New Video: Just Handshakes - London Bound

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.

www.justhandshakeswerebritish.tumblr.com

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

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 

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. 

sebastianreynolds.bandcamp.com

I've Been Listening To...

Nothing Arrived - Villagers

Interview: Kyla La Grange

 2012 was a great year for Kyla La Grange. Not only did it bring about the release of her stunning debut album, 'Ashes' (which featured on NotAnotherRainySunday's top 10 albums of the year) but she was also one of the musicians to take part in the musical project Africa Express. I got in touch with the songstress to find out exactly what this year has been like, and what's in store for 2013.

With your South African and Zimbabwean heritage, do you think their musical traditions ever translate into your own songwriting?

Unfortunately my parents didn't listen to much African music when I was growing up - they liked a wide range of things (Rock, Blues, Folk, Classical) but I wouldn't say I was very well schooled in music from Southern Africa itself, which is a shame, as I think it would've been great to have had some non-Western influences too.

What were your musical influences growing up?

At home my parents listened to The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, JJ Cale, Muddy Waters, Donovan, Simon & Garfunkel....I could go on and on. My mum also loved opera and always had Classic FM playing, and I had classical singing lessons for years before I started singing rock and pop music. When I was about 12 I got massively into 80s power ballads - I bought T'Pau 'China in Your Hands' and Bonnie Tyler 'Total Eclipse of The Heart' on vinyl and I used to stick them on our record player and sing along over and over and over again. I was always in choirs and I wrote (bad) little songs at home on my own.

You've often been compared to Florence & The Machine in reviews - do you think this type of comparison is useful for new artists, or can it be a bit of a hindrance? 

I don't mind at all - it's just a way people have of placing you. Unless you really despised the artist you were being compared to I don't get why people would get annoyed about it - it's flattering if anything.

What's your songwriting process like? Does it take a lot of concentration, or is it something that comes easily to you?

It is completely different from week to week. Sometimes I sit down and I just write for hours and hours and I don't even notice it getting dark outside and I have to eventually tear myself away from the song, but sometimes I really struggle to even get started. I can never force a song; if it doesn't want to come then it won't, I just have to leave it and come back another time. I think songs should come along of their own accord - I don't like the idea of deciding that I'm going to write a song, I like the song to decide that it's going to be written.

Your music video for Been Better is a visual treat with mystical wolves and peacocks - what was the inspiration behind it?

Well, I like hanging out with animals so any excuse to do that and I will. Those weren't real wolves though - they were called 'Timber Dogs' and they liked eating biscuits, so not quite as mystical in real life. I don't know, I'm a big fan of fantasy and fairy stories so I like adding that element into videos and the live shows - it makes me feel more at home.

In 2012, you took part in the project 'Africa Express'. What was it like working with such a  range of artists with very different styles to you? And what has been the legacy of that journey?

Africa Express was one of the most amazing things I've ever had the opportunity to be involved with. I was exposed to so many musical styles and instruments I'd never heard before, and everyone was so lovely, there were no egos or arguments. It truly was such a beautiful thing; everyone collaborated and made friends with people they might not otherwise have had the chance to meet.

Which bands or artists do you think we should be looking out for this year?

Daughter, who are incredible (and I think they are going to quietly take over the world), Dog is Dead, whose live shows are some of the best shows I've seen, and Bastille, whose song 'Bad Blood' I am unhealthily addicted to.

With your debut album now under your belt, what's in store for you in 2013?

At the moment I'm just completely obsessed with writing the new album. I get up and write and record all day; I don't want to go out or see anyone, it's great. I think I will have finished writing all the songs for the second album by March, so I'd love to have it recorded by the end of the year, though that is probably wishful thinking. These things always take longer than you expect.

www.kylalagrange.com 

Lana Del Rey & Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Camden Roundhouse (Archive photos)

Just found these photos from Lana Del Rey's gig (part of the iTunes festival) in September 2012, supported by Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Although I never wrote a review of the actual night, I hope you enjoy the photos below. Additional photos are up on the NotAnotherRainySunday facebook page.

I've Been Listening To...

Kemosabe - Everything Everything

Top 10 albums of 2012

10. Tom Williams & The Boat - Teenage Blood
Tunbridge Wells band, Tom Williams & The Boat have appropriately made waves this year with their latest album, Teenage Blood. With its mixture of melancholic songs but also some surprisingly uplifting numbers, the whole album is a masterpiece of different styles, and makes for easy listening. Stand out track, Too Young, with its jazzy piano riffs and catchy melody, proves why the band have become so popular of late - their simple and pure guitar music is a refreshing change from the many rock bands trying to make it today.

9. Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
Practically unheard of before the start of 2012, Alt-J crashed on to the music scene with their debut album, An Awesome Wave, in May. Immaculately produced, combing heavy bass and gentle melodies,  it's hard to exactly define the album within a genre. However, this is perhaps a strength of the album - Alt-J has the ability to easily move from soaring vocals to psychedelic melodies whilst still retaining its own distinct personality within each song.

8. Kyla La Grange - Ashes
Due to all the Lana Del Rey hype during 2011, it seems that Kyla La Grange was pushed to the side, and has only recently been receiving the recognition that she deserves. However, to compare the two singers would be a disservice to La Grange, who fortunately lacks the simpering tones of Del Rey. Instead, she has an edge to her songs with heavy guitar and drums anchoring her soulful voice.




7. The Temper Trap - The Temper Trap
Best known for Sweet Disposition, which featured on the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack, The Temper Trap have returned with their second album. After receiving so much praise for their first album, it was always going to be difficult creating the follow-up, but the Australian group seem to have successfully managed it. With more of an 80s vibe, the album is definitely more energetic than their previous offering and shows a clear development in their sound, whilst still sticking to their roots of rousing melodies to sing along to drunkenly.


6. The Maccabees - Given To The Wild
On their third album, Given To The Wild, lead singer, Orlando Weeks' delicate voice adds mystique to the glittering guitars riffs, particularly on stand out track, Feel To Follow, where close-harmonied vocals are swiftly followed by full-on guitar madness. This can be said for much of the album where dulcet melodies are combined with a contrasting harsher guitar, meshing beautifully to make 13 wonderful tracks.

5. Beach House - Bloom
For those waiting for a follow-up to Beach House's stunning album, Teen Dream, 2012 proved to be a good year,with the band  receiving wide praise for their latest offering. They may have remained firmly in the territory of electronic melancholy, but why change a formula that works so well? Bloom encompasses everything that is good about a Beach House record,with breathy vocals and slide guitar aplenty.



4. Django Django - Django Django
 The infectious funk of Django Django sound tracked the summer, with the release of their eponymous debut album which has been a long time in the making. With big bass lines and enough synths to satisfy even the hippest of hipster's needs, their almost chant like vocals melt into a wonderful sea of colourful noise, making them one of the most exciting bands of the moment.

3. Francois & The Atlas Mountains - E Volo Love
Hailing from Bordeaux, Francois & The Atlas Mountains released their debut album this year, which has proved to be a success not only in France, but on English shores as well. Although the Channel may only be 20 miles across at its narrowest, it's rare that French acts make the difficult transition into the British music scene. However, Francois Marry and pals, with their African influenced drumbeats, and charming mix of French and English lyrics have brought someoverdue Gallic energy to our music scene.

2. Dry The River -Shallow Bed
The haunting voice of Peter Siddle soars over the album with a tender solemnity, as violins weave in and out of electric guitars and crashing drums, and though at times the songs are rather mournful, there's no denying that it's a stunning effort. It's not only the musical elements that create such a wonderful record though. The lyrics are gloriously poetic - nostalgic for ancient lands with King Solomon and Rehoboam referenced on No Rest, whilst Shield Your Eyes talks of the 'Phrygian lion'. In many ways, Shallow Bed is much like the Greek myths it appears to be emulating, with an epic feel throughout that bewilders and astounds.


1. Beth Jeans Houghton & The Hooves of Destiny - Yours Truly, Cellophane Nose
From the bizarre name of her debut album, it's easy to guess that Beth Jeans Houghton likes to stand out from the crowd. Opening track, Sweet Tooth Bird confirms this suspicion, with its trumpet fanfares and almost operatic vocals. However this is far from being a pretentious record. Yes, it's different and unexpected, but triumphantly so. The feeling of exhilaration that spans across the album never disappears, constantly taking surprising twists and turns with the gentle tones of Dodecahedron greatly contrasting with the fast paced, almost frantic excitement of Atlas that follows it. 

Top 10 Singles of 2012

10. Breezeblocks - Alt-J

9. Five Seconds - Twin Shadow

8. Trembling Hands - The Temper Trap

7. Sun - Two Door Cinema Club

6. Les Plus Beaux - Francois & The Atlas Mountains

5. The Waves - Villagers

4. Laura - Bat For Lashes

3. Life's A Beach - Django Django 

2. Atlas - Beth Jeans Houghton

1. Cough Cough - Everything Everything

What have been your top singles of the year? Write in the comments below!