tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79311752665353902142026-10-10T18:14:54.253+01:00Personal adventures in musicUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-3763125463481071612013-08-14T13:00:00.000+01:002013-08-15T22:36:32.071+01:00

Including hashtags in song lyrics/titles/videos is just blatant commercialism and forced marketing. Discuss. The often-derided Justin Bieber added fuel to the fire when his song "#thatpower" was released, which also had Will.i.am's involvement (whose recent album was called "#willpower"), and was certainly considered to be a somewhat tacky attempt to create a buzz. I'm not sure that he was the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-67059269431559547622013-08-11T17:27:00.001+01:002013-08-11T17:27:42.069+01:00

Since their debut self-titled LP was released at the tail-end of 2011, Cultfever's follow up has been eagerly awaited, with pulses ready to race and feet ready to dance to their unique brand of high-powered electronic pop. 'Animals', expected to be included on their second album, was let loose back in February this year, but has been receiving deserved attention once again since a new video

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-76819529277204071212013-08-08T13:13:00.000+01:002013-08-08T13:13:00.635+01:00

Initially conceived as a solo project by multi-instrumentalist Olivia Lee, the addition of Kellen Balla and Young Lee turned There's Talk into a three-piece. Following on from their first single in May, this week has brought us the release of their debut EP 'Tiny Strands'. A band combining folk and electronic elements, this is no more apparent than in the opening track (and single) 'The Salt',

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-54250471638230360102013-08-05T13:00:00.000+01:002013-08-05T21:19:51.162+01:00

A few songs manage to pull me in immediately, when a wonderful intro promises something special. Sometimes, admittedly, I end up feeling that those first few bars were sadly all the track had to offer. Occasionally, I'm treated to a journey that is a constant pleasure throughout. The latest single from Norway's Making Marks (previously known as mylittlepony) definitely offers me the latter. "

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-67705478892322113222013-08-02T13:00:00.000+01:002013-08-02T13:08:08.935+01:00

The latest single from London-based guitar-band The Understudies may be just a few breaths over two minutes long, but 'Erika K' can be suitably labelled as "short and sweet". The track and its video have been floating around online for a few months now, along with promises of a debut album, but this week marked the song's official release and is a perfect excuse to listen once again.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-56117302696514273562013-07-30T12:00:00.000+01:002013-07-30T12:00:12.341+01:00

Our Krypton Son's eponymous debut album went down a storm following its release in November last year, showcasing the songwriting talents of man-at-the-helm Chris McConaghy. With a possible new EP rumoured for later this year, third single 'Gargantuan' was released last month to keep us all happy during the interim. McConaghy's vocals are typically restrained at first, delivering the verses

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-18831841084174229332013-07-27T13:32:00.001+01:002013-07-27T13:40:55.422+01:00

Comprised of sisters Karen and Shelly Poole, Alisha's Attic were probably one of the first groups that I ever truly embraced: actively searching for all their singles, and repeatedly listening to their music. Their 1996 debut, 'Alisha Rules The World', is still one of my favourite albums and I continue to play it regularly (and not just as a nostalgic attempt to remember when I was a teenager).

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-40803175004208354182013-07-24T22:29:00.000+01:002013-07-24T22:39:55.769+01:00

The second in a planned series of six EPs, 'Creature' follows on from its predecessor 'Sybil of Delphi' and provides the next songs from singer songwriter Minko. Initially exploring electronic music production, she decided a change was in order and moved from the hustle and bustle of London to the relative peace and quiet of Cornwall, where she surrounded herself with acoustic instruments and

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-38801821229274886552013-07-21T13:23:00.001+01:002013-07-21T13:23:46.241+01:00

A year since their last release, Lambs & Wolves return with their new EP 'Afraid Enough'. With this latest collection of four tracks the Waldshut, Germany-based fourpiece haven't strayed too far from the sounds of their previous work. The arrangements remain mostly light with a pleasing economy of instrumentation that, when coupled with the hushed and delicate vocals, provide us with a sound

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-31691002915724196152013-06-30T17:11:00.000+01:002013-08-15T21:49:24.578+01:00

Listening to recordings of concerts is pointless at best and, more often than not, disappointing. Discuss. As Glastonbury Festival comes to an end today, and the BBC's live coverage with it, Radio 1 listeners shall no doubt be subjected to several hours' worth of recorded 'highlights' used to remind everyone just how great the experience was. And that's where my main complaint lies. A festival

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-27210391706987742602013-04-28T11:47:00.000+01:002013-04-28T11:47:22.493+01:00

Who doesn't love a bit of synth, right? Oh... you don't? Well, you're wrong. Describing themselves as, "two brothers and a friend [who] found themselves in a basement filled with old synthesizers and some guitars and figured something had to be done about it," Ontario-based electro-rock band Zords have just released their second song. With an electronic drum-loop and minimal guitar providing the

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-48129578503486077702013-03-13T19:35:00.000+00:002013-03-13T19:38:06.972+00:00

When Richard Branson's Virgin Records made its first fortune with the million-selling 'Tubular Bells' from Mike Oldfield, the opportunities for the next step must have been countless, astonishing, heaven-sent... Apparently not. The company was still seen as being too small compared to the big names, so signing other groups was proving difficult. Fortunately for my childhood, Branson made an

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-77933525110058247452013-03-11T19:20:00.000+00:002013-03-11T19:20:05.261+00:00

I'm a sucker for progressive tracks. I love that gradual build-up of instrumental layers as each brings a wider sound to it, until the crescendo hits its peak and the vocal comes in. Perhaps it is a clichéd way to approach song writing: possibly the outcome of working backwards from the chorus and trying to find a "way in". Regardless, I'm yet to tire of it and there are still

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-84211865875118109842013-03-10T18:49:00.000+00:002013-03-10T18:49:49.008+00:00

Californian six-piece Underwater Track Team are a folk-pop band that proudly display their influences and are keen to draw upon them (Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Fleet Foxes, etc.), whilst still clearly trying to retain their individuality. Their self-titled debut EP, released this month, has been made available to download for free via their BandCamp page and offers five songs of plucky

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-79618766472683445882013-03-09T21:22:00.002+00:002013-03-09T21:22:48.956+00:00

Originally a project begun as a outlet for Aaron Parker's creative backlog whilst he played in other bands, Edmonton-based Cantoo is now a fully-fledged band with a self-titled debut album looming. With a select handful of talented musical friends to assist, Aaron was able to put together the music that he felt an urge to create: free, thoughtful, and with appreciative nods to the 60's.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-24132277656563992102013-02-25T20:43:00.000+00:002013-02-25T20:44:23.712+00:00

With a two-year gap since his last release, Nelson is quick to self-deprecate and offer explanation: "It's been about two years since I've gathered up the confidence to make acoustic music again... Apologies if it's not as good as previous or if there's things wrong with it, but if you stick around - I'll only try harder to get better." Fortunately, there's really no need for him to say sorry.

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-60613126645520934322013-01-20T14:38:00.001+00:002013-01-20T14:44:57.881+00:00

Recording as Night Beds and due to release his debut LP in February on the Dead Oceans label, Winston Yellen seems to have spent the last two years searching for musical inspiration, and then making the very most of it. Despite already walking a musical path with three EPs under his belt, Yellen began feeling that his life had recently grown, "aimless [and] lacking direction." A period of

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-32543879193088838112013-01-16T21:50:00.001+00:002013-01-16T21:50:12.819+00:00

It would be easy to spend a lifetime on YouTube finding videos of teenagers-with-guitars, all vying for our attention with their cover versions. It's even easier to make quick judgements about them and assume that they are all cut from the same cloth: more often than not it seems that their persistence and ego is larger than their talent. Trawling through the Twitter and Tumblr feeds of YouTuber

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-59224001237846834322012-12-22T21:52:00.002+00:002012-12-22T21:52:34.988+00:00

Following last year's EP release, LA-based collective The Herbert Bail Orchestra have now provided us with their debut album 'The Future's In The Past': eight tracks of courageous and imaginatively-orchestrated americana. Opener 'Holy Smokes' begins the album with a series of fun broken chords of vocal "bom bom"s that are soon superseded by some livening accordion. Trying not to - at the very

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-32289751648462455582012-12-17T21:35:00.000+00:002012-12-17T21:35:20.367+00:00

It's that time of year and, once again, there is a definite slew of Christmas-themed records vying for our attention from all the latest and greatest singers and bands out there. With that in mind I've ignored the whole lot of them and gone back almost a decade to enjoy 2003's release from Goto80 - a Swedish chiptune musician who works primarily with the Commodore 64 computer (my own personal

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-13539428583263892752012-12-10T19:46:00.002+00:002012-12-11T08:16:03.898+00:00

The sheer volume of music produced and published every day is both a blessing and a curse. It means that, statistically, even scratching the surface of what's out there is impossible. But it also means that you might hear the latest song from an artist you'd never heard of before, then go on to investigate who this chap is, and suddenly discover a decade's worth of back-catalogue. At which point

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-14535938642425975922012-12-09T12:05:00.001+00:002012-12-09T12:12:20.652+00:00

Folk musician Nick Williams has a habit of taking his songs on a route that you weren't quite expecting. But it's a welcome habit: sudden syncopation cleverly diverts from the beat you were anticipating, that high note you were waiting for is avoided in favour of one that gently shakes you, and sometimes even the song ends at a point that might be deemed unconventional. And with a band that

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-38256918057122993072012-12-08T20:51:00.001+00:002012-12-08T20:56:58.835+00:00

Texas duo Zelliack are striving to inject a little soul into our downtrodden lives. Their name might be a little unoriginal and cliched in its source (a portmanteau of the pair's forenames: Zack Ordway and Elliot Coleman) but their music takes jazz's relaxed approach to structure and combines it with a unique concoction of smooth guitar grooves, melodic acrobatics, and vocal playfulness to

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-90717977916162950672012-12-07T13:53:00.000+00:002012-12-07T13:53:02.221+00:00

Massachusetts quartet The Bold Type (Travis Richard, Ben Dicke, Antonia Navarro, Schuyler Whelden) have been working on their debut album for much of this year, funded in part by eager backers on Kickstarter, and it is now available for digital download as well as CD. Describing themselves as playing within the broad genre of rock'n'roll, their ten tracks show some pleasing diversity

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7931175266535390214.post-91639572596236659222012-11-13T20:40:00.001+00:002012-11-13T20:42:34.264+00:00

Today, Google launched its music store to the UK through its service: Google Play - where Android users already download their apps, and acts as the equivalent to Apple's iTunes. Considering the dramatic rise of Google since 1998 and its recent foray into the world of smart phones, there was a certain inevitability that it would provide us with a music service. Remembering that Apple had lost

Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2