Writer's Update #1

Hi Folks!

So, here's the breakdown of all the writings I've forgotten to post on here in te past 2 weeks:

March 7: The BAMM Argument: OK GO

Every so often my editor Chris Davies and I take a punt at cracking a controversial subject by taking oppossites sides in the conflict. I always enjoy writing these pieces, not only for my love of the form (polemics for everybody, hurray!) but also because it seems to really trigger both Chris and me to really give it our best. I guess we're competitive that way, even though I can't really speak for Chris off course.

This week, following pieces on Justice (pro) and Coldplay (con), I had the pleasure of thrashing OK GO. Read it over at the BAMM.tv BLOG

March 7, 8: 5 Days Off for OOR.nl

For the second year in a row I've been dispatched to review one of Amsterdam's finest electronic festivals, 5 Days Off, held annually at Melkweg and Paradiso. I was present for the opening two days, witnessing sets from the likes of Sleigh Bells, The Field, SBTRKT, Koreless, Falty DL, Kutmah, Krampfhaft, The Gaslampkiller, Jameszoo and Dorian Concept. Fun times, and great music for the most part, even if it wasn't quite as exhilirating as the past year.

Read it at OOR.nl: Day 1 (The Field, SBTRKT ao) and Day 2 (Kutmah, GLK ao)

All in Dutch (sorry foreign amigos!)

I co-wrote these pieces with Harm Groustra (@fresh77); pictures by Remco Brinkhuis (@remcobrinkhuis) and Bart Heemskerk (@bart_heemskerk)

The Field - pic by Remco Brinkhuis

March 10, 11: Festival FabrIQ for OOR.nl

There was a lot more happening that week, so over the weekend I attended the third annual Festival FabrIQ. It was my 2nd year in a row covering the festival, again for OOR. I'm getting fond of building these traditions now I've been in the field of music journalism for a while.

In the three years of its existence, a very nice bunch of indie and folk artists have passed through Den Bosch for FabrIQ. Last year was a blast, with surprising performances from Nils Frahm, SUUNS, Sleep Party People and Cloud Nothings. Looking back I feel this edition was slightly more on the folk side than indie, but a great two day event nonetheless.

Read about it here: Day 1 (Kim Janssen, Idiot Wind, TRIPPP) Day 2 (Damien Jurado, Cass McCombs, Xiu Xiu, Chad Vangaalen ao)

pics, again by the incredible Remco Brinkhuis (@remcobrinkhuis)

Damien Jurado, pic by Remco

That's all folks!

Bahnhof

It’s an odd sensation: It’s Friday, 6pm, I’m inside Amsterdam Central Station. I’m running on 3 hours of sleep and a stern hangover, a full day of meetings behind me. But, as regulations stipulate, I’m not allowed to travel on my Discount Railway Pass until 6.30. Seeing my financial condition of late, I’d better wait it out. I’m munching on a bag of Fritos for lack of better things to do and, dead tired as I am, manage to wander a bit around the station. All around me people are moving faster than me, rushing to get home. Where was I going again? It takes me a while to process te question.

My legs feel awfully mushy. I notice I’m kind of pivotting on the spot. I pass the HEMA, I can smell the rookworst, and continue to wander into a bookstore. I stare blankly at the cover of Economist magazine, it speaks of a recovery of the financial crisis. I feel it’s only just begun for me, what with budget cuts and all. It’s hard being a man of culture these days. Being a cultured man in general is already a challenge these days. Having no money only adds to that. Nickelback is bruising my ears as I gaze at the station’s multimedia store. I wonder if I’d be able to describe the emptyness I’m feeling, once I jot it all down. Probably not.

On the platform, I see the Train à Grande Vitesse destination Paris. There’s a bunch of clowns already gathered at the bar of the restauration car. I guess they felt like getting right down to business. Who can blame ‘em? Travel and drink are a wholesome marriage. I wish I could have bought that Economist. A verse pops into my head, its from a Nits song, suits my state of mind. Getting away from it all seems a joy like no other when you’re down and out. Still, even in harsh times like these with just a handful of halfbaked ideas and the intention to dig out your soul, there’s silver lining.

Konichiwa! My guardian angel thank god is never far. I’m dead poor but full of joy when she’s around. I don’t deserve it, and can’t afford it, but I’m committed to trying my darnest and straightening out my shit. Even though no-one and no-thing will ever actually make me an above average man, inspiration strikes and suddenly I’m there: I’m that happy kid again.

I ponder these predicaments and blessings while everything around me is continuously in transit. Going one place, then the other. Then a train comes and takes me home.

Adieu, adieu sweet Bahnhof
My train of thought is leaving...

St. Vincent - Live Review for OOR Magazine

First live review I've done in a while. GREAT concert. The pics were made by Bart Heemskerk, who I think did a very nice job of capturing HER (Annie Clarke) essence on stage.

IN DUTCH
http://oor.nl/#reviews/concerts/1925/st_vincent_is_de_superlatieven_voorbij

GOOGLE TRANSLATE ENGLISH (never great, but all the more instrumental. And Google Translate won't work with the OOR website (probably flash difficulties or something)

St. Vincent is beyond superlatives.

The finale is actually the perfect summary: Annie "St. Vincent "Clarke hunts in the bouncer Your Lips Are Red a seething, noizy guitar through it, jump and smash the public in all possible ways with guitar and all her fans. Here is Annie, as she is affectionately called, one with her audience. Then she jumps in her leather shorts on the podium again, throwing her guitar down somewhere in the direction of a roadie and then shamelessly another guitar to pick up and worn outro on glowing way to put down. Her hair still messy, but the dark eyes and delicate face again perfectly in the crease. So the audience breathless as the frenzied opener Surgeon beheld, as we are blown away with the sound subsided.

And while there are still some doubts existed prior to this concert at The Max in a leap of the Galaxy. Of course, St. Vincent's live reputation already made the rounds after her performance at Crossing Border. But filling a large hall seemed still very ambitious. That turned out better than expected. The balconies were closed but the floor was very nice filled-with-it seemed merely devoted fans of the New York singer and guitarist and her band. The whole performance long there were noises in the vein of "We love you Annie!" Or "Play something very special just for us". It would get you almost break your concentration, all those declarations of love. But they are entirely justified.

Annie Clarke namely everything to get people to bond. A strong body of work, with the most recent album Strange Mercy as provisional Magnum Opus, an appearance as a dark angel with ditto voice, and fabulous electric guitar playing that constant association with Great Guitarists (Jack White to Prince) calls, without blatantly borrows to play. Try it once but do not fall in love. The perfectly tight sounding band around her (drums, bassynth, vocals and keyboards) has no trouble with the wide range in St. Vincent's repertoire is handled and subtle plays serve without losing color. Meanwhile, the public perception sucked Annie's, a wild ride in which she herself alternately sensual, aggressive, weird and fragile composing. It's hard as an artist and her animal stage to define. She has a little distance thing, almost alien about him. It is part of the spell.

Almost 90 minutes Annie the public in its grip. By the end of the regular set she asks "Did you ever really stare at me the way I stare at you?" (Neutered in Fruit). Rest assured: Whether fascinated, love, or simply overwhelmed opgegeild is; 700 souls are staring at her without embarrassment. It may also: St. Vincent created unadulterated magic tonight and we could be there. It is a typical evening with superlatives, and one afterwards somewhat melancholic finds that the best concert this year maybe already have under their belts. Particularly memorable, even with al To Lowlands Annie? (Please?)

Views: 29 February 2012, Melkweg, Amsterdam