Simon Ellis is widely regarded in the music industry as the best tour musical director in the UK and one of the most creative in the world. His work on the 2008 Spice Girls world tour was described as “Genius” by Simon Fuller, creator of American Idol and Pop Idol who was the musical director for the Spice Girl’s reunion tour last year and is now the musical director for Britney Spear’s current world tour.

Ellis penned UK No. 1 smash hits “Don’t stop Moving” and “Never Had A Dream Come True” for S Club 7 for which he earned a Brit and Ivor Novello award.

Simon has written and produced songs for many top artists including John Farnham, Randy Crawford, Emma Bunton, Steps, Hearsay, D Side, Javine, Maria Lawson, S Club 7 and now he’s turned his attention to 18 year old Leigh on Sea songstress, Sheila Lord.

After their first songwriting session which produced the super catchy track “Shoulda Known Better”, Ellis said he was “very impressed” and described Sheila as an, “extremely talented young writer.”

Sheila described the experience in her recent Channel 4 blog. “I was very nervous – Simon Ellis is a serious and very well respected musician in the industry. I couldn’t believe he wanted to work with ME! The songwriting sessions have taught me so much about song structure and the art form of constructing a viable, sellable song. At first I was worried that being commercial meant selling out but working with Simon has really taught me that a marketable song can still have artistic integrity and authenticity. He was an amazing man and it was fantastic to have the opportunity to write with him.”

Bullet Bar Wednesday Showcase – 4th February 2009, 7.30pm – featuring Sheila and the Shy; Fynan; Dirty Chimes; Lights Go Blue
Presented by Aaron Short
147 Kentish Town Road
Camden NW1 8PB
Wednesday Showcase MySpace

Watch Sheila Lord – Channel 4 Year Dot footage

Sheila and The Shy on Music Glue

Sheila and The Shy MySpace

Gigbeth is Birmingham’s biggest celebration of music. From November 6th-8th, 2008, Gigbeth will host a diverse lineup of established artists such as Guillemots, The Young Knives and The Sugarhill Gang alongside breakthrough acts The Keyboard Choir, and Iain Woods, set in the inspirational environs of the Digbeth creative district – like Birmingham’s very own Glastonbury.

Channel4’s 4Talent, which helps the UK’s creative people in TV, comedy, film, documentary, new media and radio find their way through the industry mire, is proud to host a stage at Gigbeth 2008.

The 4Talent Stage at Gigbeth on the 8th November, at the Dragon Bar (Barfly) in Birmingham will feature some of the leading lights of new music in the UK. The lineup includes krautrock noise merchants Einstellung, Oxford-based electronica ensemble Keyboard Choir, The Icarus (noise-hip shoegaze-hop), Brum-based minimalist piano protégé Richard Batsford, classical-meets-grime and dubstep art school terrorist Iain Woods & The Psychologist, plus an IDM/electro DJ set from ace club night Robot vs Dinosaur.

4Talent commissioning editor Catherine Bray will be on hand all evening to take press kits and promo CDs from local bands who would like their music to be considered for use on 4Talent podcasts and videos.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Einstellung

Einstellung have close associations with Digbeth. The band’s rehearsal studio is in the middle of the changing industrial landscape and they are no strangers to the many Digbeth venues.

Andrew Moscardo-Parker (guitar) said:
“There are some great venues around Digbeth – lots of character in all of them and we’ve played many of our gigs in the area. I think it’s really good that Gigbeth focuses around Digbeth – it shows that there are different creative areas in Birmingham”.

Einstellung’s album ‘Wings Of Desire’ (Capsule Recordings) will shortly be released as a double vinyl set in a gatefold sleeve designed by Birmingham artist Lucy McLauchlan (Beat 13).

The Icarus

The ICARUS was born from a need to create music. A need to experiment with lyrics, structure and instrumentation. A need to push convention and explore personal space. In a world where commodity is king, war is conversation and religion is hypocrisy, The ICARUS’ message has never been more urgent.

Having formed in 2007, this electronic outfit have released their debut album ‘Monologues’ to rave reviews, have seen their music used on the forthcoming ‘Bones’ TV advert and have recently performed live on BBC Radio One.

“The Mahavishnu Orchestra for the nauseating noughties.” – The List

Richard Batsford

Fusing the chiming modernism of Reich and Glass with the accessible pop sensibility of Wilson and Simon, Richard Batsford is a true highlight of the Brimingham avant garde scene.

“Inspired by Philip Glass and Steve Reich, his music displays amazing beauty in repetition and minimalism. Definitely a performer to keep your eyes on.” – Evening Mail

Keyboard Choir

Keyboard Choir is the collective name for Ady, Alex, Guy, James, and Seb, 5 musicians who make music with the turbulence and dynamics of traditional ‘ensemble’ performances using only electronic sound sources and ‘found sound’. They have supported the likes of Coldcut, Metronomy, The Egg and F*** Buttons amongst others, and recently were personally invited to perform at Brian Eno’s 60th birthday party.

“Bubbling, analogue bubble-bath synths; resonating passages of lo-fidelity; symphonic splendour; prog-rock song titles. Ladies and gentlemen, we are floating in space. Welcome to the world of the Keyboard Choir.” – Stool Pigeon

“It borders on the celestial” – DiScover Album of the Month, drownedinsound.com

“Timeless electro” – Uncut

Iain Woods & The Psychologist

Former art school student and panic attack-plagued genius Iain will be bringing his unique voice, sound and aesthetic to the stage with the help of scratch DJ Jay Roberts and the ‘Sectioned’ String quartet.

Iain has been bigged up by Tom Robinson on his BBC 6Music Introducing show and has been Shortlisted for the Channel 4 Talent awards in the music category. His photographic and conceptual works have appeared in group and solo exhibits in London and around the UK.

“Iain Woods calls his brand of dirty pop ‘Groul’ – a compound of grimey soul, but such a tiny word fails to sum up the far-reaching ambition of his debut release.” – Source Magazine

Robot vs Dinosaur

Birmingham’s premier IDM/experimental electronica DJs will spin a headswimmingly intriguing set, encompassing everything from Brian Eno to Venetian Snares.

ABOUT 4TALENT
4Talent is the gateway to all Channel 4’s talent initiatives, helping creative people across TV, comedy, film, documentary, new media and radio find their way through the industry mire, develop their careers and realise their potential in multi-platform media.

Online, 4Talent showcases both emerging talent and established professionals via text, video and audio features that provide details of the varied – and often unconventional – routes into the industry, alongside inspiration, guidance and opportunities for aspiring creatives to get their foot onto or advance up their personal career ladder.

On the ground, 4Talent boasts a dedicated team of editors and producers based in London, Birmingham, Scotland and Northern Ireland, offering opportunities for emerging talent around the country to take part in workshops, masterclasses, seminars and live events.

For more information, go to:

Gigbeth Official Website

4Talent

With new album ‘Let It Go’ out Monday September 29th, and radio smash first single “Changes” making the UK top ten, Will Young performs a T4 Special this Sunday lunchtime (September 28th, 2008) at 12:45 pm (BST).

Recorded at London’s Hospital, the half hour show features an interview with Will and full band performances of three album highlights: effervescent new single “Changes”, the anthemic “Grace”, and beautiful title track “Let It Go”, as well as a wonderful rendition of 2003 UK #1 “Leave Right Now”.

Will plays London’s Cadogan Hall in preparation for his forthcoming UK tour, which commences November 16th, 2008 at Newcastle City Hall and ends December 13th at London’s Roundhouse.

With ‘Let It Go’ currently topping the Amazon pre-order chart, new single “Changes” is having a great week:

* #10 in the UK singles chart
* #2 in the national airplay chart
* #2 in regional airplay chart
* #15 in the iTunes chart
* #24 in the TV chart

Will Young – Let It Go on amazon.co.uk

Will Young Official Website

Forged in the furnaces of Birmingham in 2005, Envy & Other Sins have spent the past two years like many other young bands – writing, recording, touring and working hard for their big break. Then in late 2007 that break arrived in the form of Channel 4’s Mobile Act Unsigned.

Envy & Other Sins entered the TV show which was designed by Channel 4 as a competition for bands who write and perform their own music. It provided an amazing platform for new bands to reach a huge, regular audience every week.

Having beaten over 1,600 contenders to make it through to the live shows, they were knocked out after a fortnight only to return as a wild card entry several weeks later, voted back in by the fans and judges. The band’s catchy riffs and upbeat pop style won over the show’s audience and resulted in a huge upset, when they unexpectedly beat the favourites to win the series.

The winner’s prize? An album deal with A&M Records, the label home to breaking new UK artists such as Duffy, The Courteeners and The Horrors among others.

Enter the world of Envy & Other Sins and you will be transported beyond the everyday and into a place where storming pop tunes are delivered with Victorian panache. Drawing inspiration from music, art and old world culture, these troubadours cite everything from Roxy Music to Bob Dylan, Toulouse Lautrec to Renoir as influences. Having already supported the likes of Superfurry Animals, Hard-Fi, Razorlight and Danish prog-rockers Mew as well as playing a slew of festivals, their live show delivers their unique brand of what they like to call ‘furniture rock’.

The band are currently in studio working on their debut album with renowned producer Danton Supple (Coldplay, The Doves, Starsailor, Kylie Minogue).

Watch Envy & Other Sins “Highness” video:

“Highness”, the storming pop tune that won them Mobile Act Unsigned and secured Envy & Other Sins their label deal, will be released on February 11th, 2008 with their debut album to follow in March.

“this group of marauding dandies sound like an episode of Blackadder III, directed by Freddie Mercury, produced by Jellyfish and edited by Matt Bellamy” – NME

“cheeky, catchy, Dexys-meets-Talking Heads huge stomping rock’n'roll” – The Fly

Photos – exclusive first peek at Envy & Other Sins shooting their very first proper pop video!

Envy & Other Sins Official Website
Envy & Other Sins on Myspace

Envy & Other Sins won T4’s mobileAct unsigned in the live final on 23 December, 2007. The Birmingham-based band beat Lily Allen’s favourites, Revenue, to walk away with a record deal from A&M Records, headed by mobileAct judge Simon Gavin.

Envy & Other Sins were announced winners at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith after an online public vote deemed them the best unsigned band in Britain. Alongside Simon Gavin, the judging panel comprised Radio 1’s Jo Whiley and Blur’s Alex James.

Following their triumph, Envy & Other Sins will introduce the world to their unique brand of ‘furniture rock’ via self-penned single, “Highness”, due for release on 11th February 2008. The single was recorded at Olympic Studios, where the band is currently working on their debut album, which will be released on 3rd March, 2008.

Jarvey Moss, Envy & Other Sins pianist, came up with this natty little soundbite: “This is the dawning of the age of furniture rock – we never expected our big break to be on a reality show; we’ve always been about making music and now we’ve got the chance to do it on a bigger stage.”

For more information and to listen to Envy & Other Sins’ music, go to:

Envy & Other Sins Official Website
Envy & Other Sins on Myspace

For some, it’s not cool to like Justin Timberlake. For others, he’s the one. The Prince of Pop. The ‘it’ guy.

The more singles that Justin Timberlake releases, the more he’s growing on me. His voice, the harmonies, the feel of the mix and the production on his songs are quality. When I first heard “Cry Me A River” I thought, “What is this?” It’s got to be one of the best pop songs that I’ve heard so far in the 21st century.

Also, people want to work with him. His collaborations with other singers, producers and musicians confirms to me that there is ’something there’ when it comes to not only his music, but his character as well. Established names in the music industry like 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, Timbaland, Rick Rubin, Reba McEntire, Duran Duran and Snoop Dog are just a few of the names that he’s already worked with.

On November 25th, 2007 Channel 4 in England aired FutureSex/LoveShow, Justin Timberlake’s August 2007 concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I just happened to turn on the TV just a few minutes into the 2-hour show. I didn’t plan on watching the whole thing, but that’s what I ended up doing.

I can’t recall ever seeing live footage of a Justin Timberlake concert like the FutureSex/LoveShow before. I was impressed. The concert came across as a great party atmosphere that included a spectacular light show with songs from the ‘FutureSex/LoveSounds’ album and more. The dancers were fun to watch – dressed in casual clothes most of the time – with the exception of the strippers/dancers for one of the songs!

At times Justin would dance on his own, which takes some nerve and a lot of confidence. The backup singers sounded and looked good. Timbaland made a guest appearance and for some songs, Justin played the piano/keyboard. His voice sounded great when he was dancing and he seems to be at the top of his game.

The word Future in both the title of his show and his album seems appropriate. With all that he’s done so far, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Justin Timberlake. It seems for him, the sky is the limit.

The FutureSex/LoveShow that aired on TV didn’t include all that is available on the DVD that has just been released. It mainly showed the live performances with just some backstage footage.

Here’s a track listing that I found for the Australian DVD release…not sure if this is the same track listing for the US and UK release:

(Unconfirmed Track Listing)

Disk 1
1. DVD1: Opening Conversation
2. FutureSex/LoveSounds
3. Like I Love You
4. My Love
5. Senorita
6. Sexy Ladies
7. Until The End Of Time
8. What Goes Around…/…COMES Around
9. Chop Me Up
10. Intermission – Jt & Timbaland
11. Rock Your Body
12. Gone
13. Take It From Here
14. Last Night
15. Damn Girl
16. Summer Love
17. Losing My Way
18. Cry Me A River
19. Lovestoned / I Think She Knows
20. Sexyback
21. (Another Song) All Over Again
22. Goodnights & Credits

Disk 2
1. DVD2: 1 On 1 With Jt
2. The Making Of FutureSex/LoveShow
3. Open Mic
4. Under The Stage
5. Lovestoned/I Think She Knows (Justice Remix)

Futuresex/Loveshow – Live from Madison Square Garden DVD on amazon.com

FutureSex/LoveShow DVD on amazon.co.uk

For more information go to:

Justin Timberlake Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

The concept for Live From Abbey Road is very simple, nonetheless, it revolutionises the way in which music television is viewed. The focus is to capture great, live, musical performances and to place musicians in the world’s most inspiring and creative environment in which to do so, Abbey Road.

Music television has evolved into more of a ’spotlight’ for celebrities and our aim is to shift that attention and make music more personal. Live From Abbey Road gives artists with the assurance and freedom they need in order to perform to their very best. Our priority is to capture great performances.

Following on from the Channel 4 broadcast, Fremantle Home Entertainment bring you Live from ABBEY ROAD the DVD – the ultimate 2 disc DVD, released in the UK on 15th October, 2007, capturing some of the greatest artists performing live in one of the most famous studios in the world, each track hand-picked for inclusion to make this a must have DVD for any music fan.

It presents a diverse array of artists from a variety of genres, from newcomers to legends including David Gilmour, Iron Maiden, Primal Scream, Natasha Bedingfield, Massive Attack and Gipsy Kings to name but a few.

Artists included are:

Disc One Features: John Mayer; Corinne Bailey Rae; Dr John; Craig David; Damien Rice; LeAnn Rimes; Josh Groban; Natasha Bedingfield ; Wynton Marsalis; Nerina Pallot; Jamiroquai; Ray LaMontagne; Gipsy Kings; Norah Jones.

Disc Two Features: David Gilmour; Richard Ashcroft; Massive Attack; The Good, The Bad And The Queen; The Kooks; Gnarls Barkley; The Goo-Goo Dolls; Iron Maiden; Kasabian; Primal Scream; The Zutons; Dave Mathews; Amos Lee.

The 2 disc DVD also comes crammed with a good helping of Special features such as extended interviews (much of which is previously unseen and exclusive to this release), behind the scenes, picture galleries and more to ensure fans get the full ‘live’ Abbey Road experience, all in glorious 5.1 audio.

Some of the most renowned artists in the world performing in the ultimate music studio – Live From ABBEY ROAD is a unique chance to capture all these acts which you would be mad to miss out on!

Run Time: 165 minutes and Approx 65 minutes Extras

*For more information including footage with performances by Muse, The Feeling, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Snow Patrol and more, go to:

Live From Abbey Road Official Website

There are quite a few bands included in the V Festival lineup that have been making the rounds during the 2007 UK festival circuit like The Killers, Kasabian, Snow Patrol, The Fratellis, Babyshambles and The Kooks. Even with all of their appearances, though, the festivals keep selling out. It’s good to see that live music is still selling tickets during these days of low CD sales.

Iggy and The Stooges are even going to be there – which should be one to watch after what happened at Glastonbury. I wonder if people will be invited on the stage for some chaos at the V Festival?

As always, it’s great to see Guillemots included on the lineup. They’re scheduled to play on the Channel 4 stage and The Coral – one of my new “bands to watch” is also playing on that stage but on opposite days. Foo Fighters I’m sure will put on a great show. Jet would be a cool band to see and Primal Scream and Happy Mondays fans will be treated as well.

Interesting to see Sinead O’Connor sandwiched in between Dizzee Rascal and Beverley Knight.

Following is the UK V Festival 2007 lineup:

Lineup and bands could change! Go to the Official V Festival Website for the latest news and information.

V Stage

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

The Killers
Kasabian
James
The Fratellis
KT Tunstall
James Morrison
The Goo Goo Dolls
Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Foo Fighters
Snow Patrol
Pink
Kanye West
Paolo Nutini
Editors
The Proclaimers
Just Jack

——

Channel 4 Stage

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

The Kooks
Manic Street Preachers
Lily Allen
Mika
Guillemots
The Cribs
Mark Ronson
Captain
The Hours

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Basement Jaxx
Amy Winehouse
The Coral
Babyshambles
Jet
The Fray
Juliette and The Licks
The Thrills

——–

JJB / Puma Arena

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

Damien Rice
Corinne Bailey Rae
Iggy and the Stooges
Lemar
Willy Mason
Rilo Kiley
McFLY
Sophie Ellis Bextor
Mutya Buena
Seth Lakeman

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Primal Scream
Happy Mondays
Jarvis Cocker
Ocean Colour Scene
Dizzee Rascal
Sinead O’Connor
Beverley Knight
Glenn Tilbrook and the Fluffers
Jesse Malin
Chungking

——

Virgin Mobile Union

Saturday Weston Park
Sunday Hylands Park

Graham Coxon
The Bravery
Stephen Fretwell
Bedouine Soundclash
Air Traffic
The Rumble Strips
Remi Nicole
Cherry Ghost
Tiny Dancers
UnkleJam
Passenger
Dodgems

Saturday Hylands Park
Sunday Weston Park

Bright Eyes
Boy Kill Boy
Plan B
The Holloways
Mr. Hudson and The Library
Mumm-Ra
Switches
The Wombats
Ghosts
Hoosiers
Pop Levi
Rebbeca

For more information go to the UK V Festival Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

About the “Fluorescent Adolescent” video and the tracklisting from the Arctic Monkeys’ website:

The lyrical narration is supported by a striking video directed by Richard Ayoade (The IT Crowd/Nathan Barley), starring Stephen ‘Scummy Man’ Graham (Snatch/Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels) and a rather scary bunch of clowns.

CD & 10″ Tracklisting
1. Fluorescent Adolescent
2. The Bakery
3. Plastic Tramp
4. Too Much To Ask

7″ Vinyl Tracklisting
A. Fluorescent Adolescent
B. The Bakery

In case you missed the first airing on TV, “Fluorescent Adolescent” has been added to YouTube – and will hopefully stay there for awhile.

Watch Arctic Monkeys video for “Fluorescent Adolescent”

*Dates could be sold out, added or changed! Go to Arctic Monkeys Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

June
16.06.07 Saturday Malahide Castle, Dublin
17.06.07 Sunday Malahide Castle, Dublin
19.06.07 Tuesday Cardiff Arena
20.06.07 Wednesday Cardiff Arena
22.06.07 Friday Glastonbury Festival, Glastonbury
25.06.07 Monday Sentrum Scene, Oslo
26.06.07 Tuesday Annex, Stockholm
28.06.07 Thursday Stadtpark, Hamburg
29.06.07 Friday Rock Werchter, Belguim

July
01.07.07 Sunday St. Gallen Festival, Switzerland
03.07.07 Tuesday Paris Zenith
04.07.07 Wednesday Zenith, Lille
06.07.07 Friday T in the Park, Kinross
08.07.07 Sunday Roskilde Festival, Denmark
09.07.07 Monday Columbiahalle, Berlin
10.07.07 Tuesday Alter Schlachthof, Dresden
11.07.07 Wednesday Vienna Arena, Vienna
13.07.07 Friday Traffic Festival, Turin, Italy
14.07.07 Saturday Piazza Castello, Ferrara, Italy
15.07.07 Sunday Musilac Festival nr Annecy, France
15.07.07 Sunday Musilac Festival, France
18.07.07 Wednesday Lisbon Coliseum, Portugal
19.07.07 Thursday Vigo Auditoria Parque de Castrelos, Spain
21.07.07 Saturday Festival Internacional de Benicassim, Benicassim
22.07.07 Sunday Nimes Les Arenes Festival, France
24.07.07 Tuesday Paleo Festival, Switzerland
28.07.07 Saturday Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester
29.07.07 Sunday Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester

August
03.08.07 Friday Hordern Pavillion, Sydney
04.08.07 Saturday The Tivoli, Brisbane
05.08.07 Sunday Splendour In The Grass, Byron Bay, Australia
07.08.07 Tuesday Festival Hall, Melbourne
11.08.07 Saturday Summersonic, Osaka
12.08.07 Sunday Summersonic, Tokyo

September
01.09.07 Saturday Bar M, Ibiza Rocks

Arctic Monkeys Official Website
Arctic Monkeys on Myspace

By: Jenny May