Track of the week: Low Island - 'That Kind of Love'

A collective favourite for Team Tigmus, Oxfordshire's Low Island have recently released their new single That Kind of Love which was premiered by Huw Stephens on BBC Radio 1 last week. We absolutely adored their set at The Great Escape (more about that in our TGE write-up which we'll be posting soon) and heartily recommend you catch them live soon - they're off on a mini tour at the start of June kicking off with a BBC Introducing show at London's The Lexington tomorrow night (1st), before Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol. After wowing the crowds at this weekend's Oxford Common People Festival they'll be back on 21st October for the newly announced Future Perfect all-dayer Ritual Union on Cowley Road.

Follow Low Island online - Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud.

Eight questions with Too Tangled

Who are Too Tangled and where did the name come from? (a short introduction)

Too Tangled is a Belgian Indie-wave-electro duo. They use sounds of the 80s wave and punk, and mix them together with the sounds of now. They get praised by the European press for their refreshing, absorbing, sexy, and mysterious universe. Their sound is being compared with bands as The Knife, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Raveonettes, Depeche Mode...

How long have you been making music together, and what have the highlights been as a band?!

We've been making music together as for many years, but we started from scratch as a duo somewhat 7 years ago as 'Too Tangled'. Every concert is a highlight for us... that moment where we can connect with an audience and exchange energy... that's what it's about for us...

You released your new record ‘Revel Revel’ earlier this year - how has the response been so far and how has it been to take the record on the road around Europe?

The release has been going lovely... many of the interesting radios and blogs have spotted the album, and we're receiving lovely reviews on it... also live it's great to play the new tracks, and the set is a good mix of the new tracks together with the older, and every time we play, people are dancing and tripping, so that's a good place to be :-)

You’re coming over to the UK and playing Oxford and London dates for Tigmus...  how do you usually prepare for a live show, any unique pre-show warm-ups? And what should fans expect from your live shows?

We usually do some extra rehearsals before we leave on tour, to get some new things in it, and find some new ways to play... as a pre-show warm up we (Roeland, Eva, Machine (light), and Pedro (sound) always take 5 minutes alone in the backstage to greet the sun and have a gin tonic. What people should expect from the show? It's a trippy set, it starts with a lot of fog, and strobe... extended versions with wicked synths and freaky guitars, trippy beats, some punk-poetry à la John Cooper Clarck (whom we love btw), and some trancy Berlin-style tracks to finish it off.

Any sightseeing planned while you’re over here? Oxford is particularly beautiful in the sun!

We've been to Oxford many times... every time we come back to Courtyard studio (Sutton Courtenay/Oxfordshire) to finish an album, we take some time to visit... but it mostly rains doesn't it :-)

Who is your audience and how do you connect with your fans? Any crazy, fun, exciting stories are very welcome.

Our audience are crazy people between 16 and 60... we connect mostly after shows at the merch stand, and via Facebook obviously also... the craziest fan we had so far? was a woman who came to see us 6 times in a row (on average distances of 400 miles) she was completely crazy so that's why we like her so much :-) also one time our Roadie got lost in the first day of a Swiss/German tour, and he ended up at the bar with 6 beautiful Swiss women drinking way too much gin (without tonic)... we nearly had to send him home with an ambulance... Swiss women can be dangerous, especially if they're fans!

What would your dream gig entail? Any particular venues you’re desperate to play or artists you’d love to play alongside, in the UK or back home?

We haven't got a particular venue or festival we'd love to play... we love to play in the big venues obviously, but we love to play the small scruffy venues also... as long as we can play it's all good! We've got a bunch of artists that we adore and love to play alongside, we've had the chance of playing alongside Gaz Coombes and Band of Skulls, which was wicked... crazy good bands!

After a busy Summer tour, what does the rest of 2017 hold for Too Tangled?

Autumn-tours in Germany, Austria, Switserland, Belgium, and Italy (although Italy might be January) and in the meantime we're already writing some new stuff of which we're gonna try one or two out during the UK tour... be aware :-)

Too Tangled play at the Jericho Tavern in Oxford on 14th June and The Islington in London on 16th June - tickets here!

Eight questions with Harry & The Gondolas

(c) Louis Smith

1. Who are Harry & The Gondolas and where did the name come from? Any Venetian/rowing links in the band?

Unfortunately not, however we did have a go on a gondola in Oxford one time. The name came from a drunken conversation after much thought. We see it as ‘art for art’s sake.’

2. How long have you been making music together, and are there any particular musical influences on the band?

We have been a band for nearly 2 and a half years. We all have different inspirations, but our favourites at the moment would be; Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats, The Lumineers, The Dunwells, and Bears Den.

3. This is where I’d usually ask about a recent or upcoming release - anything to tell us about, something in the pipeline?!

We are working on a new single called ‘Free Your Enemies,’ with a music video - not sure when it will be released, but hopefully before Summer.

4. You’re playing your first UK tour this month, including a couple of shows for us in Oxford and Brighton. How are you preparing for the tour?

We’ve been practicing with a new set up, and got some new songs in the set. Other than that, we aren’t really the most prepared…

5. What can we expect from the shows?

There will be parts for everyone to sing and join in with us… we are very fond of getting the audience involved as much as possible. We also have a good selection of songs, ones to make you jump and smile, and ones to make you a bit teary! Bubba has good commentary on stage as well… we tend to make fools of ourselves!

6. Who is your audience and how do you connect with your fans? Any crazy, fun, exciting stories are very welcome.

Our audience ranges from all ages, and backgrounds. We do encourage people to dance, clap and sing so they can have fun with us. We did play at a dance festival, with house and dubstep called Love Saves The Day in Bristol, and being a folk band we didn’t really fit in - although we did get a crowd. I don’t know whether they were confused or genuinely enjoying the music.

7. What would your dream gig entail? Any particular cities/venues you’re desperate to play or artists you’d love to play alongside?

We’d love to play alongside with Matthew and The Atlas, or Bears Den … there are many more! I think we are very keen on going to America, and playing in Boston, or Chicago… that would be cool.  

8. After the tour this month, what does the rest of 2017 hold for you? Festivals?

We have a few festivals coming up that will be announced after the tour, we’re also looking into going to Canada in August for a couple of weeks - for a holiday... and to play some music.

Harry & The Gondolas play Brighton's The Blue Man (free entry show) and Oxford's Jericho Tavern this Thursday and Friday - info/tickets here!

Tig Digs: Alexander Wolfe 'I Can't Get To Sleep'

Here at Tigmus we're looking forward to our next London show, with the brilliant Alexander Wolfe playing Paper Dress Vintage for us on Thursday, alongside Kevin Pearce and Cunning Folk. Alexander's new single I Can't Get To Sleep was released in January and has received support from the lovely folk at BBC Radio 6 Music. Check out his performance of the track at Sofar Sounds London below and come along to the show on Thursday...

Advance tickets for the show on Thursday (6th April) are available through our site here.

Eight questions with Holly Redford Jones

(c) Izzy Romilly Photography

1. First up, who is Holly Redford Jones? (a short introduction)

That’s me! After a number of bands with slightly questionable names (I’m reminded of the heady university days of ‘Too Much Pesto’) I’m keeping things simple and running with my actual name (alternative I know). I’m originally from Chesterfield, or Chesvegas to those who abide there, but I’m now hanging out in Oxford and soaking up the wonderful music scene here having graduated in 2016.   

2. How long have you been making music? Any special early influences?

When I was about eleven I developed quite a passion for Eric Clapton which started me down the guitar path… my interests have from quite an early age been slightly unorthodox, when I was younger I always revelled in outdoing my male peers in traditional ‘boy things’, I think picking up guitar was in some ways a natural extension of my antics on the football field. The music that I most associate with home though is Leonard Cohen. I used to love, and still do, listening to his live albums and the way his voice commands to be listened to. I think that’s what made me want to start writing songs, at least it’s certainly set the bar for what I’d like to achieve.

3. Your debut EP ‘The Future’ has been out for just over a week now - how has the response been so far and how does it feel to have it out there for people to listen to?! Feel free to big up everybody who worked on the EP!

The EP was a lot of fun to make. Initially it started out with an invite to record a few demos at the Abbey Road Institute over summer which is how I ended up putting together the band. I’ve been playing music with Chris Cottell for a couple of years now, mostly in the form of late night/early morning jazz, and he volunteered his drumming services and also introduced me to John Paul and Ed MacLean who are all current music students. We had a great time making the demos so just decided to have a go ourselves in the University Music Faculty over the Christmas vacation with John Paul producing, that’s how the EP came about. It’s been a bit of a DIY effort through and through with two of my other talented friends, Izzy Romilly and Paavan Buddhdev doing the photography and website respectively (www.hollyredfordjones.co.uk). I’m also indebted to my other non-musical friends who patiently proofread anything I put in front of them for my trademark dyslexic errors! Conveniently I now have five close friends who are either English teachers or studying English at postgraduate level, so that worked out well for someone who frequently misspells her own name!

4. You launched the EP with a sell out Oxford show… how was that?! For any artists reading this who might be thinking about organising a show with Tigmus or have one booked in already, do you have any tips for self-promoting a gig successfully?

Amazing! I couldn’t really believe it, even on the night when it was becoming obvious it was going to be quite a packed show I was still half expecting no one to show up! I think picking the right venue is key, Fusion Arts was perfect for us, well-located just off Cowley Road and a nice size and aesthetic. But we were also blessed with two fantastic support acts, Catgod and Calypso Hetherington (go check out their Facebook pages!!).

5. You’re carrying on the EP launch celebrations with a show in London at The Harrison in a couple of weeks with fellow Oxford artists The 52s and Zander Sharp - what can we expect from the show?

I’m so excited for The Harrison. Firstly London itself… I’m still very much a Chesterfield girl at heart and I can remember when we used to take family holidays to London when I was younger so entering the Big Smoke is still very exciting for me! And myself and the 52s and Zander Sharp go back a couple of years now. We met on the Oxford scene and I’m so excited to hook up with them again in London. We’ve so many mutual friends and people in London coming it feels almost like a big joint birthday party or something! For the show itself, we’re stripping the set back a little bit and playing just guitar, bass and drums and as we’re in a folk club I’m hoping to slip a few more folksy songs I love in too… but the plan is still have everyone dancing by the end of the night!

6. Who is your audience and how do you connect with your fans? Any crazy, fun, exciting stories are very welcome.

Quite a mix actually. Having only just graduated I’m still very integrated with the student community in Oxford so there’s always a good student turn-out at gigs and I still love playing at student nights where I can, but I also did a gig at Fatlils in Witney recently and I was the youngest in the room by quite some margin. The diversity is something I really love, that was one of my favourite things about the EP launch, seeing all the different groups of people I’ve played to over the past year come together under one roof.

As for keeping in touch, as of a few days ago I am now on all major social media platforms including Instagram which I’m actually loving! I’d been putting off getting it for a while but have now been prompted into doing it and I’m finding it much more dyslexic-friendly than Twitter and Facebook! So if you want to keep up to date you can follow me @hollyredfordjones, and then I’ve also got a good old fashioned mailing list.

7. What would your dream gig look like? Are there any artists, locally or further afield, that you’d love to play alongside?

Ooh good question! Well of course up until last November the dream would have been Leonard Cohen but now Len’s gone I think the next best thing might be Father John Misty or maybe Conor O’Brien from Villagers? But I also love the idea of collaborating with other female artists, I really enjoyed Laura Marling’s ‘Reversal of the Muse’ podcast series and her dissection of femininity and creativity, a duet with someone like Beverly Howard from Alabama Shakes would be very cool. I’m also really into jazz and big band music so I’d have to say joining Jools Holland for a number would be a dream come true!

8. After the London headline show, what does the rest of 2017 hold for you?

Busy busy busy! We’re playing our first festival at Wychwood in June which I’m super excited about, it’s just after the guys in my band finish exams too so should be BANGIN. Then a few days later I’m doing a solo set upstairs @ Ronnie Scott’s for TV Nights which again, the jazz nerd in me is freaking out about! I’ve also got a few shows coming up in the meantime in Oxford and London (catch me next in Ox on 25th March at Cellar) and in April I’m heading back to my hometown, Chesterfield, for a few gigs too. I’ve also just started out with a couple of living room shows which has been so much fun, so if anyone reading this would like an itinerant singer-songwriter performing for them in their front room I’m very open to invitations!

Holly Redford Jones headlines The Harrison in King's Cross to help launch her recent EP 'The Future' on Tuesday 14th March with support from The 52s and Zander Sharp - cheapest tickets available here.

Tig Digs: Harry Pane 'Fletcher Bay'

He played a couple of brilliant sold out shows for us last year and we're thrilled to be working with Harry Pane again on a run of UK dates to launch his latest EP, The Wild Winds. All the dates and ticket info are available through Harry's site, and early bird tickets for some of the shows are available through Harry's Tigmus page! The first track from the EP, Fletcher Bay, was premiered yesterday and it is getting us pretty excited to hear the rest of it! The track is about a place in New Zealand where Harry visited with his father whilst travelling some years ago, and returned last year to spread his father's ashes after he tragically passed away, with the EP as a whole detailing the journey of grief and acceptance. Listen below...

You can pre-order the EP on iTunes here and follow Harry on Spotify to be alerted once it is released!

Eight questions with Tom Lowman

(c) Gilbert Yates Photography

1. Who is Tom Lowman and how long have you been making music? (a short introduction)

I’m me! I’m 25, born and raised on the South Coast of England. I’m a fairly nerdy and intense person and I love playing music and meeting people! I started creating music in bands from the age of about 15, but I was singing from pretty much the moment I could speak. I’ve been making solo recordings for quite awhile now, I did my first EP at university aged about 20 so I guess it’s half a decade of solo songs and solo shows now! I’m always dabbling in band projects too and I have the beginnings of some new band stuff in the works as we speak...

2. You recently released a live video for ‘Mine Is A Selfish Dream’ - how has the response been so far?!

The response has been good! I’ve been away from the UK for a few months living and working in Uganda so putting out live videos has been a nice way of keeping in touch with people back home and keeping people updated about what I’m working on musically. I hadn’t done a song on electric guitar in a while and that seems to have gone down well, as have the horrendous guitar faces I pull when I’m playing it!

3. The track is taken from your upcoming ‘Live and Lost’ EP, out on Good Friday. What can you tell us about the EP, any interesting stories about the people who worked on it and how you came to meet one another?

Live & Lost came out of some sessions I recorded with my good friend Jonny Breakwell, who plays in a London band called Chalk. I knew I wanted to put out some live videos whilst I was away from England but listening back to them I was so pleased with the slightly rough and ready way the songs sounded live on the electric that I thought it would be fun to put those versions out as an EP as well! I don’t know how long it’ll be til I can do album number two so it’s a good way of familiarising folks with the new songs before I take them out on tour. the songs are connected thematically in as much as they are all retrospective takes on situations from which I decided to break out, rightly or wrongly! Hence the lost part...

4. You’re launching the EP with a tour kicking off in Southampton on the release day (14th April) - what can we expect from the shows?

The last few months I have been writing constantly, so I have about 15 new songs ready to take out on tour. I’m hoping to trial most of these new songs in the live environment, probably bringing the electric guitar along! I will play a few of my older ones too. As soon as I get back to England I will start rehearsing with some of my old band members again so I hope to get a few other instruments along to some of the gigs, and I am supporting or bringing along some great musicians I know from playing shows as well. Expect intimate gigs with a truckload of new material!

5. The tour finishes up with a hometown Winchester show alongside Harry Pane and Hazey Jane - an incredible line-up if we do say so ourselves… have you seen those guys live before?

I haven’t and I’m extremely excited to do so! Meeting new artists and sharing a stage with them is one of my favourite parts of touring- you get to make new friends and there aren’t many environments that bring people together better than a gig! I’m excited to have Harry and the HJ guys along because my friends come out in force when I play back down south and it’s always good fun to introduce them to some brand new acts. Plans for a fairly scandalous post gig house party are in the works as well...

6. Who is your audience and how do you connect with your fans? Any crazy, fun, exciting stories are very welcome.

My audience is a fairly consistent blend of long-suffering friends and the fans and supporters that you only make through playing shows, putting yourself out there and being friendly! I’ve been doing this long enough now that there are always a few familiar faces at gigs in my favourite cities, which is amazing to see. Whilst I recognise how important it is, I struggle with this new age social media stuff as a means of connecting with fans- endless questions, talking about yourself etc kind of gets me down to be honest. I much prefer a drink and a chat before and after the show, nothing beats face to face interaction! The best shows end up winding down in someone’s kitchen at 4 am, with bad cover songs and slightly off-kilter conversation!

7. What would your dream gig look like? Any particular venues you’re desperate to play or artists you’d love to play alongside?

I would love to support musical icons of mine like Damien Rice or Will Varley, the kind of intimate gigs they thrive on suit my style as well, and getting to meet them properly would be awesome! I love the small local venues I have grown up playing and I’m still dreaming of that massive sold out hometown show, full band, huge mess, stories galore. So I guess I’ll keep working for those!! I also love the living room type shows offered by the guys at Sofar, and I’m always gunning to put another run of Sofar shows together too!

8. What does the rest of 2017 hold for you?

2017 is an interesting year for me! I’ll move back to the UK, hit the ground running with an Easter time tour, then try and get some of these new songs recorded! I’ve got a band project up and running and will work on that too, and then hopefully I’ll be able to take the band and solo stuff out on tour again later in the year. With any luck I will squeeze a few festivals in too, both as a performer and a punter!

Tom Lowman heads out on tour from 14th April to support the release of his new Live And Lost EP. Dates on the poster below! Tickets will be available through Tom's Tigmus profile!