the pleasure seekers

03.30.07

I just sent an e-mail to friend in Japan, saying “If you think the Tokyo music scene is bad, stay far far away from London.” One hour of BBC Radio will tell you all you need to know about the English music scene, plagued by lame art rockers way too concerned with the cool-factor. None of these groups seem concerned with songwriting, and their fawning critics and fans are hardly demanding that they be. I really want to love new music, but not the tuneless mediocre stuff that seems to be everywhere these days (and not just in London). That said, I’m obsessed with New Young Pony Club (specifically “The Bomb") and Pleasure (everything I’ve heard so far except "Bite the Beat," which is worse than bad Prince). If you’re a girl-pop fan open to all genres and eras and feeling equally down about the current sounds, may I direct your attention to:

Pleasure: “Uptown” and “Out Of Love”
New Young Pony Club: “The Bomb”

Sheila

Photo: New Young Pony Club
Top photo: Pleasure

Posted by Sheila at 11:14 AM

The Bomb

03.19.07

Let's begin with Cherrybomb!, London's premiere girl-pop party with my partners-in-pop, B.O.B. and Matthew Lees. This Thursday March 22nd, Brit girl rock band, the Priscillas will be joining us with their best frocks and stack of rocking lady records. Details here. It's been a full-on DJ week, beginning at Mariko's Jet Set party, where after-hours business-y boozers mixed with '60s diehards. One Zeppelin request, ten bodyslams into the DJ booth, and some dude who stood by the decks and stared--for hours, but it was a blast, and I got to premiere "Daughter of the Sun" (though it was the crowd-pleasing Supremes who went down the best). I'll be spinning more '60s girl-pop at this Wednesday's poker club, The Stag-o-Lee at the New Evaristo on 57 Greek Street in Soho. From 8:30 til late, and entry is free!

In other girl-pop news, my first cover-story for BUST Magazine, an interview with Science of Sleep star + France's forever It Girl, Charlotte Gainsbourg, hits newsstands this week and also features my piece on the Gothic Lolita phenomenon in Japan. Sneak a peak at the issue here: www.bust.com.

And my two obsessions of the week--

The Ark's new single "Absolutely No Decorum" and New Young Pony Club's newbie, "The Bomb."

Sheila

Posted by Sheila at 05:34 AM

taxi fantastique

03.07.07

Being blasted with heavy doses of '80s smash hits here at the Breakfast Club in Soho, which has become my temporary workspace while my new apartment gets hooked up with broadband. Spring is nearly here, just moved into my new apartment, and--best of all--the U.K. beat girls compilation, The Girls Are At It Again, which I co-compiled and annotated has finally been given the green light! I'm not sure of the official release date, but it should be early summer. Click here for a peak at the track list and sleeve.

Attended a most beautiful soul + funk all-nighter called Soul Revolution in Shoreditch. The mix of soul, funk, R&B, and beat definitely challenged the U.K. soul scene's hardcore, purist reputation. I can respect purists + completists when it comes to collecting, but anal-retentive behavior in a club setting is really off-putting (and usually practiced by those who have little else to focus on except whether a record qualifies as Northern Soul or girl groups or whatevs). Wish I could remember the name of the DJ who played a heavy R&B set that was outta control! I got kicked hard in the ankle by an overexcited dancer, but no matter when Etta James' "Mellow Fellow" was on full volume. If any of you reading happen to be schooled in heavy, up-tempo R&B, some pointers would be much appreciated.

Last week's Turntable Cafe paid tribute to the sounds of Wales, with lotsa kooky footage of '60s/'70s glam and hippified Welsh acts. After the screenings, the crowd gathered in the foyer to hear the B-Music gang spin international 'n' exotic 45s. It was there that I spotted one of my long-time heroes, Kevin Shields. Hard not to be star struck by the man responsible for the most listened to album of my lifetime--My Bloody Valentine's Loveless.

Happy birthday brother!

Sheila

B.S. + S.B. at Soul Revolution

Gareth DJing in the Soul or Nothing Suite

Posted by Sheila at 11:10 AM