Billy Bragg has lived a chequered and remarkable life. Born in Barking, Essex, in 1957, he threw himself into music from a young age, forming the punk-rock band Riff Raff in the 70s. He toured widely with Riff Raff, though suffered a crushing disillusionment with music and joined the British army in 1981. After completing his basic training he looked set to join the queen’s Royal Irish Hussars but instead, chose to buy himself out for £175, feeling that the army and his mind were incompatible entities.
Five-piece indie/folk rock band The Decemberists are returning to the UK to tour their new album, ‘The King is Dead’, which will be released on January 17 2011. The new album is a follow-up to their 2009 concept album, ‘The Hazards of Love’, and marks a return to former simplicity and country-influenced music.
The band's name refers to the Russian Decembrist revolt (they use the national anthem of the Soviet Union as an introduction at many concerts) and to the mood associated with the month of December. The members of the band are Colin Meloy (vocals, guitar), Chris Funk (guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, pedal steel), Jenny Conlee (organ, piano, accordion), Nate Query (electric/acoustic bass, cello) and John Moen (drums).
Hailing from this decade’s Seattle – Portland, Oregon – The Decemberists formed in 2000 and released their first EP in 2001, entitled ‘5 Songs’. Since then they have produced 5 albums, including 2006’s American college radio favourite ‘The Crane Wife’. Oft compared to Neutral Milk Hotel, Death Cab for Cutie and other masters of Americana, the band’s music ranges from epic ballads ensconced in historical sagas to upbeat catchy indie tunes built for dancing to.
Cold War Kids will be winging their way over from sunny California this February to coincide with the release of their new album Mine is Yours.
The band started in 2004, and after several small EP releases, their debut album Robber and Cowards came out on Downtown records. The band then began what would be an epic 2-year tour around the world in support of the UK number 35 charting-record. They returned home in 2008 to get back into the studio “Loyalty to Loyalty”.
The band have previously supported the likes of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Muse and The White Stripes on tour. They have been compared to The Black Keys, Spoon and Modest Mouse, due to their fusion of indie aesthetics, bluesy rock and funky beats – hit single Hang Me Out to Dry being a classic example of this.
(An Acoustic Evening with Jaret and Eric)