Spinner

Marina & the Diamonds, Leeds Interview 2010 -- Exclusive Video

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-08-30T17:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, Video, Exclusive

Marina popped in before her Leeds performance to talk to us about playing to huge drunk crowds and getting her stars and stripes Wellington boots stolen...

Gogol Bordello, Leeds Festival 2010 -- Exclusive Video

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-08-30T12:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, Video, Exclusive

Eugene Hutz of Gogol Bordello chatted to us ahead of the band's Leeds 2010 main stage set about the veritable lack of difference between Holland and Belgium among other things...

Frankie & the Heartstrings, Leeds Festival -- Exclusive Video

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-08-29T16:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, Video, Exclusive

Frankie & the Heartstrings played a game of "bands as foods" with us backstage at Leeds Festival 2010.

Everything Everything, Leeds Festival 2010 -- Exclusive Video

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-08-28T11:58:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, Video, Exclusive

Everything Everything talk to us ahead of their Leeds Festival show about touring Japan, the Mercury Prize and their "feud" with Delphic.

Arcade Fire Warm Up a Cool Leeds Festival Crowd with Headline Set

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-08-28T07:05:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

As far as headline sets go, on the opening night of the 2010 Reading and Leeds festivals, you couldn't get a bigger contrast. While Axl Rose and co. pitched up an hour late to a muddy, booing Berkshire crowd, Arcade Fire's impeccable performance proved that they've stepped up their game again, as genuinely thrilling festival headliners.

The trouble was, most of the school-age Leeds festivalgoers were nowhere to be seen, electing to dance themselves silly to Pendulum instead. More fool them, as Arcade Fire delivered a customarily exhilarating set to a crowd much smaller than they deserved.

Speaking to Spinner before they went on stage, the band's Jeremy Gara said they were excited about taking their live show to a bigger UK festival crowd, but admitted the band's memorable Glastonbury sunset slot in 2007 was their favourite.

Jack White References Amy Winehouse 'Punch' at Glastonbury

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-06-27T10:45:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

Jack White, appearing for the fifth time at Glastonbury festival, made reference to the infamous Amy Winehouse "punching" incident of 2008 during the Dead Weather's Saturday afternoon show.

The band played a scheduled slot this time around, after popping up unannounced during the "special guest" billing at the tiny Park Stage last year.

White told the audience he had been watching as Amy Winehouse famously thumped a fan at the front of the stage two years ago, NME reported. "It wasn't too long ago I saw Amy Winehouse give someone a smack for touching her hair," he said. "It's the same with Baby Ruthless [Alisson Mosshart's Dead Weather alter-ego] -- if you touch your hair you'll get a smack."

Radiohead Duo Play Surprise Set at Glastonbury

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-06-25T19:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

Radiohead's Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood made a surprise appearance onstage tonight at Glastonbury festival. Crowds gathered at the remote Park Stage, as rumours swelled that either the Strokes or Radiohead would appear for the now customary "special guest" slot, which has in recent years played host to Klaxons, Franz Ferdinand and the Dead Weather.

Organiser Michael Eavis introduced the pair, saying, "Welcome to the biggest surprise of the weekend. There's two superstars, I'll not name them but they're standing right there." Thom Yorke then rather unnecessarily introduced himself with "Hi, my name's Thomas Yorke" before launching into 'The Eraser.'

Tired Pony, 'Dead American Writers' -- Video Premiere

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-06-23T08:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, Exclusive, New Music

The Tired Pony side project, as previously reported by Spinner, originated from Gary Lightbody's desire to create a country-tinged album in the vein of alt-country big-hitters Calexico, Lambchop and Wilco.

With R.E.M's Peter Buck saddled up for guitar duties and producer Garret (Jacknife) Lee on board, the uber-indie lineup also features Belle and Sebastian drummer Richard Colburn and Iain Archer (ex-Snow Patrol). The first sounds to emerge from the Tired Pony stable can be heard on the band's debut album, 'The Place We Ran From,' which is released soon.

The video for Tired Pony's first single, 'Dead American Writers,' stars young actor Joseph Gilgun, who appeared in Shane Meadows' critically acclaimed film 'This Is England.' Talking about the video to Spinner, Gary Lightbody says, "We, me and Garret, had just finished the soundtrack to Paul's [Fraser, director] debut feature and loved his style so we thought we'd get him to do a study of a great young actor for the first Tired Pony video. It is supposed to strip away any thoughts of who made the record and make it purely about performance. A great face and, hopefully, a great song."

Pavement Kick Off Primavera Sound's Eclectic Delights

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-05-28T11:55:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News

"I got in the elevator with Mark E. Smith, Colin from Wire and two members of Mission of Burma," said Pavement's Scott "Spiral Stairs" Kannberg, as the band kicked off their opening night headline set at Primavera Sound 2010. "It was a punk rock wet dream."

Stephen Malkmus explained by way of reply, "That's just another day at the office for Primavera Sound." The festival in Barcelona, Spain has built up a formidable reputation for eclectic lineups, and 2010 is no exception, with the indie rock royalty of Pavement and the Pixies ruling over a bill which is a veritable buffet of alternative delights.

Editors, 'Eat Raw Meat=Blood Drool' -- Video Premiere

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-04-20T07:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, Exclusive

Editors return with their new, internet only video, with the search engine challenging title, 'Eat Raw Meat=Blood Drool'. Sounds like typically cheery fodder from the Birmingham foursome then.

Directors Lennox Brothers say of their eerie, dystopian animation: "Ultimately the video paints a truthful picture of the lies which affect our current state of existence in a (so called) free world. From the moment we're born we are controlled, manipulated, and led astray from what really matters in life - freedom. We are orchestrated from high above; even our leaders are merely puppets/clowns with their strings being pulled by powerful groups out of sight."

Watch the premiere of 'Eat Raw Meat=Blood Drool' after the jump.

Laura Marling, 'I Speak Because I Can' -- Exclusive Interactive Video

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-03-18T11:20:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, Exclusive

In anticipation of the release of 'I Speak Because I Can', the new LP from folk-pop singer-songwriter Laura Marling, fans can see a unique interactive video premiered here on Spinner.

Click on the objects bound for the suitcase to preview tracks from the forthcoming album, watch behind the scenes footage and the video for the first single, 'Devil's Spoke'. Certain objects will also reveal details on how to enter competitions to win tickets to an upcoming show and artwork signed by Marling. The exclusive film also acts as a prequel to the next single from 'I Speak Because I Can', entitled 'Rambling Man.'

Watch the exclusive interactive video after the jump.

Good Shoes, 'The Way My Heart Beats' (Acoustic Live Version) -- Video Exclusive

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-03-03T06:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, Exclusive

In a recent Spinner interview with Good Shoes, singer Rhys Jones told us that the title of the band's latest album, 'No Hope, No Future' focused on the end of a relationship. "It's about breaking up with my ex-girlfriend" he explained, "so it's as much about relationships that have no hope or no future."

In our exclusive video premiere, Rhys performs a stripped down acoustic version of Good Shoes' new single, 'The Way My Heart Beats', showcasing the raw, heartfelt emotion of the lyrics perfectly. Released on April 19 through Brille Records, 'The Way My Heart Beats' EP comes with three previously unheard b-sides, 'Easier, Easier', 'Run Away With Me' and 'Stand By'.

Good Shoes are also offering fans a package of treats, including the acoustic live version of 'The Way My Heart Beats', 'Easier Easier' and two videos -- a cover of Daniel Johnston's 'Despair Came Knocking' and a personal video message from the band. All can be found on the Good Shoes website from today.

Watch the exclusive acoustic live version of 'The Way My Heart Beats' after the jump.

The Drums, 'Best Friend' -- Video Premiere

Rebecca Laurence — 2010-03-01T12:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, Exclusive

The Drums must swiftly be learning a thing or two about the hype machine. The Brooklyn natives, fresh from winning the NME Awards' Philip Hall Radar gong, have a BBC Sound of 2010 nomination and a tour support slot with last year's news, Florence And The Machine under their suitably skinny belts and it's still only March.

Slipknot, 'Snuff' -- Short Film Premiere

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-12-18T14:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, UK

Slipknot's short film, 'Snuff', premiered here on Spinner, is a brooding, dark tale of obsessive love taken to the limits.

'Snuff' is the fifth single to be taken from 'All Hope Is Gone' and features Slipknot front man Corey Taylor as you've never seen him before. The film was directed by M. Shawn 'Clown' Crahan and P.R. Brown.

The short film sees Taylor flexing his acting muscles as a jealous lover driven to the point of madness by his obsession. Hitchcockian influences pepper the action, which ultimately leads to a surprising denouement.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs Take on Hostile Crowd at ATP Festival

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-12-12T09:30:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

Hitting the main stage to a chorus of boos, Yeah Yeah Yeahs' frontwoman Karen O's opening gambit to the amassed Friday night 10 Years of ATP crowd was: "Shut up b------! We just got here you mother----ers!" Forty oh-so fashionably minutes late to the party, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs weren't going to let the resounding jeers get in the way of having a good time.

Kicking off with 'Rich', the band whisked through their 2003 debut 'Fever To Tell', the slightly combative start adding a frisson of rawness and energy fitting to their early material. Karen O reincarnated the raucousness of early performances, twirling across the stage in a red, silver and black prom dress and gesticulating with bananas while downing and dousing the crowd with champagne.

Highlights included 'Date With The Night', when the silver set was showered by exploding glitter bombs and the classic Yeah Yeah Yeah's love song, 'Maps', which Karen O dedicated to "our brothers The Liars" before wishing the UK ATP Festival a happy 10th birthday. "Are you wasted ATP?" she squealed, "I'm f---ing wasted. We'll play anything you want, we're your ATP b------."

Ladyhawke, 'Magic' Behind the Scenes -- Exclusive Video

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-11-06T07:00:00 00:00

Filed under: Video, Exclusive

Dressed as a "mystical pirate" and showing off an impressive trumpet impression, Ladyhawke takes us through the making of her latest single, 'Magic,' in Spinner's exclusive behind-the-scenes video.

Drawing on old black and white films like Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis,' 'Magic' reverses traditional gender stereotypes as the pirate Ladyhawke rescues her androgynous sailor love-interest from the baddies.

Ladyhawke, a.k.a Pip Brown, and her collaborator, artist Sarah Lanarch, took their loose vision to director Shelly Love who in turn brought her own touch to the finished work. "Shelly Love has a distinctive, dark, beautiful style to her directing," says Brown, "I've always imagined 'Magic' as being quite a dark, quirky-type video... Shelly took it somewhere way more vast and expansive."

Mystical and magical? Or does Ladyhawke really look like a self-confessed "Jack Sparrow?" Watch our exclusive behind-the-scenes clip and the 'Magic' video after the jump.

Grizzly Bear Leave London Spellbound on Halloween

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-10-31T21:15:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK

There may have been a distinct lack of costumes, pumpkins, and candy-hungry kids but Grizzly Bear's orchestral return to London was still quite a magical experience.

Playing in the auspicious surroundings of the UK Capital's Barbican Centre, the Brooklyn, N.Y. quartet treated their fans to a long sold-out show backed by the London Symphony Orchestra. "Does this feel as fancy for you as it does for us?" asked multi-instrumentalist Chris Taylor as he surveyed the grand hall from a stage dressed with glowing glass lanterns. Well Chris, it's not like Spinner gets to hang out in places like this much either.

Tonight's show was Grizzly Bear's latest classically enhanced concert, having played with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008 and earlier this year at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with orchestra parts arranged by Nico Muhly.

IFLTS: 'Drive My Car,' The Beatles

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-09-09T08:07:00 00:00

Filed under: I Freakin' Love This Song

'Drive My Car,' The Beatles
From 1965's 'Rubber Soul'

'Drive My Car' isn't about driving. Or cars. It's about sex, of course. After a near disastrous 1965 recording session at Abbey Road studios, Paul McCartney had a great melody but a pitiful lyric. At the11th hour, a breakthrough came, of which McCartney later said: "'Drive My Car' was an old blues euphemism for sex. So in the end, all is revealed. Black humour crept in and saved the day."

The Beatles were masters of comedy metaphors, witty lyricisms and silliness. Behind the superficial simplicity of 'Drive My Car' is a nudge and a wink -- each verse ends with a leading innuendo: "But you can do something in between/But I can show you a better time/But I found a driver and that's a start."

Fast forward 25 years and I was a kid poring over my parents' Beatles and Stones-heavy vinyl collection, innocently oblivious to this smutty subtext. 'Rubber Soul' (on which 'Drive My Car' appeared in the UK) was a particular favourite of mine. I lay on the rug singing along to 'Norwegian Wood,' 'Nowhere Man,' 'In My Life' and 'Michelle' (complete with a bad French accent), but 'Drive My Car,' which kickstarts the album, was the clear winner.

The Raveonettes Preview 'In and Out of Control' in London

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-09-08T10:02:00 00:00

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, UK

The Raveonettes debuted songs from their forthcoming LP, 'In and Out of Control,' to a tiny crowd in a sweaty East London bar last night.

"This is my first show in London in a long time," singer Sharin Foo announced. On the Raveonettes' European tour last summer, Sharin's sister Louise was brought in to cover vocal duties while the former was pregnant.

The Danish duo, along with a bassist and drummer, played four new songs from the new album, including 'Last Dance' and 'Bang!,' with the best reception coming for 'Boys Who Rape (Should All Be Destroyed),' a song Sharin introduced as "A sentiment I hope we can all agree with."

Iggy and the Stooges 'Raw Power' Lineup Reunited for Shows

Rebecca Laurence — 2009-09-07T11:33:00 00:00

Iggy Pop has invited former Stooges guitarist James Williamson to rejoin the band for two shows in 2010. The Stooges will play 'Raw Power' in its entirety at the All Tomorrow's Parties concerts in London in May.

To Williamson, who hasn't played gigs since 1974, the invitation came as something of a surprise. He told Rolling Stone, "I was about to take an early retirement from my job in Silicon Valley, so I figured, 'What the hell, let's do it.'"

Williamson joined the Stooges for the recording of 1973's 'Raw Power', with regular guitarist Ron Asheton moving to bass. After a dispute between Iggy and James during sessions for Pop's 1980 album, 'Soldier,' Williamson quit music altogether for a career in personal computers.