To retire at the ripe age of 23 is something most have dreamt of, but few have actually accomplished.
Rapidly rising U.K. underground singer Patrick Wolf caused a bit of a stir in the music press in late April with his proclamation on a message board that he would be hanging up his wide array of instruments and hot pants for good after a final live performance in November, citing his hectic promotional schedule and band personnel problems as factors.
Proving that not working is a pipe dream for twenty somethings, in interviews a few days later Wolf dismissed the notion that he was quitting music, saying instead that he will only take a short break. Good thing, too. Having been recording and playing in groups since the age of 12, well-earned accolades have been piling up since the release of his spellbinding third album, "The Magic Position," earlier this year. With his highly orchestral electropop and folk and eclectic style causing some to label him the next David Bowie — who, coincidentally, made a similar claim that he was leaving rock 'n' roll behind onstage in 1973 — the odds of a long and prosperous career are definitely high, likely postponing any kind of real retirement for years.
Wolf will make his Japanese debut with a one-off performance at "Ex-press Ver.0" on July 2. Joining him on the bill are Earl Greyhound. Drawing heavily from the classic rock sounds of the 1970s, the New York-based trio tear through a Zepp-heads's dream set of hard rock and bluesy power pop on 2006's "Soft Targets." Reports say their riff-heavy live show is not to be missed.
