Val Phoenix

Approaching The Unfamiliar: Stewart Lee On John Cage’s Indeterminacy

Ahead of a clutch of performances, Stewart Lee talks about the overlaps between comedy and avant garde music

Own Brand Mysticism: An Interview With Peaking Lights

Not Not Fun/Weird World signed duo Peaking Lights released one of the most talked-about underground albums of last year in their dubby pop record 936. Huw Nesbitt speaks to them about the origins of the band, numerology and the internet

Complete Communion: April’s Jazz Reviewed By Stewart Smith

Stewart Smith reviews the highlights of this month's jazz including offerings from Fire! Orchestra, Jamal Moss, Peter Brötzmann and Heather Leigh

Rockfort! French Music For June Reviewed By David McKenna

David McKenna flags up some French compilations released in response to the Covid-19 crisis and reviews new music from Felicia Atkinson, Franco-Senegalese rapper Zuukou Mayzie and the final album from Black Devil Disco Club

Encoding The Ineffable: The Ephemeron Loop Interviewed

Vymethoxy Redspiders, aka Urocerus Gigas of Guttersnipe, has recorded what will probably become the year's most striking album, Psychonautic Escapism. Mariam Rezaei talks to her about a "synaesthetic acid bath" of grind, trance, hyperpop, shoegaze and breakcore

Down By La Jetée: Lee Rourke Interviewed

Tim Burrows heads down to the coast to meet with author Lee Rourke and discuss his latest novel, Vulgar Things, the ways in which we filter the world and the strange allure and twin personalities of Southend and Canvey Island.

Bakers Dozen: Alex Paterson Of The Orb Chooses His Favourite 13 Albums

Dr Alex Paterson of The Orb has fine taste in music indeed. Here he talks us through his favourite 13 albums...

The Magnetic North

Orkney Symphony Of The Magnetic North

Never Without Music: Love In The Time Of Corona

As lockdown continues, can violinist Daniel Hope and playwright Robert Wilson help Wyndham Wallace find meaning in music?

Adrian Sherwood Unveils First New Solo Music in 13 Years

The dub producer will release new EP The Grand Designer next month

Claire Rousay & More Eaze

Never Stop Texting Me

Texas-based power duo pitched up their voices, added ear-catching guitar melodies, and invented a hyperpop emo band, finds Miloš Hroch. 

Hyperspecific: 2018’s Best Electronic Music

Christian Eede's final Hyperspecific column of 2018 sees him offer up an unordered, non-exhaustive round up some of the year's best electronic music, featuring rave music from Eris Drew (pictured), kick drum-less techno from Barker and dancehall mutations from Simo Cell and Low Jack

The Glorious Exclamation Mark: Carla Bley Interviewed

Carla Bley is arguably the greatest living jazz composer; John Doran talks to the woman fellow musicians have nicknamed 'Countess Bleysie' and 'Bleythoven' about foundational free jazz sessions, the magic of The Liberation Music Orchestra and her epic jazz opera, Escalator Over The Hill. Home page photograph courtesy of Tod Papageorge

Sense Of Emergency: Gwenno Interviewed

With her new album Y Dydd Olaf out this week, Aug Stone chats to the Welsh avant-pop singer about revolution, culture and "electro-pop feminism"

Why Cliff Richard Is The Epitome And Saviour Of Rock & Roll

Forget Liam Gallagher, Richard Ashcroft or Paul Weller - Sir Cliff is the best rock star we have, says John 'We Don't Talk Any More' Doran

That’s The Spirit! Natasha Khan Of Bat For Lashes Interviewed

John Freeman finds out how her stunning new Bat For Lashes album, The Haunted Man, finally allowed Natasha Khan to strip away her ghosts