So, after the bouncy lad-pop of Man Like Me, it's time for something totally different - Ladyhawke! There's a real buzz about this session, and plenty of expectant people are scurrying about, waiting for her to arrive. When she does; she doesn't disappoint - the session is fantastic. But, beyond that, she's a fascinating subject to interview. As plain ol' Pip Brown, she's as shy and self-deprecating as her alter-ego Ladyhawke is all glamour, cocksure swagger and glossy pop confidence. She tells me how amazing it was to return to her home country of New Zealand, and the trials she had trying to include all of her friends in the alternate video for "From Dusk Till Dawn". Alex Miller from NME pops down for a chat as well (he's a huge fan), it's one of those days really - everyone knows that this is a real opportunity to see an artist like Ladyhawke play a tiny little gig - and it won't be like that for long; her album is going to be HUGE.
So, week three ands in a blazr=e of glory, but we're not done yet: it's Johnny Foreigner and Late of The Pier next week - onwards and upwards!
Iain
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Can't quite believe we're three-quarters of the way through our sessions! This week it's the turn of Man Like Me and Ladyhawke to step up to the mic, and entertain the masses (and the lucky ones who made it to the studio!)
Man Like Me are up first; and they're ACE. They're a band who simultaneously cool AND really dorky, which I just love. The tunes are lairy, poppy and catchy, and guys themselves couldn't be nicer. We spend sometime reminiscing about Old-School hardcore, and also find out how they were asked by The Tate Modern (which is just next door to the NME studios) to write a song based on any of the paintings or sculptures inside: they chose Marcel Duchamps famous Urinal and quite brilliantly, wrote a song called "Taking The P*ss" Genius!
Then it's time for MLM to take to the studio, where they run through their last single "Carny" and a track which might end up as a single in the near future, called "Single Dad". Awesome stuff, and we've still got Ladyhawke to come!
More soon,
Iain
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Session days are quite hectic - there's loads of activity here at the NME studios: competition winners arriving and exploring the studio, people grabbing drinks and chilling out in the Green Room, band's equipment arriving , being set up, then changed over.....
And in the midst of all this organised chaos, I get to pop into the green room and interview all of the bads and artists (it's a perk of the job!)
So, after I've spoken to Metronomy, it's time to chat to Esser (or Ben, to his friends)
Esser used to be the drummer for Ladyfuzz, but his new project sees him stepping away from the drum stool and into the spotlight: strangely, for someone so cocky and confident on his records, he's rather a shy bloke! But he's also obviously really determined, and comes across like a slightly less garroulous version of Mikey Streets. He's a fascinating chap, and I reckon he'll end up being a HUGE star - watch this space.
So, phew! another week of sessions done, next stop - Ladyhawke and Man Like Me :)
More soon!
Iain
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Well, week two of our sessions starts with the news that Metronomy have stepped in at the last minute, to do a session, after Ida Maria pulled out due to ill health. metronomy turn up fresh from a very muddy Bestival, but are in high spirits :) The session is a blinder, and over some post-session drinks we have a chat about Bestival, mud, and the new CD "Nights Out". Of all the interviews I've done so far, they are the funniest, without a doubt. They're also obsessed with Girls Aloud! Joseph was adamant they want to remix GA, or at the very least, collaborate on a charity single! There's something I'd LOVE to hear.....
Iain

So, it's been a momentous week really - the first week of the Birthday Sessions! It's been great playing out the highlights of all the sessions so far, as well as interviews with the bands. Check out the photos and videos of all the performances so far, they look amazing! As we heard from Glasvegas in their interview, the UK tour they're doing is totally sold out, but it's worth mentioning that if you were impressed with Red Light Company and want to hear more, they're playing in London tonight!
If you've been listening to my show, you'll know that next Monday's session has changed somewhat. It was going to feature Ida Maria, but she's had to pull out due to illness. It's not just us, either - she's also had to cancel Bestival at the weekend as well :( Get well soon, Ida.
So, you're all wondering, who's going to be joining Esser for next Monday's session? Can I leave you on tenterhooks for a tiny bit longer? (I'm such a tease!) I'll let you know in the show today, how's that?
I'll tell you now though, you'll want to be here!
;)
OK, i'm off to do my homework for the show, speak to you later,
Iain
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Anticipation is running pretty high around the NME headquarters as we await the Glasvegas session, there are plenty of people looking forward to this one! I'm doing my show as the band prepare to play live, which means occasionally I can hear huge bass rumbles and snatches of vocals coming from the studio next door. As the guests get stuck into the bar (and why not?) I get ready to speak to the band......
We do the interview in the Green Room, after the session: the band seem really chuffed with the gig, and everyone is in high spirits. I chat to James and Caroline about the release of the album (it's out next week) and the forthcoming Christmas album, as well as the pressures of all the hype that's been written about the band over the past year. They're thoughtful, relaxed, and great company. Here's hoping all the other sessions are as good as today has been.......
Iain
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