultramarine
Electronica blends into a sound art experience in the Electronic Sound studio
ESLS015 – Hifi Sean & David McAlmont
Men and machines in perfect harmony in the ES studio
Recent
The Eysturoy Tunnel, Faroe Islands
We catch up with Jens L Thomsen, a Faroese artist who has produced an original composition for the island’s breathtaking Eysturoy Tunnel
Video: Sam De La Rosa
Shards of Vangelis-stye synths After three vinyl EPs and multiple compilation appearances, Sam De La Rosa is preparing…
Eddy Grant ‘Electric Avenue’
Eddy Grant tells us why he has British Airways to thank for his 1983 mega-hit single ‘Electric Avenue’ – sort of
Loren Connors & Mrs Bun
Freewheeling through time and space, Kris Needs continues his adventures in sound. This month: Loren Connors & Mrs Bun
Gross Motor
Intergalactic jungle gym adventures
Robyn Errico
North-east vocalist joins Dubstar vet
UTO
Wonderfully weird French avant-pop
Jailed Lead Singers
More random musings from Fat Roland. On his mind this month (as far as we can tell) is Record Collecting
Jonny Trunk
Genial big cheese of the brilliantly esoteric Trunk Records, Jonny Trunk’s influences include squeaky plimsolls and pretending to be a falling leaf
Richard Norris, The Grid
In his new memoir, ‘Strange Things Are Happening’, Richard Norris remembers when The Grid headed to Asia and Australasia for a culture shock-inducing tour supported by Autechre