In Depth
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: our alternative Mercury list...
So the Mercury nominations for this year aren’t so bad, a couple of proper WTF examples aside (The View? Really? Come on…). However good this year’s nominations generally are, though, we at DiS got the old grey matter burning away to compile an alternative lis... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Sleeping States
Sleeping States is one man, Markland Starkie. He likes noisy music and used to be in Norwich skronk heroes KaitO. Now he makes pretty music that's also quite brainy. DiScover rushes in like a fool to greet him… »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: just who can you trust?
As Bella Union - one of the most reliable labels out there - turns 10 years old, we ask: what labels, if any, can you trust? Who is consistently releasing quality material? And who's treading a fine line between heartfelt adoration and absolute indiffer... »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: your band is dead, long live your band...
With news of The Verve’s reformation still ringing in DiS’s collective ears, this week’s DiScussion is a simple one: who’s worthy of another shot at everything rocking, and who should just stay silent... »
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Label focus
Label Focus #7: 4AD
As we continue our series of label features, DiS' Gareth Dobson speaks to 4AD's Ed Horrox, as he fills us in on his mindset and the world of one of the UK's most genuinely influential and special independent labels. »
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DiScover
DiScover: These Monsters
Leeds-based five-piece These Monsters - that’s Stuart, Tommy, Ian, Sam and, apparently, J to the L-O – are an act that could be categorised as post-rock, but the boundaries of said genre have to expand rather to fit the band’s saxophone-led compositions within... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Team Brick
Team Brick is a powerful and unique musician from Bristol. His performances incorporate all kinds of instruments, equipment and techniques. Together, these sounds create an evocative, resonant and mysterious body of work that offers a half-glimpse into an intr... »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: Internet: we're watching (bands on) you...
Ever being the webaffair with our collective fingers on the button, DiS has just found out about this here YouTube video phenomonen. TV on the internet? Jesus Christ! Gareth Dobson explores the murky world of internet video and asks the questions that most peo... »
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Label focus
Label Focus #6: Upset! The Rhythm
Started towards the end of 2004, Upset! The Rhythm was born out a frustration of seeing several acts playing on inappropriate bills. Though an initial venture into event promotion (with over 90 shows in three years), in 2005 U!TR established itself as an indep... »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: is Glastonbury really the greatest show on Earth?
Best festival in the world? Life-changing experience? The epicentre of the British counter-culture? Gareth Dobson can't wait for Glastonbury to come around again this year, so much so, he's polled the office for their best (worst?) memories of the event. And a... »
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Label focus
Label Focus #5: Gringo Records
On June 9, a small but very special record label based in Nottingham reaches its tenth birthday. Its name is Gringo Records, and if you are a patron of the Midland's smaller venues, or a visitor to recent ATP and Dot To Dot festivals, you may know its name. But just ... »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: our albums of the year, so far
Six months into 2007 (almost...) and there’s already a not-so-proverbial shit-tonne of albums in contention for the coveted Album of the Year ‘gong’ at DiS – again, the winner will be selected by you, the readers, from a shortlist compiled by us. Yup. »
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DiScover
DiScover: Fuck Buttons
Sometimes, a band makes such a joyful noise – such a euphoric, huge, perfect sound – that they can not only change your mood, but inform your entire world view whilst doing so. Fuck Buttons are one such band... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Dark Captain Light Captain
Dark Captain Light Captain are fresh, young, hip, bangin', phat… hang on… no. They're not... »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: Noel at 40 and the importance of being Oasis...
With Oasis entering middle age, both personally and professionally, just how relevant are they in today’s musical make-up? Do you envisage them lasting for another 16 years, or transforming into a Rolling Stones-style mega-touring money-making machine? Does No... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Pagan Wanderer Lu
DiS caught up with Pagan Wanderer Lu, aka Andy Regan, to discuss synaesthesia, Texas (the band) and a little bit of politics... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Mother Vulpine
Mother Vulpine have made great strides since DiS tipped them for great things at the beginning of 2007, recording their debut single with Justin Lockey from Yourcodenameis:milo and landing a UK tour support slot with the mighty Eagles Of Death Metal. DiS catch... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Jack Peñate
Even if, for some twisted reason, you haven’t yet heard Jack Peñate’s music, you still probably know the name – either because of the new legislation stating that one cannot speak of Jamie T, Plan B or, ahem, Just Jack without mentioning the lad, or because of... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Maps
James Chapman decided that the key to making noises that could be distilled into songs wasn’t something that could be achieved overnight. In essence, Maps wasn’t born overnight either. He is Maps and Maps is he, and it’s this lone vision that has mutate... »
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DiScussion
The Weekly DiScussion: is the July 9 release of 'Hunting For Witches' insensitive?
On July 9, 2007, popular London-based indie-rock band Bloc Party will release 'Hunting For Witches'. That's the first Monday following the two-year anniversary of the London bombings which inspired it, i.e. on the first-available release date. Which lea... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Angus & Julia Stone
For Australian sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone the last twelve months have been like something from a fairytale... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Open Mouth
DiS chats to Open Mouth (aka Seymour Glass) about Miss Black America, politics and musical constipation ahead of the release of his debut album Import/Export... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Land of Talk
Mixing the sprawling fuzz of Sonic Youth with the popsome goo of The Cardigans, The Sundays, Throwing Muses and something unique we can’t quite put our fingers on, Applause, Cheer, Boo, Hiss is the exceptional debut EP by Land of Talk. If my last.fm is to beli... »
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DiScover
DiScover: Favours For Sailors
Favours For Sailors are a three-piece from London. You could call their songs pop, or rock, or a combination of the two; you could dance to it, or simply tap a foot; you could, even, go so far as to say they were pretty good. DiS feels that way, which is exact... »