Author: danocdj

Pop Cult
POP CULT are Callum Voller, and brothers Tim and Elliot Heinrich. They’re from Australia’s Sunshine Coast, and have been putting out tunes for the last 12 months. This is the band’s 3rd single. ‘Sunday Mourning’ is about dealing with the morning after the night before according to boys from down under.

Gretta Ray
18 year old Gretta Ray calls Melbourne home. She’s been singing in choirs since she was 5 years old and is currently on tour…All while finishing high school. Gretta Ray: Over achieving since 1998. Have a listen to ‘Drive’ here:

Babeheaven
Babeheaven have been getting a lot of hype this year in the UK. Nancy, Jamie and Hugo come together in a London Grammar stylee, whilst Nancy’s vocal could at times, be mistaken for Lana Del Ray. Live dates in the UK this autumn.

Another brick in the wall of death. To nightlife. To culture. To creativity. To unity. To community. Fabric’s closure this week by Islington council, is another poor choice by people who clearly don’t understand the main issue they’re confronted by.

My heart goes out to every single person who’s lost a loved one to an overdose, accidental or otherwise. I can only imagine your pain. The dark sleepless nights questioning if you could have done things differently. If you’d just talked more, then maybe it would have been different. And the rage. The deepest, darkest rage exploding from a place you didn’t even know existed. Closely followed by the tears, and sobbing that seem like they’ll never end.

As a 34 year old, I had drugs awareness classes from the age of 15. My classmates and I knew people died from taking ecstasy in the 90s. People at my school were dying before they were 18 from heroin overdoses. And colleagues in the music industry were having fatal heart attacks from massive amounts of cocaine before they were even 40. And i’m not even touching on the people I know who’ve taken their own lives while high, or on a come down.

We know this happens. So if we know this happens why don’t we do something about it? We choose to think that it won’t happen to us. Plus for most people there are little to no consequences in the short term. Which reinforces the fact that it won’t be us who ends up in the back of an ambulance, covered in a white sheet.

Closing a venue does not tackle the issue. How do I know that? Well here it is in it’s most basic form. Let’s say a club closes at 3am in the UK. If people want to take drugs what do they do? They go on to another party at someone’s house or another place. The club is now shut. They’re still taking drugs.

“Ah!” say the authorities. “What about the people who only went to the venue to buy and consume drugs?”

I understand the point of this argument. If we shut the venue. No one can buy, or sell drugs. Which means no one will die. Which means we’ve solved the problem. But, of course you haven’t and you don’t. It’s like that fairground game wack-a-mole. You might have just bashed a little furry cretin on the head, but he’ll pop up somewhere else again pretty quickly.

If someone wants to take drugs, then they’ll find them. Life constantly presents us with opportunities. Why would drug consumption be any different?

For me, drugs are a huge topic that need a bigger discussion here in the UK. But the Fabric situation isn’t just about poisoned pills and dodgy powders.

It’s about having places to express creativity. Places to practice a craft. Spaces to join, and form community. Yes it’s about nightlife, and yes it’s about creating a party & having a good time. But there is so much more to it.

It’s 10am on a Saturday morning as I type this with heavy eyes. I was behind the decks ‘till 2am this morning. That’s been a pretty regular thing for me for many years now. It’s a great privilege. I like seeing people have fun, while they dance and sing to their favourite tunes. But I, like so many other people (including many who’ve had much more success than i’ve had) needed clubs and venues to hone our skills. To discover how you create the atmosphere for people to enjoy themselves. To develop the confidence to go on to bigger and better things.

Where do young djs, producers and artists go to find that now? Where do they get the opportunities if we keep closing venues? London alone has seen 50% of it’s clubs closed in the last 8 years. Live venues are down by 40% in the same period. The figures are just as bleak right across the UK.

London wants to become a 24 hour city, but believe me we’re a long way off. And closing venues puts us even further behind. Go to New York. Go to Tokyo. See how they’re doing 24 hour culture. It’s pretty incredible. We’re not even close. If we want to become the cultural hub that the world wants to visit, then London needs to act like it. The decision made by Islington council is far from forward thinking, or visionary. It’s backwards and outdated.

My other fear is more personal. I live just over a mile away from the site of Fabric. The one thing my neighbours and I are sure of, is that we don’t need more rabbit hutches for bankers. Studio flats starting at £600,000. Let’s fill the other ones first!

As I snake through Smithfield Market, and pass the doors of Fabric tonight, i’ll think of that disgusting sound system that made my chest cavity vibrate like nothing i’d felt before. That deafened the dance floor ‘till dawn, week in, week out, for so many glorious years. And hope for a miracle. Or it’s all been a huge mistake.

The Aces

These 4 ladies from Provo, Utah have knocked out a cracking debut single. I don’t really know much about them, and there are no live dates planned…YET. The comparison to Haim, or Hinds, would be too easy. So I won’t write that. Keep checking their site for more info: www.theacesofficical.com

HAWAI

Here’s a band from LA who’ve just released their debut EP. The Californian band, fronted by Jake Pappas, already sound like the real deal. US live dates only so far i’m afraid. Hold tight rest of the world. Check out ‘On My Own’ and the rest of their debut EP below:

Swimming With Bears

These boys come from the land of tattoos and tex-mex: Austin, TX. They’ve all been in bands before, & have been playing together as SWB since 2011. With a few residencies across Texas in September, and a US tour planned for autumn/fall… ‘Murica got plenty of chances to see them in the next few months.

Restaurants

Athalo Real

This steak restaurant served up one of the dreamiest bits of wagyu i’ve ever inhaled. The sides of coleslaw and salad sound basic bitch; but they did something extra special to those steak based partners that elevated the whole dish. It was my favourite meal in Lisbon. Mostly locals on the night I ate at the restaurant and the service was top notch.

Estrella Da Bica

This little tapas bar served up delicious dishes in the heart of Bairro Alto. I actually stumbled on it by accident, but it turns out it’s very popular – expect to wait for up to 90 mins at the weekend if you go late. Or go early, and get a lovely table served by some hip Lisbon doods.

LX Factory

Ok this is actually a cheat because there are several restaurants within LX Factory and also the most delicious cheesecake shop. So if you were to swing by this converted “creative island” under the bridge you’d find lots of options. There is also an incredible bookshop and lots of little shops to browse either before or after food.

Memo Alfama

This beautiful hotel is at the bottom of a quiet cul-de-sac. The view from the terrace is quite stunning. It’s one of those view that take you into a trance like state without even trying. You look out across the whole district to the pantheon, and back out to sea. They even have a small rooftop pool, which if you ask nicely, they may let you use. Take your swimmers!

Time Out Market

2 years ago, Lisbon’s main market was turned into this Portuguese foodie mecca. It serves up everything from charcuterie to cakes and ice cream. Located right next to Cais Do Sodré, it’s really easy to find. And even if you’re not hungry – a quick bimble around Lisbon’s favourite food stops will probably change all that. Not great for the indecisive.

Bars

Park Rooftop

This bar sits on top of a multi-story car park in Bairro Alto. The vibe at sunset is perfect, with a view to die for, looking out across the river and south to the other side of the bridge. So if you’re the sort of person who’s missing Mambo at dusk, then go here. The music gets going later, with a mix of Hip Hop and party.  A crowded dance floor after 00:00, the nights I was there. One not to miss. Free Entry.

Topo

There’s a theme here in Lisbon with bars. Which is basically rooftops with views. This terrace bar has amazing 6th floor views of the castle and surrounding areas. Slightly more grown up and sophisticated, the cocktails were great. Slightly pricey, but you get what you pay for. If you’re fed up of Bairro Alto’s party street and you’re looking for something slightly more chilled – this is the one. It’s based in the commercial centre, Martim Moniz. If you end up in a Chinese restaurant’s kitchen, then you’re on the wrong floor.

R. Da Atalaia

Every good party town worth it’s weight in party, needs a bar street. Even better if there’s a club street. So here’s Lisbon’s. R.Da Atalaia is the central street to head for in Bairro Alto if you’re looking for a fun night. There are plenty of things happening here, and it really doesn’t get going ‘till after midnight. You have been warned. Sleep when you’re dead.

Clubs

I would argue that you could do a night in Lisbon WITHOUT going to a club. But if that’s your thing, check out Music Box. Or for something a bit more upmarket Lux. If you’re into daytime parties ‘Electronic Brunch’ runs every Sunday throughout the summer in a park just North of the city centre. Kölsch, Tiga and Will Saul have all played in the past few weeks. Worth a visit.

Beaches

The great thing about Lisbon is that it has so many beaches that you can get to quickly. Although not popular with locals, you can get to Carcavelos Beach in 20 minutes from Bairro Alto, either by train or taxi. Just further along the coast and about 30-40 minutes away are the beaches of Estoril and Caiscais. These are both on the trainline, so again, pretty easy to reach. You can pay 10 euros for 2 sunbeds and a parasol for the full day. Or just chuck your towel down and get in the sea. If you’re feeling slightly more adventurous. Ericeira is about a 40 minute drive North of Lisbon. It has many beautiful beaches and great surf areas for all abilities. Alternatively head South to Sesimbra, which is a 50 minute drive across the bridge.

The most beautiful beaches in Portugal are further South, heading towards the Algarve. But they’re a few hours drive, and it really robs your time if you’re only in town for a few days.

Dotan

Dotan is a self taught singer songwriter from Amsterdam. He’s been knocking around for the last few years, performing solo, after playing in a covers band for years. ‘Shadow Wind’ is a gorgeous building track that leaps into one of the catchiest new tracks around. Pop fact – He is also fluent in Hebrew *shruggy emoji face* (post updated with video)

Pinegrove

These boys are from New Jersey. Formed in 2010, they put out their first album by themselves. Earlier this year, they released a short album called ‘Cardinal’ which features this track. And includes my favourite line “I don’t know what I’m afraid of –
but I’m afraid one day it’ll all fall away.” GOT ME IN THE FEELS. 

Catherine McGrath

I’ve never done this before. I like to post music from people who have tracks out. But i listened to this girl’s demos recently and I was blown away. None of it I can post or play you. And i’m sorry about that. But here’s a cover she did 4 years ago. She’s an Irish country inspired musician, who’s landed a major deal in the UK with Warners. The phrase “One To Watch” was basically invented for her.

 

 

Junior Empire

The artists formerly known as The Mispers. This band from London spent some time living in LA(don’t they all). This is, however, not just a rite of passage, but an important part of every band’s exposure to the seductive ‘West Coast’. It’s beauty, freedom and inspirational spirit has been captured over the decades by musicians and wordsmiths alike. Who knows why it’s so magical and important? It just is.

Maggie Rogers

Pharrel comes to your uni does he? Gives you feedback on your music and songwriting does he? Not at mine he didn’t. I went to Leeds Met. So it is unsurprising the only visit we got was from Jimmy Saville. True story. Pharrel’s feedback video of ‘Alaska’ by Maggie Rogers has become an internet hit this month. His idea of what vision and artistry is, has been captured in this one song he says. Do you agree?

Sälen

Here’s an East London 3 piece who met at a party. Of course they did, you cry. We’ve all had grand plans for world domination over a bottle of vodka and 20 fags in someone’s kitchen. The difference is they’ve actually done something about it. One for the synthy/electro fans. ‘Diseasy’ is their second single and it’s out now. And if you’re around East London, they play Birthdays on June 29th.