John Maus @ Star & Shadow

I know what I'm about to say I say about most of the gigs I put on (which is because I'm genuinely excited about all of them), and what almost everyone says about gigs they put on, but this is really something special. We have John Maus coming to the Star & Shadow on March 28th.

In case you're not familiar with him, he used to be the keyboard player in ARIEL PINK'S HAUNTED GRAFFITI and has played with PANDA BEAR of ANIMAL COLLEC...TIVE. He makes some absolutely amazing music, incredibly romantic yet funny and intelligent at the same time, kind of sounding like you're watching an 80s teen romantic fantasy, Electric Dreams perhaps. You’re the clean-shaven guy with slicked back strawberry blond hair and a tight-fitting red jacket, or the girl with a black perm, and your love for each-other is so pure in a ridiculously romantic 80s teen flick kind of way it just it hurts. Oh, and there’s some villain standing between you.

Anyway, John Maus is the soundtrack to your sad and melancholy fantasy, and his live show is spectacular. A one man war machine going berserk on stage whilst playing with his drum machines, sequencers, keyboards and what not. The man's an F-ing genius and he simply hasn't received the recognition he deserves. On top of this he's a philosophy lecturer in Hawaii(!!).

Have we mentioned he also played with Ariel Pink as Holy Shit? If you were at that magnificent Ariel Pink gig nearly two years ago and loved it (of course you did) then you will love John Maus.

Please check out his music here:

http://www.myspace.com/johnmaus

And a few excellent videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpEETGLT6Vo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLVpZme0kRQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV3AJViQWJs

There’s support from the excellent Man with Feathers. It’s always a pleasure every time I have an opportunity to see him live. AKA Adam Parkinson, he sometimes plays under his real name and is also a member of SDF. If you were at the Star & Shadow on New Year’s Eve he was the one who rocked the house. Please listen to him here:

http://www.myspace.com/manwithfeathers

John is also bringing with him as support a girl duo called Plug. I have to admit I don’t know much about them, but here’s a link to their music. Oh, and they’re on Upset the Rhythm, which is always a plus.

http://www.upsettherhythm.co.uk/plug.shtml

And to keep up the standard of the night in those spaces between bands’ sets, Ox & Bull, also SDF members and who also played records here on New Year’s Eve, will be spinning some fine tunes on the decks.

So there you have it. No fillers, no empty statements. It’s going to be an awesome show, and I would be delighted if you came along, shared in the experience and helped make it happen.

£6 on the door or advance tickets from

http://www.wegottickets.com/event/109637

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing as many of you there!