FEATURE: OMB's guide to Oxford #3

*Originally published for Artrocker (21/1/13)

Scientists claim that today is the most depressing of the year. Crap weather, empty wallets and a lack of upcoming holidays are but a few of the reasons behind “Blue Monday”. To top it all off, there’s a chance that none of us are allowed to use our HMV gift vouchers (did you actually get any for Christmas? Yeah, didn’t think so).

In cheerier and more relevant news for the Oxford Music Blog's guide to Oxford, the city’s only independent record shop, Truck Store, will be celebrating its second birthday on 10th February. Blessing Force’s “sad disco” lot Trophy Wife will headline with support from Rhosyn, Salvation Bill, New Carnival and Jordan O’Shea. It’s a stellar line-up to say the least, and one that will nicely celebrate the city’s illustrious music scene. You should probably thumb through some records while you’re there, too.

If, like others of the 21st century convenience mindset, you prefer to get your music from the comfort of your sofa, then be sure to download the exciting freemixes of Kill Murray’s latest single, ‘For The Kids’. Ambient-pop newcomers, The Sea The Sea, have done a smart remix of the track. The man behind it, Dave Freeman, said: “I spent my teenage years before I learned to play guitar producing electronic music, so it was fun to go back to.” He also cites the support Kill Murray have given the band: “They headlined our first gig and helped us organise it. Aaron mastered our first single. It's nice to know other bands in the area because you can help each other out.”
 

Kill Murray were in session for BBC Introducing in Oxford last week and you can download the podcast for free from the Introducing website.

Saturday night also saw one of the biggest turnouts for Introducing in Oxford’s monthly Upstairs at the O2 Academy nights, with an explosive, sold-out headline set from Falmouth’s Tall Ships. One of the highlights of the evening was, undoubtedly, the performance by Introducing in Oxford’s adopted sons, Stratford-upon-Avon’s My Grey Horse. The show’s producer, Liz Green, has tipped the harmonic-pop lot for 2013. Local favourites Wild Swim and the elusive but rather wonderful Salvation Bill are also on the list.

   

Liz added: “We’ve also got a great electronic scene emerging in Oxford. Artists like Theo Bass and After The Thought are certainly doing things differently.”

Other local releases to get excited about in the coming weeks is the new single from The Scholars, ‘Love The Thunder’, Pixel Fix’s video for new song, ‘Rosa’ and the debut EP from cellist and “multidimensional artist”, Rhosyn.
Seb Reynolds of The Epstein and Flights Of Helios is also launching a monthly charity remix project. Proceeds from the downloads will go to Helen & Douglas house and the first instalment, a remix of ‘Dearly Distracted’ by Edinburgh’s Meursault, is available from his bandcamp.

Lastly, with Truck Store defying the digital age, the new online magazine for local music and culture, Spires, has announced plans to go into print from April. Editor Matt Ayres said: “I still see the value of print media in the digital age. To me, there's something timeless about leafing through a nicely written, well designed article on your favourite local or national band/artist when it's on paper. It feels more permanent.”

February’s issue sees an exclusive interview with local heroes Stornoway, who are playing two headline gigs at the magnificent Oxford Town Hall on 14th and 15th of February.

Who said January was depressing?

PREVIEW: Tall Ships, Listing Ships, The Sea The Sea and more at BBC Introducing gig

*Originally published for BBC News Oxford (17/1/13)

Tall Ships will be supported by four up-and-coming bands at January's Upstairs at the O2 Academy Oxford in association with BBC Introducing.

The line-up on 19 January includes Oxford acts Listing Ships, Robots With Souls, and The Sea The Sea, plus Stratford-upon-Avon's My Grey Horse.

Ric Phethean, from Falmouth trio Tall Ships, said: "We're really excited to be playing for BBC Introducing again.

"It's the first show for us this year and the line up is looking great. It's going to be awesome."

He added that the band were "stoked" to be asked back to play after their BBC Introducing slots at Reading and Leeds Festival in 2012.

The post-rockers' debut album Everything Touching was released in October to much acclaim, and saw them perform album tracks for Huw Stephens at Maida Vale.

'Oxford is home' 

It will be the second time that Stratford-upon-Avon's rising stars My Grey Horse have played the BBC Introducing stage.

Co-vocalist and guitarist Oobah Butler said: "To be supporting Tall Ships and playing in Oxford for BBC Introducing again is exciting.

"Oxford just kind of fits us; it has a real sense of home. Stratford-upon-Avon has no music scene so we've been really lucky to have such amazing support."

BBC 6 Music's Shaun Keaveny named Need Wood his Record Of The Week in December, which is the lead single for the band's new EP Stop Before The Dry River.

"It's great to have support from people like Shaun at BBC 6, and BBC Introducing, who are so enthusiastic about us," Oobah added.

My Grey Horse have received comparisons to The Shins and Grandaddy, but they find it difficult to describe their sound.

Oobah said: "I really love pop music, but with My Grey Horse we're probably fighting it as much as going with it.

"The main thing is that we always try to put a narrative and a sentiment there."

The band are about to write their debut album.

"I'm not sure exactly where we're going yet, but it'll involve sleeping on floors and possibly hiding ourselves away in a commune in Wales."

'Top secret' 

One-man music machine Steve Wilson, AKA Robots With Souls, has played previous Upstairs gigs as a member of local acts Phantom Theory and Toliesel.

Steve said: "I'm really looking forward to this gig. Upstairs gigs are always good nights and, as it is just me this time, it's very exciting."

He explained how he came to be a solo act: "When everything with Phantom Theory began to slow down, I started looping riffs at home on a beat up old bass guitar, just to play drums to.

"The bass just ended up becoming a part of the drum kit to make the whole process easier and then, as riffs turned into songs, it became less about the drums and more about keeping everything in its rightful place."

Self-described as an "art rock/noise rock band," Steve is influenced by Death From Above 1979, Femme Fatale, and Sonic Youth.

The debut Robots With Souls EP release is pencilled in for the summer and is to be recorded in a "very top secret never-been-done-before super-exciting way".

He added: "Think cassettes and MiniDiscs, melted down to a plastic liquid, then sent to you in an insulated jiffy bag... but maybe in a less abstract way."

'Artistic fervour' 

Newcomers The Sea The Sea are delighted to be playing their second ever gig.

Vocalist and guitarist Matthew Clarkson said: "Opening the bill that sees Tall Ships headline will be a very memorable experience."

The five-piece cite dream pop, ambient, post punk and post rock as their influences, but "ultimately, we write guitar-driven pop songs, experimenting as we go".

Matthew describes Oxford as a "very strong" music scene.

He added: "It's small but bustles with artistic fervour. It's an inspiring and romantic place."

The band released four free singles in the run up to Christmas and will spend 2013 expanding their profile.

Every month a selection of local talent plays the regular band nights at the O2 Academy, with highlights featured on BBC Introducing in Oxford.