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That was my Reeperbahn Festival 2023

Looking forward to something like mad and then it swooshes past and you sadly see the back of it already: Those are the events that keep us going and there will surely be a next time. This year's Reeperbahn Festival was such an occasion. You know that I am not the roughing it in the tent, dabbing myself with wipes and dousing my head with dry shampoo type, so I only ever consider three festivals (of the ones known to me). One is the cosy Bruis Festival in Maastricht/ Netherlands where I can go h

· Alice Peters-Burns · 11 min blog

Reeperbahnfestival 2023

Credit: Christian Hedel Time flies but in this case it is a marvellous thing as we are nearing the annual Reeperbahnfestival 2023. In three weeks' time (20th to 23rd of September) it'll be hitting off and tickets for both the festival and the conference part of it are still available. It is a superlative event in as much as it is the most important European platform for the music industry and also Europe's biggest club festival. The 18th edition will offer interesting insights for the aver

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog

Interview Nina Persson and James Yorkston, Harmonie, Bonn, May 12th 2023

After collaborating on the wonderful album "The Great White Sea Eagle" James Yorkston, The Second Hand Orchestra and Nina Persson bring James Yorkston's latest songs onto a stage surely near you too. I had the fortune to see them on May 12th 2023 in the Harmonie, Bonn, Germany, albeit without The Second Hand Orchestra. It turned out an intimate and ever so tender, beautiful performance not least due to Nina Persson's magical voice. Thank you ever so much, Nina and James, for taking the time too

· Alice Peters-Burns · 22 min blog

The Burning Hell, Gebäude 9, Cologne, Germany, May 9, 2023

It has been a while, I admit it freely. There have been post-lockdown concert but I have not written about them. Not that they weren't any good. (At one of the very first events and also shortly after flooding events in our area, it was Mary Lattimore playing harp, as she does, and loops in a park. I actually cried with the emotion of it). But I did not have much time to write either as I would like to keep my radio shows at the level they are (allegedly, according to some very kind followers) a

· Alice Peters-Burns · 5 min blog
Album review: First Tiger - Dedicated
review

Album review: First Tiger - Dedicated

Happy New Year to you all! I know – what is it but a fracture of time that divides the new from the old in some parts of the world only. And yet, the greeting is expected and willingly given by me to all those who are more than deserving of a happy new year and who will contribute to make it one for those surrounding them – which is a great start. As always, music will play a big part in the life of those who read this. So here it comes: The first album review: First Tiger – Dedicated. “Ded

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog Dedicated
Minor Victories Interview
interview

Minor Victories Interview

Collaborations you would find many in the music scene. The best are naturally those that were not initiated for commercial reasons but because of the incentive of the musicians themselves. In the case of Minor Victories we were surprised by an initially casual idea for two artists collaborating turning into a whole band releasing a great self-titled album – a treasure trove of diverse and yet distinctive songs. Minor Victories have been taking their songs to the stage since this summer and Offbe

· Alice Peters-Burns · 10 min blog Editors
First Tiger

First Tiger

The tremendous band First Tiger were already introduced in this blog. You can experience them live with loads of new songs as sugarcoating at the Glad Café, Glasgow, on December 3rd, 2015. Now, don’t miss it, wish I was there. Get your tickets here First Tiger have just finished recording their first album with Glasgow producer Stuart McCredie, who has worked with some great names in Scottish music (Belle & Sebastian, Texas, The Blue Nile, The Fratellis). The record has been mastered by Calu

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
Dave Heumann Interview, Cologne, Nov 17th 2015

Dave Heumann Interview, Cologne, Nov 17th 2015

Dave Heumann of Baltimore’s Arbouretum (fans, don’t fret, they have written songs after a year’s hiatus) did a beautiful solo album named “Here In The Deep” (Thrill Jockey). He is currently on tour in Europe with his fabulous touring band consisting of Matthew Pierce of Arbouretum on keyboards and Alex Neilson (drums) and Alasdair C. Mitchell (bass) of Trembling Bells. The gig I attended in Cologne’s cosy lovely King Georg club was really intimate and the band were both having a great time and

· Alice Peters-Burns · 6 min blog
Concert review, Kurt Vile, Cologne, Nov 12th 2015

Concert review, Kurt Vile, Cologne, Nov 12th 2015

This blog has featured Kurt Vile before and praised him and his music – especially with regard to his long-time fellow musicians and friends The War On Drugs. Musically they have parted ways some years back and developed in different directions. The War On Drugs became big as their music became more opulent and refined with “Lost In The Dream” whereas Kurt Vile trundled on with his music, very much Philadelphia based and the odd smaller tour. There is no animosity, on the contrary: Kurt Vile

· Alice Peters-Burns · 4 min blog

Gig review Ryley Walker, Michael Chapman @Reflektor, Liège, Belgium, 29th Oct 15

Reflektor is a fairly new concert hall in Liège, Belgium and it is great in so many ways: Located in a nice old square slap bang in the city centre, car parks just beside it, terrace outside, great pub with food at the venue. There is also a burger van outside when concerts are on with great choices. The venue is medium-sized and boasts great acoustics – what more do you want? Oh, a good agenda maybe? They have it. For October 29th, Ryley Walker was announced, bringing his acid folk on tour af

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min blog
November news: Ummagma, Aquino, Ben K Taggart

November news: Ummagma, Aquino, Ben K Taggart

November is the dark month, the sad month, the foggy month, or so. For music lovers it can be sheer bliss though, with the gigs calendar hotting up to boiling point and of course so many new releases. I’d like to quickly shoutout a few of those brand-new releases: Ummagma Ever wondered why we in Europe are amazed at all the shoegaze and dream pop turning up in the American continent or in the east of the world? Is it coming late there, whereas in Europe we are already looking for the next

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min blog
Autumn News Pt. 2: Mercies

Autumn News Pt. 2: Mercies

Why am I only letting you know about this now? This should have been New Year’s news. Simply, because I only came across the band in early summer and autumn is the time for releases and concerts i.e. a very busy time musicwise. During this busy time there was however one band always on mind or ears: [Mercies](https://www.merciesmu300x300.jpg)](GHOST_URL/content/images/2015/10/10845575_841048105943112_1563187750434597984_o.jpg) Josh Rheault, Sammy Dent and Jordan Flower released “Blue Against G

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
More Glaswegian sounds: JD Allan

More Glaswegian sounds: JD Allan

JD Allan is a musician from Glasgow and exemplifies the music scene in Glasgow. Hard-working, classic rock and blues roots and no bling! JD Allan might be remembered for being in Glaswegian band The Blimp together with his brother from 1998 onwards. The brothers had been making music together since the beginning of that decade. Flustered by quite a few line-up changes in the beginning and onwards a lot of bans of their released material due to the use of swear words, alleged reference to dru

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
The Soap Girls - fast and furious!

The Soap Girls - fast and furious!

The Soap Girls are releasing a new album called “Calls For Rebellion” and from what I have heard of it, they take no prisoners. Fast, furious, raw and fresh Mie and Millie offer you a mix of alternative, rock, punk, post grunge with a touch of pop. Keep your eyes peeled for this album as well as the announcements for their (here comes more good news) European tour! You will have plenty of opportunities to see them all through autumn. Originally from Paris, France, The Soap Girls now reside i

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
Yaya Club - Debut Album "Love Songs For Small Dogs"

Yaya Club - Debut Album "Love Songs For Small Dogs"

Darren Vincent’s aka Yaya Club’s love songs might be directed at small dogs but I can assure you, you will feel all touched by them in a big way. (As much as I cherish the idea by the way, that someone should really write love songs for small dogs, Yaya Club, I suppose, had us all 300x300.jpg)](GHOST_URL/content/images/2015/09/11987017_1120597797970110_1858859910185412103_n.jpg) First things first: Yaya Club was already introduced in this blog. He now has his debut album finished. It will be r

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min blog
Warehouse Eyes New EP "Prisms" Out July 12th!

Warehouse Eyes New EP "Prisms" Out July 12th!

Minneapolis’ Warehouse Eyes were already introduced in this blog, right here. Finally, their long-awaited EP “Prisms” will be released July 12th, 2015. It is well worth having waited for! And there is more good news: The first single “I Think I Can Live With It” was released a couple of days back and boasts a great video too, both of which you can enjoy below! Christopher Williams and Jennie Lawless are the original core (and remain so) of Warehouse Eyes that also comprises Matt Vannelli (guit

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
The War On Drugs Live in Cologne

The War On Drugs Live in Cologne

Some of us do not like to attend festivals (with the exception of small, cosy festivals in nice surroundings and good food and an interested audience such as La Truite Magique in Belgium). Reasons are manyfold: Too expensive, too big, too filthy, too much of everything really. Plus, the gig you would really like to see on a particular festival will draw a certain amount of very tired, very drunk and very not bothered with that particular music at all people. So it comes as no surprise as I fin

· Alice Peters-Burns · 5 min blog
First Tiger - New Music From Glasgow

First Tiger - New Music From Glasgow

The music scene in Glasgow/UK is huge compared to the actual number of inhabitants. Is there something in the water? Or is it really due to the fact that the weather is so vile, that there is not much else to do but to play music? It might have been the decade long industrial decay that – as in so many cities in the North of the UK – has spawned football clubs and music. Or the heritage. Or the sheer flow of creativity. Thankfully, this flow does not seem to end. First up, First Tiger. In thei

· Alice Peters-Burns · 3 min blog
TOBBAS - fresh music from Sweden

TOBBAS - fresh music from Sweden

Possibly Swedish musicians create during the long dark days of winter. If so, their music, I would suppose, up to 80 per cent, sounds surprisingly light. But the dark is hidden somewhere, I keep looking for it while I am trying to not loose track of all the new artists hailing from Sweden. Dear readers, we should certainly keep a close eye and ear on TOBBAS. TOBBAS just released an EP called Lesson 8 and a new music video for the song “Spider Spider”. I will keep the goodies until the end of t

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog
Down The Rabbit Hole Festival

Down The Rabbit Hole Festival

As an Alice I should feel an instant connection to a festival called “Down The Rabbit Hole” and I do but it is more than recommendable for non-Alices too! Taking place in the Groene Heuvels, a recreation area (with huge lake!) in Beuningen, Netherlands from the 26th to the 28th of June 2015 this is a festival that is not brash and loud and hectic and stressful: You can swim, walk in the forest, enjoy nature, wine and dine and simply enjoy the vibes! There will be plenty of surprises awaiting y

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
La Truite Magique - The Sweetest Festival

La Truite Magique - The Sweetest Festival

Update: The schedule is up on the website of La Truite Magique! The following acts have been added to already very varied and interesting bill: God Damm, Het Zesde Metaal, Douglas Firs, Rob Heron & Tea Pad Orchestra, Man-O-Phone, Yellowstrap, Hidden Charms, Lili Grace and Tiny Legs Tim! Now, I am normally not a festival goer and this has nothing to do with old age…never liked them much, unless they offer music I simply cannot resist all bundled onto one festival terrain as is the case for

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog
The Dead Good and The Vicious Guns

The Dead Good and The Vicious Guns

I have been wanting to write about The Dead Good for a long time and now I finally get around to it. Just as I thought that pairing them in this blog with The Vicious Guns would be a good idea, the two bands being inspired by many the same influences but expressing it quite contrary. The Dead Good I know a bit longer and so they get featured in the title photo. You see The Dead Good and you are shaking in your boots – you hear them and you are on the floor! (Actually, you talk to them, and t

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
The Echo And The Sound

The Echo And The Sound

Having a first name that is popular in music, can be a curse or a blessing. I regard it as a blessing even if the “Alices” seem to be either very confused or mildly threatening or straight out frightening or frightened. I am usually none of these but yet I welcome dearly another “Alice” song, i.e. I welcome another great band: The Echo And The Sound. The Echo And The Sound are just a two-piece, guitar and drums – Brian Rich and Douglas Jewell. They are located in Los Angeles, California, even

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog

Manchester: Puppet Rebellion and The Rubys

I have got you my precious…the keyboard is mine…so, quick…let me say something about TWO bands. Both come from Manchester, one of the UK’s big musical cities. And Manchester, let us be quite concise does not only mean Oasis (no, I am not in a huff because Noel Gallagher called Brussels boring the other day, not at all at all) – it means Joy Division, The Smiths and (so important to moi): Durutti Column. I have already introduced Orphan Boy from Manchester (well, residing in Manchester) to you.

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
Folk from London Part 4 Claudia Heidegger

Folk from London Part 4 Claudia Heidegger

I know, I know, this was going to be three-parter on the London folk scene or rather a pick from the wide range of artists that thrive there. But of course there is a good reason to extend this mini-series and her name is Claudia Heidegger. When she contacted me and elaborated how she likes to tackle heavy subjects and above all religion and spirituality, I was, I confess, a little, overwhelmed. But this is no evangelist, far from it. Claudia Heidegger actually had a problem with institutional

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog
Folk from London Part 3 Apples I'm Home

Folk from London Part 3 Apples I'm Home

So, we had the world music, pop-oriented side of folk with Nou Enle (see part 1) with some indie thrown in for good measure and the dark, wild side of folk from Wyldeck (see part 2). Here come Apples I’m home and what a great name that is. I still wonder, has it something to do with a certain famous, now uncoupled couple, residing in London, greeting their daughter on return to home? Fill me in! (Ah, tutting noise in the background…could it be a song title by Adam Green, too? :-)) Apples I’m

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog
Folk from London Part 2 Wyldeck

Folk from London Part 2 Wyldeck

As I was saying yesterday (in case you did not read or do not remember, tsk tsk :-)): Pick one genre of music and one city, and you will not find two bands the same. And that is a good thing, because you will not be able to rely on comparisons, you’ll have to go out and listen to music, see artists. Today, I would like to present you with a darker side of folk – taadaa: Wyldeck. They are Cece Wyldeck (vocals and guitar), Dom Cheung (lead guitar), Jacob Hollebon (Bass) & Dave Churchyard (Drums)

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
Folk from London Part 1 Nou Enle

Folk from London Part 1 Nou Enle

Serves me right for cleaning the windows as the glorious sunshine had shown them in a rather unfavourable light…ten minutes later a hailstorm of massive proportions descended on us. So, really, who does not need something heart-warming now? Thanks to The Unthanks (are they regretting their surname yet?), a folk revival is predicted and yes, there is plenty of folk music around. Now, if I title this post “Folk from London”, spot the irony as there is no such thing as one “folk music” and all

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
Roadkill Ghost Choir

Roadkill Ghost Choir

Our local singer-songwriter Skoob who is also a coach for emerging bands for our region as well as being part of five bands if I am counting correctly, thus a musician and music lover through and through, claimed the other day that as we get older we all start liking Americana. Well, for me this is certainly true. Is it about the world closing in as you get older that you long for freedom, wide open roads, getting away from it all, starting all over again? Is it that you long for that warmth u

· Alice Peters-Burns · 2 min blog
Neal Hoffmann (Amphibic)

Neal Hoffmann (Amphibic)

When I ventured out into the rain this afternoon, I caught soundbites of the neighbour’s daughter happily singing along to a karaoke backtrack in that kind of vocal that suits the casting shows but not necessarily the singer. She thinks, she is going to be a star. Bless her. I try not to sound too sarcastic but it does take a lot more than that, and luck. True, in all unfairness, it only takes luck for some. And those who put in a lot of work, talent, craftmanship, go without. I wish this wo

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
The Weekend People

The Weekend People

If music comes my way that says “from Melbourne, Australia” I am, admittedly – not very objectively – already raising thumbs. This very cauldron of great music has cooked up another great band – The Weekend People. They describe themselves as such: Alt-country tinged indie rock swagger. Somewhat unhinged live performances. Nice lyrics, if a little dark at times. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Originally The Weekend People were just Mark Woodward (no relation to Jay who features in this blog,

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
CAIRO

CAIRO

The indie gran (yep, me) is in a right narky mood today. Ah, the old times were so much better. When we still had to go to an actual record store (preferably 8 km away on a bike in the freezing cold) and rifle through the records and communicate (indeed) with people in the store on what kind of music they buy. None of that “other customers who bought also bought…” nonsense. We talked. And oh dear, if you missed the name of the band or the title on the radio, tough, no online playlists, no, heave

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
J.P. Kallio

J.P. Kallio

On days like these, having just returned from a close to four hours carnival’s parade with lots of singing, dancing and bending down to pick up sweets, minding that the wig and feather eyelashes don’t come off, I often wonder where other people take their energy from. One springs to mind especially and that is musician J.P. Kallio originally from Finland who lives in Dublin, Ireland. He has his roots in punk music (did I read that right?), picked up Irish traditional music like a breeze and is

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog
The Unthanks

The Unthanks

Having been out to watch the Carnival’s Sunday parade (the big one of approximately 4 hours duration is tomorrow, yikes), I am already in serious need of some soothing, beautiful music – such as music by The Unthanks. Sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank’s new album “Mount the Air” is deservedly getting praised in all the high places, so who am I to comment. Especially when you also have Martin Freeman and Robert Wyatt saying wonderful things about you? But I would simply like to express my thanks

· Alice Peters-Burns · 1 min blog