Gig: Dallas Frasca

Recommendations don’t come much more esteemed than that which Dallas Frasca earned after she performed with Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Slash last year at the launch for Bob Irwin’s new wildlife foundation, where the iconic six-stringer was impressed with her “great vocals, riffs and groove”. And he should know. 

Hitting these shores for a string of dates across the capital around Australia Day, the girl who’s stormed to success Down Under is getting ready to slay us with six shows in six days, kicking off at the 12 Bar Club on Jan 24.

Frasca first found fame winning Triple J’s 2006 Light Your Fuse competition for new acts, and she has followed this up with the 2010 Artist of the Year accolade at the Musicoz Awards. Her fusing of a soulful, distinctive voice with hulking riffs and blues grooves grabs you, but it is her unmistakable attitude that sucks you in.

Last year’s sophomore album Sound Painter earned her the best reviews of her career to date and that was despite the album being beset by problems throughout, such as the money to finish the record being nicked at Melbourne Airport.

She needn’t have worried – the Frasca fans pulled together AU$4500 to make sure the album could be realised. 

She’s also playing Camden Rock on Jan 25; Shepherd’s Bush Walkabout and Streatham’s The White Lion on Jan 26; Brixton’s Windmill on Jan 28; and 12 Bar Club again on Jan 29. For more details visit dallasfrasca.com.

12 Bar Club and more
Jan 24-29 | Doors at TBC  |  £6+  
12 Denmark Street, WC2H 8NN  
Tube | Tottenham Court Road  
12barclub.com

 

Gig: Flume

With his self-titled debut hitting the top of the Australian iTunes chart and riding high in the ARIAs, this talented 21-year-old is making all the right moves with his bass-heavy beats.

The Sydney lad began producing at 13 and has caught the eye of Four Tet and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. The man of the hour!

Thur, Jan 24. 8pm-12am £5
XOYO 32-37 Cowper Street, EC2A 4AP 
Tube | Old Street  
xoyo.co.uk 

 

Club: It’s a fine line

The French duo Ivan Smagghe and Tim Paris bring their distinctively unique house tunes to the Loft, throwing Kraut-rock, psychedelic rock and anything else they care to into the mix.

Joining them this evening is Canada’s Fairmont with a live performance that promises to mix indie and dance. 

Fri Jan 25. 10pm-6am £10+  
Loft Studios 83-87 Scrubs Lane, NW10 6QU 
Tube | Kensal Green  
residentadvisor.net 

Club: Circus LDN

Liverpool-based house-master Yousef, whose second album A Product Of Your Environment was a critical hit last year, heads up this first Circus party of the new year.

He’ll be joined by the likes of Jesse Rose, DJ W!ld in room one, with Thanksmate, Roberto Amo, White Jail Lab and more next door. 

fri, Jan 25. 10pm-6am £10+  
Egg 200 York Way, N7 9AX 
Tube | King’s Cross  
egglondon.net

 

Gig: Paul Banks

The former Interpol frontman makes a solo sojourn over here in support of his second solo record, Banks.

Newly sobered up, he’s previously ventured out on his own – under the pseudonym Julian Plenti – but now it’s all Paul.

For fans of moody, atmospheric post-punk, which is not a million miles away from his former band.

Thur Jan 24. 7pm £22.50 
Koko 1a Camden High Street, NW1 7JE 
Tube | Mornington Crescent  
koko.uk.com

 

Club: Pukka Up @Pacha London

Pukka Up is celebrating eight years at London’s Pacha with this full-on party. Ibiza residents Mark Robinson, Rockwell Noise and DJ F.A.B will be spinning house, with Pukka Up resident Chris Wright (above), and Essex’s sexiest night out, GlamourBall, taking over the Global Room. The Ibizan vibes have come to town. 

Fri Jan 26. 11pm-6am £15 
Pacha London Terminus Place, SW1V 1JR 
Tube | Victoria  
pukkaup.com 

 

Gig: Aimee Mann

Latest and eighth album Charmer dropped last year, full of Mann’s trademark melody and witty observation – the Nineties singer-songwriter even squeezes in a duet with Shins frontman James Mercer.

Since her last record she’s played for President Obama and portrayed herself on hipster-skewering show Portlandia. Busy gal. 

mon, jan 28. 7.30pm £25  
Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre 
Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX 
Tube | Waterloo  
southbankcentre.co.uk

 

Photos: Daniel Shipp 2011;  2012 Urban Angles, Getty