Since my post back in April, I have been waiting for the release of Jessie Ware's debut album with much anticipation....
I set my itunes to pre-order this one weeks back, and since downloading this morning I have had it on constant repeat - so much so, that I am now running late! Thank god for the iPhone is all I can say!
If you are going to buy any album this week make sure this is it...
Jessie Ware - Devotion (Released 20/08/12 on PMR Records)
You can check out Jessie Ware Website for latest news, info & much more
Normally the journey home from any festival is pretty painful, but having experienced 'The Correspondents' live show at Gottwood festival in Holyhead, North Wales this weekend I was strangely excited about the fact that I was leaving my Yurt mates behind and making the trek back to London, by train, alone...... a full 4.5hrs was spent downloading EP's, checking out you tube videos and generally stalking the two most intriguing musicians I have come across in a fair while....
I had been advised that these guys were pretty special live, but I was left stood in total amazement at the sheer entertainment of their fast paced show, and total disbelief that I hadn't seen them before..!
Mr Bruce, vocalist/MC has to be one of the most mesmerising front men I have seen perform since Mick Pyro, of Republic of Loose back in 2007 and then Johnny Like, of Man Like Me in 2008..... He is the prefect concoction of super geek, ultra cool that I love, and in fact, I think I may have developed a little bit of a crush!
The set was an eclectic mix of a little bit of everything, Electro Swing, Ska, Funk and some Drum n Base thrown in for good measure, Mr Bruce bounces around the stage like The Skat Man on acid and there is major interaction with the crowd.
I did wonder how the music would come across out of a live environment but was pleasantly surprised after downloading their 'What happened to Soho' EP on my iPhone that it is just as listenable away from the crowds and in the comfort of my seat on the 12.50 from Holyhead to Euston... with 'What's happened to Soho' and 'Washington Square' being on repeat since my arrival home..
I was super excited to find out that they will be performing live at The Pleasure Gardens Festival on Saturday, a free event in London and will defo be seeing who I can drag down there to check it out!
I am a lover of most music genres, although every now and then something comes along that gets me super excited... and I have a feeling that The Correspondents may well just be my next big obsession!
'The Strangers' - An MC, vocalist, bass, drums and a sultry female keys player..... It sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does... and I tell you for why here...
Each member of this band has an inner passion for music that cannot be tamed, and while I fully believe that on each of their own personal i-pods is a complete array of music genres, when they bring it together, their ability to adapt and compliment each of their separate musical styles shows true musicianship, which lets face it, nowadays is hard to find.
Without a doubt, music fans are becoming increasingly tired of manufactured artists, churned out by the Industry everyday making it all to easy to fall into line, following what some management team or TV show have pulled together, brainwashed into believing that if we do not follow, we are not cool.... its making a mockery of the 'Music Industry' and creating the 'The Industry of Cool'...
In reality, it isn't cool to sit, nod your head, tap your feet and pretend to like something that you don't... what is cool is to find something you like and stay true to it... and this is what these guys have done, and even better they have found a way to bring it all together and make people from any background appreciate and believe in it, I for one.
Frontman Terry Coventry aka 'Mr Covo' an MC and Lyricist hails from Islington, North London. Taken out of school early, Covo is no 'stranger' to hard work... and on reflection it is probably his brush with gang culture that fuels many of his lyrics, Covo is no trouble maker but it is evident that it is his experiences and values that make him want for something better in life, not just for himself but for society in general.
'The Strangers' was initially bought together by Covo a little over a year ago, with the help of friend and singer/songwriter in his own right, Robert Bowers. The duo released the single 'Stranger', produced by another close friend, Resin and released on Freeport Records in late 2010, it was from there that the pair decided to form the current band. Bowers first picked up a guitar at the age of 17, inspired by British band Oasis. He won 'Live and Unsigned' in 2007 (I was there) and most recently a single written, and performed by himself was chosen by 'The Kaiser Chiefs' to appear on an exclusive unsigned acts album licenced by Universal Records.
Andy Burt, the bands drummer, originally from herts has played drums since he was 12 years old and has worked with various rock and blues based bands, when he is not gigging with 'The Strangers' he is teaching children how to play the drums and read music.
L to R- Andy, Craig, Robert, Covo, Daisy
Craig Taylor, bassist, is originally from Malvern but now living in Wembley comes from a predominately Metal, Punk background... however, like the rest of the band has a love of all music as long as it has soul.
The last addition to the band is 26 year old London girl, Daisy Conquest, who at the age of 3 started playing the violin and went on to teach herself piano, later securing a place music school.....
I was lucky enough to be invited into the studio with the band while they rehearsed, having never been in a studio environment before I declined the offer of ear plugs... a mistake I wont be making again in a hurry!
Each member of the band is a brilliant musician in his/her own right, each of them bringing their own input. They seem to work so well together now that, just a look, or a nod can direct the others into how they are feeling and a change is made, to the tempo, the sound of the keys, the volume of the mic and it instantly sounds better...
The biggest thing that endears me to this band is their differences, as I said before, it shouldn't work.. they are bringing classically trained musicians, blues, rock, metal, rap and indie together... but it sounds right. Maybe this is the missing link, maybe this is what we have all finally been looking for... an indescribable genre of music that fits all, that bans all misconception and just makes us..well, happy...
'The Strangers' next gig is this TONIGHT, Friday 18th May at Cargo , hopefully I will see you in the front row... but if not check out the video below to find out what you will be missing and why you should be at their next gig!
During the interview below for NME, Paul Weller and Miles Kane announced their plans to write together in the future!
Weller has mentioned in previous interviews he would like to work with Miles, and there is no doubt that Miles would have been chuffed to bits with this piece of information... although not half as chuffed as I am to hear that it is actually going to happen!!
I first met this South London songstress around 5 years ago when she was providing vocals for the upbeat and eclectic band, Man Like Me. Back then Jessie was still studying at university but was writing, recording and performing whenever she could, in fact I am pretty sure that she managed to squeeze in a tour with Jack Penete (although don't quote me on that as it was a long time and many gigs ago!)
Luckily through friends I have managed to track Jessie's progress and am blown away by how far she has come - she already has a massive fan base, including many from the celebrity and music industry...
Below is her debut single 'Running', the Disclosure Remix is also worth checking out on youtube...!
I believe Jessie's next headline gig is on August 15h At Plan B in Brixton... hope to see you there!!
This guy has been on the scene longer than some of you may think, another find through mutual Facebook friends, who love their music... this song has been on my timeline during every glimmer of sun since late last year.. Today, is one of those days!!
However, I think that its this post below that ties in great with my fashion based BLOG - Check out Mikill's collaboration with fresh menswear brand, Dope Chef... I think Thats Dope..
This amazingly talented soulstress got in touch with me some months back via Facebook and mutual friends... I only wish I had posted this back then.... This song, and I quote Alexia "is for anyone who has suffered a broken heart"...
Check out Alexia's direct website, she is truly wonderful!... http://alexiacoley.com/
After Tuesdays performances my faith in MTV was even stronger and with Emeli Sande headlining and support from Delilah and Michael Kiwanukua I knew I was in for a good night!.... On the Tuesday I bumped into a friend, Steve who was working on the filming for MTV. When I saw him again on the Weds he worked his magic and hooked me and my best mate, who I dragged along for the night up with the best places to view the gig - for this I am forever in his debt as there is nothing that inspires me more than to see people who love and believe in the music that they are performing or listening to.
Delilah was first up, and originally the main reason why I wanted to attend the event... any of my Facebook or Twitter friends would know that I have been posting links to her music for months since hearing her perform with Chase and Status - particularly 'Go (RAK Sessions)'. Delilah has the ability to stand static on a stage but still keep you mesmerised and never bored. I almost fainted when she covered Jean Jacques Smootie's 'Two People' which is arguably one of my favourite songs EVER! Her look was fresh and I later found out from the girl herself that she was wearing one of her own creations... so maybe there are even more strings to her bow that we first thought?!
Michael Kiwanukua has also been on my radar since hearing 'Home Again' on Radio One, which has since been on constantly at home, on my iPod and in the Car. I hadn't heard much of his other stuff prior to the gig but have now pre-ordered his album and can't wait for its release. The band are tight and dress code is dapper. Kiwanukua is the man to listen to when you need to know that every thing is going to be alright.. and once you listen, I am pretty sure it will be....
The final act of the night was Emeli Sande, having already been nominated for Best Newcomer at MOBO's and Virgin Media Awards 2011, winning Critics Choice Award at MOBO's 2012 and also being nominated for Best Collaboration for 'Read All About It' with Professor Green at the Virgin Media Awards 2011 you would think she would be used to the attention, when in fact she still seemed very humble and endearing. Prior to the gig I had no idea that she had already written several songs for other artists, such as, Cheryl Cole, Tinie Tempah and Leona Lewis or that she was amazing on the piano! The girl is an absolute powerhouse and mixes upbeat songs with more relaxed music - in fact my favourite song of the night was 'Suitcase' which Sande claimed was inspired while she was listening to a lot of country music. She paid homage to the artists she had collaborated with by singing a medley of songs from Tinie Tempah, Chipmunk, Wiley and Professor Green - and with backing like that it is easy to see why Emeli Sande is someone we should all be looking out for!
So all in all.... I think it is safe to say that MTV Brand New for 2012 has definitely pulled it out of the bag for another year...
There is no denying that the line up for both nights had me extremely excited. On Tuesday 24th it was The Maccabees who headlined the show and from the safety of some steps by the top bar I was thrilled to witness a band, whom I have been following for some time now whip the crowd into a frenzy to hit after hit. It took no time for the dance floor to be turned into a mosh pit and drinks and revellers were flying! For anyone who didn't manage to catch them in the UK before they head off to Europe next week on tour they will be back in March and I strongly recommend you purchase your ticket to Alexandra Palace, where they will be headlining again in June!
Charli XCX opened up the show, and while I hadn't heard her music before my friend informed me that she was definitely going to be one to watch out for, and I think he might have been a little bit right...The feisty London girl rocks the stage with confidence with her self proclaimed experimental pop. Having already featured in glossy fashion mags I predict she will be the next British fashionista we will all be lusting after with her edgy look! I couldn't help but think of Cyndi Lauper in her hey day when I watched Charli perform.. especially when I clocked her mingling with friends and fans on the dance floor later during The Maccabees set, proving that like Cyndi, Charli XCX is a definitely a girl who wants to have fun!
It was no doubt a huge disappointment that Lana Del Rey cancelled her performance, some 45 mins prior to the start of the show due to ill health however I can't help to feel for the girl. She has received some pretty harsh press in recent weeks and I can imagine that the critic, coupled with the stress of her album release today may well have effected her recovery... I have heard mixed reviews about her live performances, but as ever I like to make my own mind up about these things and I think both her recorded work and videos are beautiful.. therefore wish her a speedy recovery, think we should give her a break and I look forward to catching her again soon... xx
Normally when attending live gigs there is always a fly in the ointment for me - the line up, the location, the crowd, the ticket price etc, however last week I was luckily enough to attend the MTV Brand New for 2012 events at KoKo in Camden.
KoKo has always been a fave venue of mine.. I have fond memories of nights out in my late teens when it was the infamous Camden Palace... the former theatre holds a feeling of nostalgia and the set up is perfect for intimate gigs... providing a dance floor to skank out on, boxes for industry types and gorgeous panoramic views which make filming and photographing events simple and quite beautiful.
Admittedly for some people Camden can be a bit of a mission to get to, but those who really love their music go out of their way to make sure that they are the first in line to see their favourite acts. On both nights the crowds were mixed in age, sex, race... there was no attitude and everyone was there for one reason and one reason only, the music.
MTV have been renowned for spotting and acknowledging up and coming talent and in my view have rarely got it wrong... This years line up being no different... check out my reviews on both nights covering
The Maccabees, Lana Del Rey and Charli XCX from Tuesday 24th January and Delilah, Michael Kiwanuka and the gorgeous Emili Sande from Weds 25th January.
