Moody Electronica & Fortuna Pop! (again)

For anyone who enjoys a bit of moody electronica (and I'm quite sure that I can't be the only one) I can strongly recommend taking a look at an album called Ark by a guy called Halls. The word is that he's another young London based one man band fairly bass heavy producer who has no doubt been releasing all kinds of stuff that I haven't come across (perhaps unsurprisingly as I'm absolutely not an electro hipster and don't make a habit of frequenting underground east end warehouse parties) and now has this album out.

He most obviously appears to be in a similar vain to James Blake and to a lesser extent Burial so presumably is very much 'in' within certain circles, although that shouldn't put anyone off. The sound is relatively smooth with a broadly orchestral or perhaps chamber feel throughout, and as should maybe be expected, is very much on the minimal side of things. I could imagine that some people might dismiss it as somewhat background music straight away but I would urge anyone even slightly interested to give it a chance, and in particular to listen to the album in order the entire way through as it seems to make more sense as a whole.

If moody and brooding is even sometimes your scene then give it a go.

I have to admit that I temporarily forgot about the Fortuna Pop! Winter Sprinter taking place in early January while bemoaning the lack of all dayers to go to over winter in a post from a couple of weeks ago. As a result it came as an extremely pleasant surprise when the lineup began to be drip fed through twitter over the course of a week or so. Needless to say the lineup is exceptional and £30 for all four nights on the earlybird is almost unbelievable value!

Tuesday 8th January: Allo Darlin' + Tender Trap + The Spook School

Wednesday 9th January: Herman Düne + Withered Hand (solo) + Joanna Gruesome

Thursday 10th January: Darren Hayman And The Long Parliament + Shrag + Haiku Salut

Friday 11th January: Comet Gain + Milky Wimpshake + Evans The Death

http://www.

http://www.wegottickets.com/f/5197

I for one can hardly wait, particularly for the first night which I strongly suspect will set the bar spectacularly high for every other gig next year, but then it could be said that I'm a pretty big fan of all three bands.

Plenty of frankly awesome looking gigs still to happen this year though, so as ever, if you like a band and they play near you get out there and you won't be disappointed!!