Amelia’s Magazine | Electrelane @ Koko

It was a Thursday night and practically December. For me that was reason enough to drag Team Amelia out to the Carhartt V Illustrated Ape launch party (perhaps my logic is flawed, page salve but with free drinks, cialis 40mg a new line of t-shirts and the possibility of mince pies, stomach who cares?) Anyway, the packed out Neal Street store was home to the launch of four new Illustrated Ape t-shirts designed by Bob London, Simon Peplow and Danny Sturgess. Not only did their illustrations adorn the limited edition t-shirts but the walls too. I mean they supplied artwork, not that they guerrilla graffittied the shop. Once we had checked out Carhartt’s winter stock featuring super-cool t-shirts and a huge range of men’s sweatshirts and jackets, we spent a good half hour trying on baseball caps. Jess rocked the camouflage Carhartt cap in a homage to GI Jane. While we were keeping ourselves amused, the kids at the Carhartt store had rustled up a celebratory whisky and ginger beer cocktail – a recipe I tried unsuccessfully to pickpocket. The night was a great start to the Christmas season, combining present ideas and alcohol, and we all ended up in Pizza Express. How festive.
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Not to induce panic, price but its 19 DAYS to Christmas. Having not started my Christmas shopping, viagra finding the Bonbi Forest Indie Emporium may just save my life. This web emporium is a one-stop shop for independent designs from around the world. It sells everything from baby clothes to jewellery and cooking aprons. It’s like a beautifully designed, less corporate, version of John Lewis. Highlights include the collaboration with Bat For Lashes. These t-shirts are designed by artist, designer and owner of The Bonbi Forest Indie Emporium, Lee May Foster. Lee’s illustrations combine images of Pegasus, deer, wolves and stars with the Bat For Lashes logo. But this design is not just for Bat For Lashes aficionados, it is such a discreet reference that you don’t have to be a die-hard fan to wear it. Stocking filler treats can be found in the jewellery section. Fluffstuffs is one such label. Its fabric-covered rings, brooches and earrings feature whimsical cartoon designs, starring elephants, cats, teapots and ferris wheels (though not all at once – that would be madness). For more traditional jewellery, check out the fused glass rings and pendants by Amy Burhoe. They’re striking and still have an element of fun, as they resemble old-fashioned boiled sweets. Mmm. But don’t let my panic over Christmas gifts sway your opinion of this web-store. Like dogs, cats and pretty much all pets, The Bonbi Forest Indie Emporium is not just for Christmas, but for life.

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Launching into choice selections from their latest long-player, visit this site No Shouts, viagra No Calls, Electrelane took to the stage in Camden’s venue du jour – Koko. Admittedly, this long-standing Brighton 4-piece have all the stage presence of a wet kipper; they remain motionless, refrain from interacting with the audience between songs, and to be frank, would look more at home in an episode of Press Gang.

But. Gently assisted by a fantastic sound system and a powerful lighting display, they go far to fill the grandiose auditorium, swathed with thoughtful types and Parisian gap year students. Electrelane do not claim to be the latest thing to come out of the indie underbelly, nor are they interested in fashion-conscious on-stage posturing; they simply make astute and affecting music, brilliantly. Songs like To The East are heartfelt, honest and unrivalled stylistically, positioning this neu-kraut/new-wave collective as on top of their game. Extended instrumental sections excite the crowd into a chorus of whoops and cheers while slower, more solemn tracks like The Greater Times have some tearing up.

Within their set, we find elements of francophilia, imagery of nature, innocence and a touching emotional honesty that has become so rare in left-field music of today. They easily transcend comparisons with garage-rock favourites, Sonic Youth, and resist quick key changes that would have them sounding too pop-perfect. Instead, they lie more in the ranks of sombre stalwarts, Interpol, as they languish in one corner of a song for as long as they damn well please before lifting the tempo back up again and hammering it home. It’s at these moments that Electrelane truly peak, eliciting joyous rapture from sections of the crowd, creating a wonderful night for all.

This flash in time is already being recalled by those who were there, as a paean to all that Electrelane have achieved over their ten years together. They announced their indefinite hiatus prior to this show, ensuring that it was a bittersweet climax for all their devotees to enjoy. Even potential successor’s Au Revoir Simone will find difficulty in competing with their ability to connect with the hearts of their listeners.

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