Banjo or Freakout

In the music video to Banjo or Freakout ’s “Upside Down” an Indian, a football player, a guy in a chicken suit, an angel, a solider, a Playmate bunny, a man covered in blue paint, and the Grim Reaper are all seen running and jumping into the ocean in slow motion. It’s a striking sequence and the band’s music has a surreal, transcendental quality that fits those images perfectly. Banjo or Freakout is the moniker to Alessio Natalizia, a London-based bedroom-pop artist who’s made a name for hims

introducing evy for the kill

voice on the verge #40: evy for the kill visit Evy For The Kill on Myspace It’s always a relief to go to a gig where the support act shines through and grabs some of the limelight for themselves, not just persevering through a 30 minute set for people probably not there specifically to see them but really using the opportunity to woo over an unsuspecting crowd. Some time ago, Wears The Trousers caught Dutch singer-songwriter Gitta doing exactly that at an intimate London show supporting

Thoughts for Tonight: Dubstep’s place in British Popular Music

POPULAR MUSIC in the more commonsense, could be explained by what mainstream radio is playing, what the charts are dictating, or what weekly music magazines are showing. Yet, it is my experience of a clubnight last Wednesday, that changed that opinion; to truly find what is popular at any given time, it is necessary to see what student club nights are playing. This week I ended up venturing to a club that offers, what must be the cheapest liquor in London, and one that appeals (naturally) to a

X Factor 2009: First Bootcamp Show, liveblogged

Woohoo – 2009’s X Factor series finally heats up tonight as the nation’s hopefuls descend upon London to be shortlisted. We get a lot of optimistic blurb from Simon, Louis and the others. Yes, it’s time for the unrealistic claims “This may be the most talented bunch we’ve EVER had at boot camp!” Bullshit! From the auditions we’ve seen so far, the auditionees are distinctly average . Anyway, the challenge for our hard-working talent spotters this weekend is reducing 200 wannabes down to just 5

SFist Reviews: Brief Encounter at A.C.T.

Noël Coward may have died thirty-six years ago, but his work remains as adaptable and relevant as ever, as proven in the second Bay Area production of a Coward play this year -- after CalShakes' Private Lives this summer. This show is Brief Encounter at the A.C.T. , which is actually the name of the 1945 movie made from Coward's 1939 play Still Life , which he considered to be one of his best. The production comes direct from London and originated with the Kneehigh Theatre Company in C

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