Good things this Sunday

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

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

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

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.

More Video Goodies

Anyone with any sense will be out tonight watching Louis Philippe charming the pants off the Betsey, but for those of you with a good excuse (like, I dunno, you live on a different continent, or somesuch) here are some video treats from Sunday's glorious show(s):

UP FIRST: Mr Wright



NEXT: Amor de Dias:



If that's not enough for you, here's that same Amor de Dias song, as filmed and shared by friend of the Lounge, String Bean Jen, this time a little louder and in appropriately moody black and white:



Aren't you glad you were there? Or, don't you wish you'd been there?

Also, this may be my opportunity to recommend the novel Little Apple by the marvellous Leo Perutz - I reckon its title pops up in AdD's song.

Louis Philippe live

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

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.