Profiles
Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 2 (2002)
In the second part of our two part Sarah label interview, Julia Willis continues to chat to Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd about the influential Bristol label
Interview with Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd 1 (2002)
One of the most important independent record labels if all time, Sarah Records put out exactly 100 perfect pop releases and then stopped. In the first part of a two part interview, Julia Willis speaks to owners Matt Haynes and Clare Wadd
Related
Interviews
A Lines
Interview
Medway based all girl punk band The A-Lines have recently released their self-titled debut album. Sarah Johnson speaks to Belgium-born singer Kyra De Coninck about it , and juggling the band with babies and impending motherhood
Aberdeen
Interview
Mid 90's Californian indiepop band Aberdeen released two singles on the infamous Sarah label, but split up shortly afterwards in acrimonous circumstances only to reform again seven years later. Frontwoman Beth Arzy chats to John Clarkson about the group's turbulent history
Akron/Family
Interview
New York-based experimental folk act Akron Family have recently seen the departure of a founding member and also left their label, Young God. Multi-instrumentalist Seth Olinsky speaks to Sarah Johnson about these changes, which are reflected on the band's new 'Set ‘Em Wild, Set ‘Em Free' album
Akron/family
Interview
One of the rising bands of the alt. folk scene, Akron/family have recently released their fourth album, 'Love is Simple', on Michael Gira's Young God label to much acclaim. Sarah Johnson speaks to band members Ryan Vanderhoof and Seth Olinsky about it
Interview
John Clarkson speaks to Beth Arzy about her involvement with LA indiepop band Aberdeen with influential label Sarah Records, and her present bands The Luxembourg Signal and Jetstream Pony’s contributions to new Sarah-inspired compilation ‘Under the Bridge’.
Black Box Recorder
Interview
Anthony Strutt talks to Sarah Nixey from Black Box Recorder about the band's three album career to date, and their new album 'Passionoia'
Black Keys
Interview
Akron-based duo the Black Keys have been attracting much acclaim for their garage blues rock. Sarah Mwangi speaks to singer and guitarist Dan Auerbach about their just released fifth album, 'Attack & Release', which has found them recording in a studio for the first time
Brakes
Interview
Sarah Maybank speaks to Brakes' frontman Eamaon Boland about the fiery political nature of his band, his love of touring and the group's plans for its soon-to-be recorded third album
Charlotte Hatherley
Interview
Ex-Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley talks to Sarah Maybank about leaving her former band and her just released second solo album, 'The Deep Blue'
Cornershop
Interview
One of the great British bands, Cornershop are back after with their first album in seven years. Sarah Maybank speaks to front man Tjinder Singh about the new record, 'Judy Sucks a Lemon for Breakfast', and why there has been such a prolonged absence between albums
Friends
Interview
In our third interview with them, Sarah Johnson speaks to William Jones from durable indie pop group Friends about the band's just released ninth album, 'Spangleland', and recent return to live work after an absence of nearly 15 years
Gina Villalobos
Interview
Gina Villalobos' album 'Rock and Roll Pony' has earned her folk artist status, but also has roots in country and rock. She talks to Sarah Johnson about the accident which damaged and nearly lost her her sight, depression and her plans for her next record
Girlinky
Interview
London based indie pop group Girlinky have just released their debut album 'I Want the Tsunami'. Members Scott, Rob and Chris talk about the band's first three years, and their unusual way of playing gigs with the extended absence of other member, Sarah
Good Shoes
Interview
Rising stars of the South London music scene, Good Shoes' self-professed shed rehearsed music has been getting rave reviews. Frontman Rhys Jones chats to Sarah Johnson about being signed tgo EMI offfshoot Brille Records and the recording of the band's debut album which will be out early next year
Graham Day
Interview
The former frontman with cult garage rock groups the Prisoners and the Solarflares, Graham Day has recently returned to live work with his latest band the Gaolers, and their debut album, ‘Soundtrack To The Daily Grind’. Sarah Maybank speak to him about his long musical career and the new album
Songdog
Interview
Welsh band Songdog take the old legends from the folk/country era and up-date them with their own brand of raw emotional lyrics. Sarah Johnson chats to singer Lyndon Morgans about songwriting and the band's new album ‘The Time Of Summer Lightning'
Brighter/Harper Lee
Interview with Keris Howard
Former front man with indiepop groups Brighter and Harper Lee, Keris Howard chats to Chris Jones about one time Sarah Records' signing Brighter's second compilation, 'Out to Sea', which has just been released on Matinee Records
Hedrons
Interview
All girl Glaswegian group describe their sound as the modern love child of the Foo Fighters and Joan Jett, godfathered by Iggy Pop and the Stooges. Guitarist Rosie and new bassist Gill talk to Sarah Johnson about their debut album '1 More Won't Kill Us' and their punishing tour schedule
Ida Maria
Interview
Swedish singer-songwriter Ida Maria has attracting rave reviews from the music press. Sarah Johnson speaks to her about her debut single 'Oh My God', growing up in the remote and isolated town of Nesna and her explosive live shows which recently resulted in her breaking a rib on stage
Interview
Writer Jane Duffus speaks to John Clarkson about her new book on Sarah Records, 'These Things Happen'.
Profiles
Profile
Flight of the Conchords
Sarah Johnson finds the comedy rock genre resurrected and finally escaping its novely tag as a result of duo Flight of the Conchords. She looks at the New Zealand act's career and two albums
Listen With Sarah
Profile
Listen with Sarah, the project of experimental musician Sarah Nelson, has both a double A sided single, 'My Little Hula Girl'/'Animal Boum', and a 6 track EP, 'The World of Listen With Sarah' out on Cherryade Records. Jamie Rowland looks at both of her new releases
Profile
Marvin Gaye
Sarah Johnson examines the 40th anniversary box set of Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic 'What's Going On' album
DVD
Star Stories
CH4's 'Star Stories' provides satirical documentary-style profiles of the rich and famous. Sarah Maybank is amused by the first series which has just been released on DVD
Pickled Egg
Interview with Nigel Turner
Now seven years old, the Pickled Egg label has just put out its fiftieth release. Label boss Nigel Turner talks to Sarah Johnson about its history and why we need labels like Pickled Egg.
Comment
Evo Music Rooms Recording for Channel 4
Sarah Johnsos is in the audience for the making of the first programme in new Channel 4 music proramme, 'Evo Music Room'
Shinkansen
Interview with Matt Haynes
Matt Haynes, former co-owner of the legendary Sarah records and now sole guardian of Shinkansen Records, talks to Cila Warncke about his record label, and maintaining a sense of personal politics in a world of commercialism
Film
Donkey Punch
With a strong soundtrack that swings from Peter, Bjorn and John to Bloc Party, Sarah Maybank finds much to enjoy in claustrophobic new British thriller, 'Donkey Punch'
Pennyblackmusic
'20 Years of Pennyblackmusic' Documentary
Filmmaker and former Pennyblackmusic writer Sarah Rowland writes about her new film documentary about this site, '20 Years of Pennyblackmusic', which has been released to coincide with our recent twentieth anniversary.
Profile
Sarah Grace
Lisa Torem finds on the promise of her first two singles Manchester born singer-songwriter Sarah Grace, whose debut album 'On the Fence' is due out shortly, to be an outstanding new talent and name to watch out for
Profile
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Sarah Johnson looks back upon and assessses the history to date of New York punk trio, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who have just released their third album, 'It's Blitz'
Live
Akron/Family
ICA, London, 20/5/2009
Despite having recently lost founder member Ryan Vanderhoof and now being reduced to a three piece, Sarah Johnson at the London ICA finds New York experimental folk act Akron/Family having lost none of their spontaneity, but also having an increased tightness
Animal Collective
Astoria 2, London, 1/11/2007
At the Astoria 2 in London, Sarah Maybank watches experimental art trio Animal Collective play a dark relationship conflict-inducing, but hit-and-miss set
Ani DiFranco
Union Chapel, London, 10/1/2012
Sarah Johnson watches American singer-songwriter and feminist Ani DiFranco play an energetic and immensely enjoyable set at the Union Chapel in London
Bear in Heaven
Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen, London, 16/5/2012
Sarah Mwangi watches Brooklyn-based electronica act Bear in Heaven struggle with sound problems at a show at the Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen in London
Big Deal
Rainbow, Birmingham, 14/6/2013
Sarah Mwangi watches Californian/London-based pop rock group Big Deal play a lethargic and uninspiring set at the Rainbow in Birmingham
Black Keys
Shepherds Bush Empire, 27/2/2007
At the Shepherds Bush Empire in London, new writer Sarah Mwangi finds much of American blues duo the Black Keys' passion stolen by their insistent touring schedule
Broken Social Scene
HMV Forum, London, 30/6/2010
In an evening that involved show-stealing audience participation, Sarah Johnson at the HMV Forum in London watches Canadian group Broken Social Scene play an extensive and riveting set of indie rock
Charlotte Hatherley
Borderline, London, 24/10/2007
Sarah Maybank at the Borderline in London watches former Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley rework her second solo album 'The Deep Blue' to stunning effect as an intimate, 'Unplugged'-style acoustic set
Hot Club de Paris
Bodega, Nottingham, 7/10/2008
Liverpool-based trio Hot Club de Paris merge snappy adolescent melodies and dance beats. Sarah Mwangi, however, finds nothing that she hasn't already seen before at the Bodega in Nottingham
Flashguns
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, 28/9/2009
At the Nottingham Rescue Rooms, Sarah Mwangi finds energetic teenage indie rock band Flashguns more mature than their youth would suggest, but their ideas coming out too thick and fast sometimes for the good of their music
Girlinky
London Verge, 17/1/2003
Energetic and vigorous, Girlinky are one of the rising indiepop bands on the current London indepedent scene. With vocalist and keyboardist Sarah away in New Zealand, Olga Sladeckova finds them finding a unique way of dealing with the problem...
Goldfrapp/Shortwave Set
Academy, Newcastle, 15/10/2005
At the Newcastle Academy Sarah Johnson sees Goldfrapp on top form play a superb set, which is equally matched by support act, eccentric electronic folks rockers the Shortwave Set.
Graham Day and the Gaolers
Dirty Water Club, London, 2/11/2007
Sarah Maybank watches Graham Day, the former frontman with garage rockers the Prisoners and Solarflares, blast his way through a firestorming set with his new band the Gaolers at the Dirty Water Club in London
Operator Please
Pure Groove Records, London, 15/2/2008
At the tiny venue of Pure Groove Records, possibly north London's smallest record shop, Sarah Maybank is both impressed and scared by upbeat Australian teenage five piece Operator Please's professionalism and musical talent
A Hawk and A Hacksaw
Bush Hall, London, 11/5/2007
At the Bush Hall in London, Sarah Maybank is thrust into a frenzied set of joyous madness by Eastern European-influenced folk rockers, A Hawk and a Hacksaw
On a Friday
Dublin Castle, London, 18/1/2008
On a Friday have been garnering a reputation over the last few months for their strong stage presence and for having the same original name as Radiohead. Sarah Maybank watches them play an inflammatory set at the Dublin Castle in London
Hold Steady
Rock City, Nottingham, 9/12/2008
Sarah Mwangi is impressed by Springsteen-esque Hold Steady's energy and passion at rescheduled show at the Rock City in Nottingham
Wild Beasts
Bodoga, Nottingham, 2/10//2009
Despite being confined by the small stage of the Nottingham Bodega, Sarah Mwangi sees upbeat Cumbria-based indie rock outfit Wild Beasts play an exuberant and forceful set
Filligar
Troubadour, London, 5/7/2011
Sarah Mwangi watches young Classic American Rock revivalists Filligar play an anthemic, yet often too familiar-sounding set at the Troubadour in London
Joe Gideon and the Shark
Borderline, London, 26/3/2009
At a homecoming gig at the Borderline in London at the end of a British tour to promote their debut album 'Harum Scarum', Sarah Johnson watches sibling duo Joe Gideon and the Shark completely amaze their audience with their unique brand of alternative rock
Albums
Erykah Badu
Mama's Gun
Sarah Mwangi reflects on New York-based singer-songwriter and soul musician Erykah Badu’s 2000 second album, ‘Mama’s Gun’
Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army
Replicas
In the latest in our Re : View series, in which our writers examine albums from the past, Sarah Johnson looks at Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army' seminal electronic masterpiece, 'Replicas', which has has just been re-released in a double CD 30th anniversary edition
Jay-Z
The Blueprint
In our 'Re:View' section in which writers look back at albums from the past, Sarah Johnson reflects on Jay-Z's 2001 rap breakthrough album, 'The Blueprint'
Lix Phair
Exile in Guyville
In our Re : View series, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Sarah Johnson examines Liz Phair's emotive 1993 debut album, 'Exile in Guyville', which has recently been re-issued with extra tracks and a documentary DVD
Re : View-Madonna
Ray of Light
In the latest in our 'Re : View' series, in which writers look back on classic albums of the past, Sarah Johnson re-examines Madonna's defining 1997 album, 'Ray of Light'
Re : View-Marvin Gaye
What's Going On
In the latest in our 'Re :View' series, in which our writers re-examine albums from the past, Sarah Johnson reflects on Marvin Gaye's pivotal 1971 soul classic, 'What's Going On'
Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
In the latest in our Re : View series, in which our writers look back on albums from the past, Sarah Maybank assesses Jonathan Richman and his band the Modern Lovers massively influential, but still under rated posthumous only album 'The Modern Lovers'
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Texas Flood
In our 'Re : View' column in which our writers re-examine albums from the past, Sarah Mwangi looks at Stevie Ray Vaughan's 1983 first studio album, 'Texas Flood', which single-handedly revived the blues genre
Features
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Alanis Morissette and 'Jagged Little Pill'
In our regular 'Soundtrack of Our Lives' column, in which our writers describe about the personal impact of music in their lives, Sarah Johnson writes about discovering Alanis Morissette as a 12 year old shortly after its release in 1995 and its continued effect on her
Supremes
Profile
The Supremes were one of the biggest girl groups of the 60's, but the beginning and end of their story was laced with tragedy, lost friendships, law suits and death. Sarah Johnson reflects upon their sad history
Rock Salt Row
September 2010: I Can’t Get No Hey, Hey, Hey….
In 'Rock Salt Row' Lisa Torem talks with a different Pennyblackmusic writer about an issue in rock. In this issue she speaks with Sarah Johnson about the commercial nature of rock and whether spiritual matters and especially Buddhism have had any real bearing on the music industry
Soundtrack of Our Lives
Divorce and Snow Patrol
In the latest in our 'Soundtrack to Our Lives' series, in which our writers write about the personal impact of music in their lives, Sarah Johnston tells of listening to Snow Patrol at the time of her parents' seperation and marriage break-up
Moby
Live The Hotel Tour
Sarah Johnston examines Moby's new live DVD, which was filmed at at a venue in Belgium and features footage from a tour to promote his recent 'Hotel' album