Tag Archives: Notting Hill Arts Club

New Noise… Azekel

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Something exciting and innovative in the shape of East London singer/rapper, Azekel. Pushing boundaries in the realm of Dub and Pop, here’s why you should check him out.

Azekel

A self taught musician, Azekel has taken a more original approach in his delivery. Certainly not your bog standard “grab a couple of beats and slap some bass on it” kind of guy, no Azekel is someone who propels himself forward and knows no boundaries. At just 21, he seems to have a fountain of knowledge when it comes to Soul, Hip Hop and RnB. With complex beats and creative genre fusing melodies, combine that with deep tones and imaginative rhymes, you are close as to how defining Azekel is.

A perfect introduction to the man himself is his one and only release that is out, his single ‘New-Ish’. This is exactly what I have been talking about, the man knows how to deliver and you can see the video here….

You can also download ‘New-Ish’ too on Azekel’s bandcamp page, for FREE! So if you like what you hear support him.

Also if you are in the area, 21st July, see’s a live performance from Azekel at the legendary YoYo’s night at Notting Hill Arts Club, so make sure you come down!

Roxanne De Bastion Live at The Notting Hill Arts Club (16/05/11)

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Woo! It’s Monday night…….hang on. So not usually the most exciting nights of the week, but an opportunity to see Roxanne De Bastion is certainly something to shout about.

Some of you who read my blog regularly will know that I am somewhat of a fan of the endearing and charming Roxanne. A captivating performer who plays wonderful acoustic pop songs that melt the soul and have you transfixed for the duration. It’s not only her performance that we are treated to tonight, oh no, but the debut screening of her new video for new single ‘Indie Electro Pop’.

The evening is kicked off by 60′s pop enthusiasts, ‘Itchy Teeth’. In all honesty I was strangely compelled by their Dandy Warhols-esque summer pop stylings. They did however pull out the Beatles medley, that’s right I said medley. Not just one cover, but a fucking medley, so I kinda lost interest a bit. It was, however, their Syd Barrett/Noel Fielding jackets that won me over though. So for the nostalgic, trippy, Sgt. Peppers style outfits, I was intrigued enough to stick around and tap a foot.

After the summery guitar tinkering from Itchy Teeth, Roxanne takes to the stage to a packed out Notting Hill Arts Club. She opens up with Doorbell by The White Stripes and it’s the enchanting stance she takes that grabs the audience’s attention. This is followed by brand new single ‘Indie Electro Pop’ which is an ode to all the skinny jean wearing Indie Electro bands of late. With this, Roxanne has this tongue in cheek approach to song writing which is reminiscent of one Regina Spektor. A delightfully alluring tone to her voice, that you cannot help but be absorbed by. One of the highlights is the audience participating ‘Buckling Up’. Amidst the gathering of West London socialites, the crowd were very receptive and sang cheerfully, which was just humbling to hear.

After the set comes the debut screening of the video for ‘Indie Electro Pop’. A nostalgic trip for me, as the overall feel and band arrangement of the song reminds me of 90s Indie starlets, Sleeper. A free-spirited and playful combination of sublime imagery with infectious hooks, a triumphant introduction into the world of Roxanne De Bastion.

If I could, I would talk all day about how wondrous and fascinating Roxanne is to watch, so you do have to check out her music and go see her perform. Also speaking to her this evening, she told me the new single will be released very soon, so keep those ears peeled. (Insert smiley face)

Gallows – Raw Power Night, Notting Hill Arts Club (26/04/11)

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To say that was one of the best gigging experiences I have ever had, would be an extreme understatement and an injustice to the band themselves. To just be able to go to such an event was an absolute pleasure and an honour. You all know, it is not every day you get to see a band like Gallows in a venue they could fill one hundred times over! So to say I was there and heard every last note and watched the bared souls of the audience, was a dream come true!

Making my way to the venue I had butterflies, a sickness like feeling in my stomach as I just knew this was going to be one special show. Part of the brand new Raw Power Management night at the Notting Hill Arts Club, which runs once a month, Gallows are looked after said management team and most importantly Mr Craig Jennings. It was always going to be an oversold, momentous night and the band rose to the occasion like the true Punk Princes they are. The crowd were treated to such gems like ‘Sick Of Feeling Sick’ and the fucking awesome ‘Belly Of A Shark’, which got the biggest and most rambunctious reception on the night.

It’s the interaction and just the sheer power and emotion from Frank Carter, that set this band apart from any other. Getting the crowd to form the largest circle pit I have ever seen, spanning across to the other side of the venue was rather impressive. Also the promise of a human pyramid was sadly diminished but Frank gave it a good go as he scaled the ceiling several times.

I can’t express enough how colossal and on what magnitude this show was actually on. It will go down in history as one of those shows that many people will say they were at, but actually weren’t. A relentless powerhouse force, that to reckon with it means a punch in the fucking face, but a moment that could never be replicated. For that alone, Gallows I salute you and seriously can’t wait for album no.3.