Cougar Microbes

We caught up with Alcopop! Records all conquering Jumping Ships to discuss cakes, Bar wiring, late night jams on mobile phones and questionable music purchases. Here is what they had to say:

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

JS: 10 o’clock Glasgow time! Necessity – Had a 6 hour drive to the Northern coast of Scotland ahead of us playing in Thurso (look it up on the map.. its 10miles south of John O’Groats)

CM: Describe Jumping Ships to the uninitiated?

JS: Alt-Pop-Rock! Loud and in your face – Get your chops round this!

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

JS: Eating cakes, singing sing songs, watching films, lots of twitter banter and some sight seeing when we get chance – visiting local castles/folies/forts!

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

JS: Borderline in London is great, nice high stage, but still pretty intimate. Coalition in Brighton is great. The Milo in Leeds wasn’t really built for the Alcopop! breed of bands – too small, hot and loud. I think they need to rewire the electrics – sort your plugs out!

CM: Is there a song you are simply sick of playing? Do you think that will ever happen?

JS: We’ve toured the first EP around quite a lot, so there are some tunes that start to drag a bit. We’ve played “The Whole Truth” a lot, so it’s nice to give them a rest every now and again, that way you can kind of rekindle your passion for them. Fingers crossed we won’t hate all of our current set at the end of this tour!!! ha

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

JS: Mike generally takes the lead in the songwriting process, he brings initial ideas to the table and then him and Kai start working structures and parts together to get the bare bones of a track. Then it’s on to acoustic recordings, they’ll knock a rough recording up and send it to Rich and Al, who will give their input and write parts etc before we get into the rehearsal room.

Then it’s jam time and most of the rest of the work is done in a rehearsal room full band. Lyrics are mostly done over the course of the songs writing process. We try and record things at as many stages as possible, to see how it would translate live and on record. Lots of levels of quality control.

CM: Favourite Jumping Ships track and why?

JS: I’m going to go with ‘Talisman‘ on this one. It’s the one track on the EP that I can’t really put my finger on in terms of how we wrote it/structured it/where the parts actually came from. All of the other tunes I can remember having heard quite solid bases for the tracks before we got it in the rehearsal room, whereas with ‘Talisman‘ I think it was a bit more of an organic writing process – lots of jamming sections out and working with a bit more freedom structurally. Plus it’s lots of fun to play live! We have a winner!

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

JS: I think if we were going to record a cover it would have to be completely different to the original. Do our own spin on it and kind of pretty much rewrite the tune. So this might be interesting!

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

JS: As we mentioned before, we try and record songs at as many stages as possible. Initial ideas are usually late night jams on mobile phones – then on to more structured acoustic records – recordings from rehearsal rooms – then it’s always nice to hear the track back from a live show before you do a pre production demo recording, prior to the real deal. So yeah lotsss of recording!

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

JS: As a rule of thumb it’s melody, but sometimes there are lines or little lyrical excerpts that will be noted down as a basis for a song. But it’s all about the melody!

CM: What are your views on auto tune?

JS: Auto tune can be cool if it’s used right. There are loads of artists who use it to good effect and when you know what you’re doing it can sound great. What we don’t like though is when people try to use it to mask a shoddy voice, both live and in the studio. Cher’s been repping the auto tune far too hard haha

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

JS: There are some great bands that we’ve gigged around with recently – Spring Offensive from Oxford and Hold Your Horse Is from Camberly are both wicked bands and great lads. Also bands from our label – Lightguides and Delta Alaska are both going on to big things. You probably know about these guys already, but if you don’t – Shame on you!

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

JS: There was a note left on our mailing list after playing the main stage at Redfest. A girl had gone to put her email address down and had proceeded to write a full page love letter to the band, pleading for us to contact her. It’s nice when fans love what you’re doing.

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

JS: Kai – Tape – Prince, CD – Michael Jackson

Mike – Boyz II Men (Outhere Brothers – Party Album on cassette – too cool for school)

Al – Limp Bizkit (Significant Other) + Rage Against The Machine

Rich – Smurfs Go Pop

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

JS: Lightguides – the last song in their set – still don’t know it’s name, but it’s been rattling around my head every night of this tour. Cracking tune!

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

JS: Kai – Underoath @ Brixton Academy

Mike – Pulled apart by Horses @ Brighton Jam

Alex – Everything Everything @ Brighton Concorde 2

Rich – Jimmy Eat World @ HMV Forum

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

JS: Amazing question!

Pete Doherty is going down, because he’s not going to be up for long anyway the way he’s going. Think Mick Hucknell can join him as well – We’d swap them for… Drum roll please… John Martyn and Steve Ray Vaughan.

Jumping Ships have just released the ‘Standard Bearer‘ EP on Alcopop! Reocrds

TRACKS:

Jumping Ships – Talisman

Jumping Ships – Heart and Hope

Howling Bells just released their new album ‘The Loudest Engine‘ earlier this month on Cooking Vinyl preceded by first single ‘Into The Sky‘.

The London-based Aussie-formed band recorded in Las Vegas with production duties handled by Mark Stoermer of The Killers. The result is an album soaked in 70s sounds and seemingly influenced by the Nevada state’s expansive desert and it’s most infamous city.

The video for ‘Into The Sky‘ takes this psychedelic message that seeps through these recordings one step further with front woman Juanita Stein looking particularly comfortable in these Austin Powers-esque visuals.

TRACKS:

Howling Bells – Into The Sky

As we headed towards the O2 arena for Smirnoff Sensation 2011 there was a evident buzz on the tube to the venue with everyone already making friends and getting hyped up. Once we arrived we were escorted to the press area but we could admire the insanely long cue of people dressed in white ready to go crazy tonight.

We enjoyed a complimentary drink from our vantage point in the highest tier of the o2 and were shown where we could get the best view which at 9:30 looking down was admittedly still pretty empty. As the venue visibly filled up including the deluxe area -a white castle amongst the stands- we could see the long queues we had spotted earlier gradually trickling in.

As we begun mixing with the crowd one hour lateral and there was a lot of anticipation in the air. It was great to see that Sensation had brought it’s trademark scenery to London. We were able to admire a ginormous jellyfish hanging from ceiling, vast underwater scenery and a spaceship like 360-rotating DJ platform with bubble-like lights sticking out strategically positioned at the centre of the venue.

Nothing was missing from this night that fans wouldn’t recognise from either a previous event or the youtube videos. Close to the launch hour, although not completely full yet, we were ready for the count down which hit us with a repetitive boom. There were fireworks, fountain works, crazy lasers scanning the crowd and the deep echoing recognisable voice of Sensation.

Mr White kickstarted the night injecting the place, which was really filling up now, with dancing fuel. He offered a good electronic beat, deep house with powerful beats. As we moved deeper into the dance floor, we observed (and appreciated) all the kinky and fun costumes. Swans , angels, aliens, carnival, masks, t shirts with puns e.g ’ this is a white t-shirt’, white sunglasses, wigs and all sorts were on display.

Powering on from Mr White‘s performance came Eric E who offered more electric beats to keep the mood going. To be honest the biggest attraction of this set were the huge glowing colourful balls that were tossed around to stimulate the crowd. We tried to get in the mix but it proved really tough to reach up with everyone else.

Joris Vroon & Nic Fanciulli were on next. Their set tick-tocked its way on to the dance floor quirky electronic sounds. First offering the strong beat from Alex Kenji’s ‘Something About You‘ before carrying with classics from Junior Jack, Daft Punk and Groove Armada, as well as more quirky minimal techno from Plastikman. These guys did not disappoint offering one of the best sets of the night in a lot of peoples’ opinion.

The Smirnoff Mix entailed a mashup of well known tracks like the never failing Benny Benassi ‘Satisfaction‘ mixed with unexpected oldies like Depeche Mode‘s ‘Personal Jesus‘. This was a fun set to that entertained and surprised us. By this point I think everyone in the entire arena was wearing a Smirnoff ring. With its LED light you could see all the grooving hands shimmer looking really cool from the distance

Fedde Legrande opened his set with Madonna music. This electrifying start was magnified by fireworks and Cirque de Soleil style dancers coming down from the ceiling- for me this was the best moment, you actually had to stop and just watch. Again, a great set was delivered on the same level as Nic Fanciulli earlier. You could tell that everyone was ecstatic at this point screaming, wolf whistling and yelling with excitement.

Martin Solveig turned up with his trade mark sweat band around his head hitting with his latest tune ‘Hello‘ right at the beginning of the set. All in all, even if was the DJ we were most looking forward to seeing , he was a bit disappointing as rather commercial on the night. he pleased the crowd with some floor fillers that have rocked our us since our teenage years but we might have found it a bit outdated.

No worries though because Sander Van Door managed to lift the spirits much higher after Solveig set. He too dropped some classics like Zombie Nation with ‘Old School‘ but the beats were a bit more lively. Spectacular fireworks appeared again for the ending followed by a deafening round of applause from the whole arena. Of course there was an encore last smashing tune, and no one dared to leave till it was actually all over and the lights came up

What can I say, Smirnoff Sensation 2011 was truly sensational and I didn’t want it to end. The good news is the mc ended things by saying ‘see you next year’. I think I speak for everyone in saying: I can’t wait!

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Post by Scarlett

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TRACKS:

NIC FANCIULLI – Green Tea (Syndrom)

Everything But The Girl – Missing (Fedde Le Grande Remix)

Martin Solveig feat Kele – Ready 2 Go (Billboard remix)

Sander van Doorn- Daisy (Tintdeejay`s Remix)

We’ve featured Error Operator on these pages a few times over the past couple of years; most recently for his majestic reworking of the John Legend acapella version of ‘Rolling In The Deep. 

Fresh from a strong performance at Hideout Festival in Croatia we’ve finally managed to catch up for an informal interview.  Here is how it went:

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

Error Operator: 8:54am, I usually wake up quite early, I write alot at night so don’t often get that much sleep

CM: Describe Error Operator to the uninitiated?

EO: Error Operator is an electronic artist & producer from London who strives in constructing ethereal & alluring sounds.

CM: How do you kill time on the road, hobbies?

EO: I try and catch up with sleep, besides that you’ll catch me on Logic or in my own world with headphones on.

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

EO: Hideout Festival was pretty awesome, it was my first show as Error Operator as I have been amazingly busy writing etc, clear blue sea, sunshine & on the same bill as artists like Eric Prydz and Simian Mobile Disco, what more could you want from your first gig.

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

EO: No way, I always listen to my own music, not in an arrogant sort of way, more because I also make the music I want to hear.

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

EO: I am constantly writing away, tapping out a beat or humming a melody, If I am on the road I just have to repeat it until I am back in the studio, then it becomes a reality.

CM: Favourite Error Operator track and why?

EO: I am writing alot of new material right now and have been working with a band called We The Committee, they provided vocals for a track called Delay which is currently 19 plays in my iTunes.

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

EO: I recently did a cover of ‘Enjoy The Silence‘ by Depeche Mode with Harry from Waylayers, it got alot of great feedback so I was very happy with the result.

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

EO: Not really, alot of my new music is quite progressive, it has melodies and harmonies but also includes the same aspects as some dance music, it’s a nice combination to have, I feel like I have found a middle ground with all of my influences etc.

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

EO: For me it was the melody, definitely the melody.

CM: What are your views on auto tune?

EO: Depends how it’s used, I am a big fan of pitch shifted vocals when working with samples etc but I think that there are alot of people out there against it, I’m so easy when it comes to music, everyone needs to chill out and enjoy the end product, if it’s not to your taste then find something new, easy.

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

EO: Not really local, there is to much to choose from, but at the moment in general I am really into The Weeknd, such good night time music. Also a guy called Ifan Dafydd is creating some cool tracks.

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

EO: I’ve read a few things that were quite flattering, I can’t remember anything specific but it’s floating around the web.

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

EO: This is one of those questions I don’t like that much, mainly because I don’t remember. I think the first record I ever bought with my own money was a garage compilation.

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

EO: ‘Blue Cassette‘ by Friendly Fires, AMAZING TRACK.

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

EO: I went to see Yuksek at XOYO a few weeks back, I didn’t queue, but I had to pay.

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

EO: HAHA, HARSH. I wouldn’t want to kill off anyone really, I would want to bring back Gil Scott-Heron, such a great loss to music and I only discovered him about three years ago.

Error Operator  is working on a collaboration EP with the band We The Committee called ‘Aurora‘ as well as finalising his own new album

TRACKS:

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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Post by Olivia

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TRACKS:

British trio The Wave Pictures released ‘Little Surprise‘ and it’s accompanying video as the first taste of their ‘Beer In The Breakers‘ album. This folksy little number is sure to charm your socks off within just a few listens. A perfect track and video to relax and enjoy the weekend.

‘Beer In The Breakers‘ is out now via Moshi Moshi.

TRACKS:

Although it has now been covered extensively Bombay Bicycle Club‘s New single ‘Shuffle‘ has only been out for a week or so. Still, it has me returning to play it often.

If you consider the band’s origins and their first releases this track is quite a departure showcasing lucid songwriting and a mature outlook that is deserving of the accolades thrown at them at present.

New album ’A Different Kind Of Fix‘ is due out at the end of August through Island and is followed by an extensive UK tour in October.

TRACKS:

We caught up with the five members of Tigercats through the medium of email to discuss playing public toilets in Berlin, Rebecca Black as well as the best way to part your hair.

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

GILES: 9 out of necessity, 10.30 after I went back to bed through choice.

JONNY: About 11.45. And yes, out of necessity. I went back to bed about 6.30pm – it’s been a good day.

LAURA: About 9.30am.  Necessity. Had to go meet a friend, but I suppose it was also my choice to go meet said friend.

CM: Describe Tigercats to the uninitiated?

STEFAN: I always say poppy indie, rather than indie pop. Bit of Buzzcocks, bit of Tom Tom Club, bit of Violent Femmes. All pretty poppy. Not much shoegazing. Not much shoes, even.

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

JONNY: Horse!

DUNCAN: Allo Darlin taught us how to play Horse. If you see a horse you have to shout “horse”. Mike also taught me and Jonny how to play Suck Out, you get a plane full of celebrities and then the window breaks and the all get sucked out the last one is the winner.

STEFAN: The van wasn’t ever working long enough for boredom to be a real issue

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

JONNY: That toilet in Berlin was pretty awesome.

DUNCAN: We played in an old public toilet in Berlin with some German punks and a semi-naked Goth. I think that is why Jonny enjoyed it so much.

STEFAN: I liked playing the Betsey Trotwood a lot. Far too small and sweaty. Ideal. Plus it was the first show we put on ourselves and we got to pick the support (Omi Palone and Moustache of Insanity) and they were both aces.

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

STEFAN: Nah, we’re still full of wide-eyed wonder with the world – we love all our songs as if they were our children. We’re a bit new as a band to be refusing to play the hits.

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

DUNCAN: I have started talking to unfinished songs as though they were people. If they come to me when I am on a bus or such I ask them to come back later. This is something Tom Waits does, obviously to more success.

CM: Favourite Tigercats track and why?

JONNY: ‘Jonny‘, for obvious reasons.

DUNCAN: We have a song about being in love with a man called Jonny. Its not about Jonny. And its not my favourite.

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

GILES: ‘What Presence?!‘ by Orange Juice

JONNY: ‘I Don’t Want To Go To Chelsea‘ by Elvis Costello.

DUNCAN: I would like to cover something by Leonard Cohen maybe ‘In My Secret Life, or ‘Boogie Street‘ or ‘Don’t Go Home With Your Hard-On‘ or ‘Memories‘.

LAURA: I really want to cover something like ‘Don’t You Want Me‘ by the The Human League…or ‘Everywhere‘ by Fleetwood Mac.

STEFAN: ‘September‘ by Earth Wind and Fire

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

DUNCAN: I used to make demos of all the songs and bring them to the others but now we write them all together from the start.

GILES: Oh yes. We ain’t playing nothing till Jonny‘s happy with it. He’s a perfectionist and we secretly love him for it.

STEFAN: Yes, I secretly quite like Duncan‘s demos but he doesn’t do them any more – I thought we were going to sound like No Age when I heard them.

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

DUNCAN: Melody

CM: What are your views on auto tune?

LAURA: It’s funny when you autotune people talking and put it on the internet.

GILES: I love auto-tune when it’s used as an outlandish effect, like it is in a lot of middle-eastern pop music and by Lil Wayne and the like. Bands who use autotune to attempt to cover up what they perceive to be failings in their records aren’t fooling anyone but themselves. I once had a singer in my studio break down in tears when I told her I didn’t have auto-tune. She presumed it was industry standard, but I think we were talking about different industries.

JONNY: I love Rebecca Black. This doesn’t need to be included in the interview – I just wanted to let you know.

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

GILES: Owl and Mouse, and Moustache of Insanity. Heart-breaking ukulele pop and exhilarating casio madness.

DUNCAN: Omi Palone, Fever Dream, No Cars, Hexicon

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

LAURA: That I remind someone of Daria.

DUNCAN: this isn’t something I read about my self but I heard that you should change the way you part your hair so that it looks bad in the mirror because in actual life it will then look good, so i have gone from a life long left parting to a new right parting. So far my life hasn’t really changed.

This doesn’t need to be included in the interview either does it but I do want to talk more about this.

STEFAN: I often get worried about the side I part mine on too. I have a secret fear that I might have changed it at some point by accident and it’s been wrong ever since.

LAURA: I parted my hair on my left side for the longest time, but then last year I started parting on the opposite side.  Presently I have a front fringe, so don’t have to worry so much until my hair gets too long again.

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

GILES: ‘Bad‘ by Michael Jackson.

STEFAN: “Pump Up The Jam: The Album” by Technotronic — but that was a pirated copy from the Ford plant at Halewood on Merseyside, so not sure if it counts

DUNCAN: Shaggy‘s  ’Bombastic‘

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

GILES: Something by Standard Fare. You should definitely check them out too.

STEFAN: ‘Blue Skies‘ by Irving Berlin. It was written in 1926 and it feels like it’s been stuck in my head ever since

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

GILES: I think it was Wolf Eyes.

JONNY: Howe Gelb and a Band of Gypsies.

LAURA: Fleet Foxes.  Brilliant.

STEFAN: Houdini

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

DUNCAN: i would not do this.

LAURA: John Lennon back in exchange for Justin Bieber.  I don’t think this needs explaining.

DUNCAN: I dont think Justin Bieber should have to die for us Laura what’d he do?

TRACKS: