Offbeat Music

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Coming soon...Reeperbahnfestival

Coming soon...Reeperbahnfestival

While Offbeat finds that the summer slump in the music industry does not really exist anymore, it has to be said that individual gigs are giving way to festivals during the summer and releases take place in September – we are getting fed album teasers until then. And yes, Offbeat was having a wee summer slumber as well…time flew by. But soon the posts will be flying out the window again. Before that I would like to draw your attention, if you would be so kind, to one the finest festivals ev

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min Hamburg reeperbahnfestival
Perpacity's new album "The order of Now" - exclusive review

Perpacity's new album "The order of Now" - exclusive review

In the blistering heat today, I enjoyed two things that cooled me down and chilled me out even and no, I did not laze about in a pool and no-one was serving me exotic, tongue-tingling cocktails or fanning me air. But close – I went for a great hike along a river and was given an exclusive first listen to The order of Now – new album by Perpacity. At least on the latter journey I can now take you with me. But let us start at the beginning, way back in time. When I was very young, synth pop came

· Alice Peters-Burns · 4 min Ian Harling Martin Nyrup
Recommended: New albums by Elkhorn, Mary Lattimore and Prana Crafter

Recommended: New albums by Elkhorn, Mary Lattimore and Prana Crafter

Oh, I haven’t been here for a while if you’ll forgive me. So, very quickly, I’d like to share some new releases with you. Make no mistake, the following albums are not to be listened to on the go or even in separate pieces/tracks. They can and they will stand that test but contrary to today’s fashion, these are albums that should be enjoyed as a whole and in peace and quiet and they will reward you manifold with undiscovered worlds of their own. Please feel free and enter. Recommended: New album

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min Cardinal Fuzz Eiderdown Records
An interview with Mick Flannery
interview

An interview with Mick Flannery

Mick Flannery hails from Blarney, Co. Cork, Ireland. For reasons that he reveals at his concerts, he has not kissed the Blarney Stone and might not have gained the gift of the gab, i.e. would not call himself talkative. Still, I can prove he can talk because here it is: An interview with Mick Flannery. Generally though, thankfully he pours all his wordsmithery into his songs that are acutely observed and razor-sharply worded held up by an uncanny talent for the melancholic and sometimes angry tu

· Alice Peters-Burns · 14 min bluegracemusic I Own You
Nap Eyes, one of Canada's finest - an interview
interview

Nap Eyes, one of Canada's finest - an interview

Nap Eyes, one of Canada’s finest – an interview, on the occasion of the band being on tour in Europe and the UK and presenting their latest album “‘I’m Bad Now” (You’ve Changed, Paradise Of Bachelors, Jagjaguwar) to the eager audience. Because as much as you can sit at home and delve into the lyrics of wordsmith Nigel Chapman, an abundance of introspective, reflective, self-deprecating, funny and elegant and simply informative lines and a few on the big picture…As much as you can admire the

· Alice Peters-Burns · 9 min I'm Bad Now Jagjaguwar
interview

James Elkington, finally touring his solo album in Europe

James Elkington used to be the frontman of the much-loved The Zincs. There is simply no way you could not have come across his work – he contributed his stylish guitar work (and other musical touches) to countless works of artists and bands alike or played with them live. To name but a few: Richard Thompson, Steve Gunn, Laetitia Sadier, Tweedy, Brokeback, Eleventh Dream Day, Tara Jane O’Neil. The list is indeed endless. The year 2017 finally saw him getting around to put the finishing touches

· Alice Peters-Burns · 15 min Cologne James Elkington
festival

Little Waves @ C-Mine, Genk, 2018 - a feast of a festival

Much looked forward to, our annual family outing to one of the finest festivals I know is already over and done with again. Last Saturday saw us driving excitedly to the C-Mine in Genk, Belgium, a former mine building, now converted to part museum, part art exhibition centre and part very fine venues to enjoy this year’s Little Waves @ C-Mine, Genk, 2018 – a feast of a festival. The fun starts when you arrive: Plenty of free parking, a short stroll to the building that houses the venues, a fri

· Alice Peters-Burns · 5 min Bed Rugs Blitzen Trapper

Spring has sprung

Spring has sprung – finally after a late and icy winter here. Just in time for some beautiful new music releases to accompany the sounds, smells and sights of the lushness around you. Hope you can enjoy some of the most optimistic season’s benefits and I can contribute to your joie vivre with the following releases: Modern Studies Modern Studies consists of accomplished musicians Emily Scott (vocals, organs, piano, double bass), Rob St. John (vocals, guitars, synths, harmonium, tape loops),

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min Cardinal Fuzz Fire Records

Backmask Records, Haley Heynderickx, Dropkick & Fox Food Records

The “beast from the east” is blowing but that should be no excuse not to venture outside and enjoy the beautiful winter weather for me but alas as I was reading in my favourite armchair, my body was reclaiming lost sleep. The least I can do now is to put pen to paper (or so) and share with you some new discoveries. The following I would like to introduce to you today: Backmask Records, Haley Heynderickx, Dropkick & Fox Food Records. Backmask Records Early this year the wonderful musicians

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min Backmask Records Dropkick
Jeff Tweedy & James Elkington, Vicar Street, Dublin, Jan 30th

Jeff Tweedy & James Elkington, Vicar Street, Dublin, Jan 30th

Jeff Tweedy elaborates duly when someone from the audience hollers: “What’s with the long hair, Jeff?”. Basically the Wilco front man and tonight solo performer has not cut it since the US election. He finds it highly uncomfortable, in fact he hates having long hair. But seeing that so many people suffer in the US in the current situation and Jeff Tweedy regards himself as privileged, the least he could do was trying to find a way to feel uncomfortable too. This exchange took place on the evenin

· Alice Peters-Burns · 4 min Dublin James Elkington

Into the new year

Wishing you all happy holidays here from the Offbeat hub, hope you are having a great time! Not happy with your presents? Needing some light in those dark winter days? Some incentive for the new year to come? I might just have the cure for you! At the very end of the old and well-worn year, some fine new releases for you that you might have overlooked in all the hullabaloo. So there we go, some quick recommendations this evening…into the new year. Austin & Elliott Lisa Austin and Chris El

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min Austin & Elliott Brigid Mae Power
Public Service Broadcasting Interview, Yuca, Cologne, Nov 26th
interview

Public Service Broadcasting Interview, Yuca, Cologne, Nov 26th

After two albums and an EP (“Inform-Educate-Entertain”, “The Race For Space” and “The War Room”), all of which were setting audio footage (and visuals on stage) from public information films to driven synth music plus guitars, banjo and drums, resulting in a feast for the ears with an optimistic, sometimes of course ironic undertone, Public Service Broadcasting released “Every Valley” (PIAS). Now, I for my part, liked the other albums but their third oeuvre I love to bits. “Every Valley” is a ch

· Alice Peters-Burns · 15 min Cologne Every Valley