Bat For Lashes

Just one look at the cover of The Haunted Man, the third album from Bat For Lashes, is enough to know that things are different this time around. Find out for yourself when she arrives at the UEA. Plus: Rolo Tomassi, The D.O.T., Soweto Kinch.

BAT FOR LASHES

UEA, October 26

Just one look at the cover of The Haunted Man, the third album from Bat For Lashes, is enough to know that things are different this time around.

The black and white photograph, depicts Bat For Lashes — otherwise known as Natasha Khan - naked, with an unconscious man draped around her neck. Compare it to the cover of Khan’s previous two albums, both elaborate works of art featuring mystical symbols with the artist herself almost unrecognisable in heavy make-up plus.

The Londoner’s long flowing hair has gone, too, replaced with a neat bob, making Khan look slightly more business-like and mature. “I don’t want to hide behind the costumes and the symbols any more,” she says.

The album’s contents are just as raw: Khan constantly questioning who she is and trying to discover what made her that way.

Having toured her second album, 2009’s Two Suns, for two years, Khan was hit by writer’s block when it came to new material. She busied herself with other things and waited for inspiration to strike naturally. The result is an album that simultaneously builds on what went before but adds something fresh

Don’t expect this live show to be stripped back, however, as she believes there’s a theatricality to live performance that shouldn’t be ignored.

t Further listening: www.batforlashes.com

ROLO TOMASSI

Norwich Arts Centre, October 30

Sheffield mathscore outfit Rolo Tomassi, who take their name is taken from the fictional character in the film LA Confidential, return to Norwich as part of a short UK tour ahead of the release of their third album, Astraea, which will be out on November 5 on Destination Moon Records.

Earlier this year, the band released Old Mystics, the first single from their forthcoming album. The track was the first single to be recorded with new members Chris Cayford and Nathan Fairweather, who have recently joined the band after the departure of Joe Nicholson and Joe Thorpe.

The album promises both some of their heaviest material yet, matched to a showcasing of their lighter, more melodic side.

“It was a worry that it would take time to bed the new members in but the chemistry between us with writing was unbelievable,” said keyboardist and vocalist James Spence. “This album is exactly the direction I wanted to push the band in post-Cosmology and I don’t think we could have done it without Chris and Nathan.”

Front woman Eva Spence adds: “We’re really excited to be heading back out on tour. It has seemed like so long since we last toured over here and we can’t wait to play songs from our new record.”

Support comes from Oathbreaker and Goodtime Boys.

t Further listening: www.facebook.com/rolotomassiofficial

THE D.O.T.

Open, November 1

The first chance to catch a glimpse live of Mike Skinner’s first musical project since calling time on the Streets last year, a collaboration with an old friend, Rob Harvey former singer with the Music, the once hotly earnest rockers who failed to make the expect big breakthrough.

The D.O.T.’s just released debut album, And That, features collaborations with Detroit rapper Danny Brown and vocalist Claire Maguire. Anyone who has caught any of the numerous tracks they’ve released as videos priot to the album will have an idea what to expect. The duo whittled down 60 songs to craft the album, which ranges from techno-hued rock songs to more dancy numbers. The two stand-out tracks are You Never Asked and Goes Off, the insidious dissection of a fatigued relationship and a lairy account of a druggy night at a rave.

While on record the results are a bit patchy, it’ll be fascinating to see what they do with them live. And after penning a well-received memoir and expressing a wish to make movies, its just great to see the musical return of one of the most skilful, detail-savvy narrative storytellers in modern pop.

t Further listening: www.the-dot.net

SOWETO KINCH

Norwich Arts Centre, November 1

Award winning alto-saxophonist and MC Soweto Kinch is one of the most exciting and versatile young musicians in both the British jazz and hip hop scenes. He has amassed an impressive list of accolades and awards on both sides of the Atlantic – including a Mercury Music Prize nomination, two UMA Awards and a MOBO for best Jazz Act. His skills as a hip hop MC and producer have also garnered him recognition in the urban music world: having supported the likes of KRS One, Dwele and TY, and being championed by the likes of Mos Def, Rodney P and 1-Xtra’s Twin B.

His projects also extend beyond recorded albums. Writing the score for Jonzi D’s Hip Hop Theatre production Markus the Sadist and Sampad’s In The Further Soil, a dance-theatre, which he wrote and acted in on a tour of India.

His latest release, The New Emancipation, draws its inspiration from 19th century work songs and early blues, exploring the modern resonances of the emancipation story.

Currently touring this material with his core quartet, Kinch has earned a number of five star reviews for his recent live performances and he arrives in Norwich as one of the highlights of Norfolk Black History Month.

t Further listening: www.soweto-kinch.com

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

OCTOBER 26

Bat For Lashes (indie/pop) — UEA

We Cut Corners + Khan + Kings & Crows (indie/pop) — Arts Centre

Tallowah + The Piratones + Kodeta + Murphy’s Lore (punk/roots) — Open

The Divide (rock) — King Edward VII

Agent Orange (rock/pop) — Brickmakers

Black History Month All-Star Jam — Anteros Arts Foundation

Claire Barker Band (funk/soul) — Blueberry

50 Feet Below (pop-punk) — B2

Danny & The Seniors (rock‘n’roll) — Walnut Tree Shades

Honeydripper (blues/rock) — The Talk

Johnny Jump Band (blues/country) — Buck Inn

Chibber (rock/pop) — The Otter

Lucas (soul) — Old Catton Maids Head

Norwich Folk Club — Christ Church Centre

Johnny Jump Band (blues/country) — Buck Inn

Pyevorotti — Trowel & Hammer

OCTOBER 27

Bollywood Brass Band (world) — Arts Centre

Evile + Wolf (metal) — Open

Big Black Cadillac (rockabilly) — The Woolpack

Saigon Kiss (glam rock) — King Edward VII

Bon Giovi (rock/tribute) — Brickmakers

The Dirty Tricks (rock/blues/indie) — B2

Teanderhooks ( — Hog In Armour

Emma Hall Band (soul) — Blueberry

Carol (soul) — The Farmhouse

Honeydripper (rock/blues) — Eaton Cottage

Washed Up (punk) — The Stanley

Lowrider (rock‘n’roll) — Akwirghts

Barry Lee — Sprowston Social Club

Starbuck — Golden Star

Pat James — Heath House

Ricci — Old Catton Maids Head

Bobby Graham — Keir Hardie Hall

Alan Ley — Trowel & Hammer

Carol — The Farmhouse

Davie J — Angel Gardens

OCTOBER 28

Spector (indie/pop) — Waterfront

A Loss For Words + Save Your Breath + Light You Up (pop-punk) — Waterfront Studio

Das Fenster + The Alibis (rockabilly) — King Edward VII

Dumbfoundus (pop/roots/3pm) — Brewery Tap

Lena Black’s Swing Style Playboys — Hog In Armour

Dr Misfit (rock) — Boundary

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers

OCTOBER 29

Tom McRae (singer-songwriter) — Arts Centre

David Celia (indie/acoustic) — Bicycle Shop

Summerlin + The Hype Theory + Chick Rides (rock) — B2

Brickie Session (open mic) — Brickmakers

Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades

Jazz Jam — Silver Road Cottage

OCTOBER 30

Alt-J (indie/rock) — Waterfront

Rolo Tomassi (indie) — Arts Centre

Nigel King Band (60s/70s) — Brickmakers

Vasilis Xenopulos & Nigel Price Trio (jazz) — Rackheath Green Man

Jam Night — Rumsey Wells

OCTOBER 31

Halloween Ball: feat. Liqueur + Witches (indie/tribute) — Waterfront

Billy Lockett (country) — Bicycle Shop

Blues Jam with Norfolk Blues Society — Walnut Tree Shades

This Town Needs Guns (indie) — Keir Hardie Hall

Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers

Open Mic — Garden House

NOVEMBER 1

The D.O.T. (indie) — Open

Soweto Kinch (jazz) — Arts Centre

Chasing Tigers + Kodeta + Harriet Langley + Kolin Durier (acoustic) — Epic

Sabaton + Eluveitie + Wisdom (metal) — Waterfront

Tea (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades

Firewire (rock) — Brickmakers

Knifeworld + The Fierce (prog rock) — B2

The Upgrade (rock) — King Edward VII

Grant Ley & Friends (acoustic) — Ten Bells

The Dog Days of Summer (bluegrass) — Rose Tavern

Acoustic Jukebox with Dan Scoggins — Brewery Tap

Strange Pleasure (blues) — Rackheath Green Man