HIP PRIEST finds WILDER than your average TREASURE

Finally my sickness has subsided and despite the weather, walking into the office after a brilliant (yes brilliant!) coffee and cigarette to Reel III Arkology playing this morning has set me up for an even better day. Have been a bit neglectful of my blog of late...so many things that ive ended up not writing any of them...so here is a quick round up of a few of my favourite musical things from the past week...

Wilder

www.myspace.com/wearewilder

Rough Trade new signing, Wilder who hailing from Bristol are a hit of mr Blobby Pink Lemonade among a plethora of American bands making their way to invade the UK music scene this summer (Warpaint, The Drums, Glasser..you know it already) A well executed musical meeting of the physical and digital, guitars and drums mix in fuzzy melancholy with beats, synths and treatments think along the lines of The Whip, A Male version of Gossip and a touch of Velvet Underground......Its got modern twangs mixed with classic Rock and Roll.....

Treasure

www.myspace.com/treasuretheband

Maybe you will think me biased as i kinda know this guy, but like most of you have come to know, i wouldn't write about it if i didn't like it! Its the musical invention of Hari, a one man sampling project that started in 2009 and so expect a mixture of weird and wonderful sounds. Minimalist and woozy it'll drift you out to sea and leave you floating around in a state of contentment, wash you up on some obscure tropical shores and leave you high until sunrise....watch this space. Its guna be an over used line but its is a real Treasure...

Hip Priest

www.myspace.com/theconqueringsociety

Was lucky enough to meet the frontman of V.E.G.A.S Whores on a mini tour i did last summer, and i loved him. For one guy he has fucking bundles of energy all of which is magically channeled through his guitar and laptop to give a pretty experimental but explosive set. Sadly V.E.G.A.S Whores is no more, but rising from the ashes with even more wonderful psychedelic beats, ruptures and rifts and preaching to the world through his musical sounds is HIP PRIEST. Stand up, take note and give it a listen....

Foreign Office/ Warrior One remix

Foreign Office

A brand spanking new offering from the streets of LANDAN, Foreign Office may (due to their name) be a hard band to google, but are definitely not hard to identify with their catchy pop twists, slight retro twangs and brilliant vocals. I personally hate the phrase 'indie pop' (bleur) but i suppose thats kinda the best way to describe, in simple terms, their music. But DONT let it put you off, its not overly fussy music but balances itself nicely. The result is solid tracks, great vocals and catchy (but not overly poppy) sounds and twists. Like most other blogs are saying it's got hints of Roxy Music and Hot Chip in there...so if you want something a bit more solid than my ramblings to identify this band then there you are, or just get off your arse and have a listen for yourself!

They are set to release their debut single ' Leaving The House' on new label-to-watch 'The Playground Records' at the end of the month (29th March) so to celebrate they got electric, electro easties Warrior One to mess up (not in a bad way!) the track...and what a result. Its catchy and Foreign Office poppy but with some great hits, twists, choppy vocals and most importantly a bass which pulses through and dirties it up a bit. I like their music and really like their remixes so i hope to see a lot of them, their tracks and some exciting new remixes in the future!

Have a listen then click the link to get your free download from soundcloud...
Leaving The House - Warrior One Mix by Foreign Office

Foreign Office, after the success of this track remix, are also running a remix competition so if your interested head to their Myspace to find out more!

www.myspace.com/foreignofficemusic

Signals not Singles

S.C.U.M / 'Paris' Signal

By far one of the best videos and tracks to come from S.C.U.M and the series of 'Signal' releases. Check out their latest piece of musical art inspired by their recent stint in Paris....

If you haven't heard about S.C.U.M and their Signals, then listen up, as while i was always indecisive about this band i love their recent project SIGNALS and especially this track. Its beautiful, poignant and along with the film just oozes emotions and personality. Basically S.C.U.M are currently on popping up and performing in various cities around Europe and so whilst on the road they are taking the opportunity to make responsive tracks and tunes to the environment they find themselves. The whole idea of creating these spontaneous SIGNALS, is flipping brilliant and its nice to see a young band doing something a little different to the norm and taking music back to basics, using the ever changing environment and reacting with and to it. Each track is different from the next, being that each one is based on a different city and so far we have had tracks Warsaw, Berlin and now Paris, but where next on the S.C.U.M SIGNALS journey?...who knows...

You may not like it or you my love it, but one thing for sure its something different and if anything you should definitely give each individual track a listen. Recorded in Paris at the end of 2009 at Basement Studios, 38 Rue de Rochechouart,75009 Paris, the new track released yesterday is accompanied by a stunning video by Ivana Bobic. You can no longer download Warsaw or Berlin (limited digital release only!) but you still have the chance to get Paris....check out the video above and then get downloading HERE

www.youtube.com/scumsignals

Sunil Pawar

eYe JUNYA WATANABE COMME des GARCONS x Sunil Pawar Collection

In the late Eighties, at the age of fifteen, Sunil skipped school one afternoon and walked into the North London offices of music legends Soul II Soul. With a bag full of paintings, youthful enthusiasm and a unique style Sunil sold every single one of them. Press the fast forward button to the present day and painting and Djing are still a massive part of Suni's life. Sunil is either in the studio (he is currently building a brand spanking new one in his backyard by himself!), at his decks or travelling the world showcasing both his musical and artistic skills. Being lucky enough to know Sunil too, a complete gem of a guy, you can spend just half an hour over a cold beer with him and learn and hear more stories and weird and wonderful things than you would in a year.

His unique and fined tuned signature art echoes his world of Dj culture, sound system clashes, poart and fashion, using a bold mixture of spray paints and acrylics. His paintings are as loud and bold as the music that inspired them. Check out the latest little video from Sunil on his collaboration work for eYe JUNYA WATANABE COMME des GARCONS....

I unfortunately dont have the monies to purchase the real deal, luckily I have a few prints given to myself as a little present which will keep me happy until i can afford a real deal...but if you are one of those lucky ones with pockets deeper than mine the pieces are now back in the UK and for sale here http://slingshotlondon.bigcartel.com/

Along with the big up from Mr K.West himself Sunil also features in the groundbreaking book 'Stencil Graffiti' by Tristan Manco and regularly appears in exhibitions, magazines and books worldwide. He has done far to much shizzle for me to list here completely so check out his sites to find out more....there is a lot to see from Sunil and expect a lot more soon...

www.sunilpawar.co.uk

www.slingshotlondon.co.uk

Delooze / Too Heavy to Stand up

Delooze 'Too Heavy To Stand Up'

PETE CARVELL (Gash DJ’s) @gashdigital | MySpace Music Videos

DELOOZE

Did a little piece on this band a while back now, and i did promise to keep you updated on their progress! They have been gigging hard across London, and are working on forthcoming release but if you haven't had the chance to catch the beautiful stacey and Delooze here is a little live video that just popped into my world this beautiful sunny monday morning. Despite its professional finish this live recording from an east london studio shows the band at their most raw and best!....have a little look and wash away those Monday blues...

Blood,Sweat&Fears

BLOOD, SWEAT & FEARS

Popped along to the private view for Blood Sweat and Fears last night and the only bad thing was that i couldn't drink the free beer! It was tiny but a lovely little mingling of some really interesting and exciting projects and people. Described as a 'Live Magazine' it begins as a Live event which showcases emerging british talent from across the board , and as i later learned after talking to Chelsea (one of the girls behind it) the live event acts as the basis for the magazine. All the content and imagery being taken from the 5 days the event runs and will result in the final publication . Im not the best with words today (maybe its the tight headband i have on) so if i have just confused you check it out for yourself. Its a great idea i think, challenging the image of what we know as print media and communication.

These were some of the lovely people we met on the night, but with different things happening everyday both in the evening and day i definitely suggest you pop down there at some point.

Fifi&Lola's Cakes

OMG....these girls could quiet easily slip me back into my former days as a larger lady. I tried one bit of their amazing lollipop cake creation and had to use every ounce of energy to not go back. Cigarettes played a very vital friend last night! What i loved the most when talking to these girls (despite the fact they are both lovely) is they are trying to do something a little different to the plethora of mini companies setting up cake creation / tea party services. When they make cakes they really try to think outside the box...and i'm still trying to work out how they made those lollipops so delicious and lollipop like! They also make fings wot they like and wot r nice

We Make T-Shirts

A group of designers, they first met in Nottingham, and after getting into the world of printing thought they would give their own company a bash. Still relatively small but they do everything themselves....ill let the video do the talking.(and they do occasionally print on request!) any illustrators want to do a illustration of my face???

Eunsuk Hur

Whether for fashion or interior Eunsuk lets you create and sculpt your own world with her amazing laser cut pieces and designs. Our beautiful intern got snapped in one of her head creations which i loved. Because of the make it yourself designs things can either be kept simple or completely over the top or added to or taken away from depending on your mood. There is a bigger message though...check out her website to find out more about why and what she does...

The five-day event will run from March 17th-21st at 65/67 Broadwick Street in support of Art Against Knives.

www.bloodsweatandfears.com

Poppy Legal Pick Ups....

So its all been a bit music orientated recently, and after the fucking stress of the morning i had i decided to cleanse my soul with a coffee, cigarette and a some legal highs (shopping online)...here are just a few of the sites i love and think you should if you ever feel the need, call upon and browse in a time of need....

BRAT & SUZIE

www.bratandsuzie.com

Im not normally a fan of kitsch and cute and tees but i love this small but edgy little collection. A quirky British label set up by Polly Vickery with illustrations by Louise Boulter Its still a relatively new brand and so the selection is limited, but its already been stocked by some big stores including Joy and loads of independents. While im sure it could fit well in Topshop i personally would never like to see if take this root and instead have people flocking to little 'Brat & Suzie' pop up stands and stores around the UK. Im thinking a little cream tea stand should be in there too selling illustrated cupcakes and gins in china mugs! This may never happen and so instead you can shop online too....

YOUR EYES LIE
www.youreyeslie.com

Bad taste is apparently better than no taste, but i love this brand and definitely don't think its bad taste. Have already ordered myself the tee above and now going to get onto the accessories - more kitsch stuff but it has a kinda edge.

LOVE HEARTS AND CROSSES
http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk

It stocks a massive array of different trinkets and accessories and its another cute little brand and site that has every item screaming at me to buy. Maybe im going through a very girly phase, but im sure once i have the items in my possession they will be suitably trashed and blended into my none girly style...

LADEN SHOWROOM
www.laden.co.uk

Just received an online press discount for this little gem of a store. Many of you have probably already seen, heard or visited the store on Brick Lane, but i was really quite surprised at just how cheap it was! I was kinda expecting slightly higher prices but was actually pretty surprised most of the stuff stayed around the £45 mark and because its a bunch of hot indie designers you know not every mother fucker Topshop clone is going to be wearing it...don't ask me why but i just refuse to shop in Topshop. Will be popping round the corner to the store and selecting an outfit from this place for saturday night's champagne debortoury. Body by Miss Milne.

In The Jungle.......

Today is Friday, yesterday was thursday and yesterday saw me demolish a bottle of wine or maybe more on a very very empty stomach. While my head is soar and my little belly bloated, it does however mean you get a dose of friday music madness and rambling! luck you! I was actually thinking about what to write about this morning and been wanting to talk about two completely different things with the same style - and then this little lion king gem popped into my head and i was jumping around like a Knome on speed! Today i am jungle princess, promoter of all things jungle related and protector of the all creatures great and small....although im regretting the loin cloth i decided to wear today.

VISIONS OF TREES

This space was going to be taken up by a band called Safari - who are great and i suggest you still check out, but then i stumbled upon these guys who are currently playing with Memory Tapes - its definitely not everyones cup of tea and the jury is still out on my opinion. But they fit todays bill of jungle madness related things! Its tribal electronica, a whacky mixture of hynoptic, swirly, echoing jungle sounds and beats. Im really looking forward to seeing how they come across live on saturday at Cargo but I may stay away from any hallucinogenic drugs.

Scary Masks + this music + drugs = bad trippy news

LETS GO CRAZY

Also clocking up on my list of things to do and buy and talk about is SAFARI PRINTS!!! I am seriously set on channelling my inner jungle warrior goddess this summer! lots of prints, lots of colour, lots of block jewellery and wooden heels... i think i will adapt my name to become Amazon Lily Cleopatra instead of Poppy! Here is what im thinking

Seams

SEAMS

Thursday, Thursday, Thursday, i like Thursday because you know tomorrow its Friday and also i like the sound of Thursday, i think its the most attractive day of the week. That plus the fact i am finally to enjoy a glass of wine tonight is making it all the more attractive as a day. It has been in the pipeline for a while, but finally we managed to get everyone from the team out for a night out tonight and alas what fucking happens? The East Rooms burns down, so no Free Booze, no Free BBQ and no Unicorn Kid. Bit of a shame, but i have a new love who i really really do love who is cheering up my day.

Like any good superhero, by day he is interning at various record labels and working in several restaurants as James Welch, but at night he transforms into musical superhero Seams. He spends his nights Djing to protect you from hideous sounds and ipod Djs and save lonely dancefloors and sad looking bars. Its emotive electronica that wont put you in a sweat but will, guaranteed, take you on a euphoric journey. He builds and mixes acoustic esque and electronica sounds, mixing them up to create something all together quite beautiful, hypnotic and brilliant. Djing in the slow melancholic beats is something i believe to be a hard skill to master, not sounding to overthought or repetitive like someone tapping a metal spoon in your head, getting the balance right can be hard, but Seams does it seamlessly - hmmm maybe thats why he called himself seams. That has just clicked! haha.

He's just annoucened that he will be touring with Gold Panda - ive heard he is amazing live, just him, a keyboard and some synths but with a brilliant soundsystem that will blow you away. I cant wait to get to see him and i suggest you check him out too! Can't decide on the remix i prefer but think i'm swaying towards the Dam Mantle version....

http://www.seamsmusic.com/nightcycles

A Day of Two Halfs

Today(well yesterday as i forgot to post this) i am part Gallery / Art Pr hoe (but classy because its art darling!) and part music promoter and writer so in light of my day of two half's i wanted to bring you two very different artists. Whilst they are worlds apart, both are amazing in there own right.

LA SHARK

A musical enigma of many proportions, La Shark are bellowing a big fuck of fire of noise into the mundane drull of bands around at the moment. Quite a statement i know, but whilst i don't have a crystal ball, nor do i know myself how long they will last if they hit the big time, live and on stereo (yes stereo) this collective are distinct and catchy. Its like through their music they blow a big ball of opium infused smoke in your face, lifting you up and taking you away to a very happy hippy weird and wonderful place. The five young men's original purpose was to make the greatest spectacle as a live act; something they have honed and sweated over for the past two years and they are doing pretty well in my opinion. You can't really describe their music - its mix of vast and different influences but a sound that you strangely kinda get - words that leap into mind are jazz hands/cabaret showcase / east london indie/aztec prints and men in makeup. Check them out live - its cheaper than drugs and almost as good.

LA SHARK / 1958 by Poppy Cleopatra

DIANE BIRCH

So after all that brain and body bashment here is something a little more soothing and perfect for the soul. Apart from the fact that this girl is really hot and has the potential to turn even myself lesbian (i love cock..haha) she has one hell of a voice. Though only in her mid-twenties, Birch apparently likes to think of herself as "old soul", serving up her own portrait of America in her forthcoming debut album Bible Belt (the name of which harks back to her days growing up with a dad as a strict preacher) Sounding like a true soul diva - a mixture of Carole King and Laura Nyro, Diane brings a touch of modern sex appeal to soulful music with her stunning looks and stunning vocals. Her tracks are the perfect background melodies for relaxing, driving at sundown, lying in a park or in bed with a sunday hangover.

12minute Wonderland

ALICE IN WONDERLAND 1903

I was lucky enough to stumble upon this amazing little clip and so in light of the launch of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (and that i have tickets to see it this sunday at the Imax) i thought i would share it all with you lovelies too! Unveiled online at BFI for the first time ever. It was the first-ever film version of Lewis Carroll's classic tale Alice in Wonderland and based on Sir John Tenniel's original illustrations was directed by Cecil Hepworth and Percy Stow.

It was made just 37 years after the novel's publication and only eight years after the birth of cinema....and at 12minutes long apparently it was considered a long film??Maybe something a few of today's film directors could take note from. The 1903 film has been given a new lease of life by the geniuses at BFI National Archive and it is a truly beautiful, simple and yet intricate piece of art i think. Thankyou BFI for bringing it into my life, and all you modern lardee dar - a movie needs to be 3hours long to do it justice..take note! Although saying that i think Tim's 2.5hr version will be pretty sweet!

88 Days

JACOB PERLMUTTER

I don't want to pretend i am someone who knows everything about art appreciation, but i do love it in what ever form it manifests to me personally, however weird and wonderful. Its very rare though that i get really excited and be able to see beyond what can sometimes be just a pretty picture and i have managed to find that in Jacob. An exciting upcoming street photographer who also dabbles in experimental film making among many other things, Jacob is a real talent and his latest body of work '88 days' showcasing both talent, insight and personality. 88 days is a photographic documentation of Jacob's 3 month journey round America last summer. Part self discovery, part in homage to one of his heroes Robert Frank's The Americans, the work and photos that resulted are a really insightful and beautiful body of work which is going to be exhibiting at a brand new gallery space in just under a month and i personally can't wait to see the journey in full.

Oh and whilst age is not this guys 'pr' factor at the time of the trip Jacob was only 19 and all he carried was his rucksack full of film reels, a camera, a journal and a few bits of clothing. If this guy at only 20 is taking pictures like this a) yes i am jealous, but b) he has got a pretty bright future ahead!

Check out more of his work here www.jacobperlmutter.com and then make sure you catch the exhibition when it hits London at the beginning of April @ The Orange Dot Gallery, Bloomsbury www.theorangedot.co.uk (website coming soon apparently!)