The Hangover Lounge's 5th Birthday

Glasgow's a great, great city.  Culturally, it's vibrant to an almost insane degree.  It's hard to keep up with everything that's going on so you miss more than you see.  What it doesn't have, however, is The Hangover Lounge.  You have to go to London for that.  The weekend after next (May, 26th) it celebrates it's 5th birthday with a gig at its regular home, The Lexington, featuring 3 special groups:

My love for Birdie knows no bounds.  Debsey Wykes possesses one of the finest pop voices ever to be etched into vinyl.  I was lucky enough to see Birdie a little over a year ago (thanks, again, to The Hangover Lounge team) so I know what I'll be missing by not being to see them next week.  Amor de Dias and Hacia Dos Veranos have created two of the loveliest, classiest lps of the year so far and both will keep things thoughtful and sophisticated.  With this show to look forward to and the memory of Robert Forster's appearance at their recent celebration of the life and work of his fellow Go-Between, Grant McLennan, The Hangover Lounge Organising Committee must be sporting smiles as wide as 70s flares.  If at all possible, be there on the 26th.  There's not even the remotest chance that you'll regret it!

Chickfactor 2012: For the love of pop! London

With Indietracks and the London Olympics both now (warming, nourishing) memories, Not Unloved was in dire need of something to look forward to.  Chickfactor's recently announced November weekend of pure pop joy. therefore, couldn't be more welcome.  Saturday, 17th November is shaping up to be a day to remember: The Pastels are my favourite group ever, Amor de Dias made my favourite lp of 2012 and Bush Hall looks like a smashing venue. Phew!  The Sunday line-up, too, is a studded with diamonds:  Tender Trap's new lp has been receiving great notices, Would-be-goods were classy and lovely at the Hangover Lounge weekender earlier this year and there's a rare chance to catch Pipas live.  Tickets are sure to shift quickly so best head here and here before too long for tickets!

Birdie at Union Chapel, Islington (London) on 21/01/2012

Islington's Union Chapel proved to be the perfect venue for Birdie's return to performing live with a swish new sound system and a sensitive soundman teaming up to produce a fittingly gentle, detailed sound that, thankfully, didn't rattle around in the old church.  Playing as a 3 piece - Debsey on bass and vocals, Paul on guitar (including some devastatingly pretty 12-string) and Jon on drums - they worked their way from 'Port Sunlight' , the b-side to their classic first single, to the tear duct teasing 'Sidewalk' in around 20 or so minutes.  Was it worth the 4 and a half hour train ride?  You bet it was!  Without doubt Debsey's voice is one of the most beautiful and affecting I've had the pleasure to hear.  At one point it cracked just a little which prompted her, mid-song, to say, "Sorry for my voice".  Now, if ever a singer did not need to apologise for their voice it's Debsey!  A combination of the lunchtime daylight streaming through the stained glass windows and being sat in the second row of pews afforded me the chance to catch all the little looks and smiles shared between the group.  The look on Debsey's face when she realised that she'd said a naughty word beginning with F in the House of The Lord was priceless.  Afterwards J said that some of what they had played reminded her a little of Luna.  It was an astute observation as without the keyboards and trumpets of the records it shared the hushed, simple elegance of that group's 'Bewitched' set.  Big thanks to the team behind The Hangover Lounge for making such a special thing happen.

Here's some footage shot by my friend @stringbeanjen who was sat immediately to my right.  We were pretty close to the PA so there's a little woolliness to the guitar but it captures more than a little of the loveliness of Debsey's vocals:

(...if life doesn't intervene to prevent it, I'll post some thoughts on the rest of the Lost Weekend in due course) 

Birdie live in London!

Not Unloved is up to high doh with the news that Debsey Wykes and Paul Kelly's soft as snow group Birdie is playing live for only the second time in a decade and at London's pretty Union Chapel, too.  The time couldn't be more right for Birdie to return to the stage what with Paul's documentaries on Debsey's group Dolly Mixture and Lawrence Hayward from Felt finally hitting the big screens to richly deserved acclaim.  We have the smart kids behind The Hangover Lounge to thank for making this happen.  If you remember, a gorgeous Birdie song graced their second e.p. released last Record Store Day.  Anyone in the same hemisphere is urged to be there.  It's free, for goodness sake!

(I once bought a 15 7" bundle on ebay just to get "Spiral Staircase". It didn't even have the sleeve!)

Birdie take to the stage at 12:50 on Saturday, 21st January but before that Matinee's lovely Would-be-goods will be bringing their literate, pin-striped rebel songs to the Union Chapel. Best get there early, then!

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(They may even play this if this video from a couple of years ago is any guide!)

Hangover Lounge e.p. #2

London's most considerate (to sore heads!) and considered (check their list of previous guest DJs and bands for proof!) weekly club, The Hangover Lounge, has prepared a Record Store Day exclusive e.p. for your delectation. By all accounts, many stops were pulled out to ensure that it was ready on time so it seems only right that those efforts should be rewarded with a purchase, so that is what I'll be doing this coming Saturday.  Last year's e.p. - the club's first - contained some sublime sounds (including this wondrous cut from the prodigiously pretty Amor de Dias) that, in keeping with the musical policy of the club, didn't trouble any fragile, hung-over heads.  #2 looks set to continue this tradition if this typically gorgeous track from Paul Kelly and Debsey Wykes's much missed Birdie is a truly representative sample:

Birdie - Message to the Sun by wiaiwya

Really, there are few more life enhancing sounds than Debsey Wykes ba-ba-ing are there?  As if that weren't treats enough, it also includes Her Pop Highness Pam Berry coming on like a one woman Andrews Sisters on her first ever completely solo recording, "Wonder People (I Do Wonder)".  Oh, and I think you'll chuckle when you see the artwork!

For more information on the e.p., pop those peepers here.