News
Antony and The Johnsons, The Crying Light 6 January 2009 in Antony and the Johnsons
Antony and the Johnsons will be offering an instant digital download of their forthcoming album “The Crying Light” and a bonus track, “My Lord, My Love”, for fans who pre-order the album from www.antonyandthejohnsons.com starting today. This gives fans a chance to hear the album before the release date as they will be able to download it and the bonus track as soon as they pre-order. Alternatively if you pre-order from iTunes you get an alternate version of ‘Another World’ and an exclusive track-by-track audio commentary by Antony.
“The Crying Light” is the bands’ follow up to the Mercury...
A little taster of Miss Unthank 6 January 2009 in Rachel Unthank & The Winterset
The fantastic Rachel Unthank and the Winterset is on tour across the UK this month and next with gigs at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections on 31st Jan, The Douglas Hyde Gallery, Dublin 3rd Feb, Ballymoney Townhall 4th Feb, North Down Museum, Bangor 5th Feb, Letterkenny Regional Cultural Centre 6th Feb, Sligo’s Clarence Hotel 7th Feb and Belfast’s Black Box on the 8th Feb. For details of tickets check out www.rachelunthank.com. And to whet your appetite here’s the lovely lady herself performing at this years Mercury Music Prize.
Explore London 5 January 2009 in The Veils
By joining the Veils on a marathon excursion that follows a muddled route around the capital via grimey gig venues and watch the band play live over four consecutive dates, 4 whole gigs one after another without a break in 4 different corners of the capital… it’s surely the greatest test of endurance since anyone last tried to watch Dune without falling asleep.
Ginglik, Shepherds Bush – 2 Feb
Enterprise, Camden – 3 Feb
Windmill, Brixton – 4 Feb
Macbeth, Shoreditch – 5 Feb
Ginglik
Little Joy perform for Rolling Stone 5 January 2009 in Little Joy
In case your love affair with this band still hasn’t blossomed behold this typically effortless performance…
Hold Steady Hootenanny 5 January 2009 in The Hold Steady
Joan Baez made the analogy that a hootenanny is to folk singing what a jam session is to jazz, making the title of Jools Holland’s NYE Hootenanny a bit of a misnomer with guests ranging from Martha and the Vandellas to Dizzee Rascal and our very own Hold Steady, who did a good job of keeping the rock ‘n’ roll rough and dirty whilst covered in tinsel.
Witness ‘the beauty that is the Hold Steady’ (Jools words)…
Sequestered In Memphis
Stay Positive
A Christmas Tip 18 December 2008 in news
Here’s some brilliant free music for you all to enjoy this Christmas. It’s a four part podcast called series called “Radio Buzzy!”. Each part has a particular oddball theme as thus:
1. Hotrod & Jungle
2. Animal & Beatnik
3. Far East Horror, Space & Western
4. Girl & Food
All the tracks are taken from original 45’s recorded by American artists before the British invasion of 64….Enjoy!
Antony & The Johnsons UK / EU Tour Dates! 17 December 2008 in Antony and the Johnsons
European Dates
03/15: Bergen, Norway @ Griedhallen
03/17: Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
03/19: Stockholm, Sweden @ Cirkus
03/21: Helsinki, Finland @ House of Culture
03/26: Copenhagen, Denmark @ Falkoner
03/28: Ancona, Italy @ Teatore delle Muse
03/29: Rome, Italy @ Auditorium il parco della Musica
03/31: Prato, Italy @ Teatro Politearna Pratese
04/01: Milan, Italy @ Sala Verdi Conservatorio
04/04: Zurich, Switzerland @ Kongresshaus
04/06: Strasbourg, France @ La Laiterie
04/09: Paris, France @ Le Grand Rex
04/13: ...
Little Joy video and All You Need To Know to Make Music 15 December 2008 in Little Joy
A great little video for the new single ‘No One’s Better Sake’ with Devendra’s poncho on form. It reminds me of this late-1960s footage from Hoagy Carmichael’s Music Shop, a children’s public television show which featured the music of vibraphonist Monty Stark’s extremely funky band, the Stark Reality. In this clip Hoagy teaches some bewildered looking kids all they need to know to make music…
Eddi Reader & the Songs of Robert Burns 12 December 2008 in Eddi Reader
Robert Burns, or Robbie Burns to the Scottish is going to be 250 years old this Burns Night, (25th Jan). Who is this Rabbi you may be asking, well, he was the poet and lyricist who famously reminded the world that the best plans of mice and men often go astray and of course Eddie Izzard is that man who asked the question, what plans do mice have exactly?
Well along with the rest of us they’re probably planning on singing Auld Lang Syne this New Year which is of course Burns’ most famous creation, but there are plenty of other...
Rejoice! Adam Green now has a blog 9 December 2008 in Adam Green
Adam Green, the action hero and occasional musician has prepared a suitably surreal blog experience for you all. It’s official resting place is here, but until January it can only be viewed via
Germany’s biggest newspaper’s site. He’s really big over there don’t you know, I’d put it down to the similarity of his and David Hasslehoff’s TV appearances.
Alela Diane - To Be Still 3 December 2008 in Alela Diane
Rough Trade Records is excited to announce the forthcoming release from Alela Diane, “To Be Still” , released on February 17, 2009 via Rough Trade Records in North America and Japan, and on February 16th via Fargo in France, and Names in the UK.
“White As Diamonds” MP3 from “To Be Still”
To Be Still is the follow-up to Alela Diane’s critically-acclaimed 2006 debut The Pirate’s Gospel which brought the Nevada City, CA-reared musician a passionate following across the globe (and massive acclaim in France where she’s recently completed a 26-date tour that took her deep into the countryside). Considering...
Your Remixes Released on Rough Trade? 3 December 2008 in news
Remix! Or as I say Remax! When I’m busy taking taking a track to the outer limits of its potential, or Reinterpret! Used when assigning new meaning to a piece and enabling the listener to see it from a different view point…
Either way, if you’re interested in this sort of thing the check out http://foem.info where FOEM, the netlabel and talent pool, is hosting an international remix contest together with Emiliana Torrini and Rough Trade Records. The winning track will be released digitally on London label Rough Trade. The contest is running from...
December Mailout 28 November 2008 in news
Those of you already signed up to the mailing list can ignore this, those who are not can click here to see all the exciting, wonderful and informative things it contained. Think of it as a free trial and if you like it sign up!
Mailing Lists – Don’t get greedy, just pick a good one like ours and stick with it.
The 1990's Live in Concert 28 November 2008 in 1990s
An entire decade will take to the stage before your very eyes as part of the Rough Trade 30th anniversary tour at the following dates…
28/11/08 Edinburgh Picture House (With Jeffrey Lewis too!)
02/12/08 Birmingham Academy
The 1990’s
30 Years in 1 Minute 26 November 2008 in Jeffrey Lewis
Have you ever felt like taking a break from singing the traditional happy birthday song only to realise that its so relentlessly popular for a reason? Well, I have anyway and all my failed happy birthday compositions are a tribute to this. Jeffrey Lewis however, being the most talented lyricist of recent years nailed it on his first attempt. So here he is on backstage at the glamorous Brixton Windmill after his gig this Monday performing our special birthday song:
Demos 21 November 2008 in news
Hopefully you all know that Rough Trade is turning 30 next week and we’re having 5 parties that you’re all invited to. Well, if you’re coming then you might want to make use of demo drop box that will be outside each venue (hopefully) for the entire day of each event. Just look for the box like thing plastered with the artwork below. Remember friends it nearly always starts with someone handing us a demo…
If you can’t make it to the gigs then you can always do it the old fashioned way and send it...
Little Joy DUMBO Session... 21 November 2008 in Little Joy
Believe it or not we spent lots of money on this, so you’d better enjoy it! Let us know what you think.
Pitchfork.tv "Next Time Around" Video Premiere 13 November 2008 in Little Joy
The lovely folk at Pitchfork.tv have just posted the new video for Little Joy’s “Next Time Around” – click here to read a little bit more about it on Pitchfork or you can just watch it here:
Little Joy NY Instore... 11 November 2008 in Little Joy
Performance AND singing you say? This has to be seen to be believed!
Alela Diane Signs to Rough Trade for the U.S./Canada/Japan 5 November 2008 in Alela Diane
Rough Trade Records is pleased to announce the forthcoming release from Alela Diane. Her new album, To Be Still, will be in-stores on February 17, 2009.
Geoff Travis, founder of Rough Trade Records, says “Alela Diane is a real American Songwriter. Both flinty and beautiful. She draws from a tradition that might include Sandy Denny and Karen Dalton and she suffers not a jot in comparison. Rough Trade is proud to be able to bring you this release.”
To Be Still is the follow-up to Alela Diane’s critically-acclaimed 2006 debut The Pirate’s Gospel. That...
Jenny Lewis, Acid, Lettermen 5 November 2008 in Jenny Lewis
Yesterday Jenny Lewis and her good friend Elvis Costello performed ‘Carpetbaggers’ on Lettermen. In case anyone’s wondering, the term carpetbaggers originally referred to politicians from the north who moved south during America’s reconstruction to free the slaves.
For some the best bit of the performance was quite simply the fact that Letterman introduced Jenny whilst holding a copy of her new LP that looks like a massive sheet of blotter acid. But don’t fear, it’s not all juvenile laughs here as this has reminded me...
That Will Young, he's such a sweetheart 4 November 2008 in Emiliana Torrini
Almost bizarrely anyone watching this weeks X Factor would have seen Will Young expressing his fondness for Emiliana. He basically said that one of the contestants was too good for the show and was more of an Emiliana Torrini than an X Factor contestant. Take that Cowell! You Christmas number one stealing ducks arse quaffed knob.
Just look at him, everything he says must be cold hard fact.
Jarvis Plays Scott Walker Tribute 29 October 2008 in Jarvis Cocker
Scott Walker – Jackie
Jarvis could potentially sing that accompanied by a 42 piece string orchestra, need we say more than Tickets?
13th – 15th Nov @ the Barbican
Featuring Damon Albarn, Dot Allison, Jarvis Cocker, Gavin Friday, Michael Henry, Nigel Richards & more special guests to be announced will be performing music from Scott Walker’s seminal albums The Drift and Tilt to life in an extraordinary world-premiere production; Drifting and Tilting – The Songs of Scott Walker.
Jeffrey Joins the RT Birthday Party 27 October 2008 in Jeffrey Lewis
As we’ve already mentioned our 30th anniversary is nearly upon us and to celebrate we’re hosting a series of ‘Looking Rough at 30’ nights across the UK. Our dear Jeff Lewis has just confirmed that he’ll be able to make the dates below, meaning you’ll see Jarvis & Jeffrey together in one night, hero over load! As well as performing, Jarvis will be giving a little talk on the history of the label and we’ll hopefully coax Jeff into doing something similar in his own inimitable style…
Jarvis Fills Merchant's Slot 27 October 2008 in Jarvis Cocker
This week our Jarvis sat in for Stephen Merchant on his 6 Music show and tackled the subject of mood swings via his record collection. For those who missed it, its available to listen to and download here.
Arthur Russell NME Review 22 October 2008 in Arthur Russell
The NME gets it right…
Get yours here.
A Quick Biography of Barack Obama by Jeffrey Lewis 21 October 2008 in Jeffrey Lewis
Want Obama to triumph? Help the cause by sharing this informative video by Jeffrey Lewis:
Or you could spread any one of these catchy little Rough Trade endorsed campaign songs:
Ashford & Simpson – Solid (as Barack)
Eddy Grant – You Gimme Hope Obama
Cypress Hill – Hussein in The Membrain (Who’s Sane in The Brain)
Wild Combination 17 October 2008 in Arthur Russell
This weekend is your last chance to catch ‘Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell’ at London’s ICA cinema. It screens at 5pm both Saturday and Sunday and you may make bookings here.
Rather than bore us all with an encouraging description we’ve included this here trailer to whet your appetites:
Generosity 17 October 2008 in British Sea Power
Is Something we’re good at, hence we’ve held back 10 tickets for tonights sold out British Sea Power gig which we’ll be giving away (in pairs) to the first 5 people to send something amusing to ryan.mccann(at)roughtraderecords.com. Remember, generosity is a two way street.
Bonus Prize for Early Birds:
Arrive at the gig for 7:30 for the London Bulgarian Choir, good friends of BSP who refer to them as ‘a shimmering vision of purest sound and beauty’. Hear the loveliness here.
Stage Times:
Friday 17 October
London Roundhouse
7.30pm – London Bulgarian Choir
8.00pm – Film School
9.00pm –...
Adam Green Interview 17 October 2008 in Adam Green
Adam doesn’t need questions to do an interview, he just talks: