Bands & Books full Christmas Special Line-up!

I'm typing this entry with a growing sense of jollity as the season of goodwill is well and truly upon us! My reward for updating you on the fantastic full Bands & Books Christmas Special lineup is a warm Mince Pie from a very posh food shop dwelling in the basement of a notorious department store. Oh please let me get what I want!  I digress.
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It's happening here from 7:30PM on Friday 16th December, and it is FREE.
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Headlining the show this Friday is the Bishops who are exclusively unveiling material from their new album!
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Heralding from London, the band consist of twin brothers Mike Bishop (vocals, guitar) Pete Bishop (vocals, bass), younger brother Alex Bishop (vocals, guitar) and Scotsman Chris McConville (drums). Originally a three piece (Alex joined at the end of 2009) the band recorded their self-titled debut album 'The Bishops' at the infamous Toe Rag Studios, produced by creative analogue genius Liam Watson. This was released internationally in 2007 and followed up with their second album 'For Now' in 2009. Later that year the band celebrated their 500th gig at the historic 100 club in London. 

We're not just about Bands though. Oh no. This is Bands AND Books, and helping represent the world of literature is the wonderful Molly Naylor:
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Molly Naylor is a writer, performer, poet and theatre-maker. Her solo show,Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You debuted at the Edinburgh FestivalFringe in 2010 to critical acclaim, which proceeded an international tour. She was commissioned to write an audio adaptation of the show for BBC Radio 4, which was described by the Guardian as ‘a brave, funny, tough and beautiful piece of writing’. 

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We liked them so much first time around that we booked them for a triumphant return; Bible John are back to ensure no one goes home complaining that the bands weren't loud enough.
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Bible John formed on the day that Harold Camping predicted the world would end. Ignoring this prophecy the East London based trio spent some time exploring the darker sides of their collective musical psyche, rehearsing in a studio surrounded by rioting teenagers, they stumbled on their trademark bass drenched sound. The band is aiming for their first E.P. release in early 2012.
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A late addition to the line-up, but a VERY pleasing one, we are very pleased to present the considerable talent of Sean Mahoney. 
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A spoken word artist and comedian hailing all the way from north London, Sean Mahoney is an associate poet to the roundhouse with the Rubix collective and in the space of two years feels like he's performed in the upstairs of cellar or basement every pub in london has had a comedy or poetry night. He's writing his third biography for a gig today and feels funny talking about himself in third person but is incredibly happy to be doing it for bands and books. The night and idea excites him, his favourite performers have performed there, he's been on the blog a few times and is super happy he's been asked. Ready to go BRO!
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Reader Profile: Sean Mahoney

We are delighted to announce that this Friday's festive frolics are to be enhanced by the considerable talents of the one and only Sean Mahoney!  

A spoken word artist and comedian hailing all the way from north London, Sean Mahoney is an associate poet to the roundhouse with the Rubix collective and in the space of two years feels like he's performed in the upstairs of cellar or basement every pub in london has had a comedy or poetry night. He's writing his third biography for a gig today and feels funny talking about himself in third person but is incredibly happy to be doing it for bands and books. The night and idea excites him, his favourite performers have performed there, he's been on the blog a few times and is super happy he's been asked. Ready to go BRO!

We asked Sean for his favourite music so we can evaluate his taste in bands and judge him accordingly. Sean you have not let us down! 

Erykah Badu- Honey, Window seat

Statik Selekta- Play the game (featuring big KRIT and Freddie Gibbs)

Kendrick Lamar- A.D.H.D., Poe mans Dreams

Neil Young- Revolution blues, On the beach.

Steely Dan- Deacon blues, Aja, big black cow

Big KRIT- No Wheaties

The Roots- Make my.

Jay Electronica- Exhibit C

Fleet Foxes- Helplessness blues, Sim Sala Bim

Little Dragon- Shuffle a dream, Ritual reunion

9th Wonder- Now I'm being cool

Gillian Welch- Relevator, Wayside/back in time, Miss Ohio, Wrecking ball

Fabolous- Drugs do this to me.

Listen to Sean's playlist on Spotify here

It would be absurd for you to miss our Christmas special, we have further lineup announcements to make, so watch this space, we're also promised some mince pies courtesy of our friends over at I Want to Bake Free

See you from 7:30pm at the Victoria in Mile End!

Band Profile: The Bishops!

Like most people right now, we at Bands & Books HQ are busy decking the halls with bells of holly, but we took a few moments out to post a preview of our Christmas Special headliner, the Bishops:

Heralding from London, the band consist of twin brothers Mike Bishop (vocals, guitar) Pete Bishop (vocals, bass), younger brother Alex Bishop (vocals, guitar) and Scotsman Chris McConville (drums). Originally a three piece (Alex joined at the end of 2009) the band recorded their self-titled debut album 'The Bishops' at the infamous Toe Rag Studios, produced by creative analogue genius Liam Watson. This was released internationally in 2007 and followed up with their second album 'For Now' in 2009. Later that year the band celebrated their 500th gig at the historic 100 club in London.

Since then the band have grown from a three piece to a four piece lineup, welcoming younger brother Alex Bishop into the band. This year they released an EP 'Sojourn', their first material together. It marked a departure from the prominent garage/beat sound of their first two records into a more contemporary and alternative direction. The band are currently recording a brand new album which looks set for release next year. At the Bands & Books Xmas party the band will be playing new songs from their forthcoming album!


As is customary, we wanted to find out what's in the bishop's library, they gave us the following tidbits:

Mike: I've enjoyed recently 'The Master & Margherita' by Mikhail Bulgakov as well as 'Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck being one of my all-time favourites.
Pete: Favourite book 'Tropic of Cancer' Henry Miller. Curently reading 'We' by Yevgeny Zamyatin.
Chris: Highway to Hell 'The Life and Times of Bon Scott'
Alex: Favourite fiction book: 'Ocean, Sea' by Alessandro Baricco, Favourite non fiction book: 'The Van Gogh Letters' by the man himself! 

We are thrilled about our Christmas special lineup, and have some more acts to brag about yet, so watch this space!  See you on the 16th December at the Victoria from 8pm!

Reader Profile: Molly Naylor

By now you will no doubt have the Bands & Books Christmas Special etched into your calendar and artfully annotated with hearts and quavers, but it doesn't hurt to reiterate the date, so here goes:

Bands & Books Christmas Special, Friday 16th December 2011 at the Victoria. 

Come along and be inspired by none other than the delightful Molly Naylor

Molly Naylor is a writer, performer, poet and theatre-maker. Her solo show, Whenever I Get Blown Up I Think Of You debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2010 to critical acclaim, which proceeded an international tour. She was commissioned to write an audio adaptation of the show for BBC Radio 4, which was described by the Guardian as ‘a brave, funny, tough and beautiful piece of writing’.

Her adaptation of the book of Malachi was staged at The Bush as part of Sixty-Six Books, published by Oberon. She has written for The Independent and her poems have been featured on BBC Radio and in publications including Rialto, The North, The Londonist and Pen Pusher.  She frequently performs and reads at festivals and events worldwide. Her first book – an illustrated text of her live show - is available from Nasty Little Press.
Molly also delivers workshops and lectures in creative writing, solo performance and poetry in education. She is currently developing a new show commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre.

www.mollynaylor.com

As is customary, we asked Molly for her favourite bands, this is what she had to say:

Bands is hard isn't it? Fucking hell. Okay. I'll put:

Nico, The Middle Ones, Nick Cave, The Smiths, Neil Young, Sam Cooke, Wave Machines, The Mountain Goats, David Bowie, Pulp and The Slits. And the Rednex, obviously. 

Well, we have no complaints about any of that, here is a Spotify mixtape just for you Molly!

Bands & Books Christmas Special!

The greatest show on Earth returns for a Christmas spectacular, featuring fantastic live music, live books, and all the usual fun, but with a predictably tedious festive twist!  Save the date; it's happening on December 16th at the Victoria 

Watch this space for updates, we'll be blogging about our performers in the coming few days!  In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like to contribute, perform, design us a better flyer, DJ, make us a book themed mixtape, or just thank us for being here, email us!

Bands & Books 2: Full Line-up revealed!

With Bands & Books 2 happening this Friday from 7PM it's time to reveal the full lineup, we have a packed show crammed full of band & book goodness featuring:


We Used To Make Things

"We Used To Make Things are an 8 piece who delve into the world of sweet pop music mined from the classic canon of Kinks, Zombies, Blur and The Beatles. Powered by brass and a kicking bottom end you are likely to find their uplifting music taking you to a place usually reserved for the likes of The Arcade Fire and The Muppets. At the heart of all of this though, are set simple, catchy and infectious songs that are also rolled out for intimate acoustic sets."


Bruno Vincent

Bruno Vincent is the co-author of several bestselling humour books including Do Ants Have Arseholes, as well as a collection of macabre tales for children called Grisly Tales from Tumblewater. His latest book is called A Christmas Carol II: CONTAGION. 


Tied To The Mast

Tied To The Mast are a multi-faceted vessel which rides the tempest of sounds from North West Seattle (cemented by Pavitt and Poneman at their Sub Pop desk) before swigging the last dregs of José Cuervo tequila from Josh Homme’s Rancho De La Luna studio, and then shaking off the hangover with a bike ride on Brighton seafront with Gaz Coombes. This is a British band with a difference.


Alex Macdonald

Dog Binary author Alex Macdonald (he's the one in the middle) will be reading from his new book, we asked him for a bio and received the following information: 


"Like: Murakami, Kurkov, Houellbecq, Chandler, don't like the Clergy, the Queen of England" 


We assume his dislike of the Clergy is directed at the religious leadership and not the Oregon based alt/punk group of the same name, but this is Bands & Books so we remain open to both interpretations. 


Nikesh Shukla

Nikesh Shukla is the author of the Costa First Novel Award-shortlisted novel, 'Coconut Unlimited' ('...a riot of cringeworthy moments made real by Shukla's beautifully observed characters and talent for teen banter.' Metro) and the Channel 4 Comedy Lab 'Kabadasses' starring Jack Doolan, Josie Long and Shazad Latif. His writing has featured on BBC2, Radio 4, and BBC Asian Network. He has performed at Royal Festival Hall, Book Club Boutique, Soho Theatre, The Big Chill and Latitude. He likes Spider-man comics. A lot.


As well as all of these wonderful acts, we will be listening to music selected by Hatty Ashdown (music "themed around Les Dennis Autobiography 'must the show go on?'  Or The Smiths 'All men have secrets') and Tim Wells ("expect soul, (proper) R&B and a splash of blues") And of course, some Book Themed Mixtapes.  See you Friday!


Times: 7PM-1AM (main performances between 8-11)
Venue: The Victoria Pub, 110 Grove Road Mile End: MAP
TIP: you can order delicious food from the venue or there's a chippy across the road

Reader profile: Bruno Vincent

As we're just days away from the return of Bands & Books, it's time for another lineup announcement!  Joining Nikesh Shukla, Tied To The Mast and We Used To Make Things is the delightful Bruno Vincent:
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Bruno Vincent is the co-author of several bestselling humour books including Do Ants Have Arseholes, as well as a collection of macabre tales for children called Grisly Tales from Tumblewater. His latest book is called A Christmas Carol II: CONTAGION. 

Bruno Vincent's Twitter avatar

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Musically Bruno likes the Leisure Society, Clint Mansell and is reliably informed he'd enjoy the Tiger Lillies too.

Band Profile: Tied To The Mast

Bands & Books October edition takes place on Friday 21st October at the Victoria in Mile End Adding to the existing lineup of Nikesh Shukla and We Used To Make Things will be the fabulous Tied To The Mast:

Tied To The Mast are a multi-faceted vessel which rides the tempest of sounds from North West Seattle (cemented by Pavitt and Poneman at their Sub Pop desk) before swigging the last dregs of José Cuervo tequila from Josh Homme’s Rancho De La Luna studio, and then shaking off the hangover with a bike ride on Brighton seafront with Gaz Coombes. This is a British band with a difference.

 
If anything is evident in the world of music, having a DIY attitude gets things done. The Pixies did it in 1987 with the ‘Purple Tape’ and Sub Pop changed an industry from the ‘inside out’ in the 1990s with the same ’can-do’ attitude. It’s happening all over again with Mostar Records and Tied To The Mast.

Embracing a cacophony of sounds, and melding the DNA strands of Nirvana & Sonic Youth, the haemoglobin ‘Plain Lazy’ debut single brings together the slacker art rock of Beck & Pavement, whilst sitting comfortably alongside the British song-writing of the Kinks and Supergrass. Tied To The Mast create a Frankenstein monster of Alt Rock that submerges influences from both sides of the Atlantic to create a sound that is distinctly their own.

Recorded, produced and mastered in their own studio somewhere in the depths of the South Downs in Sussex, their debut Mostar single begins to hint at the band’s wider sound – one that is explosively evident during their live sets and brings together an organic product of bone crushing riffs, barstool sing-a-longs and sundrenched tunes. Tied to the Mast are setting sail for higher ground, so pull up a chair, a bottle of rum and come on board.

The debut single 'Plain Lazy', released through Mostar Records has also gained some great reviews:

"It has a haunting feel of old Pavement songs, of old Blur vibes and I reckon that this is the start of a beautiful reign for this band... It's another song to make memories to before the sun leaves us for another year" The Indie Swan
"Big mesmerizing guitar sounds and some poppy vocals that compliment each other perfectly" Fake Plastic Tunes
"Less is more and Plain Lazy, is nothing but lethargic, but fantastic" RoomThirteen.com
"Tied To The Mast have managed to encapsulate the slacker-grunge pop made famous by Nirvana.. and are already stamping their authority on the music world"

We Were Promised So Much
"Following in the footsteps of The Pixies" Atomic Sound Magazine

 

"No other band are making music like this at the moment" - AMP Magazine 

Bands & Books Mixtape: Half Blood Blues

Our wonderful friends at Serpent's Tail have made a very special Bands & Books inspired mixtape for the Man Booker Prize nominated Half Blood Blues.  Come down to Bands & Books October  on Friday 21st October at the Victoria (map), from 7:30 to hear this and other book themed mixtapes, as well as hear from 3 incredible writers, 2 bands and DJs until 1AM!

You can’t escape your fate – but some records are worth risking everything for.
A playlist for HALF BLOOD BLUES – a story of jazz, Nazi Europe and betrayal.


‘Chip told us not to go out. Said, don’t you boys tempt the devil. But it been one brawl of a night, I tell you…’ The aftermath of the fall of Paris, 1940. Hieronymus Falk, a rising star on the jazz scene, was arrested in a cafe and never heard from again. At the time he was making a record with Louis Armstrong. He was twenty years old. He was a German citizen. And he was black.

Fifty years later, Sid, Hiero’s bandmate and the only witness that day, is going back to Berlin where he and Hiero met. A mysterious letter, bringing to the surface secrets buried since Hiero’s fate was settled. In Half Blood Blues, Esi Edugyan weaves the horror of betrayal, the burden of loyalty and the possibility that, if you don’t tell your story, someone else might tell it for you. And they just might tell it wrong…

The artists on this playlist inspired HALF BLOOD BLUES – these songs are the musical ghosts of Europe’s dark years.
Author BiographyEsi Edugyan has degrees from the University of Victoria and Johns Hopkins University. Her work has appeared in several anthologies, including Best New American Voices 2003. Her debut novel, written when she was 25, The Second Life of Samuel Tyne, was published internationally. She currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia. 

Reader profile: Nikesh Shukla

Joining the October 21st Bands & Books lineup we are pleased to announce the delightful Nikesh Shukla:
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Nikesh Shukla is the author of the Costa First Novel Award-shortlisted novel, 'Coconut Unlimited' ('...a riot of cringeworthy moments made real by Shukla's beautifully observed characters and talent for teen banter.' Metro) and the Channel 4 Comedy Lab 'Kabadasses' starring Jack Doolan, Josie Long and Shazad Latif. His writing has featured on BBC2, Radio 4, and BBC Asian Network. He has performed at Royal Festival Hall, Book Club Boutique, Soho Theatre, The Big Chill and Latitude. He likes Spider-man comics. A lot.

In true Bands & Books style, we bullied Nikesh into telling us his favourite bands:

TV On the Radio, Public Enemy, Radiohead, Das Racist, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Jeffrey Lewis, Emmy the Great, Riz MC, Engine Earz Experiment, The Moldy Peaches, Cornershop, Outkast, 
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We made a mixtape of the above for your listening pleasure!
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Nikesh joins the October 21st Bands & Books lineup alongside  We Used To Make Things and several more top drawer acts to be announced shortly!  

Band Profile: We Used To Make Things

Bands & Books II takes place on Friday 21st October we'll be drip feeding our line-up over the next few days, the first act we're delighted to announce is We Used To Make Things:

"We Used To Make Things are an 8 piece who delve into the world of sweet pop music mined from the classic canon of Kinks, Zombies, Blur and The Beatles. Powered by brass and a kicking bottom end you are likely to find their uplifting music taking you to a place usually reserved for the likes of The Arcade Fire and The Muppets. At the heart of all of this though, are set simple, catchy and infectious songs that are also rolled out for intimate acoustic sets."

Currently working on new material and an "exciting collaboration", We Used To Make Things will be performing one of their intimate acoustic sets. As usual we nosed into the band's reading list and were not disappointed:

"The band are currently reading: Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray; Humphrey Jenning's Pandemonium; Dr Seuss' Cat In The Hat"

Well what better way to round out our first blog post about Bands & Books 2 than with a quote from the great man himself:

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 
― Dr. Seuss

Whatcha reading?

When we decided to launch a night of hybrid hijinks and unite the London live literature scene with the London live band scene in a tryst of lustful depravity, we wondered what sort of people would turn up. Well. we need wonder no more!  Here's a rogue's gallery of Bands & Books 1 alumni: 

Come along to Bands & Books 2 at the Victoria, Mile End on the 21st October 2011 & be sure to bring whichever book you're currently reading!

Bands & Books launch party in pictures (and also some words)

Massive thanks to everyone who performed & partied at the official Bands & Books launch  and to our sponsor Serpent's Tail.  We had a fantastic time and have the pictures to prove it, courtesy of photographer phenomenon Ben Meadows.  

Here's a few of our favourites:

Calm before the storm

The proud co-owners of a Bands & Books badge

More badge fun

Hosts do their best Richard & Judy impersonation

The crowd went wild. (Or at least clapped & whooped at the appropriate juncture)

Explaining to a room full of drunk people about QR codes.

Travis Elborough & Basil Brush LP

Rob Auton (Bang Said the Gun)

They came, they clapped.

James Messiah (The Poet & the Beat)

Chimene Suleyman (Kid, I Wrote Back)

Bible John

A very happy Serpent's Tail goody bag winner.

Queen Kwong

Drummer Pauli

Carre Callaway, Queen Kwong

Bands & Books 2  is Friday 21st October. See you down the front!