Not long until Clock Opera reveal their first full length and as we approach that date they guide us through the making of what promises to be a very special record with a series of nicely shot, slightly obscure videos. Lovely.

This week sees a continuation of last week’s residencies – with Chilly in Soho and Toy occupying the Shacklewell Arms. For more on those two check out last weeks preview HERE.

Elsewhere we have…

King Creosote + Jon Hopkins (pictured, above) – Thurs – Shepherd’s Bush Empire

These two brought us a couple of our favourite shows last year at Union Chapel and Queen Elizabeth Hall. They step up to bigger surroundings this time and we can’t wait to share the quiet power of their music with a lot more people. A few tickets left for this unmissable event.

Spin kindly has a stream of the new Of Montreal record up on their website alongside some lengthy explanations of the songs, making for a pretty perfect (if slightly nerdy) first listen. We can’t wait to see the evolution of their live show again at KOKO – last time around was crazy.

Head over here to listen to the record.

The ever-excellent Matthew Bourne (playing for us at the end of the month at Cafe OTO) has kindly made us a playlist via the magic of YouTube to shed some light on his influences, likes and more. Take a look below and read comments from Matthew to unravel this fascinating glimpse.

1. Gotye: Somebody That I Used to Know

This was introduced to me by friend and fellow motorcycling companion Paul Bolderson just the other day. I was drawn in: it’s catchy, they have good voices, I like the lyrics…

2. Etta James & Dr. John: I’d Rather go Blind

Etta James’s voice always sends shivers down my spine and this particular performance is no exception to that. The onstage chemistry between James and Dr. John is beautiful…

3. Luther VanDross: A House is Not a Home

An appreciation for VanDross (and also The Commodores, Johnny Mathis, Phil Spector and the 80’s records of Quincy Jones) is something I attribute to having absorbed them through my mother’s hifi from a young age. This gratuitously, over-the-top rendition of a Bacharach’s classic song is one of my guilty pleasures…

4. Meshuggah: New Millennium Cyanide Christ

From one of the best bands I have ever seen live (and indeed the best gig I have ever seen) is amongst my favourite Meshuggah songs (from Chaosphere), although I find it very difficult to chose a single favourite from their work in general (although the track Bleed from obZen is tempting…). obZen, Catch 33, I, Nothing and Chaosphere are all excellent. Note that no expense was spared in the making of this video.

5. Chris Morris: Brass Eye (unseen interview with David Sullivan)

http://youtu.be/nZAnj1pEcuw

Being a huge Chris Morris fan, I was delighted to see this unused Brass Eye scene with David Sullivan. I don’t know how Morris managed to keep a straight face. Genius…

6. Trio VD: Tulisa (ORIGINAL X FACTOR INSPIRED MUSIC)

Some of my mates making music together.

7. Scott Walker: Jolson and Jones

Without equal. Visually not the most engaging YouTube video in the world but given the music, visual stimulation is irrelevant.

8. Bat For Lashes: Sad Eyes

A song that saved me from throwing away the love of my life once upon a time. I am a hopeless sentimentalist and I don’t give a fuck who knows it.

9. John Zorn: Interview 2007 – ROVA Arts – Internet Archive

(NOTE: Sadly, Matthew Bourne’s original idea for John Zorn was taken down before we could post, so the video above is a substitute for the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXKC_t1vAjo)

It’s difficult not to underestimate the influence that John Zorn’s music, thoughts and aesthetic has had on my own approach to music over the last 10 years or so; and was lucky enough to perform with him at The Stone (NYC) in 2010 – a lifelong dream realised. This interview is an important document and should be watched by anyone interested in the creative process/music making/living life as a human being.

10. Igor Stravinsky: Lullaby and Final Hymn from The Firebird

I find it almost impossible not to shed a tear during the Final Hymn. This is some fantastic footage of Stravinsky himself conducting one of his most well-known works.

Lovely video to catch up on this morning, as King Creosote and Jon Hopkins go over the processes that brought us their debut album together last year. Following on from their two amazing shows for us last year they also play Shepherd’s Bush Empire for us at the start of next month, a show that is selling quickly.

Last week’s Toy show at the Shacklewell Arms was superb. Packed to bursting already the place exploded when Toy began their set. We’re looking forward to much of the same tonight and again for the next couple of weeks in what is already shaping up to be one of those things you tell people about years down the line. In the words of James Murphy, “I was there”.

Kitty Empire at The Guardian seems to agree in this great piece on last weeks tangle.