Have I said how much I like that bar in the basement of Fopp's Tottenham Court Road branch? I meant to. It's possible I did. I can't remember. Anyway, if you've yet to check it out, how about calling in next Wednesday, 21 Feb, to check out two of the bands who won the last bit of the much talked about (here anyway) Fopp Award For New Music? Morton Valance and Olympus Mons (the latter of whom also won last year's 3 Student Music Awards) will both play, kicking off at 7pm.
The other two winners, Conrad Vingoe and The Dials, will play the Brighton branch of Fopp on the same night at 7pm. I don't know if there's a nice bar at that branch. Probably not. But you should go anyway. And while you're there (at either one) you can buy recordings from all four artists, which go on sale across the independent music chain on Monday.
All four bands will also play at London's Dingwalls next Thursday, 22 Feb, at an industry showcase type thing which is essentially invite only, though a limited number of tickets for punters will be available at the aforementioned London and Brighton Fopp stores.
You'll get press info on all this gubbins from Press Counsel.