Bye Bye Astoria..

From a stupid new building that might get built to a nice old one that's going to get knocked down...

London's legendary Astoria has closed its doors for the last time, soon to be demolished to make way for a shiny new station as part of the massive Crossrail project.

While I'm not overly sentimental, and I'm all for major public transport improvements (take note, Sydney..) and while the Astoria was basically falling apart anyway, it does seem a shame that another of London's historical small-to-medium sized venues has gone to the wall, following the recent closures of The Highbury Garage, The Hammersmith Palais (as in the Clash song), and The Spitz, among others.

Bloggers all over the place are sharing stories about why The Astoria was so great and the amazing gigs they saw there. I only went twice, but both times (for My Morning Jacket and The Polyphonic Spree) rank up there with my all time favourite shows. It was a good size, with good sound, lots of charm and it was easy to get home afterwards. We can only hope that the planned replacement can retain some of the old Astoria's magic.

Justice is in the House

In 1959 the call went out for designs to rebuilt West Berlin’s Kaiser-Wilhelm Church, the winning design was a hideous master piece of concrete steel and glass.

In 2009 Planda (a bunch of cashed up european designers) have the drawn up plans for a crucifix bearing building that might just beat the Kaiser-Wilhelm for ugliness.

The Palais de Justice is based on the cross graphic on the cover of French disco-rock band Justice’s debut album † and will feature a bar, movie theatre, studio, salon, pool and of course a cave.

Here is the plan:


GENESIS † HOUSE from PLANDA on Vimeo.


One can only imagine what might have happened had Justice (and Planda) been around 40 years ago.

Who's Gonna Save My Democracy?

Around this time last year the Bawley crew were left scratching their heads and somewhat disappointed by the results of the world’s largest public music poll, now it is time to make amends.

Voting in the triple j hottest 100 is open now, do us proud. Vote here.

(PS: Act quickly as voting closes on the 18th Jan)

(PPS: Be sure to write down who you voted for, you will need to know this to take part in the famous Bawley How mainstream am I? Quiz – last years results)

New Phoenix album has a title and release season

French band Phoenix have been working on the follow up to their 2006 release It’s Never Been Like That with Philippe Zdar of Cassius fame behind the desk on production/mixing duties.

The album will be released in the northern spring and will have the title Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix.

If the sweet sounds streaming on the bands website are anything to go by it should be one of the years more delicious albums.

400GB of NIN Tour Footage

In 2008, three Nine Inch Nails concerts were recorded in High Def video with the intention of making a 3D feature movie documenting the awesome Lights In the Sky tour. Record company issues got in the way of that plan.

Now, ‘someone’ has leaked the HD footage to the internet, with the hope that fans will pick up the material and make something more of it. These dudes seem to have a head start on most.

I have yet to edit my own wedding footage so I don’t think I will be taking up the challenge, but here are the torrent files if you have time and disk space to spare.

Victoria (125 GB)
Portland (167 GB)
Sacramento (112 GB)

New music: 5 for 2009

Here are five fairly randomly chosen new acts from around the world (I'm defining 'new' as 'haven't released a debut album yet') that it might be worth keeping an eye out for in 2009. Or not. Who knows? their albums might all be rubbish. We'll have to wait and see....

5. Soko

Slightly mental French singer Soko first emerged last year with that 'I'll Kill Her' song (number 5 in last year's Bawley 100) and judging by her Myspace, there's a bit more where that came from. She's apparently working on her debut album. Myspace

4. Jason Lytle

This one's a bit of a cheat, because Jason Lytle had been making music for ages as Grandaddy's frontman. But his debut solo album is due next year, and word has it, it's going to be up there with his best work. But they always say that. Myspace (see also: Sew Low Owl Bum)

3. Sui Zhen

Australian singer songwriter Sui Zhen has been playing a lot around Sydney recently, with her excellent band. With a voice somewhere between Joanna Newsome and Feist, and some great quirky indie-pop tunes, her debut, should be one to look out for in 09. Myspace.

2. Little Boots.

One of the many 'girls with synths' that are popping up all over the place at the moment and should be a big feature of the coming year. Little Boots has been working with Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor to create some great wonky electro pop. Download a brilliant 45 minute long mixtape from her myspace.

1. Mumford & Son

Peers of the likes of Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn and the like, This painfully shy four piece do "Folk/Bluegrass/Afrobeat" very well. Really good songs, too. Myspace

Chart Topping and New Year Gifts

Nine Inch Nails have found surprise year end chart success, their experimental instrumental album Ghosts I-IV helping them top the 2008 Amazon download chart.

In 2008 the band also released The Slip as a free download, giving greater proof that downloads don’t kill sales.

Perhaps to celebrate this success the band have promised fans a new year gift, watch www.nin.com or Bawley for details.