Scroobius Pip: Poetry in (e)motion

Back in 2007, when dan le sac Vs Scroobius Pip's 'Thou Shalt Always Kill' was just starting to cause a stir on Myspace and the blogosphere, Scroobius Pip set a challenge to his fans: to create their own visual representations of his songs/poems, incorporating each and every word of his pioneering lyrics. The colossal response presented Pip with an astounding array of artwork, from rough and ready illustrations to slick graphic design, full comic strips to one-off art pieces.

These pieces, including artistic representations of '1000 Words', 'When I Grow Up', 'Rat Race', 'Waiting For The Beat To Kick In...' and 'Thou Shalt Always Kill', have now been compiled into a beautifully crafted hardback graphic novel entitled 'Poetry in (e)motion'.

You can get it from Amazon et al, or direct from the band via their website shop ... where it also comes cunningly bundled up with copies of the new dan Vs Pip LP 'The Logic of Chance'.

Besti-bod 12: Right Man for the Write Job

It’s Thursday again, and you know what that means – it’s time for Bestival Bugle ed Toby Collard to cast his line into the great pool of Bestival talent and pull out another prize specimen.

And what do you know, it’s Simon Renouf! Despite his non-stop rock & roll lifestyle as a pension technician, Simon still finds the time to fill us all in on who we’ll be raving about this summer by penning all the artist profiles and biographies on the Bestival and Camp Bestival websites. Oh, and you might want to check out his excellent Baby I’m Bored music blog too. But before all that, come and meet the man himself.

Right on Simon, write on!

Name: Simon Renouf

Bestivals attended?
“Every year since 2006, so four and counting…”

Any fancy dress plans for this year?
“Myself and a mate are going as fairy godmothers for Camp Bestival – any excuse to get into a decent frock.”

Most memorable Besti moment?
“I have loved Elbow since before their first album was released so to see them headline their first festival in such triumphant style (and for that festival to be Bestival) is a moment I'll never forget.”

If Bestival is the answer, what's the question? 
“Where on earth do I find the craziest, funkiest, friendliest, madhouse rave up known to man?”

Who would you most like to see performing at Bestival? 
“I think Sigur Rós or Björk would be perfect Bestival headliners. Or maybe The Cuban Brothers, I've heard those boys are quite good!”

Funniest Bestival memory? 
“About one in the morning we saw a guy next to us get rugby tackled by his mate, launching him face first into the front of the bar and knocking out his front teeth. The guy just stood back up as if nothing had happened and danced off towards the Big Top without a care in the world. Never saw him again, hope he was alright.”

If Bestival was a type of food, what would it be and why?  
“It would have to be the perfect Bestival delicacy, the gourmet pie – the most satisfyingly scrumptious experience on the planet.”

Message to any non-(Bestival)-believers out there?
“The clue's in the name – believe the hype!”

Anything to add?
“Rob, can you set aside an hour filled with rubbish music on every stage so that I can finally drag myself away and have a go on the bleedin' toboggan run, check out the WI tent, have a pint in the Bestival Inn, get married in the Inflatable Church and grab a massage in Pamper Lounge. There's just never enough time!”

Misty's Big Adventure Vs Brute Force

This will be well worth checking out... Sunday Best and Bestival heroes Misty's Big Adventure are going to be performing live with strange singer/songwriter Brute Force (pictured) soon.

Brute was on Apple Records (home of The Beatles) in the Sixties and they released his single 'The King of Fuh', produced by George Harrison. It was quite controversial at the time and was swiftly banned. He also wrote one of the first ever psychedelic songs for The Chiffons called 'Nobody Knows What's Going On In My Mind But Me', as well as writing many songs for bands such as The Creation, The Cyrkle, Peggy March and The Tokens.

His 1966 solo album 'Confections of Love' features 'The Tapeworm of Love' - a song that Misty's cover at their gigs and which lead to this collaboration.



Brut will be performing with Misty's Big Adventure at the following dates:

5th May - The Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
7th May - Academy 3, Manchester
9th May - Islington Academy 2, London

You'll get a full Misty's set, including songs from their forthcoming long player 'The Family Amusement Centre', followed by a set of Brute songs with Misty's as his backing band.

If you like Misty's, you'll love Brute.

Besti-mix 15: Paddy Freeform

Taking a firm grip on the controls of Besti-mix 15 is Universal Vibes main man and genuine good-time giver Paddy Freeform, whose upfront selection of top-notch house and late-night disco business showcases the DJ/producer’s open-minded tastes, taking in Bestival 2009 headliners Massive Attack, deep house mastermind Henrik Schwarz, dubstep wunkerind Joy Orbison and tripped out remixer to the stars Radio Slave.

We treat you nice, right?

Besti-Mix 15: Paddy Freeform by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Download: Besti-mix 15: Paddy Freeform

Tracklistings:
01 Bonobo feat Andrea Tryanna - Eyes Down (Appleblim & Komonazmuk Remix) - Ninja
02 Tal M Klein & Anthony Mansfield - Ciento Ocho - Aniligital
03 6th Borough Project - Stratus Quo - Delusions Of Grandeur
04 Sun Singleton - Moment (Atjazz Remix) - Stilnovo Music
05 Massive Attack - Pray For Rain (Tim Goldsworthy Mix) - Virgin
06 Omar feat Stevie Wonder - I'm Feeling You (Henrik Schwarz Mix) - Peppermint Jam
07 Denace To Society - Timeless - Vivid
08 Gerald Mitchell - Stronghold (Marcus Wrogull Mix) - Still Music
09 Space Rangers - Herbal Cake (The Revenge Rubdown) - Lovemonk
10 Josh Wink - Stay Out All Night (Radioslave Mix) - Ovum
11 Franck Roger - Gigolo - Earthtones
12 Joy Orbison - Hse Mngo (Mike Monday Mix) - CDR

da Bank survives the London Marathon!

Big thanks to everyone who donated to the da Bank JustGiving page - you've helped raise a very impressive £2,812.28 (and counting) for Oxfam.

Rob, who hobbled through the finishing line with a very wonky ankle, is well chuffed with the achievement and, though he has vowed never to do it again, isn't that what they all say...?

The pic above shows da Bank (looking remarkably chipper all things considered) with his mate and fellow runner Jamie Baker, who pep-talked him through the final straight.

If you're feeling like doing a good deed, it's still not too late to donate to Oxfam at justgiving.co.uk/robdabank.  Or better still, get out there and do the Marathon yourselves next year! ;)

The Letter G in The Alphabetical Encyclopedia of All That Is Hot In New Music

G is for gas, Gordon Brown, the Goonies, gorillas, gappy teeth and Glasgow. It's also the seventh letter in the alphabet and a kinda average letter for bands to begin their names with. Not in the same league as T or R or even M, but it's still a gorgeous letter to gabble about...

Gang Starr – Who's Gonna Take The Weight?

Ok this is not 'new' music but i'm sad as hell to hear of Guru’s premature death. My student days were ruled by Gang Starr’s songs and Guru is/was such a wicked vocalist. RIP.

The Glimmers – Swiss (Plastic Edit)

Oft overlooked by fans of Soulwax, the Glimmers have been at it for just as long from sunny Ghent and with a more discoid edge. Swiss is one helluva party tune to stick in your box.

Charlotte Gainsbourg – Time of The Assassins (Matthew Dear mix)

Daughter of my favourite French artist, Ms Gainsbourgs album is a belter and this is a corking mix from Mr Dear.

George Lenton – Someshine feat. Alex Mercer

This kid (I think he's about 4) has been rolling out some ace bootlegs of late and now joins the Skint family with this bassy hazy number.

NB: If you're reading this on Facebook you'll need to click here to check all the tracks out.

;) Robby

LCD x Spike Jonze!

Check out the weird and wonderful, endearingly oddball and suitably goofy Spike Jonze vid for Bestival headliners James Murphy and co.'s typically spiky, punky, dancey NY-style new tune 'Drunk Girls'.

Having seen this lot in action at Brixton on Saturday night in a set that included early LCD singles like 'Yr City's a Sucker' as well as epic pop moments such as 'Someone Great' and some cranked-up goodies from their new LP, we can assure you that their Bestival set is gonna be something special indeed!

Radio da Bank: Lissie in session

This week Rob has Lissie (pictured) in session, an Improbably Greatest Record courtesy of Blur, a Saturday Skank tune by Rod Azlan and he introduces another new genre 'Antifolk'.

Checkout the tracklisting below and get yourselves over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank to listen again online at any time this week...

Yuksek — Supermenz (We’re Not) - Fiction
Horx — The One - White
Robyn — Dancing On My Own - Konichiwa / Island
Gorillaz — Superfast Jellyfish (Mighty Mouse Remix) - Parlophone
Gil Scott-Heron featuring Nas — New York Is Killing Me - XL

ROB’S BEST AND IMPROBABLY GREATEST RECORD IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW… PROBABLY… WELL AT LEAST FOR THIS MORNING… MAYBE
Blur — Fool’s Day - Parlophone

Savoir Adore — Bodies (French Horn Rebellion Mix) - Cantora
AC Slater — Take You (Doorly Mix) - Trouble & Bass
Mexican Kids at Home — Animal Shells - WeePOP!
Chrome Hoof — Vapourise - Southern

LISSIE IN SESSION AT MAIDA VALE
Lissie — When I'm Alone

Crookers feat Yelle — Cooler Couleur - Kitsuné
Two Door Cinema Club — Something Good Can Work - Kitsuné

SATURDAY SKANK
Rod Azlan — Selektah (Unitz Mix) - Scion

Prins Thomas — Ørkenvandring - Full Pupp
Cours Lapin — 1.2.3 - Kunst
Emit Bloch – Milkshake vs The Passenger - One Little Indian
Yuck — Georgia - Transparent

LISSIE IN SESSION AT MAIDA VALE
Lissie — In Sleep
Lissie — Little Lovin’

DJ Die — Bright Lights - Clear Skyz
Band of Horses — Compliments - Columbia

ROB’S GUIDE TO BARELY BELIEVEABLE NEW GENRES OF MUSIC - ANTIFOLK
Jeffrey Lewis & The Junkyard — Roll Bus Roll - Rough Trade

The Moldy Peaches — Anyone Else But You - Rough Trade
Lulu and the Lampshades — Feet To The Sky - Voga Parochia
Django Spears — Boom Boom Boom - White
Laura Marling — Made By Maid - Virgin
The Drums — Forever & Ever Amen - Island
Hot Chip — I Feel Better - Parlophone

Introducing The Bestival Residents

Top L-R
Plus One (Jack Beats) / Callum Negus Fancey / Charli XCX / Beni G (Jack Beats) / Beth Jeans Houghton / Woon
Bottom L-R
Rob da Bank / Jaguar Skills / Beardyman / Unicorn Kid / Greg Wilson

Now that both our festivals have settled into the calendar I realized that there were quite a few acts that ended up playing both shows - Camp Bestival and Bestival - and thought hmm ... why not shout about these people as I obviously love them and want the world to know them too!

So to join our main stage hosts, The Cuban Brothers, I'm delighted to introduce such a mixed bag to kick off our first year residency - from indie to folk to disco, beatboxing and hands in the air techno it's all in here - just like it is at our festies. We had fun doing the photo shoot, swapping musical tips and wigs ... and if you don't know any of these musical impresarios check 'em out now!

;) Robby

Callum Negus Fancey (Let's Go Crazy promoter)
Age: 20
From: West London
Sounds like: The banging dance sounds coming through your younger brother or sister's bedroom walls, as the youth of today get their revenge on X-Factor.
Critics Say: "Let's Go Crazy is dominating the under-18s clubbing market with one flick of its glowstick." Time Out

Beth Jeans Houghton   
Age: 20
From: Transylvania
Sounds like: Beautiful melodies and folky pop of the highest order for fans of Joanna Newsom, Vashti Bunyan, PJ Harvey's more open minded followers and Bon Iver's hordes of fans.
Critics say: "rising star" Jim Powell (The Guardian)

Greg Wilson
Age: 50
From: Liverpool
Sounds like: All the 21st century cosmic disco new bods transported back to the Hacienda, sprinkled in angel dust and dressed in disco hot pants
Critics Say: "Greg Wilson played a huge part in bringing about the 80s northern house explosion, so show some flippin' respec'' Jockey Slut

Woon  
Age: 27
From: New Malden, near London
Sounds like: With a voice to tear your heart out, Mr Woon mashes poetry, chanting and voodoo soul into a magic potion.
Critics say: "the 21-year-old talent splices rootsy styles and DIY sample culture, enriching that musical mix with his soulful vocals and poetic observations" The Metro

Jack Beats
Age: Classified
From: London
Sounds like: One of the leaders of the bass driven electro rave crew have made monster tunes themselves plus check their mixes of Fake Blood and Passion Pit to take the roof off!
Critics Say: "insanely funky beats, shiny happy melodies and hooks..." Elbow Music Blog.

Joy Orbison
Age: 23
From: Croydon, London
Sounds like: Brooding Burial like synth pads overlaid with skittering Detroitian techno which make dancefloors go radio rental!
Critics say: "Somehow euphoric yet mournful, banging yet sad, drenched in keyboards, and rhythmically straddling the previously uncharted terrain between dubstep, garage and house." Paul Lester (The Guardian)

Unicorn Kid
Age: 18
From: Edinburgh, Scotland
Sounds like: Inspired electro and chip music rave stylings with real depth that have had him warm up everyone from Calvin Harris to Owl City. The Pet Shop Boys squabbling with Mylo and Richie Hawtin in a drum factory.
Critics say: "Unicorn Kid is on the verge of going stratospheric by this time next year" Live review - Edinburgh, Cabaret Voltaire

Jaguar Skills
Age: Unknown
From: Unknown
Sounds like: Every hip hop record ever from Big Daddy Kane and Ice T to Eminem and Kanye smacked down onto one mothersucking gold plated twelve inch then remixed by Snoop and De La Soul. Funky!
Critics say: "Shout out to a real superman DJ, with the heaviest production skills to match. One of The next homegrown producers to go global with his sound. Probably." Ras Kwame (BBC Radio 1 & 1xtra)

Beardyman
Age: 28
From: London
Sounds like: Possibly the finest beatboxer in the world ... ever! From imitating Michael Jackson or a Hassidic Jew to making some of the most innovative mind bending music out there ... all with his mouth, Beardyman is one of the most inspiring performers we've seen for eons.
Critics say: "Darren Foreman, is the two-times winner and current beatboxing champion of the UK. His vocal skills at this year's champs made one of the judges turn to the other and say, "But that's impossible?"" humanbeatbox.com

Charli XCX
Age: 17
From: London
Sounds like: MIA, Kate Nash, Lily Allen, Kim Wilde, Prince and Human League for starters. Amazing live, gonna be a killer album!
Critics say: "gold star for her efforts and a recommendation to check Charli XCX out if you're not quite sure where the scene is at right now; Charli XCX will provide all the answers." The Neon Hub blog.

Besti-bod 11: The Natural Salesman

Getting bored of volcanoes yet? Well dust yourself down and get inside, because it’s time to join Toby Collard of the Bestival Bugle for some more red-hot Besti-bod action.

And this week it’s Sean Taylor! Sean (pictured above, far right, at Camp Besty 09, with friends Chaz, Tobe and Rob) is a photographer by trade, but really comes into his own as a mainstay in the Curiously Convenient Store at Bestival, (you know, by the campsite entrance), flogging everything from Mars bars and tent pegs to those festival essentials like jigsaws and Wallyball sets. Believe me, this man could sell ash to Iceland.

He’s obviously pretty good at selling himself too, as he’s managed to bag a £25,000 dream wedding for him and fiancée Naomi later this year in an online competition. Well, that one might be her day Sean, but today it’s all about you.

Altogether now: “For he’s a jolly good fellow……”

Name: Sean Taylor

Bestivals attended?
“Every Bestival and both Camp Bestivals too.”

What’s your fancy dress for the ‘fantasy’ theme going to be?
“Where I’m a Sagittarius I’m going as half-man half-horse – I’ve started making it already. Got some wicked Rolf Harris t-shirts on the go too!”

Most memorable Besti moment?
“Our friends Kate and Chaz getting engaged at Camp Besty last year.”

If Bestival is the answer, what's the question?
“If you had to go to just one festival this year, what would it be?”

Who would you most like to see performing at Bestival?
“Chase and Status – I know they’ve been before, but I’ve seen ‘em a dozen times now and they always put on a good show.”

Funniest Bestival memory?
“Waking up to Chaz with his gimp mask on. That’s never nice. Absolutely hilarious though……”

If Bestival was a type of food, what would it be and why?
“Lasagne, because of all the different things going on. Something for everyone in there.”

Message to any non-(Bestival)-believers out there?
“Get yourself a ticket – don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.”

Anything to add?
“Make sure you drop by the Curiously Convenient Store to say hi!”

Besti-mix 14: Tom Middleton

Besti-mix 14 is helmed by a true dance music legend, Tom Middleton, who sets his sights on outer space with a brilliant fusion of deep house and spacious techno that we’ve come to expect from the man behind a myriad of genre-crossing alter-egos, including Global Communication, Jedi Knights, Reload, Cosmos and AMBA, that span experimental ambient to electro funk.

But instead of resting on his laurels, this Star Wars-obsessed, classically trained pianist and cellist is always pushing forward, looking for inspiration and charting new terrain. Thank God – and Besti-blog – then, for Mr Tom Middleton and his exclusive Besti-mix...

Besti-Mix 14: Tom Middleton by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Download: Besti-mix 14: Tom Middleton

Tracklisting:
01 Stereo MC's : The Here And Now (Tom Middleton Remodel) - Graffiti Recordings
02 Slam : Heart Of The Soul - Paragraph
03 Mike Monday : Touch - Get Physical
04 Mike Shannon : Under The Radar - Cynosure
05 Lusine : Two Dots (Nic Fanciulli Remix) - Saved
07 Andreas Saag : Dragons feat Ernesto - Freerange
08 Pete Heller : Overtime - Buzzin' Fly
09 Lovebirds : My Man - Freerange
10 Chuck Cogan : The Warm Echoes Of Nature - White
11 Steve Ferrand : Natural High (Francois Dubois Remix) - Tronicsole
12 Omar : Lay It Down (Andre Lodemann Remix) - Peppermint Jam

Blast from the past part 5...Gil Scott-Heron's NYC classic!

How amazing is Gil Scott Heron? For our money the man is an outright legend, truly deserving of the oft-misused term, which is why we're beyond excited at his current renaissance and can't wait to see him strut on stage at Bestival 2010.

The Bronx-born performance poet, songwriter and sometime-troubled musical genius is rightly famed for producing an unparalleled series of classic soul, funk and politically-infused proto-rap masterstrokes, including this beauty from back in the day, 'The Bottle'.

Check the vid above for some classic 1970s New York City action... they really don't make 'em like this anymore.

NB: If you're reading this on Facebook you'll need to click here to check out the video.

Radio da Bank: Worship in session, Steve Mason & Blur

This week Rob has Worship in session, an Improbably Greatest Record courtesy of Steve Mason (pictured), he introduces another new genre 'Chillwave' and of course, it wouldn't be right if we didn't have a slightly weird featurette. See if you can guess who's having a swim around in da Bank's Fish Tank this week - whoever it is joins Michael Winner and Justin Lee Collins having a bit of an underwater party soiree.

Plus Rob notched up the worldwide exclusive first play of Blur's new single 'Fool's Day'!

Checkout the tracklisting below and get yourselves over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank to listen again online at any time this week...

Pantha du Prince - Saturn Strobe - Dial Records
Daniel Wang - Berlin Sunrise (Rune Lindbaek Mix) - Ghostly International
The Juan MacLean - Feel So Good - !K7
Chilly Gonzales - Never Stop - Phantasy Records

ROB'S BEST AND IMPROBABLY GREATEST RECORD IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW… POSSIBLY… WELL AT LEAST FOR THIS MORNING… MAYBE
Steve Mason - Understand My Heart - Domino

Flying Lotus featuring Thom Yorke - And The World Laughs With You - Warp
Kelis - Acapella (Marco Del Hornos Dubhouse Mix) - White
Big Boi - Shutterbug - Def Jam
Maxxi & Zeus - The Struggle - International Feel

WORSHIP IN SESSION AT MAIDA VALE
Worship - In Our Blood

Cassius - 99 (Tim Green Mix) - Cassius Records

SATURDAY SKANK
The Orb - Perpetual Dawn - UMG

Foals - The Orient (G.E.R.M. Remix) - White
James Blake - Cmyk - R&S
Malcolm McLaren - Buffalo Gals - Charisma
Isbells - Without A Doubt - Zeal
Uffie - ADD SUV (Hudson Mohawke Remix) - Ed Banger

WORSHIP IN SESSION AT MAIDA VALE
Worship - Day & Age
Worship - Show Me What I Need

Marina & The Diamonds - I Am Not A Robot - Doorly Mix
Villagers - Becoming A Jackal - Domino

ROB'S GUIDE TO BARELY BELIEVEABLE NEW GENRES OF MUSIC
Neon Indian - Psychic Charms - Lefse

Toro Y Moi - Imprint After - Car Park Records
Washed Out - Belong - Kitsuné
The Chemical Brothers - Escape Velocity - Astralwerks
jj - Let Go - Sincerely Yours
Blur - Fool's Day - Parlophone
Ellie Goulding - Guns & Horses - Polydor

Weatherall's tribute to Malcolm

DJ, all-round living musical hero and consummate 'pop' outsider Andrew Weatherall has written a brilliant tribute in remembrance of legendary pop situationist and punk provocateur Malcolm McLaren, "one of the architects" of his "parallel universe".

Read the piece in full over at the excellent Caught By The River blog. RIP Malcolm...

Check the world exclusive 1st play of Blur's new single on Radio da Bank

Check the world exclusive of the new Blur single 'Fool's Day' on Rob da Bank's radio show on the BBC iPlayer (scroll forward to 1hr 50) ... released to support Record Store Day TODAY! It's an amazing record ... check it out now!

Go Barking wild in support of LMHR with ska, punk and grime legends this Sat!

Love Music Hate Racism? Course you do, which is why you should do you damnest to support the cause at a massive night out this Saturday headlined by political punks The King Blues and ska legend and one-time founding member of The Specials, Jerry Dammers.

The gig – which also features East London vocalist Lauren Mason, grime star-in-the-making Ghetts and up-and-coming Newham rapper Griminal - takes place at the Broadway Theatre, Barking, and will be the main London event for Love Music Hate Racism over the next month.

LMHR stalwart and 2-Tone legend Jerry Dammers will give us his unmissable DJ set, with a mix of ska, rocksteady, dub, dancehall, dubstep and jungle.

Time to get your dancing shoes on for a good cause...

Cripes, it's the new Flaming Lips vid!

Check it out, co-directed by the 'Lips own Wayne Coyne, this is the suitably nuts video to the band's "damaged six-minute psych jam" (c. Pitchfork) and new single 'Powerless'. We expect more of the same wide-eyed eccentricity when The Flaming Lips wig out the Isle of Wight at Bestival this September!

NB: if you're reading this on Facebook you'll need to click here to watch the video

Glasto: Doggy style

So I was just sat here, nursing an Earl Grey watching the sun rise with two small children smearing hot cross buns into the wife's prized wallpaper when my inbox pinged with an email about the Glastonbury line-up.

Always a badly kept secret the headliners (U2, Muse and Stevie Wonder) have been out there for ages - but hold on Snoop Doggy Dogg, Ray Davies, Willie Nelson, Mos Def alongside stalwarts Florence and The Machine, LCD, Orbital, Faithless, Seasick Steve etc, etc... in fact selfishly cos i'm going and DJing twice - once in Dance East and once on the mighty Arcadia Afterburner, it looks like one of the most consistently great line ups for my kinda musical brain. If you have tickets i'll see you there ... if not don't even try that fence :)

;) Robby

Besti-bod 10: The Besti-Book-keeper

It’s Thursday again, and that means it’s time for Bestival Bugle bloke Toby Collard to go climbing up the Bestival family tree for a chat with one of the hidden heroes of our summer fun.

And today it’s Sunday Best’s book-keeper and self-confessed paper shuffler Ruth Barrett! She reckons there’s not an invoice or purchase order at Bestival that doesn’t come under her scrutiny, but maintains that even these portakabin-bound larks can be funned-up with a bit of fancy-dress thrown in. What would really make her Bestival though is a bit of Syrian folk-techno action, apparently.

We count on her to count for us. And that counts for a lot.

Ruth, we salute you!

Name: Ruth Barrett

Bestivals attended?
“Four and counting…”

Most memorable Besti moment?
“Sombrero vs da Bank Silent Disco battle! (Ok, that’s Camp Bestival but it rocked!! When’s the re-match?)”

Any fancy dress plans for 2010?
“Nope, I never plan (awful for an employee I know!) I leg it to the Dressing-up Box tent and have a rummage as soon as I get on site at Bestival.”

If Bestival is the answer, what's the question?
“Where will I be in September?”

Who would you most like to see performing at Bestival?
“Omar Souleyman. (Don’t ask!).”

Funniest Bestival memory?
“Losing a limbo competition to the extremely tall (but bendy) Bobby Lost of the Lost & Found crew. I couldn’t believe my eyes!”

If Bestival was a type of food, what would it be and why?
“Mushrooms, because all the people who go are fun guys! (Sorry, dad joke.)”

Message to any non-(Bestival)-believers out there?
“You wont find a more vibrant, friendly, bonkers crowd at any other festival. There’s all sorts of music for every taste and massive surprises round every corner.…”

Anything to add?
“See you on the island! xXx!”

ps... when Ruth's not drowning beneath a sea of paperwork in the Sunday Best office she can be found making incredible stop-motion animated music videos, like this little beauty for Bestival favourites Lucky Elephant.

Besti-mix 13: King Roc

13 might be unlucky for some but it’s proved something a good luck charm in the case of our Besti-mix series, whose 13th chapter sees DJ/producer King Roc aka Martin Dawson take to the decks to provide not one, but two(!) exclusive mixes.

Having recorded a myriad of house, techno, electro and other dancefloor-orientated styles for such respected labels as R&S, Buzzin’ Fly, Dessous and more, as well as delivering a critically-lauded debut LP, perhaps it should come as no surprise to find King Roc spreading the love across two diverse sets – one that showcases straight-up cutting edge house and techno and another, his 'Bestival Classixxx', that brings together legendary acid house-era Chicago and New York house. We suggest you get stuck right in...

Besti-Mix 13: King Roc by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Download: Besti-mix 13: King Roc

Tracklisting: Besti-mix 13: King Roc
01 Pol_on 'Toga' Martin Dawson Mix - Pets Records
02 Alex Niggemann 'Deep Down' - Supernauture
03 Kay Sand 'Too Tung'
04 Catz n Dogs 'Rolling'
05 Ramon Tapia 'Sunka Sanka' Coyu & Edu Imbernon Mix - Great Stuff
06 Martin Eyerer & Sasse 'Save My Life' Martin Dawson Mix - Moodmusic
07 Loko 'In Love' Buzzinfly
08 Uner Coyu 'The Garden Of The Gods'
09 King Roc & Dimitri Nakov 'Alameda Jau' Bedrock
10 Sour Grapes 'We Are'

Besti-Mix 13: King Roc (Bestival Classixxx) by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Download: Besti-mix 13: King Roc (Bestival Classixxx)

Tracklisting: Bestimix 13: King Roc (Bestival Classixxx)
01 Mr Fingers 'Can You Feel It'
02 Joe Smooth 'Promised Land'
03 House Masters 'House Nation'
04 Nightwriters 'Let The Music Use You'
05 Todd Terry 'Gabriel'
06 Technotronic 'Pump Up The Jam'
07 2 In A Room 'Take Me Away' (Little Louis Vega Mix)
08 Robin S 'Show Me Love' (Nice N Steady Mix)
09 Jamie Principle 'Baby Wants To Ride'
10 N-Joi 'Anthem'

Even more Fs for our Alphabetical Encylopedia of All That Is Hot In New Music

Ok so i thought i'd exhausted my Fs for this week but i've got of the two big freaks staring me in the face daring me not to include them...

Holy Fuck (pictured) - Latin America

What a tune! My mum might not like their name but she loves shimmying around her scullery with the mop to this tasty number!

Fiction - Big Things

Big tings indeed from new kids in town with an earworm and a half.

NB: If you're reading this on Facebook you'll need to click here to check out the tracks.

;) Robby

The vinyl countdown to record store day

Got plans for this Saturday? Scrap 'em, and get down to your local record shop instead! Why? Well, this weekend (April 17th folks!) sees the glorious return of Record Store Day – the annual event aimed at reminding us all of the brilliance of vinyl and of the ace places that sell them in the flesh.

The event always throws up a number of intriguing limited edition vinyl releases from artists obscure and established alike, and this year is the best so far - with exclusive releases on offer from Blur, Arthur Russell, Pet Shop Boys, Caribou, Flaming Lips, Foals, Hot Chip, Laurie Anderson, Bestival headliners LCD Soundsystem and a gazillion more.

Different stores will be stocking different records, but our good friends at FACT magazine have put together an A-Z of all the official tackle available in the UK, with their picks of the most interesting releases highlighted in bold.
 Get your pennies ready and get there early to snap 'em up!

The Letter F in the Alphabetical Encyclopedia of All That Is Hot In New Music

A long time coming (marathon, no boozing (stops the creative juice), changing nappies) but F has finally stepped off the train. F is for funk, freaks, fantasy fancy dress, fajitas, foster mothers and fuck off da Bank and get on with the music:

Dam Funk – These Are The Things Dreams Are Made Of

I think this ace cover of our Camp Bestival main stage stars The Human League has been made to celebrate Doc Martens boots birthday. That aside it’s a sleazy electro wonder that should grease your pole nicely.

Fabio Lendrum – Trouble (Jakwob mix)

Jakwob’s one of our favoured remixers cos he knows how to twiddle knobs and dials in a righteous manner. I don’t know much about our F, Fabio, except he’s looked after by Callum who runs the Let's Go Crazy parties which are the best parties for anyone who's not as old as me / isn’t worried about drinking at his parties /has a mum or dad who understand a 15 year old rolling in at 4am humming the latest dubstep anthem.

Wolf Gang – Back To Back (Active Child remix)

Yes there is a ruddy F in it … at the end of Wolf you dimwit. This is almost pompous 80s electro soft rock that makes me wanna backcomb my hair like Limahl (look him up!) and wear some daft grey flecky trousers. Hmm, nice owl hoots. Check Wolf Gang (pictured) at Camp Bestival too.

Mr Flash – Domino

First artist signed to Ed Banger back in the day and he’s still inspiring us at Sunday Best towers with his sampladelic video game obsessive freestyle electronic shiznit.

Breach – Fatherless

Immediate urgent dubstep jump up riddims that sound like they were concoted in a Brazilian Favela after a dish of spicy beans.

NB: If you're reading this on Facebook you'll need to click here to check all the tracks out.

;) Robby

Radio da Bank: These New Puritans in session

These New Puritans provide the Maida Vale session this week playing a selection of tracks from their new album Hidden. Plus 'Rob's Best and Improbably Greatest Record In The World Right Now' comes courtesy of Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti.

And Radio 1's Hardcore and Hard Dance expert Kutski steps up to provide the lo-down on a barely believable new genre of music - Terrorcore!

Check out the tracklisting below and get yourselves over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank to listen again online at any time this week...

Hot Chip feat. Bonnie Prince Billy - I Feel Bonnie - Parlophone
Diplo vs Sunday Girl - Four Floors
The Chemical Brothers - Escape Velocity - Freestyle Dust / Parlophone
Gogol Bordello - Pala Tute - American Recordings

ROB'S BEST & IMPROBABLY GREATEST RECORD IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW
Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round & Round - 4AD

Dam Mantle - A Statue That is Perpetually Unveiled - Hallelujah Hits
Mr. Flash - Couscous
Nero - Electron - MTA

MAIDA VALE SESSION WITH THESE NEW PURITANS
These New Puritans - We Want War - Domino

Kavinsky - Pacific Coast Highway (Jackson Mix) - Record Makers
Holy F*** - Latin America - Young Turks
Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Borgore remix)
Jesse Rose - You Know It - Made To Play
Psychemagik - Your Love Was Made For Me
Konono No.1 - Wumbanzanga
The Drums - Forever and Ever, Amen - Moshi Moshi / Island
Benga - Who Remembers? - Big Apple

MAIDA VALE SESSION WITH THESE NEW PURITANS
These New Puritans - Orion / Hologram - Domino

Moby - Wait For Me (Villa Mix) - Little Idiot

ROB DA BANKS GUIDE TO BARELY BELIEVABLE NEW GENRES OF MUSIC - KUTSKI PRESENTS TERRORCORE
The Destroyer - Spamming Bass - UHM
Noisekick - Firing Squad - This Is Terror
Bozz - Drop Like Me - This Is Terror
Deterrent Man - I'm Funny - This Is Terror

MillionYoung - Hammock - Arcade Sound Ltd
Music Go Music - Light of Love - Mercury
Two Door Cinema Club - Something Good Can Work - Kitsune
Florence & The Machine - Dog Days Are Over (Breakage Remix) - Moshi Moshi
The Futureheads - Heartbeat Song

Welcome to de Isle of Wight!

We're not the only "Grockles" enamoured with the glorious, sun-kissed charms of the ever-green Isle of Wight - check out this genius love letter to Bestival's home from reggae legend-in-the-making Derek Sandy, who played with Bob Marley and sang for the president of Tobago, but left the Caribbean in favour of, yep, you guessed it, the Isle of Wight!

NB: if you're reading this on Facebook you'll need to click here to watch the video

Kid Carpet's 'Advert Break'

The Advert Break is the brand new tiny concept album by Bestival and Camp Bestival hero Kid Carpet, featuring ten songs and jingles for genuine adverts that are currently on the telly, internet and in print.

In these tough times our Kid realised how skint he was and so courted the most evil advertising executives in the business and has ended up rich with this string of hit commercials...


Sticking two fingers up at the evil advert types that made him rich, Kid Carpet is offering this fully comprehensive advertising and jingle package totally free of charge - simply head over to last.fm/music/Kid+Carpet/The+Advert+Break and download away!

Besti-bod 9: The Toboggan’s Top Man

It’s Thursday, it’s Besti-bod time, it’s.... Ian Groves!

Every so often some folk worry that things at Bestival might go downhill, but strange as it may sound, this fella likes to make sure they do. The reason? Well, today Toby Collard from the Bestival Bugle is catching up with the supervisor on the essential Besti pastime that is the Robin Hill toboggan run.

Local lad Ian (pictured above, back L-R: Darren 'Robin Hill Gen. Manager' Cool, Ian Grove, Rob 'scruffy herbert' da Bank, Darrly 'Robin Hill staff' Snow, front: Ben 'Robin Hill staff' McCormick) works full time at the country park, and obviously rates Bestival as the highlight of the Island’s year (although looking at his answers, it might be a tad noisier if he had his way!)

Cheers Ian, here’s to ya!

Name: Ian Groves

Bestivals attended?
“The last three so far.”

Most memorable Besti moment?
“Seeing the Scissor Sisters in 2007, and anything from the new Fire stage in 2009.”

Any fancy dress plans for 2010?
“Not yet. As the theme is ‘fantasy’ it leaves the door open for pretty much anything.”

If Bestival is the answer, what's the question?
“What's the Island’s best and craziest festival?”

Who would you most like to see performing at Bestival?
“Incubus, Blink 182, Daft Punk, Gorillaz, Tenacious D.”

Funniest Bestival memory?
“Seeing people covered in mud and going down the toboggan in fancy dress in 2008.”

If Bestival was an animal, what would it be and why?
“It couldn’t be just one animal, it would have to be a zoo, as there’s so much variety and it attracts so many different peeps.”

Message to any non-(Bestival)-believers out there?
“You need to experience this festival…”

Anything to add?
“Can’t wait to see everyone in their fancy dress on the toboggan again!”

Besti-mix 12: Fear of Theydon

Taking the reins for Besti-mix 12 is none-other than long-time Sunday Best stalwart Fear of Theydon aka Julian Peck, who first came to prominence with his blistering and quite frankly massive remixes of well-known pop types like Kate Bush and New Order.

Which is most likely why Rob da Bank's has cunningly got him to remix every single to come out on the Sunday Best label since. Now comes an eagerly awaited album of original Fear of Theydon material, due later this year and featuring collaborations with singers Simon Lord (Simian/Black Ghosts), Mantler, La Rudd (Grand National), Rachael Dadd and Spaceships Are Cool (well, they are, aren't they?)

We'll leave the rest to Julian to explain: "I DJ'd to a couple of thousand people in the Big Top at Bestival on Thursday night last year – it was surreal and pretty amazing. I ended up playing a seriously ravey set which went down well cos by that stage everyone had well over-zealously drunk all their beers on the 1st night of the festival in anticipation for the weekend and were looking for something hectic to dance too. I’m aware that under those circumstances I could have just played the Simply Red back catalogue and still would have gone off in there. They’re ideal circumstances for a gig right?"

"Anyway, this DJ mix is made for a hazy late afternoon at Bestival when things start getting interesting – you’re a bit giddy, excited and you’ve just engaged with your first cocktail. Good times."

Besti-Mix 12: Fear Of Theydon by Bestimix on Mixcloud

Download: Besti-mix 12: Fear of Theydon

Tracklisting:
01 Caribou - Melody Day (Four Tet Remix)
02 Airto Moreira - Parana
03 Beyond The Wizard's Sleeve - Red Tuesday
04 Todd Rudgren - International Feel
05 Vagabond - Sweat Until the Morning (Quiet Village Remix)
06 Aqua Bassino - Spirits with Jiwe
07 Beach House - Norway
08 Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti - Round & Round
09 ELO - Evil Woman (Proper Songs HaHa Re-Edit)
10 Organ Morgan - Cocaine Afternoon
11 Morning Star - Guess it Was You
12 David E. Sugar - Keep it Simple
13 Sean Brosnan - Sat Jam (Original Mix)
14 The Pop Group - She is Beyond Good and Evil
15 UB40 - One in Ten
16 Man Like Me - Wine & Dine (Williams Dub)
17 Fear of Theydon - Home of the Eagle
18 Orange Juice - Blokes on 45

Radio da Bank: Andrew Davie in session

Fast-rising new folk talent Andrew Davie provides the Maida Vale session this week playing a selection of new tracks that will appeal to anyone swayed by the whimsical charms of his pals, Mumford & Sons. Plus 'Rob's Best and Improbably Greatest Record In The World Right Now... Possibly... Well At Least For This Morning... Maybe' comes courtesy of Brit hip-hop hero Skitz.

Manchester rapper Envy also pops into the studio for a chat and does some pretty impressive live freestyling over one of her upcoming tracks 'Normal'. Treats galore, in other words...

Check out the tracklisting below and get yourselves over to bbc.co.uk/radio1/robdabank  to listen again online at any time this week...

Black Van - Yearning (DFA)
Mr Flash - Domino Part A (Ed Banger)
Trentemoller - Sycamore Feeling, Gui Boratto Remix (In My Room)

ROB'S BEST & IMPROBABLY GREATEST RECORD IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, POSSIBLY,
WELL AT LEAST FOR THIS MORNING… MAYBE
Skitz featuring Buggsy - Born Inna System (Dragon Drop)

LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls (DFA)
Wild Palms - Deep Dive (One Little Indian)
Kavinsky featuring Lovefoxxx - Nightcall (Record Makers)

THE EGG SEGUE
Beastie Boys - Egg Man (Capitol)
Johnny Cash - Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog (Columbia)
The Egg - The Wall, Mylo Remix (Squarepeg)

Wild Beasts - We've Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues, Circus Parade Remix (White)

ANDREW DAVIE IN SESSION AT MAIDA VALE
Andrew Davie - Lost Without You
Andrew Davie - Elysium

Filthy Dukes - DAnce (White)

ENVY IN THE STUDIO FOR A CHAT

Envy - Nadine (Stop Start)
Envy - Normal (Stop Start)

Nu: Tone - Hyper Hyper (Hospital)
Music Go Music - Light of Love (Secretly Canadian)
Komanazmuck - Dance Too Home (Apple Pips)

SATURDAY SKANK
Yabba U - Achieving In Dub

Unicorn Kid - Dreamcatcher (Ministry of Sound)
Sh*t Robot - I Got A Feeling (DFA)

ANDREW DAVIE IN SESSION AT MAIDA VALE
Andrew Davie - Lie Down

MGMT - Flash Delirium (Columbia)
Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed, Jackwob Remix
Mopp - Dream About You (White)
Mystery Jets - Lady Grey (679)
Stornoway - I Saw You Blink (4AD)
Kate Nash - Do Wah Doo (Fiction)
Vampire Weekend - Giving Up The Sun (XL)

Rob da Bank's Green on Wight blog #3

Green on Wight, in association with Bestival and GreenTank, is a monthly feature in the Isle of Wight County Press newspaper all about what's happening on the environmental scene on the Isle of Wight and its ambitions to become an Eco-Island by 2020.

Its four pages are packed with ideas, news, features and opinions on green issues, including a Robby Recommends blog...

"Greetings folks and come on in! Right lets begin ... Recycle or Die was the name of a great record label a few years back and I never really understood what it meant until recently and i think we all need to follow that mantra now!

Besti-bod 8: The Forum Stalwart

It’s Thursday again, and that means it’s time for everyone in the Bestival bed to roll over and see who falls out for a chat with Bestival Bugle ed. Toby Collard….

Well well well, it’s Robin Seamer! With over 2,000 posts to his credit on the Bestival forum, it’s surprising Robin finds time to do anything else, (like earning a living, for example), but this is a man who obviously likes to keep busy. As well as being perhaps the most prolific poster in history, he helps organise the forum campsite and meet-ups, and his Breaking More Waves music blog is rated in the BBC’s top ten taste-making blogs. He’s even performed at Bestival, with his somewhat surreal DJ Hojo Hits slot in the Hidden Disco a couple of years back.

However, even this overlooks possibly his greatest achievement, for it is Robin who has tenaciously spearheaded the (now successful) campaign to bring 80’s synth-pop wizard Howard Jones to Bestival. It may have started as a one-man mission, but it gathered momentum like a cheese down a Gloucestershire hillside, leaving RdB no option but to bow to the online clamour and book the great man himself.

So if 2010 is going to be a fantasy year for anyone Robin, surely it’s you. Enjoy, Sir, enjoy…

Name: Robin Seamer
“a.k.a. rseamer on the Bestival forum. (See, my forum name is not some strange combination of letters designed to make a clever or rude pun, which most people seem to think it is).”

Bestivals attended?
“All of them (and both Camp Besti's as well). I'm hardcore to the max.”

Most memorable Besti moment?
“Obviously my DJ Hojo Hits escapade in the Hidden Disco was superb. Also finally getting to see Kraftwerk last year was a dream come true.”

If Bestival is the answer, what's the question?
“What's the internet forum that you spend most time on?”

Who would you most like to see performing at Bestival?
“Until very recently I would have said Lord Howard Jones, but despite my apparent fixation with the man I love all sorts of music, and would very much like The Unthanks, Run Toto Run and Clare Maguire playing. Oh and The Cure would be good as well.”

Funniest Bestival memory?
“The first time I saw the Barry Peters Halifax Hospital Radio show and his dancers Double Penetration. The closest I have been to wetting myself since I was two.”

If Bestival was an animal, what would it be and why?
“A party animal.”

Message to any non-(Bestival)-believers out there?
“Get yourself a ticket, grab a smile and you’ll have the time of your life. I promise.”

Anything to add?
“Yes, thanks you to everyone involved with Bestival for giving me some of the best weekends of my entire life. And don't forget people, get involved on the Bestival forum all year round. A forum isn't just for one week in September, it needs to be loved and posted on in all seasons.”