Lawson - The Girl I Knew

 

Lawson first caught my eye when I saw them open up for The Wanted and, as I predicted, they have exploded onto the charts and are on their way to huge success. Boy bands such as One Direction and The Wanted are certainly dominating the Top 40 at the moment, but Lawson are definitely a band as opposed to a BOY band because they play all of their own instruments (and write their own songs, earning them lots of credibility). The band have said that their inspirations for their debut album, 'Chapman Square', are John Mayer and The Wanted, but their music reminds me more of Coldplay's recent work. However, my favourite from the album is 'The Girl I Knew' and I have chosen it as today's recommendation because I think it is beautifully written and performed. It is a simple, acoustic song that is an excellent example of a band stripping down to tell an emotional story. The song immediately captivates you as Andy Brown's vocals have a lot of depth and soul. The chorus involves a key change with the repetition of 'The Girl I Knew' to emphasise that this is a song about heartbreak and missing somebody. Mentioning 'Covent Garden' reminds the listener that this is a British band and including a location that is familiar with many people is great as it helps the listener to imagine the story. This is the first time one of my recommendations has been 'mainstream' as such, but airplay and chart success has not brainwashed this band into making music that the record label wants instead of what they want to write and I hope that this continues. The matter is controversial but I believe a talented band like Lawson deserves to sell lots of records rather than songs with meaningless lyrics and heavily auto-tuned vocals. Definitely give 'Chapman Square' a listen and decide for yourself which is your favourite (meaning song not gorgeous band member, but I guess you can do both!)

Autumn playlist!

Grab your warm knitted jumpers, cup of hot chocolate and thick comfy blanket and have a listen to this season's playlist. With some songs remembering summer, and some songs looking forward to the rest of the year ahead, there is something for everyone. I was hoping to find a song with the sound of crunching leaves, as that is the noise I associate most with autumn, but hopefully this music can make up for the lack of leaf smashing tunes out there. Please comment with your favourite songs on the playlist and just generally let me know what you think!

Link here:
http://stereoellie.blogspot.co.uk/p/autumn.html

The Summer Set, Natives, For The Foxes and Mayday Parade at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London October 4th

Surrounded by the boys from Natives after their show

I absolutely love it when you go to a concert to see one particular band but have a fantastic time because the other bands are surprisingly good too. Although it seemed three quarters of the very long queue leading up to the venue in buzzing Camden were there to see headliners 'Mayday Parade', my friend and I were there to see previous Artist of The Week, 'The Summer Set'. The venue was a good size, slightly bigger than the o2 Academy where I went a couple of weeks ago but small enough to still evoke the intimate feel. I'm not sure exactly how, but somehow I managed to end up very near to the stage with a brilliant view. The first band 'Natives' took to the stage and the crowd began rocking out to songs such as 'This Island' which was my favourite and I have since downloaded.  If you like You Me at Six, I am pretty sure you would like this band/song. The chorus is catchy and the drum beat is addictive. The lead singer really knew how to get the crowd pumped up, such as telling everybody to get down low on the floor then jump up when the chorus started which was very fun and a spectacle to see. Even though this is not strictly music related, I also wanted to comment on how cool their merchandise was as I happened to notice the well-designed shirts when I was chatting to the band after the gig.

Lead singer of For the Foxes, my friend Tamara and I

 The following band, ‘For the Foxes’, is signed to 'Hopeless Records' which is the same label that is home to 'All Time Low' and 'We Are the in Crowd'. This American band's music was a bit more summer indie pop/rock than Natives but vocalist Nick has a very rock sounding voice. The highlight of their set for me was when the band slowed it down and sang 'The River' with just Nick playing the keyboard to accompany. 'The River' is about a long distance relationship which Nick said is a very personal subject for the whole band as they are often away touring, and this was clear as the emotion came out as he sang.

Natives and For The Foxes were both talented, energetic bands that I really enjoyed and would love to see again, but by far my favourite band of the night were the ones I had been waiting a long time to see, 'The Summer Set'. Bursting onto the stage and instantly grabbing the audience with their well-known song 'Chelsea', I completely gave myself away to the music and I did not pause for thought as I sang along. They performed all of my favourites: 'Must Be The Music', 'Punch Drunk Love' and 'When We Were Young', along with a new song 'F*** You Over' which will be featured on their next album out next year. Brian's vocals sounded just as good as the studio recordings and Josh, John, Stephen and Jess did not miss a beat. It was then that all of those there to see The Summer Set joined together as Brian told the crowd to sing parts of songs back to him, the atmosphere was incredible as everybody used all of their lung power to fill the room. The set seemed to finish far too soon and I really hope I get to see a headlining show from The Summer Set sometime soon.

The crowd went crazy when 'Mayday Parade' came on stage, and although there is no denying they put on a good show, their music was not really my kind of thing. They have a very dedicated following and, again, the atmosphere was so good but I just did not connect with them as I did the previous three bands. However, when they took to the keyboard as well to sing 'Miserable At Best', I did really love it therefore I am not saying I did not like any of their songs, because I thought this one was beautiful.

Brian Dales of The Summer Set entertaining
the crowd at the Electric Ballroom

Overall, the sweaty, hot, exhausting night was brilliant and I enjoyed every minute of it. The crowd was so tightly packed and I felt squashed at all times but that was part of the fun of being near the front. I had to rush off quite quickly after the show to make sure I did not miss the last train, and so did not manage to meet The Summer Set but I did say hello to the guys from For The Foxes and Natives who were all really friendly. I would definitely recommend you check out all of the bands I saw at the Electric Ballroom on a cold night in October, and let me know what you think!

 

 twitter - @heyitselliejay

Joe Brooks O2 Academy Islington London

Chatting with Joe Brooks in London

On the 21st of September singer/song-writer Joe Brooks returned to London for a highly anticipated show after touring countries such as South Korea and America for a long time. The O2 Academy in Islington is a great venue with an 800 person capacity and a high ceiling that produces excellent acoustics for a considerably intimate gig. I arrived a little late to the venue but caught the second half of Tyrone Wells' set. Tyrone comes from Washington and although I had not specifically followed his music before I did recognise a few songs as he has been frequently featured in television shows such as Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill and The Vampire Diaries. It was clear that he has had a lot of experience in front of an audience because he had the ability to captivate everyone not only with his charming music, but also his story-telling in between songs. Personally, I think the highlight of his set was when he asked the audience to remain silent whilst he sang without the microphone. The created an amazing atmosphere and the whole crowd fell silent (with exception to an incredibly rude guy who shouted in the middle but then received death glares) as they listened to Tyrone's impressive vocals. I always love how concerts can bring a crowd of 800 people of different ages, genders and backgrounds together to share a love for music and in that moment, it feels like everyone is equal.

Hugging Joe Brooks after his set

As Tyrone departed the stage, I was left exhilarated and ready to get caught up all over again in the music. The stage was decorated with bulbs hanging from the ceiling and an antique rug on the floor which was fitting for the British, home-coming theme. Joe took to the stage and opened with his new song 'Till My Heart Stops Beating'. He played the acoustic guitar and was accompanied by drums and the keyboard. I had a good view of the whole stage and thoroughly enjoyed singing along and dancing, beaming every time I hear an introduction to my favourite Joe Brooks songs. Along with his well-known tracks such as 'Green Eyes', 'Kaleidoscope' and 'I Find the Light in You', Joe did some covers including 'Cough Syrup' by Young The Giant, 'Come Together' by The Beatles and a Jessie J medley. The passion and soul throughout the whole show was overwhelming and it has been a very long time since I have seen an artist get so lost in his love for music and performing. The emotion in the way Joe sang and played his music was echoed by the audience even in songs that many had not heard before such as 'Carousel' and 'Oh Toronto' which are from his upcoming record 'The Boy with the Broken Machine'. When Joe performed 'Holes Inside' (which he proudly told us went to Number One in South Korea) and everybody joined to sing the line "sometimes fate and your dreams will collide" it was clear by his expression that he loved being home in the UK very much and was as happy to see us as we were to see him. After the show, I was fortunate enough to meet the talent that I had just seen on stage only to find out that Joe is an extremely nice guy to talk to as well. His Southampton accent had elements of American creeping in which I guess is expected seeing as he lives in Los Angeles now and he spends a lot of time with his American band. I had a fantastic, unforgettable night and if you ever get the chance to hear this boy's vocals live you must not pass the opportunity.

If you follow me on twitter ( @heyitselliejay ) you were probably expecting an interview with previous Artist Of The Week Tom Mann, but unfortunately he could not make it down to the show however, never fear, I have been promised a written interview in the not too distance future so keep checking back!

Halfway To New York - Treading Water (EP Review)

I bought this EP on a toasty Saturday evening in July after an unexpected visit to my local pub where the band Halfway To New York happened to be playing. The group from London write and sing pop/rock music and feeling my foot tap as I stood and listened to their songs played live encouraged me to purchase 'Treading Water'.

Treading Water - The title track of the EP was my favourite song the guys performed. The bridge with the lyrics 'Who's the boss of me, who's the boss of you?' is a simple way to get the crowd singing along, especially after a few beers. I love the concept of the metaphor 'treading water' as I interpret it to mean that he is working hard to keep his relationship afloat and trying to not let it all fall apart, however the couple are staying in the same place and not moving forward and the song is debating whether that's right or not. The chorus is easily loveable and is a great introduction to the rest of the music on the EP.

What A Way To Go - Halfway To New York are story tellers in their music and especially in this track. I really like the bass line and the lead singer, Sam Burkey, has a mature voice that reminds me of Brandon Flowers from The Killers. The first verse is really attention grabbing and I think it's one of few songs where the verse is catchier than the chorus.

Out Of Time - This is my favourite song on the album because it has a brilliant chorus that after one listen I can sing along to. Since purchasing the EP this has been a track I listen play very frequently. The dramatic bridge that builds up to an awesome instrumental is so good live and the soft ending is a fantastic contrasting way to end the song.

We Were Wrong - After three songs it was clear to me that this EP was a great find and the guys of Halfway To New York are fantastic writers. I would say this track is the rockiest due to the heavy electric guitar playing and long notes held in the chorus. If you get a chance to see the band in concert, I am sure you would agree that this song is better live.

Going Home - An obvious final song to play, this mid-tempo song is a kiss goodbye to a wonderful night of music. 'Going Home' was obviously written to please crowds and that it does, with an easy to sway to song and verses that show of Sam's vocals. I think is the best song on the EP in terms of production.

Comment if you check this EP out (its only five pounds!) or happen to run into these guys doing a show like I did and let me know what you think.

Artist Of The Week - Basic Vacation



Basically, Basic Vacation are a must-listen to new band.

I tend to start my 'Artist Of The Week' blog posts with how I first discovered each artist. I have a passion for finding new music and developing my views of it so when I come across a band I get excited. If you want to share my feelings a great way to check out new music is listening to random bands that follow you on twitter and browsing through the 'Recommended' videos when you are listening to a band you already know and love. Sometimes the bands are not brilliant or not your kind of thing, but occasionally you can come across a real gem and quickly become a fan.



 This week's Artist Of The Week is Basic Vacation and I first heard of these guys after some sad news that the drummer (Mike Montalbano) of the fabulous rock/pop band Hollywood Ending parted ways with the rest of the boys. However, it just goes to show when one door closes another one opens as Mike then went on to join Basic Vacation from New York/Philadelphia. The band are quite different from Hollywood Ending as their music is more indie pop, I would personally describe their music as refreshing and fun. Basic Vacation is a very new band and so far only has one song called 'If You Want To' but if this song is anything to go by, their future music is going to be really great. The song has a sprinkle of summer sparkle and a huge helping of catchy lyrics that make me want to dance to it all the time. The three boys in the band are all very friendly on twitter and they have the potential to go far. Currently, the guys are doing house parties across the USA and I must say I am very jealous of the American fans as what could be better than having an awesome band perform right in your front room with all your friends?

Summer Playlist

Picture credit - Tumblr

My Summer 2012 playlist is now available on the side bar so check it out and comment what you think. Hope everyone has an unforgettable summer!

http://www.stereoellie.blogspot.co.uk/p/summer-2012-playlist.html

Artist Of The Week - Anson Li

Anson Li

I first discovered Anson when he followed me on twitter, usually I am slightly skeptical about listening to random follows on twitter however I am very glad that I gave this one a chance. Anson is an American teen with a huge smile at all times and his influences are the likes of All Time Low and Mayday Parade however his original music has a fresh, pop vibe. He is another artist that 'wows' teenage girls all across Youtube with his covers of artists such as Maroon 5 and Allstar Weekend. Anson is not that well known yet but I love how he still connects with his fans on twitter and his passion for music means he is not going to give up until his songs are being listened to across the globe. My personal favourite song that he wrote himself is 'I Swear'. The track has a basic beat and the beginning reminds me of a slower 'I Like It Like That' by Hot Chelle Rae. I think sometimes less is more with a rhythm and if you're looking for a fun, easy-listening song this is perfect. Much to the annoyance of my family, I have been singing this song around the house all week as it got stuck in my head within minutes of listening to it on Youtube. Anson Li's own songs are available on itunes so check them out!

www.youtube.com/user/ansonofficial

Loveable Rogues at Dartford Festival

My Friend and I hanging with the Loveable Rogues
 fresh from their set at Dartford Festival.

Another weekend and another Saturday of bands, rain, fun and mud. This weekend I attended Dartford Festival in Dartford Central Park despite the fact the rain outside was making me wonder whether I should stay in and build an ark! Nevertheless, I was eager to see the band Loveable Rogues after watching them take the judges and Britain by storm on the show 'Britain's Got Talent'. The song that they wrote themselves and performed at their audition entitled 'Love Sick' seemed to be stuck in everyone's heads for many weeks after; with it’s really catchy chorus and funny verses such as 'I was crumbled like apple pie when you left my flat only wearing a goodbye'. The three boys from Chingford write their own music, usually with the chorus being sung and the verses rapped/spoken. Their music is all very quirky and their London accent makes them (dare I say it?) loveable. Although on BGT they only finished fourth, it is clear they have developed a huge fan base as when I arrived at the festival there were plenty of screaming, teenage girls all trying to catch a glimpse of the band. At around six o'clock, it was announced that the Loveable Rogues were about to take the stage and the crowd went nuts. The rain managed to hold off during their set which was very good as it meant our view was not obstructed by huge umbrellas. As well as singing Love Sick and the song they performed in the final of BGT, they also did an impressive cover of 'Posh Girls' by Scouting For Girls and 'A Team' by Ed Sheeran. After the show, I was fortunate to have passes to go backstage and so met Sonny Jay, Eddie Brett and Te Eugene Qhairo. They were all very funny guys, laughing and joking with the fans about their twitter and the need for an umbrella hat. Overall, the band put on a great show for Dartford and, hopefully with the help of Simon Cowell and his record label, will go on making their charming blend of acoustic rock and rap.

Luddstock Festival 2012 - Interview with Sam Gray

Sam Gray and I in the rain

With a list of questions, a huge umbrella and my best pair of wellies, I was ready for my night at a truly British festival in the rain in the garden of Reynold's farm. When I arrived the marquees were all set up and the stage looked extremely scenic with a forest backdrop and decorative lights scattered around the field. I was eager to meet Sam Gray, the singer/song writer whom I had nothing but praise for in my recent 'Artist of The Week' article and as I first introduced myself it was clear he was not just a talented singer, but also a very nice guy. The interview (as you can see above) went brilliantly, despite the loud background music from the blues band playing at the time. Off camera, Sam told me that he was worried people would not get up to dance during his set and as the clouds got darker and the wind picked up, the fear that people will stay in their marquee and not support him boiled up inside me too. Nevertheless, as Sam graced the stage singing his hits such as 'Senorita', 'All of My Life' and 'Brighter Day', people braved the rain to watch him sing. Sam also did a couple of covers which was great as everyone could sing along to well-loved tunes such as 'I Wish' by Stevie Wonder and 'Brown Eyed Girl' by Van Morrison. When the beloved 'any requests?' question was asked, my family could not help but request 'Superstition' by Stevie Wonder (my all-time favourite song). I thought that it would be really difficult to suddenly be able to play and sing a random song suggested by the audience, but I was pleasantly surprised when Sam and his band performed the song wonderfully. The audience were screaming 'more' every time Sam showed any sign of finishing, and I was so pleased that people were genuinely having a fantastic time listening to him. Also, the bass player for Sam was a true showman, rocking out with his instrument and smiling his head off during the whole set. Both the bass player and drummer were very impressive and never missed a beat, even with the surprise covers. Sam finished with his new single 'This Girl' which was a great way to end the set and definitely left the crowd wanting more. The rest of the night went 'swimmingly', the final band was a 'Ska' band who were great to dance to and the whole place was buzzing. It was a really good night for the excellent cause of Milestone School and a lot of money was raised, I am looking forward to next year's festival which is the 29th of June 2013!

Artist Of The Week - Sam Gray

Sam Gray matching his outfit to his guitar
case like a true musician (credit sugarscape.com)

Sam Gray is another example of a brilliant, new singer/song-writer from England. He sings with a three piece band and has toured with the likes of Westlife, The Overtones and East 17. He sings and writes rock music but it is all very soft and reminds me of The Fray, particularly the song 'All of My Life' which I would have to proclaim is my favourite song of his. I love the music video for this track as well; it is a quite an emotional, typically British video that tells a loveable story. The song itself starts off with a minimalistic guitar rhythm which develops by including drums and a base in the chorus. The line 'all of my life I’ve been running in circles' is very catchy and makes it a great song to sing along to. Sam Gray is an artist that you can tell has worked really hard making and performing music, rather than being plunged into the lime light like a winner of a talent show. His live acoustic songs he has uploaded onto Youtube highlights that he is not an auto-tune moulded artist and shows his vocal talents as well as his skills as a musician. Sam's song 'Brighter Day', which was released before 'All of My Life' is actually very different as it is up-beat and cheerful but this shows how versatile he is. This was further confirmed when I listened to his full album, also entitled 'Brighter Day'. It has a good balance of happy, summer songs and slower, peaceful songs and is definitely worth downloading.

On the 7th July I am attending the Luddstock Festival which takes place in the garden of Reynolds Farm in Luddesdown, Kent. It is an excellent evening with three live bands performing, including Sam Gray, which I am really looking forward to. I went to Luddstock last year and had an awesome time seeing the great bands for all different tastes in music. Also, the money raised at the festival goes to local charities, which means you know you are enjoying yourself for a good cause. Tickets are still available for the event but are selling fast so if you would like to catch Sam Gray, and other bands, in action definitely grab your tickets now! For more information and tickets visit -  http://www.luddstock.com/  Check back here after the event to see my review of the night!

Sam Gray's official website is www.samgray.co.uk where you can find all of his music, videos and upcoming events such as his performance at the Silverstone Grand Prix on July 6th.

It Gets Me By - The Glory Days

Teenagers across the country are very much aware that although the sun is beckoning us from outside, we have to study in our dark, depressing rooms as it is that dreaded time of year; exam season. Therefore, I thought I would post a song that can hopefully give you some motivation and get you through this stressful time. 'It Gets Me By' by The Glory Days is a song about highlighting all the things that make you smile and enjoy life throughout all the days when you feel like giving up. It has a slightly country feel to it and a really cool guitar solo after the first chorus. The lyrics are for more mature teenagers and I would not recommend listening to it with your little brothers and sisters, but not every song can be Justin Bieber style family friendly, a bit of controversy adds character sometimes and there's nothing wrong with knowing your target audience. Overall, this is a great song that can hopefully get YOU by. 

Artist Of The Week - Tom Mann

Any friend of Joe Brooks must be cool right? That’s was what was going through my mind as I visited Tom Mann's Youtube channel after hearing about him via Joe Brooks' twitter and, as predicted, I was ecstatic with what I came across. He is not very well known yet with only just under 7,000 YouTube channel views which makes him different to my previous 'Artist Of The Week's whom already have a thriving fan base. However, Tom definitely has the potential to go far. On his channel, he has covered 'How Do I Live' by LeAnn Rimes and 'You Give Me Something' by James Morrison but also some of his own songs have been uploaded including 'Beautiful', 'Lost and Lonely' and 'Honey' which were all previously recorded with the band The Nascent Season. 'Lost and Lonely' is my favourite of these songs because I love the genuine lyrics and really good beat. His vocals could be compared to Ed Sheeran but a bit different as he sings in a higher pitch much like Brian Dales of The Summer Set. Basically, mix Ed and Brian's voice and you have this wonderful British creation. I would love to see Tom make more videos and get more views because he really deserves it. I have attached a video of a medley he performed live of Bill Withers' 'Aint No Sunshine', Semisonic's 'Secret Smile', Labrinth's 'Last Time' and The Beach Boys 'God Only Knows', because I am a sucker for a cool medley of contrasting songs that fit together well.

Alabama Capital

The capital of Alabama is Montgomery and so Nathan and Caleb Montgomery immediately grabbed me with their clever band name. Alabama Capital is two brothers that prove that talent can indeed run in the family. Nathan and Caleb began doing covers on Youtube of artists such as Jason Derulo, Lil Wayne and Adele. Both boys are very good guitar players and usually play in their videos too. Recently, they have written and recorded their own music including the song 'Stop' featuring Mandy Rain. Their music at the moment is all mid-tempo and acoustic and Nathan and Caleb have impressive vocals that seem to come naturally. Their new EP 'Live From the UG Studios' contains songs recorded live to an intimate audience and each song is brilliant and makes me anticipate a full length album from them. The duo is very close to their fans and often has livechats which show they are really nice guys. Check them out!

Slow Song Suggestion

A lot of the music I have recommended so far on this site has been fun and something you can dance to, however it’s important not to forget those days when you want to listen to a mellow, delicate song. Therefore, 'A Drop in the Ocean' by Ron Pope is perfect for this. The song begins almost a cappella to emphasise Ron's soulful voice and the sincere lyrics. The whole song is played on the piano which I think adds a story-teller element to his voice as you can imagine this song being played to you personally by someone you love as opposed to a song played in the clubs and at concerts; it makes it more personal even if you have not got a special someone in mind when listening. The last line of the chorus 'You are my heaven' is so beautifully sang and, just a warning, can lead to goose bumps for the hopeless romantics amongst us. Comment if you cry, comment if you don't, I would really like to hear how this song made you feel.

Artist Of The Week - The Summer Set

I have an endless amount of praise for The Summer Set. The band from Arizona has been one of my favourite bands for a couple of years now ever since I heard the song 'Girls Freak Me Out'. Brian's voice is very much a voice that you either love or hate however I must say, I love it. Another thing that makes The Summer Set stand out from other bands is the fact they have a female drummer, Jess, and I think is great to see some talented girl power in a rock band. The Summer Set's last album entitled 'Everythings Fine' was one of those albums that do not have a bad song on it. Their songs on the album are a mixture of tracks with beautiful romantic lyrics and tracks about partying and having fun. My favourites are probably 'Begin Again' and 'Mannequin', although my preferences can change depending on my mood because they are all brilliant. The Summer Set have toured with some pretty impressive people too; All Time Low, Hey Monday and previous Artist of the Weeks He Is We and The Cab. They have played a few shows in the UK too and are doing a tour with Mayday Parade in October and I really hope I will be going to their show in London as I am dying to see them live.

Capital Cities- Kangaroo Court

With a ludicrously strange name and concept, this song is quirky but actually very addictive. If you did not know, and yes Wikipedia had to lend me a hand, the definition of an actual 'Kangaroo Court' is a 'mock court in which the principles of law and justice are disregarded or perverted'. So there you have it, better background knowledge of what was going through the band's mind when they wrote it. This is the only song I have heard by 'Capital Cities' but this song particularly reminds me of The Human League and those sort of similar early 80's band but the song has a nice summer twist in the catchy chorus. It is certainly a song worth a listen because it is very different but easily loveable.

Interview with Nothing But Thieves

If you haven't already, please check out my review of the Nothing But Thieves gig on 8th May in Islington. I did this interview with the guys after their set and I had a loads of fun doing it. Sorry the audio is not brilliant but we were outside and there was traffic etc. Anyways, enjoy!

Artist Of The Week - Jimmy Robbins

[Picture credit www.myspace.com]

Jimmy Robbins first caught my eye in 2009 with his single 'Turn It Up'. This soon became one of my favourite songs and, although not as amazing as 'Turn It Up', his following singles did not disappoint. The witty lyrics at the beginning put a smile on my face: the song begins with a slow guitar rhythm and then speeds up in the chorus and the first few lyrics are 'nothing playing but the radio, switching on a song that starts off slow...again'. Jimmy first began playing guitar when he was eight and started writing his own songs at only eleven years old. His mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she passed away when he was eleven; he says he began writing music because it was the only way of communicating with her. A few years later, his father was diagnosed with cancer. Naturally, this led to him being a more mature artist than many young singers and, because he writes himself, his music has a lot more meaning as it is clear he can extract his own youthful emotion into songs. Jimmy has a unique voice which is quite nasally but it makes his songs recognisable. His latest EP 'Borrowed Time' is more professional than 'Turn It Up' and his similar single 'Gonna Get Better', but this is expected as it was released three years after. His guitar playing has improved, his lyrics are more poetic, but he still possesses that same precious little voice. My personal favourites on 'Borrowed Time' are 'Mmm Honey' and 'An Angel Lives In Brooklyn'.

Have a listen to 'Turn It Up' and tweet me or comment if it makes you smile too.

Concert Review - Nothing But Thieves

Woah.

 On 8th May 2012, my three friends and I went to see Nothing But Thieves' showcase concert at Upstairs at the Garage in Islington, London (to find out more about the band, see my previous article). My 'woah' was aimed at the whole experience;  I said 'woah' about Conor's voice, 'woah' about the petite yet delightful venue and 'woah' about the new songs that the band wrote themselves. I shall start at the beginning...

We arrived inside the venue about quarter of an hour before Nothing But Thieves were due to play. Including them, there was two opening acts for the headliners Mini Mansions but we only really went to see NBT. The venue only holds 150 people but the age range of people there was very mixed and it was a good size to be close to the band but still have a buzzing atmosphere. The band came on stage on time which was an impressive start and immediately made the audience feel welcomed. Conor's voice exceeded my expectations and sounded just as incredible live as on YouTube. I know it is a controversial subject, but in my honest opinion he sings better than a lot of millionaire artists in the charts at the moment. It was the first concert I have been to in a long time where I have not known all of the words to every song, but this did not make it uncomfortable as we all enjoyed listening to the lyrics and paying attention to their voices instead of a huge crowd's screaming/ singing. The first couple of songs were mid-tempo and had aspects that reminded me of bands such as Kings of Leon and One Republic. They introduced the song 'Candles' by explaining that it means a lot to them as is about a death of a loved one. The emotion definitely came across in the slow, endearing song that made me go cold, in the best way possible. Conor got caught up in the moment and messed up a high note a bit, and later apologised by saying 'I’m sorry a cat died in the middle of that', but in no way did his slight slip take away the focus from how talented he, and the whole band, are. Needless to say, we were very forgiving. They ended their set with their single 'To Fly You've Got To Fall'. I liked how they mixed up the introduction by rocking out a bit and I admit it was fun to have a sing-a-long myself as I am very familiar with the words (that is a repercussion of having it on replay for the past couple of weeks). For the majority of the show, Dave was on drums, Joe was on guitar and Dom swapped between keyboard and guitar. The phrase 'left me wanting more' is one hundred per cent true in this case, which was the up-side of them only doing five songs. After the set, I saw Conor and asked about doing an interview for this site and he gathered the others. I felt a bit bad interrupting them but if there is one thing I can say about these boys, it is that they are so nice to talk to and are all very funny. We went outside to do the interview and it was a blast; the band were cracking jokes and making us all laugh. I had such a good time and I hope they did too. Afterwards, we took pictures and made sure we told them what an amazing night we had. They are so sweet and I am really looking forward to seeing them and meeting them again hopefully, I wish them all the best for the future and hope they get signed soon. If their performance is anything to go by, their album will be sensational. Keep checking back to this site to see the interview which I will be posting very soon and in the meantime check out To Fly You've Got To Fall and comment or tweet me what you think. Again, my thanks go to Nothing But Thieves for a night I will never forget.  

Artist Of The Week - Plug In Stereo

[picture credit www.goodmusicaldaily.com ]

There are so many reasons why I have chosen Plug In Stereo as Artist Of The Week; I admit one of them is Trevor Dahl's cute curly locks. Although I only started listening to Plug In Stereo a few weeks ago, I have found myself constantly playing some of their tunes as they make me feel so carefree, young and elated. Unlike previous Artists Of The Week, I do not know much about Trevor Dahl's background. My favourite songs of the band's are 'Oh Darling', 'Together' and 'I Blame You'. Oh Darling features the vocals of Cady Groves and their voices fit so superbly well that it makes the song very believable, light hearted, but genuine. 'Together' is equally as catchy and Trevor's rapping style is charming. The lyrics follow the theme of a movie-style teen romance but with more credibility than other young artists that attempt it. Finally, 'I Blame You' is a typical sun, sand and sea song which can paint a colossal smile on my face. Plug In Stereo really do make me wish it was possible to marry a voice. So if you're looking for an artist that can pick you up when you're down, check out Plug In Stereo for sure. Again, tweet me or comment your views; too cheesy or wonderfully cute?  

Dark Blue - Jack's Mannequin

Before today, the band Jack's Mannequin was just one of those bands that I often heard being discussed for having the odd similarity to artists such as James Morrison and Daniel Powter, but never really had any other motivation to listen to. I decided to review one of the band's songs as a first time listener and to see if you feel they are an artist worth doing an album review of in the future. My friend recommended I listen to the 2007 hit 'Dark Blue'. My immediate reaction was that the minimalistic tune reminded me of the song 'Fly With Me' by The Jonas Brothers. The opening drum beat that initially grabbed me is definitely the best part of the whole song. The lead singer has mediocre vocals, therefore throughout the verses I found myself paying more attention to the drumming than the singing and lyrics. I do, however, love the line 'dark blue, dark blue have you ever been in love in a crowded room?' which is, fundamentally, the chorus. Overall, I liked the song a lot but I do not feel it had the 'wow' factor that I look for when I'm first listening to bands. It would be great to hear your thoughts, especially if you're a first time listener like me, so please comment or tweet me to let me know. 

Album Review - Love Is A Four Letter Word (Jason Mraz)

[picture credit jasonmraz.com]

As you can imagine, as soon I heard the news of a new Jason Mraz studio album I was very excited and I had exceptionally high expectations due to the fact his last albums have been pretty much flawless. Immediately, the first tracks put a smile on my face because Mr A-Z's voice is still perfect and his smooth guitar rhythms are still capable of transporting you to a hammock on a beach. The brass instrumentals in The Freedom Song are similar to Butterfly and it is a really fun, positive song. The backing vocals add a soulful sound but I was disappointed that Jason did not write this song although he did write the rest of the album. Despite this, I found myself crossing my fingers that the rest of Love Is A Four Letter World is just as good.

I was wrong...it is better. Track 2, Living In The Moment, has the same optimism of The Freedom Song and has a catchy tune throughout. I really love the lyrics ‘I will not waste my days making up all kinds of ways to worry about the things that will not happen to me' because many people can relate to them; over-thinkers and people that fear the future instead of enjoying the things they have in the present.

 Jason slows it down with the next song, The Woman I Love, which is pleasant because it emphasises the beauty and reality of the lyrics. All of a sudden, the hammock on the beach seems a million miles away as this song is like watching snowflakes fall whilst snuggled up by the fire with the person you love.

Just when you think Jason Mraz could not possibly get any more romantic, artistic and enchanting, the third track slaps you in the face and proves you wrong. I Won't Give Up is the first single from the album and, in my opinion, is the most beautiful song he has ever written. The first chorus left me speechless the first time I heard it as it is so precious and emotional. This song is also timeless and I can see it being a classic, like I'm Yours, in a few years to come. 'We've got a lot to learn but God knows we're worth it'.

I almost felt sorry for Track 5 as it has such a tough act to follow. Coincidentally called '5/6', this tune is not the best on the album as it is not as catchy or heartfelt as the previous songs. However, it has an interesting concept and fresh sound.

Track 6 is called 'Everything Is Sound' and is another joyful song, similar to the beginning of the album. It is very minimalistic with adorable lyrics and is another example of Jason's natural vocal talent.

Thankfully the 7th song, 93 Million miles has no similarity to 500 Miles by The Proclaimers. It has a slightly more country style than the other songs and spreads the message that 'home' is not just a physical place or house, it is where the people you love are and you feel safe. I also love the little educational fact in it as well, that the sun is 93 million miles away. This song warms my heart.

It took seven songs but finally, the humorous side of Jason Mraz that we all know and love is expressed in the song 'Frank D. Fixer'. The song actually has quite a deep meaning, despite the light hearted title and catchy tune. It is about looking up to someone and wanting to be like them but also having the desire to be anything the person you love wants you to be. Even if you do not feel good enough, or as good as others, you are willing to do anything it takes to prove your dedication to somebody.

'Who's Thinking About You Now?' makes you think about all the people that have got your back through everything. It is a different love song, as it’s about friends, families and partners. It's got a smooth jazz vibe and the chorus has a lot of passion and depth.

Track 10, In Your Hands, continues the soft 'late night' theme. Another one of my favourites on the album, this song has cute lyrics and I think it is one of those songs that gets better the more times you play it. It can be compared to some of Jason's old tracks such as 'Absolutely Zero' and 'If It Kills Me' and shows that he has not forgotten who he is in the time since his last album.

Track 11 is the only duet on the album and it is featuring Inara George. The song is called 'Be Honest' and honestly, I had never heard of Inara George and I was quite glad that she did not have a big part of the song purely because no duet could ever live up to 'Lucky' featuring  Colbie Callait and I would much rather just listen to Jason's angelic voice.

The final song, The World As I See It, is a gorgeous way to end the album. Although repetitive, the lyrics are very soulful and the live version is also worth a listen.

I feel as if I have run out of words to express my love for Jason Mraz and this album. What can I say? It is a masterpiece in my eyes (...well, ears). Mr A-Z is doing a concert in London in December but I must admit I am disappointed it is at the o2 as it is such a large venue and I feel Jason would excel more in a smaller, intimate gig.

 Please comment with your views on the album as I would love to hear if you share my feelings.

Artist Of The Week - He Is We

Picture credit www.altpress.com

I am excited to announce that I have decided, with the help of a friend, that the Artist of the Week this week is He Is We. He Is We are unlike many indie pop bands in the music industry at the moment as they are a duo. The band consists of Rachel Taylor, a young girl with a talent for having a voice that is soothing yet can highlight a range of emotions that can divide your heart between gut wrenching sadness and joyful optimism, and Trevor Kelly who plays the instruments in the band and writes their fantastic songs with Rachel. The story of how the two met is just as cute and heart-warming as their music; they both worked in a music store in Washington and realised that their individual talents complimented each other's well, and that is where the union was formed and they began making sweet music. He Is We are also unlike many bands that have a cocky aura and a distant relationship with their fans as He Is We do not care so much about the number of fans, but that they can connect with them and show that even though they are musicians, they are just like everybody else. My favourite He Is We songs are All About Us, Everything You Do and Happily Ever After. All About Us featuring Owl City is not only a beautifully written song but the music video is breath taking. The video is the story of a boy and a girl in love however the girl has cancer but this does not change the strength of their relationship. In contrast to many music videos in the charts with half naked woman and self-centred men, this is a true love story that makes my heart melt every time I watch it as it is so genuine. Everything You Do is again a love song, but it has a wonderful 1950's sound and an upbeat chorus that you cannot help but to sing along to. This song asks the question everybody wants to know 'Do I end up happy?' but has a light, humorous approach to the subject. Overall, He Is We are a relatable, talented band that can express the honesty of relationships in one catchy chorus and are definitely a band that should be on your iPod.

Nothing But Thieves

Nothing But Thieves is a band from Essex, England that I was fortunate to see live last year when they opened for Allstar Weekend at the o2 academy Islington. Annoyingly, I only arrived to that particular concert towards the end of their set but I was really impressed with what I heard and met the band afterwards. After that night, I looked the boys up on Youtube and became mesmerised with the covers that they have posted. Conor has one of the rawest, magical voices I have heard in a very long time and could be compared to the amazing vocals of Josh Ramsay (lead singer of Marianas Trench) with the emotion of John Mayer and passion of John Legend. So far, they have done covers of Lady Gaga, Adele, Pink, Jessie J, Tom Petty, The Script and Queen showing their versatile music stylings. Dom and Joe, the guitarists, are again talented musicians and their playing in 'Who's Laughing Now' is particularly impressive. Dave is the drummer and when I saw the band live the drum beats were the type that hit you straight in the heart, the band would not be the same without him. Nothing But Thieves have only released one of their own tracks on Youtube so far, entitled 'Falling' and the first time I heard it, it instantly became one of my favourite songs. I definitely think it’s the vocals which make the song so hypnotising and the pause before one of the choruses gives me chills every time. This band need to become better known as their talent must not go unnoticed; fortunately they are working on an album of new music which hopefully will showcase them as an amazing new band. I am very excited to see the boys at their show at The Garage in Islington, London on the 8th May and will be doing a review of the show. Until then, check out 'Falling' and their other covers and if you live in the area, make sure you grab a ticket to their gig in May.

Freelance Whales



[picture credit www.channelone.com]

Freelance Whales are the perfect band for Starbucks sipping, lyric loving, alternative music fans. I am not a fan of the word 'alternative' because it makes the music sound like an outsider and not considered as good or as important as 'mainstream' music however I used it in this case as more of a synonym for 'different', 'quirky' or 'eccentric'. Freelance Whales use simple beats and melodies in their songs along with techno sounds to make fun, well-written songs. Their music should not be taken too seriously lyrically however the band are talented musicians with an amazing technique in creating music videos for their awesome songs that nobody really understands, but still loves. Freelance Whales have had quite a lot of promotion via Chuck Criss's brother, Darren Criss who plays Blaine in Glee and is very proud of his brother's work. My favourite Freelance Whales tunes are 'Hannah' and 'Kilojoules' which, deservingly, are their most popular. Do you like the modern day techno sounds of the Freelance Whales?

New Music: Tanner Patrick - Merry Go Round

'Merry Go Round' has a chorus that will be in your head for a long time. Although I do not think the first verse fits with the sweet, teenage love song vibe of the chorus, this is easily forgotten once you begin hopelessly singing along and imagining a cute summer romance at a theme park. The song is on itunes now and the music video, which I expect will be wonderfully cheesy, will be released soon.

Artist Of The Week - The Cab

The first band/artist I would like to proclaim as 'Artist Of The Week' is the band 'The Cab' from Las Vegas, Nevada. They have had two albums in the past four years and their newest album, Symphony Soldier, is definitely on my list of albums to purchase before you die. Alexander Deleon has an amazing, pure voice which comes naturally to him and sounds just as good live as it does on the album; something many singers in the charts today cannot achieve. My favourite songs of theirs are 'Endlessly', 'Bad', 'Animal' and 'Vegas Skies'. It is hard to think of a band to compare The Cab to because many rock bands have music that can be a bit repetitive and sound the same, but Alex's voice can give their music a depth that many rock songs do not have. Yes, their album includes many tracks to rock out to but even pop or indie lovers, I feel, can enjoy it too. They recently did a co-headlining tour with one of my other favourite bands, The Summer Set, which I hope they can bring to London sometime soon. I thouroghly recomend this band, I have developed a rather large love for them which began the first time I heard the captivating introduction to 'Temporary Bliss' and the extremely addictive chorus to 'La La La Love. So go and check them out, and let me know if you feel the same way.

(Image credit: alternativemusichub.com )

Playlists >>

Every season, I will be posting a playlist of songs that I highly recomend. The Spring playlist is up so check it out.

Album Review - Whatever (Hot Chelle Rae)

I thought I would start my blog with a review of, what I feel, is the best album of 2012 so far. Hot Chelle Rae is a pop/indie band from Nashville Tennessee and their new album Whatever is bursting with instantly loveable tracks. The lead singer Ryan Follese, has a voice that could make any teenage girl's knees go weak and the musical styling's of his band mates Nash Overstreet, Ian Keagy and Jamie Follese are amazing for teenage rock lovers out there.

The opening track 'I Like It Like That' perfectly introduces the band as a group of chilled out guys who just want to have fun. Whereas some songs take a while to get into, from the first line this song can put a smile on your face. The song features New Boyz who rap a bridge which I don't think is needed and may be a couple of lines too long but makes the song accessiable to a wider, more mainstream audience. Whatever you do, do not download the Radio Disney version of the song unless you are under the age of 12. The lyrics to some of the funniest parts are changed to make them more child friendly but I think it kills the vibe a bit.

The next song is 'Tonight Tonight' which went double platinum after its release as a single last March. Rightly so, too. Carrying on the theme of forgetting the past and enjoying life without a care in the world, Tonight Tonight is a song filled with attitude and teenage humour. The best line? 'I woke up with a strange tattoo, not sure how I got it not a dollar in my pocket and it kind of looks just like you, mixed with Zach Galifinakis'. A band that can fit in the word Galifinakis in their lyrics, are a band worth listening to and leave you needing to see this tattoo. Without a doubt, this song should have been featured on The Hangover soundtrack even without the name drop.

The following song is 'Honestly' and I think this song should win an award for the most enticing first line. Ryan's voice sounds particularly cool on this track. It is a song about getting out of a clingy relationship because you can't be bothered anymore and realising that life is a lot better single and free. An excellent break up song specifically designed to annoy the pants off of your ex.

Track 4 is Keep You With Me which is a refreshing change from the previous three tracks which shows that the boys do actually have a heart and can take life seriously...at times. This slower song initially sounds very 'boy band' like with its cheesy lines and slow guitar rhythm but the chorus is powerful and heart felt.

The next tune, Radio, takes you back to the fun beats of the first three songs. It is probably the catchiest song on the album and is about a long distance relationship. This, clearly, is something the band has gone through first hand and so even though it is an up-beat song with lots of 'oh oh's, the boys' honesty is felt throughout the song. Again, this song has a rap after the bridge by Bei Maejor but this time I thought the rap was a good addition as it had humorous lyrics that make you want to get up a dance.

'Whatever', the next song is the title track of the album and honestly I think sums up the album perfectly. The 'whatever' outlook on life may not be everyone's cup of tea but I think it's great, especially for teens as we often go through very stressful times, be it at home or at school, and although i'm not denying that working hard is important, sometimes you do need to let lose a bit and forget your troubles. If youre looking for motivational music, Taylor Swift may be a little up your street, but if youre looking for music that can highlight that everyone has problems to deal with and a positive attitude can help, this is for you. My favourite song on the album, it proves Hot Chelle Rae are not only a talented band, they are insanely relatable too.

Track 7 is 'Forever Unstoppable'. The juxtaposition between Whatever and Forever Unstoppable is quite funny actually. Whatever, the song that tells you to give up and move on with your life is very different from Forever Unstoppable which gives the message that if you want something out of life, you need to get up from your backside and go get it because 'nothings impossible'. However it shows the two factors of life which is important as there is always the fear kids will take Whatever too seriously and none of our generation will have the mind-set to get jobs in the future!

The next song, featuring ex Disney star Demi Lovato, showcases Ryan's amazing vocal talents on the song 'Why Don't You Love Me?'. You would think Demi's incredible, strong voice would over-power Ryan's vocals, but their voices compliment each other's very well. Their harmonies are beautiful and I love how the song shows the two sides of the relationship; from the boy's point of view and the girl's. The situation of wanting someone to love you when they do not show as much interest is something so many people go through and the song is so well-written it makes it almost impossible to think that anyone could not love Ryan or the band.

If your heart has recovered from the angst-filled 'Why Don't You Love Me?', the next song Downtown Girl brings you back to the party mood. An easy song to dance to, it makes me question why all aritsts can't write songs that put me in such a damn right good mood?

Feel free to continue dancing because Downtown Girl is followed by another party anthem perfect for a summer party in your back garden or on the beach. Beautiful Freaks reaches out to everyone and anyone who just want to act crazy and have a good time. It encourages you to feel beautiful and can unite people through this amazing song.

The final track on the album, 'The Only One' is another example, along with Keep You With Me, that shows Hot Chelle Rae are capable of writing incredible love songs as well as their expertise in writing party tunes. The similes in the verses, for example 'its like technicolour in black and white' show they are talented guys who put a lot of thought into their writing and are not just singing about love for the sake of fitting in with other artists, but that they have felt the emotions they are describing and they are genuine feelings.

In conclusion, Whatever is a must-buy record for teenagers and I am pretty sure the 'replay' button will be worn out after your first few weeks of downloading it.

Introducing Me

Aspiring writer with a passion for music. Well, that sums up who I am in seven simple words. Although I do not write my own music, which seems like the obvious option for me considering those seven words, when listening to music I can write lots on how it speaks to me and how it makes me feel. Or not, as the case may be. Music is a form of writing, however, that can speak to the whole world. No matter what your nationality, gender or age, if you like the beat a gallery of emotion can be opened up to you. Another reason for my love for music is the fact there is a song that is relevant to whatever mood you are in. Personally, when I am sad I listen to music such as The Fray or Sia, which relaxes me. When feeling happy, I always feel encouraged to listen to music that makes me want to dance like Hot Chelle Rae or Justin Timberlake. From the innocent age of three or four, I would clap my chubby hands to Reach For The Stars by S Club 7 or One Love by Blue. As you can see my taste in music may not have been particularly respectable as a toddler, but nevertheless as long as you enjoy music I do not think it matters what people think of your taste. This blog is a way of sharing with you the music I like, and I hope that you give it a chance too. I'm a girl that likes different genres of music, although I would say my preferences are Pop and Rock. So what can you expect from this blog? I hope to write album reviews, concert reviews and I will do an 'Artist of the Week' and, possibly, interviews with bands. Feel free to send in any song suggestions or ideas of what you would like to see on the site.

Spread the word.