amazing six month exposure photograph
This amazing image took six months to expose – using a pinhole camera
RIP Astoria – another landmark closes…
Tonight sees the sad occasion of a historic london venue closing its doors. The Astoria on Londons Tottenham Court Road is being demolished to make way for part of the Crossrail construction.
I am not one for standing in the way of progress, but this one does cause a little heaviness in my heart, as the astoria has some fond memories for me.
Most recently, I went to see The Dears there, the shallow auditorium holding us close to the stage for a powerful performance for Murray and the band – it rates as one of my favourite gigs ever. But it’s further back in history that the astoria formed powerful memories… In the heady days of acid house I was an aspiring DJ with designs on clubland when i went to meet Nicky Holloway in the club to try and get a gig at (I think) Sin City. I had already been clubbing there as a late teen at ‘The Trip’, but i wanted a gig there so much.
I didn’t get the gig, but I played at the Milk bar, just behind the astoria, and carried on going to huge club nights at the Astoria through the early nineties, whilst at other times it hosted Radiohead, U2 and Madonna – along with Londons biggest gay night, G.A.Y.
Tonight, the venue closes down with a gig curated by Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. Guests include JJ72 and My Vitriol.
It was a great venue… And will be sadly missed.
Review – True North : Travels in Arctic Europe
I picked this up in my favourite second hand bookshop before Christmas to fuel my addiction to travel related literature, especially about inhospitable places.
True North documents the writers travels around the countries of Arctic Europe, including Iceland, Greenland, Lapland and Svalbard – and throws some interesting light on these cold and unforgiving countries.
Weaving historical information from Viking sagas and early literature into his travel diaries brings an extra dimension to the standard travel writing and allows the reader some insight into how the history of these countries is closely linked with the history of our own.
Fascinating read – well documented with maps and a few photographs. Available from Amazon here : True North: Travels in Arctic Europe
BBC plans your playlist for ‘09
The BBC has put together the 15 acts we’ll all be listening to. I’ve heard about 8 of them, and some a pretty good… but Empire of the Sun… NO!
Nothing mmissing here!
Spotted at Westfield mall today – a sign inside the window of the new Missoni store.
Reasons to be Cheerful
Whilst I was working on my top 10 list, I was thinking whether I would consider 2008 to be a great year for music? There were certainly some good albums, but if I look at 2009 there are some MAJOR releases coming our way which could brighten the days. In fact, there is even some serious reasoning as to why a year ending in ‘9’ will always be a GREAT year for music.
Some albums which I think will be important (some for different reasons) in 2009:
- Antony and the Johnsons – Crying Light (I’ve heard this – and its amazing)
- Kings of Convenience – Quiet is the new Loud (apparently that’s the working title despite it being the same as the old album!). Update – The Kings of Convenience site is a bit rubbish – but this post tells the full story. (Thanks Rick!)
- Morrissey – Years of Refusal (even a bad Morrissey album is an event)
- The Decemberists – Hazards of Love
- Depeche Mode – I haven’t seen an official title, but due to drop in 2009
- Lily Allen – It’s not me, it’s you (not sure what to think of this – expected to hate it, but the first single sounds quite fresh…regardless of what you think of her, this will be everywhere)
Also – releases from Animal Collective (all over your favourite torrent engine), U2, Starsailor (are they still with us?), Imogen Heap and Placebo…
What albums are you hankering for at the start of 2009?
Best of 2008
Last year wasn’t much to write home about, a few notable highlights – but much that begs to be forgotten about. Thankfully, there was some good music to brighten the days.
Once again – impossible to pick a favourite of the year – my last.fm stats tell me that I played Yoav – Charmed and Strange – the most during the year, but that could be because I listened to Where is My Mind quite a lot.
So, in no particular order – my top ten albums of 2008. All download links are to Amazon (MP3 store where possible)
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Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago (Download) Apparently written in a cabin in Vermont – and you can truly feel the loneliness and isolation – falsetto vocals, plaintiff guitar and amazing writing. Stand out Track : Skinny Love |
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Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid (Download )
Awesome 4th album for the Bury boys – tracking this album from early concerts to the Mercury prize has not diminished how amazing this work is. Stand out track : Mirrorball |
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Johann Johansson – Fordlandia (Download )
Strange concept – an album about a tract of land in Brazil which Henry Ford made to grow rubber for tyres. Modern classical at is absolute peak – majestic. Stand out track : Fordlandia |
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Yoav – Charmed and Strange (Download )
Israeli/South African sing songwriter with an album entirely constructed around his guitar and vocals. First seen on Jools Holland. Extraordinary. Stand out track : Club Thing |
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Laura Marling – Alas, I cannot swim (Download )
Luckily though, she can write songs. Hailing from Reading, but sound like she spent a lot of time on the beach somewhere. Perfect modern British folk Music. Stand out track: Night Terror |
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British Sea Power – Do you like rock music? (Download)
Ever so slightly mental – but stunningly written and performed. Brightons finest export produce an album of epic, pompous, flag waving genius. Stand out track : No Lucifer |
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Kings of Leon – Only by the Night (Download )
Almost ubiquitous by the end of the year, but still irresistibly good. The Followill boys of Nashville do their family name proud with a fantastic stompy album. Stand out track : Revelry |
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Sun Kil Moon – April (Buy @ Amazon )
Spartan, atmospheric music that refuses any of the usual genres. Mark Kozelek produces a superb sound, allied with sublim songwriting skills. Essential. Stand out track : Moorestown |
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Sigur Ros – Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust (Buy at Amazon )
Absolutely everywhere – but none the less for it, Icelandic cool, but with a more playful excitable element thrown in. One reviewer says practically perfect – who am I to disagree? Stand out track : Ara Batur (Rowing Boat) |
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Shearwater – Rooks (Download )
Not withstanding the bird spotting references, quieter than their other band (okkervil River) this album of contemplative, indie-folk is a fine example of the genre: Stand Out Track : Snow Leopard |
New Doctor Who revealed!
The BBC has confirmed that the identity of the next Doctor will be released today!
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