Simon ParkinTHE TEMPER TRAPNorwich Arts Centre, September 18Two-years after they released their initial EP in their native Australia, The Temper Trap have been whipping up a storm at various festivals this summer, including a storming set at Latitude.Simon Parkin
THE TEMPER TRAP
Norwich Arts Centre, September 18
Two-years after they released their initial EP in their native Australia, The Temper Trap have been whipping up a storm at various festivals this summer, including a storming set at Latitude.
The Melbourne quartet produce an atmospheric, captivating sound, created using grand guitars, pulsating rhythms and yearning vocals.
Their debut album, Conditions, out on October 13, is full of chiming guitars, sweeping crescendos, and cherubic falsetto, and was helmed by renowned British producer Jim Abbiss, who has previously worked with Arctic Monkeys, Adele, Bj�rk and Kasabian. He flew down under especially to work with them.
Having recently relocated to London, his return to the region comes as part of their hotly anticipated debut full UK tour.
Support now comes from Goldhawks, who mix vintage Americana with quintessentially British fare, and not as previously advertised The Magistrates.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/thetemptertrap
RUMBLE STRIPS
Waterfront, September 22
Fresh from working with super-producer Mark Ronson on their second album, Welcome To The Walk Alone, the only band named after traffic calming measures return.
The Devon band's decision to rope in Ronson, after Charlie Wheeler sang lead vocals on Back to Black for producer Mark Ronson at The Electric Proms, plus orchestral arrangements from Arcade Fire collaborator Owen Pallett, is perhaps an effort to broaden their sound and avoid being lumped in with the increasingly out-of-favour indie-rock masses.
The result is an album that fully indulges their influences from Ennio Morricone strings to ska to French chanson. At their best they sound like the Coral.
Best of all they sound delighted to be playing it, which always bodes well for live shows, and they should be in good form aftre a summer doing the festival rounds.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/rumblestripsuk
CHUCK PROPHET & THE MISSION EXPRESS
Norwich Arts Centre, September 22
Guitar-slinger Chuck Prophet brings his full band to the Arts Centre in support of his new studio album, iLet Freedom Ring.
Prophet started his wild ride back in 1984, with Green on Red, the seminal purveyors of American rock-roots. Since then he has recorded nine solo albums and toured with the likes of Lucinda Williams, Aimee Mann, Cake and Jonathan Richman.
Ryan Adams, Solomon Burke and Heart have recorded his songs, along with a host of others. His last album, 2007's Soap and Water, was heralded as some of the best work of his career.
Chuck wrote the songs on his new album last summer in one long spurt. It's a concept album and the need to be recorded somewhere raw and energising, so he relocated to Mexico City.
The results can be heard from the Clash-inspired opener Song Liston's Blues to the power pop of Let Freedom Ring and the Eddie Cochran-infused Good Time Crowd. Support comes from Otis Gibbs.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/chuckprophetofficial
ACOUSTIC LADYLAND
Norwich Arts Centre, September 24
This most singular of bands loves to mess with convention, although there is nothing about them that is tricksy or arch. Their sound is jazz - but not in the least inhibited by the jazz tradition, fired by fierce post-punk attitude.
Based upon their mutual distaste for jazz sterility and respect for Jimi Hendrix (hence the name), Acoustic Ladyland have been rattling minds since inception in 2001.
The rolling roster of collaborators revolves around Pete Wareham (saxophone/vocals) with Seb Rochford (of Mercury nominated Polar Bear) on thunderous drums, Tom Herbert (bass) and Tom Cawley (keys).
Their 2005 album, Last Chance Disco, saw them another break with jazz tradition with the drafting in of acclaimed indie music producer Paul Epworth. Their latest album, Living With A Tiger, edges even closer to a full-on rock album, albeit one informed by jazz.
t Further listening: www.myspace.com/acousticladylandmusic
SOUNDS IN THE CITY
t September 18
Rendezvous In Vienna (classical) - King of Hearts
A Genuine Freakshow (indie) - B2
Circus (rock) - King Edward VII
Worlds Apart (rock) - Brickmakers
My Visor (rock/indie) - Marquee
Secondhand Blues (blues) - Walnut Tree Shades
Emma Hall Band (soul/pop) - Blueberry
Rrradiogee (Irish/world) - Cider Shed
iBand (rock) - Reindeer
She/Sez (rock/pop) - The Firs
t September 19
Wilde Club: feat. Nephu Huzzband (indie) - Arts Centre
The Kabeedies (indie) - B2
Abyss (rock) - Blueberry
To The Last (rock) - King Edward VII
Floating Greyhounds (rock) - Brickmakers
Plug Promo - Marquee
In Rapture (rock) - Club Fantasy
Hotwired (punk) - Ten Bells
V8 Rumble (rockabilly) - Horse & Dray
Get Carter (rock) - The Stanley
t September 20
The Wildhearts (rock) - Waterfront
Pint Sizes Promo (metal/pop) - B2
Jeffrey Brothers + Beyond Duplication (rock) - King Edward VII
Branded By Fate (funk/rock) - Marquee
Pinky Umbrella (bluegrass/world/folk) - Cider Shed
Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) - Brickmakers
Pete 'Kiwi' Keegan (skiffle) - Rivergarden
t September 21
Rampant Horse Collective (folk) - Rumsey Wells
Jazz Jam (open mic) - Blueberry
Sessions (open mic) - Brickmakers
t September 22
Screaming Ground Promo (indie) - Marquee
Wreckless Eric & Amy Rigby (folk/rock) - Brickmakers
Paul Higgs Trumpet (jazz) - Rackheath Green Man
t September 23
Kajagoogoo (pop) - Waterfront
Natacha Atlas & The Mazeeka Emsemble (world) - Arts Centre
A Fate Untold (pop-punk) - B2
Pure Acoustic (open mic) - Brickmakers
Jam (rock/blues) - Blueberry
The Session (Irish) - Cider Shed
t September 24
The Cribs (indie) - UEA
Softbodies (pop-punk) - B2
Aftershock (pop/rock) - Brickmakers
Unremarkables (indie/rock) - Blueberry
The Late Stan Guevara (jazz/blues/folk) - Rose Tavern
Jeffrey Brothers (rock) - Walnut Tree Shades
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