Black Cab Sessions: A New TV Show

Having long been at the forefront (and creme de la creme) of all the 'sessions' videos cropping up on youtube, Black Cab Sessions have taken the USA with their new programme airing on Channel 4 tonight.The infamous black cab will travel around the States, visiting meaningful cities to artists, and bringing the best of the American music scenes to our living rooms.

Black Cab Sessions USA from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

Tune into Channel 4 at 12.10am tonight, or watch the programme on 4OD later

One To Watch: Tom Williams & The Boat

      Folk band, Tom Williams & The Boat, have been raising money for their second album, Teenage Blood, via Pledgemusic, and have finally passed their target. Having self-released their music in the past, the band have teamed up with London record label Moshi Moshi (Bloc Party, Slow Club, Au Revoir Simone) for the album. Although they've already reached their target, you can still pledge, and (hailing from Kent) a portion of the money raised will go towards local charity, Kent Air Ambulance - a very worthy cause.

      Their first single from Teenage Blood,  My Bones' simple melancholy and darkness is breathtaking and an extremely promising introduction to the album which is released on April 16th.

You can download My Bones for free from www.tomwilliamsandtheboat.co.uk and check out the band at  Grey Lady in Tunbridge Wells on March 4th, and The Bull & Gate in London on March 22nd.

I've Been Listening To...

Midnight City - M83

Up and Coming: Django Django

Hailing from Edinburgh, Django Django has just released its eponymous debut album. Despite having been on the music scene for several years, the Scottish lads are only just getting the recognition they deserve. Their psychedelic pop is infectious and perfect for this wintery sunny spell we're experiencing at the moment.

I've Been Listening To...

This Isn't Everything You Are - Snow Patrol

Album Review: Born To Die - Lana Del Rey

Album: Born To Die

Record label: Interscope

Genre: Indie-Pop

For fans of: Ellie Goulding, Marina & The Diamonds

Best Song: Born To Die

Rating: 8/10 

     Since Video Games emerged on the internet last June, the mammoth amount of column inches would have been enough to cause anyone to break down under the pressure of creating perhaps THE album of the decade. With speculations on her millionaire/trailer park background, rather inflated lips, and that Saturday Night Live performance, it's no wonder that there have been mixed reactions to Lana Del Rey's new album, Born To Die. The many comments on her appearance and authenticity seem to somewhat detract from what the most important thing is - the music.

       Many have critiscised LDR for her apparent sugar-sweet innocence, but on the album, her sweet breathy voice seems to sing with a certain wisdom normally reserved for singers with careers spanning whole lifetimes. However we mustn't forget that despite having only been thrown into the public eye in the past year, Lizzy Grant (actual name), has been around on the music scene for a fair while longer, releasing a full length studio album back in January 2010. Born To Die, certainly seems to suggest a hidden past. Del Rey relates that the title track is about her wilder youth, singing 'come and take a walk on the wild side'. The haunting melancholy alongside soaring violins and a driving drum beat sends shivers up your spine, and the gentle power of the song really stands out on the album.

      Diet Mountain Dew, on the other hand is a far more up tempo track and almost seems reminiscent of Sleigh Bells' Rill Rill, whilst National Anthem sparkles with visions of living the American Dream. Although LDR will most likely never win an award for most inspired lyrics, (yes, 'Money is the reason, we exists. Everybody knows it, it's a fact. Kiss, kiss', I'm looking at you), the beautiful simplicity of the melodies, combined with such a dulcet voice makes for a stunning album.

     Recent reports state that this could be Lana Del Rey's first and only album (as she's so pleased with it), however I sure hope that in the future we see more of her, and perhaps next time her critics won't be so harsh.

 Born To Die is out now on Interscope and Polydor, and for more information, visit: www.lanadelrey.com

I've Been Listening To...

Somebody That I Used To Know - GOTYE

And whilst I'm on this song, check out this video as well, for a pretty awesome cover of it. It's a shame my ukulele is too small to do that...

God Help The Girl

      God Help The Girl is a 'new musical feature film' written by Stuart Murdoch, lead singer of Belle & Sebastian. The film centres around girl who after suffering emotional problems begins writing music with two other musicians one summer in Glasgow. With inspiration from the French New Wave (and in particular film makers Truffaut and Godard), it's sure to be a fantastic film once it's released, however at the moment there are a couple of setbacks.

      Despite the project beginning back in 2003, and having producer Barry Mendel (The Royal Tenembaums, Bridesmaids), on board, the film is lacking funds, which is where you come in! Having already raised over $70,000 of the $100,000 target, the fundraising is underway, but more money is needed in order to start filming.

      After the success of Anyone Can Play Guitar, a documentary by Jon Spira about the Oxford Music Scene (which was largely funded by generous donations from fans), I'm positive that God Help The Girl will be a huge success as well once the target is reached.

     You can donate to the project via the fundraising website Kickstarter and in return receive various 'gifts'. By pledging $15 you'll receive a printed 'thank you' postcard signed by Stuart Murdoch; $50, an exclusively designed poster or t-shirt also signed by Murdoch; or for $400 Murdoch will take you on a tour of Glasgow of all the locations used in the film. Visit Kickstarter to see a full list of what you could receive by pledging money towards the project.

Visit www.godhelpthegirl.com or www.twitter.com/godhelpthegirl for more information

Focus On: Foxes!

Album: Foxes!

Record label: Big Salad Records

Genre: Indie-Pop

For fans of: Au Revoire Simone

Best Song: Oh Rosie 

Rating: 7/10

          Foxes!'s chirpy eponymous debut album has brought a splattering of summery pop to the otherwise dreary month of January. Released on independent record label, Big Salad Records, the band hailing from Brighton have produced a whimsical album perfect for those rainy days when you just long for summer. Opening track, Aisle No. 3, seems reminiscent of children's TV programmes from the '90s with lead singer Kayla Bell's soft, breathy voice, maracas and cheery keyboard hooks; and the almost vintagey feel seems to carry on over the rest of the album as well.

          The Panda Bear Song is a joyful ditty to the plight of pandas in the world, and the delightful accompanying music video mimics those television charity appeals from the 70s complete with origami folding, juggling and magicians.

         However the stand out track on the album is Oh Rosie, and with a much richer guitar sound, it moves away from the tweeness of some of the other tracks on the album. The exhilarating fast pace of the song complete with frantic drumming and Bell's soothing melodic tone creates an exciting, energetic track far different from much of Foxes!'s other material.

        Although at first it might seem that the songs on Foxes! are lighthearted and humorous, on closer listening it becomes apparent that this is not necessarily the case. Descartes explores cancer and being resurrected 'just like Jesus did', whilst Who Killed Rob? is a cautionary tale of why not to eat an ice cream whilst cycling along the road (see video).
         
         With many of the songs barely even making it to 3 minutes, Foxes! is a brief but joyful album, and I much look forward to seeing what they have in store for us next in 2012.

Foxes! is out on Big Salad Records on Monday 16th January

For more information visit: www.foxesfoxesfoxes.co.uk

I've Been Listening To...

The Fear - Ben Howard