Tag: electro pop

HOT CHIP – BRIXTON (O2) ACADEMY – SEPT 21ST 2022

Posted on by Stevebake

It wasn’t the ‘disco party’ that I’ve experienced at many previous Hot Chip gigs – with quite a bit of time given to new, mid-tempo, melancholy Pop songs – but they have matured with their audience and no longer create ‘out there’, unconventional bangers like Ready for The Floor, Boy From School or Over & Over (all of which got the whole crowd moving).

They still showed what a class band they are and how much Alexis Taylor has become an icon of British Pop. Some very memorable and iconic moments on that legendary stage at Brixton Academy.

Really glad I went to see the guys (who I’ve followed closely since playing a show with them in 2004 at The Freebutt) do their thing in a new way, with some new ideas. Even if they didn’t seem to be in their flow for some of it.

I also miss the positive, fun, energetic pulse of Sarah Jones on drums (now playing with Harry Styles who I’m sure pays significantly more). Leo Taylor is a great player but he labours over the kit – digging in and going through the motions a bit – chucking in one too many bog-standard, predictable fills for my liking. In a way, he fits more with the ‘darker’ new songs. It’s a bit simplistic and obvious to say that she brought a ‘feminine energy’ to the live band but sometimes, a bunch of nerdy synth-geeks need a smiling woman to bring them to life. Just a theory. She’s obviously an incredible drummer with years of experience.

My gut feeling is they’re past their best… but they could just be warming up again… and maybe I would just prefer it to be 2010 again?? (and not a Wednesday!).

ALBUM TEASER – INDIGENT GHOUL

Posted on by Stevebake

Since late 2020, I’ve been working on the debut album by Alex Jemmet AKA Indigent Ghoul, producing songs one by one and starting from his own Ableton Live projects.

We’ve been exploring synths, drum programming, sound-design and atmospherics as well as capturing great vocal and instrumental performances in my studio.

With influences ranging from Ariel Pink to Radiohead to Lana Del Ray and some extremely infectious and inventive songs, it’s been a really fun journey so far (just finishing the sixth track) and I’ve learned tons along the way!

I’m so excited about how it sounds so far that I’ve spliced together some of my favourite pieces so you get a taste.

The process has involved a lot of manipulation of sounds, re-sampling, slicing, experimenting with effects and making the music sonically adventurous. I have also used session drummer Thom Mills, violinist Becka Wright and bassist Steven Oates to add additional human layers on top of the programmed, electronic elements.