Cougar Microbes

Following an impressive performance at Los Angeles‘ King King venue Cougar Microbes caught up with Little People for an improvised q&a. Over the past month or so we’ve been shooting emails back and forth to complete the interview.

Check back here tomorrow for a Little People remix exclusive available here for you.

Cougar Microbes: What time did you wake up today? Was it out of choice or necessity?

Little People: Got up round 6am this morning… Still being on east coast time + needed to finish up a remix I had been working on (Joey Fehrenbach - Underwander) … I know I should be telling you I was on a massive night out and slept in til 3pm… Sadly not so.

CM: Describe Little People to the uninitiated?

LP: The Little People sound probably originates from mid 90′s and has its basis in all the hip hop i used to listen to back then. i guess I fit somewhere between instrumental hip hop and downtempo electronica… My early material was heavily reliant on samples, nowadays i try and make it sound like it does . Beaty, bleepy, melodic, cinematic … Any of these tags work…

CM:How have you been killing time on the road, hobbies?

LP: Unless you call multiple visits to Radio Shack to get my UK kit working on US mains a hobby… When I travel I tend to want to taste of the local food delicacies each region/country has to offer. Unfortunately didn’t get much time for that… although i did come across my new favourite snack which is a mexican thing.., dried mango with chili… pure awesomeness.

CM: What have been your favourite venues to play? Any wenues you hated?

LP: LA was great… Regeneration Festival in Oregon was awesome (1000+ crowd and my first festival).. But everywhere I’ve been so far has been incredible in terms of the response from the crowd. I’m a little bit of an oddity in that I have little to no profile on blogs and press… But yet my 2006 debut album sells pretty well on iTunes in the us thanks to people discovering me the online radio Pandora. This has meant that a fair few people have turned up at my shows all over the country. I’m still too wet behind the ears as far as playing live shows to start bitching about venues…

CM: Is there a song you are simply sick of playing?

LP: I’m still baffled by the popularity of the opening track called Basique off my debut album (‘Mickey Mouse Operation‘)… It’s fairly simple and repetitive and i wasn’t sure i should include on the album at all. So i’m fairly ambivalent about playing the track live because people love it so much, whilst i’m so so about it… but hey, i’m here to please!

CM: What is the songwriting process like for Little People. Are you able to write on the road or do you do this in your off time?

LP: It used to be crate digging -> sample -> chop -> arrange -> done. But now the sampling part has been ditched, coming up with original material that’s half as as good as what’s out there to be sampled is a little more time consuming. It is of course ultimately more satisfying though.

My starting point tends to be a particular technical process or idea which offers a base around which i will flesh out a track. I’ve enjoyed using the principles self-generative music (a la Brian Eno) to help produce happy accidents and new ideas – which will in turn become fully fledged tracks.

The starting point for most my material is with the laptop – so i can make music on the go fairly easily. Further down the line i like to take things out of the box and re-record things with real actual musician and analogue outboard gear.

CM: Favourite Little People track and why?

LP: my favourite tracks tend not to be the ones my listeners prefer… ‘Behind Closed Doors‘ i really like from my debut album but rarely gets praised.

CM: If you could record any cover what would it be?

LP: ‘Bibo No Aozora‘ by Ryuichi Sakamoto I think. Or maybe if i’m bold ‘Music for 18 Musicians‘ by Steve Reich…

CM: Do your songs go through many revisions via demo recordings?

LP: There are endless iteration to the tracks i do – it’s actually a bit ridiculous. Some tracks have nearly 30 versions… I tend to take my time to get it right. I can only admire people (ok it’s more jealousy) who bang out tracks super quick. But maybe sometimes having too much material can sometimes dilute your work i feel. I like the idea of making each track count.

CM: What came first, the beat or the melody?

LP: Melody for me. Although i work in beat-based genre.

CM: What are your views on auto tune?

LP: It sounded shit when Cher first brought it to the public’s attention . What’s wrong with a vocoder?!

CM: Any other artists/bands from your local scene we really should know about?

LP: I recently met Collin Palmer (who records under the name Calmer on 1320 records) when playing Denver recently – big fan of his material. Love Star Slinger. Who doesn’t. Blank and Kytt are pretty ace…

CM: Most flattering thing you’ve read about yourselves?

LP: Comparisons to DJ Shadow. The rest of us can only ever aspire (but ultimately fail) to write our own ‘Endtroducing‘.

CM: What was the first record/tape/cd you ever bought?

LP: It was Eurythmics… yeah i know… not that cool huh?!

CM: What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

LP: Photek‘s ‘Hidden Camera‘ – which i only rediscovered recently. There’s not much of a melody but that drum break is sooo good!

CM: What was the last show you paid and queued up for?

LP: Star Slinger…

CM: If you had to bring a musician back from the dead in exchange for sending a living artist down ,which artists would it be and why?

LP: I’d bring back Curtis Mayfield – the man was just awesome. i went through a phase of listening to a lot of his stuff. He’s probably the one who got me obsessed with string arrangements. In exchange, let’s please send record exec – turned producer – turned (terrible) rapper – Puff Daddy to an early grave please. He probably did far more than most to totally ruin my enjoyment of hip hop in the late 90s.

Don’t forget to check back tomorrow for an exclusive download of the Joey Fehrenbach remix Little People mentions above!

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As summer continues to (slowly) flow in, so do fortunately music festivals ! Here is a fun and friendly festival that is worth having a look at !

Leefest is taking place on the beautiful rural location of Higham Hills Farms, Bromley, South East London and is happening on the 12-14th August.

Marked by the medley of artists it welcomes : famous acts such as British Sea Power, Fenech Soler, Young Knives, Foamo, DJ Fresh or The Whip just to name a few, it also gives the chance to young talented local acts to perform in front of an audience of 2000 people. Indeed, Leefest has carefully chosen 13 breakthrough acts out of 200 applicants, bringing you the very best of the next generation.

Leefest is also about more than just music, and offers a wide range of activities such as a graffiti performance, sculptures and installations, a campfire and a healing and massage area, as well as hosting the intriguing ‘Wonderland‘. For just 55 £ the weekend… I say it is definitely worth it.

To add to the fun, LeeFest, which has started six years ago as a back garden festival, is celebrating the growing number of portaloos by launching ‘VIPee‘ which will give guests the chance to bid for four festival tickets with all proceeds going to the Kids Company Charity. The winning bidder will earn the title of ‘VIPee‘ of Leefest 2011 and gain access to their very own red carpeted and treat-filled portaloo for the weekend !

As a non-profit music festival the organisers are dedicated to authenticity and supporting up and coming bands.What should be remembered about Leefest is their strong dedication to ethos and their approach to music. The festival is about the love of music, having fun, and giving opportunities to unsigned bands, and all that in a genuinely good and friendly spirit.

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Here is the video for Joan As Police Woman‘s new single ‘Chemmie‘ taken from her latest album ‘The Deep Field’. By all accounts this is her best output yet and this video is further proof of her genius.

The Brooklyn gal has been touring all over the world justifiably winning new fans everywhere she goes. She heads to Europe for an extensive run of shows interjected with some US dates. UK fans can expect a whole range of headline performances including a date at Shepherds Bush Empire on September 9th.

Must see!

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Feels like Cougar Microbes is constantly on the road these days. We’ve only just got back from Kendal Calling (review to follow shortly) and some our team is already headed to the next festival this weekend.

Once again we are teaming up with Lucozade to bring you a full report and photos from this years epic Big Chill festival. The massive line up includes Four Tet, 2ManyDjs, Crystal Fighters and Rodrigo Y Gabriela to name but a few. And we haven’t even mentioned Mr Kanye West yet. WOW!

Really looking forward to the image and review for this one

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Expect crazy sports and real live deer roaming around trees that have been there for thousands of years ago as well as excellent tunes from the likes of The Cribs, Blondie, Echo & The Bunnymen and Frank Turner to name a few.

As always we will be bringing you a full report and some photos from our guys at the festival. For more information about the summer line up, as well as competitions and tickets check out the Lucozade Play Festivals website and FB page.

See you there!

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In the unlikely case you missed the unveiling of M83‘s new track ‘Midnight City‘ here is the first taste of Anthony Gonzalez‘s upcoming double album ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘.

In my mind this represents an excellent union between the french touch and 80′s synth pop of the quality kind (think Talk Talk).

The use of the vocoder reminds me of Air‘s lyrical delivery although if I had to find a slight blemish I would say the boat has not been pushed far from the sound of ‘Kim & Jessie‘ from the previous album. Obviously thats me being nitpicky and as we watch the track blows up all over the internet you have got to say this is one kick ass single.

Catch Monsiour Gonzalez on an extensive North American tour in October and November. ‘Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming‘ is out on October 18, 2011.

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Back in 2009 we proclaimed Tuberlord‘s ‘Our First American Friends‘ debut as one of the contenders for album of the year.

Some time has passed since then and, admittedly, we slightly lost sight of the Kingston band. Fortunately the boys are due back in October with new album ‘Romance‘, the first release on new label Pink Mist. Here is the first taster of what we should expect and I’m sure we can agree it certainly lives up to expectations.

The band and label are throwing a free party on August 16th so if you are in or around London make sure you get yourself down to The Star Of Kings, King’s Cross.

Lastly, the band head out on an extensive UK tour in September and October. Check this custom tumblr site for dates.

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 You could argue that catching CAKE live has been the most overdue live show of my life. Ever since a friend bought me ‘Fashion Nugget’ for my birthday many many years ago I have followed the Sacramento band’s every move and enjoyed their musical endeavours.

Somehow events have conspired against me so that I have always missed out when the band were touring near me. I thought this would surely change given my recent re-location to Los Angeles but with no dates in my vicinity for their this could well have been the review that never was. Instead I spotted a scheduled date in Las Vegas and made sure nothing in the world would stop me from being there.

For those who don’t know the Cosmpolitan Hotel is situated in the middle of the Vegas Strip and boasts a glamorous pool that overlooks several of the key sites the gambling Mecca has on offer. Not knowing what to expect I was relieved to see a sizeable crowd lining up at the entrance; despite the 15 dollar beer and overpriced hotdog/burger combo this was starting to look like a real rock n roll show.

To see CAKE in such extravagant surroundings has got to be one of the most surreal musical experiences you can imagine. Here is a band that has made it’s name as the sarcastic outsider to the traditional music business trappings performing within sight of a replica Eiffel Tower. Indeed,  the irony is not missed by singer John McCrea who, before the band has even played a single note, warms up dishing out a trademark jab at the luxurious surroundings and the distance the stage is from the VIP section.

The band kick off proceedings with their cover of Willie Nelson‘s ‘Sad Songs And Waltzes‘ before shifting up a gear with ‘Opera Singer‘, ‘Wheels‘ and a glorious rendition of ‘Rock N Roll Lifestyle‘, which McCrea delivers with added venom. It is also around this time that he begins what is an on going, and largely amusing, tirade about the barbecue smoke being purposefully situated to blow towards the stage to specifically make him hungry.

Next up is ‘Sheep Go To Heaven‘  which somehow sounds even catchier than it does on record. What is most impressive about this initial salvo is how tight the band sound live. What follows is a pick and mix of old and new favorites blended together with the audience greeting each trumpet/guitar solo with enthusiastic cheer and shouting back every memorable lyric. In particular the classic track ‘Mexico‘ and  ’Sick Of You‘, from their latest album, seem to blow the metaphorical roof off of the pool.

After over 20 years in existence these guys (perhaps unsurprisingly) all prove extremely skilled at their individual craft. The rhythm section consisting of Gabe Nelson and Paulo Baldi is ridiculously talented whilst Vince DiFiore provides some flair with his trumpet, one of the unique aspects that differentiates CAKE from other bands. Whilst the focus may often fall on frontman McCrae guitarist Xan McCurdy gives him a run for his money delivering impressive licks and posing like a rock god.

After a slightly over-extended tree giveaway which sees the band hand out a tree to one fan who then promises to plant it and take care of it (incidentally, CAKE have said they will not be returning to London until the winner of the tree there sends proof that it is fine) the band launch into their first encore.  I would be hard pressed to name a track in the band’s repertoire as demonstrated by this encore with ‘Satan Is My Motor‘ and ‘Never There‘, plus new song ‘Federal Funding‘ played as good, if not better than, on record.

Whilst their cover of ‘I Will Survive‘ is left out the band seem to cover all their bases with this excellent setlist pretty much hitting all the right spots. However, no CAKE show would be complete without arguably their biggest two tracks and the band are savy enough to leave these to last. After yet another tirade about the, now admittingly irritating, barbeque smoke the 5 piece show how it’s done with ‘Short Skirt/Long Jacket‘ before upping the stakes with a wicked rendition of ‘The Distance‘.

Longtime and new fans would have been delighted with the as CAKE dropped more memorable hooks and lines than old ladies dropping quarters at the slot machines. As for me, I will hopefully catch the band again in a “normal” venue but as a first time experience I couldn’t have asked for much more.

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