NOTION 027

TEST DRIVING LOW DRUMS AND GUNS SUB POP ROCK Low, for those of you who dont know, are the masters of the maudlin from Minnesota, and are as down-tempo as youd expect a band with their name to be. Their latest release, Drums and Guns is a sonic journey through a desolate landscape that seems to lyrically reflect the bands anguish at Americas place as aggressor, not saviour, in the 21st century. Opening up with the uncomfortable lines All soldiers are gonna die / All little babies are gonna die on Pretty People, its clear that this is going to be unsettling listening. This despair is beautifully related on tracks like Sandinista and the spitting Murderer. Thankfully though, tracks like Belarus with its delicate strings and insistent V2 NDIE ROCK THE RAKES TEN NEW MESSAGES Following up a debut as drenched in late night debauchery, regrettable sexual encounters and nine-to-five drudgery as Capture/Release was always going to be a challenge for Alan Donohoe and co. Continue the theme and risk self-parody, or change direction and jeopardise alienating a loyal fanbase? The Rakes have pitched up somewhere in between, shifting the theme to society and politics. Beginning with the wonderfully titled The World Was a Mess but His Hair Was Perfect provides an effective bridge between albums. While the debut was built around these Matthew Swinnerton post-punk guitar riffs, the overall sound has mellowed and is much denser. There is also more variety on show here, Little Superstitions and Leave the City And Come Home even verge on 80s power ballads. The message falls flat on more than one occasion; On a Mission is instantly forgettable lyrically and musically. While Suspicious Eyes, a contrived slab of social commentary about racism and Tube travel, complete with guest rapper, lacks any sense of subtlety or the sharp wordplay we have come to expect.The opening track and Bond theme inspired lead single We Danced Together proves The Rakes do still have a knack for a catchy tune. The real stars though, are the wonderfully bouncy Franz-esque Down with Moonlight and the genuinely witty When Tom Cruise Cries, both encouraging signs that they can evolve without losing the magic. Even so, you cant help wish for a 22 Grand Job style anthem that made us love them in the first place. MF key motifs offer respite when necessary. The slabs of vocal loops, drum machines and towering keys lend this album a futuristic and regal tone akin to Radiohead, and like that bands best works, Drums and Guns is a grower that could find itself slipping into heavy rotation on your iPod without you even realising. KK MICHAEL ANDREWS HAND ON STRING WALL OF SOUND SINGER/SONGWRITER That Michael Andrews debut solo album Hand On String should have a quietly cinematic quality should come as no surprise considering he has made his name as an arranger and composer for the likes of Donnie Darko, and Me and You and Everyone We Know to name but two. It is staggering to think that after all this time and all the acclaim he has received, he has waited until now to break out on his own. Tellingly, on Tracings he states in hushed tones that I never sing / I often write. Well, thank your chosen deity that this woozy and intimate record has been bestowed upon us. As a record, its intricacy and delicacy are offset by simple melodic purity not often found on the contemporary scene. Reminiscent of Sean Lennons release last year in its electronic psychedelia, Andrews incorporates aspects of writers like Nick Drake on Through The Fog to make an album that encapsulates a hazy California evening. Watch the sun disappearing into the Pacific with every perfectly placed note of this record. KK BEANGROWERS DANCE DANCE BABY SERIES 8 INDIE POP BRYAN FERRY DYLANESQUE VIRGIN FOLLY Some things in life you just dont expect, like oysters to be delicious, to get a pint under 3 in London or for Jimmy Carr to ever be funny. When you do discover these little pleasures (Jimmy Carr being anything other than irritating is never going to happen) it really does make life a little better. It is with this in mind that Dance Dance Baby by Beangrowers should be approached. Yes, its a terrible band name, and yes, the fact that they come from Malta doesnt exactly point in the direction of artfully poised post-punk, yet this, their third album but their debut in this country, is an utter revelation. A three-piece with a penchant for stomping basslines and stonkingly melodious tunes, Beangrowers have in front-woman Alison Galea a talisman with a beautifully understated vocal delivery who will undoubtedly set pulses racing for young indie boys in dark venues. Tracks like The Priest or I Like You will garner your full attention in a live scenario, but the albums quirky and bold production ethos makes it a real treat for your stereo. KK For an artist to make a good attempt at sabotaging their own reputation is own thing, but for them to almost inadvertently drag another musical luminary down with them is sheer folly. That this is the kindest thing that can be said about Dylanesque, Brian Ferrys new album of Bob Dylan classics, is telling. Can this really be the man who did such great things with Roxy Music? That the track choices themselves are lazy and obvious is almost forgivable considering the quality of the originals, but for the production to so ham-handedly obliterate Dylans beautiful punch-drunk rhythms and lyrical intent is a crime. Do yourself a favour by giving this private indulgence made public a wide birth. Instead, get a hold of Scorseses The Last Waltz and marvel at Dylans coy performance of Baby Let Me Follow You Down, or snaffle a copy of Highway 61 Revisited to hear just how renegade a song like Just Like Tom Thumbs Blues can sound when handled with due care and attention. KK DEERHOOF FRIEND OPPORTUNITY ALL TOMORROWS PARTIES EXPERIMENTAL ROCK ABRAM WILSON RIDE! FERRIS WHEEL TO THE MODERN DAY DELTA DUNE JAZZ Ive always liked bands falling into the big in Japan category, and San Franciscos Deerhoof, with their Tokyo born lead singer Satomi Matsuzaki, are a group probably deserving of a wider audience than the cool cats who loiter around Harajuku, and in recent times have begun to get it. New album Friend Opportunity is a jolt to the system, a wondrously crafted collection of spontaneous licks that gel together to make an album that allows the listener to revel in its sheer oddness. As much as these Bay Area musicians like the grandiosity of rock, Friend Opportunity is peppered with a litany of influences, not least the burgeoning hip hop elements lurking on Believe E.S.P. Whether this album is simply too bizarre for major crossover success remains to be seen, but for those that like their tunes experimental and fun, they could do worse than get their paws on this release. KK 082 www.planetnotion.com Its difficult not to like Abram Wilson, even if you dont like jazz. Im not a fan of those endless improv sessions and the geeky obsession that they seem to inspire amongst men of a certain age, but I reckon I could find a place in my record collection for Wilsons second release for Dune. It helps that hes not stuck in a single genre, surfing from blues to hip-hop to something thats entirely his own you could call it big-band pop, maybe. The best tracks are the more structured ones: Looking To The Outside and Confrontation And Acceptance showcase Wilsons songwriting talent, not just his virtuoso playing. And theres his attitude, which shines through this album is a burst of enthusiasm, perfect for when youre feeling like the world is basically making things difficult for you. Like the man says, You gotta come on to the outside! DS NOTION 027 / MAY 2007 music.lifestyle.reviews AXIMO M LUST CD ! ARK P FOR LIFE SHOE STRING ART ISSUE his silver foil fetish LCD SOUND SYSTEM James Murphy on MARK RONSON Takes Britney for a spin EAGLES OF DEATH Devil Hughes METAL Jesse The WALL OF SOUND Swat up on the Indie leader The breaks don does www.planetnotion.com 003 O 2 7 NOTION O27 / CONTENTS MAY 2OO7 o12 o14 o18 o2o Your Free CD Forget boys howling about wolves. This really is the best. Yet. News Norman Jay / Miami parties / Vinyl art and more 6O Seconds Makoto / The Noisettes / Big Strides / Scratch Perverts Who the Fuck? Babyhead / Autokat / The Pierces / R THE GUVNORS NOTES The Guvnor Bill H billmusichqmedia.com Deputy Editor Lucy Wilson lucymusichqmedia.com Fashion / Art Director Liam Gleeson liammusichqmedia.com Film Editor Matt Harvey matt.harveycantab.net Travel Editor Clark Turner notionmagtravelyahoo.c Gigs Editor Karl OKeeffe karlliveonstage.or / NOTION PROMOTION / ITH THIS ISSUE OF NOTION. . . Fix up, look sharp: this month we bring you our best free CD yet! The cream of Britains breakbeat and hip hop scenes now unite exclusively for Notion, lending us their support with unreleased tracks. From Stig Of The Dumps filthy rhyme flair to Merk NOTION AND REDKEN PRESENT by CREATING SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FOR AN EXPERIMENTAL GENERATION... Continuing our hunt for some of the most creative untapped talent the UK has to offer, this month Notion magazine launches its latest talent showcase thexperiment. Were working closely with Redken to set up t by NOTION 013 GOOD TIMES For the christening of Claphams revamped club mecca The White House (re-opening 15th March), Norman Jay has been invited to play Priest. Rejoice! We belled up the one and only guvnor of Good Times to discuss black music, radio bandits and birds hey, if youre into high brow then beat it! Music and fashion will shake their thang together for charity when streetwear label Bench lend their support to Manchesters annual Versus Cancer gig. Through supplying limited edition merchandise for this years event, Bench aim to raise funds for research and awareness projects to help beat the dise NE WS PARTY HOPPING Dance musics hottest stars will be flying to Miami this winter like a flock of vinyl-bearing humanoid geese. If that image doesnt disturb you, and you want to know more, well, Notion brings you the pick of the bunch. DOUBLE ACT On their global tour, Brit brothers in arms, James Z MASH IT UP MOUNTAINSIDE Snowbombing is the ultimate winter festival. Set in the stunning mountaintops of Mayrohfen, Austria, its a whole week of mayhem and music taking place from 9th to 15th April. So what have you got in store if you head down? A huge list of A-list promoters, DJs and bands? Check 60 SECONDS MAKOTO When Tokyos drum n bass ambassador sent his first experiments to LTJ Bukem, the UK don advised Makoto to make his beats less hectic and shift some arrangements. Now Makoto is a favourite on the global circuit, with his second jazzed-up album about to drop. Looking good! How healthy BIG STRIDES Funk soul brothers Big Strides are back with what lyricist / vocalist / guitarist / harmonica head Marcus calls a proper rock n roll record. Fans will step up to appreciate this slicker affair, where the London based trio chat about everything from some unfortunate Essex bird to making c SHOWCASE NEW TALENT Babyhead are a freewheeling family affair featuring as many influences and instruments as there are band members. If Babyhead were a mythical beast itd have at least twenty technicoloured heads; if Babyhead were a meal then youd gorge upon a raucous multi-coursed feast no, it pr LATE NIGHT SHOPPING IS OUT 19TH MARCH (AKOUSTIK ANARKHY) WWW.AUTOKAT.CO.UK the pierces TEXT: KARL OKEEFFE autokat Signed to Manchesters influential Akoustik Anarkhy, Autokat have been impressing critics and civilians alike by way of discreet single releases and intimate shows. The Akoustik Anarkhy l NE W TA LE NT SH OW CA SE TEXT:KARL OKEEFFE With each passing season comes a new city with which the music industry becomes obsessed: suddenly if youre not listening to post-apocalyptic rave from Swansea or minimalist funk from Coventry youre really not as clever as you thought you were. 2005 saw th TEXT: LOUIS COOK The West Country has provided the UK with some of its best homegrown musical talent over the past 20 years, and Ben Westbeech is set to make 2007 the year hell be joining such heavyweights as Portishead, Roni Size & Reprazent, Tricky, Smith & Mighty and Massive Attack. Breaking out planetnotion.com PLANETNOTION.COM This month is a particularly special one for us all at Notion Towers. How excited? you ask? Well, try imagining a cross between the day you were born, coupled with the day you first learnt to ride a bike, with a small sprinkling of your first sexual experience. Done 026 www.planetnotion.com PARK LU ST FO R LIF E MAXIMO An open mouth presides over Maximo Parks fateful second album like some sort of capricious god, guiding the music according to its desires. Singing, talking, kissing, drinking; Our Earthly Pleasures is a record riddled with what the band like to call urges. Youve lived y My favourite word? Paul wonders when were settled with drinks, Vernacular. I couldnt have asked for a more perfect example of the frontmans love of language; better still, the intimate attachment he has to his Geordie accent. To understand a band whose roots remain firmly planted in their native soi MAXIMO PARK NOTION 029 030 NOTION MAXIMO PARK From the air, stadium ligh And all I know is youre sa ts stand out like flares, We rarely see warning sign t here right next to me, s in th Right now I feel each and e e air we breathe, very fragment.. . (B ooks From Boxes ) to their producer here, Gil Norton, who is known for his work w LABEL PROFILE E L I F O R P L E B A L E L I F O R P L E B A L WALL OF SOUND D N U O S F O L L A W VITAL STATISTICS LABEL HEAD / Mark Jones LABEL FOUNDED / 1993 ANNUAL RELEASES / 10-12 albums, 15 MISSION STATEMENT / Keep it unreal plus 12 WEBSITE / www.wallofsound.net Wall of Sound is based not on a Door Beat WORDS:LUCY WILSON I think Ive done quite a good job with it, it flows well... Allow Notion to elaborate: Tayos Fabric Live album flows with the rich, inexorable progress of molten lava; the sub bass bubbles under just as stray beats splutter and bleed into new territories. Tayos quietness TAYO Tayos penchant for dubwise creations informs his Live album on every track of this bass-heavy, unpredictable journey. Last year he honed his production skills, pressing up original releases and remixes on vinyl for desirable labels like Functional, Bassrock and Apple Jaxx. The man himself is a 036 www.planetnotion.com EAGLES OF DEATH METAL TEX PHO T: LUC TOG Y WI RAP LSO HY: N DAV ID R YLE Overpriced drinks, amateur pole dancing...It could be any night in Soho. But tonight theres a biker guitarist writhing about the greasy stage to a crowd of screeching birds. Rabid rock n rollers Eagles Of Death Metal are indulg Im experiencing a sensa tongue and you could trip tion...I wish I could just drop it on your out like this, cos this is fu cking bad-ass! (Jes se The Devil Hughes) WHAT DOES DIRTY DOG SHIT INVOLVE?! I like the nightlife, girl. I mean I am a night walking fool if ever there was one! I love red light 040 www.planetnotion.com LCD SOUNDSYSTEM TEXT: EMMA EDMONDSON James Murphy is a busy boy. One part remix-production guru - tweaking the dials for pop idol Justin Timberlake and one half of the omnipotent DFA, plus being head of Grammy award winning cult dance-rock-punk-funk outfit LCD Soundsystem, he takes being productive MARK RONSON HOW DID YOU SELECT THE TUNES YOU WERE GOING TO RE-WORK ON VERSION? Songs that I loved...Id just try one verse, sit at the piano or with my guitar and find what worked stripped down in another arrangement. I mostly stayed in the indie guitar realm, because Im supplying songs with a beat. NOTIONS LIFESTYLE SECTION IS SPONSORED BY WWW.ASKMODELS.NET N THINK TA K Times are tight. Yes, the 80s are still hot right now, but despite what the spandex and synth brigade believe, filthy lucre, not Lycra, defined the era. Thankfully, our ever contrary Think Tank has selected a Shoestring Art the THINK TANK WORDS: LUCY WILSON The polar ice caps are melting. Before long you wont be able to enjoy a nice slice of cod on Fish Friday. The United Nations tell us that children in the UK are worse off than in any other developed country. The 2012 Olympics are going to be one long cringe fest. Wealth THINK TANK GET UP STAND UP What with art being so deep and meaningful and all, we decided to bring in one of our resident jesters for some comic relief. The humble comedian of course belongs to that rare human breed, the artistes; we invited DJ Danny to get up and stand up for his special species. W THINK TANK GLORIOUS SQUALOR Notions search for Londons finest shoestring artists found us eating chips and drinking donated vodka in an imposing six storey Georgian town house. A squat for skint South London artists only months before, Peckhams 78 Lyndhurst Way is a collective dream literally made c BATMAN Dads Got A Crows Nest, is Nicks installation with 4 ink and pencil drawings reprinted on tracing paper and backing wallpaper. With a disturbing collision between a bloke and a bird (Cross dressing? In an art gallery? That was Notion 26, dahling!) Nick stamps out his signature style. ROBOCOP A THINK TANK Want to watch So Solids prime screw-up Asha D lose his lyrical wood before an unknown overweight white rapper from Newcastle? Who wouldnt! Head to www.youtube.com/watch?v to see our main man Stig Of The Dump flex his freestyling skills. Because now its time to meet the dude himself. Stig THINK TANK Im sittin in my front room which I just got in an armchair smokin fags, Freestylin to Lucy interviewin me for Notion mag, Understand I talk out my arse but go and cop my EP so in a few years I can afford a car, I cant afford the coke, I cant afford the designer labels, Just the chattin sh Fashion Cuts WORDS: LAUREN TONES pimp my step There are two things that define your status in life - your car and your clothes. Now sportswear innovators New Balance have made it possible to combine the two with their limited Classic Car range. Taking inspiration from three timeless motors the Pors + NOTION FASHION + LFW highlights laura lee s Taking the dress as her focal garment, nimble-fingered Laura stitched subversion across collars and hemlines. Trademark Lees label skulls and stars in acid brights shook up the LBD, while American ranch style shapes and motifs touched another time and co 054 NOTION / NOTION PROFILE / TEXT: TOM LEWIS Pharrel, Diddy, Wu Tang, Gwen Stefani, the list goes on. In recent history the queue of musicians willing to attach their name to a collection of generic hoodies, t-shirts and jeans has had no shortage of, err, queuer-uppers. But what about the other way designers EXPOSURE YAMAMA TEXT: LAUREN TONES PHOTOGRAPHY: LIAM GLEESON Dont compromise. Do what you want you feel you have to do. If you have flair and originality, eventually youll get the recognition you deserve, is the advice Yamama label head Ray would give anyone wanting to start up on their own in the f EXPOSURE TEXT: TOM LEWIS PHOTOGRAPHY: LIAM GLEESON Run out of a small second floor office in N16 is the clothing label Big Fluff. Surrounded by a collection of hand-printed tees and hoodies and fuelled by a nearly endless supply of tea, designer Azhar sits, fighting the gargantuan buying power of th ide w Sl ho S Photographer: Mark Cant Assistant: Vanessa Rodriguez Styling: Patsy OReilly Rod, Colin, Ian and Matt are The Slides and come courtesy of CEC Management. www.theslides.com, www.myspace/theslides.c Special thanks to all at Barone for the use of their fantastic cafe. Rod - Top by Republic NOTION 061 Colin - Hat from Merc Lond on, J acke t by P eople s Ma rket, T Sh irt by Fara h 062 NOTION r Wong y Dexto r, Top b Buckle cket by Rod - Ja an Topm NOTION 063 064 NOTION Ian - S Matt - Rod - Shirt Colin - Top uit Jacket b b by Fly y Paul Smit y Peoples M by Paul Sm h , Jack it 53 , Sh a et by P rket, Tie by h , Top by A irt by F ll au M arah , T rouser l Smith , Tro erc , Hat by Saints s by So K u nneti , sers by Pau angol l Shoes by Full Smith Circle NOTION 065 Ian - Wa istc oat by G Star , To p by Lee Jean s, S hoe s by Off ice 066 NOTION a, Shoes y Yamam ousers b arket, Tr s M y People T Shirt b Yamama, Cardi by uperdry, cket by S Matt - Ja s by Clark s Original NOTION 067 ler Wrang ans by ma, Je Yama oat by p Waistc a emus, hoes by Jum amam r by R rs by Y ing, Jumpe ns by Lee, S ith se , Trou yth Jea Sm Fly 53 nim is Ever y Religion, op by Paul op by T b e Rod - T Jacket by D r 0, Cardie lt by Kulte, - e a Colin cket by Ye ul Smith, B Ja a Matt - ousers by P r Ian - NOTION 069 Pin-up We cant get enough of badges and stickers round here. Theres something about their childish, tacky allure that we just cant resist. Retro, rude or just downright rubbish, we love them. So when we came across these little gems, we got all giddy with nostalgia. Saved from the 80s when McDonalds THE REEL DEAL TEXT: MATT HARVEY Warning: this issues film section includes a horror special that is literally terrifying scarier than a poolside, coked up Michael Barrymore. If you are in any way of a nervous disposition, we recommend you put the magazine down right now and just run for your life. DOCTOR HARVEYS HORROR SPECIAL What do you reckon the most rubbish way to die would be? Personally, Id say either having my head held in a microwave until my brains melted out my nose or maybe being eaten by lizards. Ive been thinking about this quite a lot in the last few days as Ive been watching a CREATIVE PROFILE eBOY BAG DESIGN FOR PAUL SMITH TEXT: LAUREN TONES The idea of re-using pixel objects to build complex artwork may have the less techie-minded amongst us running for the hills, but that notion has earned Steffen Sauerteig, Svend Smital and Kai Vermehr worldwide recognition. Together ON LIS BO N LI SB O N LIS B O N Some cities are for travellers. Lisbon is for adventurers. It was from here that seafaring explorers set out to conquer the world, discovered trade routes to India and transformed the economic and fashionable face of our planet. Enough spice! More silk, darling! By da TEST DRIVING Album reviews by Karl OKeeffe (KK) / Louis Cook (LC) / Marcus Foley (MF) Ben Hogwood (BH) / Sarah Chapman (SC) / Blair Cartwright (BC) / David Shariatmadari (DS) This issue a Black Dog on heat tears after some wild Ponys, while The Bees swarm about in their intricate new pattern. Comeba TEST DRIVING MAKOSSA & MEGABLAST KUNUAKA G-STONE DUB / AFRO-ELECTRO With the official stamp of approval from the Viennese dub connoisseurs at G-stone, this debut from two of the citys club legends was hardly going to disappoint. With a heritage reaching back to the inception of dance music, and the TEST DRIVING KINGS OF LEON BECAUSE OF THE TIME COLUMBIA INDIE ROCK Its hard to believe the Followill foursome are already on their third LP, and bassist Jared still isnt old even enough to touch booze in his homeland. Then again, KOL dont do things by halves. With most bands falling at the second a TEST DRIVING LOW DRUMS AND GUNS SUB POP ROCK Low, for those of you who dont know, are the masters of the maudlin from Minnesota, and are as down-tempo as youd expect a band with their name to be. Their latest release, Drums and Guns is a sonic journey through a desolate landscape that seems to lyri DOWNLOADING WORDS: CHARLOTTE CLARK INCOMING! REMASTERED Audi have teamed up with the Remastered Records project to release a series of unique interpretations of seminal tracks by emerging talent and recognised pioneers. As a tribute to their heroes, these chosen artists have handpicked their favouri DOWNLOADS WORDS: LUCY WILSON ECO BEATS Story One are a new band bent on a mission not only to electrify your ears but to turn us all into jumper-swapping tree humpers too: finally! Taking the Disposable title of their album to epic ethically minded lengths, Story One implore you not to buy their alb DOWNLOADS WHOSE SPACE IS IT ANYWAY? INTERVIEW BY CHARLOTTE CLARK Joe Shoomans new book Whose Space Is It Anyway is an unofficial guide to the sites that changed the world, taking in myspace, faceparty, Friends Reunited and more. What website do you waste most time on? Haha aside from myspace and web DOWNLOADS and young girls offering far more. A cursory glance at the pages of the fans themselves will reveal frantic discussions as to which screamo/emo outfit is to be seen live that night, or which one has the best lead singer, or which one would beat Klaxons in a wrestling match. This type of ob LIVE GIGS + VENUES KARL OKEEFFE STAGE DIVING Another month, another live onslaught and I cant help but feel that things are hotting up: the big boys are beginning to flex their muscles, the up and coming acts are beginning to make their presence known and everyone is beginning to plan their summer f LIVE GIGS + VENUES GRUFF RHYS MARCH 29th - Canolfan Ucheldre, Caergybi As the guiding light at the heart of Super Furry Animals, Gruff Rhys has been soothing 30th - Royal Albert Hall, London troubled souls and keeping things decidedly spaced out for many years now. However, his solo album Candylion LIVE GIGS + VENUES KARL OKEEFFE JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN One of the highlights of 2006 had to be the emergence of Joan Wasser A.K.A Joan As Police Woman, a lady with a musical charm and sophistication that would put many of the female artists who emerged last year in the shade. Her album Real Life was q LIVE: SWEAT BOXING COMPILED BY Louis Cook GUANABARA PRESENTS: DUBLICATE LIVE GUANABARA BAR, PARKER STREET, LONDON, WC2B 5PW 2OTH MARCH DOORS: 5PM - 2.30AM Free entry! THE BAYS ALL DAYER KOKO, 1A CAMDEN HIGH STREET, NW1 7JH SUNDAY 1ST APRIL DOORS: 2.30PM MIDNIGHT Tickets: 20 (available from Ticketwe CHIBUKU AND MYSPACE PRESENT: THE BIRTHDAY NATION, WOLSTENHOLME SQUARE, LIVERPOOL, L1 4JJ SATURDAY 17TH MARCH DOORS: 10PM 6AM Tickets: 16 NUS / 18 without PRIMAL EASTER SPECIAL TURNMILLS, 63B CLERKENWELL ROAD, LONDON. EC1 SUNDAY 8TH APRIL DOORS: 10PM 6AM Tickets: 12 in advance / 15 on the door Cel LIVE SWEAT BOXING CARL COX AND FRIENDS ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL, WINTER MUSIC CONFERENCE, MIAMI SUNDAY 25TH MARCH The worlds greatest DJ is having a little get-together with some friends at the end of March. Theyll probably be tea, biscuits, and knowing the big guy, maybe even some scones and jam. Or th LIVE THE MONTH THAT WAS TORTURE GARDEN VALETINES BALL 1OTH FEBRUARY MASS, BRIXTON TEXT: LUCY WILSON AND CHRIS SHAW Torture Garden is a journalists fantasy island. Its on nights like these that you wish that words were as elastic as the ubiquitous G-strings being sported across polysexual buttcheeks; LIVE THE MONTH THAT WAS BLOC ASTORIA PARTY LONDON 31ST JANUARY PHOTOGRAPHY: ZAC HUSSEIN Admittedly, years of gig going can make you somewhat cynical. Tickets to see the first of three sold out nights at the Astoria by Bloc Party can be met with an apathy that the musical Gods on Mount Olympus will n LIVE people + places Hospitality at Heaven heaven, LONDON Well, what can I say? Hospitality at Heaven. The gargantuan colossus that has become synonymous with raving, misbehaving, tight-as-fuck snares, and a truly jubilant atmosphere, once again packed out the tunnelling arches of Heaven, with that LIVE people + places CHEW THE FAT THE END, LONDON Photography by robert bunt For anyone whos ever been to a Chew The Fat! night, any mention of lifes larger proportions will provide ample excuse for a cheeky grin and a misty gaze into the ether. With Chew The Fat! nearing its 10th year and happy to LIVE people + places Wax:On Digital, Newcastle upon Tyne Hopefully youve come down by the time you read this jumbled up bunch of letters and spaces, but weve got to bring you back to best this smashing neet oot in tha Toon! Belgian Soulwax brothers 2 Many DJs popped in to provide the perfect party s LUCKY BUGGERS! Finland. Google it and youll find out that its got a lot of trees. Its one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. It has a semi-presidential system of parliament. It excels at Formula One and Ice Hockey. Clichés aside however, what Finland has that Notion is really int TO ENTER TEXT YOUR PRIZE CODE TO 84400 WIN OBEY Obey: Supply and Demand, The Art of Shepard Fairey, is a massive retrospective spanning 17 years of quality controversy from the respected artist and propagandist. Youll be taken on a tour of Faireys exhibitions, posters, flyers, silkscreens and sticke BARCLAYS BARCLAYS Sign up for our student bank account today. Sign up for our student bank account today. Well give you a 1,000 overdraft, free MP3 player and all we ask for in return is YOUR FUCKING SOUL. Well give you a 1,000 overdraft, free MP3 player and all we ask for in return is YOUR FUCKING To celebrate the arrival of 2007, Notion is offering its readers a reduced subscription fee AND giving away some of the latest music releases to every subscriber FREE! WHATS YOUR NOTION? brad destroyed leather jacket, available at cult.co.uk