Leeds band, Just Handshakes, have released the video for their first single taken from their debut album, Say It, which is due to be released later this year on California-based record label, Bleeding Gold. Shot on film stock from the year that they were born, the vivid colours of the video perfectly match the indie-pop vibes of the song. You can download the single for free here.
Monday 25 February 2013
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Review: Sofar Sounds - Oxford, 16th February 2013
The concept behind Sofar Sounds is a simple and yet surprisingly rare one. Hosted in living rooms around the world, audience members are asked not to talk throughout the set, and to remain until the end. It's always hard for support bands to play when half the audience are preoccupied at the bar, and so the idea of appreciating all the bands in a line-up is a much needed one. For my first Sofar Sounds, the dreaming spires of Oxford seemed like the perfect setting, with its rich music scene currently producing so many successes from rockers Foals, to folk-poppers, Stornoway.
The evening got off to a swinging start with self-proclaimed Freakadelics, Bambino dell'Oro. After 30 seconds of what seemed like complete improvisation with no apparent link between piano and drums, I was pleasantly surprised when the beat began to pick up, and a melody appeared. With no vocalist, it was a chilled start to the evening with a soprano saxophone melting into the piano and drums - refined and elegant jazz which set the mood perfectly.
Where Bambino dell'Oro soothed, King of Cats, on the other hand, displayed an intensity which occasionally verged on the unnerving. His quiet, unassuming demeanour was in sharp contrast to the uncompromising tone of his songs and disturbing lyrics. However, the musical expertise behind the songs was impressive with catchy melodies, and accomplished guitar playing.
After such a forceful set, the dulcet tones of The Melodic relieved the tension, and despite their soft voices and gentle melodies, they never lost the attention of the audience. Melodicas appeared for the second time in the evening (having already been used by Bambino dell'Oro), prompting an anecdote about how they once forgot to take said instrument to a gig - ironic considering they were called Melodica, Melody and Me at the time. With their debut album in the works, their charmingly folky set ensured that this is a band to watch.
An intimate atmosphere was guaranteed with such a small audience and it was wonderful to feel so close to the artists, not only physically, but emotionally - the rawness of the unplugged music seemed a lot more personal and natural than in larger venues. The evening as a whole showed exactly what a gig should be like with a respectful and attentive audience, and for that, Sofar Sounds, I salute you.
For more information on how you can apply for tickets to Sofar Sounds, visit: www.sofarsounds.com
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Stornoway - Knock Me On The Head
Today brought the release of the music video for the first single from Stornoway's sophomore album 'Tales From Terra Firma'. Based on Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the video for Knock Me On The Head perfectly encompasses the maritime theme of the song, and the ominous opening visuals set the scene for the epic song to follow.
Read my interviews with Oli Steadman (bassist) and Rob Steadman (drummer)
Stornoway are currently touring the UK - for more information visit www.stornoway.eu
Tales From Terra Firma comes out on 11th March
Tales From Terra Firma comes out on 11th March
Wednesday 13 February 2013
Sebastian Reynolds' Charity Remix Project
Oxford-based producer and musician, Sebastian Reynolds, has embarked on a new initiative to release a remix each month of 2013, raising money for different charities over the course of the year. This month's remix is of fellow Oxford musicians, Spring Offensive's Worry Fill My Heart, with proceeds going to the National Deaf Children's Society. Although its only just over two minutes long, it's a wonderful remix, and a sure sign that the debut album Reynolds is currently working on, will be a great one.
You can also listen to January's remix (Dearly Distracted - Meursault) below.
Sunday 3 February 2013
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