Day of the Demos

This time of year, all music fans seem to be sitting on the edge of their seats eagerly awaiting album releases from their favourite music artists and oh, do we like being teased with juicy snippets of news! Today I have come across two new demos from none other then Carl Barat and Noel Gallagher.

For those of you who are not a 'fan' of Carl Barat on Facebook then you may not have come across his teasing demo of 'War of the Roses' which would feature on his album in autumn. When I first  came across the song and saw the title, my expectation was that it would be reminiscent of the slow, romantic tracks on his previous album such as 'Shadows fall' or 'So Long My Lover' however I was pleasantly surprised with the direction that Barat has taken his new material. War of The Roses punches the speakers with a kick-ass attitude in the bass line which he complements within his lyrics where he seems to have more confidence in singing then his previous solo work. The song takes us to his urban north London roots with its blare-out vocals towards the end and the catchy rhythm. All in all, although War of The Roses is much more daring then his previous solo songs, it will not disappoint Barat's fans as it has many of his characteristics with a healthy dosage of elements from The Libertines. However as I mentioned before, this demo is just meant to be a teaser and a bedroom recording which Barat 'let slip'.

If you are curious, then head over to Carl Barat's Facebook page; click here for a cheeky listen

Ok, so I may have grabbed your attention with the news of Noel Gallagher's demo of 'She Must Be One Of Us' but it seems I may have been a little too slow in checking out the video as I was met with a rather defiant declaration of 'This video contains content from EMI who has blocked it on copyright grounds'. At least we have a title and a very strong suggestion that there may be an album release in 2013 from the eldest Gallagher.

A Trip Down Rock 'n Roll Memory Lane

So today I'm in one of those nostalgic moods, longing for summer when the season of music will be on us once again but also looking back longingly at the best moments in my music related life when I have had the chance to meet and chat to the very people that inspire me. Here's a selection of images that have a special place in the memory box of my mind.

Meeting Nicky Wire at his talk and book signing at Rough Trade East

Me and the boyfriend meeting Artmagic (Sean McGhee and Richard Oakes)
at Banquet Records 

Meeting Alex from Elliot Minor at their acoustic performanc
at O2 Islington  

Matthew from The Front Bottoms at The Cricketers

Snow Day Playlist

As I looked out my window this morning, I was greeted by a rather beautiful sight. The street was covered in a blanket of unspoiled, pure whiteness, a true winter wonderland. For those of you who have taken a snow day, wrapped up in a duvet with a hot water bottle, I have compiled the perfect winter playlist.

1) Carl Barat 'The Fall'

 This tale of passion and woe between two lovers is the perfect sexy soundtrack for a duvet day with your partner. The piano line takes the listener into the throes of winter with its light jingle and if you're not feeling too sluggish, then warm your cockles by doing the Tango to this tale of debauchery.

2) Fleet Foxes 'White Winter Hymnal'

The vocals within this song will make you drift of into a glorious dream as the Fleet Foxes chant 'I was following the, I was following the pack, All swallowed in their coats,With scarves of red tied around their throats,To keep their little heads from falling in the snow, And I turned round and there you go.
And, Michael, you would fall, And turn the white snow Red as strawberries in the summertime'. Ok, so the lyrics may seem a little bleak but the vocals along with the tambourine and guitar line makes this song the perfect accompaniment to mulled wine by the fire place.

3) Manic Street Preachers 'Small Black Flowers that Grow In The Sky'

Just like most of the lyrics that Richey wrote, this song has very solemn tone to it. However the addition of harps to the track deems it sadly beautiful and James Dean Bradfield's husky vocals will relax every sinew in your body.

4) Suede 'The Asphalt World'

I may be biased as I am a huge fan of Suede but Asphalt World is arguably one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard and is perfect for a cold winter's night. The slow beat and the daring imagery within the verses takes your mind to a different world as Brett takes a full lunged approach to 'With ice in her blood, and a dove in her head, how does she feel when she's in your bed?' as he tells the tale of the love triangle.

Carl Barat

       

A New Age for Music

In light of the announcement of high street giants 'HMV' going into administration I was wondering where I heard a warning of this before. The answer was in MC Lars' 'Download this Song'. MC Lars' image is the adorable nerd rapper with his songs always focusing on intelligent subjects such as literature, poetry and even space travel. However, 'Download this Song' has been on repeat on my iPod due to the serious message it carries. Although the song was released in 2006, it has never been more relevant then today as Lars explains to big record companies that the music industry will fall apart if they fail to recognize that we are now in the digital age and if they want to keep up with technology then they need to embrace it; otherwise they are doomed to failure. If free digital songs are available to consumers then of course consumers will grab it with both hands, everybody loves something for free but is up to record companies and distributors to adapt to this. This may have been the very reason why HMV sank like the Titanic, and while my sympathies are with those who now need to find new jobs, it is good news for indie record stores. I have always loved indie stores due to the fact that the staff are passionate about what they do and most importantly, they stress the importance of physical copies. There is nothing like the buzz that you feel when you walk out of a shop, anxious to get home so you can discover something new. You will not find this buzz sitting on your computer. In fact with many vinyls, EPs and LPs that I have purchased, there has been a code on the inside so the consumer can have a physical copy and still enjoy the song on their iPods.

Next time you feel the urge to buy a new single or album, seek out your local record store and more then likely the staff will get to know you, and in time, start recommending new releases that you may like. This is a huge contrast to the service that HMV offered, a faceless corporate organization that I always felt lost in. (one member of staff even admitted to my boyfriend that he didn't even LIKE music). Remember that the fate of music is in the hands of the consumer.


It's 2006, the consumer's still pissed , won't take it anymore so I'm writing a list, Don't try to resist this paradigm shift, The music revolution cannot be dismissed $18.98 Iggy Pop CD? What if I can get it from my sister for free?  It's all about marketing Clive Davis, see? If fans buy the shirt then they get the mp3  Music was a product now it is a service  Major record labels why are you trying to hurt us?  Epic's up in my face like, "Don't steal our songs Lars," While Sony sells the burners that are burning CD-R's. So Warner, EMI, hear me clearly, Universal Music, update your circuitry. 
                                                                                                                                  MC Lars

Mick Rock and Kevin Cummins - Rock Photography Legends

While idly browsing through HMV on a Saturday afternoon, I came across the coffee table book 'Psychedelic Renegades. Photos of Syd Barrett by Mick Rock' so being a fan of Syd Barrett I naturally picked it up. This is where my love affair of rock photography began and now the walls of my studio apartment are adorned with posters ripped out of NME and album artwork such Gold Against the Soul, Pink Floyd's Animals, Dr Dee and many more. I now have two favourite rock photographers, Mick Rock and Kevin Cummins, who for me, capture perfectly the essence and personality of their subjects in their purest form.

I'll start by talking about 'Psychedelic Renegades' as it can contains such an artistic insight into the Syd Barrett's day to day live. The first set of photographs takes us to the streets of Earl's Court where Syd is posing with a convertible that formerly belonged to Mickey Finn of T-Rex. The convertible dominates the frame as it seems to be a symbol of Syd's own life, what was once exceptionally good at what it did and a high powered, sought after machine was reduced to having a tyre missing and covered in police notices warning of a removal due to neglect. The first set of photos are a particular favourite of mine as the photos are tinted in a light grey which makes Syd's heavy, deep set eyes thick in eye-liner all the more dramatic.

Syd's personality is epitomized in this photograph. 

The second set of photographs within the book are much more vibrant as they are set in Syd's apartment with much emphasis on his red and blue painted striped floorboards. This adds a much more bohemian element with Iggy, a half-Eskimo girl, baring all in the background. Although Psychedelic Renegades is my favourite work by Mick Rock, I am also particularly fond of the work he did with David Bowie, capturing the essence of Ziggy Stardust in all his colourful glory.



Kevin Cummins

I discovered Kevin Cummins through my love of the Manic Street Preachers as I came across photos of the Glamour Twins, Richey and Nicky, and marveled at how the photos summed up the messy, effeminate glamour of these two characters. Born in 1953, Cummins was fortunate to be there, camera at the ready  at the dawn of the punk age, capturing Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistol's in action. He has captured many defining moments of music history, frozen there in his images are Ian Curtis in his trench coat, taking a thoughtful drag on his cigarette, Richey staring at his reflection with his chest covered in blood having just carved 'VIH' on his chest (the intention was to carve 'HIV' but having done it in the mirror, Richey hadn't realized that he was carving back to front) and Morrissey smiling to himself. My favourite photograph by Kevin Cummins has to be his series of photos taken of Richey. Standing against a red backdrop, a topless Richey has Andy Warhol's famous head shots of Marilyn Monroe printed repeatedly across his chest and arms. These images captures the idea of Richey BEING a 'Manic Street Preacher' as with his arms stretched out, he seems to be elevating himself as an idea, a person placed on earth to tell everybody what is wrong with the world, which he did in his lyrics. By having Marilyn Monroe printed across his body, he is reminding us of his inner depression being played out within the media circus which was also the fate of Marilyn.

All in all, I wouldn't describe myself as having extensive knowledge of photography, but I am fascinated by Rock Photography. It is essential in capturing moments that define a generation and these images will always live on in the hearts of every rock 'n' roller.

Richey and Marilyn: A shared fate captured.

 

A New Personal Discovery

I wrote yesterday on how important Twitter was for musicians reaching out to a wider audience and my theory manifested itself this morning. I noticed that a Manchester based indie band 'Bauer' was following me so I thought I would see for myself what they were about and I am liking what I am hearing.

I tried googling more information on the band but unfortunately there was not much information to be had, not even a wikipedia page. However I did find from their Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/bauersleepinggiant)  that it included band members Greg Matthews (singer/songwriter/synth) Neil Treppas (Producer/Bass) Lee Bradbury (drums) Micheal Reed (guitar).

Bauer have a really polished sound so I'm guessing from this that they are no small town band, in fact I would even go as far to say that they are a cooler version of Coldplay with their track 'Indian Sign' being an Indie power ballad. 'Gone' has such feel good vibes to it, a nice catchy tempo which would be perfect for cruising along in your car to on a summer's day. 'Connected' is my personal favourite, which I would describe as electro-pop as it is very danceable with shout-out-loud lyrics 'GONNA GET MYSELF CONNECTED HUNNY LIKE YOU DO'

I'm a bit nervous that I'm going to publish this post and I'll receive huge amounts of angry feedback with people saying 'you call yourself a music fan Nicky? Have you been hiding under a rock!?' as Bauer sound incredibly professional and have such beautiful songs that I find it hard to believe that I have only just heard of them. 

If you too want to hear what Bauer are about head over to https://soundcloud.com/bauermusic-1/indian-sign?in=bauermusic-1/sets/bauer-e-p-2006-1  to have a free listen. Their debut album 'Sleeping Giant' is out now.

Cut out the middle man in music

Do you know what makes me angry?

The Capital FM television advert.

Why does it make me angry?

Rihanna declares that Capital FM is the middle man between her and her fans.

The reason why this angers me is because there should be no middle man between an artist and their fans. If there is, it just demonstrates that the artist is not grateful for the people that put them there, that buy their albums, that make them their money.  If you're going to place a barrier between you and your fans, then you're ungrateful and think that you are too high and mighty to mingle with them.

This is one of the many reasons why I cannot stand the majority of the chart music because it is plagued with arrogance and mass egos.  Since the rise of twitter, certain artists have been using this medium as a way to safely communicate with their fans. Stars such as Graham Coxon, Edwyn Collins, Sean McGhee and many more hold artists such Rihanna, Jessie J etc to shame because they are constantly communicating with their fans and making the effort to connect with them. When I get replies from musicians that I listen to on a daily basis, it really makes my day and makes me feel as though I am part of their project. After all, isn't music about sharing a message, an emotion and a moment?

Another aspect that alienates fans from the very people they look up to is the venues in which they perform. I understand how exciting it is to be at a huge, concert stadium and be part of something bigger then yourself, but artists also need to connect on a one to one basis and a way to do this is to play or do talks at small venues. Take the Manic Street Preachers for example, just days before they played to a sold-out O2 arena, I attended a talk given by Nicky Wire at Rough Trade East. This enlightened me even more about the ethos and purpose of the Manic Street Preachers, I didn't feel like a fan, I felt like part of a family being surrounded by like-minded people. James Dean Bradfield also played an intimate set at Rough Trade a few months ago. Nicky Wire and James Dean Bradfield had no need to attend these events, they have a worldwide fan base and I'm guessing a lot of money in the bank, but they still understand how important it is to reach out to people, make it known that they are grateful and genuinely love the people who they write songs for.  

The bond between a musician and their fan base is crucial and developing a middle man is just alienating yourself from the people that made you, not to mention an extremely  ungrateful act. Musicians are people like us, not Gods and Goddesses that have to remain on an untouchable pedestal.

David Bowie releases surprise new single

When David Bowie emerged out of his apartment to buy some milk last month, it was almost front page news as the recluse stumbled out into the sunshine. So needless to say when I heard the news today (on his 66th Birthday) that he had released a new single today 'Where Are We Now?' and plans to release an album 'The Next Day' on March 11th, it took me a while to actually believe what I had read. When the news sunk in, I headed over to http://www.davidbowie.com/vision?videopremiere=true to have a listen.

David Bowie has never hidden away from the weird and wonderful and this video is certainly. . .odd! Set in what looks like an abandoned art studio, Bowie and an unknown girl's face floats upon the top of conjoined puppets and the lyrics to the song appear in pure white in type-writing format across the screen as the puppets watch a decayed city projected onto a screen. The track is very easy listening, a slow piano line that makes it perfect for lazy Sundays and although he doesn't stretch his vocals as he did in his Ziggy days, Bowie's crooning is still in top form. The song manages to relax every sinew in my body and as the tempo quickens towards the end, I am excited and full of hope for every Bowie fan as we have not yet lost such a musical legend to retirement.

Tracks on 'The Next Day' (released in Australia March 8th, UK March 11th, USA March 12th)


'The Next Day'
'Dirty Boys'
'The Stars (Are Out Tonight)'
'Love Is Lost'
'Where Are We Now?'
'Valentine's Day'
'If You Can See Me'
'I'd Rather Be High'
'Boss Of Me'
'Dancing Out In Space'
'How Does The Grass Grow'
'(You Will) Set The World On Fire'
'You Feel So Lonely You Could Die'
'Heat'

Up and Coming Bands – The Skints

The Skints are a Punk Reggae band with East London roots which include band members Jamie Kyriakides, Joshua Waters Rudge, Johnathon Doyle and the beautiful Marcia Richards. The band have supported such acts as the Gym Class Heroes and You Me At Six.

Even if you wouldn’t describe yourself as a fan of reggae music you may still find yourself falling for their cross of East London/Jamaican vibes. Joshua Water Rudge’s rapping is fast and furious in the style of grime which takes the sound to the streets of London whereas Marcia Richards’ soft vocals contrasts with this which creates the care-free ambience which is crucial in reggae.

I caught The Skints at a New Slang night in Kingston Upon Thames and the atmosphere was incredible. The crowd was moshing and jumping furiously to the beat but the group on stage were smiling and just generally digging their music, their fans and the night itself. The Skints have created their own niche on the music scene and I highly doubt that you will find another band which is similar in their style.
I predict that they will be making a bigger name for themselves in 2013 so watch this space. . . .

If you like what you read about The Skints they have two available albums ‘Live, Breathe, Build, Believe’ and ‘Part and Parcel’ which is available from their website www.theskints.co.uk which also sells delightful winter jumpers.

Suede releases first single from album 'Bloodsports

When I first heard the exciting news that Suede had reformed (with Richard Oakes in the line up for those who were curious) I also felt incredibly impatient that I would have to wait until March for 'Bloodsports' to be released.

However today was a good news day for all Suede fans as the first single from the album, Barriers, was released as a free download in MP3 format to give us all a taster of the sounds yet to come. My initial thoughts were that Barriers could have easily featured on Brett Anderson's solo album 'Black Rainbow' as it fits in with its mature moodiness of 'Brittle Heart'. The intro uses a guitar line that while softer then what was used in the '90s, still gets your blood pumping. Suede gives a nod to their former touring partners, the Manic Street Preachers, by making a reference to 'Lipstick Traces' (The Manics named their Lipstick Traces album after the Greil Marcus' book on the history of punk) which adds an emotional, nostalgic longing for the days when Britpop was in it's heyday. The lyrics still have the poetic nature that made me fall in love in Suede  in the first place with it's vibrant imagery and Brett Anderson's powerful lungs certainly does the song justice with a few cheeky trademark 'oohhhhs' towards the end.

I would certainly recommend downloading this song, it's free after all, and would not disappoint any Suede fan young or old.

Download the track here
http://suedebarriers.viinyl.com/