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1939481920Every summer has it’s soundtrack. Last year I listened to Room Eleven while enjoying the parks of Amsterdam, the summer before that, the Beach Boys and the Arctic Monkeys (always a good combination) entertained me during a surf vacation with Peter Evers and in 2005 Gabriel Rios sparked up my trip to Italy. This summer I’ll stroll the Italian beaches while listening to Devendra Banhart.

Devendra Banhart was born May 30, 1981, in Houston, Texas, U.S. but was raised in Caracas, Venezuela from 2 to 13 years old. He is a folk rock singer-songwriter and musician. Banhart’s music has been classified as indie folk, psych folk, Naturalismo, and New Weird America; his lyrics are often surreal and naturalistic. (wiki)

I love the mysterious and somehow optimistic songs of this long-haired guy and so it was a true pleasure to create a playlist for you. Without a doubt, it will give those evenings on your balcony or veranda another dimension. Read the rest of this entry »

Last night I witnessed music history, at least that’s what I thought. Tim Heineke and I sneaked into Paradiso to see the Reverend and the Makers, an indie-electro band from Sheffield, UK. I saw them before in December 2007 when they were the supporting act of that other band from Sheffield, the Arctic Monkeys. It was the first time I fell in love with a girl from a 60 feet distance, that’s what a dancing Laura Manuel (vocals/ keyboards) does with a man.

The vibrant performance reminded me of a combination between the woodenly moves of Ian Curtis and the enthusiasm of Bez dancing with the Happy Mondays. Every time frontman Jon McClure spread his arms to act like he was an actual reverend, the crowd went absolutely mental.

Jon McClure performing on Lowlands 2007. Photo by my favorite hard bloggin’ scientist Anne Helmond.

No wonder the audience screamed yes when McClure asked them whether they wanted to hear more. “Alright”, he yelled, “You and me, outside”. And that’s exactly what happened. While McClure made his way through the stunned audience, I decided to ran after him. I’m glad I did, and so were fifty other people, since the Reverend played some of his songs on an acoustic guitar while he was standing on the steps of a upper class high school. Read the rest of this entry »