Trof Times

Ty Segall

2010-12-08T09:57:00.001Z

As far as four band bills go, this Thursday at The Deaf Institute is going to take alot of beating. First of all the headliner Ty Segall is finally back in the UK; for some reason he didn’t play last year when he was supposed to, probably got busted or something. If you like San Francisco at the moment then Ty Segall is for you. The other three are probably the three best bands in Manchester; Milk Maid, Former Bullies and Waiters, which raises the question; Who’s DJing at Suffering Jukebox on Thursday night?

Pumpkin Carving Competition

2010-11-04T14:52:00.003Z

So it was halloween on Sunday and we had a pumkin carving competition* at The Deaf
Institute.

Some pics of the picks of the bunch here:

*that means we also had lots of pumpkin soup, rissotto stew etc on the specials board this week

Summer Camp

2010-09-30T13:37:00.002+01:00

Summer Camp are a London duo, tenuously and lazily lumped in with something called 'chillwave'. Try not to spew... Summer Camp basically make beautifully sweet, nostalgic pop music; drawing more from beaten up VHS copies of John Hughes movies as any actual music. Initial blog excitement focussed on their mysterious personas, only for it to be revealed that Summer Camp were made up of music journalist Elizabeth Sankey and singer-songwriter Jeremy Walmsley. Anyway... none of this really matters.

Summer Camp are great and they play the Deaf Institute on 5th October with Frankie & The Heartstrings and Spectrals.

You can buy tickets HERE

So 'Summer Camp'...why has no-one ever used that name before? Tell us some of the lame names you came up with first...or was it always gonna be 'Summer Camp'?

Well we never planned to be a band, we did the cover of 'Only Have Eyes For You' purely for our own amusement, and then set up a myspace on a whim so that we could go back to it in ten years time and cringe. 'Summer Camp' came from when we were required to put in our 'About Me' guff, and we thought we'd say that we'd met at Summer Camp when we were 14. Then Jeremy said, "Let's call ourselves Summer Camp as well", so we did. Yeah, we know. GREAT story.

I'm completely guilty of this, but why do people our age seem to fetishize America? Was growing up in the UK sooo bad? I still slightly hate my parents for not moving to America like the rest of my extended family.

I don't think it's that there's anything wrong with the UK - we freaking love this place, but America is the place we see in movies, old photos, hear about in songs. So it's kind of aspirational and romantic. While England is the safe and solid marriage, America is the flirty affair, and you can pick and choose what you like from it. In our case - Disneyland, Bruce Springsteen, and John Hughes.

You're band's songs sound like Super 8 looks...does that make sense... is that something you were going for?

We never really had a plan for the sound, but we listen to a lot of old music, and we like pop that's a bit melancholy. The sort of bittersweet longing you have when you're a teenager, when it always seems like summer, and you fall in love with some idiot who you think is James Dean, but really he's more Jimmy Saville.

What other bands should we be listening to?

Fleetwood Mac, Take That and Fennesz.

DOWNLOAD Ghost Train by Summer Camp

Our Record Label

2010-09-10T15:07:00.004+01:00

Suffering Jukebox is The Deaf Institute/Trof's record label. We like music over here and helping out some of our favourite local (and international) bands seemed like the logical conclusion to our plight. We've released a handful of 7" records and cassette tapes (yes people still buy cassettes) and you can read more about them on the Suffering Jukebox website. There's also 3 Suffering Jukecast podcasts to download and a whole bunch of stuff about other bands we love.

Suffering Jukebox

Troffice Playlist

2010-09-10T15:04:00.002+01:00

My Whole Life - Gun Outfit

Gun Outfit threw everyone a total curveball with their demos. We thought they were another albeit brilliant american lo-fi band... Gun Outfit's album is a complete step up, splicing the best of Jim O'Rourke, Silver Jews and Sebadoh. There album's out now on No Age's PPM label and they play Trof NQ in October.

Fever Dreaming - No Age

We've always been pretty big fans of No Age...their first two albums were great and the way they conduct themselves as a band sets an example to all new bands in this major label-less void (thank god). The new album out really soon on Sub Pop is their most accessible yet, packed with hooks, melody but unmistakenly No Age

Oh Baby - Colleen Green

Avid readers of these playlists might realise that this is where the seeds of our record label Suffering Jukebox were sown. Colleen Green was our second release and the album 'Milo Goes To Compton' is our favourite this year. Great things are in store for our favourite Cali-stoner and 'Oh Baby' just shows how great a songwriter she is. Available on Colleen Green's MySpace

Twelve Roses - Beach Fossils

Beach Fossils seven inch on Captured Tracks was one of our number ones last year and the album carries on where they left off. This isn't lo-fi, were The Byrds lo-fi? It's just really well recorded pop music. Beach Fossils play the Deaf Institute in October

Celestica - Crystal Castles

How weird is it that Crystal Castles are this HUGE band? They make really weird, abrasive, experimental noise yet the strength of their songs and melodies make it totally immediate and catchy. The fact that they are HUGE makes us sleep better at night ha

Eyes Hands Mouth - Explode Into Colors

Just as we really got into Explode Into Colors they went and split up. Not completely sure how to describe them but they have alot in common with the New York No Wave scene, PiL and maybe even ESG. Really enamoured with their album 'Quilts'

Peppermint - Spectrals

Spectrals first seven inch on the Moshi Moshi label sees them disgarding the wilfully obtuse sound of their Captured Tracks debut. Peppermint could have been written at any point in the last 60 years and reminds us weirdly of 'Build Me Up Buttercup' from There's Something About Mary and there really is no higher compliment

Can't You See - Milk Maid

This is the B-Side from their forthcoming release on our label. Coming on like the best skewed romantic since Bob Pollard; Martin Cohen's Milk Maid are just going from strength to strength. This is awesome

Beach Fossils

2010-08-26T16:03:00.003+01:00

We're thrilled to bits to announce a show by the mighty Beach Fossils; the latest in a long line of wonderfully melodic lo-fi bands from Brooklyn's Captured Tracks. You can buy tickets HERE

Here they are at this years SXSW in Austin

Trof Fallowfield & The Corner

2010-08-26T15:58:00.002+01:00

Trof Fallowfield and The Corner are currently undergoing some major revamps... Trof Fallowfield is purely cosmetic, so we'll still be serving up the finest burgers and breakfasts in town but The Corner is having a total sprucing both physically and idealogically....that said, keep your eyes peeled over the next couple of weeks for some exciting announcements

Trof NQ

2010-08-26T15:32:00.003+01:00

So we're going to be doing a-lot more live shows at Trof Northern Quarter over the autumn and there's some total humdingers! First up on 15th September is the rather wonderful Trouble Books, purveyors of haphazard synthony (new genre I just made up). 22nd September is a bit of a coup really; the totally amazing Ducktails backed by the equally amazing Spectrals. Matt Ducktails has toured the world and beyond over the last year with his other band Real Estate, who've played a couple of times at The Deaf Institute. Very excited about this!

Our friends Comfortable On A Tightrope return with a killer double bill featuring Grass Widow and Trash Kit on 4th October... the tightropers will also be starting a brand new regular weekly disco, so keep your eyes peeled for that!

7th October, Ash who works at the Deaf Institute is putting on a couple of great bands... The Beets from the USA and Brown Brogues from Wigan... an equally exciting band, albeit from a slightly less glamorous place!

Trash Humpers By Harmony Korine

2010-07-12T13:10:00.005+01:00

Controversial writer/director Harmony Korine (Kids, Gummo, Julien Donkey-Boy, Mr. Lonely) returns this year with one of his most provocative films yet; the award-winning 'Trash Humpers'.

We are screening the film on Saturday 24th July from 9pm
Buy tickets HERE

A film unearthed from the buried landscape of the American nightmare Trash Humpers follows a small group of elderly "peeping toms" through the shadows and margins of an unfamiliar world. Crudely documented by the participants themselves, we follow the debased and shocking actions of a group of true sociopaths the likes of which have never been seen before. Inhabiting a world of broken dreams and beyond the limits of morality, the crash against a torn and frayed America. Bordering on an ode to vandalism, it is a new type of horror - palpable and raw.
Dir: Harmony Korine, USA 2009, 78 mins, cert 18

Watch the trailer:

More here: warp.net/films/trashhumpers

The screening will be followed by:
CHIPS WITH EVERYTHING
Playing the finest electronic disco, freak rock and outsider pop with a Warp slant 'til 3am. FREE ENRTY
www.myspace.com/chipswitheverything

10 Songs from First Aid Kit

2010-07-08T09:30:00.004+01:00

We asked First Aid Kit for 10 songs they're currently listening to and they obliged. They play The Deaf Institute on 16th July... You can buy tickets here

Sometimes I Think Age Is A Treasure - Turid
This song is from a record from 1971. It's a young Swedish woman named Turid who sings about the pleasures of getting older. She's been called the "Swedish Vashti Bunyan". We love her lyrics.

Motel Blues - Loudon Wainwright
We heard this tune for the first time when we were in our car traveling to a Swedish festival a couple of weeks ago. It was on a mixtape our drummer had made. It's just one of those songs that punch you right in the fucking heart.

Rebecca - Jo Rose
We first met Jo Rose last time we played the Deaf Institute when he was a guest with The Travelling Band who were supporting us that night. We're really thrilled to have him support us for this upcoming gig. This song, amongst others, is a gem.

White Rabbit - Jefferson Airplane
Psychedelic, just the way we like it.

Soft Skin - Mountain Man
These girls were recently compared to us in Swedish media so we had to check them out. This track is brilliant, so haunting. We love that they also work with very little instrumentation. It's inspiring to hear someone pull it off so well.

Ribbon Bows - Joanna Newsom
Joanna Newsom writes magical songs. She proves this once again, with her latest record. Ribbon Bows takes you beautiful places. It's a journey and at the end you don't know how you ended up there. We blinked twice.

Senza Fine - Gianfranco Reverberi
"My Life Without Me" is a film we first saw a long time ago, by director Isabel Coxiet. It tells the story of a young woman who finds out she has only two more months to live and writes a list of what she wants to do before she dies. This song is in this movie and it's very romantic and Italian. Simple and lovely.

See Here, She Said - Kate Wolf
Kate Wolf - 'nuff said.

Trouble - Elliott Smith
This song, like most Elliott songs, makes us cry and feel miserable. It might be a Cat Stevens cover, but we're not entirely sure.

Will The Weaver - Almeda Riddle
Almeda Riddle sings old folk tunes acapella and does it like no one else. This is one of our favorite recordings of her. It's a tragical and violent story of infidelity. We guess it's supposed to be funny too, but it's mostly just really sad.

First Aid Kit on MySpace

Silk Flowers

2010-07-07T16:20:00.004+01:00

are one of our very favourite bands in the world right now. Listening to either their first, self-titled LP, on Dean from No Age's PPM or 'As Above, So Below', the 6-song follow up on Captured Tracks, for the millionth time we are still blown away by the range and clarity of emotions summoned by such minimal music. It gives us great pleasure to announce that they are returning to Manchester to play at The Deaf Institute on Wednesday 21st July. Here're a bunch of videos and a gmail chat Perry had with one of them. Lucy Jones made this beautiful poster. You can buy tickets HERE

Perry's gmail chat with Ethan Swan

1:38 AM
perry: good evening ethan, sorry i'm late
1:39 AM
ethanswan: hello! you're not really late
perry: a little bit, how was your journey? are you tired?
1:40 AM
ethanswan: I'm not so tired. I slept on the plane a little bit.
It's fleet week here in New York, do you know what that is?
perry: no idea
sounds good
1:41 AM
the words
ethanswan: All the navy ships dock off the coast and all the sailors
come ashore to drink a ton and harass women
it's gnarly
We were excited to be away for the weekend to avoid it, but then our
flight got delayed because there's an air show with the fighter pilots
and it meant New York was a "no fly zone" all afternoon. So we
couldn't land for an extra hour
1:42 AM
me: wow, that's what fleet street is like 24/7 but with a differerent
kind of entitlement to misbehave in the air
1:43 AM
ethanswan: also I have a lot of military in my mom's family and
especially navy so I don't feel like it's inappropriate for me to
badmouth the sailors. Or at least not just reactionary
when was the last time you were on fleet street?
1:44 AM
perry: i walked along it last year and all the big guns were outside
smoking and leering at women- like over-educated construction workers.
1:45 AM
i think it was raining
1:46 AM
ethanswan: how much does it rain in Manchester? Is it more or less
than the UK in general? Obviously, in the US, we imagine it rains all
the time
1:47 AM
perry: it does rain all the time, when i first moved here (in 2001), it
felt like it rained everyday for about 3 years. and it was the era of
converse allstars so it was a trudge
1:48 AM
sorry, i should clarify- Fleet Street is the home of the British Press
1:49 AM
in London
ethanswan: Weird. I thought it was some avenue with bars. Like in New
Orleans or something.
The first year I lived in Portland it rained for 96 straight days.
1:50 AM
perry: yeah, sorry i was trying to be funny. It's colonial ignorance-
assuming everyone in the world knows every english cultural reference.
i'll keep it to a minimum
1:51 AM
that's incredible
ethanswan: I'm actually super impressed that colonial ignorance still
exists, it seems like the current international climate forces
everyone to concede that it's not possible. Except for USA
1:53 AM
perry: and UK too, i feel like there is so little understanding of
anyone/thing outside
1:54 AM
Like the fear of the 'other' or something is still a massive part of
what defines britishness
1:55 AM
ethanswan: I lived in Geneva for a little while and they had two
English-language bookstores which I thought was sort of fucked, but
then I was in one and they fully had some book about the
"Englishization" of the world, as in the spread of the English
language internationally. And I thought it was hilarious to have it
for sale in French-speaking Switzerland, a country that has 4 official
languages, none of which are English of course. But I guess that is
the point.
1:57 AM
perry: amazing- did you see that new 'language' that somebody is
promoting? it's like business english mixed with text-message speak
and baby talk.
1:58 AM
ethanswan: I definitely missed out on that. Sounds terrible. Where did
you hear about it?
2:00 AM
perry: it was in the guardian- i'll try to find a link- it's pretty
scary. And also everywhere you travel there're adverts in
english---even in Bilbao and Barcelona where there are people actively
and violently trying to conserve their culture and language
2:01 AM
ethanswan: Do you know about the recent thing with No Age? They played
a show in Lisbon and tried to go to a club or bar or something
afterwards, and the doorman said "we don't want English" and when Dean
tried to argue with him they all got beat up. There were some pretty
hectic photos on their blog
2:03 AM
I remember during post 9/11 insanity when americans were dumping
french wine in the gutter and calling "french fries" "freedom fries"
hearing on the radio about how it was affecting the tourism industry
in France. Not because Americans were the most prevalent tourists, but
because they spent the most money.
2:06 AM
perry: that's crazy, that stuff was in the press here but i thought it
was just a like 'those crazy americans'-type story. This is a pretty
good lead in because normally i assume with everyone that the
knowledge or idea that the world is an insane, frightening place
informs or inspires their activities
2:07 AM
Either to make their own, small part of the world more tolerable or in
an active 'let's make it better'-type way
and now we've made that explicit
2:10 AM
ethanswan: I definitely assume that too, although I've never really
thought through articulating it. I think our generation is pretty
certain that songs or paintings or poems or plays won't really improve
life on a broad scale (as opposed to our parents), but I do think we
have reacted to that by thinking on a community level, even if that
community is defined as comprising an individual's few closest friends
2:13 AM
perry: totally- just to not go insane or get too depressed- like
'capitalism is rampant and is killing us all and our world but- look
at that Chris Johanson painting for a few minutes and feel less weird,
less alone'
2:15 AM
ethanswan: Which is exactly what I love about Chris' painting. Sadly,
I don't think that any critical writing I've read about his work deals
with that. I'm not sure why, but the essays always seem to talk about
his art historical lineage, outsider painting and that kind of
silliness. I feel like it's such immediate work, but I guess if it
doesn't catch you it really doesn't catch you.
2:19 AM
I really remember the first painting I ever saw of his, it was at a
group show in Brooklyn organized by Kathy Greyson years before she
worked at deitch. For sure Keegan McHargue was in the show, I think
maybe Christopher Garrett but I'm not sure? Anyway, most of the other
artists had a lot of work in it, but Chris Johanson just had one
painting, it was of a castle. Just flat grey paint with the castle,
all it's elaborate brickwork drawn in black, like a focused kid. I
thought it was so grim but also so funny, like it just laughed at the
notion of property or barricade. It made protection seem like some
juvenile fantasy
2:22 AM
perry: and that's such a rare thing- those two qualities- the grimness
and humour- separate but in the same work. not just light 'black
comedy' but something actually like life as tragic and hilarious as it
is
2:24 AM
i just remembered a quote i wanted to show you- it's David Foster
Wallace talking about a book called 'Wittgenstein's Mistress' by David
Markson (which i've not yet read) -
2:25 AM
ethanswan: I think that it's difficult for people to acknowledge two
things at once in that way for sure. Things either have happy endings
or sad ones. I had years where I couldn't watch movies with sad
endings since I felt like I had enough opportunities to feel sad in my
life. But in the last few years I've been able to merge thoughts a
little bit better. I bet I could map it out with my return to the east
coast and to east coast life and perhaps also to the art/music I was
experiencing more readily here that was more open to balances
2:27 AM
perry: whoah, i feel bad for you- in the period where you couldn't
'enjoy' sad films
2:28 AM
how does that figure in 'A Taste of Honey'? at what point in your life
did you first encounter that?
2:29 AM
did the Morrissey curiosity overweigh the sadness?
ethanswan: I didn't feel bad at the time but I was unreasonably
fragile for years. Then I moved back to Portland and went through it
all over again. The vegan grocery store had a benefit where they
showed that movie "Office Space" and I really freaked out because of
all the prison rape "jokes" and had a confrontation with the owners of
the store. What a jerk!
2:31 AM
In terms of 'A Taste of Honey', I read that in a class called 'Modern
British Drama'. Basically I had a professor at college that I was
completely overwhelmed by, I thought she was the smartest ever, full
of the most amazing ideas and really capable of sharing them. I think
she studied at York University? She was definitely focused on British
lit.
Anyway, I took every class she took, starting with '19th century
British Novel' to 'Modern British Lit' to 'the Postcolonial Text" and
on.
2:32 AM
The 'Modern British Drama' wasn't 100% exciting for me (although I
liked Harold Pinter) but I took it because she taught it.
2:33 AM
When I started reading 'A Taste of Honey' I didn't know anything about
it, but freaked out when I read all the lines I'd already heard sung a
thousand times. It made me really happy and I guess a little bit
disappointed at the same time.
2:34 AM
It didn't feel inescapably sad to me, I liked the idea of unexpected
endurance. Jo isn't exactly brave but she doesn't hide either. That's
how I felt most of my adolescence so it was helpful to recognize it
somewhere else.
2:35 AM
'Look Back in Anger', on the other hand, drove me insane. It was as
frustrating and petulant and strangely entitled as Kerouac, or any of
the post-WWII US stuff that my friends all loved
2:36 AM
perry: there's a bit in this Leonard Cohen film where somebody asks him
the meaning of life and he just replies 'survival'
2:39 AM
ethanswan: Visiting home this past weekend reminded me of how
fortunate I am to have parents that don't have expectations of my
success, they've both always said as long as I'm happy and safe they
don't really care. But one time, in my mid-20s, my mom threw in there
"and helping other people" which suddenly seems an extreme additional
pressure, as fearsome as the kids I knew whose parents wanted them to
be doctors. But I agree with her I think, even though in general I
think 'survival' is the easiest way to say it.
2:42 AM
perry: that sounds like one of the most healthy and noble parental
expectations i've encountered. I'm lucky that my parents share similar
hopes for me---the step dad years were tough though.oh yeah - the
quote "W's M" , - a novel this abstract and erudite and avant-garde
that could also be so moving makes "Wittgenstein's Mistress" pretty
much the high point of experimental fiction in this country.
i didn't mean to do the crossing out
2:46 AM
i wanted to share the quote as when i read it it seemed to capture my
feelings about Silk Flowers and why i liked it so much--- this really
abstract thing that is really emotionally affecting. And in a way that
i'd yet to encounter in music.
2:47 AM
Is this over the top? It makes me feel the way some incredible, dark
painting does
2:48 AM
where i feel something and don't understand why maybe
ethanswan: First, I want to say that I'm really flattered and honored
by the comparison. Thank you. Second, when I was much younger I sang
in a punk band and one review of our LP described the lyrics as
"erudite", which I had some trouble with. I ended up looking up the
word in the dictionary to figure out why it confused me
the dictionary definition of the word is something like "learned from
reading instead of experience" which blew my mind. Also I liked the
irony of having to look that particular word up.
2:49 AM
perry: perfect
ethanswan: But of course it's not really what we mean when we say "erudite"
The thing is that I'm glad to hear it because we do work really hard
to try and put the songs in that in-between
2:50 AM
the song I like best from the new record, the one we're recording now,
is the one that took so much work and re-evaluation to put together
There are so many kind of ethereal, sun-rise in fast forward shining
moments in the song, and it felt too triumphant
2:51 AM
but at the same time, when we tried to dirty it up, we just made a mess
I think it finally came together, and I am so happy with that balance,
between the celebration, the laughter, and the acknowledgment of time
passing, of that darkness surrounding
2:53 AM
perry: I was talking with Laetitia about Silk Flowers and we ended up
comparing it to architecture- like the organisation of things in time
and space- dark and light
i can't wait to hear the new record
btw
2:55 AM
ethanswan: That's rad! I actually am writing an article for ANP
Quarterly right now about this thing that happens here in New York,
Wierd, which was originally a party but then became a record label.
Now it's both, but more importantly a super sustaining and thoughtful
community. One of the major bands involved is a solo thing called
Martial Canterel, and I just had a really similar experience of not
being able to write about it in any context but architecturally
2:57 AM
As I become more comfortable with myself I think I'm better prepared
to understand what I'm drawn to and why. And one of the things I have
the most respect for is deliberateness, like Chris Johanson's
carefully measured bricks in the castle painting described above. And
I think that's why the vocabulary or reference of architecture is so
important, because architecture requires that kind of deliberateness
2:58 AM
perry: and it's tricky too, because we're aiming to describe how it feels
and how much we like it and but without pretension or cliche. I hope
we're not just part of a paradigm shift in the lexicon of music from
'sound-sculpture'
i mean i worry that's what it would sound like to someone overhearing
it on the bus or something
3:00 AM
ethanswan: I guess you're right. But this is a safe space. That's why
communities are important. I read an article on the plane about the
woman who races cars and is trying to transition from indy 500 racing
to NASCAR and how it's been difficult because they're so different. I
appreciated the author's efforts to unpack the distinction but
ultimately it felt ridiculous to me. In this case I was the someone
overhearing it on the bus, right?
3:01 AM
perry: you're right, we're safe here.
I'm concerned that you'll need to go soon so i wanted to ask you a BIG
question, if that's okay?
3:02 AM
ethanswan: Yes, big question!
3:05 AM
perry: I wanted to ask about your relationship with 'Death'. I recall a
previous correspondence where you said that you felt that the more
death you encountered, the less impact it seemed to have. And i
suppose i associate busyness with the looming or fear of death- like
without it, if we thought we'd live forever, we'd never get anything
done. And well you seem very busy. do you acknowledge the looming of
death as a motivator?
3:08 AM
ethanswan: It's an interesting time to talk about this. We have this
series at the museum called "Propositions" that I think is one of the
best things that the museum does. The idea is for an artist (or
curator, or critical thinker) to present an idea in progress, a topic
or idea or hypothesis they're considering but haven't yet formulated.
The structure is for the artist to give a lecture on Friday night
about their topic. Then on Saturday an invited guest, an expert of
some sort provides a set of information or ideas to interact with the
initial idea. After that presentation, the two lead a discussion with
the audience that hopefully moves forward the idea for everyone
Last weekend the presenting artist was Matthew Barney, who spoke about
his current project which is called "Ancient Evenings"
For me, Barney's work is all about endurance, which I am interested in.
3:09 AM
The logical endpoint, or point of conflict within endurance, is of
course death. So he invited two respondents for the Saturday session,
a father and a son
The son is Gabe Bartalos, who does special effects in Hollywood and
did all of the visual effects, makeup etc for Cremaster etc
3:10 AM
The father is Michael Bartalos, who is a doctor at Columbia, and leads
a yearly seminar about death.
3:11 AM
They both spoke about their own relationship with death, the
considerations they both have. For the son, it was largely about his
own childhood fascination with horror movies, and the way in which
death was abstract, but as an adult, he has a much different
relationship with death, which colors his work.
For the father, he spoke about how different belief systems, death is
a threat or a weight that's used to control people, and how we
shouldn't worry about it so much
3:12 AM
I've never really been that concerned with death; I feel very
fortunate that I'm in love, have been a lot of places, have meet
incredible people and made things I'm proud of. I don't think I'd have
regrets or unfinished business if I met my end now
3:14 AM
In terms of my remarks about death affecting me, and how that's
changed, I think it has more to do with not being so worried about
fair or unfair. I had a friend die here in New York last summer who
has a baby girl and so much left to do on earth but it didn't work out
that way
If I had to watch that happen at age 20 I probably would've lost it,
done something dramatic or ridiculous to express how unfair I thought
it was.
3:15 AM
But now I just have sympathy, and that really is better spent on the
living. Like I'd rather direct that energy to helping out or taking
care
3:16 AM
The lectures from the father and son were really deep though, and it
made me revisit death a lot in my head, and in my conversations with
Heather and friends afterward. And I think it was nice to be forced to
consider it, but I don't think it really illuminated any new
developments.
3:18 AM
I think the primary motivation factor in my life these days is being
so excited to discover something that I want to tell other people
about it.

On Mon, May 31, 2010 at 3:19 AM, ethanswan@gmail.com
wrote:
>
> These messages were sent while you were offline.
> 3:19 AM ethanswan: I think the article about 222 Bowery, or the Morrissey
> zine, or even my parts in Silk Flowers songs are really just a way of
> sharing things that I feel happy to have learned. I don't really think I
> deserve so much credit for the 222 Bowery article. I just brought together a
> bunch of stories that I was lucky enough to hear and presented them in a way
> that is easy to access, or at least easier than it was for me.
ethanswan: That's a long answer. I'm not sure how close I got to your
question. I think my fascination with vampires is embedded in there
somewhere too but I'm not certain where.
3:23 AM
perry: no it was fully comprehensive and i'm really grateful for the your
consideration and honesty- i hope the question didn't seem too
aggressive or 'goth' or philosophy 101 'death- discuss'
3:24 AM
ethanswan: Not at all! I think if you asked 2 weeks ago I wouldn't
have been prepared to answer. But the lectures were good.
perry: You made me think of this big Hans Ulrich Obrist thing we saw in
2007 called 'Il Tempo Del Postino'
3:27 AM
Matthew Barney did this big performance thing which was supposed to
last 15 minutes but was closer to an hour and involved a live bull,
contortionists, a cyber-punk stage set and a man with a tiny dog for a
head in this really involved resurrection ritual. It seemed to me that
the narrative involved an attempt to corrall the bull into having sex
with this weird car-sculpture thing in order to revive a fallen maiden
ethanswan: I don't know about that show but he was one of the people
who presented at propositions. He talked about his maps of the 21st
century project/book. He was charming.
3:28 AM
perry: i reviewed it at the time and but i've only just realised that it
was maybe all about the absurd lenghts we humans go to to cheat death
or time
3:29 AM
ethanswan: It's interesting because we ended up talking about Barney a
lot afterward. I think his series of connections, his language of
image substitution is really interesting but requires so much thought
or time that it's pretty hard to establish during the actual
time-based event
perry: It was in the opera house
3:30 AM
ethanswan: which is fine, but my coworkers and I, in discussing it,
had to come to terms a bit with the fact that a lot of viewers aren't
actually interested in unpacking the meanings, they're just happy to
experience it as a super visceral, body-focused series of visions,
like a drug experience or whatever, completely without meaning
3:32 AM
which I have no feelings about, except that it's helpful to recognize.
I thought some of the questions directed at him were really unhelpful,
but only for me. For someone more interested in the vasoline and
contortions, they were probably illuminating
Heather describes it as "corporeal morbidity" which I think is
perfect. Don't steal it!
3:34 AM
perry: 'full of sound and fury, signifying nothing'- i don't feel that
way either but i can understand it
3:35 AM
I just remembered something- the bull- despite their best attempts-
could not be aroused
3:39 AM
ethanswan: My sister is writing about this current show in Berlin,
works by Damien Hirst and Michael Joo at Haunch of Venison and she was
explaining to me an idea of Derrida's about how the animal gaze is the
most "Othering" gaze because it is so completely alien that it
requires the individual to acknowledge him or herself. I like that
idea a lot, I like that the bull won't be complicit in the
resurrection. Animals can be helpful in that way.
I wish I hadn't put Othering in quotes.
3:41 AM
perry: i blame tao lin for that- he's really killed the quotation marks.
I mean they existed just fine and now it feels weird to put anything
in them
Laetitia just did these really amazing paintings of commas
3:42 AM
I just have a couple more quick questions if that's okay?
ethanswan: Of course! Paintings of commas sounds amazing. I want to see.
3:44 AM
perry: What did/ do you intend to eat for dinner? Do you like the music
of John Maus? And what was the name of the punk band you mentioned
earlier. I'll send a scan of the paintings- they're like miro or
something
i wanted to put them on the cover of this book of a story i wrote but
they're waaay too good
3:46 AM
ethanswan: Okay. For dinner I ate steamed kale, "unchicken" which I
believe is a grain-based protein, avocado salad with tomatoes and
onions, and beets. There is a grocery store by our house called Earth
Matters which has a little deli and they have 3-4 different sizes of
plastic containers and you can take as much as you can fit. I get the
"small bowl" size which is eight dollars. It is enough for a meal.
Tonight I actually brought back a used plastic container from the last
time I went and they were stoked that I was reusing it. It was a good
night to ask that question because I ate healthy and I did something
positive.
3:48 AM
Heather and I were laughing while I ate because as a kid I wouldn't
have eaten a single one of those things, I didn't even like tomatoes.
And more importantly than that, as a kid I wouldn't have eaten
anything that touched, like if my potatoes mixed in with the
applesauce they were both tainted. But today I mix it all up and like
it better that way.
3:49 AM
Okay 2, I do like John Maus but I don't have any of his records. Avi
and Peter's old band played with him in Austin a few years ago and Avi
made me come over and hear the record after they got home and I liked
it a lot but worried that there was a secret about it that I didn't
figure out. I like believing it's sincere but a lot of people close to
John say that it's actually really complicated and ironic, which is
troubling for me.
I think the songs are really good though. At a distance I like it a lot.
3:50 AM
3, the band was called Emergency. I will totally send you one of the
LPs, along with the Corpsekisser LP and a few zines that I owe you.
3:51 AM
Thank you for offering to scan the paintings! I want to see. I also am
excited to read a story!
For the record, Heather and I did not know each other as kids but over
the weekend was subject to many recountings of what a picky eater I
was as a kid.
3:53 AM
perry: it's exactly the same for me, when Laetitia comes to see my family.
3:54 AM
Thanks so much for your time and generosity, anything you send will be
gratefully received (but you definitely don't owe me any zines). Have
a wonderful evening and enjoy your day off tomorrow. XO
3:55 AM
ethanswan: Thanks Perry! It was fun to think about everything and have
a conversation with you. Looking forward to seeing you again!

First Aid Kit

2010-07-05T12:46:00.003+01:00

The internet has pretty much made a band's age and hometown completely irrelevant. A band's influences used to be limited to artists you were able to see in your city and stuff that an older brother or parent played you... First Aid Kit are a truly modern band and represent an extreme in this exciting new landscape we find ourselves in. Swedish teenagers Klara (16) and Johanna (19) Soderberg draw influence from music that was made thirty, forty, fifty years before they were born... songs from the Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music all the way through to freak folk scene that blew up a few years back.

The Deaf Institute is psyched to have them back... Their show earlier this year was a complete highlight, albeit a slightly weird one. "I love you Johanna" seemed a little inappropriate coming from a chap in his thirties.

If you're a fan of Fleet Foxes, Joanna Newsom or Devendra Banhardt then you shouldn't really miss this.

Buy your tickets HERE

Heavy Petting at Trof NQ

2010-07-02T13:09:00.002+01:00

Mof Gimmers has been our resident Friday night DJ at Trof in the Northern Quarter for the last year. Heavy Petting (the name of the night) perfectly reflects Mof and his brilliantly diverse taste and skewed outlook on life. Unlike most DJ's, he turns up with no agenda, no ego and pound for pound; the best record bag in Manchester. We interviewed him on Facebook chat and here's what he had to say...

How long have you been DJing at Trof NQ now?

Not sure. Over a year for certain. I think I might be the longest serving member of staff up there.

And what percentage of your DJing life does that make up?

I started off there doing Revenge of the Cat People which was a garage/psych night, but Heavy Petting steamrollered it out of the way. What percentage? I'm no good at Maths. I've got dyscalculia.

But overall... how long have you been 'a DJ' or 'someone that plays records?'

I've been DJing since I was 10. Scratching my mum's old records 'til they looked like rice paper... moving onto my older brother's Eric B & Rakim LPs and Electro comps. Then, making my way to techno and acid house and all that jive. I first played in front of a crowd when I was 10 or 11. I got paid in multipack crisps and a bottle of Fanta. Slave labour you might say. So, yeah. 20 years I've been DJing.

I think likening DJing to being a slave is a touch tasteless, but I'll forgive you cos you're from Bolton

I was whipped whilst I played and racially slurred by people the same colour as me. That's if 'lanky twat' counts as a racial slur.

It's not racial but being one of the tall community myself, it's offensive. 'lanky' wouldn't bother me...but linking it up with 'twat'... that's the rub. Heavy Petting seems to be gaining a cult following... what sets you aside from the rest of the Northern Quarter on a Friday night?

Well, a lot of DJs can be surly and pretentious. They sulk when they get asked for a request. I rather enjoy DJing and pretty much have time for anyone who comes to the decks for a chat. I guess that's one thing that has been noted by other people. Someone came up to me a while ago and said "I can't believe it! You're enjoying yourself!"

Even if they're asking for the Killers?

People can ask for whatever they want. I might not have it, but I won't scowl at them for asking for something they like. That includes the women who tried to lamp me because I didn't have Paulo Frutini.

What's the best request you've ever had?

The best requests are often the ones that people feel (for whatever reason) embarrassed about. A goth girl sheepishly asked for some Madonna, and when I played 'Into The Groove', she went nuts. By the same token, some guy nearly fainted when I played Captain Beefheart.

There's something refreshing about hearing The Captain and Madonna side by side.

They're both the same thing really, provided you're not playing something from Trout Mask Replica. 'Zig Zag Wanderer' sounds like a Madonna 45 being played at 33.

So aswell as being a famous DJ, you're a writer... what've you got on at the moment?

String vest, cycling shorts, a Cameo cod-piece and some Bolton Wanderers sweat bands. Writing-wise though, I've been slagging off Big Brother and staring curiously at ITV's World Cup coverage. Jim Beglin's employment status is, quite frankly, baffling.

You managed to raise £21,000 for Frank Sidebottom's funeral. That's gonna be a hell of a bash now... did you expect that kind of success?

I helped. A lot of people raised that money. I knew there would be a decent response, but £20k+ is outrageously good. I've already heard rumours of the coffin being shaped like his head There's a big send-off at Castlefield arena on Thursday, which should be emotional, but fun.

How did you know him?

I didn't. I did it purely as a fan. I've met him a coupla times, but just about everyone in Manchester has met him at some point. That's why everyone loved him.

You're a sweetheart!

Underneath this veneer of jaded cynicism, I'm actually quite nice.

What's the best album in the world ever and the worst?

My favourite album is, typically for a shit-head muso like me, an obscure one. David Wiffen's eponymous LP is the one I keep going back to. If you want something people have heard of, then the first Wu Tang album is tough to beat. The worst? Has Gideon Conn got an album out yet?

Avi Buffalo Drawings

2010-06-22T16:39:00.009+01:00

There will be one of-a-kind pictures by Avi {short for Avigdor Zahner-Isenberg} for sale at Avi Buffalo's show on Thursday. Here's a sneak peak.

Avi Buffalo play at The Deaf Institute on 24th June 2010. They will be ably supported by Brown Brogues and Alex Hulme.
Tickets available HERE

And info on the bands can be found here:
www.myspace.com/avibuffalo
www.myspace.com/brownbrogues
www.myspace.com/alexhulmeacoustic

Thee Oh Sees

2010-06-22T14:56:00.000+01:00

In my humble opinion, Thee Oh Sees show at The Deaf Institute this month was the best I've seen at the venue and I must've seen about 10 trillion bands over the last couple of years. I'm bias because John Dwyer's a total hero but seriously if you one of the slightly sparse crowd, then count yourself lucky. Paul Robinson (not from Neighbours) was and he wrote a review here for CityLifers. If anyone manager to take any photos, then send em over!

Field Music

2010-06-22T14:51:00.000+01:00

A nice chap called Daniel Heaton took some photos of our recent Field Music show at The Deaf Institute. Go here for the photo gallery and some kind (we think?!?) words from Daniel

Sic Alps

2010-04-26T17:27:00.000+01:00

Tall Firs' Aaron Mullan on Sic Alps:  
"It's a real casual shredfest when these fellas are on the stage. Sometimes it's hard to keep track of who is playing what instrument or what amp is broken at any given minute. Talk to 'em after the show and you'll be like 'Dudes, you TORE IT UP!' and they'll be like 'All our stuff was stolen last night but somebody lent us this chunk of wood with some strings on it. Thanks.' They are from S.F. so they are real chill to hang out with. Just walk around with a spare beer in case you run into one of them. Hand over the brew and I'm sure they'll chat for a while. I mean, would Mark Ibold wear a Sic Alps shirt 3 days a week if these guys were dicks? No way.  "

Sic Alps play The Deaf Institute on 13th May, just after supporting Pavement at their London shows and just before playing ATP. They will be joined by the excellent Irma Vep, Waiters & The Dinner Party. Tickets available HERE.

Tall Firs are a super band on Thurston Moore's Ecstatic Peace label, we were very happy to welcome them to The Deaf Institute last year when they played with Stephen Malkmus, extremely nice people they are too. www.myspace.com/tallfirs

Best Coast ::: 'When I'm With You'

2010-04-14T17:33:00.001+01:00

THE PERFECT video for sunny days. Beaches, cats, and a ridiculous love affair that just falls short of becoming believable.

Best Coast play The Deaf Institute on 07th May 2010.
Tickets available here: thedeafinstitute.ticketline.co.uk

Caribou ::: Monday 19th April

2010-04-08T13:39:00.000+01:00

Canadian electronic maestro Daniel Victor Snaith, a.k.a Caribou will return with a new album in April, entitled Swim. The record will be out on April 19 on City Slang, and will be his first LP since 2007's Andorra. From what we've heard so far, and what we have gleaned from the press release, it's going to be massive. In fact, it is already massive, but the mass will increase manifold by the time it reaches your eardrums.

The record includes a shedload of sometime collaborators, including Keiran Hebden (Four Tet), Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians, Jeremy Greenspan, Koushik, and a five-piece horn section. Brave stuff.

Caribou is gonna play at The Deaf Institute on Monday 19th April (the day the LP comes out)
Tickets are £8 and available here:thedeafinstitute.ticketline.co.uk

Jonathan Richman

2010-01-08T15:23:00.000Z

We were fortunate enough to have Jonathan Richman play for us towards the end of 2009. It was wonderful and inspiring. Here are some photos...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/19146865@N00/sets/72157622593538364/

As a special treat, here's a link to a super rare tape that he recorded for a girl back in 1974. It's Jonathan at his most Jonathan.

http://icecoldnugrape.com/lauraPalmerTape/

Veronica Falls

2010-01-06T15:53:00.000Z

I've never seen Veronica Falls, although I've listened to them alot. They have a single out very soon (perhaps even now) on the wonderful Captured Tracks; home to any number of awesome bands, that various blogs are going mad about.

Hailing from Glasgow/London and assembled from the remnants of Sexy Kids, The Royal We and Your Twenties; Veronica Falls nail that glorious indie-pop thing that Scottish dudes seem to do so well, all submerged beneath a Virgin Suicides-y haze. I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that everyone on Captured Tracks seems to have a similarly ghostly quality, but I'm not complaining. Anyway, they support Vivian Girls at The Deaf Institute on Sunday 17th January.

You can buy tickets - https://secure.ticketline.co.uk/tickets/13239694/vivian-girls/manchester-deaf-institute/2010-01-17

Manngaze {Chips with Everything}'s Top Ten albums of 2009.

2009-12-30T10:58:00.000Z

Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx Part 2
Best album of the year full stop, full of brilliant stories it's horrific, funny and totally bangin'. Raekwon and Ghostface do it again and do it even better than the first time!

Mastodon - Crack The Skye
I chose this because 'The Czar' is in my top ten tunes of my entire life so far.

Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years
The Super Furries excel again, effortless, freaky pop music. One of the gigs of the year at The Ritz too.

Broadcast and The Focus Group - Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age
This could be a sister album to The Flaming Lips' Embryonic, there's a new sound every time you listen.

The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
This album is a big, glorious mess from start to finish.

Lightning Bolt - Earthly Delights
This year, riffs do not get any more pummeling than this.

The Lemonheads - Varshons
Recorded by all time hero of mine Gibby Hanes of Butthole Surfers. Notable for ace cover versions of GG Allin and Christina Aguilera and any album that combines these two is ace in my book.

Wooden Shjips - Dos
Bass lines.

Sonic Youth - The Eternal
Because Sacred Trickster is my fave video of the year.

Lung, Rotter and 7 - Untitled
Members of Two Lone Sworsdmen live group and Barry 7 of Add N To (X) and incidently playing the Chips Xmas party! Entirely composed on the Nintendo DS using DS-10, inspiring stuff!

Chips with Everything will be hosting the main bar at The Deaf Institute on New Years Eve

Neil Diablo's Top 10 12"s of the Year

2009-12-30T10:49:00.000Z

1. Bottin – No static – Italians Do It Better

2. Tensnake – Holding Back My Love – Running Back

3. Lindstrom – Baby Can’t Stop (Aeroplane remix) - Feedelity

4. Shit Robot – Simple Things (Work It Out) (Todd Terje Version) - DFA

5. 40 Thieves – Don’t Turn It Off (Brennan Green Remix) – Chinatown

6. Toby Tobias – In Your Eyes (Tensnake Remix) - Rekids

7. House of House – Rushing to Paradise (Walkin These Streets) – Whatever We Want

8. Neurotic Drum Band – Robotic Hypnotic Adventure – Wurst Co.

9. Crazy P – Stop Space Return (Unabombers remix) - 20/20 Vision

10. Try to Find Me – Vol. 1 – Golf Channel

Neil will be playing in the Music Hall alongside Todd Terje at The Deaf Institute on New Year's Eve

Introducing the launch of the Deaf Institute Art Space

2009-12-30T10:44:00.000Z

v.1 David Bailey.
At The Deaf Institute we have gotten rid of some of our lovely wallpaper in the main bar and created a big red blank canvas for some of Manchester's best artists to exhibit their talents and first up is David Bailey.

We've introduced you to illustrator, comic strip creator and poster maker extraordinaire David Bailey before.
As well as making some totally ace posters for us in the past, David has his own comic strip ‘Flesh and Bone’

Formerly Flesh and Bone only existed on blog which can be found at: http://fleshandbonespot.blogspot.com, but David has been scribbled and painted through the night to transform The Deaf Institute Art Space into a Flesh and Bone comic. You can see a taster of some of his work here, but there is no sneak preview of the Deaf Institute work as it's site specific, created solely for us. Plus, we wouldn't like to spoil the story.

So, whilst you're having a mojito or fishfinger sandwich have a look around and enjoy David's work. If you really like it then do tell all your friends, family and loved ones!

Alongside painting our walls, David has also opened a shop!
Good Grief found on the 3rd floor of Afflecks Palace sells art books, comics, zines, screenprints, posters, tapes, records, t-shirts and tote bags from here, there and everywhere. All things good by good people.

Excited times, go on down, tell your mates, browse, window shop, take correct change, take a £50 note, take your mum and dad...or don't!

David's work will stay up for a few months and then we will be looking for another local artist to take up the mantle.
You can paint, draw, hang project onto - whatever you like. You can sell prints for no commission, loads of people will get to see your work and we will have little launch in your honour!
Just get in touch if you would like to get involved - email info@trof.co.uk with some ideas!

Vivian Girls

2009-12-10T15:41:00.000Z

One of the first shows we are really looking forward to in 2010 is Vivian Girls on 17th January
Vivian Girls are are a pure pop revelation for outside people, our friends at www.toocooltodie.com caught up with them and Ali Koehler of The Vivian Girls answered these questions:

How are you doing today?
I’m fine thanks.

What are the secret origins of the Vivian Girls?
The secret origins of Vivian Girls lie somewhere in the suburbs of New Jersey, but they’re secret so we can’t tell you.

Why do you think the media and music industry is backing garage rock again? I was talking to the Nodzzz and he said ‘garage rock never went away, people just decided it was hip again’. What are your feelings about the garage rock resurrection?
Nodzzz are all knowing. Everything they say is gospel.

Would you play The Shaggs if they ever produced a film of their lives?
Probably not, we aren’t much of actresses.

The internet has been helpful in promoting Vivian Girls. Do you think the easy accessibility of music on the internet has opened people up to more musical influences?
Totally. We are children of the age of the internet, we embrace it. There are plenty of bands I’m sure we’d have never heard of if it weren’t for the internet.

Were you surprised by how fast Vivian Girls happened?
Of course. When you start a band for fun with your friends you never expect to get attention for it, so we realize we are incredibly lucky and are equal parts surprised and grateful for the reception we’ve had.

What is the greatest misconception about Vivian Girls?
That we’re mean or elitist. We’re actually quite friendly, why not come up and talk to us for yourself?

I keep on hearing about your legendary live shows. Do you think you’ve ever captured the live show on record and is there a difference between the live set and recorded sets for you?
Capturing a live show on record is nearly impossible because you don’t have that energy to feed off of from the crowd, however on the upcoming second album I’d definitely say we’ve captured the nervous excitement of playing live because we were nervous, excited and playing the tracks live.

Is authenticity more important than fun rock’n'roll?
Fun rock’n'roll is authentic.

I hear a lot of outsider rock influences being plied to your music. Do you feel Vivian Girls are flying the flag for outsider music and what musicians from the outsider scene would you recommend?
We’re definitely outsiders, so if you get that from our music then you’re incredibly perceptive. As for flying a flag for outsiders, I don’t think we’re much into flag flying. Other peers in our scene you should check out though are Nodzzz, Pens, Male Bonding, Wavves, Graffiti Island, Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti, Woods, etc.

What is Vivian Girls greatest secret?
Hair conditioner.

Shit My Dad Says

2009-11-19T13:40:00.000Z

Forget Stephen Fry, this guy is the king of Twitter. The only guy who speaks as much sense as 'Dad' is Larry David.

http://twitter.com/Shitmydadsays

Spectrals

2009-11-04T12:57:00.000Z

Spectrals is Louis Jones from Leeds. He's just released a killer single on Captured Tracks (home to Dum Dum Girls, Blank Dogs etc) and is destined for great things. http://www.myspace.com/spectralspectral

This Is Why You're Fat

2009-11-04T12:53:00.000Z

Awesome blog... gonna forward some of these ideas onto the chefs

http://thisiswhyyourefat.com/

When All Tomorrow's Parties showed us how to party...

2009-10-30T13:41:00.001Z

The All Tomorrow's Parties Film Was Ace!

2009-10-30T13:41:00.000Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rW__Jxi0lzc

Mof's Column! 'How I Gave In And Fell For The X Factor'

2009-10-30T13:30:00.000Z

If you're reading this, you're invariably a fan of the Trof establishments. This means you're probably hipper than a box full of hip-replacements. As such, there's a strong chance that you don't think much of the X Factor franchise. You're probably more into listening to Pavement records or growing your own herbs. That's cool. However, there's a place in your life for X Factor AND being an achingly cool type.

Alternatively, you're one of those people who are ACTUALLY cool and don't buy into what you're supposed to be digging. I'm a new convert to this way of thinking and it's like coming out of the chrysalis. You see, like Pixie Lott sang recently, in the most apt lyric of The Noughties, "I good beat never hurt no-one". And X Factor is one long tight snare.

You see, the whole thing is like the pop equivalent of Wrestling. It's all spandex, rigs, pantomime booing and cheering and, let's be honest, Simon Cowell isn't a million miles away from the WWE mogul, Vince McMahon. Hell, they surely share the same all-thumbs tailor and stump-handed hairdresser. In both cases, these shadow-hearted rascals conduct the kind of puppetry that makes nay-sayers hoot. "The entertainment are just brain-dead saps! They don't have any say in anything! It's a pointless farce!"

However, the artists are second fiddle to the way the casual viewer is roped in, siren like, and forced to submit at the audacious, pompous and mind-bleaching brilliance of such an incredibly orchestrated programme. Compared with main rival, Strictly Come Dancing, X Factor flashes a eye-crumbling white toothed grin, which sends Brucie & Co stumbling and tap-dancing into dark corners muttering about posture and other things that only listless Colonels find important. When they finally emerge, they find that their paso doble is being obliterated in a hail of burning fireworks and more hooks than a Abu Hamsa lookalike competition.

Yet, away from the pop veneer, there's staggering moments that make you invent whole new emotions. Anyone who saw John and Edwards rendition of 'Oops I Did It Again' will invariably still be scratching their head somewhere and feeling simultaneously, the moment of orgasm and a family death. Quite simply, there's no other television programme that can steamroller an entire nation the way X Factor does. Once, I thought it split the whole country into two camps. Those that hated it and those that didn't watch it. However, now I've learned how brilliant it all is, I figure that no-one in the world really dislikes the show. Some relent after sniping about it for years... everyone else just wondered what took you so long. If you're still moaning about it, you're probably an Elbow fan who yearns for more pedestrian kicks. You can keep 'em.

Mof Gimmers writes for a variety of websites, newspapers and magazines. He also plays records or 'DJs' at Trof in the Northern Quarter. He's the staff's favourite DJ.

Micachu and The Shapes

2009-09-24T16:44:00.000+01:00

No one can deny that the face of planet music is changing at a rate faster than ever before. Whether one believes that it's awkwardly evolving into a beguiling new beast, or imploding into a certain apocalypse, one thing's for sure: the soundtrack will be like nothing you've ever heard before. 21-year-old Mica Levi is the unassuming five foot one figure creating tunes that somehow perfectly define these sometimes scary, often overwhelming, but always exciting times. She's leading the future-pop frontier, with an instinctual understanding of music only possible from one of those rare lives where rhythms, melodies, discord and noise have underpinned every last waking second. Over the past year Micachu, as she's become known, has released an avidly received mixtape that moulded concrete grime and ruff-neck hip hop to avant-electronics, composed a Nuevo-classical epic for the London Philharmonic Orchestra on the personal request of revered conductor Marc Anthony Turnage, and formed a band, The Shapes, to help channel the mind-boggling waves of creativity that swell from her scruffily curled bonce at the rate that most people breathe.

Helmed by her adopted Svengali and seeming long-lost spiritual godfather, Matthew Herbert, Micachu’s debut LP, is a teeny, but visionary peek at the infinite maelstrom of musical carnage that hurtles through her brain 24-hours-a-day. A mangled outpouring of fidgeting guitars, untameable bass splurges, fragile, swoonsome wails, sabre-toothed electronics and snatched sounds, from rattling bottlenecks to demonic hoovers. Whilst on paper it doesn’t sound a sing-a-long setup, in between the shudders, splurts, stabs, stutters, stops and starts, spills a pure, pristine thread of melodic playfulness that makes ‘Jewellery’ one of the most fiendishly addictive breakthrough albums of the year. Case and point: Mica’s steadily risen as one of the UK’s most talked-about acts, gracing all the best music rags, broadsheets and even national TV whichever way you look. A reluctant star, Mica isn’t so fussed about the flashing lights and lenses, no matter who’s listening or not, the music will always play on.

What does Micachu actually write songs about then? “A load of old bollocks,” she cackles, with trademark heel-scuffing modesty. “I’m not about bearing the deep crevices of my soul, that would feel so weird. There are things you can love aside from people. I just like picking up on stuff that amuses me, and building motifs from there.” “It’s the day-to-day creating that drives me,” she explains of her unrelenting productivity. “I’m maybe not even bothered about the results. It’s just something I need to do like getting up and having breakfast. I crave the challenge of writing.” The arrival of The Shapes –aka Raisa Khan on keys and Marc Pell on drums- midway through recording the album added a whole new dimension to proceedings. “They’ve certainly helped tame my madness, we’re very much a band now, this isn’t just me anymore,” she explains. So now the demons have been exorcised, laid out for all to see on little plastic discs, what can we expect from the one-girl anti-hit factory? “I’m enjoying being in band now, writing in that setup, with playing live in mind,” she says. “But as for the distant future? Fuck knows. I want to be a composer. Fuck guitars. I want to make gigantic orchestral compositions, finish them, and then not let anybody hear the results.” Perfect.

SEE MICACHU AND THE SHAPES LIVE AT THE DEAF INSTITUTE SUPPORTED BY THE INVISIBLE ON THURSDAY 8th OCTOBER

Bands we want to play

2009-09-24T16:39:00.000+01:00

Despite the incredible power we have, there are some bands that we just have to gaze at from afar; no hope of ever putting them on. Either they're tiny bands from America, they've split up or they're dead... This is the first in an occasional series

Hunx & His Punx is Seff from Gravy Train with the remarkably talented Nobunny contributing songs (If you haven't heard Nobunny either, then you should be ashamed). Hunx seem to have distilled every great girl group record from the sixties, added Ramones to the mix and then recorded it all in about 5 minutes. And if you thought it couldn't get any better, Hunx & His Punx are the gayest band ever with the best videos we've seen for years...like some sort of low budget John Waters fairy story. Hunx have gathered a bunch of high profile supporters in Jay Reatard and Vivian Girls and although it's the laziest of comparisons, if you like them, you might like Hunx.

The intuitive amongst you will hopefully get around the fact that all of their singles so far have sold out. If not there's always their myspace - www.myspace.com/hunxsolo

People we Like

2009-09-24T16:28:00.000+01:00

Welcome to postermaker, Illustrator and comic strip extraordinaire David Bailey.
As well as making some totally ace posters for us in the past, David has his own comic strip ‘Flesh and Bone’ It exists on a very modern blog which can be found at: fleshandbonespot.blogspot.com.

He puts new strips on there every week on MONDAYS and THURSDAYS so if you like it, please check back on the due days for the latest feed. If you really like it then do tell all your friends, family and loved ones!

All things otherly illustration-wise are to be found at - www.itsmountpleasant.com

Jack & Ruth’s Troffice Playlist

2009-08-07T09:57:00.000+01:00

You'll Disappear = Phenomenal Handclap Band
We like literal band names. Phenomenal Handclap Band came hotly tipped and although the record is pretty great, live this band are truly amazing. Anyone lucky enough to see them supporting Maps at The Deaf Institute will 100% deffo be there when they return. Which they will. Hopefully

Land Of The Freak = King Khan & The Shrines
Playing the Deaf Institute on 30th September. Walk over to the bar now and buy a ticket because they're one of the best live bands in the world. Apparently anyway...we haven't seen them yet. Will be ace though surely?

See You = Dinosaur Jr
It's going to take something really special to knock this off the top of my end of year poll. Gloriously melodic and totally fresh, which is pretty impressive after 25 plus years.

Mode = Audacity
Surf hardcore insanity from a bunch of stoned californian teens. Expect to be hearing alot from Audacity, obviously that's reliant on the music industry completely changing in every way possible.

I Just Can't Take It Anymore = The Lemonheads
Ace Gram Parsons' cover from Evan Dando's new covers album. The rest of the album is fairly patchy and unfortunately features Kate Moss on one song which is so earbleedingly bad, I can't bring myself to type it.

Rad Pitt = Egyptian Hip-Hop
Really great new Manchester band that thankfully owe nothing to Manchester past.

Stillness Is The Move = Dirty Projectors
Reviewers have gone ape over the new album and rightly so. This is the lead single and I can only really think of stuff like Timbaland as a reference point. Far more accessible that 'Rise Above' but just as interesting and innovative.

Military Madness = Woods
The band behind the Woodsist label that have put out some of this year's best albums (Ganglians, Kurt Vile, Blank Dogs & Wavves). This a cover of a Graham Nash song that manages to be pretty straight, slightly weird and really uplifting all at the same time.

You've Got Arms = Beards
Beards support The Strange Boys at Deaf Wave on August 15th. If you came to Deerhoof at Now Wave or you like Harry Pussy and total weirdness, then come along. The Hipshakes & Mazes play aswell.

Hero Worship

2009-07-24T16:30:00.000+01:00

No Way! Jonathan Richman is playing The Deaf Institute on 11th October. It really doesn't get any better than that. Proto-punk, songwriting genius brat Jonathan Richman...Amazing!

Los Campesinos!

2009-07-07T14:51:00.000+01:00

This October sees Los Campesinos! head out on their first UK tour, in a year. With America officially 'broken' the band are now able to turn their attentions to home.

These will be Los Campesinos! first shows post-Aleks' departure and with the new Campesinos! in tow, and will also be the first opportunity to see the performance of new songs from the bands forthcoming record, in reasonably intimate surroundings.

Los Campesinos! speaking about their return to the UK said, ”It's very accurate to say that after being abroad for so long we are excited to be returning to UK stages. Along for the ride we will be bringing the awesome Copy Haho, and our dear friend Sparky Deathcap.”

They will play at The Deaf Institute on October 26th! Tickets available here

Work vs Play

2009-06-24T15:34:00.000+01:00

More at www.sexypeople-blog.com
Thanks Renzo!

La La Vasquez Interview

2009-06-10T13:14:00.000+01:00

La La Vasquez are supporting T.I.T.S at Trof in the Northern Quarter on Monday 15th June alongside Manchester's Hotpants Romance. La La come off like a streetwise Beat Happening, with songs to die for and a healthy disrespect for their instruments. We love them so much they're staying at my house after...

So La La Vasquez... would you mind explaining your name?
Have you seen the film 8 mile with Eminem? well in that he disses himself so no-one else has anything to say about him. We came together as our boyfriends are in bands together.. so instead of being labeled 'WAG band' by our friends and boyfriends we made a joke of it ourselves. La La Vasquez in an American WAG to a basketball player. She is pretty sexy too.

DIY Music, Lo-Fi or whatever has never gone away but there seems to have been a resurgence over the last couple of years. Why do you think that is?
We only started making 'lo-fi- music as we are poor and have nothing to record on but an old sony casette recorder (which i managed to break at the last practice so it's now held together with an elastic band). We would just watch bands together and were so desperate to do our own thing as we have similar music taste. There was a snag.. none of us could really play anything.. so I guess that is why we are 'DIY'. oh and to really answer your question, It's fucking cool, that's why.

Your song ‘Clare Savage’ sticks it to a girl of the same name. What did she do and has there been any reaction from her to the song? I hate her just listening to it!
Oh clare.. basically Merida and I were at a Mika Miko show.. some girl who i later found out to be called 'clare saveage' was standing on a box in front of the stage.. not dancing.. just posing blocking everyone's view. Mika Miko told her to get down several times.. she didn't.. i gave her a little tug.. she ripped out half my hair. There has been no reaction.. i have not seen her since.. but she gave us good song material. My mum was really angry that she made me bleed.

I think I described you guys as being 'super cute' on the blurb I did for your show at The Corner last month and then I noticed with your new record label (Twingrrl), you want to put out records by "women and men who aren't just labelled as "super cute"". Am I in your bad books?
Jack, you could never be in our bad books!! We are thankful for it. spurred us on. You were certainly not the only guy to label us cute or any other all girl band cute. Twingrrl records just sets out to let girls take control of the music for a change.. releasing music 'cos it's kickass not because the band themselves can be described by positive adjectives. The first release is gonna get the bands that we love some attention, a compilation CD based on the Rough Trade compilation CD template.

What bands should we looking out for?
The Dead Clodettes, Finally Punk, Mutating Meltdown, The Coathangers, Teen Sheiks, Mazes

Mazes rule right?

www.myspace.com/lalavasquezband

Finally Punk

2009-06-09T10:25:00.000+01:00

Finally Punk are going to be playing at The Deaf Institute on 29^th June supporting Deerhoof. They seriously rule hard. Toby Vaill from Bikini Kill said “This is the band Bikini Kill was trying to inspire with all that riot grrl stuff.” Who are we to argue? Deerhoof are obviously great and everything but Finally Punk are the real reason we’re going to haul ourselves back from Glastonbury early.

Assuming this is the first time any of you guys have been to Manchester... do you have any preconceptions? Are you fans of any bands that have come from here?

Well are all very much into all the bands that everyone is into from Manchester i.e. Smiths, Joy Division, etc. I have never been but hear that it’s a failing industrial city which I am really into. I spend a lot of time exploring abandoned factories so any city like that is really what I am into visually. I am really excited to see it.

What would you do if Mark E Smith stumbled up to you after the Manchester show and asked you all to join the Fall?

Erin would punch him in the face. I would say "Yes."

What are you most looking forward to doing/seeing in the UK?

Snogging! J/K

Elizabeth: Hanging out with Robin and John from Pre. Austin is my hometown and I showed them all around when they were here from SXSW. So I know that they will do the honors of London. Touring in the UK is supposed to be crazy so I am excited to see it firsthand.

Erin: Looking forward to seeing the landscape, castles, etc. I’m a bit of a daydreamer...

I racked my brains to think of another song about Manatees and I couldn't. I saw one in Ft. Lauderdale when I was a kid and it struck me that they have a pretty cool life (apart from the whole boat propeller thing) This isn't really a question is it?

Erin: No but you are totally right. Manatees are the cutest things ever.

Elizabeth: My parents live in Mexico near Lake Chapala which was polluted with this nasty weed. So all the Americans paid to have the lake cleaned up and have manatees put in to keep the weeds at bay. But unfortunately the Indians came and killed all the manatees so the lake is still polluted. It always makes me sad when I look at the lake.

In 2009 why is it still a talking point that a band is an 'all girl band'? It seems crazy for that to be the first thing people talk about when you're mentioned.

We don’t really worry about it too much. The separation between boys and girls (or men and women) is pretty thin these days.

Why do you think there's been an influx of bands recently who don't really seem to care that much about the fidelity of their recordings?

We don’t think lo-fi sound ever disappeared. Even though recording well is so easy now with computer technology, a lot of people seem to be faking a "lo-fi" sound which we find sort of confusing. There is a little bit of digital backlash going on here. As everything in our world becomes more digital I think people really crave to use something that is physical to record on, like cassette tapes. I do think the return to using cassette tapes is super interesting, like all the tape only labels that have started, etc.

Nerd question alert... Your recordings seem full of spontaneity and excitement...how do you record?

We have recorded always in someone's living room. Jason Chronis from Voxtrot recorded our last 7". Adam Jones from Yellow Fever had recorded us a whole lot. Also Dustin Coffey from Shapes Have Fangs recorded us as well. Mostly we just record by finding someone who is available and hanging out with them for a while. The session with Jason was the most intense because we wrote 3 of those songs the day before we recorded them.

Who should we be listening to?

Elvis, the band from Austin

Thee Oh Sees

Grass Widow

Brilliant Colors

The PrimaDonnas

Paul Wall

Silver Daggers

WFMU comp of Cramps favorite songs

Finally Punk support Deerhoof at The Deaf Institute on 29th June

www.myspace.com/finallypunk

Album Covers of 1970s Eastern European Popstars

2009-06-03T16:41:00.000+01:00

The world behind the Iron Curtain never seemed such a scary place.

New BOTDHs Mixtape

2009-06-03T15:13:00.000+01:00

Download the Bring on the Dancing Horses Summer 09 Mix here

Tracklisting:::
10cc = Good Morning Judge [Mock n Toof edit]
MGMT = Electric Feel [Aeroplane Mix]
Bell XI = Flame [Chicken Lips Mix]
Fan Death = Veronica's Veil [Erol Alkan's Extended Rework]
Sebastien Tellier = Kilometer [Aeroplane Mix]
WhoMadeWho = TV Friend [Hot Chip Remix Tomboy Edit]
Animal Collective = My Girls [Dave Wrangler mix]
Casio Kids = Verdens Storste Land

The next Bring on the Dancing Horses is at The Deaf Institute on Friday 5th June.
And, it's a FREE PARTY with stacks of new records we wish you to hear as well as a load of classics which they think need another airing.
*Also, look out for forthcoming news about the massively exciting July lineup*

Here is some cool stuff

2009-06-03T13:02:00.000+01:00

We asked Diane Cluck for a drawing, some writing, a recipe or whatever and she gave us these:

Diane Cluck is playing at The Deaf Institute on Monday 8th June.
Hear her music here.

Jack & Ruth’s Trofﬁce Playlist

2009-06-02T14:11:00.000+01:00

I Touch Myself = The Divinyls
Apart from the purple one, we reckon this was the highlight of the Prince Night last month. The ﬁrst from this month’s playlist that you might not want to play your mum.

What What (In The Butt) = Samwell
Trof’s maintenance genius James loves this song. Bizarre and weird but stupidly catchy. Search youtube to see the disturbing video.

Skeleton = Abe Vigoda
Awesome closer from last year’s Skeleton album. They’re playing the Deaf Institute on May 14th with The Mae Shi. Come!

Zero = Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Standout track from their ace new album.

Havai = Babe Terror
Truly original ambient soundscapes from Brazil. He’s giving away his album free on Myspace. Like Radiohead, although he can’t afford to do it and he’s good.

Ship Of Love = Dum Dum Girls
For fans of Vivian Girls, Crystal Stilts and this C86 revival. Not sure what this is from, but the debut album is out soon on Art Fag Records.

Hip Priest = The Fall
Yeah he does gigs where he sings from the dressing room, sat in a whee chair but he’s still a genius.

Cartoon Beginning = Eat Skull
A really perfect noisy pop song.

It Came From The Ground = Badly Drawn Boy
How is it 9 years since this came out? So great... Must resist saying ‘What went wrong?’ D’oh!