Featured Artist

Nitin Sawhney
New album London Undersound (POSITIVIDCD001)
Released Monday 13th October 2008 on POSITIV-ID

Everyday is full of representations - from politicians, the media and the power of rumour. From bizarre justifications for war to issues of race, nationality, religion and cultural identity, we are saturated constantly with information and second hand opinion.

On 7/7/2005 a bomb exploded on a London bus. A singer and friend of mine, Natty, was there. Two weeks later he was present at the shooting of a Brazillian man – Jean Charles De Menezes.

Last year we wrote a song together.

Natty, like myself, feels something indefinable has shifted.

London’s heartbeat has changed.

Within that heartbeat there lies a feeling, a collective consciousness, the uniting hum of disparate voices waiting to be heard …

A sound.

This is a collection of thoughts, ideas, feelings and catharsis in a city of immense diversity, imagination and beliefs. Featuring a whole range of artists, some less known, some celebrated, this music attempts to capture a zeitgeist and common humanity that pervades superficial divides. Featuring performances from Natty, Reena Bhardwaj, Ojos de Brujo, Anoushka Shankar, Rox, Tina Grace, Aruba Red, Imogen Heap, Faheem Mazhar and Paul McCartney with specially contributed artwork from Antony Gormley, this is an album of collaboration …. to capture the London I know.

Nitin Sawhney
June 2008

Nitin Sawhney has announced that he will be touring the UK in October and November, to promote the release of his forthcoming album, London Undersound (released Monday 13th October). Please note that all ticket prices may be subject to a booking fee.

Full tour dates as follows:

Fri 24th Oct LONDON special performance All details tba
Mon 27th Oct MANCHESTER, Academy £16.50 www.aeglive.co.uk
Tue 28th Oct BIRMINGHAM, Town Hall £17.50 www.artistticket.com
Wed 29th Oct BRISTOL, Anson Rooms £16.50 www.aeglive.co.uk
Sat 1st Nov SHEFFIELD, Leadmill £16.50 www.aeglive.co.uk
Mon 3rd Nov LEEDS, Stylus £16.50 www.aeglive.co.uk
Wed 5th Nov CAMBRIDGE, The Junction £16.50 www.artistticket.com
Thu 6th Nov BRIGHTON, The Corn Exchange £16.50 www.artistticket.com
Fri 7th Nov OXFORD, Academy £16.50 www.aeglive.co.uk

The live band line-up will be as follows : Nitin Sawhney - keys and guitar / Aref Durvesh – tabla / Ashwin Srinivasan - flute and vocals / Ian Burdge – cello / Martyn Kaine – drums / Tina Grace – vocals / Luci Joules - vocals

www.cookingvinyl.com / www.nitinsawhney.com / www.myspace.com/nitinsawhney

Katy Perry drinking problem

Katy Perry has revealed she had a drinking problem.

The 'I Kissed a Girl’ singer – who is dating Gym Class Heroes star Travis McCoy - admits she turned to alcohol while waiting for her big musical break.

She told Blender magazine: 'It was really difficult, drinking became a problem. It got out of control until I said, 'OK - back to work.’ I know I'm speaking for someone, even if it is someone silly.'

Katy, 23, recently revealed she finds it difficult to attend high profile events without a drink in her hand.

After being named the host of the upcoming MTV Europe Music Awards, she said: 'I was so excited when I heard that I was nominated for two awards, but when I was asked to host the show I wet myself, Fergie-style!

"Do they know what they are getting into? I just hope that I don't spill my cocktail!'

The MTV Europe Music Awards take place in Liverpool, UK, on November 6.

Video Games Live returns

Video Games Live, the biggest live performance in video games, is back with its 2008 show. Following last year’s smash hit sell-out, the London Games Festival is delighted to announce that there will be two performances at the Royal Festival Hall on 24th October at 4pm and 8pm. The event will launch this year’s festival celebrating all the excitement and variety of the gaming industry.

Video Games Live is the sensational multi-media concert celebrating the most memorable hits from the world’s best-loved video games, which has performed to sold-out audiences of over 250,000 people from around the globe. From Pong, Mario and Sonic, to Halo, Warcraft, Zelda, Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, Video Games Live combines cutting edge visuals and interactive technology with gaming’s greatest music, performed live by co-creators Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall, with the prestigious English Chamber Orchestra.

Exclusive video footage and music arrangements, spectacular lighting and special effects, guest soloists, live action and unique interactive segments, combine to create an explosive one-of-a-kind entertainment experience not to be missed.

Special events surrounding the show commence at 2.30pm, including pre- and post-show activities, featuring the return of last year’s hugely popular costume contest, with exclusive prizes for the best outfit, and meet-and-greets with Tommy Tallarico, Jack Wall, and composers of some of the music played on the night.

Tickets can be bought from the Royal Festival Hall box office on 0871 663 2500, or www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Check out www.londongamesfestival.com for the latest news and information about all of the events taking place this year.

Bryan Adams DVD and UK tour

Bryan Adams has revealed plans to release his album 11 as an exclusive Deluxe edition accompanied by a brand new film on DVD on November 10th.

The 56-minute film features Bryan and his band in rehearsals performing the 11 album in its entirety earlier this year.

The audio CD also includes three new tracks – The Way Of The World, Saved and Miss America – as well as a new BA mix of She’s Got A Way plus a remix of the same track by Chicane.

Ahead of the release of the Deluxe edition, Bryan is heading out on a UK tour.

The full list of dates is:

Oct 25 Nottingham Arena
Oct 27 Glasgow SECC
Oct 28 Liverpool Arena
Oct 29 Sheffield Arena
Oct 30 Manchester MEN
Nov 01 Newcastle Arena
Nov 02 Birmingham NEC
Nov 03 Cardiff Arena
Nov 05 London O2

Hot Chip to headline Moshi Moshi records birthday

Moshi Moshi Records are celebrating the end of a glorious decade of musical japery by calling one and all to a party on Saturday October 18th at London's most exciting new music venue, matter.

Secret headliners Kate Nash and Hot Chip join a line-up featuring Florence and the Machine, Tilly and the Wall, The Mae She and Slow Club, amongst others.

Moshi Moshi has slowly evolved into a label renowned worldwide for embracing new and exciting music. They were among the first to work with bands as varied as Bloc Party, Kathryn Williams and Metronomy.

This is Not London is a series of club nights at matter whereby a seminal artist or label curates an entire night, gathering together their own crew of friends and peers to create a window into their distinctive and inimitable universe for one time only. Previous curators have included Simian Mobile Disco and Southern Fried Records, and are due to include James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem and Justice before the end of October.

October 18th, 2008
Moshi Moshi Records 10th Birthday featuring:

Hot Chip (live)
Florence and the Machine (live)
Kate Nash (live) + Tilly and the Wall (live)
James Yuill (live)
Slow Club (liMoshi Moshi recordsve)
The Mae Shi (live)
The Wave Pictures (live)
Greco-Roman Soundsystem with Ross Allen
Joe Hot Chip and Drums of Death (live)

(special ticket price £18.50 adv with £1 of each sale going to Shelter http://www.shelter.org.uk/)

To book tickets go to: www.thisisnotlondon.co.uk or www.ticketweb.com