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Andy Peterson's Top 10 Albums Of 2015


Gengahr Sleaford Mods Years & Years Foals Tame Impala Jamie XX Father John Misty

King Midas Sound ft. Fennesz - Edition #1, Gengahr - A Dream Outside, Romare - Projections

10. King Midas Sound ft. Fennesz- Edition #1
Kevin Martin (AKA The Bug), poet Roger Robinson and singer Kiki Hitomi joined forces with Viennese avant garde composer Christian Fennesz to chart almost certainly the most enveloping travelogue of the year. The journey itself proved deep and magical.

9. Gengahr - A Dream Outside
One of the features on 21st century music is how 2nd and 3rd generation disciples of truly great bands - in this case golden oldies like the Beach Boys and Teenage Fanclub - are managing to make their inspirations sound so cool. London quartet Gehgahr replaced the now departed retro-future outfit Avi Buffalo in our hearts, to great effect.

Continue reading: Andy Peterson's Top 10 Albums Of 2015

Gengahr - A Dream Outside Album Review


One of 2014's slowest burning and yet most rewarding albums blindsided many of us: London trio Happyness filled their debut albumn'Weird Little Birthday' with references to the slacker chops of Dinosaur Jr. and post-grunge, but its sweetness and naivete made repeated listenings full of slow-burning reward.

Gengahr - A Dream Outside Album Review

It's a little early to make similar assumptions around Gengahr's first release, but 'A Dream Outside' bears many of the same Gen X character traits, albeit the quartet have wrapped these into a batch of crystalline songs that stitch the Beach Boys neatly together with Teenage Fanclub. In many ways, it's remarkable that bands with no discernible history can arrive almost shrink wrapped and proceed to beguile the listener with songs like 'She's A Witch' (Gorgeously simple, extrovert sixties brio) or the Close Encounters tinged psychedelia of 'Bathed In Light', both of which sound effortless.

Much of this guile comes from the falsetto of singer Felix Bushe, a man blessed with a voice which ensures 'A Dream Outside' never slips into the easy trapdoor of pastiche. At times, that same diffidence slips into some of the almost-anger of the Cobain generation, the overloaded squall of 'Powder''s conclusion and the fitful opener 'Dizzy Ghosts' reminding us that when backed into a corner, the alternative for nihilistic youth back before mobile phones and social media was to furiously disobey in passive-aggressive silence.

Continue reading: Gengahr - A Dream Outside Album Review

Gengahr - June 2015 Interview


An Interview with Gengahr's Felix Bushe

With the imminent release of their debut album, 'A Dream Outside', Gengahr's frontman Felix took some time to talk to Contact Music. This involved discussing the creation of their album in an idyllic Devon farm, reading books before shows, and how touring might not be the holiday many people believe it is.

Hey, Felix! How are you?
Very well, thanks. It's just a busy day doing promo and stuff because we're getting pretty close to the launch day.

On that note, your debut album, 'A Dream Outside', is set for release on 15th June 2015 - how long has it been ready?
We finished recording in December and we finished mixing it then, too - it was just mastered in early January. There were a couple of weeks when we went home for Christmas & New Year but we had it all wrapped up as soon as possible, really.

Does that mean you finished writing some time ago?
The album was written within the space of about six months, in between shows and touring really. If we had three or four days, we'd either be working on new songs, or going into the studio to record things we felt were ready. We only ever spent two or three days in the studio at once. We did it in little bits and it was a case of getting as much ready when it was there to record. Before anybody knew who we were, we thought we had three or four songs that would work on an album, so there wasn't any pressure to get it ready; it was only a case of writing another five or six songs that were worthy of being on a full-length, so it was a relaxing thing the whole way through. It's quite a refreshing change of pace to get back into the studio or into the rehearsal room and just work on new ideas.

Did you run into anything unexpected whilst writing/recording?
It's a funny thing for us: recording is quite a smooth process, because we don't write anything in the studio. There might be the occasional harmony or vocal differences we'll chuck in there, or we might tweak some of the guitar solos but the vast majority is written in a room by the four of us. When we jump in there it's often a live take so we'll keep the heart of the song as live as possible, really.

For us, the unexpected stuff happened more at the mixing stage. When we were putting together 'Dark Star', that wasn't written exactly as it's recorded - we knew we wanted an instrumental in the middle of the album to break up the two sides, like on an LP where you turn over the record and it starts something different - and that was the one song we weren't entirely happy. We ended up chopping and changing it, making it into something a little more dance-y and instrumental. I think that was a nice coincidence. Everything else was pretty much recorded as we intended it to be.

I believe you all went to art school before you started the band, are you all into visual side of being in a band?
We are. Hugh has actually done the paintings on the cover art for the releases we've made so far whilst Dan and I do a lot of the graphic design work like our logo. I write all the treatments and Dan and I storyboard all our music videos, so it's a real collaborative effort but we enjoy that side of things. We don't want other people do it, we we'd be missing out on all the fun.

In the relatively short time that you've been releasing music / playing gigs, you've visited a number of countries, which country has got it right with regards to their live music scene? 
Most of Europe has got a better grasp than we do in the UK. It's amazing playing some venues in France and Germany; the staff at venues and the promoters go out of their way to make you comfortable and feel like you've enjoyed your experience there. We've played shows in Kingston where you turn up and there's one warm beer on the floor in the dressing room to be shared with two other bands. It's such an amazing contrast and an experience to switch between the UK and Europe.

You've recently signed with Transgressive Records - Do you feel you're a good fit for the label?
As far as record people go in the music industry, they're the nicest people I've met - I'd like to think we're a nice group of people as well. They're not driven by money-grabbing ulterior motives; they just love music and want to put out good quality music, and we want to write good quality music so I think that matches up really nicely. We have quite humble aspirations for ourselves, but at the same time we want to do better, and push ourselves. They're the kind of people that will let us do that at our own pace and nurture us. I do think it's a pretty perfect fit, to be honest.

In the past you've said your success so far has just been a series of "happy accidents" - is that how you really feel?
I think so. I know so many people who have been in music, and I've grown up around people who've maybe had success but aren't so successful now, and some people who have had a successful career. There were moments when I was younger, when I had more of an arrogance about me and more of an expectation, and as I grew older and saw things pan out, I saw that you need a bit of luck in this word. You also need to work hard and focus, though, and keep your own expectations pretty grounded. I know there are better bands out there than we are who probably feel that we've been given chances that they haven't been given; I also know that I've certainly felt that way myself at other times. It's all swings and roundabouts, really.

So was there anything that really surprised you about the music industry when you got involved in it?
I think a lot of the clichés are very true. Everyone's your friend until they're not: when things are going well, everyone wants to be around you.  But it's a shame, because it is a real business and people treat it as such. Everyone wants to get paid. It's a funny thing, because as the musician or the artist, you're the last person to see any money and that's always gonna be the case. Luckily for us, it's not really about that - we're just really happy to do that as our job and that's all that we've wanted for the last five years. You've really gotta take everything with a pinch of salt, because there will always be bad people involved in any business, but there are also good people - if you keep your eyes out, you'll definitely find them.

You've got quite a few shows lined up - Glastonbury included - what are you most excited for?
The festival season, itself - I really enjoy it! It's a different challenge to normal touring. It's quite a cavalier experience for a band to just rock up, plug your guitar in, and see what happens. You don't have the luxury of playing a show the day before, and knowing you'll have one the next day to redeem yourself if something happens. This year, it's an added experience, because we get to go back to a few festivals where last year we went as an unknown act that was on the introduction stages. This year, we've got the privilege of playing some higher slots; there's obviously a higher expectation, but it's really satisfying to get invited back to the same festival again, but moving up a stage.

Do you guy have any pre-show rituals to get you in the mood for a gig?
We've watched a lot of other bands on tour in the States who'd get themselves really pumped before a gig, and we don't really do that. If anything, I've been known to dip into a book before we go on and try to relax. We're pretty chilled when it comes to that time; we all deal with nerves in a different way, but we don't bang on any loud music and get all riled up. We ease ourselves in, but I don't think there's anything too repetitive in our strategy to approaching these shows.

You built quite a momentum up last year - is there a pressure to maintain that?
I think with everything, there's gonna be dips. All we can really do is keep working at the same rate we are, keep focussed, and make sure that we are doing everything we can. We're not shy of touring all the time: we're under no illusions of how things work and you have to be a hard working band, especially in this day and age where record sales aren't what they used to be. You're relying heavily on getting out there, playing the shows and putting in the hours and whenever we're not doing that, we'll be back in the studio, back in the rehearsal room, making sure we're keeping up-to-date, ahead of ourselves and making new material. There's not a secret to it, really; you just keep hammering away.

What's next for you guys? 
Oh, obviously the album launch is happening and we've got stuff planned for that which is happening at our local cinema, which will be a special evening. We've got a load of shows we're playing once the record is out, so it's gonna get pretty busy. We've got a lot of things that need preparing as we head into the festival season, and then we're doing our headline tour which'll be another huge milestone for us.

Live At Leeds 2015: Great For Music, Great For Life In General


Live At Leeds The Cribs Gaz Coombes George The Poet MNEK Gengahr The Strypes Eagulls Menace Beach

So, Live At Leeds is but two weeks away from bringing some of the country's best music veterans and up and coming stars to one of its greatest cities. But while you're there, you may as well enjoy the rest of what this incredible Yorkshire city has to offer.

Live At Leeds logo

Home to two universites, an extraodinary library, a colossal shopping centre and some of the best restaurants in the nation, Leeds is the place to be to kick off festival season even without taking the music into account. While the weekend of May 1st to 4th may boast a line-up including The Cribs, Gaz Coombes, George The Poet, MNEK, Gengahr, The Strypes and more, there's plenty of places to sit and let it all soak in while enjoying a decent meal and a pint.

Continue reading: Live At Leeds 2015: Great For Music, Great For Life In General

5 Venues You'll Want To Visit At SXSW 2015


South by Southwest Wolf Alice BØRNS Delta Spirit The Vaccines Palma Violets Lolawolf The Cribs Surfer Blood The Dodos Deerhoof Of Montreal Gengahr Dry the River Mini Mansions James Bay Laura Marling Milky Chance Twin Shadow Gang Of Four Courtney Barnett Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros James Vincent McMorrow

SXSW 2015 is set to take over Austin, Texas for yet another spectacular event, spanning numerous venues with countless showcases and hundreds of artists. We may be a few weeks away yet, but here's a little taster of some of the best places to be this year.

First up, the Parish is hosting some seminal shows all week, so this should definitely be at the top of your schedule. Wednesday, March 18th sees alt rock Londoners Wolf Alice on the bill, impressing with material from their EP releases; though we are yet to see an album release from these four. Equally, LA newcomers BØRNS are not to be missed, nor are San Diego indie favourites Delta Spirit. Thursday sees The Vaccines promote their upcoming album 'English Graffiti', alongside Palma Violets with 'Danger In The Club', while New York's Lolawolf brings their brand of sensational disco pop to the scene. Friday will be headlined by the Jarman brothers' band The Cribs, and Saturday will see appropriate surf-rock from Florida four-piece Surfer Blood.

Borns promo
Borns will perform at the Parish on Wednesday, March 18th 2015

Continue reading: 5 Venues You'll Want To Visit At SXSW 2015

Live at Leeds - 2014 Live Review


Schedule clashes were the only possible thing that could have dampened the atmosphere at Live At Leeds 2014, with Loiners citywide basking in the bank holiday sunshine and wondering whether it was even worth wandering back into the Cockpit to catch that new local band, given such glorious conditions outside. 

Live at Leeds - 2014 Live Review

But wander back in they did and, as ever with Live at Leeds, the spark of excitement and energy was fixed solely on those on stage - though the weather certainly helped.

Gone were many of the marquee bookings of last year - think Laura Mvula, Everything Everything and The Walkmen - with the focus for 2014 being on home-grown talent and the showcasing of a couple of new venues. It began at the First Direct Arena, the new pod-like hub for mainstream music in the city, which served as the festival's wristband exchange, and also just around the corner at Belgrave Music Hall.

Continue reading: Live at Leeds - 2014 Live Review

Something For Everyone! 10 Of The Best At Live At Leeds


Live At Leeds San Fermin Gengahr Primitive Parts Jack Garratt Bipolar Sunshine Wild Cub Forward Russia Fat White Family Lizzo

Live At Leeds 2014 Logo

It's been eight years since a bunch of music venues in Leeds first opened their doors to hardy metropolitan festival-goers for Live At Leeds. Following the tried and tested format of SXSW and the Camden Crawl, Live at Leeds has risen to become the country's foremost inner-city gathering of bands, musicians and like-minded music fans. 

Though the booking is invariably spot-on, key to Live at Leeds' popularity is the quality of the venues, including The Cockpit, The Hi-Fi Club and the stalwart Brudenell Social Club. The bustling Belgrave Music Hall is a welcome addition to this year's festival. In order of appearance, here are 10 of our suggestions for this years event.

Continue reading: Something For Everyone! 10 Of The Best At Live At Leeds

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