Bloc Party release 'The Prayer' on January 29th 2007 via Wichita Recordings. It'll be available on CD, two 7" vinyls, and as a download bundle with exclusive remixes.
CD (WEBB118SCD) [Pre-order here]
1. The Prayer
2. We Were Lovers
3. The Prayer (Phones Metal Jackin’ Mix)
7" one (WEBB118S)
A. The Prayer
B. England
7" two (WEBB118SX)
A. The Prayer
B. Emma Kate's Accident
Exclusive remixes of 'The Prayer' will include a reworking by the hotly tipped Parisian DJ, Para One, a perfect drum and bass production from the UK’s Break & Silent Witness and a dirty roller from new UK duo Does It Offend You, Yeah? 
Bloc Party have also announced an extra tour date to take place on 24th January 2007 at The Old Fire Station in Bournemouth, Matt's hometown. Tickets are available now from Marshals.
Labels: Singles
¶ 2:55 PM 24 comments links to this post
The first 1000 people to pre-order the new Bloc Party album, 'A Weekend In The City', from Insound will receive a free limited edition 7" vinyl. This will feature two tracks: 'I Still Remember' and non-album track 'We Were Lovers' (formerly known as 'Cells Shaped Like Stars' and' Into The Blue'...it's getting a release at last!). This vinyl won't be repressed, so it looks set to be a sought after collector's item.
Pre-order the album from Insound here.
Labels: A_Weekend_In_The_City
¶ 12:09 AM 16 comments links to this post
Presenting...'BLAG PARTY', the BlocParty.net covers project!
Calling all vaguely musical Bloc Party fans...this is the chance for you to get your Bloc Party covers heard. All you have to do is record your version of any Bloc Party song - it could be a solo project or a band effort - and send it here.
There are no other restrictions, so express yourself in whatever way you so desire. If that means playing a recorder through your nose, then so be it! Banjos, accordions, finger cymbals and xylophones are also more than welcome, so get your creative juices flowing!
The best/most original cover versions will be added to the 'BLAG PARTY' collection for everyone to hear, and the plan is to send the Bloc boys a CD so that they can hear the fruits of your labour.
THE PROJECT SO FAR...
1. Slowbear The Great - Banquet
A beautiful version of 'Banquet' sent in by Slowbear The Great (a.k.a. Joe O'Callaghan). This bedroom recording uses double tracked vocals, giving it a smoky, Elliott Smith-esque feel. It's completely different to the original track (Banquet isn't a song you'd expect to hear an acoustic rendition of!) but it works extremely well.
2.The 90's - So Here We Are
The 90's is the work of Samuel Hemmilä from Sweden. He created this Lemon Jelly-esque remix by looping the hook of the song (the guitar parts in the beginning) whilst generating new beats and structure from scratch.
Igor Kurtagic, who resides in Sarajevo, Bosnia, has reworked the original 'Blue Light' into a lighters-aloft electro-anthem. The vocal melody of the original track is the only recognizable element – he's opted for piano loops, bass and beats instead of guitars.
Matoran (the pseudonym of Richard Sallis from Australia) has covered this extremely rare Bloc Party song, no mean feat considering it only exists in the form of this grainy video. Matoran chose this track because it's one of his favourite Bloc songs and he wanted to hear a studio version, even if that meant having to record it himself!
5. Tempera[mental] - Like Eating Glass
Tempera[mental] (Gordi Shephard from Surrey, England) created this 'electremo' cover of 'Like Eating Glass' on his laptop using just a keyboard, a microphone and some nifty software. It's Bloc Party meets Daft Punk meets The Postal Service!
A tender, folky take on 'Blue Light', recorded by Jon Solo in his Brooklyn home studio. Producers of 'The O.C.' take note...this needs to soundtrack your next series!
7. Noah Blackwell - Blue Light
Another cover of 'Blue Light'! This atmospheric acoustic version was created by Noah Blackwell in St. Louis, Missouri.
8. iamchemist - So Here We Are
A sublime version of 'So Here We Are' by Glaswegian electro artist iamchemist...the euphoric sound of robots falling in love to a soundtrack of celestial synths.
9. Robert Melhuish - She's Hearing Voices
A note-perfect instrumental cover of 'She's Hearing Voices', played by Robert Melhuish over a backing track.
10. Ethan Waters - I Still Remember
The first cover of any 'A Weekend In The City' tracks! This is a slow-burning, piano-led rendition of 'I Still Remember' performed by 20-year-old film student Ethan Waters from Auckland, New Zealand.
24-year-old Dave Heavyside from Adelaide, Australia, recorded this haunting, stripped-down acoustic version of 'The Prayer'.
12. Birch Street Project - Flux
Sweden's Birch Street Project replace the Euro-techno vibe of the original track with some Bossa Nova-styled rhythms, off-beat acoustic strums and sultry female vocals.
13. Of Yesteryears (ft. Karin Haase) - Flux
An acoustic version of 'Flux' recorded by Jeremiah Satterthwaite, aka 'Of Yesteryears', and also featuring his friend Karin Haase on backing vocals. The track is pretty much unrecognisable from the original, with hushed 'Iron & Wine'-esque vocals, finger-picked acoustic guitar and a smidgen of violin.
14. Sofie Vandeputte and Jozefien Vanherpe - Kreuzberg (live)
A beautiful stripped down live performance of 'Kreuzberg', recorded at the Kulak Proms, Belgium. Featuring Sofie Vandeputte on piano/vocals and Jozefien Vanherpe on cello.
Labels: Blag_Party
¶ 6:53 PM 43 comments links to this post
An article from the NME Yearbook 2006...Kele and electro-folk wunderkind Patrick Wolf chat about Lily Allen, placenta soup and, like, stuff.
Thanks to Jay from the Patrick Wolf LiveJournal community.
Labels: Press
¶ 12:27 AM 17 comments links to this post
Here's the final cover artwork for 'A Weekend In The City':
The photo, entitled 'A Modern Project', was taken by German photographer Rut Blees Luxemburg, who's well known for her gritty night-time views of London. It shows London's Westway at night, streaming with traffic and towering over an illuminated sports complex.
In this week's NME, Luxemburg explains why this particular artwork was chosen: "All the complex activities that the city encapsulates are expressed in this work, all the possibilities of city life. This album cover really reflects the main thrust of the record."
Labels: A_Weekend_In_The_City
¶ 10:43 PM 18 comments links to this post
Here's your first chance to (legally) hear the new Bloc Party single, 'The Prayer', released on January 29th next year. Zane Lowe played the track in the 'Hottest Record in the World' slot on his BBC Radio 1 show tonight, so listen again and fast-forward 15 minutes in.
In fact, the listener response was so positive that Zane played the song again just before the end of the show. Wowzers. For those who've still not heard 'The Prayer', prepare to be slightly shocked. It's Bloc Party, but not quite as we know them. Think Busta Rhymes and the cast of 'Stomp' pulling shapes to a soundtrack of chanting monks. It's crunktastic stuff, boasting an almighty chorus ('anthemic' would be understatement of the century) and an unplayable guitar solo courtesy of Mr. Lissack.
'The Prayer' (fast-forward 15 mins...link only valid for one week)
edit: you can also stream 'The Prayer' from here and here!
Labels: Singles
¶ 7:24 PM 14 comments links to this post
It seems that Bloc Party just can't stay away from Japan. Following on from their recent one-off gig in Tokyo, the boys have announced three more shows in March 2007:
04.03.07 Tokyo - Studio Coast
05.03.07 Nagoya - Diamond Hall
06.03.07 Osaka - Namba Hatch
Tickets are on sale now from 'Marshals'. Go, go, go!
Labels: Tour
¶ 4:36 PM 10 comments links to this post
Matt's collapsed lung means that Bloc Party unfortunately won't be able to continue with their Panic! At The Disco support slot. The drummer extraordinaire is on the road to recovery, but doctors have advised that he shouldn't travel or play again for another few weeks in order to give his lung time to properly heal. This message has been posted up on the P!ATD site...
We'd like to welcome Plain White T's to the next few weeks of the "Nothing Rhymes With Circus Tour". They will be opening up the shows beginning in New York through November 26th in Iowa. After that, Cobra Starship will be on the tour through December 9th in San Diego. We are as bummed out as you are that Bloc Party is unable to continue on the tour. Fortunately we found 2 great bands to take their place so we hope you enjoy. See you guys soon...
Also, Kele has this message for Bloc's U.S. fans: "We would like to apologize to all of our fans here who won't be able to see us on this tour. We were looking forward to playing in a number of American cities that we've never been to before, however, Matt's health is our number one priority right now."
Labels: Tour
¶ 1:29 PM 35 comments links to this post
Matt Tong suffered a collapsed lung following Bloc Party's performance in Atlanta last night. He was taken to hospital after their support slot for Panic! At The Disco at the HiFi Buys Amphitheatre.
According to a statement from the band: "Doctors at the hospital in Atlanta say Matt is in a comfortable condition and not in any danger. He will however be staying in hospital for at least the next three days for observation and it's not clear at this stage when Matt will be fit to resume performing."
This means that Bloc Party will definitely miss the next four shows on the Panic! At The Disco tour: Charlotte Cricket Arena (10.11.06), Washington Patriot Center (11.11.06) and New York Madison Square Garden Theatre (13.11.06, 14.11.06).
Stay tuned for news about the rest of the tour.
Get well soon Matt...our thoughts are with you and we all wish you a very speedy recovery x
Update: Matt actually hurt himself before the gig, and so played the whole show with a collapsed lung. That's stamina for you! Well-wishers can send flowers/Lucozade/cards/drumsticks to him at:Labels: Random
¶ 11:59 AM 34 comments links to this post
The support bands have been revealed for next year's UK tour: Metric and Fields. Metric will play up until the Birmingham date (10.02.07) and then hand the baton over to Fields for the rest of the tour!
For the three London Astoria shows, the support is as follows:
31.01.07 Fields
01.02.07 Metric
02.02.07 Absentee
Labels: Tour
¶ 7:49 PM 1 comments links to this post
This week's NME has a full-page preview of 'A Weekend In The City', a whole three months before it's due out in the shops. So for anyone who hasn't had chance to pick up a copy, through geographical, monetary or moral reasons, here's the track-by-track guide, complete with some lovely fan-created artwork.
SONG FOR CLAY (DISAPPEAR HERE): With Kele singing falsetto, this dramatic opener delves into a battle between hedonism and conscience. "I’m trying to be heroic in an age of modernity," sings Okereke, before clunking Muse-esque guitars tear into the song. "East London is a vampire/it sucks the joy right out of me", he yells as the night takes hold.
HUNTING FOR WITCHES: With a rhythm built around vocal samples, this track confronts the cultural aftermath of the 7/7 London bombings. Okereke mocks one particular tabloid: "The Daily Mail says there are enemies among us/Taking our women and taking our jobs". 
WAITING FOR THE 7:18: A snapshot of city life, 'Waiting for the 7:18' is set on the London Underground but aims to capture the alienation of modern living. "We’re surrounded by people all the time, yet we sit in silence", muse Bloc Party over an intense chorus of harmonies. 
THE PRAYER: Over crunching beats and humming backing vocals clicked together with crunk-style production, this examination of insecurity turns weakness on its head. "Is it so wrong to crave recognition?" wonders Okereke before begging a higher power: "Tonight, make me unstoppable and I will charm, I will dazzle, I will outshine all". 
UNIFORM: This description of identikit mall-rats slowly drowning in mindless consumerism initially feels like another look at hedonism. Then, after a stark key change it suddenly dives lower, looking for a deeper cause. "I am a martyr/I just need a motif", howls Kele as Bloc Party ponder the dangers of where a need for fulfillment might lead. 
ON: Pulsing beats open this very personal song charting the buzzed-up high of falling in love. With references to London pubs and the singer feeling "hopeful and stutter-free", soaring strings slip into the track, taking it to a euphoric and optimistic climax. 
WHERE IS HOME?: Another autobiographical song recalls the funeral of his 18-year-old cousin Christopher Aleneme, who was killed in a racially motivated attack. The lyrics articulate the "second generation blues" of British-born children of immigrants like Okereke. "In every headline we are reminded this is not home for us," he laments. 
KREUZBERG: Matt Tong’s urgent drumming creates an out-of-control atmosphere for this song which is set on a night out in Berlin. The singer is disillusioned after mistaking a drunken sexual encounter for love: "After the sex the bitter taste of being fooled again." 
I STILL REMEMBER: Beginning with a chiming guitar, this is a delicate but joyous head-rush which recalls lost love. "You should have asked me for it/How could I have said no?" belts Okereke, not with regret, but with happy memories. 
SUNDAY: "It was a heavy night/I can’t remember what I said", sings Okereke. With atmospheric guitars and stirring drums, it celebrates the little things that make life worthwhile. "I love you in the morning when you’re still hung over", goes the smile-inducing climax. 
SRXT: The closer starts off with brooding guitars, before a Sigur Ros-like wall of sound crashes in. "I called up Eugene/Told him I was drowning", cries Kele as this unexpected finale draws together the album’s themes of insecurity and alienation, yet remains inspiring and hopeful.
NME article typed up and all artwork created by members of AlwaysNewDepths.com
Labels: A_Weekend_In_The_City
¶ 7:49 PM 10 comments links to this post
Tonight begins Bloc Party's month-long venture into the foreign realms of American stadium gigs and emo music (or not emo, since Brendon Urie, vocalist of the punctuationally inclined group, has decried emo as a genre). The trek juxtaposes Bloc's underground status in America with the overwhelming popularity of the young Nevada act of nameless genre. Also featured on the tour is Jack's Mannequin, the not-so-secret solo identity of Something Corporate's frontman Andrew McMahon.
The tour will stop in 25 cities, making it Bloc Party's most comprehensive overseas outing to date. Even if you are not fond of P!ATD's music, you have to have a touch of respect for their musical taste since they specifically requested that Bloc Party open for them. With many shows already sold out, this tour will give Bloc the opportunity to enlighten and/or convert many new fans as well as treating the old faithful to their last tour before returning home just in time for the holiday season and buildup to 'A Weekend In The City'.
If you’re lucky enough to be going, why not drop us some photos and words arranged in some sort of order that tell us how you were feeling and what you were experiencing at the time? How was it seeing the musically humbling followed by the visually stunning? ‘Silent Alarm’ followed by ‘He’s Behind You?’ Any new songs? Answers inscribed neatly on one of those ridiculous wooden ice cream scoops to the usual address, please. And break a leg, Bloc!
Read on for some Bloc Party fans' opinions of this slightly controversial tour...
Labels: Tour
¶ 8:35 PM 16 comments links to this post
A couple fans' opinions on the P!ATD / Bloc Party tour which starts tonight in Florida:
"In 1967 Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees. In 1969 Alice Cooper opened for Ike and Tina Turner. In 2006 Bloc Party will open for Panic! At The Disco. Okay, maybe I'm being a little too dramatic. The first two pairings I mentioned were completely insane and I'm fairly certain were only brought about by the rampant drug use of the late 60's. The Bloc Party / P!ATD pairing is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt at exposing Bloc Party to a wider, American audience. It is no secret that it is often difficult for British bands to break America. Most bands enjoy small mentions in the Rolling Stone, Spin and Blender magazines as "Bands to Watch". They do a small club tour, and then fade into oblivion. Bloc Party is trying to rage against that machine. I'm left asking myself, can we really blame them?
I must admit, when I first heard of the pairing, I felt a sharp pain in my chest. I am not a P!ATD fan. Yes, I have listened to their album and found them to be like all the other manufactured one-album-wonders that seem to be most popular with 12-15 year old kids. Most P!ATD fans are asking "Who the hell is Bloc Party?" and most Bloc Party fans are asking "Why God, why?". But consider this. Almost every band that has ever existed has aspired to reach millions of people, play live before thousands, and reach legendary status. Bloc Party is no different.
When I first heard 'Silent Alarm', I took it everywhere with me, playing it to almost everyone I came in contact with. A loyal disciple trying to spread the word. I exposed maybe 30-40 people to Bloc Party, whereas this upcoming tour has the potential to reach thousands. We should want other people to like the music we personally like. They as a band and we as fans do not get to pick who becomes a fan. We all know that there is a culture of "hipsters" out there who immediately discredit a band the minute they appear on MTV's TRL, but those hipsters aren't real fans in the first place. They are the people who try to "discover" bands before anyone else so they can say they knew about them first. So what?
Let's remember why we became Bloc Party fans in the first place. Something in the music touched us. Spoke to us. Made us understand or be understood. Who are we to deny anyone else that experience? Besides, maybe, just maybe, one of those 11 or 12 year olds will go to the concert and come out of it saying "Yeah, I went for P!ATD but Bloc Party was better". Let's pray."
Sulyn Langjahr
"On November 7th, the boys of Bloc will return to America at the behest of Panic! At The Disco. As an avid Bloc-head, and a fan of rock music, I was duly shocked and worried when I heard this news. The last two years have seen Panic! rise meteorically to the top, adding makeup and cabaret dancers to the necessary props for rock music.
How can people truly believe that these people are the future of music? This question was returned by a scowl. And as my friends explained their undying love for Panic!, I began to fear for the state of rock and roll. I cried as My Chemical Romance applied their eyeliner, I wept as Fall Out Boy threw their guitars around their necks and, in the end, my blubbering made no difference. Bloc Party have agreed to follow them, and I believe I know why they would tour with such a different band.
P!ATD have done something that very few bands have ever been able to do. They have taken an extremely broad music genre and infused it with a signature sound and style (ballroom dancing anyone?). Bloc Party has done the same thing with their music; they've have taken the conventions of rock music and spun them around, adding angular guitars and danceable drums. For God’s sake, the new album has a song based around the bolero. While Bloc Party surely won’t be abandoning vintage tees for frilly blouses, they do share that distinction with Panic!.
In the UK, the boys of Bloc Party have broken through from the underground, and have done so with a distinct flair - they can’t be pigeonholed, remember! So when Bloc head into foreign territory, we shall follow with open minds, and don’t worry, they will excite and please our musical wishes."
Will Hulings
Labels: Tour
¶ 8:31 PM 5 comments links to this post
Just to make the wait for the album go that little bit quicker, here's a very comprehensive guide to 'A Weekend In The City', lovingly compiled by Owen Rees from posts made on this very blog. It's got all the geeky info you could possibly need (and a lot more besides) and is in fact so lengthy that Bloc Party will have recorded their fifth studio LP, 'An Excursion Into Bolivian Doo-Wop', by the time you reach the end. As far as I know, the guide is going to be kept updated too - bonus!
[Download Word document] or [View online]
Labels: A_Weekend_In_The_City
¶ 10:11 PM 2 comments links to this post
This is a plea for help! Basically, I'm looking for people who'd like to join the BLOG PARTY / BlocParty.net team. I'm currently in my final year at university and what started off as a fairly easygoing year has recently morphed into a crazily busy one, meaning I have to spend less time running this website and more time poring over the intricacies of Quantum Mechanics. Also, with the second album on the horizon, the rate of Bloc Party news will no doubt be stepping up a gear in the near future, so I thought now would be a good time to open the doors.
I'm especially looking for...
- Graphic designers - anyone who's handy with computer graphics...I know there's a lot of arty Bloc Party fans out there. You don't have to be a pro...I'm just after graphics similar to those on the site already.
And I could also do with one or two...
- Writers - articulate wannabe music journalists who know a fair amount about music and have a passion for Bloc Party.
So please get in touch If you think you can help out!
I'm afraid I can't pay you, but you will get the privilege of having your work seen by hundreds of people around the world every day. And it'd be good to put on your CV (if you have one)...
Thanks! Jim x
Labels: BlocParty.net
¶ 9:50 PM 7 comments links to this post
