Thursday, 10 May 2012

Lawrence of Belgravia

 
As lead singer with Felt, Lawrence was responsible for some of the most precious music of the 1980s. On touchstone indie labels such as Cherry Red and Creation, the band released ten albums and ten singles - one for each year of the decade. Though few releases troubled the charts, Felt's cult status was assured and a mission of sorts was accomplished. Lawrence went on to form Denim and Go Kart Mozart, bands that revelled in referencing 1970s glam and novelty rock while slyly critiquing the contemporary pop scenes. There's been an air of tragi-comedy about Lawrence's career at times. Felt were bumped from the cover of the NME when editors favoured a blacked-out cover to illustrate a feature on youth suicide, while Denim's infectious 1997 single 'Summer Smash' was scratched from radio playlists when it was released in the week Princess Diana died. Paul Kelly's intimate, smart doc portrait, a labour of love filmed over the last eight years, follows Lawrence between Go Kart Mozart albums, weighed down by the chips on his shoulders while still dreaming of being a pop star who rides in limousines and dates supermodels. He appears as, perhaps, he always has; a man out of time, touched by rare genius.



HEAVENLY FILMS 



Tuesday, 3 April 2012

Vintage Blake: Sir Peter recreates his famous album sleeve.


Sir Peter Blake has recreated his most famous piece of artwork, The Beatles' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club album cover.

It is in celebration of his eightieth birthday and features some of the UK's most famous cutural icons. It will be on display at Wayne Hemmingway's Vintage Festival on the July 13 to 15 as part of an exhibition celebrating Sir Peter's life and work.

The piece includes musical icons such as Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger, musicians that Sir Peter has worked with including Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller and then the likes of Kate Moss, Delia Smith and J K Rowling.

Tuesday, 21 February 2012

The last Shop Standing

The amazing story of the rise, death, and resurrection of the independent record store.





Thursday, 26 January 2012

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Independent Label Market : Spitalfields

After the success of London and Brooklyn, ILM and AIM hosted a special Christmas market for the labels that lost their stock when rioters burnt down the Sony/PIAS warehouse in Enfield, August 2011.



Independant Label market


Friday, 13 January 2012

The Brit Awards Nominations 2012


Ed Sheeran is expected to be the big winner at next month's Brit Awards after receiving more nominations than even Adele.

The Suffolk songwriter, whose song "The A Team" received 20 million YouTube views, earned four nominations, one more than Adele and Jessie J. But Sheeran has been called the leader of "the New Boring", a cultural movement which supposedly includes Adele and Coldplay.

The nominations reflect a year in which singer/songwriters have dominated the charts, at the expense of traditional guitar-based rock.

The British Female category is now the most competitive in the list. Last year's winner, Laura Marling, defends her crown against Florence and the Machine, Jessie J, Adele and Kate Bush.

2012 BRIT Awards nominees:

British male solo artist
Ed Sheeran
James Blake
James Morrison
Noel Gallagher
Professor Green

British female solo artist
Adele
Florence + the Machine
Jessie J
Kate Bush
Laura Marling

British breakthrough act
Anna Calvi
Ed Sheeran
Emeli Sandé
Jessie J
The Vaccines

British group
Arctic Monkeys
Chase & Status
Coldplay
Elbow
Kasabian

British single
Adele, Someone Like You
Ed Sheeran, The A Team
Example, Changed The Way You Kissed Me
Jessie J ft. B.o.B., Price Tag
JLS ft. Dev, She Makes Me Wanna
Military Wives/Gareth Malone, Wherever You Are
Olly Murs ft. Rizzle, Kicks Heart Skips A Beat
One Direction, What Makes You Beautiful
Pixie Lott, All About Tonight
The Wanted, Glad You Came

Mastercard British album of the year
Adele, 21
Coldplay, Mylo Xyloto
Ed Sheeran, +
Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials
PJ Harvey, Let England Shake

International male solo artist
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Bruno Mars
David Guetta
Ryan Adams

International female solo artist
Beyonce Knowles
Bjork
Feist
Lady Gaga
Rihanna

International group
Fleet Foxes
Foo Fighters
Jay-Z/Kanye West
Lady Antebellum
Maroon 5

International breakthrough act
Aloe Blacc
Bon Iver
Foster The People
Lana Del Rey
Nicki Minaj

Outstanding contribution to music award
Blur

Critics' choice
1st: Emeli Sande
2nd: Maverick Sabre
3rd: Michael Kiwanuka

British producer
Paul Epworth
Flood
Ethan Johns

Thursday, 12 January 2012

Shut Up & Play the Hits - the trailer

On April 2nd 2011, LCD Soundsystem played its final show at Madison Square Garden. LCD frontman James Murphy had made the conscious decision to disband one of the most celebrated and influential bands of its generation at the peak of its popularity, ensuring that the band would go out on top with the biggest and most ambitious concert of its career. The instantly sold out, near four-hour extravaganza did just that, moving the thousands in attendance to tears of joy and grief, with NEW YORK magazine calling the event "a marvel of pure craft" and TIME magazine lamenting "we may never dance again." SHUT UP AND PLAY THE HITS is both a narrative film documenting this once in a life time performance and an intimate portrait of James Murphy as he navigates the lead-up to the show, the day after, and the personal and professional ramifications of his decision.



Directed by Dylan Southern and Will Lovelace

The Kills 'The last Goodbye' video

Actress Samantha Morton has directed the video for the Kills' new track, 'The Last Goodbye'.

The video celebrates ten years of the band and was shot in a photobooth by Morton, who recently made her directorial debut with the film The Unloved.


The Kills: The Last Goodbye on Nowness.com.

Velvet Underground get legal with Apple over banana



The Velvet Underground, the band formed by Lou Reed and John Cale in the 60s, has taken legal action against the Andy Warhol Foundation for selling his iconic Banana album design to Apple.

The artwork was originally used on the 1967 album 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'.

The lawsuit this time claims the image is symbolic of the band and fans relate to the image as The Velvet Underground. They claim that by selling the image to Apple for iPad and iPhone products that the Andy Warhol Foundation is cheapening the name of The Velvet Underground and associating them with a product they would never endorse.

However, the artwork was never copyrighted because Andy Warhol originally licenced the image from an ad.

The album was a commercial failure in its day. It entered the Billboard chart in May 13, 1967 at no. 199 and was out by June 10, 1967 after only getting to no. 177. The group disbanded in 1973 and in years to come the album went on to become one of the most important records of its time.

Wednesday, 11 January 2012

This Day In Bob Dylan app

Software maker This Day in Music Apps has released a new downloadable application dedicated to Bob Dylan for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. This Day in Bob Dylan delves into the artist’s biography, catalogue and more, providing fans with multimedia assets and historical details on-demand.



This Day in Bob Dylan


MadPad for iPhone and iPad [Car Remix]





BBC Sound of 2012 winner - Michael Kiwanuka

An unassuming soul singer from London has won the BBC's Sound of 2012 award.

Michael Kiwanuka came top of the poll of music industry insiders to find the most exciting new artist of the year.

Previous winners include Adele, Jessie J and Ellie Goulding.

Michael Kiwanuka website

Fender unveils Johnny Marr guitar



The former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr has modified the original Jaguar and put his name on it.

Marr is best known, of course, as the strikingly dynamic and influential anti-hero guitarist-arranger-all-around-musical-wunderkind behind Manchester quartet the Smiths, which virtually redefined and ruled U.K. pop throughout the 1980s. A master of melody, layering and texture, Marr has always brought his own instantly identifiable ringing, jangling genius to the proceedings, as he has done in post-Smiths stints with The The, Electronic, the Pretenders and Johnny Marr and the Healers, and right up to the present with Modest Mouse, the Cribs and innumerable guest appearances.




Johnny Marr

Monday, 9 January 2012

Paul Ainsworth Awarded Honorary Diploma

Congratulations to Paul Ainsworth who owns and runs At Number 6 and Rojano's restaurants in Padstow who has been presented with a Honorary Diploma in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the catering and hospitality industry.

It is a pleasure to work with you Paul!



 
http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Paul-Ainsworth-awarded-honorary-diploma/?utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BDaily&c=R3pr6Z0dLoAxLlMZiLGdmqGZyp8cPetz

Friday, 6 January 2012

Toni & Guy to speak at Retail Marketing In-Store Communications Conference

The line up for the Retail Marketing In-Store Communications Conference is stunning!

Taking place on the 2nd February 2012 at The Commonwealth Club in London guest speakers representing some the best of retail  speak about the very latest trends and innovations and provide attendees the opportunity to gain invaluable insights and market intelligence from high profile brands and retailers.

Toni & Guy TV is a service delivered by Imagesound plc.

http://www.popai.co.uk/Events/February-2012/Retail-Marketing-In-Store-Communications-Conference.aspx

Imagesound - Asia Press Release 6th January 2012 written by Diane Whalley, Sales Director @ Imagesound plc

www.imagesound-asia.comwww.imagesound.co.uk
In-store music provider Imagesound is further branching out by expanding its marketplaces wider. The latest worldwide venture is the introduction of Imagesound-Asia who opens for business this month. Based in Hong Kong the company will provide business music, retail radio and on-screen media solutions across Asia.

Peter Day, Regional Sales Manager Imagesound Asia commented:

“It gives me much pleasure to join Imagesound Asia and be part of the group’s expansion strategy. As a fast developing in-store music provider in the international market and with the blooming marketing in the Asian Retail, leisure and hospitality sector, Imagesound represents endless challenging opportunities to me”

Michael Clark Managing Director Imagesound Plc commented:

‘This is an exciting time for Imagesound Plc we are very successful with our highly bespoke MusicStyling brand in the Asian hospitality sector and feel that the time is now right to launch our core Imagesound model’



For more information please contact peter.day@imagesound.co.uk     

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Put yourself in their shoes!

A great article about customer experience for The Retail Bulletin today by Retail Eyes.

Put yourself in their shoes 

Christmas shopping can feel like a stampede sometimes. Make sure that all of your most popular and
top selling items are easily visible and accessible in the store. By all means, play the classic
Christmas music to keep staff and customers in the mood, but try to mix it up with more modern music
to stop it becoming monotonous!


Christmas music shouldn't adhere to the same rules as Christmas merchansing. It is ok to have full on Christmas displays in November but full on 100% Christmas music can have a negative effect on both staff morale and productivity we suggest a gradual move into Christmas musically ensuring that 25% of your music being Christmas music means 1 in 4 tracks and not a full 15 mins every hour!

Use your music to build the Christmas promotion throughout November and December. One thing to remember is that Christmas music doesn't work after Christmas so make sure you have your exit plan in place!

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Morrissey allows John Lewis to use Smiths track for Christmas ad campaign

His lyrics aren't usually associated with festive cheer, but Morrisey has permitted department store John Lewis to use the Smiths song 'please, please, please let me get what i want' for its Christmas advert.



Reports that John Lewis will be using 'Shoplifters of the World Unite' for a campaign in the new year are unconfirmed at time of writing.

Levi's® Craft of Music presents Primal Scream



LEVI'S


Wednesday, 2 November 2011

AIM Independent Music Awards

The first AIM Independent Music Awards is coming!


The UK’s independent music sector is home to some of the greatest artists in the world.  

The AIM Awards will recognise the real heroes of music; those who do things their own way, make phenomenal music, and inspire us all with their creativity, commitment and brilliance.

Taking place at Floridita in London's Soho, the ceremony will be hosted by BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq and Radio 1’s Huw Stephens on the 10th November 2011.

Bjork has already been announced as winning the Outstanding Contribution to Music award and Lawrence Bell the founder of Domino Recording Company has won the Pioneer Award. Eleven other categories will be announced  on the night....

Who would your winners be?

Independent Entrepreneur of the Year (in association with The Orchard)
Rob da Bank (Sunday Best Recordings / Bestival / Camp Bestival / AIF / Radio 1)
Ruth Daniel (Fat Northerner Records / unConvention)
Martin Goldschmidt (Cooking Vinyl)
Julie Weir (Visible Noise / Wiseblood Management)


Best Difficult Second Album'21' - Adele (XL Recordings)
'Bon Iver' - Bon Iver (4AD)
'Helplessness Blues' - Fleet Foxes (Bella Union)
'Pala' Friendly Fires (XL Recordings)
'Watch Me Dance' - Toddla T (Ninja Tune)


Catalogue Release of the Year (in association with Rovi)
'Ninja Tune XX' - Various Artists - Ninja Tune
'The Wonderful & Frightening World of The Fall / This Nation's Saving Grace (Omnibus Edition)' -
The Fall - Beggars Group
'Coals To Newcastle' - Orange Juice - Domino
'Matador at 21' - Various Artists - Matador Records


Best Small Label (in association with Sound Performance)
Ambiguous Records
Naim Edge Records
Smalltown America
Stolen Recordings


Hardest Working Band or Artist (in association with Live Nation)
Beardyman (Sunday Best Recordings)
Bring Me The Horizon (Visible Noise)
Frank Turner (Xtra Mile)
Random Hand (Bomber Music)


Innovative Marketing Campaign of the YearNinja Tune - Amon Tobin 'ISAM' campaign
Ninja Tune - 'Ninja Tune XX' campaign
Radar Maker - Frankie & the Heartstrings 'Hunger' campaign
Warp Records - Flying Lotus EP ‘Cosmogramma, Pattern+Grid World, Cosmogramma Alt Takes’


Independent Breakthrough of the YearBring Me The Horizon (Visible Noise)
Caro Emerald (Dramatico)
The Horrors (XL Recordings)
SBTRKT (XL Recordings)

Indie ChampionTom Robinson, 6Music
Nathan Clark, Brudenell Social Club
John Robb, Louder Than War
John Doran & Luke Turner, The Quietus


Golden Welly Award for Best Independent Festival (in association with AIF and Virtual
Festivals)
Bearded Theory
Belladrum
End of the Road
Y Not Festival


PPL Award for Most Played Independent ArtistAdele (XL Recordings)
Arctic Monkeys (Domino)
Vampire Weekend (XL Recordings)
The XX (XL Recordings/Young Turks)

Best Live Act (in association with Sailor Jerry, voted for by readers of The Fly)
Bring Me The Horizon (Visible Noise)
Enter Shikari (Ambush Reality)
Frank Turner (Xtra Mile)
Warpaint (Rough Trade)



Tuesday, 1 November 2011

Apple is a "digital vampire", says Pete Townshend

The Who guitarist Pete Townshend urges Apple's iTunes to use its power to help new bands instead of "bleeding" artists like a "digital vampire".




Wednesday, 26 October 2011

John Peel Day



John Peel died seven years ago yesterday.

As mainstream radio in the UK gets steadily worse, as exposure opportunities for the genuinely interesting and different quickly disappear, and as lowest common denominator fodder like X Factor begins to limit the power of music in the popular imagination, he is missed now more than ever.


Monday, 24 October 2011

Wagamama Lounge

This year Wagamama took festival eating to another level with their brand new experience the wagamama lounge which celebrates food, music and art.



Wagamama Lounge

Turntables in Motion: A Bicycle With Record Players For Wheels



Dutch designers Merel Slootheer, Pieter Frank de Jong and Liat Azulay have created a bike that plays music. Feats Per Minute (fiets is Dutch for bicycle) was designed using a basic $90 bike and with a few changes converted into a record player on wheels.


Friday, 14 October 2011

Manchester Connection – exhibition of Manchester pop posters


The Movie Poster Gallery has announced a fascinating exhibition of original and rare music posters entitled “The Manchester Connection”, that exploded in the wake of the Sex Pistols’ legendary 1976 Free Trade Hall gig. The exhibition runs from 12th-25th November at the Movie Poster Art Gallery, 1 Colville Place, London, W1T 2BG.

The art exhibition highlights some of the great designs Factory commissioned from Peter Saville, Central Station Design, Ben Kelly and 8vo, along with the equally inspired design concepts of Morrissey for The Smiths, and the Stone Roses' guitarist John Squire.

Highlights include rare original music posters from The Smiths, New Order, A Certain Ratio, Happy Mondays, The Stone Roses, The Haçienda, plus an ultra rare poster of Joy Division’s debut album “Unknown Pleasures,” rare sleeve proofs of The Smiths, A Certain Ratio, New Order, and a unique Morrissey hand-annotated sleeve proof for his album “Your Arsenal,” plus rare artefacts including the original FAC51 embosser used at the HAÇIENDA, the original “Gay Traitor” bar menu poster from the HAÇIENDA.

First time collectors and buyers will find many pieces surprisingly affordable. Posters purchased from the exhibition will include conservation-standard framing and UV glass.

More Information



Not content with sticking Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in Formula One cars every other weekend, Red Bull put 30 well known artists into pods on the London Eye last night as organisers hosted what they claim was the first ever festival in the sky.
2 Bears,MC Dynamite, Goldie and Scroobius Pip were all doing it.

Music producer and DJ Andy Weatherall, who was in one of the pods, said it would be hard to see the London Eye being taken over like this for another one off music event.

"One organisation couldn't pull off something like this every week, the months that must have gone into this," he said.

Essentially the whole of the London Eye was out of bounds for the public with each pod housing one different act for a select few.



Tuesday, 11 October 2011

Resonant Decor


By nature, sound is a hard thing to visualize — but now you can have a visual reminder of your favorite noise by ordering up some Resonant Decor. Available in a variety of sizes and color schemes, these unique decorations are created by taking the waveform of a sound you record and upload, giving it a custom colored gradient design, and printing the final image on a high-quality canvas, making each piece uniquely yours.

RESONANT DECOR


Thursday, 25 August 2011

Bench 'Real Scenes' documentary; Detroit

You can't talk about electronic music without mentioning Detroit. The city's DJs and producers birthed the genre we now call techno. Detroit, however, has always had a creative streak, due in large part to the boom and subsequent bust of the auto industry (see Motown). Quite simply, Detroit is a city of extremes, and its music reflects that.


Real Scenes: Detroit from Resident Advisor on Vimeo.


Supported and concieved with BENCH clothing.


The Reel Jimi Hendrix



Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Acid Jazz at Dingwalls 1990

Gilles Petersons 'Talking Loud' club was an afternoon session at Dingwalls in Camden Town in the late eighties / early nineties.

Its widely regarded as being instrumental in taking jazz from the back rooms in clubs to its own bigger stage with a wealth of quality uk bands and Djs.

This half hour film was borrowed from the ANCIENT to FUTURE blog put together by head honcho at 'Straight no Chaser' Paul Bradshaw. It gives a great insight into an important time in Jazz club culture.


Acid Jazz with Gilles Peterson. feat. Brand New Heavies - Mark "Snowboy" Cotgrove - Steve Williamson and Bukky Leo at Dingwalls. from Paul TV on Vimeo.


Gilles Peterson


Ancient to Future Blog


Good Times Soundsystem at the Notting Hill Carnival

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Norman & Joey Jays goodtimes soundsystem at the Notting Hill carnival.

Here's a brief section from Norms Good Times film ...



Norman Jay

Tuesday, 16 August 2011

Background Music in Kuwait Retail

Well Done to Phil and the team from all at Imagesound!  


Imagesound Arabia have been selected to supply Ali Abdul Wahab Co & Sons background music services across a a fantastic line up of big brands!


Brands including Nike, Shoe Box New York, Crocs, Explorers Base and TAF which are operated by Ali Abdul Wahab Co & Sons will each be provided with a unique in-store music profile delivered to the store automatically using Imagesound’s internet updated background music systems.
The music will be delivered using the Imagesound mini audio players. The unique playlists designed specifically for each brand by Imagesound Arabia, will be delivered and updated using Ali Abdul Wahab Co and Son’s existing store broadband network.




Wednesday, 3 August 2011

Experience the Caffe Nero Imagesound Stage at Cornbury 2011

 
Caffe Nero proudly sponsored the Cornbury Festival which took place on the first weekend in July and starred Status Quo, The Faces, Ray Davis, Imelda May, James Blunt and Olly Murs.The Caffe Nero tent meant our favourite coffee was on hand whilst we enjoyed the amazing acoustic/jazz line up of artists who played the Caffe Nero Imagesound stage over the three days. We were fortunate enough to be able to capture the line up on the final day of the festival so that we could share this with you!