Behind the music..

What do you do?

I’m the joint founder and editor of Kruger Magazine andwww.krugermagazine.com. We also promote events under the banner ‘Kruger Presents…’ and have just launched an online record label.

Kaiser Chiefs - Everything is Average Nowadays

This must have been the Kaiser Chiefs attempt at irony, because, even for them, it’s really bland and ‘average.’ However, I am going to like this single to annoy all the trendy scenesters with leggings and haircuts from faux-Japanese hairdressers who regard them as ‘uncool.’ Because I hate them more.

Mr Hudson Vs Sway - Ask the DJ re-mix

This collaboration works. Sway’s tight-fitting rapping about charity, football and his rise to success all work with the intermittent Mr Hudson lyrics. The two musical styles merge well together, as the remix is underpinned by the backing of the original song, which is invigorated by Sway’s lyrics.

CSS - Let’s make love and listen to Death From Above

Scrummy electropop brilliance: this Brazilian sextet are doing the wise thing in re-releasing a great tunethat fell under the radar back in August. And, oddly enough, it does exactly what it says on the label, makes you want to go out, make love and listen to Death From Above.

Light Years To Nothing - Soft Hearted Scientists

Jangly, mesmerising future folk guitar that undulates from the Cardiff-based pseudo-scientists specialising in lyrical one-liners. Complemented with soft touches of synthesiser that really does transport you into other galactic realms. Not necessarily the most memorable of twee-pop nuggets but certainly an intriguing listen with its optimistic layered vocals cooing.

Mixtape 2

The alternative evening to the volume next door begins with The Spencer McGarry Season, a three man band from Cardiff, who boast a delightfully upbeat, eclectic sound, with jangly guitars and effortless vocals. Both charming and infectious, they’ll make you tap your feet, smile and bob your head like a dickhead. Maybe it’s the braces.

LCD Soundsystem

To call LCD Soundsystem a ‘band’ would be somewhat like calling Robbie Williams ‘a bit of a drama queen.’ LCD Soundsystem are a fully-fledged multi-limbed funk contraption.

Maximo Park - Our Earthly Pleasures Warp

A common theme between tonight’s headliner and support act lies in their frontmen. Both bands are truly led from the front by instrumentless wordsmiths.

Arctic Monkeys - Favourite worst nightmare

Picture this: Cheeky little northern lad forms band, writes songs about clubs, bouncers and all that rubbish, gets massive and becomes the nations flavour of the week. What’s the next move?

The Electric Soft Parade - No Need To Be Downhearted

It’s now four years since The Electric Soft Parade’s second – and most recent – album. Given such a long time to work on a follow-up, one might expect the end result to be much better than No Need To Be Downhearted.

Mark Ronson - Version

As a rule, albeit one of over generalised and grandiosely assuming proportions, there are two occurrences in the field of music that are rarely enjoyable; cover versions and compilations.

Andrew Bird - Armchair Aprocrypha

Andrew Bird is one of those artists who feel like they should be far more well known than they are, his previous album The Mysterious Production of Eggs being a wonderful array of plucked violin, perfectly picked vocal melodies and a plethora of found percussion.