Look what we found.
Chatting with Annie Hall @ Mi Ami Festival 2010
Usually we talk about new bands from England, Usa, Australia, Norway, and the rest of the world, and sometimes we forget there’s an Italian movement at all. It’s not easy for a band in our country to grow up in the music system, the mainstream and pop music have a lot of influence on the radio, music tv (Mtv and others) and newspapers. Mi Ami Festival 2010 took place two weeks ago, a lot of people came to Circolo Magnolia club for three days of music with an excellent line up. We chose some great artists from the line up and we are proud to introduce their music with a short interview and a track available on streaming. Read the Annie Hall interview below and have a listen to their song Ghost legs!
ANNIE HALL (Brescia /Milan)
After the gig we met Fabio Dondelli, the singer and songwriter of the band.
Polkadotter: It’s the second time for Annie Hall at Mi Ami Festival, the first one was in 2008, what has changed since the last time? in terms of feelings on stage, emotions, fears, fans!
Fabio / Annie Hall: The first time at Mi Ami festival we were more scared but at the same time we came from a lot of gigs to promote our first album (Cloud Choocko Land) and we were hot on the stage. The second album “Carousel“, is available now but we’ve been playing a bit less. It has been a good gig tonight, on an intimate stage, perfect for our sound, that usually is considered acoustic and sweet, but the Annie Hall band has got a double face also with a more rock attitude when we can play the electric set, just has you’ve seen earlier.
Polkadotter: What about the evolution from your first album to your second one, if it did occurr?
Fabio / Annie Hall: Carousel is a completely home-made album and it is exactly what we wanted to realize, it is an important step of the band but we are currently working on a new project, whose aim is to improve the notoriety of the band. It will be something new, thanks to a high quality production and we would finalize it as soon as possible and we hope to catch a lot of new fans also!
Peter Pan RIP, Kula Shaker said!
The new video from the brit pop and psychedelic band Kula Shaker. They are coming back with a new album “Pilgrim’s progress“, available from the 28th of June. Kula Shaker were popular during the nineties thanks to a very beautiful album “K“, full of contaminations and atmospheres from the last sixties. They were the intellectual of british pop. After the end of the rest in 2007, when they produced Strangefolk, is it now a new deal? Their first single, Peter Pan RIP, is a very nice song: a delicious string quartet is the leitmotiv all over the piece, sweet and romantic supported by a good video especially in terms of photography! Have a look above or have a free download of the song on the official web site here, or if you want to discover more about the new album there is a piece of an interview directly to Crispian Mills after the jump!
Tuck & Patti @ Auditorium in Rome, 21.04.
When people talk about jazz, it seems often as a distant genre of music because it’s not properly friendly. Is it true? We are not sure about that, but we believe it also depends on personal music orientations obviously. Tuck & Patti is an american duo close to jazz. Tuck Andress plays the guitar and he is a very good musician specialized in a method that plays tunes, melody and bass notes in the same time. Really difficult but results are really good to hear. Patty comes from folk and gospel background and she puts the sweetness of her voice into the songs. They started their career in 1978 and they have been produced 12 albums until now. We at Polkadot are sure that who know Tuck&Patti appreciate the duo, but we would like suggest the band expecially to the people that would like to approach the jazz for the first time. The good news is that Tuck&Patti will be in Rome tomorrow April 21 for a special gig @ Auditorium Parco della Musica. Don’t miss it. Above you find a special remix from Tuck&Patti of the popular song from Cindy Lauper “Time after time”.
BRMC: Beat the devil’s tattoo, the new single on streaming
Exclusively on Polkadot the new single by Black Rebel Motorcycle Club “Beat the devil’s tattoo” available now on free streaming! The new album will come out next friday (19th of March) named as the first single (up mentioned). BRMC is an american band, coming from San Francisco. They became popular with the first album “Whatever happen to my rock’n'roll“, a mix of r’n'r psichedelia and shoegaze (that’s why the critic usually considered the band close to Jesus & Mary Chain). We like a lot the classic r’n'r approach. During these years the BMRC have taken a different way following folk and blues sounds, until now. We suggest you to have a listen to the past and to the present of the band.
BRMC are going to plan an italian tour in May:
7th of May @ Magazzini Generali in Milan
8th of May @ Estragon in Bologna
9th of May @ Piper in Rome
Ticket price: 20 € + dp. On sale @ Ticketone
Fred Perry for Liberty
Ok, springtime is coming. And even if we are still wearing our sweaters, and it seems like this winter is endless, spring is 3 days from here. Flowers will be in bloom sooner or later, and from April, you can also wear ‘em. Liberty & Fred Perry will transform your wardrobe into a bunch of flowers. The classic M12 Polo, the Harrington jacket, and the short-sleeved slim fit shirts, will flourish for you. “Blank Canvas” is the name of this capsule collection, avaiable in stores from next April. Liberty’s signature paisley and floral prints, will be printed all over, or will be hide in little details as linings and under the buttons. This spring will be romantic and a little bit folk, if you want.
Music jewel: Midlake – The Courage of Others
Available now in Italy the new album of the american band Midlake “The Courage of Others“. We have titled the article a “music jewel”, and it is true because a jewel is an album that put itself out of the conventional, a rare example of something new, a hope to hear something better in the future. What is the meaning of new? The project, the great mix of the influences in the album, the beautiful sound of the songs, the excellent performance of musicians. Melancholy and darkness into honey and warm ballads, between Radiohead and seventies’ atmospheres from Neil Young to Fleetwood Mac. Probably the best album of the year.. at the moment of course. Midlake became really popular in 2006 with the album “The trials of Van Occupanther“, their first album close to folk rock and it contains the beautiful piece Roscoe. We hope Midlake will play in Italy soon. Here a very nice song “Winter dies” from the last album on free streaming for you by Polkadot.
Folk S/S 2010 preview
Nice video by by Matthew Donaldson to present the upcoming S/S Folk collection. He used a phantom HD camera (which costs around euro 200,000 and there are only 4 in the UK), which takes 1500 frames per second and was developed for the military to film rocket launches in slow motion.
A bit of 2009 Music to carry on!
This is not the usually 2009 chart of the best album, this is just a little selection from us of what we liked listening during the last year.
Grizzly Bear “Veckatimest“, the most creative band of the year. They play a psychedelic pop music contaminated with folk and rock. Nothing special, but the use of the vocals harmonies makes the band really unusual and so nice.
Pearl Jam “BackSpacer“, Eddie Vedder is come back again with an intimate album, it plays as a sound track collection, but even like a rock album, as in the Pearl Jam style. We like it.
The XX “The xx“. Following the music trend of the year this is the first album of the young band coming from UK. Post punk and classic indie rock atmosphere, really british. We hope to hear their again.
The Horrors “Primary colours“, the garage punk band of ”Strange house” (the previous album, 2007) has changed a little bit the mood this year. More decadence and dark sound, sadness and melancholy. A tribute to Ian Courtis? Probably following the trend, but Primary colours sounds really good and the Horrors have confirmed their talent.
Washed Out “Life of leisure EP“, dream pop. Retrò and vintage sounds + melodies. The band plays like Empire of the sun but more exclusive. It’s a lo fi EP, just 15 minutes of music, ideally for relaxing.
Welcome Devendra Banhart
A freak young american artist: Devendra Banhart. His music is generally defined as indie/pyscho folk but his songs are an unusual combination of rock and folk also. Devendra has got an attitude and a way of life close to old hippies, and the songs are surrealistic but very funny. Sometimes he sings in spanish probably due to the childhood spent in Caracas. He usually plays with a complete band that changes the name for every new gig. Devendra’s career started in 2002 and he has been recorded 8 albums, the last one is “What will be” (October 2009). To promote the new album Devendra has joined some gigs in Europe and two dates in Italy. Tonight the american singer will play in Milan at Magazzini Generali (€ 18 + dp) and next sunday the gig will take place in Rome at Auditorium Parco della Musica (€18 + dp). More infos here.
Xmas Gifts Picks: Black Sheep Road
Some picks from our new friends @ Black Sheep Road. There is a 20% discount holiday sale on the site, but if you use the code polkadot10 you get 10% off more!! First on top left is Twiggy tee (39,95 €) with POP culture style icon Twiggy. The boots Valetta (334,95 €) by Chie Mihara are estethically very pleasing: soft upper leather, very soft leather lining ,rounded toe, furry inside. The Andre boot (259,95 €) by Shofolk is in a rich brandy colour with fur lining. Looks great when worn in. Simple and cute is the Tee dress ( 64,95 €) in light weight jersey from Surface To Air. This upcoming french brand has become known for their clean look with a french twist. Folk clothing is a brand with a great eye for details. This gray cardigan (174,95 €) with colourblocks is made of 35% merino and 65% pima cotton which gives it an incredible nice soft touch and feel. Lastly, if you need a laptop bag, this one from Sandqvist, in cream colour ( and red lining) will look great on whatever outfit.
Polkadot presents: Marybell Katastrophy
Marie is an artist coming from Denmark. Are you thinking about classic indie scandinavian rock? close to folk and quite melodies? Her project is called Marybell Katastrophy and she likes talking about her music as an expermimental electronic pop. We at Polkadot like Maybell Katastrophy for the vitality and the movement of her songs. Funny sounds and good attitude between electro and rock machine. Marie and the band had just won the the danish critics award as best danish orchestra! Find an exclusively free download of Red Red, a new song from the band, just following the link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/602405/RedRed.mp3.zip
If you liked Marybell we are happy to inform you about a little tour, that has been organised in Italy, and it will start tomorrow:
> 04/12 SCANDICCI, GINGER ZONE (I)
> 05/12 FROSINONE, CANTINA MEDITERRANEO (I)
> 06/12 FERRARA, ZUNI (I)
> 09/12 FORLÌ, DIAGONAL LOFT (I)
Find more at http://www.marybell.dk/
FURNI X TODDLAND BAG
Some news from our friends@Furni: an extremely limited edition vinyl shoulder/labtop bag (magical friends collaboration series) vintage tan brown collaboration ! the fine folks at furni and toddland have teamed up to make this amazing messenger bag. vintage feeling vinyl. padded shoulder strap. furni&toddland debossed logo at outside. one interior side lined with flannel. custom wood furni&toddland hangtag. back pocket is lined with laptop material. *limited to 100pcs worldwide. 100% vinyl. on sale@Furni.
