Emma McAlpine
Film taste: The English Patient, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Annie Hall, anything with Bill Murray and any sci-fi from the 80s.
Music taste: Disco, house, funk, soul
Hangout: comedy clubs, pubs and anywhere selling delicious and almost certainly overpriced food
Most likes (about London): So much CHOICE
Least likes: Penalty Charge Notices
Me in 10 words: Happy-go-lucky journalist with GSOH looking for TLC and fun times
Reviews
artist Brian Gittins
Thursday, 29 July
Quite possibly the funniest character comic around, he only has to walk on stage before I feel the laughter tears welling up
venue St Moritz
Tuesday, 11 May
top tip: avoid the wine here at all costs
artist Mumford And Sons
Friday, 04 December
SINGLES REVIEWS (7 Dec)
Mumford & Sons – Winter Winds
Island Records
Amid the flotsam and jetsam of garbage released around Christmas time, appears this shining beacon of light. As the folksy opening of trumpets, tambourines and banjos dies down to let Mumford's soulful vocals rasp ('As the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts...'), the listener is immediately transported to days of yore; when Rolf Harris and The X Factor were still unimaginable horrors of the future.
Half toe-tapping country ditty, half wistful lament; if this doesn't conjure up images of mulled wine and loved ones – report to the Humbug Doctor immediately. 4/5
Mumford & Sons – Winter Winds
Island Records
Amid the flotsam and jetsam of garbage released around Christmas time, appears this shining beacon of light. As the folksy opening of trumpets, tambourines and banjos dies down to let Mumford's soulful vocals rasp ('As the winter winds litter London with lonely hearts...'), the listener is immediately transported to days of yore; when Rolf Harris and The X Factor were still unimaginable horrors of the future.
Half toe-tapping country ditty, half wistful lament; if this doesn't conjure up images of mulled wine and loved ones – report to the Humbug Doctor immediately. 4/5
venue Paramount
Monday, 24 August
Went to see Greg Wilson here and had a wicked night. Cool venue especially when the sun comes up but not so great when it's cloudy. Queues for loos are ridiculous, it's almost better not to drink! On club nights, if you can, try asking a member on the way out for their wristband and sneak up to 32nd floor.
event The Canal Party #4 Carnival Special
Monday, 24 August
#nhc09 Clive Henry and Stuart Patterson? Definitely going to this. If I don't go to Henrik Schwarz at Corsica Studios....
event Good Times at Notting Hill Carnival
Monday, 24 August
#nhco9 Heard he was the best act at Big Chill so will definitely be catching this early doors to beat the crowds.
artist Florence and The Machine
Monday, 06 July
SINGLES OF THE WEEK - 22nd June
*Single of the Week*
Florence and The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)
Island Records
As I was crossing my fingers I would make it home in my seriously ill car last weekend, this song came on the radio and it was so good it gave me goose bumps.
Poetic lyrics tell a dream-like tale of destruction and sacrifice: 'Midas is king and he holds me so tight/And turns me to gold in the sunlight', but it is the chorus that really pierces you, as Florence's soaring voice combines with gospel vocals, harp and piano melodies to create a powerful crescendo; all lungs, heart and soul. What a beautiful record.
*Single of the Week*
Florence and The Machine - Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)
Island Records
As I was crossing my fingers I would make it home in my seriously ill car last weekend, this song came on the radio and it was so good it gave me goose bumps.
Poetic lyrics tell a dream-like tale of destruction and sacrifice: 'Midas is king and he holds me so tight/And turns me to gold in the sunlight', but it is the chorus that really pierces you, as Florence's soaring voice combines with gospel vocals, harp and piano melodies to create a powerful crescendo; all lungs, heart and soul. What a beautiful record.
venue Plastic People
Wednesday, 24 June
small, dark, dirty. Can you ask for more from a nightclub? Close proximity to DJs, loud soundsystem and yet no ear-bleed. Result.
artist Tommy Sparks
Monday, 11 May
SINGLES REVIEWS - 4th May
She Got Me Dancing
Island
Stop the press! It's another electro-indie-pop tune with a zany video! Yay! You know that feeling you get when someone says 'it's such a lovely day we must go outside!' and you just want to punch them in the face and head straight for the cinema?
Well that's how I feel when listening to this track. It's soooooo 'catchy' and 'uplifting' it immediately made me want to start listening to some Shackleton-esque malevolent dubstep instead. That said, Fearne and Reggie will probably cream themselves over it come the Sunday Chart Show. 2/5
She Got Me Dancing
Island
Stop the press! It's another electro-indie-pop tune with a zany video! Yay! You know that feeling you get when someone says 'it's such a lovely day we must go outside!' and you just want to punch them in the face and head straight for the cinema?
Well that's how I feel when listening to this track. It's soooooo 'catchy' and 'uplifting' it immediately made me want to start listening to some Shackleton-esque malevolent dubstep instead. That said, Fearne and Reggie will probably cream themselves over it come the Sunday Chart Show. 2/5
artist Alexander Robotnick
Monday, 11 May
SINGLES REVIEWS - 27th April
Obsession For The Disco Generation
This Is Music
Disco has had a big resurgence recently and it's just what we need in these ledge-jumping times. Disco warms the soul; it's upbeat and doesn't take itself too seriously. Unfortunately 'Obsession For The Disco Freaks' is actually a wry tribute to the italo-disco genre that Robotnick was renowned for during the '80s; a euro-trash synthy sound – not my cup of tea.
However, this is undoubtedly a man who doesn't take himself too seriously. Check out 'Can I Have An Ashtray' – much better and the video is hilarious. 1.5/5
Obsession For The Disco Generation
This Is Music
Disco has had a big resurgence recently and it's just what we need in these ledge-jumping times. Disco warms the soul; it's upbeat and doesn't take itself too seriously. Unfortunately 'Obsession For The Disco Freaks' is actually a wry tribute to the italo-disco genre that Robotnick was renowned for during the '80s; a euro-trash synthy sound – not my cup of tea.
However, this is undoubtedly a man who doesn't take himself too seriously. Check out 'Can I Have An Ashtray' – much better and the video is hilarious. 1.5/5
Show More Reviews
Add an event