list.co.uk/music REVIEWS | MUSIC
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: J U S T N P Z Z O F E R R A T O
INDIE / ALT.ROCK SEBADOH Broadcast, Glasgow, Fri 4 Oct
Sebadoh’s influence on the world of indie rock can’t be understated, both in their DIY recordings and in their big- hearted songwriting. But it’s Ariana Grande who founder Lou Barlow made a comparison with in the release for the band’s ninth album Act Surprised, specifically the track ‘Celebrate the Void’, which opens with a line that wouldn’t be out of place in one of the global megastar’s lovelorn anthems: ‘I get the feeling you don’t feel me.’ ‘Pop music is always great,’ Barlow enthuses, ‘even when it's not. It has an impact in culture and psyches that I have no choice but to appreciate.'
On Act Surprised, the band haven’t taken the unlikeliest of left turns into the world of pop, instead delivering another cathartic blast of guitar rock. ‘All Sebadoh records are political,’ says Barlow, ‘but this time we looked outside, instead of in, for most of the tunes.’ Across 15 tracks, Barlow and bandmates Jason Loewenstein and Bob D’Amico delve into the complexities of an increasingly divided world, one altered beyond the point of no return by technological advancement. It’s a record with all the energy of a live performance but is also one of Sebadoh’s most melodic albums, the fruits of working with Justin Pizzoferrato, responsible for the post-reunion Dinosaur Jr albums Beyond, Farm and I Bet On Sky. ‘Jason, Bob and I spent a week throwing ideas to each other then convened in Justin's studio,’ says Barlow. ‘The recording was a blast.’ The band’s upcoming European tour takes in a visit to
Glasgow, a city Barlow has a lot of fondness for. ‘It’s a place that I always remember,’ he says, ‘the quiet ferocity of the music scene, the love of music that buoys every show I've played there, a place where I feel like my basic desire to write songs is understood and appreciated. Suffice to say, I always look forward to, or am very nervous about, a show in Glasgow.’ (Craig Angus)
SCI-FI / INDIE / FOLK / ROCK KETTLE OF KITES The Hug & Pint, Glasgow, Fri 6 Sep
Tom Stearn, former singer with Admiral Fallow, is contemplating grander more complex concepts as his Kettle of Kites return with second album Arrows, drawing inspiration from sci-fi and in particular one of the genre’s greatest writers. ‘I'm a big fan of Isaac Asimov and we took inspiration from many of the themes in his books,’ explains Stearn. ‘As well as the more scientific and futuristic side of his work, there are always underlying eternal themes in his books which people can identify and connect with, much like the songs on this record, such as love, time, destruction, spirituality and journeying into the unknown . . . the sci-fi side of it pulls those eternal themes together in an interesting way.’ Lead single ‘Orchid’ is a widescreen slice of indie that uses futuristic concepts to address climate
change and possible ecological disaster. ‘I think what inspired me about his [Asimov’s] writing is how forward-thinking his ideas were, how relevant they are today and how he blended elements of real science with storytelling to make you reflect on the bigger picture of humanity. I found delving into these ideas to be a great source of inspiration in writing the lyrics for the record.’
Even with the band spread across the globe (Stearn and bassist Pietro Martinelli are based in Genoa, with guitarist Marco Giongrandi in Brussels and drummer Riccardo Chiaberta in London), Stearn knew these were the right people for the project. ‘They're fantastic musicians and also really into what we were doing. This album really feels like we worked together as a band on all the compositions and that we're all following the same path musically.’ (Henry Northmore)
GRIME / PUNK SLOWTHAI The Poetry Club, Glasgow, Mon 15 Oct
'I knew what I wanted to say on the album,' Northampton rapper Slowthai notes of his Mercury- nominated debut Nothing Great About Britain. On its release earlier this year, the album was praised for its fierce ruminations on poverty, class and nationalism, alongside Britain's fast-approaching exit from the EU. But Nothing Great About Britain is also a very personal record for Slowthai, born Tyron Frampton, as he airs his grievances with savage and passionate soliloquies, ultimately advocating for a sense of community amid the fearmongering and intolerance currently plaguing the country.
'It’s basically my experience of growing up [in the UK]; of having a family that were immigrants
originally, of the stories they’ve told me, of my childhood and how I’ve lived my life,’ he says. 'Through it, I’ve gone on a journey of explaining how everything I was chasing to make me feel good only clouded my judgement. And it took me going through a tonne of shit to realise that none of these things – no money, no drugs, no fake relationships – is gonna make me happy, or make me a good person.'
His recent UK tour, for which he sold tickets for 99p, took him to places not typically on the gig- circuit like South Shields, Ramsgate and Milton Keynes, encouraging fans affected by Britain's dire economic state to attend and see one of their favourite artists live. His upcoming UK tour may see the self-proclaimed 'Brexit Bandit' play more familiar venues but tickets will remain affordable, at only £5 regardless of the city or venue. (Arusa Qureshi)
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