Cougar Microbes

Gold Panda continues with his prolific streak in 2011 with the limited 12″ release of ‘Marriage‘ for Record Store Day on April 16th.

The third single from the DJ’s great ‘Lucky Shiner‘ album is accompanied by this video filmed by Israeli artist Ronni Shendar on location in India, Germany and Israel during December 2010 and January 2011.

Gold Panda is on tour all over Europe throughout April and May, check his Msypace for dates near you.

TRACKS:

- Cougar Microbes: Who is Alana Stewart? Describe yourself and your music to the uninitiated.

- Alana Stewart: I’m a vocalist & lyricist who tries her best to play different instruments. I geek out about things like endocrine disruptors and gender/family politics to the point of being annoying to my friends. You might like my music if you dig strong female vocals. You might like my lyrics if you dig portraits of peoples and cities, the art of seduction, religion and moral didacticism. Or you could just generally like fly chicks from California.

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

- AS: 10:30 am. I rarely wake up to an alarm if I don’t have to. I do my best work at night anyways.

- CM: How have you been killing time on this UK stopover, hobbies?

- AS: I have been constantly working and promoting my music while in the UK. I did an interview for Steve Lamacq on BBC 2 and he played my song, ‘Perfervid‘. I did an interview with Ollie on Shoreditch Radio‘s “My band is better than your band“. I had 4 shows, lots of meetings with labels and publishers, but I also drank a ton of tea (because nobody makes tea better than the English). Fashion week was fun- that was the most indulgent thing I did I think. I got most of my kicks and giggles sliding down tube station stairwell bars. If I knew how to skateboard I would go nuts grinding on them.

Good job London.

- CM: What have been your favourite venues on this tour? Any venues you absolutely hated?

- AS: Rule #1 never be ungrateful for a show that someone else booked for you. All the venues were great. The sound at The Bull & Gate was especially great. I really love Martin the door guy. And I love the impoverished elegance of The Old Queen’s Head. I haven’t bought new clothes in a very long time, so any time a venue has a natural decay I really appreciate it because my wardrobe fits right in.

- CM: How has it been different to play to audiences in the UK compared to back home?

- AS: Audiences in the UK are great listeners. You’re a very polite bunch. Normally in The States I try to include as many songs into the bill as possible where people can sing-a-long to the refrain or at least clap because I find that Americans really love the sound of their own voices and bodies. I try and submit to that urge and include them on songs. Americans love to participate in sound. Brits I find are a bit happier to observe and listen. Or maybe I’m wrong, maybe you’re all dying to sing and clap you’re just unsure of the social consequences.

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

- AS: I’m sick of playing songs I wrote 4 years ago, but as my songwriting has gotten better, I’ve noticed I don’t get sick of songs as quickly.

- CM: Are you able to write on the road or do you do this in your off time?

- AS: I can write while not being “at home“, but it definitely requires free time and personal space. I need to be alone or with other musicians.

- CM: Favourite track of yours and why?

- AS: A track called ‘So Be Glad‘. I’ve had a couple people ask me if they could use the song as a backing track for videos they’ve done celebrating Gay Pride. And I also had a woman who had given up a child for adoption cry when she heard it. She was a complete stranger and she cried in front of me- it was surprising and very sobering. The beginning lyrics are “I’m not allowed to fall in love. I’m not allowed to be caressed and kissed and hugged… So Be Glad for your partner who supports what you do, and Just know that there are those who don’t have love like you do.“

At the end of the song you realize that the narrator has given up the rights to her child. She felt it was necessary because she didn’t have enough money or a stable relationship. I’m really interested in why parents abandon/give up their children. My sister is adopted and intentional separation from biological family seems tragic to me.

I also love the song because it has bowed bass and kalimba, two of my favorite instruments.

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

- AS: I’m trying to find a Rod Stewart song that I love right now that isn’t too difficult to pull off. Rod Stewart was married to an Alana, whom I compete with for google seniority. But he was also married to a woman named Rachel (my legal first name is Rachel, my middle name is Alana, which I go by). So it seems that Rod Stewart and I have some type of cosmic connection and I think if I found the right song of his to cover, The Universe might bless me in some way.

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

- AS: Rarely. But now I am becoming more ambitious with my song structures. I desire more motion and scope lately. Motion and scope require consideration and deliberation, aka revisions. So I expect there will be a greater number of revisions from here forth.

- CM: What is more important: the lyrics or the melody?

- AS: That’s like asking what is more important, your mother or your father. They’re both necessary for different reasons. Melody is important for its physical properties, how it makes your body sway or react, how it feels… Lyrics are important for your mind. Imagine you see a really attractive person walking down the street- that is the melody. Then, when you meet them, you’re delighted to discover that they’re interesting and intelligent on top of having a stunning body- that is the lyrics. Together, it makes for the ultimate attractive song.

- CM: What are your views on auto tune in music in 2011?

- AS: I’m a big fan of auto-tune-the-news. “Hide ya kids, Hide ya wife.” No rules. This industry shouldn’t forget it’s about having fun and being playful.

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

- AS: YES. New Orleans & San Francisco has some majorly under-shared music that is very deserving.
New Orleans: Hurray for The Riff Raff.
San Francisco: Honeycomb.

Hurray for the Riff Raff‘s- ‘Bricks‘ is probably one of my most favorite songs of all time.

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

- AS: I’m most flattered by the thank you letters I get for writing the album. Especially the ones from strangers. I appreciate the opportunity to brag, but I’m gonna go ahead and move on to the next question. haha.

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

Janet Jackson duh.

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

- AS: I had a major thing for La Roux‘s ‘Going in for the Kill‘. I wish I had written that song. Glad someone did at least.

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

- AS: I don’t pay for shows. I am living in a state of poverty. But… probably Kermit Ruffins in New Orleans.

- 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??

- AS: Well, she’s not physically dead, but metaphorically I would bring back Lauryn Hill. She’s probably the one artist that impresses me the most- with everything she does. But I know she is doing a good job raising up the next generation of Marley‘s so I can’t get mad at her. Who would I kill? Justin Bieber.

Alana Stewart releases ‘The Misuse of Chemistry‘ EP this spring on ChessClub Records

TRACKS:

A few years back I was blown away by Elvis Perkins on one of his first ever shows in England with the band that later became known as Dearland. The individual performances and overall song structures blew me away and inspired one of the first posts on this blog.

Diamond Doves for to all intents and purpose is Elvis Perkins in Dearland minus Mr Perkins himself. I already had a lot of respect for these guys following that live appearance and the superb ‘Ash Wednesday’ album. Furthermore, they began popping up on all sorts of releases by the likes of My Morning Jacket, Bon Iver, Dr. Dog, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Okkervil River .

This respect was cemented when I recieved their debut recordings as Diamond Doves. The tracks possess an endearing warmth on that invites you in, makes you a nice cup of tea, places you under the duvet and fluffs up your pillows.

This initial offering shows a lot of promise and I eagerly await new songs. Meanwhile they are on tour with The Felice Brothers this spring, and play a residency in Brooklyn throughout March. Definately ones to keep an eye on.

TRACKS:

I came across this soulful star a few months back, but it’s only now, jogged by this month’s press thrust upon me, that i can finally sit, write and pay respect to Benjamin Francis Leftwich. If you’re a heavy rocker, metal head or Math- rock -matician turn away.

This is acoustic guitar, gentle melodies and buttery soft vocals at their best. His vocal touch ensues lightness and warmth and even melts a cover of Arcade Fire‘s brash and robust classic, ‘Rebellion‘. His own debut single ‘Atlas Hands‘ is an absolute dream and seems set to have a Jose Gonzalez ‘Heartbeats‘ moment in 2011.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich heads out on a UK tour this week so check his myspace for the dates. We will be catching his London date, see you there!

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Post by the Big Apple eating Ruby.

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TRACKS:

School Of Seven Bells dropped the follow up to their 2008 album ‘Alpinism‘ this summer showcasing an increased awareness in their dreamy electro landscapes. The trio’s success on ‘Disconnect From Desire‘ lies in conveying emotions through the lyrics and atmospherics in vivid fashion.

New single ‘I L U‘ is full of subtle intricacies and comes equipped with a delightful stop motion video.

School Of Seven Bells set out on the road in Northern America early next year on tour with Interpol. ‘Disconnect From Desire‘ is out now on Vagrant Records.

TRACKS:

Cougar Microbes caught up with the members of Maps & Atlases munching on a vegetarian platter hours before they were due on stage at Cargo.  We discussed sweaty clothes, Cee Lo Green and scary songs:

- Cougar Microbes – So to start off; what time did you guys get out of bed this morning?

- Maps & Atlases – We got up at 8:30.

- CM - 8:30? Was that out of choice or where you dragged out of bed?

- M&A – Well we had to get down to London from Manchester so it was kind of like we dragged ourselves out of bed.

- CM – How do you guys kill time on the road? Do you play games?

- M&A – We had a couple of fun games. We used to have games, now we just don’t talk (laughs). Fortunately there’s lots of scenery to take in.

- CM - And the great weather?

M&A – Of course your great weather!

CM – What have been your favourite venues on this UK tour?

M&A – We really liked the venue from last night, Manchester Deaf Institute was really cool, and Glasgow just looked awesome as a city.

CM – Any absolutely shocking venues?

M&A- Actually, kind of funny you bring that up… they were mostly good.

CM – We like to name and shame

M&A – All our shows have been good experiences…. but it got so packed at our Brighton show and it got extremely hot, the air conditioning wasn’t working… people were passing out, literally. We nearly passed out. It was pretty bad.

The clothes we have from that show are still wet.

CM – Are there any tracks in the set you are sick of playing?

M&A – Not yet but probably by the end of this tour (laughs).

CM – And what’s your favourite?

M&A – You know, I think ‘Pigeon’ is a fun one to play it’s got all these things that could go wrong so it is just scary enough to be exciting every time. Its high energy but it has a good root to it. It’s pretty easy to mess it up but it is so great to play.

CM – Are you guys able to write on the road?

M&A – I guess writing lyrics can happen any time, but we don’t necessarily as you would imagine. I guess sometimes we will have a 2 minute jam on the side of the soundcheck but for the most part when you are playing live you don’t wanna be pissing off the sound guys.

CM – Whats more important for you, the lyrics or the melody?

M&A – Hopefully there is a balance between both. I think the lyrics are important to give a sense to the songs you are singing but without the melody tying it together its not really worth anything. I guess if i had to chose one Lyrics would be slightly more important.

I mean look at Cake, who are a fantastic band, and notice how they emphasise the lyrics whilst he almost talks over it.

CM – and says ‘Oh no’ a lot of times…

M&A – Exactly!

CM – You guys have toured with Ra Ra Riot, mewithoutyou and Minus the Bear, who would you like to tour with again

M&A – We did a few shows with Rar Ra Riot and those were fun and we did some with Foals which we also enjoyed. Really any of those tours we’d love to do again.

I’d like to do Frightened Rabbit again. There aren’t too many bands that we’ve toured with that we disliked.

CM – What is the most flattering thing you’ve read or heard about yourselves?

M&A – I really like some of the comparisons we get all the time. we are one of these bands that always gets oddball comparisons. People are like “yeah you sound like Talking Heads and… Prince” and I’m just thinking yeah, I guess thats pretty awesome. We’ll take that.

The other day Dave was compared to Cee Lo which made us laugh.

CM – Which other bands are doing stuff that you like at the moment?

M&A – I like Phantogram a lot, Wild Beasts came out a while ago but that was an awesome album, a band that is coming out soon called Gypsyblood will be pretty awesome.

CM – When was the last time you queued up and paid for a show?

M&A - I just got tickets to Dismemberment Plan in Chicago, hopefully I wont have to queue. I got tickets for a Thermals show last year and didn’t really have to wait in line for very long. Not because I’m a rockstar or anything, just that I got there at the right time.

CM – Are there any covers you are planning to record or have recorded?

M&A – We are always trying to think of an awesome cover we could play.

CM – You could do Cee Lo?

M&A – Now that’s an awesome idea… We were actually working on a couple of songs earlier in the tour like an Echo & The Bunnymen track.

CM – Final question, if you have to bring an artist back from the dead and swap them with a living artist who would it be and why?

M&A – We’d probably wanna bring someone back whose career has been cut short like Buddy Holly or someone like that. Someone who was unfortunate to die but fortunate for their career to go that way.

I say we bring back Buddy Holly. Swap them with someone like Puddle of Mudd. In fact you don’t even have to bring anyone back, just take that band away.

The album ‘Perch Patchwork‘ is out now on FatCat.

TRACKS:

It was fitting that I would see Ash live again after, earlier in the year, I described how my dad inadvertently made me into an Ash fan and the first time I saw them live. The spirit of that youthful trio is alive and well even after all this time.

Opting to mix material from their 2010 anti-album ‘A-Z Series‘ with several fan favourites including a bunch of songs from the brilliant ‘1977‘ served not only to jog the memory but also to show how well the new material stands in contrast. Opening double whammy ‘Arcadia‘ and ‘Girl From Mars‘ set the scene and had the crowd eating out of the band’s hands immediately.

Tracks like ‘A Life Less Ordinary‘ and ‘Oh Yeah‘ were much appreciated trips down memory lane executed to perfection but the biggest smiles of the night where kept for their note perfect rendition of Weezer‘s ‘Only In Dreams‘.

Predictably ending with fan favourite ‘Burn Baby Burn‘ it was hard to spot a single person in the room not singing along and you would have been forgiven for thinking that Ash have somehow stumbled across a rejuvenation potion. What is certain is that the freedom they have enjoyed on the ‘A-Z Series‘ has given them a new lease of life.

Tracks:

Having previously reviewed their latest EP We caught up The Twilight Sad‘s frontman James Graham for an informal chat to discuss the band’s latest EP and tour with Errors. Here is what he had to say:

- Cougar Microbes: What Time did you wake up this morning? Was it out of choice or necessity?

- James: We had to wake up at 9am this morning because we are travelling from Brighton to Bristol. We have a couple of interviews and acoustic shows today so we had to head early.

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

- J: To be honest we do a lot of drinking [laughs]. We’re Scottish so drinking is a good time killer.

- CM:What have been your favourite venues on this tour? Any Venues you hated?

- J: Dundee was an awesome night as was Manchester‘s Deaf Institute. Was also cool that the other night’s show in London was sold out.

Brighton last night was weird. The show was supposedly sold out but seemed like people couldn’t get inside, I don’t know why.

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

- J: There are a couple of songs off of our first album that get shoutouts, especially in the States. But we’ve never played them, not even back then.

- CM:Are you able to write on the road or do you do this in your off time?

- J: We do some jamming during soundcheck. Our music is pretty experimental in nature so it’s not a bad time.

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

- J: We tend to do a lot of demos before we go into the studio and then pick the songs we like the most. For example, the first track off of ‘Forget The Night Ahead‘ was originally planned as a B-side.

- CM:What is more important, the lyrics or the melody?

- J: I think the melody is most important in our songs. The words come in a close second but it’s about the entire song.

- CM:What are your views on auto tune?

- J: I suppose there is a place for it in some aspects of music but we would never ever use it. That would be ridiculous.

- CM: Is the sound of ‘The Wrong Car‘ EP what we can expect from your next album?

- J: Those 2 tracks didn’t make the previous album, just. We wanted to re-record them to get them to sound the way we knew they could. I think our next material will again sound completely different. We are constantly evolving

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

- J: I try not to read our reviews anymore. For every 10 reviews all it takes is one shitty review to bring you down. As long as we are happy…

- 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??

- J: I would want to get rid of half the music industry. Tell you what, bring back Elvis and give them Scouting For Girls

‘The Wrong Car‘ EP out now on FatCat

TRACKS:

The Twilight Sad - Throw Yourself In The Water Again