Posts Tagged ‘camden’

A Shameless Plug for a Friend’s Band – Mazes

// September 20th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // General, Music

Mazes Mazes Mazes bandSo, the other week me and t’other half nipped over to the Lock Tavern in Camden for a nice Sunday lunch and a couple of beers, when randomly an old friend from Manchester walked up to the bar.  Not only was it quite strange to bump into someone I’ve not seen for a while, it was all the more unusual as he lives in Manchester but he was down here.

Anyway, to the point;  as it turns out Jay was playing a gig with his new band Mazes.  Having known Jay for a while and benefitting from a bit of knowledge of his past endeavours (worked with Stephen Fretwell on the successful Magpie album, was part of The Beep Seals – who I love – and has had a hand in some other successful acts) I thought it’d be rude not to stick around to see the Mazes.

As it turned out they were excellent, and I’m not just saying that to support a mate.  From my limited knowledge of the Lock Tavern, it’s not the easiest venue to get booked in and it’s even less the kind of venue where a band could get away with being a bit crap.  Thankfully, I thought they performed very well and it seemed to the rest of the crowd thought so too.

So, if you’ve got a spare few minutes to check out some new music, then pop on over to their website (funny blog) or their myspace and give them a whirl, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

As a precursor to listening, they sound a little like Stephen Malkmus, Pavement, Silver Jews or even a more intense Neutral Milk Hotel – apologies to the band if that comparison is well off – but a better Malkmus and an equal Pavement is what I hear ! :)

Anyway, have a listen and let me know what you think with some comments.

Another Short Post – Revisiting Nathan Barley

// August 22nd, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Design, General, Movies

Nathan Barley - Sugar Ape Magazine coverSo, I’ve just spent a couple of days working freelance on-site for a “trendy” London (Shoreditch) design agency and for some reason I was reminded of the brief glimmer of brilliance that was the TV series: Nathan Barley.

I’m not saying who I it was that I was working for that reminded me of Nathan Barley and “Sugar Ape” in particular; because that would do them a great disservice. In all honesty they were an outstanding agency, with a sterling client list and a lot of talented creative people on their staff. But something in that office, little things here and there screamed “Sugar Ape” to me.  Perhaps it was the background ping-pong, maybe something else; what I can say though is that at least there were no games of “cock, muff, bumhole” going on – that I could see anyway.

Anyway, it was the perfect excuse/reminder for me to go home and revisit this great series. Watching it again I still find it funny, and even more relevant today than it was in 2005. I even had trouble working out whether your typical “new-media-hipster” saw the series and adopted the attitude and mannerisms in an “oh-so-cool” ironic fashion or whether it was just a genuine parody of it’s time and people haven’t changed that much. Either way it strikes a chord and makes me laugh.

It’s yet another true gem from Charlie Brooker and Chris Morris – everything they touch seems to turn to laughter. So if you haven’t seen this series yet then please go out and acquire the DVD, it’s funny, incisive and daft and therefore worth a few hours of anybodies time.

Manchester Calling – Musically At Least

// June 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

Perhaps subconsciously I’m a little homesick but whilst I’m sat here working away in Camden I can’t stop myself listening to some good old Manc classics.

It all started this morning when one of my all time favourite records came through via an iTunes set to random. The unmistakable rhythm guitar from the classic “Let’s Take a Trip” by Northside gripped me immediately and sent me into a spin back to a little Manchester-in-my-head. For me it’s one of the defining songs of the whole ‘Madchester’ scene and to some extent Factory records too; optimistic, uplifting whilst still being a bit rough. (For the record in my opinion much of Factory’s music was quite uplifting -if a bit scruffy- despite the belief by some that it was all a bit tragic due to the Joy Division association, but that’s another debate.)

Following on from that, I couldn’t help but dig out Palatine: The Factory Story; the 4 piece box set containing some outstanding tracks from pretty much every member of the Factory family. From Joy Division early James and The Durutti Column through to more the obscure X-O-Dus and Kalima the full set mixes the upbeat with the downright grim. It’s a pretty good way to reawaken any dormant Manchester thoughts in anyone’s brain and today in-particular I’m glad for it (gladferit?).

If you can dig it out (I believe it goes for anything between £75 and £1000 second hand these days so good luck), I highly recommend it. Although listening to the albums from which the tracks are taken is always worth the time if you have it.

My notable tracks:
Sketch For Summer – The Durutti Column
Hymn From a Village – James
Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division (Of course this has to be there)
You’re No Good – ESG
Happy Ever After – Stockholm Monsters (Weird Johnny Rotten/Brian Ferry/Roxy Music sound but lovely)
Sparkle – Kalima (The birth of the Balearic scene maybe?)
24 Hour Party People – Happy Mondays
World In Motion – New Order (Catch Me If You Can, Coz I’m The England Man – Ha Ha John Barnes)
Wrote For Luck – Happy Mondays

Essential Addition to Your Summer Playlist – Discovery

// June 11th, 2009 // No Comments » // Music

Discover LP Album ArtorkIf summer ever comes that is; I thought it was meant to be always sunny and warm down here – or so my cockernee friends always told me.

Anyway, Jon Hicks yesterday posted a brief intro to the new band Discovery (he discovered it perhaps?). Discovery are a side project taking 50% of its members from Vampire Weekend and 50% from Ra Ra Riot a blend that works for me as I quite like both bands.

This type of synthy electro pop is the perfect way to brighten up your day a little. Have a listen over at the Hype Machine.

Hello Camden. I’m Andy the Mancunian Digital Freelancer.

// June 8th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Design, General

After what seems like years and years I’ve finally completed my move to Camden. I’ve been here since Saturday and so far, I’m very enjoying it very much, despite a few little traumas.

Most notable is the distinct lack of furniture in this house, meaning I’m currently experiencing an unintentional extreme minimalist existence, with just two large bean bags being my only options for work and rest. Working on a bean bag all day is not an experience I recommend in case you were considering it. The only other ‘furniture’ is a stereo and a TV (I’ve got my priorities straight as you can see). I’m just hoping that’s not where the parallels with Steve Jobs’ late 20’s end; I’d quite like some of his entrepreneurial success too.

Hopefully I’ll not be without a desk for much longer, and the addition of a sofa and somewhere to sit and eat will be most welcome later this week.

Since my last post all those weeks ago, I’ve been working on an exciting new venture which I’ll go in to greater detail on in the upcoming weeks. I’m also now working on a few freelance projects here in my new home town which are shaping up quite well. Somehow I managed to continue functioning during my own little internet ‘prohibition’.

I’m looking forward to making the most of all that Camden has to offer, especially the pubs and places to eat. Even as a born and bred Mancunian, I’m very excited about living in Camden, so far it seems like a great place. Fellow Mancunians might liken it to a giant Northern Quarter, with large parts of it being a giant Affleck’s Palace. It’s creative, diverse, vibrant and in the right places warm and welcoming.

Now I’m back to full strength again I’ll endeavour to post more often again. Afterall, I’m sure you’ve missed my wittering this past few weeks.