ROUNDUP LDN

Like Art? Culture? Unusual discoveries? So do we. So we put it in Audio form. Broadcasting from The legendary Roundhouse, in the heart of Camden. RoundUp is Roundhouse Radio's flagship magazine show presented by Jack Rooke, delving into the cultural and creative happenings within the Roundhouse and beyond.

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Shaun and Mainga's immediate reaction to The Knife performance at the Roundhouse

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The Knife at the Roundhouse

The mildly bonkers Swedish sibling duo known as the Knife performed last week at the Roundhouse. The show ended up becoming one of the most controversial gigs of the year, dividing critics and fans.

Me and Mainga expected a standard concert (opening with a few tracks from the new album, some of their hits sprinkled in and with some fan favourites for the encore), though we got something very different.

They opened with “A Cherry on Top”, a song from their new album. It was a misty dry-ice set with Olef and Karin (the Knife) plus about seven people dressed in druid cloaks (Sorkklubben). Looking back on it, the whole thing was very Spinal Tap. 

It took me a while to realise that the giant oversized toy-like looking instruments they played (a large paper mache harp and a 12 foot slide-guitar among others) weren’t actually real. They were in fact props. 

After first track, they lost the druid cloaks to reveal simmering jumpsuits. They dropped the fake instruments, instead proceeding to dance and mime to a backing track. All pretence of a musical performance was dropped as various members of the dance troupe took turns in miming the songs. There were remarks that it was a “hipster Pan’s People” and “Riverdancing in sparkly jumpsuits”, which are descriptions that I can’t entirely disagree with. In many ways it stopped being a concert and instead became a stage musical that featured songs by the Knife. 

Two things made it worthwhile. First, the on stage visuals were mostly interesting and inventive – an amazing piece which stood out was a performance of ‘Got 2 Let U’, where a video of Karin in a fake beard mouthing to the song was projected the alongside a lip-synching male dancer (err… you sort of had to be there).

Secondly, it was a performance with a cheeky point. It was a deliberate challenge to what an audience would accept as a band performance. It questioned the connection between the visual performance and the music that was played. It gradually pushed the acceptability of what a band could get away with; first with the band not playing instruments, then by them not singing and then by everyone leaving the stage at one point to allow ‘Full of Fire’ to play in its near entirety accompanied only by a techno-rave light show. 

There was a delightful shock factor at the sheer audacity of essentially playing a CD for fans who expected a standard concert. Though, it made me wonder if it was substantially different from using a sequencer or DJ-set. It made the audience contemplate how they wanted to have the music reproduced. It is clear that no fans wanted to see the Knife because of Karin and Olef’s dance moves. Given that the majority of the performance was carried out by the Sorkklubben dancers, the night could have been substantively the same if Karin and Olef didn’t turn up.

It was food for thought… but in many ways that is not why I wanted to see The Knife (I was looking forward to busting a move to a bass-heavy rendition of We Share Our Mother’s Health, with Karin singing at a mic and Olef looking moody behind a sampler).

It was more interesting than it was entertaining. I’ll certainly be pondering about this gig for a while to come… but frankly I was happiest at the end, when Karin sang a reworked ‘Silent Shout’ to a dazzling light show. Simple, live and melodic.

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ROUNDUP RECAP - MARCH/APRIL EDITION 2013

So on this months RoundUp we have a selection of audible treats from our team of reporters! We have been checking out  music promoters Eat Your Own Ears and their recent showcase at the Roundhouse, we caught up with Denise Jahnigen before her set at the Roundhouse, and the RoundUp ladies went to the Booked Lit events to celebrate International Womens Day! 

  We also had Roundhouse Radio deputy manager Mr James Deacon in the studio, to give us his BEST STORY EVER, which involved the german education syllabus and a boy called Greg. Hopefully we shall uncover some video evidence of James’s weird and wonderful story.

  Please check us out and tweet about the show

Tweet: @roundupldn / facebook.com/roundupldn

  AND listen back to this months edition as well as all our other shows at roundhouse.org.uk/roundup

  Heres to next month!

  Jack 

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Shaun went along to the Handpicked Eat Your Own Ears showcase at the Roundhouse- and got some interviews with the bands

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Last month’s interview with Little Simz is now available on Soundcloud- check it out!

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Eat Your Own Ears @ the Roundhouse - NZCA/Lines

The headline act was NZCA Lines, a three-piece that is fronted by lead singer/keyboardist Michael Lovett.

They have a soulful-electro sound, which packs swooning RnB vocals alongside by sparse percussive monotone synths. On stage they reminded me of the 80s pop style groove of Kindness, though cooler (and less-full-of-themselves). They finished the night with their song ‘Compass Points’, one of my favourite tracks at the moment, which pleasingly combines ghostly vocals with pulsating synth-beats.

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Michael Lovett telling me about futuristic sci-fi pop music and how to pronounce NZCA Lines

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Eat Your Own Ears @ the Roundhouse - Teleman

Second to last were Teleman - who out of all the bands playing on the night were the ones that came across as those most likely to make it big.

They actually sound almost retro, as in they sound like a lot of the self-consciously kooky bands that were around in the noughties. They remind me of Whitest Boy Alive, since their songs have an underlying groove whilst also having a sense of measured restraint. Songs like their new single ‘Cristina’ went down very well with the crowd and their fantastically poppy songs are clearly ready for a mainstream audience.

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Speaking with Tom Saunders of Teleman about sexy music and winning at the Roundhouse.

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Eat Your Own Ears @ the Roundhouse - Dark Bells

The third act was Dark Bells.

When Dark Bells were two songs into their set the friend I went with turned to me and said “I’m bored”. I was feeling the same way. They were a 3 piece which played gloomy music with a guitar sound that had a 80s indie metallic clang. However, they did seem to get better as they went on and it was more a matter of the sound not doing the band justice. I think that this is because it’s the singer’s sonorous voice that carries their songs, so once the volume of the vocals was brought to the fore of the mix the band were finally able to come into their own.

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Eat Your Own Ears @ the Roundhouse - East India Youth

Paradise was followed by the second act, East India Youth, which is in fact a one man band consisting of William Doyle.

He was probably the most experimental of the acts. He sang with a swoon that reminded me of Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor. When his voice was combined with the layered pulsating chimes of the synths the result was really quite captivating. Songs such as ‘Dripping Down’ have this splendid uplifting quality. While his last song was a bit too repetitive and self-indulgent for my liking, most of his more experimental pieces (such as a song which consisted entirely of an electronic voice reading out the names of English train stations) were genuinely intriguing, putting both the high quality sound system and large space of the Roundhouse to good use.

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Chatting with East India Youth about the Roundhouse and why he doesn't like to be called William Doyle.

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Eat Your Own Ears @ the Roundhouse - Paradise

Paradise was the opening act at the 'Eat Your Own Ears: Handpicked' event last Friday.

Their music was rather wide ranging, starting off by playing a nihilistic dirge that sounded fantastic – though they also played songs that had a hazy feel, making them reminiscent of both My Bloody Valentine and the Animal Collective. They were a five piece band creating a sound that contained keyboards and pounding drums that were mixed in with screeching feedback.

They sounded remarkably controlled, being able to create a powerful noise that didn't decent into a muddled mess.

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Talking to Tony Harewood of the band Paradise just after their performance at the Roundhouse on the 22nd March as part of the 'Eat Your Own Ears presents: Handpicked' event.

Keen ears will hear, in the background, a civil exchange of words with a member of the Roundhouse staff who was asking us to leave the area.

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Hello RoundUp listeners!

As mentioned on the latest episode of RoundUp, Jack and I wandered around the vibrant streets of Camden Town, home of Roundhouse Radio, to see if our meat-eating Jack might consider vegetarianism.

As a life-long vegetarian, I can imagine it not being easy choosing the vege options when there are so many more meaty choices to choose from on the menu, but why not give it a try the next time you venture out to eat. You might surprise your palate! Here’s my top 5 vege eats around London. Prices average between £5-£15. They offer good value for money and great insight into new tastes and flavours for anyone wanting to try some great vegetarian food out there. 1) Tayyabs - As many Roundhouse Radio listeners will know I always rave about this place. Based in Whitechapel. It’s my favourite place in London for a good vegetarian curry. It’s renown for it’s meat platters and lamb shanks but speaking as a vegetarian  I can’t praise this place enough for it’s vegetarian options. The lentil and aubergine curry is a real  winner, as is the Paneer Tikka which is packed full of flavour. www.tayyabs.co.uk/ 2) Beatroot -  Now this is a great value for money cafe. It’s based off Berwick Street in the heart of Soho, West London. This place serves  really scrummy vegetarian salads and comfort food like sausage rolls and cottage pie! You have choice of 3 boxes to fill, small, medium and large. Large is around £6 and the box is HUGE. You can pick out whatever you want, salads or hot foods or both, and cram until you reach full capacity. If you want grab a quick and healthy bite, this is the place to go. They also prepare fresh juices too, which are delicious! beatroot.org.uk/ 3) Moaz - Falafel is the ideal vegetarian sandwich. Packed full different flavours and textures, Moaz know how to make a good falafel. Based in Soho, this is a great healthy fast food option. Like Beetroot, you can fill up your falafel whichever way you like. Pick a base (includes falafel balls, aubergines, humous), and then add as much, or as little veg and sauces as you like! They do an awesome home-made lemonade too! www.maozusa.com/ 4) Goyuzu - This is a great ‘little’ Turkish restaurant based in Green Lanes, North London. This place is incredible because you get tons of free stuff before you even order: tons of salad, tatziki and warm Turkish bread (it’s hard not till up on just that!) Check out the menu of the website, there is just so much choice. I’d recommend the ‘Meze’ options where you can try lots of different things and share amongst friends. www.gokyuzurestaurant.co.uk/ 5) Papaya - Located off of Wardour Street in Central London. This place is a hidden Thai gem. Most people stumble across by it accident as it’s situated down what looks like an alley way!  You’ll know you’re near when you see the massive lunch time queue outside this tiny green shop. Once the food is gone, it’s gone, and service is done for the day. So get it while it’s hot, literally! The vege options are delicious, choose from Thai green/red tofu curries, cashew curries and veg mixed with noodles or rice. The flavours are intense and rich and the portions are massive. Expect to pay no less more than £4-£6. This place is a winner on all levels! (It’s so underrated it doesn’t even have a website!)

So get out there, treat yourself and try something different. Vegetarian food isn’t as boring as you’d think! Listen back to RoundUp reporter Jack and I tasting some delights around Camden, home of Roundhouse Radio here:

https://soundcloud.com/roundupldn/horse-meat-or-veggies

@meemee_d @RoundUpLDN

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Spark London

A few weeks ago I went to a show that relied on an intriguing concept. The audience pays their hard-earned cash... enters... sits down... then gets up on the stage and entertains themselves.

It was Spark London. It's a story telling event, where regular people get up on a stage and tell true stories to an audience. They tell tales that are based on a theme. Since it was during the same week as Valentine's Day, on the night that I went the theme was inevitably... love stories. There were a rich range of stories. Roughly half of them were stories on romantic love, with rest being about familial love, friendship and lust. Some were told with a with a rehearsed professional slickness, though the best were those that were volunteered on the spur of the moment and regaled with a degree of heartfelt amateurism. The first few stories were told by those that arrived early and signed up to tell their tales. But those were only three stories, so within less that 20 minutes there was a break. It was really quite fascinating as the host had to franticly search the audience for stories. The audience members shyly shifted around in their seats as the host asked them "Are you going to tell a story tonight? It's far less scary once you're up there on the stage".

This is the most exciting aspect of the night, as you become slightly apprehensive about whether the night will abruptly come to an end. The challenge and spontaneous nature of night adds to the thrill of it.

The amazing thing is that the set-up works. People do suddenly decide to tell stories to the audience, and fantastic stories at that. I heard touching adventures about old lost relationships that never were and humourous incidents involving bizarre sexual mishaps. It's very much an ongoing a process, as the stories the audience hear prompts them to share their own experiences.

What makes the night special is that there is a communal feel to the place. It is not a night to passively absorb a performance, rather it feels like a little club that you can choose to observe or participate in. The night is quite social, as after the stories people mingle and chat with the tellers about the stories they told.

I spoke with the founder, Joanna Yates, after the night. She summed the feel up quite nicely when she said that it "doesn't feel like that separation, with these are the people performing, and the great ones, and we're all the mortals listening. It's all very much like everyone's in it together". 

When the night ends the story tellers get on stage to an applauding crowd. It feels all rather triumphant, with this feel that they all pulled it off together. Another thing that is really quite lovely is that everything is recorded at Spark. So not only could they use your story in their weekly podcast (though only with your permission), they will send you a copy of your story to keep for posterity. You can hear the past stories and find out when the next night is at http://www.sparklondon.com/.

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Tonight our first show of this year goes out on Roundhouse Radio. We have lessons in storytelling from Spark London, radio listening adventures from In the Dark, highlights from our Rising Futures panel as a part of the Roundhouse Rising Festival, an interview with Little Simz, as well as our presenter Jack attempting to go veggie... tune in from 5.30pm!