Focus Music Notes. "Out of the Blues". Popular music through the decades

Continuing the build up to the release of their debut album, sonic experimentalists Clock Opera will release their single “Once And For All” on Moshi Moshi/Island on 30th January 2012. Epic and euphoric in equal measure, it epitomises the band’s signature sound of looping samples, layered textures and soaring vocals and demonstrates yet again their skill in audio autopsy - deconstructing and reassembling sounds and words to startling effect. Lyrically “Once and for All” recalls memories of being a teenager and the myriad complex and extreme emotions that we experience during those transitional years. Also included in the package is a remix by arguably one of the most devoted pioneers of experimental and electronic music, Mr Andrew Weatherall. After recent releases of “Belongings” and “Lesson No.7”, “Once And For All” further cements Clock Opera’s growing reputation as one of the most innovative, original and exciting bands in the UK right now. Live they continue to go from strength to ...

Like a bolt from the blue, The Drums return with their second album, ‘Portamento’ to be released on September 12th through Moshi Moshi / Island Records. ‘Portamento’ - released just over a year since their debut - reveals a band tugging lightly at the boundaries of their sound while still retaining their recognizable sonic signatures. Sweet rushes of melody and brittle synthesizer sheens colliding with wiry Spector-esque guitar lines are still very much present, but singer, Jonny Pierce’s lyrics have assumed a deeper, personal tone and coupled with the band’s own more expansive production, ‘Portamento’ is a more complex, but ultimately more rewarding listen than their debut. Emerging from Brooklyn via Florida in 2010, The Drums initially caught the ear of the indie world with their ‘ Summertime! ’ EP - an escapist collection of beach pop fantasies – which preceded their self-titled debut album, released in June 2010. ‘The Drums’ has gone on to sell 200,000 albums world-wide, reflecting...

CocknBullKid, one of the most acclaimed young British artists to emerge in recent years, is releasing her hotly anticipated debut album ‘Adulthood’ on May 23. The album, co-written by Anita alongside a host of talents including the eccentric, electronic piano man Gonzales, who worked on half the record, is a full functioning pop odyssey that looks set to soundtrack the summer of 2011 . In addition to Chilly, there are a couple of songs from Peter, Björn and John’s Peter Morén, as well as a co-write each from Joseph 'Metronomy' Mount and former All Saint, and one of Anita’s hero’s Shaznay Lewis. The album was produced by Liam Howe (Marina and the Diamonds / ex- Sneaker Pimps). Adulthood was recorded in London, Paris and Stockholm and was put together in Howe's Dalston home studio, surrounded by vintage synths, and in the cosy confines of Snap Studios in North London. With this brilliant debut, CocknBullKid has emerged from a creative cocoon with a suite of bright, breezy an...

CocknBullKid is poised and ready to take on 2011 and what better way to kick things off than with the massive single ‘Hold On to Your Misery’?   We all know and cherish Miss Anita Blay – from early one off 7”’s exciting the senses, her potential to grow from coolness of the underground to a true pop sensation has always been huge. Now she’s up there with the new crop of truly exciting and talented British girls and boy, has it been worth the wait. Where 2010 was all about the planning, the writing, the studio, the touring (with Marina & Kele just lately to name but a couple), this year holds big things for CocknBullKid. Following ‘One Eye Closed’ which enjoyed superb radio support at R1, 6 Music, XFM, NME and Q, ‘Hold On To Your Misery’ is an out and out smash of a pop song, whilst retaining that distinctive cool and sassy CocknBullKid sound. It’s what Blay calls 'an anti-anthem'. "It's about stopping putting so much value on being happy. When I'm happy, things...

As The Drums begin their inaugural tour of their homeland in September, they’re delighted to announce they will return to the UK this winter with a headline tour, and release double A-side single featuring live favourite, ‘Me and the Moon’ and ‘Down By The Water’ on December 13th. The single and nearly sold out UK tour, look set to cap a remarkable 12 months for The Drums. Last week the band was nominated for “Best New Act” at the Q Awards 2010, which followed the news the band were voted NME’s “Best New Festival Band” (polling 25% of their readers’ votes) – the latter coming after a succession of thrilling UK festival shows including Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds, T in the Park, Oxegen and their support slot with Kings of Leon at Hyde Park, London. After selling out their first London Forum show almost immediately, a second show has been announced on Wednesday 24th November. UK headline tour dates: Wednesday 24th November - London HMV Forum ** SOLD OUT ** Thursday 25th November - Lon...

The Drums began their inaugural tour of their homeland in September and are now delighted to announce they will return to the UK this winter with a headline tour, and release double A-sided single featuring live favourite, ‘Me and the Moon’ and ‘Down By The Water’ on December 13th . The single and nearly sold out UK tour, look set to cap a remarkable 12 months for The Drums. Last week the band was nominated for “Best New Act” at the Q Awards 2010, which followed the news the band were voted NME’s “Best New Festival Band” (polling 25% of their readers’ votes) – the latter coming after a succession of thrilling UK festival shows including Glastonbury, Reading/Leeds, T in the Park, Oxegen and their support slot with Kings of Leon at Hyde Park, London. After selling out their first London Forum show almost immediately, a second show has been announced on Wednesday 24th November. UK headline tour dates: Wednesday 24th November - London HMV Forum ** SOLD OUT ** Thursday 25th November...