Popheaval's Best of 2013: #10-1

Alright, I think it's about time to list the remaining half of my Best of 2013 listing. If you haven't seen the first half (#20-11) yet, you can find it over here. But now, let's get on with it - here's my top ten of 2013!

Live: Porcelain Raft at Beta, Copenhagen 30/10/2013.

You do remember Porcelain Raft, the excellent indie artist whose albums I've previously reviewed and obsessed over? Well, last night the band played a gig in Copenhagen and yes, I attended it. And also yes, I am going to review it as well. How could I not!

The venue was quite a small place but then again, considering the artist is hardly a very hyped-up one it was a very fitting setting for the gig. I went there with a friend of mine and to be honest, we were a bit terrified at first because there were literally like 15 people at the time of our arrival but fortunately more people kept trickling in along the evening, slowly but surely. The event was opened with a supporting band, the London-based indie duo Post Louis who played a handful of songs to warm the crowd up. I must admit I had never heard of them before, but they had an interesting experimental sound and one of their songs, the indie rock number "This Could Be A Bridge" worked really well live. It was their most uptempo song so that might also explain it. They ended their set with a beautiful cover of Lou Reed's "Berlin" which was a lovely nod to the recently passed away pioneer of rock music.





Some time later it was Porcelain Raft's time to take over the stage. After his 2012 debut LP Strange Weekend he used to perform solo, with only vocals and the guitar parts performed live while the rest of the music would come from loops etc. but now he's touring with a four-piece band which was a pleasant surprise as that way you get a more complete 'live' performance. The band opened up with an amped-up version of "Think of the Ocean", one of the most captivating songs from his latest record Permanent Signal that also worked well in this alternative version. It was followed by "Cluster" (just like on the album). Majority of the tracks were indeed from his second album - the one he's currently promoting, after all - but we were soon treated with an older hit (well, 'older' as in 'from last year') "Shapeless & Gone" that got the crowd bopping along.

Watch Porcelain Raft perform 'Cluster' in a live session

Do you still remember Porcelain Raft, the wonderful indie artist whose albums Strange Weekend and Permanent Signal I've previously reviewed in my blog? Well, if you liked what you heard then here's a special treat for you: Porcelain Raft (or actually, the record label Secretly Canadian) published today a live session from Minneapolis where the band performed "Cluster" from his latest album Permanent Signal. They sound great live which makes me even more enthusiastic about their upcoming Copenhagen gig next week - which I'm obviously attending and most likely reviewing as well. So stay tuned for more Porcelain Raft related posts and meanwhile, enjoy this clip!





Edit: now there are also two other songs online from the same session, "Think Of The Ocean" and "It Ain't Over". Here you go!

Review: 'Permanent Signal' by Porcelain Raft

Do you guys still remember Porcelain Raft, the indie musician whose debut Strange Weekend I reviewed a little while ago? Did you like it? In case you did, well, have I got news for you: he's got a new record out! His sophomore album Permanent Signal was released a bit less than three weeks ago. The day it was released I had some trouble sleeping due anxiety, so I took my phone, opened Spotify, bought a raspberry ice cream and left for a nightly walk to check out the album. It turned out to be the perfect context for a first listen.

Review: 'Strange Weekend' by Porcelain Raft

Porcelain Raft, the music project of Italy-born Mauro Remiddi, is an exciting artist I'd like you all to know about. He released his first full-length record Strange Weekend in early 2012, but actually began his career already in the 1990s and has toured the world ever since, even playing for an off-Broadway show in New York and performing in North Korea. Quite the traveller, you might say.

Porcelain Raft - 'The Way Out'

There's a lot of great new music to be expected during the autumn and now you can also add Porcelain Raft on your waiting list. Porcelain Raft, the stage name of Mauro Remiddi, is an Italy-based indie musician currently living in New York and, in my opinion, one of the most exciting songwriters around. To call him a newcomer would be an act of ignorance as he has been making music and travelling around the world ever since the 1990s, but it wasn't until 2012 that he released his debut album Strange Weekend. A writer of emotional lo-fi music, he makes music that plucks your heartstrings and although machine-made, sounds extremely vulnerable and human. Porcelain Raft has a new album coming out, preceded by the single "The Way Out". It also has a music video where a stripper is sexually assaulted but succeeds to strangle her attacker. You know, basic stuff.

In case you haven't heard of the musician in question do not worry a bit. I will be introducing him / reviewing his debut album shortly. I've also been listening to his forthcoming album in advance so another review is to be written sometime in the future. So much to write about, so little time!