Issue 99 / May 2019

MEMBERS’
MIXTAPE
In this new regular feature, we ask one
of our members to compile a selection
of music from their recent listening
playlists. Anda Phillips takes to the
podium to tell us what tunes we should
be clamouring for.
Sound Lad
MERSEYRAIL SOUND STATION is calling out
to musicians across the region to take part
in semester three of the music development
programme. Following the success of the first
two series, artists who are looking to improve
their craft while receiving tailored advice
from music industry experts, are encouraged
to apply. The programme features an artist
masterclass with Stealing Sheep’s Becky
Hawley, an industry day coordinated by Cath
Hurley (formerly of Rough Trade) and studio
workshops run by Echo & the Bunnymen
keyboardist Jez Wing. Applications are open
now via merseyrailsoundstation.com and close
on Friday 17th May.
Merseyrail Sound Station
Baltic Beats
We have to take our hats off to the team at 24 Kitchen
Street, and all their assorted mates and collaborators. Their
bookings over the past 12 months have been nothing
short of stellar, and they head into May with arguably the
strongest bookings sheet of any similarly-sized venue in
the country. With Baltic Weekender and Liverpool Disco
Festival taking over the venue at either end of the month,
and Abandon Silence stopping by to celebrate its ninth
birthday (cue an all-night-long party with long-time AS
friend JOY ORBISON on 3rd May), there really is something
for everyone. There’s also hip hop royalty in the form of KRS-
ONE (28th May), gothic dancehall from Warp’s GAIKA (24th
May), experimental psychedelic electronica from ROMARE
(17th May) and just about everything else. Fair play squad,
you’ve nailed it again.
Czarface +
Ghostface Killah
Czarrcade ’87
Silver Age
From the album Czarface
Meets Ghostface. I’m gluten
free (all hail the Merseyside
Gluten Free Pie Company) and there’s a line about gluten
which makes me giggle every time I listen. Old-skool hip
hop with new-skool cultural references.
Snapped Ankles
Rechargeable
The Leaf Label
Take The Long Road And Walk It
SMITHDOWN ROAD FESTIVAL returns to the Wavertree thoroughfare with an
all-new format but the same community spirit this month. Now stretching over 26
days, the festival will take in more gigs across the familiar venues which have been
home to the event since its inception five years ago. The launch weekend features a
host of great shows between 1st and 6th May. Franks has three days of live music,
with SAMURAI KIP heading things up on Monday 6th May. The inestimable TABLE
SCRAPS on Saturday 4th May, with BITCH PALACE following them in the same
venue the night after. Handymans has a very busy long bank holiday weekend, too,
with SEAFOAM GREEN (Thursday 2nd) and THE LONGCUT (Saturday 4th) among
those performing. Proceeds will be donated to homeless charity The Whitechapel.
Sweet Releases
David Rudolf
Can you hear it pumping on your stereo? No? Well you soon will, as these
tunes have been keeping our office speakers warm over the past couple of
weeks, showing that there’s just no stopping boss music coming your way.
Shapeshifters STEALING SHEEP are back with their disco glam new record
Big Wows and it’s a must-listen. The trio have filtered some fresh new
influences into their third LP, including some rave and J-pop flourishes, and it’s
out now via Heavenly. KING HANNAH have gone widescreen with their new
single Crème Brûlée, a heady rush of artfully-paced, bruising rock; and THE
FLOORMEN limber up for a full album release (due later this year) with punchy
and bendy new single As You Go, which owes as much to Happy Mondays as it
does the kind of West Coast psych they’ve been wallowing in for years. Single
of the moment has to go to Breakfast by Chester trio PEANESS, given that it’s
about everyone’s favourite political clusterfuck. Except, it now might not be
coming out until October, in which case, soz.
Rudy Can’t Fail
Blow pokes, Owl Theory and Fake Science. True crime
phenomenon THE STAIRCASE comes to Grand Central Hall
this month in the form of DAVID RUDOLF In Conversation.
The lawyer who took charge of the Kathleen Peterson
murder case will address the issues brought up in the series
as well as the myriad theories which have been generated
following the documentary’s popular run on Netflix. Those
who have listened to the BBC podcast Beyond Reasonable
Doubt will know there is plenty more to discuss in relation
to the case as well as the circumstances of the documentary
during and since the filming.
Stealing Sheep
One for dancing and checking
your pulse. Not so sure about
the album, Stunning Luxury,
though. Every attempt at
seeing them live has been thwarted and from what I read
that’s where they’re at.
Nick Hakim
The Light
Earseed
This track will make you stop
and take a deep breath. Saw
him and his band at the Hare
and Hounds in Birmingham.
The performance was
understated, his dreamy live vocals, even though sparse,
were transfixing and the sub bass just made you smile. It’s
that need to smile again. One of those gigs that needed
seats and where the ages went from 17 to 70.
SPQR
Suffer
Loner Noise
None of you need to know
how good these lot are ’cos
you already know, but this
track was a soundtrack to an
awful time when my mum was
in Broadgreen Hospital and I used to sing this bloody loud
driving through the tunnel. Apologies to all who may have
heard me, but it sure did help.
Head to bidolito.co.uk for a playlist compiled by Anda. For
more information on our Community Membership, head to
bidolito.co.uk/membership.
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