These Go to 11: interviewing Out Of Map Records

After interviewing The Birkins, we are decided to enhance the Blog's section again so here's a new and exciting one. This time we move to France (sadly just virtually) to meet a young label with a bright future ahead, run by lovely people, Out of Map Records. These Go to 11!

Muskeeters of indie...

Marie-Agnès Hallé & Rodolphe Binot, Out Of Map
Out of Map Records was created by Marie-Agnès Hallé with the help of Rodolphe Binot and Quentin Leclere, both from the promising band Nevski around 2010. It's the result of a brave but logical movement of Marie-Agnès after a long career in music industry during the last 15 years: cultural writer at her city's official website, Rouen (Normandy, France), runner of her own indie-pop radio show, quintessential part of a label run by a colleague.. Thanks to that intense task, she has met a lot of artists and musicians internationally, because she has had time also for being a touring manager. I Impressive, right? So after caring so much about music it was just natural for her to make the jump and run her own label. Like Nevski's debut EP, label's first release, exciting music awaits us, folks. Here we go!

1. First record that you bought (be honest)

Getting righteous!

Marie-Agnès: I grew up with many records around me at home, my dad was a teacher and an artist, drawing and a great guitarist. I could listen thanks to him many good vinyls. He loved Bernstein, Django Reinhardt, Simon & Garfunkel, The Bee Gees, The Beatles etc. I knew by heart West Side Story about 5 years old! I am born in 1973. As I had two older brothers who bought audio tapes, vinyls, then cds, I didn’t feel the need to buy records early.. I just had to pick one in the discography in the room next door ;) as far as I remember… I think that the first stuff I really bought on my own was in USA, where I travelled when I was 16 years and it was a tape of The Righteous Brothers. I realize now that I had in my childhood an extremely kitschy taste!
Rodolphe: A second hand copy of ‘In Utero’ by Nirvana, when I was 10 or 11. Fascinating.

80s Lolita asking for a cab ...

2. First and last concert you have attended (be honest too!)

MA:The first concert was when I was very young. It was Mozart’s 'Die Zauberflöte' opera. My grand-ma was violinist and brought me the love of classical music. The first really ‘pop’ concert was in Normandy where I am from, on holidays in Deauville in 1988, it was a Vanessa Paradis gig. I couldn’t tell you honestly if I enjoyed it because during the first song ‘Joe le taxi’, I collapsed. All I remember of this gig is receiving a big slap in the face from a volunteer firefighters to wake me up.
R: The first show I attended was the Pixies when they reunited in 2004. It was in a big arena, didn't see anything but it blew me away. The last one was a Nevski show three days ago, we played with 4 other bands. Nothing to be remembered.

Blame it on the MTV

3. Guilty pleasure (song/band you shouldn’t like but you do, yes, it’s the embarrassing question)

MA: Goodness Raül ! it is not embarrassing at all! I love this question! I have many many many answers and it will be a heartbreak feeling to pick one … If only i could make you a list! The Milli Vanilli and The Shaggs, worse music either but they bring me happiness (I cannot stop laughing listening to them.)
R: ‘Heart of Glass’ by Blondie. I don't know if it's embarrassing but I feel guilty for that anyway.

4. Most precious music item you own (collector mode on)

MA:There are two objects I cherish: a flexible disc of the Speech made by General Charles de Gaulle in september 1962. I really take care of this jewel. The second music item that I adore because it contains many symbols too is a vinyl of West Side Story from the sixties.

R: I’m not a collector but I like my classical music records, because they sound and look good. I also like my old and cheap guitar strap.

5. Favorite lyrics (not yours)

MA: Here comes again my kitschy side: I love the 'Trololo Song'. The amazing russian man, Eduard Khil, managed to sing with only some onomatopoeia lyrics 'yeyeyeye ho ho ho dadada ho heeeee' with his baritone voice. Gorgeous! This song stuck in my head, can drive me crazy for days, in singing the trololo song everywhere all day long. Originally, the lyrics, too hard for the soviet government were like that 'I'm riding my stallion on a prairie, so-and-so mustang, and my beloved Mary is thousand miles away knitting a stocking for me'.
R: ‘Desolation Row’ by Bob Dylan, the whole thing is amazing. I'd also mention the line ‘I hate people when they're not polite’ in Talking Heads' ‘Psycho Killer’.

The real rose of the 2nd Stones...

6. Musician/s you would like to meet (should be alive, for obvious reasons, but you can choose a dead one too)
MA: So those I would have dream to meet: Serge Gainsbourg, Lou Reed, Kevin Ayers, John Lennon and Claudine Longet (to ask her if she had really shooted Spider, her lover, in Aspen 1976.). These last years, I was wondering what kind of persons are Stuart Murdoch, Johnny Marr and Neil Hannon.

R: I'd drink some wine in the South of France with Kevin Ayers and John Squire. He’s the best pop guitarist I can think of.

In the head of Syd...

7. Favorite artwork album (not yours)

MA: My favorite artwork is the cover of 'This is Beaumont'. The picture, the name, the colours, all the elements fit in perfection with the music. When you read the songs titles on the back cover, 'Bacharach', 'Girls and Maths', 'Love is 1968', 'Hey Barbara', 'His London' etc... you yell ‘of course!’. The girlie-sixties picture on the album is elegant and charming, like the Blueboys Keith Girdler and Paul Stuart awesome compositions. The spirit of Sarah Records is in this artwork. 

R: ‘The Madcap Laughs’ by Syd Barrett, the cover perfectly reflects the mood of the album. And it looks good.

Let's dance with Liza!

8. Books or movies? Depending on your answer recommend us one (trick: you can choose both) 

MA: I read a lot, more than I listen to music… so it’s a hard job to pick one book. I’ll pick two in suffering: William Styron, ‘Sophie's Choice’ and Michel Houellebecq, ‘Les Particules élémentaires'. I choose them because I have read everything from the both writers. They deeply touch me. I don’t have any hesitation for the movie: 'West Side Story' in DVD! after that, a piece of french films from Godard, Truffaut, Audiard. Oh oui, and I have plan to watch 'Cabaret' with Liza Minelli these next days.
R: ‘Uranus’ by Marcel Aymé and Louis Aragon’s poetry.

9. Release (of yours) you are most proud of

MA: The Nevski EP we signed on Out of Map!!! Of course! The label was created five years ago and during all these years, I wanted this EP but I had to wait this long time after the musicians, studying all other the world. When they get finally in the studio, rehearsing and recording, it was in August but for me it was Christmas ! Now, the first album is already on its way, and Santa Claus is back!

10. What does it mean indie for you? (yes, the “serious question”)
MA: Well, oui, let’s be serious Raül. Indie means ‘independant’ for me and a spirit for the fans of indie, a beautiful club full of great strange people, like a family. An indie band or indie musician is the opposite of the product: they are able to decide, to say ‘no’ to a label and the music industry when they try to drive with only profit on mind. Indie bands don’t lose their pants. Indie fans share this way of thinking, like this air of freedom and help each other to form a Resistance.

11. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? 

MA: Where I am now, no matter the country, the city... I will surely be with the people I love, reading, painting, listening music, helping musicians who deserve attention. Somewhere on a sofa, (a bigger one in 10 years because after books and music, my third passion is chocolate) living the same ‘indie’ life.
R: Growing potatoes in Scotland.

                                                               Zillion thanks Marie-Agnès & Rodolphe, thanks Out Of Map!

"God Help the Girl", the hipster musical

God Help the Girl

Me and the musicals, chapter 25.

My relation with musicals has been an excruciating one. The vast majority of them are...umm... how to put it politely, ridiculous. Annoyingly shallow, empty films with never-ending choreography's and little-to-zero worries on the script, which are usually lame. And although that's not the case with 'God Help the Girl', it's hard for me to consider it a triumph.

For sure, it's an ok movie, with gorgeous music (couldn't be any other way? We are talking about Stuart Murdoch) some charming visual/music numbers and wonderful aesthetics (if you are into that contemplative-clothing-advertisement, 110% hipster look). There are occasional sparks of brilliance, in the form of witty one liners and some funny conversation about music. Plus, of course, it has Scotland in the background. Special vibes.

But being completely honest, is that what makes a film worth praising? I have my doubts, which mainly are addressed to Murdoch’s script. He has the ability of putting many feelings in the songs, something he has proven for almost twenty years now, but what happens when there's no music? It might be just me, but 'God Help the Girl' suffers, at times, quite painfully, when actors have to deal with words and situations. And not because they aren't trying. Emily Browning is convincing as the fragile but at the same time determined Eve. Olly Alexander is perfect as James, the smart-sensible-shy-but a bit snobbish guitarist. And Hannah Murray is the carefree, lovely loony Cass, the last vortex of the triangle involving romance, friendship and a wonderful bunch of songs. And THE GENTLEMAN, the great Neil Hannon, has a fantastic tune too!

No, the problem is not the acting. In my opinion, 'God Help the Girl' has an awkward tone and an even more odd balance between the story of Eve issues, a pretty serious drama, and the story of of creating a (very hipster and yes, utterly talented) pop band while dealing with friendship-romance. Sure, it all sums for a coming of age tale, but the contrast makes the movie feel a bit strange & disjointed from scene to scene (or from scene to song). The overall feeling I had is that I'm in front of a long videoclip (quoting the words from Antonio Llarena from my beloved When Nalda Became Punk). It's a nice one? Well, the music, for the most part, is wonderful, and each time there's a song, the movie achieves a level of grace... that almost evaporates once the music is over. Besides, it kind of annoys me the amount of importance the aesthetics have. I get the costumes are connected with the songs they are playing but to that extent? It makes "God Help the Girl" look like the poppiest verision of an H&M advertisement.

So, me and the musicals, chapter 25? Probably among the best musical soundtracks... but far from the best movie.

SCORE: 6/10

The Indie Anthology 47: essential songs

For the next round of our Indie Anthology I propose you one of my favourite tunes from an indiepop (and very often neglected) genius...

Song: I Don't Believe You
Artist: The Magnetic Fields
Year: 2004

Jumped quite late on The Magnetic Fields' bandwagon. Some friend recommended me, telling me that being such a huge The Divine Comedy's fan I would love '69 Love Songs'. But I do admit that when I got the album in my hands I thought, a triple record? And so the moment passed... but barely for a couple of years, when 'I' was released and I got haunted by 'I Don't Believe You', its instant melody and magic cello. Then quickly came 'All My Little Words', 'The Book of Love', 'I Don't Believe in the Sun', '1.000 Fireflies' or personal favourite 'Nothing Matters when we're Dancing'. Stephen Merritt, the impossible crossover between Stuart Murdoch, Neil Hannon and Calvin Johnson. Pure genius.

Best Concerts of the Year 2012

Less concerts, due to the crisis, attended this year, but still there has been many worth to remember. Here are my 10 favourite live performances of this 2012! Hope you like it!

From Arc de Triomf. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

10. The Wedding Present (Primavera Sound Festival, Arc de Triomf, Barcelona, May 30th)
The concerts at Arc de Triomf weren't precisely the highlight of a fantastic Primavera Sound edition. Massification, people not interested at all on the music... But there was a great discovery for me, that compensated the day: seeing David Gedge and Co. performing "Seamonsters". Jumped on their music bandwagon since then!
9. Mäximo Park (Festival Plaça Odissea, Maremàgnum, Barcelona, May 12th)
Didn't remember how fun was being at a Mäximo Park concert! Paul Smith is a beast live and he proved from the very first second: restless, hyperactive, passionate as few on stage. He turned an otherwise quite unremarkable Festival engaging, propelling new songs and band classics to addictive indie-rock hits. What a difference a great frontman can make!
8. Los Planetas (Primavera Club, Sant Jordi Club, Barcelona, December 7th)
Judging just from a sound quality point of view, they wouldn't make it on this list. But this is a personal blog, and watching Los Planetas for the first time had many intimate implications (memories) associated. Besides, I was lucky that their live comeback included playing many of the timeless classics. After "Corrientes Circulares en el Tiempo" was followed by "Nunca Me Entero de Nada" the concert became something very very very special.
7. Fanfarlo (Sala Apolo , Barcelona, October 14th)
Trumpets! Never-ending choruses! Tunes you'll sacrifice (almost broken with "The Walls Are Coming Down, and completely gone at the end with "Harold T. Wilkins) your throat to happily! Fanfarlo insuflates life and rhythm to indie pop. It was another first-time mandatory gig for me, and the confirmation this is a band with a "shiny" career ahead.  
6. Real Estate (Primavera Sound Festival, Fòrum de Barcelona, June 2nd)
I chose them instead of seeing Beach House, who were playing almost at the same time, so that's a pretty good measure of how much I wanted to see them, don't you think? Did I made the right choice? Sure  I did. Their gig was superb, flawless, proving what an incredible record is "Days", also live. 
5. Neil Hannon (Festival Temporada Alta, Auditori de Girona, November 2nd)
If you check this blog regularly (thank you my friend!) or just occasionally (welcome, see you around!) you should know by now: I love The Divine Comedy. There aren't many indie-pop genius out there, but Mr. Hannon is one of the "chosen ones". In Girona, alone with his piano or guitar his music was again a banquet for the listener and a lot of fun (he is also a wonderful comedian). Besides, his music was even more special as I wasn't alone...
4. Lee Ranaldo (Primavera Sound Festival, Fòrum de Barcelona, May 31st)
Never a Sonic Youth's fan, I was completely blown out by "Between the Times and the Tides", and his performance live just made me a converted fan. Mesmerized by his guitar style and the melodies that recall to R.E.M, Ranaldo has been one of my discoveries of the year.
3. Sharon Van Etten (La [2] de Apolo, Barcelona, September 29th)
Little trick here, because I've been fortunate enough to see Sharon twice this year, first at Primavera Sound, then at Apolo. Whether her rockier version of her folky side, Sharon has that spark. Her voice can be moody, nocturnal, heart-wrenching or joyous. She deliver lines as if you were boxing against Muhammad Ali. She pours a torrent of emotions over the listener. And proved to me live two times on this 2012. One of the best artists of the year, so look for her, very high, on the forthcoming "songs" and "records of the year" lists of this blog.
2. Kings of Convenience (Primavera Sound, Fòrum de Barcelona, June 2nd)
Had more curiosity than expectations with the Norwegian duo. I like them, but only in "small doses", and couldn't imagine them playing their quiet music at the main stage of the Festival. But how wrong I was. Brilliant as the modern "Simon and Garfunkel", friendly and natural, with a crystal clear sound, then they became a full band, giving a "funky" vibe to their mellow and acoustic tunes. They came, put a spell on you, then surprised you & made you dance. They won the audience completely.

Big Star's finale. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

1. Big Star's Third (Primavera Sound, Fòrum de Barcelona, June 1st)
One of the best concerts I have been in my life so far. No, much more. One of the most beautiful and touching music experiences I have been lucky to be part of. Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers special tribute became an option for me because R.E.M.'s Mike Mills was one of the guest stars playing (and 3 hours of The Cure was too much). So grateful I made that choice. Even before the music started, there was something in the air. A privilege to see so many wonderful artists doing sincere and passionate renditions of the songs of Alex Chilton and his band. How magic music can be.

Want to check last year's concerts list? Just click here.

A night with Neil Hannon, the charming man

The Divine Comedy. An Evening With Neil Hannon. Auditori de Girona, November 2nd
  

The charming man
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Finally back online (Internet problems are crucifying us), and the first thing pending was, without a doubt, the chronicle of Mr. Neil Hannon, aka The Divine Comedy, in Girona. A very special, long expected, and gratifying evening alongside the music of the charming (and a bit worryingly thin) Irishman, as the universal song by The Smiths was unintentionally announcing.

We had our worries, sure. Would the audience listen him? We weren't sure if a gig in Girona (the city was having its autumn celebrations week), part of the Temporada Alta Festival, would be that successful, or if people would know his music. Some scary "ladies of certain age", with tones of make-up  on her faces, and kids among the public weren't the nicest signs. Then, as the quite beautiful auditorium was getting full, some of the public gathered behind the stage, which was a bit weird. Even with Neil appeared, he seemed shocked because of that strange location of a few concertgoers. But he quickly managed it, transforming it into an element to joke and make funny remarks about.

Mr. Hannon on piano. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The gig started with him on piano playing tunes from his latest album "Bang Goes the Knighthood", like "Assume the Perpendicular", that opened the concert, "The Complete Banker" with its wise and so true lyrics or record title "Bang Goes the Knighthood". In between of them, the first classic, "Generation Sex". By then, we were certain than we didn't have to fear. The public was enthusiastic, and, at least on the front rows, knew his songs. 

And on guitar. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

As it happened two years ago, when I was lucky to saw Neil in this acoustic, intimate show format in Barcelona, songs on the piano were alternated with short breaks in which our beloved singer/composer/one-man band switches the instrument for a guitar. "Perfect Love Song", with a surreal guitar-tuning moment and the haunting "Lucy" (great rescue) were excellent choices to change the mood before "attacking some darker melodies again on piano.

"Geronimo", "Snowball in Negative", or the baroque "When the Lights Go Out All Over Europe", which I found more appealing in its live & "naked" version than recorded arrived at the central and more "dense" section of the gig. But fortunately, Neil has an outstanding presence live. A mixture between a mischievous kid (these looks) a goofy, theatrical comedian (fake cigarettes?) and some sort of a distant, subtle impersonation of Oscar Wilde singing songs about love, loss and human miseries.

Indie Piano Man. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

But in my opinion, you can only make fun, being a musician, if you have talent and songs to show it. Otherwise, you are a fraud. And Neil's weighs zillions of tones. How many could transform "Time to Pretend", the MGMT's ubiquitous tune into a perfectly suitable song from The Divine Comedy with such grace? Who can merge it with "National Express" and made them fit as if they were created on the same studio session? Or engage people with such a difficult tune, extremely wordy like "The Lost Art of Conversation"?

"Songs of Love". Photo: Bloodbuzzed

And most importantly, who can match such an immaculate indiepop banquet for the listener in the final stage of the concert and still exclude many amazing tunes (missed "Absent Friends")?  Let's name it. Just him and his guitar he played "Songs of Love" (funniest comments of the night for me regarding how "disgusting" the lyrics of the songs are, still smiling one week after when I remember) followed by "A Lady of Certain Age". And back on piano, "Our Mutual Friend" and the epic finale of "Tonight We Fly". Mind-blowing. With the public giving the Irishman a standing ovation, it was a matter of seconds he returned to the stage for an encore, playing "The Frog Princess" and "I Like", which, and on a personal note, was the perfect song to end the gig. Thanks for another evening to remember Neil.

Side note: Cheers for your 42nd birthday, dear Neil!!

The Indie Anthology 21: essential songs

The next chapter in our Anthology is reserved to a very special artist, very dear to me, who I'll be seeing live, for the third time (first in the best of possible companies), next Friday. A great singer, clever lyricist, smart observer of personal relations and social behaviours, capable of making you laugh or wallow on your own pain when you feel miserable (oops maybe I have said too much here). A composer and creator of wonderful pop songs.

Ladies and gentlemen, the indie-pop genius of Mr. Neil Hannon, The Divine Comedy.

Song: Absent Friends
Artist: The Divine Comedy
Year: 2004

"A Lady of Certain Age", "Our Mutual Friend", "Tonight We Fly", "Songs Of Love"... I could be arguing with myself for decades. I can't decide which is my favourite song of The Divine Comedy. So why I choose "Absent Friends"? It's not the first that brought me to his music either (the amusing "Alfie" or "Everybody Knows that I Love You" are the ones). But "Absent Friends" was the one that made "click" on me, the one that made me move from an occasional listener, waiting for a greatest hits compilation, to a devoted fan. There's something on his voice, always delicate but never more powerful than here, brilliantly accompanied by the orchestration (the chamber pop master at his finest hour?). There's something on the orchestration, upbeat, epic, and martial, but allowing every word to be heard. There's something on the words, heartfelt and honest. A song about long-gone, missing, somehow fallen heroes have never sounded so touching and uplifting.

See you in a week dear Neil!!   

Autumn 2012: agenda of concerts

September is just around the corner. So, in order to avoid the inevitable depression, and the huge VAT increase (courtesy of our beloved government who doesn't consider music as culture) in two days, is a good occasion to take a look to the forthcoming concerts that I hope to attend until the end of the year. Our provisional agenda so far (hope it grows)!

SEPTEMBER
8. Paul Heaton at Music Hall (really hoping to go, but it is a bit expensive)
23. Los Punsetes at Plaça dels Àngels (as part of BAM Festival). More to see that night, to decide...
29. Sharon Van Etten at La [2] de Apolo. My dear Sharon again...

OCTOBER
5. The Tallest Man On Earth at Casino l'Aliança del Poblenou
6. Veronica Falls at BeCool
14. Fanfarlo at Apolo. Yeah! Finally!
16. The Wedding Present at Sidecar

NOVEMBER
2. The Divine Comedy (An Evening with Neil Hannon) at Auditori de Girona
7. The Walkmen at Bikini or
    Allo Darlin' (supporting The Wave Pictures) at Sidecar
20. The Chameleons at Sidecar

DECEMBER
5 to 9. Primavera Club
10. Father John Misty at Sala Apolo

Many are still pending, due to "calendar issues", and the majority, due to "economic issues", but green means
confirmed: already got the tickets!

19J: We are Many More, Peaceful, and Way Better

We are many more. Back home from the afternoon's demonstration that has collapsed the centre of Barcelona, the same that has happened in Madrid (bravo for the beautiful end with violins!) and many cities in Spain. I will leave the numbers of participation aside (they range from 20.000 to more than 350.000 thousand depending on the source), because I'm not an expert, and the experts in my country are called so because they are capable of lying in their own benefit. But allow me to say just this: the collapse has been so huge it took us an exact 1 hour and a half to move from Plaça Catalunya to the first corner at Fontanella street, barely 10 meters? And almost 3 hours to reach the end of the demonstration at Pla de Palau. Make your own conclusions.

We are peaceful. Besides the amount of people gathered, today has been a total triumph due to the absence of violence. The protest has been the best proof that what happened Wednesday was the exclusive responsibility of a radical small group that doesn't represent the movement, formed by common people, fed up of corruption and lies. Not making any reference to the police, because the video and the facts about their behaviour is easy to find on the web (also in this blog).

We are better. Puig dimissió (Puig, resignation) has been the most chanted slogan/comment this afternoon. Who wouldn't agree? But Puig alone is not enough. The resignation chants must include Mas, Zapatero, media directors, and a looong etc. The movement has to go further, it has to demand Camps, Fabra or Botín to go to prison. Because what we claim is that Europe/world, has to be for the citizens, not for the markets.

The only thing that I don't like in this sort of demonstration (besides the smoke) is the music. Sorry but I can't. So, can we include some indie music next time? Like this great tune by the even greater Neil Hannon? It couldn't be more appropriate (please check the lyrics), even the video is filmed in Spain. Let's protest with class.

Neil Hannon - 'The Complete Banker'

Playlisting: rediscovering The Divine Comedy

For the first playlist, a very special and personal one. Lately, and for the best reason one can imagine, I've been rediscovering Neil Hannon's music. So here's a sort of best of.

1. National Express
2. I Like
3. Come Home Billy Bird
4. Love What You Do
5. Everybody Knows (Except You)
6. A Lady of Certain Age
7. At the Indie Disco
8. Becoming More Like Alfie
9. Perfect Lovesong
10. Our Mutual Friend
11. The Pop Singer's Fear of the Pollen Count
12. Mother Dear
13. Songs of Love
14. Absent Friends
15. Tonight we Fly

Here's the SPOTIFY LINK

PS- Dedicated to Ms. Jum. For the many songs I hope we'll share...