Friday 29 July 2011

Mike Joyce introduces "Jesus Christ"

When I first started listening to The Smiths, I didn't think I'd ever hear Mike Joyce on the radio, introducing a song that I wrote in a dingy one room studio above a transvestites club. But it happened, and here's the proof and now nobody can take it away from me, so there.

 Mike Joyce 6Music by Joseph Coward 

Thursday 28 July 2011

Work

I haven't blogged nearly enough - or at all, actually - over the past week or so, but hopefully making a new record and travelling up to St Helens are good enough excuses for my e-absence.

The recording at EVE Studios went about as well as it possibly could have, everybody is very pleased with the takes Tim, Jim and I got down. Mixing is next.



The people at The Citadel in St Helens found me suitably bemusing.

Wednesday 20 July 2011

"Jesus Christ" video

Below is a video filmed by Nik Void for my new single, "Jesus Christ". It was shot in a dark studio, in a warehouse in Seven Sisters. In it, I am holding a big strip light.  Please leave your comments, I'd like to know what you make of it.

Tuesday 19 July 2011

John Maus

I know he's everywhere at the moment and people who aren't particularly interested in him will be quite bored of hearing about him, but I do think the attention John Maus is currently getting is merited, I think he's an important artist.

I first heard of him when a friend played me 2006's Songs on a long cross-country car journey, I remember being particularly struck by the extraordinary vocal production Maus had employed throughout the record.

I lifted the video below from the Pitchfork.tv site; clips of a live performance and a very interesting interview.

Monday 11 July 2011

(Small) Fanfare

My debut single, the AA 7" "Jesus Christ/Worry Wart" is available from today. You can order your copy from Rough Trade, Piccadilly Records or directly from the source at the O Genesis shop.

I almost didn't want to post about the record today because of the frequency with which I've already talked about it, but I suppose I'm in some way obliged to and it is, as they say, my party. But it occurs to me now that, while I've talked a lot about the release of the record and where it's available from, I haven't really talked too much about the songs themselves.

I suppose there might be some level of curiosity with regards to the content of the A side, "Jesus Christ" because of the obvious religious connotations but don't worry, I'm not a religious fanatic. I used to be. But I'm not any more.

The song explores a little bit of my Bible-thumping past but the Christ theme is mostly a metaphor for something... entirely different. You figure it out.

(Oh and thank you to everybody who came to the 1234 after party and ignored me on Saturday, I very much enjoyed being shouted over by a couple of hundred drunk people.)

Thursday 7 July 2011

Monday 4 July 2011

Last call for the 1234

Only four days until the 1234 Festival, featuring Lydia Lunch, Black Lips, Raveonettes and Electricity In Our Homes. I will be playing the after party at the Old Blue Last.

Click here for full details of the party, featuring my label mates Replicas as well as Brown Brogues; DJ sets from Hatcham Social and Tim Burgess.

I'll be onstage at about 10.30PM, don't be late. Entry is free.

New, from The Horrors

As before, The Horrors have decided to stream their forthcoming record online using a specially designed widget, which I've embedded below.

I think it's a great listen; the band have done a perfect job of cementing themselves in the collective consciousness of the national music scene by releasing consistently good yet understated records, and often keeping an enigmatic and dignified silence. Nice blokes, too.

Give this a few runs, it's a grower. Here's Skying.


Friday 1 July 2011

Carter//Tutti// Void

Below is a video, shot in May of this year, of Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti performing as Carter Tutti, their long-time side project that, for about three decades, paralleled with Throbbing Gristle's career.

A great video because as well as featuring Chris and Cosey and their menacing industrial sound, my friend and manager Nik Void of the brilliant Factory Floor makes a guest appearance on guitar.

(Credit to YouTube user robonimal)