Caspian

When the outside world really is just too busy, noisy, fluid and I need to generate focus, I can be often found squeezing my little black earphones in and nodding my head towards the book in my lap. And at the moment the sound to accompany this solitude is always Caspian.

Some of the most exquisite music you could wish to hear. Amazing melodies, crushing crescendo's and blissfully quiet moments. You do not get such an artistic range of emotion and sound from many other bands. And all without lyrics.

I am ashamed that I have not posted a thankful mention about Caspian sooner. The album, The Four Trees, has helped me get through a serious amount of reading. Hundreds, upon hundreds of pages. With ease. Such is the enchanting beauty of their sound that numbs my usually racing mind into a state of sheer concentration.

Unfortunately I will miss out on their upcoming UK dates. And it has been a long time coming. But they should have ventured North East way a bit more and I'd have been there.

04.11.10 Galway @ Roisin Dubh
05.11.10 Waterford @ The Forum
06.11.10 Dublin @ The Academy
07.11.10 Belfast @ Limelight
08.11.10 Manchester @ Ruby Lounge
09.11.10 Glasgow @ King Tuts
10.11.10 Leeds @ Cockpit 2
11.11.10 Birmingham @ O2 Academy
12.11.10 London @ O2 Academy Islington
13.11.10 Norwich @ Norwich Arts Centre

Here is a live performance of the opening track of the aforementioned album:

Caspian - Moksha (Live in Hong Kong) from Tommy Au on Vimeo.

Gold Panda Tour

It is not usual that I'll be so motivated by an upcoming gig that it'll end up on here. But this is pretty special. A November headline tour by Gold Panda.

Thu 11 Nov 2010 Brighton - Audio
Sat 13 Nov 2010 Newcastle - The Cut
Sun 14 Nov 2010 Leeds - Constellations Festival
Mon 15 Nov 2010 Manchester - Ruby Lounge
Tue 16 Nov 2010 Glasgow - King Tuts
Thu 18 Nov 2010 London - Corsica Studios
Fri 19 Nov 2010 Bristol - Start The Bus
Sat 20 Nov 2010 Norwich - Arts Centre

I think tickets are available through Ticket Web. I will be in keen attendance at Newcastle. Very excited. And I can't remember the last time I bought such bargain priced tickets. £6! Bloody brilliant.

Here is the video for the very wonderful Snow and Taxis.

Snow And Taxis from Gold Panda on Vimeo.

And here is a little gadget to help you sign up for the mailing list. Including a free gift when you do!

Caribou

Obviously I have been living under a rock or something equivalent. And I don't just mean my most recent characteristic period of blog neglect. I have never had Caribou in my life until very recently.

WTF! FFS! And other such acronyms.

I am a thorough Caribou devotee now. But apparently not devoted enough to be able to attend any of the upcoming UK tour dates. I'd give my ability to logic and reason (which is admittedly pretty poor of late) to go to the Manchester date at The Warehouse Project where the line-up also includes - you'll have to excuse me whilst I sob gently through genuine hurt at not being able to come up with the funds to go - Four Tet, James Holden and - I'm biting my quivering lip at this one as I've never seen him live - Nathan Fake. It might be too early for this level of upset. I'm not sharing the Caribou tour dates because I would just be too jealous if you were to go. Go and Google it yourself, you show-off twat!

Uncalled for, I know.

I have a feeling that rather than playing with research proposals I'm going to be looking at cheap ways to get to Manchester. Accommodation is out of the question. And although I have never got free entry to a gig through writing this blog, if it were to happen now, for this, I'd definitely say yes. Just in case. You know.

Less about my needs.

Here is the latest Caribou album Swim:

Swim by Caribouband

And whilst I probably like the single Odessa more, I love this video:

CARIBOU - Sun from Caribou on Vimeo.

The Hundred In The Hands

This is great. Enjoying their sound. Not enjoying the poses.

The Hundred In The Hands.

The Hundred In The Hands - The Hundred In The Hands by Warp Records