CHECK OUT THE SIZE OF THIS WEEK’S ‘PEAKYSPACKAGE!’
Just in case you may have missed anything from LondonPeaky recently, here’s our weekly roundup.
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THE musical genius that is JJ LOVEGROVE, Nottingham’s incomparable, sultry diva once again offers further evidence – if needed – of her prowess with today’s release of ‘Dark Room,’ a track from her hugely anticipated debut album, ‘the LInES we leave behind,’ due for release on August 18th.
‘Dark Room’ is a huge, spellbinding affair. It’s a symphony of spector-esque proportions, and if there really is a higher being watching over us, this is the song that ought to convince them to finally grant JJ LOVEGROVE access to music’s promised land.
“It’s a tough road movie of an album that sonically documents the journey of one evening between sunset and sunrise, but I want listeners to take what they want to from the music itself,” she said.
“With the new single, a young girl heads for a ‘Dark Room’ to compile evidence of certain crimes. She’s never dared go that far before, she is upsetting people and it feels electric. Driving to the woods a storm breaks. Surrounded by nature at night she feels safe at last. Her breathing slows and she goes into a dreamlike state.
“The album runs goes from dawn to dusk, through the course of one evening. The tracks crossfade into one another and include cinematic soundscapes from scenes, locations, throughout the course of the night.”
And I’ve listened to it, repeatedly, and it’s every bit as enchanting, powerful, magical, reflective, hypnotic, and extraordinary as it sounds.
Do you really need to ask if this is already one of the top three records of the year?
Music | JJ Lovegrove (bandcamp.com)
T W O
122 MUSIC MANAGEMENT are gearing up to present some of the finest unsigned acts from the London scene and beyond at their 8-ball Clearance event at the iconic AMERSHAM ARMS, on Friday, July 21st.
An eclectic mix of artists – whose styles do not clash but build towards the closing set – have been assembled with opening band PEACH the first to take to the stage.
“We want our tunes to be jagged, slightly askew but immediate,” said singer, Cam McColl. “We take our cues on melody from Michael Head and other Scouse geniuses like Ian McCulloch, Lee Mavers, and Elvis Costello. We try to tell stories. About lonely Anglicans; the city’s lifeless crunch; seagulls by the seaside. Uchronic England. We call it: Railway Pop.”
Next up and borrowing textures from the 90s shoegaze and alternative bands that formed their earliest musical influences, THE YEAR IN PICTURES present a lush, sonic palette that serves as a modern and forward-thinking take on the genre.
Penultimate performers indifferentMonKeY have been inspired by many but copy no-one. Formed by songwriter/producer Joe Lowe, over the past 18 months they have developed their own ‘original sound,’ with the band’s debut album, ‘Love & Peace,’ released in February.
In January 2023, indifferentMonKeY won the best band 2022 Award at the Radio WigWam/Jamma Music Awards. On the bill for Deva Fest In August 2023 (headliners include Morcheeba, StarSailor & Feeder), the Amersham Arms gig represents the first opportunity to see them after growing their live music following across the North West.
And headlining 122 Music Management’s inaugural event will be the ‘French Brixtonian,’ LEWCA.
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, artists like The Streets, M.I.A., Cornershop and Gorillaz created a distinctly middle-class English style of music that mixed the multicultural sounds of their home with Alt/Rock and Hip-hop of the day. Lewca takes the same approach, with the added influence of his adopted mainland home and his own unique wit.
Born & raised in Brixton, Lewca currently lives in Normandy, has three kids and a mortgage and a semi-domesticated hedgehog named ‘Sonic.’
122 MUSIC MANAGEMENT: 122 Music Management
For further information and ticket details, please click, here
PEACH (7.45pm) – https://linktr.ee/slicesof.peach
THE YEAR IN PICTURES (8.30pm) – https://linktr.ee/theyearinpictures
indifferentMonKeY (9.15pm) – https://linktr.ee/indifferentmonkey
LEWCA (& his DJ, S.O.A.P.) (10.15pm)- https://www.lewca.co.uk
T H R E E
SPAWNED in a Philadelphia basement in 2011 as a lo-fi noise pop project by Chris Cordaro, tiny moon have since established themselves as a tight songwriting outfit featuring cool riffs, catchy melodies, and a burgeoning reputation as one of the hardest working live bands in town.
And their latest EP, ‘anthracite,’ is out now.
Their songs are loud and sardonic, but also witty and relatable. Born out of Philly’s gritty, influential punk scene and raised in the world-famous indie dives of Brooklyn and Queens, tiny moon boasts over a decade of music – their reputation growing with each well-received release.
“The ‘anthracite’ EP is five tracks, sort of twangy with some alt-country influences but still true to the tiny moon sound,” said Cordaro.
“It was inspired by, and recorded in, my hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Post-industrial America reckoning with a slow and rusty decline, and as with all ‘tiny moon’ records there are riffs aplenty, as well as a healthy dose of goofiness on this one.
“The current live lineup is me on drums and vocals, Andrew Miele on guitar and Matt Brazil on bass, but on the records it’s all me though. I guess I took the ‘DIY’ thing pretty literally.”
Music | tiny moon (bandcamp.com)
F O U R
OUT now the new single from dark alt-pop artist Leaone (‘Lee-Own’), ‘4th of July.’
Written and recorded in Brooklyn, NY with Lana Del Rey’s longstanding band mate, Tom Marsh, and mixed by Abe Seiferth (Nation of Language, Yeasayer), ‘4th of July’ is taken from Leaone’s forthcoming debut album, ‘Kings County.’
Adopting the idea of ‘Independence Day’ on a personal, the song is about finding and channelling your own energy, believing in yourself; staying true to your own path, and not letting others drag you down.
“I found great confidence working on my album in Brooklyn, meeting so many amazing New Yorkers who believed anything was possible and always encouraged me to reach for the skies,” explained Leaone.
“It’s about seeing the beauty in someone when they might be struggling to see it for themselves, holding their hand and saying, “you know what, you’re freakin’ amazing.” It’s ultimately a love song, a message to people to look beyond life’s muck and mire, because there are gems to be found.”
Earlier singles drew heady comparisons with the likes of Johnny Cash, Elliot Smith and The National, while album ‘Kings County,’ produced by and co-written with Tom Marsh will be released on September 8th.
LEAONE online: Stream Leaone music | Listen to songs, albums, playlists for free on SoundCloud
F I V E
VALENCIA’s annual ‘Concerts de Viveros’ got underway last weekend with a sellout crowd treated to performances from La Fúmiga, Miki Núñez and Colomet.
And the 23-day event will end with a performance under the stars from The Waterboys on Sunday, July 23rd.
As part of the wider ‘Gran Feria de Valencia’ celebrations, the music festival is committed to showcasing as many genres as possible with acts from the worlds of pop, rock, jazz, folk, reggae, and urban music all featured this year in the Jardines del Real, in the heart of the city.
This evening, (Wednesday 5th), the multi-talented Lola Índigo will perform tracks from her album ‘El dragon,’ with the Latin rhythms of Madrid’s ‘Tini,’ taking to the stage a day later.
Miguel Poveda’s ‘Diverso’ show, featuring a heady mix of flamenco, tango and Mexican sounds heralds the beginning of the weekend on Friday (7th) while the bands of bands M Clan, Los Enemigos and Ana Curra all feature on Saturday’s ‘Poetas del Rock’ evening.
Wednesday 12th July sees Madrid-based sextet Los Secretos showcase highlights from their extensive career, followed by Sofia Ellar a day later.
‘Urban-pop’ outfits Cupido and trashi share the stage on Friday before multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jacob Collier – once described as an “absolute genius” by Quicy Jones – lands in Valencia on the 15th, when he will be accompanied by the promising, young Valencian artist, Elena Játiva.
The weekend’s programme closes on Sunday 16th with Rodrigo Cuevas and his avant-garde Asturian folklore, and the Puerto Rican Gabriel Ríos and his fusion of jazz and pop.
Guitarricadelafuente opens the final week of concerts on the 17th and releases new album, ‘La cantera,’ on the same day.
Laura Pergolizzi – better known as LP – makes her Valencian debut on Tuesday 18th, followed La Mancha’s Rozalén 24 hours later.
Reggae’s ‘Festa Rototom Sunsplash’ takes to the stage on Thursday 20th, this year featuring Italian Alborosie & The Shengen Clan, Auxili, and The Borumbaia Percussion School.
Heading into the final weekend, Madrid’s La La Love You headline on Friday 21st, ably supported by Nena Daconte, Mai Meneses’ project, who will be presenting her new album, ‘Casi Perfecto.’
Vocalist Mónica Naranjo also takes part in the Gran Feria de Valencia, the Catalan singer continuing her ‘Mimétika Tour,’ further cementing her position as one of Spain’s greatest singers.
Finally, The Waterboys – with support from Mr Sanchez – bring an end to this year’s Viveros Concerts on Sunday 23rd with a set full of their classics, along with newer material from latest album, ‘All Souls Hills.’
Official website: HOME – Concerts de Vivers 2023
Tickets: TICKETS – Concerts de Vivers 2023
Valencia Tourism Official Site: Valencia Tourism Official Site | Visit Valencia
S I X
LONDON-based producer ‘MUCA’ (Murillo Sguillaro) releases new single, ‘Like This Before’, a blissful collaboration with acclaimed singer Celeste Caramanna, and his second track featuring legendary Brazilian Bossa Nova guitarist, Roberto Menescal.
‘Like This Before’ has a modern and lively approach that pays homage to its Brazilian roots and the Bossa Nova style. The combination of the infamous acoustic guitar style of one of the only remaining living legends and pioneers of Bossa Nova, Menescal and Caramanna’s soft and sumptuous vocals highlights how a sixty-year-old genre remains so special and still resonates with both old and young minds.
Muca flew to Rio to record the track with Menescal and once the recordings were complete, chose Caramanna as the vocalist having once seen her perform in London.
“It’s simply amazing, unbelievable, because Roberto Menescal is a reference for everyone, he’s a piece of history, and I feel a lot of respect, admiration and gratefulness for what he’s done,” she said.
“He’s part of something that became very important in my life, it’s incredible for me to think of myself working with him, I couldn’t ever have expected that to happen one day.”
With the new single, MUCA also announces his most exciting project to date, an album created with Menescal and emerging singers from around the world, whose aim is to refresh Bossa Nova with new energy and perspectives, creating a legacy for the next generations of musicians.
Returning to the experience of recording with Menescal and what comes next, Muca said: “These couple of tracks I recorded were a game changer for me, and the experience of recording with Menescal was one of the strongest music experiences I’ve ever had. And because of that, I couldn’t stop thinking of inviting him to record an album together, which he not only accepted but said he was happy to do so. I can’t believe that it is happening.”
S E V E N
OUT now on Cherry Red Records, the new single from THE CIDES, ‘This Being Human.’
“I founded The Cides in Bristol in 2019 as a means of vocalising my anger at the number of people experiencing homelessness,” said band founder, Paul Hayward. “The Cides’ mission is to raise awareness about the social and environmental injustices we suffer at the hands of a small group of people to whom we have gradually surrendered our power.
“We advocate that communities, where everyone is valued, should have the power to decide on the structures, laws and values to adopt: not have edicts forced on us by some monarchy, oligarchy or the tip of a hierarchical government that does not act in our interests. By definition, being anti these ‘archys’, I am proud to say, makes me an anarchist.
“The Cides is not a fixed lineup. Amazing musicians contribute from around the world but with the core ‘family’ drawn from the UK and France. One thing we all have in common is anger against the corrupt, unelected individuals who sit at the top of a power pyramid we have allowed to be created.”
E I G H T
FORMER Noah and The Whale guitarist and keyboardist FRED ABBOTT has released his new album, ‘Shining Under the Soot,’ as Fred Abbott & The Wild Unknown.
And blistering lead-single, ‘What Kind of Trouble,’ featuring Steve Llewellyn on lead vocals, is also available now.
The psychedelic, headspin video for ‘What Kind of Trouble’ was filmed in a single take using 360 cameras at London’s Karma Studios.
Following the split of NATW, Abbott released his 2015 solo album, ‘Serious Poke,’ and let loose with the classic rock riffs and infectious hooks that, in hindsight, made his influence apparent on the later NATW material.
In the intervening years Abbott has been paying the bills as jobbing producer, writer and session player working with a string of upcoming and established artists including Gabriella Cilmi, Tom Chaplin (Keane), Jamie Lawson, Cassyette, Charlotte OC, Kawala, and Megan McKenna.
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