It strikes me that this might be a very sensible way forward for smaller bands in the modern music industry. There are a number of bands with solid fanbases who might either struggle to be signed in the traditional label model, or not enjoy working within that framework. This kind of website allows bands to allow fans to purchase something which they’ll really appreciate and in the process fund the release of new material.

Since I started composing this post Grammatics not only announced that they were splitting up, but that they were funding the release of their final EP via Pledge Music due in part to the success of the I Like Trains project. For my part I snagged their new EP and also a rarities CD. In addition to the release of the EP they’re going to tour for a final time, I’ll aim to catch them when they’re in Scotland. Pledge Music has enabled this release, something which might not have happened otherwise. It seems like a lot of bands are repaing the benefits of this business model already.

This time the spotlight falls to iLiKETRAiNS, or more specifically their cornet player/animator/projectionist, Ashley. I posted a few months ago about the DVD that iLiKETRAiNS brought out to accompany their debut album Elegies to Lessons Learnt. This DVD was soley the work of Ashley or his animating alter ego Broken Pixel. I always thought that the animation brought something unique to iLiKETRAiNS, and the addition of the projection screen to their gigs was always very interesting. I remember the first couple of times we were lucky enough to see iLiKETRAiNS live, Ashley was using an old slide projector and one of the most haunting but beautiful things I have ever seen was BEFORETHECURTAiNSCLOSE (Part i I think) being shown with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing to the beat on the projection screen. The projections were then upgraded to digital versions, and videos animated by Ashley accompanied the songs, making for a truly unique live experience.

However, Ashley announced at the end of July that he would be leaving the band. It seems to have been a mutual decision in the end and I think it was mostly so that that Ashley could have more time to pursue his animating and further the success of Broken Pixel. I personally wish him the best of luck, and hope that the unfortunate break with the band can open up new doors for him and he can continue to do what he loves.

His website can be found here and YouTube channel here. Hopefully there will be a future collabiration with iLiKETRAiNS but we can only see. For now we are told that iLiKETRAiNS are working on their second album so there is good news to be found somewhere in the music world at least.

Here is what I consider to be one of the best examples of Ashley’s work with iLiKETRAiNS. Enjoy.

The first support was supposed to be Laymar, a local band, who sound like they would have been good to hear live. However, they had a technical failure which meant that they couldn’t perform at the gig.

The touring support were Kyte, who I would describe as a British Jeniferever. The vocalist admitted to losing his voice, but still managed to create the right atmosphere for the type of music they played, which I enjoyed. I think I prefer to see more atmospheric bands live, as I find watching where all the different parts to the songs come from fascinating. Also, I think all their songs featured a glockenspiel, which can go a long way to making any song instantly better.

So on to iLiKETRAiNS. They opened with 25 Sins, which has become pretty standard since they started touring the album tracks. I remember when I first heard the song live, as I’d not heard it on record at the time, and it was amazing. That hasn’t changed and I would have been disappointed if 25 Sins was not the opening track. The opening drumstick clacks are just brilliant and really set the song up well. Also the use of a guitar solo sets it apart from most of iLiKETRAiNS’ other songs. After that, the setlist was similar to that which was used when I saw them in Scotland. This is no bad thing, especially as they played Victress. One of the enthusiastic blokes from the side of the stage seemed surprised that they would be playing a B-side, but Dave, the lead singer asked if it was good anyway. I replied that it was fantastic! Which it clearly is. The refrain of ‘all men will be, sailors until the sea shall set them free’ is just brilliant and gives the song that little bit extra.

As this was the ‘We Go Hunting’ tour, they certainly seemed to get more into this particular song and gave it their all. It’s one of the more accessible songs on the album, as its upbeat, and the atmospheric nature of the band and Dave’s voice really make it something special.

we also got treated to a new song, which is still in the writing process. It’s working title is ‘Progress is a Snake’ and it was excellent. I think it may be one of my favourite iLiKETRAiNS songs despite only hearing it once. (Plus the youtube quality version of it) I really liked what Simon did with the drumming at the beginning, and there were 2 synths used which was something a bit different. Overall though it was certainly iLiKETRAiNS, and I thoroughly look forward to the finished product.

I think the gig itself went very well for the TRAiNS guys and they said themselves that they had enjoyed it lots. A minor technical hitch was suffered with the projector which was noticeable through the show. After it showed no signs of recovering, it was swiftly turned off by the expert multi-tasker, Ashley, and the show went on. This was only in the last song anyway, and the truly epic nature of Spencer Perceval meant that nothing was lost from the experience and the show ended on an extremely high note.

During the gig, I shouted to Dave that the band should come back to Scotland again, and he said that they would. Hopefully they will stick by this, as I love seeing them in my favourite gig venue Cabaret Voltaire, as well as King Tut’s as it has an excellent atmosphere.

Tonight is iLiKETRAiNS’ homecoming gig, where there will be films and chess. Unfortunately it is not possible for me to go, but I hope that the band members and fans that can make it have an excellent time. Another upcoming TRAiNS date is the 26th of May, when there will be a cinema screening of Elegies to Lessons Learnt, which will probably be amazing to attend.

Also, we will apparently find out the significance of the telegraph pole that seems to crop up in a number of the videos…

The DVD will also include videos from previous releases such as the fantastic Terra Nova, and lots of other extras. So it would seem that the DVD will certainly offer value for money, especially for die hard iLiKETRAiNS fans such as myself.

Here is the first trailer for your viewing pleasure:

There is also a second available here.

The DVD is available for pre-order from recordstore, and is apparently limited to 1000 copies, so get in there quick!