Ben Cardew
@bencardew.bsky.social
Music writing / music podcasting / who knows? linenoise.substack.com/ soundcloud.com/line-noise-podcast
On the newsletter this week: Le Patron Est Devenu Fou! - Super Discount at 30 It seems oddly, ineffably French that one of the best albums of the French Touch era isn’t really an album at all. Or not in the way that we commonly think of them, anyway. linenoise.substack.com/p/le-patron-...
Le Patron Est Devenu Fou! - Super Discount at 30
Plus Dave Angel, Marina Herlop, Arca and more
linenoise.substack.com
On the Line Noise podcast this week: Zora Jones on 50 Bullets to the Heart, her amazing new album. I spoke to Zora Jones about the sting from 400 bees, going off grid, singing in Spanish, playing LIVE live and more, as she looks ahead to her wonderful new album. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 273 - Zora Jones on 50 Bullets to the Heart, her amazing new album
Ben Cardew spoke to Zora Jones about the sting from 400 bees, going off grid, singing in Spanish, playing live live and more, as she looks ahead to the release of her wonderful new album 50 Bullets To
soundcloud.com
Decided to listen to a Frank Zappa playlist. Song 1: Astoundingly awful. 2: Incredibly beautiful. 3: Just about passes as a pun. 4: ABSOLUTELY not funny. 5: Slightly annoying jazz funk. 6: Clever clever blues knock off. 7: Fabulous baroque rock. 7: Possibly the worst song in existence.
I spoke to Saul Williams ahead of the release of his new album, Leap Life. We spoke about the role that music plays in Williams’ life, trusting the moment, shamanism, headphone listening, Sun Ra, Paris + more. We also discussed his role as a preacher in Sinners. www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAgi...
Saul Williams on poetry, technology, Leap Life, Sinners and more | Line Noise
YouTube video by RPS_MUSIC
youtube.com
I wrote a tribute to Kavinsky for Crack magazine, examining his impact on music and culture. “French producer Kavinsky, who has died at the age of 50, was an artist who seemed to manifest his dreams into reality.” (Hat tip @www.zensounds.de) crackmagazine.net/article/long...
Dreams in Neon: Remembering Kavinsky
From the unforgettable 'Nightcall' to his lasting impact on modern pop and electronic music, we celebrate the singular vision and enduring legacy of French producer Kavinsky.
crackmagazine.net
Today on the newsletter: Not Daft, no Punk - Best of the French Touch underground, 1995 to 2000. My rules are: no Daft Punk, nothing too obvious and nothing I have covered at length on my Substack before. I hope you enjoy it. And let me know your favourites. linenoise.substack.com/p/not-daft-n...
Not Daft, no Punk - Best of the French Touch underground, from 1995 to 2000
Plus Zora Jones, Diagonals, The Dark Wizard and more
linenoise.substack.com
.... and so, for the first time in my life, I have met both the British Prime Minister (seemed charming, very professional) and the Leader of the Opposition (also seemed nice - not sure what happened there.)
My guest on the Line Noise podcast this week is Inès Boullant - better known as u.r.trax - who came to the RPS studio at @primavera-sound.bsky.social to talk sneaking into clubs at 14, annoying her Parisian neighbours, blowing up during Covid and “anti club music”. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 272 - u.r.trax
Inès Boullant - better known as French dance destroyer u.r.trax - came to the RPS studio at Primavera Sound ahead of her first live festival gig to talk sneaking into clubs at 14, annoying her Parisia
soundcloud.com
On the newsletter today: The question is more enjoyable than the solution - Sasha & Digweed’s Northern Exposure reviewed. Warning: contains progressive house, proto trance, US breakbeats, Apollo 440 AND Deep Forest. linenoise.substack.com/p/the-questi...
The question is more enjoyable than the solution - Sasha & Digweed’s Northern Exposure reviewed
Progressive house, proto trance, US breakbeats and Deep Forest unite!
linenoise.substack.com
On the newsletter this week: “It's never not funny” - an interview with Matmos. Includes Björk, fire, the Pavarotti of plastic pillboxes, Hit Em, gay energy and disgruntled Italian audiences. linenoise.substack.com/p/its-never-...
“It's never not funny” - an interview with Matmos
Plus Actress, Drew Ashby, TDF, GB, Vanishing Twin and more
linenoise.substack.com
Finished Middlemarch this morning. I found is impressive in its scope and insight but, honestly, a bit boring. (From what I have read, even people who rate it very highly say it is a bit boring.) And I didn't really connect with the characters. Middlemarch lovers: why do you love it so?
I reviewed the (largely great) new Tricky album - his 15th! - for @pitchfork.com. “…after the darkly desperate Fall to Pieces, Tricky’s punchy, punky album is further evidence of a career renaissance rooted in emotional power and musical exorcism.” pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
Tricky: Different When It’s Silent
Read Ben Cardew’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
On the latest Line Noise podcast, Johann Wald and I had an EXCELLENT time speaking to everyone’s favourite experimental music duo about the joy of being Matmos, Hit Em, ideas that just don’t work + a lot more. @primavera-sound.bsky.social soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 271 - Matmos
Ben Cardew and Johann Wald spoke to everyone’s favourite experimental music duo, Matmos, about the joy of being Matmos, Hit Em, ideas that just don’t work and a lot more, in a totally charming intervi
soundcloud.com
On the newsletter , “Things are ever more mysterious” - an interview with Call Super, live at Primavera Sound, in which we discuss everything from Basement Jaxx to Ivy Compton-Burnett. Plus new music from Karizma, Aquarian, Starcleaner, Inland Years and more linenoise.substack.com/p/things-are...
“Things are ever more mysterious” - an interview with Call Super
Plus Aquarian, Starcleaner, Inland Years and more
linenoise.substack.com
A big Happy Birthday to Tanya Donnelly, a rock deity who I believed shared my birthday for years upon years upon years only to recently find out she doesn't. Still, I did get to interview her once: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UWm...
Tanya Donelly (Belly) on Major Labels, King & Fighting Spotify | RPS MUSIC
YouTube video by RPS_MUSIC
youtube.com
This week on the Line Noise podcast: Call Super, live at @primavera-sound.bsky.social 2026. We spoke about a folder called “Ladbroke Grove”, the enduring power of the mix CD, playing CircoLoco AND Victorian literature, in a particularly wide-ranging interview. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 270 - Call Super
Ben Cardew spoke to estimable DJ / producer Call Super about a folder called “Ladbroke Grove”, the enduring power of the mix CD, moving house, playing CircoLoco AND Victorian literature, in a particul
soundcloud.com
I reviewed Pixies Complete B Sides: 1988-97 for @pitchfork.com It’s one of the Pixies albums I listen to most and I totally adore it. “Pixies are arguably more Pixies in their flip-side freedom.” pitchfork.com/reviews/albu...
Pixies: Complete B Sides: 1988-97 (Remaster)
Read Ben Cardew’s review of the album.
pitchfork.com
On the newsletter: Officially, the dance music songs of the 90s. The Portuguese have saudade. I have the 90s. And so I started to think about what might be the most 90s dance music songs ever. The songs that could only happen in the 90s. What do you think? linenoise.substack.com/p/officially...
Officially, the dance music songs of the 90s are…
Plus Marina Herlop, IZCO, Djrum, Topdown Dialectic and more
linenoise.substack.com
This week, we welcome Étienne de Crécy back to the Line Noise podcast. We spoke about the Flashback tour, his excellent Warm Up album and working with Damon Albarn. We also look ahead to the 30th anniversary of his classic Super Discount album. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 269 - Étienne de Crécy returns
This week, we welcome Étienne de Crécy, a house hero for any sensible musical brain, back to Line Noise. Last time out, in 2023, we spoke about the origins of Étienne - Motorbass, Super Discount and a
soundcloud.com
I'm sorry but this new Norwich City shirt is TOO GOOD. Absolutely lovely.
On the newsletter today: Not your usual records from the first half of 2026. AKA some of my favourite records that I didn’t really get an opportunity to write about elsewhere, including Nondi_, TVAM and Anastasia Kristensen, PLUS special bonus words from dgoHn. linenoise.substack.com/p/not-your-u...
Not your usual records from the first half of 2026
Featuring Anastasia Kristensen, TVAM, dgoHn's incredible time singatures and more
linenoise.substack.com
On the newsletter this week: “I am an anti-loop person” - an interview with Dimitri From Paris. “I have history with Dimitri From Paris. It’s just that he didn’t know it…” I spoke to the great man about Sacrebleu, French House, looping, disco, remixing + more. linenoise.substack.com/p/i-am-an-an...
“I am an anti-loop person” - an interview with Dimitri From Paris
Plus Julia Holter, Black Bananas, Roy Montgomery and Martha Skye Murphy
linenoise.substack.com
This week on the Line Noise podcast: I sit down with French Touch icon Dimitri From Paris. Discussion ranged from Dimitri’s classic Sacrebleu album being a joke - and not a joke at the same time - to the art of remixing, Compass Point + Dimitri’s unique style. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 268 - Dimitri From Paris
Ben Cardew finally got to tick off a long-time musical aspiration by sitting down with French Touch icon Dimitri From Paris this summer, ahead of Dimitri’s gig at La Paloma in Barcelona. Discussion ra
soundcloud.com
This week on the Line Noise podcast, Colleen returns to speak about learning to swim, feeling free, letting down your guard and a lot more in a very charming and in-depth interview. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 267 - Colleen returns
Ben Cardew spoke to musician and synth enthusiast extraordinaire Colleen about learning to swim, feeling free, letting down your guard and a lot more in a very charming and in-depth interview, recorde
soundcloud.com
An hour after stunning an early @primavera-sound.bsky.social crowd, folk singer extraordinaire Annahstasia visited the RPS studios to talk about music industry nonsense, finding the right vocal coach, Nina Simone and much more. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CXB...
Annahstasia interview Primavera Sound 2026 | RPS MUSIC
YouTube video by RPS_MUSIC
youtube.com
On the newsletter this week: Pop subversion, robbing cowboys and Greek mythology - Nancy Sinatra in excelsis. Plus reviews of new music from Zora jones, Nikki Nair, Pye Corner Audio and Jah Wobble. linenoise.substack.com/p/pop-subver...
Pop subversion, robbing cowboys and Greek mythology - Nancy Sinatra in excelsis
Plus Zora Jones, Nikki Nair, Pye Corner Audio and more
linenoise.substack.com
I sat down with K-pop sensation Yves backstage at Sala Apolo in Barcelona during her European tour @primavera-sound.bsky.social. In the interview, Yves opens up about the challenging but rewarding journey of stepping out as a solo artist after her time in LOONA. www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUnI...
Yves on her Solo Debut, LOONA & PinkPantheress Inspiration | RPS Interview
YouTube video by RPS_MUSIC
youtube.com
On the new Line Noise podcast I spoke to New York DJ hero Victor Calderone about 18-hour sets, phone-free zones, Bleep, working with Joey Beltram, signing to Sire and - of course - remixing Madonna. soundcloud.com/line-noise-p...
Line Noise 266 - Victor Calderone
Ben Cardew spoke to New York DJ hero Victor Calderone about 18-hour sets, phone-free zones, Bleep, working with Joey Beltram, signing to Sire and - of course - remixing Madonna. We also chatted about
soundcloud.com
There’s a playlist on Apple Music called “Inspired by Chic”. It might as well be called “breathes oxygen”. I went to see Nile Rodgers and Chic at the Blaumari festival in Barcelona yesterday and wrote about the results linenoise.substack.com/p/do-you-eve...
Do you even like pop music? - Nile Rodgers and Chic live in Barcelona
Plus The Cardigans and Victor Calderone
linenoise.substack.com
how could you resist all those mascots? I will be there, on Sunday, asking all the long-suffering stall holders if they have any vintage Norwich.
