Who The Hell is Phone Joan?
Why Phone Joan?
There are many reasons why we think you should, but mostly because you could. Just dial +47 917 99466.
Can you tell us a bit about where you are from and how you got together?
Most of the band members rose from the cold and wet basements of Oslo, Norway’s indie-rock scene during the financial crisis that took place around 2008-2009. All of us were starved for anything with substance. The superficial and tiring Norwegian music scene needed someone to shake things up a bit. So we all decided to call her. She’s the one bringing us together. This, and the fact that we were promised lots and lots of beer (and if you think about it…. who the hell could say no to that?) made us form Phone Joan in 2009.
You’re video for ‘Damned’ is pretty powerful stuff, tell us more.
You know, information is so shock oriented. More and more of it is aimed to produce an emotional rather than rational response to what is presented. And most of the propaganda gladly vomited on us is only aimed to create fear. From one day to another, it seems the only question is how to top it. Everyone’s ending up screaming at each other, but none of us ever get the time to sit down and listen.
This video doesn’t cover the aspect which the song is about, but portraits some of these issues, for better or worse, because nothing is forbidden in the struggle against indifference.
It is produced by “FOLKEFIENDER,” which directly translates to “public enemy” and it portrays this beautiful woman’s “walk of shame” ending up, right back, where she started. It’s so beautifully shot giving the viewer a glimpse of our city Oslo.
Who has influenced your music the most?
It depends on who you ask. Elisabeth (drummer) is more into soul, jazz and hip hop. Randi (bass) could like most anything, while Carina (vocal) and Rikard (guitar) are more into the older stuff. The mix which she creates is more in the middle of everything; gluing it all together into a ramshackle 70’ shoegaze thing. Some say they hear a lot of Neil Young, others say The Dead Weather and Ida Maria.
If you phone Joan and ask her, we think she can relate to any of those.
What was the first piece of music you ever heard that really left a mark on you?
Again it depends on who you ask, but we all think Ida Maria is an awesome person who needs to be mentioned just because of that.
Mentionable “Joan likes” though are: Wildbirds and Peacedrums, Blind Faith, Janis Joplin, Neil Young, Jack White, Beyoncè, Erykah-Badu, Led Zepplin, Prince, and a bunch more….
Name one thing no one knows about the band?
Well everyone thinks this is a band that consists of 3 women and 1 man, but in fact there are no evidence yet been presented that Rikard actually has a penis. In fact all of us, even Rikard himself, are convinced of the opposite.
Where do you stand: MP3 or Vinyl?
Vinyl! You can’t touch or fondle with the mp3. +47 91799466 will only come out in full version on vinyl. Only 9 of the 12 tracks will be made available for digital download. We don’t do this only because we need to have a product that is just that…. an actual product, but also because we think vinyl gives more authentic sound quality to the recordings.
Music entertainment has already lost most of its core value and is surviving on fumes right now. This is not necessarily because of digital download, but because we can only take so much. The overflow of meaningless shit is grabbing the last of the true believers with them and sending them straight into the void of apathy. And this is where we are right now… packed heavily with good intentions ready to fight it off. But as the song says “we are worried that all of these efforts that we’ve made here, would be worth nothing.” Vinyl is the only thing left with a glimpse of reality in this overpopulated music world although we recognize the value of convenience.
What are your hopes for 2012?
That we might see a shift in the media’s focus and that this year will go into history as the year were music died and then came to life again.
Finally, when the last warning goes off, what track do you stick on your iPod?
Actually, right now, that would be the starting track of the album +47 91799466, a song called “Plastic Rubber Souls,” where the first lines are, “A ball of fire lights the sky, seems like something’s gonna change. Streak of massive orange light, now we be on our way; new plastic rubber souls, new spiritual defense. This bad imitation of life has been giving a second chance.”
This interrogation first appeared on TVDUK
The Vinyl District introducing: Little Racer
Hailing from oh-so-fashionable Brooklyn, Little Racer’s debut double A-side single, “Split For The Coast” / “The Town” was released in December, and has remained on our turntable ever since.
In the fine, longstanding tradition of quality maintained by the Young And Lost Club label, the band, formed in late 2009, consists of Elliot Michaud (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Ish Nazmi (bass, backing vocals) and Mike Seay (drums, backing vocals) and look destined for great things in 2012.
Introducing: Gabrielle & The Hounds
Brooklyn’s Gabriel and the Hounds, brainchild of Takka Takka founder and vocalist Gabriel Levine, release their debut album next month. A Valentine’s Day launch at New York’s famed Mercury Lounge will be followed by a European tour.
Whilst looking for a name for this project, Gabriel turned to one of his favourite albums for inspiration, Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love providing the necessary latter part of the name.
The album was recorded in living rooms, garages, and in proper studios all over Brooklyn, including Seaside Lounge and The National’s garage studio. It features performers who are in or have recorded with The National, Beirut, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Sufjan Stevens, Tune-Yards, Bjork, Jonsi, and St. Vincent. The result is an intimate record that conveys warmth and sincerity with an occasional buoyancy and punch.
The World Unfolds (above) is a Free download from Gabriel & The Hounds
Zulu Winter release second single, “We Should Be Swimming”
February 27th sees the release of “We Should Be Swimming,” the second single from Zulu Winter on the venerable Double Denim label.
Formed last year, Zulu Winter (Will Daunt – vocals & guitar; Iain Lock – bass; Dom Millard – keyboards; Henry Walton – guitar, and Guy Henderson – drums) have already picked up radio support from Zane Lowe, Steve Lamacq, and Huw Stephens.
Inevitably, when listening to this London five-piece’s sound, there’ll be shouts of Coldplay, but maybe, just maybe, they can develop into what Coldplay could have been and not limp into major label tedium as Chris Martin and Co. have. This track and the band’s forthcoming album are produced by the excellent Tom Morris, so there is some hope.
Zulu Winter will be playing a handful of London shows early this year as well as supporting The Horrors in SE Asia and Japan before heading to Texas for SXSW.
‘The Good The Bad’ and the Power of Rock & Roll
Despite the rather daft name (have they never heard of The Good, The Bad & The Queen???) Danish rockers The Good The Bad justify the claims and hyperbole staked on their behalf.
Following their last blast of sonic devilry, the wonderful “030,” comes their latest video for the numerically inferior yet artistic equal of its successor, the glorious “023.”
The Good The Bad have already clocked up several million plays on Youtube, so they are clearly on their way. This time the buzz is justified, these boys are going places!
Free track available over ‘ere
The Good The Bad are: Adam Olsson (The Adam) on lead guitar, Johan Lei Gellett on drums and Manoj Ramdas (ex-The Raveonettes) on baritone guitar.
… and as a bonus… for all you girl ‘n’ guitar perverts…
The Vinyl District UK: Stealing Sheep – Tweet for free tickets (13 December)
Stealing Sheep celebrate their signing to Heavenly Records with a low-key show in London this week. The wonderful folk-rock band from Liverpool play melodically sublime songs that show their impeccable influences, and also their creativity.
For a chance to win two tickets to see Stealing Sheep play a rare London show at the Old Blue Last this Tuesday, December 13th (that’s tomorrow!), just go to the article HERE and Retweet @Strollonlive
The Vinyl District UK Introduces: Ellie Lawson
After honing her craft in the US and Amsterdam, South London singer-songwriter Ellie Lawson returned home to release her phenomenal Lost Without You EP on 15th November.
Ellie’s story is a modern tale of overwhelming talent being discovered while young travelling America. This led to a whirlwind courtship by the US entertainment industry including being signed by Atlantic Records, taking meetings with Rap mogul Russell Simmons, and appearing on Ellen DeGeneres’ hugely popular TV show where Ellen extolled: “I play her music over and over again in my house…I predict she will be the hugest, hugest star.”
The tide turned, the music business began to implode and Ellie decided to respond to a call to work with leading trance DJs… (More)
Roxanne de Bastion ‘Indie Electro Pop’ and live dates May 2011
Berlin born, Roxanne de Bastion has been performing since she was 15. Equipped with only a guitar, suitcase and a one-way ticket, she ventured to the UK in 2007. We caught up with her ahead of her new EP release and chatted about Berlin, London and swearing on stage.
Roxanne was aware of the destiny that lay in front of her after she watched ‘Yellow Submarine’ as an impressionable four year old. “Although this may seem like an arbitrary fact to you” she says “I think it’s the reason why I do what I do. I love the Beatles’ music and have known since then that I am a musician”
She had her first gig at the age of ten, where she sung ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and Alanis Morissette’s ‘You Ought To Know’, she says about that moment: “I remembered being very concerned about singing the swear word on stage!”
Ten years on from her cussing dilemma she is now firmly rooted in London. “Although I miss Berlin and visit as often as I can, I love being in England and playing my songs to an English speaking audience. Words have always been the most tangible part of a song for me; I love lyrics and enjoy sharing them with people”
Since her move she has been very active on the live scene, playing throughout Europe and the USA. Her set is a mixture of original material with a smattering of covered favourites. “When I play the occasional cover in a set, it’s either the White Stripes or Regina Spektor” she says “Regina is a major influence on me of late. Her freedom with words and sounds really impress me. High up on my wish list would be to go on tour as her support act – that would be cool!”
Roxanne has just returned from her home town where she shot her new video to accompany the single ‘Indie Electro Pop’. She says “the lyrics are very unlike most of my compositions. The song features my imaginary band and is all about jumping on a bandwagon, (no pun intended) and musing about what it might be like to be in a hip electro pop band with lots of synthesizers”…
You can download the song for free HERE and also catch her in May below.
20th – Kasbah – Coventry
22nd – Picture House – Stratford Upon Avon
25th – Esquires Club – Bedford
26th – Y Pentan – Wrexham
27th – Northern Monkey – Leeds
28th – Zanzibar – Liverpool
29th – Odder Bar – Manchester
30th – Love Music, Hate Racism Festival – Chatham
Stroll On / 360dgm Podcast 18.5.11
- No Joy – Heedless
- Paul Revere & The Raiders – Just Like Me
- Spectre Folk – The Blackest Medicine
- The Jet Age Of Tomorrow – Her Secrets
- Superglider – My Life Is Too Messed Up
- Washed Out – Feel It All Around (Toro Y Moi Remix)
Stroll On / 360dgm Podcast 11.5.11
- The Fourth Dimension – Mr. Blair
- Bass Drum Of Death – Get Found
- Portugal. The Man – Got It All (This Can’t Be Living Now)
- Pyramid Vritra – Elenor
- Washed Out – Eyes Be Closed
- Mafia Lights – Spiriting
- YG – Stomp A Ni**a Out
