People seem to rather enjoy La Roux's In For The Kill as it's been steadily climbing the singles charts. At this rate, it'll be number one in another two months. But, in the video, where is she driving in her car?
There's only three possible answers.
1) The garage, to fill up the tank and buy some Rizlas.
2) An exotic location in order to exact violent revenge on someone who wronged her, as in a Tarantino film.
3) The Eighties.
Showing posts with label la roux. Show all posts
Showing posts with label la roux. Show all posts
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Saturday, 31 January 2009
I'm in the quicksand
Yoo hoo! I've been away in Sheffield for a few days, having a little holiday. I wanted to tell you about it at the time, but my laptop didn't like the Wi-Fi in Sheffield. On Thursday night, I went to Fuzz Club, which is a band-and-indie-disco night in the students' union. It is probably the best student indie night in the UK because they consistently book in ace bands and a pint of Snakebite is £1.60. I went for Snakebite and lime. You'd probably go for Snakebite and black[currant], but I have a more sophisticated palate.
La Roux played a few songs. Just in case you don't believe I was there, here is a picture:
La Roux played a few songs. Just in case you don't believe I was there, here is a picture:
As you can see, she was wearing a lovely striped t-shirt and blazer. But her shoes were even more lovely. And no, her right leg is not a ghost.
Her backing synth player was wearing some very white trainers. Very white indeed. Is that a London thing? It doesn't look right in Sheffield. You're not going to last the length of Devonshire Street in the rain.
The man in front of me was wearing a colourful trilby. He took a lot of photos of La Roux on his phone. I think he was a bit in love with her.
La Roux was fairly good, considering it was her third gig. A bit shaky, but fairly good. She started with In For The Kill (new single) and ended with Quicksand (old single), with a few near-identical songs betwixt. Ultimately, it was just a lady singing over a backing track. She joked that she'd never been north of London. Well, I hope it was a joke.
The merchandise stall gave me a rather nice strip of film, reminding me to buy the new single.
After La Roux's skit, it was time to dance the night away to the Strokes, the Knife and the Smiths.
I talked to a boy wearing fairy wings. He told me he was raising money for charity and had to wear something pink. Oh really, I said, what charity? He couldn't remember.
A good night out, and I saw La Roux for £2. I know, £2! These students don't know they're born.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
BBC Sound of 2009
Last week, the BBC music website announced their top 10 acts for the UK in 2009. It's a good barometer of which new bands/artists will be big in the coming year, and who has good PR agents. Or the most friends on MySpace. If you're the sort of person who scours the internet for new bands, it all feels a bit redundant. But there are primitive people who only use the internet for Facebook, Bebo and the Radio 1 homepage.
I know that last week is about a million years ago in blogging terms, but why don't we all slow down? I needed some time to think it over. And now I have done, you can read what I think. Oh, lucky you!
1) Little Boots
Who on earth?
Leeds University graduate and Blackpool lass Victoria Hesketh, plus producer Joe Goddard (him from Hot Chip. No, not the singer, the other one).
The buzzwords
Cyber disco diva; pop sensibility; Tenori-on.
The buzzwords decoded
Similar production to Giorgio Moroder and a fearsome vocal; knows how to write a pop song; expensive Yamaha drum synths.
Likelihood of making it
Duh, she's already made it. She's finishing the album in LA which sell, sell, sell. And she is quite clearly an amazing pop star for our times.
Take It To The Chorus sez... yes please. I love Little Boots, and in doing so feel less guilty for describing Dead Disco as 'try-hard Long Blonde wannabes' who were 'forcing the sexy'.
2) White Lies
Who on earth?
Three young men from West London. They're probably wearing leather jackets right now. Or black shirts with skinny red ties.
The buzzwords
Brooding introspection; epic proportions; big indie hope.
The buzzwords decoded
Ian Curtis obsession; liberal use of reverb; suitable for early in the night at indie discos.
Likelihood of making it
Very high. If we understand 'making it' to mean a UK tour of medium-sized venues and one album.
Take It To The Chorus sez... too easily confused with Editors/the Bravery/Interpol.
3) Florence & the Machine
Who on earth?
Big voiced kooky lady from London. The Machine is metaphysical.
The buzzwords
A passionate force of nature; a kooky creative; beautiful.
The buzzwords decoded
She dances on stage, probably while barefoot; writes own songs, some of which are quite good; phwoar, wonder if she has a boyfriend?
Likelihood of making it Good, but I can't help feeling that Florence's fortunes are linked to fashion. So we'll wait and see what Topshop are stocking in the summer.
Take It To The Chorus sez... I don't want to be rude, but... this just doesn't do it for me. And it's at least 18 months since I first peeked at her MySpace, so I feel she's had her chance.
4) Empire of the Sun
Who on earth?
That fella from The Sleepy Jackson, and that other fella from Pnau. So the most hipster band in Australia.
The buzzwords
Search for inner enlightenment; softcore spaced-out beats; uplifting and colourful performances.
The buzzwords decoded
Had an idea in the pub but didn't think it through properly; not as good as Pnau or The Sleepy Jackson; once attended a Flaming Lips gig.
Likelihood of making it
Limited. They're just too wacky for the mainstream. And the album cover for 'Walking On A Dream' is really bad. Really, really bad. It looks like a Star Wars tribute album recorded on Moogs. Except George Lucas refused permission so they've changed all the melodies a little.
Take It To The Chorus sez... thanks, but I'm quite happy with MGMT.
5) La Roux
Who on earth?
Flame-haired singer Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid. He's friends with Rollo from Faithless, don't you know.
The buzzwords
Crazy hair; eighties revival; 21st Century synth pop auteur.
The buzzwords decoded
Normal hair with some mousse; listened to all the Heaven 17 albums; owns a Micro Korg.
Likelihood of making it
Reasonably assured. In the video for Quicksand, La Roux is looking tres chic in a Henry Holland floral suit. Keep up - fashion designer Henry Holland. He's friends with supermodel Agyness Deyn, don't you know. Something tells me such stylings are a guarantee of some success. But it's also my problem... it all looks a bit too London-centric. Once you're north of the Watford Gap it starts to look a bit style-over-substance. Here in Liverpool, La Roux would make sense in Korova on a Friday night. But there are a lot of other nights (and days) in the week.
Take It To The Chorus sez... opinion to be confirmed.
Elsewhere, Passion Pit were in at number nine. Which sounds about right. They're definitely my favourite new discovery of 2008 and band I can't wait to hear more of/see live in 2009, but they're not for everyone. They're cerebral, see. You just don't get it.
I know that last week is about a million years ago in blogging terms, but why don't we all slow down? I needed some time to think it over. And now I have done, you can read what I think. Oh, lucky you!
1) Little Boots
Who on earth?
Leeds University graduate and Blackpool lass Victoria Hesketh, plus producer Joe Goddard (him from Hot Chip. No, not the singer, the other one).
The buzzwords
Cyber disco diva; pop sensibility; Tenori-on.
The buzzwords decoded
Similar production to Giorgio Moroder and a fearsome vocal; knows how to write a pop song; expensive Yamaha drum synths.
Likelihood of making it
Duh, she's already made it. She's finishing the album in LA which sell, sell, sell. And she is quite clearly an amazing pop star for our times.
Take It To The Chorus sez... yes please. I love Little Boots, and in doing so feel less guilty for describing Dead Disco as 'try-hard Long Blonde wannabes' who were 'forcing the sexy'.
2) White Lies
Who on earth?
Three young men from West London. They're probably wearing leather jackets right now. Or black shirts with skinny red ties.
The buzzwords
Brooding introspection; epic proportions; big indie hope.
The buzzwords decoded
Ian Curtis obsession; liberal use of reverb; suitable for early in the night at indie discos.
Likelihood of making it
Very high. If we understand 'making it' to mean a UK tour of medium-sized venues and one album.
Take It To The Chorus sez... too easily confused with Editors/the Bravery/Interpol.
3) Florence & the Machine
Who on earth?
Big voiced kooky lady from London. The Machine is metaphysical.
The buzzwords
A passionate force of nature; a kooky creative; beautiful.
The buzzwords decoded
She dances on stage, probably while barefoot; writes own songs, some of which are quite good; phwoar, wonder if she has a boyfriend?
Likelihood of making it Good, but I can't help feeling that Florence's fortunes are linked to fashion. So we'll wait and see what Topshop are stocking in the summer.
Take It To The Chorus sez... I don't want to be rude, but... this just doesn't do it for me. And it's at least 18 months since I first peeked at her MySpace, so I feel she's had her chance.
4) Empire of the Sun
Who on earth?
That fella from The Sleepy Jackson, and that other fella from Pnau. So the most hipster band in Australia.
The buzzwords
Search for inner enlightenment; softcore spaced-out beats; uplifting and colourful performances.
The buzzwords decoded
Had an idea in the pub but didn't think it through properly; not as good as Pnau or The Sleepy Jackson; once attended a Flaming Lips gig.
Likelihood of making it
Limited. They're just too wacky for the mainstream. And the album cover for 'Walking On A Dream' is really bad. Really, really bad. It looks like a Star Wars tribute album recorded on Moogs. Except George Lucas refused permission so they've changed all the melodies a little.
Take It To The Chorus sez... thanks, but I'm quite happy with MGMT.
5) La Roux
Who on earth?
Flame-haired singer Elly Jackson and producer Ben Langmaid. He's friends with Rollo from Faithless, don't you know.
The buzzwords
Crazy hair; eighties revival; 21st Century synth pop auteur.
The buzzwords decoded
Normal hair with some mousse; listened to all the Heaven 17 albums; owns a Micro Korg.
Likelihood of making it
Reasonably assured. In the video for Quicksand, La Roux is looking tres chic in a Henry Holland floral suit. Keep up - fashion designer Henry Holland. He's friends with supermodel Agyness Deyn, don't you know. Something tells me such stylings are a guarantee of some success. But it's also my problem... it all looks a bit too London-centric. Once you're north of the Watford Gap it starts to look a bit style-over-substance. Here in Liverpool, La Roux would make sense in Korova on a Friday night. But there are a lot of other nights (and days) in the week.
Take It To The Chorus sez... opinion to be confirmed.
Elsewhere, Passion Pit were in at number nine. Which sounds about right. They're definitely my favourite new discovery of 2008 and band I can't wait to hear more of/see live in 2009, but they're not for everyone. They're cerebral, see. You just don't get it.
Friday, 28 November 2008
It's (nearly) the weekend
Let's celebrate with a chocolate Hob Nob and some new bands. (NB new to me, at least.)
1) La Roux. If Little Boots doesn't save retro-electro pop in 2009, La Roux will. Apparently. However, this Frenglish irritates me. 'La roux' makes no sense! It's 'le roux' or 'la rousse', OK? I know I'm being a pedant, but I did sweat through that Schaum's Outline of French Grammar. Which makes me the expert. Obviously. Oh well. La Roux does have a higher Google-ability. And the tunes are really rather good.
2) Pulled Apart By Horses. Noisecore guitar shenanigans! From Leeds! Both my thumbs are up in appreciation.
3) Skeletons. Sheffield ragamuffins with disjointed guitars and wailing harmonies. Low Google-ability, unfortunately.
4) Julien Dore. Monsieur Doré won Nouvelle Star in 2007, which is the French version of Pop Idol. This must mean France is behind us culturally, because we've moved onto superior TV talent competitions, such as the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. In France, they still have Star [Fame] Academy. Backwards! I'm joking. Julien Doré may have emerged from primetime, but he did so singing Nirvana and without having a proper shave. He also plays the ukulele, and only auditioned for the show to promote his then band, the Jean d'Ormesson Disco Suicide. The new Serge Gainsbourg?
5) Darlings of the Splitscreen. Actually, I took a poetic liberty at the start of this post. This band are not new to me. I went to one of their first gigs at the Grapes, Sheffield. But oh, how they have improved since then. (A lot.)
1) La Roux. If Little Boots doesn't save retro-electro pop in 2009, La Roux will. Apparently. However, this Frenglish irritates me. 'La roux' makes no sense! It's 'le roux' or 'la rousse', OK? I know I'm being a pedant, but I did sweat through that Schaum's Outline of French Grammar. Which makes me the expert. Obviously. Oh well. La Roux does have a higher Google-ability. And the tunes are really rather good.
2) Pulled Apart By Horses. Noisecore guitar shenanigans! From Leeds! Both my thumbs are up in appreciation.
3) Skeletons. Sheffield ragamuffins with disjointed guitars and wailing harmonies. Low Google-ability, unfortunately.
4) Julien Dore. Monsieur Doré won Nouvelle Star in 2007, which is the French version of Pop Idol. This must mean France is behind us culturally, because we've moved onto superior TV talent competitions, such as the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent. In France, they still have Star [Fame] Academy. Backwards! I'm joking. Julien Doré may have emerged from primetime, but he did so singing Nirvana and without having a proper shave. He also plays the ukulele, and only auditioned for the show to promote his then band, the Jean d'Ormesson Disco Suicide. The new Serge Gainsbourg?
5) Darlings of the Splitscreen. Actually, I took a poetic liberty at the start of this post. This band are not new to me. I went to one of their first gigs at the Grapes, Sheffield. But oh, how they have improved since then. (A lot.)
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