Jessica 6 in the 1920s

You can now download my 1920s show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes selections suggested by Tracy Shaffer Miller and Randy (Berkeley, CA).

Artists include Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, Ma Rainey, The Carter Family, Helen Kane and The Reverend Edward Clayborn.

The full playlist for the show can be found here

Next month I'll be visiting 1975 - if you have a request, please contact me via Twitter

Enjoy!

More British Sea Power

Last night I went to see British Sea Power (again!)

Someone I work with had bought tickets for him and his friends to see them at Rugby Library, and some of his friends couldn't go, so he offered me and mine the two tickets! It's a bit of a trek from where I live, but it had to be a resounding YES... so after work yesterday I toodled over to Rugby in my magic bubble car (actually it was far more boring than that, using the A14 and M6) and enjoyed my first gig ever in a public library.

As many people will know, in the UK there are serious threats to the funding for public libraries, and there is an organisation called Get It Loud In Libraries, who have been around for a while, who organise and promote gigs in libraries. British Sea Power are one of the latest bands to join their roster, doing gigs last night at Rugby, and tonight at Westminster Library in London. With lyrics such as '

The show was fantastic, the people, as always, were great, and I bought even more merchandise! I couldn't resist the Heron Addict bag (I already have the t-shirt) and I also bought another mug.

The setlist was just about the same as the Cambridge gig, and once again the sound was fantastic - when they start a song there is so much power to it that you can barely believe they are creating all that sound on stage. It is breathtaking.

AND...Christopher Laird will be presenting the British Sea 'Power Hour' on RadioNowhere on Monday 14th March at 9pm UK Time - don't miss it!!

There is something quite magical about watching a band surrounded by precious books, in a setting that exemplifies for me what is so important about social justice. I don't use my public library as much as I should, but at particular times in my life I have relied on libraries a great deal - when I was unemployed, and periods when I was short of money, I used the library all the time. I am a probably a bit more comfortable (and complacent) these days with internet access at home and a bit more cash to buy books when I want them, but at other times in my life, access to (truly unaffordable) computers, books, CDs, DVDs, and newspapers has been a huge influence and very welcome resource. I have discovered so many new authors without having to spend any money at all - that sounds like a pretty good deal. We should truly treasure our libraries - I know I'll be visiting mine more often and re-living that excitement of seeing thousands of books that could all be mine (even if only for 4 weeks at a time!)

Jessica 6 in 1967

You can now download my 1967 show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes The Beatles, The Mothers of Invention, Martha & The Vandellas, Nina Simone, The Doors, Pink Floyd, plus many more.

The full playlist for the show can be found here

Next month I'll be in 2002 - if there are any songs you think I just must play, please contact me via Twitter - I'd love to hear from you!

Enjoy!

My brain is exploding

Life has been very absorbing lately, interesting for me, but rather too absorbing to allow me to post to my blog. I'm studying a couple of courses this year, as well as working full-time, and also trying to keep up with a monthly show for RadioNowhere. Life is busy!

I've just spent the last 5 days analysing data and writing up a project which in real life probably no-one will read, and none of the recommendations will be implemented. Joy.

And I have another essay on something criminology-ish due next week and I am two weeks behind on my reading... and I'm sitting here writing a blog post - can you see why I'm behind?!

Anyway, the highlight of the last few days has to be recording my 1967 show which goes out on Tuesday - I think there's something there for everyone. I know I'm biased, but I know I'll enjoy it! It will be available for podcast soon after broadcast, but I will also put a link up here (although I only noticed tonight that I got last month's ready and then never posted it - oh dear)

I love British Sea Power

I spent a wonderful night last night with Christopher Laird at the Cambridge Junction, meeting and chatting to one of my ALL TIME favourite bands, British Sea Power. Wow, I just love how life turns out sometimes.

Despite it being disgustingly cold, and (as usual) having a woefully inadequate 'coat', and the Junction being stuck out of the way of everything except crappy food places - and a Tesco Express - it was a grand night out.

Not only did I get to chat with the lovely Scott/Yan (centre left) and his brother Neil/Hamilton (centre right), who are just so down to earth and friendly and funny - honestly - I also got to see another one of their stunning live shows. They are amazing on record, and if you haven't heard their records BUY THEM ALL NOW, but live they do come into their own. With their self-created videos in the background (they were working on them backstage before the show) and the intricate and intelligent lyrics, which are so unique they remind me of Cardiacs, and their stage presence, layers of sound and musical qualities, they are hard to beat as a live act. Their version of Apologies to Insect Life (in my top 3 songs of all time) made me a very happy girl.

They have a fairly intimidating presence, but not at all in person. As I have loved them for a while I was of course slightly in awe, but they were just taking the piss out of each other the whole time, seemingly quite shy but also super friendly and happy to talk to us about our small, independent station.

They also have the best merchandise (which they said pays their electricity bill!) and if you haven't seen it, visit their website for a look. I am a sucker for good merchandise, and came home laden with lovely things (if you're interested, vinyl versions of 2 of their albums, a t-shirt, a set of badges and a mug).

Christopher Laird will be using his interview with the band for a special show on RadioNowhere, and I might even force my way on that show, if I get the chance! I'll post nearer the time with the details.

BSP will be on tour all over the place for the rest of this year, so if you have the chance: GO GO GO!

Jessica 6 in 1984

I have been ridiculously busy over the last few weeks (all work and no play makes Jessica a crappy blogger)

However, I did find time to listen to a myriad of treats from 1984 and choose a few to share with you - my 1984 show is now available as a podcast here

This month's show includes selections from Black Flag, Special AKA, The Smiths, Wang Chung and Colourbox - you can see the full playlist here

In January I will be in 1952 (I like to make my life difficult) so if you'd like to help and make a suggestion for a song - or a year you'd like me to visit in 2011, please get in touch via Twitter or by e-mail

Have a wonderful festive season and I'll be back on 4th January wearing my poodle skirt and pearls... hope you'll join me x

Jessica 6 in 1971

You can now download my 1971 show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes selections from Leonard Cohen, T Rex, The Supremes and Can, as well as many more. The full playlist for this show is available here

Thanks to Emma Mitchell, who helped me reach a final playlist for 1971 - if you would like to request a year or put in some suggestions for my next show, when I'll be in 1984, you can get in touch via e-mail or twitter

And, remember, it's RadioNowhere's 8th birthday on 11th November - if you can provide even the smallest gift to help us stay on air, we'll be your best friend forever... to donate, click here

Enjoy!!

Shiny new things

I haven't been to any more gigs this month, but have been in the business of acquiring shiny new things instead.

Recent purchases include a wonderful, sexy and beautiful Indietracks postcard painted by Eddie Argos - it's two canvases, one being the front picture and the other being the bit you write a message to people on, which has been personalised to me. I love it. I love it. I love it. You can see it on his blog, where he sells paintings and band merchandise and stuff. He's great.

I have also bought a copy of the 7" of Uptown Top Ranking by Althia and Donna (spelled Althia on this release and Althea on subsequent releases - I know, I'm a nerd) on Lightning Records from a wonderful vinyl record shop near where I live. We also got a 7" of De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da by The Police recorded in Spanish and Japanese. Yay! AND we got the vinyl of Me And My Big Mouth by John Cooper Clarke, which was a bit of a surprise when we got it home as I had only heard his stuff performed live before and didn't realise that most of his stuff is set to music. I think I prefer the live stuff as his delivery is better without it being slowed to match the rhythm of the music, although saying that I really liked I Don't Want To Be Nice and need to visit 1978 soon so I can play it. I have really got into vinyl again, but I think it's mainly seeing thousands of records of cool stuff that is otherwise so very hard to find.

Other than scanning record racks this month and buying art brut (haha), I have been mostly writing about opium/opioid markets and listening to music from 1971. Speaking of which, you can catch the next Jessica 6 show from 1971 (see, shameless promotion) on Tuesday 2 November 2010 at 9pm UK time on RadioNowhere - 'twill be a pleasure to be with you then.

Jessica 6 in 2006

You can now download my 2006 show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes Hot Chip, The Divine Comedy, Matisyahu, Art Brut and Absentee plus many more. The full playlist for the show can be found here

Next month, by request, I'll be in 1971 - if there are any songs you think I just must play, contact me by e-mail or on Twitter

Enjoy!

Back to School!

Last night I once again joined my partner-in-crime, Christopher Laird in seeing a great band, and friends of RadioNowhere, The School. They were playing at The Corner House in Cambridge, a small but perfectly-formed pub venue, put on by new local promoters Sleeping Today.

On arrival at the venue, Christopher was locked in the pub cellar and members of The School stole all of his equipment and ran away with it. Fortunately, rather than throw the stuff in the river, they showed their incredible work ethic and their dedication to good music and decided to use their down time by recording a show for him, taking over the controls and recording all manner of crazy banter and picking all their favourite songs of the moment to share with the wonderful RadioNowhere audience. Their takeover show will go out on RadioNowhere later this year, with some special seasonal surprises - keep an eye on www.radionowhere.org for more information and a transmission date.

After reluctantly releasing Christopher from the cellar (he was very dusty), The School took to the stage, playing several songs from this year's Loveless Unbeliever album, as well as some new songs, which I thought sounded great, and they assure us will form part of an album scheduled for next year (yay!) on Elefant Records.

They will be off to Germany soon, so if you're in that part of the world, go along and support them - they are the loveliest people you could wish to meet, so friendly and enthusiastic - some of the members are in about 5 or more bands because they love making music and are overflowing with talent. And if you can't get to see them live just yet (they'll be in a town near you soon) just get a copy of the album - it will make you smile and want to dance even if it is raining and dark and miserable (like today).

If you like the sound of that, visit them at www.myspace.com/theschoolband

The Formidable Joy Formidable

On Tuesday 28th September I joined Christopher Laird at the Norwich Waterfront for one of the best bands around - The Joy Formidable. I was meant to join Christopher for an interview with the band before their show, but unfortunately I was unaware that Norwich City Football Club were playing at home that night not 5 minutes from the venue, and therefore my plans for parking just around the corner from the venue were thwarted by several thousand football fans. Finding a parking space on the other side of the city meant that I turned up at the venue a whole 75 minutes later than expected, and so missed the interview - boo hiss.

I did, however, turn up well in time to see the main act, who were their usual amazing selves. This is the third time I have seen them, twice before at the Portland Arms, a teeny-tiny venue in Cambridge, and the move up to a full-size venue is well deserved. The Joy Formidable are currently headlining the NME tour in the UK and this is only the beginning for them - they are going to be huge. I remember seeing them for the first time - in February 2008? with Betty & The Werewolves and It Hugs Back (a great line-up) - and they were about to go out on tour supporting Passion Pit (I think) - Christopher Laird leant over to me and said 'there is no way I'd want these guys supporting me, they are way too good' - and he was right - they deserve to be headliners and they will be playing huge venues before long.

The show on Tuesday was brilliant - all three members took the front of the stage and have amazing stage presence, all the time still looking like they are enjoying themselves. Their drummer, Matt (below) has to be the best live drummer I have EVER seen and I don't know whether it was a peculiarity of the stage set at Norwich that he was sitting up front, but he certainly deserves his place there - his immense sound draws your eyes to him and a number of people standing up front were watching him at least as much as the enigmatic and beautiful Ritzy.

The band played material from last year's mini-album, A Balloon Called Moaning and from their other singles, and the highlight of the show for me was the main set-ending Whirring, ending in a crescendo of feedback. The album is due in January - a must have - and maybe a Mercury Music Prize nominee?

Their tour continues across the UK... get tickets now!

Jessica 6 in 1960

You can now download my 1960 show as a podcast, available here

This month's show includes selections from Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Ella Fitzgerald, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, and Buddy Holly, amongst others. The full playlist for the show can be viewed here

Next month I'll be in 2006 - if there are any songs you'd particularly like me to play, contact me via twitter or send me an e-mail

Enjoy!

Jessica 6 in 1993

You can now hear my 1993 show as a podcast, available here

You can view the playlist here

Next month I'll be in 1960 - requests can be sent to me via twitter or via e-mail

Enjoy!

Indietracks: The main event

The highlight of my weekend was Everybody Was In The French Resistance...Now! Christopher Laird interviewed Eddie Argos (above) for the RadioNowhere Indietracks Special (go to http://www.radionowhere.org/ to listen) and he was a really lovely bloke. I had briefly met him before at a gig in London but everybody in the place was wasted (myself included) and I don't exactly remember making his acquaintance! Eddie was rather annoyed that he was able to play Indietracks but was not able to stay for the whole event, therefore missing the Pooh Sticks on Sunday. His on-stage persona really appeals to me, and the 'reply' songs on the EWITFR...N! album are funny AND clever. I really liked him as he appears to have no ego at all and was just pleased to be there. I also like him because he's bloody talented. My favourite bit from their show, though, was the two 'blokes with beers' standing in front of me for a while watching the show, then seeing one turn to the other and mouth 'what the fuck?' - ace!

Other highlights for me included Yokoko who played a set on one of the vintage trains. Apart from my legs going dead while sitting on the train floor watching them, it was great and the band were also very lovely people who just want to get their music out there and get people to hear it, a really down-to-earth attitude about making and sharing music (hooray). One of the best bits for me was their innovative use of a friend as a set list holder (below - front and back:)

The Blanche Hudson Weekend (below) were a breath of fresh air for the festival on Sunday - just as we were all beginning to get slightly twee'd-off, they played the engine shed and blasted the entire audience on the arses with their wonderful feedback-laden sound. On stage, unsmiling and dark, they look like intimidating rock stars, but off stage, the strong Leeds accents and Yorkshire warmth knock you over like an eager puppy - a really cool bunch who make fine music. Clearly influenced by my favourites, The Jesus & Mary Chain, but also bringing to the party echoes of the 60s 'Spector' sound, they surprised me greatly when they said this was only their second gig!

Slow Club were their usual amazing selves (below) - not too keen on festivals by the sound of it, but they played a wonderful set, including my favourite: I Was Unconscious, It Was A Dream. Charles and Rebecca chatted to Christopher Laird and me before their set and told us how excited they were to be going off to Japan, playing a few gigs after that, then taking a break for most of the rest of the year - I think it's about 2 and a half years since I first saw them and they have been gigging relentlessly since then, I think they deserve a holiday!

One of the main reasons for us heading to Indietracks this year was the announcement that Linda Guilala were going to be playing. We were sad that they weren't at last year's festival as it was partly curated by their label, Elefant to celebrate the label's 20th birthday. However, the wait was well worth it. They were wonderful, playing a selection from their album Bucles Infinitos and being joined onstage by Paula and Adria from Papa Topo for their last song, Torremolinos. I LOVE Papa Topo (below) and very much enjoyed meeting them with Linda Guilala after their set. If you haven't seen the video for Oh So Panda, head to YouTube NOW!

Indietracks: Why I love it

I LOVE INDIETRACKS! There, I've said it! I don't really fit the stereotype of people who love Indietracks, as I am not anywhere near cutesy twee enough, but nevertheless, one of the strengths of the festival is that is pretty welcoming to allcomers.

For anyone who doesn't know, Indietracks is held at the Midland Railway - Butterley in Derbyshire, and you can either camp near the actual festival venue of Swanwick Junction, or 'commute' in each day via Butterley Station and take a vintage steam or diesel train to the festival site. It's a really lovely walk too (below).


There's just something really heartwarming about attending a festival with around 1500 NICE people. I have been to most of the 'old' festivals in the UK and have spent weekends in the general company of some of the biggest tossers known to man, but all this is different at Indietracks, it's small but not boring, although if you're a party animal you might be a teeny bit bored with the trains and the twee crafts and so on... however, if you work hard and fancy a pretty low-key but fun weekend without any pressure, this is the place for you. It's nice to just sit around and watch some bands, have a wander to the cafe, get a beer, or have a rest sitting in a vintage train carriage that is converted into a bar for the weekend (below).

This year's line up was good too - highlights for me were The Blanche Hudson Weekend, Linda Guilala (accompanied on stage by the wonderful Papa Topo), Slow Club, Yokoko and Everybody Was In The French Resistance... Now! More on the bands in my next post...

If you like what you've heard about it, you'll love the RadioNowhere Indietracks 2010 Special with Christopher Laird - just visit http://www.radionowhere.org/ and hit the Podcast link

If you want to find out more about Indietracks, visit their website: http://www.indietracks.co.uk/ and maybe even come to next year's Indietracks (but only if you're not a tosser)

Jessica 6 in 1958

You can now hear my 1958 show as a podcast, available here

You can view the playlist here

Next month I'll be in 1993 - requests can be sent to me via e-mail or via twitter

Enjoy!

Happy Anniversary Filmic!

I am currently working on a short segment for Ley Bricknell's first anniversary Filmic show on RadioNowhere. For those of you unfamiliar with Ley's show, she plays film soundtracks, incidental music and cues, interspersed with soundbites and trailers from her favourite films. There is a special place in her heart for John Barry, and she also likes the occasional dodgy cover!

Ley has kindly invited her fellow RN DJs to introduce their favourite piece of film music for her anniversary, and as difficult a task as it is to choose, I have finally decided! I'm not going to say what it is - you'll have to tune in to find out!

Ley's show will be broadcast on RadioNowhere on Thursday 8th July at 9pm UK time. Make sure you go along to http://www.radionowhere.org/ for a listen!

Jessica 6 in 1977

You can now hear my 1977 show as a podcast, available here

You can view the playlist here

Next month I'll be in 1958 - requests to jessica6@radionowhere.org or 'tweet' me www.twitter.com/jessica6uk

Enjoy!

Cola Jet Set... Go

I went to see Cola Jet Set, the wonderful Elefant records band, on Saturday at The Buffalo Bar in Highbury & Islington, London. I got to meet Filipe and Alicia beforehand and they were both really lovely and so full of positivity about their music and life in general. And they like cider.

They were on the bill as part of a night put on by Pic 'n' Mixx. Their events encourage people to take along a mix-CD and swap it with someone else's, but I didn't know this and so didn't take one, and so I can't tell you about the wonderful mix-CD that I received from a brilliant stranger. Because I didn't take a mix-CD with me to the show, I was stamped with an unhappy face when I entered the venue. Only those who brought a mix-CD got a happy face stamp. I felt rather sad about this.

I also didn't get any pictures at the show as the venue uses those crappy red lights, and being short I couldn't see much. There are also big columns in the venue, so turning up just before Cola Jet Set went on stage, nursing my unhappy face stamp, I ended up standing near the back feeling a bit sorry for myself. I missed the first two acts because I was talking to two nice men in the pub upstairs. I did know them, I wasn't just randomly talking to strangers - Charly the cat warns us against such things.

This is Charly (he's the one on the right):

The band were fab, and their happy sunny pop was just the thing on what had been a rather drab and rainy London evening. I have a thing about bands who have songs with the band's name as part of the lyric (Sheep on Drugs, Pizzicato 5), and Cola Jet Set didn't disappoint. I was also wearing my purple Elefant badge to show my allegiance to the happiest record label in the world.

We had to leave early to catch the train to Dullsville, so missed the headliners Pocketbooks. I'm sure they were good. And, on the way home, some nice people sat next to us on the train and talked to us about music (of the classical and operatic variety), so I even learned stuff. I now know that Alison Balsom is a rather attractive trumpet player, and that it costs a lot of money to move a Steinway Grand Piano from London to the West Country. I probably could have guessed the last one.

Christopher Laird's interview with Cola Jet Set will be broadcast on The Christopher Laird Show on RadioNowhere on Monday 28th June at 9pm UK time - tune in at www.radionowhere.org

Tim Ten Yen Take Two

The second wonderful occasion last week was a triumphant and hilarious set from Tim Ten Yen at The Portland Arms in Cambridge, supporting his mate Jim Bob (ex-Carter USM). This is a bad photograph, but I like that Tim looks more sinister than The Sinister Cat:

Forget paying stupid money to see the same old act from stand-ups, just go and see Tim Ten Yen, he's a singing salaryman with a side order of comedy - honestly, I was still laughing about Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers on my way home.

As I said, also on the bill that night was Jim Bob, who was reading from his new book Storage Stories and playing some solo and Carter stuff too. This is a picture from the slideshow that accompanied his reading:


The concept of the reading and the songs worked really well, I thought. There was one guy in front of me, however, who looked over at his friend after the first reading and mouthed, 'What was that all about?', which rather made me giggle. They finished their drinks and left.

The show was up against the Cambridge Beer Festival, which was being held just across the road, so although it was sold out, I think a few people may have found themselves either unable to leave the festival (the magnetic pull of beer) or they tried to make it to the venue but forgot where they were going and got a kebab instead. Earlier in the day, when walking past the beer festival site, I watched a man leave the festival, get on his bike which was parked outside, and immediately crash into another cyclist. I laughed a lot.

I bought Jim Bob's book at the gig and read it the next day - it's really good. It reminds me a bit of Alexei Sayle's short stories, in terms of it's connection to reality, and especially to Martin Millar's Milk, Sulphate and Alby Starvation, which is one of my favourite books of all time. Apparently others have said it reminds them of Chuck Palahniuk, but I wouldn't know as I haven't read any of his books.

You can buy Jim Bob's book in all the usual places - also from http://www.storagestories.co.uk/

Our lovely friend Tim Ten Yen has interviewed Jim Bob about his new book for The Christopher Laird Show, and this will be broadcast, with Jim Bob as Artist of the Week, on Monday 21st June 2010 at 9pm UK time - head over to http://www.radionowhere.org/ for a listen!

If you haven't read Alexei Sayle's short stories, do so now, they are brilliant - first compilation is called The Dog Catcher, second one is Barcelona Plates. Also Ten Sorry Tales by Mick Jackson is a MUST READ - and worth buying for David Roberts' illustrations alone.