Continuing their project of releasing a single a month, Argonaut’s apparently unique open-ended album, Songs from the Black Hat makes a bit of a swerve on this outing, in that it’s neither an original song nor a studio recording.
The single for June is a live cover version of the Stooges punk rock classic, performed in all of its ‘raw power’ at the Hope and Anchor on 4th February 2023, and is accompanied by some far-out artwork that’s absolutely barking.
Listen here:
AA
Following the announcement of their monolithic new album nature morte, out February 24th, Canadian trio BIG|BRAVE has announced an extensive European tour for spring 2023. The tour includes performances at Roadburn Festival, Donaufestival and Desertfest, among others. The trio’s first nature morte single "carvers, farriers and knaves" captures the album’s striking balance between expansive atmospherics and direct emotional drive, guitar and vocals twisting atop thundering drums to create one of the most bracing and relentless pieces in the band’s ouvre.
BIG|BRAVE are an elemental trio who harness an earthen heaviness composed of distorted and textural drones, austere bombast, and Wattie’s heart-rending voice. Like recent collaborators The Body, BIG|BRAVE is at the forefront of reconfiguring the landscape of heavy music. The trio brandish sparseness and density like weapons, cast tense atmospheres with languid tempos and mutate feedback into eruptions of enveloping tempests. nature morte sharpens BIG|BRAVE’s ferocity and expansive sound into emotional elegies for the disenfranchised, wringing abstracted textures and pure fervence into songs of unfathomable mass.
Those dates in full:
BIG|BRAVE spring 2023 EU tour dates:
Apr. 9 – Hamburg, DE – Hafenklang
Apr. 10 – Copenhagen, DK – Loppen
Apr. 11 – Malmö, SE – Plan B
Apr. 12 – Oslo, NO Blå
Apr. 14 – Helsinki, FI – Kuudes Linja
Apr. 15 – Tallinn, EE – Sveta Baar
Apr. 16 – Riga, LV – Noass
Apr. 18 – Vilnius, LI – XI20
Apr. 19 – Warsaw, PL – Voodoo
Apr. 20 – Poznań, PL – Dom Tramwajarza
Apr. 21 – Berlin, DE – Urban Spree
Apr. 23 – Tilburg, NL – Roadburn Festival
Apr. 26 – Nurnberg, DE – KANTINE (beim Künstlerhaus)
Apr. 27 – Dresden, DE – Ostpol
Apr. 28 – Krems, AT – Donaufestival
Apr. 29 – Zagreb, HR – Kset
Apr. 30 – Bologna, IT – Circolo Dev
May 2 – Piediripa, IT (MC) Dong
May 4 – Busto Arsizio, IT – Circolo Gagarin
May 5 – Bulle, CH – Ebullition
May 7 – London, UK – Desertfest
May 9 – Manchester, UK – Soup Kitchen
May 10 – Glasgow, UK – Stereo
May 11 – Newcastle, UK – The Lubber Fiend
May 12 – Liverpool, UK – IWF Substation
May 13 – Norwich, UK – Voodoo Daddy
May 14 – Birmingham, UK – The Castle & Falcon
May 15 – Leeds, UK – Brudenell Social Club
May 16 – Bristol, UK – Dareshack
May 17 – Brighton, UK – The Hope & Ruin
May 18 – Brussels, BE – Ancienne Belgique
AA
To promote the release of debut album, Crease, Kee Avil heads back out on the road around Europe from this week through to late November, and to coincide with this, has unveiled a live video for ‘HHHH’.
She presents an organic production of her Crease live show with co-producer Zachary Scholes. Enhanced by visuals from Myriam Bleau who will provide backdrops for the shows.
Watch the video here:
AA
KEE AVIL LIVE DATES:
27 Oct 2022 – Munich, DE @Favorit Bar
30 Oct 2022 – Montecosaro, IT @Teatro Delle Logge
31 Oct 2022 – Rome, IT @Fanfulla
01 Nov 2022 – Turin, IT @About: Blank
02 Nov 2022 – Milan, IT @ARCI Bellezza
03 Nov 2022 – Foligno, IT @ARCI Subasio
04 Nov 2022 – Bologna, IT @Circolo Dev
05 Nov 2022 – Ljubljana, SI @Galerija SKUC
06 Nov 2022 – Bratislava, SK @T3 – means of culture
07 Nov 2022 – Prague, CZ @Punctum
08 Nov 2022 – Krakow, PL @Klub RE
09 Nov 2022 – Warsaw, PL @Chmury
10 Nov 2022 – Dresden, DE @Scheune Blechschloss
11 Nov 2022 – Bremen, DE @Kultur in Buunker e.V.
13 Nov 2022 – Utrecht, NL @Le Guess Who?
18 Nov 2022 – Porto, PT @Understage
Photo by Lawrence Fafard | Mask by Ariane Paradis
Defined as "The queen of the electric harp", Kety Fusco continues to surprise and subvert expectations with her new single ‘Shivers’, produced by Francesco Motta and Aris Bassetti, to be released on all digital platforms on May 13th on the international label Floating Notes Records. It is the first excerpt from a new solo album coming out in 2023.
With the addition of Carmine Luvone on cello, the Italian-Swiss harpist launches a new provocation: ‘Shivers’ represents a new form of music, a new genre. Fusco’s harp sings as if it were a voice, the sound box creates the rhythm, the resonant strings decorate the harmony, and the scratchy noises envelop the atmosphere of the composition. According to Fusco: "The search for the instrumental genre of the harp is also about discovering what kind of music and genre you can create with it. Since there is no real musical reference to the world of contemporary pop music on the harp, I have to make attempts to express myself and continue to embrace my idea of the contemporary harp, feeling its vibrations and letting myself be overwhelmed by the shivers that these resonances cause me, and continue to compose and let the world discover a new idea of the harp".
Kety Fusco’s music is a mix of insistence and passion, pop and electronic music, wild dancing, and organic research of experimental music. ‘Shivers’ follows the horror sound-track Music To Make A Dream Come True, released last March as the result of extensive sound research undertaken by Kety on her harp. Music To Make A Dream Come True, accompanied by an esoteric videoclip shot by Studio Asparagus, was the result of sampling sounds from Kety’s harp, which she then published in her personal sound library: Beyond the Harp, Extreme, Extended, Experimental, available to artists, producers and art lovers on the website www.ketyfusco.com. Fusco wants to transform the vision of the harp, moving away from the usual arpeggios and sound carpets, and instead delving into a world of timbres that are never usually associated with the instrument. Kety’s sound research on the harp will continue in autumn with the release of the experimental record The Harp by Kety Fusco Pt. I, made in collaboration with IOSONOUNCANE, the mastering and sound engineer Alessio Sabella, and Aris Bassetti. The record will premiere this summer at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival.
Watch here:
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Wardruna release an official music video for their song ‘Skugge’ (meaning Shadow). The song is an eerie sonic journey, voicing a dialogue between man and shadow or as Einar Selvik puts it; “it is a song about shadows, echoes and the balance between seeking answers and wisdom internally and externally”. The video was filmed and produced in Norway by Ragnarok Film in January 2022.
To shorten the wait for their upcoming release Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven (out on April 22nd 2022), the live version of the song is also released on all digital platforms via Music For Nations/Sony Music/Columbia Germany/ByNorse. Watch the video here:
AA
Influential psych innovators Gong have shared a new live video for ‘If Never I’m and Ever You’ as the group prepare for an extensive UK & EU tour between Feb – Sept 2022.
Performing the song, taken from their acclaimed 2019 album ‘The Universe Also Collapses’, this new video captures the band in the intimate setting of their rehearsal space, performing together in early 2019. A mind-melting and incredible sonic experience, a Gong live show is something all fans should experience and as they prepare to embark on their massive ‘This Is The Moment And Now Is The Time’ tour, this new video offers a glimpse for fans of the magic to come.
Formed in 1969 by Daevid Allen, one of the founding members of Soft Machine, classic albums such as Camembert Electrique, Flying Teapot and You established Gong as one of the most unique, innovative and experimental rock groups of the Seventies.
Before he sadly passed away in 2015, Allen laid out his hopes for a future Gong, that it should be uplifting, exploratory and a positive force. Kavus Torabi, Fabio Golfetti, Ian East, Dave Sturt and Cheb Nettles, chosen by him, continue his vision.
The band will release a new live album Pulsing Signals on 18th Feb via Kscope. Recorded live across three shows at The Wardrobe in Leeds, The Cluny in Newcastle and Rescue Rooms in Nottingham in 2019 as the band toured ‘The Universe Also Collapses’, this live record finds the group in spirited form as they undertake, unbeknownst to them, their final tour before the global pandemic took charge.
With touring now set to recommence and bookings going long into 2022 and beyond, Daevid Allen’s vision for the future looks set to be fulfilled.
Watch the video here:
AA
GONG LIVE IN 2022
FEBRUARY
Sun 27 – FLETCHING – Trading Boundaries
MARCH
Tue 01 – BRIGHTON – Chalk
Wed 02 – SOUTHAMPTON – 1865
Thu 03 – READING – Sub 89
Fri 04 – GUILDFORD – Boileroom
Sat 05 – COLCHESTER – Arts Centre
Mon 07 – LEICESTER – Musician
Tue 08 – MANCHESTER – Gorilla
Wed 09 – GLASGOW – Oran Mor
Thu 10 – CARLISLE - Brickyard
Fri 11 – WIGAN – The Old Courts
Sat 12 – STOCKTON-ON-TEES – Georgian Theatre
Sun 13 – NORWICH – Arts Centre
Mon 14 - BURY St. EDMUNDS – The Apex
Tue 15 – BIRMINGHAM – Hare & Hounds
Wed 16 – NOTTINGHAM – Rescue Rooms
Thu 17 – NEWCASTLE - Cluny
Fri 18 – YORK - Crescent
Sat 19 – HEBDEN BRIDGE – Trades Club
Sun 20 – BETHESDA – Neuadd Ogwen
Tue 22 - EXETER - Phoenix
Wed 23 – BRISTOL – Thekla
Thu 24 - STROUD – Sub Rooms
Fri 25 - HITCHIN – Club 85
Sat 26 – RAMSGATE – Music Hall
Sun 27 – TUNBRIDGE WELLS - Forum
Mon 28 - LONDON – The Garage
AUGUST
Sun 7 – Love Summer Festival 2022 – Plympton, Devon
Sat 13 – Guru Guru Festival – Obersülzen, DE
SEPTEMBER
Tues 6 – VERVIERS, BE – Spirit Of 66
Wed 7 – HEERLEN, NL – Nieuwe Nor
Thurs 8 – NIJMEGEN, NL
Fri 9 – AMSTELVEEN, NL
Sat 10 – MINDEN, DE
Sun 11 – BREMEN, DE
Mon 12 – HANNOVER, DE
Tues 13 – HAMBURG, DE
Weds 14 – BERLIN, DE
Thurs 15 – WEINHEIM, DE
Fri 16 – RÜSSELSHEIM AM MAIN, DE
Sat 17 – JENA, DE
Dependent Records – 28th January 2022
Christopher Nosnibor
My first encounter with Bristol-based duo MESH was as a support act for The Sisters of Mercy, although ultimately they’re an act I’ve been more aware of the existence of than familiar with. Then again, they’ve never really broken though here at home, and enjoy considerably more success in mainland Europe, particularly Germany – as is the case with so many acts of a darker / more electro / gothier persuasion. The fact that The Sisters and Placebo are still festival headliners in Germany speaks volumes. Mainland Europe is another world, culturally. That the majority of the tracks were shot / recorded at German shows is understandable.
In this context, the idea that MESH are an act who warrant a three-and-a-half hour documentary DVD release is quite something to assimilate, and the fact the email promoting it, with a link to press edit of the film says ‘We hope that this “easier to digest” version will find your interest as we are aware that the full 3.5 hours are a bit much to watch’ is touchingly humble, and seems to accept that this is a release that’s very much ‘one for the fans’ and that while they may be numerous, not all of us journos will be quite as rabid.
This single release is even easier to digest, and cuts to the heart of what fans often want, namely live takes of favourite songs done well.
‘The Traps We Made’ first appeared on Looking Skyward in 2016, and has been something of a signature and fan favourite ever since. It’s a quintessential dark electro tune, and it’s a sow-builder with a lot of soul, and it’s got ‘anthem’ all over it, but equally, the Depeche Mode trappings are extremely evident. And it’s good.
The documentary, from the segments I’ve seen, is also good – an incredibly ambitious project – well-realised with remarkable digital visuals and the footage is well shot, and matched by quality sound and some insightful backstage footage and interview segments. Not one for casuals by any stretch, but the live footage isn’t a bad entry-level intro to their catalogue.
In 2022, a year after the release of Kvitravn and as a prelude to the forthcoming and much anticipated live dates, Wardruna are presenting Kvitravn – First Flight of the White Raven.
An immersive audio arrangement that underscores the experiential paradigm shift and masterful musicianship of their superlative and boundary-pushing virtual live experience First Flight of the White Raven of March 26th 2021. This new release captures their special set list consisting of songs from Kvitravn and a selection of favourites from the discography, and will be released on a 2LP, as well as 2CD that also features the original studio album track listing. To mark the event’s exceptional impact, it will also be available as a limited Boxset Edition including 2LP (black), 2CD, DVD with livestream performance and bonus documentary material and three videos (only available in the boxed set), flag of the CD album cover, certificate of authenticity for the box and an exclusive autographed card signed by Einar Selvik.
As a taster, they’ve shared the performance of ‘Solringen’ from the release.
AA
Wardruna’s UK tour commences in March. About the tour Einar comments “It has been more than two years since we last gave a performance in front of an audience. Needless to say, this long and unwanted hibernation has made us very excited to finally be able to realistically plan our return to the stage.”
Full list of dates in the UK and Ireland below:
Thursday 17th March: Southbank Centre, London
Friday 18th March: Albert Hall, Manchester
Sunday 20th March: Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Monday 21st March: Symphony Hall, Birmingham
Tuesday 22nd March: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Wednesday 23rd March: Vicar Street, Merchants Quay, Ireland
Plus more live dates can be found here: http://www.wardruna.com/tour-dates/
AA
Having recently unveiled the video to the killer lead song from their forthcoming EP, No Guts All the Glory, Weekend Recovery have announced they’re celebrating an EP launch in two of their favourite cities, namely London and Leeds, at The Grace and Headrow House respectively, in early February of 2022.
Weekend Recovery recently debuted a new lineup as a three-piece, and a new sound that harder, rockier, and more direct, and these dates will provide an opportunity tom witness the emerging next stage of the band’s evolution, and they’ve got some cracking supports lined up, too.
Dates are:
Leeds, 3rd Feb with support from Salvation Jayne & Helle @ Headrow House. Tickets: www.weekendrecoveryofficial.bandcamp.com/merch/leeds-ep-launch
London 4th Feb with support from Dirty Orange @ The Grace. Tickets: www.ticketweb.uk/event/weekend-recovery-ep-launch-show-the-grace-tickets/11537935
‘No Guts’ is a corker and it’s already been getting early radio play, a sign that this is a band continuing their upward trajectory. Chances are they won’t be playing venues this size much longer. Exciting times.
See you down the front!
AA
For regular readers of Aural Aggravation, Videostore has been a band we’ve followed from its lockdown inception as something to do for Nathan and Lorna Argonaut while they were unable to operate normally with the rest of the band until the final release. We’ve loved their lo-fi drum-machine led indie rock tunes, and it’s felt like a journey.
The journey ends here. They celebrated their release from lockdown and the return of live music with a one-off live show with the duo expanded to a full band, and as they write, ‘to commemorate the Videostore gig we are releasing a live single of Your Mind and our cover of Suicide by Spacemen 3. Recorded by Joules on his trusty Zoom machine in the one and only rehearsal for our one and only show. Videostore live were Nathan, Lorna, Joules and Chris. We had a blast. Goodnight and thank you’.
Well, thank you, too, guys.
These are cracking versions, and you can hear them here:
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