London has been my home now for nearly ten years. Roughly about the same length of time that British Sea Power have been signed to Rough Trade. It startles me a bit to think that I’ve been going to gigs in this part of the world now for so long that entire band’s careers are encapsulated in that span. British Sea Power have always been a band unafraid to be different, confident in themselves and their craft. Now as they approach their second ten years as a band, they seem more comfortable than ever in what they’re doing.
Jan 142011
Apr 182009
Now Record Store Day is upon us (I’ve fallen a little behind with updates – blame late nights with Errors and Bat For Lashes!) how could I pick any other store than my local – the veritable Banquet. Located in London satellite town Kingston-upon-Thames the shop is a wonderful little place, and a success story in these times of music business downturn. Local blogger Kittens In Mittens has a great piece on their phoenix from the flames story, so have a read here. Suffice to say that these days the shop is always bustling, stacked with a great variety of customers, all catered for by the wide-reaching knowledge of the staff. Undoubtedly the best bit about Banquet is their in-stores and local club shows (New Slang and more) , always featuring a stellar cast of big, or soon-to-be, bands. In 2008 they hosted shows from Cut Copy, Los Campesinos!, Be Your Own Pet, Hot Chip, Laura Marling, Friendly Fires and so many more; all for around a fiver a pop. Not only that but a fair number of their in-stores are under-18s only, meaning that local kids really get a feel for being part of a local scene – genius.
Star Find: Less of a record, more the experience of first seeing Los Campesinos! for the first time. The sound in New Slang’s old venue, decrepid Kingston hole The Works, was dreadful but the Welsh whizzkids really lit the place up. I’d been keen to see them since the release of You! Me! Dancing but was a bit suspect they’d be a one trick pony – not at all. My first trip to New Slang, despite being a local for years – the first of many!
