Michael Kiwanuka

I came across Michael Kiwanuka, by reading about this year's Little Noise Sessions. Little Noise sessions is a row of acoustic performances made by many different artists. This year's artists that contributed to the 6th Little Noise Sessions, were among others Coldplay, Ben Howard and Michael Kiwanuka.

With the 3 Eps and the upcoming album Home Again, I think that Kiwanuka has just started. He grew up in London, and by listening to his music you can distinguish that brittish light indie acoustic sound (or even a slight Bob Dylan feeling?) . But, on the same time he manages to mix it all with soft and smooth soul, influences. He reminds me of a melow Jack Johnson, a younger Bill Withers, or even a Johny Legend, but since I believe that he is influenced by the "elder"ones, he should remind me of all the great soul/ blues singers from the 60s...Perhaps, Percy Sledge or Otis Redding.

You can read more about him on this youtube post's description, and check out his site here.

Enjoy,

Captain.

Song of Today

The perfect choise for a marked day here in Greece. 17th of November, was once, a celebration of democracy, not any longer. Police repression, social misery, mind control, parliamentary oppression. Ruled by a right- winger government in order to implement plans of national exploitation. And, we, just stand here. Doing nothing.

// Captain

No boundaries

I feel that I've been kinda exposed lately, due to the radio station and it feels like I'm constantly being judged for the music I post from times to times. Thing is that I am so tired of having to explain myself and provide analysis of why I listen to what I listen to.
I believe that music is not only a form of expression but also a form of belief. Let's think of the entity we live in called society. A huge variety of factors constantly shaping and forming our routines, our values, believes and opinions, thus defining our "style".
Style, hm what is style anyway? Is it the image you represent? Or is it the combination of the external you and the way you live? Everything is so banal in the end. I don't understand why we should try to fit in. To be excepted? Excepted in what? And why? I mean, I like music ok? Not like, I love music, art, expression. But the way I show it, or at least try to share my opinions about that is clearly based on pure interest. I am tired of getting placed into categories when it comes to what I listen to. Yes, I like punk, punkrock, hardcore, but I also enjoy listening to pop, indie, even some good electro, or how about Katy Perry? I don't care. As long as it "touches" me, it can be whatever.
As you see what/why you listen to a certain musicgenre, is a subject which unfortunately has been discussed WAY too much. As long as I hear (based to my limited knowledge ofcourse) that the song/artist is characterized by sincereness, emotion, innovative playing, good technique thus, QYALITY, I don't care what it is. On this point I must put on some emphasis on the not so rare phenomenon of "sell-out". A recent example which randomly pops up in my head is Against me. That's why I mention sincereness. If you write, play, sing music which comes from the heart and only, well the result won't be dissapointing.

So next time, some punkrocker, hardcorer, poper or how they now enjoy calling themselves has a problem with the fact that I am not locked into one style, I will send them this post. (ha ha)
And least but not last, no I am not a fake music-genre fan, just because I don't know about all the releases, albums, influences and all the other information you can SO EASILY find on internet nowdays.
The important thing is to listen to everything, and to be picky with what you keep. Let's stop labelizing, and get into the point.

Sincerelly yours,

Captain Shilly.

La Casa Fantom

Many times I've discussed with friends about the fact that Scandinavia has the tendency to "raise" many great musicians, and especially within metal, hardcore, punk, and so on .
Last week, while visiting Berlin I had the chanse to see two gigs, from two different scandinavian countries, Norway and Sweden. La Casa Fantom, a norwegian duo, is a recent recommendation, and I was pleasently suprised when I saw that would play in Berlin.

The band consists of two rather musically talented guys, the drummer Lars and the bassist Bård. The thing I really enjoy with this band is the fact that they experiment alot. They are not iced into one genre. Of course they are influenced by hardcore, or punk but they've got alot of post- rock features. Distorded bass, and explosive drums with a rather "empty" sound from times to times. I guess that their aim is the emotion itself, and not the sound of it. Well in combination with depressive dark scandinavian poetic lyrics they succed.

It was kinda cold and moisty in that basement and La Casa Fantom was next on the line after Avverkad. After a rather long come-into-the-mood ceremony, and a slight strip show (the bassist, changed clothes infront of everyone....Funny seeing norwegian white ass from the woods?) they started. As a warmup I guess they chose to play the more instrumental tracks, such as The golden Promise. (since being a swede I can imagine that it could also be an ironic reffeering to pee? haha no kidding) Then they headed off to stronger stuff.

This song, is from their recent 12'' and CD "Ingen Ny Dag" ( "Not a new day" in Free translation) which I strongly recommend. After listening to their previous work I believe that Ingen Ny Dag, is their most integrated release.

Enjoy// Captain Shilly