Just like we do

What’s been going on? Well, in March we spent 2 weeks in Japan, which was amazing. We started and end the tip in Tokyo, going to Kyoto, Osaka and a day trip to the island of Naoshima. I’ve been drip feeding photos over on my instagram account, and there's a gallery of images over in the photography part. We already want to go back!

What have I been listening to?
Quite a bit lately, a lot of random stuff too. But as for new albums, here are a few that I’ve had on repeat since being released.

• Yo La Tengo – There’s a Riot Going On
• Goat Girl – Goat Girl
• Daniel Avery – Song For Alpha
• Jon Hopkins – Singularity

As always, I’ve been digging up some older stuff and giving some love to lost albums. I’ve also been enjoying having my entire iTunes library on shuffle, but when the likes of Keane, Genesis and Pet Shop Boys come on, I’m starting to think if it’s time to trim some fat off my collection. Ahh to hell with it, who cares?!
Here are some older albums I’ve had on lately…

• Feeder – Pushing The Senses [2005]
• Neon Neon – Stainless Style [2008]
• Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster [2008]
• Ben Kweller – Sha Sha [2000]

I’d not actually heard that Ben Kweller record before, seeing friends of mine pick up the Record Store Day release, I thought I’d give it a listen. Gruff Rhys was tweeting about the 10 year anniversary(!!) of Neon Neon’s debut, and Los Campesinos! have announced they are re-issuing their first 2 records later in the year. They’re playing a show in London this October which I’m very tempted to go back for! As for the Feeder album, I guess a track from that LP came on during an iTunes ‘shuffle session’, which probably enticed me to listen to the whole thing. I know they’ve done better, but I remember really liking this when it came out. Talking of Gruff Rhys, his new single ‘Frontier Man‘ is everything you’d expect from a Gruff Rhys single, catchy and fun. Can’t wait for the album!

Been to any gigs lately? Why yes, I have.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Monday 16th April 2018 @ Max-Schmeling-Halle, Berlin
I spent my 33rd birthday with one half of Oasis and very much enjoyed it! A lot of solo material – as expected. There were some Oasis tunes including, ‘Go Let It Out’ – which surprised me to be honest, considering this was a track Liam did the vocals on. Not sure if this is a regular track in his set or not. He ended with ‘All You Need is Love’ by The Beatles. You can see the setlist here.

Shout Out Louds – Saturday 28th April @ Beatpol, Dresden
I don’t need to reiterate my love for this band. You can read about that in a post I wrote last year. We set off for Dresden early on the Saturday morning from Berlin, which is only a 2 hour journey on the FlixBus. The venue was in a very rural location, 15 minutes outside of Dresden. Or were we still in Dresden? Who knows. Certainly didn’t feel like it. A very quiet, residential area with no sign of life, the chances of going for a pre-gig beer were pretty slim. As usual, SOL were great. Bebban repeatedly told the crowd how good they were and that it was on of the best she’d seen in the 15 years of being in the band. Very small venue, very sweaty and tracks off every album, including new track ‘In New Europe‘ – which sounded great live. I can’t wait to see them again.

Sleaford Mods – Thursday 3rd May 2018 @ Columbiahalle, Berlin
I’d last seen these guys back in 2014 at The Lexington in London. 4 years on, and a few more albums to draw material from I did wonder if their live show had at all changed. No, it hadn’t. Still the same setup. Still as intense. Still as good. The German crowd seemed to go for it, too. I’m still yet to see the documentary, ‘Bunch of Kunst’, which I’ve heard good things about. I’ll be making sure to grab a copy once it’s released in a few months.

Lastly…
Yesterday I read a tweet by the band Frightened Rabbit, stating that singer Scott Hutchison is currently missing. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him since finding out. I got home and listened to The Midnight Organ Fight – one of my favourite albums, I hope you’re still out there, Scott. x