Our Iron Lung

The Circuitry Of Life

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:05:00 +0000

Boom, back in the game. Everyone involved in Our Iron Lung has been working tirelessly over the past few months launching and establishing Faux, an online and print arts, music, film and culture magazine running in various ad-funded regional editions. If you haven't already, get the skinny here.

It's been a while since I've written about anything quite as pop as Jett Valentine, but this is pretty brilliant stuff. Coming alongside a super remix from Mirrors, this under 3-minute long piece of piano-led pop is vaguely reminiscent of Luke Leighfield's greater moments. Crushing a stomping chorus in behind simple piano lines, Jett executes some self control in creating strong structure within Outlaws which, ultimately, pays off. Both tracks are available to stream or download thanks to Soundcloud. Thoughts?

Jett Valentine - Outlaws
Jett Valentine - Superman (Mirors Remix)

We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:56:00 +0000

Prior to the release of their smashing new album we sent Hannah Matthews along to interview Ellen from Los Campesinos!

Where did the inspiration come from for the name Los Campesinos! - why ‘The Peasants’?
Neil came up with the name due to the fact he did Spanish A Level, and we were all struggling to come up with a band name. It seemed to sound nice, and look pretty written down so we stuck with it, not a very exciting story I am afraid!

When I was asked to describe your music, a melee of thoughts came to mind. How would you describe your sound?
Shambolic indie pop, I don’t know, it’s quite a hard thing to do, like describing yourself naked. A melee of sound oddly appropriate.

For people reading this who might not be familiar with your music, which of your songs would you say sums Los Campesinos! up?
I would like to think that there is not one particular song which summarises us, as we like to keep growing and improving as musicians, I guess what ever is our highest listened to song on last.fm is a good place to start for newbie’s or lazies.

You deal with deep subject matter and sombre lyrics, especially on your second album, but juxtapose this with uplifting music and vibrant live performances. What would you say is more important to you as artists, the music or the lyrics?
I think that’s like trying to pick a favourite child, they are both equally as important as the other, and the juxtopositoning of both seems to create an interesting dynamic, plus they would be kind of pointless apart…

I saw you play Leeds Cockpit on October 30th, and it reaffirmed my opinion that as a live band, you’re head and shoulders above the rest. Do you enjoy playing live and where’s your favourite venue?
We do enjoy playing live and it’s amazing to have people react positively to us, and the crowd in Leeds were awesome, even though we probably gave them all swine flu. I think one of the most impressive places we have performed was a baseball stadium in Japan, that was incredibly surreal and amazing, and made us feel like successful sportsmen.

Why has it been so long since LC! have played in the UK? Will you be touring the UK with your next album?
We were hanging out in America for the first half of the year, we mixed up recording and touring for about five months. We will be doing an extensive tour of the uk next year, so look out!

Your passion for music is evident in your promotion of other bands, such as the incredible Sky Larkin. Which up and coming bands would you recommend we keep an eye out for?
Islet, Sparky Deathcap and Copy Haho are all pretty special.

[SPOTIFY] Los Campesinos! - Romance Is Boring
[MYSPACE] Check out more from Los Campesinos! on myspace.

If You Haven't Got Anything To Say

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:22:00 +0000

For a few weeks now Adam Hockley, an occasional contributor to Our Iron Lung, has been putting on a selection of acoustic acts at Kind, Lincoln. To kick-start the new year he's booked the fantastic Luke Leighfield, an indie-pop darling with an addiction to touring. I caught up with Luke over the weekend to ask him about everything from graduation to the ups and downs of being an independent artist.

Liam Haynes interviewed Luke Leighfield. He plays Kind, Lincoln on 5/1/10.

First things first, graduation! Well done. What's it like trying to tour as much as you have over the past few years, while also putting in some time getting educated?
Thanks! Touring as much as I did was amazing and great fun, but I think it's probably too grand a claim to say that I came out of university 'educated'! I managed to pass my degree but I don't really feel much more intelligent than when I started university. That's worrying, isn't it? Twelve grand down the drain. Oops. But anyway, basically, I did the bare minimum of work in order to get a 2:1 and spent the rest of my time jetting around, meeting ace people and playing fun places, and I don't regret a minute of it.

You appear to me to be a fiercely independent artist, putting out releases on your own label, touring off your own back, etc. How do you feel the place of the "artist" in relation to things like a "label" or "pr" will change over the coming few years?
For the record, it's not that I'm fiercely independent, it's just that I've never had an offer through that's really been worth taking with regards to labels etc. I'm not ruling it out in the future whatsoever! I do feel that nowadays it's perfectly plausible for bands to get a long way without the help of a label, manager or PR company thanks to various tools on the internet. However, because those tools are out there for everyone (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) then competition is extremely fierce and you really have to stay on top of everything all the time. I spend all day answering emails and messages, and I feel that if you want to get anywhere at the moment as an independent artist then these are things that have to be done.

Following on from that, do you regret not having these people by your side, or are you pleased with the way things have worked out for you so far?
I'm really proud of what I've achieved by myself, but ideally I'd like to get a team around me in the future. As I said before, it can be quite stressful doing businessy things on the internet all day. Also, your work is never done so you can never truly relax! Sometimes it would be nice to just watch 24 and not feel guilty about it, or, God forbid, have time to write some music!

I've got a funny feeling you've played Lincoln before, but assuming you haven't... What are the first things that pop into your head when you think of Lincoln?
I've only played a house gig in Lincoln before, so I'm a Lincoln gig virgin. When I think of Lincoln, I think it's near Nottingham and then I think of guns. But Lincoln itself sounds quite boring. Not in a mean way, some places are just a bit nothingy aren't they! Don't worry, I'm from Worcester. Worcester is painfully dull.

Tell me about your latest release, Have You Got Heart? Pretty happy with it?
HYGH is my third album, but it's the first one that I've done with a real producer so I'm very proud of it. It's the best thing I've ever made in my whole life. There are guitar solos, there are violins, there are trumpets, there are gang vocals, there are more guitar solos. You can download it for free here.

What's next for Luke? A cup of tea, a big think, but then what?
Right now, as in tonight, I'm going to carry on reading a C.S. Lewis book that I'm halfway through. And maybe watch a film. But music-wise, I'm writing new songs in January and February, then going to play in China and Russia in February and March. At the end of March I'm touring with Jose Vanders and Eat.Sleep.Attack in the UK, and then there's talk of some gigs in the US later on this year. Watch this space!

Who excites you musically at the moment? We're talking new artists here...
I played with a girl called Rosie Jones in Liverpool on tour last month and she was the best thing I've seen all year. Incredible. Her MySpace songs are old, but trust me, you'll hear good things from her this year. I'm also totally addicted to a Japanese band called Perfume who I first heard last month. They're not new, but I don't think anyone knows about them in the UK, especially not Lincoln, so I hope you enjoy them. Apart from that I'm not really sure.

How much value do you think can be placed in polls like BBC Sound Of 2010 and the like?
Maybe I'm cynical and bitter, but I think it's mostly just hype from big labels with big budgets. Or maybe I'm wrong.

[DOWNLOAD] You can download Luke's latest album for free here.
[MYSPACE] Visit Luke Leighfield on myspace here.
[FACEBOOK] More info on Luke's Lincoln show can be found here.

Live Fast, Die Young

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:40:00 +0000

For all intensive purposes, 2010 is going to be a pretty Transgressive focused year. They're releasing the new Foals album, overseeing Mystery Jets move to Rough Trade, and also publishing Johnny Flynn's sophomore album due out in the middle of the year. For now though, they're just releasing a little taster EP to prove that he's not deviating too much from what made us all fall head over heels in adoration for him in the first place.

We've got the closing track from the Sweet William EP for you to download now, along with the whole EP itself streaming over on Spotify of course. Drum is a brilliant little piano led track, proving that Flynn is still as important to the English folk scene now as he was a few years ago.

[MP3] Johnny Flynn - Drum (Alt Link)
[BUY] Get a copy over at Puregroove
[SPOTIFY] Johnny Flynn - Sweet William EP
[MYSPACE] Visit Johnny on myspace here.

All That's Left For You Is Doubt

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:14:00 +0000

As we hit mid-December the "future acts" hype machine is hitting breaking point, but I don't care. Lauded in the BBC Sound Of 2010 shortlist and with some stellar live shows already under their belt, Delphic are 100% ready to explode in the coming year. From what I've heard so far their debut album Acolyte is shaping up to be quite the killer disc, a perfect mixture of "high art aspiration and party spirit". How very, very Manchester.

[MP3] Delphic - Counterpoint
[YOUTUBE] Delphic - Doubt
[MYSPACE] Find more from Delphic on myspace.

Looking For The Golden Lie

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:31:00 +0000

She'll likely be topping many Sound Of 2010 lists, but to us she's been well established since the beginning of this year, nevermind the next. Regardless, the follow-up to Mowgli's Road (her debut for 679/Atlantic) is finally here in the form of Hollywood. One of the first new Marina tracks to surface in a while, yet still not a million miles away from the groundwork layed on Obsessions, I Am Not A Robot or Mowgli's Road. Totally set for daytime radio, totally blitzing from start to finish, totally stuffed full of wit and charm. The video itself sees Marina writhing around with various American celebrity lookalikes, a much more accessible video than that for Mowgli's Road. Hollywood is taken from Marina's debut album, The Family Jewels, out 15th February 2010.

[YOUTUBE] Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood
[MP3] Marina & The Diamonds - Obsessions (Pink Stallone RMX)

This Is What You Get

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Our friends over at Faux are giving away a pair of tickets to General Fiasco's show with The Enemy at Engine Shed, Lincoln tonight. Seeing as we're such lovely people, we thought we'd let you in on all the info. Head over to Faux now to be in with a chance of winning, but be quick, they're picking a winner at 5pm.

Meanwhile, while you wait nervously, why not check out General Fiasco's new app on the Apple App Store. It lets you stream bundles of their tracks and videos, follow their twitter and facebook feeds, as well as check out loads of photos of the band.

[MYSPACE] Check out General Fiasco on myspace.
[FAUX] Find the competition over on Faux.

We Are The Tourists In The Cafe

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:44:00 +0000

Liam Haynes interviewed Local Natives. Their album, Gorilla Manor was released on 2/11/09.

How do you feel your performance at SXSW this year helped you? What are the negatives?
Because we played nine shows at the festival we were able to attain a lot of new exposure. Each show sort of built up on the last so that by the end there were a lot of new people interested in checking us out. I have to say there are really no negatives from the SXSW experience. We had a really amazing time and its helped us tremendously in getting our name out as a new band.

Does being a band in LA help or is it too much of a crowded scene?
I think it helps. There's already so much of a spotlight on a place like LA or NY that if you can stand out in a scene like this, you're already on a bigger platform.

Where do you see music blogs standing in the grand scheme of (musical) things?
Blogs have already become extremely influential on today's music culture and I see them playing an even larger role in the coming years. Maintaining personal relationship with blogs that we really like has been a huge asset to this band. It helps put our music into new ears.

If you were all someone from Seinfeld, who would you each be and why?
I asked everybody and we agreed that I (Kelcey, vocals & keys) would be Kramer, because I'm a bit of the odd-ball, crazy guy. We're all a bit nuts but I think I might be the nuttiest. I think Matt (drums) would be Jerry because he usually is the observer of it all. Taylor (vocals & guitar) is Elaine because he acts like a lady sometimes. Ryan (guitar & vocals) is George because he complains, and Andy (bass) is Newman because Matt doesn't like Andy (not really; I just needed an excuse to have Andy be Newman).

Which UK acts do you feel closest to musically? How has your reception been here so far?
The Zombies? Not really sure which current ones we do relate to at the moment, suppose I can leave that for the journalists. The reception has been overwhelming here.

[MP3] Local Natives - Camera Talk
[SPOTIFY] Local Natives - Gorilla Manor
[BUY] Grab their debut album from rough Trade.
[SESSION] Check out songs from their Daytrotter Session here.

Take Me To The Queen Of Hearts

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:54:00 +0000

The fantastic Wolf Gang have already caught our attention with their brilliant debut earlier this year and now return with the devastatingly catchy The King & All Of His Men. The video is fantastic, a weird Alice In Wonderland style affair that is sure to propel the single to greater heights than it's predecessor. We've also been promised some fantastic remixes for this, including a sure-to-be-awesome Egyptian Hip Hop mix.

[MP3] Wolf Gang - The King & All Of His Men
[INTERVIEW] Check out an interview I did with Max from Wolf Gang over at Platform.
[MYSPACE] Check out more from Wolf Gang at their myspace.

Tales From The Malian Sahara

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Words by Theodora Wakeley. Tinariwen played Koko, London on 25/10/09.

"World music" is seemingly a dirty couple of words at my university campus judging by the sheer difficulty I had in persuading anyone to come with me to see Tinariwen at Koko. I ventured alone though on a wild London night (I like to think) and saw what could possibly be my favourite gig of the year so far in terms of atmosphere, uninhibited enjoyment, and pure organic music-making.

Tinariwen cannot be fully explained without their comprehensive back-story. However it is a long and complicated one so look up Andy Morgan’s brilliant biography for that. I will merely say they are a group of former African rebels, from the far-flung reaches of the Malian Sahara, who decided to portray their anguishes and the beauty of their desert home through the power of music. Despite the language barrier the emotion is truly felt as they sing songs from their latest album Companions, mixing it up with a traditional Touareg folk-song and ending on the truly stunning Cler Achel, the highest point on their defining album Aman Iman.

The most remarkable thing about these guys though is their stage presence. They dance constantly, interact with the audience, and I swear the performer on the left, all in white with only his eyes on show, is laughing and smiling the whole way through. The lead vocalist and guitarist Ibrahim Ag Alhabib, looking almost god-like, has to also be up there with the greatest rock front-men. He only arrives half-way through the set yet the cheers that greet him prove his stature.

Tinariwen are hardly undiscovered. They’ve been around for years and are extremely popular, yet a younger student generation has yet to embrace them. It’s not actually world music, its rock music of the highest quality.

[MYSPACE] Check out Tinariwen on myspace.
[WEB] Find out more about Tinariwen on their site.
[SPOTIFY] Tinariwen - Amassakoul

In Our House Made Of Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:30:00 +0000

Our adoration for the delicious Ellie Goulding is well documented, and it's clearly no coincidence she's finally back with her first proper single on the inimitable Neon Gold Records. Under The Sheets takes the soaring vocals and electronic backing showcased so well in previous demo Starry Eyed and combines them with a melody to die for. Ellie and her songwriting partner/producer Starsmith clearly have an ear for something special, the fantastic production and standout vocals combining into a hazy blast of sure-fire pop. They're currently out on tour supporting Little Boots, but took time out last night to perform Under The Sheets on Later Live... With Jools Holland. Link at the bottom of the post or catch it on iPlayer. The true visual representation of the song though comes from the dazzling video you see below. Multiple iterations of Ellie stomping through heartfelt line after line, smashing glitter covered drums and breaking hearts. Enjoy.

[MP3] Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets - Via Neon Gold
[YOUTUBE] Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Live on Later..)

I Was Applying Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Photo by Josh Wilson, words by Darryl Marsden. The XX played Bodega, Nottingham on 7/10/09.

London indie darlings The XX have had quite a year. After garnering glowing reviews of their self-titled debut released earlier this year the 4-piece decided to embark on their first ever UK headlining tour, culminating at a packed out Bodega Social. Once the crowd had gathered around the small stage there is one thing strikingly noticeable, the age of audience members. For every hipster in a plaid-shirt there is a middle aged man and wife with premium lagers and screwdrivers. Certainly not the type of crowd I had expected.

After technical difficulties with the drum machine The XX appeared all dressed in black, looking like some kind of odd gang. With only one album to date it was obvious where the material was going to come from, a glance at the setlist confirmed this. From the opening notes of first track and album opener Intro you could tell from the atmosphere in the room that people felt they were watching a band who are really going places. The guitar lines are beautifully crafted and sound magical against the beats produced by the drum machine. The vocals in Islands resonate chillingly and the hooks send tingles. Singles Crystalised and Basic Space get the best reception of the night. It is rare in a gig with such quiet music and few people that you get total silence between songs. There is normally some kind of chatter, but tonight there is nothing. This silence speaks more than any noise could do, it's exciting to see where The XX are going to go next. One thing is for sure, it’s not likely they are going to play venues this small for much longer.

[MP3] The XX - Basic Space (Sampha Remix)
[SPOTIFY] The XX - The XX

Dance To The Sound Of Sirens

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:26:00 +0000

Image by James Arnold, words by Liam Haynes. Bloc Party played Engine Shed, Lincoln on 12/10/09.

To me, Bloc Party are both deliciously timeless and achingly current. Remaining exciting and taut while their post-punk revival brethren, from The Rakes through to Franz Ferdinand, rapidly descended into repetition and old tricks. Now, they've finally come to my doorstep in Lincoln, three albums behind them and mid-way through a month of touring.

But first, the support act. Grammatics have been stellar the last few times I've seen them, and this is no exception. While perhaps not being the perfect support act for Bloc Party's crowd, they showcase how vibrant the Leeds music scene is and their standout tracks such as Murderer and D.I.L.E.M.M.A are as brilliant in a large venue like Engine Shed as they are on record.

Predictably, Bloc Party blow the roof off Engine Shed. From classics such as Helicopter through to the controversial Mercury, they undeniably prove why they're still at the top of their game. Back in a venue of this size they seem perfectly at home, Silent Alarm era material sitting perfectly well alongside newer singles and album tracks. Alas the night would eventually be cut short by the sound of sirens, leaving Flux and who knows what else left to be played another day.

[MP3] Bloc Party - Call The Shots (Girls Aloud cover)
[MP3] Grammatics - Inkjet Lakes (Alt Link)
[MYSPACE] Visit Bloc Party or Grammatics on myspace.

Like Spinning Discs #3: Local Natives

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:58:00 +0000

In this, the thrid edition of Like Spinning Discs, we got Darryl Marsden to have a quick chat with Local Natives while they were taking a break from their current run on the NME Radar Tour to ask them about their most treasured LPs.

If you could only take 5 LP's or EP's into a nuclear bunker to listen to as we all slowly blow each other up, which would you choose and why?

Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
This is my favorite album of all time. I can remember listening to it for the first time driving home from the record shop. It was raining and I sat in the driveway letting it play all the way through. There's just something mystical about the recording, the live energy of the musicians, the improvisation the arrangements, and the plaintive and passionate vocal performances. I've listened to it innumerable times since high school and every time I do, I'm brought back to that time I first heard it. (Ryan Hahn)

The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle
Like most people, I’d heard “Time of the Season” plenty of times growing up, mostly thanks to oldies radio stations. One day in high school I remember hearing it suddenly as if for the first time. The iconic bass line, the handclap “ahh”, the unique vocal arrangement, that ridiculously great organ solo – all of it struck me like some big epiphany. I was at the time going through that phase everyone has with the Beatles, obsessing over their entire catalog. But now here was this band, the Zombies, who just under my nose my whole life, had quietly created an album as brilliant as any by the Beatles; Odessey & Oracle The Zombies’ use of vocal harmony has had an enormous impact on our band’s sound. Theirs is dynamic and layered, beautiful and orchestral but never cheesy sounding. The Zombies broke up before the album was even released, and while in my mind it sits duly next to Sgt. Pepper’s, it saddens me that this masterpiece album will remain tragically underappreciated on a wider scale. (Ryan Hahn)

Andrew Bird- Armchair Apocrypha
This album totally killed me. Andrew Bird is talented enough to bring any aspiring musician immediately to tears. Armchair Apocrypha cemented my love for string arrangements and eccentricity in pop music. Soaring violin leads and Bird’s signature hummingbird fast warble of a whistle fill the gaps between his effortlessly flowing vocal melodies. If you ever see Andrew Bird perform live, you’ll notice that he almost never sings the same melody as what is on his record. He just sings, it would seem, whatever comes into his head at the moment. The remarkable thing is that each melody seems as elegant and wonderfully conceived as the next. That Bird may be the type of musical genius constrained by his ability to write too many good melodies is supported by rumors that he is fanatically fickle about the final version of his studio recordings. He reportedly recorded up to seven different versions of certain tracks while recording Armchair Apocrypha. Whatever his process, the result is that the record is full of enough amazing melodies that its kept me busy listening for a couple years now. (Taylor Rice)

Sufjan Stevens- Illinios
Sufjan’s orchestral composition, quirky story-teller lyrics, and fluttery vocals grabbed me immediately as something innovative and unique. I had listened to Michigan and the more stripped down Seven Swans, but I regard Illinois as the crown jewel of Sufjan’s recording efforts. What I love so much about the songwriting is Sufjan Stevens’ complex layering of improvised and thematic lines over a very simple structure. Illinois helped me determine that I view good songwriting as making a song simple and relatable also moving and unique. (Taylor Rice)

Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
I was listening to KCRW in Los Angeles and this song played that floored me. The production was so diverse and the song had so many emotional layers; it really grabbed me. I waited for three more tracks until the song-set was over and he said the song was called "Poor Places" by Wilco. I looked it up online and saw it was off of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. After getting the album it took me a bit to really understand the genius and magic behind it all. The songs, the tones, the parts, everything is just so pleasing to the ear. The production is raw and natural, as true and honest as the words that are accompanying it. Melodies and song-structures have always come fairly easy to me, but I have a lot of trouble getting the right words together to say what I want. That's what got me the most about this album; I think YHF was the first album that I really invested an interest into what was being said. "Ashes Of American Flags" has one of the greatest lines I've ever heard: "All my lies are always wishes/ I know I would die if I could come back new". It just speaks volumes. A man so desperate to start again he would endure death to do it. It's as honest as it gets; these songs have no bull-shit whatsoever. I have to believe that's why the album did so well and why it is so perfect to me. You just don't find records like that everyday, and maybe that's why they rise to the surface and demand to be heard. (Kelcey Ayer)

[SPOTIFY] Van Morrison - Astral Weeks
[SPOTIFY] The Zombies - Odessey & Oracle
[SPOTIFY] Sufjan Stevens - Illinoise
[SPOTIFY] Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

To Write Love On Her Arms

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:45:00 +0000

Image from Flickr.

You know that girl from Breakfast Club? The one who makes sandwiches with sugar? She'd love To Write Love On Her Arms, a non-profit organisation to help people who aren't 100% happy with things. I don't really understand you see, it's a chronic lack of empathy I think. However Annabelle Moore one of our writers really does which is why she's putting on a special acoustic night tonight to raise money for a pretty fantastic cause. There'll be a bundle of Lincoln College acts playing alongside the brilliant Elliot Morris, and it's only £3!

[FACEBOOK] View facebook event here.

In December Drinking Horchata

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 13:06:00 +0000

Photo by Christianne Young, words by Darryl Marsden.

Horchata by Vampire Weekend is the first song to be heard from their upcoming second LP release Contra, due January 11th on XL. After a mysterious countdown on their website the resulting prize was this track, available for free download. Vampire Weekend have become synonymous with summer, but this track goes someway to showing they’ve changed. There is a wide array of instruments on show, so many you can’t even tell what is what a lot of the time, but it keeps with the tribal sound VW went for on their debut album.

Ezra Koenig’s vocals have an effect on them which gives them more of a chill to them than on previous songs, giving the track a cold yet chirpy atmosphere. The main hook, “In December/drinking horchata” sticks in your head like a migraine and it has the bounciness that lets you know this is a Vampire Weekend track. If the rest of Contra is like this, it could be the soundtrack of your winter.

[MP3] Vampire Weekend - Horchata
[WEB] More from Vampire Weekend here.

Emergency Contraception Blues

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:40:00 +0000

Photo montage by Eleanor Doughty, words by Darryl Marsden.

After releasing their debut album, “I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose” in July of this year, Bombay Bicycle Club took on the festival circuit again this summer playing Reading and Leeds festivals for the third year running and are now embarking on a short UK run. Judging by the look of those in attendance tonight it’s a good thing most of the dates are 14+ otherwise it could have been a Flight of the Conchords empty gig style affair.

Entering the stage on the right they’re greeted to huge cheers and frontman Jack Steadman has a grin as wide as Christmas Day. People are clambering to view from the stairs, the boys and girls at the front are buzzing from the sip of their Dad’s Red Stripe they had before sending him off to the back of the room and all is set for a rock show.

BBC blast through the set which relies heavily on their first LP release but also takes songs from the old EPs for the die hard fans. For such young men they really must have studied their post punk because songs such as “Dust On The Ground” and “The Hill” sound more mature than the cheddar their mum puts in their sandwiches. They mix this older sound with a youthfulness and charm to create a sound which really is their own. Many younger bands look a little lost on the stage but BBC take to it with ease and have energy in abundance, which rubs off on the rowdy crowd down at the front, with a barrier even being knocked over at one point. The dynamics of “Lamplight” would not sound out of place on a Pixies record, a band that BBC will be supporting later this month in London. Driving basslines are a plenty, effects are used to the max and you can guarantee the hooks will be in the kids heads in registration tomorrow morning.

[MYSPACE] Visit BBC on myspace here.
[SPOTIFY] Listen to their debut album here.

Like Spinning Discs #2: Eight Legs

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:50:00 +0000

In our 2nd edition of Like Spinning Discs, Darryl Marsden asks Jack Garside from Eight Legs to choose his 5 albums of choice. Eight Legs release new single I Understand on 5th October before playing a small UK tour.

If you could only take 5 LP's or EP's into a nuclear bunker to listen to as we all slowly blow each other up, which would you choose and why?

Nirvana - Nevermind
This goes without saying I guess, but this was my first taste of alternative music. Dave Grohl is one of my heroes and one of the reasons i started drumming.

Radiohead - OK Computer
This was the first and still is now one of the only albums i can give 10/10. It has stand out singles on it but you do it an injustice if you dont listen to it from start to finish. Electioneering is my favourite song of all time.

The Strokes - Is This It
The Strokes were for me the pioneers of 'indie music' of today. I was 14 when it came out and i was obsessed with it. I love the production on the album, Fab makes me hard.

The Libertines - Up The Bracket
I got introduced to them by Sams dad. I loved Horrorshow and when I was 15 Sam and I bunked off school to go down to their London Forum gigs. It was our first time in London and we got served at the bar and got really pissed. So i played the album over and over from then on.

Blink 182 - Enema Of The State
The fact that this record has sold over 15 million copies sets it aside from the crowd. Enema Of The State absolutly changed my life, it was produced by the late, great Jerry Finn and defined the sound of modern punk. It gave this band the platform to become one of the most successful bands in the world.

[VIDEO] Eight Legs - I Understand
[SPOTIFY] Nirvana - Nevermind
[SPOTIFY] Radiohead - OK Computer
[SPOTIFY] The Strokes - Is This It
[SPOTIFY] The Libertines - Up The Bracket

Electric Light Bulb Lies

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:10:00 +0000

Image taken from Christiana & Tim's diaries.

Factory Kids are a pair of Glaswegians who formed in 2008. After a couple of low-key releases on small indie labels, they've just released their debut LP on the New Zealand based label Power Tool Records. The exclusive track they've sent over to us speaks volumes about the rest of the LP it is taken from; seamlessly blending The Vaselines guitar fuzz with Jesus & Mary Chain style drone to create a kind of depressive surf-pop. Glorious stuff that shows it's softer side on tracks such as She Said, an echo-ridden joy infused with deliciously airy vocals.

The pair have just let loose a fantastic little mixtape which you can download below, perfectly showcasing the different influences they meld together in their own material. Tracklisting here and cover here.

[EXCLUSIVE MP3] Factory Kids - Electric Light Bulb Lies (Alt Link)
[BUY] Get their debut album here.
[MIXTAPE] Get Factory Kids double-sided mixtape Virjualkum here.
[MYSPACE] Visit Factory Kids on myspace here.

I Don't Not Love You

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:36:00 +0000

Flashguns are rapidly bursting out of the seams of the music industry, filling our ears with their fresh sounds and stonking drum beats. Here at Our Iron Lung that's obviously the kind of thing that sets our hearts pumping, so when we told Annabelle she was off to interview them it pretty much made her spaff everywhere.

Flashguns have been together since they met at school in West Sussex, but they insist they’re not a ‘school band’; “we’ve grown up a lot”, lead singer and guitarist Sam Felix Johnston tells me. “We started together about two years ago and started touring more seriously and taking each other more seriously at the beginning of our gap years”. The band’s gap year is now coming towards a close this September, so when asked what they planned to study at university, this was the response I was amusingly greeted with;

Sam: I’m doing Philosophy and so is Olly (Scanton, Flashguns’ bassist). Oli (Wright, Flashguns’ percussionist) is doing golf club technology.

Annabelle: Golf club technology? What’s that?

Sam: It’s a form of physics.

Oli: It’s all to do with erm, just general golf clubbing.

Sam: We are planning to go to university, but I think ultimately...

Olly: [interrupting] We’re planning to drop out.

Sam: Well no, not drop out, I think that’s the wrong word, I think we’re planning to...

Olly: [interrupting] leave.

AM: Do you not want to go?

Sam: [pause] No, not anymore. But the thing is I would go, I’d love to go if we didn’t have the band; it’s my passion it’s all I want to do. We’re going to go until we get signed and then we’ll drop out.

I suppose you have to give it to them on the unconventional thinking front. Wondering if they had much else planned for summer, Sam tells me that they’ve got quite a chilled summer: “We’re just trying to really prep up good stuff for next year; do some writing, rehearsing, maybe do some more demo recording. We’ve got some shows coming up, one in London and one for Artrocker in Manchester. We would have liked to have done a few more shows actually but we didn’t really get on the festival bandwagon in time".

The band is inspired by artists such as Nirvana, Biffy Clyro, Jimmi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. Sam also added: “I think we wouldn’t say we’re trying to emulate anyone. Every song we’ve ever listened to has somehow ended up in our tracks and we’re not of a genre and not trying to go along with any crowd. We were never influenced by one particular artist, so we’ve always made music that we like the sound of. That’s why it changes a lot and from one song to the next as the consistency's not really there, but I think that’s a good thing and keeps our music fresh as we have a lot of passion for it so we don’t feel like we have to write a song and feel compromised".

When asked which actors the band would want to play them in a film, the answers were quite alarming. It would seem that Oli would like to have a sex change and have Catherine Zeta Jones star as him. Even more disturbing, it seems that Olly would like to do a reverse wacko Jacko so he could be played by Denzel Washington. How very interesting. However, seeing as we were at Summer Sundae I thought it’d be fitting to ask the boys some summer themed questions.

AM: Okay. So would you rather go to a sandy or pebble beach?

Sam: Well pebble beaches are nice to go on, but if I wanna go surfing like say in Brighton then I’d rather be on a sandy beach. But ultimately I’m not a big fan of sand. Isn’t sand a weird word?

AM: I tell you what is a weird word: winkelmesser. It’s the German for protractor.

Sam: Hey, you know what? I saw a protractor outside our van earlier just randomly and wondered “What the hell is this doing here?”

AM: Maybe someone wanted to measure the angles of some triangles and do a bit of trig.

Sam: Good old trig.

AM: So would you rather go for a donkey ride or go to the fairground?

Sam: You know what, I’d love to go on a donkey ride. Actually, you should probably boycott the donkey ride as they’re really mean to them as they whip them and don’t treat them very well and all their hair comes off. Then I’d run away with the donkey as I’m quite good at horse riding and I’d save it.

AM: Ooh I have a pet hedgehog. Well, I had it for a day: I stole it from the woods. took it to the pub with me and then took it home on the bus and hid it in a box when I went to work.

Sam: They are quite sweet, I wouldn’t mind having a pet hedgehog. Did you feed it dog food?

AM: No, a lot of people I’ve talked to about it told me to do that, but I didn’t, I fed it chips as I went to Mc Donalds.

Sam: Did it have a name?

AM: I called it Bambi.

So there you have it kids, fuck that university place at UCL, have a sex change then gallop off into the sunset with Pedro the Skegness donkey. Your life will be pretty much sorted.

[MP3] Flashguns - I Don't Not Love You
[MYSPACE] Visit Flashguns on myspace here.

Gifts & Presents

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:05:00 +0000

The Our Iron Lung writers have seen some fabulous bands over the summer. Some of them we admired from a distance, some of them we had a chat with in interviews we're yet to share. While we're all pretty must at the moment either enrolling in university courses or settling into 6th form, I thought I'd take a second to let you know about a couple of things we've got to give away.

Firstly, we've got a great little tote bag (like this) from the wonderful Jose Vanders to give away. Just drop us an email at ourironlung@gmail.com letting us know what records you can't wait to stuff in your brand new tote. You've got a week to email us, we'll let you know once we've chosen a winner.

Secondly we've got a very limited debut 7" release from superb Leeds band Sketches, who I caught supporting Grammatics and Pull Tiger Tail in York the other month. We'll have a full feature on Sketches in a couple of weeks, but in the meantime drop us an email at ourironlung@gmail.com and we'll pick a winner in a week.

All competitions are UK residents only, and we'll keep a crafty eye out for anyone trying to email in more than once, or anything else sneaky.

[MYSPACE] Visit Sketches on myspace.
[MYSPACE] Visit Jose Vanders on myspace.

Jose Vanders Is Nang

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 15:07:00 +0000

Jose Vanders returns to Lincoln this coming Tuesday, nearly a year and a half after her last visit, to showcase her upcoming album material. We sent Annabelle and Eleanor down to Leicester a few weeks ago to catch up with Jose and see what she's got in store.

Who influences you musically and how much do you think your songs are similar to the artists/bands who influence you?
There are definitely elements of everything I listen to in my songs. My dad has probably been the biggest influence on me; he always used to played me Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Elton John, Simon and Garfunkel and Labi Siffre, as well as a lot of classical music. Also, Vanessa Carlton, Regina Spektor and Norah Jones, without these three ladies I definitely wouldn't be singing; I had no idea girls could get away with singing and playing piano at the same time!

Have any labels or producers wanted to sign and/or collaborate with you, if so whom and what has become of their interest?
I've been lucky enough to work with quite a few producers and songwriters, notably Futurecut, Blue May, Matty G and John Fortis which is great. John and I wrote the best ever pop song the other week it's so good. I also recorded in Abbey Road a couple of weeks ago which was insane! Oh my God it was amazing! That place reeks of money, and the nostalgia is incredible; they even had a fruit platter for the bands! I ate all the grapes and the apples, even though I think they were leftovers from the band before. Jeff Beck and Herbie Hancock were in the next room! Best Sunday evening of my life. As for labels, I've had interest from quite a few majors, but they all play the numbers game and it's rather pointless. I'm enjoying being unsigned, as naff as it sounds, travelling round in a Ford Fiesta full of friends and instruments is a pretty wonderful thing.

What's in the pipeline for the second half of this year and then 2010?
I am off to Bristol university next month to study English Literature, which I'm excited about. I plan to read lots, drink lots and meet lots of people, so hopefully this will leak into my music. Definitely gonna keep writing! I'll have so much more to write about, especially if I'm learning all the time! And maybe get some new found uni friends and start a rock band. That's definitely in the pipeline.

What type of animal do you think you are most like?
Well the twelve signs of the zodiac always hinted that I was a sheep. Apparently sheep aren't good with money, are disorganised, creative, well mannered, pessimistic and romantic which sounds exactly like me! I reckon a tiger though. I'm pretty selfish. and a fighter. Yeahhhh!

To what extent is your song Peter Pan influenced by the character/film?
Ahh that song was written with my friend Thom. I was hanging out in his house, he was playing guitar and there was the childrens book about Peter Pan lying on the floor, so I was just like ‘I'm gonna write a song about Peter Pan!' I don't think the song bears any relation to the story though, maybe it does on some weird level, not consciously though.

Are you looking forward to coming back to play in Lincoln?
SO MUCH. Haha I hope it's as good as last time. It's gonna be better, I can feel it!

What did you celebrate your 19th Birthday? Did it beat your 18th Birthday in Lincoln?
My 19th Birthday was a pile of crap. I went out in Maidstone, spent £1 buying a drink for my best friend, had a fight with my boyfriend, nearly kissed a guy with a ponytail and then went back to Dave's brother's house and woke up spooning Dave. Then I went straight to work on my actual Birthday and ate a lot of chocolate cake to make up for it. So no, it definitely didn't beat my 18th; that was the best weekend of my life!

If you were Superwoman for the day, what would you do and what powers would you have?
I'd probably be able to drive a flying minibus, and pile all my friends and family inside and fly to an island full of food, drink and music! It's a bit self-indulgent, and not very Superwoman like. I should really say something like save the world right?

Who's better, Barbie or Cindy?
Barbie, who else? I used to have so many Barbies, and the car! And the wardrobe, and a school and a shop. I literally saved up all my money for Barbies, and asked for Barbies every Christmas and Birthday. I was obsessed. It made me really sad when I went into a toystore the other day and there was this design your own electronic Barbie. You can't play with her and make her kiss a purple suited Ken can you? She's on a screen!

Who would you rather date and why: Harry Potter or Ron Weasley?
Totally Ron. I don't get the whole Harry thing. Daniel Radcliffe is not good looking at all. Not that Ron particularly is, but at least he's funny. Couldn't date anyone too serious.

And finally, which came first, the egg or the chicken?
Obviously the chicken. God made animals and put them on the ark right? I'm going out with a vicar's son. I know all about these things...

[FACEBOOK EVENT] Get more info on the show here.
[MYSPACE] Visit Jose on myspace here.

Like Spinning Discs #1: Liam Haynes

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:49:00 +0000

Here's the first in a new weekly feature from Darryl Marsden, showing us which 5 albums musicians treasure and have made them who they are today. The albums may not be classics, they may not even be very good, but they will mean something to the person involved. Everyone has them and it's always a good thing to know what your favourite artists have loved through their life. In keeping with the Radiohead themed title of the blog, we've opted for the cringe/clap worthy Like Spinning Discs as a feature title. To get things rolling our editor Liam Haynes tells us about the 5 albums that have shaped him.

If you could only take 5 LP's or EP's into a nuclear bunker to listen to as we all slowly blow each other up, which would you choose and why?

Bob Dylan - Another Side Of
I stole/acquired this from my Dad when I first got a record player, but we'd always had Bob Dylan stuff floating around the house; lyric books and paintings, that kind of stuff. I believe this is a lot more visceral than his electric material and songs like Motorpsycho Nightmare or My Back Pages are true demonstrations of a man wielding words with devastating abandon.

Radiohead - OK Computer
When I got my first Radiohead album (Kid A) my Mum got it confused with Motorhead, kind of set the scene I guess. This album is an obvious classic but I don't want to shy away from it because it's so popular. It's an album I can come back to time and time again, continuing to find new nuances and moments in it each time I listen. Surely that's what a perfect album should do?

Voxtrot - Raised By Wolves EP
Another classic treasured little EP. Voxtrot were kind of early blog-hype stars, like a lightweight Pains Of Being Pure At Heart with a bit more Belle & Sebastian thrown in for good measure. I've still got three of their band t-shirts at the back of my closet ready to bust out once they're vintage. But seriously, this is another perfectly formed EP, fabulously structured and with one of the best songs ever, Start Of Something mid-way through it's an absolute gem.

Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
This is one of those completely timeless albums, instilled with magic and mystery and lyrical twists and quirks. Out of all B&S's albums, I think this is the one that I consistently go back to. From the storytelling of Judy & The Dream Of Horses to Like Dylan In The Movies, it's a perfect example of why this band have influenced so many who have come since.

Jeremy Warmsley - 5 Interesting Lies EP
I remember the first time I heard a song by this guy on Music For Robots, this old music blog I used to read religiously, and being completely blown away. This is his first EP which I think is a pretty perfect slice of his work; it arrived lovingly hand packaged from those folks at Transgressive Records up my home in some small town in Lincolnshire. I think I had the artwork poster on my door for about 2 years.

[SPOTIFY] Radiohead - OK Computer
[SPOTIFY] Belle & Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister (Live @ Barbican)

Delicious Wolds Magic

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:09:00 +0000

Via Charliebirds on Flickr.

I'm going to keep this brief because I think that's all it needs to be. The first time I heard the debut EP by Lincolnshire native Tyas it blew me away. It reminded me of the first time I heard a demo by Jeremy Warmsley back in 2005 over at Music For Robots, a gently charming ramshackle concoction born out of a fierce creative drive. I personally think it's absolutely magical, and the track I'm sharing with you today isn't where it stops. The rest of the EP twists and turns fabulously; from an incredible Four Tet-lite cover of traditional song Summertime to to the spoken word intimacy of Porcelain Girl. Tyas is testament to the aching brilliance that can be achieved when a girl and a boy sit together on cold oak floorboards and slowly weave together something gloriously captivating.

[EXCLUSIVE MP3] Tyas - Janey Janey - (Alt Link)

Pizza And A Bottle Of Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Liam Haynes) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:44:00 +0000

Sometimes all you need in a day is a song like this, a hazy lo-fi burst of Californian sunshine pop infused with an undeniable air of hopefulness. Couple that with the incredible video shot by Aaron Brown and you've set Lust For Life up as the sleeper beach party anthem of the season. From what we've heard of their album, that'll be something pretty damn special too.

[YOUTUBE] Girls - Lust For Life
[MP3] Girls - Hellhole Ratrace
[MYSPACE] Visit the band's myspace here.