Summer Camp

London duo Summer Camp are Elizabeth Sankey and Jeremy Warmsley.

They create twinkling, pristine pop which sounds as though it could have been discovered in a trunk in an attic, glinting and glittering like jewels at the bottom of the sea! I caught up with the band after their tour with Frankie and The Heartstrings. The bands EP 'Young' is out now on CD and Download, for more info check out http://www.myspace.com/summercampmusic

1. First record bought...
Elizabeth: UB40's Promises And Lies, for that banging track 'Red Red Wine'.
Jeremy: This really obscure post-punk compilation from South America
(lies, it was actually Three Lions by the Lightning Seeds).

2. Would love to work with...
There are so many people we would love to work with, Brian Wilson,
Steve Mackey, Quincy Jones, Burt Bacharach - anyone with a bit of
vision and something different going on.

3. People are surprised that we....
Don't speak any English.

4. Most proud of....
Each other. And our incredible ability to not vomit after saying lame things like that.

5. Film you wish you had been in....
Elizabeth: Annie Hall, just for a tiny cameo. Or even just the
opportunity to talk to Woody about his corduroy trousers.
Jeremy: The new Star Wars, so I could have sabotaged it.

6. Last gig you went to..
We've just been on tour with Frankie and The Heartstrings, and they
were brilliant every night. We last saw them in Nottingham after we'd
all eaten about three platefuls of chili. It was a fiery night.

7. Signature dance...
That one where the girl puts her hands on the boy's shoulders and his
on her waist, and they just sort of step from side to side avoiding
eye contact and hoping their parents aren't on the other side of the
gym watching them and smiling.

8. Favorite villain...
Elizabeth: Paul (Michael Pitt's character) in 'Funny Games'. He's so
remorselessly evil, but you can't help but like him. Maybe it's those
tennis whites.
Jeremy: Jar-Jar Binks.

9. Money or Sex?
We've never had sex, so we'll go for money.

10. Describe Summer Camp in 6 words....
As if we could do that!

Is Tropical talk Sex, Clothes and Films...

London - three piece IS TROPICAL are set to release a new single, the first for their new label KITSUNÉ this winter. Formed last year, the IS TROPICAL line up of Gary Barber (Vocals / Guitar / keys), Simon Milner (Vocals / Guitars / Keys) and Dominic Apa (Drums & Programming) have developed a country wide reputation for their stunning live shows. Taking to the stage in their trademark masks, and cloaked by self-made video projections, they improvise constantly changing soundscapes, effortlessly swooping from raw pop anthems to lo-fi dance songs with fantastic results.

1. This winter I will be wearing....

Jogging bottoms tucked into socks and hoods, going for the estate look. plus mixed up with anything we get free or find laying about friends houses.

2. First record I ever bought...

All our first albums we're hip hop, Cypress Hill 'Black Sunday', Wu Tang ' 36 chambers and Fresh Prince.

3. Itching to work with...

Any of our friend - TEETH!!!, Crystal Fighters, Egyptian Hip Hop, Age Of Concent ect… just because they're all great at what they do and inspire us.

4. Favorite villain...

Anyone that wears masks because they inspire us.

5. Film you wish you'd been in...

'Rumble Fish' had some amazing actors in it - Matt Dillon, Mickey Rourke, Dennis Hopper, Nicolas Cage, Chris Penn, Laurence Fishburne, Tom Waits and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. We've also got some lyrics based loosely around it.

6. Money or Sex?

Sex

7. Last time you went dancing...

There is a night called 'Hot Breath Karaoke' and last weekend i went to there 'DANCE PARTY 4000' where we entered a dance off and lost.

8. Last song you listened to...

Tom Waits before leaving the house, the 'Small Change' album

9. First gig you ever went to...

A 'Fat Wreck Chords' mini festival, all the greats playing NOFX, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Lagwagon ect…

10. Last time I checked Twitter / Facebook / Myspace.....

Just now… anytime we get on the internet

11. Would sing a duet with...

Prince - just so we could be utterly upstaged whilst laughing at his mic skills. Also Giulia Elettra Gorietti, an Italian actress that said she could sing.

12. People would be surprised that Is Tropical....

Spend the weekend in betting on X Factor

Kurran & The Wolfnotes

Kurran and the Wolfnotes bring an unmistakable noughties twist to the alt-folk sound, with a playful hint of The Strokes complimenting the otherwise straight up trad-sound. I caught up with New Yorker Kurran Karbal to talk about dancing by himself and not f*cking it up!

The 5-piece, already with a single release under their belts and recent show-stopping performance at Latitude, plan to tour in September and will be announcing dates soon. In the meantime they are working on their debut album.

1. You wouldn't know it but I'm very good at....golf.

I wanted to be a pro golfer when i was growing up, not a musician. But then i got interested in girls and golf wasn't getting me too far.

2. My favorite item of clothing is....

my beanie, cause i have a pea head and it widens it out.

3. If I wasn't working in music, I would be....

a tramp, cause its the only thing I can bring myself to actually work at

4. The best advice i ever received was...

you can't master any skill until you've trained, or practiced 10,000 hours.

5. I would most like to have lunch with...

John Goodman, I'm sure the food would kick ass.

6. The last record i bought was....

Keaton Henson 'Dear'

7. The last time i went dancing....

Last night at white heat on my own for alot of the time

8. My life in 6 words right now....

DO NOT FUCK IT UP KURRAN!

Kurran and the Wolfnotes eagerly awaited single ‘Your Four Limbs’ is out now! on Chess Club Records.

Gwenno From The Pipettes...

I Start the day with........Fruit, yogurt and seeds

This summer I will be wearing......Floaty 90s short-style jumpsuits, they're comfy, feminine and pretty flattering I think

My Most Recent splurge..... a new condenser mic

I Can't stop watching.....French language films, from Jean Luc Godard to Vanessa Paradis's latest

You won't find me.....in West London that often

Invention that would make my life easier......a teleportation device

I am Dreaming about......Love

I am Itching to work with..... anyone who has interesting ideas

Ben Seary Graphic Designer

1. Hi Ben, how is it all going? I saw you had done the artwork for Hit Clubs new single by the much hyped band Egyptian Hip Hop. How did you come up with the idea for the singles artwork? Were the band involved at all?

I had seen Egyptian Hip Hop play live a few times and spoke with them, they sent me over some images they liked at the time and we took it from there. We had loads of ideas, however the final artwork was initially inspired by the patterns on the shirts the band wear but got taken off on a few tangents. We all wanted the artwork to be slightly obscure, unexpected and like nothing else. So they were defiantly involved.

2. When working on a bands 7'' Single is it important to involve the bands ideas?

If they have ideas then of course, the artwork is a visual representation of their music, sometimes I'm not into their ideas but we talk about it. The band know their song inside out and I want to create something that we feel works with the music. I have worked with all the bands on the artwork for singles even if it's just them sending me images they like, talking and then using that as a starting point. It's good to work with so many different people, at times it's a little difficult but it's always interesting.

3. Have any other bands or record labels artwork inspired you at all?

There are some amazing record covers and artwork for bands out there, however I try and just concentrate on the band I'm currently working with. I get more influence from the ideas behind the covers and why they were created, I think there should be meaning behind all the artwork. This is defiantly what I try and do with Hit Club. Too much music artwork is throw away, it's a shame, I think it's a great canvas to work on especially when it's with a good band.

4. When you are freelancing whats your typical day?
Sometimes I'm in a studio and sometimes I work on my own. I normally try get up early and if I'm in the studio I walk to the bus listening to A Tribe Called Quest or something like that and answer e-mails on the bus while trying and ignore everyone around me. When I get to the studio I work all day with other designers on loads of different projects, which is really cool, there's a lot to learn from other people. 
If I'm working on my own, I normally work from home in the morning, lot's of e-mails, then find a load of new music to listen to and in the afternoon I usually have meetings, they tend to circulate around Freuds in Covent Garden. It's a good little cafe/bar that no one really seems to know about.

5. What future projects do you have lined up?

We (Hit Club) are currently talking with a load of new bands which we are really excited about and sorting out future singles and artwork. Personally I have a few things I'm working on, the next big thing will be a fashion based project which will be out soon. I'm also working with some really interesting people on their visual identities, some new jewellery designers, photographers and bands. Just trying to work with interesting people who I think are doing really cool things.

For more info on Ben Seary see http://www.benseary.co.uk/

L from Spectrals

Spectrals is the creation of one young lad “L” from the north of England, a place where to not have a baby and a criminal record by the age of 18 is seen as unusual. After being in various bands playing punk rock in basements, L decided to start something combining his love of doo wop, girl groups and adding a bit of rat pack flair with a punk rock vibe to create Spectrals. In Spectrals short life span they have released an excellent single for Captured Tracks and toured the UK with bands such as Girls, Real Estate and Desolation Wilderness.

- If i wasn't a muscian i would be.....

Up to no good.

- The last record i bought was......

Fleetwood Mac - Tango In The Night. I like it because it's Fleetwood Mac.

- The last gig I went to was......

Thee Oh Sees, I liked it because it was mad and I didn't like it because it seemed to last 5 minutes and I couldn't make it to London to see them the evening after, and also because they make my songs look rubbish.

- My secret crush is.....

I like her out of Harry Potter, Emma Watson, it's her posh voice.

- I most admire.....

My Pop, my Dad (How can it not be these) and also, Harley from Cro-Mags.

- When i'm not playing gigs my ideal night out / in is...?

Out - Having some beers in a little pub in my town called the Old Hall with my girlfriend and/or a few buddy's, maybe a Bolagnese Pizza on the way home or something.

In - Watching "Friends" and eating Fish Finger sandwiches with my girl.

- My biggest extravagance is....

Hats.

- My favorite guilty pleasure song is... why?

I don't have these, If you like a song you like a song, and if you won't admit to it then you are a poser.

- You wouldn't know it but i'm not very good at...

Doing interviews.

- You wouldn't know it but i'm very good at....

Kissing.

- My life in 6 words.....

"I Just Wasn't Made For These Times (I knicked an extra one)

BARRY FROM THE FUTUREHEADS

The Futureheads have been ticking all the right boxes since 2000! The Futureheads are all but a national treasure!

It has been an explosive return for The Futureheads after being dropped by their major record label a couple of years ago.

The band's new album ‘The Chaos’, which they independently released through their own Nul label was critically acclaimed.

After a fully sold-out, British tour the band are embarking on an American tour this summer.

I caught up with Barry from the band to talk about what he's eating and good advice...!

> Last Thing You Ate / Was it good?

I ate some fennel and orange salad, some tabuleh, some sweet potato 'slaw.I'm preparing food for my Birthday Party you see. It all tastes lovely.

> Last Pecie of Good Advice Someone Gave You...

'If you bring forth what is inside you, then what you bring forth will save you. If you don't bring forth what is inside you then what you don't bring forth will destroy you'. Heavy stuff.

> Last Time You Went Dancing...

I dance everyday. Usually a slippered shuffle down the stairs. I haven't been clubbing in a very long time. It's a horrible way to meet people. I used to dance ALL night.

> Last Record you Bought.....

I bought the debut album from occult punk rockers 'Killing Joke'. No joke. It is seriously powerful stuff.

Underrated to say least, brilliant stuff. Too bright for most people.

> Last Time You Told A Person You Loved Them....

My wife, everyday, it's the law. She got me a big book and a USB microscope for my birthday. What's not to love.

> Last Person You Texted....

My dear Mother, to thank her for the book on psychology she got me. Thanks Mam.

> Last Gig You Went To....

Frankie and the Hearstrings at independent in Sunderland. It was splendid. An invite only show, special stuff.

> Last Time You Lied..

I have never ever lied. I promise. Cross my heart and hope...............cough cough splutter..... to die.

> Last Time You Were Hungover...

Really Hungover?!? Hmm after a late night tequila binge in New York. BooHoo York more like it..

> Last Time You Checked Twitter....

Just now. I said 'Happy Birthday to Me' and other self congratulating nonsense!