Unreal Yucksters

Whilst I have had a love/hate relationship with revisionist slack-dogs Yuck (hated the first two gigs I saw, then they released the album that went supernova, couldn't understand it, decided to listen to it months later, kinda dug it, saw them at Laneway and they killed), I have to admit I was shocked when last week I heard the news that frontman Daniel Blumberg had walked out on them, just as they were beginning the writing and recording of their second LP. The fact that the other band members will continue on as Yuck is bewildering seeing as Blumberg was essentially the anchor, the centrifugal force of the band.

I don't know what happened, but I do know that Blumberg's "passion project" Hebronix sounds like its on the right track. Maybe the complete freedom and control will work wonders - and whilst first taster 'Unreal' doesn't necessarily set the world on fire, it certainly remains a pretty good track. 'Unreal' is set to be the title track of the upcoming LP that'll be out on ATP Recordings in July. If you are in London tonight, Hebronix is airing these tracks and more at the Barbican when he supports slowcore legends Low - talk about a killer venue for it! Get there.

C'mon, Lets Get Low!

C'Mon is the title of the new Low album due out on April 12th on Sub Pop. From all intents and purposes we might be seeing a much brighter outlook from the revered Minnesotans, which is good or bad news depending what quarter you come from - Alan Sparhawk says that the album will be “warm, pretty, large like Nashville without the country. Mim (Parker) and I are talking to each other in the lyrics, sometimes it's not pretty, but it's as honest as love.”...

Any new release from Low is amazing news,and we even have a taster in the form of 'Try To Sleep', which is as breezy as these guys can get. And it gets better - besides an intimate show at St David's Sanctuary at SXSW, they are playing Radio City Music Hall in April with Explosions In The Sky (if you are anywhere near New York on the 6th of April, this gig is an absolute imperative!), plus playing at Primavera Sound and a headlining show at the Barbican in London on June 3rd. Ive seen Low a number of times - an intimate show at Brisbane's The Troubadour being an absolute highlight, where they employed Mick Turner of The Dirty Three on support duties - and these will be unmissable events.

Low - Try To Sleep

The Knife and Hotel Pro Forma bring their electro-opera to the Barbican

The Barbican brings to London The Knife's latest adventure, 'Tomorrow, In A Year', an avant-garde electro-opera performance that revolves around Darwin's thoughts and experiences,

The ever-impressive Swedish duo created all compositions in collaboration with Mt Sims and Planningtorock. Danish performance group Hotel Pro Forma are responsible for the concept and visual experience.

'Tomorrow, In A Year' will be showcased on July 27th and 28th, 20h00. Tickets are now on sale here.

The Knife and Fever Ray's both music and shows are an otherworldly experience as it is - I don't expect anything else from 'Tomorrow, In A Year' and am buying my tickets now!

Want a sneaky preview? Listen to Colouring of Pigeons