Hit I. Dude, did you hear that Southern Lord Records is reissuing a deluxe version of Dopesmoker by Sleep this year? Hit II. Dude, did you know that the reissue of Dopesmoker by Sleep is gonna be remastered to sound better and that it’ll have new artwork by long-time Sleep artist Arik Roper that reportedly is totally smokable? Dead serious. Hit III. Dude, did you know that inspired Seal Team 6 to take down Osama Whathisface? Hit IV. Dude, I heard the reissue of Dopesmoker by Sleep contains this live track “Holy Mountain,” recorded at San Francisco’s I-Beam ...

Jack Beats : Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud As stated in many previous posts of our enjoyment of all things Jack Beats, it was truly a pleasure to FINALLY have this track in my possession. It's been around since around 2009 and was featured in Jack Beats' BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix. Ever since I first heard it I've been on a search for a proper version and not a radio rip. Here's what Plus One & Beni G had to say about the track, "Dubs for clubs Part.2: 'Deeper'. This track has been in every club set we've ...

THEESatisfaction are giving away their track 'Enchantruss' - featuring Ismael Butler. Sub Pop really are spoiling us. First Shabazz Palaces, then Spoek Mathambo and now THEESatisfaction - long may their hip hop tip continue*. THEESatisfaction are set to release their debut album 'awE naturalE' on April 9th, and the previews keep on a-coming. 'Enchantruss' features Shabazz Palaces mainman Ismael Butler, who of course featured the duo on last year's album 'Black Up'. A slice of woozy, chopped up hip hop with a soulful edge, 'Enchantruss' is a great indication of what to expect on THEESatisfaction's debut album. - - - Meanwhile, THEESatisfaction are ...

Margins is a book festival with a difference, promoting the best of Scottish literature and music to boot. The Saturday night event sees those two old sparring partners in misery from Arab Strap, Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton, sharing a stage in Glasgow’s cavernous Arches. Moffat performs first, with Bill Wells on piano, accompanied by a violinist on a stage littered with lampshades, an appropriately domestic setting for his haunting songs about the mundane. Moffat has flourished since leaving Arab Strap, the pairing with Wells, a consummate jazz pianist, perfect, pushing his lyrics to ever greater heights. The set ...

[a non-traditional photo, for an exceptional chapel session] I mean no slight to the eminent photographability of the man behind this post, as I usually start all my Chapel writeups with a visual of our time spent beneath those Romanesque arches. But I came across this photo as I was marveling for the three-dozenth time [...]

Johnny Foreigner – The Harley // 1st March 2012 SOME SUMMERS! SOME SUMMERS! In a week that also sees riotous Japanese mentalists Bo Ningen cause havoc at The Harley, Thursday marks the return of their ‘House Band’, Johnny Foreigner, for their staple Sheffield tour date. Last time they played ended with the audience being led out the back door to make snow angels. While the weather might be getting milder, it’s safe to say we can still guarantee a healthy dose of fun this time around. Click here for more info/tickets, and head here for more info on Johnny Foreigner ...

REVIEW OF BILL WELLS/AIDAN MOFFAT/MALCOLM MIDDLETON/ADAM STAFFORD - SATURDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2012 One of the very first pieces I wrote on TVV way back in 2006 was a moan about gigs on the same night competing for attention.  Back then it was Arab Strap, Billy Bragg and the Magic Numbers . It's happened plenty of times since then and it's going to happen in the future as well - for instance on Friday 6 April 2012 there's Butcher Boy, The Monochrome Set and Martin Stephenson & The Daintees   all in town the same night..... It looked for a ...

Shabazz Palaces have outlined plans for a short run of British shows this Spring. Ishmael Butler isn't a newcomer. A member of seminal hip hop group Digable Planets, the MC and producer used his experience to push back boundaries with the debut album from his Shabazz Palaces project. Said LP - 'Black Up' - remains a ClashMusic staple, with its liquid beats matched by a deft flow. Now Shabazz Palaces have confirmed plans to return to the UK, after announcing a number of headline shows. Opening on May 10th with a visit to the Great Escape, the tour continues with shows ...

The superb Shabazz Palaces have announced they'll be heading to the UK for a short tour this May. Catch them at the following dates: Thu, 10th May – Great Escape – Brighton Fri, 11th May – Start The Bus – Bristol Wed, 16th May – Islington Mill – Manchester Thu, 17th May – XOYO – London Fri, 18th May – Twisted Pepper – Dublin Sun, 19th May – Pavilion – Cork Mon, 20th May – Arches – Glasgow Tue, 21st May – Brudenell – Leeds Wed, 22nd May – Harley – Sheffield

2ManyDJs - but never enough gigs. Perhaps two of the hardest working taste makers in dance music, 2ManyDJs have taken their audio / visual show across the globe several times. Never seeming to lose their lust for the night, the Belgian pairing are set to drop past Glasgow on March 15th. Hitting The Arches, ClashMusic have managed to bag two pairs of tickets for the always in demand night. To stand a chance of winning, just tell us the real names of 2ManyDJs...

The New Jersey boys caught live by our man in Glasgow, Matthew McAndrew.

Active Child – St Giles in the Fields // 20th February 2012 Active Child won our 2011 'Album of the Year' award, so we definitely feel this show will be somewhat epic. Click here for more info/tickets, and head here for more info on Active Child. Other Gigs 20/02/12 : Loney Dear- Bush Hall // [Tickets/Info] 21/02/12 : Thomas Truax - Power Lunches // [Tickets/Info] 22/02/12 : Oberhofer - The Lexington // [Tickets/Info] 23/02/12 : First Aid Kit - Scala // [Tickets/Info] 23/02/12 : Oh Land - Heaven // [Tickets/Info] 23/02/12 : Pulled Apart By Horses - Electric Ballroom // [Tickets ...

The man also known as Gary Grice gets it on for an appreciate Glasgow crowd. Matthew McAndrew shoots.

I'm a rubbish blogger, clearly. Rather than spend another weekend not writing proper blog posts and leaving things silent, here's a random selection of free music to briefly entertain you at the weekend. Randolph's Leap : Randolph's Leap launch their new album, Randolph's Leap and the Curse of the Haunted Headphones with a gig at the Captains Rest tonight. Contrary to the poster above I'm told that doors are at half seven, with the first band on at eight, so get along early. The album will be available on cassette at the gig, though there ...

A$AP Rocky has added a second show at London's Electric Ballroom to his upcoming UK tour. Born in Harlem, A$AP Rocky was born to stand behind the mic. Named after Golden Age heavyweight Rakin, the rapper gained enormous coverage after his LiveLoveA$AP dropped late last year. Snapped up by a major label, A$AP Rocky is now setting his sights on the UK. The rapper released single 'Peso' as a download earlier this year, with the track due to be followed by an April EP and a selection of British shows. Announced earlier this year, demand ...