Showing posts with label Those Dancing Days. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Those Dancing Days. Show all posts

Monday, 9 March 2009

New Music: First Aid Kit

There seems to be something truly magical afoot in Stockholm of late. Maybe there’s something in the schnapps (sorry readers), we’re not sure. What we do know, is that Stockholm is fast becoming the place to find super-talented, wise-beyond-their-years, teenage lady music makers.

Our first case in point then is Those Dancing Days, purveyors of some of the best Northern-Soul-inspired indie-pop music in recent years. Admittedly they disappointed with their début album In Our Space Hero Suits back in October of last year, but we haven’t given up on the full-of-beans fivesome just yet.

Next in line we have First Aid Kit, a Swedish duo comprising sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, born in 1990 and 1993 respectively (Helen Of Troy... isn’t ashamed to admit that we were watching Byker Grove and dreaming of our first alcopops when these two were but a mere glint in their parents' eyes). Musically, they couldn’t be more different to TDD, but they are just as engaging.

You’re Not Coming Home Tonight, taken from their début EP Drunken Trees, is not only a nod to Bright Eyes, but also a fine example of stripped-down country-infused folk at its best. Jagadamba You Might, also featured on the aforementioned EP, is at once bewitching and sublime. Whilst the rockier Cross River Oceans sees the melodic Swedish sisters step things up a gear.

Enchanting folk melodies sated with crisp haunting harmonies and evocative melancholic lyrics, this is truly magical stuff.

http://www.myspace.com/thisisfirstaidkit
Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , ,

Sunday, 18 January 2009

Don't Speak (Too Soon)




In the past week, both Miranda Sawyer and Peter Robinson have put pen to paper to proclaim the death of masculine indie. Both writers bemoan the blandness of the four boys with guitars blueprint, directing readers to a roster of lovely ladies tipped to add colour and character to the charts in 2009; name-checking artists de jour Little Boots, Lady GaGa, La Roux and Florence And The Machine in the process.

Of course, Helen Of Troy... and our lovely readers are already aware that female's where it's at, but it's nice to know that even more people are turning to women when they want their music to be innovative, interesting and delivered with attitude. It's no new thing for women to top the charts, but the class of 2009 seem to exude an attitude and individuality missing from 2008 hot tips Adele and Duffy.

While this is all good news, and believe us, we're incredibly smug at the moment, it's important to note that the battle is far from over. Critics tips and proper crossover successes are completely different things. Just look at the relatively poor chart performance of Lykke Li, Ladyhawke and Those Dancing Days. Even the superb Santogold found it tricky to set the charts alight, despite soundtracking several high-profile ad campaigns.

Unfortunately, if the massive hype surrounding these female artists doesn't start equating to massive record sales, the safe-as-houses indie boys will be back and the under representation of women in music will return. Let's just hope the attitudes of the record-buying public are changing, or we'll be back to bland quicker than you can say Norah Jones.
Posted by at 2 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Friday, 17 October 2008

Music Round-Up (17th October to 31st October)


Monday 20th October - Jenny Lewis
Rilo Kiley singer Jenny Lewis brings her delightful country stylings to Manchester to promote her second solo album, Acid Tongue. The actress turned singer-songwriter - who once appeared in an episode of the Golden Girls, FACT - will be playing her beautiful brand of heartfelt, harmony-laden Americana, which sounds like a magnificent mix of downbeat Dolly Parton and seminal 1960s singer Laura Nyro.
www.myspace.com/jennylewismusic
Details: Academy 3, Oxford Rd, Central Manchester
7.30pm, £12 adv (excluding fees).

Who'd have thunk that Manchester on a Wednesday night in October was the place to be. I think we all know that's not normally the case, so make the most of October the 22nd, when not one, not two, but three noteworthy events are taking place across the city.

Wednesday 22nd October - Those Dancing Days
We may have been a little disappointed by their début album (see below), but that doesn't mean we don't still love this sprightly Stockholm five-piece. They were frikkin funtastic when we saw them back in June at Night & Day, with just the right blend of youthful naivety and technical ability. They have been touring tirelessly since summer, so it will be interesting to see whether that teenage exuberance is still as infectious, or whether it's been lost on the road in a too-much too-young style. They're supported by up-and-coming London-based indie-rock trio, The Joy Formidable.
http://www.myspace.com/thosedancingdays
http://www.myspace.com/thejoyformidable
Details: The Deaf Institute, Grosvenor St, Central Manchester
10pm to 2am, £5 adv (excluding fees)


Wednesday 22nd October - Tilly And The Wall
Moshi Moshi Records' 10th Birthday Tour is taking place just up the road (we think a bit of gig-hopping might be possible). Headlining the Manchester leg of their anniversary celebrations are the marvellous Tilly And The Wall. Much has been made of the fact that this Omaha quintet have a tap dancer instead of a drummer, but TATW are more than just a novelty act. Their latest eponymous album (also known as O) is a clever, joyous affair, filled with polished, danceable indie-pop gems.
www.myspace.com/officialtillyandthewall
Details Club Academy, Oxford Rd, Central Manchester
7.30pm, £10 adv (exluding fees)


Wednesday 22nd October - Manchester Blog Awards
OK, so it's not strictly a music event, but we still think the Manchester Blog Awards, taking place as part of the Manchester Literature Festival, are worth a mention. Categories include Best New Blog, Best Writing On A Blog, Best Arts And Culture Blog, Best Personal Blog and Best Neighbourhood Blog. Amidst the award-giving and back-slapping will be a number of readings from the likes of Single Mother On The Verge blogger Maria Roberts, plus tunes from music blogger Yer Mam!. The Manchester blogging scene is, and has for some years been, really rather healthy, so these awards offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate the variety and commitment of Mancunian bloggers and put a few faces to some well-known names.
http://manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
Details: Matt And Phreds, Tib Street, Central Manchester
7pm, £3, £2 adv (excluding fees)
Posted by at 10 comments:
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Album Review: Those Dancing Days – In Our Space Hero Suits

When you come across a group of young, gutsy, charismatic women, who are living your life-long dream, are roughly ten years your junior, and possess the kind of attitude and energy you either never had or know you’ll never have again, it can be quite difficult to warm to them. Our green-eyed monsters stir further when we think about lead singer Linnea’s rather magnificent hair. Helen Of Troy… would be housebound were it not for the creation of ceramic straighteners and the tremendous power they yield over our ungainly frizzy locks, yet the mere sight of Linnea’s frizz-tastic barnet makes us want to weep with flat-haired envy.

Fortunately, Those Dancing Days are responsible for some of this year’s finest Northern-Soul-inspired indie-pop, so we can't, try as we may, hate them. In fact, we were incredibly excited when we heard they were finally releasing their début album; the cutely titled In Our Space Hero Suits.

Our excitment soon turned to mild dissapointment, however, when we first listened to the début offering from the lovable Scandinavian five-piece, which is a fine first effort, but ultimately lacking in the kind of party-pop-punch we were expecting. Tracks like I Know Where You Live and Duet Under Waters are almost featureless, making little, if any impact.

The contrast between this long player and their previously-released self-titled EP, is stark to say the least. Dischoe and 1000 Words - inexplicably ditched tracks from the EP - are utterly dazzling, and infinitely better than anything new they’ve produced for this album.

Clocking in at just under 40 minutes, In Our Space Hero Suits isn’t exactly an arduous journey, but things do get repetitive around the three-track mark. It’s not until you reach Hitten and Those Dancing Days - both of which featured on the magnificent aformentioned EP – that you realise just how lacklustre the whole affair is by comparison. Not all the new material is without merit however. Stand-out tracks Home Sweet Home and Falling In Fall are both multilayered, harmonious delights.

This isn’t a bad album, in fact it’s rather pleasant in parts, we just rather hoped it would be out of this world.

6/10

Released: 13/10/2008 Label: Wichita

Posted by at 1 comment:
Labels: , ,

Thursday, 31 July 2008

Fortnightly Music Round-Up (1st to 15th August)


Saturday 2nd August – A Day At The Races
OK, so this isn’t strictly a music event showcasing predominantly female talent, but it does feature a few ladies who are worth a little mention. New York-based chanteuse Nina Nastasia takes to the stage at Moho Live to perform a selection of her intricate beautifully-crafted songs, followed by twee indie-pop from Los Campesinos! a bit later on. If girl-boy vocals are your thing, then also check out Bearsuit over at Night & Day.

www.myspace.com/ninanastasia

www.myspace.com/loscampesinos

www.myspace.com/bearsuit

Details: Night & Day, Oldham St, Central Manchester

and Moho Live, Tib St, Central Manchester,
4pm, £23 (not inc. booking or handling fees)

http://www.nightnday.org/

http://www.moholive.com/



Thursday 7th August - Are Friends Eclectic: Bear-lesque Special

This new and refreshing alternative clubnight hosts a charity fundraiser for Manchester's Lesbian and Gay Foundation. Guest DJ Rod Bollox of Bollox clubnight fame will be spinning a selection of tunes as well as resident DJs Mitzi 'O' and Krybaby playing punk, new wave, indie, queercore, riot grrl and more. Visual delights are provided by Manchester-based Bear-lesque troupe, Bearly Legal. www.myspace.com/arefriendseclectic

Details: Retro Bar, Sackville St, Central Manchester

10pm to 2am, £4 (50% of door profits go to Manchester’s LGF)

Saturday 9th August - Those Dancing Days

These five sprightly Stockholm teen popstrels have been our radar for a while now, drawing us in with their infectious combination of syrupy indie-pop and up-tempo Northern Soul. We first picked up on them at the beginning of the year. Since then they've released two singles and played a rapturous, albeit sweltering gig at Night & Day. Their début album still hasn't been scheduled for a release – much to our dismay - but that hasn't stopped them from becoming darlings of the music press over the past few months. Make sure you check them out now while they're still playing intimate venues like the Roadhouse and Night & Day. www.myspace.com/thosedancingdays

Details: Roadhouse, Newton St, Central Manchester

7.30pm, £7 adv from Ticketline www.ticketline.co.uk



Saturday 9th August - Helen Of Troy Does Countertop Dancing

What's the point in having your own blog if you can't utilise it for shameless plugging?!

'So where can I go and rock my socks off after the Those Dancing Days gig?' I hear you ask. Well, to Charlies for your monthly dose of HOTDCD of course! We'll be playing a resplendent selection of top tunes by a host of lustrous ladies, including the likes of Ladytron, The Distillers, CSS, Tina Turner, Yelle, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and lots more.

www.myspace.com/helenoftroyclub

Details: Charlies, Harter St (off Princess St), Central Manchester

10pm to 4am, £4, £3 w/flyer

Posted by at No comments:
Labels: , , , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)