Subscribe:
RSS feed
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
She’s been compared to Edith Piaf, and her fan base includes Brian Eno and Nick Cave. The New Statesman talks politics, music and feminism with Anna Calvi. written for New Statesman Anna Calvi’s sumptuous self-titled debut saw her catapulted from relative unknown to one of the most respected artists in music. Released in 2011, it […]
May 31, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman The Mercury Music Prizewinners talk to Rob Pollard. Rarely has a debut album made such an impression on UK listeners. An Awesome Wave, Alt-J’s brilliant first full length release, scooped the prestigious Mercury Music Prize last year, and this week was awarded an Ivor Novello for Best Album. […]
May 16, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman British Sea Power‘s Yan speaks to the New Statesman about music, politics and Grand Designs Australia. British Sea Power remain on the outskirts of British popular culture, despite being one of the most interesting bands of the last decade. Their brand of music defies definite categorisation, and as […]
May 16, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman South London is a fascinating area of England. It has a rich cultural history, and was the birthplace of many iconic people: from David Bowie and Rio Ferdinand, to Ken Livingstone and Daniel Day-Lewis. Despite this, South London is often viewed negatively. Sneered at for its perceived social […]
March 8, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Johnny Marr was one half of the most influential British songwriting partnership of all time. In May 1982, inspired by how Leiber & Stoller met, Marr approached fellow Mancunian Morrissey to convince him that they should write songs together. It was the start of one of the most […]
February 10, 2013
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Formed in 2007 by University of Salford students Jonathan Higgs, Jeremy Pritchard, Michael Spearman and Alex Niven (since replaced by Alex Robertshaw), Everything Everything have established themselves as one of Britain’s premier indie bands. Their debut album, Man Alive, was nominated for the 2011 Mercury Music Prize, and […]
December 12, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Rob Pollard interviews Yeasayer’s Chris Keating Earlier this year, Brooklyn band Yeasayer released their third studio album, and this week they finished their latest UK tour. They are a band that have consistently evolved their sound since their breakthrough in 2007. Their debut LP, All Hour Cymbals, was […]
December 10, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman – photograph by William Ellis Rob Pollard speaks to the former Joy Division and New Order bassist. Peter Hook was the bass player and founding member of Manchester’s influential post-punk band Joy Division. After the death of their iconic lead singer Ian Curtis, the remaining members went on […]
December 10, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman Rob Pollard interviews one of the world’s most renowned music photographers. Kevin Cummins is one of the world’s most renowned music photographers. He has photographed David Bowie, Morrissey, Mark E. Smith, The Happy Mondays and Patti Smith, as well as working as an NME photographer from 1977-1997. However, […]
October 23, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for New Statesman During the middle of the last decade, British indie music had become artistically void. It was incredibly popular and sales were high, but bands were bereft of ideas and their output had become depressingly predictable. Thankfully, that nadir sparked a shift, with a new breed of intelligent, articulate […]
October 1, 2012
written by Rob Pollard for Leeds Festival How important do you feel BBC Introducing has been in helping to launch your music career? I think it’s helped loads actually. I just found it on a website and I thought ‘why has no one told me about this before’? You just upload your music and it […]
September 5, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for High Voltage Rarely has a debut album been met with as much fanfare as Alt-J’s An Awesome Wave. Critics have been falling over one another to trumpet the record, whilst tickets for their shows have been swallowed up by a growing loyal fanbase who are dedicated to their experimental and […]
August 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Leeds Festival Three albums in and Bombay Bicycle Club have established themselves as one of the most innovative purveyors of UK indie music. Each album has seen them attempt new sounds, meaning they remain fresh and challenging for the listener. We caught up with Jamie MacColl and Ed Nash backstage […]
August 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Festival Republic Gallows have had an interesting career trajectory thus far. Initially signed to Warner Brothers, they were subsequently dropped by the label mid-deal. They’ve also undergone the biggest possible change to a line-up, with Wade MacNeil replacing Frank Carter as lead singer of the band. All this appears to […]
August 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Leeds Festival The Maccabees are one of the biggest bands at Leeds this year. They headlined the NME/Radio 1 Stage on Saturday for what was one of the finest moments of this year’s festival. We caught up with Felix White and Orlando Weeks backstage prior to their show to get […]
July 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Festival Republic Deap Vally talk all things Zeppelin, magic potions and pedals Deap Vally are a blues-rock outfit from the San Fernando Valley in southern California. Comprised of guitarist and vocalist Lindsey Troy and drummer Julie Edwards, Deap Vally make a big sound that is garnering attention. We caught up […]
July 27, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for Festival Republic King Charles may only have one album to his name but he has made a huge impression. This year, he played Latitude Festival for the first time and a packed-out i Arena tent proved his indie-inspired folk is the perfect soundtrack to the summer. We caught up with […]
April 17, 2012
written by Rob Pollard – an edited version originally appeared in New Statesman Stewart Lee, Martin Parr and Hayden Thorpe discuss the coalition’s policy for the arts. With growing opposition to the proposed NHS reforms, and increasing uncertainty of the government’s economic policy, it is clear that David Cameron is floundering. As his health secretary […]
February 25, 2012
written by Robert Pollard for New Statesman William Ellis talks us through some his finest portraits. What makes a great portrait is open to conjecture. The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize, showcased at the National Portrait Gallery, is a fine example of the subtleties and nuances of a meaningful portrait. Each shot is not just technically […]
August 9, 2010
written by Robert Pollard for High Voltage Yeasayer have had a breathless start to life as a band. Their live performances and two studio albums have received high praise from music critics and they have an ever-increasing fan base. High Voltage caught up with singer and multi instrumentalist Anand Wilder to get his thoughts on […]
Passions Just Like Mine 
September 25, 2013
0