Directed by Douglas Hart, original bass player with The Jesus and Mary Chain, the video exhibits a raw, riotous & feverish vivacity infused with the artists’ trademark punk rock ethos to convey the song’s deep political message.

Written about Carlo Giuliani, an autonomist protestor killed in the 2001 G8 demonstrations in Genoa, ‘Autonomia‘ features Bobby Gillespie’s frenetic call-and-response chant with Mark Stewart.

Mark Stewart explains that when he started writing the song

“It was kind of like a protest song … afterwards I started getting on with Bobby, who was interested in politics and I asked Adrian [Sherwood] about doing it. It’s important that people hear about the story, it’s the message and the atmosphere as much as anything.”

“Starting out as a teenager in the late 70s with the Pop Group and thru the 80’s with the Maffia up to his new solo record, Mark Stewart has led the attack on conformist reality. Mark is a constant inspiration and a true Thief of Fire. A poet of paranoia and a great laugh. What a guy.” – Primal Scream

Joining Bobby Gillespie and Primal Scream on the album is cult film-maker Kenneth Anger, original Clash/PiL guitarist Keith Levene, NYC punk innovator Richard Hell, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Gina Birch of the Raincoats, Slits bassist Tessa Pollitt, Jesus And Mary Chain bassist Douglas Hart, Factory Floor, and Daddy G of Massive Attack. r dub vibe.  Throbbing bass lines and crisp snares were tangled with

‘Autonomia’ by Mark Stewart is due for release through Future Noise Music on 2oth February.

This February sees the launch of a new monthly 7” vinyl singles club by Rochester based independent label The Preservation Society Presents. Each month two artists will showcase exclusive recordings on a soon to be very collectable split 7” vinyl, limited to just 250 copies. Possibly uniquely for any record label in the UK, each vinyl is cut in real time on the record companies premises and then hand stamped by the bands.

To kick off this exciting series of releases are two very different artists, psyche-pop four piece Theatre Royal (‘head for the melodic jugular’- Artrocker) and lyrical hip hop quartet Kids Unique. Separated at birth by genre, both artists are brought together on this exclusive vinyl only release by a shared world-view, one that places an emphasis on hooks and melody, no matter what form the back beat takes.

‘Katherine’s Sleeping’ is the first new material in 2012 from Medway’s Theatre Royal. This cold slab of alternative, guitar-driven pop will be an exclusive vinyl only pre-cursor to a slew of brand new singles and a 2nd album to be released later this year.

The other half of this idiosyncratic split 7” release is ‘Seymour Evil’ the debut single from hotly tipped hip-hop outfit Kids Unique, taken from their debut album ‘Assortments’.

Whilst ‘Seymour Evil’ is casually confrontational and charmingly cock-sure, ‘Katherine’s Sleeping’ is alienation and confusion rising to a quietly anthemic chorus. The release will be supported by both acts playing a string of co-headlining dates across London & Kent.

Theatre Royal / Kids Unique UK Dates:
February 23rd – Margate, The Bracket
February 24th – Rochester, The Nags Head (Theatre Royal only)
February 25th – Folkestone, The Bar Below
February 28th – London, The Buffalo Bar

The limited edition AA-side 7” Vinyl single (250 copies only) of Theatre Royal – ‘Katherine’s Sleeping’ / Kids Unique – ‘Seymour Evil’ is released on February 27th 2012 on the Medway-based The Preservation Society label.

For more information visit www.thepreservationsocietypresents.com.

Having the missing uke replaced by a second guitar, coupled with Elizabeth sounding more like Kirsty McColl  than ever is, however, more than adequate consolation for those disturbed by the initial discovery.

‘Capricornia’ is our first permitted peep over the wall into the hallowed garden of the second album or, as I understand that we’re legally required to refer to it, the long-awaited/much-anticipated second album, and it duly delivers on the areas that you’d hope and expect it to. Driving bass – check. Solid drumming – check. Bouncability – check. Catchy tune – check. Fab guitar building to a crescendo – che… hold on, where’s the classic Rains guitar build up? Where’s the bit where he takes it all up a notch lifting the track to another level? Hmm, it all sounds a bit too polished, a bit too professional, very, dare I say it, radio-friendly? Or is that just my natural paranoia creeping in?

I still like it a hell of a lot though and it’s unmistakably Allo Darlin rocking out – I suppose it’s just taking me a while to get used to the way it feels compared to past efforts. The second album, you may be reassured to hear, is still as keenly looked forward to as ever, at least in these quarters anwyay.

You can buy the new single from your usual supplier of fine pop tunes. Oh, and it’s backed with the rather lovely ‘Tallulah’ as well. A great heart-rending track only previously available on the Hangover Lounge EP.

Ed Sheeran new single will be ‘Drunk’

Ed Sheeran has announced that his next single will be ‘Drunk’, released on February 27th via Asylum/Atlantic Records. He posted the video up online today – watch it here. It’s the 4th single to be taken from his triple platinum album ‘+’ which shot back to the top of the charts  at the beginning of this year 4 months after its initial release.

2011 was a phenomenal year for Ed Sheeran. With over 2 million records and 100,000 live tickets sold he was named as 2011’s Breakthrough Artist by Q, MSN, iTunes and the Digital Music Awards. Last week Ed received four  BRIT awards, shortlisted in the categories for British Solo Male, British Breakthrough Act, British Single for ‘The A Team’ & British Album of the Year for ‘+’.

Ed said at the time;

‘Exactly a year ago to the day I signed my record deal with Asylum/Atlantic Records. Today I have an album that’s gone triple platinum, 3 sold out tours and now four BRIT Award nominations. I’m over the moon! I really couldn’t have hoped for a better start to 2012.’’. He plays the first of two sold out Brixton Academy shows tonight in London, on the final leg of his UK tour.

The brand new video for ‘Drunk’ includes highlights from Sheeran’s last year out on the road as he toured up and down the country relentlessly. Watch it below and see if you recognise yourself… and some of Ed’s singer (and ginger) chums.

Ed Sheeran new single ‘Drunk’ is due for release on 27th February 2012.

The track is a damning indictment of greed in a year riddled by riots, revolutions, occupations and increasing collapse of the global financial system. A collaboration with Crass vocalist Eve Libertine, German elector monsters Slope and Dan Catsis from The Pop Group on bass “Nothing Is Sacred” has a howling funk-rock and unyielding political attack evolved from the sessions for Mark Stewart’s forthcoming album, and is the now-deleted AA of his limited 7” cover of the T.Rex classic “Children of the Revolution”.

Mark Stewart is one of those rare artists that has not only remained steadily prolific over the course of three decades, he continues to inspire with his pioneering sonics, viciously astute social observations and uncompromising manifestos.

Nick Cave, Alec Empire, Bobby Gillespie, Trent Reznor and Tricky amongst many others have cited him as a major influence, as well as a host of current provocateurs like Factory Floor, fellow Bristol producers Kevin Martin (The Bug, King Midas Sound) and Kahn.

His 11th-hour appearance at St. Vincent’s recent London show duetting on his early Pop Group track, “She’s Beyond Good and Evil” elicited a breathless response from critics (“a firefight of vocoder-distorted vocals and funk-rock rhythms” – The Guardian) and St. Vincent herself: “I did not want that song to end ever! It’s crazy to get to play with one of my heroes, I kinda can’t believe it.”

“Nothing Is Sacred” by Mark Stewart is available as a free download from www.markstewartmusic.com.

The Unkindness of Ravens

Underground electro band The Unkindness of Ravens new double A-side, Virus/Viper is a preview to their debut album, due out sometime in 2012. The Unkindness of Ravens is Nina Wagner and Ben Raine, the single has elements of The White Stripes with a darker, sexier side to it.

The first track Virus uses Nina’s sultry tones over Ben’s simple hooks, mixed with a beat to make you unable to do anything but get up and move. The repetition of the line “you have to be the cure” creates an almost out-of-body experience, and you find yourself nodding along and agreeing within seconds.

The slightly more melodic track Viper is just as haunting. It’s a confident, in-your-face piece, with Ben’s vocals complementing Nina’s at crucial moments.

Having spent early 2011 writing, recording and touring Germany, the duo then returned to the UK in order to produce this razor-sharp double A-side. Since releasing singles including Dead Air and White Road, the band have received excellent reviews, and have been covered by magazines such as Rock Sound and Artrocker.

This is no clean, simple electro pop sound. It’s dark, it’s dirty, and it’s downright captivating. After just one listen, it’s easy to see why they’ve been described as ‘The Kills on acid”! With such a soulful yet futuristic taster of what’s to come, it’ll leave you on tenterhooks for the albums release.

The Unkindness of Ravens return with a brand new double A-side single Virus | Viper was released on 3rd October 2011 via Sonic Fire Records.

Sweet Baboo is Stephen Black and his guitar

Sweet Baboo, comprised of Stephen Black and his guitar, is back with his latest EP ‘Girl Under A Tree’. Telling tales of love, life and relationships, Stephen’s raspy vocals and sweet lyrics create a stunning contrast.

The opening title track Girl Under A Tree is a wonderfully tender elegy to an endless love. His melancholic lyrics include lines such as “ten of me could never amount to one of you, but I’d like to”.

The Day I Lost My Voice picks up the pace with a marching beat, and the cleverly interwoven guitar strains give the track an edgier feel to the previous ones. The two instrumentals, MB following after Girl Under A Tree and LB after Great Year, set the tone for what’s to come without jarring the listener out of the relaxed mood he’s created.

The final track, Bounce, is a catchy, hopeful track about being ready to look for love once again – without losing sight of the past. With lines such as “how can I forget you, when all my thoughts are of you” sung in such an upbeat way, it’s easy to find yourself humming the tune long after it’s over.

Overall, the EP has a warm, optimistic atmosphere surrounding it. Released via Shape Records on the 19th September, the only downside to the EP is that it’s over too quickly.

Sweet Baboo – Girl Under A Tree EP Tracklist:

1.    Girl Under A Tree
2.    MB
3.    The Day I Lost My Voice
4.    Great Year
5.    LB
6.    Bounce

Frank Turner

Rounding off an exceptional year that has included headlining festivals, Main Stage sets at Reading and Leeds and a chart bothering album, Frank Turner will release his new single ‘Wessex Boy’ on 28th November through Xtra Mile Recordings. Frank Turner has also confirmed his biggest headline show to date at London’s Wembley Arena for April 2012.

The third single to be lifted from the Top 12 album ‘England Keep My Bones’ it encapsulates the album’s feeling of nostalgia, reminiscing about home towns and re-visiting cosy childhood memories after a long time away. And in some uncanny cosmic timing it provides the perfect soundtrack as the winter nights draw in and attention is turned to going home for Christmas.

It also echoes Frank Turner’s return to these shores after months of touring North America and Europe. He’s back for his huge UK headline tour with his band The Sleeping Souls. Three of the six dates are now completely sold out with the others selling fast.

Frank Turner UK Live dates:

November
22 Bournemouth O2 Academy
23 Newport, Newport Centre
24 Birmingham O2 Academy SOLD OUT
25 Glasgow Barrowlands
26 Manchester O2 Apollo SOLD OUT
27 London HMV Hammersmith Apollo SOLD OUT

As the last remaining tickets get snapped up plans are already underway for a humdinger of a one-off event for April 2012. Frank Turner’s Friday the 13th at Wembley Arena will be an extra special one-day festival-like extravaganza offering fans an incredible line-up of musical gems.

Frank Turner Tickets are on sale from 14th October.

Back to this year though and November will also see the release of Frank’s ‘Second Three Years’ – a collection of live tracks, sessions, cover versions, b-sides and lost songs from the past three years. Out on 21st November it features live recordings of the traditional folk song ‘Barbara Allen’ from Shepherd’s Bush and the show-stopping ‘Father’s Day’ from Union Chapel both in 2009; covers versions of Springsteen, Nirvana, NOFX and Flanders & Swann to name a few as well as session tracks from Radio 1 and the bonus tracks featured on the limited deluxe edition of ‘England Keep My Bones’.

And finally on 10th November Frank Turner will be performing at the inaugural AIM Music Awards in London where he is nominated for Hardest Working Act and Best Live Act.

For more information visit www.frank-turner.com.

Hiatus + Shura

Fortune’s Fool / River is the first collaboration between electronica producer Hiatus and singer-songwriter Shura, and it’s a project that started long before the pair had actually met.

Their story begins in north London in 2009. Hiatus is standing speechless after having witnessed the hushed spiritualism of Shura’s looped vocals and haunting guitar lines for the first time; he fights his way to the front of the crowd, but the singer has fled the building before he gets there.

Fast-forward two years and Hiatus – real name Cyrus Shahrad – bumps into an engineer friend who happens to mention that he’s recording with a girl called Shura. Hiatus says that he’ll drop everything if the engineer will send him some vocals to work with.

The result is River, a track so pleasing to Shura – real name Aleksandra Denton – that she suggests they meet to discuss a more extensive collaboration. The pair soon find themselves holed up in a Cotswold recording studio laying down vocals, piano and guitar parts, which Hiatus takes back to London and begins assembling with the same ear for cinematic intensity that made an underground hit of his track Insurrection (feat. Linton Kwesi Johnson), voted single of the week on Steve Lamacq’s Roud Table on BBC 6 Music in March.

But while Insurrection bristled with indignation for the repression of human rights, Fortune’s Fool is a love song drawing on the sadness at the centre of even the most romantic relationships. Its chorus is a tribute to Des’ree’s Kissing You, made famous by the film adaptation of Romeo And Juliet – a play from which Hiatus and Shura’s track takes its title.

The pair have also begun playing live, from Cargo to Camden’s Proud Galleries to Croatia’s Soundwave festival, revealing an on-stage chemistry that suggests – like their recordings – that there may have been a Shakespearean dash of celestial destiny in their coming together.

“Working with Shura is an ideal partnership,” says Hiatus. “For years I’ve been collecting female vocal samples to loop over my music, while she’s been looking for someone to fill out her vocals with beats and basslines. This feels like something that was meant to happen.”

Hiatus + Shura new single – Fortune’s Fool / River is released on 10th October 2011.

Herman Dune announce the second single from their critically acclaimed new album ‘Strange Moosic‘. The French duo of David-Ivar Herman Dune and Cosmic Néman follow the roaring success of the first single “Tell Me Something I don’t Know” (notable for its fantastic road movie video featuring Jon Hamm from Mad Men and a strange little blue yeti) with “Be A Doll and Take My Heart”, an upbeat pop ditty fuelled by acoustic guitars, David-Ivar’s distinctive vocals and fun-filled “oohs”.

Here’s a link to the video for the song, directed again by Toben Seymour and features Herman Dune’s signature baby-blue Yeti hanging out with the kids and skateboarding!

David-Ivar wrote this as a love song, despite the fact that he started writing it after reading Deuteronomy 33:6, in which Moses blesses Reuben and says “May You Live And Not Die“. In context this might have been some kind of admonition but David-Ivar saw it otherwise and thought it was a wonderful thing to say to a loved one. Using the line as a starting point for the song, David added his favourite things to tell a woman you love, including the expression “Be A Doll”, which ended up being the title and the chorus of the song. As he explains: “Giving your heart to someone is a big deal and I felt that asking a girl nicely to “Be a doll and take my heart” balances out the wish that she would live and not die and the possessiveness of “May you never love another guy”

Recorded in Portland, Oregon at Type Foundry Studios (The Decemberists, Dirty Projectors, M Ward), the song’s structure was based on four chords being played sitting down, reminiscent of Kurt Cobain’s guitar-based songs like “Polly” or “On A Plane“, and was embellished with sweet backing vocals by local Portland artists Sean Flinn and Rachel Blumberg.

Herman Dune October UK Tour:

Wednesday, 12 October
London, UK, Union Chapel

Thursday, 13 October
Southampton, UK, Joiners Arms

Friday, 14 October
Nottingham, UK, Rescue Rooms

Saturday, 15 October
Manchester, UK, Islington Mill

Sunday, 16 October
Glasgow, Scotland, King Tuts

Monday, 17 October
Leeds, UK, The Brudenell Social Club

Tuesday, 18 October
York, UK, The Duchess

Wednesday, 19 October
Sheffield, UK, The Hawley

Thursday, 20 October
Cardiff, Wales, SWN Festival

Friday, 21 October
Birmingham, UK, Academy

Saturday 22 October
Rough Trade Instore – Saturday 22 October – 12 noon

Herman Dune release “Be A Doll and Take My Heart” on Fotuna POP! on Monday 10 October.