***PANDORA'S BOX*** 29/10

HELLO! from Pandora's Box! A huge thanks to all who listened and emailed in last night, as promised here is our track listing from the show....

1. And Together (Midnight Conspiracy mix) - Innerpartysystem
2. Boom shake the room (Kanji Kinetic remix) - Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
3. Get Better - Da le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
4. Hudson Mohawke - FUSE
5. Hold You (Shy FX and Benny Page Digital Soundboy edit)- Gyptian
6. Perro Loco (Solo remix) - Forro in the Dark
7. The Sun (Midland re-edit) - Caribou
8. Too Fast (Zombie Disco Squad Remix) - Jamtech Foundation
9. Show Me (Skream Remix) - Von D. feat Phe Phe
10. Gas Fiend - Mckenzie

Enjoy......

HIT THE ODE@ The Victoria

The 25th of November 2010, it's probably going to be cold, dark and perhaps damp but now thanks to the opening night of 'Hit the Ode' it promises to be rather special.

Brought to you by Apples & Snakes, "Hit the Ode" is a new spoken word night bringing the absolute best poets from the West Midlands, the rest of the UK, and the world to The Victoria in Birmingham. If you love poetry, you already know this is not to be missed. If you think poetry is boring, come and experience this heady mix of comedy, drama, wordplay and emotion, then tell us that you haven't changed your mind!

This inaugural edition brings together three amazing poets (and one musician): here's a rare chance to see Birmingham's Kim Trusty, Manchester's Tony Walsh, Canada's Ian Keteku (reigning poetry slam world champion) and ukulele maestro Brad Morden rock the stage together.

Note: if you write and perform poetry yourself - there will be a (very) few open mic slots available, so get there early on the day to sign up!

For more information: bohdan@applesandsnakes.org

Here is the line-up:

Kim Trusty - a Birmingham-based poet from beyond the Atlantic, Kim entices audiences with her on-stage charisma and masterful wordplay. Kim has toured England with the spoken word shows Word Temple and Temptation, and has appeared as a guest artist at many venues nationwide, including the Southbank Centre, Soho Theatre, Ways with Words Festival, Latitude Festival, and the Big Chill.

Tony Walsh - a true giant of the Manchester scene, Tony Walsh takes audiences on a rock and rollercoaster ride from comedy to tragedy, from the deadly serious to the seriously deadly. Tony has shared a stage with many top UK and international performance poets and has been published in magazines and anthologies alongside works from Simon Armitage, Benjamin Zephaniah, Roger McGough and Adrian Mitchell.

Ian Keteku & Brad Morden - straight from Canada comes poet & MC Ian Keteku, the reigning poetry slam World Champion! Ian uses his voice to speak for the voiceless, and inspire messages of critical thought. He has shared the stage with artists such as Ursula Rucker, members of the Wu Tang Clan, and Saul Williams.

Ian is joined on his European tour by his compatriot, Brad Morden, a ukulele-wielding bard whose musical and poetic travels have taken him from Sarajevo to Little Corn Island in the Caribbean.

So tootle on down The Victoria for 7.00 pm and bring a fiver for entry and you shall be entertained by some of the most electrifying and innovative spoken word poetry by some of the best performers from around the corner - and around the world.

After 2 years producing Mckenzie has only recently found the genre that he's loving best and it sure is deep, dark and techy! His main influences are the likes of Alix Perez Rockwell, S.P.Y and Sabre, who are currently keeping the drum and bass scene alive in his eyes! The deep rolling baselines and heavy percussive elements sprinkled with a handful of glitches are surely a recipe to get the crowds grooving! Steering well away from what could be considered the generic sounds of dance floor dnb and the 'aggy" vibes of the jump up scene that Birmingham loves Mckenzie is looking to bring a bit of the sound that is tearing up dances down in London at nights like Renegade Hardware. Mckenzie has started a new co-lab with the winner of Birmingham's Valve competition, Luke Mcgovern aka Yumbolt under the alias Black and White, there working in the studio now and have sets lined up this year in Birmingham and Bristol so watch this space!

AUDIO-FREq

Gas Fiend by Mckenzie

Sunchase - Moulded (Mckenzie Remix) by Mckenzie

AUDIO-FREq interview Dan le Sac & Scroobius Pip!!!!

Hello hello hello!

AUDIO-FREq are so excited we are positively wetting ourselves this week! The reason: our exclusive interview with Dan le Sac & Scroobius Pip!

We met the ground-breaking musical duo a couple of weeks ago before their Birmingham date on their ongoing UK tour. They invited us to interview them pre-soundcheck at the lovely new HMV Institute in Digbeth, and my oh my, did we have fun!

We talked to them both about their summer of festivals, the driving forces behind their work, their inspirations and animal combat! So without further ado (  i.e. enough of this rubbish, where's the interview?!?) here is our interview with the ever lovely Dan le Sac & Scroobius Pip!!!!



SCROOB by Arts&Culture@BurnFM






Not familiar with Dan and Pip? Where have you been!?! Here is the first release from their second album called 'Sick Tonight' from the album entitled 'The Logic of Chance'. Enjoy.....OR ELSE

The Markets!

Oooh how excited did this little Brummie lad got when he realised it was market day!

The answer is very!

The markets at Birmingham are possibly the most immersive cultural experience to be found in terms of home grown Brummie culture, aside from tyre burning.  Situated at the bottom of the Bullring steps by St Michaels church, the indoor/outdoor/wholesale/flower/fish/meat markets are seriously good fun and exceptional in terms of providing endless bargains.  To those of you still shopping for veg at Bristol Road Tesco's - THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!

Grab your mates/housemates/Nan to go along and you can get some seriously cheap veg as well as a triumphant display of the various cuisines Brum plays host to.  Pok Choi, Saltfish, Ackee, fresh Thyme, Scotch Bonnet peppers, Cassava fruit, Mangoes, Bannanas, Apples and Pears all bought to you for:
 "Free fo' fiva kiddah! bless yam for comin'"

In addition any dodgy jewellery, fancy dress, vintage clothes, small albino mice or smoking paraphernalia can also be located and much much more.  No body parts though...yet.

Check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out, please check it out every Tuesday & Saturday

DISCLAIMER
Brummie can be very hard to understand and can be quite intimidating also, we recommend group visits to the markets and dressing down for the occasion lest you accidentally buy a Fiat Punto when all you wanted was some bacon.

AUDIO-FREq

Ikon Gallery

Howdy y'all!

So this week we've gone a bit cultural again and we've been checking out what the Ikon Gallery has served up in the form of 3 exhibitions that it's running at the moment.

First off, a quick overview. For those of you who haven't checked out this beautiful little private gallery situated in the always beautiful area of Brindley Place (think Canary Wharf but cheaper), Ikon's start was as small as they come. Beginning as a kiosk in the Bullring, and that would be the OLD Bullring (think covent gardens but waaaaay more rubbish), this company has quickly gained a reputation for innovation and independence.

Housed in a neo-gothic school, the artistic programme is second to none.  Bringing you some of the broadest and most interesting range of artistic tastes, from the traditional to the Tate. Currently displaying three exhibitions and with free entry (YES FREE ENTRY!) Ikon is a must for anyone pretending, aspiring and being an arty farty.

KITAGAWA UTAMARO
Ikon is hosting a survey of woodblock prints by the very very very late Japanese artist, Kitagawa Utamaro. Utamaro's work focuses on the short, hedonistic lives of bijinga (beautiful people) against the backdrop of Tokyo's regulated brothel district in the late 18th Century.  His work often serves as an advertisement to a hidden world of sensual pleasure and contains images that are not suitable for children or men with penis envy.  Some beautiful work on display in a beautiful space worth checking out.


DONALD JUDD - A GOOD CHAIR IS A GOOD CHAIR
Donald Judd is widely regarded as one of the most important artists of the 20th Century.  A major player in minimalism and a widely skilled artist who's work transcended several disciplines, this exhibition concerns itself solely with chairs.  Yes that's right...chairs.  An interesting exhibit composed within a complimentary space which serves to highlight Judd's obsession with melding form & function into simplicity, and therefore functionality.  Worth a visit, if only to piss off the curators by attempting to sit down on the myriad of seats.


ANTHONY GOICOLEA - NAIL BITER
By far the most trippy and contemporary exhibit, Nail Biter is a film that serves to interact with the viewer and provide them with a disturbing voyeurism which develops into a guilty conscious.  The short film begins with a boy sat in bed in a darkened cabin.  As the boy nervously bites his nails, the frantic motions quicken.  The more he bites the faster his nails regrow until he is surrounded by hundreds and hundreds of nail shards!  The piece is accompanied by a soundtrack that heightens the atmosphere of nerves with an amplified heartbeat, woodland noises and the everlasting "snicking" of nail biting.  The piece leaves the viewer uncomfortable, as if we have been afforded a glimpse into an otherwise unseen world and now must carry the boy's embarrassing secret with us.  Scary shit.

Check out the links for more details.

AUDIO-FREq

VULTURE VULTURE @ The Rainbow

Woah Nelly, its a big one tonight! Massive dancehall vibes will be getting thrown down courtesy of HEATWAVE & STICKY two massive acts guaranteed to whip the huge crowd at the Rainbow into a frenzy!

THE HEATWAVE

Founded by Gabriel Myddelton in 2003 it was initially just a club night. It has now morphed into DJ sets, live shows, productions, remixes, mixes, compilations, radio shows and journalism that have taken them around the globe once or twice. This is definitely not to be missed.

"Amazing party DJs. I'm a big fan" ROB DA BANK

"The Heatwave have been impressing and dazzling large, happy audiences with their energy and innovation" THE GUARDIAN

"Jubilant homegrown dancehall you need in your life" FACT

"The Heatwave have been at the forefront of dancehall in London since they burst onto the scene in 2003" TIME OUT

CHECK THEM OUT>>> http://www.theheatwave.co.uk/
___________________________________________________________________________

STICKY

//Triplets//Booo//Dollar Sign//Paccman//Golly Gosh//Jumeirah Riddim//


His productions were smashing dancefloors way back in the year 2000. Although this was a looooong time ago those tracks are just as relevant today as his new stuff.




Grabs tickets from £5 advance here

We like the Theatre.

Audio-Freq does do other things then scout for cocktails and pints in Birmingham's pubs you know. Audio-Freq likes to go to the theatre, so to the theatre we went.. twice in one week.

SONG OF GOAT'S MACBETH @ THE MAC

Song of the Goat's production of Macbeth is labelled as being both 'reworked' and 'ground-breaking', these descriptions are most positively accurate. Song of the Goat has plucked Macbeth straight out of the canon and chopped it up, throwing away those 'unnecessary' scenes and performing only the main monologues and exchanges whilst the ensemble dance around with wooden sticks and sing songs. Sounds a little untraditional yessum? Well it is, but it does work. Through cutting down the scenes the text that remains deals with the core emotional argument and highlights the thematic agenda. Song of The Goat's Macbeth is sung, chanted and wailed which is both eerie and disturbing, especially whilst they swish their sticks and climb the walls like spiders. GO AND SPECTATE.. ***www.macarts.co.uk/page/3649/performance/365***


3BUGS FRINGE THEATRE GROUP'S THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE @ THE GUILD

3BUGS Fringe Theatre group is the University of Birmingham's own devisive and collaborative theatrical society that creates a production each term. The society takes one of these productions across the UK up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This year The Caucasian Chalk Circle was the chosen text, which was written by the famous practionier Bertlot Brecht in 1944 to pioneer Epic Theatre. Epic Theatre was popularised by Brecht as a mode of performance that makes the audience aware that they are watching a play. Brecht and other important theatre thespians hoped that by doing the audience would ponder about the socio-political message rather than get attached to the false emotions the characters blurt on about. 3BUGS hit the Bretchian nail on the head as through working as ensemble the cast picked up and dropped roles which detached the audience from connecting to characters. The performance refreshed the Brechtian concept through incorporating music, puppetry and movement in a rather funny and rather entertaining way. Unfortunately, you've missed the chance to see this 3BUGS production, but if you have a taste for collaborative and devised theatre then Audio-Freq recommends getting involved in their next project
-***www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2204266616***

Drinking Drinking Drinking Drinking Drunk.

A lot of this happens at University. In fact, more often than not, TOO much of this happens at University. Sometimes it seems like it is the ONLY thing that happens at University.

This is all well and good. In fact, AUDIO-FREq positively encourages hedonistic behaviour of all varieties. But there may come a time when the cheeky pre-lecture 'Snakey-B' in the Goose just wont cut it anymore. Then what happens?!?

Ladies and Gents, fear not! Birmingham boasts a formidable array of opportunities for the casual alcoholic. From chic cafes to bustling city bars, a veritable cornucopia of establishments awaits you.

And without further ado, we are proud to present two of our city faves; The Victoria and Island Bar.

The Vic' is a cracking little pub, tucked away just off Suffolk street. Sleepy boozer by day, this place really comes alive after 10pm, especially on weekends, where you can find Birmingham’s bright young(ish) things schmoozing and drinking into the early hours. A fantastic selection of well priced drinks, as well as some great affordable cocktails means that even the most discerning punter leaves with a (tipsy) smile on their face. The vibe in the pub is great, with the Brummie multitudes spreading through the pubs many rooms, and spilling out the back door onto the street. Expect swing and soul music blasted through tinny speakers and be prepared to cotch on the floor because seating is a tad scarce, but if its atmosphere and a relaxed vibe you are after, then look no further than The Vic. ***** http://www.thevictoriabirmingham.co.uk/ *****




Oh Island Bar. How you have wooed us with your £3.50 cocktails from 5-8pm every day of the week. The Island Bar is one of those quite special little places. You can be guarenteed brilliant drinks from start to finish at great prices, but the joys of this establishment dont end there, oh no! Weekly open mic nights, DJ's at the weekends, eco-friendly surroundings and speciality cocktails every day are all the rage at this place. And don’t forget the friendly atmosphere! No stuffiness here, just "good ole' fashioned fun ya'll", set to a soundtrack of classic music.
****www.bar-island.co.uk****



The best part is that both of these lovely places are but a piss-heads crawl from New St. Station, so it’s easy to stagger your merry way home at the end of a night.

Waschmaschinen leben länger mit Calgon

GERMAN CALGON ADVERT. WAIT UNTIL THE END, NUFF SAID!

Fooding

What does 'Pub Food' say to you?... Cheap? ...Cheerful? Burgers with processed cheese? AUDIO-FREq has had its fair share of dodgy hangover brunches at the Bristol Pear, and once or twice (shamefully) has crept into the Goose for a £2.99 Pie and Mash while waiting for the washing to dry, so we know how you feel.

But thanks to the lovely men at The Soul Food Project, at the Hare and Hounds in Kings Heath, those dark dark days may be coming to an end. The ‘SFP’ takes the kind of cooking you would expect from Forest Gump’s mama, and smacks it right in front of you in one of Birmingham’s most important and lively independent venues.  Be prepared to give your taste buds a magical mystery tour of the Deep South, whilst your eyes and ears take in the relaxed, bohemian atmosphere of the Hair and Hounds.

And so, the food.  AUDIO-FREq can certify that the gents in the kitchen sure know their Southern Cuisine. From the best fried chicken we have ever tasted (gives Colonel Sanders a kick up the arse), to the homemade Bourbon Glaze, to the hot and fresh crayfish Jambalaya, the SFP have something to tickle even the most stuck-in-the-mud taste buds.

So this weekend hop on a No.76 bus from Selly Oak and in less than than 30 minutes you could be getting your chops around some of the most exciting pub food Birmingham has to offer and all for a snip of a price – their homemade burgers are only just over a fiver!!! And once you have eaten your fill, why not take a browse in a few of Kings Heath’s charity and vintage shops? Return to your housemates full of decent food, and covered in trendy threads, and tell them how awesome REAL pub food can be....

Check out the Menu - http://soulfoodproject.co.uk/

xxx

Jam Jah @ Bulls Head/Moseley

Mos Eisley- a shit hole of a space port in Star Wars.
Moseley- an absolute gem of a place in Brum town.

Here at Audio-Freq we pride ourselves on offering people an alternative glimpse of what Birmingham has to offer, and we've got a beaut!  Tonight sees another edition of the eclectic night Jam Jah, where you can expect to hear anything reggae, dub, dancehall, all mixed in with live MC's and DJ's.

Hosted at the always hospitable Bulls Head, tonight will no doubt see a conglomeration of Rasta-Bohemian peoples getting their skank on.  Hosted in the upstairs of a trendy little pub with top drinks and a great vibe created by great people, you need to check this out!

For those of you who are less familiar with this area of town, Moseley is home to trendy wine bars, doss-house pubs, exceptional music and a bare minimum of weekend lad-led violence.  (I've been drinking there since 15 and never seen a single fight!).  Check out this mecca of alternative life, all set in an Brooklyn-esque village not 10 minutes from Selly Oak.  Just don't all go at once or you may spoil it...

http://www.myspace.com/jamjahsound

AUDIO-FREQ

Joker @ The Rainbow

Ruddy hell was there a good time to be had last Tuesday evening at Birmingham's newest student night, Joker. Audio-Freq was there in force to check out the evening of debauchery being thrown our way, suffice to say we overindulged. Massive tunes and a great vibe was to be had by all, although the huge three room venue did take time to pack out, it was, by midnight, a veritable sound orgy, with dubstep and electro in the courtyard, driving the crowd into a frenzy, whilst liquid dnb and tech went down in the cellar.

Joker looks set to be a strong contender for the Naked Lunch revellers to do what they know best, dance on stages whilst acting completely insane. It was however refreshing to see a new raft of faces checking out some of the best raucous Birmingham has to offer. Well done Joker!!!



Photos courtesy of Samm Lewis

AUDIO-FREq