Michael Kiwanuka – I’m Getting Ready

23 September 2011

Micheal Kiwanuka

Ever since I first heard the Otis Redding soft-styled vocals of Michael Kiwanuka (facebook/twitter) on a City Sessions video he’s been on pretty much constant repeat around Walrus Towers. That makes me doubly excited in that this week saw both the release of his latest video for I’m Getting Ready and my first chance to catch him live.

At Bush Hall he was opened for by Rachel Sermanni, who was fantastic, but more on her another time. Live he is captivating – as you would imagine – with his vocals staying warm and smooth in front of a band that stayed free flowing and loose throughout. Kiwanuka had the audience in the palm of his hand, and the odd joke about (and a cover of) Bill Withers only added to the relaxed vibe of the night. A very impressive performance.

The video is shot like a super-8 home movie reflecting the uplifting warmth of the lullaby. A thing of beauty.

[BUY] Michael Kiwanuka – I’m Getting Reading EP on VINYL or MP3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Wgj6vJDfjY

I’m Getting Ready by MichaelKiwanuka
I Need Your Company by MichaelKiwanuka
Worry Walks Beside Me by MichaelKiwanuka
I Need You By My Side by MichaelKiwanuka
Any Day Will Do Fine by MichaelKiwanuka

Video: To Kill A King – We Used To Protest/Gamble [premiere]

By: Tim

22 September 2011

In: News & Leaks

1 comment

To Kill A King

We’ve been keenly watching the output of To Kill A King (Facebook/Twitter) here at Walrus Towers ever since Lauren got wind of Fictional State being released by Communion back in May. And since then the band has been busy recording for their debut EP, My Crooked Saint (released 17th October on Virgin Records) – with a video for each track.

The EP is the fruition of their impassioned and intricate guitar-led songs, with the four videos hanging together as a single story, with each song unearthing a little more to the tale.

Today we’ve got the premiere of their latest video, We Used To Protest/Gamble – a song of love, togetherness and a video that is both beautiful and heart-wrenching.

This is the second video in the series of releases to coincide with the EP, with the band showing the video to Bloody Shirt a couple of weeks ago:

You can see a whole load of other videos from the band on their Youtube channel.

To continue the video theme, we’ve also got a recent video from the fine folk at City Sessions of the band playing an acoustic wistful version of Film Nineteen recorded on the roof of their recording studio in East London.

To Kill a King – “Wrecking Crew” (Acoustic Version) by To Kill A King
To Kill A King – “Bloody Shirt” by To Kill A King

[Photograph courtesy of Cat Stevens]

Introducing: Jessica Jalbert

By: emma.r.weston

22 September 2011

In: News & Leaks

1 comment

Jessica Jalbert

Paris Green is a track that separates Jessica Jalbert (Bandcamp/Soundcloud) from the rest of girls sitting in empty bar desperately trying to hit the big time for wistfully playing dream pop until their heart’s content. Her vocals are gently dynamic; breathy at first rising to an angelic crescendo whilst still remaining largely nonchalant. In the same way that Kim Deal manages to insert contented basslines into the most sombre of Pixies songs so does bassist, Rene Wilson.

Along with melancholic vocals and bass, the astral guitars ensure that Paris Green is an ambient, self reflective little number. If Jessica Jalbert carries on in the same vein, I reckon she’ll be a permanent fixture on many a CD rack in the next few years. She’s still a work in progress but so far the prediction is dandy.

Jessica Jalbert – Paris Green by Jessica Jalbert
Necromancy by Jessica Jalbert
Necromancy (Kuhrye-oo Remix) by kuhryeoo
Oh, The Wind Will Blow (ft. Jessica Jalbert) by Doug Hoyer