The Luminaire Events for January 2007

05 January - MANCINI + Liquid Sunshine + Transistor State

2007-01-05

MH Promotions presents
MANCINI
+ Liquid Sunshine
+ Transistor State

Doors 8.00
£5.00 cash money

Bringing their amazing and unique sounds to The Luminaire tonight are three London bands tipped for big things in 2007. Mancini, appearing in Zane Lowe\'s top unsigned bands of 2006, headline the night with raw, electronica-fuelled songs. Classic but original, cutting-edge, yet fully aware of its unavoidable influences.

Main support are Transistor State. This indie-rock four piece have been described as the missing link between Radiohead and The Beta Band.

Opening proceedings are Liquid Sunshine with chiming indie rock informed by the trials of life and love. This evening, they kindly extend an invitation to \'Join the Liquid Army\'.

06 January - SCROOBIUS PIP + In 1986 + Rob Miles + Anna Log + The Sweet F.A.

2007-01-06

PlatformsMagazine.com presents
Platforms: Live
SCROOBIUS PIP
+ In 1986
+ Rob Miles
+ Anna Log
+ The Sweet F.A.

Doors 7.30
£6 via WeGotTickets

Platforms Magazine, the new monthly music, art, photography, poetry and prose organ presents performances by...

Scroobius Pip [underground hip hop jazz poetry], In 1986 [experimental noise and beats], Anna Log [heartfelt piano balladry], and Rob Miles [quirky alternative anti-folk, loved at Bestival] and The Sweet F.A. [gritty three piece indie-blues outfit] plus a lot more poetry and art.

08 January - THE CLIENTELE

2007-01-08

The Track & Field organisation presents
The Track & Field Winter Sprinter - Year 9

THE CLIENTELE
+ Guests

Doors 7.30
£tba

13 January - SODASTREAM + Monkey Swallows The Universe + Airport Girl

2007-01-13

Fortuna POP! presents
SODASTREAM
+ Monkey Swallows The Universe
+ Airport Girl

Doors 7.30
£7 via WeGotTickets

From Perth in Australia, Sodastream are Karl Smith (vocals, guitar) and Pete Cohen (double bass and deeply baritone backing vocals).
Their debut single was plucked from the slush pile by John Peel and not long after they were awarded single of the week in Melody Maker by Moby. Since then theyve released four albums on some of the most renowned indie labels around the world including Tugboat, Rough Trade, Drive-in Records and Acuarela Discos, and earned comparison to the likes of Low, Nick Drake and Will Oldham.
On their latest album 'Reservations' they jump effortlessly from acoustic introspection and instrumentals to raucous singalong shanties without any hint of affectation. Even with the additions of horns, harmonicas, and the drums on their studio albums, the core of their sound remains the same as it is live Smiths acoustic guitar, Petes driving double bass and some of the best, most beautiful songwriting to come out of Australia in years.
"One of Australias best kept secrets, they are up there with the Lucksmiths as one of the countrys finest contemporary exports, and I guess its no surprise that there is something of the spirit of the Go-Betweens intrinsic in their sound." (Tangents)

Monkey Swallows the Universe are an acoustic indie-pop band from Sheffield, centred around the original founding duo of Nat Johnson & Kevin Gori, who formed the band in 2004. They expanded in 2005 to include Catherine Tully on violin, Andy George on cello & Rob Dean on drums.
In February 2006 the band released their debut album 'The Bright Carvings', on the independent record label Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation and released a single there in July 2006. The band have supported Mercury-nominated Richard Hawley and Camera Obscura on tour. They have performed sessions on both BBC Radio 6 and XFM. They have been variously described as "something special" (Stylus Magazine), "big big news" (Rough Trade) and "boss" (Richard Hawley.)

Formed in 1997 in the East Midlands by singer-songwriter Rob Price, Airport Girl's influences range from the Scottish pop sounds of The Pastels and Belle and Sebastian to the American flavours of The Modern Lovers and Pavement. As well as a number of singles and compilation tracks on various independent labels they have made one album 'Honey, I'm An Artist' in 2001, released on Fortuna POP! in the UK and Matinee in the US, where it topped the Parasol distribution charts.
A new album Slow Light is set for release later in 2006 and demonstrates a shift towards a more downbeat country pop sound, inspired by The Silver Jews and 16 Lover Lane-era Go-Betweens. Have Airport Girl yet to release a less than spectacular recordy If they have I'm yet to hear it. [Tasty]

More info at Fortuna Pop!

18 January - JOANA AND THE WOLF + Paloma Faith + Cicada

2007-01-18

Curious Generation presents
JOANA AND THE WOLF
+ Paloma Faith
+ Cicada

Doors 7.30
£6 via WeGotTickets
£8 door

Having played storming sets at this year's Great Escape festival in Brighton and having shattered chandeliers throughout London's premier venues with Joana's explosive voice, Joana And The Wolf have captured the hearts of many a fan whilst still managing to scare the hell out of a few cowardly souls.
Jim Abbiss (Artic Monkeys, Editors producer) recorded Joana And The Wolf's debut single at The Chapel studios for Regal/Parlophone. Having witnessed first hand the band attack the senses of a packed Water Rats crowd, Jim and the band decided to record set opener 'Purple Nights', backed by the infectious 'November'. The result is a punk/pop triumph which recently won Steve Lamacq's Rebel Playlist radio vote, taking 85% of the vote in the process.

Be prepared for all your senses to be touched. East Londons Paloma Faith has returned to re-string nostalgic classicism with a bloody feather in a bow carved from the roots of wealthy influences like Billie Holiday, Erykah Badu, Wong Kar Wai, and David Lynch.
Again she brings to us her unique style of relentlessly boundary breaking theatrical song containing allusions to jazz, soul and '50s/'60s rock, all from a contemporary stance. Live shows are never one-dimensional as she draws from performance art, cinema and music taking us willingly through a new experience branded existentialist soul.
Paloma is accompanied by her band aptly titled The Unfaithful, a mixed bunch of eye candy and musical genius. Together with their help she has a few new tricks up her sleeve, not to mention a collection of new songs, destined to guide you through an emotional landscape of drama, tragedy and introspection.
Imagine Blondie jamming with Can, New Order and The Sugarcubes, The Cocteau Twins and Slowdive adding the sonics, with Daft Punk and Quincy Jones at the controls of Paisley Parks mixing desk - the result might sound everything and nothing like Cicada.

With a series of critically acclaimed singles under its belt, one of the most talked about electronic bands in the UK is about to release its debut album. Utilising live instruments and old skool synths: Moogs, Junos, Jupiters and Linn drums as well as guitars, Cicada has a sound all of its own. The roll call above gives an indication of where their sound lies, but you wont currently find it on any musical map.

20 January - RUMBLE STRIPS + The Milk Teeth

2007-01-20

Clash Magazine presents
RUMBLE STRIPS
+ The Milk Teeth

THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OUTWITH OUR CONTROL. SORRY

21 January - JOHNNY FLYNN + Mechanical Bride + Bobby CooK + more...

2007-01-21

Transgressive Records presents
A Feast of Trumpets
with...
Johnny Flynn, Mechanical Bride and Bobby Cook and others to be announced

Doors 2.00
FREE ENTRY

Transgressive Records, one of the UK's most diverse and ethically sound labels, presents an all-new, stellar cast of musicians to infiltrate your souls this year.

Johnny Flynn, the capital's finest musician / actor for an age, Bobby Cook, the reflective and yearning songsmith that'll serenade your soul and mechanical bride, distant and gorgeous melodies from a true creative genius.

All for free.
On a Sunday.
What more is neededy

Some background on The Feast of Trumpets...
The Feast of Trumpets is specifically and biblically the first day of the month of Tishri.

Leviticus 23:24 states, "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation."

So. A sabbath-rest, and a blowing of trumpets

On the third Sunday of every month, we'll very kindly hand over the running of Lumi to one of this country's many great and good record labels. They'll showcase their new acts and let their established acts try out new things and all for the princely sum of no pounds Sterling, from 2.00 in the afternoon until 8.00 in the evening.

Maybe later.

We'll let you know.

21 January - STEPHEN FRETWELL

2007-01-21

The Luminaire presents
STEPHEN FRETWELL
+ Guests

Doors 7.30
£12.50 via TicketWeb and WeGotTickets
£15 door

24 January - FANFARLO + Southern Tenant Folk Union + The Zetland Players + Scroobius Pip

2007-01-24

Ugly Nephew Records presents
FANFARLO
+ Southern Tenant Folk Union
+ The Zetland Players
+ Scroobius Pip

Doors 7.30
£5 via WeGotTickets

2006 was a busy year for Fanfarlo.
They signed to Fortuna Pop, played all over London and hit the #1 spot on the BBC 6 vinyl charts with their perfectly crafted single Talking Backwards. And signs are that Fanfarlo are only just getting warmed up.
Critics have compared them to Neutral Milk Hotel, Sparklehorse, Grandaddy, World Party, Pavement, and The Arcade Fire but in reality their sound rises gracefully above comparison. Fanfarlo is sure to be a name youll be hearing all over the place, so come experience their heart-wrenchingly bittersweet indie-pop melodies before everyone else does.

Main support, Southern Tenant Folk Union , will be playing through their eponymous debut; harmony singing, banjo picking, mandolin chopping and fiddle sawing will be the order of the night as Londons newest bluegrass sensations combine acoustic savagery with sacred-harp vocals into a high-octane review of up tempo ass-kickers and mountain ballad laments.
While the bands anchor Pat McGarvey brings with him a southern aesthetic cultivated through his years with The Coal Porters, newcomer Oliver Talkes mournful vocals are sure to linger in the audiences heart for days after.M

Before that we've Zetland Players who're fresh from a skin of their yellow country teeth tour of America, and aren't going to set any records for being conventional.
A three-piece act featuring a full-size double-bass, lyrics revolving around lucid daydreams and domesticated wildlife, a penchant for early-'90s sitcom themes and a beat you could wash clothes to, the Zetlands are bound to surprise and inevitably entertaining. Their baroque yet minimal debut Making Friends With The Zetland Players is sure to be a gateway drug to acoustic insanity for years to come!

First on, Scroobius Pip spent all of 2006 on the loosely-defined amalgamation of impromptu performances and a diligent schedule of live dates that was the Relying on the Kindness of Strangers tour.
The bandwagon looks to keep rolling as Pip continues to display an incredible work ethic and the uncanny ability to make cockney rapping sound actually quite cool.
Add in Pips classy beats from Dan Le Sac or Emonomy and youve got an intellectual hip-hop force to be reckoned with.

In addition to what are sure to be a stellar performances all round, Ugly Nephew Records are launching two new albums, so come take advantage of the special discount prices on brilliant new music. Band's start at 8.00.

More info at Ugly Nephew Records

25 January - JACK ROSE + Ignatz + Silvester Anfang

2007-01-25

Upset The Rhythm presents
JACK ROSE
+ Ignatz
+ Silvester Anfang

POSTPONED

We're very, very sorry to announce that tonight's Jack Rose show has had to be postponed due to complications with travelling from mainland Europe to the UK in time for the concert.

The following message is from the promoters and our friends Upset The Rhythm:

"This is the only second show that Jack has had to cancel in his entire career and greatly regrets he has had to make the decision. He will be returning in the middle of May to play in London for us again. Tickets will be valid for that occasion. If this is not convenient then please accept a full refund and our goodwill. We are very sorry for any inconvience caused". - Upset The Rhythm

26 January - THE RACE + My Device + Paperlung + Seagull Strange

2007-01-26

Shifty Disco presents
shiftydisco10
A 10th Anniversary celebration
THE RACE
+ My Device
+ Paperlung
+ Seagull Strange

Doors 7.30
£6.00 via WeGotTickets

The long road to the Shifty Disco 10th Anniversary started sometime in the middle of 1996 with an urge to promote Oxford-based artists throughout 1997 to coincide with Radio 1's Sound City event being hosted in the city that had been punching above its musical weight through the first half of that decade (Ride, Radiohead, Supergrass, etc...)

And this evening we celebrate the new breed:

The Race's debut album "Be Your Alibi" was released in September 2006, with the "When It Falls" single following on November 13th. Forget Razorlight and their "All my life/I've wanted to shift units in America" empty gestures, The Race are the real winners in the anthemic indie stakes. Nathaniel Cramp, NME.

My Device's album release plans were ticking over quite nicely until, wham! bam!, in September 2006 they were announced as winners of NME.com's Breaking Bands competition. The album, "Nervous System", was rushed into the shops and the single "I Was Brave Today" serviced to radio and TV. You can tell theyre a band who love distortion pedals and bending weird sounds out of their guitars. Theyre not a virtuoso band, which is cool, because rocknroll shouldnt be about that, it should be about heart and passion and ideas and romance [James Jam, NME]

Paperlung, fronted by ex-Boo Radley Sice, dropped their debut single in April 2006 and will be following it up with the double A-side "Do What Thou Will" / "Where Were You Theny" on 15th January 2007. Their debut album will follow in the Spring.

Seagull Strange were a one-piece when they released their debut "Animals" EP in 2005 but they've since upgraded to 6 members with their live shows and recordings expanding as you'd expect. The bands debut album, "Better Angels Of Our Nature", will be released on 29th January 2007.

The Unisex are currently on tour in France and Germany in support of their "White Days" album - released in the UK in 2005, but only coming available across the rest of Europe this year. December will see the band putting the finishing touches to the follow-up, scheduled for release in the Autumn of 2007.

Cards and cake to 1st Floor, 9 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1HH, to arrive by 27th January 2007
More info here, and here.

27 January - BACK TO THE RHYTHM + Mensa

2007-01-27

Beat in your Bonnet presents
BACK TO THE RHYTHM
+ Mensa

Doors 7.30
£8 via guestlist [email here]
£10 door

An evening of hot, loose and fingerlicking funk, breaks, hip-hop and festival tunes courtesy of Back To The Rhythm and Mensa.

All monies raised will go to Afrikids.

28 January - OUR OWN DEVICES + They Don't Sleep + The Storm of Eighty Three

2007-01-28

They Don't Sleep and The Lumiaire present
OUR OWN DEVICES
+ They Don't Sleep
+ The Storm of Eighty Three

Doors 7.30
£5

Headliners Our Own Devices are "Like a lo-fi punk with some vocals courtesy of Rhys Baker who spits out his commentary with total conviction. Coming across as Million Dead playing Fugazi with Tribute To Nothing. There feels there is something lurking here that could grow into something special." [Rock Sound]

"You can't deny the intensity of their savage live show. Dense noise blending Shellac's low end abrasion and Million Dead's bile spitting passion." [Drat!]

"Take a spoonful of prog, then add a shovelful of metal and finally whisk in a basementful of hardcore, their own devices indeed! Singularly wonderful stuff'" [Bugbear]

Main supporters and hosts of the evening are They Don't Sleep. The London four piece combine flowing piano, intricate guitars, battering drums and multiple vocals to form a sound that has been likened to The Mars Volta, Mogwai, Sigur Ros and ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead. They move through cinematic ambience to progressive instrumental passages and off kilter rhythms, all the while keeping the emphasis on melody with vocals that move from intimate whispers to explosive screams.

"Coasting gently upon alternating piano and guitar arpeggios, neatly imitated by crystalline guitar, this musical meeting unleashes itself fully upon your senses." [PlayMusic]

"If four men can be this loud on record, the already bruised mind boggles at the mere suggestion of live possibilities." [Drowned in Sound]

Opening tonight's proceedings, and fresh from the recording of a new EP, are The Storm of Eighty Three, whose gigs are causing an increasing number of pints to swill and indie fringes to fly. And the word is spreading: Radio Ones One Music described their music as "A mind-blowing trip through rocks musical landscape", The Guardian complimented their "indie anthems", while the BBC purchased the license to use the track Sleeping Giants on prime-time show Strictly Come Dancing. This is truly a band that laughs in the face of genre, taps the wrong shoulder of pigeonhole and ties together the shoelaces of expectation. All because a great tune will still be with you when the Alka Seltzer kicks in the following morning.

30 January - WOODEN WAND & THE SKY HIGH BAND

2007-01-30

Upset The Rhythm presents
WOODEN WAND & THE SKY HIGH BAND

Due to unforseen circumstances, Wooden Wand & The Sky High Band have had to postpone their European tour, but expect to reschdule in July / August. They send their apologies, as do Upset The Rhythm and Luminaire.