Music

Crowds in Berkley, California, were told of the news of Muhammad Ali's passing before Paul Simon played "The Boxer". The musician announced the sad news to the packed Greek Theater, saying "RIP to The Greatest". The Boxer, from the Bridge over Troubled Water album, contains several poignant lyrics, including: In the clearing stands a boxer And a fighter by his trade And he carries the remainders Of every glove that laid him down And cut him till he cried out In his anger...

By Grant Bailey (@GrantDBailey) Monika Brodka’s fourth full-length is a smoky and weirdly-caustic mix of offbeat pop. The Polish pop star has taken a snaking route from her discovery on Polish Pop Idol 12 years ago, and while third album Granda really delivered the first, unadulterated shot of weirdness that Brodka had to offer, Clashes feels like a refinement of that identity to a honed point. In ‘Horses’ we have the first example of smouldering, galloping pop in the mould...

By Alex Lodge (@alexlodgemusic | Insta @alexlodgemusic7) Alex Lodge is a music supervisor for film, TV and advertising at Thirty Two.  It’s nearly June, everyone is starting to think about how they’re going to shed their winter coat (read excess weight) for the summer, and the city is starting to believe we might actually have some proper sun this year. Time for some dusty retro, some weird ambient and some astral jazz to get you ready to make the transition....

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor You have just released your new single ‘Bakkos’ on DELPHI, how was it working with Marc Pell and Gavin Farrell on the track?  It was a long learning process for me. I worked with Gav before on demos and he's great to work with. I had limited time with him, he tracked the drums and bass in a friends rehearsal space and main vocals in my bedroom then the session was left with me. I...

New York duo Diet Cig are returning to the UK for a run of dates, including a handful of highly-anticipated performances at Brighton's Great Escape Festival and across the Dot To Dot Festival schedule. The tour also sees the band landing in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Nottingham, Leeds, and a show in Paris before returning back to the States. The band have already built up a significant fanbase and industry interest with their direct, infectious indie-pop and unashamedly fun live...

Brand New have announced the release of new single “I Am A Nightmare,” their first new music in more than a year. The song—produced by Brand New and longtime collaborator Mike Sapone, mixed by Vince Ratti, and taken from the band’s upcoming release—will be available via all Digital Service Providers this week and can be pre-ordered now on vinyl. “I Am A Nightmare” comes in advance of brand New’s upcoming Canadian headlining tour and American co- headlining tour with Modest Mouse. The song’s...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor Your new album “Reverie" is quite a departure from your earlier work such as “Soul Train.” Why the change of direction? 30 odd years ago when I was making Swans Way records and Scarlet Fantastic records I was doing exactly what felt right for me at the time. I have always done that with all of my bands and musical projects. I’m still doing that today, making music that feels right for me at this present time!...

By Joe Mellor, Deputy Editor How did you guys get together as Northeast Party House? And where did the name originate from? Three of us attended the same high school and played together in various jazz ensembles, orchestras and choirs. It wasn’t until we left school and started going out to clubs and festivals that we had the epiphany that we could start a band playing the music we actually enjoyed. The name Northeast Party House is a reference to...

When Busted split up in 2005 they split up for good. Charlie Simpson, increasingly absent in mind and body, had grown tired of playing the pop idol in rebellious sixth-form attire, strumming along to simple chord progressions and wailing about adolescent strife. Shagging school teachers had lost its appeal, time travel and wedding crashing got lame and sleeping with the lights on got tiresome.  He was a highbrow musician in a lowbrow band, and something had to give. "Devastated", James...