INTERVIEW: LIV’n’G

INTERVIEW:

LIV’n’G

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THE sisters of LIV’n’G have been discussing…

their new E.P., Shades, and some of the stories that inspire them. Olivia and Georgia tell me how they got started in music and some of their favourite memories; some rising artists we need to watch and where they hope to head.

I ask them about their musical tastes and whether we can see them gig; whether there is a tale behind their latest single, Señorita, and winch artists they’d support on tour given the chance – they end the interview by selecting a couple of great tracks.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey! Were fine thank you. Just been so busy this week!  

We’ve just booked a few firework displays for Metro Radio and TFM at Darlington and Saltwell (Gateshead), where there are crowds of up to 30,000. We ‘popped’ down to London to talk about music with a few people. We’ve been doing song writing sessions in schools for a couple of days and also wrote some original tracks for a choir and other artist.

Oh, yeah, and sorting the video out for Señorita. We love being busy!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Our names are Olivia and Georgia and together were LIV’n’G. Olivia gets called ‘Liv’ for short and Georgia gets called ‘G’. So, we just put them together to create our band name! Were a sister singer/songwriter/producing duo from Hartlepool, North East England - yes, where they allegedly hung a monkey as a spy!

Liv: We’ve been writing originals for about eighteen months now; I write the lyrics and sing.

G: I started to learn guitar using YouTube about two years ago then the piano, trumpet and sample pad and that progressed to producing songs. So, I compose and produce out tracks and play the keys, sample pads; backing and control the reverb on the mic, when we perform live.

We have written for other artists, played over two-hundred shows in the last twelve months; recorded in London and had our tracks mastered in London and L.A. We like to think of our music as Tropical Pop/World Pop/R&B and it has been described as “inclusive to all cultures and generations”. We like to use unusual or different instruments from around the world to create hooks; things like an accordion for a Latin track we have.

How did LiV’n’G form? When did you start playing music together?

We have known each other since birth as we’re sisters; we’re totally different individuals but, when we work together, we’re family. There are a few years age difference between us, but people are shocked when we tell them.

Liv: I’ve been singing from morning till night starting at a very young age.

G: I always found music, melodies and computers interesting and learned trumpet in primary school.

Our grandad bought us an electric piano around three years ago and Georgia taught herself to play. We then started to practice together and everyone seemed to like it. We started to do little local performances and were soon asked to support some local acts at gigs. It just went from there and now we’re performing every weekend!

You have won competitions and gained a lot of success. How does it feel looking back and how important are those honours?!

Were very proud of how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. We’ve entered many competitions and they often result in greater opportunities as well as giving us much-needed unbiased feedback. It’s good to enter local talent competitions with your friends and family watching as it teaches you about stage presence; it teaches you to take feedback and criticism, as well as ‘hardening’ you to the industry.  You may not win every competition, you may not even place sometimes but these are the times when you learn more about yourselves and how resilient you are.

We won a number of competitions from local ones - Beyond the Lights, Upbeat Awards - to regional ones - The Big Audition for TFM Radio (Bauer) - to national ones like Live & Unsigned for performances we have produced and for our original songs. The prizes have given us bigger stages to perform; allowed us to support some great acts and some have been connected to raising money for various charities. Over the past two years, I think we have raised over £25,000 for charity from our music.

G: Being part of these competitions has taught us so much and, for me personally, it has built my confidence up so much, from not wanting to be on stage initially to playing and controlling the full set.

Liv: Competitions make you grow much quicker as an artist. It’s great to get feedback and gives you more focus.

Your E.P., Shades, is out. Are there personal stories or particular experiences that inspire the song?

Yes definitely. Three of the songs on the E.P. are personal stories. Walls and Green Light are about starting a new relationship and the fears that we both have felt and come across, the uncertainty of feelings; the scary feeling of ‘giving up your heart’ and the adrenaline rush that love gives you!

The other personal song is Equal. We originally wrote this song in support of International Women’s Day as were all about equality in all aspects of life including music. We hope our music can be considered empowering as well as bringing a fresh vibe to Pop! The track was played internationally at different I.W.D. events! Which, again, makes us so proud, plus it has a speech by Meghan Markle in it which is amazing. The E.P. comes from a female point of view, but we think it crosses the sexes and generations as its about feelings we may all have had sometimes.

What is the story behind the single, Señorita?

We love upbeat and Spanish or tropical rhythms as, with a lot of our music, it’s about a powerful individual; its fun and wants to make you move and, again, it’s about relationships and jealousy; feelings that everyone will have felt at one time or another. It came from the same place as our other tracks - life and personal situations - and we just try and put it in a way that connects with people. An upbeat Latin fable of a song; strong Spanish rhythms compliment the great vocals and modern, clean urban Rap. You can almost hear the flamenco heels clicking as the ‘femme fatale’ lures her prey in.

I get the sense your music is primed towards making us feel better and projecting sunshine. Do you consciously set to write music that gets the body moving?

Liv: We never intentionally write a song to make people want to get up and dance. We jam, talk about our experiences and basically bring our thoughts to life using music. However, as a family, we love to get on the dancefloor.

G: I have always loved the tracks of Rihanna, and the tropical rhythm that runs through her music, so obviously that has influenced the style of music we compose. I really don’t think it was a conscious choice or decision, it just happened.

However, it really does depend on the story and mood behind the song. Sometimes, it can be just a poem to music (like Walls) where is it about the feeling a song conjures up, about listening to the lyrics. We want to connect with people, to engage with their memories too. We have quite a few ‘bouncy tunes’ ready to go for next year that we hope can transport everyone to warmer climates and get them dancing.

Which artists did you all grow up around? Do you have any personal musical idols?

Liv: I love Beyoncé. Her honest, energetic and powerful performances are amazing and her vocals are so on point, be it a fast dance tune or a ballad.

G: For me, it would be bands like Clean Bandit who have brought the musicianship to the forefront of the music industry.

Our inspirations range from Ella Fitzgerald to Anne-Marie, The Animals to Ed Sheeran - any songwriter that connects with us.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

By the end of 2018, we hope that people enjoy, stream and download our first E.P. release and were hoping to plan to release more songs early next year. Were also looking to release a professional music video to our lead song from the E.P., Señorita, which we are so excited to shoot! We want to play bigger venues and shows; we want to have a tour or tour support organized for 2019 and we want to have been booked for some festivals next year too. We’d love to get on the music industry radar, managers; booking agents or labels. There is a ’wind of change’ blowing to rebalance the music industry and female involvement; we would love to be part of that positive change.

Cheesy, we know, but we want to inspire younger children who we often work with to show them that if they follow their heart, their dreams can come true!

In that same vein; do you have plans for 2019 in terms of what you want to accomplish?

We hope to both ‘be’ Beyoncé; living her lifestyle, producing hits and influencing people…can you sort that for us? (Laughs). We are going to release more original music. We are hopefully going to play more festivals and events next year. Write ‘The Hit’…chart success would be amazing. Collaborate with other artists. Look at arranging a tour or tour support with artists we love.

We may be part of a documentary to be shown on Channel 4 early next year…we will see. We’d love to have management; a label who believes in us and loves our music and to be performing all over the world…just living the dream!

Have you both got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Liv: I’m so sorry but I must mention this one. When we supported Alexander O’Neal, we were waiting for him to come on stage and we could see him behind the curtain. Then, all of a sudden, he fell back tried to grab the curtain but missed and ended up flat on his bum. It was like it happened in slow motion. I know I shouldn’t laugh but I did (smiles).

G: Mine must be performing at Everton Football Club in aid of the Bradley Lowery Foundation and seeing all of those people there to support him.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

G: Mine would have to be PCD by The Pussycat Dolls as it was the first album I ever bought and I could recite the whole album, even today…maybe.

Liv: Mine would have to be Beyoncé’s Lemonade album as I like what she stands for. She is so inspiring and that album made me want to start writing my own music…so I did.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

G: I would love to support Little Mix. I think they have amazing energy and I love the fact that they are an all-girl ban…hashtag ‘pussypower’. (Laughs)!

Liv: Mine would have to be Beyoncé! (Notice a theme). I’m just a huge fan. I have always been so taken back by her performances and only wish someday to be as successful as she is!

Our rider would have to include parmos, crisps; M&M’s, apple juice; Jaffa Cakes…and Little Mix and Beyoncé! (Scratch that – Mam says we have to have chicken salad and water as Pam at Slimming World wouldn’t be happy).

Can we see you on the road this year at all?

Yes! We are always gigging on a weekend and in our spare time. You can always look on our Facebook page where all our events are listed. If there are no events near you, get in touch with us to request a gig somewhere! We love to travel! We have other gigs around the North East and we’re heading up to Scotland in a few weeks too.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

We would say be true to who you are, personally and musically. Don’t let anyone else try to shape you into something they want you to be! As well as that; practice makes perfect! Any opportunity you get to perform, take it! You don’t know who could be watching, and every performance helps you grow as an artist.  

IN THIS PHOTO: Courtney Hadwin

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

We have a friend who has the most amazing voice. He is called Geoff Mull!  We are also friends with Courtney Hadwin (America’s Got Talent) our brother’s girlfriend is Molly Scott who is on the live shows of the X Factor. We also have a friend who is the biggest diva for her age and the biggest voice we have ever hear for her age! (She is nine) Brooke Burke. She appeared on The Voice Kids last year and we’re sure she’s going to go far.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Molly Scott

Do you both get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Were so busy with everything pertaining to music: it’s very rare we get to chill!

G: I like to play FIFA football games on my PlayStation if I get the chance and I’m hoping to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park.

Liv: I love to go horse riding, take the dogs for a walk and chill out!

We both like to ‘veg out’ on the couch in our onesies and watch a box-set; anything with vampires, really. Plus, we do love to eat. So, wherever there is food, we’re probably there. (Don’t tell Pam at Slimming World, though)

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Liv: Could you please play Freedom by Beyoncé!

G: Could you please play Hips Don’t Lie by Shakira!

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Follow LiV’n’G

Official:

https://livngmusic.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LIVnGmusic/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/LIVnGmusic/

 Twitter:

https://twitter.com/livngmusic

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/649CoIklRNu0QPOFMIidD6

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/c/LIVnGmusic

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/livngmusic 

INTERVIEW: Deanna Petcoff

INTERVIEW:

Deanna Petcoff

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I am starting the day by speaking with Deanna Petcoff...

who has been telling me about her new single, Stress, and what its background is. I ask whether there is going to be more material coming along and what she hopes to achieve next year; what music she grew up around and whether there are tour dates.

I ask Petcoff if there are particular albums that mean a lot to her and what advice she’d give artists coming along; if there are any rising musicians we need to keep an eye out for – Petcoff ends the interview by selecting a great track.

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Hi, Deanna. How are you? How has your week been?

My week has been great, thank you! I hope you’ve been well too since the last time we spoke.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m an artist from Toronto and have been working in music for over seven years now! I’m currently working on a record for my solo project under my own name.

Stress is your new track. Is there a story behind it?

Stress is about frustration, loss of hope and acceptance of a situation that will never be fixed. The unbearable weight of not feeling good enough for the person you want and thinking they might want you too but can’t follow through with their flirtatious actions is a common feeling, and I wanted to encapsulate the frustration that comes with. I find way too often that feeling is described leaning heavily on the sadness that it comes with, but there is much anger in that feeling as well.

I also wanted to show the range of emotions women feel with the loss of love that isn’t just the sadness of heartbreak. Ultimately, in the end of the song, she’s done with playing with this person and wants the situation to be over, so they can both get on with their lives. Making the decision to be done with that kind of situation is difficult, but necessary sometimes. I decided it was worthy of a song.

Will there be more material next year?

Yes, there will be! We’re looking to release a record in the early months of next year!

Did you grow up in a musical household? When did music come into your life?

I did grow up in a musical household. My dad favoured the Classic-Rock superstars of the '70s like Queen, Led Zeppelin and Heart while my mom played us music like Carole King, Elton John and The Carpenters. Both introduced me to different facets of my musical personality from a young age.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I have achieved everything I hoped to achieve by the end of this year; mainly releasing this song for the world to hear!

Do you already have plans for 2019?

I do have plans for 2019. I plan to release a record and tour in other provinces in Canada! I’d really love to make it out to British Columbia!

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

I have loved many moments in my musical career so far, particularly getting to finally record all of the best songs I’ve written professionally and feel like they are being produced exactly the way they deserve to be - there really is no better feeling.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

This changes constantly but, right now, the top records for me are Low by David Bowie, Be the Cowboy by Mitski and Les and Mary by Les Paul and Mary Ford.

As Christmas is coming up; if you had to ask for one present what would it be?

I would ask for an amethyst ring. I am really obsessed with amethyst right now.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I would love to tour with Angel Olsen. She is one of my favourite artists and I feel like I would get along with her really well and hopefully we’d get to do an awesome cover together like Fleetwood Mac or Carly Simon and become best friends! 

My rider would have Diet Coke, M&Ms; popcorn and Greek food. Gotta eat before the show!

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I would tell you female artists in particular to work as hard as possible and be confident when introducing yourself to anyone. Don’t be ashamed of your project, your name or your work. You deserve to take up as much space as anyone else.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I am playing November 29th at The Monarch Tavern with Helena Deland and Luna Li! All other shows are T.B.D.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Mitski

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’m really into Mitski right now. She’s not a new artist but she did just put out a new record. I am also really into Sunflower Bean. Their newest record is also great!

 IN THIS PHOTO: Sunflower Bean/PHOTO CREDIT: Erina Uemura

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I don’t really take breaks from music. I enjoy always working, writing or producing. I unwind by playing music, actually, or watching movies with my boyfriend and roommate.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Please play Why Didn’t You Stop Me? by Mitski! Thank you!

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Follow Deanna Petcoff

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/deannapetcoffmusic/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/deannapetcoff/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/deanna_petcoff

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/40wJiyTgK3egckAlDOp1ea?si=Bceg95kRSgOxVqdQhgrAQg

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7S_SOnIzEtk3IJjnunvhPw

INTERVIEW: Calvin Arsenia

INTERVIEW:

Calvin Arsenia

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THE terrific Calvin Arsenia...

has been letting me into his world and his creative process. I learn about his new album, Cantaloupe, and the sort of themes that inspired it; how he came into music and a few albums that mean an awful lot to him.

I ask whether there are any goals to achieve before the end of the year and which rising artists we should look out for; how it feels being on the stage and delivering to the people and whether he gets time to unwind away from music – the talented songwriter chooses an interesting song to end things on.

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Hi, Calvin. How are you? How has your week been?

Hello! My week has been stellar! I just spent the weekend in sunny Miami playing The Dark Lord in a sexy cabaret, Samsara, at the Faena Theater. Then, I returned to a beautiful snowy Kansas City. No complaints here.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Sure! My name is Calvin Arsenia. I am a classically trained singer and electric Celtic harpist steeped in a soup of Soul, Jazz; Folk, and Electronic roots, strung together by heart-on-my-sleeve narrations, served with a delicate garnish of cheeky humor on the tippy top.

Cantaloupe is your latest album. What sort of themes and stories inspired the album?

Cantaloupe has many themes. Sensual, Sonic; cynic and cinematic. I produced this record with two of my best friends who just so happen to be my heroes as well, J. Ashley Miller and Simon Huntley. Together, we share a deep passion for existing in beautiful spaces.

In the sensual sense, I wanted the music to feel the emotions on the most visceral level possible. The album also contains found sounds designed to get an ASMR response including a lot of non-musical elements. The desire for body response also spoke to how I would deliver the vocal on the recording. I’m constantly thinking about the narrative of the words I am saying. The allegiance to state of being that caused me to write a piece far outweighs the importance of diction or pitch, much to the chagrin of a former version of me. Grunts, growls; hoops and howls are all fair game. How do we marry elegance with our inner-animal?  In the compositions, it was our goal to have the whole album be a continuous non-repeating movement, which was a challenge within the verses-chorus-verse-chorus Pop music model.

The shows that we produce here in Kansas City, MO are very involved. In the face of an MP3 generation, I feel it is very important to increase the value of being in the room with me. I want people to feel like they could literally lift off their seats when they hear the music, see the lights; taste the drinks and feel the beat and the lace, satins and velvet. I want them to believe that they are free to feel and be and do whatever they want and be fully loved and not only accepted but embraced. In some way, we tried to pull these elements from the live setting and smash them into these tracks - musically and otherwise. Yes. That was a challenge.

The cynic. I kind of enjoy the irony of being a harp player who is a little down or irreverent. In some of the lyrical content, you can tell I am a bit jaded. That just happens around your Saturn Return, right? It’s normal, right? Ha! Ultimately, it’s about finding a deeper place to set the anchor of myself rather than the views and opinions of others. I think we have all suffered from cases of limerence that turn in to self-loathing because the desired result didn’t come to fruition. This behavior is ENCOURAGED by our society. It’s time to write a new story - to be a new society.

Cinematically. Each moment was designed to exist in a space, in a place and a location. It was a lot of fun for us to come up with the ‘set’ locations of the each of the pieces. Scouting in our imaginations. All of it was crafted digitally.

How did you come into music? Were you raised on a lot of different genres?

I’ve been singing constantly, obnoxiously and improvising songs about the things I was feeling or seeing since I was a wee tot (which I guess didn’t last long as I am now quite tall). I remember singing to my baby brother a lot. He was born when I was six. Around the house, my mother would play Gospel music - singers with huge voices! Larnelle Harris and Yolanda Adams. My father really loved slow jams like the Isley Brothers and Luther Vandross.  My older brother introduced me to Neo-Soul. He was a huge fan of Boyz II Men and D’Angelo.

The radio in my father's 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix played Mariah Carey’s Always Be My Baby over and over and I could not get enough! MTV and VH1 showed me great artists like Nelly Furtado…I think she actually was the musician who lured me into more alternative vocalists. I wound my way around to classically inspired singers like Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli and into the long lineage of Folk musicians ranging from Joni Mitchell to Damien Rice. Fortunately, I was also surrounded by musicians that I admired personally, through church or otherwise.

Ultimately, I’m drawn to people and stories. The categorization is really only important if you are in a music shop….and even then. I don’t know. I find the conversation of genre to be a little bit of a sore subject. My work has been described as genre-elusive and it feels to me like I get punished for it a lot - for not playing by the rules or something. I have only every tried to put the elements and sounds and vocal techniques that I have found and loved and collected in my short life. I have to remain true to my story and not try to tell anyone else’s. I want to be inclusive and included. I am doing my best.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Wow. Well that’s coming up really fast! Hmmm...I really need a workout routine! Maybe I can sort that out in the next couple months

Do you already have plans for 2019?

More of the beautiful-same. Creating beautiful sensory spaces of love and understanding with beautiful diverse musicians in beautiful diverse spaces where we hope to reveal more of the beauty in the spaces and all the people involved by the time we leave than what we were aware of we entered. This year, I’d like to bring some of this to places around the U.S. I think we really need it here. I will be spending some time in Europe as my heart is there, but I’m specifically looking for places in U.S. to create magic in 2019.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

A friend of mine is a massage therapist. She makes soaps and bath bubbles for gifts. She and her daughter bonded making soaps using the rose petals her daughter had collected from one of my performances. There was a sparkle in her eye as she told me this.

I was stopped on the street a few weeks back by a woman wearing Coke bottle glasses and long silver hair. She pulled out her phone to show me that she, too, had given another life to roses I used at a show she had attended. (I prefer roses that are red or pink. I prefer them damaged. I prefer them everywhere.) She had collected some from the set and proceeded to make a romantic display for her and her husband on their bed that evening. They’ve been together for decades.  

The audiences, my friends take the flame of the intention of my music and integrate the spirit and rituals of love and appreciation into their daily live.

I have played in front of thousands and thousands of people. I have received hundreds of standing ovations. Those don’t mean near as much to me as what happens after the festival has cleared out and the music, the message; the love, the wonder; the fascination and the energy has gone on to live in other expressions. Where did it end up? Who is tending to it now?

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Vespertine - Björk

Illinois - Sufjan Stevens

Channel Orange - Frank Ocean

Vespertine really ignited my ears to all the layers of sound that could happen in a single recording. It also was my first introduction to harps in the context of Electronic music where they were displayed in a real delicate and interesting way. I like that the natural sounds and electronics are seamless bound throughout the listening experience. Also; full of layers and layers of unconventional beauty.

As the years go by, Illinois still reveals itself to me in new ways. I love the moving lines of Sufjan’s compositions and the all the stories that he leads the listener through - like a guide through a museum of childhood.

Channel Orange came to me at a time in my life when I needed it most. This album is incredibly human to me. It’s very cinematic. It’s very forward-thinking. Unapologetic. So human. So raw. It the glistening iridescence of spilled oil. The product of tragedies and still irresistible to look at. It’s clever without being kitschy.

As Christmas is coming up; if you had to ask for one present what would it be?

WORLD PEACE. But, if I can’t have that….I’d love if Delta by Salvi would make a carbon fiber harp to tour with.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I used to have this answer close by but I think my desires are changing. I’m pretty focused on the feelings and the depth of understanding and love and connection to not only other humans but also earth and the stars and the moon. If I toured with a yoga instructor or a poet or a potter who was just as focused on this mission, it would be an honor.

The rider…? Local flowers. Local food. Vegetarian preference; vegan when we can. Fish if it’s fresh.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Focus on what your unique perspective is. Collect the memories and the faces of people who have supported you and what were the feelings you gave them? What did you make them feel like that compelled them to give you appreciation? I believe music is about connecting with other people. Think about the artists you listen to over and over and imagine someone doing that with your music. If you have this platform, what are you going to say with it?

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

Where would you like to see me play? When? Send me an email. I’ll be there.

How does it feel being on stage and connecting with an audience? Do you love performing live?

I love performing live. It feels dangerous. It feels safe. It feels cathartic. It feels naughty. It’s all the feels and I have given up so much to find myself safe in the arms of an audience again and again.

IN THIS PHOTO: Lilith Merlot/PHOTO CREDIT: Rona Lane Photography

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Yes! We they aren’t new: they’ve been doing art for years but you just may not have heard of them yet!

Jametatone; Lilith Merlot; Cera Impala.

IN THIS PHOTO: Cera Impala

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I used to watch cooking T.V. and knit. Now...I don’t know. Probably just looking for and eating delicious food.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Pilentze Pee from Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares by the Bulgarian State Television Female Choir. You’re going to LOVE this…

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Follow Calvin Arsenia

Official:

https://www.calvinarsenia.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CalvinArsenia/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/calvinarsenia/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/calvinarsenia

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3g1eeQYw5B7LJibFbWlrfn?si=W5Jl_v63Qgq1reSL9V1yfQ

FEATURE: Season’s Bleatings: Will Advertisers Ever Strike the Right Musical Tone for Christmas?

FEATURE:

 

 

Season’s Bleatings

IN THIS PHOTO: Sir Elton John stars in the latest Christmas advert from John Lewis/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/John Lewis 

Will Advertisers Ever Strike the Right Musical Tone for Christmas?

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OVER the next couple of weeks…

 PHOTO CREDIT: @jasmint/Unsplash

we will see more supermarkets and retailers unveil this year’s Christmas adverts. Invariably, these adverts will be accompanied by pieces of music and it got me to wondering about tone and popularity. In visual terms, we have seen some rather memorable examples through the years. Whether they are going for something sappy or emotionally vulnerable; playing or cheesy or going for cute – the more exclamations of “Awww!” and “Ooohhh!” we can draw then the better! Usually, we will get a family scene and, animated or live, a child bewildered by the joy of Christmas or some cute animal leading the way. I am not usually emotional when seeing the adverts – as they are not real and are designed to hock the products of a huge and rich company – but I can understand why some people might feel a bit teary with some of them. I have no objection to the nature of the adverts and the fact they are designed to make money and play on our emotions but, when it comes to the music side of things, has anyone ever got it right?! I am one of these people who wonders why the ‘classic’ Christmas tunes/carols cannot be used for adverts? I realise these companies want to blend the modern with classic so they tend to have something quite classical and comfortable regarding the themes/scenes of the advert and then bring in a modern reworking of an older song. There might be a commercial or emotional reason why we see, every year, the same sort of singers featured and the type of songs used.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Amelia Warner (Slow Moving Millie)/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

Slow Moving Millie covered The Smiths’ Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want for John Lewis in 2011 and, whilst permission was given to use the song, the results were sadly familiar. It seems there is a particular tone and dynamic for every seasonal campaign. In 2015 – a few years after the aforementioned John Lewis campaign – another female singer, Aurora, covered Half the World Away (Oasis) for their Christmas pitch (see below). Whilst each advert had varied success – the latter was a more controversial and divisive one with an elderly man on the moon; the former more traditional and less ambitious – they were very similar in terms of songs. Both, strangely, used songs by Manchester bands; both tracks (the originals) are quite emotional but were transformed in the hands of the new vocalists. Each song title suggested family, unity and a need for togetherness; a yearning and hopefulness coming through but, sadly, each rendition bleached the original song and delivered something rather lumpen into the stocking. I realise it is lazy to rehash Christmas carols or can be tricky getting rights to play an existing song but the dynamic of employing a breathy/sweet female singer and having various shades of beige presented each year does take the edge off of things.

I do wonder whether the way we react to Christmas adverts is too strongly influenced by the songs. I realise the words and deliveries are meant to add to the advert and convey a clear message but so many of the songs are listless and mediocre. There are articles like this that rank the Christmas ads and collate the best but, as we have become more advanced and given more options; the nature of adverts has become narrow and singular. Older adverts have switched between live action stories and concentrated on different aspects of Christmas – heightening the appeal of the food or focusing on charity and togetherness. The last few years, more and more, are relying on schmaltzy and saccharine concepts, albeit some are done with ingenuity and a fresh angle. Whether there is an animation or something visually arresting; there is a certain amount of sappiness and caramel that has replaced invention and variation. I guess, when advertisers limit their palette and spectrum, the music has to match. The choice of singers is bafflingly limited. Every year, it is another female singer who seems to be cut from the same cloth as every other Christmas advert-scoring performer. The choice of cover versions is odd and, like I said, the cover versions are rather limp and pointless. I do wonder whether advertisers need to think about the music/singer choices and understand the music that accompanies their visuals can be as compelling as anything – often eliciting more emotion and potency than the film itself.

 PHOTO CREDIT: @mtaneva2001/Unsplash

Apart from the ‘banned’ Iceland T.V. advert – one that has an ecological message that rallies against our overuse of palm oil and how it is affecting the environment. The advert was banned on the grounds it is too political and controversial. People are campaigning for the ban to be lifted and it is one of the rare occasions where an advert’s message has outshone anything else (in a negative or divisive manner). Look around at the past six or seven years and it has been the same slew of rather anodyne and un-festive musical offerings. Maybe this year will see a sea change but it seems Sainsbury’s’ latest advertising commercial, not only goes down Sap Lane, but treads very close to a John Lewis campaign. The setting and visuals are reliably nauseating and family/child-orientated – advertisers assume Christmas is reserved for children and completely lost on adults – but the music choice, again, is stilted and odd. You cannot accuse the child who sings the New Radicals’ You Get What You Give of being the same as Slow Moving Millie and the usual parade of rather vanilla-scented singers but there is something completely offputting and pointless about the ‘musical aspect’. Like many other adverts that use popular songs; someone has taken the lyrics/title and thought to themselves it would be perfect for their campaign. Not only does the 1990s classic have nothing to do with Christmas but it means, again, a great song has been tortured and strangled.

Luckily, retailers like Tesco and Marks and Spencer have avoided major music faux pas. The former barely has any music at all whilst the latter, featuring Tom Jones, has at least avoided the usual traps that retailers get themselves into. I think music can heighten an advert, if done right, and help compliment the visuals. That is what the aim is, surely?! Advertisers need to think about striking the right tone without offending or being boring. I wonder why the classic Christmas songs are being avoided and why Carols cannot be reimagined. If people do insist on picking popular tracks and getting someone modern to sing them, there needs to be a rethink and rebranding. I would like to see more soulful voices chosen and songs that have a more ‘Christmas feel’. There seems to be this divison between companies like Sainsbury’s tackling a well-known song or others, like Lidl having a more traditional background. In either case, I feel something is missing and a great imagination needs to go into the musical choice. This brings me to the latest Christmas advert that, whilst bolder regarding its music and focus; it has drawn some sighs and suggestions from people. John Lewis, realising the machine-processed identikit singers wrecking some northern classic is not the right approach.

Whilst they have cranked up the saccharine to the maximum – I do have a heart somewhere! – the musical decision, again, has drawn some provocation. The Guardian explains why they some doubts regarding Sir Elton John’s appearance in the latest advert:

“The 2018 John Lewis ad is heartwarming. Elton John sits alone at his piano, playing Your Song while moments of his life flash before his eyes. He sings in a stadium, he sings in the studio, he sings in a pub, he sings at a school concert. It’s a very sweet advert with a very simple message: somebody better call Elton John an ambulance right away, because this is exactly the sort of thing that happens right before you die.

In fact, the advert is probably too heartwarming. Just a few weeks ago, the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody was heavily criticised for its toothless portrayal of Freddie Mercury’s worst excesses, and the same could be said for the John Lewis advert. Elton John isn’t a great pop star because he sings songs about little dancers, crocodiles that rock and being able to stand up. No, Elton John is a great pop star because he is knotty and complicated and, well, a bit of a dick sometimes”.

Musical memories start to flood by and, just when you think the sugar-sweet visuals cannot get any more tear-jerking; there is a bit of humour and surprise thrown in:

“The music now reaches a crescendo, and then …

It’s Christmas morning again. Elton finishes playing Your Song and, with a nostalgic tear in his eye, gently shuts the lid. But then he notices the cameraman in his peripheral vision and loses his temper, screaming profanities and flinging vases until the cameraman is forced to escape and flee for his life. Finally, the new slogan appears: “John Lewis. If we can deal with him, we can deal with you”.

Oh, wait! That was The Guardian’s finale and, to be fair, one that would have made for a better ending – not very Christmas-like is it?! I like the angle of a popular musicians recalling their memories and, by putting music right in the spotlight, a big risk has been taken. It is good to see a more emotional side to Elton John – rather than him having a diva strop – but it seems to be more about him than Christmas; the budget must have been huge and many have criticised the cost of the advert at a time when John Lewis is tightening its belt. Is it possible to get the music just right and keep the cost pretty low? Hiring a lesser-known artist to perform the song is a way to do that but it does not have the gravitas of a truly big name. If you do get these titans in the frame then you need to make sure what they are singing or what they are representing gets the balance right. Maybe it is impossible to strike that right chord (get it?!) and please everyone. Many people argue Christmas it too materialistic so one cannot really have an argument against the music of a Christmas advert – when we should be focusing on the message and purpose. The thing is, the Christmas adverts are representing organisations who feed (literally) this commercialism so, as such, if we are to buy into their campaigns then they need to consider and perfect every point.

 PHOTO CREDIT: @sholt680/Unsplash

The latest crop of Christmas adverts ranges from ‘political’ and unique (Iceland) to the usual fare (Sainsbury’s) to something a little less music-focused (Tesco). John Lewis, as you’d expect, have drawn a lot of focus and, again, the high-cost retailer has incurred losses in the Christmas advert race. I wonder why it is so difficult for advertisers and these big stores to get the tone right and understand how impactful a great musical backing can be. We sing Christmas carols because they are timeless and pure; we love popular songs because they resonate and have that quality. It seems, in the hands of the advert makers, there is less beautiful chemistry than a messy sort of sludge. I am never going to be swayed to a supermarket/shop based on their Christmas campaign but I am likely to be a bit put off by a particularly sickly/atonal advert. Maybe I will come around to the Elton John-featuring John Lewis campaign or be less inclined to scowl when seeing the Sainsbury’s advert come on.  Maybe the solution is a lot simpler: mute the sound and, whilst watching the advert unfolds, play...

 PHOTO CREDIT: @mariahashby/Unsplash

MY own musical accompaniment!

FEATURE: Still on Our Minds: Why Dido’s First Tour in Fifteen Years Is Creating a Buzz

FEATURE:

 

 

Still on Our Minds

IN THIS IMAGE: The cover for Dido’s upcoming fifth album, Still on My Mind/IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images 

Why Dido’s First Tour in Fifteen Years Is Creating a Buzz

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THERE are a lot of different reasons why Dido…

IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images

is making the music news at the moment. I have been a fan of her music since her debut, No Angel, back in 2001 and, back then, I was amazed by its breadth and appeal. (The album was actually released in the U.S. in 1999 but got a worldwide release in 2001). Many might have heard her through a slightly odd channel: her song, Thank You, was sampled by Eminem for Stan (the third single from his album, The Marshall Mathers LP, in 2000). No Angel is a remarkable story. It is the second-biggest-selling album of the 2000s (in the U.K.) behind James Blunt’s Back to Bedlam and is a bit of a phenomenon. The album has conquered countries and provided this complex yet accessible songwriter to the world. I like the name ‘Dido’ but it is the start of a very long and confusing set of names - ‘Dido Florian Cloud de Bounevialle O'Malley Armstrong’ is her full ‘title’. The fact she has a German boy’s name (Florian) in the pack led to bullying at school whereas ‘Dido’ on its own is a lot more focused and less confusing! I am not a massive-mega-superfan of Dido but I do like the fact you can easily listen to her music and get something from it. It is not something, too, one plays in the background. The music demands focus and attention and you can hear how every note means something to the songwriter.

No Angel spawned huge singles such as Here with Me and Thank You whilst Life for Rent (2003) gave us White Flag and Life for Rent. The charm and easy-going nature of her first two albums appealed to many and whilst there were musical snobs out there – saying there was no edge and it (the music) was aimed at the mainstream stations – the fans grew and her name got to new people. As Dido’s career progressed; the music, if anything, grew stronger and more rounded. 2008’s Safe Trip Home is more nuanced and has more mystery; the songs more consistent and, whilst there is that need for a bit more edge from the voice; the comfort and sense of revelation you get from each moment is fantastic. 2013’s Girl Who Got Away saw Dido step into new musical pastures and experiment. Split between London and California, Jeff Bhasker and Greg Kurstin were among the names that were part of the writing/production team. Although there were some detractors; I feel the album is stronger and more nuanced (a word one can easily apply to Dido) than her early work. There was a lot of affection for that album and, as has recently been announced, there will be another studio album coming. Still on My Mind will be released in March - and will be Dido’s first new record in six years.

Hurricanes, released a few days ago, is the lead single from the record but we do not know a lot else. Most of the material was written in England with her brother Rollo (Armstrong). Seeing as, before this album, Dido had been spending time in the U.S. and working with a team, it seems this is a more homely, focused and familial record – one suspects elements of No Angel and its themes might return. Dido says her love of Hip-Hop and Folk will come into the album and it will be interesting to see where she heads. If that seems like a whistle-stop tour of her music and life then you’ll forgive me. It is interesting she has an album coming out but there is one remarkable fact: the tour to promote Still on My Mind will be her first in fifteen years. Life for Rent was the last album she toured and, seeing as two records have come since then; it is interesting to hear of Dido’s return to the stage. Here are some details regarding her tour:

“Multimillion-selling singer Dido has announced her first tour for 15 years.

The 27-date world tour begins in Prague on 5 May, reaches the UK on 26 May and then heads to the US.

Fans will hope to hear her perform some of her biggest hits, such as Thank You, Here With Me and White Flag, alongside music from her new studio album.

Titled Still On My Mind, it is her first album for five years. Written in the UK with her brother Rollo, it will be released on 8 March.

Dido's last studio album was 2013's Girl Who Got Away, which reached number five in the charts”.

IN THIS PHOTO: Dido in 2018/PHOTO CREDIT: BMG/Simon Emmett

Few would think anything of someone like Kate Bush not touring for that long – she has explained the reasons behind this – but it seemed a bit odd that Dido stopped touring – at least in the U.S. – for so long. Maybe family commitments and the need to unwind was part of that but it is refreshing to see she is back on the road. In an interview with Billboard; she explained the reasons behind her live return:

“I spent a lot of time saying no to that question [of touring],” Dido tells Billboard, calling from New York the day after she previewed the album for the first time. “But as an artist and a songwriter, you start really missing being right in front of the people who listen to your music. It makes you a better writer and artist to actually engage with the people who listen to your music -- it’s all fundamental."

She says the songs on the upcoming album felt right to perform live, but that they won’t make up the entire set list. “I was making a list of songs we’d perform and thinking about the old songs and how much fun it’s going to be to play them again,” Dido reveal”.

Today, music is filled with that need for artists to get on the road. They will release a single/album like Dido is now and then, inevitably, there is that plan for touring. Sometimes, artists will be on the road for months and the only reason they stop is to begin work on a new record. I guess they need to get the music out there and respond to the demand but I wonder how they have the energy to keep going!

 IN THIS PHOTO: Dido in 2013/PHOTO CREDIT: Guy Aroch

Look at all these mainstream artists and they are being ferried around the world and touring all over the place. If there is any sort of gap or lack of dates then people start to ask why and there is that speculation. Some explain it is because of illness or family concerns but few feel they can detach from touring for years and only do so when they feel it is right. I guess Dido’s toured extensively until 2003 and she has been focused on albums and her family. Tickets are available for her upcoming tour and I know a lot of people who are keen to snap up these rare dates. I wonder whether it will signal a more regular return to the stage but I have been thinking of those who leave gaps between touring and whether more artists should follow suit. I feel many embark on lengthy tours because they feel they need to rather than wanting to. Many asked, after the peak of her popularity, what happened to Dido and why she was not touring. I feel there is that pressure for artists to keep plugging and play as many dates as possible. It is rare for a big artist to have that intense focus – as Dido did back at the start of her career – and then to be quiet on the gig front. Many are buying tickets so they can reconnect with her and she, in turn, feels being on stage is necessary now.

I feel other artists need to take example from Dido (maybe not fifteen years away!) and ease up on gigs. It may sound foolish to deny that demand and risk losing fans but I feel too many are touring too hard and that can do its own damage. In any case; Dido is coming back to the worldwide stage and, whatever you think of her music, it is an interesting move and big news that will please her existing fans but bring in new support! To see her on stage performing new material and splicing it with the classics is going to be a great show. Still on My Mind, it seems, has been a very easy and pleasurable recording experience – as she explained to Billboard regarding her writing/working with her brother:

“Dido describes their working relationship as “having a brain that does everything.” The music they make together, she says, is a byproduct of them having a great time catching up on life and spending time with one another’s families. “Songs come [naturally] because you have ideas while you’re talking, and good music comes out of that sort of environment. We’re not trying too hard.”

Since her last album, 2013’s Girl Who Got Away, Dido has spent much of her time raising her now 7-year-old son, who she says is always introducing her to new music. She herself is big on Sigrid, Christine and the Queens and Khalid (“He has one of my favorite voices I’ve heard recently”)”.

Many assumed Dido was through with touring and that her professional career would be releasing albums and working out of the studios. The songwriter is keen to get back on the stage and, after such a long time away, it is good news to see Dido...

 PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

BRINGING her music directly to the people.

FEATURE: My Forty-Year-Old Squeeze: Looking Back at a Remarkable Band: The Ultimate Squeeze Playlist

FEATURE:

 

 

My Forty-Year-Old Squeeze

IN THIS IMAGE: The single art for Cool for Cats (1979)/IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images 

Looking Back at a Remarkable Band: The Ultimate Squeeze Playlist

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MY first exposure to Squeeze would have been…

 IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images

the incredible single, Cool for Cats. That song was taken from their sophomore album of the same name and marked a big leap for Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook. Although the band – in various incarnations – have been around for over forty years; the debut album, Squeeze, was unleashed in March 1978 and, a little late to the party, I wanted to look back at the band and the incredible work they have put out. I didn’t experience Cool for Cats until the late-1980s – the album it is from came out in 1979 – and marvelled, even at such a young age, at the wit and imagery being put forward. I was exposed to some great music as a youngster but there was nothing as witty and ‘human’ as Squeeze. Maybe it was the accent of Difford and the way he could bring this extraordinary and wild song to the ground and make it seem somewhat normal. Lyrics about corporals and violence; flashing cash and being, as the title/chorus goes, cool for cats – this was a new type of music and one that made a big impact. I grew up around a lot of Pop and mainstream music, so to have Squeeze muscling in and presenting something a bit different; this was a big deal and led me to look back at their debut.

IN THIS PHOTO: Glenn Tilbrook in 2018/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

The eponymous introduction was not a world-beater as such – there were problems and the album seems quite troubled and inconsistent – but did introduce this incredible band. John Cale produced everything except for Take Me I’m Yours and Bang Bang and, as Tilbrook explained some years later; it was a bit maddening working with a producer who threw out most of their songs and took a very different approach. Difford and Tilbrook wanted to be assertive and have their material resonate but they were in awe of this masterful songwriter and figure that was producing for them. As such, there were some fine moments but it was not until Cool for Cats that you got a more expressive and natural Squeeze sound. Up the Junction is a story of meeting a girl, falling in love and having a baby told through a very ordinary and, as such, unique lens. Our hero talks about the mundane aspects – paying bills and being responsible – and it is such a captivating and exceptional song. With Tilbrook’s exceptional ear for composition and feel and Difford’s incredible lyrics driving the songs; it was no surprise critics went made for Squeeze. This is how AllMusic views Cool for Cats:

“...Chief among those is "Up the Junction," a marvelous short story chronicling a doomed relationship, but there's also the sly kinky jokes married to deft characterizations on "Slap and Tickle," the heartbroken tale of "Goodbye Girl," and the daft surrealism of "Cool for Cats." These are subtle, sophisticated songs that are balanced by a lot of direct, unsophisticated songs, as Difford picks up on the sexually charged vibe of John Cale and gets even kinkier, throwing out songs about masturbation and cross-dressing, occasionally dipping into how he's feeling slightly drunk. Tilbrook pairs these ribald tales to frenzied rock & roll, equal parts big hooks and rollicking rhythms, including a couple of showcases for Holland's boogie-woogie piano. It's all a bit scattered but in a purposeful way, as the impish wit lends the pub rockers a kinky kick while Tilbrook's tunefulness gives it all an identity. Cool for Cats winds up being wild and weird, angular and odd in a way only a new wave album from 1979 could possibly be, but this is a high watermark for its era with the best moments effortless transcending its time”.

I have not yet mentioned Jools Holland: his distinct piano style and personality helped elevate the music and brought something fantastic to the band. Squeeze would continue this momentum and brilliance with 1980’s Argybargy. There are some underrated gems like Misadventure and There at the Top but it is those big hits that stand out. The masterful Another Nail in My Heart is a nervy breakup song that was critically acclaimed and talks of heavy drinking, lost love and, at the death, the piano man at the bar putting another nail into the heart of the hero. Pulling Mussels (from the Shell) is one of my favourite Squeeze songs – not least the incredible riffs and nuanced composition – and  talks of Difford’s observations of the working-class and him spending time, as a youngster, at holiday camps; all the basic accommodation, humble pleasures and rather unspectacular views. Squeeze’s regency and brilliant run would continue the following year with 1981’s East Side Story. It is a double-album with one half produced by Elvis Costello and another by Roger Bechirian. There were rumours Paul McCartney and Dave Edmunds produced sides of the record but that has not been substantiated. The fourteen-track record is a veritable feast of diamonds but, again, there are those two standout cuts. Tempted, released as a single on 10th July, 1981, was written by Chris Difford as he was taking a taxi to Heathrow Airport and was ruminating on a relationship that was falling apart due to his infidelities. Difford considers it one of the band’s best songs and a moment when they were maturing and coming into their own.

 IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images

Labelled with Love, peaking at number-four in the charts in 1981, shows that maturity and softer sound. The next few albums would see a slight dent in the critical stride – not as confident as their previous two – but 1982’s Sweets from a Stranger gave us Black Coffee in Bed; Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti (1985) spawned Last Time Forever and Hits of the Year whilst Babylon and On gave us Footprints. One of my early Squeeze memories is having Hourglass, the album’s opener, played in the car as a child. I was addicted to the fast-paced singalong of the chorus and the big brass working funkily throughout. It is a catchy song but not one that resonated with the critics. The song reached number-fifteen in the U.S. and was their biggest hit there. The song’s video, directed by Ade Edmondson, was played a load on MTV and gained them new popularity. If It’s Love and Love Circles made 1989’s Frank a more popular (among critics rather than fans) and complete album and showed, at the end of the 1980s, how much the band had changed. The core was still there – Difford and Tilbrook at the centre; Jools Holland was still part of the fray – but, whilst a solid album, Frank sold poorly and it meant Squeeze were released by A&M Records – they had not long been taken under their wing. The band signed with Reprise Records soon after and released the satisfying Play in 1991.

Maybe 1993’s Some Fantastic Place did not have the same calibre of hits as their work in the late-1970s and 1980s but there was that incredible songcraft and, at this stage, another change for the band. Reprise Records dropped Squeeze when Play did not fare too well and they were resigned by A&M Records for Some Fantastic Place. Drummer Gilson Lavis left the band and Paul Carrack returned to the group. He has worked with them on East Side Story – he played keyboard and sung the lead on Tempted – and the reconnection worked out brilliantly.  Whilst there have been mixed fortunes regarding their ‘recent’ output (1998-) – 1998’s Domino was rushed and negatively reviewed; 2010’s Spot the Difference is a mix of new and old Squeeze songs; 2015’s Cradle to the Grave marked a new lease and was received very well – it is great to see the band are still going and, who knows, maybe there will be new material next year. Here is a sample review for Cradle to the Grave:

“Neither Tilbrook nor his co-songsmith Chris Difford envisaged Squeeze would reform for a third term, yet, after a successful 2007 reunion and 2010’s Spot The Difference (a collection of reworked older songs), they’ve finally fashioned an all-new studio LP, From The Cradle To The Grave.

Most of the tracks are scheduled to feature in the forthcoming Danny Baker/Jeff Pope-penned BBC sitcom of the same name (which has been adapted from Baker’s autobiography, Going To Sea In A Sieve), but From The Cradle… also reveals itself to be an accomplished comeback in its own right – not to mention Squeeze’s most essential set since 1993’s Some Fantastic Place.

With its best songs vividly referencing the 70s South London landscape of Difford and Tilbrook’s youth, FTCTTG is frequently nostalgic, yet it’s largely upbeat and mostly eminently radio-friendly. The balmy, country-flavoured Happy Days and stomping, soul-tinged titular song are surely destined to become live favourites, while affecting teenage rites of passage tales such as Honeytrap and the brilliant, porn-mag-related Haywire eloquently demonstrate why Difford still hits the spots lesser lyricists can’t reach”.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Chris Difford/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images

Squeeze followed up Cradle to the Grave pretty quickly with 2017’s The Knowledge. It saw Yolanda Charles replace Lucy Shaw on bass but, essentially, it is another tight and memorable Squeeze album. I am sure there will be other albums very soon but I am amazed the band have survived through the decades – considering they have been dripped by labels and personal problems threatened to split the band at very points – and are looking ahead. To me, Tilbook and Difford are one of the most underrated songwriting partnerships ever and can rank alongside the very best. Like Paul Heaton (lyrics) and Dave Rotheray (music) of The Beautiful South; there is that humour and sparkling wit but, at the core, kitchen sink drama and subjects we can all relate to. This interview from last year featured Glenn Tilbrook as he spoke about influences and songwriting comparisons:

“As a musician, Tilbrook has influenced many new bands, but his influences were many.

“I grew up loving music. I had an older brother who used to buy records by The Beatles, The Who, The Stones and The Kinks and they had a big influence on me, the music of the 60s is just embedded in me.”
With their songwriting, Difford and Tilbrook became known as ‘the Lennon and McCartney of New Wave’, but this had an adverse affect on them. “I think it went to both our heads but we soon drifted back to earth”.

I recall discovering Squeeze and being amazed by this very new and fresh band that sounded like no other. The chemistry between Tilbrook and Difford has sustained them and, although there were break-ups – the first in 1982; they reformed in 1985 and disbanded again in 1999 – there is that love and mutual respect. Maybe the comparisons to Lennon and McCartney at their peak (around the late-1970s and early-1980s) was hyperbole but you cannot argue against the brilliance of their songwriting. It is forty years since their eponymous debut and there have been definite highs and lows. The classic tracks speak for themselves. There are few groups who can boast songs as memorable and uplifting as Cool for Cats, Up the Junction and Black Coffee in Bed. Long may the fortunes of Squeeze continue but I was interested featuring them because of that longevity and survival. Maybe there as a distinct golden period for the band (their second album through to the middle of the 1980s) but, at every stage, there have been these incredible moments and developments. At a time when music has lost its fun, humour and beguile; I listen back to Squeeze and wonder whether they can provide modern guidance. There are artists talking of real life but you still get a lot of misery, anger and, for the most part, lack of spark. I feel those classic and unique bands have disappeared – Squeeze, in many ways, cannot be repeated and were from a very different time. Their incredible back catalogue needs to be heard and discovered by the new generation and taken to heart. The band might have made their mark a long time ago but I feel their influence and brilliance can...

 IN THIS PHOTO: Squeeze as they are today/PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images/Press

INSPIRE many musicians today…

INTERVIEW: Layla Kardan

INTERVIEW:

Layla Kardan

___________

WITH her album, Saved, out on 30th November...

I have been speaking with Layla Kardan about it and what stories/ideas influenced the songs. Kardan explains the influence of Middle Eastern music and the sounds she grew up around; if she has a favourite memory from her time in music and what comes next.

I ask if there are albums that mean a lot to her and which rising artists we need to look out for; if she gets chance to detach from music and which artists she’d support on tour given the chance.

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Hi, Layla. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi! Thanks for this opportunity. This week, I have been working on my private listening launch – getting all the elements together for the presentation to press and key industry people. I shot a video clip for my first song from the album, Goddess, which was a long but beautiful day of high-fashion and sensual dance. I can’t wait for the unveiling of the video later this month. I went to Muscat, Oman for a private performance. I had a dress fitting at Tom Ford. Tonight, I will perform at the Chopard gala dinner at the Armani Hotel.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am a global citizen, an eternal wanderer; feminine divine seeking adventure and meaning. I am originally from Iran but have been raised in the West so am very open to the world and love connecting with people from different cultures/religions/beliefs. I am hungry for life and thirsty for experience. I tell stories through my music. I am a bohemian at heart but love high-fashion.  My music is raw, honest; sensual and spiritual with fat bass and edgy production. I’m like a dark fairy who wants to only communicate through music.

Saved is your new album (out on 30th November). Are there particular themes that inspired the songs?

Love. Heartbreak. The oppression of Middle Eastern women and the expectation to conform and breaking away from that. An up-yours to all the people who expect that from me. And an up-yours to bigots in my community who think music and singing is reserved for ‘bad women’.

The album is about being ‘saved’; being reborn into a winged thing, shedding myself of my ego so that I can raise my vibration. Shedding my mask and coming into my skin to be true to myself.

Do you have a favourite track from the record?

All the Beauty. The song came from a place of darkness. I did some inward journeying and some growth to be able to then shift my perception of the world; seeing it for ‘all its beauty’ rather than the darkness and the cold.

You were born in Belgium but moved to the United Arab Emirates – and you are an Australian national. With Iranian roots too; how do all these nationalities and nations bleed into your work?!

I am absolutely inspired by the different countries I have lived in and the cultures I have immersed myself in. My lyrics are in English, my melodies Pop and jazzy; my production has subtle Middle Eastern undertones with use of warped Setar and daf sounds (traditional Persian Instruments); the rhythms of certain songs are typical of the sounds of the Gulf region – U.A.E. is in the Gulf.

How did music come into your life? What sort of sounds did you grow up around?

I didn't grow up in a musical family but I'm told that I was drawn to music from the age of one. I feel music in my veins and in my heart. Persian music has a lot of tribal sounding 6/8 beats and interesting high-pitched instruments playing melodies. I feel those sounds influenced my music style. I also started dancing classical ballet at the age of four so I feel dancing thrree times a week helped me develop an ear for music.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

I want my music to be heard in many different countries in the world. To reach the ears and hearts of people who are interested in a story different to theirs, but can relate to it all the same.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

I have some international gigs booked already. I will spend the summer between London and Los Angeles to work on my next project.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

My first performance of original music where Sotheby’s presented me as a local artist with a performance in their gallery alongside a Cecil Beaton exhibition. And winning Emirates Woman Woman Artist of the Year in 2017

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 by Jill Scott

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill

Love Deluxe by Sade

These three women and artists I hold in such high regard for their individuality, true artistry; incredible voices and their ability to convey so much emotion in their music. I grew up with all three albums on-repeat and they remain my go to albums today. It’s the lyrics, the music; the power and the grace of each of these women and their perfect deliveries on their respective albums that made me want to write songs.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I'd definitely want to support Sade and I would want fifty dancers on stage with me - all women in a spectacular production celebrating women.

I am not a diva (yet) I just need a quiet space with candles, a gong and some paolo santo and an Epsom salt bath for after the show. I'll add some oxygen and Liquid Gold drink just to be fancy. I'd want my producer and dear friend Miloux with me too.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I am a new artist coming through! But, my advice is stay true to your art and sound and don’t feel the pressure to create music for the charts. You don’t need a label to cut through. The digital world allows you so much reach. Stay disciplined and determined. Don’t let your flame die - you only live one life.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

At the moment, I am performing a lot in the Middle East and planning my dates in Europe and the U.S.A. soon.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Seinabo Sey

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Seinabo Sey; SEVDALIZA; Cleo Sol; Masego; KALEO.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Cleo Sol

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Not at the moment – I am super-busy. But, whenever I get a chance I escape to nature. I love swimming in the ocean or going to the desert or climbing a mountain. I also love to travel to new and different places.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

I Owe You Nothing by Seinabo Sey

__________

Follow Layla Kardan

Official:

https://www.laylakardan.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Layla-Kardan-566098436845128/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/laylakardan/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/layla_kardan

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6anm3koLvedUfsUdmb0uAL?si=G84C2Ay7RF240m5Cgig4BA

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChn_4NYHafj-9e5SBehwSoA

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/user-217439403

INTERVIEW: Jean-Mikhael

INTERVIEW:

Jean-Mikhael

___________

TODAY starts with Jean-Mikhael telling me about...

his new E.P., The Deal, and what themes inspired it. I ask what he has coming up and which artists influenced him growing up. Jean-Mikhael talks about playing the young Michael Jackson on the stage and the importance of that; which rising artist to watch and the three albums that mean the most to him.

I ask what advice he would give to artists emerging and how he chills outside of music; if he has anything he wants to achieve before the end of the year and if touring might be a future possibility – he ends the interview by selecting a classic Michael Jackson cut.

__________

Hi, Jean-Mikhael. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi. I’m well, thank you. How are you? Aaaaah. This week has been crazy. Just released my debut E.P., The Deal. The response has been immense. I charted in the R&B/Soul iTunes charts at number-eight. Especially for someone that’s just put it out and among my team and label this was cast as my soft release, so it's just amazing to know that my music has reached out to people. It was so unexpected but such a huge blessing.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

So. My name is Jean-Mikhael; born and raised in West London, I’m twenty-two. I started singing from a very young age. You could say around five. Then, because of everyone around me saying how well I could sing, I just took it on and ran with it and from the reactions I would get I loved doing it. So, music just became my life in the end really and that’s all I knew I wanted to do. Perform and (haha) perform.  

Your E.P., The Deal, is new. What sort of themes and ideas inspired it?

The idea of the E.P. came quite organically. I was with my producer Akara and we recorded, say, around twenty to thirty songs in two months or so with no agenda. I was making the music and having fun. I brought some people in and most times I wrote by myself. When I write, it’s normally to do with maybe a situation I’m going through or someone else’s story I’ve heard and thought would be a good one to express through my music. I like to empower people and I think that’s just something I have always stuck with. 

So, when it comes to writing, I automatically think about making people believe my words and feel they can do whatever they want. To also understand we can relate as well. By the time I had put together the E.P., I decided to call it the single name because it was my first record deal I was signing and also it was showing people this is my story, my truth…so here's ‘The Deal’. 

You appeared as Michael Jackson in the West End musical Thriller. How does that experience and your time at the BRIT School inspire and affect your music?

That really shaped me as a performer. I think playing a young M.J. at such a young age made me learn what it is to be an artist even more. Music-wise and regarding vocal ability at that age, I was compared to him at times so that just stuck with me. Wanting to be a PERFORMER, a showman. Give people what they came for. I don’t believe artists should be so lazy on stage. I want that when you see me; you’re dying for my next show because I make your body part of mine. To every single person in that room; whether it’s 100 or 50,000. I want you to feel like you're feeling my every move because of the charisma I have. So, that definitely defined me to work very hard. With BRIT School; I loved being there but then I felt restricted at times. I also was a little bit rebellious, you could say, in my own way. I knew I wanted to be an artist and that was it.

Teachers would ask me to sing a certain genre in their way and I would say no. Maybe that was my way of saying I wanted to be my own person but in a non-explanatory way (haha). I wanted to soar that’s for sure, but it definitely taught me how to be a businessman as well in the game. My mum didn’t know loads about the business but she said I want you to learn it for yourself. So that’s what I had to do. I had to learn how to understand every single side from the academics of it to my performance; how to read music, learn instruments; produce. I definitely would say it helped me grow to become strong in this game. I thank those two monumental moments in my life - being young M.J. and being a student at BRIT School - for really showing me such a great insight into the business. 

Can you give me a sense of the artists you grew up around? When did music come into your life?

As I said before; it was around the age of five. My mum would listen to people like Al Green, Aretha Franklin; Andrea Bocelli (that’s an amazing Opera singer); then there would be my sister who would listen to Brandy, Destiny’s Child; Alicia Keys and I think it was her music that then moulded me into loving people like Beyoncé, Chris Brown and Usher. All these R&B/Pop artists that are phenomenal and have so much stage presence. 

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

By the end of 2018, I hope to see my numbers rise in terms of whose listening to my music. To just see the music gliding more and more. Have more fans and hopefully some shows come through too. 

Do you already have plans for 2019?

For 2019, that is definitely going to be a big year. There is so much planned but I really want everyone to just see the work happen and appreciate it. I have a little part of me that doesn’t always like revealing things simply because life is very unpredictable and everything I have I prayed for, worked for and gave to the universe…but you have your times where it won’t happen straight away and I want people to feel the moment when it’s here. But, I will drop one word which is ‘America’. 

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

My favourite memory would be performing at People's Day. The reaction was crazy and, if I may add another one, it would be releasing this E.P. and getting number-eight on the iTunes R&B/Soul charts. 

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)? 

All three of my own future albums are the ones that mean the most to me (laughs). No, I joke. I would say Alicia Keys – Songs in A Minor

It means a lot to me because, at that time, I started singing her really famous song Fallin’ everywhere. That album was just amazing. One of her best works.

Beyoncé – The Beyoncé  Experience

Beyoncé came to really find herself in that album. The performance, production and vocals were just on another level. I remember listening to the live version of that album all the time. Her concert, The Beyoncé Experience. It was mesmerising and I wanted that appeal so much. Just for people to listen and see me performing and think, ‘WOW’. It definitely inspired me to be a performer as well.

Prince – Purple Rain

This album is so reckless and slightly controversial to be honest. That’s what I loved. It was unapologetic and a bit of a fu*k you to the world. I can sing what I like. Prince generally was that guy and it's definitely a motto of mine. People love you when you’re true. I am someone completely different on stage and off. I become a light, a fire. My stage is my playground and he show’s that so much. Being this extravaganza on stage. It's fascinating.

As Christmas is coming up; if you had to ask for one present what would it be? 

Well. Growing up, I never celebrated Christmas. So, it's not really something I do much of. But, all I ask is that I have a prosperous life and can keep doing what I am doing and continue to inspire people. 

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

It would be Beyoncé. I would want water, a nice scented room; food for my crew, anything to make sure my vocals are on-point and somewhere I can just rest for the show. I just want whatever's going to make the best. I don’t really eat before shows so water is my best friend, but food after is always a great thing. I am a foodie.  

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Keep going, keep going. Believe in yourself. Listen to some people sometimes, but if your heart really says ‘no’ then go with it. Be creative and think out of the box. Make your own lane and be a businessperson alongside your creativeness. 

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I don’t have any tour dates as such yet but they will be coming. Right now, it's just putting the music out but I am going to have some eventually. I might be performing on 15th November for Ticketmaster but that’s not confirmed yet so keep your eyes peeled for that on my socials if it is going ahead. 

 IN THIS PHOTO: Sharna Bass

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I really like Sharna Bass. She’s cool. Dope tone to her voice. 

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I try to, but with success come hard work, so not a lot really. When I do though, most times it's in my house with family or friends or we go out to eat, which I’m cool with because I don’t like going out all the time, but to get to the next level I have to keep working nonstop. I am a bit of a workaholic. 

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Nice. Well let's play Michael Jackson – Remember the Time. I love that song

__________

Follow Jean-Mikhael

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheJeanMikhael/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thejeanmikhael/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Thejeanmikhael

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Hmjn0d17bTM6e4dLTWxNz?si=HawvzRbGTHK0NpRoePVMQQ

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc-EaMvH7NjzD_KA24EW01Q

FEATURE: New Year’s Resolution: YouTube’s 'Ones to Watch'

FEATURE:

 

 

New Year’s Resolution

IMAGE CREDIT: Getty Images/YouTube/ALL OTHERS IMAGES/PHOTOS (unless credited otherwise): Getty Images

YouTube’s ‘Ones to Watch’

__________

IT is always interesting looking at the top-ten lists…

 PHOTO CREDIT: @christianw/Getty Images

and what people are recommending for each new year. I am keeping my eyes open for the New Year’s ‘honours’ as it were and those who have been promoted and augmented to special heights. We will get the traditional ‘ones to watch’ features coming out from sort of now through to January and it will be good to see what makes the cut. I have just seen the announcement YouTube have made regarding their tips and who we should be watching. This is a special announcement as it is the first time the site has tipped artists. I will bring you an introduction to each of the ten but, at a time when the site is having some issues – laws brewing regarding payment of artists and copyright – and their fortunes are not certain. YouTube will continue to flourish but it remains to be seen whether what will happen next year. I am pumped to see what comes out and how YouTube will develop. In any case; looking at their ‘ones to watch’ news is quite exciting. Here’s what has come out:

“YouTube has revealed the top 10 artists it expects will hit the big time next year - and the majority are British.

Singer Mahalia tops its first ever Ones To Watch list - which predicts which acts will become huge stars in 2019.

Rapper Kojey Radical, singer-songwriter Samm Henshaw and guitarist and singer Jade Bird also feature.

YouTube looked at the artists' video views, number and subscribers and the time spent watching their videos to come to its decision... 

Organisations like the BBC, the Brits and Spotify are among those who annually publish lists of hot prospects - but this is the first time YouTube has made the move.

Mahalia, 19, described being ranked number one on the list as a "special moment for me".

She said: "This recognition means so much."

The Leicestershire-born singer revealed she wrote her first song aged eight and used the streaming site to help her with her music.

PHOTO CREDIT: @makuph/Unsplash 

The singer said: "I basically learnt how to play so much of what I know on the guitar from watching people on YouTube.

"The platform has helped me grow and build a real, personal fan base in the UK and around the world while never compromising my creativity."

She signed her first major record deal aged 13 and is expected to release her debut album later this year.

The singer has more than 106,000 subscribers and her most popular video for a song called Sober has been viewed more than 20 million times.

Singer-songwriter Sam Fender said he was "super excited" about 2019 after finding out his name was on the list.

He said: "I started recording music in a garden shed not so long ago. So it's incredible to now be recognised and heard at a global scale.

"I'm super excited for next year, there's so much more to come."

The 22-year-old who is from North Shields was widely praised for his song Dead Boys which was about mental health.

He recently signed to Polydor Records and is expected release his first EP at the end of November”.

It is good to see this come out and I will have a look at the artists next year and see how they rise. Before then, and as a brief introduction, here is a little bit about the selected ten, links to their music and sample videos from YouTube:

Mahalia

Official Site: http://mahaliamusic.co.uk/

Follow: https://twitter.com/mahalia

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mahaliamusic

Latest Video: One Night Only (with Kojey Radical)                    

Sample Cuts:

“Mahalia grew up roughly a hundred miles from London in a quiet section of Leicester. While her town lacked the well-known clubs and trendsetting music scenes of the big city, Mahalia’s dream of being heard by the world was never deterred by her geography.

“I think I might have an advantage being from Leicester because I don’t know all the cool people in London,” she tells VIBE with a laugh. “The thing about the U.K. is that underground music always takes over. It’s not just about the radio.”

The 19-year old started penning songs at an early age, with encouragement from her musical family, and she always carried a passion for the creative arts. Mahalia’s music is wise beyond her years and some. It’s getting harder to find R&B songs from ’90s born artists that don’t include an overabundance of Instagram references and chatter about designer clothes, but this profound voice is hellbent on keeping her songs clutter-free.

“It’s something in the water, I think,” says the Atlantic Records signee about the U.K.’s overwhelming talent pool. “I just want to make Leicester proud of me, there’s so much music from here and I just want to represent where I’m from” – VIBE (October 2017)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 107k

Biggest Video: Sober – A COLORS SHOW

Octavian

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Octavianog22/

Follow: https://twitter.com/octavianessie

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdtWV8FwwYtk4H-REparuag

Latest Video: Lightning (Live)    

Sample Cuts:

“We’ve been here six months,” Octavian explains as we take the lift up to his home after the shoot. “The flat we were in before this, now that was mad. It was massive: it had a pool table and all these LED lights everywhere. That was the place everyone would come to party.” I ask why he left. “We got kicked out for partying,” he says matter-of-factly.

Moving house no longer fazes him. Born in Lille in north-east France, Octavian moved to south London with his mother when he was three, but their relationship became strained. When he was a teenager, she sent him back to France to live with his uncle. They fought a lot, often physically, and after two years he was sent back to his mother. Knowing he wanted to pursue music, Octavian landed a scholarship to the Brit school – previously attended by Adele and Amy Winehouse – but soon grew disillusioned. “There were literally people doing backflips and singing harmonies in the corridors … it was not my type of thing,” he says. “I just don’t believe that you can teach someone how to be creative. As soon as you start teaching someone, they lose their originality” – The Guardian (September 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 10k

Biggest Video: Party Here (VIEWS)

Grace Carter

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/itsgracecarter/

Follow: https://twitter.com/itsgracecarter

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMgjBHlBeDPdcAF5A69DOuw

Latest Video: Why Her Not Me

Sample Cuts:

“What do you try to do with your music and how do you achieve this?
Grace: "Every song I write is about the life I've lived and I'm definitely trying to tell a story but something that's very important to me with what I do is that anyone and everyone can relate to the lyrics I write. Although they have such deep and personal meanings to me, I want other people to be able to put their lives on to my words. Not everyone has the ability to put their emotions in to words and I think that's what makes songwriting/music so powerful."

Can you tell us what musical and non-musical influences have shaped your sound?
Grace: "My childhood has been very inspirational to me, I grew up with a single mum and at 13 she met my stepdad who was a songwriter. I discovered songwriting through him which allowed me to find a release for a lot of pent-up anger I had carried through my childhood. I also found a lot of inspiration from strong female artists, growing up I listened to artists like Nina Simone, Alicia Keys, and Lauryn Hill. They're all true artists whose songs are full of emotion and honesty and that's something I always want to achieve in my songwriting” – The Line of Best Fit (January 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 37k

First Video: Ashes

Kojey Radical

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kojradical/

Follow: https://twitter.com/KojeyRadical

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7RkBA9GHCB_3Eo_vTNqwpQ

Latest Video: 97

Sample Cuts:

“We are all born with superpowers, says Kojey Radical. Whether we choose to use them or not is up to us. “Being a creative isn’t about limiting yourself to one medium,” he says, husky of voice and smooth of dress — black military beret, cropped black trousers, a solid gold bumblebee on a chain around his neck — in an east London members’ club.

“If you’re an artist you’re an artist.” He shrugs his rangy shoulders. “Doesn’t matter in what capacity you make art.”

Born and raised in pre-hipster Hoxton, where he still lives, close to his family, 25-year-old Radical is prismatic, determinedly woke, a real Renaissance man from the ends. He’s a spoken word-poet and rapper, a dancer, model, illustrator and video artist. He’s the creative director of London men’s fashion label Chelsea Bravo and founder/director of media collective Pushcrayons.

He’s an inspiration, too, to many young people in his area. Impressed by the chauffeur-driven cars that arrive to take him to airports (he’s toured Australia, Brazil, South Africa), photoshoots (he’s worked on campaigns for Adidas, Apple, Dr Marten) or the Eurostar for Paris Fashion Week (where he hung out with mates including Moses Boyd and Reggie Yates), they listen when he talks about the role of community” – Evening Standard (July 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 12k

Biggest Video: Footsteps

Sam Fender

Official Page: https://www.samfender.com/

Follow: https://twitter.com/samfendermusic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOPATl0JcguaVn1ovKWU1w

Latest Video: That Sound

Sample Cuts:

“With the cash from his record deal, signed four months ago after a bidding war, and an inevitable sponsorship deal with Fender guitars, he’s been able to set up his own recording studio back home. “If this all goes wrong I can stay in music and use that studio to do endless amounts of work.”

He doesn’t need to worry about things going wrong just yet anyway. His year began with a place on the longlist for the BBC’s Sound of 2018 poll when he had only made four songs public. Heavy gigging, including support slots with George Ezra and Catfish and the Bottlemen, has taken him up to this month, when he’ll release his debut EP, also called Dead Boys. He’s just sold out three nights on the trot at south London’s 320-capacity Omeara venue and announced a new show for 1,700 at Electric Brixton for February.

“It’s getting bigger, which is exciting and terrifying in equal measure,” he says. Asked what he was hoping for when he first started playing in bands at the age of 16, he replies: “Somewhere along the lines of what’s going on now — the ability to live a life doing this as my sole job, which I now do” – Evening Standard (November 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 8.5k

Biggest Video: Play God

slowthai

Official Page: https://slowthai.com/

Follow: https://twitter.com/slowthai

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKHvQqJdl2cyPUmcXLFUeaQ

Latest Video: BREXIT BANDIT

Sample Cuts:

“Though slowthai's descriptive raps tell stories and paint pictures straight from his brain, his music videos are also a big sell, breathing new visual life into his tunes. Take the video for "Ladies", a track from his first EP (watch below), in which there is a scene where he lies naked and curled up next to his fully-clothed girlfriend. The image is powerful in its rarity in pop culture alone, but it is also a reference to the iconic Annie Leibowitz photo of John Lennon and Yoko Ono taken in the last 15 hours of his life before he was shot. Then there's “North Nights”, an altogether different experience, made up of references to slowthai’s favourite horror films: The Shining, Blair Witch, A Clockwork Orange and La Haine. “I don't know if it's my attention span”, he laughs, touching on his meticulously thought-out music videos, “but I don't like reading. I'm more of a visual person” – NOISEY (September 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 33k

Biggest Video: T N Biscuits

L Devine

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/LDevineMusic/

Follow: https://twitter.com/LDevineMusic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2_Y6hH4VXgWRJxC9bPGD2w/featured

Latest Video: Nervous

Sample Cuts:

“KEY TRACK: Nervous
LABEL: Warner Bros
MANAGEMENT: Major Influence
TWITTER: @LDevineMusic

WHO: Twenty-one-year-old newcomer Olivia Devine, who goes by L Devine to avoid confusion with a porn star who shares her name.

WHAT: Pop, pure and simple. L Devine is signed to Warner Bros, who will no doubt be seeking to propel the Whitley Bay-born singer to Dua Lipa levels of stratospheric importance.

WHERE: Devine was born in the North East but moved to London to follow her musical dream.

A DEVINE INTERVENTION?
Good one. And yes, L Devine has 2019 in her sights. She released the Growing Pains EP a year ago, and the Peer Pressure mixtape and film is out this week. Recent track Nervous, complete with a sleek, LA-filmed video by Emil Nava, laid down an impressive marker.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
Devine originally wanted to be a songwriter, and has been honing her craft for a few years now. Sessions with a cast including John Hill (MIA, Rihanna) and Ian Kirkpatrick (Dua Lipa) have shaped a powerful, relatable sound.

WATCH OUT, THEN?
Start the Devine-al countdown!” - Music Week (November 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 6.4k

Biggest Video: Love You Like That

Dermot Kennedy

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dermotkennedymusic/

Follow: https://twitter.com/dermotkennedy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTujaKfo0jMXXhjvRtB6yYQ

Latest Video: Power Over Me

Sample Cuts:

“Now he has the best of both worlds, with a devoted core fanbase and big business backing that opens the kind of doors a boy from the tiny village of Rathcoole, with a population of fewer than 4,500, could only have dreamed of. Kennedy, who is best described as a folksy, alternative artist with a taste for heavy hip hop beats – check out “Moments Passed” – recently worked with Mike Dean, the American super-producer who’s notched up credits with everyone from Jay-Z to Kanye West. “Seeing that Mike and the other younger, serious hip hop guys in the studio were into my songs was really exciting,” he says. “Travis Scott was there on Facetime and he was listening to it as well.”

With A-list endorsement, a current single “Power Over Me” already on 1.5m plays, a headline show at Brixton Academy – the holy grail of venues for young artists – just announced and an album due next year, you could assume Kennedy would be getting just a little bit cocky. And he well might, if it wasn’t for his friends, the same ones he played sports with at school. “They are huge for me in terms of keeping my head screwed on,” he says. “I could win a Grammy and they would take the piss out of what I was wearing. They will slag you off about anything, no matter what happens”- GQ (October 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 48k

Biggest Video: An Evening I Will Not Forget

Samm Henshaw

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SammHenshaw/

Follow: https://twitter.com/SammHenshaw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9PlhjF8doWtKVRc0YoAgiw

Latest Video: Doubt (ft. Wretch 32)

Sample Cuts:

“How did you get into music? Any tips for budding musicians?

I started playing in church from a child growing up and kept going at it until I was good enough to write my own songs. I would say work hard on your craft and never stop learning.

What do you most value in your wardrobe?

My hats, without them I’m not sure…

What’s your favourite piece from the outfits which you wore for this shoot?

I really liked the grey shirt or the jacket, really simple but a good mix of materials”- The Idle Man (2015)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 43k

Biggest Video: Broke

Jade Bird

PHOTO CREDIT: Phoebe Fox

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/JadeBirdMusic/

Official Website: http://www.jade-bird.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6sRi0TuAnixUvUbhuj9YNg

Latest Video: Love Has All Been Done Before

Sample Cuts:

“Jade Bird can do an impeccable American accent, and with good reason: The British singer-songwriter has spent plenty of time in the States recently, including playing her first American festival, Stagecoach 2018. However, although she grew up listening to American music, Bird tells The Boot none of this means she's trying to move away from her British roots.

"It's not like I'm intentionally saying, 'Oh, anyhow, now I'm going to make American music,'" the singer explains. "I just always really loved music that was coincidentally from the States."

Bird had long admired songwriters such as Bob Dylan, but it wasn't until she heard the Civil Wars that the 20-year-old musician started deep-diving into American music.

"That was the first time I'd ever seen somebody who reminded me of me playing the guitar, first off," Bird says. "I love the band for that. The chemistry between them just felt so true and not put on, and to me, that is so important”- The Boot (May 2018)

Total YouTube Subscribers (at time of this feature): 23k

Biggest Video: Lottery

INTERVIEW: Trapdoor Social

INTERVIEW:

Trapdoor Social

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I have been speaking with Skylar Funk of Trapdoor Social...

who tells me about the band’s new single, Hold Me Down, and how they came together; how the line-up has changed and what is coming next from the guys – he highlights some rising artists to look out for closely.

I was keen to know more about the band’s environmental ethics/motives and whether there are gigs emerging; if Skylar has any favourite album and whether there is time to relax away from the band – each member selects a song to end things with.

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Hi. How are you? How has your week been?

Hey! We're great. Real bittersweet week actually...just played our goodbye show with our drummer Ben, who's moving up to the Bay Area for grad school, his girlfriend and generally greener pastures. So, that's tough...but it was a great show! And a great few years together. So much love.  

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

We are Trapdoor Social, an L.A. band since 2011 and we play Indie/Alternative-Rock (or something), often outdoors using solar power. We created and ran Sunstock Solar Festival for the last three years as well.

How did Trapdoor Social get together? When did you all meet?

Merritt Graves and I (Skylar Funk) met at Pomona College in the Environmental Analysis department. We spent a handful of all-nighters in the same computer lab talking about the music we loved and the challenges our planet is facing... and then, a couple years later after school, we decided to start the band. The rest of the guys have come and gone (I guess Louie hasn't gone anywhere) from all kinds of places (like Craigslist).

You are all environmental activists. Does the band have a mandate/mission regarding the environment and conservation?

So, I guess, really, the thing that concerns Merritt and I are existential threats and, at the base of that, the moral assertion that living things shouldn't suffer any more than they have to. So, for example, if we destroy the environment; a huge number of earth's inhabitants will be negatively affected and so we shouldn't do that. But there are a couple other important existential threats to watch out for as well - namely nuclear war and runaway artificial intelligence. Just...things we should be careful with.

Hold Me Down is the new single. Can you explain the story behind it?

Hold Me Down was a collaborative songwriting experience which was actually a bit frustrating for me personally. I'm glad it came together though...this one is super-fun to play. The message of the song is about how we know there are big, serious problems in the world we need to deal with (see above)…but how it's all forgotten when matters of the heart come into play. Like, in verse two: "Oh no/the world is going under/and we sit here twiddling our thumbs/our love is the least of our problems/but you say one word and I jump!” 

Will there be more material coming next year?

Oh, yeah. We've been recording for over a year and we have more songs than we can fit even on a full-length album. So, you might not hear it all but you'll hear a full album!

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Oh, man; that's soon! I hope to have jammed and/or collaborated with a good handful of other artists and I hope we have the album finished and ready to drop. I hope to have some cool new songs written and I hope to have my little studio set up again. I had to take it apart to make room for my girlfriend's sister when she moved to L.A. and stayed with us for a while. Haha.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

2019 will be The Year of the Artist! Stay tuned to find out what that means (smiles).

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

This might be proximity bias...but last night I supported my friend Kinney at her show at the Satellite in Silver Lake. It was a fun set, and at the end, the people called for an encore...for which we were completely not prepared. The rhythm section started grooving in Bb, which is a great key for me, so I Got Down. 

I had my baritone sax and she had another gentleman playing an upright bass (with a wireless mic) and, at one point, we both hopped down into the crowd and danced wildly while playing. There was AcroYoga happening; the crowd was going nuts, the jam was insane. It was pretty special.

Which one album means the most to you would you say (and why)?

Wow; that's tough. Death Cab for Cutie's Transatlanticism? 22, A Million from Bon Iver? Florence and the Machine's Ceremonials, or The Heist by Macklemore? All super-formative and I'm sorry, you asked for just one....

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I would want to open for Postal Service (on tour for the next album they'll release, of course) and there would be massage and a vegan feast complete with chocolate fountain. At the end, Ben Gibbard would join us for an acoustic cover of Brand New Colony. While both of us crowd-surf. 

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

We do not have any dates planned. Gotta get a new player or two first! We can always play acoustic, though...

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I would encourage a new artist to seek balance. You can't make art if you can't pay the bills or keep yourself sane. Losing our drummer really emphasizes that for me - he was young and talented and committed to our band...but his life in L.A. was too hard. You gotta make your life work ok - take care of yourself - so you can spend all the time it takes to become the artist you want to be. 

 IN THIS PHOTO: Karmic

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

For sure! Real stoked about a few of the bands we had on our solar stage at Sunstock. Karmic is a super-fun Indie-Pop act and have become dear friends and Top Shelf Brass Band from Riverside is just the most fun I know how to have. Beyond that, I recommend you watch out for The Dip from Seattle, which is super-groovy Retro-Soul.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

Yeah. I get me time here and there. I play ice hockey every week and ultimate frisbee when I can and I play Magic: The Gathering, because apparently just being in band isn't quite nerdy enough for me. Weeeeee

Oh, yeah...and hot sauce. I'm a huge fan of hot sauce. I've collected it all over the U.S. and beyond and I make my own as well. I've been selling it for a few years now and it's really fun. Check it out.

Finally, and thanks for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Fun! I've been rocking out to Superposition by Young the Giant

Merritt says Big Black Delta - Dreary Moon

Louie says Alabama Shakes - Gimme Me All Your Love

Thanks for your time and interest!

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Follow Trapdoor Social

Official:

http://www.trapdoorsocial.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TrapdoorSocial/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/trapdoorsocial/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/TrapdoorSocial

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5SancUuEIRjnkYtglSRe8Q?si=pGMlNMH9RguWUNsm54Uq3g

Bandcamp:

https://trapdoorsocial.bandcamp.com/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TrapdoorSocial

INTERVIEW: C. SHIROCK

INTERVIEW:

PHOTO CREDIT: Daniella Midenge

C. SHIROCK

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THANKS to C. SHIROCK for telling me about...

his latest single, Confess Your Love, and the great personal story behind it. I ask him about his start in music and the sounds that influence him; whether he has anything else to give before the end of the year and what comes along next year.

He reveals some rising artists worth a look and albums important to him; if we can see him play anytime soon and whether the Nashville-bases artist gets time to unwind and relax away from music – C. SHIROCK selects a great song to end the interview with.

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Hi, C. SHIROCK. How are you? How has your week been?

I’m doing well! I’m currently in Los Angeles and about to head to Nashville for my birthday and some recording sessions. The last two weeks have been really incredible. Confess Your Love came out; the music video came out a week after. I’ve been in the studio finishing up a few more singles for early next year…and we’re wrapping up the edit for the music video for Stand with Me Tonight, which will be the second single coming out Nov. 30th! So, a lot happening but it’s exciting to finally be sharing all of this new work.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Chuck SHIROCK – my artist name is ‘C. SHIROCK’. I am based between Nashville, TN and Los Angeles, CA. My music is Alternative Pop – my favourite comparison’s I’ve read are ‘modern Peter Gabriel, Phil Collins…a little bit of Prince, U2…’ When I read that, I immediately felt like that was something I’d want to hear! I had a band called SHIROCK for a long time before starting the C. SHIROCK solo project. We toured a ton, performed with bands such as Twenty One Pilots, Cage the Elephant; Manchester Orchestra and tons of other inspiring acts. Confess Your Love is the first single off of my upcoming collection of songs, which will continue to come out monthly into 2019.

PHOTO CREDIT: Emilia Paré

Confess Your Love is new. What is the story behind the song?

Confess Your Love was written about meeting my partner for the first time. We met in Tulum, Mexico entirely by chance…

I had bought a one-way ticket to Mexico and she was there with a friend. I was going through a life reset/new beginning of sorts and, the short version is, I was having dinner by myself at Hartwood (incredible restaurant in Tulum) and she was there with a group of friends. I saw her when she walked in and knew I wanted to talk to her. I was immediately drawn to her and I promised myself I would leave without at least telling her I thought she was beautiful. I kept trying to find a way to say something and slowly the entire restaurant cleared out except for me and her group. They got up to leave and I also walked out; she was in a conversation with a guy – I thought I had missed my chance…I was standing on the sidewalk with my bike, looking down at my phone and, all of a sudden, I hear this voice: “Are you okay?” I looked up and it was her. 

I smiled and laughed a little bit and gave her my long-rehearsed monologue about seeing her when she came in and wanting to tell her I thought she was beautiful…she smiled and asked if I wanted to walk her and her friend back to their hotel. I did, and we ended up meeting up the following day and the day after…neither of us thought we’d ever see one another again so we just opened up fully and connected really deeply. She left Mexico and I had another two weeks there. After going back to Nashville, I knew I had to see her again. I flew out to Los Angeles to see her and try to figure out what just had happened. We quickly fell in love, and…here we are today (smiles).

What was it like putting the video together? Was it fun to shoot?

This was a really fun video to shoot – a ton of preparation and work to shoot in a foreign country but, as these things tend to do, it all came together last minute. We shot the majority of the video in a small colonial town called Valladolid, which is about two hours from Tulum. The city was the perfect backdrop to tell the story of a couple meeting and falling in love.

We pulled most of the inspiration from my actual experience - when I met my now fiancé a few years ago. We took some artistic liberty in the re-telling of the story and wanted to play on the idea of those little encounters and moments that, if taken, can change the entire course of our lives. In the video you don’t, at the end, know what transpired actually happened or if it was a what if…

Might we see more material coming? What is next for you?

Yes! The second single, Stand with Me Tonight, comes out November 30th and the music video Dec. 7th. Then, I have a surprise in the works for mid-December (smiles). We’ll have a little break into January, then pick back up with single releases, music video; select shows and a full album early-summer. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Daniella Midenge

Can you give me a sense of the artists you grew up around? When did music come into your life?

I grew up in a very musical and artistic family. My mom was ballet dancer and my dad is a great Jazz guitarist. My grandfather (Dad’s side) was a professional Jazz pianist and I and my three siblings all started playing piano when we were really young. I actually didn’t grow up listening to too much music – I was in the Philippines until I was eight, then Scotland until about thirteen.

So, I ended up spending a lot of time writing on piano and composing…although I had no idea that’s what I actually was doing. It wasn’t really until I came to the U.S. (Detroit) and started really listening to the radio that I completely fell in love with Pop and Rock music. Into college, I really was introduced to the artists that have shaped my musical understanding…Radiohead, Peter Gabriel; U2, Prince; Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Buckley; Sigur Rós, Bob Dylan; Madonna etc…

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

This is a busy end of the year for me and my team! Before the year is done, I have another single coming out Nov. 30th (Stand with Me Tonight); a music video Dec. 7th and a surprise mid-December…meanwhile; I’m also in the studio finishing up a few other songs for early 2019…and, on a personal side, my birthday is coming up and I’m finishing up a house renovation project! So…a lot’s happening at once (smiles).

PHOTO CREDIT: Allister Ann

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Yes! I’ve been in the studio writing and recording through most of 2018, so I have a series of singles lined up to continue releasing into 2019. I can’t wait to share this new music – it feels like my producer (Thomas Doeve) and I have been in the studio this past year writing and working, and I can’t wait to share all of this new music. 

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

There have been so many beautiful memories so far. Touring with some of my best friends, performing main stage at festivals for thousands and thousands of people; hearing myself on the radio for the first time…but I think my absolute favourite is when I meet people whose lives have been impacted by the music. I’ve received letters, emails and talked in person with fans who have shared how a song or a lyric helped get them through loss of a loved one, heartbreak or difficult times. Without a doubt, those are the most important memories and what I love most about getting to create music. 

PHOTO CREDIT: Allister Ann

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Wow – what a great question…

Peter Gabriel - So

I didn’t discover this album until a long time after it was put out…but the sounds, production and sonic landscape of this record brought a new understanding of what Pop music could sound and feel like. 

U2 - The Joshua Tree

This record redefined what Pop/Rock music can be and the emotion that music can carry. The lyric, the delivery; the way the music and vocals combine to form something entirely unique and so compelling was a revolution for me.

Jeff Buckley – Grace

My roommate in college introduced me to Jeff Buckley – and it changed everything for me. It shaped the way I approached singing and what was possible with my voice. It was like, all of a sudden, I had permission to explore and use my voice as an instrument. 

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Such a tricky question! I would love to tour with a real Popstar. Mostly for selfish reasons! I have so much to learn from someone like George Michael, Michael Jackson; Madonna…I’d love to see them night after night.

PHOTO CREDIT: Emilia Paré

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be courageous in your art. We have enough people chasing what already exists. You have a unique voice and interpretation…chase that. Make music that turns you on and, when you deliver it in the studio or live, give it everything you have. Write music that matters. Too many people chase formulas and don’t have anything to say. Tell the stories that are yours alone to tell. Move us with your music. We’re all waiting to be emotionally moved.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

I love touring – I can’t wait to be back out performing this new music. I will be touring in 2019 – plans are currently underway for tours in the summer as my album will be released. For the latest info, you can follow me on social media, or on my website.

IN THIS PHOTO: Mikky Ekko

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Being based in Nashville, I have the privilege of being surrounded by so much great music…some incredible artists. Mikky Ekko is amazing; COIN is a great Alt/Pop/Rock band from Nashville also. Daniella Mason is an upcoming pop artist as is Whit. Daniella and Whit both sang vocals on Confess Your Love. Also, my brother is an incredible producer and writer and his project is called Kind. 

IN THIS PHOTO: Daniella Mason

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I get a little bit of time. I feel very fortunate that my job is something I love so much. Even with it being my profession, I still like to begin each day at the piano before I’ve made my coffee and I often find myself back at the piano at the end of the day! I have a vintage motorcycle I love riding. I also grew up playing soccer and still play often. I love reading – I get so much inspiration from poetry books. A favourite is the late Irish poet, John O’Donohue and another is Pablo Neruda. 

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Ha! Okay…not my music – this has been a favourite lately – Reckless Love by Elle King and Bleachers. I love Jack Antonoff’s approach to writing and production. I think he’s a genius

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Follow C. SHIROCK

PHOTO CREDIT: Daniella Midenge

Official:

http://www.cshirock.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/cshirock/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cshirock/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/cshirock

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/6rclmdstz3sdi2HTLzXJwg?si=FhiXsdPQT_qCC6givhVedA

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/cshirock

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/cshirock

FEATURE: Better Living Through Chemistry: World Kindness Day: Bringing Some Positivity Back into Music

FEATURE:

 

 

Better Living Through Chemistry

PHOTO CREDIT: @juanparodriguez/Unsplash 

World Kindness Day: Bringing Some Positivity Back into Music

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MAYBE I am misremembering the past…

PHOTO CREDIT: @seteales/Unsplash

but I swear I lived through a time when there was a lot more positivity in the music industry! Maybe my 1990s-rose-tinted-glasses are getting steamed up in the hot tub of misty nostalgia but, more and more, there is a lot of negative energy swirling around music. That makes me sound like a hippie but I wonder how much of us take the time to contact an artist and tell them their work is great. Not motivated by anything or in exchange for kindness – just for the sake of making them feel better and giving them recognition. I get caught up in the endless blizzard of emails and the rather robotic process of replying to people and stamping out interviews like a machine. It is what needs to be done I guess – cutting back a lot would be great but hard to do – and it can be quite soulless having to go through this daily routine and, at the end, not getting a huge amount of satisfaction. The songs that I consider are great but, when bombarded with dozens each week; they are not staying in the mind and, when I am through with that artist; it is onto the next one and so on and so on! My wish for next year is to transition away from the written interview and start focusing on bigger artists.

 PHOTO CREDIT: @rawpixel/Unsplash

I will still keep in with the upcoming acts but I have been working tirelessly for seven years and have got as much as I can from what I am doing. One of the worst effects of the daily routine is the time I get to properly appreciate music and acknowledge artists. I think we all get into this trap. It is World Kindness Day and, to many, it might sound like a corny and forced day to, for one day only, be nicer and show a bit more warmth. Rather than being a cynical and Hallmark-inspired day of kindness; it is a chance for us to be more aware of a lack of positivity and togetherness. It seems harder and harder to be kind and communicative at a time when most of us are lost in a sea of work, demands and pressures. It might be impossible to extol the virtues of kindness to random strangers in the street but, in music; I wonder whether more could be done. I hear from artists who are largely ignored and feel buried in a digital world. People might stream their song and there is that lack of communication – what do they think and what do they like about the song. I often review and interview and, after all is done, nothing else is said. Maybe I am doing my fair share but many people feel, as technology rules our tastes and practices, there is less community, feedback and positivity.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Tempest/PHOTO CREDIT: David Levene/eyevine/Redux

Last year, around the time of the Mercury Prize; Kate Tempest was interviewed about music and made a very good point, when interviewed by NME, regarding its (music’s) impact on negative forces:

“As creators of music and literatures, it’s our role to examine even the most confusing moments and try to make sense of how it feels to be a live and in this particular moment,” Tempest told NME. “I think enough has been said about the dystopian nightmare, but in my experience of touring this album, what’s happened is extremely positive actually. What seems to be happening when we talk about some of these things, like ‘Europe Is Lost’ or ‘Tunnel Vision’, there is this flood of positivity that’s been happening.

“That feels like an amazing thing to be contributing right now. To be able to stand in a room full of people and leave them with these words about love. It’s nothing new, it’s been said since the dawn of time. It’s kind of poignant, but right now when I feel like there’s so much panic, [it feels good] to be coming together in big rooms of people and feeling it all”.

We often take music for granted: that commodity that is available on-tap and is this inalienable right. Not only do a lot of us stream music for free – meaning artists do not get money- but we do not post back to that person and express what their music does and how it makes them feel. The more we rely on machines to communicate, the more blasé and entitled we are, I think.

 PHOTO CREDIT: @rawpixel/Unsplash

Maybe sites like Spotify and YouTube should enable some sort of portal/way of better connecting the listeners with the artists. It would be interesting to see the demographic of people streaming a song but, more than that, allow some feedback and kindness, verbal or written, for that artist. I feel a reason why music is becoming more negative, inward and losing its fun is because of how we all go about our way and a rather causal relationship between musician-fan. I often feel bad when I stream a song or listen to and do nothing else. I realise I am entitled to listen to it and do what I want but what of the person/people who created it? Maybe the huge choice and variation means it would be impractical to give opinions and offer some praise and, of course, there are those who will be negative and troll artists. I have been thinking about the nature of positive emotion and kindness in music and can see that vacuum. Social media allows us to connect with an artist and give that opinion but how many of us do that? Maybe it would be ridiculous if we did the same with an actor like Tom Cruise and fans inundated him with Tweets expressing their love of his latest film but so many musicians are putting work out into the world and appreciation comes in the form of ‘likes’, thumbs-up symbols and something that lacks any personalisation.

 PHOTO CREDIT: @joshhild/Unsplash

Perhaps this raises questions around the nature of online comments/sites and whether symbols are a constructive and useful way of providing feedback. Validation and positivity are great ways to promote good music and lead to a more uplifted and inspiring scene. If we have new and established artists getting that reaction and loving buzz then that, in turn, will elevate their creative minds and souls and we might get a more overt and outward music scene – bringing the fun back and leading to something genuinely progressive. As it is; we are in this rather odd state where music lacks a spark and the sort of fun there used to be. There are more compelling reasons behind this change but I wonder whether the lack of connectivity and feedback is leaving them a bit hollow. I would like to see social media become more social. It would not be too hard for someone like me to type a comment or sentiment on a page/site after hearing a song – expressing my love of a track and giving them some lift. Maybe just a comment out of the blue or an unsolicited bit of praise. How often do we think like this and follow through?! I know I like getting this sort of thing and it would benefit music no end were more people to change their mindsets and put some love out there. World Kindness Day will be but a memory this time tomorrow but, if we can learn something from today and translate that into the music world; I feel these small gestures could make...

PHOTO CREDIT: @arstyy/Unsplash

A big difference!   

INTERVIEW: Emily Magpie

INTERVIEW:

Emily Magpie

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MY last interview of the day is with Emily Magpie...

who has been telling about her E.P., Be Your Own Light, and filming the video for the title cut. I was keen to know what sort of music inspires her and when it struck her; if there is a rising artist we need to get behind and what she has planned for next year.

The talented songwriter reveals a few favourite albums and where we can catch her perform; which artist she’d support if she had the chance and whether she gets time to chill away from music – she selects an awesome modern song to end the interview with.

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Hi, Emily. How are you? How has your week been?

Hi, Sam! I’m currently in Belgium, recovering from a couple too many (and too delicious) Belgium beers last night after my gig. I’m out here doing a few shows with Uncle Wellington - beautiful band and country!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I loop layers of vocals, ukulele; synth bass and beats to make dreamy Electro-Folk music with some oomph-y bass under it. I’m a singer songwriter and producer- D.I.Y., man!

Be Your Own Light is your new single. What is the inspiration behind the song?

I was exploring my patterns in relationships and looking at my relationship with myself. I wrote it almost as a mantra or magic spell of self-love and wanted to extend that out to other people that might resonate.

The video looks cool! What was it like filming that?!

Nowhere near as glamorous as it look. Haha! It involved a lot of glitter and bike lights...my sister Meghan Spetch is a genius animator and filmmaker (working on Our Planet currently) and she created the whole concept from very little.

Be Your Own Light is from the E.P. of the same name. Were there particular themes and stories that inspired the songs?

Yeah. I don’t tend to write too much about love and relationships as I feel there are so other things to talk about. But, this E.P. has four songs on it - that I wrote this year – and are all about my growth in terms of my relationships and myself...and I wanted to put them all together and have a body of work exploring that.

Can you give me a sense of the artists you grew up around? When did music come into your life?

So many different artists! I think that’s why my stuff is so eclectic...

I grew up being introduced to bands like Modest Mouse, the Pixies and Nirvana by my brother; being a bit of an Emo kid and listening to Brand New, but also loving R&B. And I used to sing in a Jazz band as a teenager and loved all the old Jazz and Soul songs - plus, artists like Fleetwood Mac via my parents.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Not got long left. Haha! Something quick. I think just enjoying playing the new E.P. live and continuing writing and developing ideas for an album next.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

The aforementioned album. I’ve written an album of songs which all fit on a concept and I want to develop, record and produce that. 

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

I’m loving being in Belgium at the moment actually; wicked to travel with music. Also, playing support to This Is the Kit this year in a church was beautiful. I love their music.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)? 

How can I choose?! It’s like picking a favourite child.

Okay; right NOW...

Jai Paul - Jai Paul

Because I actually managed to get my mitts on a copy! A label I’m working with next year managed to grab one of these when it got leaked years ago and passed on a copy to me recently. Jai Paul is a genius. I learn so much from the way he produces and builds songs.

Radiohead - OK Computer

I was obsessed with Radiohead. I can’t listen to it too much now as it makes me sad but this album reminds me of a very introspective time.

Sylvan Esso - Sylvan Esso

This album is filled with songs that make me feel so much. I’m always playing it.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Sylvan Esso! Saw them at SWX (Bristol) and they look like they have such a good time. I’d get a ton of beers so we could get pissed and party after the show. And maybe some Skittles or something.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Make music you believe in; explore and be playful. Release lots, gig lots; be nice.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

26th Nov - The Louisiana, Bristol (supporting Lydmor)

22nd Dec - Jinglefest at The Exchange, Bristol

 IN THIS PHOTO: Anna Pancaldi

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

My friend Anna Pancaldi just had a release recently too. She makes beautiful music.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I’m chilling now(ish)... 

I am a bit obsessed with music and can work too much. I’m trying to keep a balance. I don’t like how obsessed we are with work in U.K. culture. It’s not cool to be busy all the time. I just try and do things I enjoy outside of music every week and make the most of opportunities music provides (to have adventures too). I’m off exploring for the next two days before my gig on Sunday in Gent.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

So tempting to choose something ridiculous and you’ll have to play it. But, no...I choose IDLES - Mother. These guys excite me a LOT

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Follow Emily Magpie

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/EmilyMagpie1

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/emilymagpie1/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/emilyspetch

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7pVUDWzKKoTkhBZTB46SyQ

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/emily-magpie

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0brLwFO51jpCnTCW3fZTKA 

INTERVIEW: Miel de Botton

INTERVIEW:

Miel de Botton

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THE fantastic Miel de Botton...

has been talking with me about her upcoming album, Surrender to the Feeling, and her new E.P., I Was Given Nature. The title-track from the E.P. has been used by the WWF so the songwriter discusses that; which albums and artists are important to her – she reveals how important nature and conservation are to her.

I ask de Botton about her training as a clinical psychologist and how that impacts her music; what she has planned going forward and the music she grew up around – she ends the interview by selecting a great song.

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Hi, Miel. How are you? How has your week been?

Hectic! I am alright but lots of exciting things have been flying at me. I have been coordinating a rehearsal schedule for my E.P. launch on 12th November with lots of media invitations. I have been asked to do five or six radio interviews and an interview for London Live (T.V.). This latter slot will be with the Director General of WWF, Marco Lambertini, to discuss my new song, I Was Given Nature, which has been taken up by them for their Connect2Earth education campaign. 

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Hello! I am a Swiss singer/songwriter. I sing some chansons, some ballads and some more uptempo numbers in French and English. My first album, Magnetic, came out in March 2015. It was produced by Andy Wright, an amazing producer (Simply Red, Eurythmics and Jeff Beck). I have done two U.K. tours with John Barrowman and Rhydian and some festivals - Camp Bestival and CarFest. 

You have an album coming out soon. Can you tell us about that and the sort of themes that inspired it?

My new album, Surrender to the Feeling, is available to pre-order on all platforms on 13th November and will launch on 1st March next year. This time I collaborated with a few different producers, Marc JB, Sam Swallow; James Sanger, Morten Schjolin and, of course, Andy Wright, who is also the album’s Executive Producer. The main theme umbrella is healing, whether through nature or our own natural emotions. My songs are about being contented in the silence and enjoying stillness, but also about dancing in joy and appreciating anything that brings joy. 

You are a prolific art collector and trained as a clinical psychologist. Do you think those passions/experiences influenced your music career/path?

I feel a true work of art is about the beholder experiencing emotion. In the visual arts, I feel that a successful work of art is one that has touched you and moved you and that is what I try to do with my music. Of course, ultimately that is meant to lead you to a path of self-healing - exactly what a clinical psychologist sets out to do; so I do think these passions have influenced my musical career.

Did you get introduced to music at a young age? How important is your family regarding that love?

Yes! My dad was constantly playing Classical music throughout the house. He loved Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. I used to conduct to Mozart and was in the choir and musicals at school. As a family, we loved to listen to Leonard Cohen, Janis Joplin and Albert Hammond. I used to sing All the Lonely People to my dad, who loved it. He also used to sing many French chansons to me as a child and I re-worked some of these for my album, Magnetic, as a tribute to him.

Your song, I Was Given Nature, was used by the WWF. How important was that to you? Is nature and conservation really important to you?

I grew up in Switzerland, where people are very ecologically-minded and I was always made very conscious of the beauty of nature by my (now) eighty-eight-year-old nanny, who took my brother and me for lengthy walks. Also, whilst I was at school my best friend’s father was very involved in the WWF; so very early on I was aware of the causes and the panda made its mark on me. I was absolutely thrilled when my song was taken up by WWF. I had written it originally following many tears listening to Michael Jackson’s Earth Song. 

I wanted to write my own Earth Song and move people to action! I was hoping WWF might like the song but, in fact, I was blown away by their reaction. They even asked me to perform the song live for a function in Geneva and I was honoured to do so. I am about to host an event for my E.P. launch where WWF will talk and I have invited all the environmental charities that I am involved with, so that they can contribute to conservation discussions that are going to take place alongside the music.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Well. There is not much of it left, but I am happy to have achieved quite a few things at this stage. My year saw the completion of my album and performances at a few concerts plus some environmental charity work. The planning of the new album launch and next phases - for example, touring - are being worked on now and if I have all that in place by the end of the year it will be a great achievement for me. 

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Yes - the launch. After that; hopefully some touring, but that is all very much in the planning stage right now.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

What I think of straight away is a gig in Newcastle during the Rhydian tour when there were massive storms; trees on the line and total travel disruption. There was fantastic goodwill and collaboration among the band that were all trying to get there and arriving in the nick of time – missing the soundcheck and just about making the performance.  A wonderful experience of team spirit!

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Guilty by Barbra Streisand is one. I love her voice and Barry Gibb singing with her. It is just so romantic…

I love all ABBA albums and they never cease to inspire me. 

I also love Leonard Cohen - The Best of Leonard Cohen (1975). His songs are so expressive and moving. They make me laugh and cry every time.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Michael Bublé. He just connects with the audience so much. Also; Barbra Streisand. 

My rider would contain 85% Lindt chocolate and almonds.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

Hopefully! We have something in the pipeline regarding a tour, but nothing confirmed yet. My next gig after the E.P. launch will be the album launch next spring and there will be some tickets on sale for that. 

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Perseverance...but also take breaks, because this business is tiring!

 IN THIS PHOTO: PURDY at the 606 Club

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Check out my friend, PURDY. She has a gorgeous, mellow voice and sings jazzy songs of her own creation and some classics. She often sings at the 606 Club.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I take walks in nature and I have an amazing healer who gives me hand-on healing. I also like to sing and dance around my kitchen!

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

I love Andante, Andante by ABBA

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Follow Miel de Botton

Official:

http://mielmusic.co.uk/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MielMusicUK/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/miel_music/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Miel_Music

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1upTG9n7VaUQSaVLH0WZZw?si=3CLSDryDTm21z119EEVsWQ

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/mieldebotton/

INTERVIEW: Captain of the Lost Waves

INTERVIEW:

Captain of the Lost Waves

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IT is time to step into Captain of the Lost Waves’ world...

and get to know the man behind the music. I have been speaking with him about the new album, Synthesis, and the single, Uniforms; whether there is a reason and story behind that moniker and what sort of music is important to him.

Captain of the Lost Waves discusses his upcoming plans and reveals some albums important to him; what he wants to achieve before the end of the year and what advice new artists should take to heart – he selects a great song to end the interview with.

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Hi, Captain of the Lost Waves. How are you? How has your week been?

Currently feeling like a fair to middling supernova on soft ground after embracing the fierce elements of the Felixstowe coastline - where one’s pedalboard ended up with puddles of rain on it, in it and around it!  I’m finally thawing out, as is my pedalboard…

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I am neither one thing nor the other but all things - in truth we all are. We all decide to represent ourselves via one title, occupation or otherwise. My performance is a marriage; a jigsaw of pieces that really shouldn’t fit together but somehow do. This is music, storytelling and an intuitive connection with my audience. At the heart of it the music is the core ingredient that holds all of the elements in place, the sonic smorgasbord of fluctuating moods and expression.

Is there a reason behind the mysterious moniker? Does anyone know your true identity?!

The lost waves of which I am Captain of are but a nod to many things we choose to neither see nor resonate with; our own innate natures being overwhelmed by global mental noise. The miracle of life in its multitude of expressions are those hidden and consigned to the shadows. Of course, this is my true identity…depends what you call true? Does anyone really know anybody else? As often people don’t even know who they themselves are.

Synthesis is your latest album. What inspired the record and how much of your own experiences go into it?

Life inspires everything I do; amazing stories of life’s ability to weave the most inspiring tales. The album is the story so far with the singles to date and five brand new tracks. Like a Captain’s seesaw, this is the current halfway point.

Uniforms is the latest track from the album. Can you explain the story behind the song?

It’s the power that uniforms hold - of course, everything we wear is a uniform. The largest organ of the human body being the skin is the ultimate uniform, we are covered in it! Within the song itself, I explore the paradoxical nature of the uniform; the post-colonial empirical hangover. I’ll stop there…it’s curious as to why human beings need to quantify or have everything explained to them.

The treasure lies in the questions, not the answers.

Can you recall when you got into music? How have your sounds changed since the early day?

The drumbeat of my mother’s heart…I distinctly recall it. It’s a constant evolution exploring new sounds, mixing Classical and Ambient textures with the tumultuous tremolo of the human voice being fully embraced as the ultimate indigenous instrument of the human experience.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

That I maintain the instinctive connection to the source of creation. I am merely a conduit, a vessel; a plaything for the gods, if you want to use a metaphor - though I’d not choose it to be any other way. Art, at its purest, is something intangible and unfathomable.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Yes - to keep sowing the seeds of my vision and not losing sight of my grandest and wildest dreams (not likely to be anything of note in a three-dimensional sense). I may appear abstract or flighty to some of your readers - and that would be correct. Should I elaborate as to what my most pragmatic and logical aim is? To keep connecting with the magicians, the autonomous; the fiercely independent, the individuals; the magnificent outsiders, those so far out of the loop that, like me, they are almost back in.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Far, far, far too many but, among them, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Lincoln Drill Hall; Glastonbury Festival and a range of shows over this last two years within the Steampunk community, of which when at its best is inclusive, imaginative; supportive and fun. As my dear friend Professor Elemental once said: “It’s a giant fancy dress party for adults”.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

This is really difficult. Music, to me, is like food and, on any given day, my appetite yearns for something different. But, you asked for three so here goes! I could have had The Beatles – Revolver; Prince – Sign o’ the Times and Talking Heads – Remain in Light among tons of others!

Once Upon a Time in the West soundtrack - Ennio Morricone. I have a deep affinity to Classical music and soundtracks. This particularly resonates due to watching the film numerous times growing up.

Queen – A Night at the Opera. For its pure theatrical exuberance, wondrous songwriting and evocative atmosphere.

Cat Stevens – Tea for the Tillerman. Inherited from my uncle, a masterpiece of warmhearted vocal delivery; emblazoned across a tapestry of magical songs. He could stop me in my tracks.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

The Spaghetti Western Orchestra.

Twelve bottles of sparkling courtesy as standard…

Nine trays of affable audio exchange…

Thirteen platters of eye contact, which renders neither who engage uncomfortable…

Forty-hundred-and-forty-four bursts of belly laughter (however, if not available, a harem of hearty cackles or sweeping, sideways mile-wide grins will suffice)...

One audience member willing to explore the art of unlimited, open-ended and non-conclusive possibilities (one is all that’s ever needed in any setting to create a fusion effect…’spark to a flame’ comes to mind).

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

All sorts of places that you can find via the ‘adventures tab’ on the website.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Be prepared to go it alone; allow yourself time to discover your most authentic voice. Keep making mistakes: we all make them until we get it right, even when we think we get it right we are still making mistakes! Art is a process of discovery. You’re learning and it’s a lifetime pursuit.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Stjepan Hauser (‘Hauser’)

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

It depends on what you call new: most music I tend to listen to is Classical and Ambient. I adore the cellist Stjepan Hauser and, if you want a night of pure silliness and true connection, my kindred spirit and dear friend Professor Elemental.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Professor Elemental

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I hear music in everything, my favourite musical sound is that of the ocean…hence, I find solitary endeavours such as walking on the coastline, conscious breathing and drinking Earl Grey tea whilst stroking a myriad of beautiful dogs (or cats; or horses…) are my favourite things to do…I always take time to take time out.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Adam & the Ants – Dog Eat Dog

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Follow Captain of the Lost Waves

Official:

http://captainofthelostwaves.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/captainofthelostwaves

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/captainofthelostwaves/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/CaptainOTLW

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2eMXY1pFGHO20S02fCNF5e

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/captainofthelostwaves

INTERVIEW: The Magic Lantern

INTERVIEW:

The Magic Lantern

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I have been speaking with The Magic Lantern...

about his new album, To the Islands, and what sort of themes/stories inspired it. He tells me about the music he grew up around and when he took up music; the albums that are most important to him and which rising artists we need to get behind.

The Magic Lantern talks about his future and reveals what tour dates are coming; if he gets time to chill away from music and what he wants to achieve next year – he ends the interview by selecting a great track.

__________

Hi, The Magic Lantern. How are you? How has your week been?

I’m pretty good, if a little hectic, and just about to go to a rehearsal. Last week was great, if slightly strange. My new album, To The Islands, has just came out so I’ve been in the Post Office quite a bit sending records to various far flung corners; but I’ve also had a little time on my hands before the majority of the tour starts. It feels weird; I’ve been so focused up to now that having any free time makes me feel like I’ve forgotten something really important!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

My name is Jamie Doe and I’m an Australian singer-songwriter living in London. I perform under the moniker of the ‘The Magic Lantern’ and To the Islands is my third album. My music doesn’t fit too neatly into any particular genre but reflects my curiosity.

I love the harmonic and textural openness of Jazz and the directness of Folk music and really believe in the power of the song form to convey emotion and ideas. My hope is that if the music works, it both allows me to express myself while allowing the listener to find expression in it for themselves too. To create in some quiet but powerful way, a sense of solidarity - which we could all do with more of right now.

To the Islands is your new album. Are there particular themes that inspired the record?

The album is a lot about memory and hope. About three years ago, I was lost. I went back to Australia for the first time in nearly ten years looking for the foundation myths that I had carried around with me and which I thought had made me who I was. I didn’t find them and, in some cases, I realised that I must have made them up. It was a dislocating experience and coupled with a ridiculously acute heartbreak, I came back to London feeling pretty fragile but with a bunch of ideas for songs and a book - To the Islands by Randolph Stow, given to me as a parting gift.

Around the same time, my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, so memory and what it means; how it shapes our sense of self and our hope for the future, naturally evolved into a key theme that I was exploring through these songs.

 PHOTO CREDIT: Kasia Wozniak

How did you get into music? Was there a particular moment you knew it was a path you had to pursue?

We sing as a family whenever we get together. It’s always the same bunch of songs (a mix of workers songs, ’60s classics and the odd hymn) and we still only ever remember a few verses for each one but, ever since I was a kid, we’ve been singing. My mum also used to play the organ as a kid so we got a piano when I was young and I started learning. I remember when I was eleven my mum got me Kind of Blue by Miles Davis and a live record by Keith Jarrett and, right then, I decided that all I wanted to do was play piano like that and play cricket for Australia. It hasn't turned out exactly like that, but that’s where it started.

Can you give me a sense of the artists you grew up around? When did music come into your life?

My sister would make these amazing mix tapes for long car trips. They were mainly my mum’s favourite tunes from the ’60s so lots of Beatles, Neil Sedaka; The Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel; Sonny and Cher etc. Still, when I hear anything like that it makes me think of driving along the South Coast near Batemans Bay on a hot day and the fish and chips we’d get when we arrived at the beach.

My dad has always been a big Paul Robson fan so there was a lot of this rich voice blaring out from this study.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

As many walks with my dad and Mick the dog as possible.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

To get a job (that earns actual money). I had to borrow quite a lot of money to finish the album and, while my kneecaps are safe for now, I can’t pay my debts in critical praise alone.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Going to buy my guitar with my dad twelve years ago. I went to the Spanish Guitar Centre in London three or four times and had my heart set on this one guitar. I was just starting out in London trying to get gigs. My dad came to visit me and I told him that this was what I wanted to do. There wasn’t much to go on at that stage, but he said he believed in me and we went back to the shop and got the guitar I’d been eyeing up. It’s still the guitar I play today.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Kind of Blue - Miles Davis

This record changed my life. It was one of the first Jazz records I got and the sound, the mood; the confidence that comes off it, like they knew that this was important, entranced me. In particular, Bill Evans playing on the track Blue in Green had me listening to it sometimes twenty times in a row on repeat.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kasia Wozniak

Penguin Eggs - Nic Jones

When I was a teenager, I got introduced to the great folk guitarists of the ’60s revival such as Bert Jansch, John Martyn and Davy Graham and I loved them. I loved how they made the accompaniment as important and beautiful as the song. They also made it seem effortless. But, it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I came across Nic Jones and his seminal album, Penguin Eggs. His story is pretty tragic - a motorcycle accident in his thirties really robbed him of his ability to play - but when you listen to him play on those early records, it’s clear that he was the cream of the crop. The absolute best Folk guitarist and an incredible singer. He still sets the standard.

Chet Baker Sings - Chet Baker

I got given this as a present on my fourteenth birthday. Without noticing, I would sing along as I listened and, pretty soon, I could sing the whole album; mimicking his style, word for word and note for note; singing along to the trumpet solos too. Years later, when I started writing my own songs, people would come up and say they thought I sounded a little like Chet Baker and, over the years, I came to see how big an influence he was on my singing. I love this record. It’s a safe place.

As Christmas is coming up; if you had to ask for one present what would it be?

A slot on Jools Holland!

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I would support Sam Amidon, Sufjan Stevens or Randy Newman - all three are musicians who I really love and admire. I don’t like to eat before I play but, afterwards, a beer, some good fried chicken and a hang listening to records would be a blast.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

I watched a documentary about Bill Withers where he urged people to ‘take a look around, as this might be as good as it gets’, which I think it pretty good advice and not at all what it might appear. That’s to say, that while drive and ambition are important and useful motivators, you’ve got to enjoy the process and what you’re doing and making right now, in front of these people, in this room. There is no gig more important than the one you’re actually doing.

PHOTO CREDIT: Kasia Wozniak

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

Yep. I’m on tour in the U.K. right now through to mid-December promoting the album. Come and say hi!

17 November - House Show, Birmingham

18 November - The Bicycle Shop, Norwich

21 November - The Lighthouse, Deal

23 November - Pindrop Sessions, London

24 November - Unamplifire Festival, London

28 November - The Prince Albert, Stroud

11 December - SET, London

12 December - The Tap Social, Oxford

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

I’m a big fan of Snowpoet, Dick Wag; PicaPica, Alabaster dePlume and Seamus Fogarty. They’re all good friends making music in London and, between them, the most inspiring musicians I know. While they’re all very different, they are each in their own way doing incredible things. Have a listen.

 IN THIS PHOTO: PicaPica

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I’m not very good a switching off, but I’m a big cricket fan. I set up a team (Clapton & Oval C.C.) with some friends in East London eight years ago and it’s one of the great joys of my life. We've made the middle of the North East London’s league table our own. What we lack in top order batting we make up for in team spirit and bad puns.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

I Wish I Wish by Sam Amidon

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Follow The Magic Lantern

Official:

https://the-magic-lantern.co.uk/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TheMagicLantern/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/Magiclanternuk

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2jIhiAEbmLrPj69WLM2R3V?si=a4Us7Y7WTKG6bnFzsFvaYw

FEATURE: California’s Dreamin'? The Chaos and Horror of the Wildfires and Mass Shooting and the Effect on the Californian Music Community

FEATURE:

 

 

California’s Dreamin'?

IN THIS PHOTO: Santa Monica, California/PHOTO CREDIT: @rutgerg_sink_sink_sink_sink_sink  

The Chaos and Horror of the Wildfires and Mass Shooting and the Effect on the Californian Music Community

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NATURAL disasters and climate-related destruction…

 IN THIS PHOTO: Part of a staircase stands amid the remains of a home that was one of thousands destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise, Calif., north of Sacramento; 8th Nov., 2018/PHOTO CREDIT: Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images

is becoming more common and, as the temperature rises; certain areas of the world are vulnerable to wildfires and needless destruction. You have to wonder whether President Donald Trump will do anything to redress the issues in California and the loss that has been incurred. He seems pretty unmoved when it comes to climate change and is one of those people who assume everything is fine and nothing needs to be done. You can hardly avoid the news and the terrible details we are hearing about California. The BBC has given an update regarding death toll and the latest news:

“The death toll in wildfires sweeping California has risen to 31, with more than 200 people still missing, officials have said.

Six more people were confirmed killed in the Camp Fire in the north of the state, taking the toll there to 29.

That fire now equals the deadliest on record in California - the 1933 Griffith Park disaster in Los Angeles.

In the south, the Woolsey Fire has claimed two lives as it damaged beach resorts including Malibu.

An estimated 250,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to avoid three major blazes in the state.

With strengthening winds threatening to spread the flames, California Governor Jerry Brown has urged President Donald Trump to declare a major disaster, a move that would harness more federal emergency funds...

 

The appeal came a day after Mr Trump threatened to cut funding for California, blaming the fires on poor forest management.

Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, called the president's comments "reckless and insulting".

California is one of the world’s biggest economies – bigger than the U.K. – and to hear about such loss and suffering there is horrible. One can only imagine the distress felt by those seeing their homes go up and losing everything they own. Although a small gesture; Kim Kardashian-West has ‘dedicated’ an award to the brave firefighters:

“Kim Kardashian-West has dedicated an award win to the emergency services dealing with wildfires and a mass shooting in California.

Accepting the award for best reality TV series at the E! People's Choice Awards, she said: "We truly appreciate what you've done for all of us."

She's one of several celebrities who have had to flee their homes as wildfires spread across the state.

A gunman also killed 12 people at a bar in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday.

Speaking at the award ceremony on Sunday, Kim said: "Our country is stronger when we come together and we cannot face devastation alone.

"We must continue to reach out and help each other in these trying times".

There are two California-based ‘events’ I want to look at but the unending and horrific wildfires that are sweeping through the state and destroying homes and lives is something that is affecting the music community. I am sad every time a musician is affected by bad weather here. Whether it is flooding or strong winds; you hear about big bands and artists having their studios destroyed and losing so much. In California, I am reading reports of studios and homes being devastated.

IN THIS PHOTO: Neil Young performs at Festival d'ete de Quebec on 6th July, 2018 in Quebec City, Canada/PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Legato/Getty Images

There are a lot of less-known, local musicians whose homes and studios have been impacted but Neil Young has spoken about his loss. This article looks at the loss incurred and how it is affecting some of the California-based musicians:

“Neil Young has criticised Donald Trump for his reluctance to act on climate change after California wildfires destroyed the songwriter’s home.

In a tweet posted on 10 November, the US president blamed California’s “gross mismanagement of the forests” for the damage caused by the wildfires in northern and southern California. He implied that federal funding would be withdrawn if the situation was not rectified.

In a post on his website, Young responded: “California is vulnerable – not because of poor forest management as DT (our so-called president) would have us think. We are vulnerable because of climate change; the extreme weather events and our extended drought is part of it.”

Young is among a number of stars known to have been affected by the wildfires. David Bowie’s long-term pianist Mike Garson tweeted on Saturdayabout losing his home and studio. Actor Gerard Butler posted a photograph of his charred home and thanked firefighters for their “courage, spirit and sacrifice”. Miley Cyrus said that she lost her home but escaped with her fiancé, the actor Liam Hemsworth, and their animals.

Lady Gaga tweeted that she had been evacuated from her residence. “I’m sitting here with many of you wondering if my home will burst into flames.”

Katy Perry and Rod Stewart also criticised Trump over his tweets. “This is an absolutely heartless response,” Perry tweeted. Stewart said: “California needs words of support & encouragement, not threats or finger pointing & accusations”.

 

I know natural disasters impact all parts of America but the fact California has suffered such loss and houses such a wide and important music community makes me fearful of the future. Trump might be in the White House for another six years – horrifying to think! – and you wonder whether he will ever budge when it comes to climate control. He is in the dark and is blissfully unaware of the realities that face the world. Look at all the important culture that comes from California and realise how vulnerable it is. The full death toll will not be known until the fires are extinguished and one cannot truly say how much physical loss there will be regarding homes and businesses. The fact that some big-name musicians have been impacted is bad enough but there are many more, who will not make the news, who will have to rebuild their studios and homes and start again. Every right-minded person knows about global warming and how climate change is affecting the planet and for a nation to be run by someone so ignorant is terrifying and doing untold damage. Who knows how many other wildfires will ravage California and what damage that will do?! Another horror that has impacted the U.S. state is the gun massacre that occurred recently.  A few days ago, we had to hear the news of yet another mass shooting in America.

The BBC provided news as it unfolded:

“A US Marine Corps veteran with suspected mental health issues killed 12 people in a busy bar in California, including a policeman, officials say.

The shooting began at 23:20 local time on Wednesday in Thousand Oaks about 40 miles (65km) north-west of Los Angeles.

At least 200 people were reportedly inside the Borderline Bar and Grill, which was hosting a student line-dancing night.

Police named the suspect as 28-year-old Ian David Long.

Earlier this year, police mental health professionals cleared him after he was found behaving "irrationally" at his home, said authorities.

One survivor said he and his friends also escaped death last year in the deadliest US mass shooting of modern times, when a gunman killed 58 people at a Las Vegas country music concert.

Nicholas Champion told CBS News: "We're all a big family and unfortunately this family got hit twice."

Popular among students, the bar is close to California Lutheran University, Pepperdine University and Moorpark College”.

Although the shooting happened at a line dancing event; a lot of Country music fans attended the bar and some, as you can see, survived the horrific shooting in Las Vegas. Like climate change and the effect it is having on California/the U.S.; many are calling for stricter gun control and new laws. Whereas there has been a physical loss – property etc. – with regards the wildfires; the killings at Borderline was an attack on music fans in a very popular and populated part of California. I was angered when writing about the murders in Las Vegas last year and felt that, given the loss of life, how can someone like Trump stay still and ignore the massive issue in the country?!

You can guarantee there will be more wildfires and there will be more mass shootings. One suspects we have not, sadly, heard the last of attacks against the music community and the huge loss being suffered by many in California right now. An economy and state as big as California, one would feel, would be more secure than other parts of America. The fact that many could have seen these wildfires coming is a result of a lack of empathy and understanding from the President. The massacre that claimed so many lives a few days ago, again, is a problem that can be traced to Trump and his ineffectiveness. It seems gun laws are stricter and more regulated in other parts of America:

“A California law designed to help police or family members keep guns out of the hands of at-risk individuals might have stopped the shooter who killed 12 people at a country and western bar.

After a mass shooting four years ago, the state passed a new law where courts could be asked to temporarily bar an at-risk person from owning guns.

The massacre in Thousand Oaks, California, has troubling parallels to the 2014 shooting, experts said, highlighting the fact that California’s three-year-old “gun violence restraining order” law is still rarely used.

Passed in the wake of the 2014 Isla Vista shooting, the new law was designed to close gaps in existing laws on mental health and violence – gaps that had allowed the Isla Vista shooter, Elliot Rodger, to legally own guns, despite a history of disturbing behavior that had alarmed his family and prompted a welfare check from law enforcement.

“There are a lot of law enforcement officers in this state who have never heard of the gun violence restraining order,” said Allison Anderman, the managing attorney at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, who is working to improve implementation of the law.

“There’s nothing at the state level that I’m aware of that requires officers to be trained in this law”.

This is an absolutely heartless response. There aren’t even politics involved. Just good American families losing their homes as you tweet, evacuating into shelters. https://t.co/DJ4PN26bLZ

— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) November 10, 2018

Maybe, you say, ordinary folk have suffered more than the music community regarding these two events – and you’d be right in many ways. I am not suggesting the lives of musicians are more important than anyone else’s but I can see how the shootings and wildfires have affected the community; from some world-famous artists to less-known musicians; it has been a hellacious and devastating last week or two. Whilst there has been some very visible and notable damage done to the musical community in California; one wonders what comes next and what the next step is going to be. One suspects there will be a benefit or fundraising concert and I suspect big artists like Neil Young and Katy Perry will contribute. I am sure Neil Young will write a song about the events – when he can get into a new studio/home – and the music community will react with anger. Fundraising and raising awareness is a good step and it will help spread messages to the world. We all know about climate change and gun massacres in the U.S. but recent occurrences, again, have raised calls for greater action regarding climate change laws and stricter gun control. Other parts of America’s music community are affected by climate and gun concerns but California is completely opposed to Trump and what he stands for. If California’s musicians and music locations want to avoid needless loss and devastation then is succeeding the answer?! The New Statesman gives some more details:

“The concept of “Calexit”, or “Wexit” if joined by other progressive western states such as Washington and Oregon, has existed for years, drawing inspiration from fellow independence movements in Scotland and Catalonia. But it was in the wake of Donald Trump’s election as US president that the campaign truly gained traction. On issues such as immigration and free trade, Trump’s politics are diametrically opposed to those of California...

IN THIS PHOTO: Malibu, California/PHOTO CREDIT: @xangriffin

Evans was in Sacramento, the state capital, the day after Trump’s victory in November 2016. “People were just walking around the streets and crying,” he recalled. “It was weird. I’ve never seen that before. People just crying uncontrollably everywhere you went.”

Yes California’s membership increased by 400 per cent after election day. The organisation’s mailing list now has 98,000 subscribers; its Facebook page has 42,000 members, which, Evans pointed out, is only a few thousand less than the page for the California Democratic Party. In January 2017, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed support for state independence had risen from 20 per cent to 32 per cent; a Stanford University poll the same month found that 36 per cent of 18- t0 29-year-old Californians were in favour of secession, with a further 23 per cent undecided.

The notion of an independent California is far from absurd. The state’s Democratic governor Jerry Brown views “the sixth-largest economy of the world as capable of playing more of a nation state-like role”, his biographer, Orville Schell, told Politico last year.

In May, California surpassed the UK to become the world’s fifth-largest economy with a gross state product (the equivalent of GDP) of $2.747trn. Crucially, it is also a net contributor to the US federal budget: it receives considerably less ($356bn) than it pays in ($369bn). The state’s population of 39.54 million makes it larger than Poland”.

The music coming from has always been vital and I fear the long-term effects of Trump’s naivety and ineffectiveness will mean we’ll see more natural disaster, shootings and who knows what. The state is a huge economy and power in its own right but, essentially, still has to live in Trump’s America. You might say that California separating itself from the rest of America is extreme but we can see the devastation unfolding and how recent events have happened so easily. If California could be its own entity then I feel it could mean gun laws coming in and fast and effective climate control regulations. I am not sure what the government there would have in mind but it would mean having some sort of say and independence. Whilst it would be a good and smart move for the citizens; I feel the music community could also benefit. If we could avoid the sort of tragedy felt the last week then that would be a good thing. The state is vulnerable and I feel something needs to be done. As I said; who knows what could happen next regarding another tragedy. There is a fear and sense of unease in California and the fact Trump’s blind consciousness and general buffoonery is leading to needless loss of life is good enough reason to talk about the state becoming independent. I am not sure whether it will ever be realised but many, not only in the music world, would like to see it happen. The Golden State has a glorious music scene and so many artists we all rely on and, under Trump; there is this tarnishing and general unhappiness that need to be combated. If California rebelling against Trump and separating themselves from the U.S. prevents devastation and huge loss of life then I am all for it. The music community is being hit hard and effected in different ways and it is very clear...

IN THIS PHOTO: Flames from a wildfire burn a portion of Griffith Park in Los Angeles, California; 9th November, 2018/PHOTO CREDIT: ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

SOMETHING needs to be done!   

FEATURE: Ending the Decade in Style: Part V/V: The Finest Albums of 1969

FEATURE:

 

 

Ending the Decade in Style

PHOTO CREDIT: @trommelkopf/Unsplash  

Part V/V: The Finest Albums of 1969

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THE reason I want to put together a new feature…

 PHOTO CREDIT: @romankraft/Unsplash

is to shine a light on the albums that end a decade with a huge bang. I feel it is hard to define what a decade is about and how it evolves but the first and last years are crucial. Entering a decade with a big album is a great way to stand out and, similarly, ending it with something stunning is vital. It can be hard leaving a brilliant and bountiful decade of music but I wanted to shine a light on the artists who brought out albums that did justice; gave hope the next decade would be full, exciting and brilliant. I will do a five-part series about albums that opened a decade with panache but, right now, the fifth in a five-part feature that collates the best decade-enders from the 1960s, 1970s; 1980s, 1990s and the 2000s. I am focusing on 1969 and the best ten records from the year. The 1960s was a truly staggering decade and some of the very best records from the decade were released right at the very end. Have a look at these ten 1969-released albums and I am sure you will agree that the 1960s was a pretty....

 PHOTO CREDIT: @priscilladupreez/Unsplash

FANTASTIC decade.

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The Beatles – Abbey Road

Release Date: 26th September, 1969 (U.K.)/1st October, 1969 (U.S.)

Label: Apple

Review:

“Then, just for a moment, we're into Paul's "You Never Give Me Your Money," which seems more a daydream than an actual address to the girl he's thinking about. Allowed to remain pensive only for an instant, we're next transported, via Paul's "Lady Madonna" voice and boogie-woogie piano in the bridge, to this happy thought: "Oh, that magic feelin'/Nowhere to go." Crickets' chirping and a kid's nursery rhyme ("1-2-3-4-5-6-7/All good children go to heaven") lead us from there into a dreamy John number, "Sun King," in which we find him singing for the Italian market, words like amore and felice giving us some clue as to the feel of this reminiscent-of-"In My Room" ballad.

And then, before we know what's happened, we're out in John Lennon's England meeting these two human oddities, Mean Mr. Mustard and Polythene Pam. From there it's off to watch a surreal afternoon telly programme, Paul's "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window." Pensive and a touch melancholy again a moment later, we're into "Golden Slumbers," from which we wake to the resounding thousands of voices on "Carry That Weight," a rollicking little commentary of life's labours if ever there was one, and hence to a reprise of the "Money" theme (the most addicting melody and unforgettable words on the album). Finally, a perfect epitaph for our visit to the world of Beatle daydreams: "The love you take is equal to the love you make ..." And, just for the record, Paul's gonna make Her Majesty his.

I'd hesitate to say anything's impossible for him after listening to Abbey Road the first thousand times, and the others aren't far behind. To iy mind, they're equatable, but still unsurpassed” – Rolling Stone

Standout Track: Come Together

 

Led Zeppelin – Led Zeppelin II

Release Date: 22nd October, 1969

Label: Atlantic

Review:

“Every track on this record is musically brilliant, and in the span of just a few months it’s amazing how much Page had enriched the band’s sound. Chiming acoustic guitars provide the contrast to the crunch in a whole new way on “Ramble On” and “Thank You”, offering yet another template for mixing folk with proto-metal. “Whole Lotta Love” might have gotten the band sued by Willie Dixon, but there was no sonic precedent for it in rock music—it’s a sound that would have been unimaginable without the rise of drug culture. If you are not a drummer, it’s hard to imagine listening to “Moby Dick” very often, but better evidence of John Bonham’s genius is found elsewhere on the record. Zep’s rhythmic underpinning, especially the locked-in tandem of Jones and Bonham, was always their secret weapon, the thing that divided them from contemporaries like Black Sabbath” – Pitchfork

Standout Track: Moby Dick

The Rolling Stones – Let It Bleed

Release Date: 5th December, 1969

Labels: Decca (U.K.); London (U.S.)

Review:

“The Stones were never as consistent on album as their main rivals, the Beatles, and Let It Bleed suffers from some rather perfunctory tracks, like "Monkey Man" and a countrified remake of the classic "Honky Tonk Woman" (here titled "Country Honk"). Yet some of the songs are among their very best, especially "Gimme Shelter," with its shimmering guitar lines and apocalyptic lyrics; the harmonica-driven "Midnight Rambler"; the druggy party ambience of the title track; and the stunning "You Can't Always Get What You Want," which was the Stones' "Hey Jude" of sorts, with its epic structure, horns, philosophical lyrics, and swelling choral vocals. "You Got the Silver" (Keith Richards' first lead vocal) and Robert Johnson's "Love in Vain," by contrast, were as close to the roots of acoustic down-home blues as the Stones ever got” – AllMusic   

Standout Track: Gimme Shelter                   

Nick Drake – Five Leaves Left

Release Date: 3rd July, 1969

Label: Island

Review:

“Drake is often painted as a retiring man, yet he was often extremely vocal over his muse. He and Boyd initially fought over Drake's wish for a stripped back approach (which he eventually found on his last masterpiece, Pink Moon). In the end old college friend, Robert Kirby, provided orchestration that beautifully captured the yearning 'autumnal' element in the songs "Way To Blue" and "Day Is Done".

What's more, the string arrangement by Harry Robinson on "River Man" - possibly Drake's finest song - succinctly turned his Delius-meets-folk-jazz opus into something that no one had ever heard before. It's a key text for Drake fans, containing the return to nature matched against the infidelities of city life: A theme he would return to again and again, while the album title's sly reference to smoker's delights (as well as "Thoughts Of Mary Jane") showed that Drake was no stranger to the standard musician's indulgences.

Widely ignored upon its release, with hindsight it's easy to see how such ignorance conspired to make Drake a bitter man. Yet ultimately all we can do is bask in the unique vision captured here and be grateful that, for a short period, Nick Drake was able to share it with us all” – BBC

Standout Track: Way to Blue

Bob Dylan – Nashville Skyline

Release Date: 9th April, 1969  

Label: Columbia  

Review:

“John Wesley Harding suggested country with its textures and structures, but Nashville Skyline was a full-fledged country album, complete with steel guitars and brief, direct songs. It's a warm, friendly album, particularly since Bob Dylan is singing in a previously unheard gentle croon -- the sound of his voice is so different it may be disarming upon first listen, but it suits the songs. While there are a handful of lightweight numbers on the record, at its core are several excellent songs -- "Lay Lady Lay," "To Be Alone With You," "I Threw It All Away," "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You," as well as a duet with Johnny Cash on "Girl From the North Country" -- that have become country-rock standards. And there's no discounting that Nashville Skyline, arriving in the spring of 1969, established country-rock as a vital force in pop music, as well as a commercially viable genre” – Allmusic

Standout Track: Lay, Lady, Lay

 

Dusty Springfield – Dusty in Memphis

Release Date: 31st March, 1969

Label: Atlantic

Review:

“Sometimes memories distort or inflate the quality of recordings deemed legendary, but in the case of Dusty in Memphis, the years have only strengthened its reputation. The idea of taking England's reigning female soul queen to the home of the music she had mastered was an inspired one. The Jerry Wexler/Tom Dowd/Arif Mardin production and engineering team picked mostly perfect songs, and those that weren't so great were salvaged by Springfield's marvelous delivery and technique. This set has definitive numbers in "So Much Love," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Breakfast in Bed," "Just One Smile," "I Don't Want to Hear About It Anymore," and "Just a Little Lovin'" and three bonus tracks: an unreleased version of "What Do You Do When Love Dies," "Willie & Laura Mae Jones" and "That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho)." It's truly a disc deserving of its classic status” – AllMusic

Standout Track: Son of a Preacher Man

MC5 – Kick Out the Jams

Release Date: February 1969

Label: Elektra

Review:

“Since 1965, singer Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred “Sonic” Smith, bassist Michael Smith and drummer Dennis Thompson had been cutting their teeth in and around the Motor City: gradually evolving from British Invasion and garage rock foundations to incorporate the region’s R&B influences and even the work of free jazz exponents like John Coltrane and space-jazz legend Sun-Ra.

The latter’s unique aesthetic would duly inform Kick Out the Jams’ tripped-out "Starship," while those osmosis-acquired R&B and blues lessons made their presence known in apocalyptic blasts like "Rocket Reducer No. 62 (Rama Lama Fa Fa Fa)," "‘Motor City is Burning" and "I Want You Right Now." Finally, the young group’s interpretation of rock and roll history resulted in heavy rock and proto-punk slabs such as "Ramblin’ Rose," "Come Together" and "Borderline." Fittingly, the LP stirred public opinion as soon as it hit record store shelves — seemingly because of Tyner’s profane invocation while announcing the title track (later overdubbed with “Kick out the jams, brothers and sisters”), but primarily due to the militant associations spearheaded by band manager John Sinclair.

Much more than a simple manager, Sinclair carefully orchestrated a comprehensive philosophical manifesto for the MC5 — one that went well beyond their music and, although rooted in the same, wide-ranging call for societal reform prevalent throughout the late-‘60s, took things quite a few steps further into fiery activism and included a controversial affiliation with the White Panther Party.

Between these two points of conflict, mainstream retail chains were soon refusing to carry the album (and anything released by Elektra, for that matter), inevitably forcing the record company to censor Tyner’s rallying cry, as explained above (though not before limited quantities landed behind record store counters), and irreparably damaging band/label relations.

Within the year, Sinclair would be incarcerated on trumped-up drugs charges, Elektra would drop the MC5 for fear of further recriminations, and the band would never recover their musical or emotional momentum, thus making Kick Out the Jams an even more historically unique and, ironically, powerful musical statement that still reverberates down the decades” – Ultimate Classic Rock

Standout Track: Kick Out the Jams

 

Scott Walker – Scott 4

Release Date: November 1969

Labels: Phillips; Fontana

Review:

“Walker dropped out of the British Top Ten with his fourth album, but the result was probably his finest '60s LP. While the tension between the bloated production and his introspective, ambitious lyrics remains, much of the over-the-top bombast of the orchestral arrangements has been reined in, leaving a relatively stripped-down approach that complements his songs rather than smothering them. This is the first Walker album to feature entirely original material, and his songwriting is more lucid and cutting. Several of the tracks stand among his finest. "The Seventh Seal," based upon the classic film by Ingmar Bergman, features remarkably ambitious (and relatively successful) lyrics set against a haunting Ennio Morricone-style arrangement. "The Old Man's Back Again" also echoes Morricone, and tackles no less ambitious a lyrical palette; "dedicated to the neo-Stalinist regime," the "old man" of this song was supposedly Josef Stalin. "Hero of the War" is also one of Walker's better vignettes, serenading his war hero with a cryptic mix of tribute and irony. Other songs show engaging folk, country, and soul influences that were largely buried on his previous solo albums” – AllMusic

Standout Track: The Seventh Seal

 

The Stooges – The Stooges

Release Date: 5th August, 1969

Label: Elektra

Review:

“The Stooges were signed to the peace-and-love promoting Elektra Records when A&R man Danny Fields caught them in concert as he was signing the MC5. After being forced by label boss Jac Holzman to write more material, The Stooges was produced by John Cale immediately after leaving the Velvet Underground. Cale’s all-faders-open production is one of the most exciting captured on record. This is rock at its most primordial. Ron Asheton’s guitar solo on “I Wanna Be Your Dog” has absolutely nothing to do with virtuoso grandstanding – it’s played as if his whole life depends on it. “No Fun” dispels any notion that the 60s were all about hippie harmony

The Stooges’ debut album is the original punk rock rush on record, a long-held well-kept secret by those in the know. The influence on John Lydon and Mark E. Smith in particular is immense. Rolling Stone said in 1992 that “there’s a finely honed metal-edge to the Stooges' Motor City psychedelia that keeps it from sounded dated.” This is absolutely true; it sounds like it’s been recorded in a garage this very morning” – BBC

Standout Track: 1969

 

Creedence Clearwater Revival – Willy and the Poor Boys

Release Date: 2nd November, 1969

Label: Fantasy

Review:

“Make no mistake, Willy & the Poor Boys is a fun record, perhaps the breeziest album CCR ever made. Apart from the eerie minor-key closer "Effigy" (one of John Fogerty's most haunting numbers), there is little of the doom that colored Green River. Fogerty's rage remains, blazing to the forefront on "Fortunate Son," a working-class protest song that cuts harder than any of the explicit Vietnam protest songs of the era, which is one of the reasons that it hasn't aged where its peers have. Also, there's that unbridled vocal from Fogerty and the ferocious playing on CCR, which both sound fresh as they did upon release. "Fortunate Son" is one of the greatest, hardest rock & rollers ever cut, so it might seem to be out of step with an album that is pretty laid-back and friendly, but there's that elemental joy that by late '69 was one of CCR's main trademarks. That joy runs throughout the album, from the gleeful single "Down on the Corner" and the lazy jugband blues of "Poorboy Shuffle" through the great slow blues jam "Feelin' Blue" to the great rockabilly spiritual "Don't Look Now," one of Fogerty's overlooked gems. The covers don't feel like throwaways, either, since both "Cotton Fields" and "The Midnight Special" have been overhauled to feel like genuine CCR songs. It all adds up to one of the greatest pure rock & roll records ever cut” – AllMusic  

Standout Track: Down on the Corner

INTERVIEW: Charlie Melrose

INTERVIEW:

Charlie Melrose

___________

MY final interview today...

is with Brighton-based Charlie Melrose who talks to me about her single, The Original Ghost, and its background. I ask what it is like having famous musicians in the family and what she has planned going forward – Melrose talks about some rising artists we need to get behind.

I was curious to discover what her early life was like in terms of music exposure; whether there are plans in her mind for next year and which musical memory stands in the mind – she ends the interview by selecting a great song (or two)!

__________

Hi, Charlie. How are you? How has your week been?

I’m good! Are you? My week has been manic but good. I’ve been prepping for the upcoming single launch; we’ve got a lot planned for this event!

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

I’m am Artpop/Neo-Soul artist brought up in Scotland/Cornwall and now based in Brighton.

The Original Ghost is your new single. Is there a story behind it?

Yeah, there is…

I suppose perhaps it comes across as a song written by a ghosted lover…but it’s not how it is. The song is about my biological father - he is the ‘original ghost’ in my life story; coming in and out of my life (mostly out) as he pleased and me spending most of my childhood and adult life not knowing his address or where he might be. Maybe some would shun a ‘father’ like that…unfortunately, for me, I just accepted it and got hurt and hurt over and over. It affected my relationships with men and I got into a vicious circle of going out with men who would treat me in a similar way to him; not taking any of my feelings into account. I didn't see myself as worthy deep down because the child in me thought ‘there must be something really bad about me that I’m not worth contacting or caring about’ - so I let it keep happening.

But, one day (about this time last year actually), I stood up to my ghost. Through a lot of hard work, I have convinced myself that I am worthy of better treatment and…love. I agreed to meet him in Brighton (he was on tour with Hazel O’Connor - his sister and my aunt) and I was extremely brave. I stood up to him and told him that what he had done to me was wrong and that I was in charge now - and I told him I was never to hear from him again; he is not allowed to contact me ever again and he shan’t ever hear from me or follow me on social media. I took control of the situation and ghosted him back. Forever, done; capiche.

I walked away crying and laughing at the same time. It was the single most empowering and terrifying thing I have ever done. The Original Ghost embodies some of that empowerment and also tells of some of the story that I have been through with him and relationships.

Might we see some more material coming next year?

Absolutely! This is just the beginning - I’m aiming to release an album; there may be some more singles first.

Hazel O’Connor is your aunt! How influential is she in regards your music?

She is! She’s not been massively influential on purpose. Weirdly, I got told something very strange when I performed in my first band at nineteen. It was a battle of the bands-type thing. The judge said “You probably don’t know who this is but you remind me of Hazel O’Connor”. I was astonished. My response was “Well, I don’t know her personally…but she is my auntie”.

The first time I met her I saw her at a gig and it was very emotional for me. She was fantastic. I felt so sad that I had missed out on having her in my life for my whole childhood. She seemed almost like a myth to me…but we really were related. Maybe she was another sort of ghost; someone I looked up to but never knew...

Did you grow up in a musical family? Which artists did you discover at a young age?

My musical family are my ghosts - Hazel and Neil. My mum and my stepdad are not musical at all: my mum has always been really supportive but admits she didn’t particularly want me to sing because she knew how unreliable of a career path it was. But, it was impossible for me to not pursue music. It feels like it’s a huge part of what makes me who I am.

Artists I loved at a young age weren’t particularly good. Haha. My favourite singer was ‘Sporty Spice’ when I was a kid, no joke! I loved her. I used to dress like her and everything. In my teens I was into Emo and Punk (and Metal apparently but I was massively lying to myself on that one) and, in my late-teens, I loved Michael Jackson, Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black (and still do); Wallis Bird’s Spoons and Kate Nash’s Made of Bricks.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

A successful launch of The Original Ghost and some festival slots booked for next year.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

Absolutely: write and record the album, tour and play festivals.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Yeah. I sure do. I used to front a Punk/Rock band and we opened the Main Stage for the Buzzcocks at Rebellion Festival (2012) to a huge crowd in a big ballroom (Blackpool Winter Gardens). The feeling on that stage was phenomenal.

Which three albums mean the most to you would you say (and why)?

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

So beautifully written; so real, so heartbreaking; just incredible. Amy touches my soul.

For All We Know - Nao

Amazing music with pure passion and GROOVE. My favourite modern artist besides Christine and the Queens.

Spoons - Wallis Bird

Every song means something to me; it’s such a brilliant album. I think songs you really incredibly love as a teenager will always take you back to those moments that you identified so deeply with at the time. It’s very nostalgic for me.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

Christine and the Queens, please! That would be so sick.

Ooooh; rider. Prosecco, grapes; loads of water (boring but essential. Haha), roasted vegetable wraps; roast potatoes (for afterwards, please); dairy-free chocolate milk and vanilla yoghurts.

Haha. I’m talking to you like you’re booking me.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

If you have a passion, drive and a plan you’re halfway there. Want it. Want it bad. But, don’t want it so much that you forget to enjoy the journey. There will be moments where you’ll tear your hair out and you’ll wonder what the point of it all is - and then you’ll play ‘that gig’ and that’ll remind you exactly why you’re doing it.

IN THIS PHOTO: Yazmyn Hendrix

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Yazmyn Hendrix is epic! Loop artist with all the vocal chops and a fantastic songwriter. Tasha Robertson is wonderful. I sang backing vocals for her for Sofar Sounds Chichester. She has a lovely, sweet voice and folky, poppy tunes. She’s like a sweeter more tuneful Kate Nash.

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I love yoga and surfing. I love exploring and adventures. I really need an adventure every once in a while to chill my mind out. I’m quite a highly-strung anxious sort of person who needs to be reminded to have a day off. I love countryside missions and riding horses. I also love to DANCE.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Christine and the Queens - Girlfriend

OR

Bad Blood - Nao

Both are wonderful

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Follow Charlie Melrose

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/charliemelrosemusic/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/charliemelrose/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xPg9VQMYIHLCVxB0zHjNS?si=NYSsPxn8TG-JcawljgPbAw

SoundCloud:

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YouTube:

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INTERVIEW: Lost Cousins

INTERVIEW:

Lost Cousins

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I have been speaking with Lost Cousins...

about their new single, Stay, and how it came together. I was keen to know how the band found one another and what the story is; if there is going to be more material coming through and whether there are going to be some tour dates approaching.

The guys talks to me about some rising artists to watch and the advice they’d give to approaching musicians; how they chill away from music – they reveal which people they’d like as ‘lost cousins’ if they could choose anyone in the world.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Our week’s been great! It’s been a little hectic between preparing for some upcoming shows and being consumed by the process of releasing new music - and a few other cool things we’ve been cooking up - but we’re excited to share our new material.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Of course! We’re Lost Cousins; a four-piece Psych-Rock band from Toronto, Canada. People have described our sound as a mix between Tame Impala, Local Natives; Washed Out and My Morning Jacket. Lots of big ambient textures but with a big dynamic range and driving rhythms.

Stay is your new single. Is there a story behind it?

There is a subtle story behind Stay. It’s about moving away from somewhere that you love to a new, unfamiliar place. Our drummer and singer Cam moved across the country when he was a kid and our band moved to a new city right after school, so the song sort of touches on both of those experiences. The lyrics are about sitting in the backseat of a car and staring at the changing scenery that passes while awaiting a new beginning.

Might there be more material coming next year?

We have another new single coming out on November 23rd and our debut album, In Scenery, is scheduled for Feb. 1st release!

I believe there is an interesting story behind the formation of Lost Cousins. Can you elaborate…?

Lost Cousins stemmed originally from the name of one of our songs. The group started as a project that gained and lost members through a ‘friend of a friend’-type system and was gaining new fans solely through playing shows. We had virtually no music online and so the band was facilitated entirely through friend groups. Due to the fact that the group started in university, each one of us had moved from a different city and ended up playing music together in another.

I think, because we all left friends and family in our respective homes, we felt a sense of new community, but also the loss of another. The name ‘Lost Cousins’ came from those feelings. People always say to us “Hey. I have some cousins I haven’t heard from in years” and that sort of explains what the band name means – feeling connected to people outside of your physical environment, who you might not have communicated with in a while. It’s that sense of community (whether near or far) that helped our group form initially.

Do you share similar tastes? Who are you inspired by?

We do have similar tastes; which is helpful when we are arranging our music, but naturally there will always be some differences in what we listen to and draw inspiration from. We tend to be most inspired by experimentation and uniqueness. Bands or artists that create sounds never heard before are huge inspirations for us and have shaped and directed our own ambitions in producing our music. We really admire and strive toward the intersection of enticing melodies or progressions that are supported by creative production ideas and innovative textures and sounds.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

We hope that our longtime fans can enjoy and resonate with our new music and that we can connect with some new people by the end of 2018. Since our first ‘single’ and E.P. in 2015, we only released one song before Mindmaker came out this year. We’re unbelievably stoked to finally share what we’ve been working on.

Do you already have plans for 2019?

As mentioned, our debut album comes out in February. Other than that; we plan to hit the road, take to the air and never come back.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

Cam: On a personal level; we played at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa earlier this year and the acoustics blew me away. Everyone was seated listening to us (which is often not the case) and were therefore really attention to what we were playing. The sound could not have been better in that room and I was extremely happy to share our live sound in that setting. I’m also from Ottawa originally so it was a special night for me. I think, as a band, one of our first festival performances sticks out for sure.

Also - we played at the inaugural Wayhome Music and Arts Festival, which has since fizzled out of existence but it was an extremely cool festival north of Toronto run by the same team that puts on Bonnaroo. That show sticks out because we played to about 1000 people and, before that, our biggest audience had probably been about 200.

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

We actually only have singles released before this, so our debut album will and does mean the most to us.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I think, if we could support any musician today, it would probably be either M83 or Local Natives – we’ve listened to those bands for ages now and would love the opportunity to play alongside them.

We’re not too picky with riders, but we do have this one thing going on where we ask for a Tide to Go Stick and then purposefully spill on ourselves before the set in order to make good use of it. Rituals.

Given the band’s name; if you each found out you had a long-lost cousin, who would you want that to be and why?

Cam: I would have to say some iconic producer/artist like Brian Eno.

Lloyd: I tried to think of something hypothetical but all I could think of was a real story that just happened - I actually was recently fortunate enough to connect and meet up with a second-cousin who moved to Toronto in September. We had met once when we were five and seven-years-old or so but had never met or even had a conversion prior to a month ago. He also happens to be a great musician and has started his Master’s in Musicology at the very same school in which I’m doing my PhD in Music Education.

Thomas: The music nerd in me wants to say Dave Smith - an early innovator in synthesizer design and manufacturing. I spend a huge chunk of my time obsessing over my synth keyboard possessions, and to meet the man who created them in the first place would be a dream come true. But, if we took that a step further and he was actually my cousin...?! (Smiles).

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

We’re still in the middle of figuring all this stuff out too, but our advice would be to play lots of shows; meet as many new people as you can, and really try to connect with them. If you believe in your music, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and just go for it.

Do you have tour dates coming up? Where can we catch you play?

Within the next month we’re playing plenty in Canada - specifically in Montreal, Ottawa; Kingston and Toronto. We’ll be doing a lot more playing once the album has been unleashed on the world.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Close Talker/PHOTO CREDIT: Jono Bernstein

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

So many...

Here are a few we came up with:

Close Talker - we’ve toured with these guys and they are an insane live band. Their records are awesome and get better with each listen. Highly recommend this Canadian band!

Adrianne Lenker - not necessarily new because she also happens to be the lead singer of Big Thief but her solo record, abysskiss, is amazing and perfect for fall/winter vibes.

argonaut&wasp - great Dance-Rock duo from Brooklyn we’ve connected with a few times when we’ve been in N.Y.C.

The Brandy Alexanders - smalltown Canadian band with a big-time Psychedelic, Indie-Pop sound.

 IN THIS PHOTO: Adrianna Lenker

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

We do spend a lot of time together, but we all kind of have our own lives and ways to get away from the music outside of the band. We like to play Settlers of Catan a lot and going to see other artists is really cathartic for us. A few of us like to read and write which we find is a great way to remove yourself from the stresses of life.

Finally, and for being good sports; you can each choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Cam: Letting Go by Wild Nothing

Lloyd: out of your mind by Adrianne Lenker

Thomas: Only a Shadow by The Cleaners From Venus

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Follow Lost Cousins

Official:

http://www.findlostcousinsband.com/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/LostCousinsBand/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/LostCousinsBand

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lostcousinsband/

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2yZQbeFIRhUpRehbauidnq

SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/lostcousinsband

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/user/lostcousinsband