This Week In Music - Thursday 2nd December 2021
A weekly update on all things music, advertising, and technology coming straight to you from Anthony Vanger at MassiveMusic. #TWIM
ARTIST OF THE WEEK: WET LEG
With Wet Leg the listener steps back into time, to a more innocent world that may no longer exist. Founded in 2019 by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers on the Isle of Wight, the band has swiftly grown from having two songs online to an appearance on Later with Jools Holland followed by sold-out tours in the UK and the US. What is it about this band that makes them so irresistible? Perhaps it is their geeky-chic vibe and the cool lyrics. Looking at them play in NPR's Tiny Desk home concert format, you can see the band's strengths. Two female guitarists, riffing on their guitars (St Vincent inspired?) supported by long-haired males sets up a refreshing perspective on what modern indie-rock can be today. But it is the interplay between the founders, two childhood friends, that really defines the band. The video below shows the band playing their latest single Chaise Longue at the NPR offices in LA. Their debut self-titled album is scheduled for release on 8 April 2022 via Domino.
#wetleg #isleofwight #joolsholland #dominorecords
AD OF THE WEEK: NORWEGIAN POSTAL SERVICE
As traditional Christmas stories go, Santa Claus is married to Mrs. Claus. But what if there is no Mrs. Claus, because Santa is actually gay??
That is the premise of the latest holiday film from Posten (The Norwegian Postal Service), which has become known for?subverting classic Christmas tales ?in its advertising.
“When Harry Met Santa,” created by the Norwegian agency POL, follows a man named Harry who accidentally discovers Santa in his home one Christmas Eve. They lock eyes in a moment of instant attraction, but before speaking to each other Santa quickly disappears up the chimney to continue his annual mission.?
From then on, Harry anticipates Santa’s return every Christmas. When he wakes up one Christmas Eve to find Santa watching him sleep, it is obvious that the magical gift-giver feels a connection, too.? They grow closer over the years, with Santa promising Harry every Christmas Eve, “I’ll be back next year.” Finally, tired of their long separations, Harry writes Santa a letter confessing his love: “All I want for Christmas is you.” That year, Santa arranges help from the elves to deliver gifts, so he can be with Harry instead.?
BARBADOS REPLACES QUEEN AS HEAD OF STATE AND HONOURS RIHANNA ON HISTORIC NIGHT
Barbados has become the world’s newest republic after ditching the British monarchy.
In a ceremony in the capital Bridgetown, Dame Sandra Mason was sworn in as the island nation’s first-ever President, replacing Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.
An overnight ceremony in Heroes Square in Bridgetown saw the Royal Standard lowered as the clock struck 12 at midnight.
Prince Charles attended the event, where he acknowledged “the appalling atrocity of slavery”.
The Queen did not attend but sent her warm wishes. “As you celebrate this momentous day, I send you and all Barbadians my warmest good wishes for your happiness, peace, and prosperity in the future,” she said in a message.
The ceremony also saw singer Rihanna granted the status of National Hero.
"May you continue to shine like a diamond and bring honour to your nation by your works, by your actions," said Prime Minister Mia Mottley, referencing the singer’s 2012 hit,?Diamonds.
STORMZY IS HOSTING A CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR RESIDENTS OF CROYDON
Stormzy is hosting a?Christmas party?for residents in his hometown of Croydon later this week.
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The rapper announced that the festive party would take place on Friday, December 3, and will include a number of games, activities, performances, and even prizes to be won.
Hosted across two different time slots throughout the day, the bash will take place during the daytime for those aged four and over, while the evening will allow only those who are 10 and above to join the party.
The festive bash is an effort to unite residents in Croydon - Stormzy’s birthplace - and bring together the community. It goes ahead as a part of the rapper’s?#Merky Foundation ?initiative, a charity chaired by Stormzy himself.
GORILLAZ’ ‘SONG MACHINE’ IS COMING TO CINEMAS
A live performance of Gorillaz’ seventh studio album ‘Song Machine’ gets a silver screen appearance on December 8.
The four-piece live performance of 2020-released record ‘Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez’ will screen for one day only next month.
Gorillaz: Song Machine Live From Kong ?hits the big screen on December 8 worldwide, with multiple screenings in and around London. The Damon Albarn-fronted band announced the news on Instagram at the start of the month.
The elusive group added that the screening would feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, as well as a pre-show programme to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
SPOTIFY ACQUIRES FINDAWAY TO ‘REVOLUTIONIZE THE AUDIOBOOK SPACE’
Spotify?has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire audiobook distribution company Findaway.
According to a media statement, Spotify and Findaway “will accelerate” the music streaming company’s entry into the “rapidly growing audiobooks industry”, currently dominated by the likes of Audible, which was acquired by?Amazon ?for $300 million ?in 2018.
Spotify says that Findaway’s technology infrastructure will allow it to “quickly scale its audiobook catalog”.
Additionally, Spotify claims that the acquisition positions it?to “revolutionize” the audiobooks space “in the same way as music and podcasts”.
Spotify, whose global Premium Subscriber base?grew to 172 million?in the three months ended September 30, has invested heavily in podcasts over the past couple of years in the form of original content spending, exclusive deals, and company acquisitions.
THIS NEW TURNTABLE LETS YOU DIGITISE VINYL STRAIGHT TO USB STICK
A new turntable from Lenco –?the LS-55 –?lets users rip vinyl straight to a USB stick. The new turntable also features built-in speakers and Bluetooth connectivity as well as the USB port, which encodes to MP3 format.?
The player features a built-in phono pre with RCA outputs, for connecting straight to a mixer or amp. There’s also an aux input for using the built-in 5W speaker. The LS-55 has a retro wooden finish, despite its modern features and also includes a passive radiator for a"better BASS effect".?
The new turntable is available for ￡129, which is a pretty good price for the features included –?find out more about the LS-55 on Lenco’s website here .?
Written by?Anthony Vanger
Additional research and reporting by?Adam "Badger" Woolf
Artwork by?Badger
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