Live Review: Haiku Hands / Rosko @ Corsica Studios

Haiku Hands + Rosko live at Corsica Studios, London (23 October 2018) // Words: Saam Das

It's been a cool fourteen-and-a-half years since we last graced Elephant & Castle for a gig - The Libertines at The Coronet in April 2004, if you must know - but we were happy to make our musical concert return to the South London area for this European tour date of Aussie ruffians Haiku Hands. Quite simply, they're one of the finest live bands going today, with their unique Beastie Boys-doing-beat-laden-pop vibe.

LFF 2018: Why Nicolas Cage's 'Mandy' Reminds Us How Much We'll Miss Composer Johann Johannsson

Words: Saam Das

We caught the Nicolas Cage-led psychedelic horror 'Mandy' (don't fret, no spoilers in this piece) at the 2018 BFI London Film Festival, and we're still reeling from the viewing. Totally bonkers, and already well on its way to being a modern cult classic. Thanks in part to Johann Johannsson's incredible, larger-than-life score, one of his final offerings following his untimely passing in February this year.

Surfacing: Gabby's World [New Act]

Words: Saam Das

Gabrielle Smith has been putting out music Stateside for the last few years under the name Eskimeaux, before a brief rebrand as Ó and now a final(?) moniker of Gabby's World. Which is also the name of a Romford toy shop. Dubious levels of research, Gabrielle. Anyway, we have a number of tracks to give us a taste of the New Yorker's debut Gabby's World album, 'Beast On Beast'.

Listen: Haiku Hands x True Vibenation - Squat [New Single]

Words: Saam Das

Haiku Hands might be the best new band you haven't yet heard. Or at least the most fun new band. The Aussie trio dazzled UK audiences earlier this year - probably our favourite performance of The Great Escape 2018 - and are heading back for another UK tour beginning imminently. In the meantime, they've put out their latest track, 'Squat', with afro bounce outfit True Vibenation.

Surfacing: Sir Babygirl [New Act]

Words: Saam Das

The lo-fi pop revolution may be televised and if that's the case then Kelsie Hogue and her Sir Babygirl project could well be at its forefront. Listen to a trio of her unashamed/self-proclaimed 'queer pop' tracks below, as much influenced by 90s TV cartoon 'Hey Arnold!' ("move it, football head!") as they are by the modern pop of Charli XCX.

LFF 2018: Lose Yourself In The Southend Battle-Rap Scene With 'Vs.' [Review]

'Vs.' (UK Release: 19 October 2018) // Words: Saam Das

It's sixteen years since '8 Mile' brought battle-rap to the big screen in a big way, garnering an Oscar for Best Original Song for its star Eminem and his smash 'Lose Yourself'. British writer-director Ed Lilly's debut directorial feature 'Vs.' brings battle-rap back to the mainstream, albeit via sunny Southend rather than bleak Detroit, with a striking central performance from newcomer Conor Swindells.

Listen: IDER - Mirror [New Single]

Words: Saam Das // Photo: Lottie Turner

We've been quite busy at this year's ongoing BFI London Film Festival lately, and we've caught plenty of conventional and unconventional new releases. One curious thing we've noticed this year however is the use of a "crowd-pleaser" as some sort of derisory term. Well, by definition, it's kind of a good thing non? Anyway, the new one from IDER is what we'd call a crowd-pleaser. In the best way. Listen to the rousing 'Mirror' below.

Watch: The 1975 - 'Love It If We Made It' [Official Video]

Words: Saam Das

We need look no further than the Brexit and the current US administration or the most recent IPCC report warning of our slide into catastrophic climate change to recognise that the world's doing pretty rubbs these days. And it's something that hasn't escaped The 1975, who have unveiled a thought-provoking (and surprisingly kaleidoscopic) new video for the excellent 'Love It If We Made It'.

Preview: Celebrate Black History Month With These Films At The 2018 BFI London Film Festival

BFI London Film Festival 2018 (10-21 October 2018) // Words: Lauren Johnson-Ginn & Saam Das

The 62nd BFI London Film Festival kicks off today, with 'Widows' as its Opening Night Gala. As mentioned in our recent music-focussed preview of the LFF 2018, Steve McQueen's new effort is a tantalizing prospect, and an appropriate Opening Night Gala as the Oscar winner hails from London. As one of the industry's (sadly rare) successful black directors, it is also appropriate considering October is Black History Month in the UK. We've put together a list of some other appropriate films to help celebrate BHM at this year's LFF.

Surfacing: ARIEL [New Act]

Words: Saam Das

It's been several years since Kate Sproule first made a significant impression on our ears as a member of dream-folk outfit Mt. Wolf. The somewhat abrupt departure of Sproule in 2013 was such a loss to the group that they initially disbanded, prior to a pleasing return a year later. Sproule's next step was in a solo venture as Bo Rocha but a recent re-invention sees her return as ARIEL.

Preview: A Music Fan's Guide To The 2018 BFI London Film Festival

BFI London Film Festival (10-21 October 2018) // Words: Saam Das

The BFI London Film Festival 2018 is upon us for yet another year - an impressive 62nd edition. We're on hand to guide you through as many of the music-related films at the 2018 LFF as we possibly can. Many of these films sadly won't make an appearance otherwise in UK cinemas, and for those that do, you'll miss out on the oft-interesting introductions and Q&As that characterise these films' appearances at a film festival.

Listen: Charli XCX + Troye Sivan - 1999 [New Track]

Words: Saam Das

Pop royalty Charli XCX and South African actor-turned-musician Troye Sivan (he was young Wolverine in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'!) have come together to not only deliver a bomb-ass piece of single artwork but a collaboration of considerable proportions. Check out the Britney Spears-referencing new single '1999' before the Millennium Bug hits below.