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DiS brings you our fortnightly new music fix, and three fresh musical DiScoveries.
caUSE co-MOTION!
As if New York hasn't bestowed us with enough musical gifts to last us a lifetime over the past twelve months, Brooklyn quartet caUSE co-MOTION! are the latest troupe that are, well, causing a commotion Stateside. Their recent performance at this year's SXSW alongside kindred spirits Crystal Stilts, Woods and The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart set many tongues wagging, not least due to the slightly shambolic but ultimately exciting nature of their songs, most of which are more likely to implode within two minutes rather than expand by the middle eight, like a cataclysmic collision between the daydream choruses of Beat Happening and Titus Andronicus combined with the raucous delivery of Vivian Girls were they, um, not girls. Initially formed in 2005, caUSE co-MOTION! have already released a handful of singles via several small independent labels, a compilation of which, It's Time! Singles and EPs 2005-2008 is currently available from Slumberland Records, the label you may remember was responsible for putting out Crystal Stilts' Alight Of Night LP the first time round. Later this month, CC will be releasing a six track 12" EP (Because Because Because) on the same label, and we'd recommend you invest in it while stocks last. caUSE co-MOTION! are Arno (guitars/vocals), Alex (guitars), Liam (bass), and Jock (drums). Dom Gourlay
It's Time! Singles and EPs 2005-2008 is available now via Slumberland.
Joker's Daughter
In 2003 London-based singer-songwriter Helena Costas began a correspondence with a producer by the name of Danger Mouse, then standing on the cusp of bigger things himself. Throughout their to-and-fro, he embellished Costas’ home recordings with a bolder instrumentation and polish, no doubt intrigued by the array of contrasting styles and techniques being thrown at him. The end-result is the appositely titled The Last Laugh LP, which sees the light of day over here in June via Domino imprint Double Six, and has been picked up in the States by the New York-based, Conor Oberst-originated Team Love label. Also featuring horns courtesy of Neutral Milk Hotel’s Scott Spillane, first impressions imply a skittering, lush tapestry of numerous styles, from pastoral folk through trippy blues and shimmering, beat-inflected soundscapes, all anchored by Costas’ expressive, ethereal tones. The diversity in which she revels is discernible in album taster ‘Worm’s Head’, a delightfully fluid spread of strings, keys and acoustica that acts as a fine showcase for her talents. It’s the kind of pop music you might not necessarily “get” straight away, instead unfolding its charms in a manner gradually hypnotic. Greek-Cypriot by origin, she studied classical violin from seven years of age, writing and self-teaching since then and recently taking up the bouzouki, a traditional instrument that dates back as far as Greek mythology. Her exploration of this heritage – as well as Arthurian legend and a predilection for all things culinary – makes for a unique and fascinating proposition. James Skinner
Joker's Daughter releases debut single 'Worm's Head' on June 1st via Double Six. Her album The Last Laugh drops two weeks later on June 15th. No live dates at present.
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
Every so often a song comes along that’ll turn heads. And I mean, really turn them. Since first coming across Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson his MySpace has become a regular port of call for this DiSser, where consecutive listens to his sprawling, melody-soaked ‘Buriedfed’ have been occurring on a daily basis. Weighing in at five minutes, gentle beginnings culminate in rambunctious crescendo, where – by dint of Robinson’s impassioned delivery – you can almost see the spittle fly. It’s perhaps the most jubilant contemplation of a funeral (his own) you’ll ever hear, and certainly one of this year’s most immediately disarming calling cards. Like a rougher-hewn Micah P. Hinson or vagabond Elvis Perkins, this 26-year-old has faced his fair share of demons (his lowest ebb resulting in nights spent sleeping on the benches of Coney Island), and there’s a worrying implication he’s not through with them yet. Channelling them into song, however, has resulted in his being touted by both TV On The Radio’s Kyp Malone (who states: “there’s no whitewashing of his perspective on human experience”) and Grizzly Bear (Chris Taylor drummed on the album, which was mixed at their Yellow House studio). Champions don’t come much more champion – backgrounds so perfectly miscreant, for that matter – yet following a purported five albums’ worth of material recorded with previous bands, Robinson justifies any hyperbole through his talent. Taking cues from 60s singer-songwriters, swaggering 70s rock outfits and luminaries the like of Lou Reed, he emerges with a sense of songcraft that transcends time and fashion – standing gloriously, raggedly, out on its own. And on his indie-rock negating heritage? “Rock and roll is weird for me because I can’t have my fucking hair in my eyes. I don’t look like the people I’ve emulated to some degree. But I came to peace with that a while ago.” James Skinner
Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson's self-titled debut is released on June 1st via Transgressive. 'Buriedfed' will be available as a free download from April 20th. May live plans as follows:
May
14 Brighton The Great Escape
16 Brighton The Great Escape
21 London Stag & Dagger
22 Leeds Stag & Dagger
23 Glasgow Stag & Dagger
26 London The Lexington
MySpace.com/MilesBenjaminAnthonyRobinson
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DiScover live listings
Sheffield DiSsers Facebook group | Manchester DiSsers Facebook group
April
9 Manchester The Deaf Institute - My Latest Novel / Papercuts / Young British Artists
May
7 Manchester The Deaf Institute - M83
13 Sheffield The Harley - School Of Seven Bells / Telepathe
14 Manchester The Deaf Institute - Abe Vigoda / The Mae Shi / Tubelord
16 Sheffield Skate Central - Rollerpalooza - Black Lips / Mika Miko / Gringo Star / The Manhattan Love Suicides / Brontide / The Hipshakes / Urgent Talk
