The Death of Banality
It's always difficult and sometimes even prohibited to put a label on music because of personal emotions and strong sensations.
Usually, classifying helps us to understand a concept, but frequently we tend to abuse terminologies, thus creating unusual and improbable descriptive couplings for music, such as "grunge psychedelic" and "post metal grind folk." I admit it that even using my wildest imagination I just can’t comprehend.
This rambling preamble brings me to the group Death of Anna Karina , a group labelled by “the industry” as post-hardcore—a label, in my opinion, loosely used and extremely limiting.
This band from Bologna has recently released Lacrima/Pantera, a courageous demonstration that radical change doesn’t necessarily mean disaster. In a bold move they have embraced their native tongue, abandoning English while maintaining their original style.
An aggressive sound including scorching guitars and a rhythm section that leaves no room to breathe, and a voice that enters the scene with a nervous harmony and anger that literally kicks the listener in the side of the head (in a positive way) with its power.
If the definition of post-hardcore is being dragged into a vortex of feelings with no escape route, completely immersed in a world of sound that leaves you feeling like crying in the face of anger and frustration, then I agree with the adjective.
The Death of Anna Karina is the most sincere and direct post-hardcore band that has appeared on the horizon for a while.
‘Non sarò deflagrante passione sopita’(I will not be dormant in the face of exploding passion): key lyrics from a group that keeps its promises.
Happy listening.
Jacopo Ravagnan
English translation by Karin Andrea Halliwell
http://www.thedeathofannakarina.com/
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date:
The Death of Anna Karina(Italy), Boat Beam(Spain), ManzOni (Italy), King Khan and The Shrines (Canada), Edda(Italy), LCD Soundsystem (USA), Replace The Battery(Italy), The Drums(USA), Fauve! Genen a Rhino (Italy), Maika Makovski (Spain), DID (Italy), Massimo Volume (Italy), Senpai (Italy), Dude Plays Saxophone (USA), Toundra (Spain), Maxena Tace (Italy),Sawako (Japan), The Cleopatras (Italy), Hollowblue (Italy), OPA (USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Rosso!(Italy)
Boat Beam: how the drop breaks the rock
Last night I was walking down the sidewalk near my house, coming back from the supermarket with a shopping bag in one hand and a milk carton in the other. Suddenly, I saw a small whirlwind of leaves on the ground, a swirl of black smoke appeared, and in a split second it had surrounded me! "Here we go again!", I thought, "the same time machine trick once again". In a few seconds, I found myself catapulted into the distant 1993, and was standing in front of the doors of my high school! As I was trying to figure out what the heck had happened, and I saw myself, a pimply faced sixteen year old, entering through the main gate! As we hadn’t had the opportunity to meet very often, we said hello and took a few minutes to chat. He was surprised at the small sized type of “walkman” that I had, and commented on the large size of my belly. He asked me what kind of music l was listening to in 2011. When I told him the band that I was really into was an all female string trio from Madrid called Boat Beam, he looked a bit confused... He in his beloved Soundgarden t-shirt, could hardly believe that I could really be into a group with that fit that kind of description!
I tried enthusiastically to explain to him that this band, formed by an Australian, an American and a Spaniard, respectively guitar, viola and cello and that they had released their second album called "Reincarnation", a charming pop sounding CD made of light and intriguing melodies. Even in the moments when the rhythm of the music was stronger, the crystal clear voice of Josephine prevails, creating an extreme, original sound. Their recent live performances had formally opened the doors to the Spanish “indie” scene. This talented band had intrigued me as well as Boat Beam’s brilliant lyrics speaking of solitude, acceptance of what is impossible, and hope to be able to fight in the face of adversity.
I'm not sure if I managed to convince him, but I know that some time in the future he will change his mind! And so, we said goodbye and I made him promise me to take care of himself and to steer clear of chocolate, cookies and similar sweet temptations. I took off by bus for my return to 2011, with "Reincarnation" playing in my headphones, an excellent companion for a melancholy journey back to the future.
Franco Rigato
http://www.myspace.com/boatbeam
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date:
Boat Beam(Spain), ManzOni (Italy), King Khan and The Shrines (Canada), Edda(Italy), LCD Soundsystem (USA), Replace The Battery(Italy), The Drums(USA), Fauve! Genen a Rhino (Italy), Maika Makovski (Spain), DID (Italy), Massimo Volume (Italy), Senpai (Italy), Dude Plays Saxophone (USA), Toundra (Spain), Maxena Tace (Italy),Sawako (Japan), The Cleopatras (Italy), Hollowblue (Italy), OPA (USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Ro
ManzOni: The Color Black Has Never Been So Limpid
Rainy days, gray skies, seagulls flying low,. The sea continues to looked threatening while crashing onto the shore. The smell of the smog mixes with the salty air as a few rays of sun are smothered by the incoming fog—a futile attempt to warm the cold air, which the constant factor of the winter.
Strong uncensored sensations, emotions and impressions that we all tend to keep to ourselves arise instead of liberating them from our souls. Reflections on the passage of time and how cynical life can be, paralyze us with fear in the face of the wheel of destiny that keeps spinning indifferently, changing the fate of man.
Picture an immense puzzle. The different pieces are the images and sensations stated above. If you are able to fit all the pieces together perfectly you will have a vision before you of a group that never concedes to the comfort zone: ManzOni.
The caustic lyrics, anything but predictable, are accompanied by guitars that can play softly or very aggressively depending on moment or mood.
The lyrics command attention, guiding the listener through a full voyage of suffering, thanks to Luigi Tenca, the lead singer. He sprews out all of his experiences. No hostages are taken . Sweetness does not belong to his vocabulary.
ManzOni have created a surprising, awkward harmony between singer and four guitars (the drums can be heard occasionally in the background). Each member seems to have carved out a magical, individual space. Their new songs, ‘Cosa ci sarà’, ‘Scappi’, and ‘Tu Sai’ say it like it is. Nude and crude.
You’d best heed to ManzOni’s battle cry. Join the armada or be prepared to surrender.
Jacopo Ravagnan
English translation by Karin Andrea Halliwell
http://www.myspace.com/viaggicongliaerei
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date:
ManzOni (Italy), King Khan and The Shrines (Canada), Edda(Italy), LCD Soundsystem (USA), Replace The Battery(Italy), The Drums(USA), Fauve! Genen a Rhino (Italy), Maika Makovski (Spain), DID (Italy), Massimo Volume (Italy), Senpai (Italy), Dude Plays Saxophone (USA), Toundra (Spain), Maxena Tace (Italy),Sawako (Japan), The Cleopatras (Italy), Hollowblue (Italy), OPA (USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Rosso! (Italy).
It's a Man’s World
I’m going to tell you just one of my many dark secrets. I've always kind of wanted to be a go-go girl. You know short sexy skirts, high-heeled boots and a Barbarella wig. Throw in a pair gold lamé pompoms and bam! I can't think of anything sexier. My fantasy just might become reality if King Khan and the Shrines pass through Italy on their next European tour. The pompoms are an essential part of the show but King Kahn himself is the definition of essence with a capital E. The Montreal native has been dedicated to the serious cause of keeping psychedelic soul alive and kicking since he was 17. The group was formed in 2004 thanks to King Kahn frequenting hole-in-the-wall establishments and music dives. He managed to hand pick his international musical disciples, The Shrines, while travelling Europe far and wide.
The Shrines are a ten-member group with an impressive big band sound: You’ve got your trumpet, your Hammond, you’ve got your sax, percussion and then you have King Kahn, a reincarnation of Sam & Dave, James Brown, and and Screamin’ Jay Hawkins all rolled up into one. He eats, sleeps and lives this music. It's impossible not to hear. Kahn and The Shrines pull it off and have a great time doing it. This is even more evident when you see them live in concert, or even on YouTube. Fun is an understatement.
Kahn’s stage presence is massive and outrageous like his zoot suits, sabre-tooth necklaces and occasional flashy head gear. Half of the time he's barely wearing anything. He woos you with his voice as the Shrines blow you away with their powerful sound. The girl with the pompoms keeps the beat. There's nothing flash-in-the-pan about their performance. It's pure energy.
Vice Records understood the validity of the group and in 2008 released The Supreme Genius of King Khan and The Shrines. It's a 16- track testimony to the group's evolution. The CD is a phenomenal collection of music. Good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll dancehall blues. Retro rockabilly has never ever sounded so good. King Kahn sings his heart out. The Hammond and the horns strut their stuff. If I could, I would post all 16-tracks, but it's up to you to do your own exploring. If you love and respect music you won't be let down. Have a listen to "No Regrets" with its distinct echoes of the Velvet Underground . That big band in-your-face beat in "Land of the Freak" and "I Wanna be a Girl". The groovy Rascals' sounding "Welfare Bread". This CD is so hot that seeing them live would truly be a supreme event, and that, my dear friends, is what I'm waiting for.
In the meantime I've got my go-go moves down to a T, awaiting the day to take to the stage beside his royal highness of soul King Kahn, whenever that may be.
Karin Andrea Halliwell
www.myspace.com/kingkhantheshrines
Artists permanently (and randomly) "on air" at present date:
King Khan and The Shrines (Canada), Edda(Italy), LCD Soundsystem (USA), Replace The Battery(Italy), The Drums(USA), Fauve! Genen a Rhino (Italy), Maika Makovski (Spain), DID (Italy), Massimo Volume (Italy), Senpai (Italy), Dude Plays Saxophone (USA), Toundra (Spain), Maxena Tace (Italy),Sawako (Japan), The Cleopatras (Italy), Hollowblue (Italy), OPA (USA), Nora Keyes (USA), Simona Gretchen(Italy), Facciascura (Italy), hiiragi fukuda (Japan), Stardog(Italy), I Got A Violet(Italy), The Agrarians (USA); Feldmaus (Russia); Red Velvet (Italy - France); Eigenheimer (Holland); Drugs Made Me Smarter (Mexico); Kelvin & Speedy Peones (Italy); Tidy Kid (USA); NIMM (Italy); MorningPaper (Italy), Edgar Graves (Czech Republic), Marshmallow (Croatia), David Morley (England/Belgium); Bancale (Italy); Antony Raijekov (Bulgary); Amélie (Italy); Celestial Aeon Project (Finland); Channel in Channel out (USA); Madrigali Magri (Italy), Gimme 'hat Moonshine (Belgium), Krakenti (Latvia), Wheelchair Discotheque (Latvia), TheOneOnTheIsland (Slovakia), Maok (Slovakia), LaBon (Slovakia), Jordan Jordan (Slovakia), Social Society (Slovakia), Batte (Norway), Orange Crush (Norway), Oriental Music System (Hong Kong), Iamsum (Hong Kong), Rex Cody (Hong Kong), Donkey Valium (Hong Kong), Smiling Buddhas (Hong Kong), O-M (Hong Kong), Hvoya (Ukraine), Automatic Pilot Required (Brazil), Yogi (Brazil), Light Merchants (South Africa), The Slowmovies (Italy); I am this (USA); Kråkvind (Sweden); Planet Brain (Italy); Lebatol (UK); Sarah Schuster (Italy); Krt 963 (Italy-Japan); Flap (Italy); Nicker Hill Orchestra (Italy); Menrovescio (Italy); Annabel (USA); Karmatest (Italy); The Dada Weatherman (France); Diablo Swing Orchestra (Sweden); Japanese gum (Italy); Above the tree (Italy); Volcano Playground (Canada); Linz (Italy); Anomie Belle (USA), Christophe Marc (France), Death Valley Sleepers (Denmark), Jeremy Sparrow (Denmark), Zoon van snooK (England), Systemton (Germany), Matti Bye (Sweden), Manuzik (Japan), Chances (Italy), Hometaping (Great Britain...?), Ping (Norway), Frey (New Zealand), Manhan (Japan), One Chef (Sweden), Mijagi (Poland), Pandacetamol (Scotland), Lu-Sin (Argentina), Thomas Solgaard (Denmark), Wonderboy (France), Los Hermanos Butaca (Argentina), La Biyuya (Argentina), Negro Fluo (Argentina), Sempai (Italy), Riccardo Vianello (Italy), Wolther goes stranger (Italy), Eildentroeilfuorieilbox84 (Italy), Buzz Aldrin (Italy), Stefano Roveda (Italy), Rosso! (Italy); manzOni (Italy).