Thursday 26 April 2012

Trim the Barber interview on ROUNDHOUSE RADIO

Last night we ventured out to our local pub to meet up with Matt Barnes from Roundhouse Radio. The interview we recorded will be aired tonight between 8-9pm and will be available to listen again here: http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/explore/radio/matt-barnes-indie-show/matt-barnes-indie-show-26th-april-2012

Matt's previous guests include Veronica Falls, The Futureheads, The Duke Spirit, Glen Matlock and Andrew WK!

Wednesday 25 April 2012

FRIDAY NIGHT!


Limited Edition EP CD: available to buy online


Limited edition run of 100 individually numbered and cellophane wrapped EP CDs with cover art by Andrew Shields and inside cover art by Elyssa Iona. 

£4 plus p+p. Will ship anywhere.

(Includes immediate download of EP in just about any digital format you desire)

Trim the Barber in TNT Magazine


TNT Magazine | Issue 1494, 16-22nd April 2012.

Trim the Barber in TOTAL GUITAR Magazine

(click to enlarge image)


TOTAL GUITAR | May 2012

John Kennedy plays Trim the Barber on XFM

Thanks to John Kennedy for giving "Occupation" a spin on XFM on Wednesday 18th April. 
We were played directly after Manflu, who are awesome.

X-posure Playlist: http://www.xfm.co.uk/onair/shows/xposure/xposure-playlist

Saturday 14 April 2012

Trim the Barber in the HACKNEY CITIZEN!





http://hackneycitizen.co.uk/2012/03/31/trim-the-barber-a-cut-above/

By April Welsh, Saturday 31st March 2012 | Photograph: Elyssa Iona | Hackney Citizen Issue 30 April 2012

EP Review on MUSIC LIBERATION

Read here: http://musicliberation.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/ep-review-trim-barber-trim-barber.html

MUSIC LIBERATION

EP Review : Trim the Barber - Trim the Barber

Author : John Sidwell // Posted Tuesday, April 10, 2012

It feels like its been a long time coming to hear this debut self titled EP from London's Trim The Barber. We first came across the the four-piece during the Summer last year with the single 'All We Can Be', and ever since we've been eager to hear more. So it was with great delight and anticipation when we pressed play on their shiny record that recently dropped through the letterbox.

Fortunately the long wait is soon forgotten as opening track 'Occupation' kicks in, with some dark atmospheric guitars and mind focusing drums, and we are swiftly reminded of our fondness for Mathew Potters swirling vocals which are equally moody and content. 'Autocue' carries on in a similar vain; expansive guitars, commanding drums, with the finale to the track being really vamped up leaving you feeling a bit claustrophobic but strangely happily so.

It is with the third track 'Digitalis' that the strides this band have made since that first single can be seen. Opening with a brash guitar, the tempo is slow and assured, building gently before Potters' vocals are introduced. As the track develops you are unavoidably sucked in, with your mind taken over by the ever increasing intensity and sheer power this group can produce.

The EP closes with 'Reality', a track which takes a slightly different tack for the band, albeit maintaining those filthy guitars, with the tempo increased a notch. It's an interesting insight into how the band could expand within a full length release, as well as demonstrating the potential to mix things up with their live shows.

This debut self titled EP from Trim The Barber is really something quite special, combining a sort of melodic shoegaze feel with ragged punk like guitars, whilst all the while lyrics deal with an altogether ill feeling towards the current state of social affairs within the UK and beyond. It's essential listening for those who require their music a little darker and can appreciate ideas that sometimes take you out of your comfort zone.

You can download the Trim The Barber EP for free all this week from the band's Bandcamp. // Trim The Barber

Trim the Barber on PATTIES RADIO in Houston, Texas

Read here: http://pattiesradio.tumblr.com/post/20869548506/trim-the-barber-reality

"Wow. I Usually Try Not To Curse In these Posts Because We Are Being All Professional and What Not. But Oh My F***** God I Thought My Head Might Explode Listening To This Greatness. With Any Luck, You Will Be Hearing This On Your New Favorite Radio Program Patties Radio. These London #PattiesPeeps Are Killing The Game Right Now!!!"

4/5 EP Review from ZEITGEIST MAGAZINE

Read here: http://www.zeitgeistmagazine.com/#/trim-the-barber-ep-review/4562733694

ZEITGEIST MAGAZINE

Trim the Barber EP Review

Words by Sean Williams | 4th April 2012

It'd be easy to ignore a band who describe their sound as "psychedelic-post-punk-shoegaze", who go on to add that they formed "from a sense of despair at the alienation and devolution of modern life". In these current doom and gloom times that could be pretty much any bunch of angst rich, cash poor, twenty something year olds in a band who are fucked off at the world, but Trim The Barber might just be that rare gem who are turning that dejection into something beautiful and poignant.

East London based band Trim The Barber's self titled debut EP comes out on April 9th, and, while not quite the finished article, it definitely shows huge promise. Melancholic yet with direction, their sound is layered and cinematic in ways that are reminiscent of New York band A Place To Bury Strangers, but with an almost pop, post-punk tinge to it that is more in the style of Gang Of Four.

Stand out track 'Digitalis' upon first listen (and even now on what must be my twentieth) is vocally incredible, like Paul Weller back in his early The Jam days. The delivery is venomous, the vocals spat out and meaningful, but that's where the similarity with 'The Modfather' ends. Trim The Barber's eponymous EP perhaps won't blow you away, but like so many bands, this EP I feel is a work in progress, and a hugely promising one at that.

Zeitgeist's Rating: 4/5

"Occupation" Live Session Video


All audio and video recording, mixing and editing by Barry Hoffman, Patrick Banks and Ross Cooper. www.soundyoucansee.com
Projections by Elyssa Iona

TRIM THE BARBER EP IS OUT NOW!

Trim the Barber - Trim the Barber EP


"a stark, utilitarian record, which yokes the minimalism of post-punk with a florid, psychedelic core.'"- [Hackney Citizen]

"a glorious, shambling, noise-shimmer surge. Authentically classic yet wholly modern." - (5.5/6) [Zero Tolerance Magazine]

"guitar sounds that scream through feedback like claws going down the windowpane" - [AAA Music]

"the London four-piece’s debut EP is far fresher than your average Communion signee, and there’s not a blood stained, greasy flat cap in sight (thank Goodness)" - [DrunkenWerewolf]

'Trim the Barber EP' was digitally released on Monday, and is a free download from 9th-16th April.  You will find the free download exclusively on our Bandcamp. It's also available from iTunes, Spotify and Amazon etc. It's been a long time coming, we really hope you enjoy the music and spread the word while the EP is still free.

GET THE EP HERE:
[Bandcamp] - FREE from 9th-15th April only.

To accompany the release we have made a live session video of "Occupation" - http://youtu.be/EX6RqDA2AsQ

We'll be playing at Fierce Panda Records' Bamboozled night at The Bull and Gate in Kentish Town on Wednesday 18th April, Friday 27th April at The Silver Bullet in Finsbury Park and Thursday 3rd May at 333 Motherbar on Old Street. We have a limited edition batch of physical copies of the EP which will be available from these gigs.  

18th April - Bull and Gate - TICKETS
27th April - Silver Bullet - £3 ON THE DOOR
3rd May - 333 Motherbar - FREE!

Tuesday 10 April 2012

5.5 out of 6 EP Review from ZERO TOLERANCE Magazine

**Review is of self titled EP, not All We Can Be**

ZERO TOLERANCE ISSUE #46 APR/MAY 2012

EP Review on 7 BIT ARCADE

Read here: http://7bitarcade.com/music/article/ep-review-trim-the-barber/

7 BIT ARCADE

EP Review: Trim the Barber

By Katy | 6th April 2012

Being described, in short, as psychedelic – post punk- shoegazers and likened to The Cure among others made me very interested to see what this London-based band had to offer on their self-titled four track EP. The song titles are to the point which is much like their songs. Occupation has the heavy drum beat alongside the echoing guitar and light bass line with a space sound pulsing alongside them. It sounds like a haunting track and when the vocals kick in they too echo and pulse through the song, building up to the chorus with a rampaging mash of instruments. The song is a recognition of the destroying nature of everyday life and the idea that there is more to life than your work. The theme of the EP seems to continue on with the idea that things are dreary and unimaginative.

Autocue is about lack of thought and challenging your surroundings. Once again the heavy drum beat is the linchpin with guitars swirling round the track. The vocals ‘Waiting, writing, living, dying’ reverberate in the background to present the grim and desolate nature of life. The way the vocals come together to shout these lyrics presents the idea of the masses and the mainstream as a world devoid of substance, something which I think this band are seeking to breakthrough and smash to pieces with something that is in your face and aggressive.

Digitalis follows with a bleak view of the modern age detailing the view of digital media against treasured materialistic, hard copies of photos and records or cds. With very british vocals shouting ‘You can’t pixelate me’, it sounds like a loud, brash rally against the way that our lives and loves are celebrated.

Reality bounds right in with the rolling drum beat and guitar reverb to create a fast-paced track. The vocals echo in the background to make the drums and the erratic guitar at the forefront of your listening attention. This is where I can see comparisons with bands like The Cure as it has the same kind of power and quirkiness of a masculine nature. The lyrics do not seem as important here and what really keeps this song alive is the disarray of all the instruments over the quieter more gentle vocals. It’s a punchy ending to leave you wanting more.
This is clearly a band who are bored and angry over the state of culture and life today. Their music is there to get this message across in a way that makes you think, through their lyrics and the layered sound that they produce. I would definitely say in a sea of identikit indie bands that are revered by theNME this band present something definitely different. I have read that their live shows are loud and on the basis of this EP I could see them blowing some ears off.

Trim the Barber on DROWNED IN SOUND

The EP got a mention on Drowned In Sound's 'This Weeks Singles' page from 09/04/2012: 
http://drownedinsound.com/in_depth/4144754-this-weeks-singles--9-04-12s-ss-trembling-bells-bobby-conn-slugabed-bonnie-prince-billy

EP Review on AAA Music

Read here: http://www.aaamusic.co.uk/2012/04/09/trim-the-barber-trim-the-barber-ep/

AAA MUSIC

Trim the Barber - Trim the Barber EP

By aaamusic on Apr 09, 2012 in Albums, Reviews  

Taking their cues very much from The Cure circa ‘Seventeen Seconds’, ‘Faith’, and ‘Pornography’, Trim The Barber offer up four tracks of echo-drenched moodiness. Tribal drumming, slow bass and keening guitars all float around on this EP in abundance, making for a claustrophobic yet cathartic effort.

‘Occupation’ picks up right where The Cure left inventing some kind of new genre on the two aforementioned albums. Yes, it’s very familiar, that post-punk wailing guitar sound that shimmers into jangling melodies, although there’s the propulsive bite that’s absent from The Cure, marking Trim The Barber out as standing more on the rock end of the spectrum as the song builds in a manner far more forceful than the introspection of the influences. The drumming, through the feedback, seems to even take a few cues from hard rock just as much as the post-punk greats. In fact, ‘Autocue’ goes one step further, injecting a rumbling gothic blues into the squalls and morose vocals. Choppy delayed guitar and loping basslines swirl around a sound that edges close to A Place To Bury Strangers collaborating with Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster, culminating into a muffled but not ineffectual chant.


‘Digitalis’ takes us back to the glacial pedal-bothering, with guitar sounds that scream through feedback like claws going down the windowpane and phantom delay chords cutting through a surprisingly roomy mix, the sounds all perfectly matching the lyrics that speak of the way digitised music leads a ghostly existence. Ultimately this sounds like something The Horrors could have cooked up, but the band’s sparks elsewhere save the track from feeling derivative, as does the excellent instrumental outro and fade-out that storms over the last minute of running time. Then ‘Reality’ kicks things into gear with a biting A Place To Bury Strangers sound and hard rock attitude and backbone pitched to perfection, making sure the EP ends with a bang and several shattering cymbal smashes rather than a whimper.


I have had my curiosity piqued by Trim The Barber. On the one hand, they could fall into the netherworlds of “a bit like The Horrors”. But there’s something about them that kicks out against a lazy conclusion. The harder rock that lurks somewhere amongst the feedback and delay creates a powerful driving force to their sound that makes me interested in seeing what they would be like live, something that tends to be an encouraging sign.

★★★★★
Katie H-Halinski

Acuvi's New Music Roundup #4

The EP got a mention in the Acuvi New Music Roundup from 05/03/2012: http://acuvi.org/2012/03/05/acuvis-new-music-roundup-4-05-03-12/

The Big Beat: Amazing Radio Podcast

We've been featured in our second Amazing Radio Podcast, from 29/03/2012 recorded in Austin Texas by Mike Taylor of 'The Big Beat' showcasing his favourite tracks of 2012 so far.



Check the track listing here: http://www.thisisthebigbeat.com/2012/04/listen-amazing-radio-29-march.html

AltSounds File-O-Facts with Matthew

Read here: http://hangout.altsounds.com/features/146053-file-o-facts-matthew-potter-trim-barber.html

EP Review on LOUD-STUFF

Read here: http://www.loud-stuff.com/trim-the-barber.html 

LOUD-STUFF.COM


Trim the Barber | Words: Dave Nicholls

Further to our review of Trim The Barber recently, they sent us through a link to their EP in full so we could hear their finished product, the below tracks being a selection of tracks which they’ve been releasing over the last year or so. As such, based on what I’d heard before, I thought it only right I see how they’d gotten on with their production of a fully fledged EP!

Occupation certainly demonstrates that this is a band who have been on a journey together, taking the tracks which they’ve produced before and throwing them all into a melting pot before crafting their final draft. Relatively simple as it grows, the track seems to build around you as the drums and guitar combine, forming a sound which borders on the atmospheric at times, but always keeps a sense of honest, real music flowing through things. Not following convention is something which seems to come naturally to the guys in the band, so it’s no wonder that this track doesn’t follow the conventions of a normal track, but as it grows it ceases to matter, all that matters is the music which you’re being treated to. Haunting and dark yet somehow uplifting and intriguing, this is one hell of an opening to an EP and suggests very good things to follow!

Autocue follows on with the idea of not doing what they’re supposed to, opening with a bass heavy sound to accompany the soft and haunting vocal line. The mix here once again seems to drag you in, crafting a sound which is going to make you question what you thought you knew about music but reassuring you that there are bands out there who are producing music the way THEY want to do it. Layered vocals, soft and hard guitar lines, pounding drums and rumbling bass – it’s all here and all works well to craft a sound which is sure to become the signature of this tightly formed unit. Digitalis on the other hand is a moment of pure genius, and probably my personal favourite track off of the EP. The sound from the off is once again firmly based around the bass, the drums and guitar effects merely serving to back up the monotone approach, forming a sound which is once again going to stay with you. Harking back to the sounds of punk combined with the likes of The Cure, the sound here is incredibly hard to pigeon hole into a genre, but at the same time I’m not sure it needs to be. It’s a good sound, one which is relaxing whilst still keeping a sense of energy flowing through it, somehow continuing to combine atmospheric with post-punk, hard with soft, and all the time keeping things moving at a pace which makes you want to get out and see them live.