I’ll Jam with Damo
Rock legend
Paul Weller says he wants to hit the dance floor — and work with Damon Albarn.
The former Jam and Style Council frontman hasn’t been wowed by too much new music lately, apart from acclaimed opera Dr Dee by the Blur and Gorillaz star.
“I’m still going out and buying records, but nothing’s really blown me away — although I thought
Dr Dee was fantastic,” said Paul.
“I’d love to work with Damon.”
In fact the music icon says he’s up for working with anyone if they’ve got something new and creative going on. “I’ve only not done the dance thing because the opportunity hasn’t arisen,” he added.
Weller (54) is currently co-writing with
Miles Kane for his second solo album, out early next year. He also guests on ex-Jam bassist
Bruce Foxton’s forthcoming album Back In The Room, due to be released on October 1.
“Miles’s new record sounds f***ing great,” enthused Paul. “It was a pleasure to help out.” He added: “He’s got some great tunes, that boy." The musician also reckons Michael Kiwanuka has “a lovely voice”. Intimate gigs appeal to Paul a lot more than festivals. Despite a great headline show at Latitude last month, and storming new single, The Attic, Paul turns down most outdoor offers.
He laughed: “I don’t do many festivals if I can help it. The weather is nearly always terrible, and they’re no good unless you’ve got the sunshine." Paul said: “Latitude was an exception as it was more interesting than the usual festivals — TV cameras everywhere, flags waving and all that s***e.”
Scroobius Pipcoming to Sligo
Rapper Scroobius Pip will release new album
Distraction Pieces on September 19. He will also be performing live at The Clarence in Sligo on August 17.
Tickets are on sale from tickets.ie for €17.50. Two local acts are supporting: Pearse McGloughlin & Nocturnes and Grizzly Dippers.
Nile be there
Before playing to a sold-out crowd at Dublin’s Button Factory tomorrow and rocking the
Liss Ard Festival at the weekend,
CHIC are hitting Belfast tonight. But prior to wowing
Mandela Hall, the disco band’s legendary producer and guitarist Nile Rodgers will deliver a free pre-show performance. There will be a Q&A session, a solo performance and a book signing event at 6.30pm in The Stiff Kitten in Belfast.
Soulfly fly into Dublin
Heavy metallers
Soulfly have just announced details of a highly anticipated return to Ireland. They will be playing at The Academy in Dublin on October 4. Tickets priced €24 inclusive of booking fee go on sale today from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide and
ticketmaster.ie. Support on the night comes from Incite and Lody Kong.
A light in the darkTwo Door Cinema Club have announced an intimate club show for fans to showcase new album,
Beacon, at The Academy on September 7. Tickets costing €20 include booking fee are on sale this Friday at 9am from Ticketmaster outlets and online at
www.ticketmaster.ie.
Prodigy’s protege
Dubstep supremo
Caspa was so in awe of collaborating with
The Prodigy’s Keith Flint that he nearly didn’t finish the record. The pair released menacing single
War this week. Caspa AKA Gary McCann said: “It’s still mind boggling. Keith loves dubstep so sent me some vocals and said: ‘Can you build a track around this?’.
“It had to be something special, so it took me a while. For me growing up it was always about The Prodigy, so I see him and still think, ‘Bloody hell it’s Keith from The Prodigy’. I’m building up to asking him to sign my old records.”
Liverpudlian lass loves London
Fiesty femme
ELSIE was worried her new ska-flavoured hit London Town might betray her northern roots. The Liverpudlian lass pulled a brave move by penning a song about the city where she now lives. But despite her love for Liverpool, Elsie (26) said: “I moved to London about five years ago and everything that’s happened since has been brilliant for me.”
Babes rum amok
Put a date in your rum diaries — this year’s Casa Bacardi line-up for
Electric Picnic features a host of big names in underground disco and electro.
Leah O’Reilly and
Nadia Forde raised a glass to the DJs and producers yesterday, including PRINS THOMAS, Darshan Jesrani (METRO AREA), THE 2 BEARS, CRAZY P, TODD TERJE and FRANCOIS K. The Picnic runs from August 31 to September 2, and Casa Bacardi will once again be a haven for cool cocktails, chilled vibes and banging tunes on rotation. Check
electricpicnic.ie for details.
★ Fresh from supporting Madonna at the Aviva, 21-year-old Swedish
DJ Alesso is to release a new track. Years is out this Saturday.
★
West Dublin Access Radio is hosting a Radiothon in partnership with the
Ballyfermot Youth Service. It will run from August 17 at 2pm to August 19 at 2pm. The 48-hour Radiothon will raise much-needed funds for the station and the youth service.
★ Danish punk band Ice Age are to play Belfast’s The Limelight on November 21. Tickets go on sale from
Ticketmaster and usual outlets from 9am this Friday.