I haven’t posted much about Sky Larkin before, but after this discovery I’m gonna be paying them a lot more attention.

I’ve already deafened you with my slightly over-the-top love for Bloc Party (here), but Sky Larkin have taken a stand-out track from ‘Intimacy’ (‘Ion Square’) and made it possibly even better than it was before. Slower, more stripped back, more hauntingly beautiful than the original.

MP3: Sky Larkin – Ion Square (Bloc Party cover) (via my ace new find, Separated By Motorways)

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HUNKS + Friends – ‘The Magic of Christmas’ ft. Sky Larkin, Los Campesinos!, Slow Club + more

Normally, Christmas records are a load of crap. I’ve received several this year already, the vast majority are just depressing. However one has taken me by surprise – it’s mot pretending to be big budget, nor particuarly great, instead it’s just an exercise in fun. Featuring: (deep breath please…) Sky Larkin, Los Campesinos!, Sparky Deathcap, My First Tooth, The Airborne Toxic Event, Copy Haho, James Yuill, Sound of Arrows, and written by Bright Light, Bright Light’s Rod Thomas, it’s fun, doesn’t pretend to be high quality and is just a good ol’ fashioned Christmas sing-along. The video isn’t half bad too – lots of fancy hat swapping.

It’s being released on Monday 14th December and all proceeds are donated to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals).

Levi’s® OnesToWatch® have announced their 2009 lineup for a series of shows at London’s Hoxton Bar and Grill and also Cargo in two weeks time.

Each night has been curated with handpicked artists who represent the best in new and emerging talent from a dynamic musical spectrum. The roll call includes an exclusive first solo show from Andrew Davie of Cherbourg (pictured right) on folk inspired Monday, Basque-dance prodigies Crystal Fighters, and a much anticipated performance from much hyped Marina & The Diamonds. To close the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen shows, the Thursday evening will celebrate the best new female fronted acts, with sets from indie-darlings Sky Larkin (pictured top), the genre-defying songwriter and producer MPHO, and young singer-songwriter of the moment, Beth Beth Jeans Houghton .

Tickets for all the shows are available from selected Levi’s Stores now, or you can visit their website for for details.

Monday 16th November at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Cherbourg (Andrew Davie solo, pictured right) + Goldheart Assembly + Young Rebel Set

Tuesday 17th November at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Crystal Fighters + Violens + Wild Palms

Wednesday 18th November at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Marina & The Diamonds + Wolf Gang + Clock Opera

Thursday 19th November at London’s Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Sky Larkin (pictured top) + MPHO + Beth Jeans Houghton

Friday 20th November: Closing Party @ Cargo 83 Rivington Street
The Whip + Alex Metric (Live set) + Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs + Ezra Bang & Hot Machine + VERY special guests
Read the rest of this entry »

Like your music in small and sweaty venues? Then head on down to London’s Macbeth next week for Levi’s Ones To Watch 5 night revue at the venue. Five nights of music

Foals have also been announced as playing a secret show at a yet-to-be-revealed venue on Tuesday night. Tickets for the show are free and will be available on a first come first serve basis at the Levi’s flagship store at 174-176 Regent Street, London, W1B 5TL, from 5.01pm this Saturday. Only one ticket per person is allowed and there are only 60 tickets to give away so make sure you get down there early to avoid disappointment!

Tickets for the below five dates are £6 a pop and are available from Ticketweb.

Monday 22nd September – Bombay Bicycle Club + Sky Larkin
Tuesday 23rd September – Iglu & Hartley + Micachu
Wednesday 24th September – Broken Records + Story One
Thursday 25th September – Esser + Stricken City
Friday 26th September – Metronomy + Tubelord