It feels like your entrance just caused the temperature to rise

Everything you’ve come to expect.

The Last Shadow Puppets deliver nothing less but a whole lot more. They’ve sure changed since the baby faced first album some 8 years ago. Both have achieved great things in the time they were apart creatively and it has culminated in a humdinger of an album. A no skip album.

The British gent suits have been replaced with open shirts, bare chests and gold chains and I dare say that they have found what they should be, producing shoot from the hip, slick and greasy, 60’s and 70’s influenced sounds. There was critical acclaim for Age of The Understatement with its string accompanied serenades and powerful lyrics. It’s possible this album won’t get the same amount of acclaim with some music writers calling it “more of an in-joke than a band”.

Sure.

Miles Kane and Alex Turner are close and are creating something they want to hear and want to share. What’s wrong with that? Miles Kane is far more prominent in this album than the first and we can be grateful for that. His guitar playing adds an edge to the album and allows Alex to focus on his singing, which has come along no end. Songs like Sweet Dreams, TN show just how powerful a set of pipes he has, creeping through the words and jumping out for a huge finish with very minimal music behind it which adds to the beauty of the track and makes it my favourite off the album.

The musical craft on each song offers something different which keeps everything interesting. A luscious guitar riff on Aviation will have you humming it for days and for me takes from Arctics song My Propeller as it uses simple guitar to create a complex song. Dream Synopsis is a journey through the mind of Alex Turner to LA via Sheffield in the form of a jazz club house band. It’s a guitar down and mic up kind of album for Turner and you get the feeling that’s exactly what he wants with his loose hips and wandering hands.

The album offers up of a double bill of melancholic ballads with songs like “Miracle Aligner” and “The Element of surprise”. Both could easily have been pulled from a Lou Reed album and offer the best of the strings.

I read recently that Bad Habits was essentially a jam with Miles Kane going with what words came out and lasted around 45 minutes. This was whittled down for the album and offers a little rock relief which Kane gets to vent on and keeps on chugging with a chunky bass line and sharp strings.

The album is a sepia serenade with the sunset in the background, a midnight drive round a mountain side and the little umbrella in a cocktail all rolled together. They kept the strings but took everything else in a different direction and found songs of love, lust and lavish lifestyle.  

Regardless of some of the bad press they have had, strip away the joking interviews, the LA tan, the gold rings and loafers and what you’re left with is a damn good album. They have bucked the trend of old friends sharing some nostalgia and gone full throttle down the highway to something fresh, something that the charts don’t see anymore. I’d rather not wait another 8 years for the next album but if it is even better than this one, it will be absolutely worth it.

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HepkattFM

Taking over .....LIPPY KID

Taking over with... is a new spot where you'll see musicians and musos take the reigns and let us in to their world. I asked LK what 2015 was for him and what 2016 holds.

Get your Brain Dusters ready.

Here's Lippy Kid.

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So 2015 has come to a close, and on refection, from a musical perspective, what a year it’s been. I entered into the year with a head full of unfinished ideas. Time to focus and think about a direction. The immediate, outside world was becoming an increasingly gloomy place, so I’d started to spend more time looking wider afield. Carl Sagan’s ‘Pale Blue Dot’ had started to resonate strongly. Our relative significance. I wondered, if asked, what would the world of Social Media start to say if I presented them with a simple query……

‘We search the world to find……’

There response was amazing. Hope for a better planet. A daughters aspiration, the comical, the reflective. It was incredibly moving and filled my heart with optimism. From that moment, completing my musical ideas became a downhill task and ‘Echoes and Answers’ was born.

The reception for the album surpassed my wildest expectations. Fantastic feedback and reviews (a particular review by Simon Tucker for Louder than War stunned me completely). Amazingly, and totally unexpectedly, the album even got picked up by one of my favourite 6 Music DJs, with Mary Anne Hobbs featuring ’24 Hour Reboot’ on her ‘6 Recommends’ show. 

As a completely independent musician, it’s hard to describe the feeling you get when you self-produce something and receive so much love in return.

The remains of the year was spent putting in place new projects, new foundations for more ideas and collaborations. It was lovely to produce a track with Helen Mort, Derbyshire’s poet laureate, for the Dark Outside broadcast. I’ve been a huge admirer of Helen’s for some time so it was a real honour to work with her. Also, to find our track featured alongside work from artists such as Plaid, Martyn Ware, Grumbling Fur, Pye Corner Audio, Scanner, Ben Salisbury, Chris Carter…pretty amazing really.

There have been many people I’ve been discussing projects with towards the end of the year, and hopefully these will materialise with something worth sharing with everyone.

To reflect on an inspirational year, I decided to close it off by releasing a track I’d been previously working on for the ‘Echoes and Answers’ album. It seemed appropriate somehow:

https://soundcloud.com/lippy-kid/spatial-nature-of-thought

So to 2016…..

Well this year has started off in the most surreal way possible. Like so many people, the news of David Bowie’s death came as a devastating blow. From initially being introduced to Ziggy as a slightly awkward, introverted eleven year old, Bowie was the shining light and a huge inspiration to me. I did find it a little difficult to comprehend. And only days after releasing one of the finest albums of his career. I guess it was only in the days that followed that we were able to truly understand the poignancy of its content. 

I’d like to feel the key things that I did learn from Bowie’s career was to keep exploring, be bold, be true to yourself and never fear collaboration.

So who knows… Each year I seem to meet more and more creative and inspirational people. I’m currently working on a number of new ideas with some of those I met last year. On the immediate front I’ve been pulling together a collaborative mix with my very good friend ‘Mixless’ aka Antony Theobald that will be broadcast on Nick Wlkinson’s ‘Inner Depths’ show on Future Music FM. The show will be broadcast Feb 29th, something we’re both looking forward to. After that…well there’s a number of other ideas, things I’ve said I’ll aim to look into, ideas of my own…plenty to keep me busy.

I guess all I can say is watch this space, but thanks, as always, for the incredible love and support, and as David once said…

“Tomorrow belongs to those that hear it coming…."

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http://www.lippykidmusic.com

https://soundcloud.com/lippy-kid

https://twitter.com/lippykidmusic?lang=en

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Thank you to Lippy Kid for taking the time to write this. If you want to take over HepkattFM and have a guest spot, get in touch!

Until next time.

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HepkattFM

Music and Mental Illness

I panic at far more places than the Disco.

For the past few years, I've been living with mental illness and just trying my best to push it to one side. The one thing I learnt. That's not possible.

Finally, I surrendered, got help and started working toward managing my day to day life. I was scared at first. Lots of things had to change. I quit drinking and boy, did I drink a lot, I stopped going out as much and so lost friends but worst of all, I had to stop performing. 

I've been a drummer for the past 10 years and played in a handful of different bands. That rush before taking the stage, that relief at coming off at the end knowing you did a great job, they're feelings that just can't be recreated and it was all over. The cymbals had stopped shaking, the kit was in the van and I was all at sea.

At the same time, I realised that this was only for the best. The incredible feelings I got before playing were replaced with severe panic attacks and an overwhelming desire to just get it over with and when that happens, well, you're just not a musician anymore. I was just there to make up numbers. At least that is how I felt.

That's when Hepkatt was born. I stopped feeling sorry for myself and realised there is far more to music than just playing it. I started reading, excessively, about music theory and researching upcoming bands, venues, equipment, you name it I've been looking at it. Then I thought, why not write about this? This 'thing', this 'noise', that can bring us together and divide us all at the same time, make you feel lost and found in the same split second. 

Now.

I'm not going to go as far as to say music has saved me but it sure makes being here that so much easier. I'm excited to hear the next big thing and to find the dingiest venue that offers the best experience. It gives me desire and it gives me hope that even though I can't be doing it any more, others are and the industry is safe in the hands of every young kid who picks up an instrument. 

Music is free from all the things wrong with the world these days. We don't care about religion, politics and we're not about to go to war over who should be number 1. We're all here for the same reason. So from me to all musicians, all music lovers, writers, technicians, lighting engineers and so on and so forth, thank you. 

I'm a believer in music, fucking hallelujah.

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HepkattFM

Suds and Songs: Lippy Kid

Up the local in the rental.

Today we look at Derbyshire based, ambient loop creator, Lippy Kid. 

First things first. Let me tell you that this isn't just music, this is theatre. Using minimal loops to create powerful melodies you're forced to visualise before you, what you hear around you.

You can't just listen to this, you have to put shape to the sound and become, well, transfixed.

You can find multiple releases by this alter ego (Think more Ziggy Stardust than Tony Clifton) but a great place to start is with Anatomical, released in 2014. Three Digit D.I.S.C.O is a mind bender. It sounds as though it is taken from the boss level of a Nintendo game fused with a cross country car trip from an indie movie and I mean this as the highest compliment, because that's what I saw. That's what this music forces you to do in a way that very few others can.

Lippy Kid isn't one to go it alone either and is always looking for collaborators. On his last project, he asked his Twitter followers to add one word to the statement 

"We Search The World To Find....". The result was, one word, stunning.

And it is for that reason, the desire to want to mix with others and make something unexpected and beautiful that I'm pairing this with a Whiskey Cocktail known as the Brain Duster.

Now.

This fits in two ways. First, Brain Dusting is honestly a great way of describing Lippy Kids' music. After a few hours of watching (remember not just music, theatre) his creation you will feel well and truly refreshed and inspired, a good old brain dusting.

The second way is that this is blend of things that shouldn't go together but hell they create something spectacular. Whiskey, Italian Vermouth and Absinthe. It's classy, goes down smooth and leaves just enough of an impression to make you question everything, and that's just Lippy Kids' music.

Minimal.

Melody.

Theatre.

This is Lippy Kid.

https://lippykid.bandcamp.com/track/three-digit-d-i-s-c-o
http://www.lippykidmusic.com/

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HepkattFM

Suds and Songs: Milk Carton Kids

MILK CARTON KIDS AND JACK DANIELS:HONEY

Sing.

Sparrow.

Sing.

They're the words of messrs Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan who form Contemporary Folk duo Milk Carton Kids.

I first heard of these guys when a friend of mine performed a cover at one of his gigs. Queue hours of You-tubing their performances and one thing became glaringly obvious. No matter the venue, no matter the size of the crowd, they always offer an intimate experience. (For the most gorgeous of performances check out the Tiny Desk Sessions courtesy of NPR)

Their stage presence is still but full of movement, very Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. Their most recent album, Monterrey, offers a gluttony of swaying guitar crawls and perfect harmonies. Recorded on stages of theatres throughout America, without a crowd, without the nitpicking over each bar, it makes you feel, well, human.

So what do you pair with this? 

It's cliche but the sound created does go down like Honey and leaves you burning up as you wish you were as good as them, so why not pair it with Jack Daniels with Honey.

While you sip on this, you can slip away to the ambient vibes created from songs such as Sing, Sparrow, Sing and Asheville Skies.

Wherever you are in the world, whatever music you like, you need to unwind and appreciate talent, these guys have it in abundance. 

Stop the search.

We've found the Milk Carton Kids. 

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http://www.themilkcartonkids.com/

http://www.npr.org/event/music/156679789/the-milk-carton-kids-tiny-desk-concert

http://jackdaniels.com

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HepkattFM

Alreet...

Nah then. 

I grew up when the boardwalk was still the place to be to see the upcoming bands in Sheffield. One of the best exports has undoubtedly been the Arctic Monkeys. They've gone from track suits to church suits but the message stays the same. 

I wrote this review at the time AM was released. 

Enjoy ah kid.

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This is Chip Shops and Chardonnay; Sean Bean and Motorcycles, truly rock and roll with the lights off. AM is a long way from the Boardwalk but this still feels like a new beginning, a new twist on the Arctic trail.

Do I Wanna Know sets the scene as it seduces you with it's swaying riff and electronic drum heartbeat. It feels like a your listening to a Turner monologue whilst star gazing through an electric guitar. If this sets you up then R U MINE? knocks you out.

From the moment it kicks in you're hooked. The lyrics are both brilliant and brave as it feels set in reverse " I'm a puppet on a string, Tracey Island: Lone ranger riding". If a song had a dress sense R U MINE is in leather and shades and not taking them off to go indoors. Helders screeches in the background, linking with Turner as they quip "oh ahh" in the middle of a blatant rock song.

This slinks into One For The Road where the whole thing feels like you're watching Turner put the moves on a dame in a Jazz Club; the music is splashy and the drinks are free. The whole feel of the album is progression, you know there are songs waiting in the wings that didn't make the first team like "you're so dark" which could have easily made the cut but the balance feels right.

This is shown perfectly by the next track on the album Arabella. The start of this track is pure rock in its most subtle and yet glaringly obvious form. The way the drums are simple and yet pierce through, the guitar that skittles across the track, tip-toeing to the chorus where you are slapped in the face with the cosmic call of Sabbath style riffing. This is supposedly based on Turners girlfriend and what wouldn't be to like about a girl with Gator skin boots who smokes organic cigarettes.

Whilst this album is about growth (the only thing that has moved back is each members hair with the help of a tub of hair gel) they also point to their influences and give them a tip of the hat. Mad Sounds, a song that sounds straight out of Costellos back catalogue, (possibly because his own drummer Pete Thomas is on this one) is taken from early Arctics producer Alan Smyths original song. Then there is the much more on the nose use of I Wanna Be Yours plucked from John Cooper Clarke. This gives the record a route home from the States with lines such as "I wanna be your leccy meter, that you get cold without".

The Sheffield group were given plenty of help from friends old and new with people like Bill Ryder-Jones (ex-Coral) creating the melancholy solo in Fireside,which is backed by the 70's style backing of "shoo op, shoo op". Josh Homme a familiar face to these now belts out of 30 seconds of high pitched melody in Knee Socks and lends his voice to One for the Road.

The first single released from this album that set everyone up to AM was the R&B influenced Why Do You Only Call Me When You're High? Turner strolls though this like a trip down memory lane and the groove of the track simply chases him with Helders cracking backing in tow.

The record is kept moving throughout with tracks like I Want It all which features rising guitar only topped by the height of the vocals. No 1 Party Anthem in which you hear Turner talking about parties previous " Sunglasses in doors, par for the course" and Snap Out Of It which feels ultimately like a song from the back end of the 60's. 

This is still Rock and Roll but written by Dr Dre on the wall of the Leadmills bathroom. This record is a cosmic shot of adrenaline to those who had fallen out of love with the Arctics. Put on your leathers, turn off the lights, hold on and ride the AM Helter Skelter.

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HepkattFM

Suds and Songs: Turbowolf

TURBOWOLF - BREWDOG

Music.

Alcohol.

Fewer things go as well together as the above. Whether you're in a dingy working mens club ordering pints of warm John Smiths waiting for the out of tune, out of time support act to finish or simply spinning vinyl at home with a choice tipple, it works.

In a new regular spot, I'm going to give you my thoughts on what goes well together.

First up is one of my favourite bands of 2015, Turbowolf. The first thing you notice from this Bristol based band is that their energy isn't just limited to the stage. Their records are just as lively and full of punch as their live offering.

I was able to catch them earlier in the year at The Harley, Sheffield (I spent most of my university life in this place and it's still one of my favourite haunts. Well worth a visit if you've never been) and saw first hand just how their brand of punk rock can grab you by the arm and drag you through a full throttle trip of psychedelia and moustaches.

I'm pairing this with Nanny State from Brewdog. The more experienced drinker among you will notice straight away this is non-alcoholic. The fact is, I quit drinking 6 months ago after a rather life changing experience but I've done my time drowning barrels. 

Not drinking is hard and I sure miss the sweet nectar now and then again and this is why I'm grateful to Brewdog. They have actually produced a non-alcoholic drink worth it's salt. It's a true punk drink for a true punk rock band.

So for you to truly relax and enjoy the album above (Turbowolf - Two Hands) with a beer, pick up one of the first ever Brewdog beers and enjoy a pint of Punk IPA. Once you've got the taste you can head over to Brewdog in Sheffield and experience this straight from the tap.

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https://www.brewdog.com/bars/uk/sheffield

http://www.theharley.co.uk/

http://turbowolf.co.uk/

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HepkattFM