Construction House met with "sensitive punk" trio Miss Cosmos in Mile End's Victoria Park to discuss cassette tapes, money and girls' music. Here follows the result of our encounter.
Is the name Miss Cosmos a reference to any feminine aspect of your music or your personalities?
Danny (Stead, guitar/vocals): I think we're all quite feminine and quite sensitive. I think a lot of the music is quite soulful and quite deep as well, in a way.
So you think you can relate more to your own femininity, as opposed to your masculinity?
Danny: Yeah, definitely. We're never going to be really brash or stereotypically masculine, because none of us are. It's... music for girls.
You're definitely a lyrical band, does being so focused on your lyrics ever take away from your musical content? Is it particularly important if it does?
Danny: It does and it's not important.
Josh (Stevenson, bass/vocals): I think [the lyrics] are more important. For us, anyway.
So, do you think that the music could be described as a vehicle for the lyrics?
Josh: Pretty much, it's just a background really... Obviously it's important but not as important.
Would it be fair to say that you've put quite a lot of yourselves into your music?
Danny: Yes.
As such, is it ever annoying or irritating that bands can become successful by coming up with annoying or stupid stuff?
Danny: No, it's not annoying because everyone sings about what they want to sing about. If you're quite passionate singing about those things you relate to then that's fair enough.
Josh: If it makes them happy it's not really a problem. It's not really anything to do with us.
Danny: I'm not going to say that anything doesn't sing like this doesn't have anything to offer because that's a sort of narrow minded way of looking at it...
What I'm getting at is, is it ever irritating when someone in the charts sing songs that don't seem to make much sense becomes successful?
Danny: Well, it's quite ambiguous in a way. Just because it doesn't mean anything to me doesn't mean it means nothing to them.
Having experimented with cellos, electronic drums and other instruments and ideas in the past, where do you see yourselves progressing musically?
Josh: I think over the past six months or whatever we've really experimented quite a lot so I think it just depends on what ideas pop into our heads.
So you don't plan anything in advance?
Josh: No, I think it just comes with the situation that we're in at the time.
Danny: If you try to plan it, or have a set way of doing things it tends not to work out that way.
Josh: It can turn out pretty messy, as well.
So it's better just to be spontaneous?
Danny: Yeah.
Seeing as you all sing together both live and record in a fairly equal measure and you all play instruments that are integral to the band's sound, is anyone considered a front man in any way? Do any of you ever want to be more prominent within the band?
Danny: I think we're all the front man.
Josh: Yeah, I think that's the most important part, that we're all just exactly the same. We all sing everything, any one of us could be at the front and it wouldn't matter.
So the reason that you all sing everything to do with the sound or more to do with the fact that you care about being equal?
Josh: Probably more to do with the sound. It sounds a lot better, not a lot of people do it... [We momentarily pause to admire a passing jogger's tomato red running suit.]
So the whole front man thing is something you've never really given thought to?
Danny: I don't think any of us are really natural front men. No one's going to say, "that's the front man"...
Do you prefer it that way?
Danny: It's not something that's really important.
Do you have any plans to release any of your music and where can people get hold of copies of your songs?
Josh: I imagine in the new year, that'd be an obvious next thing to do. Not in a big way or anything, we'd just give it away for free or something and if it works out then maybe we'll put out a tape with someone else.
So do you just want people to hear your music? Are you concerned about money at all?
Josh: Not really. Obviously it'd be nice if we didn't have to work or worry about rent and things like that. It's never really a big issue; as long as we can carry on playing and we're satisfied with what we're playing...
Other than the release, what are your future plans?
Josh: I'd quite like to go to Europe, just to see how far afield we can go.
Danny: I'd like to take the music really far... Really concise, with a lot packed into it. Conceptually, so it's really perfect... Perfect by our own standards, pushing it as far as it can go.
Find songs and show updates online at http://myspace.com/misscosmos
Wednesday 9 December 2009
Friday 13 November 2009
REVIEW: Amoriste, 'Amoriste' EP
From listening to piano pop quartet Amoriste’s self-titled EP, one gets the impression that front man Liam Tolan fancies himself as a bit of a lyrical dandy; a nu-Morrissey, if you will. It’s a shame that the self-confessed Moz fan’s words lack the biting wit and delicate musings of that charming man and instead, so often, fall almost completely flat. Surely, music fans have progressed far enough so that they no longer find lines like “Every single bird that flies over makes me want to grow my own wings”, and the various other twee ramblings that follow about cricket and the countryside at all interesting or endearing (“This Park Is Mine”). In an attempt to capture the spirit of the quintessentially English, Tolan has succeeded only in making his beloved rural life seem rather limp and inherently annoying.
When the listener is not being bludgeoned over the head with jumpers-for-goalposts, Maypoles and old ladies serving tea at the village fete, it must be noted that Tolan’s musical accompaniment is not completely without it’s charm or nuance. The group display their sound knowledge of a pop back catalogue (little-known bands like Sparklehorse being a fairly constant reference) and the Essex boys compliment each others’ instruments with an uncommon finesse, clearly no strangers to well thought out song arrangement.
Yes, the song-after-song dramatic swells and reverberating “oh oh oh” choruses (“Berlin”) reek of Top 40 aspirations but the soundtrack shows promise and will surely not fail to please fans of “big sounding” bands like Snow Patrol, The Script, et al. and with a burgeoning fan base of squeaky clean teens following them around the circuit, Amoriste are going to be a tough bunch to shake off come 2010.
When the listener is not being bludgeoned over the head with jumpers-for-goalposts, Maypoles and old ladies serving tea at the village fete, it must be noted that Tolan’s musical accompaniment is not completely without it’s charm or nuance. The group display their sound knowledge of a pop back catalogue (little-known bands like Sparklehorse being a fairly constant reference) and the Essex boys compliment each others’ instruments with an uncommon finesse, clearly no strangers to well thought out song arrangement.
Yes, the song-after-song dramatic swells and reverberating “oh oh oh” choruses (“Berlin”) reek of Top 40 aspirations but the soundtrack shows promise and will surely not fail to please fans of “big sounding” bands like Snow Patrol, The Script, et al. and with a burgeoning fan base of squeaky clean teens following them around the circuit, Amoriste are going to be a tough bunch to shake off come 2010.
Monday 19 October 2009
REVIEW: An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump - Buy A Life EP
Since 2008’s debut release, These Sins, and the media hype-orgy that entailed, An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump have kept relatively quiet. Mostly playing abroad, giving time to other projects and having very little to do with the press, the self-proclaimed minimalists have been biding their time.
It is with great pleasure that Construction House can reveal that the art-grunge trio’s sophomore release, the Buy A Life EP has arrived, and in such style too.
The record puts the pedal to the metal with ‘Smear’; AEOABITAP’s trademark bass string scratching feedback serves as the overture, the deep rumble of X-Bird’s drums further accelerating the track and impacting like a kick to the guts. D-Bird takes the lead vocal for this one and it’s immensely pleasing to see that her strength as a singer has increased tenfold, when before her understated performances often struggled to match the weight of the bass-heavy, distorted clatter.
Taking a leaf from the Nirvana ‘quiet-loud-quiet’ school of thought comes ‘Silent Hour’, beginning with a seductive and melodic bass line, accompanied by a sparse yet effective use of a single floor tom and the introduction of X-Bird’s sultry vocal work. The track suddenly roars to life, X-Bird’s delivery remaining calm above the storm of high octane guitar-noise. Ending on a frenzied note, the Birds reprise an oldie in ‘Only In Death’, C-Bird’s yelping vocals heavily distorted in a nod to the way in which the track was originally recorded with inexpensive equipment.
An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump have proved with their latest release that they are nothing if not forward thinking, and that what some derided as a format that would quickly tire has endured and evolved into something even more exciting than before.
Get the point, and don’t try to buy a life – but most certainly buy this.
It is with great pleasure that Construction House can reveal that the art-grunge trio’s sophomore release, the Buy A Life EP has arrived, and in such style too.
The record puts the pedal to the metal with ‘Smear’; AEOABITAP’s trademark bass string scratching feedback serves as the overture, the deep rumble of X-Bird’s drums further accelerating the track and impacting like a kick to the guts. D-Bird takes the lead vocal for this one and it’s immensely pleasing to see that her strength as a singer has increased tenfold, when before her understated performances often struggled to match the weight of the bass-heavy, distorted clatter.
Taking a leaf from the Nirvana ‘quiet-loud-quiet’ school of thought comes ‘Silent Hour’, beginning with a seductive and melodic bass line, accompanied by a sparse yet effective use of a single floor tom and the introduction of X-Bird’s sultry vocal work. The track suddenly roars to life, X-Bird’s delivery remaining calm above the storm of high octane guitar-noise. Ending on a frenzied note, the Birds reprise an oldie in ‘Only In Death’, C-Bird’s yelping vocals heavily distorted in a nod to the way in which the track was originally recorded with inexpensive equipment.
An Experiment On A Bird In The Air Pump have proved with their latest release that they are nothing if not forward thinking, and that what some derided as a format that would quickly tire has endured and evolved into something even more exciting than before.
Get the point, and don’t try to buy a life – but most certainly buy this.
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Back soon...
There will be a new issue this month, I swear! Featuring Goodnight And I Wish, as well as loads of other good bands and whatever. It'll get sent to you in the post if you're a subscriber, you can get it in Revival if not. Lovely.
J
J
Tuesday 11 August 2009
Friday 17 July 2009
Issue 7 out now!
Issue 7 of Construction House features interviews with ddd and Wild Palms, along with the usual live reviews and introductions to new bands like Etai Keshiki and more!
Get your copy from Revival now, or order one quick sharp.
Get your copy from Revival now, or order one quick sharp.
Tuesday 16 June 2009
An Experiment On A Cunt In The Air Pump
Click the link below to see what happened when Martin Tomlinson of Selfish Cunt joined Birds D and C onstage at The Macbeth's Ghost School.
12/6/09
WATCH
12/6/09
WATCH
Thursday 4 June 2009
Issue 6 and we are back in print!
The problems with printers and distributers are officially sorted and we're back in print, so sorry about being lax last month.
Anyway, NOT COOL are this month's featured group with introductions to Joyrides and The Bacchae as well as words from Selena Kyle and art from A Softer World's Emily Horne & Joey Comeau.
Issues should be with you within the week.
Anyway, NOT COOL are this month's featured group with introductions to Joyrides and The Bacchae as well as words from Selena Kyle and art from A Softer World's Emily Horne & Joey Comeau.
Issues should be with you within the week.
Wednesday 20 May 2009
A challenge
Some of the most interesting books and magazines I have read are the ones that I find lying around in public: on trains, on park benches, I even found a lovely little book called A Gift From The Sea once in a public toilet.
So, my challenge to you: leave Construction House in a public place once you've finished with it. You never know who will pick it up.
Spread the word.
So, my challenge to you: leave Construction House in a public place once you've finished with it. You never know who will pick it up.
Spread the word.
Friday 8 May 2009
No print, amongst other things
This month, we're sorry to say, Construction House will not be going to print due to cost and the printers and post office causing difficulties... The zine will be available from the blog to download as a PDF file, though, so you'll still get your monthly dose of Construction House goodness.
In fact, it'd be really cool if, when you download the PDF, you could print one or two copies and share with your friends.
Sorry for being shitty, let us know how the promotion goes!
Anyway, this month will feature Reflections Of Elephants, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Cats In Paris and mooooore.
In fact, it'd be really cool if, when you download the PDF, you could print one or two copies and share with your friends.
Sorry for being shitty, let us know how the promotion goes!
Anyway, this month will feature Reflections Of Elephants, The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, Cats In Paris and mooooore.
Tuesday 7 April 2009
Construction House and P.i.X join forces
P.i.X is a fanzine and a poster rolled into one. Very cool indeed. From this month onwards, we will be mailing out a copy of said postzine with each issue of Construction House for your reading pleasure. Hanna Hanra, co-founder of P.i.X, had this to say:
"Fanzines have long been a way of connecting people - from the early days of punk, riot grrrrl, to modern day blogging (which in itself is the most basic version of a fanzine.) To collaborate with another fanzine is an amazing opportunity - because at the end of the day, thats really what it's all about, bringing people together via the medium of paper and ink."
She's right, too.
Check them out online here
"Fanzines have long been a way of connecting people - from the early days of punk, riot grrrrl, to modern day blogging (which in itself is the most basic version of a fanzine.) To collaborate with another fanzine is an amazing opportunity - because at the end of the day, thats really what it's all about, bringing people together via the medium of paper and ink."
She's right, too.
Check them out online here
Monday 6 April 2009
Construction House Club
The Construction House club has arrived. The opening night will be held at the Seaxe, Brentwood on the 18th April.
Featuring: VON JERGO, PICTURE PRETTY, REFLECTIONS OF ELEPHANTS.
The resident Construction House DJs will be spinning records from the 70's, 80's, 90's and 00's (noise, kraut, electro, punk, art).
Entry is £4, MESSAGE on Facebook for the cheap list.
We'll see you there.
Monday 23 March 2009
Issue 4 coming soon
Good morning everyone, just a quick update to let you know what you can expect from April's issue of Construction House.
Issue 4 will feature interviews with S.C.U.M and Relics as well as a big fat review of S.C.U.M's headline spot at Shoreditch Church's Worship festival. We've also found some great new up and comers that go by the name of Not Cool, plus more new acts for you to check out. If you see us out and about in the next week or so, do stop and say hello!
Issue 4 will feature interviews with S.C.U.M and Relics as well as a big fat review of S.C.U.M's headline spot at Shoreditch Church's Worship festival. We've also found some great new up and comers that go by the name of Not Cool, plus more new acts for you to check out. If you see us out and about in the next week or so, do stop and say hello!
Wednesday 4 March 2009
Construction House needs your help!
Fellow architects:
So, we're three months in and very pleased by the direction in which things seem to be going. Copies at Revival Records in Berwick St are moving really quickly and we now have readers all over the country requesting copies of the zine.
However, it's becoming increasingly difficult to stay on top of orders and get all the articles completed by the beginning of every month (which is, incidentally, why issue three is a little later than we would have liked) with such a small team. Hopefully, this is where you come in.
If you are an aspiring writer or photographer and would like to sign up as a card carrying Construction Worker, we would love to hear from you; this fanzine would be a great way by which to cut your milk teeth, as it were. Particularly, we need live reviewers, and new band scouts and tippers. Your suggestions for new things to include in Construction House would be most welcome, too.
All you need to do to get our seal of approval is send a small sample of your work (half a side of A4, perhaps a little less depending on what it is you do) either via post or through the Facebook page, or through the blog.
So get scribbling and snapping, whatever, we anticipate your responses.
So, we're three months in and very pleased by the direction in which things seem to be going. Copies at Revival Records in Berwick St are moving really quickly and we now have readers all over the country requesting copies of the zine.
However, it's becoming increasingly difficult to stay on top of orders and get all the articles completed by the beginning of every month (which is, incidentally, why issue three is a little later than we would have liked) with such a small team. Hopefully, this is where you come in.
If you are an aspiring writer or photographer and would like to sign up as a card carrying Construction Worker, we would love to hear from you; this fanzine would be a great way by which to cut your milk teeth, as it were. Particularly, we need live reviewers, and new band scouts and tippers. Your suggestions for new things to include in Construction House would be most welcome, too.
All you need to do to get our seal of approval is send a small sample of your work (half a side of A4, perhaps a little less depending on what it is you do) either via post or through the Facebook page, or through the blog.
So get scribbling and snapping, whatever, we anticipate your responses.
Monday 16 February 2009
Daisy Ellis & Construction Nights
I've just heard a demo new to MySpace by a girl called Daisy Ellis - that name should sound familiar - and I felt compelled to share it with you.
Highly recommendable acousto soul pop, do add her if you like her, you can find her page here
On a tenuously related note, Construction House may well be hosting nights of music in London soon, featuring our favourite bands and artists. Watch this space, we'll keep you updated.
Highly recommendable acousto soul pop, do add her if you like her, you can find her page here
On a tenuously related note, Construction House may well be hosting nights of music in London soon, featuring our favourite bands and artists. Watch this space, we'll keep you updated.
Tuesday 3 February 2009
A Slight Delay...
Unfortunately, there will probably be a couple of days delay on your orders for this month's issue. The Royal Mail are never quite up to scratch at the best of times, and with the recent onset of heavy snow they now seem to be nothing short of useless.
But don't panic because we're aiming to get everyone's copies sent out by Thursday, which means you should all receive them by Monday at the very latest.*
In the mean time, for regular updates and general social networking fun, you should join Construction House on Facebook. Just type in "Construction House" to your Facebook search engine and sign up.
*Subscribers ordering from the far North and South of England should allow up to two days more than the specified time.
But don't panic because we're aiming to get everyone's copies sent out by Thursday, which means you should all receive them by Monday at the very latest.*
In the mean time, for regular updates and general social networking fun, you should join Construction House on Facebook. Just type in "Construction House" to your Facebook search engine and sign up.
*Subscribers ordering from the far North and South of England should allow up to two days more than the specified time.
Monday 2 February 2009
Picture Pretty debut
Picture Pretty have recently announced their debut show: Take A Bow is hosting a night at the Fleece (Duke St., Chelmsford) on the 20th February, 8PM. More info still to come, but it's sure to be a winner.
Add the band on MySpace for regular updates about shows and more; click here
Also see Take A Bow's MySpace by clicking here
Add the band on MySpace for regular updates about shows and more; click here
Also see Take A Bow's MySpace by clicking here
Saturday 31 January 2009
Subscribe to Construction House
We are now taking orders for February's issue of Construction House, so get your postals to the usual email address.
Also, if you'd like to receive Construction House on a monthly basis without having to send your postal address through every month, you can now request that your name and details be kept on a database which means your copy will be delivered and you need never contact us again, unless you so wish.
THIS MONTH'S ISSUE FEATURES: NO KISSES, IPSO FACTO, HATCHAM SOCIAL, AN EXPERIMENT ON A BIRD IN THE AIR PUMP, ROMANCE, MISS COSMOS, JOSE VANDERS + LITERATURE FROM GEORGE MORRIS AS WELL AS SUPER AWESOME VISUALS FROM DAISY MOON ELLIS AND EMILY HUGHES. NOT TO BE MISSED!
Also, if you'd like to receive Construction House on a monthly basis without having to send your postal address through every month, you can now request that your name and details be kept on a database which means your copy will be delivered and you need never contact us again, unless you so wish.
THIS MONTH'S ISSUE FEATURES: NO KISSES, IPSO FACTO, HATCHAM SOCIAL, AN EXPERIMENT ON A BIRD IN THE AIR PUMP, ROMANCE, MISS COSMOS, JOSE VANDERS + LITERATURE FROM GEORGE MORRIS AS WELL AS SUPER AWESOME VISUALS FROM DAISY MOON ELLIS AND EMILY HUGHES. NOT TO BE MISSED!
Monday 12 January 2009
Construction House now available instore at Revival Records
Construction House is now available for you to pick up at Revival Records.
Revival is situated on Berwick St (W1 - the nearest tube station is Oxford Circus). Of course, it's still free! If you can't find a copy right away, ask for Duncan and he will be able to direct you towards one.
Though Revival only partake in over the counter transactions, you can still find them online, just click here to visit their website.
Revival is situated on Berwick St (W1 - the nearest tube station is Oxford Circus). Of course, it's still free! If you can't find a copy right away, ask for Duncan and he will be able to direct you towards one.
Though Revival only partake in over the counter transactions, you can still find them online, just click here to visit their website.
Saturday 10 January 2009
Find Construction House on Facebook
There is now a Construction House group on Facebook. Either search "Construction House", or visit the URL directly, here.
Sign up today.
Sign up today.
Thursday 8 January 2009
CONSTRUCTION HOUSE ISSUE 1 OUT NOW!
That's right, the first issue of Construction House is available to order! This month features KASMs, An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump, Picture Pretty, Advert, Cheeky Cheeky and the Nosebleeds, Televised Crimewave and tons of other great bands, plus some cool artwork by the up-and-coming Daisy Moon Ellis and Dominique Russell, and words by George Morris.
It's free, and definitely not to be missed.
So send your postal address to: joseph-hughes@hotmail.co.uk while stocks last!
Also, I'm looking for contributors right now; you can submit pretty much anything, prints of paintings, literature, a gig review, tips on new bands, whatever.
If you're sending electronic files, use the address given above but if you need to send a CD or other physical submissions, post it, along with your email address, telephone number and postal address, to:
JOSEPH @ CONSTRUCTION HOUSE
63a Worrin Road,
Shenfield, Brentwood
ESSEX CM15 8JL
PLEASE NOTE: ANYTHING SUBMITTED BY POST MUST BE FULLY PAID FOR, I WILL REFUSE TO USE ANYTHING IN CH THAT I'VE GOT TO STUMP UP FOR, NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT MAY BE. PLEASE LOOK INTO POSTAGE COSTS BEFORE YOU SEND.
It's free, and definitely not to be missed.
So send your postal address to: joseph-hughes@hotmail.co.uk while stocks last!
Also, I'm looking for contributors right now; you can submit pretty much anything, prints of paintings, literature, a gig review, tips on new bands, whatever.
If you're sending electronic files, use the address given above but if you need to send a CD or other physical submissions, post it, along with your email address, telephone number and postal address, to:
JOSEPH @ CONSTRUCTION HOUSE
63a Worrin Road,
Shenfield, Brentwood
ESSEX CM15 8JL
PLEASE NOTE: ANYTHING SUBMITTED BY POST MUST BE FULLY PAID FOR, I WILL REFUSE TO USE ANYTHING IN CH THAT I'VE GOT TO STUMP UP FOR, NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT MAY BE. PLEASE LOOK INTO POSTAGE COSTS BEFORE YOU SEND.
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