Tiananmen through to Battle of the Bands final!

Rock/metal/hardcore-fusion band Tiananmen have made it through to a Battle of the Bands final!

It's being held on Saturday 12th December (on the weekend - no excuses!) at the Civic in Mexborough (10 mins on the train from Sheffield towards Doncaster) - entry is £3, and the show starts at 7pm.

The 5 bands battling it out for the grand prize in the final include:

Our very own TIANANMEN (check out their myspace at www.myspace.com/tiananmenband)
UBERSTANDE
CAUSE OF DENIAL
DOWNSLIDE
KEELIX

Please come and show your support for the lads - the more the merrier, they want to win!

Liam O'Shea in The Star!

Our very own Liam O'Shea has been featured in The Star!

The prolific music-maker's project "Mixed in Sheffield" has been featured in the local Sheffield newspaper. His latest event, "(Re)Mixed in Sheffield", which took place on the 21st November, enabled local musicians to showcase their songs and remixes to the crowd.

Check out the article here:
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/music/Now-Liam39s-bringing-more-music.5816741.jp

...and another one below:



If you go to the website now (www.mixedinsheffield.co.uk), you can download 'Industrial in Nature' - a collection of "the hottest Sheffield bands remixed by our underground electronic heroes". One track will be released per day on the site until the 25th December - the perfect Christmas gift to yourself!

Huw Costin's debut album, "Regrets"

Nottingham singer-songwriter Huw Costin has just released his debut solo album, "Regrets".



Critically acclaimed for his work with Manatee and Earth the Californian Love Dream, the former frontman is back with a new release.

Check out the stellar reviews:

"Another broken heart reaps musical rewards... Former frontman of stoner-rockers Earth The Californian Love Dream, and now at the heart of Echoboy's new project The Cold Light Of Day, Nottingham-based Costin's solo debut is an emotive recollection of a love gone wrong. But though it opens with the acoustic Jeff Buckley-isms of "We Ride" and "I'm gonna Miss You" is a miserablist's dream, Regrets is far from Damien Rice-styled self-pity, nodding to Big Star and The Stone Roses in equal measures. "End It All' is an unlikely thumper, "Leisure And Technology" an anthem in waiting, with Costin's rich tenor dominating proceedings throughout." UNCUT * * * *

"A near monosyllabic Costin referencing how it “Seems this year is getting old”, over razor sharp guitars that pick with the precision of a needle in the arm. The normally romantic or magical connotations of snow at Christmas being described as “leaden”. More like a Ted Hughes poem (see The Warm and The Cold) than a song by a modern day artist" www.bandidge.com

"Full Moon…’ is a beguilingly bare flirtation with the good side of psychedelia." www.channel4.com

"Huw Costin plies his trade in stark, sparse, acoustic melancholy… an honest, intelligent and talented songwriter." www.tastyfanzine.org.uk

"The music is evocative of the Stone Roses and Ian Brown at their best. Sometimes I hear faint touches that sound like Nick Drake. Really this is the sort of vibe I think about when people ask me why I like British music so much. Beautiful, psychedelic and haunting I can’t wait to hear the rest of the tracks as they are released." www.eyesforindie.wordpress.com

You can download "Regrets" now from Special Sound Unit
http://specialsoundunit.com/artists.php
and buy it from iTunes and all good record stores - do it now!! :)

Miniminds "JunkDancer" Release

Northern Ireland-based techno duo Miniminds have a new EP release

JunkDancer

available on BeatPort now!



1) Miniminds - Junk Dancer (Original Mix)
2) Miniminds - Junk Dancer (Daniele Papini Remix)
3) Miniminds - Junk Dancer (M. in Remix)

Buy now on Beat Port:
https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/200422/junk_dancer

Miniminds (aka Gary Dickenson and Stephen Garrett from Northern Ireland) have been a shining light on the techno scene since they first got together in 2007. Being one of only a handful of minimal inspired acts north of the border, they are strongly shaping the future of techno music at home and abroad.

With an insatiable appetite to explore a wide range of new and exciting sounds from the underground world of techno music, and a love such innovators as Richie Hawtin, Len Faki, Adam Beyer, Dubfire, Marco Carola and Joris Voorn, it’s no wonder that this duo produce music that has a distinctive style and sound of its own. Miniminds are all about forward thinking techno fused with abstract musings and a heavy dose of the funk, and “Junk Dancer” is a worthy testament to this exciting ethos.

With a recent release on Alan Fitzpatrick’s 8 Sided Dice, and an EP on Umek’s 1605 imprint in the can, it’s no wonder that their productions are supported by such a wide range of DJs outside the techno scene, with everyone from Pete Tong, Danny Tenaglia, Steve Angelo, James Zabiela, Hernan Cattaneo, Mark Broom and Chris Lake showing continued to support.

This is definitely a DJ/Producer duo that you shouldn’t take your eyes & ears off for one second right now! Miniminds are set to blow the minds of clubbers around the world with their next instalment - “Junk Dancer” – check it now!

Berlin based Italian DJ/Producer Daniele Papini is perhaps best known through his association with Mauro Picotto and his Meganite crew, releasing one of 2008’s biggest techno records “Church of Nonsense” on Alchemy. His 2009 release, the “Hidden Source EP” on Gregor Tresher’s Break New Soil imprint, showed us he’s a man on fine form. Daniele Papini’s remix is a stripped back and hypnotic vision for “Junk Dancer.”

M.in (alias German DJ/Producer Markus Ferdinand) has what Laurent Garnier termed “Super Funkyness”, and it’s easy to hear why this Gallic quip is so appropriate when the percussion takes control on his remix of “Junk Dancer”. M.in is an artist developing his highly individual style by being open-minded towards other genres, and his productions are hammered by the likes of Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin, Luciano, Loco Dice etc, and it’s not surprising when you hear his interpretation of loop-oriented Tech House being spiced up with Jazz, Soul and Afrobeat elements in order to create a fusion that is impossible to resist.

With remixes out on Get Physical (Thomas Schumacher) and forthcoming remixes for Radio Slave (Om Records) and Horatio BC (ViVa Music), plus original productions on Souvenir, Robsoul and International Freak show (with a DJ Sneak remix!) we know that M.in is a star in the making. If his remix doesn’t make you wanna dance you really are in the wrong game!

This is the labels 3rd release and the best one yet……. But Mija is only going to get better!

Early support coming from Stephan Bodzin, James Zabiela, Joris Voorn, Smokin Jo, Mistress Barbara, Richie Hawtin, Slam, Phil Kieran, Yousef, 2000 and One, Dan Ghenacia, Gregor Tresher and many more.

BBM 33 Tantrum Light LSD Island EP out now!!

From techno, tech-house, minimal and deephouse label Productos BMM comes

"BMM 33 Tantrum Light LSD Island EP"

featuring remixes from Paul Hunter, as well as Da Trash and Zimaleto.

Go to http://www.productosbmm.com/newsletter/bmm33/bmm33.html to download the EP now!

Tiananmen Halloween Special

Come celebrate halloween with a free night of metal ghoulishness!

3 Bands and a night of Halloween fun this saturday 31st October at the Stockroom, Sheffield (next door to the Leadmill)

NOTE: Venue change from Casbah to the Stockroom

Map Link Here

Playing the night are:

TIANANMEN - www.myspace.com/tiananmenband
DISARM - www.myspace.com/disarmmusic
BULLETS AND NUMBERS - www.myspace.com/bulletnumbers


Fancy dress is optional but how can you resist!

FREE + OPEN TILL LATE

Hope and Social News

JASON'S LAST STAND : THREE WISE MEN : CRYPT GIG : YOUTUBE

JASON'S LAST STAND...

It's true. Jase is to hang up his blue jacket, put down his bass and leave the Hope and Social stage for the last time this Thursday at the Well in Leeds. In Jason's own words:
"After a mainly splendid 12 years of working creatively with the other chaps, I’ve decided to retire from being in the band due mainly to family. I'll still be involved with our label Alamo Music but won't be playing with the band anymore. The other guys all understand my reasons and there are no bad feelings between us. The band is in an incredibly positive and productive space at the moment – it has never been a better live show, we’re all still really pleased with ‘Architect’, the crypt remains a simply amazing place to work, and there are loads of creative ideas flying about."
So there you have it - come down and say goodbye to the bottom end on Thursday night. Tickets are available from Crash, Jumbo and via the venue.
There is also an aftershow party on Thursday night at Milos in Leeds with an acoustic set from Gary Stewart.
Hope and Social

THREE WISE MEN...

And then there were three...do not be afraid Hope and Social will keep fighting the good fight. We've loads of plans with more gigs, new EPs, album recording sessions, videos and parties in 2010... so keep posted but before then we're doing a very special Christmas gig on Saturday 12th December in the church above the Crypt (the place where we recorded Architect) to try and raise funds for much needed work on the roof. We'll be playing acoustic versions of all the H&S favourites as well as a few Christmas tunes. Tickets are only £5 and available (+p&p) from HERE

CRYPT GIG

Too much to say in a hastily written mail at this time of night but a massive thank you to everyone who came to the gig at the Crypt last Saturday. What a special night that was - truly magical. Loads of photos and video to be seen when we get a minute to sort it all out... and the Be The Architect album promises to be a really incredible record of the night. Thanks to all who helped make it what it was - whether you helped us set up, helped us run and record the evening or bought a ticket and came with your minds open and your best singing voices ringing out... it was perfect. When shall we do it again?
A taster of some of Phil's fantastic photos here
YOUTUBE CORNER

And this week boys and girls, a live version of 'Looking For Answers' from our London set a couple of weeks ago:

Julian Jones - New Album + Reviews

Julian Jones new album, 'Nostalgia Blue' is out now on iTunes!



Latest reviews:

Julian Jones The Boardwalk, Friday January 23rd

"Some performers wear their musical hearts on their sleeve, singer/songwriter Julian Jones demonstrated his musical direction by wearing his on his head, with a large white Stetson. The look accompanied the music which was of a distinct country flavour but without any of tragedy and doom that often plagues this musical genre. Whilst Julian’s songs did reflect relationships, they all took a fresh and positive approach lyrically, and complimented by some very attractive and sometimes quite sophisticated musical arrangements that resulted in a listenable pop/country mix. Underneath that big hat Julian performed his songs with conviction but at the same time in a variety of moods, whatever the song dictated, even jumping around the stage in some of the more up-beat numbers. Helping to transmit the songs’ appeal on record to the live stage were a well chosen ensemble of musicians, including a three-piece string section all of whom did Julian’s songs justice, playing his arrangements with subtlety and taste."
Margaret Hill


Julian Jones - Nostalgia Blue

Julian Jones follows his debut album, 2005’s One Shoe on and One Shoe Off, with this, his far more assured sophomore effort. The aptly titled Nostalgia Blue proves to be a far more focused, fully rounded affair which finds the South Yorkshire singer/ songwriter finding his voice and hitting his stride.

As one would expect from this self-financed, self-distributing artist, Blue proves to be a highly personal confessional, in which Jones waxes lyrical on everything from the battlefield of tattered relationships to the discontent of a life spent treading water. All Jones asks for is a sympathetic ear, and in return offers up thirteen terrific songs that should appeal to anyone who ever chose to walk their own (difficult) path through this life.

From the off, Jones confides in the listener, imparting to them a lifetime’s worth of victory and defeat, all of it delivered in hopeful resilience that suggest his journey is far from over. For all his startling honesty, however, it is his sound that separates Jones from the crowd. Distilling the Nashville country scene with his beloved hometown Steel City, Jones pulls off the difficult trick of fusing two very different- some would say very disparate- sounds, and melds them together to create something wholly original that feels neither forced nor false. On the contrary, Jones makes the merge appear effortless, his voice slipping comfortably between country lament and that unmistakable British optimism. It’s to his credit that the highs never seem cheap, nor do the lows appear maudlin.

Standout tracks include the wistful opener Night Radio, in which Jones starts as he means to go on by musing- quite beautifully- over a lifetime of regret; the hopeful lullaby of Amazing Dreams, and the stripped down elegance of Night Drive. Special mention must also go to the title track, which here serves as album closer. A kiss-off instrumental, it leaves the singer/ songwriter slumped over a bar, nursing nothing more than a bruised ego and a wicked hangover.

Ultimately, Jones manages to do what all good singer/ songwriters aspire to, in that not only does he take us on an intimate thirteen- track journey, he leaves the listener wondering where he might take us next. A rich, soulful and deeply personal album, Nostalgia Blue comes highly recommended.
- D. Bell

Funkasaurus Update

New remix out on Rocstar Recordings of fellow Belfast boy Nik Muzka's new song, 'Scuffle'.

Available to buy HERE!

Also, check out:

The Funkasaurus Halloween Ball
Pavillion, Belfast
Sat 31st Oct

Featuring:
Funkasaurus
Nik Muzka
Tim Reid

Graeme Lloyd at Ministry of Sound

Ministry of Sound regular and local DJ legend Graeme Lloyd has also been busy preparing some awesome new tunes to drop into his set. He is playing two massive gigs at Ministry of Sound, one on the 30th October and one on 11th December. Meanwhile Graeme and the Iam One guys are putting together a release schedule for their new label Stripback Records. Expect to hear some amazing sounds coming from this label in the very near future!

Dates for your diary:

October 30th 2009 - Ministry of Sound

December 11th 2009 - Ministry of Sound



Links

Stripback Records

Graeme Lloyd

Ministry of Sound

Miniminds @ Rathlin 2009

Miniminds - New Releases

Since the beginning of this year the two have watched the success of their tracks grow at an enormous rate and are increasingly finding themselves being asked to do more and more remixes for labels whilst working on their own productions.

These have been getting regular support from DJs such as Len Faki, Laurent Garnier, Stephan Bodzin, Dubfire, Carl Cox, Marco Bailey, Tony Rios, Joey Beltram, Dave Robertson, Mistress Barbara, Alan Fitzpatrick, Slam, Tiefschwarz, Joseph Capriati, Danton Eeprom, Lee Burridge, Joel Mull, Sian, Umek, James Zabeila, Ewan Pearson, Mauro Picotto and Radio one airplays, guest Radio mixes, numerous top magazine reviews and a recent Juno and Beatport Techno top 100.

'The Junk Dancer' EP is released the first week of November 2009 on Mija Recordings

New EP - 'Time in Space and Gateway' coming soon on Umek's 1605 label

Presslaboys - Opako (Miniminds Remix) out now on Beatport.com

The October Game Update!

The October Game have just finished their excellent new album, entitled 'Wildblood'.

Tracklisting:

Wildblood
Greenbacks
Right On Time
Concrete (When We Were Invincible)
Boxing Underwater
Something Wrong
Biplanes At 2am
Where The Devil Loses Out
Cast These Waves
These Words Of Mine
Night Vessels

Recorded and produced by the band themselves, with additional recording and mixing by Jordan Fish at Studio 91. The album was mastered by Frank Arkwright (The Smiths, Arcade Fire, Gomez, Belle & Sebastian) at Metropolis Studios in London.

The band recently packed out the room at the In The City Festival this year in Manchester, and have more gigs lined up:

Friday 23rd October
The High Barn, Great Bardfield, Essex (Acoustic)

Saturday 24th October
Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London (Tom Robinson Presents...)

Friday 6th November
Live Circuit @ Club 85, Hitchin, Hertfordshire

Thursday 12th November
The Portland Arms, Cambridge

Friday 30th October
2 DJ's Night @ The White Hart, Corby

Thursday 19th November
More The Merrier @ Bar Music Hall, Shoreditch, London (For Water Aid)

Friday 20th November
The Fat Surfer, Grays, Essex

Saturday 21st November
The Old Bell Inn, Derby

Friday 4th December
Inspiral Arts @ The Flag, Watford

Friday 11th December
Esquires, Bedford

The band were also recently featured on The Guardian Newspaper's New Music Mixtape, check it out here

[Re]Mixed In Sheffield

Moving on from the massive Mixed in Sheffield last year comes Remixed in Sheffield, a showcase of some of the best upcoming bands in the city, remixed by some of its brightest electronic talent.

Set up and run by UltraMegaSupaDeadly this year, it's first event in April was a massive success,as was it's follow up - 'Tramlines', in July.

A free podcast of the previous mix (featuring 40 electronic artists from Sheffield) is available for free download here:

http://www.mixedinsheffield.co.uk/?page_id=31



Visit http://www.mixedinsheffield.co.uk for more information

More details coming soon....

Grimus - In A Glimpse No 1 in Romania

"In A Glimpse" is the second single off the debut album PANIKON, reaching the top of the Romanian Weekly Guerrilla Chart in October 2009 for 3 weeks running.

Check out the video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtK5ndF1GUs&feature=player_embedded

Also visit the website at:
http://www.grimus.ro/


"Best Romanian Album of 2008" - www.muzicisifaze.com

Iam One on the Mixmag Tour

IAM ONE

The Mixmag Tour shares with clubbers across the country the very best artists and DJs from the pages of the world’s biggest and best dance music magazine.

After a summer causing havoc in Cream Ibiza, Mixmag is ready to be unleashed on the UKs clubs again for an incredible tour with some sensational talent. We’ve booked established acts you know, up and coming acts you might not, as well as trend setters, style makers and radar blippers not to mention the new guys in town, IAM ONE (Mixmag Tour Residents).

Iam One is a fresh breed of DJ/Producers coming out of London, making serious waves since they burst onto the house music scene at the end of 2007. Through a combination of silky production skills and uplifting DJ sets, Iam One are fast becoming one of the most exciting acts in electronic music right now.


9 Oct 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ ROYAL DERBY
10 Oct 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ MATTER LONDON
10 Oct 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ FIRESTATION BOURNEMOUTH
17 Oct 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ THE ARCHES GLASGOW
30 Oct 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ THE HONEY CLUB BRIGHTON
31 Oct 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ KERBCRAWLER LEEDS
7 Nov 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ THE LOFT MAIDSTONE
7 Nov 2009 23:00
PURE PACHA LONDON (not Mixmag tour)
13 Nov 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ STEALTH NOTTINGHAM
14 Nov 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ PLUG SHEFFIELD
21 Nov 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ THE PICTURE HOUSE EDINBURGH
27 Nov 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ MATTER LONDON
5 Dec 2009 23:00
MIXMAG TOUR @ THE CUSTARD FACTORY BIRMINGHAM
12 Dec 2009 23:00
PURE PACHA LONDON (Not Mixmag tour)
9 Jan 2010 23:00
PURE PACHA ANNIVERSARY LONDON

Hope and Social

HOPE AND SOCIAL



OCTOBER TOUR : BE THE ARCHITECT : NEW RELEASE

We're gathering our strength and our weapons and heading out to defend our territories again. It's a short run around this time but we'll have all the usual circus acts in tow. The Three Johns brass section will be with us on almost all dates and, of course, there'll be some kazoo fun to be had. Come and see us, come and exclaim the beauty of life in blue jackets.


›› Fri 2/10 Talbot Inn (The), Kidderminster
›› Sat 3/10 Golden Lion Inn, Ripon
›› Wed 7/10 Cavendish Arms' Ballroom Stockwell, London
›› Mon 12/10 Oporto, Leeds
›› Fri 16/10 Puzzle Hall Inn, Halifax
›› Sat 17/10 Be The Architect, The Crypt
›› Sun 18/10 Blues Bar, Harrogate
›› Sat 24/10 Nursery Inn (The), Hartlepool
›› Sun 25/10 The Causeway, Hartlepool (acoustic)
›› Tue 27/10 Basement Bar (The), York
›› Thu 29/10 Josephs Well, Leeds

More information on the site at:
www.hopeandsocial.com

BE THE ARCHITECT 17th OCT

There are a few tickets left for the Be the Architect gig at the crypt on the 17th October. It's going to be a very very special night and if you've enjoyed the album over the last couple of months then come down and be part of the making of our special edition version.

In the first half of the evening, with your vocal support, we will play Architect of This Church live as an album and record it, with the second half of the night consisting of a mixture of covers, kazoos and cordial chaos.

After the event, we will transform the whole lot into a beautiful special edition of the album. You will receive a signed copy of what we have created, before it goes on general release.

For more information and to buy your tickets at:
www.alamomusic.co.uk/architect

TALES FROM THE BAR OF LOST SOULS

We recently made a recording for a new theatre show that Si's company imitating the dog (http://www.imitatingthedog.co.uk) made in Greece as part of the British Council Creative Collaboration project. We wrote, recorded and mixed 5 songs in 5 days.

We'll be releasing this digitally very soon - in fact in the next 7 days so keep your eyes on the website for more details.



You can see more video footage on our YouTube site at:
www.youtube.com/user/HopeAndSocial

and you can hear one of the tracks The Wildness on the project website at:
www.talesfromthebaroflostsouls.com

"What makes the whole live Hope & Social experience more than worthy of any entrance fee, is their innate ability to engage the audience. It is something that is programmed into them collectively as a band to perform, entertain and most importantly connect with the crowd. The brass section adds depth and character and demonstrates beautifully the dynamics of the band. The overwhelming encounter is one that fills you with joy and elation, exceeding all expectations." - Leedsmusicscene.net

Welcome to Voodoo Toddler !

Hello and welcome to Voodoo Toddler! We'll be keeping this updated with regular features on our artists and bands, keeping you informed of their upcoming gigs and news. We don't sign anything we don't love, we are passionate about the music at Voodoo Toddler and we want to let everyone know about music that we think is simply stunning! We'll be restarting our successful podcasts this week, the initial response just blew us away. So we are coming back , armed to the teeth with bandwidth!!!! Our first feature is about quite simply the best Romanian band ever! Grimus came to our attention last year and we've been tracking them ever since, we've recently added them to our roster and had the privilege of helping them release their first album "Panikon". These guys are destined to go far , already having clocked up two national radio chart number ones and serious MTV rotation. They are a music supervisors dream with their tough driving beats and searing guitars all backed up by quality song writing and vocals. Throw away any preconceptions you might have about what Eastern European rock sounds like, these guys are light years ahead. The album "Panikon" is available to download from itunes and other download sites. Until next time, Big Love from Voodoo Toddler.


Click below to go to Grimus on itunes...

Check out the first ever VT Music podcast @ www.voodootoddler.com

Our first Blog

Welcome to the Blogging home of Voodoo Toddler. Here is our first ever blog, so apologies for its lack of action & excitement. However we hope this will be the first blog of many.

If you fancy checking out some of the artists we are currently working with please check out the links below:

Grimus - www.myspace.com/grimusworld

Blissful Virutous - www.myspace.com/blissfulvirtuous

Screaming Mimi - www.myspace.com/screamingmimiband

Worried About Satan - www.myspace.com/worriedaboutsatan

We Are The Black Lights - www.myspace.com/wearetheblacklights

Darlings Of The Split Screen - www.myspace.com/darlingsofthesplitscreen

VT is currently having a bespoke e-commerce website built, which will enable music supervisors and licensing agents to search online through our catalogue to find the perfect piece of music. So keep your eyes peeled for its upcoming launch.