Restaurant Review: Indian Veg Bhelpoori House

Islington’s Indian Veg Bhelpoori House is known across the UK and in tourist guides as the go-to place for vegetarian fans of Asian cuisine. Inconspicuously tucked away in Chapel Market, its modest exterior belies the internationally renowned, unforgettable restaurant within.

Indian Veg Bhelpoori House, as a vegetarian restaurant, is one of the few restaurants in the UK with a set of ethics visitors can truly trust in. Even in the vegetarian and vegan scene in UK cuisine, Indian Veg Bhelpoori House is known for its militant vegetarianism – its walls are plastered from floor to ceiling (and beyond) with vegetarian protest posters, wall hangs, charts and placards detailing the benefits of vegetarianism and the problems with meat-eating.

Certain critics have called this aspect of the experience ‘intrusive’ and ‘too much’. To them, I say –if being forced to confront the full truth of the restaurant’s food policy is uncomfortable for you then you should go back to McDonald’s where you belong.

Indian Veg is wheelchair accessible and appropriate for all ages with a low noise level and a casual vibe which is inviting at any time of the day or night. With an all-you-can eat buffet available for under £5, the Indian Veg crowd varies from students to families to the loyal regulars and locals.

Overall, Indian Veg Bhelpoori House is the most inclusive, top quality and heartfelt food experience I have had the fortune to have in London, the UK or indeed anywhere in the world. In direct contrast to the high-end, exorbitantly priced restaurants which populate London and are frequented by the cast of Made in Chelsea, Indian Veg Bhelpoori House is a provider of excellent cuisine with a soul in the place of a price tag.

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Recommended: Shadow Child

Shadow Child has been the name on the tongues of house enthusiasts since last year when he released his debut EP via the legendary Dirtybird. The EP’s lead track ‘String Thing’ has been a fixture of DJ sets the world round, being spun by the likes of Eats Everything and Claude Vonstroke.

The UK-based house DJ and producer is Simon Neale, who has turned a side-project into a rapidly snowballing house phenomenon – you’ll be hard-pressed to miss the sound of Shadow Child’s seductive deep house this summer, whether you’re tuning into the airwaves or club-hopping around London or Ibiza.

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Together: Opening Party at Amnesia

Together returns for their third season in this extravaganza of the world’ hottest electronic acts gathering under the roof of one of Ibiza’s biggest clubs, Amnesia.

The Amnesia opening party will take place on June 18 and feature a high-calibre lineup including mainman of American dubstep, Skrillex and DnB masters Chase & Status.

Guaranteed to blow the roof off superclub Amnesia, the Together opening party is certainly one to keep in your diary.

Ibiza enthusiasts can look forward to fifteen more roadblock events from Together over the summer.

Line-up:

Main Room:
Chase & Status
Pendulum
Zombie Kids

Terrace:
Skrillex
Major Lazer
Dismantle
Pukka Up DJs
Ibizan Heat DJs

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Bugged Out! Feat. Andrew Weatherall b2b Daniel Avery at XOYO

Once again Bugged Out! are bringing their dancefloor-ready brand of electro to host club XOYO on July 6 for a long, sweaty night of tech-house madness.

Bugged Out! Nights have featured everyone from Daft Punk, Green Velvet, The Chemical Brothers, Miss Kittin, Ellen Allien, Tiga to Vitalic over the years. They have also put some acclaimed compilations out by Erol Alkan, Damian Lazarus and Miss Kittin.

Andrew Weatherall will be returning to XOYO for the first time since the venue underwent its refurbishment and playing back to back with Weatherall will be Daniel Avery, who Weatherall tipped for greatest in Time Out last year. Joining them is rising East London producer Kiwi and room 2 is hosted by Dalston disco upstarts ReviveHER. More guests are TBA.

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On My Playlist: Indie

Here's what's on my indie playlist this month.

Vampire Weekend – Modern Vampires of the City

The third studio album by American indie band Vampire Weekend, released on the 14^th, Modern Vampires of the City appears to be their most innovative and surprising release to date. Having abandoned their trademark African-tribe-cum-Oxford-graduate sound, this latest outing from the foursome is experimental, original and as urban and complex as the New York City which appears on the album art.



Haiku Salut – Tricolore

Haiku Salut – aka Gemma, Louise and Sophie from the Derbyshire Dales - are the latest product of London label How Does it Feel to be Loved?. Their debut album, Tricolore, is full of the most spine-tingling instrumental music we’ve hears since Sigur Ros. For fans of Yann Tierson and early Mum.

Temples – Shelter Song

Temples are a neo-psych duo from Kettering who look like the Beatles and make music that sounds like a cross between the Monkees and the Beach Boys. A more modern comparison may be the Shins. In every case, Temples’ 2012 release ‘Shelter Song’ is the soundtrack to a sunny, trippy, messy summer.

Coves – Cast a Shadow

Coves’ vintage, psychedelic sound will appeal to fans of the Kills and Primal Scream just as much as it will to blissed-out Jefferson Airplane fans who want to live in the 60s. Cast a Shadow, their 2012 EP, is Coves at their best, mostly due to the Black-Lips-esque lo-fi production and the haunting, reverberating sound of Beck Wood’s low, resounding vocals.

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Wireless 2013

The popular event, which for the first time this year will take place in London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in East London as opposed to its previous home in Hyde Park, will see Jay Z and Justin Timberlake make their only UK festival appearances of the summer.

Timberlake will play on Friday July 12th, along with Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, John Legend, Miguel and Frank Ocean. Jay Z will perform on Saturday July 13th, along with Emeli Sande, Rita Ora, Kendrick Lamar, Miguel, DJ Fresh and Calvin Harris.

Steve Homer from Wireless organisers Live Nation said: "Wireless Festival has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2005, we’re incredibly excited to take it to its new home, London’s iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, and are delighted to secure Justin Timberlake and welcome back Jay Z."

Line up: Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Emeli Sande, Calvin Harris, Macklemore, Jessie Ware, A Tribe Called Quest

For more information and tickets check out their website.

Read more at the Guestlist Network

Paris Hilton DJ Blunder

 

Owing to the recent news of tabloid darling Paris Hilton’s upcoming house album I’ve decided to have a retrospective look at her DJing career thus far. It includes a stint at the 2012 Pop Music Festival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, a video of which I’ve kindly included below.

Her set saw an inundation of commercial dance numbers and one particularly spectacular blunder when she announced that the next track would be her new song with Afrojack, ‘Last Night’, and proceeded to play Rihanna whilst singing her track over the top. Was it an attempt to cover up the mistake? Or did she not notice that she was singing to the wrong tune? Perhaps we’ll never know.

Maybe considering the extent of Paris' DJing skills it was wise that someone else stepped in to do the majority of mixing for her.

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Paris Hilton Announces House Album

It has been confirmed that Paris Hilton has signed to Cash Money and will be releasing a ‘house’ album.

Birdman’s label Cash Money also includes R&B titans Drake, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. Hilton spoke to Showbiz411, saying: "This is a lot different than my first album, it’s really going to be house music”.

There’s no doubt we’re all wondering exactly what Hilton’s definition of ‘house music’ involves but unfortunately we’re about to find out.

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Bicep Remix Disclosure’s ‘You & Me’ (featuring Eliza Doolittle)

Disclosure have unveiled the latest tune to join their torrent of hits and it comes in the form of a remix by Bicep of their most recent chart-smashing tune ‘You & Me’ (featuring Eliza Doolittle).

The remix is on loop here in the Guestlist office combining the house-producing genius of two of the biggest house and garage duos to come our way this decade. South London brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, aka Disclosure, are releasing their debut album Settle this June.

Bicep, DJ duo from Ireland, have revamped the tune with a pounding 4/4 beat and serious synth overtones. House fans can rejoice in this collision of two house titans in what is sure to be one of the biggest remixes this summer.

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Jacques Greene Unleashes new Collaboration with How to Dress Well

Jacques Greene fans have been delivered their latest fix in the form of ‘On Your Side’, a teaser track from his forthcoming three-track EP of the same name.

The Canadian producer has collaborated with Chicago R&B producer How to Dress Well on the track, which features How to Dress Well’s trademark plaintive vocals. The track is set to be released on LuckMe on June 3.

Green played Field Day on Saturday 25 May in London’s Victoria Park.

Check the new tune out below:

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Tetra State Launch with Hot Creations Special Guest at Crucifix Lane

 This July 5 Tetra State are running a launch party at Southwark’s Crucifix Lane, bringing an intensive lineup of deep, techno and disco to the warehouse venue. Topping the bill will be a special guest selected from the star-studded label Hot Creations, home to house legends MK, Jamie Jones and Lee Foss.

Also adding to the no-nonsense music policy will be Him_Self_Her (Crosstown Rebels), Tough Love (Love Not Money/Cream Couture) and resident DJ Syncretic with more acts TBA.

The rave is undoubtedly one for the straight-through crew, banging on from 10 o clock till 7 in the morning. With early bird tickets already sold out, general release is priced at a meagre £10 and limited £10 tickets will be available on the door.

See here for tickets and more information.

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Interview: Vitalic

I had a chat with veteran French electro artist Vitalic, aka Pascal Arbez, to discuss the inspiration behind Vitalic, kitchen appliances, his latest album and his plans for the future.

So what are you working on now, do you have any plans for a new album?

I think it’s a bit early; I just released the previous one. I’m working on the shows, improving the shows. The last one was so recent, from about a year ago. I’m going around doing some shows for now and I’m not thinking about my next album yet. I’ve still got the previous album in my mind.

You play everywhere… Where have you been this year?

I’ve been around the world. I went to Europe first, then Japan and the USA. I think my favourite places to play are Spain, and France of course.

What are you listening to right now? Any up and coming artists you think we should all know about?

I recommend Funf, good rock music.

How did you feel about people’s reaction to your last album, ‘Rave Age’, were you happy with how it was received?

At first yeah. I mean I knew that I wanted to do something different to my last album and that I would lose some fans in the process but overall I think the reaction was OK. I think some people didn’t understand it.

The vocals in your last album are quite prominent, was that element something you aimed to develop in the LP?

I didn’t make any plans really – there was nothing in the plan. I just started writing music and whatever felt natural was what went into the LP. A lot of production went into the vocals; we used different vocoder sounds and did a lot of recording.

I love the video for ‘Fade Away, what was the inspiration behind that?

The video wasn’t my idea; it was all down to the director, Romain Chassaing. I love the video though I think he had great inspiration for it and I love the storyline and the drama.

How do you describe your sound to people? Do you consider yourself an EDM or maybe an electro house artist? 

I describe myself as rave-disco.

What has been your favourite album this year?

Disco stuff from Germany.

Have you listened to Random Access Memories? Opinion on that seems pretty divided –what’s your take? 

I had a really quick listen through it but unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to listen to it carefully yet. I loved the single ‘Get Lucky’ though. I was really crazy about it when it was released. I want to really take the time to listen to it.

Who are your all-time favourite artists? 

Giorgio Moroder is my favourite artist overall.

I once read that ‘Vitalic’ is a Russian first name? What’s your connection to Russia?

It is a Russian first name. When I was a student I learnt Russian as a language and I started to travel in Russia and Ukraine when I was 16. I used to go to these countries for holidays; I found it was really exotic and really different to my own culture, where people are living in poverty. I find it a very inspiring culture.

If you were stranded on a desert island and could choose only 3 items to bring with you, what would they be? Phones not allowed.

I’d bring a computer to make music at least, my Polaroid camera and…my Kenwood.

You can listen to music from Vitalic's last album and DJ sets here.

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Funkinyou Tube & Berger/Hot Since 82/Finnebassen at Fire

On Saturday 6 July Vauxhall’s Fire will be hosting some of the hottest names in house for FunkinYou’s next event at this 9 and a 1/2 hour party hotly tipped to blow up your weekend.#

FunkinYou held their last event at Koko in Camden and have stepped their party up a notch by moving it to this techno/D&B fortress.

Running all night till 7.30am the bash sees headliner Tube & Berger dominate room 1 after being warmed up by sets by heavyweight DJs Hot Since 82 and Finnebassen, two acts who have practically become household names in the last year.

Fire’s F1 sound system and dark, sweaty environment will be sure to encourage the messiness set to ensue across its 3 rooms. Tickets are priced at £10 first release, £15 second and £20 third.

See here for tickets and more information.

Read more at the Guestlist Network

Album of the Month: Disclosure - Settle

With Radio 1 legend Annie Mac citing Settle as the album she can’t turn off, Disclosure’s debut is already the roaring success that well-established house producers have spent years trying to create.

Disclosure, aka South London brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, compared Settle to Daft Punk’s music ‘in the sense that it's a vocal album’. Howard said: ‘There aren't many dance albums with full vocals. We don't really know why. You need the vocals to capture your tune and lift it now and again’.

Released yesterday, the album features the singles which smashed the charts this year – ‘Latch’, a collaboration with Sam Smith, 'White Noise' featuring Aluna Francis of Alunageorge and 'You & Me' featuring Eliza Doolittle.

Settle also sees the boys collaborating with labelmate Jessie Ware again on ‘Confess To Me’. Ware first worked with Disclosure when they remixed her single 'Running' in 2012. Jamie Woon, London Grammar and newcomers Ed Mac and Sasha Keable also feature.

The album’s tracklisting is as follows:

1. 'Intro'
2. 'When A Fire Starts To Burn'
3. 'Latch' (feat. Sam Smith)
4. 'F For You'
5. 'White Noise' (feat. AlunaGeorge)
6. 'Defeated No More' (feat. Ed Mac)
7. 'Voices' (feat. Sasha Keable)
8. 'Second Chance'
9. 'You & Me' (feat. Eliza Doolittle)
10. 'January' (feat. Jamie Woon)
11. 'Confess To Me' (feat. Jessie Ware)
12. 'Help Me Lose My Mind' (feat. London Grammar)
Disclosure have also announced details of a UK tour set to take place this November.

They will play:

Bristol, O2 Academy (November 16)
Leeds O2 Academy (18)
Newcastle O2 Academy (19)
Sheffield O2 Academy (23)
Nottingham Rock City (24)
Brighton The Dome (25)
Birmingham O2 Academy (27)
London O2 Academy Brixton (28)

Watch the music video for Disclosure and Eliza Doolittle's 'You & Me' below:


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Liam Gallagher: "I’d write ‘Get Lucky’ in a fucking hour"

Infamously potty-mouthed ex-Oasis member Liam Gallagher has turned his acerbic wit on Daft Punk’s latest single ‘Get Lucky’, claiming "I'd write that in a fucking hour. I don't know what the fuss is about, you know what I mean?"

The Beady Eye frontman spoke to the Sun, shooting down Daft Punk’s four-week number 1 smash hit. He also claimed to have a problem with the duo’s robot costumes: "I am not going to have people wear disguises. Take your fucking helmet off. Let's see what you look like sans helmet, whatever you're called.”

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Artist of the Month: Gold Panda

Gold Panda peddles in the kind of genre-defying electronic music which has critics wracking their brains for a way to categorise it. It arguably fits best into the post-dubstep label which artists like Mount Kimbie helped expand and define but is just as linked to indie, techno, chill and glitch.

The London born DJ and producer’s originality is mainly due to the Eastern element of his work. From his DJ moniker right down to the samples in tracks and the history of Gold Panda’s development, the artist has a uniquely oriental vibe and sound.

Derwin ‘Gold Panda’ Panda (his given but presumably fake surname) grew up in and around London but studied at London’s SOAS – the School of Oriental and African Studies for the non-Londoners among us – and went on to live in Japan. His fascination with the Far East and Asia permeates his album art and music, especially in tracks such as ‘Same Dream China’ and ‘India Lately’.

I love the minimalist, chillwave sound that accompanies the oriental twangs and cymbals present throughout Lucky Shiner, Panda’s debut album and his latest one – Half of Where You Live. Not only are both LPs intellectual delicacies, referencing IDM throughout, they are as danceable as any club-oriented release we’ve heard this year.

This choice picking from Half of Where You Live is blissed out dancefloor magic.



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High Definition 2013

On Saturday 29 June 2013, High Definition Festival will take place at Forest Farm, Ilford, Essex.
This year’s festival will build on the success of the past two years, which have established High Definition as a destination for acts and fans alike, bringing some of the biggest names in dance music together for a spectacular all-day event in East London.

High Definition will be a huge party for lovers of dance-music, its eclectic lineup ranging from house and techno to dubstep and drum and bass. Its acts will include massive names such as Maya Jane Coles, whose 2010 hit ‘What They Say’ secure her name as one of the leading ladies of house music. Labrinth is headlining the main stage, his set guaranteed to finish the night with a bang.

Line Up: Labrinth, Katy B, Ms Dynamite, Shy FX, Joker, Maya Jane Coles, Lee Foss, Hot Since 82, Eats Everything, Bicep, Gorgon City, General Levy

For more information and tickets check out their website.

Read more at the Guestlist Network