lashed to the bandwagon

I, as always, hate to be a bandwagon hopper but this time I was there a long time ago.

That’s right, this entry is about Lightspeed Champion, a.k.a Dev Hynes, previously of Test Icicles who NME cite as the inventors of new rave, a pretty hefty title really.

This week, I’ve really got into this timid constantly behatted folky chappy. His music is so charming and inspirational. The lyrics, at times, can be a little irritating and schmoozy, but at others are surprising and wonderfully out of character for the music behind them. Take this example from ‘Midnight Surprise’: Fuck, I think she just saw me/Stop hiding in the sea/Shit, my midnight surprise/Has found out all my lines. It bursts out of a jaunty, semi epic tune and reminds you that this guy has been around and that he keeps his heart in the bottom of a chest freezer.

On the topic of me not embarking on the fannery bus, I first saw Lightspeed Champion at The Scala, London on the 5th June last year during his opening slot with Los Campesinos and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. So there.

Dev & low profile friends. The Scala 5th June 2007 (courtesy of xendless_xurbia whom I know from school!)

I seriously recommend the excellent album from this man; Falling off the Lavender Bridge.