Music
Free flowing jazz meets UK bass music on LV’s remarkable Ancient Mechanisms
Clicks, echoes & imperfections — South London production duo LV feature Armenian jazz pianist Tigran Hamasyan on their new LP Ancient Mechanisms to create a living and breathing album that organically fuses live performance, far-out sampling and electronic beats.
Written by: Alex King
Ondi Timoner on the documentary Russell Brand doesn’t want you to see
Messiahs, narcissists and changing the world — Dig! and We Live in Public director Ondi Timoner is drawn to visionaries. But like Brian Jonestown Massacre frontman Anton Newcombe and infamous internet pioneer Josh Harris before him, Russell Brand is attempting to sabotage her portrayal of him, Brand: A Second Coming.
Written by: Alex King
New documentary Tónlist explores Iceland's rich musical landscape
Is there something in the air? — Björk. Sigur Rós. Múm. How has a tiny country like Iceland produced so many incredibly unique artists? Director Stephen Bevan talks about his journey to uncover their secret.
Written by: Sam Warner
Best music videos of the week
The whacky, weird and the wow — We serve up the latest offering from the Zenga Bros, Odd Future on a ‘70s TV timewarp, a surprise appearance from MF Doom and a whole load more.
Written by: Alex King
Kiko Bun is stirring salsa and hip hop into his sun-soaked reggae sound
Bringing back the dub — London reggae artist Kiko Bun is destined for big things. After covering Toots and Maytals for This is England '90, he's surfing a dubby resurgence all the way to the top.
Written by: Sam Warner
New documentary on The Slits, the first all-girl punk band
Here to be heard: The Story of the Slits — Federation X frontman William Badgley talks about his documentary on The Slits and the wild origins of the first all-girl punk band.
Written by: Oliver Lunn
First acts announced for Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards
The underground comes out to play at KOKO — Little Simz, 79rs Gang and Henry Wu presents Yussef Kamaal get the ball rolling for the annual celebration of the finest alternative music.
Written by: Alex King
Syd Shelton's iconic images document Rock Against Racism from the inside
The '70s musical movement that changed Britain — For photographer Syd Shelton, it's not objectivity but getting to the heart of the story that matters - which he did as de facto photographer and key member of Rock Against Racism.
Written by: Sam Warner
Bones Brigade icon Tommy Guerrero on keeping the creative spark alive
"I want it to hit people in the gut" — Cali skate OG Tommy Guerrero talks about how skating and music have always come together, stopping people in their tracks with his tunes and his new album, Perpetual.
Written by: Sam Warner
Skepta's stock is rising in New York
...and grime is finally about to break through in America — With his thrilling set at Fool's Gold Day Off, Skepta showed that America is ready to accept grime's unique vision, unlikely as that may once have seemed.
Written by: Alex Robert Ross