Hangover Lounge

Rachael Dadd with ICHI on steel pan - Window

2012-01-20T19:27:00.000Z

We’ve been honoured to have Rachael Dadd as a live guest at the Hangover Lounge and even more pleased to be releasing Window, a modern folk classic which finds Rachael at the top of her game.

Brittle guitars tumble, hopes are raised, love is commemorated and the folk tradition burns anew. Did someone mention Shirley Collins? Truly in that league.

In this brand new version of Window, one of the stand out songs from last year's superb Bite The Mountain album, Rachael is joined by ICHI on steel pan. Here's an excerpt so you can try before you buy.

Fox - Flowers

2012-01-19T09:39:00.002Z

A distinctly odd song given a distinctly atmospheric treatment by fox, aka world of fox, aka lonesome fox (we call him ‘Simon’). Galaxie 500’s early song Flowers sounds just as haunting in fox’s hands, only different.

Ethereal, shifting and built on sand, Flowers sounds like nothing else. The lyrics remain unchanged, of course, and we’re still left scratching our heads at “Feeling a plastic mood/Buildings have got to change/Cos baby you’re a lunatic”.Flowers by Fox
FLowers is available on the third Hangover Lounge ep alongside exclusive tracks from The Would-Be-Goods, Standard Fare, Nat Johnson and the Figureheads, Louis Philippe and Rachael Dadd.

Louis Philippe - Don't Talk

2012-01-16T20:21:00.001Z

Gentleman, scholar and multi-instrumentalist Louis Philippe adds to his rich and varied career with this stunning interpretation of The Beach Boys’ classic.

Such is the versatility and adventure of this arrangement, you hardly know it’s a cover; the soft desperation of the vocal, the sturm und drang of the strings, and the subtle increase in sonic and emotional pressure surely demand that Louis gets co-writing credit with Brian Wilson for this version.Don't Talk by Louis Philippe
Don't Talk is available on the third Hangover Lounge ep alongside exclusive tracks from The Would-Be-Goods, Standard Fare, Nat Johnson and the Figureheads, Fox and Rachael Dadd.

The Would-Be-Goods: No More Tear-Stained Make Up

2012-01-15T13:30:00.001Z

What a brave choice of cover version! Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ No More Tear-Stained Make Up is one of the key songs from Watchout!, one of the classic albums of Motown’s golden age.

As you might expect from The Would-Be-Goods, they steal a win by stripping the song back to its bare bones, matching Jessica’s raw emotional vocal delivery with Peter’s pared – and spare – electric rhythm guitar. This is a quiet triumph. You’ll love it.

Tear Stained Make-Up by the Would-Be-Goods
No More Tear-Stained Make Up is available on the third Hangover Lounge ep alongside exclusive tracks from Louis Philippe, Standard Fare, Nat Johnson and the Figureheads, Fox and Rachael Dadd.

The Would-Be-Goods are playing at the Union Chapel shortly after noon on Saturday 21 January on a bill starring Hangover Lounge ep alumni David Tattersall and Birdie. It's a free gig, you know.

Standard Fare - (Acoustic) Darth Vader

2012-01-13T15:17:00.000Z

Darth Vader is the father of Darth Vader

You what?
This acoustic version of Darth Vader was recorded especially for the third Hangover Lounge ep by Standard Fare before they “cut” their latest (wonderful) album Out Of Sight, Out Of Town which features an electric Darth Vader.

Shouldn’t it have come out first then?
And spoil the reveal that (Acoustic) Darth Vader is actually the father? No.

Excuse my cynicism, but I’m not convinced you’d risk having the worldwide exclusive of a new Standard Fare song and wait until its progenitor had been released before you unleashed it on the world.
You’re right. We were looking at a November release originally, but co-ordinating 6 acts, some of whom ‘forgot’ to submit their songs, quite possibly due to drug-induced delusions, forced us to re-schedule.

Really? Name names.
Nope. The important lesson that all of us can come away with is that (Acoustic) Darth Vader was worth waiting for. We’re delighted to be releasing it.

I'd love to see the mighty Standard Fare play (Acoustic) Darth Vader live.
You're in luck. They're playing a free gig on Sunday 22 January at the Hangover Lounge.

Brilliant! What would be even better is if I could buy (Acoustic) Darth Vader on 10" vinyl with exclusive songs by 5 other top artists.
Today really is your lucky day.

Nat Johnson and the Figureheads - Wifery

2012-01-12T10:35:00.001Z

Ahead of the release of their second album ‘I’m Across, I’m Ashore’ (14 Feb 2012 on Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation) Nat Johnson and the Figureheads present the exclusive acoustic lullaby of Wifery.

As lovely as it’s lonely, Wifery matches the haunting pastoralism of English folk music with sharp-eyed domestic heartbreak. One of their very best songs? We’re certain of it.Wifery by Nat Johnson and the FigureheadsYou can order the third Hangover Lounge 10" ep which features Wifery and exclusive tracks by Standard Fare, Louis Philippe, fox, Rachael Dadd and the Would-be-goods or buy it when Nat Johnson plays at the Hangover Lounge on Sunday 22 January.

Hacia Dos Veranos

2012-01-10T13:19:00.000Z

Hacia Dos Veranos remain the world's most enigmatic and charasmatic band by following their Hangover Lounge release The Cat & Cucumber, about a cafe in Bermondsey, with The Way Of The Hand And Foot, a song about tae kwan do. Fans of Michael Head and the Strands, The Clientele and Felt - and everyone who's ever drawn the conclusion that Love's Forever Changes is one of the greatest albums - will love Argentina's Hacia Dos Veranos.

They're making their long-awaited return to the UK stage at the Hangover Lounge on September 22. It's going to be pretty special. In the meantime, have a listen to The Way Of The Hand And Foot.

Birdie return to the stage

2012-01-09T15:54:00.001Z

For those of you who haven't written marked your diary in red pen, Birdie are returning to the stage. We're delighted to weclome Debsey and Paul back to the stage. And what a stage! It's the main hall of the Union Chapel. Doors open at midday. The Would-be-goods are first on, followed by Birdie with David Tattersall finishing things up. It's free, you know.

You probably don't need further encouragement, but here's Message To The Sun by Birdie from the second Hangover Lounge ep.
Birdie - Message to the Sun by wiaiwya

The Lost Weekend

2012-01-03T11:05:00.000Z

We're hosting two afternoon gigs on Saturday 21 January and Sunday 22 January featuring David Tattersall, Birdie, The Would-be-goods, Standard Fare, Nat Johnson and Hacia Dos Veranos. Nothing you fancy in that musical feast? Get your lugs checked out.

On the Saturday we're decamping just up the road to the Union Chapel where the live music starts at midday. On the Sunday we're at our usual Hangover Lounge home at the Lexington from 2pm.

This weekend will be your first opportunity to buy the third Hangover Lounge 10" ep which includes exclusive acoustic tracks from Standard Fare, The Would-be-goods, Nat Johnson, Louis Philippe, Rachael Dadd and Fox.

Both gigs are free. Children are welcome at both venues.

Darren Hayman live on New Year's Day

2011-12-21T08:40:00.002Z

Scenario A: New Year's Day. You have a motherfucking hangover. You need the soothing salve of The Hangover Lounge, described by the Government's Chief Medical Officer as "the fourth emergency service".

Scenario B: New Year's Day. You didn't go out the night before because it would've been too expensive, too rowdy and a general pain in the arse. Have your fun with friends at the Hangover Lounge.

In both scenarios, Darren Hayman is playing a free gig. This is a win-win.

Kids (and dogs) welcome.

Name that tune: Brother Brother by The Isley Brothers

2011-12-20T20:38:00.000Z

You can't go far wrong with any of The Isley Brothers' post-Motown output from 1969-1975 and you'll go no better than their 1972 album Brother Brother Brother.

Brother Brother is one of three Carole King songs on an album otherwise largely comprising Isley-penned material. Musically, the album isn't that far removed from Marvin Gaye's What's Going On; although the 'brother brother' refrain of Marvin's title track is coincidental, it may have struck a chord with some of the million-plus Americans who bought What's Going On the previous year.

Edwyn Collins, Robert Rotifer and Wide Sea live

2011-11-22T11:10:00.000Z

It was the best - perhaps the best ever - of afternoons. Wide Sea had banks of acoustic guitars as if Teenage Fanclub were in LA's Gold Star Studios with Phil Spector. Immediately afterwards, a queue formed to buy their album.

Robert Rotifer told tales, cracked jokes and even played some songs, all of them great. Afterwards, he autographed many records.

The patron saint of indiepop crowned a wonderful bill. Many audience members, even the most battle-scarred hard men of rock among our number, seemed to have something in their eye.

Pete Astor and Let's Wrestle and Robert Rotifer live this Sunday

2011-10-17T13:40:00.002+01:00

That's right. Are we spoiling you or what.

Pete Astor
Pete Astor, indiepop royalty thanks to his presence in Creation bands The Loft and the Weather Prophets, made a welcome return this summer with his sixth solo album, Songbox.

Literate and melodic, Songbox captures the mood of British folk music in the presence of 60s-influenced pop and is clearly one of Astor’s strongest albums yet.

Wesley Patrick Gonzalez
Wes from Let’s Wrestle makes it a family affair as the man we call Pete Astor, Wes knows as stepdad. After the joyously ramshackle debut album In The Court Of The Wrestling Let’s, this year’s Nursing Home album proved that debut single I Wish I Was In Husker Du was a self-fulfilling prophecy as they went harder and faster towards 80s hardcore heaven.

This acoustic solo show from Wes will show the fantastic Let’s Wrestle songs in a new light. Excited? Fuck yeah!

Robert Rotifer
Writer, musician and radio DJ Robert Rotifer’s sixth album, and first for Edwyn Collins’s new label, was produced by Stiff Records legend Wreckless Eric. The Hosting Couple is a selection of songs about likely subjects such as remote-controlled drones dropping bombs on your hometown, the deceased Austrian sound poet Ernst Jandl, childhood holidays in Essex, and the marine lab in Aberdeen.

The Raw Herbs

2011-10-03T13:13:00.003+01:00

Possibly the greatest moment in The Hangover Lounge's history happened yesterday. While playing I'm Falling Down by The Raw Herbs, someone came up and asked, "is this The Raw Herbs?" There is probably no other club in the world where a Raw Herbs b-side from 1987 would be recognised. Or played even.

A shame, that, because The Raw Herbs really were a cut above the rest. The tear-in-a-beer Memphis melancholy of I'm Falling Down should be a staple of oldies stations, or at the very least the go-to song for film producers soundtracking moody shots of the guy at the bar.

Someone really should do a Raw Herbs compilation. There was very nearly a two-CD compilation of The Raw Herbs' label, Medium Cool, on Cherry Red four years ago, but the deal was, I understood at the time, not particularly favourable and so fell through.

It would've included The Raw Herbs' Janice Long session. Here's one track from that sesion, Syd's Late Night:

You can find another track from that session on former Medium Cool boss Andy Wake's blog, along with some very sad news about The Raw Herbs' drummer, Brian Alexis.

Harvey Williams, Rachael Dadd, Jack Cheshire: Live at the Lounge, October 9th

2011-10-01T22:55:00.000+01:00

On October 9th, we'll be delighted to welcome some more live music to the Lounge! This time it's a triple-bill, and as ever it'll start early-ish. PLEASE be there by 3pm to catch the fun. Also as ever, it's all free and all hand-picked for YOU by US.

Here's who's playing:

HARVEY WILLIAMS

Harvey's been a favourite musician of mine for knocking on a quarter of a century now, and I'm delighted that he's agreed to a grace us with a rare live appearance. I remember someone once saying that he hits the perfect mid-point of Vic Godard and Victoria Wood. Looks like he'll be guitar-based for this show, so the chances are we won't get to hear this, one of my faves from his last LP:

RACHAEL DADD

Rachael's making her own path through the modern young people's folk world, I don't think anyone does it quite like her, and she's quietly made what amounts to a stack of brilliant records. I've seen her play many times and she's never failed to amaze. I can't wait to hear her off-mic.

JACK CHESHIRE

Jack's a relative new one on me, but I saw his amazing show to launch his recent LP "Copenhagen" at the Slaughtered Lamb a few months back, and immediately started nagging him to come and play. This should give you the idea:

See you there.

Withered Hand and Vatican Cellars footage

2011-09-29T12:12:00.003+01:00

All this takeaway food is making me feel unwell
at my funeral have them play Highway To Hell

Isn't grey hair just the first light of a new dawn

Thanks to TheBoudicca3 who filmed those Withered Hand songs and also shot footage of Simon from The Vatican Cellars solo and acoustic:

Withered Hand and the Vatican Cellars LIVE! At The Lounge, 25th September.

2011-09-14T21:39:00.001+01:00

When Ben said that Withered Hand's first LP, "Good News" was the best album of 2009 I'll confess I raised an eyebrow, and possibly even two. But damn me if I haven't returned to it more than anything else from that year, and goodness knows I've liked it more every time. The LP is "streaming", as I believe the young people say, on his website: We (and Ben in particular) have been trying for some years now to persuade Dan Willson, Mr. Withered Hand, to come and play at the Lounge, and we're delighted that it's happening at last. Oh, apart from Ben, who'll be on holiday.

The Vatican Cellars are probably the closest we have to regular live guests at the Lounge: this must be their third or fourth time now. That really goes to show how much we like them: their delicate melancholy sets our Sundays off a treat.

This will be a tremendous show, and it's likely to be an early one, so don't sleep. At least, don't sleep too much.

Dates for your diaries - three live shows coming soon!

2011-09-14T21:21:00.000+01:00

We'll be saying more about each of these nearer the time, but we have three of our exciting unamplified and totally free live show Sundays coming up, and our very strong advice to you is to get each of them in your diary - each one will be ACE! It feels a big naff to say it but we're genuinely quite proud of what we have coming up in the next few weeks. Look:

SEPTEMBER 25th: Withered Hand, and the Vatican Cellars!
OCTOBER 9th: Harvey Williams, Rachael Dadd, and Jack Cheshire!
OCTOBER 23rd: Pete Astor, Wesley Patrick Gonzalez, and Robert Rotifer!

So, more on each of these before long, but don't say we didn't warn you they were coming up.

Good things this Sunday

2011-08-19T10:31:00.000+01:00

This Sunday we have no fewer than three special treats for you! THREE!

ONE: Special guest DJ Nick Tesco. Nick was the singer in The Members, amongst other awesome things. Last time he played at the Lounge he played a tremendous set of mostly African music, and we're delighted to have him back.

TWO: Special guest DJ Gideon Coe, our favourite radio DJ of all, his Lounge sets are always great and are way too infrequent.

THREE: Alex Lewis's band The Rosemary Works make sumptuous acoustic moves to steal and break your hearts, more like Paul Simon than Noel Gallagher. Using an array of wonderful instruments, this is a 100% acoustic show.

Look! Here's a film to give you the idea.

See you on Sunday, we hope.

The Cavalcade + Paisley and Charlie gig

2011-07-22T13:39:00.000+01:00

August 14: mark it in your diaries now for we have the return of The Cavalcade and the debut Lounge peformance by Paisley and Charlie. This is going to be a great gig. Entrance is free. Soothing sounds downstairs from 2pm; the bands start at around 3.30pm.

Whiskey Galore: Joshua Brook

2011-07-18T16:59:00.002+01:00

Resident DJ and whiskey expert Steve Edmond has manfully undertaken the onerous task of reviewing every whiskey at the Lexington. Why, Steve?

Since the Lexington has well over 50 different American whiskeys on offer I thought the least I could do was make sure I sample each one and then, if I can still write at the end of the evening, review a different one each week.

Most of the US whiskeys the Lexington has are Bourbons - to officially be allowed to call itself a bourbon, the whiskey has to meet the following criteria: The ABC of Bourbon, if you will (thanks to Simon Difford for this)

American - Must be made in the USA
Barrels - Must be aged in brand new, charred oak barrels.
Corn - Must have a mash formed from between 51-79% corn
Distillation - Must be distilled to strength of less than 80% abv.
Entry - Must go into the barrels at no more than 62.5% abv.
Filled - Must be bottled at minimum of 40%abv.
Genuine - Must not contain any artificial flavours, colours or other alcohols. If so it must be labelled as 'blend' or 'blended'

So the first whiskey I decided to review is one I've not tried before:

Joshua Brook
An 8-year, Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.Higher than average abv at 90%
Smells spicier than it tastes. Nice slow warming heat, rather than any real burn.
Mild, some vanilla and maple syrup flavours with quite a long finish.
Good value for an 8-year bourbon.
Similar to Jim Beam Black, but not quite as tasty.

Ghost Box DJs Sunday 26 June

2011-06-17T17:02:00.002+01:00

We're delighted to welcome the fine folk from the Ghost Box label - specialists in esoteric electronics, library lounge, sunken treaures from television soundtracks and folk curios - who'll be bringing all manner of unheralded treats for an afternoon of haunting ambience on Sunday 26 June.

Louis Philippe live

2011-06-14T12:28:00.001+01:00

Louis Philippe, who turned in a wonderful set at the Lounge on Sunday (no one will ever forget Louis' rendering of I Just Wasn't Made For These Times), take their pop classicism to the Betsey Trotwood tomorrow, June 15.

This is a change of venue to previously advertised, and it's a smaller capacity, so try to book in advance.

A reminder for those who were there on Sunday, and a temptation to those who weren't to go on Wednesday, how especially intimate and uplifting the Louis Philippe live experience is:

Amor de Dias, Louis Philippe and Mr Wright free gig 12 June

2011-06-06T10:54:00.000+01:00

Amor de Dias, who are currently touring their excellent Street of the Love of Days album in America, return to the UK this week to launch that opus at the Hangover Lounge on Sunday June 12.

Louis Philippe - whose live band numbers the Dias's Alasdair MacLean on guitar and backing vocals - is gracing the stage (if you haven't already, check out his latest record The Ocean Tango) and further support comes from another fine El alumnus, Mr Wright.

The Lounge opens its doors at 2pm. The first band is on at 3pm. It's free. We'll see you there.

3rd Birthday Party starring Darren Hayman

2011-05-25T11:00:00.002+01:00

This Sunday, 29 May, the Hangover Lounge turns 3. To mark the occasion, Darren Hayman has designed a poster which we'll be giving away along with CDs and commemorative beermats to the first 30 punters through the doors.

There's even more! Darren will be donning the house cans for some soothing beat matching as our guest DJ.

Apologies to anyone who was misled by this post's title and thought that Darren Hayman was taking the place of Nick Cave in a reincarnation of The Birthday Party.

Moon Horse free preview on June 19

2011-05-23T15:22:00.006+01:00

Moon Horse vs. The Mars Men Of Jupiter is a brand new two-man science fiction rock opera which will be appearing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe (as part of PBH's Free Fringe), Camden Fringe, and touring the country.

First, though, there's a London premiere at the Hangover Lounge on June 19 at 3.15pm. Steve Hewitt bravely answers some questions and gets confused by simple maths:

Can we expect a mash up of moonpig.com and My Lovely Horse?
I don't know why people seem to automatically say moonpig instead of moonhorse, I mean the two things couldn't be more different. One is a slightly dodgy internet-based card company and the other is an amazing super hero from outer space who has an awesome series of adventures with his good friend Geoffrey Livingstone battling the dreadful (and rather stinky) Mars Men of Jupiter.

And I'm definitely not speculating on which of us is Ted and which of us is Dougal.

Did an asteroid destroy Dinosaur Planet?
No, we just thought it was time to move on, although the Real Actual Proper Concept Album With A Gatefold Sleeve And Everything will hopefully be out before the end of the year (I'm not committing myself to which year at this point). It has a proper cast of actually semi-famous people in it and everything. I'm barely in it at all.

The Dinosaur Planet itself (Mr Squish to give him his real name) is living in peaceful retirement Chez Hibbett.

The Hangover Lounge prides itself on its family-friendly environment. Can you assure our patrons that there will be no swears, full-frontal nudity or jeggings in your show?
There are, I'm afraid, two proper swears in the show, but they are both entirely artistically valid and are both about The Secret Evil Empress of England (Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). She is a
Very Bad Lady. I'm sure viewers of all ages will be glad when I say nudity and jeggings are both definitely off the menu though.

On the music-comedy scale of 1-10 where 0 is those cuntin’ Halifax Radio adverts and 11 is Spinal Tap, where is Moon Horse? Please show your workings.
Hmmm, tricky one. Given that our show at the Hangover Lounge comes only three days after the world premiere (in Northampton, of course) it's a bit early to tell what heights of satirical mirth-making we
will reach. I pledge on my life that we will be better than the Halifax ads though...

Your partner in rhyme, MJ Hibbett, suggested last year that you had joined him in the world of musical theatre so you could sport a cravat and indulge in a wave of homosexual affairs. Is this what psychologists call projection?
It's not for me to comment on Mr Hibbett's artistic bent. I myself continue to own precisely 0 cravats however.

Have you bought yourself some theatre sandals this year?
Long term devotees of Mr Hibbett's flyers will be pleased to note that his toes are not visible this year, I think I've weaned him off the sandals. It's all 10 Hole Black Docs round my way innit...

The Mexican Postcards play Mexican Postcard

2011-05-11T09:28:00.001+01:00

What a wonderful event Sunday turned out to be. The Mexican Postcards put on a great show. The footage is very grainy, but then the lights were way down low:

Grant McLennan tribute

2011-04-27T09:21:00.001+01:00

We'll be marking the fifth anniversary of one of our favourite songwriters, Grant McLennan, at the Lounge on May 8. A live tribute comes from The Mexican Postcards - led by Rob Price of Airport Girl - then we'll settle back to watch the excellent 16 Lovers Lane documentary and be treated to select picks from guest DJ Jonathan Turner, webmaster of The Go-Betweens site.

The Mexican Postcards will be playing from around 3pm (exact time tbc).

White Town and Nat Johnson duet Your Woman

2011-04-19T11:30:00.000+01:00

Excellent sets from Nat Johnson and the Figureheads, Rozi Plain and White Town on Sunday were topped off by Nat joining Jyoti on an acoustic take of the number one hit Your Woman.

Viewers will remember Elizabeth out of Allo Darlin' singing Your Woman with Jyoti at the Hangover Lounge last year. We're slowly working our way to having a whole album's worth of Your Woman versions. Quite famous and tuneful singers interested in offering their own interpretation of Your Woman with Jyoti at a future gig please make yourselves known. For everyone else, there's the X Factor.

Darren Hayman and Dave Tattersall exclusive songs

2011-04-15T13:22:00.000+01:00

Today, another two modern classics from the new Hangover Lounge ep. Darren Hayman brings us Pixie Boots, and Dave Tattersall teams up with mystery collaborator Howard Hughes for Day of the Locusts. Behold!
Darren Hayman - Pixie Boots by wiaiwya
David Tattersall & Howard Hughes - Day Of The Locusts by wiaiwya

The handsome 6-track 10" ep will be available at the gig on Sunday and at some shops for Record Store Day on Saturday.

White Town and Rozi Plain exclusive tracks and free gig

2011-04-14T10:46:00.000+01:00

White Town and Rozi Plain, stars of the second Hangover Lounge ep, are playing a free gig at the Lexington this Sunday afternoon. Get there in good time, because Nat Johnson & the Figureheads are first on the bill at 2.30pm sharp with their own acoustic offering.

Have a preview - and marvel at their wonder - of the White Town and Rozi Plain ep tracks:
White Town - Cut Out My Heart by wiaiwya
Rozi Plain - When Are You Coming? COME ON! by wiaiwya

The handsome 6-track 10" ep will be available at the gig on Sunday and at some shops for Record Store Day on Saturday.

Brand new Birdie

2011-04-13T16:52:00.001+01:00

Birdie are back after much cajoling with Message To The Sun, a classic that's now seeing the light of day on the second Hangover Lounge ep. Birdie's Paul Kelly explains:

"This is one of the songs we recorded in 2002 for a planned third album. We had stopped playing any live shows by then but had hoped to carry on making records. I can't remember why we never finished the album, I think I'll have to blame our kids!
Birdie - Message to the Sun by wiaiwya

Buy the ep
OR come to the launch gig this Sunday, April 17, featuring live sets from White Town, Rozi Plain and Nat Johnson, where you can pick up this dashing 6-track 10" ep for a fiver.

Pam Berry's first solo release out now

2011-04-13T09:49:00.009+01:00

Pam Berry's debut solo recording is out now on the second Hangover Lounge ep. She tells us all about it:

What made you dip your toes in the solo waters at this stage in your 22-year showbusiness career?
I believe it was the suggestion by Ben of your Hangover Lounge parish that I should contribute an a capella song for HLEP2, which seemed easy enough for Mike to record at home on the 16-track. By the time I came to my senses, everybody I could rope in to lend instrumentation was away on holiday, my own guitar was broken and there was no going back.

Why did you choose to cover Love's Wonder People (I Do Wonder)?
Wonder People (I Do Wonder) has always been one of my fave Love songs, and though I’ve always thought it’s a bit crazy to cover songs that are already so damn great, in my head I could hear this one sounding very different to the original. In my head I heard the cover sounding very different to my finished song as well, what can you do? There were a heap of other contenders – the tunes of Andy Williams, various awesome soulful girlgroup crooners, old-school Bacharach songs, lady torch and country singers aplenty. In the end I couldn’t bear the thought of those songs without guitar and percussion action to go with.

Will there be more a cappella songs from you?
After that handwritten cease and desist order sent straight from the grave by Arthur Lee, probably not.

What's next, then?
In a month or so my friend Bart is going to send along some more of his songs for me to sing on for another Bart +Friends EP. I’ve got nada else musical going on right now, and plan to fill the long days of summer with BBQs, crafting, beachy day trips, hangover lounge lazing about and backyard uke+cake parties with my gals.

Pam Berry - Wonder People (I Do Wonder) by wiaiwya

To buy this ep OR come to the launch gig this Sunday, April 17, featuring live sets from White Town, Rozi Plain and Nat Johnson, where you can pick up this dashing 6-track 10" ep for a fiver.

Actual real press, on paper and everything

2011-04-12T10:15:00.000+01:00

We forgot to say: some nearly-national coverage in The Guardian last month! Look:

In case that's to small for you to read, it's the Guardian "Clubs" section's Pick of The Week listing, and it says:
"Hangover Lounge If you've had a big weekend, then here's your chance to relax. Eat a roast and take it easy to a laid-back blend of reggae, soul, indie and folk."

Darren Hayman's January Songs Notebook Auction

2011-03-18T12:25:00.003Z

You remember Darren Hayman's January Songs project? Of course you do. You may even have seen his great performance of the thirtieth song, We're Tired Of Being Dicked Around, which brought the house down at the Hangover Lounge. Either way, see it again AND bid on the notebook that Darren used throughout this project. Darren's auctioning it in aid of a charity helping wildlife affected by the Japanese earthquake.

Song 30 We're Tired of Getting Dicked Around from Darren Hayman on Vimeo.

The First Lady Of Indiepop

2011-02-07T15:28:00.003Z

This Sunday we're delighted to welcome back the first lady of indiepop Pam Berry (as celebrated in song by The Shins) once of Black Tambourine (as celebrated in song by Beck) and many other bands who will one day be celebrated in song because of their songs (apart from Bright Colored Lights, who were named after the Crash song).

Pam will be joined by Mr Pam Berry, aka Mike Jones, ace DJ in his own right. Every time they've DJed for us it's been something special, so come down.

More films from Sunday

2011-02-01T13:32:00.003Z

I'm not sure why Darren's set on Sunday appears to be the most filmed event in Hangover Lounge history (and possibly all of human history), but here are some more clips. These are courtesy of the excellent Paul from Scared To Dance. Thanks, Paul.

The Wu-Tang Clan:

Out Of My League:

More live action on film!

2011-01-31T11:36:00.001Z

If that one song from yesterday is not enough for you, or not red enough for you, here's more: not one but SIX flicks of Darren and Jack!

I'm not sure who filmed these but thanks - they're terrific!

Not only that but also a delightful photo of Darren here on flickr!

Hayman's Song 30, live at the Lounge

2011-01-31T11:08:00.000Z

... And so it came to pass! Darren's 30th song of his month of songs. Not only live at the Hangover Lounge, also featuring the crowd. Here it is!

Thanks to Darren, Jack Hayter, World of Fox and the Man Who Loves you for a tremendous afternoon of live songs!

Live music this Sunday!

2011-01-28T08:47:00.001Z

I note with some sadness that I've failed to put an advertisement for a live show up on this here blog. I'm sure most of you get your information about this kind of stuff from Facebook or similar (and if not, may I recommend that you sign up for our Facebook group, details over there somewhere) but ANYWAY this Sunday we'll be delighted to present another afternoon of live and unamplified music for your delectation, look:

That means:
1. Darren Hayman, now nearing the end of his amazing January Songs project (that's a song written, recorded and released every day this month, and rumour has it he'll be performing and recording Sunday's song live at the Lounge).
2. Jack Hayter, an old mucker of Darren's from Hefner days and beyond, who's recently released an EP of solo material.
3. World Of Fox, whose LP of '80s covers was the very first release of 2011: this is your chance to get your hands on the super-limited deluxe edition of that record, "Respect", which is one of the most beautiful editions of a CD I've ever seen.
4. The Man Who Loves You, fresh from Plymouth with the folk stylings!

All for free, unamplified, upstairs at the Lounge, Sunday afternoon. The usual business will be going on downstairs if the live rockin's too hard for you. We understand.

Peter Momtchiloff guest DJ this Sunday

2011-01-07T11:37:00.002Z

Peter Momtchiloff, one of the UK's premier practitioners of the electrical guitar, whose talents have graced and indeed continue to augment popular beat combos informed by indiepop, folk, garage rock and easy listening, is DJing for us this Sunday (9 January).

The last time Peter - or Monty to his inner circle - DJed at the Hangover Lounge he wore a tie especially for the occasion. Monty, we salute your sartorial elegance.

January 2 2011

2010-12-23T10:50:00.007Z

We've had a fine time every Sunday this year playing soothing sounds to the hurting of head, as well as hosting some brilliant gigs and fantastic guest DJs. We get Boxing Day off for good behaviour and resume our role as the fourth emergency service every Sunday from January 2. As ever, come down and come down. We look forward to seeing you there.

In the interim have a great xmas. Here are two tunes from the wonderful Christmastime, Approximately compilation to get you in the spirit.

Standard Fare live

2010-12-21T10:28:00.005Z

Standard Fare’s acoustic set, featuring Emma and Andy on blistering form, was one of the year’s highlights. Future historians of the band might like to note that this performance was held on Emma’s birthday. Percussion fans may be interested to know that Andy’s playing a cajon.

Thanks to FOTLs (Friends of the Lounge) Sarah and Nat who stepped in when the battery on our camera died and did a great job shooting this footage.

Festive Greetings from the Hangover Lounge!

2010-12-18T09:06:00.000Z

We're approaching our final Hangover Lounge of the year - it seems the Lexington will be closed on December 26th - and this is just a quick mail to wish our many readers a tremendous holiday season.

We'll be bending a festive elbow this Sunday (19th) though, and to celebrate, we have struck a commemorative beermat, free for you to collect if you show on Sunday!

See you there.

Christmas Bazaar this Sunday

2010-12-06T12:45:00.002Z

This Sunday: ameliorate your hangover, idle hours chatting, drinking and listening to good sounds, AND buy some Christmas presents at the Lexington Christmas Bazaar.

Sellers include vintage stalls, craft stalls and jumble selling vintage dresses, jewellery, bric-a-brac, hand-made toys and much more. Plus a tombola stall in aid of the RSPCA with prizes donated by Rough Trade, Domino, JagJaguwar, Cherry Red, The Happy Shop of Hastings and many more.

The Bazaar runs upstairs from 1-5pm; the Hangover Lounge starts downstairs at 2pm.

Would-Be-Goods and Vic Templar today

2010-12-05T09:31:00.003Z

Bad News: Mr Louis Philippe has had to pull out of today's performance as he's been afflicted by a virus that renders him useful for only mimicking Tom Waits' back catalogue.

Good News: The Would-Be-Goods and Vic Templar still have their name in lights at today's Lounge.

Louis has urged us to think of this as only a postponement and he'll be treading the Lexington's boards one Sunday next year. Watch this space. And get well soon, captain!

Would-Be-Goods + Louis Philippe + Vic Templar free gig this Sunday

2010-11-30T16:26:00.003Z

We've got (brace yourselves) one el of an afternoon of free music this Sunday (December 5) starring a pared-down Would-Be-Goods featuring Jessica and Peter, and Louis Philippe, the latter of whom we are quite sure will not mind us mentioning that his latest opus, The Ocean Tango, is available on bandcamp.

Vic Templar - familiar to music fans for his drumming duties for The Dentists and collaborating with The Claim on the splendid Mike The Bike - will be reading from his latest book, Candy From A Dog.

Star DJ turns this Sunday

2010-11-12T10:42:00.001Z

Woodie Taylor, Morrissey's old drummer now keeping the teenage beat for Comet Gain, and ace producer of (deep breath) Shrag, Long Blondes, Veronnica Falls, Love Is All and Help Stamp Out Loneliness, will be DJing this Sunday (14 November).

John Stanley, aka DJ Downfall, aka the bassist out of Tender Trap, is also going to take a turn dropping the bomb (quietly, natch).

Earlyish start for our live visitors on Sunday

2010-10-23T21:19:00.002+01:00

If you've read the post below this one you'll have seen that we've two very special guests playing live and unamplified on Sunday 24th - Alan Tyler and Jamie Holman.

Two things you might need or want to know:

ONE! We've had to ask them to play a little earlier than usual in order to accommodate the soundcheck for a show upstairs later in the evening. So, Jamie will be on sometime after 3, and Alan shortly after 4.

TWO! Jamie tells us that he'll be playing with David Boon, who features on Jamie's label Winterbird,which should make for an interesting listen.

See you then.

Alan Tyler / micktravis free gig! Sunday 24 October

2010-10-08T14:56:00.003+01:00

More unamplified goodness on its way at the Hangover Lounge. We're delighted to be welcoming two of our favourite songwriters of the last twenty years, all for free and without the unnecessary hindrance of all that amplification business.

ALAN TYLER! "Alan is the former Rockingbird with golden hair, golden shades and a platinum voice. He loves all kinds of music especially country and vows never to become a rock monster!" That's what is says on the back of my 12" copy of "Gradually Learning" and Alan hasn't let us down from that day to this.

micktravis! micktravis is, or includes (depending on circumstances) Jamie Holman of the excellent Tompaulin. We haven't heard from Jamie for far too long and we're excited about this one.

This will be another earlyish afternoon show - we're not quite sure of "stage" times yet but check back here or on the twitter feed or on the facebook page or any other clever modern communication tool which springs to mind nearer to the time and we'll try to let you know.

Standard Fare/Vatican Cellars/Hexicon free gig

2010-09-22T12:11:00.003+01:00

Another free acoustic gig, this Sunday, 26 September, with entertainment from Standard Fare, the Vatican Cellars and Hexicon. This one starts earlier than usual, so set the alarm for:
3:00 - 3:20 Hexicon
3:30 - 3:50 Vatican Cellars
4:00 - 4:30 Standard Fare

White Town and Allo Darlin' duet Your Woman

2010-09-17T15:36:00.004+01:00

Anyone who's ever thought, "Actually, Your Woman is a song about a woman dumping a man from a woman's point of view. I'd love to hear a woman sing it with Jyoti playing guitar," is about to get lucky. Anyone who's ever thought all that and "but what would make it absolutely perfect would be if Elizabeth out of Allo Darlin' sang it" can rip up the calendar and call today Christmas because we filmed that exact scenario during rehearsal for the recent Hangover Lounge gig.

Our friend Mike Jones held the camera steady and got the lights just right, for which we're very grateful. So much so that we bought him half a pint of bitter. It was literally the least we could do. Cheers, Mike!

Allo Darlin' answer 10 questions about The Go-Betweens

2010-09-17T15:23:00.005+01:00

"My version wouldn't be married to Nicole Kidman."

Before Elizabeth's solo show in support of the Hangover Lounge ep featuring the wondrous Tallulah, we asked her ten Go-Betweens-related questions. Fans of hard-hitting investigative journalism should probably look elsewhere; those of you who want to know who Elizabeth would recruit to form tribute band The Australian Go-Betweens have come to the right place.

The Claim: Old

2010-08-21T10:02:00.003+01:00

We were delighted when The Claim's two Davids - Read and Arnold - returned to the stage last year and happier still when they recorded their first new song in 18 years for our ep.
The other tracks on the ep are:
• Allo Darlin’ - Tallulah
• Amor de Dias – New Wine
• Hacia Dos Veranos - The Cat and the Cucumber
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• The Middle Ones - Goodnight

To buy this ep, paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (Americas) or £11 (Aus/NZ/Far East) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com.

Allo Darlin': Tallulah

2010-08-20T09:14:00.007+01:00

Allo Darlin' - in this case Elizabeth in solo mode - very kindly gave us their best song for the Hangover Lounge ep. Elizabeth said:

When Jerv asked me to write a song for this I hadn't written a song since we'd finished our album. And I promised him one. Then I hadn't written it by the time he said he needed it. So I wrote it pretty fast, one day I remember. I don't know if you've ever lived far away from where you grew up, you probably have and still do. Sometimes maybe you wish were back there, listening to the Go-Betweens and driving to the beach. This is a song about that. And every single word is true.

You can see Elizabeth play solo this Sunday at the ep launch, as well as Amor de Dias and White Town, and you can buy the ep then. Entrance is free. The first band will be on by 4pm.

Unable to make the gig? Mail order fans should paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (Americas) or £11 (Aus/NZ/Far East) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com.
The other tracks on the ep are:
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• Amor de Dias – New Wine
• Hacia Dos Veranos - The Cat and the Cucumber
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• The Claim - Old

The Middle Ones: Goodnight

2010-08-19T09:32:00.005+01:00

The Middle Ones recorded Goodnight in St John the Baptist Church, Bristol. Fact fans will want to know that "Anna wrote this song partly in her sleep".This is a quiet one, so turn it up.

The other tracks on the ep are:
• Allo Darlin’ - Tallulah
• Amor de Dias – New Wine
• Hacia Dos Veranos - The Cat and the Cucumber
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• The Claim - Old

To buy this ep, paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (Americas) or £11 (Aus/NZ/Far East) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com.

Hacia Dos Veranos: The Cat and the Cucumber

2010-08-18T09:11:00.002+01:00

Hacia Dos Veranos, Argentina’s premier purveyors of Forever Changes-style psychedelic flourish and Maurice Deebank-era Felt grandeur, have contributed a song, The Cat and the Cucumber, to the Hangover Lounge ep.

We asked songwriter Ignacio Aguilo about the song:

The Cat & Cucumber is a cafe located in Bermondsey. For a short time last winter, I lived on top of it. The cafe and the flat share drains so every time they were using the hot water at the cafe, my shower would stop completely. So I would stand there, naked, cold, soaked, waiting for the people at the cafe to stop using the water. It could be 10 seconds or 5 minutes (you never knew). So I could take the risk, stay and wait for the shower to come back soon, or get a towel and postpone my shower. In all cases, I think few times in my life I have cursed anybody or anything as much as The Cat & Cucumber. It definitively deserved a song.

The other tracks on the ep are:
• Allo Darlin’ - Tallulah
• Amor de Dias – New Wine
• The Middle Ones - Goodnight Song
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• The Claim - Old

To buy this ep, paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (Americas) or £11 (Aus/NZ/Far East) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com.

You can also download Hacia Dos Veranos’s eponymous second album for free, which features Alasdair Maclean on guest vocals and guitar. And you should. It’s a work of art.

THe Motifs: Envelopes

2010-08-17T09:35:00.005+01:00

The Motifs' beguiling pop gift had us clamouring to snag them for the Hangover Lounge ep. This acoustic version of Envelopes makes us very glad that they agreed:

We asked Motif-in-chief Alexis Hall about the song:

It is actually about envelopes. And how it's sometimes difficult to find one that fits a CDR. And how the internet is weird.

The other tracks on the ep are:
• Allo Darlin’ - Tallulah
• Hacia Dos Veranos – The Cat and the Cucumber
• The Middle Ones - Goodnight Song
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• The Claim - Old

To buy this ep, paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (Americas) or £11 (Aus/NZ/Far East) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com. Reckless in Chicago have a few copies, so Americans seeking to save on international postage visit them.

Amor de Dias: "New Wine"

2010-08-16T09:34:00.005+01:00

Amor de Dias - Alasdair Maclean of The Clientele and Lupe Nunez-Fernandez of Pipas - have released New Wine, the first fruit of their collaboration, on the Hangover Lounge's debut release, a 6-track 10" ep.

We asked Alasdair about the song.He replied:

Dear Hangover Lounge
It's just a song, not an internal combustion engine, it doesn't have an explanation.
All the best,
Alasdair Maclean

Amor de Dias are playing at the ep launch this Sunday, August 22. You can buy the record then or paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (US) or £11 (Aus/NZ) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com.

The other tracks on the ep are:
• Allo Darlin’ - Tallulah
• Hacia Dos Veranos - The Cat and the Cucumber
• The Middle Ones - Goodnight Song
• The Motifs - Envelopes
• The Claim - Old

Hangover Lounge 10" ep now available

2010-08-11T12:03:00.011+01:00

We're delighted to announce that the first release by the Hangover Lounge label, a 6-track 10” ep of exclusive acoustic recordings by acts who’ve played at the club, is out now featuring:

• Allo Darlin’ - Tallulah (this live favourite is a hymn to the wonder of The Go-Betweens and old friends)
• Amor de Dias - New Wine (Alasdair Maclean of The Clientele and Lupe Nunez-Fernandez of Pipas’s new band)
• Hacia Dos Veranos - The Cat and the Cucumber (Maurice Deebank-era Felt recreated in Argentina)
• The Middle Ones - Goodnight Song (gloriously amateur in the spirit of Melody Dog)
• The Motifs - Envelopes (deceptively simple Australian pop)
• The Claim - Old (their first new material in 18 years)

Did we mention that Pam Berry designed and printed the sleeve? No? Well, she did.

We're streaming a song from the ep each day from Monday 16 August. Of course, it's likely that you're a big fan of at least one of those bands and don't care about hearing it before you buy, in which case paypal £7 (UK) £8 (Europe) £10 (US) or £11 (Aus/NZ) to wiaiwya@hotmail.com.

Or you can buy the record at our free launch gig on August 22, starring Elizabeth Allo Darlin' rocking it solo, Amor de Dias rockin' it gently, and White Town rockin' up to join the party.

Debsey Wykes and Paul Kelly guest DJ

2010-07-19T12:43:00.004+01:00

This Sunday, July 25, Debsey Wykes (her out of Dolly Mixture!) and Paul Kelly (him out of East Village!) (the pair of them out of St Etienne!) are guesting on the decks. There'll be Dolly Mixture box sets on sale, so purchasers can save on the postage fees. See you there.

Rozi Plain live footage

2010-07-13T11:57:00.002+01:00

Here's footage we shot of Rozi Plain behind closed doors before her recent Hangover Lounge gig. We did dim the lights and provide her with a chair for the actual performance.

Bobby Moore: Bob Stanely and Monster Bobby this week

2010-07-08T11:55:00.006+01:00

Bob Stanley returns to captain the Hangover Lounge decks this Sunday AND Monster Bobby from the Pippettes is bringing his 'A Little Orchestra' ("a small chamber orchestra in the classical style, of indeterminate size and instrumentation, taking inspiration from such groups as Steve Reich and Musicians, The Portsmouth Sinfonia, the Scratch Orchestra, the Minneapolis Pops Orchestra and the Fluxus movement") to play some soothing sounds live.

The World Cup Final will be shown live on the big screen after you've feasted on the many musical pleasures.

NB: the flyer does not show Bob Stanley, Bobby Moore or Monster Bobby, but does feature, I am reliably assured, an actual footballer relaxing with a nerve-settling pre-match beverage.

Tracks of my tears

2010-07-02T09:07:00.004+01:00

Last Sunday we watched the England match at the Lexington - turns out it's a pretty good place to watch the football, although there was some kind of witchy magic going on where the screen cut out from time to time, and when it came back on, England had lost the ball. Hmmm...

It fell to me to play some records immediately after the game, and my set took on an impromptu theme. I'm not much of a one for themed sets but I thought I'd share this one with you - partly for the fun, and partly to remind you to look out for the Hangover Lounge World Cup Final Day party. Also, I was quite pleased with it!

Anyway, here goes:

Dry Your Eyes - The Streets
Tracks of My Tears - Linda Ronstadt
I Just Can't Help Believing - Ronnie Milsap
You're Going To Wake Up Wiser - Bettye LaVette
$1000 Wedding - Gram Parsons ("supposed to be a funeral if you're gonna act that way...")
You Brought It All On Yourself - Tommie Young
Drink Wine - The Techniques
She Don't Have To See You (To See Through You) - Bobby Patterson
I'm Not a Patriot, But - McCarthy
Busy Doing Nothing - The Beach Boys
The Same Mistakes - Vic Godard
Parlez-vous Anglais? - Katerine
Bitter Club - Pipas
Going Home To Georgia - Johnny Gilliam
Goin' Back - Dusty Springfield
Sweetest In The Land - Whalebone Polly
Man Out Of Time - Elvis Costello and the Attractions
I Never Did Like Planes - Robbie Fulks
Cry Your Love Away - Adventures In Stereo
Such Is Life - Lord Creator
I Left Some Dreams Back There - Freda Payne
Ain't That Always The Way - Paul Quinn
All Goin' Down Together - Hues Corporation
I Will Drink The Wine - Frank Sinatra

Budget Busting Food and Booze

2010-06-30T15:19:00.003+01:00

This Sunday - 4th Of July Special!
Hot dogs only £5 and Blue Moon 2 for 1 all day!

Deal Two: 10% Discount Card!
From the 1st of July the 10% discount card will be back in action! If you don't have a discount card you need to sign up to the Lexington's mailing list. If you're already on it sign up again at the bar, get your card and use it right away - don't worry you won't get two mail-outs!

Dinosaur Planet takes over the Hangover Lounge

2010-06-29T13:34:00.008+01:00

This Sunday, July 4, MJ Hibbett's Dinosaur Planet is back - new and improved - at the Hangover Lounge for a free preview before they conquer Edinburgh Festival. The famously publicity-shy MJ broke his silence to talk about Dinosaur Planet.

Hello!
Good afternoon! Alternatively, good morning.

Didn’t you do Dinosaur Planet last year?
Yes, very much so. I always wanted to do it as a Gigantic Full-Cast Rock Opera but couldn't work out a way to do that on my own, so last year instead of acting things out I stood and told the story of what WOULD happen in a Gigantic Full-Cast Rock Opera.

THIS year I realised that a way to do a Gigantic Full-Cast Rock Opera would be to get a) a cast b) some costumes. The name of the full-cast is Mr Steven Hewitt, we have bought various HATS and we are ready to ROCK!

(I've also written a batch of new songs, delicately crafted Proper Dialogue, and we've abandoned a cunning scheme to introduce the world's first ever 2D Spectacles to the live theatre. That'll have to wait until another time.)

Hmm. We have never seen this Steve Hewitt in the same photograph as Slipknot bassist Paul Gray. Can you assure our hungover clientele that Mr Gray didn’t fake his own death so he could don a new mask and join you in taking over the world?
I'm PRETTY sure they're not one and the same - Steve is a LOT more rock and roll than any member of Slipknot could HOPE to be - although, now you mention it, he DOES wear a mask in the show. I'll keep an eye on him.

As your worldwide smash Hey Hey 16K might be more popular with computer programmers – men, who don’t know any gurls - is this Hewitt something for all the laydeez in the house?
Absolutely. Last year he patrolled the Royal Mile dressed as a space dinosaur and, as you can see from this video footage, ladies of all genders were soon throwing off their clothes.

Some would say he was just using the disguise as an excuse to go and talk to GURLS. This, of course, would be RIDICULOUS.

We’re trying to improve our SEO. Can you compare your musical extravaganza to the SEX GANG CHILDREN?
We are very much like SEX GANG CHILDREN, not least because most people would have to look us up on Wikipedia (hem hem) to see who on earth we are. Also I believe "Dinosaur Planet" was an early name for Bow Wow Wow, Culture Club, which is a nice coincidence, as well as, of course, Will Young.

I'd like to help out further, but I have a NAKED LESBIAN KYLIE hankering after some FREE DOWNLOADS which is taking up a heckload of time.

It’s theatre sandals again this year. Will you start a trend?
In this new world of Theatre and Musicals I am very MUCH a tourist on brief sabbatical from the sunny uplands of ROCK, so am doing my best to blend in. I'm encouraging Steve to do HIS bit sporting a cravat and indulging in a wave of homosexual affairs, it's the LEAST he can do.

Festival goers can see Dinosaur Planet at The GRV, 37 Guthrie Street, Edinburgh 5-14 August.

Tender Trap shoot video at the Lounge

2010-06-15T13:05:00.004+01:00

Tender Trap filmed much of the video for their new single Do You Want A Boyfriend? at London's Trendy Hangover Lounge^TM. You will see HL hearthrob John "Form An Orderly Queue, Laydeez" Jervis turn down the wanton advances of songstrel Amelia Fletcher from the 15 second mark. To be fair, she probably misread his "Shrag" t-shirt, but you can't blame the girl for trying. She's only human.

The first Denim interview

2010-06-05T08:54:00.006+01:00

"Driving a Mercedes out of the factory gates, that's what Denim's about."
A little something in anticipation of the Felt fanzine launch tomorrow. From Melody Maker, January 19, 1991.

Felt fanzine launch

2010-05-28T11:08:00.004+01:00

Foxtrot Echo Lima Tango, a 150-page spectacular devoted to the godlike genius of Felt featuring essays, photos, reminiscences and ephemera, is being launched at the Hangover Lounge on June 6. Felt alumnus Phil King is our guest DJ for the event.

All The People I Like Are Those That Are Dead, Birmingham Burberries, 19 December 1989

Badges

2010-05-24T12:11:00.002+01:00

London's Trendy Hangover Lounge^TM's latest marketing advance is badges in two classy designs. They're free to all punters every Sunday (while stocks last). We appreciate that these badges will become the must-have hipster item this season, so there's an opportunity for one UK resident who doesn't live in London (cos otherwise you could just come along one Sunday and get your badges) to win a set of Hangover Lounge badges. Leave a message and we'll be in contact about posting you the goodies.

Hacia Dos Veranos filmed at the Lounge

2010-05-19T16:25:00.003+01:00

We filmed Hacia Dos Veranos behind closed doors before their recent Hangover Lounge gig. Pretty good, no?

Bob Collins interview

2010-04-30T17:22:00.009+01:00

We interviewed our recent live guest Bob Collins of The Dentists.

There are more interviews and live recordings of Hangover Lounge guests coming soon. Watch this space!

David Tattersall, Pictish Trail, Rozi Plain free gig

2010-04-13T15:31:00.009+01:00

This Sunday, April 18, we're excited to be welcoming a great bill for your delectation:

David Tattersall branches out from The Wave Pictures with his debut solo album - download the bittersweet bedsit pop of title track Happy For A While;

Rozi Plain, Bristolian folk chanteuse whose spectral shanties are no stranger to the HL decks; and

the Pictish Trail, the nom de electro-folk of Fence Records' Johnny Lynch.

Black Tambourine album launch

2010-03-29T12:15:00.003+01:00

Black Tambourine’s Pam Berry is on the decks this week to mark the release of her band’s eponymous retrospective – a sort of complete Complete Recordings.

There’ll be chances to win copies of the album, as well as Black Tambourine posters and badges. Songs from the album will be played during the day, as well as the usual mix of classic comedowns.

Read more about the Black Tambourine record (and buy one, unless you win one on Sunday…).

SWIIIIISH!

2010-03-16T12:41:00.002Z

Upstairs at the Lounge on Sunday we are delighted to see a Swishing session taking place. Here's what Meg, the organiser, has to say about it:

"Swishing! The latest craze sweeping the country is ethical, eco-fabulous, social and fun! It's a way for you to exchange your clothes and accessories with other like-minded souls.

FREE ENTRY
Please bring 1-5 items in good condition & you can take home up to 5 items. What could be simpler?

MEN'S & WOMEN'S ITEMS PLEASE

Drop-off clothes or accessories 2pm-3pm

3pm is SWISH O'CLOCK!"

As far as the Hangover Lounge is concerned, we'll be running our regular 2pm-7pm slurping session, featuring our excellent friend Robster guesting on the decks. See you there.

Child-friendly Guidelines

2010-03-16T11:18:00.006Z

We're delighted that many of our guests choose to bring their lovely kids to the Hangover Lounge for a relaxing afternoon. However, Islington Council have suggested we remind patrons that The Lexington shouldn't be used "like a playground".

We'd love to continue the tradition of punters bringing their children to Sunday's friendly environment, where they're welcome until 7pm. As the venue has hot food/glass/occasionally tipsy adults, there are a few house rules we'd like observed to ensure everyone can enjoy a chilled out afternoon:

If your kids are getting a little overheated, please ask them to simmer down;
Supervise children at all times; and
Prevent them from running about the pub.

Thanks for heeding these guidelines and we look forward to seeing you and your great kids at the Hangover Lounge again.

March 14 Gig Spectacular

2010-02-19T16:06:00.002Z

Starring:
Chris Wilson of the Flamin' Groovies
Bob Collins and Mark Matthews of The Dentists
Hacia dos Veranos

I know! We can hardly believe it either. What a line-up. And it's all free. Start counting down the days...

If you haven't already, you'll surely want to buy tickets for the first Dentists gig in 15 years, and the first with the original line-up since 1986, at Dingwalls on March 25, which also features The Claim, one of the all-time greats.

Scrabble Downfall Sunday Special

2010-02-18T20:32:00.004Z

Hey! You know sometimes you just get to that place where you're thinking "well, I wonder what DJ Downfall, ace DJ John Downfall, monophone touting man of indiedancepop mystery and eponymous bon viveur is up to this Sunday? I wish I could be doing that too!" I know I do, now and again.

It's a problem which needn't worry you this weekend. DJ Downfall will be guesting at the Hangover Lounge. It'll be awesome. Also it's SCRABBLE SUNDAY again, which means that you might get to challenge "Deej" to exchange his customary poker chips for scrabble tiles. Be warned though: he's good.

Freaky Trigger Valentaine's Day special Lounge

2010-02-09T11:39:00.003Z

On Sunday - that's VALENTINE'S DAY, dudes, a selection of our chums from the excellent Freaky Trigger website will be guesting on the decks, no doubt bringing a skewed pop angle to our usual mixture of the slow and the soothing. It promises to be a good deal of fun. See you on Sunday, we hope!

Middle Ones live

2010-01-29T10:58:00.001Z

The Middle Ones delighted everyone at the Hangover Lounge last Sunday. Re-live your experience or see what you missed out on with this footage of them playing Young Explorer:

Darren Hayman guest-DJs on Sunday 31st January

2010-01-27T15:51:00.004Z

If you use one of the variously shonky calendars which sit on the right-hand side of this site you will already be familiar with the fact that Darren Hayman is to be our guest at this Sunday's Lounge. I can think of no better way to see out the last day of the first month of 2010, especially since last time I saw Darren he was talking about how much reggae he'd been listening to lately. I'm hoping for a nicely bass-heavy guest spot.

The only way you're going to have more Hayman-related fun this weekend is to get a TRAIN to Honiton (it's in Devon, dear) then a BUS towards Sidmouth, telling the bus driver to let you know when you've got to Exeter Cross. Get off there and WALK the few hundred yards to Woolbrook. Just past the Balfour, you'll see Hayman's butchers, where they sell world-renowned PORK BRAWN. Pork brawn is what you get when you boil a pig's head and it's delicious. Just ask Rick Stein, who named them amongst his food heroes for their brawn.

Pig's head or Darren's tunes. You decide.

See you on Sunday.

Name That Tune: Drink Wine by The Techniques

2010-01-12T19:45:00.002Z

Synergy, my friends. Leveraging multiple platforms. Really driving the value from your diversified range of products.

What? Duke Reid. He knew, don't argue. Hard man ex-cop, off-license owner, sound system operator. Also: record producer; largely undisputed king of the rocksteady sound which blew into Jamaica in the 67 / 68 season. Trojan was the sound (the British label inherited the name), Treasure Isle was the label, Treasure Isle was the booze shop.

The result: this beautiful slice of rocksteady, one of my very favourites (and not just because I find the message in the music so sympathetic, or just because of the funky pirate's groovy 'tache on the label).

Come to the dance. Buy lots of booze. Drink same. Not too rowdy, now. I know you'll control yourselves and you'll be... real cool.

Record Fair Upstairs at the Lexington

2010-01-05T10:28:00.004Z

Double your pleasure at the Hangover Lounge on Sunday January 17 by digging through the crates and scoring some bargains at the King's Cross Record Fair, which will be held upstairs at the Lexington.

Stallholders will be selling punk, pop, indie, new wave, power-pop, soul, Northern, psych, reggae, 60s, 70s, 80s & 90s records, t-shirts and memorabilia. Phew!

Name That Tune: Tonight by Sibylle Baier

2010-01-01T16:16:00.008Z

Sibylle Baier…put songs in a bottle and kissed them goodbye, not knowing that one day the bottle would drift back, carrying the dreams and emotions of youth, to be picked up by an audience far larger and more appreciative than the one that greeted the music at its inception.
Robert Forster

The hushed melancholy of Sibylle Baier’s one album, Colour Green, recorded between 1970 and 1973 in her native Germany bears comparison to the best of folk’s buried treasures that have been dug up and lauded in the past decade.

In Baier’s case, her reel-to-reel recordings were mostly unreleased and their full issue in 2006 revealed an exceptional talent for hauting atmospherics and alluring homespun melodies.

Happy Christmas, happy between-Christmas-and-New-Year

2009-12-23T23:00:00.002Z

Here's hoping you have a tremendous Christmas, and there's hoping we see you at the Lounge this coming Sunday (27th) where we'll be recovering in our usual relaxed fashion, 2 'til 7.

Is there a name for the period between Christmas and New Year? The lack of an obvious one makes life very difficult for those of us who like to supply rubbishy puns or (failing that) alliterative names for the kind of events which might take place on the 27th of December. It's too bad. I'm off for a drink.

Name That Tune: Make This Young Lady Mine

2009-12-16T14:13:00.002Z

“What’s that song that De La Soul sampled?”

That, thanks for asking, was Make This Young Lady Mine by The Mad Lads, whose striking guitar riff was sampled by De La Soul for Eye Know. At least one other DJ of this parish might prefer Steely Dan’s Peg, which was also sampled for Eye Know, but The Mad Lads’ 1968 Stax single is solid gold soul.

There’s no youtube stream of this song, but it’s on Impressed! 24 groups inspired by the legendary Curtis Mayfield and The Impressions, one of the very best Kent CD compilations. I’d urge anyone interested in classic soul to buy it.

Strictly speaking, The Mad Lads’ work up until about 1966 owed more to Mayfield’s legacy of group soul harmonisation than Make This Young Lady Mine does, and I expect Booker T, the song’s co-writer, might see the blend of gospel and pop-funk as very clearly stamped with his hallmark, but no matter; this is one of the unheralded greats of soul’s classic age.

Christmas Opening Hours

2009-12-16T14:09:00.002Z

All reliable predictions are for a hangover on Sunday December 27. Worry not, as the Hangover Lounge will be open from 2pm offering a variety of tunes to salve the mind and soothe the soul.

There'll always be booze to drink and people to chat to, which years of dedicated research by our resident DJs proves works just fine.

Clientele and Cavalcade live this Sunday - FREE!

2009-12-01T18:13:00.002Z

Two great bands, one great relaxing club and no entrance fee. This Sunday, December 6, we're delighted to host one of our long-time favourites, The Clientele, and one of the UK's most exciting prospects, The Cavalcade.

We open our doors at 2pm for drinks and soothing tunes; the live music will start by 3pm.

Time Out's Best Sunday Lunches

2009-11-26T14:13:00.002Z

The Lexington earns its place as one of the best places to eat Sunday lunch in a Time Out feature.

They describe the Hangover Lounge as "a day-after session with soothing indie music and fortifying drinks", which is sort of right as most of the soul and reggae we play was issued on indies.

The Lexington's kitchen is currently closed - it'll re-open soon with similar American-themed food, only the prices will be lower - but in the meantime you can buy pizza from the excellent Basilico across the road and bring it in to the pub.

Gig times 15 November

2009-11-12T14:17:00.004Z

Stage times are a little earlier than usual this Sunday, so get to the Lexington early for your free acoustic treats:

Birdie: 3.20 EDIT: just to be on the safe side, turn up at 3pm as times may be brought forward.

Peter and Jessica of the Would-Be-Goods: 3.45

Gregory Webster: 4.20

Chickfactor Special featuring Would-Be-Goods and Gregory Webster and Birdie live

2009-11-03T12:29:00.010Z

We're delighted to welcome back the Chickfactor ladies to the Hangover Lounge decks on November 15. Gregory Webster returns to the Lounge's live forum in support of his Promised Land single, a splendid 12-string trip through 1966 via the pop perfection of the Razorcuts' 1987 ep I Heard You The First Time. After much cajoling, browbeating and haranguing, we've managed to persuade The Would-Be-Goods to play live as well. I know that's enough, but just so you're really spoiled, Birdie have kindly agreed to grace the stage for the first time in years. Result! What are you waiting for? November 15, obviously.

Sunday: it's all happening, and it's all happening!

2009-10-21T22:55:00.005+01:00

It's quite literally all sorts of excitement. Actually it's a subset of all sorts of excitement, that subset which is conducive to pleasingly gentle Sunday afternoons. It's some sorts of excitement.

Anyway, the point is that we have more, and more of the good stuff coming up this Sunday... we have our Colour Me Pop friends coming along to treat us to their relaxed indiepop tunes, AND we have a Jumble Sale upstairs, or to give it its proper name the New To You Craft and Vintage Harvest Festival Fayre! New To You is hosted by Travis and Emily, and promises to offer vintage clothing, records, books, dvds, cakes, and everything else you'd want on a Sunday afternoon. Except booze. But handily that's downstairs!

What's more, to accommodate all of this good we are craftily deploying the slightly earlier start time of 1pm. We'll be playing our usual mix of high quality low volume tunes downstairs, and upstairs will be New To You, until 4:30... then you can re-join the Hangover Lounge downstairs, showing off your new stuff, over a bloody mary or two... splendid.

Name That Tune: B C Camplight: Couldn't You Tell?

2009-10-21T22:16:00.002+01:00

It came on a recommendation from a ludicrously clued-in friend and it's one of those records that I'm sure I'm going to like within 10 seconds: smooth bossafied intro followed by a nice squelch of some kind of synthesiser. All that can go wrong now is for some whiny or whispery of shouty dumb vocalist to come and foul things up.

Not this time. "Couldn't You Tell" glories in the smoothest of voices - let's call him BC - telling you straight up that he's not to be trusted, under any circumstances. Meanwhile the Camplight rollick along in a pleasingly hangover-friendly way. Which is not very rollicky, I grant you. But it does seem to be the groove it hits towards the end that gets people asking what it is. It's "Couldn't You Tell" by BC Camplight. I think it's great.

Scrabble Sunday and Piney Gir DJs

2009-10-13T15:07:00.004+01:00

This Sunday (18 October) we are thrilled to have Piney Gir coming along to play some records, as well as our regular third Sunday of the month Scrabble club... it'll be an extraordinarily relaxing afternoon...

As usual, we start at 2, and play records at a relaxed volume, while you enjoy the papers, the conversation, the roasts, the bloody marys, and whatever else it is you might care to enjoy.

The Claim and Amor de Dias FREE GIG

2009-10-07T11:09:00.009+01:00

A pared-down Claim featuring the Davids Read and Arnold are performing acoutiscally this Sunday. They'll be taking the stage at around 5pm. Amor de Dias will be playing either before or after that. They like to keep us guessing.

The Hangover Lounge's artist-in-chief has left the country for tax reasons, so the flyer has been botched by yours truly. Oh well. But it's the music that counts, right? And the beer. See you Sunday.

For those of you who missed The Claim's rivetting peformance in Rochester last month, there's footage below, which includes an exciting shot of the birthday boy frugging gently at the 2min mark.

This Sunday's going to be a corker

2009-10-06T23:32:00.003+01:00

I have to be honest: one of the reasons I'm particularly looking forward to this Sunday's Hangover Lounge is because it's doubling as my birthday celebration. And I'm celebrating a Big Birthday, one with a zero. I know it's hard to believe I'm 20 already, but there you are.

That's not all though. We are looking forward to hearing free acoustical sets from Amor de Dias (you know full well it's Lupe from Pipas and Al from the Clientele, two of my favourite groups of the last decade) and the Two Davids from The Claim, absolutely my favourite group of the decade before that. Here's the apropriately-named "Sunday": I love it.

You may have seen us advertise an appearance from Greg Webster, too - we're still hoping to see Greg play but (I have to be honest) we're not certain he is going to be able to make it. We'll see.

There is the vague possibility that I might have a drink or two, too. Purely medicinal, you understand. hair of the dog. That kind of thing. See you there, I hope.

Name That Tune: L'accord Parfait by Autour de Lucie

2009-09-18T09:52:00.001+01:00

L’accord Parfait is a wistful song with such a great melodic punch that it should have gone down in pop folklore. I can tell you that it’s from their 1994 debut album L'Échappée belle, which was produced in part by Michael Head, but not what it’s about, although listening to it is more fun than waving a dog's head on a stick at your mother.

In the interests of research, I should’ve played their follow-up album, Immobile, but some vague memory told me not to bother with it again. I don’t have any more of their records. It would be unfair to describe any band who can write such a magical desert island disc as L’accord Parfait as “average” – even though that’s what most of their songs are – because no average band ever wrote a song this good.

Name That Tune #3: Gal Costa - "Baby"

2009-08-28T08:58:00.005+01:00

Today I've been thinking about that old " right NOW it's the greatest record ever made!" feeling - that sense that you're listening to the single most inspiring passage of sound ever passed from recording technology to human ear. It's familiar to most people with any kind of emotional investment in music, especially (it seems) the blogging non-community and a big part of the thrill is that you know it can't possibly be true even as it feels undeniable.

Mmmmm. Anyway.

The record which will most reliably give me that feeling is "Baby" by Gal Costa. Someone usually asks me about it if I play it at the Lounge and this Sunday was no exception, apart from the fact that two people asked me about it. Look, here it is:

Part of my continuing love and amazement about this record is, I suppose, that I don't know much about Brazilian pop, so it seems like it has beamed in from another (better) world. That also means I'm not going to burden you with lots of facts and/or trivia, but I do have four things to point out:

1. the way those strings swell around the thirty seconds mark! From that moment on you know you're in the presence of something special.
2. the way the reverb which surrounds Gal's voice all the way through completely drops off for a line or two around 1:30 is mysterious and oddly beautiful: for just a moment, she's right there next to you before spiriting off back into the world of reverb. (Apropos of nothing, I am reminded that I was once with the band The Clientele in Spain, which is the best possible way to find out that the Spanish pronounce "reverb" as "reberv". And apropos of that, and this, go and see Amor De Dias play with Damon and Naomi in early September in London and Manchester, do.)
3. "Diana" - what?
4. Gal's been going for forty years or more now and she has returned to this song several times, and cut some radically different versions, including one English language version which stomps rather hard on the mysterious poetry I imagine the Portuguese version brings. So on the off-chance that you were rushing out to buy yourself a copy of this, this one (from season '68/'69 I think) is The One. Right now, The Greatest Record Ever Made.

Dinosaur Planet Sunday 23 August

2009-08-18T11:20:00.009+01:00

It is beyond doubt (at least among those who KNOW) that the number one highlight of this year's Edinburgh Fringe was the marvel which is Friend of the Lounge MJ Hibbett's brilliant Dinosaur Planet. You can see the trailer up there. And a review here.

We are delighted to say that MJ, having secured success in Scotland, is heading to the Hangover Lounge on Sunday for a victory lap. Entrance is FREE. He'll be on at about 5pm but you might want to come along earlier to delight in the HALF PRICE FOOD! And! In addition to the gently rockin' smooth sounds of the Lounge regulars, this week we'll be enjoying the pick'n'mix provided by friend of the stars and all-round grumpy good guy Steve Edmond. Come down, and come down.